There is little doubt that Trump committed at least one impeachable offense in the Sturm und Drang surrounding James Comey’s firing. That tweet in which he hoped there weren’t any tapes has the distinct flavor of witness intimidation—i. e., obstruction of justice.
He may have committed another before then. In all likelihood, Trump was forced to change his line on the Comey firing when WaPo revealed he’d already decided to fire Comey before Sessions and Rosenstein gave him their recommendations about how to proceed. If he only used those recommendations as a pretext for a decision already made, and that decision was due to Comey getting too close on Russia, that sounds a lot like witness intimidation.
With these factors in mind, I submit the following articles of impeachment, based on what we already know about Trump’s abuses so far.
Resolved, that Donald John Trump is impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors, and that the following articles of impeachment be exhibited to the Senate:
Articles of impeachment exhibited by the House of Representatives of the United States of America in the name of itself and of the people of the United States of America, against Donald John Trump, President of the United States of America, in maintenance and support of its impeachment against him for high crimes and misdemeanors.
Article 1.
In his conduct while President of the United States, Donald John Trump, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, did willfully, knowingly, and without lawful cause or excuse, continued to receive and accept payments from foreign governments and state-controlled entities to his private businesses in violation of Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the Constitution of the United States.
In doing this, Donald John Trump has undermined the integrity of his office, has brought disrepute upon the presidency and the United States, has betrayed his trust as President, and has acted in a manner subversive of constitutional government and the rule of law and justice, to the manifest injury of the United States.
Wherefore, by such conduct, Donald John Trump warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office.
Article 2.
In his conduct while President of the United States, Donald John Trump, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, did willfully and knowingly continue to use an unencrypted and unsecure mobile phone despite being informed that such usage endangered the security of the United States.
In doing this, Donald John Trump has undermined the integrity of his office, has brought disrepute upon the presidency and the United States, has betrayed his trust as Pesident, and has acted in a manner subversive of the rule of law and justice and grossly derelict of his duty to protect the nation, to the manifest injury of the United States.
Wherefore, by such conduct, Donald John Trump warrants impeachment of trial, and removal from office.
Article 3.
Using the powers of the office of President of the United States, Donald John Trump, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, terminated the employment of the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, James Brien Comey, Jr.. under false pretense in an effort to obstruct a lawful investigation by the Bureau.
Donald John Trump, by terminating the Director under false pretense, interposed the powers of the Presidency against a lawful criminal investigation and prevented, obstructed, and impeded the administration of justice.
In all of this, Donald John Trump has undermined the integrity of his office, has brought disrepute upon the Presidency, has betrayed his trust as President, and has acted in a manner subversive of the rule of law and justice, to the manifest injury of the United States.
Wherefore, by such conduct, Donald John Trump warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office.
Article 4.
In his conduct while President of the United States, Donald John Trump, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, engaged in an effort to prevent, obstruct, and impeded the administration of justice by sending a tweet intended to intimidate the former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, James Brien Comey, Jr., if he gave critical testimony against him before Congress.
In doing this, Donald John Trump has undermined the integrity of his office, has brought disrepute upon the presidency and the United States, has betrayed his trust as President, and has acted in a manner subversive of constitutional government and the rule of law and justice, to the manifest injury of the United States.
Wherefore, by such conduct, Donald John Trump warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office.
Needless to say, this is likely to change a lot as events progress. Thoughts?