Commentary: Republican efforts to defend Donald Trump from possible impeachment are making less and less sense.
Trump held up Congressional-mandated aid to Ukraine to bully Ukrainian President Zelensky into opening an investigation into Hunter Biden, son of the 2020 Democratic Presidential candidate Trump most fears. The delay, amidst rumors of a whistleblower's formal complaint, sparked questions by senators, making it too hot for Trump and his minions to carry on.
To distract us, Republicans scream that the Whistleblower must testify; but s/he stated s/he lacked first-hand knowledge; and Trump's “transcript” and sworn witnesses with more firsthand knowledge are confirming what s/he alleged.
Trump repeats, “there was no quid pro quo” like a mantra; but Gordon Sondland, who gave Trump a boatload of campaign money and got appointed Ambassador to the E.U., says “There was a quid pro quo.” Sondland sure ain't part of “the Deep State” – or a Democratic pawn.
Currently, the main argument for Trump is that since the aid was eventually released and Zelensky didn't investigate Biden, Trump couldn't have been attempting extortion! But a misfiring gun doesn't clear you of attempted murder. Or say a man told a woman he'd publish nude photos of her unless she slept with him – then her big brother took the photos from the man. Would we buy a defense argument that there'd been no criminal extortion attempt because it failed?
Republicans add that Zelensky denies he was pressured. What alternate universe do they live in where Ukraine's President, dependent on us to survive Russian aggression, would voluntarily embarrass Trump? Ukraine needs us, Trump leads us. You do the math.
More foolish yet is arguing Trump was deeply concerned about Ukrainian corruption. Our Government had already certified sufficient Ukrainian progress on corruption to warrant the aid. Trump cared about Biden and about trying to portray Ukraine as interfering in the 2016 election. Sondland, under oath, verified the nature of Trump's concern. Meanwhile Trump vilified and fired the U.S. Ambassador who had pushed Ukraine to clean things up.
Trump, constantly tweets comments on the hearings he insists he's not watching. Harmful tweets. Tweets trying (unsuccessfully) to intimidate witnesses oughtta be impeachable acts. Retweeting the debunked Russian allegation that Ukraine “interfered” with our election can only help Russia's efforts to minimize Ukrainian support here.
Trump's conduct (subordinating Ukraine aid to personal interests) has likely emboldened Russia. When Zelensky meets with Putin shortly, Trump's apparent affection for Putin, and his minimal concern about Ukraine's security, won't strengthen Zelensky's hand.
The hearings, featuring some very admirable witnesses, have established the facts. If Trump were not forbidding his people to testify, we'd have more and clearer facts. (It's not likely that the folks Trump is keeping away from Congress could exonerate him.) Steve Bannon, the Trump supporter who mocked the Trump-Sondland efforts as “a drug deal,” won't be fun for Trump to watch.
Unfortunately, too few folks are watching to increase pressure on Republican Senators to do right. Too few of us are capable of changing our minds based on facts. Sadly, too many root for Blue or Red as if they were team colors. I'm an Aggie, you're a Lobo.
The facts are clear. They are not pretty. The question Republicans should focus on is whether or not Trump's misconduct warrants the drastic step of impeachment. I think so, but we do not overturn elections lightly. That's the robust debate we ought to be having.