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An Article of Impeachment against President Donald Trump was officially introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday.
"The Constitution does not provide for the removal of a President for impulsive, ignorant incompetence. It does provide for the removal of a President for High Crimes and Misdemeanors."
—Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.)The resolution (pdf), submitted by Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) and backed by Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), specifically cites alleged "obstruction of justice" by Trump as a potential "high crime and misdemeanor" that could be grounds for the president's removal from office.
"Recent disclosures by Donald Trump Jr. indicate that Trump's campaign was eager to receive assistance from Russia," said Sherman in a statement announcing his decision. "It now seems likely that the President had something to hide when he tried to curtail the investigation of National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and the wider Russian probe. I believe his conversations with, and subsequent firing of, FBI Director James Comey constitute Obstruction of Justice."
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I have introduced H.Res. 438 Articles of #Impeachment of Donald J. Trump for Obstruction of Justice. Statement here: https://t.co/0gKr8ZFg3c pic.twitter.com/yUTDAnPFuJ
— Rep. Brad Sherman (@BradSherman) July 12, 2017
"Every day Democrats, Republicans, and the entire world are shocked by the latest example of America's amateur President," said Sherman. "Ignorance accompanied by a refusal to learn. Lack of impulse control, accompanied by a refusal to have his staff control his impulses. We’re no longer surprised by any action, no matter how far below the dignity of the office—and no matter how dangerous to the country."
He added, "But the Constitution does not provide for the removal of a President for impulsive, ignorant incompetence. It does provide for the removal of a President for High Crimes and Misdemeanors."
Sherman ackowledged that the introduction on Wednesday is only the beginning of what should be a long and thoughtful process in Congress, but one he said was necessary "to protect our country from abuse of power, obstruction of justice, and impulsive, ignorant incompetence."
