Half Of House Democratic Caucus Now Supports Impeaching Donald Trump

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (L), Donald Trump (R)

From Buzzfeed News:

The gradual trickle of Democrats coming out in support of beginning impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump reached a milestone Thursday, with half of the Democratic caucus now publicly supporting it.

The inquiry would spur an investigation by the Judiciary Committee, which would determine if there is enough evidence to draft articles of impeachment.

Rep. Pete Aguilar of California was the most recent member to voice support of impeachment proceedings, which, according to a BuzzFeed News analysis, raises the count to 118, half of the Democratic caucus.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi continues her call for investigations to continue and maintains she will call for articles of impeachment when she feels House Democrats have their "strongest hand" to move forward.

Wait this impeachment number keeps going up and up so I think the idea that mueller’s testimony was a dud bc he didn’t use jazz hands when talking about the president’s crime spree can be put to bed.

Thanks for coming to my ted talk ✌🏾

— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) August 1, 2019

A majority of House Democrats now supports launching an impeachment inquiry for President Trump, according to a Fox News tally -- the latest sign that Robert Mueller’s shaky testimony did little to arrest the momentum inside the caucus for that politically explosive step.

— Scarlett Upton (@scarlettupton) August 2, 2019

Pelosi On Impeachment: "I'm Not Trying To Run Out The Clock"

In the aftermath of Robert Mueller's testimony before Congress earlier this week, many Democrats in the House have critized Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for not beginning impeachment proceedings against President Trump saying she may be "running out the clock."

Today, Pelosi addressed the criticisms publicly, saying she and the Democratic caucus would move forward "when we have what we need to proceed, not one day sooner."

"And everybody has the liberty and the luxury to espouse their own position and to criticize me for trying to go down the path in the most determined positive way," she added.

From CNN:

More than 90 Democratic members -- roughly 40% of the party's caucus -- have publicly stated that they support starting an impeachment inquiry, including a handful who made their decision following the hearings this week from former special counsel Robert Mueller.

CNN reported Thursday that House Democrats who are publicly and privately agitating to begin impeachment proceedings against Trump are growing worried that their time is running short -- and that they are missing key opportunities to give them a clear opening to mount a formal probe.

"Their advocacy for impeachment only gives me leverage," Pelosi said Friday of impeachment supporters. "I have no complaint with what they are doing."

Pelosi said she'll continue to stay the course, adding she's "willing to take whatever heat there is."

Pelosi on pursuing impeachment of President Trump: "We will proceed when we have what we need to proceed." https://t.co/ewTTRfZuJX pic.twitter.com/j8eWqnkHfw

— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 26, 2019

Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: "It's just like you're in a family. In a family you have your differences, but you're still a family." pic.twitter.com/XXkkvDpzlE

— The Hill (@thehill) July 26, 2019

Rep. Justin Amash: High-Level Republicans Thanked Me For Supporting Impeachment

Rep. Justin Amash

During an appearance on CNN's State of the Union this morning, Rep. Justin Amash (Mich.) told Jake Tapper that many "high-level" Republican officials have privately thanked him for his support for impeaching Donald Trump.

“When I was discussing impeachment I had fellow colleagues and other Republicans, high-level officials, contacting me and saying thank you for what you’re doing,” said Amash. “So, there are lots of Republicans out there saying these things privately, but they're not saying it publicly, and I think that’s a problem for our country."

Amash announced last week that he was leaving the GOP to become an Independent in the House.

Rep. Amash on the responses from fellow Republicans: “There are lots of Republicans out there who are saying ... things privately, but they’re not saying it publicly. And I think that’s a problem for our country ... the Republican Party [and] the Democratic Party” #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/sD0CbNOx89

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) July 7, 2019

Schiff: The GOP Has Become 'A Cult Of Trump's Personality'

House Democrats continue to wrestle within their own party regarding the idea of beginning impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump.

This was front and center today as House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos that he's 'just not convinced, not yet,' that it's the best thing for the country right now.

“In terms of the impeachment process, it’s not mandated by the Constitution. We can avail ourselves of this when the president demonstrates acts that are high crimes or misdemeanors. It is certainly true that much of his conduct qualifies for that, but at the same time we have to recognize the reality that one party, the Republican Party, has turned itself into a cult of the president’s personality and is not likely to act consistent with its constitutional obligations. And we have to figure out in that context, is this the right thing for the country, and I’m just not convinced, not yet, that that’s the case.”

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff on impeachment: "One party - the Republican Party has turned itself into a cult of the president's personality and is not likely to act consist with its constitutional obligations" https://t.co/1KA7z13fgZ pic.twitter.com/bZ6a673Fd5

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) June 2, 2019

Several freshman rank and file Democrats are ready to dive into impeachment proceedings, but as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said earlier this week, even if articles of impeachment pass in the Democratic-controlled House, the GOP-led Senate (which acts as the judge and jury over such allegations) will never find Trump guilty.

That would then make Trump a martyr to his followers and could embolden them even more in the 2020 election.

Plus, were he to be found 'not guilty' by the Senate, that verdict could dissuade any charges being brought against Trump in the private sector once he's out of office.

Pelosi: Trump "Wants Us To Impeach Him" So He Can Be Exonerated By GOP-Senate

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi

As more and more Democrats feel the need to push for impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has shown restraint regarding rushing into things.

On one hand, the more info we get about 10+ episodes of obstruction detailed in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report, the more it makes sense that Trump did indeed attempt to obstruct the investigation and he should be held accountable.

But the danger lies in the fact that Trump would not be found guilty by a Republican-led Senate. And a 'not guilty' verdict in the Senate would embolden his supporters.

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night, Pelosi explained her thinking as well as what she believes Trump wants to see happen.

“I think the president wants us to impeach him,” Pelosi told Kimmel. “He knows it’s not a good idea to be impeached, but the silver lining for him is then, he believes, that he would be exonerated by the United States Senate.

“And,” she added, “there is a school of thought that says, ‘If the Senate acquits you, why bring charges against him in the private sector when he’s no longer president?’ So when we go through with our case, it’s got to be ironclad. Ironclad.”

I completely agree. Watch below.

Nancy Pelosi On Mueller's Comments: "Congress Will Continue To Investigate"

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has issued a statement in response to this morning's comments by Special Counsel Robert Mueller:

“The Special Counsel’s report revealed that the President’s campaign welcomed Russian interference in the election, and laid out eleven instances of the President’s obstruction of the investigation. The Congress holds sacred its constitutional responsibility to investigate and hold the President accountable for his abuse of power.

"The Congress will continue to investigate and legislate to protect our elections and secure our democracy. The American people must have the truth. We call upon the Senate to pass H.R. 1, the For The People Act, to protect our election systems. We salute Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his team for his patriotic duty to seek the truth.”

Pelosi urged Democrats to whoa up on impeachment calls, saying, “We want to do what is right and what gets results.”

The House Speaker added, “We do want to make such a compelling case that even the Republican Senate will be convinced of the path that we have to take as a country.”

Several Democratic candidates for president weighed in with their thoughts as well:

What Robert Mueller basically did was return an impeachment referral. Now it is up to Congress to hold this president accountable.

We need to start impeachment proceedings. It's our constitutional obligation.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) May 29, 2019

Robert Mueller’s statement makes it clear: Congress has a legal and moral obligation to begin impeachment proceedings immediately.

— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) May 29, 2019

Mueller’s statement makes clear what those who have read his report know: It is an impeachment referral, and it’s up to Congress to act. They should.

— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 29, 2019

This is as close to an impeachment referral as it gets. Robert Mueller could not clear the president, nor could he charge him — so he has handed the matter to Congress, which alone can act to deliver due process and accountability.

— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) May 29, 2019

My statement on the comments Robert Mueller made today: pic.twitter.com/U9sCVSZ6E3

— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) May 29, 2019

Oh, and the Trumpster had to chime in as well:

Nothing changes from the Mueller Report. There was insufficient evidence and therefore, in our Country, a person is innocent. The case is closed! Thank you.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2019

GOP Congressman Says Attorney General "Deliberately Misrepresented" Mueller Report

Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan

Rep. Justin Amash surprised some folks earlier the month when he became the first Republican in Congress to call for impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump.

Today, Amash issued a lengthy 25-tweet statement outlining how he views Attorney General William Barr "misrepresented key aspects" of the Special Counsel's report.

Attorney General Barr has deliberately misrepresented key aspects of Mueller’s report and decisions in the investigation, which has helped further the president’s false narrative about the investigation.

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 28, 2019

After receiving Mueller’s report, Barr wrote and released a letter on March 24 describing Barr’s own decision not to indict the president for obstruction of justice. That letter selectively quotes and summarizes points in Mueller’s report in misleading ways.

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 28, 2019

Mueller’s report says he chose not to decide whether Trump broke the law because there’s an official DoJ opinion that indicting a sitting president is unconstitutional, and because of concerns about impacting the president’s ability to govern and pre-empting possible impeachment.

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 28, 2019

Barr’s letter doesn’t mention those issues when explaining why Mueller chose not to make a prosecutorial decision. He instead selectively quotes Mueller in a way that makes it sound—falsely—as if Mueller’s decision stemmed from legal/factual issues specific to Trump’s actions.

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 28, 2019

But, in fact, Mueller finds considerable evidence that several of Trump’s actions detailed in the report meet the elements of obstruction, and Mueller’s constitutional and prudential issues with indicting a sitting president would preclude indictment regardless of what he found.

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 28, 2019

Amash goes on to cite Donald Trump Jr.'s Trump Tower meeting with a Russian lawyer and the inability of Robert Mueller to secure a proper interview with Donald Trump as concerning issues in the Special Counsel's report that Barr seems to have obfuscated.

(h/t JoeMyGod)

Nancy Pelosi: 'We Believe That The President Of The United States Is Engaged In A Coverup'

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Donald Trump keeps pressing to hide more documents and suppress more testimony; more Democrats are shifting towards impeachment mode; and now, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is starting to sound like her colleagues are moving her in that direction as well.

Following a meeting with House Democrats, Pelosi reporters that "no one is above the law," and "we believe the President of the United States is engaged in a cover up."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: "We believe the President of the United States is engaged in a cover-up" https://t.co/RhvismjmFt pic.twitter.com/dzi179fGu1

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) May 22, 2019

Pelosi was scheduled to meet with Trump and other lawmakers this morning regarding infrastructure legislation.

He wasn't happy.

Mangling the English language once again, Trump sputtered, "Instead of walking in happily into a meeting, I walk in to look at at people that had just said I'm doing a cover-up. I don't do coverups."

Uh-huh. That's why he's telling his former lawyer, Don McGahn, to not testify before Congress. Because he's totally-not covering anything up.

At the impromptu presser in the White House Rose Garden, Trump told reporters he told Democrats at the White House he couldn't work with them while they were pursuing investigations into him and his administration.

Isn't it his job to DO his job?

JUST IN: Pres. Trump responds to Speaker Pelosi's comment that he's engaged in a "cover-up."

"Instead of walking into happily into a meeting, I walk in to look at at people that had just said I'm doing a cover-up. I don't do coverups." https://t.co/h1ImSdhRL5 pic.twitter.com/GucORhhcK4

— ABC News (@ABC) May 22, 2019

Fact-checking Trump's Rose Garden comments from today.

CLAIM: “I think most of you would agree, I'm the most transparent president probably in the history of this country.”

FACTS: No tax returns, no Mueller sit-down, objecting to McGahn's House testimony

— Mark Murray (@mmurraypolitics) May 22, 2019

Nancy Pelosi On Impeaching Trump: "He's Just Not Worth It"

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi says Trump "is just not worth" impeaching

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi wins 'Quote of the Day' with this bon mot from a lengthy interview with the Washington Post:

"I’m not for impeachment. This is news.

"I’m going to give you some news right now because I haven’t said this to any press person before. But since you asked, and I’ve been thinking about this: Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless there’s something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don’t think we should go down that path, because it divides the country.

"And he’s just not worth it."

James Comey: Vote Trump Out In Landslide Without Impeachment

James Comey

During a Q&A session at Manhattan's 92nd Street Y in New York City on Sunday night, former FBI Director James Comey told the audience that the answer to the scandal-ridden Trump administration is voting him out in a landslide in 2020, not impeachment.

Via CNN:

“All of us should use every breath we have to make sure the lies stop on January 20, 2021,” Comey told an audience at the 92nd Street Y on New York City’s Upper East Side. He all but begged Democrats to set aside their ideological differences and nominate the person best suited to defeating Trump in an election.

Comey said he hoped that Trump would be swept out of office without being impeached. Framing the rise of Trumpism as a political ill the country needed to exorcise at the ballot, he expressed a hope that Americans would “in a landslide rid ourselves of this attack on our values.”

“Removal by impeachment would muddy that,” he said, and potentially leave a third of the country feeling like their chosen leader had been removed in a “coup.”

For what it's worth, I wholeheartedly agree.

First, even though a Democratic-led House of Representatives might vote for articles of impeachment, the Republican-controlled Senate would never vote Trump out.

Second, the democratic process would be viewed as a much more widespread solution than, as Comey says, a Trumper-viewed 'coup.'

Happening now: @NicolleDWallace interviews @Comey at @92Y pic.twitter.com/pIrMtvMxle

— Mike Memoli (@mikememoli) December 10, 2018

Former FBI Director James Comey says American voters should end Donald Trump's presidency with a "landslide" victory for his opponent in 2020: "All of us should use every breath we have to make sure the lies stop on January 20, 2021" https://t.co/2OFn1ZLqMk pic.twitter.com/l0KdMUf1MF

— New Day (@NewDay) December 10, 2018

Trump: Stock Market Would Crash And "Everybody Would Be Very Poor" If I Got Impeached

 In a softball interview for Fox News, Donald Trump told Fox & Friends talk show host Ainsley Earhardt that he couldn't understand how anyone would impeach "somebody who's doing a great job?"

The Trumpster went on to declare the stock market would tank and "everybody would be very poor" if he were to face impeachment.

President @realDonaldTrump: "I don't know how you can impeach somebody who's done a great job." pic.twitter.com/3BZNpSzish

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 23, 2018

Trump also shared that he feels "flipping" on past associates, as his former attorney Michael Cohen has done this week, "almost ought to be illegal."

The Donald dodged a question regarding a possible pardon for former campaign chair Paul Manafort who was found guilty of 8 felonies this week.

I'm telling you right now - he's going to pardon Manafort.

Oh, and Trump gives himself an A+ for the job he's done. How generous.

President @realDonaldTrump on former associates “flipping” on him to make deals pic.twitter.com/gdIEF8kLuk

— FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) August 23, 2018

President @realDonaldTrump on if he would pardon Paul Manafort pic.twitter.com/98QPG8AAUa

— FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) August 23, 2018

.@ainsleyearhardt: "What grade do you give yourself so far?"

President @realDonaldTrump: "So I give myself an A+." pic.twitter.com/eI2BcOHiFQ

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 23, 2018

Six House Democrats To Introduce 5 Articles Of Impeachment

Rep. Steve Cohen

House Democrats, led by Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee, have announced they will introduce five articles of impeachment alleging obstruction of justice, violations of both the foreign and domestic emoluments clause, undermining the federal judiciary and undermining the freedom of the press.

Cohen and company have asked that impeachment hearings against Donald Trump begin immediately.

Don't expect this to go anywhere fast at this time considering the Republicans control Congress.

.@RepCohen: "We believe that President Trump has violated the Constitution, and we've introduced five articles of impeachment." pic.twitter.com/nC7bdnhYqR

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) November 15, 2017

New Ad Calls For Impeachment Of Trump - "A Clear And Present Danger Who Is Mentally Unstable"

Check out this new ad I noticed yesterday on CNN calling for the impeachment of Donald Trump.

California billionaire Tom Steyer, who spent more than $75 million during the 2016 election to get millennials involved in progressive causes, has produced the spot as the part of a $10 million campaign calling for President Donald Trump’s impeachment.

“A Republican Congress once impeached a president for far less. And today, people in Congress and his own administration know that this President is a clear and present danger who is mentally unstable and armed with nuclear weapons,” says Steyer.

Note the tone of Steyer's voice. This is not a wild, reckless rant.

I appreciate the sentiment but, of course, articles of impeachment will not be forthcoming from a Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

Now, should the Dems regain control of the House in next year's mid-term elections, who knows?

Watch the spot below.

News Roundup: July 25, 2017

Some news items you may have missed:

• Let's hear it for the bears! Furball in focus (above).

• According to a new USA Today poll, Americans are split 42% yes/42% no on whether President Trump should be impeached.

• The Queer Insurrection and Liberation Army, or TQILA, is a newly-formed LGBT-centric unit of volunteers who have joined the fight against ISIS in Syria.

These Faggots Kill Fascists! We shoot back! The Black & Pink and Rainbow flag fly in Raqqa. #Queers smashing the Caliphate. #TQILA #YPJ #YPG pic.twitter.com/eBCssrbjMI

— IRPGF (@IRPGF) July 24, 2017

• Trump says Attorney General Jeff Sessions only endorsed him for president because of his "massive numbers" at campaign rallies. #brutal

• Always on the lookout for new out music? Check out this list of summer tunes by LGBT artists.

• Mark Ruffalo shared this pic of Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston cuddling with Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi on a recent flight. #Grrrr

Living the dream, dreaming of living. #thorragnarok #sdcc2017

A post shared by Mark Ruffalo (@markruffalo) on Jul 22, 2017 at 1:57pm PDT

Poll: 41% Of Americans Would Support Impeachment Of President Trump

According to a new poll from Monmouth University, 41% of Americans would support the impeachment of President Donald Trump.

That number is considerably higher than those who called for President Nixon's impeachment (24%) back in 1973.

The results of the survey also show Trump's job approval rating at 39%; 52% disapprove.

House Democrat Files Article Of Impeachment Against President Trump

Accusing President Trump of obstructing justice during the current investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential campaign, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) has filed an article of impeachment against Trump.

Via The Hill:

This is the first time a lawmaker has offered an impeachment article against Trump, and comes as Democrats have debated whether it is politically wise to press the case for impeachment at this time.

A majority vote in the House, currently controlled by Republicans, is required to impeach a president. Republicans have a 46-seat advantage.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders slammed the move.

“I think that is utterly and completely ridiculous and a political game at its worst," she told reporters Wednesday at an off-camera briefing.

Sherman argues that Trump’s abrupt firing of James Comey as FBI director in May amounts to obstructing justice and "high crimes and misdemeanors" amid the probes of whether Trump's campaign colluded with the Russian government to swing the election.

He cites Comey’s allegations that Trump pressured him to drop the FBI’s investigation into ousted former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn, as well as Trump’s shifting story on why he fired Comey.

The measure, H.R. 438, was officially introduced on the floor of the House today.

Sherman is an 11 term congressman who represents my old district in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. He's a good guy.

This will, of course, go nowhere in the GOP-controlled House.

For now.

News Round-Up: May 19, 2017

Some news items you may have missed:

• Fitness trainer/model Joss Mooney (above) sees summer just around the corner.

• White House lawyers are currently researching impeachment procedures. You know, just in case...

• In related news, conservatives have started whispering: "President Pence"

• You really have to read this terrific profile of Cher for Billboard Magazine. Really captures the personality and flavor of the iconic singer/actress.

• And speaking of profiles, the New York Times writes beautifully about the twilight of legendary AIDS activist/playwright Larry Kramer. In case you don't know it, Kramer saved countless lives with his fiery activism.

• As President Trump leaves on his first foreign trip abroad, the world prepares to make the homebody happy.

• Check out the first look at the upcoming reboot of 80s TV drama, Dynasty. You know the drill: cat fights, fashion and high drama all wrapped up in some sexy eye-candy. Airing Wednesdays this fall on the CW.

List: Presidential Succession

As folks are getting all heated up over the current turmoil going on with the Trump administration, I'm seeing people talking "impeachment" and more.

Just for interest's sake, here’s a reminder of the order of succession should President Trump (or more) leave office.

Via New York Daily News:

1. Vice President Pence

2. House Speaker Paul Ryan

3. President pro tempore of the Senate Orrin Hatch

4. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

5. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin

6. Defense Secretary James Mattis

7. Attorney General Jeff Sessions

8. Acting Secretary of the Interior Kevin Haugrud (nominee Ryan Zinke has not been confirmed by the Senate)

9. Acting Agriculture Secretary Michael Scuse (nominee Sonny Perdue has not been confirmed)

10. Commerce Secretary (vacant seat; nominee Wilbur Ross has not been confirmed)

11. Acting Labor Secretary Ed Hugler (nominee Andy Puzder has not been confirmed)

12. Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price

13. Acting Housing and Urban Development Secretary Craig Clemmensen (nominee Ben Carson has not been confirmed)

14. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao

15. Acting Energy Secretary Grace Bochenek (nominee Rick Perry has not been confirmed)

16. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos

17. Veteran Affairs Secretary David Shulkin

18. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly

Political cartoon of the day

Clay Bennett Cartoon from 2014-07-31 pic.twitter.com/MoJaywrXU2

— WashPostNewsMedia (@WPNMS) August 1, 2014