Senate Republican threatens impeachments of past Democratic presidents

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

John Cornyn directs threat to majority leader Chuck Schumer

Donald Trump trial set to begin after 8 February

Reuters in Washington
Sat 23 Jan 2021 16.50 EST

The Texas Republican senator John Cornyn warned on Saturday that Donald Trump’s second impeachment could lead to the prosecution of former Democratic presidents if Republicans retake Congress in two years’ time.Trump this month became the first US president to be impeached twice, after the Democratic-controlled House, with the support of 10 Republicans, voted to charge him with incitement of insurrection over the assault on the Capitol by his supporters on 6 January which left five people dead.

. . .

After a brief moment of bipartisan sentiment in which members from both parties condemned the unprecedented attack on Congress as it met to formalize Biden’s victory, a number of Senate Republicans are opposing Trump’s trial, which could lead to a vote blocking him from future office.

“If it is a good idea to impeach and try former presidents, what about former Democratic presidents when Republicans get the majority in 2022?” Cornyn, a 19-year veteran of the Senate who last year tried to distance himself from Trump when it seemed his seat was at risk, tweeted at majority leader Chuck Schumer.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/23/senate-republican-john-cornyn-impeachment-trump-past-democratic-presidents

---

[doc03]

1. Well lets impeach Grant then. Republicans are f--g ridiculous. nt

[Lock him up.]

78. W 2...

Lying to start a war ...

[trueblue2007]

93. HA HA HA HA GOPigs are nuts, they are sooooooooooooooo scared of Trump

[Bleacher Creature]

2. Two are constitutionally ineligible to run again, another is 96, and the rest are dead.

Good luck with that.

[doc03]

4. Well why should dead matter

[salin]

9. This was my same thought.

Along with 'bring it on' - b/c ... pointless.

But then isn't that the raison d'etre of the contemporary GOP?

[Claire Oh Nette]

55. Stirring outrage to keep the Hatriot base angry at others. n/t

[BlueStater]

13. Technically, they could run for other offices, just not the presidency.

Not that they would do that of course, but they could if they wanted to. If Obama wanted to run for the Senate again, it would be perfectly legal for him to do so.

[reACTIONary]

15. Andrew Johnson served in the senate after being president. nt

[blueinredohio]

3. Is Obama going to be impeached for his tan suit?

[Bleacher Creature]

6. Of course not. That's ridiculous!

It's obviously going to be for this:

[Thekaspervote]

18. Or grey poupon on a hamburger

[COL Mustard]

97. Not Wearing A Mask???

Hee hee!!!

[Skittles]

8. more likely for his mom jeans

yes INDEED

[Deuxcents]

5. Bring it

And stuff your threats, asshole. Which D president tried to change the election? Incited insurgents to storm the Capital? Bring your Articles to light n let’s see them or stfu.

[aggiesal]

35. Exactly, just ask which President broke the law? And a big one! n/t

[Zorro]

7. Republican senators really really really don't want to have to vote

on the impeachment charges.

They will be damned by the RWNJs if they do vote to convict, or damned by everyone else if they don't vote to convict.

[TryLogic]

43. Yep

And so they do what Republicans do, they play games. They turn what should be important governmental business into shameful nonsense. And then they say something like, "Government IS the problem."

[IronLionZion]

52. I just want them to be damned

Let's make it happen. I'm here for it.

[machoneman]

53. Yes, they are damned if they do or don't! I love the fact that they got themselves in this....

...untenable position. They deserve it for sure, losers one and all. I do hope this cleans out in 2020 a ton of older R-Scum Senators and maybe some House 'Scums too! McTurtle, Scalise, Cornyn would be on a target list and more than a few others.

[Claire Oh Nette]

56. Rock...Hard place

entirely of their own duplicity and unconscionable dishonesty.

[C Moon]

61. I think they had a plan in place, and the impeachment will ruin that plan.

[Freethinker65]

10. Only living Democratic President that has not served two terms and could run again is Carter?

The GOP already threatened to impeach Hillary on Day One had she been elected.

Impeachment starts in the House and "Rep. Marjorie Greene (R-Ga.) said Thursday that she has filed articles of impeachment against President Biden, only a day after he was sworn in". Good luck getting the votes, John.

[alwaysinasnit]

11. What about Dubya and his illegal Iraq invasion??? And what about Cornyn's support for that invasion?

[Rebl2]

32. Exactly

Along with Chaney

[GulfCoast66]

57. The trumpers hate Bush. Could see them trying it.

[LeftInTX]

70. Cornyn likes Bush. He's just "afraid" of Trump's revenge

He doesn't want to have to vote on impeachment. He doesn't want to vote Yes or No..He wants to avoid it

[dweller]

12. well fuck, lets get on back

to Washington ... and all hail our English monarch again ...
god save the Queen, pip pip

✌🏻

[mdbl]

14. What a dumb-ass

As if these moran repugs would not have impeached any democratic president already had the reason existed. Do they really think their constituents are that stupid? I guess maybe they are since the keep voting this pariah like Cornyn back into office to keep ruining our system.

[BumRushDaShow]

16. 45 was impeached the 2nd time WHILE STILL IN OFFICE

[Lokee11]

36. Thank YOU!!!!

Why is that so hard to understand?!?!?!?!?!??????

Sorry - I forgot we are talking about Dumb-Fuck-licans!!!!!

✊!

[BumRushDaShow]

81. ...

[BadgerKid]

17. Knew this was coming.

But the Texas twit is talking about impeaching a nonsitting president? Ya right

[Mr. Sparkle]

19. He'd never get 67 members in the senate, this jacksass is just trolling.

[AZ8theist]

85. Plus he's too fucking dumb to know impeachment is a House function.

[IsItJustMe]

20. This is too stupid to even respond to. But here I am. LOL!

[Thekaspervote]

21. Bring it!!

Jimmy Carter for putting solar panels on the WH
Bill Clinton for merely being Hillary’s husband
President Obama..of course tan suits and grey poupon on a hamburger

Let’s impeachment posthumously!!

[AKing]

22. They ought to just change their name to the Cray Cray party.

[BootinUp]

23. That's a pretty empty threat if you ask me. Nt

[rickyhall]

24. They could get LBJ for holding his beagles by the their ears

[gopiscrap]

34. and showing his gall bladder scar

[LeftInTX]

71. LOL - Great moments in presidential history

[ashredux]

25. Idiots....good lord....such idiots

Hell..Let’s IMPEACH ALL OF THEM

[NCjack]

26. There is that little nagging problem of WITNESSES

[JohnnyRingo]

27. Republicans will be calling for impeachment of Biden within the year.

I guarantee it.
So their empty threats mean nothing because they'll do it anyway if they think they can get away with it.

[rickyhall]

39. Already have

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

28. WHOOOO cares - they were all 2 term prez and so not eligible to run anyway!!!! Duh. nt

[Tommymac]

29. Da Stupid. It burnsess.

[TlalocW]

30. Go ahead

I think most Americans don't have a problem with impeaching Trump a second time. He's freshly out of office, and more things are coming out everyday that paint him in a worst light in regards to January 6, and people, even his supporters, realize he's a scumbag. But sure, go after Obama who never had a scandal and was one of the truest gentlemen ever to occupy the office and see where that gets you.

TlalocW

[MiniMe]

31. He was impeached before he left office

[Journeyman]

33. Maybe we just start going after sitting Senators, those who are backpfeifengesicht . . .

That's reason enough.

[eShirl]

37. Is that supposed to scare us?

If there has been an impeachable offense then by all means.

[onetexan]

84. precisely. you can't impeach if they've not committed any impeachable offenses

The Party of Stupid is again showing their mendacity in an attempt to try to scare Dems.

[yaesu]

38. so repukes are learning from their leader putin and using extortion but the problem they have is

putin has the goods on repukes, they don't don't have the goods on us.

[cstanleytech]

40. Nice try but Trump was impeached while still in office all that we are waiting on now is the

trial before the Senate which they have no choice but to hold as the Constitution mandates that they do once a public official like the President has been impeached.

[StClone]

41. During Trumps "Rain of Errors" Congress did nothing but push judges

As America withered under the neglect and horror of Trump, now Republicans disingenuously call for "unity" and threaten to Impeach former Democratic Presidents. Do they ever find time for serving the people who voted them in?

Hey waste some more time jousting at imaginary windmills-what is your first priority anyway? Really! Is it to act like fucking idiot bullies and two-bit passive-aggressive cons? You are showing your true colors.

[NBachers]

42. They're still pissed that their plot to overthrow FDR & install a fascist Hitler linked govt failed.

1938 - and here we are 83 years later and they're still pulling the same nazi fascist traitor shit.

If I could push a button and eject every god-damn one of 'em into the Asteroid Belt, I'd do it. Let them spin there for eternity, bumping and colliding and crashing into each other, all bug-eyed and frozen solid.

[srose58089]

65. God bless Smedley Butler

copied and pasted from:

https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Navigation/Community/Arcadia-and-THP-Blog/September-2018/Smedley-Butler-and-the-1930s-Plot-to-Overthrow-the

"Quickly becoming known as the “White House Coup” and “Wall Street Putsch,” many major news sources derided Butler’s claims, as the committee’s final report was not made available publicly. Those implicated, ranging from the DuPont family to Prescott Bush, the grandfather of future President George W. Bush, laughed off Butler’s claims. Evidence of the validity of Butler’s testimony was not released until the 21st century, when the committee’s papers were published in the Public Domain. No one was ever prosecuted in connection to the plot.

Butler, for his part, went on to continue advocating for veterans. He also became a staunch opponent of capitalism, which he felt fed war efforts. His views were published in his well-known short book War is a Racket, which was published in 1935. There’s no telling how far the plot to overthrow the President may have gone without Butler’s intervention, but one thing is certain: its failure was the work of one patriotic Major General, and his life-long love of democracy."

-----------------

When I was in school for many many years I can not recall one teacher or professor ever mentioning the name of Smedley Butler. His book War is a Racket should be required reading for every high school graduate.

[LudwigPastorius]

44. Go fuck yourself, Cornhole.

Former presidents are not "civil officers of the United States" and are thus not eligible to be impeached per the Constitution.

Trump was a "civil officer of the United States" when he was impeached.

You'd think an 18-year Senate, swamp monster like old Cornhole would know something...anything about the Constitution, but noooooo.

[IronLionZion]

45. Impeach Andrew Jackson and James Buchanon

might as well get Andrew Johnson twice if they want to match Trump

Get Woodrow Wilson too, since he was so racist.

[sandensea]

50. He's like Woody Allen's character in Annie Hall

Annie: "I guess these are all yours: Impeach Eisenhower; Impeach Nixon; Impeach Johnson; Impeach Reegan."

Alvy: "Reagan."

[pat_k]

46. To bad no living former Dem pres...

... committed an impeachable offense.

On the other hand, perhaps it is time to stand up for human rights and impeach bush and Cheney for torturing in plain sight.

Unfortunately, if they did that the Democratic leadership would have to admit they failed to do what was demanded of them on moral principle when bush and cheney openly committed our nation to a policy of torture.

Likewise, if Republicans go after some past president for some perceived offense, they'd have to explain why they failed to act at the time. Trump's impeachment for incitement was brought in as timely a manner as it could be. This is not going after a president for some abuse of power committed years back.

[Karma13612]

47. Red meat

For the base.

Officially sick of all of it.

[Karma13612]

48. Democrats

Want to legislate.

Republicans just want to hate.

[DanieRains]

49. Whether They Actually Did Crimes Doesn't Really Matter Traitor Cornyn?

What if Trump sent a mob to burn down your house in Texas? Would you impeach Obama?

[yuiyoshida]

51. What are with these SORE LOSERS CRY BABIES... pouting can't have their way for once

REPUBLICANS... SIT THE FUCK DOWN AND SHUT THE FUCK UP....

[Permanut]

54. great idea!

Let's impeach every Democratic President who incited a riot and mob assault on the US Capitol.

[GulfCoast66]

58. Many of the freepers would impeach Lincoln for violating states rights

And freeing the slaves. And I’m not kidding.

These people are nuts.

[LeftInTX]

72. Yes, they would...But back then, they left the USA instead

[turbinetree]

59. I understand that there is a plan in the works to have secret vote

[C Moon]

60. If they get back in power, they'll do it regardless if we impeach Trump or not.

TRUMP BROKE THE LAW!
Damn foolish idiots.
They are trying to keep this Trumpism alive. They want our government overthrown.

[sandensea]

62. Exactamundo.

The same goes for the filibuster - and anything else some Democrats (understandably) are hesitant to use or change because they fear it "might set a bad precedent."

Today's GOPee needs no precedent, no rules, comity - or any other democratic nicety.

And tomorrow's? Fuhgedabouit!

[ancianita]

63. The tit-for-tat 3rd grade mentalities of 3rd rate gamers and breakers who don't deserve

the name 'politician,' nevermind the elected offices they hold.

To so corruptly try to force injustice this way on the 81 million who voted for the current president -- and to threaten leaders who represent them in order to prevent the trial of this high crime -- is to be an accessory after the fact.

18 US Code § 3 - Accessory after the fact

Whoever, knowing that an offense against the United States has been committed, receives, relieves, comforts or assists the offender in order to hinder or prevent his apprehension, trial or punishment, is an accessory after the fact.

To not enforce the Constitution, and for the DOJ's FBI to not enforce rule of law is to tell the American people there might as well be no law at all.

But oath takers know this is the right thing to do in Congress, and so does the DOJ in society :

“There is absolute resolve from the Department of Justice to hold all who intentionally engaged in criminal acts at the Capitol accountable,” Justice Department spokesman Marc Raimondi said in an email. “We have consistently made clear that we will follow the facts and evidence and charge individuals accordingly...

If everyone does their job for the 81 million who voted, and the nation they now represent, this evil bullshit will stop.

Never give in to the fascist Right. This threat demands a press conference and headlines.

[Aussie105]

66. Sure, why not?

Impeach them all, starting with #1 and through to #100.

Not alive anymore? No problem!
Not elected or even born yet? Sure, no problem! Just make an impeachment template, fill in the blanks later.

And don't forget to apply modern laws and moral codes to those Presidents from the past.
President who owned slaves? Impeachment!

Should keep the Republicans busy and happy for a few years, if not decades.

[orangecrush]

67. Impeach this, shitbags

[EndlessWire]

68. Super Bowl is on Feb. 7th

Just saying, and "after Feb. 8" means a lot of drunken parties to recover from.

This is all over Trump getting tried for insurrection. He's probably sitting at Mar A Lago, phone in hand, pressuring GOP members to try all this stuff in order to save himself. Some of them haven't noticed he's gone, and some think he's gonna come back. He's not. Because he's gonna get convicted.

[NYC Liberal]

69. One problem: Trump was impeached while he was still president.

I don't believe he could have (or would have) been impeached after he was out of office.

[man4allcats]

73. As a life-long Democrat and Texas resident,

I can confidently state John Cornyn is an idiot who got hit in the head too many times playing football.

[Orrex]

74. This would prevent FDR from running again.

[Retrograde]

75. The Senate does not impeach: it tries the impeached

Honestly, is there a prize for state with the two worst senators? Kentucky and Texas seemed to be tied for the honor right now, with Florida a very close 3rd

[Chemisse]

76. If we ever have a Democratic president who breaks the law and tries to overthrow the government

I will support the Republicans impeaching that president and I will wonder why the Dems aren't chiming in.

Until that time, they can just shut the f*** up. This isn't tit for tat.

[Aussie105]

77. Nope, it's less than that.

You pick on one of our presidents, and we will pick on all of yours!

Something like . . . Yeah, well my Dad can beat up your Dad!

It's an emotional thing, some feel hard done by, picked on, victimized.

Facts don't matter where they live. Crimes committed don't matter. Rug, broom, sweep.

Shame some are inside the government. How did they ever get to be in there, in the Senate?

[SunSeeker]

79. How? Fox News. nt

[onetexan]

80. Oh the stupid

[DeminPennswoods]

82. Guess the "don't impeache because - unity"

message isn't working out too well.

[MissMillie]

83. This is what they want to spend tax dollars on?

They best not complain about deficits.

[IcyPeas]

96. right? can't they find something worthwhile to do.

stupid babies.

[KPN]

86. What a dipshit. What is wrong with Texans?

[area51]

87. Is John Cornholio just jealous of all the attention

that his fellow Texas senator, Rafael "Ted" Cruz is getting for being a seditionist?

[Javaman]

88. Fine, turn about is fair play. Let's impeach reagan

Like he should have been

Corn-hole is fucking moron. He really is that stupid.

[dalton99a]

89. Did they order a violent attack on Congress in an attempted coup?

[Paladin]

90. Fuckface Cornyn, trying to do his Ted Cruz act.

Unconvincing.

[Shermann]

91. The "unconstitutional" argument is their safe haven position on this one

Last edited Mon Jan 25, 2021, 10:09 AM - Edit history (1)

They're not saying they're pro-Trump, they're not saying they're anti-Trump. It's a process argument.

In reality, this is a corner case and the Constitution barely covers the normal case.

That's doesn't matter though. That's their story and they're sticking to it.

[Barbara2423]

92. Let them try it, then get rid of their assess.

I am sure there are means in the Constitution to get rid of them.

[Duppers]

94. Is shitwads a word?

It fits them.

[EarthFirst]

95. Their pettiness on full display... nt