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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

As Ukraine Scandal Unfolds, Durbin Calls for Trump's Impeachment

Sen. Dick Durbin on the Senate floor, 9/24/19
Senator Dick Durbin via Facebook
Sen. Dick Durbin on the Senate floor, 9/24/19

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is calling on the House of Representatives to begin a formal impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump. 

Durbin is the Senate minority whip. He is the highest ranking Senate Democrat to call for the president’s impeachment. 

The president allegedly withheld nearly $400 million in military aid from Ukraine while asking that country’s president to open an investigation into Trump’s political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden.

“If this president can attempt to extort a foreign leader to withhold security funds that were to be given to the United States by his country, in order to promote and pursue his own political agenda, we have reached a new low," Durbin said. 

Trump’s phone call is also believed to be at the center of a whistleblower complaint being withheld from Congress by the Trump administration. 

“The president may not want everyone to see it. But the law is clear and must be respected. This information and the whistleblower complaint must be transmitted to Congress.," Durbin said. 

Durbin says he believes an impeachment inquiry is the only way to get answers on the president’s actions. 

Copyright 2019 WCBU

Tim Shelley is the Assignment Editor and Digital Director at WCBU Peoria Public Radio.