Democratic House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer appears to be more open to the possibility of impeaching President Donald Trump after his initial comments Thursday prompted backlash among some progressives.
“Congress must have the full report [and] all underlying evidence in order to determine what actions may be necessary to ensure that the Congress [and] the American people have all the info they need to know the truth [and] all options ought to remain on the table to achieve that objective,” Hoyer said late Thursday night.
Congress must have the full report & all underlying evidence in order to determine what actions may be necessary to ensure that the Congress & the American people have all the info they need to know the truth & all options ought to remain on the table to achieve that objective.
— Steny Hoyer (@LeaderHoyer) April 19, 2019
After the Thursday release of special counsel Robert Mueller’s long-anticipated report Thursday, Hoyer initially said that the contents of the report were not enough for Democrats to begin the process of impeaching the president. (RELATED: Jim Jordan Rips Democrats For Handling Of Trump Investigations)
“Based on what we have seen to date, going forward on impeachment is not worthwhile at this point. Very frankly, there is an election in 18 months, and the American people will make a judgment,” Hoyer told CNN’s Dana Bash on Thursday.
Hoyer’s comments outraged some on the left, who believe the report justifies impeachment, with some even calling for the majority leader to face a primary challenge.
One thing that should happen in that election is people should throw Steny Hoyer out and get someone who’ll do the job he’s afraid to do https://t.co/h0ltVkIgJM https://t.co/f0DDuJiwEr
— Tom Scocca (@tomscocca) April 18, 2019
Here are some thoughts about what Democrats can do going forward: First, don’t take impeachment off the table. It’s premature and stupid. (also muzzle Steny Hoyer)
— Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) April 18, 2019
Glad that Steny Hoyer has a primary challenger! Clearly we need new leadership in the Democratic Party who will do their damn jobs. https://t.co/2ylgPB3Rfx
— Chris Henderson (@chrishenderson9) April 18, 2019
The Mueller report did not find evidence that Trump or his campaign colluded with Russia to impact the 2016 presidential election, as had been speculated by many Democrats.