House Leaders Announce Articles of Impeachment Against Trump

Dec. 10, 2019

House Leaders Announce Articles of Impeachment Against Trump
Jim Clyburn Urges, Do What is Necessary

U. S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), chair of the House Judiciary Committee PHOTO: Paulette Singleton/Trice Edney News Wire

U. S. Rep. Val Butler Demings (D-Florida), House Judiciary Committee member PHOTO: Paulette Singleton/Trice Edney News Wire

(TriceEdneyWire.com/TheNorthStarNewsToday.com) - U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has ordered the House Judiciary Committee to draft articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump following hearings that he violated the U.S. Constitution.

The articles of impeachment, announced Tuesday morning by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, concern Trump’s effort to pressure Ukraine to investigate political rival, Joe Biden, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for president.Impeachment means the legislative body issues a written accusation against a government official, who must be convicted of impeachment in order to be removed from office.

"President Trump's misconduct is as simple and as terrible as this. President Trump solicited a foreign nation, Ukraine, to publically announced investigations into his opponent in a baseless conspiracy theory promoted by Russia, to help his re-election campaign," Nadler said in a televised announcement Tuesday morning. "President Trump abused the power of his office."

Pelosi had already laid the groundwork in a public announcement last week: “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 of an investigation into his political rival,” Pelosi said.“Sadly, but with confidence and humility, with allegiance to our Founders and our hearts full of love for America, today I am asking our chairman to proceed with articles of impeachment,” Pelosi said, referring to Nadler. “The president leaves us no choice but to act.”

As Republicans fight vehemently to defend the President, at least two articles related to abuse of power and obstruction of Congress will likely be voted on by the full House next week, according to widespread reports.

Nadler has described Trump as a “continuing risk to the country,” according to MSN.com. "Nadler forcefully accused the president of using his office to pressure Ukraine to launch political investigations and then trying to block Congress from investigating him." Nadler has repeatedly asserted, “President Trump put himself before country."

"The evidence presented does not prove any of these Democrat allegations and none of the Democrats' witnesses testified to having evidence of bribery, extortion, or any high crime or misdemeanor," according to a copy of the report reviewed by CNN.

Meanwhile, House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, the highest placed African-American in Congress, has issued a statement encouraging all involved in the hearings. to be bold enough to protect the country rather than themselves or a political party.

He praised Pelosi's speech announcing her directive to start the impeachment articles.

“My own personal philosophy which I keep right over my head, at my desk, is a little poster of a turtle," Clyburn stated. "I have been worshipping turtles since my childhood. I have them scattered all over my office and all over my home. The turtle to me is a metaphor for public service. The shell is there to protect us from all that surrounds us, but if you ever want to make progress, the turtle has to stick its neck out. I think if we want to make progress, we will do what is necessary and sometimes that entails sticking your neck out. We can be safe under the shell, but I hope that we all want to make progress for this great country of ours. And I hope, that as we move forward on this question, that the rest of the country sees us as being protectors of this great republic.”