Members of the Congressional Black Congress Speak Out About Impeachment Inquiry

As the polls show more Americans approve of the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump’s alleged effort to pressure Ukraine into investigating a political rival, the Congressional Black Caucus is “enthusiastically” in support of holding the President accountable for his actions.

The Caucus released a statement outlining its position. It read in part:

            “The Congressional Black Caucus is appalled by the latest allegations against President Trump and officials in his administration. Recent news reports revealed President Trump used the power of his office to solicit interference in the upcoming 2020 election by China and Ukraine. In an unprecedented discovery, the president appears to have used taxpayer-funded Foreign assistance as leverage for the “favor” he requested from Ukraine.”      

  Members of the Caucus are speaking out and holding discussions about impeachment. Texas Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee hosted a public forum titled “Remember the Constitution: The Constitutional Basis for Impeachment” Wednesday night in her district, featuring law professors and a teleconference appearance from John Dean, the first administration official to accuse Nixon of direct involvement with Watergate and the resulting cover-up in interviews.

“I think that the Speaker is absolutely doing the right thing,” Dean said. “There’s no question the public supports it…58 percent according to a Washington Post poll.”

“Is this the norm for this nation?” Representative Jackson Lee asked during the evening’s gathering.

Dean applauded Democratic presidential candidate, former Vice-President Joe Biden, for publicly calling for the President’s impeachment. Biden and his son, Hunter, were the targets Mr. Trump wanted the foreign leaders of Ukraine and China to investigate. Biden is a political rival.

The President’s attorneys have sent a letter to Congressional Democrats indicating administration officials will not cooperate with the inquiry. Mr. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and described his call on July 25^th with the Ukrainian president as “perfect.”

Congressional Opinions

Florida Congresswoman Val Demings wrote on Twitter, “These are gross abuses of Mr. Trumps oaths of office…is that the precedent Republicans would set?”

New York Congressman Hakem Jeffries added, “Obstruction of a constitutionally mandated impeachment inquiry is a high crime and misdemeanor.”

Despite the stonewalling by the Administration, House Democrats pressed forward with their investigation.

Texas Congressman Al Green, who called for the President’s impeachment over a year ago, expressed his opinion on Twitter.

“We are in a deep state caused by the President, AG, and Sec of State among others,” Green wrote earlier this week. “Congress, we must not allow the paralysis of analysis to prevent us from honoring the Constitution, protecting Democracy, and preserving the republic.”

The inquiry is gathering steam, and more Americans support impeaching the President if not removing him. Black Americans, like most Americans, are following the developments. Individual members of the Congressional Black Caucus and the organization are keeping voters informed, and the CBC is also reminding voters of the President’s legacy.

“Since day one of Donald Trump’s presidency, our members have been on the front lines of this battle to preserve our democracy. We have fought against his outright assault on the Black community – from attacks on affirmative action and voting rights, to attempting to kick millions of families off social services and millions more off health care. Under Trump’s guidance, his administration has sought to roll back the clock on our social justice achievements, widen the racial wealth gap, and inspire racially-motivated hate crimes. Enough is enough.”

The CBC pointed out in its statement that its members were among the first to call for the President’s impeachment, and they call his recent actions a “betrayal” of his oath of office.