Has a cunning and conniving impeachment trap been set to ensnare unsuspecting Democrats? Liberal lawmakers are beginning to think so.
Politics
With only a year and a half left of the Donald Trump debacle, political analysts from both sides of the aisle are collectively in agreement that at this point, any attempt to impeach would be a waste of time, would divide the country, and could actually backfire on liberals in favor of Trump. Savvy Democrats have gone a step further and concluded that recent combative measures by Trump and his GOP cronies are actually an impeachment trap meant to trick Democrats into overplaying their hand and handing ‘The Donald’ a 2nd term.
Donald Trump’s outright refusal (and multiple lawsuits) to prevent the demanded release of his financial records to Congress is a major clue. The contentious Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last week between Attorney General William Barr and Senate Democrats — combined with Barr’s refusal to appear before the House committee is another. However, the (seemingly intentional) public leak of news that Trump has ordered White House staff and all federal employees NOT to cooperate with Congress in any capacity is the smoking gun.
With multiple polls predicting Joe Biden would trounce Trump in a potential presidential matchup, ‘The Donald’ can’t afford to allow the election to be a referendum on him. He also knows he can’t afford to lose next November since Democratic foes in conjunction with the Southern District of New York legal team have prepped a plan that could land him in jail for the rest of his days. So, in true Trump fashion, if you can’t beat ’em… play dirty.
A recent Quinnipiac University poll has found that 66% of voters currently oppose impeachment, while only 29% support it. So, by blatantly thumbing his nose at the powers of Congress and the rule of law, Donald Trump is banking on Democrats reacting emotionally rather than strategically.
The end result is an impeachment trap the GOP hopes will hand Trump 4 more years inside the Oval Office.
“They would love to drive this to an impeachment, because they think it will be their political salvation,” Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, a Judiciary Committee member, said of Republicans.
“If we get there, we will get there on our own time and our own way. We’re not going to be baited into it,” Raskin added.
In a thinly veiled attempt to convince Democrats to take the impeachment trap bait, GOP Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia recently told Fox News that Democrats “don’t have the fortitude to actually bring an impeachment inquiry.”
“I view this as nothing more than a trial run for impeachment,” Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona added to the conversation.
However, Democrats are beginning to wake up and smell the coffee and are refusing to walk haphazardly into a fox trap.
A successful impeachment is more a strong sanction than a guaranteed removal from office.
“If the Trump administration wants impeachment, they’re doing a good job of pushing the Democrats there,” said Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu of California.
GOP leaders know the impeachment discussion divides Democrats and riles the blue-collar Trump base — a contingent a candidate like Joe Biden would need to win the presidency. Recognizing a political advantage in promoting the debate, Republicans have already begun blasting emails to link moderate Democrats in swing districts to a potential impeachment effort.
Republicans are all but daring Democratic leaders to walk down the road of no return and launch the impeachment process. However, smart Democrats are vowing that no matter how tasty, they will resist the bait.
For anyone looking to right Trump’s wrongs, impeachment is almost assuredly not the answer at this point — particularly since a successful impeachment is more a strong sanction than a guaranteed removal from office. After all, Bill Clinton was impeached but remained in office.
If Democrats truly want Donald Trump out of office and held accountable for his actions and illegalities, their best bet is to avoid the impeachment trap altogether, beat Trump-Pence at the ballot box next November, prevent a potential President Pence from pardoning Trump once in office, then allow the Southern District of New York and other state agencies to target Trump with a legal taser that places him and members of his family behind bars for years to come.
TOMORROW: Pelosi fears Trump may refuse to give up power if he loses.
Absolutely great summary of a critical topic, DJ. Thank you for this!
Indeed, impeachment is a trap for the Dems. And Dems had better be smart enough NOT to step into it.
Trump and his sycophants are desperate for a “boogie-man” especially now that Biden has jumped into the race and Appears to be the biggest threat to Trump getting re-elected.
Even in the face of a reported “good economy” Millions of Americans find Trump to be totally UNfit for the office awarded him by the EC. However most American voters prefer to have him voted out NOT impeached.