WARREN — The Mahoning Valley’s congressional delegation reacted with predictable results to House Democrats announcing two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump.

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Howland, who has called for Trump’s impeachment for months, said the Republican president deserves it while Republicans defended him.

House Democrats on Tuesday announced two articles of impeachment — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

“It is sad that it has come to this,” Ryan said. “I take no joy in this process, but we cannot have a president who is above the law. If my constituents do something wrong, then they face the consequences. The president used his public office and taxpayer money for personal and political gain. That is wrong, and he must be held accountable.”

U.S. Reps. Bill Johnson, R-Marietta, and Dave Joyce, R-Bainbridge Township, disagree.

“House Democrats wanted to impeach President Trump even before he was sworn in, after he took office, and every day since he’s been in office,” Johnson said. “The outcome of the 2018 elections, with the Democrats winning control of the House, all but assured (Tuesday’s) announcement.”

He added: “President Trump has not committed any impeachable offenses — not even close. House Democrats know this and they know how this charade will end: with acquittal in the Senate. This is nothing more than an attempt to bloody up President Trump less than a year before he faces re-election.”

Joyce said: “Sadly, I think Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi and the majority of my colleagues across the aisle came to a predetermined conclusion about impeachment a long time ago. What’s worse is that their partisan inquiry has sucked up too much of Congress’ time and attention, pushing the issues impacting the everyday lives of Americans to the wayside. That effect will only get worse when the House majority sends articles of impeachment to the Senate. Congress cannot continue to focus on this partisan proceeding to undermine the president instead of working across party lines to deliver results for Americans.”

The House Judiciary Committee plans to debate the articles starting Thursday and then vote. The full House vote is expected later this month.

The vote is expected to go along party lines — though a handful of Democrats may not back it — with Trump almost certainly getting impeached in the Democratic-controlled House.

But the Republican-controlled Senate won’t convict Trump.

Not a single Senate Republican in the Senate has stated support for impeachment. There are 53 Republicans in the Senate. A conviction of Trump, which would remove him from office, would require 67 votes in the Senate.

The charges unveiled Tuesday by House Democrats stem from accusations that Trump put U.S. elections and national security at risk by asking Ukrainian to investigate his rivals, including Democrat Joe Biden, while withholding needed military aid, according to the Associated Press. Trump is also accused of trying to obstruct Congress’ investigation.

dskolnick@tribtoday.com