As President Donald Trump has been openly feuding with House Democrats pursuing investigations into him, his administration and his finances, some lawmakers are calling to start an impeachment inquiry, the first step in a lengthy and likely divisive process.
By CNN’s count, there are at least 35 House Democrats who’ve made public comments advocating at least for starting the impeachment inquiry process — while some have gone further.
House Democrats who have publicly state they at least support starting an impeachment inquiry:
1. Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island
In advance of former White House counsel Don McGahn declining to show up for the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, Cicilline said on Monday that the “time has come” for an impeachment inquiry.
“The White House and the President have attempted to impede our ability to get to the truth… we have a responsibility at some point to open up an inquiry if this kind of obstruction, interference and stonewalling continues,” Cicilline told reporters.
2. Rep. Ted Lieu of California
Lieu spoke on CNN Wednesday and said while he didn’t support full impeachment, he was among those Democrats supporting starting an impeachment inquiry.
“Let me just be very clear,” Lieu told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer. “Democrats are not saying impeachment. What I’m saying and what some others are saying is an impeachment inquiry, which is, we have to start these investigations to see if we should do impeachment.”
When Blitzer followed to clarify if Lieu supported “beginning impeachment procedures” but not full impeachment, Lieu responded “That is correct. Because we need to build a record in these committees.”
3. Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington
Jayapal spoke on CNN on Tuesday and tweeted, “I joined @wolfblitzer to discuss how @HouseJudiciary will hold this President and his administration accountable. Judge Mehta’s decision was important – but we still have to do our jobs and uphold the Constitution. For me, that means pursuing an impeachment inquiry.”
4. Rep. Veronica Escobar of Texas
Escobar was among lawmakers who pushed earlier this week for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler to take a more aggressive stance than their currently taking and start an impeachment inquiry.
On Tuesday, she also tweeted, “I believe we need to begin an impeachment inquiry.”
5. Rep. Val Demings of Florida
Demings told CNN on Tuesday that the evidence contained in the Mueller report was sufficient for Democrats to take the next, fateful step.
“I believe it’s pretty clear that the President made numerous attempts to obstruct justice or obstructed justice,” said Demings, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, told Jake Tapper on “The Lead.”
“And so I believe, based on that information, as I did a month ago, that we have enough to begin those proceedings.”
6. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas
Jackson Lee, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, told reporters on Tuesday that she planned to introduce “a resolution of investigation” that will call on the House Judiciary Committee to investigate whether there is “sufficient grounds” to move forward with impeachment.
7. Rep. John Yarmuth of Kentucky
Yarmuth, who is chairman of the House Budget Committee, told reporters on Tuesday, “I think it’s time” to begin the proceedings. On CNN Wednesday, he said he’s not alone.
“I think what we have, John, is we have a situation in which I think a growing majority of our caucus believes that impeachment is going to be inevitable,” Yarmuth told CNN’s John Berman on “New Day” on Wednesday morning. “But they also believe that we need to pursue the investigations that are going on to make sure that certain conduct of the administration and the President that they need to be held accountable for is discovered.”
8. Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee
Cohen, who is a member of the House Judiciary Committee, has long been a proponent of impeachment and introduced articles of impeachment against Trump in November 2017.
“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 said in a statement at the time. “I believe there is evidence that he attempted to obstruct an investigation into Russia’s interference with the U. S. presidential election and links between Russia and the Trump campaign, most notably the firing of FBI Director James Comey. “
9. Rep. Al Green of Texas
Green was the first House Democrat to formally seek Trump’s impeachment from the House floor in comments he made in May 2017.
“This is about my position. This is about what I believe. And this is where I stand. I will not be moved. The President must be impeached,” Green said at the time. “For those who do not know, impeachment does not mean that the President would be found guilty. It simply means that the House of Representatives will bring charges against the President. It’s similar to an indictment but not quite the same thing.”
10. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York
In a series of tweets, Ocasio-Cortez said that she will be signing onto an impeachment resolution led by fellow House freshman, Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, following the release of the special counsel Robert Mueller’s report last month.
“Mueller’s report is clear in pointing to Congress’ responsibility in investigating obstruction of justice by the President. It is our job as outlined in Article 1, Sec 2, Clause 5 of the US Constitution. As such, I’ll be signing onto @RashidaTlaib’s impeachment resolution,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted on April 18.
