What if the President is removed from office?

By Audrey Ignatoff

If the president committed crimes to win the election, then he should be indicted. The Constitution does not state that this cannot happen. The founding fathers simply didn't imagine that a candidate would engage in such behavior, especially involving a foreign government and/or foreign adversary. According to Corey Bretschneider, professor of Political Science at Brown University, "James Wilson, a Pennsylvania delegate to the Constitutional Convention, believed that the president lacked immunity because the Constitution's text did not grant it explicitly." Indictment would be more efficient and fairer than impeachment. No President has ever been impeached for Conspiracy against the United States.

According to Michael Cohen, President Trump ordered him to pay off two women to sway the election. This is also a violation of campaign finance law. If it is proved by the Mueller investigation that he also colluded and/or conspired with the Russians to win the election, this is most serious as well.

If the President is indicted or impeached for his crimes, then the election should be invalidated, and a new vote should be taken. Pence should not be installed as President automatically because if the President is found guilty, then Pence becomes part of the same fraudulent conduct. Furthermore, he could pardon Trump for his crimes, and then Trump could go back to his business and live out his life as a rich man who takes advantage of others, instead of serving time in prison. He has been sued for fraud many times, including the case against Trump University. He has also been sued for racial discrimination in housing. Even if he is pardoned, he still can be tried in a state court for various crimes such as money laundering, tax evasion, etc. that may well be exposed by Mueller and State prosecutors. After all, has conducted business in many states, including New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Washing, DC.

© Audrey Ignatoff