Pelosi: We're Moving Ahead on Impeachment

The House is formally moving ahead with impeachment—and that timeline is just fine with President Trump. Nancy Pelosi on Thursday announced that the House will draft articles of impeachment against the president. "The facts are uncontested," she said, per CBS News. "The president abused his power for his own personal political benefit at the expense of our national security by withholding military aid and [a] crucial Oval Office meeting in exchange for an announcement of an investigation into his political rival." In doing so, "the president leaves us no choice but to act." And so "sadly, but with confidence and humility, with allegiance to our founders, and a heart full of love for America, today I am asking our chairman to proceed with articles of impeachment."

The exact timeline remains unclear, though Politico expects a House vote before the end of the month. Pelosi's comments come a day after the House Judiciary panel had its first impeachment hearing. Also on Wednesday, Pelosi met behind closed doors with the Democratic caucus and asked, "Are you ready?" reports the AP. Those in the room responded with what the AP characterizes as a "resounding yes." A speedy vote is OK with Trump. On Thursday, he tweeted that if House Democrats "are going to impeach me, do it now, fast," because he is confident he will be cleared in a Senate trial. (More Nancy Pelosi stories.)