WASHINGTON — A dramatic escalation unfolded on Capitol Hill this week as 212 members of the House of Representatives, including 47 Republicans, formally backed the launch of impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, setting the stage for what could become the third impeachment effort against him in just six years.

House leaders described the move as unprecedented not only in its bipartisan scope, but in the nature of the evidence being cited. Lawmakers involved in the proceedings said the case centers on financial records and intelligence findings they argue demonstrate abuse of presidential power for personal benefit — a claim the White House strongly denies.

According to lawmakers briefed on the matter, the impeachment push follows weeks of closed-door intelligence sessions in mid-January, during which members were presented with hundreds of pages of financial documentation. Those records, reportedly originating from U.S. Treasury monitoring systems, detail a series of coordinated money transfers involving foreign banking institutions. The transfers were followed, lawmakers say, by unexplained delays or halts in federal investigations tied to individuals with connections to the White House.

Supporters of the impeachment effort argue that the timing and pattern of these actions raise serious constitutional concerns. In statements to colleagues, several lawmakers described the evidence as “verifiable” and “document-based,” rather than interpretive or politically driven.

The turning point came when the Republican chair of the House Judiciary Committee, long viewed as a close ally of the president, reviewed the materials and publicly broke ranks. In remarks to fellow members, the chair described the findings as “worse than Watergate,” accusing the administration of obstructing justice while citing national security as justification.

That statement sent shockwaves through both parties. Republican leadership has since fractured, with some members calling the impeachment a betrayal, while others argue that the evidence leaves no room for partisan loyalty.

Legal experts from across the ideological spectrum say the allegations, if substantiated, could meet the constitutional threshold for impeachment. At the core of the argument is whether a sitting president used the powers of the executive branch to shield personal financial interests or associates from scrutiny — conduct many scholars say strikes directly at the heart of constitutional governance.

“This is not about policy disagreements,” said one constitutional law professor familiar with the briefings. “If proven, this would involve the use of presidential authority to interfere with lawful investigations for private gain, which is precisely the type of conduct the impeachment process was designed to address.”

The White House has dismissed the proceedings as politically motivated, calling the claims “fabricated” and accusing Congress of weaponizing oversight. In a statement, administration officials said the financial records have been “grossly mischaracterized” and insisted that all enforcement decisions were made independently by federal agencies.

Markets reacted nervously as news of the impeachment vote spread, with investors citing uncertainty over political stability. Analysts noted that while impeachment alone does not remove a president from office, prolonged hearings could weigh on economic confidence.

House leaders say formal hearings are expected to begin in the coming weeks, with testimony from Treasury officials, intelligence analysts, and former administration figures. Subpoenas are anticipated, and several committees are preparing to release redacted portions of the evidence to the public.

For many lawmakers, the moment represents more than a political confrontation. “This is a test of the Constitution itself,” one senior member said on the House floor. “The question before us is whether the system still has the ability to restrain executive power when it crosses the line.”

As Washington braces for another high-stakes impeachment battle, the outcome remains uncertain. What is clear, lawmakers say, is that the debate now unfolding will shape not only the presidency, but the balance of power at the core of American democracy.