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Need To Know Update – March 22, 2019

Leading Off: Gettin’ Close to Mueller Time?

Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report is not out yet, but his team is keeping busy — so busy they asked for an extension on unsealing documents in Paul Manafort’s completed criminal case. We don’t know whether that means Mueller’s investigation is any closer to wrapping up or not, but we take it as a good sign.

Of course, we don’t need to wait for the Mueller report to start the impeachment process — with Trump’s long list of impeachable offenses, Congress could (and should) launch proceedings right now. As House Speaker Nancy Pelosi continues to throw cold water on impeachment, NTI founder Tom Steyer wrote in a Newsweek Op-Ed: “Saying impeaching Trump isn’t worth it is like saying he is above the law” — and he’s most certainly not. According to a former Judiciary Committee counsel, the Founding Fathers wanted impeachment to be a flexible, adaptable standard based on the circumstances of the time, not “an insurmountable hurdle.”

Some have speculated that if Trump’s Justice Department won’t indict him as a sitting president, despite a litany of crimes, he could be prosecuted once he is out of the Oval Office. Since most statutes of limitations for federal crimes are five years, California Congressman Eric Swalwell and other members of Congress are crafting legislation to extend them, meaning Trump could be charged once he’s been booted out.

Donor Money ≠ Trump Money

Here’s something that shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone: Trump’s pocketing money for himself. He charged his 2020 reelection campaign $1.3 million for “rent, food, lodging, and other expenses,” essentially turning donor money into Trump money (a favorite hobby of his). It should also be noted that he’s contributed a total of $0 to his own reelection campaign — this coming from the guy who said in 2016: “I don’t need anybody’s money…I’m using my own money. I’m not using the lobbyists. I’m not using donors. I don’t care. I’m really rich.” Huh.

Lindsey Graham — Put on Your Big Boy Pants and Stand Up to Trump

After the House unanimously passed a resolution calling for the public release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 election, Lindsey Graham blocked the bill in the Senate. His reasoning? He wanted to “make a political point” and use it as an opportunity to whine about Hillary’s emails.

In response, we made an ad calling him out for what he is: afraid to stand up to Trump.

We all need to take a moment to remind Senator Graham that actually, he doesn’t work for Trump. He works for the people who elected him — he works for us, and we demand to see that report. Call his office at 202-224-5972 and tell him to support the public release of the Mueller report.

House Whip to Congress: Grow a Spine, Protect Democracy from Trump

Earlier this week, Tom Steyer and the Need to Impeach team held a town hall in Columbia, South Carolina — Congressman James Clyburn’s district — where we urged the House Majority Whip to use his influence to rally Democrats and advocate for impeachment. Click here to watch the town hall:

Rep. Clyburn has called Trump and his family “the greatest threats to democracy of my lifetime,” and signaled it is time for Congress “to grow spines, and do what is necessary to protect this democracy.” Tell Rep. Clyburn to lead on impeachment: Send him an email asking him to support starting impeachment proceedings.

NTI Tweet of the Week

As always, you can follow us on Twitter @Need2Impeach, or Instagram @needtoimpeach.

Impeachment Looks Good on You

Merch Madness is in full swing at Need to Impeach. We have a new batch of T-shirts that we just know you’d look great in. We need your help to keep this movement going — hundreds of thousands of people on this team have gotten involved this year, either by calling Congress, signing petitions, volunteering, or attending events. Donate $22 or more to help fund our work to impeach the President, and we’ll send you this T-shirt.

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