Liberty Nation brings you a preview of the week’s political stories from two perspectives: The most significant developments in U.S. national politics and which stories will be most talked about – unanticipated developments notwithstanding.
Former special counsel Robert Mueller will appear on July 24 before a House joint committee hearing, though nobody is sure what, if any, impact his testimony will have. Nevertheless, the event will be the dominant domestic story of the week. For Democrats, it represents the last chance to make a credible case for the impeachment of President Donald Trump. For Republicans, it is an opportunity to expose the many flaws in Mueller’s investigation and final report.
Neither Democrats nor Republicans on the intelligence and judiciary committees are likely to get what they want out of the hearing, though the latter probably has the edge. Democrats will recite passages from Mueller’s report and try to lead him into exposing some damning piece of evidence against Trump that, for whatever reason, he omitted from his written findings. Republicans, on the other hand, need only ask the right questions. Mueller’s refusal to provide direct answers to those questions will only highlight the lopsided nature of the Russia investigation.
In the House
On July 22, the House Oversight Committee will hold a hearing on potential Hatch Act violations by White House Counsel Kellyanne Conway. The Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on overcrowding and prolonged detention at border patrol facilities. Because it is more useful, politically, for Democrats to have a hearing on the issue rather than do anything to improve the situation.
The war of words between the president and the so-called “squad” will continue to be a far bigger story than it is. Tired of being insulted and demonized, Trump supporters caused an uproar by exercising their First Amendment rights at Trump’s recent North Carolina rally. Chanting “send her back!” – a reference to Somali-born Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MI), the crowd enraged Democrats and a number of Republicans – the ones who are more afraid of leftist rhetoric than they are willing to stand up for America – who have berated Trump for not quieting his rowdy audience.
That some politicians would demand a president silence his own supporters speaks volumes about the kind of leadership these politicians wish to impose upon the nation.
2020 Dems Prepare For Crucial Test
With the second round of primary debates just over a week away, Democratic presidential contenders will intensify their respective efforts to capture the spotlight. Only one candidate, Eric Swalwell, has fallen out so far and this week will see the remaining hopefuls prepare the ground for what could be – for several of them – the final chance to stake a credible claim to the nomination.
The battle lines for 2020 are being defined. Facing an incumbent president with a strong economy is a daunting task, and Democrats are ratcheting up the racial narrative. They could be making a fatal mistake, though: Will the next presidential election really hinge upon claims the president – and, by extension, his supporters – is a racist?
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