With the radical elements of her party rejecting her lead on impeaching President Donald Trump, or not, Speaker Nancy Pelosi has got a problem.
In a contentious Monday night meeting that leaked like a sieve, “sources” claim the California Democrat was confronted by party leaders about beginning impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.
Citing “multiple officials in the room,” the Washington Post reported on the rebellion:
At least five members of Pelosi’s leadership team — four who also sit on the House Judiciary Committee with jurisdiction over impeachment — pressed Pelosi to allow the panel to start the inquiry, which they argued would help investigators attain documents and testimony Trump has blocked.
Pelosi, according to the officials, pushed back on the idea alongside House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.), arguing that it would undercut other House investigations. Pelosi has also long been an impeachment skeptic and tried to tamp down impeachment talk in her caucus as recently as last week by encouraging members to focus on their legislative agenda.
The newspaper said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., has met with Pelosi to recommend impeachment proceeding be started.
According to Politico, the 5 members included Reps. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Joe Neguse of Colorado and Jamie Raskin of Maryland.
Pelosi’s got a problem https://t.co/ph43No1rGy
— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) May 20, 2019
Raskin is a former law professor and he argued that opening an impeachment inquiry would strengthen their legal position while allowing them to move forward with their legislative agenda, Politico reported, citing its own sources.
Pelosi reportedly dismissed the argument, suggesting it would result in shutting down the other five committees currently investigating the president of the United States — as remarkable as that may be.
“You want to tell Elijah Cummings to go home?” Pelosi allegedly said, in reference to the House Oversight and Reform Committee chairman.
Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., stood up at a Steering and Policy Committee meeting and demanded Trump’s impeachment, according to Politico — after referencing former President Clinton facing impeachment proceedings “over sex,” he was said to have declared that Trump is “raping the country.”
(How’s that for sound logic.)
Fearful of losing the majority in the House (and her speakership), Pelosi pushed back, “This isn’t about politics at all. It’s about patriotism. It’s about the strength we need to have to see things through.”
Pelosi has been reluctant to pursue impeachment, pushing for a deliberate approach out of concern it will be divisive and politically precarious for Democrats. She has also expressed the need to have the support of the American public.
But it may be just a matter of time before Pelosi caves, as the clock looks to be ticking.
Fox News’ Chad Pergram tweeted Monday: “Sr Hse Democrat who asked they not be identified asserted that Pelosi will likely have to switch her position on impeachment ‘within the next two weeks.’ The Democrat argued that ‘the vast majority of us are for impeachment.'”
Sr Hse Democrat who asked they not be identified asserted that Pelosi will likely have to switch her position on impeachment “within the next two weeks.”
The Democrat argued that “the vast majority of us are for impeachment.”
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) May 20, 2019
It’s possible an impeachment inquiry resolution could be introduced in the House Judiciary Committee in the coming days to keep the pressure on.
Some Democrats are pointing to the likelihood that former White House counsel Don McGahn will shun an appearance Tuesday before a Judiciary Committee hearing as a tipping point on whether to begin impeachment proceedings — the White House has already said McGahn will not testify.
According to the reaction online, it may not be Trump who ultimately loses his seat, but Pelosi.
Here’s a sampling of responses from Twitter:
She should give them what they want, retire and watch white voters go low 60s for Trump.
Dems can argue over the next minority. https://t.co/6lnPyywlO4
— Rico's a NewDemocrat. (@reesetheone1) May 20, 2019
Please explain how Mitch is going to go along with impeachment. The Constitution says it takes both Houses of Congress to complete the process. She understands the Constitution better than many of the people on Twitter.
— Darrell Williams (@WillDarrell) May 21, 2019
What will it take for them to oust her in leadership? This is the 50th story where there’s been tension with her and members of her own party. Somehow she’s lasting longer than Boehner.
— Joe! (@JoeCulotta) May 21, 2019
Let them. They will lose BIGLY next year.
— Merri Moon (@merri_116) May 21, 2019
She will give 2020 to President Trump if she even tries. President Trump is going to win anyway, but if they go forward with an impeachment effort, they’ll fail in their fruitless effort
— ChargersSB54Champs (@Boltstruck) May 21, 2019
Like children who have tried numerous ways to persuade their parents for something they desire, Dems will stamp their feet, gnash teeth, hold their breath and then scream before running off to their rooms to slam the door. The only answer lacking a coherent debate to policy.
— Joe Cavallo (@JoeCavallo3) May 21, 2019
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The longest-tenured writer at BizPac Review, Tom grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills.
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