How the Women at the Heart of the Impeachment Trial Make It Work

Imagine: You have a high-pressure career, a couple of kids, and a job that gives a good portion of the American people permission to assess on live television whether or not you’ve washed your hair. On top of all of that, for the past several weeks you’ve had an essential role in leading the history-making impeachment trial against the president of the United States of America that could lead to his removal from office.

For the women, all Democrats, at the heart of the impeachment trial—the three female impeachment managers and three House Committee staffers—it’s not just a stressful what-if. It’s real life. With the trial now in its second week (and questions still to come from senators for both House impeachment managers and White House counsel), we talked to them about their plan to handle one of the busiest and most monumental weeks of their lives—and ours.

Rep. Val Demings (Florida’s 10th district), impeachment manager

A former social worker, Demings spent almost 30 years in the Orlando Police Department and served as the city’s first female chief of police. She’s been a member of Congress since 2016, and her Twitter is on point.

On work-life balance:
The start of my career in law enforcement was midnight patrols, so I’m no stranger to late nights. The first day of the trial was very near to a 24-hour workday—certainly not something I would ever want to do on a regular basis, but we are fighting for the soul of our republic, and I know that each of us will do whatever it takes. Democracy is literally at stake. I’m a believer in work-life balance, but when the president is seeking to cheat in the next election, nothing less than total commitment is required.

On going without caffeine:
I don’t need any help in the adrenaline department during this critical time in our nation’s history. The weight of the moment is overwhelming because the stakes are so high. I want my grandchildren to grow up in a republic where their vote always counts.

On self-care:
This week I have not made it to the gym—I am not complaining, though—but I still find time to exchange calls and texts with my family. To unwind, I try to find a quiet place and pray.

On snack breaks:
Almond Joys are a favorite. Granola bars are great as well. As a former law enforcement officer, I am used to multitasking, so while I am snacking, I am reading, reviewing materials, and bouncing ideas off colleagues as we work hard to protect and defend our democracy.

On staying motivated:
I came to Congress hoping to focus on the safety and security of our nation, public education, reducing gun violence, lowering the cost of health care, protecting veterans and seniors, and much more. As a House manager, I am working overtime to protect and defend our democracy.

On having a fire social media presence:
I’m a big believer that everything I do here in Washington is in service of my constituents. Keeping them informed and involved is a big part of that, and I’m glad to have a team of staff that supports that mission. The golden rule for social media is simple: Never be afraid to tell the truth.

Rep. Sylvia Garcia (Texas’s 29th district), impeachment manager

Before her election to the House of Representatives, Garcia was social worker and lawyer turned judge. When she and Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas’s 16th district) were elected in 2018, the women became the first two Hispanic women to serve in the chamber from the state of Texas.

On starting the day right:
I always try to get a real breakfast at home, a hot breakfast. Not a pastry, which many folks around here think is breakfast.

On being really busy:
I have been too busy to really pay attention to what time I have been leaving [work]. I’ve lost track of the days. It is a part of the job and the responsibility I now have as an impeachment manager.

On staying motivated:
My parents are the major reason why I am here today. I am one of 10 children. My mom and dad always told us: Trabaja duro, obtiene una buena educación y cree en Dios (“work hard, get a good education, and believe in God”). They knew education could make a difference in our lives. It did for me. It was their many lessons that have guided me throughout my life and career.

On snack breaks:
Everyone who knows me knows that a little piece of chocolate is my pick-me-up. During my breaks I also try to check in with staff about what’s going on in the district, check on texts to make sure there are not family emergencies, and take a moment to stretch my legs. If I had more time, I would love to get through the mystery novel I’m currently reading.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, (California’s 19th district), impeachment manager

Lofgren, a former immigration lawyer, has served in Congress for 25 years. This is her third impeachment experience—as a law student in 1974 during President Nixon’s Watergate scandal, she was tapped to draft one of the Articles of Impeachment. And in 1998 she was on the House Judiciary Committee that approved Articles of Impeachment against President Clinton.

On being…a morning person:
I have been waking up at either 4 or 5 a.m. Pacific time this week. The time I have been going to sleep has varied. On Wednesday morning I went to sleep at 3 a.m. Eastern time since we did not leave the Senate Floor until nearly 2 a.m.

On the daily grind:
As a member of Congress, I find my days are always busy, and my schedule changes daily. On a traditional day in Washington, D.C., I have meetings, hearings, and votes on the floor. During the trial, the pace is the same. The difference is, the impeachment managers have a specific place to be for a long period of time.

On self-care:
I enjoy Sudoku and completing the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time for either this week.

On having worked on the Nixon impeachment in 1974:
I had the profound opportunity to have a bird’s-eye view of the proceedings. At the time, Congressman Don Edwards correctly specified that the grave danger must be “to the republic,” since he understood that a presidential offense is only impeachable if it upsets the constitutional order and threatens the republic itself. Nixon abused presidential powers to improperly influence the election, he covered up his actions using the FBI and the CIA, and the Judiciary Committee approved Articles of Impeachment and he resigned the presidency. In the case of Trump, not only has he similarly abused his power to cheat with the election, he used a foreign power to do it.

On working on her third impeachment:
This is my first time serving as a manager, so I can’t impart wisdom or advice about being a manager in the trial itself; however, I have been urging my peers to stick to the facts and the Constitution.

Rheanne Wirkkala, deputy director of investigations for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

Wirkkala has worked for the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly five years. Before that she was a counterterrorism analyst at the Department of Defense.

On sleep:
On the first day of trial, I went to sleep at 4:45 a.m. and woke up at 7 a.m.—I also have a one-year-old, so I really haven’t slept in a year.

On drinking coffee:
How would I survive otherwise?

On parenting during a crisis:
My husband is also deeply invested in his career, so we have spent the last decade learning how to balance one another’s career goals while raising our kids. Throughout the impeachment inquiry and trial, he has been the most supportive spouse and partner so that I can step up as much as possible during this important moment in history.

On stress:
It’s really important to us that we present the strongest case to the American people. Getting that done in a way that is compelling and complete is an incredible amount of work. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t intense and stressful, but it’s deeply rewarding.

On snack breaks:
Cheez-Its. Honestly, though, we haven’t had many breaks recently.

Arya Hariharan, deputy chief oversight counsel for the House Judiciary Committee

Hariharan is a lawyer who has worked for the House of Representatives for nearly five years. Before that, she was a lawyer for the nonprofit environmental law firm Earthjustice.

On sleep:
I wake up at 5 a.m. and go to sleep at 3:30 a.m. on a good day, but often have gone two or three days straight with no sleep. Normally I wake up at 5:30 a.m. and go to sleep at midnight.

On snack breaks:
Reese’s Peanut Butter cups, Cliff bars, pizza rolls, and doughnuts. There was one night where I did cartwheels in the hallway to wake up. Also, the House office buildings are definitely haunted so we deal with those weird surprises in the wee hours.

On unwinding:
Soccer is my first love. I stream the games in the background while I work or listen to sports podcasts like Men in Blazers or The Redmen TV. I also started listening to The Pirate History Podcast and I Know Dino: The Big Dinosaur Podcast, because who can say no to either subject matter?

On being part of history:
I’m an adrenaline junkie so I enjoy this level of insanity and don’t have the best work-life balance. I am very lucky that my partner has been incredibly understanding throughout the impeachment process. He makes sure to keep the fridge stocked with cold-pressed juices, ice cream, and healthy food so I don’t get sick. My family has also been very supportive and excited whenever they see my face on the news.

Susanne Sachsman Grooms, deputy staff Director and chief counsel, House Committee on Oversight and Reform

Sachsman Grooms is a lawyer who has worked for the IRS and the Justice Department. She worked for the late Rep. Elijah Cummings on the House Oversight Committee for almost a decade.

On sleep:
Well, we are certainly sleep-deprived. We go to bed late, and we wake up very early.

On snack breaks:
The break room is well stocked with Skittles.

On parenting during a crisis:
My kids are 11 and 13, and are following the impeachment closely. They are very proud of my role in the impeachment trial and have been willing to sacrifice some mom time and to take on additional responsibilities at home. So while I appreciate that they have learned to pack lunches for themselves, I look forward to spending more time with them.

On being a part of history:
We get up every morning knowing that we are working for a purpose, and that we are part of history. We did not choose to be in this moment, but we must live up to it.

These interviews have been edited and lightly condensed.

Jenny Singer is a staff writer for Glamour.

Originally Appeared on Glamour