"If we had had confidence that the president clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said so."
These are not the words of some passerby on the street -- or even of an esteemed news anchor -- these are the words of an ex- FBI Director and recently retired Special Counsel Robert Mueller. After two years of investigating Russian interference in the 2020 election (another topic that deserves to be taken a hell of a lot more seriously), Mueller's final report is split into two volumes: half detailing Russia's (successful) attempt to influence the 2016 election, and half showcasing examples of Trump's attempts to obstruct the Special Counsel Investigation. Volume Two is full of questionable actions and comments made by the President and his team, leading many to argue that the President had obstructed justice: including over 1000 former federal prosecutors. Despite this, Mueller cited a Department of Justice policy essentially protecting sitting Presidents from an indictment, saying in his press conference that it was "not an option we could consider." Mueller, however, made a not-so-subtle nod to Congress, saying "the opinion says that the Constitution requires a process other than the criminal justice system to formally accuse a sitting president of wrongdoing." His position is clear: it's time for Congress to act.
Sadly, Congress seems to be pretty divided over the issue. The Senate, where the Republicans hold a majority, has made this a null issue; Mitch McConnell, the Senate Majority Leader, has become nothing but a lackey for the President, and anything besides undying complacency shouldn't be expected from him. This is contrasted by many Democrats, especially 2020 candidates, who have called for impeachment. Meanwhile, the House, despite being packed with Democratic Leadership, is not quite as enthusiastic about the idea as you may think. Pelosi, the House Speaker, has continually resisted calls for impeachment, saying things such as "You don't bring an impeachment unless you have all the facts," and "We won't be swayed by a few people who think one way or another who are running for president." Pelosi's entire demeanor seems to consider impeachment to be politically inconvenient, entirely ignoring the horrifying precedent this sets for future Presidents. Pelosi is essentially telling future Presidents that the Democratic Party leadership cares more about appeasing Republican voters, apparently hoping they would flip, than they are about upholding the rule of law.
Luckily, the Republican side of the House may be starting to pick up the ball. Representative Justin Amash of Michigan has recently come out in support of impeachment, turning his Twitter into a soapbox for the issue. On the subject of Barr, Amash tweets "Barr has so far successfully used his position to sell the president's false narrative to the American people. This will continue if those who have read the report do not start pushing back on his misrepresentations and share the truth," continuing with "The ball is in our court, Congress." Amash is absolutely correct; it's time for our Representatives, on both sides of the aisle, to forget about party politics, impeachment support polling, and the flimsy arguments put forth by party leadership. It's time for more Republicans to join the growing number of Democratic congresspeople in admitting we have elected a possible criminal for the highest office. It's time to consider impeaching Trump. As Bernie Sanders, who has publicly called to start impeachment inquiries, put it, "This president is not above the law, no president is above the law. This president must be held accountable."
The House of Representatives ... shall have the sole Power of Impeachment. The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
I'm not arguing for an impeachment vote, I'm arguing for the completely reasonable, legally sane, right thing to do, and that is to start inquiries. This is why we have three branches of government, and this is why Congress holds the power that it does. This is a crucial time in American history and in our political development. It's time for Congress to be on the right side of history.
