A number of Democratic presidential candidates are saying just what Robert Mueller said in his Wednesday morning press conference: Impeachment is the only option.
Elizabeth Warren reiterated what she had said after reading the Mueller report: "Mueller’s statement makes clear what those who have read his report know: It is an impeachment referral, and it's up to Congress to act. They should." She continued, saying that Mueller "leaves no doubt" that 1) Trump was not exonerated "because there is evidence he committed crimes"; 2) that he did not charge Trump with crimes because Justice Department policy prevented him from doing so; and "3) The Constitution leaves it up to Congress to act—and that's impeachment."
Kamala Harris gets straight to the point: "What Robert Mueller basically did was return an impeachment referral. Now it is up to Congress to hold this president accountable. We need to start impeachment proceedings. It's our constitutional obligation."
Cory Booker is also emphasizing the obvious: "Robert Mueller’s statement makes it clear: Congress has a legal and moral obligation to begin impeachment proceedings immediately." That's to the point.
So does Beto O'Rourke: "There must be consequences, accountability, and justice. The only way to ensure that is to begin impeachment proceedings." He continues, "As Mueller reiterates there were ‘multiple, systemic efforts to interfere in our election,’ Trump calls it a hoax. He invited these attacks, obstructed the investigation into them & told Putin there will be no consequences for launching a concerted attack on our political system."
Seth Moulton, one of the House members running for president, says, "Mueller did his job. Now it's time to do ours. Impeachment hearings should begin tomorrow." His colleague Eric Swalwell doesn't use the word "impeachment," but that seems to be what he's getting at: "#Mueller has spoken & here’s what we know: Every American should be concerned about what Russia did ([that] includes you, too, @realDonaldTrump; Trump is an obstructor who [committed] crimes; We're not powerless. Our founders gave us a checks & balances system. #Congress."
Julián Castro joins in, reiterating his stance that impeachment has to happen: "Mueller made clear this morning that his investigation now [lies] at the feet of Congress. No one is above the law—Congress should begin an impeachment inquiry."
Wednesday, May 29, 2019 · 7:07:17 PM +00:00
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Joan McCarter
More: Kirsten Gillibrand says “It's time for Congress to begin impeachment hearings and follow the facts. Robert Mueller clearly expects Congress to exercise its constitutional authority and take steps that he could not. We can't let the president defy basic accountability measures built into our Constitution.” Pete Buttigieg, too: “This is as close to an impeachment referral as it gets. Robert Mueller could not clear the president, nor could he charge him — so he has handed the matter to Congress, which alone can act to deliver due process and accountability.”
Bernie Sanders kind of passes the buck: “Given the reality that we have a president who believes he is above the law, Congress must continue its investigations. If the House Judiciary Committee deems it necessary, I will support their decision to open an impeachment inquiry.” Joe Biden is waiting for a bolt of lightning or something, with his campaign issuing a statement saying he agrees with Nancy Pelosi that this is all very bad and someday they might just have to do something about it.