Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, said Monday that removing President Trump from office isn’t their focus right now, though he did not rule out impeachment efforts at a later date.
“I think that’s premature at this point — we should do all we can to make sure that he’s held accountable, that we conduct the investigations the Republicans have been unwilling to do.” Swalwell told Hill.TV’s “Rising” on Monday.
“If impeachment is the case, it’s because we found impenetrable evidence that we take to the American people and will be accepted by both Republicans and Democrats,” he added.
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) has repeatedly called for Trump’s impeachment, as have other Democratic lawmakers, though the party’s leadership have yet to join in the push.
In May, Waters said removing Trump from office was the “only option” for Democrats following his decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal.
Trump has faced harsh criticism over his rhetoric, his hardline policies and his friendly relationship with Russia, but any possible impeachment effort is likely doomed while Republicans control both houses of Congress.
Swalwell thinks Democrats need to instead address the issues that Americans care about most if they want to stand a chance in the upcoming midterm elections.
“If we’re talking about that right now at home, we’re not talking to people about how they can grow their paychecks, how they can expand their healthcare coverage, how they can have careers they can count on and see improvements in the investments we make in their kids, Swalwell said. ”That’s what most people care about — it’s not impeachment.”
— Tess Bonn
hilltv copyright