Nancy Pelosi and the House Democrats are reluctant to start impeachment proceedings against President Trump. While the Democratic House could impeach Trump, two-thirds of the Republican-led Senate would never convict and remove him from the Presidency. Nevertheless, some observers believe he should be impeached because the Constitution calls for it, given Trump’s manifest lawlessness and unfitness for the office.
Also, there is some reason to believe that impeachment would chasten Trump enough to rein in some of his most outrageous behavior. The impeachments of Presidents Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998 seemed to curb their excesses. But an impeachment followed by the Senate’s failure to convict and remove him would probably encourage Trump to act even more lawless way.
Impeachment is one of the few remaining bullets the Democrats have left; it might misfire. It seems more prudent to increase public support for impeachment by holding investigative hearings. Although the House Democrats say, they agree with this approach they need to get the show on the road. With about 500 witnesses in the Mueller Report, Constitutional scholars, and other experts, Democrats don’t need to wait on Attorney General William Barr, Special Counsel Robert Mueller, or former White House Counsel, Don McGahn to testify. Three witnesses should not be allowed to stop the show.
Of course, given the past history of Democrats, we can’t ignore the possibility that they are just shucking and jiving because they don’t want to confront Trump before the 2020 election. Democrats may not understand that they can use hearings, with a host of witnesses, to draw a contrast to Trump.
Also, there is some reason to believe that impeachment would chasten Trump enough to rein in some of his most outrageous behavior. The impeachments of Presidents Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998 seemed to curb their excesses. But an impeachment followed by the Senate’s failure to convict and remove him would probably encourage Trump to act even more lawless way.
Impeachment is one of the few remaining bullets the Democrats have left; it might misfire. It seems more prudent to increase public support for impeachment by holding investigative hearings. Although the House Democrats say, they agree with this approach they need to get the show on the road. With about 500 witnesses in the Mueller Report, Constitutional scholars, and other experts, Democrats don’t need to wait on Attorney General William Barr, Special Counsel Robert Mueller, or former White House Counsel, Don McGahn to testify. Three witnesses should not be allowed to stop the show.
Of course, given the past history of Democrats, we can’t ignore the possibility that they are just shucking and jiving because they don’t want to confront Trump before the 2020 election. Democrats may not understand that they can use hearings, with a host of witnesses, to draw a contrast to Trump.
Common Dreams. Jake Johnson. 'Send Him to Jail': Calls to Arrest Barr for Contempt After AG Refuses to Show Up for a House Hearing.
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/02/send-him-jail-calls-arrest-barr-contempt-after-ag-refuses-show-house-hearing?amp
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/02/send-him-jail-calls-arrest-barr-contempt-after-ag-refuses-show-house-hearing?amp
