# If Donald Trump is involved in ordering a hit on Yovanavitch, that's certainly impeachable right? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 15, 2020, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452 "2020-01-15T14:10:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452/1 "2020-01-15T14:10:54Z")
There’s some evidence starting to come out that there may have been a conspiracy to organize a hit on Yovanovitch. Assuming that Trump is involved in this at any level certainly, that would be a 100% impeachable\* right? Are there any Trumpists or Trumpist-lite that would like to state a position on this in advance of any additional evidence emerging? Is anybody willing to say unequivocally in advance that they would support his removal from office over this (if true)? Or inversely would like to say, in advance, that they would not support his removal because \ (e.g., the president has every right to order a hit on an American ambassador)? - I’m using impeach here in the colloquial sense of including subsequent removal. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452/2 "2020-01-15T14:23:02Z")
“Leave the gun. Take the canolli”? Certainly. A targetted strike on an enemy commander in a theater of war? No. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452/3 "2020-01-15T14:28:14Z")
I would think that definitive proof of a hit ordered on Yovanovitch at Trump’s order or with his assent would fall under the umbrella of attempted murder- she’s an American citizen and as such, should have any issues handled through the justice system, not through extrajudicial means. I can’t see how anyone in the GOP or right-wing could actually defend that- it would be deliberate flaunting of the rule of law and in effect saying that it’s ok to murder people as long as you’re the President. Also… I can see that resulting in a trial once he’s out of office. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452/4 "2020-01-15T14:28:20Z")
In view of BrotherCadfael’s response. To be clear, this isn’t a gotcha. I’m only talking about if Trump was involved in organizing/ordering a hit on Yovanovitch. If a mod would like to add “on Yovanovitch” to the subject line, time that would be fine with me. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452/5 "2020-01-15T14:36:22Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I would think that definitive proof of a hit ordered on Yovanovitch at Trump’s order or with his assent would fall under the umbrella of attempted murder- she’s an American citizen and as such, should have any issues handled through the justice system, not through extrajudicial means. > > I can’t see how anyone in the GOP or right-wing could actually defend that- it would be deliberate flaunting of the rule of law and in effect saying that it’s ok to murder people as long as you’re the President. > > Also… I can see that resulting in a trial once he’s out of office. FLOUTING. That is all. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452/6 "2020-01-15T14:51:00Z")
I would hope this gets a full investigation. [ul] [li]Trump says that Yovanovich “will go through some things”[/li][li]Trump cronies apparently have Yovanovich under physical surveillance paying special attention to the security detail surrounding her.[/li][li]Trump crony notes that you can get anything done in Ukraine if you’re willing to pay.[/li][li]Ukrainian security service contacts Yovanovich in the middle of the night and says she’s in danger. Leave the country immediately.[/li][/ul] WTF is all that? ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452/7 "2020-01-15T14:51:56Z")
Well yeah, but remember Hillary killed 21 people. [/sarcasm] ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452/8 "2020-01-15T15:08:42Z")
Fuck impeachment, he should die in prison for that one. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452/9 "2020-01-15T15:19:16Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > I would hope this gets a full investigation. > [ul] > [li]Trump says that Yovanovich “will go through some things”[/li][li]Trump cronies apparently have Yovanovich under physical surveillance paying special attention to the security detail surrounding her.[/li][li]Trump crony notes that you can get anything done in Ukraine if you’re willing to pay.[/li][li]Ukrainian security service contacts Yovanovich in the middle of the night and says she’s in danger. Leave the country immediately.[/li][/ul] > > WTF is all that? If it wasn’t an intended hit, I can think of a few other things it might have been and none of them were good, particularly for a woman. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452/10 "2020-01-15T15:24:14Z")
Rather than whatever grisly shit you’re imagining, they probably just wanted to know who she was meeting with in order to keep ahead of her or to discredit her. ---
**Author:** ![Monocracy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monocracy/32/4493_2.png) [@Monocracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monocracy)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452/11 "2020-01-15T15:25:06Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I can’t see how anyone in the GOP or right-wing could actually defend that- […] Have you been paying attention to current politics? Republicans will defend absolutely ANYTHING. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452/12 "2020-01-15T15:45:42Z")
> [@BeepKillBeep](#): > > There’s some evidence starting to come out that there may have been a conspiracy to organize a hit on Yovanovitch. Assuming that Trump is involved in this at any level certainly, that would be a 100% impeachable\* right? As has been pointed out several times in the past, anything is impeachable if Congress says it is. > [@](#): > > Are there any Trumpists or Trumpist-lite that would like to state a position on this in advance of any additional evidence emerging? Is anybody willing to say unequivocally in advance that they would support his removal from office over this (if true)? I’m going to stick my neck way, way out there and say Yes. If Trump conspired to have an ambassador murdered, he should be impeached and removed from office. I am sure you are all in awe of my courageous commitment to principle, but that is a burden I have learned to bear humbly. I am hoping this isn’t an attempt at a gotcha where you suddenly reveal that Trump had some American citizen killed in a drone strike in Afghanistan, but I am an incurable optimist. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452/13 "2020-01-15T15:46:26Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > As has been pointed out several times in the past, anything is impeachable if Congress says it is. > I’m going to stick my neck way, way out there and say Yes. If Trump conspired to have an ambassador murdered, he should be impeached and removed from office. I am sure you are all in awe of my courageous commitment to principle, but that is a burden I have learned to bear humbly. > > I am hoping this isn’t an attempt at a gotcha where you suddenly reveal that Trump had some American citizen killed in a drone strike in Afghanistan, but I am an incurable optimist. > > Regards, > Shodan No gotcha. Not from me anyway, and I hope not from anybody else. My intent is purely about the recent evidence that suggests there may have been at least a conspiracy to plan the assassination of Yovanavitch. Honestly, I’m not expecting anybody to say they wouldn’t support removal. I cannot imagine how, and at least from my own selfish point of view, any attempt ought to be hilarious. I can imagine some people will try to skirt the issue and not answer the question. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452/14 "2020-01-15T15:49:52Z")
\*\*\*If \*\*\*Trump did such a thing, \*\*\*and \*\*\*the evidence was overwhelming and clear, he’d be impeached and deposed, for sure. Likely a unanimous vote in House + Senate. You’d have President Pence by the end of the week. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452/15 "2020-01-15T16:12:39Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I’m going to stick my neck way, way out there and say Yes. If Trump conspired to have an ambassador murdered, he should be impeached and removed from office. This is an admirable stance and I applaud you for it. However, I do not believe Republicans in office would vote to convict nor would it move the needle for his base. You certainly have principles, but Moscow Mitch does not. As long as he gets his right wing judges and the base will not move, there is no chance for conviction. ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452/16 "2020-01-15T16:14:38Z")
You (Velocity) are more optimistic about Mitch McConnell’s honor than I am. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452/17 "2020-01-15T16:19:53Z")
> [@Tatterdemalion](#): > > You (Velocity) are more optimistic about Mitch McConnell’s honor than I am. His _what??!!!_ ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452/18 "2020-01-15T16:24:35Z")
> [@BeepKillBeep](#): > > There’s some evidence starting to come out that there may have been a conspiracy to organize a hit on Yovanovitch. I hate, hate, \*hate \*to be a “cite please?” person, but where did you hear this? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452/19 "2020-01-15T16:26:10Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Rather than whatever grisly shit you’re imagining, they probably just wanted to know who she was meeting with in order to keep ahead of her or to discredit her. I wish I had your optimism. I’m pretty sure most people aren’t agog at the idea you can pay someone to carry out basic surveillance, even in Ukraine. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2020, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452/20 "2020-01-15T16:31:57Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I hate, hate, \*hate \*to be a “cite please?” person, but where did you hear this? [Read this](https://www.ft.com/content/839be6dc-3754-11ea-a6d3-9a26f8c3cba4): > [@](#): > > ``` > Please use the sharing tools found via the share button at the top or side of articles. Copying articles to share with others is a breach of FT.com T&Cs and Copyright Policy. Email licensing@ft.com to buy additional rights. Subscribers may share up to 10 or 20 articles per month using the gift article service. More information can be found at https://www.ft.com/tour. > https://www.ft.com/content/839be6dc-3754-11ea-a6d3-9a26f8c3cba4 > > Yet the most arresting documents may be a series of messages last year between Mr Parnas and Robert F Hyde, a Republican Congressional candidate in Connecticut and Trump supporter. They suggest the two kept Marie Yovanovitch, a US ambassador they believed was hostile to Mr Giuliani’s mission in Ukraine, under surveillance. > > ``` > > “Wow. Can’t believe Trumo [sic] hasn’t fired this bitch. I’ll get right in that,” Mr Hyde wrote on March 23, 2019. > > About three hours later he sent Mr Parnas an update on Ms Yovanovitch’s whereabouts: “She under heavy protection outside Kiev.” > > Two days later, Mr Hyde wrote to Mr Parnas: “They are moving her tomorrow . . . The guys over they [sic] asked me what I would like to do and what is in it for them.” > > Then, after he appeared to urge Mr Parnas to wake up, My Hyde added: “She’s talked to three people. Her phone is off. Her computer is off . . . She’s next to the embassy . . . Not in the embassy.” > > Later that day, Mr Hyde wrote: “They are willing to help if we/you would like a price . . . Guess you can do anything in the Ukraine with money . . . what I was told.” > > “Lol,” Mr Parnas replied. It’s pretty amazing to read. Also being an incurable optimist, I suspect that Dr. Jekyll’s alter-ego was just playing at being a mob boss because he’s a rich idiot and got caught up in using innuendo, rather than actually making a serious attempt at assassination. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-is-involved-in-ordering-a-hit-on-yovanavitch-thats-certainly-impeachable-right/846452.md?page=2)