4
4
A Democratic representative has introduced the first formal article of impeachment against President Donald Trump.
Representative Brad Sherman alleges Mr Trump committed obstruction of justice by firing former FBI Director James Comey amid agency investigations into Russian meddling in the US election.
"Such conduct," Mr Sherman writes in the article, "warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office."
The Constitution allows impeachment in the case of “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanours". Obstruction of justice is a felony offence.
To take effect, however, articles of impeachment must pass the House by a majority vote – an unlikely outcome in today's Republican-controlled chamber. So far, only one other Democrat – Texas Representative Al Green – has publicly expressed support for impeachment proceedings.