David Swanson: Imagine Impeachment!

My guest today is blogger, peace activist activist, author, David Swanson.

Joan Brunwasser: Welcome back to OpEdNews, David. We last spoke a few weeks before the election. I just read your new piece, Why Impeach Donald Trump? When you posted this, the guy had been in office two days. He clearly isn’t widely liked but aren’t you jumping the gun a bit?

David Swanson: Speaking for myself and not for colleagues or organizations, much less George Soros from whom I’ve never received a dime ever (though apparently connecting him to some activist campaign serves some people as a refutation of its demands), I’d say we waited much too long. Some impeachable offenses were guaranteed on Day 1, but we didn’t have to wait until Day 1 to know that. Under the Constitution, the president is not allowed financial gains or business favors from the U.S., state, or foreign governments.

Trump’s lease of the Old Post Office Building violates an explicit clause in the General Services Administration lease contract. Since 1980, Trump and his businesses have brought in $885 million in tax breaks, grants and other subsidies from New York State. China’s state-owned bank is the largest tenant in Trump Tower. It is also a major lender to Trump. These are a few examples of many.

Now, days later, Trump has discriminated against Muslims in a new way with his ban on immigration from certain countries. And he’s carried on the outrages of his predecessors with drone murders, bombing campaigns, and occupations. He’s even apparently threatened to send troops into Chicago. So, I think the impeachable offenses are beginning to pile up.

Read more by David Swanson at http://www.davidswanson.org” target=”_blank”www.davidswanson.org