Thread by @rjmarr

I still see a lot of calls for #Impeachment of @LGJustinFairfax , or even @GovernorVA , including @JamilSmith last week in @RollingStone . It's not going to happen, at least anytime soon. Here's why #thread 1/

First of all, is what @LGJustinFairfax did even impeachable? Events happened long before he got into office, right? Well, VA Constitution defines offense as "malfeasance in office, corruption, neglect of duty, or other high crime or misdemeanor" law.lis.virginia.gov/constitution/a… 2/

What does this mean? Nothing and anything. The only true definition of an impeachable offense is that you were impeached for it. It's a political, not legal standard, and it is solely up to the legislative body with the power of impeachment 3/

In #VA, that's the #VAGeneralAssembly which, last time I checked, was controlled by the #GOP. They have little incentive to push a wounded Dem (either Fairfax OR Northam) out of office, and could possibly investigate Fairfax without impeachment proceedings; 4/

BTW, how would such an "investigation" proceed? No one really knows, as the GA has no standing investigative committees ( @MichaelLeePope has a brief overview of options, but he's right that it's more Q than A at this point) wvtf.org/post/could-spe… 5/

So even if #VADems wanted to impeach Fairfax (and they don't right now, especially with Northam not going anywhere), they need #VAGOP. Again, why would they get on board? The longer these guys are in office, the longer the Democratic "brand" is tarnished 6/

So unless criminal charges hit @LGJustinFairfax (still a remote possibility) or a third accuser steps forward, he's staying; unless @GovernorVA blows his apology tour (a much stronger possibility), he's staying too, at least for near future (weeks, months, who knows?) 7/

Finally, I've seen calls online for a #recall of @GovernorVA. While VA law allows for recall of some officials (though by judges, not election), this law is clearly designed for local officials and is a nonstarter for Constitutional officers like LG/Gov law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title24… 8/

More on what's next for #VAPolitics here: rvapol.com/blog/2019/2/15… 9/fin