Someone in the know told me it's looking more like

[malaise]

Treason than Impeachment.

WTF!!!!!

[crazylikafox]

1. Do get to march him straight to Federal Prison & skip the Senate trial?

[FakeNoose]

28. He would have to confess or cut a deal

... otherwise there would be a trial first.

The thing is, impeachment also means a trial, but not necessarily for treason.
He could be impeached for a number of things, but treason is a serious federal offense and a capital crime.
It could mean capital punishment, you know like the electric chair or lethal injection.

But I truly believe it won't come down to that.
He'll cut some kind of deal, anything to keep the American people from finding out the truth.

[LakeArenal]

31. Hope it's as good a deal as the one he struck Friday... nt

[regnaD kciN]

107. As I've pointed out, there are no legal grounds for treason...

...since that requires giving aid and comfort to an enemy nation, and Russia, whatever we may think of it, is not classified as our enemy at this time.

There are charges of corruption and foreign influence that can be raised in this case, but treason is a huge jump further, at least in legal terms.

[Brother Buzz]

2. It can be both, no?

[malaise]

3. True

but what if it's criminal to the point of arrest before impeachment

[Loki Liesmith]

84. President cannot be arrested

Unless first impeached and removed from office.

[kst]

106. Impeachment vs. criminal prosecution

There isn't really any precedent for arresting a sitting President for a crime.

Two Presidents (Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton) have been impeached and acquitted, and one more (Nixon) resigned in the face of inevitable impeachment.

i think the expectation is that if, hypothetically, a President were guilty of a crime, he would be impeached, convicted, and removed from office and then criminally prosecuted. I don't see anything in the Constitution protecting the President from arrest (if someone can correct me on that please do), but a President under arrest is still the President, which would be ... awkward.

US Constitition, Article II, Section 4:

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

And Article I, Section 3, Paragraph 7:

Judgment in Cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

(Note that treason and bribery are the only two crimes specifically called out as grounds for impeachment.)

[Cracklin Charlie]

4. Please elaborate.

What happens to traitors?

Are they removed from office? Then I'm all for it.

[defacto7]

33. Firing squad

nt

[Aviation Pro]

68. During time of war...

...we are at war.

[yeoman6987]

70. Kill him? Really? I thought we were against the death penalty.

[defacto7]

72. I was answering a question

not stating a desire.

[yeoman6987]

88. Cool. Have a good one.

[malaise]

91. I am

Prison for life

[femmocrat]

41. Public hanging?

[shraby]

5. Did they 'splain why they think that way?

[malaise]

7. Serious criminality n/t

[AgadorSparticus]

6. I hope it is treason. Something of this caliber CANNOT be ignored.

It MUST be held to the same standard of LAW.

[bigtree]

8. that's interesting

...just so happens to be what I'm pushing for!

[Sculpin Beauregard]

9. I hope so, because treason is what

traitors do, and a traitor is what Cheeto is.

[flamingdem]

10. Malcolm Nance saying on Joy that it's probably going to be a Rico operation

and they'll be up for racketeering and coordination, more corruption than treason.

I'll take it either way!

[malaise]

11. Watching with interest

They're talking Federal Pens

[flamingdem]

12. His golden years in Danbury Prison

[malaise]

13. No Golden showers there either

[lindysalsagal]

26. They'll cut him a deal to walk, and resign.

We just saw how easily the bully cuts and runs. Fine with me, as long as the government remains in control of his business dealings.

He'll leave the country entirely.

[notdarkyet]

53. Russia is lovely this time of year.

[regnaD kciN]

109. I doubt Russia would welcome him...

After all, a resignation would mean Putin no longer can count on a puppet in the White House. Stepping down would constitute a "betrayal" to those who own him.

In fact, should Trump resign under pressure, I wouldn't be the least surprised if Vlad decided to retaliate by leaking the kompromat they have on him -- golden showers and all.

[Alice11111]

86. I think he will negotiate a pardon, and he will live in TTower

for the rest of his bloated life, after he rats on Bannon, Pence, Ryan (he hates him) Manafort (he hates him) and others. He will be claiming how bigly he won and how rich he is for the rest of his life. He may go to Scotland or Mar o Lago for golf, but he will lose most of his assets and have another bankruptcy or two. Anything wrong will be Obama's or someone else's fault. Fake news.

I was the biggest winner ever. Remember when they said we couldnt win. They said we couldnt get to 270 EC votes. We won the most votes. That's what they told me. We won the popular vote too. He will still hold a rally now and then, and some crazies will go, but they will get small venues to fill. He will sell hats and crap to pay for them.

Melania and Barron will probably move away to a distant island.

[Ilsa]

99. I want him to agree to stop posting on twitter, do no more

Reality tv, and none of his kids can do any of that either, unless they are making a confession to committing a crime.

[SammyWinstonJack]

52. Stripped of all his assets, hopefully.

[Sculpin Beauregard]

76. Agreed, this is a must.

[True Blue American]

56. Penalty For treason

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2381

[thecrow]

80. Maybe the penalties should be updated... they seem a little light...

except for the death part. That part is pretty severe.
But 5 years in prison and a $10K fine? Are there degrees of treason?

[Alice11111]

92. Thanks for the link."Aid and comfort to an enemy," definitely

Even McCain,Graham & other Repubs keep telling DT that Russia is our enemy. His sentence could also be commuted, like 6 months in jail and $10k.

He would pay to remodel the prison and put in a golf course, and he would brag about what a great, fantastic, terrific humanitarian he is.

[regnaD kciN]

111. Some may say Russia is our "enemy," but they're not in a legal sense...

We are at peace with them, and have connections through various treaties and groups. Many of us may view Putin with grave suspicion, but that doesn't constitute "enemy nation" status. For them to be considered an enemy, there would have to be a declaration of war by one side or the other. Or Russia could invade a NATO state, since the terms of that organization are that an attack against one is considered an attack against all. But, otherwise, Russia may be a geopolitical rival with distasteful ways, but they are not an "enemy state."

[Alice11111]

112. Not sure. I read the statutory comments. Enemy seems

vague, deliberately, I am sure. I think his guys have crossed the line by enabling Russian interference in our election. I'm sure there is more than that too.

[MontanaMama]

94. No way! Really?

You heard that??? That sent a tingle up my spine!!! Please oh please oh please!

[usaf-vet]

35. I hope the disassemble his 'empire' brick by brick golf hole by golf hole.

Then send him to federal prison where bigly will become littely and the grabber will be come the grabbee and he is forced to pay for his keep. They can name a cell block TT for Tough Time not Trump Towers and all his co-conspirators will be TT neighbors. Oh and the orange face and the blond hair will be gone and replaced with prison tats. "Use to be 45" across the forehead.

[SammyWinstonJack]

55. That works for me.

[NBachers]

71. I've often said that the entire Republican Party is an enormous continuing RICO criminal enterprise.

[onenote]

14. "some people say"

BS when the other side does it.
BS when our side does it.

Sorry, not buying. I will pledge $1000 to DU the day treason charges are filed against Trump.

[malaise]

15. I think this is the biggest political scandal in my lifetime

I don't know what to believe other than what I see - men seem to be in serious trouble

[tavalon]

21. I was young but alive during the Nixon Debacle

This dwarfs that.

[Ligyron]

43. Oh, by far.

If what is suspected comes to pass.

I'm constantly checking the news and DU to see what shoe drops next.

[sarah FAILIN]

23. Not just your lifetime

I really can't see this EVER being topped in any ones lifetime.

I told my closet republican co-worker back when I read here that this would make Watergate look like stealing a candy bar at the gas station. He told me the other day there was nothing I could tell him anymore that would shock him.

He is still a rep though.. I can tell when he has been around our die hard reps and is totally unreasonable. It takes something shocking for him to see the truth

[malaise]

90. You can't change them

Dumb and dumber

[Fast Walker 52]

38. I agree! Something real and deadly serious happened that has pissed off the powers that be

[cwydro]

18. Gotta agree.

DU seems to have quite a few members with friends in the know lately.

All very mysterious.

[sharedvalues]

24. John Schindler says -

Read him at the Observer and Twitter @20committee

He has some recent radio appearances too. He believes crimes were committed.

[True Blue American]

61. Carl Bernstein Says

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/watergate-carl-bernstein-donald-trump-richard-nixon-dangerous-washington-post-american-press-a7589546.html

[Alwaysna]

16. Russia needs punished too

So let's ship Trump to them (with a microphone) as punishment.

[FakeNoose]

29. The Russians would treat him like a hero

I want to see him punished, in prison or you know, drawn and quartered.

Just don't hide all the facts from us. This needs to be out in the open.

If our Allies desert us, then I guess that's their decision, isn't it?
We deserve to lose our loyal friends (UK, Germany, Canada, Mexico, most of Europe) over this.

We'll be starting over after these guys are gone.

[Historic NY]

17. Its the season, for the treason.....

Wait until he issued WH press passes to Uncle Vlad's state sponsored Sputnik news.

[Qutzupalotl]

39. Cheeto Jesus is the reason for the treason.

[Sculpin Beauregard]

82. This is quite perfect!

Easy to digest, snappy and to the point 😁

[tavalon]

19. Oh, come on, let's think big

Let's do both!!!

[malaise]

20. Hehehehhheh

[butdiduvote]

22. How is this person in the know?

[Vinca]

25. Can you imagine a GOP president issuing a pardon for treason??????

That would be a scandal of historic proportions.

[MFM008]

57. He will do it

In a NY minute.
Because he doesn't care.

[Me.]

27. When... Is The Question

[ananda]

30. Why can't it be both?

45 and co's crimes are both impeachable and treasonous.

[3catwoman3]

32. Will he have a custom orange jumpsuit...

...dyed to match his face?

[ailsagirl]

34. Probably!!

I noticed in the past few days that blotus's hair color is shifting from pale orange to something that looks suspiciously like white. Hope it doesn't stay that way-- the orange hair is so perfect for him!!

[3catwoman3]

40. I hope he gets...

...a prison de-lousing head shave when they process him.

[ailsagirl]

42. YES!!!

[NBachers]

74. He can't escape bending over naked, spreading his cheeks, and lifting his nuts when strip searched.

It happens when he gets processed into Federal Prison, and it happens every time he returns from a visit.

I know from experience.

Also, every Federal prisoner must have a job of some sort- laundry, cafeteria, industries, janitorial; Trump will not be able to escape having a job.

When I was in Lompoc, Ivan Boesky was also doing time there. He grew his hair and beard way out, and started looking kind of derelict-y. They gave him the job of emptying the trash cans and cleaning up in the outdoor visitor center, on full display for one and all.

[Alice11111]

87. Exactly. I've seen that over and over.

[Dopers_Greed]

37. For Trump, the orange jumpsuit will actually be a "flesh tone" jumpsuit.

[world wide wally]

59. An orange jumpsuit with a long red tie painted on it

[dweller]

115. Orange

is the new orange...
🤔

[mrmpa]

36. Can Pence go too?....

He's as bad as Trump, he also has knowledge of how this campaign was run and by whom.

[librechik]

44. treason law says wartime is the only treason, are we at war?

hard to say what will happen next

[Bradical79]

47. It would be a stretch, I think

Don't need treason charges specifically though to put him away for the rest of his life, or to label him a traitor in the court of public opinion.

[librechik]

50. Oh heavens, he won't go to prison!

It'shard to imagine loudmouth 45 slinking away to an isolated retirement though.

[Dream Girl]

63. I thought it was curious that Obama stated that Russia had committed an act of war

Was he setting up a legal cause of actio against the Trump cabal. I think there may have eve been some legal force behind the statement. Wasn't there some legal action that established cyber especially name as an act of war. If so, there would indeed be a "war" and their collussion could be construed as aid and comfort.

[onenote]

79. I think its curious you are making stuff up

When did Obama say Russia had committed an act of war? Should be easy to provide a link to such a bombshell accusation?

Oh wait, you can't because he didn't. In fact, the White House expressly declined to label the hacking an act of war.

Don't come here with made up shit.
http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/white-house-wont-call-russia-hacking-act-war

[Dream Girl]

110. Whoa, why are you so worked up about this comment?

This is what I recall iirc it occurred mid year. And after the election, Obama did make a statement to the effect that it was an act of war. Why do you find this comment so upsetting? Is it threatening in some way? Does every random comment on a message board need to be documented and footnoted to your satisfaction?

[onenote]

114. Why? Because "alternative facts" have no place on DU

And your assertion that Obama characterized the Russian hacking as an "act of war" is untrue. As I pointed out, if Obama had done so, as you claim, it would have been banner headline news. Moreover, the link I provided contradicts your claim, but you've chosen to ignore it.

The better question is not why it bothers me that you are spreading falsehoods here. It's why you think you should be allowed to do so without being called out.

[malaise]

102. Cyber warfare? n/t

[Aviation Pro]

69. Yes

Everyone forgets about A-stan.

[onenote]

73. No we are not in a state of war with Russia

[Alice11111]

89. Yes, but not w Russia. W ISIS, El Queda, etc.

[Generic Brad]

113. We lost the war without even knowing it happened

Not a single shot was fired, but we lost. We were overcome without a battle, but we lost. We fell victim to a sneak attack, and we lost.

Yes. There was a war. We just weren't paying attention. It happened so fast, we never realized it had even happened. And we lost.

[Bradical79]

45. Wouldn't impeachment be part of charging him with treason? -nt

[DownriverDem]

48. 2 Different Things

Impeachment is more political. Treason is legal. Back in the day, they would put folks to death for treason. The House leadership could come to trump and tell him to resign or be impeached like they did with Nixon. However if trump et al did commit treason he could be charged with that even if he was impeached or resigned.

[malaise]

93. Ding ding

we have a winner

[DownriverDem]

46. Yep

This makes Watergate look so light weight. It took 2 years for Watergate to unfold - drip drip drip. The Russiagate mess is full steam ahead. If only we could have a do over election.

[oldtime dfl_er]

49. Definition of Treason

18 U.S. Code § 2381 - Treason

Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.

---

Of course, to ME, it fits. But I just don't think Congress will see it that way.

[Dream Girl]

54. Aid and comfort clause will be difficult. However, it's interesting that Obama said that Russia

Had committed an "act of war" I wonder if he did that to set up a legal cause of action against trump and/or the entire conspiracy?

[oldtime dfl_er]

60. I love this thought

and if true, it makes me love Obama even more.

[onenote]

81. Again,Obama never said Russia committed an act of war.

Stop spreading that.
http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/white-house-wont-call-russia-hacking-act-war

[notdarkyet]

51. We need to clean house soon before they burn it all down,which they

Are trying to do. Should just round them All up and get them out of our government as quickly as possible. Otherwise we may end up with cinders. Glad we kept Guantanamo open for them.

[MojoWrkn]

58. I'd prefer treason if it involves PRISON TIME! If impeached, would he

have to go to prison? Plus, wouldn't treason also implicate his cronies, i.e., Pence, Manafort, Carter Page, Dumb-as-a Stone, GHOULiani, Rinced Penis, KellyAnn Conjob, Sean Sphincter?

[tableturner]

62. My memory is that a sitting president cannot be indicted....must be impeached first, or otherwise

leave office.....then indictment. Any indictable crime qualifies as grounds for impeachment, as do a few other seriously negative acts.

[Liberty Belle]

66. His minions, however, have no such protections.

If they started getting arrested and charged with RICO conspiracy or treason, it could help sway public opinion which in turn could push Congress to impeach. If public opinion could defeat Obamacare, all things are possible.

After all, we could see a similar rift of moderate/honest Republicans who want to get rid of the traitor, and ultra-conservatives who just want to install President Pence and get rid of the sideshow circus Trump has wrought.

Tie up Congress 'til 2018 with all of that and hope to flip Congress into the blue category by then. And keep working on a few more Reps to flip and becomes Dems like that Hawaiian Congresswoman did this week. Just a few Senators changing parties would give Dems control to block any bad bills, and Pence may or may not be wililng to issue so many poorly written executive orders.

[PoliticAverse]

103. It's an unsettled issue whether a sitting President can be indicted. Nixon was listed as...

an "un-indicted co-conspirator" during the Investigation into Watergate.

See: http://www.nytimes.com/1974/06/07/archives/jury-named-nixon-a-coconspirator-but-didnt-indict-st-clair-confirms.html

Even if indicted that doesn't remove a President from office, only impeachment or an action specified by the 25th amendment can do that.

[NastyRiffraff]

64. I doubt he'll pay for treason

and I believe it IS treason. But anything, like RICO, that gets him out of office and in jail is fine with me.

[world wide wally]

65. "IF" he were to be impeached for reasons related to espionage, who would function

as acting President?
And if Pence were implicated in some way as well?

Before I end this, I think we all knew that some kind of Constitutional crises would emerge from a Trump presidency. We are just not sure of the details yet.

Stupid votes as stupid does.

[tableturner]

75. It would go right down the line.....however.....

If Trump were impeached, but not Pence, Pence could pick the new VP, subject to approval by Congress. However, if Pence were implicated, but not yet impeached, Congress might not go along.

However, an almost infinite variety of circumstances and situations would be possible. Maybe Congress does go along with Pence's pick if the Republicans in Congress approve, irrespective of Pence's being implicated. They could both be impeached at about the same time, which would elevate Ryan. There are many more scenarios possible. I know one thing: the GOP will not cede the power of the presidency if they do not have to do so.

Here is a not so funny scenario: Trump is soon to be impeached and he knows it is inevitable. He makes a deal with Pence.....he pardons his whole crew of slime balls, including his familial slime balls. Pence then pardons Trump as part of the deal to get Trump to go without all the extra mess of the trial added onto everything else that will have occurred.

[tableturner]

77. Or maybe Trump and crew sneak out of the White House with his personal security force.

They head to the airport where Trump's private plane waits. He and his crew board the plane, which flies all of them to asylum in Russia.

[PoliticAverse]

105. Trump would be President until removed by impeachment or some action based on the 25th amendment.

[KewlKat]

67. so is this person in the know talking about the Con?

or others in the crime family?

[appleannie1943]

78. Who would charge him? Everyone capable of doing it either works for him or uses him for their own

agenda.

[still_one]

83. not to doubt your source, but I will believe it if it happens

[Loki Liesmith]

85. I do doubt the source

Since they don't seem to understand treason or impeachment.

[TEB]

95. Watching am joy Malcom nance nailed it

Just got home I recorded am joy Malcom nance thinks Flynn will start singing and Malcom nance on manafort he said I am sure manafort has millions stashed away and did not think he would be spending his golden years in Danbury federal prison

[malaise]

96. Well the Con's mouthpiece (national Enquirer) dropped him

like a hot potato

[TEB]

98. On Flynn

And Woolsey saying that at meeting he heard Flynn talking of kidnapping an American and handing him over to turkey dam man how evil are these people

[malaise]

100. They are mercenaries

They will sell all of the USA for money.

I knew that with Cotton's and the other ReTHUGs letter to Iran and before that the privatization of the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq.

[PoliticAverse]

101. That person doesn't seem to understand what Impeachment is. n/t

[Stuart G]

104. Yes,,,,,throw the asshole in jail....I wonder how that will size up..? eh?

[Blue_true]

108. The term "High Crimes and Misdemeanors" include Treason. nt