Month: July 2019

The Appointment of a Special Counsel is only taken when matters of serious national interest are at stake when there are concerns that senior officials have abused their office.

The US Justice Department appointed former FBI Director Robert S Mueller III as special counsel to oversee the federal investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, including potential collusion between President Donald Trump’s campaign and Russian officials.

In a rare press conference Special Counsel Robert Mueller clearly stated that his report does not exonerate the President of the United States.

We know that Mueller’s findings did not result in an indictment for the President.

But what does this mean?

Well according to Department of Justice guidelines, a sitting President cannot be indicted by this entity. However, there is one who can….

Step forward the United States Congress….

Before Robert Mueller’s rare interview, the Democrats would have felt as though they would have to hold fire with impeachment proceedings, because it would look like a partisan hit. However, after the redacted Mueller report was released on his investigation and Attorney General Bill Barr’s attempt to mislead the public his controversial summary, Mueller stepped forward into public eye and in a way, almost gave Democrats the green light to impeach Donald Trump.

As someone from the UK, you felt Mueller had to say something, whether it was just on a podium to clear up Barr’s statements or to testify before Congress, which he had been invited to do.

Impeachment is now looking more likely than ever, despite the fact that Democrats hold only the House. Justin Amash who is a Republican has been the first Republican to state that impeachment is a possibility.

What is impeachment?

The United Kingdom Parliament would not likely not carry out impeachment. The UK actually has this power, but it is regarded as obsolete, so it is rarely used, and the phrase is never spoken. We instead have judicial review and more commonly used confidence motions, which can be used for removal of a party leader.

In the US, impeachment is the removal of any government official outlined in the Constitution, due to “high crimes and misdemeanours”. Essentially, the President must be well behaved and not upset the opposition party in order to not have proceedings against filed against him.

There have only been 2 proper proceedings in the history of the US – Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998. Both were unsuccessful.

Why is there talk of a Trump impeachment? Is it likely? Or is it just a nothing-burger that his base repeatedly claim?

The arguments for:

 

RUSSIAGATE

During his first term, Trump has repeatedly been accused of “colluding” and/or “conspiring” with Russia, even as far back as the 1980s.

There had been many suggestions that this may have been true.

–        The Steele Dossier written by a former MI6 officer Christopher Steele.

–        Trump’s refusal to deride Putin but instead abuse and name-call US allies.

–        His facial reactions and body language when he is around Putin? Particularly after the Helsinki summit. He went against the findings of his own intelligence agencies and sided with a foreign adversary.

–        The removal of sanctions against Russia

–        Refusal to release his tax returns, which could show he’s indebted to Russia businessmen and oligarchs.

–        Majority of his associates being indicted to criminal activity relating to Russia, including his former lawyer, Michael Cohen.

DAILY EMBARRASSMENT

The times where Trump has been praised for his speeches have been minimal.

He regularly Tweets on Twitter either to say something controversial or downright false or he will attack any critic of his.

Recently, he went after 4 freshmen Congresswomen, who all happen to be minorities saying they should “go back to the places from which they came”.

Even if you disagree with a President’s or Prime Minister’s policies, the least they can do to show that they are a worthy leader, is to show some decorum and respect.

This is the President of the USA ladies and gents

 

Unindicted co-conspirator

Michael Cohen, the President’s former lawyer and “fixer” was arrested for crimes committed at the direction of “Individual One”.

Individual One (Trump) was named as an unindicted co-conspirator for his crimes which included hush money payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal.

Having to go to jail for someone else’s crimes would leave a bitter taste in the mouth, especially if that individual was the President.

Cohen’s 2019 testimony was received international attention as one of Trump’s former confidants exposed his misdemeanours.

All valid reasons yes?

Why has it not started?

Democrats dragging their feet?

On the issue of Trumps impeachment there is a dichotomy in the Democratic party. The party leadership under Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a majority of the caucus hold the position that the case needs to be cast-iron and needs to enjoy bipartisan support such it would not get defeated in the senate. The other camp is pro-impeachment and feels that Trump has committed significant offences and brought the Office of President into disrepute.

Chairperson of the House Financial services Committee Maxine Waters has been calling for impeachment for several months. She has been joined by many of that newer ‘progressive’ members of the house. Among the Democratic presidential hopefuls Senator Elizabeth Warren was the first to state her support for Trumps impeachment.

So why don’t Dems just start then?

They have many cases that they can look into.

I mean they can even take inspiration from Bill Clinton’s trial.

The Clinton impeachment did not start with the Monica Lewinsky affair. Ken Starr was put there to essentially see if he could find any wrongdoings and initially, he couldn’t find anything with the Whitewater investigation, and it wasn’t until the Paula Jones scandal that Starr broadened his investigation into Clinton’s private life.

If the Democrats do this, more findings can reveal themselves,

But by just being idle, Trump is essentially given free-reign to act as he pleases.

Texan House of Representatives member Al Green tabled a motion for impeachment which was debated on but this motion was defeated which shows how untouchable the POTUS seems at the moment.

Examination of the numbers of votes indicates that in the House there is steady increase in support for Nancy Pelosi commencing impeachment hearings. With the public testimony of Robert Mueller looming it remains to be seen whether Donald Trump will be able to keep the pro-impeachment crowd at bay.

What do I think?

This is the President of the USA ladies and gents….,

My opinion which I am sure is held by the majority of the people out there is that the US can do so much better than this guy, Trump. I have never really seen a President act like this

Even if you want to “say it as it is”, informal personality can at least come with some form of civility for people who may not agree with your beliefs.

Perhaps, it will be happen in the near future, as he seems to hit new lows, on a near daily basis.