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DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Mon Aug 20, 2018, 10:08 AM Aug 2018

The most intense and dangerous period of the Trump presidency is about to begin [View all]

By Paul Waldman
Opinion writer
August 20 at 9:33 AM

-snip-

Needless to say, if Cohen were to implicate the president or his family in some kind of criminal wrongdoing, it would be a political earthquake. But even if he doesn’t cooperate, if he is indicted in the coming weeks, that would itself be a serious blow to Trump’s presidency. Even if much of what Cohen is accused of doesn’t have to do directly with his former boss, it would contribute to the growing impression that Trump is a corrupt man who surrounds himself with other corrupt men. And here are some other things that could or, in some cases, will happen between now and the first week in November:

Paul Manafort will either be convicted or acquitted in his first trial, presumably this week (the jury is currently deliberating). And his second trial — which will deal more directly with his work in the former Soviet Union and the ways it may have affected his actions as Trump campaign chairman — will begin in mid-September.

Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III could hand down more indictments, or even release a final report on all that he has learned in his investigation.

Trump will likely continue to revoke the security clearances of his critics in the intelligence community, which will generate more bipartisan condemnation and comparisons to Richard Nixon.

Omarosa Manigault Newman will release more tapes she recorded of conversations with people in the White House.

A lawsuit will begin in Texas in which Republican states and the administration will be arguing for the entire Affordable Care Act to be struck down, handing Democrats a priceless campaign issue.

Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings will take place. Even if the process ends with a win for Trump, it will also likely generate an immediate backlash, a wave of fear and opposition from Democrats as they realize the implications of an intensely partisan, intensely conservative Supreme Court.


That’s just what we know about. There are other things, both foreseeable and not, that could increase the president’s stress during this period. We recently learned that White House counsel Donald McGahn was interviewed for 30 hours by Mueller’s team, interviews that were initially approved by Trump as part of a strategy of cooperation but might well have turned into a way for McGahn to protect himself. We have no idea what McGahn told them about Trump’s actions or how it might relate to Russia and contribute to a case of obstruction of justice. Trump’s trade war has so far seemed to generate nothing but job losses and uncertainty. There could be international crises and more conflict with our allies. And if history is any guide, Trump will react to all of it with petulance and resentment, occasionally boiling over into outright rage.

The culmination of this intense period is, of course, the November elections. The wave of scandal news will only increase the likelihood that Democrats will win control of the House, and as much as we’ve talked about that possibility, we haven’t fully reckoned with how transformative it would be.

-snip-

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2018/08/20/the-most-intense-and-dangerous-period-of-the-trump-presidency-is-about-to-begin
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It won't be transformative unless the Dems act with real power moves. BSdetect Aug 2018 #1
Because they are traitors. dalton99a Aug 2018 #3
Daily Public Hearings poetshepherd Aug 2018 #4
The hearings may kill Trump's admin but we need the corrupt, Duppers Aug 2018 #17
"power moves" CrispyQ Aug 2018 #15
Plus, putin may work extra hard to help trump empedocles Aug 2018 #2
Without a doubt, the next 4 months are crucial FakeNoose Aug 2018 #5
Even tho Senate unlikely (more incumbent Ds up) & Senate needs 67, much can be done. Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2018 #11
Putin doesn't have to do anything. Trump is doing a fine job of destruction. olegramps Aug 2018 #12
" other things, both foreseeable and not," safeinOhio Aug 2018 #6
The Cornered Rat Phase begins. TheBlackAdder Aug 2018 #7
Yeah, I think that pretty much nails it. calimary Aug 2018 #20
Considering how insane he's acting now.... KY_EnviroGuy Aug 2018 #8
Trumpanzees may claim "deep state coup". May need street protests to show America back Mueller. . nt Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2018 #9
His supporters already know he is a corrupt POS. LS_Editor Aug 2018 #10
very true, and most knew before they voted elmac Aug 2018 #13
Or they just couldn't vote for Hillary. calimary Aug 2018 #21
Facts are not facts. Wednesdays Aug 2018 #22
immediate backlash on Kavanaugh....? mudstump Aug 2018 #14
The phrase "so far" should be inserted klook Aug 2018 #16
K&R Scurrilous Aug 2018 #18
K&R smirkymonkey Aug 2018 #19
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