Joe Biden accused Donald Trump of abusing his power as President in order to investigate Biden's son, Hunter, to try to "smear" his campaign. Hunter had a lucrative role with a Ukrainian energy company and Joe Biden stated that he did not know any of his over-sea business. Trump allegedly called Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, and is being questioned whether he pressured a foreign leader into investigating him. Biden is calling for Trump to release a transcript of the phone call, saying that "depending on what the House finds", Trump could be impeached. The House committees on Foreign Affairs, Oversight, and Intelligence launched an investigation and it is up to them to determine how this will end. This article relates to the House and Congress's powers over the president and whether they think he did something wrong. The House has the power to impeach the president and Congress has the implied power to conduct investigations.
1. Do you think that Trump abused his power as President, and how do you think Congress should react?
Very relevant topic - thanks for posting Laura. I think a good question starts with the US-Ukraine relationship as well as a little more on the Biden's role in Ukraine. One other good topic relates to any specific limits on actions between political leaders and foreign countries (campaign finance/support). Please comment freely.
ReplyDelete1. Biden's role with Ukraine is one of controversy as Ukraine must investigate the activities of US presidential candidate Joe Biden’s son to establish whether his role in a Ukrainian gas company complied with the country’s laws. While what president Trump did was wrong and extremely unpresidential, no one knows if Biden's son was involved in some sketchy activity. I believe that the House will try really hard to impeach Trump, but unless he reveals the transcripts of the conversation with Ukraine's president, it will be really hard to garner sufficient evidence that would lead to his impeachment.
ReplyDeleteI believe Trump was right to desire an investigation on a candidate who may have had corruption. I do not agree with pressuring Ukraine and withholding military aid to force the investigation. The best call to action to respond to corruption is to not play into it and ensure the means by which one investigates do not constitute corruption.
ReplyDeleteTrump has abused his power as POTUS. He has threatened and pressured Ukraine in order for his own benefit. The House will impeach Trump, but the senate will prevent him from getting actually taken out of office because the republican party is the majority of the senate.
ReplyDeleteTrump definitely abused his power. While his concern regarding a political rival is understandable, withholding aid in order to pressure a foreign country to investigate said rival is taking it too far. This is clearly an impeachable offense, as can be seen by recent events, but whether or not it will play a sizable part in the next election is debatable. While Democrats do not support Trump, his Republican supporters remain on his side despite these events.
ReplyDeleteEthan Gardner
ReplyDelete1. I think Trump did abuse his power as President. He pressured a foreign leader into getting dirt on a political rival, which is an abuse of his stature as president. Since he used his current position's influence for his own personal gain and blackmailed a foreign leader, he does deserve to be impeached by Congress.