Would the single charge of "Abuse of Power" be more powerful than twenty-four charges?

[kentuck]

Personally, I have recently changed my position on this subject. Up until today, I believed that they should charge him with every charge in the Mueller Report, including the "Obstructions of Justice", and everything else that has happened with Ukraine and Giuliani.

But on further reflection, it seems that most knowledgeable people already know about most of the charges that have been levied against Donald J Trump.

An "Abuse of Power" charge would encapsulate all the mistakes or crimes of Donald J. Trump. It would be much easier for most Americans to comprehend. It would spare the Congress, and our nation, the benefit of not tearing down our country unnecessarily.

It is my understanding that Congress is debating this very subject at this time? Therefore, this is my two cents worth.

kentuck

[Claritie Pixie]

1. Can we add this Andrew Johnson article of impeachment too?

"Bringing disgrace and ridicule to the presidency by his aforementioned words and actions".

A the end, after everything else is laid out, including abuse of power.

[kentuck]

2. Why not?

[Claritie Pixie]

4. Excellent!

[FirstLight]

3. + a MILLION!

yes!

[hlthe2b]

5. Every charge can have multiple counts...

and should, given the overwhelming amount of evidence. But every charge has to be very well stated and understandable so that R's can't successfully do their usual conflation, deflection, reinterpretation.

That said, I do think we need to balance the need not to get bogged down and lose momentum with the fact that multiple charges are most likely to give some needed R's the room to vote for at least one of them while rejecting a few others they feel they can justify.


Not sure where the balance will fall but suspect they need multiple counts on every charge at a minimum.

[kentuck]

7. I think the danger of multiple counts is that it will be looked at by many as a "partisan" effort.

I think the Abuse of Power umbrella is enough for all of America to understand. It is not as easy to muddy.

Just my opinion.

[hlthe2b]

10. Multiple counts for the same "charge" (i.e., Article) merely indicates repeated activity

I think your point about multiple "charges" (Articles) would be the issue if too many were referred, but as I wrote earlier, I think it is a balance between sufficient Articles passed efficiently without long delay and written in such a manner to be immediately understood and compelling (and which would allow some R's to save face by voting for some and not others) versus an overwhelming number that would merely confuse and lead to some to feel there had been a "pile-on"...

[kentuck]

11. I would agree that they should be careful not to confuse or complicate the issue too much.

It needs to be simple and targeted for the American public. Also, they must do everything they can to prevent it from looking like a "pile-on" or too partisan.

[cynatnite]

6. I'm for whatever is going to do the most damage and getting him out office. n/t

[drray23]

8. its a tough call

On one hand, I understand why its easier to sell to the public a single, easy to understand charge, on the other hand I do not want Donald Trump to be absolved of all the other crimes simply because we did not bring them up. He should be held accountable for everything he has done.

[kentuck]

9. All the charges could be delineated in argument but would not have to be official charges.

They could use all the charges and put them under Abuse of Power.

[CanonRay]

12. In my law enforcement career

I had 18 trials. I was 17-1. The only trial I lost was when we limited the scope of the indictment, thereby not giving the jury the full picture of the defendants corruption. That was my first trial and I never made that mistake again.

I hope Madam Speaker is not making a similar mistake.

[meow2u3]

13. I think the House would have four articles of impeachment

Bribery, abuse of power, obstruction of justice, and contempt of Congress.

Bribery: the act of Trump shaking down Ukranian President Zelenskyy to make up dirt on Biden as a condition for receiving Congressionally appropriated aid.

Abuse of power: using the office to advance personal political and financial interests, as well as the interest of Putin (all roads lead to Putin) at the expense of the national interest.

Obstruction of justice and contempt of Congress: Flouting lawfully issued Congressional subpoenas, effectively treating them like toilet paper.

[Hekate]

14. I want to throw the book at him, but we've already seen what happened with Mueller's book...

Everyone involved had their lives picked apart and lied about. The process was picked apart. And. Barr held it back so he could lie about its contents. Every minute added was another minute the GOP used to confuse the public.

So I have decided that the people who are saying the Dems should use the KISS principle are right. Keep. It. Simple. Stupid.

If this works, then throw the book at him. Unload info to the state courts. Let historians do their work.

Mme Speaker's been right so far.