Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) argued on Sunday that impeaching President Donald Trump should not be a top focus for Democrats if they win control of the House in the midterm elections.
“If the Democrats were to take back the House, and I feel confident that we will, our first order of business ought to be developing an accessible and affordable campaign effort that will yield what I would call making this country, its greatness, accessible and affordable for all of its citizens,” Clyburn said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Moderator Kristen Welker then asked if he had ruled out impeaching Trump.
“I don’t rule it out, but I don’t rule it in,” Clyburn said. “No, I don’t. But I don’t think that should be our priority if we get into office. Our priority ought to be making housing, education, energy, health care affordable and accessible for all of our citizens.”
Last week, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said he had not ruled out impeaching Trump if the Democrats gained control of the House.
“We haven’t ruled anything in, and we haven’t ruled anything out,” Jeffries told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, noting that any move would be guided by “moments of accountability.”
Trump is the only U.S. president to be twice impeached. He was first impeached by the House in 2019 over allegations that he inappropriately sought political favors from Ukraine, but the Senate voted to acquit him in 2020.
Trump was impeached for a second time in 2021 for inciting a violent insurrection against the government after his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021 insurrection. The Senate again voted to acquit him.
Watch a clip from Clyburn’s appearance on “Meet the Press” below: