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| Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker |
Nancy Pelosi has focused on one of Trump's recent infractions before she committed to impeaching him. And that one was a big one. Big in substance but also big in the number of Trump officials involved.
This recent infraction was the quid, pro quo that Trump asked from the newly elected Ukraine President. Trump is so driven to find ways to ensure his re-election, he has not only avoided taking precautions against future Russians interference, but has also asked the Ukrainian President to dig up dirt on his Presidential challenger, Joe Biden. Trump told Ukrainian President Zelensky that he must report on the requested investigation into Joe Biden and his son in a public announcement to be given at a White house visit, or he would not be given military aid that Ukraine so desperately needs to defend against Russia.
Just as Trump and his family asked Russia for dirt on his 2016 challenger, Hillary Clinton, they have now asked Ukraine for dirt on his 2020 opponent, Joe Biden. It seems when it comes to finding an illegal leg up on the competition, Trump is surprisingly consistent.
And now we find out that this plan was in effect many month's ago, when his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, his EU Ambassador, Gordon Sondland and his Energy Secretary, Rick Perry were sent to discuss related matters with Ukrainian officials.
On July 25, 2019, Trump had the infamous quid, pro, quo call with Zelensky. Mike Pompeo was present for the call. Trump instructed Mick Mulvaney to delay the Ukraine military aid related to the quid, pro, quo call.
If by these actions Trump is guilty of impeachable offenses, so are all of the other Trump officials that were involved. Perry has self-impeached as he recently announced his resignation, but all the others except Giuliani should also be impeached. Giuliani is not a federal employee but has to answer for other crimes such as not registering as a foreign agent.
As for impeachment, Donald Trump's attorneys have gone to court to have the impeachment deemed illegal since there was no formal impeachment vote in the House. Last week Lindsey Graham introduced a resolution condemning the impeachment inquiry as illegitimate. Republican officials have been stymied by a judge covering the case who has determined that the inquiry being carried out by the House is legitimate and does not need a vote to continue.
However, Nancy Pelosi has announced that Democrats wanted to push back on claims by Trump that the impeachment is not valid and will hold a vote on Thursday, October 31, 2019 to establish the procedure for open hearings, dispositioning transcripts and transfer of evidence to Judiciary as they consider impeachment articles.
The impeachment will happen. The House of Representatives has the votes for that. However, the impeachment is not the same as removing Donald Trump from office. It will take more Americans to register their outrage with Trump in order to convince Republicans in the Senate to vote to remove him from office. At this point, the GOP is still solidly with Trump.
As public hearings give Americans more insight into the impeachable offenses of the Trump administration, perhaps more GOP Senators will come to their senses and save America, democracy and their own dignity.
