House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) asked for no more questions about impeachment at a CNN town hall on Thursday night after announcing earlier in the day that articles of impeachment would be drafted against President Donald Trump.
Host Jake Tapper asked Pelosi if she would agree to testify in order to get testimony from top presidential advisers such as Mick Mulvaney, the acting White House chief of staff.
“It has nothing to do—They should be testifying because they have been asked to testify by Congress. It isnt a deal. Its about a system of checks and balances,” Pelosi said.
Thats when she asked for no additional questions about impeachment.
“Can we not have any more questions about impeachment?” Pelosi said. “I dont mind questions, but to ask me questions through the prism of the White House is like, what?”
White House adviser Kellyanne Conway proposed a deal last week that would see her testify if House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) also answered questions under oath. Trump this week floated Pelosi as a witness he wants called if the House votes to impeach him, triggering a Senate trial.
Pelosi remarked on impeachment a number of times during the town hall but stopped short of saying she thinks the House should impeach Trump when directly asked. She also called what transpired on Thursday “historic.”
“I have to admit that today was quite historic. It was taking us across a threshold on this that we just had no choice. I do hope that it would be remembered in a way that honors the vision of our founders, what they had in mind for establishing a democracy,” Pelosi said when asked about history remembering her place in the impeachment inquiry.
At another point, she said: “This isnt about politics at all. This is about patriotism. Its not about partisanship. Its about honoring our oath of office. This is the first president that has committed all of these things.”
“The presidents actions made it necessary. You cannot violate the Constitution in full view,” she said.
Pelosi declined to name any of the articles of impeachment House Democrats will unveil.
“Were not writing the articles of impeachment hRead More – Source
