Democratic lawmaker files article of impeachment

Brad Sherman.
(Image credit: MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)

On Wednesday, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) filed an article of impeachment against President Trump. The senior member of the House Foreign Relations Committee called for Trump to be "impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors," particularly for obstruction of justice.

Sherman pointed to four different examples of such behavior exhibited by Trump. He noted that Trump attempted to dissuade former FBI Director James Comey from investigating former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, a conversation that Trump has denied; fired Comey amid an ongoing FBI investigation into Russia's election meddling and the Trump administration's potential ties to it; later admitted the decision to fire Comey was motivated by the fact Comey "would not close or alter the investigation of matters related to the involvement of Russia in the 2016 campaign"; and also said that firing Comey "significantly reduced" pressure from the Russia investigation.

"In all of this, Donald John Trump has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as president and subversive of constitutional government [...]," Sherman wrote. "Wherefore, Donald John Trump, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office."

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The Hill noted Sherman is the second lawmaker to call for Trump's impeachment, following Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), though Sherman's push likely won't get very far in the Republican-controlled House.

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