Pelosi Says Trump ‘seriously violated the Constitution’ and Calls for Formal Impeachment Inquiry

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced a formal impeachment inquiry targeting President Trump over his phone call with the president of Ukraine.
Democrats are incensed over a whistleblower complaint alleging a “promise” made by President Trump to the foreign national leader in a phone conversation, prompting calls for President Trump’s impeachment.
Pelosi charges President Trump with breaking his oath of office and “the integrity of our elections” by seeking help from Ukraine to harm a political rival.
Previously, Pelosi resisted the effort by some House Democrats to initiate impeachment proceedings.
Yesterday, Pelosi changed her tune and announced the decision to move forward on a formal impeachment inquiry and Tweeted President Trump “seriously violated the Constitution.”
The times have found us. The actions taken to date by the President have seriously violated the Constitution. It is for this reason that the House of Representatives is moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry. pic.twitter.com/cHq7zgKJ1g
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) September 24, 2019
Pelosi’s impeachment inquiry decision is backed by Representatives John Lewis (D-GA) and Maxine Waters (D-CA), as well as 2020 presidential candidates, including Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
The future of our democracy is at stake. I truly believe the time to begin impeachment proceedings against this president has come. To do otherwise would betray the foundations of our democracy.
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) September 24, 2019
The House must impeach. It must start today.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) September 24, 2019
We appear to have a president who may have used funds designed to protect the security of the United States as a means to gain political dirt on an opponent.
We need to begin the impeachment process immediately.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) September 24, 2019
President Trump called Pelosi’s announcement a “witch hunt” and “presidential harassment” while noting the Democrats have not read the transcript of the phone call which is expected to be released Wednesday.
They never even saw the transcript of the call. A total Witch Hunt!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2019
PRESIDENTIAL HARASSMENT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2019
President Trump announced he will release the phone call transcript with the president of Ukraine.
Secretary of State Pompeo recieved permission from Ukraine Government to release the transcript of the telephone call I had with their President. They don’t know either what the big deal is. A total Witch Hunt Scam by the Democrats!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2019
Representative Peter King (R-NY) called out Pelosi over her impeachment inquiry announcement in a Tweet saying she, “betrayed an indefensible rush to judgment.”
By announcing Impeachment inquiry into @POTUS violating Constitution on word of 3rd party & w/o waiting for call transcript/IG report, @SpeakerPelosi has betrayed an indefensible rush to judgement. As of now, zero basis. Pandering to progressive base. Constitution deserves better
— Pete King (@RepPeteKing) September 24, 2019
Lost in the attacks against President Trump is the fact that 2020 presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden, while serving as vice president, pressured Ukraine to fire a government official that was investigating a natural gas company where his son Hunter was on the board of directors.