House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., rushed to the defense of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Monday, saying only “graphic evidence” would warrant an impeachment gamble against President Trump.
“In the absence of very graphic evidence, it would be difficult to get the support in the Senate needed to make an impeachment successful. Again, my feeling is let’s see what Bob Mueller produces. But the evidence would have to be pretty overwhelming,” Schiff told CNN.
Across the caucus, Democrats have been asked to comment about Pelosi, D-Calif., abruptly shutting the door on impeachment in an interview published Monday.
“I’m not for impeachment,” Pelosi told the Washington Post. “Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless there’s something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don’t think we should go down that path, because it divides the country. And he’s just not worth it.”
Democrats have long questioned whether Trump has been compromised by the Russians over the course of Russia investigations conducted by special counsel Robert Mueller and congressional panels. Under new Democratic leadership this term, congressional panels, including the House Intelligence Committee, are also embarking on a sweeping investigation into Trump’s financial transactions, as well as Russia.
In October, Schiff opened the door to impeaching Trump over family tax fraud, but he also tamped down expectations in an interview in January in which he said Trump would more likely be voted out of office.
Schiff has adamantly stressed his committee will continue its work unimpeded regardless of what Mueller’s report says. He also declared in late February that if Mueller’s full report on the investigation is not released to the public after it is completed, his panel would bring him in to testify to Congress.
