Democratic Congressman Files Article of Impeachment Against Trump

‘If the Impulsive Incompetency Continues, Then Eventually—Many, Many Months From Now—Republicans Will Join the Impeachment Effort’

A Democratic Congressman has officially filed an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump for obstruction of justice. Rep. Brad Sherman of California is the sponsor, and Rep. Al Green of Texas is the co-sponsor. Sherman makes clear that this is just the start of the process. 

In a statement Rep. Sherman notes that “filing Articles of Impeachment is the first step on a very long road. But if the impulsive incompetency continues, then eventually—many, many months from now—Republicans will join the impeachment effort.” 

The filing, H. Res. 438 is for one count of obstruction of justice, related to President Trump’s firing of FBI Director Jim Comey.

“We now begin the effort to force the House Judiciary Committee to hold hearings on Obstruction of Justice and Russian interference in our election,” Sherman’s statement reads.

“Recent disclosures by Donald Trump Jr. indicate that Trump’s campaign was eager to receive assistance from Russia. It now seems likely that the President had something to hide when he tried to curtail the investigation of National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and the wider Russian probe. I believe his conversations with, and subsequent firing of, FBI Director James Comey constitute Obstruction of Justice.”

Sherman’s statement doesn’t hold back.

“Every day Democrats, Republicans, and the entire world are shocked by the latest example of America’s amateur President.  Ignorance accompanied by a refusal to learn. Lack of impulse control, accompanied by a refusal to have his staff control his impulses. We’re no longer surprised by any action, no matter how far below the dignity of the office—and no matter how dangerous to the country,” it says.

“But the Constitution does not provide for the removal of a President for impulsive, ignorant incompetence. It does provide for the removal of a President for High Crimes and Misdemeanors.”

Raw Story notes that Rep. Sherman “has indicated that he may invoke the ‘privileged motion’ of impeachment filing — a parliamentary rule that requires the entire House to vote regardless of whether the House Judiciary Committee chooses to take it up.”

Sherman has posted the article to Twitter:

Congressman Green has not yet posted a statement, but earlier this month he spoke with MSNBC about his attendance at an impeachment march.

“This is the first time a lawmaker has offered an impeachment article against Trump, and comes as Democrats have debated whether it is politically wise to press the case for impeachment at this time,” The Hill notes. “A majority vote in the House, currently controlled by Republicans, is required to impeach a president. Republicans have a 24-seat advantage.”

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