A top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee has filed what appears to preliminary impeachment papers against President Donald Trump.

According to Countable, Congressman Jerrold Nadler of New York, the second-ranking democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, has filed a "resolution of inquiry" into Trump, which can be considered the first step in the process of attempting to impeach a federal official. The House Judiciary Committee is responsible for responding to such filings.

As website Okayplayer notes, the last time a resolution of inquiry was considered on the House floor was in 1995, against former President Bill Clinton. The inquiry was filed against Clinton for perjury and obstruction of justice after Paula Jones filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the then-president.

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Nadler made a statement announcing his decision to file the inquiry.

"Donald Trump has refused to step away from his business interests in any meaningful way," Nadler said in the statement. "His foreign entanglements are likely unconstitutional, he has repeatedly refused to disclose his financial assets, and he is clouded by the specter of Russian intervention int he election and his Administration."

According to Countable, the official rules state that the Judiciary Committee must respond to the resolution of inquiry within 14 Congressional workdays. If the committee fails to respond within that time, Congressman Nadler will have the opportunity to bring the inquiry to the floor of the House of Representatives.

Sources: Countable, Okayplayer / Photo credit: Gage Skidmore/Flickr