Impeaching Donald Trump Easier Said Than Done, So Get Over It
As you read this the President of the United States might very well have said or tweeted out more intemperate things. It is pretty clear that Donald J. Trump plays fast and loose with the English language and diplomatic speak is not in his wheelhouse. He shoots from the lip and worries about cleaning up the mess his statements create later – if at all.
That said, a U.S. president cannot be impeached for simply saying imprudent things. I spent several years reporting from Washington and believe there is nearly no chance of President Trump being removed from office at this time. That’s about as likely as Hillary Clinton permanently stepping off the national political stage.
Nevertheless, there have been an overload of breathless media reports on the possibility. Cable news calls the current situation, “The White House in crisis.” The Washington Post declares, “The White House has every reason to panic.”
Yes, former FBI Director James Comey wrote himself a memo right after meeting with the president which, reportedly, chronicled Mr. Trump’s reaction to the bureau’s investigation of his one-time national security adviser Michael Flynn.
“I hope you can let this go,” the president is said to have remarked about the Russian collusion probe involving Flynn. Mr. Trump added that he thought Flynn was a “good guy.”
FB
To my mind those quotes don’t completely square with the widespread conclusion from various media outlets, like CNN for example, that, “President Donald Trump asked James Comey to end the investigation…” But still, many maintain that since the president ordered the room cleared so he could speak privately with Comey it was proof of obstruction of justice. Enough for impeachment, Trump foes insist.
A president accused of obstruction of justice. Hmmm. That sounds familiar.
In December 1998, the republican led House of Representatives found President Bill Clinton guilty of both obstruction of justice and perjury. Contrary to what so many insisted back then Clinton was impeached not for his philandering ways but, rather, because a DNA stain left on a blue dress proved he lied to the nation when he emphatically said, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.”
Even after Clinton’s lies were exposed (he had also repeated his story, under oath, to a Grand Jury) he remained in office.
Clinton: Impeached by the House But, Ultimately, Not by the Senate
To actually remove a president from the White House the Senate must hold a public trial on the matter and 2/3rds of the 100 senators have to agree on a verdict. In Clinton’s day the republicans controlled the Senate but still they could not muster enough votes to convict the democratic president.
See how difficult it is to remove a sitting president from the White House?
Today republicans, once again, hold a majority in both the House and Senate and it is highly unlikely they would vote to impeach a republican president. Unless, of course, Mr. Trump really does stand in the middle of New York’s Fifth Avenue and shoots someone.
There is also the matter of how deeply Trump campaign officials may have worked with Russian operatives to sway the election. To my knowledge, no one has offered proof that Mr. Trump, himself, engaged in questionable contacts with the Russians. And top intelligence officials like Gen. Michael Hayden, former CIA and NSA Director; Jim Clapper, former Director of National Intelligence; and John Brennan, former CIA Director have all said they found no evidence of collusion, just overly aggressive Russian operatives trying to ingratiate themselves with the incoming administration and naïve Trump representatives who couldn’t see they were being played. At this juncture, trying to initiate impeachment proceedings on that issue would be foolhardy.
Still, democrats have insisted that only a special prosecutor can get to the bottom of any possible Trump-Russia conspiracy. Now one has been named. Robert Mueller, the widely respected former FBI Director is on the case. I say this marks a good time for everyone in Washington – and the country – to take a deep breath, concentrate on issues important to Americans (like health care and tax reform) and wait for the investigative process to play out.
Look, no matter what you think of President Trump he is not a stupid man. He did not amass his $3.5 billion fortune by miscalculating situations or losing focus. He must ultimately be a man who learns from his mistakes since he has managed to re-group after not one or two but six bankruptcies.
I’m not so bothered with the different way this president has decided to govern by consistently breaking protocol and putting America first. After all, wasn’t that the message from the electorate back in November? Americans clearly signaled that they wanted a new kind of politician in the White House, one that tackled the everyday problems affecting their family.
So let’s stop with all this talk about impeachment. Instead, let’s hope our real estate mogul-turned-president is learning on the job that words matter, tweets are not a responsible way to communicate and boardroom bully boy tactics do not a great statesman make.
###
ABQ Journal Reader Joe Mullins writes:
It is true that I disagree with your 6/7/17 column regarding possible impeachment of Trump. In fact, I believe that is the only way to help ward off the impending disaster of climate change. However, there is another statement in your article that I found peculiar: That the fact he recovered from six bankruptcies proved he was smart. One might think that a “businessman” who suffered six bankruptcies is someone who makes a lot of mistakes and does not learn very much from any of them. I think that might be a good description of Trump.
Joe Mullins
Thanks for writing, Mr. Mullins. Here’s another way to look at it: Trump is a businessman who takes chances that, you must admit, have paid off handsomely for him in the long run. He’s created countless thousands of jobs, added to the tax base along the way, etc.
Six times he’s taken advantage of the nation’s lawful bankruptcy laws – a perfectly legal step to take – and, in effect, he’s been beaten down SIX times. Yet he still gets up to fight and finagle another day.
Without seeming to heap too much praise on the man, I dare say, the average person faced with failure SIX times might put their head down, crawl into a hole and give up. Not Trump. He has figured out a way to turn failure into success. Forbes Magazine puts his wealth at over $3 billion and money is the way Trump measures success in life. Not being nice to others, not currying favors with people he doesn’t like, not being philanthropic – just amassing money. In his mind he is a total winner.
Noozhawk Reader We Are The Champions! writes:
President Trump has all of the right enemies. He’s a lion in the White House, fulfilling promises to his voters, unlike any modern president. For the first time in decades we have a Commander In Chief that gives a damn! God bless him and God bless the USA!
Naysayers can all go covfefe yourselves.
Noozhawk Reader tgsba writes:
As my parents taught me many, many years ago, “nothing truly worth doing is ever very easy.” So let’s get on with it before much more serious damage is done to our country and the world.
GeeWillikersWally replies to tgsba:
As evidenced during the campaign, he will claw and scratch with indecency and no moral compass till his last breath.
tgsba replies to GeeWillikersWally:
All too true. Add to your list that Trump will lie, cheat, threaten, and in the end, throw the ultimate spoiled-brat temper tantrum. Still, we need to do whatever we can legally do to get him out of the White House.
GeeWillikersWally replies again:
The sooner he packs his bags, the better.
DD replies:
Yeah, but see, Wally, THAT was the point of the column. Actually removing a sitting president from office (if he doesn’t want to go like Nixon did to escape impeachment proceedings) is REALLY difficult. Does Trump seem like a guy who’s going to quit – just pack his bags and walk out the White House door? Answer: No.
Facebook Friend Cynthia Alba writes:
Our President has done nothing but try to protect Americans, you need to get used to him. He will be in office for 7+ more years
Facebook Friend Kris Hanson Carl writes:
Good story!!
Facebook Friend Pat Alder writes:
Keep telling my friends this, but they have this idea…. sharing this!
Facebook Friend Sandi Chaykin Teller writes:
Regardless of how long he’s there he is the laughing stock of the world and is not qualified to run our country and serve everyone in it . Everyone knows it and behind close doors the republicans admit it . I think Comeys testimony this week will force them to open the doors . Everything will change
Facebook Friend CJ Schroder writes:
lol this article reads like bad satire. Yes, it will be difficult to remove PLOTUS from office, but it’s absurd to claim there are no reasons to.
CJ Schroder:
No where did I say there were no reasons to remove him from office. Please re-read the column to double check me on that. I simply said the process of removing a president from office is difficult and even after the House impeaches a president that’s no assurance the POTUS will be gone. ~ DD
Facebook Friend Mary Darnell writes:
In spite of all of it he is doing a respectable job can you imagine how much he would get done if he had our countries full support… Give him a fair chance to actually lead..
Facebook Friend Jackie Morin replies:
Fair chance? How many opportunities does he have to waste before you see that he has made the USA the laughing stock of the civilized world? I cannot wait each day to see what stupidity he will do next!
Mary Darnell:
Stupidity is having a trillion dollar debt and doing nothing about it.
Facebook Friend Tina DiNapoli writes:
Forget impeachment. If Mueller’s investigation finds grounds to charge him criminally with obstruction of justice and he’s found guilty, he’s gone.
Facebook Friend Steve Friedberg writes:
Hey, Diane…quick fact check: You write, “In December 1998, the republican led House of Representatives found President Bill Clinton guilty of both obstruction of justice and perjury.”
The House did not find him guilty of anything; it impeached him, along the same lines as a grand jury indictment. If the Senate had convicted him, that would have been the equivalent of a guilty verdict.
Yours in nitpicking accuracy, I remain….
DD replies:
I stand by the essence of what I wrote. The majority in the House BELIEVED he was guilty of obstruction of justice and perjury….As I fully explained it was up to the Senate to actually try him on those charges. 🙂
Facebook Friend Marilyn Salzman writes:
Tis pity. And what do we mere mortals do for the next 3 years/8 months? Just keep putting up with a mentally ill man? He’s dangerous for the United States and the world.
Facebook Friend Harry Netchel writes:
I like him. I wanted different , and I got .. If he’s caught doing wrong , then he’ll go
Facebook Friend Drew Rutberg writes:
I still ask impeach him for what. Not being a hippie dippie liberal isn’t an impeachable offense. Infact it’s a plus in my book.
You know the whole thing is based on nothing when the left started talking impeachment on election night.
Facebook Friend Jeff Gold writes:
Sorry my good friend Diane, while I agree that it’s premature, Impeachment is a real possibility and resignation before 2020 likely. Our recent impeachment examples are Nixon who avoided actual impeachment by resignation after the votes were there to impeach, and Clinton who was impeached but successful fought it because it was a trivial ground. Regan avoided it altogether by being up front and cooperating with investigation totally. You say: “Look, no matter what you think of President Trump he is not a stupid man.” However, while he has proven to be good at getting base votes, he’s proven remarkable stupid as to unifying the nation behind him. Moreover, he has followed Nixon in an obvious path of obstruction rather than Reagan’s in clear cooperation. My legal experience tells me there’s a reason, and special counsel will find it before the 2018 midterms. Trump’s name will not be on those ballots but his fate will be. If historical trends were not enough, he’s made likely that there will be a change in party control of one or both houses. That means a change in congressional subpoena power and that means Articles of Impeachment will be much more likely. This president, who has made his brand name his life, will resign before watching what he’s worked so hard for go down the drain for his children. He will resign, as did his mentor Richard Nixon, in my humble opinion.
DD replies:
Diane Dimond I disagree with so much that you have written here, my friend. #1, I don’t believe Clinton was impeached for what you call “a trial matter”. Obstruction of justice and perjury are not trivial, especially if you are a President of the the United States. #2 – the man may never unite the country because, let’s face it, the country has been split into 2 camps (or more) for a long time…but he has only been in office for less than 6 months! #3 No one can say for sure what the special prosecutor will find but if its an impeachable offense I’ll be the first one standing in line to admit Trump must go. #4. I don’t think Trump, the narcissist has it in him to admit he’s wrong, therefore, I can’t see him ever resigning. #5 Where do you get that Richard Nixon is/was Trump’s “mentor”? I don’t think that is a fact. Besides all this, you know I have great affection for you, Jeff, and I’m glad we can agree to disagree!
Facebook Friend Steve Hughes writes:
What I really like about you Diane is that you report the news straight, without bias and honesty. You are truly a journalist, not a political operative posing as a journalist. Thanks for that and keep up the good work.
Facebook Friend Sam J Sugar writes:
While the left wing trashes and makes fun of him and fantasizes about impeaching him, Trump is going to do exactly what he promised us and those who stand in way will fail. He and those in his close circle far more clever than the ranting uber elite and they know that the swamp he plans to drain is theirs.
Facebook Friend Robin Brown writes:
Well written, interesting. Especially like the last paragraph…we need to work together and get on with it.
Facebook Friend Dave Cooke writes:
It scares the hell out of me that, in view of the totally dysfunctional Republican controlled Congress, you COULD possibly be right–and we could end up with this incompetent narcissistic authoritarian bully in the White House for a full term in office. Banish the thought! Resist!!
Facebook Friend Anne Kass To all who are frantic to “get rid of” Trump, answer this question: And then what?
DD replies:
Actually, Anne, that is my overriding question too. Once Trump is out will the Trump haters be content with VP Pence as their Commander in Chief? Something tells me they will not. Back to your question: Then what? More and deeper political schisms as the fight goes on and on……Cause after Pence the line of succession would put House Speaker Ryan in the White House. So, to all the kick-Trump-to-the-curb-now folks your plight likely won’t feel better if you get what you are demanding…..
Facebook Friend Constance Gordon writes:
Diane, It is obvious he is NOT learning that “words matter, tweets are not a responsible way to communicate and boardroom bully boy tactics do not a great statesman make.” In my opinion, he revels in these things and so does his base. What concerns me is how this hurts our country’s reputation. Certainly not an impeachable offense, but it is humiliating to me as an American who thinks globally.
Facebook Friend L David Irete writes:
I wish that were FAKE news.
Facebook Friend Robert Shoe writes:
If you kick him out, you galvanize the idiot right-wing, and likely end up with Pence for 2 terms (thanks to gerrymandering and Republican control of every branch). Better to organize a real opposition party instead of the GOP-lite Dems.
Facebook Friend Nancy Schramm-Suneson writes:
Um yeah Trump is crazy.
Facebook Friend Sandi Chaykin Teller writes:
Regardless of how long he’s there he is the laughing stock of the world and is not qualified to run our country and serve everyone in it . Everyone knows it and behind close doors the republicans admit it . I think Comey’s testimony this week will force them to open the doors . Everything will change
Facebook Friend Rosa Leonard writes:
Nixon also thought he was untouchable.