Thread by @JuddLegum

1. Let's review how the strategy of the House Democratic leadership is going.

The plan was to avoid impeachment, continue investigating Trump, and focus on "kitchen table" issues

That way Democrats wouldn't energize Trump's base before 2020

This is what we were told

2. Trump has systematically obstructed every Congressional investigation. He's ordered current and former staff not to comply with subpoenas or turn over documents.

The investigation has completely stalled out and is now tied up in protracted court battles

3. Trump uses the Democrats continued efforts to make progress legislatively as an opportunity to berate and humiliate Democrats.

Yesterday, when the Dems showed up to talk infrastructure he yelled at them for three minutes and then held a press conference

4. Impeachment and the Mueller investigation continues to be a major topic of conversation, but Trump is defining the narrative -- not the Democrats.

Since the Democrats are not impeaching Trump, its hard for them to argue he committed a crime

5. Trump has said he will not work with Democrats on any legislative issues until they end the investigations. So the Democrats have to either drop the investigations or give up on making progress legislatively.

The strategy has failed and they are boxed in.

6. The scenario people are trying to avoid is the House impeaching Trump and the Senate declining to convict. I don't see that as a failure.

Trump faces consequences (the stain of impeachment), a process with a focus on Trump's crimes, and all Republicans on the record

7. Democratic leaders in the House may end up here anyway. If Trump defies upcoming court orders forcing him to comply with subpoenas and turn over documents, it may be unavoidable