Former US President Donald Trump laughs at supporters while driving through West Palm Beach, Florida, on the 15th. West Palm Beach=AP Newsis
Even if I go when I go, I don’t think I can go fine. Former US President Donald Trump avoided the second impeachment crisis, but Congress is not in a position to withdraw. Judicial authorities are also aiming at various suspicions surrounding former President Trump. Immediately after the impeachment was rejected in the Senate on the 13th (local time), former President Trump raised momentum, saying it was “the largest witch hunt in history”, but the real ordeal begins now.
Upon receiving the impeachment bill sent to the Senate back in an empty shell, the House immediately began the next procedure. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent a letter to fellow Democrats on the 15th, saying, “Last month, an independent investigation committee will be set up to investigate the invasion of the Capitol.” The investigative committee is planning to determine the nature and scope of activities, using the 9/11 committee created during the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2002 as a model.
In the House of Representatives, the atmosphere is already receiving bipartisan support. This is because, even after the impeachment rejection, the voice that former President Trump is responsible for the invasion of parliament has not subsided. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, who voted in favor of the impeachment, supported the establishment of an independent investigating committee, saying, “You must fully investigate what has happened so that the same will not happen again.”
In order for the investigation committee to be launched, it must be enacted. The Associated Press pointed out that, “if government funding through legal grounds is provided, the investigation can gain momentum. There is also a risk that the investigation committee will deepen partisan division or obscure President Joe Biden’s legislative agenda.”
The judiciary has also been choking on former President Trump. From allegations of election fraud to personal corruption and sexual scandals, there is only one thing left to be confiscated. Now that I am not president, there is no good way to avoid the law. Also, the invasion of Congress is being viewed by both Washington and federal prosecutors. At that time, more than 200 people have already been prosecuted and are being tried. Testimonies are poured out in court claiming the responsibility of former President Trump to lower the level of punishment. Former President Trump is becoming increasingly disadvantaged.
The Georgian prosecutors’ office has also launched an investigation into the attempt to overturn the election results. Former President Trump called Georgia Secretary of State Brad Rappensperger to force him to “find my vote” and to an investigator who investigated allegations of Cop County voting fraud in December last year, “If you find the scam, you will become a national hero. It was a case where pressure was applied. Fulton County is also investigating whether former President Trump attempted to exert influence over the state elections last year. Fanny Willis, district attorney at Fulton County, predicted strict law enforcement, saying, “Any violator will be prosecuted regardless of social or economic status.” Next month, a grand jury is expected to convene to decide whether to prosecute.
In New York, extensive investigations into the Trump Group’s insurance fraud and tax evasion charges are underway. The prosecution requested the submission of tax payment data, but it was postponed during the presidency. However, since he is not a president anymore, if the Supreme Court allows the execution of the subpoena, the investigation will be put on considerable power.
In addition, the case of defamation lawsuits filed by women who claimed to have been raped by former President Trump in the past, and overpayment of more than $1 million (approximately 1.1 billion won) to a hotel owned by Trump at the time of the presidential inauguration ceremony in 2017 are still under trial. CNN broadcasted his plight, saying, “We will be able to speed up several lawsuits that were delayed during Trump’s tenure. We will no longer be able to rely on the president’s defense measures.”
Kim Pyo-hyang reporter [email protected]
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