The Republicans will not take this lying down. They'll fight with whatever means available. Don't think that bringing down Trump will unite or heal the country; quite the opposite. Impeaching Trump, much less removing him from office, will enrage 1/3 of the country for a very long time. Are Democrats still angry about the "stolen" 2000 election? This will be worse.
The problem is that while Trump is acting extra-constitutionally, he is also acting consistent with the desires of many of the people who elected him. If you take away their president before an election, there's going to be a backlash.
88
@Tom Meadowcroft Then let there be a backlash. Why should we coddle them when what he did is indefensible? At what point, then, do we stand up and say Trump's flouting of the constitution is wrong?
411
@Tom Meadowcroft seriously. You say trump is "acting extra-constitutionally" yet suggest it is OK for him to break the law because 1/3 of the country supports him. You worry about the 1/3 who will be enraged but never mention the other 2/3? Give me a break.
378
@Tom Meadowcroft Republicans impeached President Clinton for lying about cheating on his wife. NOW Republicans want no impeachment, not even to hold hearings on whether the president broke the law. Republicans won't be happy until all laws and cultural norms allow them to get away with everything illegal and Democrats be vilified for legal items. Worrying about backlash is playing to fears. LET JUSTICE BE DONE THOUGH THE HEAVENS FALL.
339
This is the same republican tactic they used in the Florida 2000 presidential recount. They stormed the Palm Beach County building to disrupt the counting of votes.
22
Here's hoping their support of agent orange is ultimately toxic to them...
18
Please, give us the names of the gaggle. They truly make me want to gag.
13
Trump’s use of ‘corruption’ has a double meaning. The first is the ostensible rooting out of Ukrainian corruption. The second, and the one Trump Supporters are tuned to, is rooting out the corrupt and morally decadent democrats who are destroying the American-white world that they know of.
3
Trump complains the House hearings are unfair to him personally because he is unable to cross-examine witnesses or present his own evidence, which is of course nonsense. He has Republican surrogates to do that for him, and he can mount any defense he pleases at the Senate trial. But Democrats are making a grave mistake by limiting themselves to the Ukraine issue and keeping the hearings closed. Casting a wider net in open hearings could have shined a light on Trump's myriad financial and conflict of interest crimes, the evidence of which is already largely public and the magnitude of which are well beyond anything the Founding Fathers could have imagined. This would have helped build consensus for impeachment. Closed hearings based on the testimony of "whistleblowers" who are actually nothing of the kind, but rather CIA and other intelligence agents reporting on their spying activities, only polarizes and divides and makes Trump's actual conviction and removal from office unlikely, if not impossible. The FBI, CIA, NSA and other national security agencies , far from "protecting" democracy, have had a long and troubled history of being antithetical to it, something both Democrats and Republicans have warned about in the past. It would be a bitter irony if Democrats, in their zeal to establish a narrative that 2016 was an aberration caused by foreign interference rather than by their own incompetance and trends decades in the making, only ensure a Trump second term.
4
Through Republican representatives of course know, I'm not sure Republican VOTERS are aware there's nothing secret about these hearings, and that Republican members on each of the 3 committees are there, asking questions and getting responses. There's nothing "Soviet", there's nothing "secret", there's nothing "locked out" about these interviews with witnesses!
Republican voters need to understand they're being conned.
An American president used OUR government (not his) to go after his political rival with no evidence. That's not what American government is FOR, to punish people you don't want as your opponent in the next election. Was Trump so weak before the impeachment investigation that he needed to put his thumb on the scales against a Democrat rival?
Since when do Americans allow their president to use the office to go after the opposition leadership without any evidence of wrongdoing, much less criminality?
Republican voters are being used and abused by their leaders who are trying to whip up a hysteria because they don't possess any facts to make a contrary argument to what Trump has already admitted to: He pressured a foreign leader (a 'perfect call') to create an investigation (with no evidence) in order to discredit his likely election opponent...before the campaign has even begun.
How are there ANY Americans that think this is a legitimate use of the office of the presidency??
22
White House press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, dismissed it as part of “a coordinated smear campaign from far-left lawmakers and radical unelected bureaucrats waging war on the Constitution.”
Do the Republicans not understand that the Constitution and the President of the United States are not one and the same? It appears they take the approach that the Constitution is somehow amended to conform to the actions of Donald Trump.
15
There's a rumor that Linsey Graham has been appointed ambassador to Trump's new wall between Colorado and Mexico. Watch for it.
This comes after Linsey declared the Impeachement inquiry 'out of bounds'. He's gone to inspect his bounds.
9
Nominate The Hulk for your candidate, fail to acknowledge the various real problems that will create, and fail to stop that candidate from receiving illegal foreign assistance. Then allow The Hulk to break all kinds of rules and laws in this pursuit.
The Hulk is now president.
Ignore The Hulk's complete inability to execute even the smallest presidential responsibilies, let alone the destructive effect of his presence in the WH- on just about everything he touches.
Now- why are you so surprised that The Hulk has destroyed your party and is on the way to destroying the country?
(He is The Hulk, after all.)
7
So soon after Trump told those around him, "...the Democrats stick together" the pathetic display of "protest" of GOP occurs! (Echoing what Michael Cohen explained to Congress about how Trump lets you know what he expects without explicit orders.) I personally am outraged that the SCIF was violated by bringing cell phones inside. They looked like brain washed cult members to me. I would recommend they stay away from Kool-aid if Trump hints of that next.
8
The congressional Republican gang of clowns who invaded then holed up a most sensitive House security office demonstrated the political, moral and patriotic bankruptcy of this Trump GOP.
13
Wake Up Amerika: This is no publicity stunt by the Republican 'lawmakers'. This is the precep to the destruction of our democratic process by the right wing. No different than many of the fascist takeovers that have occurred in Europe and Latin America. The Republican lawmakers who took part in this stunt should be prosecuted to the extent possible. When Trump losses the election he will sound the horn to a call to arms. Americans are too naive. The Democratic party is focused on gender issues (i've lost count how many genders have been identified in the last few years) ,'have-not politics' (we are a consumer economy plain and simple/where are the job creation policies?) and 'do nothing immigration policy' (lets allow everyone to come in and forget about border control). Without strong leadership from the Democrats, the U.S. is doomed. Wake up!
8
I have yet to read the answer to the most important question.......how much did Meadows tip the Domino's driver?
5
The problem with these tactics is the people you need to reach aren't necessarily reading this paper, but the soundbites by Gaetz et al — and repeated all day long — are.
7
Elections have consequences. Get over it.
1
The train has already left the station om impeachment.
4
Don't recall the outrage when the House held closed door Benghazi hearings
19
Storming the Capitol? Exaggerate much?
1
The Republican president, being a prototype-authoritarian--elected by voters so stupid that they don't know or care about that--is then defended by fascist Republican legislators.
Bye Bye US Constitution.
Nice knowing you.
But Republicans prefer a plutocratic theocracy under Putin's ultimate disposition.
4
This is becoming a political farce. The Democrats are hell bent on impeaching this president so they should just get on with it. He really won't care and might even relish the role of a victim.
I wonder if the voters in the conservative/moderate districts that gave the Democrats the current majority in 2018 had this in mind when they cast their vote.
1
The sight of a handful of Republicans storming that meeting was out of a B movie. I thought I was watching something seen in only in quasi-democratic countries. Their constituents should feel disgust at their elected representatives' behavior. They have shamed themselves, our institutions and our country.
10
The Republicans have lied about Trump, his agenda, his administration, his policies, his staff and virtually everything about him and what he does and says.
What they've done in the process is to delegitimize themselves and demonstrate their complete lack of integrity or faithfulness to the oaths they took to defend the country and the Constitution. If they had any shame (and most have none) they'd be ashamed.
If they had any decency (and clearly most have none) they'd have acted to end this ludicrous charade. Instead, they've resorted to displaying their inadequacies as humans and as elected representatives by making fools of themselves in front of the whole world.
As a party, they're washed up. All that remains is to clean up the pieces and discard them.
10
Group think is not helping the GOP. They all look foolish and desperate. It's mystifying that anyone is defending 45 at this point. He's so far down the rabbit hole I don't think he's getting out.
8
There are Republicans on each committee. Once the investigation is finished, the committees will present their findings to the full House. Then, there will be debate about the next step: voting on articles of impeachment. If the committees were doing anything unlawful, Republicans would have taken legal action against the Democrats. That they AREN’T doing that is very telling. They are basically complaining that the Democrats are following House rules which were enacted by, wait for it... Republicans! Why are the Republicans trying to obstruct the investigation?
10
Candidate Trump and Businessman Trump could get away with things that President Trump shouldn't even think of doing. The GOP's continued support for this nonsense and their wild accusations do not change the facts. Of course this is the party whose senators wrote and sent a traitorous undermining letter to Iran when President Obama was negotiating with Iran about nuclear weapons.
10
They stormed the House because the process has not included them. That's pretty egregious in a body that represents voters from different parts of the country. How, pray tell, are my interests as a resident of Alabama being considered? Answer: not at all.
Such a melodramatic stunt! The GOP needs to grow up, both in the House and the Senate.
6
Lawmakers breaking the laws of Congress for a tv stunt. Can they be arrested for taking their cellphones into a secured area? Contempt of Congress by GOP congressMen.
8
Republicans are children in expensive suits. I would not accept that kind of behavior from a 10 year old. I do not know how they can be so shameless.
6
Why were these republican lawmakers not escorted out by the Sargent at arms? They were putting the country in danger by taking film and photos in the Scif.
5
Where they shouting "blood and soil". America faces many problems but the biggest is the Republican party.
3
Responding substantively to Trump and his co-travellers does not seem to work. That makes sense since it is a fight over emotion, not fact. Let's try to keep our responses to their absurdity simple - "Mr. President (Mr. Graham, Mr. Gaetz . . . .) you're I'm rubber, you're glue, " arguments are simply not worth responding to."
3
Gosh, when regular citizens pull a stunt like this they end up in jail. How many of these hooligans were arrested by Sgt at Arms?
4
"Gaggle" is the right term for these imposter lawmakers. I want to gag as I read this. Lying that there were no Republicans participating. Lying that there is no cause to investigate impeachment. Lies, lies, obfuscation. Where does the insanity of these (all) men stop?
5
This tactic reflects more strategy than it might seem: the intent is to establish the "fairness" of the Senate trial, which Trump's cronies expect to win, while denigrating the actual fact finding of the impeachment hearings as "corrupt" and partisan. This is about rehabilitating Trump after impeachment.
@TokyoJones
They're dirty politics game is firing on all cylinders
They've never done it this well, not even when they shoved the Iraq War down our throats
2
The most pathetic display I've seen just about ever.
11
@Meagan: Unfortunately, I discovered that my Congressman was one of the juveniles involved in this stunt. I sent him an e-mail this afternoon essentially telling him to grow up.
7
October 23, 2019 was "Unity Day". It was an anti-bullying day, as the month of October is Anti-bullying month. Unsurprisingly, the Republicans in Congress bullied their way into a hearing in order to disrupt it. This is what bullies do.
19
Not only does this president behave like a spoiled nursery school child, but his entire class is joining in with playground antics of 5 year olds.
We have a Constitution which proscribes procedure when an elected leader acts like he had no secondary school education in government. Did he?
7
This sorry display of childish peevishness makes me ashamed of our representatives. Is that the best they've got?
11
@Sarah: Unfortunately, my Congressman was one of the children. I did send him an e-mail this afternoon essentially telling him to grow up.
2
"Let us in!"
Presumably , they thought they sounded like American revolutionaries. In fact, they came across as whining juveniles.
12
Every member of congress who went (Stormed!!) through the SCIF needs to have ALL levels of security removed and phones taken away and destroyed.
We have kids in prison for 40 years for carrying 1/2 ounce of weed and these fools blow though a SCIF and nothing happens?!
DC Police are wimps!
22
@Nuschler DC police are not in charge of Congress. Leave them out of it.
2
Even Nixon, in his demented state, understood when he was at the end of his rope. He, at least, was smart, unlike REALLY IGNORANT, CRIMINAL AND UNEDUCATED TRUMP.
Trump doesn't give a damn about our nation, our Constitution or Americans - he only cares about himself, his face time and his money. He is a VERY sick dude who needs to be as far away from governance as humanly possible. His stooges and new, worse-than-ever swamp need to be exterminated.
This coward is the stuff of which nightmares are made: a maniac given the keys and nuclear codes and control of the DOJ to play with it at will for his own personal benefit.
"DUMP TRUMP" is SO appropriate a slogan, He has become our national enemy and our disgrace and his Republicans should own up to that fact. This becomes political because THEY have made it so. It is the Democratic Party, by default, that is holding this nation together. That's simple FACT, not a political statement. It is Trump and his cult that are truly enemies of the State.
17
Why Did Republicans Storm the Capitol?
Um,to get to the other side of the road (to hell that is).
6
The NYT editorial board rises to a new level of flecklessness, and dishonesty.
Adam Schiff is holding closed-door hearings to further his quest for impeachment in a secure room used for classified proceedings, preventing the public from seeing and hearing what he's doing (political-based fishing for what he does not have), then permitting his Dem colleagues to leave and perform selective leaking of only things spun in a negative way to the media. The Republicans object and do a 1960s, Dem-style protest and you're outraged and call them "desperate." If the Dems did that to protest a GOP-chaired hearing, your outrage over it would be based on "due process" and "transparency." You're hypocrites.
5
@Scott - Um, do you really not know that there are Republicans in that room?
28
@Scott Where to begin with this comment? These are COMMITTEE hearings and they are by the book. Guess who wrote the rules? John Boehner. A REPUBLICAN.
Know what else? TWO of the House members who were participating in this dumb stunt WERE ON THE COMMITTEE! So they had access. Give me a break.
35
@Scott: If those lawmakers have a grievance with how the House is conducting its business, surely there is a procedure for that. There's no excuse for them to be acting like spoiled brats.
4
Trump replaced a political establishment that did not work for the people. Now we have a media that does not work for you conspiring to take this election away from the people. Trust in the network media is a nonexistent 5% yet they continue their charade on the American people in a time of political upheaval in the world. Their plan is to steal this revolution from the people because they think they can. They couldn't be more wrong and they have been wrong for a very long time now. America is taking its country back, just the same way it is happening around the world.
5
@Joe Gilkey
That's cuckoo Joe, no one's trying to "take this election away." No, impeachment will be for the things Trump has done SINCE the election. The President takes an oath is to protect and defend the Constitution. Trump has clearly and regularly expressed his contempt for the Constitution and the laws of this land, he is obviously incapable of and uninterested in fulfilling his oath, and he is obviously unfit to hold office. His conduct in office demonstrates this and that is the basis for impeachment.
"The people" who elected and support Trump are a minority. "America" and "the American people" absolutely include everyone who detests Trump and all he stands for, and there are more of us than you, even if you cheat your way to winning another election.
23
Impeach all you want. Trump is still running the country pretty well and with success.
You should help him built a better America. Don't hinder him with nonsensical behavior.
He is your Commander-in-Chief.
19
@Andrew I don't know how they do things in Calgary, but here in The United States of America we cherish the ability to speak truth to power and hold criminals, especially those in positions of the public trust, accountable for their crimes.
274
@Andrew
Every time I hear someone say "He is your commander-in-chief" or "he is YOUR president" (the "your" is almost always in capitals) it sounds like they've got nothing to argue with so they're trying to boast about Trump's 2016 win again.
It's almost like he's the one that can't get over 2016, not us.
117
As a veteran Mr Trump would never be commander in chief. It’s time to show the world that America has standards and will not let a criminal administration run rampant over the law
161
If I had violated a SCIF in the same manner as the House Republicans, I would have been fired on the spot.
Of course, that assumes that I could have gotten past the security guard if I didn't have the appropriate "tickets" (clearances) to begin with.
6
They’re really authoritarians who don’t really believe in our constitution or democracy and they’re putting on full display.
7
A quid pro quo does not matter. It was raised as a distraction by the President and his GOP supporters. The issue is that Trump sought dirt from a foreign country about a political opponent to help his re-election in 2020. Period. This is clearly an abuse of power issue and raises just one question. Does the country want this kind of behavior to be acceptable not only now but in the future?
5
Yes, the victim-in-chief where the buck never stops.
Sad.
However, the Constitution, aka "The Deep State," will prevail.
7
the democrats doing the impeachment inquiry are working according to the rules. The rules were passed by senate majorities and signed by John Boehner, a republican, and these are not somehow 'democratic hearings,' a point you mention at the bottom of the article, but which should have been at the TOP. The entire stunt was a lie to try to portray the proceeding as some sort of all-democrat cabal - when in fact both parties are present on these committees. I WISH the press would get salient facts in the moment - not five days later.
4
This season of The Apprentice is a mess.
16
@Kyle This is BEST way to describe all this drama. The question now is whether or not it is going to be renewed next year
5
Q: What happened to the "Law and Order" Republican Party?
A: It was just another guise to conveniently mislead the public.
6
The GOP wants control of the impeachment narrative in order to sway public opinion in their favor. Obviously, Republican senators will get more control over the impeachment process in the event a trial is held in the U.S. Senate. Seems fair to all parties.
3
As far as I'm concerned they demonstrated exactly why Trump has got to go. This is the order of the day every day with these republicans who can't live up to their own billing. They don't exude what this country once stood for but they do display their true dislike for democracy and how much they favor control above all else what this country stood for. Power pampered they've been for too many years. And they have left doubt that will be everlasting that there will not be a fair election and makes one question how much evidence was hidden regarding the last election. That' the only thing not in doubt with this regime.
5
Shades of Nixon-Frost:
"Well, when the president does it, that means that it is not illegal."
10
The corruption by the President, Republican party and with total approval by Republican voters will be written in future history books.
This is what Republican voters call governing!
17
Trump is not running the country; my guess is he is being told what to do by Putin, who is helping him destroy our democracy.
17
The so-called "Freedom Caucus" is anything but. Their incivility, obstructionism, and total lack of common decency and decorum show that they are totally unfit to hold elected office. The GOP is well on the way to self-destruction.
19
Old lawyer's maxim: "If you have the law, pound the law; if you have the facts, pound the facts; and if you have neither, pound the table."
19
I thought the Republican party might eventually recover from this administration, however, after this stunt the party - willing to leave a criminal in charge - should go away forever.
12
Republicans stormed the closed hearing to show that no whistleblower is safe from Trump supporters. Get with it.
10
I keep listening for the voice of the American Bar Association...
10
Why haven’t disbarment procedures against Giuliani been initiated?
6
What concerns me about this whole debacle are the important issues that really impact our lives that are going left unaddressed:
1. Fixing our immigration system
2. Investing in our crumbling and dangerous infrastructure
3. Health issues- vaping, opioid addiction, the uninsured.
4. Gun control legislation
Trump deserves to be impeached. But he and Republicans are letting time dribble away on key issues. Democrats running for President are not being heard on addressing the issues above. This is going to hurt the country really badly at some point.
8
Yeah. Like beginning January 20, 2017.
When I first saw the photo, I thought it was of a bowl of soup with some dark lumps on top. When I realized what it was, I think I was right the first time.
7
If someone is being investigated for a potential commission of a crime, a DA may impanel a Grand Jury. It is an investigation in private that does not provide due process to the potential accused. When, and if, the Grand Jury indicts, the accused goes to trial. At that time, full due process and the right to confront witnesses, present exculpatory evidence and receive all evidence, testimony and all other matters the prosecutor has gathered.
Team Trump (and many Republican congressmen) insist full confrontational powers be afforded Trump before any indictments are charged. After all Trump is above the law; he is not indictable. But that belies the Constitutional provision for Impeachment,
And, since McConnell insists there will be no conviction (I.e., Removal) let the Impeachment inquiry run its course. Let the Law proceed.
12
This isn't something just related to Trump and his actions. This has been going on for decades by the GOP to try to stay relevant instead of having a broader appeal. Voter suppression, gerrymandering and broadly appealing to do anything for corporation America regardless of consequences. I am not saying the GOP is completely alone in this regard as survival runs on both sides of the party but the GOP clearly dominates currently. We won't have anything like a "civil war" in this country but likely just nothing will get done to solve any of the countries key problems and slowly wealth inequality and quality of living for the majority will continue to slide. Most will take it lying down.
15
Never forget that Trump is NOT an aberration of the Republican Party. He is the logical extension, twisted to be sure, of the mainstream Karl Rove wing. It was Rove who told the NYT that Republicans were inventing reality, and while they are acting on their inventions, the rest of us would be left "studying what they do". Trump proved once you start passing off lies as truth, there's no reason to do business with truth at all. Fingers crossed that enough voters understand what is happening that Republicans will be ejected from office en masse in 2020. The problem of course: the right wing rage machine supported by unlimited corporate dollars.
14
I am a Navy veteran ('65-'69) and a retired federal prosecuting attorney (1995-2010). During my time working as a public servant I conducted over a thousand investigations; settled dozens of cases set for trial; and litigated more that a dozen cases wining 90% of them.
Since the Republicans now attack the process as flawed {to wit, Democrats are using"Soviet-style tactics" in the investigation] to save their "Dear Leader."
I have one suggestion to all members of the media to immediately end this line of the Republican's defense. You simply state the fact that there are 48 Republicans in attendance at these "closed door" meetings.
In their capacity as members of the various committees, they can cross -examine witnesses. In other words, they can do everything that their Democratic counterparts do with one glaring exception. They cannot cancel this investigation nor can they refuse to investigate as they did with impunity when they controlled the House. So media please put an end to this utterly meritless claim.
15
@Richard
Thank you for stating what should be obvious, but isn't, apparently. I would also like to ask why there was no law enforcement response to the Republicans storming a lawful, private hearing in a secure setting. I heard something about a Sergeant at Arms, but that was it. Why were these Republicans allowed to storm a secure, lawful hearing and refuse to leave for 5 hours? Not to mention, through their actions, terrorizing a witness who has served her Government for many years. They should each have been cuffed and taken to a cell, and faced charges. Or is that OK now? If I and a couple dozen like-minded people decide that we want to halt a lawful hearing, can we just barge in and take over? Is there no security? Where were they? Why did they allow this? This Republican mob invasion should not go unpunished. If it does, it will only get worse.
2
The sad truth is if they had apprehended members, the chaos adds to their warped narrative.
This is what I am concerned about with the angry GOP members of Congress: that they will get Trump's base so angry that there will be attempts to kill Democratic members of the House, especially Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff. I hope that these patriotic legislators have enough security around them. Very, very scary.
6
@eric
You are right on, Eric. I also think that the Whistleblower, as well as other witnesses involved in this investigation will fear for their lives, as did witnesses in the Mueller Investigation and the Kavanaugh Hearings, but the desperation level has ramped up considerably.
I am stunned that the Republicans chose a stunt that shut down the impeachment hearings for almost a full day. They literally invaded an important meeting which by the way was bi-partisan and it was not funny! Bringing their cellphones which are forbidden at these meetings (because of National Security), plenty of noise and to top it off, they left filth all over the place after picnicking on pizzas and sodas, also not permitted.
Our taxes pay their salaries and if there is no penalty for this disruptive kind of behavior, there must be. We the taxpayers pay for the stunts of these miscreants and punishment should be meted out.
If there is a Rules Committee, I want to see one on bad behavior. Docking each of these so called Representatives of ours a day’s pay would be suitable for starters.
Elaineweaves
6
I think it's fair then if Biden asks Merkel if she could help with some dirt from Deutsche Bank about DJT. Otherwise Biden could threaten Merkel to move US-troops from Germany to Poland in case he will become POTUS....according to GOP logic.
6
TheseClandestine Meetings will be viewed historically as much worse than McCarthyism
2
The Republicans who stormed the SCIF are criminals. They disregard the rule of law and the rules of the House.
The House has the authority to investigate wrongdoing as part of its oversight. When a grand jury investigates, it does so in secrecy. Thus, the House Committee taking depositions is entirely consistent with what happens in this country, in all fifty states and in all the counties and parishes throughout those states on a daily basis, year-in and year-out.
If a DA were conducting an investigation with a Grand Jury and had political figures storm the grand jury room, we would be outraged. We would conclude that our system of justice has failed. We would be appalled that we live with anarchy. We would wonder why a SWAT team was not called to clear the grand jury room.
Clearly, Trump is directing these acts of anarchy happen. He has called for his supporters to assault protesters, promising to pay for their legal defense. He has suggested there would be civil war if he is impeached. He race baits by using phrases such as “lynching.”
Mr. Trump and your anarchist Republicans, there is no lynching. When there is a lynching, no one pauses to take time to gather evidence methodically, evidence which is probative and which can be admitted in a trial. The House Committee is NOT conducting a trial. The committee is not rendering judgment. That is the Senate’s job.
If the Senate convicts, that is an imposition of judgment - not a lynching.
5
The 'storming' by Republicans of committee hearings is
also continuing to be an outright defiance of our Constitution
; and therefore clearly an unlawful obstruction of justice;
Perhaps these GOP members might need to be reminded
that THEY are not ...above the law...:
I think they should be detained in a cool jail; or simply be
made to be on leave of absence...: they need to be taught
a lesson that disobedience should not go unpunished.
Perhaps they need some penalizing to make them behave.
4
Closed door hearing with selective "leaks" is how democracy dies. This is a gold mine to conspiracy theorists.
This just harden the lines, and impeachment will fail, leaving a divided country.
If the case is strong - show it and get the country behind it. If not - get ready for 2020 elections - which this MAY be a distraction.
2
Tony Soprano had more class - and smarts.
2
The more Republicans fight to cover up the actions that Trump and the Republican Party have committed to push Putin's agenda, the more they show where their loyalties lie. It's a sad day when a large minority of America is willing to fight for Putin's agenda instead of fight for American interest, allies, and lives.
5
These representatives are all angry and worried. They know the recent testimonies, and more coming forward, does not look good for the President. And, it also does not look good for them. Because, if the President has a problem, they (the reps) too would have a problem having to face their own constituents. And, tht problem would impact them in 2020.
The representatives, know the Rules. They are well aware that more than a third of their total representation in the House, already have access to the hearings. Yet, they felt fit and in order to stage this unruly and reckless demonstration. Their primary objective here, was none other than, to distract the ongoing investigations. And, to show the President that they are his savior. To protest, they have the right, but feeling not to look at the right options.
What also needs to be noted here is that on many occasions, there are voters from various locations who would come to the Congress premises and stage a protest, often peaceful. There is immediate response from law enforcement, who would carry away the protestors, or possibly initiate charges. It does not apply to these reps. who had already disrupted a House sessions. Why is this double standard, in applying the Rule of Law?
6
One more point to add to the three concisely outlined by Psul Breslin: "Closed door" hearrings does NOT mean "secret hearings". These points need to be made repeatedly.
Psul Breslin writes:
Three points that need to be made every time the Republicans howl about "secret hearings":
1) There are Republicans on all of the investigating committees--they are fully entitled to attend and receive equal time to ask questions;
2) As Adam Schiff clearly explained days ago, the hearings are not public because William Barr has refused to investigate or to appoint anyone to investigate a formal complaint from the Inspector General about Trump's dealings with Ukraine. In the cases of Presidents Nixon and Clinton, the initial investigation was behind closed doors; only after evidence had been collected did the proceedings become public;
3) As Adam Schiff also pointed out, conducting depositions in public allows hostile witnesses to coordinate their stories and conceal incriminating facts.
An excellent reference is Reuters explainer article:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-defense-expla/explainer-protesting-republicans-say-impeachment-probe-violates-trumps-rights-is-that-true-idUSKBN1X32DG?il=0
6
Interesting episode of Game of Thrones continues in DC. Meanwhile in the rest of the country no one is paying attention. In a poll published today on CNN when asked whether the "Democratic Party has moved too far to the left, too far to the right, or would you say the Democratic Party hasn't moved too far in either direction", nearly half -- 47%! -- of respondents say that the party has moved too far left. Asked hat same question of the Republican Party and just 37% say it has moved too far right.
Almost 6 in 10 men (57%) say Democrats have moved too far left as do 55% of whites with a college degree. Whites, generally speaking, are much more likely to say the party has moved too far left (53%) as compared to Hispanics (33%) and blacks (17%). It should be worrisome for a Democratic Party establishment already worried that several of their leading presidential candidates is too liberal for the country at large.
Remember the positions that one or several Democratic candidates for president had advocated for during the primary season so far include:
* Eliminating all private health insurance in favor of a single, government-run system
* The "Green New Deal," a massive (and massively expensive) overhaul of the way in which we consume and think about energy in this country
* Mandatory buybacks of AR-15s and AK-47s
* Decriminalization of illegal immigration
And by the way this impeachment effort dies in the senate! And the 2020 election is won in the electoral college by Trump.
1
@Just 4 Play
You forgot to mention that a poll this week showed that, despite all that has happened, 99% of white, evangelical protestants support Trump. 99%! Do you think that maybe this skews the numbers you quoted. Never mind. It is a waste of time asking you that question.
I wish you would highlight the bipartisan nature of the hearings a bit more, rather than burying that info in almost the last paragraph.
Sentences like "There are, in fact, plenty of good reasons Democrats are operating behind closed doors for now" make it sound like only the Democrats are behind those doors, when in fact every committee involved in the investigation includes Republicans, and those Republican committee members (almost sixty of them) are all entitled to attend the closed hearings.
8
Sorry, almost fifty Republicans (and almost sixty Democrats—47 R to 57 D).
2
Cite your source for "Why are the Reps at the secret meetings not allowed to question witnesses. From what I've read, the Dems don't have to allow it from a legal perspective, but if seeking the truth, why not let them ask questions? " Btw, the interviews/hearings aren't secret, they held behind closed doors. They can't even be called private because all the committee members are allowed to attend.
5
A list of Republicans that are participating in the hearings should be released. They should explain how the Republicans can simultaneously claim lack of participation when they are actually in the room.
20
Democrats are always crying about wanting transparency from the White House. Yet they want to keep their stuff secret? The Republicans were right. Open up the hearings! Even committee meetings allow others to come in to watch. BE TRANSPARENT DEMOCRATS!!!!
3
@Bo
You don't trust the Republicans who are on those committees?
20
@Bo Get your news from some reliable sources. The reason they are in secret is because they are gathering evidence and don't want to allow cross gathering of testimony. It's standard procedure. The Democrats are left to do it because the corrupt Attorney General isn't doing it.
8
@Bo
Bo, why aren't you calling for Republicans to make the actual recording of Trump's phone call with Zelensky public (not a transcript which is not word for word), rather than transferring it to a super secret server used for top secret information? Be TRANSPARENT Republicans!!! If they would, maybe this wouldn't all be necessary.
5
Well, actually they went to prove that Adam Schiff is conducting a Star Chamber "inquiry" in the basement. Rep. Schiff obviously feels more comfortable out of the spotlight of accountability and transparency. Sort of like in his mommies basement where he obviously spent far too much time.
2
There are 47 Republicans who have access to all the testimony. There are Republicans on the actual committee. You don’t make public witness testimony or else they might compare notes. This process was codified by Republicans in 2015!
18
This is a bipartisan hearing. The Republican participants can ask as many questions as they want
4
We are witnessing a highly alarming - no, panic mode - situation unfolding right before our eyes.
Trump is becoming a dictator.
Now that it is clearly and absolutely provable that he is guilty of impeachable crimes, his efforts are focused on forcibly taking control of the law. And he's doing it just like all dictators do, by demolishing legal process with the support of a loyal cabal within the government.
Yesterday's Republican anti-impeachment mob scene, and the defiant pronouncement by Trump's lawyers, made directly to federal judges, that he cannot even be investigated for committing wanton acts of gun violence, are shocking developments in Trump's evolution to dictatorial power. He is aggressively dismantling our system of democratic government.
If Trump is not removed from office through the current legal battle, he will prove conclusively that he is indeed above the law. Unfettered, he will then run amok with presidential authority. The 2020 election, already known to be under manipulation by Trump and Russia, will be another shocking and improbable win for Trump because his forces will make it so.
In fact all signs are that he will not be removed from office. Democrats would be wise now to put intense focus on winning the Senate and keeping the House. A second impeachment process could then succeed.
If not, it is frightening to imagine the future acts of dictator Trump.
10
It would be really useful if the NY Times could provide the names of those who stormed the meeting. I want these people removed from my party. This outrageousness is not what I signed up for.
19
@Al Galli That is your party. Get out of it like I did years ago. It is the anti science, fundamentalist religion, neo confederate party of angry southerners. That is all.
1
What I don't understand is why are the Reps at the secret meetings not allowed to question witnesses. From what I've read, the Dems don't have to allow it from a legal perspective, but if seeking the truth, why not let them ask questions? If this isn't a partisan stunt, which early indicators seem to imply, what do Dems have to lose? Since they are the ones claiming a lack of transparency, why not be transparent?
1
@Ma No sorry, Ma. The Republicans on the committee are given as much time as the Dems, if they'd take it. Most are leaving and not sticking around. There's no camera to grandstand to, and the testimony is conclusive with notes. The Republicans can't spin it.
20
They are allowed to ask questions
Did you not read the article? They are allowed to ask questions.
As was written in David Leonhardt's Opinion e-newsletter this morning ... THERE ARE REPUBLICANS IN THE COMMITTEES ... so quit yer foolish caterwauling, GOP stormtroopers:
"The House committees conducting the impeachment inquiry into President Trump have both Democratic and Republican members.
That fact seems difficult for some people to comprehend, so I’ll repeat it with some italics: The House committees conducting the impeachment inquiry into President Trump have both Democratic and Republican members.
The stunt that House Republicans pulled yesterday — storming a secure room in Congress, where sensitive national security matters are discussed, in order to halt an investigative hearing — was based on a falsehood. The Republicans claimed they were fed up with being shut out of the investigation. But they are not being shut out.
As Politico put it: “More than 45 House Republicans — nearly a quarter of the House G.O.P. conference — already have full access to the depositions through their membership on one of the three panels leading the impeachment inquiry.” (The three are the Intelligence, Oversight and Foreign Affairs Committees.)"
12
Trump and the Republicans are acting like junior high boys, not grown men. I suppose they are proud of themselves.
By the way, Trump said he was building a "beautiful wall" in Colorado. Ponder that a minute.
11
If access to a secure room is controlled by limitations and sanctions, then there are consequences for such violation. According to Rep. Heck statement, members are cautioned that causing (cell phone) presence leads to corruption of the security system. Why not prosecute "trespass"? For instance, if it was me who did this, I'd be subject presumably to arrest/judicial process. Since this is a national security issue, the rule of law must be paramount. Ignoring such a violation only encourages more Republican disruption.
9
Congressional Republicans are destroying our government
by not obeying the US Constitution.
Trump has been allowed by the GOP in the US Congress; by
members of his Cabinet: by his appointees in the Justice
Dept. ; to break the law;
And by allowing a mentally ill President to do so is also
breaking the law;
All those who allow Trump to break the law, should also be
questioned by our Congressional committees as to their
lawlessness; they should also go through an impeachment
inquiry.
13
With 47 Republicans already participating in some 65+ hours of hearings, hearings defined by rules their own party made when they ruled the House, what did these protest Republicans think they were going to find – obstruction, or just another way to placate their wannabe dictator?
12
Partisanship is like a virus. The system can't kill it. But, if we feed our system the what it needs to be healthy, we can keep the virus in remission.
4
Why is the GOP, during the Benghazi hearings and under identical circumstances, now demanding unfettered access to closed hearings? They can’t talk their way out of this.
The GOP IS represented in these hearings. It’s akin to grand jury (sealed) testimony. As this progresses to impeachment. Gaetz and his low-life comrades will have their voices heard.
As for Trump, and to paraphrase Nixon, “If the president does it it cannot be illegal.”
What a bunch of garbage. I suspect Trump is losing voters from his special base everyday. And independents and undecideds are unlikely to jump on the bandwagon of a blatant fraud.
9
The Republicans who engaged in this stunt looked very foolish. They must be counting on an uninformed electorate to by into all of their lies. There are 47 Republicans on the committee who HAVE BEEN asking questions in this preliminary investigation of the witnesses. In this manner it prevents witness tampering, which did go on in the Mueller Investigation, perpetrated by Trump and his acolytes. The open hearings and testimony will come in a couple of weeks.
In the meantime these childish show boaters can just stand down.It is not attractive for 50 year old boys to throw temper tantrums no matter whether the child in the White House likes it or not. Their ultimate folly is the compromising of National Security by having their phones and other electronic devices in the SKIF which is prohibited by law. They should be censored and fined as much as allowed by law.
11
Trump’s base feeds upon the red meat that FOX News feeds them nightly on the Hannity and Carlson propaganda hours. They also gorge on Mark Zuckerberg’s ready, willing, and able, misinformation on Facebook. A national boycott of any and all advertisers which sponsors these propaganda outlets is the only way to starve the beast’s appetites. Much the same way zoo keeper tames ravenous lions.
7
I'm a liberal. BUT, there is some point to the matter of Trump being "above the law." While in office he should be free of minor investigations.
Congress has the authority to investigate and impeach him. But to a certain extent, the President should not be investigated by state and local officials. This can then become a tool for any state that didn't vote for a President to use as a way of slowing down their initiatives by tying them up in legal proceedings.
This reminds me of the Privilege from Arrest Clause:
"The Senators and Representatives...shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony, and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same...."
(ARTICLE I, SECTION 6, CLAUSE 1)
The intended purpose is to prevent a President or other officials of the executive branch from having members arrested on a pretext to prevent them from voting a certain way or otherwise taking actions with which the President might disagree.
Similarly, States should not have the right in preventing the President from carrying on his duties. It is Congress's job to investigate and impeach.
1
Breaking Federal election laws and perverting the foreign policy of the United States for personal political gain is hardly minor, and impeachment is not a criminal proceeding.
11
The Republicans may be running out of options, but that makes them increasingly dangerous to our democratic republic. Lindsey Graham plans to introduce a resolution condemning the House impeachment inquiry. It's hard to imagine a more inappropriate stunt by a Senator that might be called upon to participate in a Senate impeachment trial.
At this point there's virtually nothing that's off the table for Republicans in order to maintain power. This is their last stand and they know it.
10
@Richard Wilson The question is Men and women have died defending the Constitution, will Republicans risk their jobs defending it?
5
Glad that this happened yesterday. The Dems should not be having private meetings/discussions on the topic of impeachment. It should be a transparent process with all parties participating in the discussion.
Sorry to hear that they didn't do this earlier and they should keep the pressure on on the partisan Dems.
2
@Steve Did you take issue with Trey Gowdy's private interviews during the Benghazi investigation.
11
@Steve 13 republicans stormed the impeachment inquiry claiming that it was "secretive and a coup"... only to find out that 47 Republicans were already there.
13
Apparently you didn’t read the article and aren’t familiar with how the process works. All parties ARE involved in all these hearings. Republican committee members are present at every single one of those committee hearings. They listen to the witnesses just like Democrats. They ask questions just like Democrats. They are in no way excluded and Jim Jordon’s claim otherwise is a flat out lie.
12
Thank goodness the election of 2018 gave the Democrats the majority of the House. I shudder to think where we would be now if the Republicans had held onto the House after the 2018 election...
597
@The Scarcity of Park Slope Parking Spots
Maybe a dead body on 5th Avenue?
35
@Spence Nazi Germany comes to mind.
34
@The Scarcity of Park Slope Parking Spots
We would be on the streets, storming the White House.
Does anyone think we can "Get Over It"
23
The Republican Party has become Trump's Black Shirt Troop.
12
Satan's Staff - looking for Witches to burn.
6
What a puerile, high-school, frat-boy ploy.
Let each and every one be formally censured, sent to their rooms without supper, grounded for the remainder of the term, and deprived of their cell phones.
13
The law is coming, Mr. Trump. It will be slow and filled with unnecessary drama, but your time will come. Even though you and a significant minority of people may believe yourself to be above the law, this is by no means true. Our founders wisely feared and anticipated the likes of you. The emoluments clause and the description of impeachment in the Constitution were written with this exact type of scenario in mind. We can thank Alexander Hamilton and others for this safeguard to our republic. I suggest you cooperate with exculpatory evidence and witnesses in concert with the subpoenas previously issued to you and members of your administration, or face the consequences of justice undefended. You and they may choose to remain silent, but we won't.
And I hope Mr. Barr, Mr. Pompeo, and Mr. Mulvaney all similarly realize that America will not rest until they've ALL been brought to justice.
Sincerely-
America's true patriots of all political viewpoints
18
nice photo!
1
Once again, the real issue seems to be unmentionable by opinion writers or Democrats. Trump is breaking the law in real time and nothing is done. He has now incited his followers to break the law and nothing is done. He has incited public officials to physically invade an official meeting at the capital and violate national security laws. Those officials have committed felonies that have jail time attached. And nothing is done. Trump has incited crowds to chant for physical violence against his enemies and some have begun shooting up places and nothing is done. Each of these acts when unanswered demonstrates that in fact the laws are changing in front of our eyes. Law enforcement does not require hearings or trials, it is immediate or it does not exist. The truth that no observer seems willing to speak is that the laws are already changed. That they are the laws of the jungle and that they defend the whims of those bold enough to take what they want. It is only the meek who cower at this moment and wish for the salvation of hearings and trials and process as if any of that can matter in a world with no law.
We are the frogs in boiling water who can only watch the temperature rise around us. Our writers and pundits are sounding alarms long after there is anything that can be done. Only direct action and courage matter now but we all pretend that we just do not see. We seem to be preparing to accept an inevitable loss without effort. We are living in hopelessness.
7
Pelosi needs to hold a vote and make the process transparent because democracy dies in darkness.
1
The New York Times reported, the Justice Department investigated the Trump-Zelensky phone call and determined “there was no campaign finance violation and that no further action was warranted.” Trump did not mention military aid. Zelensky readily agreed to Trump’s requests to look into alleged 2016 election interference and Hunter Biden’s dealings with Burisma during a July 25 phone call. Zelensky said, “There was no pressure or blackmail from the U.S.”
Ambassador Taylor testified he was told that, before agreeing to an Oval Office meeting with Zelensky, Trump insisted that Zelensky make a public statement that he was “opening investigations of Biden and 2016 election interference.” Taylor said Ambassador Sondland told him on September 8 that he talked to President Zelensky and told him that “although this is nor a quid pro quo, if President Zelensky did not ‘‘clear things’ up in public, we would be at a ‘stalemate.” Taylor said,”I understood a ‘stalemate’ to mean that Ukraine would no receive the much-needed military assistance.”
Since Trump made a White House meeting contingent on Zelensky’s public statement, most reasonable people would understand that Trump would have denied Zelensky an invitation to the White House—not much-needed military aid—if he had refused to make a public statement.Expectation that the Senate will convict Trump of setting preconditions for an Oval Office visit are delusional.
Surely the Democrats are not so stupid/naive to believe
"secret hearings" will keep information from being shared
by witnesses.
Republican members will cheerfully and expeditiously
share testimony with other friendly witnesses.
Like in ...30 seconds.
There may be a legitimate reason to hold closed hearings but
to keep witnesses from colluding isn't a valid one..imhno.
1
@Dennis The reason for the closed hearings is to keep the Republicans from disrupting the proceedings.
4
@Dan Woodard MD
hmmmm..but Republicans constitute almost
half of the committees in the hearings..and
they can bust in "en masse" whenever they
want?
May be just giving them public opinion ammo.
But, I concede reps know more about it than me.
Trump and his republican enablers have neither the facts nor the law on their side, so they pound the table. They hope faux outrage sells on Fox Noise. Worse, they hope Trump is beyond the rule of law and constitutional remedies.
Republicans also know things will be far worse once Trump is impeached and the public hears damning testimony. The case is open and shut. The defense is thinner than gossamer.
Expect lots more rending of garments and victimhood on behalf of the country’s chief victimizer. Just remember, Trump has victimized almost everyone in his path. You can ask his contractors, his banks, his former wives, numerous women he sexually assaulted, immigrant families, asylum seekers, women who’ll depend on family planning services, senior Justice Dept and FBI officials who investigated him, allies punished by tariffs, Syrian Kurds, the Ukrainians under assault by Russia, and lastly Americans who care about our reputation.
Trump has victimized legions and the numbers grow by the day. Too bad if payback is finally coming. Karma, as they say...
6
Trump is a bad President. The Republicans know it but they cannot admit it. They are fools because they cannot accept the facts and infer the next conclusion, that he should be removed from office before he causes more harm to our government or drives our country into dire circumstances by shear incompetence.
5
Republicans believe that Democracy Dies in Darkness.
Or is that Democratics believe Democracy grows in Darkness?
I am soooooo confused.
Is Hillary behind all of this?
She has to be.
Staying optimistic has been my guiding light for three-quarters of a century -
1. Things will eventually work out well,
2. Sociopaths and their ilk are merely misunderstood children,
3. Politicians are always mindful of their oath of office no matter how they speak (such as suggesting a new civil war) and,
4. Guns are just loud toys despite the death and destruction of countless wars.
But recent events e.g. Charlottesville, Va., many other more recent incidents in the Ukraine and Syria, just yesterday the reaction of Republicans to a necessary impeachment inquiry into behavior of the President: the verbal abuse and then the breaking into a SCIF hearing room attest; and in retrospect, we may consider the Republic very lucky that no committee members were shot this time by the Republican intruders.- This has all caused me to reconsider my prior judgement.
In conclusion then the human species is controlled by emotions and that we are fundamentally deranged.*
*"Demonic Males: Apes and the Origins of Human Violence", Richard Wrangham and Dale Peterson, 1997.
4
I am eagerly anticipating the Horowitz and Durham investigative reports. I think they will reveal Adam Schiff’s work to be the sham many believe it to be. It seems quite obvious that Democrats are lurching from one distracting allegation to the next, ostensibly in an effort to distract from their own malfeasance.
1
They should have been removed by police. What they're doing now is aiding & abetting a criminal. This administration is deeply tied to the Russian mob, which is basically run by Putin. From dismantling the different government agencies engaged in public service, to selling public lands after removing federal protections, to handing our allies and their "safe zone" over to Russia and Turkey (supposedly an ally, but at this point more of a liability for NATO). For 90% of the GOP supporting this gangster style administration, RICO act should and could be applied. Pesky problem though, since the illegal blocking of the previous administration's judicial appointments put theocratic fascists on the benches, especially the SCOTUS. Something Putin did, Erdogan did and Duterte as well. So did Franco, so did Mussolini and the Nazis. We're in good company. Unless people wake up, we might be stuck with this for time to come, especially when you consider GOP voter suppression, voting machines able to get hacked by 8 yr olds and of course gerrymandering recently rubber stamped by SCOTUS.
5
Republicans!! If you spent this much time/attention/tax payer dollars to pass an infrastructure bill or ANYTHING that improves middle class American lives, I would be very happy.
Your shenanigans are a pathetic waste of time.
9
Can what Bill Taylor said be verified with evidence? If not, the whole impeachment thing is a joke.
2
@widereceiver Taylor's testimony is verified by
Trump's own words in demanding that Ukraine provide him with personal services in return for taxpayer dollars.
3
Impeaching a President implies enormous importance and responsibility. You can not follow these procedures against the principles of Law and Justice. Transparency, fairness and balance -baisic principles for any judging procedure- is what Schiff's “obscure theater” absolutely lacks. Impeachment has to proceed according to the existing rules and should focus on truth and justice. What Republicans are demanding is basic: you can not follow this procedure in the dark, manipulating all information and keeping the American people in the margin
1
One thing that would help the credibility of the Dems (assuming there is any) would be to get Adam Schiff to stop leaking selected parts of this "secret testimony." Trump supporters already consider Schiff a liar based on his false assertions of collusion evidence during Russia-gate. Best to either keep all of this testimony secret, or just release the transcripts. Having it both way just reinforces Trumps claims of a "witch hunt."
2
@Southern Man
First of all, there was plenty of evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians, unless you think that, "Russia, if you're listening..." is something other than collusion. Yeah, just like asking China to investigate Biden was a joke. Furthermore, it was actual conspiracy that couldn't be proven to a legal certainty. There was plenty of collusion. Secondly, there will be released transcripts and open, public hearings once the evidence has been gathered. Thirdly, if you still are saying "witch hunt" after what we know happened concerning the Ukraine, your mind is thoroughly made up, and facts don't matter. Sad.
10
@TRA Note that "witch hunt" is in quotes, which was meant to indicate that it is not me who is saying it. Also, perhaps I should have said conspiracy rather than collusion. Either way, Schiff's implication was that he had a smoking gun on Trump, and he did not. Lastly, I am not a Trump supporter and I am not making any excuses for him, I am simply saying that the way the Dems are handling this only fuels the belief of Trump supporters that they are simply out to get Trump. Personally, I'd love to see him impeached, but I am not sure that "because he is an idiot" passes the constitutional threshold.
Just impeach him. Get over yourselves.
Let Mitch run the table in the Senate. Let's move on.
If you feel weak in the knees, go look at your 401K. That should make you smile.
Then we can have an election and watch your best go at with
Trump.
If by chance he wins again are we going to have to start up all the ridiculousness again?
3
People are so afraid of trump's base. Give me a break. I live in a rural town that's full on trump and these people are not to be feared, but ignored. Call their bluff and watch them crawl back under the rock that they came from.
12
The way Trump and his enablers are acting is straight out of a domestic abusers playbook: Isolate the victim from family/larger culture (many families have strained ties or have broken off contact with each other because of Trump) , make the person choose the abuser over everything else- family, friends, larger culture, Intimidate/threaten/ create fear, gaslight and lie to distort the facts, find a scapegoat to shift blame onto, abuse (lie/cheat/steal/break laws), and then apologize or love bomb (Trumps rallies are a kind of love bombing for his base, thats why he has to do them regularly). This is Abuse 101.
12
I just love how the Republicans get all concerned with process and procedure when it suits them. This is of course the same party who refused to hold a vote to appoint Merrick Garland. Not to mention the same party that, in North Carolina this year, held a vote while Democrats were attending ceremonies in remembrance of 9/11 because the Republicans said there would be no votes held that day. They really have no shame.
21
The Republican leadership decides which Republicans will be on the committees. So why dld the Republican leadership keep Scalise, Gohmert, Lesko, Biggs and Brooks out of the meetings? Do they have reservations about their competence?
12
It doesn't matter. The GOP members of the Senate have shown that they have no sense of decency, moral fortitude, or principals. Besides intimidating witnesses, this is buying time to stack the courts with their people, who will help them hold onto power. That is their end goal.
People seem to forget that conservatism is about defending the powerful and established hierarchies, a strong belief that people are inherently unequal and some people shouldn't hold power because of who they are, and holding democracy in contempt.
14
This was an orchestrated piece of propaganda. We don't yet know by whom or what country. And we have 30 - 40% of voters who are falling for it.
The Congresspeople who are so proud of their little escapade are useful idiots.
Vote them out.
15
Whether it is "Storm the Capital" or "Storm Troopers" Trump is asserting that the rule of law doesn't apply to him, and that anyone who opposes or questions him is treasonous - will he next encourage "brownshirts".
11
I think the NYT has gone way too far. Why should the Democrats hold secret hearings? Why shouldn't the Republicans be able to attend?
Won't both parties have to vote in committee and on the floor for or against impeachment?
This maneuver by the Democrats will not help to convince independents to favor impeachment.
Shame on the Democrats and shame on the NYT editorial board. Editorials are supposed to reflect opinion. But they should state both sides of an issue.
3
Those Republican Congressmen who are members of the Committees conducting the hearings DO attend. They also have equal time to ask questions.
14
@Greg smith Republicans do attend. There are dozens of Republicans in every meeting and they can ask questions.
11
It is now "pound the table" time. As that old joke goes about defense attorneys - When you have the law on your side, pound the law. When you have the facts on your side, pound the facts. When you have neither - pound the table. Trump's defenders have now decided that their only recourse left is to pound the table.
6
Trump says Taylor is "human scum"?
We need an amendment declaring "infantile whining" to be evidence of an executive unfit to hold the responsibilities of office.
What could be more damning evidence of that, except for "shooting someone on Fifth Avenue," perhaps.
4
Trump to Russia: Release Hillary's emails and the media will reward you. Russia to Assange: Release the Clinton files.
Result: emails released
Trump to Ukraine President Zelensky: Investigate my political opponent or I'll withhold your military financial aid. Zelensky to anyone who would listen: What do we do now?
Trump to Republicans: Fight harder to stop the House impeachment investigations or else.
Senator Lindsay Graham to Trump: I'll submit a resolution condemning the House impeachment process and demanding an end to it.
House Republicans to Trump: We'll throw a tantrum and storm their secure interview being conducted in the skiff.
5
If I, who is not on the committee, had "stormed" the SCIF, I would have been arrested for trying to impede the workings of the committee. Shouldn't these thugs be, too?
Being a Congressperson does not give one immunity from the consequences of breaking the law.
11
Revolting and frightening as this behavior is, I think it has a simple explanation. These are people who live for power. They depend for that power on placating Trump's base in their home districts. Their collective tantrum is the equivalent of chanting "lock her up!" at a Trump rally. So if Big Orange goes down, they will still have a constituency to elect them. Sometimes the simplicity of evil is hard to see.
4
This is nothing but white male privilege run amok. No person of color or woman could get away with a 1/16 of Trump has done. How can anyone, decent, justify what is happening in this Administration? ?
9
Will those same Republicans who stormed the deposition volunteer to go to prison on his behalf once he is out of office, convicted and sentenced to prison for his many many crimes before and during he is in office?
7
What has happened to the Republican Party? It is appalling how they react for the President but not for the people...
We all know the the person that is running the country is not qualified....
Hey republicans just wait for your demise in 2020.
8
@Kev "Not qualified". You are so polite and euphemistic.
4
I think the word we are looking for is DESPERATION!!!!
4
As Preet Bharara so eloquently articulates in 'Doing Justice,' criminal inquiries need to be Seen to be unbiased and fair. By naming Mr Schiff head investigator and acceding to closed-door hearings with only selected items revealed, Ms Pelosi has herself contributed to the delegitimatization apparent in the committee's work so far. If we want Trump brought to Justice, this is a lazy, cynical, thumbs-on-the-scales way to go about it. We need to put in the real work necessary to make a case the public will believe in. Without retracing the murky, misunderstood history of the Ukraine's deposing of an elected President and his replacement by a US- and EU- friendly regime, starting in November 2013, we cannot possibly untangle the conflicts of interest and corruption monitoring by both Obama and Trump What did the US State Department do when, and with what support from the CIA? We can't understand ambassador Taylor's full testimony without seeing the transcript, just as when we thought the Mueller Report might have been selectively edited when the summary appeared. The Gold Standard -- Peter Rodino's handling of the Nixon Impeachment hearings -- needs to be followed if we want the House conclusions to be accepted by the people. When we speak of "circuses," why don't we have full-on televised hearings ? Why not see everyone's answers? It is hard to imagine the NYT failing to argue in favor of the Rodino approach if, say, Barack Obama had been under investigation.
'
@mitchell Your words would have been weightier, but for the fact that the procedure being followed was set up by the _Republicans_ when they were doing the Benghazi witch hunt.
6
@mitchell This is the very earliest stage of the investigation, just as it went with Nixon and Clinton. You start with closed door meetings, then move to the public hearings. This is how the process works, Pelosi isn't undermining transparency (yet).
3
@mitchell The Rodino House Judiciary Committee's work in the Nixon impeachment case officially started in February of 1974 when the full house voted to authorize an impeachment inquiry. Public hearings began in May. Care to guess what happened in those three months? Closed-door staff research and evaluation of evidence, including the "road map" evidence provided by the federal grand jury investigating the Watergate break-in. In March of 1974, the grand jury indicted Haldeman, Ehrlichman and Mitchell and named Nixon an unindicted co-conspirator. That news didn't come out until June because, as I'm sure you know, grand juries operate in secret. It is completely proper for today's House investigations to begin pulling together evidence as they are doing. Claims to the contrary are a distraction intended to muddy the water and help Trump.
4
October 24, 2019
Sort of generational youth crown hysteria and a show of power in action but dare say inability to define and interpret the import and destination of an event albeit a president or a party of flowers engage in hysteria to the cause with video authority and attention to aim to convince the world...... So goes the boys of politics unable to deliver oratory and ideas to define cultural authority.
1
Mob rule is not in the constitution. That is what Republicans attempted to do. They are anarchists and subject to censure. Each and every Republican congressman who participated should be censured and that would sit, forever, in their record. Failure to censure is a silent approval and should not be allowed. They were not voicing their disapproval. They were violating the law and without law, we have nothing.
7
Reminds me of the OJ trial. All the facts pointed to OJ. So what did the defense do? Attack the process and the witnesses for the prosecution. When the facts aren't your side, you attack the process. Doesn't change the facts, but it is a huge distraction.
8
This is so clearly an act of desperation. That they couldn’t see this and how it reflects on Trump, gives one pause. Maybe they want Trump to seem frightened so his followers peel off. Then, they might be free of his clutches. I’m sure they are tired of him. How shameful it all is.
5
Can you blame them? Distraction works. Theater works. American press chases after them to film and gather quotes. American public (left and right) get excited about the news feed. Even those who see that it is a sick game add comment #1732 to a story about said distraction!
ugh.
2
Today they are distracting the public by yelling and screaming what their boss will approve. Let’s see who will jump out of the boat when it sinks. Usually the rats are the first ones to do so.
4
Dems cant claim any moral or legal grounds here. If they are so concerned about foriegn interference and abuse of power, then they should have asked Mueller to investigate Hillarys use of Fusion GPS and origin of Steele dossier.
And Trump is right to investigate the blatant corruption carried out by Bidens.
3
You guys need some better schtick.
6
Other than declaring war, the second most important action Congress can take is to impeach a president. Yet, the mighty NYT is just fine with secret hearings. If open hearings were fine for Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon, I'm hard pressed to understand why this president doesn't deserve the same.
1
@richard In both of the cases you mention, the process started with closed door committee meetings before moving to public hearings. This is likely to follow the same format. So yes, what was fine for Nixon and Clinton is fine for Trump, and you're already getting it.
3
Richard, you do understand that there are Republicans in the room during all of the closed door testimonies and that they get to ask questions and cross-examine just like the Democratic Majority? These are preliminary hearings, much like a grand jury hearing, where testimony is held secret so as not to influence the testimony of up-coming interviewees. It’s common practice. Once they have concluded this phase, everything will be public. This is how investigations are routinely held. Ask any trial lawyer. When the GOP was the majority recently and Nunes was having investigations of Hillary, was everything public? No, it wasn’t. Your argument is misinformed and myopic.
4
“...a coordinated smear campaign from far-left lawmakers and radical unelected bureaucrats waging war on the Constitution.” Was she foaming at the mouth when she said this? Just curious...
4
The Republicans never had a problem when they held closed hearings regarding Benghazi and Clinton. They're angry because they can't to their daily spin about any testimony. They're desperate and scared little men. If you can't argue the facts pound on the process. If you can't argue the process you pound on the facts. If you can't argue either one you pound on the table. That's what they were doing, stomping their expensive shoes and whining they can't get into a party that they weren't invited to. Desperation sinking in.
6
Same as his defense against all his crimes and incompetence: Distract from the facts.
3
Why is The New York Times saying: « Democrats called in the sargent-at-arms » ?
Is that true ?
I would think the committee members, Democrat and Republican, would call in the sargent-at-arms.
Everybody is saying the committee members are of both parties. But then the NYT says this.
2
The GOP committee members were part of the mob. They can come into any meeting and ask any questions.
Willful ignorance is no excuse.
4
I think it’s time for “they go lower, we kick them in the mouth ”. ( figuratively speaking) Dems, play to win, globes off. We need bullet points (the paper kind), not essays to win this election.
2
My questions is - and this is a question -- is, who all is in these closed door depositions? I think I understand it to be both democratic and republican members of the House Intelligence Committee. Is that correct? Doesn't that take any wind out of the argument that these depositions are taking place in secret? I'd say the republicans are free to leak any information that they think is favorable to djt. Can we assume that since no such leaks are happening that there is not any such favorable testimony? Finally, what sort of circus tricks and grandstanding will the republicans resort to when the hearing do become public and the stream of damning testimony flows into all of our living rooms?
3
Intelligence, Foreign Affairs, and OBM committees are all included.
5
Thanks, @SteveH!
There have been opinions and questions asked how long elected Republicans will stick by Trump. It seems to me the day has come and gone that they can to justify switching their support away from Trump for the good of the country. There is too much footage, denial, and excuse making on tape of their support to backtrack now.
As far as the base that Republicans are so worried about? Tell me about all the animosity and backlash after Nixon left office? The answer there wasn't any. For that matter, remember all the books and stories about how no one alive in Germany after WWII admitted to being a Nazi. Trumps support will go by the wayside, just as his loyalty and support to all those coal miners, and washing machine and air conditioning manufacturing workers, lasted after he was elected.
2
Remember when Clinton was being impeached and Graham was out front explaining what a crime was. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6DanS2lkmA
It seems Graham "forgot."
3
The Times should have that clip on a continuous loop.
2
A backlash....bring it on.
Brings back memories of Republican thugs crashing the Florida recount.
Why isn’t Pelosi pushing a censure resolution for these thugs?
2
Yet in spite of all of this, most polls I've seen indicate a likely Trump re-election if the economy (read: stock market to most) continues on it's current trajectory. So, what does this say of American values? Of American attention span for consuming and processing real information? It means that Donald Trump, as president of the United States, is not the cause, he's the symptom and removing him won't ameliorate the sickness that pervades this country's electorate.
This is sad, but I don't see and end in sight, as the far right (or just Right) does not seem particularly open to a mea culpa and subsequent return to some semblance of decision-making and dialogue based on real information and mutual respect.
Precisely which polls say this, pray tell?
2
I wonder what procedures are in place, if any, when a losing presidential incumbent refuses to relinquish the office according to law and rallies his "base" to armed insurrection. I believe that there is a distinct possibility of that if Trump loses the election. I consider this to be a distinct and clear danger given the irrationality and the disregard of so many Republicans and particularly, Trump's unhinged and lawless leaning "base".
3
@Mary Melcher
Southerner politicians have done this before. Then it was in defense of human slavery. Now it's to protect their right to treason.
1
“Never Trumper Diplomat Bill Taylor”?
I'm not familiar with Mr. Taylor politics but Trump's current Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, begged Taylor last May to come out of retirement and fill the position previously occupied by the recently sacked Marie Yovanovitch.
Is Trump's former CIA Director (Pompeo) also a secret Never Trumper? I'd like to say that this is getting pretty wild but that would be a gross understatement
The inquiry is also hardly being conducted in secret. I assume that the Republicans present on the House committees taking testimony are all capable of relating salient details to their fellow GOP'ers or are they all Never Trumpers, too? Anybody falling for this nonsense is being taken to the political cleaners.
4
It's funny what is OK with Republicans and what is not.
Guess it's OK for a sitting US President to force a head of a foreign state, via withholding much needed defense aid that that head of a foreign state would use to fight our very own enemies, to assistant in a fraudulent investigation into a domestic political rival.
Guess it's not OK to follow the rules, the Republicans themselves laid out, not unlike a Grand Jury, to hold the initial investigations behind closed doors with a bi-partisan group of appropriate committee members present and asking questions.
Not my president and certainly not my Republicans in Congress. I guess they are all Vlad's. He seems to be profiting the most.
7
@Clearwater
As the saying goes, "Well, y'know, that was dif...." Gaetz et cie. are playing to the crowd, plain & simple. THEY know the rules, but they're counting on the fact that the public will not.
2
This stunt was a new Low in the Low Road. I was horrified (and ALMOST shocked) to learn about this when it took place yesterday. Good people don't abdicate all sense of decorum (and break reasonably established security guidelines) to draw attention to their unfounded whining and untruths. Once again, how embarrassing for our country.
11
@El
Agreed. Honest people don't, no. People do, though, if their purpose is to delay, deflect, obstruct, & mislead. Their entire stunt was meant to unethically sway public opinion, delay the inevitable, & make as much grief for the Dems as possible. The sheer absurdity of not wanting to play by their very own rules is egregious enough just of itself.
The fact that supposedly ethical & just lawmakers would do this to prevent investigation of possible illegality is hubris to an order of magnitude beyond even that.
1
Evidently, those storming the hearing do not have confidence in their republican comrades on the committees, who have full access to the proceedings. Sad.
10
When your options are so limited but it’s clear to you that any abusive or illegal behavior has no consequences at all, you feel even encouraged to do so.
That’s why Trump and his minions are still thriving.
4
"As a Republican, I am embarrassed of our President, I am embarrassed of these weak capitulating House Reps. who acted like spoiled brats, I am hoping that our Senators will act with some sense and dignity and bring our party back to its roots. Regan would have been appalled by all of this and he would have wanted Trump impeached and removed from office."
8
Is there a list of the 30 people who entered the restricted area???
3
Once again, the Republican party lies, breaks laws, and creates a mess, leaving it all for someone else to clean up behind them.
5
When I saw that photo on the side bar of NYT (hadn’t read the lead in yet) I thought it was a bowl of oatmeal with raisins. Maybe it really is
6
Dont denigrate oatmeal or raisins, Ann!
2
An amazing photo accompanies this article, showing the Republican madmen as flies at the bottom of a barrel. How fitting.
7
Who would have thought Putin Puppetism would be so contagious?
6
The minute anyone is above the law in this country, we have lost our democracy.
6
Russia style conduct is correct and some of the Republican Congressmen did it. To invade a National Defense secure area in an attempt to record proceedings--for what reasons i do not know. one reason might be to cause confusion so that some of the other Republican congressmen could secretly record on behalf of themselves, the Russians. Trump or some unfriendly country.
the FBI and the Deparment of Justice should investigate now. they might need to call a grand jury to find out exactly who was involved in the conspiracy and overt acts. will the President allow himself to be questioned under oath about his meeting or talking with the possible conspirators prior to the invasion of the secure area?
9
@john boeger
"...preserve, protect, & defend the Constitution of the United States" -- Well, so much for that....
1
The rest of us watch the proceedings going on right now with trepidation - fearing that if this could be allowed to happen in America , then what hope for the rest of us in other parts of the World? I never thought democracy can be manupulated this way in the capital of world's democracy...but then, when you get right down to it, this shows we all probably have the same tendencies. The implications of these for the rest of us and for the future - in American politics are most damaging.
10
@Benson Don't lose heart. From the outside, America may have seemed like it was a great Democracy, but for all of my life at least many people were disenfranchised by our two-party system. Now, at least, it feels like a lot more possibilities are opening up. But we have a lot of work to do, as I imagine you do, to live in a real democracy.
2
Did they really think that they appeared to be anything but petulant children who felt they were being kept out of the adults' fun? What a bunch of fools these Republican House members appear to be. How sad that they actually have votes in Congress that may decide the fate of the nation.
14
@RLW
They weren't at all concerned with the optics other than insofar as it might help them in the *supposed* court of public opinion. Their real agenda was to obstruct & delay. Guess they forgot the House doesn't *have* a filibuster.
If “that’s all they’ve got,” it’s time to fold. From the moment his candidacy was announced (in fact, his entire life), Trump’s been bluffing.
9
Interesting to note Mr. Gaetz' childish storming of the capitol, given his censure by the Florida State Bar for his unprofessional and reckless conduct earlier this year, as well as the fact that he is up for reelection in 2020. This is nothing but infantile grandstanding for the benefit of what I can only assume is a deluded constituency.
14
Simple....When the facts and the law are not on your side, take your shoe off and bang it on the table. The interesting thing about the Republican objections is that they involve criticism of the process, not the facts being uncovered or the sources from which they are being drawn. In a word they are worried and desperate in the face of a legitimate impeachment inquiry. The concepts of right and wrong and country first hold no meaning for those who disrupted the proceeding yesterday. They are simply worried about the their jobs.
8
@Dennis W
And the true irony of it is it's *their* process, put in place for the Benghazi hearings.
As a voter, I would like to see the names of each of the juveniles who participated in this stunt printed in this paper and in all of the news organizations across the country. Just so it's clear who was involved. I also implore the Congress to censure each of these frat boys, strip them of all committee memberships, and apply whatever other disciplinary measures might be appropriate. Actions have consequences. It's shameful to see our elected officials behaving like, ahem, the president.
16
@Dianne
13 of the "protesters" are actually on the relevant committees. They could attend the hearings if they so choose. Instead, they choose to grand stand.
9
Here my question: why not name those Republican House members who tried to interfere with mob-tactics? Let us know who they are, who is supporting them etc. This was clearly a planned and organized effort, and not a spontaneous expression of anger. Knowing who they are and who is behind them might expose just who is pulling strings to keep Trump safe from being exposed and impeached.
10
@Pete in Downtown
I agree and elsewhere have asked for a comprehensive list. Clearly, there should be a penalty for such behavior. Perhaps Pelosi knows of a response more forceful than mere condemnation. Where's Bill Barr, chief law enforcement officer?
Regrettably, there are other remedies, none of which are to be advocated, but one can't have only one side playing by established rules. Perhaps a massive demonstration would fill the bill.
3
Let's all remember how the tax cut bill was prepared. McConnell's selected team of Republicans, and them only, met in secret with no one, not rank and file Republicans nor Democrats as part of the discussion. Certainly there was no opportunity for public discussion. The bill was then presented for a vote with no time even allowed to read what was prepared.
And, guess what, Democrats complained, but didn't run around like screaming wounded banshees.
These Republicans are the epitome and definition of hypocrites. If they do it, it is blessed by the Almighty. If Democrats do it, it is the depths of hell and actions of the Devil himself.
16
First, the impeachment inquiry is of course proper and legal. Republicans are only arguing process because the facts are seriously against Trump.
Second, Trump did commit clearly impeachable offenses - the Ukraine matter is a smoking machine gun. Trump's actions threatened (and weakened) our national security.
Third, Republicans epitomize hypocrisy. Benghazi hearings in secret, anyone? Republicans impeached Bill Clinton for lying about sex, but they think Trump's withholding Congressional military aid $ to Ukraine (our ally against Russia) for extorted personal presidential favors is not impeachable? It's the textbook example of an impeachable offense which warrants removal.
Fourth, if we do not realize that Fox News threatens our democracy along with Republican disinformation campaigns, then our nation is in worse shape than you may even realize. Democrats need to strongly counter the Fox News messaging which warps Republican views with lies. We are not living in fair or normal times. We must win this information war to save our democracy.
Finally, Republicans debase themselves and our government to save a disgraced, dishonest and incompetent person. Trump (aka "unindicted Co-Conspirator 1") is not worth it at all. Republicans could have Pence who at least would be more stable for our democracy. Republicans have to choose: our republic or Trump. Seems like a no-brainer to me, but that assumes those who will be voting on this will be using their brains.
10
In every article on the claims of Republicans about the process, NYT must state, in the same paragraph, high up in the story, that all Republicans on the investigation committees are in the same room as Democrats on those committees. Do not let them advance this propaganda that Democrats are shutting out all Republicans and conducting impeachment investigation in secret. In these perilous times, it is critical that the news media provide clear and factual information to offset the distortion and disinformation Republicans are spreading.
18
@abigail49 Well said.
1
So the NYT believes this inquiry process is fair and just? The Senate will dismiss anything that comes out of this secret effort.
Democrats are conducting this witch-hunt trying to distract from their lack of worthwhile accomplishment. Voters will not be fooled by this theater
3
@Ted Foster
It's not "secret." In fact, there are nearly 50 Republicans on the relevant committees who are welcome to participate. And after the committee hearings, they will present evidence and share discovery, and then there will be a trial in the Senate, where the accused can defend himself. It's just like any other trial. Try learning your facts.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/10/23/heres-why-matt-gaetz-sit-in-stunt-was-particularly-weird/
11
Why Did Republicans Storm the Capitol?
It's not because they’re "Running Out of Options."
It's because the republicans - and their constituents! - have run out of patience with Schiff's secret tribunal.
Shine the light!
2
@99percent
Not a secret. There are nearly 50 Republicans on the relevant committees who are welcome to attend the hearings and question the witnesses.
10
@99percent The hearings are being held according to rules instituted by the Republican majority during the Benghazi hearings into Secretary Clinton's actions. There are three seperate committees comprised of both Democrats and Republicans, and every committee member has the same amount of time to question each witness being deposed in these preliminary investigations.
So once again, what legitimate, well considered complaint do you have about the investigation?
4
@99percent Republicans are on these committees. There’s nothing secret about it. Republicans always turn to the thug option when things aren’t going their way.
1
It would help immensely if the NYT and other reliable media outlets would make it clear that these investigatory hearings are being conducted by standing House Committees and that these Committees include members of both parties who are in attendance at these hearings. To refer to them as "Democratic" hearings or investigations is, at best misleading and inaccurate. More importantly it leaves the impression and lends credence to the assertion that the investigations are somehow part of a conspiracy against Trump and the false claim that they are being held without Republicans present.
17
The investigating committees can fairly be called, Democratic Party run, as Republicans have inferior roles.
- Republican’s can’t call witnesses
- Republican’s don’t have the same rights to ask questions of witnesses as Democrats
- Some committee chairs make up rules as they go along
Democrats also selectively and secretly release information to media, denying the public the proper context and information that may go against the narrative Democrats are selling.
Democrats actions are destroying the credibility of their impeachment investigation. To fix this they should:
- Have a vote of the House to hold impeachment investigations. The Constitution gives impeachment power to the House, not the speaker. Investigation is part of impeachment powers.
- All hearings and evidence must be made public immediately. Part of Reps understanding how they should act should come from the people they represent. Not making the information public, destroys this essential mechanism of democracy.
2
@Richard P M
First, Republicans gave the majority party the sole subpoena power when they were in the majority- so thank the Republicans.
Second, if there was any information coming out of these hearings that favored Trump, you'd better believe that the Republicans on the committees would be leaking it. Crickets though- because the information confirms Trump's guilt. Period.
Third, these hearings are like grand jury hearings and need to be in private so as to avoid witnesses learning what other witnesses said. Given the 30 Republicans storming the bi-partsian hearings yesterday and creating a national security risk (not to mention witness intimidation), it is obvious that these hearings need to be conducted just as they are being run.
When articles of impeachment are presented, the information will be presented to the full House to support the charges.
2
@Richard P M
But aren't they the same rules that were in place & used the same way by the GOP in the Benghazi & Clinton impeachment hearings?
There was no problem with them then, if I recall. :)
2
Readers of the New York Times should read Fox News as often as possible. I do. There, the origins of actions taken by the GOP can be found. First, Fox News establishes a defense of the president almost like a script. The next important step, after the script is established, is to achieve publicity. The minute Ambassador Taylor made his testimony, the reaction on Fox News was to call the impeachment inquiry a witch hunt and the proceedings to be wrongfully secretive. The conference room was occupied by force to publicize this new spin and establish the President and the GOP as victims and not as criminals.
10
October 24, 2019
Absolutely a Editorial realty check of party maneuvering in this instance physical hustling and Republicans distractions from this import of National concern - such is prefect journalistic guardianship needed for the record. Trump is digging his own demise sic - perfectly and goodbye the sooner the better for all.
2
Republicans are comfortable with un-democratic tactics. Abusing power, unlawfully. Why change? GOP believes in self preservation regardless of Democracy.
3
The argument of Trump's lawyer, that the President cannot be investigated or charged for any crime whatsoever while in office, is in itself one of the most treasonous, anti-American positions one can take. To have it being made in defense of the current, sitting President is absolutely terrifying.
9
Every one of those congressmen who barged into the SCIF should have their security clearance revoked. They knowingly, willingly and gleefully violated the terms of their security clearance.
14
It's so sad that those that are supposed to be models of law-abiding citizens readily broke it for some political gain. One wonders whether those 30 who stormed the SCIF deserved to remain in the beloved Congress.
7
Desperate people in desperate situations do desperate things.
4
If the Democrats have the facts why are they holding these deliberations in closed door sessions?
2
@tmauel
There are both Democrats and Republicans on these committees. In fact, at least a dozen of the "protesters" are actually welcome to attend the hearings themselves. Instead, they choose to grandstand. So now a question for you -- if they are so concerned about the facts, why aren't they participating?
3
@Phil S. These hearings are suppose to be private yet they immediately leak the results.
The entire process is a sham and no way will a two thirds majority of the Senate vote to impeach.
1
With involvement of the likes of Gaetz and Jordan it's clear that actions of these so-called Freedom Caucus members is less than an intellectual enterprise concerning principle. Indeed, all that was missing were brown shirts and organized pledges to The Leader.
3
We need more people like Taylor to come out - this is a call out to you diplomats, scientists, and government employees who have knowledge - especially first-hand - of how this administration is defiling the Constitution, and promoting corruption and treason.
You took an oath.
Now is the time.
Americans like me need you to come forward.
Or maybe you like dictatorship, because you think you'll be safe?
Think about it and do what's right.
Please.
7
My God what a pathetic display of desperadoes it was!!!
That's what happens when sycophants in congress led by rep.Matt Gaetz, storms the basement close-door hearing 'skif'' with their cellphones, the same Matt Gaetz who has a police record with mug shots, but still have a seat on Judiciary Committee.
Sure when your dad was a member of the Florida State Senate at the time charges against Gaetz were dropped and his license was reinstated.
Congressman Gaetz has served on the House Judiciary Committee since the 115th Congress. His work defending President Trump on the House Judiciary Committee has earned him the title of "Absolute Warrior."
https://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2014/02/matt-gaetz-wants-to-talk-about-his-mug-shot-but-not-his-arrest-.html
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/matt-gaetz-mug-shot/
Apparently many of these GOP congressmen have a seat on the same Judiciary Committee that they storm like gang of street hooligans.
And to top all this insanity trump personal lawyer said. that if trump starts killing and murdering people randomly he can't be indicted.
If you think it's film noir cinema, yes!
It's film noir of our present reality.
7
Today's gate crashing was Gaetz and Jordan's "cover version" of the Brooks Brothers Riot.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooks_Brothers_riot
And it worked. It intimidated vote counters and canvassers. It shortened the vote re-recount.
Worst of all, it elected Bush-Cheney -- the biggest war criminals in American history.
So, NYT, don't dismiss this as just a stunt.
Intimidation is fear. And fear works.
5
Watching the gaggle of conservative "representatives of the people" staged a circus like spectacle under the grand white dome of Capitol Hill, one might conclude the whole world is going nuts.
So this is what Democracy American style has come to. Pity those rioting masked thugs in Hong Kong who wave USA flags demanding American style democracy from China. What a bunch of brainwashed fools.
2
A lawless gang of men intent on intimidating a female witness, I’m not sure why the Times can’t accurately describe the behavior of these thugs. Why do they always write, “start an investigation on Biden” instead of writing “manufacture a scandal around the Biden’s” since there was nothing to actually investigate.
4
I can't look at Matt Gaetz without thinking of Mark Twain's famous quote ( certainly not applicable to all members of the House): "Let's say I'm a Congressman, and let's say I'm an idiot, but I repeat myself."
7
The Republicans staging this little piece of fascist theatre ought to face some consequences for lying so brazenly to the publica that the Democrats are acting alone. If not, I wouldn't put it past them to help stage an outright coup.
4
Republicans stormed the impeachment inquiry because they do not believe in the U.S. Constitution. They continually attempt to disrupt the democratic process. They are Russian-backed traitors, and support a fascist dictatorship. Republicans are the enemy of the United States of America.
4
Take the matches away from the Republicans or they will try to burn down the Reichtag (US Capital Building) next and use the US Constitution for kindling.
4
I am so frustrated with the immaturity, lawlessness, lying and grandstanding of the Republicans. I've seen Elementary School children behave with more decorum, decency and maturity. Grow up!!!
4
No American political party has faced such challenge, and all of their own making. First, they put up a weak group of candidates and encouraged an amteur to jump in, soon after learning that Putin would be on his side and help with th effort. When Trump personally insulted a competing candidate and saw they wouldn't fight back, nor care about foreign influence, they chose to turn away from American ideals. They will not recover from such a blunder.
2
The short answer to your question is: because it worked - hearings are public going forward.
I wished the democrats had had the guts to storm into the numerous closed door meetings when the republicans hashed out healthcare or the tax reform...
1
The primary concern I have with the "stunt" done by some thirty of the Republicans who took over a closed-door House Committee meeting, defying House rules, shoving aside House Sargent at Arms, and violating the security of the special room they entered is that all of these actions challenge laws and protocol.
These men and women who represent the people of the United States, by barging into a closed meeting have just sent the message to this nation and the world that you don't have to respect decorum; you don't need to follow the rules; that you can break some laws with impunity just because you wish to do so.
I think this "stunt" could be viewed as setting a very dangerous precedent by lawmakers who decide to become lawbreakers. Where is the maturity, the respect for decorum, and the decency needed for an orderly way of doing governance?
Forming a mob of Congressional representatives and then storming a closed-door meeting demonstrates a complete lack of judgement on the members' part. They all should be voted out of office when they run for re-election. Disgraceful!
7
These clowns provided clear and convincing evidence that they know Trump is guilty as charged.
8
I can’t think of one Senate Republican who will vote against Trump
2
Can anyone tell me which Republicans were already in the hearing before the mob arrived? I've been looking and looking.
1
Reality tv ploy by reality tv president. Phony as a three dollar bill. A distraction that zhows what he thinks of his supporters. Not to mention: why noisily obstruct Justice and hire an army of lawyers to help you keep secrets if you are innocent of everything and have nothing to hide?
5
Hillary? Wasn't it Hillary? Will somebody please say it was Hillary?
Scalise? Jordan? Trey Gowdy, maybe? Somebody?
3
The Republicans are chickens running around with their heads cut off, still convinced they have a life as they hemorrhage any shred of decency and dignity they ever had.
4
I'm still waiting to see a list of each and every one of the thugs who took part in this.
7
The only ones waging war on the Constitution are Trump and the Republicans. The hypocrisy of Lindsey Graham and Trey Goudey and others is shameful. John McCain must be turning in his grave over his old friend's current antics. Make America Great Again! DUMP TRUMP!
4
Enough is enough already. We are in the midst of chaos. Any republican congress person at work is dishing out self serving garbage and trying sell it out as if it were for real. The struggling democrats are being overrun by the Republicans’ lockdown on any government. A total disgrace! I am shaking I my boots.
3
My God. Are we never to be rid of this odious, degenerate man and his legions of patsies? Can we get to the election fast enough?
5
I think my post got lost by accident.
This investigation is not one-sided, there are Republicans in the hearings as well, given equal time for questions, comments and reviewing written materials.
The band of merry idiots need to be held accountable for breaching House rules, compromising national security, witness intimidation, and obstruction. They should be sanctioned and be assessed a large fine. And if they don’t pay, garnish their House wages. The Traiter-in-Chief’s encouragement of this stupid ploy should be added to the list of articles of impeachment for obstruction of justice.
6
Beyond the cheap and hypocritical outrage, if only the Republican House and Senate could show some honest fortitude to defend our Kurdish allies who have been tossed, by Trump, into Turkey’s Erdogan’s ethnic cleansing clutches.
4
Put bluntly: they looked like clowns...
They need to do their jobs and defend the law of the land, not the lawless man.
5
The Republican Party has now officially sunk into a cesspool of shame and degradation previously unfathomable.
4
So, word is a bunch of the 'stormers' had reserve seats as committee members. What? Mad Matt Gaetz should ask to be reassigned to one or more of the committees authorized to participate. Or, is he already authorized, but needed the spotlight and microphone to please dear leader?
1
Congressmen storming the most secure rooms of the House Intelligence Committee - utterly lawless and reminiscent of the bus loads of thugs entering the Florida vote count in 2000.
Today President's Trump lawyer argued in court that Trump could not be prosecuted - or stopped - from shooting someone on 5th Avenue in New York.
He argued that a 45 year-old Justice Department memo that is not law but guidance provides the President with absolute immunity from any crime at all.
The police or any other first responder would be powerless to intervene in a crime involving President Trump, as long as Trump is President.
So if Trump decided to rape a 4-year old girl, or dozens of them, no one may intervene. Presumably the Secret Service would fight off and arrest the parents of the children the President was raping.
Trump could grab a bazooka and blow up Congress to stop his impeachment hearings. No person can stop him, interfere with him, or otherwise constrain him.
Enough. America did not elect a King. We fought a Revolutionary War to end fealty to royalty.
Enough. Trump and his attorneys and his sycophants and his bootlickers must be prosecuted.
I hope this happens through the Congressional Impeachment process.
If it does not, Trump will not find the same acquiescence for foreign manipulation in our sovereign elections.
He is a Russian asset. He wants to be a dictator and he advocates violence at his rallies, in Congress and even in federal court.
Stop him.
7
As it has been predicted in previous editorials, the administration is stooping lower and lower as more damning evidence surfaces. Their scorched earth approach is threatening serious and lasting damage to our form of government and way of life. If a president is above the law, then that president is an absolute ruler and our democracy will perish.
I wish we could have waited out until the elections but their serial violations of the laws and active undermining of the institutions of government mean that if no action is taken, even if this president is voted out, another will use this shameful precedent to abuse the office even further. Congress must continue their work, and we should write to our representatives and senators demanding that the rules be respected and institutions be protected.
3
While Republicans claim yesterday was about transparency, they're demanding it from the wrong people. They should demand it of Trump and WH administration. Had Trump provided the requested documentation, and allowed requested staff to testify from the beginning Republicans would have a point, but he didn't. So, the procedures and laws that pertain to the impeachment inquiry are what Republicans must accept! And those Republicans yesterday knew all of this beforehand. Therefore, they have to take their own Mulvaney medicine and GET OVER IT!
7
Trump's Newspeak is incredibly effective at firing up his base and moving more people to equate all personal happiness with the success of the Republican Party. Party above all. As long as the Party is thriving, I am happy. Anyone speaking against the Party is an enemy of the state, is an enemy of me.
Someone should write a book about this.
3
Here’s the problem: Americans are among the stupidest, most poorly educated people on the planet, and they are easily fooled by Trump and his Republican enablers. The mistake Democrats (and the mainstream media) make is that they think people are smart and can see through the nonsense. WRONG!
12
Gaggle? More like trump's gang of Republican thugs involved in a conspiracy with the president to sabotage our nation's legal due process and national security, led by representative Matt "the drunk driver" Gaetz. They even brought in their Israeli compromised (Pegasus) cell phones feeding live data to the Russians and Chinese from the SCIF as they LOL listening in to the chaos and dysfunction inside the SCIF room.
Perhaps the sargent-at-arms needs to be armed and prepared to use them, AFTER the Democrats LOCK the door this time. They should change the lock too.
"If a few rules and national security precautions got violated along the way [to help Putin], so be it."
No doubt the very"fine people" on the streets with the red hats will be "happy to oblige a president who has demanded to be protected at all costs" especially after he loses in 2020.
For Republicans trump shooting someone on Fifth Avenue is not a problem, but it's a capital offense should Hillary or Obama as president dare jaywalk across the middle of Fifth Ave. Incredibly that is no exaggeration!
“this phony emoluments clause”? That's an easy fix - it only take 3/4 of Republicans to vote to repeal that restraint - Democrat's vote don't count.
Trump has been exploiting his victim-hood to great wealth and power his entire life. It is time for him to grow up and be held to account.
2
They are morphing into the deeply deranged Trump mental state - when all else fails, mindlessly attack with irrational behavior. They acting the way they think "daddy" will approve.
How low and sickening the Republicans have sunk.
4
Methinks Republicans doth protest too much!
3
They’re just trying to get attention so the news talks about this instead of the quid pro quo with the Ukraine and Bill Taylor’s damning testimony proving corruption.
3
Gang GOP and trump are corrupt criminals. Trump conspired with this gang the day before. Witness tampering and intimidation is a felony. These thugs have no legitimate reason and should be held to the highest standards.
1
Will you please publish a list of the names of representatives who participated?
7
'Matt Whitaker, a former acting attorney general, asserted there were no grounds for impeachment because “abuse of power” — the essence of an impeachable offense — “is not a crime.” '
Poor stupid, ignorant Matt Whitaker, it doesn't have to be a crime it only has to be voted so by half of the House of Representatives. These guys are scared indeed. Even if the GOP Senate acquits, the well covered facts will now bring the public's love of country down onTrump and most GOP congressman up for election in 2020.
1
This charade was meant to rile up all those uneducated people that 45 loves.
6
Republicans say democrats following the constitution are using Soviet style tactics. That’s rich given Trump and a good many of his supporters in Congress are Putin’s puppets—a whole pack of commies!
3
Trump is lawless and apparently this bunch of followers joins him in being lawless.
3
My congressman, Ben Cline, was one of the wingnuts storming the SCIF and violating our national security protocols. It’s odd given how concerned he used to be about such protocols. In 2016 he went around leading “Lock Her Up” chants and telling everyone that Hillary Clinton deserved to be in prison for her emails. I wouldn’t be surprised if all of the SCIF stormers are similarly hypocritical—faux patriots who really only care about their own political party, because it’s through the party that one advances one’s career.
5
After we get rid of Trump, it would be wise to continue fumigating and cleaning out the closet, starting with Matt Gaetz of Florida. Probably one of the most loathsome and utterly shameless Republicans of whom obstruction of justice is his primary game. Remember when he tried to stop Michael Cohen from testifying? He's an amoral, sycophantic shill for Trump and will stop at nothing to defend the Liar-in-Chief. Matt Gaetz is clearly representative of everything that is wrong with the Republican Party.
9
What does it say about the Republican Party (of which I'm still a registered member) when they follow the lead of spoiled rich kid Matt Gaetz. This little weasel owes everything to his wealthy well-connected dad who was a powerful Florida politician. Matt, while making a clownish spectacle of himself, should. instead. explain what he knows about the murder of his college roommate, come out of the closet, and admit that daddy got him out of his drunk driving charge. This is who Steve Scalise, who clearly chooses not to make more meaningful a second lease on life, follows? Pathetic! Did I see known racist Steve King in that group of losers? These are surely the incarnation of the losers that Plato intended in his "Republic".
7
It’s unbelievable. Why can’t Gaetz and his cronies be arrested and charged?
2
Martial Law Mister President. It's time to Get With the Program and put America where it needs to be.
With Martial Law declared you can build your wall. You can put Hillary Clinton in jail. You can get rid of the Affordable Care Act.
You can do everything needed to make America Great Again.
And why not? Congress will be shut down. No more impeachment proceedings. Nothing to worry about. And best of all, no election in 2020.
Come on Sir, you can do it. Why not?
1
When do We March on Washington D.C.?
lt is time to show the occupant of the White House we are finished with his toxic behavior.
5
If you dumb it down to a 1st grade level, Trump supporters should be able to grasp the indictment/trial concept. Just print it in capital letters using Crayola crayons.
5
There's no squeamishness in this newspaper at calling traditional New Deal liberals "far left", though none would refer to themselves in that way, so is there some law against calling these Republicans what they are: right-wing zealots?
Or is the Times obliged to accept Republican branding ("conservative") no matter how meaningless or euphemistic the term is?
4
Wow! Do you think there was closed-door testimony given to both designated Republican and Democrat committee members during the Bengazi hearing? Errrr.... yes! Did non-committee Democrats storm the hearing room at that time and demand their participation in the investigative process? Errrrr.... no! Did the renegade protesting Republican Congressman make total fools of themselves by kowtowing to Trump in such a self-demeaming fashion today? Absolutely!
3
How many steps are left?
Desperation
Then what?
Capitulation?
Acceptance?
Good-bye.
It’s about darn time.
trump can lead his cohort, with gaetz wiping up the rear, to the outskirts where they can establish their little camp for miscreants.
1
It was certainly a very large, White wave that came crashing into the SCIF.
2
I just learned they stormed it because McConnell recommended they attack the process instead of the details. As many posters said pound the desk.
Send McConnell a message and donate to his opponent Amy McGrath.
Also someone please codify and inform us of all republicans who acted in this way so we can assist in their opposition and removal from office.
7
"Playing to the base" is the oft-quoted reasoning behind the increasingly desperate obstructive efforts of Trump and his remaining allies. And yet the base for Trump is nowhere near large enough to win him a second term in a general election.
The more farcical these antics, the less likely it is that undecideds and moderate republicans will join the base in 2020. This scorched-earth campaign by Trump is all but guaranteeing a landslide defeat, should he actually make it to election day. And if he thinks an impeachment inquiry hurts his feelings, wait until he wakes up having been trounced by Warren, Sanders, or Biden.
He should cut the best deal he can get and resign. Or, knowing his skills at dealmaking, maybe just skip to the second step.
3
Was this a "publicity stunt aimed at delegitimizing the impeachment investigation", or was it a commentary on the politicization of the security clearance? In the United States, the security clearance has become the weapon of choice for managing information and manipulating people. This time the Government used Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) against one of its own.
The only rationale that makes sense as to why the GOP is fighting so hard to block the impeachment investigation is that they are afraid that when it is all laid out on the table in the senate and for the public to see, it would be damaging to their party.
Imagine if nothing remotely illegal or impeachable happened at all. It would make sense to allow the House to impeach and then embarrass them in the Senate to boost election results for the GOP.
Instead, they are trying desperately to hide information. Trying hard to convince their GOP run senate that their propaganda is Truth. Similar tactic to mob movies. Can’t avoid trial? Disrupt the investigation. Can’t win the case? Control the jury.
5
Probably because they're frustrated. How do the democrats hold hearings in private but come out and comment how terrible things are going for Trump. Let's not forget this is America. Let the people hear everything. Let the republicans call witnesses. Let's hear it all.
1
@Julia
"Let's not forget this is America."
Another person who doesn't understand how her own country works.
4
They are gathering information, akin to a grand jury. The same was done with Clinton & Nixon, and with the Benghazi investigations- which the GOP conducted. Later, at the ‘trial’ in the senate, everything will be done publicly. Nothing is being done in secret, nothing is being concealed from the Republican Party members who also sit on these committees. There are rules, they are laid out in the Constitution.
3
My guess is the two dozen or so Representatives that tried to disrupt the hearings are all from heavily pro Trump districts so they can pull off a stunt like that and not worry about getting voted out of office. And show their Trump bonafides at the same time.
8
Trump and his minions' motto: Do as what i say, but not what i do. the hypocrisy of GOP arguing Trump cannot be questioned or investigated even if he "shot someone on 5th Ave" is simply absurd. so is USA a dictatorship now ? i really appreciate all these public servants, defying the "obstruction" instructions from this administrations, risking their careers, retirement benefits , came out to testify, telling the TRUTH--that is what Americans deserve and ask for.
5
Why?
Because they have no respect for the majority in the House doing their job, just as Trump does not have any respect for rules, laws and such.
Republicans, let's not forget, were the party of Joe McCarthy and Roy Cohn and now they are the party of Trump and Barr.
6
When is the last time you remember anyone in the GOP saying something that was actually true?
9
Just to clear things in Trumpland, could a reporter ask Him what is the definition of "quid-pro-quo".
Also while we are at it, can they ask him to point out Colorado on a US Map. Either with state names or not on the map?
Just asking?
8
Breaking news...this just in...
President storms into secure chamber on Capitol Hill where impeachment investigations had been held and opens fire on a political threat to his narcissistic personality disorder.
Fortunately, he did not know that the entire committee and all representatives were attending the Capital Rotunda memorial service held for the late Rep. Elijah Cummings. Therefore, his showboating distraction efforts were in vain.
At the crime scene were a few empty cartridges and a bucket of KFC.
Either way, his lawyers still claim had any crime been committed, he would not be arrested or prosecuted.
5
The behavior of the occupier of the White House and his congressional enablers scream “GUILTY” in the faces of the American public.
6
I strongly disagree..It was Trump using his faithful as an example for how he expects his white supremacist followers to behave when he is being threatened. Michael Cohen said Trump will never leave office peacefully..He has also mentioned a Civil War several times!!
2
I turned on FOX News last night, a good indicator of Republican status. Hannity was talking about Hillary and the Steele documents!
4
@Citizen: Thanks for the info, Citizen--unbelievable! It just needs to stop now.
The press and Democrats in the House are struggling to “message” the Trump Ukraine affair to gain support for impeachment. Trump’s reputation and performance as bully did not alienate his base. Trump’s reputation and performance as a liar did not alienate his base. Explaining the Constitution to his base, explaining how his actions have threatened our international standing and security, explaining emoluments are all missing the point most likely to gain traction with turning his base: Trump is a CHEATER. You do not have to know constitutional law or civics, you do not have to be a patriot or an intellectual. NOBODY likes a CHEATER. Let’s call him for what he is and see how it plays with the public.
4
Democrats need to stay tough on this--the right always lock down their party and get everyone to agree--no matter the immorality of the option...we on the left are too busy arguing particulars, standing in what one writer called our ridiculous little corner of "woke-actrity, " nitpicking and waiting to find the perfect candidate, who will have a spotless past, who will please every subsection of the Progressive left and center-left, who will keep the white working class AND the Black community AND the LBGTQ folks, and the environmentalists, and, and, and--EVERYBODY happy! Come on Dems! Hold these Republicans accountable! Stay tough Nancy Pelosi! Support your Democrats ladies and gents and forget the third party wannabees. The right is now as amoral, as corrupt and as crazy as it has ever been. The Republicans have stopped us from creating a better, more equal, just, healthier and happier country. They stopped Obama in his tracks and we let them! Time to hold their feet to the fire and show them there is a price to be paid for enabling and then becoming the traitorous, slimy, corrupt party of Trump.
2
It makes you wonder how many of them have been complicit with Russian interference. Note that the NRA, which has contributed mightily to their campaigns received significant funding from Russians.
The president's tweet has an hilarious dangling modifier--perhaps Freudian: "...I have an absolute right... to investigate... CORRUPTION, and that would include asking, or suggesting, other Countries to help us out!” Is asking other countries for help part of his investigative powers or part of the definition of "CORRUPTION [sic]."
Also note that, not content with trying to refute the Constitution, he's not comfortable even with the Magna Carta--the document that held, essentially, that kings were subject to the law.
4
@Justin Of course they're complicit. Why else would they have barged into the SCIF with their (bugged) phones?
2
While their conduct was reprehensible, this notion of bring cell phones into the SCIF constituting a national security threat is rubbish. Cell phones would only be a threat were classified discussions to be ongoing or were materials out that could be photographed. As any discussions would have stopped, the violation is of rules, not actual security. Stop trying to score points on the cheap. The real national security threat is allowing Trump to maintain power and make decisions. Therefore enabling Trump is the threat. Not some stupid concern for phones when you know they couldn’t actually have intercepted anything of concern.
1
Why did Republicans storm the capitol? Because they don’t think the rules apply to them. Why? Because that’s what they’ve been conditioned from a young age to believe.
90 percent of Republicans in the House are white males, and there’s a reason for that. When I watched this stunt transpire, I felt like I was in high school again. Boys got away with bad behavior because female teachers had a “boys will be boys” mentality. It drove the girls crazy to have to sit through class with these boys who played by a different set of rules. And naturally, these are the boys who ran for class president etc. They're also the ones who saw nothing wrong with leaning over to peek at a girl’s spelling test (because spelling is so hard, you know).
When I was a senior in high school, one of my friends tried to get me to run for class president against a guy who is basically Matt Gaetz, and I was like, why would I do that? That means I’d have to plan the class reunions and I don’t want to “reunite” with this bunch. That’s why the GOP looks the way it does — 90 percent white male in the House. The women are either sick of the white male dominance by the time they get out of high school, don’t want anything to do with the GOP, or they just marry these dummies and go with the flow. It’s pervasive. My little brother, for example, played around in college, took 7 years to get a bachelors degree but my dad kept paying for it. He told me I had 4 years, and he meant it. Why? Because boys will be boys.
9
With clowns such as Rep. Jim Jordan and Rep. Gaetz, the GOP clown car distraction continues. Squirrel!
I guess if you lack any meaningful defense, disrupt. This certainly means the Impeachment of Trump is inevitable in the House. The democrats are gathering a rock-solid case so the GOP senators will expose whether they stand for the Constitution or their tribe. I fear I know the answer to that one. Susan Collins, you have a chance to get it right for ONCE.
6
As of this morning I've stopped saying "impeachment" and started calling it the "empêchment," French for impediment.
1
Now Pelosi should have a vote to censure every unauthorized individual who broke into that room unlawfully.
4
When will they set fire to the Reichstag, I wonder?
Do these republicans have any idea how they are starting to sound and act like Hitler's supporters.
If We the People do not throw this entire republican party onto the ash heap of history there is a grave danger that there will be no more history.
The irony is this is just another hangover from Nixon's near impeachment; were we not subjected to the whim of whoever wrote that opinion in the Justice Dept. about presidents not being susceptible to indictment we might have seen Robert Mueller indict the so called man who squats in our White House.
Or maybe it really is all Obama's fault. If he had only left the Donald alone at that Press dinner; t rump might have gone on to other of his pet whines and slights.
He has accomplished one thing though; he has given permission to a lot of so called "tough, independent, pull em up by the bootstraps" kind of guys to whine, whine, whine all the time about almost everything.
Sad
10
GOP's been watching too many movies of Nazi storm-troopers.
3
Will you publish a list of the Republican congressmen who disrupted the hearing? I would very much like to know whether my own congressman was a participant.
I see no women among the protesters. Interesting.
7
They broke the law. The brought electronic devices to a secure hearing. One of them took video. Some of the "protesters" are on the committees holding the hearings and therefore are allowed to be in the room they claim they are being kept out of. They are liars and lawbreakers. They should lose clearances and they should be fined if not jailed. Like other citizens would be in similar circumstance. Like disabled protesters being hauled out by the capitol police for much less.
9
The stunt by the Republicans only proves that they are a political party that has run its course. They have sold their soul to the bankrupt ideologies of past Republican administrations, The sheer hypocrisy of this stunt, bringing cell phones that can be tapped into, eating piza and leaving trash behind, shouting is indictitive of a rejected South Park script. Now is the time for principled consevatives to bring forth a new conservative potical party with new ideas. As a progressive I find that a principled conservative political party which is based on sound intelligence serves as a foil to help sharpen the other side to help keep it on its toes. What we now have is in large part a bunch of immature frat boys acting like drunk college freshman during pledge week. They have forgotten that while one may have a political philosophy the key to being elected is to seve the public good. Political office should not be for the enrichment of ones ego or wallet. It is to represent the people as best as they can do so. It means to think & reason & not to reduce thier behavior to the level of a frustrated fourth grader.That is the north star that they should be moving towards. Yesterday we witnessed a worse case of regressive behavior by so called "responsible" adults. Absolutely disheartining and disgusting. This does not bode well for our future. Rick Wilson was right- everything Trump touches dies.
8
@DM - Sorry but there is no such thing as a “principled conservative.”
2
@Evangelist For Reality
Actually there are quite a few of us left, although we are admittedly a dying breed.
However, should you move that first quotation mark to following the word principled instead of preceding it, I'd agree in full with no problem at all. :)
Why Did Republicans Storm the Capitol?
If I had something to hide I would take desperate measures too.
We need to know what they are hiding.
6
@Studioroom
Republicans are also in these closed-door meetings.
Check out: https://www.usa.gov/ for all attendees.
Knowing the facts puts a damper on theatrics and conspiracies, is that the issue?
1
"That added to the uneasy sense that the president’s main impeachment defense may be that he is beyond the reach of the law."
Trump has lived his entire life as if he is beyond the reach of the law. And for the most part, he has gotten away with it.
Hopefully, the House and the Senate will do their Constitutional duty, and show Trump the limits of that lawlessness.
Really, Representatives and Senators, it's either Trump, or all the rest of us. And "us" includes you, whether you can admit that to yourselves or not. If you think otherwise, go back and read how those loyal to and closest to Stalin made out.
4
Bottom line:
Just as the euphemistic “collusion” should not have obscured the more meaningful term conspiracy, the vague “quid pro quo” should not hide the more familiar word extortion.
Trump conspired to commit extortion for his own political benefit.
6
There was no storming of anything. They walked into a closed door meeting that should have been open to all.
Why hold closed door meetings unless there is something to hide.
The whole impeachment thing is going nowhere it is a huge waste of time and resources and ultimately will result in Trump winning again.
2
@Jim
"They walked into a closed door meeting that should have been open to all" -- Not according to the rules they themselves imposed. Sauce for the goose, y'know. ;)
1
This was the fall-to frat stunt of privileged men with no ideas, no reasoning, and no power at all.
7
It reeks of the Florida hanging chad count, when Republican activists stormed the vote counting center and literally stopped the counting. That's what conservatives will do when it gets right down to it - violate the basis of democracy, because in their hearts they don't believe in democracy. Well, except for themselves...
8
So with cries of 'No fair', 30 Republicans stormed a room they were forbidden to enter and brought cell phones which are also forbidden. Are there penalties for this? Any fines? Any punishment at all for this immature stunt. It is to be hoped that they will be punished and/or fined for their disrespect and interruption of an important meeting. While it may only be a slap on the wrist, I hope it will also stigmatize and prevent them from sitting on these or other committees in the future.
4
Trump and his followers are following the advice of a well-worn legal dictum:
When the law is against you, argue the facts. When the facts are against you, argue the law. When the law and the facts are against you, bang on the table.
4
Will there be any formal censure or other consequences for these representatives? I realize that the pace and egregiousness of Trump & Co's rule-breaking makes it impossible to respond to each infraction, but looking the other way has only served to move the line of what's considered acceptable.
3
This is the sort of stunt you expect in junior high school. Just when you think this administration and its Republican supporters can't get any more unprofessional or unethical, they manage to find a new low. It's going to take a very long time -- post Trump et al -- for this country to regain its standing in the world community.
4
Keep in mind the fact that 48 Republicans sit on these 3 committees that they stormed into.
Why weren't they in their seats participating?
Because they had marching orders to make a "Fox News soundbite" moment to divert from the substance of the committee findings.
The substance is damning.
5
"Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the president's lead defender in the room, was tight-lipped as he emerged from the closed-door deposition for a lunch break. He praised what he described as GOP lawyers’ effective questioning of Taylor but declined to say whether it yielded exculpatory information."
So Jordan lied, too.
All republicans are no longer trustworthy, especially after this treasonous assault on our Democratic security. Every one who participated in this assault MUST have their security clearances revoked. We cannot afford to allow them to create a hostile workplace and harm our country.
I hope we prosecute every one who participated. If trump colluded, it must be prosecuted as well.
4
Why did Republicans storm the Capitol?
Well, certainly not to get to the "other side," which is decency and democracy.
They did it because they could. And why could they?
Because they are Trump Republicans--although in their juvenile "storming," they violated all kinds of rules in the congressional rulebook that would apply to anyone else who did what they did (i.e., storming, taking cell phones in the room and recording and taking photos, intentionally disrupting and delaying a witness's testimony for 5 hours, leaving pizza boxes strewn around the room because if you are a Republican you make messes, you certainly don't clean them up). Why?
Because rules are for Democrats and the little people, not Republicans.
And why are Trump-Republicans so disdainful and disrespectful of their own democratic government and Constitution?
Because that is what the Kochs, Mercers, and other big GOP libertarian donors pay their tea party, rabble-rousing Republican politicians to do.
Weakening, de-legitimizing, and making the U.S. government more ineffective by turning it into a circus. Why?
So these fat cats can make greater profits and operate their businesses and fortunes unfettered and unhampered by government regulations, taxes, and being held accountable for their corruption, misdeeds, and destruction of government, society, the free press, and the planet.
6
If you or I did this, we would be put in jail.
All of these congressmen should lose their security clearances. Full stop. All of these congressmen should be removed from any committees they serve on. Full stop. All of these congressmen should be rebuked by their party.
4
To my eyes, all the impeachment investigation is doing is furthering the Trump brand.
Trump is an entertainer. All entertainers need an audience. If he gets to run in the next election and is defeated, his whole “loser/winner” schtick goes out the window as he become the loser. Bad for the brand.
If he does get impeached, he does not “lose” an election and can sell the whiny little “It’s a witch hunt” line to his followers forever. And, he doesn’t have to bother pretending to do the work of being the president anymore. Imagine what his speaking fees will be.
If the impeachment proceedings continue and he is not impeached, he can brag to his followers how much of a winner he is. He could even decline to run in 2020 and still sell his brand.
The outrage and outrageous behaviour is all a marketing ploy.
@Buttons Cornell It's not going to work this time. Sure, he's inflaming his basest supporters, but now those centrists who thought Hillary was a criminal and either voted for Trump or stayed home are more likely to vote for the Democratic nominee now that it's been made abundantly clear that Trump IS in fact a criminal.
1
“A house divided against itself, cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become lawful in all the States, old as well as new — North as well as South”...Abraham Lincoln.
No matter the issue, what is different in the year 2019 between all Americans and between the 7.7 billion humans on earth???
1
That the members who invaded this secure facility are not facing expulsion from the House and felony charges constitutes a clear example of "Republican privilege."
To paraphrase the words of Donald Trump, "Lock them up! Lock them up! Lock them up!"
3
This stunt was about one thing only: Preventing a Trump endorsed, revenge-based challenger from coming for their seat in the next election.
Is Richard Nixon’s ghost at work here ?
Every one of the 30 Republicans who invaded that deposition should be censured by the House and fined, and those who brought their cell phones along should be censured and fined for that as well.
A separate count in the Articles of Impeachment should deal with the President conspiring to have disruption of legitimate proceedings in the House take place. This frat boy thuggery and Presidential contempt for Constitutional process is outrageous.
4
Do the Republicans protest about secret and one sided grand jury proceedings?
1
Several possibilities (at least) have become apparent. 1) Most politicians have never read our Constitution, or 2) Most politicians know that most citizens have never read the Constitution and are exploiting that tragedy by manipulating how they communicate their actions, or 3) Mr. Trump has never read the Constitution (e.g., “fake Emoluments Clause”, how Impeachment really works, etc.). I suspect the 2 & 3 are at the heart of why our country is facing such calamity during this impeachment investigation. Since most politicians are attorneys it would stand to reason that passing the bar requires a knowledge of, well, the law. Ergo the answer, in part is #2. As for this president, Mr. Trump wouldn’t be in his current predicament if he had rad the Constitution.
I’m perplexed by the continued stream of inexactitudes foisted upon the public. How do Republicans look in the mirror and square their actions and words when they know damn good and well that the Constitution is the guiding document in all they do yet fracture it without any moral conscience. We are in an age of lie until you get caught and then lie some more to get out of your mess.
6
Holding secret hearings is reminiscent of Stalinist Russia.
3
It’s not a secret hearing; it’s interviews and fact finding akin the grand jury testimony, which is also held in private. In addition, these interviews and questions are being conducted by democrats and republicans on the committee. It appears as if the room storming stunt has had the desired effect—to sow confusion about the process and inflame emotions.
28
@John Murray While the information being weighed during this PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION to determine if there are impeachable actions by the president is not open to the public, both Democrats and Republicans who sit on specific committees are in the hearings and have equal opportunity to participate and ask questions. These are the rules and exactly the way Republicans have conducted these things in the past. The findings and outcome will become public. What IS “Stalinist Russia”, as you say, is trump’s “personality cult” and attempts to destroy the legitimacy of the free press and control the narrative. The claims of “fake news” and outright lies perpetuated by trump and his administration is closer to “Stalinist Russia” then any attempt by the Democrats to get to the truth.
7
@John Murray If they're secret, how do you know about them?
4
Title of the article reveals the whole problem with the Impeachment. " As more testimony is disclosed". Have heard countless times this 'inquiry' is 'like a Grand Jury". Yet, every last detail, the ones harmful to the President, manage to find their way to the press. This is a Trial by Public Spectacle, facilitated by Leaks and conducted without any rebuttal at all. It is what would have happened if Blasey-Ford could have made her charge from behind a veiled curtain and Kavanaugh not allowed to present any defense to her claims. Knock yourselves out. 22 Candidates in the field and not one of them who can defeat Trump in Nov 2020. Damage to your party will be irreversible. So keep going.
6
Why are there no leaks that are positive? How can it be a public spectacle if the hearings are being held in private? Why does there need to be rebuttal when it’s not a trial?
18
@GregP It's funny how none of this was a concern during the eleven Benghazi hearings conducted against Hillary Clinton -- hearings which concluded with Trey Gowdy ruefully admitting that there was no substantive evidence against Ms. Clinton, and no evidence of wrongdoing.
Now, presented with facts that are indefensible, Republicans wish for us to believe that it's unfair for poor Mr. Trump's actions to be held to public scrutiny. After witnessing the unfairness with which Republicans gleefully pursued Hillary Clinton, I would be inclined to be sympathetic toward them except for one fact --
Donald Trump is guilty as sin, will be impeached, and should be removed from office.
59
@GregP
These hearings are not remotely like the Kavanaugh hearing where Blasey-Ford testified. This is not a confirmation hearing. This is an impeachment inquiry. The Watergate investigation progressed in similar fashion. The House held committee hearings in private before it offered evidence in public.
BTW - Surprise, surprise! When Republicans held the Benghazi hearings, they had a competely different opinion. Witnesses first testified in private sessions with the Select Committee. Mike Pompeo was on this Select Committee, so he knows this. This process has been followed countless times since the creation of Congress, most notably and recently, in the Benghazi hearings. Republicans all know this.
Trey Gowdy, the former South Carolina congressman who headed the Benghazi hearings in the House, once said: “The private ones [hearings] always produce better results.”
36
Soviet style investigations don't cut it with me or most Americans who want due process and not the closed door dirt digging that with leaks to the public that suit only the Democrat agenda. Pelosi's henchman Schiff has lied repeatedly and is a disgrace. Nothing is getting done in the House except this impeachment nonsense. Out of spite, Pelosi refuses to send the USMCA agreement to the floor for a vote. Democrats don't have the best interests of our nation.
2
The members from both parties who were supposed to be in that room were operating in a perfectly legal and appropriate manner. To call it Soviet style antics is at best naive and at worst pure ignorance. Perhaps too much Fox “News” ?
12
@MCH
When one speaks of lies and then defends the greatest liar of all with lies, than lies is all you have.
9
It's just bad form for the Republicans to pay any sort of attention to the Democratic antics. Secret, behind closed door meetings, withholding transcripts, hiding so called witnesses and not allowing for cross examination and standing before cameras and making bold faced lies about what was said, and not taking a House vote on impeachment will in the long run not stand. It's all political theatre at its worse.
If there is clear evidence that the President did indeed take actions which are impeachable, then he should be. But it needs to be done in a very open and transparent way. This is an extremely important matter for our country and our people and anything less will not be tolerated. The burden of proof is on the Democrats let them rise to the occasion in a fashion that is befitting of their party or otherwise allow them to crawl back into their hole from whence they came.
4
The bipartisan hearings are being conducted like every set of hearings happening under these circumstances. Both Democratic and Republican members of Congress serve on each committee, and report back to the other members of their party. Don’t let yourself be hoodwinked by the political theater of the members of the Republican caucus who choose to break tradition and the law by disrupting a closed door deposition of someone who might be discussing classified information. They broke the traditional civility of the Congress, by trying to disrupt this process, presumably because they didn’t want the person being deposed to say whatever she said. They broke the law when several of these Representatives took their personal cell phones into a secured area- actions that would get a member of the military or an employee of the State department fired and perhaps prosecuted. Several of the people participating in this action already have the clearances to serve on such committees-they just aren’t appointed to this one. They know exactly how these committees work, and that the findings will be released in good time. Pay attention to what is really going on here, not just the entertainment factor.
7
@Kurt Pickard
Maybe you could try rereading this editorial a little more slowly. Read for comprehension. All of your points are addressed here. This is standard operating procedure for investigations of this sort. Republicans followed the exact same procedures when investigating Benghazi.
5
You are aware, aren’t you, that these secret closed door meetings aren’t secret? They’re not public, but they’re attended by Republicans.
Seriously, there’s no “if”. Trump’s impeachable acts are public knowledge. He’s admitted to them, denying only that there’s anything wrong with them. He told Pelosi himself the conversation was perfect.
The investigation is marshaling evidence that the abuse of power was comprehensive and widespread. The only real question is convincing 20 Republican senators to put country before party.
6
How about the more obvious reason. The House is conducting business, ie impeachment, without including the minority party is the process.
2
@Kent Kraus All the Republicans on these committees are participating in these hearings. Over 40 Republicans got to question Ambassador Taylor during his hearing. But Trump, et al want to pretend that's not true.
37
@Kent Kraus
Wrong, Mr. Kraus. Please read the article before you make such claims. It states toward the end that "Republicans are in every hearing room that Democrats are in and able to ask their own questions." The Republicans concerned are those that are on the appropriate committees that are conducting the investigation. The Republican thugs that interrupted the testimony yesterday are not on the committees connected with the investigation, thus they have no business invading confidential hearings.
The Repub's complain about "procedure" being violated all the time, and yet they are the greatest culprits so far in violating procedure with this brown shirt behavior.
12
Republicans are not being excluded.
47 Republican members of the relevant committees conducting the impeachment inquiry DO have access.
13 of the Republicans who disrupted and delayed yesterday’s deposition are members of these committees.
9
Dream on.
In one sense, you are right, the Republicans had no option but to protest since the Democrats refuse to have witnesses testify in an open court.
The Dems downfall will be their utter blindness to the supremely ironic truth that the party of ostensibly radical inclusion has locked the doors in order to control the narrative.
2
@Hugo Furst
First, this is not an "open court" proceeding: the impeachment equivalent thereof will come if the House votes for impeachment and the Senate conducts the trial, in which each of the senators is a jury member. That's your "open court."
This current procedure is akin to a grand jury, as many articles and letters have pointed out, that is gathering evidence and different points of view.
Yes, the Democrats are controlling the process (as Mick Mulvaney pointed, elections do have consequences) but there is most certainly Republican representation in these hearings and they are free to question all the witnesses.
Let's see what the complete narrative brings: As Trey Gowdy, who chaired the Benghazi hearings, said: "The private ones (hearings) always produce better results."
It seems as if this will all play out in due time.
6
What’s the difference between this protest and the Democratic “resistance” which was made such a big deal of a couple of years ago except that this time it’s no joke but a true revolt of the Republican rank and file against the Democratic attempt to hijack the process?
1
As someone who voted for neither Hillary nor Trump, I want to see open proceedings. This closed door business stinks like dead fish on the beach. If you think you’re going to get rid of the elected president of the USA via not-an-election, then you need people to acquiesce along the way. They don’t have to like the outcome, but they do need to concede that the process was objectively fair. Closed door hearings are not fair, not when the media has been against Trump 100 pct since the day he was elected.
It is possible to win this battle and lose the war. Don’t do that.
2
I believe this is being handled appropriately. Republicans are part of these investigative hearings. When this goes to the Senate, it will be public. The Benghazi investigative hearings were handled this way. If this was done in public, it would turn into a circus, which would not be helpful at all.
7
@A Contributor As a reminder, this is the way that preliminary investigations are generally handled. During the Benghazi hearings (when Republicans tried to smear Hillary Clinton), many sessions were held in private. Early deliberations in Bill Clinton's impeachment were also not held in public. Republicans are present at the hearings and are questioning witnesses. Having this happen without cameras present means that there will be less grandstanding and speech making, and more information of substance revealed. Most importantly (like a Grand Jury inquiry), private deliberations prevent potential witnesses from coordinating their testimonies (something that's easy to envision with this White House). If you think this is about "getting rid of the elected president," rather than lawmakers doing their constitutional duty, then you have already fallen prey to Republicans' attempts at diversion.
8
@A Contributor
Perhaps you should make sure you know your subject before making a bold assertion. The public hearings are coming. The closed door hearing is akin to a Grand Jury. All Grand Jury testimony is secret.
Once the public hearings commence we will all be able to hear the fact witnesses testify. Once the facts are revealed I submit public sentiment will change. We will see how pervasive the conspiracy is when we hear all of facts. Most interesting will be how the evidence of the phone call was buried on a Top Secret server. Even more interesting will be the other calls on the server.
I'm certain there will no discussion of the facts by any Republican. The wall is crumbling.
Time to measure everyone for their orange jumpsuits.
p.s. The media have a great role to play in a democracy. A free press is essential to our existence. Crooks need to know someone is watching.
8
The actual answer is simple:
There is no justification for House Intelligence Committee holding these hearings. It should be done by Judiciary, or Ethics.
There is no connection to intelligence matters and Trump's phone call.
Zero.
It's a cheap stunt by Pelosi and Schiff, and they richly deserve as much disruption as can be thrown at them.
9
@objectivist - Oh, so you don’t have a problem with trump’s obstructionism, lying, or subversion of our electoral system. Your issue is with the wrong Congressional committee conducting the investigation.
Cut me a break. Enough of these objections to the process (which happens to be spelled out in the Constitution). Why not simply defend trump’s actual behavior? One simple reason: there is no defense.
He is going down, and not a moment too soon.
423
@Objectivist There was a whistle blower complaint that was filed regarding Trump's actions toward Ukraine where the individual believed illegal activity was occurring. Trump's violations were not just ethical infractions but abuse of power and were directed to the branch of government that is responsible for oversight of the executive branch. The committees doing the investigation jointly are allowing witnesses to provide information to all three committees at the same time which is far more efficient than if each committee called each witness separately.
The whistle blower complaint provides all the justification needed to gather all the information to get answers on this matter. Did Trump abuse his power? How did he abuse his power? Was he justified in his actions - was he acting on behalf of the American people or just himself and did he have the right to make the decisions he made?
Sadly their investigation is not a stunt.
And where did you fall on the Bengazi hearings which Kevin McCarthy admitted was just a political stunt to damage Hillary Clinton? I guess you were fine with that. How long did that investigation take and were you saying that those hearings deserved disruption?
148
@Objectivist No, you are grossly mistaken. The Constitution is quite clear: The House has sole power of impeachment. The House is controlled by the Democrats.
Elections have consequences... Right?
There are no stated or institutionalized "Rules" for impeachment, so however the House majority wants to do it is the way it gets done. Republicans do not get to set the rules.
Meanwhile, there is a perfectly valid reason for holding sessions in secret, similar to a Grand Jury investigation leading to an indictment, and that reason is to prevent giving people an opportunity to compare notes and make up alibis for themselves and/or the subject of the investigation.
128
The editorial is somewhere out there in left field. The accusations against former VP Biden ARE NOT baseless. He appears to be a serial offender in INFLUENCE PEDDLING. Maybe I need to reread the statute books where it says, "A Democrat cannot be punished."
2
Actually the facts are as VP Biden was pursuing the Obama administration's policy, supported by several Republican senators, and our European allies to force a prosecutor named Sholkin out of power as their lead prosecutor because he failed to investigate corruption.
The clock ticks, time passes. In the beginning impeachment was about undoing the result of the 2016 election, it is now about effectively preventing the 2020 election from even taking place by derailing a candidate they fear they cannot beat on election day. Can't the voters make that decision? Don't the Dems trust them? Are they trying to short-circuit the electoral process? Impeachment is do-or-die for them, what do they do if they lose, is there a Plan B for the Dems? Fear powerfully concentrates thought and motivates action.
9
@Ronald B. Duke Impeachment is also about holding accountable criminal acts. As recently as Mueller the pro-Trump cry was that there was no collusion with a foreign power to influence an American election. Now that there is, the defense is that everything, including an inquiry and trial for high crimes, should be left up to the 2020 electorate. Sorry, but those simply are not the rules; that's simply not how the Constitution works. You don't get to commit crimes and stay above the law.
231
@Ronald B. Duke
Impeachment inquiry is clearly appropriate. Anyone opposing this has abandoned American values of constitutional government.
A vote to impeach is seeming pretty appropriate as well.
Some may choose not to convict. We will listen to their reasoning. But after the Mueller investigation, returning to pleas for international interference shouldn't gain much support from anyone who values our democracy.
114
@Ronald B. Duke
It seems quite clear by now that the president - engaging in shadow diplomacy - withheld congressionally approved funds against a vulnerable foreign ally for his personal gain. If this were merely a case study, most constitutional experts regardless of their political bent would consider this a "high crime or misdemeanor."
The 2020 election is going to take place with or without Trump, but sometimes it's not just about politics. It's about right and wrong and asserting the strength of the republic, the constitution, and the separation of powers. That's what's really happening here.
53
Distractions is the name of the game in media these days in politics and the media. Still it's fun to see Republicans squirm over Trump. Not as much as watching Democrats squirm but fun none the less.
This is the never-ending Trump reality show.
Unfortunately, these kind of stunts and the tweets and the Fox News' almost all pro-Trump interpretations and the whirling helicopter press sessions and Trump's rallies get more widespread dissemination -- and are more watched and read-- than the "under oath" written statements and depositions being given to the 3 Committees.
Any attempt, current or future, to hold Trump accountable, went seriously downhill when Mueller had all of Volume II of the Report lined up for several 25 yard field goals and then decided not to put the kicker on the field. Took a knee. Turned the ball over to AG Barr. On 10 possible counts of obstruction. I wanted him to at least try to test those OLC Memos about not indicting a sitting president.
The Democrats are going to allow themselves to be bullied by Trump World. Because, in reality, the Democrats care about following the rules, and Trump World cares only about winning.
What kind of life lesson is that for the rest of us and our children?
Distract from what facts? The ones that are selectively leaked by secret hearings where the opposing party( Republicans) does not get a copy of the transcripts and where the President does not have due process? The ones that are reported by a biased media?
The Republicans are asking for open, public hearings where the witnesses can be cross-examined and where the nation can hear first hand the testimony and make up their own mind on the merits of a case against the POTUS.
5
@samuel The witnesses can be cross-examined in the Senate Trial. This is an "investigation" being done by both Republicans and Democrats on the Intelligence Committee.
I can't understand why people don't understand that--It's the LAW.
1859
@samuel You do realize that the hearings are attended by both GOP and Dems? Like any good investigation (before charges are filed) they are conducting interviews of key witnesses. Once the investigation is complete, then impeachment articles are written (when warranted) for the House to vote on. If he is impeached, the Senate serves as a jury during which legal teams represent evidence to either support or refute the articles of impeachment. The "due process" comes about if charges are filed- similar to typical court proceedings. PLEASE take some time to learn about the process and don't be fooled by partisans.
1528
@samuel And that will happen if articles of impeachment are drawn up and voted on and the "indictment" goes to the Senate. Then Trump will have his day in court.
Until then, let the committee, composed of both Republicans and Democrats, do its job - collect the facts and the evidence.
624
If those 20 GOP members want to be present during the confidential part of the inquiry they simply have to talk with their leadership and get assigned to one of the 3 committees that are conducting this. There are about 42 GOP seats in the room just ask to get one of them. Most of those who have access are not even showing up - its not a pleasant thing to see your guy being shredded to pieces by the truth. Trade committee assignments with some of them if you really want to be in the room. Alternatively you can wait until the transcripts have been evaluated and redacted for confidential/secret information that obviously cannot be released to the general public.
3
So who were the 13(?) GOP reps that were on the stairs and on the committees? Shouldn't their constituents be calling their offices to register displeasure?
2
The GOP has always placed itself above the law; they'll say or do anything if it gives them attention-grabbing headlines in the Far Right media.
5
I think the Democrats are making a massive mistake in not making it perfectly clear every day and every way that Republicans are also in the closed meetings and are asking questions along with the Dems. They should also make sure everyone knows this is exactly how the Benghazi investigation was lead by Republicans. The average person on the street needs to hear this information over and over again. Most of us don’t know the ins and outs of how Congress conducts its business.
15
@Margaret Doherty
Let your fingers do the walking:
https://www.usa.gov/
I don't think the people who are up in arms are looking for facts, they are looking for the means to light a fire.
What is the point of freedom or freedom of information when people want (need) to be spoon fed. btw: Spoon fed nations are usually dictatorships in the business of manufacturing consent. Always a good idea to do your own research, it's just a click away (for now)!
"There are, in fact, plenty of good reasons Democrats are operating behind closed doors for now."
This is horrible and dangerous disinformation, which the Times should correct immediately.
Democrats are NOT operating behind closed doors. Both Democratic AND Republican members of the appropriate committees are conducting these hearings. Republicans are not at all closed out of the hearings. Democrats who are NOT on the appropriate committees are ALSO NOT ALLOWED into the hearings.
Correct this disinformation immediately.
22
So we've had leaks from the non-public meetings and shaping by Democratic members of Congress.
I assume everyone who think's this is ok was very comfortable with Attorney General Barr putting his spin on the Mueller report in the spring.
1
How do we know they’re democrats leaking this? Both parties are in the committees.
I just read where Lindsay Graham and Moscow Mitch now plan to issue a resolution from the Senate condemning the House Impeachment Investigation. Its clear that the Republicans in both Houses of Congress will get highly inventive going forward to try to distract or deflect on Trump's behalf so that the American people don't see the situation for what truly happened.
I trust that Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Shumer are thinking through the steps and the types of actions that the Republicans might do (however unlikely they may seem) and start taking steps to pre-empt or rapidly respond to the most disruptive and egregious of those Republican efforts.
Clearly the GOP wants to either mischaracterize the real facts of Trump's actions or to muddy or extend the Investigation process to cause people to believe the Dems can't get to an investigative conclusion. In either case Mr. Trump may walk away and not be held to account.
I used to be a sustaining member of the RNC. But not for the last 15 years as the GOP has gone more and more to the right and to the benefit of the wealthy. I freely admit I am a "NeverTrumper," but in view of how the Republicans are acting at this point to protect a President who is clearly guilty of obstruction, collusion, solicitation of foreign support in his election, etc., there is a great chance I will become a "NeverRepublican" to never vote for this party again. The Constitution and rule of law must be upheld and the President is not above the law.
5
"But, mostly, it’s about all they’ve got."
It's certainly not all they've got. They got numbers in the Senate and no sense of shame or patriotism.
7
Why doesn't the first sentence of any report on impeachment hearings indicate that both - and only - Democrats AND Republicans who sit on these committees are present?
8
Amazingly, these juveniles were voted into place by the public. Maybe it's time for the voters to take a good look at the folks running to make certain that they are adult enough to do the job, that they know the low, and understand the constitution. Maybe we need to ask all politicians these questions.
3
How do I find-out if my representative was one of the 30 hoodlum representatives?
17
@Joe Mc
A list can be found here:
https://www.emptywheel.net/2019/10/23/gop-republicans-stage-brooks-brother-riot-2-0-to-emasculate-their-own-power-of-the-purse/
2
Even as Trump whines about being "lynched," he sends a mob to disrupt the due process of the law.
This makes perfect sense in Trumplandia.
22
When the evidence is incontrovertible and damning - attack the investigators, attack the witnesses, distract, obstruct and obfuscate.
This is going to be a losing strategy, as the Republicans well know. Trump’s conduct had been patently impeachable and then some. See you in the Senate.
11
The GOP is on the ropes, and behaving in an un-American way in order to keep their dim loyalist in office.
9
Hoist on his own petard!
4
Every American should be required to read 'A Study in Tyranny' by Alan Bullock. Even though it was published in 1953 the lessons for today are chilling.
4
@GregB
I add to Bullock's book: Hannah Arendt's book: "The Origins of Totalitarianism" (1951)
Just as relevant today
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/12/17/how-hannah-arendts-classic-work/
I certainly hope those Republicans in Congress who are not openly supporting the president will remember what he called them--human scum-- when the opportunity to remove him comes.
4
I could only think of the similar tactics used by the Brown Shirts in 1933 Berlin disrupting the Reichstag.When do they stage the fire?
6
New York Times: Please publish the names of the Republicans, and the districts they represent, who stormed into the closed door meeting, which they were not authorized to be at, and also broke security protocols by bringing cell phones into the secure room.
19
@scotto
According to two sources.
Republicans who stormed the closed-door meeting even though they are allowed into the meetings because they sit on the relevant committees *
Paul Gosar AZ-4*
Jody Hice GA-10*
Steve Watkins KS-2*
Mark Meadows NC-11*
Lee Zeldin NY-1*
Jim Jordan OH-4*
Scott Perry PA-10*
Fred Keller PA-12*
Ralph Norman SC-5*
Mark Green TN-7*
Ron Wright TX-6*
Carol Miller WV-3*
Those who are not allowed in as per age old rules because they do not sit on the relevant committees:
Andy Biggs AZ-5
Debbie Lesko AZ-8
Duncan Hunter CA-50
Matt Gaetz FL-1
Michael Waltz FL-6
Bill Posey FL-8
Ross Spano FL-15
Buddy Carter GA-1
Drew Ferguson GA-3
Steve King IA-4
Russ Fulcher ID-1
Roger Marshall KS-1
Steve Scalise LA-1
Andy Harris MD-1
Vicky Hartzler MO-4
Greg Murphy NC-3
Mark Walker NC-6
David Rouzer NC-7
Bill Johnson OH-6
Kevin Hern OK-1
Markwayne Mullin OK-2
Jeff Duncan SC-3
Louie Gohmert TX-1
Randy Weber TX-14
Pete Olson TX-22
Brian Babin TX-36
Ben Cline VA-6
Alex Mooney WV-2
Bradley Byrne AL-1
Mo Brooks AL-5
Gary Palmer AL-6
https://www.businessinsider.com/republicans-stormed-closed-impeachment-hearing-but-were-allowed-to-attend-2019-10
https://www.reddit.com/r/VoteBlue/comments/dm4fxt/list_of_republicans_who_stormed_the_closed_door/
4
Pathetic display of servility.
7
Too bad we can't remove them all from office immediately. They are not acting like men who give an oath to the constitution, they are acting like spoiled adolescents who can't get their way.
How can they look at themselves in the mirror? The men are as disgusting as Donald J Trump.
11
The rules of these types of proceedings were signed into law in 2015. They were signed by John Boehner, and supported by the Republican majority.
17
The dozens of Republican representatives who did not participate should be fuming, because the entire GOP caucus has now been dragged to Louis Gohmert / Steve King level stupidity.
5
Well, they showed the president what a lynch mob looks like - one out to lynch democracy.
What's next? Book burnings"
8
It was yet another audition for 'Trump Favors'.
"Look at me, look how high I jump, look how loyal I am."
Allegedly Trump had given a thumbs up for this casting call to take place the day before.
All of these people know or should have known, as members of Congress, the rules for closed-door investigations i.e. only Republicans and Democrats who sit on the committees in question are allowed access.
5
"Why Did Republicans Storm the Capitol?"
To get to the other side ... badum-ching
156
@John Most underrated comment I've ever read on the NYT. Well played, sir.
15
@John
Thank you John for making me smile.
I love a rotten joke.
18
@John
To get to Hillary's emails.
Ba Da Trump, tish
46
Surely there must be some rule, regulation, or statue for which these whiners could be cited, arrested, and prosecuted. If you or I were to do what they did, we would be hauled off in chains.
2
I strongly disapprove of the Congressional representatives absurd and disruptive antics in the SCIF yesterday. I do not expect members of Congress, regardless of party, to flout rules. They are there to set an example, not disrupt a perfectly legitimate process. If these representatives have something to say about the substance of the claims against President Trump, there will be a time to speak. They already have Republican representatives present in all of these closed-door hearing. In the meantime, they should conduct themselves with the dignity expected of someone in high office. I hope the Sargent at Arms penalizes these representatives for their behavior. This is not acceptable!
6
I’d say hang on to the simple: we elected a guy who’s been a lazy dope and a crook his whole life, he’s acted like a crook and a lazy dope in office, now that he’s shoved out the adults his worst tendencies have come out to play in the sun, the majority of Republicans are holding their noses because they figure they’re getting stuff they want and because they’re scared, and right-wingers are sticking up for the guy because they’re racists who hate the actual America and want to build this other one.
Oh, and did I mention Trump’s weird adoration of wannabe Mussolinis? How about the absolute faithlessness of too many evangelicals?
10
The republicans demonstrate that their main goal is to do away with the Constitutions period. Therefore it is up to the American voters to deny them their goal—fascism—and vote for anyone who is an adherent of “we the people”.
4
Is this not a cover-up in and of itself? Is this not treason?
2
Trump's thugisnish as now infected the entire GOP---they are not a group of policy makers, they have been reduced to Tony Soprano lite enforcers.
4
This was a demonstration of the anti-con(stitutionalists), the white-privilege-matters, and the mega-donor-serfs against fairness and rule-of-law that suddenly isn’t working in their favor.
A bunch of triggered snowflakes if I ever saw one.
(Hey, GOP members of Congress have been quoted by this very paper using the same language)
4
Trump's supporters want a King, not a President. Judge Kavanaugh said that if the President thinks something is unconstitutional, then it is. https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/06/politics/brett-kavanaugh-president-ignore-laws-unconstitutional/index.html
5
To the writer of this article: Language matters. Word choices are important and I want to point out that the writers and editors of this paper have fallen into the same rhetorical trap that propagandists use to drive us apart. In describing this event, you, and many other news outlets, talk about the Democrats holding hearings. Democrats aren’t holding hearings, Congressional committees are, and Republicans are able to participate fully. In the same vein, Democrats didn’t call for the Sergeant of Arms to restore order, the Committee Chairs did. By identifying government officials by their political parties instead of their government titles in a story about disruption of their official duties you are feeding into the tribalism that is destroying American political discourse. It’s also lazy writing. Please stop.
13
"Russia...Russia...Russia!" Now, it seems like the Republican "conservatives" have heard of "Russia" and the "Soviet-style." Which they knew nothing about (during and after the 2016 election) until today!
These "conservatives" are insurgents. Radicals.
Trump is toast. And it's all over except the kicking and screaming. Which you saw today in the SCIF...
2
All older, all straight, all white; all terrified that one day straight white men in this country will be treated the same everyone else. A perfect band of lackeys for the President who fears this as well.
3
Why? Because rules don’t apply to republicans. All the animals are equal but, apparently, some are more equal than others..is that it?
7
I waiver between shame and disgust at this childish stunt. Disgust because these legislators, these folks who are trusted to make the laws of the land, display a partisanship and hipocracy that is stunning in an attempt to undermine what is the most serious investigation into presidential corruption our country has ever seen. Shame because too many American citizens are so woefully uniformed or misinformed as to vote in such legislators who would rather make spectacles of themselves than protect the country by looking at and condemning Trump for what he is: a Putin Puppet.
6
Please publish the list of those Representatives who did this along with the states they represent. Their names should be on every billboard across the country as lawless, dangerous people who should not be working in the federal government. They and the people who elected them should be publicly shamed. They have endangered the country by bringing electronic devices into this room; they have disrupted the work of these committees (who have Republican members on them). They belong in the middle school detention room on Saturday mornings if not cooling their feet in a federal prison.
7
Why? Because this bunch is as ignorant as can be. No knowledge about how a dictator grooms his troops for a while. They fell in the trap with their eyes wide open.
Trump groomed his disciples for three years now. With language and acts which become more absurd by the day. For his disciples, if they were forced or if it was their own plan, i dont know, it was their moment to show force. They are though guys, above the law, can get away with anything because He can. Thats what they think.
An old fashioned way, just the way the henchman of the Reich or Mussolini's Italy, etc, etc did. Away with the rules of democracy, we do it our way.
The few things which strikes me and many the most: how on earth was it possible they got into a restricted area? Why could they stay for so long and do what they did over there?
If it all traces back to Mr President..........
Best of luck USA!
7
Ahem, they distracted *you.*
This editorial is proof.
I expect more, much more, from The Times.
1
Unfortunately, Republicans are signaling that they are not running out of options.
The view presented by this opinion piece is too sanguine.
The Republicans, like Trump, are, in fact, becoming more dangerous.
4
Lock 'em up.
5
Arrest the lot.
4
You can file a disciplinary complaint for felony witness tampering and obstruction of an investigation for Matt Gaetz, who on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 broke into the secure room in the Capitol— called a SCIF — where members of three House committees were preparing to hear testimony from Laura Cooper, a deputy assistant secretary of defense.
Here is the link for Gaetz's Florida bar profile:
https://www.floridabar.org/directories/find-mbr/?barNum=48962
Here is the link to download the Florida bar Attorney/Client Complaint Form:
https://www.floridabar.org/public/acap/assistance/
You're welcome!
11
The people of Florida need to ask themselves how they could elect a total idiot like Matt Gaetz. He seems like s very stupid bully on some high school campus, hardly a mature person with ANY understanding of not only the U.S. Constitution, but the many long, absurdly expensive and wasteful "Benghazi" hearings the repubs tortured us with for years. He is a horrible example of a representative. Disgraceful.
9
It is only one Republican strong Congressional district which elects Gaetz. These people, majority constituents of Gaetz couldn’t care less about the core values of a democratic republic which is how our US Constitution provides for us and binds us legally and politically as Americans.
1
@Slann Gaetz has a good mug shot picture too to go along with his smirking dereliction of duty and decency. There was no better candidate in his district than Gaetz???
3
"Why Did Republicans Storm the Capitol?"
That sounds eerily familiar to the"Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road" question.
Republicans don't seem to need or want logic, just raw and unadulterated rage and knee jerk reactions to situations whenever they are on the losing end.
This all points back to Trump. His own words and actions tend to fuel this kind of anger and rage and anarchy.
This impeachment inquiry is not akin to some kind of high school pep rally or some kind of collage protest. Frankly, those two dozen Republicans should have been arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and inciting a riot. What occurred yesterday could have gotten out of control very easily. This kind of mob mentality and mob action illustrates the kind of mindset Trump has always used.
The moment he feels as if he is losing control of a situation, he generates havoc and chaos, and in this case, at the behest of two dozen Republicans.
I shudder to think how this entire mess will shake out should he actually be impeached. What kind of chaos and mob mentality will kick in then?
It's difficult to not think this entire scenario will get a lot worse and intense before it ever gets better.
6
The former acting Attorney General – as opposed to our current “pretend“ Attorney General -  is clearly out of his constitutional depth when he argues that because abuse of power is not a crime there are no grounds for impeachment. The constitutional standard for impeachment of high crimes and misdemeanors does not refer to specific crimes on the law books, but is a political standard to be determined by a majority of the House of Representatives. Abuse of power is the very quintessence of that constitutional standard as understood by the founders. Abuse of power is precisely what will see Donald Trump impeached. It is also what would see him removed from office if Senate Republicans were courageous enough to put country before party.
5
So... I'm seeing maybe some diversity in the ages of those engaging in this little escapade, but not in any other way. I see no women, no minorities, and if I had to guess one way or another, I'd bet not a single non-Christian among them.
Leaving aside the fact that they were committing one crime in an attempt to distract from another, how are they so blind to the optics? This was a publicity stunt. Somebody really should have been mindful of the PR implications of the unbroken wall of white men that would end up in the limelight. I mean honestly... get your act together, folks. You've gotta find at least *one* token non-white male member of your party to join in, when all you're trying to do is get on camera anyway...
4
If my math is correct, there are 48 Republican members of the House sitting on the relevant committees, many of whom were part of this shameful display of pique, assuming a capacity for shame over this willfully childish misconduct. Forty-eight Republicans constitute nearly one quarter of the entire Republican membership of the House - on THREE committees.
Mr. Gowdy conducted his committee's private inquiry hearing regarding the Benghazi attack. Weren't there eight different committee hearings on this in total by House Republicans?How many Democrats "stormed" the SCIF? None.
I am reminded of Nikita Khrushchev pounding his (borrowed) shoe on the table at the 1960 Plenary Session of the UN; disruptive theater antics to distract from factual arguments. Not a winning strategy then or now.
3
Their version of the the three stooges.
But worse.
Why weren’t they handcuffed and removed by the sergeant at arms.
4
Not surprising Trump gave advance approval to his 27 storm troopers to disrupt the hearing and violate the rules. Like Trump they're becoming more delusional by the day.
2
Even the pro-Trump Washington politicians probably suspect that when it comes to Trump, something is "not right". They appear nervous and frantic and are acting out.
To our Republican Senators who are still able to reason when behind closed doors:
Do you think a secret Senate vote would result in removal? I do. If you agree, then why would a secret vote be different from the required public vote? I hope you understand the purpose of the Article 1 impeachment and removal provisions. Do I need to review for you Mr. Trump's pattern of behavior, decisions and statements, his uncountable lies and other violations of the public trust or how his foreign policy decisions seem to favor Russia? I hope not. And if you say "but what about all of his loyal followers"? Really? I cannot imagine the horror that would be expressed by the founders of our Republic. They knew that every successful rising demagogic dictator known to history brought with him a myriad of beguiled followers, usually comprised of "the forgotten who are forgotten no longer". Trump said that he could shoot a man in public and yet they would still follow. Rarely does that man speak the truth. When he does, listen. And yet you would persist in deferring to their judgement? Why? To put at risk our Constitution so that you can keep you seat in a neutered Senate? You were given that power for a reason.
Use it. Uphold your oath. Vote in public as you would in private and protect us and our Republic.
3
Why did your editorial (and every news story on the topic) not lead with this: "Republicans are in every hearing room that Democrats are in and able to ask their own questions" ?
The whole "protest" is ridiculous. Please don't give it so much space.
5
Running out of options? While we hope you’re right the past 3 years suggest otherwise. Trump’s, campaign boast that he was literally above the law is now being argued on his behalf in federal court.
The Presidency has devolved into a cesspool of corruption and authoritarianism. With each new daily outrage we think we’ve reached bottom. He continues to do Russia’s bidding in plain site. We think now even republicans will act to save the country. But they don’t. They won’t.
We haven’t seen the worse yet.
1
Why did they storm?
Choice A: These Republicans don't trust their follow Republicans who are on the committees.
Choice B: Farce and Theater.
Choice C: Republicans do not believe in rules and laws (unless they can be used against someone else).
Choice D: All of the above.
Why do all the FOX News/Republican talking points imply that there are no Republicans in these hearings?
8
To answer your question in a nutshell... ignorance and efforts to perpetuate disinformation. Republicans appear to be good at that.
1
The desperate Republican members of the House, led by their Whip, Steve Scalise, broke the law by barging into a basement SCIF with cell phones after being encouraged by the desperate Donald Trump. They then lied about a need for transparency, even though members of the Republican caucus from the correct committees already were in the room.
This is gangster stuff, appropriate to the Trump affinity for thugs and outlaws, but outrageous conduct for Congressmen and Congresswomen.
The Trump communications director and press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, proved herself a worthy successor to Sarah Sanders, lying through her teeth to describe the House impeachment inquiry as “a coordinated smear campaign from far-left lawmakers and radical unelected bureaucrats waging war on the Constitution.” Grisham’s resume includes enough questionable personal behavior to fit right in as a typical Trump appointee.
It is clear that Donald Trump is going to be impeached, regardless of the Republican efforts to obstruct justice. Whether or not some honest Republicans in the House and, more importantly, in the Senate do the right thing for the nation, remains to be seen.
4
Thank you Koch Brothers and their allies. You have driven out of Congress most of the Conservative Moderate Republicans. In their place, you have put into place 2nd-rate people who are natural stooges for the President.
Unfortunately, these Members clownish antics are going to worsen over the next couple of months as the depositions are finished and open hearings take place. The evidence is clearly going to be conclusive. The GOP reaction is equally clearly going to be diversionary.
Fortunately, the Clowns will have to vote whether they support shaking down foreign governments to interfere in our domestic elections. Hopefully, their primary rivals and/or Democrats in the Fall election can hold accountable these despicable people who are blatantly violating their oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, of which Donald Trump is one.
4
The Dems has best broaden their focus beyond Trump for 2020, Trump will be gone, leaving the Dems waving their arms in a dissipating fog. Time to return to real issues. Not Trump. The bonkers billionaires running the GOP and Fox.
2
Why did Republicans storm the Capitol? The same reason the chicken crossed the road – to get to the other side. But Democrats should stay strong and NOT let Republicans get to them.
1
These so-called men are disgusting. They know no duty to their country. They serve no one but themselves and whichever interest has purchased their loyalty. Their only principles are profit and power.
This is what we get when money is the primary standard for choosing our representatives.
These are the people who are supposed to be serving their constituents, not the executive branch, nor whichever lobbyist or campaign contributors have corrupted the very mechanisms of service and representation.
3
When the people whose job it is to make the laws pull a dramatic, desperate stunt in hallways of the U.S. Capitol, an ILLEGAL stunt, there is something very wrong.
The participants are announcing to the nation, “We have no facts or logic to defend our president. We have no defense for our complacency during his chaotic, unAmerican administration. Our best plan is to force our way into a closed investigative congessional hearing and hurl non-sensical, but hopefully incendiary, insults at the assembled Democrats.
If the chanting door-bangers were drunken frat boys, this sort of behavior might be discouraged with a warning and a slap on the wrist. But the door crashers were congressmen, and they apparently were acting on a request from the president.
Trump will probably be impeached, and hopefully convicted and removed from office.
In the light of this dilemma, one would think the powerful Republicans would be looking for ways to minimize longterm damage to their party. They don’t show any signs of realizing that their present position is dire. The Republicans COULD go the way of the Whigs.
3
Republicans do protest too much, methinks. Does their sudden opposition to closed-door investigative hearings mean that they're really sorry now about all those 150 or so Benghazi hearings conducted—remember?—behind closed doors in a vindictive effort to destroy Hillary Clinton? Sure it does.
Every day the Republican party becomes more of an embarrassment to itself. So now they're guerilla performance artists and threats to national security. What won't they think of next? Oh—offering the people of this country some real governance and vision for the future? Guess not, because clearly they haven't got any.
2
Suppose in a police or grand jury hearing or a D.A.'s private conference a bunch of the target's family and friends burst in and disrupted the proceedings. What do you suppose would happen to them?
Exactly the same thing should happen to these rogue Republicans. Not down the line, because justice delayed is justice denied. Now!
3
Why? Isn't it obvious? It was a publicity stunt for Fox News. The simple facts are: all Republicans on the three committees involved in the inquiry (Intelligence, Foreign Affairs and Oversight) have free access to the hearings. They have all the rights and privileges of any other member in the hearings. All members of other committees, Democrats and Republicans, are not allowed in.
When you can't argue the facts, attack the process. The target audience for this escapade is credulous Trumpsters. The facts are irrelevant.
4
If these meetings were held behind closed doors, how were all the major news outlets able to report what happened at them?
Trump Supporters: I am a moderate from a swing district outside of Philly. I have voted for both Republicans and Democrats in the past. With all due respect, please understand: I will never vote for a Republican if Trump is at the top of the ticket. I view him as personally corrupt, incompetent and dangerously unhinged.
And a Republican party that keeps him as a candidate on the ballot signals to me it is not interested in sound governance, but rather in enabling a school-yard bully intent on commandeering our government to work only to his own personal benefit.
So you should ask yourself: Is this particular man worth losing votes over for all other Republicans?
Or is it smarter and more strategic to cut him loose (i.e., impeach him) so that we can all work together to resolve our challenges as Americans and move forward?
3
If I were writing about what happened on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, I wouldn't use such relatively lighthearted words as "gaggle" and "protest." These were tried and true Republican strong-arm, bully tactics, practiced in the past to intimidate those trying to carry out their official duties. One need only think back to the Florida recount in the Gore/Bush election when a gang of Republican bullies stormed the Dade County offices to terrorize and intimidate officials trying to complete the vote recount under circumstance made more difficult by these Republican goons. When Republicans are on the ropes, they revert to dirty tactics. To expect such people to feel shame, or even apologetic, is naive.
3
I keep hearing that the investigation is unfair because that Trump should have the right to face his accuser. Didn't he accuse Biden of something when he asked Ukraine to investigate. Also, the claim that they just wanted to do something about corruption-isn't that a good thing?- is ridiculous when you read how he didn't so much want an investigation. He wanted Ukraine president to publicly ANNOUNCE there was an investigation. The whole point was not to try and discover corruption, it was to make his political opponent appear to be corrupt.
3
This is democracy in America 2019? Seems more like a banana republic to me. Scalise and his colleagues should be ashamed of their conduct. I think everyone who participated should be targeted in 2020. The American people deserve a better government than they are getting. They won't get it by sending the current representatives back in 2021.
2
The republicans chose the battlefield so to speak. This is the most action we have seen from the administration other than lies. Every person that was on that floor is likely implicated and surely lose their cushy jobs of disservice to this Democracy.
2
What a sad state for the Republican Party. The claim that the President is above the is the only Soviet-style activity here. I thought the Republicans loved the Constitution and now the are calling parts of it phony and that abuse of power is not a reason for impeachment. i am sure they would have been fine had Obama done these things. In the end I hope all these morally bankrupt Trump apologists get their just deserts in the annals of history.
1
Trump is the all-powerful president who will not be questioned. So why does Schiff continue to walk free while the president wants him arrested for treason? The collapse is being televised.
I agree, Trump is running out of options under the rule of law.
Nonetheless, I think it’s imprudent to portray yesterday’s White House sanctioned mob action within a secure section of the Capitol of the United States as some benign, circus-like publicity stunt.
In my view, Trump sent his obedient young sycophant, Representative Matt Gaetz, on a mission to convey his willingness to exercise options far outside the rule of law; retain office by normalizing intimidation and the threat of violence.
Call it a circus if you will.
But let’s not ignore the motivation of the clowns.
2
Wow, that was embarrassing. As someone who has historically aligned with the GOP (although not with the ideologically unmoored interloper Trump), I was saddened to see how sophomoric the antics of this element of the Party has become. Rep. Matt Gaetz, who seems to be around 21, has the statesmanlike demeanor of a frat dude running for freshman class secretary in college. These Republicans behavior yesterday was shameful, inexcusable and demeaned not only the Party but the institution (U.S. Congress) that they serve.
1
All thirty of these so-called Congressional representatives should be fined AND thrown in jail for a few days so that they can seriously contemplate what their behavior represents to others.
That is, failure to respect colleagues in their own party (i.e., the Republicans who sit on the three committees), the courageous witnesses and the balance of the House of Representatives. Especially Adam Schiff who has explained why these hearings must be held behind closed doors; he said that the public will eventually have access to the transcripts. Do they not believe him? They think that he's a liar just like Trump?
The American Bar Association needs to censure these lawmakers as well.
3
You say:
"The editorial board is a group of opinion journalists whose views are informed by expertise, research, debate and certain longstanding values"
My response:
There is no such thing as an "opinion journalist" - either you report news, or you broadcast propaganda. They are two different occupations.
Important note: I did not vote for Trump. I am a registered Democrat who believes that the ridiculous impeachment effort will backfire and help the Republicans. Shame on the Republican Party for having ever allowed him to be their nominee in 2016, and shame on the Democratic Party - my party - for not having an effective strategy to be sure he is defeated in 2020.
1
"The House’s impeachment inquiry is not a trial. It is more akin to a grand jury proceeding,..." You don't go about leaking out of grand jury, that too selectively.
Good Grief! The editorial board forgot to mention that there are several Republicans across the three committees; it's not only Democrats hearing the depositions.
Running out of options? I hope so. It’s been a couple of months now that I began seeing plain-white lawn signs scattered around town. In black, sans-serif text, the signs say things like: “Your Important,” and “You matter.”
There are other phrases which I forget. But Western Iowa is Trump Country, and Representative Steven King was right there when Republicans stormed the House Intelligence Committee the other day. It’s not about running out of options. It’s about optics. Why? Because you matter!
When Trump tells us he’s a “very stable genius,” I fear he may be right. I only hope our system of checks and balances works. That middle American cannot see what is happening is terrifying.
Our local radio news station - CBS-AM (880) - ran this story, characterizing the closed-door sessions as 'Democratic hearings'. They ran the same story multiple times yesterday.
I was so outraged that I called the station (and got through). I slowly and clearly made my point: these were bipartisan hearings, not Democratic and it was dishonest to characterize them as such.
I was gratified to hear, early today, that the script had been changed and the word 'Democratic' was omitted.
Not sure if mine was the only complaint, but was relieved that this lie had been corrected.
NOT my president
4
The picture of the staircase is very telling.
It's a long spiral down and 18 Republicans find themselves at the bottom.
I feel sorry for them. They are on the wrong side of history and are backing a loser of epic proportions.
1
The so-called Republican Party is no longer functional. They have abandoned the Constitution and the rule of law. Yesterday's outrageous invasion of a closed meeting is equivalent to the Munich Beer Hall Putsch.
Those who remain loyal to Trump at the expense of our democracy are indeed traitors to everything this nation has fought and died for.
4
Why does the Times perform a disservice by stating late in the article that Republicans were complaining about being locked out of the room when there were Republican committee members in the room. This should have been in bold print in the first paragraph and in the column title. Even radio some TV commentators had this fact late in the report. They also should have had this first.
“BREAKING: I led over 30 of my colleagues into the SCIF where Adam Schiff is holding secret impeachment depositions. Still inside — more details to come.”
So macho! Reminds me of the (apocryphal) quote from Teddy Roosevelt: "The bravest men I know followed me up San Juan Hill." And 30 political lemmings followed Gätz!
Perhaps the House should grant these posturing hooligans what they want: proceed directly to an impeachment vote without a thorough investigation of the facts and the taking of sworn testimony in private. Why follow procedures once forcefully advocated by the likes of Lindsay Graham and Trey Gowdy.
Democrats should schedule public hears as soon as they can. This should thrill these anti-American Republicans and Trump.
1
I think we need the names of each of theses elected individuals and storm into their offices and see what they are working on to support all Americans. I bet they will the Sargent of Arms to remove you from their offices.
1
Hard to believe the Republicans willing to throw the constitution and law under the bus for Trump are as ignorant as him of such matters. Or their ramifications to democracy. They should be held accountable.
2
No longer any doubts trump and his gang did it. Thats established. So, its attack the process. Its lets confuse the facts with emotions. Lets make our supporters confused and lets scare them that those others are out to get them.Lets get the subject changed from our guy to them.
Lets make Nancy Pelosi the real danger. San Francisco, feminist, gay supporter, and socialist enabler. Lets change the story.
Representative Matt Gaetz once drove drunk and was arrested for DUI. There exists an Orange Suit picture of him in the police files and available on the Internet much to his chagrin. The Tampa Bay Times, 02/18/2014, published a story about Gaetz's 2008 DUI. Like 45 he equates wealth and privelege with virtue. The judge dismissed his case, his refusal to take a breathalyzer test was not a part of the criminal proceedings, and he kept his license though Florida State law requires 1 year suspension. The real kicker was the arresting officer resigned under pressure. And so Representative Matt Gaetz led the posse of Republicans convinced he and they could no wrong. No amount of money can buy virtue. 45 and his enablers prove this everyday.
2
Republican smear campaign about anything opposing Trump has primarily been directed at his base so it sticks with Trump.
Democrats and media need to fight it. At least the case of republicans beating the drums about closed-door impeachment hearings run by democrats is easy to handle. Media and democrats need to run awareness ads listing the names of republican members on each of the three committees conducting the hearing.
Given that Republicans will continue the strategy of blurring the issue at the core of the impeachment inquiry, one simple suggestion,, stop using the little understood phrase “quid pro quo” to describe the President’s request of Zelensky. Instead, focus on the request to be a corrupt act. That is more understandable, and very difficult to blur.
A cliche for the GOP who want open hearings - be careful what you wish for. The same can be said for the pro-impeachment folks (President Pence???).
Despite obfuscation, deflection and outright lies by Trump and his Republican cohorts, the truth will prevail.
When it finally does, these Trump supporters and partners in crime will not be remembered well by history (I feel bad for their kids and grandkids):
McConnell
Graham
Barr
Mnuchin
Pompeo
Scalise
Jordan
Miller
Mulvaney
Giuliani
just to name a very few...
Feel free to add more to this list for everyone to see.
1
Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Distract from the facts.
Rant! Rant! Rant! Distract from the facts.
Lie! Lie! Lie! Distract from the facts.
It doesn't take superpowers to understand that "truth, justice, and the American Way" is being subverted by the very man who swore to uphold the Constitution.
The fact that he is now mobilizing his loyalists to create bigger and louder distractions speaks volumes about the veracity of the facts that are emerging.
Facts! Facts! Facts! Goodbye, Mr. Trump.
2
And Trump orders the mob into action........
Who will it be next? What kind of depths will Trump and his supporters go to? I have worried about this since the start of the impeachment.
"“You know, the left plays a tougher game, it’s very funny. I actually think that the people on the right are tougher, but they don’t play it tougher. Okay? I can tell you I have the support of the police, the support of the military, the support of the Bikers for Trump – I have the tough people, but they don’t play it tough — until they go to a certain point, and then it would be very bad, very bad. But the left plays it cuter and tougher. Like with all the nonsense that they do in Congress … with all this invest[igations]—that’s all they want to do is –you know, they do things that are nasty. Republicans never played this.”
1
Add to the list of impeachable offenses Trump's approval of this clown move by the GOP. I can see no legitimate reason that bunch of extraneous GOP members should disrupt the investigation which appropriately included GOP members on the relevant committees.
1
‘In fact, Mr. Trump is said to have given them a thumbs-up the day before. On Tuesday, he “met with about 30 House Republicans at the White House to talk about the situation in Syria and the impeachment inquiry,” at which time the members “shared their plans to storm into the secure room,” Bloomberg News reported. Mr. Trump told them he thought it was a good idea.’
... So, another article of impeachment (obstruction of justice). That makes... how many? I’ve lost track.
3
This circus stunt by the Republicans only cements further their lack of shame in trying to defend something that is indefensible: a President who doesn't respect our democratic processes, the law, or the Constitution. They are smoothing the way for America's first dictatorship. They will go down in infamy as the people who killed the "the great experiment" that had survived wars, including the Civil War, and all manner of calamities, but was no match for the craven desires of a handful of people who revere their power more than the ideals that served us for almost 250 years.
They deserve to rot in the annals of infamy.
Follow the rules...nope. Where was this level of indignation during the Benghazi hearings? Hypocrisy still reigns supreme for these poor excuses for human beings.
Trumps lawyers saying he can shoot someone and not be prosecuted is a disgrace.
The Republicans scream about the rule of law until they are losing. Then they do whatever garbage they wish and spew nonsense justifications for their actions.
The common wisdom:
If you can't argue the facts, argue procedure
If you can't argue procedure. try arguing the facts.
If you can't argue the facts or procedure, pound the table and tell.
The Republicans have run out of defenses for criminal Trump, so they are pounding the table and yelling.
We know this game. The Republicans are not persuasive.
2
In the same manner that some crimes are so severe that they carry mandatory minimum sentences, some Presidential acts of misconduct are so abhorrent that these should result in automatic removal if proved beyond a reasonable doubt, rather than be summarily dismissed by predictably corrupt GOP senators.
Americans who continue to insist that Trump has done nothing wrong here have utterly lost their capacity for shame.
4
Conservatives aren't about truth or learning what the truth is. They are all about control whether it be people, the past, reality, facts or outcomes.
They cannot govern nor do they understand how to govern. The Party of No during the Obama years has now become the Party of Blame Others. Their voices are no more than schoolyard taunts.
Trump has masterfully brought all this on by himself. Republicans and conservatives are trying to run the country as though it were reality television. This only makes them look silly and inept. In fact, this confirms it. It's easy to see how they can identify with trump. Birds of a feather flock together.
I have little hope for the next elections. Voters tend not to learn from their mistakes. Too many blindly vote party and for liars.
1
What dirt does Trump have on Lindsey, Mitch and all the GOP leaders? I can’t imagine these long serving, respected Republicans honestly support Trump. We see what Trump does to the opposition to bring them down; what’s does he do to friends? Oh, he has no respectable friends so he must buy them or threaten.
2
For years Republicans have projected their own sense of self-entitlement and selfish notions of “fairness” on anyone who opposed their efforts to line their pockets at public expense. It is no surprise that the Republican party stands for nothing except being the party of selfish; and who better to lead it than a mentally ill narcissist.
Well, yes, this behavior says that the Republicans are running out of options for defending Trump. But to me, it screams even louder that they are utterly uninterested in the merits of the case. To even think that this constitutes a defense confirms what a dishonorable bunch they are.
2
The Republican Party, or what is left of it, is brain dead. The evidence is everywhere you look. The fiasco at the hearing yesterday was just another example of it. Trump needs to build a wall around them.
Sigh of exhaustion. I'm 42. I didn't register for a party when I registered to vote. I have been open-minded about politics my entire life, always trying to see both sides of an issue, looking for truth, for what I think best matches my values and beliefs. I voted for Obama twice, but was intrigued by Senator McCain too, weighing the benefits and drawbacks of his platform and policies. Now, I can't even fathom voting for a Republican. I am disgusted by the frat boy arrogance and stubbornness, by the superior and rules-don't-apply-to-me attitudes. Moderates who don't watch Fox news have to be appalled at this behavior. Do these Republican senators even know they are turning away swing voters? They're acting like fools, entitled fools.
1
Secret? Greg Pence, Mike Pence’s brother, is attending the hearings.
It’s really sad what the Republican Party has become.
I don’t know whether it’s worse that frat boy Gaetz didn’t learn from the last time he tried to intimidate a witness on Trump’s behalf, or that some of his constituents will fall for this silly stunt.
1
A stunt performed by fearful underlings of the King has publically shown their relationship to truth. I did not see any women in that bunch who stormed the SKIF. Yes, members of both parties serve on the committees as Scalise et al well know. As one writer noted, are they serving their districts or the nation in other ways than these actions, clearly illegal? What utter foolishness! Can we have the names of these offenders, lawless so-called representatives who know they are acting on behalf of the King, not the rule of law and the people.
When you elect a clown, expect a circus... It is scary how fast America has turned into an Orwellian dystopia, with a very high portion of the population, over 40% and including members of congress and former attorney generals who's sworn an oath of office, inexplicably denying basic truth and the rule of law, unable to tell black from white, right from wrong and defending the indefensible with soviet-style tactics by calling a lawful process soviet-style tactics! How far we have fallen...
1
All these guys have left is noise and the ignorance of their supporters.
Watching Gaetz and clan was like watching an episode of The Walking Dead with Zombies aimlessly storming the gates of a sanctuary.
1
Gee, Republicans, if this is all a ‘witch hunt’ as Trump says, why not just let an empty charge speak for itself? Why all the obstruction and drama?
And Trump referred to Democrats as a mob?
He needs to look at his own sycophants. If they had just waited a week, they could have paraded as trick and treaters who wondered away from their adult supervision.
Let's face it, Trump is a criminal. The Republican party is his gang of thugs trying to prevent the sheriff from gathering evidence in a trial that his gang gets to be part of the jury. Pretty fair process. They just don't want the trial because their gang leader is guilty.
2
Republicans have indeed proved that they are about party before country. The republican representatives that participated in disrupting yesterday's proceedings should all be in jail. Apparently stable genius was in on the planning of this stunt, so that will be another count of obstruction of justice. How far this country has sunk to have such a band of grifters in the WH and an entire republican party with no higher principles than to serve as henchmen or side-show clowns.
1
In a population of more less 350,000,000 people, only 535 are chosen to represent the people.
What a shame that thirty members of this select group choose to act like children.
1
Those who can, do. Those who can't bully.
Such nonsense. Republicans are fully represented in these depositions. Fully represented.
1
Yet another count of Witness Intimidation and Obstruction of Justice.
Lock him up!
1
On some level these ridiculous members of the GOP must realize they have made a tragic error in following DJT, leaving whatever shred of decency they had remaining at the door. They are afraid of Trump's twitter finger and getting booted out by his followers. It didn't have to be this way, of course. But they took a long walk off a short pier and are up to their necks in troubled waters. Let's just hope when -- and I pray it's WHEN -- DJT is either uncovered to be the criminal we know he is or is thrown under the bus by Mitch McConnell these brilliant GOP frat boys get their just desserts.
It is the bizarro world strategy by Republicans. In this Alternate Universe, they contrive to use contrarian arguments regardless of propriety or rationale. If something is private, declare it must be public. If something is public, declare it must be private. Then hurl invective, distract and muddy no matter the subject, persons involved, place or time of day. Your base support is ignorant and gullible, so the great lies are swallowed without even mulling it a moment.
1
So the GOP are saying allow classifiedinformation to be public? GOP members of the Committees were there! Surprised that they are so passionate about making Trump's crimes public now!
1
Burning Down the House by the Talking Heads Republican's Freedom Caucus
I was embarrassed watching this yesterday. If any of these guys had been my representative, he would have received a letter dropping my support (If I was a Republican still) out of disgust.
1
“You don’t even have to be convicted of a crime to lose your job in this constitutional republic if this body determines that your conduct as a public official is clearly out of bounds in your role. Impeachment is not about punishment. Impeachment is about cleansing the office. Impeachment is about restoring honor and integrity to the office.”
Rep. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Impeachment Trial Manager
January 16, 1999
3
Can you publish a list of every person who violated this meeting? History deserves to know all their names.
3
Their spectacle set an example for MLB umpire Rob Drake, who apparently claimed to be ready to take up arms in a Civil War. Be Best!
The Republican pearl clutching is so extreme right now that I doubt their knots can hold much longer.
I wonder how many of them were assigned to gather intelligence and walked around snapping pictures of the paperwork on the tables?
Traitors every single one of them.
1
Firstly, you have to stop referring to this person as President. He is more like an error.
Secondly, Trump's grand existential strategy has always relied on obfuscation. He is a protege of the infamous Roy Cohn whose book of Machiavellian maneuvers helped save many a mobster from ever seeing the inside of a prison cell. So one can say that the student has learned well from the master. Otherwise, he would have been locked away in a prison cell long before he ever entered our stream of consciousness.
We seem to be operating at a time when rule of law means very little. Millions of people are gleefully cheering at Trump's swearwords and simplistic explanations of his constant "winning." Today's Capitol basement crashing by the GOP makes sense even though it is idiotic since they have all lost their ability to behave rationally.
To live in a bubble that says Trump is being persecuted, you have to be delusional, but many of the Republicans in Congress seem to actually believe that he is a victim. How you can not understand that he is "off" and getting worse every day is a mystery to many here, me included.
I continue to believe that the cause for his base's support is FOX news, SINCLAIR news and propaganda from extreme right wing religions. Viewers who get their news exclusively from these sources (most of them) are fed a steady diet of Trump's wonderfulness. They don't have the capacity to understand that they are being brainwashed every day.
I don't expect the Senate to find DJT guilty of anything, no matter how much evidence the Dems find. I don't expect him to leave office if he loses, either. They had better prepare for that and for what they will do if the GOP goes along with him refusing to go.
It's bad now but it could still get worse. Remember, he is building a wall in Colorado. [!!!???!!!]
1
This is what a dictatorship looks like. The authoritarian's henchmen bully their way into a democratic process in hope of terrorizing the witness. Is this really happening in the US, especially the halls of Congress.
6
How would the Republicans have reacted had Democrats stormed the Benghazi hearings that Trey Gowdey held behind closed doors and in secrecy? With outrage and the media would have no doubt followed. But now in the age of Trump such behavior is barely front page news. This is shameful behavior by a party led by a shameless president and they are all tainted. I weep for my country
1
"If a few rules and national security precautions got violated along the way, so be it. Mr. Gaetz & Co. were happy to oblige a president who has demanded to be protected at all costs."
If Republican senators have still not come to the conclusion that none other than the manic toddler in the Oval office is the greatest danger to our national security, we might as well crown him Banana Republic King for life, and Ivanka as crown princess.
1
When I saw this stunt in the news all I could picture were the Brown shirts I learned about in history class oh so many years ago. ... and the hopes (in my adolescent naivety) that something like that could not happen in our country.
3
So from here down under, it is looking more like the American government operates under frat house rules - overseen by all that 'locker room' talk, no raid is complete without ordering in pizza. So does this latest incident explain the insistence that THAT frat house officianado just HAD to be appointed to the SCOTUS no matter what; at least pizza is a variation on the cheese burger theme, or are they the exclusive gourmet treat du jour for the White House...
All so mature, exuding such gravitas and probity ...
We are watching and weeping for you America as we see so many of your confreres immigrate here down under and to New Zealand - is there no one prepared to take a stand, or do all your heroes only exist in Marvel comics?
3
No surprise that Gaetz is the ringleader of this little sideshow.
He comes off as a shameless self-promoter whose main objective is to be seen hurling invectives at Democrats (I think he used to be one), all to impress, and maybe get an attaboy from, you know who.
1
Why did they do it? Simple. Look at them. They put their heads together and that was the best idea they could come up with.
NYTimes, please give us the names of the two dozens Republicans who stormed the secured room, giving phony excuses and arguments easy to debunk.
Never mind.
Let’s do a big cleaning and vote out of office all the Republicans.
I hope the “secure” room is being checked for any items the republican “gaggle” might have left behind.
Why's everyone so up in arms about this? There's clearly a small footnote in the constitution that notes: "Rich white guys will never go to jail for any legal transgressions."
Distract, deflect, mislead, and outright lie. And yet millions of my fellow citizens swallow it hook, line, and sinker. We are indeed in grave trouble.
1
The violence is building here, and I think before the impeachment process is over, at least one member of Congress will be killed.
When in trouble, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout!
1
Trump is a dictator. He is above the Law. The Republican Party effectively holds all the power in the US. They want a dictator. They adore Trump. They care not in the least about 99% of the people of this country. The are driven by greed and a lust for power that could never be inconvenienced by this phony Constitution. Don't you see that it absolutely does not matter what Trump does? The Democrats in Congress have no power to enforce the law. He very well could be president for life. One party states often have them, and we are surely now a one-party state.
Wait until trump has to be physically removed from the white house. The republicans are fomenting a civil war.
I'm sure we have a cargo plane large enough to round them all up and deport them. Could be Moscow's airport won't let the plane land, so they'll just have to use parachutes. It being Russia, give them Russian parachutes: wrap them up in bales of hay and pitch them out of the plane.
After all, in the absence of a real Supreme Court, "due process of law" means what exactly, these days?
What hasn't been discussed is why they weren't arrested and put in jail. I know I couldn't 'storm' a top secret meeting room without repercussions. Are 'Republicans' special that way...they can get away with anything? Why isn't that reported?
2
I want these people charged with obstruction of justice and put in prison.
2
Make your case. State your case. Charge your case. Prove your case. Protestors and a vigorous defense are expected. Do not get distracted. Keep your eye on the prize.
Gohmert leads the charge! One can only giggle.
1
Now we have Republicans acting out like rampaging renegades in a Third World parliament gone rogue. What's next? Assassinations on the floor of the Senate? Many of Trump cult members are actually already threatening to do just that. Hothead thugs like Gaetz cannot be far behind.
There's a "crying wolf" "double standard" issue here you're missing.
Mueller's investigation was necessary. If the Trump campaign had colluded with Russia then the election was invalid. But it didn't. That should have been the end-$50 million, the full time attention of over 100 FBI agents, and 2 years of distractions from national problems was sufficient.
Instead we had impeachment demands based on "obstruction of justice" (OOJ) charges. It seems to me when you investigate someone for something it is an abuse of prosecutorial power to then find something unrelated to pursue. Besides, threatening to fire someone you have every right to fire but then don't fire doesn't seem any more to be OOJ then threatening to murder the driver in front of you because he cut you off and then cooling off. Complete nonsense.
The self-righteous Democratic outrage implied an effort to overturn the 2016 election. NYT reported HRC destroyed 30,000 emails after she was subpoenaed. That's the definition of OOJ. Double standard? Harshes your "existential" mellow?
The President has the right to investigate H Biden for corruption for being paid $60K/month to do a job he didn't do and wasn't qualified for. Why is that "digging up dirt"? Was Mueller "digging up dirt"? Democrats (Bernie's 3rd house/NYT front page) can be investigated too, it is valid.
Did Trump abuse his power? Yes. But expecting Republicans to cooperate is unreasonable.
Too many double standards and stop crying wolf.
Watching too much Fox News?? May be you need to listen to Judge Napolitano who equivocally confirmed that the lier in chief committed an impeachable offense. It is laughable that you are making judicial rules as you go! A prosecutor can and absolutely should indict for crimes uncovered during investigation even if unrelated to the original charges. In fact over a dozen of Trump cronies pleaded guilty to various charges that were uncovered during the Mueller investigation. As for Biden junior, he is a lawyer representing a reputable law firm in the US that was working on compliance, the money was paid to his employer.
If you are looking for facts, I am providing it to you. If you are a blind supporter of the most corrupt president in history. Well deal with the fact that he will be impeached.
It merely affirms that these apparatchik Republicans don't have faith in the constitutional and democratic processes. They can huff and they can puff but they won't blow the house down. The impeachment inquiry will continue.
1
Desperate people do desperate things.
I've long believed that there are a number of Republicans in congress who would have loved to see Trump impeached from day one. Unfortunately, they have always feared that voting for it would alienate Trump's base and undermine their own chances for re-election (self preservation being the most important political instinct of all). I suspect that many of these folks are in the midst of a crisis of conscience right now. They know the evidence is becoming overwhelming, and they have the future of the republic to consider. One can only hope that, when the time comes, they vote with a sense ethical responsibility, and not because of their numbers in the latest poll results.
3
They are a disgrace and an embarrassment and their little stunt yesterday exposed them for the lawless buffoons that they are.....
#sodone
2
If you or I, common citizens as we are, barged into a SCIF and recorded it- and then- posted that information on Twitter, we would be in custody right now. Not making statements to the press, not making the talk show circuit, we would be in custody.
Why is it different for these Republicans? Do they think grandstanding and arrogant, ignorant posturing makes them immune to the law? It's an outrage.
3
Why exactly are they trying to fight Trump's impeachment? Abuse of power is "not a crime"? Ah, so says Matt Whitaker, eh? "Phony" emoluments clauses, fake news, "Soviet-style" proceedings. Really? Trump is as dirty as sin and isn't going to be rehabilitated any time soon. As these 24 or so Silly Party (or Silly Putty?) Republicans try to swerve in the opposition direction the 'high crimes against state' narrative, which is hurtling forward at greater and greater speeds than ever before, it is clear to the American public that there is way more going on than quid pro quo. But that is the least of our worries. This whole administration is a disaster to national security and our American democratic tenets. The guy's gotta go, and he's taking the rest of them down into the maelstrom. The only question is when will they all be booted out. It won't be soon enough.
3
Message to Republicans:
The inept and impotent attempt to stop democracy yesterday could only be attempted once and it did not work.
4
Can somebody please explain why republicans love Trump so much.
1
When the law is against you, argue the facts. When the facts are against you, argue the law. When both the law and the facts are against you, do your best to change the subject.
2
Matt Whitaker on Fox News “abuse of power is not a crime”.
Did he just admit that Trump is abusing of power?
5
If it is so secret why are Republicans on the committee allowed to be there?
1
Desperation and a deep disrespect for the working rules of government and the Constitution. They are no better than their crooked leader, and all should be removed. The NYT should publish the names of everyone of them, so their voters will know what inappropriate and unlawful things they are willing to do to keep their own seats. Sustaining their power is all important, not serving their constituents.
5
Considering the actions of Trump's House Republican stunt men, is there any doubt that the President in Name Only will refuse to leave the White House or that his most rabid supporters (i.e., his "Second Amendment People") will defend him viciously at any cost?
1
Why doesn't the big man just front the committee and tell them they're WRONG
Distraction is exactly right and that's also why Trump likened the impeachment hearings to a lynching. Don't get played, stay the course and let's rid our country of this deranged and dangerous man.
2
“This was a publicity stunt aimed at delegitimizing the impeachment investigation that Mr. Trump and his defenders have portrayed as a partisan inquisition.”
How does the NYT help this narrative when they say that “democrats” did xyz when in fact it is a collection of Democrat and Republican lawmakers on three committees?
2
The best GOP analog to Trump’s denial of ownership of Ukrainian Quid Pro Quo can be found in the fictitious “Austin Powers denials of ownership of a certain dubious Swedish device designed to improve his manhood.”
Watch it in on You Tube and have a laugh.
This classic movie skit perfectly captures the idiocy of what these GOP sycophants are defending.
This entire episode convinces us that GOP House members have descended into tactics, typically seen in failing governments. When they brought their phones into this SCIF, they broke rules meant to secure the safety of this country. Apparently, the president's attitude, that laws do not apply to him, has inexplicably overtaken these ridiculous, sycophants. Anyone in politics, who would follow feckless, loud-mouthed demagogues like Gaetz, Scalise and Jordan, is in great need of considered introspection, He must ask himself, "do I really want this to be my legacy? Do I want my children's aspiration to be, "I want to be just like you Dad", when you have sold your soul to a lawless, lying administration, and in the proces threatened our democracy.
1
Why?
Because they can.
The weak constitution lets get the President get away with murder.
The GOP are the accomplices to murder and they know they could be technically immune since the President is omnipotent (the pardon clause, that is).
1
Instead of the headline "Why Did Republicans Storm the Capitol? They’re Running Out of Options", it should have been "Republican Mob Attempts to Illegally Disrupt the Impeachment Investigation with the Prior Approval of Donald Trump."
There, fixed it for you.
4
As I watched Mr. Gaetz marshal his forces for his absurdly puerile "raid" on the hearings in the SCIF, the word pathetic came to mind.
This incident will be emblematic of the inanities and vulgarities of the corrupt Trump era for students of history. There, for all time, will be the video of Mr. Gaetz acting out, desperate for the approval of his Dear Leader. That is Mr. Gaetz's just reward.
3
Then go in with forces and make sure.
It might be time annex that place.
This is worse than Watergate. Both of these scandals began with Nixon and Trump, committing crimes just to take out their political opponents for their reelection. But Nixon’s crimes were at least domestic, whereas Trump is extorting foreign countries to cheat his way to reelection, as well as immorally contributing to Ukrainian deaths as they fight the Russians.
After all of the prolonged corrupt machinations of Trump in extorting Zelensky to investigate discredited allegations, are we to believe that Trump would have been satisfied by an honest investigation? I suspect, had he not been found out, Trump would have continued his Ukraine “shake down” to get Zelensky to manufacture the results he so desperately wanted. Besides falsely dirtying up Biden, he could also give his idol, Putin, 2 big gifts. The first being holding up the military aid to the Ukrainian soldiers; and the really “bigly” second gift of using a bogus manufactured pretext that he had “proof” that it was the Ukrainians who hacked and interfered in our ‘16 election, and NOT the Russians, hence he then could remove the stiff Russia’s sanctions, for that offense! As Nancy Pelosi said, “All roads lead to Putin.” Yes, it’s worse than Watergate!
4
The facts will not remove Trump from office.
As long as voters in states controlled by Senate Republicans continue to support Trump, Trump will not be convicted of any House action.
It is TRANSPARENTLY obvious the House Democrats are campaigning to keep control of the House in 2020. And impeachment is their tool.
It's sad the NYT can't report this news story transparently.
"This was not a fringe move. Representative Steve Scalise, the minority whip, was among the sea of dark-blue suits that surged into the hearing room."
So? It's not suddenly "not a fringe move" for the whole party-cult to join in, when the entirety of the lot is full-on fringe! If anything it just shows how far the vile GOP have fallen—or that they were never above the drop zone in the first place.
The lawyers' credo:
'When the facts are on your side, pound the facts. When the law is on your side, pound the law. When neither is on your side, pound the table.'
1
So many deceased Republican leaders rolling over in their graves right now at the atrocious behavior of their fellow party members.
1
This editorial frames all of these abhorrent actions and false assertions by Trump and his GOP toadies from their points of view. In so doing, it propagates their propaganda.
The GOP congressmen stormed past security barriers and breached a SCIF. They committed multiple felonies. They endangered the welfare of a congressional witness. They obstructed and interfered with critical Congressional oversight. They endangered national security.
The New York Times must report facts in contest and stop carrying ammunition for elected government legislators who are hellbent on destroying the American Constitution, laws, values and norms.
1
Wait, Trump literally told them to do this? This should be bigger news.
This photograph certainly looks Pulitzer Prize worthy!
Well done Erin Schaff.
1
I bet William Barr was feeding Whitaker the line that abuse of power is not impeachable.