Possible misdeeds must be examined
Credible investigation is essential if we are committed to rooting out corruption
The Journal’s June 16 editorial makes a valid point: (former FBI Director/special counsel Robert) Mueller should stay within the scope of the investigation — Russian interference. The Journal’s argument is (former FBI Director James) Comey in testimony stated in previous months President Trump was not under investigation. Expanding it now to include Trump is something unseemly, out of bounds. Casting shade on the Trump Presidency smacks of partisan politics. That was then; this is now.
As we know, Trump fired Comey under the pretext of his handling of the Clinton emails and the “disarray” in the FBI, this pretext in contravention of Trump’s earlier praise regarding the email investigation and later testimony from the acting FBI director endorsing Comey’s leadership and support in the FBI. In fact, Trump contradicted his decisional basis in comments to Lester Holt, and then, unbelievably, to the Russians, saying, in so many words, it was the ongoing Russian investigation. The administration’s attempt to undermine the congressional investigation (via the House Intelligence Chairman Devin) Nunes affair was obvious. We have also recently learned Trump in conversation with two of his agency heads requested they intervene in the FBI probe. The eventual outcome was the appointment of a special counsel.
Obstruction may or not be true, but its specter permeates the current environment.
The potential of emoluments looms larger. Past loans to Trump from Russian sources is likely; his son said as much a few years ago. His sonin-law’s secretive meeting with a Russian bank raises concern. (Jared) Kushner is a government employee in high office affecting national policy. If these emoluments do exist, their pernicious effect on our national security is enormous. In a rare rebuke, the Senate overwhelmingly rejected Trump’s desire to ease sanctions on Russia. Why would he ease them? The Russians are still in the Crimea and eastern Ukraine. They demonstrably interfered with our election — an attack on our sovereignty.
Resolving the matter is essential. For Trump, a thorough, credible investigation would strengthen his presidency in the trust it engenders.
Unfortunately, Trump thumbs his nose at convention, the judicial and the legislative. In my view, he sees his presidency as another business acquisition, not as a responsibility he swore to protect and preserve the Constitution and the people it binds together. He and his surrogates, in typical Trumpian fashion, seize upon invective and innuendo to undermine a legitimate, legal investigation into an attack on our nation.
For us in Albuquerque, the question may be why do I care? Simply, New Mexico is part of the great enterprise of the United States. A corruption in governance, small or large, affects our fortunes and security. It is important to let the investigation follow its course, and in so doing affirm to ourselves, our children and theirs we are still a nation of laws committed to preserving our Constitution.