BY ANDREW LEHENY
As two weeks of testimony conclude in the Donald Trump Impeachment Hearings conclude credible evidence has been confirmed and reconfirmed that Trump sought to extort Ukraine for his own political benefit. Despite this, the Republican Party appears committed in a Senate trial to ignore, in order to promote its own political agenda, this obvious abuse of power by Trump.
To permit consideration of Impeachment of Donald Trump to focus solely on this particular assault on the Constitution appears similar to a District Attorney settling on the pursuit of one criminal count, rather than multiple counts, in regards to expediency of prosecution. In other words, a plea bargain.
Such a course provides Senate Republicans with incentive to find Trump not guilty, knowing they will focus their rationale on just one area of controversy. But to allow History to focus only on one specific item of Constitutional abuse by Trump, because it appears to create a more likely foundation for impeachment, presents a critical danger to our nation. It does not present an accurate description of the challenges of the Trump administration faced by American Citizens and to the perception of our nation as the world’s major power, whose strength is dedicated to ideals of justice and equality.
The consistent chaos of the Trump administration has contributed to controversy over how such acts and behavior infringe upon our Constitution. Historical accuracy demands these issues not be glossed over like some legalistic plea deal. All of Trump’s alleged crimes, and assaults on American ideals, must be addressed. Permitting infringements on our Constitution creates the likelihood a future president will also take liberties with core document of our republic.
Yet, it is critical the American People clearly understand the alleged impeachable offenses of Donald Trump. This is made difficult by the broad range of alleged offenses which could be considered, including acts and statements pertaining to national security, conflicts of interest, foreign entanglements, and profiting from one’s office. It has been argued the 400-plus pages of the Mueller Report was difficult for some to fully understand. How can such confusion be avoided regarding Articles of Impeachment?
In addition to an Article of Impeachment regarding the alleged extortion of Ukraine by Trump for his personal benefit, it is crucial that careful thought is given to the development of at least three or four Articles of Impeachment for Donald Trump that are presented to the American Public in a focused manner.
For example: In violation of Section 9 of the Constitution, Donald J. Trump has sought to redefine the Office of President from that of “chief citizen” to a position with the powers and status of a king, not constrained by Congress or the Judiciary.
Section 9 states “no title of nobility shall be granted by the United States.” Yet, Donald Trump, has ignored lawful subpoenas and challenges our Constitutional ideals. His view appears as one who perceives himself as royalty, not accountable to the laws which govern the citizens of our nation.
Trump’s attorney maintains in court that President Trump may not even be investigated for possible crimes while in office. He similarly argued that if President Trump was publicly witnessed “shooting a person on Fifth Avenue,” he could not be prosecuted until he left office. In addition, Trump has granted security clearances to family members denied clearances. When Trump as President promotes family businesses, and permits family members to represent our nation to foreign entities, and to profit from such exposure, he promotes the concept of a royal family.
Another example of an appropriate Article of Impeachment, which is accurate and provides a focus for consideration of related impeachable acts, is: Donald Trump, by failing to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States” has demeaned the Honor and Reputation of our nation.
President Trump has ignored the advice of our nation’s intelligence agencies and accepted, without verification, the discredited advice of foreign entities. He has failed to release his taxes, as legally required, to verify he has no conflict of interest with a foreign entity. He has been careless in protecting US security. Trump has failed to follow the Presidential Records Act and has not used secured personal communication, endangering our national security.
Trump’s belittling of our NATO allies does demean the honor and reputation of our nation. His separation of thousands of children from parents seeking asylum or immigration to the United States has resulted in worldwide scorn. His perceived discrimination of persons of color has been identified as racism by many. Trump’s recent decision to turn our nation’s back on our Kurdish allies, who fought and died alongside our men and women in uniform is an act unworthy of the ideals of our nations.
Each Republication Senator governs his or her heart or conscience. But if they betray our Constitution, the degree of that betrayal must not be minimized by only focusing on a plea bargain of Trump’s Impeachable Acts. Focusing the attention of the Americans on Articles of Impeachment which address Trump’s Impeachable Acts in a clear and understandable manner is critical for the American public now and for how History relates the chaos of Trump
Donald Trump has used chaos to pull the attention of the American People in many directions at once. But a person who robs a thousand banks is still simply a bank robber. What is needed are Articles of Impeachment which present a focus on the alleged offenses, and other related constitutional violations can be considered within this focus.
In summary, the acts of Donald Trump has Corrupted the Office of President of the United States and perhaps that would be the most inclusive Article of Impeachment of all.
The Focus 