Some idle thoughts on impeachment this Saturday morning

[Fiendish Thingy]

7. Why not both?

Sure, have an ongoing impeachment committee investigating Trump’s crimes committed during the first half of his second term.

But remember, he is almost certain to continue committing impeachable offences after the midterms, and some may be so egregious, like invading Greenland, that they simply require immediate impeachment (in the case of Greenland, Don Bacon and I agree that would be an act that would garner enough republican support to remove him). If Dems investigate and fail to impeach for anything, how can that be framed as strong, decisive leadership?

So here is my “have it both ways” suggestion:

Use your suggested framing during the midterms-

: "We're definitely going to investigate all of Trump's crimes to determine whether impeachment is merited."

Then, once Dems take back the house, in addition to passing dozens of laws seeking to reverse the damage of the first two years, (facing a filibuster in the senate or a Trump veto should not deter them) like fully restoring ACA subsidies, they should form the Impeachment Committee and start hearings and investigations.

These hearings and investigations should not only target specific crimes and impeachable offences by Trump, but should also focus on a department by department examination of the impeachable offences by his cabinet. IMO, there should be an impeachment (not just hearings or investigations) of a cabinet official each and every month during 2027.

Start with Noem, then move on to:
Hegseth
Bondi
Kennedy
Rubio
McMahon at Education
Bessent
Vought
Gabbard
Patel
Etc

Stephen Miller although not a cabinet member shouldn’t be exempt from the hearings- make him come in and take the fifth or invoke executive privilege repeatedly, on camera.

Then every 90 days or so, the committee should summarize its findings and file formal articles of impeachment against Trump. The framing should be to “stop the unparalleled corruption and lawlessness of this administration”. The process could move as quickly as Trump’s second impeachment, say four weeks or so.

That would mean the first articles of impeachment would be filed in April 2027, with the first trial ending sometime in May. Then file the second set of articles in August, just before the summer recess, and finish in September. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Put our best, most articulate and passionate Dems on the committee- AOC, Crockett (if she’s still in the house), Raskin, Frost, etc. Throughout the hearings, make sure the suffering of the American people at the hands of the administration is highlighted- “he tore down the People’s house to build a gaudy gold ballroom while millions had their food stamps cut and healthcare premiums tripled”.

My guess is there will be a race for the exits by a number of cabinet members in late 2026-early 2027, but they can still be subpoenaed even if the question of impeachment is moot for them,

Dems must show the courage to impeach because that too is part of their oath to protect and defend the Constitution.

And besides, it’s the right thing to do.