Lawmakers need to trigger impeachment proceedings against President Trump, according to Democratic presidential candidate Kirsten Gillibrand.
The New York senator on Thursday joined a Democratic presidential rival, Sen. Corey Booker, N.J., in pushing for impeachment hearings after special counsel Robert Mueller gave his first public statement in years. Mueller told reporters if Trump did not obstruct justice during his 22-month federal Russia inquiry his office would have specifically made that conclusion.
“From the beginning, I have called for a proper process in order to secure key testimony and information related to the Mueller investigation, so that Congress — as a co-equal branch of government — can fulfill its responsibility to deliver the truth to the American people,” the senator for New York and Democratic presidential candidate wrote in a statement. “But the White House has repeatedly stonewalled Congress’ ability to take basic fact-finding steps and make an informed decision.”
“Combined with the fact that Robert Mueller clearly expects Congress to exercise its constitutional authority and take steps that he could not, it’s time for Republicans and Democrats to begin impeachment hearings and follow the facts wherever they may lead,” Gillibrand said. “We cannot let this president defy basic accountability measures built into our Constitution.”
Booker earlier Wednesday lent his voice to the push to oust Trump from the White House.
“Robert Mueller’s statement makes it clear: Congress has a legal and moral obligation to begin impeachment proceedings immediately,” Booker said in a tweet.
The pair join Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kamala Harris of California, as well as former Rep. Beto O’Rourke of Texas and Obama administration-era housing chief Julián Castro, in calling for Trump to be removed from power.
