Impeachment

Impeachment in Tonga is just talk - Fakafanua

In June a 3,000 strong signature petition to impeach the prime minister and seven of his cabinet ministers was submitted to parliament.

The petition also called for an urgent audit of specific expenditure over the last three years regarding the ministers and the Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva.

Numerous reports have suggested parliament has struggled to deal with the issue over the past few months.

However, Fakafanua said there is currently nothing for him to deal with because no impeachment proceedings have been launched.

Petition to impeach Tonga PM and ministers due Friday

The Secretary-General of the Public Service Association, Mele 'Amanaki, said a six member committee, including herself, organised the petition.

Ms 'Amanaki, was a candidate in the last two general elections.

Matangi Tonga reported the petition had been posted online for in an effort to gather more signatures.

The call for impeachment was for 'Akilisi Pohiva and six of his ministers, namely Semisi Sika, Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa, Penisimani Fifita, Mateni Tapueluelu, Vuna Fa'otusia and Tu'i Uata.

White House lawyers research impeachment

This is in an effort to prepare for what officials still believe is a distant possibility that President Donald Trump could have to fend off attempts to remove him from office, two people briefed on the discussions tell CNN.

White House officials believe the President has the backing of Republican allies in Congress and that impeachment is not in the cards, according to the people briefed on the legal discussions. Even Democrats have tried to calm impeachment talk out of concern it is premature.