4 Comments

The problem with indicting Trump: Once done, that’s not sufficient. He must be convicted, or he’ll use his acquittal as vindication of the “witch hunt” and keep plowing ahead, even stronger (the Obi-Won analogy).

I think the January 6 Committee is compiling an excellent brief for a third Trump impeachment, this one with the goal of disqualifying him from another run. If that doesn’t succeed, then other Republicans will have to defend their votes. Republicans caused this mess; a new impeachment would make them responsible from cleaning it up.

Expand full comment
author

The only problem is: Republicans won't clean it up. They've made it clear.

And having not voted for his second impeachment because Trump was no longer president, how do they explain they've changed their minds -- assuming they've done so? I just don't see an impeachment run accomplishing much. They're already on the record.

Expand full comment
Jul 27, 2022·edited Jul 27, 2022

It’s all spitballing, but this would have to be done before the midterms. Several retiring Republicans might vote to convict on their way out. Republicans defending seats or in open races would have to defend their positions. And who knows? Maybe McConnell finally will figure out Trump has to be removed from the process. He’s not going away voluntarily.

To be sure, I’m not confident anything other than severe illness or death will take Trump off the scene.

Expand full comment

That said, I’m all for a thorough DOJ investigation. Even if Trump isn’t indicted, if some in his inner circle spend some time behind bars, it’ll make Trump more toxic should he run again. It’s hard to find “good help” if they have to have a criminal defense attorney on retainer.

Expand full comment