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Here’s where Florida’s Democratic candidates for governor stand on impeaching Donald Trump

One wants him gone now. The others want to see what happens with Robert Mueller.
President Donald Trump participates in a meeting on trade with governors and members of Congress at the White House on Thursday, April 12, 2018. [Pool photo by Chris Kleponis | Getty Images]
President Donald Trump participates in a meeting on trade with governors and members of Congress at the White House on Thursday, April 12, 2018. [Pool photo by Chris Kleponis | Getty Images]
Published April 17, 2018

Democrats are in a weird spot when it comes to Donald Trump in 2018.

The Republican president is universally reviled by liberals, many of whom would like nothing more than to see the brash billionaire bounced from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

But the Constitution provides for relatively few ways to remove a sitting president. The only realistic way for Democrats to get Trump out of office before 2020 is to regain control of Congress and begin impeachment proceedings. (House Democrats have already introduced articles of impeachment, but efforts to advance them failed by a wide margin.)

The problem for Democrats? Republicans are already using the threat of impeachment to energize conservative midterm voters. Complicating matters further is the broadening investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into the 2016 Trump Campaign’s alleged ties to Russia. If Trump fires Mueller, what then?

Which brings us to the Florida governor’s race. Of course, the person who occupies the Governor’s Mansion has no say in any impeachment process. Still, where a candidate stands on impeachment could matter a great deal to Democratic primary voters. Here’s a quick roundup of where the Florida’s Democratic candidates for governor stand on impeaching Donald Trump.

Andrew Gillum: Impeach Trump “now”

In December, the Tallahassee Mayor called for Trump’s immediate impeachment, arguing Trump’s firing of James Comey constituted obstruction of justice. "Donald Trump should be impeached now," Gillum said then. A Gillum spokesman confirmed Tuesday that the candidate still believes Trump should be impeached.

Gwen Graham: Begin impeachment proceedings if Trump fires Mueller

"The House should start impeachment proceedings within 60 seconds of Trump firing Mueller," Graham, a former congresswoman, told The Buzz through a spokesman.

Philip Levine: Firing Mueller is an impeachable offense

The former Miami Beach mayor’s campaign sent out a fundraising email Monday that said firing Mueller would be grounds for impeachment. "If Trump fires Mueller, he should be impeached," Levine spokesman Christian Ulvert said in the email.

Chris King: If Trump fires Mueller, “Congress should take a hard look”

“Chris thinks voters should have the opportunity to throw Donald Trump out of office,” spokesman Avery Jaffe said. “But if President Trump fires Special Counsel Mueller, he believes the Congress should take a hard look at impeachment.”

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