The current argument is sound, and politically sound.
The House has never begun an impeachment investigation without a full vote, and the language of the Constitution can be interpreted that it should require such a vote. It says "the House" can impeach, not the Speaker. it also says the Congress can declare war, I'm sure the implication is that such a thing requires a vote.
Pelosi doesn't want a vote b/c it would put red state democrats on the record. that's politics too.
IMO if you're going to overturn an election it should require a formal vote of the House. Just having the party in charge declare one, and not give both sides the power of subpoena, etc., makes it just a pure political play, and impeachment should be an action with far more gravity attached.
I have lots of issues with details of Trump's policies and actions, but no President should consider an impeachment to be real until there is a formal vote and until it is a bipartisan process where members of both parties have the power to subpoena and investigate and present evidence.
Once there is a formal vote that makes this a bi-partisan process then yes he must comply. But the Speaker declaring an investigation and avoiding due process of the House taking a vote is just a political maneuver b/c she was losing control of her caucus if she didn't do something.
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