Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., came out in favor of beginning the impeachment process against President Donald Trump on Monday night, joining Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., as major 2020 candidates who’ve called for impeachment proceedings after the release of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report.So...what would be the point? Other than sheer vindictiveness, which is exactly how it will be perceived. The 1998 Bill Clinton precedent here is instructive. Clinton lied under oath in that case, which was a much clearer crime than anything described in Robert Mueller’s Volume II on obstruction of justice, and the GOP-controlled House impeached him for it. However, there was no real consensus for removal and a great deal of concern that the underlying investigation that produced the perjury was a partisan hit job.
During a CNN town hall, Harris said she believes “Congress should take the steps toward impeachment.” But, adding that she’s “also a realist,” Harris said it was highly unlikely that Senate Republicans would, if the House does vote to impeach Trump, vote to remove him from office.
Love to watch one of Fox News "hard news" shows and watch Rush Limbaugh claim Hillary Clinton led a silent coup against Donald Trump and needs to be indicted and in jail while the anchor smiles and nods along. pic.twitter.com/Y7MOPty9rO
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) April 23, 2019
Focus will be on the two constitutional grounds: impeachment and removal (25th Amendment), and the possible charges of the independent counsel, the powers of the president, a history of the creation of that office and the comparison of divine right and rule of law leadership, presidential impeachments, including Nixon's de facto impeachment, practically limitless grounds for impeachment, presidential immunity from indictment, and grounds for impeachment, removal, or indictment covering: conflict of interests, foreign emoluments, climate change, racism, religious bias, improper influence, nepotism, and a host of crimes, including conspiracy, false statements, and obstruction of justice.In lieu of a textbook, students are required to read the 2017 book The Case for Impeachment by Professor Allan J. Lichtman of American University. The book description claims that Lichtman lays out, "in clear, nonpartisan terms," [riiiight] the reasons Congress could remove Trump from office: "his ties to Russia before and after the election, the complicated financial conflicts of interest at home and abroad, and his abuse of executive authority."
