.jpg)
Thigh-High Politics is an op-ed column by Teen Vogue writer Lauren Duca that breaks down the news, provides resources for the resistance, and just generally refuses to accept toxic nonsense.
The White House vortex of scandal ratcheted to new heights on Tuesday with the revelation that, according to a memo from former FBI director James Comey, Donald Trump had asked him to stop investigating his since-disgraced national security adviser, Michael Flynn.
“I hope you can let this go,” Trump said, according to the New York Times report about the memo. The request potentially constitutes an obstruction of justice, and the question now is whether it could lead to impeachment or even a criminal trial. Except impeachment would require the support of a congressional majority, which currently rests with Republicans.
If you’ve spent the past several months wondering how Trump is able to get away with any of this, the answer lies in the Jell-O spine of the GOP, which has collectively condoned his behavior with a mix of mumbled disappointment and deafening silence. HuffPost rounded up several appalling non-responses to this most recent disaster. Senator Richard Burr, the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is investigating Trump associates and their possible ties to Russia, claimed that the burden of proof is on the Times, despite the fact that he is able to subpoena Comey’s memo, according to HuffPost. Senator Jim Risch of Idaho refused to comment and yet took the time to say reporters ought to be figuring out who leaked information about Trump sharing classified intelligence with Russia. Perhaps the most honest reaction of all came from Darrell Issa, who literally responded with his middle finger.
X content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Others have opted for a softer tack: Instead of unabashed loyalty to Trump, they are tossing out meaningless asides devoid of political value. Senator Bob Corker said the White House was in a “downward spiral.” Senator Susan Collins said she would like to have a “crisis-free day.” Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell valiantly declared that he was sick of all the “drama.” Overall, Republicans have become extremely proficient in empty declarations of disappointment. But it’s not their job to feel feelings; it is their job to act, to make laws, and to guard the sacred institution of democracy with constant vigilance. If they fail to stand up to Trump, they will keep the loyalty of their base while simultaneously guaranteeing irrevocable damage to the Constitution’s ability to check the power of the presidency.
Rare exceptions have emerged given the severity of the Comey story. Rep. Justin Amash has supported an independent Trump-Russia investigation and agreed that the allegations could be grounds for impeachment. Rep. Jason Chaffetz tweeted that he would have his “subpoena pen” ready before the news broke that he’s expected to announce his resignation. Still, the overwhelming majority of the majority party has repeatedly proven themselves willing to accept complicity. Even if newly appointed special prosecutor Robert Mueller were to turn up undisputed evidence of collusion, there’s little reason to believe Republicans would do anything about it.
What exactly would it take for Trump to go too far? (Back when he was campaigning in 2016, Trump himself said, "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose voters.") House Speaker Paul Ryan would likely respond by telling Congress to “reserve judgment” or, anyway, that was his response to the Comey memo.
On Wednesday, The Washington Post released the transcript of a 2016 conversation between Ryan, majority leader Kevin McCarthy, and several other prominent Republicans. In the tape, McCarthy reportedly says he thinks Putin pays Trump, some lawmakers laugh, and Ryan issues a warning against leaks. “What’s said in the family stays in the family,” he announces, concisely encapsulating the fundamental flaw of the GOP: Party loyalty supersedes all other defining principles.
In continuing to support the president in spite of his increasingly scandalous and shameful behavior, Republicans traded in their value system for the chance to repeal Obamacare and appoint Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. Each new infraction from the White House reveals deeper levels of hypocrisy within the majority party of Congress, perhaps most stunningly in the juxtaposition of their reaction to Hillary’s emails — which centered around the possible mishandling of classified information — and Trump’s blatant sharing of classified information directly with the Russian government. To be fair, “Lock her up” is much catchier than “Let this go.”
Now Republicans are faced with an undeniable choice: Take a stand on behalf of the country and its people, or continue to cower together as bystanders. If they continue to disregard morality in favor of a partisan scoreboard, America is sure to be the biggest loser.
Things to Read:
The New York Times piece on the Comey memo is one of the most significant pieces of journalism to emerge about this administration. Read the whole article here.
Head over to The Washington Post for the number-two piece of landmark reporting from the week, in which reporters discovered that Trump revealed classified information to Russian officials that may put a critical source of foreign intelligence at risk.
Last week, Jeff Sessions instructed prosecutors to “charge and pursue the most serious, readily provable offense.” Check out Teen Vogue contributor Lincoln Blades’s piece on the racist implications of the directive.
Things to Do:
Call your representatives and let them know they are on the hook for their behavior in the coming weeks, especially if they haven’t taken a stand. Here’s a roundup of every lawmaker’s reaction to Comey’s firing, and here are phone numbers for representatives from the Senate and House.
Buried amidst the political gut punches of the week was the following nugget: Trump reportedly asked Comey to consider jailing journalists for publishing classified information. If you can, make a donation to the Committee to Protect Journalists, or consider contributing to Mother Jones as they work to raise $500,000 to go after the Trump-Russia story.
See if there are any demonstrations around the issues that matter to you. If not, it may be time to think about organizing a protest of your own.
Related: Justice Department Appoints Robert Mueller as Special Counsel for Russia Investigation
Check this out:
