Thread by @mayawiley

Of 235 #Dems in the House, 139 publicly support #impeachment investigation on #Ukraine allegations that #Trump personally & directly intervened in release of foreig#n aid $ to a “hot” war zone & raised investigating #Biden. Today I expect we will hear #Pelosi saying it’s time.

While the #MuellerReoort gave ample grounds for concern on #Trump campaign 271 contacts with #Russians, this is a case where #Trump admits undeniably dangerous behavior & obstructing Congressional oversight of it.

#Trump calls #Ukraine Pres 1 day after #Mueller testimony in Congress reduces #GOP fear of #impeachment. bit.ly/2llpbBS

What’s at stake? First there is the “if not now then when” problem. To fail to aggressively get at the truth, where a #POTUS ADMITS he raised investigation of a political opponent w a foreign leader, then every one who follows can argue its not an impeachable #abuseofauthority

This would have James Madison rolling over in his grave as the architect of #impeachment. He believed waiting for an election to address #POTUS incapacity or neglect of duty, etc. A comprehensive history is James Bowman, High Crimes & Misdemeanors”)

#Trump & #Giuliani defense of #Trump is “this ain’t a crime.” They are right that we don’t know if there is evidence to prove intent to bribe or extort at this stage & we won’t know if there has been a crime without an #impeachment invest. #DOJ wldnt prosecute either.

Here the central point shld also be, its outrageous enough that #Trump used the office of the #POTUS to recklessly engage a foreign govt in our elections even if a crime couldn’t be proved- #nationalsecurity.

Articles of #impeachment were voted against Andrew Johnson for firing a War Secretary with out Congress’ permission & undermining Congress. These weren’t “crimes.”

#Nixon articles of #impeachment included abuse of power and defiance of Judiciary Committee subpoena.

I said last night on @11thHour that I thought #Dems had to narrow their inquiry to #ukraineScandal for practical reasons of politics & timing but include #obstruction because #Mueller found “substantial evidence” that #Trump obstructed investigation. That matters here too.

There are many ways to proceed for #Dems but fast is foremost! The #Giuliani “this is legal” and #FoxNews failure to interrogate facts is a bullhorn to ignite the #Constitution. It shouldn’t be taken for granted.

Whether select Committee or Intelligence Committee, it must be able to move immediately, with staff lead. This is simpler than #Mueller because it’s clear, facts establish a very real threat #Trump admits direct engagement.

The #Dem message should be, we will protect the national security of this nation by immediately begin #impeachment proceedings of #Trump based on endangering national security by abusing his authority, examining obstruction of congressional oversight because Americans need truth.