Here are Documents introduced at IOTC's Constitution Day Event 2021!

Articles of Impeachment of Larry Hogan 

House Resolution No___________________

IMPEACHMENT AND RECOMMENDATION FOR REMOVAL OF LARRY HOGAN, GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND

WHEREAS, the Constitution of Maryland is the supreme law of the State of Maryland; and

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the United States is the Supreme Law of these united States of America; and,

WHEREAS, at Article 2 of the Declaration of Rights, the Constitution of Maryland incorporates the provisions of the Constitution of The United States by reference; and,

WHEREAS, Larry Hogan, pursuant to Article I, Section 9, of the Maryland Constitution, has taken an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and be faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of Maryland, and support the Constitution and the laws thereof; and to execute the office of Governor according to the Constitution and the Laws of this State; and,

WHEREAS, Larry Hogan has broken his oath of office by numerous, repeated, and continued violations of the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Maryland, herein detailed and documented; and,

WHEREAS, by so doing, he has broken the compact which binds him to the people of Maryland as their Governor; now therefore,

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the General Assembly of Maryland hereby adopts these Articles of Impeachment against Larry Hogan pursuant to their authority under Article III, Section 26 of the Maryland Constitution, and hereby communicates and recommends them to the Senate of Maryland to be tried according to the law and evidence.

ARTICLE ONE: Malfeasance in office

The Maryland Declaration of Rights, which is part of the Maryland Constitution provides that “all government of right originates from the people, is founded in compact only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole”.   Larry Hogan has repeatedly and notoriously violated that compact by issuing orders requiring churches and businesses to close, declaring some businesses to be “non-essential”, ordering citizens to stay in their homes, restricting citizens right to travel, and limiting the ability of citizens to assemble.  These actions demonstrate Larry Hogan’s contempt for the Constitution and the limits it places on the authority of the office of Governor.  It further indicates that Larry Hogan has disregarded the document which creates the office which he holds, thereby disregarding the source of his rightful authority.  For these reasons, he has breached the compact which binds him to the people as their governor and has thereby removed himself from that office.  Accordingly, the duty of the General Assembly is to recognize and declare that removal by this impeachment.

ARTICLE TWO:  Misuse of the Police Power

Larry Hogan has violated the Constitution of Maryland and has betrayed the trust of Marylanders as well as abused the law enforcement officials of the State by commanding them to carry out his unlawful edicts.  He has thusly violated both the rights of the people as well as State, County and local police by coercing them to violate the Constitutional rights of Marylanders rather than to defend and protect them as their oath requires. 

Article 4 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights provides that “the People of this State have the sole and excusive right of regulating the internal government and police thereof, as a free, sovereign and independent State”.  By ordering the police to enforce his lawless dictates, Larry Hogan has prevented them from following their constitutional mission and duties.

ARTICLE THREE: Violations of the Separation of Powers by Pretending to Make Law

Article 8 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights provides that “the Legislative, Executive and Judicial powers of Government ought to be forever separate and distinct from each other; and no person exercising the functions of one of said Departments shall assume or discharge the duties of any other”.  By means of edicts, orders and proclamations, he has pretended to make law when he has no constitutional authority to do so.

ARTICLE FOUR:  Theft of The People’s Liberty and Property

Article 24 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights provides that, ”no man ought to be taken or imprisoned or disseized of his freehold, liberties or privileges, or outlawed, or exiled, or, in any manner, destroyed, or deprived of his life, liberty or property, but by the judgment of his peers, or by the Law of the land”.  By means of extraconstitutional orders to stay at home, Larry Hogan has violated the people’s right to travel, to earn a livelihood and to assemble. By ordering businesses to be closed, he has deprived business owners of their property without due process of law. 

Moreover, while he was misusing his authority to close down businesses that he capriciously labeled as “non-essential”, there were no layoffs or suspensions of State workers, despite the fact that during weather or other emergencies some state employees are, in fact, regularly referred to as “non-essential”.

ARTICLE FIVE: Deprivation of Religious Liberties of the People

Article 36 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights protects religious liberty by providing that, “…as it is the duty of every man to worship God in such manner as he thinks most acceptable to Him, all persons are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty; wherefore, no person ought by any law to be molested in his person or estate, on account of his religious persuasion, or profession, or for his religious practice…”.  Larry Hogan has violated this Article by unlawfully closing churches and by sending police and other state officials to harass and to intimidate those seeking to worship God.

ARTICLE SIX:  Abuse of Power Under False Pretenses

Article 44 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights provides that, “…the provisions of the Constitution of the United States, and of this State, apply, as well in time of war, as in time of peace; and any departure therefrom, or violation thereof, under the plea of necessity, or any other plea, is subversive of good Government, and tends to anarchy and despotism”.  Claiming the power to violate the constitution due to a health emergency, or any other emergency, is forbidden by this provision.  Larry Hogan has evidenced his disrespect and disregard for the rule of law by directly violating this provision.

IN ALL OF THIS, Larry Hogan has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as Governor and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the manifest injury of the people of the Maryland.

Wherefore, Larry Hogan, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law. Having disqualified himself, Larry Hogan thus warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit in the State of Maryland or in these united States of America.

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