Eric Swalwell broke rank with Democratic leadership Thursday and called for the impeachment of President Trump.
“Congress has no choice: we must begin an impeachment inquiry against @realDonaldTrump,” Swalwell tweeted. “He has invited the Russians to again sabotage our elections. And he has obstructed (& obstructs) justice.”
Swalwell is seen as one of the dark horses in a crowded field of Democrats running in the party’s presidential primary.
He has been openly critical of Trump and his supporters in Congress on cable news shows but had yet to call for formal impeachment proceedings to begin.
Congress has no choice: we must begin an impeachment inquiry against @realDonaldTrump. He has invited the Russians to again sabotage our elections. And he has obstructed (& obstructs) justice. Time to be held accountable. Our democracy is worth saving.
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) June 13, 2019
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has tamped down impeachment calls from more progressive Democrats, saying they should instead focus on investigating the President in an attempt to make a case he is not fit for office.
Swalwell’s assertion comes a day after Trump alarmed several 2020 Democrats with comments saying he would be open to accepting help from a foreign government in winning an election.
Two weeks ago, Swalwell said his party “should not rush into impeachment.”
“I was a prosecutor, and I know when I go to court, I got to have my pencil sharpened, my subpoenas ready, and my witnesses and exhibits ready to go,” he said.
But Trump’s latest comments appear to have pushed the California representative over the edge.
“Time to be held accountable,” Swalwell said. “Our Democracy is worth saving.”
