Great. Trump thumbs his nose at the Democrats in the House and they respond by issuing more subpoenas. ("We'll show YOU!")
So Trump ignores the subpoenas so the Dems issue more subpoenas which apparently have the teeth of a paper tiger.
More talking heads stating the obvious about Trump "tearing down our institutions, plowing holes through the Constitution. . ."
Is it any wonder that a large percentage of the American electorate is experiencing more stress with each passing day?
For this Democrat, watching Rep. Jim Jordan and his ilk staunchly defending Trump is enough to turn my stomach. And now Trey Gowdy has joined Trump's defense team, yet another Republican hypocrite to stand behind him.
And now our president announces to the world that it's okay to abandon our allies, the Kurds, because "they weren't at our side at Normandy," with his Republican henchman behind him looking grim.
The only outcome that will restore my faith in our country, our institutions, and our Constitution will be the day Donald Trump is indicted, convicted and imprisoned for any number of crimes had has committed. That and him being stripped of his Twitter feed.
Now that will be a glorious day!
8
The Cipollone letter amazes, with its ignorance of what impeachment is! Either this is a "Hail Mary" and purely political letter just for show, or Trump and his White House attorneys don't know that the House of Representatives impeachment inquiry is not a trial but the equivalent of a grand jury proceeding to determine whether charges should be brought. The Articles of Impeachment constitute the charging document; the erstwhile "perp" never goes before the Grand Jury, nor do his lawyers. So this is all useless noise. Probably to placate the super-ignorant Donald Trump, as much as his Republican base, given all the self-pitying claims of "unfair!" in the letter.
The Democrats should move expeditiously, sending the charges up to the Senate by the end of 2019.
4
This is a very slippery slope for the Democrats.
It makes perfect sense to slow things down, take measured steps, and amass all your evidence against Trump (of which you do have plenty).
On the other hand, not waiting will spoil the Court of Public Opinion, which they will desperately need down the stretch.
There either needs to be a concrete smoking gun here, or let's just keep the clouds over his head and wait for the election, now roughly a year off.
1
I worry that the Democrats, in their attempt to make a good case, will reach for the perfect over the good - enough. There's enough there, more than enough for any reasonable person to vote "yes" and convict this scourge on our Constitution and nation.
5
Tired of this impeachment declaration that has gone on since 2016. What about Congress doing something about the US approval of leaving the Kurds to stand alone and be ripped off of their oil and gas by the likes of Erogdan and Putin?!
To desert an ally and leave these brave people defenseless is more outrageous than any call to the Ukraine.
1
Just refusing to cooperate is enough to charge him with obstruction. Remember the Pretend King Trump will not respond in a reasonable way and the people he has surrounding him will respond likewise. They are stalling to drag it out they know the "mob" (masses) won't stay focused for too long. Democrats have the momentum to force the issue not go on a holiday. Stay the course no need to regroup.
12
The Supreme Court ruled against Nixon's claim of unlimited executive authority, finding that in the absence of issues constituting a national emergency his powers were indeed limited. The rest is history so it appears that Trump's argument for completely stonewalling Congress is doomed. Indeed, our biggest national emergency is the fact that Trump and his republican mob are creating a lawless nation and seek a one party dictatorship.
11
@LH
Very different SCOTUS today. Will they put country or politics first? It's up for grabs these days.
5
@Zoned No way Chief Justice Roberts will accept the absurd arguments by Cippolone. He's basically arguing that Trump gets to decide all by himself whether he's being treated fairly.
Gee I wonder what Trump would consider fair?
2
It was announced today Trump will cut million of dollars from SNAP (food stamps), impoverishing many people and ending free school lunch programs for an estimated 500,000 children.
House Democrats - go get him!
11
Republicans, what is wrong with you? Have you totally gone off the cliff following this rat? It is obvious only to the ultra right, that this man has destroyed so much of what this country stands for. He has embarrassed us in front of our Allies as well as our Enemies. We are the laughing stock of the World. Our Allies wonder which one of them, will next be thrown under the bus, like the Kurds. Wake up guys! He is destroying this country!
21
RE: “Put simply, you seek to overturn the results of the 2016 election and deprive the American people of the president they have freely chosen,” Mr. Cipollone wrote.
It's time to retire this tired trope. Mueller's report and subsequent investigations hint at the extent to which "free choice" in the last election was undermined by foreign agents. Then of course, the "American People" as a whole did not choose Mr. Trump, the Electoral College did. But that's merely an aside that plays into the Trump-supported refrain that the "Democrats" have still not gotten over Hillary's loss in the last election. This isn't about the last election, it is about the corrupt dealings of the current president, his various appointees, and his cabal of advisors inside and outside his own family.
24
Any elected representative or senator who chooses self interest over duty to enforce the constitution and the laws of this country is as guilty as Trump.
19
Arrest anyone who fails to answer a subpoena. Hold them until they cooperate with Congress.
20
Undeterred by fact or precedent, Dem's push ahead with their political impeachment. Amazing - and Shameful.
2
@2observe2b
Please explain the facts and precedents to which you refer.
If there is nothing to hide, follow the Constitution, precedents (e.g. SCOTUS decision when Nixon tried to assert executive privilege in non emergency) and the laws of this country.
8
Oh come on Mr. Trump. Fight back. We love to see you fight these Democrats. That is why we voted for you.
3
@Chris Anderson
And here I thought we vote for someone to lead our country to the benefit its people, not to fight a political party. How wrong my thinking.
12
Republicans, when will you condemn Trump’s assault on our Constitution? What’s your tipping point? It is time for Republican lawmakers to hold Trump accountable. Who in the Republican Party will be today’s Rep Lawrence J. Hogan?
17
Where is the judge to act in the role played by John Sirica during the Nixon impeachment hearings?
6
Goid to hear democrats are pressing ahead with the inquiry. But trump has exposed a foreign policy weakness they also need to exploit. If democrats and republicans can get together we can reverse trumps damage in Syria and begin to erode the republican unity behind the criminal in the White House. Democrats need to start acting like they're at war with trump because they truly are. Destroy his alliances and take down the beast.
12
@CR Hare
WE are the Democrats. Until and unless WE demonstrate our support for our Constitution, for our American values, WE will be stuck with trump, the present make up of the Senate. And, unfortunately, we are stuck with the Supreme Court Mitch McConnell finagled during President Obama’s presidency.
5
Democrats aren’t quite sure exactly what grounds upon which to impeach the president, are afraid to file a lawsuit against the executive branch to enforce their subpoenas for fear of losing in the courts, afraid to follow established precedents by voting on the impeachment inquiry which would allow the President to defend himself, afraid they have no viable candidate for the office and, most significantly afraid Trump will be president for another four years. Unfortunately, their efforts will end in the realization of their fears.
3
@JrpSLm It is interesting how Trump supporters follow the party line and don't talk about or really defend what Trump has done. Instead they attack Democrats for not agreeing to allow Trump to do anything he wants. The points you try to make are simply taken from the letter Trump's lawyer sent in reply to House requests. You simply accept them at face value. And Trump does nothing but defend himself and attack others. How has he been inhibited? Instead, why don't you examine Trump's actions and read a variety of commentary on those actions?
24
The authority of Congress to request documents and testimony from the Executive Branch is not in dispute. Trump has told Congress that he does not respect this authority. The impeachment inquiry founders on this refusal to acknowledge the obligation to provide documents and testimony. Right now, nothing else matters. Go forward with a single article of impeachment based on Executive Branch refusal to cooperate. If Trump reverses course, withdraw the article and proceed with the inquiry.
2
"But even if they do resign, both Mr. Taylor and Ms. Yovanovitch could face hurdles to testifying in the impeachment inquiry. Mr. Trump could seek to tie up both officials’ eyewitness accounts in court by threatening legal action."
Could someone please explain to me how Mr. Taylor and Ms. Yovanovitch could possibly be sued if they due their duty and respond to legally issued subpoenas? Is it not their right and obligation to speak freely, under oath? This is mob action pure and simple, and some mighty "fine" lawyers for Trump are becoming mobsters themselves.
10
@Amy Haible Agree, and hasn't this been Trump's primal scream since his business days? When he doesn't get what he wants, he threatens to sue. He never considers the truth of the matter nor even that he's only operating from a perspective (albeit deeply flawed and unethical). I've been thinking today that whole "temperament" issue during a presidential or other campaign really matters. We really took that attribute of "temperament" for granted, but sure can't do that ever, ever again.
3
Trump et al and the Republicans in Congress have Kurdish blood on their hands that will never wash off. The Ukrainian call wasn't just about Biden, it was further undermining National Security agencies to pursue conspiracy theories even the Senate has proven to be false. The full story behind Perry's involvement has yet to unfold. The Republicans can fake outrage if they were sincere they should demand the phone call between Trump and Erdogon be released and actively participate in removing this domestic and international menace from the White House.
9
Why so often does this administration, especially Trump, complain about something he does all the time when someone else does it? From the OLC letter:
"“Many Democrats now apparently view impeachment not only as a means to undo the democratic results of the last election, but as a strategy to influence the next election, which is barely more than a year away.”
3
“We would if they give us our rights,” he said of Democrats.
Yeah, right. Anyone actually believe anything Trump promises? He'll agree to cooperate right after he releases his tax returns.
7
"No one is above the law." This has been vociferously proclaimed by many lawmakers, reporters, and pundits in recent weeks. If so, why are immediate actions not being taken against those ignoring Congressional subpoenas or demonstrating contempt of Court?
33
@scm
because Republicans have stacked courts. Because republicans will whine whine whine about how "fast" things moved if the Dems run straight to the courts or reactivate a century old law that allows them to arrest and detain those that refuse to comply.
because the house is not a COURT. They have some powers like a court but are not one.
quit whining or trying to stir the pot. Pelosi is a Master Politician she knows what she is doing.
9
While the White House's legal memo tries to equate the impeachment investigation to a criminal trial, it is surprising how little understanding it shows of both the impeachment process and how it parallels a criminal investigation. The impeachment process, the House investigates and then votes whether to file charges of impeachment. In the criminal process, this would be analogous to the function of a Grand Jury. The defense council is not present during this process nor is the potential defendant allowed to even know who is giving testimony. The primary difference between the Grand Jury proceedings and an Impeachment investigation is that a Grand Jury is also secret while historically the impeachment process has been public. It is not until the impeachment reaches the Senate that the President is actually tried for the charges filed by the House. At best, most the arguments outlined in the White House "legal" memo would only be applicable at this step. I am surprised that any lawyer would have signed a memo that showed such a level of ignorance of the processes.
43
@Thimas Pritchett
I am not surprised. You know, a stable genius and only the best people.
10
@Thomas H. Pritchett Can he be disbarred for filing such a bad faith document?
Mitch McConnell will block any final impeachment,no matter what the House does.
The larger question, beyond the impeachment process , is whether every American who wants him out, will finally show up at the voting booth in 2020 and vote for the Democratic party nominee.
Those who were not happy with HRC (and stayed home) are every bit as responsible for this nascent dictator as those who voted for him.
34
@Kevin O'Reilly No. Those “who were not happy with HRC and stayed home,” did not have an obligation to vote for HRC as a vote against Trump. Their vote, just like your vote, is a personal right to politically express one’s opinion. Also, since the media and the zeitgeist confidently predicted an overwhelming HRC triumph at the polls, those who chose not to vote may have felt that their not offering their vote to a distasteful Democratic candidate would still have allowed a surety of a Democratic administration for the next four years. I didn’t, and don’t like HRC, but gave her my vote as a vote against Mr. Trump... I still feel badly about having had to betray my personal convictions for the benefit of my country. If only we could use our vote to vote against the candidate we thought was the worst, then our negative vote would count by neutralizing one of those votes for that unconscionable candidate.
1
Threat of what from the White House? To not follow the Constitution? Really, these articles need context within the legal framework and procedures for conducting an impeachment inquiry. Some context also on the use of taxpayer funds - from your hard earned pay and mine - to use official WH resources for personal electoral objectives is important for understanding the belligerence of the Trump responses to these matters.
17
Mire the congressional inquiry in fallacious legalese while provoking and upending the status quo in the Middle East might be viewed as the administration's strategy to survive the impeachment action which is currently underway. In this case, "survival" does not mean surviving impeachment, it means surviving in the court of public opinion where it will translate into votes and eventual victory, however cloudy that victory might be. This is a desperate and immoral strategy whose tragic consequences which can be seen in today's photographs through the pall of smoke rising above a small city on the Syrian border with Turkey. The mystery is how so many people who serve in the executive branch of our government have shamelessly agreed to it.
34
Republicans are using upside down supply side logic to counter the impeachment. They keep claiming that the entire purpose of impeaching this president is just an attempt to undo the people's choice. Really? It is not possible to remove a president from office if they haven't been elected, or chosen by the people. Impeachment exists to remove a president who breaks the law and violates their oath of office. That's what Trump did. The issue here is Trump doing things presidents are prohibited to do. Our two party system creates an adversarial relationship to keep each other in check. Adversarial is another word for Republican.
This is a time to be bold, forceful and specific. Do not pull a Mueller and investigate each and every nuance and connection. That can happen later. Go for the most obvious and egregious violations for which the best evidence exists. I believe this is called prosecutorial discretion.
Impeachment is largely a political process so use it for maximum political advantage. Use it to expose Trump to the public and the best way to do that is though the mechanism of a trial. That's what an impeachment is, a trial. The Republicans claim that they want rules of evidence and testimony in place. No problem. We can do that and then let the truth speak for itself.
29
Time for Pelosi to marshal her troops and hold for a formal impeachment vote. To those Democratic representatives in contested seats — do your job. Time to put your country and it’s rule of law first. Speak truth to power and to your constituents. Defend your vote with passion and conviction. Do not allow this sham of a White House to continue destroying the basis of our democracy.
31
@Jennie Chien What's a "formal impeachment vote?" Is it the vote that Trump and the administration says the House should take? If that's it, don't believe the lying liars in the administration that say if that vote is held they'll cooperate. They will just find something else to use as an excuse.
If you're talking about the vote sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate, then you are mistaken if you think it's the right time to do this. They haven't even written the articles of impeachment yet.
I think you're talking about the formal house vote that Trump and his sycophants want. There is no constitutional or House rule that makes that a necessity.
1
Republican Senators:
Worn out yet?
Unlike our allies the Kurds, at least you're still alive.
What's it gonna take?
72
The GOP could decide now to disavow Mr Trump as a Republican candidate for President in 2020, forcing him to run as an independent. This would effectively free the Senators and Representatives who are backing Trump out of fear to allow them to vote in favor of laws and against a would be dictator. What a turn for the better that would be. But alas this is only a dream......
43
@GlennC
The only thing stopping Republicans from taking action of any kind against Trump is that they are terrified of him—he has “the base” wrapped around his finger. What’s obvious is that they value their jobs above all else, including their dignity and the Constitution. They are complicit in the collapse of democracy in America, something that millions have risked—and even gave—their lives for.
11
Surely in a matter of such importance, their must be a fast track legal process ,to get the obstruction to the Supreme court
9
@ndbza I would not count on SCOTUS to do the right thing and hold up the constitution....definitely not by Kavanaugh, who is probably holding a grudge while drinking his beloved beer. Possibly Gorsuch, but not sure where his loyalties lie (with the constitution or with the GOP).
18
“Put simply, you seek to overturn the results of the 2016 election and deprive the American people of the president they have freely chosen,” Mr. Cipollone wrote"
This is completely false.
Trump was legally elected by the Electoral College.
That is an undisputed fact.
Clinton also won the popular vote by more than 3 million votes.
That is also an an undisputed fact.
The current impeachment inquiry is about Trump's actions since he assumed the Oval Office and Trump's failure to uphold the Oath of Office he swore.
This is about Trump's malfeasance in office.
The only real question is when will the House start arresting people for ignoring subpoenas?
The law is still the law. Enforce it.
Vote Democratic in 2020.
Every office, every seat.
87
@D. DeMarco This follows the same tried and true path that we've seen repeatedly from GOP operatives over (at least) the past decade. Stay on message. Repeat the falsehood, over and over, until it becomes true in the court that matters most, the court of public opinion. Nothing else matters.
13
With the murderous assault by the Turkish Army today on our Kurdish allies who fought and even gave their lives protecting our troops, Trump has betrayed not only the Kurds but our national security and human decency.
We are left to wonder if Trump's capitulation to Erdogan is connected to Trump's real estate interests in Istanbul. Or is it just more of Trump doing what benefits Putin?
After this massacre of our allies, what will it be like when Erdogan comes to Washington next month for his happy reunion with Donald Trump?
Some polls today are showing that half the country now supports the impeachment and removal of Donald Trump from office.
There are 15 months left in Trump's tenure and the past month has shown we still haven't hit bottom when it comes to his ability to betray and damage our country, to shock and dishearten us.
A majority of Americans now believe Trump should be removed from office.
That day can't come fast enough.
79