Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner Impeached by Pennsylvania House

The Pennsylvania House impeached Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, as Republican legislators pushed to remove the twice-elected prosecutor whose liberal policies they blame for fueling record levels of violent crime in the city.

The Republican-led chamber impeached Mr. Krasner, a Democrat, on Wednesday by a vote of 107-85, largely along party lines, after more than two hours of emotional debate. The next step will be a trial in the GOP-led state Senate. Conviction and removal from office would require a two-thirds majority. It couldn’t be determined when a trial might be held.

State Rep. Martina White, a Philadelphia Republican who was the lead sponsor of the impeachment resolution, exhorted members moments before Wednesday’s vote to support Mr. Krasner’s impeachment.

“His dereliction of duty and despicable behavior is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated,” she said. “The legislature has a duty and the only authority to act when a public official refuses to perform their duties and puts the public in danger.”