Texas Representative Al Green has called for impeachment proceedings to begin against President Donald Trump, saying that the president has put the US democratic process at risk.

In calling for Mr Trump’s impeachment, Mr Green specifically referenced the firing last week of former FBI Director James Comey, and remarks made by the president afterward. After firing Mr Comey, Mr Trump said he had considered the Russia investigation when firing the former FBI chief. He later tweeted that Mr Comey better hope that there aren’t recordings of conversations between himself and the president before he begins to speak out about what happened.

“These acts, when combined, amount to intimidation and obstruction,” Mr Green said during a press conference in his southwestern Houston district. “If the president is not above the law he should be charged by way of impeachment by the US House of Representatives.”

Mr Green floated the idea publicly last week following the sudden firing of former FBI Director James Comey. At that time, the Texan said that firing Mr Comey would be an impeachable offense if it was done in order to stop an investigation into ties between the Russian government and Mr Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

“Our country is in a state of crisis,” Mr Green said during the press conference. “Every day Donald Trump remains president puts our democracy at risk. It’s time to take drastic, yet necessary action.”