Recently, I wrote an open letter to Trey Gowdy that invoked quite a bit of ire from loyal Gowdy supporters. If you haven’t read the letter, please do. Letter
In this letter, I point out that Hillary Clinton MUST be held accountable and that Congress needs to stop making political excuses for her criminal behavior. I even offer up the suggestion that Mr. Gowdy and Congress should be looking to Article 2, Section 4 of the Constitution for the solution to the Hillary problem. Many loyal Gowdy commentors didn’t understand this application of impeachment, and I fear that Mr. Gowdy doesn’t either–so let me explain…
Article 2, Section 4: “The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”
Hillary Clinton, as Secretary of State, is a civil officer; and because of the numerous documented instances of misconduct while in office, she MUST be impeached.
Some may try to argue that because Hillary resigned, she is no longer eligible for impeachment. That is simply not true, and precedent has been established to the contrary.
William Belknap served as Secretary of War under Ulysses S Grant from October 25, 2021 – March 2, 1876. While Secretary of War, Belknap’s extravagant lifestyle came into question. You see, Belknap only made $8k a year but was known for his extravagant lifestyle and expensive parties. Congress launched an investigation into his finances and found corruption that extended back to 1870.
According to Senate records, in 1870, “Belknap’s luxury-loving first wife assisted a wheeler-dealer named Caleb Marsh by getting her husband to select one of Marsh’s associates to operate the lucrative military trading post at Fort Sill in Indian territory. Marsh’s promise of generous kick-backs prompted Secretary Belknap to make the appointment. Over the next five years, the associate funneled thousands of dollars to Marsh, who provided Belknap regular quarterly payments totaling over $20,000.”
Some of the accusations against Belknap included indirectly selling weapons to France and accepting illicit kickbacks in exchange for making political appointments. Gun-running, kickbacks, political deals for financial gain…isn’t that exactly what evidence strongly suggests Hillary Clinton is or was involved in?
According to Senate records, “On March 2, 1876, just minutes before the House of Representatives was scheduled to vote on articles of impeachment, Belknap raced to the White House, handed Grant his resignation, and burst into tears.”
Belknap’s resignation did not stop his impeachment. “Later that day, members voted unanimously to send the Senate five articles of impeachment.” What was Congress’ chief accusation against Belknap? Answer: “criminally disregarding his duty as Secretary of War and basely prostituting his high office to his lust for private gain.” I have never heard a better description of the tenure of Hillary Clinton. Yet what does Congress do today? NOTHING, but make excuses. I missed the Constitutional Amendment that changed the Congressional power exercised in 1876 into the powerless and excuse-ridden Congress of today. By the way, impeaching Hillary would preclude her from holding any future public office, ever.
But Congressional responsibility doesn’t end with Hillary Clinton. According to James Madison, the father of the Constitution, their responsibility to impeach Hillary is not only established but also invokes an even bigger responsibility…to impeach the President, as well.
“It is very possible that an officer, who may not incur the displeasure of the President, may be guilty of actions that ought to forfeit his place. The power of this may reach him by the means of impeachment, he may be removed even against the will of the President…[the president will be] in a peculiar manner, responsible for their conduct, and subject him to impeachment himself, if he suffers them to perpetrate with impunity high crimes or misdemeanors against the United States, or neglects to superintend their conduct, so as to check their excuses.” (The Writings of James Madison: 1787-1790, James Madison, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904)
Congressional hearings USED to actually have consequences. Congress USED to exercise real power. Congressmen USED to know their duty to the Constitution, their obligation to preserve Liberty, and their obligation to control the executive branch. Nothing about the Constitution or the power of Congress has changed since 1876, so what has changed? What has changed is the knowledge and courage of Congressmen!
If the President of the United States has direct power over his agents, is directly accountable for their actions, and can be impeached himself for failing to govern proper Constitutional control over his agents, shouldn’t Congress also be held accountable for their failure to govern proper Constitutional control over the executive branch? Isn’t it time We The People start requiring real Constitutional proficiency, instead of simply accepting the flowery speeches and rhetoric as chief political qualification?
“No people will tamely surrender their Liberties, nor can any be easily subdued, when knowledge is diffused and virtue is preserved. On the Contrary, when People are universally ignorant, and debauched in their Manners, they will sink under their own weight without the Aid of foreign Invaders.”–Samuel Adams
