RE: Start a New Chapter
Here's where I come down on the two charges, as a lawyer, for the record:
1) On the first charge, there is precious little direct evidence of anything. I believe a number of the "witnesses" had never had any direct contact with Donald Trump, and I don't believe that any of them were able to testify as to any direct evidence of any such acts. But beyond that, an essential element of the charge is that Donald Trump did it (which is unproved) for the sole purpose of his own political gain. That part is nowhere even close to being proved, nor is there in fact any evidence of it. There is ample evidence, in the form of Hunter Biden's absurdly lucrative contract with Burisma, to conclude that something untoward was going on. What the prosecution would have to argue is that a president cannot cause to be investigated, or seek the assistance of any foreign country in the investigation of, any potentially illegal or corrupt conduct by any American, if such American is a potential future political opponent. I reject that argument as absurd, and therefore would vote "not guilty" on the first article. Not that there is nothing that John Bolton could testify to, that would swing that argument the other way.
2) On the second charge, note that the alleged offense is described as, "obstruction of congress," not, "obstruction of justice." The latter is a crime, the former isn't. Presidents get to obstruct congress, it's inherent in the separation of powers into three co-equal branches. To convert, "obstruction of congress," to, "obstruction of justice," there is a simple path for congress to follow. Issue subpoenas, and when they are not complied with, go to the third branch, the courts, to obtain a judgement. If the judge upholds the subpoenas, and the subject continues to refuse, then you have the requisite elements for, "obstruction of justice." But the accusation, as written, is totally bogus, like accusing you of going 54 in a 55 mph zone.
(This post was last modified: 02-05-2020 07:53 PM by Owl 69/70/75.)
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