The U.S. House of Representatives could begin drafting Articles of Impeachment against President Donald Trump in the coming days. The second hearing of the impeachment process in the House Judiciary Committee is scheduled for Monday.
Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett was among the lawmakers sitting in the closed-door depositions earlier this year, that kicked off the impeachment inquiry. Now that things are public, she says we’re all hearing some of the shocking testimony that she heard months ago.
Still, Plaskett wouldn’t confirm to USVI News if she supports impeaching Trump based on the evidence presented so far. Delegates from U.S. territories cannot cast a vote for impeachment, similar to how they cannot vote on the house floor.
However, Plaskett said she is concerned that the president has obstructed congress and justice by not allowing top administration officials to testify. Democrats have wanted to hear from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and others who have firsthand knowledge of the July 25 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky at the center of the impeachment inquiry. Democrats have long argued Trump tried to leverage U.S. military aid in exchange for an investigation of his political rivals, including former vice president Joe Biden.
House Judiciary Committee members will be tasked with drafting Articles of Impeachment against the president. Plaskett feels this is the right move, even if she won’t side with impeachment one way or another right now.
“What I’m concerned with is that if he is not checked, what will he continue to do?” Plaskett said. “Without the check of Congress, the balance of powers that the Framers of the Constitution and the Founder Fathers put in place, what are we here for?”
The House appears to be on track for a full impeachment vote by the end of the year.
