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.
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.
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.