“Democrats are bringing their letter openers to a gunfight.”
Drawing Constitutional Ink on SCOTUS Justices over their allowance of Gorsuch & Kavanaugh appointments is not to late either.
Did The Justices accept the violation of a Presidential mandate? Did the Senate Judiciary Committee obstruct a ‘full’ Congressional investigation into a SCOTUS nominee?
Maybe all those legal experts instead of playing to the Bar need to alert laypersons as to what Justice means. And The Honest Press can certainly ‘post’ the Points of public alarms— Wanted Posters.
The GOP makes government ‘real’ personal (familiar faces) while Dems make it ‘real’ specialized (obscure ideas). Gunfighters don’t bluff, they call you out on the street or else you get out of Dodge!
6
There is just one consistency with Trump and it is his destructiveness: from the spreading of racism to xenophobia, now moving from the denial of climate change to trade wars. When will Congress wake up and smell the proverbial coffee? Has even one member ever looked at the views of the religious leaders around this man? They champion this guy for his destructiveness and ushering in their insane utopian reign. I contend that until we realize that we are dealing with a demagogue we will be asleep at the wheel. If Congress is waiting until the 2020 election, they are waiting for him to ignore an election. We are not dealing with normal. Listening to James Comey’s town hall meeting last week on Anderson Cooper’s CNN had one segment that just confirmed everything I’ve experienced. Comey told what it is like trying to work around a habitual liar. His testimony on Trump’s behavior took me back to being a chaplain in a forensic mental health prison. Congress needs to realize the gravity of who they are dealing with.
28
Why aren't people marching in protest today? The news just keeps getting worse and worse and the Democrats and the American people are just cowering in the corner and I don't understand why.
18
Mr Blow has it right.
The present controllers of the Democratic majority in the House are left-overs form the party that managed to loose both branches of our congress with their Half Way ignorance. The retrogressive forces who are totally about restoring the power of the few call it by what ever name you like, kings, dictators, monarch, autocrats, do not do halfway anything. They love it when we do. It makes their ends that much closer to their intentions.
I think the people that were sent to the congress by us in the 2016 election and those who see straight re. Impeachment, are the future. The are not about the half-way delusions and other ignorance.
Justice, Truth, Freedom is not half-way or "middle of the road "
It is all the way on not at all. We already decided that we cannot be half slave and half not slave. It cost around 620,000 dead soldiers to get this over before. Wasn't that enough?
9
So, everything you say, Charles Blow, I completely agree with. BUT you do not end with a suggestion of what the Democrats or the house can do, given the position of all those Republicans and the republican-dominated Senate, and the obdurate obstruction of the president and everyone who supports him. What is the answer???? What solution or movement is possible. Where and how do we go from here? I know what happened in seventeenth-century England and in the American revolution. Not pretty....
7
Trump will be proclaiming his imperial status at the 4th of July celebration when he "addresses the nation" in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
5
I agree with Mr. Blow's opinion, so why aren't the majority of U.S. citizens in this country up in arms? Where are the protests on Washington? Why aren't we taking to the streets each day to remove this heinous leader? As American citizens we have a duty as well; to speak up and be heard. It is time for us to unite and demand this President be removed from office.
23
The American Revolution was fought principally against the concept of the divine right of kings, with power derived from a higher authority to his representative on Earth. The founders believed that power derived from the people, expressed in laws. That is called a government of laws, not men.
trxmp believes in a government of men because he believes that he is the only person capable of running the United States. In his case, though, the higher authority is him. His actions and words are unequivocal in this regard.
Any American who calls himself a "patriot" should keep this in mind. The original patriots designed a system that was supposed to prevent an individual from ruling. One can't call oneself a patriot with any honesty if they don't accept that plain fact. Unfortunately - and unbelievably - tens of millions of Americans who declare themselves "patriots" are quite the opposite. They are enabling the undoing of the American Revolution.
18
I have said it before and I will say it again: Why do Republican voters approve of Trump so much? If that is what is keeping elected Republicans at bay, that is the question that must be answered. Was voicing the ethnocentric racism and xenophobia in their hearts enough for them to give everything from the moment he announced his candidacy and abandon or reverse long-held policy positions? If that is not it, then what? Someone explain this to me.
15
The Democrats are playing to lose. What are they scared of? Trump's base will never vote for a democrat and impeachment proceedings will not grow his base. It is what is is and it ain't changing. Period.
The democrats need to proceed with their sworn duties to uphold the constitution and to stand up for the branch of government they do have some control over.
It's really very simple. Do your jobs!
11
@dave
"Trump's base will never vote for a democrat"
Don't be so sure of that! This is a pretty limiting and self-destructive position for a democracy to take.
4
[Part 1 of of 3]
A last appeal to Maduro:
Many nations have made the choice to adopt socialist policies, and I don’t see anything wrong with that. However, leaders have made the mistake of inextricably labelling themselves with the antiquated ‘Socialist’ moniker. We owe it to such leaders a chance to act pragmatically when their policies go awry.
Rather than demanding his democratic subjects accept his self-proclaimed label as their own, Maduro should act pragmatically in getting Venezuela back into the world trade system. Venezuela is highly dependent upon trade for its basic goods, and any attempt to isolate from our global system will produce total failure and an eventual coup d’etat.
This situation has happened repeatedly since WWII. Some of us believe we know why, and we want to change it. I am working on a plan to change the entire world trade system to prevent such catastrophes as Venezuela is experiencing, but it will take time.
We need to prove to Socialist leaders that we understand the problem, and we’re working on a solution.
The US and Russia were acting without empathy for the world during the cold war. It was a different era and we have to excuse the ignorance, because WWII was disorienting for all.
My heart sank when Pelosi argued against impeachment by stating that "he isn't worth it."That is deflection from the vital issue: that our country, and the Constitution, is worth it. If we don't act while we still can, it will most certainly, once the courts are filled with Trump toadies, be too late.
9
The situation today is analogous to Poland in the 18th Century. The Polish parliament had a rule called the "liberum veto" that allowed any member of parliament to veto any proposed law - and more than that - to veto any previously enacted law.
That was obviously a recipe for a failed state and when Poland tried to reform itself to get rid of the liberum veto, it was Russia that stepped in to get its toadies in the Polish parliament to keep it. Russia wanted a weak Poland that would be easy to incorporate into its system.
Unsurprisingly, Russia's strategy succeeded and the Polish State became extinct in 1795 after three partitions.
America's future is now targeted by Putin's Russia, using inherent structural weaknesses in the American system (such as parties, which George Washington abhorred) in order to neuter the United States.
And Putin is succeeding. Putin's White House trespasser Donald Trump and his toadies in Congress are working to impose an imperial presidency on the American people while keeping America weak abroad.
Will America survive this onslaught? Only time will tell, but the prospects are not promising.
9
The executive branch is the only one with any real, literal firepower. The balance of power has always relied on the good faith adherence to the Constitution on the part of our public leaders - especially the President.
Trump probably fears indictment when he leaves office. What does he have to lose by doing everything he can to obstruct and hold onto power? As long as he remains in office, he can't be prosecuted AND he has the pardon power.
Simply put, Trump commands the armed forces; congress and the courts have, comparability, NO muscle. What recourse do the other branches have if Trump refuses to comply with both of them?
8
The Democrats ARE bringing letter openers to a gun fight! Please, please, people in Congress, those left of both parties who understand that this is an unprecedented, sweeping crisis of no known precedence for the USA, step up and act according to law and the system of checks and balances, disregarding whatever they think will be the fallout. This is not Nixon's era. No comparison. False news, propaganda since then have changed the discourse. Trump EXISTS for a fight, he can't stand one moment without a fight. Noticed? Once some entity is close to a deal, he slams them! He doesn't want a deal, anywhere, he lives for the fight! There is no way to negotiate this. Just do what is RIGHT according to the system we have in place! Impeach! Arrest for failure to comply with subpoena! Whatever it takes because the answer to this crisis will be different from anything before, because the crisis is different from anything before. Please, please, learn hard ball beyond Nancy Pelosi's reeling in of impulses (which by the way I totally admire) but they have to understand that they are not being "goaded", they need to act beyond assessing his highness Trump's motives. Nancy is Trump's puppet as long as she fashions her reaction as being "goaded". Get over that, and do what is left of the law and checks and balances.
4
Donald J. Trump is the third generation of Trump family con artists. It is in his DNA. His father, Fred, used his diaper-wrapped children as salaried employees. The Donald has been tutored out of any child's natural urges for empathy and compassion. Like heard from Ayn Rand, those two human qualities are signs of weakness.
Enter the original Roy Cohn, the poisonous viper of Sen. McCarthy's scandalous search for communists among us. After Fred Trump bred any feelings of empathy and compassion for the sake of personal wealth from his children, most notably Donald J., he hired Roy Cohn as Donald's personal trainer to fine-tune what we have today: a tax fraud, business fraud, sexual predator, serial bankruptcy fraud, charity fraud, all-consuming liar, serial philanderer, and what seems even clearer, a traitor.
Trump's embrace of Putin, Kim, Duterte and, with today's WH meeting with Viktor Orban of Hungary, makes clear America's slide into totalitarianism if Trump has his way. And with the dangerous threesome of The Heritage Foundation, The Federalist Society and, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC — arguably the most dangerous of the three), committed to one-party rule in perpetuity for conservatives (and they may not be known as "Republicans" by then), this battle must be joined by Democrats by taking off the gloves.
We know guiding Democrats has been like herding cats, while Republicans respond well to force of power and money, truth be damned.
6
Democrats in the House are completely in charge of the timing and duration of any impeachment. An impeachment need not end in front of the Senate in an election year, when Republicans can claim exoneration. The Democrats can run the evidence by the American people, and dare them to re-elect Trump, to re-elect Senate Republicans who are complicit.
3
Trump should be encouraged to end the Afghan War. The Times argued cogently for its end in a February 9th https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/03/opinion/afghanistan-war.html. The war from the start in response to the 9/11 attacks had no exit strategy, official rationale. It seems we are just there to bankroll the Military Industrial Complex who's open Jaws will bankrupt the US. Our presence there has lead to 90% of the worlds official heroin being sourced from there. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium_production_in_Afghanistan. This needs an end now.
1
One rule in the Republican playbook:
If I like the guy, he can do no wrong and I will support him in ALL things; BUT if I dislike him, suddenly "ethics" are important and I need no facts to convict and jail him (more-so if the object of dislike is female).
10
All good comments.
I have been of the opinion that the D's should investigate to the point where even today's self serving R's realize that they MUST remove him from office. Yeah, when pigs fly.
But, then I realize that every action Trump takes towards "owning" our government sets a dangerous precedent.
He must be opposed all along the way. But words are not enough. The House should take substantial steps towards preserving their oversight obligation. For starters, jail AG Barr and any one else who the full House determines to be in contempt.
3
Listlessness is the right word and Mueller was that and we are that and the reason is that it is US who want to to make America great again by resurrecting things as we fantasize. Trump wants to hold on to whatever wealth he may have or can get by being President. He fakes us all out including himself. There is no last man standing. I am sitting down and I am watching. Waiting for Lefty.
4
The thought continues to haunt. Trump prior to seeking the nomination a known quantity. Conspiracy theorist, philanderer by his own admission, a man void of principle viewing the world in simple terms of winners and losers. He quickly turned to populism tribal, misogynist, useful hyperbole morphed into chronic liar, finally a full blown authoritarian sociopath.
This carnival barker vanquished the deepest bench of GOP presidential candidates in memory. Promptly converted the party nominating him in his own image. The hollowed out Senate of no practical value captivated by the obscene figure in the White House. The party of Lincoln destroyed killed at the roots by Trumpism.
Lest those who refused to exercise judgment, who protected Trump, believe with his passing Trumpism will die, think again. His followers will be looking for another false prophet as the GOP seeks the path from perdition. Pence waits off stage to assume the role.
7
In the current moment, it is necessary that Mueller testify in open hearing in Congress to know the truth of the truth.
6
Always look forward to your columns.
The one thing the Founding Fathers never perceived was an absolutely traitorous political party who valued their positions and tax cuts more than they valued their “sacred honor.” For the most part, the fathers were honorable men who fought a horrific war and won. The reward was to write a constitution for a country unlike any other. They labored assiduously to keep checks and balances in the new government they were creating, ensuring no man would ever be king.
Surely, the fathers are seething in their graves. They foresaw a tyrant such as chump. What they couldn’t conceive was half the congress having no honor and the other half having no courage. Those two words meant something to them; they were intrinsic to the principles they lived, notwithstanding slavery.
If we don’t make them proud, we don’t deserve this country. No one traitor brings a great nation down, no matter how foul and contemptible he may be. Men and women, for their own subjective reasons enable tyranny. When courage and honor is lost, greatness is destroyed. The fate of the United States of America, the proud and the brave, rests on We the People....and our action or inaction. Whatever God you believe in, may it help us now.
14
The best is when Charles Blow is on TV. No matter the topic, it takes about 10 seconds for things to get uncomfortable, even if the interviewer is agreeing with Charles. It always makes for great TV!
1
When would-be Emperor (more likely Comrade) Trump is finally locked in a cell, a fitting punishment all day, every day, would be forcing him to watch Hillary when, during the 2016 debates she very clearly said that he is mentally unqualified to be President.
Never was a more true word spoken, but not enough of you listened. It didn't matter that Hillary said it - it's pathetically true.
THIS he has earned many times over. Perhaps a barb by Obama also would be fitting. Trump's hatred, dishonesty and mental incapacity will eventually be apparent even to his cult followers.
4
Let's stop pretending we don't know where this is going. When "King Obama" was in office, the right wing was paranoid that he would use his executive powers to lengthen his term of office beyond eight years. That tells you exactly what their thinking is. And who will stop them? You can't start a revolution from a La-Z-Boy.
2
"Trump may well become the first American king..."
I beg to disagree. Trump, already is a king, a dictator.
Now, it is up to Congress and the People to take action.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
But let me suggest that because of Trump's dictatorship,
the nation may be provoked by a new democratic wave.
Charles Blow, and the Times, please consider, "Democracy".
Leonard Cohen sang, "Democracy is coming to the USA"
Please print the lyrics to "Democracy" and see the video.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I suggest that because of Trump's insane dictatorship,
the nation is waking up to the weaknesses of our politics.
If Trump was not frightening people, every day, we might not care.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, perhaps Trump is teaching the USA to wake up and change.
We need new safe guards. We need better leaders, right now!
And yes, we may need to impeach, to teach a lesson to America.
"Democracy is coming to the USA." (Leonard Cohen, 1992)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
3
Thank you, thank you, Mr. Blow.
The House does not need to wait any longer; indeed, it has a duty not to wait any longer - not for William Barr's testimony, not for Mueller's testimony, not for the full Mueller report, not for anything else - before opening impeachment proceedings.
The Democrats are already at war. Their appeasement will be marked in history just as other appeasements have been marked before.
3
Much has been written on Trump's presidency, mostly negative. I have also done it frequently, negative mostly.
The moment of truth will arrive on November 3, 2020. All the negative comments on Trump will count for nothing if we do not vote him out on that day.
All those who are good at campaigning at the grass roots level should get out in hordes to make that possible.
3
Force Trump to run for reelection in 2020 as an impeached president. Democrats aren't showing enough backbone, something that doesn't bode well when dealing with a bully.
8
Much has been written on Trump's presidency, mostly negative. I have also done iso frequently, negative mostly.
The moment of truth will arrive on November 3, 2020. All the negative comments on Trump will count for nothing if we do not vote him out on that day.
All those who are good at campaigning at the grass roots level should get out in hordes to make that possible.
Impeachment of Trump will certainly establish an historical
precedent of Trump's abuse of executive power; and this
precedent of executive abuse of power is much more important
at this time than the 2020 Presidential race.
Our democracy depends on a government by the people and
for the people...; and this precedent MUST be protected from
an autocractic government; this is what the Colonist fought
for from the autocratic government of the British monarchy.
We cannot fail to defend ourselves from this menace now
existant in our Executive and Judical Branch of our government..
IMPEACH ...those who would destroy or Republic !!!
3
The report must be released in its entirety. Mr. Mueller and Mr. McGahan must testify. Trump's tax records must be released. And most importantly, Republican enablers in Congress must be put on notice. They are the real enemies of the people.
5
Those of us reading Mr. Blow's column understand what is happening and it is happening. The article referenced in my post, in today's Salon website, lays it out so sadly and so beautifully.
We made it easy too. The lies and falsehoods that drive us crazy are kryptonite to his base who see in him a champion of their own cynicism and gullible need. They will do anything for him. The standards that we thought we all shared are irrelevant. Mass propaganda is a despot's greatest tool and Trump's team is really good.
https://www.salon.com/2019/05/13/behind-donald-trumps-bewildering-avalanche-of-lies-maybe-the-death-of-demo
1
We, especially members of Congress, would benefit from reading Judith Herman's Trauma and Recovery: "Those who bear witness are caught in the conflict between victim and perpetrator. It is morally impossible to remain neutral in this conflict."
Republicans such as Mitch McConnell, Lindsay Graham, Donald Trump, and others have, and continue, to inflict trauma on Americans--the dynamic is similar to that experienced by domestic violence and child abuse survivors. Democrats with power need to get it - this is where we are, this is what is happening. You don't compromise with someone who beats their family members; you stop them.
5
We need to start holding these Trump voters themselves accountable. Trump people want authoritarianism.
6
"An Imperial Presidency?" Alfred Jarry, a French dramatist of the late 19th century, had a take on that idea in his 1896 play "King Ubu" (also called "King Turd" in the play), for all practical purposes a relevant precursor of Donald Trump, "...a wild, bizarre and comic play, significant for the way it overturns cultural rules, norms, and conventions. To some of those who were in the audience on opening night, including W. B. Yeats and the poet and essayist Catulle Mendès, it seemed an event of revolutionary importance, but many were mystified and outraged by the seeming childishness, obscenity, and disrespect of the piece. It is now seen by some to have opened the door for what became known as modernism in the twentieth century. It is a precursor to Dada, Surrealism and the Theatre of the Absurd. It is the first of three stylised burlesques in which Jarry satirises power, greed, and their evil practices—in particular the propensity of the complacent bourgeoisie to abuse the authority engendered by success..." cf. WIKIPEDIA...
Future historians may want to look for similiarities between Trump's "imperial presidency" and the notorious "King Turd" of A. Jarry's play.
3
We can't have a president that is above the law. We can't have a president that won't show us their tax returns. We can't have a president that operates like a mafia boss. We can't have a president that only cares about 35% of the country and despises the rest. We can't have a president that cheats at golf.
We all know this. Democrats know this. The Russians electronic fingerprints are all over the messages preaching that if Democrats impeach it will guarantee another trump victory. Many real Democrats are buying into this message. That's why they do it. It works.
We must follow the law. We must impeach.
5
It's as if Roy Cohn, having survived the ultimate debacle of McCarthy, bided his time and eventually became president of the United States.
1
Well said Mr. Blow!
I like your use of the word Maleficent to describe Donald Trump. Trump is EVIL personified indeed!
1
The solution is simple:
IMPEACH TRUMP on two counts
1. Treason
Failure to uphold his oath to protect the country from enemies foreign and domestic.
( Failure to recognize the cyber-attack against the United States by Russia ; failure to take appropriate action; secret conversations with Putin to promote Russian interests above ours.)
2. Obstruction of an authorized Congressional Investigation into his treachery.
He is guilty; If the senate Republicans don't vote to impeach they themselves would be suborning treason and would be voted out of office in 2020.
Keep it simple and throw Trump the traitor out of office and then in jail for his financial corruption and violation of the Federal Election Statutes. We cannot allow Pence to pardon him.
R J Neborsky, MD
6
There are a lot of justifiably impassioned voices here calling for the house to begin impeachment proceedings. Taking that step will feel good for many democrats and frustrate many republicans, but it will not remove Trump from office given the senate. As deserving as Trump is to be removed from office, we should ask, what action by democrats will most attract undecided centrists to vote democratic in the next election?
These centrists do exist. If one adds the approval and disapproval percentages in 538's aggregate polling of likely voters, about 4% are unaccounted for. It's not what democrats or republicans think that counts, it's about those 4%, the people that will decide the next election. How would these folks react to impeachment? How many votes do democrats gain and lose by impeachment proceedings? It's an ugly pragmatic way of strategizing a decision that is morally unambiguous, but that's where democrats are, forced to act in extreme ways by an opposition party that has no taste for real oversight or accountability.
2
May 13. 2019
An election is an election and they come and go all for the good on interpretations for lessons learned. Expressing Trump royalty is interesting but just feeding the erroneous - that's the voters get the office holders they deserve. This is a grand bargain of us the electorate to define the brand of results by individuals that claim delusions of power. American strengths is in its history and how we all unitize the present narrative is exploratory - but let's all keep to the signed legislation and holding accountability that is the best toward kicking out any royalty and keep to our prestige as the great organizational rules.
1
The Justice Department policy that a sitting president cannot be indicted, is more the reason why the president is acting the way he does. If only he remembers the oath he took when sworn into Office.
While the president may be seen ignoring his functional responsibility to the Constitution and our Rule of Law, equally responsible are the Congressional representatives of the Republican Party.
Recently, Mitch McConnell, the Senate Majority Leader has said the 'Case is Closed'. That is the best and as far as he can go, if we have to expect any sense of responsibility.
Impeachment may have its pros and cons. However, if there is an initiative for one now, all the evidence collected in the process, is adequate for people to know which side neglected in their functions and responsibilities. Importantly, to safeguard our country's Constitution and the Rule of Law.
1
In that Trump autonomously declared America a monocracy, I'm wondering if those who voted for him in 2016 wanted that? There wasn't any referendum I can remember asking us if we mind if Trump makes our constitution obsolete and inapplicable anymore. Certainly, there must be some enforceable law somewhere, anywhere, that prohibits overthrowing our government without so much as a discussion, let alone a vote.
4
It's a war of attrition and I've got to believe that the Constitution will come out stronger. If I don't, then it will mean we're headed for total upheaval of the very foundation to our Republic. Please save the Constitution against the tyranny that reigns from the WH.
2
Walking hand in hand with Trump tho are fellow citizens whom I now fear. Hate breeds atrocities. As does the Federalist Society and Pence.
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."
Sinclair Lewis
7
When the "Islamic" revolution happened in Iran and we saw the dictatorship of the Ayatollahs start, a friend who was a Persian immigrant told me "I weep for my country."
Now I understand.
3
Here’s the bottom line: impeachment of Trump will not result in Trump’s removal from office. Nor will impeachment necessarily guarantee Trump a second term in 2020 as some seem to believe. But impeachment will create the historical record of his abuse of power, and the opposition to it, and that before the country slipped completely into fascism it at least attempted to exercise the one check provided by the founding fathers in the Constitution. This has to happen now.
1683
Evil comes when good men do nothing. Our Democratic House is the symbol of good men doing nothing. Issuing subpoenas in a nation without laws is doing nothing. Impeachment proceedings that have no force are also the equivalent of doing nothing. To do something is to take an action that has force. They have the power to send armed men to arrest the Attorney General and compel testimony. That is where we are and that is the next real step that they can take to establish the rule of law. If they punt this to the courts for other people to make their decisions for them we are lost. The Democrats once again have to figure out what the word “action” means.
82
@tls
It will also put on record those who supported his crimes.
90
@tls: History is written by the victors. Let's not hope that such an impeachment attempt would go down as coup attempt against the "greatest president", maybe even triggering "necessary" counter measures to uphold this magnificent presidency against the evil Democratic usurpers..
Nevertheless, I agree that doing something is likely better than doing nothing. Still, unfortunately one never knows how these actions will be judged in the future. Or by whom.
18
First, and most important for use to know the real meaning of the Mueller Report, we must see an unredacted version of the scope document that delineated Mueller's authority to investigate.
Since we don't know what limits Mueller was under, we don't know why he did not look into Trump's financial records.
1
I just read a unique piece written by Jasmin Bath.
Jasmin Bath is a historian of 19th century political and economic culture, and recent graduate of Queen Mary, University of London.
Her theory is that if Mueller testifies, the American people will have the truth of all of the report; we will be so outraged by the dishonesty, the crime, the obstruction of justice evidence; we will want to restore the integrity of our Republic by voting Trump out of office. Impeachment won't insure that Trump resigns because he is so imperialistic. I think Nancy Pelosi is correct. Trump wants to be impeached so he can thumb his nose at us, the report, solidify his base, and get re-elected. Congress needs to act NOW! Get Mueller to testify!!
2
The “first American king?” He already sports a crown of sorts - that odd golden hair do/helmet thing atop his head.
Let’s hope that in 2020 he returns to his gilded palace on 5th Avenue, for good!!!
3
the citizens who voted for trump put us at risk
the 100 million who did not vote also put us at risk
trump is just the outgrowth of those two factors
democracy, ignorance and inertia combined to get us to this point
1
Oh thank goodness for Charles Blow. I could not agree more with everything you said and it is so refreshing to see it in writing and so eloquently put. The House should begin impeachment proceedings immediately, this demagogue becomes more dangerous every day with his threats to Iran, and his absurd posturing with Xi. We are in grave, grave danger which must not be underestimated. Please Democrats Impeach this maniac.
1
Trump, wannabe president for life, will have to be evicted from White House - he cares not for consequences to the nation and the Constitution. Congressional GOP are running out of time to stop this tyrant - he is just on the verge of being uncontrollably by any of them. They sold their souls, abandoned their people, betrayed their nation for tax breaks and federal judges all the while thinking they could "manage" Trump. Political leaders in the 1920s-early 1930s in Germany supported Hitler for their own self-serving interests with mistaken belief that they could "manage" him.
Thugs, monsters and bullies understand strength and force - they are not amenable to rational persuasions. If Democrats appear to be weak, Trump and his minions will eviserate them in months before 2020 elections. Hold them in contempt of Congress and move on to impeachment without delay. Your duties to Constitution, oaths of office and the American people demands nothing less than holding lawbreakers to account.
3
Although I agree with Blow about Trump's behavior, I agree with Pelosi rather than him. Failure to impeach Trump is a sad political act from the Dems, and a despicable one from the GOP. But it's not the end of the road. The end of the road is the 2020 election. We already know, with as much certain as this life can provide, that Trump and his GOP will use every possible dirty trick (short of assassination, hopefully) to win that election; that they will have all the money they can possibly use; and that they are busy right now trying to enact voter suppression measures wherever they can. So it is crucial for the Dems to stay focused on winning in 2020, and not divert themselves with "letter openers" as Blow so nicely puts it. The impeachment process he wants is just such a diversion, as Pelosi so astutely says.
4
yes- what Charles said- again! County is already divided and not coming together anytime soon- everyone but Pelosi has come to this conclusion.
1
Indeed, Republicans "socially engineered conservatism into a Machiavellian monstrosity where the end is the means and all is justified. " And Trump made his BIG DEAL for Putin to own America. Stay tuned for our total destruction: that's coming up sooner than you think!
3
"Nadler wrote: “The committee stands ready to resume the accommodation process to attempt to reach a compromise.”
This is also exactly what Trump wants. His base views this approach as capitulation, a sign of weakness. The problem for Dems is the other approches the opinion lists are also true. Go on the attack and his base views it as a continuation of the witch hunt.
2
It is frustrating to hear Barr, McConnell and Trump yell in unison 'no collusion' or 'no obstruction' when all the evidence points to just the opposite and the destruction of evidence. People seem to pick and choose what they want to believe rather than rely on solid evidence of which there seems to be plenty as well as with holding of further evidence which is also evidence of a possible crime.
The Congress holds the power of impeachment and no court would dare challenge that right or stop evidence needed for that process. Perhaps impeachment though a risk for democrats is the only way to hold trump accountable. but it won't be easy or pretty considering the down and dirty tactics of Trump. That fateful election night in November 2016 has led to this moment and now we must not flinch. Impeachment it must be so Congress do it right.
2
They should have moved to impeach the day after reading the Mueller Report. All evidence needed is there.
Impeachment will not push him out of office because the Republican cultists are in a trance.
But it is the right thing to do. This person has dishonored the Office of the Presidency.
As Lindsey Graham said, it is about "cleansing" the Office.
5
Thank you Charles for telling it like it is - as you usually do. I have missed your voice while you were on book leave. Please keep the pressure on the mostly gutless Democrats. They do not seem to understand that standing up for what is right and pursuing it to the nth degree is a winning political position.
4
Could this be “the voice crying in the wilderness”?
2
People don't seem to realize that the Republicans don't care or really like democracy. The GOP would love a President Trump for life and their continued power in the Senate. If they could freeze time it would be now. However, America will be in a state of suspended animation anyway with complete political deadlock. The 2020 election will be the tipping point and either democracy will continue or end.
2
Trump's BIG DEAL with Putin is to destroy America. Putin is happy with America's rapid destruction by Trump: to be continued. Putin's propaganda machine will control and determine our 2020 election. Surprise! Not.
5
This is not simply free “reign from political norms”, it is abandonment of any moral or ethical compass, directed destructive criminality and destruction in daylight of the soul of this country.
Trump has done what even McCarthy could not (even though they had the same crooked lawyer) - divided this country into two warring camps that seem to have no basis for uniting as long as The Dotard has a Twitter account and TrumpTV.
The Republicans - the American Taliban - refuse to accept that what they do is mortally destructive to this nation. They blame their terrorism on everyone except themselves, a classic Trumpian tactic. Somehow Trump has managed to co-op or silence even the decent remainder of the Republican Party who should be putting nation before party. This formula will end in catastrophe for the - they have lost their spine and decency and now follow an insane psychopath into darkness.
Putin must be celebrating (unlike the thousands of “Arabs” that Trump claims were doing so in NJ on 9/11) because Trump has been wildly successful in aiding him to destabilize the U.S. We will pay dearly for this in the future and all of our children will suffer as this formerly great country sinks to second or even third-rate world status. Thank you, Donald, you have done an admirable job of betraying your country and selling us down the river right before our eyes.
6
Well stated. We cannot rely on the GOP to save this country's democracy; impeachment should be tried but the result is almost certain acquittal in the Senate. We also cannot rely on the DOJ; Barr has demonstrated his personal loyalties override his oath of office. We also cannot rely on the weight of public opinion; Russia and the Trump campaign weaponized social media f/k/a our First Amendment rights to ensure that 40% of the country is ... out to lunch.
That pretty much leaves it up to the Democrats in Congress to tee up any number of legal disputes based on Trump's continuing obstruction of justice and obliteration of Congress's Constitutional oversight role and powers, and up to the Supreme Court, particularly Chief Justice Roberts, to rise to the occasion and place their oath of office and judicial responsibilities over any political leanings.
The Democrats in Congress must seize this moment, and Justice Roberts must rise above politics at all cost. Hopefully, they will.
1
The degradation of our democracy is methodical.
1st, the GOP blocked Court nominees by Obama.
Then the GOP pushed through their own picks, to construct a court for their political purposes.
Then their president abuses power, degrades the constitution and democratic ideals, and expects the court will protect him.
Meanwhile Ginsburg and Bryer are in their '80s. What's next?
"Study Shows Trump Is Stacking Courts With Ultra-Conservative Judges". Truthdig.
The consequences will last for generations.
2
opinions from professors of history and law:
@AllanLichtman
Dem. leaders. say "we're not there yet," on impeachment of @realDonaldTrump . We only have obstruction of justice, criminal violation of campaign finance laws, violation of the emoluments clause, abuse of power, financial crimes, and defying subpoenas. What are they waiting for?
Laurence Tribe
More Laurence Tribe Retweeted Kyle Griffin (msnbc producer, The Last Word)
Another reason that waiting for the 2020 election to remove Trump is no substitute for removing him through impeachment is that he’s all but certain to abuse his powers as president to undermine the campaign of whoever his opponent turns out to be.
and
@kylegriffin1
Trump tells Politico that it would "certainly be an appropriate thing to" speak to Attorney General Barr about launching an investigation into Joe Biden.
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/10/trump-joe-biden-interview-1317599 …
(already started, by Rudy Giuliani)
1
Trump's deal with fascist Putin is to destroy America. Trump destroys daily, relentlessly, unstoppably. Again, Putin's propaganda machine will control and determine our 2020 election. Surprise? Not.
1
Remember this: the House found AG Eric Holder in contempt for withholding SOME of the docs related to the Fast and Furious investigation. That was 2012. The case in the courts was just resolve a few months ago, in 2019. Being civil, polite, asking Barr 3x to pretty please work with the house subcommittee will get this resolved in 7 or 8 years, long after Orange is gone. What good will this be? Bill Maher said the other night " What's next, invoking the infield fly rule?" We are not making headway, we are not putting ANY pressure on Trump. Remember Barr's refusal to show is contemptable. Mnuchin's refusal to deliver Trumps tax records is illegal. And what have we done to him? Oooo, we got mad out in the hallway.
4
Robert Mueller was a US Marine officer on the battlefield. Therefore, he understood and accepted that fact that he would, if necessary, lay down his like for his country.
He has a second chance to help save his, and our, country.
Break the code of silence and testify openly , fully and truthfully to Mr. Nadler’s Congressional committee and the American people.
Dire times demand drastic measures.
6
And now Graham is advising Trump Jr. to ignore a congressional subpoena. Isn't this suborning a crime or something? How can a sitting senator get away with this? The Democrats better do something, and quickly, or our democracy is over.
6
Trump will destroy America completely:Trump's DEAL with Putin. Putin owns America as long as Trump is in charge.
Charles, your piece got me thinking about Walt Kelly’s Pogo and Admiral Perry’s 1813 Lake Erie victory message to William Henry Harrison in 1813. "We have met the enemy and they are ours.”
For Earth Day in 1971 Kelly created a poster that has Pogo, sitting at the edge of a huge swath of garbage, rephrase Perry in a now well-known assertion: ”We have met the enemy and he is us”.
I hope that your words will inspire Mueller and the rest of “us” to recall Pogo (48 years later!) and to drag ourselves away from our screens and keyboards long enough to engage and defeat our current formidable enemy and his minions. Only then can we seriously do battle with those who are ruining the environment.
3
Another great writing by Mr. Blow on the necessity of impeachment. Will Congress step up? The evidence is on their side.
If not, I think we know how this ends, and it's not going to be pretty.
4
The country is already divided into two camps, and impeachment is the rightful exercise of law that will satisfy a demand of history for precedent. Trump must be impeached, whether he is removed from office or not... the election may do that. If voters are smart, they will elect only Democrats going forward so that both houses of Congress will be in the same hands, and may the Supreme Court regain a liberal view of the Constitution at some point.
4
We must keep in mind that impeachment is a two-step process. Articles of impeachment are brought by the House of Representatives and then a trial is conducted in the Senate. This is much like the two-step process in gaining a conviction for a crime. An indictment is brought by prosecutors through a grand jury and then the defendant undergoes a trial. In the criminal justice system, prosecutors do not decide not to indict a defendant based on a belief that the defendant cannot be convicted at trial, most especially on the premise that an unbiased jury cannot be seated. Justice is served through the indictment process itself without regard to what might or might not be the outcome of a trial.
The House of Representatives must indict President Trump through Articles of Impeachment because Special Counsel Mueller could not. Justice must not be denied the American people because of Senate Republicans' lack of moral integrity and disloyalty to our Constitution.
7
I agree with those who say that the Democrats have a duty to this country to proceed with impeachment, even though it is unlikely to result in a conviction in the Senate. Democratic leaders in the House are being indecisive and citing short-term concerns (the possibility of losing the 2020 election). Long-term, we need to forcefully re-establish the rule of law in this country. In part, we are now paying for Gerald Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon, a short-term concern ostensibly to bring unity to the population and for the Republicans' debasement of the impeachment process with the Bill Clinton impeachment (for non-impeachable offenses) in 1998. Trump must be stopped or our republic is lost. Sometimes, Mrs. Pelosi and Democrats in the House, you just have to do the right thing.
3
I keep reading this explanation that Mueller declined to say Trump obstructed justice because you can't indict a sitting President. Mueller could still have said that Trump had obstructed justice but that he, Mueller, couldn't indict him because of the 'sitting president' opinion. But maybe Mueller didn't mean that at all. It would certainly clean up a lot of this muddiness if the two were detached.
4
After preliminary skirmishes through the War on Drugs and the War on Terror, Mr. Trump and his GOP enablers have launched the War on the Constitution.
To get it to fail, the first, biggest weapon should be framing the conversation -- it's far more powerful to be *for* the Constitution than *against* Mr. Trump.
3
Once again Republicans are playing the game of chicken with the Democrats, and once again, they will win if Democrats don't replace their "letter opener" with an M1 Abrams tank.
The Democratic establishment is timid and feckless and rely on triangulation to keep their reliable voters and wealthy donors happy. They refuse to accept the fact it's not possible to serve two different masters who have polar opposite agendas.
4
Nov 2020 may be the last chance to derail American autocracy in Jan 2021 and onward. Many people support and are going to vote for lawlessness - call them "chumps for trump" - but they're not more than a third of the electorate. The other 65% of the citizenry, regardless of political party, needs to rise up, take a stand against corruption and crime and vote the so-called "imperial presidency" into oblivion.
4
The democrats must go full steam ahead. They cannot compromise because trump will take a mile for every inch given and ultimately spit in their faces at the end of any deal reached. The democrats must hold trump’s, his administration’s and the republicans’ feet to the fire. If they don’t, not only will congress lose but America may be lost forever. Democrats, show your collective spine and do your job. You represent the American people so do your job and represent us. Damn the torpedoes. Full steam ahead.
5
It is time (actually past time), for everyone to call their congress person and tell them to begin the impeachment hearings.
If they don't hear it from their constituents, they will continue to use their caution approaching this president. We need to let them know that no matter how this ends up, this man needs to be called out for what he is.
4
The rule of law works if it is applied. If it's not applied to EVERYONE, it's useless. Why should the president--any president, but especially this one--be above the law? If you don't want a president indicted, elect a law-abiding one. See, for example, President Obama.
6
"'Each of us believes that the conduct of President Trump described in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report would, in the case of any other person not covered by the Office of Legal Counsel policy against indicting a sitting President, result in multiple felony charges for obstruction of justice.'"
This is the crux of the matter. Trump knows it and Barr knows it. That's why they are withholding the Mueller report and underlying evidence from various House committees. It's why Barr advised Trump to claim "executive privilege" for the report, despite the fact that executive privilege is not designed for such matters.
Bottom line: The Office of Legal Counsel policy is harming America. It is not enough to assume that Congress will impeach and convict a felonious president. Such a president must be held accountable under the law just as any other citizen of this country.
6
If the Democrats don't get on with impeachment hearings and procedures for Barr and then Trump beginning with testimony from McGann, they are abdicating their responsibility. They will allow horrible precedent to occur and will be facilitating the Article One branch's loss of co-equality. They should all be removed from office if they let this occur. Forget polls and stop playing 70's politics in the era of Twitter, FB, Instagram, bots, troll farms and Russia TV. Get a backbone and get this done, now!
5
I totally agree with you. I think far more than precedent will be lost, important as it is. Putin thru chump, may take over even more than he has already. If you think that isn’t happening, you are either dangerously naive, don’t much care or aren’t paying enough attention, all of which spell disaster for this democracy.
After: 64 years worth of Vietnam, Nixon, three horrific assassinations in the 60’s alone, Watergate, the pardon, Reagan, Irancontra, recession, 1st Bush, more recession, Clinton’s stupid blowjob and impeachment (both unnecessary), Gore losing the election he won with the help of Supreme Court, W.(nuff said) 9/11, the Great Recession, Hillary losing the election she won by nearly 4 million votes...Not to mention 18 years of losing the war that can’t be won in Afghanistan, by attacking Iraq for no good reason than W and vice king Cheney’s lied; and other republican greatest hits. I can honestly say this is the only time I’ve ever been truly afraid that our country will survive as the country it was coming into this frustratingly used, so called “administration.” I am so sick of “winning.”
It’s not chump, stupid, to re-coin a phrase, it’s Putin. The chump is just taking orders, trying to remember where his father was born and how to pronounce two syllable words, while obsessing over Fox.
I left Obama out purposefully, it’s the Republicans’ greatest hits list. I’m well aware there are many events to critique for the dems. I’m out of room.
Since Trumpsters are immune to facts, logic, and evidence, what might possibly make them look again are personal misfortunes like job loss, declining incomes, business failures, or loss of health insurance and the ability to pay for health care. Democratic attempts to prevent or mitigate these will strengthen Trump, who will blame them for everything bad.
Reducing and gelding the federal bureaucracy, which Trump is already doing, means that what it does will now be done by states (with federal interference) or remain undone. This will provide Trumpster states with concrete evidence of the value of what the federal bureaucracy used to do.
1
POTUS are emperors since the post-war period. It would be hypocritical to say Trump invented the concept.
I'm not sure what alternate reality you inhabit, but in our timeline many presidents have had to face opposition and stalemate when it comes to advancing their agendas. Yes, the office has grown in power with Congress surrendering some of their own. That's especially true when it comes to military intervention. I'd say it was inevitable that the office would evolve as the country and the world did as well. That being granted, I don't recall any other president who so dared behave like an emperor.
3
@Topher S
An emperor essentially has two functions: legislate at home and wage war abroad.
A POTUS can govern by decree, has veto power (a typical tribunician power in the Western tradition, therefore of legislative nature) and, most of the time, is from the same party as the dominant party in at least one of the houses (usually both), which gives him virtual all-emcompassing legislative power (almost full tribunician power).
As the chief of the Executive, the POTUS also can allocate reserves from the federal budget to specific cases for certain regions in exchange for votes and political favor from some governors and/or mayors and controls the aerarium destined to rebuild areas of the country ravaged by natural disasters (FEMA). All of these powers combined give the POTUS de facto power to distribute beneficia (patronage from the dominant/creditor position) to its own citizens -- another imperial feature in the Western tradition.
The POTUS is also the commander-in-chief and, since the early 1970s, has the power to unilaterally declare wars against foreign power. Since the POTUS doesn't have a colleague (as the traditional Roman consul had), but only subordinates, that makes him a de facto dictator (or, to translate it to imperial terms, maius imperium).
Trump continues to damage democracy and the constitution to the point where he and his supporters seem unstoppable by either (or both) of the existing two co-equal branches of government that are left to halt them. Enough of trite, metaphoric constructs: bringing knives to gunfights and vengeful victories waiting for those of us who sweat/fear to take a significant/no step in the long haul to victory.
We are at the point where some, in dark humor, are asking the question, "Where are our vigilantes /assassins when we really need them?" Those attitudes move desperate ones closer to action.
Pelosi, McConnell, Trump, Americans be aware! and see the potential horror that you all are creating! The longer the cunning manipulations of constitutional tools and impertinent ignoring of obvious legal declarations continues, the more the country stumbles toward making dark humor a reality. Before, during, and after violent changes in governments occur, vigilantes and assassins always appear.
Trump proves daily that he works for Putin to destroy America. Putin's propaganda machine will re-elected Trump in 2020. Is anyone STILL surprised ?
1
You are absolutely correct. The Democrats have brought knives and letter openers to a gunfight.
How long will they "negotiate"? Donny Trump will negotiate until the cows come home....and why shouldn't he? There is no upside in him giving in.
Trumps philosophy is: make me. And he has seen that the Dems will dawdle all day, for weeks on end, so as not to be seen as obstructing or being disrespectful.
Time for respect is over. Fight fire with fire. The Dems should either go to court - - and quickly - - or move on.
5
Law makers should defend the constitution and fulfill their duty based on moral and legal consideration and therefore, proceed towards the president impeachment. Avoiding impeachment for to political consequence reasons is basically betrayal of their job.
4
Never in my wildest dreams I would have thought that this great country could fall so fast into the claws of a narcissistic and deranged president.
The sycophants surrounding him don’t give a hoot about the constitution and future of this country , as long as their agenda to favor the top 10% is fulfilled.
We have to use the power of our vote in 2020 , Russians permitting , to reverse the political distortion that is ruining America .
7
Thanks for making it absolutely clear! Trump's BIG DEAL with Putin is to destroy America. Putin is happy with America's rapid destruction. Putin's propaganda machine wants to control and determine our 2020 election. Trump is a disaster that will destroy America unless ousted.
Spot on, Mr. Blow. SAD but true...
3
Pelosi is smart, and she understands politics. Dumping Trump will merely elevate Pence, and at the same time defuse a lot of the anger that could lead to a Democratic victory in the polling place.
Let Donald serve out his miserable term and then spend the rest of his life in the courtroom or in jail.
6
I am not sure if it is Trump who is using the Republican Party or of it is the Party using Trump.
5
This President is not to be censured for testing the limits of his authority or room to maneuver, although some self restraint would be appropriate and traditional. Rather is is “those with any power to prevent or punish his actions” and in particular the leader of the Senate who are the real traitors to this country and its democracy.
1
trump is the biggest bluff master in the World.
Most of us know that he is taking this country to the point of brink, the almost 73 year old man does not care.
But what is wrong with Republicans in his cabinet when are they going call donald trump of who he is ?
Okay NY,T you could do it do get the full Bobby Mueller`s report.
3
The democrats need to focus on 2020. They lost the battle regarding the 2016 election. They need to put all their energy into winning the war for votes. Point out during the 2020 campaign every single thing that has hurt the middle class. Name names of companies and individuals whose taxes went down by millions with real dollars attached. Tie real people to losses due to this presidency. Show what people will regain by a Democrat as President. Narrow down the field of candidates and have them work together so Trump loses in 2020.
3
"Compromise isn’t in this administration’s DNA; annihilation is."
The best analysis of this administration. The 2nd is
"I can shoot someone on 5th Avenue and not lose
votes" The American public has to remember this
or they will pay dearly
3
He deserves t be impeached and removed from office. But it would be a waste of time. the Senate will never vote to impeach. We democrats need to focus on issues: a rational immigration policy (anything that looks like open borders will doom us at the polls, infrastructure rebuilding funds, protect Roe. It is ALL about 2020.
4
Trump isn't the problem, the Republican party is. They are in a scorched-earth fight to the death. They are not afraid of Dems going by the book, they are counting on it.
3
@Diego
Is that satire. Going by the book? Obama spied on the media, used executive privilege to shield his own AG in a perfectly legitimate investigation involving the death of an ATF officer involving guns we provided to dangerous criminals, used the IRS to investigate and deny legal status to political groups opposed to him. HRC and the DNC paid for the lies that started the entire bogus claims of Russian collusion. Democrats on the judicial committee chose slander and innuendo in an attempt to destroy Justice Kavanaugh and took the view that evidence and presumption of innocence are just quaint ideas of a bygone era. By the book indeed!
2
@Allen Or by Fox, as you have just said.
I find it amazing that establishment Democrats who think the Green New Deal is way out there nevertheless want to turn Trump into a martyr. Take a deep breath - it's only eighteen more months of the Apprentice President and then welcome Bernie into office.
All the obstruction at so many levels and so "Tweeterly" public plus the nepotism, the conflicts of interest and the fake security clearances. All in the framework of impunity.
it looks more like a Banana Republic than a monarchy. To complete the Banana Republic look and feel, we would have to see personal enrichment because of the job. Maybe it is already there. Time, whistleblowers and the complices (when in court) will tell.
The Mueller investigation was going to be the end for Trump. All of the anti-Trump factions put all their faith on the line that it would happen. It didn't. Recognize reality. making up new unverified allegations of Trump's "unconstitutional" activities are more bets against Trump, but the credibility has been spent. Asking Mueller to testify will only compound the anti-Trumpers' dilemma. If Mueller would not find Trump guilty of any charges in the report, why would his testimony be any different?
2
Under any normal “rules of engagement” and with a congress doing its job, the Mueller report *would* have been the end of the presidency.
2
@Bob Israel
Because they have nothing else. There hope is that endless investigations will eventually damage him enough to bring him down before the 2020 elections. Otherwise they will have to spend their time proposing green new deals and other such nonsense.
3
I had a feeling that if Trump got into office that he would be this Country’s first king. King Donald. That’s why I didn’t vote for him.
1
I lived through the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression, Pearl Harbor and WWII, the Cold War and Cuban missile crisis, 9-11, and the Great Recession, but I have never been so afraid for the survival of the United States as I am now.
21
The Constitution gave Congress a solution for a rogue president. It's Impeachment.
How the Democrats can cry 'Constitutional Crisis' and yet not use their most potent weapon is beyond me.
3
Because it’s not up to the Democrats but to Congress and Congress, as a whole, won’t do its job! Stop blaming the Democrats when, alone, they are powerless to do what you suggest
1
@guavkynyt The Democrats can STILL MOVE FORWARD on impeachment but they are too afraid to do so.
@gregdn
Because just like the fantasy of Russian collusion Democrats so strongly believed in, or pretended they did, impeachment on obstruction would rely on the same sort of fairytale, and there would have to be an acknowledgment that no obstruction ever occurred, making it attempted obstruction--of an investigation of a crime that was never committed. That would really sell well for 2020.
Where is our Jimmy Stewart, the person that will prevent Bedford Falls from completely turning into Pottersville? Is it Liz or Bernie? Hopefully. Certainly it isn’t Joe. And Nancy acts like one of Trumps enablers! Instead of pulling out all the stops, she’s going after appeasement and moderation. What a dupe.
3
Trump is what he is....the rest of the Republican Party is the problem. Enabling the grifter in chief.
I wonder how high a stack of dollar bills would be in the billions of other people’s money that was lost.
How many dollars a second for the losses in the recent tax returns adjusted for inflation.
I fear it is going to get worse before it gets better.
Unhopeful in NJ
4
The day I knew that Robert Mueller had made an American king was the day after his report was submitted. His first public appearance was at church in the company of his wife, and I had the nagging sensation that here was a man looking to appear morally intact. That was before the details of the report became more public. In it, he subsequently fails to interview Trump or his implicated progeny. He fails to call obstruction of justice for what it is. In short, Mueller pledged the fealty that Comey declined while not exonerating obvious crimes, walking a tightrope between justice and Republican agenda. No wonder Trump allowed the investigation to continue despite howling tweets of protest. He knew how it would read. He knew it would muddy the constitutional waters and his enablers like Barr would keep them muddied.
Mueller did America no favours as he spent tax payers money. He could have brought Trump crashing down, but the square jawed, steely eyed, American hero faltered and Trump stands more monarchical than any other President. This is the Second American Revolution in the making.
5
There is an imperial presidency. The president can unilaterally destroy another countries economy with economic warfare. He can launch air strikes, send a fleet to intimidate countries and send in troops. He can make executive decisions that need no congressional approval. He can unilaterally start a trade war. Blow and his friends seem to think there is a clear cut case of obstruction. Yesterday there was a round table discussion of Democrats on CNN. As a last word one of them said the Supreme Court will block obstruction prosecution of Trump. The Senate will never give 2/3rds vote to convict. So we have one side sayings he's guilty another that he is not and institutionally Trump will serve out his term. When Nixon was kicked out of office he was so damaged politically that the GOP was crushed in the next two elections (1974, 1976). This Trump stuff seems to have one side has its hair on fire without much call from the rest of the public. This could be very damaging to the Democrats. As more comes out about the origins of this investigation it is increasing clear that this was an illegal effort by FBI numbskulls to overthrow the election. Which is at least equal to Nixon's efforts in 1972.
2
@c harris
Quiet, we're not supposed to discuss the origins or the continuing use of it as the underpinning of whole illicit affair. It's not collusion anymore. It's obstruction, or attempted obstruction, or something.
Basically our democracy is dead. There is no hope. Both parties are at fault. The dems used to be the party of lauding the racist south. Now it’s the Republicans. They both want power money and greed. They both lie. They both talk the American people out of their just rights to life freedom and happiness.
One million species are going to die. Just think of that. We are responsible for this! We might be one of these. Think of that.
The answer lies in seeing the earth from outer space like the lunar lander did. View the earth as brown. No life. No immigration abortion or health care needed. No rich people ruling us all thru lies hatred and fear.
It’s around the corner folks.
5
Mr. Blow is right on all counts. Being a Democrat is like wearing a sign that says “Kick Me”. Ever since Reagan, this party has been totally gutless.
I think the only way Democrats can stop this lawless, corrupt presidency is to deny DJT $. He is addicted to $ & says he is the state. He profits off the office. No $!
When Charles I repeatedly dissolved Parliament, they refused to fund his military operations. It was the only way to deal with a man who believed he ruled by divine right & that his authority should be limitless.
Now the only real power the Democratic Congress has is over the purse. So, if McConnell is presiding over a “legislative graveyard”, I would ask Speaker Pelosi not to work on an infrastructure bill w/a tax cheat who engaged in phony, sleazy real estate schemes for decades. The $ will only go to his base & cronies anyway. Call him out & walk away! & please, tell Trump today, publicly, that if he won’t show his tax returns to Americans, you can’t trust him with their tax dollars. He can’t prove he isn’t a crook? No money! Also, if Barr is going to use Justice to investigate Trump’s political opponents & he won’t spend a few hours truthfully answering questions from Congress, please cut his funding! The majority of voters do not want Donald Trump in office. If everyone can vote & all votes are counted, he’ll lose 2020. So let’s be tough!
Can NYC or NYS put a lien on/seize Trump’s properties for tax evasion or misreporting income sources on tax forms?
8
What happened to all those Tea Party, Don't Tread on Me, Anti Debt, Anti Deficit, Anti Tyranny howlers? DJT and this administration encapsulates everything they railed against. Where are they now?
5
If his approach was driven by intellect it might at least be interesting to watch. But since it is driven only by hubris and rude ignorance, it is even more dangerous. A man that doesn't care at all about the very nature of his office, the inherent incalculable power it holds and the necessity for humility and deep human insight in conducting affairs places us all in grave peril. Enough already...this experiment in silly nationalistic populism has been shown to be an abject failure.
6
Be careful what you pray for because you just might get it. Trump was going to be the guy who shook things up and was going to make us great again. After eight years of us falling from our place on top of the world Trump was going bring us back. The once Macho Right has become rubberstamps for The Great Leader. The news last week that The Great Dealmaker is really The Great Grifter meant nothing to the Lemming following Trump. Mueller bunted and Trumps approval ranting is up. Everyone who decided to not vote in 2016 should be kicking themselves now. Trump knows he has to win in 2020 to keep himself and his family out of court. We on The Left need cull the herd of candidates really soon and find our champion to Make America Sane Again.
4
When Trump was nominated, political pundits throughout the world sounded the alarm that Trump had the emotional disposition of an autocratic dictator. Despite the caveats, the Democratic establishment reassured the public that the American constitution and Democracy would prevail over Trumps grandiose misinformation campaign. Three years later, pundits continue to use the Enlightenment reasoning espoused in the American constitution to analyze Trump's twitter rants. In a healthy democracy, Trump would have been declared an unfit president based on the plethora of evidence and the 25th Amendment would have been enacted. However, our democracy is deeply troubled because it solely represents the interests of Wall Street at the expense of citizens and consumers. Trump's fan base support is based on emotional reasons and not necessarily rational ones. I speak as psychotherapist and all of us in the mental health clinical community are scratching our heads. The sooner Democrats start critically examining how Trump won as opposed to plowing through with 20th century thinking to beat him, we might have a chance not becoming a Banana Republic by 2024.
3
You and your colleges can diagnose people’s mental health by reading their tweets? Who is delusional now?
2
Sure, yes. But yawn! We've been hearing this for a year. From everyone. You're a good writer, but this just won't cut the mustard. More, somebody, please!
1
I've noticed that many columnists in the NYT and Wapo are telling us the obvious. In general the folks reading the op/ed section realize what is going on. What I'd like to see are some thoughts on why in spite of the guy being a consistent liar, nasty, childish, demeaning and destructive for the country, we have to be seriously concerned that he will be given a contract extension in 2020? Why does he continue to have a core of support that will show up to vote and possibly cancel out the majority who despise him but don't vote or will nitpick the Dem nom? Why are there so many people who can't see that without his smoke, mirrors and lies is not giving them what he promised? They can't see that he has NOT kept jobs in this country, enhanced the US position in the world, not made this country more secure and now is focused on increasing the cost of living due to his Trump Tariffs and hurting US business.
3
The scariest thing about Donald Trump being the president has nothing to do with how distasteful he may seem as a human being.
It has everything to do with the Department of Defense, and what might happen if the structural supports give way. Without intending to evoke historical parallels, the only examples of what we are witnessing are some pretty horrific periods of human history.
5
@ubique
The scariest part of "the scariest thing" is that there is no legal method to stop a U.S. president from launching first strike nukes.
If the House Oversight committee really wanted to terrify the country, it could hold hearings about this and what our traditional "somebody would stop it" approach means, for the current incumbent as well as our glorious tradition of civilian control over the military.
Yet another reason to vote against a second Trump term; the statute of limitations for Federal obstruction charges is 5 years so if he is reelected it is quite possible that he could not be indicted after leaving office either.
2
“Special Counsel Robert Mueller refused to state declaratively that Trump committed a crime because…. guidelines issued by the Office of Legal Counsel that are against indicting a sitting president”
In a previous post I wrote the DOJ Guidelines are just that, and have no basis in either US Code or the Constitution. I would also like to point out that the DOJ is an Executive Agency, and as AG Barr recently previously demonstrated is far from its alleged status as an independent agency.
The primary reason Barr was selected by Trump was in part because of his unsolicited brief defending Trump, but his real claim to fame was engineering GHW Bush’s Pardons for the Iran/Contra participants, which generally flew under the radar.
One other point: The GOP, specifically their appointed SC Justices often speak of their general philosophy of following the original intent of the founders when interpreting the Constitution. If any of the current actions against Trump reach the SC I wonder how their decision would square against the Original Intent of Jefferson, who I am certain did not believe the President was above the law.
7
The time has come for impeachment hearings.
It may be either now, or possibly never.
5
Nobody cares, what's really important to the public is what's happening on the Game Of Thrones!
3
We are still waiting for Muller to be our Knight in shining armor.
The Democrats need to do whatever the Congress is suppose to do at a time like this.
The GOP has proven they are not working for anyone except their 35% who don't care that Trump lies, doesn't pay taxes and is totally corrupt. I hope they all pay for it in 2020.
Remember we have the majority. We have to fight this teflon President, our country depends on it.
6
All I can really say to Democrats is this: LISTEN to those of us who voted for you. We WANT you to impeach this President. If you keep acting scared and refuse meaningful efforts to hold Trump and his minions accountable, then we will not bother to vote for you again. Why should we? Doing nothing is not a way to secure voter loyalty.
7
"75 percent agree that “Trump has been honest and truthful when it comes to the investigation into Russian interference with the 2016 presidential election”, which is totally absurd.
ALL U.S. intelligence agencies clearly established russian hacking and social media interference, russian operatives were indicted, and pooty verified he'd worked to assist getting our traitor elected. Those facts are indisputable.
Who made up this population of polled republicans? It sounds specious, at best.
3
mr. blow knows better than mueller that he obstructed FOR SURE.
trump derangement syndrome- never stops.
trump is a fascist? he is a threat to our constitution? - so lets buy guns and stop him just in case. i am happy to fight for democracy. are you?
oh, wait. trump is not a fascist and our way of life is secure as it ever was, and congress cant be bothered to impeach him. never mind. what a farce.
4
think about who is driving the policy -- the courtiers from the business sectors, and putin
3
The Constitution stands between Trump and an imperial Presidency. To retain our democracy we must insist that Congressional oversite continue and that subpoenas be honored. Let your Congress people and Senators know you support the Constitution. And VOTE to retain our democracy.
3
Are the democrats under the delusion they are dealing with rational human beings in the White House and across the aisle in the House and the Senate? Even after 2-1/2 years of the incredibly incompetent petulant 8-yr old in the Oval Office you think reason can be applied? This administration needs the book thrown at it, and now!
Failure to impeach is failure to be elected. We already have one party with no vertebra.
4
Senator Chuck Grassley, who has been in the Senate way
too long and has accomplished very little for Iowans, meekly follows his king Trump. No law and order for Grassley. He’s there only to maintain power. He’s a spineless toady for Trump. He doesn’t even support Iowa farmers - he’s all in on tariffs. What an embarrassment for Iowa.
Submitted at 11:29 am
5
A snake uses its venom to paralyze its victims.
When Trump became president I called it a victory for animal rights activists because we now had a reptile in the White House. But the whole country would suffer from a reptile dysfunction.
So here we are. It's time to stand up, America.
3
"Trump may well become the first American king, lawless and unaccountable, by default, by an overall political paralysis"-
wrote charles blow.
anyone observing with intact ears, eyes and brain could/ SHOULD have seen this coming. including all the dangling shiny objects, taarif wars, the " wall", etc, etc. the alarming , unstable mental health behavior was sufficient enough for a long list of prominent forensic psychiatrists who expressed their alarms re. the mental health of the newly elected president on the pages of this paper and others.
so while we owe a big 'thank you' to Charles Blow for writing this, yet another briliant article, it remains most disappointingly clear that Ms. Pelosi and the Dems are paralysed.
where all this is leading ? - re read the quote above.
1
Unfortunately you are exactly right Mr. Blow. I, like a lot of us, feel exhausted and powerless as we watch our Constitution shredded, our elected officials unwilling to do their job, our understanding of what it means to live in a democracy undermined, and the takeover by people who care only for power. This is a nightmare.
1
Americans surrendered their so-called "democracy" to a third-world-styled dictator. They did so voluntarily and willingly, in a daze of ignorance and racial resentment. It will take time for Americans to accept this is what they did, and by the time they wake up and take notice it will be too late for corrective action.
Trump is transforming the American plutocracy (which most people refer to as "American democracy") into a business oligarchy. If it weren't for American Exceptionalism, this wouldn't be funny.
4
A thought: Slow walk an impeachment hearing in the House through the elections and a month beyond, so it would not get to the Senate in time for a pre-election trail. Therefore trump could not brag to the electorate about being exonerated in a Senate impeachment trail while campainging. And by the way, there is nothing anywhere in the constitution about an impeachment hearing's timing and an election. Hopefully this could fire up the Democrat base to take back the Senate just in case he wins re-election, an insurance policy so to speak. Pie in the sky? Yeah probably but so what, got something better?
6
The many commenters calling for action are so right. Precious time is oozing away as various House committees are deliberating about how far to go down the impeachment road. Tempus is fugiting while Democrats seem paralyzed by fear about how their actions might impact the elections in 2020.
While this may sound like heresy, I'm also very disappointed in Robert Mueller's reluctance to speak out. He is praised to the sky by fellow lawyers for his integrity, but integrity isn't only about what you don't do (in the way of shady actions), it's about whether or not you have the courage to speak out when your country needs your informed voice. He is perhaps the best qualified person to speak to the evil actions of Trump.
8
The many commenters calling for action are so right. Precious time is oozing away as various House committees are deliberating about how far to go down the impeachment road. Tempus is fugiting while Democrats seem paralyzed by fear about how their actions might impact the elections in 2020.
While this may sound like heresy, I'm also very disappointed in Robert Mueller's reluctance to speak out. He is praised to the sky by fellow lawyers for his integrity, but integrity isn't only about what you don't do (in the way of shady actions), it's about whether or not you have the courage to speak out when your country needs your informed voice. He is perhaps the best qualified person to speak to the evil actions of Trump.
2
Dream on if you think the Department of Justice will indicate a former president after he leaves office. We live in a rigged system.
2
Dems keep going to the Bill Maher crazy place. Trump is a dictator who will never leave!!!
First, he's pretty old, so there is that. Second, focus on getting someone to run against him who can WIN. Third, he will leave if that happens because he will have to.
Yikes. The world is not ending. Get a grip.
5
Trump has basically called Don McGahn a liar. I wish to hear directly from Mr. McGahn and soon.
2
An "imperial presidency"? Seriously?
You didn't have any problem with "I have a pen and I know how to use it" Obama.
You partisanship is showing Mr Blow.
5
It all depends on how the President uses the unique powers of his office. And don’t forget that old and oft-used phrase: ‘character matters.’ It does, more then ever.
5
‘Character matters.’ They call Barack Obama ‘No Drama Obama’ for good reason. The current President, by contrast, is utterly
lacking in character, morality, honesty, and integrity. What a difference two-and a half years makes.
5
Thanks for this brave analysis. You are absolutely correct. Trump has been lawless from the start, and there are always more ways to be lawless, to further degrade social and political interactions that depend on agreements made in good faith. Good faith is a hollow concept for Trump, and becoming an increasingly more hollowed out fact for many Americans as those in Congress act, or rather Don't act, out of fear. Congress needs to impeach this contemptuous, and contemptible monster.
5
The senate controlled GOP will not stand up to a fellow like Trump? Every evil that has come and is yet to come from this demagogue will be laid at their feet.
5
Charles Blow is one hundred percent correct when he says Democrats are "scared witless" at the mere suggestion of (gasp!) impeachment of Trump. This is a HUGE problem. They refuse to do their job. This is just as bad as Trump's illegal, immoral behavior. They MUST move forward swiftly and aggressively with impeachment proceedings NOW. Even if their efforts fail, at least they will have done their jobs.
1
It’s not a question of refusing to do their job. It’s a issuing of enabling Trump, who controls the propaganda messaging, aided by his state controlled media machine to be re-elected for four more destructive years.
3
@Iain Are you suggesting they do nothing?!? The House needs to do their jobs and move forward with impeachment. It is their responsibility to do so. You cannot do nothing while a lawless president stomps on the constitution.
The whole point of the American experiment encoded in the Declaration and the Constitution was to avoid creatures like Trump. If the current pattern of democratic decay persists, then - never mind impeachment - we should divide the country into two parts: the part dominated by Fox News, and the rest. The Trump-Fox paranoid zone can go their own way, and we can go ours. Everyone will be happy. They can crawl back into the 1950's, and we can look toward the future unencumbered by their backwardness, violence, racism and authoritarian mentality.
4
To those who say "Impeachment is pointless because the captive senate will not convict":
Impeachment is a House process, and is damning enough. It has nothing to do with the Senate. The record will show he was impeached for his high crimes and misdemeanors. Impeachment is the ultimate humiliation an unfit president can suffer. The fact that this guy will shamelessly shrug it off is beside the point - a traffic cop will issue me a ticket even if I am dismissive of it. Not impeaching is dereliction of duty.
To all Senators who vote to not convict because "It is a witch hunt" or "The tax cuts made my campaign contributors rich" or whatever else:
History will hold you guilty of aiding and abetting a dictator.
8
Rest assured that the Republican Senators who will let Trump off the hook could not care less about the judgment of history. They spend every day calculating how to stay in office, and for now, it's by getting on board with the Trump program. It's not their top priority; it's their *only* priority. If they could somehow be convinced that turning against Trump would keep them in office, they would flip in a heartbeat. The televised impeachment proceedings, without benefit of spin and distortion by the Attorney General, might offer some hope, but it's still preferable to roundly vote Trump out of office, with hope that his defeat would take some lousy Senators down with him.
1
@John Sadly, you are right.
The GOP cares nothing about America; they only care for those who bribe them with hefty campaign contributions so they can stay in power. The GOP is not a political party any more; it is a mix of tribe and mafia.
As Attorney General Bar told Congress, the Muller report presents both sides of the obstruction argument. The report lists 10 incident that might be construed as obstruction, but it also explains why each of the incidents might not have been obstruction.
For example, the report posits that Trump may have fired FBI Director James Comey with intent to impede the Russian investigation, but it also present “substantial evidence” that Trump fired Comey because he was angry that Comey would not state publicly what he was telling the president privately—that Trump was not personally under investigation.
Trump directed White House lawyer Don McGahn to call Deputy Attorney Rod Rosenstein and tell him that Special Counsel Robert Muller “has conflicts and can’t be special council.” The Mueller report posits that Trump’s intent may have been to impede the Muller investigation, but also states Trump may have been genuinely concerned about press reports about Mueller’s potential conflicts of interest. More importantly, it notes that Trump apparently changed his mind when Chris Christie warned him that firing Mueller would cost him the support of congressional Republicans.
At worse, Trump may have intended to obstruct the investigation but changed his mind. Acting with intent to obstruct would be obstruction even if the action was unsuccessful, but deciding not to act is not obstruction.
This is why the Justice Department decided the evidence did not justify obstruction charges.
7
Ms. Pelosi, the country is already divided and Trump’s base is already solidified, as hard as a rock. Why are you waiting at the stop sign?
9
@walkman Good question, simple answer: She's petrified to do her job.
I think the imperial presidency is a fait accompli unless Republicans suddenly collapse in a fit of patriotism and tardy honor.
5
Please tell us what the democrats in Congress need to do to bring more than a letter opener to the fight?
Everyone criticizes here, but they, including Mr Blow, offer no practical solution
3
It's bad enough that trump is seen as being untouchable, but what can we do when the country's top law enforcement officer (A G Barr) is in trump's back pocket and unwilling to stand up for the constitution or the rule of law. Vote straight democratic ticket come November 2020 from the White House to the local dog catcher and let's put the republican party out of business once and for all !!!
4
A few women organized the powerful Women’s March in early 2017. Any subsequent controversy can’t erase their astounding success in getting masses “to the streets” peacefully.
It’s time for another such march. Perhaps March for the Constitution?
6
Powerful? Maybe to you, who remember it so fondly. It faded all too quickly, I'm afraid. If you want to take it to the streets, you'd need something more like a general strike, and be prepared to keep it up every day until substantive changes were forced.
Scary thought of the day: even if Trump is ousted in 2020, there's still a strong probability Republicans maintain Senate control...
3
Trump is perfectly fine to corporations and the 1%.
1
Let us not give the felon in the White House more than what he has. He is not smart. He is politically inept. He is visibly deteriorating in mind and body. His subordinates are incompetent. His allies are careless and thoughtless. What he has is a lucky streak - the tail end of a lucky streak. This is a creature who managed to destroy $1.17billion thru sheer incompetence. This is a creature who is bought and paid for by Russians. Most importantly, this is a creature to whom no one of importance or value is loyal. He is useful only so long as he can deliver, whatever it is that he delivers. Can anyone in their right mind imagine that a man who destroyed $1.17billion in gambling casinos is able to outwit his own destruction?
What the House can do now is tip him off his throne. If it takes longer than some would like, then it does. But in matters like this it's the accretion of actions, small wounds, the elimination of any expectation that the fraud will be undetected. That is what is taking place now. All of the work will accelerate. It is inescapable. We're in it now.
6
Thank God (and the Russians) that Hillary wasn't elected. We really would have an Imperial presidency then.
7
With the Republican Congress elected in 2016? Be realistic.
5
@Aristotle Gluteus Maximus
Nothing anybody says about politics will change your mind, but maybe think about the psychology.
Secretary Clinton had a first-hand seat at both modern U.S. impeachment situations (as staff counsel to one of the Watergate committees and of course her husband's). I believe one underlying motivation, had she been elected, would have been to show Buddy's human dad how it's done.
@Grennan
Hillary violated executive order 13526, among others. She should have been fired after her first year as Secretary of State. Read it, keeping in mind what is already in the public record about her failures and infractions. Because Obama didn't take action his administration is suspect.
In a reversal of the Revolution of 1776, will the Tories win this time, and those who oppose tyranny be forced to flee to Canada?
"THESE are the times that try men's [and women's] souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated."
--Thomas Paine, "The American Crisis"
7
Just Some Observations:
"We watch daily as the constitutional and conventional fabric of this country is clawed at “For” political calculations"
What political calculations? Unless you are referring to the Democratic misconception that impeaching Clinton severely damaged the GOP Brand, which is simply wrong.
Going back from the 106th Congress through the current 116th Congress (1999-2021) the GOP has had exclusive control of both the legislative and executive branches for 8 years (2001--2006, 2017-2018), compared to a grand total of 2 years for the Democrats(2009-2011).
“.... guidelines issued by the Office of Legal Counsel that are against indicting a sitting president”
Department of Justice “Guidelines” are just that, guidelines, and have no basis in the US Code or the Constitution."
“And if individuals other than the President committed an obstruction offense they may be prosecuted at this time.”
Again other than DOJ Guidelines, what is the basis for this nonsensical “above the law” standard?
“Democrats are operating from the Richard Nixon impeachment playbook, only this isn’t the 1970s, before cable news, the internet and social media”
Democrats are not operating from the Nixon Impeachment playbook.
It is the GOP who are operating under the Reagan Iran/Contra playbook, where the Right Wing Media elevated Ollie North from an opportunistic scam artist to a super patriot and also laid the foundation for the appointment of our current AG.
6
The question we all need to ask ourselves is:
Is he a king, or a citizen?
3
This is the way democracy dies.
8
@Bob Woods We arent a democracy Bob. This is a typical misconception by the unwashed hate Trump masses when the electoral college works as it is supposed to work.
Move on. Get over it.
As Obama said: there are consequences for losing (ie. I won, get over it) and lets face it Hillary was a horrible candidate.
Ninety percent of Republicans still approve of Trump. That's not terribly surprising, given that two thirds of Republicans also believed Obama was a secret Muslim. These aren't the sharpest tools in the shed we are dealing with here.
14
And yet they rule the land.
2
The democrats in Congress are walking a tightrope, and I don’t think your criticism of them is fair, Mr. Blow. They ar caught between a rock and a hard place, and it is so easy to criticize from afar
By strategizing methodically, they may avoid winning the immediate battle, but losing the war
4
It is difficult to take seriously the hysteria displayed by opinionators such as Mr. Blow or legislators like Nadler and Pelosi when they've all spent the last 2 years getting things so profoundly wrong.
5
@mark, Funny you don't even try to demonstrate why Blow, Pelosi and Nadler got things so profoundly wrong, or even to say what things you mean. Too complicated? Not enough room? Or are you just an opinionator with an opinion and no evidence for it?
3
Trump: The business of America is business.
Democrats: The business of America is Trump.
3
What I find most disturbing is how the GOP tells its constituents that Socialism is going to take away their freedom, meanwhile they allow Trump to destroy our democracy!
These people are fascists, plain and simple.
9
We all knew this for quite some time. The question is what to do about it. The very real risk is Trump will try to maintain power defeated or not.
3
This is not accurate:
" The Mueller report makes that abundantly clear. Special Counsel Robert Mueller refused to state declaratively that Trump committed a crime because of Department of Justice guidelines issued by the Office of Legal Counsel that are against indicting a sitting president."
Mueller was fully within his rights to comment on whether he believed Trump had violated the law. Contrary to Mr. Blow's writing, Mueller also documented reasons why Trump DID NOT break the law. In the end he made no dtermination one way or another not because he was prevented from doing so, but rather because he chose not to.
3
@Bill Dan
Wrong, the only reference Mueller made clearing Trump was on the charge of collusion, which according to Mueller is a term without legal standing.
3
Am just struck by the quality of comments that Charles' brilliant columns bring forward from others. I am always horrified, inspired and so grateful for and by his columns, and then only further grateful when I read comments like so many of these.. Thank you Charles and all the contributors that expand the conversation.
4
The only reason that Trump is able to be so blatantly criminal is because the Republican Party is refusing to hold him to the same standards of behavior that every single other President in US history has been held to.
In other words, we don't just have a criminal Presidency, we have a criminal political Party supporting and enabling him.
The Republican Party has abandoned Democracy and embraced demagoguery as their last hope for retention of power in the face of adverse demographics.
13
As Obama found out while trying to "reach across the aisle" that is a futile gesture. Those ignoring subpoenas need to be jailed, impeachment proceedings need to begin NOW, the GOP Senate won't be fazed by any further evidence. I heard a gentleman order a "Collusion shot" at the bar this weekend. He said it was a shot glass with nothing in it... these people will not be swayed.
3
Even though, this doesn't absolve the Congress responsibility and share in this time in outr history.
This type of president was predicted by any democratic regime, and there is in fact law and check balances exists.
But like presidents when they brag about their executive privileges, Congress must assert their legislative and oversight privileges.
dictators doesn't appear in the vacuum, parliaments creates them.
4
I really wish that American journalists would cease and desist with their characterizations of Trump as a wanna-be King. If only! The man is the best argument for constitutional monarchy that we have seen in several hundred years. The fact of the matter is that he has abused his powers in ways which would have shocked George III. George III, at least, knew and understood his duty to accept and abide by the decisions made by Parliament and the PM.
Now you have a situation where a sitting President -- and his supporters -- are unwilling to acknowledge any limitations whatsoever. Including the possibility of losing the next election. Turns out, it would seen, that the whole revolution thingie was a complete waste of time.
2
Where is the Congressional "I want you to panic" Greta??
Congress: Your allegiance has to be to our Constitution FIRST.
Not outmaneuvering another political party.
Enabling this president to undermine our system of government's checks and balances is on YOU.
4
Nailed it!
Finally, we are beginning to call the overly cautious Democrats out on their feckless response to a threat to our whole country.
Wake up America!
The time for negotiations is over.
7
I see that liberals now know how the Obama years felt to conservatives.
4
@David Sorry, not even close. Obama was never a structural threat to the system. Conservatives merely disagreed with his policies, the way liberals disagreed with Republicans in the old days before the insanity.
Trump is different, not a continuation of normal partisan rivalry.
7
@David This is not a tit for tat situation. Our constitution is being trampled to enable this man to enrich himself and his family, gain power and feed his insatiable ego.
7
@David - "Felt like", yes. "Were like", absolutely not. Delusion is a powerful force.
6
Important correction: Punishment is not the most important goal of impeachment.
Rather, preventing the commission of additional crimes, preventing the further destruction of our nation is the reason to impeach, to stop him by any means necessary.
8
Emigration may be the only answer, unless the Dems suddenly wake up and take action. Inherent contempt is in order when the executive branch defies the Constitutional powers of Congress.
1
Really, "political norms"? What does that mean, exactly? Like having wrong-wokethoughts? Too much free speech? Violating "acceptable" political public behavior established by cultural elites?
2
A king that most of us didn't vote for, and whom most of us despise.
3
The Democrats in the House are pretty much out there all on their own and we are expecting them to win a very lop-sided battle in a war that began in the right wing of American politics. They are trying to defeat Trump without abandoning the rules. They have very few tools at their disposal and they are "slow" tools. We can impeach and we should impeach but it will not get us out of this particular imperial presidency. Trump is using his creepy superpowers to beat down the Democratic Party. We need the press to help the Democrats in this fight. The press can't fight without putting themselves in existential danger. Both-sides-ism will not work to save our democracy/republic. Mr. Blow is the only person on today's opinion page even engaged on this most important front. I'm afraid I will watch the 2020 election through the fingers covering my eyes.
8
If Trump has the audacity to continue to claim that the Russian interference is a hoax fabricated by unhappy HRC voters--contrary to a mountain of evidence and the interests of the country, rejecting the result of the 2020 election will be child's play for him.
11
Perhaps the only hope now is that Mueller will publicly testify boldly and make clear that he considers Trump to be a criminal who is avoiding prosecution due only to the Justice Department's flawed policy (not a law) that a sitting president cannot be indicted.
Mueller must also forcefully attack Barr for his wildly misleading "summary" of the long-awaited report and who, through delay in releasing even the redacted version, stole the essence of Mueller's work and set a false narrative that appears to be currently accepted by most of the general public.
Mueller tragically erred by such non-actions as acquiring Trump's tax filings (which likely provide links with Russian money), and failing to interview any family members, most notably Trump himself.
Will Mueller redeem himself with riveting TV testimony that is impossible to ignore? One can only hope so.
716
@Michael Barr
The facts of the Mueller report are widely known and are dismissed by 90% of the Republican voters. Any testimony he gives will be similarly dismissed by Trump supporters, as they already accept Barr's letter/summary and Trump's mantra "No collusion, no obstruction; possibly the MOST INNOCENT President EVER." They are not bothered by technicalities of Constitutional Law, but are just happy someone is "draining the swamp'" They are tired of people being mean to the President, not letting him "do his job" and want to move on from the "Witch Hunt." My impression is that most of them will be mostly annoyed that this continues to be in the news.
87
@Philly Carey I agree, true believers, whether it be in God or Trump or the 2d Amendment, will not be persuaded by short-term facts or logic.
52
@Michael Barr
I doubt it. The man, a life long Republican despite every virtue he is supposed to have, would have to admit that he served for a life time a horribly corrupt party, even before Trump got his dirty hands on it. Won't happen.
32
The question mark should be removed from the title of this article:
“An Imperial Presidency”
#Impeach
7
The Democrats are playing by the Marquis of Queensberry 's rules and the Republicans are laughing and bringing spiked baseball bats into the ring. This is everything about power and nothing to do with democracy. GOP leaders are happy to do the bidding of their paymasters while their minions remain content with the republic's demise though hyper vigilant for their guns and other women's fetuses.
8
Congress can investigate, call witnesses, issue supeonas, all without starting impeachment hearings. There are no extra powers that an impeachment effort gives to congress. The house will impeach Trump, the Senate will vote for not guilty. Trump will trumpet his not guilty exoneration into a second term.Congress should investigate Trump, get his taxes, and publish the full Mueller report. Trump will fight this tooth and nail, but Impeachment does not make those outcomes any easier. And until those investigations unearth more evidence that would change Republican votes in the senate it is foolish to hand Trump his not guilty verdict.
3
Congress must impeach! It’s far more than just the obstruction of justice related to the Muller investigation. Abusing the power to pardon for political reasons, telling the Attorney General to investigate Biden his potential opponent, using national security as a reason to do whatever he wants (tariffs), assaulting the free press (enemy on the people), defying the power of Congress. Breaking his oath to uphold the Constitution. Get it on the record so the traitors in the Senate can be called out. The candidates can keep focused on the issues while Congress does it’s job.
4
Nancy Pelosi has the right mindset on this. Impeachment at this point would be worse than a waste of time. When the inevitable "Not Guitly" verdict comes out of the Senate Trump and his allies will be crowing about it until the next election and beyond.
6
We need to get rid of every Congressional Republican. Those that remain after the upcoming election will serve to undermine any change, any return to our much-touted democratic-small-d values.
5
The points that Mr. Blow makes about Republicans demonstrate that the Senate will never vote to convict Donald Trump if he's impeached. Mr. Blow seems to want the Democrats to impeach President Trump anyway. Why? It won't prevent him from doing anything. Indeed, it may raise the level of his rage to the point that he tries to do something stupid that he might not do otherwise. The risk might possibly be worth it if he could be removed from office, but no Republican senator will vote to convict him, and a few Democratic red-state senators might not vote to convict him, either. The Democratic base already is alarmed over Donald Trump. It's not as if they need to have it pointed out to them that he doesn't follow constitutional norms. The Democrats above all need to maximize turn out in 2020, including by running progressive candidates for all offices who will enthuse the base (which means, not Joe Biden as presidential candidate).
1
@Stephen Merritt Hello Stephen. Your point about the Senate failing to act against this president has been made over and over again. I think it's being used to distort the responsibilities for both parties. The House conducts presents the evidence to the public through a trial. The Senate deliberates the evidence and serves as jurors. They have different roles. If the House believes this President has committed crimes and is committing crimes it is completely irresponsible for them not to act.
1
So, during a presidential term, there is no holding a president accountable for his/her actions. So, at least 4 years of a no holds barred free-for-all of self-indulgent law- breaking? That, on its face is absurd! Trump supporters are a see no, hear no, but plenty of speaking evil. It is beyond time for Congressional Republicans to come out from under their beds, take their thumbs out of their mouths, straighten their spines and actually hold Trump accountable, beyond time for Congress, all, to recognize what’s going on and do their jobs.
5
@Sandra
I would like to believe what you said could happen but I sincerely believe it will not.
The Republicans used to pose themselves as fiscally responsible and for better government. The past almost three years have proven the opposite.
I am sad what is happening to my country but I don't see it changing anytime soon. That's beyond belief but seems to be true....I can only hope.
4
We in the USA have convinced ourselves—conveniently—that we are an exceptional nation and therefore our empire is exceptional.
We have been an empire—economic and political—since the end of WWII.
All of our President's have been increasingly imperial since then, empowered by Congress's cowardly abdication of its Constitutional responsibility.
Trump is merely the first truly tyrannical Imperial President.
[tyrannical | təˈranək(ə)l |
adjective
exercising power in a cruel or arbitrary way.
• characteristic of tyranny; oppressive and controlling]
2
So much media attention to Trump is giving the false impression that Trump is winning; evidence indicates he is losing public support.
Despite Trump's many failures, the one thing he knows how to do well is dominate the media (including twitter).
BUT
Trump's disapproval ratings in the U.S. have been consistently higher than his approval ratings since he took office. Trump has never received the approval by a majority of Americans (Gallup)
In the wake of the Mueller report, Trump's disapproval rating rose to 57%, and his approval dropped to 39%.
Based on Gallup polling: From Jan. 2017-May 2019, Trump's approval rating declined in almost all demographic groups (including groups thought to support him--males, low and high income groups, older age groups). The one exception is people who identify themselves as Republican, where Trump's support remains in the 80-90% range.
https://www.politico.com/interactives/2019/trump-approval-rating-polls/
However, there has been a drop in support for both political parties, with only 27% saying they are GOP; 26% Dem., & a plurality (44%) claiming to be Independent (4/2019 Gallup).
Of the Independents, only 37% approve of Trump, and only 12% of Democrats approve. As long as Americans vote in 2020, I don't see how Trump can win.
So how about the media giving Trump's unpopularity more attention; also shift far more attention to policy, Trump's failed promises to the middle class, Dem. candidates, & kitchen table issues
3
@PB
Mr Trump is excellent at posing himself as a victim of everyone who has the nerve and intelligence to disagree with him. He sends our that message to those who feel they are victimized by society in general and they support him as they see themselves in him.
This is truly sad.
5
We have allowed the President to assume greater and greater power for decades, so it comes as no surprise that someone decides to grab even more power, while a weakened congress wrings their hands.
2
Do you mean political norms whereby the politicians make promises to the voters during their campaigns and then promptly forget about us when they take office?
Or perhaps the norm of the new world order, whereby we must accept the continued decline in our economy and reward those who steal our technology?
Or perhaps someone, like Trump, who actually puts Americans first. Wow, what a concept.
3
"...while those with any power to prevent or punish his actions are suspended in a state of listlessness, making political calculations rather than performing constitutional duty."
Kudos to Charles for blunt. I was appalled at Nadler almost chasing his tail, offering to "compromise" with Barr, when that ship sailed the day he was confirmed (in hindsight).
Charles is right: annihilation of the Democratic Party is the overarching strategy of Trump's GOP (I won't say administration, because it's all Trump enablers in the Senate, in newly packed courts, on Trump TV, everywhere the eyes can see and ears can hear.
I had a terrible thought reading this column: our republic has come full circle. In 1776, the "occupied" declared independence from a king, using guerrilla warfare against stuffy British overlords mired in outdated rules of battle.
Today, is the reverse: the new king's men fight guerrilla style while defenders of the constitution are stuck in quicksand.
They'd better figure a way out, or 2020 will be the last election featuring two parties.
1037
We have a country ready to fight for democracy led by a bunch of scared bureaucrats who can’t even understand what is being done to them. It is a ridiculous situation. We are going to be told we lost our democracy by a bunch of cowards who did not even try to fight. Their lack of imagination and their lack of historical perspective is stunning.
55
@ChristineMcM
Christine, I have said for a long time here in the “Times” that 2020 is going to be like 1776 — not like a (s)election but a “Revolution Against Empire” [Justin du Rivage’s definitive history of our first one against the British Empire].
In faux-Emperor Trumpius, ‘we the American people’ are facing an internal rather than external Empire.
‘We the American people’ have only one strategic advantage, but it is more powerful than our forefathers and patriots had with guns — this modern people’s peaceful “Political/economic and social Revolution Against Empire” can fire a; loud, public, sustained, ‘in the streets’, but totally non-violent “Shout (not shot) heard round the world” for democracy over Empire while Emperor Trump’s deceitful attack on ‘our democracy’ will be reduced to lies, deceit, his continual calls for violence, an the mere ‘money power’ of a tiny < 1% minority behind their phony Emperor stooge.
The energy, courage, people-power, and universal love for democracy and each other will overcome this petty and insane Emperor with people in the streets just as Charlottesville has already shown in our righteous but peaceful continuation and completion of our original American “Political/economic and social Revolution Against Empire”.
In ‘16 Bernie started this with just the two word rallying cry “Political Revolution”, which became “Our Revolution” — but in ‘20 it is grown to a people’s peaceful “Revolution”
‘We the people’ are the vast majority
37
@ChristineMcM I, too, have thought about our time and the Revolutionary War period. What we forget today is that like then, not everyone believed we are in perilous times nor that the King is an "enemy of the people". Once, the conflict was over and the Articles of the Confederation proved unsatisfactory, the Constitutional Convention of 1787 convened. The foundation of our present Constitution resulted and the 13 States had to ratify it. Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison wrote newspaper commentaries (which were later compiled into The Federalists Papers) to inform and educate the public about the proposed Constitution. The campaign trail today reveals many Americans do not understand the gravity of our Constitutional Crisis. Nor apparently do they care. I hope the Jurists will prevail and overcome the political paralysis. I fear with all the weapons in the public square mixed with ignorance, anger, suspicion, hate, rage, and division, the violence of Bunker Hill, Lexington and Concord will be replicated; and both sides claim they stand in the Patriots' shoes.
29
I really don't think that Impeachment will have any effect whatsoever on his popularity, polling numbers, approval ratings etc. we are so partisan right now - everyone has decided what they think and feel about this "president" that nothing seems to move the numbers in any direction. look at what happened with the Mueller report: two very different interpretations of the same facts and the degree to which his cronies are lying and spinning it to his advantage. the reactions to Impeachment would be the same and we're back to where we started.
The Mueller report clearly points to obstruction, but Trump made tons of political hay from it. Can you imagine what he could do with a failed impeachment? I want him gone as much as anyone, but I also see farms failing, factories closing,tariffs rising, and Trump voters clapping for Elizabeth Warren and her position on the opioid crisis. We have two years to introduce solid legislation on issues people really care about , while at the same time trotting Republican obstructionists before the cameras and having them admit to their deeds or better yet, take the fifth. Together with "blue wave" activists, I have a lot of hope for the next election.
2
Trump deserves to be impeached. However, I disagree with Mr. Blow that Pelosi's reluctance to do so shows weakness. Trump wants the House to impeach him. This would give his base just the sort of red meet they crave. The Senate would not remove him from office, and the base will be out for electoral blood. Trump has cast the Mueller investigation as a sham, attempted coup and spun its written findings as an exoneration. No further investigations are justified, he tells his base.
Under these circumstances, the House's only hope is to call as many Mueller witnesses as it can so that non-Trump-base voters can hear with their own ears about his attempted obstruction of justice and act on this evidence in 2020.
1
@Alan Mass People act as though Trump’s Base were the Loch Ness Monster, The Headless Horseman and The Purple People Eaters all rolled up into one! Absent trump trump’s base will crawl back up under the rocks from which they came! And if not, the 65 to 70% of the population that is not trump’s base should chase them there!
Easy!!
1
@Alan Mass
What makes you believe Mr Trumps base would believe what they would hear?
1
"“Democracy is never a thing done,” wrote Archibald MacLeish, the poet and librarian of Congress. “Democracy is always something that a nation must be doing.” The American Revolution lasted 3,089 days, and the result was epochal and enduring — the creation of the American Republic, among mankind’s most remarkable achievements."
This is pulled from Rick Atkinson's tome in the NYT today titled "Why We Still Care About America's Founders."
He mentions Hamilton. A story about the imperfect struggle of a people and it's leaders to create a place in the world that was unique. A government designed with real power in the hands of the people to choose their leaders. The Federalist papers, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are the products of the imperfect struggle to take power out of the hands of the few and deliver it into the hands of ALL of the people who live under one flag. Who all, give their blood sweat and tears and a share of the wealth they gain in service to the the many. The true owners of our Democracy, have lost faith in those who are trusted to serve and protect us from the few who would take our power. Our leaders abuse power WE give them, without consequence. Our power is openly being funneled to the few. They have divided us, to weaken us. We have let them. We must not, and use the power given to us by the founders before they take that too. Divided, we fall. Call them, write them and tell them no more. Demand it. VOTE. We ARE Democracy.
173
@JDHI like the optimistic spirit of your comment, but it seems to me that we're at a point where democracy is already compromised; the GOP has been rigging things (the courts, the electoral map, voters' rights, etc.) in their favor, while the Democrats still cling to concepts like bipartisanship and forbearance that the GOP abandoned years ago. I think Mr. Blow is right, the Democrats need to be much more aggressive and they need to think outside the (ballot) box. President Obama made the “mistake” of trying to appeal to people’s better angels and hoping to engage with Republicans who had no interest whatsoever in working with him, on anything. The GOP has completely abandoned American democracy as the Founders intended it to be. Republicans have changed the "game" to suit their corrupt ends, and Democrats—and all people who care to save American democracy, values and norms—must very quickly devise and deploy effective tactics to counter them.
31
@JDH, It's not just our democracy that's at stake; it's our republic, which is older. A republic is best defined as a state without a king. We've had that since the Revolution. We've had democracy since the states got rid of the property qualification for voting in the 1800s and the federal Constitution eliminated the gender and slavery qualifications. Alas, majority rule in a democracy with broad suffrage can sometimes choose a dictator.
2
Two inconsistencies stand out for me: 1) why did Trump suffer the Mueller investigation to proceed to its conclusion and 2) what could possibly be so terrifying for him in his complete tax history?
1) Maybe he was pre-informed as to the direction and content of Mueller's report, while it was being written, and decided it was spin-able. But I don't think so, given the ham-handed behavior of all 3 of his Attorneys General. Not firing Mueller was totally inconsistent with everything else he's done so far, why was that the exception?
2) He and his toadies spin or ignore financial criminality, open admissions of personal assault, groveling to America's enemies, and documented evidence of the fraud that has been his entire life. His base swallows it all and they don't care. Their votes count more than ours. So what could possibly be in those tax records that is more damning than anything that has come out to date? I am honestly baffled.
All of the maneuvering and political gamesmanship by the Democrats will be a mere footnote in history. What will be observed, in the long run, is that the nation was very lucky to be tested by such a flawed and obviously incompetent buffoon. He has probably already destroyed himself, and taken his mindless supporters with him. My greatest wish is that the experience makes the country more ready for the next, more capable, tyrant.
99
@George
That's scary!
5
@George: You have made strong points in your first three paragraphs. Like many others, though, your note lacks a sense of urgency. We cannot afford to watch and "let history decide" (not your words, I know; they reflect a laissez-faire attitude of many writers, who argue that we are spectators to history, rather than participants in it). Simply put, "the long run" (your words, this time) means little if no one is here to witness it.
We cannot indulge this buffoon while he destroys whatever remaining chance there may be to save our species in the hope of providing jobs for his base. Some of the crises he created are real and urgent; reversal of our national committment to alleviate climate change (a problem he denies) is one.
Windmills don't cause cancer, as he claims; they might be part of a solution, rather than part of the problem, as he is. As a nation, what kills us doesn't make us stronger. I would disagree with the notion that we are in any way "lucky to be tested" by him.
27
@George
I sometimes wonder if there's really nothing -that- bad in his taxes that we don't already know. Him fighting tooth and nail over it makes it so that if and when the Dems finally DO get his taxes, its revealed as another nothing, and the Dems look even worse than they already do.
I think Trump did this with the Mueller report. When it became framed around collusion, he knew that a)that's not a chargeable offense and b) there would be no documented proof anyways. That way when the report was released he can claim victory in that there was no collusion, despite lots of other bad things that would have severely hurt any other president.
Meanwhile, Dems have this fantasy that his taxes have a line in there somewhere about Russia, which they won't. These shell corporations and shenanigans have covered him for years, and will continue to protect him.
7
I don't dispute what you are saying, about the possibility of Trump's time in office becoming an "imperial presidency." I do object to your overlooking the capabilities of the American voting electorate to turn the grifter Trump out of office in the 2020 elections.
In the aftermath of Watergate, Congress, at the behest of American voters, ushered in a raft-load of reforms. As the Center for American Progress points out, "The post-Watergate reforms... They sought to restore faith in the U.S. political system by combating the corrupting influence of money in politics; promoting ethics and transparency in government; protecting people against abuses of government power; and limiting certain extraordinary exercises of presidential authority."
The consensus is that Nixon was an anomaly in our political evolution; think about what that makes Trump. One cannot imagine American voters re-electing anyone as despicable as Trump; the latest polls already show that more than half of all eligible voters would not vote for him, a number that can only increase as we near the 2020 election.
In the post-Trump era presidency, one can only imagine how much more stringent the resulting reforms will be in reigning-in future presidents seeking to exercise what they believe to be their non-constitutional authority. There is a reason the Founding Fathers put the legislature in Article 1 and the Executive in Article 2 -- and future presidents will feel the effects for generations to come.
To impeach or not to impeach, that is the question?
Aside from the Trump base, that will vote to re-elect him regardless of anything, the most important question is, who out there will vote to terminate his presidency? And most important, what motivates these people?
But before you jump in answer this question of "who" and "what", you first must factor in the role of the Electoral College. After all, Hillary Clinton won by more than 3M votes but still lost. The message here is that winning by who knows how many million votes may still return Trump for a second horrendous term.
That fact should not be lost on anyone who advocates for Impeachment.
So before we talk ourselves into taking this plunge, if removing Trump from office is your true objective, think long and hard about what affect Impeachment will have on voters in states that critical to an Electoral College victory. To scream for Impeachment without taking the EC into account is just wishful thinking.
I for one am torn about this issue. My preference is the use of time. Let the Senate bring forward testimony from Mueller and if that happens to take place once we are past the primary season, that is fine with me. By then the Democrats will have their candidate and running mate. And with the elections entering their last several months, House Impeachment proceedings might just do the trick.
But above all, let us be strategic about all this as our country's democracy actually does lie in the balance.
1
By these standards, Hillary definitely should have been prosecuted. Obama stopped the probe into Fast & Furious, also obstruction then? Trump did not obstruct justice. He had the right to fire Mueller - Congress was planning to pass a law to prevent that.
No way this is obstruction as is; it's also just one side of the story.
3
"Republicans have declared Trump their king and bowed to his maleficent majesty."
Trump will continue to tear apart American democracy with the help of Republicans. The party of family and national security is a sham.
We all knew this was the destination for a Trump presidency in June '15 when he rode down the escalator, yes?
His low character, devoid of ethics, immoral self interest, love of money and power.
It was obvious to us all, even his own voters. (Real problem)
Let's be clear; Election 2016 WAS the firewall, and the nation was in crisis election night when Trump won.
All the analysis of 'Are we in a constitutional crisis!?' is pointless. We are in a crisis period.
I always have said, and will repeat, the nation can survive two years of Trump outside and still come out the other side basically intact. While there would be a huge mess to untangle, we would be the same nation.
We have overrun the two year mark and he is speeding up, not slowing down.
I have my own adage in regard to this mess;
'Trump and the GOP are in charge. That is the bad news!
The Dems are our only hope! That's the other bad news!
There is no good news!''
2
why does anyone blame Trump? The issue is not Trump. It is the 63 million compatriots who voted for him.
2
Oh don't worry about Nadler's "accommodation." He's just providing evidence that his side was more reasonable when they get to court.
But if Jamelle Bouie is correct, Democrats need to work on winning the Senate as well as the White House.
I'm afraid Trump has become normal for many people.
1
If this is not a time of constitutional crisis, what, pray tell, would be?
Trump, his legislative enablers and his base supporters embody our founders’ worst fears.
Alexander Hamilton in Federalist No. 68 expressed concern that an unqualified candidate with a talent for "low intrigue, and the little arts of popularity" might be elected president.
Has any president evidenced so great a talent for “low intrigue”? For “the little arts of popularity”?
In Federalist No. 10, James Madison expressed fears that the "mischiefs of faction" might undermine our constitutional order. He defined a faction as "a number of citizens whether amounting to a majority or minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community."
Don’t Trump’s enablers and base constitute the mother of all factions?
Over two centuries ago, John Adams warned American citizens: "[A]varice, ambition, [or] revenge . . . would break the strongest cords of our constitution as a whale goes through a net."
Isn’t Trump one whopper of an avaricious, ambitious and vengeful whale?
1
The Trump freight train is barreling down the tracks at 100 miles an hour on auto pilot while the Democrats are on the tracks at the railroad crossing arguing about how to fix a flat tire on the old jalopy. The outcome is not promising.
2
BIG Lesson to all of us. Our system is far from fool proof. We thought we had a good, check and balance system and now we see it is one that can be easily turned into a dictatorship.It took a Trump like character to show us.
Elect a president who loses the popular vote by electoral college, voter suppression and gerrymandering and lots of $$. Then a congress that is totally interested in getting reelected and needs the approval and $$ that the President controls. They will agree to anything to stay in power. Then load the judicial system with political folks who block things that the rulers do not like. Next, dare the congress opposition to do anything by refusing to go along. Have a full time propaganda machine that confuses and misleads the people.
1
I agree with Mr. Blow’s analysis but for one point: saying Trump has a stranglehold on the republican party gives him far too much credit. McConnell and Tea Party Republicans were tearing down norms well before Trump. He’s just giving them cover.
2
Obstruction such as we had never seen before began with the election of President Obama. Now that the Democrats have gained a little power, the obstruction by the White House backed by the Republican-held Senate is out of control. Further, the Republicans have stacked the Judiciary from the lowest to the very highest courts with conservative judges. So I am certain the plan is to indeed tie up everything in the courts until after 2020. Short of arresting people, I see little the Democrats can actually do. Mueller has done his job impeccably, and left us with a blueprint for obstruction and impeachment, but no way to enforce the laws and rules governing both.
There is absolutely no doubt the Russians interfered with the last election, and are (according to our intelligence agencies) already actively engaged in doing so for the 2020 election. The "imperial presidency" is a fait accompli at this point. Executive order has bypassed Congress and Trump has become a law unto himself, with the Republicans as accomplices in this power grab.
I am exhausted from the drama, as I am certain others are, but I will not surrender. We have to essentially start over to build a cohesive Democratic base and get out the vote, and support whoever the Democratic candidate ends up being.
Only if we elect a Democrat as President and somehow take back Congress as well, will we be able to right our ship of state. However, we have to keep in mind the Republicans will use the courts to subvert power.
One need only look at Hungary and Viktor Orban's ascent to power and how Trump's trajectory reflects Orban's to see how dire our straits have become.
I believe that our ultimate fate rests in the hands of Bill Weld and any other Republican who decides to run against Trump; without a challenger, I fear another 4 years of inaction by Congress (To impeach or not to impeach, that is the question./Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer/The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,/Or to take arms against a Sea of troubles ...), continued obstruction by Trump, and no legislation of consequence being enacted.
Congress should use every tool in its constitutional arsenal -- make illegal the expenditure of federal funds for anything related to a presidential visit to a property owned or indirectly controlled by a president, making illegal anything other than placement of a president's businesses in excess of a certain value into a blind trust, making criminal a president's hiring members of his or her immediate family for any position in the president's administration, imposing fines on members of a president's administration who ignore congressional subpoenas and permitting the attachment of the personal assets of those persons, making it illegal for a president to block any legislative attempt to secure copies of the president's personal and business tax returns, making it illegal for a president to divert funds appropriate to the defense department for any domestic use, including but not limited to border security, making it illegal for the president to deploy federal troops for any internal purpose other than disaster relief or to enforce court orders, and any other creative solutions to dethrone any president who seeks to exercise imperial powers.
849
@Didier And if such legislation passes, this president would sit right down and sign it, now wouldn't he? Or are we to imagine that 15 Republican senators and 55 GOP House members would vote to override his veto? Imagination is the only place that scenario exists. As Mr. Blow and so many others have pointed out, the will of Republican voters in Republican-gerrymandered districts is now identical to the will of the president, not to any ideology, including democratic norms. Let's not forget that the one characteristic found to be common to most Republican voters is a bent towards an authoritarian leader. Democracy works only when a sufficient number of people care about preserving it.
209
@Didier
Agreed. I would add, constituting any public statement (verbally, on twitter, etc...) as under oath. Any false public statement by the president should be considered perjury.
38
@Didier
"Congress should use every tool in its constitutional arsenal…"
As things currently stand, of course, "Congress" won't pass any such thing, because "Congress" consists of both the House and the Senate, and we all know the latter ain't never gonna pass nuttin, honey, that even comes close to restraining their beloved/much-feared POTUS.
And even if Congress miraculously did pull up its pants and actually pass such a bill, their beloved/much-feared POTUS would instantly veto it.
So, unfortunately, that route takes us to a screeching a dead end.
18
There is zero chance of any actual accommodation with the GOP. This was Obama's delusion, and all such effort on his part came to nothing. The Republica base is not amenable to additional evidence of Trump wrongdoing. The only way avoid a slide into autocracy is for the House to exercise all the Constitional muscle at its disposal. To delay impeachment hearings is truly to play into Trump's plan of running out the clock.
1295
@Bill Holland
The Republican Party is a business, and they care nothing about the country or the People.
They see the end of America as the ultimate prize.
59
@Bill Holland
The solution is obvious. Joe Biden must reach out those people.
4
@Grove.
Impeachment now—or impeachment never.
The founders we admire subscribed to a key conservative principle:
Character counts: Freedom of association allows for the development of civic institutions—religious institutions, educational institutions, social clubs, etc. These institutions are essential for the development of a citizenry schooled in moral virtue and provided with the knowledge necessary to be reflective citizen-voters within a democratic republic.
The majority of contemporary Republicans adhere to a radically revised “principle”:
Character doesn’t count: Moral virtue is for sissies; protect an immoral, incompetent and corrupt president no matter what the costs to the rule of law; make sure the extent of his corruption, his dictatorial impulses and incompetence are never fully exposed to the light of day; tolerate unconscionable behavior and thereby lower the norms for future presidential conduct.
With Trump we confront a severe challenge to our national character.
21
It is time to call Trumps bluff and begin impeachment hearings. put the evidence into public hearings, make the Republicans stand up and defend Trump and his obstruction of justice and the destruction of our Democracy. No it won't lead to conviction but let's put it all out there to make clear why we, the majority, must vote the Republicans out.
1673
@DRTmunich
The time is past due to initiate articles of impeachment. To say that Trump is daring the Democrats to do so is disingenuous, at best. Let's get on with it; this is not the time for tepid sitting- on- hands.
183
@DRTmunich Pelosi to her enduring credit is trying to keep everyone's eye on the ball. But leftist zealots like Blow are determined to drive the party straight off the cliff. They're completely oblivious to the consequences of their proposed actions. Impeaching Trump will facilitate his winning a 2nd term. The Democrats were given a House majority to craft & pass good legislation. Impeachment hearings driven by Progressive fanatics will certainly over-reach. It will be easily spun by Trump as a witch hunt to fair-minded voters. Going down this path will keep the issue in the forefront for the 2020 election. When impeachment fails in the Senate, Trump will again claim victory. The pure efficiency that Democrats are able to deploy when it comes to shooting themselves in the foot is often breathtaking. This is the one time we should resist the temptation to pull the trigger. The GOP Representative in my district was replaced by a Democrat who promised to fix healthcare, address immigration reform, implement a more equitable tax system. I suspect this is why Democrats won 40 seats in the House. At no time during the campaign were we told all the promises being made would be ditched in a fruitless attempt to impeach Trump. If the 40 Democratic Representatives come back home having accomplished nothing in their two year term they will face a lot of angry constituents. Our Representatives need to at least attempt to fulfill the promises they made to us or face the consequences.
30
@Bill Brown well put but please tell me, won't the GOP obstruct any and all Democratic proposals that may make them look good?
53
Remember Les Miserables? Jean Valjean serves five years in prison, and fourteen for trying to escape. See the parallel to Trump?
So he is accused of colliding with Russia. That cannot be proven, even not after 2 years of through and neutral investigation. But who cares now? They got him in the process of trying to defend himself. So he didn’t steal any bread at all, no jail here, but the full 19 years for his attempts to run from prison.
Yes, probably, his aggressive and clumsy attempts to avoid the investigation can be seen as obstruction of justice. But given there was no underlying offense, and given Democrats equally aggressive went after him, would it be wrong to call this obstruction of injustice?
For those blindly going after a sitting president, like him or not. Consider what happened if indeed he was ultimately shut down by legal action. The winners are: Russia, who will have achieved its goal of undermining trust in the democratic process of the US; and the lawyers. Henceforward elections will not be decided by the people. Who can and cannot be president will be determined after through legal due diligence, and no president will be able to spend time to exercise his function, as he will constantly work on his legal defenses against a never ending flood of legal actions.
5
800 former US Attorneys, going back to the Eisenhower administration, are on the record as completely disagreeing with you. Is that enough for you to swallow your pride and admit Trump has you conned?
1
Pelosi is definitely an unfortunate leader in these times. However, even pro-impeachment Democrats will concede the Democratic case is either strengthened or destroyed by Mueller's testimony. They desperately want to get him on the stand before committing to impeachment.
For the same reason, Trump desperately wants to prevent Mueller from ever reaching the stand. As a practical matter, this is impossible. The only thing preventing Mueller from testifying is Mueller. However, the more the timeline strings out, the more Republicans can portray Democrats as doubtful and indecisive.
That's the big risk here. If you can't just say Trump committed a crime without Mueller, do you really have a case? Even if you do, you give the administration more room to pretend you don't. The question I have: Why can't Pelosi just say this in no uncertain terms?
"We suspect Trump committed a crime despite AG Barr's statements to the contrary. We would like Robert Mueller's testimony before proceeding with formal impeachment proceedings. If Mueller backs Barr, case closed. However, we doubt Mueller is going to back Barr."
2
I am frightened for myself, my children and my grandchildren at this perilously confrontational moment in our country. Are we so divided that thoughtful hearing of evidence is impossible? Watching the Kavanaugh questioning in the Senate and the Cohen testimony in the House bared a Republican hostility to any sense of order. Will this end with people at each other’s throats in the streets? Please, we must listen, as our parents and teachers admonished us, and draw our conclusions based on evidence unearthed in televised hearings conducted by our elected Congress. Reason must prevail, if we hope to hold our nation as e pluribus unum, a single nation out of an informed collection of citizens.
3
Blow hits it right on the nose. Fact is that in most old democracies (ones that either accommodated kings and queens, or where written in the Zeitgeist when kings and queens were still political powers) the political process relies on conventions and old rules that assumes that folks play by them. I venture out to say that Trump, even if impeached, would not resign. Because impeachment does not mean removal from office; it is only a statement of charges, akin to an indictment in criminal law. We just haven't faced a president that says "So, what?". Remember that Trump has faced more than 4,000 law suits in his lifetime, so some idle threats or charges will not move him. And he fully understands that he can Twitter his way out of the court of public opinion better than the folks that are charging him. Democrats have brought a knife to a gun fight. The only way to get rid of Trump is to vote him out of power or endure another 4 years. What the long term ramifications are for our democracy, nobody knows.
98
@Brian Will Why would you expect him to respect the results of an election that doesn't go his way any more than he respects subpoenas? We can vote him out (IF we can overcome his natural advantage in the Electoral College) but he still won't leave.
10
@Brian Will
Laying out a case for impeachment that cannot be denied could galvanize a large number of your lazy citizens that couldn't get off their duffs to get out and do their civic duty that they ignored in 2016. That is the value of making the case for impeachment.
7
@Keith Ferlin
Nah. Laying out a healthcare plan that would actually cover everyone, with a clear explanation of how it would be paid for, would get them off their duffs. People so disengaged that they don't bother to vote don't care about impeachment. They care about their own wallets, their own grandma's home health aide, their children's schools, their jobs.
5
Fear of Trump winning in 2020 should not stop Democrats from following their oath to office. If the Democrats put the law aside in favor of political schemes they are also committing an impeachable offense by not following their oath to our Constitution.
5
Trump isn't motivated to appease his base which should be refferred to as his cult. He is all about his club members and donors. à Democrats should retrieve Trump's schedule of rallies, hold one before and one after, use sabotage. My biggest fear today is imminent war after reading the Saudi claim their ships were damaged and had intended to ship oil to the US. Is that why the price of gas has resin dramatically? Kushner giving a little help for his friends?
4
Eric Holder set the precedent, ignore congress and they'll go away. Any problems we have today concerning subpoenas goes right back to Holder
3
We find fault with Trump and the Republicans for defying the Constitutions role in oversight and checks and balances. While at the same time the Democrats are not fulfilling their role by following the Constitution and starting impeachment hearings.
To use Blows analogy, the democrats have brought a knife to a gunfight but still, run away from a fight. Spineless.
2
I can't wrap my head around how more than 400 people would vote for this person. How about an editorial that tries to explain that? How did we get here? As far as I can tell, America is done. We're a joke. A punchline. The rest of the world laughs at us because we kill each other, and little innocent school children, with our guns every day. We have a national scandal when Janet Jackson's bra goes too low (OK, I'm dating myself) and we think a fake real estate buffoon should make for a good leader. On a personal note, my spouse and I will be taking our family to another part of the world if this Orange Agent is not removed from office. Why? Because we want our child to grow up in a country that still makes sense.
9
The way I see it is that the Democrats, by delaying impeachment proceedings, are trying to hold the country together so it and all of its citizens will be less traumatized than it already is. The Republicans only seem to care about staying in power no matter what damage is done. The Republicans just don't care. The President just doesn't care. The Democrats may appear to be acting cowardly in not instigating impeachment proceedings, but they DO seem to care and understand what the impact of impeachment will be.
6
The imperial presidency actually began with George W. Bush. And it will die with Donald J. Trump. However, he may take all of us down with him if we don’t fight fire with fire. Be the Bern 2020!
3
The Democrats should stop telegraphing their punches.
3
If Americans cherish their freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution, Americans must protect their democracy! Donald Trump and the Republicans want to destroy it and put the American people in bondage and servitude. Americans must protect their democracy!
2
What I think is the most dangerous and foolish part of Blow’s article (and there are many) is his assumption that he knows the mind of Trump’s base. Many of them are not bound to Trump the man as much as Trump the flawed but necessary hero figure fighting for the truth against the corrupt DC bureaucracy. That the media/democrat party establishment is using illegal FISA warrants, nonsensical citations of contempt, and illegal leaks, to further its unjust aims to reverse the 2016 election only strengthens our resolve to see the perpetrators of this sham Trump-Russia investigation found out and brought to justice.
3
Mr. Blow, I disagree with your analysis on many levels. One important one is that you are talking about the wrong "horrendous precedent". The precedent that we need to vanquish forever is the one that lets a lying cheat born with a silver spoon in his mouth and zero experience as an elected official gain the presidency.
3
I can almost understand the drip drip drip to an autocracy when people take for granted the institutions and foundations that preserve a democracy based on “no one is above the law” and “equal justice for all” when the autocrat is competent and the goals - climate action, gun violence prevention, humane immigration policy - worthy. But I can’t understand how the most inept, unfit, corrupt, racist, misogynistic, mentally unstable, self-serving ignoramus is allowed to be the downfall. Maybe it is more than amassing a cabinet of criminals, maybe it is more than infecting complicity of Republican politicians who have made their bargain with the devil in order to be reelected. Maybe Trump really is blackmailing or extorting and otherwise corrupting these politicians. But clearly, they fear Trump in a way they didn’t fear Obama or Clinton. And one can only imagine what the Republicans would have done if Hillary Clinton had not been cheated out of election.
13
"I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy."
- Abraham Lincoln
11
Sadly Democrats aren’t up to defending our constitutional democracy.
America has always been a nation of innovators. This distinction has now migrated into the political realm. For the Trump Presidency isn't just an imperial Presidency. It's Fascism. Renovated to accommodate 21st century America. Fascism, that ingeniously enters like a sneak thief and slowly step by step steals away democracy and buries it. And presented with this the Democratic Party are faced with acknowledging and confronting a national crisis unprecedented in the American story. The 1970s and Watergate/Nixon offer up only tenuous analogies. Compared to what's going on now, Nixon and his crew look like a gang of juvenile delinquents.
6
Someone needs to write a sequel to "Profiles in Courage" entitled "Profiles in Cowardice" highlighting the cowards in the Republican Party who are afraid to risk their seats in confronting this president. Trump is in total control of the Republican base, and any republican who criticizes Trump will lose that base in the next primary round. Sad indeed.
7
Instead of talking about impeachment, Democrats should be talk about breaking up the country. We’re never going to make progress if we have the millstone of the red states dragging us down. Frankly, as a blue state resident, I’m sick and tired of having to subsidize the Red Welfare states only to watch them try to turn this country in a Evangelical theocracy and an apartheid state.
Everyone knows that without subsidies from the blue states, the red states would like a third world country. I say it’s time to make that a reality.
6
We all knew this outcome way before now.
What wasn’t realized is that Mueller and Barr are both the orchestra leaders and we are watching in real-time as they set up another crooked election.
The last election before our civil war and or regional secession.
I have called it from the start of primary debates in 2015.
I contacted senators and tried to get some candidates to respond. I cited historical data and precedent and options to stop this train wreck.
I now realize we are the “ indentured” led by the “corporates . “Our “elected reps” is now a symbolic gesture. They do not represent constituents in states in communities. And our next endless war will be starting right before trump’s July 4th obscenity.
3
Wait till Trump name Ivanka the Secretary of State. He will also name his Don Jr the Secretary of the Interior and then inoculate him in Executive Privilege.
1
King? No. Ruthless dictator? Yes.
2
Well Charles, there is doubt about whether he obstructed justice. So much so that Mueller didn't refer him for prosecution. There is also evidence that the democrat party pursued and paid foreigners to interfere in the election with the Steele dossier. On could also say that the democrat party invites foreign interference in our election by supporting illegal aliens voting in our country. Finding 800 former prosecutors who are liberals to agree with you doesn't make them anymore correct than your bad judgement. What I here from you is that he committed an obvious crime, name it. Not just obstruction by the actual act and when it was committed. What you have now is just your feelings about him, nothing more.
4
History shows in similar regimes that the trump supporters have the most to lose as they blindly drink the kool aid.
3
I think the term “owning a lib” mirrors a slave owner mentality... it’s meant to denigrate and demean, to de-humanize. This is where radical conservatives live.
1
Republican power, and that of Trump, is derived by what it can get away with. There was once a time where no one dare refuse a subpoena for fear of backlash. Now, it is a political strength not to comply with the law, and this is how bad things are.
Republicanism has socially engineered conservatism into a Machiavellian monstrosity where the end is the means and all is justified. It claims a moral ascendancy by purporting, for example, to protect an unborn foetus, a gift from their God. But, subsequent to birth, if the babe is of a lower social class, the protectors turn predators, denigrating that previously miraculous existence into a trial of resilience against the odds. As Rousseau said, “Man is born free, yet, everywhere he is in chains.” He must have meant the working and middle class man, or plebeian Trump supporter.
The trouble is, America’s history shows her to be vulnerable to tyranny. The vision of Jefferson and Franklin of an enlightened state has been supplanted by notions of Manifest Destiny and American Dream. Both are nebulous and fantastical notions that emanate from the freedom to aspire higher while finishing lower in the majority of cases. This is the American status quo: some can prosper through hard work, others can buy college admission, most, despite their best efforts, are suppressed through wage slavery that stifle destinies and dreams.
In Trump’s anarchy, things can only get worse.
210
@Marcus Brant ~
Your comment is superb!
10
So well stated! Thank you!
5
@Marcus Brant
Well stated. Trump must be out if office by the most expedient method possible. The America that I once knew has been degraded and eroded time and time again by Trump and his band of so called Republicans. A huge thank you to Charles Blow for his continuing and outspoken truth.
6
The degree of corruption and lack of statesmanship is appalling on both sides of the aisle in congress. The political posturing by congressmen, whose concerns are to do the bidding of the plutocratic system that keeps them in place, is also sickening. Trump is obviously defective and destructive to the office of president and other institutions or our republic yet everyone wrings their hands, confused about how to confront the issues or, worse, deny that there is a problem. That Trump has consistently the lowest approval rating of any president since Roosevelt is of little consequence as congress' approval rating is, rightly much lower than his. Both he and the congress have abandoned the key requirement of their oaths of office, to defend the constitution and fulfill their offices with integrity. It is bad enough to have a president who has more in common with the Kardashians than he does with a president even as poor as Nixon or Carter, but it is worse when the congress appear to be his followers or trolls on Twitter.
86
Well said. Thank you!
1
@Zinkler. Please explain "Nixon and Carter" mentioned in the same sentence.
5
@Zinkler
Was Carter a bad president or was he doomed due to Nixon's policies? It was Nixon that removed us from the gold standard that gave rise to unchecked inflation as the markets adjusted, for example. Reagan also sabotaged the Iran hostage negotiations to get elected.
5
The Democrats know that impeaching Trump is a wasted effort, the GOP Senate will never convict him. The maxim - keep your powder dry - applies. Yes, he infuriates any who believe in checks and balances. But, his time WILL come to an end. Then, and only then, will we be able to take back the country. That his supporters are blind to his ways astounds us. It means we MUST redouble our efforts to avoid his re-election in 2020. While some are fearful of Biden being the nominee, I believe he will appeal to centrists in a way that progressives are unable to.
2
As much as I despise Donald Trump, what's happening today actually reveals how frail our "checks and balances" system really is. All this talk about an "imperial president" avoids the obvious: such a thing would not be possible if we had actual, legally-binding rules. Turns out that most of our "checks and balances" was just a gentleman's agreement. While we work to vote Donald trump out of office in 2020, we need to focus the same energy on codifying the rules of separation of powers.
3
Impeachment would be an empty exercise as McConnell could just ignore it, like he did with Garland's SCOTUS nomination. There is nothing in the Constitution that makes a Senate trial mandatory.
3
I very clearly recall that liberals were thrilled when President Obama declared that he would end-run Congress and rule with his "phone and a pen."
Until President Trump does something like that, this talk of "Imperial Presidents" is more overwrought pearl-clutching.
6
@Liberty hound
hm... like declaring a national emergency to circumvent Congress clear refusal to give him money for a wall?
3
Why do we have two dozen democrats all running fro presidency? It was very valid point raised in previous article...
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/10/opinion/sunday/senate-democrats-trump.html
The Senate Is as Much of a Problem as Trump
If Democrats don’t do something about it, winning the presidency in 2020 won’t be enough, by Jamelle Bouie.
It would make much more sense for them to concentrate on the Senate race, where if we don't get enough seats, nothing could be ever done.
Isn't time to switch focus on a Senate, where McConnell and the rest are the biggest obstacles for sane government.
3
Benjamin Franklin's original proposal for the Great Seal of the United States of America included the following motto:
"Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God"
Thomas Jefferson liked it so much, he used it for his personal seal.
back then the tyrant was the king of England. who thought that someday, the tyrant would be the president? nobody anticipated the current circumstances.
2
"Trump may well become the first American king, lawless and unaccountable, by default, by an overall political paralysis." No, FDR did this with his court packing plan in the late 1930's. FDR virtually destroyed any true meaning of the Commerce Clause and turned SCOTUS into a political animal, instead of the unbiased court it is supposed to be. Yet, the left sings FDR's praised. Mr. Blow should right an op-ed on how FDR destroyed the Constitution by threatening to pack the Supreme Court.
2
In five years, all Trump's supporters will claim they saw through him, didn't support his power moves and were patriotic all along.
3
An acquaintance I know - all through the W years ( support for Iraq wars, and W) and the Obama years ( anti muslim 'jokes', what an 'imperial' president he is, how awful liberal policies are etc) was livid with liberals. He couches everything behind his religion or so he claims. He has been very silent throughout trump by the way.
Well a few years ago I finally asked him " how do you see the world if it were the way you envision? What does it look like?" he couldnt answer clearly.
America as it is today is the answer to that question - the country is what the Republicans and religious conservatives always wanted and dreamed of - an attack on everything that is social progress, helpful to the poor and the underserved, mean spirited and self absorbed.
Welcome to Republican America
5
I think we've all been exposed to that out of control brat who rules his parents and wreaks havoc in his home and public places as his parents whine and complain about threats they never unleash. Those parents are afraid to discipline their kid as they prefer the path of least resistance and hope that eventually their kid will stop his bad behavior. "Don't do that". "Your're going to get in trouble if you do it again". "I'm warning you; this is the last time." "I'm going to punish you just wait and see." These empty threats actually embolden the child. He has heard them all before, and he's figured out that his parents are whining push overs, who would never lay a hand on him. So, he continues to wreak havoc, never adopting appropriate behavior or learning to respect norms, laws, and policies. That person is now in the WH. Congress is his parents, and it's past time they teach him a lesson he will never, ever forget. Impeach!
5
Correct on all counts. Pelosi is wrong here.
There is NOTHING as powerful as FOX/Sinclair. The Democrats cannot compete with this 24/7 State News.
If they do not wake up and follow Elizabeth Warren instead of Joe Biden, we are all in deep deep trouble.
Keep up the good work, sir. If I were a billionaire, I would buy a full page ad in every newspaper in the country and publish your column every time it appears.
2
If impeachment in the House will not result in removal of Trump by the Senate (see: McConnell; see: Merrick Garland; see: 'case closed'), then what is the rush to impeach? The House Democrats are not fearful they are cautious. With 90% of Republicans deluded into believing that the Mueller investigation found no evidence of criminal behavior (see: craven AG Barr), only Democrats and Independents are paying attention to anything but Hannity and Carlsen. Let Mueller testify and then introduce Articles of Impeachment. If a bad guy is digging himself a hole, keep handing him shovels. Don't throw him a lifeline. Trump excels at being a victim but is a lousy winner. Let him keep thinking he is winning until Mueller has his day at an open hearing. The center will hold.
3
Consider the question asked of Benjamin Franklin as he emerged from the 1787 Constitutional Convention: "Well, Doctor Franklin, what have we got -- a republic or a monarchy?" "A republic," replied the Doctor, "If you can keep it.”. We owe it to our children and grandchildren to fight, to impeach this president. Even if the Senate doesn't vote to convict him, we will have begun the work to keep the Republic.
2
Me. Blow, perhaps you go overboard. The people elected Trump to execute the government and that is what he does. The chief executive was never intended to be an instrument of the congress and certainly not an instrument of the press, regardless of how much the press would like that. Take a deep breath and recognize how the government of the US actually works.
3
place the blame on mcconnell, miller, sarah, kellyann, and anyone else with daily access. ivanka, jared, etc. they enable this dismantling of the constitution.
2
If we do end up with King Donald it will be thanks to those who have stood silently while some men, in pursuit of their own ends, trashed what was formerly our free nation.
The will of the people?
Not!
3
It is not imperialism, it is authoritarianism - the power to bully. That’s why a minority of Republicans can bully the party, local and state governments, and now the country. No rhyme or reason, just the philosophy that to strong arm is to lead.
4
Impeachment is not about punishing the president, it is about defending the republic. Punishment, if it is called for, comes later. When the president is no longer the president he can be indicted, convicted, and punished if there is evidence that he has committed crimes. Impeachment is the tool the constitution provides to congress as a defense against a president who wields his power unjustly, unconstitutionally, undemocratically, and against the interests of the nation and its people. It allows the removal of a president who has become a threat to the nation he is sworn to protect. We all need to stop talking about impeachment as punishment recognize it as an act of self defense.
11
The USA of old is gone, along with its Electoral College, gerrymandered districts, guns-galore and politically-assigned "Supreme" Court.
Time for the enlightened "blue" states to secede. Let the Fox-maligned red states drown in their own backwaters. The Blue states know how to care for their own.
5
@Kenneth Brady
No taxation without representation. We in blue states drive the economy and pay more in taxes than we get in federal spending, subsidizing the small conservative states even as we have far less representation in the Senate, in the Electoral College, and even in the House.
1
I actually agree with many of Trump's policies but he is such a disgusting person that i will vote against him in the upcoming election.
7
Nancy Pelosi should be placed in a room alone, and this article should be read to her over and over until it sinks in.
7
A sitting president must be indictable for the simple reason that to codify otherwise encourages a lawless president to stay in office to stay out of jail.
20
That's what impeachment is for.
@Tim Scott, Caesar crossed the Rubicon and overthrew the Republic precisely because he had committed illegal acts during his consulate for which he was certain to be indicted when his term expired, and would, by law, have had to leave the army behind when he came to Rome to face charges.
I don't understand you, Mr. Blow. You list the percentage of Republicans who still support the charlatan crook-in-chief and you chide Nancy Pelosi for being too timid. WHAT, exactly, do you want the Democrats to do to hold Trump accountable? I read your opinion and at the very end was expecting to her your suggestions for holding Trump accountable. WELL? What is your proposal? HOW do you expect Trump to be impeached when the mindless minions that call themselves Republicans support him and enable him as they do? I'm sick and tired of reading op-ed's like this that tell me exactly what I already know but don't have ONE IOTA of insight as to what can be done to put an end to the madness! If all you can do is complain, you're taking up valuable space on the pages that I'm paying to subscribe to where I want to hear something NEW, not a rehash of the same every day in and out, in and out.....
13
@ManhattanWilliam - The House can impeach the President. It does not need the Senate's approval for that. The Senate may or may not convict, but before we get to that point there will be a trial at which the President himself will be called to testify. It will be a game changer, and perhaps it won't cure our ills, but it will certainly make them plain for all to see.
4
@Mark, Andrew Johnson was impeached by the House and failed of conviction in the Senate by one vote. Result: the next generation of presidents (except Grant) were so wary of trying to substitute for the legislature in making law that we unfairly call them the "do-nothing" presidents for executing and obeying it instead. (Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Benjamin Harrison and Cleveland.
I'm wondering at what point Americans will actually grasp that their beloved system of governance is, in fact, a sham. There is a profound arrogance at the heart of Most Americans' pride in their democracy. They take it as a given that their system is superior. The Constitution is revered, as are the founders. Nothing feels more natural to them than America being the democratic example to the world. When will reality penetrate this myth?
America! You have elevated a sad and pathetic loser to the highest office in the land. He has been shown to be the single biggest money loser among all individual taxpayers in the country for multiple years. He has been involved in over four thousand lawsuits! His routine business practice has been to pay pennies on the dollar for completed work and challenge the shorted entity to sue. Every single thing about the man screams huckster, and you voted him president.
Now, obviously unable to withstand any real scrutiny, he is simply ignoring his constitutional duty and...wait for it...nothing is happening. Co-equal branches? Checks and balances? It turns out the entire thing is dependent on the oval office holder having a capacity for shame. Trump is a narcissist - he doesn't do shame.
Witness the epic absurdity of today's Washington. An orange painted, extravagantly coifed ignoramus with hubris to burn simply says no to oversight and America's vaunted system wilts like unwatered flowers.
25
sad to say a lot of my fellow boomers are on the trump train. I remember as kids we felt sorry for people living in the USSR and under dictatorships. it is clear that many of my generation never realized how these things come to pass. I think many just thought there must be something wrong with "the people"..... maybe they were right? they just never thought, nor do they think now, that it could happen to them.
10
"Weimar Republic."
Look it up. Read and learn.
"The only thing new in the world is the history you don't know."
- Harry S. Truman
9
@Dave
Given DJT's interpretation of HST--"the buck stops everywhere"--he might append that quote with..."but that doesn't mean you need to know it now".
Every time I think your political views reach maximum hyperbole, you exceed the limits once again. If everything is a 10, nothing is a 10. Your words stop carrying the weight you want, a readers stop caring.
4
I’m still looking to see what all the fuss is about.
The Democrats in the house still want to investigate the Republican President, his family, and his 3rd grade teacher to find something to attack him about.
The Republicans in the Senate want to investigate the Democrats to proves the Democrats investigation of the Republican President is all partisan politics to overturn the election.
For almost all Americans the country seems to be working about the same as always. Illegal aliens are still harbored by the liberals and depress wages for the rich to increase profits. Both the Republicans and Democrats continue to support a bloated War Department. Both the Republicans and Democrats continue to take their marching orders from the rich and the corporations. The NYT continues to focus on attacking men, especially white men, and pontificating endlessly about how women and minorities are external victims of the big bad western culture - even though it’s the big bad western culture that provides the social and economic freedom to attack the culture.
Another day, another ludicrously shallow attack on the President.
5
What legislative tactics are Democrats using to pass legislation that will be of benefit to those not in the upper echelon's of finance and power but will benefit those struggling to make ends meet due to unfair wage systems? What about taking the issue of infrastructure, so much a part of his platform, away from him and making it their own. It s so badly needed, use the tariff dollars to build the infrastructure program that Trump has ignored, not even talked about. Grab the reins from him as he has tried and succeeded in taking credit for everything else. Be better as his game: isn't that the way most challengers are taken down?? T
4
Legislation has been proffered for higher minimum wage, higher teacher salary, immigration reform, maintaining food stamps, family health care, a comprehensive bill just two weeks ago to protect pre-existing conditions and - as you noted - an attempt for a bi-partisan infrastructure plan with the president.
2
@Raelene You do understand that Democrats in the House can pass all the legislation they want and Mitch McConnell in the Senate will simply sit on it?
4
@Raelene
The tariff dollars that the American people are paying out of their pockets, China is NOT paying any of the tariffs. The tariffs are a tax levied by trump to pay for his giant tax cut for the wealthy and the corporations.
2
Trump thinks that he has overthrow of the US government within his reach.
Is this how the country dies?
9
We've been down this road before. The refusal to prosecute Dubya for massive war crimes, or Wall Street for massive financial crimes, has emboldened the oligarchs beyond measure. Heck, Obama emulated both behaviors. First he placed a money whisperer from Wall Street in charge at Treasury, the same guy who ran the New York Fed in the run-up to the greatest financial catastrophe in world history. Then Barack set the record for an official state of war, eight full years. We also lost all the legislatures and governorships in the Bible Belt, without one word of protest from the presidential bully-pulpit. .... George Bush started a war from the bully-pulpit, with no evidence whatsoever, and he isn't half the speaker Obama is. What a waste of eight crucial years.
The populist anger over this cowardice then gave us Trump, because the Clintons shut down Bernie in the Michigan and Ohio and Pennsylvania primaries. With friends like the Clintons and the Obamas, I do not require enemies. .... " 'Twas the Tweedles who did us in, Dum and Dee.' "
America is not becoming something she never was. America is revealing who she always was, and still is.
12
@Mark Buckley
Outstanding post! Spot on! The Dems have been complicit for years. Nancy Pelosi, the same Speaker who now refuses to go after Trump, was also the one who took Dubya's impeachment "off the table." She's not a smart, savvy operator, she's a corporate shill, just as Hillary was.
2
@Mark Buckley I share your views on the obamas years..... 6 months into his presidency I knew we'd been had. I am amazed at how many people still fawn over him. his weakness allowed so many bad things to flourish. I heard him interviewed recently and he said these words "Michelle was the first one to realize the symbolic power of the presidency"..... can you believe that? Harvard should refund his tuition and make reparations to the rest of us if we ever get out of our current troubles.
3
@Mark Buckley I share your views on the obamas years..... 6 months into his presidency I knew we'd been had. I am amazed at how many people still fawn over him. his weakness allowed so many bad things to flourish. I heard him interviewed recently and he said these words "Michelle was the first one to realize the symbolic power of the presidency"..... can you believe that? Harvard should refund his tuition and make reparations to the rest of us if we ever get out of our current troubles.
1
Speaking of Caligula: I wonder what the Senate Republicans think that their role is going to be *after* Trump becomes President-for-Life? Do they think they will still "advise and consent" in the new fascist republic?
8
From my perspective Trump is already the first King of the US, mad Donald the first. We can only imagine the winning once Queen Ivan takes the throne. All the while the treasonous quisling Republicans scurry around and steal our freedoms and enrich themselves and their owners.
True democracy in the US has been waning for a very long time but now we should hold the wake because it is truly dead and buried.
5
And your solution is, Mr. Blow? Lots of viable facts here, but no solution presented, which weakens your argument. A rush to judgment is just what the GOP wants, as it plays into their hands. "Individual #1" knows this, too. Expedited leg al process is a much better choice.
1
Don't negotiate and renegotiate with the stonewalling Trump Administration. Act with power, you Democrats, and jail those who will not comply with your subpoenas.
Do not impeach, but use the best explainers to LAY OUT THE OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE DETAILS again and again in the media.
Hurry up with those other criminal cases and get this criminal out of the White House.
3
The presidency is what it is as per the constitution, nothing has changed. What is unprecedented? A phony and damning investigation, baseless obstruction charges, vicious attack on the AG, dozens of subpoenas dragging the President's family, his business transactions irrelevant to the office, and the cheerleading media.
What is our 'constitutional' crisis? An out of control and politically blind Congress with a single aim to destroy Trump and in turn the Presidency.
Trump may go, but the Presidency will forever change if Congress has its way. Not a bright idea.
3
@UpClose To answer just one of your claims, "baseless obstruction charges," click on the link cited in Blow's piece: a "letter posted online." But extracting and deprogramming people from cults is notoriously difficult; that you still think the way you do, so far into this presidency, suggests that your mind will never ever change.
1
Two thoughts:
Trump is not attempting to establish an imperial presidency or undermine our democratic republic. He isn't energetic or clever enough. He doesn't even know the "rules," so there is no plan or strategic purpose to his crudeness. He's a lifelong narcissist and bully, who has never cared about the rules and has gotten away with it. We're dealing with a stupid child, not an evil genius.
The reason Republicans look the other way as this marauding fool stomps through the country is money. Plain and simple. Many if not most GOP leaders in the Senate and House know that he is a fool. But his is their fool, they think they can use him to get a few political victories, and opposing him publicly might threaten the millions of dollars they've tucked away. They're all millionaires and will not bite the corrupt hand that feeds them.
A true citizen legislature would have ejected this clown months ago.
20
Talk is cheap. Ejecting Trump from office requires a massive, anti-Trump voter turn out. In the meantime, put his autocratic, selfish misgovernment on display for the U.S. public and the world to see by impeaching him
6
What good is a strong economy if we have a madman in the White House, masquerading as our president, who only cares about his own bottom line?
6
The only way we're going to save this country and our Democracy is to let Trump fail through his half-baked and idiotic policies. I pray every night that his base lose their farms, health care, companies. Is that mean? I hope the people chanting at his rallies are forced to spend an extra $800. a year for their consumer goods from China. The thought of Trump's supporters having to cancel their vacations when they realize Trumps tax refunds aren't coming, makes me laugh out loud. The deplorable who shouted "Shoot them!" in FL this weekend when Trump mentioned immigrants - may your wife need to abort your neighbor's child and no state will help her! You put him in office. You should now suffer the consequences. His greed and stupidity will shape your children's lives for decades to come. You brought this plague onto our great land, own it.
9
Hello out there in liberal land. Does it peek anyone's interest here that the duly elected president of the US was spied on and nearly overthrown by a corrupt justice department and FBI relying on a fabricated story produced by HRC and the DNC?
I think I hear crickets!!
After 2 years, $30mm your boy Mueller found him innocent of collusion and unable to move on obstruction.
Obstruction occurs in EVERY administration. Move on or lose in 2020.
2
I saw Trump collude with Russia, in Helsinki.
2
Forget the "imperial" stuff, Charles. If I have to look at his ducktail, fenders, and pelican gullet for 4 more years . . .
1
The Man of Lawlessness has been revealed. 2 The 2:9
1
The facts are out and they scream treason and obstruction of justice, not to mention blatant breach of the emoluments clause, and admitted tax fraud (to quote King trump: "I do it for "sport"". The Democrats had better gather themselves together and do their Constitutional duty and commence impeachment hearings today, otherwise there will be no Constitution left to defend and protect. trump is hosting Viktor Orban at the White House, where he was previously and properly shunned; he has fallen inlove with the murderous tyrant Kim Jung Il while Kim continues to tes missiles; he stands supine at the feet of the Saudi dictators while supplying them with bombs to wreak humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen; and he spurns and shuns our democratic allies, Canada, Britain, France and Germany (!!!). trump has made it more than clear he will obstruct any further investigations (that tells you everything about how guilty he is) The facts necessary to impeach are set out in full detail in the Mueller Report. Are the Democrats in Congress going to sit their and fiddle while Rome burns? Let's pray that it not the case.
3
Forget Game of Thrones. The battle for the soul of America is real. If Democrats continue to behave as though norms and conventions still matter, America loses. Trump is who he’s always been: a narcissist, a bully, a feckless leader, a shameless liar, We know he’s the creation of Fred Trump, Roy Cohn, and P.T. Barnum. But he’s more. He’s the abyss. Devoid of compassion, energized by incitement of our worst fears and impulses. At the bottom of his soul lies a loveless infant with the power to destroy democracy, decency, perhaps humanity itself. Read Scripture! Read Shakespeare! Tolkien! J.K. Rowling! How many historical metaphors do people need to see what’s in plain sight? For God’ sake, Democrats, DO SOMETHING!
Even if it’s wrong, it’s right.
7
Will America end and become an autocracy controlled by Trump, McConnell, Lindsey Graham, and the other complicit Republicans, or will America survive with Trump, McConnell, Graham and complicit Republicans facing the consequences of obstruction, and more?
That is the question.
5
I'm glad Blow is on this side of the debate. The framing of the republic's drift toward monarchy is still rare, though. The "imperial presidency" is a term brought in by Arthur Schlesinger in the 1960s when the problem was not in its infancy. In a 1983 book, "The End of Kings," I brought the problem back at least to Andrew Jackson's removal of U.S. Treasury funds from the Bank of the United States. He had to fire two successive Treasury Secretaries to get there until finally the third, Roger B. Taney, was willing to do the job. Congress officially censured Jackson, who was reelected and the next Congress erased the censure motion from Congress's journals, which counts as the first victory of the "imperial presidency" over Congress. (Jackson, BTW, rewarded Taney with nomination to Chief Justice and thus became indirectly responsible for the Dred Scott Decision.) The second victory of the imperial executive, I'd say, was "Mr. Pope's War" against Mexico which one-term Illinois Congressman Abraham Lincoln tried unsuccessfully to expose as a war of aggression and was thus defeated for re-election. The imperial executive was indeed set back by Congress once, the Reconstruction Congress had the 2/3 majority necessary to override President Johnson's repeated vetoes and even though the Senate was one vote short of convicting him on impeachment, the next generation of presidents were wary of trying to beat the legislature at lawmaking.
4
I say forget impeachment as I believe it will fail thangs to mitch and the GOP and cost the DEMs the 2020 election. Sure trump is a crook and guilty as he looks. The big way to make him pay is to be certain the DEMs win big in local, state and federal elections in 2020 and set him up that the second he leaves office the cuffs go on.
5
"An Imperial Presidency?"
Why the question mark?
6
Democrats are bending over backwards to seem fair and accommodating, as if the Republicans who support Trump are going to notice or care. They, too, want to run out the clock. How many more times is Jerry Nadler going to impotently wag his finger and say, in his best Jimmy Stewart voice, “Why, I’m gonna wag my finger at you again so you better be scared!” before our democracy is gone?
8
I have friends in other nations from Canada to much of Western Europe to New Zealand. And the one thing that all ask is this: “what the f____ is wrong with your county?”
Sadly, the answers are too complex and make for terrible dinner conversation.
As one put it, her voice wrought with stress, “America is dead.”
4
I just finished the editorial about the end of Life on Earth. Then
I read Charles Blow's editorial about the possibility of Trump becoming the first American king. I suppose it isn't so pathetic when you consider the end of the world. I mean, who cares?,
4
I will take the risk. Anything is better than totalitarian socialism that results from electing Democrats.
@Rick LaBonte, What an extraordinary assertion! First of all, you'd know it if Democrats (or any other party) had established totalitarian socialism (Communism) here. OTOH, maybe you have a particular grievance and think it's "totalitarian socialism" that has injured you. But democratic socialism or socialism of any kind is not what we have. We got close during the New Deal and World War 2, and the government not only expanded public ownership of capital, it even took some capital away from private owners. But the Business Right managed to reverse the socialist trend in the second half of the 20th century, so that now we've almost forgotten what "antitrust" means and are hostile to any "regulation" of private business—these two being the non-socialist remedies against control of our society by business instead of the people.
Trump won’t behave the way you want. Hooray!
@M, This forum of my fellow citizens is not behaving the way YOU want. Hooray!
1
Well, usually a flock of sheep follows a wether. It happens/ed in Germany, Italy, Spain and Russia and other countries. A leader gives the sheep courage and with him they feel secure. Until the wolves arrive.
2
The US is not a democracy. It is an oligarchy, a plutocracy, governed by the electoral college, forcing the will of the minority on the majority. The Senate is a joke. Trump lost the popular vote, like he lost in business. But the game is rigged in favor of such losers. His personal bankruptcy is now our national one. Impeach in the House, and convict in the Senate!
3
@RC, But a "joke" Senate won't do what the Senate did in 1973-74, indicate to a President that it would put the Senate above the Presidency (and their Parties). This Senate will do what the Roman Senate did in the first century, name Octavianus Caesar "Princeps" (Prince) and "Augustus" (Majesty) and "Divus" (god).
Please remind me why and what the United States was was founded upon.
2
The country burns while the frail Democrats fiddle. Where have real heroes gone?
3
At least we can now be certain that all of the Republican flag-waving and gassing on about the beloved constitution and the rule of law never meant a single thing. As many of us suspected, it was never anything but plastic patriotism, meant to control the masses and hand all wealth and power to corporations. If we do not fight these people they will burn American democracy right down to the ground and never look back. And time is short to stop them because they have already degraded our government almost beyond recognition and put a "useful idiot" in the White House.
6
Regarding impeachment,Trump is saying please don't throw me into the first patch.
All Trump has done is pull the curtain back. The country has been in complete control of corporations at least since Citizens United. It's over. We're an oligarchy governed by a crude, distasteful autocrat and there's not much to be done at this late date. We've got the worse health care in the industrialized world, voter suppression is routine, women are gender slaves, a failing infrastructure is normalized, public education standards in the ditch. We kill each other as if it were a recreational pastime. Our wars are endless and ignored. The rich pay almost no taxes with the approval of the overtaxed middle and working class. Trump's a problem, sure. He's a rough beast compared to the smooth Obama. At least with Barry, we could hold on to our illusions. Time's up, America. Trump R Us.
5
@Jaden Cy, As a historian, I have to agree with this analysis. But before Citizens United there was Buckley vs Vallejo and before that there was soon-to-be-Justice Lewis Powell's blueprint to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce about how to reverse the socialist New Deal. And before that... well.
There was a successful effort worth remembering in the 1890s through the 1930s to get private enterprise under the control of the people. It involved antitrust and regulation rather than government expropriation of capital, and it was called Progressivism. The Business Right has pretty well gotten rid of those remedies.
@William Everdell thanks William... Agree.
I despise Trump, but I will give him credit for exposing our Democracy for the weakness that it is. Our leaders of both parties have put themselves above country for decades. No none was minding the store. The Democrats in the House haven't done their jobs for so long and are just now trying to figure out their role as the checks and balances branch of government. How sad that it took Trump's autocratic behavior to finally wake up our elected officials to this level of danger. Trump the grifter, is steamrolling the American people and the Democrats were not prepared for it. Shame on the American people for letting our politicians bamboozle and fleece us as they line their pockets.
2
Resposability of GOP senators is overwhelming, They are betraying the constitution they are supposed to protect . But Democrats have to speaks loudly about all the lies , the misleadings this bully of preident is telling. Over and over pouding the truth on social medias: use the tools he use himself!
2
Blow accurately highlights the complete and utter spinelessness of Pelosi and Schumer as Democratic leaders.
Impeachment proceedings should have started long ago, but these two are completely bought and sold and are leading the Democratic Party down the road of perpetual whimpishness.
Winners stand up to evil without fear—that’s why, to this day, we revere Dr. King. Overwhelming evil must be defeated by overwhelming goodness. We should not, we cannot not, ever let in-your-face criminality, which masks that never-ending quest for white supremacy, win, neither here nor abroad.
Clearly, Pelosi and Schumer are utterly ill equipped to face this war for America’s soul.
I have zero hope in their leadership, but I do know “the hour is getting late.”
2
@Michael V. Oneal, No, not bought, I think, just scared of a backfire as Blow says.
Donald Trump is a crook who has managed to avoid prosecution at least 4 times
1. Securities fraud. His pump and dump schemes in the late 80s. These were not harmless technical violations. The people who bought stock in the companies that was supposedly trying to take over lost real money when those shares tanked
2. Tax fraud. As the times reported he and his family cooked up a phony invoicing scheme to evade estate taxes. It may also have been a crime under NY law to justify phony rent increases
3. Bank fraud. See Michael Cohens testimony
4. Statutory and common law fraud. His lies about Trump “university” fraudulently separated students from their money
Finally, as the op ed points out, the Muller report practically screams out in its careful lawyerly way, that Trump obstructed justice. That is why 800 prosecutors are telling us that he did
8
Trump will never leave willingly, you are more likely to have a civil war than for him to give up his crown in the next six years. So close to being Venezuela and you cannot see what is in front of your eyes. He laughs at subpoenas and will call his base to arms. He is simply the sign of an already doomed society. We will all be dragged down into an ultimate tragedy because of one sick man.
2
@Dave We will all be brought down not just by one sick man, but more seriously damaging, by a GOP Senate majority. These senators, especially Mitch McConnell, are so determined to push their horrible right wing agenda and perverse values that they vow to win at all costs, including ignoring all the damage worldwide their surprise gift puppet president is inflicting.
Dems and everyone outside the GOP should put all their time and money and personal effort into ousting GOP senators so they lose their majority. This is the only way we can start to rebuild our democracy and restore and protect the values this country used to stand for. Taking back the Senate in 2020 (and holding the House) is much more important than preventing a Trump re-election.
An imperial presidency? More like an imperial nation, at least since the McKinley regime, and really back to the founding (Jefferson's complaint in the declaration of independence that King George was preventing white settlers from crossing the
1
@stuart, Since McKinley, maybe, but remember that McKinley's war on Spain and later on the Filipino Independentistas was opposed by some very eloquent voices in the Senate, which still thought it had a role to play in foreign policy.
Not incidentally, the role war plays in the growth of the imperial presidency is principal and goes back at least to Polk's neutralization of Congress by starting a war of aggression with Mexico, and if not, then back to President Washington's war against the Miami, Shawnee and Delaware confederacy in Ohio, which convinced Congress to create the first standing United States Army. Secretary Seward would have had the new President Lincoln declare war on Britain to cathect the threat of Civil War.
There is no deal to be made withnRepublicans we just have to beat them. Susan Collins has to be beaten. Stacy abrams needs to reconsider. We need the White House and the Senate.
2
Sad to say, we have an Imperial President.
We also have an Imperial Congress.
Worse, we have an Imperial Press of Provacative Pundits.
"Compromise" starts with "Co" which means "together."
You, sirrah, are no compromiser....shame on ALL of us!
You got it wrong..."Trump may well become the first American king"...Putin is already the first Russian President of the United States of America....
2
History has seen a lot; Trump is nothing new. He is a 21st-century rendition of Caligula.
Caligula was an unfit, deluded, narcissistic emperor with no checks holding him back. But society eventually produces its own checks when faced with a monster. Everyone eventually meets their reckoning. Even Caligula.
1
The definition of an Imperial Presidency is the following statement: "I've got a pen to take executive actions where Congress won't, and I've got a telephone to rally folks around the country on this mission." Do you know who said it, Charles?
1
@Everett No, the definition of an imperial presidency is the president obstructing investigations of his actions and getting away with it.
You are right but we should consider the prospect that a majority of our citizens in our democracy are indifferent. Even in our Revolution the people were not engaged as much as we would like to think. It is leaders who move the people and today it is not "Common Sense" or "Publius", nor even Walter Cronkite, but facebook and twitter, that move those 50% that are willing to vote. The great recession scared a lot of people and T had become a Jerry Falwell, attracting the disaffected, scared and likely superstitious people who found goblins all over the place. Republicans have watched the GOP (Grand Old Party) fall completely into the hands of the demagogue, with the Southern Strategy of veiled prejudice they had used so effectively.
What we see is that democracy is actually fragile, because it is an uphill battle. Monarchy is easy, just follow the leader. This may not be a big crisis, or it may be a great victory for the Russians (and others) who want us to fall apart. It would be snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Democrats should understand that the very word "liberal" is hated by what are now Trump's "conservatives" and need to redefine the core not the periphery of what their argument is, to counter this march toward authoritarian rule. Hitler killed Jews, but before that he was an authoritarian Fascist who lead the fearful people who felt their world was broken. Dems must fight smarter and R's must find their honor. Division is T's friend and our enemy.
4
This editorial is an apt and accurate description of where we are.
It is totally unacceptable because Blow makes no attempt at a solution or even a suggested approach.
Impeachment is not enough. We are clearly in a Second Civil War. The Republicans, whether they are in Congress or Civilians, represent the new Confederacy. It’s that simple. We have been fighting this since the first Civil War. I won’t be surprised if this grows into more violences with Neighbors or business colleagues. How can it not? When you realize the person you’re talking to is inherently a believer in a dictatorship, and supports all the evil that that represents: the labeling of “others“ as the root of all problems, lying is the new truth, extreme narcissism, racism, tribalism. Really how can you stand for that? If you don’t stop it now what will you do when they come for you? Because you’re black, or gay, or Mexican, or Jewish. This is far more than a constitutional crisis.
5
The Imperial Presidency starts in 2020 when the election results are thrown out.
1
An Imperial Presidency without of course an imperial presence at its head. Only a scamming con-artist pretending to be a leader.
As trump plays his reindeer games precious time is running out to do something about the real problems. Time has been kind to the horrendous G.W. Bush - will this same happen with this disastrous administration?
2
And if/when Trump becomes “King Donald I,” Vladimir Putin will be not just President of Russia, but also “America’s Kingmaker.”
1
Support for Trump from Republicans shows the bottom-line thinking of those who enjoy power in our government at the present time. If they continue-- in spite of the overwhelming evidence to the contrary--to support the con man in the "White" House, all must more strongly support the Democrats in their opposition. Too many consider this entire episode of Trump as a tv show, a game, and just consider winning. Yes, running the USA a big trophy, certainly, but we who pride ourselves on the history of our nation, the US Constitution, our Statute of Liberty, and the many ideals of our nation have completely lost sight of all that if Trump continues.
Pelosi, Nadler and Schiff's strategy to build a case for the court of public opinion and then vote Trump out in 2020 is faulty at best and putting politics above duty at worst.
Faulty: There is no way to win over Trump's base. You can't teach rocks to read. That leaves thinkers. That group either knows the dangers of Trump or, will if Dems in Congress forcefully and succinctly lay out their case in impeachment hearings. Why not present a case without impeachment? The only way to secure needed witnesses and documents, we now know, is through the impeachment process. Subpoenas are doing nothing but filling up WH waste baskets.
Duty: The Constitution mandates impeachment when the facts so dictate. It does not mandate taking actions that are only politically expedient. Only the GOP handbook does that.
It should be the GOP fearing impeachment. Put their shredding of the rule of law on full display. If competently handled by Dems, it will force GOP pols having to explain violating their oaths of office back home.
6
@James J: The Democrats already know that if they vote for the impeachment of Donald Trump, the Republicans in the Senate will NOT convict him. No matter what. It does not matter what Trump did, what he does now, and what he will do in the future. The Republicans want him. They control 2-1/2 branches of the government. Trump is their useful idiot, drawing attention away from them while they pass increasingly regressive legislation.
If Trump were impeached and NOT convicted, he would become invincible. He would wrap himself in the flag, proclaim "total vindication," and cruise to a landslide victory in 2020. If impeachment were to take place AFTER the 2020 election, Trump would claim victimhood--and his base would buy it. Worst of all, if Trump were to refuse to leave office after the 2020 or 2024 elections--HIS BASE WOULD BACK HIM UP.
Trump voters WANT an imperial Presidency. They don't care about democracy. They care about what's in their paycheck, "sticking it to the libs," and getting rid of "those people." Trump is the primal scream President of old, angry, white males who see the changing demographics of this country (more women, African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Muslims, LGBTQ, etc.) and shout, "NO! This is OUR country, not yours!"
The people who voted for Trump are frighteningly stupid. They actually thought that a reality TV game-show host with NO prior elected experience would "make it all better" for them. They are immune to logic and evidence.
Mr Blow, I am always impressed by the way you break things down. I believe that the speaker definitely needs to understand that sometimes you you just have to get ugly with folks. The time for respect is over.
10
Oh, things aren't all that bad. Trump's bumbling attempts to derail investigations haven't been very effective, and compared to Nixon, his crimes are small potatoes. And Pelosi wisely recognizes the reality: impeachment in the House will be followed by acquittal in the Senate, Trump's base will be inflamed, and Trump gets re-elected. And yes, Trump is dishonest crass, incompetent, ignorant. And that's what a majority of voters in states with an Electoral College majority voted for. And I suggest C. Blow read today's piece about torture in Syrian prisons: that is what oppression and dictatorship look like, not endless childish tweets from a buffoon.
1
Trump in his mind is already a King . But in reality it is worse than that since he is actually a mad king . The real problem our country confronts is the madness of King Donald . If he loses the election he may refuse to leave office in 2020 claiming the election was rigged . God knows what he may do in the remaining of his first term . If he gains a second term America will never be the same . We are in a deeper hole than we recognize .
5
The House needs to start using their inherent contempt of Congress and start arresting these unlawful administration officials. Starting with Bill Barr, Steve Mnuchin, Don Mcghan, and the commissioner of the IRS. Until these people start to feel pain they will follow their pied piper and lead us over the cliff.
5
As long as Republicans command a majority in the Senate, impeachment is a loser. And every Trump win adds to his stature. The only real and lasting recourse is an overwhelming Democrat victory in 2020 followed by a Democratic majority in the Senate. Though all eyes remain focused on Donald Trump, the real problem is the rot that has consumed the Republican Party. Things won't get better until the Party of Trump has been consigned to permanent political oblivion.
5
Who's going to do the brave thing and leak his taxes, leak the full Mueller report, leak all the creepy glue between this guy and his foreign money sources? There's absolutely no way that no one has this stuff! Democrats: time for the gloves to come off. And why don't they shout from every tower and media platform about Mitch McConnell's wife, Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation--these are two completely soul-less sycophants totally bereft pf any conscience or any integrity. Her cabinet position was his payoff.
8
Charles Blow,
Well said!!! Trump is a clear and present danger to our country.
He is clearly unfit to be President; the longer he remains in office the more damage he will do. Every day he puts our democracy in greater peril.
The time to impeach him is here!!!
4
I have never seen an imperialist investigated for two years so its interesting that Charles uses that headline. Love reading these comments more that the article mainly because Mr. Blow is so predictable as are some of the comments. Does America do anything else but politics these days? Never met a crowd so consumed with this stuff. Hey did you see the shot Kawhi Leonard made?
1
Exactly, Mr. Blow....having said what you're saying here, though less eloquently, in this comment section for at least three weeks now, I'll just say it again - initiate impeachment proceedings, pronto! To see the House leadership sit on its hands is extremely painful, and looks to me like a dereliction of duty. Speaker Pelosi seems deluded on the matter, and this can only be attributed to some sort of Washington insider game that I don't understand.
4
At risk of what?
The constitution is fine, blows hyperbole is growing old
2
@There The Constitution is fine only if obeyed. And that might begin with capitalizing it.
1
Mr. Blow, while I agree with everything you say here, I do think you should push much harder on the Republicans in congress. Your single sentence about them being witless or whatever it was you said, they’ve ceded power because Trump owns their base, whatever, it’s not strong enough. Trump didn’t come here on his own. He had help!! McConnell is singlehandedly destroying our democracy. It began with his obstruction of Obama at every turn, it ends with now. He is a senator. How did his power get to be so outsized? Shame on all of us for letting this happen. Trump is evil. If he had a dragon, he’d destroy California and New York just as quickly as Daenerys did King’s Landing. And McConnell would cheer.
6
All metrics indicate that we are already in a civil war that is unfolding with all its virulence. Trump has infected his electorate with an ideology heavy on racism, xenophobia, religious bigotry and plain hatred that have no room in a modern America and civilized world. Period!
GOP succumbed to this demented dictator. His government is a joke. The deligitimization of democracy is in full swing, the calls to fight the Global Warming are rejected, Western alliances are weakened, dictators of the world are being succored by our deranged president. Moreover, there is no question that we are in full constitutional crisis.
Democrats must respond with full force. There is no substitute to Impeachment. All efforts must be directed to expose Trump to the fullest, call his bluff, demolished his house of cards.
5
Trump does not believe in facts, truth, or the law.
He is a gangster and it is past time for the media
to stop pretending otherwise.
The founders weep
6
For a very long time Mr. Blow has been a personal hero, and I continue to value his passion and his insights. But I think he’s wrong now. If the House impeaches Cadet Bonespur, the articles will fail in Mitch McConnell’s Senate. The Toddler-in-Chief will scream his vindication to the heavens and the “base” will turn from their militia patrols and white supremacist meetings to rally round and return him for four more disastrous years. We need to use the mechanisms of a democracy — namely the ballot box— to reject him. Repudiate his claims to the imperium by turning him out on the street and then indict him like the common criminal he truly is.
3
Why is this op-ed by Charles Blow the ONLY place I've read that the Mueller report "makes it abundantly clear" that there's no doubt that Trump committed a crime by obstructing justice? I read a lot of news from the bbc, the guardian, huff post and the nytimes and i listen to npr-- nowhere amongst all that noise (news) have I read or heard that Mueller's report stated anything so clearly. So what's going on?
4
It’s too bad Mueller didn’t just carry through and throw the book at Trump. He knew Trump deserved it.
2
We the People, ahhhh, I mean We Democrats that dare to stand up and act, are the only hope. Impeach.
2
It is quite extraordinary how such a mediocre and vulgar man has been able to cast a spell on so many, perhaps destroying what seemed a strong democracy in a mere 3 years. Why, oh why, are Republican politicians being so irresponsible? Every time McConnell et al. say the investigation is over, I wonder if they are from another planet where up is down and left is right.
5
Repeating over and over again that Donald Trump conspired with Putin to win the 2016 election did not make it true, as the Meueller Report made clear. Just so, this spectacularly silly notion that Trump should be feared as an American dictator is going to embarrass those who believe it and keep repeating it. It is evidence of just how out of touch with the real world the 21st century left is. If Trump loses the election in 2020, he will leave the White House and spend a lot more time golfing and tweeting. And the Trump is the Devil chicken littles on the left will, if they have any integrity, go on an I Was Wrong apology tour.
1
The dems have always been gutless and timid. Here we have a president clearly in impeachable waters and the dems are afraid to stand up for our Constitution. If they are afraid to do their elected job then why should we the people elect them at all? Meanwhile the republicans lie cheat and steal our government as they dance with the devil and the sheep keep on cheering. It’s insanity. This nation is on its way out.
3
The fact that a sitting president cannot be indicted is ridiculous. That in itself just proves what Trump stated in his campaogn: that he could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and get away with it. And it tells me that yes, the president IS above the law.
5
You nailed this one Mr. Blow. This is not the 70’s, Nixon – this 2019 - Trump, and his sycophants. USA needs hardball.
2
Article II, Section 4 of the US Constitution:
The President, Vice President and all Civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
This is a command by the framers. Democrats do your job and stop worrying about the consequences.
5
Thank you Charles for including the link to the letter from 800 prosecutors in your column today. An avid Times reader and news watcher, although it’s been out for over a week, I had never actually read the whole letter. My question is why is it not leading every front page of every issue of the times? Why is it not leading every CNN and MSNBC segment hour after hour, day after day. Hardly anyone even mentions it. Fox News? That’s a joke. And my bigger question is how do we inform, educate, and just simply reach, in some way, the so-called Trump base, If all they’re listening to is Fox and Sinclair affiliates ? Republicans have defunded education for decades. They know that their strength lies in the uneducated. And even the famous quote from Trump, that has mysteriously disappeared from The Internet, and everywhere else, that he would run as a Republican “ because the Republicans are so stupid “So how do we overcome all of that ignorance? How do we educate? In a column from about a week ago, four people in Scranton Pennsylvania actually said they voted and will vote again for Trump because he is “entertaining”. !!! Entertaining!!! People who think that the role of the president is to be entertainer in chief? A stand up comedian spouting lies and venom and all they’re listening to is Fox and Breitbart? So Charles, how do we reach those people? How do we get that letter of the 800 prosecutors front and center over and over and over? We’re dying out here please help
5
Remember when Hillary called trump a puppet? Well, there is no doubt he is Putin's puppet when you consider Venezuela but the biggest threat to this country is clearly the fact that trump is Mitch McConnell's puppet. trump thinks he's the boss but Mitch knows better. trump is doing exactly as Mitch would have him do. Mitch knows that, in the overall scheme of things, trump is just a place holder in the White House. He won't be around forever. But when he is finally gone the Republican party will have cemented their iron grip on the United States.
2
All true, except for 1 thing: He can't be impeached, not until his Royal Council, aka, the Republican Senate, is removed. His senior clergy (Evangelical & Jewish) have declared him Anointed by God to Reign Over Us. His ermine-trimmed robes are in production (animal-lovers relax, it's fake).
Even if the Senate impeached, he wouldn't go home. Even when he loses the election, he won't concede. We know he won't because it means facing worse than impeachment, prosecution. Oh, and about 4000 civil litigations and counting. So the Dems are correct: reveal, reveal, subpoena, interrogate, until a majority turns on his enablers.
Let us be clear: Congress is "the only avenue left by which a sitting president can be punished" _only_ because the Department of Justice refuses to perform its duty when the accused is the President.
Thank goodness we have Charles Blow to write plain truth.
1
“May become....”? He already is King and has proven that he can act as badly as President (it is an act, right?) as he did as a real estate “developer”. Or, is that as successfully? America and Republicans love what he has done with the Supreme Court. Roe v Wade? As an example, is history! Democrats are disorganized, navel gazing and impotent. We will fracture and the no vote protest will re-elect our King. Hail to the King of Capitalism.
1
Republicans are being shortsighted and are not looking at the long game. they are not concerned with their legacies or how history will look back at them in a very unflattering light and how cowardly they are acting. their function is to challenge and check the presidency and in not doing so, when this period is looked back upon and studied their legacies will be very disgraceful. they used to be the party of morals and principles and balanced budgets and checks on the national debt, not anymore
You have to wonder how many Republicans are ensnared in still hidden nefarious activities. I especially wonder about McConnell, with his assertion that “case is closed”, and why waste our time on Trump Jr? How is his money connected with the Trump family? Is it drug money connected with Trump’s sister, the one who suddenly retired as a New York judge? Is it connected somehow with Trump Jr? Let’s get the whole story. Power is funded by money, and it seems likely that the money is dirty.
"I do solemnly swear that I will FAITHFULLY execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, PRESERVE, PROTECT and DEFEND the Constitution of the United States."
Donald J. Trump, Violator and Thief
January 20, 2017
2
A small man in charge of a small party who fuel themselves on hate and negativity, lies, corruption, arrogance, at least you have a clear choice now between sides in this country. No more pretending you are shocked by what republicans do. Time to stand up and choose what you want America to be!
1
In all the millions of words expended on Trump by historians, political scientists, psychiatrists, psychologists and the media since he assumed the Presidency, one word you will rarely see is honor.
Die-hard Republicans, Christian Fundamentalists, gun loving Americans, opposers of a women’s right to choose and other Trump loyalists now bear the heavy burden of having traded their souls for a mess of pottage while betraying the country they have always claimed to love and stand up for.
2
“A letter opener to a gunfight” I would argue that the Dems are bringing bullets for the Republicans’ guns.
Everyday is worse that the one preceding it. Annihilation of democracy is at hand.
As the brilliant scholars, Sarah Kendzior and Andrea Chalupa have told us in their well sourced podcast, Gaslit Nation, this is a “transnational crime syndicate masquerading as a government.” Until we as a people wake up our communities and our congresspersons, to demand impeachment, we are on the way to bleeding to death at that gun fight.
2
It’s time for organized matches on the residential homes of Barr, McConnell, and Graham. All participants should bring gas masks so as to make dispersion far more difficult.
3
We have been in a constitutional crisis since day one when a corporate investor in 16 foreign nations was allowed in as president. He is a phoney nationalist, yet the racism and xenophobia he has spread is what’s real – along with his making the enemy anyone outside his cult following. We will not see his tax returns because they reveal his conflicts of interests and undermine his legitimacy as president. The real danger is that he is likely to not recognize an election. If this happens the division in this nation will grow beyond words. In this sense he is diabolical as a ruler – dividing America to its’ core.
4
With an insurmountable amount of evidence already on the table, when will the NYT call for impeachment? At this point we are only enabling trump and his republicans to move more aggressively, similar to that of a bad, bad bacteria. It is, indeed Time.
5
The hand-wringing & agonizing over impeachment bears witness to a one-sided battle.
Democrats need to confront this trumpian assault head-on, and without fear.
Their failure to do so makes them weak, disrespected and unprepared to defend the interests of the majority of the american people.
In short, unelectable.
3
That Trump is holding the entire republican party hostage to his whims, however brutish and corrupt, leaves no doubt. This is what happens when a democracy is not sustained actively by it's people. Otherwise, a vulgar bully, intent in subverting the constitution and the rule of law, could not be possible; and a demagogue's assault of the presidency not feasible. Be this a lesson to those that took for granted that, once a bill of rights is accepted, it shall stand tall and be a guide for everybody's benefit. No matter how much we hold Trump as a despicable thug, we did contribute to his rise; in that sense, the joke is on us. And it hurts.
2
They’ll get him on the Collusion thing—right?
1
Nadler, Feinstein, Cummings, Pelosi, Shumer, Biden (the worst!) all STILL believe in decorum and fair play. Forget about "one term Obama" and Merrick Garland. Trump and his mob keep getting away with unprecedented actions and crimes, thus emboldening them even further. No more attempts at bipartisanship. No more reaching across the aisle. The aforementioned old guard are patsies for continuing to play nice. I want a fighter. Who is she or he?
2
Mr Blow the impeachment specialist. Always outraged, always righteous. Thank God no one listens to him. Democrats, you would be better served passing legislation in the house and highlighting the Republicans blocking it in the Senate or Trump
Vetoing the bill. Show they cannot govern and the American people will vote them out. This righteous stuff is old. Does not work mainly because both sides of the isle are corrupt and everyone knows it.
Trump has been a crook long before he ran for President. Everyone ignored him and handicapped his chances of winning as low. The elitist laughed at him. Well no one is laughing now. Please govern and stop
The righteous chest pounding.
2
Yes, yes, yes! Pelosi either needs to put up or get out of the way. She is not acting as a grown up but as an enabler. If she doesn’t act against this anarchy, then she needs to go now. Ms. Pelosi would try and talk Cersei out of war never realizing that she would only see that as a weakness to attack later. Daenerys knew you had to attack evil or it just lays in wait. Trump is a Cersei, he has to be taken out before his brand of evil takes over our country. Impeach him now Nancy or if you haven’t the guts then let someone else lead. We don’t need anymore calculating politicians.
If Trump, Barr, et al continue to obstruct, start ARRESTing them , starting with Barr. Show them the power of Congress.
Dems need to rope a dope Trump. Announce that they will not go for impeachment. Announce that they will not fight Trump in court. Let it be known that election day is the day Trump goes down. Surrendering and making Trump a Imperial President? No because Trump will do something that will turn his base against him. His crazy tariff fight with China would do it because people in his base could be ruined. That is not far off. There are several more substantial issues that will come up in the next 18+ months that Trump will dive into with his little gun in his little hand aimed at his foot. Both feet actually. Let Trump be Trump. Ali, Ali!
3
“Trump is goading us to impeach him."
Works for me. Let's do it.
We need to ask ourselves, given all the crimes spelled out so clearly in the Mueller report, if not now, then when? What does it take to get an out of control President impeached? Trump surely believes that he really could walk out onto Fifth Avenue and shoot someone, and he'd get away with it.
Now is the time for all good men (and women) to come to the aid of their Party, and nation. This is no drill. We are watching the very fiber of our democracy be torn apart by Trump. He needs to be stopped, and now.
Man up, Democrats. Impeach the monster in the White House. It won't matter if the Senate fails to fulfill their Constitutional obligations and convict him. History will record the results for all time. And the Republicans will sink forever if they don't stand up to Trump. He is not the Republican leader they say he is.
2
I don’t believe that Trump will usher in an imperial presidency because as soon as a Democrat becomes president the Republicans will fight tirelessly to strip away any power she has. If a Democrat is in the White House look to people like McConnell to effortlessly change their minds. The Constitution and the Nation are not important here, only winning.
Bearing witness to the lawlessness, bigotry, lazyness and incompetence of the Trump administartion, Democrats are the last line of defense against a Trumpian autocracy.
But are they so deluded to not realize that once he is reelected, or even before, he will come after all who had any role in investigating his criminality? And as to those who offer the pablum that it is better to legislate than to investigate, I will offer the following fact: Mitch McConnell will not allow even one iota of Democrat legislation to even get a vote in the Senate.
The matters at hand are high crimes and misdemeanors. The time to impeach, and thus get unfettered access to all evidence, is now. Not only do we have a fake president, we have one that soils the office of the presidency every single day. Enough already!!!
3
An imperial presidency is what I thought that Hilary would bring, and why I would not vote for her. However, I voted Libertarian in 2016, as I was tired of voting for the lesser of two evils.
If the Democrats do not react quickly and decisively to Trumps defiance in effect he will have pulled off a coup.
1
People have been writing about this for decades, see Arthur Schlesinger's 1973 book of the same title and several more recent ones, but other than the war powers act, which is completely ignored, was has been done about it. Nothing much.
Even Senator Elizabeth Warren has stated publicly it’s time for impeachment while the other candidates quibbled. She said this is the time to put country over party and that is exactly why she has my vote...country over party ! Impeach the Traitor Trump who has debased the presidency and our country. He literally thinks and acts like he is above the law and the republicans are supporting the demise of our justice system under Trump and making a mockery of our constitution.
2
Despite Trump;s goading, Democrats should not impeach because 1) it will fail in the Senate; 2) Trump will boast that he won; 3) Trump will say Democrats only want to persecute him and are unable to govern. Impeachment will give him re-election in 2020. Since he is shameless it doesn't matter that he will go down in history as the worst president/criminal in the history of the US.
2
The reason our demagogue in chief fawns over the world's worst authoritarian leaders -- Putin, Kim, MBS et al. -- is because he has become one himself. In fact, he has even invited Hungary's Viktor Orbán to the White House on Monday.
It's all an extension of Donald Trump's overwhelming narcissism, a latter-day "l'état, c'est moi" that's bulldozing away any safeguards on which We the People normally rely as his uniquely relentless bullying keeps mutating into tyranny.
What's especially frightening is that by treating the Constitution's clearly defined framework -- separation of powers and a system of checks and balances among three coequal branches of government -- as a trifle and routinely getting away with it, this president is leading our country in a previously unimaginable direction: toward fascism.
And at the rate he's going, he'll get there well before the next election. What's going to stop him, nothing but talk?
2
Well, this is what happens when you expect the President from your party to be able to rule by decree, as with Obama, and as with the current crop of candidates from the Democrats. It's what happens when you're absolutely OK with a dynasty forming, as with the Kennedy's, as long as it's your party's dynasty. It just happens that the shoe, as you might say, is currently on the other foot.
1
Remember how cool it was when our side won the House in 2018 because then we would have ... wait for it … subpoena power!
All this Pelosi "caution donkey" strategy is assuming Trump does not score another illegitimate Electoral College win. He might, depending on whom the Democratic circular firing squad puts up as their nominee. And, with no impeachment on his record, he will be unstoppable. He will have the imprimatur of legitimacy, and he will destroy our standing in the world, as well as our social safety net at home. No, the Senate will not convict. But an impeachment, in and of itself, is a vote of no confidence on behalf of the majority of this country, who, incidentally, voted for Clinton.
Get. Rid. Of. Him.
2
I am at one and the same time the man on the beach and the starfish he hurls into the water.
A tidal anomaly had washed thousands of starfish from the sea onto the beach where the desiccating sun was doing its best to kill them off. The man was relentlessly tossing them back into the ocean. Another man on the beach saw the event and asked the starfish thrower, "Why are you doing this? You cannot possibly save them all!" His answer was simple and swift as the arm throwing yet another starfish back: "It matters to this one".
I must try to save my country, even if I am but one and can only save one other besides myself from the wheels of Mr. Trump's juggernaut. Even as Trump and his praetorian guard seek to bring down Lady Liberty, I must take up a Lilliputian rope to steady her so I might tell my grandchildren I did something in our great war on democracy and civility. I have no other option.
1
Political tricks will kill Democrats. They have to fight back, whatever the consequences. Otherwise Donald the First will reign forever, replaced by one of his sons.
I'm scared for my country. How can the Republicans in the Senate call themselves patriots as they let this man destroy our country????
2
"In the later part of his life, George III had recurrent, and eventually permanent, mental illness." - Wikipedia
1
What’s it gonna take ? A full scale march on Washington?
I’m all in. This ain’t cool at all....no way.
2
It seems to me that the more this nation ascribes power to presidents and away from Congress, the closer we come toward an imperial presidency. When Congressional partisanship results in a stalemate, that creates a political vacuum that can be filled in one or both of two ways. One is for presidents, be they Obama or Trump to abscond with powers that Congress abdicates. The other is for states to retrieve under the Tenth Amendment powers that the national government (the Exec, Legislative and judiciary) has taken to itself. Both of these tracks are being traveled today.
"Trump may well become the first American king, lawless and unaccountable, by default, by an overall political paralysis."
In November of 2020, the American people will not be paralyzed. They will depose the boy-king.
But I fear the damage will be lasting.
5
@Joel Solonche
Wait! If Trump is unaccountable as you and Blow allege, then how is it possible that in November of 2020 you assert that the "boy-king" will be deposed?
It's interesting and perhaps ironic that Augustus, the first Roman emperor, did not call himself emperor but "first citizen". Will our first emperor be known as "Individual One"?
17
@Richard, Augustus ("August One" or "Majesty") was the title given him by the Senate after "Princeps" ("Principal Citizen" or "Prince"). Already "Imperator" ("Victorious General" or "Emperor") had been given him by the army. The last title the Senate gave him was Divus ("Divine" or "god"). Senator Byrd, an opponent of the Iraq War, once gave the Senate a series of lessons on Roman history, disguised as speeches. He knew what was coming.
1
President Trump did not obstruct justice.He knew from the beginning that he did not collude.I can just see his frustration with the distraction that this phoney investigation caused.Muller received full cooperation and full funding.Comey was fired but that had no effect on this investigation.Comey is a bad guy and deserved to be fired.Did the President expressed his desire that Muller would be gone.I bet ya.Do you blame the President?I don't.
3
@Gdk
Mueller investigated conspiracy - not collusion. There is a difference.
Frustration is not a valid reason for obstruction. Read the report or a good summary. It was not just "expressing desire." 800+ lawyers say he would be convicted of obstruction if he were anyone else.
What makes Comey a bad guy deserving to be fired? Lack of loyalty to the president is not bad in an FBI director.
As for full cooperation. He allowed everyone else to "cooperate." Some did. Some lied or refused to cooperate per the Mueller report. DJT did not talk with him and his written responses to Mueller's questions were full of "I don't recall." Hmmm.
What I really want to say to you: you're badly informed and propagating lies. Why? What are you getting out of backing DJT?
1
Trump's behavior and program are egregious. We in the choir all know that, in continuing detail. Isn't it about time Mr. Blow stopped preaching and focused on the positive agenda that will attract votes in the 2020 election like health-care, minimum wage etc,?
2
Both parties are abdicating responsibility for protecting our government and Constitution. They are placing the entire decision in the hands of the voters. The voters who will most matter are the traditional (moderate) republicans. That group cannot defeat a Trump base from within the Republican party, so they need to defect, in greater numbers, to the Democratic party and help nominate a moderate Democrat to run against Trump. A progressive liberal will push moderate republicans into the repugnant position of voting for Trump as opposed to a presumed (and republican branded) socialist. The primaries will make all the difference.
4
The Republican Party will not do anything to control or harness Trump. In fact, he is in power because of the policies of the Republican Party at least since Nixon's Southern Strategy. Read the Republican Platforms for the last umpteen presidential races. Hatred of blacks, browns, gays, women. Republican apologists tell me they didn't really believe it but they had to have those planks in the platform in order to get elected so that they could put into place conservative policies. Follow that path long enough and you get Trump, and now he owns them. It amazes how that party has turned around since the time of Abraham Lincoln! I say, impeach! If the House impeaches, he stays a president impeached, no matter what the Republican-controlled Senate does.
13
If Trump were to be impeached and convicted, I believe some of his more radical supporters would turn to violence. There have always been extremists in America, but they've never been so well armed and, thanks to Trump, so hateful.
Congress is now acting more like a crisis negotiation team than a deliberative body. I agree with this approach. If we're patient, we just might get our democracy back with minimal bloodshed.
5
Let it happen. Time to find out what this country is really made of and whether we've earned the right to a free and fair Democracy. It will not be handed to anyone on a silver platter.
4
There will be no resurgence of sensible, moderate republicans to respond to the total corruption Donald Trump has wrought on our democracy. This is exactly what republicans have always wanted, now they have it, and they aim to keep it.
12
There is a large segment of the population that thinks politics is a dirty business and do not care to see Trump impeached and convicted. What this large segment is interested in is making their lives better which for many is happening with a rising economy. For the Democrats who are being stoked by cable news, it seems the way to get at Trump is to force him to make policy decisions like ACC improvements, means tested daycare, prescription drug costs, college debt relief, and a plan for the environment. Let Muller do their talking while the Democrats introduce legislation is the way to go. Making a big splash on cable news is a losing proposition for the people and the Democrats.
4
No. How about the imperial aspect of the 9th circuit court of appeals that runs roughshod over this president and will of the people. How about the other unelected officials like the DOJ and the CIA and FBI who were spying on our duly elected president, as a civilian, without so much as a crime to be investigated. That is one of the causal conditions for activating an independent or "special" council. So we need to find out who was acting like a King and appointed special council without there having been a good reason. The people want to know. But that's right, you support this kind of imperialism, just not the elected leader kind.
3
@PJ ABC will of of the people? are you joking? you must consider anyone who doesn't think moses handed down the law live on Fox & Friends to be outside of "the people." Trump got 3 million less votes than Hilary, and only the undemocratic electoral college put him in power and the even worse Senate keeps him there.
@local. Let me not hear you or any leftist utter the phrase "constitutional crisis" if you are going to propose doing away with the electoral college. And I'm not censoring you or the left, I just can't stand people who contradict themselves acting as if they have an understanding of the truth. The only "constitutional crisis," will be the ones the Democrats sow. The electoral college is good for democracy, without it we would have a tyranny of the majority and hollow out the vast middle of America (over 80% of the land) more than it has already been hollowed out. So I laugh when I hear people who say things like this President is destroying our democracy and ripping up the constitution. I laugh and wonder if they're joking. Unfortunately they're not.
The Democrats should impeach the President for obstruction ,which did not happen, of an investigation of a crime which did not happen. And they must do this before Trump makes himself President for life and walls us all in.
1
I have to think that Trump has been emboldened by the fact that Mitch McConnell has faced no consequences for his outrageous behavior.
If the rule of law is dead, why should Trump be concerned about overstepping?
No one stops them.
6
"...90 percent of Republicans still approve of Trump’s job performance, 75 percent agree that “Trump has been honest and truthful when it comes to the investigation into Russian interference with the 2016 presidential election” and eight-in-10 Republicans believe that “Congress should not hold impeachment hearings and that Trump should finish his term as president.”
Donald Trump, Mr. Blow, is not the danger to the Republic. It is the Republican Party. This has been clear for more than half a century (1968 and Richard Nixon's election). Forget Watergate for a moment. Gerald Ford was a cipher. Ronald Reagan reached into the fetid swamp and pulled the rope that Nixon's resignation let fall by appealing openly to racists and appointing hard-right judges to the Supreme Court.
Whatever happened under W. was largely the result of Newt Gingrich's "Contract With America," that severed the comity between the two parties on The Hill. Republicans and Democrats weren't partners in a democracy; they became mortal enemies.
Mitch McConnell's obstruction of the Obama presidency and his enabling of the Trump administration shine the harshest, traitorous light possible upon the Republican Party. It has sold its soul to the most repugnant ideology and, as your figures reveal, Mr. Blow, the party is drunk on the poisonous kool-aid.
Trump is bad enough, but when he's no longer around, the Republican Party will be. They'll look for another Trump--and they'll find one worse. It's in their DNA.
11
Following the Times’ recent disclosures of Trump’s prodigious history of business failures it’s ironic that his signature lifetime achievement might be the total destruction of our democratic system.
10
The press fails the public on a daily basis by insinuating The Con Man in Chief has the qualities, education or basic intelligence to perform any important position (elected or appointed). The con man has not had an original idea in his life and only develops limited conversation by repeating what he hears from others which is currently enablers surrounding him or FOX news .
If he is confronted with any problems Donald will either lie or simply make something up and blame it on someone , heck anyone dead or alive.
Tariffs is a great example any 6th grader knows what a tariff is and who pays it but not our current lunatic resident of the white house.
3
I don't see how his base could become even more solidified. They already believe everything Trump says, even that the Chinese are paying the new tariffs. They applaud his losing over one billion dollars. They ignore his kowtowing to Putin and actually think that "Trump has his boot on the neck of Putin", quoting a response comment to one of my posts. I mean the guy can do no wrong.
We know that about 40% of the population is so afflicted. They will support him regardless of the evidence. He is their great white hope, their savior, their restorer of America of the 1950's.
If Trump is impeached, these people will get mad and riled up, but they still comprise only 40%. You can't win an election with only 40%. So got for it.
Bullies get away with bullying because they think no one will stand up to them. Funny thing though, when their victims unite and stand together, the bullying stops. Trump is a bully, no doubt and he uses his bluster as an inoculation against impeachment.
But an impeachment is a trial. Witnesses will be called. Skilled attorneys will cross examine. Hard evidence will be presented. That will not convince the 40%, but it should keep that percentage from growing.
There is an old saying that goes something like this. Sometimes you have to fight even though you know you are going to lose. This is one of those times. If we do not bring on the fight, we stand to lose our nation. That's what this fight is really about.
20
@Bruce Rozenblit
When you have 40% bullies in the class you're in trouble. The adults must unite. A tough challenge ahead indeed.
1
90% of Republicans approve of him? Maybe we don't deserve a democracy...
7
Trying to impeach djt would make a statement to the world stage that this adminstration is not who We are, but it won't happen.
djt's ego, his both public and private face will be horribly demised for the remainder of his life, if ( I believe when) he loosing the 2020 election.
This one statement your shared is his true nightmare;
However, as the Mueller report made clear, “A President does not have immunity after he leaves office.”
The frighting nemesis he will face with no moat if protection he now takes advantage as a president; The New York Attorney's office
"Mr. Trump has a rich recent history of grievances against the New York attorney general’s office." 3-11-19 NY Times
djt and his empire "had a great fall.
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men
Couldn’t put it together again."
Vote him out, the only answer.
3
I am a 75 year old white male and a Vietnam Veteran. When my friends and I discuss Donald Trump we all agree that he has no immediate effect on our personal lives ( we are all retired with pensions and adequate health care, etc.). But we all feel embarrassed that this unhinged human is our president and has become a terrestrial embarrassment for our nation.
11
Barack Obama also ruled by decree and ignored constitutional norms. The difference is you liked his policy and don’t like Trump’s. You can’t get mad at one president acting in an imperial way when your praised his predecessor for doing the exact same.
3
@Tom
At least the last incumbent had read it; avoided "jokes" about extending his term; grasped how the appropriations process is supposed to work; and understood how complex domestic and international law guide the governance machinery.
I cannot understand why Pelosi and her associates are unable to see the folly in not vigorously pursuing impeachment.
If they fail to impeach, Trump will be able to say that this failure proves that the whole thing was a witch hunt, the product of sore losers from 2016.
And many people will believe him. His chances for re-election will be greatly improved.
1
Oh, ho hum. How ridiculous. Obstruction is off the table as a criminal case, now and in the future because the AG determined that none occurred. In reality none did. Mueller was not impeded and the president cooperated fully, providing more than a million documents and allowing anyone in his administration to speak freely to him. And since selective exerpts from the report are regularly cited to proclaim that "there is absolutely no doubt" of this or that, Mueller himself aacknowledges in it the recognition that the president was constantly reacting to an investigation based on a lie, a fantasy that underlied his state of mind. So not only did no obstruction occur, those claiming it did are arguing that it to impede an investigation of wrongdoing that never happened, not by Teump,not by anyone in his orbit or part of his campaign or administration, not by any American citizen. The whole thing, from beginning to end, was an injustice and should have rightfully never begun. Now enough. Let the Democrats show the courage of their alleged convictions and move toward impeachment hearings. Watch as Trump's approval ratings continue to rise, as they have been. Democrats in congress would be called fools and clowns, except that they are less than that but still far more dangerous.
3
"Imperial presidency"? More like this nation's first dictatorship. Our "leader" is seriously mentally disturbed. We now live in a nation under one-party rule, with its representatives kowtowing to a mad man.
We have a psychopath in the White House who lies more than he breathes. We have a mentally unfit, deranged man who is one tweet away from plunging this nation into a nuclear confrontation with North Korea. He has already told us that he will not leave office should he lose the election next year, because he has "his army" and "his police."
He has five justices on the Supreme Court who are willing to toady to whatever he asks. They have already upheld his Muslim ban, while acknowledging that he provided absolutely no evidence of threats from the listed countries. They are on the verge of supporting his requiring all of us to state our citizenship on the census. They are ready to shield him from Congressional oversight while they permit him to bury Mr. Mueller's findings.
Understand that it does not take the support of a majority of citizens for a dictator to remain in power indefinitely. He only needs a large, rabid minority. And this is exactly what Trump has, with the added bonus that most of them are heavily armed. Understand this: Those of us who are sickened by this man will soon be called upon to do what we can to overthrow his regime. Sadly, this can no longer be done peacefully. And many of us will have to pay a terrible price to save our country.
6
Charles Blow correctly draws attention to "the overly cautious speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi".
Rep. Pelosi's over-cautious approach to holding Donald Trump accountable by means of impeachment only emboldens him: Trump will continue to escalate his attempts to consolidate power in his hands.
If Democrats cannot bring themselves to mount a vigorous opposition to Trump without further delay, it will be too late.
Trump will already have become the first dictator of the United States.
4
The risk of an "imperial presidency" was built into the Constitution, which gave the President several powers that at the time were Royal Prerogatives. The Founders saw the President as a Ruler, so they built a system of checks and balances to limit the power of the Ruler.
But as is only too obvious now, checks on power work if and only if people use them.
2
The Democrats are behaving true to form. President Obama tried to appease and tiptoe around the Republicans and he got a constant barrage of obstruction. All this “taking the high-road nonsense” convinces no one. Democrats are scared and weak. When they aren’t cowering at Trump’s feet, they’re attacking Rep. Tlaib or Omar. I’m already mentally prepared for a second Trump term—and the continued violence and hate that comes with it.
Mr Blow, you have the imperious honour of saying things I think about, and then there it is: your article. Thank you.
I agree with everything you said.
However, Democrats are "landlocked", there is no way out.
Accept it: it is a fact.
You can impeach as a slap to Mr Trump's face, then see McConnell crunch it under his tawdry feet in the Senate.
Although I do think Democrats' fear that it would make it more divisive is a baseless fear. As you said, the country is already divided, ranks lines have been drawn & there is no mere dislike now, there is actually hate of the other on both sides, more so from alt-right, as much as I've observed.
A lot of Republicans despite realizing that the President cannot keep his mouth shut on Twitter, cannot behave with grace, cannot stop retaliating, cannot stop putting his foot in your mouth with legions of lies, simply cannot behave like a president should... despite all that are willing to tolerate him, because he is a vehicle of their agenda, & so much is their dislike of the left leaning Democrats.
If that letter from 800+ prosecutors is not able to change the general public's mind, nothing else said would at this point. I'm not sure anymore, if impeachment is the answer despite the moral grounds.
The key is a defeat in 2020 elections, the kind Republicans have never seen before or ever will. That is the only thing, I do know, will get to Mr Trump like NOTHING else ever will. Come at a narcissist from his weakest vantage.
3
The Presidency has been imperial for a long, long time at this point. Long before Trump.
1
C.f. "The entire Republican Party is complicit."
Who could say it better than that?
2
House Democrats are in this fix because Mueller danced around a pile of apparent crimes but failed to name them as such. He let Justice Dept. policy take precedence over taking perfectly legal steps toward saving the Republic from a criminal presidency. His is the mentality of a clerk, not a special counsel.
5
I only wish Mr. Blow had made mention of the years of complaints made on FOX and Limbaugh et. al. about Obama thinking he was a king (in their words). It was bad enough for anyone on the right to offer this up after Bush, but now?
Has the endemic hypocrisy of the Republican party ever been less disguised?
3
"...75 percent agree that “Trump has been honest and truthful when it comes to the investigation into Russian interference with the 2016 presidential election”..."
What is causing 75 percent of Republicans to live in a fantasy world?
2
Maybe... but he’s not “the One we’ve waiting for” and he does not “stage” his rallies like he’s some sort of deity.
This whole experience of the Trump “presidency” has been breathtaking in its malevolence. Disregard the Constitution, the law, checks and balances, right and wrong, human decency. My fantasy is to see Trump hauled away in a tight, white jacket.
4
"And yet, the overly cautious speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi,"
For a different view of Nancy Pelosi and the situation see see Michelle Cottle:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/12/opinion/nancy-pelosi-democrats.html :
"Caught between an outrageous president and her outraged base, Ms. Pelosi increasingly resembles less a “San Francisco” crusader than the staid grown-up in the room.
All this adulting is playing well with the public. Since Election Day last fall, the speaker’s favorability numbers have ticked up, up, up. She has gained 10 points in Civiqs’ tracking polls, with similar gains in other surveys."
Ms. Pelosi seems to be the responsible adult in the room. More responsible, in my view at least, than a number of "war mongering" op-ed columnists. Too bad she is 79. She would make an excellent president.
2
You do realize Nadler is threatening to hold the AG in contempt of congress for the AG's refusal to break the law, right?
Not sure how that falls under proper oversight.
This is no Tsar. I looked at the gilded relics of Nicolas II's court recently in my home town, where our museum houses quite a collection of Romanov trappings.
Our crass, tawdry, porn-star groping "leader" is a cartoon of an Emperor. And, yes, that makes him all the more dangerous, especially as some in his base think this pest sent to us by God.
I think we can be rid of this would-be tyrant in a way far more peaceful than the one that toppled the Romanovs. I certainly hope so.
2
How ironic that the slave owners revolt against the greatest democracy of its time Britain would end in a sick monarchy of a president, above the law and elected not by the popular will of the people but a slave state weighted “electoral college”.
Thankfully the hundreds of thousands refugees from the 13 colonies, including African Americans, First Nations, French and Britons created the only real democracy in the Americas and defeated the American invasion and attempted conquest in the War of 1812, not equaled since the Vietnam defeat of America.
3
Trump’s Imperial Presidency represents an abuse of power in which he uses executive privilege and an expansively absurd notion of national security to raise tariffs without any expertise and knowledge about the economy. The use of executive privilege needs to be limited and the Presidential prerogative of declaring national security must be subjected to legal scrutiny and Congressional oversight.
Trump uses that excuse without any honesty to act like a tyrant and the Republicans look the other way because they are cowards and fraudulent Conservatives and constitutionalists only when it is easy politically for them. They are profiles in dishonor
and have chosen power over country and its ideals.
2
We have relied for our entire history on our presidents having honor. Trump has none. And he has no shame whatever. He has decided to employ the same scurrilous tactics he used in real estate: lie, cheat, steal, and then tie up the courts indefinitely until he escapes Scot free.
But he is also utterly incompetent. The Republicans don't care, because they only want to stay in power, and Trump is keeping them there.
But what happens when things fall apart? Our grandchildren will be picking up the pieces.
5
We have been in a constitutional crisis since day one of this presidency. With investments in 16 foreign countries he is a phoney nationalist - the reason we do not see his tax returns. He has illegal conflicts of interest. Like a dictator, he will unlikely recognize an election. If that happens we our likely to see our division grow beyond words. His rule in this sense is diabolical.
5
Trump and the GOP are using live ammunition while the Democrats are trying to use a governmental system that Trump has already corrupted and rendered useless to them. We are not in a constitutional crisis; we are in an existential crisis. Democrats are acting like Neville Chamberlain, refusing to believe how bad it is. Trump is waging all out war against the US. His refusing to respond to House subpoenas is the equivalent of the invasion of Poland.
5
This is a scoff-law president who eats, sits on the john and tweets, does campaign rallies and plays golf. So if he is arrested and thrown in jail for inciting riots, obstruction of justice and treason, what have we actually lost? Certainly not a wise leader who has the best interests of this entire country at heart, who works hard to preserve this nation's values and defends the Constitution of the United States. So why are we making a mere guideline, that a sitting president cannot be indicted, the unquestioned cast-iron law of the land?
7
Trump is not a legitimate president. He essentially got into the White House by felony breaking and entering and he is currently ransacking the building and our nation. Impeachment would afford Trump legitimacy he does not deserve. Once (not if) Republicans acquit him of all guilt he will be more empowered than ever. Humiliate him at the polls then indict him prosecute him and put him where he has belonged his whole life.
3
The prize is the Presidency in 2020. The 20 investigations are a distracting sideshow.
Trump has litigated people to death on cases he knew he would lose to delay paying up, to his advantage, and this is just one more.
His base will not give a thought to what will be revealed by the release of NY tax returns.
''Only a very stable genius could obtain loans from the Russian Mafia and have the vig forgiven" he will say to cheering throngs. Mitchovitch will applaud his business acumen.
The best we can hope for until then is preventing him from using law enforcement and intelligence agencies against his opposition.
Rudi's Ukrainian vacation was just an opening salvo in that war. Expect more Wiki dumps.
Individual #1 must play dirty and go all out if he and his gang are not to die in prison, and have assets forfeited.
False flag domestic terrorism, or a war are all options we shout expect being realized.
No sense of going at the king if you are sure you are going to miss.
3
It seems the worst threat we’re confronting now is the gradual eroding of the spirit. In order to resist the changes for the worse that seem to be the only initiatives coming from Republican control of all but one branch of our government, we need to be able to have hope that the side of justice will prevail.
The ability to persuade the sides work together for the common good is unattainable given the open animosity expressed by Donald Trump and many others of his party towards all who disagree with their policies.
I can’t really say whether the country has ever been as been as divided before, but I do know from history that it came together to fight when the danger of ignoring evil was clear, this doesn’t seem quite the same.
The only conclusion I can reach is to survive and get on the right track, we have to succeed in replacing the Republican majority from the top down with liberal and progressive minded leaders who can think beyond their own self interest.
9
My only quibble is the phrase "We are drifting dangerously close to an imperial presidency..." The ship of state isn't drifting, it's right on course. Only the passengers think it's drifting.
9
I believe that when all comes out about this man obstruction will look like child's play in comparison.
5
Since impeachment is impossible given the Republican lock on the Senate. The only solution is an overwhelming electoral defeat of Trump in 2020. This should be the Democratic focus. Any investigations have to be structured to support that goal. We are playing here for the future of the US as a democracy a misstep now could spell the end of democracy.
16
@John Stroughair, More important: the future of the United States as a republic, which is simply a state without a king. Ruled by more than one person at a time.
“Democrats are bringing their letter openers to a gunfight. “ That sums it up. Pelosi has said: “we want to do it in a way that is the least divisive to our country.”
The Democrats are afraid - of Trump himself, of Trump’s base, of losing the 2020 election, of alienating their big donors - of their own shadows. But what they should be afraid of is alienating a significant portion of their Democratic base because they are not doing their job.
Move to impeach, and at least prove to the base that they have some backbone.
12
“Trump is clearly a messenger of the effects of ongoing fourth Industrial Revolutions which is aptly described as “Political Wrecking Ball”.
Ascent of Trump is the direct result of the advent of the so-called artificial intelligence prompting degradation of human race. People are already so addicted to their smart phones to tell them everything; their brains are becoming useless piece of anatomy.
No one seems to really know how to address the increase in automation and its attendant effect upon human.
Schwab, says “We stand on the brink of a technological revolution that will fundamentally alter the way we live, work, and relate to one another. In its scale, scope, and complexity, the transformation will be unlike anything humankind has experienced before. Compared with previous industrial revolutions the fourth is evolving at an exponential rather than a linear pace. Moreover, it is disrupting almost every industry in every country. And the breadth and depth of these changes herald the transformation of entire systems of production, management, and governance”.
Instead of helplessly bleating in the wilderness and blaming the messenger Trump, critics should appreciate the titanic shifts occurring and follow the advice of Schwab
“ Must develop a comprehensive and globally shared view of how technology is affecting our lives and reshaping our economic, social, cultural, and human environments. There has never been a time of greater promise, or greater peril.”
4
There have to be serious, long lasting consequences---legal and otherwise--- for those in the GOP establishment who have supported this traitor. We should start to explore the possibility of revoking the citizenship of those who have knowingly betrayed the country.
6
@HoosierGuy, In 2016, at the Princeton Model Congress, a resolution was proposed: "Deport Donald Trump." It was casked, "Where to?" The answer: "Queens."
trump and Pelosi are making a serious miscalculation that impeachment proceedings would be beneficial to trump. His base already being the ceiling and the floor notwithstanding, the more twitter rope you give this guy, the more opportunity to hang him with it.
6
Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats should take the fight to this lawless president. Stop playing politics with the Constitution. It is clear that Trump’s conduct is sufficient to warrant impeachment. Initiate the proceedings and demonstrate exactly how and where he is guilty.
8
'Letter openers to a gunfight?' Then, why isn't James Comey more concerned or the Former Presidents and government officials? Our emotions and overall well being are on this roller coaster. We want to believe that our democratic institutions will hold, but are growing more skeptical. We keep thinking those in the know don't seem to be too alarmed, why should we be? Most of all we have faith in good folk and God most of all, to give victory over evil and bring light out of darkness. Yet, it seems to be getting darker. "It ain't dark yet, but it's gettin' there". Bob Dylan sang. Justice must be served and the rule of law triumphant or our country is in great peril. The day of reckoning will come, hopefully sooner than later. We may have to strike in protest if our Congress and Courts can't stand up to this bully-in-chief. If everyone refuses to work or shop for day(s), then maybe they will get the point that our laws are NOT just for us peons but everyone and no one is above the law.
6
@GraceNeeded
Agree, why aren’t the former Presidents, former DOJ officials, former members of Congress, etc. coming together as one to denounce what is happening? We hear a voice here and there, but coordinated efforts are few and quickly dismissed as the next tweeted outrage catches attention.
1
And the president with the phone and the pen violating the Constitution with every Executive Order wasn't a risk?
3
I read the article and many comments and am still waiting for a good pragmatic explanation of what will be accomplished if the House impeaches Trump and the Senate does not convict. The symbolism of doing something is not enough to counter the effect on the opinions of those outside the bubble of the readers of this NYT column which will be swayed by Trump being found not guilty by the Senate. What is wrong with the argument that the best solution is to make Trump a one term President and evaluate all decisions and policies based on how they will impact the chance of doing that? For my woke friends, symbolism is a luxury for the privileged.
5
Trump is like a whack-a-mole: every time one of his lies or crimes is pointed out, an immediate counterattack pops up. "What, you say I obstructed justice? Well, let's take a look at how that whole Russia thing got started, shall we?" There is always enough of a shred of credibility in his counterattacks to give his supporters something to hold on to.
He's been doing it all his life: deflect, dodge, counterattack. It's not about truth or vindication, it's about maneuvering for a better position. The sheer number of attacks and counterattacks is highly effective in keeping him unaccountable: while his detractors focus on the evidence that shatters each lie, his supporters focus on the myriad shadows of doubt that continue to pop back up.
I've seen on a personal level what happens when someone like this is allowed to proceed unchecked. Relationships become poisoned and dysfunctional. The fundamental concepts of truth and justice become so diluted and cloudy that we all begin to question our own sanity. The only way to counteract these highly toxic effects is separation.
Trump must go; that is essential. Not just from public office, but from our national psyche. We all need to stop listening to him and talking about him, but of course we can't do that while he still holds office.
And so the question before us is quite simple: what is the best way to rid ourselves of his cancerous influence: election or impeachment? This question is the only one that matters.
6
When do the rich populated states just stop contributing to the Republic? There seems to be little benefit to the west coast and north east in maintaining allegiance to an America as it stands. Its tyranny of the uniformed minority. Let the Republicans have their states...
5
That was tried in 1861 and look where it got us.
And exactly what will the Democrats do? Absolutely nothing. The Senate will not vote for impeachment.
The Supreme Court will not order the president to release documents.
And we will more than likely have 4 more years of trump as he will more than likely be reelected.
And then 8 years of Pence.
And by then I will be dead. Thank God!
2
And every day the countless American soldiers who died to preserve the American ideals of equal justice and the rule of law are spinning in their graves. Apparently their sacrifices were in vain.
5
@KenF
They were, especially Viet Nam.
2
@KenF Well said. Unfortunately half of America does not understand that thousands of Americans have died to preserve basic American democratic principles such as freedom of religion for all, equality for all regardless of race or sexual orientation, equal voting rights for all and a law enforcement system that affords equal justice for all.
3
Democrats are slowly becoming like Republicans, putting party before country and constitutional duty.
The crazy right wing talk about giving Trump an extra two years to make up for the Mueller distraction is underway. The debate whether Trump will concede in 2020 has started. Soon there will be nothing to protect us from president for life Trump.
To paraphrase Hemingway, how did our democracy go bankrupt? Gradually and then suddenly.
7
Slowly? Becoming? Read some history, Citizen!
While it may not be any better politically in other countries, I say keep your passport and drivers license current and be prepared to leave if you can.
At least abroad one can eat better foods, and see really great art.
5
I would bet serious money that Trump is a popular figure among serial killers.
And why not?
They -- like him -- lie incessantly, feel an overwhelming need to exercise power, have trouble fitting in, are plagued by persecution fantasies, revel in dominating and humiliating women and are frequently attracted to political and religious fringe groups,
All that’s missing in Trump’s case is the willingness to accept personal responsibility for his failed policies and actions.
Those he always blames on others.
3
"That means the only people left to prevent horrendous precedent, to make any attempt at presidential accountability, are the Democrats in the Congress. And, they are scared witless."
A craven abandonment of their Constitutional duty in the hopes of electoral advantage. Here's a tip, showing yourself to be just as spineless as your opponent won't win votes.
1
"You can always count on Americans to do the right thing - after they have exhausted every other possibility". (Winston Churchill)
Let's hope so.
13
In the crash of 2008, no one was held accountable.
When the rule of law is dead, criminals have no fear, and this is what you get.
4
@Grove I'm still at a loss as to why no one in the Bush administration was prosecuted for war crimes.
3
It's a horrible dilemma, the D's want to be the adults in the room, deliberately pursue investigations while governing and being mindful of the politics. But when POTUS and his party are totally devoid of morals, willing to blow up our ideals, lie about everything it is impossible, a reasonable and nuanced strategy doesn't work. You can't negotiate with a lawless, scorched earth, ends justify the means, win-lose adversary. Proceed with impeachment, lay out what we know, and force everything Trump lawlessness to dominate the front page. I pray that a few Republicans choose patriotism like Romney, Sasse, Murkowski.
5
What's really putting us at risk are Republican lawmakers who refuse to rein in this wannabe emperor. The GOP has become a collection of Trumpian toadies who put party above country. Hopefully they will rue the day come 2020.
5
Let’s face the hard truth and not sugarcoat it. It’s not an “Imperial Presidency;” it’s an autocracy. The Mueller report made it quite clear that Donald Trump acted with intent on multiple occasions to obstruct justice. And, it did not “exonerate” Trump from conspiring with Russia despite a welter of circumstantial evidence that he did; it just couldn’t meet the highest bar of incontrovertible “proof beyond a reasonable doubt.” When you add that Trump is an indicted co-conspirator in a felony to commit election fraud for which his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty and is now in jail, there is absolutely no doubt that the Democratic House has a Constitutional duty to impeach him. Our democracy is on the line. We are confronting a “Constitutional crisis” between its “rule of law” and “the rule of Trump.” The Constitution demands it; and Democrats must do what Republicans refuse to do and defend it.
8
If it is not a law, but only policy, that a sitting president can't be indicted, why can't this route be taken?
7
The todo is with the Democrats passed by Trump; the only obstruction of justice now is the Democrats not acting for the American People.
1
President Trump has for the most part destroyed the America we knew. We have lost our ability to compromise and haters have been enabled to become mainstream. Our prestige internationally has been so eroded that we have become the world's laughing stock. Where once we were a keystone in solving international issues we are now the problem and rightfully ignored. The President has chosen the path of tyranny and his enablers in the Congress have shown no desire to make decisions based on moral / ethical norms thus they have abandoned the American People. Relying on our judiciary as the sole arbiter of "Truth / Justice" and with our highest court packed with the President's cronies this bulwark is fast disappearing. We revolted against England to eliminate these issues but one man has taken it upon himself to return us to subjugation. This is how countries destroy themselves from within and I am of the opinion that we are now governed by a reincarnation of Caligula. RIP America.
5
Charles Blow tells us; "...There is no doubt whatsoever that Trump broke the law by obstructing justice, as he sought to end investigations into him, his campaign and his administration."
Absolutely incorrect. There is plenty of doubt and counter argument.
At least Mr Blow's piece is in the Opinion section.
1
I don't understand the constant hysteria about a 'constitutional crisis'. What crisis? Is Trump calling for martial law, sending in troops to control people, jailing judges, shutting down the media and arresting/killing politicians who don't agree with him? Of course not. DJT was duly elected and has done a pretty good job on the economy, he is trying to bring the crooked China trade practices to heel, to reign in the Iran non-treaty that Obama laid on the country that has proved ineffective and dangerous, to stem the tide of illegal families gang rushing our borders to break into the USA. You don't have to like his actions, or his behavior, but get over it, he's the president. If you don't like it field a credible candidate that can get the 270 electoral votes in 2020. Stop the constant hand wringing about a non-existent constitutional crisis, there is none other than the fevered swamps on the left. We have survived some terrible presidents including Wilson (a true racist), Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon and others. We will certainly survive Donald Trump.
1
@Evitzee No, he has done nothing for the economy, just helped the very rich and those in the stock market at the expense of the poor and working class. He will destroy the economy with foolish taxation and trade policies. America has always offered asylum to refugees from other nations. Trump is attempting to keep everyone out of America unless of course, they are from Norway. He a racist, disrespectful, sexist, LGBTQ phobic, scientist denying egomaniac.
It almost makes you wonder if the democrats and the republicans work together at times.
1
Two comments: One: it would be bad enough if the emperor in question were Augustus, but instead he is Caligula. Two: Mueller made an absolutely catastrophic mistake when he chose neither to indict Trump nor at least to state that he *would* have indicted him but for the Justice Dept. "policy" (?!?) against indicting a sitting president. Mueller's mistake may turn out to be the most catastrophic, far-reaching one-man mistake in American history since Robert E. Lee refused the command of the Union Army.
6
Open impeachment hearings now. Proceed with all deliberate speed.
All other committees in the House must continue to legislate full-speed ahead and send bills to the Senate. No, the Senate will not act on them...that's the point.
One of the most important impediments to a successful resolution of this disaster in the making is the mainstream press. The NYT and WaPo (among others) continue their breathless coverage of every odoriferous toot emitted by Trump while failing to cover what the House has done and its potential effects on the economy, environment and society. We get to hear about his golf instead of hearing about the really solid, thoughtful proposals of Warren or the substantial achievements of Governor Inslee and the Washington Legislature in Olympia (first public option health care in the country, effective global warming initiatives and tax reform).
Yes, the Democrats need to stand up on their hind legs...but the press and cable news need to quit chasing the sizzling outrage of the moment and start to justify their own privileges under the First Amendment. You want the Democrats to do their job? I do too.
But I also want the speech-privileged press to quit chasing clicks and start reporting the whole story with perspective.
Do your job or lose it...and wind up in an American Gulag if not dismembered while on assignment.
2
"Trump may well become the first American king, lawless and unaccountable, by default, by an overall political paralysis."
Just as Rome began to die.
4
Where is a Watergate-type Deep Throat patriot when we need him/her more than ever? Nixon’s threat to our democracy pales in comparison to what Trump is doing on a daily basis with the help of the anti-American FOX propaganda machine and spineless Republicans. I have no doubt that Trump’s Achilles heel lies in the financial records he is so bent on shielding and the evidence that exists somewhere of his years of laundering money for the Russians.
1
Those who decry the two party system have gotten their wish. The GOP has now birthed the Nationalist Party. Unlike the Tea Party, this spin-off has the full support of the Senate under Mitch McConnell.
1
Look again. Trump has already taken over. He now rules the Justice Department and all of the most significant departments in our government. They are now run by total incompetents like Trump. The Democrats do not recognize or know how to handle a major takeover of our government so they take very timid steps with far too much fear. Even our courts have been managed by Trump/McConnell. He is our king. We just did not know it was happening.
1
If no one can be trusted and "they" all lie and cheat and wrestle in muck, Trump may be no better than the rest, but he's no worse. That's the "vision" he runs on.
Trump rode into office partly by warning of the darkness and cynicism of politicians in general, Hillary Clinton in particular. Trump lied that only he, as an outsider, could end the corruption; ‘drain the swamp,’ as it were.
Well, now we can see that Trump has set the record for abuse of power. He has erased any divisions of governance, coopted the Justice Department, and declared himself beyond the law.
Next year, at the polls, we must show Trump what it means to be a nation of laws and what accountability citizens expect of our leaders. Trump’s own arguments need to be thrown in his face.
1
While Trump is absolutely all the horrific things 65% of Americans believe he is, he is also an incredibly good con man because 35-40% think he's a god.
Impeaching a god isn't going to go down well with his supporters and my fear is that they'll infect enough on the fence voters to re-elect him if impeachment begins.
Nancy Pelosi is correct, beat him at the polls in 2020. Forget how awful he is and defeat him.
1
I am so beside myself to see this great country witness this criminal laugh at every law. He is above the law. Did anybody ever suspect that something such as this could happen and find the way to stop it ?
I go for impeachment not this ridiculous way but impiccare the old fashion way even though I am against death penalty.
Sorry, only this way we can get rid of him.
Trump squeaked into the White House because of indifferent non-voters, phony "independents," and third party dreamers.
If the Democrats VOTE in 2020, then the Trump chaos/corruption is out the door.
Simple.
3
The Trump gaslighting imperium, by maintaining and intensifying an incessant stream of lies and coercions which feed a constant state of insecurity, doubt, and fear.
He reign of doubling and tripling down on attacks, refuting substantive evidence with denial, blame, and more false claims (misdirection),
The crown and ultimate objective as a pathological gaslighter is to control, dominate, and take advantage of another individual, or a group, or even an entire society.
3
Rupert Murdoch and his Fox propaganda machine are mostly responsible for this mess. Why does the FCC allow a media outlet to call themselves news when they broadcast mostly outright lies and lie by omission? There has to be something that can be done.
2
I think we will know a lot when we see the outcome of Game of Thrones' final episode. Obviously, that's a joke, but a lot of the themes explored in the series are certainly at play in this situation and Trump is indeed the mad ruler who appears willing to scorch the earth to get what he needs, even if what he needs -- bottomless attention -- will never satiate them.
That he's a preposterous, ignorant man with no skills save con artistry doesn't appear to matter to those who would count in this situation, the Republicans. What they don't realize and should if they are acquainted with his history is that their loyalty means nothing. He will implode and torch the place no matter how deeply they bow. If they care about themselves and the country, they should begin to stand up and say, no.
1
The Founders carefully planned a government of checks and balances, but they could hardly be blamed for failing to anticipate a sociopathic Executive. Now virtually every week Trump produces a new outrage, each beyond anything previously imagined in living memory or prior.
Yet Trump could not by himself produce the truly existential threat to America which we now face. Trump’s unthinking cult will likely never recover its sanity, but it is a minority. The people who hold our future in their hands are the previously main stream Republicans still capable of acting before an irreversible catastrophe, nuclear or otherwise, overtakes our nation. In the matter of Trump/Russia they are now complicit in treason. Is this how they wish to be remembered by their children and grandchildren, should those generations survive this lunatic?
2
If in fact Trump becomes the first American king, lawless and unaccountable, ultimately it will be because too many voters are fine with that. We have met the enemy and they are us.
5
Trump is the first modern President, perhaps the first President ever, to engage in the following behavior: 1) Constantly making outright factual lies to the public; 2) Diminishing and debasing women; 3) Encouraging hatred and violence as opposed to unity; 4) Aligning himself with the nation's greatest enemies and most despicable world leaders; 5) Not only criticizing the judiciary but doing so on the basis of racism; 6) Repeated use of profane and infantile language to attack opponents and others; 7) Openly denies science in favor of myths and religious nonsense; 8) Appoints sycophants to important federal positions rather than anyone with competence; 9) Continually discredits the press regardless of facts; 10) Rejects climate change and pulls the U.S. out of organizations or conferences intended to address the problem; 11) Has no regard for the poor (housing, health care, education, food) 12) Engages in scandals, denies doing so and attacks his accusers: 13) Refuses to allow the disclosure of any evidence (i.e. tax returns) that would establish his lies; 14) Separates children from mothers and then denies the policy; 15) Openly punishes states where voters do not support him with damaging tax policies or refusals to provide disaster aid. There are hundreds more examples of Trump's horrific comments, attitudes and actions. Yet, 75% of Republicans continue to support him and nearly one-half of the nation's voters worship him? Why would his attacks on democracy matter?
3
If the unthinkable happens and Trump becomes "the first American king, lawless and unaccountable" it ultimately will be because too many Americans will have decided that they have no problem with that. In that case, we will be forced to admit that we have met the enemy and they are us.
2
"Democrats are operating from the...Nixon impeachment playbook, only this isn’t the 1970s, before cable news, the internet and social media."
And, before...the Republican right took over almost the entire AM radio band across the US to propagandize all day long.
Before...RT News came into the US from Russia to spew propaganda about this country, including the lie that the Clinton's were putting the money raised by their foundation mainly in their own pockets, a lie that millions believed, creating fear that the Democrats were not merely wrong but an actual source of evil.
Before...Republicans like Mitch McConnell came to power and decided that not only elections were a zero sum game but the entire process of government was too, in his eyes. The goal is not accommodation and reasoned compromise, the goal is the utter elimination of any opposing forces in American life.
Before...the Republicans went through a 40+ year purge of moderates and moderate liberals from their ranks turning their party into one where being on the hard right is never far enough to satisfy.
Before...a generation of Republicans who came to office either seeking higher power at all costs or serving their time in Congress before cashing in on huge salaries as lobbyists and advisors, salaries that make Congressional pay look like a pittance.
Before...outside money and win at any cost television commercials became a way to demonize an opponent so throughly that his own mother might not vote for him.
16
@Doug Terry
You neglected to mention that Congressional action on Nixon also took place before the advent of Fox News, the most staggeringly corrupt and biased media organization in the modern history of the US.
Without Rupert Murdock and his henchmen Roger Ailes, Trump would have disappeared from the public mind long ago. He would probably now be a has-been New York City developer shunned by most.
1
@Doug Terry
Forcefully and accurately stated!
3
@Mike
You are entirely correct to add Fox News to the list of factors that incites rancid partisanship across America. But remember this, too: had NBC not put Trump on national television, paying him $400,000 per show to pretend he was a genuine business person, he was, in fact, someone who investors and banks across America had learned, through hard lessons, that they dare not do business with lest they be left holding the (empty) bag.
Trump's path toward failure was apparent for all to see. He could no longer get bank loans in the US, he descended into a "brand salesman" who rented out his name so that others could try to make money for him by using it. His succession of failures from the Trump Shuttle to the Plaza Hotel to the casinos in Atlantic City were well known to almost everyone...except those away from New York who believed the televised image of a strong, decisive (pretend) business guy.
NBC birthed this disaster, Fox News cashed in on it.
1
I am in agreement with the general thrust of Mr Blow's opinion piece, but I disagree with his terms such as "imperial" and "king"...these terms can only fortify Mr. Trump's ego and megalomania.
I think better and more accurate descriptions would be "dictator", "authoritarian" etc.
19
@Confucius
Indeed. But there was a time that the pondering of a U.S. President acting as a "king" or "imperial" would have shocked the good sense of run of the mill Americans. There was enough knowledge in the land that people knew why we fought a revolution and why the Constitution set out to prevent an executive from taking the powers of a "king." Now, in these days, there is no such knowledge (even "Hamilton" the play is heralded for its cultural relevance more so than a reminder of how this country forged a system of self governance). Characterizing the danger of losing our values and system to the powers of a "singular" president (an emperor or a king) is seen as just another layer of name calling.
1
"...the Democrats in the Congress. And, they are scared witless."
Brilliantly said. Wink,wink.
The problem is that at least in the Nixon era Republicans could be persuaded by the preponderance of the evidence that could have led to impeachment hearings for Nixon. Now they would rather betray their country and the constitution by participating in Trump's stonewalling. I am reminded of the video of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein who had the deputies in the legislature shout their loyalty to him when he entered. You weren't shouting loudly enough of your loyalty? Out the door and likely shot. We are not so far removed at this point.
The Democrats do the right thing and it will be cast as the most virulent partisan attack possible. Sadly, the Republican base will eat it up: hook, line, and sinker.
7
Let's make one thing very clear: the Republican Party isn't resigned to Trump; it is a willing partner.
Trump is what they have been working towards for decades. Don't be too critical of Pelosi if you too can't face up to the fact that Trump is just the face of the deeper rot in our political system, and the stench is coming from the right.
Democrats are still trying to play by the rules. Republicans know they can't win without breaking the rules - and they've chosen winning above everything else.
17
You are clear, concise, and absolutely right. Keep it up.
8
There are so many examples in relation to where we are headed as a country, but JUST one is worth recalling.
Just one:
How many recall when Imperial Trump did not like one of Chief Justice John Roberts' court decisions, voting with the liberals?
Roberts had sided with what was best for our country, and within minutes, Trump must have degraded Roberts in a tweet, writing, " . . . Roberts is a disaster."
In other words, Trump's demented mindset judged that Roberts was not being "loyal" to the imperial president, calling him a "disaster"
I'm confident, that Justice Roberts --- who seems to have maintained his moral conscience --- has been paying close attention to what has happened in the last few weeks.
If not, we will lose our country, and one more faithful Catholic will have lost his moral conscience.
6
In the last 20 years, only one American entity has done little else but win: The New England Patriots
Here are four qualities that have helped Bill Belichick's Patriots over the years:
1. Do your job.
2. Be attentive.
3. Pay attention to details.
4. Put the team first.
I offer this simple philosophy to Democrats who have mistaken keeping their jobs for doing their jobs. It appears that the GOP's job is to sow blessed hatred and the Democrats' job is to make excuses for why they can't do their job.
And despite all of this some wonder why voters have become apathetic.
Do your job. Make Mitch McConnell's every day a nightmare as the public is made privy to his hijacking of the legislative process.
Do your job. Be sure that Trump's malfeasance is not mealy-mouthed away by the talking heads.
Do your job. Put the team first. Just do it.
9
To overcome this alarming state of “political paralysis” which you write of Mr. Blow, we need at this precise time a dramatic and compelling public occurrence to alter the present dynamic of unconstitutional White House stonewalling in unholy concert with shameless Republican Congressional intransigence. Therefore, I humbly call upon Robert Mueller to set forth in this paper of record, and others, his judgment that Trump did criminally obstruct justice in the numerous ways enumerated in his report and that but for his being a sitting President, Trump would have been indicted for these offenses. Furthermore, that he has deliberately provided Congress with such evidence for the specific purpose of commencing the impeachment process so that this President will not escape accountability for his felonious actions. This authoritative statement needs to be articulated by Mr. Mueller now, without haste!
3
"That means the only people left to prevent horrendous precedent, to make any attempt at presidential accountability, are the Democrats in the Congress. And, they are scared witless."
I don't believe the Democrats are the ones scared witless, I believe Republicans have sold their souls and are scared witless because we see in plain sight the carnage trump is able to reap on against anyone who opposes him. Certainly Lindsey Graham is a case in point.
3
A military coup may be the only option if the courts side with Trump.
1
I just finished watching Game of Thrones before reading this. With all its battles and wicked political games, GOT can be turned off when the episode is over. Trump is so much more frightening because he has cast his wicked spell over the entire Republican Party and they are willing to deny the truth before their own eyes. Now THAT is scary.
2
"We are drifting dangerously close to an imperial presidency that exists above and outside the rules"
Drifting? Racing is more like it. Trump can't accumulate more power fast enough. In his life in the corporate world, he has basically been a dictator the whole time - he is not going to change now.
Massive, massive activism and voter turnout is one guaranteed way to rid ourselves of this social cancer destroying America.
Special thanks to Charles Blow and many others working hard to wake America up. Our future is at stake.
7
Bye-bye American democracy. The lethargic electorate is ultimately responsible for who is president and what that president does. Don't blame the republicans or the democrats.
Everyone is guilty of blaming everyone but ourselves.
The country isn't divided, it is united in a do-nothing mode.
5
The Republican approach to the Supreme Court has always been "no legislation from the bench; take the Constitution literally". I now start to realize that the word "literal" is exactly that. No interest in what the Authors of the constitution meant to achieve, but what it literally says (in line with true fundamentalism: "Constitutional Fundamentalism" in this case. If that were not so, and taking into account that the Authors were very concerned about the (re-)emergence of a king like figure, the Supreme Court and the Republicans should already be screaming "bloody murder", because the King like figure has emerged!!!!
2