A just-released Washington Post poll is devastating for President Donald Trump – but also for American justice and democracy.
Bottom line: Trump isn’t fooling most people. They agree he lied, they agree he obstructed justice, and they agree he’s doing a terrible job as president.
And contrary to those lies, most Americans do not believe the Mueller report exonerates Trump. They do not believe the Mueller report clears the president of wrongdoing.
They even think Russia’s past attack on the 2016 election is proof that 2020 is threatened.
And yet, given all that, the majority of Americans do not believe Russia’s attack on the 2016 election undermined its legitimacy.
And the majority of Americans do not support impeaching this president at this time.
Here are the details.
The majority of Americans, 54%, disapprove of the job Trump is doing as president. Just 39% approve.
The majority of Americans, 53%, say the Mueller report does not clear trump of all wrongdoing. Stunningly, three in ten Americans (31%) say it does.
Nearly a majority of Americans, 47%, say Trump tried to interfere with the investigation and that interference rises to the level of obstruction. Again, stunningly, 41% say he did not try to interfere.
A strong majority, 58%, say Trump lied about the matters under investigation by Mueller. 31% (again) say he did not lie.
49% of Americans, nearly half, say Russia’s attacks, did not rise to the level of undermining the legitimacy of the 2016 presidential election. But a surprisingly strong 42% say they did.
53% say Russia and other countries pose a threat to the legitimacy of the 2020 elections.
And finally, this:
“Based on what you know, do you think Congress should or should not begin impeachment proceedings that could lead to Trump being removed from office?”
A strong 56% of Americans say Congress “should not begin impeachment proceedings.” Just 37% say Congress should begin impeachment.
One question not asked, which seems to be taking hold as a viable alternative: Should Congress hold open hearings, like the Watergate hearings?
That idea seems to be gaining traction, and might serve to convince Trump supporters of of the need to impeach him.