There is a new political controversy in the US involving President Donald Trump. After dodging accusations of collusion and political interference by Russia, and recommendations in the Mueller Report, no further investigation was required. This latest scandal has placed the sanctity of the White House at stake.
Trump is being accused of using the powers of the presidency to pressurise Ukraine into digging damning information about the son of his political rival and Democrat front-runner Joe Biden. His supporters allege that the former vice-president abused his powers to pressure Ukraine not to launch an inquiry that could have implicated his son.
The controversy stems from a phone conversation Trump had with his Ukrainian counterpart Zelensky in July this year. Trump may have also threatened to withhold military aid if Ukraine fails to comply. The phone call, raised by a whistleblower in a complaint, helps shed light on the president’s dealings with a foreign leader and how he may have personally benefitted to sully the reputation of his rival.
Biden’s son Hunter served on the board of a Ukrainian gas company at the same time his father was leading the Obama administration’s diplomatic dealings with Kyiv, but there is no evidence of any wrongdoing by either. These dealings appear similar to Trump’s alleged collusion with Russian officials to receive dirt on Hillary Clinton in 2016.
There is now an official impeachment enquiry against Trump, starting a dramatic clash with Congress that could spill into the presidential elections next year. The Democrat-led House of Representatives believes that Trump undermined national security, violated the constitution, and should be held accountable.
There is now a threat of direct confrontation between the Democrats, who despite constant criticism were reluctant to initiate impeachment proceedings, and Trump who is confident that the spectre of impeachment would bolster his political support and possibly secure him a second term.
No president has been successfully impeached in US history. Richard Nixon became the first US president to resign from office after being embroiled in the Watergate scandal over an attempted cover-up. Bill Clinton was impeached in the infamous Monica Lewinsky scandal for lying under oath and obstruction of justice but survived.
There is also a lengthy process for impeachment as a trial presided by the US chief justice is held, and a two-thirds majority is required in the Senate to convict and remove a president from office. Trump has the Republican support and is convinced he cannot be removed.
However, if the impeachment proceedings are concluded during his tenure then he would become the first president to be successfully removed from office, and could even face criminal charges afterward.
In 2016 an American professor, Alan Lichtman, successfully predicted Trump’s election victory making his ninth consecutive prediction. But he also suggested that Democrats should push to impeach him if they stand a chance in the 2020 elections. It needs to be seen if Lichtman’s prophecy – that Trump would be impeached is successful – or will propel him secure the next four years in office.
