Liberal Activists Rip New Jersey's Gottheimer for 'Waffling' Over Impeachment

Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that President Donald Trump allegedly pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate his potential campaign rival, Joe Biden. The report followed media coverage of a whistleblower complaint about President Trump allegedly making an unspecified commitment to a foreign leader.

Following these revelations, several congressional leaders have renewed calls for impeachment. On Sunday, Rep. Josh Gottheimer tweeted about the issue, disparaging foreign interference in domestic politics and declaring that congress must fulfill its constitutional obligations. The congressman from New Jersey’s 5^th District also called an upcoming House hearing on the matter “a critical next step.” But his statement fell short of calling for impeachment.

Liberal activists blasted the statement, arguing it exemplifies a pattern of failing to take a stand on major issues.

“He’s waffling. He’s actually doing what he always does,” said Catherine Brienza, president of JOLT, a liberal activist organization, based in Ridgewood. "We are setting a bar for presidents to come. If this isn't the reason that the founders wrote the impeachment clause, I don't know what is." 

Madeline Trimble, co-leader of Indivisible NJ 5th District, said Gottheimer has long given President Trump “a free pass” for his controversial behavior. “No one in Congress can be surprised to learn that a President given a free pass to commit crime has indeed committed more crimes,” she said in a statement. “It's well past time for Representative Gottheimer to support launching an impeachment inquiry."

In July, Arati Kreibich, a neuroscientist and councilwoman from Glen Rock, announced a primary challenge against the incumbent. Kreibich is backed by some progressive community leaders, including Anna Wong, a co-leader of the Indivisible NJ 5th District.

In a phone call, James Perry, a Republican committeeman from Hardwick disagreed. He said he has discussed the issue of impeachment with Gottheimer. He said the congressman is still trying to get the facts of the situation, and commended him for refusing to act hastily. “It’s the liberal media that is leading the charge,” said Perry, referring to calls for Trump’s impeachment. “How many times have they called for his impeachment on so many issues? It is just absurd.”

Gottheimer spokesperson James Adams told WNYC, “The congressman stands by his statement."