IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY CLUB

The number of congressional Democrats supporting an impeachment inquiry of President Donald J. Trump is growing daily, as Michigan Reps. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Troy, western Oakland and Wayne counties), Elissa Slotkin (D-Rochester, Rochester Hills, northern Oakland, parts of Livingston and Ingham counties) and Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Allen Park, Taylor, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti) this week announced support for an inquiry. The trio joins Michigan's four other Democratic Reps. — Andy Levin (D-Bloomfield Township, Franklin, Beverly Hills, Royal Oak, Huntington Woods, part of Macomb County), Brenda Lawrence (D-Southfield, Pontiac, Waterford, Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield and part of Wayne County), Dan Kildee (D-Flint), Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), as well as former Republican Justin Amash (I-Grand Rapids) — who openly support an impeachment inquiry of the president. The three congresswomen, who had been on the fence until this week, announced they supported an inquiry following revelations that Trump allegedly attempted to use the power of his office to pressure the new Ukrainian president to investigate his political opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden. The president's personal lawyer confirmed that he personally pressed the Ukrainian government for damaging information. Trump also allegedly withheld $391 million in aid to the country before pressing the foreign leader to investigate Biden. "The President's alleged attempt to wield the power of his office for political gain is a threat to our democratic institutions, and therefore to our national security. And we must not look away," Slotin said on Monday, September 23. Stevens issued a statement the following day before appearing on national television where she announced her shift in support for an inquiry. "If investigations confirm recent reports, these actions represent impeachable offenses that threaten to undermine the integrity of our elections and jeopardize the balance of power within the federal government. ... I do not make this request lightly but rather out of a sober obligation to stand up for the rule of law and our national security," she said. The announcements this week bring the total number of Democrats supporting impeachment inquiry to 148 members, one Independent and zero Republicans.