House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Tuesday a formal impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump.
The inquiry comes after a whistleblower complaint with the Office of Intelligence Community Inspector General over a phone call made by Trump to a foreign leader.
Republicans responded with a statement shortly after.
UPDATE 5:10 p.m.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will announce Tuesday a formal impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump, according to multiple reports.
More than 150 House Democrats are backing an impeachment inquiry as momentum shifts in the Democratic caucus.
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 24, 2019
Democratic officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak frankly, said Pelosi would back the step. https://t.co/6ab2DHkftL
A growing number of Democrats have shown support for beginning an impeachment inquiry, spurred by recent reports that a U.S. intelligence official filed a whistleblower complaint against the president last month.
Citing unidentified Democratic officials, the Washington Post, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal reported Pelosi would back the move to begin a formal inquiry.
"I've said to people, 'As soon as we have the facts, we're ready,'" Pelosi said earlier Tuesday while speaking at The Atlantic Festival. "Now we have the facts. We're ready. For later today."
Pelosi: "I've said to people, 'As soon as we have the facts, we're ready.' Now we have the facts. We're ready... for later today." Plugging her 5pm statement... pic.twitter.com/9Sj5uCbyZ0
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) September 24, 2019
Pelosi is expected to speak publicly about the path forward at 5 p.m. EDT.
At issue is a summer phone call Trump had with Ukraine's president, which came to Congress' attention through a whistleblower complaint. Trump has insisted he did nothing wrong in the call, but has suggested he raised Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter as part of discussions over corruption in Ukraine — despite no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of either man.
Trump announced Tuesday on Twitter that he authorized the release of a transcript of the conversation.
"You will see it was a very friendly and totally appropriate call," the president wrote.
I am currently at the United Nations representing our Country, but have authorized the release tomorrow of the complete, fully declassified and unredacted transcript of my phone conversation with President Zelensky of Ukraine....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2019
....You will see it was a very friendly and totally appropriate call. No pressure and, unlike Joe Biden and his son, NO quid pro quo! This is nothing more than a continuation of the Greatest and most Destructive Witch Hunt of all time!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2019
Check back for updates to this developing story.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
