In a historical move, the House Judiciary committee voted to approve two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump last Friday. After weeks of testimony and hearings, the committee alleges that Trump has abused his power and obstructed Congress.
Most of Wednesday and Thursday of last week were spent with committee members delivering partisan talking points either in favor of or against the president, and debates lasted late into the night on Thursday. Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler decided that the vote would be postponed until Friday morning, a decision that Republicans saw as a stunt for television views. Gasps were audible in the room when Nadler announced the delay. The conservatives saw this as another example of mismanagement of the process by Democrats. Representative Doug Collins, expressed disgust at the Democrats attempt to reschedule the vote until more people would be watching. Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Collins said "This is the kangaroo court that we're talking about."
The articles passed 23-17 along party lines without any more debate on Friday morning. In his closing remarks, Nadler said it was "a solemn day". The articles will be voted on by the full House this Wednesday, December 18.
Assuming the House votes to approve the articles-which they probably will, the next step will be a trial in the Senate. The Senate is definitely friendly territory for Trump, to say the least. It is very likely that he will be acquitted. In fact, according to the man who will be in charge of the trial, Mitch McConnell, there's "zero chance the president will be removed from office." In an interview with Fox News, McConnell said he hopes for total coordination between Republicans in the Senate and doesn't want any defections during the trial.
In order to achieve that goal, acquittal, McConnell plans to coordinate with the Trump Administration on "everything". This, unsurprisingly, has angered many Democratic lawmakers. Jerry Nadler called the Republican plan to coordinate with the Whitehouse during the impeachment trial a "subversion of constitutional order" arguing that Senators swear "to do impartial justice". Nadler sees this as similar to a jury coordinating with the prosecution during a criminal trial.
Senator Ted Cruz, on the other hand, said there's "no prohibition" on Senate Republicans working with the Whitehouse and that "senators are not required like jurors... not to talk to anyone". Mitch McConnell argued that the same thing happened with Democrats during the impeachment of Bill Clinton.
Lindsey Graham is yet another powerful ally for Trump in the upcoming trial. In an interview with CNN, the Conservative Senator spoke scornfully of any attempt to be impartial in the upcoming trial: "This thing... will die quickly, and I will do everything I can to make it die quickly... I'm not trying to pretend to be a partial juror here."
Options for Democrats are slim. They may choose to delay sending the Senate the articles of impeachment until the Administration begins complying with subpoenas and cooperating with the process. Criminal charges may also be brought against key witnesses who have refused to testify.
Trump seems chipper about the upcoming trial telling reporters he intends to follow McConnell and Graham's lead. Both senators have said repeatedly that they want the shortest possible trial, but Trump says he wouldn't mind hearing witness testimony and having a longer trial. He has expressed interest in hearing from the Whistleblower since the report of the phone call with Ukraine was first released.
Meanwhile, a new poll was released by Fox News. According to this poll, 50% of voters nationwide say they want Trump impeached and removed from office. This percentage hasn't changed since October. As to the charges against the President, 53% of voters say Trump abused his power; 48% say he obstructed Congress; 45% say he committed bribery. On a more positive note for the President, his current approval rating is 45% with 53% disapproval. This is a slight improvement over October's 42% approval.