Inquiry Vs Trial: Knowing The Difference Could Save Our Country
I recently started a new Twitter account, @DoYourJobNancy, to prove that the appetite for impeachment is far greater than what the polls have led everyone to believe. In doing so, I’ve come across quite a bit of misinformation regarding impeachment, and the fears that some members of the public still harbor in moving the ball forward.
I fully believe that the confusion surrounding impeachment has contributed to the low poll numbers in regard to beginning the proceedings. I also believe that Nancy Pelosi has failed in her duty to inform the public about the process, options, and positive benefits of undertaking an inquiry.
It now appears that Jerry Nadler and others have taken the first official impeachment step today, and there’s bound to be some trepidation and backlash from constituents who still don’t understand the difference between an inquiry and trial and what’s at stake.
Whether it be on Facebook or Twitter, I invariably see a number of people who warn against impeachment because the Senate will simply sweep it under the rug and declare Donald Trump innocent, whereby providing him with complete vindication and an easy road to victory in 2020. Everywhere I travel online, well-meaning citizens are conflating a House inquiry with a Senate trial. Therefore, they are understandably concerned and hesitant to support the inception of impeachment.
After sharing the truth with people on social media ad nauseam, I decided that it would make far more sense to publish the information on Daily Kos and simply refer everyone to this article.
The Difference Between An Impeachment Trial And An Impeachment Inquiry
Impeachment Trial
An impeachment trial is held in, and controlled by the majority leader in the Senate. As of now, of course, that would be the self-proclaimed “grim reaper,” Mitch McConnell.
After Articles of Impeachment (essentially an indictment/list of Trump’s alleged crimes) are drafted by the House, a vote is taken. If a majority of House members vote YES, the Articles of Impeachment are then referred to the Senate, where (currently) Republicans would begin an impeachment trial to determine Donald Trump’s guilt or innocence. As we all know, this would result in an abysmal and hasty ending, which is why the vote failed in the House last week. House members did not want to cast a vote for what would surely end in Donald Trump’s complete exoneration.
Impeachment Inquiry
An impeachment inquiry is held in, and controlled by the Judiciary Committee in the House. As of now, this would be overseen by Jerry Nadler.
The Benefits And Necessity Of An Impeachment Inquiry
I am in no way an expert, but I do read quite a bit, especially in regard to matters that I find vitally important. Having said that, the following list outlines what I know to be essential motivations for beginning an impeachment inquiry immediately. It is not, however, meant to be an exhaustive list, so please feel free to comment and I will include your ideas and thoughts if they’re valid and applicable:
1. An impeachment inquiry is conducted solely in the House of Representatives and is controlled by the majority leader in the Judiciary Committee. While in the minority, Republicans cannot shut down the inquiry nor can they control who is called to testify, when or if documents are requested, or when or if a subpoena is issued.
2. Articles of Impeachment do not need to be drafted for an impeachment inquiry to begin, and no vote is necessary. Therefore, the majority leader of the Judiciary Committee (Jerry Nadler) has sole discretion as to whether or not to begin this process. He does not need Nancy Pelosi’s approval, but has been reluctant to buck her authority until public outcry recently hit a fever pitch, making inaction untenable.
3. An impeachment inquiry is akin to a court hearing with the added bonus of an investigation, to determine what, if any, crimes have been committed. Witnesses are called to testify and documents are requested to undertake the investigation.
4. An impeachment inquiry, depending on the depth and breadth of the subject matter, could take many months to complete, and the Judiciary Committee majority leader controls the pace. This means that the inquiry could last well into the 2020 election cycle or beyond.
5. An impeachment inquiry does not require submission to the Senate. This means that the House could conclude their investigation and hearings without ever referring Articles of Impeachment to the Senate. Alternatively, they could hold off on sending their findings to the Senate until after (let’s pray) Democrats take control of that legislative arm of Congress as well.
6. An official announcement of an impeachment inquiry provides the House with greater standing in the courts when trying to enforce a subpoena to gather documents or compel witnesses to testify. The following is an exact quote from Jerry Nadler, when asked about the benefit of impeachment in regard to litigation:
“The courts have found that our ability to investigate is at its zenith when we’re doing an impeachment. We can get 6e information in a judicial proceeding. Impeachment has been held to be a judicial proceeding.”
- Jerry Nadler, House Judiciary Committee Majority Leader
7. An impeachment inquiry would likely be televised by a majority of media outlets. Prior to Nixon’s televised impeachment hearings, public approval for removal from office hovered at only 19%. At the conclusion of the televised Watergate hearings, impeachment approval among Americans reached 58%.
8. An impeachment inquiry, and related televised hearings, would allow Democrats to take control of the false narrative that Trump, Barr, and all other corrupt Republicans have spun to their advantage. As of now, there is a large percentage of the population who refuses to watch the standard hearings, and they will never take the time to read the Mueller report. Trump sycophants believe everything Trump and his defenders tweet and say. And, Republicans have been able to use Democrat’s inaction as a successful defense: “if Trump had committed any crimes, Democrats would have impeached immediately. ”If, however, Trump supporters become faced with the reality of Trump’s potential removal from office, they may begin to pay attention to the news.
9. An impeachment inquiry airs all of Trump’s dirty laundry and alleged crimes in a public setting, whereby placing the onus of proving his innocence on Republicans. These traitors will be forced to publicly defend and support Donald Trump on camera, for the world to see, and after the full litany of Trump’s crimes have been brought to light. If nothing else, this provides endless opportunities for sound bites and Democratic campaign videos for 2020 and beyond.
Waiting To Begin An Impeachment Inquiry Is Not An Option
Are there reasons to wait? Should the House continue to quietly gather more information prior to beginning the process?
In a nutshell… no. In fact, there are several dangers involved in postponing an impeachment inquiry:
1. Postponing an impeachment inquiry provides Donald Trump and Republicans with more time to bake their false narrative into the consciousness of America. As long as witnesses refuse to comply and William Barr and others continue to protect Trump, they control the public narrative to a large degree.
2. Postponing an impeachment inquiry has caused many Americans to give up hope and interest. The comments I read on social media range from sadness to utter rage and contempt for the perceived weakness displayed by Democrat’s inaction. Many express the feeling that their vote did not count in 2018 and that their voices do not matter because their will is being ignored by Democratic leadership. Some have stated that they will stay home in 2020, and that they’re giving up on the Democratic party. This has the very real potential of costing Democrats the House, Senate, and presidency in the next election and beyond.
3. There is no guarantee that Donald Trump will lose the 2020 election. In fact, given the amount of gerrymandering, voter suppression, and foreign interference occurring in America, it’s likely that he will remain in office for another four years. This means that Donald Trump WILL, effectively, be above the law because the statute of limitations will have run out by the time he leaves office in 2024… IF he leaves office! Impeachment may very well be our only hope.
In addition, it will be too late to begin impeachment proceedings after the election. Donald Trump would use this delay to Democrats detriment. He will tell his supporters that Democrats are attempting another coup and trying to undermine the will of the voters because they lost again. Given what we’ve witnessed over the past several years and actual threats of violence I’ve read on social media, it is not difficult to imagine Trump’s supporters taking to streets with weapons, or attempting to murder members of the House and/or congress as a result. A portion of his voters have a propensity towards violence and mental instability and have already made threats or acted with homicidal intent towards existing and former government employees, members of the press, and their fellow citizens.
Take Action. Demand An Support For An Impeachment Inquiry!
In light of everything I’ve shared above, I ask that you take action to demand that your representative support an impeachment inquiry. This can be done in several ways:
- Call your representative’s office and make your feeling known. To locate your representative and their contact information, Click Here.
- Send a message via ResistBot. It’s easy and free to use. Simply text the word RESIST to 50409 and follow the instructions provided.
- Sign the most recent BlueFuture petition. Click Here to add your name.