Sherman Oaks Congressman Files Article Of Impeachment Against Trump
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — A San Fernando Valley lawmaker Wednesday introduced an article of impeachment against President Donald Trump for what he described as obstruction of justice.
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), along with sole cosponsor Rep. Al Green (D-TX), says they believe it "seems likely" that Trump had "something to hide" regarding Russian ties to his presidential campaign, but that's not the reason cited for filing House Resolution 438.
Instead, according to Sherman's office, the President's "conversations with, and subsequent firing of, FBI Director James Comey" constitutes an alleged act of obstruction.
A press statement from Sherman's office says "the evidence we have is sufficient to move forward now" on an obstruction charge, but failed to provide details on that evidence.
Sherman filed the article a day after the president's son, Donald Trump Jr., acknowledged that he met with a Russian lawyer during the campaign. The lawyer promised damaging information from the Russian government about Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Most analysts believe the effort - which started in June - has little chance of success in the Republican-led House. They don't even have the backing of many fellow Democrats.
Wednesday's statement appeared to acknowledge that uphill political battle facing the impeachment effort: "Introducing Articles of Impeachment will have two possible outcomes. First, I have slight hope it will inspire an 'intervention' in the White House. If Impeachment is real, if they actually see Articles, perhaps we will see incompetency replaced by care. Perhaps uncontrollable impulses will be controlled. And perhaps the danger our nation faces will be ameliorated.
"Second, and more likely, filing Articles of Impeachment is the first step on a very long road. But if the impulsive incompetency continues, then eventually—many, many months from now—Republicans will join the impeachment effort."
He acknowledged that filing the article is "the first step on a very long road."
Sherman, a senior member of the House Foreign Relations Committee, says the article is based on Article 1, which was passed by the Judiciary Committee in 1974 regarding then-President Richard Nixon, who later resigned from office.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
