Tag Archives: politics of impeachment

Gutiérrez Joins the Impeachment Effort

03 Friday Nov 2017

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According to this article from the Hill, Representative Luis Gutiérrez is supporting a group of Democrats who intend to file new articles of impeachment against President Trump this month. This action comes at the exasperation of Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a critique of the premature focus on impeachment; however, Rep. Gutiérrez claims that in light of the recent indictments (talked about here) the time is right. Representative Green, who has read his own article of impeachment to the House floor, agrees that it is not necessary to wait for the results of the Mueller investigation, because “impeachment is political” not criminal.

Whether Reps. Green and Gutiérrez are correct about the timing of impeachment remains to be seen, but it seems very unlikely that talks of impeachment will be quelled anytime soon. Things in the House are hot and getting hotter.

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The Significance of Flake’s Retirement

25 Wednesday Oct 2017

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Senator Jeff Flake announced on Tuesday that he will not be seeking reelection, and this article, from Politico, says that could be good for the Republican party. Flake is a loud critic of President Donald Trump, and that hasn’t not won him friends in the electorate: he hasn’t gained Independent or Democratic votes, and has alienated Republicans in the process.

So, what does this mean for impeachment? It goes back to yesterday’s discussion of Trump’s relationship with the Senate. If Trump’s dissenters are pushed out of Congress, then impeachment chances suffer. It may be that the President will have to do something particularly egregious to make enough enemies in Congress for impeachment to become an actuality.

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Trump’s Relationship with Republicans

24 Tuesday Oct 2017

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This article, from the Washington Post, elaborates on President Trump’s relationship with Republican senators, in light of a feud he had with Senator Corker over the tax code. The author references Trump’s shaky relationship with Republicans in general, citing specifically the tension Trump has had with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. However, amongst references to Trump’s spat with Republican senators, the article sprinkles in quotes from senators who are eager to hear Trump speak.

Whether President Trump has Republican support is an important question. Conviction in the Senate requires a 2/3 majority. However, I am not convinced that President Trump’s relationship with Republican senators is in fact a bad one overall. His attacks on McConnell make sense, since Trump protrays himself as an establishment busting populist, and McConnell represents the establishment. And his odds of support in the Senate may be improving. Sen. Corker is not seeking reelection, and meanwhile populist candidates are lining up to join the legislature. Therefore, it is far from clear that President Trump is going anywhere anytime soon.

corker-trump-rt-jef-171009_12x5_992.jpgJoshua Roberts/Reuters

Sherman’s Articles of Impeachment

23 Monday Oct 2017

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Here you can find the text of Representative Sherman’s resolution to impeach President Trump for obstruction of justice. The resolution reads like a criminal indictment: it is short, focused, and clearly establishes the President’s mental state at the time of the firing of  James Comey.

Sherman was the first representative to offer articles of impeachment in the House, and their success may depend on the pending investigation of Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

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Cohen’s Objection to Trump

22 Sunday Oct 2017

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Here you can find the text of Rep. Cohen’s resolution which objected to the conduct of President Trump. Amongst the complaints listed in the resolution are Trump’s refusal to release his tax returns, potentially unfair international dealings relating to the Trump brand, communications with Russia, the firing of James Comey, his allegations of wiring tapping, his travel ban, feuding with the media, and other flagrant international communications.

Rep. Cohen has also expressed his intention to introduce articles of impeachment in the next upcoming months. An article summarizing Cohen’s position on impeachment can be found here.

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Pelosi on Impeachment

21 Saturday Oct 2017

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Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has long stood on the outside of the impeachment efforts in the House. Rather than advocate impeachment, this article from newsweek reports, she suggests they give the President an intervention. Pelosi has a history of taking a more diplomatic approach with President Trump, which includes a private meeting in which they worked out an alternative to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

Pelosi has said she thinks Trump will “self-impeach.” However, that may not be the case if she continues with her diplomacy. Is it possible that a better President can be made out of Trump, or is she just buying him time?

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Steyer’s Smoke is Settling

18 Wednesday Oct 2017

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This article, from the New Republic, takes stock of the Democratic Congressmen’s stances on impeahcment following Tom Steyer’s letter. The letter referenced was discussed here last week. Though some endorse impeachment fully, others, like Lis Smith, say it is a “donor issue.”

Ultimately, the issue is a political one, and the article concludes by saying “candidates should employ whatever politics best helps the party get there;” there being the Congressional majority. However, if the party cannot campaign on impeachment, does that mean Congress is not justified in doing it? If impeachment is a political question, does that mean it should ultimately represent the will of the people? Or are Congressmen free to use their discretion?

09b9390b231da88ac27df66ab5e27640464a70f5.jpegAlex Wong/Getty Images

 

Trump Trading Sides

18 Wednesday Oct 2017

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This article reports that President Trump may be risking alliances with the Republicans in Congress in order to support Republican populist challengers. It is a risky move if that’s the case. If the incumbents keep their seats, then President Trump will have increased his chances of impeachment; however, if he suceeds, he may have a better time pushing his policies through the legislature.

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Donors Warned about Impeachment

16 Monday Oct 2017

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This article summarizes a presentation given to GOP donors, which focused on what the party stood to lose should Democratic incumbents win house seats. Central to this presentation was an implication that losing the House would mean further investigation into Russian collusion, and an increased chance of impeachment.

I would be surprised if this sort of presentation was uncommon. However, it does highlight an important issue: the 2018 elections will have a major influence on President Trump’s imeachment chances. Therefore the state of the political world over these next few month is highly significant.

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A Note on Mueller

15 Sunday Oct 2017

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This article from the Nation closely examines Robert Mueller’s special-counsel investigation, and where it might end up. It notes the possibility that Mueller will bend to political pressure, or that President Trump will interfere with the investigation as he did by firing Comey. However, the more likely result is that Mueller will simply hand over his findings to Congress and let them do what they will with it. Which brings us back to the political question. Can a majority Republican Congress oust Trump? Or is his base to loyal and large to allow it?

Mueller-Capitol-AP-img.jpgAssociated Press