GOP Lawmakers: Corrupt, or Cowed?

As Donald Trump continues to build an ever-expanding morass of lies and misrepresentations; and as he continues to name-call, bully, and hurl veiled threats at those who oppose (or hint at opposing) him, GOP lawmakers, along with Trump’s base, seem to support him with increasing and inexplicable fervor. Even in the face of an impeachment inquiry, as evidence of Trump’s abuse of office mounts and witness testimony corroborates the original whistleblower’s story, Donald Trump insists that he did nothing wrong, and Republican lawmakers, even with nothing to support their stance, back him up, disparaging anyone who disagrees. 

One can only conclude that either the GOP lawmakers are just as corrupt as their leader, or, that they have found themselves in a position that makes them nervous about their own future if they don’t pay full allegiance to Trump. 

It’s too painful to imagine that every last one of our Republican lawmakers is thoroughly corrupt, and only slightly less painful to imagine that this scenario is closer to the truth for many of them:

The rest of the world: Why do you stay with him? He’s lied, he’s cheated, he bullies you, he’s hit you more than once…..

GOP Lawmakers: None of that is true! Everything’s fine. It’s great.

The rest of the world: What are those bruises?

GOP Lawmakers: Oh, that was a misunderstanding. I shouldn’t have provoked him. Things are fine now.

The Rest of the world: You need to leave him.

GOP Lawmakers: But I need him! He just gets mad sometimes, that’s all. But when things are good, they’re really, really good.

The rest of the world: But don’t you see? He’s isolated you and the kids.

GOP Lawmakers: It doesn’t matter. He’s all we need.

The rest of the world: What about the example to the kids?

GOP Lawmakers: What do you mean? He’s a great example. Things are fine. Really. Trust me.

The rest of the world: Why do you keep defending him? Please leave him. You do owe it to yourself and the kids.

GOP Lawmakers: He didn’t mean it. Things are a little rough right now, but he’ll come through. He said he would. You don’t know him like I do.

The rest of the world: We can’t support this relationship. We’re here for you, but please don’t wait until it’s too late…

GOP Lawmakers: But I’m afraid. Where would I go? How would I support myself? What if I can’t make it on my own? ………. Oh, Just forget what I siad. I really shouldn’t be talking about him that way, he’s actually a really good guy. He just gets mad sometimes. He needs me. I need him. Really, I shouldn’t say bad things about him. Things are fine. They’re great. Really.

Top GOP lawmakers speak after House passes impeachment inquiry resolution | Fox News [2019-10-31]

Under pressure to defend Trump, GOP lawmakers decry House impeachment inquiry | PBS NewsHour [2019-10-24]

Democrats Seek Kavanaugh’s Impeachment Following New Reporting

Democrats are now seeking impeachment of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was confirmed in 2018 despite multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. On Sunday, Democrats called for a new investigation following a recent New York Times piece by journalists Robin Pogrebin and Kate Kelly, who have been examining last year’s accusations against Kavanaugh while doing research for their forthcoming book, The Education of Brett Kavanaugh: An Investigation. 

In addition to Christine Blasey Ford, who testified that Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her during high school, Deborah Ramirez, a Yale classmate of Kavanaugh’s, also accused Kavanaugh in 2018 of sexual assault. Ramirez alleged that while both were students at Yale, Kavanaugh exposed himself to her, and forced her to touch his penis as she tried to avoid him.

Ramirez did not testify in 2018, and even though she and her attorneys presented the FBI with 25 witnesses, the Justice Department did not follow up with any of them.

In 2018, Kavanaugh denied Ramirez’ allegation, saying that if it had taken place, it would have been the talk of the campus. Evidently, though, it was. 

Though Kavanaugh’s supporters claimed Ramirez’ accusation was uncorroborated, the New York Times reported: 

“At least seven people, including Ms. Ramirez’s mother, heard about the Yale incident long before Mr. Kavanaugh was a federal judge. Two of those people were classmates who learned of it just days after the party occurred, suggesting that it was discussed among students at the time.”

During their investigation, the two Times journalists detailed additional corroborations of Ramirez’ allegations, as well as turning up a witness with an additional allegation that is nearly identical to that of Ramirez.

According to the Times journalists, “A classmate (of Kavanaugh, Ramirez, and the newly revealed additional victim), Max Stier, saw Mr. Kavanaugh with his pants down at a different drunken dorm party, where friends pushed his penis into the hand of a female student. Mr. Stier, who runs a nonprofit organization in Washington, notified senators and the F.B.I. about this account, but the F.B.I. did not investigate and Mr. Stier has declined to discuss it publicly.” 

It should be noted that friends of this alleged victim say she does not remember the incident. Stier and others concede that that is often the case with events that take place when one is drunk. 

The Times journalists continue, “(We corroborated the story with two officials who have communicated with Mr. Stier.)”

Donald Trump continues to support Kavanaugh while blasting those calling for a new investigation: “Now the Radical Left Democrats and their Partner, the LameStream Media, are after Brett Kavanaugh again, talking loudly of their favorite word, impeachment,” Trump tweeted. “He is an innocent man who has been treated HORRIBLY. Such lies about him. They want to scare him into turning Liberal!”

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) tweeted, “Last year the Kavanaugh nomination was rammed through the Senate without a thorough examination of the allegations against him. Confirmation is not exoneration, and these newest revelations are disturbing. Like the man who appointed him, Kavanaugh should be impeached.”

Beto O’Rourke tweeted, “Yesterday, we learned of another accusation against Brett Kavanaugh—one we didn’t find out about before he was confirmed because the Senate forced the F.B.I. to rush its investigation to save his nomination. We know he lied under oath. He should be impeached.”

Multiple other Democrats have tweeted their support of impeachment for Kavanaugh. Though they must surely realize that the chances of impeaching Kavanaugh are slim to none, perhaps going on record in support of impeachment is enough of a message.

NYT reveals new Kavanaugh assault allegation | Newsy [09-15-2019]

Trump rips new claim against Kavanaugh | Fox News [2019-09-15]