US Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced a US House of Representatives would begin a formal impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump for “betrayal of his oath of office.”

The announcement comes after Trump acknowledged a report published by Wall Street Journal which revealed that US President Donald Trump pressed Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky multiple times to probe 2020 presidential candidate and former Vice-President Joe Biden’s son Hunter in his involvement with a Ukraine natural gas company.

The times have found us. The actions taken to date by the President have seriously violated the Constitution. It is for this reason that the House of Representatives is moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry. pic.twitter.com/cHq7zgKJ1g

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— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) September 24, 2019

“The actions of the Trump presidency have revealed the dishonorable fact of the president’s betrayal of his oath of office, betrayal of our national security and betrayal of the integrity of our elections,” Pelosi said in a brief statement before a backdrop of American flags, repeatedly invoking the nation’s founders. “Therefore, today, I am announcing the House of Representatives is moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry.”

Trump who is up for re-elections next year, apparently wanted some dirt on Joe Biden, a contender for the Democratic presidential nomination who holds a wide lead over him, polls show, in a potential general election match-up.

In reaction to Pelosi’s announcement, Trump tweeted in his typical way and called it a ‘Presidential Harassment’

PRESIDENTIAL HARASSMENT!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2019

They never even saw the transcript of the call. A total Witch Hunt!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2019

The White House in its response retweeted Trump’s reponse in which he said “Secretary of State Pompeo recieved permission from Ukraine Government to release the transcript of the telephone call I had with their President. They don’t know either what the big deal is.”

Secretary of State Pompeo recieved permission from Ukraine Government to release the transcript of the telephone call I had with their President. They don’t know either what the big deal is. A total Witch Hunt Scam by the Democrats!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2019

Trump has denied the serious allegations by a whistleblower who claims that the President pressured Zelensky by withholding nearly $400 million in foreign aid. Trump said Tuesday that he withheld the money over his concerns that the United States was contributing more to Ukraine than the European countries.

After resisting calls for impeachment from Democratic party’s liberal base and many other 2020 presidential candidates citing lack of public support and Republic party’s backing, Pelosi and her Democratic fellows finally made the decision.

Since the revelations that the president sought the help of Zelensky to investigate Biden many Democrats were infuriated, particularly lawmakers with national security credentials.

The launch of an impeachment inquiry follows intense 24-hour period in which 30 Democrats, including moderates from Trump districts who had long opposed impeachment, endorsed proceedings.  191 Democrats support an impeachment inquiry, according to a Washington Post analysis, and the number continues to grow.

(With inputs from agencies)