Stop

This week a number of court filings have raised the temperature of the Mueller investigation. While President Trump tweeted that the filings have cleared him, most knowledgeable legal observers came to the opposite conclusion. As unindicted Individual 1, Trump seems immersed in improper conduct. While he tries to deflect the scrutiny, the evidence continues to mount. Regardless of the constant haranguing by the president and his supporters, the only insight into the investigation by the special prosecutor–or from related cases by different prosecutors’ offices–comes from documents filed in court. Many of the documents available for public review are heavily redacted but they are informative. In January, the Democrats will control the House. There continue to be cries for impeachment. An impeachment begins in the House but is voted on by the Senate, which is currently controlled by Republicans. A number of Republicans would have to abandon their party to vote for impeachment or the impeachment would fail. At this point, people need to stop. They need to stop calling for impeachment. They need to allow the investigation to run its course. After the investigation is concluded, when the evidence is known, that would be the time to evaluate what should occur. Impeachment should not be partisan nor should it be instigated unless there is overwhelming evidence of a serious crime or series of crimes. The crime or crimes must significant. The evidence must be more than the testimony of cooperating individuals seeking to reduce their own criminal liability. There must be irrefutable evidence. Hard evidence like emails, captured conversations, banking receipts or other tamper proof evidence must be available to test the credibility of any witness testimony. When Nixon was impeached it was Republicans who compelled him to step down after seeing overwhelming evidence of guilt. Today it should not be a Democratic impeachment. It should not be a partisan process. If the evidence is produced to prove that impeachment is appropriate, Republicans need to lead the charge. If such evidence is never produced, there should be no impeachment. Everyone offering their opinions now, speculating about what the Special Prosecutor has, needs to stop. The investigation must conclude on its own schedule, unabated and without interference. Now more than ever, we need to embrace the concepts of due process and rule of law.