Why Nancy Pelosi used so many pens to sign the articles of impeachment

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi used multiple pens. Here’s why

Published: Jan 15, 2020, 4:37 p.m. MST

In this image from video, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks as the House of Representatives debates the impeachment managers resolution at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020. (House Television via AP) — In this image from video, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks as the House of Representatives debates the impeachment managers resolution at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020. House Television via Associated Press

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi signed the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Wednesday ... with multiple pens.

What happened: Pelosi signed the articles of impeachment late Wednesday, using a swath of different pens to do it.

Speaker Pelosi signs the articles of impeachment. pic.twitter.com/7cBBNStTcN
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) January 15, 2020

Pelosi handed the pens to the impeachment managers and key committee chairs after she signed the articles.
Social media didn’t let the moment go unnoticed.

The pens Pelosi will use to sign the articles of impeachment pic.twitter.com/lskRVsTLft
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) January 15, 2020

I’m sorry but this pen sitch is....ridiculous.
— Miriam Elder (@MiriamElder) January 15, 2020

It’s a laborious process because she’s using multiple pens.

“It makes for a funny signature,” she jokes. https://t.co/szLoKhgyg8
— Lauren Gambino (@laurenegambino) January 15, 2020

(I don’t get what’s happening.)
— Kate Bennett (@KateBennett_DC) January 15, 2020

Pelosi has handled the optics of impeachment well, right up until that signing ceremony, which was awkward. Handing out pens should have been done in private. This was not some celebratory moment.
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) January 15, 2020

Pelosi sharing pens to sign the articles of impeachment and smiling and posing for pictures seemed a little off for the moment.
— Meridith McGraw (@meridithmcgraw) January 15, 2020

Pelosi really used 20 pens to sign the articles of impeachment and then proceeded to hand them all out to everyone. I am dead. But what I gotta do to get one????? pic.twitter.com/PMhOEROeLp
— memez4dayz / k.c.🦋 (@kayceexmemez) January 15, 2020

I thought I kept losing my pens because I'm a dummy but it turns out that Nancy Pelosi keeps stealing them
— Justin Ling (Has Left) (@Justin_Ling) January 15, 2020

Why so many?: Per CNN congressional reporter Lauren Fox: “So many pens that Pelosi will sign to officially transmit the articles of impeachment and sign resolution appointing House managers. Why so many? They will be given away to members like House managers as a symbol of today.”

So many pens that Pelosi will sign to officially transmit the articles of impeachment and sign resolution appointing House managers. Why so many? They will be given away to members like House managers as a symbol of today. pic.twitter.com/URHGGGGp7K
— Lauren Fox (@FoxReports) January 15, 2020

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Yes, but: CNN congressional reporter Haley Byrd pointed out that Pelosi uses multiple pens all the time.

In 2019, she used multiple pens to sign the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which would stop exports of crowd control products to Hong Kong. Byrd tweeted a video at the time showing Pelosi using multiple pens.

Speaker Pelosi just now signed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act and a bill that would block exports of non-lethal crowd control products to the Hong Kong police force. The House overwhelmingly approved both bills last night. Now, they’ll go to Trumo for his signature. pic.twitter.com/t84ESac68B
— Haley Byrd Wilt 🌻 (@byrdinator) November 21, 2019

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