Nancy Pelosi wore a strong 'power' brooch during Donald Trump's impeachment vote... and the internet loved it

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's brooch captured the attention of the Internet
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Bonnie Christian19 December 2019

As Donald Trump became the third US President to become impeached overnight, it was House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s "power brooch" that had people talking.

Ms Pelosi opened the impeachment debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, dressed in a dark suit decorated with a thin gold brooch of the Mace of the Republic.

The mace is a ceremonial staff that rests by the speaker’s desk when the House is in session and has been historically used to restore order in the chamber.

It is one of the oldest symbols of American government representing the House of Representatives' authority in the legislative branch.

Donald Trump impeachment protests: December 2019

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Mr Trump was impeached on Wednesday night as he was formally charged under the Constitution’s ultimate remedy for high crimes and misdemeanours after six hours of debate.

The historic vote split along party lines over the charges that the 45th president abused the power of his office by enlisting a foreign government to investigate a political rival ahead of the 2020 election.

Ms Pelosi’s choice of brooch during the historic event was not lost on those watching the proceedings.

The Washington Post fashion critic Robin Givha wrote: “Pelosi dressed for a funeral and her tone was dire. But her glittery brooch made clear that it was not the republic she had come to bury.”

She added: “Nancy Pelosi’s pin at the impeachment debate was a declaration: The republic will survive this.”

The Speaker’s choice of pin was compared with other moments in which women have worn subtle symbolic brooches on significant occasions.

“Pelosi's wearing a Mace of the Republic brooch,” one wrote “That's Queen Liz-level power signalling,” apparently referencing Queen Elizabeth’s choice to wear a brooch gifted to her by the Obamas during a state visit from President Trump.

Others noted Ms Pelosi’s clear choice to send a message of authority.

One person wrote: “Rep. Nancy Pelosi came with the blue fit and golden brooch to stand tall and lead the articles of impeachment. #fierceblueandgold #protecttheconstitution”

It's not the first time Ms Pelosi has worn her mace pin.

She was seen wearing it to the President Trump's first State of Union when she and many of the women of her caucus wore white.

Ms Pelosi also wore it during an interview after the president had called her “vindictive” and a “disgrace” in a post-D-Day interview with Fox News.

And, she wore it in October when she announced she and Representative Adam Schiff had decided to move forward with the articles of impeachment.

Earlier this year, Supreme Court judge Baroness Hale wore a spider brooch to deliver the news that Boris Johnson's suspension of parliament was unlawful.

The brooch caused a social media stir as it was interpreted as a pointed statement towards the political situation.