California Rep. Maxine Waters has been a persistent, outspoken advocate for the impeachment of President Donald Trump since Feb. 2017. For others, the process of calling for an impeachment inquiry has taken much longer, with Democrats such as out Rep. Mark Takano only speaking out after a thorough analysis of the report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

On Aug. 22, Takano joined the growing ranks among the 235 House Democrats calling for the start of impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.

“When discussions about impeachment became prominent, I was transparent with you and I expressed my concerns with moving forward with an impeachment inquiry,” said Takano (D-Riverside) in a video posted on his House website. “I wanted to be sure that sufficient facts had been brought to light so the American people could feel confident in Congress’ ability to begin impeachment proceedings devoid of any politics that would call into question the inquiry’s legitimacy.”

Takano noted numerous findings in Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the US 2016 election, including that Trump tried to obstruct the investigation, as well as the president’s disregard for the role of Congress in American democracy.

“I cannot ignore the call to defend our institutions, to safeguard our democratic norms, and to stand up for our democracy. It would be a dereliction of duty to sit by idly as the president chips away at our democracy, day by day,” Takano said, citing his oath of office.

Takano adds his name to 130 other House Democrats — and one former Republican, now independent, Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan—who support the launch of official impeachment inquiry proceedings.

Before the August recess, House Judiciary Chair Jerry Nadler said the hearings his committee is now conducting essentially constituent impeachment proceedings.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not stopped members of the Democratic Caucus from expressing their opinions nor has she taken impeachment off the table. But she has cautioned against focusing on impeachment to the detriment of talking about other issues such as healthcare since impeachment would either be stopped by the Republican-controlled Senate or Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell could take it up and engineer an acquittal—either outcome providing Trump with ammunition for his victimhood arsenal, encouraging greater GOP oter turnout. That could be especially detrimental in formerly red districts that turned blue in 2018.

Aside from Takano, two other LGBTQ members of Congress who’ve expressed support for starting impeachment proceedings are Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island and Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin.

Takano is the 28th member of the 46-member California Democratic congressional delegation who’ve announced support for an impeachment inquiry. The list also includes three of the SoCal members who flipped their red seats blue in 2018 and are targeted by the GOP in 2020.

The list is: