Donald Trump’s presidency has become a benchmark in American history because regardless of who becomes the next Commander-in-Chief, the view of America on an international level will never be the same.
In the last several years, President Trump has been implicated with at least two countries regarding receiving foreign interference to help benefit him politically. Trump is now embroiled into international controversy with Ukraine. A phone call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has launched an impeachment inquiry into the POTUS.
The phone call took place on July 25, in which Trump asked Zelensky to investigate former Vice President and 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter. This is a blatant abuse of power, which can impose consequences.
Consequently, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi formally announced an impeachment inquiry into Trump on Sept. 24 following a whistleblower complaint from an unnamed individual.
“The actions of the Trump presidency revealed the dishonorable fact of the president’s betrayal of his oath of office, betrayal of our national security, and betrayal of the integrity of our elections,” Pelosi said during the press conference. “The president must be held accountable. No one is above the law.”
Pelosi makes a valid and crucial point, not even the Commander-in-Chief should be immune from following and respecting the laws.
A second whistleblower, who remains anonymous has come forward claiming he has first hand knowledge that supports the first whistleblower’s assertion of the president’s phone call with Ukraine, according to CNN.
Since the announcement, many revelations about the president’s conduct in Ukraine have emerged in the spotlight. In the process, we found out that many other top U.S. officials are implicated in the scandal. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo admitted he was listening in on the call.
However, the White House has publicly denounced Pelosi and the Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives. White House Counsel Pat Cipollone sent an eight page letter to the House of Representatives indicating the White House will not be cooperating with the impeachment probe into Trump on Oct. 8.
The White House’s unwillingness to cooperate in the inquiry has not gone unnoticed. Along with the Pentagon and Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, they have all refused to provide the subpoenaed documents to the Democratic leaders. Vice President Mike Pence refused to hand over requested documents pertaining to the July 25 phone call.
Although Giuliani is not a government official, he is a key figure in the probe. He is being accused of illegal business deals in Ukraine, in which he pressured Ukraine to open an investigation into the Bidens.
Fiona Hill, Trump’s former Russia advisor testified before three House panels on Monday. In her testimony, she informed investigators of Giuliani’s wrongdoings in Ukraine.
Trump, who never mince words, has made it clear that he believes what that the impeachment inquiry the Democrats initiated is illegal and invalid. The White House has contended that the Democrats are trying to overturn the outcome of the 2016 presidential elections with the investigation. He has even gone as far to threaten to sue Pelosi and Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff for the impeachment inquiry.
“We’re going to take a look at it. We’re going after these people. These are bad, bad people,” said Trump in regards to Schiff and Peolsi at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, DC. “I actually told my lawyer, I said sue [Schiff] anyway. I said, even if we lose, the American public will understand.”
Trump went on to criticize Pelosi.
“And sue Nancy Pelosi,” Trump said. “Or maybe we should just impeach them because they’re lying and what they’re doing is a terrible thing for our country.”
It is evident that the two branches are wrestling over if this act done by the president violates the Constitution or if what Trump did with Ukraine warrants a formal impeachment inquiry.
Prior to the Presidential Democratic Debate on Tuesday, Pelosi announced that the House will hold off on vote that will sanction the impeachment probe. This decision eludes the call from White House and Republicans to hold a full vote on whether to launch the inquiry.
This is an unprecedented situation that has reached uncharted territory in this country. Defiance from the two branches has made it difficult to tell if there will be an ending to this anytime soon.