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A Case for the American People: The United States v. Donald J. Trump
The Democrats’ special impeachment counsel on the House Judiciary Committee lays out President Trump’s shocking pattern of betrayals, lies, and high crimes, arguing articles of impeachment to the ultimate judges: the American people.
In his behind-the-scenes account of the attempts to bring the president to justice—from filing the very first legal actions against him, through the Mueller report, to the turbulent impeachment and trial, to the president’s ongoing wrongdoing today—Norman Eisen, at the forefront of the battle since the day of Trump’s inauguration, pulls back the curtain on the process. He reveals ten proposed articles of impeachment, not just the two that were publicly tried, all of which he had a hand in drafting. He then guides us through Trump’s lifelong instincts that have dictated his presidency: a cycle of abuse, corruption, and relentless obstruction of the truth.
Since taking the oath of office, Donald Trump has been on a spree of high crimes and misdemeanors, using the awesome power of the presidency for his own personal gain, at the expense of the American people. He has inflamed our divisions for his electoral benefit, with flagrant disregard for the Constitution that makes us America. Each step of the way, he has lied incessantly, including to cover up his crimes. And yet he remains in the country’s highest office.
Congress, federal and state prosecutors, and courts have worked to hold the president accountable for his myriad offenses—with some surprising successes and devastating failures. Eisen, who served as special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee for Trump’s impeachment and trial, presents the case against Trump anew. Eisen’s gripping narrative and rousing closing argument—at turns revelatory, insightful, and enraging—will inspire our nation of judges. History has proven that this president’s nefarious behavior will continue, no matter the crisis. But, as Eisen’s candid retelling affirms, there is an ultimate constitutional power that transcends the president’s, a power that can and must defeat him if our nation is to survive. The verdict of the American people remains in the balance. It is time for us to act.
In his behind-the-scenes account of the attempts to bring the president to justice—from filing the very first legal actions against him, through the Mueller report, to the turbulent impeachment and trial, to the president’s ongoing wrongdoing today—Norman Eisen, at the forefront of the battle since the day of Trump’s inauguration, pulls back the curtain on the process. He reveals ten proposed articles of impeachment, not just the two that were publicly tried, all of which he had a hand in drafting. He then guides us through Trump’s lifelong instincts that have dictated his presidency: a cycle of abuse, corruption, and relentless obstruction of the truth.
Since taking the oath of office, Donald Trump has been on a spree of high crimes and misdemeanors, using the awesome power of the presidency for his own personal gain, at the expense of the American people. He has inflamed our divisions for his electoral benefit, with flagrant disregard for the Constitution that makes us America. Each step of the way, he has lied incessantly, including to cover up his crimes. And yet he remains in the country’s highest office.
Congress, federal and state prosecutors, and courts have worked to hold the president accountable for his myriad offenses—with some surprising successes and devastating failures. Eisen, who served as special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee for Trump’s impeachment and trial, presents the case against Trump anew. Eisen’s gripping narrative and rousing closing argument—at turns revelatory, insightful, and enraging—will inspire our nation of judges. History has proven that this president’s nefarious behavior will continue, no matter the crisis. But, as Eisen’s candid retelling affirms, there is an ultimate constitutional power that transcends the president’s, a power that can and must defeat him if our nation is to survive. The verdict of the American people remains in the balance. It is time for us to act.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2020
170 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Norman Eisen
10 books64 followersAmbassador Norman Eisen is the author of The Last Palace: Europe’s Turbulent Century in Five Lives and One Legendary House, forthcoming on September 4, 2018. He is a senior fellow at Brookings, a CNN political commentator, and the chair of the government watchdog group CREW. Eisen served from 2009 to 2011 in the White House as President Obama’s “ethics czar” and as the U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic from 2011 to 2014.
Eisen’s book tells the story of liberalism and illiberalism through the lives of the people who preceded him in his ambassadorial residence in Prague: its Jewish builder, Nazi occupier, post-WWII American savior, and Cold War movie star-ambassador. Interwoven throughout is the story of his mother, a Czech Holocaust survivor who sent him back to Prague to live in the palace once occupied by the Nazis--and was his best advisor as he took on their modern-day successors. Eisen’s writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today, and Politico. He has been profiled in the Washington Post, New York Magazine, Politico, The Wall Street Journal, and Tablet. Eisen was named #11 on the Politico 50 list of thinkers shaping American politics, and to the Forward 50 list of the most influential and interesting American Jews.
Eisen’s book tells the story of liberalism and illiberalism through the lives of the people who preceded him in his ambassadorial residence in Prague: its Jewish builder, Nazi occupier, post-WWII American savior, and Cold War movie star-ambassador. Interwoven throughout is the story of his mother, a Czech Holocaust survivor who sent him back to Prague to live in the palace once occupied by the Nazis--and was his best advisor as he took on their modern-day successors. Eisen’s writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today, and Politico. He has been profiled in the Washington Post, New York Magazine, Politico, The Wall Street Journal, and Tablet. Eisen was named #11 on the Politico 50 list of thinkers shaping American politics, and to the Forward 50 list of the most influential and interesting American Jews.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 31, 2020
I love Norm Eisen and really enjoyed his writing style in "The Last Palace." "A Case for the American People" was a high-drama inside look at the impeachment proceedings, and it was thrilling to hear all the dirty details that we, the public, could only speculate about in real time.
I think Eisen tried too hard to shoehorn what is really a memoir into this idea of making a case to the public; he awkwardly inserts "you, the American people" throughout as if to remind us (and himself) that this is was the premise of the book.
Eisen also casts himself in a starring role in the trial; he quotes Pelosi, Nadler, Schiff and others praising him for his work, and while he tries to be self-deprecating, it feels a little too self-congratulatory. While there's no doubt his work was invaluable to these historic proceedings, it further underscored how much this was a memoir, not really a case made to the public.
This is all forgivable, though; Eisen is an endearing and admirable figure, and the behind-the-scenes story of some of the most high-stakes weeks in American political history is worth the read.
I think Eisen tried too hard to shoehorn what is really a memoir into this idea of making a case to the public; he awkwardly inserts "you, the American people" throughout as if to remind us (and himself) that this is was the premise of the book.
Eisen also casts himself in a starring role in the trial; he quotes Pelosi, Nadler, Schiff and others praising him for his work, and while he tries to be self-deprecating, it feels a little too self-congratulatory. While there's no doubt his work was invaluable to these historic proceedings, it further underscored how much this was a memoir, not really a case made to the public.
This is all forgivable, though; Eisen is an endearing and admirable figure, and the behind-the-scenes story of some of the most high-stakes weeks in American political history is worth the read.
August 4, 2020
Teri Kanefield gives and excellent book report here:
https://terikanefield-blog.com/a-case...
https://terikanefield-blog.com/a-case...
November 25, 2020
I waited for quite a while for my turn to read this book from the library, especially due to Covid 19 restrictions and closures. I am torn on this one and probably for all the wrong reasons. I wanted to know the story behind what I watched during the impeachment hearings and that is definitely in the this book and I did learn some interesting minutia. First and foremost, I appreciate the work of the people who gave up their lives and holidays with their families to work on the impeachment of such a corrupt and dishonorable person as he who shall not be named. However, PTSD related to the gall of the GOP Senators (except for Mitt Romney) came rushing back. In addition, the book starts by telling the reader that the book was written to make a case to the American people about this matter and this "person". The first chapter says it and the last chapter emphasizes it. Unfortunately, even knowing that the country overwhelming did what the GOP said should be done....instead of impeachment"....let the American people decide. We did. But the GOP and he who shall not be named are gifts that just keep on giving. As long as you like gifts that despoil democracy. The same people who flaunted the rule of law continue to use their power for their own aggrandizement and benefit. This book revisits a sad and despicable time in this country's history that is giving every indication will continue to be a detriment to us for a very long time to come.
January 10, 2023
Captivating inside look at Trump's first impeachment
Norman Eisen was one of the attorneys who developed the first impeachment case against Donald Trump, and he takes us through the earliest days through to the final vote in Congress, revealing the strategy and challenges involved in bringing a residing US President into account for wrongdoing.
There's not much new here unless you somehow missed the coverage of the impeachment hearings and trial (except I was impressed to learn of Rep. Nadler's very personal struggle and Rep. Schiff's personal pain during the proceedings--never saw them flinch in real time), but as a historical narrative of what went on behind the scenes, this is an important yet very readable account.
It's unfortunate (though not suprising) Eisen's account teeters into some pejorative language and commentary; had he maintained a more reportorial tone he might actually win over some folks who might still be on the fence about this. No one likes to be insulted (and there's too much of that floating around anyway), and it never helps the case.
That said, the case made is abundantly clear and the prescience of worse to come is hauntingly accurate, given all that's happened since the Donald Trump's first impeachment.
Norman Eisen was one of the attorneys who developed the first impeachment case against Donald Trump, and he takes us through the earliest days through to the final vote in Congress, revealing the strategy and challenges involved in bringing a residing US President into account for wrongdoing.
There's not much new here unless you somehow missed the coverage of the impeachment hearings and trial (except I was impressed to learn of Rep. Nadler's very personal struggle and Rep. Schiff's personal pain during the proceedings--never saw them flinch in real time), but as a historical narrative of what went on behind the scenes, this is an important yet very readable account.
It's unfortunate (though not suprising) Eisen's account teeters into some pejorative language and commentary; had he maintained a more reportorial tone he might actually win over some folks who might still be on the fence about this. No one likes to be insulted (and there's too much of that floating around anyway), and it never helps the case.
That said, the case made is abundantly clear and the prescience of worse to come is hauntingly accurate, given all that's happened since the Donald Trump's first impeachment.
January 29, 2023
Norman Eisen was one if the lawyers on the House Judiciary Committee when they were preparing Trump's impeachment in 2020. He tells the inside story of their deliberations during the first half of 2020 on articles relating to Russia Collusion and obstruction of justice based on the Mueller Report. Then swiftly pivoting in September to the Ukraine scandal. He recounts the raucus Lewendowski hearing, the attempts by Republicans to sidetrack the impeachment hearings in the Committee and in the whole House.
He recounts the day by day trial in the Senate culminating in the final vote along party lines with Mitt Romney the sole Republican to vote against Trump.
Eisen published his book in 2020, after covid emerged as the next Trump crisis but before the November election. His book urges the American people to use their votes to do what Congress and the courts could not - remove Trump before the next, more deadly scandal.
Eisen identifies Trump’s five stages of grievance that kill the truth:
• blanket denials
• attacking and accusing others—anyone but himself
• slowly admitting what happened
• testing rationalizations
• finally embracing the wrongdoing and claiming perfection.
He recounts the day by day trial in the Senate culminating in the final vote along party lines with Mitt Romney the sole Republican to vote against Trump.
Eisen published his book in 2020, after covid emerged as the next Trump crisis but before the November election. His book urges the American people to use their votes to do what Congress and the courts could not - remove Trump before the next, more deadly scandal.
Eisen identifies Trump’s five stages of grievance that kill the truth:
• blanket denials
• attacking and accusing others—anyone but himself
• slowly admitting what happened
• testing rationalizations
• finally embracing the wrongdoing and claiming perfection.
October 15, 2020
Pretty good, but lays it on a bit thick at times. The Democrats really dropped the ball on the impeachment, going from 9 articles down to 2 out of fear for Congressmen in purple states' reelection, to Nancy Pelosi holding things up and delaying, to earnestly expecting Senate Republicans to actually vote against their ringleader is just so...frustrating.
The Dems need to grow a backbone or be replaced. Our country is weaker as a result.
The Dems need to grow a backbone or be replaced. Our country is weaker as a result.
October 18, 2020
Norm Eisen, special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee from 2017–2019, presents a through-line for Trump's abuse of power--from his invitation and acceptance of foreign assistance during the 2016 election to his failure to protect the American people during the pandemic. As Eisen explains, there is not a series of Trump scandals; there is just one, and it now has turned deadly. Each time, Trump moves from blanket denials, to attacking and accusing others, to slowly admitting what happened while testing rationalizations, and finally to embracing his wrongdoing ;and claiming perfection. This book is a very detailed, readable account of the House impeachment effort, and a valuable overview of the horrors we have all lived through for the past four years.
September 19, 2020
Regardless of your political leanings, the author does an excellent job of laying out the controversies surrounding the #45 within the context of the Constitution. As someone who doesn‘t follow the daily developments reported by the media, it was also a great way to „catch up“ on all the issues in a sequential, factual manner.
September 11, 2020
Although well written this is little more than an eye witness account of the legal strategies and arguments that went in to the Trump impeachment. Little additional insight into the process or actual case other than what one could glean from watching the spectacle unfold on national tv.
Read
February 7, 2021If you want a detailed understanding of why President Trump was impeached this is the book for you.
Great day by day understanding of how the impeachment case was built and how our democracy was on the brink of disaster.
Great day by day understanding of how the impeachment case was built and how our democracy was on the brink of disaster.
August 10, 2020
in the chapter "the illegal president," norman eisen thanks my best friend priyanka. i really enjoyed that bit
September 5, 2020
Reiteration of the process of trumps impeachment.... Presents the facts and says it is up to the American people........ So scary.......so critical.
September 9, 2020
A MUST read!
September 27, 2020
Absolutely required reading. Closing argument is complete and up to date. Compelling.
January 11, 2021
Very well-written, detailed account of what took place "inside" Capitol Hill which clearly showed what happened last week was really no surprise. They all should have seen it coming...
September 22, 2021
A solid play-by-play of the impeachment process from behind-the-scenes.
November 14, 2021
Despite a fair bit of self-aggrandizing and repetition, this is a story I’m glad to know more about.
June 1, 2022
An excellent refresher for those inclined to forget the past...that isn't necessarily going to stay the past.
April 26, 2024
Well written, fascinating story of behind the scenes and Ambassador Eisen's role in the first Trump Impeachment.
August 23, 2020
Fascinating account of the behind the scene battle to make the president accountable for his "high crimes and misdemeanors."
October 23, 2020
Interesting behind the scenes take on how impeachment came about, but there's not much new here.
October 15, 2025
Detailed insider account of the impeachment case built against Trump prior to the Ukraine "perfect call" and the resulting trials in both Houses of Congress. It makes the cases that the conspiracy with Russia (Collusion) in volume one of the Mueller Report along with obstruction of justice in Volume Two were strong grounds for impeachment prior to abuse of power in regard Ukraine.
Additionally, there is the financial shenanigans of Trump’s pledge to leave his business and following it up with handing it to his children while incorporating them into his White House team.
Additionally, there is the financial shenanigans of Trump’s pledge to leave his business and following it up with handing it to his children while incorporating them into his White House team.
August 10, 2020
A quick read but one that provided little information not previously reported in the media. The author has an annoying, self promoting style and an ingratiating approach to the members of Congress and key staff members. Since the book was published without an index or notes ( available online only), the author and publisher apparently rushed the publication in an effort to increase sales as the first insider account on the impeachment proceedings As a result, the book serves only as a personal memoir, not a scholarly account of the impeachment proceedings.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews