The Republicans’ “so what if Trump did it?” defense is the worst possible outcome. When Republicans were simply lying and claiming there was a lack of evidence showing Trump was involved in an extortion scheme to taint election integrity….1/ nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-edi…
….at the very least, there was still an implication that extortion-induced foreign election interference was wrong/unacceptable. In fact, soul-selling Republicans actually came out and stood on principle as if they have any soul left to sell: 2/axios.com/lindsey-graham…
But by now saying that it was “inappropriate”, but not impeachable (“so what if he did it?”)….Republicans have now decriminalized the act of extorting foreign governments….and have dismissed, if not condoned, actions that erode the integrity of the foundation of democracy. 3/
When Trump called Zelensky, it was literally the DAY AFTER Mueller testified to Congress:
1) Report DID NOT exonerate Trump
2) Mueller didn’t have authority to indict a sitting president (OLC memo); the implication was Congress has the sole power to contain a president
4/
1) Report DID NOT exonerate Trump
2) Mueller didn’t have authority to indict a sitting president (OLC memo); the implication was Congress has the sole power to contain a president
4/
As laid out in this thread, Trump’s Cluster B personality disorders (sociopathy/”Anti-social personality disorder”) make him incapable of acting within the norms (laws) of society. 5/
Trump’s call to Zelensky provides precedent of the interplay between his disorders, and knowing the office insulates him from consequences. The fact that Republicans have said, “so what, he did it”, and that it’s not impeachable,…..has now created the following scenario: 6/
1) No intra-branch oversight...(Executive/DOJ/criminal prosecutorial power)….7/
