House Dems Introduce Impeachment Articles Against Trump

WASHINGTON, DC — Six House Democrats introduced articles of impeachment against President Donald on Wednesday, claiming, among other violations, that he has obstructed justice and undermined the freedom of the press in a long-shot bid to remove the president from office.

Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee led the impeachment effort, saying in a statement released Wednesday: "the time has come to make clear to the American people and to this President that his train of injuries to our Constitution must be brought to an end through impeachment."

Cohen was joined by Reps. Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, Al Green of Texas, Marcia Fudge of Ohio, Adriano Espaillat of New York and John Yarmuth of Kentucky.

In the articles, the lawmakers claim Trump obstructed justice, violated the foreign emoluments clause, violated the domestic emoluments clause, undermined the rule of law and undermined the freedom of the press.

The obstruction of justice allegation stems from Trump firing FBI Director James Comey, which the reps believe was intended to thwart Comey’s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

For the violation of the foreign and domestic emoluments clause, they cite Trump not releasing his tax returns; his refusal to divest his business holdings; and his visiting of golf clubs that he owns as president, among other charges.

For the final two allegations, they claim Trump’s Twitter use as president has undermined the free press and the rule of law. They note that after a judge issued a restraining order against Trump’s travel ban executive order in February, Trump tweeted, calling him a “so-called judge” and saying his order would be overturned.

They also cited Trump’s repeated attacks on the news media via his Twitter feed, and cited specific examples of him calling CNN, ABC and NBC “fake news.”

The impeachment bid is a long shot in the Republican-controlled House, and The Associated Press reported Wednesday that most House Democrats won’t back the effort because of the ongoing investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller.

The White House has not yet responded to the impeachment effort.

Watch: Six House Dems Push Impeachment Articles For Trump

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Andrew Harnik