House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has stated that President Donald Trump’s actions regarding Ukraine may constitute bribery, an offense identified in the U.S. Constitution as grounds for impeachment or removal from office.
The inquiry centers on a phone call between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in July 2019.
During the inquiry, House committees have been gathering testimony and evidence from individuals involved in U.S.-Ukraine relations. Witnesses include diplomats and government officials who provided information about U.S. foreign policy actions.
Pelosi stated that the House is pursuing the inquiry per constitutional processes. She referred to the provision in the Constitution that allows for the impeachment of a president for “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.”
President Trump and White House officials have denied that any improper actions took place. According to statements from the administration, the president’s call with the Ukrainian leader was appropriate, and they reject claims that the inquiry is warranted.
The impeachment inquiry includes public hearings, during which members of Congress from both political parties are allowed to question witnesses.
Historically, only three U.S. presidents—Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump—have been impeached by the House of Representatives. None have been removed from office by the Senate.
If the House votes to approve articles of impeachment, the matter would then be considered by the Senate in a trial. A two-thirds majority in the Senate is required for removal from office.
The House has not announced a specific timeline for concluding the process.
