The frustration that I feel and many others have expressed is not so much that the Democrats aren’t moving forward with formal impeachment proceedings. It’s about the way the weakness they’re showing as Trump and the Republicans walk all over them,practically laughing in their faces.
The strategy of holding hearings and exposing the truth to the American people is a good one. But when Trump and his cronies flout the law, defy subpoenas, and refuse to answer questions in hearings, the whole thing falls apart. The Democrats have decided to fight it out in court with selected individuals while letting others off the hook without even trying to hold them in contempt.
Even after the recent hearing in which Corey Lewandowski smugly refused to answer questions, Jerry Nadler is still “considering” holding Lewandowski in contempt. Considering? What’s the delay? This should have been done immediately. There should be no question about it.
Republicans play dirty. Democrats ought to know this very well by now. They ought to know that they’re not going to win bringing a knife to a gun fight. And we all know how much Republicans love to play with guns.
At least one Democratic Congressman has had enough. It’s time to stop playing games and start playing hardball.
Civil suits winding their way through the courts isn’t the answer. The House has the power of inherent contempt, and they need to start using it. If Trump and his people are going to violate the law and refuse to cooperate with Congress, they need to be hauled in and locked up until they testify and answer all questions. Force is the only language they understand.
Trump and his conspirators think they’re above the law. It’s time to show them that they’re not. We need the rest of the Democrats to follow the lead of Ted Lieu and demand that the House leaders use all the tools at their disposal. Especially the power of inherent contempt.