U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, said on Tuesday that he could soon be prepared to move forward on impeachment of President Donald Trump.

“I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and to uphold our nation’s laws,” he said in a statement. “A whistleblower within the Intelligence Community has alleged that a gross abuse of power has occurred involving the use of American foreign policy against a domestic political rival.”

“This Thursday, when the Director appears before the House Intelligence Committee, I expect that he will comply with the law and turn over the complaint to the Committee,” he added. “If he does not, and this Administration continues to violate the law and obstruct Congress’s constitutional duty, I will be forced to conclude that the only remaining option is for the House to begin impeachment proceedings.”

Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire has refused to release to Congress — as is mandated by law — a whistleblower complaint that is reportedly against the president involving a conversation with the Ukrainian president over investigating the business activities of Hunter Biden, the son of former Vice President Joe Biden.

Maguire is scheduled to appear in an on open hearing before the House Intelligence Committee on Thursday.

Calls for impeachment have escalated throughout Congress and within the Texas delegation have escalated in recent days. Allred, though, is particularly significant. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has pushed back against previous impeachment efforts in order to protect members like Allred, who are expected to have viable challenges from Republicans next fall. All eyes will now shift to another Texan, U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, a Houston Democrat, who also has a potentially tough reelection ahead.

Source: Texas Tribune Blue Left News