CNN's Chris Cuomo tells House Democrats to stop playing Hamlet and start impeaching Trump already
The short version of Chris Cuomo's argument for the House to start impeachment proceedings against President Trump, which he laid out on CNN Thursday night, is that Democrats are shirking their constitutional duty to check-and-balance the president because they are scared of the future. He started with a literary reference.
Right now, Democrats "are collectively Hamlet, pondering to be the party of impeachment or not to be," Cuomo said. "And just like Hamlet, they're torn on their existence because they're not sure what comes next." Forget that, he said. The first step is to get Special Counsel Robert Mueller to testify on camera, laying out for the public "what the president said and did and asked of others, what it means legally and ethically," because nobody's read Mueller's report and people trust him more than they do lawmakers.
Cuomo suggested starting with "an impeachment inquiry — not official proceedings," for "maximal effective force of Congress in the courts. Consolidate all the efforts into one committee and then get it done quickly, and don't you showboat! Let the other committees work on the myriad matters of importance to the American people. Where it leads, how it ends, you can't know, and that should not be your guide. Do your duty."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"This won't be an easy call," but "it is instructive that almost every one of the people running to be nominee in the next election for president are in favor of taking this step — remember, they're going to pay the biggest price if this is judged to be a bad or just political move," Cuomo said. "People will punish you doing nothing or going in different directions at once, and rightly so."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 21, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - devilish decrees, biblical blunders, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 carefully selected cartoons about the Trump-Daniels jury selection process
Cartoons Artists take on a stress-free life, rare peers, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Loire Valley Lodges review: sleep, feast and revive in treetop luxury
The Week Recommends Forest hideaway offers chance to relax and reset in Michelin key-winning comfort
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published