House Democrats will not be voting to formalize the impeachment probe into President Donald Trump any time soon, according to Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The Associated Press reports that Pelosi relayed a clear message to colleagues Tuesday after a House-led survey of rank-and-file members highlighted mixed sentiments among the party. Indeed, it is thought that many believe a formal impeachment inquiry might play into Trump’s hands and hamper the Democrats’ chances of retaking the White House.
“There’s no requirement that we have a vote, and at this time, we will not have a vote,” Pelosi told reporters Tuesday night, according to Politico.
Trump has insisted that the inquiry is “illegitimate,” taking to Twitter on a regular basis to scold those involved.
“Republicans are totally deprived of their rights in this Impeachment Witch Hunt,” he tweeted Wednesday. “No lawyers, no questions, no transparency! The good news is that the Radical Left Dems have No Case. It is all based on their Fraud and Fabrication!”
Republicans are totally deprived of their rights in this Impeachment Witch Hunt. No lawyers, no questions, no transparency! The good news is that the Radical Left Dems have No Case. It is all based on their Fraud and Fabrication!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2019
Pelosi, however, insisted that she would get to the bottom of the President’s dealings, amid accusations that he violated his position by encouraging the Ukranian President to help look into business dealings that involved his Democratic rival, Joe Biden, and his son, Hunter.
“We’re not here to call bluffs,” Pelosi added of the call to postpone the vote. “We’re here to find the truth, to uphold the Constitution of the United States. This is not a game for us, this is deadly serious.”
Republicans, however, are unhappy. They accuse Pelosi of undermining precedent by stubbornly refusing to hold a full House vote on the inquiry.
“Unfortunately, you have given no clear indication as to how your impeachment inquiry will proceed — including whether key historical precedents or basic standards of due process will be observed,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in a letter to Pelosi.
“In addition, the swiftness and recklessness with which you have proceeded has already resulted in committee chairs attempting to limit minority participation in scheduled interviews, calling into question the integrity of such an inquiry.”
Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla/Staff
