Mitchell Report

politics

This is your Content Warning: this is going to be a Political Rant

Alt text: "Illustrative poster featuring a stylized muscular arm wielding a gavel labeled 'Article I' and another arm wielding a similar gavel, both extending from the central image of the U.S. Capitol building. The background is divided into two sections, with the left showing a star and a plane flying over a map labeled 'Greenland', and the right depicting a dark throne with a crown, a tank, and pirate ships over a map labeled 'Venezuela'. The overall theme suggests geopolitical themes or influences."

Flexing the power of Article I, this bold graphic underscores the enduring strength and influence of legislative authority across diverse global arenas.

Where is Congress while Trump talks like a king? I am going to let everyone in on a little secret. Congress, the Article I institution, is supposed to be the most powerful branch because it is closest to the people. Article I comes first in the Constitution and is the longest. The Founders had just fought a war against a king and were deeply wary of executive power. Alexander Hamilton called the judiciary the “least dangerous branch” in Federalist 78.

Think about it: the Judicial Branch is unelected and can be constrained by Congress. Both Article II (the President) and Article III (federal judges) can be impeached and removed by Congress. The only way to get rid of a member of Congress is expulsion by their own chamber or being voted out by the people. And “high crimes and misdemeanors”? That's whatever Congress decides it is. Gerald Ford said it best: an impeachable offense is whatever the House considers it to be. Congress holds the power to remove, and that is not an accident.

Read more...