Trump's 'bribery' has been 'worse than the misconduct of any prior president,' impeachment witness will testify
President Trump either did everything wrong or not much at all, depending on who you ask.
Four legal experts will appear before the House Judiciary Committee for its round of impeachment hearings Wednesday morning, with three invited by Democrats and one welcomed by Republicans. The Democratic witnesses seem convinced that Trump needs to be impeached, and one of them, University of North Carolina Law professor Michael Gerhardt, will go so far as to say what Trump has done has been "worse than the misconduct of any prior president," his opening statement says.
Gerhardt starts by outlining what he interprets to be Trump's "wrongdoing," and says this "serious misconduct, including bribery, soliciting a personal favor from a foreign leader in exchange for his exercise of power, and obstructing justice and Congress are worse than the misconduct of any prior president." "Even President Nixon agreed to share information with Congress," responded to subpoenas, and sent lawyers to impeachment hearings, Gerhardt continues. Stanford University Law professor Pamela Karlan makes a similar case, calling Trump's conduct "a cardinal reason why the Constitution contains an impeachment power" in her statement.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
George Washington University Law professor Jonathan Turley will meanwhile appear at the request of Republicans. Turley begins his opening statement by affirming he's "not a supporter of President Trump," but still finds the legal case for impeaching him "woefully inadequate" and even "dangerous." "This impeachment would stand out among modern impeachments as the shortest proceeding, with the thinnest evidentiary record, and the narrowest grounds ever used to impeach a president," his testimony continues.
The hearing is intended for committee members to ask questions of these legal experts to determine whether they'll vote for Trump's impeachment, though it's pretty clear the Democratic majority is already set on voting in impeachment's favor.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
Our growing taste for bubble tea
The Week Recommends The trend for boba-based beverages shows no sign of ending
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
How to enjoy the Proms 2024
The Week Recommends This year's concert highlights, how to buy tickets, and where to watch and listen
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
Why more men are wearing jewellery
The Week Recommends Pop culture is boosting interest in earrings and necklaces, alongside classic tie pins and lapel pins
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published