[vienna]

Nobody disputes the president's ability to dismiss an FBI director; it's the how, when, and why that's the bottom line issue, one for which Trump and/or his minions have been unable to even coordinate a coherent explanation, and don't haul out the old saw that 'a president doesn't have to explain his actions'; real life doesn't work that way and, while it may be the norm for third-world banana republics or old world oligarchies, our system, the US system of law and governance, does, in fact, require accountability and oversight; the president is neither a law unto himself nor is he above or beyond the purview of the Congress or the investigative reach of the Judiciary. If Trump, or his followers, believe otherwise, then they are sorely lacking in knowledge or understanding of this nation, odd given how much they wrap themselves in the flag. If Trump is removed, or any President, for that matter, it will be because of a broad range of transgressions or failings; there have been two impeachment proceedings in US history and both of them failed, ending in acquittals both times. Why? Because the political forces trying to remove those Presidents based their accusations and arguments on a very narrow scope and did not meet the degree of severity associated with full impeachment and removal. Nixon resigned after the a House committee voted in favor of three articles of impeachment to be sent to the full House for action; in Nixon's case the charges were for cumulative and widespread violations and transgressions, not just one or two matters, and Nixon opted to resign rather than face the inevitable. If Trump is removed, it will be for a broad range of issues, to which he seems to be hell-bent on providing. And the claim that it is mainly journalists who are raising concerns about the actions and activities of Trump & Co. is also specious: there is broad criticism and concern, across party lines, by legal scholars and law enforcement and investigatory experts over the conduct of the White House and its occupants, concerns about matters beyond just the firing of an FBI director. Remember, Nixon's articles of impeachment were handed down for 1) obstruction of justice, 2) abuse of power, and 3) contempt of Congress. Trump seems well along on the first two and also seems to be leaning towards the third...

The really odd part of this whole situation is no one has actually linked Trump personally to any personal involvement or collusion with Russia, yet he continues to act as if he is about to be held accountable. The only persons being actively investigated by Congress and the Justice Department (at least until Sessions scuttles the probe) are members of Trump's campaign and transition teams, not Trump himself, but he seemingly insists on engaging in furtive, combative behavior as if the hammer was about to fall on him, personally. Is there something he is afraid will be revealed that will lead to his removal?; Is that why, by his own account, he has been repeatedly asking if he was under investigation? If there isn't, then he should just let the Russian investigations play out and, if some of his associates should happen to be found to be criminally involved, then he will have already distanced himself from taint. All he is doing now is just adding to the idea he has something very serious to hide...

I've said it before and I will say it again: Barring a massive 'smoking gun' situation, I don't believe Trump will be swept up in the Russia investigation fallout, as long as he distances himself from the process. He should just do what Clinton did when he was being assailed: just do the job you were elected to do, don't act guilty, and let the process play out. If Trump is brought up on charges at all, it will most likely be where he is most vulnerable: the questions of conflict-of-interest regarding his (and his family's) business interests, the possibility of emoluments infractions, and an active effort to obstruct justice; he could avoid the latter just by not doing anything at all...

...but, given Trump's personality, style, and overweening ego, the chance he's going to take the wiser course and keep out of it is negligible...




<O>