Explained: why House Democrats shifted to favour Trump impeachment inquiry now
- Seven freshmen Democrats with a background in the military or national security called for an impeachment inquiry in a jointly written op-ed
For months, House Democrats who represent swing congressional districts had largely resisted calls from party activists to begin impeachment proceedings against US President Donald Trump.
But in a matter of four days, the news that Trump had spoken with the leader of Ukraine and asked him to investigate a potential Democratic presidential candidate swept that hesitation away.
Trump’s actions represented a step too far, congressman Gil Cisneros, said.
“He’s inviting another foreign country to meddle in our elections. We can’t stand for that. The American people deserve to know the truth of what happened, what he’s been doing, and we need to get to the bottom of it,” Cisneros said.
Cisneros, a former US Navy officer, was one of seven freshmen Democrats with a background in the military or national security who called for an impeachment inquiry in a jointly-written Washington Post op-ed Monday, saying that “these new allegations are a threat to all we have sworn to protect”.
The article came together after a flurry of weekend calls and text messages among the tight-knit group of freshmen lawmakers, all of whom represent districts previously held by Republicans.