House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) reportedly shut down an effort by Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) to draft articles of impeachment following Wednesday’s testimony by former special counsel Robert Mueller.
The pair appear to have watched two completely different events.
Nadler, in a closed-door meeting, was seemingly excited about the prospect of pursuing impeachment, despite the fact that Mueller’s testimony was widely panned as an undeniable disaster for Democrats.
Related: The 25 Most Incredible Reactions to Mueller’s Testimony
Nadler, according to sources for Politico, “suggested that several House committee chairs could begin drafting articles of impeachment against Trump.”
Pelosi, meanwhile, wasn’t impressed with the Mueller circus, saying the idea was still premature.
Jerry Nadler pushed to launch impeachment proceedings during a closed-door meeting after Mueller’s testimony today, only to be rebuffed by Pelosi, sources say https://t.co/VXC0zkbtfE
— POLITICO (@politico) July 25, 2019
The New York Democrat pushed back, noting that low poll numbers existed for Nixon’s impeachment but rose as the process continued.
He suggesting that they could use articles already filed by Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) as a framework.
Sherman introduced his unhinged call for impeachment on the House floor in July of 2017, having drafted them well before that.
Those articles accused Trump of violating “his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of president of the United States” and having “prevented, obstructed and impeded the administration of justice during a federal investigation.”
Related: Mueller’s Testimony Was a Dud for Democrats
That seems like an odd basis to use, especially considering Mueller testified that he could not come to that same conclusion.
“Was there sufficient evidence to convict President Trump or anyone else with obstruction?” Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) asked.
“We did not make that calculation,” responded Mueller.
Additionally, Mueller was sure to shut down Democrat Hakeem Jeffries’ allegation of obstruction, responding, “I’m not supportive of that analytical charge.”
From that, according to The Daily Mail, Nadler “suggested having several of the Democratic committee chairmen get started on a draft of impeachment articles when Pelosi shot him down.”
Pelosi, who once said she preferred jail time for President Trump over impeachment, insisted they could not move forward until Democrats had a stronger argument.
“My position has always been: Whatever decision we make in that regard would have to be done with our strongest possible hand, and we still have some outstanding matters in the courts,” she asserted in a press conference following the Mueller circus.
As Bill Maher recently said to the Democrats months ago, “It just looks like you’re stalking him” — meaning Trump.
This piece originally appeared in The Political Insider and is used by permission.
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