How much more will it take for the Dems to stand up and be outraged? No more fact finding! We have enough facts so just get on with it. If this lowlife President was a Dem, the R's would have impeached long ago. Nadler had a duty to order the Sargent at Arms to arrest Levandowski on Tuesday. We are losing our democracy. I, for one, want to save it for my grandchildren. We managed to stop the Vietnam War by being in the streets. Have we become so lazy as to give up our values this easily? We all know the answer.
31
trump will destroy and betray the US if it makes 30 pieces of silver for him!
25
Obviously the whistleblower & the IG thought something about the call "inappropriate". An outrageous, perhaps impeachable violation of the whistleblower statute to fail to deliver the complaint to appropriate Congressional Committees. as required by the plain language of the law.
16
Take the gloves off, already! Treat the GOP the same way with the same indecency they have treated the Democrats since 2016!
Hold all of them in contempt. Then take them to court, and use judiciary to confirm the law in effect and Congress' equivalent powers with the Judiciary and the Presidency.
And if and when the Dems continue to control Congress, and/or if and when they eventually control the Senate, and if and when they take the Presidency employ the same tactics and treat the GOP the same way they have treated the Dems since 2016!
Enough of this. They deserve it too!
25
What’s more amazing; a president directing foreign policy for personal gain or an impotent Congress too cowed or complicit to challenge what may be Trump’s most obvious misuse of office?
We continually hear of House Democrats “frustration” when confronting the presidents cronies and tools only to meet with stonewalling and pushback. The GOP knows this makes the Democrats look weak.
The House has every right to oversight and investigation but by giving cover to Trump’s cronies and tools the republicans are playing a dangerous game; driving us closer to autocracy and away from a nation of laws.
15
I strongly encourage the whistleblower to go straight to Congress to report what they know, or go to a large news paper to give them the information. Normally I wouldn't advise someone to step outside the normal reporting rules, but since this White House Justice Department are not to be trusted, you got to do what you got to do to get the bad conduct out there, or even why bother risking you career, or even maybe your life to begin with.
18
I can appreciate the theoretical debates that surround the concept of prosecuting sitting presidents for criminal acts while in office. However, there is a difference between criminal acts committed before being in office and those committed in office. Criminal acts committed in office demand immediate action as it is not just in violation of the Highest Law of the Land but imperials the safety and integrity of the entire government, not just in the present but in future administrations under other Presidents. Those illegal acts must be halted in their tracks and not be subject to or delayed due to the whims of politics or a president's ego or personal ambitions. Normally one would look to Congress to bring articles of impeachment forward and conduct a trial. But to work that depends on members of Congress acting with courage, integrity and independence. Not sure you say members of either party could lay claim to such attributes. Partisanship is so bitter and cowardly Republicans are especially lacking in those attributes that Impeachment is not going anywhere. Robert Mueller was right to be wary of charging a sitting president with a crime and I would agree if the offense was a one off. However, in this case there is a systematic and continuing practice of criminal and constitutional abuse that perhaps prosecution and a criminal trial in a court is called for.
13
The whistle blower should go old school and leak it to the press. Pentagon Papers redux. Enough with protocol - go straight to the airwaves.
24
Remember that time between 1789 and 2016 when all other American presidents weren't obvious assets of foreign governments?
That was pretty cool.
33
The Biden Ukraine controversy is hardly a revelation. The Times has, in their own way, covered it before. Pressure to oust a prosecutor is not controversial but a request to investigate the circumstances is? In Democrat world maybe.
https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2019/may/07/viral-image/fact-checking-joe-biden-hunter-biden-and-ukraine/
7
Trump is an unholy mess. And so are his loyal followers. I watched Giuliani on Chris Cuomo's CNN show last night. What an odious, despicable person he is. And when I think of the whole lot of them - Conway, Don Jr., Kushner, Princess Ivanka, Barr, Lewandowski - I feel a sense of deep revulsion. It baffles me how anyone in this country can tolerate this, let alone a huge percentage of Republicans. If God is good to us and the American people wake up, he will lose the election and we'll drag him straight to the criminal courts.
53
This whole story is grotesque. The President wants the Ukraine to pursue a corruption charge against Joe Biden's son in hopes of using that prosecution against Biden the way he used Benghazi and an email server against Hillary Clinton.
Some people still believe this President's lies.
Trump was trying to blackmail Ukraine's justice department into giving him the campaign issue he wanted by holding up the military assistance to Ukraine which had been voted by Congress.
Message to Mr. Trump: it is criminal to use your position as chief executive to force another nation to give you a campaign issue. You may have gotten away with election cheating in 2016, but you might lose in 2020 and then you are in for a heap of trouble. An ex-President CAN be charged and put on trial. We don't usually do such things, but this time it may be appropriate and necessary. Just saying.
30
The greatest threat to our national security sits in the Oval Office.
Who do we turn to for truth and justice? The DOJ? State? Intelligence? Cabinet officials? The Republican-controlled Senate? The slowly but surely Tea Party controlled judiciary?
Who can we trust?
36
I’m so exhausted, so sick and tired of him. It just never ends and every day seems to get worse.
I long for the day when the front page says something like “President So and So’s administration passes sweeping climate change legislation” I long for the day that I don’t have to read about him, hear about him on the news, see his face or hear his voice. It can’t come soon enough.
51
Sounds like Trump has been asking foreign leaders to help him find or invent dirt on Biden - and promising favors if they do, if the allegations are true.
And Trump is almost admitting it, most likely because he has serious mental decline issues, but his patsys will again claim it can't be a conspiracy if he admits it openly!
18
When Trump rises every morning, he undoubtedly has crossed a line of corruption when he puts his orange toes on the floor. Count on it. It is the nature of the beast.
18
If rules don't matter than nothing does, except the edict of the king and every king has his servants (GOP). You can hang all the window dressing on you want, but this is where our country is now. "God save the king" will replace our national anthem if we're not careful.
7
We are not talking rocket science here. Anyone who is honest with him or her self knows that morals matter when it comes to the President of the United States.
Most would agree, after reviewing Trump's entire life life, that he has no morals. Given this fact, how can he be trusted to be the leader of the most powerful country in the world?
It is time for this nation to choose wisely. ... https://youtu.be/0H3rdfI28s0
14
It is demoralizing to know our only defense against this ignorant, compromised so-called president is an election. One that is more than a year away: an election that may credibly have been interfered with through voting machines and agreements between trump and enemy nations.
20
Face it, J. Edgar Hoover has risen to the White House.
12
trump is now in survival mode and the gop is in panic mode for fear that their golden idol has finally stepped in it big time. eventually,more of the dirty deed will come out, it always does in this scandal plagued little shop of horrors. his clown lawyer rudy certainly isn't helping with his epic meltdown and eventual admission of what he was doing over there. much like frank underwood, trumps' house of cards is about to collapse under the weight of his corruption.
13
"Arm chair" lawyers are doing their best to obscure a serious and very unusual situation in which either the President or a high-level official close to the President reportedly made an agreement with a foreign power that was NOT about the implementation of foreign policy. This agreement was so unusual that the DOJ, which has zip to do with foreign relations, has decreed that everything connected to it is "privileged," which is short hand for the DOJ's view that the President Rules Us All. And Congress is a nuisance with no power.
13
After meeting with a watchdog for American spy agencies, Representative Adam Schiff, the chairman of the Intelligence Committee, did not know the contents of the complaint or whether the White House has tried to suppress. We know he told the president of the Ukraine, he could “improve its reputation and its “interaction” with the United States by investigating corruption” All the rest is about someone said something to someone else. How could the Ukraine get Trump, elected? Do we really think the two were in a room with other people who told the spy or was the room bugged? For two years the Democrats were saying that that Trump colluded with Putin and Mueller was going to get him. Then Mueller said he didn’t and Comey said he didn’t. We haven’t heard a peep of that since. So now we turn to the Ukraine. That should last the election year. We should let the next president win the election in the voting booth. Not in committee meetings
3
When the Ds control the Presidency, the House, and the Senate , I sincerely hope they charge every single Republican lawmaker who has publicly supported this "president" in the face of obvious malfeasance, with abetting the criminal in the executive branch. There must be penalties for the clear abdication of Democratic responsibility and the support of obviously criminal behavior.
28
Once we truly get to the bottom of all the Trump corruption we need to also go after all those who have protected him - all the way to McConnell and others. This can never be repeated and so criminal prosecutions need to happen.
28
Mr. Trump's obviously outrageous behavior which prompted this whistle blower to come forward may have been a Brer Rabbit (please don't throw me in the briar patch) ploy in order to constantly float negative conjecture about Mr. Biden's surviving son.
Just like Sec. Clinton's email, all you have to do is keep hearing/reading it over and over again before you're thinking, 'Yeah, what's up with that email?' even if there's no there there.
'There there' doesn't matter anymore. It's perception of what 'could' be there, like Area 51 or pretty much any episode of X-Files.
Seems like an orchestrated move by Mr. Trump's handlers to again control the zeitgeist. They're not good for much else, but they are good at making one doubt one's senses. Propaganda 101.
10
This is exactly the type of thing that happens when you hire someone who doesn't know anything about the job and doesn't care to learn.
14
If it’s necessary, I and many others would happily contribute to a GoFundMe legal defense fund for this latest whistleblower.
18
He always promises things that he can't do. Remember "Make America Great". and " you will get tired of winning" and "all those jobs will come back"? He probably promised a bunch of stuff, example- we will send you billions in aid, or we will give you lots of beautiful weapons (to buy). or do what I say or no aid no weapons and sanctions. Who knows, but it would be interesting to hear.
9
Try to remember when it was "We the people."
Well, as the people with an interest in being informed of the goings-on of the federal government, why aren't "we" privy to the revelations of a whistleblower? Isn't that what whistleblowing is all about?
20
This is yet another example of obstruction of justice. Hopefully someone in the House is already adding this case to the long list of impeachable offenses, to be used later in an impeachment trial.
25
It's a mistake to portray this as a political clash between Democrats and the administration. This is an issue that strikes at the heart of our Constitution and the checks and balances that are a founding principle of our government.
60
If this turns out like all the rest of Trump's real, suspected and hoped for crimes, it will end being another tempest in a tea pot.
4
@bellicose The IG appointed by Trump deems it a matter of "urgent concern", the DNI is stonewalling Congress and to you it's nothing.
Trump did say his followers would stick with him even if he shot someone on Fifth Avenue and you're proving the point.
13
@bellicose Stealing money from the Military to build the wall is a crime; some of the money was for schools; which will not be built.
12
This is not only a constitutional crisis it is an international network of international deal makers taking advantage of the "great deal maker." It's all about power and money in a enormous mafia ring that just happens to rule countries. The republican party sees its primary role as protectionists of the secret life of so called politics. It's really all money laundering. Ah Monopoly is a fun game if you're a grifter. These are the people who rule the world.
22
It depresses me that, whatever their political views, Trump's followers and political sycophants (aka, brown-nosers) aren't bothered by his blatant disrespect for the Constitution. In fact, they actively support it. This is very bad.
51
Best-case scenario for Trump: He said something grandiose and stupid, which was overheard by someone who believed in, oh, norms and propriety. Worst-case scenario: Trump said or did something far darker. Either scenario is bad, and we just don’t know which it is, at least for now. Keep digging.
18
Whatever the subject of the complaint, given Trump's track record of deals and subterfuges intended to profit himself at the expense of the country, I remain convinced that Donald Trump willfully put the country and its defenses in danger so that he could personally profit from the disclosure. He has never shown an inclination to any other sort of behavior in any matter whatsoever. We need to find what the complaint was about and act upon it, for I am certain that Trump has violated his Oath of Office to line his pockets. This we cannot and will not bear.
26
When will Adam Schaffer’s stop with these absurd investigations? He holds press conference after press conference, and breathlessly claims to have a smoking gun. Nothing ever comes of it.
2
@Dan M When will Trump stop helping Russia? No Sanctions; free hand at election meddling; Aluminum plant built in Mitch McConnells state.
11
@Dan M
You do realize that Adam Schiff had nothing to do with this “investigation”... this is a whistleblower report that went through all of the proper channels, was deemed to be Urgent and Serious, was required by law to be turned over to Congressional oversight committees, and has been improperly blocked by the White House in direct violation of clear law and precedent.
But yeah, keep spinning.
16
@Dan M You might try getting Mr. Schiff's name right, for starters. Thanks for playing.
9
AG Barr is still sitting on the real (ie unredacted) Mueller report. It was supposed to have been released to the Congressional Judicial Committee several months ago. trump keeps asserting that his bratty and smug lying son (Don jr.) is totally exonerated by the Mueller report. How does he know this? All critical parts of the report related to Don jr. have been redacted (ie covered up). Go figure.
22
Still a deadend, vague and partisan attempt to set hair afire across the country. One parroting perpetration of lies after another. That ticking sound you hear at night when you’re hating our President is his poll number slowly and surely ratcheting up. Thank you.
2
Serious question for supporters of the President: is there anything Donald Trump could do to convince you he's a criminal? If the answer is yes, then what is that thing?
15
@JBC Yeah, of course the Inspector General appointed by Trump is deep into a "partisan attempt", makes perfect sense.
Or to put it another way, what part of "urgent concern" do you not understand?
12
@JBC Trump dropping in the polls. 38%. Trump has scandal after scandal after scandal. Americans are sick of his hate. Trump lies every day; many times. Iran? Trump will do nothing; he is a Coward. N Korea? Has More nukes and missiles; got World recognition and no war games. Trade? Trump gave $28 Billion in a Socialist bailout to his "Patriot Farmers". Trump's 38% base; will always be with him; to the day America sinks into the morass of hate and lies he created.
8
AG Barr is still sitting on the real (ie unredacted) Mueller report. It was supposed to have been released to the Congressional Judicial Committee several months ago. trump keeps asserting that his bratty and smug lying son (Don jr.) is totally exonerated by the Mueller report. How does he know this? All critical parts of the report related to Don jr. have been redacted (ie covered up). Go figure.
6
Trump is the biggest real estate tycoon since Pope Alexander VI, as he owns and is willing to sell the United States to the highest bidder or anyone willing to sell “dirt” on his political opponents. As Trump once pleaded for “dirt” on Hillary Clinton, “Are you listening Russia?” (or Ukraine?)
20
"Trust me!" The most common words from a con man's mouth.
30
Trump is a criminal extraordinaire; always has been.
13
The biggest issue with the current resident is that he is poisoning the well. How can we come together as Americans: after the deepening and widening schism in civil discourse, and all the harm done?
15
The Democrats needs to coming out firing here, not just threatening legal action. Go for it. You have to find out what this is about. Somehow Trump seems to think whatever conversation he had, and what ever promise he made is acceptable, when obviously it is not.
We cannot let this slide and let him get re-elected by some covert means. This country would be finished. As it is, we are challenged to bounce back from where this 'person' has taken us.
18
Trump and his administration's obstruction of the truth is whole sale. Trump and Barr, will do anything they can to keep the truth from being told, even in violation to the law. Now we have a much better idea of the reason why Dan Coates, and his Deputy resigned. Now we have a very clear example of how deep Trump's deceit runs through his administration.
If someone witnesses, someone go out in the middle of the night and digs a grave in their backyard, there is a very good chance you will find a body in it, in the morning. This is another grave the Trump administration is digging, to protect their crime. It needs to be dug up and revealed. The TRUTH always comes out sooner or later. The sooner the better, before the evidence completely decomposes. The witness to the crime needs to be protected, and testify.
The whistleblower, in this case, must be protected and the evidence preserved and acted upon. Same goes for all the other evidence, for all the other crimes this administration has commited; such as: tax evasion, campaign finance violations, profiteering by FEMA, emoulment clause violations, obstruction of justice, etc. The RICO statues should be used to investigate and prosecute this, ORGANIZED CRIME FAMILY.
14
Could we PLEASE not have the administration investigate itself again, and find no collusion, no obstruction whatsoever?
Are we tired of the lies, yet?
17
I'll bet that the whistle blower wishes he/she kept their mouth shut after they are fired or are assigned to Greenland, go broke paying lawyers and have their mortgaged foreclosed.
Remember - if you see (hear) something, say nothing!
4
Incredible. Trump was just about right. He really can shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and not be arrested. The end of America.
15
It's a given that Trump is a corrupt thug, but what I find disturbing is all the people around him, including the Republican leadership, who have so willingly followed his lead. Is there no morality or self-respect left in the GOP?
29
Trump is making this nation the laughing stock of the world.
14
We have been hijacked by Trump and the republican party and this party of Trump believes and asserts itself to be the US government. The Barr legal team, formerly the department of justice is supporting this by helping Trump fight against truth and justice where ever they see it - what a dastardly duo.
Where's an election when you need one.
30
I'm not sure about the pattern of thinking of US Congress (legislature) and executive branch (apart from the president) when it refuse or reluctant or simply incapable to handle such issues of transparency and then they blame people like Edward Snowdown when they find an alternative to that dysfunctional system!
Does it not provide foreign powers ample opportunities to exploit such seemingly genuine grievances among many highly qualified and dedicated professionals working within the Government?
Does our political parties, mainly the Republicans, understand and accept that those professionals are supposed to be dedicated to the nation, and not to the President personally?
Then I read this one-
Why Republicans Play Dirty. (Source- The Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/20/opinion/republicans-democracy-play-dirty.html
6
Please, when referring to our Commander in chief. It is not Mr. Trump. It is President Trump. Let's show some respect for the office, Especially coming from a reputable media source.
4
@Carlos When Mr Trump does something respectable, he will be afforded that respect. Holding an office does not immediately garner the respect normally associated with it.
23
@Carlos first, review the new York times style guide. You will see that after the first mention of a name, which should include honorifics, further mentions do not.
Second, What? This president deserves no respect. None. The office? None. It has proven to be to poorly defines, giving the dictator too much power. I lost respect for our constitution when it was abused to get a con man in the office.
Third, if you support Trump, kindly seek mental help. Start with reading the Gospel of Luke. I'm an atheist, but I find it quite moving.
28
@Carlos Trump calls women of color he does not like "nasty"; yesterday he re tweeted a video lie about a Muslim woman dancing on 911;Trump calls Joe Biden "sleepy" and Beto O'Rourke "dumb". Trump threw away any respect for the presidency.
9
Ukraine business dealings was in part the down fall of Paul Manafort the president former campaign manager. It seems like the president aka agent orange is reaching back into that same play book for the 2020 race. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
We are a nations of laws and the president keeps muzzling the truth. If he and associates don't want to comply with the law perhaps they would prefer jail.
10
With the help of the Republican Party Donald J. Trump is destroying the moral fabric and integrity of The United States of America. Regardless of what comes from the latest Trump scandal, we have already seen how Trump has been selfishly tearing at the fabric of American society. Regardless of one's political philosophy, big government or small government, Trump has been a force of evil within our nation. How can so many Republicans, the Party of Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower, ever see anything but corrupt self-interest in the psychopathological narcissist with no moral bearing who now occupies the position of POTUS? Shame on them.
21
Now we know the Oval Office is no different than the office in Trump Tower.
This Administration is a corrupt as any in history, they just choose to conduct their illegalities in broad daylight and dare anyone to oppose them.
20
I have to laugh at the characterization of the president's style as freewheeling.
Loose cannon comes to mind.
22
Smells like months to me. Leading to nothing.
And “intercourse”, ooh how risqué.
Mr. Schiff said he would explore potential recourse with the House’s general counsel to try to force the release of the complaint, including potentially suing for it in court.
1
Ukraine business dealings was in part the down fall of Paul Manafort the president former campaign manager. It seems like the president aka agent orange is reaching back into that same play book for the 2020 race. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
We are a nations of laws. If you don't want to comply with those laws then perhaps you would prefer jail. Time to start locking them up.
2
Trump intentionally ignores that the United States is collectively OUR COUNTRY, and not his country. Making off the cuff deals with with foreign leaders, pressuring foreign leaders into actions that are questionable, referring to minority groups as "our Hispanics" or "our African-Americans" is his way of putting himself in the driver's seat - and shoving the other two EQUAL branches of government, along with the US citizenry, into the backseat. I say to the other two EQUAL branches of government - DO SOMETHING!
18
Trump is already Shouting there is a partisan motive by a whistleblower. It is tragic that the acting head of the intelligence agency, a highly regarded former vice admiral, does not know the law and makes his own partisan move to protect Trump.This is just another episode in the Trump Show. How many more Republicans will readily dirty up there legacy to protect Trump by taking power away from the people and their congress?
10
Wish to congratulate my fellow citizens that voted for Mr. Trump.
You were right - she is much worse than he is.
Nice job.
11
Trump is acting guilty again.
Why not air the whistleblower's complaint if it doesn't amount to anything?
Does hiding the whistleblower's complaint from public scrutiny mean that there's something to the complaint?
What is Trump afraid of this time?
Why does he try to hide so many things from public view?
Are those things he's trying to hide that bad?
Could they be worse than we currently think?
How much worse could they be?
Imagine!
11
Last year Trump sold Javelin missiles to Ukraine, shortly there after, the Ukrainians ended their investigation into Paul Manafort and allowed Konstantin Kilimnik to escape back to Russia. Looks like Trump may be trying to take a second bite of the Apple.
25
Americans who voted for him knew that Trump was (is) a bigoted crook, but justified their votes by saying, “He is OUR crook.” So, no amount of scandals is going to discourage his voters.
Considering all the free stuff Democratic candidates are promising (Medicare for all, free education etc) , the best thing for Democrats is to wait till 2024 and see if they can win the Presidency then.
Trump is frantically desperate to win the 2020 election because he will face multiple charges of criminal prosecution once he is out of office.
He obviously is in the fight of his life and will break every law necessary in an effort to retain his flailing presidency.
My concern is that he will start a war with Iran solely to divert attention from his criminal activities.
17
The state of affairs of this administration is a direct result of the way our government operates when the GOP is in charge: a president who is an incompetent dictator wannabe, an AG who protects him, a GOP led do-nothing Senate, and GOP appointed and approved judges.
We are in serious trouble: an out of control administration and a roll-back of environmental protections rings a death knell for us.
18
An unintended consequence of quashing information is the tendency of those kept in the dark to speculate. Taking a step back, I'll add what I think may be the "promise" conveyed in this conversation between our President and a foreign leader.
I believe that it's possible that the request by the Trump administration, through Rudy Giuliani, basically extorting the President of Ukraine to investigate the son of Joe Biden with the withholding of congressionally approved military aid, is simply a byproduct of the actual subject of the whistleblower's complaint.
Perhaps the promise delivered by Trump was to Vladimir Putin, and not to the president of Ukraine; an assurance that the United States would not only withhold military aid to Ukraine, but would also, as reported tangentially, withhold even larger amounts of congressionally approved military aid to our European allies , totaling over 1 billion dollars.
Even more troubling is the prospect that this promise to Putin may have included a vow by our president that the United States will not intervene in Putin's expansionist efforts in Ukraine, nor his hostile actions involving our allies in Europe.
If this supposition is true it shows our president to be more of an active participant in destroying our democracy, rather than merely a puppet of Putin. What further proof is needed that Donald Trump is working in the best interests of our greatest adversary, rather than that of the people of the United States?
30
Frightening times we find ourselves in. As horrible as 9/11 and Katrina were, neither caused me to doubt the general stability of the United States.
Our executive branch is staffed with acting secretaries and many key positions vacant and unfilled. A hollowed out diplomatic core and low credibility with our allies are not helping us address an increasingly challenging situation in the Middle East.
Against that backdrop, we face a White House willing to do anything and everything to avoid being accountable to the rule of law.
The whistleblower’s complaint was found to be urgent and credible by the inspector general’s investigation. Refusing to follow the statutory requirement to give this information to the intelligence committee is stating the president is immune not only from prosecution, but also investigation and is in fact above the rule of law.
The DOJ is complicit with AG Barr displaying corrupt loyalty to the president over the interests and security of the American people. We have finally arrived at the precipice of a constitutional crisis that can not be tiptoed around any longer.
The congress must act to reign in this catastrophe before any semblance to the country the founders envisioned has been lost forever.
For those inclined to disagree, if there is m nothing to this why did the IG find it an urgent concern and why are the the WH and DOJ going to such extreme lengths to try and keep that concern from the committee?
Frightening times indeed.
43
At the risk of sounding dramatic, I suppose if Congress loses this battle with the WH/DNI/Barr, it's pretty much over for democracy in America.
59
@Alan Cole
Yes. This is the tipping point. Tragically.
Any single Canadian men out there looking for a solvent, reasonably nice woman & two Chihuahuas? We’re ready and willing to emigrate.
31
Well, it would at the very least signal the end of congressional checks against the executive. Other democratic norms, like elections, could continue, but our system will become less and less recognizable.
14
Ukrainian extortion. Solicitation of false charges against the Biden family. Obstructing lawful oversight, yet again. Trump is either drunk with power or desperate to win the next election. Either way, if the whistleblower complaint is as bad as reporting suggests, Trump is toast. There have to be multiple transcripts or recordings of his transgressions, other witnesses, and compelling reasons for fulsome testimony.
Even AG Barr may be vulnerable to charges of obstructing justice and a legal congressional investigation.
At the rate information is coming out, Trump might be gone over this weekend. One can hope anyway. And then he can face justice like any other criminal.
53
Trump accepted dirt on an opponent from a foreign adversary in 2016 and got away with it. I am not surprised he is at it again and will continue with his lawless behavior until he is held accountable.
41
The people must lead by staging mass, non-stop protests to stop Trump and the right wing from destroying our Constitution. It is time.
53
I rarely agree with George will ... but he has been crying out against the "imperial presidency" for years as have many others. Trump's tenure, if we survive it, can serve as a lesson in the ways that implicit code of behavior on the part of the president needs to be codified by law when possible.
10
Republicans seem to be very much focused on the short term in this matter and with Trumpism in general. It is a strategic mistake that will cost them dearly for the next 20 years. At some point, they have to be willing to place country above party, otherwise they are no better than Mugabe’s party.
15
One hopes that the whistleblower will tell the whole story if the administration continues to stonewall. He/she would only spend a short time in jail until a Democratic president issues the pardon.
8
Bears repeating:
Trump is making offers to remove sanctions or trade military hardware in return for direct help in the 2020 election.
15
If this isnt it Madame Speaker what is? This is the tipping point beyond which we go down the slippery slope of waiting it out until what more? Isnt this enough corruption? How can you say we need to gather more facts when there is so much?
13
The public has grown cynical and tired of hearing the word "unprecedented" to describe the multiple egregious scandals in the Trump administration. This one may inevirably be found to exonerate any wrong doing on his part and soon disappear from the news cycle as every other one has done over the past few years. Trump will slither around the truth with the able assistance of his Attorney General and loyalist Republicans.
Perhaps through this latest event, the only saving grace can be that a new irrefutable "precedent" be defined for what constitutes a high crime and misdemeanor. If not, it is just a matter of time that we will once again be outraged, exhausted and soon forget the next questionable accusation moving on to the next as Trump unabashedly becomes more and more powerful and emboldened as he continues on his reelection path to the White House.
3
Does anyone else find it odd that Trump is out barking on Twitter today about the nature of the conversation in question? Is it normal for the subject of a whistle-blower complaint to be notified of its details before congress gets eyes on it? How corrupt can they be over the the Dept of Obstruction of Justice?
19
Does Adam Schiff ever do anything in Congress?...it seems his every waking moment is spent pursuing some weak, anonymous against President Donald Trump. This obsessive fixation on denting President Trump in place of any substantive work on legislation (trade agreements, immigration, infrastructure, etc) is not lost on voters, even those in his district.
Also, even if President Trump did make false promises or even lie to a foreign leader (this has to be more than alleged, it has to be proven) do your really think he would lose much, if any, support? Remember Obama’s conversation with Medvedev?
2
@Back Up
Ah yes, the "what about "fill in democratic villain" here" defense.
Perhaps Schiff could do something else if there was a moment in the day where Mr. Trump didn't tear at the fabric of our government.
But your right - lets talk about Hillary's emails.
14
Do a little bit of research before you comment next time. Adam Schiff is listed as sponsor or co sponsor of quite a bit of legislation. And the comparison to Obama doesn’t hold water. It may have been embarrassing, but it certainly wasn’t en explicit quid pro quo. We don’t know any details yet, thanks to continued Trump obstruction, but whatever was said had to be much more serious in order to prompt a formal complaint. Trump supporters keep trying to hide behind “what about isms “ but they never seem to ring true. When will you finally admit Trumps incompetence and corruption?
10
@Back Up I think you have a point. I don't think Trump would lose much support. It seems his followers have all kinds of excuses for him and then change the subject back to Obama.
8
Lincoln: "We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country." I think it's about time that people who know very important things patriotically, courageously speak up, truth to justice. "Justice" has never been considered always exactly the same as the "law." These times of lawlessness among the very top of supposedly law enforcement officials requires--absolutely requires--now a special response to it exactly because of those officials' power base. In this special response to them, I'm thinking not only of Lincoln but also of the Founders who were of course revolutionaries and considered lawless by the powers that be at the time. The stonewalling of the proper business of Congress will seemingly endlessly continue, as it cripples through sheer delay of justice. Lewandowski's outrageously arrogant, contemptuous behavior is a particularly appalling example of sycophants of those who will obstruct through delay. He and their ilk have no compunctions about thwarting the law.
So, people who know things now need to speak up, too--with integrity, as it all comes out eventually (e.g., Michael Cohen). The hope is that there won't be too much damage to our country in the meantime.
5
The TV networks’ morning coverage centers around the assumption that the report that the complained of conduct “involves Ukraine” means Trump’s phone conversation was WITH Ukraine (that is, with its president). I think the more likely basis for an IC whistleblower complaint would be a conversation between Trump and Putin ABOUT Ukraine, and the most alarming scenario would be Trump’s promising Putin that the US would not lift a finger if Putin moved to take all of Ukraine (or even if Russia tried to absorb several of the former Soviet territories). This has been the key issue since the beginning of Trump’s candidacy, in my opinion.
9
law and order under the Trump admin? Nope, just total corruption, aggression, mean spirited, dishonest, the worst I have ever seen in a US administration. Really folks, impeachment should have occurred for this one, it is long past due.
28
This discussion is totally daft.
No evidence of anything and we are immediately back to Russiagate.
Perhaps the foreign leader was Mr Netanyahu and no I don't have any evidence for that but so what?
5
@Robert Jennings
You should read the Russia report, it is explicit and detailed in the dozens of acts of collusion committed by Campaign personnel of Individual-1 and there are 4 or 6 or 10 specific instances of obstruction of justice outlined that are irrefutable.
16
The most disturbing aspect of this scandal, as well as all the others involving the hoodlum masquerading as president, is that the DOJ, the intelligence agencies, the Senate, and the Supreme Court have all been decapitated. Virtually every government agency which could exert oversight over Trump is headed by a corrupt, or incompetent, temporary director who demonstrates absolute loyalty to Trump. The AG is the Roy Cohn Trump admitted to be searching for. The Senate is paralyzed with Moscow Mitch as its majority leader, and the Court decides every case with the swing vote of a sexual predator who is a Trump appointee. The Trump rot extends into every area of government, threatening our foundations of justice, truth, and democracy which logically should have immunized our country against the Trump infestation.
Obviously, the Republicans in Congress could not care less about the incompetence, indecency, and corruption which are synonymous with the Trump brand. Hopefully, the voters do.
29
@Stu
It's become quite clear why Donald insists on using temps for key positions. It seems highly unlikely that he would have tried this alleged deal with Ukraine if Dan Coats had still been the DNI. He had to get him out of the way first.
7
I'm so glad we have an opposition who will serve as doormat to this anti-democracy circus of traitors and criminals.
11
Tick tock...don't worry, Rudy will blab/brag about this in some buffoonish way on Fox "News". The weekend ain't over yet.
10
Complaining about something, when you don't know what it is you are complaining about, is either insanity or harassment - take your choice.
2
Why Ukraine as the focus of the complaint is particularly ominous
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/20/why-trumps-alleged-promise-involving-ukraine-is-particularly-ominous/
Is President Trump's lawyer, Mr. Giuliani, of the opinion that you can fool all of the people all of the time, this time?
8
Giuliani must be culled from the herd for his actions in Ukraine and prosecuted prior to the impeachment of Trump for directing those illegal activities.
12
Rome is burning, and a feckless Republican Party stands back and lets it burn, as long as its ideology is fed by the fuels that feed the fire. Historically, far older and more established countries, generally forgotten by the mainstream, have gone to ashes. Will the United States be such a country 3000 years from now? I think so. Its only remains will be a footnote in somebody else’s history book.
6
@jlemory
More like 3000 DAYS from now.
2
Trump and his enablers, including the GOP, possibly SCOTUS and many people who should have known better, will receive their due in the history books as setting a modern day standard for corruption. The enablers deserve to be tarred for not standing up to him and his criminal enterprise. In particular, I hope that his political appointees to SCOTUS are cognizant of their role.
8
who would not play poker with trump? many tells and, the friends he invites to the table. but seriously anytime he speaks with a leader they have smart friends on their end, too, listening, offering different questions. “Ask him . . . . He won’t remember — he isn’t taking notes”
8
Is this the same Adam Schiff who had evidence of treason over 2 years ago? His credentials are suspect.
4
Evidence of treason everywhere, everyday. Mueller couldn’t get Manafort to tell the truth, what with his promised pardon and all, so no conspiracy-for now. Doesn’t mean there wasn’t, or isn’t, Trump treason.
2
As long as Giuliani was seeking the facts, and believe me, Ukraine has plenty of facts to expose about Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign and Joe and Hunter Biden, no U.S. law was broken.
2
'Freewheeling diplomatic style' That's your take on this? That's what we're calling this inept, dishonest, corrupt behavior? Freewheeling? Give me a break.
15
I laughed at the “freewheeling” line too. More “ignorant and arrogant”, I’d say.
1
It is clear that Trump has hijacked the US Government for his own personal gain. He is immoral, corrupt, intellectually challenged and a sociopath.
What's the excuse for the rest of the Republican Party?
17
It's ok for Jonny to go out possum hunting for the good of ter family. But he didn't tell them and so they couldn't remind him to wear his red jacket. uncle Mose almost killed him but the bullet hit a tree. Jonny got a good scolding for that one.
At least he didn't endanger the United States. That would have required much much more than a scolding as the bullet could still be traveling. No more hunting for you, Jonny. Not without supervision. And here's a striped jumpsuit so we know where you are.
3
Adam Schiff is the new Trey Gowdy, quite an honor for Burbank’s reputation.
2
Lock him up already. Everyday chaos and more rotten to the core behavior. The Christian GOP supporters have to be upset with this corruption . One thing for sure they are an accessory to all Trumps corruption while he is not my President.
8
Trump’s corruption, amplified by his brain rot, is highly contagious. So much so that the Senate, Maguire, Barr, have succumbed to the Trump Pestilence. Thanks to FOX news it is also airborne.
10
Donald is such a disappointment.After going to the trouble to endear Vladimir, why not ask him to whisper in the ear of his president in Ukraine, and have him call Trump ? That way the conversation could turn innocently to politics and the Ukrainian president could volunteer a " If you knew the kind of business shenaniagans you democratic rival was up to in my country would you be surprised." And Donnie could say " You don't say." " Why don't you come by for supper sometime ?"
3
I guess Adam Schiff was feeling ignored by the media who are pushing Nadler these days so leaked this story to get some well deserved media attention for
himself
2
“Freewheeling diplomatic style”? Did you mean “serious threat to national security”?
10:11 a.m.
19
Trump and his goons are trying to rig 2020 like they rigged 2016. They’re even using the same channels - Giuliani has just stepped into Manafort’s role.
12
Based on this article, it would appear Mr. trump might have been urging the president of Ukraine to investigate corruption in Ukraine if he wanted to receive needed military assistance from the U.S. The concern raised by the whistleblower could be that Mr. Trump might have stated that if Ukraine is to get what it says it needs, Mr. Trump needs the authorities in Ukraine to start an investigation into Mr. Biden's son Hunter Biden's activities while working in Ukraine. Of course, this could be immensely helpful to Mr. Trump, if there is any there there.
4
If that’s true, that is an extreme abuse of power, and orange one should be removed from office in handcuffs.
10
If it's not a crime for the president of the U.S. to pressure another country, perhaps even hold up military aid, until it investigates the president's political rival -- the Biden family -- then there is something drastically wrong with our laws.
15
The few social programs that benefit the average Americans were all enacted by the Democrats over the opposition of the Republicans. The Republicans never, ever propose any such programs. Theoretically, the Republican party should cease to exist. My theory is that they endure because they have an excellent propaganda machine while the Democrats are clueless in that area.
13
@Clark Landrum
So true, So true.
The Republican Party uses every dirty trick in the book to suppress votes and gerrymander voting districts to give them an advantage at the polls that they would fail to get due to their reprehensible policies.
The Democrats may be the party of hope.
The Republicans are a party of desperation.
3
Thank you, New York Times! Once again you may be helping save our country from a criminal president. When you first uncover these actions, it must be mind boggling because the depravity and lack of allegiance to the Constitution and the American people are unfathomable until the light of world-class journalism exposes them. No wonder Trump bashes you while yearning for you to like him. Even he knows a great news organization. Keep going!
9
The potential for malfeasance by our current President is no longer terrifying – we have grown relatively numb to that. What stuns and appalls and saddens is the appearance that Congress and its oversight committees have been hammered into the mold of the Camera stellata. Just as that old English "Star Chamber" was fashioned to oversee the powerful but came to be their tool, We, The People are being denied the representative oversight that we have fought so hard to sustain
7
"The problem lies elsewhere"?
No, he lies here, there and everywhere.
11
CNN is reporting this morning the call was with the Ukranian President. Trump may have asked him to dig up corruption dirt on Joe Biden and his son regarding financial interests in Ukraine. And there could be a quid pro quo because Trump reportedly dangled military aid.
I'm sure we'll be hearing more, but if this is true and the facts are being stonewalled by Trump's "Justice" Dept., I don't see how Dems can avoid impeachment proceedings.
10
Haha. Trump could detonate a Nuke over California and half of America wouldn't even bat an eyelash.
Gonna have to beat him with actual politics and organizing around the issues. Sadly, we live in a post-ethical society. Meaning this is merely a footnote.
6
Label me convinced. Trump also sought Russian aid for the 2016 campaign.
Trump: the GOP standard bearer and legacy.
5
Maybe I’m paranoid, but could this be next-level trolling by the trump administration?
By ginning up a whistleblower crisis and drawing media attention to it, with all of us now salivating for the details....
What if it just draws attention to potential corrupt acts by Joe Biden’s son? And only involves a relatively minor suggestion by the Trump admin that Ukraine look into it, which we already know that he requested?
If Trump is good at anything, it’s manipulating the media.
This should be interesting.
3
Should the Trump Administration’s interpretation of the extent of executive privilege continues to be protected by the Republican controlled Senate and upheld by the Mitch McConnell packed judiciary, it may become impossible to remove or vote out of office the “Benedict Arnold” or “Quisling” POTUS!
3
Does no one appreciate the other obvious side to this, namely, just how did a member of the intelligence community obtain this information? Were they spying on a president of the United States? Is the Oval Office bugged? Look, I'm as thrilled as the next guy to see Trump convicted of high crimes and misdemeanors, and given the perp walk out of the WH, but if that means allowing our intelligence community to eavesdrop and listen in on private conversations of our elected officials, without a warrant, then we are in trouble as a democracy. I know it's ironic trying to defend democracy while questioning this about Trump, but there are some dangerous precedents in this case that need to be looked in to and answered.
4
@FXQ
How many times has Trump stood at a podium in front of all of us Americans and said things that are insane, like “Putin was very strong in his denial. Why would it be Russia”. Trump says what he wants, then he will lie his way out of it anyway he can. I have no doubts that Trump would say something in front of a intelligence official because he thinks he is above the law. Trying to bribe the Ukraine into making a false statement about one of his opponents in order to effect our 2020 election is not legal. He is asking for the Ukraine to interfere to help him out because he knows if he doesn’t stay in the White House he is going to be indicted.
4
@FXQ
What? They WORK for the intelligence agency. They are supposed to be fully vetted and have the highest level of security clearance. Unlike the President and his family.
3
@FXQ As I understand it (and maybe I am wrong) no communication is considered private if you're working for the USA and it involves the USA. It's all supposed to be on record, even if classified record. Same as working for a company, you can't, as an employee, do your own secret, private deals in the name of the company. Trump is an employee of the people of the USA, bound by oath to serve the interests of the US.
1
Does no one appreciate the other obvious side to this, namely, just how did a member of the intelligence community obtain this information? Were they spying on a president of the United States? Is the Oval Office bugged? Look, I'm as thrilled as the next guy to see Trump convicted of high crimes and misdemeanors, and given the perp walk out of the WH, but if that means allowing our intelligence community to eavesdrop and listen in on private conversations of our elected officials, without a warrant, then we are in trouble as a democracy. I know it's ironic trying to defend democracy while questioning this about Trump, but there are some dangerous precedents in this case that need to be looked in to and answered.
This is a set-up. House will convene hearings, and those hearings will make public enough dirt on the Bidens’ dealings in Ukraine to knock Joe out of the race. Trump won’t care - he’ll just keep daring the Dems to impeach him, and the Dems will just keep sitting on their hands.
8
During the 2016 election campaign, Hillary Clinton met with Ukraine's president at the United Nations and promised that America would continue to support Ukraine against Russian encroachment. Perhaps President Trump makes the same promise,
3
Why was the Ukranian State prosecutor fired after then V.P. Biden threatened to withhold 1.2 billion dollars in aid if the firing did not occur, (in his own words). And why was the investigation that the fired State prosecutor was undergoing, dropped, after the firing and that involved V.P. Bidens son and the oil company that he and Secty. of State Kerry's son both had large vested interests in? Every American should be interested in the answers to these questions as should this newspaper.
4
@hiasakite I think the US should concentrate on the horrible corruption of the trump administration in its own country before worrying about. Ukraine. America First!
1
"Freewheeling diplomatic style?" Come on, NYT! We're talking about an apparent conspiracy to engage in some kind of criminal activity. That's not "diplomacy." That's criminality. Stop soft-soaping Trump's behavior.
13
Trump 1. “Knowing all of this, is anybody dumb enough to believe that I would say something inappropriate with a foreign leader while on such a potentially ‘heavily populated’ call,”
Does anyone think Trump is dumb enough to do inappropriate things while people are watching?
Trump 2. “I would only do what is right anyway, and only do good for the USA!”
Does anyone think Trump fuses "right" and "good for USA" with "good for Trump Inc."?
2
@Michael Kubara
International calls can be made on a cell phone. Trump uses his personal cell phone a lot. If he made this call on his cellphone, it would not be recorded.
1
Scruff can talk all he liked, but in the end here’s what he’s going to do: nothing.
Schiff - along with Pelosi, House and Jeffries - is part of the shameful Congressional House leadership that absolutely refuses to hold the president accountable. They’ll wag their fingers and pen a concerned tweet, but in the end they’re too afraid of their own shadow to use their constitutional duties to impeach a lawless president.
3
@Vin
Schiff, Cummings, Nadler, et al, have been working their behinds off to hold Trump accountable. They have to hold hearings to establish the high crimes and misdemeanors before they can draw up articles of impeachment. But with Barr the the DOJ in Trump's pocket the process becomes much slower because they have to go to the courts to compel testimony. Trump's obstruction is the problem, not the Democrats.
5
Could this have something to do with Dan Coats' resignation as Director of National Intelligence on August 15, 2019?
16
The administration's push to hide this complaint teaches us about the relationship Americans now have with their government. The American People are not allowed to know what their government is doing. Without that information, we can't have anything resembling a democracy. By pushing this line, in violation of laws set up to keep us informed, Trump further degrades our system of government. Surprise.
19
The “American people” do not have a right to know everything their government is doing. There are no “ laws set up to keep us informed.” No government could possibly function that way.
But the elected representatives of the people do have a legal right, and an obligation, to investigate when there is a question of governmental wrongdoing.
If they were not being prevented from such an investigation we would know nothing about this matter until it was presented as one of the Articles of Impeachment.
1
"'I don’t think this is a problem of the law,' he said. 'I think the law is written very clearly. I think the law is just fine. The problem lies elsewhere.'"
You mean, like the law about if the appropriate House committee requests the release of a citizen's tax returns, they SHALL be released to said committee?
You mean like the law that says asylum seekers are not "illegal"?
You mean like the law that says government employees, even the President, cannot accept emoluments?
Since when does this administration care much about law, ethics, morals, or even decency? The King must be obeyed!
16
There are Republicans in Congress who describe the reactions to Trump and his administration as a tempest in a teapot. Democrats in Congress frequently describe Trump and his administration’s reactions to their inquiries as stonewalling. Trump describes the opposing views as unAmerican and unpatriotic.
It goes way beyond these terse descriptions. We are witnessing the steady erosion of our democracy and our rights. We are also witnessing graft and corruption the likes of which we’ve never experienced before. We are witnessing the consolidation of power (and its abuse) by a group of grifters in all three branches of our government and whose allegiance is only to themselves.
Each and every day when Trump calls for an opponent or a journalist to be locked up, or promotes white supremacy in his tweets, or gets caught in one of his frequent lies, I think of how our country is becoming more and more like his hero Putin’s Russia. Many people think Trump’s deep state will only last until 2021. I’m not convinced. Trump and his allies have embedded more like minded conservatives to the courts, and are sowing public distrust in our government institutions that could take decades to repair - if at all.
19
It is official:
To all Whistle-Blower, this special government , if you file a complain following proper procedures don't expect to be protected, because the Trump should be allowed to engage in corrupt activities at will anytime without any oversight.
The Republican Party.
9
Just another example of the lawlessness of this President. When will the Democrats stand up and impeach him? Or are they playing politics and waiting until he is voted out of office? What happens if he wins another term via the corrupt electoral college? Remember last election when 80,000 votes in three states ‘trumped’ 3 million votes in the popular vote? Pun intended.
The electoral college is proving to be the downfall of humanity as it prevented Al Gore and Hillary Clinton from taking office and, if they had, we would already be long on our way to fixing climate change. Instead we have Trump and the Republicans dooming our planet.
17
I just read Eyal Press’s book ‘Beautiful Souls’ which profiles 5 whistleblowers and the (mostly) challenging consequences they faced as a result of exposing what they saw as wrong. Written in 2011 the book couldn’t be more timely.
4
I getting a little dubious about all these Threats from the House as to what actions they will take only to back off and refine that threat a few days later. Take a page from the Trump presidency that is carried over from his private life and sue already. Talk is cheap and gathers very few votes.
ACTION DOES SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!
Don't be afraid of what you know may be the result. Get in on record.
1
I love the line from late night: don’t worry about this, because trump never keeps his promises anyway...
6
Trump would sell America to the highest foreign bidder for a pile of magic beans if he thought it would enrich him and his family by 25 cents. It's that simple. He thinks we are the United States of Trump and his "property" to give away in another losing real estate deal any time he sees fit. When do the American citizens say, "NO MORE!"?
11
This seems to be the most impeachable thing this president has done. We really don't know the details of the actual complaint, but it is the politicization and obstruction of the intelligence agencies and the justice department that make this impeachable.
NOW NANCY.
10
We're doomed. The Constitution of the United States no longer protects the American people.
11
I wonder if Trump voters are tired yet of watching majority of the country agonize over the endless corruption and scandal. I can't even keep it all straight any more. They wanted to throw in a bomb to shake up Washington and boy did they ever. We are shook. We are like a banana republic now and this man will clearly stop at nothing. He'll lie, he'll angrily double down, he'll cheat. He'll keep going until we realize this is not healthy for America, or the world.
10
For those hoping Rudy's rant on CNN, and the coming forward of a whistleblower, will change anything, face facts: Trump can, and will, do anything to diminish the various legislative branches of government, justice and the US constitution. Trump's supporters, many here in New York, support him no matter what. Even though he isn't the Sharpie-est president in history!
7
We're doomed. The Constitution of the United States no longer protects the American people.
2
"Mr. Trump defended his actions, and allies described his style with foreign leaders as more freewheeling than typical high-level diplomacy."
To me, "freewheeling" on this level presupposes that the freewheeler has some background info, some general intelligence about the situation from which to start freewheeling. To trump, freewheeling simply means nonsensical bragging, baseless promising, secret sharing, and constant lying, with no basis in or even concept of reality. He's an embarrassment, a very very dangerous one.
6
Why exactly can't Trump be indicted or investigated? This has never been made clear and it has ever become law other than Trump's political hacks and lawyers saying it's so. If this is the new rule of thumb we are now following, then I'm going to hire his lawyers to declare that I no longer must pay any taxes whatsoever and the government is obligated to send me a check for $25,000 each month. If this kind of sloppy, ridiculous rule of law works for Trump, why not for me also?
6
Is it just me or is extorting a foreign government to meddle in our national elections a huge deal? Lord, please let this be the thing that finally takes down the worst president in the history of our great country.
8
There are many whistles in Ukraine that need blowing, and if President Trump asked the new (and not fascist) President to go after corruption that would be very decent. After all, there has been not one Head of State or Government in Ukraine, since it split from the UssR, who was nor corrupt.
The worst excesses here went so far that the Prime Minister was fired, and that was President Obama's friend "Our Yats" whom he had heavily supported and supplied (I still suspect the guns for the Maidan came from NATO Poland via Lvov).
But even without that, a serious investigation into the money flow under "Our Yats" might become very unpleasant for ex-regime members over there, as well as over here.
Questions about giving military support against the DonBass secessionists should be accompanied by questions of how much of that goes to the 'Asov' or'Aidar' SS-brigades of the 'Socialis-National-Party of "Our Yats".
Let us hope we'll hear more whistles - and all of them!
There are many whistles in Ukraine that need blowing, and if President Trump asked the new (and not fascist) President to go after corruption that would be very decent. After all, there has been not one Head of State or Government in Ukraine, since it split from the UssR, who was nor corrupt.
The worst excesses here went so far that the Prime Minister was fired, and that was President Obama's friend "Our Yats" whom he had heavily supported and supplied (I still suspect the guns for the Maidan came from NATO Poland via Lvov).
But even without that, a serious investigation into the money flow under "Our Yats" might become very unpleasant for ex-regime members over there, as well as over here.
Questions about giving military support against the DonBass secessionists should be accompanied by questions of how much of that goes to the 'Asov' or'Aidar' SS-brigades of the 'Socialis-National-Party of "Our Yats".
Let us hope we'll hear more whistles - and all of them!
Make it stop! The last three years have been political agony. I only hope this may be the beginning of the end.
9
“I would only do what is right anyway, and only do good for the USA!” Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter."
One of the biggest problems I struggle with is that I fear this guy doesn't know what is "right and good" for the USA because his actions since taking office has certainly proven otherwise.
Anytime someone boasts about how good and honest they are to the degree this guy does, more flags go up than at a Packers/Bears football game.
13
Raise your hands if you think the Democratic congressmen demanding this confidential information would keep it confidential.
3
Well they should keep it confidential. God forbid the public should learn. We have no business monitoring the inner workings of our government.
It would be different if we were a democracy but we are not despite popular opinion.
4
And the president keeps NOTHING confidential — not from Russia. Give me a break. You want a dictator. That much is clear.
5
The President of the United States is elected to serve the American People. Donald Trump's words and actions clearly indicate he has little and often no interest in serving the American People. The consistency of his dishonest, disrespectful and manipulative outbursts via Twitter, Facebook and FOX NEWS need to examined and assessed by American Citizens aligned with ALL political parties. I fear that our current President is mentally unstable and a sociopath who has little concern for preserving and protecting the American Democracy. Our current President and his cohorts need to held accountable for their deplorable actions. ANY Government Official who supports him at this time should be considered an accomplice in the destruction of our society. Many officials serving in the Congress, Senate and Judicial System have also failed the American People. WE THE PEOPLE must hold those who side with Trump accountable. To not do so is to place future generations of American Citizens in great peril. AWAKE America.
15
Where is the outrage from elected Republicans on this? Or are they going to cower behind ill-placed loyalty to Trump on this, too? Shame on them. With every outrageous act of Trump's, they betray the Rule of Law and duty to their constituents by falling in the party line.
14
I'm sure Mr. Mcguire asked Mr. Trump what this was all about and Mr. Trump said it was nothing, fake news, a witch hunt to get even with Mr. Trump for crushing Hillary in 2016, and even if Mr. Trump did do whatever, he's the president so it can not be illegal nor treason.
Case closed...on Trump's treason and questions about the future of the US...time to short US futures.
7
Has Trump hit the bottom of the barrel yet? -has he run out of yes-men who will applaud his every move and excuse all of his misdeeds? All of these sycophants get away with this bad behavior-time for Congress to enforce subpoenas and take obstructors of Justice to Court and let them be fined or imprisoned!
10
it's the law for the matter to be investigated by Congress. what we have here is more obstruction by Trump. this administration is astonishingly lawless.
10
Which is either accepted or ignored by the American people
3
MEDIA MUST APPLY CONSTANT PRESSURE. THE FOURTH ESTATE IS NOW OUR MOST IMPORTANT ADVOCATE.
Why is this article not still top of page? Each scandal from this president is given two days of coverage and then released: Media must together maintain pressure until there is resolution. All media- print, radio, television and online. Constant pressure. We have experienced too many crimes by this president and his so-called administration, actors by their own admission.
23
Why would the person be called a whistleblower if there is nothing of substance to the complaint?
Curious people need to know.
By the way, isn’t there enough evidence by now to call for Impeachment, the 25th Amendment
and the Emmoulants clause by now?
I mean someone caught smoking pot in the White House would be put in the Federal Petitionary.
Surely there is enough proof to at least prove that Trump lied 12,000 times. That must constitute some kind of crime against the country when Trump swore to uphold the Constitution.
25
Considering Trump's speeches and tweets he should be forbidden to use the telephone to speak to foreign leaders.
14
'Really' it does not take a genius to figure out how this conversation went and what it was about and pf course who the usual suspects were.
1. Trump tasked Giuliani to dig dirt up on Hunter Biden and his dealings with Ukraine.
2. Trump saw this as a means to smear Joe Biden and destroy his chance of winning the Democrat's nomination for President. Trump being well aware even a sleepy Biden can beat him in 2020.
3. Trump calls Zelensky and threatens to withhold arms shipments to Ukraine unless they find dirt on Hunter Biden . This is the phone call that prompted the whistle-blower to act.
So now we know, whats next, I suggest that Giuliani is dragged before congress and made to testify, if he refuses he should be jailed.
Next moves from Congress should be to censure the President , as a first step. My understanding is that it is illegal to ask a Foreign Government to interfere in an American election , even if you are a sitting President .
This is not rocket science Democrats, Did I miss something ?.
28
Adam, do not be "determined" to get at the truth: Get it. The American people need action against the traitorous, corrupt President. Someone has destroyed their own career to bring us a message and we need to hear it ASAP.
62
I wish the Times would stop using the word "allies" with regards to Trump's friends and supporters. Allies is a technical term and refers to nations with which the United States has a defense treaty (or understanding). Using there technical term in other contents is confusing.
14
"Have one of our Obama guys in State make an allegation. The person isn't allowed to talk about it so the story cannot be disproved like the rest."
Adam Schiff
Finally!
1
Major constitutional reforms are desperately needed to ensure proper oversight and accountability can be enforced.
22
This isn’t news. The president had a conversation with another country. So what. Remember Ukraine was where Obama interfered in their elections which prompted Russia to invade. It’s also involved in the fake Dossier & where Biden’s family had shady business deals. I imagine Trump was probably inquiring about these details while the deepstate was spying. It’s also worth noting Trump is known to use Psy-Op strategies to see who’s leaking (nuking hurricanes). The left falls for it every time. Trump is playing 3D chess while everyone else is playing checkers.
4
Possibly so but I doubt trump even knows how to play chess and probably cheats at checkers.
4
@JOSEPH Also, Trump is playing chess for for the U.S. and these fools take pride in undercutting anything Trump does without a thought for the rest of us.
Beto tells the Russians he will disarm the whole country to save them the trouble and E. Warren promises to give the American railways to the Chinese government because "they worked so hard to build them!" While Biden reminisces.
Quid Pro Quo. Quid: trump wants dirt on Biden from Ukraine, Quo: trump releases $250 million Congress authorized for Ukraine military. No dirt, no money.
What does it take for the GOP to realize this is criminal behavior, aided and abetted by AG Bill Barr? How much criminal behavior is necessary for the GOP to respond?
35
Maybe the most interesting thing about this story is that it does not exist on Fox New. You can search for it and it isn't there.
48
Imagine… with all the ephemeral news stories regards politically correct wunderkinds suffering a fetish or enthusiasm regards donning a costume that might endear them to this or that culture or ideology; you have to smile wondering what chance does a simple whistle-blower have.
Imagine… the incoherent logorrhea we all suffer at the whims of politically correct wunderkinds and their court Jesters with the mainstream news media; is a fools delight, costumed as this or that unnamed resource or whistle-blower whispering illogical mumbo-jumbo gone the way of a sociopolitical leak in search of headlines favoring ‘deep state’ collaborators
@Wolfgang
Either what you said, or that Trump is a crook. It is obvious it is the latter.
4
Not that you should stop printing the truth, but as stated in a company advertisement, America is suffering from a massive case of truth decay. Nothing Trump does matters. His supporters will agree with, or ignore, any illegal, immoral and incompetent action. His armor is impenetrable. The true Teflon Don.
18
On Thursday, Trump tweeted in response to this: “Knowing all of this, is anybody dumb enough to believe that I would say something inappropriate with a foreign leader while on such a potentially ‘heavily populated’ call,” Trump wrote.
I can think of one person dumb enough to believe that.
24
Breaking News...Trump is president...and as such, he can declassify ANYTHING he wants to declassify. When he does this, IF he does this, he is NOT breaking any US laws. He is the President of the United States.
2
“The [whistleblower’s] complaint, submitted by a member of the intelligence community to its inspector general, renewed questions about how the president handles delicate matters.”
Trump doesn’t think he mishandles delicate intelligence because he has an “absolute right” to release it. He said this in the August 30 press conference: “We had a photo [of Iran’s secret missile explosion] and I released it, which I have the absolute right to do!"
7
Another phony accusation against Trump and you media types are all over it. Understand, Trump drives your revenues, what would you do without him, the man is good for the media business. It is apparent that nothing was learned from the Russia collusion hysteria and last week's fiasco regarding the Kavanaugh book.
3
12,000 lies and counting. Please explain.
4
Read this weeks The Economist
The story is in the US section
4
The Trump never does anything for anyone's good but his own.
14
When daylight is so vitally needed in Washington more than ever, the treatment of this whistleblower and his/her concerns will certainly give chill to any other would-be whistleblowers.
17
The Trump administration is one frustration after another but this situation is very troubling. To threaten the withholding of aid to another nation unless they help destroy a candidate's chances of being elected to Congress or unless they help a convicted criminal is beyond anything that ought to be acceptable.
The most frustrating part in all of this is the fact that Trump's supporters do not care.
31
Meanwhile Pelosi and Schumer are twiddling their thumbs fretting about the political calculus of an impeachment hearing. Get on with it already!
27
This Trump gaff/corruption will again come to nothing w his core supporters who couldn’t care less about Ukraine or our relationship with it or any other border country with Putin’s Russia. Also interesting how Manafort’s colossal corruption in Ukraine is never even briefly mentioned in any of the reports about this matter, like it it was so so long ago and never happened anyway.
14
The drip, drip, drip of news that would have lead to the impeachment of any president until now is crazy-making. The Congress will not act to remove this man until it's too late. I await the day prior to his removal through the electoral process and he tells us that he will be staying, and that the military has his support. Enough!
19
Yes, it is frightening. Perhaps that is why the left should start accumulating weapons.
1
Impeachment in the House doesn't remove him. The Senate has to convict for his removal. Of course the trial in the Senate might bring out so much incriminating information under oath that the Senate will convict him. He still doesn't go to jail, however; that will require a criminal trial(s) in regular federal and/or state courts.
2
Hopefully there are a few more whistle blowers documenting the cover-up
21
Trump is but a symptom of this country's last 40 years of divisive politics, imbalanced trade deals that favor corporations and the evolution of our current oligarchy. He is the offspring of a political system where money translates directly into political power and a financial system where money rewards the sociopathic drive to do whatever it takes to get ahead. We wind up ruled by a loose coalition of immensely wealthy sociopaths who are naturally incentivized to keep the public poor in order to retain rulership. We keep up with one of the worst electoral system in the western world and have no other serious alternative outside a rigidly-enforced two-party system in which both parties collaborate in a good cop-bad cop routine to advance the interests of the plutocrats who own them both. Corruption is legal in America, and money in politics has given the wealthy many orders of magnitude and more influence over US policy and behavior than ordinary Americans will ever hope to have.
21
Trump is the product of trump. Don’t blame others. He is an utterly terrible human being.
12
I am hoping that now the Republicans will abandon protecting this lawless occupant of our White House. Pressure must be used to get them to do what is right. I must say that never has the freedom of the press been so important. Thank you to all who are doing the work of the American people. Every day I appreciate you more than I can say.
19
"The president has the right to tell another country’s leader to investigate corruption, particularly if it 'bleeds over' into the United States, Mr. Giuliani said on Thursday. 'If I were president, I would say that,' he added."
Well guess who ain't president, Rudy?
12
Drip-by-leaking-drip, everyday we learn a little bit more about what is beginning to look like a conspiracy [aka "promises"] wrapped in a coverup wrapped in obstruction of justice by Donald Trump seeking assistance, one can easily presume, from a foreign government this time Ukraine. Now that so many dots have been revealed, it is not much of a leap to believe that, as with the infamous June 2016 Trump Tower meeting, Trump was seeking "dirt" on Biden as his current Roy Cohn, Rudy "The Mouth" Giuliani has been seeking. In his most forthright response to the House Judiciary Committee, Robert Mueller called such activity "a crime."
13
This half-baked story is being rushed into print in order to head off what looks to be an explosive revelation regarding Biden and his role in covering up his son’s illicit activities in Ukraine related to a gas company he represented. That story is much further along and filled with more verifiable detail than the one now being pushed as a major development by the MSM.
Obviously it’s a stink bomb set off to divert attention from the Biden scandal. The significance of this clumsy diversionary tactic is that it represents a shift in strategy from offense to defense on the part of the Democrats who realize that it is their own favored candidate and no longer Trump who is in the crosshairs for colluding with a foreign government. The house of cards is falling, and not even Schiff with his familiar pattern of subterfuge and lies left over from Russian collusion can do anything about it.
2
We had to listen to Trump’s ongoing questioning regarding where Obama was born for years. Just imagine if Obama’s wife had been born in the Ukraine and Republicans thought he had made a promise to them?
The hypocrisy of the Trump White House never ceases to amaze and the ability of his followers to blow it off is even more astounding.
11
I’m looking for a seven-letter word, synonym for ‘treachery’.
‘Aphasia’! That’s gotta be it.
4
Whistleblower must go directly to her or his two Senators and Representative. All Americans have a direct line to their Congressional members if they are a federal employee or not.
Real protection for whistleblowers... long term protection. Great fear of government officials... job loss. Don't forget to focus on the officials who have been fired for standing up to The Con Man in Chief. No one is protecting the whistle blowers or the officials who have spent a lifetime in serving this country like McCabe and other FBI employees who opened a case against the criminal residing in our White House. Tom Steyer and Bloomberg and other like minded millionaires should establish an organization to provide monetary assistance for the whistleblowers and others who would standup /report Trump illegal activities throughout our government. Right now officials are simply fired or drum out of their job by Trump and his cult.... people are afraid to speak up because they have to provide for their families(no job, no pay, no food , no house , no car , no health insurance). It is extremely hard to fight against a criminal enterprise led by Trump, McConnell and Barr. National media must evaluate this dilemma and realize we are definitely sliding towards a dictatorship when Barr is investigating the CIA and FBI per the instructions of the Criminal in Chief.
Barr and the Criminal Con Man in Chief must be removed for the sake of our democracy and of mankind.
3
In place of the many attempts below to read this POTUS’ mind, here is a fact.
The POTUS, any POTUS, is the chief decider of what is and what is not classified. Moreover, the same Officer of the Government of the US is in charge of negotiations.
In short there is NO crime in a POTUS having a private conversation with a foreign leader. Prudent practice is that a U.S, intelligence agency usually listens in on the conversations and records the in writing.
And that’s all there is folks!
Yeah no. Using foreign aid to get a country to help out with his re-election is illegal. This is the impeachment offense that the democratic leadership has been waiting patiently for. The collusion continues and this time there is proof. You anti American trump supporters should count the days.
5
Whistleblower must go directly to her or his two Senators and Representative. All Americans have a direct line to their Congressional members if they are a federal employee or not.
Real protection for whistleblowers... long term protection. Great fear of government officials... job loss. Don't forget to focus on the officials who have been fired for standing up to The Con Man in Chief. No one is protecting the whistle blowers or the officials who have spent a lifetime in serving this country like McCabe and other FBI employees who opened a case against the criminal residing in our White House. Tom Steyer and Bloomberg and other like minded millionaires should establish an organization to provide monetary assistance for the whistleblowers and others who would standup /report Trump illegal activities throughout our government. Right now officials are simply fired or drum out of their job by Trump and his cult.... people are afraid to speak up because they have to provide for their families(no job, no pay, no food , no house , no car , no health insurance). It is extremely hard to fight against a criminal enterprise led by Trump, McConnell and Barr. National media must evaluate this dilemma and realize we are definitely sliding towards a dictatorship when Barr is investigating the CIA and FBI per the instructions of the Criminal in Chief.
Barr and the Criminal Con Man in Chief must be removed for the sake of our democracy and of mankind.
9
The best part of Trump's tweeted response to this whistleblower accusation of his sharing classified information with a foreign power, is missing in this update. He tweeted:
"Knowing all of this, is anybody dumb enough to believe that I would say something inappropriate with a foreign leader while on such a potentially “heavily populated” call?"
Well, the world believes Trump is dumb enough, or careless enough, or disdainful of the law enough, to share whatever he feels like, classified or not, with whoever he wishes, whenever he wishes.
He trots out his famous "Fake news!" phrase as a legitimate defense, and his DOJ minion, William Barr, who holds that sitting Presidents are above the law, or that they make the law, like in banana republics and other dictatorships.
Evidently, whatever Trump shared was not in America's best interest, and a whistleblower stepped forward.
Trump's long and verified list of lies over the course if his presidency gives the whistleblower total credibility in this instance.
The Republicans and the DOJ need to enforce the whistleblower law, however much their greedy stranglehold on political power threatens their monarch.
9
Each day brings us some new misdeed by Donald J. Trump. It's time for American's to go to their windows and scream, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!" Or better yet, go to the voting booth in 2020 and express that feeling. While praising the intelligence of the American electorate, Trump secretly knows that they can be led around like bulls with nose rings - only instead of bull rings, he uses their beliefs and prejudices to lead them wherever he wants.
If DJT doesn't destroy our fragile democracy, he has published the blueprint and playbook for some other demagogue to do it later. If a democracy like America's is going to exist, there will have to be a paradigm shift in human thought throughout the world.
In the near future, we will program the human mind in the computer based on a "survival" algorithm, which will provide irrefutable proof as to how we trick the mind with our ridiculous beliefs about what is important and what is supposed to survive - producing minds programmed de facto for dirty tricks and destruction. These minds see the survival of a particular belief as more important than the survival of us all. When we understand this, we will begin the long trek back to reason and sanity.
See RevolutionOfReason.com
8
if this delay tactic works we can consider the whistleblower law overturned. We are quickly moving to a monarchy.
This is big news but needs even more exposure as this is the essence of a division of power and democracy.
13
In this case the crime may be worse than the coverup. The truth will come out; the whistle blower will go directly to congress if only to protect himself or herself from a vengeful White House and a Justice Department now completely corrupted by Trump's tame attorney general. All that really remains is finding out what Republican lawmakers are going to do about? How many more threats to our national security can they stomach?
14
Why is this report "explosive." Trump from the very beginning of his term, treated the Office of the Presidency as if it was the same as running his real estate business. You know, get on the phone, make a couple of deals, see how lawsuits are going, and head home for that well-done steak. Trump has spent his entire career, his entire discourse pattern is about making deals---as we all know, mostly bad deals at that, but, his entire conversational pattern is trading favors. Why would that change when he became President. I don't need an whistleblower to tell me this, Trump, is very public about how he deals with world leaders---it is all about the art---you scratch my back and I will scratch yours.
5
The silence and lack of concern by Congressional Republicans again makes them complicit in Trump's authoritarian reach. Yet another reason to vote against the GOP in 2020.
Anything and everything Giulianai says again proves he has no ethic or morality, and more certainly that he could cares less about the Constitution and America.
10
The key question of whether a threat to reduce foreign military aid if a request to initiate an 'investigation' of Trump's political opponent is denied is a violation of US law.
Further reporting is needed to clarify.
5
"No man is above the law." We can stick a pitchfork in that now quaint phrase, and throw the Constitution on the compost pile while we're at it. The only thing that remains is for Trump to gun someone down on 5th Avenue and for his Attorney General to conclude that it is the president's "privilege" to do so.
44
The really sickening thing is there would probably be hundreds of people clamoring to be recipient of that gunshot.
6
@Greg
In a comment to the NYT a year ago, I volunteered to be the "someone" that Trump shot on 5th Avenue--if only to rid our country and our world of our vile president.
Of course, it would have been my luck that Trump would have gotten off without punishment, and I would have died for nothing.
1
For anybody who cares to immerse themselves in the details of this story, I'd recommend paying special attention to the word "promise" because it might reveal something about a different story in the background that The Times may not be at liberty to report explicitly.
11
The man is Corrupt to the bone, it is all about him. The problem is the depth of the revelation of the people around him in Washington or other places who sold their soul to him. It is the Swamp, whether it is Ukraine, Israel, Saudi Arabia, it is just the beginning. Our forefathers are turning in their graves for what this man is doing and his elk are doing. JMO
23
I believe the majority of Americans are getting sick and tired of the corruption in this Administration. If this is a case of the Trump Administration trying to ask for a foreign country to interfere in our elections that would be treason. This Administration needs to be held accountable. It is time for William Barr to quit acting like he's been bought and paid for. As it is obvious he has been
29
Barr is similar to the clergy who believe their sanctity exempts them from their religious moral code. His belief in the supremacy of the President must be enforced. A moral person would question this belief with a sociopathic in office, however, a true believer refuses to look at reality. It’s the same with Brexit fanatics and any extreme partisan.
2
Putin probably asked him to ignore the Crimea situation...
7
Imagine the GOP response if Obama did any of this.
31
So...this story is, at present, a “nothing burger”, since nobody knows: what the complaint is about, and, who the complaint is about.
Yet somehow a major story is spun.
Hmmmmm.
The most amusing line is the last line, which states officials have longstanding concerns that information is being politicized.
Really! You don’t say!
Many of us here on the “right” share those concerns when we read articles such as this.
5
The issue isn’t what was said. We don’t know what was said.
The issue is following the law. The law says, once the determination is made, that the IG “shall” report to congress. He didn’t. He’s breaking the law. That the problem.
If he followed the law, and the complaint came before congress, and then became politicized, then maybe you’d have a point, although that would hardly be a concern solely of the right. It’s not as though this administration is above politicizing things.
But let’s have the information before we decide it doesn’t matter.
14
@John Birman
The fact that a member of the intelligence community alerted the inspector general about the President's behavior and the acting director of national intelligence has chosen to disobey the law and keep the complaint from Congress registers as a "nothing burger" is remarkable. I'm sure you would feel the same way if this involved a Democratic administration.
Also, this is a story because of the Trump administration's desire to cover up the complaint. If there is nothing to hide, why not come out with what the President promised? Remember he works for us. If the inspector general feels a complaint is worthy of Congress's knowledge, we the People should know what our President is up to.
Let’s be very clear. If these scandals were occurring during the Obama administration, there would have been inquiries and hearings carried out immediately. This administration must have gotten lessons from Michael Corleone.
16
Trump had no impact on any of those, he’s unable to negotiate deals, but good at marketing fake success.
4
@AACNY
Trump has done nothing on jobs, unemployment or worker training. All of those things were things Obama did or tried to do, in spite of being consistently stonewalled by the Republican jackals in Congress, who were too busy trying to undermine his presidency to actually do their jobs or come up with anything on their own. Just because you were apparently asleep or drunk during Obama's two terms in office doesn't mean that the rest of us were.
4
Why are Biden and his family mentioned with respect to the Ukraine? Is Trump making a promise in exchange for dirt on his Rival?
19
@Tom Miller
Please try and follow along.
Biden’s drug addict son was placed on the board of a Ukrainian company in an industry for which he had no experience and was paid off handsomely.
The Ukrainian company was being investigated for corruption by an annoyingly honest Ukrainian prosecutor.
They called on Papa Joe to threaten the Ukrainian government with loss of US aid unless they fired the pesky prosecutor. Which they did.
Papa Joe subsequently openly bragged about how he twisted the Ukrainian government’s arm to ensure his son’s ill gotten gains were repaid.
Good job sidestepping the substance of the Biden corruption.
2
Biden isn’t in government. He’s not evading the law or failing to faithfully execute the law.
Whatever the substance of Biden’s activities, they are a different issue, not the substance of this one.
8
So what are we waiting for?
3
Why does Rudy Giuliani think he can win any argument simply by saying, “...and Hillary Clinton!”?
15
Once you get to the part that mentions Adam Schaffer’s, taking this issue seriously becomes impossible. We are still waiting for that collusion evidence Mr. Schiff. Or should we now refer to you as “Chicken Little Schiff”? You made your own bed congressman. And now you wish to disgrace us even further.
4
@Dan Micklos
Projection, thy name is Republican
1
@Dan Micklos No no, don't tell me, let me guess. The accent is … Chelyabinsk? Did I nail it?
1
Secret agreements between US Presidents and Foreign Leaders are standard operation procedure.
They are a tool of foreign policy
From the Smithsonian
"Months Before Pearl Harbor, Churchill and Roosevelt Held a Secret Meeting of Alliance"
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/months-pearl-harbor-churchill-and-roosevelt-secret-meeting-180964435/
@John As in, I'll release the money Congress approved for you if you smear the family of my presidential election opponent? That kind of secret agreement John?
2
Just yesterday the news cycle was claiming it had to be one of only five foreign Presidents, neither of which was from the Ukraine.
That's what happens when you run stories based on weak hypotheses.
2
@MPA That was based on the official record from the White House about what calls Trump had with foreign leaders. They didn't publicly acknowledge the Ukraine call; Ukraine publicized it.
1
I imagine that almost every dealing Trump has with foreign leaders is grounds for either impeachment or invocation of the 25th Amendment.
The man is certifiable, ignorant, arrogant and completely ill-prepared for almost everything he does.
30
“slow-walking a military assistance package for Kiev”
Oh, I see, this article must be about Obama.
1
The term “Imperial Presidency” now seems like a quaint and inconsequential anachronism of the sane and stable ‘60s and ‘70s.
“Imperial Presidency is a term some use to describe the modern presidency of the United States that became popular in the 1960s and served as the title of a 1973 volume by historian Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., who wrote The Imperial Presidency out of two concerns: the presidency was uncontrollable and that it had exceeded the constitutional limits.” [Wiki]
Today, and with Emperor Trump sitting in ‘our’ White House, and without the weakened critical media — including the vaunted New York “Times” nor the appearing to brave “Washington Posts” — with it’s ‘tough sounding’, but hollow mast-head banner daring to claim that “Democracy Dies In Darkness”, but too fearful to add the essential “Under Empire” — ‘we the American people’ are left naked, vulnerable, and adrift in this Disguised Global Crony Capitalist EMPIRE, where anything except a ‘captured’ and and clearly intimidated ‘media/propaganda/advertising sector’ of this Empire is fear-slapped into failing to call-out “EMPEROR TRUMP” as an Emperor, but continues to sheepishly call this most dangerous threat to our democracy a president.
As my only protest, march, and demonstration sign reads from 2017, it simply fires a “SHOUT (not shot) heard round the world”, or at least New England:
DUMP
EMPEROR
TRUMP
The “Times” once ran a photo in a Leonhardt column, but should end calling him president.
10
We have know Trump is a Traitor for over 2 years now. Impeachment is necessary and the jail.
16
Right before the I.G. report is due to be published too. Just a coincidence, I am sure.
2
Well Nancy, what do you think?
Until the Dems really play hardball, this criminal administration will continue its behavior.
It’s long past time for an official impeachment inquiry.
Congress told the IRS to provide Chump’s tax returns. Where are they? The Dems let it slide and exhibit pathetic weakness.
Hold people like Lewandowski in contempt. Levy large daily fines against anyone who defies Congress, including this DNI, another one of Donald Chump’s criminal collaborators.
Use Congress’s powers to jail these miscreants.
I am so tired of these wishy washy Dems I can’t say anything more about them without using profanity.
They must take bold and swift, repeat swift, action, in spite of the fact that Republicans are complicit in the crimes and treason of the Chump administration. Let history judge the Repugs and get them on the record as having been enablers and conspirators in the worst criminal administration in our nation’s history.
This whistleblower episode is staggering in its illustration of the contempt the DNI and the DOJ hold for our nation. This must be stopped now. Time’s up.
14
You really have to wonder how well the Democrats have thought this through. By pushing this particular issue over Ukraine, the net effect may be to insure that the public, which was previously oblivious to the grifting of Biden family members, will get a primer on it.
6
@Jack: There is no grifting of Biden family members, including his son. We know for sure that Trump and his family are grifters.
20
So be it! Let us flesh out whatever may be said about Biden and his surviving son. Imperfect as he may be, he has nothing on Trump in the way of intentional corruption. The law is the law and it is high time this Swamp-thing was routed out and charged with treason.
4
@Jack. Biden's not in government; he shouldn't be running for president anyway, and he'll probably drop out; he'll take his licks if he must. Meanwhile, trump and pals try to keep a legit complaint from being heard. Make sense?
2
No fear of retaliation—short of believing he/she might be assassinated—justifies the whistleblower not coming forward publicly to the press and Congress with full disclosure in a case that even on the surface appears to be an impeachable, if not treasonous, offense. A grateful nation will protect the whistleblower with job offers, awards, etc in this age of social media and social funding. And at the extreme, Congress and the “real” intelligence community that’s left can provide him/her with a new life. In an era when the House is gutless and the Senate is corrupt, there is no other option but for this person to come forward in a public way that blankets the world with the announcement and evidence. We could use a real hero these days.
20
Great article, strong on facts. Clearly, this situation represents more than bad odors emanating from The Swamp.
14
we already know = trump promised funding to the ukraine in exchange for their help with the next election - foreign interference. he already warned the world he wouldn't call the fbi.
15
So trump is possibly using his presidential position for personal gain. My bet was on Russia but Ukraine is close enough.
18
The truth is getting harder to find in the Trump regime. The time has come to vote him out of office in 2020.
14
The I.G. report is due out soon. That will certainly shine a light on the cancerous behavior of our federal intelligence & law enforcement apparatus.
While watching the impeachment inquiry hearings, starring the cream of the GOP’s smug, slippery and dishonest spokesmodels, I can only imagine what a different scenario it would be with a seasoned no-nonsense prosecutor like Kamala Harris asking the questions.
18
It's time for some Pentagon Papers bravery.
39
I'm not holding my breath this time. Trump seems to have 9 lives. Congress, please prove me wrong for once!
36
When it goes to the courts it ends up where Trump has a fan base and get favourable opinions. It seems that US democracy is really deadlocked.
16
at some point the rules cease to matter.
18
However this plays out Trump, Barr and anyone else who obstructs Congress should be held to account. If not now then after Trump loses the election.
37
There is not one day the US don't appear like a corrupt circus.
Meanwhile, the world economy is massively crashing down.
And the president forces the FED to drop interests in the hope of postponing the effects of his presidency on the economy.
Unreal.
38
The act requiring a whistleblowers allegation to be turned over to Congress is because the Executive branch can’t be trusted to investigate itself.
William Barr was appointed by Trump because he held the position that a President was above the law. Barr and other Trump appointees will follow in lockstep the directives of Trump. There is nothing that Trump can do in which they won’t claim as an Executive Privilege. If Trump declares his democratic opponent a criminal and demands they be locked up or murdered, his minions will declare that he has the right to do so for national security reasons.
The founders of the country established three branches of government for this reason. One branch to serve as a check on the other two, or two branches to serve as a check on one branch.
Who would imagine that we would have a Congress so weak and corrupt that they could not be counted on to perform their duties.
44
The house refuses to impeach, the senate wouldn’t convict, Justice won't indict, the FBI won't investigate, witnesses refuse to testify, the IG refuses to blow the whistle, and the Supreme Court won't compel.
Trump (aka: Al Capone), is free to run the country as it suits his real estate business.
There is one way out of this morass and that’s massive, public demonstrations, but Joe Public can’t agree on what day it is and 38% think Trump is the Savior.
This is what "the end" looks like.
62
Isn't anyone curious just how does a member of the intelligence community knows the contents of a private communication between the a president of the U.S. and a foreign leader, regardless of its content, if they were not spying on them? There are actually two, mutually exclusive, issues here. One, any malfeasance by a member(s) of our government that need to be exposed by protected whistle blower mechanisms set in place by law. And second, just how was that information obtained? We already know, thanks to whistle blower Eric Snowden, that the NSA and the others in the intelligence community spy on our leaders, now apparently even the president, and collect every email, phone call, keystroke, and every website they have ever visited, no potential for blackmail there, right? Do people not remember Sen. Schumer, talking on MSNBC, warning that Trump may need to be careful challenging the intelligence community because "they have six way to Sunday to mess with you"? So aside from the actual revelation of the whistle blower, just HOW did this person obtain this information? That to me is a more interesting point. Trump will go, eventually, and others will be elected to the Oval Office. Will that office be bugged by our intelligence community? Are we living in a surveillance police state?
4
@FXQ
Umm, the whistleblower is a high White House official, not an eavesdropper.
9
Do you think the President is alone when he has these conversations? Often several people are in the room or listening on a call with his full knowledge. There’s no need for “spying” if you’re in the room when the conversation happens. Stop making up facts. Let’s hear what the whistleblower said, and then you’ll know how he heard about it. Then we can decide if a whistleblower is somehow a bigger concern than a President making promises to a foreign regime for *personal* gain. (Hint: it’s not.)
1
It never occurred to you that they were spying on the other side? Which, by the way, was the real basis of the FISA request you Trumpsters are so up in arms over.
3
We have two trump issues here at once. First is what the nature of the complaint is, trump's promise and whether it broke laws vs. his unorthodox style. For a member of the intel community to go to this length says it is a genuine concern and should have been reported to Congress.
The second is the continued notion by trump and Barr that they are not subject to oversight, that they do not need to acknowledge or submit to Article 1 requirements including oversight. This is not the first time. For that they are the thumbing their noses at the Constitution. And in the process, breaking their oath of office. That in itself should be impeachable.
You have to worry, just how far is trump willing to go before we end up as a dictatorship without realizing it. Suspending elections, defying Congress, self enrichment and worse are not what the founding fathers designed.
24
Does this reach the Constitutional crisis threshold?
44
So a low level intelligence officer now thinks he can decide foreign policy? Who is running the country?
6
You have a penchant for exaggeration. The official merely filed a former whistleblowing complaint. This is not akin to thinking they can run American foreign policy. Perhaps you should have greater respect for the rule of law in our country.
35
Where did you get the information that it is a low level officer?
3
It is all but certain that we are being sold down the river by the Republican Party.
50
Do something Democrats. Find your collective legal spines and just Do something. Stop posturing and pirouetting to the chaos because you become the chaos. Don’t be afraid to use the governing rules you have at your disposal, such as holding witnesses in contempt. How about filing a formal bar complaint against Attorney General Barr for obstruction of justice? You need to play offense.
53
The son of Joe Biden got himself and his dad irrevocably enmeshed with the governments of Communist China and Ukraine.
Ukraine is known for offering corrupt deals to almost anyone with a political connection, and Hunter Biden got some accusations thrown at him there.
Hunter Biden, his dad as Vice President, or others in the Obama administration asked Ukraine to handle, fire, or pay off a prosecutor in Ukraine who had a strong criminal case against Hunter Biden.
I can just imagine that Pres. Trump is playing the opposition side of this equation now, perhaps trying to get the Hunter Biden case to become more of a news item as the election nears.
I have nothing to base this last idea on, so you can treat it as if Fredo Cuomo had shouted it at Rudy Giuliani.
9
Nobody publicly knows what Trump said, nor to whom he said it. They don't know what it was about, not even which country.
Therefore they assume the worst. With Trump, that is probably fair.
However, then they assume that it is Trump who is so far successfully covering up.
Actually, the ones who had the information, and who won't release it, are the ones in the intelligence community who are upset and leaking the existence of a problem.
Then the press takes the existence of a problem, and begins total guesswork, based upon Trump did whatever is the worst thing they can imagine.
Now, he might. He may well have. But they don't know even what this is about exactly. So -- total outrage anyway, and wild guessing as if their worst guess is of course true.
It could be true. Trump is capable of that. But that it is? That isn't "news" that is partisan screaming.
12
Unlike his predecessors, TRump's every action is predicated only on the question of how much it will impact him politically. Corrupting US foreign policy in order to enhance his own personal interests has been a consistent feature of Trump's modus operandi from day one. His embrace of dictators like Putin & MBS, while alienating all of our traditional Western European allies, can only be properly understood on that basis.
It is highly credible that he sought to make US aid to the Ukraine contingent upon their government doing Trump's bidding by trying to dig up dirt on his political opponents (e.g., Biden). Let's never forget the infamous June 2016 Trump Tower meeting when he was being promised dirt on Hillary. In Trump's world, if you want to play, then you must pay.
This is one more example of Trump committing crimes which can easily rise to the level of an impeachable offense. Of course Congress has the right to investigate this so the American people can finally know the truth. Trump's cover-up here shows his contempt for the truth & contempt for the American people. If anyone ever needed any more reason why Trump must be removed from office as soon as possible, here it is.
25
2718 comments with opinions, newspapers full with theories - yet no one knows what was said and to whom exactly, nevermind the context. I am definitely not a Trump fan, but forming such (in many cases extreme) opinions before the facts are known and reviewed seem somewhat imature. I also find it hard to believe that _everyone_ involved is either corrupt, incompetent or ignorant. I say let's wait on the facts before starting all the negativity which will only ruin your day while you achieve absolutely nothing. I understand you want to be heard, it helps though if you have something to say. Right now the only thing we were told is: 1. Trump said something to somebody and 2. somebody else heard it and thought it was not compliant 3. He reported it to authorities 4. The authorities have done something with it. 5. Resulting assumptions.
8
@LowDijk facts? Have Americans been able to access the facts and actual data since trump was elected? Trump hides and twists every fact with his so-called executive privilege. If you don’t know yet trump’s alternate reality, you are way too naive. That’s why so many theories here because we don’t have access to any facts anymore! We can only guess but trump’s deceiving patterns have been very consistent and telling, and it’s pretty easy for rationale minds to connect the obvious dots and create theories that may not too far from truth!
10
The problem is that with the Trump administration’s obstruction we may never know the facts.
7
The facts that the entire administration are hiding? This would not be a story if they would allow the normal procedure to go forward? Send the whistle blower report to Congress. It became a speculative story when the cover up began, but hiding the information from Congress.
1
Trump tweets denying that he said anything "inappropriate" to a foreign leader. The real question is whether he's ever said anything appropriate to a foreign leader. Seriously. Uncharted waters without a compass.
24
Trump denies saying anything "inappropriate" to a foreign leader. The real question is whether he's ever said anything appropriate to a foreign leader. Seriously. Uncharted waters without a map.
7
So according to these legal experts, the President has the right to withhold federal foreign aid if a country does not help him investigate a political opponent.
The President is sounding more like a King.
Didn’t Nixon say he could not do anything illegal because if a President did it, it was automatically legal.
Of course these Republican talking points didn’t apply when a President was found to be lying about sexual relations between consenting adults.
16
This train wreck is happening in real time and out in plain sight for all to see. We are not dreaming. This is a eyes wide open nightmare. The House leadership is dragging it feet I guess hoping to call it a day, do nothing because we have an election. Oh and about that election. Little to nothing is being done to prevent foreign intervention. Nothing less than paper ballot in all 50 states will do. This is not rocket science. And Nancy says "it's not worth it", i.e., to try to impeach this president. This, for me, has turned in to the walking dead in DC. A documentary of unimaginable horror.
17
I’ve got scandal fatigue. It never seems to end. And living in California and San Francisco, I also feel like I’ve had sand kicked in my face by a brute who wants nothing more than to exert some sort of primitive dominance over anyone who threatens his simple ego. All at the expense of our civility, our democracy, our economy, and most importantly, our ecosystem.
Must stay engaged. This is not normal. Fight. Vote. Speak out. Support candidates that use evidence based thinking and democratic values.
22
Stop me if I am wrong, but isn't 40% (or more) of the public ready with the call of "fake news" about all of this?
And won't those people all be super-energized to support Trump if House Democrats DO proceed with impeachment?
Every comment I read here suggests that Times readers are basically ready to go, but what is the middle of conservative white America--you know, the places where the Republicans keep control of senate--thinking about any of this right now?
Is the conservative media a guide? Honestly I find it so repulsive I can't even watch! But I gotta think the Democrats are biding their time because impeaching Trump is still just too unpopular with far too many voters.
Am I wrong, or can a case be made with all of these people who are going to say stuff like "well Trump is no worse than any previous president", or "this is all part of a conspiracy to overturn the people's will in the 2016 election"?
Because people in the cities and on the coasts apparently can still take and control the of House, but demographics apparently won't allow a Democratic majority in the Senate, and this could be the reason why House Democrats are hesitating...
8
Not to be embarrassingly cynical, but I hope the Democrats and the media aren't being played here. The intelligence inspector general is a Trump appointee. This is a story that could get built up over several days or weeks, only to end up being used as "proof" by Trump allies and the GOP that the Democrats, the media, and the "deep state" are out to unfairly undermine Trump.
I recall the Dan Rather fiasco that ended up just reinforcing a narrative favorable to GWB.
8
So far, this issue is all suspicion and innuendo by Trump haters. Too bad there is not the same zeal shown for getting the people's business done. Too much of the business of government these days is the Democrats, with the support of main stream media, trying to show that the people made a mistake when they rejected the Democrat candidate and elected Trump instead. That is not doing the people's business. Rather, it is trying to upset the will of the people. There is a lot we need to do. Let's start doing it and stop playing games because their candidate did not win. Get over it and get to work.
7
@jpduffy3 Trump wants to be president. He does not want to do the real work involved in having that prestigious office. That is not OK. He deceived his base with all his bravado and they wanted something different. Well, they got more than they bargained for and the rest of us got a shot in the face. This will not end well for anybody.
6
"Rather, it is trying to upset the will of the people"?
Trump lost "the people" by more than 3,000,000 votes. The Electoral College thwarted the will of the people!
8
The voters did not “reject the Democrat (sic) candidate.” She won by three million more votes than Trump received. We now know that Russian operatives crippled the 2016 election under Vladimir Putin’s orders, and that Putin has stated publicly that he’ll do it again in 2020.
6
The “Art of The Deal” has been redefined as a barter agreement where country A provides military assistance to country B in exchange for a criminal investigation that sullies the reputation of a potential opponent to the leadership of country A. I guess this too can be legitimized as acceptable behavior by the term “opposition research.”
7
Why has absolutely no one on the Republican side mounted a serious, concerted challenge to Trump's candidacy?
We know the Republicans in Congress cannot be counted on to impeach and convict, but why no challenge at the ballot box?
I don't mean this as a rhetorical question. I think there are some plausible answers.
8
He has two primary challengers.
1
And republicans won't allow primaries in several states. Talk about corrupt.
1
Because he’s invincible.
The House cannot continue to permit witnesses to ignore subpoenas and not appear to testify in front of Congressional committees. It is time for some Democratic hardball. The Committees being thwarted should move to hold each witness in contempt of Congress and then have the House Sergeant at Arms arrest them an hold them in pretrial detention pending formal prosecution. The Sergeant at Arms is a law enforcement officer, and if need be he could appoint additional deputies to carry out the arrests. If there is not enough jail space in the House, he could enter agreements with other local and federal jails to lease him sufficient jail space. Witnesses would be less inclined to disobey Congressional subpoenas if they knew there were personal consequences to their contempt of Congress.
13
The article and many comments assume that the intelligence community trusts Adam Schiff with important secrets.
He'd run to the press and broadcast anything he could use to partisan advantage, instantly. If it compromised sources and methods, or actual important secrets, he just wouldn't care.
Of course, nobody would trust Trump either. That isn't the point here. The one they won't tell is Schiff and friends. There is a reason why they won't tell him.
4
Trump is a mono-maniac. Now that he has a taste of power he is one that will do whatever it takes to maintain power at all costs.
He is the very definition of absolute power corrupts absolutely. And of story
He will break every law possible and deny deny deny. I guarantee you he’s soliciting foreign influence into the upcoming election in exchange for US favors/support
63
So, this matter now is in the hands of the Justice Department and not in the hands of the appropriate committees in Congress as required by law. Does anyone imagine that the Barr justice department will let anything damaging to Trump out of its grasp? If so, they have not been paying attention to Barr's ongoing protection of anything damaging to the Republican Party. In this case it involves protection of Trump as he practically represents the Party, itself, now a Trump cult.
47
@Harold Johnson
It is with theJustice Dept. because this story may have compromised an ongoing investigation of influence pedaling by an active Presidential candidate.
The Times ran a series on privacy. They shined a light on everyone but themselves. They would tell you that they invade privacy to keep us informed. That ignores the fact that the newspaper that exposes the most dirt is the one that makes the most money. No doubt reporters who are the best at exposing dirt are the ones who are highest paid. Invading privacy is profitable and, just like Google, the Times invades privacy to bolster the bottom line.
8
@michjas How is this on topic? Privacy is an issue, but not at all sure why it’s relevant in this context.
7
Ok. Explain with reference to context
4
@Gerry A. It is not against the rules to read the article. Let me clue you in. It’s about a confidential whistle blower complaint. Among other privacy concerns are the identity of the whistle blower whose lawyer is trying to protect his client’s privacy and wants the Times to back off.
about Trump's "free-wheeling diplomatic style" REALLY? That's your headline?
22
No person is above the law. Why is this even a question? I don’t care who you think you are or what position of privilege you think you have, you are not allowed to commit treason and myriad other criminal activities and get a pass just because you sit in an Oval Office. Why are these people covering for him? Why are Democrats in Congress NOT doing anything to protect us from this monster and his minions?
30
Why is this newspaper describing Trump relations with foreign countries “free wheeling”? Why is the NYT mincing its words? It’s not “free wheeling” - it’s dangerous, treasonous, and illegal.
65
I don't think "freewheeling" is the right adjective for Trump's diplomatic dealings. We need to be frank and call it out for what it really is - undermining our democracy and all our allies, and subverting the Constitution.
54
This is not about style, but substance. And deadly serious if it involves Trump following Putin's orders with regard to Ukraine.
23
If Trump is speaking with the Ukrainian President asking for dirt on his political rivals, he has crossed a bright red line in US politics.
He must be removed from office. He is a threat to US democracy and US and allied interests.
He is either crazy (25th Amendment) or a Russian asset obstructing justice (Impeachment).
I completely agree with House Speaker Pelosi that both solutions require a political will that may not yet exist.
So Rep. Nadler should perform every pre-impeachment investigation possible - arresting individuals who refuse to honor a Congressional subpoena; holding witnesses in Contempt of Congress; fining witnesses for their failure to appear; and prosecuting witnesses for perjury before Congress.
When the Attorney General, or any other witness, cannot recall anything that he or she has ever done, they are senile and must resign for the lack of a working memory.
The American public, Democrats, Republicans and Independents must work together to keep the Trump grifters out of the US Treasury and out of power.
The late Senator John McCain was correct when he said "Russia is a gas station run by the Mafia masquerading as a country."
Putin has stolen Russia's natural resources from her people to enrich himself and a small group of oligarchs.
Some in the GOP liken this antidemocratic model to their plutocrats.
But a land without laws is a land without security, with every individual living at the mercy of shifting winds.
51
@David Parsons The only hope the GOP has left is to keep Trump in office. If he is impeached over something like this the GOP will never be able to explain why they fought and enabled him for so long. So expect them to fight to the death... because for them that's what it is.
5
@David Parsons And Watergate. The political will didn’t exist then either until they did it. Why is this so hard to understand??? Most Americans don’t care until you make it real. Dems are failing at this by failing to have the courage to do what is required.
4
But he's crossed so many bright red lines, hasn't he? And nothing ever happens. His party sits on their hands and pretends everything is normal. How is this really happening to our country? How can a single personality-disordered man destroy so much so quickly, and with impunity?
8
This is the price of Congress doing nothing of effect after the Mueller report was released. Trump figures that with all that passed in the investigation and he went unscathed, that he is untouchable.
So here we are with a so-called President who embraces crime and corruption for his own gain.
Fool me once Congress?
30
This looks like a repeat of 2016 and now he’s asking for dirt on Biden. Trump was never punished for colluding with the Russians to bring down Hillary then, so why would he stop now? Mueller warned us. Dems, what are you waiting for?
36
Freewheeling?
Please.
Utterly incompetent is more like it.
29
I'm exhausted.
I fear that I'm part of the group that's resigned to this beat down almost every single day.
And I think that everyone of Them will get away with everything never to be held accountable.
It only takes one to change it; just one person with a crisis of conscience that will hopefully begin to topple this house of cards.
55
The one to start it was the whistleblower. Of course, the President and (his) Attorney General are trying to cover it up with the assistance of a Trump appointee to DNI.
5
Be careful what you ask for!
The Ukrainians will release the Biden files at just the right time and not a moment sooner.
10
@Charlie LOL. Please, do. If Biden’s guilty and this brings him down, we will all be better for it. Now, Rudy, back to the subject.
12
Putin will determine the amount of United States foreign aid that the Ukraine receives in the end.
2
The Democrats are cute, basing their appeal to Republicans on the "law." Dudes and ladies -- that ship has sailed -- and sunk. We're now in the stage where they are testing the limits of what they can get away with. So far, nothing is too outrageous. And how could it be too outrageous, since the fifth Supreme Court seat was hijacked, ensuring that the ultimate Constitutional authority will find ways to justify whatever the White House does.
This all boils down to the character of Chief Justice Roberts. The Democratic base is so angry at being abandoned by Mrs. Clinton and her ilk that everything Mr. Trump does is met with approval. The ballot box won't save our republic. That task falls to the Chief Justice.
Buckle up, and let's see what happens.
And by the way, one-third of the world's birds have died recently. That's on Page Two.
22
Also in Revelations, I think.
4
@Jean Auerbach And 666 Fifth Avenue...
It’s a little weird but I’m going with coincidence.
2
With Trump and his Administration, what is left yet unrevealed, that may have any shock value at all? Too much hoo-haa about which whistle may be blown, since Trump has out-shocked every audience and there is really nothing left worth hiding or being aghast about.
2
Trump will be lucky to stay out of stir, the can (prison when I'm impersonating tough guys).
6
Why is anyone shocked?
Trump has a very limited set of simple templates for any situation.
Here we're back at the 'upcoming election' template.
It involves Ukraine, Manafort (who now needs rewarding for not being 'a rat' like Cohen), attempts to get dirt on the main prospective rival,..
And of course it's all packaged as yet another shady 'deal'.
It would be more surprising if 'The 2020 Ukraine Deal' *hadn't* been attempted.
9
Let's see.
If I sign this Declaration of Independence, I might hang. If I join Washington's army I might die. If I vote for Articles of Impeachment, Nixon might...might what?
Then there's the 19th Amendment? If women get the vote, the world might be turned upside down.
If I confront a bully, he might just back off. Odds are he will...he always does. We and the Congress have to say loudly and clearly that we do not condone his corruption and criminality and his blatant efforts to flaunt the rule of law and abuse the powers of the Presidency.
What of our nation if we're afraid to do the right thing? He will continue to get away with everything as long as we and the Congress do not hold him accountable for anything.
Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 today. Speak to your member of Congress. We must make our voices heard as if our future depends on it – because it does.
25
Article: "Mr. Maguire has not disputed the seriousness of the allegation but determined in consultation with the Justice Department that it was outside the scope of the law requiring whistle-blower complaints be forwarded to Congress."
-----
Oh, so Maguire consulted Attorney General Barr, a chief Trump flunky and political trigger man, about how to deal with this whistle-blower.
22
Biden's a known plagiarist and he's rapidly dwindling down into 'old man tells stories' mode. Trump is an obvious psychopath. Can we please disqualify them both from any government job whatsoever and start the punishment phase?
Is it asking too much that our Presidential candidates be morally upright and not under a cloud of questionable character issues? yang2020.com
7
@signalfire I’d vote for him, but I’d much rather vote for a woman. Just about everything wrong in the world today comes down to too much Yang to begin with, after all.
Pun entirely intended. ;-)
4
The Ukrainian government has already released the transcripts about these conversations dealing with Biden and his son’s corruption...money talks!
5
is there anyone on the other side of the aisle who will step up? my god... what a bunch of cowards.
freedom, self governance, democracy...none of means squat when Party supercedes Country.
John McCain would have stepped up here. Lindsey Graham...hah. my 6 year has a stronger backbone when she's negotiating for more cookies.
16
@pditty Yeah, we lost McCain exactly when we needed him most.
But it’s hardly just Repubs who are shameful here. The Dems have been either cowards or ineffective as a rule. And if the tables were turned and this was a Dem President I’m not sure it would be much different. The Dems are maybe marginally better, but let’s not kid ourselves that it’s not marginal.
Our country is sick, and our leadership today, on both sides, reflects that.
Trump is in over his eye balls and he knows it. In fact, he is probably looking for safe passage and asylum when his term is up and is looking for favorable treatment from one or more countries he is courting. The interests of the US mean nothing to him. He is beholden to the dollar. Sick, I know, but quite possibly true.
19
OMG. The "whistleblower" is represented by a partisan Democrat who previously worked for....wait for it...Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton. Do you think this whole thing might be....cooked up with Adam Schiff and the "get Trump at any cost" crowd.
So, Schiff mislead the country for years about Trump's "Russia Collusion!!" and now wants to move on with this drivel. It will prove to be nothing like everything else Schiff throws at the wall to take down President Trump.
You Democrats are pathetic. Trump in 2020 in a landslide.
8
@Red Yeah right. Schiff is going to fall on his sword by dreaming up a concoction not even worthy of John Le Carre. But hey, whatever gets you through the night. I just hope you can remember which is day and which is night because you really see the world upside down.
44
You think whistle blowers don’t have a ton to lose? My guess is they don’t make this kind of decision lightly. Especially with this president. Just because Michael Cohen isn’t issuing thug-like threats at Trump’s command anymore doesn’t mean he won’t exact punishment on whistle blowers. I mean, he wanted meteorologists footed for contradicting him!
24
@Red During Watergate, a portion of the conservative base also refused to accept that Nixon's actions were illegal. Some struggled with it for years. Maybe there are still a handful of die-hards around who, to this day, refuse to accept the facts and evidence and instead believe Nixon was framed. Perhaps in another 40 years, you'll still be one a handful of die-hards, too.
28
This is nonsense. The lead story on the digital editions of the NYT? When there is something worth reporting and the facts verified - let us know. Don't let your hatred of Trump keep clouding your fading history of providing subscribers with fair and balanced quality journalism.
9
Steps for becoming a loyal Trump follower.
1. Insert fingers in ears
2. Close eyes
3. Yell “blah blah blah”
52
@Marshall J. Gruskin Trump Dictatorship is here. You can hear the boots on the concrete. You can hear the kids crying in the cages. Who among us will disappear next? Say a bad word; disappear forever.
47
@Marshall J. Gruskin Whenever you read a Trump supporter, always know the opposite is true. Clearly, this is the biggest scandal of our time or Trump and his supporters wouldn't be denying it. The subpoena denying dam is about to burst.
6
This political " hit job " on President Trump won't go anywhere either. We are tired of the media creating the impression that the President has done anything wrong. Anyone in government can make a whistleblower complaint. Who is to say this so-called whistleblower does not have a political agenda?
5
This is satire, right?
33
@Samuel
God help us all.
13
The Inspector General said so, that’s who! He found the allegation to be both credible and urgent, one that he was required by law to bring to the attention of Congress, There is indeed a dangerous and self-serving political game being played all right, but it’s being played by the President and the sycophant he installed at the Department of Justice.
26
This will likely result in the resignation of Donald Trump. What he has to look forward to after that will be unpleasant for him.
19
I have given up hope for america. News like this comes out and congress sits on its hands. The people look down at their iPhones. Next.
25
trump is trying to buffalo the leader of the Ukraine into producing some dirt on Biden and his son so he can manipulate the 2020 election. Subpoena Guiliani and he wont come and testify, throw him in jail. Either the Democratic party starts acting like its got a spine or that's the end of democracy. If you ever needed evidence of an impeachable offense this is it. Mark my words, if they don't respond to this a third party will spring up and the shape of American politics is going to change dramatically. It will be something like a revolution.
25
Trump is a criminal. He belongs in jail. That said, there’s no way that jail time will ever compensate for the damage that he’s done to our democracy. Congress has done us no favors so far. Their response only weakens democracy further.
39
More infuriating than any of this is the reality that several dozen instances like this are occurring frequently and either no one reports them or they are actively covered-up.
36
We cannot pretend to govern ourselves if those we elect to lead us deny us the basic information we need to do so. Their refusal to comply with legal demands for that information harms all of us.
History creates context. Without context we can be pushed or pulled in whatever direction "leaders" want to push or pull us. We become empty vessels susceptible to anything a dictator may want to do with us.
Dictators rely on our ignorance of our past, of who we are, of where we came from. We live in that ignorance at great peril to our lives, our future, and our republic's very existence.
Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 today. Speak to your member of Congress. We must make our voices heard as if our future depends on it – because it does.
29
@Joseph
While I totally feel your pain, I don’t think making phone calls to our crooked White House or Congress is going to amount to anything... in this soulless time, we have to look to ourselves to rid this cancer that has metastasized, it seems, Congress on either side. I believe anyone with a thinking, as opposed to tribalistic, brain knows how close we are to the edge. Politicians, who are the problem, along with the eternal corruption of lobbyists, special interests sleaze, and anyone who will take the bucks no matter how despoiled the source, have rotted our forgotten values. It is up to those who, maybe naively, still believe we can reclaim the spoils that are left from those who so arrogantly betrayed this country. I wish all and any of us Godspeed.
12
While it begs the question of what to do with a chief exec who can't be trusted with intelligence, if his foreign counterpart in this knows him at all, he will know that his promises are not to be taken seriously.
14
People are losing their minds where Trump is involved.
2
@ed, Virginia
I think the people who voted for him were conned. Fool me once, okay, that can happen. But those of you who defend him now, are either so bitter and hateful, that you have lost your minds.
22
On my! Opaque; shrouded in mystery! What dicey tidbit awaits us? Could it be something substantial or another witch-hunt? If the Times is reporting it then it must be something legitimate although they don’t quite know yet, despite the fact that it is headline news. Perhaps I will just turn in early this evening.
2
It happens every week. Some rumor pops up about Trump's evildoing. The Times and its readers go blue in the face condemning the president before the rumor can be confirmed. Within a few days the story dies a quick death. The following week a new rumor pops up. The cycle repeats endlessly. You can't imagine how silly you look to the rest of the world.
4
@Bob Kantor
How's that trade war coming along?
Going to enjoy the economy stalling?
16
You want to know what the "rest of the world" thinks? Stop watching FOX and listening to right-wing propaganda. Truly astounding that people can so willfully cover their ears while Trump has lighted the country (and world) on fire.
30
@Bob Kantor Feel free to ask Manafort or Flynn if they think "silly" when it comes to the Times. A report to Congress is not a rumor.
11
Sounds like attempted blackmail to me.
7
@David
OMG, so with you on this!
"Freewheeling style" might be an apt description of Sean Spicer's attempt at a Salsa on Monday's premiere of "DWTS."
Trump's many secret, no-records kept, no questions truthfully answered back-channel dealings with foreign leaders, mostly dictators and autocrats, across the planet are quite something else, and a far more serious and sinister something else.
C'mon NYT, use your real words. We need 'em now more than ever.
22
America is at a decisive tipping point in its understanding of democracy. If Trump avoids any or all punishments for his unethical behavior as POTUS then kiss this country goodbye. Those who follow in his footsteps will make him look like childsplay.
23
Enough, time to move on. I noticed McConnell finally approved moving forward on election security. Perhaps even he sees the end is coming soon.
3
@Susan Hatfield
He will understand how to watering it down. As I learned that money will be handed out with no strings attached.
5
@Susan Hatfield Yeah, great, we gave money to the states. Controlled by Republicans in most of the key cases. This is meaningless, other than wasting more of our money. Gives McConnell cover to continue doing nothing as usual.
5
Bill Barr needs to understand that as Attorney General, he can’t be Trump’s “fixer”.
If he wants to do that, he needs to resign his position and take a job with Trump.
It’s actually a serious crime to act as a “fixer” for Trump while holding the position of Attorney General.
27
@Grove Shouldn’t be, sure. But can’t be? Nope, he can be, and there are no consequences from the spineless Dem leadership who is happy to use this for airtime while doing nothing.
1
Agreed... but who's going to hold him accountable?
4
If we connect the various dots we start to see a bigger picture.
Remember the George Stephanopoulos interview, where trump acknowledged that he would accept "oppo research" on his democratic opponent?
Remember Guiliani was scheduled to visit Ukraine in August to seek some assistance on investigating Vice President's son, Hunter Biden?
Remember when we first heard that trump was pulling funding from the Ukraine? We first thought it was part of trump's money sweep to build his Wall.
Now we have reporting that trump may have attempted to extort a political favor from Ukraine in order to receive their already appropriated funding. Political favors for military funding.
The Whistle-Blower will emerge in due time. Only then will we know for sure, but doesn't this sound corrupt to you?
This is not a drill. We are living it.
35
Wait. So Trump is profiting off the presidency at the expense of hundreds of years of democracy? Who knew?
18
This is more of the deep state run amok undermining our democracy.
4
If I were the whistle blower I would keep my doors well locked.
Does anyone else remember when the guy who wrote Fortunate Son, one of the very first books highly critical of GW Bush, ended up dead in a hotel room?
10
I wonder if Biden will appreciate the extra attention on his dealings with Ukraine this bizarre and unfolding story will bring? There’s dangers for him and Trump here.
4
... says the right-wing propaganda conspiracy machine. Apparently the scientific method of research, which includes reliability and validity, isn't important to you folks. What you don't appear to understand is that MSM, such as the NYT, are required to confirm information with multiple sources before publishing. Are your information "sources" similarly vetted? I think not. Might want to actually think critically instead of emotionally and irrationally on this one.
11
The latest in a three year daily series of, “he did what”? And nothing will come if this either! His lawyers are arguing that the president can’t be prosecuted for anything he does. Apparently, as ample evidence suggests, they’re right.
7
@JRB Presently Trump is losing to Warren and everyone else so much has come of it. When he loses - and I doubt he will make it that far - all hell will break loose.
4
When Trump asked Comey for loyalty Comey responded that he would act honestly, or words to that effect. It's pretty obvious what Barr said.
15
Probably if we ever learn the names of these sources and who the foreign leader is. Better yet, hear the recording of the call?
4
Hundreds upon hundreds of thousands - maybe even millions - of American citizens are marching in the streets in the morning in protest of the corrupt and criminal Trump regime and its threat to democracy and decency. American citizens who refuse to pledge allegiance to a Soviet flag, who unequivocally reject the oligarch and autocracy threatening to devour our rights, and demand justice be brought down on the heads of those in power who willingly and knowingly endanger the citizens they are supposed to serve and protect, and steal outright to enrich themselves at the expense of hardworking taxpaying citizens. Traffic will be blocked in major US cities, airports brought to a halt, chaos will surround THE capital and all capitals north to south and west to east. The criminal regime in DC will be scared out of its wits as the citizens rise in the millions to demand justice and an end to this incompetent poser regime.
Oh, yea, right, guess I was just daydreaming - all of the above: Not.
9
Republican Criminal Party will by November emerge as a new party.
Think of the large cast of characters as more Repubs are indicted, convicted and jailed in a few months.
3
This is just one more horrific example--though a more disturbing and significant one--of Trump and his lawless administration flouting clear federal laws and trying to argue he can do whatever he wants. This ignorant, crude, sociopathic human abomination has managed to corrupt not just his immediate appointments but effectively the DoJ, the national security and intelligence departments, and other critical elements of the executive branch. AG Barr has warped the DoJ to a sickening extent, making clear once again that he serves Trump and not the Constitution, federal laws or the American people. Or to put it differently, Barr seems to believe serving Trump is serving all those higher principles to which he pledged an oath--as if a president is the ultimate embodiment of the Constitution and American values, with unitary and unquestionable authority in all things he says and does.
It's insane, corrosive to our democratic institutions and norms, and a complete betrayal by all the morally bankrupt sycophants pledging their allegiance to Demagogue Don. It is impossible to overstate the seriousness of this, the extent to which our entire democracy is in crisis, and the American society with it.
7
This is insanity, why all the lies and secret if its about a call, He is probably holding of the funding for Ukraine as a payback to Russia to meddle in the 2020 election after all his call log shows he called putin a few day later. This explains why Dan Coats left.
6
Maybe it's the 'interpreter' for the Helsinki talks? Perhaps this person just got fed up and decided to blow the whistle.
6
Trump is a clear and present danger and security threat to the United States. The closer Congress comes to finding out the truth about how he really got elected and why his Gang of Oligarchs surround and promote him, the more dangerous he will become.
He is not above colluding with Vladimir Putin or any other vicious dictator to stay in power in order to keep him and his family from prosecutio for their many financial crimes.
They are all traitors.
The Republican Party lies to their poor and middle class adherents in Red States. They have kept public education so ignorant and deliberately misleading that Republicans in those states vote against their own interests.
The Koch Brothers outlined their plans for accomplish the takeover of America as an oligarchy, but even they were shocked by how effectively Trump did it.
12
Does anyone in the Trump Administration work for the United States?
18
What did Trump promise and try to get away with? How many other treasures will we find out are missing once this president vacates the house that Washington built. He has no honor. Such a disgrace.
5
Trump's gone broke so many times that it should come as no surprise that the US is now broken.
Putin has effectively made the US fight itself and all it took was a few Facebook accounts and compromising hotel room video. So much cheaper and more effective than artillery.
21
The slow leak of revelations so far (11:30 pm ET Sept. 19) strongly suggests trump agreed to not intervene if putin invades Ukraine. (Among other things.)
10
@polymath Even if this was not discussed on the phone, a given the day he was elected.
2
This whistleblower will be immortalized as a heroine. Selling out American interests for personal profit? Cmon. What can we do to help her/him?
15
If it’s the Ukraine, I imagine it’s whatta got on Joe? In exchange for military tchotchkes or leverage with Putin.
12
Latest scuttlebutt: it's about Joe Biden being investigated by the Ukrainian Government under the Direction of America's mayor Rudy Giuliani... As agreed to by Donald Trump... Welcome to corruption in America!
23
I’m really tired of Trump. But this is nonsense. How about the whistleblower, if there is one, call the NYT and spill the beans?
9
Time for Congress to take the gloves off.
Are you listening Ms. Pelosi?
39
The whistleblower complaint was filed August 12. Dan Coats was shoved out on August 15. Hmmm.
53
The Times has no idea who this "whistleblower" might be, or whether they are legit.
The Times has no idea whether the President actually did ANYTHING, and they have no idea what it might be or who else might be involved, just rumors.
Yet here is a story about nothing, accusing President Trump of everything, as usual.
It's not just the Times. All you commenters that are just salivating at the mouth like a pack of hungry wolves hoping for a kill, are pathetic.
You complain about our President acting badly, this is as undignified as it gets.
7
@Raz
Boohoo, better watch Fox to feel better.
35
@Raz And if it’s true, your reaction will be?
25
If it's nothing, then why not release it to Congress?
35
Trump’s diplomatic style is “freewheeling?” No, it’s actually illegal to blackmail a country to force them to produce false accusations against Biden’s son. Who came up with “freeewheeling?”
28
With all that we have witnessed with this administration and their contempt for good governance, what we see is a Mob boss in the Oval Office and his soldiers hiding behind privelage. But they had no problem putting it in a book...yeah it's a great book you should go and buy it. It's hard to imagine that this is where it has descended too
and it ain't over yet. My biggest fear is Trump knows full well what is waiting for him once he leaves office and he is not beneath the realm of possibility of making himself President for life. And given how the GOP has evolved they will do nothing to stop him
19
@Susan
Devolved.
12
For sure this makes us appreciate journalistic organizations like Wikileaks...
9
Per Joyce Vance via MSNBC tonight:
"If this turns out to be what the whistleblower complaint is about & it's accurate, [i.e., if Trump offered aid to Ukraine in exchange for "dirt" on Biden], Trump must leave office immediately.
A president can't offer US aid to a foreign country in exchange for prosecution of a political opponent [Biden]."
49
@LEFisher
Let me get this straight. Biden pressures Ukraine into firing a prosecutor who was investigating a corruption/ bribery case involving his son and Trump is the bad guy for asking Ukraine President to investigate corruption cases in his country. How rich!
3
@FreeSpirit That's right, FreeSpirit. Trump is (allegedly) the bad guy for abusing the power of his office by surreptitiously asking the Ukraine President for a quid pro quo. You left out a few words, but I corrected it for you.
Since you asked.
10
"The case renewed questions about President Trump's freewheeling diplomatic style."
What? No it didn't.
What it renewed was his corrupt, self-dealing, Russia-first style.
For NYT to even stoop to such a dilution of the seriousness of this situation is appalling.
44
Trump has apparently bribed Ukraine with the promise of US aid in exchange for dirt on Joe Biden’s son. Rudy Giuliani thinks this is fine and dandy. How about the Republican Senate?
33
Because he only looks at numbers and not the people behind them, Trump thinks Biden presents the most potent threat to Trump’s re-election. As usual, he’s wrong, and the anti-Biden intel he gets from Ukraine will be worthless.
Nancy, where are you? History will not be kind to you.
25
Most likely has to do with a promise to remove sanctions against Russia for the annexation of Crimea in the Ukraine by one Vladimir Putin.
Removal of the crippling sanctions has been Putin‘s overriding modus operandi, in fact the basis of him helping out Trump‘s campaign in 2016.
Trump of course, a traitor to his country and acting on behalf of Russia, must be removed ASAP.
21
apparently we have many unstable people in the "intelligence community"
3
@kerri
Nope, men and women of honor. The unstable genius is in the white house, supported by his cult.
23
The whistleblower is John Bolton IMO.
It follows that he was fired when Trump found out about the complaint to the IG
7
This series of events dwarf Watergate. We are dealing with Watergate on steroids. My question now is when will Trump resign when and will other people in the Administration be indited? Will the Republican Senators wake up and come back from their fantasy world? Can we now, finally start calling Trump a real crook?
33
Will Trump's base return from their fantasy world? Should be the question. Because if they don't, these fruitcakes will continue harming this once admired and respected country by continuing to vote out of misdirected spite and ignorance - even if it's against their own interests - and we'll get Trump (or someone else like him) all over again. These folks don't care about democracy, so long as they get their way. They think and act like irresponsible and self-centered children.
8
@Charlotte
In a Republic, some people get their way, some don't.
You're whining, because you aren't getting yours.
Don’t forget: Mr. Trump said he would pass “very meaningful background checks” after the mass shooting last month in El Paso.
I guess Trump is too busy discussing secret “items” with foreign leaders to live up to his promise to the American people to pass background check legislation.
And Trump says that President Obama was a weak President. ????
Obama was a patriotic President. Trump is probably treasonous.
29
@Time-Space
“Probably treasonous”? Mos def!
12
For a president that barely works he seems to spend an enormous amount of time covering his tracks on everything from his finances to his phone calls.
Wonder what his library will look like?
34
@Foxrepublican
His library will consist of a single issue of TV Guide.
24
Tee hee!!!!
2
Pelosi, Nadler, Schiff, and the rest of the Democratic leadership don’t have what it takes to hold the Trump administration accountable and he knows it.
10
@Joseph
The people do, and he knows it.
29
This abuse of presidential power once again comes under the willing oversight of the Republican Senate who have aided Trump in his road to treason. Like Nixon before him, Trump thinks he is immune to oversight. Wrong! In the end, the voters will not only oust Trump and his ilk, but the electorate will kill the Republican party that supported his treasonous actions!
16
One can only hope...but not this one. This isn't a cartoon. The good guys don't always win. In fact, the bad guys win more often than not in this world. The only justice is the one taken by force. If Trump manages to hold onto power by force, then it's time for revolution.
5
I completely agree, Gilbert. I was telling my husband the same thing earlier this evening.
3
"Loose lips sink ships!" Mr. Trump has a loose lip, a loose mouth, a loose brain, and a loose moral compus.
These are scary things for anyone to have. They are definitely not the qualities we need or want in a President, a leader, a politican, a friend, a lover, or anyone who we look up to, or depend on.
The more I learn about this man, the more painful it is to watch him, and see the damage he brings to me, to this country, and to the world.
24
$250,000 for Biden dirt? Such a potential disaster for such a small amount of money.
3
Perhaps Trump is assuring Ukraine that he will live up to Bill Clinton's promise to the Ukraine, something Obama refused to do.
Just give up your nukes Ukraine and the US will have your back.
1
Wrong. Sorry. Might want to research reputable sources for information.
5
Makes us realize that under Trump, we are, if we're lucky, sometimes just one degree of separation from tyranny. Do we even know when even this meagre shield is absent? And what shall we do when Trump clears the deck and only sycophants remain?
23
Offering eternal life for more evidence on the precise year.
2
How do you spell Obstruction "Trump". Clinton must be having fantastic felling of Schadenfreude all the time thinking they are going to "Lock Him Up".
7
“This is my last election ... After my election I have more flexibility,” said President Obama to then still President Medvedev in May 2012. Now that is really an "inappropriate comment".
6
So inappropriate that the principle (more flexibility during a last term imposed by a Constitutional or statutory term limit) is known to every student in a freshman political science course. It's part of the debate over whether term limits are good or bad. In other words, it's no secret. I shudder to think what Sharpie Man's interpretation of such known "flexibility" may be if he is elected to a second term.
22
@M. Johnson
You were making a dignified and intelligent comment, then spoiled it by resorting to name calling.
I suppose you think this is one of the intolerable traits of our President, yet you indulge in it yourself.
Joe Maguire, do the right thing!!!
8
Another futile attempt by Trump haters that will fail yet again.
6
Yeah, right. Your guy has so much integrity, like none.
38
@Qcell
The inspector general who raised the urgent concern is a trump appointee. Keep up.
What a selfish man to put himself above country at every conceivable opportunity. It’s no wonder he avoids going to war although he talks the big fight story- he’s a coward pure and simple.
16
Blame the ignorant imbeciles who continue to support him.
5
@Charlotte
Something that Democrats, liberals, and progressives just can't seem to get through their heads is the fact that a lot of working people, not just Republicans, vote for conservative candidates because:
1) They resent the fact that so many people have their hand out to the government, and it obliges them by giving them an easier financial existence than WORKING people...enough with the handouts, get to work!
2) They don't want to turn our country into another Latin American country (are there any of those that function anywhere near as well as we do?).
3) They want our government to control our borders, helping us to control our population. Overpopulation is at the core of so many of our problems, including poverty and climate change.
4) We need fair trade deals, even if it means paying a short-term cost. Is it fair to have a 65% tax on American wheat going to China, when they can import to the U.S. without any tax? How about a 28% import tax on American vehicles going to Germany, but only 1.4% on German vehicles coming to the U.S.? We have been subsidizing the world economy since WWII...time for that to end.
5) LGBTQN citizens already have the same rights as everyone else. Just be quiet and live your lives, like everyone else. It is possible to have logical reasons for opposing homosexuality, etc.
The Democrats address none of these issues. It's not that working people dislike Warren or educated women in general, they dislike their policies.
1
Sounds like Trump is Russian to Putin him back in office
11
Trump is a corrupt, treasonous, tyrant. Can he continue to break all laws, claiming “executive privilege”?
He should be in jail, not in the White House.
32
Perhaps we should take a step back in the buried future, make a list, and we, the people, demand a constitutional convention.
6
@Franzl The problem is Republicans who accept a tyrant and won’t defend the Constitution. Where are all of the patriots who were so concerned about The tyranny of Obama.
13
@Franzl. Many rightwing pols would jump at the chance to rewrite the constitution. Be careful what you ask for.
4
I subscribed to the NYT for the first time today mainly because Trump doesn't want me to. Trump is terrified of what you are digging up and printing. I don't want to miss anything. Keep up the good work. A free press is one of our Constitution's greatest gifts.
76
Trump has been the Teflon president. He has gotten away, thanks to Bill Barr and his Republican cronies, with everything short of murder. No doubt, he believes he can act with impunity because he has suffered no consequences. One would think after the investigation into the Trump team's nefarious connections with Russian meddling, Trump would be careful to avoid anything that smelled fishy. But not Trump. He operates with the expectation that he can get away with murder. He offers a quid pro quo with Ukrainian officials to enhance the chances of his of reelection. It's sleaze to the core, and it's time for the chicken to come home to roost.
18
How many “nothing-burgers” does it take to make a “something-burger”. Why can’t the American people get to see Trump’s “menu”. Something sure smells in his kitchen.
15
It is time for congress to de-fund the White House. It seems to be a malicious criminal organization that is further emboldened by the seemingly endless impotence of Schiff and Nadler.
No more free flights to Mar-a-Lago.
23
I play this game with myself every couple of days... who is more disgusting, Trump, Giuliani or McConnel? It’s a bleak existence.
40
So Trump is above the law., his criminal behavor cannot be even investigated. Hmm, is it something the founding intended or something that the denizens of Trump's smelly swamp invented?
13
His education. If Fred paid a lot, he got gypped.
4
This is an internal coup that the republicans have been working toward for decades to take over the entire government-hence the silence of them all
Trump is not only Putin’s “useful idiot” he is also the republicans as well. They found their man!
23
I just want to know if our country is going to survive this stupid arrogant man who thinks everything is about him and that he can use our country’s resources as a personal bank to enrich himself. We have a justice department and attorney general that is acting like the personal law firm for Donald Trump. Please get this into the courts as soon as possible. The integrity of our judges must save us.
22
All this comes just one day after Justice Department Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz has referred James Comey for prosecution.
Life is full of coincidences, isn't it?
10
Really don’t see anything in real news only Fox. If they can get a grand jury to indict McCabe I doubt they will find one to indict Comey.
4
Lordy, let there be tapes!
22
Bring back the Mafia
Restore some semblance of order at any cost.
7
Corruption and putrescence to the nth degree. Do we actually DO anything about this, or do we just have a daily chat about it? Or maybe a monthly chat?
Congress? Hey, Congress, anybody home? Are you going to let these criminals and law-breakers run roughshod over you, or are you going to FINALLY do something? HELLO? Maguire needs to be behind bars for breaking the law, and someone should really do something about Lewandowski's vile, arrogant, nauseating, deceitful performance the other day, which made a laughingstock out of the people who questioned him, and whom he treated like imbeciles. Of course HE is the imbecile, and he is also a criminal, as per his lack of cooperation and stunning lies and misrepresentation. He is quite a revolting character, but not surprising that he reminds me of all the revolting republicans---trump, pence, conway, mcconnell, meadows, jordan, mulvaney, miller, etc. These people are the definition of the words filth and chutzpah. Never have I ever seen anything like this...and we are supposed to believe that Congress is powerless? Are we going to allow Maguire to get away with his illegality, too? HE IS VIOLATING THE LAW! And who else are we going to allow to step all over Americans and America, and get away with it? Are republicans now, suddenly exempt from the law because they said so????? What is going on here? What IS Congress, exactly?
22
Is there ANYTHING or any day that this man can get through without turning it into a rank pile of garbage?
15
It’s shocking how some posters here want to give the creep and greatest traitor to the principles that this nation was founded on. All of the former presidents on the side of Mt Rushmore are hooting and hollering with happiness. You just would not believe the talk their ghosts have heard coming out of the unindicted coconspirator’s mouth.
3
"Some current and former officials defended Mr. Maguire’s decision to consult with the Justice Department and the White House. Any question of whether a presidential communication was subject to executive privilege would be a White House decision, and the Justice Department is supposed to offer legal advice."
The ship has sailed on protecting the whistle blower.. They need to go directly to Congress.
7
As I understand it, the whistleblower is protected under the law if he goes directly to congress to reveal his urgent concerns, provided he notifies the ADNI before doing so. The whistleblower has already shown patriotism and courage by coming forward, so I am hopeful he will head straight to Adam Schiff if the stonewalling continues.
23
The question for Congress is clear: how, indeed whether, they will fulfill their oath to defend our Constitution against this blatant ongoing abuse of power.
15
Trump is doing deals for him and his family.
And he wants to stay in office so that he can't be prosecuted; and also his friends can run amok; as they know Trump will always pardon them; if they get ever put in jail.
8
The Emperor has no clothes. I realize the trump base and his loyal GOP will spin a wonderful tale. Yet there is a little boy who cries out "He has no clothes!" I believe that little boy.
11
Where are our congress people and senators??? Why are they accepting of this immoral behavior??
The longer we allow Trump and his administration to continue to ignore the rule of law and chart their own course, the closer we come to the demise of democracy as we know it. It is time to call Trump out for this disregard and hold him - and all of his minions - accountable for thumbing their noses at the law.
What are the house and senate members so afraid of? Where are the adults in DC????
8
This is be huge news, they said. He will finally be brought down, they said. Yawn...just another thing Trump will get away with before he gets re-elected. There is really nothing we can do.
5
If past is indeed prologue, then Trump will play out this potentially critical situation with joy and aplomb! We will hear and see his machinations of creating headliners on every conceivable subject so we quickly forget he just may have put this country in
Dire jeopardy.
Forget ever seeing his tax returns, but we already knew that.
...so it’s business as usual folks with new Tweets and more
Treats from the most despicable man to ever not grace the
White House.
5
Like so many other events since the start of Trumps reign, this is an "unprecedented" case, for which the whistleblower law has "no clear answers", because nobody involved with that law imagined a president being the culprit of egregious intelligence mishandling. So here we are again. Trump and his cronies try to keep the report sealed or will call it "fake news" or "deep state acts". The man has gotten away with too much, a long time ago, and there must be consequences to his stonewalling and obstructing, aside from waiting for the election, which according to a new poll he is actually expected to win. Impeach now, arrest the cronies who ignore subpoenas, hold in contempt witnesses who Lewandowsky their way through a Congressional hearing. Make something happen, for G-d's sake!
14
Trump and McConnell are moving from unpatriotic to enemies of the United States.
27
The incompetent House Democrats are so bad at impeachment, they will hurt whoever their nominee turns out to be.
4
“The president has the right to tell another country’s leader to investigate corruption, particularly if it “bleeds over” into the United States, Mr. Giuliani said on Thursday. “If I were president, I would say that,” he added.”
I’m sure you would, Rudy, I’m sure you would.
15
The American Revolution was fought over less.
19
Here’s some explanation of the law and the issue that I have t seen and is based directly on the language of the Whistleblower Act. Anyone with more familiarity on this then me ( I haven’t dealt with this WB Act..I have others):
Background of law: A complaint or information must invoke An “ urgent concern” meaning “ a serious or flagrant problem, abuse, violation of law or executive order, or deficiency relating to the administration or operations of an intelligence activity involving classified information.” If the Inspector General determines that the complaint or information appears credible, the Inspector General is required to transmit to the Director of National Intelligence. The Director is required ( “ shall”) to transmit a report that has been received “under the Act” to Congress.
Here’s the ISSUE:
While the Director has NO discretion regarding a whistleblower complaint sent to him “under the act” , there is an open legal question whether the Director has the discretion to determine that the complaint transmitted to him does not qualify as one “under the act” because, for instance, he thinks it does not involve classified information.
The Act also says that “An action taken by the Director or the Inspector General under this paragraph shall not be subject to judicial review.” I haven’t seen any discussion of the “ not subject to judicial review “ language or what it would mean here.
Now we see why Jared Kushner, Trump's son in law, tried to set up a 'back channel' for communication through the Russian embassy.
13
If there's nothing to hide... if he's done no wrong... why is he constantly firing anyone who doesnt kiss his ring, lie for him, and be anything but blindly obedient? And hiring only people who protect him. And if.his selected.inner.circle doesnt flinch....how do.a couple.hundred senators and reps go off the grid.
10
Put trump in jail now. The whole world will be a safer place.
19
Trump is the epitome of the old saw: "Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig likes it."
The Democrats and the rest of the country who want to be rid of him had better stop fooling around with investigations, lawsuits, personal attacks. They mean nothing to this man. And he has now structured his time in office to keep him protected from these assaults.
The Democrats and the rest of us have one job. One job. And that is to get behind a solid candidate and work our tails off to get that candidate elected in 2020.
The rest of this is just the dog trying to grab its own tail. Trump laughs himself to sleep every night.
10
@molly cook
Great comment, thanks! Let’s all get to work now!
2
@Charlene Barringer
One team, one win!
3
In your article Whistle-Blower Complaint Sets Off a Battle Involving Trump, I question the word generally; « as generally required by law. » Sharing the complaint is required by law or not. Using the adverb questions the validity of the law at a time when our democracy is under attack. We are a democracy of laws. We must continue to uphold our laws.
« ...Joseph Maguire, had blocked the inspector general from sharing it with Congress, as generally required by law. »
Sincerely a faithful reader,
Kathleen Gadway
32
Kathleen, You bring up an excellent point. I am thinking that the author of the article was tired, and the word, “generally,” might have been a slip given the current occupant of the White House, his henchmen, and their seeming resilience to administration of justice.
5
A Trump Moscow hotel in exchange for letting the Russians keep without complaint the land taken from Ukraine? Or is it a Trump hotel in the Ukraine in exchange for small arms? Or both? After all, two hotels and/or golf courses are better than one. As golfers know, it is worth it for a good lie.
16
#WhistleBlowersUnite
Tweet it. Post it. Share it. Give it voice... so that s/he/they all know they have the support of Americans...at least the ones who are willing to see this for what it is...full on, unchecked corruption hiding behind the presidency of the United States.
30
The Republican Party serves no legitimate purpose anymore. If it will not intervene here to protect the country's national security, then its adherents should be branded as traitors and prosecuted accordingly.
50
is it time yet, Nancy?
No?
Not yet?
Hmmm... He no doubt has a boatload of dirt on you.
12
Hunter Biden has been absolutely drenched in corruption for decades, trading on his father's name to get cushy jobs and make lucrative deals with Chinese and Ukrainian companies. It's sickening. Undoubtedly, Trump made some sort of deal with the president of Ukraine. Maybe he asked for Ukrainian help in embarrassing Biden- in exchange for releasing aid that congress already earmarked for Ukraine to help them fight off Russian hegemony. If this kind of behavior isn't treason, we need to change the definition of that word.
9
Power doesn't corrupt: power reveals. We're seeing exactly who Trump, the majority of congressional Republicans, and Trump's lackeys are. Now, we need to start believing them and holding them accountable.
28
Does extorting Military Aid in exchange for dirt on a Political opponent meet the criteria of High crimes and misdemeanors?
20
Our country seems to have been held together solely by a gentlemen’s chewing gum and some honourable string... of everything is executive privilege, and there are truly no checks and balances, it’s time to stop saying our democracy is at risk, and realising we’ve gone over the falls.
33
With trump, as with many other trumpublicans, projection is a way of life. So far, trump has proclaimed James Comey, Andrew McCabe, the Squad, the FISA court, Hillary Clinton, the Mueller investigation, the Democrats, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Page and Strzok, and many more guilty of treason.
Turns out the only one guilty of treason is the Projector-in-Chief.
33
Biggest story of the week (year?) and Rachel’s on right now talking about Harvey Weinstein...’cause yeah, that’s the most important issue in our lives.
Fresh Democrats...GET A CLUE!
5
@Mike Schmidt stay current my friend. Rachael broke this story and what could be verified so far, days ago.
12
@Mike Schmidt
I don't think you watched the first 50 minutes of her program.
14
Apparently you missed the entire first half of her show.
13
I think the whistleblower is Dan Coats. I think he wrote the anonymous op ed last year too. He knows Trump’s a traitor. He deserves plaudits for making these efforts.
37
@maitena May be. It would be interesting to at least know what he knows.
6
We have a domestic terrorist in the WH. This has to be the darkest and most dangerous time our Country has faced. Gang GOP must be voted out. Vote blue everyone in 2020.
50
That trump big mouth finally is filled with his little foot. They must be little because he has little hands.
7
well if this isn't obstruction of due process, I dont know what it. The president swesrsto uphold the laws of the US, and this particular person is doing anything but that.
13
From all that I've heard and read, what is at issue is a series of actions by the president-a pattern of behavior of serious wrongdoing-sound familiar? It is astoundingly ironic that after attempting to stop an investigation into his actions during the 2016 election, this narcissist president is, AGAIN, openly acting in unethical and probably illegal ways, believing that he will not be caught or punished. I am willing to bet he is very wrong and that his latest stunts will be among the final nails in the coffin of his presidency. And guess what-this time we know that he is clearly aware of the law and what is legal and illegal, therefore ignorance of the law cannot be any part of his lame excuses.
8
... except that Trump is being aided and abetted by Barr with the weight of the Justice Department. Truly scary times.
12
@Charlotte. and a compliant senate
2
Dems will wimp out again. There should be a million people in the streets. But no, this is Amurrica, so people will just change the channel. Well, I tell you what, if you won't defend Democracy, you don't deserve it.
18
Yes. This is what is most frightening about the last couple of years.
9
Is Trump blackmailing Ukraine?
Withholding aid to Ukraine until they go after Trump's opponents in 2020?
Is he telling them to just make something up if they've really got nothing?
Did he tell them that Putin would pay big time for trash on the Democrats?
Did he tell them that Putin will attack them unless they go after the Democrats?
The whistleblower has a big time lawyer now.
Is it true that the whistleblower can go straight to Congress with his complaint, bypassing the executive branch?
No wonder Trump and Barr are acting so desperate.
They are very afraid.
16
The last whistle blower is still in Russia. And Obama was ready to put him into a federal prison, so what's different?
2
#WhistleBlowersUnite
5
Trump needs to be impeached
27
Since when did the House have absolutely no authority to enforce its duty under the Constitution. Has our government and Constitution been a complete lie all this time. What is wrong with House Democrats that they don’t jail these people who don’t cooperate with them. Don’t they want to recover our Democracy or has Nancy Pelosi sold out too? We know she sold out when we learned that she, like everyone else in Congress, was trading stocks on insider information. A crime for everyone except members of Congress. Our current government and all our politicians of both parties are corrupt. This is a Dictatorship we live in.
15
@DSD Because a lot of the contempt citations have to be run through the Barr Justice Department. Barr is Trump's Roy Cohen.
10
President Donald J. Trumps lawyer, Rudy Giuliani’s blow up on national television moments ago concerning this issue on Ukraine being the country in question of this complaint by the whistle blower, further illustrates that their is a cover up going on involving this current corrupt executive branch of United States and I now believe it has to do with the hundreds of millions of dollars that the Trump administration refused to release to the Ukraine government unless they investigated Joe Biden’s son.
14
Dear Whistleblower, and future whistleblowers, please go directly to Congress. Thank you.
46
It's cute how you guys think Trump cares
Rules and ethics don't apply to him
So what if he asked Ukraine to investigate his political opponent
This guy sells hotel rooms to government officials
He hands over polling data to the Russians
He is attracted to dictators
Move on, nothing to see here
11
I contacted Senator Michael Bennet’s community liaison to request action on this appalling matter. This is the mail in his coffin that the Democrats have been looking for. Donnie Don’t let the Oval Office door hit you on your way to NYC’s big house.
17
@Ceasar Unfortunately probably not.
3
Rudy went on CNN with Cuomo to double talk about Biden and Ukraine as it seems Trump is worried about Biden so he sent Rudy to stir up Ukraine and then he called the Prez of Ukraine if they want the $ they have to go after Biden. Totally corrupt lying Trump a fraudster.
20
@REBCO That interview on CNN tonight, (if you can call it that) was bizarre. Rudy came across as an angry old man with a personal vendetta against Chris rather than a seasoned lawyer who worked closely with Chris' father years ago. It made me wonder why he wouldn't answer any questions about the whistle-blower issue.
9
How long will it be before we publicly brand Trump as the traitor he is?
34
People are jumping to conclusions before any facts
5
@NYC Dweller They are indeed. trump has fooled us before. This seems legit. we will see.
4
Keep this story on the front page. New articles about it every day. Day after day. Until the Criminal in Chief is out of office.
36
It is now being reported that the whistle-blower complaint is regarding a promise made by Trump to Putin regarding Putin's criminal annexation of Crimea and the eastern provinces of Ukraine.
Just what did the traitorous Trump pander to Putin? Can't wait to find out what treachery this cretin promised Vladimir.
19
The occupant in the White House is suppose to work for us. He is only working for himself. He is a traitor and needs to be put in prison. We will not allow this stain to continue after 2020. We will take to the streets if Necessary. This is my country not his.
23
Laws are only valid to the extent
they can be upheld and defended.
The time for talking is over.
The time for civil disobedience is here.
I’m knee deep in old age but I ready to march with you.
It’s time to march on Washington and shake the White House gates off their hinges
Dissent Develops Democracy
50
Good lord what is he going to do to try and divert attention away from THIS? A ton of significant events have happened around the world since Aug 12th; this could be absolutely devastating for our country. Im really concerned about our immediate future.
17
When the Democrats re-take the Senate, one of the first pieces of legislation to be passed must be to give Congress the power of not only subpoena, but of arrest. Else, it will remain a toothless tiger.
26
@Fascist Fighter Congress already has such power. The last time someone was arrested was 1935.
1
You can bet that if there were a Democrat president surrounded by this cloud of malfeasance, congressional Republicans would not hesitate to pull out all stops to get to the bottom of it.
22
If Trump is the victim of slander by a rogue intelligence agent on widely monitored call, then why not expose it?
If Trump is only doing what is good for the USA on a monitored call, then why hide it?
If neither of the above, then Trump is protecting himself at the expense of our rule of law.
If Trump is refusing to honor our law , then why support him as President?
.
45
@jmw
BEST comment ever. Simple as it gets yet hits ya right in the face.
10
@Becca Helen
Credit where due, was inspired by Epicuris.
3
When all is said and done I hope that William Barr's fate is similar to that of John Mitchell. This is one of several times where Barr conducts his duties as only related to the interests of Trump and not of the interests of the safety and security if our country.
35
One wonders whether the kingpin deal-maker wannabe election-rigger who inhabits the White House has yet applied for his own state-run TV station.
(Maybe only his hairdresser and the FCC know for sure.)
12
Can we stop with all the hoopla about Trump? Isn't it enough that an Acting DNI is in clear violation of rules set forth in 50 U.S. Code § 3033. Inspector General of the Intelligence Community?
Keep it simple. Trump swears up and down this is NOT about him so Presidential privilege is NOT in play.
With the facts at hand, this is an Acting DNI who is ignoring the ruling of the Inspector General, about a possible issue of national security, and who is acting in violation of the clear wording of the law. For all we know, he's protecting his baby-sitter from charges of treason. Isn't that bad enough? I fail to see a reason why he should not immediately be put in jail.
16
@Ken. "Code? We don't need no stinkin' code."
Why is this news? Hasn't it been obvious since Day 1 that Trump grovels to Putin, Kim so he can get a good deal for himself and family. The USA means zero to him - just a way to line his own pockets. The surprise here is the silence of the entire Republican party- they condone Trump's bizarre behavior, love of tyrants, hatred for USA, racism and obsession to overturn every Obama initiative.
16
Tonight's foreign newspapers are publishing reports Trump wanted from the Ukraine's president information or a possible negative nature on Joe Biden's son Hunter...and if that information true or not was not provided, then some 230 million in military aid to Ukraine would be withheld.
If this is true..Trump must be driven from office. And those who continue to support this criminal must fall via the voting box next election.
These situation(s) are bringing down America.
And for those Republicans who continue to support Trump regardless..shame on yoy!
28
No one would have put themselves in the dicey situation of being a whistleblower unless it was Trump and it was more then distasteful. It has to be serious. What will happen? I suggest Schiff put some weight and his power behind any challenges he faces, otherwise Congress is lost.
9
At this point, anyone who denies trump is a criminal is a traitor to the US
And the democracy my relatives fought for.
He has to go people,
Otherwise we are doomed,
20
I wonder if Putin now has the address of that exfiltrated U.S. Kremlin spy rescued from Russia and trump has guarantees of election help. A la art of the deal.
11
Trump is immune whether it’s 76 trombones or 76 whistle blowers.
3
Another windmill. No dragon here!
You guys have to consider that Trump may be sowing bait, these "inside source" or "whistle blower" things may actually be staffers following scripts he instructed them to perform for earnestly sniffing reporters.
Honestly... how surprising of a discovery would that really be?
Conservatives lie. They don’t support the Constitution. This is proof. None of them have any problems with Trump officials violating the Constitution. They just support whatever they want. Republicans hate democracy. They hate America and everything it was trying to be. They are the enemy.
15
Louis XIV is said to have proclaimed "I am the state" ("L'état, c'est moi.")
The Donald aspires to be King Louis.
10
History repeats itself. Ecclesiastes: “ There is nothing new under the sun”.
6
This is the nail in his coffin.
8
Hopefully it’s the nail in junior’s political career too and good riddens to Eric
5
With the dragonlady of the House protecting democracy and freedom, there is nothing to worry about. Once she’s done slipping on her Manolo Blahniks and munching on expensive chocolate at the family vineyard, she’ll get right on that oversight thingee.
Everything is fine...
4
Throughout much of his life, Mr. Trump never reaped the benefit of learning from his many failures which were abrogated by the interventions of his father. Handicapped by this unfortunate history, the president lacks a basic understanding of the consequences of missteps and poor decisions, and feels free to throw caution to the wind much as an adolescent child without parental direction, relying on his administration and the executive branch of government as parental proxies to clean up his mess. Here may be the perfect example of this sad truth.
35
Spot on, @wordmorpher. Hate to take on the entire NY city, but he is all the bombastic New Yorker lumped into one. Could there possibly be a less bombastic leader with all the God given wisdom from NY city? I have yet to find one.
1
It’s a paradox that his success depends on his failures. He knows how to extract success from the jaws of defeat. I mean look at the result...he became president, and despite failures and lies too numerous to count he thrives. It’s counterintuitive, for when we fall we struggle to rise from the ground and continue on our way.
When Trump falls he bounces high like a trampoline star. Go figure.
And finally for such a failure he is still considered to have an even chance for a re-election.
But lest one despair I know that in the final scene he will fall and there will be no bounce. He will remain grounded.
He will be known as a freak of nature, a historical aberration, a flash of societal madness.
10
I just assumed this kind of thing happens all the time without the proper oversight or transparency, Trump or no. Our government has literally dealt drugs and arms illegally and didn't reveal it until years later. Trump making what is likely an empty promise to someone he'll probably change his mind about later seems like small change.
2
Except now it’s being reported as multiple instances, not just one conversation. And the IC IG has reviewed this and deemed it credible and urgent. So no, this isn’t an everyday thing.
6
@ThatDay
This is just developing..., buckle up
4
The legacy of Trump will be a field of bloody horrors stretching to the horizon, broken only by a few bits of insight he will have inadvertently bestowed into the flaws in our democracy.
Who would have thought a President would refuse to disclose his potentially conflicting business interests, then use his powers to benefit those very interests? Who would have thought that the nation's Chief Executive would dispatch a lackey to threaten his duly appointed Attorney General with professional execution if he didn't reverse a principled decision? Who would have thought that in service of his reelection, the leader of the nation would enlist a foreign power to conduct an investigation of his likely political opponent?
Yes, one day we'll look back on these times with disgust, but it will be seasoned with a pinch of gratitude for the man who showed us where we might find the cracks in what we thought was the seamless wall of democracy.
29
Yes. That last point hits the nail. He has exposed our institutional vulnerabilities so that when we repair we will be more resilient and secure. Like they say... adversity, if it doesn’t kill, you it makes you stronger.
Hoping for the latter which we cannot assume.
12
Moe Nadler getting backup from Larry Schiff.
He needs it.
The mysterious anonymous sources.
Another NYT scoop.
We can expect the usual level of accuracy.
Is there a story you have gotten correct recently?
6
When The Times is wrong, they say it, unlike trump.
17
Trump is a traitor. Get that through your head.
41
I'm sure someone here has already guessed that trump's "promise" probably involved guaranteeing that the US would not do anything if Russia invades and occupies Ukraine. In Putin's pocket.
20
Maybe (maybe) the craziest part of this is they all do it out in the open.
We've all known for months that Rudy was on a mission to Ukraine, with orders to undermine Biden, going through his son if that was the path.
That in and of itself is strange behavior for the lawyer of a sitting President.
Now to find it was tied to aid ... not terribly surprising with this guy, this 'crew,' -- sadly so.
Take this + the Corey Lewandowski fiasco on Wednesday, and yet again, we see the utter distain for the law, the flouting of Congressional subpoenas or testimony and the brazen confidence that they will all get away with it.
Which so far they have and probably will continue to do so.
Do the Dems need better lawyers??
Do we need more Dems working on and at their day jobs?
I think of Kamala Harris on the campaign trail, instead of in the Lewandowski hearing, for instance ... she's powerful and potent when going after someone in her prosecutorial mode.
Thank goodness for outside counsel on Weds., and Adam Schiff today, regarding the hidden 'whistleblower' evidence.
I guess, keep pushing, keep pressing and hope something actionable shakes loose.
17
Perhaps future whistle blowers should go directly to the press when there is an admin so corrupt as this. So sad that we do t have a president who believes there are three equal branches of government. Even the Supreme Court is in his pocket now. We are in serious trouble.
The house needs to grow a spine right now.
28
Makes you reconsider the role the Snowden’s play in exposing the rot though I think that despite all the hoopla nothing much came from all his data.
Sort of like the Mueller Report leading nowhere.
3
Trump has always disregarded laws that average Americans abide by. Examples include his company’s policy of hiring/exploiting illegal immigrants, his “university” forced to close & refund tuitions to kids, and his “charity foundation” forced to close. A hyena never changes its spots. Trump is undoubtedly selling out America for his own interests, again.
24
How long people will remain silent? The con man runs our country by his erratic whim. His governing style is the same as rogues like Putin or Mugabe. We were the pride of the world as a great democratic nation before the ascension of con man in the white House. Now, we have become a joke. Whole world laughs at us because of the child bully in the White House. Fear and division mongering were his tools to win the election. He is doing the same to run the nation. He has transformed the Government as if his own family owned enterprise. Dept. of Justice and others close their eyes and tolerate all of the criminal activities by the con man. It is shame and disgrace.
24
COVERUP!!!!!
Congress must sue McGuire immediately to get their hands on this whistleblower’s complaint. The law is clear. Let’s see if the Supreme Court is now so thoroughly corrupt that it sides with McGuire. Congress, do your job! Drag the whistleblower’s complaint into the open by every legal means. NOW!!!
16
Congress is so ineffectual I suspect it is purposefully so though I can’t come up with a motive.
The truth of the matter is the media is speculating this so much that many viewers think the President did something criminal. In fact CNN spent all day saying it could only be one of five countries's President and the Ukraine wasn't one of them.
It doesn't seem to stop them with the "What If's" and "Supposedlies".
1
We need to tighten laws pertaining to obstruction of justice and contempt laws. There needs to be an automatic trigger that prevents this very situation. Maybe an immediate hearing before a judge who can order documents released and people’s testimony, and then levy stiff penalties, including harsh fines and jail sentences?
10
According to the law as written, Bill Barr has no place to make a call here.
He is Trump’s personal lawyer, and is betting that no one will push the issue.
If the rule of law is finally followed, Barr should be detained and charged for unlawful interference in this issue.
25
So what exactly is Trump guilty of? Oh yes, he spoke secretly with a person from a foreign country without a reporter present. I guess that all Presidents have someone present during such conversations. But I wonder how anyone personally heard his conversations. Did he invite someone to listen or were they illegally eavesdropping or were they wiretapping his phone? Did they do that to any past Presidents or any other politicians? Who were those people? If there isn’t a recording, how do we know what was said and in what context? Maybe the Time’s informed sources can enlighten us.
2
@Richard Wright
Don’t you want to know what he’s hiding?
12
@Richard Wright
Perhaps following the law (Congress investigating the issue as statute requires) will answer your questions, no?
18
Yes, his translator was there and he took the notes and tore them up.
6
An innocent man with nothing to fear would demand immediate release of the whistleblower complaint.
27
I would play the Trump game.
He says anything he feels like regardless of the truth.
So, just say anything we want about him.
"He's actually selling national security information to our enemies for cash."
"He's profiting while he sells out our nation."
Say it.
Keep saying it.
Ten thousand times.
Let him respond.
It's probably true anyway.
25
Worth a try. Some will say “don’t stoop to his level”, but we’ve tried everything else.
3
Until it's proven otherwise, Donald Trump is in effect above the law. There's just no way around it. He flaunts the law repeatedly with little or no consequence -- while pundits split legal hairs and lawmakers dither (democrats) or enable Trump's defiance (republicans). He installs a puppet Attorney General. Shrug. Hems and haws at out-of-control mass killings. Shrug. This nation is in political tatters and nobody seems to be able to do anything about it. It's just mindboggling that one individual can have such a profoundly destabilizing impact on an entire country. If America doesn't learn a lesson from the Trump experience this country as we have known it is on the skids.
15
As if Congressional Republicans can't get any more shameful -- any more disgusting -- up steps a True Patriot to do the necessary condemnatory work against Trump that these unAmerican Sealed Lips have refused to do, time after time after time, for nearly 3 years.
The greatest difference (among countless) between the whistleblower and the G.O.P. is that the whistleblower cares about the United States -- that, by having stepped forward publicly (despite risk of potentially devastating retribution), has demonstrated a deeply selfless desire to expose the rogue president, and in so doing, also help reverse our nation's decay.
14
The House originates funding. The spineless Democrats keep giving in the Trump, covering their eyes and denying what's happening. If the executive branch has determined that the legislative branch is no longer a partner, tell them to fund themselves and cut it off. Stop pretending it's business as usual in a feckless, spineless, whimpering, appeasing way. It isn't and it's time for the house to realize that or make way for others who do.
6
How long are we to tolerate this outrageous illegality by the Trump administration? He sits atop a pile of acting appointments whom he can fire at a a whim if they "betray him." He is like some potentate waiting for Birnam Wood to march to his castle. The statue is crystal clear. The whistleblower's complaint SHALL be turned over to the House Judicial committee. It is unambiguous.
The whistleblower can still send the complaint directly to the House if he or she dares.
18
Love the citation to Birnam Wood!!
1
There has never been a public figure involved in this many corruption and malfeasance scandals at the same time. Never.
Hard to know what’s a bigger disgrace to the country, Trump himself or the entire Republican Party debasing itself to protect him.
20
“At least part of the allegation deals with Ukraine,”
Well, fancy that. Putin’s most cherished territory to annex or control is in the news again. What a surprise.
What would be a surprise is if Putin didn’t pull every string attached to Donald Trump that he possibly could. That would be totally out of character. Funny how all these characters have faithfully played their parts as if they were written. As the saying goes , “ you can’t even write this stuff”.
7
It continues to amaze me how people in government are willing to jeopardize their reputations, their liberty and their country to defend a man whose history shows he has been lawless his entire adult life. Being president doesn’t wipe his slate clean. I cannot understand how the law and order party can totally look the other way as lawlessness continues at the highest level of our government. The Republican Party should never ever try to place the mantel of morality and rule of law on its shoulders. It should be lost forever.
14
I am so tired. I know that’s what they (the corrupt power brokers backing Trump) want. But I will never be too tired to crawl a mile over broken glass to toss all of these con artists and thugs out. Vote blue up and the ballot next November.
19
Am I the only one who is completely horrified to learn what type of unintentional boobery or intentional malfeasance our inept, unfit and profoundly corrupt commander and chief may have committed?
12
the WaPo is now reporting that the foreign gov't in the call was the president of ukraine. it's thinking that trump and guliani are trying to get their help in influencing the 2020 election and possibly help manafort, who is currently in prison for financial crimes for his work over there.
8
What in the world does Trump have over Senate Republicans that they absolutely cower beneath Trump's exceptionally corrupt foot?
15
Who was high enough in the DNI to know this sensitive information about Trump? Whose last day of employment with the DNI was just three days before the whistle blower report was made? Dan Coats. Could it be?????
8
@Jason
Coats was the only one in this admin with any integrity
7
Exactly what does it take, Ms. Pelosi?
11
@Doug Thomson: You better ask Mr. McConnell.
6
Consider who will be in charge if he is impeached...
3
@Doug Thompson Either 1) a Democrat controlled Senate; or 2) enough evidence to convince 20 current Republican Senators to grow a spine; or 3) the next Congress.
5
Trump is a menace. Raise the alarm, every day. He is a menace.
14
This 'whisteblower' news seems like a ruse to divert attention from the pending IG report on Comey and others lying to the FISA court.
Why is the President being wiretapped?
It is not illegal for the President to make promises to foriegn leaders.
Below is Obama making a promise to the Russians to weaken our Nuclear arsenal.
As he was leaning toward Medvedev in Seoul, Obama was overheard asking for time — “particularly with missile defense” — until he is in a better position politically to resolve such issues.
“I understand your message about space,” replied Medvedev, who will hand over the presidency to Putin in May.
“This is my last election … After my election I have more flexibility,” Obama said, expressing confidence that he would win a second term.
“I will transmit this information to Vladimir,” said Medvedev, Putin’s protégé and long considered number two in Moscow’s power structure.
The exchange, parts of it inaudible, was monitored by a White House pool of television journalists as well as Russian reporters listening live from their press center.
2
In response to your second paragraph, presidents are not “wiretapped.” Their conversations are recorded so there is an accurate record of what was said between leaders so that no country or leader can misrepresent the context of the discussion. This is for the president’s protection.
21
@Frank Your strange comments remind me of the many people who prattled on, supporting Stalin, right up to the point that they suddenly realized they were the principal in a show trial or on their way to the Gulag. Sadly, you are in as much danger here as the rest of us, but Chatham seems like a safe enough place. T is a much greater danger to you than the Chatham sharks.
18
Why is Obama the go to comparison guy when someone tries to defend indefensible behavior by Trump? The honest truth is that the current guy is a mess and has no intention of making America great. It's not a fair comparison--Trump and any president that any of us remember. Yes, even Nixon had some redeeming qualities.
22
Trump is not looking for a trade deal, he is not trading intelligence secrets, he is not looking to bargain anything that contributes to the general welfare in any form.
Trump is looking out for himself and his family, and it is apparent now that he needs to stay in office in order to avoid criminal prosecution. The public thinks that Trump wants to please/emulate dictators, but that is not the case at all - Trump is “shopping” dictators to find someone to help him maintain power.
Kim, Putin, and MBS have all pulled off assassinations in foreign countries after Trump’s election (Kim in Singapore, Putin in GB, MBS in Turkey). These dictators are literally showing Trump the goods they are selling.
Trump is making offers to remove sanctions or trade military hardware in return for direct help in the 2020 election. He does not need an influence campaign to win this time; Trump needs direct intervention - Russian/NK agents assassinating rivals and Democratic leadership within the United States and/or otherwise sowing enough chaos that he can “cancel” the 2020 elections and maintain power. He also needs help from other powers in putting down civil unrest that would follow.
The situation is so grave that individual US intelligence officers are sacrificing their careers to try to head it off. Treating this like an attempt to secure a favorable trade deal ignores the fact that Trump always looks out for himself and had no scruples about using extraordinary means to do so.
3691
@Kevin
Thank you for this detailed, extremely important analysis.
255
@Kevin Relax...get your head together. We are not going to have anyone done away with. He probably told Kim to keep his bombs but make an effort and we will help the country get rich. Trump is really a simple man who plays checkers not chess.
36
@Kevin
Time for Canada to start building its wall to stop all the refugees coming in from south of the border.
195
Once again a tempest in a teapot. Much ado about nothing. Political grandstanding instead of doing the difficult job of governing.
Why don't we coax Robert Mueller out of retirement and ask him to assemble a team to look into it? Just so we can be sure that the president hasn't promised to reward Vladimir Putin with Georgia (the country not the state) if he throws the 2020 election to Trump.
This country's government has become a joke.
1
@John Smithson
Yet Trump is the head clown in the circus.
8
Well if Adam Schiff is involved it’s got to be legit, right? Don’t forget how many times he told us he had “proof” of Russia collusion...
5
@XLER Well, kf you don't like Adam Schiff, then he has to be wrong. Right?
8
@XLER Trump has never met a Russian he did not like. His team had over 200 contacts with Russians during his campaign. The legal test that Mueller had to use, was 'conspiracy'. As Trump and his cohorts obstructed justice, withholding information, deleting emails, hiding Whatsapp messages. Muller was unable to 'prove', conspiracy, because of these obstructions. Trump is not out of the woods yet, though.
There is no doubt in Mueller's report, that the Trump campaign welcomed Russian interference in the election process. Trump welcomed their interference in releasing Hillary's emails, he said so, out loud.
There is no doubt that Trump and Putin had a one on one meeting in Russia, and 'we' are unable to see the Notes.
There is no doubt that Trump welcomes and invites Russia to the G7.
There is no doubt that over the years, Trump has welcomed Russian money, buying his properties at overpriced rates. There is no doubt that Trump Tower is overrun with Russian mobsters.
I thought America was an enemy of Russia, but it seems Trump is Putin's friend, along with other Dictators he admires.
Trump is constantly insulting 68% of America, Black women, women, former Allies, Democrats, etc etc, but not ONE word of condemnation for the ex-KGB Putin.
10
So if there’s nothing to hide, why are they refusing to let congress know as the law says?
10
Hillary never went to Wisconsin once. Not a single visit, not even for 10 minutes, never stepped foot in the state after nearly 2 years of campaigning in 2016. She lost Wisconsin and we got Trump....but god forbid we dare as Bill and Hillary for an explanation... while they live in their 15 million dollar house and have a net worth of over 250 million while only holding jobs for the US government. Lets try and call the balls and strikes for what they really are. Please, there is blame to go all the way around here.
4
@DJ I disagree with your observations. The Clintons, like other presidents and office holders before them, made their fortunes after leaving office.
Serving as President and serving as a senator is not roadblock to making money after leaving office.
Beyond that, I'm not sure what your comment has to do with this article.
32
I didn't realize that their speaking engagements and books after leaving office were done as government employees.
17
@DJ So this is all Hillary's fault? Gotcha.
18
Sounds like an open and shut case to me. Way to go, Adam, as always. As my rep, you make we Californians proud. Hurry over now to makeup, MSNBC won't want to miss this latest bombshell.
11
@John Doe ....You have your facts wrong, it's Trump who wears so much make-up he thinks energy efficient light bulbs make him look orange.
10
@John Doe
Adam Schiff is a great patriot.
13
Mr. Bakaj should be charged with "Contempt of Congress" and marched directly to jail.
11
If something so important is taking this long to investigate, I'm thinking it is NOT SO IMPORTANT. President Trump could easily make a promise to foreign Leader, so I'm frowning over the possibility but besides a burrow in my forehead, it's nothing to shake my world!
1
Fake news. The complaining employee probably broke the law himself and then decided to file a "whistleblower" complaint to get protection from prosecution.
Just like laws and regulations were broken when it was publicized that Trump allegedly shared intelligence with the Russians.
2
@Aristotle Gluteus Maximus
No, not alleged. Confirmed by two Israelis. And one of our best-placed spies in Russia had to be "extracted" (that is, called home) because of Trump's behavior.
11
No amount of evidence would ever convince you that Trump has done anything wrong or that he had ever done anything to is a threaten U.S. national security. Trump can simply say “Fake News!” and you will believe him over anyone else. However, it is not the job of Congressional representatives to convince people like you when you would never abandon your loyalty to Trump. Their first loyalty has to be to the United States, to protect the public and maintain the rule of law.
11
The extent of you and your fellow cohorts willfull ignorance is astounding... and truly dispiriting. I love my country, but I am ashamed to be an American right now. For your country's sake, begin seeing Trump for what he is... a malignantly narcissistic sociopath.
3
I hate Trump as much as anyone but: A lot of people on this board have apparently become experts on this arcane procedure in the last 4 hours and have decided that the Inspector General should be “arrested.” CNN - not known for its sympathy to the current administration— just presented several ACTUAL experts who persuasively argued that this is an unprecedented situation and that the IG likely is navigating an ambiguous path in terms of who he is legally allowed to disclose this to without blowing up the protections that the whistleblower process is designed to protect. Schiff himself expressed sympathy for the IG’s predicament at his press conference a few minutes ago. We are all obviously intrigued and it is certainly reasonable to expect the very worst re what Trump may have done, BUT suggesting that the IG be “arrested” and other such knee jerk reactions seem uninformed and frankly ridiculous.
729
@Charles Throckmorton Agreed; the problem here seems not to lie with the IG but the DNI, who is required by law to turn over information that the IG has determined rises to a worrying level -- and the IG HAS made that assessment. It's on Congress to bring the DNI to heel.
171
@Joshua Hayes Now all we need is a solution because nothing the House has used appears to work. I would not look to the Barr controlled courts for a solution.
86
@Charles Throckmorton
Unprecedented, because up until now America has had leaders who actually worked for the American people.
Some were better, some were worse, but their allegiance was not in question. In this case, the allegiance of the Oval Office occupant has been in question from the moment the FBI opened an investigation into him -- long before the existence of that investigation was disclosed to the public.
This is not Carter Page, a man in a funny hat, that we are talking about.
This is the man with America's nuclear codes, whose son-in-law was granted top clearance by him to go through all of America's secrets. This is the man who offers to send the US military out to kill others, provided MBS pays for the hit. This is the man who has the authority, single-handedly, to literally initiate World War Three, if he so decides.
It's a huge deal. I have no idea how anyone can be complacent about it.
455
How often must the American people be told that Trump is innocent...that all of this is nothing, made up, fake. We are not allowed to even know what the accusation is?
From the very beginning, we were not allowed to see his tax returns. We were not allowed to hear the testimony of the people who worked with him. We were not allowed to know what he said in secret meetings with Vladimir Putin. We were not even allowed see an un-redacted report or learn why, according to the Mueller Report, Donald Trump could not be exonerated from any criminal wrong doing.
When is this going to be enough??
25
“I would only do what is right anyway, and only do good for the USA!” Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter.
Well then, everything is just peachy keen. We all know how finely calibrated this president's ethical and moral compass is.
12
Trump told Putin the US would not help or send matériel to Kiev if Putin moves to grab eastern Ukraine.
5
I’m betting the foreign leader was Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince. Trump committed to blame and attack Iran if anyone attacked Saudi Arabia.
2
@Irving Franklin
Of course we are all in the dark here. Anything’s possible. But I think the other guy, Kevin, got it right. Its about trump getting re-elected
When we finally rid ourselves of this treasonous rat infestation and take back the House, Senate, and Presidency, the first order of business is pass stronger enforceable oversight laws that make this kind of stonewalling a definitive crime. The second, order of business is to appoint two new Supreme Court Justices to counter McConnell's unconstitutional theft of Obama's rightful appointment.
When you're playing with liars and cheats, hardball is the only way to go.
23
My thoughts, exactly. I’ve been urging that the Democrats play hardball since the beginning of Obama’s second term.
2
It's a long road out of Eden......
1
This is the most anemic, pathetic House of Representatives this country has ever seen Feckless. Absolutely feckless.
9
@Attorney Lance Weil Surely you must mean Senate? The House is acting correctly.
1
Again and again...if it were Obama in the crosshair the GOP wouldn't be seeking impeachment, they wouldn't settle for less than treason.
9
“I would only do what is right anyway, and only do good for the USA!” Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter.
And I think there lies the problem This guy thinks what he is doing is right and only good for the USA but in truth, it comes down to what is good and right only for him.
This guy can't differentiate between himself and the country and thinks and governs as if he is above the law and the laws don't apply to him because he has presidential privilege.
The moment I read his twitter quote, I immediately had a flashback of Richard Nixon, "I am not a crook."
There is something terribly wrong, frightening and skewed with this presidency.
I truly hope the contents of this complaint is the beginning, the real hard core beginning of Trump's undoing, once and for all.
18
Amen.
2
Why do I get the feeling that this could be just another slew of politicos making their 15 minutes of fame last as long as possible?
1
When oh when will Democrats stop underestimating Nancy Pelosi? It’s as bad as Republican Senators who won’t be patriots and stand up to Trump. The Speaker knows what she is doing and you can be absolutely certain there isn’t anyone in this country who wants Trump out more.
It has been quite apparent to any politically minded person she’s the only one in Washington with a clue as to how to get Trump out and lock him up.
2
I think it is time for all the news media to name each of the President's lawyers who are concocting all these false claims in order for this administration to stall and delay their compliance with the law. Everyone need to know who these accomplices are who are helping to destroy the rule of law. Perhaps it will give some of them pause for thought to know their names will go down in infamy. How will they justify their actions once this president is no longer in office?
5
We are at DEFCON 5 for democracy in these once United States of America.
Now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of their country.
13
We have devolved into a "Banana Republic" under Trump. It's way paste time to to assert the Constitution and separation of powers.
6
Trump is winning bigly! The democrats are feeding straight into his game of tearing down our intelligence, media and democratic systems to serve his purposes...tying up the courts is what Trump has always done with suits against him - now it is just on a bigger level, but he is winning and if the democrats don't get tough - REAL tough - we will all loose even more then we already are and have....
4
So the federal government will put the whistle blower into the witness protection plan to protect him from who? The mafia? Nope. The government? Yup. Good luck, whistle blower, whoever you are.
4
Seriously, Schiff will be in jail before Trump.
@Daphne
Because......? Seriously. Because......?
11
@Daphne I advise that you not wager any money on that.
3
@Jim Cricket
Well, maybe because Trump will start rounding up his "enemies" and hiding them where the sun don't shine? Seems like something in his wheelhouse.
2
An employer is reluctant to hire someone that has been in business for themselves.
Reason that person being hired answered to no one but themselves, did things their way on their schedule.
The electoral college hired donald and donal does not think he has to answer to the majority of people in the United States that did not vote for him.
14
We have become thoroughly immune in this country to the argument that the president is above the law. In fact, the oath of office requires the president to ensure the laws are faithfully executed. Will the Justice Department follow the law? Does the SCOTUS care? Do the American people care? That we have to ask these questions reflect the unfortunate state of affairs.
19
Why can’t our journalists and political leaders speak clearly on this subject? No man being above the law is a clear and fundamental concept.
Illegally keeping the whistle blower in abeyance puts Trump above the law.
Where is our eloquence in arguing such a simple principal. It’s our leaders moment to show what their made of and how well they can express themselves. I’m disappointed that we’ve come to this point with no orators crying the clarion call for our rule of law to prevail.
23
@RjW I think the journalists have been speaking clearly but for some ridiculous reason our government refuses to exercise our checks and balances system by administering the law.
4
@Siara Delyn
Sure. Kind of. However, What I’m looking for is the ability to not equivocate when matters of critical importance are at hand.
The corporate hand and it’s need for eyeballs seems to always be lying just beneath the surface as reporters assay their career’s future and play the fair and balanced game.
Now is not the time for that if this country is to remain under the rule of law.
1
“But it has prompted a standoff between lawmakers and the acting director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire, who has refused to turn it over to Congress, as is generally required by law.” In Trump’s world, an acting director will always beat put a house chairman.
2
Mr. Giuliani said he did not know whether Mr. Trump discussed those matters with Mr. Zelensky, but argued it would not be appropriate.
From the context, it appears the word should be "inappropriate."
7
if there was a problem or issue, it would have been addressed. No one likes a jealous tattle tail/tale. It looks like 4 more years given to him by the left as they pick another candidate who won't beat him.
Either someone has the RNC/GOP emails and that is what is stopping them from doing the right/legal thing for this country, or they have all become so corrupt that they have lost all love for this nation's democracy. What is happening??? Part of me feels numb, but still the bigger part has to keep pushing our leaders to PROTECT OUR CONSITUTION AND DEMOCRACY.
13
How much longer will we, the people, let this man and his sycophants get away with obstructing the Constitunional powers given to Congress and to us, the people? Is it not time to rise up? We have become too comfortable to go out and demand impeachment?
10
“I would only do what is right anyway, and only do good for the USA!” -Mr. Trump
Like lying to the American people more than 10,000 times?
Rubbish.
19