Florida Rep. Donna Shalala (D), who is considered to be one of the more ‘moderate’ liberal Democratic House members, issued a statement supporting the impeachment inquiry shortly after the Acting Director of National Intelligence’s appearance before the House Intelligence Committee.
Rep. Shalala stated that the whistleblower’s complaint and the Intelligence Committee hearing are proof enough to move forward with impeachment, adding that President Trump “used taxpayer dollars to shake down” Ukrainian President Zelensky for personal gain.
According to the released transcription of the call between Trump and Zelensky, Republicans and several Democrats have gone on record to say that it's very difficult to come to the conclusion that a “shakedown” took place.
Shalala’s colleague in the House, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) recently stated that President Trump “violated his oath of office.”
“The most sacred duty of the President is to put the interests and security of the American people ahead of her or his own,” said Wasserman Schultz “The evidence we have seen so far is clear: President Trump put his own political interests first. He violated his oath of office.”
Here are the main points Rep. Shalala covers in there statement:
-The whistleblower complaint confirms our worst fears: the President has been actively using his office for personal political gain.
-President Trump asked the President of Ukraine to investigate his political rival.
-The President used taxpayer dollars to shake down the leader of a foreign government for the benefit of his reelection campaign.
-The President undermined our national security and defense policy objectives to advance his political agenda.
-The President and his staff engaged in a concerted effort to cover up these flagrant abuses of power.
-The actions by President Trump display contempt and disregard for his office, the Constitution, the country, our national security, and the integrity of our elections.
Neither Shalala or her office have responded to our request for comment about whether Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter should be probed over his business dealings in the Ukraine and China.
