It's yet another week where impeachment has hit the US headlines. However, do the United States democratic party now have enough evidence to prove he has committed an impeachable offense? They believe so. President Trump's conversation with the Ukraine government has officially been released and it reveals some details that indicate illegal action. He is yet again trying to pull another Russia stint again but this time utilizing Ukraine vulnerability by offering money in exchange for dirt on Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. He is even going beyond Biden and asking they look into his son Hunter Biden as well. Currently, Joe Biden is seen as the front runner for the Democratic nomination and a clear threat to Trump's reelection campaign. The question still remains is the enough for the US people to see that which this might be the knife in his coffin he has been committing illegal acts throughout his presidency and has abused his power.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-to-release-transcript-of-trumps-ukraine-call-as-impeachment-efforts-begin-11569403803
It is certainly a moment of hope to see that Nancy Pelosi has made this impeachment announcement in its suggestion the democratic party has substantial means for successful carry-through and impeachment of Trump. It is also important to note that both of the two United States Presidents that have been impeached (Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton) were never actually removed from office.
ReplyDeleteThis calls into question the value of the impeachment process as an important check and balance in the democratic system. Is such a process, that is designed to ensure the 'free and fair' nature of US democracy in holding leaders meaningfully accountable, truly substantial if it does not ultimately remove the leaders from office. While it is possible Donald Trump will be this does not undermine the questionable previous success of the impeachment process in maintaining US democracy. If such a process that often sheds light on illegal activity by politians and members of staff does not hold individuals fully accountable then the system is not as 'free and fair' as it may appear.
However, in saying this, there is no fixed process and this may be the opportunity for the US to hold true to it's democratic values and ensure its leaders are held accountable for their actions!
Thanks for this, Hannah and Sophie. Political scientists sometimes argue that impeachment is a bad mechanism for removing leaders, or rather, that presidentialism makes impeachment ineffective (since all impeachment procedures produce huge polarization, unlike, say, votes of no-confidence in parliament). What do you think is the likely outcome in this case?
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