Nancy Pelosi leads Democrats in wearing dark colors to symbolize ‘somber’ mood of impeachment proceedings
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is letting her clothes do the talking as the House of Representatives prepared to vote Wednesday on articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump.
Pelosi was among many Democrats arriving at the proceedings in black dresses and suits — a sartorial gesture reportedly symbolizing the seriousness of the task before them. CNN’s Dana Bash reports that a Pelosi colleague shared that Democrats were “intentionally” wearing the dark hue to “signal it is a somber day.”
Note: @SpeakerPelosi is wearing black. One of her colleagues told me several of the female Democrats did that intentionally to signal it is a somber day #impeachment
— Dana Bash (@DanaBashCNN) December 18, 2019
Pelosi — who is no stranger to bold style statements, from her red coat to her white ensemble at the State of the Union — arrived at the Capitol in a black collared dress accessorized with her gold mace brooch, which symbolizes the Speaker’s mace and her authority.
Bash also tweeted that Pelosi, who was the recipient of a heated letter from the president on Tuesday, told her she “felt sad” about the impeachment proceedings. Meanwhile, Trump took to Twitter to say that she’d “go down in history as [the] worst Speaker.”
Will go down in history as worst Speaker. Already thrown out once! https://t.co/Q6N2EVlp9j
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2019
NBC News reports that Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan revealed that female members of the House had informally discussed wearing dark clothing. The congresswoman wore a dark gray tweed blazer with a black lapel.
This is one of the saddest days I can remember. None of us are happy to vote for impeachment, but we take an oath of office to defend our democracy. pic.twitter.com/DiCtVkfsmB
— Rep. Debbie Dingell (@RepDebDingell) December 18, 2019
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, meanwhile, was seen in a black coat paired with a burgundy blouse, while Rep. Pramila Jayapal joined the debate in a black top underneath a dark purple striped jacket. Rep. Barbara Lee followed Pelosi’s lead in a black blazer and dress.
I'm saddened but not shocked that we are considering articles of impeachment against Trump.
I'm saddened but not shocked because Trump has routinely shown his disregard for Congress and the rule of law.
History will remember how we vote today. #DefendOurDemocracy pic.twitter.com/YvDmsAZVDP— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) December 18, 2019
Male House colleagues, including Rep. Ted Lieu and Rep. Joe Kennedy III, also wore dark gray and black suits.
One Republican congressman, however, made his own sartorial splash. Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania sported a snowman-print necktie with “Ho Ho Ho” written on it.
Scott Perry is wearing a ho ho ho tie with little snowmen on it for House floor debate on the third presidential impeachment in US history pic.twitter.com/id2i2AnGUT
— Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) December 18, 2019
Other lawmakers opted for less solemn attire, too. Famed for her hats, Rep. Frederica Wilson chose a festive red sequined topper, while her Democratic colleagues Gerald Connolly, Steve Cohen and Earl Blumenauer also took the floor in statement accessories.
Thank you, @RepGwenMoore, for standing shoulder to shoulder with me in the fight to #BringBackOurGirls. pic.twitter.com/q4dSTUimYZ
— Rep Frederica Wilson (@RepWilson) December 18, 2019
Of course @GerryConnolly wears the ugliest necktie possible today... pic.twitter.com/YnmlDMAFy3
— Virginia Political Memes (@VApoliticalmeme) December 18, 2019
Sweet bicycle lapel pin here on Earl Blumenauer. pic.twitter.com/MZwZWhuTyk
— Steve Mang (@Steve_Mang) December 18, 2019
Congressman Steve Cohen supports articles of impeachment during debate o... https://t.co/l4R9KwD3Au via @YouTube
— javier bailey (@javierbailey) December 18, 2019
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