If Democrats take the House, Trump is in all kinds of trouble
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Impeachment may be the only way to remove Donald Trump from office, but it's far from the only way to make his life hell. If Democrats take control of the House, not only will Trump find that he’s out one source of friendly “see no collusion” memos, aIf Democrats take the House, Trump is in all kinds of trouble
Impeachment may be the only way to remove Donald Trump from office, but it's far from the only way to make his life hell. If Democrats take control of the House, not only will Trump find that he’s out one source of friendly “see no collusion” memos, and not only will the first of his impeachment firewalls be seriously on fire, but he can expect to see all those powers that Republicans have not used pointed his way. During the initial round of Trump–Russia investigations in the House, Republican Rep. Devin Nunes pointedly vetoed every single subpoena that Democrats requested. That’s not just subpoenas for at least 30 more witnesses Democrats wanted to call, that’s subpoenas for documents—up to and including Donald Trump’s taxes. Not only should Trump expect subpoenas to arrive by the ream, but there’s another power that Republicans seem to have misplaced while they’ve been supposedly investigating Trump: holding people in contempt of Congress. Not only have Trump staffers from Steve Bannon to Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III been caught flat-out lying during congressional testimony, nearly everyone who ever heard of Trump has extended a claim of “privilege” to protect statements made in the White House, in the transition team, and even in the campaign. Republicans haven’t forced Trump to actually put out a writ of Executive Privilege to protect these claims, or forced Trump or his staff to provide a list of documents and events they believe fit within these claims. In theory, the House does not recognize privilege. Not privilege between journalists and their sources. Not privilege between doctors and patients. And certainly not executive privilege. The whole concept makes a mockery of Congress’ ability to conduct oversight of the executive branch. But Republicans have accepted without complaint a ludicrously broad definition that seems to extend to anything Trump wants to cover up now, and anything Trump might want to cover up in the future. That will end if Democrats get control. If Democrats have the House, Democrats will be at the head of committees and have the power to both issue subpoenas and citations for contempt. Trump’s for-all-time-in-all-places claim of privilege will be in court the moment it’s deployed. Contempt citations will be issued as soon as Trump’s staffers refuse to appear or to answer. And they may have to move some old filing cabinets and dust off some chairs, but Democrats will find somewhere the House Sergeant at Arms can park some non-cooperative butts. Because, as Politico points out, the new heads of these committees have zero reason to hold back. Make sure Donald Trump gets the gift that keeps on giving … tough oversight. Contribute $3 to help Democrats take control of the House. Read more