Democrat Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) warned Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) that their efforts to impeach President Donald Trump during the first impeachment were “unconstitutional,” according to a new book.
The book, “Unchecked: The Untold Story Behind Congress’s Botched Impeachments of Donald Trump,” was written by Politico Playbook co-author Rachael Bade and Washington Post reporter Karoun Demirjian.
The book, which comes out on October 18, details a behind-the-scenes feud between Pelosi, Schiff, and Nadler.
The authors reveal that Pelosi didn’t trust Nadler to handle the high-profile proceedings.
Instead, Pelosi wanted Adam Schiff to handle it, despite Nadler being chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
According to the book, Nadler was outraged and told Schiff his process was “unconstitutional.”
The authors claim Nadler was worried that because his Judiciary Committee would not be able to cross-examine witnesses as it had done in the past.
He also warned that it would open the Democrats up to attack.
“It’s unfair, and it’s unprecedented, and it’s unconstitutional,” Nadler reportedly warned Schiff about the process.
Pelosi backed up Schiff, however.
“She didn’t want the Judiciary panel to interview witnesses at all,” the authors write.
“Pelosi simply didn’t trust the panel — which was stacked with liberal crusaders and hotheaded conservatives — to handle the rollout of the complex Ukraine narrative with the careful, compelling treatment it required.
“She couldn’t afford another Nadler screwup.
“The Judiciary chairman could focus on the legal business of crafting the articles of impeachment and have academics testify, she allowed. But that was it.”
“If we’re going to impeach, we need to show the country that we gave the president ample opportunity to defend himself,” Nadler responded.
“They’re going to argue we don’t have due process for Trump.
“Why make that argument real?
“I write the rules of my committee, not you,” Nadler added.
“I resent you telling me how to run my committee.”
“I don’t really care about your resentment,” Schiff fired back.
“Neither the Speaker nor I agree.”
“We need to make the case more strongly that this is a national security issue,” Pelosi said, according to the book.
“Eighty percent plus say it’s not okay for the president to ask for foreign assistance in an election despite Trump asserting that he can do it.
“I just think we need to make this case to rural voters, evangelicals, and Republicans.”
