The US House of Representatives has passed a resolution to proceed with the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump, in the first test of support for the process in the Democratic-controlled House.
The development marks a significant step in the on-going investigation but it was not a vote on whether the president should be removed from office. However, the Democrats’ path now seems “likely to lead to Donald Trump’s impeachment”, The Guardian says.
The White House has condemned the resolution, which outlines how the inquiry will move into a more public phase and sets out due process rights for Trump’s lawyers under the congressional inquiry.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The vote was 232-196 and passed largely on party lines: two Democrats voted against the resolution, no Republicans supported it but one Independent voted in favour.
“This resolution sets the stage for the next phase of our investigation, one in which the American people have the opportunity to hear from the witnesses firsthand,” said the House intelligence chairman, Adam Schiff, ahead of the vote.
“We will continue to conduct this inquiry with the seriousness of purpose that our task deserves because it is our duty and because no one is above the law.”
The House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, who marked the vote with a bang of her gavel, called the vote a “solemn occasion” but said it was a necessary “step forward” to establish the framework for the open hearings.
Trump is accused of trying to press Ukraine into investigating unsubstantiated corruption claims against his political rival, Joe Biden, and his son who worked with Ukrainian gas company Burisma.
As the result of the vote was announced, Trump tweeted: “The Greatest Witch Hunt In American History!” Then, a White House statement insisted “the president has done nothing wrong” and called the process “a blatantly partisan attempt to destroy the president”.
What happens next?
CNN says Trump’s wider response to the impeachment process will be to go on the offensive. Stephen Collinson writes the president is pressing Republicans to take on a “factually dubious but bold message: Not only did he not abuse power in Ukraine but his conduct is that of a tough guy president beset by corrupt elites and boosting the US abroad”.
As for the Democrats, Sky News says that they must decide what pace to proceed at. “They may want to capitalise on some momentum,” writes Cordelia Lynch. “Go too fast and they risk looking like they're rushing or missing key evidence. Some think they could file articles of impeachment before Christmas.”
The BBC says the vote sets up a “historic clash” featuring “lots of Intelligence Committee sparring between Democrats and Republicans, a look at the transcripts from some of the high-profile witness depositions already conducted and, at some point, a formal report that could serve as the basis of articles of impeachment”.
There could also be televised hearings with weeks, chaired by Schiff of California, who has been spearheading the impeachment inquiry.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues for £6–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
-
August 30 editorial cartoonsCartoons Saturday’s political cartoons include Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump's role reversal and King George III
-
5 bullseye cartoons about the reasons for mass shootingsCartoons Artists take on gun worship, a price paid, and more
-
Lisa Cook and Trump's battle for control the US FedTalking Point The president's attempts to fire one of the Federal Reserve's seven governor is represents 'a stunning escalation' of his attacks on the US central bank
-
Lisa Cook and Trump's battle for control the US Fed
Talking Point The president's attempts to fire one of the Federal Reserve's seven governor is represents 'a stunning escalation' of his attacks on the US central bank
-
Why is Trump suddenly interested in his enemies' mortgages?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the president continues targeting adversaries, he's turned to a surprising ally to provide ammunition for an emerging line of attack
-
'A symbol of the faceless corporate desire'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Truck drivers are questioning the Trump administration's English mandateTalking Points Some have praised the rules, others are concerned they could lead to profiling
-
DC prosecutors lose bid to indict sandwich throwerSpeed Read Prosecutors sought to charge Sean Dunn with assaulting a federal officer
-
Trump soaks up adoration in his made-for-TV Cabinet meetingsIN THE SPOTLIGHT The president's televised sessions have become a platform for his top lieutenants to demonstrate executive flattery
-
Court rejects Trump suit against Maryland US judgesSpeed Read Judge Thomas Cullen, a Trump appointee, said the executive branch had no authority to sue the judges
-
Can anyone save Jimmy Lai?Today's Big Question 'Britain's shameful inaction' will mean it's partly 'responsible' if Hong Kong businessman dies in prison
