Freshman Democratic Minnesota Reps. Dean Phillips Dean PhillipsVulnerable Democrats tell Pelosi COVID-19 compromise 'essential' Shakespeare Theatre Company goes virtual for 'Will on the Hill...or Won't They?' US Chamber of Commerce set to endorse 23 House freshman Democrats MORE and Angie Craig on Monday raised calls for impeachment following reports that President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE threatened to withhold military aid to Ukraine unless the country investigated Joe Biden Joe BidenFormer Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida MORE and his son.

The two representatives, both of whom defeated Republican incumbents in 2018, are the first Democrats to call for impeachment following the reports.

"We have a responsibility to ensure that no one is above the law -- particularly our elected leaders," Craig said in a statement.

"It is clear that the sitting president of the United States placed his own personal interests above the national security of the United States," she added, calling on the House to "safeguard our electoral process and our very democracy from outside threats."

"When there is an abuse of power of this magnitude, it is our responsibility to stand up for what is right. This is why I am calling to open impeachment proceedings -- immediately, fairly, and impartially," she also noted.



Meanwhile, Phillips, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called for impeachment proceedings should the reports about the conversations between Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky be corroborated.



“It appears that our President encouraged the leader of Ukraine to investigate his political opponent, thereby inviting foreign interference in our democracy. This continues a pattern of behavior that is corrupt at best, treasonous at worst, and puts our rule of law at risk,” he said in a statement.



“Our Constitution transcends any person, politician, or political party, and I call on the House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees to use every legal mechanism possible to obtain all relevant evidence. If the reports are corroborated, we must pursue articles of impeachment and report them to the full House of Representatives for immediate consideration,” he added.

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Moderates and House Democratic leadership have been reluctant to move forward with impeachment, with some expressing concern it could backfire in swing districts in 2020.

But the Ukraine allegations could give new impetus to those pushing to pursue impeachment proceedings against President Trump.



Phillips was previously hesitant to get on board with impeachment, having told MSNBC in May he was "simply not there yet" and wanted "to be cautious and methodical."



Last year, Phillips unseated former GOP Rep. Erik Paulsen Erik Philip PaulsenMinnesota Rep. Dean Phillips wins primary Pass USMCA Coalition drops stance on passing USMCA Two swing-district Democrats raise impeachment calls after whistleblower reports MORE, who held the seat from 2009 through 2019, in a district that Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonBloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida Hillicon Valley: Productivity, fatigue, cybersecurity emerge as top concerns amid pandemic | Facebook critics launch alternative oversight board | Google to temporarily bar election ads after polls close Trump pledges to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, designate KKK a terrorist group in pitch to Black voters MORE won by 9 points.

Meanwhile, Craig defeated former Republican Rep. Jason Lewis Jason Mark LewisThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump and Biden vie for Minnesota | Early voting begins in four states | Blue state GOP governors back Susan Collins GOP Senate candidate says Trump, Republicans will surprise in Minnesota Tina Smith wins Democratic Senate primary in Minnesota MORE in a district Trump won by 1 point.

Updated at 6:48 p.m.