Tulsi Gabbard all by herself in her surprise vote on impeachment

SCREEN CAPTURE / C-SPAN

All the AAPI members of the House of Representatives voted for the impeachment of Donald Trump except for one -- Hawaii's Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.
“I could not in good conscience vote against impeachment because I believe President Trump is guilty of wrongdoing,” she said. in a statement. “I also could not in good conscience vote for impeachment because removal of a sitting President must not be the culmination of a partisan process, fueled by tribal animosities that have so gravely divided our country.”

Instead, Gabbard opted to vote "present," which basically is the same as "abstain." She was the lone House member of take no position in the historic vote.

"I come before you to make a stand for the center, to appeal to all of you to bridge our differences and stand up for the American people,” Gabbard's statement continued. “My vote today is a vote for much needed reconciliation and hope that together we can heal our country."

All the other AAPI members of the House joined other Democrats to vote on "yes" on both articles of impeachment. The final vote was 230-197 mostly along party lines for "abuse of power," 229-198 for "obstruction." Gabbard, who as a maverick Democrat is a long-shot candidate for the party's nomination for POTUS, was the only House member to take no position on both articles. Going against her party will likely not please the Democrats.

Earlier, Gabbard failed to get support when she introduced an amendment to censure Trump, basically a slap on the wrist for what most historicans have called the most serious charges for impeachment ever.

By breaking away from her party, Gabbard won't win her friends among Democrats but it might make some Republicans consider her independence as a plus giving fuel to Hillary Clinton's earlier claim that the GOP was setting up one of the Democratic candidates to make a third-party run for the presidency, an accusation that Gabbard has denied.

Tulsi Gabbard's "present' vote won't win her any friends among Democrats.

The vote was the culmination of an investigation of Trump's call with the Ukrainian president and appeared to condition US military aide to an investigation of alleged corruption involving Hunter Biden, son of former Vice President Joe Biden.

“To turn a blind eye to the President openly courting foreign interference in our elections would set a dangerous precedent that any President can use the power of the office for personal gain," said Rep. Judy Chu prior to the vote. "This was what the Founders feared, which is why Congress was established as a check and overseer, and why impeachment was included as a measure of recourse for a President who flaunts our laws and the Constitution. 

"And unfortunately, due to the President’s flagrant behavior and concerted effort to obstruct any and all legal investigations, impeachment was the only option left to us. My vote today for impeachment is a vote to defend our democracy and our elections from any interference, foreign or domestic,” said Chu, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., a few days removed from a heart procedure, delivered a passionate argument for impeaching Trump.

“No one in America could do what Donald Trump did and get away with it,” Lieu said before he cast his vote. “No American elected official can call up a foreign government and ask for an investigation of a political opponent. No member of Congress can call up a foreign official and ask for help in a reelection campaign. If we did that, we would likely get indicted.”

Rep. Bobby Scott, D-VA, who is part Filipino said during the debate, "The delicate balance of power that underpins our democracy is threatened when a President disregards the Constitution by obstructing Congress to cover up illegal behavior. In doing that, President Trump violated his oath. Today, we must put country over party. Conscience over complicity. Today, we must put country over party. Conscience over complicity. Today, we must assert that no one is above the law. Today, we are summoned by history to do the right thing."

"This is a day of accountability and defending our democracy," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-WA. "The facts in front of us are clear.

"In fact, on those two calls with (Ukrainian) President [Volodymyr] Zelensky, he never mentioned the word 'corruption'," Jayapal said. "He solicited foreign interference before, he is doing it now, and he will do it again. The president is the smoking gun."

As the House vote was announced to impeach Trump, the Democrats began to cheer but with one swift siwpe of her hand, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi silenced her party. She did not want a celebration.

“The House has acted on a very sad day to protect the Constitution of the United States,” she said, calling the vote “appropriate and urgent.”

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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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Most AAPI lawmakers endorse call for impeachment inquiry against Trump

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called for an impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump.

Asian American lawmakers had varying reactions to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's announcement that the House would be moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump.

"The president must be held accountable. No one is above the law," said Pelosi Tuesday (Sept. 24).

The California lawmaker said the House will move forward with an official impeachment inquiry against Trump over a whistleblower complaint and the his alleged push to get Ukraine to investigate a political opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden's son. The allegations against Hunter Biden were found false and without merit.

Trump maintains he's done nothing wrong, tweeting that the inquiry was the latest episode in what he's called "a total witch hunt." AAPI legislators endorsed Pelosi's action.

"I commend Speaker Pelosi for launching an official impeachment inquiry across six committees," said Congressman Ted Lieu, a member of the judiciary committee that investigates Trump. "This whistleblower complaint is a big deal."

The impeachment inquiry stems from a whistleblower complaint alleging Trump sought help in digging up dirt on his political rival, Vice President Joe Biden, from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a phone call between the two last summer.

Lieu said Congress needs to see the full complaint as soon as possible.

Trump maintains he's done nothing wrong, tweeting that the inquiry was the latest episode in what he's called "a total witch hunt," said Lieu.

“From Day 1 of his presidency, Donald Trump has been motivated by two things: protecting himself and making money. Speaker Pelosi is right to hold this dangerous chief executive accountable,” stated Hawaii's Sen. Mazie Hirono, who first called for Trump's impeachment the day after the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller earlier this year.

Rep. Judy Chu, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, tweeted: 

Virginia's Rep. Bobby Scott, who is of Filipino descent, issued a lengthy statement, that reads in part:

“Unfortunately, after the Mueller report found multiple instances of obstruction of justice committed by the President, after the President has continued to profit from foreign business transactions in violation of the Emoluments Clause, and after failing to sanction violations of the Hatch Act, recent events cannot be ignored. The President has now admitted to sacrificing national security for his own political gain and then violating the law by refusing to provide to Congress the whistleblower complaint submitted to the Intelligence Community Inspector General. That is just the latest example of this president violating the law and constitutional norms, and this violation undermines our national security. 

“Every Member of Congress swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution. I therefore support Speaker Pelosi’s call for a formal impeachment inquiry. It is the only appropriate course of action given the severity of recent events. Additionally, the Trump Administration must make the entire whistleblower complaint available to Congress immediately so we can consider its contents along with the evidence of other impeachable offenses that the president has committed.”

Filipino American Congressman TJ Cox of California's Central Valley endorsed the Pelosi action in a series of tweets.

"More and more people are coming onboard," Ro Khanna, who represents California's 17th congressional district, said during an interview with CNN's S.E. Cupp on Saturday evening. "And I think this incident with Ukraine may be the straw that breaks the camel's back," he suggested.

"I am ready to vote on impeachment," Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-WA, said, adding that there are a few committees still putting some "remaining pieces" together. "But what we're seeing now is incredibly serious, incredibly grave." 

Rep. Grace Meng, D-NY, and vice chair of the DNC tweeted:

Sen. Kamala Harris, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for President, has long called for impeachment proceedings against Trump.

"I strongly believe that it is long past due that we begin impeachment proceedings against this President," Harris said. "He's pressured a foreign leader, the Ukraine President, to dig up dirt on a political opponent, in the 2020 presidential election. He urged a foreign country to attack our democracy in the 2016 presidential election. He gave classified information to Russian officials in May of 2017."

Andrew Yang, who was not in favor of impeaching Trump until the Ukraine matter came to light, changed his mind Tuesday.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), the third Asian American running for POTUS, was one of the few Democrats who didn't support Pelosi's decision to proceed with the impeachment process. said Wednesday (Sept. 25) that the partial transcript of President Trump's call with Ukraine’s president released by the Trump administration doesn’t show a “compelling” case for impeachment.

“Most people reading through that transcript are not going to find that extremely compelling cause to throw out a president that won an election in 2016,” the Democratic presidential candidate told Hill.TV.

The Hawaii representative maintained that impeachment will only deepen the “hyperpartisan divides,” and argued that most people will only see it as another politically-motivated move by Democrats to oust Trump.

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Apparent inaction of Congress frustrating voting public

UPDATED 10:35 a.m. May 29 PDT to include Mueller statement.

More and more, I'm feeling frustrated by Congress' apparent inaction. I know that there are political reasons for not proceeding with the impeachment process, but the message being sent to the public is that the Democrats are doing nothing. Nothing!

I believe, this latest commercial produced by billionaire Tom Steyer encompasses the feeling by the general public and the hundreds of former DOJ prosecutors who sent out a letter about the evidence provided by the Mueller Report.

Mueller clarified this morning (May 29) basically said that although he, the Special Prosecutor, couldn't indict Trump (a sitting president), but Congress can and, oh yeah, Russia definitely interfered in the 2016 election on behalf of Trump (even, if there is no smoking-gun evidence of collusion) and will do so again in 2020.

Indian American presidential candidate, Sen. Kamala Harris, argued that Mueller's report makes it "very clear" that there's "a lot of good evidence pointing to obstruction of justice" committed by the president.

"There is an investigation that has been conducted which has produced evidence that tells us that this president and his administration engaged in obstruction of justice. I believe Congress should take steps toward impeachment," Harris said during a CNN town hall last month.

For more information, click here.

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