‘I Am Honored:’ Rep. Debbie Lesko Joins Trump’s Impeachment Team

Arizona Rep. Debbie Lesko agreed to join President Trump’s impeachment team, calling the appointment an “honor.” In a statement released Monday, the Congresswoman lambasted House Democrats for their “dirty tricks,” and said she plans to fight against their “unfair process.” 

The invitation into Trump’s inner impeachment circle is a culmination of Lesko’s vigorous defense of President Trump. Lesko was a vocal voice in defense of Trump since the early stages of the impeachment inquiry. Here are some highlights:

• Lesko downplayed the significance of the July 25, 2019 call transcript, and told the Arizona Horizon in September she thought the complaint would “boomerang back on Democrats.”
• After House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the beginning of the impeachment inquiry, Cronkite News quoted Lesko accusing Democrats of “using unverified claims from unknown sources.”
• In September and October, Lesko signed on to fellow Arizona Republican Rep. Andy Biggs’ resolutions to censure Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif, after Schiff was accused of misleading the public about the impeachment inquiry. 
• In October, Lesko joined a handful of House Republicans storming the House Intelligence Committee’s closed door impeachment hearings. She called the process a “political hit job on the President of the United States.” 
• In a December floor speech, Lesko said, “This is the most unfair, rigged process I have seen in my entire life.”

Lesko will be one of eight members of Congress on the president’s defense team, along with Reps. Doug Collins from Georgia and Jim Jordan from Ohio, although it’s unclear exactly what they will be doing.

A senior Trump administration official told Fox News the representatives “will continue to give critical guidance on the case because of their strong familiarity with the facts and evidence.”

Lesko also told KTAR’s AZ Morning News on Tuesday that, “I think what my role depends on, I guess, is what happens in the Senate.” 

She added that the White House chose her for her efforts in Congress and on the Judiciary Committee to defend President Trump against impeachment. 

“The last time I saw (President Trump) personally, he said, ‘Thank you; you’re doing a good job.’ So I guess that’s the reason why he asked me,” Lesko said.

The impeachment trial began Tuesday with Senators and House Managers selected to present the case debating rules laid out by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.   

The proposed rules allow each side up to 24-hours time on the Senate floor to present their case. However, McConnell’s rules require each side to use their time over two days, followed by 16 hours of written questioning from Senators.