Who knew, that Professor Turley could be such an insincere hack? He is the latest example of how an otherwise respectable human being, can so easily transition from being admirably idealistic, to a garden variety swamp dweller; shilling for an administration that shreds the constitution daily, obstructs justice, peddles disinformation, promotes racist tropes, cages innocent children and denies climate change. How can his young, impressionable students ever take him seriously again?
10
We have to ask-- what's the real motivation of Turley who goes to such lengths to distort and obfuscate? Er, lie.
So educated in the law, so scholarly, with language at his command. Yet he constructs these verbal edifices that can so easily be compared with his past statements on impeachment--when it was a different president. How naive, even stupid can such an experienced, intelligent man be?
It's easy to see that even his facial expression shows pretense and hypocrisy.
And didn't the Republicans ever check Turely out---to look at his past statements on Clinton and Obama before choosing him as their witness, with the whole country watching?
He's been ridiculed all over the media.
9
A terrible mistake Obama made in his beginning was to NOT investigate the abuses in the Cheney/Bush administration regarding Iraq. For the sake of history and our national future the exposure of ALL our blunders is important. In a very minor way this applies also to Hunter Biden's cushy deal with the oil guys in Ukraine and Clinton's pardon of Mark Rich. Shine ultraviolet lights on all the germs.
4
This Op-Ed is so on point it should be mandatory reading for all House Democrats. Mueller handed the obstruction case to Democrats on a silver platter. Obstruction includes any attempts to interfere with or impede Mueller's investigation, whether or not they were successful. How House Democrats could possibly not include obstruction of Mueller's investigation in the articles of impeachment is beyond me. As a former Republican, now independent, I have always considered the Democrats to be utterly inept. If they fumble this one, my impression of them will be confirmed.
83
@RunDog Inept at fighting dirty, yes. At least since Kennedy and Johnson. Also inept at communication.
5
"...that he'll nearly certainly try the same thing again." Further endangering the health and safety of every American and indeed all planetary citizens while advancing the bloodlust of a murdering barbaric russian tyrant.
7
Everyone knows trump will do it again, without a second’s hesitation. Unfortunately, that is what motivates his base and the republicans in Congress. They’ll do anything for them to remain in power, the only way they can, by cheating. It is all they have left. Total corruption.
Thanks for exposing Jonathan Turley for the duplicitous toad he is, Michelle.
8
The House of Representatives needs to take it's time to clarify and inform American Citizens EVERY detail and action President Trump has violated his oath of office. The House of Representatives are accountable to the American People. The President is also accountable to the American People but unfortunately Trump doesn't understand the meaning of the word accountability. I encourage the House to take there time to clearly describe the inappropriate and illegal behavior of our current President. Do everything in your power to force Trump's minions to testify... if they don't and they are guilty, ultimately they will go down with POTUS as will every Senator who doesn't stand up and protect the American Democracy. The American People deserve to know the truth.
3
The posts here remind me of the rhythmic clapping of a Politburo. Pick one, it doesn't matter: the USSR, North Korea, China.
When everyone on the left thinks virtually the exact same thing, we know the left is in trouble.
1
Keep it simple,stupid. Kiss.
Each order issued by Congress ( subpoena) for documents in the hands of the White House is a distinct count of obstruction of justice.
Each witness that had received a subpoena to testify before Congress but was told by the White House not to go is a distinct count of obstruction of justice.
Just bury the guy under hundreds of different charges.
1
Throw the book at him. This is not a time to be timid, the normal posture of Congressional Democrats. Bring the machete to the knife fight, for once.
- Emoluments.
- Use of non-secure phones to discuss national security (an easy call, given three years of “lock her up”).
- Obstruction of Congress.
- Obstruction of Justice (Mueller 10).
- Campaign finance violations (same charge as Cohen plead to).
- Inaugural graft and failure to disclose, as required by law.
6
I hope Speaker Pelosi and the House Democrats have a way to counter Senate Leader McConnell’s plan to not take the impeachment seriously and let Trump off the hook no matter what.
15
Mueller warned us. Yovanovitch warned us. Taylor, Vindmann, and even the sly amigo Voelker warned us. Russia has us in their crosshairs.
With an expanding impeachment, we can link the Ukrainian story to Russia and its future expansion plans. And kudos to Pelosi for hammering on this point yesterday. It's the drumbeat that all Democrats should be beating against the Republicans who refuse to look at facts in blind support of Trump.
So I ask each Republican representative and senator:
Do you really want to enable Russia to invade more European countries? To conduct more cyber-warfare? To fund and execute more corruption in Western democracies? Do you want to find out next year that your Republican opponent is accepting Russian help to destroy your own campaign because you didn't bow low enough for Trump? Does Russian interests supersede the interests of our country and of our allies'? Your words and actions say "yes." And be very careful, this is drifting into treasonous behavior.
Whatever edge Putin has on Trump, I really don't care. With those two, you know it's about money anyway. But make no mistake, Ukraine is the pawn in this game. It's Russia that is our target, and this impeachment is an opportunity to show them exactly how democracy can defend itself.
8
A couple things:
First, Turley also did a hack job when defending his 'client' in the last impeachment trial, Federal Judge Porteus when he claimed that bribe money the judge accepted was a 'wedding gift.' The judge was convicted and removed. I can only hope he defends Trump.
Next, as far as articles of impeachment, sadly it seems that the Democrats have kept it deliberately simple so that the Republican base can follow along.
But the trial is in the Senate, where even the most partisan Republican currently in denial or unwilling to jump out of lockstep with his party, should be able to follow along.
Here should be the charges:
-At least ten acts of Obstruction of Justice, as outlined in the Mueller Report
-Numerous violations of the Emoluments clause
-At least three acts of treason (asking an adversarial foreign power for help in the last presidential election, even though said adversary was already in the progress of affecting the election, asking a friendly foreign power for help in digging up dirt on a potential opponent in the upcoming presidential election, and, finally, taking the word of adversarial foreign leaders--Putin, Erdogan & MBS--over his own intelligence services.
-Bribery and extortion, notably of Zelinsky
-Witness tampering, and in real time, no less
The information is there and it's as plain as the noses on the Republicans' faces.
6
Senate Republicans have accepted Trump blood money and will waste no time in not only exonerating him but pinning a medal on him as a fearless corruption fighter. And as long as Donald Trump can position himself as "asking" for an investigation comes that plausible deniability and quid pro quo in that context becomes not only acceptable but downright patriotic. Democrats have the means to deny that plausible deniability in the dossier of Giuliani "dirt" delivered to them by State Dept. IG Linick. That along with the operative phrase "work with Rudy he knows what is going on" from the transcript shows that what was being extorted was for Ukraine's president to take ownership of said "dirt" because obviously it would have zero credibility coming from Rudy Giuliani. No doubt the Senate exoneration is a forgone conclusion but let the public have a clear and concise understanding, which they don't have now, of what precisely constitutes the impeachable act of which Donald Trump is accused.
2
Since the GOP is thoroughly corrupt they won't vote to convict their criminal president. The president will be acquitted regardless of whether the case against him is broad or narrow. Therefore, Democrats should specify every impeachable offense Trump has committed. Limiting the articles of impeachment in the hope of convincing the ignorant ant disengaged American electorate is simply wrong. History must have an accurate official record of Trump's crimes and abuses.
4
On the "trial" in the well of the Senate: Trump will want witnesses. Biden, Schiff, some others. Will the House Democrats also be allowed to have witnesses, like Bolton, Mulvaney, McGahn? Would it have been possible in the House Intel Committee?
"Fog Everywhere" "Dickens, Bleak House"
In business I was taught to limit the arguments in support of my proposal to the strongest three. In a list of, say, ten "reasons why", I was told, my opponents would pick on the weakest reason and beat on it until the proposal was defeated, or diverted.
The judiciary committee needs to heed the same advice.
2
Ms Goldberg differs in opinion with the leaders of the House of Representatives. The House strategy is obviously aimed at two targets. One, showing their constituents that they will do their duty by impeaching the President, even though they are certain he will be found not guilty by the Republican led Senate. Two, presenting the voting public with a clear instance of wrongdoing by the President, while they believe that the voting public cannot entertain any complexity introduced by stipulating multiple offenses.
Recent history would support the view of the House leadership. One, Republican Senators have been remarkably pliant in their willingness to bend before the President's flouting of law and normative behavior. None of them seem in the least willing to endanger their chances of re-election or of obtaining favorable employment post electoral office. Two, Trump exhibited disgusting behavior aplenty before and during the 2016 election. He won anyway.
Better to get this over with and concentrate on winning 2020 by showing swing voters and independents a candidate with policy ideas that have a chance of improving their lot, and a candidate who can perform the job of successfully running the administrative branch of the US government.
2
Given that the Senate will surely acquit, they should present the broadest articles of impeachment and then decide which articles to pursue in the Senate trial.
That's what lawyers do all the time - make every colorable claim you can and then decide at trial how to present the strongest case.
Now is not the time to give up any credible impeachable offenses.
5
I agree with Michelle Goldberg.
We can expect the Chief Justice, presiding over the trial of the impeachment charges, to dismiss some charges. So, don't be too stingy on the charges. There are many that are justified, including the Mueller obstruction allegations. Combine these with the Ukraine scandal because they are linked, accurate, supported by proof and warrant action. Something may stick -- at least until the end of the trial before the Republicans on the "jury" vote that not a single charge is sufficient for removal.
Why make it easy for the corrupt Senators who vote to dismiss.
3
The question here has been raised a million times in criminal cases. And the answer applies equally to impeachment. If you have a winner of a case, you go for the jugular. If not you include anything and everything that cuts in your favor. There is no single overwhelming charge here, so Ms. Goldberg is probably right.
3
Trump is all about using anything, including foreign help, to win in 2020. He convicted himself of being willing to receive foreign help in a TV interview by George Stephanopoulos. Trump said would listen to information provided by a foreign source and does not see this as election interference. FCC commissioner Ellen Weintrub said this is illegal. Trump has no regard illegal vs. legal, because he cares only about winning. When it came to receiving Russian help, or pressuring Ukraine for help, Trump stayed true to his word-open to it. Indeed, he has before corruptly tried to engineer illegal foreign aid and he will keep doing so, until he stops being President. Let’s hope Congress can help with that.
3
Once acquitted in the Senate, Trump will be free to enlist the assistance of every corrupt government in the world to aid in his fixing the 2020 election. Republicans couldn't be happier, since Trump's efforts will assist them in their endless quest to disenfranchise likely (and legitimate) Democratic voters.
It is likely that Trump's assurance of Senate acquittal means he doesn't have to wait for the actual vote.
1
There is nothing in the constitution that states that a president can only be impeached once. If not removed from office by the senate, the house can start impeachment inquiries again if the president actions would make that necessary. The opportunity for Trump is to become the first president to become impeached twice in one term
1
Perhaps, but along with Democrats going down in history as losing control of the House and the Oval Office in an election that was theirs to lose.
The Muller Report shows that Donald Trump was seeking a multi-hundred million dollar personal sweetheart deal from Putin, one of America's greatest enemies -- to build the largest Trump Tower in the world near the Kremlin -- while he was running to be President of the United States. And he continues to praise Putin and take actions that help Russia and hurt America as if he is still hoping to make billions off of Russia.
If that isn't grounds for impeachment, what is?
8
The Mueller investigation was too long, the Impeachment inquiries too short.
Methinks the GOP doth protest too much.
And regardless, there’s a clear trail of corruption, self-enrichment, and generally awful behavior emanating from the Oval under this Administration. Throw the bum out.
2
@Matt, just a reminder. The Republican lead investigation of Bill Clinton, that is the "Whitewater" investigation conducted by Kenneth Starr, lasted over 4 years and found nothing of substance relating to Clinton's role in the eponymous real estate venture. Only after a civil servant of dubeous ethical standards betrayed her "friend" Monica to reveal an affair that could be used to compell a President to submit to an unconscionable interrogation regarding the most personal matters, was Ken Starr able to construct a case for "perjury". Obviously, the Republican perspective on the gravity of Clinton's "high crimes & misdemeanors" relative to Trump's solicitation of Russia's manipulation of our 2016 election reveals hypocrisy of epic magnitude.
5
Go for it.
Two counts of obstruction ... Russia investigation and Ukraine.
Witness intimidation and tampering...Cohen, Yovanovitch.
Abuse of office...withholding aid to Ukraine, lying to the American people.
Election law violations...hush payments to porn star.
Emoluments clause violation...use of personal properties to direct government spending to them for golf outings.
Endangering national security...denial of climate change.
3
Has to include:
Ukraine
Russia
Kurds/Turkey
Kashoggi
Kids in Cages
Emoluments
Campaign Finance
Obstruction
4
Congress, hurry up impeach the Fake Man, Trumpy, and then lock him up.
2
Please New York Times 100% anti-Trump pro-impeachment pundits. Don't make your editorials, "news analysis," and even supposedly straight news articles so widely focused such that your extreme bias in this matter is so openly exposed. Why are you pleading Ms. Goldberg? Knock-knock. Hello. You have zero chance for conviction in the Senate. When will your bubble be burst? When Donald Trump is re-elected? I know its a cliche Ms. Goldberg but in your case "denial" is not just a river in Egypt.
1
Why waste space on columns like this. We don't need Michelle Goldberg telling us. Everyone gets it The Times and almost all its readers haste Donald Trump. That is fine but why repeat the same message endlessly. How about some real news !
1
You can't impeach a president because you hate him. And Nancy does, no matter what she says. Democrats are pathetic.
1
@M: Sure, it’s just fine to bribe a foreign leader; it’s just fine to request foreign assistance in US elections; it’s just fine to ignore Congressional subpoenas; it’s just fine to smear and fire a well-respected diplomat; it’s just fine to obstruct the Mueller investigation. If these are not impeachable offenses, what are?
8
Again the NYT using Joe McCarthy’s playbook, secure in the knowledge that the average American doesn’t know diddly-squat about their country’s history. Support anyone who’s a threat to the establishment syndicate, and you’ll find yourself dubbed a "Russian" asset.
All this human misery because a textbook narcissistic sociopath was denied what she considers her birthright in 2016. It’s transparent, ridiculous, and shameful.
It’s pretty much a given that Hillary's gang is pulling the strings controlling the DNC nomination process. There’s also the very real possibility she’s preparing to enter the race herself, having had a few years to convince herself and her Pantsuit Brigade that she didn’t tank in 2016 because most American voters revile her. Nah. Russia did it. But the pushback we get from NYT readers is: “She’s done with politics! We know because she told us so! Hillary’s home reading empowering feminist literature to the grandkids and baking saltpeter cookies for Bill! Leave her alone, Russian Troll!”
These are the same putzes who think Clinton lost due to Russian Meddling and that America was super-awesome until Trump waddled his doughy butt into the Oval Office. Their biggest achievement is elevating selective credulousness to an art form.
The Democrats made a deal with the Devil that we all are still paying for. If Hillary runs again or even “just” handpicks the heir to her unattainable throne (Warren, anyone?) it will spell doom for the already floundering Party.
1
I agree.
1
“All roads lead to Putin” was what Nancy Pelosi said today. The ones with the most potholes run through Ukraine.
3
All Trump roads lead to Russia, and they're riddled with impeachable potholes.
3
totally agree.
2
Agreed.
1
Uncontested facts have formed a good foundation.
It is in our best interest to have articles that are held to separate votes of guilt or acquittal.
A vote on each and every violation of his oath of office.
The historical record is flush with evidence.
https://themoscowproject.org/collusion-chapter/chapter-1/
2
Trump has already met the new Turley standard. Trump is already named as an un-indicted co-conspirator in a campaign fraud conspiracy. Case closed, impeach away.
2
Most of us understand that impeachment is vague and that the president asked a foreign power for help with a personal domestic issue but we are swimming in the océan of opaque Latin sounding accusations against or about him while we do understand better those against the likes of Rudy Giuliani & Roger Stone & Paul Manafort & Michael Flynn & Cie
1
The Democrats' impeachment log line is simple: "In America, no person is above the law." Just use it for crissakes. Over and over and over and. . . .
3
Give the Senate as much to juggle as possible. The Republicans thrive on reductive talking points...the bigger the docket the harder it is for them to throw out simple quips like “but her emails!” and “nothingburger.”
The last offensive measure the House has is to serve up the largest, messiest plate of impeachment goulash for ol’ Mitch to dine on. Make it the “War and Peace” of impeachment articles. Write it all in Latin, backwards.
3
Gosh, Ms. Goldberg be more helpful. Tell them to limit the Articles to less than ten pages!
2
These articles sound so very important and yet are so lacking in anything resembling sense, why don't you just add a charge that you don't like his hair and that must be a crime also?
Agreed. Not only is it a damning indictment of just HOW corrupt he is, but it also makes Republicans look like they are participants in running his criminal enterprise. After all, there is so much criminal behavior, it IS essentially an enterprise. Additionally, it will be a tougher job to defend someone who behaved indefensibly in so many ways since day one.
1
As with the 2016 election, the Democrats will bear a large share of the responsibility themselves if Mr. Trump is reelected.
This article is spot on. Can you imagine Giuliani's rumored video of interviews of the corrupt Ukrainian prosecutors being offered as Defense Exhibit One in the Senate trial of the impeachment?
If the Federal Rules of Evidence are inapplicable in an impeachment process, the party of Grand Old Prevaricators may well be able to blow a smoke screen to cover over the Ukrainian malfeasance.
At the very least, they must include references to the Muller report and to the fact that it's findings could not be included in the Articles of Impeachment because they were denied access to the underlying evidence by the Administration.
2
As odious and undeserving of a second term as Trump is, I just can’t get on board with impeachment based on his Ukraine scam: Is what he did with Ukraine really that much of a leap from sending thousands of Americans to their death In Iraq over knowingly phoney claims of weapons of mass destruction, or decades of undermining -and even overturning -foreign governments including democracies?
Likewise, why the rush to get the impeachment done at breakneck speed and why ignore those vital witnesses that evaded subpoenas? Are the Dems afraid that the court’s will not enforce the subpoenas or has election/political considerations trumped the “protect the constitution” narrative?
The Dems had Trump right where they wanted him: a deeply unpopular and farcically clownish failure. Now they are making him a martyr. The Dems ensnaring themselves in their own trap.
Is it any wonder why so much of the country is disgusted.
I wonder if it matters. Seriously. Anyone with half a brain knows this guy is a fink. Look at the bankruptcies, the sexual assaults, the adultery, the lack of ever having done an honest day's work. Look at the bullying and daily almost hourly lying. Trump has zero credulity. So - who should we believe about what was going on? The career diplomats who have committed their entire lives to promoting and protecting US interests? Who gave completely consistent accounts of an egregious scheme that is almost as laughable as it is contemptible (in terms of its execution)? Or will you believe a life-long liar - whether to his wives or to his business partners or to his golf partners (well established lying there, too)? Is there really even open for debate? If the Senate Republicans do not convict Trump it will be the most cynical act of self-preservation in American history.
4
@Joe I LOVE that you called Trumpolini a "fink!" Haven't heard that word in a good long time! I've been looking for alternate words, ones that I can say in public or write in a comment, instead of the the four-letter ones I routinely call him in the sanctuary of my own home. FINK! I love it! Thanks!
1
Who are you trying to convince by packing so many charges into the Article of Impeachment?
Minds are largely made up and the Senate is not going to act. Pick one charge and stick with it.
(the mere act of asking a foreign leader to investigate a political rival of Trumps would be sufficient for me).
Keep it simple
2
I take your good points here, Ms. Goldberg, but we have to remember Nancy Pelosi has been correct in all of her legislative moves thus far as House Speaker. And though I agree with most of your assessment, I have to go with Pelosi's congressional experience and leadership over journalism. You are dead on about Trump though-- the most disloyal, and to my thinking, criminal president in U.S. history. That latter point has been evident for 3 years now. "L'Chaim!"
1
Thank you, Ms Goldberg, for an informative and well presented argument. Just the background on Turley was eye-opening. Your link to the Ukranian 2016 canard made circumstances clearer, and your argument forceful.
1
To Ms. Goldberg and the 100% of the commenters (as of my reading last night) on one side of this issue. Too narrow or too wide. Too long or too short. You have zero chance of conviction in the Senate. Why waste your time on what the articles of impeachment look like? "Denial" is not just a river in Egypt.
Anyone who has worked in a law office recognizes the machinations of Pelosi and Trump for what they are: negotiations. Pelosi et al wants Trump out. Trump wants to stay out of jail, plus some dignity on his exit. Pelosi does not want besmirch the country or the office of President. Trump wants to make an exit speech and a nice place to live. Pelosi wants to be sure the next guy is not a idiot. Trump wants a pension. They have to settle a lot of issues before somebody new gets sworn in, right after Trump resigns. Which news media are keeping all these secrets??
1
Please Democrats, give me a candidate I can vote for.
Impeachment should never overturn an election, otherwise what's the point of voting.
Yes, yes and yes. If, in their haste to wrap up the hearings, the Democrats offer up only the Ukraine incident as Trump’s only crime, it will be easily dismissed. The battle lines on that issue were drawn long ago; people have already decided: quid pro quo or no quid pro quo.
It is a given that the Republicans will turn down whatever the Democrats come up with, so it is imperative that the Democrats provide the public with a full picture of the corruption of the Trump crime syndicate. He intimidated a witness for crying out loud. He is a climate denier, and thus has failed to protect the well-being of the citizens. He has violated campaign finance laws by paying off two women during the 2016 campaign. He has appropriated funds from his “charity” for personal use. He has lied to the American people thousands of times. He has obstructed justice by ordering anyone in his administration not to participate in the hearings.
And there is much, much more. It is all part of the public record. And it is a corruption that goes beyond just one man; it has infected the uppermost levels of our government where it has been accepted as “normal” behavior. Barr, Pompeo, Perry, and many more were involved. And what is Trump’s private lawyer, Rudy Guilliani, doing intervening with impunity in foreign policy?
The rot needs to be exposed in its entirety. When someone has cancer, we don’t just cut out part of it and expect that the person is cured – we cut all of it out.
5
The failure to secure all subpoenaed documents and testimony from the White House, in hope of minor political advantage, prior to drawing up articles of impeachment is inexcusable. Ms. Goldberg is correct insisting that the disloyal behavior described by the Mueller Report, including those acts concealed in redacted passages, need to be included in the Articles of Impeachment. It is only by fully exposing the criminal disloyalty of Trump and his convicted co-conspirators will it be possible to pass true judgement on this Presidency. The political partisanship that has maintained Trump's political shield must be exposed to the light of day, for a fully-informed citizenry & an aroused electorate. Any Senator considering a vote to acquit the President after such a full exposure of Trump's conduct, must be willing to forever stand with him in light of history's contempt for cowards and criminals. Their family name & legacy must be indelibly inscribed with the lack of courage and integrity that such a vote reveals. The ghosts of a million patriots, from Arlington and military cemeteries across the globe would emerge enraged by the betrayal of their sacrifices by venal & corrupt men. They will have their revenge on all of us! Our best hope is to conduct a full investigation on the totality of this administration's conduct, even if that runs through November of 2020. The more information revealed, the better our chances of saving ourseleves & the United States!
3
I think the articles should lay-out a comprehensive catalog of all of Trumps countless other un-Presidential behaviors, comments, and antics since he took office, and even before. These may seem collateral, but I believe they are highly relevant, as collectively they display Trump's complete disregard for Presidential norms, American traditions, and Constitutional expectations. His total lack of regard for the Constitution and the law is at the core of everything involving Russia and Ukraine, and these countless collateral episodes reflect that. We should want the historical record to be clear and comprehensive for future generations to study.
The only downside will be that the articles will morph from being several dozen pages long to several hundred (or thousand) pages long.
2
Yes, but the scope should go beyond the current investigation. even though it's late in the game, the House Judiciary should subpoena Zelinsky, and Trump as well as hire a House Bailiff to arrest both Bolton and Mulvaney, since they won't comply. Here's a paraphrase of the House Republican argument as put forth by R Alabama, Doug Collins: Trump held a gun to Zelinsky's head, but it did not off, so no crime was committed. If that were a real world standard of justice, then no one would stand trial for attempted murder, which of course they do. The only reason the money was delivered is because Congress revoted it so. In early July, the Pentagon told the WH, under the terms of the Impound Control Act, that if the money was not spent by early August, it could not be spent before the fiscal year end on Sept. 30th. It literally took an act of Congress to get that money to Ukraine in time. The Dems literally pulled the gun from Trump's hand before it went off, so to help Ukraine. That does not make Trump any less guilty than if he had pulled the trigger.
2
In some ways, the "obstruction of justice" charges are most serious and egregious because obstruction and a total lack of cooperation with Muller Investigation as well the House investigation in Ukraine scandal by Trump administration has prevented more detailed findings and confirmation of the charges by both investigations. In other words, how can we ever be sure that we know the actual truth about Trump's criminal activities as Trump has seriously stalled the investigations. And there is also the matter of setting a very dangerous precedence for future Presidents to completely stonewall any congressional oversight.
4
Adding an article of impeachment for obstruction of congress because the president went to court to block access to certain records is absurd. What do the Democrats think the purpose of the courts is?
3
The nightmare I keep having is an imaginary episode of John Oliver's show in which he flashes a picture of "Ukraine" on the screen then reveals that it was in fact a map of Rhode Island, and says "you didn't even know that, did you?" While the idea of avoiding the risk of expecting the average American with an average IQ of 100 (meaning half the voters are below that level) to grasp too many details is real, I think we need a clearer, easier to grasp emergency. As a psychologist who evaluates average people's understanding of events every day I know that a great many cannot list one news event and cannot list more than two of the past five presidents. No one ever mentions Ukraine when I ask about news items they've heard lately. The real risk of Trump is that he is 1. breaking the government people depend on: environmental protection, health care, Social Security; 2. he is basically a Russian asset put into the Presidency by an enemy country. Details about a country most citizens could not find on a map is not simplifying things -- it's committing national suicide. In the end, you go to war against a major geopolitical adversary with the population you have, so you better be damned sure you make the situation clear enough for a 10 year old to grasp.
3
"The murky events of 2016" are only murky because of Trump's constant obstruction and lying by his campaign staff. Some of them are in jail for their lying.
Why aren't the House subpoenas being enforced? Are they not legally binding? Hash them out in the courts, but it must be accelerated, as the 2000 FLA recount was.
Bring it all in, and take the time to make the plain treachery and criminality brought to light regarding both corrupted elections.
3
The Ukraine affair is just the tip of the iceberg, a single "micro" story within a much broader "macro" context of corruption and malfeasance by The Orange One and his henchpeople.
The impeachment articles should be as broad as possible, because the range of misbehavior has been as broad as, until now, was even imaginable.
We have abundant authority for such breadth: "You don’t even have to be convicted of a crime to lose your job [as president] in this constitutional republic if this body determines that your conduct as a public official is clearly out of bounds in your role. Impeachment is not about punishment. Impeachment is about cleansing the office. Impeachment is about restoring honor and integrity to the office.”
That's what was said by a man named Lindsey Graham, speaking in 1999, when the object of impeachment articles was a misbehaving Democratic president.
The shoe is, of course, now on the other foot, and Mr. Graham, a Republican, has changed from being a fierce impeachment warrior in the House of Representatives to (in my opinion) a hypocritical presidential bootlicker in the Senate (imagine what Lindsey Graham would have to say if Barack Obama had done the things The Orange One has done!), but nevertheless Mr. Graham correctly and eloquently articulated the principles which should govern the House impeachment inquiry now, and anytime.
2
People need to stop saying "obstruction of justice" unless they add "which frustrated the investigation into Trump's collusion with the Russian state." Every time Trump or some GOPer recites "no collusion" (as they did just this week), the answer is obstruction of justice which frustrated ... and he is doing it again!
4
Michelle as much as I admire your thought process and intellect I’m for following Nancy Pelosi’s political instincts and moving the impeachment process along. Trump administration’s defiance, an AG that shares that defiance, a Republican Party committed to going down with the Trump brinksmanSHIP and a politicized Supreme Court will not allow Trump’s removal from office, so I fail to see a “win” by parading ALL of Trump’s high crimes and misdemeanors. “They” don’t care and prolonging the process will only “Benghazi” the outcome.
Trump can not unimpeach himself, anymore than Bill Clinton can. He will not be stronger when the senate fails to remove him, just more beholden to the hypocrites who defend him.
Trust the electorate to do what the Senate will never do, VOTE him back to oblivion and let us bring back our dignity.
3
"Democrats ... have a duty to explain not just why Trump betrayed America when he sought to extort election help from Ukraine, but how we know that he’ll nearly certainly try the same thing again." That's been done. The "why" - to get a political advantage on a likely opponent in the 2020 election. The "again" - he started on the Ukraine scheme the day after the Mueller report came out, so a proven repeat offender. The Mueller report and all the testimony provided more recently has made the case very clear. As Ms. Goldberg states, Mr. Trump is "the most corrupt and disloyal president in American history ... "
2
Given that the chances are nil that the Senate will treat these articles of impeachment the House sends them seriously, then we must accept the fact that these articles are being written for history, with the hope that a smarter, less fractured society can learn from our frightening tango with a dictator.
3
Michelle just can't get past her delusional belief in the Russian Collusion case promulgated by the DNC and the Dem leadership since the election. When that was proven, by the Mueller Report, to be no more than a dream by the Dems and no collusion occurred, they then twisted the narrative to Trump obstructing the Mueller investigation. This again failed to gain traction as it appeared that many of the staff members on the Mueller team were engaged in behavior that showed extreme bias and conduct more criminal than shown by Trump. Goldberg should be extremely concerned that the FBI, usurped the political process by allowing the Clinton investigation to bypass normal investigative protocols, such as failing to secure evidence via search warrants, by allowing witnesses/suspects to be interviewed using provided questions, and then tailoring the final report to reflect the change in the definition of the violated statute as changed by AG Loretta Lynch (of course after her secret meeting with Bill Clinton).
What we have here were actually crimes and an incredible level of corruption orchestrated by the Obama and Clinton groups. Far worse than the foolish efforts by Trump. And yet Goldberg and others just ignore the widespread corruption within the DNC because they have a blind allegiance to the party.
This blatant bias exhibited by Goldberg and others is reflected in the contempt they have shown to those Americans that have questioned the DNC lead investigations.
1
As a person who was around in the Joseph McCarthy era, I can say with certainty that Trump is far more despicable. He personally attacks anyone who opposes him, usually with crass words, and from a bully pulpit that far exceeds McC’s anti-Communist, personal rants at Senate hearings.
What strikes me is how quickly McCarthy became just a footnote of Senate history, whereas Trump followers remain steadfast. If a “righty” were to emerge who promises both nutty judges and civility, wouldn’t Trump swiftly end up on that McCarthy junk heap?
2
Throw the book--and the Constitution--at the con man in the White House.
Obstruction of justice and of Congress are both slam dunk high crimes and misdemeanors as the Founders (and most thinking people) understood them to be.
Democrat politicians have proven themselves to be a pretty spineless bunch in dealing with the Crook of the Executive Branch.
Articles of impeachment for Extortion/bribery of foreign governments is, of course, central to the impeachment case. To fail to include the clearly constitutionally prohibited acts of obstruction of justice is exactly what this opinion piece warns against.
If Trump is to get away with it, he and future presidents will also do so.
Do your job House members: Lay out a broad case for why Trump should be impeached. To do less is a spineless abandonment of your Constitutional duties, a disservice to the Republic, a stain on your honor, and contrary to your Oath of Office to protect and defend the Constitution, and thus, protect We the People also.
The Republican Senate will exonerate Trump in any event. For the sake of our future beyond 2020, We the People deserve to see in the Articles of Impeachment the many reasons why Trump (and people like him) is unfit for office and should be removed.
3
Dear Ms Goldberg,
You go to war with the Democrats you have. Besides, what are YOU doing about this? "Scribble, scribble, scribble, eh?" as George III once chided historian Edward Gibbon. I don't want to get in your face about it, but as Roger Waters of Pink Floyd might say, leave them Dems alone!
@Fred Musante
My source for attributing the "Scribble, scribble, scribble" quote to George III was philosopher Stephen Toulmin during a video interview for Wim Kayzer's "A Glorious Accident." However, I am now aware that multiple sources attribute the quote to the Duke of Gloucester. That would have been Prince William Henry, George III's younger brother, who received the additional title of Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh, something I learned by exploring the internet for far longer than I usually spend on the British monarchy. I only mention the possible misattribution out of an interest in accuracy. If anyone said, "Scribble, scribble, scribble, eh, Mr. Musante," I would deserve it.
I agree. The Ukraine matter is just the tip of the iceberg. I want that sucker nailed.
(Never have I spoken about a United States President in this way. Not even George W. Bush, who got us into a war because he wanted to one-up his dad in Iraq.)
4
Democrats in Congress are tired of wasting the last three years on a sham. The country is sick of this so called impeachment trial. Trump will be reelected in 2020 and we will see another 4 years of the liberals doing nothing for this country except wasting taxpayer money on removing a sitting POTUS who they have a personal issue with.
1
My head is spinning, one the one hand Michelle Goldberg advices the Democrats in Congress to trust the American people and bring in the Mueller report possible indictments in this impeachment efforts. The man advocated it for chrissake? We know he is a man of few words, what did we expect? him pointing a finger at a Trump portrait and claiming "J'accuse?"
Then we have Caroline Fredericksi=on in this same paper, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/04/opinion/trump-impeachment-nixon.html recommending exactly the opposite.
Go figure.
Most of us are smart enough to know Trump is guilty but won't be convicted by his goons in the Senate but we have to make the best case.
Forget catering to the centrist Democrats. If they cannot discern or are too lazy to absorb all the facts between Trump's self dealing and how a President should conduct himself/herself, they are a lost cause. The rest of us should not have to suffer.
Now Pelosi and her brain trust have to risk their job security or go into the unknown. What now?
Why are we focused on the fact that he may exhibit corrupt behavior again? He's doing it RIGHT NOW. His personal lawyer is in Ukraine RIGHT NOW seeking foreign assistance in furthering Trump's political career. Asking a foreign entity to help produce a documentary, or to put forth any type of disinformation meant to discredit and undermine our sacred judicial process, or to provide information that is clearly nothing more than pure propaganda, is corrupt, dangerous, treasonous. And it's happening RIGHT NOW. In plain sight. Giuliani is acting on the resident's behalf, he's being paid by the president, to manufacture and produce lies and propaganda. He is not there to uncover truth, or in the interest of the American people. He is there to enlist a foreign entity to provide misinformation and effect our next election.
We are so mired in Trump's incomprehensible dysfunction that we can no longer see what is nothing more than a moronic, untethered narcissist who truly believes he can do whatever he wants, is sure the law doesn't apply to him, and lives every day in the White House in clear and continued violation of his oath of office. Impeach and Remove.
4
"Indeed, even as the Judiciary Committee discussed impeachment, Giuliani was in Ukraine seeking meetings with corrupt former prosecutors... A day before that, Giuliani had been in Budapest." WHO'S paying for all of this? Is Giuliani traveling on his own dime?
1
Law professor Lawrence Tribe suggested Wednesday reframe the “wide” or “narrow” discussion to one of “shallow” or “deep.” That makes a lot of sense to me.
2
To quote the Movie "Casablanca": "... there is Gambling going on in here? I am Shocked..."
1
Democrats are bumrushing the process because it is politically expedient to do so. It has, predictably, turned out to be a useless wager with no evident upside so best to choke it down quickly and move on.
2
Contact Nancy Pelosi immediately.
https://www.speaker.gov/contact
The articles of impeachment MUST absolutely include Trump’s obstruction of justice as reported by Mueller in his report about Russia’s attack on our 2016 election.
Trump's is blatantly continuing to conspire with Putin to undermine our elections and to advance the interests of Russia around the world.
This is the most urgent and dangerous part of Trump's presidency.
Mueller himself verbally warned America several times that the Russia's hacking attacks happening while we speak, and a critical threat to elections and national security.
And Donald Trumputin has helped the Kremlin every step of the way.
Contact Nancy Pelosi and demand that the Articles include these critical obstruction findings related to the Russian investigation by Mueller.
How can we just ignore the years of work to document Mueller's gravest conclusion.
Russia is still attacking our elections!
And Trump is helping him.
It is critical Trump's attempts to conspire
with Russia be recorded in history!
https://www.speaker.gov/contact
Remind Pelosi that she, herself, has repeatedly stated, "With Trump, all roads lead to Putin!"
2
Ms. Goldberg's comments are on the mark. There are so many other instances of behavior and acts unfitting (actually more than unfitting) a president of our country that these should be documented in a process such as impeachment. There seems to be no other alternative.
While Mr. Trump's excesses by no means measure up to those of Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, or Mao Zedong, they share the authoritarian aspects and contempt for democratic procedures that rendered those individuals to be such historical monsters.
2
The old adage , if you strike the king you must kill him, applies here. Maybe Trump’s Ukraine gambit did force Nancy Pelosi’s hand, changing her from anti to pro-impeachment, but it certainly did not alter Trump’s dominance over his party nor McConnell’s control of the Senate. No matter what High Crimes and Misdemeanors he may be accused of, the Senate will never vote to remove him. Paradoxically, the larger his list of offenses, the larger his “vindication “ will be.
Get this kabuki dance over with ASAP, and move on.
I think the Television actor President Zelensky might be a cultivated go between for Trump to Russia. Is Giuliani warning everyone off there? That's my suspicion.
The list of possible Impeachment Articles is long.
1
The Democrats should keep their indictment short and simple. That way the general public will understand exactly what is going on. Al Capone went to jail for tax evasion, not for murder or bootlegging. Trump should be impeached for extortion and trying to get a foreign country involved in our presidential election. The Republican's, even the so-called moderate Republicans, are as they say in the tank for Trump. There are no profiles in courage in the Republican party. Mitt Romney only said that the Ukrainian information was troubling. He knows what Trump was doing was illegal, but I'll bet that he will vote against impeachment along with the other so-called moderate Republicans. Trump has demonstrated that he has no regard for the Constitution or the rule of law when comes to himself, his business or his families' dealings.
3
Imagine this: Multiple articles of impeachment are drawn up, and they outline Trump's corruption in every facet of his governing.
Imagine this: A large majority of Senate Republicans refuse to even consider the overwhelming evidence supporting Trump's continual corruption.
Imagine this: A few sane, patriotic, and law-respecting Republicans (Mitt Romney? Susan Collins? Any others?) do examine the evidence with open minds and vote to remove.
Imagine this headline: MAJORITY OF SENATE VOTES TO REMOVE TRUMP FROM OFFICE!
(And imagine how happy David Brooks and Ross Douthat would be to see the emergence of some leaders of a new, respectable Republican party.)
4
You're absolutely right! Include everything. I am hoping there are enough Republican senators, who took their oath seriously to uphold the US Constitution not to acquit Trump if given all of the evidence that Mueller revealed in his report. The emolument issue might be difficult to prove unless he is forced to released his tax records (he just submitted an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court), all hotel's guest registration and accounting records, and legal documents that show he placed is company in a trust ... or so he claims.
1
Our Nation can be saved if there's at least 20 Republican Beckets. The play written by Jean Anouilh, "Becket," reminds me of the moral courage that will be required by at least 20 Republican Senators to stop this madness in the oval office. Are there 20 Beckets in all of the country, much less the Senate? Time will tell soon enough.
36
@Edgar Allen Poe nope
3
In a sense the impeachment articles will be too narrow no matter what the Democrats choose to include. The facts are Trump didn't conspire with the Russians by himself. He had the full support of the Republican party (and still does). It is worth remembering the Republican party plank was changed to a pro-Russian position BEFORE Trump was elected. That could have only have happened with the consent of the highest authorities within the Republican party. It seems to me the Democrats should make the case that both Trump and the Republican party (as co-conspirators) should be removed from office. The latter is not subject to impeachment, but perhaps after the Democrats lay out a compelling case of Republican complicity more voters will be convinced to vote them out of office?
4
I still haven’t seen commentary on why stalling the handover to the Senate to keep the sword hanging till past elections isn’t viable. After all, Mitch managed to subvert the Obama SC nomination for as long as it took, and nobody had him properly up on charges.
The mention of multiple, continuing impeachments is interesting, but would never have traction. Once the Senate acquits, to the popular mind, it’s a done deal.
So: impeach, and find a structural way to put off the trial.
1
I agree with Ms. Goldberg that Schiff should have subpoenaed the recalcitrant witnesses to testify. He said he did not want to waste time with the administrations delaying tactics (he called it rope-a-dope).
It is fine to submit the articles of impeachment now, but you can always add additional articles pending discovery. In a legal trial the prosecution can always add new evidence even in the midst of the trial. (As long as he/she shares discovery with the defense.)
By forcing Trump to take the case the the Supreme Court, he would show us how much he has to hide, and give the Committee another big argument for adding obstruction of justice to the impeachment articles.
It is not too late for Schiff to subpoena Giuliani, Pompeo, Bolton, Mulvaney, etc. But he already wasted weeks of time by not acting, which is his own brand of rope-a-dope.
1
"But to make clear the full gravity of what Trump tried to do in Ukraine, Democrats need to demonstrate that it was part of a pattern."
Yes, and the pattern includes not only Trump's self-serving domestic electoral ambitions but also his damage to our foreign relations.
His overt contempt for NATO alliances in defense of democracy, his disengagement of the US from the Paris agreement, his green-lighting Russian aggression in Ukraine and Russian control in Middle East politics and conflicts, his disregard for UN warnings about climate change: all of these pose systemic dangers beyond our own borders. The US has lost moral leadership and status during this presidency. Unless the articles of impeachment include some criticism of damage done to American alliances and strength abroad, the task of restoring these will be overwhelming for the next president.
2
the defence will subpoena the following:
Nadler, Mueller , Schiff, both Bidens and whistleblower for a start.
Then case against Trump will fall apart.
2
@plainleaf The GOP has the right to subpoena all of those you mention except the whistleblower, whose anonymity is protected by law. They can probably ask him/her to testify in writing provided his/her anonymity is preserved.
But your presumption that subpoenaing the Bidens will help Trump is full of wishful thinking. The GOP needs evidence that the Bidens did something wrong, and if they had it, they would have displayed it by now.
Instead Trump whined about having them investigated, not only that, he tried to bribe Ukraine to do his dirty work.
The key word here is "whine." Trump is a whiner through and through.
2
You are correct Ms.Goldberg to insist that the Impeachment Articles not be too narrow.Trump has a knack for catchy simplistic phrases which his supporters can parrot.That would be statements like” no collusion” and “it was a perfect call”. The Democrats need to broaden the Impeachment so it cannot be summed up in one word.Trump has very publically courted Russian help from asking for Hilary’s e-mails to standing with Putin in Helsinki and saying that he believed Putin when he said that Russia did not hack into the 2016 elections.He has said before cameras that everything is a hoax and that he would not cooperate with the investigation.He has said, “Where is my Roy Cohn”.Even without getting testimony from unwilling subjects there is plenty of damaging material to be added to the Impeachment effort.
60
Robert Falk, as the star in Columbo, would get under the skin of the people he needed to get answers from by becoming a nuisance that they couldn’t shake off. “Just one more thing that bothers me” he would tease them with.
45* wants to make his case in the Senate, where he feels he will get a fair deal from the GoP controlled half of the bicameral congress. It is as if he wants his baseball team to only play the half of the innings in the game they are at bat.
The road to impeachment should take as long as it is required to exhaust all unanswered questions, and to get everyone’s testimony, documents, and evidence held at bay by claims of “executive privilege.”
Once said persons are called before the Senate to testify, executive privilege evaporates. Bring them before the committees in the House, and if they are still unwilling to speak, contempt charges should be harshly levied...!
5
First, it's apparent that Turley is anybody's dog that will hunt with 'im. Second, you don't find any Smiths in Russia or Ukraine. This article is kind of a replication of what Professor Lawrence Tribe had to say the other night on MSNBC and repeated by Bill Kristol. It's not exactly plagiarism but not a novel idea either. What would be good is what Pelosi is saying, a pattern of conspiracy by Trump and Republicans to promote our arch-enemy, Russia.
3
I found it disingenuous when Turley began his testimony by declaring that he does not like Trump and did not vote for Trump.
I wonder if he lied under oath?
5
Of course Trump’s corruption needs to be put in context: he’s a lifelong criminal, who - even now! - is directing his agents to obstruct justice and flout the law. All the while trying to hide behind his sycophants and cronies, some of whom have already ended up in jail or been indicted. Indeed, Trump himself is likely already(!) an unindicted co-conspirator of these same convicted or indicted agents.
It is outrageous that a clearly sociopathic, impulsive, mentally unbalanced Trump continues to sit (unimpeded!) in the White House, aided and abetted by sworn, elected GOP officials and unelected. free-lance cronies - continually lying and groveling on his behalf.
No law-abiding citizen should sit quietly at this fraught moment where our Republic is faced with enemies from within and without - cooperating(!) to undo centuries of democracy.
Thank you, Michelle Goldberg and all of us, whether patriotic public servants or concerned voters, citizens and residents - who are doing what we can to preserve and protect what - incredibly! - an elected chief executive and elected GOP House and Senate persons are undermining and destroying right before our eyes!
6
This is exactly right so far as it goes. But there is more, much more. There's Ukraine, Mueller, Cohen, tax fraud, money laundering, emoluments, &c. The public won't be buying if the inquiry is shorted.
2
Impeach for Treason.
Trump has been conspiring with Putin.
Trump knows Ukraine did not interfere in 2016, and that Russia did.
But Trump used the Ukraine fallacy as a pretext to with old military aid.
Hurting Ukraine hurts Europe.
This is what Putin told Trump to do.
Trump is weakening Europe, in his conspiracy with Putin.
Impeach for Treason.
3
Good idea. Write about 100 articles and then debate them in the Senate until September. That'll work great come November.
2
It seems to me that the more we learn about Trump’s grotesque misdeeds, the more obvious it becomes that Trump didn’t invent these plans, even if ably assisted by Giuliani. Trump has a reptilian-like brain, undisturbed by normal human sensibilities. So he does have certain advantages. But smart enough to run this multi-year traitorous destruction of the mightiest country in the world, no, he ain’t got what it takes.
Who is, or who are the wily, evil, vicious brains behind the plot(s) to destroy us? Time and event lines would be so helpful.
1
Volume I of the Mueller Report provides the background for the July 25th call and should at least be referenced for the purpose of context during the trial. Though I never found the time to read the entire Mueller Report, I began listening to it on Lawfare, which has a great podcast called "The Report," which brings in outside and contemporaneous snippets from news outlets and testimony. It's really well done, if you haven't yet had a chance to read it, you can listen to "The Report" here: https://shows.pippa.io/the-report
A few weeks ago I was listening to an episode about how, during Trump's 2016 campaign and perhaps before the convention,Trump abruptly changed his policy platform towards Ukraine, taking a less supportive role. When asked about the change, Trump claimed it wasn't his decision.
I think Volume I needs to be part of this because it's not only background, but it's also a pattern, and the pattern has a direction.
3
How angry the Democrats are! they know this is it for them, their last chance. After all their huffing and puffing if Mr. Trump gets re-elected it is they who will be discredited--the stakes could hardly be higher.
1
The time is well past for John Bolton to share what he knows. He was privy to a “drug deal” that Mulvaney and Giuliani were cooking up, and with his silence he is letting them get away with it. Not to mention the evidence he is holding back on Trump’s various “drug deals.”
2
Futhermore, to get more evidence they need to go to the courts, as was done with Nixon, to force the White House to submit documentation, as well as allow testimony by Perry, Pompeo, etc.
1
"Hackish performance" is being sort of kind, doncha think? The time for euphemisms is passed.
I agree that everything of use in Mueller report should be included.
Also, his shameless and constant lies and bullying.
Lastly, his refusal to submit to Congress being an entirely CO EQUAL branch of government with legitimate oversight.
3
The author (Goldberg) is one of the most intelligent reporters (not a typical talking-head regurgitating the obvious). However (of course there is a "however"), she is viewing this episode as one involving rational and knowledgeable people (politicians and general public) who follow logic, etc., etc.
Honestly, it doesn't matter whether Democrats include the crimes by Trump which were cited in Mueller report, argue/present a "broad" picture of how Trump committed similar crimes in 2016 and 2017-2019, etc., etc.
Just do it and let Republicans kill it in the Senate as anticipated. Nature has a tendency to "average up" everything.
Nothing is going to be easy. Join the issue, lawyerese for moving on, and let the battle begin. You can almost count on more scandals to be uncovered and more threats to our democracy surfacing.
Could you feel the influence of Russia as Turley opposed impeachment? As Speaker Pelosi proclaimed: "All roads led to Putin."
2
The Republican Party has devolved since Nixon into the American White Nationalist Fascist Party.
Though elections are still relatively free and clear, the Republican Party is doing everything in its power to corrupt elections and install a permanent or semi-permanent Oligarchical Dictator. If not Trump, then next time up.
Impeachment is, above all else, a critically important historically significant censure of a sitting President. On that basis alone it was absolutely essential that Pelosi support Impeachment and that, indeed, Trump will see Impeachment, as will the historical record.
Although it would be a great win for the health of our Democracy to throw Trump out of office, I for one will be quite pleased with his Impeachment by the House.
If Trump, tragically, escapes being removed from office (as he most likely will) and then goes on to win in 2020 (also likely because of gerrymandering) then he may very well be the first President in American history to be impeached twice (most likely for crimes to be exposed from the revealing of his tax returns but who knows what else with this criminal?).
There is a real possibility as well that Progressives may win the Senate which means there is some chance that he could be removed from office in a second Impeachment. Our climate, our standing in the world, and the health and welfare of all citizens of this planet will be relieved I am sure.
1
Trump should be fined and prosecuted for all of his crimes and those committed by his underlings under his direction. Those who lied and abbey him , should also be in prison and sought and charge after his impeachment. Every crime committed under this tyrant needs to be fully exposed and examined. Even if it takes 5 years. Let. the REAL REALITY show begin.
2
Re “Please, Democrats, Don’t Make the Impeachment Articles Too Narrow“
So many roads lead to Russia— through Ukraine, thence back to our elections. Those inroads need to be in the articles of impeachment or their preambles.
3
It is a given that Senate Republicans will not convict Trump, therefore the purpose of his impeachment must be to memorialize every way in which he violated the Constitution and his oath of office. Anything less would give tacit approval to everything he has done. Let those who do not condemn him be judged for the cowards and traitors they are.
1
Not only should they include the Mueller piece, but they should include EVERYTHING about Trump, the sexism, the sexual assaults, the racism, the affairs, the bribery, the threatening of the press, the dangerous and reckless "style" of "diplomacy" he employs....his entire existence and actions demonstrate his unfitness for the Presidency and the need for his removal from office. Anything less is still too narrow.
1
Yep, as has been the false narrative case from the minute Trump took office, "don't make the articles too narrow", i.e. throw as much POLITICALLY MOTIVATED (fake) muck against the wall as you can, and hopefully, something/anything will stick THIS TIME, unlike the left's last desperate attempt (Mueller) to discredit our duly elected president. Beyond sad waste of time.
1
No. It's not even remotely about holding Trump accountable for a scandal. It's about holding the entire nation accountable for maintaining our democratic system and the integrity of our government and beliefs. From the very first shout: We the People, to the ongoing struggle against an election-manipulating President whose bold lies and rogue GOP supporters make him think he can get away with rewriting Constitutional law, it's about our *nation,* in which the people hold power, and the elected officials are servants.
It's about insisting that a President who announces he is above the law, unimpeachable, free to do anything up to and including murder, who conspires against his own government and abuses his power over his own civil servants, is in breach of his oath of office.
It is about maintaining the greatest system of government the world has ever seen--and about refusing to lie down before a ravening school of sly, greedy barracks lawyers and grifter elected officials as they sell their honor and our nation to Russia, North Korea, Turkey, and any bully-boy nation that will let us kiss bums.
We are America. We can live through the occasional scandalous president and lick-spittle Senate. We can't live through our people forgeting their debt and their duty to Constitutional law and limited presidency. Schiff and Pelosi are exactly right: this is what impeachment exists for. Fail to impeach for that ideal, and the nation has died in its sleep.
2
I've favored censorship over impeachment but it appears that the train has left the station. So, load it down with as much cargo as can reasonably be supported.
We know that the Senate will acquit Trump but that is nothing new. We've never had a President removed from office. The stain of impeachment still clings to Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton despite efforts by historians to rehabilitate them. And Nixon will forever be remembered as the President to avoided being removed by resigning before the House could vote on impeachment.
It is incumbent upon the Democrats to work their butts off to assure that there is a Democrat led House and Senate in case Trump were to pull off a second term. It may be too much to hope that they could win the Senate with a 2/3 impeachable majority but it aught to be the goal.
What ever happened to the Story Daniels payoff from campaign funds?
1
Agreed. Start with,”Russia if you’re listening”, then, “I don’t know why it would have been Russia” (he was clearly distraught and pale when he made that statement), and third but most perplexing that’s never been explained...why would he take the translators notes from his Private, Solo conversation with Putin??
Yes trump stood to make a BILLION dollar deal in Moscow if he’d lost the election and Desperately reached out to Putin during the miss universe ‘pageant’ but there’s something a miss here. The compromat. Every chance trump gets, he sides with Putin’s interests. Every single dang time.
I can’t stop thinking about my freshman year in college when a hypnotist got a full dozen students to fall asleep in less than 60 seconds. It was mind blowing. Now maybe I’ve seen too many 007 films but I can’t imagine a KGB agent wouldn’t have some capabilities other than relying solely on strong arm tactics. Review the tape. Why was Maria butina the FIRSt person to question trump at that town hall?
On the subject of intelligence, as a liberal transplant to tx, I’ve learned to respect Will Hurd but he shamed himself calling for even private testimony with the whistleblower. Second hand testimony is erroneous at this point and WILL HURD lost my respect as an intelligence professional. If he doesn’t redeem himself before this vote takes place, I truly fear there is no hope for the Republican Party.
1
Obama and Hillary voter Jonathan Turley gave the only listenable presentation that uninspiring day.
He gave a serious reaction to what had been said by the cheerleaders for hate who appeared with him as well as the 3-year lynching that this American President has been subjected to.
While his peers all demonstrated their overwhelming personal emotions regarding Trump, this man was the one professional in front of a mic.
But kudos to our writer today for at least appearing to have listened to Turley.
Next time, Congress, make sure Jerry Nadler has a big Thermos full of coffee next to him, the ma n needed it.
1
Michelle Goldberg says it all: "From Russia to Ukraine, the House needs to show the president’s PATTERN of corruption."
1
Michelle "Wrong Way" Goldberg strikes again. The premise the Impeachment Articles should be as broad as possible could not be more wrong.
By making them broad, you are, in effect, saying, "We have nothing big, we just don't like this guy".
You can't achieve a conviction in the Senate based on a pattern - you need catch a President red-handed, committing a distinctly illegal act. The fact that Trump is clearly a sleaze bag, is of no value.
Just consulted the Tarot cards and my dusty crystal ball:
Trump is impeached (Merry Christmas!).
Howls of protest and lots of organizing among the 45% of the electorate that has no problem (miraculously, given their history of red-baiting) with Russia appointing our next president.
Democrats, timid as usual, nominate "No Malarkey" Joe Biden, ignore the polls that show....well, you can look at them yourself.
Trump edges out Biden with help from You Know Who, gerrymandered districts, "broken" voting machines, and a surprisingly large number of minority voters who don't have the right ID card. Remarkably, the GOP still claims voter fraud.
Then: four more years of folly. Great for the columnists, the wonderful Ms. Goldberg will have a job and write good things, but not so great for the planet, the 700,000 and counting who will go hungry, the millions without health care, the human robots at Amazon, the kids locked in cages at the border, the unjustly imprisoned...the usual losers in America.
As Kurt Vonnegut used to say, so it goes.
If Mitt Romney, one of the wealthiest, never need worry about re-election Republicans isn't attacking Trump then what hope do we have left? May I add, Romney is a Mormon! Spiritually superior than all of us, and he says NOTHING! I won't feel so guilty the next time they show up on my doorstep and close it on them!
1
I watched Turley’s testimony in full. One of the first things he pronounced was “I have no dog in this race.” Really? Anyone watching would never have thought this is the same person who instantaneously argued for the impeachment of President Clinton, which was of course rooted in a personal matter, not national security. And now I learn he also apparently mulled over impeaching President Obama because of, well, nothing? Turley should name his dog “bias.”
3
And this is why Amy, Joe, Pete, or Michael will be the Democratic nominee and not Liz or Bernie.
1
Investigate the cabal. There’s many more skeletons.
1
This piece is a perfect example of the closed minded attitude that allowed the Democrats to rush off the cliff with their hysterical anti Russia neo con mind frame. Any one who crosses this person is excoriated and demeaned. Pelosi claims she had no choice. If that is the case she should be fired.
Which is why he must be stopped NOW, Michelle. We will soon been in full campaign mode and he must be eliminated at the outset.
Ms. Goldberg apparently wouldn’t know corruption if it reflected back in the mirror. Merrily skipping over that of her Party’s slick skinned front-runner Biden, or former slippery Presidential candidate Hilary Clinton, Ms. Goldberg gets out her broom to paint on the broadest of canvas to smear a pattern of corruption by the current and elected occupant of the White House. Extending her broom strokes to the very edges of a constantly expanding canvas, Ms. Goldberg continues to adhere paint to the surface in the faint hope that some sticks in her quickly disintegrating tapestry of contempt.
Despite her now fading works of near art with the visages of a smiling Putin and a frumpy Mueller, her newly erected project hopes to bring it all back to life and tie her chutes and ladders composition to fruition, if only her paint would not disappear upon application.
1
From what I have read Turkey and his family have gotten a barrage of death threats following his testimony
My question is what comes next after this coup attempt fails? Violence led by crazed law professors with three college degrees?
Is he talked mean to me an impeachable offense? Trust me, this will not end well for the Democrats. And how the heck does a US Congressmen get a hold of thousands of pages of metadata on the ranking member of his own committee without a search warrant?
What country am I in?
1
@hawk The lawyer's mantra: When the law is on your side-argue the law, when the facts are on your side-argue the facts, when neither of those apply - distract.
The latter is all Trump supporters have left.
1
@hawk
Dr. Ford and family had to move out of their home after she testified at the Kavanaugh trial.
Republicans didn't care about those threats.
Also, regarding the "deep state", Mueller, Comey, Andrew McCabe, Roesnstein are all Republicans.
And Comey helped Trump by releasing details of additional Clinton e-mails just before voting.
And you can see how Trump thanked him for that.
I am old enough to remember when Fox News was pro-FBI and anti-Putin.
That seems so quaint and a long time ago.
Circa 2016.
Likewise, what country am I in.
1
It dseems that the argument needs to be made that any one small crime is perhaps forgivable, but a pattern of antidemocratic behavior is not. Put the patternns up in a liste dway, for instance Obstruction of Justice, and then list 20 examples. Emoluments clause then list 20 examples. bribery, then list whatever examples there are (Ukraine, paying off women with illegal campaign contributions, etc..) At the very least get republican Senators on the the record whether these example are impeachable offenses. Because, you are foolish if you don't think the next democratic President will not face calls for his/her impeachment
40
@alan Progressives will never be able to wrap their heads around this but voters have lost interest in the hearings. A majority of Americans may support it, at least until it interrupts their favorite TV programs. Viewers took to social media on Wednesday to voice their frustration that local CBS affiliates across the country decided to preempt the popular game show The Price is Right in favor of the continuing public impeachment hearings. The loyalty the popular game show has garnered over the years was certainly on display Wednesday morning, with fans livid over missing the show. Yes, there was a great discussion of the views of the Founders, but many voters never saw it. Pelosi announced on Thursday that the House would push ahead with a rapid timetable that could set the stage for a vote before Christmas. What??? People are shopping, cooking, & spending time with family. They don't want to hear or see this during the holiday season. Slow down. Save it for January. Trump is at his best (in his mind) when he's fighting back & slinging mud. Impeachment hearings driven by leftist fanatics are starting to over-reach. It will be easily spun by Trump as a witch hunt to fair-minded voters during the holidays. When impeachment fails in the Senate, Trump will again claim victory! Trump believes this debacle will facilitate his winning a 2nd term. The excessive amount of attention to this can backfire, with Trump being reelected & it not being the result of Russian interference.
1
@alan absolutely. They really need to do what you outlined. The Democrats are terrible at messaging. I understand they don’t want to drag things out but they are rushing through this just to move on. Malpractice if you ask me.
Also everyday the Dems need to outline all the bills they passed in the House that have gone nowhere in the Republican controlled Senate.
Control the messaging Democrats!
7
@alan
I heard that FOX, Hannity, and Carlson are calling to impeach the next Democrat president (to be named later) for as yet undetermined corruption already.
5
Absolutely correct. Recidivism and a pattern of criminality are utterly relevant to the Ukraine case. Can we just forget that candidate Trump asked Russia publicly to hack his opponent and Russia obliged? That much is indisputable and should be shocking in itself.
And the articles might add a footnote listing Trump's other hundred or more impeachable acts, lies, and breaches of trust, any one of which would have had that overpaid Fox hack Turley foaming at the mouth had it been Obama.
1
Can someone explain why treason hasn't been mentioned as a possible article of impeachment when Trump--and most of the GOP--are aiding and abetting Russia?
1
Turley’s true convictions came out in vivid colours.
I did not know of his partisan views.
I have lost all respect for this hack who hides behind his ‘’reputation’’ as a scholar and law professor. He belongs on and to FOX.
His arguments are poor and if he were a student of mine, he fails.
1
It has already been pointed out that the clip of Trudeau, Johnson and Marcon sharing a joke at your president's expense is shocking because of how complicite they all seem to be. This is not a joke blurted out for the first time by one daring outlier. This is a laugh they can have because they all share the perception that Trump is a buffoon. It is common knowledge amongst them. In fact, any somewhat intelligent person paying a little bit of attention over the past three years would have to arrive at that conclusion.
So who makes up that persistent 45% who support the guy who is so obviously a buffoon? I know that's the elusive million dollar question, but whatever the pathology, isn't it naive to think that these people are more likely to abandon their guy because you put more charges on the table?
The racist, sexist, corrupt, right-wing fanatics in power in your country, and gaining more power in mine, and burning down the rainforest in Brazil, are a problem for all of us -- the whole world.
Time to do your stuff, America. Live up to your myth. Charge in and save the world for democracy against all the odds. So far, Adam Schiff and Nancy Pelosi seem to be doing a pretty good job.
1
“Democrats have only one chance to impeach the most corrupt and disloyal president in American history.”
I hope this is true, but if Trump is re-elected, Democrats will need to control both the House and the Senate going forward. Given Trump’s performance to date, he might just be the only president to be impeached twice. We can fervently hope it doesn’t come to that.
20
@Richard Frank
Trump has made it clear he won't be checked by the other branches of government. He must be removed from office.
9
Michelle, you are not listening. The clarity with which the Democrats are approaching impeachment, and their discipline in staying on target is a correction of the messy way of tradition --a natural problem brought about by diversity. Nancy Pelosi knows what she's doing and her discipline impressed upon the heterogeneous lot is the only hope we have of a coherent message, an undeniable message to register on the US public, the world, and history. Go back and watch the Speaker's town hall meeting at the U of Maryland, and consider rewriting your column.
1
Certainly, Articles of Impeachment must include evidence from the Mueller report as well as details from the whistleblower complaint, July 25th call, favors demanded and withholding of security assistance, etc. with Ukraine. Russian involvement in 2016 and potentially 2020 and obstruction of justice contained in Mueller, as well as obstruction of Congress (denying administration witness response to Congressional subpoenas), and violations of emoluments clause are evidence of high crimes and misdemeanors. The should not be ignored.
You wouldn't go to Walmart to buy toothpaste and socks and ignore other bargains you hadn't included on your shopping list. Americans who navigate supermarkets and malls on a regular basis, are capable of seeing multiple products and deciding what's important. Congress needs to take a comprehensive view, focus on the essentials, and vote.
1
I wish the Dems would also cite the existential threat he poses to the future of Earth's environment and the health and safety of all the generations to come. I thought his threat to pull the United States out of the Paris climate agreement was an impeachable offense that should have been prosecuted the afternoon of his inauguration--we will never be forgiven for letting him remain in office on such an inhumane and destructive platform.
1
I grow tired of the “don’t overreach” argument from those in the middle (no point in talking about the Right; they’re deluded).
The Legislative branch of government is NOT “co-equal” to the Executive or Judicial branches of government—it is preeminent, as this excellent article points out: https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2019/12/03/the-framers-answers-to-three-myths-about-impeachment
It’s essential that Congress tie each and every example of malfeasance (“high crimes and misdemeanors”) to this President in the articles of impeachment. We’re all watching, but it’s really future generations that will be the main beneficiaries. Precedents can be a deadly thing. The example of Nixon’s illegal bombing of Cambodia makes me sick to my stomach. Letting Trump get away with so many things—2016 Russian election interference, obstruction of justice, violation of the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, along with the obvious Ukraine scandal—cannot go unnoticed, not because “too many people aren’t paying attention,” but because the precedent will be with us for generations. Do the right thing. Now.
1
Trump is obviously very, very guilty.
Thank you for the cogent comments Ms. Goldberg.
We do need to see all the sad details.
Somehow this doesn't really matter because the Senate is controlled by the Republicans. They will never vote to impeach. Americans, however will see the truth.
The party of Trump has lost all sense of right or wrong.
Lindsay Graham represents the lot of them. Lie, cheat make up "facts". His nose couldn't be browner.
Get out the vote in 2020 folks. We have a classic confidence man in the White House.
2
History will not look kindly on Giullani, Jim Jordan, Nunes, Lindsey Graham, and Mitch McConnell.
I still don't understand why they are willing to sell their souls for Trump and their Republican donors.
1
Thank you, Michelle Goldberg, for your views on a decision that will inevitably shape the historic record while appropriately elevating the image of the Democratic Party of our generation.
At a time when the GOP has decided to take its cues from a raving narcissist with a penchant for gutter language & gratuitous abusive eruptions aimed at some of our most sacred institutions as well as the duly sworn public servants who are their custodians, it is essential that the clearest & most comprehensive of contrasts be drawn.
This impeachment is not any kind of impulsive, partisan act of desperation: it is, exactly as Speaker Pelosi articulated yesterday, an emergency law enforcement operation necessitated by the grievous & sustained misconduct of an unruly, contemptuous executive hellbent on overthrowing the Constitutional order of our society.
As such, the premise for the impeachment must be set forth in a document that does not pull its punches, nor omit key points about the extent of the dereliction of the individual being charged.
The Mueller Report actually explicitly pointed to the Constitutional obligation of Congress to impeach & remove Trump in the face of his obstructive acts. No one obstructs justice who does not have anything to hide! No one conceals financial records, or harasses the Supreme Court to become an accessory in such concealment, if they have done nothing wrong!
The obvious must be stated. The Truth always exerts a power of its own, dispelling lies.
1
While the Democrats don't want to get bogged down in a laundry list of offenses, making their case broader -- including the long Russia-Ukraine dirt-digging narrative, obstruction of justice and violation of the emoluments clause -- would build such a substantial case that it will leave an indelible impression of widespread corruption by Trump. When swing voters go to the polls, they'll ask themselves whether voting for him again is worth it. While the Democrats don't want to go overboard stacking charges, the psychological impact on the public will harden the impression of Trump's unfitness. Plus, it gives Republicans the opportunity to make greater fools of themselves, which may produce an even more stunning electoral loss than they suffered in 2018.
1
I expect to be disappointed but I strongly believe that Trumps behavior rises to level of treason. We have other presidents that were corrupt and/or obstructed justice but Trump is the first president that I would say is guilty of treason.
3
By what possible logic is it "dangerous" for the Dems to be "broad" enough to show Trump's "pattern of corruption"? Trump's backers are irrelevant. If the "undecideds" will be offended, or bored, by a wider impeachment, they are beyond the pale, too. Just tell the truth in a savvy and coherent way, and let the chips fall where they may.
I am particularly anxious to see obstruction charges included in the articles of impeachment, both the instances cited in the Mueller report and the obstruction of Congress afterward.
It is the correct thing to do from the standpoint of Constitutional duty, and it puts the exclamation point, for all time, on the pathetic and depraved nature of continued Republican support of this man.
One more thing to ponder: When it comes to Trump's crimes while in office, we don't even know what we don't know. I am convinced there is much more to be revealed.
1
Why does Michelle Goldberg insist that the Dems have only one shot at impeachment? To be honest, the Dems have no shot of removing the president through the impeachment process. But they could impeach him again and again, each impeachment stressing a particular vein of malfeasance such as emolument violations, self-dealing, etc. Perhaps they will be seen as obstructionists if they choose to do so. But by so doing they will slow down and close off avenues of corruption now available to this administration. And will be rewarded by support from the American electorate.
1
Trump's repeated violations of the Constitution's Emoluments clause should be an article of impeachment. Foreign officials have flocked to his properties, hoping to win favors with their patronage. This is plain language in the founding document, requiring no interpretation by scholars, in contrast to other articles. The Democrats would be very foolish to leave this out. But then....
1
The hapless Democrats in these committees have basically thrown in the towel regarding removing Trump from office, for them Impeachment is enough. They want to move on the the election: Nancy and the DNC have a lot q work to do to prevent a "socialist" candidate from representing their party and they want to get at it.
This is similar to Elizabeth Drew's advice to Democrats months ago in these pages, and and even more important now. "Those who make half a revolution..." warned Danton, and he lost his head because that is what they did. The Democrats' fear of widening the investigation and adding to the articles of impeachment will bury them. Not only showing the pattern with 2016 and Russian meddling, the Dems need to show Trump's financial corruption--for some people that will be the tipping point--and not only for the purposes of eventually removing this lawless president but for the historical record.
2
I believe it is far more likely that because Giuliani made the trip to speak secretly in private with the Ukrainians, it indicates possible espionage and cover up. Are they all getting their stories straight? Are his contacts in turn contacts with Russia? Why didn't Giuliani remain here and make secure calls? These actions followed my claims that Zelensky may be a go-between to Russia who just this week said he sought a meeting with Putin. Was it the relay?
Trump has lifted this country up and people of color and marginalized communities are prospering. Democrats can't seem to stomach that the president is actually delivering. Still no evidence of any wrongdoing. All we have seen is political animus from overtly biased witnesses who still couldn't point to any evidence of actual wrongdoing let alone a high crime or misdemeanor. The precedent Democrats are setting now will haunt them in 2014 when they might have a chance of actually having a Democrat in the white house again.
1
I remember Mr. Mueller saying the president had not been honest in his written answers.
Lying about an affair was impeachable for Clinton and lying about EVERYTHING should be impeachable for trump.
3
Agreed Michelle. The articles of impeachment will be a permanent record of Trump's unfit and unhinged presidency and should include all his crimes and misdemeanors: abuse of power, obstruction of justice, obstruction of Congress, witness intimidation, self-dealing, corruption of government agencies, violations of the emoluments clause, nepotism, collusion with hostile foreign powers for personal or political gain, violation of international treaties and agreements negotiated by prior administrations, crimes against humanity on the southern border, complicity in war crimes by pardoning war criminals, slandering ex-paramours and political opponents, cheating at golf, watching too much TV.
1
Overcharging, piling-on, exaggerations, and shoddy evidence have never worked in any courtroom that I served in.
1
In a criminal case, the prosecution is not allowed to bring in all kinds of information about the defendant, his lifestyle, his prior convictions, whether he was kicked out of school. The case has to be limited to proving that he did the particular crime with which he is charged. Not so with the impeachment of a president.
Trump's radical behavior as president, his openness in admitting a desire to violate the Constitution and laws and the way he has acted since taking office are not only fair game, they help to prove the case against him. Look, any president charged with representing whole nation can get away with a few violations. We don't expect them to be angels. Nixon got away with the gross violation of bombing Cambodia and sending that nation into a death spiral. Yet, it was not part of his impeachment.
Ukraine cannot be considered in isolation. Trump, who loves being on camera from the White House driveway and, previously, doing television interviews, ADMITTED that he would accept election help from a foreign nation again. Trump has convicted Trump of outrageous misdeeds, and intention to repeat them, more than anyone in Congress.
The impeachment rests on Constitutional grounds but the solid case, broad and undeniable, comes from Trump's actions and his own mouth.
1
What would really make the case is a public investigation, and dissemination, of Trump's ties over the years to Russians through his real estate (as documented by Craig Unger in the book "House of Putin, House of Trump") and banking (as documented in the book "Crime in Progress: Inside the Steele Dossier and the Fusion GPS Investigation of Donald Trump" by Glenn Simpson and Peter Fritsch). For the life of me, I don't know why the media don't go after these details and report them widely.
1
The Dems need to make sure there are MORE than Clinton (4), Nixon (5), AND Johnson (11). They need to have at least 6, if not 12. It is important that this rebuke both be historic and informative.
Honestly I'm sure that they could write up 30+ articles of impeachment, so 6 should be simple. Off the top of my head:
- Bribery/Extortion (Ukraine)
- Abuse of power
- Obstruction of Justice (Muller)
- Obstruction of Congress
-- Ignoring subpoenas for documents
-- Not allowing witness testimony
- Usurping Congressional powers
-- Illegally obtaining funds for his wall
- Violations of Emolument Clause (Trump Hotel)
- Witness intimidation
- Campaign finance violations (Cohen)
- Crimes against humanity (kids in cages)
I'm sure many of those above could be broken down into more than one article of impeachment, and I'm sure there are more I'm not thinking of right now.
These don't even take into account his tax evasion, fraud (Trump charity), and sexual assault crimes, he will be charged with when he's out of office. Not to mention the legal but abhorrent behavior of his constant lies, degradation of US allies, inflammatory rhetoric, and adulterous past.
The Republican party has allowed this man to commit so many crimes that they are well past the "accomplice" level and at this point are "enablers".
If the Senate also refuses to follow their oaths of office American voters must vote the Republicans out of existence to save the Republic.
1
The prevailing opinion of Trump supporters and many others is that " Obama, Bush, Clinton...they all did it. So what is the big deal with Trump?" That, along with the fear of the left which causes them to tolerate all sorts of crimes and misdemeanors by Trump.
I do not condone this. I hope the Democrats have done a careful calculus of the political fallout of the impeachment.
It's plain to any sentient person that Trump's behavior reflects poor judgment, petty vindictiveness, a keen sense of grievance, belief in conspiracy theories, and a stunning ignorance of policy. The question is whether continued obsessing about this unfit charlatan and bully, and attempting to frame his flaws as "high crimes and misdemeanors" in the Constitutional sense, is healthy for the country. I'm apparently one of the few citizens and taxpayers who haven't made up our minds about this question -- not that we have a vote in the Senate trial. But I lean toward preferring to see Mr. Trump promptly but firmly evicted at the end of his tenancy, via the 2020 ballot box. In the meantime, I wish we as his landlords would focus on plans to find and welcome his replacement once we fumigate the premises.
Goldberg writes, "Democrats have only one chance to impeach the most corrupt and disloyal president in American history." But is this true? Why can't the House send articles over to the Senate on Ukraine--abuse of power, extortion/bribery, and a pattern of obstruction, using the Mueller report's examples--and then open up new hearings? Why can't articles of impeachment on, say, emoluments, be drawn up and voted out later? Once the Trump administration has lost its court battles to starve the House of any financial information and Congress starts looking at his tax and banking history, there will likely be plenty of new evidence.
Turley lied about so much. For example, he said Clinton committed perjury. He didn't and the judge found he didn't. Turley knows that for the lie to be perjury, it must be material to the case. Clinton's wasn't material.
Turley argued 21 years ago that lying in a civil suit about a non-material consensual affair REQUIRED impeachment and ouster for the safety of the nation.
But ALL of Trump's crimes, including bribery, obstructing justice, obstructing Congress, violating the Emoluments clause, are ALL non-Impeachable offenses.
He defended the worst federal judge since the beginning of the 20th Century, Thomas Porteous, who became one the 3rd individual to receive Impeachment's "death penalty"--barred for life from ever holding any public office.
Turley is clearly an ethically challenged gun-for-hire. He COULD have said that his job was to mount the best defense he could for Porteous, but he didn't.
Not one Republican, including the counsel, was able to present one exculpatory fact, or refute any aggravating one. So, instead, they pounded the table, insulted the other 3 witnesses, ignored their arguments, and made ad hominem attacks.
One, Matt Gaetz, was particularly vicious in his personal attacks, particularly on the Prof. Karlan, the only woman on the panel. Considering Gaetz has 6 or 7 DUIs on his record and numerous other charges expunged (his father was a powerful politician in the Florida Panhandle), he's in no position to challenge ANYONE's ethics.
1
I agree with Goldberg, but one of the problems with swaying the public about impeachment as well as the Mueller report is the difficulty of keeping track of so many Russians and Ukranians involved in this scandal. Artemenko, Lutsenko, Poroschenko. So much easier to remember the Bidens.
2
Michelle - very nice girl in Brooklyn - seems to get everything wrong with politics in the real world. With Democratic pundits like her, we can look forward to another four years of the abyss with Trump...
Actually, better advice would be to not make them at all.
Those three Liberal academics and that circus show was very off putting to any non partisan. Pamela Karlan is the poster child of the unhinged left and was far more damaging to the Dems then Michelle thinks Turley was for the Republicans. Her comments involving a minor child were really cringeworthy made worse by her ham handed apology a short time after. Not a good day for the Dems at all.
After all this, there will be no Republican support in the House and likely a few more Democrats will no longer support this. You can be sure the Republican Senators haven't been moved here either.
The wider the Dems try to make this the more they will allow Trump to claim exoneration.
They are doing everything possible to hand the next election to Trump.
Why can't they see this and cut their losses. Go for censure, it has a better shot of getting bi-partisan support and will eliminate his claim of exoneration.
2
Neither all, nor nothing, is a good idea.
What is necessary is to put CONTEXT around the phone call, and to use Trump's public statements and official acts to show that his INTENT is corrupt.
There are many terrible things that Trump does that are not impeachable. Bad policy is not impeachable. Rudeness is not impeachable. Encouraging White supremacists is not impeachable.
The dividing line between impeachable acts (High Crimes and Misdemeanors) is whether they weaken the Constitution. Trump has taken an Oath to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution"
In order to show that the President is violating his Oath of Office, it must be shown that Trump is doing the opposite of preserving, protecting and defending the Constitution.
Unfortunately, Trump has given us hundreds of hours of video and Twitter proof that he contradicts the plain meaning of the Constitution in word and official act, habitually.
Trump says "the Press is the enemy of the People," and calls for violence against journalists.
Trump said he would take information from a foreign government and use it in elections, then asked China for information, on TV.
Trump said that the Emoluments Clause is "phony." That is a direct contradiction of the Constitution and a statement of intent to violate it, which he does by taking payments from foreign governments.
Trump calls for violence against citizens without due process. You can't vote if you are murdered.
These are simple concepts that are undeniable.
Actually I am really looking forward to the senate trial and hearing the examination of the so-called witnesses. The Democrat senators will be tied down in a month long (or longer—I mean why hurry it if it allows the Democrats to be kicked around) while President Trump is traveling the country holding a few rallies in swing states and stirring uphill faithful. Really, the Democrats are politically insane.
It’s not a “one and done” on impeachment. I’d prefer to impeach him now on the Ukraine matter and again after McGahn and others are forced to testify (if God forbid he wins re-election). Of course, by that time hopefully the senate will be more in favor of removing Trump from office and he will have committed a host of new impeachable offenses to add to the articles related to Mueller obstruction.
3
When you have decided to try to swat a large stinging insect that is threatening you--instead of ignoring it until it goes away as most people would advise--you have only one chance to get rid of it, or you may be fatally stung.
Trump's self-aggrandizing high crimes and his democracy-destroying misdemeanors need to be constitutionally confronted with as many well-founded charges as possible.
It is impeachment, not the 2020 election, that can protect the constitutional structure of American democracy from being fatally stung by would-be tyrants like Trump.
2
Republicans want to pretend that it's just the phone call. Which is bad enough. But as Ms. Goldberg notes, the phone call is simply a touchstone moment in a months-long campaign by a paranoid and self-obsessed would-be autocrat.
One obvious outcome of all of this is that it is now crystal clear the majority of republicans in Congress are not only ready to lie at will, blatantly, and repeatedly, to protect their own hides, and that their base, fed on Fox and Breitbart propaganda, will proudly sup at the trough. But they have sold their spines (integrity vanished long ago) for a few crudely forged talking points, probably whipped up in Fank Luntz's word shop.
1
"Democrats have only one chance to impeach the most corrupt and disloyal president in American history."
Are you sure about that Ms. Goldberg?
An even dozen Articles of Impeachment would look nice and symmetrical.
Of course the Senate will not vote to remove Mr. Trump whether there is one article or 100.
However, the more articles, the greater the chance that the democrats can repeat the process in a second term.
1
There is no reason why we can't have rolling impeachments
as the evidence mounts.
2
If you want to widen the cope of Trump's crimes, here's one more: bribery of Red state farmers. Trump launches tariffs on China, the Chinese reciprocate with tariffs that hurt farmers in Red states and Trump then uses tax money to give those farmers/voters a $28 billion bribe to vote for him in 2020. It makes the $400 million he used as a bribe in Ukraine look like chicken feed.
1
Throw a wide net. Let the Senate Republicans vote against it all. The next Democrat in the White House can use it against the Republicans.
1
The money was held back for a favor, a bribe for political gain, and obstructing Congress, either one an impeachable offense. And Clinton got impeached for lying about, what again. No, the serious part of expediency is that Trump and his sycophants could be enlisting political malfeasance from the likes of North Korea, Turkey, Russia, etc. as we speak, in the form of cyber intervention in our elections. Getting mired down in the Roy Cohn swamp of using legal delay as your defense is the worst thing Congress could do right now. And even if you get the likes of Pompeo to testify, he will use the "executive privilege" excuse or "that's classified", not to answer questions. The Constitution states impeachment as a check on the likes of Trump and he deserves it.
1
There is no reason we cant impeach Trump now on Ukraine and later on other stuff. It might be unwise politically, but so might what we are doing now.
1
Several years ago (I was so innocent then), I believed that the mueller report would bring down Trump. Surely if Republicans saw his loyalty to Putin and his corruption was brought to light they would turn! But now, we know that there is nothing that will change them. “I side with Russia over Ukraine “ Tucker Carlson said the other day! Should there appear a tape with Trump saying the words quid pro quo it would not sway them
Yes include it all. Let them go on record as the traitors that they are.
1
"excavating the full record of Trump’s wrongdoing"
So...we're assuming the wrongdoing...now we just have to go back and "discover" a few facts to support our stipulation. God bless Michelle Goldberg!
It matters not how they are drafted. Trump will be impeached on a straight party vote. It will die in the Senate if Democrats are lucky - going to a Senate trial will be a disaster for them.
1
What Democrats don’t get is no matter how much they profess Russia interfered with the 2016 election, there is no way Hillary had a chance of winning. And here in 2020, no matter how much they hate Trump, their quality of candidates who border on being far left socialists, and the utterly disgraceful behavior of Schiff and Pelosi in bringing down the current duly elected president, Trump will prevail next election.
1
Lindsay Graham wants to investigate the Bidens. Is he a part of Mr. Giuliani’s current efforts? Seems they should work together.
1
The bulk of the Country has already concluded that the Muller report found no collusion and no obstruction. That has been litigated and is over. If Democrats resurrect that dead body and throw it on the stinky pile of hearsay and opinion that is the basis of the Ukrainian impeachment charges, only partisan Trump haters will buy that it’s a legitimate process.
1
The problem with Ms. Goldberg's view is that she is wholly focused on The Democrats' case and she ignore the fact that the defense will have their chance. If the Democrats charge everything, there will be a defense to everything. And by the time the trial is done, there will be so much evidence, cutting this way and that, confusion will reign, and for those without photographic memories, it will all be a blur.
If you charge the Zelensky matter and Trump's obstruction, you can still offer evidence uncovered by Mueller to establish the pattern Ms. Goldberg emphasizes. So you narrow your attack and you can still introduce the worst of the evidence from Mueller. Best of both worlds.
Targeted charges and relevant evidence of a pattern is the only way to go. This way you focus and keep the defense from muddying the waters. And you can pick and choose among the Mueller evidence. The decision is so clear that it is hardly a decision.
The comparison between the impeachments of Clinton and Trump are laughable. Clinton was reportedly a sexual predator but so were many of the GOP members aligned against him, not an unusual hypocrisy for that boys’ club.
But Trump has violated most of the commandments, the rules of society, legitimate business practices, and very likely tax laws. Just ask his former wives, business partners, employees, and others not shielded by a “wall” of non-disclosure agreements.
This time he has put our democratic government at stake, not just legitimate business competition, municipal entities, and our allies’ security at risk. His only good qualities are that he is consistent and not very bright. As a financial and legal bully and bluffer of incomparable magnitude, call his bluff, expose his career and preposterous life, then let his cowardly minions ride his coattails into the sunset.
1
110% agree.
It's not only the specific corruption but a consistent pattern of corruption; and every time he gets away; he steps up with more corruption. And so it's important to stop this traitor before it takes USA to point of no return.
Even Trump's buddy - British PM Boris Johnson was laughing at him with Canadian and French PM.
1
As Nancy Pelosi said, the common thread is Russia. From surreptitiously trying to remove the Russian sanctions to badmouthing Ukraine and making it beg for the aid Congress had appropriated, all along Trump has been deliberately undermining American interests to advance the interests of a hostile foreign power. Really, it's uncanny and the only Occam's razor explanation can be that Trump is, and always has been, a Russian asset.
This isn't just an impeachable offense. This is the founders' worst nightmare.
2
Mueller put it all down in writing. Nothing happened. But it's all there for anybody who wants to read it. If the House did the same thing, they would be following the example of the one person who knew the most about the case. If the House did the same thing, it would go out with a bang. Anybody who thinks it's better to go out with a vote that falls short of a majority, let alone 2/3, hasn't a clue. You can say all you want. But I'm for following Mueller's wise course
2
Goldberg does well to remind us that impeachment is not a criminal proceeding; it’s a negative job evaluation report. (Let the criminal proceedings come later.)
Trump is in the process of being fired. That’s all. Neither his freedom nor his (borrowed) fortune are at risk.
Even though it appears that Trump was not duly elected, had he been even halfway competent none of this would be happening. But Trump doesn’t do things halfway, so the people, through the duly elected House of Representatives, are telling Trump,
“Your fired!”
2
@Ralph Averill
Trump WAS duly elected. How do ya’ like living in the high tax state of ct?
1
Mr. Bum,
Trump never would have made it without a lot of Russian help and Comey's bungling.
Connecticut is fine; all my neighbors can read.
1
This opinion piece hits the crux of Trump’s impeachable crimes against the Constitution, his sacred Oath of Office, and the American people. Trump abuses his power every day and in every way. He lies to the American people every day about anything and everything. He demeans, displaces, or fires every person in his orbit was he perceives as “unfair” to him. He makes policy decisions that change lives for the worse both within and beyond the USA. And, although not impeachable, he is unfit for office due to mental illness, as well as what appears to be diminished capacity. Since no one in GOP has the courage to use the 25th amendment to remove him, his impeachable offenses are such a strong pattern of abuse we can focus on those. Why the GOP is determined to support him, rather than expose him and move on as a party, is incomprehensible. One suspects his pattern of bribery and threats extends to the GOP itself and they have succumbed.
1
I agree. And I worry that an impeachment quickie will result in a quick acquittal. Then Trump will have time to tamper with the the election once again and Dems will have no recourse.
"You had your chance, " I can hear Trump saying, "and you blew it." Nobody will listen, I fear, once Trump has been let off by Senate Republicans.
And then, Democrats' worst fears, another four years for Trump, may be accomplished by another massive interference in the 2020 election.
Why not keep going for as long as possible, at least until the late Spring of 2020? Keep the investigations open and tuned in to new facts and new testimony which comes out every week.
Rushing through impeachment plays right into Trump's hand. He is saying as much today. "Do it quickly," he said.
After an Impeachment Acquittal, starting new investigations into new presidential wrongdoings and abuses of presidential power will be nearly impossible to start up so as to gain traction with the public.
Democrats should take a page out of Trump's playbook and hold on to the narrative and the power of focusing public attention on Trump's aberrant behaviors instead of giving it up for no reason.
Right now Trump is quaking in his boots. Keep him fearful and cowering in the White House. As Nancy said today, "He is a coward." Open investigations are the best way to keep his hands off our democracy.
1
I can’t believe he’s not being impeached via the emoluments clause.
1
Please, do not turn the 2020 election into a rehash of 2016. Democrats, talk about how we get out of this and what the future will hold. As was said during another impeachment, move on.
Sound advice, coming from the woman who was the first to call for Al Franken's ouster. Yes, I'm sure this will lead to a solid Dem victory in 2020.
Trump has 6 Bankruptcies. He is a Repeat Offender. Once is Not Enough. The Ukraine Incident is the Driver--but there are many passengers here.....
1
Exactly wrong. Expanding the articles to include the kitchen sink will dilute/distract from the truly impeachable offenses and make even sympathetic folks roll their eyes. The case in Ukraine is a slam dunk. Keep it simple.
1
Great point here. Put all the dirt in the envelope.
His avoidance of obstruction charges before was only possible because of the conditions set by his own AG and a biased, distorted, legally faulty claim that a sitting President is not indictable, which places him above the law, in direct conflict with the principals of our countries founding.
Too bad he can't be held legally responsible for the almost endless stream of absolute, undeniable falsehoods which have muddied the clear water of truth throughout his so called "presidency" and confused the credulous.
1
House Democrats: You've got one shot at Trump in the Senate. You've got one chance to get it right. Make your case, America's case, the right way and the best way.
1
Talk of impeachment strategy requires an initial determination of the purpose of impeachment. And, suffice it to say, the purpose can't be articulated by those who are insane. So the analysis must be based upon the premise that Trump will not be removed by the Senate.
A frequently stated purpose is to do justice. But 'justice' is an abstract notion that means all things to all people. The purpose must be concrete.
Winning the election comes to mind. But that reduces the enterprise to naked politics. Vindication for everything Trump has done is a possibility. But when he wins, he will pottray the effort as vindictive, and Democratts don't want to play into his hands.
Convincing the electorate is another answer. But then it's all performance. Swaying the media is nonsense they are already swayed. Making the Republicans pay is the same as vindication. Exposing the truth is a strong contender. But truth is almost as abstract as justice, and has to be sold, which is base. And there is no other higher purpose. Some will argue otherwise, and will convince others, but on this one, self-decption is self-defeating
The true purpose of a futile impeachment is surely to cater to those insisting on impeachment. Preaching to the choir is not insane. But it is immensely foolish.
I would very much appreciate replies to the above comment. It lists multiple possible justifications for impeachment and rejects them all. If you agree or disagree I'm all ears. I'm still weighing the matter. A good faith response could make all the difference.
The Democrats are very bad at messaging. They need to say that Trump cheated to win election in 2016, and that he got caught cheating again in the 2020 election campaign. Cheat, cheating, cheated. Repeat it over and over and over. Remember the “death panels?” There were no death panels, but we all remember the death panels. We all remember “job killing” Obamacare. The Republicans hammer simple themes home over and over again because it works.
1
Both the Democrats and the media were too willing to accept Barr’s description of Mueller’s report at face value.
When Barr said “Nothing to see, move along,” Democrats and their media supporters said “OK.”
How naive.
Actually, it’s worse. How inept.
And now the race through the impeachment process. Schiff has the brains and skills to pilot an impeachment inquiry. He has proven that. So... keep going. Why stop at Ukraine?
Schiff’s committee is a logical home for investigations into Russian interference in 2016 and a deeper investigation of the Mueller report.
So do it.
If Pelosi insists that articles of impeachment be drawn up now (why?) fine. But keep other impeachment investigations going.
Did Republicans stop their Benghazi investigation just because it was a made up, pretend scandal? No. They made hay off that tragedy (her emails!) and THAT is what defeated Clinton in 2016 (that and her own incompetence).
Trump’s presidency is an avalanche of real and, I believe, treasonous scandals. Democrats (and Republicans, if they have any sense of decency and patriotism and aren’t implicated themselves, like Nunes) need to investigate.
Stop wasting time passing go nowhere bills. Expose the corruption, over and over and over again.
Show some guts and fight, Democrats.
1
Honestly, when Trump held private conversations with Putin so long ago - SO long ago - and kept the transcripts and the translations from any scrutiny he demonstrated a willful disregard for the safety and security of this country of which he was "President". Three DAYS after taking the Oath of Office he met with three Russian officials ALONE in his office - also no transcripts, no Dept of State or any other department as witness or participant. The security clearances of White House staff and appointees are a joke. Impeach Donald J. Trump for ALL of it.
1
I can't wait to read Goldbergs's column the night Trump is reelected. I really have trouble believing it being any more crazed than her typical twice weekly anti-Trump screed, but I doubt if she will disappoint. Given the obvious fact that the impeachment isn't playing outside the Democratic echo chamber and the Senate will make short work of whatever comes from the House how will think possibly be good for the Democratic presidential candidates or the 30 or so vuneralbe Democrat House members. I almost expect her to channel Pauline Kael next November and likely correctly claim she didn't know a single person who voted for Trump.
1
At the least the ten charges of obstruction of law that have been deeply investigated and documented in the Muller report should be part of the articles of impeachment.
The GOP Senators will NOT uphold their oath to protect the constitution, and therefore should be held accountable when they vote in favor of the anti-national Putin's puppet.
The nation is in deep peril as long as we allow the incompetent mentally delusional person to derail the established rule of law of the land.
Lock him up ASAP.
1
Now Trump wants the Supreme Court to keep his financials secret.
Considering his fake university, phony charity, campaign finance violations, Russian money laundering, cheating contractors, catch and kill stories, apparent tax frauds, emoluments snubbing, etc., etc., etc., how can the court possibly rule in his favor?
They must refuse the case.
Otherwise, it really is over for the United States of America.
2
Unfortunately-Speaker Nancy Pelosi long surrendered her Article I legislative Congressional checking and balancing investigative duties and powers to Special Counsel Robert Mueller who was nobody under the Constitution of our Republic.
Pelosi spent a lot of her time mocking the Squad -Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez-while offering a bevy of excuses for not opening an impeachment investigation into 'Individual 1' and the ten acts of obstruction of justice by Donald Trump regarding the investigation into his collusion with the Russians.
And Trump agreed with his fellow ancient fake hair color skin tone traveler.
But for the whistle-blower there wouldn't have been a release of the 'transcript' of the July 25, 2019 telephone call between the Ukrainian President and Donald Trump.
Nancy Pelosi is going to go very narrow. With Trump stone walling what legal and political choice does she have with the next election less than a year off ?
1
The house is expediting their important impeachment of Trump, but not rushing it. For Republicans to say the House Judiciary Committee is rushing it means they want the committee to get bogged down in a never ending search for the white whale that would finally convince Republicans to fall in line and remove the “president” in the Senate.
Although more evidence will no doubt emerge as these proceedings move on, the cult that is the Republican Party will disparage and sideline anything up to and including taped phone tapes of calls with Ukraine’s president agreeing to the terms of bribery, and videos of Mr. Trump partying with Russian prostitutes.
There is a mound of evidence right now. Trump has chosen his own welfare over the security of the nation he swore to protect. He has chosen to ignore the Constitution he swore to defend.
Impeach the “president”. Force Republicans to vote to save their dear leader’s “presidency “. In doing so they will have to vote to assault the Constitution of the United States.
Let the voters see that and consider that, before they go to the polls.
1
Please Michelle: learn the difference between tactical and strategic thinking. The first might win the battles; the second wins the war.
Muhller noted 10 instances of Obstruction of justice and if the democrats don;t bring them up they are nuts.
Trump asking James Comey to let Michael Flynn go
The firing of James Comey
Trump’s reaction to the Russia investigationTrump’s reaction to the Russia investigation
Mueller’s appointment and efforts to oust him
Efforts to curtail the Russia investigation
Attempts to stop the public from seeing the evidence
Trump trying to get Jeff Sessions to take back control of the investigation
Trump telling Don McGahn to deny that the president had wanted the special counsel removed
Trump’s team asking Flynn for a “heads up” on information and commending Paul Manafort for not “flipping”
The president’s changing behavior toward Michael Cohen
1
The more the charges, the longer the trial. The longer the trial, the longer than Warren and Sanders and Klobuchar are off the campaign trail. The longer they're off the trail, the longer Biden has the stage to himself. Beware what you wish for.
Agreed! The only way to convince enough Republican senators to vote to remove is if public opinion in their districts changes. This can only happen if more evidence comes out. So DON'T RUSH! The minute he were to be exonerated by the Senate, it would become a giant political advantage toward reelection. The longer this goes on the more damaging evidence can come out. Give the courts time to weigh in and 1. force witness to testify and 2. have his taxes made public. Having his taxes made public, will show a direct connection to Russia and explain why he has acted in a manner pro Putin and against American national security. Being able to prove that our national security has been severely damaged and compromised, may cause a significant shift in public opinion among conservatives.
1
They need to include Trump's statements in Helsinki in front of Putin on the world stage discreditng American Security Agencies, misplacing his loyalty as Commander in Chief and gravely putting our National Security at risk. That alone was a stunning example of why he needs to be removed in addition to his gifts to Putin through Erdogan at the Kurds expense, not even notifying France and withholding aid in a 6 month plot with the Ukraine. Trump was devious enough to wait for wait for Muellar's bland and weak testimony to repeat yet another gift to Putin probably hoping the September 20th due date for the transfer of funds to Ukraine would expire.
1
All good stories have a beginning, middle and an end. Beginning: Candidate invites foreign help to elect him. Middle: President enriches himself and family while trashing his country's reputation and persecuting those who point out his corruption of democratic norms. End: President invites same foreign power to re-elect him. Epilogue: President impeached and loses re-election.
4
I think that by refusing to look at the entire record of Trump's abuses of power the Democrats have lost the issue of his unsuitability to hold office. If a limited set of impeachment articles are forwarded to the Senate the Republican leadership will wrap this up in no time. There are few (or no) Republicans sitting on the fence, not on this issue. Trump is being handed his campaign script and a free pass. Trump with his record campaign funds will then be able to unleash cascades of political advertising in swing districts for much of 2020 celebrating his and his supporter's exoneration. There are clear abuses of power with respect to emoluments, obstructions of justice detailed in the Mueller Report as well as a need to get Mulvaney, Guiliani, Pompeo and Bolton under oath with respect to Ukraine. I agree. Do this right. If a case for impeachment cannot be made after a full inquiry so be it.
1
Ayuh. We need to make sure he's out of office even (and especially) if he's re-re-elected.
1
THINK BIG: "If Trump is impeached by the House, he can never be pardoned for these crimes. He cannot pardon himself..., and he cannot be pardoned by a future president." (Source: Newsweek.)
CONSIDER: bribery, treason, obstruction of justice, election fraud, money laundering, conspiracy to defraud the United States, making false statements to the federal government, serving as an agent of a foreign government without registering with the justice department, donating funds from foreign nationals, improper use of philanthropic funds for personal gain, payment of hush money in violation of federal campaign finance laws, etc.
3
Violating Title X of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 ought to be one of the crimes Trump is charged with. He has admitted to it, and the law applies only to the president.
It sort of lets the air out of the “ nothing the president did was actually a crime” argument.
1
By all means, provide the entire fact based narrative of Trump's disdain for democratic free elections.
Bullet points should include but not be limited to:
Video of Trump lying about releasing tax returns following "routine audit",
Convict/campaign manager Manafort financed by Russian/Ukrainians,
Flynn lying about contacts,
Trump video request for Russian hacking,
Evidence of Russian hacking and consequent Mueller indictments,
Jeff Sessions self recusal for involvement with Russian agents,
Video of Trump raging against Sessions,
Bribery of Stormy Daniels to hide adultery before election,
Bribery of Karen MacDougal to hide adultery,
Video of Trump declaring love of unelected, murderous dictator for life Kim Jong Un,
Video of Trump in Helsinki accepting Putin's "very strong denial" of Russian electoral interference,
Blatant acts of obstruction of justice documented by Mueller,
Blatant obstruction of Congress by refusing all requests for information, witness questioning and subpoenas, and
Clear explanation of why the United States itself should properly investigate its citizens credibly accused of law breaking rather than outsourcing investigations to Ukraine, China or any autocracy.
3
I agree, and let's get on with it. You could sit in a courtroom for a month and not run across a more driven petty criminal than Donald Trump.
Make him account for all of his crimes, starting with fraud in his various shell businesses, the casinos, the empty golf courses, Trump "University", and the bad bets on everything. Somehow he managed to invest in all of the wrong properties after the crash, when all of that free money was sitting around for someone who had a bankroll.
But, of course, that's the least of our worries. We knew what kind of man he is, and it rears its hideous head every single day. Let's see if we have the courage to dump him and his smiling enabler Mike Pence as soon as possible, and then let the chips fall where they may.
Republican Senators: I'm not holding my breath, but you are the hope of the Republic right now. Think of what Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt would have done.
49
@Mike Roddy
Small hope,unfortunately. None of them have stood up for what they may have questioned themselves so I expect none of them will now. The ones who pretended to have reservations were, apparently, just posturing as they toed the party line every time.
2
@Mike Roddy
What would John Kennedy ... well nevermind
Exactly right. The game is rigged and the senate is filled with Helsinki and fifth avenue republicans who will acquit no matter what the evidence. The trial will serve to expose the deep corruption that Trumpism has created in the republican party. Voters will then decide what country they want.
1
Progressives will never be able to wrap their heads around this but most voters have lost interest in the hearings. A majority of Americans may support it, at least until it interrupts their favorite TV programs. Viewers took to social media on Wednesday to voice their frustration that local CBS affiliates across the country decided to preempt the popular game show The Price is Right in favor of the continuing public impeachment hearings. The loyalty the popular game show has garnered over the years was certainly on display Wednesday morning, with fans livid over missing the show. Yes, today we saw a fascinating discussion of the views of the Founders, but voters are mad they preempted Price Is Right for this. Pelosi announced on Thursday that the House would push ahead with a rapid timetable that could set the stage for a vote before Christmas. What??? People are shopping, cooking, & spending time with family. They don't want to hear this during the holiday season. Save it for January. Trump is at his best (in his mind) when he's fighting back & slinging mud. Impeachment hearings driven by leftist fanatics are starting to over-reach. It will be easily spun by Trump as a witch hunt to fair-minded voters. When impeachment fails in the Senate, Trump will again claim victory! Trump believes this debacle will facilitate his winning a 2nd term. The excessive amount of attention to this can backfire, with Trump being reelected & it not being the result of Russian interference.
2
Indeed Michelle Goldberg accurately summarizes the approach; Trump should be impeached for everything and anything since (even before) his inauguration.
Because of the opinions of various liberal pundits as well as 'things' and 'stuff'.
3
I agree that it is critically important that the articles of impeachment include part 2 of the Mueller report. It can also draw facts from part 1. The Mueller report became a "big dud" a "big nothing" for a number of reasons. First, because of the way Barr mislead the public and let that sit for a time without the report. Second, very few people read the report. And third, because Mueller was not a very exciting witness. The Mueller report clearly spells out a willingness to accept Russian help and the attempts to obstruct justice. Both add to the narrative and tell the true story of the character of our President.
1
Correct. The Democrats are doing a great job convincing those who hate Trump that he needs to be impeached. I understand the argument for a speedy trial but taking the time to make a better case makes more sense than rushing through a losing one whose success is dependent on the intelligence and objectivity of Fox viewers.
His toadies are doing a good job of spinning. Let's make it tougher. Make them come up with spin for Pence's cross Ireland violation of the emoluments clause, among others. Add the violation of the Constitution's "cruel and unusual punishment" clause: hearing Jordan and Nunes explain why Charles Manson was entitled to soap, showers, and a toothbrush but innocent children are not would be worth the price of admission.
1
I disagree. The odds of conviction by the Senate are minimal. But, if there is any chance at all to convince enough moderates to vote to convict, those moderates will need to be able to justify their vote to their constituents. A very broad, vague, confusing mashup of charges, some clear and understandable, some confusing, and some that look petty, will only convince those constituents that this is a partisan witch hunt.
1
I've enumerated the impeachment points: BRIBERY, obstruction of justice, obstruction of Congress, ABUSE of the POWER of the office. Two of these are mentioned, particularly, in the Constitution. If your Republican (or Democrat, like Joe Manchin) Senator refuses to convict, after learning the undeniable facts about these crimes, you have a representative who is, himself or herself, ABOVE the law. Your country is in terrible danger, and only YOU can do anything about it.
3
It is regrettable and pitiful that Pelosi and others in Congress didn’t move to impeach sooner -like the day after Innauguration in 2017 - when evidence of an emoluments clause violation was evident. Since Trump has committed dozens and maybe hundreds of impeachable offenses every week and their seriousness level has increased as well.
2
It is refreshing to read Michelle's clear and reasoned reminder, actually, of the devastating and increasingly harsh effects on people who are the most vulnerable. All this due to the predilections of Trump to punish the powerless and to fawn to the greed of the robber barons of industries.
Harm to the environment is possibly the worst consequence of rollbacks of the regulations put in place in the Obama era and which regs many states, municipalities, religious and corporate entities are committed to continue. Patterns of Trump's ruthless behaviors are endemic in the public record.
Congressmen have been pushed to writing draft Articles of Impeachment practically since Day One of this regime. Use these background events as inspiration to eloquence in drafting a robust schedule of Articles. Keep them close so they don't seem dispersed and a shotgun approach. The goons will disparage anything anyway.
2
I have never been convinced that the Trump campaign didn’t somehow instigate, or at least assist, in the 2016 Russian election meddling. Mueller identified the meddling as clearly coming from Russia, but largely skirted the issue of whether the campaign actively assisted in the meddling or simply chose to turn a blind eye and passively profit from the help. Whether he actually uncovered evidence of assistance and didn’t pursue it because he was limited by the scope of his investigation we don’t know. However, Trump has exhibited a clear enough pattern of behavior since then to certainly give credence to the idea that the campaign was an active participant in the meddling. Based on that, I, too, hope the Democrats don’t limit the articles of impeachment. To borrow a phrase from Richard Nixon, Trump is a crook - and he has been one all his life. Ukraine is only the latest of his transgressions and I doubt it’s even the worst one committed since he’s been in office. It’s just the one we know about.
1
Excellent Michelle!
The articles of impeachment should be many. And the Judiciary Committee should discuss these many. For a long time.
In fact, they should be in no hurry at all to bring the trial to the Senate. Because the Republicans will not convict, there is no need for speed. Instead, all of these gross transgressions of Trump can be aired, most of which FOXers have no clue of.
A major impeachment article must be: With Trump, all roads lead to Russia.
1
Ms. Goldberg does a good analysis. Since impeachment and conviction are political processes the nation has to be behind them. The three pro-impeachment professors made a logical and sound case.
Looking at it from a Trump supporter's viewpoint, are the opinions of pointy-headed Ivy League academics likely to make any impression on Trump cultists? Ukraine is so far away and foreign to most people and Ukraine is the word people hear most. The Trump obfuscation army has done a great job of portraying Ukraine as a sinkhole of crime and corruption, so of course the great and moral Christian soldier would want to investigate it.
The job of the prosecution is to show this pattern of crime has an emotional component that directly affects Americans. One of those components is cheating. Americans don't like cheaters. Up to now Trump has been able to paint the 'deep state' as the cheaters, trying to overthrow the Chosen One. Somehow the prosecution must make cheating, or some other emotional issue, the heart of the matter. Otherwise the sound legal case against Trump will become a an academic exercise so dry that it will simply will desiccate into fine dust and blow away on the first Senate vote.
1
Pelosi said tonight on CNN that 53% Republicans polled think Trump is a better President than Lincoln. I'm Sorry- Come Again? This Country has a huge problem with history and education and it keeps Trump's hope alive......
1
This is exactly the conundrum faced by Pelosi, how long to allow these proceedings to linger. In reality, there are too many individuals who should have honored subpoenas and their testimony would have assisted in our understanding but they were obstructed by the White House. Who is the WH protecting? It is unclear why Guilani is running around in the Ukraine, but he only represents the personal interests of the President.
Finally, the Senate will totally whitewash this entire process and vote to acquit in less then one week. They certainly will not perform the job of a jury to listen with an open mind.
1
@Carol challenging a subpoena in court not a crime.
“From Russia to Ukraine, the House needs to show the president’s pattern of corruption.“
Yes. In theory the American people need to be shown the depth and breadth of this presidents decent into foreign interests. They dovetail with his real estate interests. That and his debt are all he cares about. The case must be made in the senate in a clear and concise way. The president has betrayed our country and Republicans need to feel our wrath.
2
One of the most appalling times in my history, and I went through Watergate.
I feel sorry for my parents. They went through Pearl Harbor, WWII, Watergate, Sept 11, and now this drama.
I would just like some super happy news for them.
.
1
Every one of Mueller's enumerated obstructions should be given full consideration by the House.
1
I would debate Ms. Goldberg's conclusion that Democrats have only one chance, and that they need not hurry.
First of all, Trump needs to be stopped from electoral cheating ASAP. He's already significantly damaged Joe Biden (see the Biden flare-up from yesterday from a presumably Democratic voter). Sure, Biden can fight back, but he is waging an asymmetrical battle. Should we wait until North Korean hackers turn up emails from another Democratic candidates in an effort to please Trump and win concessions (his behavior is not only electorally dangerous). I wish there was more time to investigate so more of the crazy, immature, immoral, and plain dumb behavior of this President can be revealed, but this is urgent.
Secondly, there is the issue of the upcoming election. At the very least, it complicates the politics in an unpredictable way. It would be better to have him impeached and "acquitted" prior to the heat of the election.
Finally, they can impeach him multiple times, as needed, even in a second term, God forbid that that should happen. Admittedly, it takes up a lot of news-cycle oxygen, but, as Ms. Golderg's colleague Charles Blow has pointed out, multiple impeachments may serve as a better historical marker and deterrent since conviction in the Senate is extremely unlikely.
1
I agree that it is wrong not only to pursue Trump's impeachment on narrow grounds, but it is also wrong to rush the procedures as the House appears to be doing.
Donald Trump is guilty of SO MANY acts DEMANDING impeachment that it is difficult to recount them all. Some may be relatively minor (despite their potential major impact), like his frequent use of unsecured communications methods when discussing sensitive and even classified material, through his unilateral abrogation of treaties, to his constqnt and continuous violations of the emoluments clause through the patronage of his resort properties by foreign dignitaries, commercial entities with business before the government, and even our U.S. armed services, into his constant lying ("Lying to the public" was an article in Nixon's impeachment), to his obvious and myriad obstructions of justice and obstruction of Congress, to what I believe is his worst crime, the crimes against humanity that have been committed at our southern border as a matter of Trump's policies.
So much to do, so little time. It is more important to do it right than to do it fast.
1
Ms. Goldberg makes the principled argument for broad article of impeachment, but there are political reasons for making the impeachment inquiry as expansive as possible.
Trump will not be convicted in the Senate, of that we are sure. So the moment this process heads from the House to the Senate, the Democrats will have handed control of the narrative to the Republicans. Politically, it is advantageous for the Democrats to maintain control as long as possible. Lord knows there is a bottomless pit of impeachable activity that can be investigated. At the same time Democrats can fight the court battles needed to force people like Bolton and Mulvaney to testify.
If impeachment is over in early 2020, I am not sure what has been accomplished beside an ultimately futile statement. Trump will be empowered by his acquittal and will crow about vindication. Adam Schiff will be investigated by William Barr and Democrats will be playing defense.
Investigate and keep investigating. If nothing else, it makes Trump crazy, which may be all we can hope for.
1
These are all good points. Trump was willing to subvert our elections throughout his 2016 candidacy, and he is clearly working hard to do the same in 2020. This is why he needs to be removed from office, because we cannot believe in a fair election if he is tampering with it.
1
I agree. I think it will be important to put the blatantly illegal Ukraine scheming into context by showing the pattern of Trump's repeated use of his authority and our tax money for his own personal ends. A few good examples, with the Mueller report and its clear conclusion that he was stonewalling to hide what he had done, should be added as background for the impeachment prosecution.
3
Pelosi has shown an expertise in the area of impeachment since her initial stance against it. She has demonstrated that she knows the public and her party better than most; including those of us who would love to "throw everything including the kitchen sink" at Trump.
Prosecutors rarely go after every single crime that exists in an accused individual's history. They use the worst, most well documented crime(s) to take to trial. I believe that is the exact strategy former prosecutor Adam Schiff has advised the House Judiciary Committee to consider.
2
Ms. Goldberg makes great sense here. I agree.
The clearest outcome of the Mueller report is Trump's obstruction of justice, which solidifies his obstruction of justice in the Ukraine case. And, indeed, the two are part of a pattern.
Take a little more time. No vote is needed before Christmas.
1
This rushing to impeachment gives the smell of Democrat fear to the whole thing, fear of loosing a conservative base (never had it), fear of the electorate (the idea is to lead bravely, not fearfully). Take time, do it right. If Democrats believe Trump is breaking the law, develop a strong case, all evidence is now in. Trump will gladly repeat all crimes whether ignored or not, so they all need public scrutiny. People don’t understand what constitutes a political crime or their importance. Please read Moira Donegan in today’s Guardian.
1
The argument that we can’t wait another month or two because Trump is trying to subvert the 2020 election doesn’t hold mustard for me. No matter what the House does, our corrupt President will do whatever he can to rig the system. And assuming that Biden’s son didn’t do anything illegal, there is no risk that any valid revelations will occur in the mean time.
No, I agree with Michelle that more time should be spent on elucidating and then clearly telling the story of how “all roads lead to Putin.” I read Blowout by Rachel Meadow and saw her show last night in which she lays out the clear trail of what I consider to be treasonous behavior on the President. The question remains: what does Putin have on him? The only thing that may change our polarized electorate is proving either financial or personal/family safety threats that Trump must be hiding from.
5
Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff have done an exemplary job at laying the groundwork and presenting the case in the way regular Americans can understand. But I believe it makes no difference whatsoever how they present the articles of impeachment; whether one charge or ten charges, the Senate will not vote to remove Trump. The Republicans are in lockstep loyalty to him. I shudder to think that Trump may even be reelected. And where will be then?
3
Unfortunately for Democrats, it will come down to the vote that takes place on 11/3/2020. The real crime against our Democracy has been the GOP war against the right to vote. Added to this are the efforts to increase complacency and the documented poor percentages of eligible voters that actually vote.
7
@Moses I admit the maddening electoral college system dissuades millions of voters from voting. I'm a Democrat who lives in a overwhelmingly Republican state. The swing state system renders votes in all other states pointless. Or it seems to anyway. I started voting reluctantly because "it's my civic duty." But it still doesn't make a difference.
3
@Kristin We need more people with your - shall we say - "stubbornness". If enough people were as frustrated as you and I are, we could have already put representatives into a President into office who would vote to eliminate the electoral college.
1
Was Rudy Giuliani conducting US foreign policy? If so, was it with or without official authorization? If it was without authorization, Giuliani has violated the Logan Act. On the other hand, if he was authorized, he was a witness to potentially impeachable offenses. He cannot refuse to testify before Congress either for reason of executive privilege or attorney-client privilege.
Subpoena Rudy and lock him in a basement room in the Capitol if he refuses to testify. Give him access to an attorney, but not a cell phone.
4
It's too bad that Pelosi didn't highlight that Mueller invited Congress to impeach, and the only reason he didn't more overtly accuse Trump of obstruction and violations of law was his reliance on that the DOJ memo. Basically, in as strong language as his lawyerly mind allowed, Mueller did say Trump was guilty. Yes, the obstruction cited in Mueller's report should e included in the impeachment articles, even if the American public doesn't understand what it actually said.
4
@Carlos in NH How do you obstruct a fake crime?
I don't know what might be the best method to pursue impeachment but the attempt, in itself, is critical, even though it is ultimately doomed to fail.
We have a corrupt President. Impeachment is the tool that the founding fathers gave us to address that problem and thereby prevent the subversion of our democracy into an autocracy.
If this tool doesn't work (as seems more and more the case), we need to know as soon as possible, so there is still a chance (if there is?) that we can address the problem and fix it.
If we can't fix it (and thereby prevent future Presidents from running roughshod over the constitution), then we can all kiss this democracy goodbye.
3
What Americans need to know most: "What's with the Russia connection?". How and why did it come to pass that Trump's team became so cozy with Russians, especially those linked to Ukraine? It smells very bad but speculation doesn't help anyone.The fact that Republicans don't care is proof positive that the world is upside down. If Trump is acquitted by the Senate is this Russia connection off the table? It's not just about Trump.
4
You're right. A fuller account of Trump's wrongdoing is essential. Not only would it fill out the case for impeachment, but it would also allow his unfitness for office to sink in. It's not as if he had just crossed a single line. Everybody should have one great, possibly last, chance to understand just how thoroughly this man has violated his oath of office and betrayed the nation.
A longer, broader impeachment process would also become a showcase for exposure of the vast fraud that Trump has perpetrated on the people who believe in him. There may be nothing impeachable in that fraud itself, but the recounting of Trump’s entanglements with corrupt elements in the Ukraine, with the Russian state, with the Russian mob, etc., etc., all in pursuit of selfish ends, will show him up for something very different from the champion of America that he pretends to be.
An extended impeachment process can actually help avert a second disaster of Russian interference in a US presidential election by awakening as many people as possible to the danger. If another few percent of the voters become determined not to fall for manipulation, and another few simply become disgusted with Trump, we should make it to safety.
By the way, I’m now reading the new book you introduced us to the other day, Crime in Progress, by Glenn Simpson and Peter Fritsch of Fusion GPS. And here I thought I had a rough idea of Trump’s venality and fraudulence.
4
A full list of charges for Trump's lawless and repeatedly impeachable behavior could take some time to assemble, but that list must be made, the with the charge of treason at the top of the list. Giving aid and comfort to an enemy (Russia), bribery of foreign officials for political benefit, failure to execute his oath of office: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) 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."
Emoluments, abuse of power, violations of election laws, pardoning war crimes, so many violations.
All must be listed so that a future President will not use Trump's transgressions as lawful precedents for even great violations of the rule of law.
Dispel forever the "Unitary Executive Theory." No one in the United States is above the law. The Divine Rights of Kings is not found in the US Constitution.
Every Republican Senator must answer for how they vote. They have also vowed to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic,... and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter..."
The clock is ticking...the World is watching.
5
Another reason to broaden the scope and prolong the process. The nation needs to find out if the Supreme Court will turn out partisan and complicit. They need to be given enough time to show with certainty whether the right-wing justices intend to green light the pure-partisan rigging of American politics. It shouldn't take more than 3 or 4 months with important impeachment-related cases pending before them. If they do not act promptly, but instead help Trump run out the clock, then Democrats need to mark the Court for congressionally mandated reform at the first opportunity. Do not let the Supreme Court escape the scrutiny the impeachment case brings with it.
6
The race to impeach Donald Trump is a little like a driver speeding to get to a destination, ending up in a fatal accident and not ever reaching it. There may be reasons to get there faster, but not at the price of failing to get there at all.
Particularly because the entire impeachment issue appears to be a politically divided process, there appears to be little that Donald Trump and Republicans won't do to derail it. For their part, they have set up a slalom-like obstacle course, throwing down gauntlets left and right, designed not only to slow the entire process down, but to fatally derail it. Unjustifiably high speed only increases the risk of failure.
Like it or not, the Republican-controlled Senate appears virtually certain to acquit the president, which places even more of a duty on the pro-impeachment House to do its job with thorough and painstaking care, leaving no stone unturned in building a compelling argument against the president. If that takes a little more time to accomplish, so be it.
In the end, rushing into any trial without adequate preparation is unwise, and when the very character of our government and country are at stake, a rushed process, no matter what the reasons, seems unwise. Particularly following the voluminous but needlessly pedantic Mueller report, what the country needs is compelling clarity. That takes time.
3
I have one suggestion for Chairman Nadler - subpoena Steve Bannon to appear and let him reprise his testimony regarding Roger Stone and the 2016 Trump campaign. It can link the clear and present concern about the integrity of the 2020 election with Trump's prior behavior and one doesn't need to invoke the full Mueller Report.
2
Best strategy: Make articles both narrow (charges) and broad (patterns of behavior) vote BUT do not submit them to the Senate until after the election. If he wins, pursue them, if he loses, forget about it. Take more time to develop them in the House.
6
Spot on Ms. Goldberg! The House needs to take its time. The Articles of Impeachment must be wide ranging in scope and since the behaviors and actions of this POTUS clearly repeat and show little respect for the Constitution or the American People, the charges must reflect the complexity, duration, and high likelihood of continuance in the future. The House ought to vote in the second or third week of January. Impeachment Articles that are narrow and rushed will leave us and our posterity with a incomplete and inaccurate accounting of Trump's conduct, similar to the conviction of AL Capone on tax evasion and ignoring of the depth of his violence and criminality.
7
What should be included in the Articles of Impeachment? Simple. Impeachable acts. All of them.
In this particular instance, the Mueller findings are completely germane because they're all part of the same thing---an attempt to deflect blame away from Russia for meddling with our election.
Many commenters are replying "trust Nancy and Adam" but I've seen Democrats shoot themselves in the foot (and reload and start firing again) far too many times to give a pass without hearing strong, sensible reasons. And "we need to get it done" is not a reason.
7
Trump needs to be charged with every one of his violations of Constitutional authority. The list will be long but to anyone paying attention at least some of the infractions will be recognized by groups with many different political orientation. Since the self-serving sycophants in the Senate will not convict, at least the listing of all of Trump's misdeeds will become public record.
7
Turley didn't really touch on the way fact finding was diminished by the various failures of public officials closest to events to respond to subpoenas in reliance upon some theory of executive privilege. List it all because Trump's disrespect of the process should be addressed. Trump has in euphemistic terms thumbed his nose at the legislative branch.
8
No one is following the common denominator of Fossil Fuels in this. It links all the stories.
7
Rachael Maddox has been following this thread and did so in Thursday nights show. So interesting and sinister. Her latest book Blowout is all about this.
1
If they pile up as many charges as possible, does that give Trump, his lawyers, and the GOP more ways and more time to fight the allegations, sow confusion, and push their deep state conspiracy theories?
Maybe by keeping it simple they feel they have a better chance of convincing conservatives who are on the fence.
57
@Bronx Jon
You can make a list of simple charges meant to show the CONTEXT of Trump's contradictions of the Constitution which show that his INTENT is corrupt.
You can show a video of Trump saying, "the Press is the enemy of the People," then contrast that with the words in the First Amendment.
Quantity doesn't have to mean complicated. And this one phone call has been made extremely complicated.
The words in the "perfect transcript" were really enough. The witnesses only helped for those that are willing to digest the details.
Kings are allowed to call their critics "treasonous." Presidents are not. It is not complicated to make that point and show video of Trump calling people treasonous.
28
@Bronx Jon
There are no conservatives on the fence. Success will depend on more evidence. Slow and steady wins the race.
7
@Bronx Jon
Sadly, it is a foregone conclusion that unless Trump is caught standing over a warm dead body with a smoking pistol in hand, his cronies and enablers in the Senate will not vote to convict. Perhaps not even in those circumstances. They are accomplices, co-conspirators and accessories after-the-fact.
11
I agree with you 100%, Michelle. But do you want to know who I trust to make the call?
Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff.
They have both performed magnificently and have demonstrated the wisdom needed to balance political reality against the need to create an unambiguous record for historians as well as a strong precedent to discourage future demagogues from selling out the country.
217
@Ron
Agree! And Pelosi and Schiff (unlike the Repubs) take impeachment and this president's clear crimes seriously, *and* they have done their homework. (Any fool can spew invective and distractions; that takes no serious preparation at all.)
Don't bother with more hearings - as many here have said, it will change little/nothing for the public. But add his many transgressions to the articles of impeachment! This man is a danger to the planet, and that needs to be 1000% clear in the historical records.
5
Full disclosure. I posted this comment in response to another article in the Times yesterday. Nevertheless, it's also pertinent to today's column. The Democratic strategy of narrowing the scope of impeachment in order to gain more support for impeachment is flawed and naive. We have more than sufficient evidence at this point in Trump's presidency to conclude that Republican politicians and voters will under no circumstances allow this President to be impeached. Therefore, it does not matter whether the House brings forward a single article of impeachment or twenty. The Democrats should expend less efforts on finding a "strategy" to impeach this President and spend more time identifying and documenting all legitimate grounds for impeachment. All of these grounds should be included in the articles of impeachment sent to the Senate. In doing so the House will have documented for history the many and serious abuses of power committed by this President. And in condoning the President's abuse of office, the Constitution and public trust, each Republican Senator, at one of the most dangerous points in U.S. history, will forever be remembered as having chosen blatant political self interest over the good of their country. History must clearly record that House and Senate Republican's refused to stand for the form of ethical and lawful government the country's founding fathers envisioned.
13
Truly, the most depressing part of the impeachment isn't Trump himself, it's the government inaction (of which I overwhelmingly blame Mitch McConnell for), stretching all the way back to 2008.
Thanks to government inaction, Americans' frustration morphed from a narrative of inaction, to a narrative of corruption. More and more Americans allowed themselves to believe that their representatives only ran for office to 'line their pockets' instead of 'getting anything done'.
Then Trump introduced his 'drain the swamp' narrative. Later, Mick Mulvaney suggested that using a quid pro quo to leverage foreign assistance in an election was something 'we do all the time' (it's not... it's never been done).
And between those two aforementioned points in time, Trump introduced a slew of other rhetoric that suggested 'our system is broken' (with no clarification on what 'the system' refers to).
Now we're about to impeach Trump on bribery and obstruction of justice, and (too large of) the public's opinion is "so what? It happens all the time, why are you only targeting Trump?"
It's difficult to imagine us having gone down this road or ever electing Trump, if not for Mitch McConnell's legislative stonewalling.
6
You make valid points, Michelle. But watching Speaker Pelosi's cautious, step by step approach to reach her final conclusion that trump is the ever present danger to our constitutional democracy, I'll side with her political wisdom and trust her judgement. Originally was content to await the election and take joy in voting against this despicable man but the constitutional crisis we are now in requires action. The United States has been tarnished and embarrassed globally, rule of law, not rule by despots, has been this countries cornerstone. Move forward Speaker Pelosi, at this juncture of crisis my faith in with you.
5
Exactly. If the charges do not include the Russia connection and subsequent obstruction of justice, Trump and Republicans will claim he was exonerated on this charge. Also it needs to be included for the sake of maintaining the rule of law. Trump's actions were egregious. It has to be documented and part of the record. Not doing so is acquiescence and submission.
296
@Eric -- Exactly correct. And it should be noted that this is exactly what Mueller expected to happen with his obstruction findings -- since DOJ policy precluded an indictment, he virtually invited Democrats to include obstruction in an impeachment proceeding.
39
@Eric,
Very good points. And if I could add a third reason: the precedent this impeachment sets should be that there were multiple and ongoing instances of defying Congress, our laws, executive power, etc. Otherwise, future Democratic presidents will be harassed by impeachment for thin reasons, and there will be no counterpoint to argue in the historical record.
17
What about the emoluments clause? Not including that in articles of impeachment is giving a pass to exactly the kind of corruption the Founders wanted to prevent.
349
@Martha Shelley
Just saying that the Emoluments Clause is "phony" is a violation of his Oath of Office. Contradicting the Constitution weakens it. He took an Oath to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
That also shows that his intent is to violate the Emoluments Clause.
Then Trump keeps taking payments (Emoluments) from foreign governments. Payments "of any kind whatever" are prohibited. There is no mention of a quid pro quo, because the Founders knew that would be impossible to prove.
39
@Martha Shelley
Right. And not just the “Founders,” but anyone who has an inkling of human nature and the potential for corruption. Unfortunately, Trump’s use of his office for enriching his net worth seems to be trivial, and not worth mentioning. What was once shocking is now ho-hum. This is what the guy, and his party, and his supporters, have done.
19
@McGloin
Trump's ideas and beliefs on the Emoluments Clause are unreal, but they do not constitute a violation of his oath. Were that the case, no one could criticize any provision in the constitution, such as the process of the Electoral College, for example, or to call for amendments to be made (as has happened throughout our history. As to emoluments, his actions are what count, not his blathering in a Tweet or at a clown rally.
4
From Turley's WP essay regarding efforts to impeach Obama (!), this argument that he made sure seems tailor made for why we need to impeach Trump: "So consider the $454 million Obama shifted out of the Affordable Care Act’s Prevention and Public Health Fund. He wouldn’t have to pocket that money to warrant impeachment. But he’d have to do more than he did: redirect it to another purpose without congressional approval and offer a faulty interpretation of the act. If the president were to openly defy clear federal authority and order unlawful acts, he would move from the realm of using arguable discretion to that of being a danger to the system as a whole."
4
I agree totally. At this point, it looks like no matter what the Democrats will vote for impeachment, and the Senate will never remove him from his office.
I am very tired of hearing about this being a problem for Democrats in Trump territory. The Democrats should get on the record and for history the number of ways that Trump has violated his office.
Trump won a narrow victory last time. Some who voted for him just disliked Hilary more, and many people didn't like either. and stayed home. If only a small percentage of those people are disgusted by how Trump has behaved in office, with great detail of how corrupt he has been, he will not win again. Fear of losing should not get in the way of standing up for what is right, and punishing what is wrong.
458
@Jerry S
Yes, Trump contradicts the principles of the Constitution in word and official act.
List all of Trump's contradictions of the Constitution. Explain why they are High Crimes.
Trump claims that Article II says he can so anything that he wants. The People can understand that that is a lie meant to end all limits on Trump's power.
Show video after video of Trump saying the opposite of the Constitution. These are all statements of INTENT, that show the Trump's INTENT is corrupt.
If the Democrats only concentrate on one secret High Crime, then it can be explained away. It is the sum total of Trump's attacks on the Constitution, the CONTEXT, that shows that his INTENT is to benefit himself. not We the People.
Trump is not Nixon. Nixon wanted to get away with things is secret. He had enough respect for the Constitution to resign when caught.
Trump commits his High Crimes on TV, because he knows that the dictators he emulates got to be "president for life" by repeatedly getting away with violating their Constitution in public.
If you sneak into the Library of Congress and shred the Constitution, it is possible than nobody will know.
It is contradicting it in word and action over and over in public that tells everyone that it no longer protects them and they can do nothing about it that destroys a Constitution.
Without the Context of Trump's constant attacks on the Constitution, one secret phone call will not "rise to the level of removal."
CONTEXT shows INTENT.
62
@Jerry S
Your guiding purpose is to get things "on the record and for history." Impeachment articles summarize some of the evidence. Everything else is already on the record. Historians will weigh whether the articles are just. Including too much will convince them that the articles were too expansive. Do the right thing and history will approve.
9
@Jerry S just can’t worry about the election. I do, of course, but will just have to hope that whoever turns out to be the nominee has the wherewithal to run a more intelligent and robust campaign than Hillary. In the meantime, we need to get on with the details of the impeachment, lay it out in simple terms for all to see, indict the guy and send it over to the Senate. If the Republicans refuse to convict, some may be surprised to find what a mistake they have made.
3
"Democrats have only one chance to impeach the most corrupt and disloyal president in American history."
That sentence raises two points. First, Corrupt Trump is "the most corrupt and disloyal president" EVER. Second, history needs Democrats to fully document the corruption of this president.
There is such an extensive, overwhelming, preponderance of evidence of Trump corruption that it is hard to know how to document it in a comprehensible way. Except for an academic writing a doctoral thesis, the plethora of factual evidence documenting Trump corruption could quickly flummox and wear down the general public. That academic's doctoral thesis will evolve into a lifetime effort to compile a 30-volume Encyclopedia of Trump Corruption. And that is the challenge, the argument against broad articles of impeachment.
But history demands that posterity have a full and complete account of Corrupt Trump. The articles of impeachment will be a summary of Corrupt Trump's dereliction of oath, offenses against the nation, violations of the Constitution. For that reason the articles of impeachment should include an umbrella of crimes for which he is guilty.
It may well be that Democrats cannot argue all of the articles of impeachment in a concise, easily digestible way to bring the public along, however "They have a duty to explain not just why Trump betrayed America when he sought to extort election help from Ukraine, but how we know that he’ll nearly certainly try the same thing again."
4
I strongly disagree. It is not that the Mueller report didn't show egregious violations of the public trust, but the pattern of behavior described by the report is far to complicated to explain to the American people. The impeachment charges should fit on a bumper sticker: Trump tried to extort political favors from the president of Ukraine.
1
It is increasingly clear that Trump will not be removed from office by the Senate, so the only reason to go forward with impeachment is the historical record. While it is disappointing to realize that 40% of the electorate either doesn't care or condones Trump's behavior as president, it should not deter the Democrats from ushering in the judgement of history. An acquittal in the Senate won't remove the indelible stain on his presidency and he will linger forever with Nixon in the nether-regions of presidential shame. The House needn't do the work of the historians, Michelle, it just needs to "stick the landing".
6
Mr. Schiff has stated that investigations into Mr. Trump's connivance will continue beyond the impeachment process, so trying to include all aspects of Mr. Trump's misconduct in the articles of impeachment is not a priority for the House leadership.
2
Agreed, throw in the kitchen sink that legal scholars can attest to as being impeachable.
However, even more important, even if Jesus, Moh. and Moses comes down and testifies for the democrats do not impeach unless you have a clear majority of voters for it in swing states.
if not, you will very well likely give Trump another term.
It doesn't do America any good if you do the right thing and help re elect Trump.
Better to oust him in the above case in the election.
Lincoln was the prime teacher on this. He saved the union first and then ended slavery because without the former he could not get the latter.
Sometimes you have to put up with an evil for a short time to get rid of it.
3
Yes, Republican senators will likely acquit Trump, but Democrats need to demonstrate the totality of Trump's corruption if there's any chance of getting the lesson to sink in with the American public.
The actual impeachment is the best chance to get Americans to pay attention, and the actual trial is Democrats' best chance to squash every spin-tactic that the Republican House has used.
The hearings... the impeachment inquiry... the 5-minute Q&A sessions that members of both parties have used to launch tirades instead of actually asking questions... those all represent the 'fog of war'.
Long-term (when the dust settles), Americans can't feel shame for voting for Trump if they only have a partial-picture of his constitutional atrocities.
3
What the mayor doesn’t realize is that the very base of the party he dismisses will dismiss him when he might need them. No we am not obligated to vote for you, you need to earn our vote with more then I am less evil.
In addition to the Ukraine affair and the obstruction of the Mueller investigation, the Democrats should add violations of both emolument clauses and failure to properly ensure that laws are faithfully executed. Mr Trump repeatedly violates the laws by fraudently declaring conditions that allow for presidential overrides when no such conditions exist, e.g. steel from Canada as a national security risk.
5
@david, I couldn't agree more. The more that the Democrats can put together articles that show, not only the depth, but the breadth of Trump's (and Giuliani's) corruption, sefl-dealing, and repeated requests for foreign actors to interfere in U.S. elections, the harder it will be for Republicans to seriously come up with explanations that make sense. Currently, the Republican party has turned into Trump's toadies and seem blind to any crime that this President commits. The wider the list of charges, the harder it will be to try to explain away the charges and still keep credibility.
1
I agree with you. The main charges can be a very simple short bullet list and a one-page executive summary that the American public can understand:
Bribery
Endangering National Security
Obstruction of Justice
Violation of Emoluments Clause is somewhat separate from the other three, but also an impeachable offense.
These bullet points can then be explained in greater detail, supported with the evidence that was found, and an explanation why it's urgent to impeach:
For example, obstruction of Justice includes witness intimidation, the findings in Mueller's report, instructing witnesses to obey subpoenas, refusing to provide documents and other vital information. Endangering National Security also includes endangering the electoral process with welcoming and inviting foreign interference, in addition to the withholding of critical military funding to an ally fighting a US adversary, etc.,
Perhaps have a seasoned group of third grade teachers go over the executive summary...
8
@Anna This is the modern version of treason. He is giving away the country's best interest for his own.
Best the Democrats spell out for the trumpers what they mean by endangering our security, it's not just tampering with our elections. Paint a picture of what could happen.
2
@Virginia Richter: Sure, I won't argue with that (treason), but then I remember some trump supporters saying they'd rather have Putin as president than a Democrat - some think treason is just fine...
And I meant "instructing witnesses to disobey subpoenas" as an example of obstruction of Justice, not "obey".
1
"They have a duty to explain not just why Trump betrayed America when he sought to extort election help from Ukraine, but how we know that he’ll nearly certainly try the same thing again."
Nancy Pelosi did just that in her press conference. In tight, tersely lipped delivery, she clarified in a just a few sentences that "what we think we're talking about with Ukraine is really about Russia. Ukraine is just the vehicle."
Lest anyone not get her point, she repeated it several times. The woman is amazing wheh it comes to fierce clarity and reductivity, in essence, citing Trump's hidden allegiances to Vladimir Putin as his main driving force.
Pelosi get it. Of course, with impeachment, the articles have to be based on evidence of corrupt actions and intent, which the committees would in spades.
I too wish the Democrats would fight for key witnesses, but Pelosi is right: the die is cast to act against a rogue president before he acts again.
16
The Velcro wall approach is key, anything and everything that sticks. Another way to convince is the Spin the Wheel of Impeachment or Dial A Charge. These simple tools are useful for Show & Tell with The 40% of the core constituency.
A buffet style approach where everyone gets something.
1
@Tabula Rasa It is true that Republicans have thrown every thing they can conceive of against "the velcro wall" to make it more difficult for listeners to separate fact from fiction. You forgot to include the "Muddy the Waters" tool which is so useful for Republicans. In the end, facts will prevail and Trump will be impeached.
6
@RF All the fun of a Carnival in your backyard.
Yes. But in this case, you write broadly and vote narrowly. Keep Ockham’s Razor in mind, the simplest explanation that includes all of the parts is usually correct. That means bringing in some Russian evidence but it also means holding off on emoluments.
2
So if you cheat to win, the election is still valid? And if you cheat again, as we speak, that’s okay too?
I am concerned about the voters. This process is the best chance to bring the facts to light so voters can make a fully informed decision in 2020. The public had no idea in 2016 of the extent of foreign interference and disinformation. We still don’t know if our election infrastructure is up to its task, since McConnell is blocking reforms.
Speaker Pelosi, the opportunity for unity here is in persuading the American people to reclaim our national security, Constitutional order, and rule of law. It’s okay to be pessimistic about the Republican Senate based on their record, but we should remain hopeful about the good will and judgment of the American people. Give us time to hear the full story, in interviews and testimony, before we the people vote again.
24
@Bamagirl
" This process is the best chance to bring the facts to light so voters can make a fully informed decision in 2020."
Well this Democrat's kangaroo court circus has proven to me the the amount of Truth, ethics, credibility and honor that is in the Democrat Party....NONE!
I have made an informed decision to NEVER vote for ANY Democrat again!
He already has tried the same thing again, publicly calling on China to investigate the Bidens, and implying a pressure campaign if they don't. This during a trade war with China that Trump started, which already has caused them much pain, and which Trump has controlled all along through tweets of support - or not - for the negotiations.
“China should start an investigation into the Bidens, because what happened in China is just about as bad as what happened with Ukraine.”
11
Not only is he a repeat offender, he has said publicly that he would accept election help from a foreign company - "I think I'd take it" he said to George Stephanopolous, putting on his innocent face. By keeping the focus narrowly on the Ukraine shakedown, we risk overlooking, or even excusing, the fundamental corruption and dishonesty running through this presidency.
Most people are predicting that the Senate will not have the votes to convict. That makes it all the more important to catalog the worst offenses, to get the full array of criminal conduct on the record, so no one can later claim that we did nothing about it, or that his legacy gets whitewashed.
We have already forgotten some truly egregious behavior because there have been so many. (Remember how he casually dropped top secret information to the Russians in the Oval Office, probably in an attempt to impress them? That was less than 4 months into his presidency, and just a day after he fired FBI director Comey in the most humiliating manner.)
31
I agree that the Democrats are rushing things. One very good argument to hurry is the need to keep trump from more criminal behavior. But continued public hearings should do the job by maintaining public focus on trump's crimes.
10
@Marilyn Burbank That focus would make rational politicians hesitant, but even with intense coverage of the Mueller investigation on-going, Trump was already working his Ukrainian scam. When it comes to grift, Trump is relentless and undeterred. Since he's not been severely punished for his past corruption, either in private business or as president, there's no good reason for him to stop.
7
@Marilyn Burbank
But on the other hand this whining hateful thing is extremely dangerous. If the faux nooze poll shows he is going to lose the election, lookout, North Korea or Iran or California. Or the election might be canceled by the unstable genius/chosen one and his cultists.
2
Speaker Pelosi made the remark that much of Mr. Trump's malfeasance (as revealed by the Mueller Report) lead back to Mr. Putin.
Yet, the business of shaking down Prime Minister Zelensky is narrowly represented as Trump trying to get a "favor" that would benefit him personally by gaining an advantage against Biden. But there is more to the story.
If the Dems rely on a narrow claim that the president was seeking a personal benefit as a primary basis for impeaching the president, then they are not using their office to its fullest capacity to show the extent of Mr. Trump's corruption.
The Dems need to connect the dots around Trump, and show the real issue that is driving the Ukraine shakedown: we have a president who is compromised and is working against the national interest by siding with Mr. Putin to make Ukraine weak and pliant, so it will agree to a peace deal that empowers Russia.
45
Thank you, Chuck. I've been amazed, throughout the Mueller investigation and the impeachment inquiry, at how little attention has been paid in the media to WHY Putin was so eager to elect Trump, and Trump so willing to help him strengthen his own grip on power. This is the larger context of both investigations, and until Americans understand the complex web of mutual back-scratching that has occurred, too many will continue to shrug and say, "so what?"
5
@Chuck - - - After all, the Prez said to tell Vladimir that he would be more able to remove American nuclear weapons AFTER he was re-elected at that summit.
OH! My bad!
That was Obama, wasn't it?
Oops.
(Ahem) ''Never mind.''
(A quote from Emily Litella)
And please ad emoluments to the list... this serves several purposes.
emoluments is about personal gain - financial
if a president violates the emoluments clause, that is not a criminal law yet is clearly against the constitution
and lastly, if they don't list it now, will it ever be enforceable? not including it would set a bad precedent.
unless there is some new revelation that causes trump's support to plummet, the Senate will not remove him - so this needs to include every reasonable ground for impeachment that can be supported because it is about the principle of holding Presidents accountable and not just about this attempt which is likely doomed in the Senate anyway.
25
Yes, people need to see how the corruption affects them personally. Document how taxpayer money goes straight into his pocket every time he stays at his property, or when the VP flies 180 miles out of his way to stay at a Trump property. Show how his people illegally use their official duties to profit Trump and why Kellyanne’s 50 violations of the Hatch Act are not a joke.
1
Trump is a clear and present threat to our system of Constitutional Democracy.
In the Articles of Impeachment Democrats must cover all of Trump’s activities which violate his oath of office.
This is the opportunity for Democrats in Congress to outline all presidential behavior that is unacceptable under the Constitution.
The vote in the Senate will let all people in this nation know which Republicans value temporary political power over the long term stability of our Constitutional system of government.
19
We're weighing a broad attack where some things are not nailed down against a targeted attack where we've got the goods. One looks a lot like smoke and one looks like fire. You choose.
4
I agree with this article. I think Democrats should investigate further and not rush to impeach ASAP.
This is because the people need to see that this process is thorough.
Secondly, if it is rushed to the Senate, which will undoubtedly vote to acquit Trump, Trump will endlessly crow that he was exonerated twice. He will take this as a green light to go on soliciting collusion from foreign governments. What will the House have left at their disposal when he does repeat this all the way up to November 2020?
Trump is continuing to collude RIGHT NOW. His personal lawyer Giuliani is at this very hour in Ukraine colluding with someone there to concoct and spread a fake story about Hunter and Joe Biden.
The House needs to do something about what Giuliani is doing right now. It needs to not rush but gather an ever greater mountain of evidence. There is so much of it. Hold Giuliani accountable for what he is doing right at this moment, as a start.
19
How much to include in the articles is a matter of next to no consequence. The whole thing has been laid out on TV. The articles won't include anything new. And what's in the articles doesn't determine what happens at trial. As long as they reference the record, anything from the record can be presented. And whether the articles are narrow or broad, those handling the case will decide how far to go based on how things are going. The articles are one day's news. Once trial begins they are just pieces of paper.
3
@michjas
Many years ago I was given, from someone I admired and respected, advice I never forgot for it was proven true more times than I can count. The advice was "Be careful what you put in writing, as once something is in writing it will never go away".
Your idea that once the charges are drawn up the other documents are just paper. I think not our Constitution, Bill of Rights, the Legal System, Federal, State, City and Local Governments core values, Treaties with Other Nations (including surrender documents), on and on are all "Just paper". There is an old saying "The pen is mightier than the sword", a look at the history of our species proves that beyond any doubt
Just an old white man's opinion based on observations...
7
@Alecfinn There are those who labor over the words of the Constitution, like Scalia, and those who worry about doing justice, like like RBG.
1
@michjas ....good point.....don't worry about too narrow or too broad...the whole thing has been laid out on TV. The public knows, it's on and on every day on the media. Expanding the articles won't change GOP minds at all.
Cautious, worried, careful Democrats and reckless, unethical Republicans!
1
I believe in a short list of articles of impeachment and I think that's what Democrats are going to create.
My short list includes:
Abuse of power
Conspiracy to bribe (or extort) Ukraine
Obstruction of Congress
IMO, Trump is also GUILTY of the following, all of which should be referenced in detail in the articles of impeachment but not necessarily included in the list of charges: Treason, Obstruction of Justice, Violations of Federal election law by paying bribes to women with whom he had adulterous affairs and by multiple solicitations for help in the 2016 and 2020 elections from Russia, Ukraine and China, tampering with witnesses, threatening the whistleblower and witnesses, dangling pardons, Firing the FBI Director to stop an official investigation, Pressuring AG Sessions to un-recuse himself so he could control the Russia investigation and/or fire Mueller, Firing Ambassador Yovanovich for a corrupt purpose, publicly attacking and smearing federal employees.
There's probably more that I've forgotten. There's just an enormous number of constitutional violations by this illegitimate "president" the worst in US history!
33
@NY Times Fan
Yeah to prove a pattern of behavior you need to list the behaviors that show the behaviors.
I think you can add in "Betrayal of the public trust"
Just an old white man's opinion.
1
I agree that clear and easily provable crimes committed by Trump can and should be included in the articles of impeachment -- particularly the two felony campaign contribution crimes for which Michael Cohen is doing time in federal prison and which both the SDNY prosecutor and SDNY judge found expressly that Donald J. Trump "directed" Cohen to commit. Under the federal criminal "corpus delicti" rule, a federal court cannot properly accept a guilty plea unless there is independent corroborative evidence supporting the defendant's confession. So there must almost certainly be grand jury evidence supporting Cohen's confession to those crimes which he testified that Trump directed him to commit; and since the federal judge made a point of publicly declaring that this "nationally important" case was closed, there is every reason to believe that the judge would release the pertinent grand jury information upon a request by House impeachment investigators. This is a slam dunk, and provides additional evidence of Trump's pattern of corrupting our electoral system through not only wrongful but criminal behavior.
12
My objection to narrow impeachment is this: it really needs to be broad enough to take in the whole of the Republican Party. They were corrupt and anti-democratic long before Trump came along. He's just dragged it into the open. They all need to go.
However the Democrats go forward with this, they must make clear that Trump's corruption isn't limited to him. It needs to connect the dots with the entire conservative movement.
28
Mr. Trump doesn't care what decent people think of him. What a tremendous advantage that is.
9
@George
He does care that people are laughing at him though... which is why Biden's latest ad showing the world's leaders laughing and mocking Trump is so devastating.
All of the candidates should have at least one Trump-mocking ad playing 24-7.
1
What if impeachment is no defense to what increasingly looks and smells like an overthrow of America’s democracy? Does it really matter if there are a dozen or even a hundred articles of impeachment if Trump and the entire Republican Party are going to ignore their oaths to the Constitution and do as they please?
Everyone already knows or should know what Trump is doing, which is to beg, borrow and cheat his way to another four years to shield himself from being criminally prosecuted by New York State and from a Federal government controlled by Democrats. More hearings or proceedings will do little to convince those who still remain unconvinced by the reams of evidence proving his guilt.
What if there are still enough Americans to get Trump re-elected who want a Russia loving strongman, a kleptocratic, bigoted leader who makes them feel safe from immigrants, gays, minorities, women, the EPA and abortion doctors? Based on our democracy, the one who gets the most votes wins.
Until Democrats can solve a basic Electoral College math problem having to do with getting more votes in the states that matter, we will be led by tyrants like Trump, because that’s the price of our form of democracy.
24
@John S.
Agreed: " ... more votes in the states that matter ... "
To be more specific, over the coming year, democrats should be especially organized in states with republican governors & legislatures. The governor thru his/her secretary of state determines many mundane aspects of voting which impact the vote; hours, number of voting machines, method of choosing electors ... After the mess in some states during the 2016 elections, some made adjustments, but not all. We have a year to work on this.
Obviously republicans are willing to 'win' however possible, even if they do not have the support of the majority.
Get out the vote .... EVERYWHERE !
4
@John S.
There is so much wrong with what Americans call democracy, that one scarcely knows where to begin to suggest remedies. As you write, the Electoral College is a major obstacle to a true democracy. Then there is the corrupting factor of the billions of dollars required to mount a campaign for office; campaigns that seem to run for an eternity, creating more opportunity for graft.
Donald Trump is a criminal cornucopia from which Democrats may choose an embarrassment of riches. He's the gift that keeps on grifting, but the wealth of possibilities presents the Democrats with a problem and they must choose wisely, As Carolyn Eisenberg pointed out in these pages, the unwillingness to bring the 4th and most damning article of impeachment against Richard Nixon: his secret bombing of Cambodia with its catastrophic destruction, let him get away with mass murder. He was guilty of crimes against humanity, as well as the much lesser "high crimes and misdemeanors". There was far more to Nixon's perfidy than a break-in at the Watergate complex. There seems to be no end to the crimes of Donald J. Trump.
1
@John Bacher
a few 'fixes' -
- public funding of elections
- term limits for congress and fed judges including supreme court
- election day a national holiday
- electoral votes awarded in proportion to popular vote
- local public education funding financed by taxes
- number and role of lobbyists drastically limited
there are more ideas, let's hear them !
Will they work? - maybe
In my lifetime? - probably not
Do Americans agree? - possibly, if they turn off their phones and pay attention !
First, House Republicans are now all co-conspirators involved in the Trump Ukrain extortion conspiracy. Any witnesses these shameless Republican may call will be disingenuous and deliberately misleading while making up any excuse to bludgeon Democrats. It doesn't matter what the Democrats do, Republicans and their witnesses will attack them for anything and everything.
My understanding is that the articles of impeachment can be very focused (containing 1, 2 or maybe 3 charges for the trial in the Senate) but still reference the hung number of other impeachable offenses, such as those described in detail in the Mueller Report, those involving the Emoluments clauses, etc. without charging Trump with those.
If true, that would make it possible to show patterns and give lots of context without necessarily adding more impeachment articles. Many Democrats don't want to create a long list of actual charges to be tried in the Senate.
I've heard several reasons why keeping the articles themselves very focused on just 1, 2 or 3 charges is a good idea. And it doesn't mean that all of Trump's other violations of the Constitution (and there are many) can't be referenced for establishing patterns of criminal behavior and for context.
19
Couldn't agree more; too narrow would be a fatal mistake. The other charge should be the one already proven as stated in the opinion of the Court of appeals for the district of Columbia - see column by Adam Liptak. Trump lied under penalty of perjury on a financial disclosure form Trump is required by law to file.
Since the Court has ruled this charge cannot be disputed. The only question is whether it merits removal from office. Unlike Clinton's lie, which was about a personal matter, Trump's lie relates to an official duty of his office and, according to the Republicans who pursued Clinton, that merits removal from office.
If nothing else, it will be very interesting to see how the Republicans attempt to distinguish the much more serious lie by Trump from their votes to first impeach and then remove Clinton from office
15
When Trump is removed from office, Lindsey Graham will be the first to give us revisionist history. As always, he will want to be relevant.
3
@We'll always have Paris
"When Trump is removed from office..."
If only! You are much more of an optimist than I am.
Lindsay Graham is as low as Trump, Barr, Pompeo, Mulvaney and McConnell, and that's just about as low as humans can be. But all the others were always low; Graham seems to have suddenly dropped down to the bottom of the septic tank.
More than one person has suggested that Trump must have kompromat on Graham -- something really big that would completely destroy his career in S. Carolina. It's the way Trump operates, and the rumors and jokes about Graham being gay are already rampant.
2
Every last Senate Republican will vote to acquit, no matter how "deeply concerned" they profess to be. So the purpose of the articles is public education on the threat to our democracy and national security posed by this president, his administration and his congressional enablers and defenders. There's plenty in the Mueller report to draw a picture of that threat around the Ukraine centerpiece. It could be the last warning voters get before they go to the polls. They need to realize the seriousness of the next election. It's not another popularity contest or culture war skirmish. It's more like Paul Revere's ride and it's not the British who are coming. Patriots need to step up to the ballot box.
13
If nothing else, Demos need to show the pattern of the Trump's behavior. In addition, despite how the Republicans risked that this issue "is just about a phone call", the whole mess started well back in March, when Trump/Gulliani outed Marie Yavanonich through September when the WH finally released the $391 million aid. In fact, I hope the Democrats will draw out a whole timeline of these events and show the overlap the details, the many phone conversations, the text messages, the firings and quittings, who-said-what, what Trump said and when (most importantly when he said to Sondland "there is not quid pro quo a day after he learned of the whistle blower report), and when the money was finally released. It can seem somewhat "narrow" at first, but with all these facts and people involved, this isn't just about one phone call. There's a lot more just below the surface.
10
I hope Democrats are listening about Trump's recidivism. There is a lot of impeachable behavior if they want to look for it. That includes Trump's telling his people to disobey Congressional subpoenas -- a far more serious threat to the Constitution and the public good than even soliciting foreign interference in our elections.
By the way, where were the Democrats when Prof. Turley inverted his own arguments? Were they not prepared?
19
@Thomas Zaslavsky
Trump literally governs as if he is king, because he knows if he gets away with it long enough he will be king. His alternative is probably to be indicted for state and federal felonies upon leaving office.
Like a King, Trump demands loyalty (fealty) from public servants, calls his critics (even the Press) treasonous (because he thinks he is the state), calls for violence against citizens without due process, claims he can take away birthright citizenship, ignores oversight, says he cannot be investigated even for murder, etc.
These are High Crimes, not "comedy."
2
It is impossible to excavate the full record of Trump's wrongdoing within a finite amount of time. That's a job for the historians of the future.
Congress's job now is to quickly lay out the case for removing Trump from office: he is currently posing a clear and present danger to our electoral system and national security.
14
I absolutely agree with Ms Goldberg. The House needs to charge all it can, but also needs to make it patently obvious what he is being charged with. I'm not a lawyer, so I suggest something along the lines of:
Charge One
Treason
(legalese)
Charge Two
Bribery
(legalese)
Charge Three
Dereliction of Duty
(legalese)
ad nauseum. Basically, the more that is thrown at this person the better the chance something will stick, but it has to be put in the strongest laymans terms
23
@Geoff
Another brilliant analysis by Ms. Goldberg, who can count me among her many fans.
I tend to believe that while brevity has its place, it is more important to lay out Trump's pattern of behavior specifically as it pertains to any and all foreign assistance he sought or welcomed to help him get elected and re-elected. There are other wrongdoings, but not necessary to include in the Articles of Impeachment. There could be language in one of the Articles tying that behavior to Trump's obstruction of justice enumerated in the Mueller Report.
10
@Geoff
Yes, the Democrats keep trying to please the lawyers, but the lawyers won't decide.
Trump contradicts the Constitution in very simple terms, for example, "the Press is the enemy of the People," the "phony Emoluments Clause,' or claiming that he can take away birthright citizenship without an Amendment. These are all statements of Intent to violate the Constitution. He is obviously violating the Emoluments Clause by taking payments from foreign governments, unless HE explains why he is not violating the Constitution.
The president has wide authority to exercise his power when his intent is to faithfully execute the Will of the People, as expressed in law and the Constitution. The President has no authority to use his power for other purposes and when he does it is an act of corruption.
The Right seems to think that they can give their president unlimited powers just by electing a rude, unstable genius. In order to do what they want to do, like making the USA into a corporate theocracy with a "unitary executive," they need to pass amendments to the Constitution with super-majorities. They can't pass those amendments so instead they try to corrupt Our Republic by doing the opposite of what the Constitution says, and calling it "originalism." Originally, we had a king, but I'm pretty sure the Founders did not want us to go back that far.
Show video of Trump contradicting the Constitution in word and official acts, and explain why those are High Crimes.
1
@Geoff Thank you for interpreting these very arcane terms by saying they are legalese. I could never comprehend what something called "bribery" or "treason" could mean but I simply trust that great minds like yours understand them
1
I agree that subversion of elections, past and future, is a very good reason to push an accelerated timeline. That said, part of the impeachment stew Congress should serve to Trump is his Emoluments Clause violations and nepotism. They're important constitutional provisions that have been tattered under Trump. Including them in the Articles would help put their teeth back in.
25
For once, Michelle Goldberg is right. Pelosi is making a classic incremental decision, and these rarely work out well. Either they are serious about impeachment, or they should let it go: right now they're just helping Trump.
5
The more the impeachment articles, the better. What's crucial is how concise, how simplified and how comprehensible they are to those who are just tuning in to what's been going on while they've only had the time and the inclination to focus on their own daily lives instead of how soon those responsibilities become essential instead of optional for the future of the democracy they've enabled themselves to take advantage of.
It's high time to become aggressive and not passive. If you & I & we don't demand it now, it ain't gonna ever happen.
Last exit, America.
19
Reports of those wanting Trump impeached since election day have been spewing forth.
Perhaps those comments were a bit wishful, and perhaps a bit accurate. However, Trump began to earn them early on as he insisted that his Communication Director (unsure of title) stated the President had gathered the largest crowd ever on his inaugural event.
In my fields ( more than one) there is a term used: Cumulative Effect. It is more than one event that needs to be evaluated as an overall event.
Trump's cumulative decisions have not given the people what was promised such as better affordable, comprehensive health care covering preexisting conditions.
Russia seems to prevail in all his decisions. Our friends, The UK, Germany, France, seem to not admire the United States these days. Our President's praise has gone to North Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
Perhaps those wanting Impeachment years ago were not wrong, but without facts and substance.
I ask to keep exposing the facts; do it in a continuum and don't stop, Try to discern what is true.
16
@Tanis Marsh
Trump's early detractors were prescient, not wrong.
Let's call the republican defense of TRump the "Cassandra defense." Because some people correctly guessed or accurately suspected how corrupt Trump was from day one (way before in many cases), their calls for impeachment are now trained by bias. That logic requires, of course, the Herculean and screeching sophistry of Jimmy Jordan to misinterpret the mountain of clear facts against Trump into golden nuggets of inspired leadership.
The poor sad Base Cult lap it up to avoid a bad cognitive dissonance head explosion. It still isn't logical, Trumpinistas.
1
If I were a Trump-supporting Republican and the Democrats did not include an article of impeachment based on Trump's obstruction of the Mueller investigation, I would argue that Trump's obstruction of the House inquiry on Ukraine is not a legitimate basis for impeachment - either a President deserves to be impeached for obstruction or he doesn't.
15
One of the articles of impeachment that should be included is the charge of obstruction of congress or in other words obstruction of justice. Senators have to evaluate if POTUS or any future president is not punished and allowed to get away with this unlawful action, this will mean the destruction of our democracy. The senators that will be pressured to vote against this impeachment have to carefully evaluate, how their names and the names of their families and descendants will be affected by this most crucial vote. It is not about loyalty, fame or monetary advantages, but about reputation and doing what is honorable, decent and right for the nation.
26
I have to disagree with you respectfully. In general, the simpler the case the easier it is to win. Many people blame the jury for acquitting OJ. I blame the prosecution which dragged out and complicated a simple case and in the process lost the judge and the jury. Throw the kitchen sink at 'em is rarely a good strategy in US law. When two large corporations have waived their right to a jury trial, then they can make the case as complicated as they want, but in my experience, even then, the simpler case usually wins. I was a corporate bankruptcy partner for 25 years for 3 of the largest law firms in NYC and have tried or briefed cases from the bankruptcy courts to the district courts to the courts of appeals to the Supreme Court. KISS is the best legal principle.
8
@James Ricciardi
Leaving unconstitutional and corrupt actions on the cutting room floor doesn't make for a simpler case, just a thinner one. Part of the exercise here is to bolster the black letter in the Constitution. Letting it pass creates dead letter law.
13
@James Ricciardi It can be simple and cumulative at the same time. Three or four simple categories - Abuse of Power, Obstruction of Justice, Bribery/Extortion, and then a list of offenses under each category. the difference with OJ was that they were working incrementally through the offense. Here it's more like the Declaration of Independence - all there up front. Oh, BTW, I think OJ may have been convicted if he hadn't been allowed to wear the rubber glove when he tried on the 'bloody glove'.
6
@Some Dude I could not disagree more. The object is to remove the president. If it fails, then impeach him again and throw the book at it.
1
I agree context is everything with this serial offender Trump.
And we may get lucky with a few of these legal financial cases, either being heard rapidly by The Supreme Court, or the court refusing to hear them.
I think the Obstruction from the Mueller report should be in the articles.
Hopefully some of the financial elements will reveal other material which will create a paint by numbers landscape of a life of nothing but corruption, lies, cheating, and totally unethical behavior.
He has even misused his charity(s) on multiple occasions and had to pay huge fines.
This guy Trump has woven the most tangled web imaginable. A house of cards built upon countless houses of cards.
It simply can't continue to maintain its integrity. It just can't, something has to give, or the nation is lost.
If he survives this, and god forbid gets re-elected, the US is finished as we know it.
44
Keeping it simple is sufficient. I've long concluded that it doesn't matter how many moral, ethical, legal, procedural, financial, human and natural laws DJT has violated, it will not change a single vote in Congress and very few nationally. We need to impeach because it is right to do so. Maybe next time, voters will remember the Senate in off year elections, although I doubt it.
Impeach, have the trial, and use what is said in defense in political ads next year. Maybe this will get people to the polls, assuming that gerrymandering, hackable voting machines, and the three Rs, Republicans, Russians, and Rush, haven't made voting moot.
22
@Mike S. The reasoning you give appears to support broadening rather than narrowing the focus. Show it all, then use what we know in the campaign against him, since too many Senators will not care what he's done.
15
Soon enough we will learn of the House's articles of impeachment. Whatever they are, I have full confidence that Speaker Pelosi, Chairmen Schiff and Nadler, as well as other relative committee heads, will do what they think is best. However, I believe we need to prepare ourselves for the "trial" to be held within McConnell's Senate. Short of a miracle, Trump, the most corrupt president in modern times if not our nation's history, will most likely be acquitted. This is where we come in. I believe our responsibility from now until November of 2020 will be to not only oust Trump, but also to shine a spotlight on the utter collapse of the Party of Lincoln. For you see, from the Cabinet to the Republicans in Congress, there is a total lack of ethics, morality, and a downright betrayal of our Constitutional democracy. If this group above is relieved of any and all accountability, then we are lost, perhaps irreparably.
52
@Kathy Lollock
Yes we the people must be active, not passive.
List Trump's attacks on the Constitution and explain why they are High Crimes.
Say "High Crimes," because that is what the Constitution requires.
1
Simply this impeachment needs to be soon to protect the election in 2020. It also needs to be thorough in spite of an AG who is owned by Trump. And to reach the masses who voted for him.
They are not bad people 90%. This will further alienate them. To do nothing ensures foreign meddling from at least one country, along with the machinery of GRU also working hard.
One thing is certain: both Trump and Russia have succeeded in tearing the Constitution apart into two tribes adamantly opposed. It almost feels like a devil's bargain.
I hope, but don't know, that we will survive as a nation. Will rule of law survive a popular demagogue who's personal lawyer conducts foreign policy for election and personal gain; and an AG who acts as his personal lawyer?
Can the Constitution survive 4 more years of Trump and remain viable?
14
@Mary
Can the Constitution survive 4 more years of Trump and remain viable?
Nope.
26
Since it's virtually certain that the Republican Senate will acquit Trump (even if a majority actually votes to convict), the articles of impeachment will basically serve as an historical record and precedent marker. The House should include all of Trump's crimes and abuses of power that legitimately warrant impeachment. The Ukraine caper arguably involved several distinct impeachable offenses. In addition, obstruction of Congress and obstruction of justice (the Mueller investigation), both of which have precedent in the Nixon articles.
Personally, I'm still appalled by Trump's felony violations of campaign finance law that helped him get elected in the first place (and for which Michael Cohen is doing the time), and that he blatantly lied to voters about his Russian business negotiations (Trump Tower Moscow) while he was campaigning. Apparently, you can commit campaign felonies and deceive voters about your conflicts of interest and suffer no consequences whatsoever if you win. But I guess when it comes to impeaching Trump, you've got to go with his greatest hits.
28
@fbraconi
Let's not forget his flagrant nepotism and shameless Emoluments violations.
1
I don't think it matters much. Trump and many of his congressional enablers will be decisively swept out to sea next November in a big blue tsunami. Only wreckage will remain behind. Trump & Co. have created an intense desire for both revenge and reform among most voters.
5
@Michael I think you may be relying too heavily on the notion that our elections will be free and fair, and without Russian interference. This is a dangerous form of idealism to adopt, if you ask me. We must work our tails off to insist CONGRESS ensures our elections are not hacked and/or meddled with--and this would mean paper ballots in every state.
24
The right wing oligarchs have already amassed a billion dollar war chest for 2020. Just read their own statements. They will stop at Nothing to win and solidify their personal power and wealth. They are not conservatives, but libertarians, who believe the only purpose of government is to protect their property.
2
Agree with including obstruction of the Mueller investigation and wish there was time to develop the facts to show Trump lied in his written responses to Mueller. The Roger Stone trial provided some information on the latter but the Grand Jury transcripts would be helpful and there’s no telling how long it will take for that case to be resolved. Also think campaign finance violation should be considered. The facts were established in Cohen’s plea deal. Trump lied about the hush money payments until Giuliani admitted the money was paid. I would like to see Republican Senators address that issue.
20
@PW
Articles can be put out a few at a time. They don't have to all go at once.
1
Trump is protected from removal from office because the Republican Party is complicit in a slow motion coup.
It's been 15 years since a Republican president has won the popular vote. There is little chance that any Republican will be able to win the popular vote any time soon. Sure they can pray that they will eke out one or two more electoral wins before demographic changes put even that out of reach.
Or they can cheat. They made their choice.
There is no amount of election fraud that will ever result in removal. Not foreign interference. Not even vote count tampering. Voter suppression might as well be part of the official Republican platform.
Democrats need to have broad enough articles of impeachment to repeatedly put every Republican Senator in the position of having to defend the indefensible to demonstrate beyond any doubt that they are full partners in this purposeful attack on our democracy. Demonstrate that they are as much of a threat to fair elections as Trump.
Then we just have to hope that there are enough Americans willing to get off the couch and vote to save our democracy while we still can.
It's going to be close.
174
@LT
"slow motion coup" . . . Well said.
3
Don’t worry, the Mueller report’s Obstruction charges will be attached. Furthermore, Republican Senators might surprise us with a guilty verdict. This would be the only way to salvage the GOP! An acquittal would provide Trump with a temporary lift, but 2020 would certainly produce a mighty Blue wave!
3
@Peter Z The mighty blue wave might not be what we are hoping for in that there are too many folks relying on the idea that our elections will be free and fair, and without Russian interference. This is a dangerous form of idealism to adopt, and it is critical that we insist that CONGRESS ensures our elections are not hacked and/or meddled with on the most basic level; paper ballots should be required in every state.
13
Since it is a forgone conclusion that the GOP will not go against the President. The Impeachment Article are for historical perspective. It should be a complete list of POTUS infractions. Including Emoluments payments not approved by Congress.
37
@Mcled
Just because corporate media says that it is a foregone conclusion, doesn't mean that its true.
Politics is like dropping grains of sand on a pile. Nothing happens for a long time, then suddenly everything shifts.
If the Democrats make a strong case to We the People, the Republicans could decide Trump is not worth it.
It will take more than one secret phone call, however.
They have made a deep case on the phone call. Now they need to make a broad case to put it in the CONTEXT of Trump's corrupt INTENT.
9
“Impeachment isn’t just about holding Trump accountable for a discrete scandal.”
You are correct. It’s about determining if the president is fit (morally and ethically) to hold office. Any relevant charges, especially those suggested in the Mueller report, should be part of the articles of impeachment.
79
@WDP
Yes and the key to relevancy is whether they directly contradict the Constitution.
4
I believe that the impeachment started with the wrong food. Pelosi did not want to start it and so she dragged the thing for two years in fact reducing and diminishing its interest to the public or at least to the democratic leaning people.
Relying for two years on the Muller report was a big mistake too, the man was an old time republican always on the crest of the political water of Washington and nobody with a minimum of political intelligence should have know that he would have never gone clearly against the power.
So I am afraid Pelosi, who should have been retired for a long time and that cannot even talk clearly anymore, keeps making mistakes like reducing the impeachment to the Ukraine affair.
4
Several talking heads have made the same very compelling arguments: The Dems need to emphasize what trump has done to date, why it's dangerous, and that he's continuing to do it virtually unchecked to date.
I look forward to the Senate trial, trump's partisan "acquittal", and the Senate elections of 2020.
24
All the signs are that Trump could shoot someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue and Republicans wouldn't regard it as grounds for impeachment. They showed what they thought of the Constitution and their oath of office to defend it when they refused to give Merrick Garland even the courtesy of a hearing.
It would be nice to think that those who live by the sword shall perish by the sword. But that's going to be up to the voters now. As Churchill said, in a democracy the people get the government they deserve.
46
@We'll always have Paris ... Churchill was right BUT this is also no longer a democracy. And Americans who care are not as brave (I must sadly include myself, though I use disability as my rationale) as the Hong Kong protesters, those who died in Iran this week, and others who put their lives on the line for democratic freedoms.
11
I wrote to my representative in Congress back in October imploring him to urge Pelosi to widen the impeachment investigation and bring forward more counts of impeachment. Mueller's investigation resulted in numerous indictments and convictions of Trump associates who were doing his bidding. Most Americans can't locate Ukraine on the map, but they can understand a large number of Trump's henchmen being convicted of lying and financial crimes. If those men committed crimes and are doing time in prison, how is the person who directed their actions not culpable?
101
@Carol Would be really interested to know if you received a response from your representative and if he indicated what action he would take; what his views are wrt Trump's impeachment or was he just complying with the party line.
16
@Cass His response was good, but he didn't promise any action beyond supporting the impeachment inquiry (this was back in October).
He said in part, "When Special Counsel Mueller released his report, I read it in full. I was alarmed by the Trump campaign and the Trump White House's brazen disregard for the rule of law. The report detailed sustained and frequent attempts by the Trump campaign to establish ties to the Russian government and an eagerness to benefit from hacked information stolen from our fellow Americans.
"The Special Counsel also detailed ten different attempts by President Trump to obstruct justice during the investigation. This would be unacceptable behavior from any president.” (Congressman Ben Ray Lujan, D-NM)
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@Carol i likewise wrote to my congress member, who was an early supporter of impeachment, urging her to include treason, which is enumerated as an impeachable offense. the president has given national security information to russia and china, not to mention that he carries an unsecured phone, i.e. a listening device, with him at all times.
i have gotten no response.
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Ms. Goldberg's concern is understandable. But trump's well of corruption runs very deep and very wide. To commit to a drawn out, comprehensive investigation is to run the risk of losing the public's attention. And, along with the inevitable protracted court rulings, such an investigation would run tediously straight into the dissonance of the presidential campaign. That would most definitely play in trump's favor especially if the damaged hulk of the Mueller Report is dredged up from its soggy grave. Ms. Pelosi has weighed all of this and perhaps she is relying on her gut. Extending the investigation feels an awful lot like bending to the latest bogus complaint of the GOP that it is a rush to judgement. It is not. The 2020 election is at stake. trump's sycophantic policy towards Putin and Russian interests is taking root. Indeed, the impeachment must include an amendment that explains in detail to the American public the extent to which trump has been advancing Russian interests at the expense of our own national security since 2016. Does anyone really believe an impeachment in mid-2020 during an election will get even one Republican to sign on when they will not today? The choice is simple: either impeach or burn the Constitution.
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@Esposito
"....the damaged hulk of the Mueller Report is dredged up from its soggy grave"
Mueller found and reported a lot of malfeasance in Trump's actions - he just didn't want to pull the trigger and make a legal accusation, placing that lawfully defined responsibility in the hands of the House of Representatives.
And I wouldn't call the trove of information contained in his report "soggy". It's more like "untapped treasure" for those people building a solid case.
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@Esposito A very telling analysis. In short, you are saying America really is morphing into the world of The Hunger Games, where to determine what might is right, (which is all that counts), there needs to be war with all its explosions, bells and whistles, brought up-to-date for the bright young things with their attention span of 10 seconds, with immediate results projected into the sky with holograms ...
Finish with the climax of not the Burning Man, but the Bonfire of the Constitution.
There's a further sequel to the Mockinjay movie in there somewhere, but will Jennifer Lawrence be available? THAT no doubt is THE burning question...
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@Esposito
You don't need a drawn out investigation, that's already been done. Instead, you have to show how Trump obstructed justice and tried to sway 2 elections.
You are making it too complicated. Follow the Republicans on this: always descend to the lowest common denominator on any issue.
You must do this to Republicans because it is the only thing their Fox viewing cultists will grok.
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Bob Mueller was as good a federal prosecutor as they come. Nancy Pelosi is a good Speaker as they come.
Mueller’s biggest flaw was his unwillingness to wait for the courts to rule on whether he could force a president to testify. Pelosi’s biggest flaw is the same; impatience with the courts. Both times, trump’s strategy wins. 2-0.
Not getting America’s third balancing branch to force Pompeo, Bolton, Mulvaney, Giuliani, and even trump to testify because Pelosi is concerned about this coming spring’s political campaigns amounts to a travesty that is literally of historical proportions. If Pelosi, like Mueller, were not so impatient and shortsighted, there would be a far greater chance that not only can justice be meted today to all who deserve it, but that Americans 50 or 100 years from now can know with far greater certainty, for all centuries, who are democracy’s current enemies.
In case American democracy does not last to the end of this century, it is Pelosi’s duty to concretely document what happened and who is responsible.
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Well written with good information. But unnecessary. First, this entire Impeachment is Don Quixote on the Potomac. The Senate will never, ever Vote to convict. But, ALL the information must be promulgated, far and wide. A certain small percentage of the usually uninformed will respond. But more importantly, this will absolutely cause Trump to dive into a terminal tailspin. And I do mean terminal.
Cheers.
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@Phyliss Dalmatian
And the Republicans who will vote to acquit Trump will never, ever again have a quiet night, knowing they have done evil. As Shakespeare tells us in Macbeth, there are some villains who have consciences. They are the ones who will suffer, justly.
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How I got through Thanksgiving with Trump-supporting relatives without saying anything about this is a miracle. I hope next Thanksgiving we will have lots to celebrate and be thankful for as a country!
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@Lilly
Well your Trumpists family members let it go? I don't think most will, or the already would have.
The Trump stench will be on us a long time. Like skunk on a dog.
1
Move fast and impeach again. Set an impeachment on each count. Continue the investigation, uncover more, impeach again. How many times can the Senate not do it's job and expect to be reelected. The House can impeachment more than once.
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@ESP: Exactly! I don't understand why this point is not mentioned more often. the Constitution prescribes impeachment as the sole remedy for presidential misconduct; it never mentions the odd notion that a president may commit a nearly continuous series of impeachable offenses (perhaps because its authors could not imagine this possibility). It certainly does not suggest that a given person may be impeached only once.
The House can determine the Senate's agenda indefinitely if it has the fortitude to do so, because impeachment takes precedence over ongoing Senate business for the duration of the trial. True, the prohibition of double jeopardy prevents more than one prosecution of the same crime (though it is unclear if this is equally true of impeachable offenses, which are not necessarily crimes).
In any case, there is no shortage of impeachable offenses, and we would be foolish to assume there will not be more of them. Thus th House, should it wish to do so, can stymie the agenda of th loathsome incumbent as well as the Supreme Court for the duration.
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There will not be elections because T will declare they are compromised and martial law will be necessary for the situation.
This country, I hope, has too long a history to put up with it for long.
But it will happen because it worked for Putin.
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@ESP
If you have to impeach the same president more than once, your democracy is in its last gasps.
"It is understandable that Democrats from swing districts, whose constituents weren’t persuaded to back impeachment by the Mueller report, don’t want to revisit the murky events of 2016. But to make clear the full gravity of what Trump tried to do in Ukraine, Democrats need to demonstrate that it was part of a pattern."
The scope of the impeachment issues should be governed solely by the facts as reflected by the need to both provide an accurate and sufficient historical record and to demonstrate a cumulative pattern of behavior. One can take into account the sensibilities of 2020 swing voters to the extent that lengthy public hearing witness performances are not mandated to establish a supporting record regarding matters covered in the Mueller report.
Whatever the defects in Mueller's performance as political theater, as evidence the report is thorough and well documented. Impeachment counts related to the relatively straightforward Ukrainian bribery melodrama can be supported with live testimony, while those more complex allegations based on Mueller's investigation can be adequately supported by citations to his report.
That way Congress can have a legally and historically complete menu of impeachment counts without requiring burdensome live testimony for the Mueller portion. The Democrats' legitimate concerns for effective time management and compelling political theatrics can be met without jeopardizing the fundamental adequacy of the impeachment record.
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I agree with Michelle Goldberg and will be calling , even though I likely don't need to, my elected representative, the strong leader Pramila Jayapal (Seattle area, 7th U.S. congressional) to encourage at an absolute minimum, an article of impeachment for Obstruction of Congress.
Then, going forward, will support flipping the Senate next year for accountability (AND responsible government), should Senate repubs fail to remove trump from office (a.k.a. PROTECT the constitution and congressional oversite).
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@Tim from Seattle: The rest of us should follow your lead. Write, work for your (our) candidate(s), VOTE.
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"...but how we know that he’ll nearly certainly try the same thing again."
I'm all for pushing this Impeachment through Congress as expeditiously as possible. The witnesses we heard from 3 weeks was all anyone needed to know to make an informed decision. And I don't need Congress to convince me he'll do it again, I already know the answer to that.
By the way, the Senate won't vote to remove him from office. So if Trump commits another impeachable offense, nothing in the Constitution keeps the House from starting the process all over again. Trump could be the first President to be impeached twice.
And what a dubious distinction that would be.
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@cherrylog754 You make an interesting point. So, if Dems send Articles of Impeachment over to the Senate a few days before Christmas, then at the start of the year, the Senate can hold a hearing and acquit, as is expected of them.
But then later in the year, the Supreme Court will have answered the stonewalling on whether or not White House officials need to comply with House subpoenas; and a decision will have been issued on Trump's tax returns.
If the Supreme Court finds in favor of the Congress, then there would be grounds for a second run of hearings and depositions and crafting of articles of impeachment.
Maybe this is how it will all unfold.
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@cherrylog754
Trump commits impeachable offenses regularly.
If you impeach Trump every week on a new set of articles, you would never catch up.
To not do that, is to lose on purpose.
1
I agree the impeachment articles should include the obstruction claims covered in the Mueller report - and more.
Mueller in his report passed the ball to Congress to consider many crimes that Mueller was hobbled from considering by the Justice Departments internal guidelines on not indicting a sitting President (a bad guideline with no legal justification).
Congress should go further and impeach him for abuse of power for twisting emergency powers to reallocate funds from Congressional authorized projects to build the wall and for making specific arms sales related to the war in Syria in direct contravention of the law's explicit requirement to not do so.
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Regardless of the strength of the case against Trump the Republicans will still be able to prevent a finding of guilt. So the strategy then is to use that politically in the campaign.
Republicans will first go on the record in the Senate as condoning Trump’s violations of the Constitution. Over the year the investigation will continue and as the Courts rule that WH subpoenaed witnesses will have to testify, more incriminating evidence will come out making the Republican s effectively complicit in Trump’s crimes.
This will help achieve the desired goal of removing Trump , if not now then a little bit later.
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I agree with you Ms. Goldberg. As many separate articles of impeachment as possible, each in and of itself sufficient to be brought forward, is the way to present this. The variety of ways in which this person committed high crimes and misdemeanors is itself the only consistent characteristic of his behavior in office, and this should be hammered home. It also ties his defenders in knots as they contradict themselves attempting to fantasize the refutation for each item. We know enough to do this now, so let's do it.
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Such a great opinion piece, concisely pointing out the need to put Trump's Ukraine transgressions in context. Adding the Russia obstruction charges also should be helpful to Democratic presidential candidates, though in no way do I see this as a political move - that's just a nice side effect. Candidates can drive it home that their party isn't going after a president just because of a single incident of "getting dirt", which sadly, too many voters see as "no big deal". And instead, they can keep the Trump-Russia connection up front while campaigning. I think the more times the public has to hear the words "Russia" and "impeachment" in the same sentence, the better.
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This is a good point. The Mueller investigation has already concluded that there were at least five instances of obstruction of justice. The research has already been done. The facts are in. The House does not need to investigate them. So why not include them?
The Senate is going to cut this off as soon as they can get 51 votes to terminate the hearings. If they are obligated to examine another serious article of impeachment, then that will (may?) force them to keep the proceeding open a bit longer.
Impeachment is a terribly serious matter and it cannot be put on a kitchen timer. It's done when it's done. Just because 35% or 40% of the voting public couldn't care less is no excuse to not expose Trump. If the proceedings push up into the Iowa primaries, so what! Let them.
We have to see this through to the bitter end and the end will be bitter. We are in a battle to save our republic from demagoguery. This is not a popularity contest. This is not a TV ratings contest. This is impeachment.
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@Bruce Rozenblit
If Democrats only focus on Trump, it will be a very unsuccessful impeachment.
Ambassador Sondland made it clear "We were all in the loop", this means many people in the White House and Senate may be covering for the President.
It took a team effort to bribe Ukraine, this team may included McMulvaney, Pence, Nunes and even Lindsey Graham according to public information.
If democrats are going to successfully impeach Trump, they have to be willing to taken down everyone who was involved.
Democrats can't just cherry-pick Trump out for impeachment. It won't work.
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@Bruce Rozenblit
I think Ms Goldberg is making a further point. We have to include the Mueller obstruction in the impeachment charges, because they are part and parcel of Trump being directly and indirectly influenced/bought by Russian oligarchs. This will only really be validated once the Trump taxes and Deutsche Bank records are public.
But this is part of the bigger picture of Trump's epic corruption.
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The CONTEXT that proves Trump's corrupt INTENT:
-Trump regularly calls for political violence against U.S. citizens without due process. The Constitution was created to replace random political violence by the king with debate and voting, and to separate police powers from politics.
-Trump says, “the Press is the Enemy of the People,” and repeatedly calls for violence against the Press.
-Trump demands personal loyalty from public servants and publicly berates his appointees who protect the Constitution that they swore to uphold instead of him.
-Trump asked other countries to investigate his political opponents.
-Trump obstructed the investigation into attacks on our elections. Mueller said Trump could be indicted for these federal felonies upon leaving office, but “the Constitution has a process other than the criminal justice system to formally accuse a sitting president.” That was an impeachment referral, not “boring.”
-Trump claims he can end birthright citizenship. This is intent to violate the 14th Amendment, which makes everyone born here an equal citizen under law.
-Trump puts his interests above the interests of the People, ruling by whim and issuing Tweets. He makes clear every day that the only thing he cares about is Trump. The Constitution made We the People Sovereign, not Trump.
POTUS is not authorized to do any of these things.
The Constitution is not funny. Contradicting the Constitution violates Trump's Oath of Office because it weakens it.
High Crimes.
54
This is a tough one, Michelle.
Of course, you are right that Donald Trump's corruption of the office of the President of the United States is deep and wide; and do we - or the Congress for that matter - endanger our democratic experiment to let that slide. Let's not forget that in addition to Trump's more well known malfeasance, he has sold preferred access to foreign governments for the cost of a block of rooms at the Trump hotel just blocks from the White House, installed coal lobbyists as head of the EPA, and chosen a billionaire who has complete disdain for public education to head the Department of Education, just to name a few other abuses of his office.
That said, Speaker Pelosi is a practical and successful fighter for good, and she clearly believes that the American public is so tied in knots by Fox news and the Republican noise machine, that she needs a simple, undeniable reason that any 8th grader can understand to move the needle:
The President withheld needed aid to a desperate ally and endangered our national security in exchange for a personal, political benefit.
Who am I to say that she is wrong?
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@Mark Keller
"Who am I to say that she is wrong?" You are a Sovereign Citizen of the United States of America. According to the Constitution you are politically equal to Pelosi and Trump.
The strength of your arguments are what is important.
Where I think your argument falls down is that you are listing things that are bad policy, but not obvious contradictions of the Constitution.
Find Trump's obvious contradictions of the Constitution in word and official act, and those are the High Crimes and Misdemeanors that show that Trump's INTENT is corrupt.
Without the context of Trump's habitual attacks on the Constitution, SIMPLY STATED, to show Trump's corrupt intent, one secret phone call will not be enough, and Trump will claim exoneration on this, Mueller, and his entire presidency.
1
@McGloin
I agree with the majority of your Your appointments. I definitely want there to be an obstruction of Congress and obstruction of justice charts as well. And, the Trump Hotel example is a blatant Violation of the emoluments clause.
It is the nuances of how these charges are wrapped up in 2, 3,4 or more charges that I am open to.
One note of caution: I completely disagree with those Who are certain that the Senate will acquit. There are any number of twists and turns, including the most obvious shift and poles as a result of some disclosure, they could make Mitch McConnell bring his senators on board.
Therefore, I’m not in favor of just “enumerating these for the benefit of history” only.
Remember, Nixon was not going to be removed, until there was a seismic shift in public opinion when the tapes were discovered.
1
It seems crucial that the pattern of Trump's malfeasance be memorialized in the articles of impeachment, however streamlined they turn out to be. Surely those connections can be addressed in the preamble sections of each article, without muddying the waters too much. For the very good reason that both Ms. Goldberg and Speaker Pelosi adduce: this pattern will continue into the future, bearing down on our upcoming election, unless the President is stopped.
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@teach at this point everyone expects the Congress will impeach on likely more than one count and the Senate will not find him guilty or remove him so what are we left with? We're left with what we started, the 2020 election and if Republicans are not defeated all around we'll have more criminality and dismantling of our Democracy. We are still in deep trouble until we vote the enablers out. The impeachment must go on but for now it is just to lay down a record and to expose Republican contempt for the Constitution. We need to do far better and we have an uphill battle. 2020 is our best solution.
9