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No abuse of power

Dr. Linda Blackston Marsh, Bottineau

Republicans have a four-point defense of President Trump that destroys the Democrats allegations of abuse of power. The Democrats are accusing Trump of shaking down Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky by withholding aid and demanding announcement of investigations, including one involving Joe Biden’s son, Hunter.

First, both Trump and Zelensky say there was no pressure applied. Zelensky says on the record that he did not feel pressure from Trump; there can’t be a shake down if the person being shook down has no idea its happening.

Second, the transcript does not indicate Trump making any demands or setting any conditions. As far as the transcript, the GOP members have pointed to the fact the “favor” in the conversation was not a “a favor for me,” but a “favor for us.” And later the “us” is clarified as “our country.” This also strikes at the core of a case that depends upon the claim that Trump’s only interest in Ukraine policy was getting dirt on Joe Biden to help himself politically. When Trump says, after asking Zelensky to investigate Ukrainian interference in 2016, “our country has been through a lot.” He means the Mueller probe, and he’s not wrong. How much evidence or information about Russian interference exists in Ukraine is up for debate, but the fact that it is a legitimate subject of interest for the President is not.

Third, Ukraine was not aware that the aid was delayed. One of the few facts in all of this where there is some debate is when exactly Ukraine became aware that the military aid had been delayed. All versions place it very late in the timeline of events, certainly long after the July 25 phone call with Zelensky. The delay of the aid was because of concerns regarding how much Ukraine could be trusted with the money. Throughout the late summer and fall, a set of meetings and phone calls with American officials and Zelensky proved to Trump that he could be trusted.

And fourth, aid was sent without any announcement of investigations. And that final fact, that the aid was released without the announcements Democrats claim were the condition to release them, really ends the conversation. Democrats claim the aid was only released on September 11 because the White House became aware of the whistleblower report. But this ignores the fact the aid had to release by September 30, and doing so is a two-week process. So the aid was released on or about the deadline set to release it. That is a much more believable explanation for the timing than some whistleblower report spooking Trump. There is no evidence to suggest that Trump was ever planning to ultimately kill the aid.

These four basic points will make up the core of the Republican defense of Trump on abuse of power charges. The White House should be very pleased. Unlike the convoluted story the Democrats have cooked up, this is a straightforward and simple defense, it can be explained quickly and it all makes perfect sense.

As to impeachment, the House’s duty is to gather evidence and if the facts support a finding of treason, bribery, a high crime or misdemeanor, then refer articles of impeachment based upon those findings of fact about any of those four grounds. The Senate’s duty is to look at what the House sends to them and as a jury decide if the facts prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any of the four Constitutional grounds (referred to them in an article of impeachment) has been presented. Congress has the onus and failed. Senate responsibility isn’t to continue Congressional fiasco but to judge the case brought from Congress. Amazing how Democrats demand Constitution be reinterpreted by their shortcomings.

President Trump was set up since the minute he ran for President. He was only defending himself trying to find out how it all started… with Ukraine, Russia, all the corruption going on. He was impeached because he opened a Pandora’s box of government corruption. A lot of people in the swamp hate him… and fear him. That’s why Trump supporters love him. (The transcript is available online).

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