By Aaron Miller-
A whistle blower complaint alleging Donald Trump sought to pressure the president of Ukraine to spark an investigation has been made public, days after a formal impeachment hearing against the president relating to the claims were made.
The document described as “explosive” and “deeply disturbing” claims the White House may have regularly moved records of the president’s calls into a keyword classified database for political reasons, instead of serious national security concerns consistent with standard practise.
Several Democrats are now pushing for an impeachment, a call that has been getting louder ever since the unrelated Mueller investigations connected to separate allegations about collusion with Russian officials to illegally influence the 2016 U.S elections.
Impeachment has been knocking on President Trump’s door for a while, making its eventual reality ever closer and gathering momentum against the backdrop of past demands. The gathering pace of force looks a matter of time before man on the throne gives way to the mounting force of resistance against him.
A phone call between Trump and the Ukraine president, mr.Zelensky, reveals more than a cordial relationship, branching off into a subtly communicated push for an investigation critics believe was intended to influence the Ukranian elections of 2020.
Joseph Maguire, the acting National director, has testified to the House Intelligence Committee about his handling of the complaint, calling the situation “unprecedented”.Earlier, Audio recordings of Trump expressing interest in the identity of the whistle blower’s sources had a hint of revenge against whomever was responsible for the leak. Trump said: “I want to know who’s the person, who’s the person who gave the whistle blower the information? Because that’s close to a spy. You know what we used to do in the old days when we were smart?”
IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY
The Ukraine call lies at the heart of the House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry moving forward. The whistle blower complaint accuses the U.S president of abusing his official powers “to solicit interference” from Ukraine in the upcoming 2020 election. It goes further to allege that the White House took steps to cover it up. Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire also testified before the House Intelligence Committee about the whistle blower complaint, and has vowed to protect the whistle blower at al costs
Director Maguire is a respected veteran of the US Navy Seals where he presided as a commander of battle hardened soldiers. Many commentators and politicians in America view Trump’s vocalized desire to identify the whistle blower he refers to as a spy as an indirect threat to individuals who now or in the future may divulge useful but damaging information.
Trump has withered many a storm that carried the potential of impeachment, but this is a very strong storm. He could come through it, but the clock it ticking fast to a historical impeachment for the record books. If he survives this one, he can survive anything.