2020 Democrats applaud House vote on impeachment procedures

Several Democratic presidential hopefuls are lauding the House’s Thursday vote to approve procedures for the impeachment inquiry into President Trump over his dealings with Ukraine.

The measure passed 232-196, largely along party lines, with two Democrats voting with Republicans against it. It comes after weeks of private depositions by witnesses before the House Intelligence, Oversight and Reform and Foreign Affairs committees over a whistleblower’s complaint that alleges Trump sought foreign assistance in the 2020 election by trying to pressure Ukraine into investigating a potential rival.

{mosads}Republicans have complained about the impeachment process, particularly the closed-door nature of the interviews. 

Many Democratic White House candidates who praised the move have previously expressed support for impeachment. 

Former Vice President Joe Biden said in a statement released by his campaign that “today, the House did its constitutional duty to proceed with a solemn investigation of unprecedented wrongdoing.”

“Congress must do its duty to ensure that Donald Trump’s assault on the Constitution does not seep beyond his presidency, with a lasting and devastating impact on our democracy,” he added. 

South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg said in a tweet that Trump “violated” his oath to defend the Constitution, “leaving our representatives with no choice but to uphold their own.”

This president took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. So did every member of Congress. This president violated that oath, betraying our country and leaving our representatives with no choice but to uphold their own. Congress must move forward with impeachment.

— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) October 31, 2019

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), a former state attorney general, said in a tweet that “no one is above the law.”

Reminder: no one is above the law, including the president of the United States.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 31, 2019

Ahead of the vote, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) wrote that it came because “the American people read the call summary” in response to a tweet by Trump saying that people should read the recreated transcript of his July 25 call with Ukraine’s president that was released by the White House.

On the call, Trump pressed the foreign leader to look into Biden, according to the White House memo. 

Mr. Trump, the American people read the call summary.

That is why the House is voting to proceed with an impeachment inquiry at this very moment. https://t.co/ISxYHnXrXe pic.twitter.com/eM9frqpgq3

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) October 31, 2019

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) wrote that he was “proud of House Democrats for putting partisan politics aside and setting up a process that builds consensus by ensuring the American people see the damning evidence.”

Trump may have betrayed his oath of office, but we will honor ours. Proud of House Democrats for putting partisan politics aside and setting up a process that builds consensus by ensuring the American people see the damning evidence.

— Gory BOOker (@CoryBooker) October 31, 2019

Businessman Tom Steyer, who founded the pro-impeachment group Need to Impeach, said on Twitter that “two years ago, the political establishment told me I was wrong to call for Donald Trump’s impeachment.”

“When we organize, we win,” he wrote. 

Two years ago, the political establishment told me I was wrong to call for Donald Trump’s impeachment. Today, the House votes to begin public hearings. When we organize, we win.

— Tom Steyer (@TomSteyer) October 31, 2019

The White House, meanwhile, blasted the inquiry after the vote. 

Trump called it the “Greatest Witch Hunt In American History” in a tweet, while White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham slammed “Democrats’ unhinged obsession with this illegitimate impeachment proceeding” in a statement. 

—Updated at 2:54 p.m.