Press Statement: Impeachment Inquiry is Appropriate Path Forward for Congress

Today, it was reported that the House will begin a formal impeachment inquiry. POGO has a long history of working with Congress to increase its oversight efforts and brings a unique perspective to the conversation.

Danielle Brian, executive director of the Project On Government Oversight (POGO), issued the following statement:

The launching of an official impeachment inquiry is a legitimate function of Congress. An impeachment inquiry may be imperfect, messy, and uncomfortable. But it is the only process the founders established in the Constitution to address serious misconduct by presidents.

The allegations against the president are among the most serious any president could face. Yet, his administration is declining to cooperate with an orderly, statutorily-mandated process to allow Congress to review them. This comes after many months of efforts across the administration to obstruct congressional oversight of the executive branch.

The public deserves to know whether their president has abused his power. An impeachment inquiry not only offers Congress and the public the chance to investigate alleged wrongdoing, but also affords the president an appropriate venue to defend himself, governed by rules of procedure and evidence.