AFT President Randi Weingarten on Formal Impeachment Inquiry

WASHINGTON—American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s announcement that the U.S. House of Representatives would pursue a formal impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump:

“Donald Trump has undermined the rule of law, threatened our national security, and held in contempt the very institutions on which our republic was built, most notably in his use of presidential power to pressure a foreign government to investigate a potential political opponent. He must be held accountable. No one is above the law.

“As educators, we have worked to defend democracy—in our classrooms and our communities—despite the president’s near-constant assault. We are grateful that House leadership will offer the powers of congressional oversight to this fight against presidential corruption and that they will launch a full and transparent inquiry into President Trump’s betrayal of American democracy and crimes against the country he swore to protect.

“There is ample precedent and established rule for the House to follow in pursuing the impeachment process. Our nation’s foundation—three coequal branches of government that check and balance each other—must transcend politics. Truth and transparency are the strongest disinfectant of all.”