News
There Is Now a Flood of Demands From House Democrats to Start an Impeachment Inquiry Into President Trump
At least 16 House Democrats are demanding to begin some form of action on impeachment.
President Donald Trump’s total refusal to honor any congressional document subpoenas, his total blockade on allowing current and former administration officials to testify – even when facing a congressional subpoena – and his ongoing campaign of retaliatory threats of intimidation are leading more and more House Democratic lawmakers to reach the same conclusion.
They are calling for action, demanding an impeachment inquiry to begin.
The Washington Post notes Trump’s White House “is blocking more than 20 Democratic investigations into Trump, his finances or his policies.”
During Monday night’s closed-door House Democratic leadership meeting, Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly remained firm in her opposition to impeaching the President.
“Reps. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Joe Neguse of Colorado — all members of Democratic leadership — pushed to begin impeachment proceedings,” Politico reports.
“I think if this pattern by the president continues, where he’s going to impede and prevent and undermine our ability to gather evidence to do our job, we’re going to be left with no choice,” Rep. Cicilline said. “It’s a means where we can collect that information … We need to have the ability to gather the evidence.”
Politico adds that “in a Democratic Steering and Policy Committee meeting, Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee stood up and demanded Trump’s impeachment.”
And Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) also added to the calls for action.
“The president’s continuing lawless conduct is making it harder and harder to rule out impeachment or any other enforcement mechanism,” Nadler said. Reports say he is advocating fr an impeachment inquiry behind the scenes.
Also calling for action are House Ethics Committee Chairman Ted Deutch (D-FL), and Reps. Ted Lieu (D-CA), and Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO).
Reports are flooding in to Twitter, from lawmakers and reporters. #ImpeachmentInquiryNow is also trending on Twitter.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington:
We are now at the point where we must begin an impeachment inquiry. I don’t say that lightly. We’ve taken every step we can w/subpoenas and witnesses. Trump obstructs everything. A president who thinks he’s king, accountable to nobody & ,above the law is absolutely unacceptable. https://t.co/rrPua23lsF
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) May 21, 2019
Rep. Veronica Escobar of Texas:
I personally feel like we cannot tolerate this level of obstruction, that if we do, then we have lowered the bar to the point where any criminal can be president of the United States and that should be unacceptable to all of us.
I believe we need to begin an impeachment inquiry.
— Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar) May 21, 2019
Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin:
Stonewalling Congress on witnesses and the unredacted Mueller report only enhances the President’s appearance of guilt, and as a result, he has pushed Congress to a point where we must start an impeachment inquiry.
— Rep. Mark Pocan (@repmarkpocan) May 21, 2019
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York:
It is just as politicized a maneuver to not impeach in the face of overwhelming evidence as it is to impeach w/o cause.
Congress swore an oath to uphold the Constitution. That includes impeachment.
We have a duty to preserve our institutions + uphold the rule of law. https://t.co/oqguoDLUVC
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 21, 2019
CNN’s Manu Raju adds more names to the list:
Schiff has been skeptical of impeachment. I just asked him if he’s changing his tune. “The case gets stronger the more they stonewall.” https://t.co/pSY6BGMmdj
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) May 21, 2019
MSNBC producer Kyle Griffin on Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA):
House Intel’s Rep. Jackie Speier on CNN: “I believe that an inquiry into impeachment is required at this point in time.”
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) May 21, 2019
Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Committee: “The time has come to start an impeachment inquiry.” pic.twitter.com/d6C3Oq3u9K
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) May 21, 2019
Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee (D-TX) wants to go further:
JACKSON LEE says her resolution would allow the House to bless the Judiciary Committee investigation and note it would lead to impeachment if the facts warrant it. She says it’s not the same as an impeachment inquiry.
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) May 21, 2019
An impeachment investigation is not impeachment, nor a vote for impeachment. But many believe televised hearings, similar to those that captivated the nation during Watergate, would help inform and ultimately convince the American public. A recent Reuters poll found 45% of Americans support impeachment, up five points in the last month. 42% are opposed.
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.