Rep. Jennifer Wexton calls for an impeachment inquiry against Trump

Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) on Tuesday called for the opening of an impeachment inquiry against President Trump.

Wexton released a statement explaining her decision: “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.”

Wexton highlighted her experience as a former prosecutor and said it was clear to her that “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.”

Wexton said Trump’s actions were “antiethical” to the values of American democracy and that she could not “sit idly by while the pillars of our democracy are chipped away.” 

Wexton joins Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) as the only other lawmaker from Virginia to support an impeachment inquiry.

Wexton’s call for an impeachment inquiry makes her just the latest Democrat to take such a stance. As of Wednesday, 114 House Democrats –a near majority–supported opening an inquiry.

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