Rep. Steve Cohen Stephen (Steve) Ira CohenTennessee Rep. Steve Cohen wins Democratic primary Democrats exit briefing saying they fear elections under foreign threat Texas Democrat proposes legislation requiring masks in federal facilities MORE (D-Tenn.) publicly urged Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiHoyer: House should vote on COVID-19 aid — with or without a bipartisan deal Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at Supreme Court McCarthy threatens motion to oust Pelosi if she moves forward with impeachment MORE (D-Calif.) on Thursday to bow to the demands of some House Democrats and bring impeachment proceedings against President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE.

In an interview with CNN, the Tennessee Democrat said it would be the "patriotic" choice, while adding that the president was contributing to the rule of law in the U.S. being "destroyed."

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"She says she's doing this because of patriotism, not politics, and it's hard to see that," Cohen said. "Patriotism would say, 'Jump in to hell for a heavenly cause.' "

"And the fact is, when you have a Constitution and you have a rule of law, and it's being destroyed in a reckless, gangster manner, you need to act," he continued.

"I think the only reason not to act is politics," Cohen added.

Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen questioned Speaker Pelosi's patriotism when it comes to Democratic efforts to impeach Trump: "She needs to do what's right. ... Whether going for impeachment is patriotic or not, I think going for impeachment is when you see it laid out before you” pic.twitter.com/Hes3xQ21G0 — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) May 23, 2019

Pelosi has faced increased pressure from House Democrats in recent days to begin impeachment proceedings due to the White House's refusal to cooperate with Congress on numerous investigations.

At a press conference Thursday, the Speaker argued that taking up articles of impeachment against Trump would play into the president's hands, asserting that Trump was hoping the battle over impeachment would distract from his administration's scandals.

"There's no question: the White House is just crying out for impeachment. That's why he flipped yesterday, because he was just hoping," Pelosi said, referring to Trump reportedly storming out of a meeting with congressional Democrats on infrastructure reform.

"He's a master of distraction. ... That's something he does well; to distract from problems that he has he tries to change the subject," she added. "And while he tried to say it's because I said 'cover-up' — we've been saying 'cover-up' for a while."