It has become exceedingly clear that Trump is dead set on ridding himself of AG Jeff Sessions for what he considers Session’s ultimate betrayal of recusing himself from the Russian investigation. Trump stated in his recent interview with the New York Times that had he known Sessions was going to recuse himself, he would have chosen someone else for AG. He thought Sessions would protect him from any criminal investigation from a special prosecutor by never appointing one and/or strictly limiting the parameters of the investigation by excluding looking into his financial records.
The fact that Special Prosecutor, Robert Mueller, might already be in possession of Trump’s tax returns, is probably giving Trump nightmares and indigestion. Evidence of collusion is yet to be determined, however, clear evidence of Trump’s illegal business activities is more likely to be found. Evidence of either would lead to impeachment but the investigation could take a couple of years and conclude after the 2018 mid-terms. It is for this reason that McConnell will do anything to hang on to Trump until past the next election. As such, he has refused to go into recess and is using the failing Trumpcare issue as his excuse. Going into recess would have given Trump the authority to fire and replace Sessions without approval of the Senate. A loyal AG willing to fire Robert Mueller would cause a huge outrage with most Americans and be the catalyst for Trump’s impeachment. McConnell knows it would cause a Constitutional crisis, as many have declared. I believe we have been in a Constitutional crisis from the first day Trump took office with all his conflicts of interests and an intransigent Republican Party.
McConnell is protecting Trump from himself in order to save the Republican Party’s predictable downfall that would follow in 2018.
Pence would become the new President, but with a Congressional Democratic majority, he would be hamstrunged for the remainder of his term.
At first I thought McConnell was doing this because deep down he loves the institution of the Senate and hates Trump. But it dawned on me that he loves his Party more. He ignored the plight of the American people when the party chose to obstruct President Obama at all costs. He ignored the Constitution when he stole a Supreme Court Justice from President Obama. He chose to ignore Russia’s interference into our election. He chooses to ignore Trump’s poisonous and malignant Presidency and purposeful destruction of our democracy. This country has faced many great threats to our Republic, however, this is happening in my lifetime and it scares the hell out of me.
I never imagined that this country could elect a “Trump” who is just as dangerous as any other Authoritarian in history. At the same time, I had faith in Congress to serve as a check and balance against presidential abuses of authority and nepotism. That they would hold firm to our notion that no one is above the law, not even the President. I was deadly wrong. Everything the Constitution was set up to do to protect us from such absolute corruption is being torn to shreds by the sheer willingness of a corrupt Republican Party to ignore their Constitutional oaths.
When the people no longer trust or believe in their government or lose faith with it, it is the beginning of the end. Our only saving grace are the Courts which we must protect. We cannot afford to lose another Justice in the Supreme Court or we will be doomed. That is why the next elections are so critical for this nation.
McConnell wants to be rid of the Trumpcare issue. He knows it is a poison pill that many will not want to swallow. He is willing to drag this issue out to prevent going into recess knowing it will probably fail, and move on immediately thereafter to the debt ceiling, etc.. Anything to prevent going into recess.
McConnell is not stupid. Protecting Trump is his mission, but protecting the Republican Party is his only concern.