Republicans begin to say Trump could be impeached
WASHINGTON — Responding to a reporter’s question, U.S. Rep. Justin Amash agreed Wednesday that President Donald Trump could face impeachment proceedings if allegations that he urged the former FBI director to drop an investigation prove true.
Amash responded “yes” when asked whether there could be grounds to impeach Trump if a memo reportedly written by former FBI Director James Comey indicates that Trump asked him to drop an investigation into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.
Amash’s office confirmed the Michigan’s congressman’s exchange with reporters, which was first reported by Katie Bo Williams of the Washington publication The Hill.
Amash also told reporters he trusts Comey — the former FBI director fired by Trump a week ago in a stunning move by the White House — more than the president, Williams reported on Twitter.
Many Democratic critics of Trump’s have raised the possibility that such a suggestion by Trump could amount to obstruction of justice, an impeachable offense. Obstruction of justice can involve any effort to impede a federal criminal investigation, though actual intent behind any such action must be considered.
Late Wednesday, the Justice Department tapped former FBI Director Robert Mueller to be a special counsel overseeing the Russia investigation, the department announced.
Amash appeared to be the first Republican in Congress to mention impeachment in regards to Trump in the wake of the reports on the Comey letter. Also Wednesday, House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz called for a hearing next week and invited Comey to testify; Amash is a member of the Oversight Committee.
(Detroit Free Press/Tribune News)
Ryan calls for caution, facts
— House Speaker Paul Ryan on Wednesday warned against “rushing to judgment” over embattled President Donald Trump, stressing that U.S. lawmakers need to establish the facts before considering next steps.
Ryan, the top Republican in Congress, said that while he has confidence in Trump, he wants members to dutifully exercise their role as congressional investigators. “We need the facts,” Ryan told reporters after Republicans huddled on Capitol Hill following explosive reports that Trump shared intelligence secrets with Russian officials, and that he pressured the director of the FBI to drop an ongoing investigation.
“It is obvious there are some people out there who want to harm the president. But we have an obligation to carry out our oversight regardless of which party is in the White House,” Ryan added.
“And that means, before rushing to judgment, we get all the pertinent information.”