Freshman U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, D-Fla., has opened the door to impeaching President Donald Trump--and drawing heavy fire from the GOP.
Mucarsel-Powell, who sits on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, weighed in on the possibility of impeaching Trump on Friday.
“I did not run for office to impeach the president. I ran to lower health care costs, protect our communities from gun violence, and preserve our environment. While my constituents entrusted me to fight for them on these issues every day, they also entrusted me to represent them, protect their rights, and uphold the Constitution,” she said. “As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, I have a heightened sense of duty to be a check and balance on this administration. In this capacity, I have spent countless hours reading Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report, analyzing the evidence on which the report is based, and listening to the testimony of constitutional experts, prosecutors, and some of the report’s key players.”
The South Florida congresswoman focused on the Mueller report and took aim at the president.
“Mueller’s report recounts ten clear and unmistakable attempts by the president to attack the rule of law and obstruct the fair administration of justice. There is an undeniable pattern in the president’s actions that reveals his willingness to lie to the American people, his willingness to place his own interests above those of our democracy, and his willingness to break the law for his personal gain,” she said. “Mueller confirmed these facts in writing. During his public appearance, he reiterated one of the most important and critical lines contained in the report: ‘if we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the president clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state.’ Mueller made no such statement.
“But the president’s egregious and troubling actions are not limited to those detailed in the report,” Mucarsel-Powell continued. “Since the release of Mueller’s report, the president has ignored multiple congressional subpoenas and asserted an abusive and illegitimate use of executive privilege. All of this in an attempt to hide information and undermine the checks and balances of our government. This president has engaged in behavior that we have not seen, nor would we have allowed, from the other 44 men who have occupied that office. This is why I support opening an impeachment inquiry into the president.
“I have not come to this decision easily. After talking with the people of Florida’s 26th congressional district, I know that while many will agree with my decision, some will disagree. Ultimately, I believe my duty to uphold the Constitution has no political allegiance,” Mucarsel-Powell added. “I didn’t have the privilege of being born in this country; I immigrated here from Ecuador. Growing up in Latin America, I saw what happens when corrupt, authoritarian leaders disregard the rule of law and put their interests above the people. My family came to this country seeking better opportunities and the freedoms that are enumerated in our Constitution.”
After edging then U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., in last year’s election, Mucarsel-Powell is a top target for the GOP in 2020 and she promptly drew the fire of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) on Friday.
“Debbie Mucarsel-Powell has joined her socialist Democrat colleagues in their calls for the baseless impeachment of President Trump,” the NRCC noted. “The announcement comes on a Friday afternoon – also known as ‘Take Out the Trash Day,’ probably in the hopes no one would notice that Debbie’s colleagues have bullied her into taking this position. Worth noting that Debbie likens President Trump to an authoritarian dictator in her decision to open an impeachment inquiry.”
Camille Gallo, a spokeswoman for the NRCC, continued along that line of attack on Friday.
“Debbie Mucarsel-Powell’s hatred of President Trump is impacting her ability to help her constituents. The voters of FL-26 deserve someone who is going to fight for them – not someone like Debbie who will cave to her socialist Democrat colleagues whenever they ask,” said Gallo.
For her part, Mucarsel-Powell showed no signs of backing down.
“We are in a moment that will define our country, our democracy, and our children’s future. I took an oath when I became a citizen that I would support and defend the Constitution. On January 3, 2019, I swore to uphold these same principles when I became a member of Congress. Today, I stand with my colleagues who believe it is our duty to protect our country, it is our duty to protect our democracy, and it is our duty to ensure no person—not even the president—is above the law,” Mucarsel-Powell insisted.
Democrats have a slight edge in this district which includes all of Monroe County and parts of Miami Dade. In the last election cycle, Democrats made up 36 percent of voters here while 31 percent were Republicans. However, Curbelo was able to keep his seat in 2016 despite Hillary Clinton pulling 57 percent of the district while Trump garnered only 40 percent here.
So far, businesswoman Irina Vilarino is facing frequent candidate Jose Peixoto in the Republican primary to see who challenges Mucarsel-Powell next year. Curbelo could opt for a rematch, opening the door last month to take Mucarsel-Powell on in 2020.