Is It Ever OK for a President to Ask a Foreign Country to Investigate a Political Rival?
Maybe good faith wouldn’t be an adequate defense if Trump violated campaign finance laws by seeking a “thing of value” from foreign governments in support of his reelection campaign. But I would argue that some presidential conversations with foreign leaders must be considered beyond the scope of campaign finance regulation. The exercise of commander in chief responsibility in pursuit of the national interest should not get caught up in the interpretation of regulations that fundamentally are designed to protect American elections from foreign money.
Nor is a quid pro quo offer—if that is what Trump made to Ukraine when asking for an investigation—necessarily a sign of bad faith. Such an offer could be considered legitimate if it is in the service of a valid foreign policy objective, as Michael McFaul, President Barack Obama’s ambassador to Russia, recently observed.
These points are not to suggest that Trump was justified in requesting foreign investigation of Biden. Rather, they help point the focus of the inquiry where it belongs: on Trump’s motive. Congress must determine whether the president had a good-faith basis for believing that Biden engaged in any impropriety, comparable with Nixon’s or Burr’s, that could justify the kind of requests Trump made to Ukraine and China. From all the available evidence right now, it strains credulity for Trump’s defenders to claim he is acting in good faith, but Congress must make an official judgment as part of any formal impeachment proceedings.
How can Congress establish that Trump’s motive was nefarious? For starters, the House will need to show that the Biden allegations are so spurious as to be necessarily made in bad faith. That will open the impeachment inquiry to whatever contrary evidence Trump can muster, unavoidably making Biden a focus of the inquiry—something Democrats presumably would prefer to avoid.
https://politico.com/magazine/amp/story/2019/10/06/trump-ukraine-investigate-rival-229341?fbclid=IwAR03jGrUfoTOj-y4BX3C6o9eRRSb8qckG6puFIR20ICVmiTrwP9_OCakatg
Comments
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I agree that Trump should be able to investigate any corruption regardless of who it is. There is clearly corruption with Biden and his son. If the low level rats on here were honest with themselves for just one second, even they would say that biden and his son were corrupt and that Biden actually called off an investigation of his own son by threatening to withhold aid.
My biggest problem here is not the aforementioned issue. I could live with it either way. My problem is that the bidens clearly made money off of political thievery and the rats under The Bitch, the Secretary of State, clearly were utilizing the Russians to gather dirt on Trump. If neither were seeking political advantages and then wanted to be President, I would not be as upset. But in this case biden is running for President and so was The Bitch. Why are rats not interested in pursuing those investigations?
What is good for the goose must be good for the gander. The bias and inconsistency in this instance is what breaks down our system of laws and government. -
Sounds like we just need Hunter Biden and his associates to testify to their innocence in all of this right?Bendintheriver said:I agree that Trump should be able to investigate any corruption regardless of who it is. There is clearly corruption with Biden and his son. If the low level rats on here were honest with themselves for just one second, even they would say that biden and his son were corrupt and that Biden actually called off an investigation of his own son by threatening to withhold aid.
My biggest problem here is not the aforementioned issue. I could live with it either way. My problem is that the bidens clearly made money off of political thievery and the rats under The Bitch, the Secretary of State, clearly were utilizing the Russians to gather dirt on Trump. If neither were seeking political advantages and then wanted to be President, I would not be as upset. But in this case biden is running for President and so was The Bitch. Why are rats not interested in pursuing those investigations?
What is good for the goose must be good for the gander. The bias and inconsistency in this instance is what breaks down our system of laws and government. -
How have we established that Biden is in fact a "political rival"? Doesn't rival imply they have a chance to win?
If I'm Trump, I'm praying-doog-gif Biden is the DNC choice. -
What laws did Hunter break?Bendintheriver said:I agree that Trump should be able to investigate any corruption regardless of who it is. There is clearly corruption with Biden and his son. If the low level rats on here were honest with themselves for just one second, even they would say that biden and his son were corrupt and that Biden actually called off an investigation of his own son by threatening to withhold aid.
My biggest problem here is not the aforementioned issue. I could live with it either way. My problem is that the bidens clearly made money off of political thievery and the rats under The Bitch, the Secretary of State, clearly were utilizing the Russians to gather dirt on Trump. If neither were seeking political advantages and then wanted to be President, I would not be as upset. But in this case biden is running for President and so was The Bitch. Why are rats not interested in pursuing those investigations?
What is good for the goose must be good for the gander. The bias and inconsistency in this instance is what breaks down our system of laws and government. -
How come you haven't been shot?2001400ex said:
What laws did Hunter break?Bendintheriver said:I agree that Trump should be able to investigate any corruption regardless of who it is. There is clearly corruption with Biden and his son. If the low level rats on here were honest with themselves for just one second, even they would say that biden and his son were corrupt and that Biden actually called off an investigation of his own son by threatening to withhold aid.
My biggest problem here is not the aforementioned issue. I could live with it either way. My problem is that the bidens clearly made money off of political thievery and the rats under The Bitch, the Secretary of State, clearly were utilizing the Russians to gather dirt on Trump. If neither were seeking political advantages and then wanted to be President, I would not be as upset. But in this case biden is running for President and so was The Bitch. Why are rats not interested in pursuing those investigations?
What is good for the goose must be good for the gander. The bias and inconsistency in this instance is what breaks down our system of laws and government. -
please just die2001400ex said:
What laws did Hunter break?Bendintheriver said:I agree that Trump should be able to investigate any corruption regardless of who it is. There is clearly corruption with Biden and his son. If the low level rats on here were honest with themselves for just one second, even they would say that biden and his son were corrupt and that Biden actually called off an investigation of his own son by threatening to withhold aid.
My biggest problem here is not the aforementioned issue. I could live with it either way. My problem is that the bidens clearly made money off of political thievery and the rats under The Bitch, the Secretary of State, clearly were utilizing the Russians to gather dirt on Trump. If neither were seeking political advantages and then wanted to be President, I would not be as upset. But in this case biden is running for President and so was The Bitch. Why are rats not interested in pursuing those investigations?
What is good for the goose must be good for the gander. The bias and inconsistency in this instance is what breaks down our system of laws and government. -
We will investigate and then find out. If he refuses to cooperate then process crimes should be good enough.2001400ex said:
What laws did Hunter break?Bendintheriver said:I agree that Trump should be able to investigate any corruption regardless of who it is. There is clearly corruption with Biden and his son. If the low level rats on here were honest with themselves for just one second, even they would say that biden and his son were corrupt and that Biden actually called off an investigation of his own son by threatening to withhold aid.
My biggest problem here is not the aforementioned issue. I could live with it either way. My problem is that the bidens clearly made money off of political thievery and the rats under The Bitch, the Secretary of State, clearly were utilizing the Russians to gather dirt on Trump. If neither were seeking political advantages and then wanted to be President, I would not be as upset. But in this case biden is running for President and so was The Bitch. Why are rats not interested in pursuing those investigations?
What is good for the goose must be good for the gander. The bias and inconsistency in this instance is what breaks down our system of laws and government. -
Oh so you guys scream about what laws Trump broke. But now it's irrelevant and don't care if Hunter violated and laws?
El oh fucking El. -
So you are saying that it's all good if it isn't "technically" illegal? How do we know that without investigating? That's the standard your standing by with Trump right?2001400ex said:Oh so you guys scream about what laws Trump broke. But now it's irrelevant and don't care if Hunter violated and laws?
El oh fucking El. -
No that's not the standard with Trump. But I know your news source tells you that. If Trump didn't break any laws, why are his top administration officials hiding?UW_Doog_Bot said:
So you are saying that it's all good if it isn't "technically" illegal? How do we know that without investigating? That's the standard your standing by with Trump right?2001400ex said:Oh so you guys scream about what laws Trump broke. But now it's irrelevant and don't care if Hunter violated and laws?
El oh fucking El. -
Kunt logic, is there anything it can't do?2001400ex said:
No that's not the standard with Trump. But I know your news source tells you that. If Trump didn't break any laws, why are his top administration officials hiding?UW_Doog_Bot said:
So you are saying that it's all good if it isn't "technically" illegal? How do we know that without investigating? That's the standard your standing by with Trump right?2001400ex said:Oh so you guys scream about what laws Trump broke. But now it's irrelevant and don't care if Hunter violated and laws?
El oh fucking El. -
Right they won't testify so they are guilty then. Why won't the Bidens just testify then and clear it all up? Nice and tidy.2001400ex said:
No that's not the standard with Trump. But I know your news source tells you that. If Trump didn't break any laws, why are his top administration officials hiding?UW_Doog_Bot said:
So you are saying that it's all good if it isn't "technically" illegal? How do we know that without investigating? That's the standard your standing by with Trump right?2001400ex said:Oh so you guys scream about what laws Trump broke. But now it's irrelevant and don't care if Hunter violated and laws?
El oh fucking El. -
Rats obviously believe Hunter Biden is guilty that's why they refuse to call him. Arguing like a Kunt 101
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If 51 senators think this idiocy is worth pursuing and include in the rules at trump’s impeachment trial, they are more than welcome to pursue.UW_Doog_Bot said:
Right they won't testify so they are guilty then. Why won't the Bidens just testify then and clear it all up? Nice and tidy.2001400ex said:
No that's not the standard with Trump. But I know your news source tells you that. If Trump didn't break any laws, why are his top administration officials hiding?UW_Doog_Bot said:
So you are saying that it's all good if it isn't "technically" illegal? How do we know that without investigating? That's the standard your standing by with Trump right?2001400ex said:Oh so you guys scream about what laws Trump broke. But now it's irrelevant and don't care if Hunter violated and laws?
El oh fucking El.
Good luck with that.
In the meantime, trump’s DOJ, FBI, and State Department could investigate this corruption any time they deem it worthwhile and anywhere it leads.
Who’s the right man for this? Huber, Horowitz or Durham? -
Bot just splattered hondo all over the room and hondo doesn't even know it
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You two should get together with swaye for another epic podcast. That no one ever heard. Figuratively and literally.RaceBannon said:Bot just splattered hondo all over the room and hondo doesn't even know it
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Seems like all the Bidens need to do is testify that all this corruption stuff is completely unfounded and you have an airtight case for impeachment. All they have to do is open the books and bam, Trump is sure to be impeached regardless of the GOP in the Senate.CirrhosisDawg said:
If 51 senators think this idiocy is worth pursuing and include in the rules at trump’s impeachment trial, they are more than welcome to pursue.UW_Doog_Bot said:
Right they won't testify so they are guilty then. Why won't the Bidens just testify then and clear it all up? Nice and tidy.2001400ex said:
No that's not the standard with Trump. But I know your news source tells you that. If Trump didn't break any laws, why are his top administration officials hiding?UW_Doog_Bot said:
So you are saying that it's all good if it isn't "technically" illegal? How do we know that without investigating? That's the standard your standing by with Trump right?2001400ex said:Oh so you guys scream about what laws Trump broke. But now it's irrelevant and don't care if Hunter violated and laws?
El oh fucking El.
Good luck with that.
In the meantime, trump’s DOJ, FBI, and State Department could investigate this corruption any time they deem it worthwhile and anywhere it leads.
Who’s the right man for this? Huber, Horowitz or Durham? -
Seems to whom?UW_Doog_Bot said:
Seems like all the Bidens need to do is testify that all this corruption stuff is completely unfounded and you have an airtight case for impeachment. All they have to do is open the books and bam, Trump is sure to be impeached regardless of the GOP in the Senate.CirrhosisDawg said:
If 51 senators think this idiocy is worth pursuing and include in the rules at trump’s impeachment trial, they are more than welcome to pursue.UW_Doog_Bot said:
Right they won't testify so they are guilty then. Why won't the Bidens just testify then and clear it all up? Nice and tidy.2001400ex said:
No that's not the standard with Trump. But I know your news source tells you that. If Trump didn't break any laws, why are his top administration officials hiding?UW_Doog_Bot said:
So you are saying that it's all good if it isn't "technically" illegal? How do we know that without investigating? That's the standard your standing by with Trump right?2001400ex said:Oh so you guys scream about what laws Trump broke. But now it's irrelevant and don't care if Hunter violated and laws?
El oh fucking El.
Good luck with that.
In the meantime, trump’s DOJ, FBI, and State Department could investigate this corruption any time they deem it worthwhile and anywhere it leads.
Who’s the right man for this? Huber, Horowitz or Durham? -
Get 51votes in the senate and your fantasy will come true.UW_Doog_Bot said:
Seems like all the Bidens need to do is testify that all this corruption stuff is completely unfounded and you have an airtight case for impeachment. All they have to do is open the books and bam, Trump is sure to be impeached regardless of the GOP in the Senate.CirrhosisDawg said:
If 51 senators think this idiocy is worth pursuing and include in the rules at trump’s impeachment trial, they are more than welcome to pursue.UW_Doog_Bot said:
Right they won't testify so they are guilty then. Why won't the Bidens just testify then and clear it all up? Nice and tidy.2001400ex said:
No that's not the standard with Trump. But I know your news source tells you that. If Trump didn't break any laws, why are his top administration officials hiding?UW_Doog_Bot said:
So you are saying that it's all good if it isn't "technically" illegal? How do we know that without investigating? That's the standard your standing by with Trump right?2001400ex said:Oh so you guys scream about what laws Trump broke. But now it's irrelevant and don't care if Hunter violated and laws?
El oh fucking El.
Good luck with that.
In the meantime, trump’s DOJ, FBI, and State Department could investigate this corruption any time they deem it worthwhile and anywhere it leads.
Who’s the right man for this? Huber, Horowitz or Durham? -
I never did a podcast with Swaye you dumb fucking moronCirrhosisDawg said:
You two should get together with swaye for another epic podcast. That no one ever heard. Figuratively and literally.RaceBannon said:Bot just splattered hondo all over the room and hondo doesn't even know it
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Who knew? No one could hear a word any of you were saying.RaceBannon said:
I never did a podcast with Swaye you dumb fucking moronCirrhosisDawg said:
You two should get together with swaye for another epic podcast. That no one ever heard. Figuratively and literally.RaceBannon said:Bot just splattered hondo all over the room and hondo doesn't even know it
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Everyone knewCirrhosisDawg said:
Who knew? No one could hear a word any of you were saying.RaceBannon said:
I never did a podcast with Swaye you dumb fucking moronCirrhosisDawg said:
You two should get together with swaye for another epic podcast. That no one ever heard. Figuratively and literally.RaceBannon said:Bot just splattered hondo all over the room and hondo doesn't even know it
Except fucking morons -
I’ve been saying for weeks fuck Trump if it exposes and leads to charges against the Biden’s.2001400ex said:Oh so you guys scream about what laws Trump broke. But now it's irrelevant and don't care if Hunter violated and laws?
El oh fucking El.
I don’t necessarily think Trump has done much wrong in pursuit of Hunter and Joe but if that’s the price to pay for exposing the corruption, so be it.
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You’ve also been saying for three years you believed the “deep state spying!” “Bigger than watergate!” bullshit. You called something that didn’t happen “chilling.” Maybe you should sit this one out.PurpleThrobber said:
I’ve been saying for weeks fuck Trump if it exposes and leads to charges against the Biden’s.2001400ex said:Oh so you guys scream about what laws Trump broke. But now it's irrelevant and don't care if Hunter violated and laws?
El oh fucking El.
I don’t necessarily think Trump has done much wrong in pursuit of Hunter and Joe but if that’s the price to pay for exposing the corruption, so be it. -
Three years?CirrhosisDawg said:
You’ve also been saying for three years you believed the “deep state spying!” “Bigger than watergate!” bullshit. You called something that didn’t happen “chilling.” Maybe you should sit this one out.PurpleThrobber said:
I’ve been saying for weeks fuck Trump if it exposes and leads to charges against the Biden’s.2001400ex said:Oh so you guys scream about what laws Trump broke. But now it's irrelevant and don't care if Hunter violated and laws?
El oh fucking El.
I don’t necessarily think Trump has done much wrong in pursuit of Hunter and Joe but if that’s the price to pay for exposing the corruption, so be it.
Maybe the last three months the ‘intelligence’ community has exposed itself as a bunch of hacks.
And you’re going to have to link this bigger than watergate line that you’re now wrongfully attributing to me
Typhus in Cali is my angle
Maybe you should get some meds as it is affecting your memory.
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Chilling.PurpleThrobber said:
Three years?CirrhosisDawg said:
You’ve also been saying for three years you believed the “deep state spying!” “Bigger than watergate!” bullshit. You called something that didn’t happen “chilling.” Maybe you should sit this one out.PurpleThrobber said:
I’ve been saying for weeks fuck Trump if it exposes and leads to charges against the Biden’s.2001400ex said:Oh so you guys scream about what laws Trump broke. But now it's irrelevant and don't care if Hunter violated and laws?
El oh fucking El.
I don’t necessarily think Trump has done much wrong in pursuit of Hunter and Joe but if that’s the price to pay for exposing the corruption, so be it.
Maybe the last three months the ‘intelligence’ community has exposed itself as a bunch of hacks.
And you’re going to have to link this bigger than watergate line that you’re now wrongfully attributing to me
Typhus in Cali is my angle
Maybe you should get some meds as it is affecting your memory.
Potd. -
Meds should clear up the chills.CirrhosisDawg said:
Chilling.PurpleThrobber said:
Three years?CirrhosisDawg said:
You’ve also been saying for three years you believed the “deep state spying!” “Bigger than watergate!” bullshit. You called something that didn’t happen “chilling.” Maybe you should sit this one out.PurpleThrobber said:
I’ve been saying for weeks fuck Trump if it exposes and leads to charges against the Biden’s.2001400ex said:Oh so you guys scream about what laws Trump broke. But now it's irrelevant and don't care if Hunter violated and laws?
El oh fucking El.
I don’t necessarily think Trump has done much wrong in pursuit of Hunter and Joe but if that’s the price to pay for exposing the corruption, so be it.
Maybe the last three months the ‘intelligence’ community has exposed itself as a bunch of hacks.
And you’re going to have to link this bigger than watergate line that you’re now wrongfully attributing to me
Typhus in Cali is my angle
Maybe you should get some meds as it is affecting your memory.
Potd.
-
Lots of clearing up going on. Glad to see you’re no longer “chilled” by Spygate! and Deep state!PurpleThrobber said:
Meds should clear up the chills.CirrhosisDawg said:
Chilling.PurpleThrobber said:
Three years?CirrhosisDawg said:
You’ve also been saying for three years you believed the “deep state spying!” “Bigger than watergate!” bullshit. You called something that didn’t happen “chilling.” Maybe you should sit this one out.PurpleThrobber said:
I’ve been saying for weeks fuck Trump if it exposes and leads to charges against the Biden’s.2001400ex said:Oh so you guys scream about what laws Trump broke. But now it's irrelevant and don't care if Hunter violated and laws?
El oh fucking El.
I don’t necessarily think Trump has done much wrong in pursuit of Hunter and Joe but if that’s the price to pay for exposing the corruption, so be it.
Maybe the last three months the ‘intelligence’ community has exposed itself as a bunch of hacks.
And you’re going to have to link this bigger than watergate line that you’re now wrongfully attributing to me
Typhus in Cali is my angle
Maybe you should get some meds as it is affecting your memory.
Potd.
With my long weekend coming up and a worthless AC, I should have plenty of time to refresh your memory about the biggest US political conspiracy since watergate. -
I'd change the subject too MuellertardCirrhosisDawg said:
Lots of clearing up going on. Glad to see you’re no longer “chilled” by Spygate! and Deep state!PurpleThrobber said:
Meds should clear up the chills.CirrhosisDawg said:
Chilling.PurpleThrobber said:
Three years?CirrhosisDawg said:
You’ve also been saying for three years you believed the “deep state spying!” “Bigger than watergate!” bullshit. You called something that didn’t happen “chilling.” Maybe you should sit this one out.PurpleThrobber said:
I’ve been saying for weeks fuck Trump if it exposes and leads to charges against the Biden’s.2001400ex said:Oh so you guys scream about what laws Trump broke. But now it's irrelevant and don't care if Hunter violated and laws?
El oh fucking El.
I don’t necessarily think Trump has done much wrong in pursuit of Hunter and Joe but if that’s the price to pay for exposing the corruption, so be it.
Maybe the last three months the ‘intelligence’ community has exposed itself as a bunch of hacks.
And you’re going to have to link this bigger than watergate line that you’re now wrongfully attributing to me
Typhus in Cali is my angle
Maybe you should get some meds as it is affecting your memory.
Potd.
With my long weekend coming up and a worthless AC, I should have plenty of time to refresh your memory about the biggest US political conspiracy since watergate. -
I didn’t, but am not surprised you think so.RaceBannon said:
I'd change the subject too MuellertardCirrhosisDawg said:
Lots of clearing up going on. Glad to see you’re no longer “chilled” by Spygate! and Deep state!PurpleThrobber said:
Meds should clear up the chills.CirrhosisDawg said:
Chilling.PurpleThrobber said:
Three years?CirrhosisDawg said:
You’ve also been saying for three years you believed the “deep state spying!” “Bigger than watergate!” bullshit. You called something that didn’t happen “chilling.” Maybe you should sit this one out.PurpleThrobber said:
I’ve been saying for weeks fuck Trump if it exposes and leads to charges against the Biden’s.2001400ex said:Oh so you guys scream about what laws Trump broke. But now it's irrelevant and don't care if Hunter violated and laws?
El oh fucking El.
I don’t necessarily think Trump has done much wrong in pursuit of Hunter and Joe but if that’s the price to pay for exposing the corruption, so be it.
Maybe the last three months the ‘intelligence’ community has exposed itself as a bunch of hacks.
And you’re going to have to link this bigger than watergate line that you’re now wrongfully attributing to me
Typhus in Cali is my angle
Maybe you should get some meds as it is affecting your memory.
Potd.
With my long weekend coming up and a worthless AC, I should have plenty of time to refresh your memory about the biggest US political conspiracy since watergate.
