House Democrats open new inquiry that could lay groundwork for impeachment

WASHINGTON - House Democrats launched a sweeping investigation Monday into whether President Donald Trump and administration officials have obstructed justice, abused their power or acted corruptly, a massive undertaking that could lay the groundwork for impeaching the president.

The investigation will probe nearly every major controversy that has shadowed Trump since he took office, including suspicious Russian contacts, efforts to impede the special counsel's office and hush money payments involving the National Enquirer. Also under scrutiny is whether Trump has violated the Constitution's emoluments clause because he profits from his private company, which continues to do business with foreign governments.

Democratic leaders such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., have been trying to tamp down talk of impeaching