Pelosi asks house to draft articles of impeachment against trump

On September 24, 2019, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced that the House of Representatives would be drafting articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. This move marked a significant escalation in the ongoing political conflict between the Democratic-controlled House and the Republican-controlled Senate, as well as the Trump administration.

Pelosi's decision to initiate the impeachment process was prompted by a whistleblower complaint filed with the Intelligence Community Inspector General (ICIG) in August 2019. The complaint alleged that Trump had engaged in a "quid pro quo" with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, offering military aid and a White House meeting in exchange for Ukraine's investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden.

The House Intelligence Committee, led by Chairman Adam Schiff, conducted an investigation into the matter and held public hearings featuring testimony from several witnesses, including the whistleblower and several State Department officials. The committee's report concluded that Trump had indeed engaged in a "quid pro quo" with Ukraine and had abused his power by using his office to solicit foreign interference in the 2020 presidential election.

On December 18, 2019, the House Judiciary Committee voted to approve two articles of impeachment against Trump: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The full House of Representatives then voted on the articles, with 230 Democrats voting in favor of the first article and 229 voting in favor of the second article. The articles were passed, with 229 votes in favor of each.

The impeachment process then moved to the Senate, where a trial was held in January 2020. The trial was presided over by Chief Justice John Roberts, and the Senate voted on whether to convict Trump on the charges. On February 5, 2020, the Senate acquitted Trump on both charges, with 52 votes in favor of conviction on the first article and 53 votes in favor of conviction on the second article. The acquittal meant that Trump was not removed from office.

The impeachment process was a significant event in American political history, marking the third time a U.S. president had been impeached by the House of Representatives. It also highlighted the deep divisions within the country and the ongoing political conflict between the Democratic and Republican parties.