Pelosi says impeachment, even indictment of Trump open questions

“Many Democrats are talking about impeachment. You’ve said it would be sad and divisive for the country to pursue impeachment. Are you willing to rule it out?” NBC “Today” anchor Savannah Guthrie asked in an interview with Pelosi that aired Thursday morning.

“We have to wait and see what happens with the Mueller report,” Pelosi said, referring to special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. “We shouldn’t be impeaching for a political reason, and we shouldn’t avoid impeachment for a political reason. So we’ll just have to see how it comes,” Pelosi responded.

In the past Pelosi has been more conclusive, saying over the summer that impeachment was “off the table” and there’s not enough to “focus on that.” But Pelosi has also repeatedly said whether to pursue impeachment shouldn’t be decided on or ruled out based on “political reasons.”

(MORE: What happens if Mueller decides to subpoena President Trump?)

Evan Vucci/APVice President Mike Pence listens as President Donald Trump argues with House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Dec. 11, 2018, in Washington.

(MORE: Trump submits written responses to special counsel Robert Mueller)

Guthrie also asked Pelosi if she believes a sitting president can be indicted. Justice Department lawyers have long held the position that they don’t have the authority to indict a sitting president, though special counsel Mueller has other avenues for action, such as issuing a report on his findings and turning that over to Congress.

“I think that that is an open discussion. I think that is an open discussion in terms of the law,” Pelosi said. She said she doesn’t think the guidelines are “conclusive,” adding “Let’s just see what Mueller does.”

(MORE: How the impeachment process works)

The president submitted answers to written questions from Mueller’s office in late November.

Sourse: abcnews.go.com