Get Used to Saying 'Heil'

I have listened to most of the impeachment hearings over the last few days. I also purchased a copy of the Mueller report many months ago. What is clear to me is that Republican defenders of Trump seek to parse words, cloud timelines, and sow as much confusion about what Trump did to trigger these impeachment hearings as possible.

At first they complained about the process (which they originally created). They then claimed there was no quid pro quo. They claim that Trump can do what he likes because, as president, he is immune from prosecution. They also claim that because no aid was withheld, there is no crime... no bribery. They argue that because Trump did not directly order anyone to withhold military aid from the Ukrainians or deny them access to him in a meeting that the “presumptions” of everyone involved in carrying out his desires do not legally count as his orders.

Here are the facts:
1. Bribery occurs when a demand is made for action by another in exchange for something of value.
2. Harm occurs (in this case, to the United States) when a bribery occurs.
3. Quid pro quo is merely a constituent part of bribery (consideration of “this” for “that”).

Here is the “smoking gun” that Trump has provided, that the Democrats are basing the impeachment on, and the Republicans are trying to wish away[1]:

Trump: “A would like you to do us a favor though because our country has been through a lot and Ukraine knows a lot about it. I would like you to find out what happened with this whole situation with Ukraine, they say Crowdstrike... I guess you have one of your wealthy people... The server, they say Ukraine has it... I would like to have the Attorney General call you or your people and I would like to get to the bottom of it... The other thing, There’s a lot of talk about Biden’s son, that Biden stopped the prosecution and a lot of people want to find out about that so whatever you can do with the Attorney General would be great.”

The moment that Trump asked Zelensky for the “favor” of investigating his political rival was the moment he abused his power and bribed Zelensky. Trump did not ask for this favor to benefit the United States. He did it to benefit himself. The harm he did to the United States is immeasurable. Our country must be seen as one that allies can rely upon. Our word must be our bond. Our commitment against corruption everywhere must not be questioned. Whether aid was forthcoming or meetings withheld is immaterial to the essential fact that Trump broke the law, abused our trust, violated the oath of his office, and jeopardized our reputation and standing in the world.

The Republicans in the House impeachment hearings know the law. They understand what has happened. They clearly have chosen to attempt to defend the indefensible and smear as many good civil servants as they can to protect Trump. Their actions are disgraceful.

Trump will be impeached... if for no other reason than what he, himself, has provided as evidence. If the Senate does not remove him from office for a crime far worse that ordering a break in of opponent's Watergate offices or lying to Congress about having sex, then we should all understand that the idea we live in a nation of laws is a fantasy. We will then understand that we have lost our democracy and that the Constitution is meaningless... things the Republicans have worked towards for a very long time. We will then need to get used to saying “Heil”.




[1] https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/25/trump-ukraine-phone-call-transcript-text-pdf-1510770