I'm not advocating a 'when they go low, we go high' moment but Dems have to tread carefully with this. Justice demands that daughter be brought down for ...absolutely stupidity?....but too much time invested in this issue will take away from formulating a meaningful leadership plan. And if there's no results seen with Dems in power that will be the end of them. Be wise.
3
Democrats should prioritize their work on the Environment, and keep Trump on a back burner, while trying to reverse the damages done to the environmental regulations. Losing sight of the big picture the environment is perilous, if we don't act, we will have to look ourselves in the mirror, Trump will be out of office in 2020, so get to work on that matters most.
Putting Trump aside, and focusing on the critical issues, will allow our President to Golf out the rest of his term.
4
I agree with many of the posters that it's important to address infrastructure, health care, etc.
But at the same time the removal of this imbecilic stain on the presidency is also of vital importance, if for no other reason that what he's doing to the environment, the economy, and our standing around the world. Those are all very important, long-term issues.
Can't our democratic-led House to both?
5
That the cowardly weasel has got this far without being outed for the crook that he is cause for national shame.
6
If the Democrat-controlled House doesn't get anything done on the issues they won on - healthcare, infrastructure, etc. - but investigate, investigate, investigate, they will turn off the constituencies that took them over the top in 2018.
The GOP can still obstruct them, but that won't be a killer if the obstruction is insurmountable after honest effort.
Unless they uncover very, very bad stuff.
4
But only because they are members of the administration and not because they are his family members.
2
America’s First Family of Grift must be brought to task. White privilege is now being pushed to huuuge extremes-the greatest stretch in human history, no doubt-by these Olympic level grifters and con men and women. Get them out of the White House and fumigate it for future occupants. What a shameful embarrassment for the USA.
4
The people and corporate entities whose being questioned are not just random relatives, but those who have or had an active role in the campaign, administration, or stand to immediately profit from White House proposals that are directed at benefiting the Trump Organization.
Their dual status as corporate operators and White House officials is downright frightening.
How I wish this really were a political witch hunt, as it would be if they were investigating his distant cousins who have neither corporate shares nor government power.
1
"...Pat Cipollone, is hiring a raft of lawyers."
Word nerds: when did "raft" begin to be used to express "large quantities" and, in consideration of how little rafts can actually carry, how did it come about?
Shout-out to Gericault's "Raft of the Medusa" which admittedly has about 18 figures depicted in various states of aliveness.
3
Mr. Gowdy who is retiring from Congress in January is speaking up. So is Jeff Flake who is leaving office along with Bob Corker. These brave GOP toadies are now questioning Trump's conduct and whether he should be prosecuted. These spineless politicians along with all of their GOP sycophants should be ashamed of themselves for letting the boy king have his way for the past two years. Absolutely appalling.
13
At least you support due process...
The United States of Amnesia" -Gore Vidal
So what else is new? No architects of the 2nd Iraq War were punished, despite lying our nation into war and making a barbaric mess of the Middle East far worse than before the misguided decision to take out Saddam. The article mentions the fact that no one went to prison for causing the 2008 crash. Clearly, elites are above the law frequently.
Mueller must be allowed to finish his work, as finally some justice is being meted out to white collar criminals.
In the 1980's, some S&L scoundrels did go to prison. Now those types run the Trump administration.No US citizen should be above being indicted for a crime or get away with refusing to honor a subpoena, regardless of position.
These unfit people that attain power are making fools of the American people. Just why so many are so foolish, gullible, and filled with hate to elect corrupt men is the real question.
All these selfish, dishonest elites that get away time and again with things most of us would be arrested for immediately set terrible examples of how to live.
Small wonder Americans now loathe their own government.
However choosing a man like Trump as a savior is deluded. If you put Trump's words in the mouth of a guy babbling in the park on a soapbox, you'd say, "That poor man!"But give that guy a suit, and a TV role, and now the babble is wisdom.
We are the laughingstock of the world for electing such an unworthy human being. All he taught his kids was how to grift.
9
'Thomas M. Reynolds, .... , agreed that the incoming House majority would be wise not to meddle excessively in the private affairs of the president’s business and two adult sons.'
Reynolds is absolutely right.
I recall reading a Hungarian novel almost 60 years ago, when I was barely a teenager. I do not know the name of the book - it was probably not a book for young kids, it was just lying around the house. The name Mihaly Ursi still sticks in my mind, but I do not quite remember if he was the character I was reading about.
In any case, the setting was feudal Hungary. The landlord orders this shepherd/peasant to go to a distant town to run some errands for him. The shepherd understood what the landlord's intent was but was was too powerless to refuse or confront him. He leaves, but sneaks back in the middle of the night and finds the landlord in bed with his pretty wife. And he was there without his goons because he thought he would not need them. The shepherd overpowers him, ties him up, and with practiced hands, quickly cuts off his vital parts, feeds them to his dog and lets him go, saying, 'feel free to tell all what I have done to you or you may even get me killed; but know that those parts are gone for ever'.
I wonder if there is a message for the Dems in this story.
1
As tempting it might seem to turn "Lock her up" to be aimed at Ivanka rather than Hillary, It's not satisfying. I don't want to win by playing their game. I wan't to win by choosing what is right for the long run for everybody, setting precedents that will point the way in the future. That will mean putting a stop to Ivanka, but not putting her in the kind or crosshairs the right favors. Rather, it will hold up standards for all to know the trumps don't measure up to by any measure. The rule of law is the same and respected by all for all no matter how bloody rich you are or whose A-list you are on.
4
I suppose there really is no fire too big to burn a witch with. The heck with worrying about carbon dioxide emissions. Nothing else matters when there’s the smell of roast Trump in the air.
2
"“That you now have Republicans investigating members of the first family is an indication of the perils ahead” for the Trumps, said Tom Davis,..."
The "family" part of the White House ended when trump appointed family members to governmental roles which are public servants whose movements and behaviors are subject to public scrutiny.
The emails will be the window that will shine a light on the door that opens the books on all the activities of the entire staff, including those still in resident and those departed.
And the White House Counsel that is editing the emails will fall by the wayside.
4
Shock! Trey Gowdy and Ron Johnson lift their heads above the republican's ramparts, what's the backstory?
3
As dirty as we all think the Trump family is, no doubt it is 100 times dirtier.
16
"The presidency doesn't make who you are, it exposes who you are."-Michelle Obama
The Trump family being exposed is a VERY ugly thing.
19
It's about time to rein in 'our' corrupt officials in the current government, viciously efficient in converting this suffering democracy into a pluto-kleptocracy. Enough of lies and insults from brutus ignoramus Trump, and self-serving republicans cowing irremediably to the beast in the Oval Office, now that the democrats gained control of the Legislative House branch, to supervise the runaway politicians abusing their power. Nepotism for self-enrichment of family and friends must stop; and the culprits brought to justice to return the loot. How about the 'tax returns' of the bully in-chief?
4
Clearly flooding the swamp not draining it.
1
JFK had RFK as the attorney general, but we all know, Trump is no JFK.
The Trump Crime Family needs to be removed from American Government, and put in jail for all their crimes, period.
5
@The HouseDog, Fred Trump was a bootlegger too, like Joseph Kennedy? Such a small world.
Mueller’s Investigation + Khashoggi + Kavanaugh + Utter
Contempt For The Environment + Pathological Inability To
Stop Lying + Chaos All Across The Government + Looming
Catastrophic Deficit + The Caravan and on and on and on.
Where the Wheel of Fortune stops next, nobody knows.
4
Nothing would give me greater pleasure then to see Ivanka and Jared - two slippery eels if ever there were any - wind up behind bars. It sure would be ironic if Trump's constant "lock her up" rantings about Hillary would now apply to his own daughter. One can only hope.
14
The entire Trump Family has to investigated. Period. Now if only the House Democrats get their act together. Nancy Pelosi and her vanity will push the Democratic Party under the bus. A house divided? Field day for the crooked Trump clan!
3
Trump's tax returns must be made public.
11
I hope they get a clear view of any Saudi money flow to Trump/Kushner businesses. The Kushner “brokered” deal with 911 conspirators Saudi Prince and family. As 3 time New York mayor, philanthropist- humanitarian Michael Bloomberg said of Donald Trump and i quote exactly, “I’m from New York and I know a con when I see one.” That’s what I say about the scam presidency and family conflicts of interest and corruption. I’d like to see Pence family holdings and any foreign money. GOP leaders too. This nightmare of obvious entitlement to break laws and “above and bigger than law” must be stopped.
10
I say just let them go - the whole Trump crew. Put them on a steamer with their loved ones, let them take their possessions, and let them dock and seek asylum with whoever will have them.
We have work to do here and all the hours, days, weeks, months, years we’ve spent on these people will never be recouped nor some of the damage repaired. They can have their offshore money, with the understanding that they relinquish their U.S. citizenship and real estate holdings. They’ll be fine.
Bon voyage. Viva la USA.
5
When lies rule the day, we have to work 5 times as hard to turn things around. Until this country and it's citizens demand integrity and a return to a balanced effort to live with the truths that challenge our Democracy, we will be in danger of losing it. I don't care if his supporters believe what they believe. That they refuse to see reality for what ever reason cannot stop those of us who value the truth from assuring it is the core tenet of how we expect our representatives to act. The truth is what it is and we must follow through based on them. I am convinced that if we do not uncover and act on every thing this man and his family are responsible for , we spit in the face of every person who has sacrificed their lives and dedication of time in service to this country. I want this to hold true for ANYONE in our government who does not hold their oath to service of the people and the Constitution of this country. Their are Dems who are clearly serving their moneyed masters and who have no interest on getting rid of big money in our government. It is time to clean house. Wake up.
2
Itseemstous: That getting to and landing on Mars has been faster and 'easier' than getting tRump's tax returns. Mars was achieveable ... will examining tRump's tax returns be so?
2
Has Jared solved Middle East peace yet?
I so want to see this whole joke of a grifting family run out of Washington and relegated to the dustbin of history (although federal prison would be nice, too!)
6
The whole Whitaker deal is just that, a deal to obstruct and obfuscate truth. The cagey GOP came up with this sleazy guy for Trump to meet the need. Insulate Trump “ and family. The goal is to insulate Trump from questions and defy subpoenas.
This Whitaker whose shady deals speak to who he is must be stopped.
2
As it seems many Americans wanted a ‘businessman’ to run the country, why don’t we take the next step and do what many businesses do: let’s outsource the executive leadership to other nations. Perhaps we can choose ‘best in case’ and have Justin Trudeau, Brigitte Macron, and Tiphaine Auzière (Brigitte’s daughter) run the executive branch of the US as a co-presidency.
And, if you think this sounds like an unusual idea, at least we’d have a statesman, a teacher, and an attorney running things in a sane, equitable manner, as opposed to an incompetent, temper-prone ‘developer’ and his unqualified family members.
1
I would like to understand :how a president is able to appoint members of his family with no political experience, never elected, only business background , able to give advice only because is "famiglia" Does Trump equal Windsor?
2
Meanwhile, while the Democrats investigate, America burns. Years from now that will definitely make a catchy phrase to indicate hopeless despair at the hands of hapless leaders. Move over Nero.
1
@John Doe. America is already burning. If the Democrats did nothing, THEN you could call them Nero. The goal is to stop this at the source.
4
The Trump family's laundry list of transgressions should keep Elijah Cummings and his Oversight Committee occupied for some time. Let's hope justice is finally administered, and America can start to feel a little less ripped off.
5
Democrats must unite around common themes that effect all Americans and have their representatives across the land repeat those themes relentlessly for the next 2 years...affordable healthcare for every American, access to a quality education for every child regardless of the zip code or skin color they are born in, tackling climate change, jobs that pay a living wage, and getting money out of our elections!
1
I've expected this story for awhile now.
I've expected that it would be bylined by the person it's bylined by.
I don't think anyone is going to have any sympathy for the occupants of the WH because unlike other "normal" families that proceeded them who focused on charitable work these adults have chosen to actively and shamelessly participate in the grift.
The daughter has been caught red handed using an email that is tied to a server in her father's tower that has been used to communicate with banks accused of money laundering. Mrs. Clinton's server was never hacked (and maybe that's why some were so infuriated).
3
I’d rather the House Dems focused their efforts on policies that benefit the forgotten middle class on issues like taxes, social security, Medicare, and healthcare and the ACA. This is what voters said they were most concerned about (at a rate double that of immigration reform).
Trump the Clown will be gone in two years. And the Dems can make that happen by focusing on what voters have said they wanted and delivering. If policies get blocked in the GOP Senate, so be it. Then they own any lack of real progress versus continued gridlock. As far as I can recall, no voters said they wanted to see Trump’s tax returns or his likely violation of the Emoluments Clause.
I’m sure Trump and his family are committing financial fraud through their political power. So what? It’s time that one of the parties started focusing on what most impacts the daily lives of millions of Americans.
Too bad the GOP did not have the ethics to take up an investigation - there is no GOP platform other than permanent tax cuts for their corporate donors plus temporary 'Scooby scrap" tax cuts for the middle class, which expire after a "potential" Trump second term so the cynical GOP can blame the Dems for raising taxes to undo the deficit carnage the GOP is in the process of creating.
Those middle class tax cuts are top appease the typical Trump voter who will mimic Trump's talking points about the "best economy in history" (not true) and winning, while they will pay for them by having their SSN and Medicare/Medicaid slashed. All the while, the corporate tax cuts do not expire. Great for boosting tax prices and CEO bonuses.
The other platform is "Lock Her Up" Other than that, the GOP has no plan, no program, nothing
2
It’s been interesting watching CNN lately as they’re airing American Dynasties with the spotlight on The Kennedy family and JFK’s presidency, particularly in the recent light of Trump. Joe Kennedy’s insistence that John name Bobby AG specifically to protect his back in the WH, sure made me think of Trump naming Whitaker and the flack he’s taken for daring to appoint someone who he feels may hold some loyalty to him. Not to mention the family nepotism and womanizing. Oh how time flies and memories selectively forget.
1
In reply to LS from Maine, what this life-long Democrat doesn’t have the stomach for is watching Congressional hearings on C-SPAN. Yes, I can refuse to tune in, but better the hearings be in closed session. Without cameras, the members, hopefully, will forgo the 5 minute grandstand opening statements whose only purpose is to produce sound bites for the local news in their home district. They should conduct the hearings in the manner called for by the seriousness of the issues. Closed sessions also would deprive 45 of tweet material. Win-win.
2
I don't know Don Jr. , I've never met him. And Ivan-k... who? No, nope, don't know her, never met her. I think maybe Don might have been briefly involved in the campaign - very minor, getting coffee and very minor... but, really, I hear tremendous things - very respected - but I didn't know Don Jr. or that other person - but they're going to do a number on him - but they're very highly thought of, but I don't know them, but they are very top-of-the line. But I don't know them.
4
Trump's family, especially those in the White House, should be carefully scrutinized. We have already heard of several instances in which they have turned their "jobs" into lucrative ventures.
They could have avoided even the appearance of impropriety by either divesting themselves of their outside businesses or putting them into blind trusts. They chose to do neither, inviting questions that seem to grow over time.
We will soon learn how far the con man's children have fallen from the con man tree.
2
The term "frugal" as it relates to Trump is a misnomer. The word should be cheap. I mean he would not even pay for his own portrait. Instead he had the Trump Foundation pay for it. Really.
Trump's tax returns and his Organizations financial dealings are probably already known by Mueller's team as the Trump's financial wizard is already cooperating with the investigators.
I am curious as to who is paying for Trump's team of attorneys. Is it the taxpayers?
I hope the Democrats to not bog down their work to just focus on investigations of Trump. I hope they can move forward on very important Legislation like Health Care, Tax Reform and jobs.
Not that they should not investigate. They should. But getting our country back on track is also about Voting Rights, getting rid of Citizens United and turning over the Senate from Republican to Democrat.
I sure hope the Democrats can multi-task.
2
When all is said and done, most former presidents sold autobiographies after leaving office and yes they got jobs in universities, or traveled speaking for pay. The amount of financial gain this family has amassed from getting into the White House will far outweigh any that came before. And if not just illegally but unethically obtained. And this has all been done right before our eyes. And the Congress, and the ethics committees, etc. while they reeked havoc and brought our country down to depths never before known. Yes, they all deserve what any other person would pay.
3
To fix health financing, environmental problems, immigration issues, and hundreds of other problems facing the U.S., the citizens must have confidence in their leader’s decisions and this begins with Donald Trump’s truthfulness and promises he made as a candidate when he ran for the office of President. He promised to release his taxes during his candidacy. Now is the time to show us if he and his Republican Party can be trusted running our government.
Devin Nunes and other Congressional Republicans have been shielding Kushner, Ivanka, Donald Jr. and other family members from any legal scrutiny.
Trump's family "advisors" are unvetted and very powerful. They never had the slightest review in Congress for their current positions. The nepotism and total indifference to ethics is at the core of their positions. Jared Kushner has been set up as a princeling and given enormous influence, which it seems he has used to enrich himself and Emperor Donald. Princess Ivanka has violated Federal records rules through the use of private email to conduct public business.
No amount of what-about-ism from Trump pointing two-year-old fingers at Clinton, Podesta and others in some kind of wild frenzy obscures the fact that his immediate relatives are engaged in illegal activities. This is what we expect from authoritarian dictatorships and banana republics, not the United States
Trump's relatives in his Imperial Court must be investigated, and their actions made public. They are making monumental decisions for our nation with no effective oversight or control. The public needs to know about all of this.
3
25-30 year prison sentences for this administration when this whole mess has been exposed for the American people. I especially want to see Trump's adult children and Sarah Sanders face mandatory 30-year sentences because a lesson needs to be taught to them, and an example needs to be made to the youth today - your choices WILL result in consequences. Trump's children could've walked away from this at any time. Sarah Sanders, who is getting paid nearly $200K a year to lie to us and call the media the enemy of the state, is the most public face of the administration outside of Trump. Her actions, her lies, her constant deflection of serious issues - that have resulted in deaths from all these bias crimes - need to be punished.
It's critical to understand these are all children of privilege; Trump's kids and Sarah Sanders have fathers who've given them whatever they want in exchange for nothing. They've never been told 'NO' and I'm guessing have used the 'don't you know who MY father is?!' line to get whatever they want.
I don't believe a long prison sentence would do much to Trump or Pence as they're near the end of their working lives; however, it will be very difficult for someone in their 30's or 40's as they will likely leave prison destitute and elderly. This should teach younger people that, if you think your bad choices will go unpunished, look at Trump's kids and Sarah Sanders' 30 years in prison as an example.
2
Putting the onus on Democrats to tread carefully while raising concerns that suggest corrupt and possibly criminal behavior might have occurred is worse than not talking about it all.
There is a growing urgency to look into these matters and the Democrats have been tasked by the voters with that responsibility. If the Republicans had provided oversight during the time they controlled all branches, we would have been able to avoid such accusations. They turned a blind eye on the Trump family’s continued self enrichment and never questioned their relationships with with foreign entities even if they violated norms and laws. It is likely that some of them profited in the same way. So here we are today and I, for one, am grateful that the interests of our people will be served at last. Let the chips fall where they may.
1
The Democrats, particularly those that were newly elected to the House, would be better off putting the majority of their efforts towards fixing health care and taking care of infrastructure problems and working on the other issues upon which they ran. They can thus demonstrate that they can actually fix problems, which will give the party more credibility when it comes to the 2020 elections. If they spend all of their time going after Trump and his relatives to the exclusion of actually doing some work to benefit the country, they will have shown themselves to be no better than the Republicans they have replaced. Let Mr. Mueller's investigation run its course. In all likelihood, there will be plenty of subpoenas resulting from that effort without the need for Democrats to add more.
10
@Lauren
Sigh. They can do both. We have a criminal occupying the white house, violating the constitution on the emoluments clause, which is enough all by itself to oust him.
And keep in mind, in terms of "They can thus demonstrate that they can actually fix problems" ANYTHING and EVERYTHING they pass in the house will be voted down by the senate, which republicans control, and in the event something DOES pass the senate, then "trump" will veto it. So don't go imagining that just because the democrats control the house starting in January that they can pass legislation. Because you will be disappointed. But please be wise enough to understand the reason WHY instead of blaming them from being obstructed by republicans, who have no interest in supporting the democratic agenda. Come 2020 please support democrats to regain the senate. And to take the white house back. THEN you will see action.
In very large part the reason democrats won the house was as a check to "trump's" power. Very many of us DO expect them to do this by taking Mueller's investigation into the house for potential impeachment. If they do not, they are abrogating their sworn responsibilities.
4
@Lauren
The angel on my right shoulder says you are right, but the devil on my left shoulder can't help but savor the thought of Jared and Ivanka in matching orange jumpsuits!
4
Private email addresses are not new anymore. 'Again, email thing...' might be echoing in our minds. Covertly, it might have thousands of officials who have used their private email addresses at a certain point of time during their appointments. However, let's get one thing straight first. Is Ivanka Trump officially holding a position in the government? She is entitled the First Daughter. Is First Daughter an official position? Hypothetically, the First Daughter is not a recognized post. Ivanka Trump should not obtain an email address which is exclusively for the bureaucratic officials. Logically, her private email is her only communicative channel. It is invalid in arguing if she illegally used her private email address or violated the regulations. This controversy reflects on another matter. Why did she involve in administrative activities if she has not been holding an appointed post which requires hearing and confirmation? I understand the Trump family is withholding solidarity. Their harmonic and loyal manners in their lineage are applauded. Still it is necessary drawing a clear boundary.
1
She holds the position of councilor to the President. She was appointed to that position. It's not because she is first daughter.
2
@Brigitte
Sigh. Google is, in this case, your friend. It's actually faster than writing your comment. You can google "Ivanka Trump" and visit here Wikipedia page and read, among other stuff like her modeling career, this:
"Starting in March 2017, she began serving in her father's presidential administration. She assumed this official, unpaid position after ethics concerns were raised about her having access to classified material while not being held to the same restrictions as a federal employee. She was considered part of the president's inner circle even before becoming an official employee in his administration."
"After advising her father in an unofficial capacity for the first two months of his administration, she was appointed Advisor to the President, a government employee, on March 29, 2017. She takes no salary. Prior to becoming a federal employee, she used a personal email for government work."
It's really clear she has violated the law. She should be prosecuted.
4
She does hold an official position within the administration that is subject to ethics review. She declined to take a salary.
Her official position was bestowed March 29, 2017.
Ms Kushner should absolutely be investigated, just as Secretary Clinton was.
2
Soon the house will be curbing Trump's corruption. A few of his sycophants are triangulating so that they can still appear as if they have principles. So it goes...
4
No principles in the GOP.
Ivanka and Jared are "New York Democrats". When the Dems take over the House and open investigations into them Trump won't be able to cry foul.
5
About time. A breath of sane. Everyday we see the corrupt moves. Deals with dictators while crushing allies. Finally looking into the obvious conflicts of interest, quid pro quo diplomacy including Saudi deals, Russian, Chinese and other criminals invested or benefit to Trump.
10
The GOP are Afraid of trump
And rightly so
Not a good reason to Go Hide .
1
Some good points here but I think Trumps Grand Fraud will be exposed by Mueller--that's where the knock out punch will come from. I don't see Trump serving out his term after that report is let out--any which way it gets out--and it will get out. Tick Tock
11
@Mike Fingers crossed!
1
I’m praying for that.
2
The sooner the New Democrat-controlled Congress is sworn in and starts exercising some oversight over this buffoon, the better. He has made a mockery of his office from the day he was inaugurated and he adds to the stain every moment he remains in power. His blatant nepotism and self-dealing are only a part (albeit a significant part) of his corrupt maladministration. He (and his relatives) need to be curbed before they can do even more damage- and quick.
26
I hope these lights are shined on all the congressional enablers- formerly half-decent men (mostly) and women who have hitched their wagons to this sociopath and his kin.
Then get serious about amending campaign finance rules.
16
Money in the pocket. Just like the tax cut bribe which Democrats got too and don’t want to lose.
If Trump and family do not do prison time, then all has been for nought. To let Trump go with a slap on the wrist would be a waste of money and moral capital. As long as he's free to continue his fraudulent life outside of jail, he's won. America's prestige can no longer afford to allow Trump to be an example of American leadership.
14
The Trump and Kushner Crime Families are long overdue for investigation. The Republicans in Congress have been spinelessly enabling their corruption, nepotism, and treason for over two years.
17
I am suspect of hearing Democrats must be careful not to overreach. The Outstanding Overreach Performance does go to dadadahhh....The Republican Freedom Cactus members! (FBI & Hilary in case memories lapse) Yep, polish that Oscar House Republicans) Hopefully, it shall be your last performance on the big stage for years.
The Progressives ready to take power, are by no means ill informed, or lack Intelligence. We have also been waiting since Obama left office. The Leader of the Democratic Intelligence Committee, Adam Schiff, is the leading legal mind in Washington. I believe the Democrats will be absolutely fine and welcome January 2019!!
9
For many years Trump and his family has gotten away with many fraudulent things. On the surface it looks legal, but I am sure a good prosecutor will find a mistake that will bring him down. In the past, it may not have been worth the hastle, but today it is.
8
How does his family keep their shame intact????
8
@Angela
intact? did you mean suppressed?
2
long overdue. better see some actual action against trumpfs after Jan 1
5
I suspect a couple things - after the new House is seated Javanka will declare victory and head back to New York, lest their seediness be further exposed. And, hopefully, Trump's long-term money laundering will see the light of day. Hopeful, or wishful thinking maybe.
8
We still need to see Trump's tax returns for the last 10 years. And since when do we have the daughter and son in law as part of the white house hierarchy? I mean really???
11
Since the republicans changed from the GOP to the Care Not a Whit for our Country Party! They are also responsible for letting this circus go on untethered. Yeah, they need to be held accountable too.
1
@GJOSEPH There is no White House hierarchy.
Now, that's music to my ears, it's a long time coming for the Trump family of Grifters.
10
Trump brought his family into the White House so they position themselves to cash in on his presidency. They have no government experience but have financial businesses that could benefit with overseas connections for loans for one thing. The first daughter and son in law have the clout to walk over anyone else in the White House witness the first daughter and son in law organized the Saudi trip the first foreign one Trump made. Saudi fawned over Trump which he loves as a narcissist while Ivanka got 100 million gift from Saudi and Jared had a bromance with the murderous MSB. The bank of Saudi will solve all future financial needs of the Kushners which begs the question are we now a kleptocracy like Trump's hero Putin's Russia.?
7
"The other was Representative Trey Gowdy of South Carolina, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, who previously led a two-year investigation into events surrounding the attack on American diplomatic outposts in Benghazi, Libya, focusing relentlessly on the role of Hillary Clinton. His most prominent investigation as chairman has scrutinized alleged anti-Trump political bias within the F.B.I. during its inquiries related to the 2016 presidential campaign."
Some reason the New York Times failed to mention the main thrust of Gowdy's Benghazi committee was investigating Ms. Clinton's use of private emails to conduct government business - a thrust that the New York Times gladly danced to while Gowdy played his fiddle on the issue - for 15 months (not mention in the NYTimes during that period of any Trump Russian related issues).
Let's keep the New York Times nose that shiny Trump brown otherwise Trump might say "boo" again to the Times and apparently they are (unprofessionally) afraid of that.
@Tony We the 'thinking public' are supposed to keep in mind the published activities of government officials so that we can appreciate the significance of a Trey Gowdy when he proposes to investigate Ivanka's emails. Is this 'irony'? Gowdy is leaving government service at the end of the year.
I remember seeing an interview with Jnr., it was when Trump Family Inc. was busy shafting and threatening the Scottish people who owned land near their golf course, depriving them of well-water, access to their properties, views of the sea, along with the usual trumpian insults. Junior referred to them as "the little people". It gives some measure to the family's overweening entitlement and hubris. They live in an alternate universe where they consider themselves an absolute monarchy with immunity and impunity to do as they desire.
8
It's times like this that a more introspective president might reflect upon the value "norms." While it might appear to some of Trump's supporters that norms and conventions are a hindrance to Trump's agenda, these norms exist for reasons that go well beyond "P.C."
There would be, for instance, no need to investigate tax returns that had been disclosed as promised. Trump's tired excuse that he is unable to release them because of an IRS audit has been categorically undermined by the IRS's own EXPRESS statement that no aspect of their audit prevents Trump from releasing his tax returns. Similarly, the Trump family's general unwillingness to follow ethical norms with regard to their business dealings while holding public office is hazardous to THEM! Knowing whether thin line has been crossed requires... investigation. That's why most people do not test the absolute limits of legality. But it doesn't stop there. If Trump had followed norms in dealing with Comey, there would be no grounds for investigation into his dismissal (however unpopular). If Trump followed norms regarding Whittaker, he could have saved himself a headache as well.
It goes on and on. Norms exist (at least in part) to avoid the APPEARANCE of impropriety. Obviously, impropriety in fact is even worse, but the amount of suspicion Trump has heaped upon himself and his administration by indulging in his every whim leaves him exposed without a sycophantic Congress to cover him.
3
Hopefully Dems focus on the actions that violate the constitution, because focusing on everything the "First Family" does that violates our sense of decency will take time and energy away from what matters most: restoring the rule of law.
8
@Kilroy71
Absolutely. The "actions" that violate the constitution is a long. long list.
1
Trump's career as a Russian asset began decades ago, and has its roots in the activities of the Trump Organization. There is enough laying around on the surface that points to this, that even semi-aggressive investigation will most probably illuminate more than we ever cared to know.
7
Interesting that so many commenters believe that the Democrats shouldn't "overreach" in investigating Trump's family members, all heavily involved in his "administration". Apparently many people believe that investigating the Trump family doesn't send the politically correct message of "reaching out" to Trump voters.
Well, let's take a look at recent history. Ceaseless investigations of Hillary Clinton (all that turned out to be groundless by the way), had a serious effect on her campaign. And there was no better way to mobilize the Republican base but to begin all sorts of groundless investigations against her.
Now we Democrats are told that we should "play fair"? Are you kidding me? And in the case of the Trump family, even what we know from the public record implicates them in serious crimes and/or other legal violations -- criminal conspiracy with the Russians, violations of the Emoluments Clause, violations of nonprofit laws, violations of any number of federal campaign laws -- the list is really endless.
And we Democrats are supposed to just let this go? Well, sure, if Dems have no interest in winning in 2020. Otherwise, Dems would do well to bring out the heavy artillery. This is the only thing Trump voters understand -- the use of force. And maybe they'll see that the real majority of this country is against them.
But keep playing that really kind, considerate game, Dems. That'll do nothing but get us second Trump term.
It's well past time to push back.
7
Yes, that she used an insecure server at the White House deserves investigating.
However, it bothers me that the larger nepotism issue seems to have been ignored or normalized.
Why is a shoe designer conducting White House business?
Why is the President continuing to conduct White House business on a personal cell phone? Yes, his tweets are official Presidential statements and he often announces policies through Twitter.
A thorough investigation needs to be conducted to determine whether White House staff are following security as well as ethics protocol.
4
@hk These are questions we should all be asking.
1
The Trumps are so accustomed to owning all that they purvey that they assumed the United States was just another acquisition for them to plunder and exploit. Despite what they and the corporations might think, this country belongs to The People. And we intend to keep it that way.
4
Providing tax returns should not be a tradition in this global economy/world. It needs to be mandatory so that we as the American people know who are candidates ate beholden to, anything less is un American. The law needs to be made by congress or this will happen again.
5
Jared and Ivanka learned their parents ethics. Felon and ex-federal prisoner Charles went right back to property development. We can only hope that Trump made some slip-ups, that justice ensues and he follows in Charles footsteps. Ivanka and Jared most likely didn't fall far from the tree.
5
It has been very clear, from all NYT reporting, that Mr. Muller has approached the investigation as if it were an organized crime family at its center.
A relevant question is weather or not we will have to built a special prison to house all of them.
5
I seem to remember a right-wing Republican judge recently saying quite ominously, "What goes around, comes around." Ivanka Trump has been revealed to be as careless and clueless as the much maligned, by Big Daddy Donald, as Hillary Clinton. So, did she send classified material on her personal account? Was it hacked? Should she be held to the same investigatory scrutiny as Sec. Clinton? Should they "Lock her up!" or more appropriately rescind her security clearance?
2
@magicisnotreal
"...it isn't as if what is in the public domain now doesn't already expose them (Trumps) for what they are."
That's why I'm a big fan of the Pillory.
Public humiliation for her crimes and Ivanka will melt like "The Wicked Witch of The West".
4
" ... put a spotlight on areas that the secretive Mr. Trump prefers to keep out of sight." Other than dubious tax dodges, violations of the Emoluments Clause, collusion with foreign governments on election interference, use of the military for political stunts, payments to cover up affairs, appointments of woefully unqualified Cabinet members, putting family members into high White House staff positions, etc., etc., there's not much to look at. Probably why the Republican Congress didn't bother.
5
It is true that Congress can only do so much to limit, let alone reverse, the travesties being committed by the charlatan-in-chief and his spawn as he runs roughshod over everything decent that this country is supposed to stand for. Whatever can be done to obstruct a president run amok should be done post haste. As I've said from Election Day onward, "gridlock is better than no lock" especially on the current occupant of the White House and those associated with him and especially those with the last name of Trump or Kushner. What I am really looking forward to and hoping for, once he's expelled from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, is an in-depth investigation not only on his collusion with Russia but his entire finances and his use of the presidency for outrageous personal gain and conflict-of-interest between his official role and private investments which are being committed to such an extent as would make most tin-pot dictators green with envy. As he has given the decent people of this country these past 2 long years many sleepless nights, so do I pray that the same befall him and his spawn, in kind, which is nothing less than a man who has defiled the office which an ignorant electorate voted to install him into deserves.
5
There has been absolutely no oversight into Trump and his corrupt family since he took office.
All those who say that the Democrats should think twice about performing their Constitutional duty to check the most corrupt and dangerous man to ever set foot in the White House are off track. If any president needed to be investigated, it's Donald Trump. The fact that he's brought his family along for the ride is a sign that he wants to hide his corrupt practices.
4
When Woodward and Bernstein started uncovering CREEP, the Committee to Reelect the President, the massive coverup of all things Nixon began.
We are about to witness a coverup that makes the Nixon shenanigans look timid by comparison. Especially the phone logs. Especially what are sure to be the doctored tax returns. Trump's impeachment will become more obvious with each passing day beginning in January.
3
Investigating Trump's evil spawn will only embolden weak-willed Trump supporters who honestly, in their "heart-of-hearts, believes the Illusionist-In-Chief that there's a vast left wing conspiracy "out to get me". Anti-Trump forces throughout America. He is fighting to protect us from the "migrant hordes" storming the gates.
There's no doubt Trump and family have done way more than advertised. Money laundering, fraud, stiffing contractors, influence peddling, obstruction of justice, bribery, hush money, taking widows, orphans and old ladies "for a ride". It is so egregious, even a ten year old can see it.
The Trumps are above the law. My prayer is that there is justice in the world.
3
Prepare for Trump rage! He may think that the Democrats will be hurt by being too partisan, but he will be hurt more by simple investigations which should have been done months ago.Trump's " Celebrity Apprentice" transplanted to the White House has produced nothing but scandals and incompetence.The American people want well trained experts who are not conflicted to run their government.The House passed a tax giveaway and then sat on their hands while Trump maneuvered and mismanaged.Time for truth!
3
Speaker Pelosi -
Please control your crazies and focus them all on Legislation, NOT revenge and investigations!! The latter is a waste of time, taxpayer money, and political capital!
@edward Murphy,
So what, we're just supposed to give Trump and his family a pass? I think there are plenty of committees that will keep their focus on legislation. The Democrats are very capable of juggling more than one issue.
If Trump, his family and his cohorts had not perpetrated so many questionable and corrupt acts, then perhaps the Democrats would not pursue Ivanka's use of her personal email.
There are way too many infractions to ignore.
3
@edward murphy It's only money-(well spent).
everything that happens to trump he has brought on himself.
12
I love how Republicans, the pundit class, and especially Trump are telling House Democrats not to investigate. Of course they are.
Democrats won back the House by an overwhelming majority because people want Congressional oversight. I, for one, can't wait for the oversight to begin.
58
If I was a betting man, I'd say that for the next two years we will hear the near constant release of new allegations against this President.
I'd go on to suggest that every new initiative or achievement of the administration will be followed by an explosive new allegation.
Trump has showed us how to take down a candidate through the slow release of damaging information.
Democrats would do well to learn this lesson and apply it as liberally as needed.
16
I take issue with the assertion that it’s “not just his aides, but also his immediate family”, as if that is somehow crossing a line into Trump’s personal life, having noting to do with the White House. The family members being investigated, Ivanka Trump & Jared Kushner, ARE senior WH aides. Nepotism has its downsides.
28
@Rachel DeSario You may very well see both sons become part of the Administration for purposes of declaring Executive Privilege. Then it will really hit the fan.
2
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of President Trump’s job performance. Forty-eight percent (48%) disapprove.
@k.hoffecker
So does that mean we're supposed to give the rampant corruption in the Trump admin a free pass?
1
@k.hoffecker Rasmussen gets a low grade based on historical accuracy and methodology. An average of all polls show 42.5% approve and 52.9% disapprove.
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval-ratings/?ex_cid=rrpromo
4
You trusted Rasmussen? Hie thee hence to 538.
4
Any investigation will probably be decided by just how hypocritical the GOP decides to be, as well as,whether or not they've had a drink of the cult of Trump koolaid. My guess is that, the surviving republicans in congress have completely joined the Trump train and will do little, but protect him from the constitution.
5
Well, in creating a new country with a government based on merit, equality, and the rule of law, the founding fathers rejected these sorts of arrangements, such as peerage and nepotism, in 1776 and more so in 1787. Many voted against Hillary under these principles in 2016. But let us steadfastly renew the effort in 2019 and 2020. Huzzah!
2
Their hour has come round at last. It's about time.
10
Trump’s assertion that “ Democrats have the potential to appeal partisan “ is ludicrous, considering his attacks on them ever since he became president.
2
It never ceases to amaze me how confident the Trumps are that they can conceal everything, every single underhanded deal.
You would think that anyone with Trump's history - his financial history and his ethically challenged personal history - would have stayed out of politics because of the sheer number of skeletons in his closet. Trump's closet is BURSTING with skeletons. But no. Trump has always believed that he can hide or deny every single dirty step he has ever taken. And if hiding or denying fails, threaten to sue because Trump was always the one with the deepest pockets. He knows that he can wear down any opponent by a never-ending barrage of lies and threats. And he has lovingly passed on these wonderful traits to his three eldest children.
Till now. Funny thing is, President Trump, most Americans do care whether you are a crook, a liar, and a very successful con artist. We care that you are dividing our country and kicking democracy to the curb while you milk it for all it's worth. Yeah, we're all exhausted by your bag of dirty tricks and your nonstop hateful rhetoric. But we are not going to look away. You are going to regret bigly that you did not remain a private citizen.
29
The Democrats are more than capable of doing what's needed. That is legislate AND investigate.
10
The family does time together stays together. Karma.
7
And so the fall of the House of Trump begins.
9
"But Mr. Trump is famously frugal about hiring personal lawyers, and it is unclear whether he or his adult sons are prepared for how much assistance they will require."
I predicted on Inauguration Day 2017 that his "reelection campaign" is nothing more than a fundraising vehicle to pay for his legal defense. What's he got in the bank, $100 million? Just you watch.
7
Duty to party used to be paramount in politics. Duty to ratings is now. Trump's supporters are energized watching how the Democrats victimize him (and them). If it makes people watch the news (and the advertisers' spots) then they'll do it. If it makes legal or constitutional sense, well, later for that. Politics is the reality show called Survivor.
2
"Mr. Trump has told aides that he believes that Democrats have the potential to appear overly partisan in investigating his family and that voters may be sympathetic to efforts to rebuff them."
First and foremost Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner are staff members at the White House. Donald Trump Jr. was an active member of the republican 2016 presidential campaign. The fact that they are also family members highlights the perils of nepotism within a democratic government that requires oversight as part of it's Constitution.
Trump is correct about one thing here, his base will cry foul if investigations touch his family members and Fox News will be their bullhorn.
10
It is not simply 'his family' in the crosshairs. Some members of his family have been deeply involved in Trump's misdeeds inside and outside government, and their own actions merit investigation. Why won't Trump release his tax returns? Why does he still operate his businesses? And why are they all using their governmental positions to benefit their businesses, from loans to Chinese trademarks, etc.?
21
The headline is misleading. Ivanka is being investigated by House Republicans, and they are not "in the House Democrats crosshairs," as though Democrats we're looking for an excuse to charge her with a crime. If it is a violation of security to use a personal email address for government purposes, especially classified ones, she violated it, and it must be looked into, regardless of who is in charge.
21
Think of the good the GOP could do itself in the eyes of the majority of Americans were it to declare itself utterly intolerant of corruption, and throw its weight behind cleaning up government on ALL sides.
In stead, the swamp runneth over, and other than an honorable very few, GOP legislators continue to demonstrate their complete indifference toward honor, honesty, and transparency in government.
19
The arc of history is long, but bends toward justice.
8
It all needs to be investigated, although all will be stalled by this administration. However, priority is healthcare and infrastructure, what people voted for. I trust Nancy Pelosi to strike a balance.
5
The Trump family modus has been out litigate your enemy,or the people that you have stiffed , for decades. I would be happy to see them brought to justice, but also would hope the House spends more time on issues more pressing to us as a nation.
11
@mk, agreed. There are many important issues that our government is ignoring while this corrupt presidency continues its nefarious ways. That said, I cannot imagine a more important national crisis than the implosion of the our highest office’s integrity and standing in the world. Healing and progress on many issues are predicated on holding all miscreants accountable.
1
This is important stuff - it needs to come out in a thorough, objective way. Beyond that, sure, it won't go anywhere; the 'kids' won't feel any kind of punishment. But, it will be another truth in a growing pile of truths that show, and that's the key here, it will SHOW the public what Trump and his kin are doing on a day to day basis behind the scenes. This alone may seem petty and small, but combined with all the rest and it just stinks. And stinks really badly.
While I never expect the base to waver their support of their god, I do expect more and more rational people to see what a mistake was made in 2016.
I hope the House looks into this and all the other corruption -- and does it a Mueller-esqe clinical methodical way. I'm 100% ok using our tax dollars this way -- the truth is what will set us free.
12
I recently read a CBC news article reporting that, according to the journalist Garrett Graff, there are currently an unusually large amount of sealed indictments in the District of Columbia (14) and that Robert Mueller may be ready to reveal the investigation findings by the end of the year - just in time for Christmas.
7
What comes around, goes around.
Impeachment? Doubtful.
Imprisonment after Public Office? Possible.
7
@DaJoSee
Nah. Trumpolini will simply declare himself America's-Most-Favorite-President-For-Life.
Why have Republicans - in Congress and elsewhere - given the Trump administration a free pass? With Trump becoming President, the Trump organization basically smashed America's windows and the oligarchs have been on a looting spree ever since. Republican politicians knew that the looting spree would eventually end - as it appears to be now - but they used the Trumpian chaos to blow up the federal deficit, roll back environmental protections, profit from destroying public lands, sow dissent and chaos among Americans, and to throw almost 80 years of American global leadership into the toilet - all to make a buck. Greed, pure and simple. Thank God the Democrats won the House, and that Rep. Schiff will lead the investigations into the blatant corruption, larceny, and self-dealing emblematic of this loathsome administration.
18
Get those tax returns. State and Federal.
15
It's time that the entitled-at-birth, rich white people in this country face the consequences for their greedy, egregious and illegal behavior. From the wealthy bankers and Wall Street and hedge-fund greedy men in the 2008 crash, to the current Silicon Valley mob, to the CEOs of monopoly corporations - they skate by, with their Congressionally-purchased loopholes mixed in with their actual illegal behavior.
It's time it all end. Now. Prosecute them all, starting with this mess of a presidency and its administration.
10
The trumps should not be allowed to use presidential executive privilege to enrich themselves at the expense of America and the Americans. Let's Restore America
11
Uneasy are the heads that wear the crown?
There was a 1967 anti-nepotism law in the White House that Trump ignored. The earlier memos agains nepotism had been issued to the White Houses occupied by Nixon, Carter, Reagan and Obama. Politico got the memos released through an FOI request. https://static.politico.com/22/c2/624cf595485191d6abc9b0810665/olcopinion.pdf This law applied whether or not there was compensation involved.
The violation of the Emoluments Clause, the ignoring of previous presidential protocol of placing their private business or financial interests in blind trusts, and the open profiteering of the Trump family from their official positions through favoritism, foreign nations awarding trademarks or loans, and other conflicts of interest have been obvious from the beginning.
Kushner holds -- unaccountably -- high security clearance even though he tried more than once to set up back channel communications with Russia, on one occasion actually inside a Russian consulate or embassy. It's not just Ivanka's emails. It is both Kushner and Ivanka using a private Kushner server for months, and other members of the White House staff using the RNC, previously hacked by Russians.
When it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it's a duck. It doesn't need 3,000 pairs of shoes left behind in a palace to look like corruption. It takes hidden taxes, and open profits.
14
Trump, his father and siblings and his spawn have been living outside of the law without any oversight or consequence for so long, that they just don't believe that anything can happen to them. It is time to prove them wrong or forfeit our Republic.
11
Maybe he'll figure he needs to protect his family above all else and just resign.
Dream on.... but maybe??
9
Unfortunately it's too late for Orkin to save us from the damage that has already infested the White House and various branches of our government. Our world reputation has already taken a terrible battering, worse each day, while the pests in the environmental and educational "leadership" seats work to demolish any hard-won-but-inconvenient goodness they find.
Whether or not the Trump clan ends up in federal prison is of no true national consequence; they've already done more damage to our nation than bin Laden and his ilk.
6
"That you now have Republicans investigating members of the first family is an indication of the perils ahead”
So the rats are beginning to leave the sinking ship. The Republicans must now leave the impression with their voters that they were always on the side of "right", before they too go down with the ship.
7
Focus and restraint: it's not enough to be right--we need to win.
This family got to the top of our political power structure, they have amassed wealth via their positions, and they are, of course, dangerous.
Over time, our hope is to strip them of the ill-gotten money they've gotten their hands on. But right now, we need to tread carefully, strip them of power as fast as possible, and not make stupid, emotional mistakes.
Because if we're not careful, we'll have these folks in power for a lot longer than the 8 years we imagine as the top limit.
3
None of them should have reason to worry if they're innocent, as they've long maintained.
2
Democrats were overwhelmingly elected to the house to put a stop to republican complicity
Let the investigations begin!
The only problem is that there is so much to investigate it will overwhelm even the most informed citizen
10
Many of my friends asked me "how is it possible that this intelligent person is a trump supporter?" The only Trump supporters who will actually look at the facts are those who are using the reasoning part of their brain, not the reactive side of the brain. Why is it that children lie when they get caught doing something wrong? They know they did something wrong, they know they've been caught, but they lie anyhow. They go into reactive mode. Any attack on Trump or his family will push the vast majority of trump supporters into the reactive mode. There is no talking to them. Unfortunately they will remain bitter and see it as an attack on themselves. They cannot differentiate or think rationally. Trump's skills is appealing to people's fears and worries and he is very good at doing that. They are like puppets on the end of a string. The Constitution means nothing to them. They are not even looking at the Constitution they are not capable at looking beyond the tips of their noses when they get put into the reactive mode.
8
Going after Trump is fair game. His family is not. He has unlimited pardon authority. I hope he uses it if needed.
What should the right do? Go after Chelsea?
2
@Jesse James
Baloney. By appointing family members to official positions in his campaign and administration, Trump has made it both "fair" and proper for their conduct to be investigated.
And it's not a question of "right" or "left." The emoluments and other self-dealing issues are not political, they're constitutional, and probably criminal.
255
Ivanka, Jared, Don2, & Eric put themselves in positions where they ARE subject to investigation.
only Baron should be shielded
24
@Jesse James - False equivalence. Stop enabling corruption. Ivanka and Jared are advisors actively involved in this foul administration. Donald Jr met with foreign agents to subvert our democracy. Buy the ticket, take the ride.
32
Need to find out all the skeletons in the closet. Should not be running for public office at age 70+ without any prior track record for working for public welfare. 45th went to WH just for making money. It is just plain simple wrong.
5
As justice hones in on the Trump family, their obvious disdain for our democracy may make them take refuge on a luxurious "Trump ship of state," sailing endlessly around the world like "The man Without a Country" I read about in grade school, forever banned from our hallowed shores. Their "crew " could be loyal servants like Senator Graham, catering to their every wish. If they tire of being at sea they could always seek refuge in the soothing sands of Saudi Arabia.
6
The trumps all grew up in a world of privilege. What's disturbing and disgusting is the GOP continuing to protect them and ignore the law!
15
There is one thing Americans do relish, and that's justice being served. Little by little, the facade of Trump's self-proclaimed devotion to the working American is fracturing, allowing exposure to all the nefarious things he has done. People can turn a blind eye only so long... until their own welfare begins to suffer for it. Then they want to lay blame. Trump supporters should first blame themselves for their folly, thinking he was actually worthy of the presidency. But as the deception Trump has fostered is dragged into the light, people won't be very forgiving. Because the damage he has done is not just severe, it is widespread. Trump will go down in history as the villain president, an exemplar of everything the US presidency should never be.
213
@GaryK Brain researchers like George Lakoff have shown that when the brain makes up its mind, it will ignore all information to the contrary. Trump's base would not be moved if he was found picking pockets in Central Park.
17
@GaryK Gary, I hope your right. But, my very conservative friend truly believes that the Democrats are ruining the Republican party with their lies. I'm sure he's not, by far, the only one.
11
The Republican Reynolds's comment is hilarious. On one hand he admonishes against investigating the very possibly incriminating private affairs of the trump family, but on the other he admits that trump still owns his company. This is why the trump affair is a mess and has to be thoroughly investigated:
"Thomas M. Reynolds, a former congressman who was the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee in 2006, agreed that the incoming House majority would be wise not to meddle excessively in the private affairs of the president’s business and two adult sons.
"But, he said, 'we’re on a thin line here because the president still owns the company.'”
The little trumpkins in our heartland are under trump's entranced suspension of disbelief, so they'll believe anything that trump says. Their ability to vote puts fear into the hearts of Republican congressional candidates, so they too, support the trump family recalcitrance without question. This is why we need a responsible congress to investigate what the trump family did.
26
What’s that I hear, Mr. Trump? Is someone chanting, “Lock her up!” ?
80
The pattern of Republicans' approaches to addressing Trump's behaviors (and, now, those of his family) has been:
1. to say nothing
2. to defend Trump as the second coming
3. to utter some platitudinous but weak criticism
and then:
4. DO NOTHING
There is no reason to believe that the Republicans have either suddenly discovered either their oaths of office or some principle of governance that they long since forgot.
They probably will do nothing, since that is exactly what they've done in the face of Trump's innumerable provocations in the past.
263
@Dave I see some obstruction of justice and aiding & abetting charges coming in the near future of the GOP.
21
@Dave
Forget Trump. He's a lost cause.
We must focus our wrath on this DO NOTHIBG GOP Congress!
MITCH MCCONNELL and Kevin McCarthy need to be held accountable EVERY SINGLE DAY for Trump's flagrant lies to the American people and his attempts to obstruct justice.
NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!
37
@Dave
All good and valid points. I’m wondering if Republicans up for re-election in 2020 will distance themselves at the least or turn on Trump if what has been revealed by the Mueller investigation and congressional hearings turns out to be serious and criminal. My guess is that there will be a lot discovered when the investigations have concluded.
19
I hope congress investigates the Kushners' extortion of Qatar to fund their albatross Park Ave building. That deal stunk to high heaven.
141
There are multiple foreign policy decisions made by Trump and his family based on their own profiteering.
13
@Andy Total agreement. That was perhaps the most flagrant example of using public office for personal gain.
15
@Andy wasn't the albatross on Fifth Ave?
666 Fifth Avenue to be exact. The address of the "beast".
9
'...sign of things to come for the president’s family.' - we can hope.
53
Lock them up.
58
It is folly to believe that Congressional Democrats will achieve anything in the next two years that American voters cannot themselves deliver in 2020 by their own hand. If Democrats cannot muster the will to challenge their own leadership, what makes anyone believe they can take on the Ringmaster in Chief and his many circus freaks?
13
@Sanjay Gupta some of the democrats have challenged their own leadership (which, you know, is made up of--democrats), and that contest has actually strengthened them. pelosi will come to the speaker's gavel a more powerful than ever.
1
Democrats shouldn't bite off more than they can chew. I'm sure they are better prepared legally. However, as Giuliani explicitly (and for once accurately) stated, Trump is fighting a legal battle. He is fighting for survival in the arena of political PR. Democrats need a popular public roll out for each legal action against Trump.
This is something Democrats consistently fail to do even when they are in fact making popular decisions. They need a TV whip that can spell things out with getting wonkish and not suffer from strong positions. Democrats are going to have to try a little harder than Nancy Pelosi.
The second problem is Democrats actually need to advance policy while they are also investigating Trump. They might bury Trump in paperwork but they risk exposing a different vulnerability. They need accomplishments, or at least popular proposals, before the 2020 campaign. Attacking Trump also sacrifices your own resources which could be better applied elsewhere.
Democrats have the advantage if they can only manage the complexity of the task. Everything now is about prioritization, optics, and balance. Let's hope Democrats don't mess up their best opportunity.
27
@Andy As the article clearly states-two Republican members of Congress-are questioning Ivanka's email usage. Johnson and Gowdy! Wow! Interesting! Is the ship taking on water?
4
The apple does not fall far from the tree.
13
Clap your hands all ye people who really believe something will be done to undo the damage being done by not only Trump, but all his children AND Zinke-like individuals in our current administration who are supreme takers. I for one am not holding my breath. This continues to be the noise of the circus that is continuing to draw people's attention away from a tsunami of damage. Democrats: please prove me wrong and stay needle-focused. We keep harkening back to the Nixon era and how both sides were united to bring justice. Now we're left wondering if the government is just too corrupt and the chasm just too wide. Please help bring the Truth to light. Our collective hope is waning.
30
@TripleJRanch
Along with the whole world, the vast vast majority of Americans want to know the truth about Trump's financial dealings and potential crimes.
None of us hard working taxpayers get to get away with such outrageous violations of the law, we certainly don't want an arrogant billionaire narcissist allowed to cheat America!
1
When you have an inept, lying president and members of his party surround him to distract from the truth, there will come a time when they all have to reconcile their actions with history. Perhaps Gowdy, Johnson and Davis see the ship sinking and are looking for ways to escape without being noticed or judged.
The Watergate investigation showed clearly when republicans got too close to the flame and supported Nixon, knowing his criminality, that they would individually eventually suffer for it. Republicans who unwaveringly support Trump will be called for punishment for their complicity. History reminds us that many Nixon Republicans went to prison for their parts in Watergate, including attorney general Mitchell.
Nixon went skipping off into the sunset after being pardoned by Gerald Ford.
History does repeat itself.
26
and they have NEVER forgotten or forgiven Hillary for serving on the team that pushed Nixon and his corrupt enablers to the edge. unpardonable, especially from a former Republican who wouldn't drink their GOP Kool-Aid.
A very good starting point to educate the Trump family about the rule of law.
19
I hope trump et al enjoy the Christmas holiday, as they’re going to need it. Heh-heh.
Or come to think of it, maybe I don’t hope for that; maybe I hope that they get to share a tad bit of the season’s misery they’ve inflicted unnecessarily on a lot of poor kids from poor countries, not to mention the troops from the 82nd, the 101st, and the 4th ID who’ll be spending the holidays on the border, while the President shrieks at them to open fire. What better way to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, eh?
But I do enjoy the image of Elijah Cummings, a man who learned the hard way about suffering, showing up with a bagful of coal and subpoenas for the New Year. Even if it probably is too much to ask that he dress up as Santa at least once, and intone, “Ho Ho Ho,” in every quiet moment.
25
ow much money have the Russians oligarchs, Saudi Royal Family, and organized crime syndicates loaned Trump and his family enterprises? Did China refuse to pay tribute to Trump? Did our former allies refuse to pay tribute to Trump? Get those tax returns!
42
The Mueller work is coming to a close soon and, while you cannot indict a sitting president, his family has no such protection.
31
@Frankster
Yes, they can indict him! No one is above the law is still a rock solid principle.
@Frankster Only Justice Department policy says that a sitting President cannot be indicted. The issue has never been tested in court because Nixon was an unindicted co conspirator.
It's obvious that Trump and his family should be out of government entirely ASAP!
Things will only get worse before they gets better but the longer Donald, Don Jr, Ivanka, Eric and Melania are in the government the more damage they will do.
32
Nice thing about this is that the investigation will be actual numbers and events that happened. No rumors, no gossip just the facts. Hard to imagine this group not having some serious financial difficulties to explain.
21
If the Democrats don't aggressively pursue Ivanka Trump's use of private email for government business, it demonstrates our party is weak. We must never stoop to the nastiness of the Republican Party, but we can not continue our complacency and let the Republicans take advantage of us. Democrats must be strong, bold and persistent in pursuing every illegality of the Republican Party.
286
@Tom...Agreed, and there is therein lies the delima we must face... consensus will not stop the alligator, he likes chicken.
6
@Tom
Why did Ivanka get a trademark for "voting machines" approved by the Chinese government.
Is this her new fashion accessory?
13
Oh for heaven's sake. Stop wasting OUR hard-earned taxpayer dollars on sophomoric e-mail investigations. WE THE PEOPLE are in a Constitutonal crisis and it's about much more than
"e-mails".
The Con Don, his family and their Robber Baron brethren inside and outside OUR U.S. and other governments have broken every rule and some laws that protect 99.9% of us from them. They are working 24/7 to undo every social good since Teddy/FDR/Elanor Roosevelt set OUR United States of America onto a socially conscious path. They have been working at it for 50+ years.
Media pepole must stand up and tell their bosses that they are tired of wasting their skills covering supposed "smokescreen" news and get busy investigating and reporting what is going on 24/7 to destroy the lives of 99.9% of us.
Unless, of course, they are really just part of the problem and care about nothing but lining their own pockets.
47
Maggie Haberman’s one of the gutless enemy now, is she? And Elijah Cummings?
Oh, for crying out LOUD. And yet no reporter or Congresscritter on the flipping planet has gone after these guys harder; precious few have gone as hard.
This just in: you go after Ivanka’s e-mails to get at her finances, get at law-breaking, and to expose hypocrisy. And reading the article would tell ya that going after Trump&Sons finances and businesses is precisely what’s coming.
12
@njglea
This investigation is just a foot in the door to investigate the Trump kids. Once that door is open there will be plenty more investigations. The damn is starting to crack and the following flood may engulf Trump and his entire clan.
19
I have great respect for Ms. Haberman and Mr. Cummings reporting, as well as Rachel Maddow (MSNBC 9 pm ET weeknights), Pro Publica and other people/organizations who are doing a great job. Why would you suggest otherwise?
However, media investigation has been sorely lacking for years. Those of us who remember bulldog Mike Wallace on CBS 60 Minutes know that and WE exepct more.
8
It doesn’t bother me when silver spooners squander their parents’ money on failed NYC newspapers, multiple competing casinos, misleading educational or real estate ventures, or a variety of money losing businesses here and abroad. That goes for both Trump and his kids.
Let the buyer beware and that includes the naive public, silly banks, and unsophisticated municipal governments. Con men have been selling snake oil since the Garden of Eden.
But the picture accompanying this article makes me angry, watching those two manicured dittoheads draining the national coffers on their way to or from their latest government secured business deal. Apparently megalomania is DNA-based.
66
@Bobbogram Yep, the apple does not fall far from the tree.
6
@LS i do not believe one negates the other. we need to bring our politicians under control and return to some sort of state of honor in government. this isn't just about the trumps it is also about betrayals of the public trust leading up to the financial crash and then it's aftermath in 2008 and the illegal war in iraq. we have a to of work to do and we better start catching up. considering what was done during the bush administration it is no wonder trump feels untouchable.
116
@coale johnson
Yes, I agree. But I think Dems need to be VERY careful about impeachment and the optics of endless investigating of the Trumps. We need to remember how Benghazi felt--an endless witch hunt to demonize HRC, which was among many things of that ilk which worked very well--and be smart about that. It will feel like that and worse to Trumpistas, because they will see it as an attempt to nullify their vote. Dangerous.
6
Had Trump protected his children from governmental and business involvement with himself, his children would not be in this situation. Trump thoughtlessly exposed his children to risk in multiple ways- first, by engaging in potentially illegal business dealings and then, integrating his children into these dealings. He compounded this by placing Don Jr. in a campaign position and Ivanka and Jared inside the White House in official capacities for which neither were competent candidates- either in executing their duties or in understanding the consequences of failing to execute their duties competently. These could have very bad outcomes for his two oldest children, a spouse and their own children. These are his mistakes. A more thoughtful felon would have implemented a better barrier between his own illegal dealings and his children.
64
@Mrs Whit ...And yet his children are all adults. They agreed to be part of his scams and corruption, whether from office in the White House or in Trump Tower. They have shared in the profits and will share--I hope--in the indictments. True, had Trump cared years and years ago he would not have involved the family in his businesses. But his entire business is built around family and the adult kids are all involved (willingly and for many years) up to their necks.
236
@Mrs Whit Trump thinks of himself, no one else.
17
@nytrosewood Agreed. Trump's interest in his children is limited by the extent of their usefulness to him. He favors them because they are more controllable than qualified professionals. Narcissists view their offspring as extensions of themselves, not as autonomous beings.
7
You can bet any phone records of the 2016 Trump Tower meeting with Trump Jr. and Russians will have "gone missing" by the time the Democrats get to the House.
You know, the ones that Nunes refused to have subpoenaed, which would have answered all the questions the nation needed to know about who Trump Jr. was contacting by phone during that meeting.
45
@KenB
The NSA and Homeland Security still have those phone records, don't worry.
1
Imagine if this was Obama's family? Imagine. Fox attacked Obama for putting mustard on his hamburger and his wife for sleeveless dresses.
107
@Mickey
Don't forget the beige suit.
12
@Paul Drake trump went to fire scene in California in beige pants...how did he stay clean? No ash smudge any where? Was he photo-shopped into the pictures so his pants would stay clean?
4
Go after him and his family from every possible legal angle! Get this dangerous carnival-baker fake!!
48
Democrats: Fix the people's White House. Rectify the people's Congress. Restore to their rightful place the people's traditional aspirations and values.
There will be no need for Nunes partisan-hack dishonesty, McConnell unconstitutional dishonesty, or Graham-Kavanaugh histrionic dishonesty. Democrats, show the people how an ethical, serious and Constitutional deliberative body of public servants protects the faith and confidence Americans have in their democracy.
Start fixing the harm on January 1. Pass an infrastructure program with good infrastructure jobs, rather than these Trump minimum wage McJobs. Protect Social Security and Medicare from the Republicans. Continue to improve the ACA, for example, lower drug prices and Medicaid expansion. Fix public K-12 education and public university tuition. Regulate the monopolies. And, finally, of course, bring back ethics and the ideals of public service to the people's government.
This feckless, corrupt, inept, dishonest, self-dealing, white nationalist, and possibly treasonous administration must be held accountable. These Constitutionally required oversight hearings must be held. And Mr. Mueller's investigation must be protected. This White House and its opportunistic bad-faith servile Congressional Republicans are decimating our democracy, and harming the wellbeing of the nation, its citizens, and the world.
95
Dems should investigate the entire Trump family and associates like Gowdy investigated Benghazi but make their effort times 1000...
25
I did not care much about Hillary’s emails and I care much less about Ivanka’s.
1
@Judy it is going to go way beyond emails
15
Imagine if the name in this article was Obama instead of Trump.
Headline: It's not just Obama in House GOP Cross Hairs. His Family Is, Too.
11
@James Hoffa - Wouldn't happen because the Obama's didn't use our government as their personal piggy bank.
20
Can not imagine this because President Obama's administration and family were one of the few administrations with near ZERO corruption, crisis, or drama!
23
BUT
HER
EMAILS
18
This is going to be a rough two years for would be King trump.
18
@Steve goody!
5
These Republican congresspeople are just doing this for show.
This looks good in the news but the Republicans will not eat their own!
I want to see what the newly-elected and controlled Democrat House will be doing!
8
@Majortrout Democratic House. We don't say "Republic House", do we? Democrats are members of the Democratic party, not the Democrat party.
9
Surprised there is no mention of Saudi Arabia and the fact that the family has been dealing with the Saudis since 1995. Money over murder. Just another Avenue...
52
About time! This is SO long overdue. It will be very satisfying to see them all brought down a peg or two for their shocking hubris and unethical behavior.
37
Oh, Trump children.
Surely you saw this coming.
You, more than anyone else, knew the graft and corruption your father was dragging you into and yet you gladly went along.
Your lives are about to be not much fun.
83
Congress need to find out if son-in-law had a communication with MBS before Saudi hit men liquidated journalist at Istanbul consulate. Need to find out if son-in-law had a prior knowledge of this act by Saudi death squad and any assurances made to MBS for any financial benefits to son-in-law.
36
@Trevor Diaz
Nicki Haley knows there is more to it ...
12
@JL
Yes, but Nikki Hailey is vying for Trump's VP position in 2020.
Pence's loyalty is being questioned.
So, Ivanka will get some of the same medicine as Hillary received. Hope this unnerves Donald and sends him off the proverbial cliff.
51
We may soon see if the rule of lawstill exists as investigations into the corruption endemic to the Trump administration makes it way into the courts.
16
What goes around comes around. Lock her up!
21
It is really quite simple and straightforward: no one is our democracy is above the law. No one. Not the president, nor his sons, nor his daughter and son-in-law. Not Matt Whitaker. Not Hillary Clinton. No one. Ivanka and Jared are being investigated, not targeted, because they are high level advisors to the president. The fact that ‘daddy’ put them in those positions, and their own likely illegal actions, is what has put them in peril. Not Democrats. The Trumps themselves. The House of Representatives and SCOTUS need to fulfill their obligations; so does the Senate, but someone will need to remind Mr. McConnell. No one is above the law. No one.
404
Agreed! And....we need to remind McConnell (as I do often by following him on Twitter) that he and the all GOP Senators swore an oath to uphold and defend our Constitution.
40
they swore.
but they were lying with their fingers crossed behind their backs.
11
@Mari
This GOP thinks they work for Trump.
They all signed an agreement to keep their mouths shut as Trump undermines everyone of our revered institutions and drives America off the cliff?
11
A mire, a poisonous sewer of greed, bullying, and ignorance.
Ivanka is "pretty" and unfortunately in our 2D unreality, people fail to notice that she runs sweatshops and takes advantage in China, for example.
The entire cabinet is filled with people who seem to think they need not even present the appearance of integrity.
Ugh! If it weren't for accelerating climate change, we might survive this. But we all bear the responsibility for exploitation as we become ever more accustomed to more and more "conveniences". We don't know how to avoid waste any more.
It is indeed an expense of spirit in a waste of shame (yes, I know, that's out of context, but the shoe fits).
30
Just get the tax returns already. NYT, be ready with Page One to publish them.
129
This is the so-called president of the United States?
Once again we are reminded that we have a tragically unprepared and dangerously unprincipled ‘fake’ president who is a way out of his depth, and an unabashed leech and an unrepentant liar
139
When are the leaders of the Republican Party going to talk to Pence and have him offer Trump a deal? It will do our country no good to have an investigation into his personal finances, because he's clearly crooked and almost certainly in Putin's pocket. But Trump and his family have to go.
38
@Luke
Pence would not be an improvement. Note also that Trump's possible replacement for Kelly, Ayers, is part of the Kochtopus: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/10/23/the-danger-of-president-pence
19
@Luke
The last thing we need is another amoral fake Christian at the top. We need to remove the whole administration root and branch including all appointees.
57
@Luke This will indeed happen but only when it becomes clear that Trump and Trump, Inc. are up to their ears in debts to Russians and Saudis. All in due course. Should be quite a show.
26
‘‘Tis the season to be jolly!
33
@Ziggy
All I want for Christmas are a few indictments.
18
The spectacle of smug liar Don jr. in cuffs and an orange jump suit would be a consummation devoutly to be wished.
145
@John Townsend
Only surpassed by that of Papa Don in schackles!
2
Treason is what will be found along with sundry crimes; such as obstruction of justice (watch out Pence, Nunes!), fraud, money laundering, etc.. The Trumpovs did it for money/rubles and the house republicans cannot protect them any longer! JUSTICE FEELS GREAT!
PROSECUTE RUSSIAGATE!
67
Start with the tax returns. The core of Donald Trump is cupidity.
His tax return for 2017, while he was President, should be very interesting.
78
A teetering house of cards in a coming gale.
57
@Lawrence
We should all worry that the GOP will let Trump start a war to help him get out of this mess he is facing.
3
The president’s tax returns are the Holy Grail. In my opinion, there is zero probability this serial chapter 11 huckster ever paid his fair share taxes, If anything at all. Ditto for his money-grubbing family.
94
Lock them up!
37
Well with all of this clamor about opening investigations, how about we also investigate Clinton and the Clinton Foundation as well as the sale of nuclear mineral rights to Russia for which the Clinton's were paid handsomely.
2
Investigated and debunked. Move on.
37
Hilary Clinton is not the president of the United States. Hilary Clinton is not the president of the United States. Let that sink in.
34
DEWaldron,
Oh dear lord...do a simple Google search would you!
Republicans and conservative operatives have spent over 1/2 a billion dollar$ of your tax payer money looking for the gotcha! Years and years of propaganda and slander. Talking multiple decades her Waldron.
What did they find?
ZERO!!! Nada! Zilch! NOTHING!
Jeez man! Find a new bray. At least something relevant and of consequence.
By the by, maybe have that hook in your lip looked at. It might be festering.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/06/house-select-committee-benghazi-report
https://www.newstalkflorida.com/featured/gops-fear-loathing-hillary-clinton-cost-100-million/
http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2016/07/05/Investigating-Clinton-How-Many-Millions-Were-Spent-Email-Benghazi-Probes
31
Can Congress, the House specifically, pull the passport of citizens they do not want to be able to leave the country?
9
Perhaps the stench of the Trump administration has finally grown so great that even some Republicans can no longer ignore the smell. I like to think that even the most hardened, partisan Republican still has some sense of duty toward the well-being of the Nation and the sanctity of the Constitution.
Perhaps the loss of the House to the Democrats has finally given Republicans the excuse they need to break from this wanna-be dictator and his corrupt family. Since a man like Trump neither shows nor inspires loyalty, the rats will flee at the first real signs of a sinking administration.
406
Nah. Those Republicans are the rats jumping ship before the tsunami is about to hit Congress coming January. They were very happily supporting their boy Trump as long as nobody was investigating. Now they can't run away fast enough to avoid their names associated with him.
54
@C. Holmes
I would not count on any Republicans discovering a sense of duty. Self-preservation , especially avoiding an obstruction of justice indictment by interfering in a federal investigation, will motivate their betrayal of Trump.
43
@C. Holmes: I'd also like to think that even the most hardened, partisan Republican still has some sense of duty toward the well-being of the Nation and the sanctity of the Constitution.
But the last two years have clearly shown that the Republicans, led by McConnell and Ryan, have completed their devolution from principle-based conservatism loyal to the Constitution into a far-right, anti-democratic extremist group intent only on preserving white supremacy and their own power and on further enriching themselves and the donor/corporate class.
As the Trumpian kitchen gets hotter and hotter they will indeed flee. But they are not to be accepted back into the fold. They have been weighed in the balance and found severely wanting.
182
For me, Christmas will come in January 2019. For the past two years I have awakened every morning in fear of what fresh trump horror will be awaiting me. I am so looking forward to seeing what fresh horror will be awaiting trump and his cronies. I hope the House investigates every single trump crime they can find--85 sounds like a good start but I'll bet there are dozens more. I will be devouring every bit of news as these abominations are addressed. It won't begin to make up for two years of depression, dismay, disbelief, disgust and despair, but it will be a start.
87
Democrats should by all means launch a bunch of politically-motivated investigations into Trump’s kids because they are still sore about their 2016 election loss.
What a wonderful way to get out the Republican vote.
2
@XLER You need to find a new song to sing; this golden oldie about bitterness over the 2016 election has passed its prime, jumped the shark, and is dead on arrival. Trump and his crowd project their own deep sense of grievance about anything and everything onto others. Rather, people of integrity and conscious are trying to secure the rule of law and protect the country against Trump and the corruption of his administration, including his top advisors, amongst them his daughter and son-in-law. No one is above the law. Nepotism, pure and simple, put them in these positions; they have neither the experience nor the character to serve anyone’s interests but their own. No one is above the law.
31
@XLER not because "they lost" its because of the astonishing amount of evidence that this administration is corrupt
21
@XLER: Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Trey Gowdy (R-SC) are not Democrats.
These two Republicans are indeed proposing "politically-motivated investigations." They and an increasing number of other Republican politicians see that the corruption of Trump and his family are putting their political futures in danger.
And next year, once the investigations start uncovering the graft and the extraordinary number of crimes committed by the Trumps, most Republicans will peel off from Trump.
Of course, if they don't, Republican voters will get out, but they will cross over to support Democrats, as many did in the elections a couple of weeks ago. Not all Republican voters belong to his core of starry-eyed believers.
3
It is important that the new Democratic committee chairs consult with each other so this opportunity to get information from the Trump family and "empire" is not messed up. Frivolous and/or gotcha attitudes won't help. Neither will over the top statements that only distract and/or pump up the individual representative. I worry about grandstanding.
Time to be serious, smart and effective!!!
57
Fasten you seat belts...we're coming in for a landing.
The action is going to get fast and furious with congressional oversight into the worst president ever and his inner circle. History has proven that Trump will battle hard to protect the brand. Problem is, much more likely than not, he doesn't have a strong hand against collusion, obstruction, business dealings, etc.etc., etc.
Will Republican Reps take notice of what happened November 6? Until I see concrete evidence of a shift...I say no.
I see some tough times ahead for the worst presdient ever. If enough eveidence can be produced to sway the few remaining centrists (Gowdy is not included in that group) Trump will not be in for a soft landing.
32
@Howard Levine
Beware of threats of some War by Trump.
He's cornered and extremely dangerous right now.
2
JUST TWO YEARS...no wait....23 months and a couple of weeks...;)
15
Good! It’s about time these characters were being called out!
They all thought they were going to proceed just like “The Apprentice” - the Trump way or the highway.
Sorry, Trump folks. Your little game could not last forever. Cannot wait until the axe comes down and they all get kicked out of DC. They’ve poisoned the White House. Time to call in the cleaning crew once and for all.
No one will miss these misfits.
38
We need to stop entertaining intellectual curiosity items about trump and hold him to account for doing everything from obstructing investigations to enriching himself by refusing to divest interests. His henchmen keep trying to normalize the abnormality of his behavior. Nothing about his time in office has been normal and nothing about him has changed. He is grossly incompetent and proves it daily. He is using the office to enrich himself and his spawn, and proves it daily.
42
@John Townsend
Yes. Trump has no curiosity or intelligence, just low cunning and a love of being the center of attention. His lies are legion.
15
The mistake the Dems can make is to pull their punches.
The Obama administration never prosecuted the Wall Street honchos which gave rise to the Tea Party and ever more toxic offshoots.
No one is calling for revenge. That's what thugs do, and Trump. People are calling for justice.
98
How long will it take for the Trumps to assemble more lawyers than Trump's incrdible Electoral College victory? Just asking.................
10
@Bob Could take a long time because none of the most competent lawyers want to have anything to do with Senior, as he is THE nightmare of a client, and never pays. I believe Trump announced his 2020 re-election campaign simply to keep the money flowing because of course he is the one person that knows exactly what his illegal actions have been; wait for the legal fund to be announced. He will make money any way he can, and laugh all the way to the bank. It is time for Trump to meet the rule of law.
18
@kathpsyche
Bingo! ( Excuse the pun).
I think Trump will either resign or not seek re-election if he can have the hundreds of millions in Trump 2020 . Good ol' fashioned extortion is a prominent part of the Trump playbook.
2
@kathpsyche The rule of law is coming, Mr. Mueller III is bringing it and serve in silver plate or gold plate for everybody to see and or enjoy. Just wait, please.
1
The Ivanka and Jared innocent lamb routine is soon to come to a glorious end!
51
FOLLOW THE MONEY!
The time has finally arrived for Democrats to help to put put the checks & balance klieg lights on the the Trumpian nightmare we are living through. No time to waste.
32
This is smoke and mirrors from the bigger atrocities. They want you to focus on the small stuff. Do not be fooled
7
Every crime family deserves a good investigation, prosecution and incarceration....it's the American way.
Sorry Donald, America is not Russia.
"Where's my criminal defense attorney Roy Cohn ?"....cries Daycare Donnie.
"The rule of law is so unfair !"...cries America's Scofflaw-In-Chief.
"L'etat c'est moi ('I am the state')".... cries Donald Louis XIV Trump.
Lock them all up and Make America Great Again.
443
bravo
21
@Socrates
Sorry Socrates, nothing will come out of it. Dems don’t have the guts that are needed. Trump people will simply refuse to honor the subpoenas and no body will force the judiciary to force the subpoenas and it will simply die. Dems will say we tried our best and that’s about it.
4
@Eraven Next hope Manhattan D.A. and NY State prosecutors. But, Vance Jnr. has already quashed a case against the Trumps with compelling evidence.
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/how-ivanka-trump-and-donald-trump-jr-avoided-a-criminal-indictment
3
I despise the Trumps and would derive great satisfaction from seeing their money-laundering frauds exposed,but Dems would do well to listen to what Swalwell says. Don't overreach; the country doesn't have the appetite for it. Be judicious and have a long term plan for policy beyond investigating this pathetic President and his family. They will (dear god please) eventually be gone but we need long term ideas and architectures that Americans will vote for.
586
I disagree. He and his family should be exposed for what they are to the public.
92
@LS i do not believe one negates the other. we need to bring our politicians under control and return to some sort of state of honor in government. this isn't just about the trumps it is also about betrayals of the public trust leading up to the financial crash and then it's aftermath in 2008 and the illegal war in iraq. we have a to of work to do and we better start catching up. considering what was done during the bush administration it is no wonder trump feels untouchable.
110
@LS
If we do not start holding the criminals the GOP has unleashed upon us over the last 38 years to account the nation is effectively already dead.
We need to restore the moral basis of our government and the first step is to hold the fake Christians, republicans all, whom have stripped it of morality to account!
80
I hope the trumps and kushners have trouble sleeping at night, in fact I hope they wake up in cold sweats thinking what is in store for the lot of them. This is their new reality. You can run but you can't hide no matter how big the rock to crawl under, the House will find you all. Sweet dreams.
113
And rightly so. Ivanka's private e-mail server, all the trademark licenses she received from China, Jared's financial dealings with Israelis, Saudis, Qataris and others in his quest for a bailout on his underwater highrise at 666 Fifth Avenue -- all bear investigating.
190
@Christy
Ivanka is quietly taking America to the cleaners.
Despite a nasty trade war with Daddy Trumpkins, Ivanka quickly gets 16 NEW trademarks approved just a few weeks ago.
ONE TRADEMARK is for "VOTING MACHINES"!
Now exactly what does Ivanka Trump plan to do with these "voting machines"?
The press needs to get answers on this.
6
Question for Ivanka Trump - you didn't know about the rules regarding personal e-mails? Just come out of a coma?
142
Frederick Douglas said 'Agitate, agitate, agitate. I say 'Investigate, investigate, investigate.
50
Trey Gowdy had to take some stand about this email problem. Otherwise he would appear biased in his role on the ethics committee. The fact that he was on the Trump transition team along with Ivanka and the fact that he appears so partisan, a slap on the wrist will be the worst case scenario.
After all of the ethics violations that Trump himself has committed with no oversight from Gowdy, and with the new Comey and Hillary "investigation" opening, he is doing Trump's bidding for him. After all, Trump did ask McGahn to order the DOJ to "investigate" Hillary and Comey, and when the DOJ wouldn't, Gowdy does.
26
@Debbie
Right on. Gowdy is destined for the dust bin of history, a partisan hack who never had the goods and a partisan striver who never had the chops for anything beyond "serving' the people of South Carolina.
21
The irony that Ivanka Trump has been using private email for government business is lost on nobody. If Republicans decide to confront it with anything approaching the vigor they applied to Clinton over the same issue, it would mark a sea change in how business is done in Washington.
Past behavior is a good predictor of future behavior. Fingers crossed that I'm wrong, but I predict that after a few indignant barks from a few Republicans, followed by some defensive rants by Trump, the barks will turn into the sound of crickets.
40
If we don't root out the corruption - the financial, third-world, organized crime, dictatorial style corruption - of the Trump family, we will have lost our Democratic Republic for decades. The rule of law and our Constitution will be meaningless.
We have two years to do it. Get busy, Democrats. Don't wait.
116
Run, Donald! Run, Donald Jr.! Run, Eric! And run, Javanka! The truth is about to be shouted from the rooftops! Maybe you can get asylum in the Equadorean embassy in London? Or better yet, in Saudi Arabia? But be careful, when MBS sends his team of 15 to the airport to welcome you!
293
Lock....them up?
83
Oh, Ivanka used a private email server? Sorry, but my irony meter is broken. As Stephen Colbert said after reporting this story, ".... if anything mattered anymore."
The fact that she pretended not to know why this was an issue was rich, though.
Well, maybe the House Democrats will stumble onto something that will catch the interest of the 39%. Let us hope.
201
@Mark A. Thomas
Silly Ivanka forgot Send emails from a private server, erase 30,000 private emails, and conveniently destroy said server when the FBI asked for it. If only she could have learned from Hilary.
5
@Mark A. Thomas
Just to add some detail: Ivanka's email server is operated by the Trump Organization.
https://medium.com/@ariehkovler/jared-and-ivankas-secret-email-addresses-are-hosted-by-the-trump-org-2da6f36a8b39
As Trump's company is private and family-owned, "private" is the correct way to refer to the server hosting Ivanka's email service.
Since news of Ivanka's emails came out, one way Trump apologists have distinguished between her and Hillary Clinton's cases is by saying only Clinton used a "private" email server. That specious defense has now been laid low.
All Ivanka's emails must be scrutinized for classified information and for violations of fiduciary, records archival, and other government statutes. The Trump Organization's IT shop should also be investigated for possible violations of law incurred by hosting these emails.
66
I have to confess to a certain amount of schadenfreude in thinking Trump will have to own this no matter how much he denies responsibility. Appointing close family members who are patently unqualified for their jobs to positions of significant responsibility is arrogant nepotism at its worst. There are few who will grieve the imminent downfall of the golden princess and her callow princeling. The only question is how soon Daddy will throw them under the bus to try to save himself.
411
@Norman McDougall. Daddy will claim it is the greatest witch hunt in the history of the universe and pardon them for everything they did and might still do. It will all come down to the state of New York prosecuting the Golden Couple where Trump has no power to pardon.
5
This is a classic strategy of dictatorships: if you can't find anything on someone, try their family. Absolutely disgraceful. Trump should dismiss Mueller immediately.
3
@Mike Livingston: A "classic strategy of dictatorships"? Who are the dictators? Republicans Ron Johnson and Trey Gowdy? LOL.
And, by the way, this has nothing to do with the Mueller investigation.
75
@Mike Livingston Mueller has nothing to do with Congressional investigations. There have been several guilty pleas and indictments from the Mueller investigation. He is uncovering criminal acts, because Trump, his family, and campaign staff are criminals.
152
@Mike Livingston
This is a classic strategy of dictatorships: use your position to enrich yourself and your family members. Absolutely disgraceful. Trump should spend years in jail next to his family members.
198
Trump's worst nightmare. I know I should be a bigger person, but this is all so satisfying.
358
@Cousy
What will be satisfying is when the investigation actually occurs and gets results.
54
@Cousy
No need to be a bigger person. This is justice and karma.
109
@ExPatMX If. I think this will be a referendum on whether or not we still have a working system of checks and balances. And I don't think that that's a given. A glance at history beyond the US confirms my unease.
18
Trump thrives on bankruptcies, getting bailed out by foreign adversaries now that his father is deceased, and fraud.
No wonder this current GOP endorsed him.
72
Those members of the Trump family that are using government resources need to be looked at but this also applies to anyone using them.
21
Our country is entitled to know the truth about this family and its financial dealings. Kushner in particular has to be investigated. The great achievement will be access to Trumps tax returns. Our gratitude to the NY Times and Washington Post for great journalism amidst so much hostility.
306
@Philip W The IRS is part of the Executive Branch, of which Trump is boss. I surmise that it would be possible that all the Trump returns have been removed or altered.
5
@Swannie I doubt it. Even under the worst presidents--like trump--career US Government employees do their jobs regardless of political affilation. It is the politically appointed heads who we should worry about but they also have to deal with the career folks who know right from wrong.
6
To the tune of "The Dreidel"
I have a little email, I use it every day,
They told me not to do it, I do it anyway.
Oh email email email, why do they make a fuss?
As daddy always told me, rules don't apply to us.
Thanks to a Washington Post commenter who wrote this last week. This morning, I was surprised to realize I had memorized it.
226
I do not like the Trumps.
I cannot understand their
greed, self-absorption,
inability to comprehend
that they put themselves
under a huge microscope
which requires ethical behavior
that serves our country.
I must say, with all due
respect, that your "dreidel"
song has rather anti-Semitic
tones. It pains me that that
Kushner's Jewish heritage
becomes a lightening rod
for antisemitism.
4
@Mark A. Thomas
One never forgets that which rings so true!
2
Corruption in politics isn’t new, but corruption this blatant, at this scale, in the age of the internet and social media, is bound to have repercussions. To the president who famously embraces twitter, I would just like to say: Duh.
133
“That you now have Republicans investigating members of the first family is an indication of the perils ahead” This is a significant development. Trump and his family and associates are coming up against the fact that they cannot be excoriating their enemies for actions like using a personal email when they shouldn't and then do it themselves and try to say it's different. It's not.
Trump may have to learn that being president doesn't mean one can break the law, bend the rules to suit oneself, or expect deference and respect and loyalty without giving the same in return. Leaders in business and politics who do not learn these things are not mourned when they leave office, not respected, and not treated with deference or honored very often by their peers. What does happen is often a proliferation of memoirs detailing the horrors of their reign in office. Trump and his family had better have or grow a very thick skin very quickly. The truth will come out and, from all appearances, it's not going to be pretty.
Trump is a petty person and a failure as a leader in business and in the presidency. He is not what a leader should be. He does not inspire trust, loyalty, respect, or honesty. He lies all the time. He is not someone to follow into battle. In fact, this reader would not be surprised to see many more seasoned professionals leaving agencies in DC after what Trump said about the intelligence gathered and confirmed about Khashoggi's murder.
340
@hen3ry Wonder what trump would take as severance pay to leave the white house & country? It would be cheaper than keeping him in office playing golf.
40
@Nostradamus Said So I wish and you wish and so do a lot of others wish. But I don't think he would. He's too in love with himself as president. The other question is this: do we really want the Pence person running things openly?
29
@NostradamusSaidSo....and the ego rallies. Man does tRump need one now. How much are we the taxpayers paying for thos?. A lot more than the golf games.
14