In the interest of accuracy, do not call it Fox news. Call it Fox propaganda or simply Fox.
21
You can believe this narrative or expand your understanding and face the facts.
https://consortiumnews.com/2018/12/01/the-guardian-politico-psyop-against-wikileaks/
https://consortiumnews.com/2017/06/06/russia-gates-mythical-heroes/
4
Dictators and wannabe dictators have historically met the same fate. They always think that they are too clever or too powerful to be brought down, the people who support them now will always be steadfast, and the people whom they have offended will turn the other cheek indefinitely because they are weak. Fools!
8
We are already in this nightmare, for the reasons described in the article. Nothing is "about" to begin. It will be a continuation of this re-birth of the American White Supremacist Confederacy, aided and abetted by a traitorous Republican Party and managed in effect by the world's most racist and xenophobic White power- Russia. Trump is the figurehead who has united them and given the MAGA bigots legitimacy in their eyes. They are emboldened and have a global voice in the Fox network ( I refuse to call them "news"). No matter what happens to Trump, either by law, election, or clogged arteries, the MAGA are in this to realize their modern-day Confederate dreams. This nightmare will not end for at least a generation or more.
21
The only conclusion that can be reached if one agrees with Mr. Blow’s assessment is that only the people of the United States can put an end to this insanity. How do we reach that end?
An election in less than two years in which Americans can deliver the blow to Trumpism and the disaster that is the t.rump presidency.
The campaign slogan of the Democrats in 2020 should be: “Let’s Break The Fever”.
9
Stop calling it Trumpism - it is incipient Fascism - which History tells us advances in stages.
We are living in dangerous times. People need to disabuse themselves that Mueller or the Democrats will save us.
The only ones capable of ending this Nightmare is the determined action of those who understand the historical moment we are living in.
Mike
24
Blow writes, "What if Donald Trump or those closest to him were compromised by the Russians or colluded with them?” Even if Mueller found that Trump or those closet to him did collude with Russian, it is not a crime. Why is Mueller talking about Russian collusion with Trump when it was Mrs. Clinton and the DNC who were paying a Brit with connection to the Russian intelligence community to write a phony dossier on Trump that led to FISA warrants and spying on the Trump campaign by the Obama regime.
5
Trump said he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and his supporters would still vote for him. His voters have proven he could shoot them and they would still support him.
31
"Nixon had no propaganda arm. Trump has one. It’s called Fox News. "
After listening to MSNBC, CNN, and reading the Times every day, I am most grateful for,
FOX.
Thank you, Murdoch family.
4
The real story right now is about Hillary. We can hope for all the 2020 Democratic candidates, but if she runs again she will split the vote and that will be the end of it. Then Russia and impeachment and parallels with Nixon go out the window. (Trump is far worse than Nixon in his collusion with a hostile foreign power, but this GOP Congress is also far worse than the one we had during Nixon's time.) If Hillary runs again, she will again be the spoiler and we could see Trump re-elected. We really need to avoid that scenario.
It would take guts for the NYT to write about HRC now in this vein, given her influence, but she is the real story. It needs to be done.
8
Trump would have us believe the entire history of the US has been akin to the times of the Romanovs, and with him, there is a revolution underway that will lead to freedom for the working man. Whereas in truth, he is selling us out to Putin and making the working man worse off. He is hoping that there will be a frenzy to throw away our system of checks and balances and rule of law. He is like the charaters in Idiocrasy that want people to believe that anyone who is intelligent is a whimp and evil.
While I share Mr. Blow’s concerns, I am convinced corporate interest would stop any effort by Trump that would lead to a revolution or civil war as such chaos would destroy trillions in corporate wealth.
3
We've been witnessing the slow death of democracy in this country for quite some time now, going back at least to Bush v. Gore, and even before that---due largely to the unscrupulous behavior of the GOP. Then McConnell crossed the line with his refusal to allow the Senate to even consider an Obama nominee to the Supreme Court---a direct violation of the Constitution. Now, I am very much afraid that we are going to get an up-close, ugly look at how dangerous and corrupt the Party of Lincoln truly has become.
19
While I am argee with most of what you say, I have to disagree that Fox News is so loyal that they won't throw Trump under the bus, if need be. Just like they did with Roger Ailes, Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck. They may be colluding with him in their mutual desire to strangle the rule of law, but, hey, business is business.
3
The picture I see is even worse than tis, Charles. Not only will he get away with destroying the US,, but, like George Bush, and someday maybe even his son W, he will be canonized by the Republicans and those who choose to not know or to forget history. How many children and others died in Iraq because of the Bushes? George 41 lied about his knowledge of the Iran Contra deal as Reagan's VP. George 41 cared on a many years long affair with Jennifer Fitzgerald. So much more, and yet his eulogies never mention anything like this. Perhaps Trump's immorality and the lives he destroyed will also be forgotten and people will, ignorant willingly, proclaim that he made America great again. Who will get the blame? Not the dynastic.
9
Apparently the Republican Party has improved on the Kool-Ade recipe used by the People's Temple adherents in 1955. I can think of no other explanation for why or how people continue to credit Trump and his associates with any positive attributes.
Is there someone out there who remembers that Trump's militia is large and armed enough to be called an army?
3
"I expect Trump to admit nothing, even if faced with proof positive of his own misconduct".
If Trump found guilty and was sentenced to be burned at the stake he would proclaim his innocence as the bundles of sticks were added to the rising flames.
Deny, deny, deny.
4
Robert Mueller to date has indicted or gotten guilty pleas from 33 persons, yet after all this time, still not one direct or indirect piece of evidence linking Trump to collusion or any crime concerning the Russians. Could there be some bombshell piece of evidence that is the best kept secret in Washington?
Certainly the Democrats and their left leaning media mouthpieces are wearing out rosary beads in anticipation of it. Perhaps the headlines should now be, "If Mueller Fails to Find Direct Link to Trump and Russians will Democrats Become the Walking Dead."
Perhaps the media should be read.
5
Trump will only resign if he has a cast-iron pardon from Pence. He wouldn’t be that concerned about any he would betray. He would in all probability toss Jr Eric and Jared
Under the bus. Ivanka maybe not so much.
Charles is there ANY other subject in the entire world in which you are interested? At all? One of the main reasons Trumpeteers have and will continue to stick by their man are articles like this by you and your colleagues speculating worst case scenarios. So what if Trump continued to pursue business deals in Russia (or anywere else for that matter) while he ran for president? Did Senator Sanders resign from his position as a US Senator while he ran? Did HRC stop collecting funds for the Clinton Foundation? Why this unhealthy fetish about all things Trump? If HRC had run even a barely competent campaign we wouldn't be having this conversation. If Establshment types like Comey and the proven liar to Congress, John Brennan and so many other had just been able to accept that voters whom had long been ignored by said Establshment wanted massive disruption of business as usual in DC then perhaps the Trump Administration would not be so combative.
6
Trump and his Republican friends will not go quietly when the end comes for him and them, whenever that might be, they are so unstable, obsessed with power, and with such a large group of followers any outcome is possible and some frightening to imagine (call to arms?). The battle for the direction of this country is just beginning and will be a long and difficult.
4
Best case scenario: Mueller has a mountain of goods and impeachable offenses are included. House impeaches and Republican Senate has two choices - oust Trump and face the wrath of Trump supporters or acquit Trump and lose the Senate and White House in what by then will be a landslide. They'd likely acquit to protect themselves, but Trump and the Republicans lose very big in 2020 - big enough to make cries of voter fraud ineffective. Hopefully Trump leaves voluntarily and the majority of the country breathes a national sigh of relief. (Of course this scenario assumes he does not start a war with Russia in the interim to "prove" he's not in cahoots with Putin).
2
Going peacefully is not in Trumps nature.
His followers will never admit to being conned because they have become a cult and are angry and I am not sure they even know why anymore . Perhaps it is easier to be angry at others rather than taking accountability for ones own shortcomings.
If he is impeached his followers will make him a martyr and the disparity will then only widen.
Suffice it to say we’re in a quandary.
11
Charles, you are overly complicating what will turn out to be a very simple matter:
If Trump is found guilty of (or even just indicted for) violating any campaign or other federal law, he will simply claim he's being unfairly judged by his actions rather than his intentions (how many times has he said "Judge me for what I meant and not what I said"?), that he didn't realize that what he was indicted for was actually illegal (think "How can the government prevent me and my family from earning a living while I serve as POTUS virtually for free?!"), and he will deny, deny, deny any wrongdoing ("Any meeting I may have had with Russia was strictly about brainstorm a deal or two, but not about any actual real deals, and it had nothing to do with my campaign for presidency").
His lawyers will cherry pick legal precedent -- just look at their twisting of the Vacancies Act in a desperate attempt to apply it to the Justice Dept even though the AG has a clear law of succession that supercedes the Vacancies Act.
Meanwhile, Fox will twist the facts while applying some of their own faux icing (using Hannity as their poster child) which will rile up the constituencies of many GOP Senators.
The main nightmare I see happening isn't the fall of America as a superpower. I see America falling
6
I don't think it is going to be easy to get rid of Trump because of brainwashing by FOX and gas lighting by Trump, but other countries have faced far worse. I can't help but think of Ukraine where despite Paul Manafort's machinations, the people rose up and ousted Yunukovych in 2014. I do hope that here in the U.S., where law enforcement and the Constitution still stand largely intact, there will be a peaceful uprising against Trump. It will take the mobilization of millions of people, but remember the Women's March. The opposition to Trump is the majority, never forget or doubt that.
6
We saw an amazing witness this week. It went under reported.
From the hallowed tradition of South Carolina senators Pierce Butler, Charles Pinckney, Thomas Sumpter, John C. Calhoun, Ben Tillman, Cotton Ed Smith, Coleman Blease, Jimmy Byrnes, Strom Thurmond, the Fire-eater Robert Rhett--a historic cadre of the meanest, openly racist Senators in attitude, belief, and action that spans more than a century--senators who approved of slavery, secession, sharecropping, segregation, voting suppression, clandestine racial violence. Now stands Timothy Eugene Scott as the senator from South Carolina.
He joins these men whose names are written deeply in the fabric of this nation, but who created our biggest problem and left the problem unsolved. It is the legacy of that problem; the clear, documented, witnessed history of voter suppression through threats, lies, visits and mass mailings of fear and misinformation aimed at black voters in districts and state-wide for more than a decade that Tim Scott voted no to. It wasn’t a vote on a single nominee--it was a vote to end the long history of unequal, illegal voting actions based on race.
2
"But what happens if the evidence that the investigation by the special counsel, Robert Mueller, uncovers reveals a direct link between Trump and the Russians? How do Trump’s boosters respond?"
From what I see and what I hear from Tumpites, I fear we will see violence from them. They will not accept anything that goes against their leader. And, they compose a part of society that is well-armed. I see no good coming from the Trump presidency, no matter what the outcome.
6
@Harry Toll and
True, but nevertheless we must continue to challenge Trump, otherwise we become permanently captive to him and his supporters.
2
I expect Trump will have to be pried out of the White House with a shoe horn in the form of U.S. marshals or a military detail. He won't willingly step into indictment, trial & prison, and that will be true if he is removed by impeachment, Article 25, or the electoral process. But though he may try to rally troops around him, the folks who work for him mostly despise him. They don't share so many traits with the fans who attend his rallies. He will be alone in the universe.
3
So finally, we have the proverbial, “Writing on the Wall.” (see directly below)
—
1. “…Don’t think that Trump would ever voluntarily leave office, as Nixon did…’ [op cit]
2. “…Don’t believe that Trump’s supporters would reverse course in the same way that Nixon’s did…” Even when Mueller’s facts, “…are considered unassailable…” [op cit]
3. And, “…Don’t believe Trump will go down without bringing the country down with him…” [op cit]
***
Now, I think it takes *real guts*, for any journalist to lay out a Doomsday scenario, for all to see, especially in these confused and uncertain times.
—
Why? Because when the truth *really* hurts, none of us wants to deal with it:
—
1. Certainly not in our comfortable living rooms,
2. Or in neighborhood bars, clubs, and sports arenas,
3. Or in classrooms, or even on the street.
4. And *least of all*, in the Halls of Congress!
—
But beware.
*Unheeded* truths always carry their own unwanted consequences.
***
So, “Woe,” I say, unto those of us who persist in turning a deaf ear to the Watchman’s cries.
—
And please don’t persecute the messengers:
They’re here, to shock us to our senses.
5
I don't think super highly of Trump's supporters, for various reasons, but because of their failings I do not think that when his crimes and misdemeanors are fully revealed they will have the powers and ability to keep his ship of state afloat. That is actually a good thing. I think at bottom, most of his supporters are also, in their normal American ordinariness, going to be embarrassed and ashamed by what he has done to the country.
I knew a lot of die hard fans of Nixon, and they were pretty rabid until the end, but they respected the law. Personally, I think the country, truth be told, is waiting for Mueller to set some guidelines to get us on track again. It helps that he is a straight arrow Republican. If he wanted it, he'd probably be a popular Presidential candidate.
2
What will he do when his children and son-in-law are indicted? That is the big unknown. There is certainly evidence that they all knew about the Moscow Tower plans. Mueller knows whether they participated in the Russian involvement in our election (collusion/conspiracy).
What will Trump do when these indictments come out? Will the stress and anger have dire effects on his health? He is human, even though corrupt and a traitor.
There must be a face-saving way to resign and Trump is creative above all.
2020 can't come soon enough.
1
You're right that the worst is yet to come. When the evidence reveals that Trump colluded with our enemy to seize control of our government, showing him to be a traitor, and all those who participated in this as traitors, a reckoning will have to occur, and like most reckonings, it will be violent.
The MAGA people will not accept the evidence, no matter how compelling or irrefutable, so it will be left to Congress and the courts to settle. No matter which way they decide, it will provoke a protest from the other side, and because there will be no other legal recourse, they will resort to the last recourse - violence.
We are a nation divided so deeply, not experienced since the Civil War, and look how that ended.
3
The Civil War ended with a massive victory of human rights, which no one predicted, except the Radical Republicans.
What no one likes to admit, especially with the death of Bush 1, is that Trump is not so much abomination but culmination. Bush may have had his decencies, but so did Mike Dukakis. He did not deserve the Willie Horton ad, and what was that but a build up to birther-ism? Once Republicans saw how well Nixon's southern strategy was continuing to work on TV, the hits just kept on coming. And Bush KNEW trickle down did not work, he called it voo-doo economics and it was and is. BUT if you can just bring out people's inner racist, or at least blame all their problems on anyone - brown people and women are convenient - then no one notices that it's your rich friends you benefit from all your policies. Everyone else is abandoned to your Thousand Points of Light, which you can't eat or pay the rent with. Republicans only worry that the package Trump puts it in isn't imbued with the scent of ivy and the Maine coast, so people will see it for what it is, but it's the same. Trump's innovation is training us to accept it without the sugar coating.
4
Interesting. Conversely what happens if there was no collusion, no crime, nothing but an attempt to damage a President they hate? What if the result is; nothing to see. Just bad behavior on the part of the investigators.
4
The possibilities ahead in the Russia investigation suggest we are not reaching the end of a nightmare, but rather inventing one, and that Blows.
4
@Nreb. We said!
Any pearls left to clutch?
2
The name "Mitch McConnell" needs to start appearing prominently and frequently in analyses such as this one. If Trump is damaging the country, and he is, it's only because his damage-doing is itself being protected by Senator McConnell. Trump is the crazy mob boss. McConnell is the bought and paid for member of the establishment who makes sure that the crazy mob boss gets his way.
This story needs to become parallel to the story of Trump.
11
A decade or so ago, I asked my parents, who are lifelong Republicans, what they thought at the time of the Nixon affair. "It was all just politics, said my Dad. "They were just out to get him," said my Mum.
Not all Nixon supporters turned away. Not all Nixon supporters "believed" he ever did anything wrong. Some, in short, thought it was all... fake news.
All that has changed is that that personality type -- the blindly loyal -- or even more facilitated by the balkanization of our media.
Trump's base is narrow, but infinitely deep. Sure he will lose some people on the edges, who acted irresponsibly in voting for the con man in the first place. But his true believers will make Nixon's dead-enders seem like cautious and judicious thinkers by comparison.
That is just the world we live in. And why this is not your father's crisis of American democracy.
7
Question?...If Hillery Clinton had won the election would there be a Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 Presidential election? I think not because all would be right with the world. The fact is though that according to the Democrats Russia did interfere with and tried to influence the outcome. So wouldn't it make sense to investigate and find out how, why, and who was involved. Then again why bother because they failed, or did they ,Hillery won the popular vote. Maybe that is what they were looking to happen only the electoral college foiled their plan.
I guess we will never know.
5
This is all up to the people. if Republicans in Congress begin to lose support for propping up this con man after the fuller truth comes out (and it will, to their embarrassment, expecially once we know who's been on the take via the Russia/NRA money laundering scheme), they will stop supporting him too. Certainly Trump's cultish base will believe him to their graves, but in the end this administration will end up on the trash heap of history. It will take us a long, long time to clean up the trash, however.
2
Never underestimate the power of spin to keep spinning until somebody permanently removes the top. Trump, his minions, apologists and the Party that nurtures them know no shame, no matter how deep. They just endlessly find new tacks of self-justification.
2
Trump won the electoral college because a majority of Americans are feeling abandoned and helpless in the face of drastic income inequality - the kind that's swiftly making it impossible for most people who aren't billionaires already to rent a flat or buy a house in an even mildly desirable location. You know what housing prices look like in Brooklyn, in Oakland, New Orleans. My pals who identified economic distress among working-class white folks years ago as a critical factor in the elections and my pals who are deeply concerned with the way gentrification is taking our cities away from working families and handing them over to super-wealthy digital workers for whom $3000 a month for a small apartment in San Francisco is no big deal have been talking about this stuff; we should have been listening.
So what do we do now? I've lived through four Reagan terms, Schwarzeneger and Nixon, and the basic drill is the same as it ever was. Keep your head down (Life In Wartime), organize (Moscow Rules), and work for the revolution any way you can.
The thing that's tricky this time is that for many people, Trump IS the revolution. It's our job to show those left-behind working class folks that while Trump talks the right talk he doesn't walk the right walk. We need to educate and organize. We need to address job opportunities and economic equality. We need to get on it and stay on it.
6
I am sick and tired of this excuse that tries to rationalize why so many white people identifies with Trump. It is racism, pure and simple and the rage they feel as being white is not longer enough and now they have to compete and work as hard and educate themselves as hard as the rest of us. We minorities have been struggling for decades but we do not go and vote for one of the most despicable human beings for the heck of it. Trump's election was a nasty white people's tantrum. Welcome to our world where you have to fight and work hard and get a education if you want to get ahead. We immigrants know that. White people's ancestor knew that.
6
It is frightening that we are in danger partly due to non-thinking voters who choose ignorance to guide their guts. Their moral standards are as low as Trump's if they continue this willful stupidity.
2
Even if Trump were removed, we would get Pence, whose religious craziness is another thing to be afraid of. He thinks that God has personally chosen him.
And we should be more worried about 2020. Trump's approval rating is currently at 46%--the same percentage that he won of the popular vote in 2016.
And it is likely that the Dems will choose another pro-Wall Street candidate-- the kind that the NYT likes, but drives the people to third party progressives or not to vote.
I fear the Us has lost its democracy in the 21st century, and I don't see a way to get it back. And the undemocratic side has the guns.
1
Charles
What if this whole episode is a false narrative created and funded by HRC and supported by BO?
4
Yeah, and maybe this whole thing is the work of aliens from the planet Bannon funded by Elvis Presley, who is living in Argentina.
6
"This will not get easier, but harder.
The country is about to enter the crucible."
I think your assessment is completely accurate, Mr. Blow.
Our only choice is to double down and hold the House, turn the Senate, win the next presidential election, and enact laws that will hamstring someone as amoral as Trump, should this ever happen again.
7
unfortunately I have to agree with Mr. Blow, as usual...Trump is a dangerous, amoral excuse for a human being; his toadies are the same; his followers feel empowered and they aren't going to give it up easily...they buy everything he says...strange times.
2
Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error [Kathryn Schulz]
1
There's a tale about young Jack taking a dare to stay the night in a haunted house. Jack was wearing a belt buckle that said " Big man Jack, Killed Seven in a Wack" bur they were just seven flies. Anyhow at nine O'Clock in walks this Ogre, but he's only about two feet tall, and he asks Jack 'Are you going to be here when Bigun comes?' And Jack just laughs at the little fellow and kicks him out of the house. Well this continues and each hour the Ogres keep getting a little bigger till about two O'Clock, when in comes this Ogre who's so tall and wide he can barely get through the door, and he looks at little Jack and asks' Are you going to be here when Bigun gets here?" And Jack picks up his hat and says " If you ain't Bigun I'm gone". So Mr. Blow You think this is just the beginning of the nightmare?
This is just democrat party propaganda by a publicist for the democrat party. Name something Trump colluded with the Russians about? Facebook ads? They had them for and against both candidates, seriously you think that had any affect? The democrat party lost to Trump and they are forever looking for an excuse. They can't accept the fact that they put up a horrible candidate or that their message simply doesn't resonate with the American public. Honestly, Hillary won 487 counties while Trump won 2626. He won because he was the better, less corrupt, candidate. This Russia Collusion shtick was ginned up to keep a constant investigation of Trump, and because the democrat party used the government to spy on political opponents. The person who colluded with Russia and another foreigner was Hillary Clinton. Her hubby got a 500k speaking fee for the Uranium One deal and she hired Steele to make a fake dossier to get a FISA warrant to cover the tracks of the DOJ spying on opposition party. Mueller and his crowd are frauds.
3
@Shane Counties aren't people. Why didn't you also show numbers of the popular vote? I think that's a better comparison of who was more popular. Are you suggesting that there should be one vote per county?
2
So, how do you explain the fact that Trump’s initial national security advisor, his campaign manager and his legal “fixer” have all been indicted, plus a number of lesser figures in his “administration”? If Trump is innocent of collusion and obstruction of justice, why is he acting like he’s guilty of both? Oh, yes, I forgot. It’s all “a vast conspiracy” carried out by the “deep state”. Yeah, that’s the ticket.
3
You will have better luck trying to convince your dog not to chase the cat than trying to convince a Trump supporter at this point. They are hopeless.
2
A guide for the slow reader:
Charles Blow and others of his ilk are shifting the landscape from "Trump Colluded With Russia To Steal the Election" to "Trump was lying to or misleading Americans about his intent to do business in Russia..."
In other words. Blow et. al. are subtly accepting the fact that Trump is not going to be found to have colluded with Russia - as everyone from Bob Woodward to every other investigative journalist who has looked into this has concluded. Now Blow's goal is to make the impeachable offense keeping his business prospects alive in case - as the NYT told us was inevitable - Trump lost the election.
Here's your answer Mr. Blow: About 15 percent of Americans will care that Trump kept casual business contacts with Russians, and most of them have already written diatribes for the Times' op-ed page. And if Congress attempts to impeach him over it, Trump'll win in 2020 with a 1996-style landslide, after which Blow will write a Bob Dole-esque column headlined: "Where's the Outrage!"
3
@Philboyd It's true that dictators sometimes come out on top. It's a shame that people in a democratic society can applaud this.
1
Hitler's and Lenin's supporters wanted to tear down the government and rebuild it with some infantile vision of near or complete perfection. Trump supporters want the same. What they refuse to recognize is that all people, starting with their Leader and including themselves, are corrupt and that rebuilding will only result in more corruption. The only difference will be a new Party Line.
And tearing down a government results only in anarchy. Yes, our government could act more efficiently and morally, but human nature will always prevent that from happening. And anarchy, in the end, brings only an authoritarian state. Better to have an inefficient, sometimes amoral government than an efficiently murderous police state.
2
Forget about impeachment. Everyone in the US has one vote. I hope more and more people will vote. As a Canadian, I do not have a vote; but I care deeply. And I think character matters a lot. We (the world) will all live with the consequences, for better or for worse.
7
@John Cameron
Unfortunately we do not elect our presidents on a one person one vote system. Meaning we don't live in a true democracy. Our house of lords senate is a prime example. The Dakotas together have twice as many representatives in the senate as our most populous state California. 40 million Californians: 2 votes in the senate. Less than 2 million Dakotans: 4 votes in the senate. What about that is a democracy?
2
This is all so distressing. Living in deep red, very rural, north Idaho for the last 29 years, the trump supporters came out of the woods where they used to hide their bigotry, misogyny, racism, etc when Obama was running for president. It's gotten much worse, and is now normalized to some extent here, since trump was elected. It's impossible to drive into town without seeing several hateful bumper stickers, and many more people are "packing" (concealed or not concealed guns). I doubt that now they are out of their closet, they will go back in.
I am trying as hard as I can to move to the north coast of California, whose government looks very attractive to me. I now wonder if succession by the "blue" areas of our county would be a solution. Not sure how that would work, but it may be better than what we have now.
15
The Republican Party and 45 are staunchly defiant and audaciously strident in the face of increasingly mounting evidence of Russian collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian governmental intelligence operatives. The GOP and 45 are without concern for the health and welfare of the entire nation because their deeply entrenched, myopically skewed allegience is but only to the die hard supporters whose self interests and protection are reflected and advanced by a compromised president supported by a politically impotent party. They will remain on board the ship of state, scrambling for deck chairs, in the face of the inevitable waves cascading over the bow of the allegedly unsinkable Titanic. The underlying driving force animating this desperation is that Republicans and 45 have presented themselves to their supporters that their interests can only be protected by them, i.e., extreme racial animus, malignant anti immigrant sentiment, blatant xenophobia, virulent anti-LGBTQ feelings, &rejection of diverse religious presence. In light of increasing demographic changes and eclectically diverse composition of the Democratic Party now soon to assume control of the House, 45's supporters are stuck. Maintaining racial and ethnic supremacy is the common denominator that emboldens both the Republican Party and 45. Their fear of electoral extinction is first and foremost on their minds. The Mueller Team will prevail in the end and rid America of this cancerous growth. Race matters.
7
Will Fox go down if Trump goes down? I’m not so sure.
Roger Ailes founded Fox News better than two decades ago to amplify the voice of the voice of the Republican Party generally and its racially and ethnically anxious wing in particular. My guess is that rather than let that voice be compromised, Murdoch and his minions will find a way to spin Trump’s demise in such a way that makes him an aberration rather than the walking Fox-message-on-steroids that he is. Not only is there too much money at risk, the fate of the GOP is on the line.
And with both party and money ay stake, one man is expendable. It’s the GOP way.
5
Fox will do whatever is in its financial interest. If and when it calculates that Trump has become a liability, it will swivel away and its lead may have the GOP in tow.
1
Best advice I can give to the Reublicans is choose wisely. ... https://youtu.be/0H3rdfI28s0
1
"Our national nightmare is over." So spoke Gerald Ford after being sworn in following the Nixon resignation. The present national nightmare has barely begun.
2
Trump was right that he could murder someone on 5th Avenue and they would still follow him. The real 'what if' is, what if he won't leave when his term(s) is/are up?
2
18 U.S. Code § 2381 - Treason US Code
Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
1
From the moment Trump was declared the electoral victor it was crystal clear that American democracy had been gravely degraded. A healthy democracy would have rejected him during the primaries.
The Mueller investigation notwithstanding, Trump and his army of Republican allies and enablers have taken the nation far down the road to autocratic rule.
The U.S. has squandered its mantle as global leader to become an object of scorn, pity, ridicule and deep concern.
We assume that Trump is an aberration, and that upon his departure America will begin to heal.
Let's hope that's not wishful thinking.
9
This is kind of ironic.
A leading political player at a Democratic Party operation wants to discuss the leading political player at another pro-Democratic political operation, the fake investigation into the non-crime of collusion.
Mueller's real job is just keeping the string of felonies committed by Hillary Clinton off the front pages, but he can handle this one.
Plus, it jkeeps HIS role in the deliviery of North American uranium to Russia off those same front pages.
As a working-class person in America, I celebrate Donald Trump's role as Mr. Employment, and his miracle economy is why the GOP will be smiling after to 2020 election.
At least Charles isn't trying to pretend he loved the late Poppy Bush. Everyone at the Times in those days hated Bush's guts.
It's weird to see them trying to pretend they were friends now, but no one is surprised.
2
@L'osservatore: Miracle economy? Ha, ha. Is that why the Republicans did so poorly in the midterms?
If you are one of "the people who support and defend Trump" pay attention to what Charles Blow thinks of you. "There is a spiritual linkage, a baleful bond, between the man and his minions." Your link to him is spiritual, not logical or political. He can't accept that you voted for and support him because of differences in the Supreme Court or tax policy. It's blind faith. Your bond is dangerous and menacing. You are his minion.
Liberals like Blow can't accept that good people disagree with their liberal policies. To not agree with them is defacto evidence that something must be wrong with you. Youy are blind, dangerous and easily manipulated. It can't be that reasonable, intelligent voters chose Trump and his policies over Hillary and hers... no, the Russians stole the election, Trump must have helped them, he's corrupt. Therefore we must spends years if necessary and millions of tax payer dollars proving this and removing him. It wasn't a legitimate election because he was elected by flawed voters based on flawed information.
Throw any semblance of rational thought out if it interferes with that task. FOX News dominates the ratings for 20 years, long before Trump became a candidate, but according to Blow they will go down if Trump goes down. Why? Because they aren't legitimate and their viewers are deceived minions. It's sad that he feels he must characterize opponents this way instead of engaging in honest debate willing to accept when his views lose.
6
@REPNAH Exactly.
1
@REPNAH
A terrific defense of the almost indefensible.
@REPNAH: I can’t think of a reasonable intelligent person who votes for a thug who mockingly imitated a disabled reporter and who spread the lie that Obama was not born in the USA, who defrauded students and stiffed contractors, who bragged about grabbing women by their private parts and bragged about it, and who threatened his political opponent with the “second amendment people”.
3
I think the only thing--aside from death in office--that might bring Trump and his band of thugs down is a major downturn in the economy. If there's another recession, they will, of course, try to blame the Democrats, but people have a way of blaming economic disasters on whomever sits in the oval office. It's easier to blame an individual than a whole party or society. I can't help thinking of what small towns and rural Americans used to do to snake-oil salesman once they discovered they'd been hoodwinked--tar and feathers!
3
Mr. Blow, this reminds me of Watergate when at the time Nixon had won his second term by a landslide! Majority of the country approved of Nixon! With Donald’s 60% DISAPPROVAL the Republicans in the Senate must DO something or face extinction!
Russia did attack our democracy, Donald did collude, Donald has strong ties to Russia reaching back decades (EricTrump famously said, “we get all our money from Russia”), and the Mueller Investigation will prove all of this and more.
I have a feeling that many of his supporters will be devastated by the TRUTH! Donald’s approval continues to slide into oblivion!
Traitor!
1
Collusion, as in cooperation or the exchange of information, is not a crime. Dems lost because of a bad candidate, who did collude secretly with the Russians.
1
@bribribri: Nonsense. Hillary got almost 3,000,000 more votes than the Dotard. She didn't collude with the Russians, that's your boy. Putin wanted Trump to win, not Hillary. Everyone can see how weak minded and susceptible to flattery that clown is.
1
The fake of our country is in the hands of...Republicans on Capitol Hill and in the voice of the people, if spoken loudly and insistently.
There is scant hope that the majority of Republicans, particularly in the House led by the nihilist Freedom Caucus, will wake up. They are frightened that turning on this president could mean a real, actual death for the Republican party and certainly doom re-election of incumbent members.
Yet, a revolt could happen. It depends very much on how things unfold. There could come a time when the smarter Republicans come to realize that they must cut loose from Trump, even if it means a bloodbath at the polls. So far, his recklessness and randomness has not, in their eyes, reached that point, but that does not mean we should assume there is not a point beyond which they will not go. (I don't know what that point is, do you?)
Unfortunately for the rest of us, our Constitution does not give us a direct way to remove a president between elections. The people have spoken, however, having given somewhere around six million more votes to Democrats running for House seats than given to Republicans overall.
What we need is steady, publicly demonstrated opposition. Yes, simple things like people standing on street corners with signs and, yes, massive nationwide public demonstrations coordinated for a given day. Then repeated the next month. Then the next and the next.
The desire to have him out of office must be shown persistently, without let up.
2
@Doug Terry I meant to write "fate of our country" in the first line above as I hope most people would realize.
If Mueller can't bring a fantastic criminal case out of what we just know right now, wouldn't we have to conclude that this was indeed a "witch hunt"?
Doesn't he have everything he needs except perhaps the proverbial fifth avenue smoking gun to bring close to ironclad circumstantial charges?
If Obama had participated in an infinitesimal fraction of the things Trump was involved with impeachment proceedings would have already been concluded.
What Trump is involved with is unprecedented and simply insane, but it's hard to process because it's so outlandish and unbelievable.
1
Of course you are right on every point. And, of course, we just don't know what the special counsel will produce. But we can assume it will have some evidence of illegalities by this president and those who surround him just the way the Mafia thugs do. I don't think this country can survive as a democracy for the next two years. Sure, the House can impeach. But with a senate such as it is with leaderless leadership and baaing GOP sheep following Mitch, Trump will probably simply continue doing what he has done, pardoning criminals in his orbit. Ah, yes, if only we could learn from the history of earlier in the last century in Europe.
1
In the 1950's the Quakers coined a phrase "Speak truth to power. But that can only apply if power doesn't define truth. At present about 40% of Americans believe or are comfortable with the thousands of bald lies uttered or tweeted by DJT. If that situation is maintained or enhanced Mr. Blow is correct: We may be near the end, ie., the end of the of beginning of the Trump fiasco.
We've gone through about the same period it took to get Nixon out of office, only the hyper density of public media has taken its toll and made it feel like a tortured interminable demise.
I'm afraid that unless his own kids turn him in, he will ride this out; then, he'll save his own hide as he devours his own children in order to save them from future incarceration.
The family that is complicit together, dissolves together. Unfortunately, this might take a decade or more.
Charles,
I agree.
The last 3 years have just been one long stress dream.
Now comes the nightmare part.
We have seen Trump and the GOP as bad winners.
Now we will see them as bad losers.
It's gonna get rough, kids!
4
In his methodical way, Mueller has been building his case against Trump and his family and team for months. The circles are becoming ever narrower. He has indicted several people already and there have been plea agreements for cooperation. It is no surprise that Manafort, that ultimate slick player, imagined he could play both sides. He may end up getting burned in the process as Trump may have dangled a pardon, but not give him one. I admit to some schadenfreude in Kelly having to plead guilty given his "lock her up" chants. Now the focus is shifting to Stone et al along with Don Jr, Eric, Ivanka and Jared. . I don't know if Trump will be indicted and convicted of impeachment or forced to leave office with criminal charges awaiting him. There may be no perp walk in his future, but we now have a Dem Congress with subpoena powers on its committees. The truth will come out one way or another. To borrow a phrase from another time, the long national nightmare will then be over. The mills of the gods grind very slow, but they grind very fine.
2
I am planning to contest the Democratic primary in 2020 and intend to hire great minds in Russia, China and India to help win the Democratic primary and then the US Presidency. The labor their is cheap and the intelligence of Russians and Chinese is better that US politicians and lobbyists.
Question to this crowd: Would that be illegal? And how?
Because all I see is Mueller beating every Trump supporter so he has none in 2020. I therefore want to keep my staff to non-US citizens who cannot be harassed for their taxes.
I just reread the Times June 2016 article about Trump's failures in the NJ casino industry. I think that today, just like back then, there will be a huge infrastructure including businesses, legal entities, and individual people who will rise up to support and protect Trump even in the face of insurmountable evidence against him. They do this because it also protects their own complicity in his dirty acts against the country.
4
Your piece only makes sense if taken to its ultimate conclusion, that the notion of 'America' as you understand it has ceased to exist for followers of Trump. 'Their' country is not yours, so if Russia helps Trump defeat 'your' country, the enemy of their enemy is their friend. The only merit in such a brutal division is that the existence of Fox can't make that much of a difference. Innocent bystanders can't fall into their net by mistake. If they are not in that way inclined, two minutes of Fox will make them reach for the remote. If they don't, they are a variation on the case of the love that dares not speak its name. Sooner or later they will find themselves.
I agree, the nightmare is just starting to unfold. I think Trumpf will attempt to use the DOJ to enforce his idea of a Dictatorship ala Putin's and others. He's worried about the Dems. taking over in Jan. in the House but willing to go postal on them if they start to investigate him seriously. If they don't immediately grab his tax returns we'll know he's using the DOJ to intimidate key Dems. into silence. If that happens were in deep do do for the next two years or longer. I'm not convinced we will have another free and fair election.
Democracy is a messy business. The far right controlled by the Koch's and the Mercers have been working towards this end for 30 years with the belief they will triumph but they hadn't counted on Trump being elected so everything is in stasis. We have a chance to break their machine and chuck it onto histories junkpile. We must not lose our focus for the next two years. We have a chance to save our country. Elect a fighter like Warren and convince Americans that the GOP is a corrupt and poisonous party that must be destroyed.
2
Trump's supporters will continue to support him. Only if the Republican Senators and congressmen begin to put the interests of their great nation ahead of all else can the US begin to heal and resume its place in the world.
4
Trump will continue to say the Truth is a Lie and offer more Lies as theTruth and our National Nightmare will go on until his cabinet starts to unravel and slink into the shadows leaving him isolated. Then the end will be at hand.
2
...there is no reasonable prospect that anything Mueller does or says could result in Trump's removal. Trump famously said "I could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and not lose any votes" . That has now been replaced by "Trump could be caught handing American military secrets to Russia and still not have any Republican votes for impeachment".
Whatever evidence and proof of criminal acts that Mueller could come up with, it is certain that such evidence and proof could not be as powerful an indication of wrongdoing as the evidence in the public record that Bret Kavanaugh was lying in the senate hearings relating to his confirmation as a Supreme Court Justice.
Once Ford’s account included three people she said were there AND his calendar had them all at Tim Gaudette’s house on July 1, 1982, AND Ford’s description of the interior of Gaudette’s house in Rockville, MD exactly matches that of the actual house, which still exists: the only way that Kavanaugh was not lying is either: Ford somehow obtained access to his 1982 diary/calendar, or Ford has a time machine or Ford stalked Kavanaugh in 1982 and planned for this if he was nominated to the Supreme Court..."
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4216597
4
I don't believe the minority who will actually react violently is as large as is generally thought. The vast majority of #45's supporters were hoodwinked and continue supporting him partly out of the shame of admitting it. There is a core of real belief in what he represents, but it is as small as it's ever been, just noisier and bolder now because of him. There will be adverse reaction to his apprehension, but America will weather the storm.
3
Charles Blow makes four key arguments (and commends himself by each time repeating "...that is clear");
1. Russia attempted to influence the USA election. (and perhaps Trump liked the direction of at least some of the influence).
2. Russians attempted and made some contact with some members of Trump's team.
3. Members of Trump's team appeared interested (at least initially, in a general way) of information Russians may have claimed to have.
4. Trump has 'openly attempted to obstruct justice'.
Unfortunately, none of these claims amount to much.
1. Many countries attempt to influence American politics. Russia is far from the greatest influencer. Why does the NYT ignore the others?
2. Many foreign nationals have contact with members of political parties, at all levels. (see #1). But only now, and only if it peripherally involves Trump is it somehow a big deal.
3. Having an initial meeting to assess a inexplicit offer is by no means collusion.
4. Obstruction of justice? Responding to an open-ended investigation and mountain a defense in the public arena are not 'obstruction of justice'.
Charles Blow preaches to a liberal echo chamber. Beyond that audience, his arguments carry no weight.
5
I think the answer is if there is incontrovertible proof that Trump colluded in some way with the Russians, or could at the very least be seen as someone compromised by his ties...that nothing would change. Fox will claim the evidence is based on the words of a man desperate not to go to jail, Trump will say it is fake news and those with an axe to grind doing this, and the all so super patriotic, wear the flag on their arm, Colin Kapernick is a threat to American Freedom, supporters will shrug and say "it doesn't matter, Trump is "our president' and we need to support him against any and all attacks". The same people that are angry at ballplayers protesting during the Anthem, remember, overlook the fact that Trump openly during the campaign called our military "losers", "a joke", has derided military leadership and has otherwise shown the same contempt he does for most things with the military..yet that is 'okay'.
The reality is, Trump supporters, like Nixon's core supporters, are not going to waver, and those who are disgusted with him are too afraid of Trump nation to stand up to him and take a moral stand (evidence is that with Nixon, his base supporters continued to defend him long after he resigned, the myth of mass defection is just that). They are going to believe that Trump is a martyr, that people were out to get him because he 'did so much for us', and even direct proof of him following Putins orders would not change their attitude.
1
As many here, I am like the author who has every doubt that the Russia probe, or criminal financial behavior, or emoluments or any other crime would be sufficient to peel off Trump's base.
I remember it well; in spite of Nixon's crimes made obvious, there was a substrate of devotees that would not give in. Bear in mind that this is exactly what the Right thinks about "transgressions and illegalities" they accuse the Clinton's and Obama of. "Those Libs would let them get away with anything."
It's the mirror of projection, yet one side's facts are more accurate----which brings us to the where Trump's fall MUST come from. Two sources.
The Republican Congress would have to react strongly against Trump, and in doing so, Fox would then turn a corner and thusly diminish Trumps red-blooded white base.
But there will be many in this benthic zone that just don't care because Russia is a White country; a major appeal not fully recognized by the people or media. Also, the schadenfreude coursing their blood stream has become addictive. "Get the Libs! Hahaha!"
Only Fox via the Repubs can make Trump go away and the bribes to and fro will be legion. What's so weird is that Trump is risking EVERYTHING including his self image. He will threaten all kinds of stuff (like violence from his base) if he has to step down....
His "deal" will be that all charges must be dropped or he will spill all the blackmail that Russia will give him. Maybe declare marshal law.
We are in trouble.
1
I continue to believe Mueller has stronger evidence than we know—not only against Trump cronies but against Trump himself—and that he is deploying a strategy for checkmating the king that rivals that of three-dimensional chess.
Don’t you know Mueller has Trump’s tax returns, his phone logs, every last one of his financial records (including those of his Deutsche Bank loans), the details of those real estate deals where Russians paid way over fair market value for Trump properties? Don’t you know Mueller knows exactly what kind of communications transpired between that strange Trump Organization server and Moscow-controlled Alpha Bank? And if the Turks can bug the Saudis, don’t you know the far-more-sophisticated MI5 surveilled Julian Assange’s communications in Ecuador’s embassy in London—and that they shared that intelligence with their US counterparts?
That is not to say Fox “News” won’t continue to try to persuade its viewers that black is white. But my guess is that Mueller will keep laying on “speaking” indictments brick by brick, ever closer to the president until the handwriting on the wall is so plain Anonymous and his cronies will corral him into some kind of exit strategy so he can save his own hiney—which is all he really cares about. And that if the evidence of Trump’s subservience to and conspiracy with Russia is as great as I believe, at least those supporters who were ashamed of his performance in Helsinki will conclude that black is black after all.
6
I was just thinking this weekend how nice it would be if Trump stayed in Argentina, if the US refused to allow him back in. As it is, that's a pipe dream and we go back to a crazy man who is trapped in a corner and ACTS like it. He does NOT act like an innocent man. Mitch McConnell - Profile in Porridge.
1
President Trump will survive regardless of what's in Mr. Mueller's report.
When one plays "what happens if ..." the game is much wider than just the Russia investigation. It may not be Mueller or the Russian influence investigation that forces Trump out ... if he is forced out.
The Miami Herald is running a further expose on the old ugly Epstein stories; with women coming out today (who were underage then) naming names -- including Dershowitz. There was the "Katie Johnson" lawsuit that magically disappeared right before the 2016 election. What happens if it's disclosed that Cohen paid that one off for Trump?
Then there are Trump's business dealings, including those overseas -- what do people think the possibilities are there?
How much scandal among his underlings, including his children, can he survive?
With Trump, there's really no bottom to what might be plausible. He got by for a long time being a rogue and a grifter because nobody was looking at him very carefully. Now that he's in the spot light it's anybody's guess what might blow up when.
2
Ha, there hasn't been a single piece of evidence that Trump had ANY contract at all with Russia. There is plenty of evidence Hillary did though, starting with the fake dossier that she paid Russia for!
3
I honestly couldn't care less that Trump's "loyalists" will weep and moan and make their birther king a martyr. I'm just wondering who will be getting the bigger statue - Trump or Jefferson Davis.
Blow's question is whether Trump's supporters will stay or go if the Mueller investigation finds tangible proof of his involvement with the Russians. In doing so Blow, and many commenters fall into the common trap of viewing issues through a binary lens.
The truth is that any problem with Trump -- and there are so many -- will cause some of his supporters to defect. The real question is how many? I'm a pragmatist, and only care about how easily and quickly we can rid ourselves of this dangerous pestilence. Accordingly, the sound I want to hear after the drip! drip! drip! is the rip! rip! rip! That's the sound of some more of his base tearing themselves away from Trump. We don't need all of them to defect, just enough for either impeachment or to vote him out of office.
It's my conviction that the president's problems surfacing now are just the tip of the iceberg. When the really dirty laundry comes out on the clothesline, I think there will be mass defections.
2
All of this on 45 and Russia examples a good deal of why 41 is being given a relatively-gentle ~ if not also grand ~ send-off. Indeed by comparison, I've yet to see a single-mention of Iran-Contra (anyone remember?) and all the related stroke-of-midnight presidential pardons of people in high places.
1
I think Trump is compromised on two fronts, the first is obvious, that's with Russia. The other has yet to come to a head, and that is with Saudi Arabia. Putin and MBS were "high fiving" each other at the G20 summit about the whole affair. Wonder if what MBS has on Trump is worse than what Putin has. Just hope our nuclear position hasn't been compromised.
2
All you need to do is look at the photos from the recent G20 Summit in Buenos Aires to see who holds all the cards.
The nightmare will not end with the 2020 election. If Trump happens to win we can count on more of the same and possibly a bit worse. And if he loses, he will not go quietly into the night. He will take his pompous bloviating self to rally after rally to drum up support for conspiracy theories and to keep his base alive for the next election four years hence. For he will still be eligible to run again and serve another term.
Impeach Trump??? Promote Mike Pence??? Egads!!!!
It's amusing to see that, on the topic of the Trump campaign/administration's alleged collusion with Russia, even Charles Blow and his cocksure yet cockamamie assertions of certain guilt and impending doom for Trump excite much passion from Times-reading liberals. Where once every footnote regarding a consulting gig, phone call or "Contact Us at kremlin.rus!" email inspired a fairly unified chorus of "impeach him yesterday," now folks seem to be satisfying themselves with the knowledge that another presidential election is less than two years away.
Blow starts with the archetypal "have-you-stopped-beating-your-wife" setup: "I no longer think that anyone in America, including Donald Trump’s most loyal supporters, can afford to put off the consideration of the central question of this administration: What if Donald Trump or those closest to him were compromised by the Russians or colluded with them?"
But check the latest weak sauce from Robert Mueller regarding Michael Cohen, and it's clear Mueller has come up completely empty again on collusion. Blow's is far from the central question of this administration, or even about the often wildly inappropriate and crass but demonstrably effective Trump. The bigger question for someone like Blow is, are you seriously still working this angle on Trump, this hard, long after any intellectually honest person would have move on to something more substantive and productive?
1
What’s amusing to me is all you Trump supporters who seem to know exactly what Robert Mueller has or does not have in terms of evidence against your beloved leader.
There will be blood. Trump and Fox News (don't include Shepard Smith) are devoid of conscience, have blood on their hands!
1
I can't help thinking of Stockholm syndrome -- in which abductees become bonded with their abductors.
Maybe we should all practice up on whatever skills it takes to erase Stockholm syndrome. There must be books and protocols. Like removing cult doctrine from a Moonie's brain, or NOT drinking the Kool Aid.
1
There is a bright side, maybe a much-needed side, to our present fractures. We are talking about everything, it seems, including religious bigotry, racism, unbridled materialism, LGBT rights, the value of immigrants, political ethics, journalistic ethics, America's role in the world, and how an ostensibly civilized democracy and its leaders should behave. These are necessary if often painful discussions that in the past were mainly swept under the rug. The truth will inevitably prevail, and the internet has accelerated that process to almost the whole world. There is less violence, more human rights and more material prosperity in this planet than ever in history.
Like a fever that needs to break, or a bone that will heal stronger, all this is part of our development. Yes it may look like we're having a grand mal seizure, but there is too much good, and too much healthy in us (apropos of these comments) that we won't come out better for it.
2
@rich - Thanks for your optimism. I've had the same thoughts, but the relentless barrage of attack tweets, indications of corruption and incompetence, and blatant lies, unopposed by Mitch McConnell and the GOP, leaves me pessimistic. I sincerely hope your prediction comes to pass.
2
There are liars and there are pathological liars, people who simply cannot help themselves and utter lies in the face of incontrovertible evidence. For Trump to vehemently state during the campaign that he had absolutely no financial entanglements with Russia indicates an incurable sickness. Pathological liars never consider the repercussions of their dishonesty (getting caught). They are convinced they can lie their way out of anything. In answer to Blow's question, Trump will deny every malfeasance, and if he is removed from office, he will be lionized as a martyr by his legions of outraged supporters. That's not the unsettling part. The unsettling part is how will they express their outrage?
@nzierler
Trump was truthful. He had, and has now, NO financial deals woking in Russia.
Hillary Clinton's financial ties to Russia have earned her (thru that fake charity) bribes worth most of a billion dollars. Thank God we are not allowed to bring THAT up on the front pages, huh?
2
@L'osservatore And how do you know Trump's financial dealings with Russia?
1
What happens if the Mueller investigation results in damning, incontrovertible evidence that Trump and/or his immediate family committed criminal acts against the United States? That’s up to Trump. And if his past behavior is any indication of what comes next, it won’t be pretty for anyone. Will he accept those results or, as he has done at his political rallies many times before, tempt his base at political rallies to take matters into their own hands?
Against whom? Mueller (whom he's already begun to smear) and his staff? The MSM? All of his other scapegoats? The ‘dark state?’ Anyone else?
Regardless, the bigger question should be: Has anyone in charge thought about all of this and how to deal with it?
1
Barack Obama and his 17 US intelligence agencies had so much evidence on Trump and Russia that they allowed Trump to become US president, annihilate the left, and stack the US Supreme Court for generations.
1
Trump is doing to our Nation what he did to Atlantic City casinos and many of the other businesses this con man has bankrupted.
1
I respectfully disagree. His supporters have not absolved him, they have taken his lies for truth, and their media has backed it up with lie after lie.
Our fellow Americans aren't stupid, or mean, they're subject of a media monopoly on the Right that is out of control.
1
@George 1) It's strange that you talk of a media monopoly on the Right... while writing to comment on a very liberal op-ed published in a very prominent liberal newspaper whose views are parroted by most other major newspapers as well as CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, PBS et al. Just what is your definition of a monopoly when the monopoly has to constantly compete against such well funded, prominent competitors??? 2) What you state is not respectful in your disagreement. I don't take his lies for truth, any more than I take the lies spoken by Hillary and other liberals as truth. I discern what I believe to be truthful and right and then vote the side that I think will do the most to promote that under our Constitution. And I am subject to no media outlet. One thing that liberals have never been able to understand or accept is FOX News did not create the Right. It benefited by being the first network to recognize that conservatives existed and offer them news that was not dripping with liberal bias and manipulation. And for that recognition they were rewarded by those conservatives with historic viewership. The move by all the above listed media outlets to hide their liberal bias even less and to, as Mr. Blow has done, demean conservatives has been undertaken at their own demise in ratings.
Respectful... don't flatter yourself.
1
Well put Mr Blow. Unfortunately I fear that it's going to be worse than your language suggests.
Oh, what a surprise. Charles stirs the same old garbage and comes to his same old conclusion. How original. How about just shut up, stop the breatless speculation and wait for Mueller to actually issue his report.
5
Another distinction from Nixon: Nixon won the popular vote and the electoral college by overwhelming numbers before Watergate broke and he ultimately resigned. Trump lost the popular vote and had only a small victory in the electoral college. (For example, he won Michigan, a state of almost 10 million people, by less than 11,000 votes.) With Nixon, the country was able to say to itself, "We were all duped together... Who knew?" Can Trump supporters say that about the Trump presidency?
Yet another distinction: with Nixon, we had tapes. It's harder to argue against audio or video recordings. Lordy, I hope there are tapes.
@SarahSarah, Bill Clinton won in 92 with 43% of the votes.
JFK won by barely over 100k votes.
Electoral college is what counts. Trump had a substantial margin.
2
@Ralphie
It's disingenuous to mention Clinton's 43% of the vote in 1992 without mentioning that this was 6 million more votes and 6 % pts more than the guy in 2nd place.
1
@Ralphie I hope no one would dispute that Trump won the election. However he lost the popular vote which somewhat taints his election. Certainly he believes that. Witness his ludicrous contention that he only lost the popular vote because of voter fraud.
1
The most sobering thought is that Trump holds all of the best cards right now, all of the real power. If Bob Mueller and his team provide clear evidence that he's guilty of crimes that will send him to prison for the rest of his life, would he submit to prison without a fight? What would a risk taker do in this situation? If he resigns, he goes to prison. If he fights and loses, he goes to prison. Same result. If he fights and wins, he becomes absolute ruler. He's the commander in chief of the armed forces of the United States. Most of us don't realize what awesome authority he has over the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Marines as well as the National Guard, and how quickly he can enlist their help. I've been to the commissioning and recommissioning ceremonies of many officers and the words of their oath has never bothered me until Trump's inauguration. Every officer pledges not only to defend the constitution of the United States but also to "obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me." Their training supports their oath and makes them more responsive to authority. If his position as President was threatened, if he was potentially facing prison, why wouldn't he use the military to protect him? Could he find at least a sizable fraction of the military that would be willing to defend him? I can only hope enough of them would refuse to fulfill their oath if such a thing happens.
1
@JR Constitution comes first for a reason. Officers are obliged only to follow lawful orders ('just following orders' don't cut it) and it is unlawful for the federal military to act as policing forces inside the US. Look it up.
1
"Trump has [a propaganda arm]. It’s called Fox News."
Who? Sheppard Smith and Neil Cavuto? There is not a single opposition media outlet to you the globalists.
1
Dear NYT:
Mr. Blow attacks those who "blindly support" Trump despite what -- for Blow, anyway -- is powerful evidence of collusion.
The real question is why folks like Mr. Blow continue to blindly support this scurrilous claim of treason, absent any direct evidence whatsoever, during more than two years of investigation by the media, FBI and special counsel.
The latest Cohen plea did not shift the political earth, though it may have caused some giddiness on the left.
Trump was a global developer. I would be surprised if he did not build a hotel in Moscow. Trump did not lie to Congress; Cohen did. Trump stated he had no deals in Russia, and he did not. Trying to do a deal is not the same as a deal, no matter how far the media tries to stretch Trump's plain talk to accuse him of "lies."
Importantly, Cohen did not allege he was asked to lie for Trump, and indeed, it appears that it was the Trump organization that handed over documents showing Cohen had lied; moreover, Don Jr. told Congress the truth in his own testimony, despite NPR's false story (that required a retraction).
In contrast: Secretly, through a law firm cutout, the Clinton campaign paid to have a foreign spy concoct still-unverified tales of treason against Trump. The dossier contains Russian-sourced disinformation purchased to damage an American candidate. The media covered this all up for more than a year.
Who is really "blind" here?
3
As the piece points out, the likelihood that the catatonic Senate will convict Trump is nil. So does that mean the country must put up with two more years of Senate fiddling while California burns?
The answer to that question is, unhappily, apparently yes. But the misery is not confined by Trump's imaginary wall. The world looks on in horror as (to choose an example almost at random) Bangladesh sinks beneath the waves, as inconceivable events in our country affect everyone. Yet we are as helpless to act as they. Or are we?
There must be at least 67 patriots in the Senate. None of them should be calling themselves Republicans any longer. To do so is to deny that the Party of Lincoln has morphed into a mob of Nazi appeasers. Patriots don't need to call themselves Democrats (though it would be nice). What they need to do is to stop making excuses for Individual 1.
What would help is for us to remind them that they are Senators because we thought they were patriots.
1
The Russians had evidence that President Obama lied when he said, "If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor." Does that mean President Obama was compromised.
Candidate Trump was a businessman considering a possible transaction. No crime in that. The transaction did not close, Hard to see how Russia "had the goods" on him and that he was compromised.
So sad that such garbage even gets published!
3
There is a problem with your logic, Charles, and it is all in your " it is clear" set up. Of course it is clear to you or me or to anyone who seeks to have their universe be fact based. But in the fox based universe that the Trumpies reside in, the opposite of what you state is true.They are not convicable and should be ignored. The battle will be over the center.
1
Charles is delusional as usual and is projecting his TDS. The Mueller report will come out, it will include no smoking gun, identify to crime committed, and make no recommendation to indict. It will include a smorgasbord of information and details that will be mostly open to interpretation and personal judgement based on individual ideology and worldview that each side will spin accordingly. It isn't likely that it will be particularly damaging politically in real terms for Trump because attitudes are mostly calcified at this point and this is unlikely to move the needle one way or the other. Trump will be reelected because Democrats will nominate some Marxist clown, someone who only people like Charles Blow can get really excited about.
3
Don’t despair. You can’t prepare for battle if you despair. There are bold scenarios to be imagined.
What if . . . Mueller and team had a private conversation with “Him” who cannot be named.
Leave.
Leave now.
Leave quietly.
Do not speak ill of anyone.
Tell the American people that you leave willingly.
Here is the offer you cannot refuse.
You will be treated like any indicted felon.
We will freeze your assets; including domestic and foreign accounts; including cars, boats and planes.
We will take away your passport and those of your family.
You will wear an ankle bracelet.
It could happen . . .
I'm a "nobody" in a little Southern Oregon east-of-the-Cascades town. What difference does my opinion really make? I vote, but wonder if that makes a difference, either? Still, because of my right-wing family (who support Trump on only two issues...no abortions or gay marriages), I was raised with the ideals that we should respect all life, be humble (not my strong point) and "do the right thing"...you know, the stuff that Jesus would have done. Well, I try. I fail. I try again. Hope doesn't start or end with politics. "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine..." Take a long sigh, look at nature, try to love those who drive you nuts, "do the right thing."
"But for the people who support and defend Trump, this (openly obstruct justice)has already been absorbed and absolved. They may not like it, but they are willing to overlook it. Indeed, they are so attached to Trump that his fortunes and his fate have become synonymous with theirs." We all know what flies are attracted to. That said do not forget the rest of us Charles, those who are not and never have been supportive of trump. We have voices. We can push back. We can see that our republic perseveres and flourishes.
2
after two and a half years you still have nothing, right? Get back to us when you do.
8
@krnewman: If, after the gruesome spectacle we’ve had to endure these past two years, you think there is “nothing” that reveals the corruption and criminality of this phony presidency, then you really are an expert on “having nothing”.
3
@krnewman You do realize that this IS an Investigation?! And it is not finished yet! Though there have been many indictments and guilty pleas! This IS a complicated case that includes, not only collusion (treason) but also, abuse of power, money laundering, tax evasion, obstruction of justice. Mueller’s team have been working for eighteen months! READ the history of Watergate, took two years!
1
wrong
A 2020 win ends both Trump and Pence. A 2022 Republican house victory will likely bring calls for impeachment of the Democratic President, the push for which will be driven by increasingly nauseating false equivalencies. This is our dance now, and we will hope one day a more component, dangerous version of Trump doesn’t emerge and rise to power.
3
“...component”. Hmm. What did you mean? Competent? Or want?
@Frank Diamond
Incompetent attempt at spelling on my part. I blame pancreatic cancer, because Steve Jobs would have never stood for our current talk-to-text debacle.
"Nixon had no propaganda arm. Trump has one. It’s called Fox News. There is little daylight between the network’s programming and the White House’s priorities. If Trump goes down, so too does Fox, in some measure. So the network has a vested interest in defending Trump until the bitter end, and that narrative-crafting could impede an otherwise natural and normal disaffection with Trump."
You're absolutely right Charles, this is the problem. Fox and other right-wing propaganda outlets have no respect for the truth or the rule of law. Like Trump, they care only about profits.
Perhaps we should boycott the corporate sponsors of these purveyors of falsehoods and vitriol once and for all.
7
Any garden variety Republican with a Republican majority in the Senate and Congress could have "accomplished" the pieces of the Republican agenda that many conservatives wanted...tax reform, Obamacare disables, and tougher borders. And they could have done it without the chaos and thrashing about of Trump.
Trump's true "success" has been selling his own brand of "hope" to the masses of white voters that are foolishly voting against their own best interests...a world where the coal and steel industries can rise again and climate change is a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese. Republican candidates need those voters to win elections and maintain the majority in the Senate. Once the spell is broken by a downturn in the economy and the realization of no health care sinks in, many of those voters will abandon the Republican party. Sadly, many will still cling to their vision of white Republican America.
4
I agree with Comey. The best way to remove Trump is in November 2020 or as someone suggested - the Big Mac route. With that said the REAL problem is his base and enablers in Congress. Without them, Trump would be back on Fifth Avenue trolling Hillary on Twitter. We seriously need to deal with an aging, white, uneducated population that has outsized power in the DC due to the EC and make up of the Senate.
If we had a real democracy we wouldn’t be in this mess.
7
I would welcome some reporting about FOX and the Murdoch family's interests and commitments. If FOX is Trump's propaganda arm then the ownership/management of FOX should be discussed. What do they want for America?
11
Yes, you're right. Throughout this presidency Trump has been doing things leave make people saying, "He can't do that." But he does. And we get used to whatever it is by the time --- usually very soon --- he does the next unthinkable thing. Every reasonable person agrees that his conduct is completely unacceptable. And no one knows what to do about it. I don't see any end; this will go on forever.
2
If the economy crashes as it did in 2008, then most of his followers will leave him. They may be loyal right now, but money speaks louder that empty words.
1
@Nora They will not leave no matter how bad their situation gets. The worse it gets, the more they will double down on Trump to save them. They have authoritarian personalities and they are unable to think for themselves. Their beliefs are dictated to them by Trump.
1
@Nora
Well cross your toes and fingers and hope that it does! Why do I think that's exactly what you are already doing?
@Nora They will blame the Democratic House. They blamed the Democratic Congress in 2008.
One recent morning I awoke from a dream in which Trump was in deep legal trouble; his polling numbers were plummeting; the early Republican primaries were drawing near.
Mitch McConnell, with support from his Senate loyalists, strongly suggested to Trump that, for the good of the nation, not to mention for the good of the party, Trump ought to consider passing the torch.
Trump saw the writing on the wall and, with is lawyers in tow, returned as a civilian to his aerie in Trump Tower.
A progressive Democrat won the White House.
As I say, it was a dream.
3
I have no doubt Mueller and his team will provide a complete report of the evidence regarding Trump's criminal matters. And I believe this report will include conclusive evidence against Trump, his family, and associates.
However, the health of this nation will depend on the Republican Party accepting responsibility for both bringing Trump to power and then continuing to enable him. Followed by a complete repudiation of his illegitimate Presidency.
8
Any impeachment process and associated trial will consume significant time in addition to the distraction of legislative attention more appropriately focused on the myriad of other serious challenges which we send legislators to Washington to address. Despite the continuing horrors we continue to experience perpetrated by this administration, I feel a better outcome is indeed an electoral victory in 2020 that removes this administration and all of its criminal conspirators from office. Until then I encourage our Congressional representatives to act as responsibly as possible to address those legislative priorities so in need of attention and to protect us as much as possible from the worst elements of this administration and its policies.
As much as I fear the damage being done in so many ways to our country and our standing in the world each day of the Trump administration, I fear even more the distraction from issues needing attention and damage that could ensue from a divisive and destructive Presidential impeachment saga.
Let us all hope and work for a better outcome in 2020 than a lack of attention and political engagement provided in 2016. We can and should do better.
6
@BruceC Cohen's recent revelations suggest that Trump's organization (if not Trump himself) was dealing with a sanctioned Russian bank more than a year after it had been sanctioned, and the offer of the penthouse to Putin is reallll close to an FCPA violation, and a serious one. That can only be the tip of the iceberg. Mueller undoubtedly knows more and will lay it out (hopefully he has the opportunity to) in public releases and new indictments. McConnell is a pragmatist enough to know that this would also be the death knell of the party, so he will turn on Trump and the RNC will follow.
3
@BruceC Actually, I believe Donald will be asked to resign. And then the full extent of the law will come down on him!
Hits the nail on the head but the real problem is, if we have incontrovertible evidence of guilt, but the Mueller refuses to indict and follows DOJ guidance, then on recourse is impeachment. We will have that in Congress but removal requires 20 republican senators to flip and vote for it. What happens if they don't? What signal does that send to Trump? What's to stop him from being even more brazen given that he knows the republicans will back him no matter what? What if he stops listening to the Supreme Court? What if he is voted out in 2020 and refuses to leave? At what point are we no longer a democracy?
5
@Rob I have a hard time accepting that the pragmatist McConnell (as much as I dislike him) will let the party go down with Trump when the chips are down. McConnell is not a loyal Trumpist to the point of killing the RNC.
@Rob I ask the same question all the time. Don't we have to send a message to future criminal conspirators who try the same thing?
We also need to explore the moral hazards here -- even if more indictments follow, as it seems clear they should, unless policies and measures enacted during this period are revoked (e.g. installing Kavanaugh), what's to ever stop anyone from doing this again in future? The rot here runs deep...
5
Historically, Donald Trump has always been a draft dodging, tax evading con artist as New York bankers learned in the early 1990s and -as a consortium -stopped lending to him. That said, there is not an area of Trump's life in which the truth prevails - or that he can even muster the ability to do the right thing. But he has met his match and then some with Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller, III, a Republican, who has methodically and meticulously moved forward with his investigation despite the unprecedented media and Twittering bullying directed his way by the occupant in the Oval Office. There are more indictments to come and thinking Americans ought to be deeply grateful that this hideous set of circumstances we find ourselves in is in the hands of a highly regarded, extremely competent Special Counsel who is nothing less than an American patriot as is the group of investigators he has assembled to shepherd this country out of potentially catastrophic challenges upending the very core of our Constitution and rule of law.
11
Robert Mueller is the Ryan Leaf of Special Counsels, a lot of promise, no big results.
6
@Michael W.: Yeah, how could anyone mistake 25 indicted Russian spies, 5 convicted American tax cheats and colluders, other convictions for ID fraud and lying before Congress, and a detailed roadmap of how the Russians attacked our social media and electoral systems in order to affect US presidential elections be mistaken for "big results"?
It's nothing compared to the spectacular results of the 9 Republican Congressional investigations into Benghazi and the unknown number of Republican investigations into Hillary's email. By the way, what are the results from those investigations?
3
@Michael W.
Even before the Mueller investigation, there was a fitting analogy to describe Trump. Trump is the Charles Ponzi of the middle class. If he hadn't settled out of court on his Trump "University" scam, he'd be in jail instead of the oval office.
But even worse, there are letters looming larger than any garish "Trump" sign on any nouveau-riche gaudy building :
Trump routinely demonstrates that he is WILLINGLY compromised by an adversarial dictator.
3
@Michael W. I am curious what would constitute big results? Thus far, his investigation has resulted in dozens of indictments and over eight guilty pleas or convictions. His investigation has been close-mouthed (no leaks!), steady, and progressive. His experience with mobster organizations has led him from smaller fish to larger. Would you consider Eric Trump going to jail a big result? Stay tuned: there's clearly more to follow!
1
Re "How would Americans who support Trump now respond to evidence that Team Trump put their own personal and financial interests over the national interest?"
Mr. Charles Darwin had the answer: "Great is the power of steady misrepresentation..." Trump's most ardent supporters -- and there are many -- will not back down. Like Darwin's critics, who made religious objection to Darwin's theory a central pillar of their personal pride, Trump's supporters have invested too much of *their* pride in Trump's dishonest victimization narrative. It all begins and ends with pride -- one of the seven deadly sins.
Th objective truths of Darwin's theory of evolution eventually triumphed completely, at least within the scientific community. But that didn't happen because critics converted to supporters; it happened because they grew old and, eventually, died. We should expect ardent support for Trump's ideas to end the same way.
2
@RR
Can we please hurry that process up a bit?
Mr. Blow "it is clear" that no evidence has been produced indicating any collusion with Russia by Trump . It is also clear that the single greatest source of income for Russia is energy sales. Trump's energy policies have driven oil prices down to $50 / barrel severely damaging the Russian economy. Did he do that for Putin's benefit ? How would you explain that minor anomaly to your collusion theory?
8
Dude - the article is about the dishonest synchphants that support and enable dumpster, not about the price of oil. But, hey, it's nice to know what price you'll sell your soul to damage our democracy.
2
I think there’s an even worse possibility just down the road. Imagine he survives Mueller and gets legitimately re-elected. What then? Do people think he’ll just leave office voluntarily at the end of his second term? A man like Trump is not going to walk away from presidential power. He will fight tooth-and-nail to hold on to it for as long as he can. And I suspect his supporters will fight along with him, demanding that the rules be changed so that he can serve a third, fourth, even fifth term. He’s all they have left.
Democrats, we have to get our act together and find a way to reach these people. Even if you hate every last conservative to the core of your being, they live HERE. They’re a part of America, and they’re not going away, so we better figure out how to get them on board. If we don’t we may be looking at TWENTY more years of Trump, not four.
4
@Amy
Ever heard of Mike Pence? How about Ivanka Trump? Now imagine those two people live in the same world as you and then read your comment again. Does it make sense still? Think we see Michelle in 2020? Will that be a problem for you if we do? No? But Trump is the one who cannot resist the draw of the flame of political power?
And finally.
We have the proverbial, “the Writing on the Wall.”
(see directly below)
—
1. “…Don’t think that Trump would ever voluntarily leave office, as Nixon did…’ [op cit]
2. “…Don’t believe that Trump’s supporters would reverse course in the same way that Nixon’s did…” Even when Mueller’s facts, “…are considered unassailable…” [op cit]
3. And, “…Don’t believe Trump will go down without bringing the country down with him…” [op cit]
***
Now, I say that it takes *real guts*, for any journalist to lay out, “America’s Doomsday Scenario,” for all to see, in these confused and uncertain times.
—
Why?
Because when, “Truth *really* hurts?” Nobody wants to hear it:
—
1. Certainly not in our comfortable living rooms,
2. Or in bars, clubs, and sports arenas,
3. Or in classrooms, or even on the street.
4. And *least of all*, in the Halls of Congress!
***
But beware.
*Unheeded* truths always carry with them, their own collection of unwanted consequences.
—
So, “Woe!!” I say, unto those who persist in turning a deaf ear to the Watchman’s cries.
—
And please don’t shoot the messengers:
They’re here to help us wake up.
6
Being afraid to call out all the dangers and law breaking by this politically morally & financially corrupt group of anti American scoundrels is as unpatriotic as the right wing militias w their guns aimed at us the American majority
No if it takes guns to fight guns i will
But standing up to macho bullying cowards is something the press has been weak on, and the law abiding majority
scared to do
These cheats have gerrymandered, used thuggery to intimidate and words to frighten
We in nyc know trump and his cheap skullduggery well
He backs doen when stood up to
That the Republitrump party has no spine
is irrelevant now
It’s up to the majority of Americans to peel off all but the most ardent oligarchs and nazis to right the ship
We will win this battle for our country
Trump and his unashamedly $ grubbing
minions, losers in society’s struggle for happiness won’t
Not easy but then nothing worth fighting for typically is easy
4
A worst case scenerio that I have been mulling over for sometime is that Trump’s style of governing is to create crisis situation: on the domestic front eg. tariffs, and in foreign policy eg. Flirting with world leaders, bluster, confrontation. Either could very easily be manipulated to serve his interest. Combine this with unfavorable Mueller findings, and the country will be held hostage! The solution? A quid pro quo - a grand resignation (with fanfair down the escalator),if all Congressional and judicial books are closed on the machinations of the Trump Foundation.
The one thing that I agree with George Will about is this: The moment t rump's very base base is faced with incontrovertible evidence of his craven cowardice their support will melt.
If Putin and MBS have the goods on him (judging by their greeting of each other in Argentina they do) and his cowardice allowed them to get away with it it will be evident.
It seems to me that t rump's involvement is closer to treason that collusion. If he acted in harmony with foreign governments to subvert our democratic practices and election that should be a far graver crime than just collusion.
All that will be left is to determine who gets to arrest him: The FBI or the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Either way his supporters will not be able to save him via the 2nd Amendment. Or any other way.
The nightmare has been going on since the escalator ride; the Constitutional crises since Jan 20, 2017.
Perhaps the Nation will rise stronger and more sure after this. Perhaps it is time to divide along geographical and geo political lines. The United States of America just might be too big and too separate to survive as it is.
4
@Bob
''The moment the President's base is faced with incontrovertible evidence of his craven cowardice their support will melt. '' - I disagree.
There are too many that are voting out of tribe and greed (for more tax theft and the like) that has already been shown in the midterms. They already have a majority of the truth. ( with so many all around the President having been found guilty or indicted so far)
Democrats/Progressive made major gains, but that base for republicans is not eroding. It actually is strengthening in some places.
Which is why we must remain vigilant and not let up for one instance in the progress we have made, and continue to try to reach them.
Regards.
3
It is hard to envision any scenario where Trump's cult of clapping seals abandon him or sycophantic elected Republicans evolve vertebra and suddenly become statesmen rather than a Greek choir for our Marmalade Mussolini. Trump is a pathological liar. But, one thing he has never lied about or hidden is what and who he is. For decades, and particularly during the primary and general election, anyone paying attention knew Donald Trump was a vile, narcissistic, mendacious, disingenuous, ignorant, misogynistic, racist buffoon. Yet nearly half the country voted for him and 43% still approve of him. A little treason with a foreign adversary is not going to change that support.
Republicans now live in fear to the angry mob they call a base that they cultivated and distilled for decades. The MUST continue to support Trump or get primaried. Patriotism? Honor? Decency? Integrity? Those words are no longer in the GOP dictionary.
We the people, have to get rid of Trump and Republicans in 2020 if we want to save our country.
11
@Gary Bernier - One correction: "nearly half of the country" did not vote for Trump. Out of 225 million eligible voters, he got 62 million. 138 million voted and 89 million chose to stay home, either forgoing their right to vote or rejecting both candidates.
3
@Randomonium Excellent point. Trump was really elected by fools who voted for him, people too lazy or disinterested to vote and (to me the real abominations) people who knew Trump was an existential threat to this country and decided to throw their votes away as "protests".
Just like the many subcontractor's he stiffed in his lifetime and the trump university promises left unfulfilled He will never admit he is wrong and like a child who is denied a cookie or more T.V will have yet another meltdown.
6
This analysis is justifiably pessimistic . Trump's presidency has cast a dark , ominous pallor over America's mood--with only the loyal core clamoring that America is being made great again. Trump was prescient in his remarkable assertion made during his campaign that he could shoot someone in Times Square mid-day and get away with it. Of course , he could. He knew then that whatever crime , no matter how damnable, he committed he could wiggle his way out of it. So he shoots someone in Times Square. His twitter tirades and White House lawn impromptu conferences begin: " A Witch Hunt" , "It was a look alike,' " I have nothing to do with Times Square. I was never there,"
" I don't have any guns. I never had any guns. I don't know how to hold a gun.", "Where are witnesses. Mr. X is a confirmed liar. You can' believe a word he says." "There never was a killing by any Trump", "No murder", "No murder"----and so on. And finally,. "Well maybe there was a murder and maybe there was not . We don't have sufficient evidence to indict!" And faithful full-mouthed Fox would follow with announcements that Trump is being unfairly persecuted; this totally innocent man is being dragged through the mud.---
You can't touch this guy. No matter how clear it is that he is evil. Four times Mr. Blow asserts in his beginning paragraphs "That is clear," or "That too is clear." It should be clear to all Americans that our president is involved with Russia and up to no good. Clearly bad.
5
At the time of his resignation, didn't 25% of the country still support Nixon?
4
For many years, I lived with a person who cheated and lied. When confronted with irrefutable proof, the lie would continue accompanied by anger. What was my response? A temporary silence followed by passionate reconciliation. The behavior only ceased with death. Why did I stay in such a toxic situation, and how many times have I asked myself this question over the years? Many times, and the answer is always the same: I was in love. For most of the time the person was warm and loving and generous, and I chose to remember those occasions. The supporters of the man in our White House will find innumerable reasons for continuing to support him. They will have no rational basis.
4
@scamp02
Thank you for that personal anecdote. (courage) I completely agree - there are going to be so many irrational thoughts that are going to be accompanied by every excuse possible, It was already shown in the mid terms.
We simply need to work harder and have more vote.
3
There's zero evidence in the public domain that Trump colluded with Russia (which isn't a crime) but somehow it's become clear that he has?
1
@orlandocajunut.....But there is evidence that he lied about his business connections to Russia; and unlike any other President in modern times he has refused to reveal his tax returns. A better question is do you care if he is a liar? Do you care that he refuses to reveal his tax returns?
5
@W.A. Spitzer
I could care LESS about his tax returns. What I do care is that he is NOT a politician, The last president (A BIG Politician) was a HUGE liar." If you like your Dr you can keep your Dr." "Your premiums will go down 2500 dollars a year" just to name a couple. Where is the outrage over his lying? Or did you just excuse it because you are an ideological sycophant ?
Hmmmmmm. It's dumb to lose faith in the American people, and Trump supporters are a good chunk of the American people. Many nations and people have come a cropper by underestimating America.
As you say; The walls are closing in on Trump, and Impeachment is more and more likely. If I were in the House, at this time, I would favor impeachment. The trial in the Senate could be cathartic. However, if I were in the Senate, at this time, I would favor not convicting ... unless there was a major part of the Republican caucus that also favored conviction.
Impeachment should never be because you don't like the president, or you don't agree with his policies, or he was a crook before being elected. Impeachment must not be partisan as it was with Johnson and Clinton. Such impeachments represent a decay, just as much as the Trump election represents decay. Impeachment must be for seriously subverting the rule of law and the Constitution.
Trump is already defanged to a great extent, for good and proper reasons. It seems that the people of America are understanding who he is and the dangers. Let's hope he becomes a Taylor or the like, a cypher in history, and that impeachment isn't really needed.
@Publicus
If any person or group enters a conspiracy to defraud the American electorate to gain power (win an election), then that is grounds for impeachment for any of them once in office.
That is the answer we are getting closer to with every conviction of people all around the President, his family and his backers.
5
Great, insightful article and scary.
1
There is no doubt DJT is compromised (the Russians undoubtedly have more Kompromat than just the Moscow Trump Tower). The bigger question for me is this: IF he gained the presidency by illegitimate means and is removed from office, what happens to all his appointments (e.g. Gorsuch and Kavanaugh)? This would be all new territory. Who gets to decide?
More sleepless nights ahead.
2
My despair lifted slightly with the election of a democratic majority in the House, people are responding to the daily horror. The most evil man, next to 45, who is mentally unstable, is Mitch McConnell. He had led the destruction of the rule of law and our Constitution, first with his treatment of President Obama's SCOTUS choice, and diabolically holding any republicans from protecting the separation of powers. No republicans are performing according to their oath of office.
3
When Andrew Jackson breached his treaty with Indian nations and forced them out of their negotiated land to be force marched west, the Supreme Court ruled that it was illegal. President Jackson responded, "Chief Justice Marshal has ruled, now let him enforce it."
The rule of law depends on acceptance by those who control the levers of violence - government defined as the only legitimate dispenser. The frequent discussion of whether or not a given malfeasance is impeachable ignores the reality that law is meaningless without power.
When Trump was asked before the election, that he had constantly called "rigged" whether he would accept the vote for President, his response was, "Sure, if I win" Some took it as tongue in cheek, and since had he lost government power still with democrats, he would have eventually conceded. Now it's different.
The power of Trumpism is not based on population support, but their military might, defined by weaponry such as AR-15s and will to use them if their rage transcends the forces of cohesion. We experienced the race riots of the 60s, based on 10% of the population without a central leader. The specter we now face is some 30% of devoted Trump, or Alt-Right believers, focusing their concentrated hatred on those who would control them through a powerful government.
If there is a solution to this dismal state of affairs, I welcome it being articulated.
6
@Al
Excellent comment (being the scary truth)
I (and others) have commented many times that power does not work in a vacuum, and this President's power is elevated only by the Constitution and those that enforce it. So far, republicans have abdicated their responsibilities.
I think there will be a calculus in 2 years time, whether Congressional republicans can keep their seats if they discharge support for the President. It already happened to a minor extent in the midterms.
We shall see.
5
Spot on, Mr. Blow.
5
Personally, I prefer "electoral impeachment." I'm hopeful that we can survive through Election Day 2020.
190
@jaltman81: I agree. The alternatives could create a martyr.
13
@jaltman81 Hard to imagine though, with gerrymandering being what it is...
6
@jaltman81
This would be the best solution, but I don't believe Trump will concede defeat - he will cry "fraud!" just like he was doing in the last election and create a constitutional crisis. What happens if the Republican party backs him in this? They have shown no inclination up to now to challenge him. Charles is right - this is the beginning of the nightmare.
27
I've thought about this for a while, but the author wrote details and an analysis. This also describes why the Trump Situation will get worse if he's impeached and turned into a martyr - in jail would be worse (think of terrorist reactions when their leader is locked up).
The best thing to end Trump is if his Big Macs and KFC remove him from office. Next would be if his mind breaks completely, though his supporters would blame the media, Mueller, and anyone else for creating stress (unless he's found to have a brain tumor). But even if Trump is gone, something has to break down the rabid right remains of Karl Rove's mutated base, and for this, our country would pay dearly. They'll never admit they were wrong, but it'd be good enough if they quietly go away like cancer in remission.
249
@chris87654 The good news is most of Rove's mutated base are baby boomers, so the sheer attrition of time may yet save the rest of us.
And if not, 250 years was a pretty good run, longer than many a nation has had. Europe or Canada will just have to step up as the counterweight to Russia and/or China.
20
@chris87654 you can't jail a sitting President.
1
@Scott...you can after he is removed from office.
16
The ultimate in cowardly behavior used to be summed up by the observation that the scoundrel of the moment would "turn on his own mother to save himself." An updated version - reserved for the totally narcissistic Donald Trump - is that he "would turn on his own family members before paying for his crimes himself." I believe there is a certain list of priorities that he would throw under the bus, from the most likely to the least.
First , the son-in-law, Jared. Then, his son and namesake, Junior Trump. Then, Eric. Then, Melania. Then, Ivanka. If Barron was a little older, I wouldn't exclude him.
In other words, Trump isn't conceding anything, or sparing anyone, to save his well-larded rear end.
5
Assuming that Trump loses in 2020, I have no doubts that the Secret Service will escort him out of the White House...
Funny how it always boils down to the Praetorians....
4
In handcuffs if needed
Gagged
1
How many sealed indictments have Mueller’s Grand Jury generated? How many more are to come, all waiting for the attention of Federal Judges? Chief Justice Roberts has subtly opined on the necessity of the independence of these judges. Yes, this is a defining moment in our history, but none the less, the law always turns slowly, but surely.
4
"But that was a different time, one in which media wasn’t so fractured and partisan."
The media has always been fractured and partisan. Something i learned more than 50 years ago at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
Maybe Blow knew it, but forgot it. Maybe he actually believes it.
2
Short of murder on Fifth Avenue, nothing will conclude, no matter what comes out. Watergate could only end the way it should because shame was a viable and active governor in the pursuit and exercise of power. How quaint. But as long as McConnell reigns, patriotism is dead in our government.
A much more productive exercise is "what's next?" And - is Next 2020 or 2024. The Electoral College is going nowhere. Dems should be as thick as flies in the Midwest, just asking how they can really help, and really listening to the answers. Alas....
5
@Brian
I can completely understand your malaise about it all, but there is a sliver of hope. McConnell is up for reelection in 20' and it is not going to be an easy thing.
His seat is going to be a referendum on so many other bigger things than him. Alison Grimes did well in a good old boys state, and perhaps she or another candidate will do even better.
The dynamic is going to be very interesting.
2
What I'm hearing is that Trump's performance review in his recent meeting with Vladimir Putin was "mostly positive." The Kremlin would like to see a slight acceleration toward national bankruptcy and "yellow-vest-style protests" in D.C., but otherwise, The Mad Hatter is maintaining the course outlined by Russian intelligence. Putin is leaning toward a second term as POTUS and has developed some new tools, including fake video, to maintain his leadership role in the U.S.
4
I figure his lawlessness will mean that if impeached--or threatened with imminent impeachment--he won't step down. The critical moment would be IF the Senate convicted him; but we all know that will never happen. I hope his lawyers are telling him that if convicted, he would be physically removed from the WH--not a good branding moment.
As others, including Charles Blow, have pointed out, the big factor different from Nixon's impeachment moment is Fox News. They are complicit in what this WH does as is Nunes and McConnell, Flynn, Cohen, and Manafort. Maybe Putin has kompromat on Rupert Murdoch and his sons; almost nothing else can explain the freakish thuggery from that "news" outlet in service of our mobster president.
4
The only people who support Trump are traitors and Russians.
2
Well Mr. Blow, how about getting these sentiments off the opinion page and start putting them in large bold on the front page. Stop pussyfooting around the obvious.
How about: Evidence Concludes Trump's Lies UnAmerican
How about: Republican Party killing democracy
How about: The Traitors Among Us. Start flushing out the rats that are sinking "good ship America".
4
@sunrise
We all know that would require editorial guts ...
1
As I read Charles weekly my mind plays the headline, Blow Against The Empire. And I keep waiting, and hoping, and waiting. I pray I don't have wait another two years.
1
All Putin had to do to control Trump , was to get him in a single Quid pro Quo situation. Once he had him on that (Kompromat) he could begin to blackmail him into doing their bidding on subsequent issues. Each time he cooperated he dug himself deeper into the hole . He now faces a dilemma , does he continue to cooperate with Russia risking exposure by them ,or does he reject them in an attempt to blunt domestic criticism.
Some in this forum are asking, in light of what we know so far, why aren't the Democrats focussing on Trump's election as being illegitimate? This would be a mistake, for it would play right into the hands of those Trump supporters who blindly strive to ignore Trump's malfeasances as "sour grapes" because Hillary lost the election. They cling to this excuse to look the other way and dismiss the many ways Trump and his minions are engaging in the destruction of this republic: attempts to subvert the rule of law, attacking the press, obstruction of justice, the intermingling of US policy with Trump business interests, the stocking of the swamp, Trump was supposed to have drained with with greater slithery specimens in the form of cabinet secretaries (e.g. deVos, Zinke, Scott Pruitt, all corrupt to the core). Let's consider the horrors of the last two years under Trump simply as a lesson and the price a nation must pay to be awakened to the perils of another Trump clone coming along in the future. Let's hope the lesson is well learnt and ways are found to prevent another vulgar charlatan from defiling the Offrice of POTUS.
3
Charles -
I agree that Trump's core supported have chosen him as their heroic avatar and will never break away. They see him, not merely as a spiritual leader, but as themselves, writ large. Every blow he suffers is a blow to their narcissism.
That isn't all the Trump supporters, however. A significant number of his supporters in 2016 were white ethnics who mistook his ignorance and vulgarity for moxie. They thought that he would kick the career politicians out of Washington.
These voter are not about to tell Gallup (or me, their relative) that they are disappointed, but I know them well: they are not stupid, merely uneducated, and not racist to the point of embracing white nationalism or the Klan. That Trump is a crook doesn't bother them, but that he is a traitor, or Putin's dupe, goes over the line. They know a conflict of interest when they see one.
These are the voters whom the Democrats need in 2020. Some crossed over in 2018; hence the huge Democratic victory. The worse that Trump behaves as his relatives are indicted, the greater the number of these swing voters that he will lose.
Forget Trump's base. They are gone. Forget rich Republicans. They don't care. Concentrate on those who supported Trump, but are now defensive and uneasy about that support. We are not getting rid of Trump until 2020, I believe -- but with the right Democratic ticket, and continued bad behavior by Trump as the Mueller investigation outcomes are revealed, and he is beatable.
4
@RCT
I respectfully, but completely disagree me friend. Your calculus may have been correct in any other election pre-2016. but it is not the calculus any longer. Those that voted for this administration in any way shape or form were selfish in their act. (tax theft and the like)
There is a very large movement to come back ( and go further than ) the Progressive principles the nation first envisioned. ( that all PEOPLE are created equal and all have measure for the pursuit of happiness, let alone life and liberty)
What that means is that true Progressives can win anywhere, because in any given election there are over 100,000,000 that sit on the sidelines waiting to be inspired. THEY are the ones we need to reach, and I think we finally are.
Things like Single Payer health care, Peace, Fair Progressive taxation, a true living wage, affordable housing, and tackling climate change NOW are on the ballot. There is no longer acceptance for republican lite.
Forgive me for jumping all over your post, but we all need to stand up and be counted. Join in .
4
It's up to the leadership of the Republican party. I have a feeling that when everything is said and done, many of them will be revealed as compromised as well.
They are all complicit.
5
Why is Fox News even allowed to exist? It's clearly not news, but pro-right anti-left propaganda. It's been spewing its deliberate lies nonstop since it came on the air in 1996, and the effects on the body politic are clear.
When next the Democrats run the government, Fox News will have to be dealt with. At the very least, it should be made to change its name to "Fox Right-Wing Lies".
1
@Vesuviano
All I can say me friend is watch this ;
'' The American President Finale Speech ''
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfIN5zrwfS8
...and then get back to me.
1
Poor Mr. Blow.
So desperate is he to find a "smoking gun" that damages or incriminates Donald Trump that he waxes ecstatic about each and every one of the latest confessions and plea deals by former Trump associates, whether or not those confessions and plea deals have ANY relationship at all to either the Trump election campaign OR the Trump presidency. Hope springs eternal in the mind of Mr. Blow, so it seems.
What a waste of column-inches, whether in print or digital format.
5
Trump is a problem, no doubt about it. But persuading cult followers submerged in an avalanche of disinformation is a tall order. Until the cacophony of billionaire backed propaganda is shut down the 40% mesmerized by Trump will be unable to hear or see beyond the buzzing in their ears and the mirage before their eyes.
2
I wonder what would happen if Trump got impeached and forced to be removed from office but he told sll of those angry followers that show up for his rallies to pick up their guns and defend him. His core is the NRA folks with all the guns. We progressives are less likely to have them or use them if we do. What would the police do in re states? What would the army do? That’s the real nightmare scenario I worry about. Highly unlikely but, in my mind, not totally impossible.
2
My nightmare scenario is that he manufactures a crisis, declares martial law, and uses that as an excuse to cancel the elections. Also highly unlikely, but it seems every day that more and more unlikely things happen.
1
@Faroutlier
Are you speaking of the "well regulated militia" in the Second Amendment?
If Trump is impeached and convicted by the Senate, he will certainly not leave gracefully, but he will certainly leave. The military, or the secret service, or the FBI will not protect him because those organizations are filled with people who take their oath to protect the Constitution very seriously. What may possibly happen is we see Trump led out of the oval office in handcuffs. Justice.
The wheels of justice in our republic move slowly. If congress abdicates it’s constitutional role as a coequal branch of government and fails to check the Trump presidency, that is not the end of the line. Usually hindsight is 2020 and can only be known after the fact. But in this case, 2020 presents an outcome we all know in advance....IF we all exercise our rights and civic responsibility and VOTE. With 100% surety, if this happens, Trump will be voted out of office. The people are the final arbiter of justice and more effort should be placed on voting than the fantasy of impeachment. We, the American people hold the power in our hands.
3
While Trump would never leave office for the good of the country, he may voluntarily step down to protect his family from prosecution. Don Jr., Ivanka and Eric have all been implicated in criminal activity , with some at the state level, beyond Trumps pardon reach. It's not clear whether a sitting president can be prosecuted while in office, but it is certainly clear that his family members can. To save them from that he may be willing to cut a deal.
4
The question is, what if he's guilty? Then what? What if the guilt becomes clear by January 20th, 2019? That it's determined the count was rigged. Then What? Do we remove Trump or Trump plus Pence or just Trump even though indirectly Pence would have benefited? Then What? New elections for the balance of the term? Who is the acting President during that time? Catch my drift.
1
It has felt as if Trump and Congressional Republicans, aided and abetted by propaganda outlets like FOX News and right wing conspiracy websites, have been gaslighting Americans for some time. Even when unimpeachable video or written evidence (i.e., tweets) capture Trump saying outrageous nonsense, hateful personal attacks and vengeful threats, he doubles downs denying he said these things. The frequency of his outrageous behavior and subsequent denials leaves little time to digest and dissect what just occurred in the previous news cycle. It's all very head-spinning and disorienting, even for those of us who are level-headed thinkers and engaged in current affairs. It's exhausting and maddening since everything that appears to come out of Trump's head is either an outrageous lie or a twisted half-truth. HIs refusal to ever admit that he is wrong or apologize continues to win him legions of supporters who view this as strength of character in some perverted way, similar to Trump's vulgar and coarse speech being seen as "authentic" and without pretense.
That Donald Trump is a fraud, a con man and pathological liar illegitimately sitting in the White House, is a nightmare for sure but his time in the Oval Office does have an expiration date. His millions of believers and his network of propaganda peddlers, however, are the most terrifying reality unearthed which could just as easily elect more Trump clones or worse, if that's even possible.
10
Everyone should have faith in our Republic. The process continues and we should wait to see what Mueller finds before talking about taking down a legitimately elected President. The Republicans tried to do this with Clinton and the country suffered from it. The Clinton probe found no evidence for its main directive (Whitewater) yet it was able to draw Clinton into committing perjury in a matter unrelated to its mission. If Mueller finds real evidence of collusion or an actual felony, then I have faith that our representatives will kick Trump out. Nixon resigned only because the evidence against him was clear and he knew that enough Republican Senators would vote against their president and convict him. Charles Blow clearly wants Trump out. That’s fine, but he should not jump the gun as Republicans did under Clinton.
1
This column shows just how far Trump has already won.
It starts out with: "What if Donald Trump or those closest to him were compromised by the Russians or colluded with them?"
But we already know that both Trump and those closest to him *were* compromised (e.g., Flynn through his public lies about meeting with Russians, Trump through his public lies and his failure to refute public lies at least about the Trump Tower project in Moscow, etc.). And we already know that there *was* collusion, both at the top (e.g., Manafort, Kushner and Trump Jr. meeting with representatives of the Russian government to discuss Russia helping Trump win in exchange for policy considerations) and at the bottom (e.g., Russian agents infiltrating and directing low-level Trump campaign operations).
The fact that Trump and his supporters can simply deny these facts--and that even left-leaning columns like this one accept Trump's version over the truth!--show how little facts matter.
And this portends badly for the future--no matter what the investigations uncover Trump will simply deny them, the media will equivocate enough to feed some ambiguity, and large swathes of the public will accept his lies.
And nothing will happen to hold people accountable, no matter how serious the crimes were (or are).
2
Damage was certain as soon as he was nominated...or as soon as he was even considered for nomination. People must THINK, not operate with their prejudices, resentments, and admiration of a bully. Is there much hope of that? I don't know. I do know that college students are, as a whole, woefully unprepared to think and do not really want to try it. But I'm hoping the raging run violence in this country, the proved sexual abuse in workplaces everywhere, and the authoritarian morass at the top will wake people up and force them to think. Will it happen? Who can say?
1
One of my All-time favorite quotes come's from the great statesman ( back when such a thing existed) Daniel Patrick Moynihan. "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but you're not entitled to your own facts". All of the Trump apologists from the Hall of Congress on down will have to admit they were complicit in this entire illegal sham of a Presidency.
3
We can only hope that the hackneyed aphorism " What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" applies to the U.S. Republic and it's institutions .
Trump would have be dragged out kicking and screaming before he let go of the presidency.
2
Yes, Mr. Blow, I wholeheartedly agree. I wish I didn't agree. I wish I could call you wrong, and I hope you (and I) are wrong.
But I don't think you are...
5
Blow is right about the differences between Nixon and Trump. Nixon did not have a cult-like hold over his supporters, though they stuck with him until the bitter end. It is the media environment that has most changed. Trump has a powerful megaphone in Fox News that scrubs facts and delivers the Trump version of news. Trump has spent over 18 months denigrating the investigation and casting aspersions on the very legitimacy of DOJ. He has created an environment where a sizable portion of the population will believe "witch hunt" when Mueller' report is released, regardless of how compelling the findings are. A democracy cannot be successful without well-informed citizens. That is our real crisis with implications far beyond the Mueller investigation.
1
Many of us have a god or a god-like image in our minds like the one in the Sistine Chapel or the Budda. I propose we consider Mueller for that image even though he would likely oppose it. Mueller is not God or even god-like but it is time to start sending your thoughts and prayers to him and his team. No one can possibly know more than he does about the injustices perpetrated on our country by Russia, Trump and who knows how many others.
3
At this point, with two years left of his presidency, making sure he doesn't get a second term is the number one priority.
We need to get rid of the electoral college. Currently some votes "weigh more" than others - totally unacceptable.
Ms Clinton was chosen by 2.9 million votes more than Mr Trump. It is obscene and insane that one can loose with 2.9 million more votes.
The electoral college made sense long ago. However today it is actually having the opposite effect of its intended purpose.
9
The premise of the accusation is laughable. Trump was not president in January or June of 2016. If he lied to the American people that does not compromise him to foreign leaders. Putin threatening to tell Americans that Trump was trying to arrange a deal as last as June 2016 would ont have been compromising. He would not have been negotiating any foreign policy at that time.
The contortion Blow and the left get themselves into to try and throw shade on Trump is hillarious and sad at the same time. Hillary's husband was actively taking 500k per speech from organizations with business before her but that is not compromising. Trump was trying to get a deal with Russia six months before even becoming a presidential nominee let along president elect. Do you not see the hypocrisy? Trump was not a public servant at the time, and regardless did not even do the deal.
7
For all these, and other reasons, I envision the following scenario / dream: Mueller indicts Trump, the Republican Senate accedes because now the “problem” is no longer their’s, the FBI arrests Trump (and Pence!) over lunch in the Oval Office, a Trump-appointed federal judge denies bail for both of them, the Trump cabinet applies the 25th Amendment, Nancy Pelosi is sworn in as our 46th president, the FTC rescinds Fox News’ license, America returns to “normal.”
I know, it’s a dream, but please don’t wake me up until this nightmare is over.
7
What you make very clear, Mr Blow, is that a key player in our ability to hold Individual #1 responsible for his criminal and unethical behavior is Fox News.
I doubt anyone can bring Trump to justice until Fox sheds it's role as propganda wing of the White House, thus allowing people to see some unadulterated truth.
5
Me. Blow give it a break it’s the Christmas season.
Trump enjoyed running for President, and building his tower or towers in Moscow never realizing he would win.
Everyone of the Bob Mueller investigation who is going to jail were crooks long before they meet Trump. Manafort money laundering for the Ukraine.
Etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.
This whole thing is about embarrassing Trump , killing his chances for re-election.
The media had thrown everything , everything in their tool box and Trump is still here.
7
@Independent voter
"Everyone of the Bob Mueller investigation who is going to jail were crooks long before they meet Trump. Manafort money laundering for the Ukraine."
Let's just unpack these two statements.
1) What was Trump doing hiring longtime crooks if he was running for president? Didn't he promise to drain the swamp rather than refill it?
2) Was Michael Flynn a known crook long before he associated with Trump?
3) Who hires a money launderer as their campaign manager? What kind of judgement does that show?
Sorry, but birds of a feather flock together - crooks, money launderers, cheaters, rats, etc. Trump seems to be comfortable around these types.
And, if he had a "very good brain" he might of guessed ahead of time that no candidate running for President of the United States should be concurrently involved in a questionable business deal with Russia.
6
A republican democracy cannot exist without complete respect for the truth by leadership and the citizenry. The truth is exactly what Trump has destroyed.
In legal proceedings, participants swear an oath to tell the truth, because these proceedings are meaningless without it. Laws cannot function without the truth.
There is no such thing as liberal facts, or conservative facts. There are only facts. There is no such thing as liberal history or conservative history. There is only history.
Then there is Trump. He manufactures facts and history as leaves blow in the wind. He creates them, disavows them, ignores them and supports them as the current condition warrants. He says what he thinks he has to in order to come out on top.
Why does he do this? Because Trump is a tyrant, a dictator. The first step the dictator does is to destroy the truth. That's how he grabs power. Not with guns, but by convincing people to follow him. It's a standard technique perfected by the Third Reich and employed by Trump. Trump learned that history lesson well.
The reason this technique is so powerful is that it derives its power not from initially getting people to the dictator, but by the people's refusal to accept that they have been conned. That is exactly what Trump has done and exactly how his diehard supporters react.
No matter what Mueller comes up with, the MAGA people will not accept it because that would force them to come to grips that they truly have been conned.
2332
@Bruce Rozenblit,
And, Fear, is part of the above, expressed or experienced in different ways. In the meantime, some of our top commentators, whether supporting or resisting this presidency and its administration, appear to be missing.
They are truth seekers and fact finders, and perhaps you have noticed their absence.
120
@Bruce Rozenblit....good point...conned people don't like to admit they've been taken. They'll stick instead of looking humiliated. But why were many Nixon supporters able to change their view, while the Trumpites won't?
Part of the reason --- it was before the rise of Fox News across the nation, and there was acceptance of a more objective truth in the news, generally.
On the one hand, the media was much less concentrated into a few monopolies, therefore supposedly more independent and diverse. Bill Clinton's repeal of anti monopoly media laws was in the future, and it led to the rise of Fox.
But at the same time there were basically 3 TV networks where most people got their news, esp with Cronkite, etc. So in a way there was concentration of news. At least on TV.
There weren't the many media outlets like today, on the web and cable.
Not sure of the cause/effect here.
92
@Bruce Rozenblit I appreciate the sentiment but you overstate the case for truth. "Complete respect" for truth has never existed and never will. In legal proceedings there are usually legal fictions involved, whereby everyone agrees to a truth which isn't exactly true. When you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, what do you mean by "truth," and how do you tell the "whole truth"? Truth is often a moving target. But we make an effort to hit it. Tyrants, as you say, are those who want everyone to miss the target.
42
We’ve never had a president who speaks in nonstop, unfiltered lies. Wall Street considers his actions as but a “soap opera” about which they need show no concern. Profits for them, polls for his party and the nightmare for us. The world is watching to see if this democratic republic will be sustained, or if Russia has successfully blown us to pieces with nothing more than Internet evil.
7
“This brings ever more clarity to Trump’s curious inclination to go soft on Russia condemnation,“
And let’s not forget that the Republicans altered their party platform in favor of easing sanctions against Russian oligarchs.
5
My goodness. Robert Mueller has found no evidence of any crime by Donald Trump related to the Russians. That much is clear. Yet in classic conspiracy theory fashion, Charles Blow finds that to be evidence of a crime.
It reminds me of those who believe that Barack Obama was born in Kenya. Silly theory, with no evidence to back it up, but they seriously believe it.
Just goes to show how irrational the human mind can be. Even for columnists in the New York Times. When emotion rules, reason exits.
8
How do you know that Mueller has found no evidence of criminal activity? Are you privy to the internal workings of his office? Only Mr. Mueller and his staff know; until he releases his report, the rest of us just have to wait before we can draw our own conclusions.
10
@John Smithson
And, even in the unlikely event that the Special Counsel's Investigation find nothing actionable in Trump's behavior (although lying to the American public about his involvement with Russia, while campaigning to be the Republican candidate for president, seems actionable to me), we are confronted everyday by a president, who trashes our allies, lies about nearly everything, fails to take appropriate action against authoritarian heads of state (ie, Putin, MBS), and enriches himself with his office, instead of acting as the protector of our laws and institutions. Isn't that bad enough for you?
6
@John Smithson: Big difference with Obama; he proved, not once, but twice,he wasn't born in Kenya; as for conspiracy theorists who still refuse to accept that fact, then it's their problem, and they are in dire need of getting a real hobby.
As for Muller, how do you explain the indictments and convictions? Mueller isn't Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, or even Perry Mason, for that matter. Yeah; those names may or may not be a stretch. But, for the same reason you claim Mueller's investigation hasn't shown Trump to be guilty, there is still no proof that he is innocent, either.
3
Here's the difference: Once Nixon was shown to be a corrupt crook clown, his supporters had no reason to stick with him. Trump's supporters already know that he is a corrupt crook clown but they have a reason to stick with him -- racism. That won't change no matter what comes out against him.
3
If course this investigation and its fallout could go on for a long, long time. Unless conversations are recorded, then it comes down to 'he said, she said', i.e. there is little hard proof.
Secondly, obtaining accurate information about a candidate; is that, conspiracy or seeking the truth? The public has a right to know the truth about a candidate, especially running for President. Yes, Russia was involved in illegal hacking and creating false IDs in a cyber campaign to influence the election. But even though Russia had an agenda in revealing information about a candidate, if its accurate and true, should it be swept under the carpet?
Finally, we are not at war officially with Russia, so how is meeting with Russians a crime. These are all grey areas within the law.
Yes, Trump should be investigated; potential money laundering, tax evasion, excessive conflicts of interest. These crimes leave a paper trail and provide concrete proof.
And they could be resolved speedily.
1
Trumpeters have an adamant belief in a left-wing conspiracy and 'deep state' lead by former Obama officials. This provides Trump loyalists a level of righteous indignation and aggrievement not seen 45 years ago. Trump and his supporters have become paranoid zealots who feel validated in any degree of savage behavior. Most news outlets, not just Fox, have tip-toed around this pathology if not given it an outright platform. I agree with Mr. Blow, expect the worst.
2
Why isn’t obstruction of justice considered a high crime and misdemeanor? Trump has consistently lied to undermine the Mueller investestigation.And dangling pardons to criminals to prevent testimony is blatant obstruction. Where are the impeachment documents?
2
Mr. Blow's statement "Indeed, they are so attached to Trump that his fortunes and his fate have become synonymous with theirs" is a classic definition of political self-delusion. It consists of unshakeable identification with a "leader" whose personality and style have been mythologized with much help from the media. As Freud pointed out in his one book on social psychology, it represents a state of mind akin to being in love: inability to think objectively about the object of love, resistance to facts that should prompt critical thinking, excusing apparent faults and transgressions. If the "leader" fails, they fail, so they cannot acknowledge or accept the possibility of his unfitness.
Some of the deluded may wake up when Mueller's report documents harsh facts. Others will mindlessly repeat a list of the "leader's" supposed successes. At that point his supporters will number 30 percent or fewer of the population. They will be pitiable, but in no other way will they matter.
I can only hope that the horrific misadventures of the Trump presidency induce us to think critically about why and how often we attach the word "leader" to any ambitious individual. When will we learn to support great ideas rather than mindlessly following men who present themselves as our great "leaders"?
3
The Mueller team's work is vital because we can't effectively address the damage this administration is doing until we fully understand the corruption -- foreign and domestic -- underlying it. For example, is the assault on our environment and monetary regulations, agencies, and institutions ideological (legitimate even if horrific, and reversible with elections) or fulfillment of secret obligations, blackmail, and fealty to parties other than the American people? For the long-term health of the Republican Party, its elected officials must break with Trump and dark money to establish the transparent philosophies and other motives driving their agenda. There was a time when they did have an argument to make -- a necessary one to counterbalance Democrats' tendencies in constantly changing conditions -- but now each GOP move is suspect. We can't function this way.
1
Another astute column on the crisis of our time. Yes, we need to steel ourselves for more challenges. But we have the truth, if we stick to it, and can/must follow it where it will.
1
Why are Democrats not focused on the obvious - that this presidency is illegitimate? If we care about facts, that is the truth and should be the message, and his actions including SCOTUS picks should be invalidated. But even liberal commenters avoid this truth. Why?
1
@Amiros - The explanation is simple. There is no legal, Constitutional precedent or accessible mechanism to achieve what you ask. To establish such a means would require a Constitutional amendment and take years to complete if it could even be achieved. It would also create a dangerous precedent for future administrations.
Trump and his Republican supporters in Congress have a symbiotic relationship, a bond that will be hard to break since they also have so much power given to them by our constitution. Unless something earth-shattering comes out from the Mueller probe or from the new Democratic House probes, they will hang on tight to each other and continue their disruptive agenda. The citizen supporters form the third leg of this malfeasance, and Fox news the fourth. This four-pronged monster cannot be easily brought down, but it can be harassed and poked until it, like a tight knot on a rope, gets unentangled and falls apart. Patience, and probing, is required. Eventually they will come apart...
1
Their Russia-compromised bent was VISIBLY there for all to consume from the beginning of their campaign: cheeto's team had the official GOP PLATFORM altered to soften the stance against Russia's current behavior.
3
Charles , your last few paragraphs giving me shivers.
trump is no Nixon, the man is devoid of any remorse together with his whole family Jarvanka, who do not belong to the cabinet with no experience.
It will be so difficult to convict the con man when his supporters refuse to leave him. The man almost 73 is willing to turn the world upside down with his lies together with his bully men like Kelly.
There are so many able Democrats who would make a great President, but will they will able to beat the twitter loving mouthy trump ?
1
Boy oh boy, Times readers are verbose.
The truth? If there was collusion it would have been exposed long before now. 2 years and 30 million plus has produced just what was expected, a few process crimes.
There was none, just shock that the one who was certain to win didn’t. Nothing more than that.
We’ll survive Trump’s eight years just like we survived Obama’s. Perhaps it was time to shake up what had become a “uni-party.”
4
Just watching the accolades for H.W. Bush this am, and wondering - here is the last of our Post WW11 presidents who
personified dignity and decency. What do the Trump fans think of this dramatic contrast between him and their hero? How do they deal with it? What can they be thinking as they wallow in the
swamp of Trump and his indiscretions - the foulness of him and the corruption he brought to the white house. I just wonder - I doubt it changes anything for them, but hopefully some of them will be effected by the contrast.
1
...and if both Trump and Pence are removed, who becomes the next President?
Mr. Blow (and his 'ink and pixels') have been right about every twist and turn we have endured in the past two years.
He is again correct in this spectral column: "I don’t believe Trump will go down without bringing the country down with him... In short, I don’t believe we are reaching the end of a nightmare, but rather we are entering one. This will not get easier, but harder. The country is about to enter the crucible..."
If you do not hear echoes of the Gettysburg address, listen again.
Readers, do you appreciate that we are being set up for (at least) a civil war, if not an external war? Every state has an armed right-wing militia (think SA), now being met with an arming left. Fox and Goebbels are indistinguishable. Trump's true believers are evaluating targets for a 2019 war of distraction. If you believe that T will resign after Mueller, or even leave the White House after electoral defeat, you're hallucinated.
"The lamps are going out all over Europe, and we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime."
America and Europe have now been afflicted by the same disease, and we shall be the index case. This will not end well.
4
Mueller is now brow beating people into submission. He has nothing in his mandate and is grasping at straws in order to come up with a rebound theory as to coullsion. Flynn is going to be sentenced and has not information. Papadopoulos got 14 days and has nothing more to add. Manafort has nothing to add. Cohen is lying about the timing of a deal that everyone agrees was dropped. The author is engaging in breathless wishful thinking. I have witnessed this with Democrat colleagues who run into the room with each new tibbit from CNN. Trump is in no legal jepardy as the collusion narrative is dead end.
5
@Bill: Is "legal jeopardy" all you care about, or all that matters? What about the integrity of our elections, the transparency of the political process, and an Oval Office rid of the sleaze that currently oozes from it?
If a president can be impeached for ethical transgressions, such as well documented bigotry in policies, volations of human rights, and a continuing campaign of lies and intimidation, it's high time to start the impeachment process.
Does a president have to be a felon to be unfit for office? That's a low bar indeed!
1
@Bill
Sorry. But unless you are part of Robert Mueller's investigation team, there's no reason to believe you know what he's doing. However "brow beating people" is highly unlikely.
1
Unfortunately, you are most likely right. I expect the House of Representatives will uncover more of his nonsense. But, the Senate is full of Trumper's who will do anything, including misleading the public, failure to act and looking the other way. I am dismayed. I am worried. He needs to go but, he won't go easily. Bill Maher suggests that, even if he is impeached or, not re-elected, Trump will refuse to leave. I don't know about this but, it could be true. He is a despot in his head. Thank heavens for our judicial system.
1
"How would Americans who support Trump now respond to evidence that Team Trump put their own personal and financial interests over the national interest?"
Fake News!
It is the nature of the gaslit to dismiss any evidence that does not agree with the gaslighting. Yet there has been a barely perceptible stream of defections from the Republican party amidst the ups and down of Trump's poll numbers. It took a child to pierce the veil of the emperor's new clothes. It's been suggested that laughter could end up being Trump's downfall. An unexpected response is the most probable response because the most sensible response would have been not electing Trump in the first place,
"What language would they use to correct their complicity?"
If you look at the stream of defectors, the language has been all over the map. Some have noted particular actions as the straw that broke the camels back. Many have noted the betrayal of conservative politics. Some have simply acknowledged that they've finally realized the President is just a con man. But the answer you've been looking for is that they they will use the language that Fox News gives to them when Fox News sees their ratings and ad revenue drop to the point where they have to choose between survival and supporting Trump. One thing you can be sure of is that they will take the president's cue and blame others for this fiasco and they will do it with a pot full of spaghetti until they find something that will stick to the Facebook wall.
1
Charles in a few months you are going to be reduced to discussing puffs of smoke seen over the picket fence in Dealey Plaza as reported on page 11,237 of appendix A.1.12 of the Mueller Report. It Just ain't there; Mueller, his team and those all around this investigation on all sides have leaked constantly. Some tax evasion, some dirty dealing, some technical campaign law violations and of course plenty of lying - Sure there is plenty of that to go around. Collusion with the Russian - Russian payoffs, sorry it ain't there. All the rest of it is not impeachable.
8
@mkm - If what you say is true, then why does Trump spend so much time complaining about it, attacking Mueller and the investigation, and threatening to shut it down? If he believes there's no there, there, wouldn't ignoring it completely, staying off Twitter and Fox, demonstrate his confidence in his innocence?
5
Excellent summary of the Constitutional crisis we will face. The diehard Trump Crime Family's supporters are impervious to facts since they get all of their news from Fox News and the echo chamber of right wing talk radio. Trump cares for nothing but himself. It will be up to the rest of us to deal with the crisis.
Trump will admit nothing because he honestly believes that anything inimical to him simply cannot be true. What is tragic is that so many defend him, but a nation gets the government it deserves.
wj
1
“If Trump was lying to or misleading the American people about his efforts to do business in Russia while running for president and the Russians knew — and presumably had evidence — that he wasn’t being completely honest and forthcoming, then he was compromised.”
This man has been “compromised “ in plain view of all of us repeatedly throughout the campaign and the first approx. 700 days of his administration, whether from his misogyny, his racism, his authoritarian leadership style, his financial conflicts of interest , his rank incompetence at being president, etc.. There is no credible evidence that any of these malfeasances have resulted in a meaningful shift in support among his base. There is no reason to assume that whatever horrifying revelations come from the special counsel investigation will change anything among his base.
Blow is correct: a hard rain is going to fall.
2
"Take the country down with him?" I don't think so. The first step in dealing with cancer is to remove it and so it is with Trump. Hopefully, the Mueller investigation will proceed and the newly constituted House will use its subpoena power to determine how Trump sold out our country to the Russians and Arabs to serve his corrupt financial interests. Yes, it will be chaotic and Fox and its mesmerized minions will dig in but in two years this national nightmare will be over.
1
If Trump doesn't leave, even if impeached, it will be like the climate change that happens even if people don't believe there is such a thing. I, however, believe that Trump never wanted to be elected in the first place and would love an excuse to be rid of all the impediments to money grabbing that are mounting up around him.
@Robert McKee I'll never forget the image of Trump and his family watching the returns on election night. His facial expression was one of shock as he came to the realization that he was going to be the President of the United States. And it was evidenced by the fact that he had no transition team, no clue how to proceed. He thought that he won when he got the nomination. He then would have been a fixture on Fox News and a constant thorn in the side of President Hilary Clinton. That's all he wanted.
3
@Robert McKee christopher buckley wrote a wry novel, The White House Mess, in which reagan refused to leave the premises. i disremember how they got him out, but i would woot loudly, which i never do, if members of our armed forces frog-marched trump out of the white house and into a well-earned prison cell, with an orange jumpsuit to match his complexion.
I disagree on one major point. I believe Trump will cut and run when he is truly backed into a corner. He might have a “heart attack.” Or he might leave as a martyr, proclaiming victory even as he walks off the stage into the next TV show or media empire. He will cut and run because he can’t actually take the real heat. Twitter at a safe distance is his way to fight.
He’s declared bankruptcy when backed into a corner. He’s settled lawsuits like the Trump University suit, once he’s backed into a corner. It’s all quiet and out of the news headlines, but he knows when he’s about to look like a loser.
He invents new realities. The new one will be that even He, the Great One, couldn’t drain the swamp that’s Washington DC.
Then back to his golf courses, or if the lawyers are still after him, his own private island that he’s probably buying right now.
I'm grateful. Grateful that the wife and I had no kids, because their future is potentially nasty, brutish, and short. I'm old, and my future's already short. I'm grateful for that, too.
1
Damage was certain the instant Cadet Bone Spurs was elected president. That's not at issue. The issue, the question, is how do we bring Trump's most rabid supporters back into the fold of the nation WITHOUT precipitating another Civil War? Lincoln pardoned the South for beginning and continuing the war against the rest of the union. We've seen how those southerners reacted to that -- Jim Crow, lynchings, separate bathrooms, shunning. This is what Blow is referring to, I believe -- the shattering of a nation owning to the shame and anger of being on the wrong side of history. Wisdom will be required. Where is it? Who possesses it?
2
A reasoned column. However - so far all of the convictions and guilty pleas have nothing to do with Russia. It's all been lying under oath and/or money laundering.
Trying to get dirt on your opponent isn't illegal.
Collusion is not illegal. Using information gained illegally is not illegal - just ask the Washington Post or the New York times.
If Muller hasn't found a direct link by now, he's not going to.
3
Mr Blow is right about almost everything. There is hope, however, for escaping this crucible without lasting damage. That hope lies with the voters who have the power to repudiate the current misrule resoundingly in 2020. We may still emerge chastened but stronger than before. Meanwhile, the house must stymie every Trump move and we must hope-to-goodness that the Supreme court stays healthy for two more years.
The t-shirts at the Ohio Trump rally say it all: "I'd rather be a Russian than Democrat." Whatever it takes to win. Treason be damned. And the t-shirts were just a joke, their wearers say. Trump's mode of speech is that you can't tell the difference if what he's saying is serious or a joke. The results of Mueller's investigation will not change the minds of Trump supporters. As Charles Blow correctly says, Fox News will tell them that "true is false" and "false is true." Smoking gun be damned. One has to bet that the decisive factor of Trump's 2016 victory was that Hillary Clinton was a very poor candidate and too establishment. Hopefully a Bernie Sanders-like progressive candidate in 2020 can make some small fraction of Trump supporters see reason that a "billionaire" is not going to help them economically, that it is better to have someone who really cares. A candidate who, as Springsteen says, speaks some of the same language as Trump.
5
So what if you are right? The Republic finally ends? I think we are in the proverbial "glass half full" or "glass half empty" situation.
Under your analysis you seem to conclude that the Republic will fail. I however, for my sanity and well being, choose to have faith [and I mean faith as in making a conscious CHOICE] that we will survive and regain some kind of decent footing.
We have survived the Revolution, the Civil War, slavery, segregation and ongoing prejudice -- reignited by this president, the internment of the Japanese, the turning away of shiploads of Jewish refugees trying to escape the Nazi's and many, many more indignities and moral failings.
I believe, and in order to keep resisting I have to believe, that we will survive this period. I consciously watch for the signs that support my hope -- e.g. the many state and federal court decisions that are providing at least some protection, the midterm election results and the continuing decrease in Trump's disapproval ratings, now even within the military.
Finally, without knowing exactly what form it will take, I believe Trump may fold under the pressure he will feel once a Democratic Congress conducts its many public inquiries into his personal and financial situations. Also, all his life he's been a spoiled bully and and I am not sure he will can live with the humiliation --at the least -- that will be coming to him in other arenas.
So I urge "glass half full" for strength while we resist.
3
I find this op/ed cowardly in nature; as if the boogeyman president cannot be defeated by the will of the people and its representatives in Congress charged as a co-equal branch of the federal government. By the end of 2019, I predict Trump will be fighting too many wars on too many fronts including potential legal threats to his his complicit adult children if they are culpable for lying to Congress, or worse; making illicit deals with Russia, Saudi Arabia, etc.
It seems likely that the GOP controlled Senate will support Trump and thwart/obstruct Congressional accountability for as long as possible. But there's also a lot of political capital at risk for McConnell & Company looking towards 2020 if they support a lost cause presidency that has the potential to damage the GOP reputation for decades. If Senate leaders decide to go down in flames with this administration once the documented truth of treasonous corruption is exposed to the light of day, it will be political suicide.
Cheer up and be encouraged, America. We the people will prevail over the dark cloud, high crimes and misdemeanors committed inside the White House.
1
Well done Mr. Blow. I too worry about the very same issues. Trump would likely have to be removed by force, perhaps even after an election he loses and not by impeachment! He is a dangerous man, always has been, and only too eager to stoke the fire of division in order to maintain his hold on power.
1
Yes, its no longer if Trump did or did m not commit a crime or is unfit but its us against them. WE are two teams fighting it out and the individual members are not important. Trumps base will never admit to anything that would give the others a victory. Its hard to admit you made a terrible decision so you double down.
2
Great column Charles.
It may be that the most truthful thing Donald Trump ever said is that if he were to shoot someone on Fifth Avenue he wouldn't lose any supporters. Sad.
But on a more hopeful note maybe the passing of George H.W. Bush will point us back to that kinder, gentler time that truly made America great. MAGA!
"I don’t believe Trump will go down without bringing the country down with him."
I am afraid that Mr. Blow is correct, and my wife, who can no longer listen to the news when Trump is on TV peddling fallacious explanations and/or self-congratulatory bombast, and I often discuss what will happen when Trump decides to "burn the house down." She is despondent, but with good reason; she is a New Yorker... she knows Trump.
Those who dismiss Trump as merely a infantile braggart or a habitual liar who will be stopped, do so at the nation's peril. He may now be something much worse as the Mueller investigation closes: more despot than statesman, more Nero than Nixon. He is trapped in a corner, but he is holding matches.
Absolutely nothing would happen. His base and the senate will make sure of it, or he’ll pardon himself and get away with it.
2
Every time I read "That is clear" all I could think of was "It is known", the phrase author George RR Martin used in a fiction series to indicate people making statements they considered fact without citing sources, and that were often wrong. Everything Charles Blow stated as a given fact is instead speculation without a source.
3
Mr. Blow may be underestimating the survival instinct of Fox News et al. When they feel the time is ripe, and I can't forecast when that may be, Fox and Trump's "propaganda arm" will toss Trump under the bus much as Trump has done with numerous members of his team. Fox's metamessage, what sells their product, is distinct and separate from Trump the person or president.
A high percentage of Trump's militant base is comprised of people who previously felt alienated from conventional politics. Trump got them involved by pandering to their ignorance and anger. They will need to be confronted with 1) peaceful protest on a scale to bring things to a screeching halt and the 2) The Truth - repeated over and over again, with increasing volume if necessary. When this is evident I suspect that enough of them jump ship, reducing the size of the trumpists to the point that their potential violence is a no-win equation obvious to all but the most deluded dead-enders. Nixon's support was 24% when he resigned, and I see no reason why trumps will be any less. I don't think there are that many old white guys who want to potentially miss next year's deer season on a gamble for all out insurrection if it might interfere with their last chances to get a buck.
Mr. Blow is correct: the president will not back down and show contrition just because he has been impeached.
But, using the model of Rachel Maddow's "Bag Man," and Spiro Agnew, Mr. Trump may decide that it is in his interest to trade leaving the presidency, or at least not running again, in return for no jail time for his family and to save his business.
It has to be Medical like Wilson. Otherwise there would be too much upset in the country. Stroke? Or something.
@Eva
On the can, like Elvis.
1
Trump attempted to use the presidency to make money abroad--in Russia and in Saudi Arabia.
Russia and its sanctioned banks colluded with him, his children, and his minions to obstruct the vote, smear Hillary Clinton, and ensure trump's election.
The tax returns provide a road map to money laundering, tax evasion, payoffs, and all manner of unsavory dealings.
He's spent the past two years lying and using his Republican enablers (led by Ryan and McConnell) to distract and confuse the American public.
Let this nightmare end with him, his children, and his minions consigned to prison.
4
Unlike most of the commenters here, I agree with Charles Blow. The worst is yet to come, and it could be very very bad. The MAGA folks keep chattering about "CW2" and building up their arsenals of assault guns in order to stage an armed revolt. Especially if Trump is ever brought down by Mueller, impeachment, imprisonment, electoral defeat,or by choking on a youge piece of chocolate cake. Yeah, we'll come through it, like we did CW1 in the 1860s, but it will be extremely bloody and costly.
1
Besides Mr. Blow’s stated reasons for pessimism, there is one other. Russia is invested in the destabilization of the west. To the extent that Russia holds leverage over Trump, to that extent they will support Trump’s resistance to accountability, and perhaps force him to take actions which denigrate our democracy.
America will survive because Americans, as a whole, are better than Trump and as time goes by more and more of them will remember that. Also, Trump has never won an election without substantial aid from a hostile foreign power and as the mid terms showed it is unlikely he will ever win anything again. America will emerge stronger .
1
A very well-reasoned and straightforward argument, Mr. Blow. Unfortunately, Donald Trump has made a career out of thumbing his nose at convention, authority and responsibility, not to mention rules. Supposing that he would bow to reality and step aside for the good of the country is most likely an exercise in futility.
Sadly, the most we can probably hope for would be that he becomes neutered altogether by incontrovertible evidence that he and his family engaged in behavior that is worse than unacceptable.
That he is governed solely by self-interest is already well known. There is ample reason to also believe that should push come to shove, he would not be motivated by the nation's interest, let alone do the right thing. For Trump, might alone is right, and expecting him to be patriotic in his exercise of it is altogether unrealistic.
201
@Quoth The Raven Please explain to me why the Presidents 3% GDP, sanctions and visit to North Korea, the VA able now to fire the incompetent, reporting more than 2,000 illegal felons to make America safer, the new USCAM helping our farmers, making a depleted military able to stop wars, stopping Assad from using chemicals on his people...and more, but you get the point. Why isn't there some good in there somewhere? Name just one positive accomplishments. Show some courage. I know there will be wrath!
I understand Trump's warts, moral failings, less than desired demenor, all of which I condem. But..
Our hatred has blinded us to America working again. I grew tired of apology tours, IRS targeting conservatives, a AG held in contempt of Congress, Fast and Furious and Catch and Release. Now we have the Clinton's involved (Huber) in pay to play with 20% of our uranium...to the Russians?
Has this been good for our country @Quoth The Raven??
Yes fairness and courage?
3
@DocPhd Please explain to me why you are giving Trump credit for a roaring economy positioned by Barack Obama when the Trump stock market has been going sideways for months. Please explain why North Korea continues to develop its nuclear arsenal, while the VA under Trump tried to stab our veterans in the back by denying them their GI bill benefits. Please explain why you over look the various transgressions of Trump's appointees, after his disingenuous promise to drain the swamp.
Above all, please explain to me how you can type with your head in the sand.
36
@DocPhd
We'll have to wait to see long-term effects of Trump and the GOP. By 2020, much will be apparent. Trump and his supporters don't seem able to see past the next Trump rally.
11
Individual 1 must be prevented from meeting privately with individual P ( Putin).
Given what we know now and have known for years really, there is no excuse for a private meeting. If meetups are necessary for legitimate diplomatic purposes , they must be witnessed or recorded by a trustworthy group or individual.
1
Easy to despair while we're still living the Trump nightmare. But I think an end game is starting to show on the horizon. The Trump base will not be deterred by his collusion with Russia. But outright criminality, in terms of money laundering, hush payments, obstruction, and tax evasion will be harder for the base and Senate Republicans to ignore. Mueller seems to be building the evidence for criminality, and the House Democrats will uncover all kinds of embarrassing records once they take over. Couple this with the likelihood of a global recession within the next year; this is what scared Trump and Xi inyo calling an abrupt end to the trade war this past weekend. Once it becomes clear that Trump's actions are bad for the economy and voters feel the pain, they may be more open to reevaluating their idol. The combination of weakened support from the base and growing evidence of criminality may help Congressional Repubs to find the courage to pressure Trump into not running for reelection in 2020. Perhaps Mueller will echo this by offering to not indict Trump if he agrees to not run again. This strikes me as a more likely scenario to bring Trump's debacle to an end than impeachment. Remember, the goal is to get him out of office, rather than into jail.
7
Charles
Surely you jest when you ask, "But what happens if the evidence that the investigation by the special counsel, Robert Mueller, uncovers reveals a direct link between Trump and the Russians? How do Trump’s boosters respond?"
Rather than "lock him up" they will simply repeat the comforting mantra, "fake news" over and over, turn to Fox News for confirmation and focus on the real problem, how to indict Hillary.
4
We are facing nothing less than the death of Democracy. A very good friend and a real Trump supporter, texted me a comment that has me fearing for our future. His comment was that "politicians that compromise are reviled by everyone." Now his crucible is Fox News and Nationalism, but that statement shook me to the core. McCain and Flake, both with stellar conservative voting records, are reviled by today's right simply because they had a conscience?? Sessions, who ran the most conservative Justice Department in decades, is reviled because he does not protect Trump at all costs?? I am afraid we are not approaching totalitarianism, but we have reached it. Democracy can not survive without compromise.
368
@pkincy It seems to me that Congress has lost power because both the President and the Supreme Court offer definitive decisions that shun compromise and they offer them quickly relative to Congress. Compromise between factions should be the job of congress, but people don't necessarily want compromise because they think of it as leading to decisions that neither side is satisfied with. But if done correctly, compromise should result in decisions that are better overall than either of the original options.
6
@pkincy I share the same fear. To Trump supporters the definition of the word "corruption" has a formed a different meaning. Rather than the standard version of breaking laws for personal gain, as in the case of the new FBI building being interfered with by the POTUS for personal financial gain. The definition has morphed to mean the corruption of adherence to political ideals. To his base, the POTUS only faced allegations of this kind of corruption when he signaled a willingness to deal on DACA. To the base that would have been corruption. That is why he still throws out red meat like, if they throw rocks our troops should shoot back. As long as he maintains that rhetoric, he will retain their support. The ultimate fear is what he will signal to them if he feels truly cornered. The question then will be a matter of how corrupted the concept of "Law and Order" has become to his base. We have already had to face this without Mr. Trump actually being on the ballot with the attempted mass assassinations of perceived political adversaries by the "MAGA Bomber". If Vladimir Putin is truly involved, what greater outcome could he have hoped for?
11
@pkincy compromise goes two ways. The only compromising the Left will accept is from Republicans.
1
Charles-I pray you are wrong in thinking Trump would never voluntarily leave even faced with an impeachment. As Mr. Mueller gets closer to Trump's inner family (Don Jr., Ivanka and Jared), I can imagine a scenario where Trump DOES just leave in order to protect his family. That's what I hope anyway!
4
Don't know why columnists don't pick up on the credible information that Trump and McConnell and other Republican Congress members received $millions from the Russians during the 2016 election. The information about specific amounts donated to Republican PACs and individuals was conveyed by Prof. Ruth May, a highly credible source: Dr. May is a leading scholar in international management/strategy in transition economies, particularly Russia and Ukraine.
Her articles in the Dallas News listed specific amounts received by Trump and McConnell and other Republicans from Russia, and surely explain both the silence from the GOP regarding Trump's outlandish behavior towards Putin et alia, and their failure to take any action over the outrageous results of Trump's attempts to change crucial legislature.
12
@Elizabeth Bennett - I'd also like to see some reporting on why 10 Congressional Republicans spent America's Independence Day in Russia, consorting with the enemy. Why did they go? What did they discuss? This story never found traction.
5
Blow is correct. No crimes will deter Trump and his hard-core supporters. Luckily, though, the recent election points the way forward. Democrats, liberals, and people who believe in facts should focus all energy on the grass roots, building ground-up democratic institutions, helping people register to vote, shining a bright light on voter suppression. We also need to cultivate fresh voices like Stacey Abrams and Beto O'Rourke. Give Americans alternatives to the the false promises of the GOP and the deceptions of Fox News, Alex Jones, etc.
6
The real betrayal was Hillary's husband taking $150,000,000 from the Russians. They are the real traitors.
7
@Anthony - The Clinton's millions from Russia is A crime not The. Trump and the Clinton's can both go.
@Anthony
Have you wondered what Trump is taking from whom, and why he still hasn't released his income tax forms?
What If.......
I like the article and take to heart its point. Yet it struck me funny that you should pose the very form of question that the republicans have been using to justify their crimes for the last 17+ years. "What if there is a bomb?!" What if they would...!!?? What if what if what if!!!!!!! They used this false morally bankrupt fear based model to justify everything from starting a war in Iraq to torturing and imprisoning without trial innocent men women and children as well as killing them by the gross.
The correct POV and form of addressing the question of what needs to be done now and in planning for the future is to start from a place of "What is." There lay reality. The other question is a form of fantasizing not of thinking. It pretends to be forethought when it is just plain ignorant guessing and masturbatory feeding and foisting fears. They use this consciously as many of them are very well educated and know how to use their minds properly. This is the method by which they sell their propaganda to the less well educated.
You do not have to have a higher education to know this and having one does not guarantee you will know this.
2
One thing to bear in mind is that *45 is a coward, something demonstrated repeatedly. If he perceives it to be in the interest of his safety to leave, he will.
8
@jaltman81
Which causes me to sometimes ponder if in any of the one-on-one meetings he's had with Putin, if he has asked him if he would be able 'hide out' in Russia if the heat gets too high for him here.
3
"I don’t believe Trump will go down without bringing the country down with him."
Mr. Blow, you wouldn't want to define for us what "bringing down the country" means, would you? It's one thing to say "we do not have a clear picture of how the test will resolve". That's fine. But I don't think it helps anyone to suggest we face a collapse of our country (which by definition of our place in the world would mean a collapse of more than just our country). Either define what you mean or curb your hyperbolies.
3
@Jim Cricket
A false request for specificity where clarity already exists. Funny how so many use this tactic when they have no honest response or refutation.
I'm guessing this is also an example of how you self talk to dissociate the truth about El Trumpo and the republicans.
And Charles, what will your apology look like if you are wrong? I'm sure you'll just move onto some other way of bashing Trump.
4
In other columns today by non-partisan journalists who have compared the Cohen charging statement with disclosures of still-secret testimony of the direct witnesses to the Moscow Trump Hotel story, one can clearly ascertain that this rabid Trump-deranged writer is completely nuts and that this latest development is a clear signal that there was absolutely no business-related collusion or relationship between Trump and Russia.
On the political side, the Trump-deranged mob is now down to hoping they can find that an unpaid Trump supporter, Roger Stone, may have had advance knowledge of the date of the Wikileaks release of the Clinton emails! Imagine that.
Did anyone involved with Trump hack the DNC server? No!
Do we know that anyone involved with Russia hacked the DNC server? No! (And the DNC refused to turn over the server to the FBI.)
Do we know that Wikileaks received the emails from a Russian source? No! (Wikileaks has denied any such connection).
Has Podesta or any other DNC person denied the authenticity of the emails? No!
Is there any way to estimate whether the disclosure of the DNC emails played any role in a Clinton defeat, compared to her admission of destroying 33000 emails and her cell phone without permission or review by the State Department? Of course, No!
NYT and Chalres Blow, begin now to restore your honor and the reputation and admiration you once had by stopping the propaganda.
6
@SonomaEastSide
It continues to amaze how gullible and willfully blind some individuals are. It must be really hard work to keep denying what the reality/fact-based world already knows. However, it continues to be very easy to spot these individuals - just look/listen for the word that identifies them for all to see:"Clinton".
2
@SonomaEastSide
Clearly it does not concern you that Trump lied about having no business dealings with Russia. He also lied about his cohorts having no contacts with Russians. Sir, why did he lie?
2
@ron Same reason Clinton lied about no top secret emails on her server: to enhance chances of success in the election.
1
Is it possible the worst is over for him? He has behaved for years like Putin had something on him. The question was not ‘if’ but ‘what?’. If it was only that Putin could expose Trump’s lies about business interests in Russia during the campaign, well, that’s out now. Half of us knew he was lying anyway and the other half doesn’t care in the least that he lies. If there’s no ‘pee tape’ and no serious money laundering yet to be exposed, Trump should now be free to act in America’s interest, not Russia’s. Let’s see how he behaves going forward. I’m not looking for miracles, just an improvement from a very low base.
2
Trump Tops Dick Cheney and is a congenital liar.
One thing about trump that the man has no remorse , goes through life with lie after lies and his cabinet agrees with him.
There are so many good able Democrats could challenge the liar in chief, who are half of his age.
Would they survive, could they survive ?
I am not for Joe Biden but he could be a fantastic debater going down to trump`s lever as we know.
Malarkey it is !
5
He destroys everything he touches, this is evident on a daily basis.
Let's pray our democracy can recover from this fiasco of a man so unwilling to respect our country ,and it's diverse citizenry.
What we are witnessing is the greatest test of a nation to stand up for it's own constitution and social norms.
Truth,justice,and the American way.
Facts are facts!
5
Y'all find that collusion yet?
3
Yes. Without a doubt. Nearly everyone in Trump's closest circle has been caught lying about their affiliation with a Russian contact. Kushner, Donnie Jr, Cohen, Sessions, Popadopolous, Manafort, Flynn...honestly, the list is too long to remember all of them. All lying about the same thing: contacts with Russians during the election campaign. Let's forget collusion and go straight to criminal conspiracy.
People lie for a reason.
1
The next two years will be a bar fight. The forces for justice will win but we'll all be terribly scarred.
5
I wonder if Fox News is less monolithic than we think. There may be a conflict already brewing between the talking heads at Fox and some of the news desk folks (Chris Wallace, Shepard Smith). If the news folks ultimately take on the others, things might get interesting.
3
Trump will survive his presidency (unless he has a heart attack), and Mike Pence will remain in the wings, where he belongs. The worst legacy of the Trump era will be his effect on the judiciary. When we're done with Trump (or Lil Pipi Man, as I like to call him), the country will have a chance for reflection and second thoughts.
1
Since Trump's Inauguration on Jan. 20, 2017 I have written to my Senator, Richard Burr to Impeach Trump because he is a liar and a criminal. I have sent this same request now several times including just after this past November's mid term elections. I received a real letter in response a few times although not recently. Trump's "good achievement's" were the usual answer from him with nothing to note about his "failings".
My brother a Vietnam War Vet and a total supporter of Trump since the beginning has been solidly supportive. Needless to say we have been arguing since that Jan. day about his awfulness. Nothing has moved my brother away
from his support for Trump......until Saturday.
He called me to say, "I think you may be right", and believe it or not he doesn't watch FOX but CNN. He says, "It looks like he's been lying and has been doing deals with Russia." I said, "And what would really convince you?" He said, "If Mueller has legitimate evidence of his collusion with Russia, then I'll believe it." Then I asked him, "What should Trump do?" He said, "Resign".
"What if he won't resign?" He said he thinks the military should step in but I told him that would probably go too far.
So, Mr. Blow I hope your scenario will not happen and maybe those on the ultra right will accept the truth and not anymore of the lies that this Administration lives with. Truth must win this one but I am very scared if it doesn't.
7
@Denise
Burr wouldn't be able to cast a vote for impeachment, only for conviction since he's in the Senate.
Write to your House Representative in regard to impeachment, since the House is where an impeachment vote would take place. Furthermore, whoever that is would be more likely to actually listen, since they have to be re-elected every 2 years.
2
They won't peel off. Because their loyalty to him has nothing to do with Russia or taxes or jobs or truth.
Their loyalty is about racism and the continuing of institutions of white power and privilege. He literally could shoot someone in the middle of 5th Ave and they would not care - esp if the person were non-white.
This is the America in which we currently exist. Failure to remove it from our society will destroy us.
8
How will Trump supporters respond in the face of incontrovertible evidence produced by Mueller’s team? Easy—just listen to Hannity, Fox News, or read the president’s tweets: Mueller is corrupt. His team is corrupt. The fix is in. There is a deep state conspiracy to remove the president. It’s all fake news. The real criminal is Hillary.
1
Why does everyone give Rupert Murdoch a pass when referring to Fox News? Fox News exists only because Murdoch wants it to exist -- he is the one who shapes its message, thus shaping our world. Give credit where credit is due.
4
The trump 'bubble' that his die-hard supporters exist in, is increasingly taking on some of the aspects of a cult.
Blind obedience to whatever the leader says, despite all evidence to the contrary. Distancing from family and friends, sometimes leading to isolation. Sources of information that reinforce the leader's distorted reality. The idea that any and all outsiders or 'non-believers' are out to get them. The message from the leader that he/she is the 'only one' who can make things better.
What we really need is a national de-programming.
4
@Mikeweb
You've just described perfectly what "Make America Great Again" means.
The saddest aspect about people who will be djt supporters until the bitter end is their identification with djt. Their identities are tied to him, which makes seeing him as he is impossible, just as he does not have the insight to be honest about who he really is. So very upsetting.
1
I believe it was Obama, who as President, advised he could be more flexible toward Russia once elected. That was viewed as a positive step regarding relations with Russia. Building a large project in Russia, at that time, seems reasonable. To speculate that Trump is beholden to Russia because of an abandoned real estate development is a real stretch. With all the attempts to find conflict in Trump's business dealings we will be left with only a homeless, asset less, unemployed individual qualified to be President. Do you really think a retired President in this age (not Harry Truman's) will need money ever after? These guys retire rich and get richer. Your speculation is worse than anything "Fox."
4
Cohen pleaded guilty making false statements in 2017 to the Senate, in short reads Trump Organization failed efforts to build a Trump Tower in Moscow, discussion about the project continued five months longer in 2026 than Cohen had initially stated under oath. Mueller intent is to sow enough discord , and allow the media- Democrat establishment and create a false narrative,as we saw with the Kavanaugh case of guilt with unverifiable information
3
Charles is at it again. Since we now know that the only collusion happened with the Clintons, the FBI, CIA, Whitehouse and the Russians, we're just going to change the definition of the term. "Collusion" now means "being compromised," whatever that means. Now saying a few words about Putin is proof of, well, we don't know what exactly, but Orange Man Bad™. There is literally zero evidence that Trump or his team participated in a criminal conspiracy to affect the election. Zero. There is a load of evidence showing that Fusion GPS, the Justice Department, the Intel services and the White House targeted a political campaign. It was Fusion who was behind the Trump Tower meeting, after all. But never mind the names, like Mueller, Waldman, Power, Obama, Clinton, Simpson, Steele, Rhee, Weissman, Ohr, McCabe, Strzok, Page, Downer, Vexelberg, Misfud, Halper, Warner, Ruemmler, Rice, Clapper, Brennan and dozens of others who all know each other and all participated in the scheme to setup Trump. No no..we need to focus on an international businessman having the audacity to keep his company operating while running for the nomination. The horror. Impeach! Resign!
You should hear yourselves.
5
"If Trump goes down, so too does Fox", this is as stupid as "When Obama will leave the White House, MSNBC will go down".
MSNBC ratings are skyrocketing since Trump's election, so will Fox ratings as soon as a liberal progressive will be in the White House.
4
The author twists himself into a speculative pretzel in order to continue his unbalanced attack on Donald Trump. Conjecture. Logical leaps. Ifs, ands, or buts.
Russia! Russia! Russia!
Boring.
4
@VFO. Unbalanced? Your POTUS DJT has the market cornered on”imbalance.”
1
@retiredteacher
Fortunately, no one gets prosecuted when some random internet pseud calls them “imbalanced”.
Might get you on the features desk at the Times, though.
This so called president is like a child with a baseball bat in a china and crystal store having received the “ go ahead “ by the GOP to destroy our government and everything we stand for and anything our Founding Fathers tried so hard to glue together to form our Nation .
4
Dream on my fellow liberals.... Trump isn't going anywhere. Don't hold your breath for Mueller or anyone else to save us. The ONLY way to change things is to stop whining (most of these comments are like the self righteous pseudo intellectual version of comments on Fox News articles!) and vote Trump out of office until 2020
3
I fear the wrath of the moral minority and their White Supremacist allies. There will be violence. It will be just like the anarchists behind the Trump presidency wanted, and we will be hurt.
2
Don’t panic, Charles, and here’s why. Trump only ran for president in the first place to advance his chance of building hotels in Russia. He never even wanted the presidency - too much REAL work for him. He assumed from the getgo that he would lose the election and that was OK with him because all he really wanted was the legitimacy of being a political insider in Putin’s eyes. That being said and in my opinion, he’s counting the days until the 2020 election - that he will appear to put up a very “macho” battle only to lose ingloriously to some deep state, commie, liberal, elite, intelligentsia candidate who will be tasked with cleaning up DJ’s mess and then blamed for all the taxpayer’s money he ( no, it definitely won’t be a “she” ) had to spend in order to keep the country moving forward instead of backward, which is what our current “dear leader” has been trying to do. You know what they say: “Old narcissistic, demagogueish, Reality TV stars never die, they just begin building tacky, gaudy Real Estate empires in countries that once helped them steal the American Presidency. . . .”
3
Charles sounds desperate. What will the media do when it’s coup fails? Return to reporting the news?
4
What baloney. This is quite imaginative.
First, the Russians, and Soviets, have been disrupting America and our politics for decades. How is this new?
Facebook? Hah. If you get your news from that digital rag you deserve to be fooled. A Moscow Trump Tower? So what? Trump was pursuing a deal - that’s what developers do, whether you like it is immaterial. Did they talk to Russians? Of course. Not long ago the Left wanted “engagement” with Russia - oh so afraid a Republican would push the button. Remember? Or are you thinking relevant ‘history’ began a couple years ago. There’s no evidence whatsoever that Russia had any undue influence or there was any ‘collusion’, other than normal business interests. Whereas Hillary supported selling Uranium interests to the Russians. Now that’s a sellout. Where’s your indignation there? Mr Blow, you sound so earnest. But your references clearly show little knowledge of history or the real world.
7
Great. 40% of America supports Trump regardless what he has done. And they control a lot of the House and, especially the Senate. And they do not care what happens to the US.
Lots of luck!
3
Reading supporter's thoughts - they don't care about his lies, they are willing to overlook his lies, because 'he has the best of intentions'. That is not good enough
1
Charles M. Blow asks, “But what happens if the evidence that the investigation by the special counsel, Robert Mueller, uncovers reveals a direct link between Trump and the Russians? How do Trump’s boosters respond?”
How about this option? We could all pray for open hearts and open minds as we meditate on the New Testament verse 1 Thessalonians 5:21. Here’s how the contemporary language of the version of the Bible called The Message translates the passage: “Don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil."
Though many Trump supporters may never fully recognize or accept a “direct link between Trump and the Russians,” perhaps they’d, at least, admit that all us human beings are imperfect and that the flawed, misleading behaviors of Trump and his team—about whether Russia attacked the 2016 US election—have surely been “tainted with evil” and need to be denounced.
Unfortunately, Mr. Blow is likely correct that Trump will “admit nothing,” that our current “nightmare […] will not get easier, but harder,” and that damage to our nation “is certain.”
Nevertheless, at a minimum, let us remember the lovely, poetic words of Alexander Pope in his “An Essay on Man”: “Hope springs eternal.” May it be so. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44899/an-essay-on-man-epistle-i.
1
For his followers, Trump is the seconding coming of Christ. There is no way to shake their faith in this huckster. His followers are as devoted and entranced as Jim Jones' followers and will gladly accept whatever Trump wishes for them to drink; regardless of the outcome on their lives or their communities.
5
I agree with Mr. Blow and foresee bleak potential outcomes. Trump has smashed through every barrier in his path and revealed how shallow are the hallowed "institutions" we are told will stand firm. For what are institutions without people (or should I say folks?) who believe in them? We are in a dark wood, and I believe that as in the past, there will be (more) blood.
1
Unfortunately, even if Trump himself gives us a video of Trump shaking Putin’s hand and clearly telling him “We are now colluding on this plan to interfere in the election and we love the dirt you gave us on Hillary. In exchange, here is a billion dollars,” Trump would still call it fake news and his supporters would believe him.
5
Friends have mentioned the idea that Trump will stay even after his time is up (either elections/removal from office/ whatever) but I have faith this wouldn't happen. Although he has been good for some, his staying would be bad for all. He has served his purpose and, though any additional time with him in office is a boon for some, at the end of the day it is stability that this country depends upon. We cannot live in this carnival perpetually because inevitably it will go off the rails and the wealthy cannot abide that.
It is the wealthy that sets the narrative (as they control the media), the wealthy who need stable markets to sell goods and services, the wealthy who need people to be in a known position to buy their goods and services, and the wealthy who is ever looking to become wealthier and to be able to sustain that wealth.
Trump shook things up, he made everyone a little less comfortable and afraid, installed a lot of judges that support the wealthy, and provided a lot of diversion as they made inroads into areas once too hot to travel. The days of Trump facilitated their ends just as the post-Trump era will. There are now a lot of new fears to exploit as our democracy appears less resilient than it was which means lots of openings to profit in ways they hadn't been able to before.
Trump is just an ignorant jester in this game pretending to be king and I can't figure out if they will let him keep his head or if it will be placed on a pike as warning to others.
1
Or, as Amarosa warned, we will ALL have to. “bow down “ before Trump.
So, the more things stay the same...the cult of republicans that is left will never dessert the orange demigod. It is up to the rest of us to save ourselves from their death wish (and grip). WE ARE A MASSIVE majority. And policies to protect the environment, insure healthy lives, a safe national infrastructure and economic opportunity for all will ensure our life and liberty. As the great champion Muhammad Ali taught us, we will rope these dopes. Knock out punch in 2020.
No reconciliation without truth.
1
It was already obvious to the American people before the election that Trump is fundamentally a con artist. The stories about not paying Polish workers, about Trump "University", not to mention his refusal to reveal his tax returns, made that clear. A large percentage voted for him anyway, because they think they are getting him to do what they want, or that somehow he offered a better alternative. Since then, it has become crystal clear that Trump values loyalty to himself well above patriotic duty, yet that does not seem to have changed too many minds. I am afraid the Russian investigation is a red herring. Foreign influence in elections is nothing new - the North Koreans did it to us during the Korean War (one example among many), and we've been doing it to other countries forever - Voice of America. The bigger question is how long it will take those who dealt with this swindler to feel they too are being conned. Given how far many have already traveled with the flim-flam man, this could take a while yet.
182
@maven
Wait until Huber testifies to Congress on Dec.5 about Clinton's pay to play during Russian Uranium One deal. Even Blow would say it's clear this is more of a national security threat than a bad read estate deal that ended.
@maven
I agree the Trump Russian investigation is a red herring.But
listen to John Huber's testimony to Congress on Dec. 5 it is reported by John Soloman, of The Hill, that he will show how the Clinton's were involved in pay to play during the Russian Uranium One deal. This is not a herring!
It has been indicated Mueller investigated the Russians involved in Rostrum but nothing came of it when he was FBI Director. Interesting. Maybe why the classification of documents?
@maven Nobody likes to admit to being conned. This is probably why so many still defend him.
17
We've endured worse in America's past. This is irritating primarily because of the upward trajectory we assumed we were on with Obama's electoral victories. Trump's successes have awakened a newly motivated progressive arm of the Democratic party that has begun to kick out the complacent liberals of yesteryear in favor of a louder, younger, more diverse crop of legislatprs. Yes, racism, police brutality, and even nazis are rearing their ugly heads again. But, as we've begun to realize, they were always there, hiding under a thin veneer of respectability - camoflauge they have now abandoned.
The GOP struggles to maintain control with gerrymandering, and actions approaching outright voter fraud. But they are still losing ground. Demographics and time are not on their side. The harder they fight, the more galvanized, organized, and motivated team blue becomes.
Trump and his supporters are digging their own political graveyards. Those tainted by his stain will be remembered by the voters of the future. And those loyal to him? We've already seen how Jeff Sessions and various Trump cabinet members and staffers have been treated. Every year Trump creates more hardened enemies while his cadre of cronies winnows down to an ever less capable group of grifters who will throw him under the bus when the time is right.
5
The Senate and the House of Representatives ….all must face
the truth and act to save our rule of law; to save us from more
damage by ….not admitting that they are also the major cause
of allowing the damage caused not only by a corrupt executive
branch; but by not adhering to their oaths of office...to protect
our nation from corruption...
What the Senate must do to clean up corruption...this is the
question....why does the Senate allow Trump's corruption....this
is the next question..
What do you think about the means to clean up the House and
the Senate...this is what I ask of Charles Blow and the commenters here....Any thoughts on these dire needs....to clean
up our Legislative Branch ; I think we must find the will to do so.
Trump and Fox News is a fascist partnership.
Trump can brought down at the polls and in the courtroom but ridding this country of Fox News would probably do more to improve this country than anything else.
Why Fox is permitted to operate their propaganda machine is beyond comprehension.
The SEC doesn’t permit Wall Street to lie and sell snake oil to the public, why does FCC permit a communications company to lie and sell snake oil?
Does the FCC have any basis to defend a communication company’s right to intentionally lie and mislead to advance a political agenda?
2
US has Australia to thank for Rupert Murdoch's FoxNews and it may save the US's political future if both he and Trump exit the scene together.
Australia has to take some responsibility for afflicting Rupert Murdoch on western democracies. For US sake I hope he disappears from the scene along with your current presidential mistake.
@Al--
"Why Fox is permitted to operate their propaganda machine is beyond comprehension. "
Err...Maybe "the First Amendment?"
Al, you're just another lefty-cum-fascist, despite your references to the FCC and its limited powers.
1
Charles, I'm afraid you are correct. Trump's method of doing business appears to be: If I go down, you go down. Certainly, he has shown, again and again in dealings with creditors, an approach of connecting his own financial dealings, no matter how foolish or incompetent, to the survival of his creditors. Applying this model of doing business to the presidency, Trump appears temperamentally intent on tying the welfare of the country to his own survival in office. So far, he has succeeded in chaining the Republican party to his sinking ship of state. That will not be enough to save him. When this dawns on Trump, the rest of us will be in real danger.
1
When Vladimir Putin decides that it is time to release the kompromat he has on Trump, he will do so, for two reasons:
1. He will have decided that Trump's usefulness to aid and abet his efforts to advance the Russian ascendance has been exhausted, and
2. The revelation will disrupt the US order in many ways.
I believe this is the future because Putin is a leader who puts country first.
1
@Nat Ehrlich
I'm sorry, but Putin will do no such thing. He will let us stew in disarray until we tear ourselves apart. Unlike sectionalism, which brought us our first civil war, Tribalism which covers our country like a rash (Trumpers are every where) may well cause our end. Divide and conquer triumphant
The real test will come when Trump supporting armed white militias mobilize and take to the streets, with Trump egging them on against his enemies.
I fear great violence. As a republican friend said to this democrat, "His people have the guns."
Re Trump: I agree with Charles that King Trump will do what he darn well pleases and likely will not leave office, no matter what Mueller finds and even if un-elected in 2020.
Trump is a hardcore sociopath without empathy or a conscience. He lives by his own rules and really does not grasp why we have laws. His goal is either to get the law to serve him, or to beat the law if he is in the wrong.
Maybe some psychiatrists and clinical psychologists might have some suggestions about how to deal with Trump--because McConnell & the GOP sure won't.
But what I remember from my psychology courses in grad school was that the toughest class of mental disorders to treat are personality disorders, because these people do not think anything is wrong with them, spend most of the time manipulating others (including clinicians), and resist treatment in a variety of ways.
In the meantime, public opinion is important and very simply, wrong is wrong, and what the Trump campaign did was cheating, dangerous for the US, and wrong.
I think since Trump has never had majority support, there are more of us than them. And I am sorry "them" do not understand why Trump is incompetent and dangerous for our country. Or why wrong is wrong. Evidently, most of the Republican do not grasp the "problem of Trump." The rest of us do. 35-42% of the citizenry do not have the right to tell the majority that wrong is right.
It will be a fight, but a fight well worth having.
5
<<< I expect Trump to admit nothing, even if faced with proof positive of his own misconduct. There is nothing in the record to convince me otherwise. He will call the truth a lie and vice versa. >>>
The real nightmare will begin when Trump is proven to be an illegitimate and treasonous President and instead of facing his sentence, he will barricade himself in the White House and call on the 2nd amendment people via Twitter and FOX news to defend his rule.
It can’t happen here.
Until it can.
Remember, Trump is already behaving like a third world dictator via cronyism, nepotism, and calling the press the enemy.
2
NYT doesn't give me enough space to deconstruct Blow's conclusions. It's "I think this" and "I think that" and everything is clear....unless of course it's not. And let's insult Trump at every turn too.
More remarkable is the general agreement among commentators here that Mueller will hang something impeachable or indictable on Trump. This vain hope appears to be all that separates Clinton voters from humility.
It is highly unlikely that Mueller has anything. Hiding it from Congress would be obstruction of justice.
4
If the Mueller investigation reveals a direct link between Trump and the Russians, nothing happens because that would not reveal a violation of federal election campaign laws. Donald Trump flew to Mexico City during the campaign to discuss campaign issues with Mexico President Enrique Peña Nieto. During the campaign, he also met privately in a New York City hotel room with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discus U.S.-Israeli relations. Trump could have flown to Moscow and met privately with Vladimir Putin without violating election campaign laws. It is not unlawful for presidential candidates to have direct contacts or links with foreign nationals or with foreign heads of state.
1
Face it. America has a trash problem, independently of Trump. His election turned over the rock, and the vermin -- exposed to sunlight for the first time -- scurried around a bit.
Then they got used to it. The borders on America's landfill were abandoned. Now they have insinuated themselves throughout American society. As my maiden aunt used to admonish: America no longer has any standards.
There is also no longer any easy way out.
1
I appreciate Mr. Blow’s sentiments. However, I believe that accepting the truth — however nightmarish — can set us free.
2
As usual , Blow states his case clearly and convincingly. However, I don't agree with him on the reaction of those who supported Nixon, after the tapes revealed his guilt and he resigned.
"Tails tucked and full of shame," ? Many said they didn't know...they believed him. Many denied they'd ever voted for him, even though the Election of 1972 was a Republican landslide. Trump's base may enjoy his rallies and believe he'll make America great again, but they'll never admit they were duped or feel ashamed. They may even think they have college degrees--but the truth is that's not what you get from the Electoral College.
1
Trump eats a lot of McDonald's and he's under a lot of stress, so we might be faced with conspiracy theorists blaming us for his death. But I would suspect, over time, his power, from the grave and with Fox "New's" help, to brainwash his followers, might diminish.
Having read Comey's book and also Fire and Fury, it seems apparent that the Russians indeed DO have the goods on Trump. The Golden Showers thing comes to mind as he begged and pleaded with Comey not to reveal that because "even if there is a 1% chance that Melania knew, it would devastate her."
However, money laundering may end up being the actual crime.
2
Mueller has nothing, if he did he would have brought it already.
Wrap this up or stop wasting taxpayer dollars!
2
It’s time to hurt FOX news. McDonalds, IHOP, Progressive and Disney are big sponsors. Go after them first.
Charles, I share your fears assessment and fears, but I would say the nightmare started in November of 2016.
I think his Achilles heel is his kids. He will voluntarily leave office in exchange for pardons for the whole family.
At this point I also think it's a witch hunt........I know they are all guilty but this has gone on too long and we may get lots of people but not tRump. He should have already been fired for all his insanity and lying, yet he is still in office. No one, not one single person is going to get rid of him before the next election, it should have already happened, none of us can lie in our everyday life like him we all would have been fired by now, we cannot post despicable videos of our enemies without being prosecuted, etc etc etc........
2
We are rightly concerned about Russian interference in our elections. But the US has done the same to dozens of countries. Stop with the hypocrisy. The massive amount of articles in the NYT on Russia without ever mentioning our government does the same exact thing, and has done so since 1946, is the height or arrogance and ignorance. The same thing you accuse Trump of.
4
Rob Portman and his ilk will no doubt be gravely concerned.
Yes, there was so much "collusion, connections and conspiracy" between the Trump campaign and the "Russians" that Cohen addressed an email to the general "Post Office of The Kremlin" ( something like writing "To The White House, United States of America")in hopes of getting help with a Trump Tower in Moscow, a project no one was interested in, and from which he got a boiler plate response to look elsewhere because the Kremlin gets hundreds of such inquiries and has nothing to do business investment as CNN reported over a year ago: https://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/30/politics/russia-peskov-trump-lawyer-email/index.html
2
Mr. Blow is absolutely right. This is not about Trump anymore, we're saturated. What he's done, and what he will do, is obvious. What it is about, is the future of the grand experiment of the United States, and if we want to retain any of the unique Americanness that we've loved and been so greatly revered for these past few hundred years. Can we take responsibility for Trump becoming president and rethink the greed & hate that's driving our culture & politics in the digital age? Or are we going to become just another Middle East? It's become too much about taking a side, and too little about understanding what your side actually represents. I'm asking, are enough of us willing to let go of the love/hate question of the ridiculous man, and instead take up the real fight for our country? Or is that just too hard, boo hoo? We'll soon see if the strength of the American spirit has been crushed or revived.
Rachel Maddow laid it out on her program last week and that segment was replayed on AM Joy on Sunday morning. It is damning. What I expect is that there will be more than clear evidence of Russian interference to make Trump President. Members of his campaign staff, administration, and family will all be involved to some extent. His loyal base will not and cannot believe it. Trump will not resign. What he will do is indicate to his base that they need to take to the streets and protect him. And here is where the danger will begin. The words second civil war have been thrown around over the last few month. They may not be as far-fetched as they might have seemed earlier this year. We are about to find out if America can overcome this dangerous situation and renew itself or if the challenge and damage will have been too great.
4
These United States have been living a nightmare ever since Trump assaulted the presidency. This, by his superb ability as a demagogue and a dedicated liar, and Russian help as it interfered in the 2016 elections. Can't we see he is devoid of any feelings of guilt for destroying the trust in each other, and whose only interest is self-enrichment...at our expense? THis brutus ignoramus must be impeached, as soon as the complicity of the republican Senate can be broken. What will it take?
2
I expect this to end very badly because the Republicans fight dirty and they do not back down. Trump has no sense of integrity and will not leave the Presidential Office even if impeached. There will be no trial in the Senate because the Republicans will put party before country and Mitch McConnell is a deviant who does not care for the rule of law, and with his wife firmly established in Trump’s cabinet, he will serve the interests of wifey and the Criminal-In-Chief. May God help us all because we are heading towards a civil war.
To paraphrase the loathsome Roger Stone's prediction about John Podesta, this will be America's 'time in the barrel,' and it won't be a barrel of monkeys - more like a barrel of snakes.
Blow and Trump 11/3/18
Trump and his minions envision a world predicated on laizzez-faire capitalism and a mythic past that never was. It is this devotion to a belief system that represents an oligarch and fascist utopia that will cause another collapse far greater than what we have experienced in 2008.
You can bet Trump and his propaganda network will have plentiful and fanciful explanations for who the true culprits are. One has only to consider the bloviated dangers he projected of Mexican rapists, MS13 and the Caravan; or the failed tariff wars and tax breaks for billionaires in order to get a taste of the “crisis” he will embrace to restore order and economic stability.
Once the citizenry experiences deep economic depression and perhaps runaway inflation along a Weimar Republic percentage scale that makes the dollar worthless, then the end of democracy will become reality.
Yesterday I met a man in his late twenties who along with his wife have decided not to bring a child into the coming world they see developing under Trump. Sad perhaps, but also honest in terms of our coming reality.
3
A member of the choir here, Charles: Amen, Brother. A-A-A-men.
Mr. Blow is right in being concerned.
The fate of the Reality Show Con Artist won’t be determined in the courts; it will be determined in the political arena.
Does anyone really think there is a member of the Vichy GOP who has a backbone or the sense of shame to vote to impeach someone they already know is unfit for office?
There is still 40+% of this country that is okay with having a fraud as President and they just rewarded the Vichy GOP with additional seats in the Senate where impeachment proceedings would reside.
We haven’t seen this type of divide since the Civil War and like Jefferson Davis and the Southern States, the grifter in chief is willing to burn down this country to save his own skin.
In their appeasement before him, the Vichy GOP are handing him the matches.
2
Trump cannot stay in office without the steady support of Fox News. Trump’s behavior seems rather predictable at this point; Trump looks out for Trump, period. The big question is, what will Rupert Murdoch do? If Murdoch cares primarily about his business profits then will he decide to uncouple from Trump to save his business? If so, then at what point, in what circumstances? Or is Murdoch willing to sacrifice the Fox News operation, profits and assets, to save Trump, to save and promote right wing policies? In sum, a key question in determining the right’s response to Mueller’s findings is what will Murdoch do?
3
Not 1 president has been removed from office.
Ever.
That's 240 years.
In almost all presidential elections the loser's supporters resent the winner.
This time is no different.
Commentators throwing around predictions of Trump's demise should first disclose by how much they had Trump landsliding Hilary.
4
What will Trump supporters do when it is undeniable that Trump is a crook/traitor? Many will just deny it, but a substantial, and politically decisive fraction of them will develop amnesia. They NEVER supported him. In retrospect Kennedy won a landslide against Nixon and nobody voted for Nixon (or McGovern) in 1972.
Trump is a quitter. He has always been a quitter - his marketing image is a tough guy, but it's all part of the scam. Bluster and bankruptcy was/is his usual escape route.
My guess - Trump will resign when finally confronted and he will think of it as another bankruptcy that will be limited and with everyone else holding the bag. Taj Mahal - except yuggge.
Except this time it won't be limited. Trump will rue the day he ever ran for president.
2
Trump cannot stay in office without the steady support of Fox News. Trump’s behavior seems rather predictable at this point; Trump looks out for Trump, period. The big question is, what will Rupert Murdoch do? If Murdoch cares primarily about his business profits then will he decide to uncouple from Trump to save his business? If so, then at what point, in what circumstances? Or is Murdoch willing to sacrifice the Fox News operation, profits and assets, to save Trump, to save promote right wing policies? In sum, the key question in determining right’s response to Mueller’s findings is what will Murdoch do?
I believe Trump plans to be President-for-life and will NEVER leave the White House willingly, even after losing an election.
3
@S
And I believe that's all in his head (and yours).
1
Granted. The crucible this country is bound to face will be a daunting one, as for the damage -- it has already been done.
Within the short space of two years, this president has managed to turn this country inside out, turned us into a pariah on the world stage and alienate most of our allies, including our neighbors to the north and south.
And that's just what's visible to the naked eye.
There are indeed many sub-levels to all the lies and complicity that propelled Donald Trump into office now being discovered, or soon will be, which of course he will deny; but that doesn't change the fact that he is not as innocent as he sees himself as being.
As for his dog-whistle followers, they have taken the bait hook, line, and sinker and there's no hope for them. But thankfully they are neither the majority of Americans, or the electorate.
And if there's any bright spot on this dismal Trumpian landscape, it's that.
2
IF the Republic is to survive, it is time for the GOP members of the legislative branch to take their courage in both hands, preserve their honour, and impeach and convict the scoundrel.
If they do not do so, they can rest assured that if the Republic continues, it will be in badly damaged form. Moreover, they will have deprived themselves of effective participation in the political process for a generation, and quite probably initiated a Court-packing by Democratic legislators and Administration outraged by Mitch McConnell's and the GOP's abuse of their Senatorial powers of advice and consent.
If the Congress is not hopelessly corrupt, it is time for them to step up to the plate and do their Constitutional duty. Both they and the President are sworn to the Constitution. Timeto consider what that means.
2
The glass is half empty, or it’s half full. I prefer having faith in the ordinary folk in this country that we call “the people.” I guess that makes me an optimist. There is the distinction between the guy who’s a pessimist and the other guy who’s an optimist. The optimist thinks this is the best world possible given the present circumstances.
The pessimist agrees with him.
Everything hinges on circumstances—that’s where the fight is, and where we can make a difference, where we (us ordinary people) can gain and have some control.
There’s really no point, Mr. Blow, in wringing your hands. With a bit more faith in us ordinary people, you could put those hands to better work, right in front of that computer.
Even with respect to Trump, a word I find leaves a horrible taste in my mouth, us ordinary people didn’t get him elected. It was the manipulation (both sides manipulate) of the electoral college that put him where he is, doing the damage he’s doing—it’s an institution that needs changing—a set of circumstances.
1
I agree with Charles. As a nation we have an obligation to educate ourselves about who we elect, and many folks don't. If we blindly follow politicians and believe everything they say without question then through our own ignorance we get self serving people like Trump and his minions. If what Mr. Blow is saying would come to fruition; then what would we do if the military would be inserted into our daily lives. That is truly frightening.
Yes, I wholeheartedly agree, uncharted territory.
But what if Trump supporters over-correct?
What if they respond to being made to look foolish by picking up the bullhorns and advancing on Washington?
To confront Trump?
They were lied to by a madman. It was Fox News and Alex Jones who assured them that the lies were true.
Trump voters just have a gullibility problem.
They should all get together with their gullibilibuddies and find their way to Fox news and wherever people like Alex Jones live, fire up their bullhorns, and have a serious conversation with the people who told them up was down, wrong was right and lies were truth.
1
I am just imagining the right wing heads exploding if both Trump and Pence are compromised and they are looking at President Pelosi. Mic drop.
3
Unless there is a smoking gun in the Mueller investigation, Trump will not be impeached. He is like a crooked CEO who has a hand picked board behind him. That means the Democrats are going to have to use the next two years to show the country that they would be better off under Democratic leadership than continuing under Trump.
So do you have a plan? Will it benefit the entire nation, not just the elites? Is there a leader who will take us back to sanity and civility? In the 2020 election, Trump will go down and dirty. If we get in the mud with him, we lose. We can compare and contrast without insulting. Trump coddled the rich, we will be inclusive. Trump insulted our allies, we will repair our relationships. Trump helped our enemies, we will demand accountability.
Americans are an optimistic people who believe in the Common Good. Trump and his allies have been peddling fear and distrust. We need to demonstrate that if you are truly strong, you can lead with kindness, you can lead with vision, you can lead with compassion for everyone. This should be the Democratic way forward.
3
"If Trump goes down, so too does Fox, in some measure. So the network has a vested interest in defending Trump until the bitter end, and that narrative-crafting could impede an otherwise natural and normal disaffection with Trump."
To me, this is the most egregious and insidiously dangerous component of the whole Trump saga. That we have a 24 hour "news" channel blasting real propaganda that is facilitating the conversion to and the ongoing fever created by the church of Trump, is unbelievable. Pardon the pun. That so many believe is seriously frightening. I'm sorry but there is no Santa Claus, Virginia. As a matter of fact, Santa and his elves are robbing your house instead of bringing presents. He is also giving the keys to your front door to your worst enemies. Yet his sled still is powered by their Trump spirit. It is time for them to grow up. I for one, have no guilt when it comes to them being disenchanted. Some will never stop believing due to the effectiveness of the Fox propaganda. I hope the shame for those who do finally stop believing because of the truth is deep enough to stop it from happening again. Fox needs to be stopped and publicly shamed, right along with him. They need to express contrition, accept responsibility for their acts and swear to never do it again so that no one has any bright ideas to use them again in the future as a propaganda arm.
1
When Trump refuses to leave power after losing the 2020 election, are we supposed to hope for a military coup?
Democrats put all their eggs in the Mueller basket and don’t have any other plans.
1
The very SAME argument could be made for Clinton had she won the election but she didn't so all the "whatifism" is moot.
FOX News isn't to blame or complicit for hedging Trump's supporters. It's their conservative opinion POV contrary to the overwhelming decades long liberal reporting of the network news and cable news opinion POV commentary that disrupts the applecart.
In the following paragraph from this piece, replace Clinton for Trump and her for him.
"How would Americans who support Trump now respond to evidence that Team Trump put their own personal and financial interests over the national interest? Would they break from their blind support and turn away from him and turn on him? How could they justify wearing the blinders for so long and countenancing so much? What language would they use to correct their complicity?"
Does it change the meaning one iota? No!
Put aside your ideology and use some common sense.
3
Yep. You are on the money, again.
The corruption goes so deep and has built up for years in
the service of an anti-democratic, charismatic leader.
1
"How would Americans who support Trump... respond to evidence that Team Trump put their own personal and financial interests over the national interest?" His supporters would not turn a hair. Evidence of any wrongdoing by Trump is granted "absolution" (as you stated). They believe him when he says he is the victim of a witch hunt, with a little help from Fox bolstering his claim. Trump is their false idol of worship. There has been no epiphany about Trump with his supporters in the face of incontrovertible evidence of his lying and willingness to obstruct justice. No lie Trump tells nor any vulgar revelation about Trump has caused the hypocritical Christian Right to abandon him. Trump's crowd votes against their own best interest willingly. They have found their savior.
Trump will not be impeached. The Republicans have the majority in the Senate, and will not vote to convict. These are not Nixon era politicians. They have no moral compass. If Mueller's report reveals Trump obstructed justice, it will be met with skepticism by them no matter the evidence, and Trump will explode on Twitter and Fox News. We will most likely have a stalemate until the 2020 election, because as you stated, Trump will not voluntarily leave the White House. The only way that Trump could be removed from the White House given that scenario is for Pence to grow a spine, find his conscience and invoke the 25th Amendment. Not likely to happen.
There is not one scintilla of doubt in my mind that this is an illegimate presidency, that a Manchurian candidate was installed in office through a bloodless coup, and that he continues in power through a corrupt Congress beholden to the blood money of the NRA.
The sad reality is that nobody is able to remove the despot from office. Money talks, ethics walks.
4
Oh good grief Mr. Blow, you're like a kid wondering what Santa Claus will bring him for Christmas. Russian collusion with the Trump campaign is something you still believe in? After two years? Have you not heard of something called metadata? That's the NSA capturing every keystroke from your computer and every conversion transmitted on your landline and cellphone and stored in a huge data base for retrieval in the future if needed. Do you not think that Mueller and every intelligence agency has searched that database these past two years? Have you read the book "Shattered" in which it describes how the Hillary campaign concocted this "Russian collusion" scenario to account for, and deflect from, her inexplicably inept campaign? Get up from your desk, walk down the hall to your colleague's office, Maggie Haberman, and have her read you her story about the DNC and the Hillary campaign lying about funding the Steele dossier. Talk about collusion, if paying an ex-British spy to contact Russian government officials to dig up dirt on an American presidential candidate isn't the definition of collusion, I don't know what is.
But go ahead an dream of unwrapping your collusion present on Christmas Day, but don't be disappointed if all you get is a lump of coal.
4
This is not a new opinion, it’s repeat of what goes on every day in the liberal press. Why doesn’t the extreme left go on to improve the country and stop wasting time on impeachment? Get out some clear policies to win 2020 election. If they waste time on impeachment, they will have divided the country further, and will not have much to show in 2020.
2
So the US Democratic President Obama approved and supported the overthrow of the elected Ukrainian government in 2014 and Russia probably retaliated with some Democratic hacking in 2015. Which side is more wrong?.
3
I have hope Mr Blow. What else is there but to have hope in the decency of our fellow men and women. I have hope that the monsters running your country and mine will ultimately never succeed. I have hope that they will be out and outed for what they are, a blight on our community and the world.I have hope that our children will grow up to see a cleaner planet, a world with moral fibre, a world with integrity. Without hope we are nothing.
2
Once trump's full record of financial sleaze and tax history is known, and the Russian mafia money laundering machine he's been running through his casinos and real estate operations is proven beyond a doubt, he and his family are only protected from prosecution and prison if he is still President. So he will fight to stay in the oval office no matter the costs to the country. If it looks like he might lose, disrupting and delegitimizing the 2020 elections will be job one. This includes calling out his fanatical supporters for "Second Amendment solutions", as he has already threatened to do, and attempting to declare martial law and cancel the elections. If you think I'm being paranoid, just watch. If he is cornered, he will lash out, viciously.
4
I hope real patriots in our country will stop him to take the country down with him. Everyone should wake up and end this nightmare.
2
Charles Blow nailed it. We are nearing the edge of a cliff and Trump will be all to happy to take the country right over the edge. A minority of Americans elected a man who doesn't give one hoot about this country. He cares only about himself and his closest (not all) family members. He is antithetical to our country's values, morals, and principles. He has "succeeded" in life by attacking, bullying, threatening, cheating, lying, coercing, suing, and breaking the law (convicted of Trump University fraud and Taj Mahal money laundering) on his way to the top. His time in the barrel is coming (quote from Roger Stone aimed at Podesta).
Above all Trump is an embarrassment to US voters. They have shown poor judgment voting for Trump, in front of the whole world. They make popular elections look bad. True, gerrymandering and the Electoral College put Trump over the edge when he lost the popular vote. But even to come within a few million votes of winning is still a pie in the face to the concept of popular elections.
I believe that Russia plays a much longer game than anyone realizes..I believe the birth of the "Tea Party" was helped along by his $$$$....I think the GOP has been easily infiltrated and corrupted. Citizens United helped it along internally, but politicians are bought up like bread at the supermarket......And I also believes that includes the rabid progressives on the left...The Democrats have their own carefully arranged problems internally these days.
They have been meddling in our politics for well over 12 years and have a decent margin of success in turning moderates of both parties into a very silent, powerless minority.
Until we face that reality, Trump will be the beginning---not the end of the true assault of this Democracy.
Nothing will happen when Trump fires Rosenstein and Mueller and buries their report on national security grounds.
Nothing will happen when Mueller reports that Scheme Trump colluded,collaborated, conspired and cooperated with the Russians in getting elected. And that Scheme Trump has and is obstructing justice, witness tampering and bribing.
Nothing will happen because Republicans have a majority of the Senate and the Supreme Court of the United States. Nothing will happen because a majority of white Americans support Donald Trump no matter what he has been accused of doing or has done.
Nothing wiil happen when Trump pardons Don, Jr., Ivanka, Eric, KellyAnne Conway, Mile Pence, Paul Manfort and Roger Stone.
Donald Trump is Tiberius, Caligula and Nero combined. And the Trump base knew that he was cowardly dishonorable unpatriotic corrupt moral degenerate greedy lying misogynist corporate plutocrat oligarch welfare queen. Trump made a solemn sworn oath to preserve, protect and defend whatever he is hiding from the American people in his personal and family income tax returns and business records.
Is MAGA the fall of the American Empire?
3
"Who will cast the first stone?" A ridiculous situation exists, whereby a known liar sits in the highest office of the land and shows neither shame for past behaviors nor intent to change. Congress could have thwarted his recent actions, but didn't. Many Republicans are complicit and on board with his decisions, others perhaps fearful of being called out for their own personal wrong doings. He's perfectly capable of blackmail. We're stuck, folks, until we rid ourselves of the Senators who support him. Even if impeached, he'd still sit in the oval office like an obese king until he was physically removed from the office.
Mr. Blow is right. This country is about to enter the "crucible." And as he also notes, Trump's followers will not leave him. Instead, they'll double down in their support of him.
So the "what if" question becomes, what will the country look like once Trump's crimes finally see the light of day? If even a Republican controlled Senate must consider removing him from office? Then what?
The answer is easy. Trump has one more card to play, and he hasn't played it yet. And that is his rabid, delusional, heavily armed base. He will tell them that the "deep state" is trying to strip him of his office, and that it is time for them to use their "2nd Amendment solutions" to keep him in power.
Trump hasn't gone on all these campaign rallies in recent months just to listen to the adoring cheers. He is also priming the pump. He knows that he needs an energized, rabid, hateful group of people to fight for him, to assault their neighbors if they have to.
And this is the America we will see, once Mr. Mueller's investigation becomes public. Because it will become public at some point. So many of his cronies have already been charged, convicted, or plead to countless crimes, that it will be virtually impossible for Republicans to bury this report.
And then those of us who do not support this ignorant, hateful tyrant had better hunker down. Especially those of us who are ethnic minorities. We will be his base's first targets. But we won't be their last. Bet the rent on it.
1
It's more than Fox, Mr. Blow.
I watched a very interesting PBS broadcast called the "The Kalb Report(?)". It seemed current. Mr. Kalb was the moderator.
His 'panel' for a discussion -- held at the Washington Press Club -- was Ted Koppel, Brian Stelter, a guy from NPR and a woman from WBGH (Boston).
Ted Koppel was the most skeptical on ever putting this thing that Trump has unleashed back into the bottle.
As he said: there's this thing called the internet. And it allows like-minded people to 'gather,' and disseminate their point of view far beyond and faster, and at a skim level -- which is all anyone does anymore -- than anything that 'the media' can do, no matter how great a job they try to do to stay neutral.
It was an interesting hour, if a bit slow. But no one talked over another, no one raised their voice and the audience was small and attentive. From that standpoint, it was a nice change.
Other readers might find it worth searching out.
Thanks for all your columns.
Dear Charles, hope you don’t mind someone you don’t know calling you by your first name. I believe you are exactly right, millions of Americans have elected the Devil himself. He will scratch and claw to the bitter end (if it ends), he loves the power, commanding constant attention, being called Mr. President, you get the drift. He has people like Pompeo, Kelly, Mattis (heartbreaking to realize), Lindsey Graham running inteference. During Farmer’s Market season, I am in close proximity to Trump supporters from the vantage point of my Democratic voter registration/info table. There is literally nothing Trump could do that would make them not support him. We use to say stiff hellos but, after Trump made fun of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford at one of his fascist rallies that ended for me. Trump can only get worse and he will.
There seems to me to be little or no question that Trump knew he was under Putin's thumb. His embarrassing obsequiousness in Helsinki makes that clear. It's easy to forget, because Trump is a natural-born showman, that he is in fact a terrible actor. And no one coached him on how to "perform" a "Don't worry, Vlad, I'm sticking to our deal" scene when the two of them were standing side by side at their podiums. His tragic curtsy to King Salman last year struck me similarly. He knows how to bluster and strut and bully and brag--he's been doing that his whole life--but he can't play any other role. It's one of the reasons he looks so miserable at state functions that don't revolve around him--independent of his absolute incapability to serve as our president, he literally doesn't know how to act.
2
No if about it; Trump was compromised by the Russians even before he took the oath of office. Now it's up to Republican Senators to acknowledge that their Dear Leader is a Russian asset.
2
What is Donald the Desperado going to do if, following in his bone spur footsteps, his fans have no respect for anyone who gets captured? Why should he get a pass when, in accordance with the Trump Bible, McCain didn't?
If bad news for Trump--the narrative crafting(by Fox News) could impede an otherwise natural and normal disaffection with Trump? This is what's appalling. Natural Selection so impeded--that the truth won't matter as in Watergate. It's a universe where the hobbled, slow witted bird survives being propped up by hawks, serving no one. Trump's Narrative is that he thrives because he's brilliant--nope--he survives marionette style
1
The entire germination of "Russian Collusion" stemmed from Trump's joke at the July 2016 speech about maybe Russia could find Hillary's emails.
Lo and behold, WikiLeaks released a plethora of Podesta's emails months later containing a slew from Hillary.
Of course, what Wiki released (whether provided by the Russians or not) was hacked in March of 2016, months earlier, and from a different server, they were not from Hillary's.
So the left's entire creation of this stemmed from the belief that Russia went back in time and hacked the wrong server. The left's delusion continues at every path of linking lies and some white collar crimes of others years earlier to Trump as collusion. All the while ignoring collusion to release information of criminal acts of Hillary isn't a crime. While liberal Attorney Dershowitz could be wrong on this, his analysis was far more linked to legal history than Toobin's drooling aspiration that everything Trump does is a crime.
Trump could fire Mueller, the left points that out nearly every day, yet he hasn't. This is just getting mileage of a dream since Mueller's report isn't going anywhere on obstruction, or collusion.
3
Mr. Blow I believe you're right on all counts.
So, is it time to take to the streets? I believe it is.
We all know that Trump, whether he stays or goes, is only the clown atop the putrid pile. McConnell, Ryan, The Supreme Court, and the rest of the Senate, are operating in defiance of the clear will of the people on women's rights, climate change and a hundred other issues. Organized, peaceful protest is the clearest answer to this government.
We don't all have time to picket the White House, or march on Washington, but some of us do. The rest can voice their support in so many ways.
Non-violent, public, protest brought down the British Empire. More recently, it ended the Vietnam War. I believe that it can work against this band of thieves and scoundrels as well.
2
Trump supporters, who are mostly not very well-off but want to be rich like Trump and the Russian oligarchs, hope that eventually Trump, a rich American who is a close friend of the very rich Putin, can set America straight using Russian-style government corruption and graft and assassinations here in this country, so that Trump supporters can all become rich like Trump and the Russian oligarchs.
“I also don’t think that Trump would ever voluntarily leave office as Nixon did, even if he felt impeachment was imminent. I’m not even sure that he would willingly leave if he were impeached and the Senate moved to convict…”
What makes you think Trump would voluntarily leave office if he loses the 2020 election? During the campaign for the 2016 election, Trump claimed over and over again that he could not lose unless the election was rigged. He will naturally make the same claim throughout the next campaign, and against an opponent he undoubtedly will claim is illegitimate.
He’s already laid the groundwork for this by claiming millions of undocumented immigrants swung California to Hillary. Should “Pocahontas” or perhaps yet another "Muslim from Kenya" win the election, Trump will denounce and reject the result. And his base will blindly embrace it, with Fox “News” cheering them on.
Trump is a winner. Trump never loses. Only losers follow the law. Only losers voluntarily relinquish power.
Thus, we may well will face this issue, regardless of whatever happens with the Mueller investigation or the results of the 2020 election.
1
I believe that all historical storms can be traced to the gathering clouds. There were a lot of gears that turned before Pear Harbor. There were a lot of gears that had to turn before the guns of august wiped out a generation. As America's original sins added up to the Civil War, we now see the storm clouds gathering from every direction - Greed, selfishness, ignorance, racism, delusion, .... and these are now forming into a deadly storm.
I think that the loss of truth's underpinning has set us on a course of no return. Too many people are making too much money out of peddling lies. What started out as innocent "John Wayne - American Hero", went quickly into plastic surgery Jane Fonda's and steroid pickled Arnold Schwarzenegger's selling "Healthy Lifestyles" . That idea was picked up by big business and big religion and big politics. Now there is no more truth. "Image is everything" , said a media groomed Andre Agassi to kick off the Reagan years. Reagan was an actor.
Any doctor who tells you that you're going to die is instantly a bad doctor..... even if he's right. The truth hurts, Charles. Thanks for being a bad doctor.
I don't always agree with Mr. Blow but every single line of this article is right on the money.
Trump will leave the white house when the secret service informs him that he is no longer president and that he will be arrested as a trespasser if he doesn't vacate.
1
The “soft spots” for the Fake President will be the prospect of certain criminal exposure for members of his family, but probably even more so the likelihood that the Trump Organization, where his true love lies, would go out of business in a flurry of prosecutorial actions and civil lawsuits, thereby reducing him to complete “loser” status. In the forced deal of his life, Trump would bargain away his place in the Oval Office for some resolution of the above issues.
The story you guys published today about Comey testifying in private to the Republican congress men gives me little hope that they aren't gonna pull a nasty fast one to try and save the day before the new Congress happens.
Charles: You say: "If Trump was lying to or misleading the America people about his efforts to do business in Russia while running for president and the Russians knew — and presumably had evidence — that he wasn’t being completely honest and forthcoming, then he was compromised."
Hardly. A person is "compromised" if someone has information about the person that is not known to anyone else and, if revealed, would cause great harm or embarrassment to the person. The Russians are not the only ones who knew Trump wasn't being honest about the extent of his business in Russia, and certainly not the only ones who were aware of dishonesty on Trump's part. Moreover, any revelation that Trump did business in Russian and was dishonest about it is not particularly embarrassing or harmful, particularly to a serial liar like Trump. Does he seem embarrassed now that the information has been made public.
So you may want to dial down the "Trump is compromised by the Russians" claim. It makes you sound a bit hysterical.
2
Take a look at Rachel Maddows piece from 11/30. “The art of the compromise”
She lays it out succinctly.
I am so frustrated with articles like this.
Why is so hard for Americans to see what the rest of the world has been living in for years now? America has changed. It changed two years ago, when President Obama told you that Donald Trump was cheating and, as a country, the United States decided it didn't really care.
Since then, it's been America, the oath breaker. America, the back-stabber. America, the unreliable partner. America, the one whose word can't be trusted for more than two minutes. America, whose President will say one thing to your face and another the minute he's in Air Force One. America, buying UN votes from third world countries with famine aid. America, congratulating dictators on rigging elections. America, putting a literal price on the life of people they've promised to protect.
Why does your country keep thinking that you're "about" to hit the edge of a cliff, or "going" to enter a new age? It's been about two years. It's been a new age. America closed its eyes on Election Night 2016 and took two steps into the air.
It's not the beginning. It's just the natural progression of something that started quite a while ago. Think about it like pot of water on a hot stove. Eventually, it will boil. It doesn't matter if you have your eyes open or not.
1
"There is a precedent in the Nixon investigation. When the evidence of wrongdoing was clear and incontrovertible, people began to peel away, tails tucked and full of shame."
Up to a point, comparisons with RMN are valid. But let's not forget that Nixon was probably, apart from Bush 41, the most qualified president of the last century. He was competent, and a vote for Nixon was a rational choice. (Note I am not saying that it was a good choice.) When one makes a decision based on evidence, and the evidence changes, one can change the decision because rationality is like that. Thank the Enlightenment for that.
What evidence has changed about Trump? We know that he's an adulterous mendacious narcissistic thin skinned blowhard and we have a strong suspicion that he will ally himself with anyone, however odious, who he thinks might help him. Most of us, including those who voted for him, knew that in 2016. The evidence has not changed; and in a sense we can make the case that for those of us who wanted a (vide supra) blowhard president, the evidence only confirms and maybe even enhances his . . . blowhardness.
The worms turned against Nixon because the evidence changed. I do not expect them to so again, because Trump has not disappointed them.
I agree with Charles: he will not go quietly. Leaving equates as losing which his warped, fragile psyche could not tolerate. I fear violence .
Kelly has shown his callousness and loyalty, and the mythology of Mattis erodes with each accommodation ( "there is no smoking gun".) As military officers, they take orders which is why Trump hired them to begin with.
It has also been reported that the NRA and the Russians have been playing footsie. Trump knows that Putin will step in again especially if it offers the promise of greater damage.
There are tariffs imposed against Canada in the name of "national security". There are internment camps for children in the name of "national security" , an improvement of sorts after they were held in kernel cages. The intelligence agencies have been compared to "Nazis". An alternate reality is being created which both erases what we know and replaces it with what Trump wants.
Finally we know that McConnell and the GOP Congress will protect neither the Constitution nor the country or anyone registered as a Republican for that matter.
I dont understand how anyone could see any other resolution.
I, too, Mr. Blow, don’t think that MAGA Nation will turn on Donald Trump. He represents the worst of the American experience and they would sooner see Trump overthrow the rule of law and the Constitution and turn the White House into a fortress.
The MAGA legion gets its news from two main sources: Fox and Clear Channel. The featured commentators, Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh, respectively, are the sheriffs that grin and hand over the keys to the jail to the lynch mob. The prisoner (American justice) is dragged out, tortured, mutilated and hanged. A great circus. No remorse.
But far worse, to my way of thinking, is the complete capitulation of Congress. The Republicans on The Hill refuse to guarantee the Mueller investigation. Even with the legislative balance in the House shifting from right to left (and center) and the vital committee chairs changing hands, Matthew Whitaker may soon be empowered by the president to drown the baby in the bathtub.
Even if Special Prosecutor Mueller is working after the House makeup changes, we’re faced with a man who would dare the Senate to convict him and, on the doubtful chance that it would, he would defy the verdict. The Founders never envisioned a convicted president simply refusing the Senate’s decision. “I refuse to go,” now come get me.”
Can’t you imagine that? I can. And we’ll have anarchy and chaos and, maybe, martial law. We would descend to depths that would consign us to a national impoverishment undreamt-of before 2016.
3
Who cares how the Trump cult responds to Mueller's 100 smoking guns. The Trump cult is a maximum of 35% of voters. That's far fewer than the backers of George McGovern who lost the biggest landslide in American history in 1972 to Nixon. The best possible outcome of 100 smoking guns for the Dems would be for them to hold investigations on TV right up to Election Day, 2020, while the Republican Senators and their only base--Trump's cult--dig in their heels and absolutely refuse to move against the greatest traitor in American history. If this happens, ANY Democrat not cordially hated by half of America like the insufferable Hillary could beat Trump, and the Republicans would be crushed in both the Senate and the House. For the Republican Party, this punishment would fit their crime, because unlike Watergate, when the Republicans behaved more and more honorably as the investigation proceeded, and finally drove Nixon from power themselves, today the Republicans have been knowing, deliberate accessories to Trump's absurd and hapless effort to cover up his conspiracy crimes and utter treason against America. People have been shot for much, much less than Trump did and the Republicans helped cover up. Anyway, let 100 smoking guns bloom, let the Dems react in a measured, responsible way, and let Trump and the Republicans twist slowly, slowly in the wind until they are annihilated in 2020. People are so spooked by 2016 that they think Trump's small minority can win again. Sure.
What if the Trump tower Moscow deal never really got cancelled but went further underground but the real money for Flynn, Manafort, Papadopoulos and Page and Kushner etc. does not come from Trump’s vanity project in Moscow — it comes from opening up the natural gas pipe line under sanctions, Rosnet. So, by lifting the sanctions ASAP Trump family got money for his tower from sanctioned Russian banks but more importantly the others got huge kickbacks from Rosnet. So that’s why it had to happen so fast during the transition?
1
The hysteria coming out of NY, illustrated by this column and the accompanying comments, is amazing. You gave us this guy, and as far as most of us can tell, he's acting now exactly as led to his success in NYC. Perhaps a bit of looking inward is called for?
3
Indeed, Mr. Trump will be leaving office---likely in Jan. 2025.
A failed deal to create a Trump Tower in Russia causing the President to resign or be impeached ?
Simply bizarre wishful thinking by the news media and the rest of the Left.
2
Well said. I have a Trumpet friend, otherwise very intelligent and well travelled, and while he affectionately derides Trump.as a ''crass boob'', his hatred of Clinton and all Democrats in general is pathological (and incomprehensible, now that she is out of the picture), and he just can't let go. I would say that there is NOTHING we could discover about Trump that would make him decamp. And I mean NOTHING. The tribalism here is deep in the cortex. If we ever manage to oust the scoundrel, we will still have to contend with Trump's base.
1
I fear you are exactly right Charles. Trump won't leave office no matter what the legal issues presented against him are and he wouldn't leave if impeached either.
His ego is so outsized that he would sacrifice the well being of America rather than step down.
We are in a terrible bind.
My worry is what happens when Trump's world comes crashing down.What war or other conflict will he start to delay his ouster, Iran, N. Korea, civil war ? Will the powers that be stand up to him? There is nothing more dangerous than a cornered animal.
The problems posed in this article are ultimately resolvable only in the 2020 election.............
How will Trump supporters react in light of damaging evidence? I don't know, but maybe they will react the same as Hilary Clinton voters did when fairly significant evidence was shown that she broke the law and then obstructed justice by destroying her servers and emails, not to mention Benghazi and Uranium One. The sad thing is that voters - whether they support Trump, Clinton, Menendez or someone else - simply don't care about criminal activity on the part of politicians. We've become too used to corrupt politicians.
1
With the Trump takeover of the Rep party imagine what it would take for any Rep Senator to vote to convict. They would be out of the mainstream of the party and will get vilified by Trump, FoxNews, and Hate Radio. Then they may have to decide to not run again like Flake and other semi-decent congresspersons. Only the brave, or foolhardy, will dare not go down with the Trump ship. So, indeed, the real nightmare begins.
“In short, I don’t believe we are reaching the end of a nightmare, but rather we are entering one. This will not get easier, but harder.
The country is about to enter the crucible. This test of our republic is without a true comparison. And we do not have a clear picture of how the test will resolve. But, I believe damage is certain”.
Remarkably well expressed sentiment Blow, but I wish you had followed up these sentiments with more elaborate causes and effect relationship.
I instinctively feel that many happenings, not just in US but around the world, cannot be divorced from the convulsive fallout of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
Rapidity with which we are overwhelmed is indicated by the fact it was mere fifteen years back Obama said “There’s not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there’s the United States of America” such is ferocious of today’s right-wing political tribalism: the white identity politics that has mobilized around the idea of whites as an endangered, discriminated-against group.
There is pointed truth in Political Tribes by Amy Chua “Left is always trying to out left the last Left, the result can be a zero-sum competition over which group is the least privileged, an “Oppression Olympics” often fragmenting progressives and setting them against each other. Liberals have cried wolf too many times. If everything is racist and sexist, nothing is. When Trump, the real wolf, came along, no one listened.”
I have long believed that Trump will stop at nothing to protect himself, including waging war on, say, Grenada or Panama, to do so. GW managed to get his dirty little war going based on lies so that he could make himself appear presidential. That war still rages with no sign of abating. Trump is even more venal than GW, so we can expect even worse.
The only explanation about why Trump has been cozying up to Putin is that Putin does have compromising information on Trump, including sexual information. Whether or not that information will ever be totally revelaed is unknown.
It's always enlightening to come to the NYT and read the comments.
A llot of the comments fly in the face of reality with so many of them claiming indisputible evidence of Trump colluding with Russia despite the words of those who have been on the investigating committees, both Democrat and Republican stating that there is no evidence of collusion.
Of course a lot of the comments also foolishly claim that the investigation into Benghazi was a waste which points to unsurmountable bias among those who would even think such a thing. But then the NYT comments are always proof that if the Democrats spew their lines long enough and frequently enough that their voters will come to believe whatever they're told. As Ben Rhodes about that as he touted the effectiveness of the last administration's use of the 'echo chamber' tactic.
2
I have cajoled, tried to reason with and pleaded with through telephone calls, emails, and letters with my Gop rep and senators. Nothing works, they are all in with Trump and they do not blanch at all as Trump blows by each and every norm. In fact, Senator Crapo's support borders on the ridiculous as he has a counter on his website displaying the balloning national debt, even though he voted for Trump's budget busting tax bill. At one pont, I asked his young staffer if the senator intended to do anything regarding Trump's malfeasance. Her response was that would I would have to trust him. I laughed. At this point, I don't believe that the gop and Trump supporters have the collective wisdom of rats. Not only are they willing to go down with ship, they're activing drilling more holes, so it will sink faster.
1
Mr Blow, the evidence is accumulating, and if not for a GOP (Guaranteed Official Prevaricators) controlled House and Senate, he would be impeached by now and we would have the "christian" hypocrite Pence at the helm. Tell me how that would be any better.
I am concerned Trump is waiting for the week between Xmas and New Years to have Mueller fired. If he doesn't act before the new Congress convenes, he's doomed; having missed his window of opportunity.
I fear what will happen to this nation if and when the remainder of the awful truth is exposed about the Russian connection with Trump. Trust the Democrats will subpoena his tax returns and his illegal money-laundering deals with Deutsche Bank and the Russians will be exposed as well as his beholden status to Putin, and the murderous Saudi MBS (which was obvious to all but the most ignorant, and Trump's base).
Fox News: How can an organization call itself a news source then it is so obvious just a propaganda machine where facts are not welcome? How is it allowed to identify itself as "News" when it doesn't provide any news at all? I don't get it. Independent sources have identified facts are reported 10% of the time. That means 90% of what is verbalized are flat out lies! Certainly our forefathers didn't have that in mind. Why hasn't some organization taken their fact averse stance to court? They are frauds, phonies, and undermining democracy.
Unfortunately, the author is probably right. This is going to be hard, and slow.
Two hopeful items:
1. Below all of his traits, is cowardice. Trump will not likely endure the true adversity of an impeachment trial; and,
2. The end of this nightmare will be the most painful experience of Trump's life.
I wish I didn't agree.
Trump gave his intellectually challenged supporters the perfect answers to any argument: "Fake News" and "Witch Hunt". That's all they have to say; try arguing with a goat.
It's going to take years to undo the damage that has been done. This is proof the American experiment is failing, our Democratic Republic is actually pretty weak, the will of the people means nothing, really, and our Constitution is only as good as the party who chooses to abandon their oath to it.
Trump was not legitimately elected. The real question is what mechanisms do we put into place to prevent or remedy this type of perversion in the future?
How will the Trump boosters respond If Mueller finds a direct link from the Russians to Trump himself? That’s a rhetorical question. Right?
1
So he is "illegitimate" because you did't like the results of the election?
Seems to me that you are just in denial. Trump won the election, Hillary lost.
So Fox News is propaganda arm of Trump? So then is CNN, MSNBC, CBS, and others a propaganda arm of the DNC?
Trump was considering building a tower in Moscow. It never happened, Trump decided not to make the deal. That means that there was no business transaction, thus no business in Russia.
"We are reaching the end of a nightmare"? So the lowest unemployment rate in history is a nightmare? So 4% economic growth is a nightmare? So defeating ISIS is a nightmare? So lower taxes for all taxpayers is a nightmare? So getting qualified judges on the Supreme Court that will follow the Constitution is a nightmare?
Oh, and you want to talk about shame?
Why don't Democrats feel shame for the character assassination of Justice Kavanaugh? They knowingly made false assertions and attacked the man simply because they did not like his politics. They tried to destroy him on the sole basis that he was conservative.
They have shown no shame whatsoever for what they did, and will do so again on the next nominee.
4
I’m frightened by my own prediction. I believe Trump could hold a press conference and openly admit to lying, colluding, being a racist, and committing treasonous activities...saying he did it to make America great again.
He’d lose very little support from his acolytes.
I had always thought this thing would end with a bullit, heart attack or Coup de tete, my money on th elast option. Still not sure who launches the Coup, Trump claiming treason by those who wish to impeach him or the rest of government who are trying to follow the law. Like everything else. Trump touches, the GOP will go up in flames. All the hail the new Republic, and President Pelosi as she takes the seat as last man standing.
We will be lucky to get out of the Trump business without guns in the street. A family member who is obsessed with collecting guns has told family members...”you’ll want to know me when the trouble starts”.
The Trump believers (it's faith based) have already sunk to much emotional capital into the Trump cause. They cannot back out now. They will continue steadfast in the faith. Trump is the modern Huey Long, to paraphrase; the only way Trump can lose is if he is caught in bed with a live boy or a dead girl.
Nothing beats american politics for entertainment value.
I just have one procedural question, If Dodgy Don, the flat-footed draft dodger, pardons his little band of criminals in order to remove any pressure to testify against him, does that trally solve his problem? Can't they then be compelled to testify since, having been pardonned, they will have no right against self-incrimination?
Excellent thoughts however, those who have drunk the Koolaid are possibly forever lost. (A Jim Jones like effect) When I see GOP defense of what we see and know to be corruption, the twisting explanations and positions is embarrassing. And I agree this case is just beginning therefore 2020 Is when and how I believe this nightmare ends.
We currently have someone in office who will ever do like Nixon, resign. Also, he nor a single one of his nimps will ever admit their corrupt intent. This is the “Above the law and straight up to the line crossing bunch of crooked, swamp like mofia characters ever known to democracy and the USA.
This is when the founders original writings are tested and post this nightmare we shoulf amend and correct what our founders did not cover. It’s amazing we have made it thus far without this happening before. There are a lot of holes and gaps T purged (he and his Russian minions). Russia not only compromised the candidate and their campaign, they also exposed the vunderable ideas of democracy. Democracy is truly a principle of ideal ideas set forth by the founders.
I now know how important checks and balances are, how truly functional separate yet equal branches of government is and finally the importance of an independent from executive branch the DOJ is. We have much work to do. It is time to rewrite and amend the constitution to reflect never repeating this era in history to Include: electoral college, Gerrymanand & voter suppression
As with the nightmare of Richard Nixon, the presidency and the republic will survive...and be the better for it, for a while.
1
Innocent or guilty, Trump is in no way fit to be president. Even if he was not incompetent, we can’t tolerate a guttersnipe as our chief executive.
Here's what I would tell Trump supporters:
Yes, you are angry at us. YYou hate how superior we think we are. Fine. You can keep that. But this president isn't serving us. Moveover, he isn't serving you. We need a leader/leaders who will serve the entire country. Not one side and certainly, not the Russians or his business.
Keep your hate, if you want to. But please give up on having the president express it for you. An angry boss is not going to make America great again. We are.
1
A lot of his supporters scream that they are patriots so there should be a shift in their support when proofs are offered, even more proofs than we have now, that Trump would put himself above the interests of America.
I think if he is faced with enough indictments he will resign because Cadet Bone Spurs is a bully which means he is a coward at heart. He is also 73 years old and is not planning to retire to a fed prison that only has orange jumpsuits for social attire.
1
How would Americans who support Trump now respond?
They will continue to support him until they find a new champion, a new hero who will understand their plight and fight for them. Not that he is or does all of that, but it's what they believe or want to believe.
He has pandered to the .1% while railing against the "elites", comforted the racists while demonizing all of "them"and promised to restore the good old days for all the people who were rendered useless or irrelevant by globalization and automation.
Of course he lied about all f the above. Tax cuts don't pay for themselves and don't create jobs and the good old days, ( white supremacy or factory jobs) aren't coming back. Some of his supporters know this but Trump is their only hope and when you have but one saviour, you cling to him.
So yes, things will get uglier before all this madness is over.
1
Trump will need to be escorted out of the White House. He will NEVER go willingly.
Interesting, does anyone know whether, if he were to be found guilty and impeached or imprisoned, whether his appointments to the bench would be invalidated?
I think Trump's fate will be resolved at the ballot box, not through impeachment. Indeed, having seen how the country rallied around Clinton twenty years ago, I think Trump WANTS to be impeached and is actively goading the Democrats into impeaching him. Perhaps we shouldn't be playing his game?
I cannot understand how there is so much MSM concern over President Trump's possible collusion with Russia during the election while totally ignoring the illegal actions of our own FBI/Justice Department under President Obama during the same election. After the fiasco I witnessed during the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings I have concluded Democrats are capable of almost anything , legal or not, in order to further far left causes. If we don't start applying the "Equal Justice for All" standard I feel the future of our Republic may be in danger. The difference between Democrats and Republicans is that during the eight years of Obama most Republicans and Independents hoped for the best and brightest future for our country while during the two years of Trump most Democrats are wishing for our country's demise in hopes of having Trump removed from office. If you want proof just read the other comments.
2
@Ron wright
Maybe they hoped for the best but in the meantime they obstructed any and every action by Obama.
"How would Americans who support Trump now respond to evidence that Team Trump put their own personal and financial interests over the national interest?"
It is unlikely that Democrats will move forward with impeachment unless at least a fair number of Republican house members are willing to vote for it. They will not want this to be seen as a partisan move.
1
Since the deal never happened and even Mr. Blow says there is no evidence to support the charge why NYTs effort to make it seem that Putin has blackmail power over Trump. Certainly there are Russian crooks hovering around the Trump crew and they would love to cash on a corrupt deal but that is far from what Blow wants to assert. Clearly Putin hasn't gained much of anything from Trump's presidency. Trump seems to want to push the US into a confrontation over Ukraine. The belligerence of Pelosi and Schumer towards Russia is more white hot but the fact remains that Trump has been in step with them.
3
Excellent column and questions. But the question that really haunts me is this: What happens when Trump is actually shown the door?
What happens when Trump loses his re-election bid in 2020? What happens when he is impeached and convicted? What happens when those around him finally decide that continuing to support him is costlier to them than putting an end to this horror show of a Presidency and proceed to remove him from office under the 25th Amendment? Because one of those things is going to happen. And for the life of me I can't imagine Trump vacating the office willingly, can't imagine him not making one last, desperate appeal to his base and his supporters, foreign and domestic, while barricading himself in the oval office, issuing a call to arms and to destruction, figuratively and literally.
This is a man incapable of grace, incapable of humility, incapable of even just seeing the writing on the wall and making a calculated decision to cut his losses. The only thing Trump is interested in is "winning" and and anything that smells of defeat provokes an animalistic response completely devoid of reason.
I hope that those "adults in the room" that are supposedly protecting us from Trump's worst impulses are up to the task of protecting the country from what Trump is going to undoubtedly attempt to unleash the minute he realizes he has, actually, lost.
1
This is wild speculation. While all we have around trump is theories, we have another candidate the paid a foreign national for a dossier on her competition. Clearly collusion, nothing has been done.
2
It is time for all good people to stop wringing their hands and hoping that Trump will be stopped by Mueller or his base or the Senate. We must get busy and take up the fight for our nation at the grassroots. Organize and fight for America.
1
Is there anything Trump could do turn off his Lovers? It won’t be Mueller’s report, the sworn statements from his associates or impeachment. It will be Trump’s own deterioration as each step of his demise grows nearer. Trump’s instability - his narcissistic personality disorder - will cause him to eventually turn on everyone. And that’s when his base will finally turn on him. The only question is; can our nation withstand the tyrannical destruction of all in his path until he inevitably shows everyone exactly who and what he is.
There is a constitutional answer to DJT and his minions and we saw the beginnings in the 2018 midterms. Slowly but surely the American people are waking to the damage being caused to our constitutional democracy by Trump and the GOP by supporting him. The continuing flow of indictments coming from the Special Prosecutor's office and the number of guilty pleas lays waste to the lies emanating from the Oval Office. If congress will not reign in lying DJT, then the American people will speak again loudly in 2020 and I expect will not be pretty for the GOP. Lying, voter suppression, and gerrymandering is not a winning strategy.
Charles, let it go. Please. How can you not see that Mueller has nothing relating to the central purpose of his investigation, and keeps that investigation going solely to harass Trump?
3
I agree with Mr. Blow. This could unravel into something much worse than a Constitutional crisis. If and when the law comes for Trump he will surely defy it and will not hesitate to call his core supporters to protest with violence. The most vile of his supporters are actually hoping for this. It may be better for the republic if Mueller's findings are made public before the 2020 election and Trump is voted out. Removing him from office before that time will be unlike any other test to our democracy has faced.
We don't know exactly what Mueller will present to us but it will surely show Trump in a very bad light. Let's assume for a moment that it will be so bad that a substantial majority will exclaim: "He's a traitor!"
So 60 to 70% would believe this. There will, of course, be some geographic variation so in some parts a majority will support Trump but then there will be other parts where 80% view him as a traitor.
I don't see how he could survive politically in such an environment. It would take a little more than a third Of Republican senators to actually remove him from office. After a trial in the Senate where all the evidence against him will be presented. A trial that would transfix the nation.
For at least the more confident or avid Trump supporters there is no collusion , no ethical boundary, no scandal, incident(s), no evil too great in which he may be involved in any level!!!! This is because the perceived end justifies these means especially now when there is so much hurdle and challenge and sometimes even chaos that it would just take too long or be too unlikely for the 'end' or needed change or whatever the goal. For example a supporter may retort "When my family's security is threatened or my lifeline to support my family is at risk, this must come first, its the lessor of two evils for us".
What Charles exhorts may very well be true of Trump and his tribal followers but it is hard to imagine even the complicit Lindsey Graham and Mitch McConnell types hanging with him as the facts continue to emerge. There will no longer be a political advantage in statewide races, even KY and SC. What will be fun to watch is Graham and McConnell twisting in the wind trying to rationalize their longstanding complicity with their new found patriotism. Maybe Graham is practicing with his born again Khashoggi outrage. I predict will Mitt Romney will attempt to lead the Republican party in this process.
1
A majority of the population won't stand for Nixon-like criminal misconduct by Trump. There's been lots of reporting to that effect, but less in the way of formal criminal allegations or findings. Still, Trump couldn't act more guilty if he tried, and his lawyers have stipulated he can't testify under oath because he can't help lying.
So, the majority of Americans are just waiting patiently for the wheels of justice to reveal the full provable degree of Trump's illegal behavior. But, due to our constitutional reverence for the presidency, real consequences will devolve to the political and judicial arenas.
I expect the White House to vigorously oppose subpoenas and other 'infringements' on executive privilege. Our newly minted SCOTUS and federal courts, stacked with right wing ideologues, just might roll over for a wannabe fascist dictator. Btw, if Gorsuch and Kavanaugh have closeted skeletons, Trump knows.
The new Democratic House, with sufficient irrefutable evidence, will easily pass articles of impeachment. But the highly partisan Senate will be the judge and jury. The saving grace may turn on the 22 Republicans up for re-election in 2020. With the exit of McCain, Flake and Corker, and Graham a newly minted zombie, I'm not expecting profiles in courage from the R caucus.
But there's nothing like political survival to shape one's view of evidence and the law. If re-election prospects fade, Senate leaders may force Trump to exit. That's probably our best hope.
Sometimes it feels hopeless that justice will prevail. Sometimes I just hope New York will implement the justice that this White House deserves. No pardons there.
With all the lies and flip flops of our Congress, and the "trouble" involved with impeachment, it really feels like we are already in a nightmare state.
One moment a politician will stand against Trump and days later he/she is supporting Trump. Mind boggling as to why they make a statement and suddenly flip flop. Happens all too frequent. Something fishy indeed. And it isn't putting our country first.
I believe you are right in your assessment. Trump will not stop for anything, and is laying the groundwork for a civil war.
1
Mr. Blow, I sadly think you are right. Trump hasn't either the self-reflection or the modesty (we wouldn't be in this mess if he did) to do what is right for the country. Many of his supporters' idea of patriotism is that one can't kneel for the anthem but it is okay to collude with a foreign power to keep "that woman" out of office. The cognitive dissonance of castigating Clinton for her great sin of the emails doesn't strike many of Trump's supporters as hypocritical as they have no desire to "lock" Ivanka "up." I fear that Trump will involve us in a horrible foreign violent skirmish to distract from the Mueller probe. We just have to hope that our system holds.
This nightmare belongs to Donald Trump, and it began the day he decided to run for president. Maybe he didn't think he could win? Maybe he was just trying to promote his brand by exploiting some free air time? Then maybe he just couldn't let go? And maybe this will prove to be a fatal mistake?
Trump is far worse than Nixon: Nixon was implicated in a domestic burglary while Trump may have colluded with a hostile foreign power. Still, the odds Trump will be both impeached and convicted are anyone's guess. We may have to wait until Trump is voted out of office. But either way, time is not on his side.
An important lesson in being careful what you wish for, and one that has played out over and over again for those who think they can get away with it. What time is it? Perhaps the beginning of the end. And where to go when there is nowhere left to go? At least Trump's color will match his jumpsuit. Assuming there is any justice left in our world.
1
Not only is the damage "certain," it has already been done: The day Trump was sworn in as POTUS.
This country survived a Civil War, a Great Depression, and a lost war in Southeast Asia. I feel confident that it will survive this sociopathic hoodlum, although it may take time for Americans to again find some common ground.
Worse than DJT is the deep-seated legacy of slavery that still drives our economic life. Those at the bottom are still regarded as less human that those at the top. This is regardless of skin color. The result is near slave wages for those who do the actual work, and breathtaking incomes (e.g., three million dollars per hour for each of the Koch brothers!) for the presumably more worthy rich people.
And there is the fanatical belief in absolute free enterprise, which is also destroying this country. It's fine when one is selling deodorant, but not when it harms others. The runaway costs for housing is the most glaring example. Prices go up. Sellers make a windfall. And others not so lucky are driven out and end up in tent encampments. Controls are absolutely needed in order to put a check on greed.
1
Your allusion to Henry Miller's The Crucible in your final paragraph is absolutely dead right-on. The ironic difference is that it is the Trump-mob of the bewitched who are the Banshees of decency and democracy. They have confused impulse driven reaction with real decision making. And as they are addicted to feeling of power that with blind obedience to impulse, they will fight to hold onto that power and will remain loyal to it, even it it is proved to be a lie. Loyalty to reason and addiction impulse are locked in battle. People don't change. Nobody in Miller's Crucible changes, which is why it's a powerful reference. It's up to us, not the characters on the theatrical or political stage to change and now it's up to us to contemplate how we are going to do that -- that is, to rip the suicidal impulses right out of their hands.
1
One more ending question should have been written: "Will Trump move out of the White House if he losses the election?"
This would be clearer if the problem was limited to Trump. The entire GOP, led by people like the actively bad McConnell and the passively bad Ryan and dangerous committe chairmen like Devin Nunes, owns at least as big a part of this mess. This is the perfect storm of self-interested shallow people in power. I'm hoping that a Democratically led House will start to tamp things down towards normal. I certainly think Pelosi is more up to such a challenge than Schumer.
I remain puzzled by the fact -- as clearly corrupt and compromised as Individual 1 was known to be during the election -- that Individual 1 was then allowed to proceed to the inauguration, take the oath of office, continually violate it by lying, cheating and stealing in broad daylight while doing senseless harm to the reputation and the people of this country and the people of the world. It's going to take way more than the scaffolding in that photo to set matters right once more.
As our democratic republic nears the ominous inflection point foretold in this excellent column, will FOX fuel/sustain the 40 percent of the country that polls indicate would still vote for Trump?
Or, will Murdoch/Murdoch's offspring pull the plug on this travesty of a news outlet that fuels the Republican deplorables and undermine their cash cow?
The media has been remiss in not focusing more on the man behind Fox, and who arguably played a more significant hand than Putin and Comey in making Trump possible. It was always Murdoch; Ailes was his front man. Murdoch has poisoned the well. Will he back off?
What will happen if there is no collusion found?
2
Trump's motives are a bit puzzling. Sure, they involve ego and power and money. But why would a putative multi-billionaire be so obsessed, at such great risk, with a building in Moscow that would earn him mere millions? Unless he isn't a multi-billionaire. If that were the case, he is going to such great lengths to defend the one thing he cares about.
The only guards at the gate to prevent this are the free press, the judicial system, the Congress, the FBI, and us. The United States Military, now perfectly aligned to harm unarmed women and children, is the first test of the very deep rabbit hole soon to come. What will the military do when asked to murder anyone who crosses the border? What will the military do when asked to arrest Mueller? They are the next tested pillar to either rise or fall with the rest of us. McConnell could care less. He will be the first to run out the Senate door with his unexplained millions to Canada and beyond, along with the rest of the billionaire class. No visas turned away for the Wall Street crowd. They have no need for a nation of laws. Too messy. They win best when freedoms are arranged and manipulated; not legislated. Always have, always will. Trump has been an unexpected shiny object in their web too. It's not just Russia.
1
Your obsession with Trump makes you miss the forest for the trees.
When Trump will be gone the republican party will still be around. That’s the real problem.
2
This is the wrong time for people to try to go non-partisan, as the "No Labels" movement would have us do. Their whole rationale is that both parties are broken and only interested in their own political advantage. They claim they just want to solve problems and work for the good of the country.
In a way they're worse than die-hard Trumpers, because they are avoiding the necessity of making a moral choice. They are engaged in willful blindness to avoid having to choose.
The big problem that needs solving is what to do about the Republican Party. The leadership is still solidly behind Trump - to the point where it should be asked what did they know and when did they know it - and at one point does that become collusion?
Further, the policies that are being pursued under Trump are policies that any Republican president would be pursuing:
• tax cuts for the rich
• deficits as far as the eye can see
• cuts to safety net programs - Social Security, Medicare, Medicacaid, ACA
• a war on the environment
• Climate Change Denial
• unregulated corporatism
• packing the courts with activist conservative judges
• open racism and xenophobia,
• saber rattling instead of diplomacy
• deliberate sabotage of voting rights through suppression, etc.
• Right wing media aiding and abetting all of the above with lies, disinformation, and provocation.
Trump is the biggest elephant in the room - but the rest of the GOP herd can't be ignored either. They are all culpable at this point.
I believe that part of the endgame will involve resignation. Then, A pardon by Pence. Otherwise when this nightmare ends, the affair will lead to Trump in jail.
1
What if "what if" is true and it somehow leads to better relations between the US and Russia and coincidentally benefits the US? Is that a good or bad thing?
When Senate Republicans listened to tapes of Nixon talking about obtaining funds to pay for the silence of the Plumbers who were in prison, they called him (believe it or not) "deplorable." Mitch McConnell is a republican of a different stripe, whose loyalty to trump is unwavering in any circumstance. Even if the House brought impeachment charges on unambiguous evidence of high crimes, McConnell would not allow a conviction. In the court of public opinion, Fox would not allow a conviction. (Absurd to think Fox would suffer if trump were to fall. It would strengthen them.).
If trump tried to stay in the WH in the face of Congressional conviction, SCOTUS ruling, or election loss, it would take the Secret Service to uphold the Constitution and physically get him out of there. With the likes of Limbaugh, Hannity et al at the megaphone, I fear we will look like Paris does about now, or worse.
Money. If it is proven that Trump is in hock to Russians via debts and has engaged in "willful ignorance" (criminal) money-laundering for Russian clients, plus directly linked tax evasion crimes, the tide will turn. Money speaks. Money crimes are very easy to understand once they are made public, and the "base" will turn to post-Trump mindsets. Mueller is onto most of this, and the clincher may well be the Russians themselves who will realize that Trump is no longer useful (and crazy to boot) and corroborate the evidence of financial criminality.
i don't think Trump personally colluded with the Russians, but he didn't need to -- his relatives and acolytes did all the dirty work. He certainly encouraged them, though.
Impeachment is almost certain not to get past the Senate -- and if it did, we'd be stuck with Pence, who's worse -- and would have better prospects in 2020.
2
People from manufacturing, mining, and farming areas of the country who voted for Trump did so in large part because they feel their voices are not being heard. They tolerated his bust-up of the Ten Commandments and his racism, not because they liked it (yes, a few did), but because people who work physically hard for a living feel ignored. Trump was a useful bullhorn. His impeachment and Constitution-trampling won't matter.
Trump seems to be a craven boot-licker for the Saudis and Putin. Many of his former voters, who ARE good people who love our country and its principles, have begun abandoning the truly racist, traitorous Trumpists, as the midterm elections show.
The center-left media have a critical role to play NOW. Trump's criminal behavior is nearly stale news. The media must stop microanalyzing Trump's tweets and his frowny faces at pep rallies and start interviewing more manufacturers, structural engineers, small and medium-sized farmers, and workers from coal areas. Labor union leaders must be regulars on TV panels of analysts and in newspaper columns. Ban the use of "fly-over country" and other derogatory terms that just feed the Trump Beast.
When the ignored voices reach big audiences, the constitutional crisis will end. Roads and bridges will be will flourish (even in coal country), farms will grow and sell healthier food. Good jobs, respect, & health are what Americans of all political stripes long for. Focus!
3
The Electoral College should be held responsible for creating this awful mess. This method of selecting a president should be abolished.
1
Trump is not the problem. He is a symptom of the problem. The problem in America is the political influence of the Christian evangelicals and thier hypocrisy. While our western society looks suspiciously towards other groups like muslims, migrants and LGBT, we are being attacked from within.
Religion and politics are now intertwined, and society will pay a heavy price for it.
"The best lack all convictions, and the worst are full of passionate intensity".
1
I love Charles Blow's articles, but these days, in the days of Trump, I am filled with angst about reading them.
I am a lawyer, and understand how hard it is to prove a criminal conspiracy.
But regarding Trump, most of the elements are already present, even intent.
But I do not know what will happen to the Mueller investigation, under this incompetent and barely schooled Attorney General.
Which brings me back to Charles Blow's succinct articles.
Their stark truths are terrifying and sobering.
Thinking folk are reminded once again, that the president, our president, might be a criminal.
That he is probably being blackmailed and controlled by Russia.
Our president is actively destroying our world dominance, and wrecking our democratic institutions and our democracy.
He is cheered on by the propaganda TV station, Fox News, and our own representatives to Congress, as he creates bedlam.
It gives me ZERO pleasure to read these articles. It's truths are non partisan and distressing.
4
I expect more from the country. Trump is playing President not being one. This is a call to arms across the country. We aren't just dealing with an accidental President but a phony one. He's a playboy and a property developer who was only seeking to impress the Russians. Ever since Atlantic City he has depended on foreign money for his investments. Once Congress begins its investigations into this Administration they won't be able to stop. One thing will simply lead to another. More and more people will come to realize Trump has replaced the swamp with a cesspool. .
1
The world and trump supporters already know team Trump put their own personal and financial interests over the national interest as does the GOP congress. They have excepted this because they get what they want, tax cut for the rich, judges picked from the conservative foundation's list, cuts in the social safety net and environment protection, cuts to the ACA, etc. They have made a deal with the devil and don.t want him to go!!
1
Given a choice between impeachment and resignation, President Trump may choose the latter as did Mr Nixon 40 years ago. Of course Mr McConnell will not allow impeachment until voters threaten to remove him and his caucus to boot. So be it.
Tho it is enjoyable to witness the President's fall from grace, It is hardly time to celebrate or lower the gloves. On the contrary, it's time to step up the assault on the President, the Majority Leader and the all those who shamelessly excuse this corrupt and scandalous administration..
The Russian Trump Tower is a rouse. It is a cover for continuing Russian help in the Trump campaign. If caught last back up explanation is we tried to do business and it didn't work out. This is where we are at. Trump is caught lying, he did try and get rid of sanctions and the jig is up. The only question is what to do about it.
Trump's minions will do what Fox tells them to do, so the rest of us, in the event of a political calamity, will have to pressure Fox by boycotting their advertisers. Starve the beast.
There won't be a civil war because most blue collar Trump supporters will walk away from any suggestion of violence.
Everything else depends on the scope and quality of the evidence Mueller and his prosecutors present in the next year.
If it becomes completely clear that Trump is a lying criminal guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors the Republican Party will look to save itself and vote Trump out of office.
The real civil war will beside the Republican party.
Everything hinges on whether Pence is implicated by Mueller. Pence is a holier-than-thou Puritan, a “true believer” who has nothing in common with the Vulgarian in Chief. He signed on to be Trump’s VP because he knew Trump was such a disaster that this could be his big break to make it to the Oval Office the easy way. If Pence isn’t implicated, and he smells blood in the water, look for Pence to be the one who initiates the internal Republican movement against Trump.
Nothing. If it is proven nothing is going to happen. If anyone thinks The Republican Senate is going to hold a trial to impeach Trump they are dreaming.The same Senate that would not give Obama's Supreme Court pick a vote for over a year? Even if Trump was on Putin's Christmas gift list his base could care less. I believe you need 66 Senators to impeach a president Can any body name the almost 20 GOP Senators who would grow a spine and vote to impeach Trump? Senator Flake is going to be out of a job next year because he dared say some unfaltering things about Trump.Sanford of South Carolina is also out of work because he crossed Trump. There are GM workers destined to lose their jobs some as a direct result of Trump's tariffs who can;t blame him. Trump has magical hold on a large amount of White America that could care less if he is a scoundrel. Believing that Trump will actually be impeached is like believing in the Tooth Fairy.
1
The questions asked should not even be thought of in the context of Donald Trump's supporters. It's the rest of us who will have to ponder the obvious: Can our institutions ever be trusted again?
The "learned-uselessness" of Congressional Republicans has rendered one branch of government infirm; perhaps a whole generation of Republicans will have to die before the proverbial few-good-men-and-women among their progeny can be found.
Robert Mueller is literally using band-aids and legal triage to trudge through to the truth; even then, "Deals" of the kind that spare out-right thieves & thugs from rotting in prison (like so many others)is the mother of necessity in order to find the truth. This should not be.
As far as Trump's people? They will have to decide what to do on their own. He won't be president forever. Will they see their folly or latch on to another?
Whether we admit it or not, we as a nation has already allowed Trump to repeatedly trample the law of the land. Yes, he couldn’t have done it without his many enablers in the Congress, and in the Trump Propaganda Department, aka Fox News. And finally, we the people are his greatest enablers. Say what we want about Trump supporters, GOP core voters, etc. They are all part of us, part of what this country is made of.
If, and I certainly hope it is not “when”, Trump declares that all votes against him and his GOP lawmakers are illegal, illegitimate, and otherwise invalid, and that his support is truly 95%, who is going to stop him from staying for a second, and why limit to second? Third and many more terms? After all, we the people allow him to openly flaunt the law, and those who oppose him often take the attitude that “let’s wait for his term to end” and “surely the American voters will wake up and end this nightmare” and so on, while his Propaganda Department continues to build up the base.
No, this will not end well for those who are waiting for this nightmare to be “over”. For this republic is already damaged so severely that the idea of this being “over” amounts to a patient with a total lobotomy has finally “recovered.”
Charles, besides the points you describe as obvious is this glaringly obvious point you did not bring out: the 40% of voters behind Trump pay attention only to the propaganda produced by the Mercers, the Kochs, the Adelsons, the Uihleins etc, the billionaire owners of the GOP, Fox, Limbaugh, Alex Jones, numerous evangelists, paranoid conspiracy blogs, etc.
Whatever facts yet to come, the only “facts” they can accept are those provided that way. They aren’t swayed by anything Trump is “said to have done” by other sources.
As for the rest of us; we don’t need to hear any more. We’ve got it. But until the disinformation machine is shut down, the 40% will absorb only its bonkers perverted portrayal.
1
It's a fact of nature that rats do run from a sinking ship. They do not correct course nor have the ability to navigate from stormy waters. The facts are coming out, cleverly and indelibly played Mueller. This may be painful, but America will prevail.
Trump supporters are those whom Brown v. Board of Education, voting rights, welfare, affirmative action and so forth are laws they abhor. Trump is thumbing his nose at the law and gets away with it, and it meets with their approval. Note too, republican led state legislatures are also bending the law to remove the impact of social contract laws that benefit the under privileged and poor.
So it matters little if Trump is impeached and frog-marched out of the White House ... his supporters will just get angrier. They will refuse to accept the rule of law because they've seen it can be ignored and there are people with the political power to defend them in their resistance.
1
"What if Donald Trump or those closest to him were compromised by the Russians or colluded with them?"
The sad reality, I believe, is that the Trump supporter, be it the 1% that benefit from his tax cuts, or the evangelical that wants courts packed with Federalist Society judges who want to overturn Roe, or the angry, white man who fears the "invasion" of foreigners, will not care.
If there were one true spoken thing out of the President's mouth, it was that he could shoot someone on 5th Ave, and no one would care.
1
Will Trump supporters abandon ship? Some may, though they will be described in Trumpian terms as "weak." From discussions with hard-core Trump fans, many will ignore evidence of wrongdoing, cheering ahead because whatever calamity he may bring on himself, his family, his business, he will have rolled back regulations, curbed "handouts" to the undeserving needy, vigorously attacked the feared and hated immigrant hoards and viciously mocked those who would take the nation on the downward path to "socialism."
All things being relative, it will be as if someone committed a murder -- "but at least he didn't slice up the victim in the process." You're excused, President Trump. Go with head held high.
Doug Giebel, Big Sandy, Montana
1
This column is pointless scaremongering. Just because human beings cannot know the future -- a point that needs to be continually stressed in these discussions -- doesn't mean we need to wallow in the imagining of our worst fears.
For what we have here is a succession of "But what if ... ?" scenarios, that come across like someone hyperventilating about the worst possible imagined futures.
Now that a good midterm is behind us, and Mueller continues to move forward, my suggestion is that we take a deep, cleansing breath, and say to ourselves, like the Brits do in such circumstances: "Steady on."
2
The same man who unashamedly asked “why wouldn’t I do a deal with America’s enemy while running for office?” will certainly try to take us all down with him.
Look what you have done, Rupert Murdoch, look what you have done.
1
This sober look into a dark future by Charles M. Blow reaches a conclusion which many of us have reached privately and have discussed only with close friends.
Donald Trump has been compromised by the Russians, and that fact is becoming obvious to anyone who is paying attention. If Trump faced imminent removal from office, it would mean ruin for many powerful individuals and organizations that are in too deep in their efforts to prop up someone revealed as a traitor.
Donald Trump is a man without any compunctions about doing anything necessary to avoid leaving office, even if that means bringing the nation down and causing blood to be spilled.
This is not likely to end well for any American, but it will get worse if we do not press onward.
1
It was clear Candidate Trump had been compromised by Russia during the Republican presidential primaries.
Trump’s election was a rejection of American, human, and democratic values and still, Republicans put Party first and our country’s values last.
The GOP-led Congress has mostly failed in its responsibilities to pursue serious oversight of presidential and Executive Branch abuses of power and in conducting serious investigations of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Party first. Country last.
If Trump’s business interests in Russia were totally aboveboard and legitimate, why has everyone around him lied about them?
If Trump’s presidential campaign had truly innocent contact with Russia and agents for Russian interests, why is everyone involved lying about them? Why did Jared Kushner want to set up secure communications the US could not monitor in a Russian compound in the US using Russian equipment? Did Russians supply intelligence to the Trump campaign to increase his election chances in return for lifting sanctions? Michael Flynn’s transition conversations with the Russian ambassador confirmed the latter. Heck, even I suspected the US likely monitors communications of Russian diplomats. Flynn had to have known, considering his former military career, and did not care, and lied anyway when confronted. Jeff Sessions lied. George Papadopoulos lied. Paul Manafort lied. Trump lies constantly. Trump first. Country last. Promises made; promises kept?
Trump was compromised long before Russia ever extended their feelers. He is the essence of "compromised" by his very lack of moral compass, understanding of the job of POTUS, history as a bankrupt fraud, and his phony rags to riches bio. Russia would prefer him to be neutered by innuendo than completely dismissed by facts. Either way they win. We lose.
Mr. Blow's eloquent soliloquy evokes a sorrowful moral conscience for our fallen nation. If only President Trump had a conscience or perhaps a soul with which to register this stark warning. I believe Mr. Blow has laid out a case for our collective dystopian nightmare that is more than logical, but based on an analysis of the past circumstances versus the future shock of the present which is a fertile breeding ground for a authoritarian dictator like Trump to ascend. It is so ironic that a wealthy and prosperous nation like ours that leads the world in the "information age" could be so susceptible to being ravaged by a greedy thuggish mafioso wannabe like Donald Trump. Apparently the Constitution has been a guiding light since inception but has enough flaws to allow for an amoral power hungry despot to lie to the American people and possibly get away with it right in front of our eyes, while lesser men get a life sentence for stealing a loaf of bread or selling loose cigarettes on a New York sidewalk. The metaphor of entering into a Crucible is so poignant as we are all, as a country, being morally tested. I hope it does not end reminiscent of the actual Salem witch trials where the entire population acquiesced and refused to speak out against the degradation of their town's collective soul even as their neighbors, wives, sisters and daughters were hanging in the public square. Just as in that era, the highly religious were the most eager to commit moral atrocities.
I think the collusion with Putin, while outrageous, is hardly the nightmare that keeps us awake and wary.
The nightmare is Trump swinging a sledgehammer on whim and with no regard for consequences or Constitution. In his capricious and cynical grip are the lives of millions -- including his acolytes -- who never signed up for any of this.
He lied on Inauguration Day when he swore to uphold the Constitution of which he knows little, understands less, and cares about not at all. He's President of a nation without any sense or respect for its history, its promise or its problems. He bristles at Great Americans who actually put America first. He spits out his contempt for soldiers who died fighting so Trump can trash everything they fought for with impunity and a sneer.
It's the prerogative of the idle rich to fantasize about absolute power to do as they like with no regard for others. The real value of money is the power it gives the rich to act without consequence. But they don't have the right to hijack America for a pointless joy ride off the cliff just for kicks.
I'm no Constitutional scholar but it seems obvious that it assumes a constituency of authentic, informed and capable leaders who represent the people, and swear fealty to the Constitution and the rule of law.
No one gave Trump free license to turn upside down a world he knows and cares little about.
He doesn't get to color outside the lines because he's a spoiled rich brat with issues.
3
Former President Obama assured the American nation, prior to the 2016 election, that no interference had taken place.
Perhaps, in next week's column, Mr. Blow can address the incompetence that led to this conclusion. Alternatively, if the assurances by President Obama at the time were correct, it is necessary to re-visit the whole scope of the Russian Collusion accusations.
It would be good if Mr. Blow could identify a single voter whose vote was swayed by the Russian Collusion. It would be sooooooo interesting to hear from that voter "Yep, I was ready to vote for Hillary Clinton, was about to hit the button to show my support, when suddenly, out of nowhere, a persuasive message came at me from Vladivostok (though I'm not sure where that is) telling me to vote for Donald Trump. It was the strangest thing."
3
I believe the evidence already shows that Trump conspired to defraud the United States of America by colluding with the Russians, a hostile foregin power, to install him as President. That is the highest treason ever committed against this country by any individual. The penalty for treason still allows for putting someone convicted of that crime to death. In Trump's case, he must be tried and, if found guilty, this man must suffer the severest penalty. In this case the absolute loudest and clearest message must be sent to prevent anyone from ever attempting to repeat what Trump has done.
1
Here is a plain truth about America that I read in my Swedish newspaper, DN, on Monday, December 3, 2018 (my translation) as written by Lisa Magnusson.
“Average life expectancy in the USA declines for the third year in a row, and is now 78.6 years, which is three years lower than in comparable countries...drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death among adults up to 55 years of age…just last year 70,000 Americans died, primarily thanks to fentanyl, which is more than the total during the wars in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq…”
If you read the Atlantic, or the CDC reports, then you, New York Times reader, know these truths, and know that even before release of a Mueller report, we have already entered many American nightmares, declining life expectancy being just one of them.
And yet the present administration sees Iran as its favorite threat to American life and is willing to give its full support to Saudi Arabian killers of an individual and a population – in Yemen - in case we go to war with Iran and need a Saudi ally.
We, the American people, or at least a large fraction of same, are our own true enemies. Even the truths that you, Charles Blow, point to and that may be revealed further by a Mueller report will not change that.
Who can?
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Citizen US SE
2
This is the sad truth that even with incontrovertible evidence proving trump committed a crime it means nothing. He could be holding the smoking gun with a dead body at his feet and it would mean nothing. If no one holds him accountable it means nothing. There is evidence that climate change is real but trump says no it's a lie, when water comes inside your home after the next hurricane, or your house burns after the next fire, you can pretend its not really happening at all! Let's drill in the arctic instead.
No Charles the beginning of the end was November 8, 2016 when Truth died.
2
If there's a moral line in the sand Republicans will not cross, we may need a Mars lander to find it. As long as Fox and sheer tribalism keep Trump's numbers with Republican voters strong, I am not a bit confident congressional Rs wouldn't furrow their brows over a declaration of martial law. And hold Senate hearings on more regulatory repeal and looting for rich donors.
2
We will find President Trump wholly illegitimate in business grifting, obstruction and collusion ... and a chunk of his family involved in some of it.
1
Is the evidence of President Trump's malfeasance any clearer now in 2018 than Richard Nixon's was in 1973? The words "collusion" and "complicity" are etched today in this president's history. Trump's Goebellsian propaganda arms -- Fox News, his own Twitter account and divisive social media -- have fed #45's loyalists with M.A.G.A. and lies and promises up the yingyang. We can't fathom Donald Trump's bizarre alliances with Vladimir Putin and Crown Prince Salman of Saudi Arabia, though they are both "strong men" (the word "weak" is a nasty stick Trump uses to beat his enemies with). Now isn't the time to imagine impeachment scenarios, Charles Blow. As you say, we haven't reached the end of the continuing nightmare of Donald Trump's presidency during America's failing democracy. We are on the cusp of a new crucible, an unforeseen nightmare in our national agony. We are all wondering if the revelations of Special Counsel Robert Mueller to America will be his Russian Investigation ("Witch Hunt!, Hoax!" DJT) wrapped up like a neat present under the National Christmas tree at the White House?
You say damage, but damage is exactly why Trump's 35% voted for him. His people are nihilistic and anarchistic.They glory in throwing stones at glass, laugh when someone flips the table, think bullying and fighting not only high drama but a good and necessary thing, would rather destroy anything they themselves can't have. They don't even give a rip for future generations, their own children and grandchildren, running up incomprehensible public debt and ignoring man-made climate change.
1
The subtitle under the picture of SC Robert Mueller read, the he is still investigating the 'alleged" collusion between between Russia and the Trump campaign in 2016.
That very collusion is obviously no longer alleged, but by now proven by facts.
In any advanced country with a parliamentary system, their respective president, chancellor, prime minister would lose his or her job through a non-confidence vote of the parliament and new elections would be held.
In addition to that, the loser of the general vote would never have become the leader of these countries.
Alas the US of A can hardly be called advanced anymore being on a march of becoming a fascist banana republic, one lead by a corrupt self enriching man and his equally corrupt and self enriching mishpocha.
What's next? When the prosecutors are closing in on the con-man in the Oval Office and his greedy family, maybe there will be a little Capitol Fire a la Reichstags Fire blamed on perceived enemies, and boom, the country will be put under martial law.
1
Love your work Mr Blow, but respectfully disagree about the most likely course. In the face of overwhelming evidence, even someone with courage may "tap out" before a conviction or verdict. That is Robert Mueller's strategy so far, and more reliable than showy trials.
Anyone best described as a coward may be violent, but is likely to look for an excuse... He will want to save his kids from jail time! He will make some deal, and slink away with a medical excuse. (maybe)
Trump has Fox News. The Progressives have MSNBC. Is one of them more biased than the other? I think not, just opposites.
1
Trump’s base will not be dissuaded from their support, no matter what is discovered. They hate minorities and fear the future more than they love their country or have hope for their children. Should the House deliver articles of impeachment, they will respond with violence. In any case, his Senate majority makes impeachment impossible.
The least disturbing possibility is massive gridlock, paralyzing government, satisfying the 1%, and enraging the disenfranchised. Fasten your seatbelts, everyone.
Fasten your seat belt. Mueller report may get buried by the A.G. Undoubtedly, it will leak out. Think 'Pentagon Papers." This will happen in 2020 and Trump will use it to try to invalidate the upcoming elections. Civil War in the streets of America. Makes 1968 look like a waltz.
2
Trump is not the only one. Republican Congress people and the citizens who voted for them are just as guilty and will be just as responsible for whatever damage the current administration does. It is expected that some part of the citizenry will develop a cult-member-like devotion for a leader regardless but Republican people in Congress took a vow. Republican people in Congress failed to perform their duty for greed and dogma. Graham, Mc Connell, Ryan, and associates, all despicable, sorry excuses of men. Kochs' and Trump's lapdogs instead of statepeople who put country ahead of greed and personal interest.
1
The best possible outcome the Times won't print.
Second best?
Graham, McConnell, Pence, et. al are trying to calculate to the second how long they must continue marking time before either voting to convict or threatening to, hoping then that a Pence candidacy doesn't turn out like the Ford one.
"Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) flipped his vote on whether to cut US support to the Saudis in Yemen, saying the way the administration handled the Khashoggi killing was “not acceptable.” "
If Lindsey Graham can flip his vote, then there is hope and a light as the end of the tunnel. There is always the straight jacket if trump refused to leave the WH.
Possibly, just possibly this has been the Senate’s gambit from the beginning: to go along with Mr. Trump as long as he was useful to the GOP’s goals and until such time as irrefutable proof would make impeachment a viable method to remove a corrupt, possibly disturbed kleptocrat from office. Senator McConnell has been invested in the long game his whole career so why not now? The denouement of this tragic national farce could just turn out with Mr. Trump sinking into the ignominy he deserves and slinking from office with a pardon in hand following a quick trial in the Senate. Satisfying as a cable who-dun-it, no; but possibly saving the nation from the rapacious Trump family and it’s corrupt and vulgar view of the world makes this scenario at least feasible and constitutional.
It's clearer still that the Clinton money machine has been the most efficient one ever installed in D.C.
It's also clear the Trump Derangement Syndrome is a real thing.
But what can a 'deplorable' like me know? My entire professional life has been purposefully lived as though politicians don't exist. I'm self reliant and accountable for my actions, always paying my own way. My adult children are positive contributors to their communities.
I've never seen a career politician that was good for anything other than filling pot holes and picking up road kill. They and their media sycophants are a needless waste of human skin and oxygen.
2
If Trump is caught red-handed (no pun intended) promising sanction relief for Hillary's emails, or if there's blackmail or money-laundering involved, and he's impeached and convicted by a majority of Senate Republicans, only indicting his kids for real crimes with real jail time (not just lying to Congress or the FBI), jeopardizing his family and brand, will shake Trump's resolve to deny, deflect and delay. Maybe the only way to break up this grifting crime family is to RICO the lot of them into prison.
Mr. Blow, I have read many of your columns and found them pertinent and inspiring.
After reading this one, though, I have to say - What good does this do? It is apocalyptic sounding.
If you don't believe in anything or give us anything to believe in your writing it in the newspaper does no service to anyone. You are warning us of the end of our country without any kind of hope or call to action?
There is a resistance. We have won control of the House. And Justice must prevail - It is the only way we can continue to survive as a civilization. How about warning people that we must ACT, rather than crying out like Chicken Little.
1
@Charonne
Your demand that you get to read good news makes no sense. The point of this excellent column by Charles M. Blow is that when the truth becomes obvious to everyone, the reaction of Donald Trump and his loyal supporters will be violent. Mr. Blow urges that we need to be ready to make sacrifices at that time to keep or restore our democracy. This may not be good news, but it is good advice.
1
Well spake.
I feel confident that Trump is several steps ahead of this Op-Ed. He has thought through all of the possibilities, and until violence breaks out in the streets in a big way, and his loyal followers kill anti-Trump protesters (he loves rallies, spectacles, and displays of loyalty toward him), he isn’t going anywhere.
The only combination that can get him ousted includes his family members being indicted, violence in the streets, and the opportunity to resign as a self-designated “hero,” for leaving office as a means to end the violence.
1
@James Murrow
Donald Trump will not relinquish his office voluntarily, and those of his prominent supporters who cannot turn back without losing their fortunes and/or going to jail will also fight his impeachment to the bitter end. Whether or not that reality coincides with the gist of your comment, I cannot tell.
Trump has been in office for almost two years. He would not be there if less than 100,000 votes in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania had changed. It's clear where the work needs to be done. Find out, Mr Blow and NYT reporters, what would turn out more Democratic voters in those states (black turnout was down in all three) and what the priorities of most voters there are. Right now the fastest way to get rid of Trump is to make sure he is not re-elected. Let Muller finish and protect the investigation. But find out what these voters want. It's a bloody hard job, but there is really no choice. Remember Macbeth's analysis: "I am in blood stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o'er."
Don't lament the descent!
Let's foment the ascent!
2
At this it seems more thsn obvious that Trumps main interest lies in his wallet and not in the well being of the country.This administration is focused on providing Trump and his fellow grifters with the keys to the treasury of the realm.It is also apparent though not yet proven that the vote was hacked in very specific areas of the country to bring him victory although he lost the popular vote by a wide margin.
One only needs to look at Trumps behavior in office,that he is in the employ of both his Russia and Saudi clients and is intent on carrying out policy in their best interest.What remains to be seen is if he can undermine the rule of law and the wheels of justice before he and his fellow con men are brought to justice by the very real evidence discovered so far snd arrayed against them.I certainly have a great fear that this will not end well and even if he is either found guilty or loses election will not leave willingly. One can only view in rapt amazement at the complete corruption of the Republicon hierarchy in this American tragedy and can at this point only hope and pray that the forces of justice prevail in this current battle between good and evil.Trump and the Republicon Party have made a deal with the devil and intend on fully keeping their end of the bargain
Unfortunately I share the same misgivings about our ability to remove the Orange Emperor out of the White House. It has become crystal clear that he is tremendously compromised on every front, using his office for personal enrichment, and yet, completely unable to grasp the stark reality facing him. How there are still 40 million Americans who refuse to see a problem is beyond comprehension. Both disturbing and utterly astounding. We have, for all intents and purposes, a self-styled Mob boss, running a criminal enterprise from the Oval Office, as a president. He belongs behind bars or anywhere other than in the White House. Perhaps Russia, North Korea, or Saudi Arabia, would suit him better.
I agree with those who say that Trump will most likely "ride out" his term. His removal from office will be done through the electoral process not impeachment proceedings for which there is simply not enough time nor should it be the top priority even if there were more time.
Fixing America's multiple voting malpractices from gerrymandering to voter suppression techniques including idiotic Tuesday voting (whereas it should be Sunday or a Tuesday holiday) -- that needs to be job #1 come January.
Mr. Trump is a national and international disgrace that all Americans are more or less complicit in. He will be forced to yield to whoever the next president is, and then should be held accountable for any and all laws broken. Then the country can begin to repair the damage and move on to what really matters: responding to global warming, reducing extreme income inequality, and repairing our democracies.
1
His past shows us that when he is really cornered, Trump will seek protection from bankruptcy courts. His investors are left holding the bag. This might be our best possible outcome. Trump steps aside under intense pressure and saddles his friends at Fox with all his problems. His outspoken backers should consider that the dog who caught the bus may throw you under it.
You can not argue with logic and it’s merit with those so driven in their feelings that it is such a profound lost to accept your point of view.
When Donald Trump rode down that escalator to announce his candidacy, what made his differ from the others were his vow to avenge the “sight” of “others” encroaching on “our” land.
This wasn’t about intellectual merits as it was touching a raw nerve -against “others” including our former President of bringing “darker than white” skin into view and into practice of control of a Federal government, community housing and all the other material things formerly “owned”by Trump’s supporters
So, here we are with the why and when it happened
But, Now faced with the realization of How much Trump is entrenched and dyed in the wool with his supporters. And No amount of visuals of Immigrant mistreatment ,or people burned to ashes traced to climate change, or Dismemberment of a Journalist or the tearful testimony by the sexually assaulted will move them one iota to reconsider their feelings.
So, those of us must now move to help dislodge this Administration with those who haven’t witnessed the consequences of “Nationalism”
Mr.Blow we have so much evidence awaiting to be entered into the “Congressional Record”from that last Dog and Pony Show. And a Trillion documents to be dumped by the Special Prosecutor What we now need Is to reach all the young cubicles & crevices of Intellectual thinkers and get them to get 67votes forSenate Conviction
Trump will be around until 2020, then he will be removed by vote. The next president will have the difficult task of raising us out of Trump's nasty ash heap. Until then, the task is to contain Trump's burn so the mess does not get so vast it buries us. The mid-term Democratic wave was a good start. Now it will take prudence, diligence, teamwork, creativity, humor, wit, intelligence to contain the fire. Surround Trump and the Fox News propaganda machine. Attack in bits and pieces. Don't wait for a Mueller dues ex machina; he is only one faction of the attack against this disease. Pelosi will now put on her armor to help. A blue House comes marching. The tweet ashes will be blown away, swept into the gutter, Trump checked and balanced -- and maybe indicted. Deflate the Fox balloon, kicked to the curb like an Alex Jones webcast. And we we elect a real American. Exhale. Move upward, onward.
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What makes you think Trump will not have voting machines hacked to change the outcome in 2020? He is a lying crook that does whatever he wants. You think he will not do aything?
Even if he loses he will not leave.
We will have a civil war over this you watch. The left better be prepared.
Think about why Khashoggi was killed the way he was. At any time the prince could have someone walk up and shoot him on the street. Instead he was lured into an embassy, killed and cut up with a bone saw. An American resident working for an American company was murdered and chopped into small pieces. This was done to show the world that trump is controlled as a Russian asset who is helpless before the Russians and the Saudis.
Why did Putin and MBS high five and laugh (with trump in the background) knowing they were on TV and at a meeting of world leaders? They could have simply shook hands and smiled. They were making a statement to the world of who is now in charge.
The Khashoggi murder was at heart a final test to show that trump is fully compromised and unable to stand against his controllers. And the Republican party complicity continues.
That trump is compromised and being used as an asset is now clear.
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@Sal Vatore
So you basically ask why didn't the killing happen the way Seth Rich's did? Because MBS isn't as smart as Hillary Clinton I guess?