Adam Schiff Says Trump’s Behavior Will Determine Impeachment

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) said the House isn’t there yet on impeachment, but if Trump keeps stonewalling investigations, they may impeach even if it fails in the Senate.

Adam Schiff: The House Isn’t There Yet On Impeachment

Rep. Schiff said on ABC’s This Week, “I think we’re going to what’s right for the country, and at this point, the Speaker has not reached the conclusion, and I haven’t either, that it’s best for the country to put us through an impeachment proceeding that we know is destined for failure in the Senate. Now, that calculus may change if the president continues to stonewall, if the president continues to demonstrate his unfitness for office, there may be little additional cost to going through that process. It is, in a way, even if unsuccessful in the Senate, the ultimate form of censure in the House, but we’re not there yet, and if it is a close call, close calls go against putting the country through that.”

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Schiff raised two important points about impeachment

Impeachment is destined to fail in the Senate. Mitch McConnell is going to do the bare the constitutional minimum if the Housse impeaches Trump. There won’t be a big long Senate trial. McConnell has stated that it is his goal to squash the impeachment charges as quickly as possible, so the idea that impeachment will provide a big trial and a spotlight on Trump’s crimes isn’t going to happen.

Secondly, the House may impeach anyway, if Trump continues on the path of his current behavior. The House may have no choice, but to impeach Trump. This path would be best for House Democrats and the country. Trump will make the impeachment decision for Democrats through his own conduct and decisions.

Impeachment is not a winning issue for anyone, and it good to see Democrats putting the country ahead of their own interests, unlike the White House, and doing the work of the American people.

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Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association