Nancy Pelosi reportedly tells top Democrats she wants to see Trump 'in prison,' not impeached

During a meeting with senior Democrats on Tuesday night, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) made it clear that she does not want to start impeachment proceedings against President Trump, several people with knowledge of the matter told Politico on Wednesday.

House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) spent part of the meeting urging Pelosi to let his committee start an impeachment inquiry against Trump, the second time he's made the request in recent weeks. Pelosi responded, "I don't want to see him impeached, I want to see him in prison," multiple people told Politico. People close to Pelosi said she wants Trump to lose in 2020, and then face prosecution for his alleged crimes.

Pelosi is hearing it from both sides, with some calling for impeachment and others telling her to hold off. Most of the lawmakers at the Tuesday night meeting sided with Pelosi, Politico reports, and she has already said any impeachment proceedings must be bipartisan with public support. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Pelosi said: "Make no mistake, we know exactly what path we're on. We know exactly what actions we need to take."

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

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