# So, why haven't Republicans got rid of Trump? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 26, 2017, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885 "2017-10-26T12:53:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885/21 "2017-10-26T16:50:23Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Call him in to a hearing and put him under oath. This is Trump. If he’s asked questions, he answers with lies. And not well-crafted lies. So you’ve got him for lying under oath. That’s perjury and obstruction of justice. That’s right! And once you have him on that, Coates can write a scathing article in the atlantic about it. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885/22 "2017-10-26T16:51:57Z")
As for the bigger question, this looks to me like an abusive marriage. The Republicans in Congress are unhappy with Trump but they’ve made a commitment to him. They could break with him but they’re don’t know what will happen if they do. As bad as things are with him, they worry things might be worse without him. They also worry about Trump, because he is their President. And they know the break up will be ugly at best and might turn violent. So they muddle through day by day and hope things will get better. Or at least hope today won’t be one of the bad days. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885/23 "2017-10-26T16:55:20Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > If they could persuade him to resign for ‘health reasons’, then surely Pence could promote himself as “continuing Trump’s work” or some such nonsense? In what fucking universe is Trump persuadable? How is this a possibility in your mind? What does even step one of this process look like? ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885/24 "2017-10-26T17:17:23Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > In what fucking universe is Trump persuadable? How is this a possibility in your mind? What does even step one of this process look like? Yeah, that is utterly ridiculous. If Trump goes down he is going down kicking and screaming and taking down as many Republicans as he can along the way. Going quietly for the good of the party is simply not a realistic possibility. ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885/25 "2017-10-26T18:03:40Z")
Impeaching a President for trivial reasons will damage our country, hurt the Republican party, be unpopular with millions of voters, and please only Democrats. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885/26 "2017-10-26T18:11:15Z")
Oh, the reasons won’t be trivial, not like a blowjob. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885/27 "2017-10-26T19:11:53Z")
Because if they get rid of him, their agenda comes to a complete halt. Pence wouldn’t have any credibility, they’d lose the House and maybe the Senate. Most Republicans love the guy. Why would they impeach him? Most importantly, they would never get tax “reform” done, so their wealthy supporters may bail on them. If you don’t think the Republicans (congress and the White House) are getting things done, read this from the NY Times: > **[Opinion | The Real Reason for Republicans’ Silence on Donald Trump (Published...](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/25/opinion/republicans-silence-trump.html)** > > Congressional Republicans have accepted the president’s outrages in exchange for policies they’ve always wanted. That is an editorial and obviously written from a liberal point of view, but untangle the inflammatory language (“Health Care Sabotage”) and replace it with more neutral language (“Dismantle Obamacare”) and you’ll see that they are making progress from their perspective. Impeach or otherwise get rid of Trump and that all comes to an end. So: 1. Their base and many members of congress completely support the guy 2. He would take the party down with him 3. Their agenda would come to a grinding halt, especially the tax bill What’s not to love? What Republicans would want to do that? Not even the two guys retiring and the dying one. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885/28 "2017-10-26T19:35:34Z")
Exactly. There are no more Republicans, only Trumpniks. > [@](#): > > Despite the fervor of President Trump’s Republican opponents, the president’s brand of hard-edge nationalism — with its gut-level cultural appeals and hard lines on trade and immigration — is taking root within his adopted party, and those uneasy with grievance politics are either giving in or giving up the fight. > … > > “There is zero appetite for the ‘Never Trump’ movement in the Republican Party of today,” said Andy Surabian, an adviser to Great America Alliance, the “super PAC” that is aiding primary races against Republican incumbents. “This party is now defined by President Trump and his movement.” > … > > Already, in the high-profile campaigns of 2017 — governor races in Virginia and New Jersey and a special Senate race in Alabama — Republican candidates are mirroring Mr. Trump’s racially tinged campaign tactics. And Republican officials are putting up with the sort of incendiary candidacy that a party more devoted to nurturing a tolerant image might have rejected. > > The reason? Many of their voters prefer the Trump way. > > “We’re not an element,” said Laura Ingraham, a pro-Trump talk show host. “We’re the party.” > … > > “We have a leader who has a personality disorder,” said former Senator Tom Coburn, Republican of Oklahoma, “but he’s done what he actually told the people he was going to do, and they’re not going to abandon him.” > … > > In the House, some lawmakers who have previously spoken out against Mr. Trump, such as Representative Martha Roby, Republican of Alabama, are now working to repair their relationship with the White House. > > “The message they’re sending is: The way to \*\*survive \*\*is by accommodating him, changing their tone and professing loyalty to Trump,” said William Kristol, the former editor of The Weekly Standard and a vociferous Trump critic. > … [Source](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/25/us/politics/trump-republican-party-critics.html?action=click&contentCollection=Politics&module=RelatedCoverage®ion=Marginalia&pgtype=article) Emphasis added. “Survive,” of course, means “stay in office.” Because that is the most important thing. More important than serving the public, protecting people’s rights, giving a shit about the well-being of our citizens–none of that matters. Just stay in office and dance to the tune of the chimp in the Oval Office. To what end? Who cares? ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885/29 "2017-10-26T19:54:16Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > They think that once he has managed to consolidate power, that he will share it with the people who supported him to get there. > > They are wrong, they are pawns who will be discarded as soon as their usefulness is over Chris Christie would agree with you ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885/30 "2017-10-26T20:26:53Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > As for the bigger question, this looks to me like an abusive marriage. The Republicans in Congress are unhappy with Trump but they’ve made a commitment to him. They could break with him but they’re don’t know what will happen if they do. As bad as things are with him, they worry things might be worse without him. They also worry about Trump, because he is their President. And they know the break up will be ugly at best and might turn violent. So they muddle through day by day and hope things will get better. Or at least hope today won’t be one of the bad days. The saving grace is that Ted Cruz has to publicly support the man who said that his father killed Kennedy and that his wife looks crazy and ugly. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885/31 "2017-10-26T20:32:18Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Removing Trump now will give Pence three years to correct the damage Trump has done. If they wait a year, Pence could be President for 10 years. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885/32 "2017-10-26T20:55:23Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Call him in to a hearing and put him under oath. This is Trump. If he’s asked questions, he answers with lies. And not well-crafted lies. So you’ve got him for lying under oath. That’s perjury and obstruction of justice. Congress does not “call in” the President for anything. The President may choose to testify or not as he sees fit. Separation of powers and all that. Neither Andrew Johnson nor Bill Clinton ever appeared in front of Congress during their impeachment proceedings. If Congress couldn’t compel the President to appear for his own trial, they sure as hell won’t get him for some pissant committee hearing. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885/33 "2017-10-26T21:23:22Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Congress does not “call in” the President for anything. The President may choose to testify or not as he sees fit. Separation of powers and all that. > > Neither Andrew Johnson nor Bill Clinton ever appeared in front of Congress during their impeachment proceedings. If Congress couldn’t compel the President to appear for his own trial, they sure as hell won’t get him for some pissant committee hearing. Easy solution, impeach him, then call him for questioning. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885/34 "2017-10-26T22:04:36Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > If they wait a year, Pence could be President for 10 years. Yes, I think you may have it. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885/35 "2017-10-26T22:16:00Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > The saving grace is that Ted Cruz has to publicly support the man who said that his father killed Kennedy and that his wife looks crazy and ugly. “Everyone hates Ted Cruz.” ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885/36 "2017-10-26T22:16:42Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > The list of Trump’s solecisms is considerable: liar, bully, incompetent, etc etc. And they have one of their own - Pence - in the wings. Removing Trump now will give Pence three years to correct the damage Trump has done. So why haven’t the Republicans got rid of him? They control the Senate and the House, so removing him by impeachment should be trivial. Indeed, they could save everyone’s face and present Trump with a fait accompli and Trump could stand down citing medical reasons. > > So why haven’t they done it? Well, there’s this annoying little thing called “the law” standing in their way. In order for Trump to be impeached, he would have to commit a crime. Article 2 of the Constitution: > [@](#): > > Section 4 - Disqualification > The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removedfrom Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885/37 "2017-10-26T22:52:42Z")
I don’t often say this, but **puddleglum** is right: Removing a President, or forcing a President to resign in the face of removal, would badly damage the President’s party. Which means that they aren’t going to want to do it. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885/38 "2017-10-26T23:05:26Z")
Why don’t the Republicans in Congress make up a bogus charge and impeach Trump? Answer: because then “making up a bogus charge to impeach the President,” is a tactic that’s on the table for the next Congress and the next President. C’mon, Elizabeth Warren. Run, Win, even. Then see how long you stay. Nope, sorry – Trump has busted so many norms, I grant, but the fix is not busting more norms to remove him. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885/39 "2017-10-26T23:23:07Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Well, there’s this annoying little thing called “the law” standing in their way. In order for Trump to be impeached, he would have to commit a crime. How about Obstruction of Justice, as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 1512 (b)(3)? That’s a crime. In any case, ‘high crimes and misdemeanours’ was, at the time the Constitution was written, understood to include behaviour not compatible with the office, and do not have to be criminal in nature. James Madison believed that impeachment was a remedy for ‘incapacity, negligence, or perfidy’. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885/40 "2017-10-26T23:43:30Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > How about Obstruction of Justice, as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 1512 (b)(3)? That’s a crime. > > In any case, ‘high crimes and misdemeanours’ was, at the time the Constitution was written, understood to include behaviour not compatible with the office, and do not have to be criminal in nature. James Madison believed that impeachment was a remedy for ‘incapacity, negligence, or perfidy’. Or the $25,000 ‘political contribution’ to DA Pam Bondi when she was considering investigating ‘Trump U’. Sure, that was just a coincidence. :rolleyes: Bribery and graft. They should both have their feet held to the fire for that. Anyway, Johnny has it right. Trump admitted in a television interview that the reason he got rid of Commey was because of the ‘Russian thing’. That’s Obstruction. And as Johnny said, Congress can decide what ‘High Crimes and Misdemeanors’ covers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-havent-republicans-got-rid-of-trump/799885.md?page=3)