Seven first-term House Democrats, who previously served in the military or worked in intelligence operations, say they’ve changed their minds about impeaching President Trump, arguing his reported interactions with Ukrainian officials warrants consideration of it.
A Washington Post op-ed by the first-term lawmakers represents a shift by a key group of House Democrats who have previously been reluctant to call for Trump’s impeachment over the Mueller report, detailing his 2016 campaign’s interactions with figures linked to the Russian government. But the president’s alleged threat to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, to withhold U.S. aid if prosecutors there didn’t investigate business dealings in the country by a son of former Vice President Joe Biden, falls into a different category, write Democratic Reps. Gil Cisneros of California, Jason Crow of Colorado, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, Elaine Luria of Virginia, Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, and Abigail Spanberger of Virginia.
“If these allegations are true, we believe these actions represent an impeachable offense,” write the group about the Hunter Biden-related controversy. “We do not arrive at this conclusion lightly, and we call on our colleagues in Congress to consider the use of all congressional authorities available to us, including the power of ‘inherent contempt‘ and impeachment hearings, to address these new allegations, find the truth and protect our national security.”
To date, most pressure on House Democrats to impeach Trump has come from the Left. But each of the seven represents districts or areas that were held by Republicans until their victories in 2018, with several defeating GOP incumbents. Most are Trump-leaning districts, according to the 2016 presidential vote and party registration, so the lawmakers have political incentive to be cautious about impeachment.
Each of the members served in national security roles in some form, several in the military, and others in civilians positions at the Defense Department and intelligence agencies.
Their declaration comes as House Democrats prepare to meet this afternoon to discuss the latest allegations about Trump and how it impacts the party’s impeachment push.
