WASHINGTON, May 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three more prominent US Democrats have called for the impeachment of President Donald Trump, after Special Counsel Robert Mueller made his first public remarks.
Speaking on Wednesday, Mueller said his investigation had not exonerated Trump of obstruction of justice, contradicting the president’s claims.
Mueller was tasked with investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
He said charging a sitting president with a crime was not an option.
The issue of impeachment has divided the Democratic Party, pitting a growing number of lawmakers against Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the house and the most senior Democrat. Pelosi has so far resisted the idea, arguing that it would be counter-productive.
But Mueller’s remarks prompted three leading Democratic presidential hopefuls to join the chorus calling for impeachment, bringing the total to 10 of 23 declared candidates.
In response to Mueller’s remarks, Democratic candidates Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand and Pete Buttigieg publicly advocated for the first time for impeachment.
“Congress has a legal and moral obligation to begin impeachment proceedings immediately,” said Booker, a senator from New Jersey.
New York Senator Ms Gillibrand said it was “time for Republicans and Democrats to begin impeachment hearings and follow the facts wherever they may lead”.
Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg tweeted: “This is as close to an impeachment referral as it gets.”
Other senators reiterated earlier calls for impeachment. “It is up to Congress to hold this president accountable. We need to start impeachment proceedings,” said California senator Kamala Harris.
Vermont senator Bernie Sanders stopped short of endorsing proceedings, but said in an Instagram post: “If the House Judiciary Committee deems it necessary, I will support their decision to open an impeachment inquiry.”
Responding to Mr Mueller’s statement, House Speaker Ms Pelosi said: “The Congress holds sacred its constitutional responsibility to investigate and hold the President accountable for his abuse of power.”
Trump said on Twitter there was “insufficient evidence” against him, “and therefore, in our Country, a person is innocent”.
Representative Doug Collins, the most senior Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, said that “reinvestigating the special counsel’s findings” would “only further divide our country”.
The first Republican congressman to call for Trump’s impeachment, Representative Justin Amash, said: “The ball is in our court, Congress.”
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said: “After two years, the Special Counsel is moving on with his life, and everyone else should do the same.” — NNN-AGENCIES
