Nancy Pelosi Accuses Donald Trump of 'Trying to Make Lawlessness a Virtue' Over White House Letter

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused President Donald Trump of trying to make "lawlessness a virtue" in response to a letter that stated the White House would not be cooperating with an impeachment inquiry into the commander-in-chief.

The eight-page letter was sent Tuesday by White House counsel Pat Cipollone, and brands the impeachment inquiry an attempt by Democrats to overturn Trump's 2016 election victory, and to influence the results of the upcoming 2020 presidential election.

It explains: "Given that your inquiry lacks any legitimate constitutional foundation, any pretense of fairness, or even the most elementary due process protections, the Executive Branch cannot be expected to participate in it."

But Pelosi warned the president that he would be held accountable, in a statement sending Trump a clear message: "You are not above the law."

"For a while, the President has tried to normalize lawlessness," Pelosi said in a statement released shortly after the White House letter.

"Now, he is trying to make lawlessness a virtue. The American people have already heard the President's own words – 'do us a favor, though.' The President's actions threaten our national security, violate our Constitution and undermine the integrity of our elections. The White House letter is only the latest attempt to cover up his betrayal of our democracy, and to insist that the President is above the law.

"This letter is manifestly wrong, and is simply another unlawful attempt to hide the facts of the Trump Administration's brazen efforts to pressure foreign powers to intervene in the 2020 elections. Despite the White House's stonewalling, we see a growing body of evidence that shows that President Trump abused his office and violated his oath to 'protect, preserve and defend the Constitution.'

"The White House should be warned that continued efforts to hide the truth of the President's abuse of power from the American people will be regarded as further evidence of obstruction. Mr. President, you are not above the law. You will be held accountable."

Pelosi's decision to announce an impeachment inquiry into the president came following whistleblower allegations that claim Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate a potential political rival; Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden and his son Hunter.

However, Trump had insisted he did not pressure Zelenskiy to do so, and that there was no "quid-pro-quo" in the conversation. He has also branded the impeachment inquiry a "witch hunt," while the Tuesday letter from the White House makes it clear he will not be cooperating with the inquiry.