Three days ago, Donald Trump told Republicans to “get tougher and fight” impeachment. In response, Republicans in the Senate are set to introduce a resolution that calls the House impeachment inquiry “illegitimate.” The resolution already has 44 Republicans on board, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Graham, during a press conference with reporters, lashed out the House impeachment inquiry calling it a “secret proceeding” and a “rogue action” that “denies due process.”
“The process in the House today I think is a danger to the future of the presidency,” Graham told reporters.
He argued that under the current procedure Trump was “pretty much shut out,” adding “God help future presidents.”
Graham is right about the secrecy. It’s absolutely ludicrous to carry on an inquiry into removing an elected president out of sight of the public. Their excuse is that witnesses may be put in danger and that criticizing “process” is a distraction. They also claim that holding hearings behind closed doors prevents witnesses from coordinating their stories. Of course, it also prevents Republicans from defending Trump in public.
When crafting a political narrative, it’s best not to confuse people with the facts.
The resolution, if passed, would throw Senate support behind asking the House to “vote to open a formal impeachment inquiry and provide President Trump with fundamental constitutional protections” before going further into the impeachment inquiry.
The resolution calls on the House to hold a formal vote to start the impeachment inquiry, argues that the House should give Trump “due process” including “the ability to confront his accusers” and says that the House should give Republicans the ability to issue their own subpoenas.
Earlier this week, Speaker Nancy Pelosi declined to schedule a vote by the full House authorizing an impeachment inquiry. The obvious lack of bipartisanship is one reason, but Pelosi also wants Democrats to get their impeachment ducks all in a row, deciding whether they want a broad indictment of Trump or focus narrowly on the Ukraine matter.
They’re taking their own sweet time.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), who is also cosponsoring the resolution, added that lawmakers “can’t just ignore centuries of precedent and the protections set up in our Constitution. Democrats musts think the American people are really stupid.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has argued the rules don’t require a vote. However, Republicans say it would give them more leeway to call their own witnesses and put swing-state Democrats on the record on launching the impeachment inquiry.
Do House Democrats really believe they will get the public behind an impeachment effort by presenting evidence gathered by this kangaroo court?
Their own hysteria could be their downfall.
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