Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) on Tuesday ripped Democratic leaders for "sitting on their hands on impeachment," saying she's dissatisfied with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's (D., Calif.) approach.
Ocasio-Cortez said she supports impeaching President Donald Trump over the facts outlined in Robert Mueller's report, CNN reports. Sixty Democratic representatives, or about a quarter of the House caucus, have showed support for impeachment proceedings, which Pelosi is holding back on.
"I think that an impeachment inquiry is right on our doorstep,"Ocasio-Cortez said. "If now isn't the time ... what is the bar, what is the line that we're waiting to be crossed for an impeachment inquiry, and so far it doesn't seem like there is one."
"And so without a clear boundary, it seems as though we're kind of sitting on our hands," she also said. "So, if now isn't the time, then I think a lot of folks would like to know, when is the time?"
During a Tuesday event in Washington, D.C., Pelosi said Democrats should not impeach Trump for political reasons, but she added that it's not off the table if more evidence emerges.
Ocasio-Cortez’s argument echoes that of others who want to see action from the Democrats, such as MSNBC host Chris Matthews. Speaking with Rep. Eric Swalwell (D., Calif.) Tuesday night, Matthews expressed exasperation at Democrats' attempt to say Trump has done enough to deserve impeachment while also saying they don't want to go forward with impeachment proceedings yet.
"You guys never get anything done," Matthews said. He knocked Swalwell for trying to say House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerry Nadler (D., N.Y.) and Pelosi are in agreement when reports say Nadler wants impeachment and Pelosi does not.
Pressure on Pelosi has increased as Democrats calling for impeachment have grown more vocal—and the Democratic base has grown more demanding. Polls show support for impeachment has risen slightly, although Democrats are evenly split on whether to impeach Trump or continue with investigations.