Rep. Wexton calls for impeachment inquiry on President Trump

Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (VA-10) has called for the opening of an impeachment inquiry into the conduct of President Donald Trump:

“I believe my constituents sent me to Congress, in part, because of my reputation for being thoughtful and deliberate. I did not run for office with the purpose of impeaching the president, but I did take an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution.

“As a former prosecutor, it is clear to me given the conduct by the president detailed in the Mueller Report and Director Mueller’s recent testimony before Congress that—were he not a sitting president—Donald Trump would be indicted on charges for obstruction of justice.

“On this day, the 400th anniversary of representative democracy in Virginia, we are reminded of the struggle and sacrifice of countless Americans to fight for and uphold a system of government of the people, by the people, and for the people. President Trump’s actions have repeatedly proven antithetical to these values—through his efforts to undermine our democratic institutions, his flagrant disregard of lawful congressional oversight, and his normalizing of authoritarian tactics. I cannot sit idly by while the pillars of our democracy are chipped away.

“After much deliberation, I believe the time has come for the House of Representatives to assert our constitutional responsibility and begin an impeachment inquiry.”