Howell is a partisan hack. The most recent filing in the case is DOJ notice of appeal and motion for stay, so Howell for sure is not the last word. Loser at appeal will likely petition SCOTUS to take the case, but SCOTUS has no obligation to take it.
Both issues you raise look different under an impeachment investigation. The first question is whether or not that condition exists.
The people in the government are willing to use the government to plant and drive false rumors in order to turn elections (Russian collusion hoax), so it is no wonder they are also willing to subvert any other practice the government engages in. Congress and the courts are driving the Ukraine “hoax.” Violation of executive secrecy to start with, misreading of call to be “digging dirt for political purposes” not “looking to settle an allegation of corruption,” then abusing the institution of the House.
It’s worse than “pretty bad.” The government has cut out its own basis for legitimacy.
I agree this is not good.