Amid controversies dogging the White House and talk by some Democrats of impeachment, it would be "dangerous" to underestimate President Donald Trump's "survival skills," a senior advisor to Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign says.
In an opinion piece for The Washington Post posted Saturday, Ronald Klain asserted "Trump is down but not out" – and his 2016 campaign proves it.
"It is dangerous to underestimate Trump’s survival skills," Klain wrote.
"And so, as the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the Russia mess has Washington buzzing with nascent impeachment talk, 25th Amendment scenarios and rumors about resignation, it is worth remembering how tenaciously Trump pursued power, along with five key assets he has to maintain his grip on it."
Klain argued that Trump is an "incredibly skilled politician," and now has the "power of the presidency" behind him – along with a GOP-majority Congress that has shown "a penchant for dismissing concerns about Trump so long as he continues to pursue an agenda of repealing Obamacare and cutting taxes."
The "intensity of his most devout supporters" also serve as "a powerful check on Republican senators and representatives who might stand up to Trump," he added.
And finally, he wrote, "there is the frightening risk that Trump’s die-hard supporters are more devoted to Trump than they are to the rule of law," pointing to a Trump campaign email describing growing scrutiny of Trump as "sabotage."
"The effort to hold [Trump] accountable for any abuses of power will face formidable obstacles in the weeks and months ahead," Klain wrote. "He should not be underestimated."
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