The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, has announced that the House of Representatives would file impeachment charges against President Donald Trump for alleged abuse of power, stating that facts on ground are uncontested.
According to Pelosi, “Our democracy is what is at stake; the president leaves us no choice but to act.”
Democrat lawmakers argued that Trump corruptly made military aid to Ukraine conditional on it investigating his rival Joe Biden.
The California congresswoman told Thursday morning’s news conference: “The facts are uncontested. The president abused his power for his own political benefit at the expense of our national security, by withholding military aid and a crucial Oval Office meeting in exchange for an announcement for an investigation into his political rival.”
She added: “Sadly, but with confidence and humility, with allegiance to our founders and a heart full of love for America, today I am asking our chairmen to proceed with articles of impeachment.”
An impeachment vote might take place in the House of Representatives before the end of the year, and a trial in the Senate perhaps as early as January 2020.
In a later news conference, Pelosi upbraided a reporter who asked whether she hated the president.
“I don’t hate anybody,” she said, invoking her Catholic faith after striding back to the podium.
“I still pray for the president all the time. So don’t mess with me when it comes to words like that!”
Trump tweeted shortly before Pelosi’s remarks: “If you are going to impeach me, do it now, fast, so we can have a fair trial in the Senate, and so that our country can get back to business.”
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said immediately after Pelosi’s remarks that Democrats “should be ashamed”.
She added: “We look forward to a fair trial in the Senate.”
