Special counsel Robert Mueller's first public statement on the Russia investigation is fueling fresh calls to begin impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, a step that Democratic leaders have so far resisted.
Mueller indicated Wednesday that it's up to Congress to decide what to do next with his findings. The special counsel said he was guided by Justice Department policy against bringing charges against a sitting president and stressed he couldn't exonerate Trump.
"What Robert Mueller basically did was return an impeachment referral," California Senator Kamala Harris said in a tweet. "Now it is up to Congress to hold this president accountable.
"We need to start impeachment proceedings," Harris said. "It's our constitutional obligation."
That amounts to an open invitation for some in Congress to launch impeachment proceedings. Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton, a Democratic presidential candidate, said impeachment hearings should begin "tomorrow."
House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler stopped short of calling for an impeachment inquiry but vowed to continue investigating. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Congress "will continue to investigate and legislate."
"Mueller's statement makes clear what those who have read his report know: It is an impeachment referral, and it's up to Congress to act," said Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren. "They should."
New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, another 2020 Democratic hopeful, said "Mueller's statement makes it clear: Congress has a legal and moral obligation to begin impeachment proceedings immediately."
Former San Antonio mayor Julian Castro, another Democrat seeking the 2020 nomination, said Mueller "made clear this morning that his investigation now lays at the feet of Congress.
"No one is above the law -- Congress should begin an impeachment inquiry," Castro said.
"There must be consequences, accountability, and justice," said former Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke. "The only way to ensure that is to begin impeachment proceedings."
