Tipsheet

Biden: The House Has 'No Option' But to Pursue Impeachment Because Trump 'Violated the Constitution'

Beth Baumann
Beth Baumann  |  November 11, 2019 9:58 PM

Former Vice President Joe Biden on Monday argued the House of Representatives have "no option" but to pursue impeachment against President Donald Trump because he "violated the Constitution."

"The simple answer is this: the House has no option. It has to enforce the Constitution," Biden told an audience member at his CNN town hall. "Whether or not, whether or not it turns out to work or not work, whether or not he should or shouldn't be kicked out of office, on the face of it, there's a prime case he's violated the Constitution of the United States of America in asking other countries to engage in our politics."

Biden reminded the audience he has been through two impeachments – against Presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton – but it's "not anything he'd wish the country would have to go through." He said it's necessary to defend the principles of the Constitution. 

"If the case is being made as strong as I believe it's being made, if it's as strong as it's made, you're going to find those areas that are independent and Republicans areas saying, 'Whoa. Whoa. We gotta do something here. We gotta do something here,'" Biden explained.

The former vice president made it very clear he is not convinced that Senate Republicans would not move forward with impeachment proceedings.

Recommended

Bill Maher Offers a Simple Explanation for Why He Trashes the Left More Frequently Matt Vespa
This Small Ohio Town Is Being Overrun By illegal Haitian Immigrants Sarah Arnold

"I don't buy it," he said. "I don't buy that the Senate will never move."

Biden encouraged Republicans to reach out to their representatives and senators if they believe Trump "violated the law" by asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate his son, Hunter. 

Remember: Hunter Biden was sitting on the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian gas company, despite having no natural energy experience. Vice President Joe Biden also happened to be handling international relations with Ukraine on behalf of the Obama administration at the time. It was later uncovered that Burisma actively attempted to pressure the Obama administration to dismiss corruption charges against the company.