Screenshot / FOX News
On Thursday evening, Fox News host Laura Ingraham tried a bold new deflection attempt on behalf of the President.
She referred to Nancy Pelosi’s claim that Trump was guilty of bribery, and claimed it didn’t apply because he didn’t succeed!
“Even assuming the Democrats’ strained and ridiculous interpretation of the facts … attempted bribery isn’t in the Constitution. Remember, Ukraine got its military aid,” she said.
Not quite true
Firstly, as several White House staff have now pointed out, Ukraine got its military aid only after the whistleblower raised his concerns. In other words, the only reason Trump didn’t complete the bribe is … because he got caught.
Secondly, attempted bribery is also a crime.
Actually, it is. You see, the federal bribery statute, 18 USC 201, defines bribery to include attempted bribery. It's enough to "seek" a bribe - you don't actually have to pull your illegal scheme off. https://t.co/Q6KynEOQIF
— Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) November 15, 2019
The argument refers to the Constitution, which reads that the president: “shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.”
Perhaps Ms. Ingraham needs to familiarize herself with it a little better.