Pelosi may be unable to put the brakes on the Democrat Impeachment Train
A confluence of interests: Democrats are in an impeachment frenzy to appease their base, and Republicans hope they jump off that cliff.
If you thought the Mueller Report would cause Democrats to move on from trying to impeach Trump, you were severely mistaken. The Democrat Impeachment Train merely switched tracks.
The first track, consuming two-and-one-half years, was Russia collusion. The Mueller report did derail that impeachment track, by finding no conspiracy with or coordination between the Trump campaign and the Russians. In short, Mueller found no collusion, a non-legal term that comports to conspiracy or coordination.
But the Mueller report did not reach a conclusion, one way or the other, on obstruction of justice, deferring to the Department of Justice.
Attorney General William Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, relying on the facts in the Mueller report, found no prosecutable obstruction of justice (putting aside whether a President could be indicted while in office). Democrats promptly launched a smear campaign against Barr, particularly when he indicated DOJ was investigating how “spying” on the Trump campaign took place. Barr is now Democrat and #TheResistance Enemy No. 1, though they are curiously quiet about Rosenstein, their hero when the Mueller investigation was ongoing, who agreed with Barr’s finding of no obstruction.
Now the Impeachment for Russia Collusion Train is the Obstruction Train, which has two engines: Obstructing the Mueller investigation and refusing to comply with House committee subpoenas.
Democrats are whipping themselves into a frenzy, and some form of impeachment proceeding appears unstoppable.
Democrats just can’t let go of impeachment, and as much as Nancy Pelosi has warned that impeachment could be politically damaging to Democrats in 2020, the base is forcing her hand.
Politico reports, Pelosi clashes with fellow Dems in closed-door debate on impeachment:
House Democratic leaders sparred internally on Monday over whether to begin an impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her allies rejecting the call to move forward for now, according to multiple sources.
Reps. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Joe Neguse of Colorado — all members of Democratic leadership — pushed to begin impeachment proceedings during a leadership meeting in Pelosi’s office, said the sources. Pelosi and Reps. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico, Hakeem Jeffries of New York and Cheri Bustos of Illinois — some of her key allies — rejected their calls, saying Democrats’ message is being drowned out by the fight over possibly impeaching Trump.
WaPo (and the others) report that Rhode Island’s David Cicilline is one of the lead instigators to at least commence impeachment proceedings:
“It’s a fact-finding process,” said Rep. David N. Cicilline (D-R.I.) of the push to start an impeachment inquiry. Cicilline was one of the lawmakers who make the case to Pelosi in the meeting. “There’s no doubt that opening an inquiry strengthens the hand of Congress in forcing compliance with subpoenas, whether it’s for documents or individuals.”
I’m very familiar with Cicilline, since he’s from Rhode Island. I covered his campaigns closely. He’s sorely lacking in judgment in many ways, and if the Democrats follow him, they may find themselves falling off a cliff.
Cicilline is pushing so hard for impeachment, he even wants to start impeachment proceedings if Don McGahn fails to testify:
Cicilline is not alone, other Dem representatives, and #TheResistance figures like Harvard Law professor Laurence Tribe, are pushing the track of impeachment for asserting executive privilege as to McGahn:
Fox News reports that the pressure is growing to do something within the next couple of weeks:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could soon be left with no choice but to embrace calls from some within her party to impeach President Trump, one senior Democrat told Fox News.
The Senior House Democrat — speaking on the condition of anonymity — said, despite Pelosi’s repeated attempt to quell talk of impeaching the president, “isn’t going to be able to hold off on impeachment much longer.”
“It is coming to a head,” the Democrat told Fox News, before predicting the mounting pressure from inside her own ranks could force Pelosi to change her position “within the next two weeks.”
Now that a lone Republican, Justin Amash, is on board the Impeachment Train, it’s harder for Democrats to argue against it.
You can just sense the momentum towards impeachment from Democrats and their supportive media. But there’s a flip side. Many Trump supporters want Democrats to go down the impeachment track, figuring it will only help Trump.
This could be the perfect impeachment storm.
DONATE
Donations tax deductible
to the full extent allowed by law.
Comments
It reminds me of when everyone tried to tell Schumer, “Don’t filibuster Gorsuch, you’re going to lose the fight, and then you’re going to lose a valuable tool you’ll need later, and you’ll be throwing it away for nothing.” It didn’t matter – they had to do it, because of “Feelz”.
Brakes.
And, in her heart, does she actually want to stop it?
It’s very unlikely to be happening without her approval and direction. The Democrats are terrified of the investigation of them turning up enough evidence to put half the upper levels of the Obama administration and senior bureaucracy in prison (even if they aren’t prosecuted). They’re also afraid that if the pressure is relaxed on Trump he will begin to really accomplish things and put them in the minority again (where they have no power to obstruct and investigate). Impeachment may not be their preferred option, but they’re in a very precarious position and have to do something. They have no defense, all they can do is attack and distract, and impeachment can get them through the next election if everything doesn’t blow up first. They’re fighting for their lives, and have run out of other options.
I guess it is finally time to buy a 12 gauge riot gun and some double ought buckshot.
Because this could degenerate into chaos very quickly and I live close to the inner city.
Suggest No.1 buck….better dispersion. More bang for your buck.
Yep, a 12 gauge with 00 buckshot is better than a real assault weapon in close quarters. Remember when Zimmerman received a KelTec KSG? 13 12 gauge rounds.
“It’s a fact-finding process,” said Rep. David N. Cicilline (D-R.I.)
The have to call it that. If they call it a “fishing expedition”, they may have trouble with PETA terrorists.
Perhaps they could call it what it is — a coup. The legitimate voters be damned. On with the red guard.
What? The Mueller proctological exam wasn’t in depth enough?
I’ll be interesting to see what they think is an impeachable offense.
Trump as “brer rabbit”.
That’s in line for an internets award.
As long as you stay out of Raleigh…
🙂
Four words that sum it up. Good one, wins the thread so far as I’m concerned.
Given the rise of “vote harvesting” and other forms of massive voting fraud now widespread in our increasingly sick political system, impeachment probably won’t cost Democrats many seats in Congress. Democrats believe – and there is evidence to back them up, I am sorry to say – that they are now beyond the reach of the proles and can do whatever they like.
They’re still trying to reverse the election in 2016. Good luck with that, Dems.
The reversal could be complicated. Impeach Trump, impeach Pence, Pelosi becomes President, gets HilLIARy! passed by Senate as VP, then resigns and HilLIARy! appoints the dunce as her VP. There, the ELECTION is reversed. In the meantime, judges, cabinet, and other appointees are still there.
All just in time for the 2020 election…
Dems seem to be oblivious that their actions are driving many to desert their sinking ship.
I don’t think impeachment will happen. I think there will be a vote, but enough Dems will not vote for it to keep it from happening. I could be wrong, and if all Dems go all in they may as well not even field a candidate for the 2020 election.
You’re likely right, and a sufficient number of Ds probably also realize that. Nevertheless this exercise is like so many things in life where the process itself is the punishment, a punishment immediately levied. Even if some sort of vindication comes your way in the end, look at what you’ll have been put through, emotionally, money-wise, time lost, reputation shot.
It is getting to the point where the Dems will have to impeach Trump, even if it means they can not secure a conviction in the Senate and it costs them the House and the Presidency. Here is why. [I apologize for the length of the post, but the backstory is important]
In 2012, Servergate came into the public eye. It was immediately buried. In 2015, it was resurrected, as HRC ran for President. By the end of 2015, chants of “Lock Her Up” were heard at Trump rallies. By March of 2016, the possibility that Trump would be the GOP nominee was becoming real. Trump, and his supporters, continued to push for the indictment of HRC, over her email server. In April, 2016, the foundation was being laid for the Russia-Trump collusion insurance policy, by the IC community. Also, James Comey pens the draft memo on clearing HRC of criminal wrongdoing in Servergate. As Trump wins the GOP nomination, the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane counter intelligence operation is launched; phase 2 of the “insurance policy”. At this point, we have significant CIA/US IC, FBI, DOJ, foreign IC and private entity involvement in creating the Russia Narrative. Trump continues to make remarks that HRC should be locked up, including the famous remark during the debates. As the election approaches, WJC meets with LL on the tarmac at Sky Harbor Airport. Within days, Comey goes on national television and lays out a prima facia case for indictment of HRC, then dismisses the whole thing by saying that no prosecutor would ever prosecute the case. LL accepts that. This ostensibly closes the case, in the event that Trump wins the election. The case is “closed” and the bulk of the incriminating evidence has been destroyed. Days before the election, the existence of the Weiner laptop, and its cache of HRC emails comes to light. OOPS. Comey is forced to acknowledge that it exists. Then the Bureau allegedly runs a comparison of the emails on the laptop with those in its possession. It declares that no significant differences exist and walks away. Nothing to see here folks. But, all of this evidence still exists. Fast forward to November, 2016. TRUMP WINS!!!! The Clintons’ worst nightmare is realized. HRC is now at extreme risk, if Trump honors his pledge to “Lock Her Up”. Now phase three of the insurance policy begins.
The Trump-Russia Collusion narrative cranks up. The existence of FBI CoInt operation is leaked. Other leaks of material damaging to Trump and the administration occur. Session becomes AG, immediately recuses himself from any oversight of the Russian Collusion investigation and largely ignores the criminal leaks. When Comey begins to become a liability, Rosenstein is brought in as cover, has Comey fired, thereby setting up a potential complaint of obstruction by Trump, McCabe institutes an obstruction investigation and Rosenstein and Comey move the Crossfire Hurricane and obstruction investigations out of the FBI and into a Special Council’s office. Mueller is tapped to head that effort. The SC begins going after peripheral Trump supporters and associates. It is all designed to get Trump to stay away from HRC as well as stifle the realization of the Trump agenda. Two years later, with nothing of substance to show for its efforts, the SC operation folds its tent, after seeding the field for the House to continue the harassment of Trump.
Now, the Dems, and others in DC have a problem. Trump is pi**ed off. Feeling vindicated, he looses his new AG against the illegal activities engaged in by the Obama Administration, in regard to he Russian Collusion narrative. Now, not only is HRC again at risk, as the Obama players face potential criminal charges, but former President BHO may be at risk as well. As the evidence against these people increases, the House embarks on ever greater efforts to harass the Trump Administration. But, Trump fights back and the AG investigation continues. Every swamp dweller with dirty hands is at risk. Subpoenas being ignored, investigations of the investigators continuing, the Dems are running out of options. Just about all that is left is impeachment.
And, that is where we are now. The Dems, much of the Establishment in DC, and especially the Clintons are looking down the barrel of a loaded shotgun held by DJT. They have to disarm him or end up with a face full of damaging buckshot. And, the only weapon that they have left is impeachment. Pelosi, et al, really have no choice. This is neither 1974 nor 1998. And Trump is neither Nixon nor is he WJC. He is not likely to resign nor is there any chance that he would be convicted, as no evidence of any impeachable offense exists. The fallout from impeachment, as far as public reaction is concerned, is in doubt. But, it probably will not end well for the country.
Thank you for the warning about your long, yet very accurate post.
You missed the part about McCabe sitting on the Weiner laptop for over the month. It wasn´t until NYPD threatened to go rogue that Comey was forced to reveal the existence of the laptop.
You also missed the part that it was Peter Strozk himself who was in charge of “analyzing” Hillary´s 700,000 emails saved on Weiner´s laptop.
Other than that, that was an excellent post.
IMO, impeachment won´t stop Trump from dropping the bomb on the conspirators. That crew is royally skrewed.
Hahaha. Thanks/ The post was overly long as it was and didn’t want to get too deep in the weeds. The list of players is extremely long, which gives Barr a lot of targets yupon which to apply logic.
Yes, the Abedin/Weiner laptop was the back-up for the HRC email server. And when it was grabbed in the Weiner case, HRC undoubtedly notified higher-ups in the Bureau and DOJ. So, the laptop was buried, until, as you note, someone in the NYPD leaked its existence to the media.
Well, Strozk was in charge of the HRC email case, before he was involved in Crossfire Hurricane, the FBI CoInt operation against Trump. And, as Servergate was the reason for CH, Strozk’s involvement makes perfect sense.
To detail all the connections involved in this fiasco would fill a book. In fact, it has filled three or four books, so far, and facts are still coming to light. This is THE BIGGEST, MOST DANGEROUS political scandal in the history of this country. And, no matter which side “wins”, everyone stands a huge chance of losing.
Edit: “Thanks. The post was overly long as it was and I didn’t want to get too deep in the weeds. The list of players is extremely long, which gives Barr a lot of targets upon which to apply leverage.”
Mac
It is a long story to summarize. It is hard to capture a forest fire in one photograph. Well done.
“You also missed the part that it was Peter Strozk himself who was in charge of “analyzing” Hillary´s 700,000 emails saved on Weiner´s laptop.”
…and that they managed to examine those emails in 48 hours, much faster than Barr’s four page summary of the Mueller Dossier.
How dangerous is a cornered President that has the goods, and lots of goods via heavily damaging dubiously classified documents?
Trump plays to win. If the Dems push to hard, they will reap the whirlwind of hurt should much of this info actually make it into the open air.
Pelosi and those she is trying to protect are in a no win position. They are raising the likelihood of their own reckoning day by day.
And should none of that reckoning come to pass after the Dems go down the impeachment rails, Civil War 2.0 will not be far behind.
TLDR.
I’m guessing here, the shorter version is the D’s Have to impeach to try and save themselves and Clinton from jail…
Won’t work. AG Barr will not be derailed by Trump impeachment proceedings.
Might start a civil war however.
The is not a party that is organized to win elections. These are revolutionaries organized to seize power, just like new cabal of young commies have taken over the Dem Party by force.
How Pelosi holds on to the Speakership is a mystery to me. Other than to defend her own corrupt economic empire, why would she want to be Speaker anymore? She may very well be the last Democrat House Speaker for a long time. The time has come for the loonies of “both” parties to unite and form a new minority party to replace the Democratic Party. The commie takeover cannot survive the ballot box.
I think ‘breaks’ is the correct word to describe the Democrat trainwreck if they pursue that lunacy.
The premise of this piece is wrong. Pelosi is very much into impeachment. She re-wrote the rules of the House to harass the Trump White House and seek impeachment, even by creating a fake mini-DOJ run by her KFC-eating pals.
And when they fail at impeachment, then what will satisfy their foaming-at-the-mouth base?
I doubt they’d even be satisfied if Trump, his entire family, and everybody who works for him is assassinated
But the #neverTrumpers would cheer
Do not invalidate my vote. This is your only warning.
Heheheee!!! Pelosi has lost control of her Clown Car of Socialist nutjobs. It’s careening down the highway about to crash into REALITY in 2020. DemocRats = Death.
The ultimate victory is Trump re-elected with overwhelming majorities in House and Senate. Every step from now until Nov 2020 has to be done with that in mind. Convicting Hillary et al while losing the election is worse than meaningless.
It seems to me that if Pelosi really wants to jump off the impeachment bandwagon, all she needs to do is pull out the appropriate Bogeyman of the Left: Are you sure you really want President Pence? He should be, from their perspective, scarier than Trump.
Don’t put it past the Lunatic Left to try to impeach Pence simultaneously
What can we do to encourage them?
Dems have been barking at the moon and salivating for Trump red meat for 2 -1/2 years. Dem vegans are like hysterical hyenas snapping for impeach-meat.
If the Domo Commies want to commit it political suicide don’t get in their way.
Standard Socialist/Communist tactic… We have our perpetrator, now let’s find a crime. Lenin, Stalin, Hitler and Chairman Mao would be so proud.
JUST A SIDE LIGHT–I see that Lawrence Tribe of Harvard Law School has emerged from under his rock. I suspect few people will remember how chunks of one of his publications were found to be plagarised. His defense was that he had not the writing but it had been done by an assistant–which now his known as the Harvard Law School defense against plagiarism. Harvard–to no one’s surprise–took no action.