During his 2016 campaign, Trump said, “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot someone, and I still wouldn’t lose any votes, OK? It’s like incredible.”
I’m starting to think Trump could shoot someone during this term, and Congress still wouldn’t move to impeach him. Constitutional scholars have authored a series of articles that state that any one of the following deeds merits the initiation of the impeachment process.
Unconstitutionally usurping Congress’s power to declare war.
Committing treason by levying war against the U.S., individual states, and their people.
Abusing his power by inciting violence, including murder, in Minnesota and covering up the execution of Minnesota civilians by ICE agents.
Calling for the execution of members of Congress.
Illegally kidnapping, detaining, and removing U.S residents.
Unconstitutionally and systemically violating the First Amendment.
Defying court orders, threatening judges, and unconstitutionally usurping judicial authority.
Abusing investigatory and prosecutorial powers.
Abusing his power to remove nonpartisan civil servants, punish perceived adversaries, and reshape federal agencies.
Unlawful extortion of private industry.
Engaging in corruption for his own and his close associates’ personal enrichment.
Co-opting and dismantling independent government oversight of businesses, government institutions, and law enforcement.
Imposing unlawful tariffs.
Receiving foreign and domestic emoluments.
Unconstitutionally usurping local and state authority.
Abusing emergency and pardon powers.
Abusing his power to deprive the American public of accurate political, historic, scientific, and medical information.
Unlawfully aggregating and disseminating private data in violation of individual privacy and liberty rights.
Depriving citizens of their birthright citizenship.
Blocking efforts to secure U.S. elections.
Engaging in unlawful, corrupt practices during the 2024 presidential campaign.
All the above actions remind us that Trump is dismantling our democratic institutions to consolidate his own power, silence his opponents, shield himself from accountability, and establish an authoritarian regime.
Between the Supreme Court and Congress, in many ways Trump’s power has gone unchecked. I understand the pros and cons of initiating the impeachment process, but I also understand the dangers of ignoring blatantly illegal power grabs.
Edmund Burke once wrote, “The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse.”
During these times that try men’s souls, we must identify and address such abuse. Our democracy depends on it.
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