Bentley Impeachment Probe Underway
A committee of lawmakers opened impeachment hearings against Governor Robert Bentley today, beginning a probe on whether there are grounds to remove the two-term Republican from office.
“When you’re looking at impeaching a governor, a sitting governor, I don’t think we should take it lightly,” says House Judiciary Committee Chairman Mike Jones regarding the difficulty of the task at hand. “And so, when working and getting ready for these rules and procedures, we didn’t take it lightly. We did a great deal of work and preparation to prepare the members of the committee to adopt rules.”
The process is a lengthy, Jones says, and this is not sitting well with other state officials.
“You’ve heard of a ‘slow boat to China?’ Well, this impeachment process is a ‘slow boat on the Alabama River,” says State Auditor Jim Zeigler, a leading critic of Bentley. “The Mike Hubbard investigation and legal proceedings took three years. If the Bentley investigation takes that long, his term could be over. This is not acceptable. Justice delayed is justice denied,” Zeigler says.
Earlier this spring, 23 representatives signed impeachment article accusing Bentley of corruption and neglect of duty. The articles were filed after Bentley admitted making inappropriate sexual remarks to a former top advisor.
The committee will make a recommendation to the full House on whether impeachment grounds exist.
The impeachment hearings come in a season of political upheaval for GOP office holders.
Mike Hubbard was removed as House speaker after being convicted of ethics violations. Chief Justice Roy Moore faces possible removal after being accused of violating judicial ethics.
In a major milestone, Hamas begins releasing final Israeli hostages
Hamas on Monday began releasing the final Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza, a major milestone in the efforts to end the devastating two years of war in the Palestinian territory.
Pastors and staff from underground church are arrested in China
China has in recent years arrested and detained Christian leaders of underground churches, who are not registered with the government and under its control.
U.S. measles cases continue to climb, with outbreaks across the country
In South Carolina, more than 150 unvaccinated schoolkids are under quarantine after being exposed to measles. Across the U.S., total case counts could be even higher than the official number.
Who are the 20 Gaza hostages believed to be alive and expected to be released?
After more than two years in captivity, 20 hostages abducted during Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, are set to return to Israel.
Vance says administration will keep fighting to send National Guard to Chicago
On Saturday, a federal appeals court blocked the Trump administration from deploying federalized National Guard troops in Illinois.
4 killed and 20 more injured in shooting at a bar in South Carolina, sheriff says
A mass shooting at a crowded bar on an idyllic South Carolina island has left four people dead and at least 20 injured, officials say.
