Extortion

    There are a number of Federal cases that provide that what Defendant Zinke did was illegal. See United States v. Zemek, 634 F.3d 1159, 1174 (9th Cir. 1980) (the right to make business decisions and to solicit business free from wrongful coercion). There are cases that also involve interference in the operation of unions.

    Senator Murkowski wants to lawfully go about her business—to vote on legislation the way she wants to vote on legislation—but Defendant Trump is attempting to force her to give up that right (i.e. extort her) with threats that would cause damage.  

    Think about it this way:

Imagine if Chris Christie's Chief of Staff called up the Mayor of that quaint little town across the Hudson River from New York and said, "Endorse the Governor, or we will shut down traffic in your town." On top of that, imagine that there were witnesses to the exchange, Christie didn’t deny the allegation, and another mayor received the same threat.

    This isn’t Juarez or Mogadishu or Nicosia. People, yes, even legislators, have to be able to act freely here, without fear of coercion.

Evidence

     Two Senators from Alaska—Republican Senators at that—would provide the critical testimony to back up the charges. Additionally, there would be evidence of Defendant Zinke’s relationship with Defendant Trump. For example, this might be Exhibit “A,” a picture taken just two days before the Extortion:

     We probably need phone logs or emails to tie Defendant Zinke’s actions to Defendant Trump. It is not impossible to believe that Defendant Zinke acted alone, but I see that as unlikely. Not impossibly unlikely, but very possibly unlikely. But that is an assumption.