By Andrew Leheny
During his campaign for President, Donald Trump bragged he could “stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody” without losing “any voters.”
As the House of Representatives prepares to vote today on two Articles of Impeachment, it appears Trump, not known for a high degree of honesty, has been amazingly accurate with his Fifth Avenue observation. The Republican members of Congress are dramatically willing to make Trump’s pre-election prediction become a reality, at least in a non-fatal way. Based on GOP words and behavior during the Impeachment hearings, Republican members of Congress appear united in wanting to clearing Trump of Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Justice, despite clear evidence and witness testimony.
GOP House members have refused to condemn Trump interaction with Ukraine to secure their investigation of debunked theories concerning the 2016 election and similarly discredited claims about former Vice-President Joe Biden and his son.
During public testimony the American Public learned from Trump’s own words how pressure was placed upon Ukraine to begin an investigation of the Bidens, and to give credence to a discredited theory that Ukraine had interfered in the 2016 election. As a leverage to secure Ukraine’s participation, Trump delayed nearly $400 million in Congressional approved funds for the nation, and would not confirm a meeting between Trump and Ukraine’s new President.
Although most legal scholars and former government officials of both political parties agree on the inappropriateness, or even illegality of Trump’s actions and comments, current GOP House members remain in full public support of Trump. President Trump has attacked the Whistle Blower who first alerted the Department of Justice of concerns about the July 25 phone call between Trump and President Zelensky. Trump would further attack any witness who declared his phone call with Zelenky was not “perfect.”
Impeachment Article I, Abuse of Power, ties Trump’s seeking to use a foreign nation for his own political benefit with a pattern of such behavior by Trump. Although Trump’s intent regarding Article I will be debated, the strength of Article II offers no wiggle room in reference in terms of Trump guilt versus innocence. It is impossible, if a member of Congress is to follow his or her Oath, to clear Trump of Obstruction of Justice.
President Trump refused to honor all subpoenas from the House. He ordered cabinet members and aides not to testify voluntarily and not to obey subpoenas as well. No US President has so blatantly ignored our nation’s laws.
But if one acts in good faith, and adheres to both their Oath of Office, and Oath as juror, it is not possible to clear Donald Trump, especially on Article II. We, the American People , witnessed Trump state publicly he would not obey any subpoena. He stated both the Mueller and House investigations were “shams” and “witch hunts.” But the United States Constitution, and specifically its fundamental creation of a Balance of Power between the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches, does not permit the President alone to make such a determination. The President must recognize the shared authority of our nation as designed by the Founders.
By permitting Trump to decide what laws he will or will not respect. GOP members of Congress are allowing Trump to distort the Office of President from that of Chief Citizen to one of an elected King. It is critical each member of Congress recognize the peril of Trump continuing to attack our Constitution in this matter. Only by impeaching and convicting Trump will the sacred Balance of Power of the United States of America be maintained.
In terms of a relatively recent example, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was cleared six times of any wrong-doing regarding the Benghazi tragedy. Yet. House Republicans conducted a seventh series of hearing. Though she ultimately would be cleared once again, Secretary Clinton honored her subpoena and testified for over 11 hours. Nearly two decades earlier, then President Bill Clinton, was impeached for lying about a personal affair. Yet, he would testify under Oath, and even provide a blood sample, as requested by the GOP-led Starr investigation.
Neither Bill and Hillary Clinton sought to destroy our nation’s Balance of Powers. Yet today’s Republication Party would endanger our democracy by putting political party over country.
No man or woman is above the Law.
The House must vote to Impeach. The Senate must vote to convict, especially in regards to Obstruction of Congress. Just as Trump bragged he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue, the words and actions of GOP Congress Members indicate they are willing to ignore Trump’s assaults on our Constitution. Far too many Americans have died so that our Constitution will not die.
Evidence, and the impact of corruption within the life of Donald Trump, does not demonstrate a man who seeks to battle corruption. Instead, his is a history of an individual who has embraced corruption over decades for his own personal gain.
No President is above the Law.
For any member of the House to vote to clear Donald Trump; if any Senator votes not to convict, they are not finding a president innocent.
Instead they are striking a blow to the very heart of our Constitution.
They are not saving a presidency. They are crowning a king.
The Focus 