Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN-03) called the transcript of President Donald Trump’s phone call with Ukraine’s president “damning,” saying he and his colleagues are “willing to lose our jobs” to pursue impeachment.
“To be forthright, it’s damning. It confirms what we have suspected over the last couple days, in writing and in the president’s own words,” Phillips said during an appearance on the Powerhouse Politics Podcast. “He has betrayed the public trust, betrayed American interests, betrayed his oath of office and it requires action.”
As The Minnesota Sun reported, Phillips released a statement Monday saying he supports pursuing an impeachment inquiry. His statement was released the day before the White House released its transcript of President Trump’s call with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“The president of the United States, above all else, should recognize that there’s always an implicit quid pro quo when a favor is asked,” Phillips claimed, saying that his constituents “recognize that the Constitution and the rule of law transcends everything and everybody, including me.”
Hillary Clinton won Minnesota’s Third Congressional District by nine percentage points in the 2016 election, but the district was represented by Republican Erik Paulsen for several years before he was unseated by Phillips.
“My belief is that in light of this new evidence, and I believe more is yet to come, that most Americans will understand the gravity of these practiced allegations. And recognize that we have a Constitutional duty to do what’s right,” Phillips said.
The first-term Democrats said he hopes the impeachment process is completed by the end of the year.
“I believe it can, and should be done much more expeditiously than even the end of the year,” he said. “I, for one, would be disappointed if, in light of what was released this morning, it takes longer than the end of the year.”
Phillips concluded by saying he’s not worried about the possible political repercussions of supporting impeachment while representing a suburban swing district.
“I can tell you, having had conversations with just about every one of my colleagues, each and every one of us would be willing to lose our jobs in favor of upholding our oath of office and protecting and preserving our Constitution,” he said. “That’ what we’re here for and that’s why we ran.”
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of Battleground State News, The Ohio Star, and The Minnesota Sun. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Dean Phillips” by Dean Phillips.
