The Susan Sequel

I didn’t want to do it. I’ve tried; I’ve bit my tongue, I’ve exchanged funny memes with my sister, and I’ve vented on Twitter.  But I can’t avoid it any longer, I must discuss Donald Trump (insert collective groan here). I promise, I didn’t want to do it. But Tuesday night, when his lawyer sent a 9-page letter (aka word salad manifesto) to Speaker Pelosi, I literally felt my blood begin to boil! For those of you living on another planet, on Tuesday evening, Trump’s lawyer told the United States House of Representatives that “President Trump cannot permit his Administration to participate in this partisan [impeachment] inquiry.” Forgetting the Constitution for moment (or for three years, as Trump as done), the House of Representatives is an independent, CO-EQUAL branch of government (as is the Senate, whose leadership has alternatively chosen to abdicate their duties in favor of kowtowing to Trump). In plain English, this means that Congress, in its entirety, is NOT subject to the dictates and whims of the Executive branch, particularly when it comes to the impeachment process (Trump obviously slept through Civics 101).

The U.S. Constitution, Article II, section 4 gives the House of Representatives the sole power to impeach an official, including, but not limited to, the President of the United States. Nowhere in the Constitution does it say that the President or the Executive branch has the authority to dictate ANY aspect of the impeachment process (the manner, mode, length, or subject matter). Nor is an impeachment inquiry or its process an actual trial. The Constitution specifically assigns this right to the Senate (and since #MoscowMitchMcConnell has already announced he will acquit Trump before hearing any evidence, we know where this will end up). Thus, for those of you still following along, Trump has ZERO right to refuse to cooperate, comply with subpoenas, coerce witnesses and, here is the big one, confront his accuser/whistleblower (again, an impeachment inquiry is NOT a trial and normal trial procedures DO NOT apply).

Ironically, the GOP had no problem with the laws and rules when they chose to impeach President Clinton in 1998 for lying about a consensual sexual act between two adults. This makes their current hypocrisy all the more frustrating. Submissive Senator Lindsey Graham stated during the Clinton impeachment that “the day Richard Nixon failed to answer that subpoena is the day he was subject to impeachment.” And former Rep. Trey Gowdy also said during the same period that “the notion that you can withhold information and documents from Congress no matter whether you’re the party in power or not in power is wrong. Respect for the rule of law must mean something.” Lindsey, does your position not apply to the current occupant of the White House? And Trey, are you going to tell your new client about the rule of law (he is rumored to have just joined the Trump defense team). I cannot, for the life of me, understand what has instilled the undying loyalty of the GOP to Donald Trump, a man cold, craven, callous and as unintelligent as they come (I couldn’t think of another “c” adjective here).

Sadly, I understand the reality of Supreme Court Justices, Federal Judicial seats, tax cuts and unbridled power. And, if the Trump Administration was doing everything legally, the only ones to blame for our current state of affairs would be those who voted for him. However, Trump has been engaged in recorded criminal activity since accepting his party’s nomination. It has been proven that Russia interfered in the 2016 election and, as we have now seen, Trump recently attempted to engage foreign assistance in the 2020 election (a blatantly illegal act). Apparently, the GOP, supposedly the party of social morality and traditional values, only believes in upholding the law when it works to their advantage.

As you clearly know, I am not a fan of Donald Trump. That being said, I actually despise Mitch McConnell and blame him, in large part, for our current international debacle (what Trump is doing in Syria is disgusting and a topic for another day). McConnell, the most powerful man in the Senate, could single-handedly put an end to, or curtail, Trump. Yet, he refuses. Assuming the House impeaches Trump, he could hold a legitimate trial in the Senate and let the Senators make their own decisions as to whether or not Trump broke the law. Yet, he won’t. And the Trump stooges, Rep. Jim Jordan (part of the Ohio State athlete abuse scandal), Rep. Matt Gaetz (rumored to have been involved in seven DUI’s) and Senator Lindsey Graham (who stated in 2016 that Trump had “conned” the GOP), have circled Trump and are determined to cause as much confusion and disarray as humanly possible (let the Constitution be damned).

Although I know that Trump’s interactions with the Ukrainian President are illegal and that the House will likely impeach him, I am feeling very discouraged and disillusioned by our Democracy (although given that the Ukrainian President was a famous television comedian, it gives me great hope for Hannah’s future career path). I am discouraged because I thought that despite the tax cuts and SCOTUS seats, the GOP still cared about the rule of law. Given the silence from the majority and their asinine defenses of Trump, this does not appear to be the case. And, if the GOP condones both Trump’s violations of the Constitution and the rule of law, then do our laws (and thus our Democracy) cease to exist?

Our Founding Fathers believed that the impeachment clause of the Constitution was a necessary evil as a check against potential abuses of power. At the 1787 convention in Philadelphia, Elbridge Gerry stated that “a good magistrate will not fear [impeachments]. A bad one ought to be kept in fear of them.” This statement summarizes my point. If, as he argues, Trump is as innocent, he should welcome the process with open arms to clear his name. He should release any and all unclassified documents and encourage the State Department employees and others to testify, also to clear his name. If I was wrongfully accused, it would be the first thing I would do. What about you?

Every day, I am thankful that the Democrats took the House of Representatives in 2018. Given Trump’s hold on the Senate and potentially the Supreme Court (sexual identity should be a protected class, btw), the House is the ONLY barricade to the Trump turmoil. If the last two years has taught you anything, it’s that every vote and every election counts! PLEASE VOTE!