Trump impeachment: Democrats demand an investigation



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The impeachment seems politically risky for the Democrats for many reasons, including that even if a majority could vote in the House, it would probably not go to a Senate controlled by the Republicans. That said, this calculation does not prevent some Democrats from pushing for the maneuver, particularly after a series of efforts by Trump and his White House to fail to comply with inquiries. bedroom.

Although the detractors of the President are willing to move the process forward in varying degrees, a relatively fundamental litmus test is whether legislators would support the initiation of a dismissal investigation, the first significant step in the process. .

According to CNN, at least 43 Democratic Democrats in the House made public comments advocating at least the launching of the indictment investigation process – though some have gone further.

On the Republican side, Michigan's Justin Amash also called for an impeachment proceeding, bringing the total to 44.

House Democrats who publicly declared that they were at least supporting the opening of a dismissal investigation:

1. Representative David Cicilline of Rhode Island

Before the former White House lawyer, Don McGahn, refused to appear before the House Judiciary Committee last week, Cicilline said that "the time has come" for an investigation. 39; imputation.

"The White House and the President have tried to prevent us from revealing the truth (…) we have the responsibility to open an investigation if this type of obstruction, interference and murmur persists ", Cicilline told the press.

2. Rep. Ted Place of California

A conversation place on CNN last week and said that although he did not support the indictment, he was part of the Democrats who were supporting the opening of an indictment investigation.

"Let me just be very clear," said CNN's Wolf Blitzer. "Democrats do not say impeachment What I say and what others say is an imputation survey, that is, we have to start these investigations to see if we should proceed to dismissal. "

When Blitzer followed to clarify if Lieu supported the "impeachment" proceedings, but not the full indictment, Lieu replied, "That's right, because we need to create a record in these committees."

3. Rep. Pramila Jayapal from Washington

Jayapal spoke on CNN last week and tweeted"I joined @wolfblitzer to discuss how @HouseJudiciary will hold the president and his administration responsible." Justice Mehta's decision was important – but we must always do our job and respect the Constitution. means to pursue an impeachment investigation. "

4. Rep. Veronica Escobar from Texas

Escobar was among the lawmakers who pushed last week for Pelosi and Nadler to adopt a more aggressive stance than they currently take and start opening a dismissal investigation.

Her too tweeted, "I believe we need to start an impeachment investigation."

5. Florida Representative Val Demings

Demings told CNN last week that the evidence contained in the Mueller report was enough for the Democrats to move on to the next decisive step.

"I think it's pretty clear that the president has made numerous attempts to obstruct justice," said Jake Tapper Demings, a member of the House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee, at "The Lead ".

"And so I think, based on this information, as I did a month ago, we have enough to start these procedures."

6. Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas Representative

Jackson Lee, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, told reporters last week that she planned to present "a resolution of inquiry" inviting the Judiciary Committee of the House to investigate the case. existence of "sufficient grounds" for dismissal.

7. John Yarmuth from Kentucky

Yarmuth, chairman of the House's Budget Committee, told reporters last week: "I think it's time" to begin work. On CNN, he said that he was not alone.

"I think what we have, John, is that we have a situation in which a growing majority of our caucus thinks destitution will be inevitable," Yarmuth told CNN's John Berman last week. "But they also believe that we must continue the ongoing investigations to make sure we discover the behavior of the administration and the president of which they must be held accountable."

8. Steve Cohen from Tennessee

Cohen, who is a member of the House's Judiciary Committee, has long advocated for impeachment and presented articles on the impeachment against Trump in November 2017.

"The time has come to make it clear to the American people and to this president that all attacks on our Constitution must be resolved by indictment," Cohen said in a statement. "I think there is evidence that he tried to obstruct an investigation into Russia's interference in the US presidential election and the links between Russia and the campaign Trump, including the dismissal of FBI director James Comey. "

9. Rep. Al Green of Texas

Green was the first Democrat in the House to formally request the dismissal of Trump in his comments in May 2017.

"It's pretty much my position – it's pretty much what I believe in. And that's where I stand – I will not be moved." The president must be dismissed, " said Green at the time. "For those who do not know, the dismissal does not mean that the president will be convicted, it simply means that the House of Representatives will take legal action against the president." This sounds like an indictment but not everything do the same thing. "

10. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York

In a series of tweets, Ocasio-Cortez said she would engage in a dismissal resolution led by her colleague, freshman freshman Republican Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, following the publication from the report of special advocate Robert Mueller last month.

"Mueller's report makes it clear that Congress is responsible for investigating the obstruction of justice by the President.It is our job, as described in Article 1, Article 2, paragraph 2 of the US Constitution As such, I will sign @ Resolution of Indictment of RashidaTlaib, "Ocasio-Cortez tweeted April 18th.

11. Representative Joaquin Castro from Texas

Castro, a member of the Chamber of Deputies Intelligence Committee, told CNN last week that it was time to begin an impeachment investigation, given the White House wall on congressional oversight .

12. Representative Don Beyer of Virginia

Beyer announced his support for the opening of a recall investigation in a statement last week.

"The time has come for the House of Representatives to open an imputation inquiry into the conduct of President Trump," Mr Beyer said. "To approve such a course is not easy, and I do not do it lightly, but I think the President has left Congress no option but to pursue it.

13. Rep. Joe Neguse from Colorado

Néguse tweeted Last week, "the findings detailed in the special council's report and the pattern of congressional obstruction by the government since the release of the report clearly indicate that it is time to open an investigation of removal. "

14. Rep. Jackie Speier from California

Speier said "New Day" from CNN last week that she supported the launch of the impeachment investigation process.

"I believe that an impeachment investigation is needed right now," Speier said.

15. Representative Jamie Raskin from Maryland

Raskin, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, was among Democrats who questioned Pelosi at a meeting last week about the need to pursue an imputation investigation.

Raskin told CNN the next day: "I would totally support the opening of an impeachment investigation at this point".

16. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon from Pennsylvania

Scanlon, member of the Judiciary Committee, tweeted last week that she was supporting a dismissal investigation after an SMS conversation with her son.

17. Rep. Diana DeGette from Colorado

DeGette issued a statement supporting a dismissal investigation in April.

"The Mueller report details many cases in which President Trump has actively tried to interfere in the investigation into the potentially treacherous links of his campaign with Russia," she said. "The president's actions are clearly below the strict personal, ethical and legal standards that our founders envisioned in the executive branch and, as such, constitute a prima facie case to trigger an impeachment investigation."

18. Rep. Mark Pocan from Wisconsin

Pocan issued a statement in favor of opening a dismissal investigation last week.

"The Stonewalling Witnesses Conference and the unpublished Mueller report only increase the appearance of the President's guilt, and he pushed Congress to a point where we need to initiate a accusation, "said Mr Pocan.

19. Representative Earl Blumenauer of Oregon

Blumenauer issued a statement earlier this month supporting the start of a dismissal investigation.

"The Mueller investigation was limited in its ability to act and draw conclusions because of the directives of the Department of Justice," he wrote. "Yet it was a treasure trove of information that deserved further investigation, which should be done in the House – the only chamber willing to hold this president accountable, which is why I join the hon. Tlaib to ask the Judicial Commission to get a formal investigation from Donald Trump on possible offenses that can not be attacked. "

20. Representative Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania

Dean, a member of the Judiciary Committee, said in an interview with CNN last week that she was supportive of opening a dismissal investigation.

"We can not just constantly issue lawful subpoenas, try to do our constitutional control, let ourselves be shot down by an administration that is simply trying to hide bad behavior and not change course," Dean said. "And so, what we're trying to do, it's an investigative oversight." I think at the point where Barr failed to come forward and produce papers, McGahn failed to produce documents and to show up, enough, that's enough.It's time to start investigation, investigation, as to indictment ".

21. Representative Dwight Evans of Pennsylvania

Evans has long been a vocal supporter of impeachment since the first year of his tenure. In December 2017, he issued a statement explaining his vote not to table a House resolution calling for removal.

"After spending more than a year in Congress and having observed the questionable actions of President Trump, I firmly believe that there should at least be a discussion about whether President Trump's actions respected or not the bar of impeachment, "said Evans.

In February 2018, Evans was co-organizer of an event on the "Party to Impeach" tour with billionaire Tom Steyer, who has long advocated publicly for the removal of Trump.

"The president is not above the Constitution," Evans told Philly magazine at the time. "He must be held responsible, and my constituents have expressed serious concerns about the president's actions."

22. Jared Huffman from California

Huffman signed on to begin an impeachment proceeding in December 2017.

"The indictment is an extraordinary step, but it should be clear to anyone examining the facts that President Trump's actions justify his indictment, including his efforts to obstruct justice, his personal enrichment and his series of the Emoluments Clause, and his involvement in a concealment resulting from the very likely collusion of his campaign with Russian interests to undermine the 2016 presidential election, "Huffman said in a statement released on Monday. ;time.

23. Representative Seth Moulton of Mbadachusetts

Moulton, who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination, said last month that he was in favor of continuing the impeachment procedure.

"I voted on it more than a year ago and I said the procedure had to move forward," the secretary general told reporters at a press conference in Manchester, New Hampshire, April 23.

Moulton was careful to note that "this is not the right time to vote on the dismissal because we do not know all the facts, we do not even have the full version of the Mueller report, but we We must absolutely move forward in the procedure, "so that we can have this debate in Congress, and frankly, I think it should have been done a long time ago. "

24. Rep. Ilhan Omar from Minnesota

Omar has called for some form of indictment procedure against Trump since his swearing in Congress in January.

"We know that this president, this administration every day is a little closer to being dismissed (…) We will not have such discussions to know if we should do it, but it's going to be when and how, "said CNN in December.

More recently, she signed petitions to begin an impeachment proceeding, as well as to sign the Tlaib imputation resolution in April.

25. Representative Ayanna Pressley from Mbadachusetts

Pressley was one of the legislators who endorsed Tlaib's indictment resolution following the publication of the redacted Mueller report.

"This resolution will be put to a vote in Congress and it asks that, depending on this vote, we carry out a procedural follow-up in committee," Pressley told Boston Public Radio on April 19. "I mean, here's the problem – I felt for a long time that this administration has lost all moral authority and that there are many impenetrable offenses."

26. Rep. Kathleen Rice from New York

Rice tweeted last week that Congress should begin impeachment proceedings.

"For more than two years, the president has systematically dismantled our democracy and challenged the rule of law, which can not last," she said. tweeted. "Congress has a moral obligation to set aside our policy and move on to action, we need to initiate impeachment proceedings."

27. Rashida Tlaib from Michigan

The night of her swearing in Congress, Tlaib made the headlines in which she told a crowd: "We are going to dismiss the mother of the family." Since then, she has drafted her own resolution to initiate impeachment proceedings.

28. Representative Filemon Vela of Texas

In August 2018, Vela tweeted that "we must dismiss Donnie eighth", following the announcement of a verdict of guilt for former Trump campaign president Paul Manafort.

Vela also adhered to Tlaib's impeachment resolution on April 30.

29. Representative Maxine Waters of California

Waters, the chair of the House Financial Services Committee, has long called for the impeachment process to be initiated.

"When will the people of this country wake up to the fact that this president is a disgusting liar, documented to have lied over 8,000 times in 2 years? Add to that his recent blatant lies about the testimony of our nation chief in the US Senate.The time of dismissal is over! "she tweeted in January.

30. Representative Brad Sherman from California

Sherman was one of the very first supporters of the impeachment, having signed a resolution with Green in July 2017.

"Recent revelations from Donald Trump Jr. indicate that Trump's campaign was eager to receive help from Russia," Sherman said in a statement issued at the time. "It now seems likely that the President has something to hide when he has tried to restrict the investigation of National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and the big Russian investigation.I believe his conversations with the FBI director , James Comey, constitute an obstacle to justice. "

31. Suzanne Bonamici, Representative of Oregon

Bonamici issued a statement last week supporting the launch of a dismissal investigation.

"I am gravely concerned by the actions of President Trump and by the growing evidence of unseizable offenses, including obstruction of justice, human rights violations by the separation of children and their families and the benefit of the presidency, "said Bonamici in his statement. "I've already said that dismissal should be an option, but we need to approach it deliberately." The time has come. "

32. Marcia Fudge from Ohio

Fudge has long been a supporter of opening an impeachment proceeding against Trump. In November 2017, she joined the introduction of indictment articles by Cohen.

"In nearly 300 days since he was sworn in, it has become clear that President Trump represents a clear and present danger to our democracy.It's high time that Congress seriously addresses the actions of the President." said Fudge in a statement. from Cohen's office. "If these acts are in violation of the Constitution, the US Congress must do the work for which the American people elected us."

33. Rep. Gwen Moore from Wisconsin

Moore has long stated that she was supportive of opening an impeachment procedure, telling local reporters from her home district in August 2017: "Yes, I think so." I think I'm here, "at the request of WISN-12 if she wanted to see Trump dismissed.
Her too tweeted in August 2017"My Republican friends, I implore you to work with us, as elected representatives, to remove @realDonaldTrump as #POTUS. # Impeach45".
More recently, she tweeted in February that Trump was declaring a national emergency to begin building a border wall. would be "impeachment grounds", a step that Trump took later.

34. Rep. Norma Torres from California

Torres told The Washington Post in April that "I think there is enough evidence before us to move forward" in impeachment proceedings and that "it should be put to the vote today. I would vote to dismiss this president. "

In an article titled "How the Mueller Report convinced the Democrat in the House that Trump should be removed," Torres said the Congress and Trump were in a "stalemate" and could not focus on the issues.

"This president was sworn in to uphold the Constitution and he violated it," Torres told the Post Office. "He has violated the spirit of the law and we must hold him accountable."

35. Rep. Juan Vargas from California

Vargas told the NBC affiliate in San Diego last month that "the reality is that he broke the law and that he should be charged."

36 Representative Danny Davis of Illinois

Davis said Tuesday in a statement, before Mueller's remarks: "I think it's time and imperative that the US House of Representatives open an indictment investigation to find out if the House of Representatives should to remove Donald John Trump, President of the United States of America.To this end, I will ask that my name be added to the list of co-authors of H. Res 257. I hope that the House will go to the Before the most unified and partisan way possible, without being dissuaded political opposition ".

37. Bennie Thompson from Mississippi

Thompson, the chair of the House's Homeland Security Committee, posted on Facebook after Mueller's remarks on Wednesday: "I support the indictment.The President has committed a blatant impediment to justice." In his statement, Mueller also said that "if we were certain that the president clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said".

38 Jim McGovern from Mbadachusetts

McGovern, chairman of the House Rules Committee, said Wednesday on the podcast of WGBH radio station in Boston that he thought it was time to open a dismissal investigation: "I believe, frankly, that the next step is for the House Judiciary Committee to open an investigation to formally begin to consider whether the indictment is warranted, and I think we're at this stage, and I think that's a way logical to proceed. "He said that he had supported a dismissal investigation when the House had voted on it in 2017, but that he had not expressed his intention to do so in Congress current up to now.

39. Representative Tom Malinowski of New Jersey

Malinowski told New Jersey Star-Ledger why he was in favor of continuing the impeachment process:

"Nobody knows what will be the political impact, so it's a risk, but if in doubt, it's probably best to do what's required."

40. Representative Adriano Espaillat from New York

Espaillat explained to Poppy Harlow of CNN and Jim Sciutto why he favored the impeachment, saying that he felt that the dismissal threshold had been reached "long ago" above the issue of emoluments.

"We, as duly elected members of Congress, must perform the functions entrusted to us by the United States Constitution," he said on Thursday, in the wake of Mueller's public statements.

41. Rep. Brendan Boyle from Pennsylvania

In an interview with Kate Bolduan of CNN, Boyle said he was ready to start holding impeachment hearings.

"Since the special council is now officially finished and resigns, I think the ball is clearly in our camp," he said. "I did not call for rushing to vote on the impeachment, but rather at the official beginning of impeachment hearings, so that we can review the contents of the report." We will be able to know more about the cases where the report was not sent. "

42. Representative Greg Stanton of Arizona

Stanton, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, said in a statement on Thursday: "It is time for the House of Representatives to move on to the next stages of the President's accountability, including the extraordinary step of opening an investigation. 39; attribution ".

Stanton said, "This is a conclusion I have only recently reached and not lightly."

43. Representative Mike Quigley of Illinois

Quigley, member of the House Intelligence Committee, told MSNBC Thursday, he calls for the establishment of an impeachment proceedings against Trump.

"I informed the president's office today … asking now that we open an investigation," he said.

This story has been updated and will continue to update with additional developments.

CNN's Ashley Killough, Alex Rogers, Sunlen Serfaty, Jeremy Herb, Manu Raju, Lauren Fox, Clare Foran, Eli Watkins, Veronica Stracqualursi, and Kate Sullivan contributed to this report.

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