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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSenate Democrats: No SCOTUS Pick for a President Under Investigation
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/senate-democrats-a-president-under-investigation-should_us_58d056c9e4b0e0d348b346e4Senate Democrats: No SCOTUS Pick for a President Under Investigation
03/20/2017 07:29 pm ET
Neil Gorsuch is the nominee of a President whose legitimacy is in question.
Originally published as An Open Letter to Senate Democrats on 02/26/17, now updated given FBI Director James Comeys testimony on 03/20/17.
Millions of Americans already believe that the sitting President of the United States colluded with a foreign power to commit espionage, with a goal of producing damning information on his opponent that would sway the election in his favor.
Given this context, James Comeys revelation on March 20th before the House Intelligence Committee was seismic: the FBI Director admitted that his agency is investigating ties between the sitting Presidents campaign and Russian interference in the 2016 election.
The American people demand the following:
The release of the ten most recent years of Donald Trumps tax returns, so that the American people can know the extent to which the President and his family are beholden to foreign governments especially Russia. Unearthing tax returns provides context for further investigation into whether and how the President is in violation of the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution. Millions believe, are equally appalled and deeply concerned that the President and his family are profiting off of the office and accepting gifts from foreign governments that may prompt decision-making that is not in the best interests of the American people.
These are completely legitimate demands that have the best interests of the American public at heart. We want neither a conspirator in the Oval Office, nor an avalanche of conspiracy theories that undermine trust in American democratic institutions. We need cold, hard facts and a fair, legal, non-partisan process for investigation.
Meanwhile, as you know, a Supreme Court seat sits vacant. Hearings are underway for the nominee of a potentially illegitimate President. To our demands above, we add the following:
Basing a filibuster on retribution over Senate Republicans obstruction of Merrick Garlands nomination or on Gorsuchs conservative stances on key issues is moot at this point. The nominating of a Supreme Court Justice is one of the most critical roles of a President. There are too many questions hanging around this presidency to hand over this honor, which can impact the Court for decades, without more scrutiny. The identity of the nominee is entirely beside the point; the filibuster must be linked to the nominator himself. This President whose very legitimacy is being called into question through his campaigns potential involvement in Russian subterfuge of our election should not be allowed to have a nominee confirmed through to the Court or even considered until all questions are resolved.
If the Trump Administration has nothing to hide, then the investigation may take some time, but should be fairly painless. Lets test that hypothesis. Apply the pressure and use what leverage you have, Senators. Make a McConnell SCOTUS filibuster override synonymous with protecting Donald Trump from meaningful investigation, and well see how that goes for the Republicans.
Maven
(10,533 posts)world wide wally
(21,743 posts)L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)Achilleaze
(15,543 posts)wallyworld2
(375 posts)lastlib
(23,236 posts)INSANELY jealous! I want this nomination/abomination BEATEN down! And I want the illegitimate presidunce who offered it BEATEN down! Viciously and Thoroughly!
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)That makes more sense than McConnell/Grassley's claim that Obama couldn't name a nominee in an election year.
How does that nasty medicine taste on the rebound?
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)Even the party-before-country knuckleheads can grasp it.
mdbl
(4,973 posts)I'm sorry but nothing will ever get through their thick heads unless it's told to them by Fux Nooze or Mush Lumpballs.
BlueMTexpat
(15,369 posts)illegitimate nominee by any definition, IMO.
The investigation of Trump should be the final the nail in the coffin for him.
SunSeeker
(51,557 posts)N_E_1 for Tennis
(9,725 posts)but I think all of his actions should be placed on hold.
How can we ever be sure of any decision he makes until this situation is resolved.
spanone
(135,835 posts)spanone
(135,835 posts)Sunlei
(22,651 posts)Republicans IGNORED Obamas choice for almost a fucking year.
berksdem
(595 posts)fight the good fight!!!
Duppers
(28,120 posts)Was getting depressed with the no-news reactions to yesterday's revelations which I thought should be headline news everywhere today. Everywhere.
But now this...this has made my day. Thank You for posting it.
Cosmocat
(14,564 posts)You know god darned well if the tables were turned that would be what every last one of them would be screaming.
NewJeffCT
(56,828 posts)Filibuster if Republicans proceed.
bucolic_frolic
(43,166 posts)Lots of things should be walked back if they hang this creep
dembotoz
(16,805 posts)Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)"Senate Democrats are planning to filibuster Putin's Supreme Court Nominee, Neil Gorsuch ..."
And keep using it.
lastlib
(23,236 posts)Putin's Wall
Think I'll start calling someone "tRumPutin".......(kinda like Ras-putin, only nastier and more evil.)
Drahthaardogs
(6,843 posts)Well done. It kind of paints MC Cain into a corner too. How can we trust this is not another Russian plant?
They_Live
(3,233 posts)suspended or rescinded.
Hekate
(90,690 posts)stuffmatters
(2,574 posts)Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)"Senate Democrats are planning to filibuster Putin's Supreme Court Nominee, Neil Gorsuch ..."
Bradical79
(4,490 posts)It goes far beyond payback for Republicans' disgraceful behaviour with regard to President Obama's nominee. If this were Bush or some other Republican I'd be open to some pragmatic give and take if it nade political sense. Having a likely traitor in the White House though just makes it too dangerous to give an inch on such an important LIFETIME position. Can't pressure a Supreme Court judge out of his position the same way you can one of his cabinet members.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)One hopes they show this level of determination.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)About 3 million more than voted for that unfit Republican
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Unfortunately, the wording of the OP makes it sound like they themselves have drawn this line in the sand. One hopes they do.
Mr. Ected
(9,670 posts)I'm damned proud of Senator Franken right now. Can he organize dissent a la the above beautifully-crafted letter above?
gopiscrap
(23,761 posts)NewRedDawn
(790 posts)have given more than the Putin Publicans; by giving Gorsuch a hearing. More than Garland got.
McCamy Taylor
(19,240 posts)roamer65
(36,745 posts)Period.
zentrum
(9,865 posts)...the judge that Bannon is waiting for on the Muslim ban.
Save the country!
myrna minx
(22,772 posts)benld74
(9,904 posts)Takket
(21,568 posts)If the GOP can make shit up about "the last year of a presidency" then certainly we should be wise enough not to seat someone for a lifetime who's appointer in under investigation for espionage.
lastlib
(23,236 posts)Shouldn't we hold off confirming his SCt nomination until the American people have a say?
Cha
(297,240 posts)mopinko
(70,107 posts)assume the writer whose byline it is. no other author mentioned.
Alice11111
(5,730 posts)dalton99a
(81,501 posts)Amaryllis
(9,524 posts)yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)VOX
(22,976 posts)Nitram
(22,801 posts)KeepItReal
(7,769 posts)Thanks for this.