A U.S. congressman has called for the impeachment of Donald Trump, accusing the President of obstruction of justice.
Texas Representative Al Green said: ‘I rise today with a sense of responsibility and duty to the people who have elected me, a sense of duty to this country, a sense of duty to the Constitution of the United States of America.
‘I rise today Mr Speaker to call for the impeachment of the President of the United States of America for obstruction of justice.’
‘There is a belief in this country that no one is above the law. And that includes the President of the United States of America.’
Mr Green announced earlier today that he planned to take to the floor of Congress.
He tweeted: ‘Today on the floor of the Congress of the United States of America, I will call for the Impeachment of the President between 9am & 10am CST (3pm & 4pm BST)’.
Today on the floor of the Congress of the United States of America, I will call for the Impeachment of the President between 9am & 10am CST.
— Congressman Al Green (@RepAlGreen) May 17, 2017
In a press conference yesterday, Mr Green accused The President of putting America’s democracy at risk.
Referencing the dismissal of FBI director James Comey and Mr Trump’s subsequent remarks and threats, he said: ‘These acts, when combined, amount to intimidation and obstruction.
James Comey better hope that there are no "tapes" of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2017
‘If the president is not above the law he should be charged by way of impeachment by the US House of Representatives.’
‘Our country is in a state of crisis. Every day Donald Trump remains president puts our democracy at risk. It’s time to take drastic, yet necessary action.’
FBI Director James Comey was fired last week (Reuters)
Mr Green first suggested taking action last week following the shock dismissal of James Comey.
He said that if the dismissal amounted to an attempt to prevent an investigation into ties between Russia and Mr Trump’s presidential campaign, impeachment would be appropriate.
Other Democrats have joined Mr Green in floating the idea of impeaching The President. Representative Maxine Waters also suggested last week that Mr Trump could face charges for obstruction of justice after his decision to sack Mr Comey.
Impeachment is the official process by which formal charges are brought against a civil officer of government for any alleged crimes.
U.S. law states: ‘The President, Vice President and all Civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.’
