Democratic lawmaker introduces article of impeachment against Trump

Rep. Brad Sherman, a California Democrat, introduces an article of impeachment against US President Donald Trump.

The impeachment article introduced Wednesday accuses Trump of obstructing justice during the federal investigation of Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 election. Rep. Al Green, Democrat of Texas, co-sponsors the article.

A majority vote in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives is required to impeach a president.

Democrats in the House reportedly have been debating whether it is politically prudent to introduce impeachment proceedings at this time.

Sherman cites the new disclosures by Donald Trump Jr. that he met with Russian officials to receive damaging information about Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, the president’s efforts to curtail the investigation of former national security adviser Michael Flynn and the firing of former FBI director James Comey.

“Every day Democrats, Republicans, and the entire world are shocked by the latest example of America’s amateur President,” the Jewish congressman says in a statement. “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.”

— JTA