House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) strongly endorsed impeaching President Donald Trump on Thursday morning as she gave the green light to the committees to proceed with articles of impeachment.
Pelosi had been slow to come around on impeachment for months as she urged patience until an investigation had taken place to determine if that ultimate step needed to be taken. But as Trump continued to defy congressional subpoenas and obstructed justice, the evidence against him only piled up. And then he got caught trying to bribe Ukraine into digging up dirt for him to use against his political opponents in 2020. And that proved to be the final straw, sparking a series of hearings that turned up damning witness testimony from Ambassadors Gordon Sondland and Marie Yovanovich even though the transcript of Trump’s call alone is enough.
The hearings have now moved to the House Judiciary Committee, where Stanford law professor Pamela Karlan delivered a strong argument in favor of impeachment by warning that if Trump is not impeached for his various crimes, future presidents would be able to get away with similar or worse behavior, making them dictators.
Beginning with references to the Founding Fathers and the Constitution, Pelosi announced on Thursday morning that she has directed committee chairmen to formally draft articles of impeachment.
“Sadly, but with confidence and humility, with allegiance to our founders, and our heart full of love for America, today I am asking our chairmen to proceed with the articles of impeachment,” Pelosi said. “The facts are uncontested. The president abused his power for his own personal political benefit at the expense of our national security by withholding military aid and crucial oval office meeting in exchange for an announcement of an investigation into his political rival.”
“Our democracy is at stake,” she continued. “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.”
Here’s the video via YouTube:
Despite the evidence and testimony, Trump and his team are already confident that the Senate won’t convict him. White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham, who has a criminal record herself, attacked Pelosi in response.
.@SpeakerPelosi & the Democrats should be ashamed. @realDonaldTrump has done nothing but lead our country – resulting in a booming economy, more jobs & a stronger military, to name just a few of his major accomplishments. ?? We look forward to a fair trial in the Senate.
— Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) December 5, 2019
It’s also clear that Trump expects Senate Republicans to make his trial nothing but a show trial to persecute Democrats and his political opponents instead of taking the articles of impeachment against him seriously.
The Do Nothing Democrats had a historically bad day yesterday in the House. They have no Impeachment case and are demeaning our Country. But nothing matters to them, they have gone crazy. Therefore I say, if you are going to impeach me, do it now, fast, so we can have a fair….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 5, 2019
…..trial in the Senate, and so that our Country can get back to business. We will have Schiff, the Bidens, Pelosi and many more testify, and will reveal, for the first time, how corrupt our system really is. I was elected to “Clean the Swamp,” and that’s what I am doing!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 5, 2019
Trump wants Senate Republicans to abuse their power on his behalf, making it even more clear that he must be impeached and convicted. Because our democracy and Constitution won’t survive otherwise. Pelosi’s statement today should at the least shame them into choosing country over party, but it probably won’t. She has though, shut down all the GOP naysayers who question her and her leadership, which is strong and all-American.
Featured Image: Screenshot
