Eleanor Finch
In October 2019, a screenshot of a tweet by Hillary Clinton went viral, in which she appeared to call for the US Constitution to be shredded if it could not be used to impeach then-President Donald Trump. The tweet was shared by people who believed it to be a legitimate screenshot of a Fox News broadcast. However, the tweet was edited to remove the attribution to Rep. Barbara Jordan, who had originally made the statement in 1974 in reference to the impeachment of Richard Nixon. While Clinton did tweet some of the words shown in the screenshot, she was not calling for the Constitution to be shredded but rather equating the gravity of Nixon's actions to Trump's.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of tweet | 4 October 2019 |
| Content of tweet | "If the impeachment provision in the Constitution of the United States will not reach the offenses charged here, then perhaps that 18th-century Constitution should be abandoned to a 20th-century paper shredder!" |
| Context | Referring to the impeachment of Donald Trump |
| Authenticity | Unable to be verified |
| Misattribution | Yes, the tweet was quoting Rep. Barbara Jordan from 1974 |
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What You'll Learn
Hillary Clinton's tweet about the US Constitution
On October 4, 2019, Hillary Clinton tweeted about the US Constitution, sparking controversy and accusations that she was calling for the shredding of the foundational document. The tweet in question read:
> "If the impeachment provision in the Constitution of the United States will not reach the offenses charged here, then perhaps that 18th-century Constitution should be abandoned to a 20th-century paper shredder!"
Clinton's tweet was a partial quote of Rep. Barbara Jordan from 1974, referring to the potential impeachment of Richard Nixon. By evoking Jordan's words, Clinton was drawing a parallel between the Nixon and Trump impeachment proceedings, implying that Trump's offenses were equally, if not more, egregious.
The tweet caused an uproar, with some interpreting it as Clinton calling for the literal shredding of the Constitution if Trump was not impeached. This interpretation sparked outrage and was criticised as an extreme and reckless suggestion, with some claiming it furthered the Democrats' hopes for 2020 success. However, others defended Clinton, arguing that her words were taken out of context and that she was not advocating for the literal destruction of the Constitution. They asserted that Clinton was instead emphasising the gravity of Trump's actions and the importance of holding him accountable.
It is worth noting that the tweet was also shared as a screenshot from a Fox News segment, which some believed was creatively edited to attribute the quote directly to Clinton without the original context of Jordan's statement. This screenshot further fuelled the controversy, spreading on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, with many believing it to be an authentic representation of Clinton's views.
Overall, Hillary Clinton's tweet about the US Constitution ignited intense discussions and highlighted the polarising nature of political interpretations. While some viewed it as a call to disregard the nation's foundational document, others defended it as a critique of the impeachment process and the severity of Trump's actions.
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The context of the tweet
On October 4, 2019, Hillary Clinton tweeted:
> "If the impeachment provision in the Constitution of the United States will not reach the offenses charged here, then perhaps that 18th-century Constitution should be abandoned to a 20th-century paper shredder!"
Clinton's tweet was made in reference to the impeachment of then-US President Donald Trump. At the time, there were calls for Trump to be impeached due to his alleged involvement in the Ukraine scandal, where he was accused of pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate his political rival, Joe Biden, and his son, Hunter Biden. Clinton, a prominent figure in the Democratic Party, was expressing her frustration with the impeachment process and arguing that if the Constitution could not hold Trump accountable for his actions, then maybe it needed to be "shredded". This interpretation of her tweet suggests that she was not advocating for the literal destruction of the Constitution but rather making a point about the seriousness of Trump's actions and the need for consequences.
The tweet also included a quote from Rep. Barbara Jordan, a Democrat from Texas, who made similar comments about impeachment during the Nixon administration in 1974. Jordan's quote, which was attributed to her in Clinton's tweet, said, "If the impeachment provision in the Constitution of the United States will not reach the offenses charged here, then perhaps that 18th-century Constitution should be abandoned to a 20th-century paper shredder." Jordan's comments were made in reference to the Watergate scandal, which ultimately led to Nixon's resignation. By invoking Jordan's quote, Clinton was drawing a parallel between Nixon's actions and those of Trump, suggesting that both presidents had committed serious offenses that warranted impeachment.
The tweet caused a significant backlash and was criticised by many, including supporters of Trump and some members of the media. Some interpreted Clinton's words as a direct call to shred the Constitution, the founding document of the United States, if the impeachment process did not yield the results desired by Clinton and her Democratic allies. This interpretation led to accusations of treason and claims that Clinton was advocating for the destruction of the nation's fundamental laws. However, others defended Clinton's tweet, arguing that it was taken out of context and that she was not suggesting the literal destruction of the Constitution but rather highlighting the seriousness of the situation and the need for accountability.
It is worth noting that the tweet also sparked discussions about the role of social media in politics and the potential consequences of controversial statements. Clinton's extensive social media team had previously faced criticism for some of their posts, and this incident added to the ongoing dialogue about the impact of social media on political discourse and the potential for messages to be taken out of context or creatively edited, as evidenced by the Fox News screenshot controversy surrounding this particular tweet.
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The 18th-century Constitution and 20th-century paper shredder
On October 4, 2019, Hillary Clinton tweeted:
> "If the impeachment provision in the Constitution of the United States will not reach the offenses charged here, then perhaps that 18th-century Constitution should be abandoned to a 20th-century paper shredder!"
The tweet included an image, with the attribution "Rep. Barbara Jordan — 1974", of what appeared to be a still of a screen from a phone or similar device. The image was purportedly shown onscreen during a Fox News segment, but no one reported on the segment, and the image was not shared on Facebook or Twitter. The tweet caused an uproar, with some interpreting it as Clinton calling for the Constitution to be shredded if it could not be used to impeach Trump.
However, others have argued that the tweet was taken out of context and that Clinton was not suggesting the Constitution be shredded literally. They point out that Rep. Barbara Jordan, a Democrat in 1974, was referring to the impeachment of Richard Nixon and making a point about the gravity of his crimes. In her tweet, Clinton was equating the severity of Nixon's actions to those of Trump, not calling for the Constitution to be shredded and rewritten.
The controversy surrounding Clinton's tweet is part of a larger pattern of controversial statements and social media posts that have dogged her political career. From her use of a private email server while serving as Secretary of State to her extensive social media team's missteps, Clinton has faced ongoing scrutiny for her public comments and online presence.
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Rep. Barbara Jordan's 1974 quote
On October 4, 2019, Hillary Clinton tweeted:
> "If the impeachment provision in the Constitution of the United States will not reach the offenses charged here, then perhaps that 18th-century Constitution should be abandoned to a 20th-century paper shredder!"
The tweet included an attribution to "Rep. Barbara Jordan — 1974", which was missing from screenshots of the tweet that circulated on social media. In her 1974 speech, Rep. Barbara Jordan, D-Texas, addressed the House Judiciary Committee during President Richard Nixon's impeachment hearings. Jordan's speech was a defence of the Constitution, but with a notable critique of its original exclusion of people of colour and women:
> "We, the people. It is a very eloquent beginning. But when the document was completed on the seventeenth of September 1787, I was not included in that 'We, the people.' I felt somehow for many years that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton just left me out by mistake. But through the process of amendment, interpretation and court decision I have finally been included in 'We, the people.''"
Jordan's speech was a turning point in the Watergate Scandal, marking the first time a sitting representative had addressed racial and gender inequality in such a public fashion.
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Clinton's previous controversial statements
In 2019, Hillary Clinton tweeted a statement that caused controversy, suggesting that the Constitution should be shredded if it could not be used to impeach then-President Donald Trump. The tweet was a partial quote from Rep. Barbara Jordan in 1974, referring to the impeachment of Richard Nixon. While the statement was taken out of context and shared as a screenshot from a Fox News segment, it nonetheless sparked strong reactions.
- During her time as Secretary of State, Clinton faced scrutiny for using a private email server. In response to the controversy, Clinton made a joke about Snapchat messages disappearing during a speech in August 2015. She also quipped that the White House's hacking incident wouldn't have happened if they had used her server, a statement that backfired when the FBI found weaknesses in her server's security.
- In 2016, Clinton angered environmental activists by avoiding a clear position on the Keystone Pipeline for years. She eventually stated her opposition to the pipeline, but her initial reluctance to take a stand sparked criticism.
- Clinton faced criticism for her comments praising former First Lady Nancy Reagan's advocacy for HIV/AIDS awareness. Many in the LGBT community felt that the Reagans hadn't done enough to address the epidemic, and Clinton's remarks were seen as downplaying the severity of the issue. She later issued an apology.
- During a primary battle, Clinton's rival Bernie Sanders requested that she release transcripts from her paid speeches to Wall Street executives. Clinton deflected the request by asking Sanders to release his tax returns and setting conditions for releasing the transcripts.
- Clinton's stance on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) also sparked controversy. She initially supported the deal but later walked back her position. Footage from 2012 showing her praising the TPP was released, highlighting her shift in stance.
These statements, along with the Constitution tweet, have been scrutinized and debated, reflecting the intense public interest in Clinton's public image and political positions.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Hillary Clinton did tweet that the Constitution should be shredded.
The tweet was in reference to the impeachment of then-President Donald Trump and the charges against him.
"If the impeachment provision in the Constitution of the United States will not reach the offenses charged here, then perhaps that 18th-century Constitution should be abandoned to a 20th-century paper shredder!"
While the tweet did say that the Constitution should be shredded, it was a comment on the gravity of Trump's actions and the failure to impeach him. Clinton was not suggesting that the Constitution be literally shredded and rewritten.
It appears that a screenshot of the tweet was shown during a Fox News segment, but it is unclear if the network purposely omitted the attribution to Rep. Barbara Jordan in 1974, which made the quote seem like it was from Clinton herself.
