Judiciary Democrat: ‘This is a classic example of an impeachable offense’

Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) said Sunday that the evidence unearthed by the House’s impeachment inquiry showed “a classic example of an impeachable offense.”

Asked on “Fox News Sunday” about the timeline of impeachment, Cicilline responded: “I don’t think we know the timing of it, but certainly the Judiciary Committee will hear from the Intelligence Committee counsel, who will detail that the president of the United States attempted to coerce a foreign leader to interfere in an American presidential election, undermining the national security of the United States.”

{mosads}“This is a classic example of an impeachable offense,” Cicilline, a member of the Judiciary Committee, told host Chris Wallace

Asked by Wallace whether the House would also consider evidence gleaned from special counsel Robert Mueller’s report in crafting articles of impeachment, Cicilline was non-committal, saying “the focus is on the president’s misconduct, asking a foreign government to interfere in our elections …I think all of the potential articles of impeachment are on the table [but] that will be a decision the Judiciary Committee makes, but the Judiciary Committee will have all the evidence.”

Rep Cicilline (D-RI) on the timing of the next phase of the Impeachment Inquiry. pic.twitter.com/609NN38PnE

— FoxNewsSunday (@FoxNewsSunday) December 8, 2019

Wallace also questioned Cicilline about House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) obtaining phone records for the panel’s ranking member, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), asking if he was concerned the move could open the door to a future Republican majority obtaining records from Democratic members.

“The Intelligence Committee has the solemn responsibility of collecting evidence relating to the impeachment inquiry. The real question is why is the ranking member engaged in a conversation with Lev Parnas,” Cicilline said, referring to the Florida businessman and associate of Trump’s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani. Parnas was indicted in connection with an alleged campaign finance fraud scheme.

“I wish my Republican colleagues were as concerned about evidence collection and what the evidence shows rather than the embarrassment to one of their colleagues,” he added.