Analysis: For Pelosi, the biggest test awaits, impeach or not impeach?
By Dan Balz Dan Balz Chief correspondent covering national politics, the presidency and Congress Email Bio Follow May 25 at 10:00 AM House Democrats, under the leadership of Speaker Nancy Pelosi , are slowly marching themselves toward the opening of an impeachment inquiry against President Trump. What seemed out of the question earlier in the year seems, if not inevitable, increasingly difficult to resist.
Trump has certainly put the Democrats in a difficult position. His past actions to disrupt and interfere with the investigation of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III are spelled out in detail in Mueller’s report. Attorney General William P. Barr has said the evidence does not constitute obstruction of justice. Others strongly disagree, including many House Democrats who want to hear more about those episodes.
White House officials talk about a recent meeting between Pelosi and President Trump. [Little room left for compromise between Congress and Trump] Pelosi knows that public opinion overall is not on the side of the Democrats. A majority of Americans continue to oppose impeachment. But public opinion among Democrats is in a different place. That’s why a number of candidates for the Democratic nomination have expressed their support for at least the opening of an inquiry. It’s a popular position with the base.Trump shakes hands with Pelosi as they attend the 38th annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service on May 15 in Washington.
Pelosi bested Trump earlier in the year during the government shutdown, when she called his bluff and forced him to reopen agencies without giving him funding for his border wall. He responded later by declaring a national emergency to allow him to take money from other funds in the Defense Department to build his border wall.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Democrats' dilemma: To impeach or not to impeach?Sure, it's hard. You've got the majority in the House and you can't get a single administration witness -- current or former -- to testify. You're trying to get the President's tax returns. You have the special counsel's 448-page report, but even Robert Mueller is trying to figure out a way to avoid a public spectacle.
Read more »
5 reasons why Nancy Pelosi doesn't want to impeach Donald TrumpHouse Democrats huddled Wednesday as Speaker Nancy Pelosi sought to beat back a growing revolt over her oft-stated resistance to the idea of impeaching President Donald Trump. The meeting came after days of increased public willingness by high-ranking Democratic leaders to suggest that impeachment is the right move and now a question of when, not if.
Read more »
Pelosi tells colleagues Trump is 'villainous' — and that he wants to be impeachedSpeaker Pelosi has shared her view with Democratic colleagues that President Trump “wants to be impeached” in the Democratic-controlled House so that he can be cleared by the Republican-controlled Senate.
Read more »
Analysis | Does President Trump actually want to be impeached?One of Trump's best political skills is his ability to goad his opponents into overreaching. But that might not be what's happening here.
Read more »
Pelosi says Trump wants to be impeached and is angry that House Democrats are not moving in that directionThe speaker offered her assessment as the Republican president and Democrats continued to blame one another for an impasse on infrastructure and other legislation.
Read more »
Bernie Sanders inches toward backing impeaching TrumpBernie Sanders said 'it may be time' for the House to determine whether to start impeachment proceedings against Trump
Read more »
Opinion | Americans don’t want Congress to impeach, but Democrats aren’t listeningOpinion: Americans don’t want Congress to impeach, but Democrats aren’t listening
Read more »
Beto O'Rourke: U.S. should make a “serious, sober decision” to impeach Donald Trump“It's the only way that we're going to get to the facts necessary to have that accountability and justice,” the Democratic 2020 presidential candidate said.
Read more »