“Impeach him!” The mantra we have heard literally since Trump took the oath of office, and in fact it was discussed even before he took office. Local Congressman Brad Sherman formally initiated impeachment efforts in 2017 with HR438, which failed, 58-364. However, in the current overheated political climate, accusations, or even suspicions, are enough for some lawmakers to move for impeachment. The California Democratic Party has maintained an Impeach Trump PAC for several years. Personally, I have always believed we as a nation should allow the process of a bona fide investigation to unfold, and if there were indeed grounds for impeachment, then the president should be removed. I fully support that, but the multiple investigations into the president from various congressional committees have found no evidence of Trump colluding with the Russians. Still, we all waited expectantly for the Mueller Report, because this was going to be it! My Democratic friends were all convinced, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that this thorough investigation, headed by a man with a sterling reputation and a team of lawyers with a strong bent to the left (including supporting the Hillary Clinton campaign), was going to skewer Trump. They just knew he is dirty, and apparently they still do.
I felt genuinely sad for them, as they were so crestfallen over the conclusions in the report. Rachel Maddow cried on national TV. For a moment, I thought our long national nightmare might be over, and we could get back to arguing over, well, you know, policies, laws and regulations.
But no. Perhaps they believe that this time they will find what they need to remove him from office, or perhaps it is just an effective political weapon, but apparently this is never going to end. Irrespective of your predispositions on the subject matter, every citizen and lawmaker must honestly admit to themselves that investigations and proceedings can indeed be abused as a political weapon. I’ll leave it up to the readers, and lawmakers, to finalize that self-introspection. However, know this: Our country is in danger of ripping apart at the seams, and both parties are throwing fuel on the fires. If there are grounds for impeachment, then by all means do so. However, if all this is because you hate the man and how he comports himself, despise his policies, and can’t wait to get him out, remember that we have an election right around the corner. Constitutional crises are a dangerous way to foster political change—very dangerous.
As Nancy Pelosi stated: “I’m not for impeachment. Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless there’s something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don’t think we should go down that path, because it divides the country.”
She is right.
For my friends on the left, and there are many of you, step outside of your comfort zone and remember that there are tens of millions of Americans who disagree with your perspective on this issue. Increasingly, there is evidence that the entire Russian collusion matter may have been an orchestrated “insurance policy,” to quote one of the disgraced FBI agents, to prevent Trump from being president should the American people be so unwise as to elect him. An “investigation” based on an unverified political dossier paid for by the Clinton campaign through a law firm. It appears likely that the Inspector General and Attorney General will be filing indictments on those who initiated the investigation in the next few months, and we have already seen large numbers of FBI and Department of Justice professionals demoted and fired.
If you don’t agree, I don’t care, as it isn’t my point. The point is, everyone needs to think about how divided our country currently stands, and realize that continuing down this impeachment path will further divide us, with half the country concluding that those of us in California and elsewhere are abusing the process to overturn an election. That is beyond dangerous.
For the record, I didn’t vote for Trump, and I don’t care about the political parties and what is best for “their side.” I care about and love our country and its people, however deeply and to the bottom of my soul. Can arguments be made to pursue impeachment? Of course; any lawyer can argue a case, and there are many lawyers in Congress. Is impeachment what is best for our country? No, it is not, even though both parties will try to use it to their advantage. Political change should come at the ballot box, and there are enough fireworks in the elections to satisfy everyone’s blood lust to vent. The Democrats should focus on their campaign, and with a president with low approval ratings, planning their celebration parties.