In their campaign against President Trump and his administration, Democrats are conducting what the WSJ describes as “a pseudo-impeachment” in order to not undertake a real one.

Pelosi’s Fear of Losing the Majority in 2020

With special counsel Robert Mueller’s report shattering Democrats’ hopes of Russian collusion, Democrats are caught between (1) a left-wing base that threatens to abdicate their duty if they don’t impeach and (2) Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s cold-blooded calculation that it could cost their majority in 2020.

Why Not Begin Formal Impeachment Proceedings?

If Chairman Nadler wants to continue his Mueller fixation, he should announce that he is beginning formal impeachment proceedings. Impeachment is a legitimate Congressional power, and at least the public would then understand what Congress is up to and could judge the effort. If Democrats really believe Mr. Trump is a threat to the Constitution, they should file articles of impeachment and have every Member vote on them.

Where Are The High Crimes?

The problem with this play-acting is that it has Democrats fulminating about actions that aren’t even misdemeanors, much less high crimes. Exhibit A is Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler’s threat to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt for failing to turn over the entire Mueller report to Congress.

Not One Democrat Has Reviewed Redacted Material

Yet Mr. Barr has been as accommodating as the law allows. He made the entire report public with light redactions though he didn’t have to release any of it under the law. He has let senior Members of Congress review redacted material in private, though no Democrats have taken him up on the offer.

Democrats’ Fraud on the Constitution and the American Public

The real offense against the Constitution here is by Democrats. Oversight of the executive branch is an important Congressional power, but the Supreme Court has said it should be related to Congress’s legislative function or constitutional duty. It can’t merely be a trawling exercise to see what nasty details they can find to score political points and discredit a President before the 2020 election.

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