Gabbard changes her mind and joins other AAPI Congress members backing impeachment inquiry of Trump

SCREEN CAPTURE / ABC

Tep. Tulsi Gabbard joins the majority of House Democrats in calling for an impeachment inquiry of Donald Trump.

As Congress breaks for the weekend and representatives head to their home districts, 223 of the 235 Democrats have stated they back House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's call for an impeachment inquiry of Donald Trump

However, only 218 votes are needed to impeach the White House occupant.

All of the Asian American and Pacific Islander members of the House and Senate have jumped on board for impeachment proceedings to begin, including those who earlier had taken a more cautious position.

Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said Friday (Sept. 27) she has changed her position and now supports an impeachment inquiry into Trump, Immediately after House Speaker announced the impeachment inquiry, Gabbard  stated she didn't support the move because it would be "terribly divisive."

"[A]fter looking carefully at the transcript of the conversation with Ukraine's President, the whistleblower complaint, the Inspector General memo, and President Trump's comments about the issue, unfortunately, I believe that if we do not proceed with the inquiry, it will set a very dangerous precedent," the Democratic presidential candidate wrote in a statement.

"Future presidents, as well as anyone in positions of power in the government, will conclude that they can abuse their position for personal gain, without fear of accountability or consequences."

“Up to this point, I have been opposed to pursuing impeachment because it will further divide our already badly divided country," the Hawaii congresswoman said in a press release. With her revised position, Gabbard joins the other Democratic challengers vying for the partyi's nomination to run against Trump in 2020.

Gabbard said she changed her mind this week.

“However, after looking carefully at the transcript of the conversation with Ukraine’s President, the whistleblower complaint, the Inspector General memo, and President Trump’s comments about the issue, unfortunately, I believe that if we do not proceed with the inquiry, it will set a very dangerous precedent," she said. "Future presidents, as well as anyone in positions of power in the government, will conclude that they can abuse their position for personal gain, without fear of accountability or consequences."

Gabbard's announcement, makes it unanimous among the Asian American  and Pacific Islander members of the House of Representatives and House of Representatives.

Before Pelosi made the decision to move towards impeachment, Rep.Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-ILL, called for the impeachment inquiry.

"I greatly respect the electoral process and the office of the President. I was raised to respect each occupant of that office, regardless of party, and I feel strongly that no President should be impeached unless clear, substantial evidence of illegal behavior exists to sustain a conviction in the Senate.”

“That said, we have now come to a point where we must engage in an investigation to not only expose wrongdoing and prevent it from happening again, but also to determine whether the current President engaged in behavior meriting the beginning of impeachment proceedings.

Krishnamoorthi's fellow Asian American Illinois representative, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-ILL, tweeted:

“By urging the Ukrainian government to take action to influence our Democracy, Trump has violated that power and the trust of the American people,” said Rep, Andy Kim, D-NJ, in a statement. He was one of the House members withholding his full support until this week. “If the facts are corroborated, that violation, and my understanding of its implications, has led me to come to the conclusion that the President has committed an impeachable offense.”

Kim, who worked as a diplomat and national security advisor in the Obama White House and was present in the Oval Office for many similar calls Obama had with world leaders, said he’s concerned Trump may have put “personal and political gain above our national security.”

“I believe the Commander-in-Chief role is the most sacred responsibility of the Presidency, and it is the last place where partisan politics belongs. We hold this highest of standards because we know the incredible power of that singular office. It is a power that has the potential for doing incredible good, but if corrupted, it weakens America’s national security, international standing and the framework of our very Democracy,” Kim said in his prepared statement.

Rep. Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-07) released the following statement on impeachment.

“After reading the Mueller Report and witnessing the President’s actions, it has been clear to me that President Trump has committed impeachable offenses and went to great lengths to commit obstruction of justice on several occasions.

Multiple committees with jurisdiction have been conducting important and necessary oversight, including investigating and holding hearings into obstruction, corruption, and abuse of power by President Trump. I have supported the committees' actions and will continue to do so, including an impeachment inquiry.

Congress has the constitutional authority to hold the president accountable for his actions. I am confident we will do so.”

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