Michele Bachmann: We should try Obama for ‘impeachable offenses’

Rep. Michele Bachmann said President Obama is guilty of enough constitutional offenses that the House ought to pursue impeachment hearings.

“We can have an impeachment hearing in the House, and in my mind the president has committed impeachable offenses,” she told conservative talk show host Rusty Humphries earlier this week.

Mrs. Bachmann made clear that she was aware that while the House has the authority to impeach, it does not have the authority to convict. Nonetheless, she said that the impeachment alone would be a “stain” on Mr. Obama’s record, even if the Democrat-controlled Senate declined to take further action, according to the Hill’s transcription of the interview.

Mrs. Bachmann also acknowledged that impeachment proceedings were “disruptive and harmful,” and best used as a last-recourse action.

“Impeachment is important … it’s very important,” she said. “But it’s also disruptive and harmful to the nation and it’s to be used sparingly.” But the need to pursue the option may have reached the critical stage with Mr. Obama, she said.

Americans, fed up with the president’s “thuggery,” are about to revolt, she said.

“I think we could be on the cusp of seeing civil disobedience,” she said. “I’m not saying I want civil disobedience, but people aren’t going to take the thuggery of this president much longer. … We’ve drawn a line in the sand and we’re telling the president you need to recognize … that you are a co-equal branch of government. You are not a dictator.”