It began with a self-inflicted wound. Trump offered a partial transcript of his phone conversation with Ukraine President Zelensky during which he “asked for a favor.” Using his power as your illegitimate president, he sought “dirt” on the man he perceived as his rival in 2020; Joe Biden.

Even Nancy Pelosi, who previously rejected impeachment, recognized that Trump had crossed the line and the impeachment inquiry became mandatory. Trump has attempted to block testimony, and the orange man’s lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, ignored an order to appear before the House. However, two individuals have testified and their information is extremely damning and contradicts Trump’s claim of innocence.

Trump’s former top Russia adviser, Fiona Hill, “detailed for lawmakers a trail of alleged corruption that extends from Kyiv to the West Wing. In dramatic testimony on Monday, she roped in some of Trump’s top advisers as witnesses to the unfolding controversy.” Ms. Hill is the first former member of Trump’s White House staff to ignore Trump’s order not to testify.

That was just the beginning.

On Tuesday a senior State Department official, George Kent, testified for 10 hours. Trump’s lawyers attempted to prevent his testimony. But on Tuesday morning the deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs, complied after receiving a subpoena from the House intelligence committee. He offered firsthand knowledge of the incident which led to Trump’s impeachment inquiry.

Mr. Kent was extremely disturbed by the actions of Rudy Giuliani as described by one Congressman present for the testimony.

“He was concerned at the undue influence a private attorney — not an official with the United States government and not someone charged with the responsibility of U.S. relations with Ukraine — was exerting, and that Giuliani was listening to discredited sources and had ties to some questionable characters in Ukraine, and nonetheless had the ear of the president,” Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) said in a brief interview as he emerged from Kent’s deposition.

Presidents have been impeached for less. Richard Nixon resigned before the impeachment process was completed, and his actions, although criminal, did not involve the leaders of foreign nations.

Trump must go. His corruption has reached a level never seen before in Washington.

Op-ed by James Turnage

SOURCE

Image courtesy of DonkeyHotey

My seven novels are available on Amazon; CLICKHERE