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Calls for Trump’s impeachment for obstruction of justice

Calls for Trump’s impeachment for obstruction of justice

Posted May. 19, 2017 07:19,   

Updated May. 19, 2017 07:24

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The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday appointed Robert Mueller, former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as a special counsel to investigate Russian interference into last year's presidential election and links or coordination with the campaign of President Donald Trump. On the same day, a congressman officially mentioned impeaching Trump on the House floor. Depending on the result of the special counsel’s investigation, Trump’s Russia scandal could escalate into one that resembles Richard Nixon’s Watergate scandal.

Impeachment was a taboo word until Trump’s National Security Advisor Michael Flynn was dismissed for his communications with the Russian ambassador to the U.S. However, Trump’s dismissal of FBI Director James Comey, who was investigating the Russia scandal, and the disclosure on Tuesday of Comey’s memo showing a request from Trump to drop the probe have turned the U.S. upside down.

The U.S. defines obstruction of justice as a major felony. It is applied extensively to obstructing official investigations or processes, exercising influence on them and suspects telling lies. If the Comey memo is true, the case constitutes a presidential impeachment. Obstruction of justice was applied to both Richard Nixon, who resigned after the House Judiciary Committee passed his impeachment motion, and Bill Clinton, who avoided his impeachment after the Senate voted it down. The U.S. rule of law that applies strict rules to senior public officials, including the president, teaches a good lesson to us.