The Democrats have launched their most aggressive investigation yet into Donald Trump but the party remains divided about the wisdom of eventually trying to impeach the US President.
An investigation launched yesterday by house judiciary committee chairman Jerrold Nadler is a fiercely partisan attempt by Democrats to turn over any rock they can find in the hope they discover something that will hurt Trump.
Nadler has sent requests for documents to no fewer than 81 people, including Trump family members, in an inquiry that Trump described as being “in search of a crime’’.
The committee will investigate, among other things, details about Trump’s meetings and phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
But, so far, Nadler has been vague about what exactly he is looking for beyond trying to, in his words, hold Trump “accountable for his near-daily attacks on our basic legal, ethical and constitutional rules and norms”.
An inquiry like this was always bound to occur once the Democrats won majority control of the House of Representatives at the November mid-term elections.
Democrats have also been emboldened by testimony against Trump last week by his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen.
Although Cohen is a convicted criminal, his claims the President broke the law and lied about numerous issues have given rich fodder for Democrats to explore.
But while the Democrats are happy to investigate Trump, the party is far less confident about what to do if it uncovers serious misbehaviour by the President.
Every time a Democrat says the word “impeachment’’, party leaders move to play it down. They wisely say they won’t consider such a step until they see what is in the imminent report by special counsel Robert Mueller.
Democrat house Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: “Impeachment is a divisive issue in our country. Let us see what the facts are, what the law is, and what the behaviour is of the President.
“When the facts are known, we’ll make a judgment then.”
The notion of starting impeachment proceedings against Trump may look superficially attractive to Democrats but there is an argument against such a move.
Americans have shown they don’t like impeachment that reeks of political motivation rather than genuinely serious criminality.
The Republicans overplayed their hand when they impeached Bill Clinton in the house, only for the Senate to reject the move.
Clinton was not politically damaged and left office with near-record approval ratings.
If the Democrats were to try to impeach Trump, they risk a similar fate. Barring the disclosure of shocking criminality, of which there is currently no evidence, the Republican-controlled Senate would almost certainly reject a house vote to impeach the President, ensuring Trump remained in power.
Democrats know this would give Trump an enormous “us against them’’ narrative of political persecution by the Democrats.
He would love to campaign in 2020 from such a position. Pelosi knows this; that is why she is the least enthusiastic Democrat when it comes to any impeachment.
Cameron Stewart is US contributor for Sky News Australia.
Add your comment to this story
Miners change tune on climate change
Peak mining industry body The Minerals Council of Australia has joined the fight on climate.
Easy to point the finger
Demanding we abandon coal for climate is akin to asking NZ to give up love affair with sheep.
To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register
Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout