Sadly, but with confidence and humility, with allegiance to our founders and our heart full of love for America, today I am asking our chairman to proceed with articles of impeachment.
WASHINGTON • Warning that American democracy is at stake, U. S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday she has asked a House committee to draft articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, a historic step that sets up a fight over whether to oust him from office.
Speaking in sombre tones in a statement, Pelosi accused the Republican president of abusing his power and alluded to Britain’s King George III, the monarch against whom the American colonies rebelled in forming the United States in 1776, saying in the United States “the people are the king.”
“Our democracy is what is at stake. The president leaves us no choice but to act because he is trying to corrupt, once again, the election for his own benefit. The president has engaged in abuse of power, undermining our national security and jeopardizing the integrity of our elections,” said Pelosi, the top Democrat in Congress.
At the heart of the Democratic- led House’s impeachment inquiry that Pelosi opened in September is Trump’s request that Ukraine launch an investigation targeting Joe Biden. The former vice president is a top contender for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the November 2020 U. S. presidential election.
“Sadly, but with confidence and humility, with allegiance to our founders and our heart full of love for America, today I am asking our chairman to proceed with articles of impeachment,” Pelosi said.
Pelosi was referring to Jerrold Nadler, whose House Judiciary Committee has the responsibility of drawing up the formal charges that would later be voted upon by the full House.
Two people knowledgeable about the process said the panel could recommend the articles of impeachment to the full House as early as Dec. 12. The charges against Trump could include abuse of power, bribery, obstruction of Congress and obstruction of justice.
If the House passes articles of impeachment as expected, that would lead to a trial in the Senate on whether to convict Trump and remove him from office. Trump’s fellow Republicans control the Senate and have shown little support for his removal.
Trump, who has denied wrongdoing, reacted to Pelosi’s announcement on Twitter by writing, “The Do Nothing, Radical Left Democrats have just announced that they are going to seek to Impeach me over NOTHING.”
“The good thing is that the Republicans have NEVER been more united. We will win!” Trump said.
Pelosi’s announcement was a clear signal that she believes the Democrats have the votes in the 435- seat House to win passage of articles of impeachment.