WASHINGTON — The impeachment trial continues this week with the president’s defense team’s case. On the side of House Democrats, there are two California lawmakers at the forefront of the Democratic party: Representatives Adam Schiff and Zoe Lofgren. 

Lofgren’s history is unique; she’s the only Congress member who has taken part in the impeachments of President Richard Nixon and President Bill Clinton, and now she's involved in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. It's making for busy days for the San Jose Democrat.  

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“Major work to do on my end,” said Lofgren. 

Lofgren received the coveted title of "impeachment manager," just one of seven House members tasked with presenting and arguing for the removal of the President of the United States. Since the announcement, Lofgren has worked countless hours preparing, joking she’s gotten just enough sleep.

“Well the strategy really is simple: to lay out the case that the House relied on in the impeachment, to seek the truth, and to expect justice,” said Lofgren. 

Lofgren said she was happy to see people back in her district greeting her with open arms, supporting her work in the impeachment proceedings. 

“I didn’t take a poll but over the weekend I was able to go home,” said Lofgren. “And everywhere I went, people came up and hugged me and said we’re with you and wanted to take pictures to post on their websites. It was really overwhelming. People were just lovely.”

She said she hopes the opening arguments will convince senators at the very least to allow witnesses to be a part of the trial, emphasizing Republicans are welcome to call their own witnesses, too. She said her constituents and the American people want witnesses.

“I hope to do a good job. All I know is I’ll do my very best,” said Lofgren. 

This week leads up to 100 U.S. senators taking the momentous vote of whether to remove President Trump from office. The Trump administration’s defense said nothing President Trump did justifies impeachment. Many top Republicans are echoing the president, calling the Senate trial a sham, saying they hope for zero witnesses, and a swift acquittal for the president. 

But a handful of GOP Senators say they will listen to opening statements and closing arguments closely before deciding whether to approve any witnesses.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., speaks before Congress in this image from January 2020. (Spectrum News)