My fellow Americans, the Republicans in Congress have seen fit to impeach me, only the second time in our history this has happened. The partisan nature of this act is apparent to all who look at it. I deeply regret the activities and personal failings of mine which have given them the opportunity to overturn the last two Presidential elections and defy the will of the people. I have attempted to prevent this moment, attempted compromise, was willing to accept censure with punishment to avoid this.

The passage of the articles of impeachment has changed this situation dramatically. I will not accept any punishment, economic or otherwise. I will not give up any right I have as an American citizen, in the face of this threat. If the very fact of a partisan impeachment is to be sufficient to convict, to exact punishment, then the Constitution would be turned on its head. I have not committed the crimes with which I have been charged by the Republicans. Even if it were true that I had committed perjury, it would not rise to the level of a "high crime" at the level of treason or bribery. If I have committed a crime, there will be time enough for a jury of my peers to convict me of that crime after my term ends. It will not end prematurely due to a Republican coup.

If I were to quit now, I would be doing a disservice to history. Any President faced with a hostile Congress of the opposite party would live in fear of this kind of attack.

Therefore, I will not resign my office, I will not make a deal. I will defend my presidency. I will fight to continue doing the job which the American people have twice selected me to do, in the same way that the vast majority of Americans, by every measurement, approves of.

Thank you, and God bless America.