The effort to impeach President Donald Trump, which was introduced by Democrat Al Green, failed after a bipartisan majority voted to kill the impeachment effort.
What were Al Green's impeachment articles against Donald Trump?
ADVERTISEMENTRep. Al Green from Texas introduced to the House two articles on impeachment against Trump on Wednesday (December 6)—but the reasons did not include allegations of obstruction of justice or his campaign’s ties to Russia.
Instead, Green’s articles on impeachment focused on how he “sowed discord by associating the presidency with White Nationalism, Nazism, and hatred” and how he “harmed American society by publicly casting contempt on individuals and groups, inciting hate and hostility”.
Green cited Trump’s failure to quickly denounce the violence perpetrated by white nationalist marchers in Charlottesville, his repeated criticism of NFL players who protested abuses by police officers by kneeling during the national anthem and the three anti-Muslim videos shared on Trump’s verified Twitter account from British right-wing extremist groups.
The Texas Democrat also referenced Trump’s travel ban, his transgender military service and his comments on the devastating hurricane that hit Puerto Rico earlier this year.
Why did the impeachment effort failed?
Green's motion did not obtain the necessary votes to win.
Republican House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy offered a motion to suspend the impeachment effort, which was adopted on a 364-58 vote—and with the majority of House Democrats voting against the impeachment (a simple majority is needed for an article of impeachment to be approved).
'Now is not the time to consider articles of impeachment'
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer issued a statement arguing that impeachment needs to wait for solid evidence from the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller into Trump’s actions before and after the inauguration:
"Legitimate questions have been raised about [Trump's] fitness to lead this nation," they said, but added that "right now, Congressional committees continue to be deeply engaged in investigations into the President's actions both before and after his inauguration. The special counsel's investigation is moving forward as well, and those inquiries should be allowed to continue. Now is not the time to consider articles of impeachment."
The statement also said that Democrats should focus on preventing Republicans from passing their tax reform bill.
But despite the statement, 58 Democrats voted in support of removing Trump from office.
Green published a statement following the vote, thanking his colleagues who voted for the impeachment.