Democrat to reintroduce impeachment articles against Trump on first day of new Congress

The resolution accuses Mr Trump of obstruction of justice

(AP)

Democrat Brad Sherman will introduce articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on the first day of the 116th Congress

The articles will allege that Mr Trump obstructed justice in the firing of former FBI Director James Comey. Mr Comey was leading the federal investigation into Russian election meddling in the 2016 election and possible collusion with Trump campaign officials at the time, with it subsequently being taken over by special counsel Robert Mueller.

"There is no reason it shouldn’t be before the Congress,” California representative Mr Sherman told the Los Angeles Times. “Every day, Donald Trump shows that leaving the White House would be good for our country.”

Mr Sherman’s decision to introduce the resolution in the new Congress, having also done so in the previous Republican-led session, sets him at odds with his party leadership’s call to prioritise legislation and oversight of Mr Trump's government over impeachment.

However, Mr Sherman does not think his measure will hinder or cause any issues for his party colleagues.

“Every member of the House will have to address [the issue] whether there are formal articles of impeachment pending,” he added.

Mr Sherman also filed articles of impeachment against the president in July 2017 and was among the 60 or so Democrats who voted in favour of it, prompting impeachment proceedings in December 2017. That measure, however, failed.

The Democrats will be the majority party in the House on Thursday, which will provide greater opportunity for them to successfully bring impeachment measures to the floor.

However, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, who is expected to be appointed House Speakership, said she does not intend the party to seek grounds for impeachment unless there is clear evidence and a bipartisan agreement on the issue at hand.

Some Democrats have also suggesting waiting for special counsel Robert Mueller to complete his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election before going forward with impeachment proceedings.

In public, Mr Trump has scoffed at these calls for impeachments from the new Congress, and said in a December interview, that he believes Americans "would revolt" if he were impeached.