Top Democrats are making it clear they're open to pursuing impeachment 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 even if the effort is likely to be unsuccessful, days after the release of special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE's report on Russian election interference.

Three Democratic committee chairmen on Sunday discussed the possibility of impeachment proceedings, while emphasizing that a decision won't be made overnight, as their party must deliberate on the contents of Mueller's report and the underlying evidence.

Rep. Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffPelosi, Democrats unveil bills to rein in alleged White House abuses of power Chris Matthews ripped for complimenting Trump's 'true presidential behavior' on Ginsburg Trump casts doubt on Ginsburg statement, wonders if it was written by Schiff, Pelosi or Schumer MORE (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said they'll have to decide soon "what is the best thing for the country" when it comes to impeachment. House Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings Elijah Eugene CummingsBlack GOP candidate accuses Behar of wearing black face in heated interview Overnight Health Care: US won't join global coronavirus vaccine initiative | Federal panel lays out initial priorities for COVID-19 vaccine distribution | NIH panel: 'Insufficient data' to show treatment touted by Trump works House Oversight Democrats to subpoena AbbVie in drug pricing probe MORE (D-Md.), meanwhile, said that even though an impeachment effort would likely be unsuccessful, "there comes a point in life where we all have to make decisions based upon the fact that it is our watch."

"Impeachment is likely to be unsuccessful" without bipartisan consensus, Schiff said on ABC. The comment was in reference to warnings by Democratic leaders like House 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.) that impeachment would divide the country.

But Schiff added that "it may be that we undertake an impeachment nonetheless."

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Mueller's 22-month long investigation did not find evidence of coordination between President Trump's 2016 campaign and Russia, but it did detail several cases of potential obstruction of justice.

Those episodes included Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey James Brien ComeyDemocrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate Book: FBI sex crimes investigator helped trigger October 2016 public probe of Clinton emails Trump jabs at FBI director over testimony on Russia, antifa MORE and efforts to deny that he ordered then-White House counsel Don McGahn to demand the special counsel be removed.

After reviewing 10 examples that could constitute obstruction, Mueller did not reach a conclusion on the issue, but did mention that Congress has the authority to conduct obstruction of justice investigations.

“With respect to whether the President can be found to have obstructed justice by exercising his powers under Article II of the Constitution, we concluded that Congress has the authority to prohibit a President’s corrupt use of his authority in order to protect the integrity of the administration of justice,” Mueller wrote in his more than 400-page report.

Mueller added that he reached this conclusion after his office set out to examine the past legal precedent governing such matters because the Department of Justice (DOJ) and courts have “not definitively resolved these issues."

"We therefore examined those issues through the framework established by the Supreme Court precedent governing separation-of-powers issues," he wrote.

Subsequently, some Democrats like Schiff have not shied away from suggesting impeachment proceedings could be undertaken to make a determination on obstruction of justice. ADVERTISEMENT

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler Jerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerDemocrats shoot down talk of expanding Supreme Court Schumer: 'Nothing is off the table' if GOP moves forward with Ginsburg replacement Top Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence MORE (D-N.Y.) refused to rule out proceedings on Sunday.

He told NBC's "Meet the Press" that Congress will have to receive an unredacted copy of Mueller's report and “have to hear from” Mueller and Attorney General William Barr Bill BarrHarris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle Hillicon Valley: DOJ proposes tech liability shield reform to Congress | Treasury sanctions individuals, groups tied to Russian malign influence activities | House Republican introduces bill to set standards for self-driving cars McCarthy threatens motion to oust Pelosi if she moves forward with impeachment MORE before reaching a determination on impeachment.

“Some of this would be impeachable,” Nadler said, referring to Trump's actions laid out in Mueller's report. “Obstruction of justice, if proven, would be impeachable," he added.

Cummings said "history would smile upon [the House] for standing up for the Constitution" if impeachment proceedings are started during an appearance on CBS's "Face the Nation."

Other Democrats have more explicitly called for impeachment.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenDimon: Wealth tax 'almost impossible to do' CNN's Don Lemon: 'Blow up the entire system' remark taken out of context Democrats shoot down talk of expanding Supreme Court MORE (D-Mass.) became the first major 2020 presidential candidate to wade into the issue Friday when she called for impeachment proceedings.

"The severity of this misconduct demands that elected officials in both parties set aside political considerations and do their constitutional duty. That means the House should initiate impeachment proceedings against the President of the United States," Warren tweeted.

The severity of this misconduct demands that elected officials in both parties set aside political considerations and do their constitutional duty. That means the House should initiate impeachment proceedings against the President of the United States. — Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) April 19, 2019

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-CortezWells Fargo CEO issues apology after saying there was a 'limited pool of Black talent' Brand responds to Trump claim protesters throw tuna cans at police: 'Eat em, don't throw em' CNN's Don Lemon: 'Blow up the entire system' remark taken out of context MORE (D-N.Y.) said Thursday she would sign on to Rep. Rashida Tlaib Rashida Harbi TlaibTrump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' George Conway: 'Trump is like a practical joke that got out of hand' Pelosi endorses Kennedy in Massachusetts Senate primary challenge MORE's (D-Mich.) resolution to examine whether Trump committed impeachable offenses.

But several prominent Democrats have thrown cold water on impeachment talks.

Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer Steny Hamilton HoyerOVERNIGHT ENERGY: California seeks to sell only electric cars by 2035 | EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities | House energy package sparks criticism from left and right House energy package sparks criticism from left and right Hoyer: House should vote on COVID-19 aid — with or without a bipartisan deal MORE (D-Md.) have urged members of their party to pump the brakes on the proceedings.

Rep. Tim Ryan Timothy (Tim) RyanNow's the time to make 'Social Emotional Learning' a national priority Mourners gather outside Supreme Court after passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg Lincoln Project hits Trump for criticizing Goodyear, 'an American company' MORE (D-Ohio), another 2020 candidate, agreed with Democratic leadership on Sunday.

"This is very, very, very serious. I believe that the first step is to have Rep. Jerry Nadler Jerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerDemocrats shoot down talk of expanding Supreme Court Schumer: 'Nothing is off the table' if GOP moves forward with Ginsburg replacement Top Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence MORE (D-N.Y.) continue to open up this investigation to better understand this. We are just getting this document," Ryan said on CNN’s “State of the Union,” stressing the need to "educate" the public.

Trump and his team have taken a victory lap following the report's release, calling the results total and complete exoneration.