House Impeaches President Trump on 2 Articles

 

Wednesday evening, the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives impeached President Donald Trump for “abuse of power” and “obstruction of Congress.” Both were related to his dealings with Ukraine. He is the third American president to be impeached.

If and when the House forwards the articles to the GOP-controlled Senate, the president faces a near-certain acquittal. Neither result comes as a surprise since Democrats began promising impeachment before Trump was even inaugurated.

No Republicans voted to impeach. Every Democrat voted for the first article except Reps. Jefferson Van Drew (NJ) and Collin Peterson (MN). For the second article, Rep. Jared Golden (ME) joined Van Drew and Peterson to vote against. Independent Rep. Justin Amash (MI) voted for each article, while presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard (D–HI) voted present on both.

As the House voted, Trump enjoyed a packed Christmas rally at an arena in Battle Creek, MI.

Published in Politics
Like this post? Want to comment? Join Ricochet’s community of conservatives and be part of the conversation. Join Ricochet for Free.

There are 219 comments.

Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
  1. Jager Coolidge
    Jager
    @Jager

    DrewInWisconsin, Type Monkey (View Comment):

    The Democrats are simply playing to their base of coastal elitist media personalities.

     

    That is thing. Pelosi had to move forward because of her base. McConnell has to acquit because of the Republican base. This was all baked in the second it started.

    If they wanted Republican votes or what ever a fair trial in the Senate means, then they should have been fair to the House Republicans. They limited Republican questions, Republican witness. Nadler adjourned his committee with out discussing it with the ranking member. 

    The Dems should expect the Republicans in the senate to be just as “fair” and the Dems were in the house.

    Withholding the Articles to force the Senate to bow to the House is a bad idea. Senators don’t like that type of thing and will be less likely to give House Dems what they want.

    If they hold the Articles Trump will surely hit the campaign trial trolling them as Do Nothing Congress that wastes time on an impeachment they are not willing to send to the Senate, just more Do Nothing 

    • #31
  2. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Jager (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Type Monkey (View Comment):

    The Democrats are simply playing to their base of coastal elitist media personalities.

     

    That is thing. Pelosi had to move forward because of her base. McConnell has to acquit because of the Republican base. This was all baked in the second it started.

    If they wanted Republican votes or what ever a fair trial in the Senate means, then they should have been fair to the House Republicans. They limited Republican questions, Republican witness. Nadler adjourned his committee with out discussing it with the ranking member.

    The Dems should expect the Republicans in the senate to be just as “fair” and the Dems were in the house.

    Withholding the Articles to force the Senate to bow to the House is a bad idea. Senators don’t like that type of thing and will be less likely to give House Dems what they want.

    If they hold the Articles Trump will surely hit the campaign trial trolling them as Do Nothing Congress that wastes time on an impeachment they are not willing to send to the Senate, just more Do Nothing

    History has shown that Pelosi runs circles around Trump.

    • #32
  3. Jager Coolidge
    Jager
    @Jager

    Jim Wright (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Manny (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Manny (View Comment):

    Jon Gabriel, Ed.: No Republicans voted to impeach. Every Democrat voted for the first article except Reps. Jefferson Van Drew (NJ) and Collin Peterson (MN). For the second article, Rep. Jared Golden (ME) joined Van Drew and Peterson to vote against. Independent Rep. Justin Amash (MI) voted for each article, while presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard (D–HI) voted present on both.

    Very telling. We know who is on the losing end of this and it ain’t Trump or the Republicans.

    If the Senate doesn’t have a fair trial, a bunch of Republican Senators could lose.

    Hahahahaha! And Ahab kept chasing that whale.

    I voted for Martha McSally in the last election. But if she refuses to vote for witnesses in the impeachment trial, it would be hard for me to vote for her in 2020.

    71% of Americans and 64% of Republicans want to hear from witnesses in the trial in the Senate.

    Yes, but Republicans and Democrats want to hear from different sets of witnesses. The GOP base wants those witnesses the House Dems refused to allow.

    In 1999, the house GOP was desperate for a real trial, with witnesses and presentation of evidence and They were refused; the Senate’s vote was predetermined, and they wanted it over with soonest.

    For Senators who love to hear themselves talk, sitting in silence for days or weeks is torture. A sober, thorough examination of evidence and witnesses is not something I’d bet on.

    Yeah I doubt Pelosi is holding out to make sure that the Whistle Blower or Hunter Biden have to testify.  Most of those 64% of Republicans are not wanting whatever the House thinks is “fair” they are looking for blood. 

    • #33
  4. Jager Coolidge
    Jager
    @Jager

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Jager (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Type Monkey (View Comment):

    The Democrats are simply playing to their base of coastal elitist media personalities.

     

    That is thing. Pelosi had to move forward because of her base. McConnell has to acquit because of the Republican base. This was all baked in the second it started.

    If they wanted Republican votes or what ever a fair trial in the Senate means, then they should have been fair to the House Republicans. They limited Republican questions, Republican witness. Nadler adjourned his committee with out discussing it with the ranking member.

    The Dems should expect the Republicans in the senate to be just as “fair” and the Dems were in the house.

    Withholding the Articles to force the Senate to bow to the House is a bad idea. Senators don’t like that type of thing and will be less likely to give House Dems what they want.

    If they hold the Articles Trump will surely hit the campaign trial trolling them as Do Nothing Congress that wastes time on an impeachment they are not willing to send to the Senate, just more Do Nothing

    History has shown that Pelosi runs circles around Trump.

    Not sure that history shows Pelosi will run circles around McConnell. 

    • #34
  5. Jim Wright Inactive
    Jim Wright
    @JimW

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Jager (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Type Monkey (View Comment):

    The Democrats are simply playing to their base of coastal elitist media personalities.

     

    That is thing. Pelosi had to move forward because of her base. McConnell has to acquit because of the Republican base. This was all baked in the second it started.

    If they wanted Republican votes or what ever a fair trial in the Senate means, then they should have been fair to the House Republicans. They limited Republican questions, Republican witness. Nadler adjourned his committee with out discussing it with the ranking member.

    The Dems should expect the Republicans in the senate to be just as “fair” and the Dems were in the house.

    Withholding the Articles to force the Senate to bow to the House is a bad idea. Senators don’t like that type of thing and will be less likely to give House Dems what they want.

    If they hold the Articles Trump will surely hit the campaign trial trolling them as Do Nothing Congress that wastes time on an impeachment they are not willing to send to the Senate, just more Do Nothing

    History has shown that Pelosi runs circles around Trump.

    With respect, Gary: the only History that backs up your conclusion is the same History that retains this expert.

    • #35
  6. Ed G. Member
    Ed G.
    @EdG

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Tulsi Gabbard–“present” on both votes. You go, girl.

     

     

    Eh,  she should have voted “no”. I’m not sure what message she’s trying to send by voting “present”. As W said, presidents are tasked with deciding, and she passed. 

    • #36
  7. DonG (skeptic) Coolidge
    DonG (skeptic)
    @DonG

    Roosevelt Guck (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    It will be interesting to see if the House will withhold sending over the Articles of Impeachment until the Senate creates the procedure for the trial.

    I could imagine them even trying to hold onto them until after the election, in a desperate gambit for a more receptive Senate. I don’t think they will get the kind of trial they want in the Senate.

    It would certainly be shocking to submit impeachment articles to the Senate just after Trump is re-elected.  If the polls look bad for the Dem majority in the House that would probably change Nancy’s calculus.

    • #37
  8. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Jager (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Jager (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Type Monkey (View Comment):

    The Democrats are simply playing to their base of coastal elitist media personalities.

     

    That is thing. Pelosi had to move forward because of her base. McConnell has to acquit because of the Republican base. This was all baked in the second it started.

    If they wanted Republican votes or what ever a fair trial in the Senate means, then they should have been fair to the House Republicans. They limited Republican questions, Republican witness. Nadler adjourned his committee with out discussing it with the ranking member.

    The Dems should expect the Republicans in the senate to be just as “fair” and the Dems were in the house.

    Withholding the Articles to force the Senate to bow to the House is a bad idea. Senators don’t like that type of thing and will be less likely to give House Dems what they want.

    If they hold the Articles Trump will surely hit the campaign trial trolling them as Do Nothing Congress that wastes time on an impeachment they are not willing to send to the Senate, just more Do Nothing

    History has shown that Pelosi runs circles around Trump.

    Not sure that history shows Pelosi will run circles around McConnell.

    I am not sure either.

    • #38
  9. RightAngles Member
    RightAngles
    @RightAngles

    Ed G. (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Tulsi Gabbard–“present” on both votes. You go, girl.

    Eh, she should have voted “no”. I’m not sure what message she’s trying to send by voting “present”. As W said, presidents are tasked with deciding, and she passed.

    Tulsi Gabbard is a Trojan Horse. They’re all in this together, trying to make us like her and see her as an ally. I even think that weird spat between her an Hillary was staged. Do not be fooled. Gabbard is just another leftist like the rest of them:

    -“F” rating from the NRA

    -co-sponsored the bill to expand Medicaid for all

    -In favor of the Green New Deal

    -in favor of free college tuition for all

    and more. She’s the same as the rest of them.

    • #39
  10. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    DonG (skeptic) (View Comment):

    Roosevelt Guck (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    It will be interesting to see if the House will withhold sending over the Articles of Impeachment until the Senate creates the procedure for the trial.

    I could imagine them even trying to hold onto them until after the election, in a desperate gambit for a more receptive Senate. I don’t think they will get the kind of trial they want in the Senate.

    It would certainly be shocking to submit impeachment articles to the Senate just after Trump is re-elected. If the polls look bad for the Dem majority in the House that would probably change Nancy’s calculus.

    I strongly doubt that she will hold the impeachment articles for any longer than needed to secure witnesses for the Senate trial.

    • #40
  11. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    RightAngles (View Comment):

    Ed G. (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Tulsi Gabbard–“present” on both votes. You go, girl.

     

     

    Eh, she should have voted “no”. I’m not sure what message she’s trying to send by voting “present”. As W said, presidents are tasked with deciding, and she passed.

    Tulsi Gabbard is a Trojan Horse. They’re all in this together, trying to make us like her and see her as an ally. I even think that weird spat between her an Hillary was staged. Do not be fooled. Gabbard is just another leftist like the rest of them:

    -F rating from the NRA

    -co-sponsored the bill to expand Medicaid for all

    -In favor of the Green New Deal

    -in favor of free college tuition for all

    and more. She’s the same as the rest of them.

    Gabbard is just plain weird.

    • #41
  12. James Lileks Contributor
    James Lileks
    @jameslileks

    My favorite part about all this is knowing that personal feelings about Trump don’t enter into this at all. The impeachniks are operating on a high moral plane where the Constitution is revered as a precious lodestone, where the impeachment effort was birthed in sadness and regret but conducted out of a sense of duty,  and with confidence that this sui genesis exercise will have no negative effect going forward. 

    • #42
  13. Jim Wright Inactive
    Jim Wright
    @JimW

    James Lileks (View Comment):

    My favorite part about all this is knowing that personal feelings about Trump don’t enter into this at all. The impeachniks are operating on a high moral plane where the Constitution is revered as a precious lodestone, where the impeachment effort was birthed in sadness and regret but conducted out of a sense of duty, and with confidence that this sui genesis exercise will have no negative effect going forward.

    I felt their sincerity when they pledged allegiance to the flag. Pledged!

     

    • #43
  14. Gossamer Cat Coolidge
    Gossamer Cat
    @GossamerCat

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    It will be interesting to see if the House will withhold sending over the Articles of Impeachment until the Senate creates the procedure for the trial.

    Nothing about this entire process has been interesting.  Just simply appalling.  

    • #44
  15. Gossamer Cat Coolidge
    Gossamer Cat
    @GossamerCat

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Manny (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Manny (View Comment):

    Jon Gabriel, Ed.: No Republicans voted to impeach. Every Democrat voted for the first article except Reps. Jefferson Van Drew (NJ) and Collin Peterson (MN). For the second article, Rep. Jared Golden (ME) joined Van Drew and Peterson to vote against. Independent Rep. Justin Amash (MI) voted for each article, while presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard (D–HI) voted present on both.

    Very telling. We know who is on the losing end of this and it ain’t Trump or the Republicans.

    If the Senate doesn’t have a fair trial, a bunch of Republican Senators could lose.

    Hahahahaha! And Ahab kept chasing that whale.

    I voted for Martha McSally in the last election. But if she refuses to vote for witnesses in the impeachment trial, it would be hard for me to vote for her in 2020.

    71% of Americans and 64% of Republicans want to hear from witnesses in the trial in the Senate.

    I doubt those poll numbers very much.  I suspect it is more that 71% of Americans do not care about this impeachment.  When the Nixon and Clinton impeachments were going on, everyone was talking about them.  No one is talking about this one except a few heads on network TV.

    • #45
  16. Fake John/Jane Galt Coolidge
    Fake John/Jane Galt
    @FakeJohnJaneGalt

    Gossamer Cat (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Manny (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Manny (View Comment):

    Jon Gabriel, Ed.: No Republicans voted to impeach. Every Democrat voted for the first article except Reps. Jefferson Van Drew (NJ) and Collin Peterson (MN). For the second article, Rep. Jared Golden (ME) joined Van Drew and Peterson to vote against. Independent Rep. Justin Amash (MI) voted for each article, while presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard (D–HI) voted present on both.

    Very telling. We know who is on the losing end of this and it ain’t Trump or the Republicans.

    If the Senate doesn’t have a fair trial, a bunch of Republican Senators could lose.

    Hahahahaha! And Ahab kept chasing that whale.

    I voted for Martha McSally in the last election. But if she refuses to vote for witnesses in the impeachment trial, it would be hard for me to vote for her in 2020.

    71% of Americans and 64% of Republicans want to hear from witnesses in the trial in the Senate.

    I doubt those poll numbers very much. I suspect it is more that 71% of Americans do not care about this impeachment. When the Nixon and Clinton impeachments were going on, everyone was talking about them. No one is talking about this one except a few heads on network TV.

    Most of the people I know want to see Biden and all the UK corruption investigated.

    • #46
  17. Django Member
    Django
    @Django

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    It will be interesting to see if the House will withhold sending over the Articles of Impeachment until the Senate creates the procedure for the trial.

    Honest question: What happens if the Senate gives the House a one-finger salute and goes on with the business of confirming judges? Given the insanity of the House actions it ought to happen. 

    • #47
  18. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    fair

    It’s also debatable that the impeachment procedures were fair. I know this isn’t your position, but you aren’t the only one with credentials that gets to weigh in on this. 

    The Founders set up a nebulous process because it was only supposed to be used when the evidence was more clear so you would get bipartisan support.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    • #48
  19. Joseph Stanko Coolidge
    Joseph Stanko
    @JosephStanko

    Ed G. (View Comment):

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Tulsi Gabbard–“present” on both votes. You go, girl.

     

     

    Eh, she should have voted “no”. I’m not sure what message she’s trying to send by voting “present”. As W said, presidents are tasked with deciding, and she passed.

    She should have voted “yes.”  Her base seems to be made up largely of Never Trump Republicans hoping against all odds the Democrats will nominate someone sensible, so she might as well play to her base.

    • #49
  20. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    Eighty five days. Clinton was 1500 and they weren’t arguing about what he did and what to call it.  

     

    • #50
  21. Weeping Inactive
    Weeping
    @Weeping

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    I strongly doubt that she will hold the impeachment articles for any longer than needed to secure witnesses for the Senate trial.

    Then let the Senate simply refuse to do anything. No articles, no trial. After all, if the House refuses to send the articles so the Senate can do its job, it must not be all that important after all.

    • #51
  22. Weeping Inactive
    Weeping
    @Weeping

    Gossamer Cat (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment)

    71% of Americans and 64% of Republicans want to hear from witnesses in the trial in the Senate.

    I doubt those poll numbers very much. I suspect it is more that 71% of Americans do not care about this impeachment. When the Nixon and Clinton impeachments were going on, everyone was talking about them. No one is talking about this one except a few heads on network TV.

    I was sitting in a doctor’s office watching Pelosi’s opening comments. Out of the four people sitting in the waiting room, I seemed to be the only one paying attention to the proceedings – and I didn’t watch it for very long. I don’t know if my experience is any indication or not. After all, the others could have been reading about it on their cell phones. But if it was an indication, you’re right. People really aren’t that invested in the Democrats’ theatrics.

     

    • #52
  23. Weeping Inactive
    Weeping
    @Weeping

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    Gossamer Cat (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    71% of Americans and 64% of Republicans want to hear from witnesses in the trial in the Senate.

    I doubt those poll numbers very much. I suspect it is more that 71% of Americans do not care about this impeachment. When the Nixon and Clinton impeachments were going on, everyone was talking about them. No one is talking about this one except a few heads on network TV.

    Most of the people I know want to see Biden and all the UK corruption investigated.

    If Trump’s going to be investigated for his phone call, I think Biden should also be investigated for his statements.

    • #53
  24. TBA Coolidge
    TBA
    @RobtGilsdorf

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Jager (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Type Monkey (View Comment):

    The Democrats are simply playing to their base of coastal elitist media personalities.

     

    That is thing. Pelosi had to move forward because of her base. McConnell has to acquit because of the Republican base. This was all baked in the second it started.

    If they wanted Republican votes or what ever a fair trial in the Senate means, then they should have been fair to the House Republicans. They limited Republican questions, Republican witness. Nadler adjourned his committee with out discussing it with the ranking member.

    The Dems should expect the Republicans in the senate to be just as “fair” and the Dems were in the house.

    Withholding the Articles to force the Senate to bow to the House is a bad idea. Senators don’t like that type of thing and will be less likely to give House Dems what they want.

    If they hold the Articles Trump will surely hit the campaign trial trolling them as Do Nothing Congress that wastes time on an impeachment they are not willing to send to the Senate, just more Do Nothing

    History has shown that Pelosi runs circles around Trump.

    History has shown that she goes nowhere when he grounds her plane. 

    • #54
  25. TBA Coolidge
    TBA
    @RobtGilsdorf

    Jim Wright (View Comment):

    James Lileks (View Comment):

    My favorite part about all this is knowing that personal feelings about Trump don’t enter into this at all. The impeachniks are operating on a high moral plane where the Constitution is revered as a precious lodestone, where the impeachment effort was birthed in sadness and regret but conducted out of a sense of duty, and with confidence that this sui genesis exercise will have no negative effect going forward.

    I felt their sincerity when they pledged allegiance to the flag. Pledged!

    I haven’t been that moved since I heard them swear an oath to uphold the Constitution. 

    • #55
  26. Hartmann von Aue Member
    Hartmann von Aue
    @HartmannvonAue

    So, call your Senator and tell him or her to bring the motion to dismiss to the floor even before the charges are forwarded from the House. Add to that separate motions to censure Pelosi, Schiff, Nadler et alia. They wanted a partisan knife fight. Turn it into a partisan gun fight. H/t David Horowitz. 

    • #56
  27. Sisyphus Member
    Sisyphus
    @Sisyphus

    I love the notion that Pelosi hanging on to the articles rather than delivering them to the Senate is a bargaining chip. While the Senate can’t convene a trial until the articles are received, they are public information and the Senate can hold continuous hearings undermining their credibility all the live long day while Pelosi claims “leverage”.

    And, yes, Adam Schiff has made himself the Senate’s new piñata with his kangaroo court tactics. Put the House impeachment process on trial and move that needle!

    • #57
  28. Franco Member
    Franco
    @Franco

    It’s desperation. The Democrats have managed to unite the Republican Party into a force it has never been before. Even people who have serious reservations about Trump are defending him and expressing contempt for these Democrats. 
    Democrats are exposing themselves as the totalitarian fascists they are. Ordinary Americans are now seeing why they should be kept far away from power. 

    The only reason they’ve chosen this course is they have fallen for their own propaganda. The gaslighting was too good, too pervasive. They managed to rile up enough lefty activists with Twitter accounts to express a huge footprint of outrage without a corresponding voting base. 
    They have psychologically insulated themselves to the point where they cannot perceive or accept any political realities. In collective denial, unwittingly gaslighting each other and with smug self-regard they are publicly exposing themselves while committing suicide.

    This has historical precedent. Pearl Harbor is the metaphor. The Japanese misjudged the will and might of America. They filled themselves with  pride and hubris. It will end in a similar devastating defeat.

    • #58
  29. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    Listen to the list of differences between Nixon / Clinton vs. Trump and the implications of constitutional order going forward. Madness. Start at 39:00. VDH. It’s short.

    https://omny.fm/shows/america-first-with-sebastian-gorka/america-first-with-sebastian-gorka-12-18-hour-1?in_playlist=america-first-with-sebastian-gorka!podcast

    • #59
  30. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    Sisyphus (View Comment):
    And, yes, Adam Schiff has made himself the Senate’s new piñata with his kangaroo court tactics. Put the House impeachment process on trial and move that needle!

    There is speculation that Schiff was lied to by the whistleblower about what happened or he lied to Pelosi about what happened. It never mattered until Trump released the transcript so promptly. That’s why the “due process” is so convoluted. 

    This is just an example of why they should have just left it as oversight in foreign affairs because that’s what it is. You don’t have an actual impeachment unless there’s a lot of bipartisan agreement. That is the way the thing is set up and that is what the Founders actually said.

    Support your local gun sanctuary county.

    • #60
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.