Has Impeachment Already Begun? Depends Which Democrat You Ask

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D., N.Y.) says his House Judiciary Committee is already engaged in “formal impeachment proceedings” against President Trump.

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D., Va.) says he wants to see an “impeachment inquiry” and expects it to formally start with a vote on the House floor.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.), who would control such a floor vote, says that while impeachment isn’t off the table, she first wants to see the results of the various House investigations into Mr. Trump’s business dealings and finances.

So, where exactly do House Democrats stand?

In the wake of former special counsel Robert Mueller’s testimony before two House committees last month, the Judiciary Committee, chaired by Mr. Nadler, has escalated its investigation into allegations the president obstructed justice in interfering with the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election. The panel has said in court filings it is “determining whether to recommend articles of impeachment against the President based on the obstructive conduct described by the Special Counsel.”

The word matters politically: Both Mrs. Pelosi and Mr. Nadler have faced pressure from liberals on and off the Hill to move forward on impeachment. The language also has tactical significance. By signaling that his committee is considering whether to impeach the president, Mr. Nadler hopes to bolster the panel’s effort to force the testimony of former White House counsel Don McGahn, who is considered the most significant witness in a probe into possible obstruction of justice by the president.

Read the rest from the WSJ HERE and follow links below to related stories/opinions:

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