A review by redbecca
The Constitution Demands It: The Case for the Impeachment of Donald Trump by Ron Fein, John Bonifaz, Ben Clements

5.0

This is a very readable book that makes a strong case for impeaching Trump - and, in light of recent events - for including more articles of impeachment than those currently being discussed in the media around the Ukraine phone calls. This is all the more striking because the book was published in 2018 and already included information on Giuliani's role in efforts to strong-arm the Ukrainian govt. Beyond the obvious abuse of power, obstruction of justice, and encouragement of foreign govts. in election meddling (not criminal conspiracy, but simple, knowing acceptance of this help and now active efforts to repeat that for 2020), I hope congresspeople will take up these authors' suggestion to impeach for abuse of pardon power, specifically for the pardon of Joe Arpaio (on constitutional grounds of equal protection), and on emoluments both foreign and domestic, which the authors explain were among the reasons that the Constitution includes the power to impeach in the first place. Presciently, the authors were also arguing in 2018 that the Mueller probe's limited and secretive scope meant that it would not be the thing that would push the public toward impeachment. They argued that Congress should start its own impeachment inquiry independent of the Mueller investigation, rather than waiting for Mueller to tell them what to do. I only hope that the emoluments-related lawsuits and effort to get hold of Trump's tax returns resolve before the impeachment happens, as the level of venality and self-dealing by this presidency should not establish a new low bar for future businessmen presidents.