CALL TO ACTION #800: Bribery and Extortion are Impeachable Offenses (November 11, 2019)


357 Days

Until the 2020 Election


BRIBERY AND EXTORTION

ARE

IMPEACHABLE OFFENSES


This Wednesday, the House impeachment inquiry moves to live television. 

The central question: Did Trump abuse the powers of the presidency to advance his own personal and political interests?  

Specifically, did he withhold needed military aid to force Ukraine’s president to announce several investigations, including into Democratic rival Joe Biden’s son Hunter?  

What people have been calling “quid pro quo” is a euphemism. What happened is, in fact, bribery and/or extortion. Trump and his representatives’ behavior shocked the administration’s diplomatic and national security teams. He has been trying to cover it up by hiding the call’s transcript and ordering staff to ignore Congress’ subpoenas. That’s more obstruction of Congress’ constitutional duty to provide oversight of the Executive Branch.

Republicans have not mounted a fact-based defense. The most recent attempted deflection is to blame Trump’s Chief of Staff, forcing Mick Mulvaney’s attorney to ask the court if White House officials are legally obligated to respond to Congressional subpoenas, and whether or not a president’s order to not testify to Congress is legally binding.

Deflect. Distract. Delay

That’s all the GOP has—they know Trump is guilty!

Impeach and Remove Trump!


**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR SENATORS**

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR SENATORS MERKLEY AND WYDEN:

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling . . .

. . . to thank you for supporting the impeachment inquiry. We need you to defend this process as constitutionally required. Also, I ask that you and others stop using the legalistic phrase “quid pro quo” and use clearer terms like “bribery” or “extortion.” Trump continues to use his office to advance his own interests, not those of our nation.

Thank you.

SENATOR JEFF MERKLEY

Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/

 

SENATOR RON WYDEN

Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/

 


**ACTION TWO: CALL COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN**

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WALDEN:

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling . . . 

. . . to tell you to stop trying to defend Trump. What he has done in the Ukraine matter is simply bribery and/or extortion, as credible, honorable career diplomats have testified. Defending Trump at this point reinforces the lies Trump keeps telling. Please be honest with us, acknowledge what Trump has done, and finish your term as an honorable man. 

Through Greg’s actions and inactions, he continues to signal his full support for trumpism, regardless of how much damage Trump is doing to our democracy and to world stability. Know that we are still here and will continue working to flip ORD2 Blue in 2020.

Thank you.”

COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN

DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me


**ACTION THREE: BE AN ACTIVIST**

Visit the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar on a regular basis to keep updated on local activities. Participate with us as often as you can. We also encourage you to submit events to be added to the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar and help us keep current with our event postings. https://ord2indivisible.org/submit-your-event/

ORD2 Indivisible General Meeting – Phoenix
TODAY: November 11 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/ord2-indivisible-general-meeting-phoenix-3/

Postcardia! – Wallowa County
November 12 and Every Tuesday @ 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/postcardia-wallowa-county-2/

IMPEACH NOW! Gathering & Demonstration – Medford
November 14 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/impeach-now-gathering-demonstration-medford/

Letters to the Editor Writing Party – Medford
November 15 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/letters-to-the-editor-writing-party/

Thanksgiving Postcard Writing Party – Medford
November 17 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/thanksgiving-postcard-writing-party-medford/

Rogue Indivisible Group Meeting – Grants Pass
November 17 @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/rogue-indivisible-group-meeting-grants-pass/

Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Debate Watch Party – Pendleton
November 20 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-debate-watch-party-pendleton/

Democratic Presidential Candidate Debate Watch Party – Medford
November 20 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/democratic-presidential-candidate-debate-watch-party-medford-3/


ORD2 Indivisible 2020 Fundraising Campaign

As we approach what will be the most important election of our lifetimes, ORD2 Indivisible wants to be in a secure financial position to help engage as many voters in our district in the election process as possible. To accomplish this goal we are conducting the ORD2 Indivisible 2020 fundraising campaign. Click on the image below to donate.

 

To make a donation by check, please make the check payable to ORD2 Indivisible and mail to:
ORD2 Indivisible
P.O. Box 1242, Phoenix, OR 97535


SOURCES:

The Atlantic, Nov. 8, 2019: “The Battle for the Constitution: The Founders Would Have Called Out Trump for Bribery” https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/11/impeachment-bribery/601591/

CNN, Nov. 9, 2019: “We read all 2,677 pages of impeachment inquiry testimony released to date. Here’s what’s clear.”  https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/09/politics/impeachment-transcript-takeaways/index.html

Bloomberg, Oct. 30, 2019: “What You Need to Know About Trump, Ukraine and Impeachment”  https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/what-you-need-to-know-about-trump-ukraine-and-impeachment/2019/10/30/022ebeea-facc-11e9-9e02-1d45cb3dfa8f_story.html