Impeachment inquiry into Trump announced

The U.S. House of Representatives is launching a formal impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced.

"Today I'm announcing the House of Representatives is moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry," Pelosi said at the Capitol late Tuesday afternoon. The inquiry marks just the fourth time in American history a president has faced a viable threat of impeachment.

"This week, the president has admitted to asking the president of Ukraine to take actions which would benefit him politically," Pelosi said. "The actions of the Trump presidency revealed dishonorable facts of the president's betrayal of his oath of office, betrayal of national security and betrayal of the integrity of our elections."

"The actions taken to date by the president have seriously violated the constitution. The president must be held accountable. No one is above the law," the Guardian cited Pelosias saying.

Impeachment is a rare and dramatic escalation that will reshape Trump’s already norm-shattering presidency as he seeks re-election. It is also freighted with political risks in a nation deeply divided over this president.