CALL TO ACTION #948: Investigate Lawless Trump and Barr (June 22, 2020)



134 Days

Until the November 3rd Election


***Today’s Call To Action***

INVESTIGATE LAWLESS TRUMP

AND BARR


Congress must continue addressing systemic racism—manifested in COVID-19’s disparate impact, police brutality and voter suppression. Congress must also investigate new, potentially impeachable offenses described by John Bolton, and in Attorney General Bill Barr’s illegal, insatiable campaign to fire SDNY U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman.

The Constitution lists bribery and high crimes and misdemeanors as impeachable offenses. Federal statutes prohibit soliciting foreign election interference and fomenting domestic violence. Trump does both, with lethal consequences.

He blocks past and present government employees’ compliance with constitutionally mandated Congressional oversight; hides tax returns that could reveal crimes; violates international human rights laws; and is likely behind Barr’s illegal firing of U.S. Attorney Berman and his order for a military attack on peaceful protesters in DC. Additionally, Trump officials refuse to reveal where payroll protection money and stockpiles of medical supplies went. A persistent pattern of lawlessness, aided by Barr, is undeniable. 

Presidents swear to uphold the Constitution — the pillar of US law. Trump and Barr are lawless, disregarding the Constitution, Congress and federal statutes. Investigations must begin immediately. Witnesses to Barr and Trump’s lawlessness must be subpoenaed and compelled to testify.

Every day Trump and Barr remain in power is a threat to our Constitution, American democracy, national security—and to our lives. 


**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR U.S. SENATORS**

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR SENATORS MERKLEY and WYDEN:

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

It is time to investigate Trump and Barr’s patterns of lawlessness. Bolton’s book indicates crimes beyond those already investigated, and Barr’s illegal attempt to fire SDNY U.S. Attorney Berman suggests he’s close to finding out something that Barr’s been hiding. Please tell the Senator that Congress must:

  • Investigate Trump regarding Bolton’s allegations and Barr’s behavior regarding the SDNY, and Barr’s role in a military assault on peaceful protesters
  • Call Berman to testify
  • Subpoena Barr and prosecute him for inherent contempt if he fails to comply or demonstrably lies
  • Support Barr’s impeachment if the evidence warrants, irrespective of what the Senate might or might not do.

Investigations can occur alongside passing the Justice in Policing Act, the Heroes Act, and the Voting Rights Advancement Act. These are no longer partisan issues; rather they are a national emergency.

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]. 

It is time to investigate Trump and Barr’s patterns of lawlessness. Bolton’s book indicates crimes beyond those already investigated, and Barr’s illegal attempt to fire SDNY U.S. Attorney Berman suggests he’s close to finding out something that Barr’s been hiding. Tell Greg Walden that Congress must:

  • Investigate Trump regarding Bolton’s allegations and Barr’s behavior regarding the SDNY, and Barr’s role in a military assault on peaceful protesters
  • Call Berman to testify
  • Subpoena Barr and prosecute him for inherent contempt if he fails to comply or demonstrably lies
  • Support Barr’s impeachment if the evidence warrants, irrespective of what the Senate might or might not do.

Investigations can occur alongside passing the Justice in Policing Act, the Heroes Act, and the Voting Rights Advancement Act. These are no longer partisan issues; rather they are a national emergency.

To remain silent on so many issues, as Greg continues to do, is a moral outrage. If that is his decision, I call on him to resign his office effective immediately. 

History is watching; Greg’s legacy is at stake. 

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**

TODAY: June 22, 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ongoing every Monday, Wednesday and Friday
#MyORHealth  Support is available for Oregon’s “helpers”

Lines for Life has created a Virtual Wellness Room to offer support to helpers, mental health professionals, first responders, social workers and anyone considered an essential worker during the COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon. Each check-in call will have a facilitator to guide the conversation.

“We at Lines for Life want to thank you for all the work you do to keep our communities safe,” the organization said. “We are offering a place for helpers to exchange stories of hope and areas of need. We especially want to hear what things are coming up for you personally and explore how we can cheer one another on to continue the good work you are already doing. We ultimately want to create space to breathe out stress and breathe in hope.”

The meetings are held using Zoom conference calls from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at this link: https://zoom.us/j/4848426773. Please share this invite with anyone in your network of Oregon helpers.

Ongoing Action: ORD2 Indivisible Virtual Postcard and Letter Writing Parties

Postcards to Voters:

Our postcard team is temporarily suspending the delivery of postcards to your door. However, the good news is that you will find everything you need to continue writing from home (including templates to print your own or purchase pre-printed cards) here: https://postcardstovoters.org

You can sign up through https://postcardstovoters.org/volunteer/

To avoid unnecessary trips to the post office, order stamps directly from the USPS:
https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/coral-reefs-postcard-stamp-S_745104

…and voila, you’re ready to go! Send an e-mail to with any questions.

Letters to Voters

We encourage our team of volunteers to sign up with Swing Left to start writing letters to voters in 12 swing states.  It is super easy to join. Check out their website, sign up, and let’s start writing! https://swingleft.org/

Send an e-mail to if you would like more information about how to get involved.

Virtual Letter-writing Parties

We encourage you to join virtual letter-writing parties hosted by Oregon Indivisible / Swing Left. The parties are held at noon every Saturday and on the last Tuesday of every month. Here are the links for the next two parties:

https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/267146/

**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/


SOURCES:

https://apnews.com/d08ef2673b19a1d44a93dcd49b2ecdc3

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/geoffrey-berman-us-attorney-william-barr-trump/2020/06/20/fcbfa3b4-b30f-11ea-8758-bfd1d045525a_story.html

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2020-06-21/trump-and-barr-fire-berman-and-discard-law-morality-and-ho

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-administration-replaces-manhattan-us-attorney/2020/06/19/acae9348-b298-11ea-8758-bfd1d045525a_story.html

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/20/us-attorney-geoffrey-berman-oversaw-prosecutions-of-trump-allies-abruptly-resigns?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other[Text Wrapping Break]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/21/donald-trump-ag-william-barr-impeachment-republicans-berman-nadler?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/john-boltons-book-is-full-of-startling-revelations-he-should-have-told-us-sooner/2020/06/17/beac5bb6-b0e5-11ea-8758-bfd1d045525a_story.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/bolton-critique-of-trump-could-define-tell-all-book-battles/2020/06/18/472d8756-b1ce-11ea-98b5-279a6479a1e4_story.html

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jun/19/john-bolton-book-trump-china?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/blame-abc-news-finds-17-cases-invoking-trump/story?id=58912889

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/06/20/black-leaders-tulsa-rush-cover-up-black-wall-street-memorials-before-planned-tour-by-pence/

https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2020/06/three-degrees-racism-america/613333/

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jun/20/defund-the-police-social-control-investment-donald-trump-protests-race-george-floyd?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other