Some Democrats not ready to impeach Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — Some Democrats who will take the House majority in January are willing to say that US President Donald Trump may have committed impeachable offenses, but that does not mean they will try to impeach him — at least not yet.

For several reasons, Democrats have been extremely cautious about the “I” word. They know it could backfire politically, and many of them were in office during former president Bill Clinton’s impeachment 20 years ago.

New York Rep. Jerry Nadler, the top Democrat in the House Judiciary Committee and the panel’s likely incoming chairman, has called impeachment a “trauma.”

Nadler told CNN on Sunday that if it is proven that Trump directed his former lawyer to commit campaign finance violations, as was suggested by special counsel Robert Mueller in a new court filing, he believes it would be an impeachable offense.

It is unclear, though, whether the distinction between an impeachable offense and impeachment itself will satisfy those in the Democratic base who are eager to kick Trump out of office. Democrats, however, are walking that fine line, for now.

Democrats cited some reasons they are not ready to impeach Trump.

First, they said there is likely more to come from Mueller. Charges are expected related to emails stolen during the 2016 presidential election that could implicate some in Trump’s circle. And Mueller could complete a larger report at the conclusion of his investigation. If Democrats move to impeach Trump, it will likely be for more than just campaign finance violations.

Democrats are cognizant of the price that Republicans paid for Clinton’s impeachment 20 years ago. Republicans are also aware that impeachment could backfire.

“I think it’ll help the president get reelected,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on the possibility Democrats would move for impeachment. “This business of presidential harassment may or may not be quite the winner they think it is.”

Meanwhile, Pelosi has called the impeachment a “divisive activity” that needs buy-in from both parties to work.

“If the case is there, then that should be self-evident to Democrats and Republicans,” she said.

Nadler has said the same, that there would have to be at least some Republican support if they take the step of initiating impeachment proceedings.