2019 is upon us, which means that new Florida leadership will be taking office next week. However, in the midterm elections, Democrats also gained 40 seats. And, with a stronger control of the House, Florida Democrats are saying that Trump’s impeachment will likely be an important topic for them to pursue.
Darren Soto, speaking on the growing Democrat influence in the sunshine state, says that “It’s really been 12 years in the minority [for me]. I’m pretty excited about the ability to use [my] skills now finally in the majority.”
Representatives Soto and Val Demmings have both advanced to leadership positions in 2018, and they’re also focused on topics that include gun control, the environment and health care reform.
Demmings, who sits on the Judiciary Committee, says that it’s important to protect the Mueller probe along with advancing criminal justice reform, gun control and reforming privacy issues with social media companies. And, she also stressed that “if the outcome of the special counsel’s investigation causes us to look at impeachment, we have a direct responsibility to do that.”
Demmings added, “I do believe that if Donald Trump was not the president of the United States, if he was anybody else, he would already be indicted by now. I certainly believe a sitting president can be indicted. But if the decision is made outside of the Judiciary Committee different from that, and the only option left on the table is to begin an impeachment process, then I believe we have a direct obligation.”
However, Soto is more reserved when it comes to the investigation, saying that it should run “without interference” and that “should there be high crimes, that would pave the way for a potential impeachment vote. But that has to play itself out, and we’ll review the evidence as it does.”
Currently, President Trump is involved in a battle with Democrats over border security and funding for the wall. This has caused the government to shut down, and negotiations seem to still be developing.