A number of Democrats seeking the party’s nomination for president in 2020 are using Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s public statement on Wednesday as fuel to call on Congress to begin impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.
On Wednesday, Mueller reiterated many of the findings in his report released last month, including that the special counsel’s team “would have said so” if they “had confidence the president did not commit a crime.”
Mueller added:
“We did not, however, make a determination as to whether the president did commit a crime.”
The special counsel also noted that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has a policy of not charging a sitting president with a crime, but hinted that Congress has “a process other than the criminal justice system to “formally accuse a sitting president of wrongdoing.”
Many 2020 Democrats jumped on that sentiment. Here’s a look at what they said. The Daily Dot will update this list if more candidates make impeachment proceedings remarks.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)
“Mueller’s statement makes clear what those who have read his report know: It is an impeachment referral, and it’s up to Congress to act. They should,” Warren wrote in a series of tweets. “Mueller leaves no doubt: 1) He didn’t exonerate the president because there is evidence he committed crimes. 2) Justice Department policy prevented him from charging the president with any crimes. 3) The Constitution leaves it up to Congress to act—and that’s impeachment.”
Mueller’s statement makes clear what those who have read his report know: It is an impeachment referral, and it’s up to Congress to act. They should.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 29, 2019
Mueller leaves no doubt:
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 29, 2019
1) He didn't exonerate the president because there is evidence he committed crimes.
2) Justice Department policy prevented him from charging the president with any crimes.
3) The Constitution leaves it up to Congress to act—and that's impeachment.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.)
“Robert Mueller’s statement makes it clear: Congress has a legal and moral obligation to begin impeachment proceedings immediately,” Booker wrote on Wednesday. “I’ve been asking for Mueller’s testimony—today he made his views clear. This Administration has continued to stonewall Congress’s oversight. Beginning impeachment proceedings is the only path forward.”
Robert Mueller’s statement makes it clear: Congress has a legal and moral obligation to begin impeachment proceedings immediately.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) May 29, 2019
I’ve been asking for Mueller’s testimony—today he made his views clear.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) May 29, 2019
This Administration has continued to stonewall Congress’s oversight. Beginning impeachment proceedings is the only path forward.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) May 29, 2019
Former HUD Secretary Julian Castro
“Mueller made clear this morning that his investigation now lays at the feet of Congress. No one is above the law—Congress should begin an impeachment inquiry,” Castro wrote.
Mueller made clear this morning that his investigation now lays at the feet of Congress. No one is above the law—Congress should begin an impeachment inquiry.
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) May 29, 2019
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.)
“What Robert Mueller basically did was return an impeachment referral. Now it is up to Congress to hold this president accountable,” she said. “We need to start impeachment proceedings. It’s our constitutional obligation.”
What Robert Mueller basically did was return an impeachment referral. Now it is up to Congress to hold this president accountable.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) May 29, 2019
We need to start impeachment proceedings. It's our constitutional obligation.
Beto O’Rourke
“There must be consequences, accountability, and justice. The only way to ensure that is to begin impeachment proceedings,” O’Rourke said. “As Mueller reiterates there were ‘multiple, systemic efforts to interfere in our election,’ Trump calls it a hoax. He invited these attacks, obstructed the investigation into them & told Putin there will be no consequences for launching a concerted attack on our political system.”
There must be consequences, accountability, and justice. The only way to ensure that is to begin impeachment proceedings.
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) May 29, 2019
As Mueller reiterates there were "multiple, systemic efforts to interfere in our election," Trump calls it a hoax. He invited these attacks, obstructed the investigation into them & told Putin there will be no consequences for launching a concerted attack on our political system.
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) May 29, 2019
Jay Inslee
Other candidates, like Gov. Jay Inslee, stopped short of calling for impeachment proceedings but commented on Mueller’s remarks.
“Donald Trump and William Barr lied about the Mueller report,” Inslee wrote. “Robert Mueller made it clear: No exoneration.”
Donald Trump and William Barr lied about the Mueller report.
— Jay Inslee (@JayInslee) May 29, 2019
Robert Mueller made it clear: No exoneration.
— Jay Inslee (@JayInslee) May 29, 2019
Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio)
Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) quoted Trump’s immediate response to Mueller’s remarks by highlighting that the special counsel said if they had confidence the president didn’t obstruct justice, they would have said so in the report.
"If we had confidence that the President clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said so." – Robert Mueller https://t.co/Qxbw6Jgjn4
— Archive: Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) May 29, 2019
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.)
“#Mueller has spoken & here’s what we know: ✅ Every American should be concerned about what Russia did (that’s includes you, too, @realDonaldTrump) ✅ Trump is an obstructor who commited crimes ✅ We’re not powerless. Our founders gave us a checks & balances system. #Congress” Swalwell wrote.
#Mueller has spoken & here’s what we know:
— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) May 29, 2019
✅ Every American should be concerned about what Russia did (that’s includes you, too, @realDonaldTrump)
✅ Trump is an obstructor who commited crimes
✅ We’re not powerless. Our founders gave us a checks & balances system. #Congress
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