Trump's Ukraine scandal has flipped one moderate Democrat on impeachment — with more expected to follow

The scales aren't just tipped in impeachment's favor anymore.

Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), a moderate freshman, announced Monday that President Trump's Ukraine dealings have convinced him to back impeachment. Phillips' announcement comes as reports indicate Trump pushed Ukraine's government to dig up dirt on the Biden family, with Phillips saying "if the reports are corroborated, we must pursue articles of impeachment."

Phillips is one of a few dozen Democrats who flipped a GOP-held seat in the 2018 midterms, and like his moderate colleagues, has been reluctant to pursue impeachment against Trump. But unlike House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the reported revelations that Trump asked Ukraine for information on Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden changed Phillips' mind. "This continues a pattern of behavior that is corrupt at best, treasonous at worst, and puts our rule of law at risk," Phillips said in a statement.

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A majority of House Democrats have already indicated they support impeaching Trump, and even House Judiciary Chair Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) has said he's personally for the idea. The New York Times reported earlier Monday that some moderate freshmen were considering flipping, and with Phillips being the first to go, Politico reports that more will likely follow.

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Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.