WASHINGTON — As House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, announced Wednesday night the first vote on the impeachment of President Trump, the Democratic leader read the 230 yeas and 197 nays — and seemingly paused when realizing a member of her own party had voted for a third option in that historic moment.
‘‘Present,’’ voted Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii.
Gabbard, a presidential candidate, would end up as the only member of the House not to vote for or against either of the impeachment articles.
Late on Wednesday, Gabbard said she staked out that unique position because she believes Trump is guilty but also faulted the Democratic impeachment process as ‘‘a partisan endeavor.’’
‘‘After doing my due diligence in reviewing the 658-page impeachment report, I came to the conclusion that I could not in good conscience vote either yes or no,’’ Gabbard said in a lengthy statement late Wednesday. ‘‘I could not in good conscience vote against impeachment because I believe President Trump is guilty of wrongdoing. I also could not in good conscience vote for impeachment because removal of a sitting president must not be the culmination of a partisan process, fueled by tribal animosities that have so gravely divided our country.’’
In a week filled with questions about whether Democratic members in swing districts would ultimately back impeachment (or stay with the party altogether), the most high-profile defection in the House on Wednesday turned out to be its only member running to be the party’s nominee for president.
Gabbard’s vote catapulted Gabbard to the No. 1 trending topic on Twitter early Thursday.
WASHINGTON POST