* The story got picked up by the AP, so it went out far and wide…
A Democrat running for Illinois governor in 2018 is calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump.
J.B. Pritzker said in a statement Wednesday the House of Representatives should begin impeachment proceedings. He says there are “credible reports” that Trump “obstructed justice in the investigation of the Russian hacking of our democracy.”
Pritzker was a top supporter of Hillary Clinton, helping raise millions for her unsuccessful campaign against Trump. The Chicago billionaire says calling for impeachment is “not something done lightly” but that it’s necessary.
* The Tribune’s take…
Trying to shift away from days of criticism over the property-tax issue, Pritzker on Tuesday turned to Washington with a call for the U.S. House “to begin the impeachment process based on credible reports that President Donald Trump has obstructed justice in the investigation of the Russian hacking of our democracy.”
Whatever works, I suppose.
* Pritzker issued yet another press release today…
“Yesterday, I called on Congress to begin impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump,” said JB Pritzker. “With credible reports that President Donald Trump obstructed justice in the investigation of the Russian hacking of our democracy, I knew it was time to act. But Bruce Rauner remains silent. Rauner continues to fail this state and his refusal to speak out as Donald Trump decimates our democracy is unacceptable. The President is putting our national security at risk and undermining our rule of law. It is time for Governor Rauner to put partisanship aside and stand with Illinois families instead of Donald Trump and his hurtful agenda.”
I asked the Rauner folks and the ILGOP for a response a few hours ago and haven’t yet heard back.
* Meanwhile…
* And…
State Sen. Daniel Biss is already putting money behind digital ads calling for Trump’s impeachment: “Trump’s shameless abuse of power puts the safety and security of all Illinoisans in jeopardy. It’s time for Congress to hold him accountable and begin drafting articles of impeachment.”
…Adding… Press release…
Ameya Pawar, 47th Ward alderman and Democratic candidate for Illinois governor today announced he is introducing a resolution to the Chicago City Council urging the United States House of Representatives to initiate an investigation to determine if there is sufficient grounds for the impeachment of President Donald J. Trump. Ald. Pawar will file the resolution to be considered by the City Council at the next scheduled meeting on May 24.
“I’m introducing a resolution at City Council next week calling for the Illinois Congressional Delegation and Congress to start the impeachment proceedings,” Pawar said. “I believe it is now time for Congress to start taking up impeachment proceedings and move on that quickly.”
“Trump has failed to divest himself from his business interests and it certainly appears he has obstructed justice by firing the FBI director. If he hasn’t already broken the law, he is dangerously close. And I think it’s time to get to the bottom of this so we can begin to take the next steps as a country.”
“Our country is in a really bad place right now. The billionaire class is eroding people’s trust in public institutions. The one thing that keeps me grounded and positive out of all this is that our institutions are fighting back and information is getting out. We need to take action, to determine once and for all if he is unfit to serve as our Commander and Chief.”
If the resolutions passes, the City of Chicago would be the largest city in the country to call upon Congress to begin impeachment proceedings. As the third largest city in the nation, 2.7 million Chicago residents are directly impacted by President Trump’s executive orders targeting people based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, and disability status. The President’s agenda threatens people’s quality of life and, in many cases, directly violates the United States Constitution and erodes the spirit of our democracy.
