House introduces 2 articles of impeachment against Trump

Washington — House Democrats announced two articles of impeachment against President Trump on Tuesday, accusing him of abuse of power over his dealings with Ukraine and obstruction of Congress for his response to the subsequent investigation. Mr. Trump is only the fourth president in U.S. history to have articles of impeachment drafted against him, and appears likely to become the third to be impeached by the House of Representatives.

“No one — not even the president — is above the law,” House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler said on Capitol Hill.

Nadler announced the articles at a a press conference Tuesday morning, alongside Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Democrats could vote to approve the two articles by the end of next week. The impeachment process will then head to the Senate, although the Republican-led Senate is unlikely to vote to remove Mr. Trump from office.

The announcement comes after two months of open and closed hearings, including one on Monday before the House Judiciary Committee where the counsels from the House Intelligence Committee presented their findings in the impeachment inquiry investigation. Pelosi called on the chairs to begin drafting the articles last Thursday.

Democrats argue Mr. Trump abused his power by asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate a political rival and the 2016 election. The White House has refused to cooperate in the impeachment inquiry, and barred several requested witnesses from testifying before Congress.

The House Judiciary Committee could consider the articles of impeachment as soon as this week, sending them to the floor of the House for a full vote by next week. The House is expected to leave for the end of the year by Friday, December 20.

Rebecca Kaplan and Ed O’Keefe contributed to this report.