US President Donald Trump is likely to face at least three articles of impeachment in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. Democratic speaker Nancy Pelosi announced yesterday that she had asked for articles of impeachment to be drawn up against the 45th president by the House Judiciary Committee. At a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, three constitutional scholars called as witnesses by the Democrats outlined the possible articles of impeachment which Trump could face. Abuse of Power and Bribery Trump is accused of abusing the power of his office by asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to open an investigation into Democrat Joe Biden, his potential opponent in the 2020 presidential election.
"The solicitation constituted an abuse of the office of the presidency because President Trump was using his office to seek a personal political and electoral advantage over his political rival," said Noah Feldman, a law professor at Harvard University. "This act on its own qualifies as an impeachable high crime and misdemeanor."
Obstruction of Congress
Trump's refusal to comply with congressional subpoenas issued by House impeachment investigators could form the basis of a charge of obstruction of Congress.
"The President has refused to comply with and directed at least 10 others in his administration not to comply with lawful congressional subpoenas," Gerhardt said.
"Other presidents have done just the opposite in recognizing the legitimacy of congressional investigative and impeachment authorities. Obstruction of Justice
The articles of impeachment for obstruction of justice may stem from the report released earlier this year by special counsel Robert Mueller. Mueller declined to recommend obstruction charges against Trump, but the House may do so, citing events outlined in the special counsel's report.
"The Mueller Report found at least five instances of the president's obstruction of the Justice Department's criminal investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election," Gerhardt said