Nancy Pelosi says McCarthy is ‘playing politics’ in considering expunging Trump impeachments

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) does not know if House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) can constitutionally expunge former President Donald Trump‘s two impeachments, saying McCarthy is “playing politics.”

Her comments to Dana Bash on CNN’s State of the Union come after McCarthy denied that he made a “deal” with Trump that the House would vote to expunge the impeachments in advance of Congress’s August recess. McCarthy, who owes his speakership in part to Trump’s endorsement, did say he supported expungements for impeachments that occurred for “purely political reasons.”

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However, Pelosi said on Sunday that the speaker was working a political angle that could pose a risk to vulnerable House Republicans heading into the 2024 election.

“Kevin is playing politics. It’s not even clear if he constitutionally can expunge those things. If he wants to put his members on the spot, his members in difficult races on the spot, that’s a decision he has to make,” Pelosi said.

Pelosi said she was “very careful” at bringing an impeachment forward but that the House ultimately had “no choice.” She said expunging the impeachments is “not responsible” and shows how far Trump’s influence goes.

“As I’ve said before, Donald Trump is the puppeteer, and what does he do all of the time? Shine a light on the strings. These people look pathetic,” Pelosi said.

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Last month, Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY) introduced a measure to expunge Trump’s impeachments from Dec. 18, 2019, and Jan. 13, 2021. McCarthy said he would “look at” considering the resolution when it was introduced.

Members have voiced concerns over a possible vote, saying it could expose divisions among House Republicans.