Trump Facing the Law

Published in El País
(Spain) on 16 June 2017
by Editorial (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Jamie Agnew. Edited by Rachel Pott.
The special prosecutor’s investigation could result in a serious political crisis if it shows the president has committed a crime.

The decision of Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller to investigate Donald Trump over allegations he attempted to obstruct the Russia investigation is a severe setback for the current occupant of the White House, in that it marks the man himself as possibly having committed a serious crime. Thus begins the long and torturous path to the potential impeachment of the president, albeit only moderately possible depending on whether Mueller is able to prove what were until yesterday merely accusations from ex-FBI Director James Comey.

The step taken by the American justice system is, in spite of everything, of paramount importance. Trump’s arrogance in getting rid of Comey over “this Russia thing” — in his own words — may come back to bite the populist politician. Trump denies Comey’s accusation that he was fired for resisting pressure to abandon the Russia investigation, but it is now no longer just Trump’s word against Comey’s. Mueller is seeking evidence and testimony to get to the bottom of the issue, which, if resolved, would result in a grave political crisis.

Trump’s inclusion in the investigation will erode yet further the American president's already damaged reputation. In just four months as the head of the country, Trump has mobilized the country’s citizens and institutions — a positive confirmation of the robustness of the checks and balances of the world’s foremost superpower. The courts have blocked his anti-immigration measures and the House has stopped both his demolition of health care and the construction of the wall with Mexico. However, in the future, Republicans must react still more forcefully to his dangerous plans.


Trump frente a la justicia

La investigación de la fiscalía puede abrir una gravísima crisis política si demuestra que el presidente cometió un delito

La decisión del fiscal especial Robert Mueller de investigar si Donald Trump intentó obstruir las indagaciones sobre la trama rusa en la campaña electoral es un revés especialmente comprometido para el inquilino de la Casa Blanca, por cuanto le señala directamente como posible autor de un grave delito. Se abre así el camino hacia la hipotética destitución (impeachement) del presidente, un camino largo y tortuoso, solo medianamente realista en caso de que Mueller logre probar lo que hasta ayer era solo una acusación del exdirector del FBI James Comey.

El paso dado por la justicia americana es, con todo, de una importancia capital. La arrogancia de Trump de fulminar a Comey debido “a esa cosa rusa” —en palabras del propio presidente— se ha convertido en un peligroso bumerán para el populista político. Negó las acusaciones de Comey de que su destitución se debiera a su resistencia a las presiones para abandonar la investigación de la trama rusa. Pero ya no está en juego su palabra contra la de su antiguo director policial. Son las pruebas y los testimonios que recabe Mueller los que dirimirán ahora esta cuestión, que de confirmarse abriría una gravísima crisis política.

Con la incorporación de Trump a la investigación abierta por la trama rusa se socava un poco más la muy dañada reputación del presidente americano. En solo cuatro meses al frente del país acumula un amplio abanico de despropósitos que ha movilizado a la sociedad y a sus instituciones en una positiva confirmación de que los contrapoderes funcionan bien en la primera potencia mundial. La justicia ha parado sus medidas antiinmigratorias y los legisladores han frenado su demolición de la reforma sanitaria y la construcción del muro con México. Se echa en falta que los republicanos reaccionen con mayor contundencia a sus peligrosos planteamientos.
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