“But I will say this: Having said all of that, separate from that, the re-election of Donald Trump would do irreparable damage to the United States,” Pelosi added. “We have some serious repair and healing to do in our country for what he’s done so far. I’m not sure that two terms — it might be irreparable.”

Prior to her announcement last week that the House “is moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry,” Pelosi had been criticized by more liberal members of her caucus for refusing to throw her public support behind efforts to remove Trump from office.

The speaker for months had feared such a maneuver could endanger the swing district seats captured by Democrats in the 2018 midterm elections, eventually backfiring on her new House majority and souring Americans on the national party ahead of 2020.

But in her interview Thursday, Pelosi offered a full-throated defense of the impeachment probe and attempted to counter prominent Republican lines of attack that have emerged in recent days — including a complaint by GOP lawmakers that she had not formally launched the inquiry with a resolution approved by the full House.

Pelosi said that vote could still come before the chamber but is “not necessary,” adding: “We feel that we’re on very firm ground as we go forward, and we may go to that place … just because it’s a Republican talking point.”