Corruption Has Consequences: Pelosi Announces Formal Impeachment Inquiry Into Trump
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi applauding President Trump during the State of the Union – February 5, 2019. (AP)
Donald Trump’s critics have argued that he is the most corrupt President in American history. They’ve cited his receptiveness to Russia’s interference in 2016, his efforts to obstruct the investigation into that interference, his ongoing endeavor to profit from the presidency, his dangling of pardons to officials he’s told to violate immigration law, stonewalling, market manipulation, abuse of human rights, authoritarian tactics, the list goes on. But the straw that broke the House Democrats’ hesitation to impeach President Trump was his corrupt effort to get Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 election – the day after the Mueller hearing.
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After last week’s news of President Trump’s July 25th phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky where Trump reportedly asked 8 times for Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden, calls for impeachment increased. It began to hit a fever pitch on Monday as the number of House Democrats calling for impeachment continued to rise closer to 200 Reps. on Tuesday.
Congressman—and civil rights icon—John Lewis calls for an impeachment inquiry into Trump.
“I truly believe the time to begin impeachment proceedings against this president has come. To delay or to do otherwise would betray the foundation of our democracy.”pic.twitter.com/RO1pPo8m1B
— Rantt Media (@RanttMedia) September 24, 2019
At 5 pm on Tuesday, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced that House Democrats are moving forward with an “official impeachment inquiry” into President Trump.
BREAKING: Speaker Nancy Pelosi: “Today, I’m announcing the House of Representatives is moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry.”
“The president must be held accountable; no one is above the law.” https://t.co/E2e0WqWOBQ pic.twitter.com/CRELddNf7K
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) September 24, 2019
After spending the afternoon meeting with Democratic chairs of House Committees and Democratic leadership, Pelosi told the Democratic caucus that it’s time to launch official impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump. In her speech, announcing the effort, Pelosi highlighted President Trump’s violations of the Constitution. Pelosi then said that the six House Committees will be operating under the umbrella of an impeachment inquiry as opposed to a Select Committee.
It’s unclear whether they will formalize this inquiry through a full House vote as the process dictates. A formalized inquiry provides the House with increased investigatory powers that allows them to more effectively compel testimony, obtain documents, enforce subpoenas, and strengthens their position in court.
Looking to make a difference? Consider signing one of these petitions:This morning, President Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly with a muted speech about nationalism. By the evening, he was facing an impeachment inquiry. There was also some movement in the Senate where Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) hotlined, and allowed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) unanimous consent request, to call for the release of the whistleblower complaint.
Adopted by Unanimous Consent: S.Res.325 – Transmission of Whistleblower Complaint:
Expressing the sense of the Senate that the whistleblower complaint received on 8/12/19, by the IG of the Intelligence Community should be transmitted immediately to Intelligence Committee— Senate Cloakroom (@SenateCloakroom) September 24, 2019
President Trump has said he will release the transcript of his call with President Zelensky, but his Administration has been obstructing Congress’ legal right to see the whistleblower complaint. Needless to say, stay tuned over the next days and weeks. Turbulent times are ahead.
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