House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats have neither committed to nor ruled out impeachment proceedings if they capture the House majority, saying any action would follow investigations, the law and the Constitution.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Sunday that Democrats have not ruled out pursuing impeachment if they regain control of the House in the November midterm elections, while emphasizing that the party’s immediate objective is winning the majority and that any future action would depend on evidence uncovered through congressional oversight.
During an appearance on ABC’s This Week, host George Stephanopoulos asked Jeffries whether Democrats would begin impeachment proceedings on their first day in power after the New York Democrat said a new majority would “hold the crooks accountable.”
“No, we haven’t ruled anything in and we haven’t ruled anything out in terms of impeachment,” Jeffries responded.
Jeffries said Democrats would instead begin with congressional investigations and allow the findings to determine what action, if any, should follow.
“As it relates to accountability, what we’re going to do, led by Jamie Raskin and House Committee Democrats on the Judiciary Committee, as well as House Democrats on the Oversight Committee led by Robert Garcia, both of them are doing a tremendous job, we’ve got to follow the facts, apply the law, be guided by the Constitution, and then let the chips fall where they may, in the best interests of the American people, so that the House, once again, can function like a separate and co-equal branch of government and a check and balance on an out-of-control executive branch,” Jeffries said.
His remarks came after Stephanopoulos asked whether Jeffries expected to become speaker should Democrats take control of the House.
Jeffries said his focus was not on the speakership but on winning the chamber and addressing affordability, health care and what he characterized as corruption under the current administration.
“Well, we’re focused right now on taking back control of the House of Representatives. That is the only mission that’s important, so we can lower the high cost of living, lower the cost of gas, lower the cost of groceries, lower the cost of housing, certainly fight to make health care affordable for every single American, and combat the unprecedented corruption that’s been unleashed on the American people, and beginning on day one, hold the crooks accountable,” Jeffries said.
“We’ve made clear, George, that if someone has been screwing over the American people, shortchanging the American people, or stealing from the American people, they’re going to be held accountable under a Democratic majority.”
Stephanopoulos then asked directly whether “hold the crooks accountable” meant impeachment proceedings would begin immediately, prompting Jeffries’ statement that Democrats had ruled neither possibility in nor out.
The comments are consistent with broader discussions among House Democrats about how they would use investigative powers if they regain the majority.
Senior House Democrats and committee aides have been developing potential investigative strategies involving hearings, subpoenas and document requests focused on President Donald Trump’s administration and business relationships, according to people familiar with those discussions. Those preparations have emphasized congressional investigations rather than an immediate impeachment effort.
Jeffries made a similar distinction Sunday, saying Democrats would first seek evidence and determine whether further action was warranted.
He identified Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, and Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, as lawmakers who would play central roles in that effort.
Jeffries also outlined a legislative agenda centered on reducing the cost of housing, groceries, gasoline and health care if Democrats win control of the chamber.
Asked later what Democrats would do immediately about the cost of living, Jeffries said the party would pursue changes involving tariffs, health care and other economic policies and described the effort as one that would need to continue throughout the next Congress.
His comments Sunday stopped short of promising impeachment proceedings against Trump or any other administration official.
Instead, Jeffries said a Democratic House would use its investigative authority, “follow the facts, apply the law” and determine what steps to take based on the resulting evidence.
For now, he said, Democrats’ priority is winning the House majority in November — with the question of impeachment left open.
Original article
Comments