Clyburn: GOP will impeach Obama

Republicans will impeach President Obama if they maintain their House majority this fall, the third-ranking Democrat in the lower chamber predicted Monday.

Assistant Democratic House Leader James Clyburn (D-S.C.) made the prediction during a Twitter town hall, after someone asked him why Democrats aren’t doing more to defend President Obama against GOP attacks.

.@LiberalPhenom No way to shut down the talk, nor should there be, it’s real and I predict if GOP maintain House, Obama will be impeached.

— James E. Clyburn (@Clyburn) August 11, 2014

The same person then asked Clyburn whether Democrats would have the power to block an impeachment attempt, but the congressman said voters can make that determination at the polls in November.

.@LiberalPhenom There are 234 Republicans and 199 Democrats in the House. The only thing that can stop them are electing 218 Dems on Nov 4.

— James E. Clyburn (@Clyburn) August 11, 2014

Talk of impeaching Obama has become much more pronounced in Washington since the White House said late last month that it was taking these GOP threats more seriously.

Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has said he wouldn’t pursue impeachment and has accused Democrats of using the rumor to boost their fundraising numbers.

Instead, before leaving on their August recess, the House voted to authorize Boehner’s lawsuit that challenges Obama’s use of executive authority.

Republicans are expected to win the House again, and might even have a shot at winning the Senate.