Two articles of impeachment have been announced against President Trump by members of the House Democratic leadership. The first article of impeachment concerns Trump making previously approved military aid and a White House meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky conditional upon the Ukrainian government announcing investigations into Joe Biden as well as the conspiracy theory that Ukraine rather than Russia interfered in the 2016 election. The second article of impeachment concerns Trump's defiance of House subpoenas for documents and Congressional testimony to various committees.
These are very narrow and specific articles. I believe a case could be made that an article of impeachment can be brought for violations of the Emoluments clause through President Trump's use of his properties to conduct government business. But Democrats have declined to go down this road and are sticking to Trump's dealings with Ukraine.
In many ways, I believe Trump's emolument violations are far more easily understood by the general public. Trump used public office for private gain. His abortive attempt to have the G-7 at Doral is only the tip of the iceberg. Where does the White House begin and the Trump organization end? Given how egregiously Trump violated the Emoluments clause, I think Democrats should have added at least one more article of impeachment. Democrats are only going to get one bite at this apple.
However, based on what is in the public domain concerning Trump's dealings with the Ukrainian government, I do believe he has committed impeachable offenses and that the House will refer these matters to the Senate. But I also believe Senate Republicans will be impervious to these facts and acquit him. In so doing, Senate Republicans will give carte blanche to President Trump to, as he once put it, "do whatever I want". In which case, we will be speeding our way towards authoritarianism.
In which case, the only way Trump won't be able to do whatever he wants on the road to an authoritarian state is if he is defeated next November. It is possible he will be significantly weakened during 2020. It would also help if Democrats nominate a viable candidate who can go toe to toe with him and present a viable alternative. Yet this is far from assured. Can you say Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders?
In one respect, being impeached could very well strengthen Trump. In an era of victimhood, there is no one better at the playing the victim than Trump. It's a crock, but it is an act which has resonated with enough of the electorate to propel Trump into the White House and very possibly keep him there. And as long as the unemployment rate is at 3.5% or below voters are going to be very reluctant to vote Trump out of office even they don't like or agree with everything he has done. As long as people have jobs and can pay their mortgages most aren't going to give a damn if Trump illegally withheld military aid from a country across an ocean they cannot find on a map.
As for the future of American democracy, this is an abstract concept to most people. People are going to credit President Trump for a good economy even though he has very little to do with it or for that matter any other President. The economy has going good since the end of 2010. Most of that time Obama was President. Obama had little to do with it, but he reaped the benefit. The same will hold true for Trump. If people associate Trump with their personal prosperity then chances are they won't care that much if Trump usurps power and abuses his authority even if it means curtailments on freedom and limits on liberty.
But if Trump isn't held to account for his actions it is only a matter of time before freedom of speech, freedom of the press and free elections become a thing of the past. Mind you this isn't only applicable to Trump, but to his successors whatever their banner. If Republicans put Trump over country then there could come a day where we will take to the streets to demand the most basic of freedoms and might have to fight a war to regain what we should have never lost. Kind of like what is going on in Ukraine now.
No comments:
Post a Comment