The conversation about impeachment of Donald J Trump while he was still a candidate, and President Elect:

2016-10-18:  By Tana Ganeva – Republican John Kasich comes out in favor of Trump’s impeachment

“…Ohio Governor John Kasich came out in favor of impeaching President Donald Trump. Kasich cited the ongoing controversy that the president had threatened to withhold aid from the President of Ukraine in exchange for dirt on Joe Biden, his Democratic rival.

 

“I do not take this lightly,” Kasich said. “The last 24 hours has led me to review all of this,” he said, in calling for an impeachment inquiry.”

2016-11-08 – Election Day – Donald J. Trump elected 45th President of the United States.

2016-11-10:  By Associated Press – ‘Not my president:’ Trump denounced in protests across America

From Politico:

“…In Boston, thousands of anti-Trump protesters streamed through downtown, chanting “Trump’s a racist” and carrying signs that said “Impeach Trump” and “Abolish Electoral College.” Clinton appears to be on pace to win the popular vote, despite losing the electoral count that decides the presidential race.…”

2016-11-10:  by Charlotte England – What would actually happen if Donald Trump was impeached?

From Independent:

“…Even before he was chosen as the Republican nominee, some people had been asking if Mr Trump could be impeached in the event that he took office. One law professor has now said there is already enough evidence to remove him before he officially takes office…”

2016-11-16:
By CNN’s Leinz Vales – Professor predicted Trump win, says he will be impeached.

“(CNN) The man dubbed “Prediction Professor” for accurately calling almost every presidential election since 1984, including the 2016 election, now forecasts the impeachment of President-elect Donald Trump…”

By Jeet Heer, The New Republic: The Trump Impeachment Fantasy Isn’t Realistic

“As we approach Inauguration Day, Donald Trump’s opponents are looking for whatever silver linings they can. One of the most popular scenarios is that the incoming president, given his manifest indifference to rules and his ignorance of governance, will be impeached by his own party during his first term…”

2016-11-22: By Issac Arnsdorf, Politico – Trump: ‘The president can’t have a conflict of interest’.

“…It’s true that federal conflict-of-interest laws exempt the president, and he’ll have the power to change White House ethics rules. But there remains a constitutional ban on accepting payments from foreign governments, as well as anti-corruption laws against bribery and fraud. Enforcing them against the president, however, would probably have to be done through impeachment…”

2016-12-21: By Zephyr Teachout, Politico Magazine – Trump Could Be the Most Corruptible President Ever.

“…This was no trivial clause. At the Virginia convention debating the Constitution, Edmund Randolph used the example of a president taking emoluments from a foreign power as grounds for impeachment. And ever since, presidents have taken the prohibition extremely seriously, scrupulously avoiding violations …”

2017-01-18: by Alison Durkee, Mic – Impeaching Donald Trump: Here’s what that really means

“Donald Trump will take the oath of office to become president on Friday, but many are already speculating that his presidency won’t last long. Some, in fact, have been hoping for Trump’s impeachment since the night of his election.

Between Trump’s myriad of business conflicts, alleged entanglements with Russia and mounting lawsuits, it won’t take long for the new president to commit impeachable offenses. In fact, the grounds for Trump’s impeachment will be pretty instantaneous…”

The first article I reference above was published on October 10, 2016, some 1,108 days ago.  If you have reached impeachment atrophy, I do not blame you.  Now we have a vote in the House of Representatives defining the procedures for processing this impeachment fact finding mission.

Questions that I have:

  • Is it ever too early to start talking about impeachment?
  • What does the constitution say about Impeachment?

“The President… of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors.”

  • Nixon resigned before the articles of impeachment were put up for a vote. However, Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton both were put to the Senate trial, and both remained in office.  In other words, both had DONE something as Presidents.  How is it justifiable that Trump was considered for Impeachment back in October of 2016?
  • We know what Johnson and Clinton were impeached for: it was not treason, it was not bribery, it fell under the “high crimes and misdemeanor” portion.  Can we name the things that Trump has done and fit them into one of these: Treason, Bribery, High Crimes and Misdemeanors?

President Ford said that the house can impeach on anything they consider to be treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors.  It is understood impeachment is a tool of Check and Balance put into the constitution to prevent the things they feared most: A monarchy or other tyrannical rulers taking over the government.  They even balanced it with the trial in the US Senate and the requirement of a two-thirds majority.

In closing:  I find this to be the political version of “I don’t like you!”  If impeachment had started with the quid pro quo question in Ukraine, I might be able to think it was valid.  Looking back at a person running for office, someone that has done nothing as president and calling for his impeachment tests my credulity of the effort’s validity.  The politician that cried wolf too much.

Respectfully Submitted
The Lee’s Summit Conservative.