Seriously folks. If this miscreant runs for office in NH, I personally think he has a good chance of winning. It is not for nothing that The Manchester Union Leader a rabid right-wing conservative tabloid is published in Manchester and the state is tied for 13th place for gun ownership in the country. The state has a different feel from its neighbors.
Was Lewandowski paying the lawyers sitting behind him, or were they Mr. President's lawyers, paid by the Executive to ensure the witness obeyed orders?
And were the Republican Congressmen under orders to delay the proceedings with every tool available?
America used to be a democracy that other countries looked up to. What has happened?
While I couldn't listen to the entire hearing, Lewandowski was asked by a GOP Congressman about his prior hearings and the expense of hiring a lawyer to advise him.
It was obvious that the two White House lawyers who sat behind him at the hearing weren't billing him.
The question I have is, why wasn't he asked who paid his prior and who is continuing to pay them?
2
Lewandowski was scared when he left the room after testifying before the House Judiciary Committee yesterday.
He started out good, bragging about lying to the media. Who else does he think it's OK to lie to? Would he lie about that too? Can anyone really believe anything he says from now on?
Trump also confessed to lying to the media. Same thing goes for him. Can anyone really believe anything he says?
The answer is no.
I would be that he's hoping Trump didn't watch that last part of his testimony where he couldn't stand up under professional cross examination by the majority parties attorney.
They both better hope Trump wins in 2020 (he won't), or else they'll both end up in jail.
Chairman Nadler,
When a "witness" responds as disrespectful as Lewandowski does, and repeats it throughout the hearing, merely to please his boss and drag his feet, he needs to be warned once. When he repeats the obstructive behavior end the session, hold him in contempt, ask the guards to cuff him and remove him to a jail cell for the night, and return him the next day. Rinse and repeat.
Do not take any "guff" from these hoodlums. Show them the "respect" they deserve.
2
Leave the questioning to a professional. The first 4 hours was painfully embarrassing. Trump is not going to be impeached! He will have to be voted out, and then, he may not leave. But, no more of what we say yesterday!
1
The Democrats are still unwilling to play hardball. Perhaps nothing will ever wake them up. If this continues they will deserve to lose the next Presidential election.
Not possibly " obstructing justice" but actually trying to obstruct justice. Let's stop tiptoeing around the fact that Trump did attempt to do that. He was not exonerated.
The last person I'd believe as to the legality of Mr. Lewandowski's actions is Mr. Lewandowski. I doubt he understands the concept of law in regards to himself. If he's like everyone else in the Trump administration, he firmly believes that laws only apply to "other" people.
1
Trump is demonstrating that he is above the law.
Presidents may not be indicted or prosecuted while in office.
The only mechanism available to hold the president accountable is the ability of Congress to investigate the president and the people around him.
When the people with information refuse to give Congress their testimony or fail to even show up at a Congressional hearing I fear that the system of government designed by our Founding Fathers is dead.
3
"Lewandowski Tells Congress ‘I Wasn’t Asked to Do Anything Illegal’"
"Representative Jerrold Nadler, Democrat of New York and the committee’s chairman, told Mr. Lewandowski near the hearing’s conclusion that the panel would consider holding him in contempt of Congress for his refusal to cooperate."
I think the committee should absolutely hold Lewandowski in contempt and enforce it by filing charges in the Federal Courts.
I see from time to time that some folks question if the Democrats are doing anything with all of this. The answer is absolutely yes, they are building a case against Trump and some others, just as in the Nixon case. It just takes time to get all of the legal stuff together for a court case and an impeachment. Nixon resigned rather than be impeached and many of his people went to jail. It will be fitting for the same to happen to Trump and his people.
1
I watched some of this hearing and was struck by how on edge Mr. Lewandowski appeared to be, like he was afraid to go off script and utter even one independent thought. He was very different appearing in a hearing than when he is interviewed on the street. He also strikes me as being a very dangerous politician who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. To me, he is actually worse than Donald Trump because Mr. Trump is only aware of himself and his aura. Mr. Lewandowski is smart enough to be aware of the big picture and that makes him very dangerous.
2
Just imagine what the Republicans would do if the positions were reversed.
1
Calling Lewandowski to testify was a mistake. Others related to the administration have already lied and stonewalled. Given his past behaviour there was no reason to expect that he would be different. He actually said that he feels no obligation to be truthful unless he is under oath. So, this amounted to a free commercial for his intended run for the Senate. He and others who have been deliberately uncooperative and evasive, not to mention belligerent and disrespectful, should be charged with contempt of Congress and punished to the fullest extent of the law. Why did the Democrats and Nadler not take any action against him (and the others)?
You know it is said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. No one connected with Trump will cooperate and tell the truth. None of the GOP members/senators will do anything to undermine their Dear Leader. This cult of personality around Trump can be added to the list of Kim, Mao, Stalin, Putin and all of the third rate dictators Trump so admires. Democrats will have to fight harder to get the truth and use the tools available to admonish and punish those who lie, stonewall, and disrespect the legitimate process of oversight.
1
Corey does not seem like the sort of person that would align with a liar or support him. I often get curious about the rational of intelligent, capable professionals that enables them to support an obvious conman and liar. Is it the loyalty to the office in spite of the man or woman who holds it? Is it their bank account? I know this is true for some blue color workers in rural Vermont...their 401 K's are what they vote for.
Yet those who support the "liar and thief" chastise teens that behave this way and would not tolerate a teacher or administrator who behaved this in their children's school. Amazing that the President has the lowest standards of behavior of any professional position in the country...other than the Republican Congress or people working for him.
I grew up in the poorest county this side of the Mississippi so know many of the rural people who support him ins spite of his obvious deception and low standards of morality. I am one of them and will always take care of their children and them if they are in need. That does not mean that they are not partly responsible for supporting much of what they don't believe in for reasons that elude me.
People always make up the social geography that defines the opportunities of this or any other country. It will be interesting to see if the people of this country will choose allow the blatant pollution of our culture by supporting politicians who don't care a whit their education, health or general well being.
'Corey does not seem like the sort of person that would align with a liar or support him'.
Seriously?
He seems to me like exactly the sort of person that would do that.
Isn't the "I wasn't asked to do anything illegal" a judge and jury's job to determine?
1
But, Mueller's investigation was not impeded. He took two years + and left no rock un-turned. Spent over 30 million dollars. The Democrats are embarrassing and, frankly, are beating a dead horse. I initially thought Trump would be impeached over what I thought was valid facts of collusion. They were not. It was, sadly, politics as usual and that's basically what Mueller found. Did he find other stuff? Probably, but one cannot have unlimited scope to tear a person apart. That is against our laws, and our laws are the only strength that separates the US from the rest of the world.
Watching the snarky Dems go after everyone and anyone associated with Trump has become more than a turnoff. They are worse than the Reps going after Hillary, and that's saying something. They are losing my vote.
4
@Ma - Give me a break. Do you really think anyone would ever believe you would vote for a Democrat?
2
Trump will throw Corey under the bus. But first, he's got to exit the bus. It is becoming painfully obvious the extent to which Trump went to obstruct justice.
Rachel Maddox said on her show last night that the staff lawyers were allowed to question Lewandowski at the end of the public session. Lewandowski did admit to more of what he did to the staff lawyers, while he was able to make fools of the senators.
Rachel has advised that the staff lawyers be allowed to question first, then let the senators follow up. I agree with this .
Also, why is the NYT not reporting that there even was a lawyer session? I have not heard any news outlet other than Rachel Maddow’s show comment on this. Why not?
Independent voter, bordering on a Libertarian, found a hero. The American public should be thanking Corey Lewandowski for demonstrating how absurd the caretakers of our institutions are, and that no body of law is above it, including the Bolsheviks on this impeachment panel.
3
"The panel would consider holding him in contempt of Congress for his refusal to cooperate." Ha!
The Democrats don't have the spine for this. They don't know how to fight. But wait! Pelosi and the Democrats have a finely tuned strategy here; they know what they are doing.
What they are doing is undermining whatever small amount of confidence we had in them. They are going to ask for our votes on nothing more than "anything is better than Trump."
If the GOP sends shivers down your spine, the fecklessness of the Democrats should sober you up about the pathetic state of our political system.
2
If this man was your neighbor would you like him, tolerate him, despise him or move?
Lewandowski’s stance that he wasn’t “asked to do anything illegal” might hold merit if it were another time and another administration.
The bar for “anything illegal” has been set pretty low and seems open to new interpretation.
5
Why even bother with this feckless shill - waste of everyone's time and money to parade this publicity seeking, pathetic lap dog before the public eye when everyone knew in advance what his modus operandi would be. Loyal soldier Corey will be cast aside by his mentor and hopefully will retreat into the woods of New Hampshire where he will not be heard from again. Why even bother with a contempt charge - a waste of time and money.
3
So when confronted with his own lying on a cable news show, this liar sounded almost proud of his lies. Will anyone believe anything that comes from his mouth (or trumps) and if he has children, is that what he teaches them? We are in a post truth moment in America, our president sounds like a clown doing stand-up, our senate is being led by someone who appears to be working for Putin not us, and our Supreme Court has been forever sullied by its own liar and groper.
8
This is what happens when one group is made of good scouts who follow the rules/law/norms and the other group is a bunch of con artists who don't care about rules and play outraged victims or rebel heroes when held accountable to the rules. I don't think that the founders could have anticipated that, but then they didn't have a 24 hr news cycle and social media. Good scouts aren't good TV, but victims and rebels are.
3
Someone should have asked Corey if someone spoke to him, when he was a cop, like he is to the committee would he arrest that person on the spot for obstruction?
4
Who is surprised by this craziness? Lewandowski is Miller light. What do we do with dangerously crazy people in other areas of our society? We take them off the street. The House needs to find a spine and jail some of the folks who are contemptuous of the processes of the institution. Ask Susan McDougal how much fun incarceration is.
5
Frighteningly interesting that American faith, optimism and trust in our constitution have encouraged so little legal redress from those serving themselves. We simply wring our hands as we are given sign after sign that the values and infrastructures of this country's democracy are melding into the Trump enterprises family business dictatorship. While serving President Trump rather than the people of the US, Mr. Lewandowski has disrespected and undermined the role of its elected Congress that he is campaigning to join. What indeed is wrong with this picture?
3
Lewandowski was cocky as ever and Republicans such as Jim Jordan loved it.
What does Donald Trump have over these people? It’s got to be more than a Tweet.....
5
@MIMA
Perks and loads of money/bribes.
Why use his claim of not breaking the law in the headline? He claimed that he didn't assault two people when video showed a different story. Of course, he's going to deny any wrongdoing. That's not worth a headline.
5
I am confused by the constant shock I hear from Democrats regarding the behavior of this administration. No one working for this administration will respect any law, precedent, or traditional value of the Presidency unless is specifically serves their purpose in the moment. It's Trump's entire strategy and it's worked his entire life. And please do not feign shock in the event he loses the election in 2020 and refuses to step down. You are witnessing the fact that America is not immune to the same evils that have brought down countless governments. There are those that seek power at all costs and they are in the drivers seat of the American democracy in this moment.
65
@Aaron
If Trump doesn't leave peacefully, there will be a civil war. Just what Putin has been setting our nation up for.
2
@Aaron
This individual's testimony shows him to be significantly impaired and unemployable. He did however land a position with Donald Trump. That clearly shown the job qualifications to most in his administration. Beyond outrageous.
2
I watched most of the hearings and they were truly a farce. Lewandowski made a fool out of the democrats whose questioning made it hard to believe that most of them on the Judicial Committee have law degrees!!! Kamala would have been happy with his one word answers to many questions...”No...” which left the prosecutor in question flummoxed, breathless, and on the defensive. Democrats would be wise to shut the heck up and get on with solving the problems of our country instead of making fools of themselves in their endless pursuit of “get trump” at any cost.
4
@Pvbeachbum
No, the house judicial committee is doing exactly what we pay them to do. Oversight. There are four separate governmental entities, remember? Trump is not our monarch and never will be. Mueller found more than sufficient evidence of malfeasance by Trump and his minions. Jerry Nadler and the rest of the judicial committee need to keep investigating this for our mation and impeach. That is the law of the land.
2
Oops...the hearing was not a bust because the good soldier just admitted to obstruction of justice,treason and being completely contemptuous about it...very much a male version of Kelly Anne Conway.
9
That was quite a performance from Cory Lewandowski:
- makes Chairman Nadler scramble to provide him a copy of Mueller Report
- admonishes Sheila Jackson Lee for ranting rather than questioning
- mocks Eric Swalwell’s failed 2020 campaign by calling him President Swalwell, earning a smile from the attractive blond in the gallery behind him
- when Hakeem Jeffries asks if he is the hit man or the bag man, says ”I think I’m the good looking man”
Epic trolling. Made the Democratic committee members look like a pack of fools. I almost felt sorry for them, but their misguided focus on partisan investigations while neglecting the business Americans want Congress to achieve removes any sympathy.
4
@Bill House Democrats have advanced quite a lot of "business Americans want Congress to achieve" to the GOP-controlled Senate. Perhaps you should ask why the GOP-controlled Senate is neglecting its duties.
5
@Bill
The judicial committee IS doing their job. Do you not understand the role they play in our government? Please, educate yourself about what the committees are paid to do before you make such uninformed statements.
1
Big deal, the House has passed some Democratic bills with no Republican support. That’s not getting anything done, that’s just posturing. Legislating is about working with both parties to pass bills, the House Democrats don’t seem to have any ability to do that. Instead they waste an entire legislative day on an utterly useless hearing.
PS, never watch Fox News I’m a NYT subscriber who didn’t vote for President Trump in 2016 but am considering it in 2020.
1
Contempt of court. Plain and simple. Come on FBI new trial new hearing new judgment. America is getting to the end of its rope with the lack of justice if we don’t start seeing consequences for this horrible criminal behavior American civilization and democracy is truly at the end of its road
7
CJ we’re already at the end of the road. Just ask yourself who has to enforce those contempt citations? Yep it’s Bill Barr.
1
I was amazed by the rude nature of the Democratic questioners. What happened to respect and civility. I am quite sure most of those House members are Christians.
2
Maybe that is the problem !
1
So being Christian makes people more respectful and civil? Tell that to the victims of child-raping priests, and the motherless children whose mothers died due to botched abortions before Roe v Wade, those lynched by Christian KKK members.... I could go on but I hope the point is clear.
3
The hearing did bring out some aspects of the Mueller Report that I was not aware of - over 100 contacts with Russians for Trump people!! And the invitation to Moscow! And the unbelievably routine disregard for the health of our country, by the usual gang of Republicans - Jim Jordan, etc - to watch those republican congressman lie, and to lie as loudly as they could, often and always, it is just amazing..Who can vote for these people who don't want to stop Russia from interfering in our election, don't care that the president profits from his office substantially, don't care about environment at all - I mean talk about burning down the house..I thought Nadler really handled himself well, in the face of such disgusting behavior. The last few minutes where the Republican was trying to say he should be staff, and allowed to question for a half hour - his high mocking voice, over and over - how can these people live with themselves..
9
@grace thorsen
140 contacts with Russians, that is why McCabe began an investigation into the contacts to try and find what might be going on, so our chosen one had him fired, the day he was to collect his pension. Now the republicans want him indicted!
8
Mr. Lowandosky’s comment is indicative of everything that it wrong with the Trump administration. Each and every member believes that nothing they do - regardless of how unethical, how illegal, how sleazy, how corrupt - is illegal. Actually, it is.
13
Is it the Dems putting up with this or the American people? You will always get a circus when people like Cory act shamefully. But I place the blame for complacency on those who applaud it. And that is the GOP. I honestly see Republicans as false patriots.
7
This impeachment drivel has been dragged out ad nauseam by the Dems..
..-- Its time to focus on beating Trump in 2020. If Dems are so convinced of Trump's incompetence & immorality they should easily be able to beat him next year.. If they can't, then maybe Dems need to impeach themselves..
4
@mike
The problem is, our system is supposed to be self-correcting, so that incompetence or venality are not tolerated in the chief executive. And this is not supposed to be dependent on a four-yer election cycle. No Democrat should be unaware of the political cost of impeachment in the present situation, but how can he NOT be impeached?
This article completely ignores the inexcusable role of the GOP of not only ignoring their oversight duties but, worse yet, covering for this criminal administration and spinning ludicrous conspiracy theories. Representatives such as Jim Jordan and Matt Gaetz are a permanent stain on our democracy and serve no purpose other than to cater to the interests of the donor class.
14
Has any administration, including Nixon been associated with a more despicable cast of characters? Has any other shown as much contempt for the norms of our democracy and the principles of our constitution? The Republicans have forever lost the moral claim to being “constitutionalists”.
9
Lewandowski seems relatively unconscious of his immature psychological development. His overcompensating and exaggerated stance of independence is the machinery of cultism. . He describes "The American People" or "The American Public" as his minds eye. "Others" are Trump Haters, Bad Actors and every other term of insanity. His words betray him - using shared terms as a common source of enthusiasm, especially in revered institutions, is symptomatic of cultism.
This stagnant insularity and prolonged adolescent approach to life can be further traced back to revealing tapes of Trump . The particular tape of Trump and Epstein at Mar a Lago is a demonstration of this human bewilderment path. Mar a Lago is where the depravity began.
5
If any witness in any court of law acted as Lewandowski acted today he would be sitting in a cell right now and remain there until he showed the respect mandated by the law. But someone has to have the courage to apply the law and right now Democratic leadership is failing. If Congressman are so afraid of losing their seats they become weaklings, they need to resign and let someone willing to stand up for America do what is necessary.
7
I feel like most people are missing the actual story.
Nadler acted like this was an impeachment inquiry. This is pressing the courts to rule on it, and this is pressing the full House to support it. With the House setting its own rules, long as the democratic caucus doesn't suicide, Nadler's bet should pay and the only question is when.
Once it does, and the SC rules against that absurd privilege -- according to precedents -- the floodgates open and the watchdog will have teeth again.
But right now, Nadler is still walking on a thread.
2
The reason these impeachment hearings will not gain traction among most Americans is the continued perception of partisan politics in Washington. Nancy Pelosi knows this. She is a smart politician.
5
Democratic questioning of Mr. Lewandowski was in the nature of cross examination. Among the rules for effective cross examination are not to ask open ended questions and not to ask any question you don’t know the answer to. The Congressmen did not do a good job and failed to reel Lewandowski in. They would have been better off not having him testify. Good trial lawyers would have known this. Instead the committee got used.
4
To Democrats on the House Judiciary Commuttee:
(To paraphrase the captain in Mister Roberts) "You ain't goin nowhere!"
2
See Congress’s Contempt Power and the Enforcement of Congressional Subpoenas: Law, History, Practice, and Procedure by Todd Garvey. Congressional Research Service. www.crs.gov (“Congress has three formal methods by which it can combat non compliance with a duly issued subpoena. Each of these methods invokes the authority of a separate branch of government. First, the long dormant inherent contempt power permits Congress to rely on its own constitutional authority to detain and imprison a contemnor until the individual complies with congressional demands. Second, the criminal contempt statute permits Congress to certify a contempt citation to the executive branch for the criminal prosecution of the contemnor. Finally, Congress may rely on the judicial branch to enforce a congressional subpoena. Under this procedure, Congress may seek a civil judgment from a federal court declaring that the individual in question is legally obligated to comply with the congressional subpoena.”).
5
100 percent predictable.
Nadler has proven again as clueless as Pelosi.
He brought a sermon to the choir when he needed to cross examine a snake to prepare for what is to come. Cross examining a snake is not fun.
But none of them are up to the job. They love how that choir responds to their ranting.
4
Lying liars keep on lying and the congress does nothing about it.
92
@larry bennett They are doing what the law allows but they are dealing with people who don't care about the law.
9
The Democrats are bringing a pencil to a nuclear bomb threat to our democracy. We voted them into the House in 2018 and this is all they can do? Can no one in our elected government stop this drip drip drip of total destruction of our democracy? As a citizen I'm dismayed. We vote, and this is all the checks and balances we get?
109
Did you watch the last half hour of the hearings? Your opinion might change a bit if you did. Hopefully the Democrats will take note of that and modify how they proceed.
17
@Beth
Its in the courts.. Trump claims Executive branch privilege not to cooperate. The courts will eventually decide, and that is how our democracy works in this case..
6
@Beth Mitch "Machiavelli" McConnell the ultimate genesis of our travails. He is and has long been a formidable roadblock. Trumputin is just a symptom - of a fatal illness. Vote - our ballots are our bullets.
2
House Democrats should reconsider the strategy of conducting impeachment hearings with hostile witnesses instructed by the White House not to comply with valid Congressional subpoenas.
The House of Representatives is a co-equal Constitutional branch of the federal government with the exclusive mandates of oversight and informing the public on govermental operation. Obstructing Congress in its duties is punishable under its powers of inherent contempt.
Democratic House committee chairs should formally advise all witnesses appearing under subpoena that refusal to answer questions, absent asserting their refusal is under the advice of their legal counsel pursuant to the Fifth Amendment, will be deemed willful contemptuous obstruction of Congress by a majority vote of the committee members present.
Any lawyers attending congressional hearings who are not retained by the subpoenaed witness should be formally identified by the Committee chair and advised their engagement by a party or parties other than the subpoenaed witness absolutely bars them from giving advce and doing so may result in their removal from the hearing.
And by majority vote, the House committee chair may instruct the Sergeant-At-Arms to take the witness into immediate custody pending a full hearing before a Special Select Committee and subsequent House floor vote where further incarceration and or fines may be imposed to compel their legal compliance.
151
@Memnon, you are correct; thank you for your excellent clarity. The only door Lewandowski should have left that hearing through should have led to a jail cell for obstruction and contempt. The other two no-shows should be rounded up and jailed as well. Why did Chairman Nadler roll over so easily? Bluster isn't backbone. Harrumphing isn't questioning. "Mr. Lewandowski, you admitted that you lied to MSNBC. Now that we know you are an admitted liar., what's the real truth? Didn't you lie to us?" That's a good place to start getting your spine back.
28
Why aren't witnesses such as Lewandowski immediately put in jail with no possible release until they answer the questions fully?
21
@Memnon your suggests are not without merit - if these were normal political times. They are not, therefore it would be dangerous to criminalize what are political stunts.
Yesterday’s hearing was a travesty and not just from the witness. Sadly the only people who appeared sane and reasonable were GOP committee members. There truly appears to be something to what they are saying about intelligence community interference in the 2016 election. The Democrats need to start taking it seriously instead of holding kangaroo courts like that one.
Nadler’s out of his depth these days. His hatred of Trump is clouding his judgement. Some of his procedural and parliamentary decisions were questionable. That inquisition by the hired gun Lawfare lawyer was borderline disgusting and laid bare the Democrats’ strategy - entrapment and debasement. Anyone who follows this stuff knows Lawfare and what they are up to - overturning the 2016 election.
There is no element of good faith in what these Democrats are up to. Trump may be all the things you worry about but the Democrats are institutionally more morally bankrupt.
2
Democrats need to start jailing the people they subpoena that do not cooperate. That’s the law. Republicans need a reminder about the rule of law. Ordinary citizens cannot claim executive privilege. It’s not legal. Grow a spine Democrats!!
206
@JR It seems they fear the capitol police would not obey.
4
@JR By coddling these witnesses they undermine their own efforts to uncover anything of value. Let them sit in the cooler for a while to refresh their minds and spirits.
3
Mr Kiper The Republicans were equally rude but more horrifyingly they were using their five minutes to rant and rave about all their pet lies—it used to be Benghazi , and those hearings went for four times the amount of time and four times the amount of money that was devoted to Mueller and found nothing. Then it was Hillary s emails . Im waiting for them to bring up Bill Clinton’s origins. Now Republicans are still talking about the origins of this investigation. Most of them including Lewandowski have not read the Mueller report as he admitted. Mueller lays out in meticulous order, episode by episode , all that Trump and his minions did. The fact that the Democrats can sit there and allow republicans to rant on and on about no collusion no conspiracy no obstruction is absolutely absurd absurd absurd absurd ! Nadler should have just stopped and said, OK we are going to have a reading now of the Mueller report . Mr. Lewandowski you can go home because clearly we can’t proceed until the Republicans have better informed themselves, because surely they wouldn’t talk like this if they knew the facts. Well, one can only dream. Pause dear reader ... no I’m not that naive. They do know the facts and are still lying. They have sold their souls.
4
Every Republican should condemn Mr. Lewandowski for the flagrant disrespect he showed to members of Congress on that committee and to our country. His refusal to answer questions, under orders from President Trump, showed his loyalty is not to the United States of America and our democracy but to one man. If Republicans are OK with that -- and all the GOP members on the committee expressly were -- patriotic Americans need to know it before the next election. Patriotism is about more than hugging the flag and standing for the Star-Spangled Banner at a ball game. It is about respecting the law and the institutions of self-government our founders fought and died to pass on to us and generations since have given their lives for. I have watched a good many Congressional hearings over my life and I have never been so offended and disgusted by the disrespectful behavior of a witness. How about you, GOP?
299
@Olivia: And patriotism surely does not involve the obstruction of justice as Lewandowski attempted to do today. Those members of Congress questioning him today were doing so on behalf of Americans who want to know the TRUTH and they were doing so openly so everyone could see. Why all Americans don’t want to know the truth is beyond me.
28
Neither of which he advocated for. He presented a very clear point that there is nothing patriotic about lies and obfuscation in an effort to protect someone who specializes in lies and gaslighting. There is nothing dubious about that.
5
@Olivia. Is Mr. Trump a patriot? I have seen little evidence of that.
14
After watching a few minutes of this excruciating dishonest person, I would wager that Corey would have absolutely no compunction whatsoever about lying for Donald. He is likely operating having Donald’s assurances of a pardon. It was rather telling that he clammed up on that topic, wasn’t it?
Hold him in contempt, start fining him $10,000 per day until he answers questions. He has no shield of executive privilege whatsoever. I hope no network ever books him for another millisecond.
The democrats need to start burning down the house on this, manhandle everyone who doesn’t cooperate, and turn all of their time over to the likes of Barry Berke.
374
@NJlatelifemom How nice that the witness himself got to determine whether his own actions were "illegal" or not, eh? It seems we're entering a new, streamlined era in jurisprudence--one in which individuals being questioned can, themselves, decide what's legal and what's not. We should rejoice. Think of the savings to us taxpayers. Why, our jails should be empty in no time flat.
1
The Democrats are pathetic. They just will not give up on this impeachment business. Whether it is President Trump or Justice Kavanaugh, they have impeachment on the brain. They are wasting time and money and are getting absolutely nothing done for the voters who are very unhappy with this nonsense. This will hurt their chances in 2020 but benefit President Trump and the Republicans in general. Maybe we should not discourage them as it will definitely keep the president in office.
3
If I could have reached through the TV and slapped this guy, I would have.
9
This mockery won't end until the Democrats find the backbone to start holding these people in contempt.
16
Why do Democrats even bother calling people like Corey Lewandowski. You know he is fierce Trump loyalist and willing to follow Trumpian values (not sure if this exists). Democrats do a disservice to themselves. Either get serious with impeachment or get serious with 2020. Please don’t put on a tv show we already have a reality tv show performer in the White House !
5
Nobody watched the last 15 or more minutes of the 1st staffer's questions that launched the republicans into total dumbfoundment? There's where the truth came out!
5
Democrats should stop giving Trump so much free publicity. If Nadler has any evidence if wrongdoing in the part of Trump's associates, take them to court and present the evidence. Let a judge determine if any illegality has taken place. It was a shameful spectacle to see a political operator embarrass Nadler. If democrats continue with their litany of witch hunts, we'll get Trump again.
5
Democrats never should have allowed Lewandowski to testify. I consider this to be political malpractice.
3
You answer the questions. We'll determine that it was illegal.
3
Well, we know he has no idea what is legal or illegal...and, of course, confirmation of trumps obstruction of justice...the same thing Nixon was to be impeached for...and convicted.. which is why he resigned.
2
Contempt of Congress and self promotion was in full action today and
all the Republicans are giddy...
Republicans have turned the due process of the law into their own circus act.
4
Didn't he actually say that he wasn't asked to do anything HE CONSIDERED TO BE illegal? Big difference, and perhaps even truthful.
As I watched him, I painted a Wehrmacht uniform on him, and it fit really well. Talk about arrogance and contempt!
4
Contempt of Congress? Mocking Congress? Take your pick. Lewandowski's got it covered. Corey's attitude toward Congress mirrors Trump's. The real question is it deserved?
3
If I friend Trump on Facebook, does that mean I can use “executive privilege” too?
3
"I wasn't asked to do anything illegal." Sounds like self-reporting to me.
We do not know yet if there will actually be an impeachment vote in the House. But after today's hearing, the evidence for one count of obstruction of justice is in plain view. Lewandowski testified that Mueller correctly reported Trump's attempt to use him to force AG Sessions to narrow the investigation or be fired. Obstruction and two other articles sank Nixon. Those other articles in Nixon's case were Abuse of Power and Failure to Honor a Subpoena--both apply to Trump. If Nixon set a precedent for impeachment, Trump has raised Nixon's performance to Academy Award levels. Trump raises the specter of charges for Emoluments Violation and Russian Collusion (if more solid evidence turns up.) But conviction in the Senate is far from certain. For now, what is most important is airing out what Trump has done, and labeling it as unacceptable through articles of impeachment. Such articles would be signposts for future presidents to steer their respective presidencies away from such things. Trespassers may lose their office, even if Trump does not. What strikes me as surreal about the hearing today is that both sides of the aisle act like they are protecting democracy -- one side by holding the hearing and the other side by sabotaging it. As more testimony revealing Trump transgressions emerges, there will be Republican House members who regret what they have done today. And maybe some Senators will also share those regrets.
4
The arrogance of this guy is amazing. Since the early days with Trump he has behaved like a bully and a thug. A perfect fit for New Hampshires right wing . Live free and lie.
93
I'm amazed at this fantasy legal system that Trump and his Buddy's are making up on the fly.
No one can testify if Trump says so?
No questions can be asked?
Everyone working for him is under his protective coating?
Even the one's who DIDN'T work for him?
What was Corey even doing in the White House?
He wasn't an employee.
Why was Trump trying to get him to do his dirty work?
Why did Dearborn refuse?
Oh, that's right: Dearborn knew it was illegal. It was called "Obstruction of justice".
So, Cory just goes on vacation with his kiddies (not with his mistress, Hope?) and does nothing. For 2 weeks.
And - and this is the kicker! - Trump does nothing either.
Wow.
What a bunch of losers.
You know, America....?
I am so tired of living DOWN to Trump's standards.
That whole bunch is destroying this country.
And I will be watching every minute.
55
Nadler needs to start tossing Trump’s pals in jail the minute they want to use the executive privilege joke. That’s the only way this charade will be taken seriously. This isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last. These Trump guys have no morals and won’t be stopped until YOU stop them. If your waiting to build a consensus around impeachment for the House, I’m pretty sure they are far behind the consensus of the people. The more this drags on, the worse it makes the House and the Dems look. Draw a line and stop these guys
64
If he wasn’t quite so ugly he might have a big career in politics.
18
N.H. voters, please, please do NOT elect this man.
49
@Lee, wary traveller
I can't wait to see his opponents' ads with his statement saying he has no obligation to tell the truth to the media.
I'm sure that also will go over great anytime he gives an interview.
4
I sincerely doubt New Hampshire would elect this guy. I was born and raised in Massachusetts and even WE know the people across our northern border are way too smart and will see right through this clown.
4
Corey Lewandowski should absolutely be charged with contempt of Congress for his pathetic display before the House Judiciary Committee today. Time to bring the hurt!
Donald J. Trump is obstructing justice in plain sight which is also an impeachable offense.
Enough!
59
Lewandowski has become a cautious take of what happens when you give your soul to a soulless man. After watching Lewandowski today, I hope New Hampshire rejects him totally. Otherwise that state will need a new motto, “Live a lie, or Die”.
34
Keep fishing, Dems. Trump will be re-elected, no matter what you do.
8
@Oliviahy We will see about that!
4
What did you expect? I mean, c’mon. It’s Corey Lewandowski, a fringe sycophant in the outer orbit of the Trump regime, hoping to stay in the good graces of his father figure in the Oval Office. This is a guy who has no problem lying through his teeth, with the snarl of a coward.
And what did you expect from the Democrats? They appear petrified by Trump acolytes who laugh in their faces and display an arrogant disdain for the entire oversight function of Congress. Lewandowski should have been held in contempt an hauled out of the hearing room.
We have arrived at a Constitutional crisis, one in which the Executive Branch has already taken firm control of the federal judiciary and is now nearly in total control of the legislative branch. Are we all so innervated not to see or care what is happening?
Trump is running free, like a loose cow out of the barn. But there is nothing at all humorous about what is happening. Our nation has seriously gone off the track, and so far, there’s no serious pushback.
82
I think... I think Democrat leadership in the House was just planning on running an opposition campaign without actually DOING anything, like the GOP did.
For 8 years, the GOP just whined and complained and obstructed, but they never actually did anything.
I think Democrat leadership was surprised to find out that Democrats actually want their leadership to DO SOMETHING about the insane parade of corruption on the White House.
I definitely don’t think it’s corruption. I think it’s just that they have absolutely no idea how dire the situation in this country actually is.
10
Did anyone notice that blond woman in the blue dress that sat behind Lewandowski? She was grinning and smirking through the whole hearing, behaving like a teenager listening to a raunchy comedian. But in the final 30 minutes she sure wasn't smiling and Lewandowski was nervously drinking so much water I thought he might float away.
That they both treated the hearing with such disrespect was shameful but in the end they got what was coming to them.
43
“Mr. Lewandowski tried to slow-walk his answers, displayed an attitude of taunting obstinacy and obeyed the White House’s request that he not disclose any private details about his discussions with Mr. Trump. His evasions and occasional outright attacks infuriated Democrats.”
Hold him in contempt and then hold him in jail.
50
When I was growing up in the Fifties, the Republican Party was led by well-to-do White Anglo Saxon Protestants with educations and upbringings that stressed devotion to this country who -- regardless of their political differences with Democrats -- were recognized as legitimate leaders by most Americans.
Now it is led by louts, job hunters, fast-buck artists, political scamsters and bogus patriots like Corey Lewandowski, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Steve Bannon, KellyAnne Conway, Betsy Devos, Michael Flynn, Corey Lewandowski, Paul Manafort, Mitch McConnell, Stephen Miller, Roy Moore, Mike Pence, Scott Pruitt, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Roger Stone and Donald Trump, Junior and Senior, who are recognized by a majority of Americans as the bums they are and who still have another 490 days left to ruin this country.
113
@A. Stanton’s
Well said!
8
Longing for the days when rich White Anglo Saxon Protestants men controlled one of the two major political parties in America? No thank you.
@A. Stanton, you do have a point, but I am done with the power elite and the current miscreants of the nouveau riche leaves pining for something. But what?
As a Polish American, I am profoundly ashamed of this individual who apparently is prepared to plumb even deeper depths than he to whom he does obeisance.
50
Deceit. Eventually the liars will pay. Apparently it all seems like a giant game and then, surprise! No other country can or will believe this administration about anything! And then we will all pay. Wake up 40 percent! Turns out sticking it to the “elites” by aligning with a deceitful human may have some unintended consequences. Next time, if there is one, chose a decent, not deceitful, leader.
32
Wow this Lewandowski guy is so slimy! I thought New Hampshire folks were more honest and straightforward? Can’t imagine anyone in NH who will vote for this thug. I guess It’s true that Trump ruins everyone he touches.
44
Why would a New Hampshire voter have any reason to believe Cory would be more forthcoming to them?
1
The Democrats are spinning their wheels and getting nowhere fast. It's time to get rid of the made-for-TV five minute rule and return the taking of evidence to professional attorneys, majority and minority. That's how it used to be done when things were actually accomplished in congressional committees.
26
@LennyM
Did you miss the end of today's session? The Dems had one very skilled outside litigator neatly dismantle Lewandowski's arrogance while rendering ol' Corey so befuddled, he informed us all that he routinely lies.
The 5-minute rule could be used to much greater effect with some pre-planned coordination of how each topic will be handled so there's no repetition but instead of cohesive story that grows, rep by rep. Even better would be having all these high-stakes hearings with trumpers who don't follow the rules worked by skilled attorneys in 30-min. chunks.
5
One of the most painful hearings in my more than 80 yrs I have ever listened to or watched. Lewandowski was clearly lying most of the time or stalling. I believe he and the no shows should be charged with "contempt of Congress."
71
What a joke. Are the old institutional Democrats being paid or blackmailed by Republicans? I can’t understand what these old Democrats are doing? Are they addlebrained, incompetent, ineffectual, obtuse or have they, too, been bought and paid for... what exactly is going on in Washington?!? Corruption and incompetence run amok.
15
When I see the name Lewandowski and Mueller, the first thing that comes to mind is soccer not politics haha
2
Grow a spine, Dems. Cite him and all others who refuse to cooperate with contempt or else you might as well just turn over the keys to the castle to Trump and his cronies and go home.
100
I'm sorry if this sounds like a typical Facebook-style rant, but why do the Democrats continue to sit there and take it in the face of such blatant contempt of Congress? Since when can private citizens claim executive privilege? Why wasn't Lewandowski thrown immediately in the brig for being such an obviously hostile witness? Why are the Democrats dithering in the courts when Trump's henchmen spit in the face of Congressional authority by ignoring subpoenas? Have they no spine, no belly for this? Are they afraid of being seen by Trump's base as not being nice enough? Why didn't they adjourn and have Lewandowski thrown in jail? Why did they sit and listen to his pathetic opening statement, which read like the opening to the Sean Hannity show, let alone allow it to be entered into the record? Why did they not even respond directly to it? I'm tired of all the statements of outrage from Democrats, and would prefer some real action for once.
186
@Vexations
Do you really want to live in a country where the majority party routinely throws hostile witnesses in jail? How about where the witness is rightly contemptuous of a Devon Nunez, a Chuck Grassley, a Lindsay Graham or a Mitch McConnell?
The cost of living in an open society is letting miscreants like Lewandowski have their say.
8
@Vexations
"Treason doth never prosper, what's the reason? For if it prosper, none dare call it Treason."
6
Well enjoy 4 more years of Trump because that is what you will get.
2
Lewandowski lives through arrogance and deceit and he will go down because of arrogance and deceit, along with Trump.
When Trump loses next November, as I hope deeply, his brand will be sent to the closed Staten Island landfill. It will sit on top and rot. His name and family will be disgraced, along with all who served in his Administration.
That is, if there is any justice in America.
I continue to hope it still exists.
66
So far arrogance and deceit are WINNING!
1
The having accomplished nothing party loses again.
7
I was at lunch today at a restaurant with a tv on and the hearing just started. There was no sound but what I observed was Mr. Lewandowski sitting very attentive with hands folded and patient and respectful. So much for first impressions. I tuned in later and my oh my what a poor strategy on his part.
Next year’s election will come down to the middle of the road voters and for those folks in the last election cycle who chose not to vote because they did not like either candidate is a bunch of you know what and personally I have absolutely no respect for that type of voter but regardless the 2020 election will also involve the voters who simply don’t vote during the midterm because they are not as politically motivated as you and I are, but the Trump clan is going to have to come to grips with this blatant corruption of our sacred democracy and this hearing today is a perfect example of this charade/sham. We as a country and leader of the free world are at a life or death situation for our country and democracy and a big shout out to you Corey for your silly strategy today. The fish rots from the head down and those of you that follow this toddler in chief for your 15 minutes of fame and possibly wealth were handed your hats about 35 months ago. Democrat will find a way to move on from this while I’m pretty certain you are part of a conspiracy and could very well be doing some time in prison.
33
@Ted Siebert You do know that Trump will be re-elected.
2
@Olivia: No one knows whether or not Trump will be elected, including you. It’s a looooong time from now until Election Day.
3
Sure, if you say so. You must be prescient.
2
If you or I tried the same arrogance and subterfuge we would be held in contempt and jailed faster than you could formulate another lie.
79
No mention of Dems Counsel Barry Berke who ended the show with a bang?! Did you all stop watching?
72
@mutabilis
Yes that is where the questioning finally reveal the contradictions and lies, please report on that segment.
15
@mutabilis
That is not a compliment to elected representatives.
Next time, get Mr Berke to warm up the room!
3
@mutabilis
Berke was fantastic. A brilliant professional.
5
Lewandowski should be held in contempt of Congress and jailed until he starts answering the committee’s questions.
250
@In despair..don't despair!Did you miss the part where Berke[sign him up full time]got Corey to say that the Mueller report was right??That's admitting trump DID obstruct justice.
22
This is an incredibly deferential account of what happened today, made worse by the editorializing about the Democrats’ chances of impeachment.
The witness admitted that he lied to the American people about trump’s order to obstruct justice. He got caught in several lies, and was hostile and contemptuous to Congress.
Why is the nytimes whitewashing this testimony, as if it were more of the same? Why not write about the implications of Lewandowski’s testimony and perhaps perjury? Why not provide historical context for just how hostile and contemptuous this testimony was?
Stop grading this administration of a curve. Stop normalizing the new normal as if it were normal. It is not. Say so. That is also reporting.
342
You are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!
8
Well, that’s a lie. Under oath.
33
Didn't he also say "I didn't know it was illegal." Can he have it both ways?
33
@Ms M. No he cannot, but GOP “jurisprudence” is another person’s harlotry.
2
It is unfortunate (and unintentional) that Nadler is so supportive of Trump. What is needed is subpoena followed by contempt citation followed by arrest warrant and a hefty bounty. The entire executive branch has been corrupted. The Senate is corrupt. The Judiciary is uncertain, at best. They (Congress) should have arrested Lewandowski mid-testimony.
These circuses just demonstrate that Democrats are weak-willed. Nadler must go!
37
@Ed..but then we wouldn't have heard him say the Mueller report was right.Pretty good days work for Mr. Barry Berke.
9
Time to move on America. Bigger issues to be concerned about.
7
I’ve seen no evidence that the Administration plans to do anything positive about health care, infrastructure, climate change, income inequality, or the national debt and deficit. You cannot blame Democrats for that. We just want Mr. Trump and Mr. McConnell to stop preventing anyone else from getting down to the people’s business rather than continuing to focus the machinery of government on enriching the Trump family, McConnell-Chao and a few random Russian oligarchs, and protecting obvious corruption from investigation.
Have you no sense of shame? Is this your idea of the best America can do?
29
@Haig Pointer
Elected officials breaking the law? What bigger issues should we be concerned about?
It is obvious that we cannot trust what Mr Trump says, so if those bigger issues emanate from his government how are concerned citizens supposed to make judgments that play out regarding whom to elect. Voters cant trust our own government when the Chief Executive is a lying cheat and openly obstructs justice.
Mr Krugman in his opinion piece has it right - Republicans DONT believe in democracy.
Lie, cheat and steal, the ends justify the means.
Power, at any cost.
34
@Haig Pointer name one!
6
Sad we no longer live in a Democracy.
68
When is the House going to grow a spine and send the Sargent-at-Arms to ARREST people who flaunt their subpoenas?
And hold those that refuse to answer questions with anything other than pleading the 5th or classified information are criminally in Contempt of Congress.
Then detain anyone and everyone held in Contempt, the way any and every Judge or Justice in these United States will.
Without being willing to use the Constitutional power to enforce its rules, Congress has no power to exercise its oversight power.
But Nancy Pelosi still thinks it will all be settled in Nov 2020.
155
@Dadof2 it’s up to the people to rise up and demand impeachment. She is the speaker of the people’s house. She cannot ignore the will of the people.
Where are all the readers? Surely there are enough readers in the US who have read the Mueller Report and are just as outraged as I am. We need to use our comprehension of this document to demand justice be reaped by the corruption this lawless administration has sown. Nancy can’t keep playing softball if we don’t let her.
“It’s a Republic, if you can keep it.” — Benjamin Franklin, 1787
25
@Dadof2
Just like they thought it would be settled in 2016!
@Corrie
How do we do that?
should I go out on the street alone with my sign. Yes many of us are outraged on a daily basis.
The question is, what can we do about it exactly.
I need a time and a place to go with my sign, where there will be thousands and thousands of others with signs like mine, and when is that going to happen?
3
Lots of “legal” actions are distinctly immoral - but our fearless leaders don’t worry about that.
10
Boy oh boy is this ever a parade of people in the obstruction business ...
Good to be reminded that obstruction was one of the charges they were going to file against Nixon.
And yes, I remember Watergate quite well, up the chain we go with everyone dissembling like mad. Until the existence of the tapes became public and John Dean 'flippped'.
What's different and frightening now, though, is that I don't recall the Supreme Court being in Nixon's corner the way they've got some of Donald's stooges on the bench.
Good luck America, it was fun while it lasted ...
86
I watched most of this farce on YouTube. Not only is lewandoski a stooge but the Democrats are allowing him and the republicans to play them. Charge this odd ball with obstruction of justice and be done with it
144
@JD...he admitted just that.Berke should be on the payroll
4