In a 30-minute phone call between President Trump, and newly inaugurated President Zelensky of Ukraine. In a transcript of the conversation released by the White House, Trump seems to ask President Zelensky to look into the Bidens ( both Joe and his' son Hunter ) because of Hunter's involvement with a Ukrainian gas company in the board of directions whose owner was under investigation of money-laundering. For the lack of prosecutions made against Burisma's owner by Ukraine's resigned prosecutor general Viktor Shokin, Trump states in the phone call that "Biden stopped the prosecution" and that "Biden went around bragging that he stopped the prosecution so if you can look into it... It sounds horrible to me". What is controversial about this is that Trump is asking for foreign intervention which may possibly affect the upcoming Presidential election.
Republican Senator Rob Portman "criticized President Donald Trump for requesting that Ukraine and China investigate former Vice President Joe Biden" [1]. This controversy comes amidst Pelosi's impeachment inquiry of President Trump, but regarding this particular dispute, Senator Portman doesn't "view it as an impeachable offense"[1].
With the coming disputes against President Trump:
Do you believe this attention will create increased polarization in the US?
Or will more Republicans speak against Trump as more evidence is released against him?
With the rapidly growing media as we learned about in class, will more stories act as trial balloons for Trump, and aid him in the election? Or do you think that it will more so jeopardize it?
Sources:
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Transcript
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Yes, This attention likely will increase polarization as republicans and democrats negotiate through such a serious issue.
ReplyDeleteI dont believe republicans will speak up against trump, given their previous story of generally standing by trump scandal after scandal, regardless of its severity.
I do believe that trial balloons may be used, though i do not know whether they will affect public opinion since trumps approval rating has remained quite stable lately
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DeleteThe event itself has reinforced the suspicion of the president in the eyes of the left, for sure. What will polarize the far-leaning right is the initiation of the impeachment hearings in the house that have arisen because of this phone call. However, like rats fleeing a sinking ship, some of the Republican party will abandon Trump if the impeachment comes to pass.
ReplyDeleteDue to the already severe partisanship and polarization in the country, I believe that many Republicans may come to Trump’s defense or stay silent on the issue. It is also possible that the circumstances of this event may cause backlash from both parties. Asking a “favor” of a country that relies heavily on the US and knows that Trump’s actions are often unpredictable is an unethical offense that has the potential to be criticized by both parties, but mainly the Democrats. Party loyalty makes the reactions to this event; however, I believe that at least some significant Republican party members will at least denounce this action, but likely not the President overall due to upcoming elections and again, party loyalty.
ReplyDeleteThis issue will cause more polarization if Republicans take the side of Trump on this issue. However, if they admit that Trump was in the wrong, partisanship on this issue will not be as severe as we may have thought. I believe if more evidence surfaces against Trump, Republicans will be given no choice but to speak out against him. If they still stand by his side on this issue, the credibility and support of the Republican party may face a decline. Party loyalty is a trend that may be observed in this situation, and seeing the response of the Republican party will be interesting. We may even see a divide within the party, leading to more potential problems.
ReplyDeleteI believe that regardless of one's political affiliation, this kind of behavior from the president should not be tolerated. There are ideals that the United States is made up of, and the president is supposed to be an individual that embodies those ideas, yet Trump has continued to act in a self interest way where the good of the people always comes second. I feel like his behavior does have merit for an impeachment inquiry, and frankly I don't see how members of both parties aren't on board.
ReplyDeleteThis will without a doubt increase polarization even more in the U.S. I wish Republicans would grow spines and speak out against the most corrupt president in American history. But they won't. If we nominate Bernie or Yang we will without a doubt beat Trump in 2020. The inquiry, although it may aid him in the election, will not lead to his victory if we nominate one of the candidates who have the support of more than 10% of previous Trump Voters. (Bernie and Yang)
ReplyDelete