Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee announced they are beginning an “impeachment investigation” against President Trump with a new court filing seeking undisclosed documents from the Mueller report.
“We are telling the court that what we are doing is not just part of normal oversight but part of our Article 1 authority and responsibility to consider all remedies, including the possibility of articles of impeachment,” Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler said.
Democrats sought to establish an impeachment shortcut two days after Mueller’s testimony before two House panels that was panned by critics as flat and uncertain at times. They said telling the court they are weighing impeachment would help them win more access to material Trump has refused to provide.
“This is an impeachment investigation,” California Rep. Eric Swallwell, a member of the panel, said. “We are suggesting here is the first time we are telegraphing to the court that one remedy we have is impeachment.”
Nadler said his ramped-up investigation of Trump will include polling material provided to the Russians by the former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort as well as allegations Trump is violating the emoluments clause. They’ll also pursue testimony from former White House counsel Don McGahn and will subject him to “jail time and fines,” if he refuses.
Nadler, a representative from New York, filed court documents Friday seeking grand jury material from the Mueller report, which Mueller was required under the law to withhold from the public.
Democrats defended Mueller’s testimony and said it substantiated key evidence they say proves Trump broke the law.
Their plan to double down on their oversight investigations followed Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejecting a move following Mueller’s appearance to open formal impeachment proceedings. On Friday, the 100th House Democrat announced support for impeachment out of 235 members.
Nadler, appearing alongside other Democrats on the panel said he is seeking the grand jury material in court by arguing Congress must view it in order to decide whether to impeach the president.
Democrats described court filing as a move akin to opening an impeachment inquiry, which 100 Democrats say they now support.
“We are now crossing a threshold with this filing,” Texas Rep. Veronica Escobar said. “And we are now officially entering into an examination of whether to begin articles of impeachment.”
Nadler said the impeachment investigation “may or may not” result in the Judiciary Committee voting to launch articles of impeachment against Trump.
A reporter asked Nadler if he believed Trump would ultimately be impeached and he responded, “I don’t know,” and left the room.
