Rep. Tulsi Gabbard declined to support a House Democrat-led push to impeach President Trump in Wednesday’s historic vote.
The Hawaii Democrat, who is a lower-tier candidate running for the party’s 2020 presidential nomination, instead voted “present” when House members were asked to consider two articles of impeachment, one alleging abuse of power and another for obstruction of Congress.
“Throughout my life, whether through serving in the military or in Congress, I’ve always worked to do what is in the best interests of our country. Not what’s best for me politically or what’s best for my political party. I have always put our country first. One may not always agree with my decision, but everyone should know that I will always do what I believe to be right for the country that I love,” Gabbard, 38, wrote in a lengthy statement.
The Hawaii National Guard major and Iraq War veteran added, “After doing my due diligence in reviewing the 658-page impeachment report, I came to the conclusion that I could not in good conscience vote either yes or no. I am standing in the center and have decided to vote ‘present.'”
Gabbard was slow to embrace Democratic efforts to start impeachment proceedings against Trump. While her rivals on the campaign trail had called for his removal since the release of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia report in May, she only came out in favor of an investigation in September, warning of the divisiveness it was likely to cause.
In New Hampshire this month, Gabbard told voters she remained “undecided” on how she would vote, one of the few Democrats to buck their party’s line. Then, on Tuesday, the lawmaker joined other centrist Democrats in advocating for Trump’s censure, perceived as a milder form of punishment to impeachment.
“Donald Trump has violated public trust. Congress must be unequivocal in denouncing the president’s misconduct and stand up for the American people and our democracy. To this end, I have introduced a censure resolution that will send a strong message to this president and future presidents that their abuses of power will not go unchecked, while leaving the question of removing Trump from office to the voters to decide,” Gabbard wrote on Wednesday.
“I am confident that the American people will decide to deliver a resounding rebuke of President Trump’s innumerable improprieties and abuses. And they will express that judgment at the ballot box. That is the way real and lasting change has always occurred in this great country: through the forcefully expressed will of the people,” she said.
