Published on December 12, 2019 by Cara Chapman

PLATTSBURGH — Speaker Nancy Pelosi and fellow House Democratic leaders announced two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump Tuesday morning: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

“We must be clear: no one, not even the president, is above the law,” House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-New York City, said in a prepared statement.

“Corruptly solicited”

The first article, abuse of power, contends that the president, directly and through his agents, “corruptly solicited the Government of Ukraine to publicly announce investigations” into former Vice President Joe Biden and the discredited theory that Ukraine, not Russia, interfered in the 2016 presidential election, according to the draft resolution.

It further alleges that the president conditioned the release of $391 million in military aid to Ukraine and a head of state meeting at the White House on those investigations.

On grounds for the “obstruction of Congress” article, the resolution said the president directed the White House and other Executive Branch agencies and offices to defy lawful subpoenas, and directed current and former Executive Branch officials not to cooperate with the House committees, leading them to defy subpoenas.

The Judiciary Committee is expected to have its vote on the articles in the coming days ahead of a full House vote next week.

Accused Schiff

Throughout the inquiry, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, has repeatedly echoed the president’s assertions that he sought the investigations to address corruption.

She has also argued there was “no quid pro quo” since the aid to Ukraine was released and no investigation into Joe Biden and his son Hunter resulted.

Stefanik spokeswoman Madison Anderson pointed to a tweet from the congresswoman as her statement on the articles.

“The impeachment obsessed Democrats are determined to overturn the 2016 election & ignore the vote of the American People,” Stefanik wrote.

“The partisan Articles include abuse of power & obstruction of Congress.

“But it is Adam Schiff who has repeatedly abused his power & obstructed Congress.”

Asked which of House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff’s actions the congresswoman was referring to, Anderson listed, among other things, previous claims Stefanik has made that Schiff coordinated with the whistleblower, refused to take questions about it and set out partisan rules for the hearings.

Anderson said Stefanik plans to vote no on the articles.

Cobb weighs in

Stefanik’s Democratic opponent, Tedra Cobb, did not say whether or not she agreed with the articles of impeachment.

You can read the full article athttps://poststar.com