Written by John Stoehr, The Editorial Board February 15, 2020
When Senate Republicans acquitted Donald Trump of abusing power and obstructing the US Congress, they established the precedent that the president is the nation-state and the nation-state is the president. His interests are the national interest. His friends are our friends. His enemies our enemies. We’re a nation of men, not laws.
This article was originally published at The Editorial Board
In the hours and days after acquittal, the Republicans in the Senate pretended they were doing no such thing, just as the Republican majority of the US Supreme Court pretended in 2000 the invasion of one branch of the federal government into another branch did not establish any sort of legal precedent. But just as Bush v Gore set the Republican Party on a new course toward minority rule through the force of law, Trump’s acquittal set the GOP on a new course toward elevating themselves above it.
The result has been a president unleashed from normal constraints and pursuing objectives that—again—show contempt for the US Constitution and the rule of law. Trump is now free to abuse his power and profane virtually whatever he wants, tempting the House to impeach him again and the electorate to send him packing.
He fired administration officials who testified against him. Goombahs at the Treasury Department expedited to Senate Republicans financial documents related to Hunter Biden while sandbagging House Democratic requests for the president’s tax returns.
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