IMPEACHMENT ON THE TABLE: Jeffries Refuses to Rule Out Move Against Trump if Democrats Win Congress

JEFFRIES WON'T RULE OUT IMPEACHMENT: 'We Haven't Ruled Anything Out'

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told ABC News Live that Democrats have not closed the door on a third impeachment of President Trump, as the party eyes a midterm takeover of Congress.

Jeffries on Impeachment: We 'Haven't Ruled Anything Out'

Thursday on “ABC News Live,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) spoke with ABC News correspondent Jay O’Brien regarding the possible impeachment of President Donald Trump. Jeffries said, “The American people are clearly poised to give House and Senate Democrats

IMPEACHMENT ON THE TABLE: Jeffries Refuses to Rule Out Move Against Trump if Democrats Win Congress

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declined Thursday to rule out pursuing impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump if Democrats gain control of the House in next week’s midterm elections, although he insisted that his party’s immediate priority would be addressing rising living costs. During an interview with ABC News Live correspondent Jay O’Brien, the New York Democrat was pressed about whether impeachment could become part of his party’s agenda if voters return Democrats to power in Congress. Jeffries avoided making a commitment either way, instead emphasizing economic issues and congressional oversight of the administration. “The American people are clearly poised to give House and Senate Democrats a chance to govern on their behalf, and to fight to actually make life more affordable. We have gained the trust advantage,” Jeffries said. O’Brien questioned whether that perceived advantage reflected growing dissatisfaction with Trump rather than increased confidence in Democratic leadership. “But is that just because they don’t trust the president?” the correspondent asked. Jeffries rejected the suggestion that Democratic gains were based solely on opposition to Trump, arguing that voters increasingly preferred his party’s positions across multiple policy areas. “No. Well, I think we’ve gained the trust advantage, Democrats, as compared to Republicans, on a whole host of issues,” he responded. He maintained that Democrats would need to demonstrate their commitment to tackling the financial pressures facing American households. “We’re going to have to work as hard as we can to make sure that we are relentlessly pushing to end this affordability crisis, because the American people are sending that message,” Jeffries added. The discussion then turned to impeachment, with O’Brien pointing to Democratic candidates who have publicly raised the possibility of seeking Trump’s removal from office. “Some of your members have openly talked about, over the course of these campaigns, impeaching the president. Is that something voters want?” O’Brien asked. Jeffries played down the prominence of impeachment within his caucus, saying Democratic lawmakers had focused more broadly on holding the administration accountable and restoring congressional oversight. “Well, it’s very interesting because I actually have not heard, coming from House Democrats, a lot of talk about impeachment. In fact, what we have talked about is accountability more broadly defined. And we believe that it is important for Congress to function as a check and balance on an out-of-control executive branch,” Jeffries said. O’Brien followed up by asking whether an impeachment effort could divert attention from the economic agenda Jeffries had identified as his party’s principal objective. “But would impeachment be a distraction from the work you’re trying to do?” he asked. Jeffries again stopped short of rejecting the possibility, leaving Democrats’ options open should they secure a House majority. “Well, we haven’t ruled anything in, and we haven’t ruled anything out, because we’ve made clear that we’re focused on addressing the affordability crisis,” he said. Jeffries has taken a similar position in previous interviews, including a September appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” when he declined to exclude impeachment from the options available to a Democratic-controlled House. He has identified Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Robert Garcia of California as key figures who would oversee investigations through the House Judiciary and Oversight committees. Democrats have been preparing a broad oversight agenda should they win the majority, including potential investigations into administration spending, the Trump family’s business dealings, immigration enforcement and the conduct of senior Cabinet officials. Some Democrats favor impeachment proceedings, while others have expressed concern that another attempt to remove Trump could distract from the party’s economic priorities. Trump was impeached twice during his first presidency and acquitted by the Senate both times. A third impeachment would require a simple majority vote in the House, while removing him from office would require a two-thirds majority in the Senate following a trial. Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress, but Democrats are seeking to overturn the GOP’s narrow House majority in Tuesday’s elections. A Democratic victory would give Jeffries’ party control of committee investigations, subpoena authority and the ability to initiate impeachment proceedings without Republican support.