Rogue Dem introduces Trump impeachment articles

July 12 (UPI) -- A Los Angeles-area Democrat on Wednesday introduced articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, though the measure attracted virtually no support even among fellow Democrats.

Rep. Brad Sherman, an 11-term incumbent who represents part of the San Fernando Valley, introduced the measure to remove President Donald Trump from office despite opposition by Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader. Democrats have sought to tamp down talk of impeaching Trump for fear it would backfire among moderates and shift focus away from the ongoing investigations into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, which have dogged the administration.

Sherman's articles allege Trump obstructed justice by firing former FBI Director James Comey after Comey refused to end an investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn at Trump's behest.

Articles of impeachment are the first step on a long path set out in the Constitution for removing a president from office. Given the Republican control of both the House of Representatives and Senate, Sherman's measure has virtually no chance of advancing with the majority necessary in each chamber needed to impeach and remove a sitting president.

Sherman acknowledged the measure was likely dead on arrival, but said he hoped the introduction of impeachment articles would "inspire an intervention" at the White House, and cause Trump to change how he's running the government.

The move was met with outrage inside the White House.

"I think that is utterly and completely ridiculous and a political game at its worst," Trump spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters Wednesday.

The measure attracted just one cosponsor, Rep. Al Green, D-Texas. It will likely be referred to the House Judiciary Committee.