And we’re off! After months of drumbeating around impeaching President Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) took to the podium today to announce a formal impeachment inquiry.
This comes off the back of reports that President Trump may have asked the Ukrainian president to investigation Joe Biden and his son, hunter Biden, for possible corruption. Not only that, there are allegations that Trump withheld more than $200 million in military aid to Ukraine to set up a quid pro quo. Trump denies the charges.
So what do we know at the moment?
First, a whistleblower filed a complaint purportedly related to Trump’s discussion with the Ukrainian president to press for an investigation into the Biden’s.
Second, the inspector general for the office of the Director of National intelligence received the complaint and launched an investigation.
Third, the inspector general has completed his investigation, and notified Congress that his findings are “of the utmost urgency” and that the White House was blocking its disclosure to Congress. Disclosure is mandatory under current law.
Fourth, this series of events has led to a flood of Democrats formerly on the fence for impeachment to come out in favor.
Fifth, in response to the growing furor, President Trump has authorized the release of an unredacted transcript of his conversation with the Ukrainian president. That transcript will be released tomorrow.
Finally, not content to wait for release of the transcripts, Democrats formally announced an impeachment inquiry today.
So here we are. At the precipice of a constitutional crisis of epic proportions. We expected the Mueller report might get us here, but instead it is a totally unrelated issue involving potential abuse of power to investigate a political opponent.
Here are some early reactions from prominent members of the Republican and Democratic parties:
The times have found us. The actions taken to date by the President have seriously violated the Constitution. It is for this reason that the House of Representatives is moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry. pic.twitter.com/cHq7zgKJ1g
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) September 24, 2019
Such an important day at the United Nations, so much work and so much success, and the Democrats purposely had to ruin and demean it with more breaking news Witch Hunt garbage. So bad for our Country!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2019
Pelosi, Nadler, Schiff and, of course, Maxine Waters! Can you believe this?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2019
They never even saw the transcript of the call. A total Witch Hunt!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2019
PRESIDENTIAL HARASSMENT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2019
Pressuring the leader of another nation to investigate a political opponent — to help win an election — is not the conduct of an American President. pic.twitter.com/XlaHbHxCMI
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 24, 2019
Now the impeachment inquiry must move forward with the efficiency and seriousness this crisis demands. The House needs to vote on articles of impeachment—and when it comes to the Senate, I will do what the Constitution requires.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) September 24, 2019
My statement on Speaker Nancy Pelosi's impeachment inquiry announcement:https://t.co/6dtEHGTEMV pic.twitter.com/8zYrYD3Bhn
— Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) September 24, 2019
BIG:
The Senate by unanimous consent passed my resolution calling for the whistleblower complaint to be provided to Congress as required by law.
That means every GOP Senator supports the whistleblower report being immediately provided to the Senate and House Intel Committees.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) September 24, 2019
We have a lawless president, who has undermined our democracy; a racist president, who has incited violence; a reckless president, who has let our planet burn and fleeced taxpayers for his own benefit. To my former colleagues in Congress: Finish the job and impeach him.
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) September 24, 2019
Donald Trump has abused his power, obstructed justice, and violated his oath of office. He puts his political interests over our national interest.
I agree with @SpeakerPelosi — no one is above the law.
He must be impeached.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) September 24, 2019
