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."
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.
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."
Would Pelosi's words come back to haunt her?
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."
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?
@GovPressOffice/X
