Can We Impeach Him NOW?

Last weeks big news story revealed that a whistleblower warned the intelligence community’s inspector general of a “disturbing phone call” between POTUS 45 and Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky. The warning was deemed credible and urgent.

The DOJ has refused to comply with its legal obligation to release the transcript to Congress. Attorney General Bill Barr routinely acts in the same manner with regards to investigations into Trump’s corruption.

Since the whistleblower warning, he who shall remain nameless has confessed to having asked Ukraine’s president to interfere with the 2020 election by digging up dirt on a political opponent, Joe Biden, and his son.

DT’s pattern is consistent:

1. Deny, deny, deny
2. Add that if he had done that which he denies, doing so would have been ”totally” legal
3. Repeat the denial
4. Finally, he brazenly admits that he committed the act, and claims it was within his constitutional rights.

“Certainly I’d have every right to … what I said was so good. It was a great conversation. It was a really great conversation. And everybody will say that.” ~DT

It was illegal.

“It is a federal crime to solicit or knowingly accept the assistance of a foreign government — or foreigner — in a federal election,” ~ Former Director of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson

DT did more than ask; he withheld financial aid until Zelensky agreed to comply; $341 million of security assistance designated for Ukraine be delayed until they comply with his demands.

Extortion—

the practice of obtaining something, through force or threats.

Still, the House of Representatives is not doing enough to stop his behavior. Their reasons:

1. They know from experience that Senate Majority Leader Moscow Mitch McConnell and Attorney General Bill Barr will negate what they do.
2. They are afraid to do anything that might hurt their chances to regain control of Congress in 2020.

Despite holding a majority in the House, DT’s enablers have rendered Democrats in Congress powerless.

After more than two years of strongly worded letters of warning, followed by inaction, impeachment inquiries have begun.

DT is once again obstructing justice by telling witnesses not to cooperate— ignore subpoena’s, refuse to answer anything related to DT, etc. He and his administration willfully violate oversight requirements, and seemingly taunt democrats with “take us to court.”

This unprecedented level of obstruction has rendered Congress powerless to:

• Obtain an unrelated copy of the Mueller report, or see related evidence.

• Compel key witnesses to testify

• Hear the whistleblower’s “credible and urgent” complaint

“Criminal Contempt—

Is generally regarded as a disobedient or open disrespect for the court. Even though it may arise out of a criminal or civil case, it punishes conduct that violates a court’s rule, rather than a penal statute or some criminal law. What is considered “criminal contempt” will vary by state. However, the consequences, penalties, and procedures tend to be similar because of the overall objective to punish violations of a court’s rules.”

👆🏼(The very definition of criminal contempt.)

DT’s former campaign employee, Cory Lewandowski’s recent testimony was the very definition of criminal contempt.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman, Jerry Nadler, responded to Lewandowski’s behavior with a warning, (again🙄) that congress would vote on whether or not they hold him in contempt of Congress.

DT ignores that which he does not like and regularly declares emergencies in order to override Congress, without regard for constitutional laws. This unchecked behavior sets a dangerous precedent that diminishes the role of Congress. When Congress cedes its authority as a co-equal branch of government, the executive branch is empowered beyond what the constitution allows. This is a threat to our freedom.

“A state of emergency is a situation in which a government is empowered to perform actions that it would normally not be permitted to do. … Such declarations alert citizens to change their normal behavior and orders government agencies to implement emergency plans.”

The most aggressive response by House committee leaders to date has been to pen strongly worded letters warning witnesses that they are considering holding them in criminal contempt of Congress. (*definition above)

Concerned with the time-consuming nature of a contempt proceeding and the inability to extend punishment further than the session of the Congress concerned (under Supreme Court rulings), Congress created a statutory process in 1857.

Congress has a card they haven’t played,👆🏼called “inherent contempt” which would hinder, if not eliminate the willingness of witnesses to undermine Congress on DT’s behalf. The clause empowers the House and the Senate to call for the arrest of individuals who act in contempt, without the requirement of involving the other branch of Congress, the executive branch, or the Courts.

For example, Lewandowski warrants a charge of “Inherent Contempt,” as do all those who have not complied with Congressional subpoenas. How does it work? Once it becomes clear he, the unwilling witness, has no intention of adhering to the law, he is arrested by the Sergeant-at-Arms. He remains in custody until he is brought before the House (in this case), for a hearing (or trial). The House votes— is he guilty of Inherent Contempt? If convicted, he is remains imprisoned until he decides it is in his best interest to obey the law.

de·moc·ra·cy

a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.

re·pub·lic

a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.

This statute may be used to compel those who are unwilling to comply with court orders for evidence:

Steve Mnuchin refused to release DT’s tax return, and Joseph Maguire, the Director of National Intelligence, declined to release the Whistleblower ‘s complaint, both despite subpoena’s. If held in “inherent contempt,” they would be required to comply, or be immediately taken into custody by the Sergeant-at-Arms.

If Congress uses this power, witnesses will see dire consequences for their action looming and will likely cooperate before they are arrested. How many of these people would be willing to go to jail to protect DT?

This has to be the end; he’s gone too far. How many times have I said that? Not as many times as I have thought it but said nothing. I won’t offer you my optimism again. I won’t speculate that this is a turning point. I won’t say the tide has turned. I will pass this information on and let you decide— internal House whip counts show, for the first time, Speaker Pelosi now has the votes she needs for impeachment.

Multiple Democratic officials have told The Washington Post that Pelosi has quietly questioned top allies and lawmakers about whether the time has come to impeach Trump.

So, is this finally it? No comment.

Sources:

Ukraine and whistle-blower issues emerge as major flashpoints in presidential race – The New York Times

Is Trump’s Ukraine Call Worse Than the Russian Trump Tower Meeting? – Rolling Stone

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/pelosi-quietly-sounding-out-house-democrats-about-whether-to-impeach-trump-officials-say/2019/09/23/98a33fd8-de5f-11e9-8fd3-d943b4ed57e0_story.html?outputType=amp&__twitter_impression=true

Contempt of Congress and what it means for William Barr explained

18 U.S. Code § 402 – Contempts constituting crimes

9-39.000 – Contempt Of Court