# The Trump Presidency HAS to end with Impeachment... right? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 11, 2017, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406 "2017-05-11T23:48:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406/61 "2017-05-12T15:51:30Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Are there investigations specifically concerning Trump? Not his campaign staff, but him personally? I don’t think that’s how a properly run investigation works. As the saying goes, “wherever the evidence leads”. But I do think it’s fair to say that there’s a specific difference between investigating the Russian interference and investigating the Trump campaign. If your investigating the Russians, there’s no innate link to Trump any more than there is to me. If you’re investigating the campaign, it would make no sense to rule Trump out as some form of a priori assumption. As part of the campaign, he would have to be investigated just as much as every one else, otherwise you have not actually investigated the campaign. Factually, the FBI and the Senate Intelligence Committee are both, officially, investigating not just the Russian interference but also the Trump campaign. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406/62 "2017-05-12T16:06:21Z")
Just musing, but with Rosenstein’s visit to see Burr yesterday and Trump’s outright admission of an intent to interference in the investigation, and the surprising brevity of commentary on the Republican side, I am wondering if as a group of mostly former lawyers, they take the subject of legal interference sufficiently deep as to actually consider impeachment. I feel like some form of big discussions are underway about the firing - more than you would expect from the public’s opinion on the matter (which is apparently evenly divided). I doubt that impeachment will come of it, but I am thinking that Trump might get a verbal lashing from Ryan, McConnell, Schumer, and Pelosi to the extent that they’re going to cut him out of the decision making process unless he starts to shut up, listen, and obey his advisors. Maybe a special prosecutor will come out of it, or sacking some of his more idiotic cabinet appointees, something significant. I guess we’ll see. I believe that the House is currently out and won’t be back until next week. If such a thing is going to happen, I guess that Tuesday or Wednesday would be the target. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406/63 "2017-05-12T16:57:40Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > It certainly can’t continue the way it has been spiraling the past week, that’s for sure. Sure it can. These are modern Republicans we’re talking about here. As has been pointed out, they looked the other way when Reagan committed crimes. They don’t care. Trump could nuke London because the mayor said mean things about him, and they would not impeach. ---
**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:** [May 12, 2017, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406/64 "2017-05-12T17:03:56Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > But they’d need 2/3rds of both the House and Senate if Trump resisted. That seems . . . unlikely to me. > > But that’s what you’re predicting? Really? Yes, I agree with you that Republicans are loathsome and will put party ahead of country whenever the choice presents itself. However, I am optimistic enough to hope that the investigation uncovers something so vile as to force the hands of enough Republicans to have the courage to lance this inflamed and fetid boil on the buttocks of the nation. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406/65 "2017-05-12T17:07:25Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > So to answer the OP’s question, I don’t necessarily think Trump will be impeached. I’ve seen the trial balloons getting floated about Trump’s forgetfulness. I think when Trump becomes too much of a liability for the Republicans, they’ll invoke the 25th and say that he’s starting to become senile. That lets them remove him from office without having to admit to any crimes. And that would be a real shame. hasn’t that orange turd already gotten away with enough in his life? He’s NEVER had top answer for anything. I want to see him ruined, disgraced, thrown out, charged, and sent to federal prison. LOCK HIM UP! LOCK HIM UP! LOCK HIM UP! ---
**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:** [May 12, 2017, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406/66 "2017-05-12T18:14:23Z")
Another question, but didn’t want to start a thread just for it: Say Trump is indeed impeached and convicted. What next? Does he throw a fuss as Secret Service is coming to escort him out of the Oval Office? Does he start a Limbaugh-like talk show, start a 3rd party just to cause political trouble (even if he can’t run for office again?) ---
**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:** [May 12, 2017, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406/67 "2017-05-12T18:15:37Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > But they’d need 2/3rds of both the House and Senate if Trump resisted. That seems . . . unlikely to me. > > But that’s what you’re predicting? Really? No, I think Trump will ride out his term and maybe even get elected to a second term. I’ve given up on predicting what voters will do after last year’s election. A lot of people are obviously dumber than I thought they were. My only prediction on the 25th is that I think it’s more likely than an impeachment if it comes to the point where the Republicans want to remove him from office. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406/68 "2017-05-12T18:17:55Z")
Maybe not impeach, maybe pursue financial irregularities to the most extreme extent, and offer a deal: Resign, and walk away. Refuse, and we keep you in court until we’ve got every last dime you ever had, and you can go live off whatever your kids have got left, and are willing to share. He’ll bail. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406/69 "2017-05-12T18:22:35Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > He’ll bail. NEVER bet on that - He even when he quits, he quits the quitting. The man has _zero_ understanding of the phrase “walk away.” To him, _everything_ is negotiable, including past agreements. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406/70 "2017-05-12T18:35:15Z")
Cut the strings on the parachute. He signs the papers, or he gets the hose. The legal assaults are in abeyance, unless he makes the least twitch towards reneging, then they return in full force. Or, ever better, wait till the ink dries and he has surrendered any and all Presidential force, and then bend him over the legal barrel and give him a jolly good rogering! Not exactly ethical, and somewhere within my boundless glee would be a hint of guilt. ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406/71 "2017-05-12T18:37:07Z")
> [@chargerrich](#): > > Is there anything Trump can do short of mass murder for republicans to quit playing “team ball” and stop circling the wagons for the Orange Judas? What do you mean, “short of mass murder”? The Republicans have already passed a law that possibly kicks of 28 Million (possibly because nobody bothered to run actual numbers before passing it) Americans off their Healthcare, to Keep their promises of getting rid of Obamacare (though most People disgruntled with Obamacare wanted it fixed, not gotten rid off). This is also Trump who just a short time ago orderd to bomb Syria, just because … who knows why, really. Remember the run-up when the Republicans had 10 nominates for the candidate as POTUS? Well the Problem was not only that despite the Party leaders trying to rig things to not nominate Trump - it was that most of what Trump said was shared by the other 10. The racism, the bigotry, the hate towards the poor and slashing things for them, while giving tax breaks to the rich, the xenophobia, the courting-the-evangelicals things - all have been Mainstream Republican, esp. with the Tea Party showing up and forcing new purity tests. Likewise, denying of Facts has been going on Long before Trump was sworn in - Republicans want to Profit more from climate denial than from preparing People against the climate Change effects, or creating new Jobs in solar/ wind. And Fox has been conservative/ pro-Republican for decades now, along with its infamous commentators. Also Bush II won with Image of “Aw shucks I don’t know anything” - voters obviously don’t want experts (hey, since Facts are alternative or conspiracy, who Needs experts?) The voters reward the Republicans every step of the way for decades, and Tea Party shocked them into more craziness and hate as being the winning formula. Why should they Change? If they get the Donald upset, he has already threatened them when re-election Comes around. And at the Moment, he has the power to blacklist them from many positions inoffocially. But if they don’t say anything, they can Keep power and Money. Why should they stand up? When was the last Point the Republican Party actually cared about/ did something that was good for the Country or the majority of the People? Not what they claimed, but when they did? Long before shutting down the whole Country for weeks in a fit of “toddler-stamping-its-feet” over Budget issues. (Though that is partly also your broken System - here, the old Budget doesn’t run out, it keeps going until the new Budget is passed, because it would be stupid to make the Country that vulnerable to petty tactics). ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406/72 "2017-05-12T18:42:37Z")
No, he’s not getting impeached. The GOP is going alll the way with him. They’re committed. Not one Republican in Congress has expressed the slightest concern that Trump keeps firing people who are investigating him and his people for Russian ties. Not a single one. Not one Republican has called for a special prosecutor - which you would think would be a good faith sign that you wanted true, independent justice to be done. But no, not one. Trump is President until at least January 20, 2020. The Republicans will not impeach, and Trumpists won’t pressure them to because they believe whatever they choose to, rather than facts. If his support starts to drop to THAT level, which has too be pretty low, he will simply announce the accomplishment of something that did not happen, such as that the wall with Mexico has been built. ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406/73 "2017-05-12T18:43:48Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > Well yes but I would like to believe that blatant enough evidence of corruption would actually influence those poll numbers 🙂 For example Flynn squealing like a pig under oath that Trump (or more likely a surrogate that hold it on his behalf) was offered billions in Rosneft stock for getting sanctions lifted off Russia. > > (not saying that did actually happen, but I’d like to think something that blatant would actually change public opinion enough to make impeachment inevitable). What polls have you been listening to? The ones I hear have almost the same % of voters “would elect him again”. Most People who admit to voting Trump are happy with “How well he kept his campaign promises”. Has everybody forgotten how last year during election he boasted on TV that he could shoot a Person in NY in broad daylight and his supporters would not leave him? At this Point, I doubt eating babies live on TV would Change his supporters mind. ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406/74 "2017-05-12T18:52:32Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Ultimately, the awakened Democratic majority will vote him out. What awakened Democratic majority? Haven’t heard anything about plans or candidates from the Dems. Partly of course because Trumps crazy Statements, his illegal doings, his executive order or his dangerous foreign activities dominate the News cycle because of the repercussions each of them have or could have. > [@](#): > > But for the remainder of this term, NOTHING gets done. The Republican agenda is dead in the water while they try to save this miserable waste of fake tanning lotion in the White House. What Agenda of the republicans? Like Trump, they mostly have wishlists, but nothing coherent besides “tax breaks” and “get rid of Obama”. And while some of his Executive Orders are apparently more wish lists than effective, the Muslim Ban hurt a lot of People who were turned away at the Airport. His Actions against illegal immigrants have led to thousands of People being arrested and Held … somewhere (accountability for the People being arrested is apparently not necessary). He (or somebody near him) has borrowed from Nazi propagand tactic and started a call line where People can call to Report crimes only if they think the perpetrator is an illegal Immigrant. The only purpose of this is to get false data to stir hate. It serves no legitimate or practical crime fighting purpose. And the Republican Party did manage to pass the AHCA, or repeal of Obamacare. Hoping it will fail in Senate, just because Senate will write its own Version, is a Slim hope to all those millions possibly affected, esp. since there is nothing whether the Senate’s own Version will be any better. So tax breaks for the rich and destruction of Obamacare are well on their way. I don’t know if starting a war with North Korea is on the Republicans Agenda or not, but hopefully Trump will not get around to it. Not doing anything at all (besides sitting around drawing a salary or playing Golf and eating cheese burgers) would be much better than Trump and Republicans actually passing things. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406/75 "2017-05-12T19:55:44Z")
It looks like Sessions is probably going to get the axe: > **[Democrats Ask DAG Rosenstein for Details on Sessions' Involvement in Comey...](https://www.lawfareblog.com/democrats-ask-dag-rosenstein-details-sessions-involvement-comey-firing)** > > Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Elijah Cummings and Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee John Conyers have sent a letter to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein requesting a report on the role of... It does seem like he pretty directly violated his recusal. It’s conceivable that the actual breakdown of events and conversation will show that his interactions were purely as an information source for Rosenstein and passer-on of information from Rosenstein, but it doesn’t seem likely. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406/76 "2017-05-12T20:03:55Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > It looks like Sessions is probably going to get the axe: > > [https://lawfareblog.com/democrats-ask-dag-rosenstein-details-sessions-involvement-comey-firing](https://lawfareblog.com/democrats-ask-dag-rosenstein-details-sessions-involvement-comey-firing) > > It does seem like he pretty directly violated his recusal. Even if he did (which is in dispute), AFAIU the recusal is self-imposed, and thus has no legal weight. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406/77 "2017-05-12T20:17:58Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Cut the strings on the parachute. > > He signs the papers, or he gets the hose. The legal assaults are in abeyance, unless he makes the least twitch towards reneging, then they return in full force. > > Or, ever better, wait till the ink dries and he has surrendered any and all Presidential force, and then bend him over the legal barrel and give him a jolly good rogering! Not exactly ethical, and somewhere within my boundless glee would be a hint of guilt. Of course he would renege. He’s never kept his word, in his life. So get the barrel ready. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406/78 "2017-05-12T20:29:33Z")
An entire Trump inner circle murder-suicide would be far more satisfying. ---
**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:** [May 12, 2017, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406/79 "2017-05-12T20:36:03Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Maybe not impeach, maybe pursue financial irregularities to the most extreme extent, and offer a deal: Resign, and walk away. Refuse, and we keep you in court until we’ve got every last dime you ever had, and you can go live off whatever your kids have got left, and are willing to share. > > He’ll bail. I have my doubts. Nixon was smart enough and politically aware enough to know when the game was up and resigned. I don’t think Trump has similar awareness. He’ll still be thinking he’s untouchable when Pence takes the oath. ---
**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:** [May 12, 2017, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406/80 "2017-05-12T20:36:29Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Another question, but didn’t want to start a thread just for it: Say Trump is indeed impeached and convicted. What next? Does he throw a fuss as Secret Service is coming to escort him out of the Oval Office? Does he start a Limbaugh-like talk show, start a 3rd party just to cause political trouble (even if he can’t run for office again?) You cannot try a sitting president for crimes, you can only impeach. An impeached president, however, can very well be put on trial for his crimes. If this stuff comes out damning enough to cause the republicans to impeach him, then it will be more than enough to convict as well. Not saying that he won’t still be on a reality show, but it’ll be “Lock-Up” on MSNBC. (Assuming they still run that on the weekends, I haven’t had cable in a number of years.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-presidency-has-to-end-with-impeachment-right/786406.md?page=5)