Skip to main content
Tags: KingTrumpimpeachment

Sen. Angus King: Impeachment a 'Political Issue'

sen. angus king speaks
Sen. Angus King, I-Maine (Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

By    |   Sunday, 09 December 2018 12:14 PM EST

Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, said Sunday it’s an “open question” whether President Donald Trump will ultimately face criminal charges over allegations he directed his former lawyer to violate campaign finance laws — but warned against impeachment.

In an interview on NBC News’ “Meet The Press,” King urged a cautious path for Congress in the wake of charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller’s team against former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen.

“I think impeachment is entirely different from criminal prosecution,” he said. “The Justice Department made a decision years ago… that a sitting president could not and should not be indicted. And so whether the president will ever face criminal charges with regard to this matter is an open question. “

He added “impeachment essentially is a political issue.”

“I don't think that there's evidence yet available to the public where there would be more or less a consensus that this was an appropriate path,” he said.

King also said he was in a “wait-and-see mode” on Trump’s nominee for Attorney General, William Barr, who has in the past been critical of the special counsel’s investigation.

“I'd be surprised if the Senate confirms an individual who doesn't commit to protecting the integrity of special counsel Mueller,” he said. “I think that's going to be a kind of litmus test for any nominee for attorney general, and we'll see how Mr. Barr handles those questions.”

Related Stories:

© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.

Politics
Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, said Sunday it's an "open question" whether President Donald Trump will ultimately face criminal charges over allegations he directed his former lawyer to violate campaign finance laws - but warned against impeachment.In an interview on NBC News'...
KingTrumpimpeachment
253
2018-14-09
Sunday, 09 December 2018 12:14 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© 2025 Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved