I predicted quite some time ago that impeachment of this president would not be long in coming. After all, he alienates everyone he works with and is determined to ignore Constitutional restraints as he does things his way — even if his way leads down a blind alley. There are simply too many powerful men and women in Washington whose egos are as big as Trump’s to allow him to have his way! Apparently the movement to impeach is growing as a recent article in Huffington Post reports. I quote a part of that article here in order to give my post some credibility:
Trump has been trying to govern by impulse, on whim, for personal retribution, for profit, by decree ― as if he had been elected dictator. It doesn’t work, and the wheels are coming off the bus. After a week!
Impeachment is gaining ground because it is the only way to get him out, and because Republicans are already deserting this president in droves, and because the man is psychologically incapable of checking whether something is legal before he does it.
Impeachment is gaining ground because it’s so horribly clear that Trump is unfit for office. The grownups around Trump, even the most slavishly loyal ones, spend half their time trying to rein him in, but it can’t be done.
They spend the other half fielding frantic calls from Republican chieftains, business elites and foreign leaders. Trump did what? Poor Reince Priebus has finally attained the pinnacle of power, and it can’t be fun.
It is one thing to live in your own reality when you are a candidate and it’s just words. You can fool enough of the people enough of the time maybe even to get elected. But when you try to govern that way, there is a reality to reality—and reality pushes back.
One by one, Trump has decreed impulsive orders, un-vetted by legal, policy, or political staff, much less by serious planning. Almost immediately he is forced to walk them back by a combination of political and legal pressure—and by reality.
I also noted some time ago that Trump is an impulsive man and thought at the time that his impulsiveness would get him into big trouble. He is clearly incapable of seeing the broad canvas or imagining the consequences of his actions — or caring what is legal or moral. He simply has a notion and then acts — usually tweeting about it as he does it. And then he waits for the glory to descend on him, people giving him the applause he thinks he richly deserves. If no one else will shout how great he is, he shouts it himself. He seeks to impose his sense of reality on the world around him, to force others to see the world as he sees it — with him at the center. He is a spoiled, delusional child who needs constant reassurance that his way is the only way. It was clear from his campaign that this man would be unable to work within the confines of a republican system of checks and balances. He has always seen himself as a dictator — like the men he praises to the skies.
In any event after only a week on the job it is becoming increasingly clear that he will be removed in the not too distant future. I suspect the Republican powers in Washington will approach him and offer him the opportunity to resign — as was done with Richard Nixon. Given Trump’s ego he will probably refuse and impeachment will proceed. It will be ugly and there will be a hue and cry from Trump’s mindless minions who will be convinced (as they have been throughout) that this man can walk on water.
My main concern, which I share with a couple of my favorite bloggers, is the damage he will do in the meantime. But I try to find solace in the thought that the damage will be less than it would be if he were to remain in office for the full term.
hughcurtler 
Hugh, nothing would surprise me. He has already made the planet less safe, even before he took office, but certainly leveraged further by his “chaotic and incompetent” approach (per conservative pundit David Brooks) to decision-making. Keith
I look forward to his departure. It can’t be too soon for me.
Thanks for encouraging thoughts. Hopefully, Congress is burning midnight oil in preparation of this president’s impeachment.
I think this is the case. This man is crossing too many lines far too fast and creating chaos wherever he goes.
From a couple things I’ve read, I think he may have committed an impeachable act the moment he took the oath of office. Because he opened the Trump hotel just down the street from the White House, and it has become the main lodging choice for visiting foreign government and business leaders, he was instantly in violation of the emoluments section of the Constitution. It was in anticipation of this, I believe, that Sen. Warren had already filed an impeachment bill in December. Factor in probable constitutional violations with the refugee executive order, the verifiable involvement of the Russians in the DNC hacking scandal, and there are three legitimate reasons to begin impeachment hearings. It’s a pretty high bar for impeachment — it can’t be done just because a president is a blundering dipstick or because of personal dislike (although the GOP sure seemed to have only that to stand on in its impeachment efforts against Clinton — but deliberate and persistent violations of the Constitution and oath of office clearly meet the bar.
I gather the list is growing.
Campfire talk, 2087: “Once upon a time when eagles still soared in the skies and humans operated gasoline-fueled vehicles, my great-grandfather witnessed the events that propelled our world in a different direction…”
I have no idea what will be said of us when our time here is finished, but I suspect that generations in tne future will look back at these times as catalysts for change… hopefully those changes will be for the best…
Hopefully….
Good post, Hugh! As you know, I share your concern that he may do irreparable damage during whatever time he has left in office, be it numbered in days, months, or, God forbid, years. But I have another concern also. Given that there is a percentage … it appears to be about 35% of the country, who still support him, who will argue until they turn blue in the face that he is going to make America “great” again, what happens if he is either impeached or convinced to step down (which I don’t think he would ever agree to, but perhaps, under a certain set of circumstances)? What happens? That 35% or so are not likely to just lie down and say, “oh well … we tried”. I’ve thought about this, and I think that either a) they cause so much strife and violence across the nation that our streets become unsafe (remember that the majority of his supporters are gun-toting, 2nd amendment people), or … the ‘great divide’ between Republicans and Democrats becomes permanent, rendering any future government ineffectual and leading to … who knows what … ??? Just some thoughts … at 2:00 a.m., my mind tends to go deep into the muck and mire … 😀 Again, good post! As always, my friend.
I worry about the aftermath as well. But I do think the divide between the two parties is already so great as to disallow mending. Things have changed radically, haven’t they?
They certainly have … it is no longer a world I recognize.
Dear Hugh,
Miracles happen! What a difference a day makes.
Last night, our UN Ambassador Nikki Haley issued a condemnation v Russia for its recent escalation of violence in Ukraine. A warning was issued that no sanctions issued as a result of its 2014 invasion into Ukraine, would be lifted, until Russia withdraws from Crimea. She actually said the words, “Crimea is a part of Ukraine.”
Then the WH issued a statement warning to Israel, about NOT advertising its increase of building in settlement areas like the West Bank while stating that the US supports a two state solution.
Are there some adults in the WH?
Ciao, Gronda
Hard to imagine, but easy to hope for!!