By Peggy Perkins
Former special counsel Robert Mueller is scheduled to appear before Congress this week to hopefully clear up misconceptions regarding his team’s 448 page report. Since most people and many of our elected representatives have not read the report, Mueller’s appearance should be a “must see TV” event. The White House, in self-preservation mode, continues to push that Mueller found no obstruction. Facts show he found at least four acts by Trump in which all elements of the obstruction statute were satisfied. One, attempting to fire Mueller; two, directing White House counsel Don McGahn to lie and create a false document about efforts to fire Mueller; three, attempting to limit the investigation to future elections; and four, attempting to prevent Manafort from cooperating with the government. As Mueller stated, “while this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.” Following Justice Department policy, Mueller concluded that Congress has the responsibility to determine whether the President committed high crimes and misdemeanors for which impeachment is appropriate. During the Watergate scandal of the 1970’s, Republicans and Democrats took off their red and blue team jerseys, studied the evidence and concluded that Richard Nixon had violated the office the presidency and should be removed. Upholding our constitution was more important than winning or losing one for the team. We need our elected officials to re-read the oath they took when sworn in, be more concerned about doing what is right and just than getting re-elected, and if they truly believe no one is above the law, act like it.
Pegger Perkins is a concerned citizen who lives in Winder