Surprising pretty much everyone Moscow Mitch McConnel agreed to a resolution calling for the release of the report from the intelligence whistleblower about what the nasty guy and the Ukraine president talked about recently. McConnell could have blocked the measure and … didn’t. It passed the Senate unanimously.
The other big thing is that Rep. John Lewis, unofficially known as the conscience of the House, declared he is for impeaching the nasty guy. This is an important turning point.
Over the last day or so several other Democratic representatives, and importantly those in purple states, declared they are for impeachment. So this afternoon Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the House “is moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry.”
Good! Finally! Let’s do this!
However, some people well versed in what authoritarians do are still quite cautious.
Peter Daou tweeted that Pelosi announced what Jerry Nadler, head of the Intelligence Committee, announced last month. What has really changed?
But Pelosi has now given her approval! shouts the gallery.
Nadine van der Velde asks perhaps Pelosi’s announcement is just to deflect pressure? Nadler says he is wrapping up in December. Then what? It’s a valid concern based on what happened to the Mueller report.
A reply to van der Velde notes that when starting impeachment hearings against Nixon in 1973 Chair Rodino hired a staff of 100, including 44 lawyers. Nadler is using the House General Counsel and his staff of five lawyers. In addition, Pelosi hasn’t funded the inquiry yet.
Wrapping up in December? Elad Nehori tweeted:
Remember that time everyone thought the Mueller report would save us?
Just because the government is doing the bare minimum to hold corruption in check doesn’t mean it’s time to celebrate.
This is going to be long, hard work. Impeachment is one step of many in that work.
One more note: Remember, the more under threat Trump gets, the more he ups the ante of his dangerous behavior and policies.
Every step forward will get harder, not easier.
Leah McElrath reminds us that it does no good to rush to a vote, even though it appears Nadler is urging that. What we need is public hearings to lay it all out for the American people. It must be an extended process to give the public time to process the information and to keep the criminals on their heels so they can do less damage.
I’ve seen reports that say the nasty guy will release the whistleblower report. Others predict it will be doctored.
So it is quite possible, perhaps likely, that what the House Democrats are doing is all for show. All flash and no substance.
Kerry Eleveld, of the Daily Kos staff, reminds us “The more trapped Trump feels, the nastier he gets – and he’s getting really nasty.”
Trump will bring a new level of horror to American politics. Watch for it. As he fights for his political survival, Trump will get increasingly wicked and sadistic and vile.
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