Another 4:00pm crisis. Another day not talking about Russia. Another day we loss more freedoms and rights. Another day the Republicans have their heads in the mud.
10
I have never thought about moving to another country, until the last few months. I’m not thinking about renouncing citizenship. Just getting out until Trump, and his enablers, are gone from power, and who knows how long that may be. To be under the thumb of such a despicable creature as him has become deeply depressing and nearly unbearable. I believe my physical and mental health would improve dramatically by getting out of here. Shades of 1930’s Germany.
13
Trump said he could get away with shooting someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue... but it is America that he killed.
14
Dear Mister Blow, it is a voice like yours who we rely on to provide us with a thoughtful and thought-provoking analysis of news events. We count on you and the brave journalists who are willing to speak truth to power. The power of the president does not get any higher, and the one we have in office at present is a clear and present danger to society. We who have lived with this village idiot for decades know all too well the charlatan this small-fingered vulgarian is. We can't understand how Republicans and millions of otherwise decent law-abiding good Christians can condone the behavior of this bully. Indeed, politics makes strange bedfellows. Those who make excuses for Trump based on the money they have in the bank makes me sad and sick to my stomach. Is that all they think life is about? I pray for them, and I pray that you keep fighting the good fight against this demagogue. Hopefully, someday we will look on all this and find it funny. But I think that day is a long time coming.
DD
Manhattan
12
If Mr. Trump were a real genius, he would resign now, so home and resume his life of petty real estate crime. We've all had enough.
8
Just now, Trump’s team announced it is refusing to implement those newly congressionally mandated Russian sanctions. Why does Trump constantly bow to Putin’s every wish? What can he possibly be hiding? It is now more obvious than ever that it’s something very, very incriminating.
9
NOW it is up to the 4th ESTATE to take the citizens side and pursue this in as many ways as possible. We need to see PROOF that the GOP has if we are to believe them , It they won't produce any proof, then we need to call their bluff. We need to surround their homes, their offices and harass them until they cave in. Those states that have recall, now is the time folks to get it under way. November is soon upon us and for those GOPEEs that are not up for election, lets make sure they decide it is better to retire than protect trump. Make it about their government retirement--that will get them to move.
4
When 45 said he could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and still keep his supporters, he was talking about Congress.
4
Trump has a benefit Nixon didn’t have. Politicians stood up to Nixon, while no one in the gop will stand up to Trump.
12
The way to regain political power is to win over voters with a product more to their liking.
Trashing Republicans and their voters seems unlikely to win them over to the Democratic side.
What the Democrats need to do is to improve the product to attract more voters.
Can you imagine Bill Gates attracting more customers by calling people who don't buy Microsoft products "despicable" and "racists"?
of course not. trashing potential customers (voters) is no way to get them to buy your product or to get them to vote Democratic in the future.
3
Trump is Nixon redux except today's GOP has no intention of making Trump adhere to the Rule of Law as the GOP of the 1970s did w/ Nixon.
7
So what are the Republicans fighting for? Simply put they fight for their masters, the outrageously wealthy in areas of business that endanger poor Americans, who not only dictate their actions, but seem to have bought the very souls of these corrupt lawmakers. In the process they have to get a substantial number of poor to vote against their own best interests. Voting on issues such as the desire to inflict violence on minorities. Tribalised racism and a desperate need to avoid the truth! The GOP if it succeed in its agenda will have completely diverted democracy in India.
3
Jerusalem. The city where people died because Trump promulgated the idea that Jerusalem is where the United States would like to re-locate the U.S. embassy. An American president ordained that a foreign capital should be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Nobody took issue except the Palestinians, who proceeded to die in defiance of the announcement. For what purpose? Who asked him? He operates by sticking a needle into the eye of everybody. And they bleed real blood but he doesn't care. He has truly deserved the title of President Chaos. Guess that is how he gets his jollies.
8
Keep writing, Charles. Keep digging. Keep contextualizing. We tout your thinking and way with words.
12
This makes the GOP more of a danger to democracy than the Russians. Can Nunes be held on charges of treason for his flawed secret memo that aims to derail Mueller's investigation_
10
I've learned something from this, but I doubt that Trump has learned anything at all. He would have known how these investigations can turn out, so it makes sense he could be using what is knows to head it off.
So far, I don't think he's guilty. If he is, and if it is proved, we'll deal with it.
Prove it! So far Mueller has had almost a year to prove this, and there just doesn't seem to be anything there. This needs to wrap up in the next 3 months. Find it or end it.
My prediction: not guilty.
So what then? More political maneuvers because you think he's evil?
What a shithole Washington is. Africa and Haiti have and are good countries, but Washington is a shithole.
If he's not guilty, why insist that the investigation end in three months? It sounds as though you assume he might be guilty.
As for "not finding anything," so far the Mueller investigation has brought two indictments and two guilty pleas. Mueller's investigation is only eight months old. That's very little time for the average political investigation (remember Ken Starr?), and certainly not much time for the biggest political scandal in presidential history.
10
President Nixon resigned more than two years after the first Watergate arrests. The investigation into President Clinton took almost five years. By those standards, Mr. Mueller has only just begun! Thank you for your comment.
4
From Wikipedia - Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini (/bəˈniːtoʊ mʊsəˈliːni, muːsə-/; Italian: [beˈniːto mussoˈliːni];[1] 29 July 1883 – 28 April 1945) was an Italian politician, journalist and leader of the National Fascist Party (Partito Nazionale Fascista; PNF), ruling the country as Prime Minister from 1922 to 1943—constitutionally until 1925, when he dropped all pretense of democracy and set up a legal dictatorship.
2
Again and again, day after day, we hear of the mess at the White House. And sometimes it's a a new thing hour by hour. Lately, and with such incredible sadness, I haven't had time to reminisce about President Obama and Michelle...
6
Trump has repeatedly demanded personal "loyalty" and "protection" from members of the executive, especially the Justice Department.
aside from making himself seem even more like a mafioso, all these demands are themselves indicative of two big things:
he feels he needs protection because he knows he is guilty;
he feels he needs personal loyalty above and even opposed to national loyalty, also because he knows he is guilty and because he expects to be enabled to continue doing things beneficial to his personal interests at the expense of the rest of us - he puts himself above the nation and everyone in it.
throw the bum out!
9
I think it will turn out that Obama was much more Nixon-like than Trump in terms of unscrupulous behavior....spying and whatnot. At least Nixon was otherwise a good President.
3
Yes, it's much more than the man at the top. There's Nunes, Gaetz, Jordan, McCarthy, Meadows, Grassley, and so many others in congress. And in the leadership, there's McConnell, who did his bit by stifling a bipartisan announcement about Russian election interference in the fall of 2016, and then there's Paul Ryan, who likes to act as if he floats 20 feet above the unseemly shenanigans of the president while he schemes to smash Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid. But the truth is, Ryan's complicity keeps Nunes in his chairmanship and allows him to pursue his dangerous games, and Ryan's complicity that stands quietly by as his members torch the FBI and its investigation. Ryan needs to be called on his complicity, every time he appears at the mic. He must not be allowed to keep pretending he's above it all. He's in the mud, and he needs to know we're onto him.
16
But Nixon had to try to destroy his own enemies himself. He didn't have his own party twisting half truths into alternative facts to discredit his accusers for him, and then feeding them to the American people like they were gospel.
14
"We have spent our time and will spend our time building a better world." Well, we can be assured that trump and his henchmen won't be doing that. Wonder how they will spend their time. Hmmm . . .
4
So once the Republicans have discredited the ideals of civil rights and freedom from despitic power, what will be left to argue against a mass movement toward communism? Yeah, property rights. Good luck with that, rich guys.
1
It's become so predictable. Another day, another call for Trump's impeachment. Never mind he has not been charged with any crime. Ignore the fact the year-long investigation has turned up absolutely nothing. Oh, that's right. Trump wanted to fire someone last year, but he didn't. And that's the basis for comparing him to Nixon? You'll need more meat on this one.
After one year with Trump in office America is looking a lot better than it has in decades. A strong economy -- with record-breaking employment numbers, a stock market up 45%. (Have you checked your 401k, lately?) Illegal immigration down significantly. No worthless Paris Accords or TPP. But most of all, a president who understands Congress makes the laws. I am sure it breaks a few hearts to see Trump tear-down Obama's legacy -- such as DACA and the Paris Accords. But the fact is Obama did not have Congress do its job, because he knew these things would never have happened if we followed the Constitution.
So spare me the crocodile tears watching Republican senators "grovel at his feet" -- and demanding them to stand up to the leader of their party. The leader is doing just fine -- and pretty much exactly what he said he would do on the campaign trail. And he's winning!
3
"But the fact is Obama did not have Congress do its job..." -- No, Congress refused to do its job, standing in opposition to everything Obama wanted, even when it was something they previously were in favor of. Remember the meeting on Day 1 about making sure he was a 1-term president?
"Record-breaking employment numbers" - Let me know when 45* gets 73 straight months of private-sector job growth, and then we'll talk "record-setting." Also bear in mind that 2017 job growth was the weakest since 2011.
"A stock market up 45%" -- yes, partly due to the fact that 45* signed Executive Orders (remember them, which you wailed over during Obama's presidency?) that make it easier to pollute and easier to rip off everyday Americans; corporations love that. Sure, that sends up the market. Also, if facts matter to you, Obama's first year saw higher gains than Trump's on the S&P 500, DJIA and the NASDAQ.
We are not shedding crocodile tears but we legitimately fear that Congress, rather than being part of the checks and balances that the Founders intended, is simply looking the other way -- or worse, actively enabling him --
as 45* shreds norms and behaves in a way that ANY other president would have been impeached for months ago. That's the issue here. Country before party, remember that?
8
Why all the executive orders if Trump thinks Congress should pass the laws? Or are EOs only bad when Obama issues them?
Most Americans don't share your view of Trump. We want to see this investigation through, and that means we don't want House Republicans running interference, as if they worked for Trump. We expect an independent and coequal branch of government, and we expect it to work for us.
8
The reactionary authoritarian third of the country has always been there and will always be with us thanks to the reality of paleo-politics. They are not persuadable and only comfortable with the certainty that authority provides. It's innate in the animal because it was a useful thing during our evolution. The only way to stop them is to outvote them consistently. It's that easy, but that hard. But it's the only way to reboot the good idea that is the United States of America.
8
Of all the cited bits of Nixon's impeachment articles, I found the last two the most interesting:
"8.making or causing to be made false or misleading public statements for the purpose of deceiving the people of the United States into believing that a thorough and complete investigation had been conducted with respect to allegations of misconduct on the part of personnel of the executive branch of the United States and personnel of the Committee for the Re-election of the President, and that there was no involvement of such personnel in such misconduct: or
9.endeavouring to cause prospective defendants, and individuals duly tried and convicted, to expect favoured treatment and consideration in return for their silence or false testimony, or rewarding individuals for their silence or false testimony."
Every day Trump and friends publicly declare that Mueller has found no collusion or obstruction of any kind; that he expects Mueller to be writing him an exoneration letter shortly. This despite the fact that what Mueller has or has not found remains to be seen. These are false and misleading statements designed to convince the public that the investigation is over and no wrongdoing has been found.
Similarly, Trump's references to his "total" power to pardon are clearly designed to give potential witnesses an incentive to fall on their swords for him. Apparently, in a time before I was born, conservatives considered such things to be on their list of impeachable offenses.
11
I’ve been saying for months that tRump is taking a page from the Nixon playbook, and we all know how that turned out. It’s good to know that someone else can see that, too.
3
Mr. Blow correctly concludes that Trump, the congressional GOP, die-hard Trump supporters, and right-wing media are engaged in a war against democracy.
If that is so, and I think it is, then we are now engaged in a subtle civil war or coup.
it is therefore not radical to say that the rest of us might also fight back.
Yet so far, the Democrats have done a poor job fighting back or upholding the integrity of Mueller, the FBI, Rod Rosenstein, and other targets of the GOP. This is unilateral disarmament, and is unacceptable.
8
What are your specific suggestions? What have they done--or failed to do--that you would do differently? Complaints are easy, but solutions more difficult.
2
I hope when the Democrats win back power they investigate not only Trump, but Nunes, Sessions, and all the others in Congress who have been working so hard to try to derail the investigations and obstruct justice. It's not just Trump that deserves investigation and/or indictments at this point. I'm afraid the rot in the GOP runs very, very deep.
I just hope that the Democrats can be as fair as possible when the time comes. Understandably, they are chomping at the bit, and they might go overboard. Keep it reasonable, but where merited, get 'em good.
8
Those you mention are despicable. I hesitate to call them traitors but they're very close to the line. I find their concerted effort to undermine democratic institutions frightening. I remember my parents glued to their new TV, purchased specifically to watch the McCarthy hearings. "Mommy, why are those men yelling?" "Because they're very bad men doing awful things to good people." That's how I cut my political teeth. And I'm seeing the same behavior again on the Hill. Shame on them all.
3
I think it is high time to engage in two symbolic actions: (a) never stand for the National Anthem or Pledge of Allegiance while Trump is in office and (b) begin to declare Trump Public Enemy #1 on posters, bumper stickers, Facebook pages, and the like. Will such responses accomplish anything? Who knows, but they are legal and legitimate and might encourage a tipping point in public perceptions. Trump is a far worse danger and threat to democracy, truth, decency, justice, science, and peace than Nixon ever was.
4
How can we have had so many dysfunctional white men as Presidents?
7
There have been a modicum of functional white men too...credit where credit is due. On a serious note, it's probably a pretty tough job.
Amy24 from New Haven, you can say that again! "It's frightening to think what can happen between now and November, between Trump's corruption and ineptitude and the moral midgets who constitute today's Republican party."
10
A comment for the Times staff: I wonder if there is any way for you to make at least a statistical assessment of whether you have Russian trolls making comments here, and if so, at what rate, or fraction of the total, etc. Some of the comments seem like regular, if slightly crazed and deluded, American "conservatives." Some just sound like Russian trolls. Are you able to distinguish them? How about a little research and an article in the Times on this very subject? It is not only Facebook, surely, that gets trolled. Thanks.
18
Charles Blow always pleases and inspired. I love his opening, today, as he uses words that sound like Trump's speechwriter, and then notes the syntax of the words, and reveals the words are Tricky Dick! And if Liddle Donnie is paying attention, he should be digesting all those bits and pieces of evidence that will lead to his impeachment.
9
".....special counsel Robert Mueller....."
"...These folks are engaged in an attack on the country from within. They are attacking our institutions. They are attacking the truth...
Surely you jest, Charles...
Or - as glib totalitarian shills so often do - you glibly mirror what's actually happening...
Trump probably tried to fire you two or three times in 2017 - till Hope clued him in that he didn't own either the NYT or its building...
5
No doubt Blow doesn't even have any money in the stock market but if he did he would certainly appreciate this President!
3
I have money in the stock market.
"Portfolio over country." "I've got mine, so **** you."
If someone paid me a million bucks to harm our country, I wouldn't accept.
It appears to me that you would.
30
Chac I must also add that money in the stock money doesn't mean money in the pockets of the vast majority of Americans. Income inequality is a crisis problem in our nation, if not the world, today. If asked to decide which portends a more catastrophic outcome; climate change or income inequality, I'd find it hard to answer. Income inequality ALWAYS leads to societal instability. The instability puts EVERYONE at risk. Look at Venezuela.
12
Rump has nothing to do with current stock market. It doesn't change that rapidly . If it's strong now it's due to 8 years of Obama.
5
I came of age in the late 1960's and was working before returning to college the summer of 1974. Richard Nixon, who was to bring "peace with honor" from Viet Nam, brought neither 'peace' in Viet Nam, nor 'honor' to such a divided nation and people, himself the anthesis of either. Nixon resigned 11 days before my 21st birthday, a date I shall never forget.
In 1980, my first doubts as to the relative intelligence of the electorate were realized when an actor (Bedtime for Bonzo) was elected POTUS. Couldn't these people see he was just acting? Two terms and a tripling of the deficit, he was out. I became further convinced of out collective ignorance when not only did we elect, but the re-elect GW Bush; absent from Viet Nam, from the Texas Air Guard, once got a haircut in AL, but managed to destroy the economy to the precipice of a second depression. November 2016 I sat in shock: this is neither my country, nor my president.
Gerrymandered districts, Citizens United, the repeal of the fairness doctrine that has made possible 24/7 liars in talk radio, and Fox "news", allowance of consolidation of broadcasters, and print media, all have made the transitioned truth to 'alternative facts' (lies) possible.
Bob Dole, Howard Baker, Mark Hatfield, all must be turning in their perspective graves. The current GOP more resembles the Nazi party than the republican party. Twice-divorced Trump is a known racist, misogynist, liar, con man, thief, dishonorable in business and in life.
22
I find the republican complicity in Trump's collusion, their abject failure in addressing the Russian attack on our voting system, their attacks on Special counsel Mueller, and their bending over backwards to further interests destructive to our democracy and common decency. We have to flush the republican toilet bowl once and for all. There's not one worth reelecting. Not one.
12
Trump is a first-class loser.
We will not allow this decadent being to continue to disgrace us and our proud history. Time is up.
13
This is laughable. Losers don’t make billions of dollars and win the presidency. That’s the definition of one of the greatest winners in human history
1
By your definition Vladimir Putin is the biggest winner of all time.
Also, how do you know that Triump has billions of dollars? Have you seen his tax returns? For all you know, he may have had a negative cash flow before he began selling tickets to the White House.
6
Chuck, first of all congratulations on not writing another race baiting article, just maybe the therapy is kicking in. Secondly, holding #45 accountable for something he was “thinking” about doing would be similar to bringing up Jimmy Carter on sexual harassment charges for “thinking impure thoughts”. You need to wait for a #42 moment, lying to a grand jury, before you start popping the champagne corks. Meanwhile, use your downtime to prep your mid-Nov article about the Deplorables keeping the House and growing the Senate.
3
So much pessimism in so many comments! I was a high school student when Watergate started and Nixon was banished. I despise what Trump and his henchmen do, but believe we will survive his "reign" too.
Our Forefathers and ordinary colonists had to get discouraged, but they stuck it out and here we are. We can't all move to Canada; let's fight for our democracy! Get out the vote this year and get out and vote yourselves.
18
We have normalized Trump’s behavior.
Perhaps in high school you don’t remember that Nixon RESIGNED before he was impeached. He was a lawyer--he knew when to quit. Trump doesn’t and he is wreaking havoc on our country that will last 40-50 years! (His appointment of young very right wing folks for federal judicial positions.)
David Leonhardt of the NYT encourages everyone to read the following:
1) “Impeachment.” It doesn’t mention Trump once. It’s instead a historical and legal guide to the subject, and it’s scrupulously evenhanded.
2) an August piece in Lawfare, by Jane Chong and Benjamin Wittes, “It’s Time: Congress Needs to Open a Formal Impeachment Inquiry”
3) a November piece in Vox, by Ezra Klein, “The case for normalizing impeachment”
4) and a more detailed Brookings brief, looking at Trump’s obstruction of justice, by Barry Berke, Noah Bookbinder and Norman Eisen.
I was in medical school when Watergate happened---it was a pretty big deal!
3
"There was no collusion" sounds a lot like "I am not a crook"
21
Don't forget the donors. Every one of them.
12
You say: "This inches us further away from democracy and closer to despotism. Might as well call a thing a thing."
There is more to this remark than some might think. A recent book--well received by expert reviewers--titled "How Democracies Die" by Levisky and Ziblatt lists four major characteristics of authoritarians: 1. rejection of or weak commitment to democratic rules of the game 2. denial of the legitimacy of political opponents 3.tolerance or encouragement of violenc 4. readiness to curtail civil liberties of opponents, including media.
The guy in the White House ticks off all four boxes. And a segment of Republican congressional "leadership" is (maybe not so blindly) facilitating the process. We are heading down a dark road. There is some hope that our institutions are stronger than those from other nations, given the length of our existence as a democratic republic. Yet nothing is guaranteed.
20
"How Democracies Die" - an essential read. Well written, concise and very, very important. We're up to our knees at least. Either the Republicans are too uneducated to see what's happening or they don't care. Either is extremely irresponsible. I hope they grow up soon.
1
After the mid terms - no need to let them off the hook too soon or easily.
5
Wouldn't it be smarter for the Trump haters to wait until he commits an infraction to attempt to kick him out of office?
He's not a stupid man.
He is no doubt extra careful not to do anything that could lead to charges against him.
Maybe try another recount.
Hillary seems rested & ready. (Finally)
2
The was election tampering.
Clean elections are not just some sort of frivolous concern.
Every citizen worth his or her salt has a stake in this.
What makes you think he hasn't already committed obstruction of justice? Mueller isn't finished. I can think of more than a few instances that sound like obstruction--the Comey firing (and his admission about why he did it), the deceptive email he wrote for his son about the Trump Tower meeting, the attempt to fire Mueller, etc.
If Mueller finds that he is guilty of obstruction, will you demand his impeachment? Or will you support him no matter what he does?
1
absolutely right Mr. Blow---and for citizens like me sitting in the middle of the country watching the quickening of our democracy's death by the knives of the knaves in the gop, it is frightening. What will break the spell donald trump has cast over the gop? when will they finally understand they are destroying the rule of law which will destroy our democracy---and then themselves??
11
Charles, I know you want this to be true so so badly. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Only time will tell. But I must say: it seems pretty unlikely that the downfall of Trump would be catalyzed by a barrage of leftist Op-Ed pieces. If anything, the hysteria you pump out on a regular basis is harmful. Resisting Trump means resisting his ideals and values, not his literal flesh.
As we all know, by his own accounts in babeland, that his flesh is irresistible. He can do anything he wants!
1
I think they are trying to protect their Koch-fueled House of Cards from collapsing completely. If not, I think they would happily sacrifice Trump for Pence. They could install whoever they wanted as VP, then, so would still be able to break ties in the Senate. But they are afraid their coalition of deplorables and oligarchs would disintegrate (as it should!). There doesn't seem to be any other reason to keep propping Trump up.
7
Might as well call a thing a thing? How about “Might as well call a thug a thug?” This includes not only Trump, his family, the GOP and their donors, but his thuggish voters. His coalition is a combination of greedy one percenters who won’t stop until they control the entire country, racists, bigots, religious control freak hypocrites and gullible fools. Thugs!
The country is run by a Crime Syndicate.
8
Trump will be lead away in handcuffs still saying, "No collusion. There's was not collusion."
And you're entirely right, Mr. Blow. The Republicans are putting Trump before America. They know they have an idiot in charge they can manipulate by flattery, so they can continue their horrendous, destructive agenda.
11
Panic ... hardly !! Power ... to the nth degree
Mr. Blow...Thank You for "Calling a Thing a thing". In our Time....Sometimes
The sanest reaction to an insane situation....is Insanity.
3
The most important difference between now and then is that Democrats controlled the House back then. The coming elections are our best hope for stopping this accelerating loss of democratic values.
9
We didn't have the Fox News propaganda machine back in 1974, to keep supporters spinning with anger and fear.
16
I recently re-watched the Discovery Channel documentary on Watergate (from 1994), where most of the major players/culprits were interviewed about how the scandal developed, eventually resulting in Nixon's resignation. It's striking--and chilling--to see the parallels. The GOP then as now tried to impede the investigation, although unlike the situation with Trump, there were some in the GOP during Watergate who put country over party.
The big difference with Watergate is that the Democrats were in control of Congress. That makes it even more important to elect as many Democrats as possible in 2018, hopefully re-taking the House and Senate. It's frightening to think what can happen between now and November, between Trump's corruption and ineptitude and the moral midgets who constitute today's Republican party.
21
The big difference is the Supreme Court. Our court now is almost as biased as the Republicans in Congress. Whatever happens, can the court be counted on to defend the constitution and not the president?
14
Please stop using Richard Nixon as a bogeyman. Nixon’s accomplishments as President were varied, numerous, highly significant and of long lasting value. They included domestic achievements that were as or more significant than his foreign policy triumphs. I would list them here, but they would overflow the allotted space. Check them out on Google and YouTube.
America was even more polarized and divided during Nixon’s tenure than it is now and governing the country was extremely difficult. Even George McGovern, his Democratic opponent, admitted so later in life in the Washington Post. The tragedy of Watergate is that it was totally unnecessary: His landslide re-election in 1973 was no fluke or deception: it accurately reflected the quality and magnitude of his policy accomplishments.
The Pentagon Papers were finalized and delivered 11 days prior to Nixon’s inauguration in 1969 and covered only the errors and mistakes of the three prior administrations. Their leakage by the N.Y. Times and Washington Post was clearly intended to politically injure Nixon who eventually did end the war that Kennedy started and Johnson escalated.
Trump is no Nixon. Nixon was much better.
4
It's all up to the voters in 3 years, assuming Tantrump is still in office then.
In three years, we will see if American voters want a con-artist as fake president.
After all, this is a democracy, at least for now...
6
Trump has characterized the story about him wanting to fire Mueller back in June as "fake news." By last count, he has characterized the last 147 stories that were unfavorable to him as "fake news." Would someone please tell me how the most brilliant journalists in the world -- at The Times, The Washington Post, etc. -- could get it wrong 147 TIMES IN A ROW!?! I mean, you'd think, with all that talent, that they could get it right at least ONCE in all those 147 attempts -- maybe even TWO or THREE times! But no: not according to the Donald.
Is such a ridiculous statement -- that the most brilliant journalists in the world NEVER get it right -- not even ONCE -- is that not enough to get the man thrown out of office?!
10
Because they actually have to work for a living rather than having it handed to them.
Impossible that those opening quotations "could well have been Donald Trump...." They are moderately complex, cogent sentences, with vocabulary, reasoning, and a command of language that would elude the current occupant of the White House. I doubt he could understand the words, even if they were read and explained to him. Nixon, for all his flaws and paranoia, was a statesman. Mr. Trump is a shameless self-promoter, whose only product is his own inflated opinion of himself. Unfortunately for our country, many voters want to believe in "Trumpism" because, as another famous promoter once remarked, "There's a sucker born every minute."
9
Trump continues to display no appreciation for the country, its history nor its democratic principles. The only thing this country is good for , in Trumps eyes, is how to make more money. His treatment of the DACA as pawns to bargain with reveals his lack of human understanding and common compassion. This man is a total embarrassment to our country and has become the laughing stock among world leaders who have learned not to negotiate with the liar.
6
except the supreme court is not that of Nixon. ..
and the GOP is pushing forward it's robber barons' agenda.So don't expect much in terms of ethics.
Nothing will happen unless he is voted out or voted irrelevant but that is a long shot.Bread and games is all it will take to wither the dems next Nov.
Sad?
2
The GOP's argument that there is nothing to be worried about because Trump's order was stymied by the threat of McGhan's noisy resignation is laughable. BUT FOR someone within Trump's own legal team, Mueller would be gone and the GOP would be rationalizing it just like they rationalized Trump firing Comey. Trump himself said that he fired Comey because, in Trump's opinion, the "Russia thing" is a "hoax." As Trump gradually fires or marginalizes the executive branch down to only the most pitiful sycophants, what happens next time Trump gets an unconstitutional or dangerous idea in his fool head (and there WILL be a next time)?
Trump decides he's had enough of rocket man and he's going to launch some cruise missiles at Pyongyang but Kelly threatened to resign in protest so Trump rescinded his order, the subs closed their missile tubes and the nation stands down. All good? No harm, no foul? Of course not. The mere fact that Trump would consider such an obviously irresponsible course of action would be grounds for questioning his fitness for office.
Trump is constantly fantasizing about constitutionally dubious actions from using the DOJ as his personal law firm to punishing the press for negative coverage to enriching himself through his office. Trump's intent is painfully clear. He has just not yet found the legal loopholes and political cover to carry out his desires. His incompetence is our greatest ally in that regard (Pence would have been done by now).
8
The only thing that will stop this is the America voter. Trump will make it to 2020, but will America have the courage to correct this grave misjudgment?
4
Republicans have been, and continue to be, in a position where they will, at ANY cost, not allow another Republican to leave the White House prematurely and in dubious circumstances. It is ALL about party. They now are trumpeting about a "deep state" and conspiracy theories abound.
I agree with them. There is a conspiracy. The entire Republican Party has conspired to destroy the government of the United States. It truly is treason.
13
Without doubt the actions of the GOP in supporting DJT in his worst behaviors and executive actions have brought Congress, both houses, to a point of dysfunction and inexcusable tolerance for reprehensible behavior. Much of this is old news, even before DJT was sworn in.
Money and power are sucking the life out of our democracy. BUT, while the GOP does control the House and the Senate, along with the Executive Branch (and managed to steal a SCOTUS seat in the process), the Democrats own much of this too. While they might not control either house, they are not effectively working as a body to counter this mess. SHAME on so many of them.
Where is the outrage? An outrage that is more than just measured talk from a party out of power. Charles Blow compares this to Nixon, yet it is far far far worse, as the GOP will do anything to maintain control and pocket their money and power along with it. Where is the unified Congress that can stand up for our country and our democracy. Where are the 535 elected officials who have the obligation to uphold our reasons for being a country in the first place. Some of those in office cannot be swayed, cannot change positions, even with lies and manipulations that are all too transparent. But many in both parties are not so blinded. Surely being out of a majority in power does not mean they relinquish their might. SHAME on so many of them, GOP and Dem's alike. Have you no shame and so willingly trash our country?
7
Will THIS Supreme Court, if called to make a decision on this President, find for the "legal" or"Trumpism autocracy"
4
Perhaps McGahn talked The Vulgarian out of firing Mueller. But are McGahn and others conspiring with The Vulgarian to undermine Mueller's authority as an alternate route to the same end? Because this should also be obstruction, and the part of all involved. Ryan? McConnell? Etc, etc.
6
In 1974 , the Supreme Court ordered to turn over White House tapes. But in 2017/2018? Highly unlikely! In Trump's era the scenario is worse. There are only lapdogs where the Republicans used to be. But can you expect this highly politicized Supreme Court to order this President and his lying coterie to turn over all records, recordings, videos of clandestine meetings to win an election, power brokering and money-laundering? Definitely not ! This Supreme Court is not for upholding the Constitution but upending it. It started with George Bush winning the election and preventing the nomination of Judge Garland. Justice Neil Gorsuch has been canonized. So yeah! Nothing is going to be à le Nixon although Trump is way ahead of him in his lies and obstruction of justice.
1
Will our Fake President, unlike Nixon after he resigned from office, eschew the use of Marine One to whisk himself from the South Lawn of the White House after his similar fate, preferring the emblazoned Trump Copter? It is an image that millions dearly yearn for. No double "V for Victory" gesture necessary, former #45!
3
He'll take his private jet, right after we (USA) finish paying for the millions of upgrades widdle donnie wants.
He will get in his hot air balloon and sail for Kansas.
Plato must be wailing in contempt. His notion of the "Philosopher King" from "The Republic" dies a slow and agonizing death.
1
Fox should not be legitimized by saying 'Fox News.' It should simply be call the 'Fox Tales' network. That's all it spins: Fox tales.
6
The GOP is no longer the party of Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt or Eisenhower. They act like enemy combatants out to destroy American. Fox propaganda has a lot to answer for this as does the corruption of money. Hate and anger sell well but they destroy and then there's all those guns.
4
I have created an old-fashioned paper file into which I place printed-out Charles Blow columns -- just in case the web goes wonky. The fact that the entire country is now drawing parallels (heck - parallelograms!) between Nixon and Trump shows that nearly all of us know that Trump is guilty of collusion and subsequent coverup. And guilty of the same crimes committed by Nixon and his staff, but far more serious since they involve snarky deals with a foreign entity.
In "Being Nixon" author Evan Thomas writes, "...the overwhelming impression left by listening to the (Watergate) tapes is of a man who is not clever, who is all too human - who rambles, gets lost, changes his mind, knows too much and too little all at once...He was motivated by arrogance and pride...but also by their close cousins, fear and denial." And "Nixon loved unpredictability and surprise, and he didn't mind being seen, under the right circumstances, as a little unhinged."
The blowsy fright-wig blowhard taking up oxygen in the Oval Office today bears little resemblance to the seemingly solemn, straight-laced Nixon. But deep down, they're the same guy.
83
as despicable as he was , Nixon was ten times smarter than trump plus he had governmental experience . the idea that someone who has never held any kind of electoral office can function as president is just ludicrous
4
Anything critical of Trump only increases his supporters' fervent faith in him.
3
I'm British-born and was honored to become a naturalized US citizen, even after the Nixon presidency. At least, Republicans finally did act. Now, I'm disgusted with them and wonder what it will take for them to act in behalf of this country.
6
Events have come full circle. One close call for our democracy has begotten another. One informs another. After she graduated from law school, Sec. Clinton worked for the Congressional committee that was investigating Watergate. Since then, the Republican enmity has never ceased. One corrupt Republican presidential mess started Clinton's career and another ended it. As somebody said, "History doesn't repeat itself but it does rhyme."
What kind of rhyme will it be?
4
As the saying goes" this is no longer about Trump having any decency, but if we do. And this seems to go for the Republican leaders as well.
6
I would love to see any Congress member walk out of the State of the Union address if Trump does any of the following: 1. attacks the press, immigrants, or women, 2.) denies Russian involvement in the election, 3.) blatantly lies (a complete contradiction of a documented fact). It may not be proper protocol, but it would be appropriate decorum.
14
I would like to see the entire audience chanting "liar, liar, liar" so thumper can't get a word in edgewise and he starts pouting, again.
2
I was not quite born yet when these events occurred, and never realized that the Supreme Court ordered the release of the tapes. Having been of age during Bush v. Gore, this gives me a sinking feeling. Will today's court have the country's back? I fear not. Not for the Bush/Gore fiasco, not for Citizen's United, and not for a hypothetical Trump crisis. Ugh.
6
9-0 was the result of the Supreme Court vote about Nixon's tapes. Unanimous that he release them.
Republicans in Congress seem to have entered into a conspiracy with Trump to obstruct Justice. They should be reminded that they are also subject to prosecution for obstruction of justice if they have criminal intent. Arraignment day might be very interesting if Republicans continue their unwarranted attacks on the Special Counsel, the FBI and the Department of Justice.
7
Fox News is nothing more than an anti-American attack machine run by a rogue Australian family.
7
Blow needs to stop sucking his crack pipe, he is writing nonsense.
Nice try Blow. You are comparing apples and pumpkins here. Not to mention that history does not repeat itself anywhere near as precisely as you are desperately hoping for.
Your pride is not a Constitutional crisis.
1
The GOP is infected with some sort of disease now. Viewing the breitbart page it's easy to see that every story is either twisted into an alternate meaning, i.e. McCabe's using of paid leave to await his full retirement is spun as fired, ousted, and disgraced. We know now that the RNC and the NRA funneled illegal campaign contributions from Russia to the entire slate of GOP candidates so they're all in legal jeopardy. The question is whether in their fevered state if they will choose to destroy the county and 240+ years of self determination and self government for personal and temporary gain.
21
Lucky for Trump that Muller's name is Muller. After Nixon fired Cox I began seeing bumperstickers saying "Nixon is a Cox-sacker."
7
Trump makes me miss Nixon! and I rejoiced when Nixon resigned!
10
The world is moving forward with or without trump, the leaders of the world just humor him , and laugh behind the back of this old man.
Trump wanted to fire Mueller who is speeding on to get the truth. to have trump under oath. But the President who is a congenital liar will not be able to help himself but walk into the fire.
Then what ?
The question is what is going to happen to this Country after seven years ?
6
The truth spoken here, by the excellent Charles Blow, is profoundly disturbing. I only wish that this one sentence could be understood by every American:
"The Republican Party is so infected with Trumpism, so fevered in its defense of him, so completely compromised by its alignment with him, that its members are not placing the well-being of the nation and fidelity to the Constitution first and foremost."
The great misfortune is that this is not hyperbole, but the plain and painful truth.
28
Yes, It isn't hyperbole. Plainly and simply it is treasonous.
1
I believe we are living in a de facto autocratic government only differing from Putin’s Russia in one important way- we really can bring down Trump at the ballot box. What must be borne in in mind is that the Tyrannical Rule of the 1%, which any dunce can appreciate that we exist within now, is desperate to hold power, so much so that they will never allow Trump to be impeached, never mind that the grounds for it are already in place. If ever there was a proof needed that the US has been taken over by a wealthy cabal, the fact that most Republicans still defend Trump’s presidency is all the evidence you need. But these people lay awake at night in fear that they are now down to a hard-core 35% of the electorate, and a united ticket against them with any charisma whatsoever will end this madness.
12
If we are allowed to vote. I fought for a week to get my second absentee ballot since I am now bedridden. The first one was never acknowledged as received, so I guess I didn't get a vote--not the only person either.
4
"That could well have been Donald Trump, but it’s not."
Could also have been Bill Clinton around the time of his impeachment, but Charles somehow left him out.
1
Trump would give much and more to be able to swap Bill Clinton's skeletons for the ones he's so desperately trying to protect from Mueller's eyes. We may not know what Mueller will ultimately find out about any collusion, but the whole truth of what Trump has been up to regarding any obstruction efforts, perjury (including encouraging OTHERS to lie) and his general finances will not set the president free.
The very notion of being exposed to serious scrutiny triggers Trump like nothing else and he is very right to be afraid.
2
well because trump is the president and clinton hasnt been for 18 years and clinton was never a traitor to the country he was a traitor to his wife bur so are mist of the men in congress with the president with his serial wives.
It is appalling to see the Republicans defend the indefensible actions of this president and his cohorts. Donald Trumps presidency is exactly the nightmare I imagined it to be.
15
History has a way of repeating the good, the bad, and the ugly. As George Washington, our founding father said, “Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.” and “99% of failures come from people who make excuses.”
3
As part of Article 3 of Nixon's Articles of Impeachment:
... “In all of this, Richard M. Nixon has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.”
High tech makes it so easy...a simple "search and replace" is all that is currently needed...and likely sooner rather than later.
5
One poster wrote: "I don't understand what's going on. The founding fathers never imagined a country where elected representatives put their own party and power over the good of the country."
That is exactly why Jefferson was so against the establishment of parties. It took more than 200 years for him to be proved right.
14
The real issue here is not collusion or treason, it is obstruction of justice. Since Trump's inauguration there have been innumerable instances and will continue unless the Mueller investigations uncovers all and presents an incontrovertible case all will be lost. From his bribes of the women he attacked to his firing of Mr. Comey, all must come out in the open for the people to view. Then and only then will true justice be done. Let us hope
15
If this case reaches the Supreme Court, justices Gorsuch, Alito, and Thomas are virtual locks in favor of Trump regardless of the constitutionality of the argument. This is how low our country has sunk. Still, that leaves 6 justices to consider the actual merits of any charges against Trump and with luck, save the country.
Do we put country above politics? This is the real test of our times.
19
Loved the part where he offered "a written summary of tapes." Just as Trump's lawyer may propose that Trump submit written answers to Mr Mueller's—or a grand jury's—questions.
What's interesting to me is that information leaked from the WH indicates that Trump's lawyers are afraid if he testifies, he'll lie. I can't imagine anything that would compel Trump to testify, in defiance of those reports. And of course, he'll lie. I wonder if his lawyers just want to get this over with and are manipulating Trump into testifying.
10
Gotta love Big Brother. That being said history is going to take the GOP apart - literally - as it will Trump.
This will be considered a close call for America, for the United States, for democracy in general UNLESS (and only unless) the GOP and the public demand that Trump resign - now.
And the 12th Amendment, along with the Electoral College needs to be set aside and consigned to the dust bins of history - like slavery.
11
It's not a "thing". The difference between Trump and Nixon is obvious: Nixon had a little respect for our institutions. Trump has none.
17
Everything that Charles recounts here is publicly known and correct, including sadly the behavior of the House and Senate Republicans. Do the Trump House and Senate Republicans really want to commit treason on behalf of somebody like Mr. Trump? Do his campaign team, the White House staff and possibly even Republicans in congress really want to go to federal prison on his behalf, as 48 people did for Nixon?
13
Trump has made it clear all along that the only thing that matters to him is Trump. He has not a shred of morality or ethics or regard for legal limits. He expects the government to work for him and he will acting to make it so that it does only work for him. He thinks he is smarter than Nixon and will be able to slide and slither through the net that caught next. He has never had to pay for the consequences of his self-dealing and buffoonish con game before and is confident he can ride on into history as he wants to write it. One gets the feeling that his only fear is Putin will expose him and their deals.
15
Sen. Barry Goldwater’s blunt quote— “There are only so many lies you can take, and now there has been one too many," Goldwater said, "Nixon should get his ass out of the White House — today!
So says the Salon article --- “The Republicans wish they had Barry Goldwater right now”. But even during the Nixon crisis “Republicans didn’t feel compelled to act until they were jolted out of inaction by the unassailable proof of Nixon’s voice on tape.”
So finally a few GOP senators including the most rw extremist ideologue Goldwater went over to the White House and told Nixon that “he had perhaps 16 to 18 Senate supporters left – too few to avoid ouster.”
How far will today’s GOP, infected with radical extremism, go to protect a president who shames the nation? This party dominates our 3 branches of govt and most states. Also in Nixon's time, there was no Fox News monopoly operating as a state-run Republican Party propaganda machine across the country. Today, our range of motion, politically is very narrowed.
As Charles Blow says.... "This inches us further away from democracy and closer to despotism. Might as well call a thing a thing."
Yes, and read a new book by 2 Harvard professors 'How Democracies Die.'
18
vote Democratic this November straight line. No RepubliCON should be elected to ANY level of office. They are treasonous and trample on the Constitution.
it's what LCD ,embracing ignorance and stupity gets you. So much for Tom Cotton's Harvard degree.Harvard should rescind it as he is an insult to that esteemed institution.
2
***This inches us further away from democracy and closer to despotism.***
That is a Baby Boomer problem.
3
And this makes sense...how?
7
why? because freedom is too hard for you lazy not baby boomers to work at defending?
Yea, Mueller wasn't fired. This column is pointless.
8
Yet. McCabe today, Rosenstein next. Mueller in the wings.
1
The only "panic" I see is from Charles Blowhard and his ilk.
6
Just a reminder: every generation has its tyrants, would-be dictators, and those who want to seize unilateral power. You need not identify this as a Boomer problem. Corruption has been waiting in the wings since Reagan threw more Americans into permanent poverty since the Great Depression, and tripled the wealth of the richest 1%. Start there.
7
I pray that the 21st century version of Nixon's tapes exists. Without tapes, or something equally damning, he will weasel out of it all and continue transform the country into a tin-pot dictatorship. I wonder how much Vlad's minions are doing to muddy the waters. Mueller's playing his cards very close to his chest. I just hope those cards are a winning hand.
11
Yes Charles this is a different Republican Party.
The Republicans of the Nixon air had a sense of the America that they were serving. These Republicans have no such patriotism. They see whatever they want to see in this president. One of them comes up with the talking points which works best in whatever scenario they need, and they all jump on it and repeat it verbatim. They have their clown closet filled with guys such as Devon Nunez working diligently around the clock to twart the investigation. Of course we’re not supposed to use the term Nazi, to describe them but this is exactly the behavior enabled Hitler. Creepy Little crawlers with no backbone and no morals.
26
"That could well have been Donald Trump, but it’s not. You can tell by the complexity of syntax and the absence of nicknames..."
Damn, stole my comment. Immediately knew that wasn't Trump speaking...
Sorry state of affairs of that the best comparisons to former POTUS is Trump to Nixon. I mean who in their right mind, lol, would ever duplicate in any manner anything Nixon...???
But at least Nixon was qualified to be President.
11
Now that Trump has passed his tax cuts for the GOP's wealthiest donors, the party members who were complaining about his lunacy have gone silent.
Why so quiet?
The GOP has literally gotten what they always wanted (with climate change accelerating) come Hell AND (with rising seas and metastorms) highwater.
10
Nixon, unlike Trump, could not "shoot someone on Fifth Avenue" and get away with it. Apparently, that was a time when presidential morals and ethics mattered more than now. But why? Why can Trump continue to get away unscathed with so much that's unprincipled. And that's been true his entire life, including his pathological lying about President Obama's birth and, of course, his crassness throughout the campaign.
There's only one tongue-in-cheek explanation that makes sense. And it's a going-out-on-a-limb Shirley McClain other dimension thing that explains the Trump phenomenon. Sorcery. An ability to cast spells. A way to control the minds of millions. Like cult-leaders do. Nothing in the real world accounts for this. Nothing else accounts for so many indecencies allowed to flow, without consequences, off this bull-in-a-china-closets back like water off a duck's.
What else could account for the head-spinning allegation that he paid off a porn star one minute and we see him giving a speech at Davos the next. As if the allegation didn't exist.
Where's Karma when you need it. For the sake of us, our country, and the world, let's hope it's real and that it shows up sooner rather than later.
5
People are often too stubborn to admit they made a mistake-- voted for Trump, and continue to support him, merely because they are Republicans. Some of our GOP politicians mistrust not only Democrats but also Robert Mueller, James Comey, the CIA, FBI, even the DOJ-- putting party over country and downplaying Russian interference in our government because the truth is too hard to swallow, that there may be treason in the air.
I remember my mother's reaction to the Clinton scandal with Monica Lewinsky, "that slut!" -- blind loyalty in spite of obvious corruption.
4
History repeats itself because of the failure to learn from it by political leaders.
Look at Napoleon's invasion of Russian in 1800's and Hitler made the same mistake a century after.
3
yup arrogance often breeds stupiity. There will indeed be an end to this sordidness...with Fox going belly up, Breitbart defending itself in many many law suits...and sean hannity going on welfare (it;s nice to dream)
But in reality, these arrogant con men will indeed go down...and watch ,how many will jump the ship and how fast. "I never really supported him..."
Yeah just like everyone in France was part of the Resistence in WW II
Hurrah for Charles Blow! Keep hammering, please!
14
I have two MAJOR concerns right now. I have a whole bucket of them, but two BIG ones.
#1 - who is going to stop Congressman Nunes? He was supposed to be recused from the committe he was on. Then he was only supposed to look at the classified information that was shared with him in a SCIF. If that memo he's written is leaked, the FBI will look like idiots for sharing anything with him, like they can't control their own information. Personally, knowing he's a lackey for Trump, I never would've given him squat. I know the FBI was forced to. Seems like they could have fought harder to keep their information out off his hands. Maybe gone to Muller and asked for legal assistance. He might have been able to get some kind of order preventing disclosure, who knows.
#2 - the North Korean situation will escalate again, after the Olympics. Who is going to keep that from turning into yet another war? WE DO NOT NEED MORE WAR!!!!!! If we are really, extraordinarily fortunate, North and South Korea, through the Olympics, will talk, and things will quiet for a while. But this is not going to go away. War serves no purpose. All it does is create death and destruction. Who ever decided war, or violence, was a solution for anything? We, as a country, really need to take a hard look at all of our troops across the globe, and whether they are harming or hurting the local people. The cost we bear in blood and treasure is far too much to continue this behavior.
7
When your 16 year old knows that his "President" paid off a porn star, you know we're in the rabbit hole. Please, let this end.
14
Editors: "It is hard to read all of this, based simply on what is publicly known and excluding what special council Robert Mueller may know . . . "
This should be "special counsel."
3
The right-wing propaganda machine, led by Fox 'news', is as powerful as anything the Germans experienced in the Hitler era. Keeping 35% of our population in willful ignorance is criminal. Their coordination with the republican party apparatchiks is apparent in daily policy 'talking points' and the scheduling of guests. They are the de facto media arm of the trump administration - trump and the republican party are one in the same. They will suffer similar fates in Nov (and trump possibly sooner).
12
and the $$$$ they make by throwing this country to the dogs..thank Murdoch and his money grubbing ilk
2
" ... there's a top-secret, high-tech, self-activating device in the White House attic called the Stupid Ray. You have noticed that we keep sending all these brilliant people to the White House, and the instant they grab hold of the controls of the Ship of State, they become Jerry Lewis starring in 'The Nutty Administration.' Take Richard M. "Dick" Nixon. Here is a man with an IQ of 384, a man who every six weeks produces a hard-cover book explaining how we can solve every single problem in the entire world, and look what happened when he got into the White House:
Nixon (to his aides): . . . and our first priority must be the implementation of the New Federalism, with the concomitant amalgamation of the structural parameters of the . . .
Stupid ray: Hummmmmmm
Nixon: . . . I know! Let's install a tape recorder in here, then discuss a criminal conspiracy!
Aides: Great idea, sir!"
Dave Barry, 1994
3
Sure, get rid of the dotard. But what are we going to do about the 63+ million supporters? This country will still have a critical mass of folks who fall into some mix of gullible, racist, evangelical, gun nut, homophobe, xenophobie, etc.
18
Build a wall around them?
6
pressure fox news' advertisers-go after their $
2
Free the South, then fund a massive resettlement program. Or failing that, the 20 or states that have enough sane folks left secede and join Canada.
And now the Republicans can tell their "Dear Leader" that now they "got the goods" on Rosenstein he can initiate "Saturday Night Massacre II." The end of our nightmare with this "so-called" president is at hand. Thank you Mr. Blow.
3
Who knew a NY Times-er had a doctorate in Fake News Studies?
This is really hot-off-the presses stuff! Something DIDN'T happen half a YEAR ago. In the same news cycle, Goofy did not break away from Mickey Mouse to sign up with Shimmer & Shine; and the Patriots didn't hold on to a quarter back they would miss months later.
Since Charles goes back four decades for this mistake, the next one will either be Stalin or Hitler. Eventually, we'll be stuck with Phillip of Macedonia grousing that his son has all the fun.
4
Better than the Oval Office as the stage for the intellectually and morally challenged.
Why do they always give Charles Blow dead end, poorly founded themes to write on? It seems prejudicial. There is no valid Trump/Nixon analogy. Blow is too young to know this, but I was there.
4
Blow's analysis is so leftists slanted to be considered real journalism. I know the left loves to compare the fake Russian investigation with Nixon good try but no cigar. Trump has worked miracles in out government and economy!
Hillary and her ilk would have been a disaster for our form of government.
she and her leftist minions would have unleashed hordes of illegal immigrants for hard working american tax payers to support. The left only cares about immigration for votes and power. That's it!
2
Immigrants can't vote. That makes your ridiculous hypothesis nothing but GOP brainwashing of a dumbed-down population unable to think critically. Give this a critical thought - with Trump and the GOP are claiming we are at record unemployment levels why the fuss about immigration? If unemployment is solved, whose jobs are those immigrant taking, anyway? Emoluments Man has worked miracles lining his own pockets at taxpayer expense, working three days a week, and cutting his own taxes and those of his kids. Truly a miracle worker for the working class. Oh. wait, their taxes are going up and their healthcare's going down. Big miracle.
3
There is some very shallow, and wishful, partisan thinking displayed in this column.
2
Except Mueller was not fired. This piece is meaningless.
3
But there's still time because it's not over yet.
1
Yep, except.. the Republican Congress doesn't care about Trump and is not interested in protecting him. It's only the UCR -- the UnChristian Christian Right -- that think that Trump is God's vessel!, Lord!; to make a pun.
In fact, it may get interesting because quite a few of the main goals sought by the Republican Congress have been achieved! -- mainly business friendly goals. One can reasonably suspect that Congressional Republicans are now much more willing to throw Donald Trump under the bus.
President Trump is in deep doodoo
2
One word describes bankrupted Amerikan war state: Trump
3
Once again, Charles Blow retreats to his fantasyland in order to smear the President!
Nice try! By the way, Andrew McCabe has resigned.
4
bart..hmmmm is that English for Boris?
"as well as the Trump propaganda machine at Fox News (“news” clearly being a misnomer)."
Charles,
You should thank Murdoch for giving America this invaluable Joseph Goebbels Fair & Balance mouthpiece.
After all, where do apartheid America get their grievances heard?
1
Another fawning column about President Trump from Charles Blow, filled with praise and adoration. This type of one-sided commentary serves no useful purpose.
How about some independent-minded analysis that looks at both sides of the issue? Is this too much to hope for?
3
Correction: "Might as well call a thug a thug."
4
Since Hitler we know how easy it is to ruin a well established nation. A wrong guy, a wrong party, people falling prey to false propaganda and you have the perfect mixture for a perfect ride downhill.
Add to his the idea of war and in the end you are looking on ashes. Remember, everything comes back in history!
5
The cynicism of the Republican Congress is unspeakable. They are essentially the soldiers and officers in Hitler's bunker. They know they are going down and they plan to scrap out whatever the can from it. They are immune to shame or love for nation. They are Trump
5
The only "fake news" in the U.S.A. is that Donald Trump has any qualifications to be president. This is demonstrated by his juvenile propensity to deny anyone that criticizes him as a liar. Sorry, Donald, but you are the biggest liar of all.
Then there's the part about being a draft dodger, a misogynist, a pervert, a bigot, a racist and, in general, a truly sick individual that does nothing but waste air-space on this planet.
9
Charles, nice article but it has been clear for quite a while that this is about the Republican party and more specifically the Repubilicans in the House and Senate who continue to laud Trump's exquisite' leadership and attack his attackers. The difference between the 60's and now is that the Republicans have lost their souls or more precisely sold them out to a fascist moron cause this helps the flow of money coming from the Koch brothers et al., and that's the end of the story. Don't expect any justice this time around or you'll be disappointed. Like his bankrupcies, Trump will weasle out yet again (maybe he's smarter than we give him credit for?) at least we won't have to look forward to Ivanka and Jared as the next first couple, or was that going to be Bannon and his hyena?
2
"...that its members are not placing the well-being of the nation and fidelity to the Constitution first and foremost.". That statement says it all. However, those actions have been what the GOP has been practicing for some time, not just in the time of Trump Buffoonery.
As I watch from afar the antics of our daffy "president" and the groveling GOP, it may possibly need more action to indict Trump in comparison to Nixon.
After all, the GOP has their useful idiot and so far the party has been circling the wagons around Trump lest they lose their rubber stamp.
5
Who would have thought that the U.S.'s 'beacon' of democracy is being trampled by a highly unscrupulous predator, sexual and otherwise...while enriching himself (and family) at our expense. Trump knows no limits when abusing the power of the presidency, an ugly and vulgar bully intent in staying above the law. This could never occur if the republican congress were responsible and independent from the executive, and cared for the well-being on the country...instead of being complicit with a runaway bully in the Oval Office. That's why we ought to be concerned about Trump's abusive behavior, fire Mueller for no cause, a potential obstruction of justice. Trump is a despicable despot, as we all should have known long ago.
4
Being a white male has confused other white males in my suburban community that I share their beliefs. I can tell you racism and ignorance thrive in the suburbs. Rarely am I not surprised to hear filth and ignorance come from the mouthes of those you could never imagine holding such despicable thoughts. If there is any silver lining, it's that Trump has emboldened these people to show more of who they are...so the rest of us can see more clearly what they are. I'll probably have to move...
7
This is 2018 and America is Trump and his republican miscreants golden goose to rape and pillage to their heart's content.
Impeachment? Don't bet on it. Not with republicans in charge of D.C.
You can bet on this: He will soon fire Mueller. There will be some outcries from the Democrats and the few republicans left with a scintilla of scruples. Then it will blow over just like the firing of Comey blew over.
Welcome to America in 2018.
4
keep following the money, mr. mueller.....
4
Yes! Yes! And yes!
2
The analogies between Nixon and Trump are not hard to draw.
However, while it took the GOP in the 1970's a long time to come around and understand the importance of country over politics, the GOP currently in the House and Senate see this time as their last gasp of breath at attacking the systems that sustain everyone who is not wealthy or a donor.
It's been Paul Ryan's dream for years to remove safety nets like Social Security, SSDI, Medicare and Medicaid from the elderly and the poor. The tax bill just gives him the ammunition to say "We can't afford these systems as they exist so we must reduce them". Because giving a tax break to the top 5% of citizens means they continue to have funds pumped into their re-election coffers by the wealthy.
Many of the people who will be affected by Ryan's lifelong dream are those that watch Faux News. However, they are not seeing any of these stories or clips because the Fox Network would rather have high viewership than tell the truth and have their viewers abandon them.
They are all complicit in this Robin Hood party. They will destroy the country and our fellow citizens rather than admit they are the Greed Over People party.
Trump is just the useful idiot in the White House that wants "wins" and pieces of paper to sign. Then he'll go out on his stumps around the country and talk about all the "winning".
That is, until the 116th Congress is sworn in a year from now. THAT is the deadline this Congress wants to beat.
3
"This is no longer about Trump alone. This is now an indictment of the entire Republican Party — the elected officials and the still strident Trump voters — as well as the Trump propaganda machine at Fox News (“news” clearly being a misnomer).
These folks are engaged in an attack on the country from within. They are attacking our institutions. They are attacking the truth. All of this is being done to protect Trump rather than protect America.
This inches us further away from democracy and closer to despotism. Might as well call a thing a thing."
It is far past time to put the real label on the republican party, it is beyond a doubt the American fascist party. They have not believed in democracy for at least seven presidential election cycles and it probably does go back to Nixon since they really believed in our American way.
republicans lost the popular vote in six of those and still sent their so called man to the White House. One of whom started an illegal war that is still going on and still roiling the world. They other is likely to leave only scars and ashes in his wake after he destroys all that is admirable in the U.S.
It is past time for the Press to start calling this what it is: a fascist takeover of the United States Government from within. With a little help from their pal in Russia.
6
LBJ thought Nixon treasonous after learning of Tricky Dick’s back-channeling the North Vietnamese. Collusion, collusion, collusion. Sounds familiar. And yet, it’s as if an early onset of Alzheimer’s has affected the entire Republican Congress, and they can’t quite remember the imperialistic Republican administration of days gone by. I bet they’ve forgotten the attempt by Nixon to have the White House guard wear spiked helmets like that of the old imperial German army. Unimportant to a degree, but a telling mindset of how lunatic that administration was.
Well, here we are again with the republicans and their scary clowns in office. Their fallback always seems to be a fascistic mindset and Americans keep buying it. But not a majority, so let’s be hopeful that through non-violent elections we can right this before our ship of state capsizes.
4
What does this president know and when did he know it?
3
The tycoon is treed, the press hounds are baying, frothing, clawing the trunk.
2
The United States of America
RIP
3
Fascinating, isn't it, that as-yet unsubstantiated suggestions of unlawful activity by the President can get Blow so riled up - yet - proven abuses such as turning the IRS loose on political opponents didn't even get an honorable mention from him when it was Obama doing the deed.
At least, Blow's hypocrisy is consistent.
I’m sure the phony Christians of GOP can find a Bible verse to justify Trump’s actions. Same way they use the Bible to justify their racism, greed and neglect of the poor.
4
I hope that his State of the Union address will contain further information concerning the status of his tax audit and his lawsuits against the women who falsely accused him of molesting them and our progress in making Mexico pay for the wall and the role of Ted Cruz’s father in the Kennedy assassination. Not to mention putting Hillary Clinton in jail.
He told us he would never lie to us, but I can’t remember him ever assuring us that he wouldn’t swindle us.
2
Charles Blow never ceases to amaze me with his bizarre need to compare Donald Trump to history's bad guys. I'm glad Charles returned Gladiator to Netflix because he hasn't made the "Trump is Commodus" argument in a while. I guess Charles Blow got tired of playing the terrible Roman Emperor card because he hasn't written anything about how Donald Trump is really the American Nero or Caligula either.
So no we're on to the reliving the glory days of Watergate and how paranoid Richard Nixon was as he desperately tried to keep his day job. Now Charles has us believing that Trump is supposed to a reincarnation of Richard Nixon. In his rehash of Watergate what Charles Blow really wants is very own Woodward & Bernstein moment of bringing down a sitting President.
Why do people still refer to the GOP as the Republican Party when in. reality It's a cult. When evangelicals and congressmen and women give someone like Trump a "mulligan" after learning he had extra marital sex with a porn star while his new wife was still nursing their baby and then pays her $130,000 hush money just before the election I can unequivocally say it is a cult and should be referred to as a cult in the NYT and any other reputable publications. Stop giving Republicans respect by referring to them as a political party. The rules have changed and liberals aren't paying attention. Democrats think they can still govern and work with Trump and the "Trumpies" when they know Trump can't be trusted. Trump and his followers make up new conspiracy theories to distract us from the very real damage they are inflicting on our country. I want my party to fight and I think they should start tomorrow night not by not attending the SOTU address but by walking out during his speech. Time to make a real statement and show the world we mean business.
3
Trump can't be compared to any person who has ever been elected to any office, let alone "Tricky Dick." Trump is going to plead the fifth and will pardon most of those indicted. Our only hope is that the Dems take over the house and senate in November. Otherwise America will be controlled by a crazy dictator who fears nothing (maybe the Mrs.)
1
There is a very large wave coming in November 2018 and it's going to knock Mr. Trump for a loop. And his enablers? They'll be running for their little mouse holes to hid their cowardly selves away. Love America? Not that crowd. Love power? You betcha! Do anything to get it? Yep!
My only worry is that we won't get there. I wish it was tomorrow. Get this nightmare over with.
3
Trump is a serious unhinged buffoon who is only intent on garnering personal attention and riches. He has committed impeachable offenses in public and, quite possibly, treasonous acts as well. The so-called Republicans will defend him to defend themselves against their own collusion with Tramp's madness.
Mueller can only report his findings. The people will have to act at the polls to dislodge Trump and his Congressional enablers. That is, if the electoral process retains its integrity against hacking efforts by the Russians or others.
2
"special council Robert Mueller" unless Mueller's been cloned I think the word is "counsel."
How can so many republicans be so pitifully treasonous and pathetic and stab the United State Constitution in the back and steal its truth,justice and liberty to keep a an old cloacal scoundrel in office to increase their personal wealth and political corruptive power???
3
Nixon had his enablers and sycophants but they mainly resided in the White House. Trump's encompass all three branches and some of the 4th estate. This makes this crisis more dangerous, except for the fact that the focal point is Trump, an ignorant blowhard narcissist. Nixon was at least crafty and knowledgable.
Why the GOP, conservatives, evangelicals, and a large number of angry white males picked Trump as their champion is beyond belief. It would be like chemists and engineers picking Wiley Coyote as their leader. Hopefully the catapult from ACME will drop the rock on their heads also.
3
If Fox News, Info Wars, Breitbart and “fake news” had been around in 1974, who knows how Watergate might have turned out, even with the “smoking gun.”
2
For those Trumpers who long for the good old days of car chases and crashes........watch Hannity.
2
Trump's conduct is often shameless, while the GOP's conduct is simply shameful.
5
Nixon was a liar, criminal and a traitor but the differences between him and Trump are enormous - and in Nixon's favor.
Nixon was intelligent, educated, an experienced attorney, served in the U.S. Navy, been a congressman, a Senator and Vice-President. For all the mess he made with Watergate and Vietnam, in many other ways, he understood the government and tried not to make idiotic choices. He genuinely carried about policy. Nixon worked hard - the opposite of Trump's laziness - and ppeared to love his wife and children.
Most of all, Nixon did believe in our system of government, even as he undermined it repeatedly. He wasn't an ignoramus. His psychological problems got the better of him. And when he was finally caught, he resigned with as much dignity as he could summon - extraordinary under the circumstances. He had the decency to be ashamed of his behavior - those who saw his parting speech and final comments in office understood that. Nixon understood what a bum he'd been and how miserably he'd failed his charge as President.
Trump is an ignoramus who cares about no one but himself, not even his family, and has lived his life in a shameless manner - lying, cheating, stealing, defrauding, mired in corruption, greed and stupidity.
I used to think nobody could take Nixon's place as the worst president in U.S. history.
Trump's easily done it in less than a year.
6
A cancer grows on the Presidency; his name is Trump.
5
Mr. Blow: You correctly write that the "Republican Party is so infected with Trumpism, so fevered in its defense of him, so completely compromised by its alignment with him,..."
However, to be more precise, so-called Trumpism is merely fascism. Everything the Trump regime's members and supporters have done and said, and that they appear to believe in -- it's all textbook fascism. You know what constitutes fascism and, from history, what it looks like. This is it.
4
A dark prediction: Mr Mueller will have a nasty "accident" courtesy of one of Mr Trump's many mafia connections, or be caught up in a more or less confected sexual scandal involving a call girl (perhaps one of Trump's former service providers) paid by his interests to cry sexual assault. #metoo anyone?
In the beginning it seemed that Republican "moderates" such as McConnell, Ryan, McCain, Graham were anxious to put Donald Trump behind them. Now it seems they have come to realize that if he goes down they go down with him and so suffer him as a useful idiot to be worked around. Hence the desperate Hail Mary attempt at declaring the FBI corrupt and in turn all the evidence inadmissible and the investigation null and void.
4
If we're going to "call a thing, a thing", then let's call it what it is. What the Congressional Republicans are doing is called "treason". People who commit treason are called "traitors".
3
Follow the rubles!
2
Nixon was one of the rare tragic characters in politics. He had the moral weight, and the internal conflict. Trump is a fool, like Mussolini, whom he so resembles in photographs; Yorick, to Nixon's Hamlet.
2
I knew Richard Nixon. You, Donald Trump, are no Richard Nixon!...
3
Special Counsel Robert Meuller not “Special Council Meuller”. But great editorial. The comparison with Nixon is compelling.
One could hardly find a better example of confirmation bias than this silly, silly opinion piece. It is just the sort of clickbait that the illogical partisans that make up most of the NYTimes readership love as it confirms their fondest dreams.
People like Blow have painted themselves into such a corner that it will be exceedingly interesting to watch when the inevitable denouement of their warped view of reality unfolds.
The White House pit of traitors, Trump, Kelly, Huckabee-Sanders, Mcconnell, Ryan, Nunes must all be brought to justice for raping our Constitution and attempting to destroy out Democracy. All are committing treasonous acts against the United States by colluding with and selling our country to foreign powers, while conspiring to cover up their crimes.
3
I am still trying to puzzle out how we ended up with this creature.
Were we cynical, deluded, conned, desperate, stupid, furious, uncaring, suicidal, and seeking revenge?
The answer appears to be yes.
4
Trump is energized by breaking rules. It makes him feel unique and special. He is superior to social & Constitutional norms and can act as a despot, a pig, a crook, a liar, an ignoramus, a traitor. Until he is thwarted, he will continue pushing the boundaries of behavior. It is necessary that the public and our leaders act to thwart him and force legal consequences to be carried out.
3
Trump is the chemtrails president. His followers/enablers will continue to live in an alt reality despite all evidence because there is money to be made selling this garbage to these people.
1
" .. But even during the Nixon presidency, Republicans didn’t feel compelled to act until they were jolted out of inaction by the unassailable proof of Nixon’s voice on tape. It is not clear even that would move today’s Republicans .."
Translation: C.B. has no hard-proof to back up his implied commentary.
" .. Trump has already been caught on tape bragging about sexually assaulting women .."
C.B., google "bachelor party" and then ask NYTimes male staff over age 40 if they've been to one and what they said that night.
((( .. silence .. ))
Those who want Trump to fail are rooting against America. Blow and his ilk would rather America fail these next 3 years so the democrats can get back in power. Party should never be put above country. Sorry.
Take a look around. Russian fake news helped Trump get elected, and the GOP party before country crowd in Long Island and elsewhere cheers it on. If it takes a Trump-induced catastrophe to make the brainwashed Trump voters that he is not their savior, not even their friend, then I am cheering for it. Hitting rock bottom may be the sobriety test the country needs right now. Sorry.
2
Republican hypocrisy and cowardice are beyond measure. They have completely forfeited any trust and goodwill that might have been left in this citizen. They are despicable, immoral, disgraceful and contemptible. And I'm only just getting started.
3
You don't know what you've got until you haven't got it anymore.
The Greeks had a word for it.
1
"This inches us further away from democracy and closer to despotism. Might as well call a thing a thing."
So call the thing.... fascism.
1
Comparisons between Trump and Nixon, or Trump and Hitler, or Trump and fill-in-the-blank Bad Guy, are both superficial and necessary to an anti-Trump crowd that sets remarkable new records for hyperbole on a daily basis. Trump’s imminent impeachment, now entering month twelve, is much less about his fateful panic than yours, Mr. Blow. And your readers.
Vote them all out! .. the only Revolution that will work .. vote all Republicans who don't work for the people of this country out!
2
I honestly believe that video of Trump killing a white house aide and eating his liver with some fava beans and a nice diet coke wouldn't get any reaction from republicans other than, "Well, he was hungry, we all get hungry, it is only natural".
2
I couldn't agree more that this is no longer about Trump alone.
Trump is one sick man. What possible excuse do Nunes and these other enablers have? What are they thinking? They want their progeny to be ashamed of their place in history? Why have they groveled at the feet of an unhinged malignant narcissist?
For shame.
4
The only panicked man here is the columnist. Actually, you can read another panicked columnist today on the same page of the paper. David Leonhardt has penned "An Article of Impeachment Against Trump." Mr. Blow and Mr. Leonhardt are panicked because it's looking more and more like Mr. Mueller is coming up empty and the objectivity and integrity of his investigation (and team) is in serious question. So the GOP is doing what they must do - ensure that the wrongdoing of Barack Obama's justice department is exposed. The other reason for Blow's panic is that DJT has NOT fired Mueller. You can say that DJT wanted to fire Mueller 1000 times, but he hasn't. Friends, that needs to sink in. Blow wants (or wanted) a Mueller firing so badly he is shaken. Now we all have to listen to how the GOP is covering up and providing inappropriate cover. That's nonsense. Why can't we just allow Mueller to complete his investigation before jumping to conclusions?
Trump sure doesn't look panicked!
This would be hilarious if it were not so pathetic. Apparently no one at the NY Times has considered the fact that the most likely explanation for the Trump "dossier" is that it is a product of intentional Russian disinformation.
Consider that
1. Steele was a former MI6 operative in the Soviet Union. Surely someone the FSB would keep track of, particularly when it comes to working with "intermediaries" in Russia as he did to gather the salacious info.
2. The Russians had, according to the Democrats, already hacked the Dems email and so they would have known that the Dems were seeking info in Russia to discredit Trump. A perfect opening for the FSB.
3. The "dossier" is almost completely unverified and it is almost all unverifiable which perfectly fits the profile of great disinformation.
4. The Democrats and their minions Fusion GPS and Steele used their contacts at the highest levels of the FBI and the DOJ to insert this Russian disinformation into the highest levels of the US Government.
5. The salacious details in the "dossier" were like catnip. Just too good not to use.
Almost all the true believers here will discount all this. not because it is untrue, but because they don't WANT to believe it. It interferes with their Trump hatred based preferred narrative.
Just follow the money-http://www.newsweek.com/paul-manaforts-suspicious-wire-transfers-us-are-...
I have always tried to read the op ed pieces written by Mr. Blow with an open mind, but comparison with Nixon does not cut it. This "Russian" collusion investigation will end with nothing to do with Trump. Now they are going after obstruction. How about going after McDonald's for all the cheeseburgers he eats.
1
Are you kidding? Did you know that he had a server directly connected to the scandal ridden Russian Alfa Bank?
That he cheated people out of their life savings with his fraudulent Trump University? He did the same thing in Florida when he licensed his name to a shady organization claiming they were building condos, soon after collecting people's money and paying off Trump the shady organization disappeared.
The contractors he never paid, the deals he welched on. The list is long.
3
"In less than a week after the tapes’ release, the House Judiciary Committee approved three articles of impeachment: obstruction of justice, abuse of power and contempt of Congress."
Won't happen today. Devin Nunes and Co. are too busy padding their resumes for Post-Congressional careers: Lobbying, Think Tank, Visiting Scholar [sic]; Fox News Analyst...
4
it's manifestly better NOT to impeach Trump. Let him continue with his ignorant behavior and thereby stimulate voters to oust the GOP from Congress and the Presidency. It's fun to see the GOP members of Congress squirm as if worms on the Trump hook. and besides, the thought of evangelical Pence as President is really scary.
1
What is President Trump afraid will be found out? Will we find out why Trump is panicked by the Russian investigation?
3
It could not have "well been said by Donald Trump, it's coherent. And today's Republicans won't vote to impeach Trump under any circumstances.
As flawed as Nixon was, DT is no Nixon. Nixon squandered his gifts, Trump hasn't any.
And, as partisan as Nixon's Republican's could be, they're not in the same league when it comes to partisanship as Trump's Republicans.
3
The current Republican party and President, will go down in history as the party that aggressively worked to damage our Democracy beyond repair. The risks presented by our President and those who support him cannot be under estimated. I am convinced that the current actors engaged in running our government are willing to tear it down for the sake of their wealthy supporters and to hold power. The actions to facilitate this by the current administration are clear and blatant. They and their enablers in government are willfully choosing to walk down the path of lies and disinformation that keep us from our right to assured justice and the protections meant to provide representation for ALL. They are working to damage the functions critical for a fair and legitimate process that is designed to protect our governments integrity from those who would destroy it. Their actions to impede due process speak for themselves, and no justification can provide proof that they are acting in the best interest of this country and it's people. Please encourage all of your family and friends who will listen to vote for representatives who are fighting to preserve our beloved country from within, and from, outside forces. If we as citizens do not vote our way out of this, we have only ourselves to blame and will result in turning us toward an increasingly dictatorial state. VOTE
2
A civil war is raging in this country. We have those on the right who see nothing wrong with lying, cheating and conspiracy in the support of their "values". We have those on the left who see things as they really are. Alabama is a fine example of that War writ small. A generation ago, those fine people saw nothing wrong with lynching black people. This generation, the saw nothing wrong with sending a known pedophile to the US Senate. The Republican legislators must have been the recipients of campaign money that were the fruits of criminal activity. Why else would they fight so hard to cover up? I can understand their fear. What I cannot understand is how any American can go along with this. The only logical conclusion is absence of intelligence.
3
Once again, just BLOWing in the wind. Much ado about nothing.
1
Charles never lets facts, or lack thereof, get in the way of a good 'Evil Trump' fairy tale. On obstruction (Art I), its probably hard to obstruct 'justice' when no crime has been committed. On Article II, violating the rights of citizens sounds more like Obama-era persecution of reporters and Tea Party organizations, not to mention Obama DoJ FISA warrants violating privacy based on flaky Democratic Russia dossiers. On Article III, it was the deep state FBI who stonewalled Congress for months, and recently. Of course, liberals like Mr. Blow can be excused for indulging in wacky, crazy fantasies that Trump will end up like Nixon, but that likelihood is a long way away from the current reality.
As painful & ugly this process is, do remember, it is being played out in public. In a free media that pushes back HARD.
A comment below stated trump was but a "pawn" and the real enemy is the GOP.
We need to add trumps base - the engine of the evil christian base that has controlled the GOP since the 80's.
With the emergence of ISIS the christian base has been chomping at the bit to prove that they have control over the US voters.
We see this in the hate, disregard for human rights and humanity - roe v wade is in play and the only humans that count are white men & their white female puppets that heterosexual and US born.
Since Christians disregard the 10 commandment & picking their sins, the christian church has continues to support trump - his transgressions mirror trumps supports transgressions and "because he is not god" it is OK in the ignorant eyes of trumps base.
2018 / 2020 stand up and put an end to the destruction of humanity and all goodness that we as humans and a nation are capable of!!
1
It's all spelled in his name: Trump Repeats Untruths Mueller Pounces.
The jingle in their pockets will count for a lot more than Mr. Blow’s words, however eloquent, as voters make their way to the midterm elections. A buoyant economy with job creation on a tear and pay on the rise is persuasive in all its real life consequences of an administration getting its priorities right. That the selfsame administration is pummeling the Constitution and degrading pillars of democracy is for now, at any rate, abstract to the point of annoyance for those whose lives have been turned around.
Thank you! More may be said, but I'll stay with it for here and now.
In the presence of Trump the GOP congress can only be described as sniveling. I confess that I do take joy in watching them grovel at his feet. They confirm what I thought I knew and that is that they have no spine, are immoral and care only for money. Unfortunately they are not too different than a great many people. I am also not convinced that they will stop the destruction of the country even if Trump is indicted. They appear to attempting their own bit of obstruction. I say that because I believe we know that Trump is a criminal. No one who is not would act like Trump. The GOP are sniveling, but they are not stupid. They know what I know about Trump as well, suggesting they also know they are obstructing justice.
2
Both Nixon and Trump were/are deeply insecure men; such people are not trustworthy holders of power. Having said that, Trump is far worse than Nixon. It's completely appalling how corrupt the GOP has shown itself to be. Anyone - anyone - who does not vote against the GOP at all levels this fall is a fool. If you're too tribal to vote for a Democrat, vote third party. But give these people the absolute whupping they deserve. This level of corruption is incompatible with democracy.
4
"This is now an indictment of the entire Republican Party — the elected officials and the still strident Trump voters — as well as the Trump propaganda machine at Fox News."
More news coverage about the vast majority, 70%, of our country who DISAPPROVE of Trump! Twice as many as the crazy 30% who Trump brags would allow him to shoot someone in the streets and still support him.
2
A big difference between now and the days of Nixon and Watergate is that Nixon did not have Evangelicals, like Graham and others, giving him a pass on his conduct in office. Trump has been absolved of his malfeasance; Nixon was not.
4
“That was when they suspended the Constitution. They said it would be temporary. There wasn't even any rioting in the streets. People stayed home at night, watching television, looking for some direction. There wasn't even an enemy you could put your finger on.”
― Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale
1
Charles Blow is correct to call this an indictment of the entire Republican Party and the Fox propaganda machine. It's not just Trump. And Charles bravely and correctly points out that Trump supporters themselves are complicit in the continued assault on democracy.
4
Trump is a symptom, not the problem. Yes, he's grossly incompetent and a vile and vulgar human being. And he's possibly the most dishonest (and stupid) public servant we've ever seen in America. But the problem we must combat, is right wing media (Fox News). It is this conjurer of an alternate reality that has changed this nation for the worst. It is this drumbeat of 24/7 alternate facts and neurolinguistic brainwashing that has duped a large part of the electorate into beleiving themselves as victims and in danger from "the other". And all of this has it's roots in the Nixon administration; a media machine that tells voters "what to think" in persuit of ending liberalism and instituting a "permanent republican majority".
These institutions (fox, brietbart, infowars, talk radio) have been using the Russian tactic of disinformation for many years, sowing distrust for government, white nationalism, made up scandals and "fake news"... all in service of the Republican Party. They set the stage, and all he had to do was walk onto it.
Getting rid of trump wont solve anything (although it would be a joyous relief to see him rot in jail for the rest of his life).
We need an informed electorate and an honest voting system.
4
There are now voters who have grown up listening to nothing but the lies, propaganda, and treachery of Fox News and its ilk. Like North Koreans or Cubans, they have never heard anything their party, the GOP, dosen't want them to hear. We are fast approaching the point of no return. We either stop the lies or we all go up in flames.
3
And who are “all the president’s men” in 2018? Who are those people willing to protect Donald Trump instead of our democracy?
Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Kevin McCarthy, Jeff Sessions, John Kelly, Stephen Miller, maybe even Lindsay Graham, Neil Gorsuch, and a couple women too, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Nikki Kelly...?
I work in a nursing home and the other day some of the residents requested to see a recent movie they had heard about. The one about Mark Felts, you know, Deep Throat?
Here they are, elderly, disabled, unable to do many things they used to. But you know what they said when they saw Nixon on the screen? They said “ And that’s exactly what’s going on today with Trump - but worse!”
Donald Trump might be surprised, even astonished, as to what is going on with the elderly of this country. Do you really think they want to die, going out, with what they term as another crook in the White House? One that puts their grandchildren and great grandchildren in harm’s way - in harm’s way of Russians, yet?
Jared Kushner and Donnie Jr. are nothing but punks in the eyes of these seniors.
They lived through Watergate. They breathed and smelled Watergate. They are sickened by what’s going on in the Trump secrecy and lies.
But tell you one thing - if Robert Mueller is dismissed, Donald Trump will have even further dismantled the right and just country these elders worked for, fought for, and live for.
Even in old age, they still want to believe in the US.
4
Except Nixon was not a narcissist and megalomanic. Compared to Trump, he was a small-time local thug. If Trump were simply another Nixon, he would have been dispatched by now. Far more alarming comparisons apply. Anyone who continues to pooh-pooh comparisons to Hitler, Mussolini, Putin and Duterte are either not paying attention or do not know the relevant history. Given his maniacal self-obsession, Trump would not hesitate to start a shooting war, foreign or domestic, to knock over the game board when Mueller closes in, which he will. Trump's apologists and supporters will have the blood of his victims on their hands.
2
Why didn't Nixon just destroy the tapes? Trump would have had those things burning in a White House dumpster five minutes after they became an issue.
2
Exactly. Once again: Charles M. Blow for the win. Thank you.
3
Until Nixon was heard instructing Haldeman to stop the FBI investigation the republicans supported Nixon. Even the famous, "what did the President know and when did he know it", came from Sen. Baker as a inquiry that would protect Nixon. (Baker also, much like Rep. Nunes and trump, had secret meetings with Nixon). When Mueller reveals the evidence of treason perpetrated by trump and his co-conspirators the republicans will turn on him.
PROSECUTE RUSSIAGATE!
I am truly tired of the articles pinning so much on this stupid upcoming speech. Come on, people, it's going to be the same useless sleep-apnia/overweight/dye-job/blowhard up there, lying and preening. Does it matter what he says? No. What matters is what he and his 'cabinet of horrors' are doing with new policies and harassment of civil servants. I urge everyone to just not watch and use the time to dig some spare change out of the sofa to send to "Our Revolution." Let's make this Dolt 45's last state of the union speech.
1
Noun-verb agreement and the use of complete sentences set these angry, ugly, entitled white men apart. Yes, Mr. Blow, the particular despot we have posing as a president at the moment is more dangerous. His enablers are more exploitative and greedy, AND the white, religious right is empowered in a way that is leading us to potentially serious long-term consequences. Pence is seeing to that. They both need to go.
2
"This inches us further away from democracy and closer to despotism. Might as well call a thing a thing."
Charles, I very rarely disagree with you, but in this case the slide toward despotism is a subset of the real problem: We're an oligarchy. Trump is just a narcissistic buffoon, boor, and grifter, but Congress' complicity has its roots--no, wait a minute, "strings" would be a better word--in the oligarchs who finance their elections and their media, Faux News. Trump the unwitting marionette is being played by Congressional marionettists, but the real puppet masters are the Kochs, Mercers, Adelsons, and of course Putin.
The remarkable thing is that Trump's base doesn't even realize they're all being played for fools by these same puppet masters. These dim witted Trumpsters make Pinocchio look like a rocket scientist.
3
They only used what was necessary to get rid of Nixon. The murder of the highest rank political opponents was almost certainly ordered and carried out. And republicans continue this great tradition to this very day. Rest in peace Reverend Pinkney.
They'll harvest and sell the corpses organs in the Trump Admin.
Right on, Mr. Blow.
And of course Nixon kept his dirty business within the USA. We know that trump and his mob have taken their dirty business straight to an enemy nation, Russia.
We know his favorite situation comedy, it’s Fox News to which his eyes are glued
He finds it relaxing, watching them praise Herr Trump, not mentioning the word collude
The No Spin Zone has been surpassed by the Fact Free Zone at Fox
As Donald try to run out the clock with tactics he learned in the sandbox
But there’s some exciting news for our obstructer in chief
It will be clearly laid out in Robert Mueller’s brief
You always said the White House was a classless dump
Not worthy of Melania, Ivanka, or even Donald J Trump
But he knows you and Putin conspired to rig our elections
While your son, General Flynn, and the rest followed your directions
And many others too who are unsure of their recollections
But your big mouth and lack of self-control led him to the connections
I always wondered what happens when Trump winds up in jail
Does he still get covered by his Secret Service detail?
And if breaks the rules, does he lose his tweets?
With only one scoop of ice cream and no bedtime treats
Such is the future of our glorious Commander in Chief
Master of corruption, sedition, and deception, all beyond belief
1
Deputy Director of the FBI has resigned. A puppet loyal only to the Don must already be waiting in the wings. So disgusting.
2
Thank you, Charles Blow, for once again pointing out the obvious truth about the GOP.
The rest of us have little or no excuse for silence.
10
A third of the country supports open tyranny. The United States cannot be saved.
#calexit
9
If Pence does indeed become president, his first act will be to pardon Trump for the despicable crime of High Treason.
Then Pence will pursue his divisive, blinkered, Evangelical agenda with a vengeance.
Not much to look forward to. Out of the frying pan, into the fire?
13
Charles, I have to say. The ONLY thing that matters is the next election. The Republican party and a significant section of the population has no problem with a corrupt and corrupting POTUS. They themselves are not people of character. They need to be voted out.
7
Crazy is as crazy does -- Trump sounds a lot like Nixon
When Nixon was cornered, at long last, his response was to deny, deny, deny. Then whine about being a victim -- and try to undermine the investigation.... calling the investigation a witch hunt....
Where have we heard all that lately?
"...the parallels between Trump now and Nixon then are extraordinary...."
2
It boggles the mind that the GOP Congress members are kissing the ring of King Donald on a daily basis. Even they KNOW what an awful excuse of a President he is.
It can only be that together, Trump and the GOP, share some dirty little secrets about the 2016 election. The revelation that Russian money may have been placed into the NRA coffers to donate to Tump on the quiet may be the tip of the iceberg. And given Paul Ryan's request to keep secret that the Russians owned Trump and Dana Rochbacher from California adds intrigue to this theory.
Who knows? Mueller must find out.
What we do know is that Donald Trump infects whatever he touches with his toxic brew of immorality, racism, bigotry, hate and cruelty.
8
It is always surprising to me how many USA citizens don’t believe in democracy; surprising in the same way I am surprised when an acquaintance is guilty of theft! In other words, they say they believe, but their behaviors tell the truth! Call it pretense, illusion, lying, whatever you would like. When the “rubber hits the road,” they simply do not believe in one person, one vote! Perhaps even more extraordinary is that this seems a trait most associated with people in politics, and more extraordinary still, most associated with Republicans! One would hope that honest male and female politicians would hold their country higher than their own political power or ”filthy lucre!” Theft made banal, just like the evil of which Hannah Arendt spoke!
4
The GOP is once again protecting an arch-traitor who deserves not just impeachment but to face a military firing squad, for Trump, as Mr. Blow outlines here, is much more flagrant in his illegality than the most evil Republican crook of all: Nixon.
4
Excellent essay, revealing many parallels between Nixon and the Trumpet. I am certain we are at the point of action against the Trumpet, but why are Congress and the Supreme Court so weak-kneed? Are they all blind, deaf, and dumb?
That no action has been taken against the Trumpet is, indeed, a sign of the times: Americans have lost their spine, freedom, bravado, dignity, and focus.
We used to be a great country. We've been had by a snake, a charlatan, a buffoon, a megalomaniac who cares for no one but himself--a blaring Trumpet. He must be muted!
We survived Nixon/Agnew; the Trumpet's mess is damaging America. Are we the next Venezuela?
4
Honestly, while Trump & team's obstruction is deserving of impeachment many times over...their real crime is failing to defend this country since it was attacked by a foreign power. Our elections are being undermined, our society polarized and fractured by propaganda, all by a hostile Russia, and the Republican party can't even admit it happened (and is still happening)...because they benefit from it. That's treason. Remind me again what we should do with traitors?
4
I believe the so called “Russia Investigation” about Russian meddling in 2016 election is a hoax conjured up by the Democrats. Can anyone answer my questions?
- How did the Russians tamper with voting machines?
- How did the Russians tamper with the Electoral College?
If you suppose the Russians tampered with the voting machines then the "Russian Hacks" of the voting machines helped Mrs. Clinton win the popular vote.
The appalling ignorance of people like this is beyond depressing. Doesn’t this person read anything besides Fox? Nobody is suggesting ballot boxes were stuffed. The Interference was much more subtle, but nevertheless REAL. How can so many people ram their heads into the ground and ignore the independent findings of every one of our intelligence agencies? Do you really think dim bulbs like Hannity know more than those professionals ?
1
Everyone should go see the movie: The Post -- amazing - similarities.
It's the panic of a guilty man, facing a well-prepared and implacable team of investigators for the first time in his mendacious life. He can't buy them out and he can't change the subject using counter-accusations. He will melt like the Wicked Witch of the West. Trump faces a situation far beyond his ability to fake his way through life.
5
The Republican machine won't let Trump or their own NRA friends down...there will never be a reasonable investigation of what appears to be treason by Trump because all of the Republican power brokers are in on the treason. It has been reported that the laundering of Russian campaign money has been running through the NRA and that Trump was the least influential candidate on the receiving end of NRA contributions last election. The most powerful men in Congress have reason to sweep the Russian investigation under the carpet if it is true that Russian money is moving through the NRA.
Trump's connections to Russia are obvious to anyone who is an honest American citizen...the only hope we have is that the next election will turn the Congress over to the Democrats...but they seem to be in complete awe of the Republicans and are so stymied they don't seem to know a way forawrd.
2
You don’t like him because you can’t control him.
This Republican Congress won't impeach him even if he shoots someone in broad daylight on 5th Avenue.
6
People - call your Congressmen! Especially those of you who write below and have Republican Congressmen representing you. Tell them you want the Mueller investigation to continue unimpeded no matter what Trump cooks up.
3
So exactly what institutions are “under attack”? Do you mean when the Obama Administration spied on political opponents? Do you mean when Comey and Clapper lied to Congress? Do you mean when the DNC colluded with Russia to finance a fake dossier to influence the election?
The Republicans are about nothing but power, money, and the lies they tell to keep them. They are deceiving those who can only dream of having it into believing that they, too, can be rich without lifting a finger, except to press "R" in the voting booth and scratch the lottery card. Yes, the wealth will just trickle down. And Faux "News" is nothing but a craven Republican propaganda machine that exists only because Reagan saw to it that the Fairness Doctrine was abolished so they wouldn't have to fend off those pesky facts. The Republicans and their organs are masterful at sly deception, at lies of omission, at lies by implication; and they spread their lies like the honey-wagon on the field, twirling and spewing manure as they go, and tell their base that it's the Word of God, right there in the Bible. They have undermined trust in government and the rule of law to the point where the base no longer believes in the core principles of America; they've been convinced that they are the only true Americans and that "equality under the law" and "the general welfare" are threatening to their own personal tribe. The Republican strategists have twisted the interpretations of the Constitution and Bill of Rights and even the Bible to suit their purposes. They are the dividers, the deceivers, the complicit connivers.
We who believe that we're all one tribe must drive the money-changers from the temple in November and tip over the Honey-Wagon-in-Chief.
3
An editorial in the Times last week made a convincing case that the lying was orchestrated from the center of a conspiracy led by Trump. We know Trump has loyalty litmus tests and that people lied to the FBI so consistently, across multiple and diverse people, that there was likely verbal directives, even a "let's get our stories straight" moment.
Can we now doubt, given the past role of Congressman Nunes, that he has now become part of the conspiracy? Was his so-called damning memo actually constructed by the White House, or did they just tell him the strategy? As we see reported in the paper today, the memo keeps leaking in ways favorable to the White House, and the Times dutifully reports that Rosenstein is involved. Looking at the dominoes lined up in the chain of command, Rosenstein hired Mueller. As the White House is strategizing to kill Mueller's investigation, Rosenstein must look like a tempting target. Is Nunes willing to go to jail to align himself with Trump? Are the post-congressional consulting contracts that lucrative?
We have to call out this strategy for what it is - another clumsy attempt and backdoor method for getting rid of Mueller. Is Fox News powerful enough to get the ducks in order with the Republican soldiers? Or is the mask off? Is one strategy to have Nunes appear so clumsy in his alignment that he actually draws the attention of the FBI?
1
It is worthwhile looking at Trump's collusion with the Russians in light of the history of Nixon's Watergate fiasco.
Trump's frantic behavior does makes Nixon look calm cool and collected. However, Nixon and his henchmen looked like petty burglars in a Three Stooges routine compared Trump's case where highly skilled Russian hackers used digital age methods to corrupt the electoral process in 39 states. Trump is most likely not only guilty of obstruction of justice..he is most likely not our president!!
The key difference between Richard Nixon and Donald Trump.
Nixon said "I am not a crook!".
Trump says "I am a crook, so what?"
And his rabid fans and the GOP leadership agree.
3
As a longtime reader and subscriber I read the paper back to back. Mr. Blow, I know you're determined to call out every damaging effect Trump's
Presidency is having on our republic. You've laid down the gauntlet and are forcing appeasers to face the facts. For that you are to be applauded. I just wish you'd apply your insights to something else every now and then. This is an important job you are doing but being this single threaded gets old. I'm having a hard time getting through your columns. Maybe every column should start out with the number of days he's been in office along with "America's Executive Office and Constitutional Crises Day 365" something like that. You would get your point across while also writing about something else once in a blue moon.
I wish people would stop calling the GOP the party of Lincoln. It has not been the party of Lincoln for a long time. It became the party of George Wallace and Lester Maddox refugees a long time ago. The Southern strategy worked. It is now frankly the party of white supremacists, bigots, fundamentalists and extremely rich plutocrats and apparently one or two NYT columnists. These people will never support impeachment.
1
The Republican Party IS the party of Lincoln - George Lincoln Rockwell.
1
I don't think the parallels are exact.
Trump would bring down our entire country to protect his hide. The man has no moral, ethical, or legal boundaries. His enablers are slso of the worst sort.
5
Words can be fraught with innuendo and misdirection. Why, Mr. Blow, do you begin you column by referring to "the investigation into his wrongdoing" when referring to Mr. Mueller's investigation into the Trump and his election campaign? What wrongdoing? The results of the Mueller investigation have not been revealed. So far not one scintilla of probative evidence of Trump or his campaign staff criminally colluding with Putin or the Russian government in an effort to cause the election of Trump over Hillary Clinton has been made public by Mueller or his staff. Your characterizing Mueller's work as "an investigation into (Trump's) wrongdoing" presupposes that there was wrongdoing. Shame on you.
This point of view reminds me of an advice column I read a few years ago. A guy found an empty condom wrapper in his wife's purse. She swore she was innocent and insisted that the wrapper blew in through the car window at a toll booth. The guy was troubled and was asking the advice columnist if he should believe her.
No evidence? Really?
1
What's astounding is that Republicans launched endless investigations (costing millions of taxpayer dollars) over an attack by a handful of religious fanatics on an American embassy halfway around the world. But they don't give a rip about an attack against America itself by a hostile foreign government. To say the GOP's priorities are interesting is a gross understatement...they're reprehensible.
4
Yep. Pretty scary and I fear how this is all going to end. Big money ( not a bit grateful for the country that allowed them to become wealthy) has been pushing this anti government theme fo several decades. The Koch Bros. (For instance) owns most congressmen so what can we expect. The religious right (the white ones anyway) have sold their souls to the devil, thinking the end justifies the means. And Fox (news) has swayed so many (mostly white) voters that don’t realize they are being used and manipulated. Trump is an intellectual pea brain, a dispicable self absorbed bully with almost no enviable qualities or history of understanding or caring but there he is. And since we now have a large block of voters convinced the right is right and everything that doubts that is fake, we are in trouble. To quote Barry McGuire,” you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction.” Hope not.
1
The Republican Party, wearing a choke-chain collar, the leash in the hands of the right-wing oligo-plutarchy of the Kochs, Adelson, Mercers and the hyper-conservative, one-handed evangelistic Christianity of Falwell, Dobson and ilk, is, like the attack dog of this metaphor, powerless and dangerous.
The plutarchs have one of their own seated in the pinnacle of power. They will bend heaven and earth to the breaking point to keep him there. Followers of extreme evangelism are the sheep their bible tells them they are, obeisant to the flock leaders, willingly and willfully deaf and blind to the calamity approaching and actively working to bring the cataclysm about.
All of the above would be appropriately labeled "hyperbolic" if it weren't true.
Trump and his supporters are a threat to American Democracy and, by extension, democracy world wide. You don't turn the metaphorical dog in my first paragraph loose; you protect society by all humane means possible. We must do the same with Trump, his financial backers, and, not least of all, the Republican Party.
Despotism is a weak word when Trump is much closer to fascism or putting the presidency on that path. Nevertheless, the GOP could care less as they are all authoritarian personalities and gerrymandering experts. Trump is a whirlwind of personality disorders including a dozens unclassified, diagnosable illnesses. Maybe, when he goes to the UK, they will show America how to protest something.
This Congress is so intent on protecting Trump and holding on to power at all costs, that if Trump proposed an American version of the Reichstag Fire Decree during the State of the Union address, the GOP would stand up and applaud the proposal.
1
One particularly depressing thing to remember is that the GOP's BEST case scenario is that Trump is "merely" an incompetent, lying, overtly-bigoted philanderer... but not technically a criminal. That's like the difference between failing an English class and being expelled for plagiarism.
So if Trump's critics (such as myself) turn out to be wrong about obstruction of justice and Russia, that just leaves Trump's general unfitness for his office. On the other hand, if Trump's SUPPORTERS are wrong about the merits of the Russia investigation (including obstruction)... that's pretty much game over. Christian evangelicals, Fox News, the entire GOP has gone all in on the political equivalent of pocket 2s. They should have taken their ill-gotten SCOTUS pick and let the chips fall where they may on everything else. Instead, the Christian conservative cause, already horribly tarnished by association with the Trump administration, has hitched its wagon to a madman.
Blowman cracks off another good one.
The GOP in general, and Nunes in particular are behaving in a cretinous and malevolent manner.
One can only hope Mueller's net is cast wide enough to snare Devin, who as a member of the Trump transition team is conceivably a target himself.
I would only add that Trumpism is the TeaParty come to fruition. The so called 'Freedom Caucus' is the TeaParty class in congress.
1
“They are attacking the truth.”
I would ask to see an article on what Trump doesn't lie about, but there wouldn't be anything to write. Give Trump his wall. Mueller will be doing the writing on that, for all to see.
“. . . .
. . . [w]hen a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government
. . . .
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice
. . . .
He has made Judges dependent on his Will
. . . .
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution
. . . .”
What if Trump makes the DOJ his personal Roy Cohn and appoints judges who pledge loyalty to him and Mueller finds evidence that demonstrates beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump colluded with a foreign government to interfere in an election, is financially beholden to that government and obstructed the administration of justice, but a Republican congress does absolutely nothing?
What if voters in 2018 vote for despotism?
I am not saying Trump is a despot or that he will become a despot, but what if a country remains passive in response to despotism?
What if a country can’t vote its way out of despotism and and is blocked by partisan complicity from invoking its only constitutional remedy?
What is a constitutional crisis and how are people suppose to deal with one?
Academic questions, of course, but one wonders what is supposed to happen in a worst case. People say certain circumstances would bring on a “constitutional crisis” believing it won’t happen. But what if it does? What’s next? I sure don’t know. Is anybody even curious?
2
Trump will stay in power as long as he serves Republican needs. Not a monolithic bloc, different groups need him for different purposes. Some want to dismantle the federal government, some want specific laws passed, some want to pack the Supreme Court, some want to punish the poor, women, immigrants, minorities, the sick, or the elderly. Others want to keep him in power until they are in position to take his place. What they all have in common is a special kind of cowardice, allowing his shadow to obscure their complicity in his fouling of the institution and dignity of the presidency and the notion of checks and balances.
3
Mr. Blow,
Thank you for putting into print two facts that have been so patently obvious for so long. The first: Mr. Trump seeks to obstruct the course of justice and not for the first time. The second, and sadly the more tragic: The Republican Party exaults raw power over either political dialogue or country. It is not in the least patriotic. They are revealed as scroundrels wrapped in the red, white and blue of the stars and bars.
Richard M. Nixon tried to cover-up a 3rd rate domestic political intelligence burglary.
Donald J. Trump is trying to cover-up the 1st rate Russian intelligence American 2016 election interference and conspiracy led by Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin that helped get him elected President of the United States. Trump's primary goal is to preserve, protect and defend enhancement of his personal and family profitable benefit hidden in Trump's income tax returns and business record by shredding our Constitution.
2
This isn’t fake news. It’s old news. Long before the 2016 election it was evident that Trump was ill equipped to be president. His penchant for lying, his thin skinned attacks on anyone opposed to him and his bragging alone were more than enough to disqualify him. The Republican Party owns this guy. I hope he destroys them.
1
Trump said that he could shoot someone on 5Th Ave in New York and his people would still vote for him and now we found that the Republican congress would also still vote for him. This is not just an indictment on Republicans in general but on the entire Republican congress, sad.
3
As the old song says, "His truth is marching on."Charles Blow and many on the staff with him are trumpeting the downfall of Trump's downfall, not a very intentional pun, just an unavoidable echoing of the perp's name.
Pogo called Congress "Congers". It is indeed a nest of vipers. But as November approaches and voters are polled, some GOPs will resist the lies and obfuscations and read the writing on the wall. Some of the perp's pals and maybe his kith and kin will testify to his perfidy. We have resisted and persisted. Let us insist that Doomsday is inevitable. The Congers who like their sinecures nay decide to join the right side of history. The obese oaf is through. Soon GOPs will sing, "God bless America, land that I love/ Stand beside her and guide her/ Through the night with a light from above". Light will win.
Slow your roll, kids. President Mikey Pence? You really want that? One of the primary causes of the eventual Republican acceptance of the removal of Nixon was the resignation of Agnew and the rise of Gerry Ford. Could you actually have imagined a President Spiro Agnew? Hold fire until 2020 and force the Republican party to either fully embrace "Le Grande Orange" or find its soul.
1
One of the reasons why Congress is dragging its feet in holding Trump culpable for his actions lies in a report by the Dallas paper showing that many, including leading Republicans McConnell and Rubio, have accepted campaign donations in 2016 from Russian-Americans connected to the Russian oligarchy.
If NYT news staff is bypassing this important story, perhaps Mr. Blow can break it here.
3
Trump is not the problem. Trump is a symptom. The problem, the disease, is the Republican Party!
3
Bravo, Charles Blow! The truth will always come out in the end and when it does, Republicans in Congress will go down in history as the weasels they are.
2
So called "Green" Party voters did this. They did it with awareness and malice. They made a mess of things in 2000 and really did a disgusting deed in 2016. Their irrational hatred of anything they believe didn't invent dooms us further. Ideologues - know it all fools - refuse to learn anything. Their gullibility is overwhelming. They played their part in the right wing (and Russian) scheme. They are angry, misguided suckers. You think Jill Stein was invited to sit with Vladimir Putin for dinner in Moscow in 2015 by accident? She was a pawn. Such an easy, easy mark for the SVR. The anti-vacciner doctor doesn't have too much critical thinking going on between her ears. Comrade Stein did her duty. She earned a Russian medal.
Anyway, Trump voters are who they are. 30% of the public always has and always will fall for con men and carnival barkers. Another 5-10% are just pure opportunists who see profit in scandal and chaos with some ill advised tax cuts thrown into the toxic mix. That won't change much.
But the third party voters who supported hopeless, hapless vanity candidates and refused to make a grown up decision, now THEY are the true deplorables
We must ask, will the planet actually survive the "Green" Party and its electoral antics?
Oh the irony of it all.
3
The New York Times has backed off its initial report that Trump ordered White House counsel Donald McGahn to fire Robert Mueller. It now seems Trump decided not to fire Mueller after McGahn advised him it would have bad consequences. There is a huge difference between Trump’s decision not to fire Muller and Nixon’s decision to fire Watergate special prosecutor Archibald Cox.
Besides, people have forgotten that the June 2017 appointment of Robert Mueller as special counsel raised eyebrows, despite his reputation for integrity. The appointment was problematic due to perceived conflicts of interest: The deputy attorney general’s decision to appoint a special counsel was triggered by Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey, who was Muller’s close friend and protégé. (2) Trump had harshly criticized the FBI—an agency Mueller headed for more than a decade—for its handling of the Clinton email investigation.
USA Today published an opinion piece by Glenn Harlan Reynolds, who wrote, “Special Counsel Robert Mueller has a problem: He has a disqualifying conflict of interest regarding a large part of his work. It involves a choice between investigating or relying on former FBI director James Comey, a longtime close friend of Mueller’s. Ideally, he’ll recognize that and resign. But if he doesn’t resign, Attorney General Jeff Sessions should appoint another special counsel to take over the obstruction-of-justice part of the investigation, where Mueller is disqualified.”
Nixon's lies, as relates specifically to Watergate, pale in comparison to Trump's in general. Nixon finally ran out of rope and that was it. Trump will, we can only hope, will eventually run out of hot flatulent air.
4
Your columns are always spot on Charles, but I must take issue with one aspect of today’s submission:
Trump didn’t just WANT to fire Bob Meuller: he ordered Don McGahn to fire him, and only relented when McGahn threatened to quit. I’m certain that Trump’s desire to rid himself of Meuller consumes every thought not otherwise spent on Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. I’m certain Trump expends most of his minimal brain power on devising different ways to fire Meuller.
One can want to do something but’s not açt on it: the Times’ reporting suggests that Trump did act on his desires, whichever were blunted by more rational actors around him.
3
I hate Donald Trump and consider him unworthy of being President. I'd gladly see him impeached and thrown out of office - though Mike Pence as his replacement would be dubious as an improvement.
Still, I think an editorial citing Trump's recorded bragging about sexually assaulting women as grounds for impeachment weakens the case against him.
The implied comparison is to Nixon's on-tape admission of unlawful acts, but there is no valid comparison. Trump's sexual misbehavior, however shameful, happened before he was president, and is also not a crime. It's more analogous to Pres. Clinton's sexual misbehavior with Monica Lewinsky, which he denied under oath before a congressional committee. He lied, but even so, I did not think that was cause for impeachment, since he also did not break any laws, and an inquiry into the sex life of a public official is an inappropriate subject for congressional investigation.
Of course, Blow does not claim that Trump should be impeached because of this tape, but Fox News and other defenders of the President will misread the column and allege that he is being persecuted for "locker room talk," thereby distracting Republicans from the true grounds for impeachment.
Trump is personally disgusting, but his unfitness to be President rests on much solider ground than his libertine sex-life. We put up with it in Clinton, and we could do the same with Trump, if he were not such a crook and charletan.
4
In Nixon's day, it was only Richard Nixon and two co=conspirators that wielded the power of the White House.
Today it is a whole family plus most of Wall Street plus the retired General Officers, plus the Evangelical Christian community, plus Putin's Russia, plus Israel and Netanyahu, plus the NRA, plus Pence, McConnell, Ryan, Gingrich, and countless numbers in Congress all playing games with the Constitution of the United States. The numbers are staggering.
3
Thank you for your always clear and honest writing.
1
Deja vu all over again'
Lawrence Peter Berra
The only new things is the history you don't know
Harry Truman
1
The Republicans in House and at least some in the Senate appear to be little more than Putin-Trump Party apparatchiks.
4
By the time he became president, Nixon had long experience in politics, as California’s congressman, then senator, as Eisenhower’s VP and then as a failed challenger to JFK. He was “tricky,” ran tough, bruising campaigns, had a mean face he just couldn’t gentle, and won power in part by railing against the Communist menace.
Nixon was often dishonest, deceptive regarding Vietnam, fiercely resentful, morose and drunk, but also interested in government and international affairs and capable of recalling pertinent details. He helped organize the detente between China and the US. Dick could remember what he’d said publicly from one day to the next, and he would not have spent hours every day watching a televised cheerleader like Sean Hannity, or a Fake News program like Fox and Friends. He would have seen through Hannity and Tucker Carlson.
Trump resembles Nixon in some ways. Both were/are dishonest, vindictive, and they excite Republican support by demonizing America’s enemies, some hidden, some well-publicized: Communists, protestors, illegal aliens.
But Trump is such a vacillating, careless man, a sloppy liar, a guy who apparently keeps forgetting he’s President and that there’s a country all around him that wasn’t built just to provide noisy audiences at his rallies or encircle his golf courses.
Richard Nixon supported public programs to underwrite healthcare and social services.
Even Tricky Dick would have been amazed and appalled by Donald Trump.
3
Nixon. Conducting a war based on lies. Abuse of power.
Actually, the New York Times did not report last week that Trump “wanted to fire Mueller” as Charles Blow asserts. The Times initially reported that four anonymous people said they were told Trump ordered the White House legal counsel to fire Mueller. Since this was obviously false—McGahn could not have fired Muller because Mueller works for the Justice Department, not the White House—the Times has changed its story. It now asserts that “After receiving the president’s order to fire Mr. Mueller, the White House counsel, Donald F. McGahn II, refused to ask the Justice Department to dismiss the special counsel, saying he would quit instead, the people said.” Apparently the “people” are the same people who earlier said they told Trump ordered McGahn to do the firing. The Washington Post, meanwhile, reported that two people said McGahn did not make his threat to resign directly to Trump. And most news media outlets are reporting Trump considered firing Mueller but change his mind. The bottom line is that Trump apparently decided to fire Mueller but changed his mind when he his legal counsel advised him that this was a very bad idea. The “order” apparently never reached anyone with authority to act on it.
What keeps me going: The Purge is Coming!
1
Strident Trump voters. Um, what? Where? The stridency is here, man, all here.
The constant drumbeat of "Fake News" by Trump is simply and obviously him laying the groundwork for the inevitable disclosure of his crimes and his coming denial. With his base, this tactic is already working. Like drunk parrots, you hear them crying fake news all over the internet. Fasten your seat belts, we are in for a bumpy ride.
2
When you've made a bargain with the Devil he makes you stick to it. What do we name the story, "The Devil and Donald J. Trump" or "The Devil and the Republican Party" or "The Devil and Forty Percent of the American People"?
It is time for the sixty percent to wake up, get out and vote.
I am in complete agreement with Mr. Blow. It is as if Republicans have learned demented lessons from the Watergate affair and are trying to find ways to protect Trump. Republicans and FOX "fake" News are pushing theories that Democrats and the FBI are secretly trying to get rid of Trump. The fascism of the Republican Party is insane. When Limbaugh was on the rise, and then with the rise of Fox News, I figured that Americans, and especially politicians, would be smart enough to not drink the cool aid, but I guess I was wrong.
2
Fortunately for the country, Trump and the cohort he has gathered around him more resemble a clown car then a sinister cabal. Hopefully, Muller will ride to the rescue before they and their spineless enablers in congress can cause irreparable damage
Charles I completely agree, but I'll say it again: we can and should say all the bad stuff about Nixon (which, to me, is much more about Southeast Asia than Watergate). But he was also something close to a genius, and one of the better-equipped individuals to have held the office. Trump's not fit to shine those shoes, and it's just hard to picture him wearing the same pants. I know, he *is*, but still...
Speaking of which, and speaking of executive-branch criminality, Kissinger will soon die peacefully in his bed. Shame.
As usual, Charles Blow is right on point. Politics at best is a dirty business, but this is a fully blown kakistocracy. Make no mistake: Donald Trump is a genuine American. He just happens to personify the very worst of us.
Perhaps Republicans and trump are acting on the behalf of Russia? We know Fox News and the NRA, Facebook, Google, and others propagated Russian bots full of fake news. In each of these cases, all these entities should be tried for treason. Let's send Fox News, NRA out where they have no country. Or, perhaps they would like to live in Russia under Putin.
We must demand the Mueller be unimpeded in his investigation so that Congress will pass laws to protect outside interference in our elections.
Finally, let's hope the CIA and current and future presidents learn about not interfering in foreign elections. If we don't want it done to us, then we shouldn't do it to others.
Biggest problem I see here is time. WHEN will this horrible joke be removed from office? He has ALREADY committed most every crime Nixon was accused of. What is going on? Why are the so-called GOP 'reps' so spineless, and apparently ignorant of our Constitution? Why can we not take our country back, and put the planet at ease?
2
Impeachment, like an indictment, is a formal allegation.
The House impeaches. Needs 218 votes to do so (there are 248 Republicans). Maybe enough votes, but need 31 Republicans to vote for impeachment with all the other non-republicans.
Next, trial in the Senate' need 2/3s to convict. Need 18 Republicans to convict, together wih all non-republicans. (3 Republican Senators not running for reelection, still need 15).
Chances of removal slim.
If successful in getting 45 removed or even pressured to resign, chances of getting Mike Pence as POTUS 46, 100%
Mr. Blow and others who are fanning the flames for impeachment must know better....
The GOP isn't doing anything to stop Trump because they know, that after this freak show of an election, president, and administration, they will never get elected again, and are trying to push through every last evil policy from their demented agenda before November. Call it what it is? That's what it is.
3
Say what you will about Nixon. He had some inate measure of a moral compass. Lines even HE would not cross.
Trump? He does not care about his "uneducated base" beyond their vote.
He does not care about the wreckage he is creating in my former party; choosing to engender personal loyalty by willing sycophants (Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell) to himself above their (miss)stated oath to uphold the the U.S. Constitution.
Cowards, one and all, bending the knee for a poser and a fraud...
3
What Republican Party is Mr. Blow referring to? The Grand Old Party, the party of Lincoln, the Law and Order party, the party of the Moral Majority, the Family Values party, the party of Constitutional strict constructionists, the Federalist party, the party of fiscal responsibility, the States’ rights party, the anti-abortionist party, is that the Gallant Old Party?
Yep, there are many in the GOP that have clearly, by action taken, and by action not taken, kicked the constitution to the curb. Heck, it gets in the way of Trumpism.
Things seem like they're heating up around Trump and his circle, but I remain pretty skeptical that any Mueller findings is going to be enough to remove Trump or even Kushner. I do think there will be significant findings, I just don't think with the well divided and angry partisanship, that we'll see any action taken by the Trumpista members of congress (and that makes up quite a bit of the GOP).
It's pretty sad and scary, but that today's politics. Ugly stuff. And the constitution? Well, it's a tool to be used when it works for you, otherwise, not so much.
2
I don't think this is exactly about party over country. The Republicans support Trump because he is advancing the causes they care about: greed by the rich, oligarchic politics, white supremacy, environmental rape, keeping the poor whites down through their own racism, sticking it to people in general because you can. For them, really, aside from a certain crudity of style and emptiness of mind, when it comes to Trump, what's not to like?
3
Excellent article. The cancer that is now eating our nation is the Republican Party. Trump is just a symptom.
Trump probably also repeated Nixion's penchant for corruption, paranoia and breaking the law. He deserves the same fate.
What are we going to do about it?
Is there anything more gobsmacking than the planned GOP fundraiser to be headlined by VP Pence and held at a Trump hotel?
1
"This inches us further away from democracy and closer to despotism."
No, I would call it monarchy. We now have a king, not a president.
We are becoming a United States of Trump, U.S. of T, in spirit and in fact.
A border Wall, if it is build, will be a "Great Wall of Trump". It will be a monument to the greatness of Trump and his power. Trump is destroying the spirit of America. And we sit back watching it happen, day by day, step by step.
We must resist. The only thing we have to fear is... Donald (US of T) Trump.
=========================================================
1
Precisely written, Mr Blow. Those who wield power in the public domain are responsible for the proper carrying-out of every public servant's duties. You lead by example. Any double-standard undermines precise understanding of "The Right Way".
Simple acknowledgement of our democratic institutions, agencies, and advisory boards IS IMPOSSIBLE for many citizens because there are too many political pundits and radio blowhards to count.
A thread of logic (similar to paragraph below) could also be applied to Democrats. But, I'm addressing President Super-Fiction whose power against a true statement is hyperbole, forgot-what-I-said-before, and blatant lying of the party-line & campaign-outrageous varieties.
Life-long Republicans, Trump die-hards, and all who can't say "liberal" without a visceral reaction ARE PROGRAMMED. Generally, if they go to church (yes), "right to life" supersedes all. If they like firing their weapons (point it down), "2nd Amendment" supersedes all. If they are frustrated by the deficits (wisely so), "Taxpayer Protection Pledge" (or similar) supersedes all.
No one can tell a citizen how to weigh their vote. Similarly, free speech allows others to argue "We think, that time, you weighed it wrong". But, that's voter stuff. It's time for Congress to show the stuff they're made of.
Is it too much to ask all members of Congress to "Stick to the facts, ma'am, just the facts"?
1
The Rotten to the Core GOP is a guilty as trump in the Russian cover-up! They gave Russia a thumbs-up, they didn't care, if it would help defeat Hillary! They will do everything in their power to protect themselves and trump from Mueller!
1
I guess we have reached a new point when the slogan for the President is:
"He's not as bad as Nixon"*
*Of course we are lying about that too. Nixon merely committed a crime against the Democrats (no biggie - I mean they were just Democrats, right?) where we, the modern Republican party, are complicit in the destruction of the fundamental values of the country aided and abetted by a foreign power.
What would Nixon say about the modern Republicans and their collusion, either direct or opportune, with the Russians in the undermining of democracy? And that's saying a lot considering his cynical implementation of the southern strategy for raw power.
The dark deterioration of the Republican party has been going on for some time. Those elected into the party in the last eight years or so, in particular, comprise a band of folks so inept at anything but destruction for destruction's sake that one doesn't even know where to begin to address the blatant stupidity and lack of knowledge of government and stubborn resistance to learning it, just like Trump. They protect him because they are him, minus enough money and a private grifter business that allowed him to behave in any ill and ignorant manner he wanted without great repercussion. These people have become so sinister that most of us older Americans are scared to death we're not just losing our way here but our way in the world. And one of the greatest dangers is the well organized, well heeled and very aggressive China global efforts while we isolate. Trump and his pack of Republicans are into destruction for destruction's sake, in the guise of bringing back white rule but what will there be for those white folks to rule by the time they finish. You can't burn every single decent thing down and have much left to raise up.
2
Understandably, the focus is on trump, who pulls all of the light and energy from the room. Once he is gone the vacuum will be filled with Pence and his Republican cabal. The policies will be more draconian and destructive, but the head of this snake will no longer be a vile, detestable, narcissistic sociopath. This return to "normal" may pose the greatest threat yet.
1
I'm 70 years old and remember Watergate and Nixon. In the 70's there was a real Democratic Party. Now we have "Chuck & Nancy" who are ready to give Trump a $25,000,000,000 bribe for his stupid wall instead of fighting Trump and the Republicans.
How crazy and spineless do you have to be to give Donald Trump $25 Billion with only a promise from him to spend it wisely?
This is making me nostalgic for the early 1970's, when the President was criminal but not crazy and we only had one pointless war.
Those were the days!
3
When will the Democrats call out the Republicans as traitors to the Constitution for their support of Trump who desecrates it? The Democrats must repeat this as mantra every day with facts. They may not be able to humiliate and embarrass the GOP for their unyielding support of the jerk-in-chief, but hopefully the voters show some pride for Democracy and will vote them out.
2
" This is now an indictment of the entire Republican Party...." Shameless pandering to ultra-wealth, white male Christian supremacy, campaign donors, personal power and wealth, and the accrual of more personal power and wealth.
The Republican Party has become a shameless backer of ignorance and authoritarianism. Is there anyone in the GOP with moral courage and integrity?
1
Yes, our lives and liberties are in danger. The Obama/DOJ/FBI plot to keep Hilary out of harms way in the run-up to the 2016 election was a dangerous abuse of political power. If FISAGATE stands without further investigation, let’s all line-up for a blindfold and a cigarette. Release the memo and let’s take a look at the soon-to-be released IG report.
1
‘Trump has already been caught on tape bragging about sexually assaulting women.’
Not so. Trump claimed that because he was a celebrity, he could grab women by their genitalia and they would not complain.
If a woman A were to complain to the local police that Trump had assaulted her sexually at a given place and time, then A would be complaining that Trump had committed a crime. This complaint would be dealt with by the criminal justice system in the jurisdiction where the assault was alleged to have taken place. A would also have grounds for an action for the tort of trespass against Trump in the civil courts in the same jurisdiction.
In either case, it would be for a jury to hear the evidence and oral arguments, and decide if Trump had committed the alleged offence beyond reasonable doubt in the criminal case, or on the balance of probability in the civil ca.
Until that happens, neither the NYT or its readership knows what would be the jury’s decision. Until the jury finds against Trump, the matter is unresolved. Because no woman has yet brought a criminal complaint to the police against Trump for grabbing her genitals without her consent, it’s unethical and poor journalism for the NYT to act as judge and jury in this unresolved matter.
“This inches us further away from democracy and closer to despotism.”
That’s where we’re headed. All the optimism expressed below notwithstanding, nothing on the horizon suggests we’re going anywhere else.
2
I wish the case against DJT were like the case against RMN. It is not. RMN authorized a break-in of the DNC headquarters at the now famous Watergate Hotel. Nixon sent thugs and criminals to break into the DNC Headquarters, then authorized an extensive coverup, including firing of the special counsel investigating his actions.
Most of Nixon's meetings were recorded in the Oval Office by Nixon's own recording system. And as other commenters have noted, Nixon did not have a Republican controlled House, as Trump currently has.
While the meetings by Trump's representatives with agents of the Russian government were deplorable, in themselves the meetings were not illegal. The discussions may have been, but there is no record (discovered to date) indicating that the topics of discussion were illegal.
DJT's ensuing denial of the meetings, may constitute a 'coverup' but what is being covered up probably doesn't amount to criminal behavior.
I understand the desire of NYT opinion writers to wish DJT out of office as soon as possible. I do not understand the frequently use of hyperbole, both in headlines and content of NYT articles.
I guess hyperbole 'sells' newspapers. But it makes me sad because when both sides, or all sides, engage in hyperbole, the national discourse suffers.
3
After citing several articles of impeachment against Nixon that were all based on different forms of obstruction of justice, Blow concludes that "It is hard to read all of this, based simply on what is publicly known and excluding what special counsel Robert Mueller may know, without concluding that we are already in the territory where a case for impeachment can credibly be made".
However he fails to grasp the one major difference between the case with Nixon and Trump's case as it now stands. And that is that obstruction of justice is a crime only if there was an actual crime that was clearly committed.
In the case of Nixon it was breaking into Watergate which is a felony of burglary. However with Trump the whole crime they are investigating and trying to uncover, with Trump perhaps trying to obstruct the investigation into that crime, is colluding with Russia to unlawfully influence the elections.
And since we have no knowledge or evidence of that we are worlds away from where Nixon was standing when those articles of impeachment were filed.
2
The skullduggery of this Republican Party is beyond imagining. Our democracy in hinging on a narrow precipice with this crowd in control. The only way to truly bring them down is in the polling booth. Our system must defeat the system breakers by its own processes. Democracy must win out.
4
It is prudent to wait to call a thing a thing until it has been proved that the thing is in fact a thing.
1
If you’ve ever wondered how Trump, a Trust Fund kid who made a fortune out of gaming the bankruptcy laws, successfully claimed to be the saviour of the left-behind and the scourge of the elite, take a look at the people who support him, wealthy Americans who have themselves spent decades perverting our political system.
4
Blow, you supported a candidate whose ethics were worse than Nixon's. At least Nixon turned over the tapes, while Hillary erased the emails and smashed the hardware. And at least the Republicans are willing to allow a special prosecutor to investigate Trump. The Democrats did a not-so-great whitewash of Hillary and her emails.
The election was more than a year ago. Please, get a grip.
Thank you Mr. Blow. It is long past time for Americans, and the news media, to sop acting as if the Republican Party is made up of loyal Americans, and to realize that it is enabling and covering up acts that come close to outright treason. Devin Nunes and his fellow congressional Republicans are actively working to undermine democracy in the United States. They should be treated, and remembered, as the traitors that they are.
4
Another difference between Nixon and Trump is that the latter considers himself 'king of the business world' and in his mind, his billions are his 'protection' against possible impeachment.
Unfortunately, it is also true that the two parties in Congress (most of them), have only one primary concern, not what is good for the common folk who elected them into office, but an ugly "you lose I win" mentality: a mentality fueled by Trump himself.
2
Once again an excellent an insightful article by Charles Blow. As Charles points out the key difference between 1973 and 2018 are the number of Republicans who value the welfare of the country over their self-interest. One major difference between Nixon and Trump is that Nixon was in fact an intelligent and competent person taken down by his own demons. He also had held real jobs his entire life and acted as a mature and responsible public servant most of the time. As columnist Mark Shields points out, it is for these reasons it is an insult to compare Nixon to Trump.
6
Comparing Trump to Nixon is unfair. Nixon was far better spoken.
5
Nixon was quite intelligent and concerned about policy matters. The only president approaching his intelligence level was Obama.
1
Nixon's chief domestic policy aide was one Daniel Patrick Moynihan, at least as to matters of public policy. (No complaints here.) On the other hand, he interfaced with the tyrants of the world through Henry Kissinger: so there was that.
1
Yes, there are striking parallels.
Nixon was much smarter though, and more experienced as a politician. He also was a graduate of Duke Law School, and had practiced law. Yet despite that, he made fatal mistakes and was toppled.
Trump doesn't have as much going for him.
6
As for tapes, or some sort of recorded media that would definitively implicate Trump, "wearing a wire" nowadays is as easy as setting your iPhone to record and letting it rip. Even though phones have been banned from use in WH spaces (for obvious reasons that have nothing to do with security) , we can only hope that among the trove of evidence that's sure to have been collected by Investigators, such recordings exist.
1
Seems like the Republicans have blown away their centrist core, which is not unlike a reactor with a core problem. Just maybe the alt right fringe could become the new center for Republicans, if they survive the test of time and trial. It is difficult to know if corrosive forces on institutions are similar to the speed of change perceived in Tweet storms that appear and disappear so quickly and so disruptively, that it is difficult to assess their impact. That type of instability may be here to stay, and only get more volatile. Though many reporters assess the Trump government as “unstable,” it is difficult to guesstimate how unstable the populace at large will become, should some yet-to-be-made public issue, spark public offence and powerful demonstrations, reminiscent of the Nixon era. For the moment, the seas of change seem eerily calm.
2
Trump should worry. Watergate fully sparked the need to check those holding power to ensure their conduct abides by standards---so the president is not above the law.
Which emphasizes the danger of adviser Stephen Miller's claim that Mr. Trump's executive authority will not be questioned, nor shall the White House recognize judicial review.
This was an enormous---and frightening---assertion of authoritarian presidential power. Although this is the apprentice president, this is not reality television.
The administration is scornful of the separation of powers. Freedom from tyrannical rule requires our steady vigilance. Oversight, including public, congressional and judiciary demanded. Republicans react with distractions.
4
Thank you, Mr. Blow, for reminding us that the "Saturday Night Massacre" happened in October 1973, and it took until the following July 1974 and a Supreme Court decision to force Nixon to release the tapes. Many people, especially those too young to recall, are impatiently awaiting some resolution to this stressful situation.
4
When NIXON scuttled the Vietnam Nam peace talks in 1968 just before the election, there were those that were complicit. Were they also guilty of treason ?
Those same people were able to keep it from the public until after his death. They went on unscathed.
Who is complicit NOW ?
Shouldn’t the voters know their names ? Shouldn’t the people that are failing to provide a balance of power in our Democratic government be called out by name, and not just Reps or partisans ?
We need to put the onus on the people that can do something about it now, because there are people like Flake who come out against it in rhetoric then vote for a bill to raid Fort Knox. Probably so he can set himself up for his future employment.
The onus is on the free press, the scoundrels are still the same as they were in 1968.
Maybe those of you in Washington, could go down to the wall and say a prayer for all 58,000 that died in Vietnam, especially those that did so after the 1968 election.
3
It’s obvious that there was collusion with the campaign. The question is whether Trump knew about it. Since he has no discretion, I’m sure he did and since he has no regard for or knowledge of the law, I’m sure he approved. He admitted obstruction in firing Comey to Lester Holt. The body on 5th Ave. has been mouldering for a long time. Clean it up already.
4
Mr. Blow is overlooking several pertinent facts in his article. The first is that an allegation that Trump thought about firing Mueller, but obviously didn't do it is somehow significant. The second is regarding Nixon's stonewalling and it's relevance to the Mueller investigation. There has not been any evidence of a refusal to supply documents to the Mueller investigation by the White House. The refusal to supply documents and claims of lost documents are are coming from the DOJ and FBI in the investigation of the events leading to thye Mueller investigation.Perhaps Mr. Blow might question the the FBI's ( or is it now the FIB) claim that the dog ate the texts.
1
During and after the presidential primaries many Republicans denounced trump. Now these same people embrace and enable trumpism. and are making attempts to block the investigation. One has to ask the question, just what is the Republican Party hiding.
2
If anyone can figure out how to get Fox "News" to stop being Trump's unabashed cheerleader and spewer of conspiracy theories and alternate realities, that would mitigate the destruction of our democracy more than anything else. Their thorough brainwashing of viewers and propaganda machine rants have done more to damage our democracy, including persuading people to support Trump through every revelation of his horrific flaws, and must be stopped. Can't the FTC force them, at least, to remove "news" from their name? Even their hosts claim they rationalize what they do because it's a talk-show with no need to support the truth of their stories with multiple sources!
4
We NEED the Fairness Doctrine to be restored. Yes, Fox News has been a pervasive and a deadly poison to American society and civics. Rupert Murdoch is a traitor to America, his naturalized country. His naturalization was required to allow ownership of US TV stations. I suspect that his loyalties have never belonged to us and I feel quite strongly that his citizenship should be revoked and he should be deported back to his native Australia. I would assert that Murdoch and Fox News are enemies of the state, who have been allowed to do enormous damage for far too long.
1
Despotism indeed. The question is: what are we going to do about it?
4
I believe that our situation has come to this; "People who lie to themselves and listen to their own lie come to such a pass that they cannot distinguish the truth within them or around them, and so loose all respect for themselves and for others." Dostoyevsky
4
Has anyone seen that picture of the protest sign that says "If Hillary Clinton had won we'd all be at brunch right now"?
That attitude is also to blame for this sorry moment. Yes, the Republicans deserve every imprecation thrown their way. From McConnell stealing that Supreme Court seat to Nunes' memo shenanigans, to the inaction on school shootings, DACA, healthcare, Russia and beyond, the Republicans' faithlessness in Congress is almost criminal.
But the complacency of the 60% of the people who don't like Trump is also a problem. Sure, we're all out marching now, but where were we when the Obama administration needed help in the face of Republican hostility or held to account for its own shortcomings?
And why are we so tempted by personality cults? Witness Bernie-mania or the muddled thinking that envisions a pure savior from the Green Party solving all of our problems. It's not going to be that easy!
We need more than a single hero. We need representation at all levels of government. We need sheriffs and judges and mayors and state legislators. We need Congress. We need strong, impartial institutions. We need transparent bureaucracy, incorruptible regulatory enforcement and simple laws. We need to transform the populist impulse into simple good government and stop with the partisan hero worship.
It's not enough to focus on a single person. Electing Obama didn't solve our problems. Nor will Bernie. And Trump didn't cause all our problems. It's deeper than that.
3
Mr. Blow
Thank you, a very true and just article, please continue your straight forwardness
about this Very Dangerous assault by the Trump Presidency
and Republican Congress on our Democracy.
1
The Republican party has unofficially split already into Traditional Republicans (whatever that is) and Ruspublicans who simply want unbridled power at any cost or consequence! The Ruspublicans are just fine with the FACT that Russia meddled in our 2016 election delivering a win to Donald J. Trump.
What the Russians (more specifically, Putin) did was an act of WAR. Cyber warfare is just as deadly to our freedom as a conventional attack on the US. Our founding fathers could never have conceived of this strain of warfare. But, then they couldn't have conceived of nuclear warfare either. Cyber warfare is no less a threat to our freedoms and sovereignty than any other form of warfare.
Rest assured that anyone providing aid, comfort or support to an enemy who attacked us with nuclear weapons would be convicted as Traitors. Treason is punishable by death.
Nunes, Ryan, McConnell, et. al. should be shaking in their souls right now.
In experiments, researchers have shown that if a rat is able to reach the end of a maze and is rewarded for its accomplishment (cheese), it will repeatedly run the maze, and get better at it, to get the cheese.
In all the talk of Trump and the Republicans who support and enable his behavior, only a few people have referred to the underlying system, the maze and the cheese, that motivates Republican politicians. Their behavior appears dysfunctional, but it has an utterly selfish purpose – to get re-elected. Re-election rewards them with power and, often, wealth – these are their cheese, their ultimate purpose. Re-election is the means to that end.
But there’s a problem. Wealthy donors have taken the role of researchers, watching their rats run the maze. But more than that, they intervene, urging their rats forward, helping them along, enticing them with the promise of more cheese. Republicans, like rats, run the maze because it works. With help from donors, gerrymandering, etc., they reach the cheese. So they run the same maze, election after election, because they’re rewarded for it.
The game is fixed. The maze is rigged. Trump is president and the cheese-eaters are in control. The short-term solution is for large enough numbers of voters to turn out in November so that, together, they can remove the cheese from the maze.
If we reward the maze-runners yet again with cheese in November, the future of democracy may lie in the grasp of the most voracious Republicans.
Pretty sure it's going to turn out there really is a there, there. After all.
We can't know anything yet. But the signs are that he has something he DESPERATELY wants to hide. One wonders what it might be. Unless one is wearing blinders.
1
If history repeats itself, this gives me hope. Nixon knew the constitution and still tried to shut down a lawful inquiry. This president does not know the constitution he swore to uphold. He can't understand why the "Trump justice department" won't just follow his orders. May his fall be swift. We can't afford to be the laughingstock of the world any longer.
Nixon ultimately with all his stone walling recognized democratic processes. He honored courts when they ruled against him and saw the impeachment process as the end of his career. He honored the press even though he fought against it and honored the voters opinion He ultimately turned out to be a crook, but his information about political process far out strips the ignorance of our current president. The question is would Trump step down even if the whole country and government ordered him to do so. After all he has declared that he could shoot someone in Times Square without consequence and destroying the constitution would be only one small step from that.
1
This maybe the Republican's last stand. Their collective fear hovers on Trump's failure and their banishment from majority power for maybe a generation why else are they gerrymandering districts, promoting radical judges, defending incumbency and placing party above our country. It's time for a referendum on these hooligan and vote the impostures out of power in November. ONLY then can reasonable compromise be achieved and we can begin to drain Trump's swamp.
1
I remember, what seems a lifetime ago, when the United States of America had an honorable, scandal-free, model family man as President. We miss you Barack.
2
This is THE problem. Behind Trump and his accomplices are the voters who support their political agenda and norm breaking. And these voters have always been there and only have become more visible since blacks were finally given the rights stolen from them by Jim Crow. They represent we are told about 30 to 35 percent of America. How do we maintain a political system that overcomes paralysis with such a large number of our population who, if Hilary had won, would have made the hate filled opposition to Obama look like a food fight. Obama, of course, became the first US president to be denied his ability to fill a vacancy in the Supreme Court. Many Republican congressmen said not a single judicial nomination made by Hilary would be approved. Politicians are proxies for their citizens and Republican leaders have been waging war on their voters’ behalf. I am not hopeful we can fix this.
1
Charles, you are clearly emotional about this, sufficiently so to gloss over substance.Nixon committed politically motivated offenses which were clearly illegal and then sought to lie, hide and obstruct.Trump may be obstructing an investigation but it is unlikely to be because he and his campaign knowingly acted unlawfully in dealing with Russia AS IT RELATES TO THE ELECTION.He is more likely to be trying to bury financial malfeasance committed as a private citizen in the conduct of his business.Taking tainted money from Russians may be immoral or illegal but it is unclear why that should be within the remit of Mueller's investigation.The argument that if true,Russians may have some kind of influence over him does not appear to have played out yet but since it would involve admission of criminal activity by Russians close to power, seems unlikely.
"Trump has already been caught on tape bragging about sexually assaulting women."
No, he hasn't. And that is the problem Charles Blow and others have with this whole Russian thing. They take the private comments of Donald Trump, a man who loves to use the ancient rhetorical art of hyperbole, as serious statements. They are not.
If Robert Mueller III has found any evidence that Donald Trump acted illegally by colluding with the Russians in the 2016 election, he should act on that. If he doesn't, he should immediately shut down his investigation. The theory that a crime has been committed has long since become a conspiracy theory with no evidence to support it.
When you have no evidence of a crime, you should not try to make a crime out of nothing. This inches us further away from justice and closer to corruption. Might as well call nothing nothing.
1
What I fear the most is what, I believe, will actually happen. The investigation will turn up “proof” that Trump, et.al are guilty of impeachable offenses. This proof would be proof enough for a conviction in an ordinary criminal case.
The proof will be compelling ,,but, not convincing to this Congress, nor, to Trump’s base. So,,there will be even more columns such as this, more arguing, more anger, more accusations of one thing or another. Meanwhile,,Trump and his Administration will go on...denying every accusation, applying the maxim “just keep telling the lie, enough people will believe it”.
There’s only one hope,,as I see it...the elections.
4
The difference in the cases is that Nixon actually had something to hide. The Russian interference case is based on nothing. Perhaps the Ds and Mueller can find some financial angle to get Trump. Its oft reported that Trump's mental grasp on reality might be questionable, which would proven if he fired Mueller, but this investigation is a classic example of beating ones head against wall of no evidence.
4
Please wait until the investigation is concluded before making baseless claims of "no evidence."
1
How do you know? I believe the nature of an investigation is to investigate and then provide the results. The investigation has not ended, nor have we gotten the report of the investigation.
Just because thousands of paid bots on Twitter tell you there is no there there, it doesn't make it true, any more than it makes the bots real people.
It may be there is nothing there. But we do not know that, nor does Mr. Trump act like an innocent man. Far from it.
1
The Russian interference case is based on nothing? Sounds like the defence council addressing the jury at the start of the trial, before the evidence is presented. There is smoke everywhere, there have been efforts to fire the prosecution, and no one yet knows the full extent what Mr Mueller has discovered. Let's see the evidence before we dismiss it as nothing. Time will tell.
As much as we would like to imagine that our political and judicial bodies saved our nation in the Nixon era it was the press that caused it
Our current under budgeted news operations can take credit for Trumpism due to their craving for ratings and false sense of equivalency.
Face it. Our corporate controlled profit driven media is as liberal and as honest as their hedge fund owners allow them to be.
17
Sorry but the FBI broke Watergate Felt leaked it to W/B and they get the credit
1
In this era of the newsflash, I bemoan the loss of context. The Dems rallied around Bill Clinton too; however, the differences and similarities become more treacherous as we examine #45's allegiances and actions. Hopefully the FBI will examine his entire family's finances, and I would like them made public if they add collusion and criminality to what we already know is treasonous and unconstitutional.
14
I was a teenager when Watergate was going on. It was a watershed event in so many ways. I learned that our president who was sworn to obey the laws of the land could betray the laws of the land. I learned that our government was not trustworthy. I've watched for over 40 years as the Republicans have continued to get back at the Democrats and America for Watergate. Trump is merely the cherry on the mound of scoops the GOP has built up to hide the fact that they have continually supported weakening America in order for them to have an indisputable majority all through every level of government. They have gerrymandered our districts, treated a sitting president with complete disrespect because of his skin color, tried to strip us of our rights, and given away a great deal to their rich patrons.
The GOP is a disgrace as a party. They are part of what's wrong in America. Instead of trying to regain our trust they have lied to us, resorted to divisive and bigoted statements, blocked every opportunity or suggestion or piece of legislation to improve the lives of working Americans, and never once bothered to understand how the "other guy" feels if the other guy isn't rich enough to donate to them.
The GOP has a lot to answer for and Trump is the least of it. They have over 40 years of extreme lying and obstructionism to account for along with the damage it's done to all of us.
47
Based on the headlines on left side of this front page, the GOP is going down with the ship. And by going down with the ship; I mean they are just going to keep sailing. Their masters of the universe are now actual masters of the universe and they quite like it. The mathematician Mercer has done the math, and the Dems, Mueller and democracy don’t have the numbers. That explains how the GOP is tacking right now.
6
We're in uncharted territory as there is no sanity in the White House and among the Republicans in Congress. 1973 was a very different time; cynicism hadn't take over the body politic and there was a civility in Congress.
Power and inequality have infected America. Our original sin, racism is on display. We can fully expect Trump to channel Nixon and soon we'll hear about Trump blubbering his prayers to Bannon. Hope springs eternal.
15
And in 1973, we all watch the same news - Walter Cronkite and similar colleagues who were interested in the truth and informing the public. We didn't have cable news silos like fox news that could just feed propaganda and conspiracy theories to their viewers.
2
The Russia scandal is consuming the Trump Administration to the point they are losing control of the war in Afghanistan. The president must resign for the good of the country.
14
While I will cheer to see this administration be replaced by the next one, there is nothing noble in our war in Afghanistan. Never was, never will be.
Trump's way of handling the heat is to go hard with accusations at the press and the DOJ. It's shameful to see the right try and create a foil for the Mueller investigation. Every night Hannity drums the deep state beat, ginning up the base. And it's become embarrassing and shameful to watch senators latch on to unproven, wild conspiracy theories. It's also ridiculously ironic to see the leaders of "fake news", Fox News, go so hard at established news sources. It seems like the rule of the day is when caught go gaslight angry with wild accusations of one's own to give your base something to grab onto as the ship sinks.
16
Mr Mueller, the fate of this nation rests with you and your team. I am a 60 year old American who has never felt so dispirited --- the hope, the class, inspiration, EVERYTHING is gone under Trump. I hang my head in shame when crossing the Canadian border---the tone there is wonderful while here its like Russia 1978. Please, let early 2018 be the end of this nightmare.
37
Let's hope the obstruction of justice charges this time also names the Congressional enablers of the Hair Furor.
15
Party before country will be How this Republican Congress will be rendered in history books after all of us reading this are long gone and pushing up daisies.
12
The Democrats wish Trump had fire Mueller, but Trump apparently decided not to fire Mueller after his legal counsel advised him it would be a dumb thing to do. Comparing Trump’s decision not to fire special counsel Mueller to Richard Nixon’s actual firing of Watergate special prosecutor Archibald Cox is absurd. Calls for obstruction of justice charges against Trump is a signal that Democrats no longer expect the Mueller investigation to uncover evidence of unlawful collusion between Russian and the Trump campaign.
2
Yes Charles, for citizens of color in this country going back to inception, there's been a two tiered application of the 'rule of law.' People of color were routinely denied a blind application of justice.That tradition has now metastasized to include anyone not directly connected with the republican party. We did not keep our republic, as B. Franklin warned we might not. Putting country ahead of party is as quaint a notion as is the myth of America being a democracy. The country is corrupt to its core. Now, with Trump, the power structure feels so secure in their control, that all pretense of a 'rule of law,' is discarded. It remains to see just when the police and military will turn on white people as they have for centuries abused people of color.
11
I agree with Trump that he did not intentionally collude with the Russians. He was exploited and used by them in the greatest security breach and threat to our country.
4
The Republicans are giddy with joy and happiness. All they have ever wanted is power and money. Trump is providing both. Why would they want to get rid of trump. He is their dream come true. A dictator? That's fine with them as long as money and power keep rolling it. It's a different era than it was when Nixon was president.
Forget any impeachment of trump. Get used to at least eight years of trump and possibly many more. (I forgot: trump is an old many and at best has maybe 20 years more to live unless the Republicans decide to prop up a dead president as what happened in Great Britain eons ago.
1
If you're looking for historical parallels, I think 1933 Germany is more apt.
11
I believe Trump is doomed by the Mueller investigation. But rest assured that once he's gone and Pence is sworn in, you will be hard pressed to find any Republican who will admit to having lauded, defended and enabled him. They will claim they were always dubious, that they too were bamboozled, that they only feigned support for him to protect the country. They will deny participation, deny they voted for him. They will run and hide from their corruption. They will whitewash.
22
To assume he is repeating Nixon's panic is to assume Trump is guilty of something. If he is not, none of it will come back to haunt him. if he is guilty he is going down anyway. If the institution is attacking Trump when he is not guilty he has every right to complain, if he is guilty, of course he is trying to shift blame. This article ignores the possibility that Trump is innocence, so its logic is skewed and fake.
2
Guaranteed, Trump will have better lawyers than Nixon did.
This week Putin has removed all semblance of competition and dissent in the upcoming "Russian Presidential Election". Will Trump dare to do like wise?
3
A pox is upon our house. Mercutio curses both the Montagues and Capulets, crying several times, "A plague o' both your houses!"
Bad presidents are becoming the norm and as such are canaries in the coal mine of a corrupt political system that bears only the slightest resemblance to the "founders" vision. But then, the "founders" were by and large the oligarchs of their day, complete with slaves and no franchise for vast portions of the population, so in a sense that vision was a lie.
Trump is not an aberration; he is simply a ruder version of many who preceded him. If he had better manners and a modicum of self control he would be fairly popular.
4
When was it that the Republicans became anti-American? They no longer uphold the very things that in fact make this country great: chief among them the deep respect for the rule of law and civility.
14
He announced clearly during his campaign that he was going to be attacking our institutions and laws.
Why so late with the pushback?
Push harder! And harder still!
6
Very well written and thoughtful- keep up the good work Charles!
6
I was only 21 when Ford took over. He was bad, and every Republican since then has been worse and worse. Don't blame me, I voted for McGovern.
4
Trump is petty, mean, bullying, largely ignorant of his responsibilities as president and determined to use his time in office to build his wealth. The Republicans in Congress, from Mitch McConnell to Paul Ryan through the "Freedom Caucus" in the House are worse, much worse. They have abandoned responsibilities to the nation as a whole in favor of slurping at the gravy train of tax cuts for the mega-rich, chipping away at Obamacare, laughing in the face of obvious global warming and letting corporate America run free of any reasonable and modest restraints.
They are deathly afraid of Trump and his popularity (even as it shrinks) and they are afraid to take him on, on public or private, and let him know that he was not elected king, should not attempt to disrupt everything around him and may not, ever, cast the world into the abyss of nuclear war just because he likes to tweet insults.
Will no one save us from this man? If we await wisdom and concerted action by Republicans, we would be bigger fools than those in signed up for Trump University in the hope that Trump would make them rich.
Nixon was brought down by his own paranoia, some of which was justified by the opposition he faced from the eastern establishment hostile to his cheap red-baiting and lack of both Ivy League education and wealthy, eastern birth.
Trump thinks defiance is the answer. As a constant tactic, it builds opposition and exposes weakness that all Americans, including Trump lovers, will come to see.
8
If we're going to call a thing a thing, then let's note that Republican in Congress have moved away from loyalty to Party and towards Treason.
8
What is striking today is the willful ignorance of what remains of the GOP. Their casual indifference to the damage being done to institutions and the Constitution is truly appalling. They know better, but do nothing. The Oval Office occupant does not know any better, and has no interest in learning what not to do.
The GOP turns a blind eye to his incompetence, knowing he will twist and turn and betray while demanding loyalty but also knowing he will adopt the opinion of the last person he speaks with, furthering their own agendas.
When Nixon resigned, he still had something like 24 percent approval ratings. Some people simply will not believe reality, no matter what evidence rolls before them. If today's GOP -- by not defending the Constitution, the Justice Department, the FBI and the EPA against this president's recklessness -- is playing to this president's "base," they are trawling the very lowest levels of low-information voters, a vanishing breed.
At least Nixon thought, in some perverse way, what he was doing was right. The current man behind the HMS Resolute desk -- irresolute, unteachable, incurious and unschooled in law -- simply has no idea what he is doing.
8
Trump has brought the Republican party closer to its desires to reduce the cost of government to protecting corporate interests abroad through a large and effective military and protecting private property by a tough and effective police force, closer to its dream of unregulated pursuit of wealth than any other nominal leader, while keeping the constituency that replaced the pre-Depression coalition of businessmen and small farmers (segregationists, single issue folks like gun lovers, anti-abortion folks, anti-tax people, anti-immigration nativists, etc.) happy with bread and circuses. And the price? Some embarrassment..... Of COURSE Republicans have rallied to the defense of this rainmaker!
3
Nixon and Trump - both dishonest crooks.
I’ll take Nixon any day over Trump. As is pointed early on the article, at least Nixon was articulate.
While I never bought Nixon’s defensive that “everyone else did it”, he wasn’t entirely wrong The scope and severity of Nixon’s crimes were unprecedented, just as Trumps will likely be.
5
"That could well have been Donald Trump". No, it couldn't. It's complete sentences, with carefully-chosen vocabulary.
3
Decoding Trump-ese, when Donald repeats "Everyone knows there was no collusion," the translation is that "too many people know there was collusion."
Further, when Trump declared that a president "can pardon anyone," he is thinking ahead to an eventuality.
True, Congressional Republicans are not too keen on aggressively defending Mueller. But take heart that last week's story about Trump's ill-advised plan to fire Mueller, a la Comey, even broke. Could it have come from Jeff Sessions, who wants the last laugh over Donald? Mike Pence, who is biding his time, waiting for Donald's departure? A lawyer who has had it with Trump's lawlessness? Someone else who is cooperating with Mueller? We won't know names now, if we ever will, but we know that the wall guarding Trump's dirty laundry is splintering.
6
We have become a nation of men, not of laws.
2
I agree with those who point to Fox News as the greatest danger in America. Without this faux news fueling his ignorant base, the Trump phenomenon would have neither risen nor survived this long. Chris Hayes at MSNBC calls Fox News "Trump TV," a more accurate name.
This outrage must be identified repeatedly if we are to save our democratic republic.
8
Nixon didn't have the propaganda machines from the far right (Fox, Limbaugh, etc.) that today creeps into Trump's base. Today's evangelicals are willing to overlook just about everything Trump stands for and does. This isn't your fathers GOP anymore.
6
You are absolutely right with this column. What worries me is the complete and utter lack of integrity and patriotism of elected Republicans. We are already well within the same Watergate crimes that triggered Nixon's impeachment, yet we hear nothing but crickets or stumbling defenses of Trump by Congressional Republicans. More to the point, given the current makeup of the Supreme Court, could you foresee them forcing Trump's hand on any of this? That is terrifying.
4
Morally, the Republicans on Capitol Hill, in that private club quickly becoming a criminal enterprise of obstruction, are now complicit with covering up a defiled, criminally influenced election. You can identify the persons in the know by their gleaming black, perpetually spit-polished black SUV's, which taxpayers finance for them literally by the dozens. On a crunch-day, like when these Republicans hold Dreamers hostage and shutter the government, the east side of the Capitol looks like a General Motors black Suburban sale day. We treat them well for their obstruction in return. But obstruction of President Obama for 8 years, bad as it was, is one thing. Obstruction of justice -- by members of the U.S. Congress, no less -- is another.
5
What? He worry? Donald J. Trump is not worried. He tells us so. He tells us there's nothing to the Mueller investigation, no wrongdoing will be found, it's all "fake" so No Big Deal. He looks forward to being interviewed because he has nothing to hide, and he knows the Mueller team will treat him fairly. (And if "fair" means what it's supposed to mean, they will.)
On the other hand, elected Republicans are working overtime making hyper-angry, unsupported charges against the professional men and women our nation has hired to protect us from crime, to investigate possible wrongdoing,
even when it involves the President of the United States. If you were one of those investigators, would you surrender your sworn duties when being smeared by those who obviously fear that Mr. Trump may be wrong, who fear wrongdoing may be unearthed by those we've entrusted to the hard digging in the name of what's known as " Doing The Right Thing"?
Some in our FBI and other services may resent being attacked. Would you?
Many supporters sent Mr. Trump to Washington so he could "Drain the Swamp." If this putrid fog being created by Republicans to challenge the Mueller probe isn't Swamp Gas, then what is it?
Doug Giebel, Big Sandy, Montana
3
If the new flush of money from the republican tax plan doesn't improve wages it won't matter how or why trump is walking down Main Street naked, he is done. The youth of America along with women will be the scythe that will end this charade of a republic and it's party. History of Nixon impeachment, Reagan's Contra wars and letting businesses move profits off shore, to Bush senior mini war to Bush jr weapons of mass destruction and the collapse of housing market , to trickle down economics, to eliminating programs claiming how much the federal goverment was going to save only to have states pick up the needed programs and then increase state taxes to cover cost. With today's media apps, smart phones and google people need to dig further into what their seeing and what they are being spoon fed. Tick tock and the rich keep getting richer!
5
Just that Trump is paranoid doesn't mean that they aren't after him [for political reasons].
Remembering Richard Nixon well from 1973 in the midst of the Watergate investigation after his election to a seond term as our 37th president. We lived through and witnessed Watergate and are now feeling the abhorrent tug of foul play in the highest office of our land. Revelations of wrongdoing in Trump's White House are rife as they were in Nixon's day.
Chaos abounds today in Washington, D.C. Two articles of impeachment may be waiting like ballet dancers in the wings of the Kennedy Center - obstruction of justice and abuse of power. This is not 1973. We are one year into President Trump's hopefully only term of office.- and Trump's Republican party is as guilty of treason as he is.
Will proof of Trump's guilt be revealed to us by Special Counsel Robert Mueller in the coming days? Will Mueller share the same fate as Archibald Cox, fired by Nixon? Why is Donald Trump being protected by his party, his propaganda arm of "fake news", by his ignorant and bigoted loyalists who see him as the provider of bread, circuses, vulgar tweets and acceptable behaviour?
Will Republicans put the Constitution ahead of their divisive and obtructive party politics this time around? The proof will lie in the impeachment pudding that Robert Mueller and the purveyors of justice are now confecting.
3
Money laundering has been Drumpf main source of income for decades. There is a criminal in the Oval Office, and he deserves years of jail time.
7
According to his order of appointment, Mueller’s independent investigation was to be limited to:
(i) any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump; and
(ii) any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation; and
(iii) any other matters within the scope of 28 C.F.R. §600.4(a).
https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/967231/download
Regulation 28 C.F.R. §600.4(a) is part of the federal regulations authorizing special counsels. It expands a special counsel’s jurisdiction to crimes, such as perjury or obstruction of justice, that interfere with his original named responsibility.
If Mueller does overstep the bounds of his commission it would fall to the DOJ official who appointed Mueller and oversees him in the special counsel role, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, to recognize that occurrence and take steps to refocus the investigation.
1
IQ45 is worse than Nixon. IQ45 and/or his minions, on his orders, conspired with a foreign country to interfere in our elections. And because this administration is doing nothing to stop it (or even discourage it), they will continue to do so in the coming elections.
The GOP is totally complicit in undermining our democratic institutions. For the life of me, I can't figure out why they continue to support and protect this president, unless a lot of them think if IQ45 goes down, so will they. This type of behavior makes the 2018 elections even more important.
5
Nyt it is all well and good for those of us who read the NYT and especially columns by the likes of Mr. Blow to vent and concur and speak of better days to come. As someone old, disabled, and waiting-hoping-for the final trumpet to sound, I say you are all delusional. Our country is moving backward because it can, and the modern Know-Nothings hold the power.
You and we will only be able to change that by overwhelming them at the ballot box. And the left in this country has primarily excelled at fragmentation. Keep that up, and the evil that now rules us will only grow. If I could do more than join in the discourse here, I would. I urge all of you who want a country of which we can be proud to act, not talk, not write. Get out the vote, your own and as many others as you can. Toss these miscreants into history’s dustbin, or they will do that to us and destroy whatever is left of the dream of America, not to mention its realities.
We shall overcome, or we shall be destroyed. Our adversaries have made clear there is no middle ground.
7
To put it simply, Trump represents the values, ethics and morals of the entire Republican Party...without the GOP dog whistles.
4
What exactly is the "justice" that Trump is obstructing? What crime is being covered? Mr. Blow implies with his phrase "guilt-triggered" that Trump is guilty of colluding with the Russian government to affect the outcome of the American election, but there is absolutely no evidence of this. We do know that Christopher Steele, an agent of the Clinton Campaign and the DNC, colluded with members of the Russian government to affect the outcome of the election, but it is not even clear that that is a crime. Are you really prepared to impeach a president for a process crime when there is not an underlying offense, in the same way that Scooter Libby was railroaded? What Mr. Blow fails to mention is that Bill Clinton was actually impeached because he had "prevented, obstructed, and impeded the administration of justice," but Democrats refused to remove him from offices. Clinton attempted to suborn false testimony from his secretary, a government employee; he repeatedly lied to a judge; and he used the the force of his administration to smear and intimidate a potential witness, Monica Lewinsky.
And we know that Clinton was attempting to cover-up being a sexual predator, and when his cover-up failed he paid almost a million dollars to make a sexual harassment case go away.
1
The SCP is a creation of the republican party, and like Dr. Frankenstein they have to protect the monster that they created.
Other similarities are uncanny, e.g. Trump charges of "witch hunt" is taking his talking points from Nixon, as in this article from 1973, authored by Woodward and Bernstein: https://lilithwood.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/screen-shot-2017-05-18-at...
Probably will end up with the same result, as Blow's piece suggests.
1
Motives... Nixon's were obvious. Many of Trump's motives are blatantly obvious. Money. Ego. Power. None of us should be surprised by these driving forces, Trump clearly exhibits the behavior of a narcissistic personality. A narcissistic personality who was born into wealth... he is NOT a self-made man. One major question haunts me. WHY would someone as self-absorbed as Mr. Trump work so vigilantly and intentionally to protect Michael Flynn? What does Michael Flynn have on Trump? His Son or Daughter? His Son-in-Law? All of the Above. The answers to this political quagmire will be found here/
6
The quickest way to end the Trump presidency is to repeal the law which requires the Secret Service to protect him.
1
THIS IS A VERY VALUABLE PIECE OF WRITING.THANK YOU.
Donald Trump’s misogny, bigotry, racism are making those three important words difficult to voice. But they need to be voiced...particularly with people who don’t believe they exist when they are actually pervasive in our world. At the very least, each of us by our behavior and our conversation need to stake out a place that actually says: “this is what I believe in...these are the things that are important to me...this is how I am going to live my life...and if you object to that...well too bad.” We need to stop backing away from those who hold abhorent views on these issues because those who espouse them are loud, boorish and agressive. Like Donald Trump and Steven Miller.
2
Trump is Nixon without the ethics, class or charm. Think about THAT.
7
Indeed.
2
Excellent and constructive comparison, Mr. Blow. Thank you for refreshing my memory of those dark days. Their shadow persists, perverting the sunshine from once well-meaning people who have sunk into equivocation and excuse-making, if not outright lying.
Take Senator Collins, who represents the state in which I have lived for more than a half-century. She has been reported in this paper as claiming that President Trump did just what he was supposed to do, in effect consulting with legal counsel about firing the Special Prosecutor, and taking the advice offered.
How can she ignore the poison in the action she seems to have ignored either to her convenience, or for her sense of self-justification in her silence? Namely, why, when ordered to terminate the employment of Mr. Mueller, did it take the threat of resignation by legal counsel to protect the President from his intemperance? Does Senator Collins think her constituency is too bemused, or just plain stupid, to note her disingenuousness? Or is her silence required by worse than complicity?
Such is the infectious morass of delusion, alas.
4
"This is now an indictment of the entire Republican Party-the elected officials and still strident Trump voters-as well as the Trump propaganda machine at Fox News ('news' clearly being a misnomer)."
I think this is a crucial point: Rational people need to cease pretending that Fox News is a legitimate news operation that happens to have a conservative bent. They are a craven, right-wing propaganda outlet with a smattering of "news" thrown in for appearances. Likewise, there must be recognition that people who consume their product are opting to have like-minded conservatives tell them what they want to hear rather than engage in intelligent, honest debate. Fox is exhibit A for what enabled the ridiculous man now occupying the Oval Office to arrive in the first place.
3
"These folks are engaged in an attack on the country from within. They are attacking our institutions. They are attacking the truth. All of this is being done to protect Trump rather than protect America."
Absolutely.
As Mike Pence should be an acceptable short term conservative alternative for most of the "folks" in question, I have trouble understanding why this is the case. Why are they trying so hard?
Are they all really that afraid of getting primaried? Terrified of Sean Hannity? Are they worried that Mueller is going to find money trails and foreign influence beyond Trump?
Perhaps a side effect of my Trump Derangement Syndrome is a new found openness to conspiracy theories, but I do hope to some day truly understand why so many Republicans proved willing to attack the foundations of our democracy on behalf of a buffoon.
3
Republicans have become the Germans of the 1930's. Ryan, McConnell and the control of their respective Houses of Congress have been complicit in allowing Trump's fanaticism to get a good hard grip on our Federal government. Trump is a know-nothing oaf, but that is not his crime. The danger in Trump is his lack of self-awareness. Trump does not know what he does not know. His ego won't allow him to concede his ignorance, realize his limits. As Dirty Harry Callahan put it, "a man has to know his limitations".
Trump doens't know from limitations. His arrogance, borne from him always getting what he wants spoiled childhood, propels his erratic behavior, providing him with the fuel to surge forth with slapdash ideas concocted on a whim. There is no rhyme or reason to Trump, thus there is no rhyme or reason to his thought processes. Basically, Trump has no moral compass, and so the things he says and the actions he takes are based on the ability to, as Trump puts it, "get big numbers". He's less a populist and more a TV network executive. What will bring the highest ratings, no matter their credulity, is what counts in the mind of this Reality TV star. Yes, I did say star. Trump's knack for attracting a mass audience or a mass of poorly educated voters is non pareil.
DD
Manhattan
3
Wow! You said that so well. I think it is a perfect description of what we have been seeing from President Trump.
2
30% of voters and the majority in the U.S. Congress are gleeful in their support of Trump, despite his sexual misconduct, despite his overt prejudice and racism, despite his attacks against democratic institutions and despite his constant lying.
The soul of our republic is at stake and the question now facing this country is what kind of country will we continue to be? If Trump has his way, it seems likely we will resemble the fascism of our 20th century enemies, rather than the global leader of freedom and democracy and a beacon of hope and justice to the rest of the world.
2
Thank you, Charles Blow. We're witnessing Watergate on steroids. The behavior by this sorry excuse for a human being, Trump, has crossed lines too numerous to count. He admits obstruction of justice on video to Lester Holt. The next day he admits it again, boasts about it to of all people the Russian Ambassador and Russian media who, unlike American Media, were allowed in the Oval office. There is a new assault on America and the People every day since this horror show of a man took office. His new right hand man is Miller, a white supremacist. His minions, which include the Republican held Congress which will sell their souls to please their wealthy donors, scurry around him begging for the opportunity to praise him. America's Democracy is on life support.
1
Nixon did not use the borrowed Goebbels strategy that a lie told often enough to the masses becomes the truth, as Trump has done. His constant repitition of “no collusion” in the face of admitted evidence from his own family that meetings with Russians took place in his own building, might actually work. As with Goebbels, the repetition by Trump and his loyal propagandists, Hannity, Limbaugh et al is an attempt to revise history as it is happening before our eyes. The hope is that Mueller has enough independence and the Supreme court has not been drinking the same Koolade that the House and Senate Republicans have been drinking so that this drama can play out to the right conclusion.
It's all too true that the GOP and FOX are doing their craven best to prop up the DJT catastrophe - and so far succeeding.
Had Nixon had these powerful propaganda machines behind him, who know whether or not he'd have been impeached?
But about a third of Americans are also complicit, or at least, highly susceptible to brainwashing. They were willing to vote for this man who, all his life, has broken most standards of common decency - not to mention, any law or regulation that got in the way of his rapacious greed. Why is the misguided base so desperate to support a man who is actually beyond sleazy, but, realistically speaking, a criminal-minded totalitarian?
Until the educational system in this country is seriously overhauled, there are going to ignorant, gullible people in droves, as unthinking as children, who are going to vote for any smooth talking fascist who comes along. (One Trump supporter explained that her eight year old son convinced her to vote for him.) The far right is very happy to cultivate a mass audience inclined to accept any cheap conspiracy theory that comes along, if it helps their fast-talking guy survive in office. The only way to confront this travesty long term, is through decent education for all - only secondary to the need for universal healthcare.
All this money, but the people so poor, so uneducated, so unhealthy, so vulnerable.
4
First: "Nixon’s hostility toward the press grew, and the press was emboldened by his aggression." Unfortunately, we now have mostly tame lap-dogs and paid shills in the press rather than investigative journalists. Go see "The Post."
Second: The House then still had members with integrity and a moral compass who understood they served the country and its people not the President and the shadow plutocrats. Today, Trump's claim that he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and get away with it rings eerily true. Shame on THEM.
I can't help wondering if some in our Congress and around the president could also be indicted for obstruction of justice. I'm thinking of Nunes, for example; and is there to be no penalty for the shameless lying that has gone on for more than a year now?
I was appalled at Sean Spicer playing his lying as comedy. He should have been booed off the stage. Why should we find such blatant, extensive, and constant lying—TO US—funny, or even excusable?
2
Trump has demonstrated time and time again that he is in a panic. All that's left for us to learn is what he's panicking about. I fear the worst.
1
I am afraid!
I emigrated to this country at the age of 5. My parents had survived the Holocaust and a post WW2 civil war in their country. In the late 1960s Greece was once again a dictatorship. They once again saw truths being perverted, censorship and 'fake history' replacing truth. They wanted their children to go to school where facts were facts and not malleable to the whims of new leaders. Fortunately, we had family who had preceded us to the US and had established themselves well and therefore they were able to sponsor us.
Although, I did not like all the elected officials that preceded this last election, none have frightened me. I was certain that the constitution, and the balance of power between the three parts of federal government would prevent the danger we now face. President Trump and his supporters (both vocal and silent) are using tactics you see in totalitarian governments. They show no respect for the Constitution and the country as the center of our government. They want a government of personality. Will we have a free and fair election in 2018 or 2020. I am afraid we may not. My parents could never have imagined this situation happening in this country as we landed at JFK late in 1968.
I love this country but I see what is happening and I'm afraid for my children. I joke sometimes that we might have to make a reverse emigration. For now it's a joke, but I am afraid!
2
"The entire Republican Party" indeed has now thrown its support behind the legislative hacking of American constitutional governance. We are witness to the GOP-led Senate Judiciary Committee seeking its first indictment of -- who? -- Christopher Steele of all people. The House Intelligence Committee has become a nitwit's circus if deflection.
The Republican Party has abandoned its traditional commitment to national security by the free pass it has accorded to Vladimir Putin and his hacking regiments of cyber trolls. Armchair patriots Lindsey Graham and Chuck Grassley occupy the front ranks of enablement. And these are the "reasonable" Republicans.
By tearing down the nation's courts, law enforcement and the Justice Department, "the entire Republican Party" shows itself unconcerned about the country's constitutional foundation when its own partisan advantage is at stake. All the while, Republicans shroud themselves hypocritically in the American flag, dishonoring it far more than a thousand kneeling football players ever could.
4
The concerted attacks by Republican lawmakers against the FBI and intelligence agencies could not help Putin and terrorists more. These are the premier law enforcement groups that protect us from foreign enemies and terrorist attacks. Now instead of having the Congressional support they have every right to expect, Republicans are viciously attacking the guardians and defenders of America in order to defend Trump -- not America -- at all costs. If Trump and/or his campaign staff conspired with Russia to win the election, justice demands investigation and prosecution.
Nothing is being done to protect US elections from more Russian and other attacks.
Yet attacks on the special counsel, on selected FBI agents whom Trump ordered smeared, on various justice officials continue and expand.
Devin Nunes holds two agriculture degrees. Why is he even chair of the Intelligence Committee? A plastics corporation executive is chairing the Senate Homeland Security Committee? Why? These are unqualified men saying and doing crazy things that harm national security. The secret society belongs in the same garbage bin as Pizzagate, the Obama racist birther conspiracy, and nonexistent wire tapping of Trump Tower.
Follow the money. Between Trump, money laundering for Russian mobsters and bribes, I think something is very rotten also with some of these individual GOP legislators desperately to obstruct justice. They are not defending the Constitution. What are they hiding?
Even if Mueller gives indisputable evidence that Trump obstructed justice, colluded with Russia, or committed financial crimes, I doubt seriously that the GOP Congress would move to impeach him
1
Trump has taken "whatever the president orders is legal" to altitudes Nixon never imagined possible.
1
This article comparing 45 to Nixon highlights the quandary we are now in. Both men were blatant criminals with delusions of grandeur and of being above the law. Many posters have voiced fears for months that the repubs of today are so corrupted by greed and racism that they will never vote to impeach their “dream come true”. The other problem is the voting blocs steady at 40%.
This leaves only the November elections to save us.
BTW, even the posts here are brilliant.
1
The saddest part is that Nixon would have remained in office if he had the same rabid support Trump has from Fox and the GOP. Now anything is excusable.
1
I wish we could SEE one of these panic episodes in full flower.
3
Blow is absolutely correct. We are destroying our institutions from within, and large groups of people don’t see and don’t care.
2
Very good column, however I do disagree on one point:
"All of this is being done to protect Trump rather than protect America."
No Charles, all of this is being done to protect the power the Republicans currently have. To enrich themselves at the behest of their donors and the expense of the rest of us.
They could care less about Trump and his ridiculous family. He is a means to and end. The country, the constitution, and the people do not factor into it at all.
I'm not sure the GOP even believes in democracy and the constitution. Their patriotism, like their faith, is a sham riddled with hypocrisy and bombast.
1
Charles, have you seen the stock market? Trump is not going away.
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That will change when the Second Great Depression (or will we count it as the Third Gret Depression) comes. This market at is blown-out unsupported valuations is unsustainable. Even an Econ 101 student understands that much.
3
Do you mean that when it crashes he goes? Trump is eager to take credit for things when they look favorable to him. He is even quicker to deny involvement with things that would paint him in a bad light. It will be interesting to see who he tries to throw under the bus when the stock market slams back to earth.
4
The second great depression will come when a Democrat is elected president again.
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Mr. Blow writes, "Indeed, the parallels between Trump now and Nixon then are extraordinary." And later, "Of course, these are different times." My response is, "Yes, and no."
In January, 1974 Republican members of Congress were standing fast with Nixon as the midterms were still 10 months in the distance. However, as that year progressed, more hard evidence was revealed and the midterms became uncomfortably close Nixon's supporters changed their tune, the final straw being the release on 5 August of the "smoking gun" audio tape. Nixon resigned three days later.
From what I read in this paper, the conclusion of Mueller's investigation is some months away. His report will most likely be a bombshell, but Trump's tenure will hinge on the clear evidence of, or lack thereof, a smoking gun.
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Imagine how much more powerful Mr. Nixon, a far more skillful, insidious politician than Mr. Trump, would have been if he had Citizens United, the Koch brothers, and the vast right wing media outlets.
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The parallels are striking. Notice how those binders in the stack are empty?
As much as I look forward to Trump receiving his comeuppance, talk of impeachment may be counter-productive. Nixon's circumstances were different: the House was controlled by Democrats, and only a few Republicans crossed the aisle to vote for impeachment. It is unrealistic to think Republicans in power today will act, especially after what we have witnessed over the past year.
Instead turning the midterm election into a referendum on impeachment (which carries the risk of further motivating the radical fringe of the Republican party), those who abhor Trump should continue to focus on the abysmal policies undertaken by Trump and his enablers in Congress. Turn out the vote!
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And let's not forget the low-profile role of the Koch brothers in pulling the strings of their Republican Congressional puppets. Like Trump, the Koch brothers seem motivated by narcissistic rage--in their case, that their businesses were repeatedly fined for violating federal environmental regulations.
Temper tantrums in toddlers are one thing, but this is dangerous to our democracy.
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I just watched "The Post" yesterday, depicting the battle between the press and then-President Richard Nixon over the publication of articles taken from the Pentagon Papers. When the decision of the Supreme Court was announced, people in the audience applauded.
That decision, 6-3, supported the press right to publish free of administration restraints. But think about this. There were 3 justices who did not vote for press freedom. Are our institutions likely to rule similarly today? It is really questionable given the current composition of the Supreme Court, with Republican nominees in a hefty majority. And given the craven obsequiousness of the Republican leadership in Congress.
Trump is the worst President ever, even worse than the fabulously incompetent GW Bush. He should be impeached and removed from office. It may take another election or two to accomplish his removal.
A lesson for us all: don't vote for Republicans.
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I'm a big fan Charles but I think the premise comparing Nixon and Trump is flawed.
Nixon pales in comparison.
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Love him or hate him Trump has generated huge gains for Stock market investors. Dow Jones 30,000.is coming. Impeachment will not occur during a period of sustained economic growth. Ignore the warts and enjoy the wins. As Junior said. Trump loves only one color. GREEN.
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This is a powerfully written commentary.
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As to calling 'a thing a thing', the news media can fix a long-standing problem by labeling Trump's tweets and public statements as 'fake news', when that term is deserved. The news media: Please repeat that label while addressing any statement of his that deserves it, just as Trump does with labels he assigns those he wants to belittle - like 'crooked Hillary'. It's long past time to do this.
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We are in crises and have been for some time. Citizens United blew the lid off any remaining vestiges of fairness in our elections. It's as though we are returning to the debate of the original Constitutional framers - how democratic do we want to be? The original framers distrusted the masses. I believe majority rule is to be trusted - if honest debate frames the issues. Right now there are a lot of noise and illogical and false hyperbolic rabbit holes instead sticking to the important facts. We really need leaders that can frame the issues correctly and help everyone get through the thicket of lies that will always be there, not contribute to them for their own aggrandizement.
November elections will prove how concerned Americans are over the threat to democracy. If the makeup of Congress stays the same, we're toast.
5
Here’s a bet. It will.
It appears the firing of Mueller would have sealed the deal. Trump was , against his will, pulled back from the precipice. The question will be whether Mueller can put together a convincing package to make up for the lack of a smoking gun, as it were. I believe Mueller is more patient, more intelligent, more thorough, has impeccable integrity, and is not blinded by narcissism to make the case against Trump. The problem is going to be: the Republican party has joined the crowd on Fifth Ave watching Trump pulling the trigger. They will not yell:"Arrest that man". There won't be any special council to investigate the Republican party for collusion. That job falls to the voters. The question will be: Will the voters do the right thing? Or will this be another example of people standing by while atrocities against our democracy are committed? And saying "We didn't think he was doing anything wrong?"
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CB, you have indeed called “a thing a thing.” With DT having engaged in such ruthless, unchecked behavior over the past twelve months, it is sometimes difficult to keep up with the shenanigans, because each week (day?) brings a new layer of egregiousness.
The fact that the GOP accepts his every word with little to no inquisition, grovel at his feet and turn a blind eye to his every despicable action, is a feat of monumental proportions. Although, I realize at this point in DT’s presidency I shouldn’t be stunned at what emanates from the WH, I still find that I am.
The behavioral and rhetorical recklessness should never be accepted as the norm, but, as I see it, it is, due to the no-backbone Congresspersons who are afraid to call DT on the carpet.
If former President Barack Obama had engaged in a single “infraction” that DT has been committing over the course of his presidency, he would not have made it to Day Two of his presidency. President Obama would have been a figment of our collective imaginations.
May as well call a thing a thing.
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Trump has been our president for a year. We've spent that year talking about how awful he is, how unfit for office he is, how he allegedly colluded with Russia to win, how he's alienating our allies and putting our country at risk, and how the GOP is complicit in everything he does or doesn't do as president. What we should be talking about is why this abomination beat out all of the standard Republican candidates and won in places that normally vote Democrat. There's something wrong with our country and no one wants to talk about how we got here.
Mueller's investigation will determine if Trump deserves to be impeached. How Congress reacts if they're provided with concrete information that proves Trump violated his oath of office will determine if we still have a democracy. Useless speculation just undermines our democracy.
What we should be doing is identifying how we got here and how we go about fixing our country. Doing so requires leaving the office and actually talking to voters to find out what they think is broken. We can't move forward if we don't understand why we reached this point.
Perhaps obstruction of justice is a possibility. Perhaps money laundering for the Russians is better one. Look at his tax returns for the past 15 years. POTUS has been courted by the Russians for many years.
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In casting their lot with Trump, the GOP is complicit in his obvious crimes and misdemeanors. Why would he so carefully hide his finances? Why would he be so redundant about "collusion"? Why would he be so concerned with his personal protection from Jeff Sessions and the Justice Department? Now that the Republican Party is working so tirelessly to cover-up for Trump, we are left with an entire Party engaged in treason, obstruction of justice and massive financial laundering and wrong-doing. They will surely go down with him. Will there be anyone left to visit them all in jail?
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What does it say about the Republican Party that they have elected both Nixon and Trump to the nation’s highest office? Trump, though it has not yet been proven he committed any crimes, nonetheless displays the same entitlement as Nixon. He truly believes he is, and should be, above the law. Nixon’s argument that petty matters shouldn’t stand in the way of a better world is the same one Trump supporters use to bolster their man. What it says to me is that there has been for some time now a large and radical element of the Republican Party that values authoritarianism and fascist tendencies over the republic and the democracy on which it stands. Any means justify the ends because Republicans of a certain stripe appear to believe that anyone, literally anyone, who’s Republican would be preferable to a Democrat.
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President Trump appears to be the first genuinely Latin American President in the United States, which is to say the U.S. appears to have tipped into Latin American politics.
All the Latin American signs are there: A bullying, vulgar, fixated entirely on economic numbers overclass of largely Caucasians at expense of all higher culture and interests in such things as the environment and science.
And a left wing, on the ropes class, which for all claims of education, science, interests in the environment is overwhelmingly fixated on socialism and the united demographic power of minorities to gain power in America.
The pattern is being fixed: A right wing overclass perpetually accused of corruption, of undermining democracy, of being wealthy, vulgar, domineering, and of having no higher goal for all religious leaning than self aggrandizement, and a left wing party which for all science, all higher goals and idealism is a socialistic riot of petty resentment and entitlement in a country it claims it is without privilege.
We can expect the U.S. to become at core increasingly a military, law enforcement, bureaucratic deep state to hold some sort of balance between obviously unsatisfactory pendulum swings to the political right and left in America.
All is falling to sheer political economic struggle at expense of everything else. How to manage millions upon millions of griping people at expense of all other goals. The right destined to corruption, the left to resentment.
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Alas, no matter the presence of some similarities, I fear those Republicans are very different from our Republicans. These seem to trip all over themselves fawning over the current occupant of the Oval Office, disavowing by their action and inaction their basic beliefs in things like state’s rights and limited budget deficits.
Something has changed and it is not good. Impeachment has absolutely no chance of success with these Republicans, no matter how bad things get. We will have our Constructional crisis.
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And of course, that should have been “Constitutional crisis.”
I feel so helpless and victemized by the forces at work on the destruction of our precious values ... my home, my nation, my democracy. One step each of us could do which would be enormously effective in fighting back. Participate in a total boycott of all products advertized on Fox and let their sponsors know you are doing it. Urge your friends to do the same. This network is spreading poison gas of disinformation that is capable of destroying the truths we hold dear as a people united for freedom, liberty, and justice for all. Stop the cynical propaganda machine in its tracks. Money is what feeds it. Starve the beast. This is urgent. Much damage has already been done.
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Please don't forget that there are a number of decent Republicans out there that have constantly pushed back including Flake, Corker, McCain, Romney, Dent, Graham and others. And I say this as a Democrat.
Also don't forget that they all voted to enrich themselves and their patrons while further bankrupting the government through the tax "reform" bonanza for themselves and their billionaire masters. Remember that when they say we must cut Social Security because the deficit is so high and rip off another trillions dollars or so.
Yes, but didn't they all vote for the new tax cuts?
It's obvious that “In all of this," The Republican Congress, headed by
McConnell and Ryan, "has acted in a manner contrary to our trust and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.”
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"This is now an indictment of the entire Republican Party — the elected officials and the still strident Trump voters — as well as the Trump propaganda machine at Fox News."
They are all an enemy to our nation and a threat to its survival. We need to fight them accordingly.
It is useless to impeach Trump even if his obstruction of justice can be proved. Unlike Nixon, who was replaced by Gerald Ford, president Trump would be followed by vice president Pence and then Paul Ryan. Neither have the desire, morality or ethics to stem the course of greed that the GOP has pursued. Neither men we'll do what's best for this country and its people.
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Thanks for this. I'm afraid it will either be the collapse of the Trump presidency or of America itself.
The time for choosing sides is almost over. You either stand with the USA or with Trump. They are NOT the same thing. My advice: Choose wisely.
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As Mr Blow insists, to properly describe such devastating dereliction of duty in the executive branch necessitates using the strongest language. For many, (if not for all) the great lesson of Watergate was that the system of checks and balances works when it's given half a chance. Unfortunately today's leading Republicans have been glorying in the wages of malfeasance in their congressional committees for ten years, so their current preference for investigating ridiculous theories rather than getting down to their proper business and carrying out their sworn duty as lawmakers and guardians of the constitution comes as little surprise. The moment Trump finally oversteps the invisible line leading Republicans have secretly drawn amongst themselves (if they have drawn one), and, to save their skins, they find themselves at last compelled to call a thing a thing, may they not be allowed to retire in all of their fake dignity with their heads held high. Instead, a great shaming should be arranged for these monsters of the republic so that no party, no block, no gang of billionaires will ever again be tempted to fool with the proper functioning of the government of the people of the great United States of America.
It's obvious to anybody with eyes and ears that Trump and his supporters (i.e. most of the GOP) are eagerly - and knowingly - pursuing a strategy that will lead them to a Putin style permanent dictatorship. The accompanying article today - about GOP 'reluctance' to take prior Senate action to protect Mueller - is proof. The next steps will be inevitable: 1. Mueller WILL BE FIRED. 2. NO SENATE RESPONSE (Dems & Lindsay Graham will holler, but nothing more ). 3. Trump will take that as cue to TURN US INTO A a Putin-style permanent dictatorship (i.e. democracy in name only). And maybe not even in name. End of free elections. End of free press (although there'd still be an official State Organ: Fox News). GOP is already salivating.
It's abundantly clear by now that Republicans in Congress are not going to save our democracy. The only remaining question is whether the voters who put them in charge will. I'm not optimistic. The prevailing sentiment seems to be that in order to wrest control of the country back from those who they see as stealing it from them--dark-skinned immigrants supposedly threatening their livelihoods, secular liberals supposedly threatening the moral fiber, and "coastal elites" supposedly dissing their intelligence and lifestyles--Republican voters are willing to "destroy the country in order to save it." Where have we heard that before?
Excellent article and summation of what is marching America toward a constitutional crisis. The bottom line of all this is that if Trump, Don Jr., Kushner, and sundry and assorted advisors were innocent NONE of this distraction and outright obstruction of justice would be happening.
Innocent people do not panic about a criminal investigation, that also includes a national security investigation, when they have committed no crimes. There are even members of the GOP who appear frantic to protect Trump which means they must need protection as well.
I agree and have said the same, America and American democracy is being attacked from within. "They are attacking our institutions. They are attacking the truth." Patriotism has taken a direct hit in this WH administration.
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Part of our problem is that people don't know what Trump might have done to get himself impeached - it won't be that he overtly ordered the Russians to interfere with the election - and that they don't know what impeachment is, really.
It is an indictment for wrong doing. Collusion won't get him there, but conspiracy to commit a crime, obstruction of justice, trading favors such as agreeing to alter policy in exchange for personal payoff are all items that could get a President impeached. Some acts of personal enrichment could be so egregious as to make them look closely at the emoluments clause. We'd need a good case, and a responsible Congress, both of which remain to be seen, and only one of which is even likely.
The taint of fascism - and I mean the inter-tangling of corporate, military and authoritarian government - is already there. Whether it will go to full on skunk mode is the question.
I don't think this Congress will impeach, and I think the ugliest interim election in a long time is about to explode onto us while both sides duke it out for control. i give the GOP a better chance in an ugly cycle. So I don't see impeachment as likely. This groundhog sees 4 more years of in-your-face corrupt government.
And Nixon was much smarter and craftier than Trump. It will be interesting how this plays out.
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I had to laugh here. After posting the click-bait headline indicating direct, panicked parallels between the Nixon Watergate saga and the Trump investigation exactly zero parallels are detailed in the article. The only real indictment of Trump made here, whether you like the guy or not, is that something that he actually discussed something many months ago (wanting to fire Mueller) which he never did. Wow. That's it.
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Yeah, thr only parallel is obstruction of justice. No biggie.
Laugh now, cry later.
Trump was prescient when he claimed he could shoot someone on New York’s 5th Avenue and still get elected. He could very well say the same thing about Congress now, to wit, Mueller could find evidence of Trump being videotaped in HD quality conspiring with the Russians and they would instead argue the video could not be trusted because the videographer contributed to Hillary Clinton’s campaign or the tape and video camera used somehow had been purchased by the outfit that compiled the infamous dossier!
Folks, nothing, absolutely nothing will convince Republicans in Congress to act against President Trump because they long ago decided that power is more important than country. And I’m afraid that if the tables were turned Democrats would do the same. Until we the people conclude that term limits are needed for members of Congress as they are for the President we will be at the mercy of people who put themselves ahead of their country.
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Wait. We're waist deep in stinking consequences of one stupid thing--electing a moral and intellectual cripple to our highest office, and you want to do yet another stupid thing?
Term limits, as the ALEC lobby knew when they directed their legislative hand-puppets to pass it, lobotomizes a legislature. Easier to manage, don't you know.
Michigan is a perfect example.
Between term limits and gerrymandering, the last several right wing dominated legislatures--all together- would be in danger of drowning in a six inch deep back yard blow-up kiddie pool.
Term limits. Sheesh!
I still remember what Nixon said to David Frost when Frost asked him abut Watergate....."When the President does it, that means it is not illegal."
_______________________
Apparently today's Republicans feel the same way.
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Once a significant percentage of a nation's leaders discard truth and justice in favor of party and partisanship, that nation becomes nothing more than a Darwinian jungle. Today, America is very close to absolute rule by despots whose only claim to legitimacy is great wealth. Absent resistance, the republic is lost.
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Focus on the seed not only the weed. The Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling opened up an egregious corruption of democracy and it will continue with or without Trump. Efforts to amend the constitution to distinguish between money and speech and corporations and people need the understanding and support of the American public. Trump is a symptom not the cause.
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Trump could be impeached because of his every-day confirmed lying to the American people and the world. Add that to the other reasons that Commenter Gemli lists....America must remove Trump from office before we've entirely lost credibility and respect from our allies around the world.
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You do not speak for our allies or for the world
As Charles said, "Of course, these are different times."
Since the '70's the alt right machine has become a juggernaut. They have Fox News and numerous local and national news outlets and talk radio hosts in their pocket. They have the Koch brothers and numerous sources of big money. They have the fossil fuel industry, the banks and moneychangers, and others who are benefitting from deregulation and specific political support. The alt-right has Republican Congressmen fearful of being ousted by a primary challenge financed by the Koch brothers.
And Trump has his base - brainwashed into being fearful of the poor, immigrants, blacks, Muslims, and liberals - who would be loyal if he shot someone in the street.
Nixon had his coterie, and party loyalty to a point. He had nothing like this.
Yet things seem likely to boil over.
The smart ones will learn from Nixon's mistakes and advise Donald, as his lawyer advised him last June not to fire Mueller, the moves to make and words to say. The question is whether Trump can follow a script - which seems unlikely.
The question is how far this will go until the Republicans decide to cut their losses with Trump and go with Pence.
The impeachment of Trump would be an embarrassing blow, but Pence is just as useful, maybe more so, and would be a viable candidate in 2020.
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Elected Republicans are being squeezed. Party loyalty is one thing; but in Nixon's time, there was not an extensive and very active right-wing media and media personalities trying to push the Party toward extremes. Trump is their "purity test," and if one does not support him, one get tagged with the mark of infamy -- being a "RINO," a Republican in name only -- and the right-wing media (with their many donors) will threaten a primary challenge.
This is an important context for why now is different than then.
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I was a young adult at the time of the Watergate investigation and the resignation of Richard Nixon. In my opinion there is no parallel between those events and the current situation with Donald Trump. America is getting exactly what it voted for with Trump. There is no evidence of collusion or any other wrong-doing. I certainly understand why many Americans want to get rid of him, but that is because they just don't like him, not because there is evidence he is a criminal. There was evidence Nixon was a criminal, and he was a criminal. This feels like a witch hunt, it feels like fake news, it feels like an abuse of the legal process to force an overthrow of a sitting president, it feels like a threat to democracy. I don't care for Trump, but this feels wrong.
No collusion? What was that meeting with Don Jr. about?
Sorry but obstruction of justice is a crime. We don’t yet know if one was committed but we’re about to find out. This president has not released his tax returns nor has he explained fully any connection his administration has to Russia. That alone makes him impeachable in my eyes.
Mr. Blow, as usual, is exactly right. It is not just Trump who is a menace to American democracy. It is the entire Republican Party, which has chosen loyalty to Trump over loyalty to the American public they are supposed to serve (and that American public is not limited to the Kochs, Norquists, etc.). They are all violating their oath to protect, preserve and defend, etc.
The only real recourse we have is to vote out every single Republican on the ballot this fall. Massive defeat is the best weapon. That includes governors, senators, representatives and state officials, all the way down to county clerks and other local functionaries. After decades of gradual evolution, the GOP has fully transformed itself into a rogue, subversive force that is dedicated to the overthrow of our democratic government. They must be stopped.
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So much the better if Mueller finds perjury and obstruction and the House still won't vote to impeach, in the face of numerous crimes. Then in the Fall the elections will overwhelmingly elect Democrats for a clean sweep and a new beginning.
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The Republican party will not survive this presidency. Every groveling defense, every deflection of responsibility, every moment of the obfuscation is recorded. When Trump is revealed, through incontrovertible evidence (and we all know it is coming), to have conspired with the Russian state and repeated obstructed justice in the investigation of those crimes, the political ammo the the Republicans will have placed in the hands of the Democrats will be like nothing that political advertising has ever seen. I don't think "bludgeon" is the most accurate term to describe it, But that's what comes to mind. I only hope it arrives before the 2018 elections, I fear the Republic cannot stand much more of this presidency or the corruption and mendacity of the Republican party. The Republicans belong in the history books, not in control of government.
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I remember the Saturday Night Massacre well. I was in graduate school and my wife and I were playing cards with another couple. Dirt poor college students needed cheap entertainment. When we heard the news we joined millions? of other Americans and sent telegrams to our representatives urging impeachment. The first, last and only time I ever sent a telegram. I hope I am wrong, but I fear the current Congress would not act as it did in 1974.
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Mike, you are not wrong - this Congress would not act as it did in 1974.
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As long as the rich keep getting rich, and the forecast looks good that it'll stay that way, nothing is going to change here. That's what it is about. That's the bottom line. Shortsighted, bottomless greed (and the power that goes with). Democracy is a facade, that is quickly being pulled down, with this administration and their brethren in Congress.
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I wold hope that the media would allow Mr. Mueller to complete his investigation and announce his findings and indictments/plead deals. Why pound the drums for impeachment before his findings are announced (I wouldn't be surprised that the VEEP is also in the loop) and when there is yet the mid-terms...because there will be no impeachment without a house controlled by the Democrats.
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As usual, the brilliant Mr. Blow has called a thing a thing. Trump's treachery, which is really Putin's treachery, is far worse than Nixon's and there are no men and women of conscious in this GOP Congress who will stand against him.
The criminal break-in at the Watergate Hotel was an old school burglary by the White House staff, part of a Nixon-led campaign of spying on his enemies. This time around the break of the DNC took the form of computer hacking by Russian operatives acting on behalf of Putin, who was also behind the anti-Hillary, pro-Trump campaign on social media and the attempted break-ins of various state election systems.
Putin was behind these invisible but far more damaging break-ins that subverted our election and helped put Trump in office. This is far worse than Watergate, but the GOP, its voters and Fox News have joined in the big lie that there was "no collusion." And Trump is using the power they gave him to destroy the only investigator with enough reach to expose the whole sordid horrifying scheme.
If the rest of the country does not rise up and vote the GOP out of office in 2018, we are a failed society well on our way to becoming a failed nation.
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Nixon’s crimes had nothing to do with “collusion”, I don’t even remember that word being thrown around: we heard “coverup” and “conspiracy” and ultimately “obstruction of justice” which were crimes and impeachable. I’m very suspicious of Trump and his cohorts constantly pushing this “no collusion” speak, as of that is the crime being investigated, when they all know collusion is not a crime per se, and in their minds an allowable campaign and political strategy: hey we’re just talking to the Russians, et al. Conspiracy and coverup, lying their pants off at every turn, these are the crimes and the assault on justice, our country, and our democracy.
We all see this happening right in front of our eyes. It is absolutely scary and against everything for which the founding fathers stood. I am appalled at my fellow Americans, who feel they need to put loyalty to Trump over loyalty to country. They are indeed a group of Deplorables. The deplorable being that they have turned against their own country and are willing to sacrifice democracy in the name of a deplorable President Trump. My ancestors include John Adams and his son, both who are turning over in their grave at this deplorable turn of events. America rise against tyranny once again.
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If a company fails to correct problems of process or infrastructure that cause public harm, either financial or physical, that company is guilty of gross negligence and its leadership is held to account. The Russians easily attacked America's democracy and the Republicans have done absolutely nothing; many have not only failed to even agree to investigate it, but are actively hindering an investigation to the point of sabotage. This is not politics. This is treason. It's akin to telling the Japanese in 1941. "This way chaps. Pearl is over here."
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Wanting to do something and doing it are two separate things. The fact is, Mueller has not been fired.
Far more troubling than Trump wanting to fire Mr. Mueller (of course he'd *like* to) is what appears to be attempts by Trump and Republicans in Congress to smear Mr. Mueller and the FBI in order to discredit any negative findings that they might put forward.
Republicans during the Watergate investigation were smart enough not to follow Nixon down the rabbit hole; today's Republicans - not so much.
We will find out when Mr. Mueller's investigation is complete whether impeachment may be warranted.
Will those who oppose Mr. Trump and his agenda in and out of Congress accept Mr. Mueller's findings if they show that it is not?
Will Mr. Trump's supporters, including Republicans in Congress, accept Mr. Mueller's findings if they show that it is?
The answers to these questions will determine which of our elected representatives care about our democracy, our Constitution, and the rule of law and which do not.
Donald J. Trump is the reason I abandoned the Republican Party after decades. The GOP used to have a moral compass, not always ascendant, but there. Lincoln's dedication to preserving the Union, Theodore Roosevelt's dedication to preserving the land and developing personal character, Eisenhower's development of infrastructure, even arguably extending to Ford's pardon of Nixon, there used to be Republicans who cared about doing what was right for the nation. The current majority crop of "I, ME, Mine; and devil take everybody else" Republicans, in particular the leadership has lost their moral bearings. When all the GOP's leadership and their acolytes care about is accumulating more for themselves and ignoring everything and everybody else, all I can say is that even Nixon acted better than that, even given that his ambition for and achievement of power corrupted him.
1
Nixon resembles Abraham Lincoln compared to the unqualified train-wreck currently in the Oval Office. And the difference between then and today: Nixon-era Republicans at least recognized the obligation to do the right thing for the country when Nixon's crimes became apparent. I expect absolutely nothing like that from this gang of GOP quislings; with some exceptions, they're completely lacking in backbone, conscience and integrity.
The parallel to Nixon is accurate but the notion that he was doomed by his panicked attempt at coverup is false. He was doomed because he used the instruments of government to attack his personal enemies and ran a burglary ring out of the white house. These were criminal actions for which he would have been impeached. He engaged in a panicked coverup because he was guilty. Because the coverup was partly successful, it became difficult to prove the underlying crimes, but the obstruction of justice became more and more obvious.
So far we have not seen proof of the underlying crimes of Trump, possibly because his obstruction of justice is also succeeding to a degree, but the obstruction is obvious. The reason Trump is also panicking and resorting to obstruction is likely because there are, in fact, underlying crimes and he knows he is guilty.
2
As we get inundated daily by the acts of this administration I am hopeful that Mr. Mueller is exercising due diligence and that the end result of his enquiries will move our nation forward, without the Trumps and his cohorts; who have stained us but not beyond repair...
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Thanks, Charles.
It looks like Nixon's articles of impeachment could be cut and pasted for Trump's. Maybe The Times could post them to make things easier for this Congress. Also, it certainly looks like these articles could form the basis of, I hope, many Trump indictments.
18
It's quite likely in my mind that The current House would never impeach Trump and that the Senate doesn't have the conviction that protecting the constitution is the more important clarion call.
I think the nation will speak pretty clearly at the ballot box in November, a political Tsunami I suspect which will help the GOP to focus in 20/20 hindsight.
Get them all.
14
It may be that the last, best hope for the GOP is that they carry out the impeachment and removal or President Trump themselves, soon, before the midterm elections.
If they try to wait it out and the Democrats take the House and maybe the Senate in November, there are scenarios where the Republicans, through impeachment of both Trump and Pence, will be swept completely out of power, and for a long time. If the hammer comes down on Trump without any real repentance from Republican quarters, they will find themselves inexorably tied to Trump as he drops like a deadweight into the annals of infamy.
If, on the other hand, Republicans take ownership of a correction themselves, they will still have to deal with their own culpability to this point, but they will also have moments of apparent character and redemption where they finally are seen recognizing a line that should never have been crossed.
Sadly, there is little evidence of such a stirring in the GOP. Senators Flake and Corker seemingly freed themselves from entanglement with Trump just recently, finding courage in the space allowed those not seeking re-election. Sadly, even that has quickly faded, and they are once again recalcitrant to say even the most obvious things about Trump's character, actions, and the threat he poses to our democracy.
So the rest of us are left to hang on for a white-knuckled ride to the mid-term elections in November, with the hope that there is a Cavalry on its way, ready to save the day.
13
The republicans are not afraid of Trump, they're terrified of the self-serving, self-interested, crooked and amoral wealthy: Koch Bros, Addelson, Mercers, Murdoch, etc...
1
Seems appropriate to ask: What do they really want? What does an ideal America look like and stand for to the GOP and Trump? What is our place in the world under them, and what is the place of China and Russia?
10
One of the most alarming things for me is how adept the Republicans have become in lying for President Trump. Loyalty is a one way street with this President - haven't they learned that lesson yet? Despite the appearances, I doubt there's even family loyalty. This is a man who will probably look the other way if his grandchildren's parents are sent to jail.
Luckily, we are less than a year from the mid-terms. I pray that a $1000 paycheck bonus will not trick people into thinking that all is OK with this administration.
15
Too many have stopped or never learned to think for themselves. Blindly following the pied piper.
1
We passed into impeachment territory months ago... but, at this point no one in the GOP is willing to pull the trigger. And we all know that in some point in this investigation we will reach that piece of evidence that in any ordinary courtroom in this country would result in an indictment and conviction. But, sadly, no ordinary courtroom exists now in DC.
5
Our democracy is being subverted and many levels of support are already in place. The National Guard used to be a bunch of citizens that played soldier once a month. They were all activated for Iraq and Afganistan. Now they are a 'experienced' force. Local police departments have been militarized. For many years they have been receiving military grade weapons, equipment and training. When WE the citizens try to take to the streets in protest, those forces will be there to ENFORCE and SUPPORT the subverters. Oh yes, there has been a PLAN being implemented for the last couple of decades.
4
The "tapes" in this case are the 5 months of missing text messages between the two biased agents.
The Archibald Cox of this case is James Comey, who wsa fired WITH cause at the request of the top 3 Democrats. Schumer said he had no confidence in Comey to do his job, Pelosi said he was in the wrong line of work, and Reid said flat out that he should resign. Comey stole government records and admitted to leaking classified information.
So it seems that there are some parallels to Watergate, but this time it's the Presidents enemies playing the Nixon role.
The impeachment of The Donald may be welcomed by some, but you will still have the Republican's (and Republican supporters) like Pence, Paul, Mitch, the Koch brothers and the majority of the Supreme Court supporting the agenda of the ultra conservative far right. That threat to the common good of America is and will continue to be a problem.
9
The comments of Trump's supporters, ahead of any proof or not of impeachable offenses, saying that they will never impeach him is all the evidence needed to demonstrate that for Republicans democracy and the rule of law are nothing more than a sham to appease the masses and to keep them in power. Trump and the Republicans supporting him operate on the principle that rules and laws are simply tools to be used on others, not themselves because laws, like taxes, are only for the little people.
7
Great job as always Charles.
At the end your write "they are attacking the truth." I would take it one step further, that when the truth is lost, so is trust. And trust (between fellow Congressmen, as well as fellow citizens) will take years-to-decades to regain. Bottom line is that we need some leadership now to help restore the truth and the public trust.
3
The similarities to Nixon are real. It was Watergate that brought the term "The Imperial Presidency." And the word "adventurism." quickly defined as recklessness in politics, sinister aspects, emboldened white house aides.
Flash ahead to today: Trumpian scandals, criminality by close aides, ample back-stabbing staffers, absent ethical standards, multiple conflicts of interest, strong stench of abuse of power, and the extent of advance knowledge the president had.
Our flashback to Nixon = separation of powers concerns as to the Justice Department. Add in today's growing backlash to ensure independence + continuation of a special prosecutor. And again it was Democrats years ago pushing Congress to prevent "Watergates" in future presidencies by establishing the Office of Government Ethics.
However, in 2017, as Trump began his presidency, Republicans leading the House planned to abolish the Office of Government Ethics--as their very first act the very first week:
They were caught trying to get rid of the office designed to monitor financial disclosures, conflicts-of interest, executive oversteps. To this day Republicans thwart investigations of the Trump Presidency. Similarities to Nixon?
Breathtaking.
11
America 2018 finds itself in an ugly domestic culture war; it's a struggle over the definition and type of country that it is: a country of immigrants, a melting pot, or a white Christian demesne. It's being fought politically. The stakes are high for the citizenry, but really only psychologically: Can't we all just get along, relax, and accept and respect the other person? It's a challenge many can't overcome; change is precious difficult -- because it's the other guy's fault: I'm right; he's wrong.
This culture war may be the Tea Party's Last Stand, but probably only temporarily. Names and labels will change, but the spirit of shallow boneheadedness cannot, and will not, be destroyed, only weakened. Good education would help immensely and large group therapy wouldn't be amiss either: We've erected some pretty high barricades. May god save the republic for it's worth saving. America is a very good idea on paper.
2
A few weeks ago, Lindsay Graham, along with Charles Grassley, were referring a case against Christopher Steele. Now, Lindsay Graham seems to realize that we are getting into a very serious situation, and has started speaking again like an intelligent patriot. Let us hope there are more Lindsay Grahams, members of the Republican party who have been trying to appease the base in public, but at the same time, secretly were in touch with reality. Perhaps enough of these Republicans care about the good of the country and will overcome the instinct to play it safe politically. Their reputations, the party, and perhaps our democracy rely on their response.
6
The outcome of Mueller's investigation and impeachment may not be at all what Democrats expect. It's possible that in the end of all this, Trump will be impeached, but remain in office, like Bill Clinton and Andrew Johnson. It's probable that the Republicans will continue to support him, even after impeachment, and vote to acquit him so he can stay.
2
"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Walt Kelly
I suspect that the Supreme Court is much different now than in the 1970's.
1
The problem with relying on a resounding electoral rebuke to the GOP in the ‘18 elections is that the American people care a lot less about constitutional niceties like due process and separation of powers than they care about keeping unemployment at 4% max, the Dow north of 25K, and a 2.6% GDP growth rate — just as Weimar Germans cared a lot less about their new Constitution than they cared about unemployment, hyperinflation, and kicking the French out of the Ruhr valley.
As a Nation, we have pulled an Esau and sold our birthright as a free people for a bowl of stew. Also like Esau, we will come to regret it. But, also like Esau, by the time we do, it will be too late.
Have a nice day!
2
There is one very important difference between Nixon and Trump: Nixon was dealing with a Democratic-controlled Congress and Trump has a Republican-controlled Congress. It requires magical thinking to believe that Trump will be removed by impeachment. Even if the Democrats re-take the House (a reasonable likelihood) and control the Senate (a less-likely possibility), Trump could possibly be indicted by the House, but will not be convicted by the Senate without 67 votes - a virtual impossibility.
The best hope for the nation is that Trump is so weakened by a Mueller report that he is rendered impotent as fellow-GOPers run away from him until the 2020 elections and nothing of consequence is accomplished.
3
I may have missed a NYT headline or two on the subject of "money laundering" through real estate. I have seen some reporting on Russians buying US real estate in order to "launder" their money, (for instance: https://newrepublic.com/article/143586/trumps-russian-laundromat-trump-t....
However, I seem to recall hearing that real estate laws somehow protect the privacy of the transactions. (That may have been a report I heard on NPR, and now I can't find it.) I bring this up simply because I believe this is the issue that can prove Trump of criminality--that and tax evasion possibly. Thus, I would like to see the NYT give us some clarification on the subject of: if real estate transaction laws provide protections from being open to scrutiny by law enforcement.
1