Judiciary Lawyer Suggests That House May Have to Impeach Trump Again

[Judi Lynn]

Source: New York Magazine - Intelligencer

6:36 P.M.

By Matt Stieb

As Democrats push for documents and witnesses blocked by the Trump administration in the impeachment inquiry to be made available for the Senate trial, House counsel Douglas Letter wrote in a filing on Monday that the House may need to impeach the president again if new evidence comes to light showing Trump engaged in impeachable behavior that was not covered in the two articles of impeachment passed last week.

Letter’s filing centers on the testimony of Don McGahn. The former White House counsel may be forced to testify before the impeachment inquiry if the D.C. circuit court upholds a November ruling determining that the White House’s claim that McGahn has “absolute immunity” is invalid.

“If McGahn’s testimony produces new evidence supporting the conclusion that President Trump committed impeachable offenses that are not covered by the Articles approved by the House, the Committee will proceed accordingly — including, if necessary, by considering whether to recommend new articles of impeachment,” Letter wrote. On Monday, DOJ lawyers agreed in a brief that the articles of impeachment that passed by the House do not cancel out the request for McGahn to testify — though they did argue that passing two articles of impeachment remove the urgency from the McGahn request.

Though McGahn resigned in October 2018, the former White House counsel’s testimony, if delivered, could change the contours of the process, opening up charges beyond just the Ukraine scandal. According to the Mueller report, McGahn did not comply with Trump’s request to fire the special counsel, effectively saving the president from a potential charge of obstruction of justice. But as the Daily Beast noted in November: “Few people actually read the Mueller Report, of course, and if McGahn says in public, on national TV, what he apparently said to Mueller’s investigators, Trump’s public support could drop substantially, and it could lock in an obstruction count.”

Read more: http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/12/judiciary-lawyer-suggests-house-could-impeach-trump-again.html

[sprinkleeninow]

1. A ruling that McGahn has absolute immunity?

That's crap in my limited estimation.

[Pachamama]

10. It might be necessary to get all the facts

My guess is he did some things that crossed the legal line and so he isn’t threatened by Trump himself would be necessary to give him immunity so he is free to speak honestly

[J_William_Ryan]

2. I don't believe one is impeached 'again.'

There may be one or more additional articles of impeachment, but once impeached a president remains impeached.

Indeed, the Constitution is silent as to the mechanics of impeachment; subsequent articles of impeachment can be voted on by the House at any time.

[ProfessorGAC]

6. I Heard A Different Take

It could require a separate trial. Apology because I don't recall who said it. It was someone on CNN program yesterday or Sunday.

[Grokenstein]

3. As many flushes as it takes.

Get rid of the turd.

[FailureToCommunicate]

8. +1

[machI]

9. +1 again

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Serial criminals deserve their days at trial

Cereal windmill abusers can't be surprised what hits the fan

[intrepidity]

5. Two-scoops! nt

[Grokenstein]

13. Ha! Nice!

He always has to have more than anyone else!

[pressbox69]

7. Like the rapist judge said,

"What goes around, comes around." so let it keep coming at IPOTUS and his band of merry magats.

[McKim]

11. Impeach Him for Human Rights Violations: Kids in Cages

I wish the Democratic Party would aim a spotlight on the family separations and kids in cages at our border. He should be impeached for this! This is against the law! Christmas is a perfect time to remind all that families matter!

[LakeArenal]

12. Got that right!!!

[Nitram]

14. Yeah! Impeach him again! Only president impeached twice!