Donald Trump spoke the words: “I, Donald John Trump, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States; and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, so help me God.” Donald Trump did obstruct justice by firing James Comey, and Trump can be impeached for that. He swore to uphold our constitution, but how can he do that while obstructing justice?

   The firing of former FBI director James Comey is a direct attack on justice. The obstruction of justice, or stopping justice from happening, is an impeachable offense. At the time of his firing, Comey was looking into the supposed Russian meddling in the presidential election and the possibility of Trump campaign members colluding (come to a secret understanding for a harmful purpose; conspire) with them. Donald Trump admitted that the DOJ’s recommendation to fire Comey didn’t matter, leading everyone to believe that it was purely his decision, according to the Washington Post. Donald Trump claims to have fired Comey because of his handling of the Hillary Clinton email probe. By firing Comey, Trump made it look like he has something to hide. Should we have elected Donald Trump when he has so much to hide?

Local billionaire Tom Steyer launched a petition to impeach Trump. Along with a video, Steyer has a letter to support his claim for impeachment. Tom Steyer states in his letter for impeachment, “Whether by the nature of Mr. Trump’s relationship with Vladimir Putin and Russia… his conduct during Charlottesville… or his seeming determination to take the nation to war, he has violated the Constitution… and the trust of the public.” This clearly outlines what Trump has done that is worthy of impeachment. Tom Steyer also includes, “Congress has impeached past presidents for far less.”

Bill Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States of America, was impeached (charged with misconduct) for perjury (lying under oath). Clinton obstructed justice when he lied about his relationship with one of his staff members. He had been impeached, though he didn’t have to leave office, because of this minuscule amount of time that justice was blocked. President Trump has blocked justice for more than an insignificant amount of time by firing Comey. Comey’s investigation would have been forgotten if Robert Mueller, the sixth director of the FBI, had not picked it up.

Steyer’s letter states, “Trump’s team and family members continually lie about their dealings with Russia.” Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, has lied about his foreign contacts, having failed to disclose multiple Russian contacts in government security forms. He was forced to revise those forms, adding in about 100 foreign contacts, according to www.newsweek.com. According to an NPR article in July of 2017, Donald Trump, Jr., Paul Manafort, and Jared Kushner did not have to testify under oath about their dealings with Russia. Democrats were not satisfied that Democrat Senator Al Franken from Minnesota would be there on the Judiciary Committee to represent the liberal voice in Donald Trump Jr., Paul Manafort, and Jared Kushner’s testimony. The liberals were outraged when they heard this, no doubt because Donald Trump, Jr., Paul Manafort, and Jared Kushner all could say whatever they wanted without fear of perjury.

Paul Manafort, Donald Trump’s campaign manager from June to August 2016, was indicted by Robert Mueller and his associates on October 30, 2017 in the Russia probe. This marks how far this investigation has gone. If the Mueller probe caught Paul Manafort, Michael Flynn, Rick Gates, and George Papadopoulos, then Tom Steyer is correct in saying that Trump’s family and associates have had dealings with Russia.

2nd District of California Congressman Jared Huffman states in an email, “If I am presented with a vote on this subject, I will vote my conscience and support impeachment as I did on the House floor in December 2017 and again in January 2018…It is vital, however, that we distinguish impeachable offenses from offensive behavior, divisive political instincts, ineptitude, and poor judgment.” Huffman goes on to express that a bipartisan vote is needed to promote transparency and accountability. Huffman also joined a group of almost 200 other politicians in the House of Representatives and the Senate to file a lawsuit against Trump for violating the Constitution by accepting foreign payments through his hotels and other properties without seeking or receiving Congressional approvement. Huffman makes a good point, however, when he describes Trump’s annoying qualities, which is what most people are enraged about, and asserts that people calling for impeachment need to focus on impeachable offenses, not offensive behavior.

Tom Steyer gives additional power to his argument when he says, “Trump threatens our national security by refusing to stand up to Russia and engaging in brinkmanship with North Korea.” Trump recently tweeted, “Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me “old,” when I would NEVER call him “short and fat?” Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend – and maybe someday that will happen!” This sarcastic and deliberate attack on Kim Jong-un only strengthens Steyer’s case against Trump. Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump both react to each other’s tweets by adding fuel to the fire that already surrounds them. These insults continue to aggravate both leaders, which could harm relations further than they already are. Kim Jong-un already threatened to “sink” Japan and reduce the United States of America to “ashes and darkness.” North Korea also added, “The four islands of the archipelago should be sunken into the sea by the nuclear bomb of Juche. Japan is no longer needed to exist near us.” Donald Trump continues to insult a powerful enemy of the United States that has already threatened to destroy the United States and Japan. Tom Steyer thinks that Donald Trump is endangering the lives of all Americans by engaging in brinkmanship (the art or practice of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping, typically in politics) with Kim Jong-un and North Korea.

Donald Trump also threatens the safety and security of the United States by not standing up to an equally powerful country, Russia.  He tweeted, “When will all the haters and fools out there realize that having a good relationship with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing. There always playing politics – bad for our country. I want to solve North Korea, Syria, Ukraine, terrorism, and Russia can greatly help!” Donald Trump, instead of stopping Russia’s campaigns in the Middle East, wants to get help from Russia. Russia has already used Facebook ads to impact the U.S. presidential election, and they launched an attempt to disrupt the Democratic Party officials’ computers in 2016.

Impeaching Donald Trump, the president that has brought the U.S.A. to the brink of nuclear war and whose associates and family members have given misinformation about their dealings with Russia, is a step towards bringing this country to a time of peace.