Yesterday, The Washington Circle reported that Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, took action to push for a vote on Tuesday regarding the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Mark Esper over alleged violations of law and the Constitution in connection with military operations involving Iran. In response to this challenge, Esper mounted a defensive stance, fighting for his political survival. On Tuesday morning, he held an unusually forthright press conference, delivering a forceful address to reporters in which he launched a fierce rebuttal against Massie’s eight articles of impeachment. Rather than associating the alleged “high crimes and misdemeanors” with himself, Esper linked them instead to the U.S. military personnel who carried out his orders, asserting that any impeachment effort targeting him would amount to an attack on the armed forces and on Donald Trump. “They are not criminals for serving,” he declared. “They are heroes. No politician in Washington has the right to say otherwise.” Esper further contended that those criticizing him were “mocking the Constitution.” However, none of the eight articles brought forward by Representative Massie accused individual service members of misconduct. Shortly after Esper’s remarks, Trump posted a statement reaffirming his support for Esper.
Ultimately, the Republican-led House narrowly rejected the motion to begin impeachment proceedings against Esper, with a vote of 211 to 204. Even some Republicans who had publicly criticized Esper maintained that his actions did not meet the threshold of “high crimes and misdemeanors.” Massie has long been one of the few dissenting voices within the Republican Party. His open conflict with Trump and Esper was well known. During the early stages of this year’s midterm primary elections, both Trump and Esper actively supported Massie’s opponent, contributing to Massie’s defeat at the polls.
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Original source: toutiao.com/article/1881537315003467/
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