Kuttner: Start Trump’s impeachment NOW
Robert Kuttner, editor of The American Prospect, proposes
a citizens’ impeachment inquiry, to begin on Trump’s first day in office.
The inquiry should keep a running dossier, and forward updates at least weekly to the House Judiciary Committee. There will be no lack of evidence.
The materials should be made public via a website. The inquiry should be conducted by a distinguished panel whose high-mindedness and credentials are, well, unimpeachable.
There needs to be a parallel public campaign, pressing for an official investigation.
And before you say “pipe dream,” consider this:
[H]ere is something concrete―and more realistic than it may seem.
Trump has already committed grave misdeeds of the kind that the Constitutional founders described as high crimes and misdemeanors.
With his commingling of his official duties and his personal enrichment, Trump will be in violation of the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, which unambiguously prohibits any person holding public office from profiting from gifts or financial benefits from “any king, prince or Foreign state.”
Trump, who has entangled his business interests with his political connections at home and abroad, has already declared his contempt for these Constitutional protections.
He declared, “The law is totally on my side, meaning the president can’t have a conflict of interest.”
Oh, yes he can, and this president will.
Kuttner also believes
Trump will very likely use agencies of government to punish political enemies. The Articles of Impeachment against Richard Nixon explicitly cited Nixon’s political misuse of the CIA, the FBI and the IRS.
It’s worth recalling the Nixon chronology.
In two years, the idea of impeaching Nixon went from loony-left fantasy, to mainstream, to inevitable.
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Copyright 2017 Liberaland
By: dave-dr-gonzo
David Hirsch, a.k.a. Dave "Doctor" Gonzo*, is a renegade record producer, video producer, writer, reformed corporate shill, and still-registered lobbyist for non-one-percenter performing artists and musicians. He lives in a heavily fortified compound in one of Manhattan's less trendy neighborhoods.
* Hirsch is the third person to use the pseudonym, a not-so-veiled tribute to journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson, with the permission of his predecessors Gene Gaudette of American Politics Journal (currently webmaster and chief bottlewasher at Liberaland) and Stephen Meese at Smashmouth Politics.
76 responses to Kuttner: Start Trump’s impeachment NOW
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StoneyCurtisll January 2nd, 2017 at 08:18
I say we go for it~!
Jeanne173 January 2nd, 2017 at 10:32
I’m all for getting rid of trump But, Pence could then serve as president for twelve years. He would not be elected the first four years but has the right to run for two terms. Don’t say it wouldn’t happen. We never had a nightmare that trump would win and the alt-right now feel the power.
Larry Schmitt January 2nd, 2017 at 10:36
If he serves more than two terms of the president he replaces, he can only run once.
mea_mark January 2nd, 2017 at 10:51
Another words, if we are going to get Pence, we need to get him in the first two years of this coming administration.
Jeanne173 January 2nd, 2017 at 11:30
That is very good to know,still six years of Pence is six too many.
StoneyCurtisll January 2nd, 2017 at 12:42
That would indeed be our next long national nightmare..
bpollen January 2nd, 2017 at 21:12
Do you realize it takes 12 Pence to make a Shilling?
Lyndia January 2nd, 2017 at 23:43
12 years? don’t be ridiculous. WE ARE TAKING OUR COUNTRY BACK IN 4.
Anomaly 100 January 2nd, 2017 at 08:46
DRAG HIM!
bpollen January 2nd, 2017 at 16:12
Behind an American-made car…
Anomaly 100 January 2nd, 2017 at 18:26
Yesssss!
oldfart January 2nd, 2017 at 20:51
Riding on a Carrier air conditioner… ;)
bpollen January 2nd, 2017 at 21:10
Might I suggest a change? “…under a Carrier…”
Makes sure he has some skin in the game, so to speak.
Robert M. Snyder January 2nd, 2017 at 19:34
Alan Colmes, if you’re reading this, be advised that one of your moderators has just used your blog to publically advocate violence against the president-elect of the United States.
oldfart January 2nd, 2017 at 19:51
Yeah and I just up voted her too…bob…go figure.
(Hint, it’s simply a visual kinda thingy, you know…locker room talk…)
Like the exact same sh*t we’ve have endured for the last eight years from your side of the equation.
Robert M. Snyder January 2nd, 2017 at 20:00
I thought you were better than those people. I guess I was wrong.
oldfart January 2nd, 2017 at 20:45
We are so much better than you know bob.
Haven’t you noticed what the dark side has been saying ? (for years)
It’s painfully obvious. I would remind you that I do not broad brush.
but when faced with a new reality forced upon to me and sadly, sanctioned by the RNC and widely supported by the party…NOW you object ? REALLY ?
Robert M. Snyder January 2nd, 2017 at 21:12
Anomaly’s meaning was absolutely clear when she responded “yes” to the “American-made car” comment. I think Anomaly has crossed a very dangerous line. If you do not object to such explicit calls for violence, then you are choosing to be part of the problem, and not part of the solution.
bpollen January 2nd, 2017 at 21:47
You, Bob II, are hysterical.
1.) If you were aware of the environment in which we live, you would know that, even IF she was calling for violence as you claim, it’s now “precedential” to say things and then say to the outrage “I was joking” like our Precedent-Elect has done. We should take her “symbolically” like we are supposed to with the future Precedent of these United Snakes of Amurka!
2.) There are *15* different definitions for drag as both a transitive and an intransitive verb in the dictionary. There are *9* different definitions of the word as a noun. Yet you are able to zero in on the SPECIFIC definition and then make the assumption that SHE meant VIOLENCE against the Precedent Elect. That’s amazing! Ms. Dixon, with your wonderful powers of mind-reading, answer this question that I asked another person making faux-outrage-mountains out of petite molehills: What specific meaning of “go” do I have in mind right now!
3.) *I* made the joke that he should be DRAGGED behind an American made car. If you want to be outraged by suggestions of violent behavior, MINE is glaring. And yet you jump on the woman who made a clearly ambiguous statement (remember – 15 definitions as a verb.) Sounds a lot more like pique than actual outrage.
4.) Our Precedent Elect called for killing the wives, parents and children of people labeled “terrorist” without due process, but I am willing to bet that you weren’t sending any sternly-worded emails to the RNC to complain about Trump.
5.) Our Precedent Elect suggested that “Hillary Clinton needs to be taken out.” Just who did you address the message to when you narked Donnie out for suggesting violence.?
6.) Here’s a bit of symbolism to describe how you come off with this “she smells like sulfur” moment of yours:
❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅❅ A SPECIAL snowflake.
oldfart January 2nd, 2017 at 22:27
now come now bob, surely you do not expect me to either explain a mods logic to you or defend ones statements as you are clearly not attempting to explain let alone defend the HUNDREDS, nay THOUSANDS of threats made to our current president by some of the folks of the republican persuasion…let alone the threats made by the PEOTUS to his rival candidate do you ? and lets not ignore the many people who have been verbally and physically assaulted in the name of our brand new PEOTUS…no bob, while you may suffer from over-sensitivities, which is not necessarily a bad thing, you have never convinced me that your indignation has ever been truly equal or waged upon the very same party that you claim as your own that has time and time again spoke the truly awful things that I have seen with my own eyes and because of which shall be my unapologetic explanations and justifications for many more of my comments here. Block me is your choice but payback will be my voice.
Don’t worry bob, I don’t wish PEOTUS dead… far from it.
He gets to suffer exactly as my president did.
Welcome to PUS*Y grabbing America.
Robert M. Snyder January 2nd, 2017 at 22:36
I attended a liberal arts college for two years in the late seventies. I became well-acquainted with the head resident of my dorm, and took two of his Philosophy classes. He was a pacifist, and proud of it. If today’s liberals are okay with advocating violence, then what has liberalism become? If liberals won’t repudiate violence, then who will?
bpollen January 3rd, 2017 at 01:26
Pathetic, Bob II. Or perhaps you’d rather be addressed as your little snit here deserves: Herr Chicken Little?
“Anomaly made a comment that I interpret as calling for direct violence against our Precedent-Elect, in what is a totally unpresidented statement cuz they ain’t never had no statements like that before about any OTHER precedent! Now, the world is going to end, because Anomaly is the only liberal holding back the tide of chaos and violence that is the start of Armafriggingeddon!”
Yeah, pique, not outrage. This is the blog equivalent of a soap opera. Oh, the drama! Oh, the pathos! Oh, the bullpuckey!
oldfart January 3rd, 2017 at 10:17
Stop broad brushing bob. All liberals are not pacifists. All liberals do not advocate violence. With all due respect, I’d say based only on what I see in that comment is you didn’t learn a damn thing about being a liberal and you had no desire to be one. It would also suggest that you wasted your money on a liberals arts coarse of study.
On the upside, clearly Philosophy left a mark.
In regards to your last two sentences…substitute the words liberals with conservatives and look in a mirror…let me know what you come up with.
Robert M. Snyder January 3rd, 2017 at 10:54
Liberal arts colleges do not exist for the purpose of creating liberals, or at least that wasn’t their original purpose. Many conservatives are well-versed in the liberal arts, and many liberals are not.
Learning about the liberal arts doesn’t make you a liberal any more than learning about conservation makes you a conservative.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_arts_education
oldfart January 3rd, 2017 at 11:26
I KNOW THAT…
You are easily baited by using the very tactics I see used here (in particular) all the time.
Would it behoove you to at least acknowledge that, despite my sarcastic sense of humor and the fact that I grant you broad license
to be so damn obtuse and deflecting in your commentary here,
not to mention allowing you to continue to derail the topic at hand
I might just have had a point worthy of agreeing to without your pants getting hitched in a bunch ? SHEESH !
Robert M. Snyder January 3rd, 2017 at 13:30
Suppose you saw the following exchange regarding President Obama on a conservative blog:
Person 1: “Drag him”
Person 2: “Behind and American-made car”
Person 1: “Yes!”
Would you expect people reading that blog to give the benefit of the doubt and assume that Person 1 was just being sarcastic?
oldfart January 3rd, 2017 at 14:16
Bob, I’ve read, heard and seen far worse than that about our current president on conservative blogs AND commentary sites.
Don’t even try to tell me you haven’t seen it too.
Let. It. Go.
Robert M. Snyder January 3rd, 2017 at 14:53
Tribalism is alive and well. At least half of the stories that Alan posts here are about people who say outrageous things. The media spent weeks talking about “Grab ’em by the pussy”. But when a member of this tribe says “Drag him” and then makes it crystal clear that they meant “behind a car”, other tribe members rush to her defense.
If a cop advocated, or even joked about, dragging someone behind a vehicle, you’d probably expect his supervisors or fellow cops to insist that he clean up his act. If you’re not willing to hold fellow liberals to the same standard, then you’re not being true to your principles.
oldfart January 3rd, 2017 at 15:00
What ever gave you the idea that I am a liberal ?
shifting deflecting and when all else fails, deny overlook and just drag something to death…Are these YOUR principles ?
you want outrageous ? look at Alex jones. stop looking foolish.
William January 3rd, 2017 at 15:14
” If you’re not willing to hold fellow liberals to the same standard, then you’re not being true to your principles”.
I see your point.
Lets do this okay?
Lets be fair.
Every time I post a meme of Trump mocking a handicapped person, you should post one of Obama mocking a handicapped person.
Every time I post a screen shot of Melania Trump performing Lesbian porn, you should post a screen shot of Michelle Obama performing porn.
Every time I post a quote where Trump mocks a decorated Naval officer and former POW, you post a quote of a Democratic President doing the same.
Every time someone here shows outrage over Trump bragging about sexually assaulting women, you should counter with criticism of a Democratic President bragging about grabbing a woman’s genitals.
You should also counter the Clintons last three decades of Tax returns with the Tax returns Trump said he would release.
Whenever I post a link to the money Trump paid out to State attorney generals who then dismissed their Trump University suit, you should point out the Democratic Presidents who paid 25 million to settle a suit over a phony college.
Whenever I post a link to a story of President Trump talking to the leader of a country we have no diplomatic relations with on an unsecured cell phone, you should point out all those times Obama did it.
You should also counter with all the times we dems branded Mexicans as rapists and suggested we outlaw a religion. Fair is fair, and I anxiously await your counter points when you point out all the draft dodging, thrice married, women assaulting, Casino bankrupting KKK endorsed Presidents democrats have shoved into office. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f8a7c8f13ddd81deae3aaf88824b652f26074933c01d6a121e810499f11e0a0b.jpg
Robert M. Snyder January 3rd, 2017 at 15:22
“Every time I post a meme of Trump mocking a handicapped person, you should post one of Obama mocking a handicapped person.”
As I recall, a lot of liberals were actually pretty upset with Obama when he mocked the Special Olympics. So it was fair to also be upset with Trump’s hand-waving gestures. But it is not fair to suggest that Obama never committed a similar offense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HOBTUCv4o0
William January 3rd, 2017 at 17:49
Seriously? You want to compare the President criticizing his own bowling skills to this? Try again. https://youtu.be/IQ_XcztaXd0
bpollen January 3rd, 2017 at 15:50
Here, Bob II, breathe in this bag. You’re hyperventilating.
Usually when a guy gets this worked up about a girl, it’s not a “that girl said a bad word” moment. Especially when you have ALWAYS had the option of removing yourself from the environment that twists your panties so tight.
Anomaly 100 January 2nd, 2017 at 20:19
You’re not very bright, Little Flower.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/tags.php?tag=drag%20him
Budda January 3rd, 2017 at 08:17
Gees, what a precious little snowflake you are. Now, all of a sudden you are concerned with what you think might be a call for ‘violence’? Is it somehow different when directed at your candidate? You’re blowing smoke and trying real hard to make something out of nothing.
William January 3rd, 2017 at 10:25
You should go to your safe place.https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b642925015991306dfb78523e2452f771003f2151d2d15265120999435c51f4a.jpg
Foundryman January 3rd, 2017 at 12:18
If only you were as concerned about what your president-elect tweets as you are what a web site moderator posts, we all could begin to move forward.
mea_mark January 2nd, 2017 at 09:07
Article 25 would be faster but a continued push with lots of evidence for impeachment might bring about article 25 use faster.
nola878 January 2nd, 2017 at 09:11
There’s also a rule that any one who holds the lease on the old post office…which Rump converted into a hotel…can not hold public office at the same time. The moment Rump is sworn in, he’ll be in violation.
I sincerely beleive this man has so much dirt under his fingernails that it’s just a matter of time. But not too soon…I don’t want Pence having too much time to settle in and have people let the memory of scandal fade. 2 1/2 to 3 years into his administration should do nicely. Of course, by then we might all be sporting a nice glowing shade of green by that point…
mea_mark January 2nd, 2017 at 09:16
I don’t give him much time past August. With what he will doing and how the public is reacting, I think the push to get rid of him will be strong. The total eclipse in August that moves through the heartland of America will trigger some of the religious right wingers further eroding the Ass-in-Chiefs support. A dark day is coming to America this year, literally. … http://www.eclipse2017.org/2017/maps.htm
Buford2k11 January 2nd, 2017 at 09:46
yes…I am looking to use my telescope to photo this event…Colorado seems to be fairly close to the complete eclipse…
Larry Schmitt January 2nd, 2017 at 10:33
He profits whenever some visiting dignitary stays at the hotel. And they might stay there thinking it will influence his dealings with them. That’s the definition of conflict of interests.
oldfart January 2nd, 2017 at 09:12
He thinks he’s tough
so let’s call his bluff.
Larry Schmitt January 2nd, 2017 at 10:00
But can we live with President Pence?
mea_mark January 2nd, 2017 at 10:05
No mandate Pence the empty chair filler, for a little while we can. Of course we shouldn’t let him appoint any SCOTUS judges. We need to wait till we get another elected president. That is after all what the right wingers said is the right way to do things.
Larry Schmitt January 2nd, 2017 at 10:17
Who gets on the Supreme Court all depends on whether there are enough republicans who can find their cojones in time to prevent the approval of any true disasters. Same goes with keeping Sessions out of the AG chair.
Suzanne McFly January 2nd, 2017 at 11:42
The republicans have put up puppet Presidents since at least Reagan, it isn’t the “President” doing the damage, they are too stupid to know what harm they are causing. It is the guys behind them telling them what to do and say that we need to focus on. I believe rump will be easy to remove, but it is pence who is running the show right now even if rump believes it is him.
anothertoothpick January 2nd, 2017 at 12:15
Not if you believe in equal rights!
Mike January 2nd, 2017 at 11:08
I have a feeling we’re gonna find out if that constitution thingy is worth the parchment it was written on.
Here’s hoping Trump is the first president to be removed from office.
Suzanne McFly January 2nd, 2017 at 11:39
This shouldn’t be a story, it should be a fact. We need to start impeachment proceedings now and work on pence next.
Obewon January 2nd, 2017 at 13:49
Most Americans have already dumped Donnie! Only 46% of Americans are optimistic in Trump’s ability to handle an international crisis. 47% say they are confident he can use military force wisely and just 44% believe Trump can prevent major scandals in his administration.
On the other hand, the poll did show that 60% of Americans are confident in Trump’s ability to effectively work with Congress. A little more than half (55%) think he will be able to defend U.S. interests abroad. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/americans-lack-confidence-in-trump_us_586a8081e4b0de3a08f91111
William January 2nd, 2017 at 16:56
Traitor. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0a3f346b8b6b5c3417646fe01970d5a06d22272e74b162a7e144e97fa750624e.jpg
whatthe46 January 3rd, 2017 at 01:54
i didn’t know computers had lives.
The Original Just Me January 2nd, 2017 at 17:24
NOW IS THE TIME TO START FILING PETITIONS AND GATHERING SIGNATURES FOR RECALLING ALL U. S. REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS WHO PLAN TO VOTE YES ON REPEALING THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ( AKA OBAMACARE ) . DO IT NOW. !!!
robert January 2nd, 2017 at 19:35
We had a better chance when Dennis kucinich tried to impeach gwb
At least there were more Dems in the Senate and Congress back then
Larry Schmitt January 3rd, 2017 at 11:07
You’re advocating having sex with them? (I’m taking you literally.)
whatthe46 January 3rd, 2017 at 19:30
felt that? that’s me telepathically popping you on the back of the head.
Larry Schmitt January 4th, 2017 at 00:51
Ow! I have a soft spot back there.
trees January 3rd, 2017 at 13:51
In four years we get to do it again. If you want to have any chance at all….
1) Get over your butthurt.
2) Regain your civility.
3) Run a qualified candidate. (Hint, someone who isn’t under investigation by the FBI)
oldfart January 3rd, 2017 at 14:23
You’re being far too optimistic on four years JMHO.
My butt feels fine.
It looks like after eight years, you’ve managed to regain yours, it’s our turn now.
We’ll have to get back to you on that one.
William January 3rd, 2017 at 14:24
2) Regain your civility
Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha.
Buckle up Skippy, we’re just getting started https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/d17e0e9dd7caddad34502cf2f596aa0f17ca2ffb8bf44b6f31970cd85e485359.jpg
William January 3rd, 2017 at 14:27
Civility? https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/287500b6d718ba349d7d54a513d78094ee4619d9839fe0a60636833c36843000.jpg
William January 3rd, 2017 at 14:38
..and what did we learn from the FBI Skippy? We learned that Hillary committed no crimes and faces no charges, indictments or trials. Cheeto-Hitler on the other hand wants us to just “move on” when a foreign government hacks our election. So which is it Skippy? Do you believe Comey who said nothing Hillary did rises to the level of a crime? or do you not believe the 17 agencies who say Russia hacked our democratic process? You’re all over the place with your weird contentions. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2c4394b5ef82dcc2dbda36c7b1400c8c9721b3be0c923a22fcf39b7505626c9d.png
trees January 3rd, 2017 at 15:32
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6a364f09294adf7298e58369c646e7850dce3361c6655eba5a9f3afe871c64cf.jpg
William January 3rd, 2017 at 17:46
The FBI’s investigation and conclusion that Hillary committed no crime trumps your stupid meme.
trees January 3rd, 2017 at 22:15
http://legalinsurrection.com/2016/12/hillary-email-law-suit-gets-new-life/
William January 3rd, 2017 at 22:18
AGAIN!. You can list all the fantasy links you want, but the FBI concluded no crime, no indictment. Sorry about your butthurt, but that’s the simple fact.
trees January 4th, 2017 at 14:19
Comey completely botched it up, from his initial “finding” of “no criminal intent” (criminal intent is not part of the statute and is not relevant to whether a crime was committed), to the “reopening” of an investigation that was never closed. Comey is not a prosecutor, clearly doesn’t understand the statutes, and has gotten himself mired in a political bog.
Hillary broke a lot of laws.
“Comey said she didn’t” is not much of a defense.
The investigation will continue.
William January 4th, 2017 at 15:07
“Comey completely botched it up”… So pray tell. What law school did you graduate from, which bar exam did you pass and how much experience do you have investigating criminal activity?
I know, I’ll craft a letter right now to the justice department pointing out that Comey didn’t do his job properly because a troll on a liberal web site said so. You should try reading something once in a while before you swagger up to your keyboard and make an ass out of yourself once again.
” Comey is not a prosecutor” ? Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha. Part of Comeys lengthy resume includes U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, where he worked from 1987 to 1993. While there, he served as Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division. He helped prosecute the Gambino crime family. In 1996, Comey acted as deputy special counsel to the Senate Whitewater Committee. He also served as the lead prosecutor in the case concerning the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Comey
I am embarrassed for you.
You once again allowed your feeble knowledge of the issue and your right wing wacko demeanor to override basic research and even the most casual insight into the facts.
You, a barely adequate troll wants to tell me that a former U S prosecutor isn’t a prosecutor and doesn’t know how to investigate a case.
Sad.
Gina Bousquet January 4th, 2017 at 10:38
Whatthe! Where have you been? Vacationing from us? :)
Is everything ok?
whatthe46 January 4th, 2017 at 13:40
i’m sorry. i have been here and there and suffering from insomnia. so when you’re up, i’m sleep and when you’re sleep, i’m up at 4,5,6 or sometimes until 11 am still trying to sleep. like now, i’m gonna lay down since i’ve been up since 5:30 yesterday. it sucks.
Gina Bousquet January 4th, 2017 at 15:44
I missed you here. But actually I almost haven’t been commenting lately either. Life changed in such a brutal way after dad’s death I practically stopped using the computer.
whatthe46 January 4th, 2017 at 21:11
i completely understand.
Gina Bousquet January 5th, 2017 at 11:12
I know you have lived a similar situation. Thank you for sharing it Whatthe and for being so supportive. Luv ya. :)
whatthe46 January 5th, 2017 at 22:12
love ya too girlfriend.
Gina Bousquet January 5th, 2017 at 22:15
:)