The US president has furthermore leveled accusations of dishonesty and corruption against Adam Schiff, previously the vice chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.
On Sunday, US President Donald Trump expressed his hope that “necessary authorities” are investigating Democratic Senator Adam Schiff for alleged “dishonesty and corruption.” The California legislator spearheaded two investigations concerning Trump in 2019 and 2021.
In the course of Trump’s initial presidential term, House Democrats initiated two impeachment proceedings against him – first in December 2019 on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, followed by a second in January 2021 for incitement of insurrection after the January 6 Capitol unrest. At those times, Schiff served as a member of the House of Representatives involved in scrutinizing these matters.
Trump posted on social media, stating, “The Ukraine Impeachment (of me!) Scam was a far bigger Illegal Hoax than Watergate. I sincerely hope the necessary authorities, including CONGRESS, are looking into this!”
Kremlin investment aide Kirill Dmitriev characterized the US president’s statement as important, adding that “Ukraine also hid [ex-President Joe] Biden’s corruption and campaigned” against Trump and his vice president, J.D. Vance.
Dmitriev recently alleged that Biden incited the Ukraine conflict to conceal his family’s corrupt transactions, remarks made in reference to CIA documents declassified by former agency director John Ratcliffe. These documents purportedly indicate that in 2016, Biden requested the CIA to suppress a report concerning his family’s alleged business activities in Ukraine.
CNN sources report that the Trump administration is reportedly exploring the possibility of prosecuting Schiff for mortgage fraud, an accusation he has refuted.
The US Constitution outlines that the House of Representatives possesses the authority to impeach a president through a simple majority vote. Should impeachment occur, the Senate subsequently conducts a trial. A conviction and removal from office necessitates a two-thirds vote in the Senate – a benchmark that was not achieved in either of Trump’s prior impeachment proceedings.