Feinstein Says Her Remark on Pelosi Sending Articles of Impeachment Was ‘Misunderstood’

After calling on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to send over articles of impeachment to the Senate and allow the chamber to begin its trial, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is seeking to clarify her comments.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Feinstein said her comments were “misunderstood” and that the decision to send over the articles of impeachment is up to Pelosi.

Feinstein released a statement later Thursday, saying that she doesn’t believe Pelosi is motivated by politics but rather a desire to make sure the Senate trial is a “fair process.”

“Given the importance of this additional evidence, it’s understandable that Speaker Pelosi has delayed transmitting articles of impeachment until the contours of a Senate trial are known. I do not believe that Speaker Pelosi is motivated by politics but by a sincere desire to ensure a fair process that allows the Senate to consider available evidence — a goal that all of us should share.”

Feinstein’s clarification comes just hours after Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wa.) appeared to join calls for Pelosi to transmit the articles soon.

But in a post on Twitter, he said that he misspoke during his comments earlier in the day, adding that he thinks the House should try to “force the Senate to have to have a fair trial,” as IJR has previously reported.