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It could be argued that President Trump has made it more difficult for House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to continue delaying the opening of a dismissal investigation this week.
The President met this week with George Stephanopoulos of ABC. Stephanopoulos asked Mr. Trump if political candidates should alert the law if foreign governments were trying to conduct opposition research in their campaigns.
"I think you might want to listen. There is nothing wrong with listening. If someone called from a country – Norway. "We have information about your opponent" – Oh, I think I would like to hear it. It's not an interference. They have information. I think I would take it, "said the president.
Such a line could push some leaders over the edge, plunging his head to the ground in the rabbit burrow impeachment. But what the President has really done is to help the Democrats justify what they are already doing. Investigation. Survey. Hold hearings. Issue assignments. Conduct closed and transcribed interviews.
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Such investigations could eventually lead to an impeachment effort. But not yet. And that's exactly what the Democrats need right now.
About 60 deputies – all Democrats except the representative Justin Amash (R-MI) – declare themselves in favor of the impeachment. Presidential candidate and representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) immediately added his name to the recall list after Trump's comments on ABC.
"We need to prevent this lawless president from destroying our democracy," said Swalwell. "His incessant attacks on our rule of law and his many efforts to obstruct justice and Congress have reached such a level requiring extraordinary action."
Mr. Trump's statement may encourage other Democrats to echo Swalwell. But the essential, parliamentary mathematics to dismiss the president remains far from the galaxies. More Democrats could demand removal. But Pelosi still does not need to move at all on the issue.
That's why President Trump makes it a work track for the President:
His comments on ABC only served to justify to Pelosi that Democrats in the House should investigate, sue the administration, and offer contempt quotes to cabinet officials. After Trump's statement, Pelosi did not move an inch in the impeachment.
She does not have to do it.
"It has nothing to do with politics or with any campaign. It has everything to do with patriotism, "said Pelosi.
The President reminded journalists that democratic investigations "take time", stressing "we want to adopt a methodical approach".
So investigations continue. Former White House communications director Hope Hicks is expected to be interviewed Wednesday in camera. Hicks is now Director of Communications and Executive Vice President of Fox Corporation. The House Intelligence Committee has issued subpoenas to Michael Flynn, a former national security advisor, and Rick Gates, Trump's campaign assistant. The panel wants information on their interactions with the Russian authorities.
And, Pelosi knows, if the president is true to his form, there will be another statement or event, from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., that will set Washington on fire.
"No question will trigger (indictment)," said the President.
This benefits Pelosi.
His hand is getting stronger if there are more examples like the ABC interview. Pelosi has nothing to do. If the evidence leads the Democrats to the impeachment, the House could possibly get there.
Pelosi's favorite expression is a quote from Abraham Lincoln: "Public sentiment is paramount". In other words, if the public wants an indictment, the California Democrat probably has a royal color. If "public opinion" does not migrate to destitution, Pelosi can keep dogs away. Democrats lack voice for dismissal. Pelosi can argue that there is no reason to launch an impeachment investigation if the House lacks voice.
Pelosi is all about maths. This must work in his favor. This includes the feeling of the public. If the calculation works, it is there. Otherwise, Pelosi and the Democrats keep their current position. However, President Trump's interview on the CBA certainly strengthened the position of the Democrats.
The Republicans found themselves on the defensive Thursday. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) spoke with Mr. Trump about her comment.
"That's not the right answer," said Graham, quoted in the president's quote. "Anyone approached by a representative of a foreign government trying to provide you with information about your political opponent, the answer is no and you have to call the FBI."
Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) was the presidential flag bearer of the GOP in 2012.
"I have never had a single attempt by a foreign government to contact me or to contact a member of my staff. If that happened, I would immediately contact the FBI, "Romney said.
But the minority leader in the House, Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), was standing in front of Mr. Trump. McCarthy has repeatedly stated that it is the Democrats and Hillary Clinton who have been dealing with foreign contacts during the 2016 campaign. Asked directly about the president's assertion that he would accept the filth, McCarthy has twice criticized as a "hypothesis".
"The president has been harder on Russia than any president," McCarthy said. "The president has been very clear. He does not want any foreign influence in our elections. "
That's the problem of Republicans. The public could perceive the GOPers as blindly supporting Mr. Trump. That's why Pelosi asked, "What can the Republicans still support?"
On Thursday, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), the largest Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, asked the Senate to vote on the bill right away to demand that campaigns report foreign contacts to the authorities. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) opposed it, blocking Warner's pleas.
"It is outrageous that our Republican friends are afraid of this president," said Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
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"My left-wing colleagues have been trying to rush this bill through the Senate without giving it an opportunity to do a thorough review and debate to deal with such an important issue," Blackburn protested. She went on to describe Warner's effort as "a political blow".
that could be the case. The Senate simply does not approve major legislation like that proposed by Warner without consultation and authorization from both sides. Warner knew that a Republican would object. Then the Democrats could turn their anger against the GOP. They said how scandalous it is that Republicans are fighting for the president on this subject.
That's exactly what the Democrats want. The president says what many think is outrageous and Republicans are too used to confronting him. This is why Democrats must exercise aggressive surveillance. And if the public begins to come (remember the public opinion?), Then maybe it can lay the foundation for the dismissal.
Nancy Pelosi is known to have shaped the moment in politics. She is shaping things now – with great help from President Trump. But until now, Democrats do not have a smoking gun. Something like that could eventually tip the public eye. If this is the case, some Republicans might start breaking. This could open the door to dismissal. Otherwise, Democrats can target these GOPers as disconnected. Pelosi can say that she is reasonable – by conducting aggressive surveillance without opening an impeachment investigation.
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Whatever the case may be, President Trump seems to have inadvertently infused Democratic inquiries this week. The public may not be ready for dismissal. But it's good for the Democrats too.
After all, as Lincoln and Pelosi say, public opinion is paramount.
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