Washington’s hearing industry reopens for business
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democratic lawmakers are preparing a new round of investigations and impeachment efforts following their midterm victories, triggering an immediate response from President Donald Trump, who has asked the Justice Department to examine alleged threats against administration officials.
According to Fox News, Trump accused Democrats of political intimidation and argued that their threatened punishments amounted to improper coercion. The Washington Post and CNBC both reported on the request, the latter noting that it named Senator Elissa Slotkin.
The dispute has revived one of Washington’s most profitable industries.
Investigating Donald Trump.
Impeachment Threats: Democrats Discover Their Favorite Hobby Is Now a Career
“We have a responsibility to hold the administration accountable,” declared Democratic strategist Brandon Subpoena.
Asked how many investigations Congress should conduct, Subpoena replied that the number should depend on available committee rooms.
“We cannot allow misconduct to escape scrutiny.”
A reporter asked whether allegations should be supported by evidence.
“Absolutely.”
“Before or after announcing impeachment?”
Subpoena paused.
“Let’s not become obsessed with procedural technicalities.”
He subsequently unveiled a proposal for a Select Committee on the Investigation of Things Democrats Strongly Suspect.
Its first hearing would examine whether Republican officials had demonstrated insufficient enthusiasm for Democratic campaign promises.
The transcript of Subpoena’s news conference, as circulated by his own office, shows the word “accountability” 22 times and the word “evidence” once, in a sentence that begins, “We will, of course, be collecting evidence about the need for evidence.”
Trump Discovers Turnabout Is Politically Fascinating
Trump has repeatedly argued that his political opponents use legal processes to damage his administration.
He now wants the Justice Department to examine whether Democratic threats cross legal boundaries.
That creates an important distinction.
Congress has constitutional authority to investigate executive misconduct and pursue impeachment. The Congressional Research Service’s report on impeachment and the Constitution and Cornell’s overview of the impeachment clause both explain how the power works, in the sort of detail the cable networks have never found room for.
But political disagreement alone does not establish criminal wrongdoing, regardless of which party is making the accusation.
A constitutional lawyer explained the issue.
“Investigating potential misconduct is lawful. Threatening unlawful punishment or retaliation may be another matter.”
Asked whether Washington understood the difference, he burst out laughing.
“I’ve been practicing constitutional law for thirty-seven years. I’ve never seen so many people who demand due process exclusively for themselves.”
Congressional Hearings Become a National Industry
Political consultants are reportedly preparing a proposed schedule of congressional investigations.
Monday: Trump.
Tuesday: Trump associates.
Wednesday: Trump donors.
Thursday: People who once attended a dinner with Trump.
Friday: Investigation into why Wednesday’s witnesses did not properly appreciate the investigation.
One lawmaker suggested reserving Saturday for legislation.
The proposal was defeated in committee.
A tally by a good-government group found that the proposed calendar contains forty-two hours of scheduled testimony and zero hours of drafting, amending or passing a law. The group’s director called it the most efficient use of Capitol Hill square footage in a generation, then asked for the hearing room to be cleaned.
A Republican aide questioned whether Democrats would also investigate questionable conduct within their own party.
A progressive activist explained that accountability was essential but should never distract from more important priorities.
Those priorities apparently involve investigating Republicans. The House Oversight Committee’s website lists past hearings in a catalog long enough to suggest the practice has never gone out of style, regardless of which party is holding the gavel.
Voters Requested an Economy, Not a Courtroom Subscription
Americans recently voted amid frustration over prices, housing costs and political dysfunction.
Many hoped the election would encourage politicians to address everyday problems.
Instead, Washington is preparing another competition to determine which party can hire the most lawyers.
A small-business owner in Pennsylvania described the situation.
“My employees need affordable healthcare. My customers need lower prices. My company needs less paperwork.”
He looked toward Congress.
“These people are organizing another televised argument about somebody else’s argument.”
He suggested paying legislators only for days when they passed useful legislation.
Both parties condemned the idea as economically destabilizing.
The Constitution Was Not Written as a Revenge Manual
Congressional oversight is legitimate. Criminal investigations must be based on actual evidence. Neither should become a substitute for governing.
If Democrats uncover wrongdoing, they should present the facts.
If Trump believes officials have committed crimes, his administration should meet the same evidentiary standards.
But voters are entitled to demand that politicians spend at least a portion of their careers doing the jobs they were elected to perform.
One taxpayer offered a particularly harsh proposal.
“Make Congress pay its own legal bills.”
Washington immediately declared a national emergency.
America has two political parties, three branches of government and roughly 340 million reasons to stop spending every waking minute investigating the opposition.
Unfortunately, congressional investigators have just discovered another reason to continue.
They receive salaries whether the investigations accomplish anything or not.
Five Observations on the Impeachment Season
- A Select Committee on the Investigation of Things Democrats Strongly Suspect. That’s not a committee, that’s Thanksgiving dinner with a gavel.
- “Let’s not get obsessed with procedural technicalities.” That’s what every guy says right after the cop asks for his license.
- Monday Trump, Tuesday Trump’s associates, Wednesday donors, Thursday people who once sat near a dinner. Friday they investigate why Wednesday’s witnesses didn’t appreciate the investigation. They’ve got a hearing for the hearing.
- Saturday’s reserved for legislation and it got voted down. They voted against doing their job on the one day they’re already off.
- Pay Congress only on days they pass something useful, and both parties called it destabilizing. Of course they did. Half that town would be living in a van.