Many in the grassroots have suggested that Obama should be impeached for his persistent overreach as president. The list of grievances has accumulated over the years, whether it is Obama’s inappropriate use of Executive Orders, proclivity to bypass Congress on policy, unauthorized judge appointments, nullification of DOMA legislation, abuses by IRS, mishandling of Benghazi, unilateral decision to free terrorists or ignoring immigration laws – just to name a few. However, as Obama continues to demonstrate a blatant disregard for Congress and the Constitution, prominent political figures in and outside of Congress are now calling on House Leadership to move forward with the impeachment process against the president.
The latest people to publicly call for impeachment proceeding to commence are Allen West and Sarah Palin. Allen West called on the House Leadership to draft up articles of impeachment and stated,
I submit that Barack Hussein Obama’s unilateral negotiations with terrorists occurred without consult from the U.S. Congress and resulted in the release of dangerous Al Qaeda leaders. These actions represent high crimes and misdemeanors against our nation and are grounds for impeachment.
Sarah Palin has now suggested that Obama should be impeached for his refusal to enforce our immigration laws. She stated on Breitbart News:
“Enough is enough of the years of abuse from this president. His unsecured border crisis is the last straw that makes the battered wife say, ‘no mas.’…
“It’s time to impeach; and on behalf of American workers and legal immigrants of all backgrounds, we should vehemently oppose any politician on the left or right who would hesitate in voting for articles of impeachment.”
As The Post’s Aaron Blake has noted, the members of Congress who have mentioned the possibility of impeachment are Sens. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Reps. Blake Farenthold (R-Tex.), Kerry Bentivolio (R-Mich.), Michael Burgess (R-Tex.) and Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), former congressmen Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.) and Allen West (R-Fla.).
Speaker Boehner has been very clearly on where he stands on the requests within his caucus for articles of impeachment – “NO!”
It is important to remember what our Constitution states about impeachment:
At the federal level, Article II of the United States Constitution (Section 4) states that “The President, Vice President, and all civil Officers of the United States shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other High Crimes and Misdemeanors.” The House of Representatives has the sole power of impeaching, while the United States Senate has the sole power to try all impeachments.
It seems highly unlikely that the Senate would take up an impeachment trial. Given that, does it make sense for the House to move forward with the impeachment process? Would it be solely for political reasons? Or would it serve a greater purpose of bringing more awareness on the executive violations of our president?
One thing is for sure, despite the additional high profile individuals calling on Obama to be impeached, it seems highly unlikely at this point in time.
