I cannot imagine Obama doing what Trump did on his call to Zelensky, not to mention all the rest. So your instructions are worthless. Trump must be impeached. If McConnell wishes to impeach himself and his Republican friends, it is his prerogative. He has the habit of desecrating the Constitution and favoring party over patrie. And public opinion is a lot like the weather, very changeable. I would advise Congress to do what is right, and what is right is to charge DJTrump with high crimes and misdemeanors, of which there are all too many.
10
Anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the Trump-Putin dynamic and exactly how Ukraine fits into the bewildering puzzle should invest the time -- about an hour and 50 minutes -- and watch the documentary film "Active Measures," which was released in 2018.
It's all explained clearly, spanning decades -- the connections to Russian oligarchs, organized crime, money laundering, shell companies, offshore accounts, complicit banks, disinformation campaigns, election manipulation, you name it; along with kompromat.
Providing valuable context and insight are numerous patriotic Americans of high standing, including the likes of Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul and the late Sen. John McCain.
The picture that it presents is astonishing, and makes perfect sense of such appalling occurrences as Trump's groveling to Putin in Helsinki and elsewhere; Trump and Russia's two top diplomats celebrating F.B.I. Director Comey's firing in the Oval Office; and similar brazen and seemingly inexplicable deference of our president to Russia, including a lack of concern about interference in U.S. elections.
It's absolutely staggering, and leaves a fair-minded viewer with no conclusion other than that Donald Trump's removal from office is long, long overdue.
153
Thanks for the tip! Requested said film from my local library system and am looking forward to learning more. Knowledge is power.
2
Yes but please extend your concluding statement for a more compete instruction.
We must vanquish the GOP (not just Trump) in 2020. The Party is antithetical to modern ideals of liberal democracy. To wit - it is obviously and forcefully plotting our course to irreversible autocratic theocratic plutocracy (irreversible in foreseeable future with the packing of the Courts).
It is really a monied elitist cult Party - demonstratively and fundamentally devoid of real morals/Christianity/honor/truth/fairness. It is anti-science and anti-modernity. Social progress is anathema to them.
This 2020 is existentially important. It goes beyond normal and healthy Conservative vs. Progressive paradigm debate. The ONLY patriotic choice now is the D Party - not perfect by a long-shot but EXISTENTIALLY POINTED IN RIGHT DIRECTION.
Sort out 2 good patriotic Parties once ship righted. Now it is 1930s existential - must cast vote for liberal democracy - the D Party - else suffer the horror that wannabe dictators will selfishly foist on most of us.
4
Trump's actions reek of Treason. He seeks to hide, minimize, destroy, or avoid any and all records of his interactions with Putin. Why? Putin and Russia are the only entities that do not garner any form of criticism from Trump. Why? Every time one shakes the Trump tree, a Russian contact falls out. Why? Putin wanted US sanctions for the Russian invasion and annexation of Crimea dropped and Trump has worked tirelessly toward that end without any concessions from Putin. Why? Trump is conspiring with Putin to paint Ukraine as interfering in the 2016 election on Clinton's behalf when the entire US Intelligence community has gathered clear and compelling evidence that Russia and Putin were the perpetrators of that interference with clear intent to support Trump's election. Why?
"I'm not the Puppet!, You're the puppet!", The most barefaced liar of all time spouted. No. Trump is the willing puppet of Putin. Trump is selling the USA down the river to keep Putin from revealing what any rational person has already concluded based on the torrent of evidence available. Putin has the goods on Trump that could send him to jail providing the coercive motivation from Trump's servile relationship with Putin. Putin and his Oligarchs have funded and will continue to fund Trump's businesses and his political campaign, and ultimately the promise of a Trump USA franchise of the ultra-lucrative Putin Kleptocracy business as a positive inducement for his cooperation.
3
Our history making situation propels Dems fearlessly into the impeachment inquiry.
If losing the election is the price they pay---unlikely-- it'd be still worth it, setting a crucial precedent to preserve our Constitution and the whole founding ethos of American ideals.
If expediency makes them shrink from this, they destroy our political standards, motivating future authoritarians to rise up out of our extensive political swamp.
Here's some needed comic relief--- Andy Borowitz faux news satire clips are most apt.
“Putin Saddened That Trump Asked Other Foreign Country to Meddle in Election
“I thought when it came to election meddling that Donald and I were exclusive,” an emotional Putin told reporters. “This feels like a betrayal.”
AND
Panicky Trump Orders Dozen New Sharpies Before Releasing Ukraine Call Summary
The President was reportedly incensed after he discovered that aides had not replenished his supply of Sharpies after he used his last one diverting the path of Hurricane Dorian.
AND
Fox to Offer 24 -Hour Coverage of Bill Clinton’s Impeachment
“For years, this hushed-up chapter of our history has been shrouded in silence,” Sean Hannity said. “That silence ends today.”
1
In my response to this (however much prudent, in some sense) "let's now see further...", it still seems to ignore how monstrous Trump has clearly shown to be through the apparently endless demonstrations of his behavior. There is something in the impeachment process about the point of behavior being as such, not just literally crimes. The most bizarre element of this whole Trump Twilight Zone episode in our history has been how long this man has continued to get away with his behavior, while people with integrity, unprepared for this unique situation, continue on a traditional path of the letter of the law, overlooking the spirit which would pertain to justice. "Celebrity" has been known to be "famous for being famous." In Trump's case, he has developed the knack (through ample enabling) to be famous for being infamous or notorious--something that would ruin the careers of most other people. It's sure been a great hedge against any attempt to stop him and has been flabbergasting as it shows in plain sight. Such people in a less exceptional position typically are eventually put in behavioral quarantine for their own and everybody else's protection. Trump's exceptionalism has been hideous madness itself, largely based for his "base" on the Big Lie that Hitler coined in "Mein Kampf," in admiration of its effectiveness.
2
Just a thought experiment---George Washington calls up the King of England asking him to look into some loyalists during the Revolutionary War---just a favor, maybe I could throw in a place to winter---we have some land south of us, right on the ocean.
2
I ask who has the authority to hear these protected calls in this super secure server? No one asks and it seems they are simply disappeared into permanent lockdown at trumps discretion? No questions asked? How many calls and documents are in there? What if one needs to be retrieved? Who is the IT "guy or gal" who has the administrator password for the server....lol.....no pun intended. And who backs it up? Let's talk to them. Actually I want to read about the secret facts about this super secret hiding place of Presidents. Are there Obama and Bush calls on there as well? All stashed away for eternity? Never near an internet connection so hacking is impossible? I guarantee that the secret putin/trump calls would be a platinum level "album". Let's hear 'em?
4
Given the existence of that super-secret server in the basement of the White House where extortion and bribery with the President of Ukraine were openly discussed, we can rest assured that those with Putin, including translator's notes, contain absolutely nothing interesting or noteworthy whatever. That's why they've been nailed into the same crate that houses the Lost Ark. Nothing to see here.
7
Trump is damaging our democracy every day. I do not want to live in a fascist state. He has to be curbed. He is thumbing his nose at each of us. And very few Republicans have the nerve to stand up to him. It is about time he is stopped or he will believe he is the King and can do anything he wants. His approval rating is down. If not now, when?
2
Wow. Impeach Trump, implicate Pence and wait...Nancy Pelosi becomes President. Wow. My head is spinning with the possibilities.
1
Democrats are doing what they must do, following the sordid and illegal tale, and acting accordingly, by law. More will come out of this immoral chaotic tale, more will come to light, certainly much having to do with Putin and his cronies, none of it good for trump & his own obsequious posse of fools, some of whom will go down with him. It will be ugly, it may take a long while, but they are going down. The arc of justice and all.
4
All I can say is very similar to what Trump said in 2016.
"Russia, if you're listening, it sure would be nice if you could find and release the full transcript of your buddy Donald's conversation with Zelensky."
2
Our Mafia boss prez believes he can achieve what Nixon couldn’t. He has more going for him-a lackey Senate majority and a sympathetic Supreme Court, the legacy of years of Republican Party ideology. Removing him from office will be difficult but he more than merits it. That should be the least of the consequences he faces.
2
They did meticulously gather the facts - for YEARS! Stop the nonsense and move on.
The circumstantial evidence is crystal clear. The key questions that need to be asked are:
o What are the best strategies to force the administration to come clean?
o What are the best strategies to persuade Trump supporters that he should be removed from office?
o How do we persuade GOP Senators to vote their conscience?
We are in an information war. This airy, fairy, navel gazing is an exercise in stupidity.
4
"Why does Barr regularly act as Trump’s cleanup man rather than as the nation’s lawyer?"...........
WHY? --
Because with Trump's last fixer, Michael Cohen, jailed Trump needed a new fixer.......
AND.....
Attorney General Barr stepped right in to fill the vacancy......
3
Impeachment will be successful if presented correctly. I have no confidence that the democrats are capable of this. Pelosi is a Hugh concern. Almost like she is predisposed to failure. #dumppelosi.
1
You're nearly 30 years behind on your Russian services. There isn't a KGB anymore. The Russian foreign intelligence service is now the SVR.
Since Trump is his own best advisor, uses only the best words like discribing, liddle’, and perfect conversation it might be time to spend the weekend in some self reflection. How he keeps it together is beyond me but I am very worried that he is going to have a stroke or heart attack and not be around to witness one of the most mind numbing downfalls that I can think of. The man is simply going to loose it any day now and his cabinet needs to seriously consider doing him a favor and bypass the impeachment- invoke the 23rfd mmendnent and get that man some legal help and a good psychological evaluation. Perhaps he can avoid jail time by being declared insane. They would actually be doing the country and Mr. Trump a favor.
3
Another question for the president - how can you live with yourself?
4
Your questions are directed towards the wrong persons.
Vladimir Putin is effectively the President of the United States and Benjamin Netanyahu is real the Vice President of the United States.
Attorney General Bill Barr is Donald Trump's personal lawyer and the lawyer for the extremist ludicrous unitary executive Article II President of the United States.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is working for the military-industrial complex and beholden to Jared Kushner and Sheldon Adelson.
Vice President Mike Pence is Donald Trump's pet toy poodle.
3
And what about Paul Manafort and his connections with Ukraine?
1
Yes indeed "betrayal of our national security" and in particular our men and women in uniform. Trump harmed our national security and put our troops in Europe in great danger by withholding the military aid to Ukraine.
Ukraine troops are fighting for democracy and the freedom of Europe from Putin and Trump alliance.
https://www.voanews.com/europe/ukraine-preparing-more-troop-withdrawals#&gid=1&pid=6
Relatives hold portraits of Ukrainian soldiers killed by Russian artillery near the village of Ilovaysk in eastern Ukraine, during a protests in front of the Russian Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, Aug.28, 2019.
https://www.voanews.com/europe/ukraine-preparing-more-troop-withdrawals
2
Given all that we know....know...about this President, I find your caution...even reticence...to reveal a pathetic lack of principle. Polling has nothing to do with impeachment...or is there something in the Constitution that I missed?
2
"How would I feel about impeachment if these Ukraine revelations were about Barack Obama?"
Easy: If Ukraine was Obama's only serious abuse of power, No.
Also, it is so hypothetical to place Obama in a position that involves so many other crooks, sycophants and hired guns. The Democrats have their crooks but this administration is a federal ethical disaster zone. Trump has created a brownfield that is too big to do anything but apply a membrane and soil cover and plant scrub over.
Trump never seems to take a vacation day from abusing power. Mar-a-Lago is his Mafioso social club. There is no official registry. If you believe the greediest most cannibalistic people and entities are not whispering elevator pitches to him I have the entire Okefenokee to sell you.
Witness: If he does not abuse power directly through (exposed) winks and nods, there is (what should be shocking to even the most numbed of us) an expose about the Pebble Mine or the Shasta dam or the reestablishment of predatory lending practices or advance of a Draconian immigration policy or other myriad ways trampling of American valued human rights, transactional use of our taxes for a blatantly slimy deal, internecine violation of ethical standards or scandal about hiring a highly questionable contractor to rip off a crippled Puerto Rico
Every. Living. Day.
So, again, No. It's not the phone call, Stupid. It's the totality. The steady, daily drumbeat of a banana republic's banana on a tin drum.
3
No Collusion! No Obstruction!
"Did you see the crowd go nuts in North Carolina!! And Lindsey's still talking about how I carried the two republicans over the finish line down there!!!!
No Collusion!! Total vindication!!", President Trump is heard screaming at Mulvaney and Giuliani in the otherwise empty war room. (both, too terrified of pointing out to the President that Senator Graham is from the lower Carolina)
The secured phone transcripts must be examined to see if the president has sold his office and his country to foreign powers. Why does Trump defer to Putin and MBS? Thr phone records may reveal the answers.
2
"How would I feel about impeachment if these Ukraine revelations were about Barack Obama?" Impossible to even imagine such a thing!
2
So your question is: If Barack Obama had borrowed hundreds of millions of dollars from Russian oligarchs; asked the Russians to find Hillary Clinton's lost emails; held a series of secret and highly suspicious meetings with Putin; spoke about how "strong" Putin was in his denial that he interfered with the election despite what his own intelligence community was telling him; lied like a 5-year-old child with every breath he took; fired every government employee that was tasked with enforcing the laws against corruption; fired every government employee that followed the law or told the truth; fired every employee that refused to pledge allegiance to him personally; fired a government employee 24 hours before he was eligible for his pension; encouraged companies to fire employees that criticized him (ESPN); demanded that all American companies pull out of China; tweeted out misspelled lies incessantly; supported Nazis and racists (one of which actually drove their car through a crowd of counter-protesters, killing a woman); pulled the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear agreement he and the world spent years negotiating because of a personal vendetta against a predecessor; pulled the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement because of that same vendetta; Then, suspended much needed military aid to a vulnerable ally until that ally promised to help him win re-election in 2020, would Dems favor impeachment against such a man?
Is that your question, sir?
Yeah, probably.
4
Get the facts for the record. Then adjourn the hearing without a vote.
Trump should lose in 2020, assuming the facts do not keep him from being re-nominated. Should he somehow win, vote to impeach based on current facts in addition to additional guaranteed impeachable offenses.
just to correct a silly misspeak in an earlier post, national security IS very much at stake, and in peril, as long as Trump is in office but there aren´t any state secrets or sources and methods to protect at this point, the memo and the whistleblower report are already out and investigation of the behavior they reveal just has to public
1
Perhaps Trump's accusations are driven by his own willingness to use family for nefarious purposes. It's part of Trump's DNA (seemingly the entire family).
Looking at it from this perspective it's easy to see why he can't accept the fact that the Bidens have done nothing wrong.
2
With all due respect to Nick Kristof and George Mason, the question is not “Shall any man be above justice?”
The question is, "Who Is Donald Trump working for?" It's not clear, from anything he has done, that he even understands the best interests of American foreign, domestic or economic policy, much less, acts in that wise.
Donald seems to conflate his parochial interests with those of the nation. To oppose Trump on any issue is to be a traitor. He only trusts his own people, and even then, he makes them sign a loyalty oath.
Impeachment is long overdue. We have allowed this to go on much too long already.
2
I have to chuckle and shake my head at Trump's characterization of his conversation with the president of Ukraine as "perfect." Trump's marketing effort aside, the conversation was only "perfect" in that Trump had the upper hand; Zelensky stroked Trump's ego by fawning over him; and didn't object when Trump asked for a "favor." No wonder Trump thinks the conversation went so well.
1
This is matryoshka quid pro quos. On the outside we have the deal Trump made with McConnell and his Congressional Republicans. No impeachment in exchange for the unpopular and cruel rightwing extremist agenda (and the votes of the Trump base). Trump irreparably damages our democracy, and the McConnell Republicans protect him as he does it. Open that, and we find the Russia thing--a conspiracy in the everyday sense of the word. "I wouldn't mind," said Trump to Putin and Lavrov, "if Russia interferes." Open that and we find the illegal and unconstitutional Ukraine affair which has implicated not only Trump but also Pence, Barr, Pompeo, senior White House aides.
2
The identical facts are not in dispute. Nicholas Kristof and those who have a visceral dislike for our president describe the facts as "President Trump’s bullying of Ukraine to target Joe Biden". The characterization mimics the paranoid impression of the whistleblower who went to great lengths to condem a political motivation. If corruption or criminal activity can be found in the activities of Hunter Biden, former Ambassador Yovanovitch, the former Ukraine prosecutor, Joe Biden and perhaps President Obama; it might be a benefit to both Mr. Trump and to Joe Biden's Democratic primary opponents.
The crazy part of the multifaceted case is that both Joe Biden and President Trump are willing to brag about everything they did. Mr. Obama gave the Vice President discretion in regard to U.S. energy policy and loan guarantees and his son Hunter brilliantly profited from this power. Was this corrupt, criminal, coincidence, abuse of power, or just the way things are? What did or did not Mr. Obama know?
Like Joe Biden, Mr. Giuliani needed the help of the President and the FBI to take his inquiry to the next step. Turning a blind eye to the facts, no matter where they lead or who they benefit, is not an option for the President Trump I have come to know.
1
What about these:
What does the "locked down" verbatim transcript of Trump's perfect and beautiful conversation with Zelensky contain that was purposefully omitted from the reconstructed version?
Will the House Dems be able to obtain the word for word, verbatim transcript of the 7/25 conversation and any other locked down phone conversations with Russia and Saudis Arabia that are still sequestered in that ultra- too secret electronic file?
1
Michelle Goldberg, as usual, is focused on one of the most outrageous violations of the law: William Barr's debasement and complicity in Trump's unethical and illegal actions.
"...the attorney general’s prostitution of the Department of Justice for the president’s political agenda has been necessary to the president’s schemes and he will face his own reckoning.”
Indeed. Further evidence that anything Trump touches shrivels and perishes.
I've been sick to my stomach for my country since November 2016. Whatever the outcome, let an inquiry proceed and call witnesses. And those who choose to defy the people's house need to go to jail.
2
Something there is in Trump that values Russian approval over U.S. integrity.
1
As troublesome as this process will be, and as divisive as it could become, we have no choice but to learn all we can from this fiasco. Americans and the world are watching. All of us know that this president is unfit for office. Those that don't comprehend that reality are not going to be helpful in this difficult passage.
Where are we to go as a nation when we have a large percentage of our population believing misinformation that is untrue and biased? How can a US citizen approve of actions by a president that are clearly illegal? Only cult members display fealty to such a faulty leader.
2
Mr. Friedman asks me to ask myself: "How would I feel about impeachment if these Ukraine revelations were about Barack Obama?" I have tried to do that, but it is impossible. Barack Obama would never have done this.
2
Mr. President, how many phone conversations have you had bullying, threatening or corruptly dealing with - our allies, enemies and corrupt leaders - that generated transcripts hidden from the American people - your boss - and mixing the most incriminating evidence in with the nation's most sensitive and secret information on a codeword-level server system?
Indeed, how many on the other side of all those incriminating calls and conversations have their own records, transcripts and recordings ready to be published- or manipulated - unless YOU do something for them?
Are you now in a deeper hole with Putin now that he has incriminating high definition recordings with your voice when you eventually fall out of favor with him?
What else are you willing to do to endanger our national security to keep those on the other end of the line silent?
Hide all the evidence on this end and threaten Americans all you want to remain quiet - will those on the other end remain silent?
2
I would favor impeaching Obama if the same high crimes and misdemeanors that are attributed to Trump could be applied to Obama: using the Presidency to enrich himself from Day 1, obstructing justice in the Russia Election Inquiry, working to weaken NATO to strengthen Russia, supporting and encouraging the most corrupt cabinet in American History, reckless foreign policy tactics relating to North Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and his blatant extortion of a foreign leader to interfere in the 2020 Election.
Case closed.
1
Another question, why doesn’t the President of Ukraine mention the aid being withheld in the transcript. I would think that would be a big thing? Or was it withheld pending the outcome of the election? ..... I just want good quality healthcare I can afford, is it too much to ask?
This is not and never has been a question of corruption. If we want to categorize the acts people in political office commit into good, bad, self serving or damaging to society, the country etc. - there's plenty to go around. Trump is not immune to this it's just that it's rampant in our politics. Whether one looks at the presidential level -Clintons, Obamas, Nixon or Bush you will find it. Depending on what political side you are on - you will assign importance to fit your outlook. If you look elsewhere you'll fine the, AOC Schultz, Comey, Schiff level of corruption. Schiff, a grown up stuck in adolescence who never reached manhood is a great example. The main thing Trump has going for him is the mistreatment he receives from the leftist media and the affection the liberals have for anything that's abnormal, i.e. gender, illegal immigration, free stuff for everyone, etc. and the list goes on. Absent these things the republicans might have taken a different path. On another note- Trump has not committed any corruption by asking that Biden be investigated.
Hopefully, in combination with all of the incriminating facts that were contained in the Mueller Report, and the most recent revelations about Ukraine, along with what all of the Congressional investigative committees are working on, there will be enough evidence to remove the nations worst and most unfit president in our nations history!
2
It is so very obvious to this reader that Putin is involved in one way or another with this latest over-reach by our lawless President, as supported by the last presidential election when Putin was the driving force for Trump’s election. It is known that Trump is a Putin lackey. I hope that the conversations that Trump has had with Putin come to light, they will be revealing and incriminating.
2
It is more than concerning that a president of our country would request a foreign country to investigate an American citizen. This president constantly draws a line between citizens and 'illegal immigrants', regarding the rights each has. However if our own president invites a foreign government to investigate a US citizen, what rights do we have as citizens? Trump could have asked the FBI to open an investigation and co-ordinate with the Ukraine. Sending the loony Giuliani to work with the Ukraine in order interfere in the 2020 election, is so reminiscent of the 2016 election. If he cheated once in 2016 and got caught cheating already in preparation for 2020, why would anyone run this man again?? The only answer I have been able to come to is that they are making a lot of money off this president. I must ask, "Is it worth it?
2
The chance that Putin fed trump some info that he then (with righteousness) acted upon seems pretty high. That the POTUS is so easily manipulated is frightening. Sad.
1
You know many people are saying that Nepalese hacked the Dems email, we will start to hear many new “facts” as this plays out. The origin of the emerging facts may be instructive. There is so much we still don’t know.
Personally I want to have the release of the recordings that don’t belong in the states secrets server, eg with Putin and others.
"Rudy Giuliani, personal lawyer to Donald Trump and a key figure in the Ukraine scandal, will no longer make a paid appearance at a Russia sponsored conference in Armenia, according to The Washington Post."
Do Republicans even know they're supposed to be American, as in, not Russian?
1
The only problem with the impeachment - how are they going to prove Trump intended to harm Biden with the information he learned from the Ukraine? The media are the ones who harmed Biden by lightning up the story. Now I know why you’re the gatekeepers.
Some answers will show up next October, when a surprise "discovery" of evidence about Joe and Hunter Biden, as well as 30,000 emails of HIllary's are located in a server in Ukraine - just enough time to spread the word through social media, but without enough time to actually examine just who placed this misinformation there and links backward to both Putin and Rudy.
1
The comparison is not apt - how would we react if BHO withheld vital military aid in order to extort a phony smear of an opponent from a besieged ally? Get real. The absurdity of the question shows just how vile the act by DJT was. If BHO had lied about the size of his inauguration crowd, I'd have been concerned and by the third or fourth such whopper, the 25th Amendment used and medical care provided. Think, instead, of how we got here.
2
I believe Trump has been laundering money for Russian oligarchs for years. He bought a Palm Beach house for $40 million and sold it the next year to Russian oligarch for $90 million. We know nothing of Trump's discussions with Putin. Why did they talk about in Helsinki? Why did Trump look like a whipped dog after that discussion? Why did he throw the entire intelligence community under the bus in Helsinki? Why does he want Russia back in the G7? So many questions about Russia. It stinks to high heaven.
2
In hindsight, Bill Clinton's sexual incident (and his lying denials) seem so
trivial.
Doug
At this stage, when the Kremlin wonders about the divulgation of the Trump Putin phone calls (ie: wants them to be released, because it wants Trump out...), I believe that the Chamber ought to get and analyse all the phone calls transcripts of Trump with Putin, MBS, Bibi, etc...We are heading toward a Warren Pence choice....
Here's my question: When will opinion writers and TV pundits stop dissecting this sick man's mind as though he will miraculously change into a caring human being at any minute, and studying his every utterance (mostly via Twitter and on the lawn of the White House as the helicopter makes it impossible for real dialogue), when it has been blatantly obvious to millions of us for more than two years that he is mentally unsound, a traitor to our country's principles and values and a danger to our national security and very way of life?
1
As a country, we have been here before. According to the Memoirs of George E. Kennan, the Dean of 20th American Diplomats and architect of the policy of containment that helped bring down the Soviet Union, there was a rumor going around prior to the 1944 presidential election that FDR had once asked Stalin to get involved in it to help him out.
Here is what Ambassador Kennan said. “Others should not be invited to involve themselves in our domestic-political process. I had been shocked on being told, at an earlier time, that FDR had once sent a private request to Stalin to use his influence with the American Communist Party to prevent it from supporting him, FDR, in a presidential election, lest this support prove embarrassing to him.”
Now imagine if FDR had gone one step further and held up vital military supplies to Russia in their fight against Nazi Germany prior to FDR’s request. Apparently, that is exactly what Donald Trump has done with the Ukraine and in this reader’s opinion is an unforgivable offense. It’s time to impeach.
America needs to show to the world that it can correct its mistakes and that it deserves a better leader than Mr. Trump. In fact, it also has to show that it has an unbiased Attorney General as its first law man.
If impeachment inquiry can achieve this successfully, no thinking American should block this inquiry. An added benefit will also accrue: Americans would know how many more bad eggs are there in its political basket.
1
Today polls already show 55-45 for impeachment only a week after the transcript summary and the whistleblower’s report came out.Momentum will only build as Trump’s cronies each implicate one another as they they to avoid blame.
1
If McConnell were to call a vote to dismiss the charges on a simple majority vote, maybe Republicans such as Romney, Sasse, Collins, Murkowski and 1 or 2 others who have at times voiced some disagreement with Trump will stand up and vote against such a measure. I would like to think that there are still some Republicans in the Senate who would not vote mindlessly on such an important issue, but rather would vote to allow all of the information to be considered in a Senate trial. But, I've been wrong before...
All good questions Mr. Kristof that will never be answered fully because the moral and ethical character of most politicians is far less than that needed to save our democracy from the corrupting influence of money. The unfortunate truth is that voters are often given choices that have been run through a money filter. This filtering process ensures that most of the people elected to office are sufficiently morally and ethically pliable so that they will serve the needs of the corporations and the wealthy who got them elected.
These are harsh words that an honest observer would find difficult to refute. Compounding the problem of politicians who are morality and ethically pliable is that these same deficient politicians pick the judges who oversee the rule of law and are charged with protecting the rights our nation's citizens.
The only lasting way for our nation to slip the grip of money corrupted politicians and their patrons is to amend the Constitution in ways that will preserve and protect our democracy and all Americans. That said, at 71, I have little hope I will live long enough to see our nation fulfill the aspirations and hopes of its people.
2
The focus shouldn't be on rapidly passing a single article of impeachment on the Ukraine issue and sending that to McConnell. McConnell may refuse to even hold a trial, but he might be more likely to place a single count in front of the senate for an immediate vote. His members would not convict, and he can say: see, there was nothing to this. There should be at least 3 articles; one on Ukraine, one on emoluments since that's been going on since January 20th, 2017, and one on obstruction of justice with sub-counts for the 10 occurrences cited in the Mueller report; and tie it all up in a giant abuse of power knot. Then, McConnell won't look so good dismissing the whole thing, and Democrats can advertise the 3 impeachable offenses over and over again till the election.
4
The author asks that we think about our reaction if we had different feelings about them. I'm not sure that's the question. It's more important that these inquires doesn't spiral out of control.
On Saturday, Charles Pierce of Esquire Politics wrote about Father Robert Drinan, who was post of both the Nixon and Clinton impeachments. He noted the difference in process and atmosphere at both events.
"At that time (1974) the country knew there was extensive lawlessness in the White House. The documentation of appalling crimes was known by everyone. Abuse of power and criminality were apparent to the American people... Today (1998) the scene is startlingly different. No investigation has been made by the House Judiciary Committee nor have any fact-finding hearings been held..."
"The dignity and the majesty of the Rodino committee was not out to embarrass or humiliate President Nixon. What we were required to do was painful. But we worked, heard, listened, debated and finally voted. And the people of America, then and now, saw that the process was deliberate, bipartisan and measured..."
We should only be so lucky.
3
Good to approach impeachment in a non-partisan frame of mind. Can’t imagine Obama doing such a thing though. I mean trying to picture it I get nowhere. Just stopped cold.
Thorough and deliberate process is good. The public should devote at least as much time and attention to examining Trump’s real misconduct as was spent on the faux scandals surrounding Hillary Clinton.
4
You ask how President Obama's supporters would have felt if Republicans had pursued him for impeachment. The real point is that President Obama would never have been in this position: he was too intelligent, too dedicated to the rule of law, and a Constitutional scholar. And if he had been as corrupt as Donald Trump, I for one would never have been his supporter. There is a world of difference between people who are so ill-informed that they see nothing wrong in Trump's behavior, and the rest of the electorate who read actual news and watch programming that makes an attempt to be unbiased. Trump's supporters do not seem to understand that impeachment is not just a political tool to embarrass someone you dislike, but that it has to be supported by serious misconduct on the part of the president (or other subject), and that there is no choice when that threshold is met: if Congress did not act, they would be failing in their own oaths of office, to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law.
47
Well said! The one fault I I might suggest is that you said Trump supporters were ill-informed about his behavior. I would suggest they are NOT ill-informed, but totally aware of it. Why do you think he constantly talks about “fake news”? If the narrative that is given in the press is so different from what you WANT to believe is, either discount it, or be plagued with a cognitive dissonance of which this world’s never seen! Fake news is a psychological defense mechanism that allows Trump supporters to accept what obviously isn’t so! Yeah, the Russians never helped the Republicans. Preposterous! But I just know the Ukrainians helped the Democrats!
3
Republicans would've impeached Obama for wearing a tan suit if they could have.
2
The House is doing exactly what it should be doing at this point: opening a multi-sided investigation into the allegations. It is the only entity that will be able to answer the questions you have posed - but only if the committees are able to obtain the documents and testimonies they seek.
Finding the truth won't be an easy task - we're dealing with an administration that makes the Nixon story look like amateur hour. Trump, Barr, and their apologists in Congress and the media are working overtime spinning their version of reality, in which Trump is the hero fighting against overwhelming corruption. They're experts at accusing others of the exact crimes they are committing, and convincing millions of Americans of the veracity of their claims. It's a frightening scenario. But I haven't lost faith in the American people: once the facts are presented, I'm quite sure they'll come around.
As for McConnell and his lot in the Senate, let's worry about that when the time comes. If the House manages to focus on this one investigation, gather enough documentation and testimony to make a case for at least a majority of the people, and most important, keep the investigation from getting bogged down in petty politics, then by the time it goes to the Senate McConnell can stonewall at his own risk.
57
@TL Mischler
Well said. Unfortunately I have lost faith in the Republican side of the American people who in spite of what we all already know continue supporting this gangster party - such an easily convinced base of the most preposterous notions that they are Lilly-white innocent while everyone else is out to get them - in spite of all the crimes and rule breaking being committed, facts be damned.
On today's news shows Republican lying-heads pathetically spew falsehoods and claiming the American people are tired of all the investigation against trump. Those of us who are not fooled by them are actually tired of the scandalous corrupt behavior and activities that emerge on an hourly basis that demand investigating.
The rules say Mitch has to get the Senate to judge the impeachment resolutions voted on by the House and either convict or exonerate trump. He'll simply tread on the rules and the Constitution, as he has done with impunity before, and ignore the whole thing so his people won't have to expose themselves to making the decision of party over country.
As soon as I saw the transcript of the call, I wondered if Putin planted these ideas about the server and Biden in trump's head. It really makes perfect sense - Putin chose the ideal stooge who would fall for anything that could prop up his ego and give him fodder to chase his perceived enemies.
But the graver issue is that we have a president who believes conspiracy theories and actually uses them to make governing decisions. Every day, a new reason to add to the long list of why we need to impeach.
2
There is much reason to doubt the political integrity of McConnell, but I think that he would want to go through the process so that Trump can trumpet the fact that he was proven innocent and that the entire process was politically inspired. I still think that Democrats should impeach him but not take it to the
Senate. Let the indictment hang over Trump's neck like the sword of Damocles. Let him stay indicted forever and not give him the satisfaction of a Republican commutation.
5
I do not trust the Republican-led senate. McConnell broke the back of the constitution when he rejected appointment of a Supreme Court justice under President Obama. Anyone who thinks he will not reject the house's impeachment vote I think is naive. he is not thinking of his historic legacy.
4
While I agree in principle with most of what you are saying Mr. Kristof, I think you're leaving out one major issue. It would be great if the House Impeachment Inquiry determined the answers to all the questions you pose, but the Administration has made it crystal clear in word and deed that they will fight tooth and nail to answer any questions, subpoenas, requests for documents, and refuse to testify at any hearings. Trying to obtain answers to your questions could take years as the Administration fights everything in court. By the time impeachment finally made it to a vote, Trump's second term would be at a close.
1
I wonder if most Americans understand the difference between impeachment and the president being removed from office. That distinction matters in this analysis. Also working methodically is always desirable; working slowly is less so. This man has damaged everyone and everything around him since entering office. He is a walking human wrecking ball. He is an environmental catastrophe in a world already gravely wounded. Time is of the essence. Pelosi et al should be working around the clock.
4
I suspect that the Executive Branch will continue to refuse to turn over documents. Depositions aren’t worth much without a review of the documents first. That may put us at an impasse. More whistleblowers will be needed to get to the truth. The Senate will not compel document production and will let the truth remain buried.
3
Such defiance of lawful subpoenas would alone be grounds for impeachment.
I’am confidant in the news this week that the whistleblowers reporting of people shielding this important information in locked electronic highly classified server is what all needs to be discussed everywhere in the month ahead. Taking in account what was heard in memo of this infamous phone conversation.
2
If McConnell does convene a trial, any question of (summary) dismissal would be determined by the trial judge -- John Roberts -- if the general rules about trials apply here.
3
Why does Trump assign his personal attorney, Giuliani, rather than a government official, the task of dealing with foreign governments? What is Giuliani's security classification?
7
Giuliani's security classification is probably the same as Son-in-Law-in-Chief Jared Kushner … none at the level needed.
Trump confiscated the translator's notes taken when he met privately with Putin in Helsinki. The notes may have been destroyed but you can bet the translator has recollection of what was said between the two. No telling what kind of promises Trump made to the Russian leader. Having her testify might shed light on Trump's wobbly stance with Ukraine. I can't believe this avenue hasn't been explored further.
6
Randy: Pelosi just announced the impeachment inquiry last week. Patience, patience!
Good serious questions. If this were an otherwise "clean" president and administration for sure we'd tackle them. I also understand the desire to make sure the House doesn't appear to be partisan. Hence, the inquiry. Let's get on with it. No one is rushing. But it wouldn't be great to drag it out longer either as it makes them look unsure versus careful, deliberate and confident.
This is about a bias in the sense that we already know with whom we are dealing. But it is not about a partisan bias. Your worst enemy whom you despise robbed the bank. Just because you hate him doesn't mean he didn't do it and should be prosecuted or that you're biased in charging him.
What seems to be forgotten in this bend over backwards effort to be fair is that we know this man's history. We know he lies incessantly. We know he has committed crimes and gotten away with them before. We know he invited Russia into the elections. We know his MO. So there is no reason to trust. The evidence in the transcript notes is clear as day. The evidence in the effort and extent to which the actual transcript was hidden is clear. It makes no sense to try to imagine Obama doing any of the same things. There was no history or suggestion or even a hint that he would have operated in the same way...unless you believe all the conspiracy theories.
If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck it is a duck. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
17
child of babe: Exactly: "It makes no sense to try to imagine Obama doing any of the same things." It just does not compute.
What a joke.
The Ukrainian President spoke about obtaining Javelin Missiles from the U.S., and Trump happily agreeing. Why does Ukraine need Javelin Missiles? To protect themselves from Russia.
Why would Trump mention this to Russia? He wouldn’t.
1
Trump is Putin's stooge.
Where are this president's tax returns? This is the question. Next: why does this president have impunity from standards of disclosure practiced by previous presidents?
With this Ukraine incident we are looking into the window of multinational corporate power operating in a way to replace democracy. Treason is the standard of the GOP. That it is done in an "in your face" manor from Trump raises another question. Should Congress be looking at the 25th Amendment in addition to impeachment? Are not the claims in the work by 27 and then 37 psychiatrists in "The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump" valid? Namely, that we are dealing with a paranoid psychopathic narcissist. If so, why aren't we bringing the 25th Amendment to bear along with Impeachment?
6
1blueheron: The relevant section of the 25th Amendment says:
"Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President." Pence, Pompeo, and Barr, among other key decision makers, would not move to remove Trump. (On second thought, maybe Pence would to rise to the throne himself.) It is possible that they should be impeached and removed along with Trump.
1
Questioning a habitual liar and fraudster is an exercise in futility.
Conduct an expeditious investigation. Marshal the evidence. Draft the articles based on the evidence. Vote on the articles. Send it to the Senate Republicans who will have the choice to publicly validate corruption, use of public office for private gain, and subversion of our elections, or remove this cancer from our body politic before he does irreparable harm to it.
6
Nonsense. The President pressured the Ukrainian President to dig up dirt on his political rival. That is confirmed by the evidence and the president's admissions. Then the Executive Branch tried to hide the information. Nothing more is relevant to the impeachment question. DO NOT go following red herrings and chasing your tail in complicated, convoluted conspiracy stories. The basis for impeachment is self evident. The rest will bog down, divert and undermine the effort at ridding us of this autocrat.
2
It's a pretty ridiculous question to ask, "what would you think if these charges were about Obama."
Because they couldn't be. This level of corruption and mobsterism IS trump; it's completely baked in to how he conducts all of his interactions.
Obama is not this sort of petty mafia transactionalist. That level of treasonous behavior from Obama would ean he was a totally different person. The author might as well ask how likely it would be that his own mother committed these crimes.
4
Even if he were inclined to answer the question, his brain can't work well enough to put a coherent sentence together. He's mentally ill and should be receiving treatment, away from government. Take him away, maybe in a straight jacket.
3
If the criminals in this administration, Barr their chief, defies congressional subpoenas, the matter will end up in the Supreme Court; at which time, thanks to the endlessly mendacious Mitch Mcconnell, they might very well be ruled invalid. And so long America.
4
So, polls show that the public does not support impeachment.
No one has asked me.
Trump has proven himself from the outset to be a traitor to the Constitution. This latest incident is just more solid proof. Not only does he need to be removed from office, he should be put in prison for the rest of his life.
No, this is not another “lock him up” chant. This is just an American wanting to see justice done.
6
McConnell is a chilling threat to our nation. Let’s investigate to see if he also is in the cauldron that Putin has been stirring.
Remember to support Amy McGrath who is running a terrific campaign to unseat McConnell in Kentucky.
10
Nick, repetition of Trump’s serial misdeeds, loudly and often, can (according to research) change closed tribal minds in the GOP. It is a Herculean task, cleaning those stables. But that tipping point must be reached by undeniable evidence. This, according to Malcom’s Gladwell’s “. Talking to Strangers”. My experience concurs. Keep inserting factual red flags.
Trump’s phone call is him attempting to ‘make a deal (his MO) and Rudy is his Roy Cohn in this breach-if-duty affair. It is so transparent. Yet the GOP are motivated reasoners (see Gladwell) who cannot face the truth.
1
Bonny and Clyde did have some public sympathy. They were still bank robbers.
1
Awful. Putin truly did get everything he wanted. His plan to bring down America via Trump worked quickly and efficiently.
3
"Before any impeachment vote, we need a substantial inquiry to determine facts."
This is really bad advice. The secret to the impeachment process is momentum. Trump is on his back foot. Democrats need to keep him there or they'll never knock him over. If you allow the inquiry to get bogged down in minutia, the effort will stall. You thereby allow Senate Republicans the space to unilaterally acquit Trump. Stick to the facts. The phone call with Zelensky was an impeachable offense in its own right. Turn over the relevant witnesses and documents related to that phone call. Refusal is an impeachable offense.
That's it. That's the case against Trump. If you pull in all these other curiosities, you'll lose voters. Keep it simple. Trump desperate wants breathing room. Don't give it to him.
2
I hope the American electorate are guided by the adage, “Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.” This is the SECOND time Trump has sought help from a foreign power to corrupt an election. Let’s not get fooled again.
3
This week’s revelations are extremely bad news for President Trump. I'm very unwilling to say this is the beginning of the end for him. This is only because he has survived so many setbacks so far, mostly of them of course of his own making.
But if it is revealed that in his misadventures in the Ukraine he was somehow taking direction from the Russians or that he was even comparing notes with Mr. Putin, I’ve got to believe that would be the end of the line for him. Even if he would survive impeachment and a potential removal from office he would be unelectable.
Polls keep telling us 40% of Americans support him no matter what, and most of those people have twisted their minds into such a knot to continue to support him they probably can't untwist their minds at this point, no matter what may be revealed about their fuhrer. Except you need 48% of the voters to win in 2020, and it's hard to believe that the 8% who voted for him in 2016 despite not even liking him at the time would be willing to vote for him again if they became aware that our once-great nation had fallen so low that our President was taking direction from the Russians.
Again, this hasn’t been revealed yet, and so I'm speculating. But our President has been such a lap dog for Putin I'd almost be shocked if this was NOT revealed. Our messed up world needs us at full strength, and I pray we can finally get our nation back on track.
2
Mr.kristoff
One of us is missing a very salient point! The Democrats have tip toed without their toe shoes since this feckless monster was elected. While they must follow protocol so as not to rush to judgement- their leniency has allowed an ugly protracted nightmare for the Americans who are awake and attentive. Really does it take much convincing? Lengthy diatribes from witnesses. This odious hack tells his own story and is too egomaniacal to understand he indicts himself,
1
"How would I feel about impeachment if these Ukraine revelations were about Barack Obama?"
If Barack Obama had, out of the blue, done this and then attempted to cover it up, all without a history of lying, exaggerating, engaging in locker room talk on tape, praising dictators and racists as very fine people, accusing the press as being the enemy of the state a la Stalin, and on and on and on...I would be shocked. If he in fact had conducted himself in a manner even closely resembling the current president over the past few years, I probably wouldn't have voted for such a person in the first place.
It's not a plausible thought experiment.
3
Surely there is sufficient evidence to bring an impeachment case against
Mr. Barr.
1
I sure do wish you were as curious about the Clinton connection to the foreign national produced Dossier and it’s impact on this country. Or the Biden’s activities in Ukraine—if the Prosecutor then VP Biden asked Ukraine to fire was in any way involved in looking in to how and why Hunter Biden was making $50,000 a month in Ukraine, it is a very big story. Or even ask the 3 Democrat US Senators what what they did in Ukraine is not as equally troubling as what Trump’s call transcript reflects. Now that would be interesting.
1
So, here’s the thing about the impact of Dossier that you’re so suspicious about: it didn’t have an impact. When it was commissioned— first by Republicans (which, if you’re honest, you must mention)— it’s purpose was to stop Trump from becoming president. That was also the purpose when Democrats picked up the funding.
And, it didn’t work. It also didn’t change anyone’s opinion about Donald Trump or create the Mueller investigation. Anyone who disliked Trump disliked him long before the Dossier. And, despite the endlessly-repeated right-wing lie that the Dossier ignited inquiry into Trump, there were at least three calls to look into him without it.
Outside of political retribution, it’s pointless to pursue this
in contrast, it’s worth asking why folks like Hunter Biden and Paul Manafort and many other Americans keep getting hired by Ukrainians at impossible salaries. But it’s not a Big Story about Joe Biden. It’d a larger story than that.
Until people like you start calling for investigations into BOTH parties, we will never get above the partisan tit for tat that plagues us. People respect self-sacrifice.
1
Nick
I sure hope the dems read your piece and heed your advice!
Ukraine is the tip of Trump's corruption. Russia and Saudi Arabia are the 90% of the Trump crimes, still to be exposed, that are lurking under the surface of the Trump swamp, deep in the White House cryptolocked-computer.
1
So, Trump is frantic about impeachment? Maybe. But with all the smoke about Russia and Putin, I suspect that he is more worried about failing Putin. One does not fail on one's promises to the mob. Putin has demonstrated his wrath numerous times.
Putin has picked his collaborators carefully and now has several doing his and Trump's bidding: McConnell and Graham the most prominent. Their wealth and campaign funds are provided by the NRA directly, and by Putin or one of his stable of oligarchs.
Then, the US has it's own oligarchs: Mercers, Koch, Murdoch's, and many others who are pressing for an authoritarian govt with a 'useful idiot' at the helm. Will Pelosi and Schiff be able to expose enough to mount a successful impeachment? Time will tell but the US's future is at stake.
1
If the Dems impeach and the Senate doesn’t convict, Trump will claim total exoneration. If the Dems don’t impeach, Trump will claim that the Dems spent more than a year investigating and found nothing wrong.
I prefer that the Dems impeach and then go on the offense, attacking Republicans for not convicting in the face of incontrovertible evidence. This is, in my opinion, a much stronger position.
1
Excellent questions. The best one was about how would I feel if the Ukraine question related to Barack Obama. Well, in the end, it is never about just one thing, is it? In truth, if it were about Obama and just the issue of Ukraine, I would not feel strongly about it because i would consider it a grave mistake from a man who has proven to be an outstanding human being and a good President overall. But with Trump, it is not about just one thing, it is about the accumulation of numerous wrong doings, it is about his unfitness to hold the Office, his incessant lying, his white supremacist stance, his bigotry, his lack of a moral compass, his betrayals of the Oath of Office and general debasement of our country.
21
I appreciate your candor.
The Supreme Court let the Nixon tapes be played. ALL of them. If this Court does not let the Intelligence Committee listen to all Trumps discussions with foreign leaders now, we are lost.
A careful, thorough investigation is essential, I agree. But I think it´s equally important that they be public, televised, even broadcast on NPR. National security is not at stake and if the Trump administration or his minions in the Congress demand that hearings be held behind closed doors, Democratic committee chairs should very publicly and adamantly refuse. The public HAS to -- has to, has to -- be able to watch, hear and see for themselves all the evidence!
1
If I have my timeline right, I would add the question: why was the aid to Ukraine suddenly released in early September? Did Trump and cronies receive a heads up about the whistle blower? Did they release the aid at that time to circumvent investigation and scrutiny? Who was responsible for this plan and cover up? Meanwhile, watch Trump throw his flock under the bus one by one. He is sinister and loyal to no one.
1
The great rhetorical question of our time is, "Why did Trump run for president"
All logical answers lead to compromise or corruption.
Thank you for another thoughtful column. I’ve been putting the shoe on the other foot, so to speak, since the Merrick Garland nomination. And that still stinks. So does this.
1
"Shall any man be above justice?" Mr. Kristof asks using the 18th-century words of George Mason. But, unfortunately, in 21st-century America this sounds so naive. Who among us believes this nation can rise above its deep corruption and greed to deliver justice--to anyone?
Guernica: I still have hope. Others do too.
1
Should any President be above justice? NO!!! Trump, with his Justice Department staffed by a bunch of his hand-picked political hacks who simply could not care less about upholding their sworn oaths to protect the country against ALL enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC is the epitome of someone who believes justice is something to be bought and sold like a real estate deal. Being above the law is dangerous when the offender has no adherence to a set of morals to anchor him to the planet Earth. Trump thinks pesky laws, decorum and respect for office are meant for lowly peons, certainly not him. Trump is the living embodiment of what the framers sought to defend the country they founded against at all cost. But not even the framers thought the other pillars of government would morph into a single one pillar devoted to self preservation and not what's best for the country. The House is the only thing that "might" preserve this country for future generations.
1
I can't tell you how I would feel if I felt the opposite about this president because it simply isn't possible. To your second question, if President Obama had done the same he should also have been impeached. Stop with the false comparisons.
1
The framers always said that democracy was an experiment in self-government that depended most upon the people for its success, although they set up a government with two sovereigns and a federal government with three, limited branches of government. Sadly, we won't learn the whole truth of all that happened for many years, but we know enough. Trump has committed multiple high crimes and misdemeanors. He brags about them. He doesn't understand that he's a criminal. Impeach is the only option.
1
There is another important question here. The so-called "transcript" of the Trump/Zelensky phone call is not a transcript at all. It is, at best, a White House reconstructed summary from memory of some of those who listened in, although, according to some accounts, there does exist an actual recording somewhere hidden. And very significantly, it contains unaccounted for ellipses at crucial points in the conversation. What was deleted in those sections? Is this the equivalent of Nixon's famous 18 minute gap in the White House tapes. Why is nobody asking about this?
1
If anything seems certain in this sordid affair that is the Trump presidency it is that what assaults our system of government moves way beyond the level of sophistication anyone should attribute to the incurious Mr. Trump alone. If the phone transcripts he and his minions sought to hide away from prying eyes were placed in such a secure archival system that it be open only to the rare birds with ‘code word’ security clearance, who came up with this nefarious idea in the first place? Who with such restricted clearance & absence of patriotism could have been persuaded to open these files initiating this act of betrayal at its start? The Trump administration seems far too organizationally sloppy & chaotic at its root to have engineered whatever Trumpian takeover of our government that has already occurred. Who hatched the unvetted Mr. Giuliani into all of this? For what prescient intention? The focally compromised Mr. Barr? Steven Miller? The legion of ‘acting’ functionaries surrounding Mr. T himself? etc. etc. The operational core of our current national nightmare seems it is an all too perfect exploitation of our system’s fault lines. It’s too early to know right now, but it seems plausible to question that this seditious infiltration & erosion of our government has been in place for far longer than & way beyond the talents of Trump alone. He is only the slow-burning fuse that has been igniting the insidious implosion of our system that we are suffering in real time.
1
Let's face it. Trump is so far off norms that newsmen are having a difficult time dealing with his misdeeds. I understand that the Trump administration has made it hard to uncover incriminating evidence - so called smoking guns. I suggest that they turn to techniques that scientists and actuaries use to estimate probabilities when exact data for an event aren't available, but data for similar events are plentiful. Just look at Trump's record of ten thousand lies and his countless publicly proclaimed intent of criminal conduct, and spare us the anguished questions about a yet another misdeed. The question is, given the preponderance of likelihood that the answer to all your questions is yes, what would you suggest we do?
1
The Kremlin is saying that it hopes that Putin and Trump's conversations aren't made public. That's hilarious. It's a red flag put out by Putin as a way to assure that Democrats now WANT to see those conversations. How likely is it that Trump is being primed by Vlad's encouragement to meddle in the Ukraine? I'd say very likely. Guiliani and Trump's supporters in the Ukraine are the pro-Putin forces. They're the ones who would encourage Rudy's eager efforts to skewer Biden and Son. Meanwhile, Trump was representing Putin's interests by holding back the money for Ukraine's defense while muscling Zelensky to investigate Biden.
When Trump met Zelensky at the UN, Trump concluded their meeting by saying that he hoped that Zelensky 'would meet with Putin' as a way out of his nation's crisis vs Russian separatists. Putin eats people like Zelensky for lunch every day. Sure, he'll be happy to have Zelensky for lunch.
By signaling that the Putin/Trump communications as targets, Vlad is again sowing chaos into American elections. The fact is Putin has found a useful tool in Donald Trump, his American president fanboy. Putin doesn't need Trump except as s puppet to sow dissension in America. He'll leave Trump out to dry at his pleasure if he so desires.
It's likely that there is indeed something to see in those conversations and Trump will have to sweat it out hoping that he doesn't have to show those.
Putin just wants to see him sweat.
2
Should similar arguments also be considered in everyday crime? The upper reaches of society contribute jobs, ideas, charitable contributions, inspiration....should those be taken into account when considering charges of rape, murder, child abuse, drug dealing or treason? Should grand juries be instructed to do so? Already there are too many examples of nations that succumbed to corruption. America has made every effort to be ruled by principles, not privilege. This is no time to change.
1
"bullying of Ukraine" indeed--exactly what Biden did with success (he got the prosecutor fired) and what Victoria Nuland and the Ambassador did when they chose who would be part of the Ukrainian government. This shows how tricky a road to impeachment is. This of course does not mean that Trump is not a bully and a disaster. Beware what you wish for.
The 'ol fallback that Biden got the prosecutor fired is not entirely true without the context. At that time every Western Nation was calling for that. The case of Biden, his son etc. has been investigated for 10 years.
This self admitted and wrongful phone call of press to Zelensky was recent and very very not right.
Trump doesn't want Ukraine to "investigate" Biden. Everything about Biden's interaction with the Ukraine is already well known, and none of it raises an ounce of concern. The Ukraine's most prominent anti-corruption activist has stated that there is nothing there.
Trump wants the Ukraine to MAKE SOMETHING UP about Biden. It doesn't matter how false the accusation would be, because Trump is a specialist in false theories. After all, Trump and the GOP are already publicizing theories about it, even before any "investigation" has taken place. The faithful are already lined up behind these lies. He is just hoping for further confirmation, but due to his ignorance of the law and Constitution, he stumbled into the current mess.
I am very puzzled about why the media has not taken the time to flesh out what Biden was doing in the Ukraine, rather than constantly analyzing what effect the (false) accusations will have on his candidacy. Perhaps they are afraid of the accusations of "bias" that would come from the right. Well, they're coming anyway.
2
Trump never colluded with Russia, OVER and OVER and OVER - 272 contacts between his administration and Russian officials. Withholding support for Ukraine to ward off an invasion by Russia is just a coincidence?
1
Trump so shouldn't be above justice, that I hope he isn't impeached by the Senate - I don't want Pence to pardon him for his crimes while at the White House. After he looses in 2020, he can be indicted and tried for everything without interference.
1
The ultra secure vault is the equivalent of Nixon's oval office tapes. Trump will do everything to keep those documents under wraps. Once they come out, Trumpworld unravels.
My pro-Trump family and friends keep telling me that Mueller couldn't find any collusion and this is just a witch hunt.
That is why obstruction of justice is a crime. And that Mueller found all over the place.
3
We must gather meticulous details but also never lose sight of the big picture, which is simply:
No US election can ever again be deemed free and fair when the President is using Blackmail (The Ukraine) and enlisting (Russia) foreign powers to dig up and/or fabricate dirt on his rivals.
3
Seriously? Does Kristof need to ask if Putin, a Russian conspiring with Trump to overturn the post WWII world order, wanted Trump to hold up $410,000,000.00? One would think that Trump's remark that Russia and Ukraine could make a deal to resolve their differences speaks volumes! Putin gets what he wants, an intimidated Ukraine,Trump gets manufactured dirt on Biden and they each further the demise of the West's world order. The trifecta!
4
What was Russia's role? Was Putin the puppeteer? Trump's role (and apparently Pence's, Barr's, Pompeo's as well) was de facto Russian agent. Didn't this hot mess of White House law breaking (e.g., the whistle blower laws) and unconstitutional actions (e.g., using public assets for private gain) benefit only Russia and definitively damage only our own interests and the interests of a free and democratic Ukraine? Please recall what has just come out, from a transcript that was covered up but is not any longer. In private Trump told Putin and Lavrov that he would not mind if they sabotaged our 2016 elections. No kidding, Putin does not want Americans to learn about these phone calls. If McConnell blocks an impeachment trial, shouldn't we add him to the de facto Russian agent list?
1
On October 5th 1981, Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who disappeared in January 1945 after saving the lives of tens of thousands of Jews in Nazi-occupied Hungary during World War II, became the second person in history to be awarded Honorary U.S. Citizenship. (The first was Winston Churchill.)
It remains a matter of huge importance that the full circumstances and manner of his death at the hands of Russian agents acting under the orders of Joseph Stalin have not been revealed to the world by Mr. Putin.
President Trump has rightly come under enormous criticism in this country for his failure to take aggressive and timely action against Putin for his interference in our 2016 election and his other criminal actions such as the poisonings of a former Russian spy and his daughter in England.
In defense of his failure to take appropriate and timely actions against Putin, President Trump appears to be inferring that he is saving his great deal-making skills for times when other more important matters arise.
With the October 5th day when Mr. Wallenberg became a U.S. citizen fast approaching, the President should now ask Mr. Putin to put out a final definitive statement on the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Wallenberg, including the role in it of Mr. Stalin.
If the President succeeds in getting such a statement, his hopes for eventually achieving some sort of a better relationship with Russia may be vindicated to some degree . If he does not, they won’t be.
1
To this moment, no one knows what Trump and Putin discussed in Helsinki. Then and now, not the State Department, members of Trump's own administration, the Pentagon, the National Security Agency, etc. No one but Trump.
The 'outrage' over this fact died out pretty quickly. No one pushed back. Were any type of notes secured away? Did Trump eat them?
No wonder Trump acts with total disregard for the law. He got away with Helsinki and shoved our collective face in the dirt immediately with his press conference right after the meeting.
And even I was reluctant about impeachment. Not any more. Trump will never tell about his Putin meeting. So be it. But now is the time to hold him accountable for his actions starting on July 25th.
I also hope the Democrats will avoid spectacle (question Rudi in private please!) and bring serious and well prepared deliberative process to the inquiry.
Trump has strained the rule of law to the tipping point. How could the Democrats ask for our vote in 2020 if they do not actively work to support our Constitution and the rule of law now? Unfortunately, we have come to this moment because of Trump's consistent and perverted self-seeking.
1
The saddest words in that entire piece are surely "polls show that a majority of the public both disapproves of Trump’s conduct and does not favor impeachment". If, after all he has done, almost from day one, he doesn't deserve to be impeached - and setting aside everything to do with Ukraine, which is the most cut and dry (not to mention comprehensible by the public at large) - then what DOES it take to be deemed, not only unqualified and incompetent at the job, but downright cancerous to our democracy? Obstructing justice is sufficient in my book. It's not that any of us WANT to impeach any president, it's that the founders would be ashamed of us if we don't.
1
Dittos Nick, in regards to "A Few Questions."
But far more difficult than impeachment (!) is the unanswered question: How do YOU reconcile union to someone who dismisses Trump's malefactions? (Cynically, SNL's Kenan Thompson may have answered that question in his comedy sketch last night, “Ain’t nothing going to happen.")
With Obama the Republicans would have impeached him for breathing an oxygen-nitrogen mix. With Trump you have someone the Mueller report found it was unable to charge with conspiracy and left it to Congress to decide if the obstruction was egregious enough. Now this. If you think Trump didn't engage in anything else, why would he get rid of the Putin transcripts? What has been said in conversations with MBS? The Republicans look at this as there is no there there. Perhaps they should focus on there is plenty more where this came from. If you just bother to look. They may not be squirming from this Ukraine situation. They may be astute enough to know the iceberg behind it is not melting. And the recognition that the people that know about that iceberg may have had enough. Blind loyalty always has its limits.
More than a few questions here, and they should have been asked long ago by Republicans as well as Democrats. Trump's strange subservience to Putin, his disgraceful performance in Helsinki when he virtually admitted to being a Russian asset, his disclosure of sensitive intelligence to Russia's foreign minister and ambassador in the Oval Office, his destruction of translator notes after every meeting with Putin, his reluctance to impose congressionally imposed sanctions on Russian oligarchs close to Putin, his ordering of Treasury to lift sanctions on Oleg Deripaska. I realize Moscow Mitch is in Deripaska's pocket, having been promised a $200 million aluminum plant for Kentucky, but why other Republican senators continue to ignore Trump's clearly suspicious though readily apparent pro-Russian behavior staggers the imagination. It's as if the "party of national security" has sold out, forgotten its historic hostility to a former Communist empire still ruled by a KGB agent, and become a tame Duma. And 40 percent of the populace thinks that's OK????
2
The The July 25 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky casts a new light on the words and actions of various members of the Trump administration. For example, on May 1, William Barr appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify about the Mueller report. At that time, Senator Kamala Harris asked Barr this question: “Has the president or anyone at the White House ever asked or suggested you open an investigation into anyone?” Barr’s answer after much hesitation: “I don’t know.” What, we must wonder, would Barr’s answer be now? Likewise, what explanation would Mike Pence now offer for why he didn’t attend Zelensky’s May 20 inauguration as originally planned? And then there is the role of Jared Kushner. What did Kushner discuss with Zelensky when they were seated next to each other at a dinner in Brussels on June 4? To what degree where these individuals, and several more, willing participants in a scheme to pressure Ukraine into investigating Trump's political opponents?
If one phone call to President Zelensky can raise this many questions, I shudder to think of the malfeasance lurking in the conversations Trump has had with Vladimir Putin and Mohammed bin Salman.
2
The law is thee law. Trump has never cared about this country. He has used the country as an opportunity to further the designs of the Russians. Trump wanted "a favor done" this is not a democrat vs the GOP this is one man who listened to his staff and engaged in illegal behavior. Withholding arms to a country who Russia wants to take over. When he cut off Susan Rice's security clearance and others it was to make sure no one asked any questions, not get back as the media was talking about.
Trump would never have known about putting those messages, calls on this secret sever unless someone told him to do it. So there are to many people to count who are part of this corruption cover up. Starting with Trump, Pence, Sec. of State Moscow Mitch and the entire administration,
Trump created his own nightmare and should do the right thing for his own self respect, resign and then the rest of them should follow immediately. They are traitors to this country
1
The Republican Party has made it quite plain since this president has been in office that he is above the law. When Republicans controlled the House did they even once convene oversight hearings into the president's conduct? Doesn't the Attorney General make it plain the president is above the law? Didn't Barr disparage the Special Prosecutor's two year investigation and unilaterally declare the president innocent of collusion with Russia?
This president has also had a fixation for winning a Nobel Peace Prize simply because his predecessor was awarded one. Calling for the execution of whistleblowers is hardly a humane sentiment or a crusade for peace and is typical of how the Kremlin deals with people they deem troublemakers.
1
The movement is for the majority of the public to favor impeachment, and some polls already show this.
1
Peskov’s statement is a double edged sword.
Which beggars the Q: does Trump understand the text and the subtext of the statement?
The key question is how do you fight Trump so he is not in the WH after Jan 21? Certainly not with this story of Ukrainian improprieties, bad as they are. Asking a foreign leader for dirt so you can boost your electoral chances is unethical (but this is exactly what the Clinton camp did with the lurid Steele dossier) and Trump behaves like a mafia don (like Bush & Cheney before him). Trump's worst crimes are left out of the purview of the proceedings (like cozying up to MBS so the massacre inYemen can go on while pocketing Saudi money in his hotels). The worst crime for mankind is, of course, his climate denial and encouragement to the wreckers of the planet. This whole think will sink Biden whose own shady or racist issues will be center-stage now. One opinion contributor nailed it on the head: impeachment is an act of desperation (read christopher Buskirk's excellent piece here). In the judo games that uneducated Trump plays with liberals and their media the brute always comes out on top. Russiagate was an abysmal failure because it was a hare-brained conspiracy theory concocted by Brennan and Clinton. It died in Congress with Mueller's testimony. What do Dems want? To clean the US of Trumpism or Trumpism without Trump?
The evidence is flimsy, at best. The treatment of this president has been unfair. The motivation of the Democrats is 99% pure hatred. To base the impeachment of a president for these reasons is a grave threat to our democracy.
I am old enough to recall; "Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build bridges even when there are no rivers".
Nikita Khrushchev
And, "We do not have to invade the United States, we will destroy you from within".
Nikita Khrushchev
1
Trump is destructive of our country. The facts.....as confirmed by Trump himself.....is that he asked a foreign government for help for his own personal reasons. Add to that, extortion/bribery by withholding approved money and a coverup of this behavior. Clearly Trump is not fit to lead us anywhere.
Add to that he as commander in Chief went against Pentagon advice and hindered them as they were by aiding Ukraine, Barr has subverted the DOJ into Trump’s personal justice dept, and the State Dept is also corrupted.
Trump needs to be on trial by inquiry and if the facts are indeed confirmed, he should be impeached. What the Senate does we have no control over. But not impeaching Trump is to condone him.
I wonder if there is something in Trump's character that causes people who dislike him to not want to see him impeached. Could it be a strange kind of sympathy, such as one wouldn't feel, say, for Bernie Madoff? I feel something like that, and it is subtle and unpleasant. I see beneath the deliberate toxic and aggressive corruption, the emptiness of substance that requires the seamless, delusional shell of Narcissism. That's the little boy. Decent people (pardon the brag) are inclined to see the good or pitiable in reprobates like Trump.
The central problem is that McConnell is corrupt too. We are watching the destruction of the USA by Russia without one bomb being dropped.
2
Does this event rise to Crimes and Misdemeanors ? Yes. By itself one might put this off as someone without political or Washington experience. But punishments often are determined by a person's propensity and with Trump we have seen a propensity of wrong doing and disregard for the rules. Trump is a serial offender and taken as a whole justice demands a more aggressive intervention.
This is the second time Mr. Kristof has assessed the issue of impeachment by asking, “How would I feel about impeachment if these Ukraine revelations were about Barack Obama?” That begs the wider question of recent American Presidents. All of us have human blind spots, fatal flaws, Achilles heels. Some are better at covering or controlling them. I think Obama was probably in this latter camp, which probably means that it would have been unlikely that Obama would have fallen into or precipitated this kind of affair. Nixon, famously, suffered from paranoia. Bill Clinton had an over-active libido. Bush the Younger had issues of family hierarchy. Trump, it seems to me, has issues about respect, caused in part by a father who was domineering and the benefit of familial wealth. He never learned what it takes to earn real respect, because those around him proffered subservience which he took to be the equivalent. But there has always been that nagging doubt about his sense of worth. Fueled by his disinterest in things intellectual and his penchant for conspiracy theories, what we are learning about Ukraine is that Trump was ripe for the most unbelievably stupid schemes, instigated by innuendo from Putin and domestic sycophants, right-wing media figures, and his own narcissism. A Greek tragedy brought to us courtesy of 63 million uninformed and resentful fellow Americans.
The suggestion that President Obama would have ever behaved like this is absurd. I get what you're trying to say but that's a stretch that I can't make. It's like you're asking us to judge between Al Capone and Mother Theresa.
Blaise Pascal said a long time ago, ‘People almost invariably arrive at their beliefs not on the basis of proof but on the basis of what they find attractive.’
All we can collectively do is hope that someone can deliver the smoking gun to the Democrats. Else all we will be doing for a very long time is wheeze from the smoke being blown our way from the WH.
All of Trump’s corruption is not about one man, it is about the entire Republican Party. Trump has been allowed to get away trampling the Constitution because the Republican Party protects him and allows it to happen. Imagine if the Republicans still controlled the House, we are lucky we have a check on this disaster. Regardless of the outcome, the fact that we have someone saying “no” to this behavior and paying attention to Trumps criminality, may slow down the destruction but it is a slender thread between Democracy and Fascism.
Is Trump basically following suggestions, or even orders, planted in his mind by Putin? I don't know. But many people are saying! Many, many people!
1
A special prosecutor needs to review all the hidden files, phone calls, and documents between Criminal Trump and Putin/MBS. Only then can Americans know the crimes this republican party has committed.
1
The photo of Putin and the Saudi prince grinning and high-fiving at a gathering that included Trump said it all for me. Trump has sold us to the highest bidder for his own self interests.
McConnell will say that there has never been an impeachment trial in an election year.
With regard to the cover-up question, tt appears that Mueller nor the FBI were ever given access to notes or transcription of the infamous meeting between POTUS and Russians in the oval office where he reportedly told the Russians he wasn't concerned with their election meddling. If there are notes of this meeting and it corroborates the story wouldn't this be a serious criminal conspiracy for all of those that knew about the notes/transcription and hid them from investigators? I feel that any impeachment inquiry should have a broad enough scope to uncover all instances of intentional misclassification of notes of POTUS meetings with foreign heads of state
1
How would I feel about impeachment if these Ukraine revelations were about Barack Obama?
If Obama hadn't conducted himself from the get go as a true American patriot with the wisdom of a sage and the values of a perfect gentleman he wouldn't have lasted a week after the House went to the Republicans in 2010. For all the sand Murdoch and the Koch's Tea Party threw in his gears, he never betrayed his ideals, which is to say American ideals, by stooping to their level. There probably never was or will be a greater example of saintly forbearance in the Oval Office than that showed by Barack Obama. How he is missed!
How about this question: Do you make decisions solely on how it makes you look rather than what's good for the nation?
It will be like an Onion, one layer of lies then another.
Look how enmeshed Giuliani was inUkraine already — over decades.
And Trump was all the more comfortable withholding $400 million in military aid for Ukraine, because Trump is biased toward Russia.
And now the code-word secret server, with locked down conversations between Trump and Putin, MBS, and who else?
Talk about a Deep State!
Inquire, inquire, inquire.
It is essential to get all the facts — because this Constitutional threat needs a complete diagnosis, so lasting remedies can be made—an Amendment may be needed.
The Inquiry is just as Important as the vote to Impeach.
Rather than being afraid of what McConnell will or won't do, democrats need to focus on getting the public educated with a simple story of what this president did and why it is anathema to the rule of law and why he needs to be removed from the office. Because let's face it... we are all exhausted with constant daily incidents.
If democrats can convince the majority of the public, McConnell can be forced to come around. Democrats, make it hard to argue for indecency. There are no guarantees, but pour your heart out in making the case first.
1
Mr. Kristof, you have a “smoking gun” transcript of a president soliciting something of value for his electoral advantage against a political opponent from a foreign nation. What more do you need? This is explicitly against the law and, as you say, it is precisely what the Constitutional framers feared. Moreover, he held back almost $400 million in military aid, appropriated by Congress to extort said foreign assistance.
The game is up. You have a smoking gun.
Of course Obama should have been impeached for a similar crime. And of course he would have been. You need nothing else. And looking for more just abrogates our democratic responsibility and gives time for the outrage to dissipate.
If the Senate does not take up the trial, that just highlights their lawlessness for the American electorate. It would be a great political win for the Democrats, the only ones fulfilling their Constitutional oaths.
I am hoping that the airing of conversations between Trump and Putin will be the 2019 version of the Nixon tapes in which the Republican senators told their boss in 1974 that they couldn't save him. That would be the only way the current composition of Republican senators could turn on Trump and explain to their constituents they couldn't condone treasonous conduct. Conviction would revive a Republican party currently in the clutches of a corrupt man.
12
@nzierler
That would be great to get those conversations between trump and Putin. I'm sure Putin has some HD recordings of his conversations he is holding over his apprentice's head should he fall out of favor, as trump digs a deeper compromising hole every time he speaks with his Russian comrade. We may not have to get into the codeword-level criminal evidence server - we just wait for Putin to disclose it.
I certainly doubt the Republicans will ever turn on trump, regardless of the evidence. Indeed, if trump were to shoot someone on Fifth Ave. and arrested immediately with probable cause - like law enforcement witnessing the crime and recorded it on 3D video - trump would not lose a single Republican vote. Furthermore, Republicans would rally around the trump and find a Democrat to blame for the shooting - like a Biden or Hillary no doubt.
Vladimir Putin may long for the return of the Soviet empire. In pursuit of that goal he has overrun Georgia, Crimea, and Eastern Ukraine. The Baltic states with poor economies are teetering under Russian pressure. Europe's weakening economic prospects make them as well as Poland susceptible to Russian influence.
But the rest of Ukraine may be the big prize. Viktor Yanukovych couldn't deliver it to Russian control, but Donald Trump may be able to. A restored Soviet Union with Putin as the acknowledged leader for life is within sight.
I am 100% in favor of a careful impeachment of this incompetent corrupt excuse for a president. I am disgusted by Trump’s tactics of always accusing the accuser. His family is corrut in every way, and the emoluments clause is ignored. I am Dem 100%. I think highly of Joe Biden. But it is shady that Hunter was making big bucks in the Ukraine-apparently nothing illegal-but clearly trading on his father’s name. Too bad Joe did not restrain him.
Mr. Kristof's questions are good ones, but it's a mistake to get too deep in the weeds on the impeachment inquiry. The basic issue is not in dispute: the President used his office to push a foreign head-of-state to investigate a domestic political rival. Is that an abuse of power or not? If deemed so by the House, they could vote to impeach in coming week. If they choose to meander down an investigatory path instead, they will lose the average citizen who mostly ignores the day-to-day infighting in Washington, and probably couldn't tell you the names of the Secretary of State or Attorney General. So, impeach, and get it over with. Otherwise, let the election next year determine the President's future.
Exposing the full range of Trump's misconduct is much more important than voting a bill of impeachment on narrow grounds that most Americans do not seem to care about. There's an article in the WP today about the State Dept opening investigations into Hillary's emails--a bunch have been retroactively classified. Wonder who started that? Think the Judiciary committee will even ask when Pompeo testifies? There's a long history of stonewalling on both testimony and releases of documents that are clearly violations of law. The biggie, I think, would be tax evasion and bank fraud that post Americans could understand.
1
The last sentence of Mr Kristof's current musings is the most important thought for all American Citizens to consider. " Shall any man be above justice?" Trump has consciously attempted to destroy all the governmental and political foundations protecting and honoring justice in our country. The results and outcome of this impeachment, which largely revolve around how many politicians and government officials actually have a backbone of ethics and honest is immaterial. Trump may successfully bribe or manipulate them all but the fact remains that if our democratic society has any hope of surviving Trump must be impeached.
4
I"m shocked, just shocked, that KGB Lt. Col. Putin doesn't want the phone calls made public. I just don't understand why he doesn't hide them in the same computer system that Trump uses. After all, there was NO COLLUSION...
3
Seems quite likely that Trump et al will stonewall any impeachment inquiry -- as they've been doing with all congressional investigations -- right through next year's election day.
1
Kristof's last paragraph should have been his first. An impeachment inquiry is the only way we can hope to get any questions answered. Though there is little hope that the Republican-controlled senate will abandon Donald regardless of his crimes, the voters deserve to know exactly who their options are come the 2020 presidential election. Anyone opposing the impeachment inquiry is opposing the public's right to know what this administration has been doing. One would think Donald's most ardent supporters would welcome the inquiry as a chance to prove their guy is as great as he says he is. And any true American patriot should be glad for the inquiry, regardless of what we learn. It is only by demanding the answers we are entitled to that we can hold our leaders accountable.
3
You might also question why did candidate Trump's camp delete Ukraine support from the GOP platform.
For example, see Paul Roderick Gregory's article in Forbes, July 18, 2016, headlined: "Trump, Deferring To Putin, Deleted GOP Platform's Call To Supply Ukraine With Lethal Defensive Weapons"
Excerpt: "Trump has boasted that a good negotiator does not say what he is not going to do in advance. Removing defensive lethal weapons to Ukraine from the platform does just that. It is a sign of a weak negotiator. The eyes of the nation should be on arms for Ukraine as the Republican convention unfolds. If Trump sends the wrong signal, he risks his credentials as a strong leader."
Negotiator stuff aside, why did he?
6
At the beginning of Watergate public opinion was still pretty divided. There was a lot of suspicion of Nixon but a lot of people thought impeachment was an overreaction. But the investigations brought a lot of new info and changed public opinion to the point where there was no need to impeach, Republicans in the Senate had come around too.
Now in these hyper-polarized times I don't have much hope for that but public opinion may change as new facts emerge. Can't judge the results yet, we're only at the beginning.
1
As to the emoluments clause: As I check the Apple "stocks"app during the day and notice the news explaining the Dow's fall comes as a result of a twitter comment from the oval office, I imagine that there is a text chain announcing the oncoming tweet that prompts those in the loop to place the order to short their holdings.
3
McConnell dismissal of the case is no joke. Our government needs to be extraordinarily strategic in its defense of democracy. The stakes are high.
3
And if Donald Trump is impeached and removed from Office, which is an actual possibility, President Pence needs to understand that given his possible involvement in this nasty business that he will create a substantial risk for himself if he pardons the ex-President as Gerald Ford did for Richard Nixon.
Private Citizen Trump can be and must be indicted for his crimes and held accountable. It is a precedent and message this generation of Americans need to send those who follow.
4
All good questions Mr. Kristof that will never be answered fully because the moral and ethical character of most politicians is far less than that needed to save our democracy from the corrupting influence of money. The unfortunate truth is that voters are often given choices that have been run through a money filter. This filtering process ensures that most of the people elected to office are sufficiently morally and ethically pliable so that they will serve the needs of the corporations and the wealthy who got them elected.
These are harsh words that an honest observer would find difficult to refute. Compounding the problem of politicians who are morality and ethically pliable is that these same deficient politicians pick the judges who oversee the rule of law and are charged with protecting the rights our nation's citizens.
The only lasting way for our nation to slip the grip of money corrupted politicians and their patrons is to amend the Constitution in ways that will preserve and protect our democracy and all Americans. That said, at 71, I have little hope I will live long enough to see our nation fulfill the aspirations and hopes of its people.
6
"This filtering process ensures that most of the people elected to office are sufficiently morally and ethically pliable so that they will serve the needs of the corporations and the wealthy who got them elected."
Citizens United.
You are right, nothing will change unless we overturn Citizens United.
2
No, there was no vote of the House regarding impeachment. Pelosi is afraid to have constituents see how their reps would vote.
1
As more and more evidence emerges as a result of Impeachment hearing subpoenas which carry more clout in a court of law, our country is becoming better informed and more disgusted with the extent of this president's lies, deception, corruption and unlawful attempts to cover up.
2
Focusing on just Ukraine is bad for the Constitution and bad politically.
If you just focus on the Ukraine and don't also hammer on the Mueller Report than it will be used as evidence that the Mueller Report was a "nothing burger." This will be used to discredit the information on Ukraine. Focusing on the Ukraine weakens the argument on Ukraine.
Mueller is a Republican appointed by a Republican appointed by Trump. If he has political bias, its toward Republicans.
Mueller accused Trump of multiple Federal Felonies, because Trump was Obstructing the investigation into foreign attacks on our elections and election systems at the state level. Mueller said that the only reason Trump was not indicted for these Felonies is that he is a sitting president. That is why Mueller said, "the Constitution has a process other than the criminal justice system to formally accuse a sitting president," making it it an obvious impeachment referral (which both the press and the Democratic leadership ignored!).
The Mueller Report was not a nothing burger. It was an impeachment referral for High Crimes and corroborates the Ukraine story.
More importantly, we need to document ALL of Trump's High Crimes against All of the Constitution, or they become normalized!
Calling for political violence, taking payments from foreign countries, misappropriating funds, refusing oversight, claiming he can ignore Amendments to the Constitution, calling the Press the enemy, attacking our defenders...
High Crimes!
6
Your comments are spot on and so worth repeating ....
"We need to document ALL of Trump's High Crimes against All of the Constitution, or they become normalized!
Calling for political violence, taking payments from foreign countries, misappropriating funds, refusing oversight, claiming he can ignore Amendments to the Constitution, calling the Press the enemy, attacking our defenders... High Crimes!"
One thing to consider... The Constitution calls for the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to preside over the Senate trial of a president. While a Moscow Mitch might try to not hold a trial, if one starts, his power will lie in arm-twisting his caucus, not in conducting the actual trial.
If it comes to a trial in the Senate, I hope that Justice Roberts realizes this will more define “his” court than any particular ruling (unless they finally decide to dismantle our democracy completely).
2
If another President tried to trade foreign aid for election support, I'd be in the same place. wanting him impeached and gone, even if it meant we were stuck with someone like Pence for another term. If he tried to cover it up and defied Congress's right to investigate, I'd push for impeachment.
The problem with that little thought game is that the only other President who abused power so thoroughly was Nixon, and he did it to protect his own rear. NO OTHER President has out and out asked a foreign power that's short a few hundred million in promised aid - one that is in a war with Russia - to help get himself elected. No other President has undermined the legitimacy of the Courts, Congress or even the States (despite the States Rightsers opinion otherwise) in the same manner.
I did not like Clinton, or Bush. I found Clinton sleazy and Bush too easily swayed. But I never questioned their patriotism, their desire to do the best for the country, even when I vehemently disagreed with policy.I cannot think of one instance in which Trump put country first.
So how do you play the thought game "Would I think the same if he were a Democrat?" when the fundamental problem with Trump is that his level and type of personal corruption and amorality is unique?
9
So much deep historical background -- yet the most fundamental principle in our justice system from the Constitution is "probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation," and the research project promoted here sounds like fishing.
2
But the pond (or swamp) has been pretty well stocked, as if fishing is encouraged.
The summary of President Trump’s call is clear — he is extorting action by the President of the Ukraine to investigate and provide dirt on Joe and Hunter Biden. Amazingly clear, in fact.
Perhaps the GOP will throw Trump under the bus when they realise that 2020 is at stake from this Ukraine debacle. They've shown themselves to be fundamentally dishonest at every turn, and lacking in any kind of values or loyalty. The support for Trump to date is very emperor-has-no-clothes-ish. As soon as it's no longer is their interests to have Trump front the party, he'll be gone in a New York minute. I wouldn't be surprised if right now the GOP is having war room discussions about sidling Pence into place to replace Trump, making sure the base remains loyal and minimising the loss of votes in 2020. Of course, Trump knows where all the bodies are buried, and that must be weighing heavily on Republicans' minds as they contemplate the pros and cons of ditching Trump to save the election.
7
Dems must now be relentless in their commitment to expose the mountains of evidence of criminal, immoral and unethical actions by this con man posing as president.
Mindboggling.
And Clinton gets impeached for one measly affair?
Just mindboggling.
Among the answers we know already is that Trump was well aware that Russia hacked our election system as well as the Democratic party emails. Having mentioned it to the Russian diplomats prior to the Zelensky phone meetings. So his faux doubting in public was a lie. He had no doubts. And as a way to pave the way for this doubt he deliberately threw our intelligence agencies under the bus so whatever they found would be doubted especially if it ran straight to him and his team. Now the question regarding that is was Team Trump somehow complicit. 200+ meetings with Russians - and we know that Mueller had very little authority to investigate these thoroughly and we know that there were no transcripts - that at least, Mueller was able to obtain.
4
Well said and wish more people understood all the implications of how this all happened.
1
New sources are reporting that Democrats are talking about short impeachment hearings narrowly focused on the Ukraine.
Focusing on Ukraine and rushing through the process are both huge mistakes There is no need to rush through impeachment in the House. Once the House votes to impeach, then the ball goes to Republicans. Mitch McConnell and Justice Roberts will control the narrative and the process. That is the opposite of what you want if you want to win the 2020 election.
The smart strategy is to spend the next year accusing Trump of ALL of his High Crimes, so that by the time the election comes around, Trump's attacks on ALL of the principles of Our Constitution are being widely denounced.
An impeachment Inquiry gives the House the power to speed action by the courts to gather evidence on Trump's High Crimes. Why would we want to rush through that, limiting the amount of incriminating evidence? Why would you want to shorten the time that Democrats control the process, and lengthen the time that the Republicans control the process? Why are the same people who were so reticent to do anything a week ago, now so eager to risk everything on one phone call.
Trump calls this a hoax. What if it is? What if this is a trap set up by Trump? What if the whole Ukraine story falls apart? We are still in the first weeks of the investigation. We know very little.
Meanwhile this is tightly intertwined with the Mueller Report which is also about election interference and Obstruction,
8
Thanks. I've been alarmed by how many commentators are dismissing the "Ukraine did it" conspiracy theory as just craziness. It is—but it's Putin's crazy-like-a-fox-ness.
Trump has repeated Russian talking points throughout his term.
Whether he believes them or not is irrelevant. He's beholden to the Russians, he still needs them, and he is carrying out their agenda. He has been all along.
I was shocked that Mueller seemed to limit his investigation of the Russian connection to election stuff only. If all of Trump's doings were investigated, a whole series of things like the co-signing of loans by oligarchs would be found, and the pattern would be as clear as the one on the Ukraine call.
It's already pretty clear to most of us from what we know. When has a president of the US so slavishly kowtowed to a dictator that he denies the evidence of his own intelligence services? And in former years, when would we EVER have contemplated electing a guy with so many interests in a hostile foreign power?
8
Yes, while most of the government, including most of Trump's appointees, have been trying to help the Ukraine, against Russia, Trump has been doing the opposite.
4
Yes or No? Republicans in America have to answer the question: "Is it OK for a president -- or ANY elected official in America -- to solicit help from a foreign government official (not a private citizen) in helping said elected official in a re-election campaign?"
5
NO, it is not ok for that to occur. Does that answer your question. It should be grounds for a successful impeachment and guilty verdict.
5
I am curious and concerned about the behaviour of the White House staff. For whom do they work? Does Donald Trump pay their salaries? Do the American people pay their salaries?
I know the President can hire and fire whomever he wishes but, ultimately, every person in government works for America. So my question really is: why are White House staff members protecting a President who is clearly actively covering-up phone conversations he has had which are supposed to be available for all to see unless the call has to do with very serious security issues?
They are complicit in his crimes and I do not understand why no staff member is publicly coming forward to declare that they will not help him to do this.
I know there is a whistle-blower but I am more concerned about the White House staff who know that what they are doing is wrong but they are going to continue to do it because they are protecting the President. Have they all forgotten what the word 'integrity' means?
With regard to the Republican Party, may I ask at what point do our politicians stop thinking about being re-elected and start doing what's right for America?And when oh when will the two parties start to work together for the benefit of the whole Country?
I live in Dublin and I am watching all this stuff going on in America right now and I just want to scream at all of them to grow-up and start doing their jobs.
19
You so correctly ask, "Have they all forgotten what the word 'integrity' means?"
The answer is: no, but they do not care about integrity.
It's all about winning.
They live by the old philosophies:
"End justifies the means",
"Everyone's doing it" and
"Integrity is for losers" (well I made that last one up but it sure fits)
Ultimately, they are driven by $$$$$...what benefits them financially.
Working in the WH looks good on a resume.
It opens doors and builds outside connections for more lucrative jobs in the future.
I am very grateful for Nicolas Kristof's article, which raises so many questions instead of publishing pundits' opinions. Thank you NYT. The impeachment proceedings are already in progress. For a resolution, I hope that our lawmakers, Dems and Republicans, find some common grounds, as they've done historically.
5
~"There’s much debate about whether Trump should or shouldn’t be impeached, but for now that seems to me to be premature. Before any impeachment vote, we need a substantial inquiry to determine facts."~
This is what happened with the Mueller Probe, and colleagues of yours and others in the printed press have been quick to criticize about the LENGTH of time it took. You imply a different result with a robust and longer investigation as if the Senate will vote to convict (or even hold a trial, if McConnell decides to slow-walk the process). You imply that the Courts will actually do their jobs and quickly back up the Congress.
Impeachment can be done in serial steps as more information comes out. No sense in dragging things out while there is further obstruction. trump has admitted colluding with a foreign power to affect the 2020 election. Get him now and then go back and pile on.
1
Mitch McConnell will have only a minor role in the impeachment and no GOP senator will dare vote to dismiss the complaint. Those are checker moves. The Dems are playing chess (yes!). It’s not material whether or not there’s a conviction. At trial in the senate, 22 GOP senators up for re-election will have to make the agonizing choice of standing with Trump or risking being primaried. If they stand with Trump, they risk defeat in the general election which a democratic challenger will make about that awful vote. So avoiding a primary fight seems like a Pyrrhic victory. True, if they vote to convict Trump their bases will revolt but the results will be situational based on how strong the independent voter faction is in a given state. So, the result of the trial in the senate is almost immaterial. There will be enough Trump dirt to detail his re-election. The question becomes can the GOP hold the senate if it acquits Trump?
3
Can the GOP hold the senate if it acquits Trump?
No.
The damage will be done.
Voting to KEEP a clearly corrupt man in the office of President of the United States of America will be the demise of Moscow Mitch and his spineless band of GOP senators.
An example of what passes for "fact" from Nicholas: "Pence dropped out of the delegation that attended Zelensky’s inauguration, seemingly as a way to pressure Zelensky to investigate the Bidens."
There is absolutely nothing to substantiate that - zero, nada, nil. Rumor and innuendo are not the basis for any investigation, and certainly not a matter as serious as impeachment. How soon we forget the Mueller inquiry.
It's also indicative of what this may really be about - by mentioning Pence in this, do we have a full-blown attempt to topple the government and put Nancy Pelosi in as third in line? Watching Adam Schiff give a false reading of a transcript (a parody he said) during the hearing the other day reminded me of the old Soviet and East Bloc show trials. I fear this whole thing can go sideways in ways that the clueless House democrats can't envision.
1
The key to any outcome is the Republican Senate. If those Senators do not stand up for our Constitutional form of government, those of us who believe there is so much smoke - there must be a fire will only have the ballot box as a recourse. If we get to the 2020 election, it must be a solid landslide for the Democratic candidate as their can be no doubt.
One other point, given what we saw in the transcript just released, does any citizen in this country really doubt Trump would not cut a deal with Putin to his benefit that would throw any of our allies under the nearest Russian tank?
5
A non-rhetorical question: If the House votes to impeach, can McConnell really block a trial in the Senate? I had understood that the chief justice of the supreme court would preside over the trial in the Senate. Wouldn't John Roberts control the process once the House votes?
2
Americans can add two plus two.
The focus will and should be about whether the nation remains a constitutional republic with three equal branches of government, or a dictatorship where the executive branch cannot be examined or, to use Steven Miller's words,
"Trump will not be "disobeyed."
and then Lindsey Graham's
"just break the law".
5
Had Obama been in this situation, Republicans would have been angry with the Democrats, Democrats dismayed for their country, and everyone shocked. With Trump in this situation some things are the same: Republicans are angry with the Democrats, Democrats are dismayed for their country. The difference is that no-one is shocked.
I've been saying from the beginning that the press needs to keep investigating what is going on between Trump and Putin. It seems that Mueller did not even talk to the translator. And where are the transcripts of Trump's calls and conversations with Putin? Someone must have translated them or been in the room with him. So many things we already know point to Trump's being involved in seeking help from Putin in exchange for easing sanctions, going easy in the Ukraine and helping Russia rejoin the G7/8. And that would be treason. Now that we see how Trump strong armed the Ukraine to help him win the 2020 election, we must realize that he would have Made A Deal with Putin for help in 2016. Trump wouldn't even think there was anything wrong with that. I want to add that I am a moderate Democrat or independent politically. My views are based on my understanding of the facts and Trump's psychology. I would like to see the Republicans ditch Trump and nominate someone with integrity like Jeff Flake or Bob Corker at their convention. Charlie Baker would make a good president. I'd rather see people of integrity run from both parties.
7
Well, if you read the Mueller report (few do) , you see that the Russian hacking operation dated from 2014, long before a wacky long-shot candidate appeared in the GOP field. Circumstantial evidence only links the two. Surely the flop of the Putin-collusion narrative , sustained on cable news for2 full years, is enough to douse any quick conspiracy theories!
Two points: In your next column, perhaps you can include some of the questions you think have been missed because the Dems are supposedly rushing this. And if all roles were reversed and it was Obama who did this, I would have been heartbroken. But I would have still supported impeachment. We might be a divided country, but some of us try to support what is right, not what we are told to believe. Btw, if this had been Obama, the Republicans would have impeached him long ago. No worries from them of going too fast.
9
You've posed questions about the inquiries into the president's impeachment, Nick Kristof. The answers from all the president's men are already coming fast and hard, parsed in "alternative facts" created by Trump and his supporters.
What was Russia's role? We may never know (viz. Helsinki Summit with Putin). Was there a cover-up of the quid-pro-quo phone conversations of Trump with president Zelensky of Ukraine? Looks likely.
What were the roles played by Attorney General Bill Barr and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo? Why was the president's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, involved in a foreign country's politics on behalf of Donald Trump?
Are all of this president's men above the law, above the Constitution today?
Can the Democratic Congress's impeachment process against Donald Trump work? Will our democracy be in shambles and our United States be more divided today than it was in the Civil War and last century?
5
If the Democrats, with this set of facts, cannot convince the voting public that these are serious questions, almost too numerous to investigate, as well as violations of law, then all this hyperventilating about Trump's terribleness will just fade in the wind. He might still lose, but it will be a crushing defeat if Congress is unable to make serious headway in demonstrating Trump's malfeasance.
3
As this true life drama unfolds we should all remember what normal looks like, and not suspend our ability to be shocked. Numbness is what Putin and our president, along with the new GOP wish for.
We are living through history right now. What will we tell our grandchildren when they ask what we did to defend Democracy, reign in global warming, and reject the anti-science onslaught from the right. Their future is in our hands.
Support the impeachment of our president and his cronies. Do the right thing.
7
"Shall any man be above justice?"
Evidently, that is up to Mitch McConnell to decide, just as it was up to Mr. McConnell to decide that president Obama's Supreme Court nominee would not be granted a hearing in the Senate.
America is effectively held hostage to Sen. McConnell's whims and
prejudices. This is a glaring defect which the Trump madness serves to highlight. This problem needs to be corrected.
8
The Democrats are not rushing anything. This week should tell us a lot. Inspector General Atkinson who found the whistleblower credible after his two week investigation of the complaint will appear before Congress. The IG also disagreed with his boss about the urgency of the matter which should prove interesting. Next on Thursday Special Envoy Volker will appear to expose Trump and Rudy as rogue operators. There will be much more drama before votes are cast. Public opinion has already shifted and more witnesses and documents to follow.
5
What about Mr Trump’s poopooing of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict in the Donbass region? He is telling Ukraine and the world to get over it, that Mr Putin can invade and takeover another country’s territory and that we should all move on and reinstate Mr Putin into the G7 and pretend like all this never happened. Mr Trump has thrown Ukraine under the bus. What is Mr Putin’s hold on him? Europe needs to step up as the moral authority.
8
I think I would favor impeachment at this point for Obama. We're talking about a two-time offense of soliciting foreign interference. But, just as significant an argument for impeachment comes from the political landscape at the moment. With all three branches of government stonewalling the House's subpoenas and investigation, and the fourth estate under unprecedented attack, bringing the charges in the form of impeachment may be the only way to pry loose the relevant information from the cold, zombie hands of Trump loyalists (or self-preservationists depennding on how deeply implicated some of his lieutenants may be).
6
Obama is not the president. Trump is. And Trump should be impeached.
These are good questions, but the transcript of the call is sufficient evidence for impeachment. The disadvantage with these questions is not just that the evidence to answer them conclusively might be unavailable, but that asking them may make it seem that more evidence is needed, when that isn't the case. I welcome a wider investigation, but it needs to be kept clear throughout that no more evidence is needed to impeach.
6
The question for me is not "what if Obama were accused of this," as it's near-impossible to imagine that he could be, but rather "what if it were Bush II?" As much as I despise the policies and prerogatives younger Bush, I would suspect the Democrats of overreach, as I believe he had at least a speck of honor and respect for the rule of law.
Not true of Don the Con.
2
Questions for Trump?
Trump answers every question with an attack on Joe Biden, because his considered opinion is that Joe Biden has, in Lincoln's words, the "sentiment of the people" supporting Biden to replace Trump as president.
Trump's constant attack on Joe Biden supports Elizabeth Warren and increases the chances of Warrant getting the nomination to oppose Trip in 2020.
It is now crystal clear that Trump wants to run against Warren and not against Biden in 2020 because Trump strongly believes he can beat Warren in 2020 but not Joe Biden.
Meanwhile of course Democrats supporting Elizabeth Warren and trashing Biden
in the Democratic nomination competition, are 100% aligning their interests with that of Trump.
Trump wants desperately for Warren to defeat Biden for the Democratic nomination for president to run against Trump.
That is exactly what both Trump and the Warren supporters want.
And if Trump beats Warren in the electoral college, a la 2016,
as seems highly likely,
whom would Warren and her acolytes blame for reelecting Trump?
Warren supporters seem desperate to repeat the terrible tragic election of 2016.
2
It may well be that the Russians are coaxing, programming, and funding the American right-wing extremists. The Russians probably have infiltrated the opinion formation of the right wing leadership at different levels. They would have a strong interest in continuing to drive the anti-immigration talk as it damages the U.S. in the eyes of the world. Similarly, they could easily support the gun lobby as it polarizes the American people. The emphasis in the right wing agenda may be derived primarily from the clandestine work of Russians who have figured out how to dupe the gullible right wing elements. There is no rule that restricts meddling to be used at the highest levels of government. Meddling can be at the grass roots level. What we are observing at the highest levels is ony part of the picture. We have gone beyond the style of persuasion and propaganda used during World War II. Just think back on the final statement of Special Council Robert S. Mueller III: It is happening as we speak.
7
"In the end, Mitch McConnell may not even permit a Senate trial after an impeachment. Or if McConnell convenes a trial, he could immediately have the Republican majority vote to dismiss the case."
This is not all bad. Think of the rage and energy among Resisters if McConnell were to do this. Think of the hundreds of thousands campaign workers, door knockers, phone ringers, and contributors who would rise up in response to such an action. It is surely suicide for a Republican presidency, and likely for a Republican Senate majority as well.
Of course, much the same would happen if the Republican Senate majority voted not to remove Trump from office. So, either way, impeachment is bad news for Republicans. And that is without even knowing everything that is going to come out.
7
Mr. Kristof, you are right on with your questions. Given how unstable Ukraine and the Crimea have been in recent years, one wonders how much the Ukrainian people were manipulated by Russian interference with their media, too. As mentioned on NPR today, Mr. Zelensky is a popular sitcom actor, familiar to the public -- but not an experienced politician or national leader. But his remarks to Mr. Trump in the July 25 phone call show an obsequiousness that appears that he too is easy to manipulate and control, and might also have been swayed by Mr. Putin or his allies. I still can't get Mr. Trump's comments, the day of the 2016 election, as he protested that if he didn't win, the election was "rigged." I wish it weren't so difficult to measure how American voters may have been swayed by untruthful messages; I wish it were easier to measure if members of Mr. Trump's base think they are better off now under this president's policies.
4
Why didn't Mueller indict Putin along with the other Russians he indicted? There was plenty of evidence that Putin was the mastermind behind the interference in our election. How come Putin gets a free pass like Trump. Is there also a DOJ policy that says you can't indict foreign leaders?
3
Given the egregious constancy of criminality by Trump and his minions and the utter absence of a single Republican to take a meaningful stand against up to it, uphold the constitution and the rule of law, or to act in any other way to preserve even a remnant of our democracy, the ONLY conclusion I can come to is that Putin has the goods on every one of them. Considering that Russian Ambassador Kislyak, with an entourage of his staff in tow, attended the Republican 2016 convention, and knowing they excel at enticing people into compromising positions while recording them, is it reasonable to think any GOP legislator attending that convention is NOT a blackmailed Russian asset? Someone, please give me another rational explanation why there is not one real patriot demanding accountability among them!
9
Assuming the House does impeach Trump, then McConnell holds the power to stop the process of removing Trump by refusing to even hold a trial in the Senate. Or, even if he allows a trial to proceed, he has tremendous sway over how the Republican majority would vote.
We know the Russians wanted Trump to win. Putin has told us this. And he would most certainly like to keep Trump in office. We there is evidence that the Russians also have leverage over McConnell.
Who would have thought that Putin would control whether Trump is removed from office?
Who would have thought that
7
I just read that for a test, one-hundred voting booths were made available to hackers, to see if they could be breached. The hackers success rate was 100%. If Trump doesn't go down now, we'll have him till 2024. What state will the country be in by then? Once its gone, we'll never get it back.
15
Mr. Kristof, you do realize that Trump will be re-elected. He has fullfilled the promises he made or is in the process of doing so. He was elected on the issue of illegal immigratiion and he will be re-elected on this invasion that hurts our country and its citizens with Dem Presidential candidates advocating Open Borders and free healthcare for illegals.
America And Its Citizens First - the homeless Vets, the 60,000 homeless in NYC, 20,000 of them children, NYCHA, our public transportation, infrastructure, all at the wayside of our Govenor Cuomo and Mayor DeBlasio who want to build 90 homeless shelters in residential neighborhoods as well as mega jails in four boroughs. NYC will have the tallest hails in the WORLD. How proud we can be.
3
The idea that impeachment is a political act as I read recently in another op-ed piece here, is mistaken; as you point out here, the way the founding fathers framed impeachment was as the ultimate check on executive power to ensure that no one is above the law; it’s an integral part of the philosophy of our government, and this important last safeguard against abuse of power and monarchical tendencies should not be reduced to some political gambit. Win or lose, it is the right thing to do - this is about principles, not politics.
15
There are political considerations as well as fact-gathering considerations in determining a calendar for the impeachment process now semi-officially underway.
The political considerations are that the Democrats in Congress stalled on impeachment since January when they could have voted for impeachment (at least based on their numerical majority in the House). There is no way to recover that precious lost time now, and not much time left before the primaries start next year. The impeachment inquiry of Nixon ran into the early part of a non-presidential election year, the impeachment hearings and trial of Clinton were in a non-election year. Democrats in Congress want to finish up impeachment by early 2020 at the latest.
Realistically there probably isn't time to fully delve into all the questions suggested by Mr, Kristof here. But they are good questions, and some could be further explored at the trial stage in the Senate.
Such considerations are probably good reason for including in the impeachment vote some of the already long well-established impeachable offenses of Trump other than the Ukraine pressure, abuse of power and cover-up.
3
In its simplest terms this is about being for or against foreign involvement in our elections and a president beholding to those foreign governments for their help. The vote for impeachment is a vote to keep foreign governments and our enemies out of our elections and our government, and the vote against impeachment is a vote for and an endorsement of Trump's enlistment of the aid of foreign governments, including America's enemies, in our elections and our government - the submission of our government to our enemies for the personal benefit of Trump.
11
Mr. Kristof is not interested in facts. It is the rumor mill he chases with glee adding to it almost daily. Perhaps there are dicey read-between-the-lines gossip about his own foreign country collusion? Is he lining his pockets or just lending a helping hand? One can only surmise there is more off the record intrigue than on. Will the public support a more in-depth inquiry into the shenanigans of Mr. Kristof and his like-minded colleagues with their rapier keystrokes hatched in collaboration with left-wing regimes?
An unanswered riddle as the interlocutor may need to be questioned as well.
2
People seem to forget that Kim Darroch, the former British ambassador to the U.S. who resigned in July after his criticism of Trump was made public also had in those same cables that Trump appears to be deeply indebted to some "dodgy Russians".
It is a good bet that the British Ambassador had better and more access to information about Trump than a regular citizen or even a crack reporter. But he also answered your question as to Putin's hold over Trump as even "dodgy Russians" must answer to Putin and the Russian security apparatus
As to Mitch McConnell, his wife's family fortune is highly dependent on the goodwill of the Chinese government which is more aligned with Russia than with the U.S. Given the vast sums Elaine Chao's family has already given to her and Mitch, Mitch can receive any sum Mitch demands for his vote or control over voting. Chao is already being investigated for infomercials filmed in ther government office of Chinese businesses. I, for one, have no certainty that McConnell will always act in the best interests of the U.S., especially not when McConnell can spin in his own mind various rationales for doing whatever Mitch decides to do because in his mind it may not be too detrimental to the national interest
11
Mr. Kristof, I'm a huge fan, but I take strong issue with one point:
To say 'how would you feel if the revelations were about Barak Obama?' ignores the whole larger history of Trump's prior malfeasance, including the Muller report, and over 450 former federal prosecutors - Republicans as well as Democrats - signing a letter saying that if Trump weren't president they had no doubt he would, and should be indicted for obstruction of justice. It ignores that Trump was clearly aided by an adversarial foreign government in his 2016 'victory', and has since said publicly he might use consider using a foreign power's aid again. That larger, ongoing issue goes to the heart of the current Ukraine situation.
The larger pattern of behavior HAS to be looked at in an impeachment - which is about protecting the constitution and the welfare of the nation, not a simple issue of legal guilt or innocence in one specific incident.
So, yes, perhaps I might look at just the Ukraine situation just sightly more leniently, if it occurred with a president like Obama, who had a remarkably scandal free administration compared to many of his predecessors from either party.
But if Obama were a Democrat with a history of authoritarian bullying and likely corruption, like, say, a Mayor Daley, then indeed I would find this incident of extorting dirt on an opponent from a foreign government just as offensive and impeachment worthy as with Trump. Context is everything.
35
Well said.
Trump is obviously terrified that his ties to Putin and the reasons for them will become known. That is the most important line of inquiry. That is the one to which we must have answers.
21
Yes, we must have answers to those questions.
But how will we get those answers? You know they will defy subpoenas and stonewall any and all efforts to gather evidence, just as they have done all along.
Legal consequences are an empty threat to people who (1) do not believe in the rule of law and (2) are in fact exempt from the law thanks to Mitch and his minions.
4
Doesn't McConnell secretly wish to be free of Trump? Don't the other Senate Republicans wish to secretly be free of Trump? Go back to the party we all know. Conservative, small budgets, fiscally conservative. Not very generous.
6
When was the Republican party "fiscally conservative"?
The conversations Trump has had with Putin were nothing more than Putin giving him instructions. Putin has been coaching Trump all along. Trump is Putin's "Apprentice". He is being taught how to Rule instead of Govern.
20
@ R.K. Stockton
Putin's "Apprentice" indeed. In fact, that's the title of an outstanding book by Greg Miller, a Pulitzer Prize-winning national security correspondent for The Washington Post: "The Apprentice: Trump, Russia and the Subversion of American Democracy." The hardcover came out last October, but the paperback doesn't seem to be expected until this coming January. No doubt there will be a wealth of updated material. Almost impossible to keep up.
7
Putin coming out publicly against disclosure of his talks with Trump is a warning shot to Trump-reminding him of the goods Putin has on him. Dems can't rush to conduct an impeachment vote. They must conduct a thorough investigation (lead by professional lawyers) and attempt to question relevant current and former members of the Trump administration/Trump lawyers including Barr, Pompeo, and Giuliani. Witnesses that won't comply with subpoenas should be held in contempt of Congress. Trump himself should also be subpoenaed and provided the opportunity offer his side - but under oath. Trump will be advised that failure to cooperate will result in adverse inferences being drawn against him. All transcripts saved in the secret server as well as transcripts between Trump and leaders of autocratic countries should be subpoenaed to be reviewed confidentially. A country like Russia which Mueller determined interfered with our election has no grounds to claim confidentiality. Any impeachment vote should be timed late enough so the Senate trial vote occurs when Senate Republicans can no longer be primaried. Finally, I think (1) McConnell failing to conduct a trial after a House impeachment would look like the Republicans were in fear of Trump conviction and (2) I don't see a basis for McConnell to dispose of impeachment through a motion to dismiss. Such a motion would have to be ruled upon by John Roberts as motions to dismiss are never adjudicated by jurors (in this case, Senators).
12
The House should subpoena the notes that Trump took from the translator during the private meeting with Putin, if Trump hasn't destroyed them. Why was Trump eager to hide what he talked about with Putin? If the notes are destroyed or not forthcoming, then the translator needs to be subpoenaed so Congress knows what took place between Trump and Putin.
66
And we need a law to require that notes and/or transcripts of every call be preserved and made available for scrutiny under certain circumstances. Destroying all record should never be an option.
1
Mr. Kristof, I have the bad habit to almost always agree with you and this time is no exception. The Democrats must not rush through the process. If they do not complete the investigations of Trump that precede this one, it will look as if they were falsely claiming that there was something to investigate then. In that case, why should anybody believe that this case is the case? They have to cross every t and dot every i on their previous investigations to provide the complete picture.
7
If or when some part of this case gets to the Supreme Court, wouldn't Gorsuch and Kavanaugh have to recuse themselves? The were appointed by the man they will be ruling on.
Should Trump walk away with a favorable decision only because his appointees rule in his favor, democracy as we know it will cease. It may provoke protest and then some.
30
Putin's spokesperson has recommended that the US not publicly release text of conversations with Trump. That will be seen by some as dictating a coverup, but in my view it is not reasonable to publicly release a transcript of their calls. Putin had the expectation that these conversations would be privileged and it is very bad form to possibly embarrass him by releasing his words. On the other hand, the transcripts should be made available to Adam Schiff and Nadler for them to see if there are issues discussed that offend US interests. Curiously, the White House released the transcripts of the Ukraine phone call, a move that went far beyond what is appropriate. I understand that Trump ordered this because he felt there was nothing bothersome, which was not true. Also, it seems that the exact wording clarified to many readers that he spoke like a mob boss. However, cooler heads should consider such releases inappropriate, instead providing transcripts to security cleared congressional committees, who should only let the public know about discussions highly relevant to US interests. Nasty comments about Melania or Adam Schiff would be great for media profits but not appropriate for public release.
7
Here is a way that a Republican Senator could vote for impeachment and try to save him or herself nonetheless.
"I think President Trump has served the nation well. He really shook things up in Washington, DC, and brought out issues that long needed addressing, like uncontrolled immigration and the unfair trade practices of China. He has remade the federal judiciary with conservative judges for a generation or more. We owe a debt of gratitude.
Now, however, I think it is time to allow him to return to his first love, his Trump owned businesses. There are serious questions about how he has preformed in office and whether, in his zeal to get things done, with his inexperience in government, whether he went too far. I don't think he did but the questions remain.
I am voting for impeachment not because I think President Trump is a bad president but because he has essentially done the job he set out to do.
PLEASE NOTE: I don't believe a word of what I wrote above and it was, in fact, painful to compose. Since Republicans have forgotten their patriotic duty to the nation over party, I'm trying to give them a little boost.
The point is that there is a way out of the mess so that Republicans can save their party and perhaps their souls, too.
6
Assuming Trump is impeached and McConnell does not hold a trial it will be up to the voters to decide if any person is above the law. It seems very possible that so many voters have such a low opinion of Congress that they are willing to give the Trump that status, in complete disregard of the views of the Founders. Over a period of almost 250 yeas this country has changed a lot. The Founders could not envisioned anything like conservative talk radio, Fox News, right wing web sites, and social media posts blasting out right wing propaganda and lies to millions of Americans. This right wing media has convinced many of these people that there is nothing wrong with an autocratic president although they do not use the term autocrat to describe Trump, just positive messages about Trump which is the same as praising an autocrat.
18
If Clinton could be impeached for lying about what should have been a personal matter Trump can certainly be impeached for lying about everything. These are dark days in our country. We cannot ignore him. He had Russian help in being elected. If he runs for re election he will obtain that same Russian help. We cannot survive as a nation if this happens. We must impeach. I dislike Pence immensely but what harm can he do in a short while. Trump, on the other hand, can do a great deal of harm.
18
Hoping relations with Russia will improve during Trump's second term.
1
Many wonder how it is that Trumpites cannot see the issue here. How is it that, no matter what, the blind devotion only intensifies when Trump is under threat like now? We perhaps forget the power of cult thinking. Jimmy Jones managed to get a lot of people to drink poison. That takes some kind of state of mind that most of us (fortunately) have never experienced.
Whether one thinks the House should impeach is almost like asking should we investigate crime period? The House has little choice but to take this route, otherwise the descent into total chaos will be complete.
62
I read Fox News' website a few times a week. Their business model seems to be primarily based on keeping people's amygdalae lit up with fear and outrage over one thing or another. A lot of their articles are opinion pieces about news reported elsewhere, usually with some very key facts left out that provide context. For example, I saw one recently where they talked about Biden pressuring Ukraine to fire the prosector, not mentioning that although he was supposed to be investigating the company Hunter worked for, he wasn't, and also without mentioning that the Bidens had already been cleared of wrong doing.
It's a very powerful media outlet that has shaped the minds of many Americans.
The answers to Mr. Kristof's questions are fairly obvious. Yes he did in every instance. With one exception, did Putin put words in his mouth? A more likely explanation given all the other evidence and favoritism shown the Russians and Putin by Trump, is that Putin ordered him to take the actions that he took. At every step of the way, Mr. Trump has gone out of his way to show that he is in the pocket of Mr. Putin.
And by the way, Putin said when asked in Helsinki, "Yes, we helped Trump in the election", something else Trump tried to immediately cover up.
That this petty intrigue (though vendetta is Trump's trademark) is happening in Ukraine is really bizarre--Ukraine a place that people in Kansas could not even locate on a map 10 years ago, probably not even Pompeo.
Needless to say other things are not being taken seriously by this administration. Russia has invaded Ukraine, stolen territory, continues to aid separatists, and has violated previous agreements to stop the fighting. Where is compensation for downing a Malaysian airliner? The Russians have violated a nuclear arms Treaty, and are not cooperating with Non-proliferation in N. Korea. Interference in the last election has gone unpunished by Trump, and he seeks their interference again. And that's just Russia.
Best these last two years Trump having been allowed to profit from his golf courses in exchange for that being all he did. Extraordinary incompetence, and that's what the Republicans like most.
8
Mr.Kristoff:
President Obama would never try to extort a foreign President for personal gain, or have a phone call with a ‘memo’ which spotlighted that extortion.
I agree about investigating Pence and Pompeo, both of whom give new meaning to the words obsequious and weaselly.
14
"Mitch McConnell may not even permit a Senate trial after an impeachment. Or if McConnell convenes a trial, he could immediately have the Republican majority vote to dismiss the case." This is all but certain, I would venture to say. There will be no trial in the Senate no matter how fair or meticulous the House proceedings. Then we will see what the American people are made of. Will they yawn in complacency and flip the channel, too blithely indifferent to the fate of their country? Will they come out in the streets? And then what? What we can be sure is that McConnell is so craven, so debased he will do anything to maintain power. Anything. Are there no Republican patriots?
15
Nick, this time I think you are wrong. Impeachment inquiries will, hopefully, answer most of your questions, but, for this moment, we must be strong and move forward. Every time we quiver, Trump just laughs and becomes more embolden. And an unequivocally YES to your question concerning whether I would support this if the pundit were to be Obama. This is unlawful, treacherous behavior on the part of the president JUST TO DATE! The rest will come sooner rather than later.
4
Too much talk here and elsewhere about the political risks of impeachment. The idea is that the persecution complex that motivates Trump's base will fire them up and get out their vote.
I maintain that by finally taking a stand against theis fascistic bully, the Democrats are firing up their own base, expecially the progressives and young people. And there are more of us.
So don't buy the Republican talking point that the impeachment inquiry is a bad move politically. I think it will probably be a wash, and quite possibly favor democrats.
And of course, impeaching Trump is the right thing to do.
10
I just have one more question, in addition to Mr. Kristof's. But this one is directed to those of us who are sickened by the damage Trump has done to our country, and his consolidation of absolute power.
And my question is this: What are we going to do once the Supreme Court rules in Trump's favor, permitting him and his toadies to ignore House subpoenas?
This possibility has not been given any meaningful consideration, at least in any news outlet I've seen. But the ramifications of five Supreme Court justices voting to protect Trump (a very likely scenario) would be just one more nail in the coffin that was once our country.
The Supreme Court has, so far, made extreme intellectual contortions to support Trump's absolutist view of "executive powers" and "executive privilege". Examples - his Muslim ban, and his ridiculous "national emergency" that exists only in his mind.
Thus, there is good reason to believe five Supreme Court justices would agree with Trump that his powers as president shield him from Congressional subpoenas.
So my question, again, is: what are we, who are sickened by the felon in the Oval Office, going to do once this happens? Perhaps a better question, though, would be, what can we do? And if we want to continue to live in a democracy, there is only one answer: Leave the U.S.
3
@Donegal
Although a Supreme Court Justice has never yet *been removed from office, (and only one has ever even been impeached) Supreme Court Justices *CAN be impeached and removed from office as well.
We would have to travel far and wide to find the kind of freedom Americans are used to. Even in places as "free" as Germany and Spain, the GOVERNMENT can dictate what you are ALLOWED to name your baby. So, there is "free" European Style, and there is the kind of "free" Americans have come to expect. The two are not the same.
In addition, even in England, only a small percentage of people are allowed to control the whole system at one time. Leaving is one of those things that *sounds good until we start truly investigating our options for where to GO !
1
Thank you for bringing this up.
I have read everything I can get my hands on in the NYT, Wapo, and other publications and cannot find any answers to your question or the larger question of stonewalling in general. Instead, it's all about "when we get Trump under oath" and "boy, is so-and-so gonna flip when he is threatened with contempt of congress," and the like.
These are people who do not believe in the rule of law.
The media's refusal to even discuss these highly likely scenarios is a DISGRACE.
it seems that viewers are finally able to understand that “the emperor is wearing no clothes”- and understand the facts that support an impeachment investigation.
5
It's certainly true that we need a substantial inquiry into Kristof's excellent questions, but it seems unlikely that the House will be able to accomplish it at all or in a timely fashion. It seems probable that Pompeo, Barr and Giuliani will defy subpoenas, that those who who gave information to the whistleblower will be allowed to testify, while lawyers and others who worked in the White House will invoke attorney-client or executive privilege. As with the other instances of stonewalling, the House will file suit, resulting in delayed court decisions, so we are back to square one. Adam Schiff has already said that Executive resistance will be further evidence of obstruction of justice, so it's possible this article of impeachment will stand uniquely alone and apart.
4
@Alan J Shaw
Those who choose to ignore subpoenas are *also breaking the law. If we are to get serious about this country BEING a Nation of Laws, we must finally *enforce the laws already on the books. Issue a subpoena. Unanswered, issue a citation for Contempt of Congress. Have the malefactors escorted to jail. We can no longer handle our politics in terms of a "Gentleman's Agreement" because even the definition of "Ladies and Gentlemen" in this country is now a risible anachronism.
2
I was stunned when I read the first sentence of this Opinion. At the starting gate, Kristof presents the original question, which must be asked and referred to when considering the impeachment of a president. Kristof's questions from then on and his keenly ordered summary of what the House's impeachment inquiry needs to find out has provided me with a guide through which to judge the quality and the results of the inquiry. For an understanding of impeachment; ruminations about it by George Mason and James Madison as well as recognizing the centrality of impeachment to the integrity of our country, this outstanding Opinion provides us with a clear blueprint.
7
Pence during the vice presidential debate said it was simple. To paraphrase, do not accept or solicit campaign information from a foreign power. So if Pence refused to go to the Ukrainian president's inauguration to put pressure on him to "dig up dirt" on Biden, he should be impeached, as well. But here it gets very complicated, since Speaker Pelosi is next in line does she have to recuse herself from any Pence impeachment inquiry?
He knows how to lie with a straight face. Remember, he is VP because of Manafort.
There are three indisputable points that cannot be spun away:
1. No person is above the law.
2. Trump offered a quid pro quo when holding the Congressionally approved aid back from Ukraine in return for them digging up dirt on Biden, thus inviting Ukraine to interfere in our election as the Russians did in 2016.
3. Trump has openly supported and defended foreign actors over Americans, a textbook example of a "High crime" as conceived by the Founders.
Even if Trump successfully keeps the full text of his phone calls and meetings from view, and is able to keep any and all witnesses that could prove his guilt from testifying, nothing else is needed to impeach him, and if the Senate had any moral fiber, convict him.
As this reality begins to sink in to the Republicans, they will begin to distance themselves from him. They will soon see that he cannot win re-election, and it will be in their best interest to provide just enough support to the Democrats to ensure his conviction and removal. That way they can say to Trump's supporters: "Hey it wasn't us! It was the Democrats!", and then proceed to nominate someone who has a chance of winning.
Trump believes he has a loyal following, but so did Caesar.
2
It’s the writer’s assertion of the Putin connection that adds another wrinkle to this sad saga. It appears obvious in retrospect that any delay in military aid to Ukraine would benefit Russia. So maybe a win/win for Trump. Extract as much as possible from Ukraine in e change for aid- ie dirt on the Bidens. But failing that, withhold needed military help to appease Putin. Very interesting.
2
It is important as the Speaker says to focus on President Trump's behavior and his use of other people in his overzealous and likely unconstitutional actions. It will be important for the Democrats to coordinate their actions with the Speaker and contain their own zealousness that might cause them to go rogue themselves. If the Democrats come out of this mess as the adults in the room while laying out the facts and how they connect they will be seen as chaos containers and not chaos causes as is the wont of the premier chaos causer.
2
This formula, that we look at how the worst reversal of a policy might work, (for instance that a liberalization of impeachment norms might have destroyed Obama), while it has some value, becomes tiresome at some point.
Government requires faith in human beings and their judgement and without the ability to tell the difference between right and wrong, obviously, it has no value.
It won't be law that upends Trump, it will be the human mind which will grasp or fail to grasp who he is and what he's doing and want to be done with him. The law provides a structure, as we see today, but it has no value if Americans don't discover the truth.
People talk about Watergate as though it all took place in chambers. Instead, Watergate was the finale of a long, deeply conflicted period, centered largely around the Vietnam War, and massive cultural change, equal to our own time. It took so long, but eventually Americans wanted to be done with that disgraceful War, and to be done with the philosophy and lies that supported it.
That is how the country ejected Nixon. We rejected not just his petty lawlessness at home, but a structure that was much larger than that.
Unfortunately, our leaders and politicians did not have the nerve to create the full transformation that the country wanted and we continued to be an economy largely based upon the military industrial complex.
4
Mr. Kristof poses a serious question for all Democrats to ponder: How would we feel about impeachment if the Ukraine revelations were about Barack Obama?
This is not easy to do, however, due to the differing contexts. In Obama’s case, the revelations would have to been seen as a bizarre aberration, totally out of character with the president’s usual cautious, measured conduct. This is not the case with the current president. I do not believe it is possible to view the present controversy in a vacuum, as much as some people would like to do that.
3
Obama was a good man. The Republicans lied constantly about him. So did Trump. Dredging up where Obama could possibly have been born; that he was a secret Muslim . This liar then became our President and he has not stopped lying since. The Republican party is going down. And soon I hope.
Despite Mr. Kristof's valid questions about the roles of Putin, Barr, Pompeo and Giuliani played in trump's abuse of power, It is important to stick to the facts at hand that are beyond dispute.
Mr. Trump in the July 25th phone call to Mr. Zilensky Trump stated his desire that that President cooperate in the investigation of a political revile thus becoming directly involved in our election process and implicitly tying that to military aid.
Mr. Trump used Mr. Giuliani a private citizen, his personal lawyer and political ally, to be where that political dirt should be sent.
Mr. Trump withheld military aid to Ukraine on his own authority without a stated reason before the infamous conversation.
How can we ignore Trump's attempt to coerse Ukraine which depends on our aid for its survival or his naked effort to use Trump's presidential power to win an election? And why does Trump think he can get away with it unless we have ignored his abuses throughout his presidency and before?
10
Kristof's contention that a majority of the country "does not favor impeachment" conveniently overlooks the fact that the same polls show a significant jump in approval for the same — so much so that many of the polls indicate an even split. The winds are not blowing in Trump's (or in this instance, Kristof's) favor.
8
The evidence seems clear. All that is needed is to confirm the whistleblower's summary is true. The rest just adds confusion. I hope the Congress is laser focused.
9
And what is the role of Guiliani in all of this? He always gets called "the President's personal lawyer", but that just seems to be another way to cover up things with lawyer-client privilege. He doesn't seem to be doing any type of lawyering work that I've ever heard of.
10
Giuliani is tied to Ukraine mainly thru Russian oligarch ties. Hard to believe Putin is not supplying some disinformation to Giuliani.h
Surely, some of Trump's interest in Ukraine was rooted in Manafort's troubles. What Trump saw as a witch hunt, of course, got the latter packed off to prison.
And, yes, this must be a careful and thorough investigation. It must not look like a rush to judgement. I know, I know, Trump has been behaving badly for a long time, but we need hard, clear evidence of impeachable behavior. While many of us see that in the "rough" transcript of the phone call and the whistleblower's complaint, for many that will not be enough. If we're going to do it, especially if the Senate may quickly acquit him, the case must be solid.
1
“Cass Sunstein, a Harvard Law School professor, has a smart book, “Impeachment: A Citizen’s Guide,” in which he advises people to think about whether they would favor or oppose impeachment if they felt the opposite about this president.” Please explain how this reasoning differs from failing to report someone who commits a crime, sexual abuse for example, because the alleged abuser is a friend or associate or a respected member of the community. The issue is not how we “feel” about the president; it’s whether there is a duty to investigate potential violations of the laws written in the United States Constitution. Speaker Pelosi is right. If the actions of the president and his advisors don’t meet the definition of impeachable offenses, then nothing does.
9
Parents who still have kids living at home but are against holding Trump accountable by the only tool available- i.e launching an impeachment inquiry do not have a leg to stand if they every want to discipline their kids.
2
Mr. Kristoff, you offer is a great summary and ask important questions. The statement by George Mason has been paraphrased by Speaker Pelosi when she said no one is above the law.
Her decision to move forward was not rushed in any way and she received a bit of criticism for taking so long. But when she finally spoke, she showed the kind of steel from which she was forged. Donald Trump saw it and began to lose some of his swagger. I expect her leadership in this very serious undertaking to be flawless.
As to how I would feel about impeachment if it were Barack Obama, I started to consider that question but then realized I didn’t have to, he never gave anyone cause to consider it.
45
The Whistle-Blower Complaint sets forth accusations of wrongdoing by the President, Donald Trump. Who should not be forgotten, are the others named, and who enabled that behavior. We lawyers take an oath to uphold the law of our respective states, Federal Law, and the Constitution. Mr. Barr and Mr. Giuliani, are both lawyers who took those same oaths. iIf their alleged behaviors took place, they have forgotten the promise and its meaning . If the matters stated in that Complaint prove to be true, Giuiliani and Barr willingly assisted President Trump with his plans to involve a foreign state in the United States election; and/or the cover up of that plan. Trump's actions are so grave that they are being considered as grounds for his impeachment . Speaker Pelosi, has already called for Barr to recuse himself. It is impossible to argue that he is objective in his official capacity, given that he is a potential witness to the very behavior being investigated. Should we not query the appropriate consequences when lawyers are found to have participated in cover ups and negotiations which should have never taken place? At the least, after proper hearing, they should be disbarred. It is not just the President that appears to have gone rogue in his quest for election at any cost, but also the lawyers who are willing to act as his surrogate and political operatives rather than as counselors of the law.
18
"That makes it all the more important that the House impeachment inquiry meticulously gather information by a process that — to the extent possible in our polarized age — is perceived by the public as fair, deliberate and legitimate." Yes.
1
"There’s a danger that Democrats rush this process in ways that antagonize swing voters, particularly when polls show that a majority of the public both disapproves of Trump’s conduct and does not favor impeachment."
Mr. Kristof appears to make the case of waiting for the 2020 elections to remove Trump from office. Here's the rub though; the President is actively asking for interference in that election, meaning that election might not be free and fair, and consequently might not accurately represent the will of the voters whatever the tally shows.
Once confidence in our elections is lost, it will not be easily regained.
21
Kristoff's column is what I would call accurate and true but largely irrelevant, its standards not those of Trumpers.
All this makes one appreciate even more the recently deceased patriot, Joe Wilson. But what of the younger generation, who never heard of Joe Wilson and his courageous, patriotic sacrifices? I doubt that any school textbook even mentions him in passing.
Fortunately, Wilson's partner in courage, patriotism, and political victimhood, his former wife Valerie Plame, is currently running for Congress in New Mexico. She is the unusually extremely qualified person who can go to Washington and not be cowed, manipulated, or bought off. She has taken the worst the political establishment could throw at her and tossed it back in their face. That is precisely what Washington, especially Congress, needs more of: people who will stand up for principles, when the going gets tough. It is extremely important to have someone in Congress who has demonstrated she can and will walk the walk, not just talk the talk.
A fitting tribute to Joe Wilson and true American patriotism would be to support Plame, not because she was his wife, but because like Joe, she is the rare individual who has demonstrated she can take the worst Washington politics will throw at you and come back swinging.
For those of you too young to remember Wilson, I would strongly suggest you read yesterday's Times article on Joe.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/27/us/joseph-wilson-dead.html#commentsContainer
17
I wonder if a more apt line of inquiry might be regarding Trumps mental health..The more one listens to him, the more it is apparent that news pundits are often making sense of words that make no sense at all. The news is giving a false sense of the state of Trumps mental health, by the way they always 'translate' and trim down his actual sentences..
44
Nice try, Grace, but it winds up even worse than simple impeachment. If the 25th Amendment is somehow invoked, then Pence becomes Acting President, not President. Mr. Indecency can then claim that he belongs back at the helm, and if the original people who tossed him out on 25th Amendment grounds continue to believe him incapable, the Congress decides, with a 2/3 vote of BOTH HOUSES needed to keep the Vice President as Acting President. And even if that works, it can be rinse and repeat in a few weeks. No the only way to avoid such turmoil is removal from office, and the only way to definitively do that is impeachment. Mr. Indecency will never resign and willingly leave himself vulnerable to that tsunami of court cases awaiting him.
3
My thought exactly! The NYT and all other writers should give us the entire word for word text of all Trump’s speeches, tweets or comments pertaining to the particular article. Words matter! To do otherwise is to take part in a cover up. Stop enabling the man and show us Trump’s staggering word salads! (Psych term).
Just think, if Mr. Trump were in charge of the proceedings Mr. Trump would not bother with the painstaking work of gathering, testing, and presenting evidence. He might stage a show trial. He might say "people are saying" he's guilty. But more likely, Mr. Trump would simply have Mr. Trump executed for treason.
12
At some point, probably when there is a more rational leader in the White House, there needs to be an extensive dialogue about the limits of executive privilege and immunity. The Founding Fathers were right in their concern that a truly corrupt individual could end up as President and in their less complicated world, an impeachment process seemed reasonable. They never could have anticipated a Mafia-like leader who was not only personally corrupt but dominates the rest of the government by populating it with his cronies. Imagine, a Justice Department that essentially has sanctioned Trump’s belief that as President any and all of his actions are “protected” by the DOJ ruling that he can’t be prosecuted while in office.
3
Great questions that Americans want answered. In addition, we need to know why Giuliani, acting as the president's attorney, was involved at all with Ukraine. Trump continues to claim this was a "perfect" phone call. If so, then he either is completely blind to the proper conduct of the presidency, or, more likely, he believes he can convince his loyal minions.
When all is said and done, impeachment or not, lawmakers will have to institute new laws for the presidency. I'd like to see it be illegal for a president to meet with other heads of state without an official transcript. We still don't know what Trump and Putin talked about in person as well as on the phone. Not every American needs to know the content if the matter is classified, but the intelligence community and Congressional oversight committee members do need to know.
14
Going back to your initial question, drawn from George Mason, I would like to offer the distinction that James Iredell, a leader of the North Carolina federalist faction and future Supreme Court Justice, made in 1788 at his state's constitutional convention. He said that public officials should be impeached for errors of the heart, not of the head. An error of the head is one in which an official shows a want of judgment. An error of the heart is one in which an official betrays the public trust.
His illustrative example is that it's an error of the head if a President enters into an unwise treaty. It's an error of the heart if a President is bribed to enter into a treaty, and then seduces the Senate to approve it. For James Iredell, treachery, deception, and villainy lie at the heart of an impeachable offense. As with Alexander Hamilton in Federalist 65, he believes that such abuses are an injury to society itself.
Shall any man be above justice? I would answer with words from modern political philosopher John Rawls: "Justice is the first virtue of social institutions. . . ." Once we allow someone as powerful as the President to be above justice, then all the secondary virtues that follow from justice are also at risk: tolerance, decency, magnanimity, restraint, and so on. To allow a President to be above justice, then, will pose a kind of cascading moral failure, one that threatens, ultimately, to injure society in ways that are not easily recoverable.
50
Trump has been making one error “of the heart” every day since inauguration. This betrayal of the oath of office is simply the latest and most egregious.
The Democrats are damned if they do and damned if they don’t impeach. No one would get away with even half of what this man has gotten away with. It’s passed time to get rid of this person and all the others who have helped him to try to cover up and those who will not stand up to him.
30
Thank thank You. This is the best review of where we are. Why are the Democrats ignoring the Russian connections? Specifically why doesn’t Nancy Pelosi want to investigate the Trump/Putin phone calls?
1
McConnell and his ties to Russian oligarchs should also be investigated. Just how many in Congress are owned by Russia?
445
What does it say about the depth of our citizenship that our leaders can be purchased so easily? If not by Russia, by corporations and the hyper-wealthy.
HIGH CRIMES:
-Regularly, calling for political violence against U.S. citizens without due process.
-Saying the Press is the “Enemy of the People.”
-Obstructing an investigation into attacks on our elections by Russian Intelligence.
-Accusing Our Intelligence Agencies of conspiring against him in a “coup” for years with no credible evidence.
-Taking payments from foreign governments.
-Saying he would take information from another country to use in our elections, and asking foreign leaders for "dirt" on opponents.
-Demanding personal loyalty from public servants sworn to protect the Constitution.
-Talking about being “president for life,” which he then equates to “King."
-Saying that We the People should “sit in attention” for Trump, with “fervor.”
-Claiming that he can interpret the Constitution instead of the Supreme Court, going against Marbury v Madison which was decided in 1803.
-Claiming that he can decide who is a Citizen with an executive order.
-Questioning the citizenship of rival politicians.
-Always substituting Trump’s personal interests for the interests of We the People. This makes every official act by Trump a High Crime. Intent matters.
-Saying that Article II authorizes the president to do anything he wants.
If you do not prosecute Trump for ALL of his attacks on the Constitution, than the next Republican president will claim that they are not High Crimes.
Trump's blatant PATTERN of attacking every principle of the Constitution can't be ignored!
Second hand ownership. The GOP is owned by the NRA; the NRA is owned by Russia.
That much is unquestioned and a part of the public record. How many GOP PACs and think tanks, etc. also answer to Russian oligarch money.
The most powerful man in the United States is Mitch McConnell, and it is upon him that the balance scales of Justice swing. That he apparently has no allegiance to anything but power and right-wing corporate causes, expect nothing but obstruction and resistance from him. Given the partisan nature of the Supreme Court, who will no doubt be involved along this path, we are witnessing the end of our age as a nation under the rule of law.
There are times when one must go into a fight, even if there is no hope of winning, as it is now for the Democrats. But barring a wholesale resurgence of integrity among Republicans - which is doubtful to the point of laughability - we are lost.
25
No, we are not lost. We will pursue. Moscow Mitch is the lost soul here. Don’t despair.
3
Dave, I'm very much inclined to agree with you. I fear this impeachment process will result in nothing more than blowing even more wind under Trump's black sails. The timing for Impeachment is not quite right. "Discretion is the better part of valor"- aka - Caution is preferable to rash bravery.
I can only hope that my fears will come to nothing, but the convoluted odds seem almost too great...
Do the Republican Senators have the ability to call for new elections with respect to their leader? If they do, there may be some hope McConnell does not have as much power as we may believe.
“There’s a danger that Democrats rush this process in ways that antagonize swing voters, particularly when polls show that a majority of the public both disapproves of Trump’s conduct and does not favor impeachment.”
For the moment, perhaps. But if more credible crimes and demeanours can be established in the course the investigations, people will change their minds about his presidency, which could have an impact on his political future.
There’s nothing Democrats can do to convince Trump’s supporters, but swing voters, who still have a sense of morality, may still care.
Trump is said to have told Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and ambassador Sergey Kislyak in May 2017 during a meeting at the Oval Office that he was not concerned about the Kremlin’s interference in the 2016 election because the US did the same in other countries.
He, once again, had invited Russia to help him win in 2020. It explains all the cloak-and-dagger dealings relating to Putin in the last two years.
It is important to investigate and impeach Trump, even though such a move has never been popular. In general the public does not approve of Congress’s power to remove a president without a vote by the people. And it is still too early to know where the path may lead.
For the sake of history and the country's conscience, the House needs to conduct an inquiry "meticulously" so that it can seen “as fair, deliberate and legitimate.”
9
Well if the swing voters cannot understand the words " I would like you to do us a favor though..." then we have a society that is both ignorant and indifferent. A quid pro quo is not the point. The point is that Trump tried to get a foreign country to interfere in our next election.
Great questions Mr. Kristof! Circling back to Russia again & again. Why does that seem to be so critical?
If you look at Trump's actions as Prez...: picking fights with Mexico, Europe, NATO, Canada (!!!), the Trans Pacific Partnership. The entire post-WWII Atlantic Alliance. Why? Where are the strategic American interests in this?
Seems more beneficial to Russian strategic interests to me. Keep asking !!!! I thing we're getting closer to truth.
162
This impeachment inquiry won't really be complete unless it also looks at the weaknesses in how we prepare the people of the US to be citizens of a democracy. We must understand how this lack of learning support for the people about their democracy creates a government that is neither of, by nor for the people. We must realize how Trump is merely an emblem of the catastrophic realities that face a poorly educated citizenry in a republic with a Constitution designed supposedly for the people and their domestic tranquility and not an autocrat's whims and personal privileges.
31
Yes, I would favor impeachment if Obama had done this, but only if there was a pattern of corrupt behavior--which there is in the case of Trump.
25
Impeachment is a serious matter, and everything here points to a case where it's beyond appropriate. But even more important than removing Trump is how how the impeachment process is managed so that the benefits can be maximized..
Consider what might happen if the House moves as quickly as some seem to hope, with Articles of Impeachment drafted and voted on by Thanksgiving and a trial in the Senate before year's end. In a way, that would be ..EXACTLY.. what many Republicans are secretly hoping for. That would allow them to nominate someone like Pence, who is much smoother and has broad appeal across all of Trump's base and others who voted for him in 2016 but would have difficulty doing so again.
As despicable as Trump is, it should be an even higher priority to permanently cripple the Republican Party so that it can never be a force again. Their sole agenda is an 'America for me', ... not an America that works for everyone. Every day we see the consequences of what that brings. If America is to realize the bright future that is possible, there is ..NO.. place for the Republicans or their current leadership.
With that in mind, the Democrats need to time the impeachment process to cause maximum chaos and hurt to Republican prospects for 2020. This means not only Trump, but the Senate and House as well. I would love to see this drag out until next spring, with lots of juicy investigations dredging up dirt the Republicans will need to defend - and can't.
1
President Obama would never, ever commit these unseemly and treasonous acts. I would absolutely bet my LIFE on that, in a nanosecond. There is character, and then there’s A character. Trump is the epitome of a Conman, the apogee of a wasted, privileged, entitled life, coupled with a sociopathic bent. If not for being born the Son of a Rich Man, he would have been imprisoned long ago. But good news, it’s never too late.
333
I am particularly concerned that the President in the July Ukranian phone call designates the Attorney General of the United States to a foreign government to do political dirty-work for his re-election campaign. This is more evidence that this President sees the AG as his personal attorney and advocate, not "the people's lawyer" as has long been the role of the head of the Justice Department. And then, to add his personal attack dog-lawyer Rudy Giuliani to the mix?
22
Remember when thousands of Americans swarmed to airports to protest Donald Teump’s Muslim ban? Trump’s bigotry and inhumanity still shocked and outraged us then. 2 years later America’s exhausted as caging children, racist attacks and xenophobia have become just another week at the White House. Should the House impeach Trump, that 2017 citizen mass mobilization may be needed again to assure Mitch McConnell follows the Constitution rather than acting as the President’s protector. Michelle Obama famously said the presidency doesn’t change who you are, it shows who you are. Americans must show show the Trump Administration who we are: a democratic nation that refuses to tolerate corruption at the highest level of our government.
126
Unfortunately we live in a time of incredulity at the barefaced cheek when it comes to respecting the law. How does it offer an example to anyone anywhere when an office deems itself above the law? In the US we have Trump and his cohorts creating the republic of Trumpalvania, in the UK we have Boris Johnson proclaiming himself the Queen. Israel defies belief by bringing good ole Benny back so that he may take cover behind his shield of failures. The Middle East all create new standards of lowlights with the destruction of the innocents. India and Pakistan prepare for war, yet again, over a couple of lines drawn by the mischievous butcher Mountbatten. Putin is the new Tsar in all but name. China is ready to throttle all other economies by floods then famine of goods. The rich think they deserve all of everything, hoarding the lifeblood of economic growth in personal piggy banks. The media has us focussed on Z list celebrity lives.
Leave us be! We don’t need you to destroy us, we can do that better than anyone else.
4
Mr. Mason’s question is exactly the reason why Pres. Trump must be Impeached, no matter the outcome. No man can be above the law, and yet that is exactly what Mr. Trump has done, set himself above the law!!
7
Putin is never very far from the president's mind and priorities. Having long thought the president carried water for the Russian strongman, one wonders where Putin fis this dragged out mess.
Nobody knows how often these two speak, or what happens to the read-outs when they do. Adam Schiff is right to focus on all the items stuffed in that proverbial safer than safe high-security server, forcing the administration to turn over likely evidence of other flagrant conversations betwee president and foreign leaders.
This puzzle is vast, sprawling, and in some cases incomprhensible. But I suspect, if Trump were to answer honestly to all these questions posed by Nicholas Kristoff, we would eventually find that Putin has been in the driver's seat all along.
279
that makes no sense, as one of the odd aspects of this whole story s that Putin is the Ukraine-and clearly does not want money sent to the Ukraine for defense against Russian aggression.. Looks like even when it comes to Putin, Trump puts Trump's interests first.
"if Trump were to answer honestly" Oh come on Christine! That's the best example of an oxymoron I've ever seen.
And of course "Putin has been in the driver's seat all along". He's a very savvy politician, unlike Trump who lacks sufficient knowledge and understanding to be savvy about anything.
Agreed. Trump's stops almost $400M in Congress-approved military aid to Ukraine--which gives Putin leverage in his war on Ukraine's Eastern border and puts Ukraine security and U.S./NATO interests at risk. Trump tells Ukraine leader Zelensky to work out peace with Putin. Transcriptions of Trump's conversations with Putin are "lock boxed". And just last week, Russia-led forces mount 13 attacks on Ukrainian positions in eastern Ukraine using weapons banned under the Minsk peace agreements....Surely even Republicans should be concerned!?
When consideration of impeachment is raised it is almost always slapped down by the sobering thought that Mitch McConnell will assure the Senate will not convict Donald Trump. No matter the extent or egregiousness of his crimes. So why impeach when you know Trump will not be convicted?
Mr. Kristof says, "That makes it all the more important that the House impeachment inquiry meticulously gather information by a process that — to the extent possible in our polarized age — is perceived by the public as fair, deliberate and legitimate." Agreed, but..
Please indulge me to add to Mr. Kristof's admonition with a revision: "That makes it all the more important that the House impeachment inquiry meticulously [and with clarity, informs the public] by a process that — to the extent possible in our polarized age — is perceived by the public as [easy to follow and understand, that emphasizes the inquiry seeks truth and justice and is not a political vendetta, that it is] fair, deliberate and legitimate."
Gather the facts, but make certain the inquiry also places great care on how the facts are presented so that the case (for or against impeachment) makes itself.
Change the narrative that impeachment is a political tool. It is so only to the extent that congressmen refuse to put country ahead of party. At its core, impeachment asks a simple but profound question, “Shall any man be above justice?” Keep the focus there.
Make the impeachment inquiry about justice, make that understood.
3
You ask us to imagine how we would consider impeachment proceedings if the accusations were against Obama. That is extremely hard to imagine, given that the wrongdoing is now so evident. The fact is this president sent his personal lawyer to do business with a foreign government from which he wanted a favor. I would favor a an impeachment inquiry no matter who that president was and most certainly for this one because any inquiry short of that would meet cover-up and stonewalling. The thing is this whole situation stinks so bad it is very hard to imagine any new information that could wash it clean.
6
"I would favor a an impeachment inquiry no matter who that president was and most certainly for this one because any inquiry short of that would meet cover-up and stonewalling."
And this one won't?
“In the end, Mitch McConnell may not even permit a Senate trial after an impeachment. Or if McConnell convenes a trial, he could immediately have the Republican majority vote to dismiss the case.”
Force Trump acolytes to defend Trump.
That is a losing proposition.
5
To your question what if it was Obama that made this call I would admittedly be inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt and be defensive in the onslaught of attacks. Why? Very simply Obama was a man that respected the office of the Presidency. He understood the laws and Constitutional tenants the both empower and constrain the President. Mr Trump by contrast pays no attention to these constraints. From the very beginning he chose to lie about insignificant issues like crowd size at his inauguration. People then said will people trust him when important issues arise. The answer I believe is “No”.
73
"To your question what if it was Obama that made this call"
Since you mentioned Obama
What if Obama knew about Russian hacking attempts and did nothing to prevent it and retaliate or strike back? See Susan Rice and 'knock it off'.
Maybe the Dems should dust off that Reset Button? How'd all that work out?
As to Pence, Pompeo, Barr, and Engel (Office of Legal Counsel), the basic question posed in the Watergate hearings by Senator Sam Ervin applies: what did they know, and when did they know it? Next question: what did they do after they learned of key events and who did they recruit to assist in carrying out their actions?
I completely agree with Mr. Kristoff that the House needs to proceed in a careful and thorough manner to learn all they can about the Trump Ukraine scandal and what role Putin played in the events. As more is learned fence sitting or Trump supportive Republicans will see the writing on the wall and re-examine their own position and relationship to Trump. If the House rushes to draft Articles of Impeachment without a careful factual investigation they will only play into McConnell's hands who wants to stop the impeachment process at his first opportunity. The House needs to make it very hard for McConnell to ignore the evidence especially when he will be running for re-election.
63
Trump (and his cadre, financial supporters, governments, family, special interest), have committed consistent actions outside the parameters of legal, moral and diplomatic parameters. It ls time to act or we are at risk of moving our democratic process to one of supporting an autocrat. Actually we have.
Time for Change
23
Trump has consistently demonstrated that a different set of rules apply to him, just look at his statement in the Access Hollywood tape, “When you’re a celebrity they let you do that,” and assertions that a sitting president can not be investigated. Trump acts like a mafia don, and like a career criminal, the public assumes that most crimes go undetected and that many important details of those that are exposed remain unknown.
It is hardly a stretch to think that Trump was involved in crimes investigated by Mueller despite not being held accountable and that there may be a connection to Russia with the situation with Ukraine.
The complete truth is difficult to ascertain and will likely never be known. Trump, at a minimum, has no concern for appearances of impropriety. Because the stakes are so high, that alone seems more than sufficient reason to determine that he is not suitable for the office of the presidency and should be removed. There is simply no good reason for the American people to continue to take the risk when the simple remedy of getting a new president solves the problem. It is the American people’s well-being that is paramount, not the one man who is president.
13
Yes. I was shocked that his financial connections to Russia (and his possible dependence on Russian money) were not part of the Mueller investigation.
Just as no one is given a security clearance if there is a risk of blackmail or other dependence, no one should be elected president who has such massive financial dependence and debts on a hostile foreign power.
What did anyone think would happen in such a case, particularly with one so unscrupulous and self-serving as Trump has been all his life?
Regardless of who was President, I would feel the same way about commencing an impeachment inquiry at this time. The facts speak for themselves. Well written article with wide appeal, as succinct, readable & effectively makes the point I chose to address in my comment.
6
"Mitch McConnell may not even permit a Senate trial after an impeachment. Or if McConnell convenes a trial, he could immediately have the Republican majority vote to dismiss the case." Which brings me to your quotation:
“Shall any man be above justice?” George Mason asked in 1787 at the Constitutional Convention. “Above all, shall that man be above it, who can commit the most extensive injustice?”
That "man" to be feared is not the president of the United States. It is the Senate Majority Leader who holds the key(s) to Donald Trump's future. If the House sends to the Senate bills of impeachment after reasoned and sober deliberations, without the smallest trace of partisanship, McConnell may choose, as he did in 2016, to simply subvert the Constitution to achieve his own ends.
I don't think he cares greatly about the United States or even about the president. What he wants, obviously, is the power to rule from the upper chamber. Without a trial, it''s to McConnell's benefit if a wounded, unelectable president limps through the primaries and the convention and the general election. If the president is re-elected, he has McConnell to thank. If he's defeated, McConnell looks good to the "base" and to his wealthy fossil fuel donors. ALEC and Fox News will love him for it. The question is: what's in it for him? The answer is the degradation of the nation. He has axes to grind, has had them all his life. This is his time for the power for ruination that he's always sought.
253
If the Senate were to refuse to hold an impeachment trial the entire impeachment process would be nullified, a total violation of the Constitution. If McConnell were to try such a stunt I would hope that the House would impeach him.
Also, the Rules of the Senate are clear that the Senate cannot refuse to hold a trial. I believe the attached are the current Senate Rules which apply.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/background/impeach/senaterules.pdf
The corruption of this administration and apparently many of the Republicans running the shows is corroding our nation. We need investigations, we need the truth to be exposed.
I agree, and I think that what's "in it" for McConnell could well be, in addition to power, personal enrichment. That McConnell's wife was trying to insert her father into official Transportation Department negotiations is a clue.
To America: is this how we think a president should act? It's time to do the right thing because it is right, it's what Congress should be doing, and it will show exactly what kind of a country we live in. If impeachment turns off so many voters and ends up re-electing Trump, then I will have solid evidence that it's time to live elsewhere.
I do hope there is another Sam Ervin out there.
195
The question that isn’t discussed is the difference between political strategy and fealty to the oath to protect the constitution.
Impeachment appears to be politically risky.
Failure to address Trump’s crimes could be evasion of duty.
112