Thread by @SMBWhitney

THREAD
What is the Best Way to Proceed? To Impeach or not to Impeach?
Impeachment may not be what we think it is and because of McConnell + how other GOP Senators stand, it seems highly unlikely an Impeachment trail would make it through the Senate. 1/22
washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/…

What is an alternative path to Justice?
""House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has surmised that polls showing overwhelming opposition to President Trump’s Impeachment may reflect a misunderstanding as to what “Impeachment” means.""2

""At her weekly press conference on June 5, she said: “Do you know that most people think impeachment means▶ you’re out of office? Did you ever get that feeling or are you just in the bubble here? They think if you get impeached,🚫 you’re gone, & That Is Completely Not true.”" 3

Impeachment process is a 3-step procedure at federal level
First, the Congress investigates.
Second, the House must pass, by a simple majority of those present & voting, articles of impeachment, which constitute formal allegation or allegations.
Third, Senate tries the accused. 4

What We know
Nixon Resigned but his Impeachment did not force him to do that.
""Mr. Nixon said he decided he must resign when he concluded that he no longer had "a strong enough political base in the Congress" to make it possible for him to complete his term of office."" 5

""Declaring that he has never been a quitter, Mr. Nixon said that to leave office before the end of his term " is abhorrent to every instinct in my body."

But "as President, I must put the interests of America first," Nixon said.""6

From what we have seen of Trump,
Trump would never resign voluntarily especially knowing he will b prosecuted for his crimes as soon as he's out of office.
(Many of Trump's Obstruction of Justice crimes listed in Mueller Report plus crimes that have yet to come to public light.)7

But a very good remedy to make Trump pay for his alleged autraciyies in Prison after he loses in Nov 2020. 8

Focus on Huge Blue Wave in 2020 and with a Democratic House, Senate and President proceed to the Prosecution of Trump.
Impeachment will not lead us getting rid of Trump. 9
washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/…

Jennifer Rubin suggests a multistep process.
First, Pelosi should give a speech from the floor with these points
A.) The Senate has already disqualified itself from trying the case insofar as Majority Leader Sen. McConnell (R-Ky.) has prejudged the case (time to move on!) 10

B.) The Mueller report has evidence for multiple counts of impeachment based on obstruction of justice in which all elements of the crime are satisfied; 11

C.) The House has an obligation to uphold our constitutional structure of government and protect it from further harm. 12

D.)"In particular she should stress that McConnell has disabled the constitutional process by rendering his verdict before trial. (If he were a juror in a civil or criminal case, he’d be dismissed for cause.)" 13

"Second, House Judiciary proceeds w both percipient witnesses & legal experts to lay out instances in which Trump betrayed our democratic process but did not [or may]commit crimes (e.g. inviting Russian meddling). 14

This should result in censure by the full House & passage of legislation to criminalize activity of the type Trump committed." 15

"Third, if Judiciary determines all elements of obstruction of justice were present, it will recommend for a vote by House a resolution declaring OLC memo is constitutionally unwarranted & presenting for referral to prosecutors an indictment on obstruction after his term." 16

Executive Orders has been Trump's way of getting what he wants without Congress.✔ This Must Stop! The Congress must take back the reins. 17

If we had an Impeachment Inquiry ongoing processed through rest of Trump's term even if there is no intention of sending it to the Senate for trial. But make the case to the American People. When Trump loses in fall of 2020 then have an Impeach Trial. See Sen GOP true colors 18

We MUST have a huge ground swell after public sees witnesses testimonies and all the evidence and Vote in a new Democratic President. 19

Now till the election expect Trump Tantrum and more of the same Caos Grenades.
Trump knows he's toast after he leaves office, so he'll try every trick in the book to
🔥Make Sure He Wins ReElection legal or not
🔥Protect his GOP Senate Majority at all costs. 20

We can not underestimate what $1 billion can buy in a Presidental Election. 21

Very Important ⤵
Let's Remember there r multiple investigations happening in the House Intell, Finance, Ways and Means, Judiciary
PLUS FBI investigations w cases Mueller handed out.
More Foundation work is still happening and indictments to come.
+Roger Stone, Flynn & Gates 22

https://twitter.com/stevebenen/status/1136665952395943936?s=19