Talk among Democrats about impeaching president Donald Trump is rising and might become an irresistible wave if the eagerly anticipated report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller proves (or even hints) at Trump committing "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors" punishable by impeachment.
While impatience is growing, few Democrats are willing to jump the gun on Mueller and risk the wrath of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) for screwing-up the golden opportunity to impeach Trump. Party discipline is holding and the hotheads demanding impeachment now are getting short shrift thus far.
On Tuesday, Democrats eager to oust Trump now sponsored an impeachment event only a few of their kindred spirits attended. The event was sponsored by Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), who introduced articles of impeachment on the very first day of the new Congress on Jan. 3. Also supporting the event was Rep. Al Green (D-TX), who sponsored a separate impeachment resolution. They teamed-up with Tom Steyer, a billionaire environmentalist, and anti-Trump activist.
Surprisingly, only Green showed-up for the impeachment event. Political pundits said the snub reinforces the belief the oust Trump now movement isn't ready for prime time among Democrats.
"I don't lobby the members," said Green. "I leave it for each person to do this as a question of conscience."
Much of the credit for the party's snubbing the impeachment event can be traced to Pelosi's opposition to impeaching Trump before Mueller releases his report.
Pelosi has kept on discouraging Democrats from prematurely impeaching Trump, said Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA), a leader of the Democrats' messaging arm. On the other hand, Cartwright praised Pelosi's cautious approach, which he described as "eminently responsible."
"I think we have to see the report," said Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), a leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. "Every week Mueller gives us something else to be aware of. And so most people think he's doing a very good job. And we ought to let him finish."
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), who championed impeachment articles in the last Congress, hasn't introduced them so far and says there's little urgency to do so. He noted that no impeachment effort can succeed without public backing.
He emphasized Democrats will be more successful in building that support if they await the results of Mueller's probe.
"Those people, including myself, who think he's committed impeachable offenses and should be impeached understand also the pragmatic politics of waiting for the report as proof to get more of the American public in agreement. Because you've got to have the American public on your side," said Cohen.
"I think Mueller's report will be a blockbuster."
