On Friday, the House Judiciary Committee voted to approve two articles of impeachment against President Trump. The full House of Representatives is expected to vote on the articles next week. This is only the third time an American president would be impeached.
The first article charges the president with abusing his power by using congressionally- appropriated military aid and a White House meeting to pressure Ukraine into digging up dirt on an American citizen. The second article charges the president with obstructing Congress by refusing to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry and blocking subpoenaed documents and witnesses.
Rep. Collin Allred, who won a Dallas-area swing district last year, issued a statement on Friday indicating a “yes” vote for both articles of impeachment.
“It is clear the president engaged in an abuse of his authority, putting himself above the law, and his personal interests above the nation’s,” said Allred. “These uncontroverted facts are an unacceptable violation of his oath of office and constitute an impeachable abuse of power. This is a somber moment for our nation, and I have not reached this decision lightly.”
Rep. Lizzie Fletcher of Houston, who also won a swing district in 2018, also indicated a “yes” vote on articles of impeachment.
“As a member of Congress, I also swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States,” Fletcher said in a letter to her constituents. “And that is why, when the articles of impeachment are presented in the House, I will vote yes on both.”
“I do so knowing that you have placed your trust in me to represent you,” she added. “I am grateful for and honored by that privilege. I also do so knowing that not all who live in our district answer these questions in the same way. I respect the views of all who have shared their thoughts with me.”
Like Allred, Fletcher has been more cautious in the impeachment proceedings. Still, she has been the main Texas target in the Trump campaign’s relentless anti-impeachment campaign.
Wesley Hunt, a Republican challenging Fletcher in 2020, attacked her on Friday night following her note to her constituents on impeachment.
Moderate? Bipartisan? Lizzie Fletcher is just another partisan politician, putting Nancy Pelosi over #TX07 voters. And on top of that, she released this on Friday night, hoping no one will notice… pic.twitter.com/fTtb8i1gt3
— Wesley Hunt (@WesleyHuntTX) December 14, 2019
Hunt, who has firmly stood with President Trump from day 1, has come under fire for hiring a political consultant who previously pleaded guilty to lying to congressional investigators.
Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
