Political Mayhem Thursday: The Blockade

I have a theory.

Over the past several days, the Trump administration has pretty much stopped providing anything to the House of Representatives' committees that conducting investigations. Most recently, the administration asserted executive privilege over the Mueller report, and the House Judiciary Committee held Attorney General William Barr in contempt over the move.

It's hard not to  think that a directive from the top has come down: give them nothing. 

I don't think it is the "Constitutional Crisis" some are declaring; the Constitution says almost nothing about any of this. I know... it does create a separation of powers generally, and there are cases upholding the House's ability to subpoena the president, but I don't think we can call something a Constitutional Crisis unless there is a threat to something clearly within that document.

So, anyways, my theory:

I suspect that this administration would welcome impeachment on the current facts, and are inviting it at this point. Here is why:

First, impeachment would almost certainly be futile, given the composition of the Senate.

Second, if impeachment happens and the Senate inevitably acquits, it is vindication for Trump in the eyes of many.

Third, it plays into Trump's core narrative that the "elites" are out to get him.

Fourth, they know that worse facts may come out later, and the Democrats are unlikely to pull off two impeachments; there just isn't time. Better to have them burn it off now.

Finally, even if the House does not impeach, this tactic kills a lot of time.