Were Pelosi's comments about impeaching Trump shortsighted or savvy?
In her own words, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), made some "news" when she expressed her views on impeaching President Trump in an interview with The Washington Post Magazine that was published on Monday.
Pelosi said that she's opposed to impeachment because it's too divisive and Trump is "just not worth it." Though she did imply that she is open to it in principle, should something "so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan" come to the surface.
Whether effective or not, her decision to openly communicate her stance was widely seen as strategic.
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.
Some find it savvy — if she does eventually change her tune, she'll look more credible than others in eventually working toward impeachment, since it will be evidence, not partisan fervor, that swayed her.
But others believe it will alienate the part of her base who greatly want to see Trump go through the impeachment process.
Regardless, there's little doubt that Pelosi's statement was made with future elections in mind. The Washington Post reports that while her comments "won't sit well" with some members of the Democratic Party, the speaker is well aware of the fact that campaigning too hard for impeachment could come back to bite in the form of energized Republican voters in 2020.
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
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
-
Today's political cartoons - November 29, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - history repeating, festive tariffs, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Christmas trees: losing their magic?
In The Spotlight Festive firs are a yuletide staple but are their days numbered?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Why India is concerned at Bangladesh's 'Hinduphobia'
The Explainer Arrest of monk Chinmoy Krishna Das stokes safety concerns for Hindu minority in Bangladesh
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel and Hezbollah agree to ceasefire
Speed Read Both sides accepted an agreement brokered by the United States and France
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Khan supporters converge on Islamabad
Speed Read Protesters clashing with Pakistani authorities are demanding the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Prosecutor drops federal cases against Trump
Speed Read Special counsel Jack Smith requested to drop the charges against President-elect Donald Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump completes Cabinet selections
Speed Read The president-elect's latest picks include Scott Bessent and Lori Chavez-DeRemer
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Global court issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu
Speed Read The International Criminal Court issued warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who stand accused of war crimes
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Gaetz bows out, Trump pivots to Pam Bondi
Speed Read Gaetz withdrew from attorney generation consideration, making way for longtime Trump loyalist Pam Bondi
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
GOP's Mace seeks federal anti-trans bathroom ban
Speed Read Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina has introduced legislation to ban transgender people from using federal facilities
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine fires ATACMS, Russia ups hybrid war
Speed Read Ukraine shot U.S.-provided long-range missiles and Russia threatened retaliation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published