Government

Plaskett Increases Influence in Congress, Becomes Most Followed Congressional Delegate From a U.S. Territory

Day two of President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial was historic for several reasons. Not only was it the first time a president was put on trial for a second time by the U.S. Senate, it was also the first time a congressional delegate from a U.S. territory presented in an impeachment case. The trial ended with a dramatic vote for witnesses as House impeachment managers forced a Senate vote on day five. But after the Senate voted to allow witness testimony, the day ultimately ended without calling any witnesses and with Mr. Trump’s acquittal. Interestingly, national coverage of Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett — the delegate representing the at-large-congressional district in the U.S. Virgin Islands — focused on the Americans living in U.S. territories and the right to vote in fair elections. The House managers said the former president’s speech, delivered before a violent insurrection, was not an isolated event and was part of a broader campaign to delegitimize state election resul...