Donald Trump is the least competent person to ever serve as president of the United States. He is also a white supremacist, sexist, ableist, xenophobic, homophobic, transphobic moron who builds his base by encouraging hatred.
I have been in favor of impeachment since the day he took office. I have believed impeachment was the right course of action for Democrats since Mueller stumbled through his weak testimony in July.
Given the events of the last few weeks, it should be obvious that the impeachment of Donald Trump is an absolute must.
I’m going to list things I believe must be discussed about Trump’s contacts with Ukraine in no particular order.
- Impeachment and removal from office does not require evidence worthy of criminal conviction. Removal from office requires conduct that gets 67 senators to vote to remove someone from office.
- The idea that quid pro quo, something for something, must be explicit is outrageous. The summary of Trump’s call with President Zalensky and the text messages between American diplomats about Trump’s trying to force Ukraine to investigate the Bidens and Clintons missing emails demonstrate quid pro quo.
- The idea that impeaching Trump amounts to a coup is absurd. The only way Trump will be removed from office is if 20 Republican senators vote to convict. I can’t imagine what it would take for 20 of the gutless cowards serving as Republican senators to vote to convict.
- One of the articles of impeachment drafted against Richard Nixon dealt with obstructing Congress. House Democrats should be able to impeach on that article right now.
- It is illegal under campaign finance law for a candidate to accept anything of value from a foreign entity. By expressly asking foreign governments to investigate political opponents, Trump is repeatedly violating campaign finance law. Sadly, Republicans benefit from unfair election practices. So, this obvious violation of the law will not lead to conviction.
- The House lacks the courage to do what it should under the constitution. A proper investigation would also impeach Attorney General Barr, possibly Secretary of State Pompeo, and maybe even Vice President Pence. I can’t imagine Democrats taking such a courageous, constitutional position.
- As the impeachment inquiry unfolds, Democrats better do a better job questioning witnesses than they did when Acting Director of National Intelligence McGwire testified. Adam Schiff’s questioning, especially at the end when he wanted McGwire to produce political soundbites, was embarrassingly pathetic. Democrats must treat this as the serious investigation the moment requires. Cheap political stunts work to Trump’s advantage.