President Donald Trump Talks Impeachment Chances, Political Bettors Move Arraignment Proceeding Odds

Posted on: July 23, 2019, 08:31h. 

Last updated on: July 23, 2019, 08:31h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

President Donald Trump is weighing in on calls for his removal from office, but the 45th commander-in-chief says there’s little support among the general public for his ousting.

Donald Trump impeachment odds
President Donald Trump says the odds are long that he’ll be kicked out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. (Image: Mandel Ngan/AFP)

Former special counsel Robert Mueller will testify tomorrow before the House Intelligence and Judiciary committees regarding the president’s alleged efforts to curtail or shut down his probe into Trump’s rumored collusion with Russia to interfere with the 2016 US election.

Mueller’s probe didn’t reveal specific evidence that Trump and Russia President Vladimir Putin indeed conspired to influence the election outcome. However, his report did signal that Trump might have tried to terminate Mueller’s investigation into the allegations.

Trump tweeted today that while at least 49 Democrats have publicly expressed support for impeachment proceedings, it’s an unpopular route among the general public.

“Newest Poll: Only 11 percent in favor of starting ridiculous impeachment hearings. Well, let’s see: We have the Best Economy in History, the Best Employment Numbers in History, Most People Working in History, Highest Stock Market in History, Biggest Tax and Regulation Cuts in History,” the president tweeted without citing the poll.

He continued, “Best and Newest Military (almost totally rebuilt from the depleted military I took over) in History, Best VA in History (Choice), and MUCH, MUCH MORE. Gee, let’s impeach the President. The ‘Squad’ (AOC Plus 3) and other Dems suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome. Crazy!”

Impeachment Odds

PredictIt – the online exchange that allows users to buy and sell shares of political outcomes – agrees with Trump that there’s little appetite to begin the removal process.

The market asking, “Will Donald Trump be impeached by year-end 2019?” has Yes shares trading at just 17 cents. But that’s up three cents from last week. The highest the market’s hit over the last 90 days came in May when Yes shares were trading at 31 cents.

The main issue with Mueller’s testimony will be deciding whether the president should be charged with obstruction.

“The dam is holding back the floodwaters,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Virginia). “But we are one explosive testimony, one new consequential outrage, from that dam being breached.”

Trump said this week of the Democrats, “They’re wasting their time.”

What’s Impeachment?

In the US, impeachment of the president isn’t the formal removal of the chief executive. Instead, it’s simply the act of Congress bringing charges against the commander-in-chief on allegations of “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.”

Impeachment has only occurred three times in US history – Andrew Johnson in 1868, Bill Clinton in 1998, and Richard Nixon in 1974.

Impeachment begins with a simple majority in the US House of Representatives. If that occurs, the proceedings move to the Senate where the chief justice of the Supreme Court oversees a trial. House members serve as the prosecutors, and the president brings his own attorneys for defense. The Senate acts as the jury.

If two-thirds of the Senate votes guilty, the president is removed and the vice president becomes the president of the United States.