Politicshouse speaker john boehnerPoliticsimpeachment

John Boehner Calls Impeachment Talk A 'Scam' By The White House

Boehner: Impeachment Talk A 'Scam' By The White House
Open Image Modal
By 

Senior Congressional Reporter, HuffPost

|

WASHINGTON -- Sarah Palin may have demanded that President Barack Obama be impeached, and tea party Republicans may have flirted with that idea as well, but House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) declared Tuesday that such talk was all a "scam" dreamed up by the White House.

"This whole talk about impeachment is coming from the president’s own staff, and coming from Democrats on Capitol Hill," Boehner told reporters at a news conference. "Why? Because they’re trying to rally their people to give money and show up in this year's elections.

"We have no plans to impeach the president. We have no future plans," Boehner added emphatically. "Listen. It’s all a scam started by Democrats at the White House."

Boehner appeared to be referring to comments last week by senior White House adviser Dan Pfeiffer, who was asked about impeachment talk circulating in Washington, and said the administration expects that ultimately Boehner won't be able to resist appeals from his base to go after Obama.

The speaker is already launching a lawsuit against Obama, alleging that he has not enforced the Affordable Care Act vigorously enough. A resolution authorizing the suit is expected to get a vote by the full House this week.

While there is talk on the right of impeaching Obama, so far the greatest impact of it has indeed been to help Democrats raise money. Earlier this month, Republican leaders also downplayed the chances of impeachment.

There are, however, a number of Republicans who have floated the I-word. Just this past weekend, Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), a new member of Boehner's leadership team, refused to take impeachment off the table. Others who have raised it include Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas), Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.), Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.), Rep. Steve Stockman (R-Texas), Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) and Rep. Kerry Bentivolio (R-Mich.).

UPDATE:This story has been updated to include a list of Republicans who have suggested impeachment.

Michael McAuliff covers Congress and politics for The Huffington Post. Talk to him on Facebook.

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your will go a long way.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

John Boehner Cries
Twin Tears(01 of15)
Open Image Modal
Golf legend Jack Nicklaus, left, and Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) wipe away tears after listening to the remarks of Nicklaus' son Jack Nicklaus II during the elder Nicklaus' Congressional Gold Medal ceremony in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on March 24, 2015. Nicklaus was lauded by family, friends and politicians for his many sports achievements and his philanthropy. (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
Tearing Up(02 of15)
Open Image Modal
Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) tears up during the ceremony to sign the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act in the Capitol on Feb. 10, 2015. (credit:Bill Clark via Getty Images)
(03 of15)
Open Image Modal
This video image provided by House Television shows Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, on the floor of the House on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. (credit:AP)
(04 of15)
Open Image Modal
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, on the floor of the House on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012.
(05 of15)
Open Image Modal
Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohion) seems to fight back tears while listening to Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress from the floor of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol March 9, 2011 in Washington, DC. Gillard emphasized the long and strong bond between her country and the U.S. (credit:Getty)
(06 of15)
Open Image Modal
Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) seems to fight back tears while listening to Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress from the floor of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol March 9, 2011 in Washington, DC. Gillard emphasized the long and strong bond between her country and the United States. (credit:Getty)
(07 of15)
Open Image Modal
Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) seems to fight back tears while listening to Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress from the floor of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol March 9, 2011 in Washington, DC. Gillard emphasized the long and strong bond between her country and the United States. (credit:Getty)
(08 of15)
Open Image Modal
Fighting back tears as he recounted his rise from humble beginnings to the presumed Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) addresses the Republican National Congressional Committee's midterm election results watch party at the Grand Hyatt hotel November 2, 2010 in Washington, DC. Major news organizations have said that the Republicans will win enough seats to take control of the House of Representatives. (credit:Getty)
(09 of15)
Open Image Modal
Fighting back tears as he recounted his rise from humble beginnings to the presumed Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) addresses the Republican National Congressional Committee's midterm election results watch party at the Grand Hyatt hotel November 2, 2010 in Washington, DC. Major news organizations have said that the Republicans will win enough seats to take control of the House of Representatives. (credit:Getty)
(10 of15)
Open Image Modal
House Republican leader John Boehner, R-OH, fights back tears as he addresses the National Republican Congressional Committee Election Night Results Watch event in Washington, DC, on November 2, 2010. An emotional John Boehner, the presumed speaker-elect of the US House of Representatives, told fellow Republicans at the victory party that Americans have sent President Obama message to 'change course'. (credit:Getty)
(11 of15)
Open Image Modal
Fighting back tears as he recounted his rise from humble beginnings to the presumed Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) addresses the Republican National Congressional Committee's midterm election results watch party at the Grand Hyatt hotel November 2, 2010 in Washington, DC. Major news organizations have said that the Republicans will win enough seats to take control of the House of Representatives. (credit:Getty)
(12 of15)
Open Image Modal
Astronaut Neil Armstrong (L) recievces the Congressional Gold Medal from Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) during a ceremony in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol November 16, 2011 in Washington, DC. The gold medals were presented to Armstrong and his fellow crew members from Apollo 11, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin, and to astronaut and former U.S. Senator John Glenn (D-Ohio), the first American to orbit the Earth. (credit:Getty)
(13 of15)
Open Image Modal
Astronaut Neil Armstrong receives the Congressional Gold Medal from Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) during a ceremony in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol November 16, 2011 in Washington, DC. The gold medals were presented to Armstrong and his fellow crew members from Apollo 11, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin, and to astronaut and former U.S. Senator John Glenn (D-Ohio), the first American to orbit the Earth. (credit:Getty)
(14 of15)
Open Image Modal
House Speaker John Boehner chokes up in an interview on CBS. (credit:YouTube)
(15 of15)
Open Image Modal
Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) wipes his eyes as outgoing Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) prepares to hand over over the speaker's gavel following his election in the House chamber January 5, 2011 in Washington, DC. (credit:Getty)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip