WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today released a video response to the impeachment of President Donald J. Trump by the U.S. House of Representatives.

Read the transcript of Senator Wicker’s remarks below:

House Democrats made a historic mistake today. By impeaching President Trump on a partisan basis and with little evidence, they have set a dangerous precedent.

The truth is, congressional Democrats have sought this result since the day Donald Trump was elected. Their effort has never been about the facts or accountability. It was always about politics and damaging a president they cannot tolerate.

To justify their goal, they conducted an investigation without due process or even the pretense of fairness. Even still, they were able to put forward a flimsy case based only on hearsay and assumptions. These charges would not be admissible in any courtroom in America. But that did not matter to President Trump’s detractors.

Now this process comes to the Senate, where the president will be treated fairly. I anticipate he will be acquitted and justice will be served. But significant damage has already been done.

The founders of our nation gave Congress the power to impeach so that the executive branch could be held accountable. They intended it to be used only in extreme cases, with clear evidence, and overwhelming bipartisan approval. Speaker Pelosi supported this standard just a few months ago but has now abandoned it.

Today the House has abused their solemn responsibility.