Why Democrats Don’t Want Donald Trump Impeached — For Now

House Democrats are divided over some of its members’ push for an impeachment vote on President Donald Trump, Politico reported Tuesday. Rep. Mike Capuano (D-Massachusetts) was particularly unhappy with California Rep. Brad Sherman, who handed over a draft article of impeachment Monday and said he could push for a debate on the matter, the report added.

Sherman, along with Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), announced June 7 they are drafting articles of impeachment over the president’s decision to fire James Comey as FBI director. However, other Democrats raised concerns saying investigations against the Trump campaign over ties to Russia would be hampered if the House went ahead with the impeachment process.

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On Tuesday, Capuano said such moves — made without discussing with the House Democratic Caucus — can lead to negative consequences to other members and possible candidates in districts where Trump is popular.

“Emotions are high. These issues have political implications and government ones,” Capuano said, Politico reported, citing sources. He further said there should to be "a discussion within the caucus — in a public forum — before we do something that would position our colleagues or our future colleagues.”

Capuano’s sentiments were echoed by the caucus’ Chairman Joe Crowley (D-New York) and California Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the Hill reported. Crowley said it would be a “courtesy to our colleagues” if the matters on president’s impeachment were first discussed.

“There is a need for a family discussion before any issue of this magnitude is brought forward,” Crowley was quoted saying by the source, the Hill reported. “It’s of a courtesy to our colleagues.”

Throughout the criticism, Sherman refrained from speaking, according to the Hill. He told the news outlet he would not force a debate with the House Democrats without consulting with them.

“I said, ‘I couldn’t agree with you more. I’m not doing anything until I consult with colleagues and leadership,’” he reportedly said.

Sherman is expected to introduce the article of impeachment later this week or next, the Hill reported. Following this, GOP leaders will have a few weeks to decide how the House Judiciary Committee should respond.

Since Trump took office in January, calls for his impeachment were made by Democrats and those who opposed the president’s policies. His approval rating fell to 38 percent amid the Russia investigations and his decision to pull the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement.

Read: More Americans Want Trump Removed Than Don’t

At least two-thirds of the Senate votes are required for Trump to be impeached. If removed from the president's office, Vice President Mike Pence will take over as commander in chief.

So far, no president has been impeached by both the House and the Senate. However, some presidents came close to being ousted from the office. Richard Nixon resigned following the infamous Watergate Scandal, making way for Gerald Ford to take office in 1974. And in 1998, the House impeached Bill Clinton but the Senate did not.