Congressional Democrats are split after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke out against impeaching Donald Trump, saying, "he's not worth it."
While Pelosi views Trump as "ethically and intellectually unfit" to be president, she told The Washington Post that congressional plans for ejecting Trump from the White House should be shelved for now.
"Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless there's something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don't think we should go down that path, because it divides the country. And he's just not worth it."
This is the furthest Pelosi has distanced herself from impeachment, with important caveat: “unless there’s somethin… https://t.co/TCtFZD6FFa— Andrew Desiderio (@Andrew Desiderio)1552334676.0
Talks about impeachment have been ongoing since Trump's inauguration among liberal action groups, who've set up online petitions, writing:
"From the moment he assumed the office, President Donald Trump has been in direct violation of the US Constitution."
Maxine Waters (D - CA) even hinted, "Get ready for impeachment" in a March 2017 tweet.
But the momentum to kick Trump out of the Oval Office has ground to a halt with Pelosi's anti-impeachment stance.
@AcunaAndrew @smotus @ShardShinjuku I think it's interesting how the media that's been all hesitant and weird about… https://t.co/GkR5umQpqm— OUFENIX (D) (@OUFENIX (D))1552353395.0
So the line now seems to be not whether Trump's offenses are worthy of impeachment, but whether they're obvious eno… https://t.co/xY79a6ompL— Aaron Blake (@Aaron Blake)1552341318.0
Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee Adam Schiff agreed that impeachment is not a good idea without full support in the Senate and until special counsel Robert Mueller wraps up his investigation.
He told CNN's Manu Raju:
"In the absence of very graphic evidence, it would be difficult to get the support in the Senate needed to make an impeachment successful. So, again, my feeling is, let's see what Bob Mueller produces, but the evidence will have to be pretty overwhelming."
@mkraju @scifiction1 Who cares if the Senate supports this now. That’s the entire point of the impeachment. Once im… https://t.co/YD3Kii1O8L— Jonathan Blaine, Esq (@Jonathan Blaine, Esq)1552341105.0
@mkraju The Senate must know what goes around comes around. Dems need to concentrate on the Senate. Go after the Se… https://t.co/LcZXDi2Nos— Donna Richardson (@Donna Richardson)1552355965.0
Seems like Pelosi saying she doesn’t want to impeach Trump shortly before Mueller releases his report and then sayi… https://t.co/NiSDfR5kDk— Seth Masket (@Seth Masket)1552341151.0
@smotus People need to calm down. Pelosi is a chess master.— CHRiZ (@CHRiZ)1552341360.0
@smotus @sjdemas Agreed. She absolutely knows what she’s doing— leslie tollett🎡 (@leslie tollett🎡)1552344689.0
It is one thing to say “We plan to impeach Trump” or “we are considering impeachment,” and quite another to rule it… https://t.co/jua8uNXBRh— Jamil Smith (@Jamil Smith)1552341012.0
Impeachment is a process of investigation. It’s how Congress prosecutes crimes committed by a president. If Pelosi… https://t.co/2e1U4Zzgqr— Jamil Smith (@Jamil Smith)1552340777.0
Would Pelosi's words come back to haunt her?
@smotus @ShardShinjuku I feel like "He just isn't worth it" is going to be a phrase she regrets, especially in this… https://t.co/SQUiMExwRc— Andrew (@Andrew)1552352369.0
Responding to Speaker Nancy Pelosi's comments tamping down idea of impeachment, @JohnBrennan says: "It's a bit sur… https://t.co/6HHuL4zLQe— Meet the Press (@Meet the Press)1552339327.0
@JamilSmith Pelosi did not "rule it out categorically." Given what we know so far and given what Mueller has report… https://t.co/r6CHqCry43— 🇺🇸🇭🇹 Only4RM 🇭🇹🇺🇸 (@🇺🇸🇭🇹 Only4RM 🇭🇹🇺🇸)1552364614.0
Or is this a genius move?
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler agrees with the Califronia Democrat and told ABC News it was a conversation many senior House Democrats have had all along.
"She's laid down a number of conditions. She says it has to be bipartisan, the evidence has to be overwhelming, which is what I've been saying."
"I've stated my position. It has to be enough evidence that you think you'll get substantial support from the opposition voters."
@smotus I learned a LONG time ago.... Never underestimate @SpeakerPelosi Her words are carefully used and well thought out— 🌊⚓ NeverVoteGOP⚓🌊 (@🌊⚓ NeverVoteGOP⚓🌊)1552345917.0
@TerriGivens @smotus She’s fucking brilliant, really.— JD 🇺🇸patriotic progressive🇺🇸 (@JD 🇺🇸patriotic progressive🇺🇸)1552343318.0
This is actually smart, as Pelosi and Schiff aren’t actually saying “no.” They’re saying we need to have a compelli… https://t.co/478fqFZCZn— John Aravosis 🇺🇸 (@John Aravosis 🇺🇸)1552340555.0
The question isn’t whether Trump “deserves” to be impeached - of course he does. The question is what is the best w… https://t.co/fqnAacz1vj— John Aravosis 🇺🇸 (@John Aravosis 🇺🇸)1552340707.0
Tom Steyer responds to Pelosi’s comments. He suggests she is taking the “politically convenient” route. https://t.co/OfJcHDf2Fv— Andrew Desiderio (@Andrew Desiderio)1552337714.0
Rep. RASKIN, Judiciary/Oversight member, tells @BresPolitico: “We can’t get so frustrated with Donald Trump that we… https://t.co/9A4DtQfdBJ— Andrew Desiderio (@Andrew Desiderio)1552341266.0
3. Unless something changes, it will almost certainly be fruitless - no way at this point 2/3 of a Republican contr… https://t.co/JFfpddVWlS— Ross Garber (@Ross Garber)1552340450.0
5. Impeachment process will attract increased focus on how Congress is performing. No way Pelosi wants to wind up l… https://t.co/n8P4mLokwT— Ross Garber (@Ross Garber)1552340450.0
Democratic Rep. John Yarmuth disagrees with the House Speaker, and he believes impeachment is "inevitable." He told CNN Pelosi has validity and it's ultimate her decision.
However, he said:
"I believe that the impeachment power is in the Constitution for a reason, and if we don't use it, then it becomes meaningless, particularly when you have a President who has committed crimes while in office."
What is your stance on impeachment? It's a lengthy process, but is it worth pursuing prematurely ahead of Mueller's investigation wrapping up?