If this is at all like Watergate, we need to follow the money.
Did Schiff or any other Democrats pay the whistleblower?
It "appears" the Deutsche Bank whistleblower was given heroin before he handed over the documents.
If Schiff's office scored heroin for the whistleblower, this needs to come out.
We need clarity.
13
I heard that heroin story, too. It was written in crayon on the back of a Pizzagate place mat.
61
I already miss the Mueller investigation. At least with that we got to read about his integrity and war service, now it’s only all about a young party hack from Burbank gunning for his own gig on MSNBC. Where’s AOC and the Squad fit into all of this?
8
This whole impeachment thing is gaining traction!
All that's missing is a reason.
The Democrats are showing themselves to be ludicrous clowns.
12
Note to rabid Dems: Impeachment = high crimes and misdemeanors. Last time I checked, just to remind folks,
Trump - unlike Nixon and Clinton - hasn’t broken a single law. So no crime - and not even a misdemeanor. This is a total political exercise for Democrats and when Trump wins re-election and the Democrats lose the House because of impeachment, they can thank their corrupt leaders (Schiff, Cummings and Pelosi). See you next November.
8
@XLER
This just in (source: wikipedia):
"The charge of high crimes and misdemeanors covers allegations of misconduct by officials, such as dishonesty, negligence, perjury of oath, abuse of authority, bribery, intimidation, misuse of public funds or assets, failure to supervise, dereliction of duty, unbecoming conduct, refusal to obey a lawful order, chronic intoxication, including such offenses as tax evasion."
By my count, at least 4 or 5 apply in spades to trump.
Sorry to disappoint.
23
When Trump won the presidency 3 years ago, I thought ‘now that’s bizarre!’.
But the ongoing mendacity, obstructionism, and histrionics emanating, ad nauseam, from the faction formerly known as the Democratic Party over the past 3 years has dramatically shifted my viewpoint. Democrats have truly gone off the rails. I cannot support their agenda...and millions of other Democrats, independents, and moderates just like me will no doubt follow suit.
28
Susanna, interesting take. All of that has been emanating from a single place ...the Oval Office!
54
Um... not sure Democrat’s have wanted to be “off the rails,” consumed by a President who has demonstrably abused the power of his public office.
11
Trump is not fooling around either, and good for him to fight back to defend himself and his actions against the Party of Hate aka the Democrats - who will stop at nothing in trying to undo the results of the 2016 election, in which Trump won 30 states to Hillary's 20.
10
@James Stewart
The 2016 election was corrupted by a fake investigation into Mrs Clinton
Now before you day she was actually guilty, ask yourself: if she's guilty, why is this administration letting her walk ?
If she is guilty, this administration is complicit and also needs to go
16
That he asked for a favor before settling on the missile deal first appears tantamount to quid pro quo. The president must think before he speaks, because as we are witnessing here, words have power (and consequences).
8
@James Stewart
The problem is that Mr. Trump broke the law while president. This has nothing to do with the 2016 elections.
15
Imagine… an aging ingénue suffering the whimsical notions of tolerance while casting lies, blasphemy and poisoned innuendo into the carnival like mirror-mirrors on the wall of the Speakers boudoir. Talk about a socialist La-La-Land where nepotism is all the rage and carnival mirrors are used to distort any and all truth.
Imagine… neo-nonsensical drivel on impeachment, or the callous behavior or innuendo of an aging ingénue aka Speaker of the House, causing a Wall Street crash or having a negative effect on the personal investments of millions of Americas. Or the tolerant tongue of the Speaker creating a damaging or a value vanishing effect on retirement accounts IRA/401 (k’s) millions of Americans depend on.
3
Is this were a saner and rational administration, I would urge the House to talk softly but carry a big stick. Unfortunately, this administration is not sane and has obfuscated, delayed, and thrown personal tirades that would embarrass if not discredit any "normal" administration. If the President claims he is having "perfect" conversations with foreign leaders, then why the obfuscation? The American people deserve the facts and the White House should release all relevant information.
4
The whistle blower forced Pelosi to issue impeachment inquiry order. Both her and Schiff are very reluctant to get into this very ugly fight with the devil in White House as they don't have the kind of ugliness and hard fighting spirit that is needed to bring down this tyrant. I am worried by stalling they are going to blow this golden moment also.
2
I just witnessed how the Trump campaign is responding to the Impeachment Inquiry....an attack campaign on the Democrats and the Biden's 'corruption' via a 2020 TV advertisement wrapped as a campaign message. Nothing but deflection and lies that will embolden his base. The Democrats need to push this into high gear if they want to get the American people on their side of this!!
5
Democrats: Battle stations! This is not a drill!
Stop with the threats! Act!
8
Trump must go.
Trump’s imbecile base will vote for whoever the Republican donors endorse, and present to them.
What other choice do they have ?
9
How nice...another "subpoena threat" from the The Left.
I bet it'll work this time, everybody looks so upset anymore.
Scary. Oooh.
In case it doesn't, I'd like to share my fantasy Washington scenario for this limited charade:
After allowing The White House and that smug self-dealer Pompeo a decent interval to respond, with a firm deadline of course, Democrats unleash The Blue Hulk, start fining and jailing people in the extreme.
On each occasion citing specific outright lies, obfuscation, mangling of evidence, and, worst of all according to Sec'y Mike, "dithering".
Having already played the "We're not playing around here" card, and getting the same response a biker's two-year-old sister would upon such a declaration, Dems must cease playing around.
Mean it, gentlemen and Pelosi, or do not say it.
You can bring this President and his vile gang to heel right now, but not for long as their tentacles look more and more permanent in our once-great Supreme Court and our now obviously compromised Intelligence and Law Enforcement machines.
Do it now, do it hard, or wallow in complicity for the rest of your political lives.
1
Given Biden a suitcase filled with 6,000 hundred dollar bills or paying it out monthly to his son.
What's the difference.
1
I don’t want this president impeached. I want to beat him at the polls, but I also understand that this and futures election will not be fair if we do not stand up now. There will be false theories thrown out there by Trump. This will have the same effect on his targets as it did on Clinton. If only people held him to the same standards as they do those he accuses. We need to become smarter.
Clearly, there is little the House can do but investigate and possibly impeach. Trump has become a lawless thug in the White House. Republicans and Trump are purposely targeting Biden, even though he isn’t even the democratic nominee yet.
I wasn’t planning on supporting Biden, but we cannot allow Trump to use the presidency and our tax dollars to target private citizens that are his political rivals. If you are watching how this plays out on Fox, you know that we have a tough fight to keep from becoming a sly police state. This just makes me so sick.
8
Sentences like, "He (Trump) distorted not just the facts of the case, but the investigative steps they had taken," are not reporting, they are opinion. What did he distort by calling the dishonest people "dishonest?" Your own paper just reported on how Schiff lied to MSNBC about talking to the whistleblower. Sounds like simple truth telling to me, thus not justifying the use of the phrase "distorted NOT JUST..." For all the talk and disclaimers that state that you keep the editorial board and the newsroom separate, you sure do a lot of editorializing and opinioning in your so called "reporting" section.
3
Has anyone noticed how quiet Jerry Nadler is these days? He seems to have gone out not with a bang, but with a whimper.
1
This will be a similar case like the plight of the unarmed British Bobby we all know and love when he/she needs to apprehend a crook running away:
“Stop! —or i’ll say stop again!”
So Schiffless refuses to let Republicans participate in the interview. That just confirms it truly is a witch hunt.
2
Pelosi is protecting Trump or her sins. If she was serious she would vote for impeachment. She is a terrible speaker.
Hmmm, I see that the president’s fear is spreading...
5
While Trump stonewalls and fumes on the ragged edge of apoplexy and political self immolation, I fervently hope that the House Dems will move with extraordinary due diligence on articles of impeachment across the full gamut of POTUS’s serial delinquency, criminality, and gross violations of his oath of office.
5
Not fooling around, = issuing subpoenas and jailing and fining those who ignore them!
Not fooling around, = LOCK THEM UP. If they are evading the law, send in the Federal Marshalls, FBI, whatever, but get it done!
5
So, DJT just stood on the WH lawn and said he was going to ask China to investigate the Bidens. I didn’t dream it. He blurts this stuff out.
How is he not immediately handcuffed?
8
One Comment writer maturely stated: "I can’t imagine how Democrats think this impeachment process will end up in the plus column for their party. Does anyone in America truly believe that the two-year Mueller investigation resulted in a win for Democrats? Perhaps many believe it was worth the time and expense to seek the truth. But the findings, if you want to call it that, are muddled and incoherent to most Americans. If this impeachment process is intended to disrupt the re-election of Trump in 2020, the Democrats better come up with a better story than a phone conversation with a foreign head of state and the suspect report of a suspect whistleblower. The 2020 election won’t be decided by coastal liberals or diehard Trump supporters in deep red states. Democrats better start listening to the needs of all Americans." She is quite correct, but it is much worse than that, for what has become a rogue wing of the current House majority: their abuse of power against the interests of the country and constitution, could very well set up a survivable cause of action in the US Code. This entire event by the DNC now has all the hallmarks moreover, of a psychological breakdown. The question is, will Moderates of their own party create an intervention? That is, is the party ultimately a healthy, functional organization?
3
Being politically involved should not serve as an alibi against one's crimes.
Potential presidential candidates should be screened thoroughly to make sure there is no criminal acts in their closets.
Perhaps an acting president is not the best person to lead the charges and investigations, but if no one else does it, then it got to be his/her duty.
Whenever an article comes out about what Democrats are doing to hold trump and his administration accountable, there's a number of commenters who claim to be "lifelong Democrats", yet they lash out at Democratic officials as if they're the problem. The format of such incendiary comments is generally the same:
- Lead off with a statement like, "I'm a dyed in the wool Democrat but..." or, "I can't stand trump, but ....",
- Follow up with some false generalization or false equivalency about Democrats, then accuse them of being either, a) weak and ineffectual, or b) too aggressive,
- Use the above accusations to justify not voting Democrat in 2020,
- Avoid any mention of where the true corruption lies (trump and Republicans)
This is a standard pro-trump propaganda strategy for 2020, that relies on bogus social media posts intended to sow division, and dissuade voters from voting Democrat next year. Don't fall for it this time.
Unite and Vote Blue in 2020, no matter who, up and down the ticket, in numbers too large to manipulate.
6
Don't threat. Just do it because Trump is just using delaying and diversion tactics. Democrats' approval for handling this inquiry will increase by showing control of the matter.
2
Once again, so many comments lashing out Democrats. Democrats aren't the problem here. Let's not lose sight of where the true corruption lies. It lies with trump and his administration.
The Democratic party has its flaws ... it's far from perfect ... but a Democratic win in 2020 is a step in the more preferable direction for our country ... far better than the alternative direction this country could go in if trump and his regressive Republicans retain power for another 4 years.
Democrats are the only ones trying to minimize and limit the damage Trump's corruption is causing to our country. Democrats are the only ones trying to keep a check on this out-of-control administration.
Republicans have abandoned the concept of separation of powers. Republicans are still trying to protect and enable trump at costs to the country.
Trump has signaled that he'll sink to all new lows to avoid losing power in 2020. With Barr's justice department now acting like trump's personal lawyer, desperate times call for desperate measures.
We must unite and vote Blue in 2020 (no matter who), up and down the ticket, and in numbers too large to manipulate. Joe Biden is right ... the 2020 elections will be for the soul of our country.
7
We have become so numb to Trump's antics and lies that there is an actual debate whether he did something wrong in the call with the president of the Ukraine. The transcript released by Trump himself has him saying right after the president of the Ukraine tells him that his government is ready to buy more American made Javelin missiles: "I would like you to do us a favor though". He then goes on to describe the favor as investigating the Biden's and Crowdstrike. Whether or not asking for this favor is an impeachable offense must abide the investigation. But whether you are a Republican (as I used to be), a Democrat or any other party affiliation, what the President did was wrong and he should be censured for doing it. Are we simply content or just so jaded that we are willing to sit by as the the United States acts like a banana republic?
5
Unfortunately, neither the crown prince of prevarication, nor his minions, will respond to any kind of civil request. The Democrats should know this by now, and should move right to subpoenas whenever they want something. The longer they wait to apply strong pressure, the longer it will be to get what they want. Trump would love to see everything get to his Supreme Court. He knows how slowly the grinding wheels of justice go, and he's an accomplished "hunker-downer" while things drag on.
At this point it will be hard for the Trump folks to claim, "Gee, why didn't you just ask?", without eliciting deep belly-laughs. Hit swiftly with the big stick. Save the soft-speak for reasonable people, i.e. other administrations.
1
They have GOT to STOP with the THREATS - DO IT! Use every legal form to get those clowns in - make arrests if necessary I'm tired of this just ignoring of the law. There is NO way we citizens would get away with ignoring Congress, let alone subpoenas. This has GOT to stop.
4
Of the many Democrat blunders, this impeachment thing really stands out. It will not lead to success in 2020. Rather, it will demonstrate to the voting public the incompetence of Democrats as national leaders.
trump is well established as a liar, a thief, a slanderer, a draft dodger, and a complete failure in the office he currently holds. What more is needed to defeat him and his supporters in 2020?
The Democrats need to show the voters that they are competent and responsible legislators, attending to the many issues affecting the nation's well being. Pursuing impeachment on the basis of a phone call is ridiculous.
If what we see now of Democratic thinking, it will not get my vote or my money. For the record, I have been a liberal Democrat from my first vote.
2
Most Americans believe that they can do whatever they wish because the constitution gives them permission....no matter if what they do is moral or immoral, decent or indecent, or right or wrong. With this kind of total freedom the future will have no need of prisons, law enforcement agencies, nor law books. Why? Because if the law allows you to do what you want, then there is no wrong you can do.
Blessed are those who do not see yet believe. To those who believe in His name: who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
The way this article is written is part of the problem of division in this country. It's not the Democrats representing the Democratic party that have issued subpoenas for an impeachment inquiry. It is duly elected members the House of Representatives executing their constitutional duty of Checks and Balances that are doing this, and they happen to Democrats. The constant emphasis on party and politics, over constitutionality and law, is part of what erodes at the trust of our institutions
1
Democrats looked bad after the Kavanaugh hearing. They looked bad after the Mueller report. The impeachment inquiry won't be any different (although they have to do it).
I keep hoping something will turn a majority of Americans against Trump.
At best the impeachment process will be over quickly and out of the news when the primaries begin. We need to choose the best candidate (hopefully Wsrren) and focus on a winning message to get Trump and as many Republicans as possible out of government.
To all those commentators who believe the Democrats are soft, you need to keep in mind that the House of Representatives does have the power to issue subpoenas, it does not have the power to enforce them. Enforcement of the subpoenas must be done in the courts. Under normal circumstances where you have individuals who respect the rule of law, generally they comply with subpoenas, and if they don't, once the threat of taking them to court comes into play, they usually come into line. Unfortunately, we have an Administration which has no idea what the rule of law is and if they happened to remember what it is, they have no intention of following it. This leaves the Democrats in the position of giving these rule-breakers due process by filing complaints against the individuals who refused to obey a subpoena in the courts, which at the same time, makes them look weak, as these Court hearings take time . Unfortunately for the country and the Constitution, the current Administration is doing its best to make sure that the rule of law and the Constitution itself become meaningless.
1
There will never be an impeachment of President Trump.
Democrats totally misjudged then mishandled their latest attempt to remove him.
And this was their last chance.
How often , over the past 3 years, have we read stories dealing with this man’s anger, rages, attacks, threats, revenge,etc.
This is not the behavior of a person who has some degree of self control, and he’s gotten worse, much worse. He is now capable of just about anything.
He must go...for our own safety.
3
This has become the theater of the absurd. A charge is made by a person with NO personal knowledge of the events based on unidenified people he or she claims to have spoken to and which seems contradicted by contemporanous notes, and Adam Schiff says they are issuing subpoenas and "not fooling around here."
6
How do you know those people haven’t been identified?
Also, what does it matter. The transcript confirms what the whistleblower stated.
2
Actually, absurdity is when the IG and DNI tell you six times that the whistleblower had personal knowledge, and everybody else who’s sane tells you that their complaint checks out, and you robotically chant the rants from a president that a child would take one look at and run screaming from.
Myself, I generally find that when reputable people and everybody else are telling me I’m wrong, I at least stop and think. I certainly don’t just crank up the volume.
2
The document released by the whitehouse backs the whistle blowers claim. That’s why there’s an impeachment probe.
1
It just shows one how divided the country is. A good percentage believes the Mueller Report exonerated Trump and that his talk with the President of the Ukraine was no big deal. Another large, perhaps larger sector looks at the Mueller Report as showing that the Russians tried to interfere with our election, that while no proof showed that Trump was part of Russia's conspiracy his campaign welcomed Russian support, and that a case could be made for obstruction of justice, our President was not indicted because the Justice Department said that a standing President could not be indicted. A road map for Congress to act was laid out though.
2
Correction: ''We're not fooling anyone!'' is more the headline here.
When the so-easily-replaced Schiff was shown the phone-call leak months ago, did he share it with his committee?
Was he loyal to that committee?
No, as the schemer he has always been and will always be, the bug-eyed one got lawyers together to plot just what needed to be done to sell this leak as some noble thing of sacrifice and value, to the POINT of even having CIA rules changed so the hearsay could still be used (now that he had bet his career on it.)
Whan a political party degrades itself to the point that people lke this represent its forward edge, the ''fat lady'' has ALREADY sung.
Will there still be a nationally effective Democratic Party by the time the Trump-Pence experience/transition is completed in D.C.?
5
1) it’s not hearsay. The whistleblower didn’t hear it from a friend who heard it from a friend. Multiple people came to them with the same story.
2) The rules weren’t changed. That is a lie (or at best a misinterpretation) that has been debunked and yet the right keeps repeating it.
3) the memo proved the whistleblower was right.
The house is in fact, "Fooling around." If they were "Not" they would hold a vote on the inquiry - instead the Democrats are afraid to go on record. Until that time, this whole affair will have lack legitimacy.
No half measures.
5
Send these people to haul if they don’t comply. Congress has that power. Use it. . . .Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures?
6
@Ray
Let's see what the courts say first.
While I appreciate the Democrat's civility in the face of a daily barrage of trash-talking and demeaning tweets from the Oval Office - no wonder he gets absolutely nothing done when he is focused on media 24/7 - just go ahead subpoena - just do it! I would also like to mention once again former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's statement on live television to members of Congress, “if we had had confidence that the president clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said so.” Stay the course - no matter the barrage of insanity coming out of the White House. Ignore it and keep on digging. It's there!
8
I don't understand how it is that the rest of America can't see that this is an entirely partisanship issue. The Democrats have been trying to Impeach President Trump for 3 years, why would we think this is anything different. The tactics are the same, if the evidence isn't there, make it up! Brainwashing: is the process of pressuring someone into adopting radically different beliefs by using systematic and often forcible means. Sounds just like the Democrats tactics. We need an intervention!
4
They haven’t been “trying to impeach him” for 3 years. Articles haven’t even been filed.
I find it so hard to understand how people are so blind to how corrupt this president is and always has been.
He and his family have grifted taxpayers for YEARS.
His fraudulent charities and university have been shut down.
He’s under investigation in New York for fraud.
He has DOZENS of lawsuits from contractors he stiffed.
He has DOZENS of sexual harassment and assault complaints against him.
The man is a charlatan who convinces people that he made billions from nothing, so they think they can too. But it’s all a lie. He didn’t build an empire from a million-dollar loan from his dad that he paid back, with interest. Quite the opposite; he received $200K/yr from his dad since he was two years old and was a millionaire by age 8. Not a loan, a gift. He was listed as a “landlord” on Fred Trump’s buildings, drawing a “salary” from it since he was a kid. Daddy gave him land, bought chips from his failing casino and never cashed them in (therefore transferring thousands of dollars to his son which he was able to write off as a gambling loss), set up his offices every time he started a new business venture, and played the stock market using Donald’s fame (Fred Trump would buy stock, then Donald would make a positive comment about the company, the stocks would go up as a result, and Fred would cash out).
Partisan? You’re ignoring DECADES of grift and greed and blaming Democrats.
2
Well, for openers, we tend to know it’s “entirely a partisan issue,” or, “entirely an issue of partisanship,” and we’e not addicted to exclamation points.
See also the diff between “locked and loaded,” “cocked and locked,” and, “cocked and loaded.”
1
This type of mass hysteria fueled by embellishments and misleading editorials from the MSM is exactly why voters rose up and hired Donald Trump. The Democrats have become totally tone deaf to the real America - and no amount of fancy headlines and breathless biased talking heads is going to change that now.
6
If there was no wrongdoing and nothing to hide, cooperate with the investigation.
Otherwise, you give me reason to believe the accusations you encouraged a foreign government to help interfere in the bedrock of our democracy... free elections. Oh, and hid evidence of the same as well...
What Patriotic American would disagree?
3
@Dan
"If there was no wrongdoing and nothing to hide, cooperate with the investigation."
The democrats should fully support the investigation into the roots of the Russia investigation that was given such high attention and ended up finding NO ILLEGAL COLLISION BETWEEN TRUMPS PEOPLE AND RUSSIA.
How could our legal checks and balances and intelligence apparatus have spawned that investigation if applied properly? Let's not obstruct a DOJ investigation into the start of the Russia issue. Not congress, not deep states. We had transparency on Trumps role in the election, now let's have transparency in the investigation of the investigators.
“Street talk” from a president in public? Unheard of! We know that Lindon Johnson swore and so did “tricky Dicky”. But those were taped recordings of private conversations inside the Oval Office. Anybody is entitled to swear when they are boiling over with anger and there is nothing else they can do...but for a president to do so publicly is really lowering the Office of the Presidency to street brawling!
And we ain’t seen nothing yet I’m afraid with this inept and ineffectual individual. He has no recourse, no intelligent retort but to curse those who call him on his bad behavior!
4
So the fact that the VPs son was making $50,000 per month to be on a Ukraine gas company board is of no concern to you? How about his $1.5 billion deal with China while using Air Force 2 with his dad to get to China? Was Hunter Biden really the most qualified person to be on the board and make that $50,000? Hunter says he told his dad about the deals, His dad says he has no idea his son was in business. Someone is lying, purposely forgetful, or perhaps has early signs of dementia.
4
@Max 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.
5
So then investigate it.
Oh wait... they already did.
Stop with the “whataboutism”. The President of the United States has now been busted trying to get THREE different countries to dig up dirt on a political opponent. If he was really concerned that a crime had been committed, then he would turn it over to the FBI and step away... over two years ago, when he first took office. Instead he’s waited until the start of the Democratic primaries, tried to sneak around and get other countries to dig up (or manufacture) dirt for him, changed his reasons multiple times, possibly held up military aid to an ally to pressure them into doing his bidding, and gone on Twitter rampages accusing people of treason.
I don’t like Biden. I hope he never becomes president. But the myopia of Trump supporters is ridiculous. It’s like the curse of Cassandra. No matter how many people scream about Trump’s LIFELONG corruption, a certain percentage of this country just yells “fake news” and goes on believing that a worldwide conspiracy is so much more believable than the fact that a deeply corrupt man has simply continued to be corrupt because he keeps getting away with it.
2
The Finnish President may be the first person ever who’s looked forward to going through US airport security.
8
In reality if you look at the definition of impeachment , well then every single member of Congress should look in the mirror and say is my conduct above reproach, our government no longer looks after the interests of the people only after special interest groups. Everybody seems to think what is in it for me , the job of Congress is to manage the budget and ensure the laws are enforced and changed when necessary. One of the reasons medical care is so mismanaged is that Congress cant get their act together, guns should be strictly controlled . The Constitution sure allows people to own a weapon but not an arsenal , when I served in the military they were controlled. President Trump will get reelected because the people see in him a person who is trying to get things done , such as the wall to protect us from economic refugees and criminals , we cant take care of everybody on this planet so Democrats should get off their arrogant horse and come back to earth and see what is going on in our ruined cities. Most of the country has been affected by deindustrialization, one of the reasons why people need to work three jobs to survive. If you write your Congressmen about problems they just send you a standard letter unless you give a lot of money to their campaign then all of a sudden you are their constituent. So Congress talking about corruption is like a donkey talking about someone's ears.
2
What is unclear here is what happens, at the end of the impeachment inquiry?
Will an Independent Counsel be appointed? Or will the findings of the Impeachment Inquiry just go onto the Senate, like a normal Bill, for debate and a vote?
@citizen The House has the power under the Constitution to impeach the President (as well as other officials). Each offense is set forth in a separate article of impeachment. If the House by a majority vote votes in favor of impeaching the President under one or more articles of impeachment, the Senate is then required under the Constitution to conduct a trial of the President presided over by the Chief Justice. A 2/3 vote of the Senate is required under each article of impeachment to convict the President, which would result in his immediate removal from office.
If that happens, the Vice President becomes President and he will then nominate a VP, who must then be confirmed by a majority vote in the House and majority vote in the Senate.
11
Looks like the Dems are afraid of Trump's success 2020 elections.
Otherwise they could have waited and prosecute him post elections...
4
@Jak Not true. If President Trump has committed an impeachable offense, the House has the responsibility to conduct an impeachment inquiry and then vote on articles of impeachment. To not do so would embolden President Trump to commit even more flagrant violations of our Constitution thinking that he has no accountability and could get away with anything without consequence, and it would also embolden future presidents to do the same.
Just think - President Trump made the phone call to Ukraine one day after Special Counsel Robert Mueller testified before Congress. One day after. Trump probably thought that Mueller did such a poor job in testifying, that Trump could now enlist Ukraine's support to interfere in our 2020 presidential election - and Mueller in his report and in his testimony before Congress strongly asserted that foreign interference in our elections took place in 2016 and will happen again in 2020 unless we take strong steps to prevent that from happening.
And the next day Trump is seeking a personal favor from the leader of Ukraine to do just that by asking for dirt on Joe Biden and his son.
This impeachment inquiry has everything to do with the rule of law, our democracy, our governmental institutions and our Constitution.
It's also about doing the right thing. No president is above the law. That's what we fought a revolution over. And it's time Republicans remembered that and put our nation first over personal political gain.
4
Yeah! Oh, wait, it is quite obvious to anyone following along that Trump is attempting to influence that very election you refer to in the here and now.
1
The "we're not fooling around" remark only has validity if it is backed up with ACTION rather than mere threats.
The moment Trump lowered the bar even more when using profanity in a Tweet against Pelosi and Schiff, it means they are getting to him and his beginning to feel the heat and the pressure.
Bring on the subpoenas! Time to start rocking and rolling instead of merely warm up acts filled with only threats.
8
Nancy Pelosi does not hear you. As for the rest of the democratic party leader ship, they are completely impotent.
How do Democratic legislators get past a president openly threatening the life of the whistleblower?
How do they get past federal courts packed with Trump appointees?
Subpoenas only go so far against a gangster who has rigged the government in his favor.
6
I don’t think the Democrats are able to defend themselves in the face of Mr. Trump’s hysterical pronouncements and harangues. One has to fight fire with fire. Otherwise, the narrative will belong to the one who is loudest, most brazen, and most vociferous.
3
With his assertion that China should investigate the Bidens, this morning on the South lawn, it should be clear to all that Trump must be impeached and removed from office, not allowed to get anywhere close to the 2020 election. He clearly intends to run another "Lock her up" campaign and is willing to break any law, commit any abuse of the powers of his office, and flout the Constitution to obtain from any foreign country any kind of a premise to do so. If Biden does not win the nomination, there is every reason to suspect that Trump will only attempt to drum up the same kind of campaign against whoever does. Trump is exactly the kind of demagogic tyrant the founders feared. The House and Senate must use the tools they provided to remove such a threat to corrupt the electoral process, not with rigged vote counts, but by stirring ugly, dangerous, anti-democratic, lawless passions in what the founders would have called "the mob" with blatant lies and deceptions. Trump has proved them right in believing that elites - elected representatives - have a critical role to play preserving liberty and the rule of law from the worst dangers of democracy. Trump is the reason we have a Republic.
14
When Trump is no longer president but a regular citizen, I no longer want to read his quotes in NYT. Let him go, please. Rise above his taunting behavior and don’t engage. If you don’t do this, you will be party to his continued power, destructive political influence and corrupt moral compass.
8
I agree that Trump cannot, should not, continue his rampage through the White House and over the Constitution unchecked, and that this impeachment inquiry is intended to say: Enough is enough. However, Trump is a slippery, shady sort who will resort to any tactic to win. I fear the Democrats are only opening up new avenues for Trump to display his victimhood and to discredit them. I fear the worst.
2
The WH keeps saying the whistleblower had second had knowledge. But his notes match the transcript that the WH released. The WH better hope the whistleblower’s source doesn’t get disgusted and come forth with his/ her account. Then what would Trump do?
5
@Oliver
So ?
He guessed and got lucky
1
Seriously?
You think the whistleblower guessed that the President of the United States tried to withhold military aid in order to convince a foreign leader to dig up dirt on his political opponent... that the whistleblower got lucky, that they didn’t actually have any inside intelligence in the form of multiple people raising concerns, and that it’s a giant coincidence that their complaint matched what happened in the call?
This must be a joke.
1
God bless the whistleblowers.
10
Trump and Barr and the others around them have claimed for months that the Mueller report exonerated Trump from any wrong doing. We heard it day in and day out “no collusion, no obstruction”. So why is Trump and Barr, Lindsey Graham and Rudy G running around the globe trying to seek assistance from foreign countries in an attempt to prove the Mueller report was wrong?
8
Now we have the juvenile antics of Giuliani and Linick. Sure, Mr Giuliani, what a hoot that you sent over those documents under a shroud of secrecy and with some, but not much, anticipation. You must have thought you were being so funny and clever.
Everyone should have known it was a scam from the beginning because there were no leaks. This is reminiscent of the absurd Nunes meeting in the middle of the night in the garden outside the white house "to meet a source and look at highly classified information in a “secure location.”".
Well, Mr Giuliani, we will see who gets the last laugh.
4
Time to use the inherent power of Congress to ARREST and FINE people who ignore Congressional subpoenas, as the Supreme Court said Congress has the power to do.
Read McGrain v Daugherty, 273 US 135 (1927).
6
I'm starting to think the strategy is to string this impeachment along until Trump becomes such an embarrassment to the Republican party that they have pull the plug themselves. His presser yesterday with the President of Finland was an example of a man coming unhinged.
4
After following Russia-gate, it's impossible not be skeptical of the leap to Ukraine-gate. Nevertheless, I eagerly read the transcript as soon as it became available online. While I've often cringed at Trump's apparent lack of diplomatic skills, I kept in mind that Trump was fully aware that the call was being recorded, and would be a part of the public records. It was pretty routine, in a Trump sort of way -- far short of some hair-on-fire revelations. I do see how that brief conversation can provide fuel for media articles for a while, but also know enough about impeachment to see why it would never hold up in court. I assume the goal is to build it into a major national "crisis" through next summer, leading up to the election, and I wonder how much critically important information will go unreported as the focus remains on Ukraine-gate.
The case of Joe Biden's corruption is even more obvious - pretty much everybody already believes that it is the truth.
6
@Max - Your comment that "the case of Joe Biden's corruption is even more obvious - pretty much everybody already believes that it is the truth" is patently false. More than half the country is too smart to believe the rantings of the unhinged (1) president, and (2) his personal lawyer, and (3) Fox news commentators, all of whom are freaked out by Biden's popularity and likely win in November 2020.
14
@Max Trump was fully aware that the call was being recorded? And yet it wasn't. Get your facts straight.
Impeachment is not a criminal proceeding, and there is zippo evidence that Joe Biden’s broken any laws at all. Not that Trumpists care about these petty little details, to be sure.
2
And the SCOTUS is complicit in the GOP strategy of delay. The Court sua sponte should expedite these document and witness request disputes to SCOTUS hearings within two weeks and decide them within another two weeks, a month in all. We are dealing with the fate of the nation and whether we will continue to have a republic, and nothing less.
Let's not just say, "We're not fooling around." Let's live it.
7
@Gene: Lawyers really do have a conflict of interest between resolving cases and collecting fees.
The revelation that Schiff had prior access to the whistleblower information is critical.
Now, no one with any common sense will accept the assertion that he had nothing to do with the construction of the complaint, directly or indirectly.
The credulity of the Democrats was already stretched when it became clear that their quid pro quo complaint is unwarranted.
Now that it is also clear that the complaint of "the whistleblower" (whoever they are) in fact, should have never been moved forward because White House calls are not under the purview of the Director of National Intelligence, there is no path the Demcorats can take that will not result in Trump's re-election and their loss of credibility.
8
Minor detail.
Schiff DID NOT have prior access to the information in the complaint.
The whistle-blower, who is CIA employee who has a clue when it comes to intelligence, apparently contacted the STAFF at the House Intelligence Committee to determine how to file the complaint.
Trump keeps LYING about that, proving once again the Trump has NO INTELLIGENCE.
9
I believe your analysis is correct. The director of national intelligence does not have purview over political corruption, real or imagined. And that’s precisely what Mr. Trump’s phone call might, or might not have, been.
@David H
My analysis, is, correct. The House Oversight and Reform Committee, and the Department of Justice, have the purview.
The statute defining "urgent concern" in IC complaints explicitly notes that only activities that fall under the DNI's authority may be considered as valid concerns. And the White House is not under his authority.
2
This is not about politics, it about the rule of law. Trump is our President, not our King. If we are to survive as a republic, this current so called administration needs to go.
The reason for the impeachment, is to force the republican senate to publicly tell the citizens of the United States that the checks and balances of the constitution do not apply. So their voters know how far into the hole this country has fallen.
God help America.
19
We’ve had three presidential impeachments in our history. With Trump (he most certainly will be), that will make four. Three of the four in my lifetime! What are we becoming?!
9
@Hortencia We've had only two impeachments; Nixon wasn't impeached.
2
Nixon was NEVER impeached. He resigned in disgrace when Sen. Barry Goldwater told him he was about to be impeached, and that he would be convicted.
The Gingrich Republicans impeached Clinton for lying about a consensual sexual affair. That did not play well with the public.
Trump is a bigger crook than Nixon ever was.
So this is the FIRST legitimate impeachment that is about to happen in my lifetime.
We were good at picking crooks (Nixon) and adulterers (Clinton, JFK, Harding and others before) to office.
And just to show you how efficient we have become - we have now picked a single person who is not only a crook and an adulterer but also many other things (a predator, a colluder, a briber and grifter, ...). And we are simply getting used to it.
We are living in interesting times indeed.
1
I've been a dyed-in-the-wool, straight-ticket Democrat for 50 years. Right now, I'm so fed up with the state of things in my declared party...the threats...the saber-rattling...the indecision...the lack of unity and common resolve, that I will most assuredly vote independent until the two-party system is dead....flatlined...and the resultant mix of ideas is something that creates dialogue...trialogue,etc...and continually challenges the status quo.
At my age, I won't see it in my time, but I'll fight for it while I still have breath.
What an abysmally self-serving bunch of greedy fools we have running the country.
5
@comengedit
Democrats aren't the problem here. Let's not lose sight of where the true corruption lies. It lies with trump and his administration.
The Democratic party has its flaws ... it's far from perfect ... but a Democratic win in 2020 is a step in the more preferable direction for our country ... far better than the alternative direction this country could go in if trump and his regressive Republicans retain power for another 4 years.
Democrats are the only ones trying to minimize and limit the damage Trump's corruption is causing to our country. Democrats are the only ones trying to keep a check on this out-of-control administration. Republicans have abandoned the concept of separation of powers. Republicans are still trying to protect and enable trump at costs to the country.
Trump has signaled that he'll sink to all new lows to avoid losing power in 2020. With Barr's justice department now acting like trump's personal lawyer, desperate times call for desperate measures.
We must unite and vote Blue in 2020 (no matter who), up and down the ticket, and in numbers too large to manipulate. Joe Biden is right ... the 2020 elections will be for the soul of our country.
6
@comengedit Whenever an article comes out about what Democrats are doing to hold trump and his administration accountable, there's a number of commenters who claim to be "lifelong Democrats", yet they lash out at Democratic officials as if they're the problem. The format of such incendiary comments is generally the same:
- Lead off with a statement like, "I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat but..." or, "I can't stand trump, but ....",
- Follow up with some false generalization or false equivalency about Democrats, then accuse them of being either, a) weak and ineffectual, or b) too aggressive,
- Use the above accusations to justify not voting Democrat in 2020,
- Avoid any mention of where the true corruption lies (trump and Republicans)
This is a standard pro-trump propaganda strategy for 2020, that relies on bogus social media posts, intended to sow division and dissuade voters from voting Democrat next year.
Don't fall for it this time. Unite and Vote Blue in 2020, no matter who, up and down the ticket, in numbers too large to manipulate.
Oh, but they are fooling around. The time is long past for threatening to subpena the needed documents and witnesses. They come across as impotent and all talk - no action. It is time to take an aggressive stance so we can move beyond this.
4
Nothing like a temper tantrum with a visiting head of state sitting beside you. Poor Finnish leader who had to endure the petty tantrum of Trump. There's no one obviously who can handle the so-called "guests" who visit the White House as this has happened before. Have the Trumps ever had anything like the Obamas had in terms of musical events, readings, or the like? I suppose not for if Trump behaves as he does for official visits, any occasion might prove more embarrassing. Trump has stepped in "it" and is mighty uncomfortable. Now we wait for what for some of us will hope is the outcome necessary to return to some sort of before-Trump times.
6
Vow to subpoena? Either you subpoena, or you don't. Vowing or 'not fooling around' sounds like third-grade theater.
4
The president of the United States used profane language in a tweet. In a tenancy that has been hallmarked by bombast, outrageous behavior (using a meet & greet with a foreign power to advance debunked conspiracy theories and bookended by zero courtesy to the leader of said foreign powder), insults and outright lies, this is actually a new low in the "how un-presidential can I make myself out to be" sweepstakes.
3
PELOSI et al - stop with polite, decorum, overthinking. If you want compliance from the White House-demand it! No bargaining. Tell the WH to COMPLY with the request or get the go to jail card- no ultimatums. Trump may say he negotiates, but we have witnessed he dictates. It is the Congress’ turn to make demands.
5
The Guardian is now reporting:
Top Republican urged foreign governments to help discredit Mueller findings Lindsay Graham wrote to the prime ministers of Australia, Italy and the UK to request their ‘continued cooperation’ with William Barr.
Storm clouds are continuing to gather around Donald Trump over the Ukraine scandal, but that hasn’t stopped his faithful confidante, Lindsay Graham, from reportedly urging foreign governments to work with William Barr in investigating the origins of the Mueller inquiry.
Graham is said to have written to the prime ministers of Australia, Italy and the UK to request their “continued cooperation with attorney general Barr as the Department of Justice continues to investigate the origins and extent of foreign influence in the 2016 election”.
The investigation is an attempt to discredit Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election.
A GOP tactic as 2020 looms is to claim the entire investigation was flawed.
According to numerous reports, in the letter Graham wrote that US intelligence agencies used a “deeply flawed dossier filled with hearsay and written by a biased, former United Kingdom intelligence officer” as part of the Mueller inquiry.
GET ON THIS NOW NYTIMES!!!!!
20
@matty
The Times is aware and has an article in the world section today.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/02/world/europe/mike-pompeo-italy-joseph-mifsud.html
If you are actually intrested in why Barr et al are doing this Google mifsud and link university.
1
All completely legitimate.
Try again.
Impeachment is sucking all the air out of Medicare for All, Student Debt, Endless war, fight for a livable wage, etc. When is the last time you heard a Democrat mention any one of those things? It's all about impeachment! Was it all designed to change the conversation so Democrats can avoid the real issues that are important to people? Does the impeachment "crises" take negotiations off the table with North Korea? Was that part of the plan by the war party.? I think most don't care about impeachment because they know, as Daniel Ellsberg said: That's what presidents do. They know Joe Biden is as corrupt as Trump and this whole thing just exposes the dysfunctional nature of the US government which is mired in a swamp of corruption. So out of frustration, and knowing the system is a failure, most Americans are much more concerned with the things they don't have, but should have. By design, those things are now off the table.
10
@Michael Sorensen
That is because we have a big chunk of our electorate who are die-hard Trump supporters. Nothing negative about djt will get through their heads. These are extraordinary times that require extraordinary actions.
6
@Michael Sorensen, at least we now know what it felt like to Romans hearing Nero playing on his violin while Rome burned. Trump’s all caps yesterday sort of expresses a lot of our feelings.
2
Democrats have already passed numerous bills in the House addressing all of these issues, many of them bipartisan, only to be stonewalled in the Senate by Mitch McConnell, where many would pass. The claim that Democrats are doing nothing is a Fox News falsehood.
14
Democrats will continue their constitutional/legal approach to dealing with Trump. The question remains will that work with a president who has no intention of abiding by the law.
6
@Lawyers, Guns And Mone: It depends on whether there is a Senate to enforce the law. Trump can be laughed out of office.
1
Far from being insignificant, Linick's dossier proves that Donald Trump did not "ask" Ukraine's president to "investigate" anything. Rather, the "investigation" aka a figment of Rudy Giuliani's twisted imagination was already a fait accompli and all that was needed from Zelensky was to sign off on it and in return receive the $400M military aid being held hostage by Donald Trump.
4
"Democrats Vow to Subpoena White House"
Wait a minute, all America knows the Democrats are afraid to stand up to Trump, have been for two and a half years. So even with this documented evidence of treason released by the White House do we see a subpoena anywhere or is what we see here what we always see from Democrats - another empty threat they lack the spinal column to actually follow through on.
This has been the Democrats permanent modus operandi with Trump for the last two and a half year. They'll no more come up with an actual subpoena than the Republicans will ever come up with a national health insurance plan.
1
@Anthony Williams Wrong, it was the Republicans who wouldn't stand up to Trump for two years. The Dems have only been in since Nov. 2018. Remember??
2
Well, at least we now have an idea of why Trump was so successful during the time he cheated my small investors and employees out of monies owed them by Trump.
That he settled with his Trump University students is a wonder and an abnormality.
Delay, continuences court dates, roadblocks, accusations, innuendos, slanderous claims, I suppose would make anyone say it's not worth the bother.
And the sad part is the judges that allowed it to happen.
It might take a while for the DEMS to get what they seek, but maybe, just maybe Trump has finally met his match.
9
@marriea: Justice delayed is justice denied on this mortal plane. Extortion by legal fees is a fact of life in the US.
1
The house NEEDS to have a vote to move on the impeachment inquiry first. Get people on record for this sham. I see no need for the white house to offer any new documents or comply in any until the house has a vote on the impeachment inquiry as has always been procedure, otherwise the Democrats are yet again thwarting Democracy.
6
The great nineteenth-century British and American novelists linked manners and morality because they believed that manners are the outward expression of the moral idea that others are more important than oneself. In trump’s rude act of turning his back on the President of Finland and storming away without the customary handshake, these writers would have recognized a clear sign of trump’s colossal immorality.
7
Hunter Biden made millions from the Ukraine’s while Joe was VP. Nothing to see here. Dads get there kids jobs all the time. My dad got me my first job working at the local hardware store making five bucks an hour. If my dad was VP I would have had a million dollar job too. Trump just has to understand that being in power has its privileges. He should just start taking in money like the Clintons. Maybe have his son take in a half a million an appearance like Bill did when Hillary was Sec of State. If Trump would just embrace corruption Washington would embrace him too.
3
@Jim, Not only has Trump embraced being corrupt, he did it a l-ong, l-ong time ago! As for the Clinton, HE left America a SURPLUS in our COFFERS! And HRC losing the election is old news. Big whoop there. The Biden story has been debunked numerous times. Trump's own aids have publicly said it. As an Independent, I wish fellow Americans would put America's interests first, not party affiliations! Double, no triple check the information any news articles in an effort to ensure you're receiving accurate information instead of ONE news channel or site, paper, etc. that always agrees with the party you favor. This would go a long way for Americans to go beyond partisan lines that are dividing our country. United we stand, divided we will fall. And that is exactly what are enemies, Russia, N. Korea, Iran, want for our country...
4
@Jim
Great last line...and oh so hilariously true!!
Will Rogers or Mark Twain couldn't have said it better.
1
For the life of me, I can’t imagine how Democrats think this impeachment process will end up in the plus column for their party. Does anyone in America truly believe that the two-year Mueller investigation resulted in a win for Democrats? Perhaps many believe it was worth the time and expense to seek the truth. But the findings, if you want to call it that, are muddled and incoherent to most Americans. If this impeachment process is intended to disrupt the re-election of Trump in 2020, the Democrats better come up with a better story than a phone conversation with a foreign head of state and the suspect report of a suspect whistleblower. The 2020 election won’t be decided by coastal liberals or diehard Trump supporters in deep red states. Democrats better start listening to the needs of all Americans if they want to retake the White House. Impeachment will not get that job done.
40
@Karen J. The Mueller report was detailed, not muddled. It wasn't intended as a public information document. From a policy standpoint the first volume showed that the Trump campaign welcomed interference from Russia, even if it didn't participate in a conspiracy. The second volume was a road map for Congress to prosecute via impeachment if necessary multiple clear attempts to obstruct justice. The public largely didn't take the time or make the effort to understand and act on the report.
111
@Karen J. The Dems didn't have anything to do with the Mueller Investigation.
This is a spectacular abuse of power by Trump and is what the GOP accused Obama of doing throughout the Mueller Investigation.
I'm sorry you're falling for the RW talking points.
87
@Karen J.
Muddled and incoherent?
“The conclusion that Congress may apply the obstruction laws to the President’s corrupt exercise of the powers of office accords with our constitutional system of checks and balances and the principle that no person is above the law,”
71
The American public needs to ask themselves only one question: Based on past behavior who is telling the truth, the Repubs the Dems or trump? Our country is at a crossroads as a result of politics taking precedent over truth and honesty which has always been the foundation of or democracy. Common sense and past history should give us the answer. It is time to take politics out of the game and save our country.
7
@DAC, but it’s not a game without the politics. It was long gone before the politics since democracy opted for competitive process in the first place. Like picking sides in baseball, the rich teams always win.
In war, the first casualty is truth. Nobody is telling the truth. The Democrats and Republicans have been at war for a long time now.
1
President Trump lost the popular vote by 3.1 million votes to Hillary Clinton. Trump won in the electoral college because of the advantage given to small states won by Trump.
We need a total national vote and to end the Electoral College.
20
@Hugh McIsaac
Why? So you can argue for it to be annulled any time people vote wrong, like they did with Brexit?
2
@Hugh McIsaac
2.8 million, but your point stands.
1
@Hugh McIsaac: If Trump were any kind of gentleman at all, he would have refused to take office without a run-off popular election. Win or lose, that would have been historic.
Those "comical" news clippings are very serious.
They were provided by Giuliani. Giuliani thought they were very relevant and provided the same sort of outlandish/conspiracy information to Trump. It provides sad and stark insight into how Guiliani and Trump think and is the sort of information that they base their decisions on.
10
@Roger G.
If they're conspiracy items, they should be easy to debunk.
Giuliani has claimed that he has Ukrainian court documents and affidavits with damaging information. These can be very easily verified by checking with the Ukrainian court authorities and the people who supposedly created them.
Regardless of Giuliani's unverified claims, the fact is that even Lutsenko - the prosecutor Biden asks us to believe because he investigated/cleared his son - has gone on record to state that the Obama administration gave him a no-prosecution list and withheld funds from his office.
No one looks good here.
1
You are so right, Roger. It’s rather obtuse of the reporter to dismiss the documents, calling their existence “comical”. They are significant for the reason you stated—providing a window into the collective madness and willingness of trump admin to jump onto wild-eyed conspiracy theories. And now recent reporting points to the documents being an impetus for the firing of the excellent US ambassador to the Ukraine, to get her out of the way so trump and putin can interfere in Ukrainian politics and manipulate their new president. Watch how events are unfolding in Ukraine and you will see how trump is determined Zelensky will resign before trump has to, or b/f he is impeached. The documents represent the unraveling of US national security, and greater risk to all Americans.
1
There are many pro Trump voices in the comments section. It’s nice to know that some republican minds are looking at other sources. I wonder if they read the articles or if they go straight to comments.
7
It means the Russians are hiring again...
2
This is an interesting article from the atlantic:
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/10/what-if-congress-cant-get-more-information-to-impeach/599299/
The aspect which interested me most was a quote by Lawrence Tribe, essentially arguing that the evidence for impeachment is already in the public domain. Seeking this additional information, as if the already public information is not enough, threatens to dilute the already incriminating information. Impeachment, after all, is not a judicial proceeding as much as a political one. The Dems are playing it like a lawyer prepares for the courtroom, just as they did with the Mueller report.
4
Bingo! This is a political inquest, it is so completely and utterly obvious. It’s going to go down in flames, and Nancy Pelosi will put an end to it all before the Democrats suffer too much damage.
It will be a shame on two fronts if the Democrats remain narrowly focused on the one issue involved with Ukraine as recommended by many. First, whether this is an impeachable offense will be debated by Republicans. Second, and more importantly, the broad corruption and immorality of this administration will be allowed to remain uncontested.
7
The Dems need to keep showing a spine. Full speed ahead!
9
@Imperato
Hear, hear.
Hearings, and then do the right thing.
At least half-a-dozen Articles.
A bit of humour.
The president doth protest too much. If further inquiries come up empty, he will achieve the exoneration he so strongly (and inaccurately) laid claim to after the Mueller report was issued.
The baseline understanding of his putting his re-election campaign ahead of any other diplomacy or statecraft is enough to require him and his team to explain what the heck they are doing on our dime. The defend/deny/deflect strategy looks and feels like concerted stonewalling and deception, and is far from the demeanor I would expect of a person going about the business of being president.
5
With a very thin case for impeachment -- a single phone call to a foreign leader -- the House Democrats have to put on a how of deep concern. I don't think it will work with the voters.
3
Here’s an idea for the spineless democrats! Stop making threats and just issue the subpoenas!!! Force these criminals to comply
3
Wow, the President of the United States completely unhinged, both in public and on social media.
“Leader” of the world’s largest military, including nuclear weapons, and most important economy.
Living in a rudderless ship of 320 million people with a vindictive, mentally unstable man-child at the helm is not a comforting feeling.
29
Pompeo reminds me of a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Nervous, much?
12
@ChesBay -Although the cat is guilty of nothing more than accidentally getting into a room full of rocking chairs. Not so, for pompeo! He's guilty as sin. And, you can see that on his face. I wouldn't play poker if I were him.
1
Trump: I was “overwhelmingly elected.”
The 25th amendment should be invoked for his delusions alone.
21
@T. Monk
To be fair, he was overwhelmed, for sure.
4
Once again the President of the United States accuses the Democrats are doing exactly what he is accused of namely being corrupt and dishonest. How long will the United States voters except this kind of blatant and obvious obfuscation from the liar in chief?
11
Too funny!
Hillary did pay fusion gps $2 million to a law firm that paid a foreign agent, Christopher Steele, to buy lies from Russia. That actually happened. NYT doesn’t care
Biden actually did threaten to without $1 billion in aid if they didn’t fire the prosecutor investigating his sons business
Adam Schiff actually did lue to Congress making up a fictional version of the Trump phone call Transcript.
Schiff actually did have whistleblower information prior to filing and he lied about it
Democrats actually did change the whistleblower rules to allow second and third hand information be the basis of a complaint
Less than thirty days prior to this very ever in the history of America a whistleblower complaint without first hand information
7
@William Rodham
Except that those rumors have been proven to be false.
So why do you continue to spread them?
The only thing that unites the citizens of a democracy is accepting proven truths. THAT is common ground on which real, important debates are possible.
9
Pence is as guilty as Trump and Pompeo. How can he be sworn in as president when he committed the same exact crime as Trump?
Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome President Nancy Pelosi!
17
good luck with the subpoena ploy...it's no better than the rest of the increasingly embarrassing (to any true progressive democrat, think FDR not AOC) blather the new dems have perpetrated since their complacency got trump elected...whether the harsh drumbeat of of maxine "impeach!" waters or the pelosi's clueless "he (trump) will do what he's doing)" or the subversive (and also clueless) rerframing of history "some people did something" of ilhan omar...we are drowning in buckets of dumb and, while the dumdown delivery squad takes over, we are not preparing the next generation of dems for leadership in actually running the
country.
6
@ecco
Can you please explain why you are okay with the idea that a sitting US president withholds military aid to an ally occupied by a US foe, until that country's president would accept to help him with his own reelection campaign?
The Constitution literally forbids US presidents to do so, remember?
5
@Ana Luisa
wherefrom my "okay"? the subject irrelevant to the original...you refer, i'm guessing, to the so-called emoluments clause of section 9, article 1 of the constitution...in this light it was clearly (see the tape) mr biden who (as a person "holding any office of profit or trust") accepted "a present, emolument..." etc., when he held u.s. aid out in order to influence an internal ukranian state matter (the investigation a company seating his son on it board).
no evidence exists, despite the fondest hopes of the new dems who've destroyed the party, that trump's activities, as shabby as they may be, have provably (not conjecturally) done any such thing.
The average American citizen, of any political stripe, under any administration, would be treated with far less deference and more expeditiously for far, far less behavior.
10
At this point, it is not clear if Trump’s ‘phone call’ to Ukraine is an impeachable offense. The Democrats are attempting to resuscitate ‘Russiagate’, only this time, it is Ukraine. The Democrats are deliberately avoiding issues that matter most to working Americans- 1) unfair tax policies favoring the wealthy, 2) the US FED continuing to pump nearly unlimited amount of ultra-cheap money to Wall St for share buybacks and supporting [still] insolvent banks, 3) lack of investment in new plants and equipment and public infrastructure, 4) generate more jobs paying a livable wage, 5) high costs for housing, healthcare, prescription drugs, education, and 6) ending costly wars in Afghanistan (longest running war in US history), Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen (Iran next?), to name a few. I am a life-long Democrat; I am completely UNDERWHELMED by Nancy Pelosi’s ‘leadership’.
8
Unfair tax policies favoring the wealthy. And you support Trump? Thanks for the laugh.
17
Paul,
It’s pretty clear to majority of Americans, esp. b/c trump admitted to his crime, that the call by trump to threaten a foreign leader to get dirt on his leading opponent was a criminal act. Are you in favor of trump’s admitted crime? Is this YOUR value system? Bullying, threatening? Noted.
Just as the Bill Clinton impeachment process has the benefit of 20 years hindsight, so too in 2039, the public and historians will be able to evaluate the Trump impeachment process from a distance. By then, Democrats will be able to more clearly see whether or not this was a brilliant strategy to remove Trump from office or impede his chances for re-election. If, in fact, it has the reverse effect and sets a path for a second term in office as Trump’s strident supporters coalesce around him, this may set back the Democrat’s lofty progressive ambitions for a decade or more. It is a high-risk game on their part. Focusing on impeachment instead of focusing on the needs of America and Americans may be the folly of fools. Only time will tell.
6
@Jake
We have seen this show before. Any impeachment based on ethical/unpresidential behavior is bound to fail, especially when the economy is doing well. And that's what this is, an impeachment based on no egregious crime, but on "ethical" grounds.
Just like Newt Gingrich (and many others) were caught with egg on their faces in extramarital affairs, so will Democratic counterparts in this gambit.
Just wait until somebody reminds Trump of the six figure sums Elijah Cummings paid to his female staffers for sexual harassment - from public funds no less!
Ethics is not a game smart politicians play.
1
@Jake This has nothing to do with the 2020 election. This has to do with the fact that our democracy is in peril and it is the sworn duty of Congress to set it right.
2
@Viv - Your comment "just wait until somebody reminds Trump of the six figure sums Elijah Cummings paid to his female staffers for sexual harassment - from public funds no less!" is blatantly false, and if Cummings were not a public figure he would have a winning defamation case against peddlers of yet another absurd canard designed to confuse the undereducated and distract from the national nightmare that is this president.
2
There are two sides to this crisis, two teams: the good guys and the bad guys. If you remain a trump loyalist and apologist, you’re on the wrong side. There are no two ways about that, no ambiguity whatsoever.
13
Putting aside whether "get to the bottom of it" is the same as "make up dirt on Biden" and, in turn, impeachable, Democrats are doing a great disservice to the country by pursuing impeachment that will not be successful: such action renders the U.S.A. incapable of negotiating abroad and has a significant, negative impact on the markets. The strategy is obviously devised to achieve just such a result to enhance their chances in the next election. In short, they are more concerned with the election than the good of the country. We have survived bad presidents before; forget about Trump and get on with the business of governing.
4
So you are fine w/ threats to a foreign leader to get dirt on an American president’s leading opponent? Alrighty then. Duly noted.
With no actual vote of the House to launch an impeachment inquiry those subpoenas are on shaky legal ground.
And Pelosi is avoiding a House vote because she doesn’t want the first term moderates from the suburbs to have to take a stand and because if the House votes then the minority would enjoy subpoena powers too.
5
I have to admit that for the very first time, I'm experiencing "Trump fatigue".
As long as the debate was about policies, and about his inaction and lies about them, it made sense to engage in it too, as an ordinary citizen.
Today, however, the "debate of the day" is about the details of the impeachment process. We all know that if Clinton and Nixon were impeached for what they did, Trump certainly should and will be impeached too (you do NOT tie crucial military aid to an ally who has been attacked and is occupied by a US foe, to helping your personal reelection campaign as US president, obviously) - and then the corrupt GOP Senate will once again lie and cheat, instead of convicting him, and that will be it. Democrats will have done their sacred duty to this country, and should be massively rewarded for it during the next elections - but then it's obvious that that had already been the case long before Pelosi started the impeachment process anyhow.
So I hope that Pelosi and Schiff will be able to move quickly, so that we can finally go back to debating policies.
But ... maybe I'm wrong here? Maybe we do need an extended debate, as citizens, about why a GOP presidency and Senate are SO much more corrupt and dangerous than a Democratic WH and Senate, before the 50% of those eligible to vote, will finally get it too and show up next year and vote ... ?
4
I am so looking forward to Schiff hitting the fan.
3
Do we really need further evidence of mental instability?
(I'm referring to Trump's supporters. Trump's own mental condition is "perfectly" stable: entrenched insanity.)
9
I wish someone had stood up to Trump's bluster and obfuscation from Day 1, but better late than never.
5
Subpoenas for WH transcripts with world leaders will be a court fight that they lose, separation of powers, executive privilege, a very dangerous precedent.
The "evidence" is now tainted with Schiffs' admission of inside knowledge. Ms. Pelosi also publicly spoke of knowledge before the fact. A ya vote on the House floor for Impeachment grants subpoena power to the minority party.
Just another TV show. Meanwhile the people wait for action on gun control, trade agreement, healthcare issues. They will lose the House next year.
4
Our long national nightmare is nearly over.
5
Are you referring to a crushing defeat for the Democratic Party in 2020?
Vent your rage at the Trump administration in the most constructive way: donate to the "Help the Intelligence Officer Whistleblower" campaign on the GoFundMe website.
7
Our president sure acts strange for an innocent man.
19
Paul Manafort was Trump's "man on the ground " in Ukraine . Is he going to appear? Day off from prison would be nice.
8
Trump, you need to fight this every step of the way. Fight every subpoena, fight every request for documents. Oppose any appearance by White House personnel in these hearings. Claim executive privilege, where appropriate. Force the Dems hand here. The only authority you should ultimately bend to is when the Supreme Court steps in to rule on the issues (subpoenas, etc.). Appeal any District Court Judge's order, if compelling your actions to comply with Dem leadership. You're a fighter, Trump. Get the right legal counsel with you to punch back each and every day. Make this the most excruciating experience for the Dems.
1
Destroy the United States rule of law to prove your innocence but still have half believe your guilty since you didn’t cooperate? Seems better to comply with the investigation and prove innocence that way.
1
Is IG Linick deliberately playing for time and trying to stretch out the proceedings by drowning the committees with irrelevant documents?What was so urgent about his request? It seems that the much discredited Pompeo has a willing tool there.
2
What are the Democrats going to do when Trump and his stooges Pompeo and Barr refuse to honor the constitution and comply? The spineless Republicans are still cowering in their corners or shrieking nonsense in Graham's case.
4
The federal intelligence community whistleblower law explicitly states intelligence community whistleblowers must formally go through the ICIG [Inspector General of the Intelligence Community] before contacting Congress. In other words, even when Schiff was insulting Joseph Maguire, Schiff already knew he himself had been in on the whistleblower scam from the outset. In other words, game over, Adam Schiff. Your phony cover has been blown.
2
Asking a foreign government to interfere with our elections is Treason.
Condoning it is also Treason.
Hiding it is also Treason.
16
If Democrats do not craft articles of impeachment against VP Mike Pence too, there are derelict of their duties. Mike Pence is just as deceitful, arrogant and crooked as Donald Trump. The only difference in the two is- Trump is overtly PROFANE and Pence is hypocritically profane with a coating of spray-on Religion.
9
This is a disgrace and a blatant assault on americas democracy. There is no impeachable offense here. This stems from fear that Trump will win 2020. How in the world can people think this is sn honest attempt to bring justice while ignoring Biden and Hilary's involvement in using foreign governments to sway elections??? Outrageous
3
@Gali
I disagree. For one thing, Biden and Clinton hold no offices, let alone the presidency.
7
If the Democrats insist on continuing with this baseless impeachment idiocy they would serve the country in a better way by simply withdrawing all their candidates and just giving Trump the 2020 election .It would save us all a lot of pointless stress and money because this is where it is going to end anyway
3
The NYT is trying to create a sense of momentum, but it was all still-born. Time to end this useless distraction from the business of our nation. Let the President do his job.
4
Schiff looks like a goner. Pelosi is going to have to bring a new one in. What a mess.
5
Every word that comes out of the Bully Trump's mouth is a projection. He called Schiff "a lowlife". Definitely a projection of self. Impeach. Impeach. Impeach. I have been screaming this for the last 3 years to get the infant/bully out of office.
13
Subpoena all of these traitors, who think that they’re just advancing their political agenda! What they don’t realize is that they are betraying their country in the worst way. Get rid of Pompeo
6
Watching Trump seethe on tv today with the Finish President sitting next to him brought a smile to 65% of Americans's faces.
Hopefully this vile narcissist is finally getting his just desserts.
Maybe the stress from this impeachment investigation will give him a stroke and Pence, who doesn't have a chance to get elected in 202, will become the 46th President.
The Democrats are handling this process perfectly. Adam Schiff is calm, cool, and collected and Nancy Pelosi has Trump's number.
Watching Trump squirm after all of his efforts to destroy our Republic will provide hours of entertainment.
8
Firstable, I want to thank Adam Schiff, he is an American Heroe. It is due to his perseverance that we were able to unbury the President misconduct.
Rep Schiff has been measured in his words, strong and steadfast despite all the attacks. History will remember him kindly.
Second, Trump is melting down and as any wild corned animal, he is viciously dangerous. So far, he has predictably defended himself by issuing rumors, innuendoes and outright lies.
But he is also stupidly making mistakes for which I can only be grateful. Error # 1- He has released the phone call transcript thinking that he was going to spin it on his favor. Well, it did not work this time. It just confirmed the alledged misconduct.
And adding to the queue, he just admited today that there is a word for word transcript out there - exactly as the wistleblower had said.
I stand with Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff. They are truly fighting for us to ‘Keep our Republic’. God bless them and full speed ahead...
9
Impeach Trump and Make America Great Again!
9
I'm just wondering if Chris Matthews gets his wish to impeach VP Pence as well [https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/scott-whitlock/2019/10/02/chris-matthews-we-gotta-impeach-pence-too]; does that mean Speaker Pelosi becomes the first woman president of the United States?
Sweet!!
7
Shame not more Republicans can find the integrity the public believe they possess is not more evident. However, it's the same with UK politicians. If nothing else comes out of this other than the possibility for politicians to be more honest and transparent for the pubic to have faith in. Then the public will have had a result. Because it won't then stop until corruption is pushed even further out of government.
1
ALL's fair in love and smearing Donald Trump!
Trump's infantile meltdown yesterday would not be tolerated for a four-year-old. In addition to seeming deranged, he let out another fire hose of lies and disgusting insults. This is an American president?
6
I’m sorry the President of Finland had to witness the tantrums of Donald two year old
12
@mormor: The US is melting down faster than Greenland.
4
It's time to either put up or shut up and decease with the long rope we continue to offer the GOP.
5
I think the Democrats, at Nancy Pelosi’s order, will soon shut up. It might be a few weeks yet.
3
Pelosi, Nadler and Schiff just put The Animal House on double secret probation.
Seriously, stop making threats. Stop mincing words. Stop wringing your hands. Stop clutching your pearls.
Issue the subpoenas! And when they fail to comply, arrest them and incarcerate them!
10
I am a retired US citizen. After watching the president meeting with President Saudi Niinisto of Finland,I closed my eyes and considered this thought problem.
“Did I just witness a very stable genius or a very unstable idiot?”
How you honestly answer this question to yourself will determine who the next president will be.
11
Denial runs deep. His latest obvious cheating scam , confirms that he cheated in 2016. He’s been cheating for years. He cheated his bankers, his students, his contributors, his wives. It’s what he does. He lies and cheats. Like a mafia don, he doesn’t put it in writing, he never touches a gun, he never touches the drugs. But when people around him are doing jail time, something is fishy. He waves a flag shouting: I am a scoundrel. Witnessing republican denial, I’m reminded of Cher in Moonstruck when she slaps her lover saying: Snap out of it !
4
@Gub: Nobody comes away from Trump smelling like a rose because he always gets them to do something compromising to get what they want from him.
2
So the writers of this article charge Mr. Trump with “distortion” of the facts but do not choose to even mention Mr. Schiff, who heads up this nutty “inquiry” who engaged in “fantasy” story telling when discussing the President’s Ukraine call.
Why does this paper use a double standard when Trump is mentioned? A reader has to wonder if the”facts” as written here are not the facts at all!
7
Trump, the grotesque coward, is now cornered like a rat. He knows he's going down, and it's driving him ever crazier than he was already. Good. The crazier he gets, the more the American people will recall he's still got the nuclear codes, so he's got to GO ASAP, or we all might.
11
I agree with the comment here that says Trump supporters should encourage the release of documents ASAP if they believe the President is innocent or there is not enough evidence to vote impeachment. Joining the negative chorus leaves them open to criticism where going on TV and asking the President to support their claims of innocence would go much farther with public opinion. If the evidence then justifies impeachment they can say the country comes first. If there is nothing there they look more adult. A win-win as they say.
7
The President inquired about a political rival’s son’s business dealings and any possible wrongdoing. Congress votes to impeach, but doesn’t obtain a majority in the Senate. The elections are held and President Trump wins via a landslide victory. Maybe.
5
Why threaten a lawsuit against Schiff? Schiff, as with all of Congress, has immunity from lawsuits.
2
You know the old adage, “If you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen?” Well, what we’re seeing and hearing from the “president” is full disclosure of both who and what he really is; a profane, shady businessman who lacks the capacity to perform in any arena that his bullying can’t control. His use of foul language, his incivility towards those to whom he should show respect, and his growing paranoia with spies, treasonous people, corrupt individuals, etc., all point to a meltdown that’s coming fast and furiously. Even his enablers will be unable to support him. But the thing that is most bothersome is our office holders’ focus on polls and reelection. If one does the right thing, one has nothing to worry about. The focus in Washington must be on saving our union, not on political polls.
10
Four in ten Republicans believe the lies being told by this POTUS. In spite of the White House releasing transcript that admits his guilt, they still do not think Trump spoke about Biden on this call. People need to pay more attention to the facts and stop listening to the non stop stream of nonsesnse that comes out of Trump's mouth and twitter feed. The implications of allowing a President to get away with this behavior are HUGE. What would our country be if we can not rely on elections to be fair. If we look the other way when presidents abuse their power and use it to enrich themselves. If we allow obstruction and no longer have co-equal branches of government. We can not afford to turn a blind eye and believe only what our partisan comfort zone wants to believe. This is not a lie about an affair (though he has done that too!). The stakes are much bigger. Time to put country first, GOP.
12
Obviously the threat of impeachment has got under Trump’s skin like nothing before. Over the past week his tone has become more frantic, frenzied and apocalyptic.
Democrats must act quickly. The longer the inquiry drags on, there’s a risk that Trump could no longer be held responsible on grounds of deteriorating health.
Giuliani said in an interview that the Democrats were “coming after his two lawyers,” him and Attorney General William P. Barr. This statement speaks volumes about Barr – he doesn’t serve the country, but a president unfit for office.
Giuliani also said that he gave Mike Pompeo the Ukraine-related material in March, “but indicated that the secretary of state did not do anything with it.”
Perhaps Pompeo was smarter than Giuliani and didn’t want to let himself in for his antics.
What I find hilarious is this: “So *NOW* can we *FINALLY* have a serious national conversation about the psychological condition of the President of the United States?” asked George Conway, Kellyanne's husband, a lawyer and Trump detractor.
11
The partisan saga continues to unfold. Many Democrats began callingfor impeachment -- even before Trump's inauguration.
6
And apparently they were right to do so. Just from his behavior alone refusing to cooperate with Mueller, the Comet affair, and now the Ukraine call U am convinced that He did cooperate with Russia to win in 2016 and he is again reaching out to foreign powers to taint the candidacy of Biden. No innocent person would behave like this.
3
If the WH staff including Trump don't comply and turn over the requested documents, then Federal marshalls should be dispatched to arrest them including Trump. It's time to use the full force of the law on these reprehensible criminals.
If they had nothing to hide, they'd turn over the documents -- the situation is that they have plenty to hide and plenty that's been hidden.
8
I just hope his die hard supporters, as well as the nation, maintain calm and perspective without acting out on their second amendment rights. My gut tells me, against all wishes, that this isn't going to be pretty, and we're about to learn that "it" can, indeed, happen here.
1
It’s already happening here, and the president is just fine with it.
Donald, the impeachment process is underway.
It is not a case of either your way or the Constitution's way.
The Constitution will win out.
Or not.
2
If Trump was innocent. Regarding the impeachment process he would be screaming "BRING IT ON". He would be encouraging the Democrats because if he were innocent he knows the impeachment would fail. His accusers would look real bad. He would be relishing in his thoughts of vindication. It is not happening this way. He knows he is going down.
5
I see a lot of comments criticizing house Democrats for warning the Whitehouse about future subpoenas. It is my understanding notice must be provided to insulate democratic council members should the Whitehouse choose to fight this in court...which they certainly will.
Other than that, I agree, after Friday if the documents are not delivered, issue a subpoena and give it teeth. Sargent at Arm's should be ready to arrest any uncooperative staffer or cabinet member or elected official or "three fingers of scotch guzzling before live broadcast 2bit former lawyers named guiliani." Lock them up!
4
Never mind Trump (or Clinton, or Nixon, or whomever).This entire charade is living proof of how dysfunctional American-style governance (not democracy by any means) really is. Republican, or Democrat, the White House, or Congress, bipartisan bickering is all they can muster. And raising the debt ceiling, which already is in the stratosphere. But that's not good government by any means.
4
Trump’s strategy is to deny the obvious reality that he was putting pressure on Ukraine’s president to dig up dirt on Joe Biden. But the transcript that he thinks is exculpatory is actually inexcusable. And you mean to tell me that someone in the WH released this transcript as proof of no wrongdoing? Unbelievable.
6
What good are subpoenas when, so far, almost everyone who got subpoenaed has ignored it. You know anyone who gets one at this point will also ignore it. What the Dems should have done with the first refusal to appear or comply, & need to do, is to find anyone refusing to comply in contempt of congress. Then have them thrown in jail & heavily fined. Right now it's just a joke.
1
Unless the Democrats use a different tactic, the impeachment investigation will end up being a Fifth Amendment dead end as was the Mueller investigatjon.
1
The Democrats ARE fooling around - they ought to formulate a plan on how to improve the lives of working Americans, and present it to the voters
Livelong Democrat.
3
They have been doing their job writing many important bills including one for election security but Mitch McConnell will not being then to the floor for a vote.
3
In a morning tweet, trump has explained the ellipses as being times that he used the word "ellipse" in his conversation, and his fantastic stenographers, now in gitmo for debriefings, used the three dots to represent the word.
Let’s see:
• An innocent man would welcome the investigation and cooperate so that his name could be cleared the soonest. Think of the Benghazi hearings. Hillary went to the hearings and answered the questions without disparaging the press, blaming other people, or resorting to Twitter.
• Trump is becoming desperate and literally sweating more than usual because the Kremlin has changes its position. From Putin’s spokesperson Peskov saying — “We would rather not have to release the records of what President Putin and Donald talked about” to Putin himself saying — “I’ve told Donald to release the records of our Helsinki talk as early as last year” opening the possibility that the next whistleblower could be Putin himself, a real spy. And who knows what other kompromat he might unleash.
• Trump’s murder of the English language continues to be an embarrassment. This in itself should be a ground for impeachment but high crimes and misdemeanors would also do.
5
This mass hysteria is disgraceful.
2
He must go now. On full display this country needs a reality show impeachment like never before. It must show and demonstrate all it’s corruption in full public glory. Pelosi nailed it when she spoke to the press quoting Ben Franklin. This country needs a history lesson and a reminder why we have the democracy that we do and why it’s so important to preserve. Americans who believe this Democrat and Republican must stay on the offense, they’re not used to that and can’t defend themselves only attack .its working even with a media that allows this crazy man and his thugs proclaim false storylines and propaganda on live TV day after day after day. Please stop media. You look foolish, cut his mike, speak over his lies calling him out EVERY-TIME he starts in on live TV.! Or stop airing it! Even w this truth seeking Dems on offense is still working. But media must stop allowing this man to spread his propaganda and lies si this necessary impeachment can go faster smoother and be more clear for the American people. You must stay on the offense like never before and quickly before peoples attention spans tire. America your on the right path this must be done to save this country. NO DEALS will be cut for this corrupt criminal if you cut a deal and allow this man and his crime family and cronies go unpunished this country will never heal.
3
Is there anyone in Trump's home that is communicating their worry vis a vis his eroding mental state?
Is he preparing to oust Pence that if he doesn't get on board with the president regarding Ukraine he'll kick him off the ticket and replace him with his vapid daughter or his racist son? I'm really curious about this...
4
Why are Democrats allowing anyone to ignore subpoenas? Use your power, show us that in America nobody is above the law.
1
@Don Upildo because the DOJ is in charge and will not prosecute or hold these criminals accountable. it's awful, but that is just one of the snags that allows the corrupt GOPers to get away with ignoring the law. barr IS the law and he is in charge, god help us all!
TIME OUT! Is there anyone out there who believes -- for a minute -- that ANY of our leaders are going to have the brains or will or imagination to SAVE OUR PLANET? (Get rid of Trump and his thugs TODAY, stop wasting time and money, and GET TO WORK!) Thank you!
Just THINK about "VP Pence" leading us through the coming environmental catastrophe!
2
The hornets nest in Trumps brain is exploding. Guiliani and the "gang" are trying to divert attention from the Democrats very directed and crucial work. This is very ugly to watch.
3
Roy Cohn's delay with lawyer strategy is falling apart in the face of the Constitution.
1
They should stop telling and just quietly do.
9
Trump's enablers and fellow obstructionists, from Pompeo on down must feel the heat. The maximum force of the law should be used to make them sweat and possibly dissociate from Trump.
11
The Linick gambit was well played and an indicator of part of the Republican's strategy. Set up the Dems with junk hints of nefarious activities and then pillory them with invective when they take the bait and try to play fair with it. Hopefully the Dems will figure out that demagogues and their minions think playing fair is for chumps who have no clue as to how hard it is to fight a lunatic who has captured the reins of power.
9
@Mister Ed: Trump can't even ride a horse if he has to trade his kingdom for one.
1
“We’re not fooling around here.”
It is refreshing and encouraging to hear plainspoken talk by Rep. Schiff that matches DJT’s - without the incoherent, coarse vulgarity.
10
Donald Trump, Mike Pompeo, Rudy Giuliani, the list goes on, are protesting innocence and attacking their accusers way too much. To almost everyone other than the people that somehow can't understand why Trump's actions were in violation of the constitution and therefore impeachable offenses, or the people that can understand the violations but simply don't care because they need their foul mouthed racist in the White House, Trump is devolving before our eyes and is obviously guilty of multiple impeachable offenses. The guilty always protest innocence a little too much, in terms a little awkward, while accusing those holding them accountable for their transgressions rather than take responsibility for their actions. Trump and the rest of the GOP are nothing if not obvious.
7
Three years of corruption and self-dealing, thousands of lies, conspiracies, and threats and intimidation by Trump and those who have been cowed by him, instead of representing the People, are enough. It is time for the People to be represented by the truth!
11
@Quandry: The truth is that no human being will ever credibly know what any hypothetical creator of the whole universe would think about things that concern humans.
1
Ah, clearly the actions of a criminal when they have been caught and cornered. If he had nothing to hide it would only make sense to be more forthcoming.
I formerly thought that American were smarter than they apparently are. They are blindly following a con man who has not delivered the magic that he promised and is tearing our democracy to shreds.
10
Hyperbole is no substitute for reasoned argumentation.
@Jim Dickinson: It is an airtight con, because the pigeons believe the payoff is after death.
I can hear Schiff now.
"Give us all the documents you have anywhere in your office about anything NOW by Friday or we're going to file obstruction charges against you. Don't look at the documents. Don't review the documents. Don't analyze the documents. Don't seek counsel. If you do, we're going to file obstruction charges against you. And the reason we're going to file obstruction charges is because of the stupidity of the American people who think anytime a Democrat says Obstruction in the context of Trump, another angle gets its wings."
4
How dare him not cooperate. THIS IS OUR GOVERNMENT!
9
And as a member of our government, Mr. Trump and his administration have rights as well.
1
There is no witch hunt, no conspiracy theory, no deep state coup. Only a transcript that shows a President of the United States using his power to coerce a foreign leader into finding dirt on his political opponent.
Nothing more, nothing less.
The rest is just noise. Meant to obfuscate, distract and draw our attention away from the obvious. Keep it up trump. You are fooling no one and failing miserably.
17
You are of course entitled to your interpretation of the transcript. I do not see the malevolence in it that most people here appear to see. and ultimately, that judgment call determine whether this so-called impeachment inquiry goes forward. I predict that it will not.
3
Subpoena the White House for a business telephone conversation - this will not go over well for most Americans. The President is correct, the Democratic Party is corrupt and attempting to reverse the will of america’s Voters. Very bad.
2
with approximately 3 million more votes than trump, the people of the United States of America made it clear that their choice for president was Hillary Clinton. if not for the outdated electoral college the choice of the people would have been respected.
2
@Juergen Granatowski
A "business telephone conversation"?
This is the people's business. We the People own these records, of foreign policy conducted on our behalf. And this conversation included a crime.
2
When are the subpoenas coming for the Bidens, who conspired to obstruct justice into how the junior Biden was getting paid $50,000 per month from a Ukrainian gas company despite having NO expertise in neither Ukraine NOR gas/utilities?
5
Don't know when the subpoenas will come. The president has Barr out on other very important secret business collecting even more conspiracy theories for right wing nuts to chew on. Distract and delay is the game of the pretender who would be king.
2
The Democrats are playing a very dangerous game. In spite of the fact that President Trump has it appears broken the law he still has the solid support of almost half the country. Those who agree with impeaching him are only a few percentage points more than those who do not want impeachment. America is already divided and with impeachment proceedings it will only get worse. In the Senate, it is impossible for impeachment to succeed as the Republican senators are solidly behind Trump. So all this time and money will be wasted with no good results.
These days it is all about political benefits instead of what is good for the country. The Democratic aim is to tarnish Trump as much as possible so that he does not win again. Amongst Republicans, his image has not changed and it does not look like it will change no matter what Trump says or does.
What Americans are looking for is a better life for ourselves and we do not see enough efforts made for our wellbeing. This is a dangerous game the Democrats are playing as it can have the wrong consequences for them.
At the least, the impeachment proceedings should not drag on and should be finished fast for the potential to turn against impeachment can happen.The Democrats dismiss Trump as an idiot and do not take him seriously, the fact is, his mind is brilliant along with an emotionally challenged brain. His mind is trying to push the agenda of almost half the country forward and his insane brain is doing it in a bulling way.
2
@Sajidkhan
It seems you think trump has broken the law, yet are against impeachment. So you presumably agree with trump that the president is above the law. (I wonder if you will have a different opinion when the next Democratic president is elected...)
Did I accurately sum things up?
5
The restraint that Mr. Cummings shows is extraordinary.
He has every reason to lash out, and he just does his job appropriately.
Give that man a medal!
9
Democrats please stop the threats. A waste of time. Issue subpoenas.
Why continue to be nice to the Trump gang?
6
We all know this is a giant Nothingburger.
The Dems don't even have a majority in the Senate, and they
need 2/3 to convict on any Articles of Impeachment forwarded from the House.
Just move on and try to beat Trump in the Pres. campaign, on REAL issues.
Spoiler Alert: He's going to Win.
4
What we have learned from all of this is one thing: the GOP are a treasonous bunch, willing to sell out democracy for their bible -thumping base and some court seats. McConnell (who together with his wife as Trump's transportation puppet are completely compromised by corruption through both Russian investments in Kentucky and Chinese dollars) should be voted out and exiled.
9
Our apologies to the President of Finland for the embarrassment which is our president. So sorry you had to share the stage.
19
I think we owe the whole world an apology.
2
Watching the current resident in the White House rant and rave, reading his abusive and hate-filled tweets, listening to his sycophantic followers fills me with horror; reading articles such as this confirms in me the opinion that he is determined to turn the USA into a dictatorship where elections will have no legitimacy as he and he alone will be the determinator of what is legitimate and what is not. He has already called for imprisonment for those who oppose him, he disregards current laws and he racially duly elected representatives of the people. It is impossible to predict how this will play out but one thing is sure, the democracy that is the USA is in great danger of collapsing into a nation ruled by a dictator who has no scruples or morals.
7
I made the mistake of watching the press conference given by trump and the unfortunate president of Finland, who must have been thinking “Beam me up, Saku!” the whole time.
It would be somewhat comical if it wasn’t extremely scary to watch the spectacle of the unpresident going totally off the rails with a steady stream of demonstrable falsehoods and hyperbolic accusations.
Here’s a tiny observation: Did anyone notice trump going from “I think he (Schiff) helped write it (the whistleblower’s statement)” to “He helped write it” within the span of about one minute? It’s as if trump viewed the first statement — a preposterous speculation — as evidence of its own veracity: I said it, therefore it’s true.
Something disastrous (war, martial law, ...) is going to happen before the next election unless the GOP develops a spine. What will it take for them to see that trump has truly lost his mind?
7
Yippee tomorrow is Subpoena Day! Subpoenas on one channel, baseball on another. Ain't America Great Again!!!
2
Seems to me not responding to requests for documents is more threatening than issuing a congressional subpoena to a non-responsive white house. Ignore an equal branch of government. Let's play monarchy. That sort of thing. Making a subpoena necessary. The reporting on this is much too soap opera-ish. Stick to the facts, and cut the drama.
2
Delay. That's the best tactic Trump and his minions have. Then there is the defense tactic of providing lots of irrelevant documents in a document request to keep the House aides busy. Dueling lawyers. In the meantime, the Dems have to keep cranking out work for McConnell to reject so they have something more than this impeachment process to rely on in 2020. I would like to see more coverage of what else is going on in the House and what McConnell is refusing to consider. Let's also focus on that.
4
Once again, the Democrats continue to display greater tolerance and professionalism towards the Republicans' stonewalling than the GOP would towards the Democrats if the tables were turned.
However, sometimes the gloves just have to come off.
13
While I'm glad that the House is finally doing something. I don't think the GOP or Republican voters care that the president did anything wrong. The GOP's goal is to stay in power at all costs.
6
Trump, Pompeo, Barr, and Guiliani seem to have a lot to hide.
It's the only reason for their collective hysteria about what should be a very transparent process.
Every obstruction is another piece of evidence of their need to hide information.
Congress has a duty to investigate this danger to our national security. If true, Trump must be impeached since there is no gray zone for any action he took that puts our country at risk for his personal gain.
9
From this point forward it is essential that any subpoena that is ignored is countered by the House withholding funding since they hold the federal power of the purse.
A subpoena is a formal, legal exercise that must be honored by public, elected officials.
Any stoppage in House funding will fall squarely on anyone who disregards their lawful duty to honor a subpoena.
I would also pursue disbarment for any attorneys (guiliani, barr) that ignore a subpoena.
Use every legal and financial remedy to enforce the subpoenas issued from this point forward. And show no leniency! None!
10
@Is_the_audit_over_yet
Thank you.
I wondered what the path forward could be since the Corrupt DOJ won't arrest anybody.
2
I am surprised by the high volume of right wing conspiracy theory talking points that are on parade in this comments section.
It seems that Trump’s enablers are finally seeing that his illegal and bumbling actions may actually have consequences, and are spinning their own desperate defenses of the indefensible.
11
@Berry Berry
Yep, also commented about this. I smell a rat. Too many, too similar.
"The president was so agitated as he was pelted with questions that he repeatedly ordered reporters to query Mr. Niinisto instead. At the end, Mr. Trump turned his back on the Finnish president and stalked off the stage in the East Room without offering his guest the customary handshake."
If this individual comes apart so quickly under pressure, how can anyone believe he has the capacity to lead the country through a real crisis? Day by day, Trump is demonstrating himself to be more and more emotionally and mentally incapable of performing his job.
9
I find myself agreeing with many of today's comments saying that making threats of subpoenas is weak and useless.
Serve the subpoenas without warning, if the persons or agencies don't fully comply send the marshals, arrest and detain these people until they capitulate. Since we still operate the disgraceful Guantanamo prison, this would be the perfect place to park these scofflaws.
3
The President is again appealing to his base by telling lies and threatening his political opponents while distracting the public from the actions being taken by the GOP, with Trump's support, to cut taxes for the wealthy, dismantle our environmental protection, change asylum laws and threaten other countries around the world and on and on. Whew, that's a mouthful. In any event, it has worked so far. It might work again. DEMs everywhere, vote in 2020 against Trump as if your life depends on it.
4
Just a few moments ago I discovered what this is really all about. New 25% tariffs on single malt scotch kicks in Oct 18th.
3
What principle is at stake if Nancy Pelosi won’t even call a floor vote? Don’t the highly principled Dems want to stand up and be counted? Her formal announcement of an impeachment inquiry is nothing but a dodge. America is sick of it. Call the vote or forget it.
3
All I can say is that I am glad Finns are sweeping and vacuuming their forests, per Trump's advice.
2
Trump and his Republican sycophants have signaled that they'll sink to all new lows to avoid losing their power.
Stay tough, House and Senate Democrats! And THANK YOU! Thank you for being the only ones trying to limit and minimize the damage Trump's corruption is causing to our country. Thank you for being the only ones trying to keep a check on this out-of-control administration.
Sincerely,
The American People
7
Trump's incoherent rantings are sounding more and more like Dostoevsky's character in Notes From Underground.
5
Trump is "plainly enraged" that his corruption and abuse of his office have returned to indict him. "Indict" only in the broader sense of that word. The actual legal indictment -- or impeachment -- is still to come.
4
Trump will never be impeached out of office. Remember that he controls the military and they like him. Hence, he can do whatever he wants. A subpoena is meaningless. All he has to say is "no".
@joe
"Remember that he controls the military and they like him."
No they don't.
And he's a draft dodger and a coward, to boot.
1
Adam Schiff and Nancy Pelosi should of all people not use the terms "Fooling around "politically, and "Spreading dirt "politically after Schiff's revolting hypocritical "Parody" in front of Congress and the often forgotten Pelosi Rule in Congress necessitated by Nancy and her husbands' insider trading behaviors requiring the Pelosi Rule.
3
The New York Times reportage, editorial and opinion writers are contributing to the POLARIZATION in our politics, and it is especially damaging at this time in the reporting on the Impeachment Inquiry, BECAUSE, it is the US House of Representatives, Committees, which are conducting the inquiry and issuing subpoenas for uncooperative persons in the administration. It is NOT THE DEMOCRATS who are doing this! It is our duly elected representatives who are doing their constitutional duty of oversight, and checks and balances. Every time anyone presents it as "the Democrats" this and that, they minimize the seriousness of the constitutional issue, and contribute to a politicization of the issue in the minds of the public at large. The US House of Representatives is doing its Constitutional duty. If at present it happens to be a majority of Democrats beginning the process it is because the Democratic party currently has a majority and thus hold the chairs of the various committees. But that does not mean it is the "Democrats" impeaching or attempting to impeach. It is the US House of Representatives acting for EVERY CITIZEN in the United States in attempting to restore Constitutional Authority and balance in our US democratically elected Government! And NYT and Washington Post, and big media, should be correctly referring to the issue by reporting that the HOUSE COMMITTEES are issuing subpoenas and it is the HOUSE COMMITTEES which are conducting the Impeachment Inquiry!
3
@JOHN
Yes. And no.
If the House were 51% GOP, none of this would be happening (and, though it's a bit off-topic, there would be no southern-border crisis because the Dems could not be blamed when the GOP controls all levels of government).
As it stands, with a Dem majority in the House, there will likely be a vote on impeachment in the days, weeks or months to come. It is hard to imagine that vote will not be almost 100% divided along party lines.
1
"which is what they have been doing ever since I got overwhelmingly elected in 2016, 223-306”
Overwhelmingly by the electoral college but losing the general election by 3 million votes. The American people are tired of this poser in office.
The lying, cruelty, bigotry, name calling, threats, and mindlessness of this administration are exhausting.
3
So let's review. We have an administration that refuse requests for documents. We have a state department head lie to the American public first he did not know, now he did have first hand knowledge of the phone call. We have a private citizen that was asked to investigate another countries head prosecutor, directly coordinated with the president and the state department on a known bogus report about the Bidens. We have the president ask a foreign head of state immediately after outlining how much we can do for him if he can do him [ not our country but him ] a "favor". So what we have is all the presidents men lying again, and we have trumplicans telling US that what they see is not impeachable. What I would like to see is a reporter or Congress man/woman ask why lying and improper use of offices [ state department ] does not constitute an illegality that is impeachable. Then that person should also ask if our country is a country of laws that are binding or just for looks, like other banana republics.
2
The "rapidly unfolding inquiry" has produced exactly nothing new. The transcript of the Ukranian call was released before Pelosi violated norms and unilaterally invoked an impeachmeny inquiry with no floor vote. Independent reporters discovered that the thoroughly disreputable Adam Schiff was in communication with the spuriously named "whistleblower" weeks before the complaint was created. It would have been irregular if Sec of State had not also been on the call between Trump and the the new leader of Ukraine. And unsurprisingly, Joe Biden's prior demand that Ukraine leadership fire the prosecutor looking into corruption at the company where Joe's utterly unqualified son was being paid $50k a month to sit on the Board, is of no interest to the Congressional "investigators." This is political theater. The same folks that hyped the debunked "collusion" noise have now doubled down with a new conspiracy theory, woven with gossamer and friendly press. It's transparently nothing but a stunt, which is already collapsing from lack of substance.
4
The most amazing thing about all of this is what a blatantly transparent monster Trump always was, and will be until his last breath. What a farce that anyone respects him, or wants to be represented by him.
7
We are all numb after 800 plus days of Trump and Tweeter. Boy, he really has some nibble figures.
All of the smoke and mirrors, disinformation, fake news, social media, and the generally dumbing-down of Americans seems to have led to the demise of the Republic.
The Democrats can only charge Trump. Mitch McConnell and all those dark money supporters will have the last word. And that will be a quick Senate Trial resulting in a vote along party lines.
But, the media loves it. They're making a lot of money on our backs.
Putin can do his dirty work somewhere else. Dark money has taken control of the Republic. It now all about greed and share value.
Isn’t his behavior and choice of words impeachable on their own. Conduct not acceptable, illogical and blatantly false accusations against other elected officials, is in of itself an impeachable offense. Imagine Obama spoke like that? You can’t.
2
Based on Trump's crazy performance yesterday, it is just a matter of time before he goes completely ballistic when formal articles of impeachment hit the street.
3
The People's House has a power of its own, a distinct power. It can start inquiries, but as we have already seen, that is not necessarily the most powerful
The most powerful has just been launched. And to the dishonorable Mr. Trump, Sir, this is not a coup. This is a law governed Republic. This is one of the great powers of one of the other co-equal branches of government.
I never thought you had the making of a varsity politician; you got in by crook and America caught napping.
And this, dishonorable, is where this soon ends.
Trumpism and Trump himself cannot withstand an active, real, vigilant state. This is also why he has backed off real international conflicts, instead being a kind of roaming and bloviating Chamberlain. The man actually dipped the dignity of our nation to holding "friendly" meetings with the murderous North Korea!
Trump is a sour joke. Time to end it. Impeach.
1
We are binge watching an impeachment. Watergate took 13 months. This is not going to end well.
2
The only way they can prove they aren't fooling around and/or powerless is to take strong action when a subpoena is ignored. This is something they have yet to do, and people are beginning to think that Democrats are incapable of anything more than bluster. Ever wonder what would happen if an ordinary person ignored a subpoena? I can guarantee it would be more than sharp words from those in power.
17
@lvzee
agreed, and this is even more dangerous, one branch of government ignoring requests for documents from an equal branch of government meant to be the oversight
the corruption is the biggest threat, I am now all in with Warren, enough is enough
2
@Entre Perhaps Sanders' health will cause him to withdraw & then his former supporters will flock to Warren pushing her ahead of Biden.
I’m surprised by the number of Trump supporters in the comments. I thought they’d have nothing but disdain for the NYT.
And I’m still always surprised by how differently we see the world - with both sides seeing the other as an easily-directed flock of sheep while their shepherds dismantle democracy.
For the record, I’m pro impeachment. I have seen so many people go to jail for a long time on a lot less evidence. The law just doesn’t apply to some people, I guess.
25
@Zoe: There are plenty of trolls and bots on the internet. There is no artificial intelligence to detect them. Political donations pay for trolling.
Those subpoenas are headed for the supreme court. We know how they will vote. 5 to 4 in favor of the president and against the subpoenas.
7
@esp, you might be correct but I doubt CJ Roberts has much love for someone like Trump. He's also a bit of a stickler for the balance of powers and his place as CJ in history. But who knows?
3
If the Supreme Court decides the executive can choose what information to provide congress subject to an impeachment, then truly we have no constitution, because congress will have lost its check on the president. Our famous “checks and balances” will be rendered a mere quaint phrase.
The Supreme Court knows that. It must also know such a decision would be fatal to more than the constitution. The repercussions would extend to the court itself.
One day, there will be an election that returns Democrats to power. If the Supreme Court cannot find the wisdom to defend the basic operation of the constitution, it may well find itself impeached.
4
@esp Why bother? Just find the people involved guilty of contempt of congress. Heck, Eric Holder might provide their defense.
“Plans to issue a subpoena”?
Just issue a subpoena and make clear the consequences for noncompliance.
And then follow through. Trump’s cooperation is not optional.
12
TRUMP'S BEHAVIOR BECOMES More erratic by the day. He appears to have little if any ability to modulate his affect and monitor the impact of his behavior on others. Twice he incited violence by talking about the whistle blower as a spy, implying that execution was warranted. Trump is unable to distinguish between official acts of the president and his personal emotional needs. About incitement to violence, Judge David Hale, in KY, found Trump to be guilty of incitement to violence when he told supporters to get rid of protesters; the supporters, ruled the judge, acted as Trump's agents, in attacking the protesters. The case is on appeal. The 25th Amendment MUST be invoked immediately. Trump is medically impaired and incapable of performing official duties and/or of upholding his oath of office.
16
You know the administration will resist all subpoenas , under the umbrella of executive privilege.
The court challenges will stifle the inquiry.
Arrests need to be made.
The Intelligence community and the House of Representative need to take this national security threat serious, before trump has YOU arrested for treason.
Act now.
8
I don't think Pelosi is the right person for the job. She is too cautious, too enamored with rules of order to be aggressive when the thugs dig in for the fight. Maybe age is a factor here. I want to believe she is a fighter, but for that, it takes evidence.
3
The Sergeant At Arms is the law enforcement authority of the United States House of Representatives. Does he have the legal power to enforce subpoenas that House Committees have issued? Can he obtain court orders and search warrants to enter the State Department, the Department of Justice, The White House etc., to insure all subpoenas for documents, transcripts, recordings etc. are handed over to be reviewed by the House Committees? Can he compel those who have been subpoenaed to testify and/or be deposed to do so?
Donald Trump's is not only going to continue to ignore the House and its requests and subpoenas, he is going to ignore any articles of impeachment and the Senate will likely acquit him. In fact, even if the Senate votes to remove him from office, he will ignore that and perhaps take action to prevent any physical eviction.
At the end of the day, the question is; Is the Constitution of the United States of America the foundation of the law of the land or is it not? The American people defeated Trump by 3 million votes in 2016 but lost the presidency to him. In 2020 we can redeem ourselves. To start we can all take the time to carefully read our Constitution.
7
Such a flurry of activity
No apparent interest in examining Biden’s son and his lucrative position achieved via his father’s name?
No interest in examining Clinton’s request to foreign parties to interfere in our election by getting / crafting info on Trump’s supposed Russian ties.
The intellectual dishonesty is palpable and transparent.
9
There were investigations of the Biden controversy as you can see with even a rudimentary search. Trump makes up stuff as he goes along. If you are demanding a Biden investigation then why would you oppose similar efforts?
3
So what are Ivanka, Eric, and Don Jr doing exactly, if not enriching themselves by exploiting their father's presidency?
3
Yeah, just look into it a little bit yourself. The Biden story is bogus, through and through.
You’ll note the information delivered to congress yesterday had been provided, per the article, to the FBI months ago, and was not taken up. Because bogus. If that’s not enough, there’s a mountain of evidence disproving the claim Joe Biden acted improperly.
Besides that: eye on the ball. Trump is president. Trump abused his office, and we can be sure this was not the first or only time. Let’s find out what Trump did and is doing, while the country as we know it still exists.
3
Fox News commentator Judge Andrew Napolitano has clearly turned against Trump, stating he has committed impeachable offenses and clearly articulating why. Fox News could boost ratings beyond belief if half its key people threw Trump under the bus. This would free Republican senators to vote to convict Trump. How exciting!
Murdoch would sell his own mother for ratings. I bet the Judge is on to something.
13
If indeed the Trump administration wants to drag the impeachment hearing out, they are victims of their own wrong thinking. First, information always has a way of being revealed. Why would they want this impeachment ring of fire surrounding them the closer we get to the election? Trump should cooperate fully so the Senate can vote against conviction swiftly. It's a clear indication that Trump is running purely on emotion, not brains.
6
After I served three years in the United States Army Signal Corps in the 1960s, I returned home to Chicago and decided to study law at De Paul University and see if I could make the world a better place. During one class session we were studying our Constitution when the subject of impeachment came up. Given that John Kennedy was President at that time, no thoughts of impeachment seemed necessary. But one of the bright lads in the class (not me) asked if a President were impeached what would happen to his (her) Vice President. The professor answered that the Vice President would become President. But what if the Vice President were as unfit for the Presidency as the President. The professor noted that both would be impeached. Which brought to mind what we learned today on CNN and other media outlets as we were told that Vice President Pence was Trump's water boy who carried out Trump's orders regarding the illegal Ukraine debacle. So if ultimately Trump were impeached apparently Pence would go with him which, according to our Constitution, would make House Speaker Nancy Pelosi President. What a change that would make to this uncertain world.
19
@Jim Dwyer As wonderful as that sounds, if Pelosi somehow became president out of this (first I would cheer) the Trump base would become very very violent. I doubt many of them understand the presidential line of ascension. But then again, none of them care - they are OK with Trump as dictator.
1
Lets let the courts decide the boundaries of congressional Subpoena power. Lately it seems it has been used at the drop of a hat and in a partisan manner to damage the administration. Others may disagree, so lets let the courts decide. That is why we have courts.
John
6
On the contrary, this is all entirely within the constitutional power of Congress; it's just they've ceded so much power to the Executive in the last seventy years that everyone has forgotten just how much sway the Legislature really has.
17
It’s called checks and balances. Trump is going over the top because for the first time he has had to deal with a government that is not completely in his court and thus polluted by his craziness
3
@PeteH
When there is disagreement about the law the courts decide.
With the arrival of Barr, Trump now controls two of the three branches of power that are supposed to be independent from each other: Justice and Senate and is using them against the House. This is coup.
8
We Had:
Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
My administration has a job to do and we're going to do it. We will rid the world of the evil-doers. George W. Bush
The instruments of war do have a role to play in preserving the peace. And yet, this truth must coexist with another: that no matter how justified, war promises human tragedy.
Barack Obama
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall. Ronald Reagan
We must remember that we cannot insulate our children from the uncertainties of the world in which we live or from the impact of the problems which confront us all. What we can do and what we must do is to equip them to meet these problems, to do their part in the total effort, and to build up those inner resources of character which are the main strength of the American people. Harry S Truman
What is at stake is more than one small country [Kuwait], it is a big idea — a new world order where diverse nations are drawn together in common cause to achieve the universal aspirations of mankind: peace and security, freedom and the rule of law. George H.W. Bush
We Have:
We have the worst laws. Donald J. Trump
The future does not belong to globalists. The future belongs to patriots. Donald J. Trump
I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works! Donald J. Trump
With his back against the wall, President Trump has to be watched like a hawk now.
11
40% of GOP supporters do not believe that Trump mentioned Biden in his call with Zelensky, even after Trump released a transcript of his call with Zelensky, in which he clearly discusses Biden.
The intellectual failings of the Trump base are nothing short of staggering.
36
Come now, they're all stable geniuses, just like their hero.
1
Today I watched the press conference with the Finnish president, and I was embarrassed for our country. The pres. (not ours) said he was glad we had a democracy. I think there was a hidden message there implying that with DT we really don't have one. Trump's rampage was so awful not only at the reporters but the insulting language and lack of any restraint. What must the world think of us at this time.
Yes I am glad we have a democracy too and only hope that the members of our democracy who are not bending down under the threats and demagoguery are able to overcome this upsetting time and bring us back to a nation where people aren't at each others' throats anymore, a nation which respects honesty, decency and our institutions of law, statesmanship, and so on. Trying to undermine the state department and intelligence agencies puts all of us in danger.
9
To say that that a Trump and his administration have spent much of the year denying House requests for documents and testimony that they deemed partisan mischaracterizes Trump’s ongoing effort to prevent the creation of a factual record chronicling his misbehavior.
5
Has this nation become so inured to the bizarre speech and behavior of the POTUS that it will not acknowledge the obvious signs of a mental disturbance and the hazards that poses?
Is it time for concerned Congressional committees to extend their inquiries to the Surgeon General's office for expert analysis and advice on the medical factors that may be affecting the the increasing dysfunction in the Executive branch?
8
What a striking contrast between the dignified and methodical way the principal members of the house who are leading the impeachment inquiry are conducting themselves and the way that Trump is behaving. As far as I'm concerned, Trump's statements and conduct in reaction to the impeachment inquiry are, in themselves, grounds for impeachment. Trump was never fit for the office of POTUS, he isn't now, and he never will be.
11
What’s missing is an appearance of a fair inquiry. If congress VOTED for the investigation, the minority could be subpoenaing evidence and witnesses to support the actual truth of what is going on. Democrats won’t vote because they don’t want a fair hearing, only a biased one. The presence of an impeachment investigation has not changed since Trump took office. As always, nothing has changed, except a speech by Speaker Pelosi.
6
That’s false. Subpoena power isn’t granted anyone automatically by a vote to open any investigation, impeachment or other. The minority, under house rules, is toothless to decide much of anything.
You’re supposing Republicans would uncover some truth the Democrats are assiduously avoiding. Where’s the evidence for that? Certainly you don’t take the Biden matter seriously. Even if you did, that doesn’t change Trump’s solicitation of a foreign power for his personal political goals.
2
Because there was no vote for the inquiry, only the Democrats have subpoena power and they will only subpoena those witnesses they believe will support their coup. If a vote had been taken for the inquiry, it would have passed, then the Republicans would have had subpoena power, too.
4
Nancy Pelosi made reference to the Constitution in her remarks. It is important to stress the idea that the Founding Fathers so feared foreign influence in our country’s electoral process that they addressed it in the Constitution. Sadly there are many in our country who do not know or understand this. This horrific Trump era has been a sustained attack on so many of the operating principles that the Founding Fathers built into our government. I hope it can result in an educational process that will renew our allegiance to our rule of law not men.
6
I'm an old man , born poor ,worked my way up to a middle class lifestyle ,and over the past 40 years I have watched in dismay as , whoever was in power , Democrats or Republicans , the younger generations have lost the ability to achieve the same results .
So ,here we are at this defining moment ,and it does not look good . The Dem are huffing and puffing , and we are doing the same with our comments , and little by little it is escalating .
The resemblance to what happened to Germany , and more recently ,the breakdown of Yugoslavia , is frightening .
The influence of money is so entrenched in both parties that I fear it all over ,
I do believe there will be blood in the streets .
3
Trump only has himself to blame. He has already publicly admitted that he pressured Ukraine to interfere in US elections by investigating a political rival. It’s in the summary transcript his own administration produced for heavens sake! And he knows that doing so was irregular, improper, probably illegal and likely impeachable, which is why his aides tried desperately to hide it, and why numerous witnesses were disturbed by his actions, facts which are also publicly known and not in dispute. Even worse, this is not his first offense! He was caught soliciting election interference from Russia, Australia and potentially other countries. So why he is lashing out at Democrats is beyond me. They are only doing their constitutional duty.
78
@Dr E
"Trump only has himself to blame. He has already publicly admitted that he pressured Ukraine to interfere in US elections by investigating a political rival."
The word "pressure" was never used. In fact both The Ukraine President and Trump confirmed there was no pressure. Lets bring full transparency to what happened during the 2016 election and corruption involving the U. S. and Ukraine in general. Its time that the DOJ look into the entire election issue and other corruption and not just a narrow sliver that may have involved the Trump admen.
To me the Russia collusion investigation starts looking like it may be an internal coup in the form of a frame up as it is looked at more closely. Like look into the FISA issues, the illegal leaks, the unmasking, and general use of the security infrastructure for political purposes.
2
@Dr E I read the transcript of the phone call 3 times. I believe Trump was concerned about the accusations be made in the media about Biden and his son. He said it looked real bad, and politely asked a favor, to look into it. Obviously Biden and his sons would be found innocent. Trump was trying to exonerate the Biden’s. I’m starting to think Trump is still a Democrat.
You are correct. However, he (and the entire administration) are all about shredding the Constitution. So hissy fits will continue!
The democrats at this point should get their hands on the White House private server Criminal Trump has been heavily using bypassing the normal channels of communication documenting.
Do it now before like Cheney claimed "oops we accidentally deleted them all (at that time they were emails). Remember that?
We are dealing with lifelong corrupt criminals here and we need to step it up.
75
@Hal
"The democrats at this point should get their hands on the White House private server Criminal Trump has been heavily using bypassing the normal channels of communication documenting."
Repeated illegal leaks of conversations with foreign leaders have occurred with the original access in a system where it seems impossible to identify the leakers.
What solution is there that would actually prevent illegal leaks of private conversations with foreign leaders short of restricting access? Any by the way I would guess that congress is a major source of leaks.
John
3
@Hal they should have a private company inspect the server, then claim it was hacked by Russians. There is no need for the server if a private company gives their unbiased conclusions. Maybe a Republican CrowdStrike exist?
1
So Adam Schiff is going to allow an unidentified agent from the CIA to attempt the removal of the president based on very sketchy evidence of wrong doing?
Just how far are democrats prepared to allow the CIA national security state to interfere in the U.S. political process.
23
@tmauel That phone call is not sketchy at all. It is strong evidence that the President has betrayed the Constitution.
9
What exactly is “sketchy” about the evidence? The transcript of the call is out there for all to see, and we already have corroborated evidence that there were repeated efforts to hide Trump’s calls by moving them to a secret server. More and more is coming to light. Now we know that Pompeo lied about having been in on the call. To call the evidence sketchy is to be in a state of complete denial. Keep clinging to that as the Trump ship goes down.
10
@tmauel --No. Adam Schiff is going to gather the relevant information and evidence to determine if a crime was committed.
If so, the articles of impeachment will be forthcoming.
7
The numerous Pro-Trumps posts below are truly alarming. The inability of the President's defenders notes the 2020 election might very well turn out like 2016.
What a nightmare.
49
@David
Pretty sure they’re trolls—I commented on it too. But yeah, certainly discouraging.
1
The impeachment inquiry is vital to obtaining information that can establish facts on what occurred during that phone call with the President of Ukraine. Did President Trump request "dirt" on a domestic political opponent in exchange for foreign aid?
Speaker Pelosi and the House of Representatives have given the Trump White House more than enough time to cooperate willingly with a lawful oversight request for basic information, but the White House failed to comply. Why is it so difficult to provide access to basic documents?
15
While running for the presidency, then candidate Trump said on multiple occasions that he would run the "most transparent" administration ever. This administration is proving to be the least transparent. What is the saying, "What a tangled web of lies..."
32
@Chuckw
He also said he wouldn't take a dime in donations because he was so rich he would be funding his own campaign
He went on to say that Presidential Super PACs are "criminal" and that donations are bribes and he should know because he's been paying them out for years
Yes, he said all of that yet Comey investigated Hillary and here we are
1
Don the Con has been gaslighting his entire life.
1
It was quite amusing to see Nancy Pelosi telling us to be prayerful and saying how sad this impeachment inquiry is for our country. Her insincerity was embarrassing. She will be sad when it fails and her party loses in 2020.
17
@KMW
Speaker Pelosi is a very devote Catholic and is widely recognized on both sides of the aisle as the most effective Speaker in the last half century.
Predicting the lottery numbers would be a good job for you.
2
I hate Trump but I hope he wins because it will be the final nail in the GOP coffin once the collapse from their tax scam happens.
1
@KMW What was really more embarrassing though was to see the US president make a fool of himself at a news conference and make his Finnish guest appear to be uncomfortable. Your president has no manners and no class.
2
I don't know what more has to be said and done to convey what little respect Trump's chosen have to our democracy - they laugh at congressional actions as opposed to being humbled. Hopefully the House is prepared to put some muscle behind the subpoenas and start throwing folks in jail, starting with Trump's political hack crony buddies. It's far past time to convey to all American's, including and especially congress, that our government actually has power bestowed to it in Article I of the Constitution to defend itself against ALL enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC. This is when we show we deserve this democracy...lest lose it.
35
This impeachment process will decide if Trump is the moveable object, or the impeachment becomes an irresistible force.
2
@Jack Shultz So an unidentified CIA agent and the point man for the dismissed Russia hysteria are pressing to decide who is president?
11
@tmauel You should recall that impeachment does not mean removal from office. That requires conviction in the Senate, which will happen if the Senators start to fear for their jobs. I hope Trump realizes their loyalty is only as good as the votes he brings them.
6
Dismissed Russian hyteria?
Not exactly, quite a few people are in prison right now and Mueller's report conclusions are on the point of Russian interference pretty darn clear (not that it should surprise anyone tbh..).
2
Someone ought to tell the president and his faithful servants that when pointing your finger at someone there are three fingers pointing back at you. And someone ought to also tell his servants that they made serve the president but that's not a pass to be as disrespectful as they shown toward the United Sates and what it stands for. No president is above the United States. How can be stand when Trump has divided like no other president. Another first for his record even though he doesn't ever take responsibility. One sees a lot of that with the youngest in families.
15
Send the subpoenas, then send the Officers at Arms or whatever they are called to imprison the defiers, in the basement. Play it like the Republicans.
53
Haven’t the Democrats learned anything from the Mueller investigation?
Subpoena now. Trump & his cohorts are unethical corrupt individuals who have learned they can avoid all Congressional requests.
Such continuing idiocy & disregarded courtesy. The public doesn’t care. Subpoena now.
Look at all your past subpoenas laying on Trump appointee judges purposely delayed.
35
Trump's supporters are vociferously questioning the idea that Trump did nothing impeachable during his call with Zelensky.
These armchair lawyers seem to have gotten their notes from the White House and in the usual low quality fare from Trump serves at Team Trump cookouts, the legal concepts are inedible glops of nonsense.
Solicitation of an individual is the crime. The idea that Trump could only be guilty if he had said "Hey, Volodymyr, I need you to do some crimes for me."is ridiculous.
What is apparent is that the White House is mounting a DIY defense managed by the inept leading the incompetent with a sideshow of the insane by Giuliani.
Oh, the books that will be written.
34
According to Rachel Maddow, there is a chance that Mike Pence will be impeached too because he would have been briefed on the contents of the call as a matter of course before going to Warsaw to meet Mr Zelensky. She suspects, it seems, that Mr Pence was part of the pressuring of Mr Zelensky with the condition of getting the Javelin money being the motivation to dig up dirt on Biden. So if both Trump and Pence are convicted (unlikely because of the senate); then isn't Nancy next in line for president. I am not sure on this; could a wiser person than me clarify this point please?
In the absence of the very stable genius, I am wondering if the USA could manage. Forgive my flippancy but maybe President Trump got the snake and crocodile filled moat idea from playing 3 dimensional snakes and ladders. The shoot 'em in the legs just to wound them idea, may have come from fifties westerns. When did Donald bless the world wth his nativity? Oh yes 1946. The timeline seems to match.
21
Rachael Maddow is the last person I’d turn to for legal advice given her show is the exact same format as Hannity’s and Carlson’s: all opinion.
4
@Bob Guthrie Yes, after Trump & Pence, Pelosi is in line for the presidency. Wouldn't it be great if McConnel had to deal with Pelosi in the White House?
2
There is overwhelming evidence that the Democrats asked Ukraine to dig up dirt on Trump during the 2016 election campaign. Trump was asking Ukraine to release information gathered by Crowd Strike and collected on a server in Ukraine.
Victor Shokin is willing to testify against Biden that he was investigating Hunter Biden for corruption related to Burisma Holdings. John Solomon at the Hill has the email records and court testimony that proves the above.
13
If that is so then it will come to light. If not, it will be debunked.
18
tmauel, there is an underwhelming amount of information coming to Trumps defense. If there was a real defense rather than something made up and unsubstantiated then they should present it to Congress rather than just talk about it on Fox News.
36
@tmauel
John Solomon is a well-known and discredited teller of very tall tales. If the Hill didn't publish his tall tales the Onion would.
1
No doubt this comment will be lost in the thousands of others but this same publication admits that Schiff had foreknowledge of the mysterious whistleblower’s concerns before these were put in writing to anyone. The whistleblower was not advised to have ‘an off the record’ conversation with Schiff, but to get a lawyer - one connected to Schiff.
Whistleblower rules in intelligence were changed very recently to allow 2nd hand knowledge [hearsay] of an incident, not strict first hand knowledge as an acceptable basis to raise a concern.
Schiff subpoenaed, with alacrity, material acquired by Val Broeksmit after his father, a Deutsche Bank executive, killed himself. Schiff was looking for dirt on Trump, specifically relating to tax returns.
Schiff assiduously promoted and ‘bigged up’ the Mueller / Russiagate affair, which has turned to dust.
Democrats have accused Trump of trawling Ukraine for dirt on Biden. Sheer hypocrisy: the Democrats involvement in Ukraine going back to the Obama administration stinks. Democrats are as guilty of trawling for dirt on Trump in Ukraine through Manafort et al as the other way round.
What is it about Ukraine anyway? How do so many roads lead to this Eastern European country thousands of miles and several time zones away from the US?
I tend to believe Trump: the whistleblower has been coached to write his/her complaint, not in their own words, but those of Schiff and his associates. A spiteful move, not based on morality.
14
If the Obama administration was as wrong doing as you say, while the Republicans were in charge of both houses of Congress for six years then why did they not present evidence about it during that time. It’s not from a lack of trying. The Republicans tried to pin everything on the Obama Administration and spent years of hearings which came to nothing and wasted taxpayer funds. The reason they found zero is that there was no evidence of wrongdoing doing.
38
@Ex NHS Surgeon Check your facts RE: changes to second-hand complaints. This is NOT true.
24
David it is true. It was changed earlier in the year.
1
Someday this mess will end. Regarding the phone call, considering that Trump is out on a limb on his own, I really cannot blame him for asking for some assistance to look into/corroborate what has been known about the Biden's for a long time and what Joe Biden bragged about.
Regarding Crowdstrike, I see nothing wrong with Trump asking for information on it. If no one else is interested in getting to the bottom of it, I reckon he has a right to.
As for others involved with the call, they are witnesses to a call we all know occurred and from which a transcript was made and provided for all the world to see. Mountain out of a molehill. And for Schiff to misrepresent it for all the world to see, well, that is just plain wrong.
I'm thinking this will go nowhere soon, threats notwithstanding.
15
@old sarge Biden bragged about getting a corrupt prosecutor in the Ukraine fired because the prosecutor wasn’t investigating the corruption in the gas company. After the man was fired the investigation happened. The US and some of our friends in Europe were upset that the man remained in office and allow the corruption to continue. This story has been reported accurately and there is no excuse for the doctored Trump version to continue.
You and the Trump supporters who keep writing these disingenuous comments are not very logical and are lacking in common sense to think that Biden would brag, on tape,about committing an illegal act. He would bury it somewhere as the Trump supporters attempted to do when they file the reports of his illegal activities on a secret server,
Your report should have gotten lost. But for some reason or other The Times continues to publish the story that it was Biden who did the wrong thing here. Comments moderated for civility. Apparently that counts for more than the truth.
2
A decision by Chief Justice Earl Warren in the case of Watkins v. United States, 354 U.S. 178 (1957) holds that Congress has the historic right to enforce it s own subpoeans by the inherent power of contempt and to have the House Sergeant at Arms arrest the unccoperative witness and hold himher in detention until they cooperate or the adjournament of the current session of Congress in December 2020. The House can lease space in the D.C. jail or any other jail to hold the recalcitrant witnesses. Under the Watkins decision, the House does not have to file a lawsuit to get enforcement of its subpoenas. So, if the Trump Administration, lead by AG Barr, wants to keep its practice of disobediance of lawful Congressional subpoenas, the subpoenaed witnesses would then know that they risk significant jail time for their non-cooperation. Since AG Barr has a subpoena outstanding with which he did not comply, he would also be subject to arrest and incarceration for contempt. Barr as the leader of the contemnors could also be charged with obstruction of justice.
35
@Harold Berk Put them in the same holding facilities here in South Texas used to detain folks crossing the border without documentation.
20
The House needs a jail, or better, a dungeon. Several people are in inherent contempt and need an incentive to comply.
38
Maybe, they could stand up a “Shame Squad”? A group of people follow subject, screaming at them until the subject willing turns themselves into congressional master at arms. The shrieking, maddening sounds from the “Shame Squad” would cause even the boldest to relent.
@Richard Schumacher Contempt for what? Not responding to the obvious corruption of Joe Biden and the attempt at deflection by Adam Schiff?
8
I'd feel much relieved if Nancy were in the White House. Why isn't she running?
41
As Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi is second in line (after VP) for presidential succession.
Wouldn’t it be the greatest turn of events in the history of the world if Trump and Pence both got taken out via Impeachment, and we got Nancy Pelosi as our nation’s first female POTUS?!
57
@CattF
She has more power in her current role.
12
@CattF: "President Pelosi" has a nice ring to it :_>
14
I think Americans are less interested in Trump's impeachment and more interested in learning why Hunter Biden was chosen to sit on the board of a Ukrainian energy company with compensation of up to 50 grand a month. What kind of "expertise" were they buying?
26
No, I’m more interested in why the President tried to ask the Ukraine government influence the 2020 election after Russian influenced the 2016 election. Even if it was true - and it has been debunked repeatedly - Hunter Biden is doing nothing more than than what the DJ, Eric, and Ivanka are doing...making money off being connected to the President.
104
@Mark Actually I think most people in the US want to know how many times Trump has tried to buy dirt or has bought dirt on his political opponents with the help of another country/government so he can win bigly in another election.
103
@Mark
Uh, no, I think the American people could care less about Hunter Biden. Maybe Fox News is telling people to be interested, but Trump becoming increasingly unhinged is much more interesting.
104
Schiff is a clown. He has eyes for the part and doesn't need a costume.
He is in trouble but doesn't know it yet.
He lied and made up what our President said, and he did that before the Congress and the entire nation.
Some liberals may find his amusement cute. The rest of the country does not find him funny.
Schiff must be at the top of the big lawsuit that Trump said is coming.
23
@Bhaskar Revenge is a plate best served cold.
A case in point, President Trump raised over $21 million last week and 125 Million the third quarter of the year. What a sweet revenge will be when we discover Schiff was involved in assisting the whistle-blower with his allegation.
The US voters know better, President Trump will win the 2020 Presidential election.
15
@Bhaskar
The rest of the country.....
Sources, please.
22
@Bhaskar, be kind, just think of Charlie Brown in a suit and tie. Who can’t adore that big cute round face?
2
So if Schiff wrote & orchestrated the complaint for the whistleblower, can impeachment still move forward? Did Schiff possibly just commit a crime or treason against a sitting president? The lengths career politicians will go to oust an outsider capitalist business man know no bounds. So I guess the House will just try & buy time until they can concoct another make believe offense. So sad & desperate. I knew career politicians were corrupt, but until Trump came along I had no idea it was as bad as it is. I hope by the time this is all over we have new representatives on both sides and some old ones see Justice. Trump 2020
15
You should get better material. This is just sad.
47
No matter what you think there is the phone call and his arbitrary with holding of military aid. I really don't care where and how these facts came to the light of day. You might be right about this Congressman and every other Democrat but that doesn't mean Trump should not be held responsible for his actions
32
@JOSEPH
Grasping at straws in the face of the President's own words on a treasonous phone call. I guess the reason you can believe such malarkey is because it is exactly what Trump would do. Trump is no outsider, nor is he a free market capitalist but a privileged kid who was given a fortune by his daddy (who used the payout to avoid paying taxes) and lost almost all of it until he learned to scam investors using bankruptcy law. In reality, he is a businessman in the sense of a John Gotti or Joaquín Archivaldo Guzmán Loera, though those two, especially Guzmán, were more self-made men who actually ran large business enterprises, something Trump has not done. Trump has been a failure as a legitimate businessman. But one thing you say makes a modicum of sense: "I knew career politicians were corrupt, but until Trump came along I had no idea it was as bad as it is." Trump is the most corrupt politician of the last several decades, including President Nixon, Reagan or Clinton. So that makes sense though it is not likely what you meant to say.
42
I predict the following:
Schiff - will have to resign his position and get in line with Comey to harass President Trump from the Side Lines
Pelosi will get bumped down from her position in the house and she'll be allowed to quietly complete her few remaining congressional years- but not as leader.
The Senate will come to their senses, led by McConnel and will thwart any attempt to formerly enact impeachment.
The House will enter a "slow burn" kinda period as they await the choosing of one of the unrealistic Democrat presidential candidates (it wont be Biden).
Barr and the SCOTUS will handle any legal crumbs that the media chooses to execute in their hatred of Trump.
9
That would be well-founded hatred of a lawless criminal occupying the White House.
14
Not!
5
I'm sure the House Dems won't mind a bit if this administration responds to Congressional bleatings about records as the LAST administration.
Eric Holder and Barack Hussein O had the tightest secrecy fetish heard of since they opened Al Capone's safe. Obama spent north of thirty million JUST to keep the stuff he was supposed to hand over to the Nat'l Archives a secret, paralleling his very first Executive Order.
8
I continue to be amazed at the extent to which Trumpists believe that if they dub themselves “obsever,” or “truth-teller,” or, “honest patriot,” the rest of us will just mindlessly believe that they’re any of those things.
That guff only works on Trumpists, dude. It’s a symptom of their TDS.
40
More “Whataboutism”!!! That’s all you have anymore. The truth hurts.
28
I think this conspiracy theory is up there with Hillary Clinton’s secret pizza parlor child slavery ring. Please get some news from a reliable source, and perhaps some oxygen as well.
36
Another fishing expedition by the Democrats in Congress. They have no basis for thinking there is more to this matter than what has already released by the White House. Just wishful thinking.
12
@JrpSLm The material that has already been released by the White House shows Trump committing a potentially impeachable offense. Congress is following a responsible course in trying to figure out whether or not to conduct an official impeachment proceeding. The White House should be trying to help them get to the bottom of this because the more they stonewall the more it looks like they are trying to cover-up something worse than what we already know.
759
@JrpSLm perhaps the wishful thinking is yours in saying that there is “no basis for thinking there is more to this matter “.
98
@JrpSLm
Just a few tweaks to get it straight:
Another truth-finding expedition by the Democrats in Congress. They now have an irrefutable basis for knowing there is more to this matter than what has already released by the White House.
You're welcome.
96
Emotion is not a firm basis on which to proceed with an impeachment process. And it is emotion that is the guiding principle at this moment for the Democrats. They see light at the end of the tunnel. But it’s a chimera, nothing more.
10
@David H No, it is not emotion.
Speaker Pelosi did not move to start the impeachment inquiry until the president committed a crime that threatened the national security of the US.
No chimera.
Just conspiracy and obstruction. Exactly what Mueller found in his report too.
37
@David H It is not emotions! It is the crystal clear transcript of the phone conversation.
19
@David H You are basing this idea on what?
7
Why is Ukraine so important to Trump and Putin? It's at the heart of Trump-Russia, as I note here https://realcontextnews.com/how-cohens-and-manaforts-ukraine-ties-tell-the-deeper-story-of-trump-russia-and-the-mueller-probe/ Also, as Giuliani embarrasses himself over Ukraine and Biden, a look at Rudy's own shady ties to Ukraine and the Russian mafia https://realcontextnews.com/rudy-giulianis-kislin-connection-raises-issues-for-his-role-as-trumps-russia-lawyer-exclusive-analysis/ And with Trump using his official power as POTUS in conducting foreign policy to target Joe Biden, we may have his most explicit attempt to make govt into his own personal political tool for hurting his political enemies, part of a trend with him/GOP I note here https://realcontextnews.com/trump-gop-destroying-the-pillars-of-democracy/ On impeachment, I believe that Trump should have been impeached some time ago, but practical considerations make this issue much more complicated, as I noted before here https://realcontextnews.com/the-impeachment-of-donald-trump-russias-victory/ And let's not forget the main opening chapter in this whole saga, what I call the Russo-American Cyberwar of 2016. See the big-picture you haven't read about in my take here: https://realcontextnews.com/the-first-russo-american-cyberwar-how-obama-lost-putin-won-ensuring-a-trump-victory/ Trump telling the Russians in 2017 he wasn't concerned about election interference is grossly unacceptable after what happened.
8
Good information backing up Trump that this is largely a democratic directed scam was revealed today, that Schiff et al had contacts with the whistleblower in advance and suggested a lawyer, which is reminiscent of Christine Ford. That explains why the whistleblower's complaint uses democratic politician/ news media rhetoric. It will take a few days, and if trump doesn't mess up by saying or doing stupid things, he will advance in approval off this nonsense, as he has in the past. Additionally, the false whsitleblower complaint (false because it claims trump is soliciting election interference from a foreign power) originating with someone working at an intelligence agency provides substantial and very important rationale to investigate the origins of the false russian collusion conspiracy theory that was debunked by Mueller. The current Democratic inspired Ukraine conspiracy theory is another attempt to manipulate the 2020 elections by distributing and proliferating misinformation just like with the Steele dossier.
29
Bravo....well said.
Additionally, Adam Schiff’s ego again took over when me made up a false quote attributed to Trump. Does this man ever tell the truth ?
24
Mueller did not debunk the Russian collusion with Trump. Rather he said that there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges for it. Alas, much of the incriminating evidence was probably destroyed by Trump aficionados, wiped off their computers before they testified. Too, Trump himself refused to cooperate by testifying. Finally he successfully dodged the bullet by Mueller not being able to indict a sitting president. Still the second half of the report was sufficiently revealing in its discussion and examples of Trump’s obstruction of justice instances which were often played out in public view. One can only wonder what nefarious activities Trump indulges in behind the scenes. The Ukranian phone call along with Giuliani’s creeping around Kiev does offer us a glimpse into White House corruption, especially to benefit candidate Trump.
19
What you failed to mention is that it is not uncommon for a whistleblower to contact a Congressional committee. In this case, s/he was advised to follow the Whistleblower law and submit a legally proper statement. The more important question is why people are trying to manufacture non-existent defenses to the indefensible. The president is a traitor, his administration is corrupt, and he will be impeached for the very clear facts that he, himself disclosed to us.
24
These progressives/liberals just do not seem to understand how they look to anyone with even a little common sense. Clearly they do not want to handle a single substantive issue (i.e. illegal immigration, ratification of new trade agreements, among many). Instead, they would rather lead the nation on another personal witch hunt, not unlike Joseph McCarthy many decades ago. They are proving again that they are incapable of serving their constituents, only themselves. Hopefully, this next election cycle will allow us to remove some more of these people from their current roles, including those on the other side of the isle we refer to as RINO's.
9
@John
See you at the ballot box. Make sure your party doesn’t purge the voter rolls, close polling places and undermine the vote again.
Yes we see you.
22
@John
To compare today’s investigation to the McCarthy hearings is like comparing an electron telescope to a pair of broken reading glasses. The apt comparison would be to compare Joseph McCarthy to Donald Trump.
Both men joined the Republican Party. Trump sees enemies and traitors everywhere. McCarthy saw communists and traitors everywhere. Trump is a true danger to the Republic. McCarthy was a true danger to the Republic. Most importantly, both men sought and received advice, counsel and mentoring from Roy Cohn.
Roy Cohn was credited with both the rise and fall of McCarthyism. He can now posthumously take some credit for the rise and fall of Trumpism.
17
1. The House must first prepare Articles of Impeachment.
2. The House must have a vote on each Article, and must pass individual Articles with a majority vote.
3. If Article(s) are passed the Senate the moves to a trial.
4. The Senate has full subpoena powers to support their trial.
5. A supermajority Senate vote is required for removal.
Note: Democrats and Liberals will go bonkers during McConnell’s total exploitation of #4.
Conclusion: There will be no impeachment vote by the House.
7
The House will vote to impeach Trump, but McConnell and fellow Republicans will maintain the fascist course they've been on for the past 3 plus years by not holding Trump accountable for his obvious abuse of power. Exactly like they're doing in their own caucus by ensuring not one Republican, including the Republicans running against Trump, from saying anything negative about him in any shape or form. So much for honesty. So much for freedom of speech.
16
Still whistleblowering past the graveyard, I see.
7
It’s even more amusing witnessing Trump’s jobless supporters melt down over this as it is watching their fake president’s administration collapse.
9
The real problem is why, why was this situation allowed to fester to begin with ?
Why was Joe's kid receiving all that money ?
Why would the Democrats resist allowing the sun to shine on this matter ? Trump's phone call is not the problem.
The mentality of the swamp not to question this obvious impropriety is the real question. Subterfuge.
13
@Tom ,Retired Florida Junkman
The sun has just about blistered this matter. Read the many articles that are out there explaining how Biden was pushing for the dismissal of a prosecutor who would not prosecute, and how Hunter was cleared of any wrongdoing before Biden started pushing.
Ask yourself why the questions never came up until Biden began to look like a frontrunner in 2020.
20
Unfortunately Biden got the job for the same reason the Trump Kids are, among other things, suddenly able to get trademarks approved expediously in China (during our trade war) or that immediately after the election Mar-a-logo fees went from $100,000 to $200,000. While I agree that using a politically favorable last name is really, really, sleazy, it is not illegal (probably need a new law), however, the President owning a property(s) where we, the taxpayers, are spending millions is(emoluments clauses).
15
@Tom ,Retired Florida Junkman The Democrats are not the ones protecting Trump. Congressional Democrats have been subpoenaing Trump associates, who have been refusing to comply. The earlier decision not to rush into formal impeachment was related to the public's dislike of the disruption that results from such a constitutional show down. But the range and depth of Trump's corruption, now clearly including inviting Ukrainians to meddle in US elections, can only be addressed by formal impeachment procedures
13
The Nancy Pelosi Stock Market Crash is already underway.
NO better way to make your argument than use a routine phone call by the President with another President and leak it by a leaker so the Democrats can try once again to undo the 2016 election.
Why not just accept the fact Hillary Clinton was a horrible horrible candidate (and person) and move on?
You're cratering a hundred million 401K's today..and that's not going to endear you to anyone in OH, MI, PA, WI or MN.
18
Yes, a routine call socked away in the server for military secrets. Routine for Trump is still illegal for American presidents. Accountability is his kryptonite.
Seeking foreign aid for your own election has nothing to do with patriotism.
2
Politically, the Democrats can not keep on trying to make every Republicans cat and dog speak in front of a committee, while ignoring their own situation.
Why isn't anyone investigating Hunter Biden?
Regardless whether or not his dad had anything to do with the Ukrainian prosecutor being dumped, there is a serious issue, which has not been resolved - why was a Ukrainian company paying large sums of money to Hunter Biden?
Why isn't anyone taking a poll on whether or not American's think Hunter Biden is honest? You know the answer.
Hunter Biden must be either cleared, or punished. There is just as much guilt suggested in his situation, as there is in Trump's dubious phone call. If Hunter Biden was Michael Cohen, the cops would be smashing into his home gathering evidence.
Ultimately, Trump will not, due to the 2/3 Senate vote requirement, be tossed into the trash can he belongs in.
Think - historically, how effective is the impeachment process?
Look a the polls - Joe Biden is finished, Trump is not. Not everyone in our our country sees things the way people in New York and California do. That is the crucial issue - you can't wish the middle of our country away.
It's time to stop patting ourselves on our intellectual heads for our "clever" investigations, and get ready to punch out Trump in the general election.
Warning - If nothing intelligent is done by the Democrats, we will have another 4 years of devastating rule by Trump.
8
@Peter Zenger
Don’t buy into the FUD. There is nothing to the Hunter Biden accusation. Trump’s own administration thought there was nothing to it. Just Trump believing every infowars rumor he sees.
18
@john
Was he, or was he not, getting paid $50,000 a month to sit on the board of a Ukrainian company that wanted to do business with the United States?
Did he, or did he not, have experience in the gas industry?
Was he, or was he not, tossed out of the Amy for drug usage?
Would you not be screaming bloody murder if his name was Donald Jr. instead of Hunter?
3
The company paid him to sit on their board. Famous people and their kids are doing that all over the world right now. Is it awesome? No. Doesn’t make it criminal.
What IS criminal is asking a foreign government to investigate the father of a boy on a board with absolutely no evidence of wrongdoing because he’s running against you for President.
Hence this inquiry. It’s not about Hunter Biden he’s nobody. It’s about the President of the United States.
16
Congress can subpoena all they want. They can wring their hands and wail. They can have the moral high ground. “Ain’t nothin’ going to happen.” The supposed co-equal legs of government has been shown as a sham. Clinton, refusing to step down after his impeachment paved the way to this showdown. The refusal of the Trump administration to comply with Congressional subpoenas has proven what a toothless tiger Congressional ‘oversight’ is. There are no concrete repercussions, not like a legal subpoena. Up to now the system worked because of ‘norms of behavior’. It has never been truly tested. Trump has proven that a ruthless administration, bereft of ‘norms’ and determined above all to act as an instrument of the President regardless can kick the other legs out of the three-legged stool. Is this the beginning of the end of the Great Experiment? Seems so
Hmmm—what is up with this Linick thing? Is it some kind of joke? Or if they look carefully through every item, will there be some smoking gun they didn’t know to look for? Isn't Linick the one who took the whistleblower complaint to Maguire? Why would he do some kind of stunt?
Trump is NOT going to be impeached
3
Being one of the very few presidents ever in this position, about to be impeached, must be very very stressful for a man-child with such a yuuuge ego. And he’s not actually young. Maybe this will end, not with a messy constitutional crisis, but with the grease of one too many hamberders clogging up a critical vessel
3
The Democrats have written a new play book. It's called "How to make sure you lose a presidential election"
Let's say Trump was removed from office, then you would have the mild mannered POTUS PENCE.
That must make all Democrats happy. They would get crushed by Pence in an election as well.
3
This all started with the Vietnam war, we as a country lost faith in our government along time ago.
Corruption on both parties.
Congress gets paid an excessive amount of money and generous benefits for working part time.
Bush lied about Iraq , Cheney should have went to prison.
Eight years of mocking a black presidency.
100 million eligible voters could care less, maybe they are right.
2
Is anyone else connecting the dots that I am? Trump's minions seem to be fanning out across the world to normalize and excuse Trump's behavior on the phone call with Ukraine's president. Barr, Pompeo, Pence going hither and yon, asking countries for help in investigations. How nefarious is this?! These people are putting our country at great risk by these dubious visits. I'm suspicious. Shiny objects to distract us? Duplicate asks to other countries to dilute Trump's crimes? Hmmm
5
The Democrats have been promising us all impeachment for the past three years.
And we are still hearing those very same promises today...day after day after day.
They seem all talk - simply not having the nerve.
@Dr. John
No, they haven't. They've been trying to hold the increasingly unstable President of the United States and his administration accountable for questionable and possibly corrupt conduct.
So, are we finally OK with referring to trump as a psychopath? You can google the many traits required for such a diagnosis and decide for yourself if he barely meets the threshold, or maybe sets the bar to a new, not before reached position. I would imagine that someday soon, psychology books will use him as a teaching example.
3
Bravo! No more fooling around. No more foot dragging. Trump needs to respond to Congress or resign.
4
The Democrats have never accepted Trump’s victory. They have been trying to overthrow him from day one. If they succeed, there will be “democracy in the streets”
1
Follow the money. Subpoena trump's taxes. Subpoena Mnuchin who doesn't understand the word "Shall".
Subpoena Guiliaini's phone.
9
Thank God for the common Americans such as the whistle blower and others who are courageous in speaking up for the American people. They are the true heroes who are risking their careers, lives, and families by trying to show the truth. Let’s hear what these heroes have to say in front of Congress and the American people!
8
Some threat with a two week recess beginning tomorrow. If this was so important the House would stay in session. Because the House cannot hold a person in contempt until the new session starts virtually nothing can be done to enforce a subpoena. The House continues to demonstrate its lack of any sense of importance and priority. Guess they don't realize that every day's delay is a positive for Trump and Company.
1
Enough with the foreshadowing, people.
Issue the subpoena.
Where is the problem Biden confessed on TV and was very proud of what he did, the only problem is that the Justice Dept has not charged Biden.
True to form the debates the country needs to have about health care, a useless "defense" strategy,climate change, lack of infrastructure spending, egregious tax policies, serious measures to reduce the plagues of poverty, drugs, and child abuse are not happening. Democrats may have no alternative but to confront Trump but doing it without advancing serious arguments about resolving the major problems that confront us is too easily predictable and destructive .
The Chinese and Russians aren't going to war with us. WE need them and they need us to maintain our economic well-being. It's been time to face facts ever since the horrors and folly of the Vietnam War. Instead we side-step serious issues like poverty,health care, inequality, and climate change and pay a heavy price for it.
By all means let's stop Trump's craziness but let's not fail to address the real threats waiting in the wings
1
This is impossible, at this point, until Trump is punished. What seems to be lost in this conversation is the fact that what Trump is accused of is *encouraging a foreign power to meddle in an election.* Nothing works in a democracy unless the people can trust their election system. To allow Trump to go unpunished — or to not at least call him out for it and let him know he will pay a political cost for it — is essentially to undermine public faith in elections and therefore our entire system of government. Nothing can or should proceed until this inquiry concludes. And that’s not the Democrats fault. They didn’t make that phone call, and they didn’t cover it up.
5
The Process is getting out of control. Breathless reporters are jumping into every Rabbit Hole adding layer after layer of mostly meaningless, but very confusing details. The more the TV talking heads add to the story, trying to show how smart they are, the harder it will become to get the American public opinion on board to support impeachment and conviction.
1
WaPo is reporting that Trump involved Pence in his efforts to pressure Ukraine on a Biden inquiry. Also, one of Pence’s top aides was in on the July 25 call so the VP would have the actual transcript within hours.
Trump is going to blame it all on Pence. You wait and see.
And if this FORMER marine, Pence, doesn't resent being betrayed by his boss, he's got serious psychological problems.
2
To Congressman Adam Schiff and Speaker Nancy Pelosi,
I was very pleased to hear these words: “We’re NOT FOOLING around here” in letting trump and his enablers know their gig is up!
trump’s use of profanity today show that he is UNRAVELING big time; so KEEP UP the pressure on that low life.
I am PROUD of you.
11
If Trump had nothing to hide, he wouldn’t be acting like he is
7
ANY innocent person wouldn't act like that... If only his supporters had common sense.
Goodness, the Traitor Trump team is certainly acting guilty. But what is wrong with Republicans? Will they protect and defend democracy and the USA, or the Russia-backed attack on it?
30
At this point, I am completely ignoring Trump's all too predictable tantrums, name calling, and illegal threats. He is committing blatant obstruction of justice by trying to harass and threaten democratic leaders into backing down. It is not going to happen. He broke the law. He made it clear to all of us that he is already interfering in the upcoming 2020 election, and those actions are illegal, corrupt and un-American. With his actions, he continues to put Putin's interests, and his own desperate need to be re-elected to avoid legal consequences, ahead of our democracy and national security. He is a traitor to our nation. There is no defense for his actions, and I don' understand how anyone can support him.
60
Please note that Trumps murderous fantasies are now surfacing. They include ideas (wishes) to see those who embarrass him shot as they did in the good old days, his fantasies of having immigrants shot in the legs electrocuted or impaled on his fence or devoured by alligators or bitten by poisonous snakes. This is what lives within our president.
Is there any likelihood that if impeachment and conviction grow closer that his ultimate murderous fantasy which is his alone to wield might make itself manifest? I personally expect that he would try.
29
@Bunbury , suddenly getting away with shooting someone on Fifth Avenue seems a lot less allegorical and a lot more realistic. This is a sick individual.
6
Will Democrats and Liberals comply with the many subpoenas from McConnell when the impeachment process moves to the Senate trial?
5
And tell us Dr. John what subpoenas might that be?
5
@Dr. John
What the heck are you talking about? Trump's the one being impeached, and any Dem would gladly testify!
6
@Dr. John
No doubt. Not everyone is as crooked as McConnell's GOP Senate.
3
Mitch McConnell: You are all dismissed. Take the rest of the year off.
Next.
7
In that case Moscow Mitch would be violating the constitution. Not a good idea while running for another term.
4
@P&L
Make it a long vacation.
Like forever.
2
Elijah Cummings has been shouting for impeachment since January 21, 2017. Suddenly, he's being called the voice of the Democratic contingent in the House. Go figure.
7
“Profane, dishonest, corrupt.” Describes Trump to a T.
24
Sounds like it describes Joe Biden.
So Trump used VP Pence to deliver the “weapons funds are being withheld” message to Ukraine. VP Pence apparently was just a patsy in the scheme. If I were the VP I’d be livid! Used in a Trump extortion scheme! Super bad! Bet Pompeo knew it and probably planned it! Bet the Evangelicals won’t like that.
15
Well, today is Groucho Marx's 129th birthday. I wonder what he would make of Trump? He would probably make fun of him as a Humpty Dumpty about to crack up under the yoke of impeachment--I wonder if he'd think Trump's yolk was orange or not? Either way, it is hard not to get egg on your face, when your face is an egg. Trump cracks and all of the King/Emperor's Men, keep putting fat Humpty Dumpty together again, but at some point that will be too futile for the feudal empire to handle and then they will all have rotten egg to clean up--you'll smell like sulfur even on your way down to hades. Enjoy. Reap it.
8
They run The Three Stooges here - Trump is a lot like Moe. Pompeo could be Curly and I guess Larry is Rudy Giuliani.
1
On the upside, that Giuliani had the State Department’s Inspector General hand Congress a bunch of gobbledygook, shows that Giuliani is breaking the law by as a private person conducting State business.
16
As we’ve been saying to republicans all through this administration “Do Your Job!” Don’t threaten , don’t try to scare him. Just go through each action that our laws say to. Democrats you have nothing to lose, we have nothing to lose. Step Up! And may the citizens of our country who care about our country and people be with you.
13
This is the circus, right here.
7
The founding fathers knew the value of a free press. This is how you keep a rogue president honest.
30
The reporting of “just the facts” is from a bygone era. Today’s reporters take a nugget of information that is possibly a fact and the weave in their propaganda (opinion). Most of the Media outlets are all opinion.
1
I've been asking for two years -- in these comment sections and elsewhere -- "where are the grownups?" Glad to see they have finally arrived.
16
So, VP Pence seems to the the “catch of the day” In the midst of all this rococo drama filled with Trump’s meltdown press conference, Pompeo admitting , “yeah, I was in the call”, CNN is reporting that VP Pence’s office are trying to move Pence out of DC, away from the “scandal”. So, what does He know and when did he know it! And, how long before Trump picks a new VP for his 2020 ticket - assuming he’s still standing in a few weeks.
13
Make no mistake about it, the decision to impeach President Trump was made on November 9, 2016.
15
@Dr. John Not really, most people were saying " don't worry, he will come around and act presidential", so everyone gave him some slack. .... Silly us
6
It’s no secret the Democrats despise Trump and everything he represents, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t commit an impeachable offense. As always, Trump’s raging ego convinced him he was untouchable, and the Democrats saw their opportunity to prove otherwise.
2
@Dr. John, no, sir. Most people hoped he would succeed despite himself. But with his "American carnage" rant and the lies about the crowd size. all hope was dashed. But maybe we should have decided to do it then and rid the country of him before all the damage he caused occurred.
1
The cabal will simply ignore the subpoenas.
2
OK,
Can they then introduce the evidence about Biden, the reason why they were looking for evidence of corruption?
2
@AutumnLeaf
Looking for evidence, in Ukraine?
That makes as much sense as requiring Ukrainians to register to vote in American elections.
2
@AutumnLeaf
Trump was told, over and over, by his own staff, that the whole Biden story was fake news, but he just couldn't get it into his head. Either he couldn't keep the facts straight, or he just doesn't like to hear the truth.
7
Speed on pressing this Impeachment. Now begun, it MUST be carried thru to conclusion - no quarter, no legal holds barred.
The opposition has demonstrated *years of evidence for being untrustworthy.
In the meantime, this narcissistic unbalanced President is clearly close to a state of "psychological self destruction", undermining what miniscule levels of adult judgement he ever demonstrated. Trump will likely self-immolate before the Impeachment can conclude, even if it *does flash along a quickly as Speaker Pelosi would like it to do.
9
It is great to see the lies on which Trump latches. It shows the remarkably unfiltered investigatory entities and biased sycophants from whom he seeks admiration, cherishes their thoughts and on which he lavishes praise. His praise is reflected in his rote regurgitation of their falsehoods absent any vetting of facts, information, and basic facts checking. His conduct in this regard, however, diminishes the credibility of The Office of the Presidency and renders Two-timing Trump a stool pigeon of the farcical right.
4
Trump asks his Twitter audience "Who changed the whistle blower rules...?"
(Well of course! Who else would know this?)
He has Rudy Giuliani investigating his collusion with Russia and also Joe Biden.
What's so special about Giuliani? Why not run a contest on his Twitter feed to find out who we can send to Ukraine and elsewhere?
He can then divert funds from the military budget to pay for it.
4
I love the NYT! Proud to be a Canadian every story I read and feel for you all BIG TIME.
12
Donald Trump has succeeded "bigly" in making the USA an international laughingstock and pariah. The consequences of millions of Americans being so gullible as to vote for a lying husk of a person like Trump will not be easily forgotten.
20
Why are we messing around with subpoenas? Just impeach him so the Senate can dismiss this.
4
@P&L
The subpoenas are to get people to testify. They're needed for evidence and documentation.
2
Because when all facts have been exposed even the most on the fence Republicans will have no choice but to remove him from office.
1
Democrats really believed a State Dept. watchdog from Pompeo's State Dept. had a bombshell to give them? Incredible. They were faked-out but "fuming." In other words, they looked like fools. Pompeo isn't going to help you guys. He's on the other side. The spirit of Charlie Brown lives among the Democrats.
5
What are you doing, House Dems??? Your legislative body is one of the most powerful entities on the face of Earth - if people don’t comply, take punitive measures. This isn’t an exhibition game!
14
@Alex , yes. Democrats, heed these words: subpoena. Issue a subpoena. Enforce it. No exceptions once issued. No show? Round up the offender and hold them until they talk. Period. We, the people, are tired of waiting.
4
New rule: No public servant or candidate should call another public servant or candidate a name other than their name or title. Fines begin at $1000/day and double each day in perpetuity,
15
Turns out that Adam Schiff lied yet again. He lied about the Russian collusion matter (he claimed to have evidence), and he lied about not talking to the whistle blower before the complaint was submitted. Why didn't he tell the truth about the whistle blower? Unfortunately, he has muddied the waters as far as this inquiry goes.
When somebody has a habit of lying like Schiff does, it's usually a well-honed skill developed over a lifetime. What else has Adam Schiff lied about during his life and career? I would bet there is a lot, and a little digging by the NYtimes would be extremely illuminating and, in the end, beneficial to us all.
5
@Mark So, you don't think that trumph has him beat by like over 6,00 lies?
Until you ensure there are consequences for defying subpoenas, consequences that would be highly unpleasant for the stonewallers, you are indeed just “fooling around.”
And do not tell me that said stonewalling would be another grounds for impeachment. Trump will never be removed by the Senate, so impeachment alone is an empty threat.
What consequences would you or I face were we to stonewall in this fashion? Those are the kind of consequences I mean, Chairman Schiff and Madame Speaker.
Stop. Fooling. Around.
7
@Marty
You would face zero consequences, because Congress is not a real court and they're not judges.
Don't believe me? Ask Mark Zuckerberg and any number of business executives who have refused to participate numerous times in the circus that is the Congressional hearings.
All the whistleblower did was seek advice from someone on a committee allowed to see top secret material. All that Adam Schiff did was direct him to submit the complaint correctly.
12
Such short memories commenters seem to possess. What an outrage! The White House and DoJ appear to be trivializing issuance of Congressional subpoenas. "Everyday this administration shatters new 'norms'!" is the mantra I read over and over again. What is lost in the noise is the feinting, dodging and escape tactics AG Holder executed back in '12 to avoid testifying in front of Congress in the wake of Fast & Furious, to the point of being held in contempt of Congress. Maybe it's time to rethink the propriety and value of these Congressional Grand Inquisition sessions in the first place. They seem to be gripping theater, and key propoganda tools for each the R's and D's to get their respective bases frothing at the mouth. But realistically, if Congressional subpoenas are really optional for staff in the Executive branch, what useful purpose do they serve
4
Nancy Pelosi and the Dem House must play hardball, just like the GOP does. If trump can get away with this latest mess, I am afraid the Dems will lose in 2020. She sounded great today and so did Rep Schiff. They have the evidence, they will gather more and should move forward with impeachment. Going to courts with subpoenas will waste time and give trump opportunity to stall. We cannot afford the same thing that happened with the Mueller Report.
By the time it came out, Barr had sufficient time to adequately confuse a fair segment of the US population.
9
Mr. Trump don't ask Americans for loyalty. I hope you remember one great President said, " Don't ask your country what your country can do for you, ask yourself what you can do for the country." Remember Secretary Clinton appeared before two Republican Oversight Committees that insisted on investigating her over the Benghazi affair? She didn’t ignore Chairman Trey Gowdy’s summons or run and hide behind pious refusals to testify as is Mr. Pompeo. If Secretary Clinton was compelled to appear before the Committee as requested, the same should also apply to Mr. Pompeo. And she testified for 11 hours.
12
riveting entertainment, no?
two things i noticed that no one mentions.
1) he released the ‘transcript’ in a last ditch effort to persuade pelosi not to start impeachment inquiry.
2) the finnish president’s comment about keeping our democracy going was said twice. the second time was to the guy that was asking trump about what he wanted the ukrainians to do about the bidens. i took it to mean ‘keep the impeachment going’.
... thank you, mr. chairman. i’d like to cede the remainder of my time to the distinguished actor from new york, robert de niro.
6
It would be foolhardy to delay getting a court order to stop spoliation of evidence and subpoenas for production of documents and witnesses for deposition. This should have been done Monday.
3
I’m done analyzing and pontificating about Trump. He just HAS TO GO. I don’t care how it happens just so long as it does, and he has to go NOW. End of story. Nothing more to say.
13
An equal branch of government subpoenaing another?
Take it to the Supreme Court, it's a no-brainer.
Trump must just ignore these subpoenas.
Or better yet, he can issue subpoenas back to Congress and call 'em oversight.
And go on his usual business fighting for us.
2
@Bhaskar He is not fighting for the majority of us voters. He lost that count by over a million.
1
@Bhaskar
Trump sure isn't fighting for you, or anyone else, other than himself.
And no, he can't do what you ask although I wouldn't put it past him to try. Don't you know that yet?
2
As of 8:39 it appears that the House of Representatives will be choosing our 46th President.
1
The Senate is not going to convict Donald Trump. Everyone knows that. And, the Democrats are riling up Trump’s supporters and helping to fatten his re-election coffers providing a better than average chance of getting him re-elected. I know this is a very unpopular opinion to express among most NYT readers. But most didn’t expect him to get elected the first time. We are witnessing a political game of chess. Unfortunately, the Democrats’ impeachment strategy will backfire.
6
So the whistleblower is, basically, Adam Schiff. That's what you get if you remove the first hand knowledge requirement, which was done two weeks before the complaint.
The story is quickly becoming vaudeville.
It's as if Ken Starr had lent to Monica the blue dress, for the happening. Except that this time around, there is no stain.
5
My son who lives in the rural west has been peripherally involved with law enforcement and is now afraid that dictator 45 might unleash those with weapons against Democrats/liberals. My question is - will the military follow 45's orders to harm the Democratic populace?
2
@sierrastrings
Yes. Expect to be plowed down by drones by noon tomorrow.
No fooling, I thought over a year of campaigning for POTUS would be difficult to bear, but now added to that a year of having to endure Democrats in the House covering for and protecting Joe in the form of Trump impeachment will no doubt prove intolerable. I’m sure Bernie’s heart attack was no coincidence, it was his body’s defense mechanism’s way of telling him to stay as removed from that chaos as possible.
5
Anytime someone tells me that they are not fooling around, I know I have at least three more times before the person is serious. And even then, they will more than likely just walk away in a huff.
1
WaPo is reporting that Trump involved Pence in his efforts to pressure Ukraine on a Biden inquiry. Also, one of Pence’s top aides was in on the July 25 call so the VP would have the actual transcript within hours.
Pelosi is the third in line to the presidency.
4
Rep Nadler: “The effect of impeachment is to overturn the popular will of the voters as expressed in a national election.”
This was during the Clinton hearings. I wonder what changed.
3
I just finished watching the entire press conference. This report implies Trump was rude to the leader of Finland. No way. He was courteous and the atmosphere between them was relaxed and friendly. Why distort things? I don’t get it. Anyone can take a 39 min event and create their own scenario by highlighting this or that moment. Sad that you guys do it.
4
Please remember, this upending of democracy did not start with trump. It started when Mitch McConnell refused to accept Merrick Garland as Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court. And McConnell's fellow Republicans did NOTHING. Some actually gave him cover by interviewing the nominee, but NO ONE challenged him - certainly not publicly - that Garland should have a lawful hearing to be confirmed.
Representative democracy ended then, and the Republicans have felt no need to follow any rules or laws since.
It is time for us to take to the streets, Hong Kong style; or get out fast.
28
How much longer can this country withstand the continued assaults, verbally and politically, of the questionably sane individual in the White House? If he cannot bring himself to act like a thoughtful and responsible chief executive of the nation and leader of the free world, then he must be replaced and quickly. He has squandered so much of America's good will that we have none left to spare. And yet he keeps dragging us lower and lower.
63
@CP
Only 5+ years to go.
Maybe more.
3
@CP If somebody came up to me and said "I am a very stable genius," I would not think he was stable. I would immediately think it proof that he were the opposite. The only person I have heard say hat is the President of the United States of America. He repeated it today with the addition that other [people are saying it. Who else but he has said that. Two presidents in one room. One dignified and serious; one acting like a ranting aggressor. One president Finnish; the other finished.
9
@Dr. John - "Only 5+ years to go"? Only if we roll over and let him. He can be stopped. He must be stopped. And so must the rest of his disgraceful crew.
4
I really want to see Trump handcuffed and taken out of the White House along with his “buddies”. American needs to see this.
111
Trump more and more resembles another US president, albeit a fictional one, Selena Meyer. She too was extraordinarily rude to a Finnish Prime Minister and, as a result in part, got her just deserts. Let's hope life imitates art once more.
21
We’re dealing with toddlers: No executive function in the Executive Branch. Just quietly issue subpoena and get in with our day.
19
Trump is inciting violence towards “his enemies” - a term that should chill all of us to the core. A President of the United States is not denying his abuse of power but continues to threaten his equal branches of government calling them “enemies” and “spies.”
As if this betrayal by the highest office in our land could not get any worse, Putin defended him today. Russia’s desires are clear; blame Ukraine for the 2016 election interference and weaken Ukraine’s military might so that they can complete their invasion.
This is looking more and more like high treason. In a Frontline expose, people close to MBS divulged that Khashoggi, a Washington Post journalist, was killed because he criticized Trump during a time that Saudi Arabia was actively wooing him, knowing he could be bribed. Trump them refused to condemn the horrific murder.
The implications for the worst abuses of power in our history are clear. We need to act with the utmost speed before any more of his threats become a reality.
59
Yes, the old Trump playbook; a major lawsuit. The man doesn't have a clue. His image is going down the drain and all he can say is gurgle gurgle.
26
Remember that about 11 months ago, Mr. Trump tweeted about a Congressman that he called Adam "Schitt," probably one of few misspellings that was deliberate.
9
Trump was so rude today to the President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö. Donald was evil, mean and inhospitable. A terrible, horrible host. We were so much better at diplomacy and graciousness before the trampling by the trumps. We were in the not distant past great at that.
Criminal 1 would not let Niinistö speak. All about me, trump,
me, trump, me. It's over.
All of Trump's men need to retreat to save our country, their friends and families, etc. from further pain and embarrassment. Everyone complicit with Trump's bad is subject to criminal prosecution now. Michael Cohen, Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, Flynn, et al. Barr, Pompeo, Ghouliani, Fox Fixers...
If you value your soul and integrity, simply work with congress and resign. Join a Trump 12-step program. TA.
26
Could this stalemate episode validate the theory that Putin installed Trump as president to topple the American democratic system?
25
Ever notice how the rants the Stable Genius hurls at people with the temerity to stand up to him sound like he's looking in the mirror?
32
Nancy Pelosi wouldn’t have moved forward if she didn’t think she’s going to win. She knows she has a very good chance this is in the win column.
21
Pelosi has never thought this was winnable and she had said as much.
14
@ JAC
It isnt about “winning.”
It is about protecting our election process, upholding the Constitution, protecting national security, and doing what is right.
5
@JAC
What is winning here? A careful investigation that demonstrates Trump is attempting to coerce foreign nations to help him in the upcoming campaign would be a win, especially since it would have to be tried in the Senate. Whether or not Trump was convicted, that would be win.
This idea of people like you that this is a sporting event is the height ignorance. It is not a sporting event.
3
Trump won't give on anything unless the messenger has a gun.
Calling Adam Schiff a low-life is Trump's throw-down to a bar room brawl. He will resist or delay every action. There is no good will or fair play or respect for the law in Trump. This is war to the last, so plan on it. Unless of course if some GOP senators begin speaking out.
20
Start with the subpoenas, and announce where you will jail people for contempt of congress.
It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.
Niccolo Machiavelli
26
"A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do." That is the U.S. Military Academy honor code.
If Secretary Pompeo, a West Point graduate, lied about being on the Ukraine call - as he now admits he did - then he should resign his post immediately. Even if he has violated no law - which is not at all clear - he has violated the sacred oath that thousands of Army officers before him and in his class at the Point and in classes after his have sworn. That's despicable.
Anyone who has taken that oath, or the similar oaths at the other military academies, should be offended and Pompeo should be held in disgrace for his behavior.
32
@CastleMan
Expecting someone like Pompeo to respect an oath is a mistake. He likely never meant it.
1
As justice closes in on him, Donald Trump’s true colors are showing clearer than ever: bitter, perverted, full of contempt for the American public and their representatives in Congress. The quicker we as a nation can close the book on this dark and shameful chapter in our history, the better.
35
Drip, drip, drip... so much corruption, so little time. All the shoes are dropping quickly!
13
He’s losing it. I love it.
30
Although this is a serious issue for our country, I can't help feeling it is delicious to watch donald trump unraveling. And it's still early !
27
@JG And I don't think there's anything wrong with that. He's had no problem making our lives miserable for the last three years and wants to make them even worse. It's either him or us.
4
I can't express how nice it is to finally see Congress drawing some lines in the sand and making a stand for what's right. Meanwhile, the so-called president has gone from slightly deranged to totally unhinged. It's clear he has some inkling that he's finally been caught and is willing to say and do anything, hoping some of it -any of it- might stick.
Seems fairly generous to me that Congress gave the White House until Friday. How hard can it be to pull some files out of storage and send them over? That ought to take, maybe, 5 minutes.
19
@Mr. Adams
How long would it have taken Nixon to send the tapes? He had Marines guard them with instructions not to hand them over to anyone. Fortunately, when faced with a subpoena from civil authorities delivered by civilian law enforcement, they handed them over. That was their Constitutional duty. Would they do so now?
2
Adam Schiff is indeed fooling around here. We all know House Democrats aren't going to get what they asked for on Friday. What then? I'm not expecting either compliance or consequences. I do, however, expect additional fooling around.
8
While the concerns are real that impeachment will strengthen Trump, Americans also need to reckon what type of illegality and immortality they will stand for. Those throwing money into Trump’s re-election should be reminded in the future that they condone immortality and criminality. What goes around comes around. Do note quote the constitution when you don’t know what it was intended to protect.
7
@Mb
The wealthy who contribute to Trump are not much concerned about criminality unless it is by the unwashed masses. They are buying the country. And be aware that when Trump gets away with this (even though he is impeached, the Republican Party in its march to authoritarian control of the US will not convict) and is likely re-elected, the US will no longer have a functioning Constitution or code of laws that apply to the plutocrats in charge. Say good-bye to what you might have considered the US. It will be a new nation.
1
It’s a subpoena! Failure to respond will be contempt, obstruction of justice.
Where are the checks/balances?
8
Commenting each day on a journalists' articles is nice, but we need to remember the sun sets daily. Today news is revealing, a moment later or the next day, it is irrelevant. There is a need to remember the real race begins when all this initial investigation in the House is completed and it goes to the Senate. Then is when we will closely watch what 100 Senators do and say. It will tell us who doesn't based their comments on facts, but on political partisanship. Are you watching closely, what your two senators are saying and how they will vote?
5
I learned today that the DOJ doesn't issue subpoenas, but Pelosi hands them out like cookies
And that Hillary was investigated for 2 years and they found nothing and was treated very horribly and had her life destroyed
15
@Marion Grace Merriweather
Hillary had her life destroyed? Really? The same woman who's been cashing in on *losing* the election since 2016?
You're literally joking, right?
9
President Obama delayed the release of subpoenaed Eric Holder documents on Fast/Furious for two years, releasing them on Election Day.
President Trump is entitled to do the same thing.
17
His admin has stonewalled the whole way along, over all improprieties. Meanwhile Hillary answered questions for 11 hours and you’re still not satisfied.
16
@Dr. John
He can try
Good luck to him
3
@Dr. John and another release was due to a judgement by the courts—all the docs have still not been released. Fast and Furious should have led to impeachment of Holder, Napolitano. They literally got away w murder.
1
Trump is clearly terrified. His bluster and incoherent, sputtering rage are those of a cornered beast--a cornered, scared and not very intelligent beast. He has previously never had to contend with a real threat or level of fear of this magnitude and is reacting in a completely visceral and animalistic way, lashing out at everyone and and everything in his sights--the only way he knows how.
33
@tausendsasa - I think the statement from the Russians telling him that they "hope" that the phone calls to Putin don't come forward says a lot.
He is trapped between Putin's nerve agents and the SDNY.
12
@tausendsasa Never confuse fear and anger. They often look the same, but taking one for the other can turn out to be a dangerous proposition.
1
Regarding trumps latest outbursts and harangues:
Republican senators —
Remove this foul insult to the people of the United States known as Trump . . . NOW
[You know how to do it. Just give the word to the House that you have the 20 or more senators lined up.]
21
Lots of folks here chomping at the proverbial bit to see the house of representatives find Mr. Trump guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors.
It’s too bad that Nancy Pelosi does not share your enthusiasm. 
6
@David H
The House can't find Trump guilty. They will indict him. Only the Senate can find him guilty. Read the Constitution.
1
Nancy knows that information about criminal misconduct by Democrats will become public knowledge if there is an impeachment proceeding. She is just trying to protect her friends. She is not obstructing justice.
5
House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) on Wednesday responded to the latest New York Times bombshell report that Adam Schiff learned about the Deep State CIA spy’s accusations against Trump several days before the officer filed a whistleblower complaint.
“Schiff is a proven partisan,” Scalise said suggesting that Schiff and the ‘whistleblower’ broke protocol. I am deeply concerned that the whistleblower went straight to Chairman Schiff’s staff without seeing the CIA whistleblower process through its conclusion. Chairman Schiff is a proven partisan.”
9
Glad to see Scalise took a break from speaking to David Duke to comment!
17
Less talking, more action. It's time to play hardball, Democrats.
18
@General’s Daughter
Bob Gibson style !
3
As Lincoln (who Trump had the audacity to compare himself too) said to Grant as the latter was finishing off the Confederacy, “Let the thing be pressed.”
9
Our nations people apologize to President Sauli Niinisto of Finland for the boorish behavior of trump. We are not that kind of people President Ninisto. Thank you for being our friend and ally, this nightmare will soon end.
22
Watching today's debacle with the Finnish president was embarrassing.
We have our fair share of raving lunatics up here, but for the most part we don't elect them to high office.
Any rational human being watching your president's performance today could only conclude that the man is a danger to himself and others and needs to be escorted off the premises before he does something more awful than the already long list of shameful things he's already done.
Every day that this vulgarian is in the Whitehouse, the former good reputation of the United States takes long-lasting hits that will take generations to undo. Your allies look on in horror. I hope you find a way out of this mess.
29
Trump says Congress is "dishonest" and "corrupt". Clearly he doesn't even know what those words mean, nor does he appear to grasp how thoroughly they apply to him. It would be fun to hear him flail about with his limited vocabulary, trying to explain how it is dishonest to request documents.
16
Yes, Subpoena the whole lot of them. Judging from Donald J. Trumps unhinged behavior today, it’s apparent that it’s only going to get worse until he is finally carried out kicking and screaming. Good Riddance!
20
Republicans would have issues subpoenas yesterday and scoffed at any suggestion that Democrats were being treated unfairly. Republicans only play dirty and thus should be nailed to the wall. This is indeed a war and playing nice gets you nowhere.
11
Donald Trump is basically saying the entire impeachment process is illegitimate. It’s a coup. He keeps bragging about the “perfect” conversation he had on the phone with the Ukrainian president. Yes it is perfect. It’s perfect evidence for impeachment.
22
The President sounds in a bad way. I hope someone is keeping an eye on him.
11
The President is cursing at Congress on Twitter. Amazing. We must be moving in the right direction.
18
As "loosey goosey" an operation that Trump runs with his chaotic White House office, I very much doubt that any of the male members of his cabinet wear an athletic supporter. Hanging loose is probably an essential skill for survival. Therefore, Adam Schiff can breathe a sigh of relief, that although the whistle blower has uncovered a fetid and rotten mess, the stench is in no way linked to Trump and his minions personal hygiene, or manner of dress. For that matter the lack of courage shown by Trump's minions would strongly suggest that Trump's male cabinet have no need for athletic supporters anyway.
6
I do not believe that the Republicans are going take part in any investigation. How do we make them do any thing? Trump is in charge of all of the armed forces.
2
It is comforting to remember everytime Trump has a tirade, or twitters, or has a press conference, this is all the greatest that could happen for the impeachment inquiry. Why, because when Trump talks he lies, and his memory isn't strong enough to remember all his lies. His voice will defeat him. His words will comeback to defeat him, all America has to do is be patient and remember there are politicians out there, both parties, that know when this county has a president that needs to get on the helicopter at the White House lawn, and wave good bye.
5
For any Democrat or Republican who believes the president holds himself above the law and acts in his own self-interests, meet with the constituents in your districts to explain the seriousness of Trump’s actions. While there are many Americans who follow the news, there are many who either don’t pay attention, or worse follow Fox as a supposed news channel. These Americans are Trump’s fodder and it will be to the detriment of all of us if a majority of Americans do not understand how Trump has and continues to blatantly violate his oath of office each and every day.
11
I wonder if Trump has reached the breaking point, should he be allowed to continue as President? Is he inciting violence? Is he to unstable? The 25th amendment is waiting.
11
It's interesting that you can take all of the descriptions Trump uses for others and use them on him. Then they actually make sense.
13
Frankly the House Democrats have been acting like pushovers all year in their "investigations." Requesting a lot of things and never following up. It has looked like they were just marking time until the election. If they are going to prosecute a real impeachment investigation they are going to have to get serious about asking for and actually receiving some information on which too base their decision. Until that happens all this is just theater.
8
@pkincy - I agree with you. They just do the hearing circus to appease the most left side of their base but they don't really seem to want to get busy. I don't think they actually want to do the extra work that is required.
4
@tom harrison
I think you and pkincy are wrong. In the case of an impeachment hearing, not delivering subpoenaed items is itself an impeachable offense. Plenty of Nixon's White House officials went to prison, in part for that reason (like the White House official in charge of burglary, G. Gordon Liddy, whose stonewalling Congress not only added some prison time to his sentence for other crimes, but made him a folk hero who became famous on the boob tube and who remains famous within the so-called "right wing," an expression I cannot operationally define.
These are still early days in the process. The subpoenas are just a step. Issuing a subpoena to gather information to corroborate the whistle-blower's complaint is not corroboration. That has to come. Lots of work ahead that will take some months.
I think it the risk here is that Trump has a total meltdown before the House completes its work.
6
The WH needs to tell Congress to take a hike. Separation of powers. No way the SC will put themselves in the middle of a clearly partisan spat between 2 branches.
6
Investigating evidence of fundamental corruption, violations of federal law, and self-dealing at the expense of our national security is hardly a simple or minor partisan “spat.” The Democrats would be violating their oaths of office if they failed to investigate these shocking allegations. If these allegations are substantiated, Watergate pales in comparison.
9
Well then William, the Constitution allows for arrest and jailing of the offending targets of subpoena. That your solution?
3
@mark S wait, ... so you mean that Eric Holder could've been incarcerated for repeatedly ignoring & evading congressional subpoena for the "Fast & Furious" scandal? Why wasn't that carried out then?
Yes, on a certain juvenile level it’s nice to see this hopelessly unqualified President lose his cool.
But I try to keep things in perspective and step back from the adrenaline rush and drama.
No matter how bad he may be, impeaching President Trump still looks improbable.
The Senate is dominated by extremely indulgent Republicans who so far just won’t criticize Trump. Worse there are plenty who are eager to downplay or justify his actions and remarks and throw out conspiracy theory red herrings to distract the public.
Republican senators’ focus seems to be on staying in power at any cost.
But maybe, just maybe, the House investigation will expose facts that will make Trump supporters realize how badly they have been swindled.
4
We know that all the subpoenas will end up in the circular file. The question will be, in the face of massive obstruction of Congress, do the Republican senators have the spine to admit Trump has abandoned his oath to the Constitution and remove him?
6
As the pressure grows Trump is increasingly sounding like Captain Queeg. Does his Republician crew have the courage for Trump mutiny or will they go down with the ship in 2020. If they can't decide, may be they could have a meeting preceded, by a screening of The Caine Mutiny.
8
@Nick Australia
Except I kinda felt sorry for Queeg.
3
If Scott Pelley in his interview of Kevin Mc Cathy had been thinking fast enough he might have been able to get an even bigger scoop than he already has. If only he had not corrected Mr. McCarthy but just asked him what difference the word "though" would have made if it were in there McCarthy might have gone on to say that the word though would have made it an impeachable crime. If this had occurred the leader of the congressional Republicans would have had to vote to either impeach Trump or as the Japanese say "Do the right thing". I think that Pelley doing this would not have been improper journalism.
3
As decades of norms and good will are incinerated, perhaps the last bastion of redress will come down to an old fashioned duel.
What could be more basic? Trump vs. Pelosi, two flintlock pistols, simply walk ten paces and... oh, wait. It won't work. Bone spurs and all that.
4
Every American schoolkid who learned of the nation's three equal branches of government will have to re-learn of the time that was a lie.
The U.S. Congress should be renamed the U.S. Toothless.
And the judiciary, starting with the U.S. Supreme Court, has been so overloaded with political partisans that it is leaning in water and may tip over.
That leaves today's Imperial Executive Branch, the Pac-Man of American democracy, and its Royal president. Some core, free system holds for now, but that's perhaps more the doing of the non-governmental and unofficial Fourth Estate than any Federal Bureau of the Constitution.
Regardless of what is bolstering it for now, imperial forces continue their destabilization, as seen in all the anti-democratic jargon from the Royal Don, who operates more and more like a Mafia Don. He foments further civil disobedience and official criminality every time he talks of "coups" afoot against him, "treason" by opponents, "electoral fraud" by Dems, "enemies of the state" in the independent press and criminal acts by congresspeople, political rivals, legally-protected whistleblowers and other democratic supports.
He is creating a resistance from his administrative toadies, his Trump-at-any-cost supporters and his GOP mutes. He commands his government chiefs and unofficial surrogates to disobey the rule of Congress, the courts and law.
Will future schoolkids learn this insanity was temporary? Or no longer be allowed to learn of the old system?
5
It would seem that within the framework of an impeachment investigation, White House stone walling would be additive evidence of obstruction.
8
We have a Harangeutan president and the whole world is stopped and stupified in disbelief.
Watergate, "All the Presidents Men", nothing the founders wrote or considered... Nobody could have stopped this train wreck. But it's as clear and simple as the naked truth.
Trump and his men and family should all resign next week and save us and themselves. It's over. Think Roger Stone's arrest and save your self. Plea deal. Save your friends. Jump to safety.
Do they not realize we have much more important things to think about, do and correct than them and their mistakes?
5
This is what an impeachment inquiry looks like.
The transcript tells it all, Trump pressured Zelensky for dirt on Biden. Trump used the power of the presidency for personal gain. That is an abuse of power and a violation of his oath of office; both impeachable offenses.
Now the White House and State Department are stonewalling. That is obstruction of Congress, yet another impeachable offense.
This is our constitution at work; follow the facts and, if necessary, remove the president.
12
Trump is scared and acting out throwing tantrums, with language that would get an 8th grade student put in detention.
8
My God the president is absolutely unhinged from his remarks today. He has lost what little self control he had before.
This man has poisoned civil discourse in the US and with it the sensibilities of an entire generation.
Will the 25th amendment be invoked before he is impeached?
9
To Representatives Schiff, Nadler and Cummings — send the subpoenas. If the White House refuses to comply exercise the “power of inherent contempt” given to Congress.
Send the Sergeant at Arms to arrest and transfer to the Capitol all the individuals who fail to comply. Nobody is above the law, so use this opportunity to prove it.
12
Tweet- cursing. A new low, even for him.
5
What will it take for the polite Democrats to realize that you don't bring a dagger to a gun fight? Forget your vows to issue subpoenas and just do your job quietly and efficiently.
3
“Frankly, they should look at him for treason because he is making up the words of the president of the United States.”
Donnie makes up his own words too!
Last time I checked, this is really not treason!
2
Idle threats.
4
Winter is coming!
1
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Trumpty together again.
2
My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is 3/4th over.
----President Mike Pence, Nov 2019
3
I’m all in favor of these warnings. Warn the White House, (why anyway), warn persons in the United States illegally that ICE is coming. Maybe next Democrats will warn murderers, rapists, and child porn collectors that a raid or other legal action is planned in a few days. It will give the criminals time to destroy evidence and to escape. Of course the Democrats won’t be kidding around.
2
The crazed dictator wannabe freaked out twice on live TV today. Seems our bloated blowhard traitor of a president been hitting the adderall hard again. He is starting to burst at the seams. But he still claims he is a stable genius. Better call Putie for some advice. Dude may soon need s straight-jacket.
4
For the love of God, stop "threatening" and just DO IT!!!
Stop treating this cancer in the White House as if he's just another President, because he isn't. He is a clear an present danger - not only to this country and it's people - but to the entire world order.
Stop waffling. Stop hand-wringing. Stop pussyfooting around. And start doing your job!!!
Have you people learned nothing over the last 3 years about this Presidents unbridled, unmitigated lawlessness?
Call the Sergeant at Arms and start having people thrown in jail for non-compliance with the law!
Either that, or get out of the way, and let someone else takeover who can get the job done.
The very future of our country is at stake, and you're still acting like you're at a Martha Stewart garden party!
Wake up!!! And do your job - for Christ's sake.
8
Trump is urinating on Congress. Almost laughing in their faces. Looks like with the Republicans supporting The presidential Nazi, Congress has no power.
2
Donald Trump needs to keep his mouth zipped and his Tweeter finger off the keyboard because every time he opens his mouth or taps a few words he digs his own Presidential grave. Every word he speaks makes him appear more and more guilty of whatever has already been revealed by the WH.
7
Have many of the aides & employees of this administration seen that this man trump can be brought down...that he is not an all powerful god? Has trump finally made a mistake that will sink him into the 9 levels of Hell? What goes around, comes around. He could not go on all his life breaking laws & not get caught. Maybe there will be more PATRIOTS to come forward before this is over.
He is drowning & no one is going to throw him a line to save him.
4
Dear Donald,
You are about to go through Hell. You have no idea. This isn't a meeting about New York or New Jersey real estate where you can intimidate the other side by outspending them on lawyers.
You ought to start thinking about the best time to step down. Give a great speech about how the country is going to miss you, because you were the best president ever.
Then you can move to Florida, where about half the people like you. I don't recommend New York...everyone there will laugh in your face.
8
@priceofcivilization best advice he got today!
I understand the thinking behind dragging out the impeachment process. The longer the proceedings go on, the more damning information comes out and more and more voters will get on board.
3
Trump the chosen one LOLOL
not by God by the little lying Chriistians
2
I'm glad to see the House taking its time and laying a legal framework. There really is no hurry. In four months' time Republican primary voters in New Hampshire and Iowa will actually become the first "jurors" to weigh in on the evidence.
7
It is not overturning an election when the incumbent has had almost 3 years in the office and has failed to perform except by violating norms and laws.
This is not about 2016 it is about 2020, and 2019.
58
Democrats will likely lose again and for the same reasons.... poor candidates with no ideas to help the middle class except to take more from them including our right to choose the president. The last straw is the Democrats sharp and un-American turn to the left with media supervision.
2
Saying you're "not fooling around" means you are fooling around. It's the difference between talk and action. The time for talk is over. It's time for action. Issue the subpoenas and enforce them.
43
In Trump's mind, he isn't hiding anything. This is the way he has conducted his business for the last 40 years. Do I think he should be impeached? Absolutely. Do I think he will be? No.
8
What happened to the Republican party of yesteryear that could boast of Lincoln and men like Thaddeus Stevens? This president has not been loyal to your party and does not deserve your protection.
19
@Rod Murphy
Um, read LBJ's quote after he signed the civil rights act into law.
1
A subpoena it seems it not worth the paper it is written on. Not if it is issued by Congress. What happened to fines, and jail time.
21
Can’t help but see an unsettling connection and similarity to the Snowden revelations that the NSA was listening in on our calls. Most people just didn’t care. Reading these comments one must come to the same conclusion re a US president using the power of his office to advance his personal ambitions and take out perceived enemies. We are an apathetic nation, well fed, half asleep, hypnotized by our smart phones.
28
Will Trump and his henchmen cover up. Yes. Will they destroy evidence? Yes. Will they ignore the subpoenas? Yes. Will they try and derail the impeachment inquiries at every turn? Yes. Will they invite Russia and other foreign interference in our elections? Yes. This is the only way that Trump can get re-elected. The wool is being pulled over the American public’s eyes and I am astonished as to how long it took the Democrats to wake up and being impeachment proceedings. But I am afraid it is far too little and far too late. Our only hope at this point is that by some miracle, or divine intervention, Trump looses the election next year but I am not going to hold my breath.
16
@Ski bum
We don't need a miracle or divine intervention for Trump to lose.
We need every single person who sees donald and his sidekicks for the disasters they are to help get out the vote. We need to advocate now for fair elections. We also must help others register and vote. Donate to the ACLU if you can.
We can vote out donald and we will.
1
Our intelligence agencies advised that Russia's goal was to destabilize our political system. Boy, did they succeed.
63
Sorry to disagree. There’s agency. Ours. We chose - and continue to choose - to polarize. For all we know, maybe polarizing is even ok, maybe things just have to come to a head at some time ( could be now too), and get resolved one way or another. It’s been simmering for far too long. About time we Americans faced our daemons squarely in the eye.
1
My god how Nike must be loving this discussion - their slogan shouted from the mountaintop repeatedly. That said, seriously, Congressional Democrats, just do it.
16
Full speed ahead.
Congress has the smoking gun and Trump handed it over.
The redacted memo contains prima facie evidence of self dealing.
Imagine what the raw memo contains...
12
Yes, they're fooling around. A bunch of teenagers hoping it all works out the way they want. whatever that is?
4
Actions speak louder than words. Trump and his partisans keep blowing smoke but can't coverup and hide Trump's actions.
So far, Trump's truncated Ukraine phone memo both admits and proves he broke at least two laws, tried and failed to cover it up, and violated his oath of office in the process. One is the 52 U.S. Code § 30121 prohibition against soliciting foreign contributions of anything of value for a US election campaign, the other is the 18 U.S. Code § 201 prohibition against any officeholder soliciting anything of value to influence any official act.
Impeachment proceedings are the only recourse to enforce the law and administer punishment against a sitting president who breaks the law.
Trump can sound off until pigs fly, but he has only himself to blame.
13
Even Justice Thomas and Kavanagh would uphold the subpoena power of congress. Essentially, they would explain to the White House that the equal branches of government is sacrosanct in the constitution and they would order the Justuce Department to enforce the order. Then, Trump would get to test his Civil War theory and be forced to send the military to roundup the Confederate yellowbellies. High times at Blackrock and the OK corral it seems.
6
In retrospect, maybe Trump was not the best person the Republicans put forth as a nominee. Dah yah tink? Next time Americans, elect an adult for President of the United States.
22
They would gladly share any information they had with Congress if they didn't have something to hide right.
8
Dems should just issue subpoena since Trump will alway delay and/or ignore them.
6
Never seen “innocent” individuals work so hard to cover up their “innocence”.
19
Stop threatening them.
Subpoena them. Today.
19
The GOP took their gloves off after the Dems not only successfully placed an African-American in the WH, but then threatened to place - gasp! - a woman there too. Trump is the result. But now the Dems' gloves are also off, and it's a new game.
14
The Donald is already a lame duck.
Claiming and wailing he's the victim of a coup will bring him little compassion in talks with Kim or Rohani who live quite a more dangerous life.
Thé Donald is already a liability for his own self-styled grand causes.
4
Listen to Trump, calling Democrats dishonest and corrupt, when that has been Trump's modus operandi for decades. Obviously, Trump wouldn't know morality if it stared him in the eyes, given he never had the experience. Given the ample evidence of culpability in Trump's yelling nonsense, there ought not be any chance of justice to miss the mark, make Trump pay the price of his unrepentant guilt. He remains a majestic, and farcical, fraud, for all to see.
9
I’m so tired of Democrats continuing to just throw slop on the wall to see if anything will stick. What sore (2016) losers. Get a life. Get a candidate. Get elected the old fashioned way-win.
4
@DanielMarcMD Care to address the president's abuse of his office and his use of government funds to hold a vulnerable foreign nation hostage and help his election? I guess attacking Democrats is easier than actually acknowledging the truth.
2
@DanielMarcMD
If potential extortion, encouraging foreign governments to involve themselves in U.S. elections, obstruction of justice and witness tampering is “slop,” I’d hate to see the “privvie” in your house.
2
The man really does seem to believe he’s the boss of everybody.
Anybody else sense a ‘I hereby declare’ coming on?
6
@celia So much for the president serving the people. He clearly thinks it should be the other way around.
Let congress subpoena the White House and Pompeo. They will refuse to comply. Then we will see what the power of Congress really is in this country. Will it be able to charge them with obstructing justice and arrest them? If not why not?
Time for the Democrats to play hard ball. Those people are thieves, crooks, traitors and their lackeys. A poor devil gets sent to jail for smoking a joint in the wrong part of town. Is this the famous justice for all in our American rhetoric?
5
@Blunt
Rhetoric is right.
who in the white house ordered the code red on washington post reporter jamal khashoggi? was it someone with bezos' derangement syndrome? we know it wasn't arabian prince bin salman because he denied it to nora o'donnell on 60 minutes.
Donald Trump’s daily threats to expose and confront the whistleblower are a clear form of witness tampering and intimidation that violates the whistleblower protections granted by law. This is the behavior of a thug, consistent with his shakedown of the Ukrainian president for political dirt, which Donald Trump is now trying to cover up.
4
Democrats should have won in 2016. Trump had help from a foreign country. His presidency is illegitimate.
6
Do I hear whistles blowing in the distance?
1
A small correction. There is no republican party, what little was left of that was murdered and buried in a shallow grave. What we have now is the Replutocrat party who stand in total opposition to our founding fathers rejection of the authoritarian rule of kings and princes.
4
@CitizensArrest
Well, be a little careful here when you bring up the Holy Founding Fathers. Alexander Hamilton argued for a president for life. James Madison set up his version of the electoral college wherein citizens would not vote for president but for a "wiser man than they" to choose for them because citizens could not be trusted to choose their president. Most of these people did not believe in one man, one vote but favored government administered by plutocrats. Even the Senate was appointed by state governments until the Constitution was amended in 1913. Read the Federalist Papers. They are eye opening regarding the authoritarian bent of the founding fathers. But if that is too much work, try something like Democracy Inc by Sheldon Wolin.
Liberal news media, including the New York Times, assured us, over 15 years ago that the Republican Party was dead. Surely all of these highly educated people cannot have been wrong. Only the Democrat Party is still in business.
Any respectable Republican in Congress should stand behind the Speaker and Intelligence Chair now. Stop the hiding, cowering, and spewing nonsense and lies on the propaganda station (Fox). Time is up!
6
Poor trump, he just keeps digging the hole deeper.
3
Inherent contempt *now*.
This has been a percolating danger for 3 years. He can cause thousands of deaths.
Jail them, Dems.
2
He willingly co-operates with Putin at every turn! Just what oath did he swear allegiance to? Wake up Republicans before it's too late.
5
You write, "The House threatened on Wednesday to subpoena the White House if it did not comply by Friday". Was the threat made today, October 2nd or was it made last week, on September 25th? By writing "did not comply" rather than "does not comply" you indicate the threat was made last week, not today. Please clarify.
The whole White House staff is illegitimate like their Trump. He did not win the popular vote and these staff members are hand picked criminals by Trump himself. They need to be charged for obstructing justice and treason. Hopefully when Trump is gone to jail these bad White House people will be ruined in politics forever for supporting this illegitimate President.
2
@D.j.j.k.
Nixon did not go to jail, but a significant proportion of his White House staff did (his counsel, his chief of staff, his attorney general, his chief burglar, among others).
Schiff’s parody of the Trump phone call was so disgusting that he should be censured and thrown off the intelligence committee immediately. I have never witnessed a more partisan, hateful and biased politician in my life. Scary!
1
You have never seen a politician so prejudiced, do such a horrible thing? Too funny as you must have missed the almost daily ridiculous behavior, lying about everything that is exhibited by the orange messiah you drool over. You are either blind or not operating with full mental capability. His press conference today must have been an embarrassment to the president of Finland who behaved like a president should. You know like a sane person.
3
@Pvbeachbum It was in no way a parody. It was an accurate summary of the essence of what Trump said, as the official transcript proves. Speaking of partisan,hateful and biased, you might want to read up on the orange-faced gameshow host who occupies the Oval Office.
2
Posting here my comment on the NYT latest article that Schiff caught wind of the complaint early. NYT, why did you frame this factual piece as though it supported Trump's desperate campaign to paint this as a democratic plot? Your headline could have read "Whistleblower Felt Compelled to Bring Account to House Committee After Fears Trump Admin Would Bury It" -- which is reported in the article -- but you didn't. Instead, you turn it into a misleading suggestion that there's some controversy here, despite your reporting that all procedures were followed appropriately by the House Intel Committee staff.
Why are you doing this? Why are you feeding the flames unnecessarily? Are the clicks really worth it?
2
Where’s the enforcement? Just a bunch of threats. Who cares?
So presidential.
3
President Trump telling the Democrats to stuff it--priceless!
KAG--Vote for America--Vote Republican.
1
NYT - you should separate out the pro-impeachment (DEMS) and the anti-impeachment (REPS) comments so all of us can take a look who's for and whose against. Of course, it will all be along party lines but it's interesting just to get a ballpark view of numbers and reasons used by people who are still pro-Trump in the NYT reading universe anyway!
1
Folks, please watch the following video of Nancy Pelosi’s press conference this morning.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?464846-1/speaker-pelosi-intel-chair-adam-schiff-hold-news-conference-amid-impeachment-inquiry
Near the end of the presentation, she speaks quite eloquently about fairness to President Trump, and about letting the constitution and US national security dictate where this impeachment inquiry is headed. She implores her colleagues to “listen with their ears,” and to not let their fury dictate their behavior.
Very wise counsel from the speaker of the house, and, I would submit, required reading for everyone here.
6
Damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead, Ms. Pelosi.
"Under [inherent contempt], the procedure for holding a person in contempt involves only the chamber concerned. Following a contempt citation, the person cited is arrested by the Sergeant-at-Arms for the House or Senate, brought to the floor of the chamber, held to answer charges by the presiding officer, and then subjected to punishment as the chamber may dictate (usually imprisonment for punishment, imprisonment for coercion, or release from the contempt citation).
"Concerned with the time-consuming nature of a contempt proceeding and the inability to extend punishment further than the session of the Congress concerned (under Supreme Court rulings), Congress created a statutory process in 1857. While Congress retains its "inherent contempt" authority and may exercise it at any time, this inherent contempt process was last used by the Senate in 1934, in a Senate investigation of airlines and the U.S. Postmaster. After a one-week trial on the Senate floor ..., William P. MacCracken, Jr., a lawyer and former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Aeronautics who was charged with allowing clients to remove or rip up subpoenaed documents, was found guilty and sentenced to 10 days imprisonment....
"Presidential pardons appear not to apply to a civil contempt procedure such as the above...."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contempt_of_Congress
2
@Just a Simple Country Lawyer
Love the Sam Ervin reference. And note that a lot of White House cabinet members went to prison when that Nixon investigation was over. Unfortunately, not Nixon who by attempting to have the military (Marine guards) not concede authority to the civil authorities by handing over the subpoenaed tapes was attempting a coup. It didn't work, as the military did their duty to the Constitution by handing over the tapes. Nixon ought to have been hung for treason.
1
What will happen when the subpoenas are ignored? Please, New York Times and the rest of the media will you describe what happens in detail once they are ignored, because of course they will be! I am so sick of just reading that they will be evidence of obstruction for impeachment. I want an extremely detailed argument about what can be done. As far as I can see, it appears that nothing can be done if subpoenas are ignored, in which case what the hell is this country all about? The constitution has seemed a little more than a gentleman’s agreement to me over the last several years. Where is the teeth in this founding document?
4
Nancy Pelosi, from all of her previous actions at stifling calls for impeachment, would rather have taken her chances with the Democratic nominee at the ballot box next November.
That the Speaker felled compelled to act after being confronted by the President's brazen actions of inviting a foreign power to interfere in the US elections reflects on the genuine concern at this affront to democracy.
If the Prime Minister of my country had made a similar type of call they would be gone before lunchtime.
6
@Peter J.
Oh to have a parliament and votes of no confidence. A luxury we do not have in the US
Its 3.03 PM ET as I sit in my family room watching the unhinged President of the United States Donal Trump share the podium with an obviously uncomfortable Finish President.
In what must be a record even for Trump he spews out lie after lie regarding Ukraine being the most corrupt country in the world, Ukraine receiving more aid from the US than the Europeans , both statements untrue. Trump continues to spin his phone call to the Ukrainian President as a 'great conversation'. while in fact it was nothing more than attempt at extortion
So to see that earlier in the day our President resorted to using profanities
'denouncing leading lawmakers as “dishonest people” who were focusing on “BULLSHIT,” as he put it on Twitter, to overturn an election they lost in 2016'.
came as little surprise. Trump is clearly on the brink, someone in his staff needs to reign him in, confiscate his phone , and ban him from appearing on national TV until he calms down.
7
@Britl Nah. They're suck ups. Let him go crazy in public. He'll start attacking his fan base and his family pretty soon. He's trapped inside the hate locker.
1
"Responding in real time on Twitter, Mr. Trump called their efforts “BULLSHIT.” "
No class whatsoever. None.
Always, always, setting a horrible example. Such an inspiration he must be to all those evangelical "Christian" supporters.
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@Larry M The Trump era, as nightmarish as it has been, has had its benefits. One of the best has been to expose the lack of morality and ethical standards in a religious group that has been outrageously catered to by politicians for no reason whatsoever for decades.
1
“The Do Nothing Democrats should be focused on building up our Country, not wasting everyone’s time and energy on BULLSHIT, which is what they have been doing ever since I got overwhelmingly elected in 2016, 223-306,”
Notice the omission of the popular vote totals.
The words of an out of touch, vulgar and visionless man. He and his cohorts have set up a sham government from which they operate, believing they can rule by decree. The Republican party owns him while being owned by him. They appear to have given up on any thought of redemption and remain mute while he and his inner circle try to fend off the growing moral outrage among real Americans.
He has demonstrated his weakness which is standing on his own two feet. If Democrats can pick off his main enablers, like Barr, and Pompeo, he will be left alone to deal with the mess he has created for himself. I don’t believe he will stick around for the end. He should not be allowed to speak this way while occupying the Oval Office.
9
Bullshit, Mr. "President?" You should consider doing the just, honorable and patriotic thing. Resign. Now.
-a Patriot
12
That is the official White House response, "BULLSHIT"?
15
I'm actually pleased with the momentum and think dems are getting smarter. This "threat" created another headline, maintaining momentum in the news cycle while waiting for compliance with the subpoena and witness testimony.
I was worried this would go the way of the investigations opened after the Mueller report, but it really does seem different now.
16
Somehow I do not expect the White House to comply with the subpoenas. My question is: What would be the legal consequence of their continued stonewalling? Or even destruction of evidence? I suspect there are people throughout the executive branch who have been appalled by what they have seen and heard and would be ready of not eager to testify. Are their jobs protected if they do? In short, what powers does Congress have to compel a lawbreaking White House to obey the law? I suspect only the prospect of jail time will persuade some of these people to tell the truth.
5
@Jonathan
Watergate had the same problem. Lots of people went to jail, including the loyalists Attorney General John Mitchell (his wife finked him out), G. Gordon Liddy (who became a celebrity/TV personality because of it), counsel John Erlichman, Chief of Staff H R Haldman. It was a beautiful sight.
So...Trump and the White House refuse to turn over documents, and his lawyers are arguing that a president cannot be investigated or indicted while in office and is 100 percent above the law (they'll probably argue he's immune for life, too) ?
I guess that means that if Joe Biden did anything wrong as Vice President (and we know he didn't), he is excluded from all legal action, too, right? And if Trump's legal team says it doesn't apply to Vice Presidents, then Mike Pence must be indictable.
6
Congress is finally using its power given it by the Constitution as the equal party to the president.
13
So many Trump supporters speak about the ridiculousness of an impeachment because the Senate will not vote to convict.
What does that say about the Senate? Let's think about that.
Remember all their crying about "innocent until proven guilty"? Well, aside from that a confirmation hearing or a trial in the Senate isn't a criminal trial, what happened to "that's what we have hearings and a trial for"? Do facts matter at all? Do you want to hear any or are they saying they don't matter.
It seems they've already made up their minds. What does that say about Republicans who are now famous for not letting the facts get in the way of their conclusions or actions?
How can there be justice, governance, or anything if decisions are foregone conclusions?
Do these same people just want to give the Lombardi Trophy to the Patriots? If not, why not? We already know the outcome. Right?
11
The Republicans must feel really, really proud of their president ranting and screaming in front of a visiting head of state. He really brings distinction to the office!
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This will drive Trump mad (although that may already have happened), because he's never had a job where there was oversight.
He will consider this as the final step in the coup that he is constantly talking about and will look to use executive privilege to avoid it.
It would be nice to see his blood pressure reading when he gets the subpoena.
5
I’m just wondering, in the midst of all this, what would Jesus do?
I ask because Pompeo and Pence, among the other self-professed “Christians” in this administration, surely must ponder that question in these days in which we live. As part of their ferocious introspection, which all would say consumes a good part of their lives, the question must present itself.
I’m pretty sure Jesus would have resigned in protest a long time ago.
5
Jesus forgave his tormentors, and accepted his fate. “Thy Will Be Done.” “As we forgive those who trespass against us”.
Dear GOP and White House:
Just a heads — Feel free to destroy evidence, create false documents, and prepare strategies to defeat us. We’re giving you plenty of advance notice. But if you still need more time, no worries. Simply ignore our subpoenas, lie, obstruct justice and use all of the usual strategies in your playbook (including but not limited to projecting, gaslighting, misdirection and throwing an adult temper tantrum) in order to deflect attention away from your criminal activities. We’ll do what we always do and simply let you get away with it. You are welcome to join our dog and pony show (just a little skit to appease the general public), but also just feel free to ignore us. There won’t be any consequences.
Sincerely,
Old Corporate Democratic Leaders
“Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory
since the 1980s”
5
Any official who ignores a subpoena should be arrested.
Period. No exceptions. End of story.
11
I’ve been reading “The Final Days” about Nixon, and I think Trump is reading it too, since he’s following Nixon’s strategy to the T: attack your enemies, admit nothing, hide evidence.
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@Peter Silverman
No he isn’t. He doesn’t read. What he does is listen to Fox News which feeds him suggestions. They do it all the time on Fox and friends knowing he is watching and his tweets follow.
Here it is for validity.
Geraldo Rivera tells Hannity "You are the difference between Donald J. Trump and Richard Nixon" | Media Matters for America
https://www.mediamatters.org/sean-hannity/geraldo-rivera-tells-hannity-you-are-difference-between-donald-j-trump-and-richard
For reality check against their lies.
Republicans don't remember the Obama era as well as they should | MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/republicans-dont-remember-the-obama-era-well-they-should
Impeachment whine: Trump thinks Republicans weren't tough on Obama. Believe me, we were.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2019/09/30/impeachment-trump-forgets-republicans-investigated-obama-column/3813132002/
@Peter Silverman
Didn't help Nixon much. He should, however, have done prison time. Set a good precedent.
2
Why isn’t the actual phone call released?
2
Those calls aren’t recorded.
trump's mob-boss routine has worked for him till now.
Has he been shown a drawing of the three arms of government?
5
True to form, Trump’s every epithet in paragraphs four through six is a projection of his *own* traits onto others. He does this all the time and it appears to stem from deep insecurities.
9
There is not a shred of integrity left among the leadership of the Republican Party. They know full well that Trump is out of control after being exposed as a law breaker by a whistle blower. They should be telling Trump to step down for the sake of their won party let alone for the sake of the American people.
11
The standard for involuntary commitment to a mental institution in most states is whether a person presents an imminent "danger to themselves or others". Threats of harm to others (Schiff) seems to satisfy this requirement. This guy maybe should be committed instead of impeached.
9
@Patrick
25th amendment
4
Contempt of Congress as this administration fails ot cooperate is an impeachable offense which must be added to the long list that will be cited.
6
Trump will never realize that his bullying tactics as a citizen no longer work from the White House. He can’t tweet his way out of what’s coming down.
5
Why waste time requesting vs. issuing subpoenas 1 day after a request and not receiving?
4
The day of reckoning for congressional Republicans is today.
As Trump becomes more compromised politically, and more unstable psychologically, Republican senators understand that Trump is dooming them to electoral defeat in 2020.
Trump's value for advancing the Republican agenda has diminished to the point where removing Trump via impeachment is now the lesser evil.
Republicans would be better off taking the political hit to remove Trump via impeachment now than the hit they're going to take on Election Day in 2020 if they fail to remove Trump via impeachment.
Hey Republicans, choose your poison.
Your time is up for indecision.
6
When the House Select Committee subpoenaed Hillary Rodham Clinton for records, including email, regarding Benghazi, she immediately upon the advice of counsel, Cheryl Miller, destroyed the records. HRC appeared before the Committee and asked in a fit of hysteria, “What does it matter?” The Trump Administration should do the same but with less drama, leave that to the Democrats.
Southern Boy,
"B B B But her emails!!"
Why am I not surprised?
The liar-in-chief is caught now,
who knew electing a lying, failed businessman who has done nothing but con, con, con! Would create any drama in these United States?
Speaking of our United States, just where are you from Southern Boy, your location is listed as CSA?
4
@Southern Boy Ah, I see. Hillary again. So since she's guilty of something that means trump blackmailing other countries to create a scandal to tilt elections is took. As is paying off porn stars you sleep with while your wife is pregnant. Anything goes now because... Hillary?
4
@Southern Boy
By all means do so! More obstruction charges.
3
Trump is finally starting to crack - he gasps are getting less and less coherent (if that were possible).
This is a man that KNOWS what he's doing is wrong but has been getting away with it.
Perfect Call?
Let's hear that recording
Perfect Student?
Let's see that transcript
Perfectly legit?
Let's see those tax returns.
Trump's base is not founded on facts and information, but faith. They don't need the evidence the rest of us need, they simply "believe".
Dangerous and terrifying.
8
If the phone call was "perfect," there is nothing to hide and no reason not to cooperarte fully. Let's exonerate the presdient right away. Or, maybe the phone call and what happened afterwards wasn't, you know, perfect.
4
The stonewalling by Trumps minions is in full swing now. If any of these miscreants ignore a subpoena, send the Capitol Police over to arrest them, put them in cuffs, and lock them up....no more politeness....believe me, they would never be nice to us if the tables were turned.
4
Dem leadership has direct evidence impeachable offenses have occurred. Time to stop with the nice letter requests and go straight to subpoenas.
6
Not that it would be constitutional, but I'll bet that if an anonymous impeachment vote would be held, da prez would be convicted. (I am not even REMOTELY suggesting that the laws should be changed.)
2