Trump Presidency 2018: The Year of Impeachment? Maybe Not.
There is no doubt that 2017 was one of the most tumultuous years in Washington’s history. And we have one person to thank for that, President Donald John Trump. He ran for the presidency on a platform of redefining the presidency and the state of the nation. His “Make America great again: campaign platform not only made him popular but won him a legion of diehard supporters. His brash leadership style has been out of decorum for a leader of his stature. His handling of foreign affairs matters has also been off the roof. Top it up with personal scandals and you get a potful of trouble. Which begs the question: Shall President Trump survive 2018?
A White House in Chaos
When Michael Wolff’s expose ‘Fire and Fury’ was released there was a lot that people expected to read a lot of it. One of the things it managed to point out was the shambolic state of the new administration’s inner house. First, it was the leaks by numerous centers of power. Then followed multiple ‘forced’ resignations and sackings which closed with Omarosa Manigault in late 2017. In total, Trump lost at least 14 senior members of his team within one year. Hopefully, this year won’t be worse. After all, these are the president’s guards against external attacks. Gladly, with General Kelly at the White House, things seem a little calmer. Members of his cabinets also seem likely to stay in place, especially after the easing of the relationship between Trump and his foreign secretary Rex Tillerson.
Sexual and Racial Allegations
Trump’s backyard seems supportive of lines that border on racism. That is why despite numerous verbatim quotes that appear pro-racist having come from the President, there has been very little quenching of the Trump fire. On a more personal level, Trump has time and again been called out for sexual misconduct accusations. These too he has survived and ducked. Recordings of �showbiz’ Trump confessing to his transgressions did very little to keep him off the presidency. The latest allegation, paying off a pornstar not to rat him out does not seem to have shaken the president or his handlers. If anything, it is already water under the bridge. So allegations of being a racist or a sexist do not seem to be a threat to the presidency. At least not for 2018.
The Russian Investigation Factor
If there is one true throne to the President, it is the investigation of Russian collusion within the Trump presidential election campaign. The Special Counsel, Robert Mueller has made headways including securing statements from General Flynn, Steve Bannon and most recently the Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The investigation that led to one of Trump’s most iconic goof-ups, the firing of FBI director James Comey, is still gaining steam. Meanwhile, the president claims the investigations are nothing more than a witch hunt pushed by Democrats and supported by the media. How long the president continues holding this stance is not given. The threat though seems likely to hold. Is it ending his presidency in 2018? Most likely not. Most policy and legal experts indicate that there are other key personalities who are likely to face Mueller before President Trump or the presidency is ever brought to trial.
Final Word?
Trump is the true form of the phoenix. His Knack for reshaping himself after each hurdle and scandal is impeccable. How far this goes is anyone guess. 2018 will definitely have a few more Trumpite bombshells, but we should expect a fight back for survival by the President. However, his luck will not run out in 2018. Not in the disjointed United States and global environment that we have today. Congressional support? Trump enjoys a strong support from the Republican majority in both Houses of Congress. Here lies his best defense against any impeachment attempts in 2018.