Pelosi pursues articles of impeachment against Trump, says democracy at stake

[webfact]

Pelosi pursues articles of impeachment against Trump, says democracy at stake

By Susan Heavey, David Morgan and Susan Cornwell

 

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) answer questions about the House impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., December 5, 2019. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - 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 televised 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.

 

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. Zachary Goelman reports.

 

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 draft and recommend the articles of impeachment to the full House as early as Dec. 12. Democrats said lawmakers would be working through the weekend to get them written.

 

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 that the Democrats have the votes in the 435-seat House to win passage of articles of impeachment. She acted after receiving overwhelming support in a meeting with House Democrats on Wednesday night, a source familiar with the meeting said.

 

The impeachment drama is unfolding at a time of deep partisan divisions in Washington and across the United States that have widened during Trump's tumultuous presidency.

 

Republicans accuse Democrats of conducting a witch hunt and trying to overturn the results of the 2016 election. They have described Trump's actions as aimed at weeding out corruption in Ukraine, not getting political dirt on Biden. They also argue that the inquiry has failed to produce first-hand evidence showing Trump made U.S. aid to Ukraine or a White House meeting for Ukraine's president contingent on Kiev pursuing the investigations.

 

JULY 25 CALL

The focus of the inquiry is a July 25 telephone call in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to open an investigation into Biden and his son Hunter and into a discredited theory promoted by Trump and his allies that Ukraine, not Russia, meddled in the 2016 U.S. election.

 

Hunter Biden had joined the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma while his father was vice president. Trump has accused the Bidens of corruption without offering evidence. They have denied wrongdoing and the claims have not been substantiated.

 

Democrats have accused Trump of abusing his power by withholding $391 million in security aid to Ukraine - a vulnerable U.S. ally facing Russian aggression - as leverage to pressure Kiev into conducting investigations politically beneficial to Trump and granting Zelenskiy a coveted White House meeting. The money was provided to Ukraine in September after the controversy had spilled into public view.

 

The Judiciary Committee will hear presentations by legal counsels for both parties on Monday. On Wednesday, it held a hearing in which three constitutional law experts called by Democratic lawmakers said Trump had committed impeachable offences. A fourth expert called by Republicans called the impeachment inquiry slipshod and rushed.

 

Nadler has given Trump until 5 p.m. (2200 GMT) on Friday to say whether he or his legal counsel will participate in upcoming proceedings by calling witnesses, introducing evidence and making a presentation. Nadler has given committee Republicans the same deadline to request witnesses.

 

'A KING-PRESIDENT'

The U.S. Constitution, as part of its system of checks and balances among the three branches of the federal government, empowers the House to impeach a president for "treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanours."

 

"When crafting the Constitution, the founders feared the return of a monarchy in America. And having just fought a War of Independence, they specifically feared the prospect of a king-president corrupted by foreign influence," Pelosi said.

 

"In America, no one is above the law," Pelosi added.

 

During a testy news conference later in the day, Pelosi took exception to a reporter's question as to whether she "hated" Trump.

 

"As a Catholic, I resent your using the word hate in a sentence that addresses me. I don't hate anyone," Pelosi said, adding that she prays for Trump. "So don't mess with me when it comes to words like that."

 

No U.S. president has ever been removed from office through impeachment. Republican Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 after the House began the impeachment process in the Watergate corruption scandal.

 

Two other presidents were impeached by the House but acquitted by the Senate.

 

In 1998, a Republican-led House passed articles of impeachment against Democratic President Bill Clinton, charges arising from a sexual relationship he had with a White House intern. The other president impeached by the House but left in office by the Senate was Andrew Johnson in 1868, three years after the U.S. Civil War.

 

Asked if he was concerned that impeachment would tarnish his legacy, Trump told reporters at the White House, "No, not at all, not at all. It's a hoax, it's a big fat hoax."

 

(Reporting by Susan Heavey, Susan Cornwell and Richard Cowan; Additional reporting by Jeff Mason, David Morgan, Tim Ahmann and Lisa Lambert; Writing by Paul Simao and Sonya Hepinstall; Editing by Will Dunham)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-12-06

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[Cryingdick]

She almost started shaking with rage when asked if she hates Trump. lol Other than that was completely prayerful. Does she really think anybody believes that? 

[Samui Bodoh]

25 minutes ago, webfact said:

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.

It is a sad day for the USA; no one wants to see a President removed.

 

Should he be removed? I think 'Yes'.

 

Why? The simple fact, and one that does not seem to be in dispute, is that Trump tried to influence the 2020 election in his personal favour by trying to bribe the Ukraine into investigating his political opponent. This is a very serious charge and one that needs to be investigated and cleared up in advance of the election; to wait would be to go into the 2020 election with the process under a cloud and that is not acceptable in a Democracy.

 

There are those who believe that it is better to wait and 'let the people decide', and that is a seductive argument. However, there are two factors that make that course of action undesirable. First, the US President has incredible, huge discretionary power(s) and it is unwise to leave that much power in the hands of someone under serious suspicion of abusing it. Secondly, if the past is a prologue (and it usually is), this case will be tied up in the courts for months or years. Yes, Trump does have the right to due process, but Impeachment is a political act more than a legal act and this case cannot be dragged out in the same way that a purely legal case could be; there must be a resolution well in advance of the next election.

 

The US founding fathers included the Impeachment clause precisely for this type of case; it isn't really possible to follow strict legal proceedings, but at the same time the urgency of the situation must be addressed.

 

Politics is 'The Art of the Possible', and what is possible and needed here is a clean slate.

 

Get rid of Trump now before he causes too much more damage.

 

PS the Trump situation really exposes two (at least) major flaws in the US Constitution. First, the writers never really thought that the US would fall prey to strict party lines, and the system is designed around the idea of compromise; strict party discipline renders the US system of compromise unworkable. Secondly, the writers never really considered (seriously enough) having an amoral President. Yes, they were worried about a President who was open to foreign influence; think Trump and Putin. But, it looks like they didn't consider a man without morals, ethics or principals, otherwise they would have allowed for a shorter, easier method of removing a President. Hmm... I wonder if that was the effects of their religious thinking? A thought for another day...

 

 

[TopDeadSenter]

Thanks to Nancy and Schiff and the rest of the panicked and tilted dems Trump's ratings are skyrocketting. 52% !! This impeachment farce is the best thing since fins on automobiles.

 

"DONALD Trump has tweeted a 52 percent approval rating and insisted his party has "never been more united" as Congress moves to impeach him."

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/10490303/donald-trumps-impeachment-go-ahead-pelosi/

[Longcut]

When asked by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. yesterday, if any of the witnesses for the impeachment witch hunt, have any evidence on what they are testifying to. Not one of them said, they have any real evidence. 

 So far no real evidence has been provided. It is all "hearsay".  Any guess on which way the senate is going to vote?
 

[Boon Mee]

What a hate-filled shrew this woman is. 

The state of the Democrat Party is lead by an old fool who would impeach Trump merely for the way he combs his hair! 555 

[Tippaporn]

Pelosi is such a sanctimonious, unscrupulous and crafty individual to swear that she doesn't hate Trump due to her catholic upbringing.  A sixteen year old could do a better job of lying.

[Cryingdick]

Just now, Tippaporn said:

Pelosi is such a sanctimonious, unscrupulous and crafty individual to swear that she doesn't hate Trump due to her catholic upbringing.  A sixteen year old could do a better job of lying.

 

It gives currency to who really lost their cool in the earlier behind door meetings with Trump.

[Tippaporn]

38 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

It is a sad day for the USA; no one wants to see a President removed.

 

Should he be removed? I think 'Yes'.

 

Why? The simple fact, and one that does not seem to be in dispute, is that Trump tried to influence the 2020 election in his personal favour by trying to bribe the Ukraine into investigating his political opponent.

 

<snip>

". . . . seem to be in dispute. . . . ."

 

That so-called fact is majorly in dispute.  Your conclusion purposely omits all evidence to the contrary and pretends it does not exist or is meaningless.  All evidence must be accounted for with a valid explanation and not simply an explanation that fits the desired conclusion.  Liberals are the most dishonest people I've ever had the misfortune to meet.

[stevenl]

4 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

". . . . seem to be in dispute. . . . ."

 

That so-called fact is majorly in dispute.  Your conclusion purposely omits all evidence to the contrary and pretends it does not exist or is meaningless.  All evidence must be accounted for with a valid explanation and not simply an explanation that fits the desired conclusion.  Liberals are the most dishonest people I've ever had the misfortune to meet.

In dispute by whom? Republicans, intelligence agencies, democrats are all in agreement on this. The only ones denying it are the alt right media, you know, those fake news sources.

[sirineou]

13 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

 

It gives currency to who really lost their cool in the earlier behind door meetings with Trump.

A vacation from the above would be a welcome  respite

[Cryingdick]

2 minutes ago, stevenl said:

In dispute by whom? Republicans, intelligence agencies, democrats are all in agreement on this. The only ones denying it are the alt right media, you know, those fake news sources.

 

Well I guess it can go through it's fair and open trial and then we can have an election. If it clearly isn't in dispute the dems will clearly win all 50 states.

[HuskerDo]

20 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

Pelosi is such a sanctimonious, unscrupulous and crafty individual to swear that she doesn't hate Trump due to her catholic upbringing.  A sixteen year old could do a better job of lying.

"crafty individual"........ no, there are many ways to describe Pelosi but crafty is not one of them. 

[sirineou]

5 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

 

Well I guess it can go through it's fair and open trial and then we can have an election. If it clearly isn't in dispute the dems will clearly win all 50 states.

This is not about who wins or who loses, this is not a football game , This is about what is permissible and what country we are going to have.

Regardless of if the president is Republican or Democrat.

[Longcut]

In the meantime, the Senate has just confirmed 8 more Trump appointed judges. How to go Dems. Way to take your eye off the ball.

[Cryingdick]

15 minutes ago, sirineou said:

This is not about who wins or who loses, this is not a football game , This is about what is permissible and what country we are going to have.

Regardless of if the president is Republican or Democrat.

 

Okay well when the dems lose you feel proud knowing it isn't if you win or lose it's how you play the game. As far as I am concerned when it comes to the nuttiness the dems represent winning is a must. Politics isn't about participation awards.

[Longcut]

28 minutes ago, stevenl said:

In dispute by whom? Republicans, intelligence agencies, democrats are all in agreement on this. The only ones denying it are the alt right media, you know, those fake news sources.

Where the proof? That's all I want. Not one witness can show proof of any allegations against the President. In a court of law, this would be thrown out on the first day.

[Tug]

Just now, Longcut said:

Where the proof? That's all I want. Not one witness can show proof of any allegations against the President. In a court of law, this would be thrown out on the first day.

You are wrong and trump blocks all testimony from his henchmen but beyond that stop the partisan bs this isent about your political party it’s about what’s acceptable and what’s not America’s enemies are having a field day with this division let’s have a trial on what TRUMP is beeing accused of done with dignity and decorum as befitting the presidency

[Cryingdick]

7 minutes ago, Tug said:

You are wrong and trump blocks all testimony from his henchmen but beyond that stop the partisan bs this isent about your political party it’s about what’s acceptable and what’s not America’s enemies are having a field day with this division let’s have a trial on what TRUMP is beeing accused of done with dignity and decorum as befitting the presidency

 

The dems in their secret rooms. Hiding behind the need to protect a whistleblower. Even I know who the whistleblower is and it takes only a google search. There is no doubt that Pelosi told a lie and this is very much in dispute.

 

But that's okay just pick what side you like more, that's where it is at right now. There is a 100% divide or maybe less because some democrats won't vote for impeachment but it is very much in dispute by the very definition of the word.

 

When Trump is acquitted the dispute will be over.

[sirineou]

6 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

 

Okay well when the dems lose you feel proud knowing it isn't if you win or lose it's how you play the game. As far as I am concerned when it comes to the nuttiness the dems represent winning is a must. Politics isn't about participation awards.

I am registered independent, and have voted for both Democrats and Republicans and will do so again. I vote for the right person. 

  I am telling you again, This is not a game , not a pissing contest.This is the future of our country. You guys need to chill , sit and think what is going on.

All the players are watching, Republican and Democrat, and they all want to see what the new rules are, what can they get away with.

 

 

[Cryingdick]

2 minutes ago, sirineou said:

I am registered independent, and have voted for both Democrats and Republicans and will do so again. I vote for the right person. 

  I am telling you again, This is not a game , not a pissing contest.This is the future of our country. You guys need to chill , sit and think what is going on.

All the players are watching, Republican and Democrat, and they all want to see what the new rules are, what can they get away with.

 

 

 

The dems are doing so much damage to themselves with the way they conducted this. Every day they are losing momentum. They should take your advice and chill out. Maybe if they began to think properly again and stop being hijacked by AOC types they could have a realistic chance of winning. I would be all for a dem candidate that wasn't foaming at the mouth trying to destroy a system that most Americans currently thrive under.

 

 

[malibukid]

she's a tough cookie and a good Catholic and loves her Country.  she would have made a great Sister. we had a few like her at school. lol

[Cryingdick]

2 minutes ago, Sujo said:

No, the congress should do its constitutional duty, which it is doing.

 

Tin foil hats sold out early in this thread, trump supporters going crazy. 

 

The way the dems are talking now reeks of desperation. JT summed it up earlier today when he said he was afraid of an elected dictator. Congress will do it's duty and then the check and balance of the senate will step in and put this to bed.

[Sujo]

14 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

 

The way the dems are talking now reeks of desperation. JT summed it up earlier today when he said he was afraid of an elected dictator. Congress will do it's duty and then the check and balance of the senate will step in and put this to bed.

What the senate does is irrelevant to congress doing its duty.

[Cryingdick]

1 minute ago, Sujo said:

What the senate does is irrelevant to congress doing its duty.

 

Well hopefully after this is over they can look into possible abuse of powers for bringing it this far. 

[SenorCJ]

Hey Donald, you don’t mess with Nancy. She’ll hand you your ass in a handbag. Go Nancy!

 

[BobBKK]

I can't wait for the Senate to hold hearings. Hands up if you have any evidence of wrong doing LOL 

Dems are going to get smashed to smithereens. 

[soalbundy]

I think it's already too late, the amount of ignorance displayed by some American voters is beyond belief. I saw a program (an American one) where reporters when into some of the most deprived areas of the states, poverty + + and spoke with the people. Many supported Trump because he always took his wife and family with him wherever he went which shows what a good character he had. He wants to lower the amount of financial support for 700,000 poor Americans who are already on the breadline, got to pay for the tax reductions for the rich somehow.

Many top psychiatrists are already worried about his mental health (I'm a stable genius, what normal person says that?) and that maybe impeachment will tip him over the edge. He is a tragic comic man who should never have had this post.

[Cryingdick]

4 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

I think it's already too late, the amount of ignorance displayed by some American voters is beyond belief. I saw a program (an American one) where reporters when into some of the most deprived areas of the states, poverty + + and spoke with the people. Many supported Trump because he always took his wife and family with him wherever he went which shows what a good character he had. He wants to lower the amount of financial support for 700,000 poor Americans who are already on the breadline, got to pay for the tax reductions for the rich somehow.

Many top psychiatrists are already worried about his mental health (I'm a stable genius, what normal person says that?) and that maybe impeachment will tip him over the edge. He is a tragic comic man who should never have had this post.

 

Yet still more practical than somebody like Warren who now wants to break up any merger that occurred in the past twenty years. If Trump is off the dems are drooling and in straight jackets with the policies they propose.

 

The going everywhere with his wife thing was some state congressman or governor who refused to ride with a woman unaccompanied by his wife. I believe Pence may do this as well. It is well known that Trump does many things with out his wife so let's cut the nonsense.

[Sujo]

29 minutes ago, BobBKK said:

I can't wait for the Senate to hold hearings. Hands up if you have any evidence of wrong doing LOL 

Dems are going to get smashed to smithereens. 

Trump and mulvaney already admitted it. giuliano and pompeo will raise their hands. 

 

Oh wait, they wont testify because repubs dont want the truth.

 

Sondland admitted it. Hill was in the meeting when it was discussed. Bolton even was disgusted so much he told Hill to report it.