If Pompaeo does not provide the documents, he needs to be indicted and imprisoned by the Congress!
17
Was Tyler McGaughey, William Barr’s son in law, one of the WH lawyers who worked in this coverup or was he aware of what was going on?
He works in the WH as Trump’s legal adviser. Besides Barr being named in the whistle blower report, it’s problematic to say the least that his family member is one of the lawyers working at the WH when the “White House lawyers” are also named in the report. Barr needs to recuse immediately.
From the whistle blower report:
“White House officials told me that they were “directed” by WHITE HOUSE LAWYERS to remove the electronic transcript from the computer system in which such transcripts are typically stored for coordination, finalization, and distribution to Cabinet-level officials.”
11
BTW, we all know people who, incredibly, refuse to read or listen to any news coverage not published by Fox, etc. In fact, they refuse to read the Washington Post or NYT and believe they publish lies. Stories from these 2 publishers (and others), in spite of being professional and award winning journalism, are summarily dismissed. So how is this chasm to be repaired and a bridge built between the divided nation?
10
Traitors who might be in our government must be found out;
and if our President is a traitor ; this must be found out
immediately; no delay.
An attack by traitors who are in our highest offices of government must be verified or discredited....no excuse for
any delay.
All subpoenas should be willingly transported as demanded
by our Intelligence Agency...: no excuses....no equivocations.
We ARE under attack possibly by a subversive section of
our Executive ; possibly by the head of our Justice Dept.
No EXCUSE...not to investigate.
5
Does anyone want to take bets on whether or not Pompeo shows up. This entire administration believes that our nation's laws do not apply to them.
68
IMMEDIATE INCARCERATION for noncompliance.
6
Such wretched, pervasive, overbearing excess. Not one, not two or three or four but multiple screeching anti-Trump diatribes. All ready at first glance. This whistleblower garbage, just like all the other dummied up and false fictions, will also fade. Thank goodness we have actual laws to counteract your increasingly futile grabs at revenge.
2
"House Democrats, moving quickly to escalate their impeachment inquiry into President Trump, subpoenaed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday..."
And if Pompeo doesn't appear with the asked for information, he must be arrested and put in prison just like any other citizen.
Traitor trump can't be ousted soon enough.
10
Nancy Pelosi made a huge blunder starting the impeachment process. No evidence from Mueller. The Zelensky phone call with almost no knowledge of the contents falls in well with the Democrats clueless careening about, no historical context, no memory of Democrats doing the same thing as Trump. Calling on the Ukraine to search for political dirt. Pelosi has excelled in ginning up anti Russian hysteria. The absolutely unfounded accusations that Russia is currently in a massive effort to overthrow the USs democracy would be laughable but this is seen as a winner by the Dems. The Democrats have a good chance to defeat Trump for his idiotic behavior in office. Impeachment is driven by an irrational hatred of Trump beyond politics.
2
I agree with Nicolas Kristof; Mr. Trump, that meeting you had with Putin in Helsinki that has no transcript, we all saw the photo but never saw what was said between you, by any chance did Putin ask you to withhold 400 million $ funds to Ukraine? I just have a hunch just maybe .....
11
The whistleblower complaint wasn't properly handled from the start. It was given to the White House and the DOJ so gangsters Trump and Barr had time to coordinate the cover-up.
I urge everyone to contact their members of Congress and especially Pelosi's office and urge multiple impeachment inquiries, not just limited to Ukraine.
Trump has been using the presidency as an emoluments cash machine, Cohen implicated him in a deliberate cover-up of porn star hush money payments, and his business and personal relationships with dangerous people like Putin and bin Salman are all impeachable.
It's time to show these gangsters, all of them, including Pence, what it's like to face justice.
10
Hit them hard and hit them fast.
12
I’m waiting for Pompeo to get snagged in Trump’s barbed wire, get convicted and end up in a prison cell, and looks up to see, scratched on the wall
John Mitchell was here Feb 21, 1975
10
Barr must be getting close to the mother lode in the Justice Department's probe of the origins of the Russia investigation for the CIA to be sending up this smoke screen.
6
All I can say is that the House had better be ready to exercise it's inherent contempt powers, or they are engaged in an exercise in futility.
125
@JT As mentioned above- the Democrats can have them ARRESTED but have not. Why?
8
Since the President admitted he asked Zelensky to help uncover corruption related to the Bidens, why is there a delay for extra investigation? He broke the rules. His minions broke the rules. Take the next step.
6
I think everyone, no matter what side of the fence, wants to know the facts. The facts as they actually exist, not slanted one way or the other depending on whether it's the NY Times, WaPo or Fox doing the reporting. The same is true of Congress where the slant on the facts depends on the party doing the talking. In watching the Maguire hearing, the GOP reps fell all over themselves praising his service and supporting him. The Dems tried to tear him apart and get him to answer their questions the way they wanted him to. Some of the Dems, they must be lawyers, tried to force him to give only yes or no answers, the old lawyer trick to get someone to say what the lawyer wants whereas many questions cannot be truthfully answered with a simple yes or no. Political hacks think that we, the electorate, are stupid and don't recognize sneaky lawyer tricks when we see them. As you might gather, I consider politicians and lawyers to be among the lowest of life forms. Congress should feel free to objectively investigate and keep the voters informed, but they have no business impeaching Trump. That's a decision for the voters to make on Election Day, 2020, not Congress. Last time I looked, the US is still a democracy.
Every day I told meself why should I donate to states that is so backward in the south when a major natural disaster hit. I live in Florida but I have insurances to cover my properties and money for emergency. I'm not rich. Why should I supports all of these peoples when they are so naive in electing Trump. I pay over $7k/yr in property taxes and I hate it that lots of peoples in Florida pay little to nothing. Trump is a liars and no conservative believed that. If I lie to my boss, I know I'll will be fire. Please bring back the country where I love all of the states, as of right now, I refused to spend my money on red states.
7
Was Adam Schiff auditioning for a role on "The Sopranos."?
2
Trump says it was a beautiful warm call with the Ukrainian President. What is he talking about? In my whole life I’ve never had a beautiful call.
9
It takes three committee chairmen?
3
If anyone deserves impeachment it is certainly Trump. The White House tried to lock down Ukraine call records. This man has lied constantly and is a blot on our country and our Constitution. I don't like Pence but he is the lesser of two evils. And this is so much worse than Bill Clinton's dallies and lies about a consensual affair. Where is the Christian Right now? Constant lying is fine with them?
6
You are not going to impeach a very popular President. I will vote for him again in 2020. So go home Democrats and see if you can win an election. The regular way. You know you can't.
3
These flailing Democrat attempts to impeach Trump without any evidence of "high crimes and misdemeanors" will backfire on them in 2020. Congressman Schiff's (D- California) outright lies about Trumps call to the Ukraine president are illustrative of the lengths to which the Democrat party will go to overturn the duly elected president. Meanwhile Biden's on tape confession of withholding $1 billion in foreign aid to Ukraine until the prosecutor investigating his son's business dealers was fired is virtually ignored by The Times and the mainstream media. America west of the Hudson River and east of the People's Republic of California see through this blind hatred and hypocrisy, and will reelect Trump in 2020. Then watch the Democrats really go apoplectic.
3
Congress will get nothing from Pompeo just like they got nothing from Lewandowski or even Hicks.
With a grin like a Cheshire Cat Pompeo will refuse to answer even simple yes or no questions.
I hope if needed Schiff will declare him a hostile witness and if necessary have him marched off to detention.
The Dems need to show they mean business. They cannot afford another debacle like the one at Nadler’s Judiciary Committee hearing.
4
On Saturday’s edition of MSNBC’s “AM Joy,” former Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary for Eastern Europe Evelyn Farkas told anchor Joy Reid that Trump’s move to freeze military aid to Ukraine to make them play ball with investigating former Vice President Joe Biden had serious, real-world consequences.
The other thing I think that’s really important about this whole whistleblower thing and people coming forward and getting worked up is the timeline, because that money for Ukraine, it was authorized and appropriated by Congress. The fiscal year ends September 30. I was in Tbilisi, Georgia, Republic of Georgia, as you know, Joy, recently, and I had foreign service officers coming up to me, ‘Evelyn, can you help unglue this money?’ Nobody knew why it was stuck,” said Farkas. “I called over to the Hill and said, ‘Hey, guys,’ to the appropriators, ‘Can you guys look into this?’ They said ‘We’re already on it.'”
“So the money would have run out, if they could have gotten it reappropriated for another year, there would have been a lag, and as I said and pointed out in the Washington Post piece which will come out in print tomorrow, that they’re fighting a hot war, they need this stuff.”
1
The subpoena is only as good as its enforcement.
The Sgt-at-Arms should be prepared to handcuff and perp walk anyone smug enough to disobey or answer the committee in a disrespectful manner as in the case of the proven drunk, gambler, and alleged serial rapist, Kavanaugh.
3
If they don't cooperate, lock .them. up. That includes
Barr and Trump.
3
Very little is being reported about the Democratic candidates campaign rallies. We have heard little lately about their campaigns or events. When they lose the presidential election, the blame will lie with the Democrats focusing on the impeachment process. This only bolsters the support for President Trump and the Republicans.
4
Yes, definitely, the impeachment is a legal porcess: lawyers are at the center of it. However, I think the panel should also include an ethicist (the role of lies in the process, the tweets disregarding minimum restrain and decorum, mockery, etc); ; a teacher of a middle school (how students perceive their civic duties within a lawless government, after all, perception is cultural and, now, everything goes, a very dangerous nihilism and the beginning of totalitarian regimes); a historian with profound knowledge of the constitution; and, finally the impeachment process should also include a citizen, any citizen of this country with, of course, a caveat: he/she has to provide rational arguments regarding impeachment not just political ideology, since the impeachment process is about the "alleged" transgression of our president, which are transparent reading any of the documents that has been declassified. And, perhaps, the impeachment process should include private detectives to go beyond the obvious legal common channels of investigation.
1
Zelensky has an actual recording. Value? Priceless.
4
I'm thinking we need them to subpoena Dan Coats and his assistant director.
3
If Trump gets away with this their is something terrible wrong in the USA. If this doesn't mean goodbye for Trump, it's time for Europe to say goodbye to the USA.
7
Let's not stay on the defensive, which is what they want. Let's take control of the narrative and take the offense, for a change. The Bidens are cleared of wrongdoing, time to move on to the real issue. They want to keep bringing that up to deflect attention, and we need to stop it in its tracks. Trump bribed, pure and simple, he's unfit, obviously, etc. etc. Speak the truth and if they persist we can start investigations into the propriety of the trump kids' actions. We have to bring him down and not put up with his attempts at distraction.
9
The Democrats will be wasting precious time investigating an inquiry that is here say by a whistle blower. What will get down in congress? Nothing. They were elected to do the voters business not conduct endless impeachment hearings that lead to a dead end.
5
@KMW
Trump was apparently willing to leverage U.S. military assistance — potentially leaving Ukraine vulnerable to military threats from Russia — to advance those political interests is shocking and deeply damaging. That he was apparently willing to throw a U.S. ambassador under the bus as part of that effort makes it even worse.
5
Ask yourself, do you believe in the American judicial system?, Do you believe that truth matters? Do you love your country and the freedom democracy brings to your lives? We are on the cusp of losing all of this if we let this debacle go on unchecked any longer. How did it even get this far to begin with? How have we gotten to the point that political parties rule over the law of the land which has prevailed for centuries? How have we gotten to the point where truth and honesty don't matter? Is there a large portion of the population that live in a zombie state unable to think anymore? I never realized the ignorance gap in America was so extensive until this president so easily brainwashed so many.
12
Trump believes he is above the law. He committed many financial crimes in New York and was never held liable for them. He filed multiple bankruptcies, lied about his enemies, stonewalled. He is a detriment to this country. And Pompeo surprises me. I thought he was a patriot. He gave an oath to this country. But then again so did Trump. I hope our country survives this.
8
Subpoena the full transcript of Trump phone calls with the Ukrainian president and the log of what else has gone into the NSC computer.
We need to know if president Trump ordered the cover-up/concealment of the transcript and who else was involved.
8
The Democrats are acting like attack dogs. The American people are smart and will see through these Democrats in their latest witch hunt. It will not favor them at the ballot box in 2020. Little else is getting done.
5
@KMW
Actually the real truth is very little is getting done in the Senate where trump's minions rule. They have the whole system hamstrung to benefit our corrupt president.
12
A partial list of stuff Trump swore up and down he’d take care of, and which ain’t even partly got done, includes: infrastructure, repeal of Obamacare, deal with North Korea, deal with China, Javanka’s Great Mideast Peace Deal, deal with Iran, gun control legislation...
I’ll grant you that he’s dropped taxes on the wealthiest and corporations, helped stick young wacko-birds on courts, passed a NAFTA replacement that’s been sitting around for a year and a half, oardoned Joe Arpaio, passed out some Medals of Freedom to his cronies, issued exec orders (hey...wasn’t he always screaming about exec orders?) that are mostly tangled up in court for the next eleventy-seven years...
And as interests you most, screamingly attacked Planned Parenthood and international family planning. Not to mention modernizing our energy system in ways that help fix what we’re doing to the planet.
How gushingly proud Jesus must be.
5
I feel sorry for Biden.
Now he is left without his favorite hero story for the power player crowd.
Twisting the arms of foreign governments to abet your crooked friends is just not properly captured by his Corn Pop tale.
4
Yea Evidence!
Twas a Perfect Conversation for Impeachment! I have already read three famous law professors' takes.
Let's focus on healthcare, equitable wages, breaking up monopolies, income and wealth inequality combo of free and affordable colleges, all free community colleges, income boosts for elderly receiving less than 25 K a year, childcare, free Pre-K
4
@Dart We can focus on more than one thing at a time. Governments always do. Trump is a crook and there is evidence. It just has to be brought forward. And what people's business would get done anyhow? McConnell holds everything up and won't allow votes. So let's get on with impeachment. Before our country is totally destroyed.
6
I agree that we need to hammer this home fast and hard by focusing on Ukraine.
That said, this can, will, and should raise very hard questions about who knew what and when. If some of the many men and women who left this administration of their own volition did so because of personal concerns about what was happening behind closed doors, but did so without raising the alarm, then that is a very serious issue, one they must be made to answer for.
They too should be found derelict in their sworn oath to this nation. When you know high crimes and misdemeanors are being committed, there is no gray area, no hard call, no excuse for not raising the alarm. The only person who comes out of this looking good is the whistle blower.
In a functioning democracy with an eye on rule of law and an affinity for freedom, there would have been dozens of people raising the alarm and doing so with the full authority of their jobs.
Rarely have so many had their reputations ruined by one venal, corrupt man. It's staggering. It's sad beyond words that the White House became the place where reputations go to die. It's now synonymous with corruption.
Impeachment is the only broom large enough to sweep it clean. Any hand not on that broom is on the wrong side of history, an indefensible one.
67
I’m willing to bet almost everyone commenting on this article haven’t read the transcript from the phone call or the whistleblower complaint. Having said that I encourage people to read it and make up your own decision. You don’t have to be a lawyer or special agent to make an informed decision.
9
Democrats: Please ask the question to someone who will know - directly, under oath - Did recording devices capture the president's calls with Ukraine, Russia, and Saudi Arabia? If yes Congress should subpoena the recordings. If there actually are no recordings that's crazy! What year is this,1862? Are they typing in Morse code?
4
Issuing doesn’t matter if the person named doesn’t show. There has the demonstrable consequences for failure to appear. So, before you go any further, what are the consequences and, are you willing to enforce them? If there are none and you’re not, stop now and avoid looking foolish...AGAIN!
3
The focus is on the Ukraine. The House Intelligence Committee has vowed to investigate the whistle blower's complaint though recess. It is unlike them to work through recess. Maybe this will go somewhere. I certainly hope so. I am so tired of this lawless President.
9
This is just a show. Even if impeached, the senate can determine what rules are used during the trial. McConnell can set time limits on the prosecution to present its case, and rules limiting evidence that can be submitted. There is no conceivable way Trump will be removed from office. This will only slow down the confirmation of judges, for a couple of days.
9
The nation and our institutions have suffered enough under this administration. The struggle to obtain documents and testimony will only cause more bloodshed. It is time for the many that have served under this administration and have gotten the boot to come forward and tell what they know. It is time to bear witness and save this nation from a long, drawn out impeachment inquiry. Trump is attempting to decide 2020 before we even vote. Much like Nixon, he wants to be the decider of who he runs against next year. And he will not stop.
10
Worst case, how is it that the DNC's request of Fusion GPS, which came from Ukraine as well, is not a problem? Or, the letter three Democrat Congressmen wrote to Ukraine asking for "dirt" is not a problem?
21
@HaleGM
Okay? Where is that stuff? I suppose Republicans are just holding back because they don't control the Senate or the Executive. Wait. That doesn't sound right.
19
This is a typical argument of a guilty person. "Hey that guy over there did a crime too!" If the scandals you are referencing are truly a problem, why didn’t the GOP charge anybody when they had control of the house and senate? You are glad to attack them with little or no evidence, but you blithely ignore rock-solid evidence of Trump enlisting foreign leaders to help his campaign.
26
You have gone to the well of "what about-ism" and "both-siderism" too many times. The well has run dry.
12
Let’s look into Schiff’s involvement with the so-called whistle blower since he’s been tweeting about this since August. Did his staff help the whistle blower write the complaint?
22
@Jackson
Let's have an 8th GOP Benghazi hearing on Hillary, since the first seven GOP hearings did not provide the result the GOP wanted.
9
Trump is so ineffective at responding on Twitter about his nefarious conversation with the Ukranian president that he could benefit from ghost writing by Schiff or any literate person. Alas, Trump claims to be a stable genius who knows more than everyone else thus he will not only continue to lie about his actions, he will also express his case using misspellings and trite prose. Agony for a reader!
4
I’m surprised you haven’t put 2 and 2 together and concluded that Adam Schiff *is* the whistleblower.
This is the way conspiracy theories work on the right, isn’t it? Draw a firm conclusion based on a deeply implausible idea guaranteed to convince the credulous of the demonic intentions of the Democratic Party?
1
“I said, I’m telling you, you’re not getting the billion dollars. I said, you’re not getting the billion. I’m going to be leaving here in, I think it was about six hours. I looked at them and said: I’m leaving in six hours. If the prosecutor is not fired, you’re not getting the money."
Vice President Joseph Biden
8
Your point being?
3
@Robert
I underestood from the article that more subpoenas were forthcoming. Certainly Biden's interference on his son's behalf should be among the investigations.
3
@Robert
If that wasn't illegal (and it wasn't), knowing full well that the prosecutor in question was sniffing around his son, then nothing Trump said on that call is illegal, either.
Icing on the cake is that Lutsenko, the prosecutor who followed Shenkin, and "cleared" Hunter, also said that Obama's ambassador gave him a no-prosecution list and withheld funds from his office when he tried to prosecute people.
7
Amazing how many incidents of doing "favors" the Democrat Party seems to overlook. Loretta Lynch' s meeting with Bill Clinton while Hillary was running for president. And all they talked about was grandchildren and golf??? President Obama's open mic with the Russian delegate regarding his having "more flexibility" after his election. More flexibility to do what???
The whistleblower in the Trump matter is a third party who was told something by someone about a call that Trump made to Zelensky. If the Democrats want to subpoena Pompeo, let them also subpoena the person who related the story to the whistleblower and let's 's identify the CIA operative assigned to the White House who supposedly heard Trump's conversation with Zelensky. It should be very easy to obtain a list of those CIA agents who were assigned to the WH at the time of the telephone call. Of course, I am asking for honesty in this matter which is not the objective of the Democrat Party. Their only objective is to drive the current president from office regardless of how they do so.
8
I take it you’re not impressed that the redacted transcript of the call — the one Trump himself insisted the White House release earlier this week — jives completely with its description in the whistleblower’s formal complaint.
Seriously, do you really think that whistleblowing is so easy and unrisky that someone would file a complaint like this one against a sitting president with zero evidence that it was true?
3
The shakedown of the Ukrainian President was the inevitable progression of acquiescence to Trump’s defiance of the accepted norms of governance. Pelosi and the Democrats had no choice but to assert Congress’ obligation to hold a rogue executive to account by impeachment.
However, it is also the inevitable result of procrastination. A case for impeachment requires proof of conduct that is not borderline, but a clear crime in office or a breach of trust. But Trump’s unfitness for office was apparent on a daily basis.
Trump builds his house of corruption one card at a time, and in-doing so he reveals his hand. When you see his hand, and he has 5 aces, and you gasp but lay down your cards and fold, he knows he can stack the deck.
During the first days of Trump’s Reign of Error the Don of Demagoguery showed his cards. He leveled an a outrageous lie about illegal voting, and then proceeded to appoint a bogus commission to advance voter suppression. He also conducted a slight of hand charade of divestment in which he transferred his business from personal ownership to a trust solely benefitting him ran by his children. Nepotism and self dealing followed. A constant drumbeat of racist xenophobia inspired (in their own words) murderers. He praised Putin, denied Russian election interference and emboldened other tyrants. He lies pathologically.
Trump’s best defense is the numbing of Americans to his malfeasance.
We needed political leaders, not late night comics, to fight him daily.
8
Now, let the staff attorney ask the questions!
10
The Democrats remind me of the Looney Tunes cartoons where Wile E. Coyote comes up with ever more intricate contraptions to try and catch the Road Runner, all of which backfire on him. They'll never learn.
7
Dear Republicans,
You do realize that every dime you contribute to Mr. Trump's campaign is going toward legal fees, right?
10
"House Democrats ... subpoenaed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday, demanding that he promptly produce a tranche of documents and a slate of witnesses ..."
The countdown has begun ... how long will it take to see if Trump tries to block testimony and document production during an impeachment inquiry?, will witnesses tie themselves to Trump or cooperate with the investigation?, and will the House do anything if people ignore subpoenas/refuse to answer questions?
7
Does any of this matter? Won't Barr just ignore the subpoena the way others have? Or will he just stonewall the investigators like Sessions did by saying "I can't recall" a hundred and forty times? I am deeply pessimistic.
7
I’m concerned, reading some of the comments below, that Americans are living in two versions of reality, depending on where they get their news. To me, it seems clear that the president abused his power and that he must face serious consequences, or we risk setting a dangerous precedent. To others, this seems to be no big deal. I don’t understand how we are ever going to bridge this reality gap.
21
@Kathy
When you make everything a scandal, nothing is a scandal. That's not a "reality gap".
9
There seems to be two cases for impeachment, 1) Abuse of power from the high office for political gain and 2) Using high security servers to hide politically sensitive information from the public. So far this subpoena issued only addresses case 1).
The whistleblower explicitly mentioned that the president’s staff used these servers to hide other politically sensitive transcripts and documents. I hope the special committee is able to subpoena the entire server and comb through what the presidents staff decided to censor from the public. Case 2) seems a prudent case to investigate as Trump’s call with Zelensky might be the tip of the iceberg.
14
It would be quite advisable to "interview" Wilbur Ross before he is petrified. That fixed visage is hiding a LOT of criminal information.
While Congress is at it, the SEC should thoroughly go over his and Mnuchin's brokerage accounts (including those in shell corporations) to see where and when they have made unusually large amounts of money on trades that corresponded to Trump's Market manipulation and Twitter trade announcements. THEY KNEW BEFOREHAND what was coming and what effect those Tweets would have on certain stock sectors. That would constitute massive SECURITIES FRAUD if I am even remotely correct.
I wouldn't trust either of them with a dime of MY money, including OUR Treasury as long as it is under Mnuchin's, and he under Trump's, control.
14
@RealTRUTH
No, you would not be even remotely correct.
Insider trading is legal, for all practical purposes, and has been so since forever. The disclosures required under the STOCK Act of 2012 are not the same as those requirements of regular people.
3
@Viv
Wrong.
The STOCK Act requires every Member of Congress to publicly file and disclose any financial transaction of stocks, bond, commodities futures, and other securities within 45 days.
2
As an outsider who follows American politics it will be interesting to see how this unfolds. It can be no more obvious that Trump and his administration have risen to the point of high crimes and misdemeanors and Congress had no choice but to impeach and now it is before Congress who represent the people. Given the fact all congressmen and senators took an oath,( “I, ......, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic," ) to uphold the constitution so it doesn't matter what the people want. Politics should not play into this and the argument that the Democrats have been wanting this ever since Trump got into power is irrelevant. The Democrats never asked for this...Trump asked for it.
13
The Democrats are following the process, and the Subpoenas. What assurance is there, whether the recipients of the Subpoenas will respond? Reading the jointly signed letter from the Oversight Committees to the Sec. of State, the letter itself is a further follow up to previous letters, calling for information. Perhaps, this recent letter too will be ignored.
We, the citizens of this country, are all confused, and stay in disbelief, to watch with what is happening, to our country.
An Impeachment of the POTUS? How did we get to this stage? The subject is now center stage. What really matters to the people - healthcare, gun control, infrastructure improvements, rising prices of drugs, have all been placed aside.
2
We must see consequences for non-compliance.
No more long warning letters followed by... nothing.
Otherwise this entire proceeding will be rightfully seen as a joke.
7
As Trump has often said, "We'll see what happens".
Meanwhile representative Tlaib would do well to keep a civil tongue in her campaign. She, or someone working for her, may think it is clever to perpetuate her original vulgarity, but it is not.
It is cheap and counterproductive.
9
Look closely at pictures of Trump and the people around him. Within a few months, they will just be a very bad memory.
8
Dear Congress,
Please use the subpoena power correctly. If the subpoenaed are not going to answer questions, they need to be held in contempt. The Trump administration is counting on Congress to be a weak pushover and ineffective in carrying out its duties. Don't mess around.
11
And now we get to the real crisis and crux of the matter. Is there anyone with a functioning brain who believes this team of thugs won't lie through its collective teeth to anyone questioning them?
Once upon a time in DC, there was a base expectation that those subpoenaed would swear an oath and promise to tell the truth. I'm laughing aloud at the image of Pompeo, Donny or any of the henchmen even pretending to do so.
The real tragedy is that we've allowed lying to go unchecked for so long that it's become an entrenched habit in this nation. It's why I have always maintained that if lying 10,000+ fact-checked times isn't an impeachable offense, it should be. In fact, it's his reflexive lying that has made him most impotent.
I'm going to bet my house on the fact that there isn't a dignitary or world leader who trusts or believes a word DJT says. How can they? He says a hundred contradictory things a day. And those loyal to him are guilty by association.
How we deal with this complication is anyone's guess. It may just be that we have to take DJT at his word. And the released transcript is prima facie evidence of high crimes and misdemeanors.
Let's not complicate this needlessly. Were this crisis unfolding in the 70's, he would be giving his good-by wave from a copter.
9
The Republican party is morally corrupt, as evidenced by their blind faith in Donald Trump--a man who takes advantage of morality for his financial gain. Oh, forgive me, allow me to translate that last sentence for my Republican friends: Trumps' a really 'great' businessman.
I truly believe Trump could shoot someone on 5th avenue on live TV and the GOP would say it was a Democratic hoax meant to buckle the 2nd amendment. Apparently in the 21st Century, Republicans believe that as a public servant, the President answers to no one, is all powerful, can do what he likes when he likes how it likes to do it, and with zero oversight from Congress. Since when did we revert back to a monarchy?
It's funny to see these Fox news pundits blathering on and arguing amongst themselves like schoolchildren about how the Democrats want all the power and they'll do anything to obtain and maintain it. Meanwhile, most Congressional Republicans are running interference for the president so that they can maintain power in the Senate and the presidency! Where's the hypocrisy in that?
6
To expect Trump and his defenders in the House & Senate to tell the truth under oath is to believe he won the 2016 election without help from the Russians - something they have been reverse engineering since it was proven to be untrue by Mueller, et. al.
4
The evil twin living inside wants to scream, "Lock him up," but the voice of reason, morality and ethic shuts him up, yet he is getting louder and louder. I am trying, I am trying!
4
Putin casts a shadow over everything that happens in Ukraine. At minimum, the House needs to get Trump’s tax returns and transcripts of his calls with Putin. The House should not put impeachment on such a fast track they fail to explore the probable financial basis of Trump-Russia collusion and precisely why Trump behaves consistently as a puppet of the Russian spymaster.
9
This can be a sobering moment, or it can be one of total and unfettered waste and deflection. All those involved, and responsible for empowering Trump, all those at his behest and all those who acquiesce to his blatant obstruction and criminal activities, they must all be put on trial, and put in jail. They are criminals, liars, thieves of democracy, this includes Pence, Pompeo, Kelly Ann Conway, the chief of staff, Trump's children, Munchen, whoever stands there daily and lies to the american public, whoever has assisted in this total chaotic attempt to destroy what we Americans hold as precious, all of them, this is a moment where democracy must stand loud and proud and not succumb to acting with anything other than a swift and harsh hand, this mess must be straightened out, we must operate with total abandon to timidity and enforce the rule of law.
5
This is the week when President Trump's full betrayal of his Oath of Office is exposed to all willing to see the truth.
The withholding of Congressionally approved funds to help fight Russian aggression against Ukraine, for the sole purpose of leveraging a personal political strategy against a domestic political opponent, is a stain upon Trump and the Office of the President.
Using his personal attorney to circumvent the Department of State in this effort to extort political gain is a disgrace, if not illegal. Concealing this effort from legal oversight is corroboration of corrupt intent.
The new disclosure of the President's 2017 Oval Office meeting with Russian officials (U.S. reporters intentionally excluded) in which he dismisses the seriousness of Russian interference in the 2016 election is likely even more illuminating as to the President's reckless, self-serving, and corrupt persona.
After multiple public statements that he did not believe the Russians interfered in that election, including his fetid denial in Helsinki, we now know that the President believed it true all along. Because it aided him he just didn't care!
This is not the normal odor of Washington politics. It is the stink of a far more dangerous and foul corruption. Republicans would do well to be circumspect until all facts are laid bare. It will be ugly!
5
A precedent has been set, more or less beginning with Kavanaugh, for Congressional witnesses to basically thumb their noses at elected legislators tasked with oversight of the Executive. Lewandowski, even Maguire (though far more polite) and needless to say those who never felt constrained to show up at all. It will be interesting to see if the House is ready and willing to use the full clout afforded it by the Constitution to compel testimony.
15
@jaco When a cop busts you for committing a crime, it kinda doesn't matter what "the public" thinks about it. The cop is following the law and that's the social contract we all signed onto.
3
The Trump campaign has deftly maneuvered Biden out the door and Nancy helped, too getting her candidate-Warren-into the top spot.
Dems know that Biden cannot win and Warren can run and build for the real race in 2024.
3
So, Trump is a mix between a Napoleon, a Clausewitz and a Sun Tzu? I am so grateful learning so much from Trump supporters every day.
2
Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden are probably the worst candidates to run against Trump. Of you want to see a repeat of 2016 nominate any one of them and it will be "rinse, cycle, repeat"...
4
So the majority of Americans are not struggling to pay for high monthly premiums, high copays, expensive drugs. The majority of Americans don’t mind if their children have to take on onerous high interest debt to go to college. The majority of Americans don’t mind big money in politics. Sure.
2
A subpoena of all conversations between Trump and all other world leaders that are improperly stored on a classified server would be a great asset for the impeachment investigation. If the conversation between Mr. Trump and Mr. Zelensky involved criminal behavior, those who facilitated a cover-up of this matter, since they are not the President, can be charged with conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
11
Yes. I too would like to know: what did he know and when did he know it? Ditto for William Barr.
11
It is refreshing to see the Democrats give the Republicans both barrels, with the plan to reload and blast them again. This will put the Trump regime on their heels and will limit the effectiveness of the Republican Lie Machine. Even FOX News can't get their message straight! This is how it's done: Unrelenting demands for the truth. Who knows? There might even be a member of the administration who isn't corrupt, of has a modicum of respect for the rule of law. If so, they may bring down the Trump house of cards. Hope and prayers.
14
OK.. Clarification needed here.. DOes an impeaching inquiry/hearing involved only one topic -- in this the Ukraine phone call or can emoluments, collusion etc. be brought up as well. Personally, to me the big issue is economic inequality increasing daily thanks to Trump's policies, executive orders, and his own enrichment Scotland Trump Golf Course - a small e.g. And what have family members gotten out of this? (Loans to Jared from ??) That's the real dirt that I am interested in.. How "capitalists" control things-- the various networks. I have long been led to understood that the bailout involved propping up of European banks --including the Rothschilds -- as well as whatever happened here including causing US banks to fail. (WHO? Joe Public is NEVER treated so well -- and yet my dumb idea is that the national forests belong to all of us and are not to be exploited for the gain of the politically connected few!
5
Secretary Pompeo is up to his neck in this corruption, among other things, allowing Giuliani to operate ex officio and end run state department officials to accomplish Trump's corrupt goals; firing or not promoting competent officials, including firing the highly respected Ambassador to the Ukraine who opposed Guiliani's rogue and corrupt contacts with Ukrainian officials; and permitting the withholding of aid to Ukraine approved by Congress and necessary to Ukraine's defense and our national security interests.
Trump gave conflicting explanations for that withholding of aid which was clearly for the purpose of pressuring Ukraine to grant his request for a corrupt "favor"--first, consistent with that purpose, to await what Zelinsky did, and, second, that he wanted allies to participate in that funding, something which should either be supported or disproved by state department documents, including communications, if any, with allies.
Trump has hijacked this country for his political and personal gain. Barr, like Giuliani, has lost all credibility. (Barr's assertion that "nothing of value" was obtained by Trump is beyond dishonest--a costly investigation involving him to benefit Trump politically of a matter that had already been resolved in Hunter Biden's favor can hardly be considered to lack value).
Pompeo, who assisted Trump and Kushner in the cover-up of MBS's brutal murder of Khashoggi, joins Trump, Giuliani and Barr in this corruption as well.
15
Michael Cohen, expect some company soon in your jail cell. Rudy Giuliani may be the next fall guy to take the blame for Trump, as well as for Pompeo, and Barr, who are now practically denying they ever met Rudy, much less coordinated (dare I say colluded?) with him to corruptly lean on a foreign government for election help.
9
The House should have cancelled their two-week recess to underscore the gravity of the egregious actions by a President to abuse the power of his office to coerce a foreign country through extortion to produce information on a rival candidate in another attempt to influence the outcome of his own re-election. It adds significant credence to the allegations that the President and his election staff colluded with Russia to obtain dirt on his opponent in his original bid for office. It makes a mockery of Lincoln’s famous quote:
“…that from these honored dead [Civil War] we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
3
Imagine… thinking the Democratic Party their ‘deep state’ collaborators and surrogates with the mainstream news media have gone a socialist / impeachment bridge too far. Watching the latest bit of political treachery and whistleblowing neo-nonsensical hatred playing out is enough to turn the stomach of any reasonably honest American voter.
Imagine… the acting DNI Director being waylaid by political wunderkinds, orchestrating a ruse or charade to further their personal and political ambitions via political bullying and cunning word games. Talk about bitter partisans, career bureaucrats and or pseudo elitist brewing up a whistleblowers ‘deep state’ Witches-brew to satisfy their political whims.
Imagine… the whimsical thoughts of an anonymous whistleblower’s letter being the catalysis to defrock a political nemesis; or the ingredients for a Witches-brew crafted to satisfy partisan dreamers and the whims of socialist wastrels, aka progressive zealots. Talk about a little bit of ‘deep state’ treachery gone the way of politically correct collaborators and their news Jesters orchestrating events in which ‘We the People’ join the least educated and most credulous among their followers in their trek back to the Stone Age.
5
No imagination needed here:
According to the Federal Election Commission, “it is illegal for any person to solicit, accept, or receive anything of value from a foreign national in connection with a U.S. election.”
6
First Lewandowski needs to be immediately arrested for contempt, thrown in prison, and fined $10,000 per diem
until he learns some manners as to how to conduct himself
while testifying under oath.
12
All things considered this Democratic impeachment inquiry comes down to being nothing more than taking a Mulligan on the flubbed Mueller takedown investigation. Nothingburger became tiresome of saying after three years, perhaps we can call this latest nightly TV dinner time news viewing entree Irish stew for at least variety? Along with a really big glass of wine or huge tankard of ale maybe we can all at least make these next fifteen months seem to pass quickly pleasantly if in a semiconscious state. None of us should plan on driving for a while.
7
@John Doe This is about Ukraine in 2019. Not about Russia in 2016. You missed a bit on considering all things.
1
My latest fear -- admittedly, based on a sample of one (the one friend I have who voted for Trump and argued for him, to me) -- is that disillusioned Trump voters are comforting themselves by saying that ALL politicians are corrupt, venal, grifting.
I'm not sure whether this thinking is widespread. A kind of cognitive dissonance? "It's not that I was fooled by Trump. I see now what he's doing. But all of them are ... or would ... do X. So, my choice, my vote was understandable."
What's helpful for those confused, betrayed Trump voters?
7
@Sharon Stout
I guess the answer is, that you get the country you vote for.
It’s possible to see Trump not as an exception but as the logical conclusion of a national fear of corruption that long ago curdled into a self-satisfied conviction that everything and everyone in politics already is corrupt. Trump campaigned on the idea, after all. He has always had a knack for channeling Americans’ fundamental cynicism about politics, no doubt because he shares it.
If you believe all politicians are crooks, it no longer seems to matter much whether a particular one among them is: The answer to “This guy?” becomes “Why not this guy?”
And in the end, you get the country you thought you had all along. LOL.
2
@Sharon Stout Nixon's supporters were saying the same thing. After a while there were a lot fewer of them
5
Impeachment “inquiry?” An inquiry about maybe an inquiry? How long is that supposed to to go on?
This is like the little kid with his hand in somebody’s face saying “I’m not touching you, I’m not touching you!!” The Democrats tepidity, and the Republicans stonewalling, make me think this is going nowhere. Everybody gets deadlines, extended, to comply (hide evidence and lawyer up,) then appeals, and the public takes it to mean there is no certainty. Eventually, everybody goes back to what they were doing. John Q. Public would get treated very differently - if there was evidence he’d committed treason, the police would instantly take him away in handcuffs, the FBI would impound everything he’d ever touched, and the “inquiry” would be scheduled for a date that pleased the court.
2
Yesterday I sent emails to the Idaho Congressmen indicating my 100% support of impeachment, and imploring them to put country over party.
Call or email your Senators and Representatives to show your support for impeaching this Current Occupant. It's easy to do.
This corrupt administration (including Pence) must end, the sooner the better.
11
From here on out the Democrats on committees holding hearings must allow competent professional staff to question witnesses at the very outset, and have the members hold their comments until after the important questioning is done.
This is too important to leave the questioning to amateurs. That lesson should have been learned during the Mueller and Lewandowski questioning. It wasn't.
19
Given the stonewalling of Congress in its oversight responsibilities, impeachment may be the only way to uncover the extent of trump's corruption, and the dangers it poses for the country. The Senate (at present) is unlikely to convict, but at least voters will know whom they're voting for in November 2020.
18
Gov. Cuomo is the only voice of sanity among Democratic Party leaders in this matter. The news that the whistleblower reporting requirements were changed recently to allow second-hand complaints cannot be covered up forever; it certainly puts the accuser under a cloud and makes the reporting requirements seem more of a political argument than a genuine procedural one. Schiff's grandstanding performance art exercise certainly reinforces the perception that there is no there there- if facts speak for themselves they do not need dramatic embellishment .
The only thing that I see actually happen from this charade ( if Pelosi wanted to actually proceed she would have a vote now) is the end of Biden as a viable candidate. As Wall Street will never support Warren the way is now open for the Adlai Stevenson of the 21st Century- Hillary. She is already starting to increase her visibility.
13
One of the highly relevant question is why did those with first hand information not act and then participated in a coverup?
7
@J Harrod
The only way she has a prayer is if she stays out of the spotlight and says the fewest words possible to everyone. That is never going to happen, because seeking the spotlight is in her DNA.
Warren will likely win the nomination because she can get Wall Street money. She's already watered down her message, and many smart Wall Street people are cozying up to her.
As examples, see the whole bandwagon on green bonds craze and "shareholders aren't everything" speeches.
It is time to ask the most important question -- which of Trump's attorneys, including the Justice Department, is reviewing bankruptcy laws to determine which one will get him off again. After all, his career was based on going bankrupt.
10
I agree -- fully -- that the time to push ahead is now. Trump seems surprised the whistleblower complaint has led to so many to abandon him. My only suggestion is to recall Susan McDougal. Starr's team brutalized her for not cooperating in their scheme. The Democrats cannot overplay their hand. Simply investigate facts and where they lead is where the investigation goes.
2
In ringing words that stirred a nation in 1940 following the German invasion of France, Winston Churchill concluded his famous "Our Finest Hour" speech by saying "Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties". With the threat to our democracy today coming from within, we look to our leaders in Congress and the Senate to brace themselves to their duties and do the right thing.
16
It’s easy. If you don’t like the president, there is a new election coming soon. What the Democrats are proposing is not democracy.
13
Wrong. Democracy is what happens between elections. And democracy is now. Impeach.
10
@TravelingProfessor
Just to clarify what is going on here, the White House appears to be engaged in massive, systemic abuse of the classification system and underlying presidential authorities in order to cover up egregious wrongdoing including impeachable conduct.
This is a historic scandal.
12
@Moira it’s a great, big nothing burger.
We need a real State Dept focused on diplomacy, not on doing Trump’s business and political deals. Make Pompeo testify.
19
At the very least, right now, wouldn't Biden be best served by by running ads everywhere? First up is plain facts countering the Republican false narrative (about him and the Ukrainian prosecutor). which is Trump's Main Trick. Run the facts,and do it on Fox too (with a clause in the contract that they can't distort the ad in any way).
6
@Tara Maybe because the facts are not on his side, wild guess.
I wonder if those who gave testimony during interviews with the Mueller investigation and may have lied are now concerned that their names have come up again in the whistleblower complaint.
5
Just what we need! More government by subpoena and endless investigation based on suspicion, hearsay, and innuendo because the Democrat's believe their candidate should have won the election but did not because of something nefarious Trump must have done to steal the election from her. The Democrats should get over it and move on. Do a better job and run an electable candidate who conducts a good campaign. If so, maybe, the next time, the result will turn out more to the Democrat's liking. Until then, the Democrats should try to be constructive instead of destructive.
11
@jpduffy3 The Democratic-led House has passed a number of bills. Mitch McConnell has refused to bring those bills to a vote in the Senate. Meanwhile the Republican-led Senate has passed nothing.
As for the current investigation which you assure us is based on "suspicion, hearsay, and innuendo", please explain why the IG found the complaint valid and urgent.
2
@jpduffy3
If the White House had not released the recreation of the transcript of the call then perhaps, just maybe, you might have a point in making such a statement in an all out effort to buttress the "trump never does anything wrong" line. But the White House did release it and then the whistle blower's statement was released: the "transcript" confirms what the whistler blower knew/heard. There's no way around that.
2
Every American should support this inquiry. It is past time for the country to know the truth--- what ever it is.
20
There MUST be consequences to anyone on the list of subpoenas who refuses to appear or answer questions. I hope Madame Speaker is prepared to follow through, otherwise this will simply be another waste of time for everyone.
On a different note, there is something extremely distasteful about Rep. Tlaib's enterprise of selling "Impeachment t-shirts"; it lends a circus-like atmosphere to a process that should be taken very seriously. I would hope she is not profiting personally from this venture. I'm with the Democrats but this seems more in the vein of trump supporter behavior.....name calling, expletives, public joy at something that is a sad day for our democracy. Out of line in my opinion.
5
This is the tip of the iceberg. My guess is that Trump regularly commits questionable acts and his staff has covered for him since inauguration. Only time will tell if the wall of silence will crack and, if it does, the gop members of the senate will care.
13
The Chairmen's letter states: "Your failure or refusal to comply with the subpoena shall constitute evidence of obstruction of the House's impeachment inquiry."
It should also state: "As you serve at the pleasure of the President of the United States, it shall be conclusively presumed that your failure or refusal to comply with the subpoena was at the express direction of President of the United States."
5
@Julia Gershon
Why stop there? Why not have the letter say, "If you don't tell us what we want to hear, it shall be deemed to be evidence that Trump is the anti-Christ."?
I hate Trump, but this is just silliness: saying something in a letter doesn't make it so. These letters have no legal effect.
1
It's been reported last night what happened in the oval when the Russians came to town in 2017 to see Pres. Donald Trump. Outrageous report has never been noted by any president of history as was reported things that are treasonous even shake the foundation of American pride. Things that would noted conversations with the Russians. Should be heard to all Americans Republicans and Democrats. From Donald Trump.
It was okay for the Russians to get involved in the election in 2016.
That Americans get involved in as little elections around the world and ok.
Giving the Russians classified information.
Laughing about firing FBI James Comey.
This is so unbelievable who and why from President Donald Trump inner circle keep this away from the American people a top-secret server. There is one person that I believe responsible is Vice President Mike Pence because he told Fox News that he told the Pres. Donald Trump not to release whistle-blower complaint, he must to known about this secret server. Vice Pres. Mike Pence should also be impeach. If any Republicans joined to protect this president for the actions of the criminal activity that he's been doing for last two years should be voted out office in 2020 or removed this is a national disgrace.
7
Forget "commenting" on the internet.
Several million Americans "takin' it to the streets" would be far more effective. Look at how it works in other countries.
12
The so-called "transcript" of the Trump/Zelensky phone call is not a transcript at all. It is , at best, a White House reconstructed summary from memory of some of those who listened in. (Apparently, an actual recording exists in another secret file, but no one has asked for it) And very significantly, it contains unaccounted for ellipses at crucial points in the conversation. What was deleted in those sections? Is this the equivalent of Nixon's famous gap in the White House tapes. Why is nobody asking about this?
9
The biggest change since this news broke is that the House of Representatives has the narrative, having taken it away from trump. It’s easier to tell your story when you have the narrative. trump is now on the defensive side and his abundant dishonesty is clear.
It’s hard to argue and lie about things when the truth is revealed by those with the moral strength to risk their own position by delivering the facts. And the facts show the wrongdoing and chain of individuals who either put misguided loyalty or fear ahead of doing the right thing. Others will fall into line if only to protect themselves and additional truths will be told.
As Shakespeare said in The Merchant of Venice - “....at length truth will out.”
It’s amazing how often Shakespeare’s ancient writings bear witness to stories that occurred centuries later.
8
Speaker Pelosi, Committee Chair Schiff and other leaders of the Democratic caucus should henceforth politely decline from appearing on televised news media shows to avoid what is now happening and what will continue to occur: speaking off the cuff, adlib interpretations of evidence in the formal impeachment inquiry, participating with news show hosts in jokes and laughter. While we are at it, leadership should stay off of social media! This is serious business. You will inevitably make a mistake (a flub) and pay for it later; the entire country may end up paying. Just do your Constitutional duty.
5
Taking a two week recess is hardly moving quickly.
6
@Jackson Checking in with their constituents, and explaining what they're doing to those constituents is a good idea.
1
@Jackson
Dem members of the House Intelligence Committee are staying in Washington to work on the impeachment inquiry.
1
The only problem with all of this is most people don't want impeachment, and there is virtually no chance of it getting through the Senate. N Other than that, it is quite brilliant.
3
@Michael Livingston’s The only problem with all of this is I don't want impeachment, and there is virtually no chance of it getting through the Senate since most Republican Senators will put party over country.
There, I fixed it for you.
1
Trump thinks he is above the law. Nixon found out differently and Nixon was an attorney. Whoever is giving Trump advice should butt out. This man is denigrating our country and must be held to account. He invited a foreign power to interfere in our election process. I believe he is a traitor.
33
I lived through the Watergate hearings and always understood that any attempt to ignore a subpoena or subvert the authority of Congress to conduct such hearing would be met with a contempt of Congress charge followed by incarceration.
The Democratic led House has been way too docile in the face of Trump's purposeful obstruction of the House's right of oversight and investigation. Just witness Lewandowski's disdain and contempt for the Democrats and his haughtiness in refusing to answer questions.
Any such conduct going forward should be met with an immediate threat of contempt and incarceration. The game-playing must end.
1044
@marty The problem as I see it is although the house can change someone with contempt the enforcement of that is through the Justice dept and if Barr refuses to arrest the house has no recourse.
31
@marty - "ust witness Lewandowski's disdain and contempt for the Democrats and his haughtiness in refusing to answer questions."
Lewandowski reminds me of no one so much as H.R. Haldeman. And we know how that turned out. Lewandowski does not have even the fig leaf of being a presidential advisor ("executive privilege" ?) IMO, Lewandowski's behavior at the previous hearing would not be tolerated under the rules or traditions of an impeachment hearing. He would be cited and jailed forthwith.
100
@WhichyOne - You describe one mechanism to enforce a contempt citation. In recent times, this has been the -practice-; but in earlier periods, Congress was recognized to have the -constitutional- authority to arrest and incarcerate those held in contempt without judicial review.
68
Independents, whose votes are required for either party’s candidate to actually win, say calmly but firmly that Dem insistence on impeaching Trump, when that effort will surely fail to be consummated via a Senate conviction, drives more Independents into voting GOP than towards voting Dem.
Just two Presidents have been impeached but neither were convicted/removed. The current frenzied “windmill-tilt” effort by Dems is certain to fail...and could well, will almost certainly, backfire resulting/causing Trump’s re-election.
Impeachment efforts don’t/won’t/cannot achieve Dem Party’s goal to unseat Trump...unseating him is really, and only, the job of voters on Nov 3 2020.
15
At a certain point it’s not about party. It’s about a president threatening a country by withholding aid unless they come up with dirt on a candidate. It’s about the current administration slowly turning us to a dictatorship. The anger that’s not his base is being very underestimated. The GOP have an economy problem right now and it’s going to go bad quickly.
8
@McG I hear you. But ultimately, I think independents will be more loath vote for spineless Dems trying to save their own skins than ones who stood on the side of the law. We need to quit this endless triangulating and just do what is right.
6
@McG
I believe the Constitution is worth defending, even if I know I will lose.
9
“The subpoena for documents is far-reaching and mirrors early voluntary request...”
Surely the voluntary-request step can safely be skipped, given the grifters’ consistent stonewalling. Want a document? Subpoena. Want to interview a witness? Subpoena. Don’t ask, tell.
20
Exactly. Enough is enough. This country is suffering profoundly and the time for voluntary collaboration is over. The Repubs will not cooperate and the stone-walling will continue unless they are forced. Subpoena all of them I say and watch the train wreck unfold.
6
The Democrats need a working lawyer to ask questions. Someone whom has had dealings with the courts dealing with political scandals.
25
“Using government agencies to, if it’s proven, to put your finger on the scale of an election, I don’t think that’s right,” Mr. Amodei told reporters on Friday. “If it turns out that it’s something along those lines, then there’s a problem.”
As a constituent, I thank Mr. Amodei for taking the high road here. Hopefully, more Republicans will follow his example.
22
Giuliani has become Trumps political Robert Cohen (with a loud mouth). Follow his trail and find the dirt. If Flynn could be prosecuted for attempting to negotiate with a foreign power outside of the auspices of government imprimatur (i.e. he was only trumps personal lawyer) then so can Rudy. He can't be BOTH Trumps personal lawyer and US government representative.
17
@richard
Incorrect.
His Harry Hopkins.
The sheer speed with which things are falling apart is dazzling. Never before have impeachment inquiries moved at ramming speed. And every stroke of the oar unearths some new evidence of criminal wrong doing.
The call.
The servers.
The remembrance that, oh, yeah, the ambassador to the Ukraine had been "summarily dismissed" ...the week of the call.
The recollection that, oh, yeah, Coats had been "summarily dismissed"... the week of the call and that his deputy (who should, according to policy, have been appointed) was overlooked.
The news that the Putin and Saudi calls are also on that server.
That's just out of the starting gate. On the day he was elected, I posted on the Guardian that he would be impeached. I thought then that it would be his financial crimes, breaking of the Emolument Clause, and habitual habit of breaking the law that would take him down (let's not forget he entered office have been convicted of five crimes). This crime is all of those crimes rolled into one potent mess.
We've had a criminal, malignant narcissist at the helm, one who demonstrates clear signs of mental instability. He has gone rogue on too many occasions. The only wonder is why we've tolerated this for so long.
Innumerable people and the environment have been harmed by his catastrophic ineptitude. But it is his incessant and glib invocation of nuking anyone he wants that makes him most dangerous.
Impeachment may literally be a matter of life and death. The planet's.
43
The don't call John Bolton the street sweeper for nothing. He will have enough information to clean house. Get after it!
18
Such a relief this is finally happening. Trump's lawlessness is crystal clear and glaring in this case. He barely squeaked out of charges of obstruction and other crimes related to election meddling committed when Mueller did not charge him. So he took it up a notch the day after Mueller signed off, made the phone call to Ukraine's president and began his own personal meddling! This is a man who cares not one iota for the rule of law and who in fact enjoys defying it. Now we know who Donald Trump is and it's on tape, it's on transcript and the man admitted it himself. He says he made a "perfect" phone call asking Ukraine's president to investigate and dig up dirt on his rival Biden. 'Perfect' to Trump means he delivered a thinly veiled threat as quid pro quo, wrapped in a congratulations call, very smooth and swift, a masterful manipulation, 'perfectly' delivered. Trump enjoys the rush of power and control he feels every time he gets away with another criminal act, then he begins planning the next one.
35
Can't comprehend an apparent simple contradiction: Clinton's running mate was Tim Kayne.
Why would Trump perceive Biden, then - or later - as an adversary worth surreptitious 'investigation?
Maybe Trump was stupid for doing so and try to hide it.
But has stupidity ever been a legal cause for impeachment?
1
Number 1 rule when it comes to "impeachment polls:" Ignore them.
Here's why.
This entire "impeachment" charade is about to come crashing down based on when did the deep-state Intel Community change their rules?
I am beginning to suspect these rules were changed sometime between July 25th, the date of the Ukrainian call to Pres. Trump, and August 12th, when the whistleblower filed his complaint. And if this rule had been changed on August 19th, as has been suggested, that's even worse for the Democrats. And if this rule wasn't changed in August 2019, why would it have been changed at all earlier?
11
I am not familiar with the rule(s) you are talking about. Could you please elaborate?
1
@Matthew S
The whistle-blower form was changed sometime between May 2018 and Aug 2019. A comparison of what the forms looked like:
https://thefederalist.com/2019/09/27/intel-community-secretly-gutted-requirement-of-first-hand-whistleblower-knowledge/
The old one says that you need to have first hand information, stuff you witnessed, before your complaint can go forward as an urgent complaint, which this was. It cannot be second-hand or third-hand information.
So this confirms Krugman's point that Republicans are pretend patriots...
25
@RB
The GOP are patriots as much as they are fiscally responsible.
3
@gratis
Haha, true. It's funny how they worship capitalism as a state religion, too; yet their trade policies are anti-capitalist. It's also funny how they loved immigrants when they were fleeing communist countries, and now suddenly they hate them.
1
The real and only question is.
How Biden junior, got this high profile job in an ukranian company?
Who is corrupt?
Biden or Trump?
The democrats and their media act the same way as the communist regimes , for their own privileges against the interest of the united states.
How ignorant and blind people can be, by coping this intoxication ?
15
@simon
Where's the proof? Is the Trump administration just pulling its punches?
3
Why do I see a nest of centipedes furiously swarming as the stone sitting on top of it is being lifted?
12
Let's learn a lesson from the circus of the Corey Lewandoski hearing: Democratic Reps should allow majority counsel Barry Berke to do all the questioning.
15
Real journalists are laughing at this very unfunny misuse of a major paper as a biased political cudgel. There is no issue here, the facts are misreported, and whole thing stinks. I voted for Clinton in NH, but next time I'll vote for Trump out of a worry that the NYT and MSNBC are owned by the jokers like Brennan and Clapper.
14
@CK
Please describe the misreported facts. Be specific and provide sources.
Trump told Russian officials he was unconcerned about election interference – report
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/27/trump-russia-election-interference-report?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard
Hard to see how this can not be a national security risk.
18
It is absolutely hilarious that the Democrats believe that Trump's asking for said favor from the Ukrainian President is worth impeaching but at the same time Biden's blackmail of the former President of Ukraine with a billion-dollar in loan guarantees when he gave him 6 hours - mafia style- to fire the prosecutor who investigated the firm where his son worked, it was something normal.
If it is an issue worth impeaching Trump now, it should have been a case worth impeaching Obama and Biden over this issue when it happened and when Biden bragged about it.
All this was reported by ABC News recently, but also by the NYT when it happens. The hypocrisy of the Democrats has no limits, and it will guarantee them a resounding loss in 2020.
17
Yes, it's most certainly terrible for the Dems the news cycle will be dominated by Trump’s criminality and betrayal for the next year. They must be terrified and already regretting their decision!
Plus, you can tell by Trump and his supporters’ public conniptions they really believe this is gonna go well for them.
3
Really sad liberals won’t open their eyes to what really happening. They keep their nose glued to CNN and MSNBC. How does Nancy Pelosi announce impeachment hearings without seeing one shred on evidence without on witness interviewed? She jumped the gun. Then the whistle blower is all based on hearsay. The transcript of the phone call shows nothing.
Adam Schiff, how can you believe him? Remember all the “bombshell proof” he said he had on Russian collusion? He lied. Now he’s he’s still head of the intelligence. And his con is back. He’s claiming he’s reading the transcripts or the third hand witness reports. Really he’s adding sentences and words. He a liar and a conman.
The Democratic Party is upset about a 2016 election. They’re mad because they rigged everything from primaries, remember delegates and super delegates? They rigged the general election. A fake Dossier paid for by Clinton. And getting the questions before a debate. They couldn’t cheat and win.
This is all about 2020. That’s why there’s so many democrats running. They’re hope they can throw a few turds against the wall and one will stick.
14
Your littany of accusations is far less grounded in reality (which is to say, evidence) than Pelosi's justification for impeachment. While the whistleblower did not hear all of the information conveyed first-hand, let's keep in mind the caliber of the whistleblower - a CIA agent - as well as the people who he is referencing. He didn't overhear two people at a Starbucks, he's not citing someone he met on a bus.
The evidence that Trump conspires with (or, in the case of Ukraine, extorts from) foreign countries is so voluminous, it took Mueller two years to get through it all. The notion that the Democrats are impeaching Trump because they're sore losers is a a dangerously high-minded way of looking at what is clearly a national tragedy. Your comment is further proof that Trump could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and his followers, like you, would still distort reality to make it Clintons' fault.
8
@garywithms
Keep it simple & focused: Trump tried to use taxpayer money & the promise of a meeting as leverage to obtain dirt on a main Democratic challenger in the 2020 election. He dragged other USG officials into the effort & then tried to conceal his actions. Full stop.
2
I never watch CNN or MSNBC. However, I can read. I read the call transcript from the White House. The Ukrainians asked for military aid, and Trump said they need to do him a favor - talk to Giuliani and Barr about investigating Biden. This is a crime. I don’t care what party you are in - this is wrong.
Congress should question Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman who have been working with Guiliani as foreign lobbyists with no credentials. Evidently they have connected Guiliani to Ukrainians at high levels and other politicians around the world acting as US envoys. They are Russian born US residents.
“Until now, the men have escaped detailed scrutiny. But a joint investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and BuzzFeed News, based on interviews and court and business records in the United States and Ukraine, has uncovered new information that raises questions about their influence on U.S. political figures.”
https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/meet-the-florida-duo-helping-giuliani-dig-dirt-for-trump-in-ukraine
10
Biden said he'd beat Trump. He didn't say how. Looks like he's metaphorically waved the red cape and run the bull(y) into a wall.
6
There will be no cooperation from the Trump administration.
Why should they, in the end the Senate will vote.
I agree from a non political view, I just want the truth. We the public are footing the bill should be have transparency.
The Democratic Party will need to demonstrate in this inquiry that it is doing its job, seeking transparency and truth.
Sad to say to get the truth, you need to know the truth, so you get the one that knows the truth to lie. Catch them in the lie, send them to a real jail of those who are dangerous to society for they are. Then others will by fear to not tell the truth.
If the inquiry can only in the end be won in the Presidential election. The inquiry has to present enough facts to show he is guilty with no doubt.
3
Americans do not have the luxury of waiting out a President who has subverted democracy and poses an existential threat to our future as a sovereign nation. There will be no free or fair elections to remove him from office. If you don’t understand that fact, then America deserves its suicide.
2
It is already over for tRump and his cabal. McConnell had to be aware of the contents of the whistle blower complaint and took the vote to the floor anyway where it's release passed unanimously. He's too savvy a politician to have allowed the vote without knowing what the outcome would be. He sees the writing on the wall and getting rid of tRump is his last ditch effort to save the senate. If the Dems take control in 2020 of the executive branch and Congress the GOP is finished and many will end up in jail where they belong.
16
Glad to see the Democrats finally get serious. Having Schiff take the lead is definitely a necessity, especially after Nadler's fiasco of the Lewandowski hearing.
If they plan to have open (or even closed) hearings with Giuliani, Pompeo, Mulvaney as witnesses they better have some top notch trial lawyers lead the questioning if they expect to get anywhere. And use ALL the powers of congress to compel cooperation, including contempt, fines, and confinement if necessary.
12
Trump is the Whistle Blower, who tried to expose the crimes of Joe Biden, and now Democrats are trying to shift the spotlight. Trump asked for an investigation into the pressure Biden applied as Vice President to get Ukraine to drop an investigation into Biden’s sin.
As a taxpayer and citizen of United States, I am far more interested in how and why Biden tried to stop an investigation, than how or why Trump tried to restart the investigation.
The impeachment inquiry may be a slick way by the Democrats to get Biden out of the race. The impeachment inquiry will undoubtedly lead to many questions which will expose the pressure and money involved in the Biden’s dealings in Ukraine. Biden may be the real target.
13
@Samara. I think almost all independents, and many democrats are curious about what happened with Hunter Biden as well, but, if you read the whistleblower complaint, and watch Ingraham's complete takedown of Giuliani, you will begin to understand.
6
@samara that's very interesting. I'm actually more concerned that Trump asked a favor from a foreign government to dig up dirt on a political opponent. In effect, to meddle in our 2020 election. It's called treason.
4
Just read the transcript of Trump’s phone call. Asking a foreign leader to dig up dirt on your political opponent is illegal. What Hunter Biden did or didn’t do is secondary to this: the president abused his office for help with his campaign.
6
The rivets on the SS Trump are popping and it’s taking on water.
Soon it will list heavy to the starboard side and sink. As new evidence pours in another compartment on this ship fills up.
We are past the tipping point- the SS Trump will sink.
Now it is just a matter of who will get to a life boat and who will go down with the ship.
My bet- DJT cuts in front of all the women and (separated) children to jump in a lifeboat and save only himself.
19
The sad aspect of this is the country is losing competent people who don’t want the trump stain on them and nothing will get done before January 2021 when the new president is confirmed. God help us if there is a foreign policy crisis.
8
If history teaches anything the rats will leave the ship-of-state as soon as the rodents figure out ruthless, narcissistic Trump and his sole survivor mentality. Pompous Pompeo had already penciled himself in as POTUS material and this crossroad might erase his ambition. Others too, must decide personal futures no longer recognized among the private jet crowd and maître d'hôtel, the car park jockey or hack writers. Doomed into footnote obscurity in a Twitter world.
6
Memo to Dem committee members: No grandstanding! Keep it businesslike, focused, smart, dignified. Don't insult the public and damage your own cause-- our cause-- by going on hot-air ego trips. Don't engage the opposition in childish bickering. Don't ask rambling unnecessary questions. Don't browbeat witnesses. Keep it civil. MAKE IT ABOUT THE FACTS.
13
@jimbo So no parody? What fun is that?
“Determined not to let a restless, Twitter-charged president bend the narrative onto his own terms,”
This is how the non-elected, Radical left New York Times talks about our duly- elected president, a man who works for free, who has accomplished more than 200 tasks benefiting the American people during his tenure in office up to now, and will go down as one of the best presidents we have ever had. In contrast what have the Democrats done? All they know how to do is criticize Trump. You readers figure it out.
9
@Labete
duly-selected by the Electoral College....
Free? how much does life in the White House and weekend trips cost the American public... even Trump marveled at the service in the WH. Caviar with the blinis once a week at least.
Seize the day, Democrats! Trump's ignorant supporters don't even know what Ukraine is. This flies way over their heads, and it also disarms them. Trump was talking to a foreigner, but wait, isn't he supposed to hate them? In the midst of Trump's muddy criminality, this is the clearest shot.
14
From the subpoena:
“On September 9, 2019, the Committees wrote to you requesting documents. We asked you to produce these documents by September 16, 2019. You failed to comply with the Committees' request.
On September 23, 2019, the Committees sent a follow-up letter advising that we would consider compulsory process if you continued to stonewall our request. We asked you to produce the requested documents by September 26. You again failed to comply.”
Definitely time for a “compulsory process.” Hopefully that’s a euphemism for put ‘em jail if they can’t “comply” with their oaths of office.
6
Now we'll get to see how many of President Trump's friends really and truly have learned, "the two greatest thing in life, never rat on your friends, and always keep your mouth shut."
1
Let us hope that there are many more inqiries.
5
Inevitable. The establishments, call them the Globalists, the Neo Cons, the Media, the Liberal political machine, the Identity politics folks were coming for this guy from the day he won. The only surprising thing is that the Coup was so ably, if slowly, aided by the Deep State. That Deep State is Deep. No President can withstand their leaking, manufactured half truths, and constant disclosure of classified info. If you don’t accept the idea of the Deep State you are either ignorant or blinded by partisanship.
Well, the final battle begins in this war.
10
I still think Pelosi slow walks this. Why go fast?
1
@Colin Because the whistleblower complaint reeks of fraud?
1
Democrats want to complete the impeachment inquiry quickly.
Sure. When there's not even a smoke, how long can you keeping yelling fire?
No smoke. Zilch. Two main premises that the democrats hoped would fuel the inquiry have fizzled out:
- Ukrainian official confirmed that Kiev was not aware of frozen aid until a month after the call.
- Politico revealed W.H was placing transcripts on the codeword system since 2017.
There goes the quid-pro-quo and the cover-up allegations, up in smoke. That's the only smoke in the air.
21
@Bhaskar We still have Comrade Trumpov directly inviting the President of Ukraine to participate in our elections, just as Trump welcomed Russian involvement in the 2016 election. And putting nonsecret contacts on a server for high security communications is pretty interesting; hiding evidence usually is.
39
@Bhaskar
Very convincing. If you really want to sell it though, pace up and down a streetcorner for a few hours yelling it into a bullhorn.
24
Asking a foreign country to investigate a political opponent and an american citizen to benefit their campaign, invitation to interfere in our election IS ILLEGAL. Trump admitted to it all and the white house transcripts released prove everything.
50
This is the Republican Party's one and only opportunity to rid themselves of the Trump stain. They will continue to publicly defend Trump (albeit carefully) while the articles of impeachment are being prepared. In that time they will be looking to find credible nominees to put forward on the 2020 Republican ticket. When there is enough evidence presented to demonstrate clearly untenable actions by Trump and associates in the White House, they will suddenly turn on Trump and impeach him.
He won't be given the option to resign as Nixon was as Trump has abused too many people, Republican & Democrat alike, for them to forget. They will want to see him face charges for campaign finance violations, obstruction of justice and any other criminal activity that can be levelled at him when he is no longer President. Trump has never understood the concept of "don't burn bridges" - he's about to find out that there is no bridge left underneath him.
15
Just as during the impeachment trial of Bill Clinton, we are seeing, yet again, the opposition party in Washington smelling blood in the watering and preparing to eat their prey. If you go back to a reading of the Bill Clinton impeachment proceedings of 1998/99, the events now going on in Washington feel eerily similar. Democrats celebrated after the acquittal of Clinton in the Senate. And, so too, the Republicans will have their day to celebrate because we all know how Trump’s impeachment will end. It has been pre-scripted. Impeachment may be regarded by Democrats as the only course of action left to pursue. But polling clearly shows that the American public has no appetite for the spectacle that will be unfolding in Washington over the next several months. Imagine the frustration of average Americans, their plates full with their own problems, having to be submitted for months to the media’s virtual sole focus on the Trump impeachment process. It is no wonder that polling numbers are lower for Congress than Trump himself. It is so depressing to see where we are in America today. We have lost our way.
8
@AACNY
Many Americans, about 1/3, supported Nixon even immediately after the resignation.
2
@AACNY
"Many Americans are turned off by democrats' choosing impeachment rather than legislating."
There is a pile of bills passed by the House sitting on Moscow Mitch's desk.
Who is the one who is not legislating?
8
Americans do not have the luxury of waiting out a President who has subverted democracy and poses an existential threat to our future as a sovereign nation. There will be no free or fair elections to remove him from office. If you don’t understand that fact, then America deserves its suicide.
2
Seems to me that, in addition to spending ever more time and money engaged with ever more attorneys, DJT and his band of are going to have a few buckets of political ice water dumped on them. That is a good thing. After the disrespect shown by Lewandowski to the House Judiciary Committee, comeuppance is overdue.
14
Trump's opponents have him dead to rights on this one. But their past excesses will prevent them from removing him.
The executive branch, not Congress, gets to conduct US foreign policy. If a US President benefits personally from a US foreign policy decision, that's OK. That happens roughly 50% of the time.
But US foreign policy decisions must be made in what the US President deems to be in the best interests of the US. That did not happen here. Trump used the power of the US government to advance his personal interest. Plain and simple. That's not okay, and he should be impeached and removed from office.
That may happen, but it doesn't look likely.
I consider this to be qualitatively different from earlier transgressions, but most Americans remember too well the "Russia collusion" allegations and think this is just more of the same. Trump's people encourage that. Maybe Americans will come to understand that this one is different, and maybe 2/3 of the Senators will listen to their constituents and vote to convict Trump.
But I doubt it. Chances are that Trump will be impeached by the House -- that seems inevitable -- but he'll not be removed by the Senate.
4
@Commenter
"Trump used the power of the US government to advance his personal interest."
No, he didn't. He followed up on a long-standing bad smell surrounding Biden and his son's activities in Ukraine - all under Obama while Biden was still in office. and you find that completely OK?
Besides, the way things are going Biden may not even make it to the finish - his poll numbers are getting lower, than Warren, or Bernie.
A foul-smelling tempest in a teapot.
4
The hearings should proceed without any delay. Clearly, the witnesses should provided the time they need to prepare and collect documents. The hearings should be run soberly. The American would be turned off by grandstanding and shouting on the part of the questioners. The witnesses are under oath. Remind them of that fact and move on. You only need one John Dean.
3
I like the idea that there might be a (tiny) chance of getting rid of the mob Boss in the US, it would require a serious shift in the polls to have his henchmen in the Senate dump him though.
Something that nobody discusses is that no foreign leader or even lower ranking officials will ever have a candid discussion with there US counterparts in the US over the phone. Wondering what the impact could be ? Would be interested to have a specialist's perspective.
3
The President Trump's action to halt the flow of aid, use it as leverage to get President Zelensky of Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son so that Trump would have ammunition with which to smear one of his opponents- Biden- is a clear violation of US law. Removal of Trump from the Presidency gives the US a chance to begin to re-build the US's reputation as a world leader. President Pence is less likely to harm US foreign relations and do harm to US domestic affairs. Farmers are likely to see a quick trade deal with China under Pres. Pence. We need Pence to replace Trump quickly.
7
@Frank Stone
Trump did not halt anything, nor threatened to do so. Don't believe everything you see in the press.
5
@AACNY
Ukraine's "involvement" in the 2016 election is Putin's spin on the situation. Trump is pushing Putin's story, and Conservatives happily believe it and push it.
1
i think the administration must be considering a third alternative, besides submitting documents and witnesses in response to subpoenas or simply stonewalling, both of which probably result in impeachment: it's a combination of the two--namely, sending redacted versions of information and uncooperative witnesses to the investigating committees AND stonewalling, while continuing to spin the patently false narratives that have already begun. this simply drags out the process, giving the president more opportunities to proclaim innocence and attack his accusers and rivals.
2
Why is it illegal to ask a foreign government to investigate a possible cause of corruption about the son of a prominent politician? Also, I do not understand why the media do not investigate this corruption nor write much about it... was there a corruption or not? If yes, what was all about? With this behavior (writing only about what they decide it is important) they just prove Trump right when he says the Press is not impartial...
6
@eg When you withhold nearly $400 million that was allocated by congress to Ukraine and then suggest a "favor" is needed most of us would call this blackmail. However, because the "favor" involved an opponent, Trump is guilty according to US law of asking a foreign power to intervene in the US elections. Maybe the Swiss laws are different than those in the US.
2
I don't understand why Pompeo or anyone else would comply to the subpoena when the house hasn't even convened a vote yet for impeachment hearing.
Without a vote, the impeachment hearing doesn't legally start, and any subpoena cannot be considered valid and legit.
Correct?
6
@Bhaskar
Because the Constitution gives Congress oversight on the Executive Branch.
Maybe because a subpoena is a subpoena ? Bhaskar, are you really tuned into how Congress and laws work in US ?
@gratis
No, it does not. Everybody keeps saying that, but you'll not find that power anywhere in the Constitution. Congress has specific powers, like impeachment, but does not have general oversight over the co-equal Executive branch.
1
With the Lewandowski hearing as the benchmark, my concerns for any public hearings do not bode well. Lewandowski made fools of the Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee, fools, and it was their own fault. Chairman Schiff and Speaker Pelosi must insure that no Democrat tries to grandstand and make a name for themselves during this process. What is happening is too serious and has to potential to fundamentally change our democracy. The Democrats must utilize highly respected and seasoned legal counsel in interviewing witnesses called to testify. They MUST stick to the facts and hold themselves to the highest standards. This is about finding the truth and holding all to standards that we are owed as citizens.
4
Of all the characters who have surrounded Trump over the last two and a half years, Michael Flynn, is to my mind, the very worst. Because he knew better. The rest of them, including Trump himself, are the dregs of the grotesquely privileged. May it all unravel with haste.
5
No thoughts but a question. The administration refuse to hand over the documents, the President is impeached by the House, it moves to the Senate who does not vote for impeachment. No public hearings, no documents provided, case closed. Would it be possible?
1
TRUMP AND HIS TEAM OF ENABLERS Seem unprepared for the onslaught of subpoenas and hearings planned by the Democrats. It would seem that there are a number of GOPpers who would support impeachment if the evidence proves the case. Trump responded with one of his very limited cache of strategies, by planning a multi-million dollar hostile ad campaign against Congress. My personal belief is that Ms Tlaib, having printed up sweatshirts with "Impeach the MF" imprinted on them and selling them is abusing her office by seeking to enrich herself and/or her own campaign. She discredits herself and undermines the good faith, respectful actions of her congressional colleagues. It is my hope that she will be given cause to resign. Clearly her inability to maintain herself as respectful and professional suggests that she is in violation of her oath of office to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. It is NOT the person of Trump or others accused of crimes that are the points at issue. It is whether the constitution is being upheld. My response to her potty-mouthed sweatshirts is CLEAN UP YOUR ACT! It is my hope that she will be replaced by a representative who will uphold their oath of office!
5
Hold everything!
When did the deep-state Intel Community change the rules?
The deep-state Intel Community's "Six-ways-to-Sunday" of getting you just struck again. It seems they secretly altered the rules on whistle-blowers sometime between May 2018 and August 2019 to include hearsay accounts rather than exclusively first-hand accounts.
This raises serious questions that will need to be addressed about the intelligence community’s behavior regarding the August submission of a whistle-blower complaint against President Donald Trump. The new complaint document no longer requires potential whistle-blowers who wish to have their concerns expedited to Congress to have direct, first-hand knowledge of the alleged wrongdoing that they are reporting.
5
@AACNY
yes, no need to investigate the allegations in the message at all. Just GET the messenger. Attack, attack, attack the person and ignore the message.
@batazoid, Sean Davis of "The Federalist" is the ONLY one reporting this. So you'll excuse me if I'm a little skeptical.
A broad application of force should be used by those concerned with the illegal and unconstitutional actions of this administration and its enablers, such as Fox, which has ceased reporting news and has now become a part of the dirty politics that is threatening the common good of America.
Facts are facts and should be reported, with force, so that Americans clearly understand what has happened and that these actions taken by Trump are just that – his actions.
5
A claim on the whistleblower complaint:
Trump seems to force the new elected Ukrainian President to initiate a probe into an allegation that the Russian interference in the 2016 election, confirmed by our Intel services, was actually a Ukrainian hack job with a possible Democrat origin. Three years after the fact he's still trying to somehow protect Mr. Putin and Russia.
I know he has a large political base but how come true Republicans are not outraged by the evidence that this man seems to have some kind of a debt related link to Putin and the Russians?
4
Congress needs a strong voice to counter Trump's relentless attack on impeachment hearing. Democrats need to blanket the airwave to persuade public opinion, including red districts.
Trump should face the same fate as Nixon. History should taint Trump's presidency as a curse to our country.
4
If they simply ask the same stupid questions then this will be a waste of time. The Democrats have the power they refuse to use. If a witness comes before congress they should have 3 options: Answer the question, plead the 5th or go to jail. Currently, there is no penalty for obstruction.
2
Outside the beltway, no one gets why asking the Ukrainian President to investigate corruption could be a bad thing. And hearing that Biden's son got millions strikes everyone as naked corruption. We get that the Democrats and their media friends are outraged once again and are desperate to find a reason to move on impeachment, even if they don't have high crimes and misdemeanors. Also, no matter what the polls say, there is really no broad support for impeachment. There is plenty of anger at the Democrats for trying yet another scheme to overturn the election of 2016. The only legitimate way to get Trump out of office is with 270 electoral votes.
7
I suppose this is a lesson in the capacity of US democratic institutions to deal with a person, posing as President, who works for nothing more than their self.
What is astonishing is that his party follows, revealing their self interest and the rot in the heart of our “representative” democracy.
5
The time has come :
For true patriots to standup against the assertion of executive privilege.
For whistle blowers like ,Daniel Ellsberg ,to go to the press.
For true Americans to start " go fund me pages " to fund the defensive of those victimized by trump.
For foreign leaders to release the damming intelligence on trump, that they surely possess.
For former trump cabinet members to warn America of the vile nature of this administration.
The time has come.
3
It’s about time. If they don’t answer questions, charge them with contempt and jail them. Enough already.
8
When it comes to wrong. I am neither Republican or Democrat. I am an American Citizen looking for truth and justice. No one shall be above the law.
6
Donald Trump is a harbinger of what future presidents should never again be permitted to become. His White House is a moral and ethical graveyard. The deeper we dig, more prevalent become the shattered bones of broken laws and the disembodied silence of anyone who could tell us the truth.
7
Given the complete and total incompetence of the Democrat Leadership I have a question. What will they do when they continue to ignore the subpoenas that Congress issued? Will the Democrat Leadership surrender like they always do? Or will they finally stand for anything and jail them for contempt of Congress? And will the corrupt corporate media pursue the matter of contempt of Congress?
Another interesting conclusion we’re extracting from the Whistleblower complaint is how many people at the WH know about the corruption, malfeasance, and even criminality of this administration and all they do is shut up and cover it all up. Courage is a rare virtue, obviously.
8
Writing that Pompeo has to deliver "a tranche of documents and a slate of witnesses" sounds nice but is a stretch. What next? Is a pirate going to be described as being forced to walk the planche instead of plank? Consider using cross-section instead.
What happens when naturally they thumb their nose at the subpoenas?
I’m curious about what other “perfect calls” may be stored in that extra secure computer...
8
“Using government agencies to, if it’s proven, to put your finger on the scale of an election, I don’t think that’s right. If it turns out that it’s something along those lines, then there’s a problem.”
This is the WEAKEST condemnation of abusing your office for personal gain imaginable. Republicans: find your spines, find your morals, and act on them.
3
Of course Trump and his band of bandits will lie as they always do. But this time there will be consequences, maybe not immediately for Trump but for the bandits. Fortunately I think we have enough federal prisons to house all of them. If not, then we could maybe export them to Russia and/or North Korea.
3
Am I the only one who wants to know exactly what was going on with Hunter Biden?
I had planned to vote for Joe Biden who was my idol when I was a teen, even though I'd prefer a slightly younger candidate, I want someone more middle of the road than the other candidates seem to be.
However, anything else aside, I was shocked to read about Hunter Biden.
Why isn't that being discussed by this newspaper?
5
“The Daily” along with some news articles, is where I’m learning most about the impeachment inquiry. With respect for the exceptional podcast that it is, the choice of music is, to me, making the issue feel like an hbo dramedy, instead of the serious crisis that it is. I’m already listening. To “the daily”, can you please cover this with the gravity it deserves, without jazz. thank you.
1
What I find of the outmost importance is that the role of the Attorney General of the United States is now that of a “fixer” to the President, not that of the defender of the American people. That’s corruption at the highest level. Barr must be summarily removed too.
5
Everybody who makes it into Trump's inner-circle has been psychopathologically processed the same way as Zelensky was.
2
This Ukraine situation is only the last of a series of such engagements that go all the way back to activities of the Republican Party before Trump was even elected.
Yes.
Everything that the GOP slid by on previously, with Mueller’s help above all, turns out in retrospect to have been true.
And, quite likely, provable: IF WE GET TO THAT SECURE SERVER IN TIME.
Unfortunately, the criminals helping Trump in this current escapade are probably busy erasing the evidence on that server and elsewhere of all the previous high crimes and misdemeanors he’s already engaged in, from 2015 onwards. Another series of felonies are being committed as I type this.
And it’s not just Trump responsible. Everyone who’s been hired by him, for his cabinet, for the White House who’ve been involved in the coverups, yes, even his string of press secretaries, from the guy now in green pantaloons to Sarah Sanders, and everyone up from there. Even Mattis, and the former Exxon CEO.
They are all rotten, complicit; and if proper action is taken, extensive evidence of their culpability and the long series of coverups they’ve participated in will be found. This is no exaggeration.
Mulvaney. Carson. Kavanaugh.
Rotten to the core, all of them!
Locate and expose that server, and pronto!
2
From the WB report:
‘Attorney General [William P.] Barr appears to be involved as well,” the complaint stated."
“White House officials told me that they were “directed” by WHITE HOUSE LAWYERS to remove the electronic transcript from the computer system in which such transcripts are typically stored for coordination, finalization, and distribution to Cabinet-level officials.”
April 2018 Andrew Guiliani, Rudy Guiliani’s son, joined Trump’s WH legal team
Feb 2019 Tyler McGaughey, William Barr’s son in law, joined Trump’s WH legal team
‘’Barr is named in the 2nd paragraph of the complaint. His son is one of the WH counsel attorneys.
And still Barr does not recuse?
4
Any other dyed-in-the-wool liberals feeling like there is NOTHING we can do to stop Trump? This entire thing seems incredibly feckless. The disinformation campaign is already in full swing and it's as repulsive as you can imagine. Whatever happened to America. (Oh yea, the DNC stole the primary from Bernie.)
2
Let's see, how many people in Trump's campaign plus his personal lawyer and a general have been found guilty and are serving prison time?
1
Many phone calls were made. Look at them too. All of the. For all of his crimes have always been hiding in plain site.
2
It's gonna be interesting to hear why Mr. Brechbuhl, Pompeo's close friend and advisor at State was doing listening live at the conversation..
2
Am I the only one who finds it actually an interesting question why Ukraine’s largest natural gas producer paid Joe Biden’s son-who has no expertise in Ukraine or in gas-$50,000 a month as an absentee non-exec director?
3
The answer is no, I don't find it interesting what Bongot paid from a Ukrainian gas company. What I find interesting is that Trump committed treason. But thanks for the comment Rudy.
8
@confounded
You forgot to add who you support for president in 2020? Care to mention the name of the person no voter who loves America should vote for?
When politicians promise things of value to hundreds of millions of people in the USA, in exchange for the people doing them the favor of voting for them, that's a quid pro quo and as such, all elected officials should be impeached and summarily dismissed, pronto, toot sweet. In fact, many politicians, especially since the 2018 election, are promising all sorts of favors to foreign nationals. Free room and board to those entering illegally through the Southern border, a foreign policy that favors Palestine over Israel, a return to the process of subsidizing China, Mexico, Canada, the EU and any and all other trading partners by effectively allowing them to cheat when trading with the USA. Going back to paying all of NATO's obligations, for all of it's members. It's amazing and... I don't even think that I should mention this in public so please, keep it on the down low, but I heard there are actual Candidates for President of the USA with many elected officials supporting them, that are suggesting we do away with the entire, current economic system in the USA and replace it with the fully tested "USSR, Venezuelan" model in hopes of creating a workers paradise here on earth, even in New Jersey! Can you even imagine a more fundamentally and diametrically opposed position to the very ideals this country was founded on? And people clap and cheer for them, instead of crying out for impeachment of them! Ah, the ghost of Joseph McCarthy is out there, somewhere, smiling, ear to ear.
1
We need a thorough investigation of the Biden corruption scandal, complete with s special Prosecutor and witnesses flown in from the Ukraine. It was a clear conflict of interest for Biden to press the Ukrainians to fire the prosecutor investigating his son. The whistleblower also needs to testify. Why does a complaint based on hearsay even merit whistleblower treatment? Given that he was a CIA officer, it feels more like it was a
intelligence community operation
4
@Caleb Mars, you can deflect and mis-direct all you want. It will not take away the gave that Trump asked a foreign power to meddle in our 2020 election. Period.
8
It is wonderful to see Democrats finally abiding by their oaths of office and doing their jobs as required by the Constitution.
Trump's administration is proving to be the very 'deep state' that the GOP often rant about.
20
Full press, heavy on facts and evidence.
These things will of course, never change the mind of the true Trumpers, but facts, evidence and truth will most definitely affect the rest.
Full press, no fear.
89
One of the saddest aspects of “Ukraine-Gate” comes through loud and clear as you read the Whistleblower’s missive: there were so very many people in the White House who absolutely knew that what they were hearing as Trump spoke to Zelensky amounted to a total breach of Trump’s oath of office and a variety of federal laws — yet they didn’t stand up to him, individually or as a group, and in fact engaged in a cover-up of his actions. Only a single person out of this large group, the Whistleblower, had a moral compass — and the guts to do what was necessary and right.
Impeachment can’t happen soon enough, and every single one of the individuals who heard Trump’s attempted shakedown of Zelensky but did nothing to stop him needs to be forced out. The same goes for Barr and everyone in the Office of Legal Counsel at DOJ who had any part in abetting Trump’s unlawful and unconscionable behavior.
134
@ALB
Notice, not a peep from spineless cowards once known as Republicans.
They are still defending the don of don’s.
Party and power over country!
6
So true. What are these people afraid of? By not coming forward, they have put our country’s National Security at risk. I don’t understand this cult mentality. They are all complicit in this cover-up and all should be charged with high crimes.
7
Two and a half years of this crazy government, and my husband and I almost left this country twice. It's two and a half years that have felt like a decade.
I don't find it likely that he will be impeached, but it feels good to know that he will go through the humiliation during election time.
64
@Lucas Eller
Is Trump capable of being humiliated?
2
They better move fast. The White House has started to restrict access to phone transcripts for calls between Trump and Putin, and Trump and the Saudi Prince. Who handles this when the people at the top are ALL involved in cover ups? We knew a long time ago that Trump is looking for people to do what HE wants. The people in the key high positions were hired by Trump. How do you prosecute when there are multiple culprits in helping Trump cover up what he has done? Trump by himself is not the sharpest tool in the shed, there are people advising him and helping him along the way. Also, why is the NRA legally able to be so involved with what Trump is doing?
44
Some of the people advising him will realize that they are personally at risk and will start hiring their own lawyers.
1
@BD
Trump has no loyalty to anyone. He has thrown people off the life raft at a dizzying pace The chance that other whistleblowers will come forward is a good one.
1
Yes, move quickly so that you can get it out of your system and things can get back to normal. Of course Trump won't be impeached. He is playing the Dems. Although it's not like they have a strong candidate to worry about anyway. They are only doing what they do best. Spinning their wheels.
18
Are you blind or what? Did you not read the complaint? I did, and I honestly don’t see how impeachment can be avoided. You know, there are times when one needs to act out of love of country - I’m not talking about the phony patriotism of the GOP, which is just a thinly veiled malignant partisanship. In such extraordinary times as this, one must do the right thing, even if it could potentially hurt one’s own party. Imagine: Putting country before party, a concept that might seem foreign and bogus to a group who have evidently completely lost their moral compass.
7
Playing Russian roulette, more likely.
@joe and by "get back to normal" you mean have Trump trample all over the constitution, ruin the environment, roll back civil rights for the lgbtq community, take away a woman's right to choose, collude with foreign governments, tax breaks for the rich, and alienating our allies.
Yes, by all means, let's "get back to normal".
6
Gen. Napoleon Bonaparte, no stranger to fraught situations, is on record as telling hesitant subordinates, “I might lose a battle but I will never lose two minutes”. So lose no minutes, Democrats, two or twenty! Press on! Save Franklin's republic before its enemies can destroy it!
Press on! March around all roadblocks! Skirt all obstacles! Do not become embroiled in pitched battles or sieges. Those are traps set by your enemies in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Don’t allow yourselves to be diverted, distracted or delayed! A forced march is called for so a forced march must be made! Press on!
Crush the traitor in his lair and all who support him!
32
So, please tell me, what did West Point teach Pompeo about serving a morally compromised, corrupt POTUS? Did he miss that class?
76
@Susan Hatfield-
West Point taught Pompeo how to kill. It didn’t provide him with compassion, humanity, integrity or a moral compass.
If Pompeo seriously believes that Trump, working with corrupt, cynical Republican politicians and Putin, has killed the republic (or will kill it shortly) he will use every power at his disposal to eliminate every rival to Trump’s throne, to succeed him.
2
How about that Iran situation, huh?
6
Trump know the Senate is giving him a pass...so...I wouldn't expect too much cooperation.
3
@Harley Leiber
Nixon thought he was getting a pass too. All cover ups are built on shifting sands...only a matter of time until the crumble.
5
Thank you New York Times. Today is my 45th birthday and I was initially going to be depressed, since that number matches the lineal number of the orange blob mob boss "President" we have, but with all of your headlines on his impending impeachment, I am happy and appreciate the birthday present--and impeaching Trump is the gift that keeps on giving.
28
One thing is for sure: Trump will never read the Whistleblower's report because it's way beyond his reading ability or capacity. I doubt he could even sit through someone reading it to him. A 7-second attention span makes listening impossible because, well..., 7 seconds! Forget trying to summarize the thing on a couple of filing cards;it's impossible. Plus Trump would never read them. The report is something that Trump hasn't read, won't read, can't read, and will never understand. He's having to wing his response to this blow-up and pretend he knows what he's talking about. This is surely the biggest fake he's ever had to pull off.
18
Americans who voted for T did so in the deafening uproar of a brutal election campaign T-P conducted in a manner calculated to inflame, stun, shock, rob.
Guided by Kushner & Bannon, with Parscale & Conway his dutiful flunkeys, T actively generated chaos, stoked hatred & racism, attacked victims of sexual violence, fabricated outrageous calumnies about HRC & openly sided with Russian spies -- America's sworn enemies -- while disparaging our own IC.
Having solicited Russia's help & received it in abundance, Trump moved quickly to attack the primary US institutions that square off against Russia: NSC (Flynn), State, CIA, FBI, DoD, DoJ.
With zero skills for the job, Trump certainly knew how to destroy, dismantle, demolish institutions & blow up laws. By appointing derelicts & self-serving disciples (Pompeo), Trump did achieve significant damage to the system.
However, it turns out our robust US system with its many security redundancies was too strong for T & Putin to demolish it completely. Whistleblower proves that as does the healthy reaction of Congress & Americans.
We will keep the multi-tier security blueprint & even enhance it once this is over. It is clear now that the extra vigilance was needed. Even more, apparently, is needed. Voters will need to be educated not to vote for their own worst enemy.
Intel chiefs of correct level of security clearance must now get into that secure server, extract T's secrets, study them & appropriately prosecute. US hits back.
27
Consider the damage to US if he is in office 8 years. My guess is that even if he is impeached or better yet voted out, we will be recovering from his horrible criminal mismanagement and gritting for years to come.
2
@Maria Ashot
Excellent summary. Hit back USA and get better soon. This world needs more guiding lights of hope and reason and models of working together than we ever have. Enough time has been wasted on Trump and his base. Real work needs to begin now.
1
So . . . Robert Mueller busied himself for years dancing around the issues like a ballerina on her toes and did the same in his testimony before Congress while spouting a fog of legalese. Then along comes one honest and patriotic whistle-blower and reveals to the whole world, in terms anybody can understand, the tiny, cowardly, corrupt, and cowering man behind the curtain.
66
@Ed-
Mueller’s mandate was different. Also, the full extent of Trump’s misconduct wasn’t as evident.
3
I sense the wagons circling as we read.
6
But, but, but...where are Javanka, Don, Jr. and Eric??? Nairy a peep from any of them. They certainly know how to disappear at most crucial of times!
4
I never thought we would have a president as terrible and as disloyal to our country as Donald Trump is. I also never thought that Republicans in Congress would show so much blind loyalty to such a dreadful excuse for a president. Presidential power has expanded dramatically since the 1880s, and everyone hoped we would never get a president who was morally defective and willfully unintelligent. Trump has shown us those hopes were not very realistic.
37
Obama helped Ukrainians only with blankets.
Blankets do not stop tanks.
Trump gave Ukrainians anti tank rockets. In the biggest blow to Putin.
Yet many deranged people STILL think that that Trump giving Putin's enemy Ukraine weapons which destroy Putin's tanks means that Trump works for Putin.
9
@novoad no, we think that Trump asking Ukraine to smear his election opponent Biden, and withholding US aid money until it does, constitutes using a foreign power and our tax dollars in his re-election machine..It's just criminality, pure and simple.
7
@novoad
At one point during a summit in Japan, Vladimir Putin offered to sell the new short-range missiles Russia have developed to Trump. He was clearly trolling and mocking Trump in a very subtle manner knowing Trump's ego would never accept such an offer.
Despite this, the left still pushes the narrative of a very cozy relationship between Putin and Trump.
@novoad
In general it’s probably not a good idea to quote, as you do, Mike Pompeo as an authority on anything amiss in the White House since he’s already proven himself a toadying, bootlicking swamp creature of the highest order. Or should that be lowest? In any event, Republican and Democratic representatives and senators were calling Pompeo, begging him, with some desperation, to release funds so that Ukraine could fight Putin. Those were funds authorized by Congress and withheld by Trump with Pompeo’s collaboration. They were released only after the whistleblower’s complaint became known. That money, essential in Ukraine’s battle against Putin, would have been held until the day the Ukrainians produced whatever false information they could put together implicating Biden in something nefarious. It’s not likely they could’ve provided the servers that Trump demanded, since they obviously don’t have them. But as you witnessed the President of the United States using the leverage of our government to further his own campaign interests, and possibly harm Ukraine’s, you decided the real issue is, God help us, his loyalty to Putin. Do you think maybe you’ve got your eye on the wrong prize? One thing is for sure. Pompeo will continue his fact-challenged bluster since there’s a good chance, when the air clears, that he’ll be looking at some time playing golf and, if he’s not too porky, taking tennis lessons at a federal country club penitentiary.
4
The NY Times itself has made findings that undercut this impeachment madness. As reported, Ukraine was unaware of any delay in promised military aid at the time of Trump's call so there was no pressure to do anything on that basis. The call, itself, was put into a special computer storage facility like other calls with foreign leaders in the past so there was no special attempt to "cover up" this call. Of course, it would have been better for Trump not to have mentioned Biden at all in the conversation with the Ukraine leader. However, perspective is needed. Biden in a recorded video openly boasted about his successful effort to get a Ukrainian prosecutor fired who was investigating Biden's son's work for a Ukrainian gas company. In 2017, three Democratic Senators wrote a letter to Ukraine authorities demanding cooperation with Mueller's investigation on pain of losing Congressional support. What Trump did pales in comparison to what Democrats have done. There is a colossal double standard here that the American people will never accept.
17
@Alex
I agree 100%. If a "cover-up" was truly the goal, you don't move around evidence, you destroy it and leave no traces behind.
1
Trump asked a foreign power to interfere in the 2020 election then covered it up. That’s all there is to it. Your reasoning is flawed.
5
The fact that Ukrainians may not have known about the aid blocking at the time of the call doesn’t change the fact that DT did block it prior to the call in order to use it as extortion leverage. As per your other allegations, prove them.
5
you have a cia official who blew the whistle, so.
has to be serious, when intelligence takes itself that way.
probably a good thing.
comey was too latent, in one direction or another so.
:) smiling because, it's good to know that security exists
in truth *AND* intelligence.
will be following, :)
3
This is a direct quote from the Inspector General Letter:
“Further, although the ICIG’s preliminary review identified some indicia of an arguable political bias on the part of the Complainant in favor of a rival political candidate, such evidence did not change my determination that the complaint relating to the urgent concern “appears credible,” particularly given the other information the ICIG obtained during its preliminary review.”
Even before reading the letter from the inspector general, I had already arrived at the same conclusion while reading the whistle-blower complaint. The CIA officer went out of his way to include excerpts from news articles and interviews as if trying to force one to connect the dots in a manner that fits the narrative of the allegations. Something just stinks, it hardly feels like a “whistle-blower.” Did he summon White House officials for information or did the White House officials voluntarily provide information to him on a regular basis? If so, for what purpose? It is not as if these officials could not have summoned their own lawyers for legal advice and made individual complaints of their own, which would have added far more credibility.
If anyone is truly concerned with the facts, one can agree that ALL relevant parties should be questioned and investigated, including the CIA officer’s motives and the leaking of information from White House officials.
6
The Democrats must push forward and not waste any time. They must also anticipate something big and noisy from Trump, to take the focus off of impeachment. Every time the focus is on him because he has done something wrong, he came up with something that made a lot of noise, in order to put the emphasis on something or someone else. I won’t be surprised if he decided to go to war with Iran, to take the focus of off himself. What could be bigger than that?
7
The House needs to have someone sweep out the Congressional jail and be ready to enforce their contempt citations. We are in uncharted waters with this group of criminals and while out of use, this needs to return to the arsenal. Inaugurate the jail with Corey Lewandowski and go from there. They must really be prepared to enforce the rule of law.
29
"I consider [the House] a joke. A sad joke. They have no legitimacy. I would think of challenging their subpoena on the grounds that they're not a legitimate committee." - Giuliani
Unless Pelosi and the House want to prove Giuliani right, they must follow this impeachment through and ignore what the Senate might do. This isn't about removing Trump so much as it is showing him and his cronies that actions have consequences.
55
Yes, this is all good news.
But...
Where in the world is Jared this evening?
And who's recording his phone calls?
And who's storing them on code word secret servers where they aren't supposed to be at all?
Stuff gets deeper doesn't it. Real deep.
29
@Will Some observers have suggested that some members of the Trump family tend to disappear when there is trouble.
17
What...you haven’t heard about him and Kellyanne?
Nonsense, of course, but why should Trump and Trumpists get to hog the hallucinations?
2
Yes I heard they met at a little pizza place around the corner.
1
Trump has no idea what he’s in for. His worst fears when he won the election are coming true. By the time this whole thing has played out, all the people he’s dumped on and most of the entire world will be laughing at him and celebrating justice!
29
He never thought he could win -too many skeletons in his closet. He was in just for the publicity.
1
Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, one hopes this is a fleeting moment . . . tell me, everyone saw this coming, right? The adamant, military command on the Sunday morning programs, the over the top religious messages . . .
2
I am deeply concerned that we, the people, are being buffaloed by the stonewalled by President and his droogs. We need to find a way to force the President and his sidekicks to tell the truth under oath as the rest of us are required to do.
I am not surprised Nancy Pelosi wasn't eager to take on an impeachment against this President and his appointed officers who boldly thumb their noses at the law. I am happy that she was willing to go for impeachment, but I believe she and the rest of members of the House will need to use their wits to win this impeachment.
But I am convinced this group of Congressmen will be able to do it.
13
Everyone please stop frothing at the mouth. I’m liberal but I can’t stand the wielded pitchforks on this feed. Look at us. We have become the mob.
Let Nancy do her job.
Until then, stop the rabid speculation and bloodlust or you (and we) are no better than the GOP.
As one wise Republican said here, “welcome to my 1998.” Indeed. Imagine yourself with the other shoe on, because soon after Trump is gone you (and we) will be wearing it.
Trump is horrible but sadly he’s not a moral aberration. All the virtue signaling from the Dems (or for that matter from newly minted vertebrate Mitt Romney) is equal hypocrisy on steroids. Just packaged in more elegant globalist clothes.
Biden ain’t no saint. Wish it were different. Maybe next generation it will be. But not now, not in this era of acceptance for bald-faced populistic opportunism.
Pelosi may be the only exception. She’s that good. Give her space.
21
Simple question, what was the break down on that $400 million being used for?
Corruption in that part of the globe is common practice.
Break down the dollar amount NYT’s for your readers.
8
@Independent voter
Try reading the bill that Congress passed that authorized that money.
The short answer (which applies to ALL military aid that we give to ANY country) is that the money is held in a Federal Reserve account and can only be spent on armaments made here in the US by US arms manufacturers.
We do not send them a check.
We do not send them a pile of cash. (The CASH - foreign currency, not dollars - that we sent to Iran a few years ago was the RETURN of their down payment for us military hardware ordered by the Shah before he was deposed, and never sold to them after he lost power, PLUS 37 years worth of bank interest on their deposit.)
The money is ON ACCOUNT in the US Federal Reserve.
The money is really a "domestic make work" program, or alternatively "corporate welfare for US arms manufacturers."
That is what the $400 million is being spent for. YOUR tax dollars at work.
21
@Joe From Boston Thanks, excellent helpful comment.
The big question is: who is spying on the President in the White House? That is a huge breach of trust
16
It’s not spying if you’re a whistleblower and the culprit is doing something that can jeopardize US national security.
36
@NYC Dweller
If he couldn't stop this person from blowing the whistle on his crimes, how can he keep the rest of us safe ?
I mean ... he apparently can't even protect himself with the entire deep state under his control
Not good ...
5
@NYC Dweller I believe you're referring to upstanding civil servants doing their job.
Mr. Trump believes that government oversight to maintain order and decency is the same as "spying" as he understands the concept from James Bond, popular fiction, comic books, etc.
33
Perhaps Mr Tillerson can be called as a character witness:
“It was challenging for me coming from the disciplined, highly process-oriented Exxon Mobil Corporation to go to work for a man who is pretty undisciplined, doesn’t like to read, doesn’t read briefing reports, doesn’t like to get into the details of a lot of things, but rather just kind of says, ‘Look, this is what I believe,’” Mr. Tillerson said in a discussion with Bob Schieffer of CBS News.
Mr. Trump, he added, kept pressing for actions beyond his authority. “So often, the president would say here’s what I want to do and here’s how I want to do it and I would have to say to him, ‘Mr. President, I understand what you want to do, but you can’t do it that way,’” Mr. Tillerson said. “It violates the law.”
From
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/07/us/politics/trump-tillerson.html?searchResultPosition=3
47
As a Independent Voter who long ago favored the Democrats over the GOP....I am Now and forever Anti-Democrat Party till the End of Time...this is the last Straw!
15
@There for the grace of A.I. goes I If the Democrats don't do this, political parties may entirely be a thing of the past. You'd need free and fair elections to have political parties, right? So I guess you might have your wish... of never having elections again... until the end of time.
14
Perhaps you should consider a move to Moscow. You may prefer the politics there. My understanding is they are not too fond of Democrats either.
19
@There for the grace of A.I. goes I So you are happy with Trump inviting the President of Ukraine to get involved in our elections?
11
I've read a variety of comments on this thread: BIG mistake on my part. America is a cruelty joke composed of propaganda and deception. We perceive U.S. politics and social concerns through a pinhole, venting our frustrations by constructing mountains of bias and meaningless pap.
14
The House must subpoena the translator who took notes when Trump met privately with Putin. There is something fishy in that Trump took the notes from the translator and told him/her not to tell anyone what he and Putin discussed.
28
I’m going to guess those notes are no longer in existence
3
Interpreter, not translator. An interpreter wears headphones and speaking into a mike, dealing with the spoken word, while a translator types away at his computer, dealing with the written word. Huge difference.
Perhaps we should check on that translator too.
1
I’m a tax payer. You work for me.
How many people, on both sides of the political spectrum, would like to shout that at the top of their lungs?
19
The government is bought and paid for by corporations and that who they work. Not you not me.
9
Please, pause, pause, pause with the crazy rhetoric with these outrageous displays of anger re: the t-shirts—unacceptable, and calling for resignation—inappropriate in the middle of a serious national crisis.
Speaker Pelosi, do not allow the party to engage in this behavior. It will make it much harder for all of us, the entire country.
Democrats have to remain calm in the storm. Be diligent, but name calling and denigrating will backfire.
This is a not a game.
Discretion is the better part of valor.
15
So saydo nothing??
"Andy Biggs of Arizona, introduced a resolution to censure Mr. Schiff for exaggerating Mr. Trump’s exchange with Mr. Zelensky for dramatic effect during a hearing on Thursday". - Hilarious. It is funny to watch the Republicans spin this. I wish Schiff could be more dramatic. He is exactly how I like my representative which is kind, intelligent, and boring. I have met the man. He is mild like Mr. Rodgers. He is not theatrical. He is a good man. I hope and pray Rep Schiff continues his pursuit of justice against our President who is a lawless threat making tyrant.
32
@M all in all, I agree with you, but I cringed when he was reading that parody, knowing that it would be turned into a point of contention. Really wish he hadn't done that, especially given how divisive our country is. It's not wrong to censure him for that (and as I said, I support him). This is way too serious a matter. Let the facts speak for themselves. Forensic info, data, pointed questions...all fair game. Ad-libbing was a mistake.
4
As long as you bring up Morning Joe, he was in Congress during the Clinton impeachment and he had some critical advice for the the Dems this morning: Hire Lawyers to handle the questioning of the witnesses during these hearings. These proceedings are going to turn on public opinion and, frankly, the public doesn't think much of bloviating politicians who don't know how to elicit testimony from a witness. You need Pros for this job.
46
@Richard Winkler
Agreed. Barry Berke would be great.
3
Exactly. We need professionals to do the questioning.
10
Great. More subpoenas that will be quickly ignored.
3
They can lie about the telephone call. But abusing highly classified computer systems to store embarrassing materials, a transcript of a telephone call where the president went off the rails, to abuse those systems, somebody needs to go to jail for that.
But even the call itself is potentially an impeachable offense. But it will be hard to prove. The intent and « you do this, and we will give you that ».
But putting the telephone log in the highly classified system, that is out in the open already, and it is a crime.
10
How about using the AG of the USA to colude with a foreign nation for personal benefit? Isn’t this a crime?
1
Donald Trump does not realize that his aggression is digging a deeper grave for him as the days pass. As he continues to scream incomprehensibly, he makes less and less sense.
Maybe our nickname for him, should be “Donald Duck ”.
Adam Schiff and the other House Democrats should be honored that such a person is insulting them. It means that they’ve gotten to Donald Trump. As he continues to scream incomprehensibly, he makes less and less sense.
11
Let’s get this right, nothing now happens in Congress for next 5 years
9
Nothing was happening anyway.
13
@We... The Democratically controlled House HAS sent major bills to the Senate, where most have languished: Senate leader McConnel will not schedule the necessary discussion and voting to enact these bills into laws. The House has been doing its job, the GOP controlled Senate theirs, I suppose.
6
@We the Coyotes
You say that like it's a bad thing.
Putin doesn’t want us supporting Ukraine.
I want the transcripts of Trump’s communications with Putin. You can bet Ukraine came up.
22
The Democrats are missing the obvious. Trump is trying to destroy the US cooperation with Ukraine against the Russian proxy war. Why? Because that is a promise he made to Putin. Russia wants the US to stop supporting the Ukrainian defense. Trump has arranged for US foreign policy to be dictated by Russia. Dems, stop going after the wrong story. Trump is a traitor.
61
Trump so loves giving nicknames to rivals. Why has no one labelled him "Mafia Don"? Here he was, talking to the President of Ukraine, and essentially saying " uh, nice country you got here, too bad if you lacked the weapons to defend it." Same kind of 'plausible deniability' that any two-bit capo uses when they are investigated by the Organized Crime Division.
24
What makes you think any of these men/women and documents will show up? And for all of these individuals, putting their hand on the bible to tell the truth---how quaint. If they do show up, please Democrats get an experienced prosecuting attorney to interrogate these guys---no, political grandstanding--just a Jack Webb type--nothing but the facts....
18
Why is this day any different from any day in the past? We have used the Subpoena before to no avail. We have brought them into a hearing only to receive more stonewalling and word games. What reason does the DOJ and Barr or Trump have to change their minds regarding any such subpoenas? I expect continued stonewalling and flip verbal responses during any hearings. Barr has made this possible by telling Trump he has infinite power as president. With such strong legal backup (though dead wrong), it provides cover for all those who should be responding to current subpoenas.
6
It’s time to offer terms of surrender to Donald Trump. It’s likely he’ll leave office if he can avoid prosecution and keep his fortune, such as it is. Otherwise, he should know he’ll be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law after he leaves office.
Either Trump leaves office before Thanksgiving, or he risks facing the full consequences of his misconduct including jail time.
14
@Michael Tyndall
He’s done the crimes and MUST do the time. Oh, how I long for the day. An orange man in an orange jumpsuit. Only then, will justice truly be served.
17
Michael,
I’ve said the same thing on several occasions. Discontinue his Secret Service protection. He can provide security from his personal resources. Strip him of his citizenship. Find a country who is willing to take him. (And his family.) Seize his US properties, freeze his US bank accounts. He can keep his foreign properties and assets, which should allow him ample finances for self-support.
We’re going to have to change a lot of locks and passwords. Part of the deal should include a gag order on Trump and his family including family member ‘senior advisers.’ A hair out of place on any intelligence officer’s head, and we bring him back to ‘talk’ about it.
Mr. Trump likes to portray himself a dealmaker. So let him make a deal. I don’t think he’s going to get more generous terms. If he doesn’t like the deal and decides to pass, book him.
There’d be no shortage of citizens willing to drive the Trumps to the airport. If they’d rather not go, they can take a suite at ADX Florence. I hear it’s got super accommodations.
9
@CVP
I’m somewhat conflicted but on balance I think the sooner Trump is removed from office the better. I worry about the potential damage he does every single day he’s in office. And it could get much worse under increasing pressure of investigations.
If he resigned with a deal to avoid impeachment, he’d be disgraced. No further platform and no personal media exposure beyond further disclosures and tell-all books about his corruption and self dealing.
I want Trump gone now more than I want him ultimately in jail, but that’s just my opinion.
4
'Mr. Trump held up military aid to Ukraine, provided by both parties in Congress to help Ukraine fight Russian occupation, as extortion to make them start an investigation into his political rival Joe Biden and his son.'
Is that simple enough? Maybe use 'bribe' instead of extort?
10
@Saints Fan: Both Biden and his son HAVE been investigated as to this issue, and no wrong-doing or illegality was found on their part. Asking a foreign nation to investigate your political opponent (and in this case, to make up things about your political opponent and his son, who have been found totally innocent) is against the law; far worse, it is treason. Additionally, dangling $400 MILLION in aid over that foreign country's head, in exchange for phony, trumped-up charges, makes the crime even more severe and reprehensible.
13
It was investigated by Ukraine's prosecutor and there was no evidence of wrong doing. All of this happened a year before the prosecutor was asked to resign by Biden. Read various sources sometime and educate yourself.
3
If the republikans are so worried about Biden and corruption why did they not start their own investigation? Seems less risky than asking a foreign power to do it for you.
3
Trump will win because he has no shame. Only our constitution and good people no matter what politics can save this.
1
Please, Dems, keep it simple, keep it focused, and keep it brief. Otherwise trump will bob, and weave, deflect and distract. Please Dems, be strategic and do this quickly.
17
@Saints Fan: Ann is talking about the Congress.
3
@ann Dempsey: And they should get the best prosecutorial attorney to handle the questioning, and any one of these gop criminals who ignores a Congressional subpoena, can simply pass "GO," and go straight to jail. That is where any one of us would be put if we ignored a Congressional subpoena. NO ONE, BUT NO ONE, IS ABOVE THE LAW!
7
Exactly! Enough!
1
As an eager young Republican during the Clinton Administration, I followed every aspect of his impeachment. I reveled in the House vote and eager looked forward to his removal from office. It was beyond a doubt, in my mind, that it would happen. The news media that I followed at the time assured me of such. Then, on the night of the trial in the Senate, I sat dumbfounded as the Democrats celebrated with the President on the lawn. There was an outdoor stage and Champaign and hundreds of invited guests. How did they know?, I asked myself.
Now the shoe is on the other foot. I watch Democrats strut to the podium, cocksure of themselves (ie..Newt Gingrich). I laugh. I hear some in the media explaining the process of the President being removed after a Senate trial. I laugh. I read comments here on the NYT that long held wished are coming true. I laugh.
“Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” - George Santayana
9
@William
Lying about having a consensual if illicit affair between two adults is hardly as bad as shaking down another government using $400 million of taxpayer money, asking for a foreign national to interfere in a US election, and attempting to cover all of that up.
Here is the law that Trump violated.
52 USC §30121. Contributions and donations by foreign nationals
(a) Prohibition
It shall be unlawful for-
(1) a foreign national, directly or indirectly, to make-
(A) a contribution or donation of money or other thing of value, or to make an express or implied promise to make a contribution or donation, in connection with a Federal, State, or local election;
... or
(2) a person to solicit, accept, or receive a contribution or donation described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) from a foreign national.
(b) "Foreign national" defined
As used in this section, the term "foreign national" means-
(1) a foreign principal, as such term is defined by section 611(b) of title 22, except that the term "foreign national" shall not include any individual who is a citizen of the United States; or
(2) an individual who is not a citizen of the United States or a national of the United States (as defined in section 1101(a)(22) of title 8) and who is not lawfully admitted for permanent residence, as defined by section 1101(a)(20) of title 8.
11
@William Clinton was an affair and trump is national security issue. Apple vs orange. Clinton’s impeachment was a witch-hunt and trump’s impeachment is a necessity to preserve our democracy. Disclaimer: I’m neither Republican nor Democrat and will never affiliate any political party.
11
You clearly put the two in perspective...for those who thought it was apples to apples.
1
The deafening silence from Republicans especially Mitch McConnell is duly noted and very telling.
29
God. It's a gong show. It makes you wonder how America won the Cold War.
9
It is pretty simple. The Russians had a ruling class of 1 percenters who were in the politburo. The rest of the country was fed the crumbs. And they spent a high proportion of their GDP on the military. What could possibly go wrong.
4
The guy who came close to being impeached for lying about Iran Contra episode.
2
I don't know how these people can be so inept at their jobs. How many people does it take to keep Trump from burning down the house? He needs mental health treatment and an uber ride back to his tower. We need peace and sanity and a break from this whole disaster.
24
@karen: Mental health treatment will not do a thing for trump. He has severe personality disorders, and these are not vulnerable to psychiatric or psychologic intervention. Most dictators and criminals are mentally ill in the same way. I feel, too, that the powers that could assist in removing trump may be inept in their jobs, but when you have an entire corrupt, greed-and hate fueled, and solidly criminal political party that is acting as a crime syndicate, it is difficult to penetrate the wall of fraud, bribery, and gangster tactics. I think if the Democrats have learned anything, it might be that they cannot allow the criminals to call the shots, which is what has been going on, with people like trump, conway, barr, lewandowski, etc. You cannot let these grifters get away with spitting on Congress! In other words, if you blow off a Congressional subpoena, or act like a lunatic when you are questioned by Congress, and lie to them, and even admit that you are lying to them, (!) the Democrats should make sure that they put you in a jail cell until you are willing to cooperate. If Congress cannot, or will not take a hard line in enforcing the laws of this nation, they will fail. Evil is very powerful; the gop is a vicious crime machine that just rolls over anything in its path. YOU HAVE TO DISABLE IT FROM DOING SO BY FOLLOWING THE LAWS AND ENFORCING THEM.
8
Isn't it likely that documents required to be turned over in response to subpoenas in the Mueller Investigation have also been buried in this newly discovered "highly classified" file?
11
Trump is a trained Television actor, so is Zelensky. Manafort had acquaintences with Russian Television before running Trump's campaign. The American Television industry devoted a billion dollars worth of free airtime to Trump during the campaign. The Fox network allied with Trump for years.
So I ask you; if Trump expelled the Russian diplomats spying here, why did he allow the Russian Television company to remain right down the street from the White House?
6
Beware a “Wag the Dog” tactic. It may be a war with Iran.
9
Perfect timing. Let’s get the impeachment vote, please. Trump will flush all his mega donation cash to the congressional districts where the red districts went blue. He doesn’t need the cash. Then the House goes GOP. Please- vote for impeachment before Thanksgiving so we can get on with holiday shopping and set up for a Congressional shift.
5
@TJ
He doesn't need the cash ?
Why does he take donations ?
4
By the way, this IS in fact a smoking gun. And we shall see another Deep Throat come forward.
17
There have always been a minority of people in the US that think rules and regulations don't apply to them. They, even after losing the popular vote by 3 Million people got their dream come true in D. Trump.
His history of fraud, deceit, sexual assaults, nepotism, the list goes on, completely meaningless to them. Hypocrisy plain and simple.
On November 3rd,2020 that's going to come to an end.
16
If Facebook and Google, among others, are being held to account for not policing enough the devious actors using the Internet system to spread conspiratory theories and even fake news, how come Twitter is allowing, willy nilly, a debauchery really, the publication of one lie after another, attacking any and all reporters documenting them, by the current occupier of the Oval Office? Can Twitter escape with 'murder', just because there is an unhinged, and unscrupulous, president on the attack, however rabid?
13
So VP Biden can call the Ukraine and threaten to have a $1 billion US loan guarantee withheld if they did't immediately fire a prosecutor investigating his son, who was being being paid $50 thousand a month for sitting on the board of an energy company of which he had no expertise warranting his extraordinary pay much less a seat at the table. VP Biden is then shown bragging about his ability to stop the investigation on television. Really, how stupid does the Democrats think Americans are anyway?
17
@Kurt Picard. So would you share your source of this info with all the readers?
17
Good point. But in fairness, it is difficult to share the knowledge gained via the remote viewing taught only by the sacred Yeti with mere mortals.
1
@Kurt PickardYea, Biden threatened withholding this aid because the Ukranian prosecutor was not investigating corruption and he wanted a replacement that would conduct more thorough investigations. Biden's son wasn't even on the board during the former prosecutor's tenure. So, Biden was doing just what the EU wanted - a tougher prosecutor - not a weaker one!
1
The Democrats did what they had to do.
The Republicans will do what they have to do -- namely, when articles of impeachment are delivered to the Senate, the senators will convene and one of them will offer a motion to dismiss the charges like Sen. Byrd did during the Clinton impeachment. And that will be the end of all this.
7
@Tim Clark, that may be, but I bet Trump never asks a foreign power to intervene in the 2020 election again. and he goes down in history as the 3rd preside t to be impeached.
11
That’s exactly what will happen. Sen Byrd, who was known as the protector of the Congressional arm of Government- a protector of the power of the purse - was the perfect symbol to make that motion. It was an ‘how dare you misappropriate the power of Congress for partisan political purposes’. I wish there was a Sen Byrd in the Senate today. Nonetheless, someone will make the motion and the outcome will be the same.
1
My only recommendation in all of this (based on watching the Watergate hearings) would be for the House to establish a smaller select committee and for that committee to hire counsel. Question needs to be focused and lengthy, something impossible to do when many Congressmen and -women have five minutes each.
13
The interesting thing about most of the fervent Trump supporters I've met is that they think anyone who doesn't support him as they do must "hate" him.
It doesn't occur to them that someone might simply disagree with most of his policies and with the chaotic way his administration has run.
For them, it's all about the man himself.
It's almost like he is their god and, thus, he must be infallible.
So strange!
37
Very strange indeed.
9
@Third.Coast
Certainly no hate for Trump in these comments. Just calm, rational disagreement! lol
2
@fsharp
He's a polarizing figure and some people undoubtedly feel personally attacked by his policies, words and actions.
Some people expressed strong feelings against President Obama, but then you had people who calmly disagreed with someone of his policies.
It's a big country. Lots of people. I usually disregard people on either extreme. If you need someone to be right, you're blind to when he is factually wrong. When you need someone to be wrong you are blind to when he is factually right.
But then again, people are entitled to their feelings. Maybe some people do "hate" Trump. OK, fine. But the question is, did he commit an impeachable offense.
Love him or hate him, that's the essential question.
1
Executive privilege protects all sins. The Trump administration will never yield a scrap of testimony, and the Supreme Court, when this reaches the Court (and it will), will uphold and protect Trump. He has been, is, and always will be above the law. And he know it. He is playing this country like a saxophone.
5
I have only one question, when does Mitch McConnell get to put this to vote and put an end to this? Early or late November 2019?
6
@Saints Fan: Joe Biden is not implicated in this, and I am not sure why he would be a witness. He has no knowledge of what is being investigated, nor was he involved, so WHY, in the name of God, would you think that he is going to be a witness? He was not part and parcel of trump's violation of the law, or trump's treasonous act. He doesn't know anything about these hidden documents, or these hidden transcripts. He cannot offer any insight into what went on with the trump White House burying documents in secret files. Biden and his son have ALREADY BEEN FOUND INNOCENT! (Why don't you understand this?????) And Biden and his son are not the republicans who are being accused of obstruction of justice, criminal acts, or treason! As far as a stroke: Only overweight, unhealthy-looking, red-faced, sweaty, yelling, loud-mouthed trump is going to have a stroke, if anyone does!
8
Washington Post just released an article reporting that confirms that trump [knew all along] was working with Russia. The first sentence portion in the first paragraph says it all:
"President Trump told two senior Russian officials in a 2017 Oval Office meeting that he was unconcerned about Moscow’s interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election..."
What is most alarming about the meeting is the last sentence in the paragraph,
"an assertion that prompted alarmed White House officials to limit access to the remarks to an unusually small number of people, according to three former officials with knowledge of the matter."
They (small # of people and former officials) KNEW and didn't say anything.
To those that did not come forward in May 2017: PLEASE COME FORWARD NOW. We need everyone to come forward now and simply report what you know.
I'm confident that trump gave you hundreds of reportable and possibly impeachable examples in the past 900+ days.
15
Living: I believe The Onion published a very similar piece.
7
@William
Oh No! Don't tell me The Onion's gone to the light?! We need humor now more than ever!
3
I cannot keep up. I cannot keep up. It's going too fast.
But, the best part of this week is that former and current (not yet resigned) officials, aides and staff are finally starting to talk. Not just the minor off the record or anonymous info given to reporters, but the big stuff. And, maybe some reporters already knew things but held back, to protect their sources and stay in good graces to get more info.
Well, it's time for all of the Deep Throats to come out of the underground parking garage and tell all. Believe me, there are millions out here who will support you.
15
@Alexandra Brockton. Trump is just going to say that that secret server contains directions for various yoga positions and workout videos. Sort of like Ivanka did about hers.
5
Immediate contempt and jail for those defying subpoenas.
18
The real shame is that our government has become a game played by professional politicians.
The American people, all of us, are paying an exhorbitant admission to watch our nation being kicked about as though it were no more than a ball.
The "players" on both sides, march up and down the field without a care in the world for those who are witnessing their spectacle.
Lying is a routine play followed by defiance of the rules set down by our Constitution.
Save those who own the teams, there is no winner.
8
They are public servants; they deserve the pass, although there will always be stinkers, so to speak. With the city council in Seattle you’d be begging for professionals!
2
Happily paying my Federal income tax over here. Go get them, Patriots. History will remember.
12
@Saints Fan 22% single and head of household. How about you?
3
@Saints Fan:
"@Will
Whats your tax bracket. I dare you to tell us."
You are interested in Will's tax bracket, but trump can keep his a secret? And you think this is appropriate, WHY? We are all very interested in what the criminal "president" has been doing with his taxes, but why should anyone be interested in Will's taxes?
5
Why didn't the NYT include the attachment to the subpeona letter to Pompeo that was provided as a link in this article. It includes a listing of documents the subpeona is requiring that Pompeo provide to the House committees. It would be useful to see what they are focusing on and how they detail what they want.
2
Until recently, like many, I was undecided about impeachment.
Nancy Pelosi was also undecided, one reason being her concern for party members with narrow margins of support. Last week they issued a statement addressing that concern. But that is not all. Revelations concerning Trump’s behavior in relation to Ukraine have dissolved any grey area.
She has presented her reasons in a simple, powerful manner.
Her fellow Democrats have already unleashed a flurry of subpoenas aimed at members of the Trump administration.
The coward in chief’s head is spinning and he will sputter and spit at an even higher rate than usual so be prepared for accusations and falsehoods even beyond his norm. Nancy Pelosi will also be ready, and I assume neither her nor the other democrats will enter Trump’s fantasy world. To quote Sergeant Joe Friday’s famous line: “Just the facts Ma’am, just the facts.”
There are many subpoenas issued. I assume, after the sickening display of phony machismo from the coward Lewandoski, the Democrats have learned how to deal with this sort of idiocy so these hearings will be different.
Focused questions and dismissive responses work well.
tic … toc … tic … toc … tic …
10
Why do I keep reading and hearing that the majority of us don't support impeachment?? 100% of the people I know support it and have done so for years! Come on, really? Not the majority?
24
So we are gonna play this game again where we pretend we live in a democracy...but not really. Where a person with less votes becomes president, violates every single imaginable law and pummels any shred of respect and legitimacy this system has left. Then all this is followed by democrats extreme outrage, but not really, and GOPs treasonous complicity, but... not really. And so they will investigate this man, but again not really, where overwhelming evidence is shadowed by redactions and irregularities and eventually find him kinda guilty, but only kinda, and actually... still... not really... and all this happens, REALLY happens in an endless cycle of not really.
10
MJ. Welcome to my 1998
1
Anyone who is in the Trump administration is corrupted merely by being in service to Trump. No one gets out of Trumpland with reputation intact.
20
The only thing I know now for sure is that the Republican Party is crooked and not worth of my trust or belief. They are dishonest, devious, and shady.
27
@Thinkabouit: You are being kind in your description of the republican party. It is far worse.
5
By the time this is over I hope and prey that every member of his cabinet; corrupt scammers, liars, thieves, and traitors all, are behind bars with their beloved leader. They all deserve no less
20
They better have put a pro on this.If Barry Berke isn't on the payroll they are making a huge mistake.Anyone who is not familiar with Mr. Berke,please google his deposition of Corey Lewandowski,where Corey admits The Mueller report is accurate.
This guy is a really good prosecutor and we need one.
34
Berke never took Lewandowski's deposition
2
Clearly the House is not aware of the Divine Umerta Right.
Anyone who has been blessed to hear Dear Leaders voice is forever forbidden from sharing the Deranged Dribblings of Tsar Trump.
Kavanaugh, Goresuch, Thomas, Alito, and Roberts have already been made aware of the Complete Immunity and Total Privileges of the 2nd Amendment by no less than John Yoo.
PS: interesting to see a picture of Wilbur with his eyes OPEN!!!!
14
FOX was in full damage control on the tv hung in the restaurant where I had lunch today with a headline indicating that (ready for it?) Hillary Clinton said Trump is a legitimate president. For crying out loud ... FOX is stirring a pot that is nearly three years-old and I do not recall HRC saying any close to that remark. Then there was the same old tired Dems just cannot accept that Trump won blah blah. I cannot people fall for this garbage.
15
I wonder Trump promised to Putin he can invade entire Ukraine during any phone call.
6
@su That must have been Obama. Obama helped Ukrainians only with blankets.
Blankets do not stop tanks.
Trump gave Ukrainians anti tank rockets. In the biggest blow to Putin. Yet many insanely deranged people STILL think that that giving Putin's enemy weapons which destroy Putin's tanks means that Trump worked for Putin.
1
@novoadThe Congress approved it in bipartisan fashion - Trump didn't do this - he put a hold on this aid and only eventually caved after intense pressure from Congress.
2
I have a bad feeling that this is all mostly political theatrics by the Democrats. They know and are expecting this to be blocked by the GOP in Congress...so they can cry foul. I suggest no one get really worked up about the inquiry or get hopes up for an impeachment. Then agaIin, I could be wrong. Won't be the first time today. Is it too early for a Scotch or too late? You know you are getting old when you keep your single malt and your catheters on the same shelf.
6
Instead of a "cancer on the presidency", per John Dean in 1973, Mr. Trump himself has become an abscess that needs to be lanced. As soon as possible.
17
Get. Them. Drag them into the daylight, or if they refuse, throw them in jail.
16
@susan Crosby. When they do drag McConnel out into the daylight, I won’t be surprised when he bursts into flame.
5
Pompeo - as much as I dislike him - should tell that worm Schiff where to go (the sun doesn’t shine there).
12
@waldo Expert Republican advice. You must have multiple law degrees. Guiliani school of law?
20
You should try that place before you recommend it to Schiff.
7
and from lips of a Canadian.
3
Mike save yourself and come clean. The economy is going to collapse and when that happens as we say in NYC, you ain’t got nothin!
9
This is good first step. Also heard that IG Atkinson os being called for a closed door. Let’s see which of the GOP rats in the sinking ship run by a mob boss is willing to flee. At this point they are all thinking only do their primaries but if Flake says 35 senators would vote to kick these guys they would but I am skeptical. The whistleblower has given a roadmap. Hope the Dems don’t botch their chances.
19
Good thing Oliver North is available.
5
Is it “Infrastructure Week” yet?
38
All the efforts by Greta last week to save the world is now in the back burner in the halls of Congress... oh I forgot their on recess again...
Impeachment Trumps Climate Change.... priceless, and sponsored by the New Democrats in DC....
6
@MDCooks8
Impeachment targets the climate change deniers.
15
@MDCooks8 Dems passed 230 pieces of legislation; Mitch blocked. GOP passed in 3 years? Tax windfall for the 1%
16
Better that the Dems focus on strong gun control laws. Can’t count on sanity from the Republicans. Makes one almost wish that the orange one’s cult members might find their loved ones in the line of fire at the next mass slaughter. Maybe that might finally catch their attention.
4
Pelosi et al have pulled a brilliant power-play:
Now that an official impeachment inquiry is underway, if Trump and his minions don't turn over documents, they can add obstruction of justice to the charges.
In fact, the can simply (and quickly) impeach Trump on those charges, without even having to bring in the Ukraine issue at all.
Republicans would look really stupid defending Trump's refusal to turn over documents. If it's a "hoax" as he/they claim, then there's no reason for him and his Administration to not turn over documents that would prove Trump innocent, right? Any republican who argues that Trump has nohing to hide but also has the "right" to refuse to turn over evidence would look really stupid to any reasonable America (i.e. the 60% of us who aren't Deplorable).
Pelosi's a smart cookie. This game isn't necessarily about impeaching Trump on Ukraine; she's playing a bigger game than that. It's about dragging Trump through the mud, distracting him from touting his "accomplishments" during his reelection campaign. It's about exposing the craven hypocrisy of all Republicans, to pick up some seats in the Senate. It's about energizing the anger of the Dems. It's about peeling away some Trump skeptics from the middle. And it's about putting so much extra pressure on the already unraveling Trump, increasing the odds that he comes totally undone and does something really stupid before next november.
A lot of people haven't figured this out yet.
34
So tell us the story on Volker... will he be the fall guy or will he sing like a bird?
8
@Corrie
He will sing. He's career Foreign Service and therefore probably has some integrity.
9
Please subpoena former President Obama and ask him about his management of illegal immigration and how it differs from the current administration.
6
Don’t know if Obama would be available as he seems to be living 24-7 in you head. There is another president now, so let him explain his actions in many policy areas, with kids in cages being only one!
22
@Toni Newsflash; this is 2019; trump is in charge of the swamp; and it overflows
18
For hundeds of years foreign influnes have been apart of american politics. But not now brought up. Why now and dig deep and see we are a colony. Talk of the currant is taboo but a fact.
1
Guys, hold your horses and don’t celebrate. The Republicans are already citing a conversation between Obama and (former Russian President) Dmitry Medvedev. Obama was running for re-election and he was caught on a hot mic saying something like, “Tell Vladimir (Putin) that I need space. I can make a deal with you after the election.”
What Republicans are going to say now is, “Obama was basically saying, ‘If you don’t do anything that makes my election more difficult, I’ll be more flexible with you afterward.’”
Can you impeach retroactively?
7
Sadly for you, the answer is no.
4
@Joe M
False equivalence!
5
@Joe M Again; newsflash. Trump is in charge; it is 2019; and Corruption is overflowing
9
Why all of a sudden is President Trump interested in corruption in the Ukraine?
20
@Oliver
I really think he is just jealous that Hunter Biden made a lot of money. It's always about the money with this guy.
7
a very good point.
1
Oh, right, he ran on draining the swamp! The funny thing is that what Trump supporters have instead gotten is what Donald Trump has been all along: a serial failure, whiner and finger-pointer who never confronts or addresses his own failings.
Looks like the "Department of Swagger" is about to become the "Department of Stagger".
Bring on the subpoenas and the arrest warrants when they refuse to comply.
17
Republicans try to steal everything in sight when they get get into office.
That is their Modus Operandi.
They aren’t there to do anything for the country or average Americans.
Nixon’s resignation hardly slowed them down.
They are there to loot the country, and that is all.
25
Subpoena refused, thrown into the chain of courts, and spectacles continue.
Unless a good part of Republicans and Trump base are sane enough to realize this president is unfit, this rattle would turn out to be a part of Trump Reality Show to help the re-election of this sleazy man. Is the US degenerated to an extent to allow it happen? I have a reasonable level of concern.
5
Nancy Pelosi will go down in history as the absolute best Speaker at the absolute right time in history. I hope & pray.
36
@J Darby. It would be even nicer if she could go down as the first woman president after Trump and Pence are removed from office. But best Speaker is nice too.
11
Let the oversight begin!
16
Mr. Pompeo has earned his time in the barrel after his performance in the Benghazi hearings. I hope he receives the same level of courtesy and civility that he gave to Sec. Clinton.
52
That’s weird since they haven’t actually started an impeachment inquiry.
1
@Curtixman
So sorry you didn’t get the memo.
12
Thank God almighty for Adam Schiff.
I would like to have ended that with "FREE AT LAST," but that remains to be seen.
17
here we go, CNN is reporting that not only has the telephone conversation with Ukraine been transferred to the NSI server but wait! so has his calls with Vladimir Putin and Saudi Arabia, wonder why he chooses to use his personal cell phone for calls with some world leaders, cells are much more accessible to hacking around DC, due to spyware than secured lines, here is a bit of information for those who are a bit unfamiliar with investigations, most GOP Representatives are attorneys, they know that the foundation to most cases is hearsay (legal term for gossip)from there you need to begin the process of deciphering truth from falsehoods, so the idea that none of the whistle-blowers complaints is true because he wasn't on the call, well that is just a way to Deflect from the President, also Nancy Pelosi has the votes to proceed with Impeachment Inquiry, she is a strategist, move slow but precise.
14
Drain the swamp. Indeed,Trump, once you and your scurrilous gang of sycophants are removed from office, we, the people, can begin to follow your orders. Our apologies, however, we will not obey your team’s directive to “lock her up” just to keep Mike Flynn company. Unlike so many of your cohorts HRC has yet to be indicted.
12
From the WB report:
“Attorney General [William P.] Barr appears to be involved as well,” the complaint stated."
“White House officials told me that they were “directed” by WHITE HOUSE LAWYERS to remove the electronic transcript from the computer system in which such transcripts are typically stored for coordination, finalization, and distribution to Cabinet-level officials.”
April 2018 Andrew Guiliani, Rudy Guiliani’s son, joined Trump’s WH legal team
Feb 2019 Tyler McGaughey, William Barr’s son in law, joined Trump’s WH legal team
Barr is named in the 2nd paragraph of the complaint. His son is one of the WH counsel attorneys.
And still Barr does not recuse?
22
If Trump gets the boot, then Pence becomes president. I wonder how he would fare in 2020 against the Democratic nominee - would he get a sympathy vote and bask in the warmth that Gerald Ford enjoyed after Nixon waved goodbye and ascended in a helicopter? He may not be as slimy as Trump or Giuliani but that would mean the Republicans could still control the Senate and maybe weaken the Democratic. But you know what? I could live with that if only we could drag Trump kicking and screaming (and tweeting) out of the White House.
3
I don’t see much difference between the Democrats pressuring Ukraine to get dirt on Trump (Mueller investigation) and Trump pressuring the Ukraine to get dirt on Biden. Other than Mueller had little basis for his investigation and In Trump’s case, Biden had already divulged his wrongdoing. Maybe if Trump had appointed a special prosecutor it would have been acceptable?
5
? Wait, what? I don’t recall anyone withholding arms. This Trump behavior is destabilizing. Downstream implications are extremely serious, internationally. There’s only so much resilience in our relationships with other countries - specifically EU. This is a very serious issue. Trump is not a king. He owes us all the duty to protect. We are not protected under this president. His self-dealing is scary.
3
Here is the big difference. In Trump’s case he has asked a foreign government to intervene in our 2020 elections. That's treason my friend. Get it now?
9
Trump has certainly committed a crime even though he refuses to acknowledge it. The Democrats want Trump officials to hand over pertinent documents in order to proceed with impeachment even though they realize that Trump's officials are going to fight tooth and nail to avoid compliance and getting anything out of them will be like pulling teeth out of a patient whose mouth is solidly wired shut. This is clearly going to be a very messy business leading to a very nasty showdown. Given all that some say that rather than impeach Trump he should be reprimanded by censure because otherwise it would distract one from the end goal of getting Trump voted out of office. But merely censuring Trump will not stop him from his despicable ways of hobnobbing with autocrats, wrecking U.S. policy, and shredding our integrity to bits. He can certainly do a whole lot of damage before Nov. 2020. As a responsible citizen I certainly wouldn't want that. Trump must be stopped. That's why, despite the negatives in any option in deciding how to proceed against Trump, the path of impeachment is the one most likely to stop him or at least slow him down from draining the lifeblood out of this country drop by drop.
2
Ukraine President Zelensky said, “nobody pushed me” in reference to his telephone conversation with President Trump. He was actually on the call, unlike the “whistleblower”, so I think I’m going with people who actually took part in the conversation. What more could you want? Ok, I think I know the answer to that.
7
@Larry, you and other trumpster don't understand that there doesn't have to be pressure or prid quo pro. Trump asked a forien power to meddle. in the 2020 election. And BTW Trump even admitted this and thinks it's OK. It's incredible that you folks just gloss over this FACT.
10
@Larry... If Zelensky said he did feel pushed then he would swiftly be receiving the unmitigated fury of an unhinged but still sitting president. An idea best avoided since he is the president of a country currently at war with Russia and we are one of his biggest allies. It’s called politics, right?
9
Really? This guy whose country is desperate for help from the US is going to say something to implicate Trump? What possible reason would there be for him to do that? The survival of his country is at stake. He’s hardly a passive bystander.
Try to come up with better arguments than Sean Hannity.
14
Subpoena the underlings who don't have endless resources.
The careerists have a streak of patriotism to ignite.
And surely have a craw full of resentment against those destroying their agency and nation.
The top of the heap will rain scorn on the committee.
2
Great start.
Looking forward to the day when Donald and Rudy go at each other’s throats.
16
Something for the Democratic impeachment supporters to ponder during their jubilation at the moment is the fallout from a successful House impeachment. First of all, it would be highly unlikely that Trump would be removed from office as the Senate would block that from happening. However, before the Senate voted they would be able to hold an impeachment trial/inquiry of their own during which they would be free to subpoena ANYONE they wished to question. You know people such as Comey, Clinton, Obama, Lynch, Soros, and the list could run long and deep into almost any scope of questioning they deemed pertinent. Now that could get real interesting . . . be careful what you ask for.
5
I could care less who they question. Those people are all in the past, while Trump is here and now. Trump and the GOP will be exposed for the corrupt treasonous bunch they are. Good riddence to them all.
10
@Bill Beaulac
Seems very far-fetched to me.
4
@Bill Beaulac. Bring it on. What are they going to do to any of them? The Clintons could get through hearings in their sleep by now since they have had to sit through so many. They don’t have much left to say that hasn’t already been said. Comey is getting pretty experienced too. Obama knows Constitutional law, a subject of which there seems to be little knowledge in the Trump White House.
4
Pelosi chose the wrong topic for impeachment and she waited far too long. In doing so she either handed the White House to Trump, Bernie or Liz in my opinion.
The way the internet works, providing self re-enforcing fallacies through its bias to feed people only what they want to believe.
The alt-right, Russia, North Korea and all the social media experts who are far more advanced than the Democratic social media teams will exploit the greed-driven affinity search algorithm system to point back to Biden and his son.
There are sufficient facts to support the conspiracy that Trump and many on the alt-right vehemently support.
The facts that can make that seem real to Trump's base and some on the fence starts with a Google of "
English Translation of Undated Ukraine Prosecutor General's Memo" - It was referenced in "The Hill" today.
Impeachment hearings should have begun the day Comey was fired in my view. There 20 or 30 topics he should have been impeached over.
I almost feel like Pelosi saw this as a chance to serve the corporate establishment, who loves the giant tax kleptocracy and big pharmaceutical's and the oil lobby's agenda.
I can tell by the Times algorithms on three previous similar but unique posts that "the truth" and diverse actual dissenting opinions are not welcome. This is likely the only one they will but if that happens, there is the least glimmer of hope. Or it will be released at 3 a.m. tomorrow.
3
@Tom Paine
You think people who wouldn't vote for this dude in the White House are going to change their minds and now all of a sudden vote for him because Pelosi charged him with the wrong crimes ?
Is this a joke ?
5
@Marion Grace Merriweather
Joke? Absolutely not. This is going to simply serve to harden the already divided and expose Biden to a lot more negative press.
Going after Trump on self-serving emoluments and actual obstruction and all the good prosecutorial work of Mueller was what should have been the foundation for the impeachments.
Peloso, promised to keep impeachment of Bush off the table when he and Cheney started illegal wars that killed hundreds of thousands of innocent civillians, wouldn't impeach Trump on the Mueller investigation, called impeachment "a waste of time" and yet she choose a topic of impeachment that is likely to result in more negative blow back for Biden among undecides than any other topic?
The joke is on the actual public servants and real democrats. Once again, the establishment corporate corrupt "Democratic" leadership has chosen an issue of massive impotency upon which to distract people from the Genocide in Yemen, US troops going to support petrol dollars and the world reaching a tipping point on climate change.
2
Hopefully rather than submit the country to a long divisive impeachment process Trump will do the right thing and resign.
5
Let it be known that it is the majority of the American people and not just "Democrats" (as many Republican's keep telling the media) who want an Impeachment inquiry. Trump implies that there is some conspiracy to bring him down through what he calls "Presidential Harassment." The "whistleblower" is the true Patriot, not a person who is attempting to profit from others by abusing their influence and power. This individual or individuals have put their careers, reputations and potentially their safety and lives on the line. They did this because they felt that Trump's actions were anti-democratic and a threat to our Democracy. There are Independents, Republicans and/or former Republicans, as well as Democrats who can no longer stand for the blatant abuse of power from Trump. Too many Republican representatives defend Trump regardless of how much evidence there is against him. The Republicans are like parents who keep defending an ill behaved child no matter how many times they get in trouble for cheating, bullying, disrespecting others. It will always be dismissed as, "it was the other kids fault, If he did not want to get beaten up he should be wearing such funny clothes, or he is just high spirited, or all the kids hate that teacher." Trump behaves like a rich spoiled brat who knows that his rich parents will always bail him out of trouble with their influence and money. It is time for the President to be held accountable.
11
Where are the Republican congressmen? Come on already! Be on the right side of history and let the history books show that when it was the country or your career, you put your country first. I especially would expect those who were in the military to do that. So disappointing.
9
We know what he says when he’s aware of others on the line, and it’s pretty bad.
So, What happened with his one on one with Putin, when no one was in the room and the interpreter silenced? We can make a pretty good guess that it was less national security and more personal gain. A clear pattern of recidivism on this front.
This guy has absolutely no shame and will lie and spin as long as it is to his benefit.
7
Trump Country is smirking because in the end, this will all come down to a rural Electoral College. He will win, even after betraying his own nation.
1
I give the American people more credit than that. They are smarter than you think
4
I am fascinated by Guliani's role in Ukraine.
He claims he is Trumps attorney. Does that mean he can never divulge any conversations they have had due to attorney client privilege?
3
Please. The house has less credibility than any other entity in government. This will assure Trump’s re-election. It’s amazing how disconnected politicians and their extreme constituents are.
7
Mention has been made of Mitch McConnell possibly blocking the Senate from taking up articles of impeachment.
If that threat is made, Romney and three other Republican senators should announce that they are temporarily becoming "independents" and caucusing with the Democrats.
That would immediately remove Mitch McConnell as majority leader and allow the Senate to perform its constitutional duties.
12
More subpoenas that they'll ignore?
This will not end well for anyone.
1
If Trump is removed or forced to resign, Pence will become President and will pardon him. I'd rather see him defeated in November 2020 and then indicted and prosecuted.
1
NY and other states have plenty to put him in prison whatever Pence does.
3
This impeachment process, which has absolutely no chance of passing in the senate, assures the mutual destruction of two people- and neither one is Trump. They are Biden and his son, the man, who even if he did nothing 'legally wrong' is tone deaf for taking a board seat at a foreign energy company while his father is vice president of the US. Every day the slow bleed of info will destroy the presidential campaign of Biden and assure the assent of Warren as the nominee. But the far left already knows that and this is the reason for the sudden 'moral need' to impeach. So Warren has been anointed by 'the squad.' And in this scenario Trump gains reelection. Good work -dems.
6
Subpoenas, sworn testimony, and the risk on incarceration have a way of ferreting out the truth. Even those most loyal to Trump recognize the gravity and risk when appearing before Congress. If Trump truly becomes boxed into a corner, he's going to start negotiating. Trump sees himself bargaining his way out. So where does he start? Does he offer to not seek re-election or even resign? Trump has a lot more than the Presidency to lose...buckets of money, freedom, ego, and perhaps a trophy wife.
5
I'm waiting for "English Translation of Undated Ukraine Prosecutor General's Memo" to be the daily topic of the 2020 election.
Maybe Bernie or Liz will win but I think that choosing this topic as the central topic of impeachment was either an intentional forfeit by the establishment or a mamouth error of political calculus. I tend to favor the former hypothesis.
1
What I don't understand is how can Giuliani, Trump's personal attorney, be going to foreign countries representing America? Thus, Giuliani is always sworn to do what is best for Trump, but not America. Isn't that like sending a Crips gang member to represent America, and hoping he will look out for America's best interests? How can that even be legal?
9
...meanwhile in China, significant leaps forward in public transportation, infrastructure, green technologies, military and defense technologies, human rights suppression, cyber espionage, colonialism in Africa all continue on track...
5
Trump is negotiating with the NRA to get help to pay for his legal defence. I thought he was a multi billionaire and not beholden to any third parties. Odd time to go in this direction. I predict that this signifies the final nail in the cliche for Mr Trump. Most gun owners are for reasonable background checks. Donald has missed the boat- it is chugging off into the distance with Donald floundering flailing and failing the docks.
5
It would be good to explain how impeaching is going to make any difference.
The law says that the president must submit his tax returns to Congress if subpoenaed. Congress did so, months ago. We are still waiting for those.
What happens if, once again, Trump simply does what he tends to do, which is stonewall?
22
@Bill
He is successfully able to stonewall because no stated legislative motive was provided in the request. The law requires a legislative motive.
Congress are not police or the FBI. They can't request anybody's tax returns just because. Real law enforcement can do that, if they can show reasonable suspicion.
3
@Bill
For the record, The Chairman of The House Ways and Means Committee, Richard Neal has direct access to the NY State tax returns of Trump, but for some bizarre reason, he has yet, to make that effort.
Nancy Pelosi appointed Neal to that job, yet, he has basically done nothing, probably a "request" from the corporate donors.
2
@Bill
I think Congress will need to apprehend and arrest people that are in contempt. Pelosi knew this and that is why she waited. We know the m.o. of Trump and co. They will only respond to legal threats. It will be ugly and necessary.
3
Instead of turkey for Thanksgiving, pig roast. Crispy pork skin. Let us celebrate. July 25th the pork roast national federal holiday.
7
The Ukraine president denied publicly that he was pressure. Was your coverage untruthful in that statement about revelations that he was pressured?
11
Pressure or not is not the issue. The problem is that Trump asked, however politely, for foreign interference in our election.
37
@Janimal44 It matters not. Given the investigation of the appropriate inspector general and those findings, it is very clear Trump exceeded the limits of his office and, again, defiled the office of the executive.
7
@Mnzr
No he did not do such a thing at all. He simply asked, whether the NEW Ukrainian President would be kind enough to follow up on the Biden story that has been around long before he announced to run for President. And in THAT, he was absolutely right, since Biden was handling the Ukraine file WHILE vice President and that is a big fat conflict of interest.
1
Would anyone be shocked if, despite subpoenas, these witnesses refuse to comply or cooperate? Based on the evidence so far, I won't be.
But this time Congress needs to act with the full force of their power, placing uncooperative witnesses in jail for contempt and charging them with obstruction. Maybe they still won't cave, but it will do Americans good to see some of the "protected" class behind bars.
So far Trump and his toadies have thumbed their noses at the Congress and its attempts to get him to cooperate through the courts. Court actions are standard operating procedure for Trump, betting that he can outlast any adversaries - even if he's in the wrong - when they give up, he wins. This is what happened with the Mueller Report, and the very next day Trump "celebrated" by boldly asking the President of Ukraine to interfere in our elections.
Now the House must use force, forgetting about any pretense of cooperation by Trump. He is a schoolyard bully, and only understands the clarity of a hard punch in the nose. Swing away, Nancy!
82
@Kingfish52
You're right about Trump betting he can outlast his adversaries. Trump has been involved in around 3,500 lawsuits over his lifetime. Obviously he is not in jail. Not yet anyway. But he has never faced the full power of the House of Representatives before. This will be interesting!
4
Why do so many supposedly trustworthy citizens want to go down the drain with Trump. This is a swamp. Trump is the main swamp creature. They are checking VP Pence's role in the Ukraine. I thought he was a true blue Christian. He is just as dirty as Trump. What has happened to this country? I lived through the Nixon years and thought that was bad. I would give anything to have Nixon back.
47
Excuse me but is anybody...... Anyone...... Doing the People's business? Legislating? The democrats have no clue just how bad this is going to go for them.
15
@John S.
For example. and if this going to be very bad democrats, so be it. What about our democracy , America.
I am not worried an inch about democrats future, I am seriously concerned about our democracy.
9
@John S.
Really? Up until October/2018 and for the previous TWO AND A HALF years before that, Republicans had control of ALL THREE branches of the Executive, yet, the only real legislation they ultimately enacted was providing for themselves and their wealthy friends and corporate associates, a TRILLION AND A HALF DOLLAR tax cut.
Outside of that, exactly what worthwhile "people's business" did they successfully engage in? Trump was too pre-occupied with his wall and unsuccessfully trying to get Mexico to pay for it. Republicans could not govern their way "out of a wet paper bag".
12
The people's business is also to defend the constitution.
4
They went right for a big fish - excellent. I think the Democrats are finally getting it.
44
Ouch! Those subpoena things are expensive too!
Its gonna be a Lawyers Picnic!
7
@John...that's OK. it's worth it!!!
3
I'm expecting a big, fat stonewall from the White House: "Executive privilege!"
Unlike Richard Nixon, who still had some respect for U.S. institutions, this President has no such patriotic inclinations. Trump knows the Senate won't convict and he will push it to the limit.
The House of Representatives has authority to send the Sgt. At Arms to arrest uncooperative witnesses. Pompeo and Barr may have to show up in handcuffs.
43
@Mark McIntyre
Re Pompeo and Barr showing up in handcuffs - fingers crossed.
3
@Deborah A. After being hauled off to prison for refusing to testify in front of Congress Susan McDougal was hopping around in leg irons at one point. It would be fun to see Pompeo, and Barr especially, trying to do that.
2
@Mark McIntyre "Pompeo and Barr may have to show up in handcuffs."
The police inside the Congress building works under Barr. Not under Pelosi. Pelosi in handcuffs, not likely but possible. Barr in handcuffs - impossible.
Donald Trump promised to drain the swamp. Donald Trump has demonstrably shown that he IS the swamp. Let the drainage proceed!
45
"What am I, Fried Liver?"
Pelosi opens with the perfect gambit for Trump's 'perfect' phone call. Trump crossed a line that puts himself in peril.
10
It is chopped liver!
At least in NY :-)
3
The Republicans are going to stall until the election in 2020. They are going to use every legal means to thwart Nancy Pelosi and her democratic allies.
Where is Stormy Daniels? Nowhere. Where is Michael Avenatti? Facing criminal charges. Where is the impeachment investigation going? Nowhere.
10
Trump and some members of his administration are running our country the same way that the mob boss and his enforcers run their illegal business. He has shown that he doesn't care for our country. All he is interested in is making lots of money for his family while he holds the highest office in the land. It is time to stop his mob like activities and threats.
31
Once again the Dems fall into the Donald's trap. Very quickly this will turn into questions about what exactly Biden Junior was up to in corruption plagued Ukraine and what his Dad knew about it.
11
@madashell. It has been asked and explained many times already, including in news articles published in that socialist rag the Wall Steeet Journal. While the editorial writers in that paper have stuck to the the phony Republican talking points, the news articles have reported that neither of the Bidens did anything illegal. That information is too easily found online now to keep rehashing the lies.
Biden bragged about the role he played in getting rid of a corrupt prosecutor who was not investigating corruption in the Ukraine and letting the crooks continue uninvestigated. It defies common sense that he would have been talking openly about the matter if he had done something wrong. Why, he would have just put the records on some secret server like the White House did with the records of Trump’s call to the Ukraine. Biden may be gaffe prone, but no politician except Trump brags about crimes he may have committed.
3
@madashell Wishful thinking. The Hunter Biden investigation was dropped by Shokin long before Joe Biden and others, as part of an international coalition, called for Shokin's dismissal. This is another false equivalence deflecting from Trump's clear criminality. It won't work this time.
3
@madashell
I'd like to know that myself.
3
Suggest Congress fix healthcare, education, infrastructure. But hey, keep watching the shiny objects people.
10
@Bradley Stein For the first two years of the Trump Nightmare in the White House he enjoyed a GOP majority in both legislative chambers, and those GOP legislators had a, well, kind of GOP president.
Yet, in those two years there was no grand and improved healthcare plan, no improvement on education and the costs (we went backwards on that issue), and certainly no grand job creation to rebuild our infrastructure.
Nothing but, to borrow from the trumpites, a nothing burger.
Yet, the "president" continues to dangle those shiny objects, continues to lie incessantly, and continues to line his pockets with our tax contributions.
5
@Bradley Stein. Talk to Mitch. And keep throwing around those Republican talking points that are meaningless while McConnell is running the Senate, aka The Place Bills go to Die
5
The Dems need to go for the jugular here. Play by Trumps rules. The Republican whining that "this is a political ploy to destroy Trump.." - of course it is! What's wrong with that? The governing of this country is all political. The Dems, the Republicans, the President, the crooked Supreme Court Kavanaugh appointment, it's all political. And that's the way it should be. If baby Trump and his snowflake enablers can't take the political heat - resign!
29
There’s is NO impeachment inquiry until there is a vote by the full House to vote for one. Pelosi refuses to bring the necessary vote to the floor because it would put MC’s on record. The NYT has never mentioned the lack of House vote and that is a CRITICAL legal failure. Again, it is a failure that is unprecedented in history.
7
Not correct. The impeachment process is whatever Congress makes of it.
5
@Siwanoy:
There is first an inquiry which may or may not lead to impeachment. The House votes; a simple majority determines the result.
More than 223 Dems have now publicly supported impeachment.
4
@Siwanoy Keep reading. Pelosi has opened investigations to gather what is needed to support impeachment.
And the Times has in fact mentioned this several times.
Is research so difficult, or, do many rely on the rantings of a dotard?
4
I have had this lurking question, interestingly Donald Trump's sister Mary Ann Trump-Barry, now resigned from the Appellate court system as she is under investigation for wrong-doing with her brother, it would seem to me that she may also be advising her brother as well as his administration, who better to advise than a former sitting court justice who knows her way around the CONSTITUTION Trump to his own amazement does not seem to surround himself with the best people, however he has been a master in eluding the law, mostly anything that he has done and any judgment has mostly been sealed from Public view.anyways will she help by having a say in these impeachment proceeding
7
Trump can not surround himself with smart, good people because those people won’t go near his sleazy self.
Just look at the crowd that puts up with this man. People who have integrity and can’t reconcile his leadership with common morals and decency have run.
4
@Peds ICU RN
have just listened to Chris Cuomo, I see where Robert Rae an attorney from Watergate at the time a prosecutor from New York Southern District, is now one of Trump's greatest protector, you chose to be an ICU Nurse, a career with integrity, Robert Rae was supposed to be a Protector of the Constitution, am glad you are a person who will always be a champion, not a Trumpster.
2
First it was Russia Russia Russia. Now it is impeach impeach impeach. The Democrats just never give up. The American people will never tolerate this nonsense. The Republicans can expect lots of wins in 2020. President Trump is guaranteed reelection.
14
@KMW Ok. I'll play. "Hillary, Hillary, Hillary". "Obama, Obama, Obama". The emails. The accusations of corruption regardless of factual evidence that suggests otherwise.
The Trump supporters just never give up.
You see, it does not take much to change the narrative of a Trump supporter.
Try again.
10
Yes, it's most certainly good for Trump that the news cycle will be dominated by talk of his criminality for the next year.
3
Wait and watch the crew jumping off the sinking ship....
17
The prospect of years in prison will do a lot to loosen a man's tongue.
27
It seems like Pelosi finally got to the point that Lincoln famously said, "in for a fight, in for a funeral."
7
Mr. Trump can "Make America Great Again" by resigning without further delay.
40
Two years ago I thought the swamp was
the size of a basketball court.
Now I see the swamp is the size of Texas.
Start with locking up Lewandowski to send a clear message.
Tack on a fine of $5,000 per diem fine to boot.
34
I'm sure Smilin' Mike will keep the Mona Lisa going through it all.
3
Goodie, goodie!! Is Bolton next or Barr? Will they now be able to subpoena Don McGahn or any other former administration attorneys? Amazed at the speed this is moving. Keep up the great work to protect our country and democracy from 45 and his cronies.
25
Dems think they are going to impeach and remove the President based on an anonymous letter of complaint that is likely a fake and the so-called accuser or "whistle-blower" does not have to face the accused, think again
12
@Zion Ahh, how quickly the Trump supporters forget, or would rather not be told facts, verifiable facts. Facts with basis of empirical evidence.
The letter, filed as required by law, and the allegations contained in the letter have been investigated by the inspector general and found to be factual.
So, what was that again about "fake"?
4
Congressional subpoenas? Wow, that'll scare 'em!
I see open and total defiance of any and all attempts to gather evidence. No matter the threat of contempt-of-congress or obstruction-of-justice charges, fines, even jail, they will stonewall to the end. Then when he is impeached for said obstruction -- or his goons are jailed for same -- his cult, including every Repub in Congress and Senate, will scream: "Witch hunt, indeed! Without a single shred of evidence!"
The martyrdom ads will run 24/7 until Nov 2020 and he will be easily re-elected.
8
@Marty
It should scare them. Why? Because the courts will side with Congress because it’s an impeachment inquiry, not just congressional oversight. And if those witnesses all take the fifth that won’t look very good.
Outside of being defeated in the polls, impeachment will be the worst thing to happen to Trump.
3
@Marty
The solid proof of obstruction in the Mueller report should have been enough. This one is easily digestible though
3
@ Marty
If the whistleblowers testify Trump is history.
3
"House Democrats Issue First Subpoena in Impeachment Inquiry"
Wouldn't it be more straight forward for the headline to read, The House intelligence Committee Issues First Subpoena in Impeachment Inquiry?
3
Clearly, since Trump demands full loyalty over competence, it is clear that anyone that associates with him, including those members of The Republican Party that support him, are totally corrupt as well which makes them not much more than mafia captains to a Mob Boss.
The problem here is Nancy Pelosi was literally forced into conducting the impeachment proceedings, as a result, she still wishes to play by an archaic set of rules that no longer exist and I am still unsure whether or not she knows what she is up against, hence, she really should have never been re-elected as the head of Congress(I don't believe she has the stomach for what they are facing).
This is what total corruption and defiance of the law creates and one would only hope the democrats in charge of this process know what they are doing.
5
Both Giuliani anf Barr were explicitly mentioned. They should be subpoenaed as well.
20
Yep!! “Night of the living dead” will be shown just before.
You have to have art too.
1
I hope the House continues to move expeditiously and decisively, as Trump deploys his entire arsenal of distracting and delaying tactics, learned from Roy Cohn and Roger Stone. If witnesses choose not to cooperate like Lewandowski, they should now find themselves charged with obstruction. The complete "word-for-word" records of the President's Ukraine call, and any other contact records and translator notes hidden for political reasons in NSC Intelligence servers should also be demanded by the House Intelligence and other impeachment-related Committees.
21
Trump had an interpreter's notes destroyed after a private meeting with Putin. Democrats had wanted to subpoena the interpreter, but of course, Republicans who controlled the House at the time said no, and that was that.
The revelations of
the whistle blower complaint puts into question every conversation trump has had with foreign governments. How many other records of communication have been destroyed or moved to more "secure" systems ... records the public will never know about because the GOP has been intent on protecting and enabling trump at all costs to the country?
Say what you will about the Democratic party .... it may not be perfect. But Democrats are the only ones trying to minimize and limit the damage trump's corruption is causing to our country. They're the only ones trying to keep a check on this out-of-control administration. Now, Democrats have subpoena power, and it's good to see them using it.
Vote in 2020, up and down the ballot. Elections have consequences.
37
It's the same play we've seen before, but this time during an impeachment inquiry - which theoretically gives the House more leverage to gather information. We'll see if Pompeo shows up, or is forbidden to do so by some version of "executive privilege"... and if he does appear, if he pulls a Lewandowski (basically pleading the Fifth or inferring Trump/Barr won't let him testify), etc, etc.
I sense Trump will still block witnesses, ignore subpoenas, and run this through the courts... after which we'll learn if our judicial system is as compromised as the White House, Senate, and DOJ. Trump's lawsuits to obstruct discovery from Mazars and Deutsche Bank/Capital One are stuck in federal appeals courts (Mazars since July 12) after federal Judges Mehta and Ramos ruled within 7-10 days that documents HAD to be turned over to the House.
7
I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican, but in this instance, I believe the latter party has demonstrated from North Carolina to Alabama to D.C. that so long as its actions results in power for its own, all is fair game. Serving tax payers has nothing to do with the motivation of the Republican party from the local to the state to the federal level. Women's health? Only if it agrees with their narrow religious beliefs. Religious beliefs? Only respected if you have their beliefs. Voter representation? Only if it's for a Republican obtaining power. Environmental health? Only if it results in a profit for their donors. Judicial appiontments? Only if it's for a judge from the Federalists. Respect of the federal adminstration for law and order? Only if it results in a Republican victory. I normally don't wish ill upon people, but I am genuinely happy to see the Republican Party reaping what it has sowed, and may it continue for the next 30 years. I will never, ever, vote for that party, and I have many years of voting left in me. I am just an average middle class dad, a happily married family man with a 9 and 12 year old. I suspect that I am the silent majority of my generation. As baby boomers age further, I forecast a long long period in opposition for the Republican party, and it is their own fault.
27
What happens when the entity ( The Department of Justice) that is charged with enforcing the law l, refuses to do so?
I fear that’s what is gaining to happen. It’s very troubling.
11
Trump has been playing people very long period of time.
In New York and now in Washington. It looks like he has been BOXED this time and only a miracle can save him.
9
Dear House Leadership, Please prepare in advance to have all the infrastructure and processes in place to enforce any findings of Inherent Contempt for witnesses who fail to honor House subpoenas. This situation is serious - brook no delays, nor stonewalling.
17
Dems need to move quickly on this.. There are very critical elections/primaries coming soon.. And this impeachment should not bog down & over-shadow the elections. (not to mention the other important issues of the country).
---It is very unlikely that 2/3 of Senate will vote to remove Trump... therefore he will be running for re-election in 2020.
---The 2020 election remains the only real chance to oust Trump...-- The impeachment investigation is important, but not as important as the election..
11
Dems can impeach all they want. Nothing can alter the fact that there will be no trial in the Senate.
This is like a prosecutor charging a criminal with his crimes but there is no trial. The criminal gets off scot free and the reputation of the prosecutor is seriously diminished.
5
Glad to see some real heat set under Pompeo. Pompeo is a master of bureaucratic maneuvering to gain increasing favor with Trump.
Pompeo got rid of John Bolton.
Pompeo now whispers in Trump’s ear how to further create the chaos that Trump loves, and block the truth of Trump’s illegal push to win the 2020 election.
15
The Democrats must continue keep the pressure on during this impeachment inquiry. Trump does not handle this stress very well and will dig his own grave. He will continue to be angry, lash out and act impulsively. The vast majority of people are fed up with his lies, disturbing and abusive behavior
I assume John Bolton will eventually get a subpoena since he was more than likely listening in on the Trump telephone conversation with Ukraine. Like current and former Trump Cabinet members, they will most likely stonewall the Schiff Committee.
It makes good sense for the Democrats to have the House vote for impeachment by early September 2020. It will be a win/win situation for them and our citizens if they plan to have the Senate trial to begin sometime after the November election. This would give the American people on election day the opportunity to further decide the fate of Trump.
10
Trump needs to get a real lawyer who can explain the facts of life.
Trump cannot pardon himself.
A second term just kicks the legal can down the road and does not assure him or indeed members of his family of their long term freedom.
Only a comprehensive blanket pardon from a friendly Republican President can do that.
Trump can only ensure there is a friendly Republican President to pardon him and his family if he resigns before 2020 and Mike Pence becomes President.
When Trump loses in 2020, he can be sure there will be no pardons available from a Democratic President when all the crimes get laid bare and justice cannot be impeded.
It's time for Donald Trump to hit the eject button.
13
Look at the timing of Dan Coats resignation compared to what we’re learning. Look at how the Trump inner circle made it known right away that Sue Gordon would not be Acting DNI for even one day. This Ukraine issue was already swirling in the IC and Trump’s people knew that Sue Gordon, career IC and straight shooter would take the whistle blower complaint straight to Congress as required by law. Not letting her in the chair was part of the cover-up.
21
@SteveW Great point
3
POTUS has repeatedly denounced all inquiries as "witch hunts". I'm eagerly awaiting his nationally televised "I am not a witch" speech. He'll love the ratings that one will get.
14
Trump would rather be impeached so he can whine to his base that the democrats “ did it.” He wouldn’t be able to tolerate going through an election with the possibility of losing every single state. I can dream can’t I.
6
Purrrrfect. Talking to Pompeo is a brilliant first step. Hard to believe that he doesn't have a pretty good idea of what's been going on. I look forward to learning if there is any additional information in the word-for-word transcript. Also very curious to hear who else was listening in on the call -- glad to see that was one of the things that was asked for right off the bat.
10
We are about to observe a real-time enactment of The Prisoner's Dilemma. They cannot all trust each other. Watch for the heavy precipitation when one decides to talk.
18
@Dennis NYC
By virtue of impeachment the House has oversight of the Ex Branch. In order to impeach it must investigate, which begins with summonses and subpoenas for testimony and documents. Without the ability to send an enforcement agency, perhaps the Capitol Police, to collect on its lawful instruments it can't proceed. I cannot see how person(s) can ignore the House's requirements to respond or perform. If the summons or subpoena does not have the equal force of those of the courts, will someone, anyone, please explain why? Or do we have to rename these things.
13
"I'm gonna tell you something. Somebody messes with me, I'm gonna mess with with him. Somebody steals from me, I'm gonna say you stole. Not talk to him for spitting on the sidewalk. Understand? Now, I have done nothing to harm these people but they are angered with me, so what do they do, doctor up some income tax, for which they have no case. To speak to me like me, no, to harass a peaceful man. I pray to god if I ever had a grievance I'd have a little more self respect. One more thing, you have an all out prize fight, you wait until the fight is over, one guy is left standing. And that's how you know who won."
Robert De Niro, the Untouchables
14
One of the biggest problems is Trump. He's not like other people. He's not like Nixon. He's not smart. He has no affinity to anything other than his self aggrandizement and survival. He's a narcissist. He revered Roy Cohn...also a successful narcissist. Narcissists, when threatened, fight for their lives. Literally. Trump will view a defeat (or impeachment) as his personal death. When faced with death, almost all of us will do anything in our power to prevent it. And this is exactly what Trump will do. The will to continue living is the strongest drive we have. Trump cares nothing about our country. His only agenda is to survive. I'm a little surprised the Republican senators are hitching their future to such a damaged person.
67
@alabreabreal
All true. But the Democrats just couldn’t control themselves after losing the 2016 election, could they?
A great number of people are fed up and will vote against them in 2020 as punishment for the past 3 years of non-stop partisanship and obstructionism.
13
@alabreabreal Republican lawmakers are circling their wagons around Trump. They do not care about the rule of law or the country. Not even about the Constitution. One would think they could read the writing on the wall. Trump is going down. Hard. I only hope he takes the rest of the Party with him and we can start over.
20
@alabreabreal
Since this has been the first time in decades that Republicans were able to secure all three branches of the Executive, we are now seeing the "true colors" of a corrupt and hypocritical party that despite constantly preaching balanced budgets, law and order and respecting The Constitution AND democracy itself, they really could not give a "hoot" about any of it.
They are solely interested in power and maintaining it at all costs and even though many despise Trump, Republicans were more than willing to put aside any principles the had for personal and monetary gain in which Trump was more than willing to provide them starting with a predicted TRILLION AND A HALF DOLLAR tax cut.
2
The Trump administration must comply "or risk strengthening their case for impeaching the president based on obstruction of Congress."
What risk? Democrats will vote to impeach. Why should any administration willingly participate in their own lynching?
Make the Democrats weave their own hangman's rope thread by thread.
11
@GWB By not complying they admit guilt.
5
@GWB
Because it's the law. Really simple concept.
9
@GWB "Why should any administration willingly participate in their own lynching?" Because Trump doesn't represent the administration. It may look to you like he does, but clearly he doesn't. And many in his administration are beginning to step away from Trump. Some are even speaking out.
1
Pompeo, Barr, Giuliani, and the rest will only obstruct, ignore and show contempt for the House and any subpoenas. If that is the case, they should simply vote to impeach right away based on those obstructions and contempt of Congress alone. Democrats should bolster their aggressiveness by using the Sargent at Arms to enforce their rules. Indeed, lock 'em up in the dungeons!
The Constitution never took into account a rouge outlaw and his gang of thugs using the executive branch for nefarious purposes and a compliant cabal with minority of national support enabling their rampant unconstitutional law breaking.
Our democracy has been vandalized and crippled by the Republicans - how can a broken hijacked election be the solution for removing an authoritarian that will cheat and never give up power regardless of the outcome? At least an impeachment will clarify the enemy lines and identify the rogue Republicans supporting this dangerous anti-patriotic farce.
Trump has endangered our national security. By hiding all the evidence of criminal activity mixed-in with our nation's vital secrets puts our nation's security in a Catch-22 predicament - Endanger our nation's secrets with a subpoena of the system or data with our nations secrets intermixed with trumpian crimes or safeguard our nation's secrets letting trump off the hook to continue endangering our nation.
When will Republicans realize that this is real life - not a movie where it is OK to root for the bad guy and villain?
32
“The committees are investigating the extent to which President Trump jeopardized national security by...." And the list for the past three years is so long, it would be useless to enumerate every instance.
We just know the damage from watching, hearing, reading, having nightmares about the Trumpet's "Reign of Terror." Sad, sad, and utterly un-American, this Trumpet and his sycophants and foreign cohorts have been..........
Is your flag yet displayed upside down? On mine, I have written, "Save America Reject Trump Protect Equality, Liberty, Justice for All" Do you have the courage and patriotism to do the same?
11
@ultimateliberal
That's a great idea! I was thinking a white Hammer and Sickle with Dollar Signs instead of 50 stars.
John
1
@John Harper The flag you see here has been hanging on my fence sine Dec, 2016. I sewed it to the metal pickets--a tall fence at the rear of my driveway, about 35 ft from the sidewalk.
Hundreds have photographed it over the past 2 3/4 years.
There's a truth train coming down the tracks!
18
@Flaco
There's definitely a truth train coming and so many people are aboard a different train celebrating lies they think are true. They'll surely be in for a great shock when they realize the truth train was on a different track heading in the opposite direction.
The question is, will they be smart enough to disembark before their train enters the half finished tunnel. The warning signs are all there but the idea that they could have been so wrong invokes too much cognitive dissonance to change course at this point.
The saddest part is some know exactly where that train is headed and plan of detaching the caboose at the last second. Encouraging people to board a doomed train and conducting it is so much worse that those with good intentions that have boarded it ignorant of the facts. Step off the train folks, it's not going where you've been told.
2
Mike Pompeo might be announcing his Senate candidacy from Kansas soon. If only he could backdate it to July 24. Or perhaps even a couple of months earlier, before Ambassador Yovanovitch was yanked from Ukraine. Maybe Bill Barr or Rudy know a way.
15
What am I, Fried Liver? Pelosi opens with the perfect gambit.
6
Pelosi was right when she said that Trump would impeach himself. Getting articles of impeachment through the House is more likely every day. Since no one expects the GOP Senate to convict Trump based on those charges, isn't the question what else can or should the House do? Or can the House create the charges, but decide to hold off on sending them to the Senate since we are likely to be in the last weeks of the 2020 election?
The latter choice would leave Trump facing a possible impeachment being carried forward a day after the election -- regardless of whether he won or lost. Or can articles of impeachment from the current House carry over into a new House in 2021? Perhaps taking the Senate back from the GOP is more important than it seemed.
14
We need the senate in 2020 more than anything. Totally agree with your statement.
4
@AliceWren Completely agree. Taking the Senate back would be a huge step in the right direction. Barring that, voting Trump out in 2020 will start us on the track toward recovery. Trump will likely be impeached. He'll also not likely to be convicted. His chances of securing a second term are poor...given his abysmal polling numbers. Once he's out of office, he faces a deluge of charges. NY is ready.
I hope Republicans fight hard enough to take down Biden before Trump is removed from office. Fight hard Republicans! Warren 2020!
2
@Eric . I want Democratic primary voters to decide who will be our candidate. I don't want Republicans to do anything for me except help to impeach trump.
4
That’s a little confusing. If Biden goes down, any Democratic nominee goes with him.
@Eric
I don’t quite get your post, but everyone is assuming Biden gets the nomination. Warren is on the rise.
Republicans who have been happy to use Donald Trump as a pitbull to attack everyone and everything that they believe stand in their way of consolidating and holding on to their political power are on the verge of learning the hard way that pitbull owners often end up being severely injured by their pet.
26
This is really unfair to pit bulls. That are as sweet and loving as any dog breed, Better than many of the small breeds. Yes, there are some owners who mistreat them and they become dangerous, but that is just as true for other dogs as well.
5
@Bill
Yes. Stop giving pit bulls a bad rap!
1
Truth or dare. Tell the truth or dare to go to jail. I should warn the secretary that when it comes to impeachment it's a whole new ball game. Chose wisely.
17
Will he even show up? I am dying to see a cabinet official put behind bars for contempt of congress.
36
The worst thing about this whole matter is trump's utter and complete lack of judgement. Anyone, but particularly him and in his situation, would be absolutely scrupulous at this point about any word or action that got *anywhere* near this whole arena.
Not trump. His cluelessness is terrifying.
26
@ck His 'cluelessness' isn't really clueless. He knows what he wants. Although it makes little sense to most of us, it makes perfect sense to him. This is not a man who has any agenda other than "winning'. And winning for him means high ratings and, most importantly, staying on top. He will fight to the death to preserve his status as a 'winner'.
1
This is a battle for US Democracy Ms. Pelosi
19
“And indeed there will be time
To wonder Do I dare, do I dare...
Do I dare To disturb the universe
In a minute there is time for decisions and revisions
Which a minute will reverse .....
...Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock, aka Nancy Pelosi.
One could quote Hamlet or any number of other literary/ Historic figures.
Democrats - just do it. IMPEACH.
7
@RGB" Let us go then you and I, when the evening is spread out against the sky; like a patient etherized upon a table." Who's 'etherized'? Not Trump. Most of the US public is etherized.
Trump has characterized the whistle-blowers as "traitors" who in the old days would be shot. He is referring to their whistle-blowing of his wrongdoing as if he is the sovereign rather than our country. It is NOT treason to inform on a politician unless he/she is King and we have no Kings or Queens in this country....at least not yet.
33
I think we should all hope and pray Trump and his sycophants at Fox News don’t learn the identity of the whistleblower or this person may have to be treated the same way as someone put in witness protection program.
2
The single thing that shines like a bright sun over everything is that this is a political vendetta against Trump. No matter what you believe to be any other merit, it is blazingly clear that the root impetus and goal is to see Trump go down in a blazing conflagration, and that everything else stems from and is subordinate to this. Like, as I presume, many thousands of others, I will not join this circus. The Democrats have decided that Trump must go, and no matter if the polity be torn apart in the process. This is imprudence on a monumental scale. I cannot imagine I will be able to ever again cast a vote for a Democrat in any circumstances whatsoever.
11
@hmi, on the Democratic side of the fence it is about the rule of law, the Constitution and the office of the President of the United States. The Republican’s are making it political by protecting the current occupant of that office instead of looking at the long term erosion of our Constitution and our form of government.
40
@hmi
Democrats did t put trump in this position not. He did it himself with the help of his gang of shady lawyers.
6
When it comes to abiding by the rule of our nation’s laws and fighting to save democracy, yes, the would-be monarch Trump must go.
4
American politics is riveting. I have long abandoned Australian politics which pales in comparison in terms of gravitas and paradoxically... entertainment. You have so many dignified and sincere politicians but then you have a carnival barker shouting in a room full of distorting mirrors- who just happens to be in charge. Its our Super Bowl today (Australian Rules Football Grand Final) and I am a footy fanatic. But I am not sure I can drag myself away from American politics today in order to watch it.
13
@Bob Guthrie
Watch your footie. We can entertain you tomorrow.
4
@Dunn Arceneaux
Thanks Dunn. I will of course. Why don't you watch it too? It would teach you more about Australia than any book or even visiting here as your average tourist. It really is the culture. I have to thank the preposterous president for luring me in though; due to the act that because of him I have learned an amazing amount about American politics. With any luck he might catch up to me himself, if he starts to pay attention,
1
Pompeo's stated he hadn't read the whistle-blower's complaint. Nice to know that Trump isn't the only powerful Republican who can't or won't read important documents. Any guess as to what Democrats will do when he doesn't appear? Probably question another empty chair, and strengthen the public perception of their inability to act effectively.
10
@Ivzee, they now have the backing of leadership and public opinion in their favor to hold no shows accountable by either fine or jail.
3
Dealing with a coalition of pathological liars determined to stay in power is an uphill battle.
Trump is still supported by powerful people having no qualms about discrediting the press, corrupting or menacing witnesses and spreading twisted facts.
I have no doubt that the justice would eventually prevail but I am afraid that we have to wait SIX YEARS.
3
We are watching history being made. I only hope it ends well, because as history shows it could go very badly for all of us.
Imagine how emboldened the Clown will be if he survives this. We'll have 4 more years of progressively worsening and unlawful behavior, and perhaps even a second impeachment attempt, since the Dems will figure they have nothing to lose, especially if the Republicans lose the Senate.
10
Trump deserved to be in jail many years ago, for many things, but this investigation has no chance of putting him there, or even changing his current "line of work".
I took a bit of time today to look at the web sites of newspapers around the country. Reporting is very different from what we have been seeing on the Times. For the most part, nobody cares; they see this affair as ugly partisan politics, and not as a threat to national security; certainly, that is an enormous reach, as his statements had little real content in them - as usual.
I'm not saying this to support Trump, I'm saying it because I fear the Democratic Party will be out-maneuvered by Trump, and he will win in 2020, just as he beat some immensely more legitimate candidates in the 2016 Republican Party primary, and then went on to beat the heavily supported Hillary Clinton, who knew a thousand times more than he did.
Trump is a threat, but he is not a joke, and should not be treated as such. This time, he has a huge pile of money and real organization behind him; and for those with severe myopia, the aura of being the President.
The Democrats must win 2020 - but they are, tragically, on the wrong path with this investigation, simply because it will not work.
7
@Peter Zenger The impeachment inquiry is about investigating breaking of laws, which Trump has done. Saying the Dems shouldn't impeach because the Senate won't convict is saying that you or I shouldn't report an assault because the perpetrator will get off. And if our country re-elects this clown in 2020, it says more about us as Americans and our values.
Finally, you must not have been around during Watergate. In the beginning it was only the WashPost that was reporting the break-in and ties to Nixon. Most city papers didn't even carry it.
4
@Pete Zenger
Republicans are neglecting their history lessons. And what makes it especially interesting is that most of them were around for two previous impeachment investigations.
At this point, I’m sure the majority of the media and the communities they serve see it exactly the way you describe. And, at the beginning of Watergate, that was the same response.
Nixon had much of what you credit Trump as having, in terms of support and aura. And yes, Nixon did win a second term — even with a cloud of criminality hanging over his head. But that second term didn’t last long.
Even Teflon eventually wears out. And when it does, it’s poisonous.
@Tardisgal
I member Watergate very, very well. First, Nixon was not impeached, he resigned. But more to the point, Nixon lacked broad support becasue he was seen as the loser of the Vietnam War.
When the process was at it's peak, many Europeans were surprised that an American President could have been forced out over something like a coverup - normally they could not be.
Impeachment is a great rarity in American Politics. Indeed, any punishment for wrong doing is a rarity, except at the lowest level - as in "Bridgegate".
At the first sniff of WH balking to compliance with Congressional subpoenas, those of us who seek a full and fair process take to the streets in loud, peaceful protest. Show this Administration our spirit. What the legal system does not impress upon the Administration to yield, let the citizenry impress in numbers. We must do whatever is civilly necessary to obtain the smoking arsenal of documents inside this Administration’s archives. No more silent acquiescence by the majority to the tyranny by the political and ethical minority. Drive, fly, walk, train and bus it to DC, at that first sniff of obstruction get going and get there. Time to storm the barricades to Justice with patriots of goodwill and honesty. Intimidate with numbers, Impress with civility, and Disarm with persistence in a peaceful people’s gathering for Constitutional Law over the Cabal of Crime. Not a single day’s show, but for as long as it takes for a full and total compliance by the Executive Branch to the Constitution. A bloodless revolution to reinstate our Republic of Laws, Democracy, and Freedom from barbaric oligarchy. Make all commerce stop and time standstill in homage to American Honor and The Constitution.
Hope it’s not necessary but if the recent past is indicative, pack your bags. We can bolster the House of Representatives demands with a show of unarmed citizen mobilization. I nominate President Obama to be the organizer who can sound the peaceful, purposeful call for a Citizen gathering.
18
This is why elections matter. Imagine the nightmare scenario if Republicans were the majority in the House. No speaker Pelosi, no committee investigations and accountability.
God bless every one of the Democrats who voted in 2018 to elect a majority in one half of one third of the Government.
Thank you for giving us this final chance to save our country from this tinhorn despot and his sycophants.
48
Most won't support this but, we need to see the translator's notes of his talks with Putin,and either transcripts or the actual tapes of his phone calls with Putin. This Ukraine affair is not an aberration,it is just standard operating procedure for this White House. What got no mention was his side remarks to Zelensky: "I think you and President Putin can work something out." We need to see all of the re-classified transcripts.
27
Poor reporting. Not only does the actual letter, which I read, explain that they have failed to comply previously TWICE in other cases, a salient detail, but also it is quite obvious that there will be no compliance. They will ask themselves, “what’s the worst that can happen both to us and to Trump if we don’t comply?” If you reading this, and you say, “oh, impeachment can happen”. Wake up. They don’t care — they would rather hide the crime and let Trump get impeached, take marching orders, than reveal actual crimes. It’s sad and scary. The ability to refuse a subpoena is strange and ought to be punishable both by jail and fine. Why not! It is breaking the law! Teethless. But our system did not empower enforcement of subpoenas apparently with dire enough or any consequences. They have been ignoring and stonewalling for years — what can Congress do? Apparently according to US law, nothing. What is even the point of a subpoena if it can’t be enforced? Am I missing something? Because they ain’t being enforced and it seems like there is no recourse according to the Constitution, whether to SCOTUS or jail or anything. What. Is. The. Point. Teethless founding documents.
3
I'm convinced there are two opposing "outside forces" determining peoples political opinions. How many people are actually able to recognize their own bias when reviewing information? To be so steadfastly convinced about ones beliefs that you intentionally or unknowingly dismiss any contrary evidence is difficult to comprehend.
It is a fascinating fact that there are a whole bunch of people convinced they are fighting for truth and at least half of them are totally misguided. There are only a handful of possibilities at this point.
Trump is a criminal along with many republican politicians and the democrats are the only sane and rational people left trying to save the country.
The democratic politicians are corrupt and Trump is fighting to bring them to justice and is therefore being slandered and falsely investigated to prevent him from exposing their crimes.
Many politicians from both sides are corrupt and or controlled by a shadow government and Trump is fighting to expose all corruption and is being attacked for doing so.
Many politicians from both sides are corrupt, the deep state controls everything and Trump is part of this corruption as well. We are watching one big scripted stage show to keep everyone fighting each other so these criminals can continue their crime and corruption without fear of punishment.
One of those possibility's is the likely pretty close to the actual truth. I'm not sure which one, yet everyone else is convinced they know. Do you?
2
@RSB
You forgot one possible scenario. The Deep State is actually a nefarious phantom organization that doesn’t exist, so no one is under its control. There are noble and corrupt people on both sides of the aisle. And Trump cares for none of them. He’s been able to convince the Republicans, to whom he hitched his wagon, that they will lose without him because he’s always been great at marketing. However, marketing only goes so far. It’s time to find out exactly what he’s been doing.
@RSB
From outside the entire bubble it looks like you are indulging in both-sides-ism. Just as an analogy for descriptive purposes only: sometimes one side is flagrantly at fault, for example Pol Pot. You are assuming there must be two sides to every story. It's like trying to be fair to Pol Pot. Yeah of course Pol Pot had his point of view. Both side-ism has infected the American politic. For instance when you speak of bias I am indeed biased -whatever that means- against Bill Cosby. I am biased against Charles Manson, OJ Simpson and Pol Pot. I am biased against Osama bin Laden. When a reasonable decision has been made, the question of bias is irrelevant. There never is any pure state of impartiality... and never will be. I am very biased against Trump- but that was only after he insisted on behaving in a certain egregious way. Non bias is unattainable so why use the word?
If only one could paper our way with various writs and words into policymakers BEing law abiding, personally accountable people for their words and deeds; implications and outcomes.
If anybody read Woodward's Final day book, You will know that defeat was not happened in Nixon mind.
When Republican party decided and reached out to Gerald Ford, then feedback given very carefully to white house and everybody knew then almost month ago Nixon was finished, while Nixon was still thinking to dig deep and fight.
If you are looking for signal , watch carefully Mitch, and Pence. You will discern when Trump finished.
Do not forget before Watergate heated up, Nixon has high approval rate in the public polls which Trump hasn't.
Of course there are differences but final decision doesn't come from Trump or Democrats, it will decided by Mitch.
9
So far the only truth has come from the whistleblower.
The latest truth is that the documents were moved to a higher than top secret classification server. Why?
But the person who needs to testify is Bolton as he was National Security Advisor.
So who ordered the documents moved and/or did Bolton know they were being moved?
If Trump's lawyers ordered them moved without Bolton's knowledge that seems truly inappropriate.
13
@Martin
Inappropriate is the way how Trump do business. I don't see any problem.
When will the Dems request the release of the verbatim transcript of Trump's now infamous phone call? They have already admitted that it exists and was placed into a top secret electronic file. This word for word transcript that alarmed Trump's people cannot be held back based on executive privilege because the reconstructed version has been made public. I'm sure the House committees would love to see just how "perfect" it is.
7
The readers should know Pompeo is a West Point graduate. He is bound by the honor code of the Academy for life.
The West Point honor code states in total: "I will not lie cheat or steal or tolerate those among us who do."
This code has been the backbone of dedication to truth and honor for over 200 years.
If anyone on the committee who will speak to Pompeo MUST remind him of the solemn oath..and to include the normal swearing in metric.
18
@RH
He was bound by a code of honor until he latched on to trump. All that is out the window.
2
If that meant anything to him, it would have meant something to him a year ago.
4
In 1973 and 1974, I watched the Watergate hearings on TV. I was 19-20 years old.
I got my news from the same sources as everyone else in America.
One of the three networks.
Opinions were formed after hearing largely the same news and the same analysis.
People differed of course but we all saw mostly the same coverage.
It was an easy to understand transgression.
The Republican president was OK with his people breaking into Democratic offices to gain advantage in an upcoming election.
Easy crime to comprehend.
Same coverage of the crime.
Trump's crime is easy to understand.
That's good.
But, news is ala carte now.
Diffuse, made to order, and made to please.
A tower of babble for many.
The Democrats better understand this.
They better come up with a message that is bumper sticker succinct.
And, they better say it around the clock.
Trump used our military aid, our tax dollars, to force another country to smear his rival.
Our money to buy Trump a smear.
Our taxes for Trump's benefit.
Forcing me to finance his dirty campaign.
Donald Trump forced the taxpayers to help extort campaign help from Ukraine.
Keep it simple.
49
Yes, messaging is critical. Short, conscise, succinct rationale for impeachment. Repeated frequently.
4
@Paul King
Also would be nice if the media stopped making it harder to see what's going on:
1. The Trump-Zelensky exchange was not a "quid pro quo" (you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours); it was *extortion* (you scratch my back, I'll take the knife out of yours).
2. He did not pressure them to "investigate" (look for dirt on) Biden; he pressured them to *target* (manufacture dirt on) Biden.
3. And for heaven's sake it was not a "transcript" (verbatim transcription); it was notes, by definition incomplete.
Too late now, on all three counts. Just as with "her emails," the "liberal" media does the Repubs' dirty work for them.
1
@Paul King
Violent agreement here. Simple, clean, repeat.
1
Yes, let's get on with it. As timely as we can. And then move to repair the damage done. Address@ Guns, Climate, Health Care, Infrastructure, Capitalism, etc.........Stonewall McConnell
is still in the way though.....
9
Of course, Pompeo and many of the Senate Republicans say have not read the complete whistleblower complaint. What have they been doing? The entire country is enthralled with this report and these people who are both directly effected, and have the responsibility to oversee the issues addressed haven’t taken the time to read the complaint. While I understand this is a delaying tactic, if they have not read it it is malfeasance and indicative of their failure to represent the American people. If they indeed have read it, and deny it then it is just plain lying.
10
Given the back breaking work our President has put in for our country since day 1, for close to 3 years now of ceaseless slogging, this might just be an opportune time for him to step back a bit, and maybe even, you know, spend more time with his family. OTOH, one suspects that his family might not quite be up to reciprocating the feeling at this time, so, sorry Mr.President, the country still needs you as badly as it ever did, and God willing, can have you at the helm for 4 more years as well.
2
The Democrats will avail themselves of a Pyrrhic victory as the impeachment in the House dies in the Senate. All of this nonsensical chatter about Donald Trump being hauled off to jail in leg irons and handcuffs is nothing but a fantasy. He will complete his term in office and has now been given a better than 50/50 chance of winning the 2020 election as he builds his election coffers. The impeachment inquiry will keep Joe Biden’s name on the front page for all the wrong reasons. So the one candidate who had the strongest possibility to win the critical purple states will be deep-sixed. I’m afraid the Democrats have finally over-played their hand.
8
@Jake: It’s Trump who overplayed his hand. If not for the whistle blower, he’d have played the “surprise” of Joe Biden’s “crookedness” just before the elections. Now that will be seen as it is: A smear campaign. Won’t sway the Trump supporters, but won’t mislead Democratic voters either the way it might have without Trump’s illegal actions coming out in the open.
4
Rats don’t abandon the ship until the last possible minute. Once the Don is definitely heading down, I think we’ll see a lot of defections.
15
A good indicator of Republican sentiment should be coming up shortly. The house and senate just passed another bill to override Trump's emergency declaration at the border. If he vetoes it as expected and the senate votes to override the veto, they'll be sending Trump a message that they've had enough.
10
Speaker Pelosi is my hero !
61
Add Ben Carson to the list for increasing homelessness.
7
@Alicia
Being asleep half the time on the job is miles better than actively working with subprime lenders to sell the homes of underwater first time home buyers who had received government loans.
3
I don't know where all this will lead, but I do know that Times reporters are very excited about using the word "tranche." I've seen it more in the last 48 hours than I've ever seen it in my life (To be clear, I've seen it exactly zero times before now). Why the fancy, Frenchy word when a simple, non-jargony one will do just fine? Stanch the use of tranche; it should make your copy editor blanch. (But keep up the good work.)
24
A bit of sunshine can’t hurt, must have been dark and damp under that rock where you’ve presumably been for all this while. Tranche. Tranche. Tranche. HTH
5
If you had read any article on the housing market collapse of 2008 you would have seen that word splattered all over the pages. No biggie, don’t let a few words throw you off, listen instead to the music... sounds like Beethoven’s 9th as Trump’s dumpster fire burns.
6
They have the best words. Why not use them?
6
What could be more important to the majority of lower and middle class Americans than a rogue, loose cannon POTUS the past 3 years?
Obviously Congress isn't worried as they take another 2 week "recess".
Americans seem numb to the daily egregious illegal actions of the POTUS and all around him.
I want law and order in Washington. Too much to ask?
17
@Hal
Jobs, healthcare, education, cost of living are rightfully more important to people than political games. Who's in the WH has zero impact on their ability to pay bills, afford healthcare and get an affordable education.
Good for you, if you're financially comfortable enough that your biggest problem is "law and order in Washington".
Anyone could have seen that they planned on impeachment from day 1 and were just looking for reasons.
The fact is that surveys indicate FEWER people support impeachment now than ever before.
Since Trump loves a good fight, this will successfully take away all the oxygen from the Democratic candidates who are trying to keep their eye on the ball.
So congratulations on a feel good circus that resonates with nobody except the people who stand to make money off of it.
3
Better read the CURRENT polls on voter support for impeachment.
3
@RU Confused
Per Politico/Morning Consult and 538, the vast majority of people "don't support" or "don't know". It's been that way since inauguration.
For something that should be a slam dunk obvious thing, it's only registered Democrat voters who think so. Most voters are independent.
2
Trump is the goat tethered to the pole. The hunters await the tiger and that is one “Sleepy Joe.” If the goat is eaten in the process the hunters could care less. The tiger is the target.
4
All of the President’s subpoenaed inner circle must be aware that, when the —— hits the fan, those around the President take the fall. The President will abandon, discredit, forget, those in his circle who get caught doing his dirty work.
29
Only one person made the call and spoke the words, and that person has admitted to making the call. No one else can be tagged with that, except Tang Face.
7
Not after they are held in contempt, put them in handcuffs and leg-irons.
13
The only casualty in this will be Democrats. They have been trying to nail him since before he was elected and have gotten nowhere. What makes anyone think it will be easy? He coughed up the transcript way too fast for this to have caught him flat footed. Say what you want. Trump is not stupid and he is a street fighter. He’s got a bat and he is swinging for the fence. This is not going to end the way Democrats want.
12
Let me remind you that what the transcript notes already contain prove treason. Next they are going to prove the cover up. Even if Trump is not removed from office, this needs to be done. Trump thinks he can operate outside the law. If the Dems did nothing it would set a horrible precident that would allow future presidents, Democrat and Republican, to operate the same way. Time to put the brakes on.
10
@JoeBobFrank
"Trump is not stupid and he is a street fighter."
You left out the word criminal. In fact all Trump die-hards leave that word out even though he has been found guilty of crimes his entire life.
10
@JoeBobFrank He probably produced the memo (not a transcript) so quickly because he's too corrupt to even know that what it contains actually proves exactly what the whistleblower has alleged. And this memo is the "best case scenario" that his goons could come up with. Wonder what else is hiding in that bog.
6
My I ask Mike Pompeo if he recalls "DUTY, HONOR , COUNTRY" when he attended West Point? Sorry Pompeo you certainly aren't a poster boy for The Corps!
27
@not an aikenite
retired federal attorney F/70
With all of these participants, await their opportunity to move from the Man's required "loyalty" always all ways to corroborating facts that the lawyers need to have corroborated to establish the Man's crimes.
Hide and watch your West Point colleague? He will assist in the take-down or he will go down just as surely as Nixon's Lts went down, including jail time.
3
I hope he says no. Then I hope he gets perp walked to a jail cell
22
Hit this crumbling shambles of a decrepit presidency with a jackhammer, and if any of these crooks manage to last until the election, where they will surely be drummed from office and return to private life, use the full investigative and prosecutorial power of the state to hammer them back to the stone age. Liquidate the Trump organization, and throw the entire clan into the clinker.
53
Well written, spot on !
3
I wonder what our government will be like when the Trump Cartel with all it's enablers and those who are complicit are impeached, indicted, and resignations are in? Will Trump be allowed to just walk away and continue barking/tweeting his misery and plotting his revenge on those who exposed his crimes? Will he slink off to Russia and plot against America because they didn't appreciate how 'great' a president he was? My guess is, he will not go quietly and his Trumpateers will be nastier than ever to those who they hate. They truly don't care that Trump has committed crimes.
16
@Gina That is why at the end of this road Trump must be in the slammer for life. No internet access, no Fox News.
5
Doesn't Pompeo have to get Giuliana's permission?
10
If they refuse to honor the subpoenas, then go ahead and impeach him.
15
@marig
And hold in contempt all of these grifters, underlings, opportunists, and enablers, who ignore the subpoenas.
1
A good beginning. Now, hit these criminals and traitors ( and many of them are criminals and traitors) with a blizzard of subpoenas. Keep Trump and his cadre off balance with legal moves. Subpoena Giuliani and Barr.
Take to the MSM...demand to appear on FOX . They will claim it’s an assault on the presidency and on Trump. But, it’s really an assault on those who,would assault our rule of law.
22
Giuliani recently bragged the State Department asked him to pursue the Ukraine matter. And next thing Secretary of State Pompeo gets subpoenas. Giuliani, the gift that keeps on giving.
38
So sad that formerly respected Republicans like Pompeo, Barr and Giuliani are now tainted by Trump. Trump ruins everything he touches.
12
Sorry but these are grown men who knew what Trump is and went in with their eyes wide open. Respectable people don’t suddenly become liars and cheats because of somebody else. They choose to become so
10
We need to know every dirty little detail even if it takes months and months of digging subpoena after subpoena, witness after witness we must be methodical and unravel the depth of this cancerous perversion on the
American way .
22
Even a common peasant like me who can’t name more than 5 senators knows that this administration’s tactic with subpoenas is to ignore and to “wait out the clock”. Imagine that for you a and me, ignoring a subpoena.
23
Finally! Your action restore hope in this reader, and a batalon of others
12
Twitter is saying Barr has secretly been out of the country, to Italy, for two days without any public announcement of the trip. Maybe he's heading for the hills.
15
Taking a hike in the Appalachian Trail itself should be good at this time of the year, no?
2
@Mary
Rumors have it that Barr is incognito, last seen somewhere in the remote outskirts of Padua, and is now known only as, il truffatore.
1
America, never forget that when the Republican president was caught attempting to manipulate and extort the Ukrainian president the so-called-Law-and-order Republicans continued to support and enable the lawless Republican president!
Subpoena the witnesses, Rep. Adam Schmidt and Rep. Jerry Nadler, and hold them in contempt, jailing them if necessary.
NO ONE is above the law, not even the Republican president!
23
President Donald Trump has lied all his life to get where he is now & may go to any extent to stay in Presidential power. His White House is full of persons, who can speak up but won't because they know Trump has already framed few persons & saw them in prison.
11
THAT'S the spirit Democrats! Time to start fighting for a change!
28
We have a right to know what Pompeo has to say under Oath.
15
The irony of this happening the day Stormy Daniel's gets PAID because Trump supporters abused their power in support of him is so beautiful I can barely stand it! I can't stop grinning.
15
hear bells tolling... tempus fugit. This is such a sad time for our country.
3
With subpoenas again now flying fast and furious, maybe try for the Trump tax returns again and maybe snag some part of them.
13
Please subpoena the audio recording of Trump's conversation with the Ukrainian president.
No telling what was left out of the "partial" "reconstructed" transcript provided by the Trump administration.
There should be a full audio recording.
18
All on hearsay evidence? I don't think so.
7
@batazoid Hmm. I believe I heard something to the effect that a certain inspector general validated the whistleblowers concerns.
Not quite hearsay now, is it?
8
No, you didn't actually hear that. what you heard was that the IG found the letter credible. that doesn't make it something other than hearsay.
3
In the end, Nixon was all alone.
All his supporters were gone.
Eventually all trump’s rats will jump ship.
Here’s hoping that after a lifetime of privilege and corruption, trump gets what he deserves.
29
BOOM! So goes the end of Mr Ego's presidency. From the White House to the Big House. It is about time.
22
Premature giddiness is to be avoided
The Democrats are going to bury Biden.
The Americans are going to find Trump more odious.
The public will consider whether we should have an odious Trump or a woman who jiggered her ethnicity to game an identity-obsessed culture.
Trump will be the lesser of two evils, reelected in 2020.
And the nation will avoid its flirtation with Socialism.
For now.
If Trump goes down, the Congress will flip Republican.
Either way, the Left loses.
Thank goodness.
Freedom, in all its inadequate forms, is better than elite rule.
I can cite 100 million reasons why and how wrong.
Relax.
Breathe.
Namaste.
11
@Stuart
Look If Biden loose the Presidential race , that is the price to pay for Democrats.
This is for America. I am democrat and expecting sacrifice.
3
@Stuart. Trump isn’t going to last until 2020. He will either be in a clinic withdrawing from whatever he is on that makes him so crazy, in a memory care unit somewhere, or in prison. I am very relaxed. Funny somebody from Boston spouting Namaste is worried about elite rule and people who “ jigger their identity.”
1
Luckily Trump has millions of $ ready to begin a propaganda blitz to try to make this go away..
In this political climate, Republicans will mostly be too afraid to look at the truth of the situation, and have tried to convince people that this is an 'attack' by 'them' (left wing liberals, socialists, what have you).
Not too different from what is going on in Egypt, protesting a corrupt leader, except protesters there risk much much more in prison.
1
The snake was coiled, and ready to strike.
4
My Question is why give Pompeo, a week to produce the documents. Does Pompeo have a golf date with Trump this weekend? Why can't he work over the weekend and give up the documents on Monday? It is time for the Democrats to grow a backbone and quite kowtowing to the much more aggressive Republicans.
20
Boy, I sure miss the humor and clarity of Dr. Larry Eisenberg and his limericks. He would be having a field day right now if he were still with us.
Miss you sir and think of you often and fondly.
17
Pompeo is as loyal to Tramp as anyone. I cannot see him complying. It'll be a resumption of shouting "witch hunt," and then stonewalling or obfuscating, and hoping for boredom, lack of attention.
8
Please, please, lawmakers, take the whistleblowers example. Stop with the monologing and grandstanding. Dial down the outrage and ask direct questions. The outrage just plays into the hands of this administration- please.
14
Well, Trump shows that he's learned nothing from this.
Incredibly, he's talking with the NRA to assist him financially in his 'defense.' LaPierre is saying "Sure...if you take gun control off the table.'
Just more 'dealmaking.' How much you want to bet nothing will happen on gun control? (Not that I expected anything anyway.)
The Dems need to step up with a baseball bat.
18
Trump and his Republican co-conspirators have no place to hide thanks to their up front criminality and the ever spewing mouth of Giuliani and Trump himself. Giuliani is, I suspect, the ultimate key to unlocking this whole mess ... put him up on the stage under oath and he will confirm the whole bloody conspiracy, even if doesn't mean to. It is already way too late for him to find a back door.
Giuliani will claim attorney-client privilege but what he has done for Trump is now a national security matter --- there is no place to hide. If he claims executive privilege as instructed by Trump, then it ALL rests in the lap of Trump himself, outside of any government function. Under such conditions, impeachment is the only rational and appropriate path.
7
Great!!!
He should come in and tell them that they were investigating Joe Biden for corruption, lay down what he knows about it.
This way Congress, and us, can have perspective.
That way we all can know what corruption Joe Biden was involved in that warranted the POTUS to get involved.
Let’s have it.
1
@AutumnLeaf Wishful thinking. The Hunter Biden investigation was dropped by Shokin long before Joe Biden and others, as part of an international coalition, called for Shokin's dismissal. This is another false equivalence deflecting from Trump's clear criminality.
9
The 'Ukraine shake-down' -finally - the conversation is short enough for attention-deficit US citizens of any age to read, and unless you're too deep into Trumptydumpty to acknowledge reality, it is clearly illegal and immoral.
10
The Defense Dept. announced on June 18th that it would be sending $250 million dollars of " security cooperation funds" to Ukraine. President Trump told Mick Mulvaney, to hold back almost $400 million in military aid for Ukraine at least a week prior to Trump's July 25th call to the Ukrainian President. The Whistle-blower complaint was filed on August 12th and apparently the White House became aware of it shortly thereafter. Under pressure from Senate Democrats, the aid to Ukraine was finally released by the White House on September 11th.
One would presume that a competent Ukrainian government, upon the DOD's June 18th announcement would have begun making preparations for the receipt of the aid and plans for its use. At some point before the aid's release in mid-September, Ukraine must have made some inquiries to the US regarding when the held-up aid would be provided. At that point, the Trump Administration's response may well have finally made crystal clear the quid pro quo expected from Ukraine. Hopefully, subpoenas will be directed to finding exactly what those communications reveal.
5
@Think
//“Unfortunately, from the first meeting with the U.S. ambassador in Kiev, [Yovanovitch] gave me a list of people whom we should not prosecute,” Lutsenko, who took his post in 2016, told Hill.TV last week.//
//“At that time we had a case for the embezzlement of the U.S. government technical assistance worth 4 million U.S. dollars, and in that regard, we had this dialogue,” he said. "At that time, [Yovanovitch] thought that our interviews of Ukrainian citizens, of Ukrainian civil servants, who were frequent visitors of the U.S. Embassy put a shadow on that anti-corruption policy."//
//“Actually, we got the letter from the U.S. Embassy, from the ambassador, that the money that we are speaking about [was] under full control of the U.S. Embassy, and that the U.S. Embassy did not require our legal assessment of these facts," he said. "The situation was actually rather strange because the funds we are talking about were designated for the prosecutor general's office also and we told [them] we have never seen those, and the U.S. Embassy replied there was no problem."
“The portion of the funds namely 4.4 million U.S. dollars were designated and were foreseen for the recipient Prosecutor General's office. But we have never received it,” he said.//
https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/434875-top-ukrainian-justice-official-says-us-ambassador-gave-him-a-do-not-prosecute
1
A formal impeachment inquiry will be hard and risky. Doing the right thing often is. The only thing worse than conducting a formal impeachment inquiry is not conducting one. What are we supposed to do? Let Trump subvert the 2020 election? Yep: they're going to lie, prevaricate, deflect, obstruct justice, ignore subpoenas, cover up, you name it. Cause that's what they do. Trump is a criminal and this administration is a criminal conspiracy. More than 40 Nixon confederates, lawyers among them, spent time in a federal prison. The Trump White House is worse.
15
Trump will be impeached by the House but acquitted in the Republican-led Senate unless something even bigger than Ukraine comes out in the months ahead. Only then will Senators with even a modicum of a conscience vote to convict.
6
I'm guessing the lights will be burning late at the State Dept. & the White House this weekend - it's not easy to construct an alternate reality, complete with redacted paper trail, in only one weekend!!
6
I’ll tell you what’s likely to happen as a result of this ‘inquiry’:
Nothing.
Except that maybe AG Barr will now fast track his case against the RussiaGate operatives who were actively aligned with the former Clinton campaign. Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to get bumpy.
9
Until now, I was not in favor of impeachment inquiry. After reading the WB complaint, I'm on board.
I hope the House maintains a narrow focus on Ukraine and any possible (probably imho) quid pro quo.
11
My thoughts and prayers are with the heroic whistleblower for single handedly saving the republic.
19
Hail all Trump supporter/enablers: You should not criticize Democrats for having to deal with the fallout of your 2016 error in judgment. You bought into Trump w/o considering his incredible unfitness for high office. The presidency is not a place for amateurs, and not a place for people with weak moral instincts.
17
Speaker Pelosi, Committee Chair Schiff and other leaders of the Democratic caucus should henceforth politely decline from appearing on televised news media shows to avoid what is now happening and what will continue to occur: speaking off the cuff, adlib interpretations of evidence in the formal impeachment inquiry, participating with news show hosts in jokes and laughter. This is serious business! You will inevitably make a mistake (a flub) and pay for it later.
5
During the Watergate Hearings Americans and people around the world witnessed the defensive body language, sickly pallor and darting eyes of a guilty consciences take the witness stand week after week. The difference this time, so many of the witnesses claim to be born again already; where will they look for forgiveness and personal redemption when their holier than thou hypocrisy is so plainly on view for all to see?
6
Next up should be Barr. He clearly has not acted as an independent attorney general. He has been only a Trump lackey. Then they need to subpoena Giuliani and learn why the president's lawyer is involved in international politics. Of course, we know the answer, but it has to be confirmed. Anyone who does not immediately respond must be held in contempt of Congress with penalties that have real teeth.
13
Pence's role in this must also be investigated. He must not be allowed to just slip under the radar again as he was in the Mueller probe.
15
OK this is a start. However, what is going to happen when Pompeo and the others come before Congress and claim Executive Privilege? You know this will happen. The Democrats will whine, cry, and tear their clothing and put on sack-cloth and ashes. They will make a great show of it. We have seen this before.
3
I am shocked that the Biden piece of the puzzle is being ignored. They need to show Biden and his lovely so do not give the Pres an out - as Giuliani persuasively argues they do. Because if you don’t have a clearcut case for a large part of the electorate it’s just nit gonna work. Subpoena Biden and his lovely son to show it’s evenhanded and complete. And Biden and boy need to be WAY out there showing what was and was NOT up. Otherwise you are NOT gonna get to or over50% on this issue which is crucial. Ok??
3
Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch is career foreign service. Are Ambassador Kurt Volker; George Kent; T. Ulrich Brechbuhl; and Gordon Sondland also career diplomats, Or are any or all of them political appointees? Needless to say, this is a pretty important distinction.
4
Will the Democrats subpoena the Bidens to produce any documents that they have showing that Hunter Biden worked for a Ukrainian company and received $50,000 per month. What was his involvement with this company? What did Joe Biden do to influence the investigation into the company? The Republicans should demand they present documentation to Congress. Tit for tat.
5
@KMW The Hunter Biden investigation was dropped by Shokin long before Joe Biden and others, as part of an international coalition, called for Shokin's dismissal. This is another false equivalence deflecting from Trump's clear criminality. It won't work this time.
7
This has already been investigated.
Fox, Trump, the NRA all make you think the opposite. Wake up. Keep an open mind. Listen to what Giuliani clearly said on TV last week and the intelligence head said yesterday. It’s unprecedented. The President, a natural liar is on record asking a foreign leader for help investigating an opponent claiming his son did something improper 4 years ago. Forget the quid pro quo. The request is a high crime and beyond a misdemeanor.
5
@KMW That has been investigated multiple times and by Republicans. Nothing came of it. It was a ruse to cast aspersions on Biden. Try to keep up. Trump keeps bringing up the same talking points. Try to be smarter than Trump. It's easy if you try.
5
Congress should compile and publish a list of individuals who, if pardoned by Trump, would have such a pardon contested because it would fit in the category in our Constitution "except in cases of impeachment".
This list should include Trump's family, current and former personal attorney's, current and former members of his cabinet and their staffs, current and former west wing staff members, and any other individual with any knowledge of incriminating information, documents, and emails in
Trump's impeachment.
Impeachment is starting to look real. Republicans will be wiped out in 2020 if they don't vote to impeach and remove Trump.
Many of Trump's people will either flip, go to jail, or both.
Whoever flip's first will get the most lenient treatment.
Trump's not worth going to jail, or sacrificing your political career.
Don't be conned by Trump.
Do the right thing.
Time's running out.
3
The headline of this NY Times article is "House Democrats Issue First Subpoena in Impeachment Inquiry".
This is factually incorrect because it was not "democrats" who issued the subpoena, it was the chairmen of three prestigious house committees, who are also democrats. The headline portrays the event as a pure partisan play rather than an action by our elected representatives to defend and protect the rule of law. It also plays right into Trump's desire for confrontation.
Please think about the implications of what you are writing.
The title should have been:
The subpoenas were issued by the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; the chairman of the Intelligence Committee; and the chairman of the Oversight and Reform Committee.
5
Impeachment is not exclusively applicable to the president.
It applies to many different office holders; e.g., the Attorney General, Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, the Vice President. Just a few examples...just sayin
9
Well done! Please keep up the pressure.
May I also suggest
* 24 hour turnaround for documents. In this day and age, anything more is unnecessary. Its not like this is a request for documents from 20 years ago or someone needs to Google a transcript of a conversation.
* With the exception of whatever is sensitive/classified information, make every single one of these documents public.
* Rent a block of rooms at a nearby hotel/facility. Every single person in the administration who cannot show up or answer a question without hemming and hawing about privilege, or some other obfuscation deserves a week of "inherent contempt" in the facility. (This is a serious suggestion, I'm not trying to be facetious)
* Have a press briefing every other day with full access to reporters and questions. If you find there are no worms under a rock, say so. If you find the place needs an exterminator, so be it. The truth is liberating as they say.
* Consider having Mr. Berke or someone like him ask questions at the end of the usual 5 minute see-saw. Alternatively, change the format to be purely questions only - no need for excessive preaching by anyone.
Set yourself a standard. At the end of the day, just set an example for how the truth is ferreted out from the thugs who claim to be representing the people. Anyone who cares about the soul of our nation should not have a second thought when it comes to respecting the rule of law, and putting nation before party after this inquiry.
7
@SB Many years ago I received an encrypted email from our in-house corporate legal counsel instructing be to preserve all documents pertaining to actions that was the center of a whistleblower allegation and investigation on a government contract.
So, having worked for the federal government in a capacity that required the retention of records on a local level then forwarded to the archives, and the requirement was enshrined in statute, will the minions in the Trump misadministration perform the same-retention of government records, or, do a Nixon and North?
3
It is illogical not to impeach and expel Trump from the presidency, who committed treason by allying twice with two different countries to win the presidency. Frankly, that is a mockery for the country and for its citizens that foreign governments are allowed to elect the president of the United States. ¿What's next if he continues on the presidency, a foreign country will be allowed to get appropriate of the United States?
7
Launching an impeachment inquiry, grilling Acting-DNI Maguire, subpoenaing Pompeo among others (with direct knowledge of Trump's attempted extortion of President Zelensky), are just the beginning. These moves indicate that with Speaker Pelosi onboard, Democrats will no longer tolerate the smug conceit and stonewalling of the Trump Administration. Their teeth are bared, their jaws set.
Republicans in Congress can attempt to mislead the public, but you can already sense their frustration and fear, knowing that they are sacrificing what remains of their damaged reputations, gradually losing the fight to protect what is becoming more clear with each passing day - there is a crook in the Oval Office. They have to be asking themselves, is protecting a crook worth their souls?
The cracks in defiance will first come in the ranks of the appointees, the army of acting officials who pollute the administration and in patriotic career civil servants who have previously been afraid to come forward. None of these people will want to face prison time to protect a crook.
And is prison time a realistic threat for the Lewandowskis, the Millers and other sycophants in this administration who have shown such scorn for decorum and disregard for law and order? Well that will be the litmus test for this brave new world of Democrats. But it looks like they mean it and woe to he who is willing to test their commitment.
6
If it all drags till November 2020, and the Democrats lose, and lose much worse than in 2016,
then as an Obama voter turned Trump voter in PA, I'd say it's well worth it.
7
@novoad
I appreciate your honesty in saying so. Could you please tell us
* Is there a specific policy of Trump's that has been specifically good for you?
* Is there something about the Democrats' policies that is particularly harmful for you?
The question is purely about policy, not any specific person.
Thank you.
7
@novoad Four more years of self-aggrandizement, ego building, profiting from the taxpayer, expensive golf, and, last but not least, traitorous activities?
You would welcome more of the same?
5
@SB I am a physicist, QFT. I check the data as a profession. The current warming started around 1700, then the glaciers started to melt, seas to rise at the same 3mm/yr as now, etc. so it couldn't have been caused by the big emissions 350 years later.
I don't like data scams, so I appreciated getting out of the Paris Treaty.
The Democratic Green New Deal is an economic catastrophe bigger than anything imaginable. None of the Democratic candidates who speak about rising seas, for instance, has ever dared or will ever dare to check the simple data from a floater at The Battery in NYC.
https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/sltrends/sltrends_station.shtml?id=8518750
There is nothing historically unusual about climate whatsoever. The current warming speed, 1C/century, is the most common rate up and down on record, in the last 11,500 years. I had a dozen colleagues check the climate data, and I think all of them switched.
If a politician thinks that the goal justifies the means on climate, they will do the same for everything. Such as the illogical idea that Trump colluded with Putin.
Certainly the great economy defying all precedents is good for me and for my graduating students. It is based on energy independence.
I also don't like capitulating to the Chinese and allowing them to take away all our intellectual property.
NYT columnists criticizing the tariffs would not mind working for a NYT owned by the Chinese communist party (this is the kind of ownership they are after.)
1
I don't get it. Who needs subpoena's?
Trump admitted he asked the president of the Ukraine to investigate his political opponent. That's simply an abuse of power.
If Biden had stolen a loaf of bread, and only Trump knew about it, he should inform the FBI. The FBI could then ask for witnesses. Trump could help facilitate that. But you don't ask a foreign head of state to investigate a political opponent.
Obviously.
Further, Trump said that it was a condition to get the Javelin missiles, thus being a quid pro quo (there were actually three conditions, one was to investigate "Crowdstrike", the other to get rid of unnamed people in his office, and the last to investigate Biden for shutting down "the investigation").
4
Most of the hearings the House conducts don't work well for Democrats. If these,hearings don't yield new information, impeachment may be a career buster for purple Dems.
4
In attempting to defend Biden, it must be said that the Ukraine was just small time.
Just a few million bucks for kiddo.
Now if you want to talk about the $1.5 billion from the BOC to kiddo, or even the $1.5 billion Joe’s brother’s construction company got, well now we’re talking.
Joe’s brother, who had no experience in construction, was made EVP of a construction company right after Joe was made responsible for the rebuilding of Iraq. They got a $1.5 billion contract to build houses in Iraq, which of course they had never done before.
The insurmountable problem Democrats have is that investigating a demonstrably criminal individual is not just ok, but expected.
1
@Ken Investigated and debunked.
You need a better source of information that what Trump feeds.
6
@Dan
It was reported by the.NYT.
How could it not be true?
1
The Press, Adam Schiff, Nancy Pelosi and, most specially, the Wistleblower are truly American Patriots. Thanks for all your efforts to uncover the truth.
11
Good! They need to get everyone involved under oath, including the President. If they force Trump to testify under oath, that dude is going to plead the 5th so fast it’ll make the speed of light seem slow by comparison.
7
Mueller issued plenty of subpoena's and compelled plenty of witnesses to testify. You can't find something that isn't there but you can spend a lot of time and energy looking for it if you are intent on doing so. Voters are watching and the ones who aren't cheering you on are seething. Disregard them if you want, pretend they don't exist if that's what allows you to make it through the next day but do prepare to hear their voices in November of 2020.
1
It is in the nature of psychopaths to force one to respond from a defensive, deeply uncomfortable or even disadvantageous position.
In the end, these institutions are made up of individuals. It will help to have someone on hand to advise how to deal with this specific type of mental illness, as if one has not been in the crosshairs of a one such as this before, it is almost impossible to know how to fight effectively, as their brains function in such a way as to anticipate their moves. I have to have faith that there are enough smart, determined legal minds to fight this fight on all the world’s behalf. But, even the best written laws, without those to wield them with integrity and good faith, will be of little use in the end.
4
Pompeo, a good start.
Now, subpoena Barr, Giuliani, Dan Coats and John Bolton; and watch how quickly a bunch of powerful people will spill information and throw each other under the bus.
Each of these people will attempt to cast themselves as independent-minded patriots who selflessly served in order to function as guard rails for Trump.
The only one that will be telling the truth is Dan Coats.
3
A quick and aggressive strategy is needed in order to prevent Trump from shaping the narrative.
4
Pompeo prided himself while in Congress as a paragon of virtue and a strong voice of unimpeachable conduct. Will we see that Pompeo during his hearing or the one who has spent his entire tenure as Secretary of State rubber stamping everything Trump says and does?
6
Trump: “I want to know who’s the person who gave the whistle-blower the information because that’s close to a spy. You know what we used to do in the old days when we were smart with spies and treason, right? We used to handle it a little differently than we do now.”
The President is suggesting a desire to execute the people who saw his behavior and revealed it because of their belief that they had just witnessed a crime.
In other words, the President has now implied that he wants to kill witnesses prior to their testimony.
Witness intimidation clearly should now be a part of the impeachment. Trump has gotten away with this before, but now he has suggested death as a punishment for revealing his behavior.
Will Republicans in Congress stand up to this? No. They are carrying out an active coup against the government of the United States, and they already have mutually pledged their lives lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to carrying it out.
The founding fathers were rebelling a despot king. The Republicans on Capitol Hill are defending and installing one.
13
Mike Pompeo is one of Trump's principal crime enablers. It will be good to grill Pompeo on his assistance in this military aid for Biden dirt, and how he let down our career State Department personnel.
The other principle crime enabler mentioned by Trump in the Whistleblower Complaint is AG William Barr. Hopefully Barr is the next to be subpoenaed. It will be good to grill Barr on his assistance in this military aid for Biden dirt, and how Barr let down our career Justice Department personnel, in trying to politically assist the President's crimes.
6
Though I normally eschew other than the simplest sports metaphor, I make an exception.
If Democrats need a way to explain what's happening between the Trump Administration and the American people, they need look no further than football.
Republicans and querulous "moderates" (See Brooks today) insist that an impeachment inquiry on the eve of an election is wrong, denying the American people their right to a straight up election campaign.
I submit that when one side insists that the referees are obviously biased ("Mexican judge...not fair"); that their delay of game should not be penalized ("subpoena? Make me"); that playing defense for the first two quarters entitles them to a fifth quarter of play (Mueller inquiry interfered with our agenda); that encouraging faceless fans to hurl beer cans at the opponent's huddle (Russia, if you're listening...), that their quarterback is not subject to rulings on the field ("As president I have every right to..."); that their every first down play gets them an automatic five yards ("gerrymandering, voter suppression? So what?"), etc., etc then it makes no sense for anyone to expect the game is going to be fair.
The effort to use Ukraine to blindside Biden is the final straw. It's like threatening a spectator to sprint from the crowd to kneecap a starting player sitting on the bench or know their own family at home will suffer.
Note the stakes here are not the Vince Lombardi trophy but the planet's future.
3
The Republican party is currently a cult of personality loyal not to the Constitution but to Donald Trump. The GOP became addicted to power at all costs decades ago. When you choose power over principles Donald Trump is the morally void result. But we are in this boat together, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as citizens of a constitutional republic. If we are going to keep our constitutional republic more Republicans will need to rededicate themselves to the rule of law over the rule of the jungle.
7
The President and his crew by their actions have ventured too far into the House of Pelosi. Their shenanigans before and since the complaint's first appearance are fully within the purview of all the oversight and investigation the House can apply. Those who have obstructed or continue to obstruct do so at their own risk. Such is the life of anyone who does the bidding and declares fealty to this president.
4
...And the dominoes start to fall.
I can live with President Pence for a little while. At least he won't tarnish the office of president. Then in 2020 let's get a Democrat in to clean it up. Make America Decent Again.
8
Good start. I hope the Democrats are well prepared and coordinated.
7
Like Michael Jordan once said of his opponents in an NBA finals series, (paraphrasing) its not enough to have the opposing team trailing, your got to ensure they’ve even given up the spirit to fight anymore.
4