Newly sworn-in Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib is ready to impeach Trump now, and she said so, colorfully
There's definitely an impeachment caucus in the new Democratic House majority — Reps. Brad Sherman (Calif.) and Al Green (Texas) reintroduced articles of impeachment against President Trump on Thursday — but most Democrats are at least waiting for Special Counsel Robert Mueller to release his report on Russian election meddling first. "We shouldn't be impeaching for a political reason, and we shouldn't avoid impeachment for a political reason," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told NBC News this week.
At a party hosted by MoveOn on Thursday night, newly sworn-in Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) signaled that she is ready to impeach sooner rather than later: "When your son looks at you and says, 'Mama, look, you won — bullies don't win,' and I said, 'Baby, they don't, because we're going to go in there and we're going to impeach the motherf---er.'" (The word is not censored in the video.)
Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American woman in Congress and one of two Muslim women sworn in on Thursday, had already called for Trump's impeachment in a Detroit Free Press op-ed with John Bonifaz published earlier Thursday. "Trump is a direct and serious threat to our country" who "attacks our Constitution, our democracy, the rule of law, and the people who are in this country" nearly every day, they write. "Those who say we must wait for Special Counsel Mueller to complete his criminal investigation before Congress can start any impeachment proceedings ignore" the "crucial distinction" that Congress, not Mueller, is charged with deciding if Trump has committed an impeachable offense, and "there is no requirement whatsoever that a president be charged with or be convicted of a crime before Congress can impeach him." You can read their full argument at the Detroit Free Press.
Subscribe to 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.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'It may not be surprising that creative work is used without permission'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 simple items to help make your airplane seat more comfortable
The Week Recommends Gel cushions and inflatable travel pillows make a world of difference
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
How safe are cruise ships in storms?
The Explainer The vessels are always prepared
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Wyoming judge strikes down abortion, pill bans
Speed Read The judge said the laws — one of which was a first-in-the-nation prohibition on the use of medication to end pregnancy — violated the state's constitution
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US sanctions Israeli West Bank settler group
Speed Read The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Amana, Israel's largest settlement development organization
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Gaetz ethics report in limbo as sex allegations emerge
Speed Read A lawyer representing two women alleges that Matt Gaetz paid them for sex, and one witnessed him having sex with minor
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden allows Ukraine to hit deep in Russia
Speed Read The U.S. gave Ukraine the green light to use ATACMS missiles supplied by Washington, a decision influenced by Russia's escalation of the war with North Korean troops
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sri Lanka's new Marxist leader wins huge majority
Speed Read The left-leaning coalition of newly elected Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake won 159 of the legislature's 225 seats
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden arrives in Peru for final summits
Speed Read President Joe Biden will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, visit the Amazon rainforest and attend two major international summits
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Senate GOP selects Thune, House GOP keeps Johnson
Speed Read John Thune will replace Mitch McConnell as Senate majority leader, and Mike Johnson will remain House speaker in Congress
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump tests GOP loyalty with Gaetz, Gabbard picks
Speed Read He named Matt Gaetz as his pick for attorney general and Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence. Both have little experience in their proposed jurisdictions.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published