Here is the most important insight about the present impeachment crisis: Assuming impeachment and conviction, unless Congress acts within the law, President Trump might still refuse to go.
Impeachment must be measured against legal standards (Treason, Bribery, or Other High Crimes and Misdemeanors), rather than merely political objections masquerading as law. This is a constitutional requirement. Congress, like the President, is not above the law.
But in the end who decides whether the law has been obeyed? There is no appeal from impeachment and conviction. The House acts; the Senate responds. This is where most discussions of impeachment end.
But the very absence of a prescription for appeal means that impeachment and removal on insufficient legal grounds may be challenged by a President bold enough and determined to stand his or her ground against what otherwise would amount to a coup d'etat.
Would President Trump stand his ground? The White House letter to Congress suggests the possibility. He would have substantial support. Half the country still doubts that grounds for impeachment are sufficient to proceed.
It is all very well to speak knowingly of "a constitutional crisis." But in truth we cannot know the dimensions of such a crisis in advance. No matter the eventual outcome, institutions would surely crumble betimes.
Racing toward impeachment on insufficient legal grounds may allow us to find out. Let us hope that does not come to pass.
We shouldT
4
Why does somebody who has not been charged with anything need so many attorneys and so much drama?
11
Can we have a “Mass Whistleblower Day”..next week.? Perhaps, the whistleblower civil servants would once and for all demonstrate that adhering to the Constitution checkmates a rogue sitting president.
8
The legislative branch needs to send the Sargent at Arms to the White House and arrest Trump and those who’ve rejected the subpoena power of the Congress. Sounds radical, but it will probably come to this anyway. Better sooner than later to retain some element of surprise. It will take great courage to navigate through these uncharted waters but proceed we must. Foundering on the rocks of autocracy is not an option worth considering.
7
He knows he committed a crime and there is evidence that confirms it. We all know it. The only question is if he can stonewall his way through it. He’s done it before, perhaps he can do it again. You have to hope that one of these days he will he snared.
10
Trump's red tie really bothers me.
Why?
Because the color red is a symbol of power and he uses it to convey 'his majesty'.
I have a proposal:
Have the LGBTQ community abandon their rainbow icon for the color RED.
Castration?
ps: would love to watch an SNL skit on this. Lorne? Oh, the possibilities.
5
Re: "... the administration will not cooperate unless until the House votes to open an investigation."
Perhaps needless to say, because this is so very obvious, of course, but the WH demanding a vote in the House is entirely consistent with the Trump administration's tactics to threaten to expose and bully any Republican or other supporters of the inquiry, or any truthful opponents to it's disinformation agenda, by exposing it's opponents to endanger their civic careers and personal reputations and lives through further disinformation. A vote record would create this list they are looking to develop, tallying their enemies and further dividing our democratic union.
Disinformation and divisiveness are the WH's only currencies under this administration. This continues to follow the example of authoritarian tactics akin to those that are the very basis of organized crime syndicates, the KKK, the Nazis, white supremacists, the mafia, and other gang organizations.
6
This President putting himself above the law in totally unacceptable. This is a direct attack on the rule of law. How long do you think the average person would have before the fines and jail time landed if they stonewalled a congressional subpoena. This crime boss traitor has been using lawyers his whole miserable life to forstall accountability for his swindling of contractors, investors, banks, and now he amply demonstrates he thinks he is above any accountability for numerous instances of self-dealing, constant lying and more than likely treason as what passes to republicans as a president. It is well past clean up time here.
7
Dear, dear Trump.... Impeachment does not and cannot overturn the results of any election.
Instead, impeachment is an attempt to teach a president that which he should already know; meaning, that there are specific things all presidents are not allowed -- by the Constitution -- to say or do.
But, dear Trump, if you ignore the Constitution and are incapable of learning, then you alone are at fault for whatever Congressional decisions you believe adversely affect you.
16
I do not understand why Congress can't find its backbone and carry out its responsibility to criticize the Executive branch, when democracy is under threat. And it is indeed under threat from a President who has no knowledge or understanding of our government, its history, its standards, its values, its demands or its intentions. There is nothing easy about governing, but it is a true privilege in a democratic society, and so far, there is no indication that the person occupying this cherished seat of power today understands his role or the price he must pay to guarantee our democratic freedoms. Alas.
9
Criticizing an impeachment on the basis that it seeks "to overturn the results of the 2016 election" is like criticizing any criminal prosecution on the basis that it is an effort to deprive a peraon not yet proven guilty of a crime of their liberty.
The point of criminal prosecution is to prove the crime and punish the perpetrator. The express purpose for which the Constitution provides for impeaxhment of presidents is to prove the "high crimes and misdemeanors" of people who have been elected president and remove them from office, despite the results of that election (or election* in Trump's case).
5
Trump wants not only to wage war on impeachment, he wants to reverse Nixon's impeachment, bring him back from the dead and put him on the Supreme Court.
3
If a President can declare an impeachment inquiry illegitimate, does not that somehow make the whole impeachment process meaningless? I doubt that is why an impeachment process was written into the constitution. By that logic it can never be illegitimate as its purpose is to investigate inappropriate behaviour of those in office.
6
Well, Trump may not be that far off. They have been trying to keep him off the ballot since the day he took office. For two years they counted on Mueller to do it for them. When that didn't work out, they brought Comey to testify. He turned out to be someone who wrote secret notes that he had leaked to the NYT while he was in office, Not only that, he said he found, as head of the FBI, no evidence of collusion. They also brought in lawyer Cohen, who was called sleaze by one of the NYT contributors who covered the hearings. Now they are going after the Ukraine. Trump is said to have asked the Ukrainian president to look into some company that Hunter sat on their board for $50,000 a month. A Ukrainian prosecutor was going to bring criminal charges against the company. You can google what Biden said he did about it in a 2018 interview. Or you can watch the interview on You Tube. You can also find what David Brooks of the NYT said about it. " Impeachment is a political process, not a legal on. There is no obligation to prosecute. Congress is supposed to do what is in the best interest of the country. And this process could be very bad for America.” How about Brett Stephens also of the NYT, who writes, "The best way to end this administration — and the only realistic way — is for him to be convincingly turned out by a vote of the American people next year." What Trump is saying is the Democrats are trying to keep him from running. He may not be that far off.
6
@Ron You have just about every fact backwards.
Just to take one. The Ukrainian prosecutor, Shokin, was NOT going to bring any charges against the company that Hunter Biden became associated with. He was part of the corruption in Ukraine and was unwilling to investigate allegations of corruption. The IMF and EDF which had loaned money to Ukraine did so on the condition that Ukraine fight corruption. One of the objectives of the IMF, the EDF, the EU, the heads of Germany and France and the U.S. State Department was to get rid of Shokin. Biden was merely the U. S. spokesperson. In fact, getting rid of Shokin resulted in the the appointment of Lomanchenko who DID INVESTIGATE the company and found no reason to prosecute.
By the way, the issues related to the time BEFORE Hunter Biden became associated with the company.
5
Republicans never let the truth get in the way of a good conspiracy theory.
3
Does this remind anyone else of the way the Roman Republic started it’s decline?
7
Perhaps our "very fearless leader" could ask Niagara Falls to stop flowing?
2
So, what will we do when Trump refuses to leave the White House after he has served his term(s)? Will he be dragged out, kicking and screaming?
4
For decades (centuries actually), the world was lectured about the greatness of the US constitution which gave its citizens that supreme weapon:
Checks and Balances.
Really, how’s it working these days?
8
@Shreekant
Apparently, there are no checks on the unbalanced.
7
Those that believe themselves to be the intelligentsia have been stirred up once again.
Pelosi’s impeachment lite or faux impeachment, which is specifically designed to prevent hearing from witnesses that would reveal the truth, is the latest in their cardio workout regime.
The lost and shattered dream of impeaching Trump, and assuaging their ego from 2016, and solving their weak candidate problem, and suppressing what we are about to learn from Barr, has slipped away under the Schiffty sands.
4
@Ken
I thought truth was relative, and according to the dictates of Trump. So, the" truth" is that Trump is a "perfect," "stable genius" who doesn't need to be investigated.
The real truth here is that you fell for it.
6
I'm with Nancy: she's playing the long game. The Dems don't have to do too much: just sit back and watch as Trump commits one more unethical, illegal or unconstitutional act after another. But I never, ever want to go thru 4 more years of political madness again.
10
White House declares war on Democrats because of 2 "whistle blowers", because they felt that Trump's actions were questionable. So concerned they asked for protection and guidance so that Trump couldn't lawyer his way out on technicalities. Essentially Trump has backed the White House into a corner. All those loyalists should start worrying. You chose loyalty to corruption, guilty by association. Now also part of a cover-up.
8
Or strikes me as funny that Giuliani calls himself a lawyer, yet he keeps referring to “due process” which only applies after an arrest, or the democrats aren’t sensitive to people’s “civil rights”, please, since when has Trump or Giuliani cared about peoples civil rights....ever. The keep bringing up how an impeachment inquiry needs to be voted on the floor before it begins, yet no rule constitutional or otherwise exists, there is no precedent for floor vote for the inquiry stage, either, but okay, it’s not like there’s enough republicans in the house to stop it. And why not make those republicans go on the record, as to how they feel about Trumps blatant presidential abuse. Because it does seem the republicans are all about impeaching a president for having consensual sex with a consenting adult, and then lying about it.
So if lying is the bar that the republicans set for impeachment, then Trump has at least 12,000 counts of outright lying. So I say force the republicans to vote up or down for the impeachment, remind the republicans that in the house at least, they are the minority and not by a poultry 3 seats, which renders it a moot point.
6
Trump and virtually the entire GOP has an advantage in this fight: they have much better message discipline and ability to control the narrative than the Dems. Mostly, that's because however disturbed they are, they stay in virtual lockstep publicly; Dems go all over the place, even tripping each other up. Supposedly, that's because "we're a big tent party", but that's and excuse, not a reason. It's all about what Ben Franklin said at the signing of the Declaration of Independence: "We must all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately."
In this case, the narrative is, 1. Trump has not committed an impeachable offense; 2. The Dems are not following Constitutional process, nor affording Trump et al due process. Let's see:
1. Laughable. The first impeachable offense is using the power of the presidency, not only to strong-arm a foreign government to favor his own political purposes, but to defy the will of Congress to withhold military aid funded for Ukraine as the gun to Ukraine's head. The second offense is to block administration officials from responding to House subpoenas.
2. The impeachment process, according to the Constitution, is whatever Congress says it is. Not the President. Also, inquiry is the investigation phase, not the trial; due process is different (watch any episode of "Law and Order" to get that). Else, how to verify the allegations in 1. before indictment?
The GOP doesn't want to lose a corrupt POTUS again, like Nixon. Full stop.
5
@Barry Williams
Other than Ford, the GOP has had nothing but corrupt Presidents since Nixon. Full stop.
GOP needs to take the Party back and get behind Gov. Weld. The Democrats need to stop promoting Biden, who doesn't have a chance, and get behind Warren.
4
This is more than a constitutional clash. Trump and his Republican enablers have taken a significant step in the direction of autocratic tyranny. If the Supreme Court upholds Trump’s repudiation of Constitutionally mandated Congressional oversight, constitutional democracy as we have known it For 243 years will be no more. Like Russia, Turkey, Venezuela, the United States will have become an autocracy masquerading as a democracy.
8
The Dems only response as to why they won't hold a critically important vote on an impeachment inquiry is that they don't have to. They also claim they have the votes to pass it. Speaker Pelosi owes us an honest explanation of why they refuse to have a vote.
2
The vote is not required under Congressional rules...and doesn’t become necessary just because the subject of the inquiry demands it. Imagine if an alleged thief demanded to poll the Grand Jury BEFORE the inquiry began? Or if the alleged thief simply refused to “allow” others to testify? This is a legitimate inquiry and the President of the United States does not stand above the law. You should ask yourself how you will feel when the parties are reversed.
8
@Rosemary Kuropat A vote would make credible the Dem's assertion that "the House" has launched an impeachment inquiry. It's a simple vote and they say they have the votes. Why don't they do it? Obviously, "We don't have to" is not an answer to that question.
1
As we learned from the investigation into Russian interference, the Republicans only objective is to confuse fact with fiction.
Keep them out of the discovery phase of Trump's impeachment. Ensure that the facts -- and only the facts -- emerge. So what if it's unprecedented? Asking a foreign government with help in your election is also unprecedented.
Besides, Trump should have nothing to worry about. Republicans hold the majority in the Senate and, therefore, the power to convict or acquit Trump. Why would they allow silly, bothersome facts to influence their vote?
5
How far out of sight must the Constitution go before it disappears? Like Prince Hamlet’s famous soliloquy, this is the question America must ask itself. Further, shall we allow a would be king to persevere and change all posterity? I have faith in America, but some with undue power and their sycophants seem to be overwhelming our bulwarks from within despite the best efforts of good people and a good press.
6
If I'm guilty, this is exactly what I would do also.
9
@JM If I'm innocent, this exactly what I would do also.
2
@Johnny Orange
And that's exactly how innocent people go to jail for obstructing justice, and for contempt, assuming their not beaten or shot for resisting arrest.
4
Impeach Trump. Prosecute Pence, Pompeo, Giuliani and the other co-conspirators. Disbar WH counsel Cippilone for blatant bad-faith advocacy designed solely to obstruct legitimate congressional oversight and investigation. Have any of them read the constitution that they swore to uphold???
19
Sondland is a CO-CONSPIRATOR in Trump's campaign finance scheme, a felony, to extort the president of Ukraine to dig up dirt on Biden, a political opponent domestically, to get military aid.
if he is dumb enough to remain an Ambassador under Trump then all his money won't save himself from the rule of law. If he was smart, he would resign and testify before the Congress and save his honor, his future, and his business from fall of this President.
12
Not a bad strategy. If the Executive Branch won't cooperate, it is unlikely the House can force the issue, at least not in the near future. Plus, the Supreme Court is favorably inclined toward Trump right now, so not a good place to settle this dispute. Therefore, Trump has effectively blocked any effort by House leadership to showcase the grounds for an impeachment vote. If the House simply votes for impeachment now, based on the public records of Trump's interactions with the Ukraine president (which clearly show Trump plotting with the Ukraine president to damage Trump's political rival), the matter becomes the business of the Senate, which is a much more favorable forum for the Trump. In the Senate, Trump can control the narrative and use the Senate impeachment trial to advance his reelection campaign and disparage his political opponents.
Bottom line: this country is dangerously close to becoming an authoritarian regime whose leader controls all branches of government.
11
The Republican Senate needs to honor its oath to defend the constitution which is based upon the simple premise that no one is above the law.
It doesn't provide for exceptions. The nation should not be lawyered by a justice department that issues its opinions as if they are law. They are opinions which in many cases are bought and paid for.
The President either has broken the law or he has not. That is the ONLY issue. If so, Senators must do their duty and uphold the constitution.
This decision needs to be supported by as much evidence as can be secured and therefore the Congress as an institution needs to make clear that the administration needs to turn everything over. If not, then accept that refusal as an admission of guilt.
There is no reason to let this drag on. If the Senate Republican's elect to abandon their oath and acquit---then they will own it and the American people will need to hold each and every one accountable for failing to honor their oath.
6
Finally, a rational (and powerful) response to an extra-legal effort by the House to have its (political) cake and to eat it, too. It is important for the long-term health of our political system that a rogue Speaker, trying to sidestep political accountability for her majority, be stopped and stopped now.
The need for a full vote of the House could not be more critical to prevent successive majorities from hijacking elections, while refusing to jeopardize their majorities in the process. It simply can't work that way. There must be a vote.
If we're going to impeach Trump, then it must be out in the open, subject to due process, and as transparent as it can possibly be. If Trump has committed impeachable offenses, sunlight is, as they say, the best disinfectant.
3
@David Bertoni
It’s amazing how easily you seem to get comfortable with a president who withholds appropriated assistance to a foreign country but only if the country does something for Trump himself first. You also seem pretty comfortable with a pressure to that feels he’s above the law, and yes the Supreme Court has ruled many times in congress’s duty of oversight, and in this case this is what oversight looks like. It’s almost like you think an authoritarian President is only that way towards the other party, they aren’t.
And it’s my guess, that you’re one of the hypocrites that would consider this an impeachable sin, if this was about Obama, or any democrat, you would feel far, different. It’s that hypocrisy that stinks, like a dead political party that the republicans are quickly becoming.
4
@James Well, you guessed wrong. I voted for Obama. Shocking!
1
How far out of sight must the Constitution go before it disappears? Like Prince Hamlet’s famous soliloquy, this is the question America must ask itself. Further, shall we allow a would be king to persevere and change all posterity? I have faith in America, but some with undo power and their sycophants seem to be overwhelming our bulwarks from within despite the best efforts of good people and a good press.
5
One wonders if the president's counsel even read the constitution. The House controls impeachment. The House gets to decide how it conducts impeachment. The executive branch does not.
Pelosi must be thrilled. This tactic will lose, but will push the really ugly dirt closer to the elections. This is the constitutional crisis they wanted, and Trump has handed it to them on a silver platter. The only question is how many will end up in prison for obstruction.
3
Democrats never get tired of losing. Sad. But I'm glad that Trump is not only fixing the ills Obama pushed onto the country but he has made it great again and now keeping it great. Democrats will appreciate it when they grow up. Trump 2020.
1
The Congress MUST start citing those who break the law and refuse to appear when they are subpoenaed, with contempt on Congress and arrest them. This is what the law provides for those who refuse to obey it. This hand wringing must stop and show that the laws of our country apply to everyone. The longer Congress delays, the more law-breaking and denigration of our institutions of government by this President will escalate. This is anarchy.
9
I think Pelosi should go ahead and give the Republicans the same rules as the previous two impeachment’s. Have a vote also. It would be to everyone’s benefit to have the investigation appear a bit less one sided. That would rob the GOP of some of their genuine complaints.
3
All we need to do is insure that Trump loses Nov 3, 2020. Then, an avalanche of charges and jail time will hit him like a freight train. Maybe we can't indict a sitting president, but we sure can indict an EX-president.
7
Trump is declaring war on the Constitution! All the American history books are fakes when discussing Andrew Johnson, Bell Clinton, and Richard Nixon. They lie when they say impeachment inquiries have no precedents. Johnson and Clinton were impeached by the House but not convicted by the Senate, and Nixon resigned in order to avoid being impeached after being told that there were enough votes in the House to impeach and the Senate to convict. So much for Federal and State criminal prosecutions beginning with a grand jury secret investigation returning an indictment that is then tried where the defendant has the right to legal counsel to help him defend his innocence even if he does not have the means to hire his own lawyers. But when the AG declares that the President cannot even be investigated in federal or courts, that 'trumps' Articles I.3 and X of the Constitution.
The founding fathers very much feared a single despot ruling the country for his own benefit.
3
Overturn the result of 2016?
Excuse me. This is Trump’s SELF-INFLICTED wound. No one made him make the telephone call.
He cannot use a Flip Wilson excuse, the devil made me do it, AKA Rick Perry.
Nothing in the constitution grants an election winner a right to betray the security of the United States of American by trading personal benefits for official action.
However, when Trump engages in bribery and coercion, he is subject to impeachment.
14
“Undo the election”? 77,000 votes gave him the electoral college. Actually, Russia, voter suppression, overconfidence, miss placed faith in voters intelligence, and our taking democracy for granted gave him the election, but no matter, he won. That was act 1. Act 2 is what he’s done with the win. Acts 1 and 2 are two separate issues. He has managed to reach into the jaws of victory and extract incompetence and criminal act after criminal act. If he wasn’t a closet Republican, he would have been gone a long, long time ago. Instead of criticizing Democrats, he should be thanking them.
7
Wow. So now we learn that in 1998-99, Lindsey Graham was one of the leaders of a failed “coup’ that attempted to unconstitutionally “overturn” the results of the 1996 election. Is that about it?
6
The letter is obvious obfuscation and distraction. It make no legal sense whatsoever.
Pat Cippolone should be disbarred for such a blatant effort. have these people no shame?
8
Trump just six days earlier declared that, of course, he will cooperate. "I always cooperate." And the Washington Times proudly touted that fact. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/oct/2/trump-says-hell-cooperate-impeachment-requests-doc/
How easily the lies flow from his lips.
6
Is this really a genuine "impeachment inquiry"? Wouldn't that require that all parties be equally involved and with the same rights, Republicans and democrats, White House and Congress? Or is it really the power of the Speaker on her own to declare an impeachment? Because so far this is a sham of a process. No reasonable president would comply with it. Schiff won't release the exculpating testimony of Volker, for example. That's typical of the whole thing.
7
It's not a "sham". You clearly have not read your own country's constitution, or you wouldn't make such ignorant comments about the impeachment process.
10
@Stephen What are you talking about? The Constitution is the ultimate law of the land with the possibility of being amended. But it must be defended by human beings. There is nothing in it that says the head of the Executive branch can simply declare he has the right to ignore it regarding powers granted to the Legislative and Judicial branches.
11
@BLO123 Sorry, there is nothing in the constitution that says the executive has to comply--in fact there is nothing in the constitution that says anything about oversight. Read it sometime. And this isn't an "impeachment" inquiry. It's simply harassment by a party in the House.
Vote for the impeachment inquiry and put the 30 Redstate Democrats on record...they are totally expendable.
6
31 actually.
There is simply no perspective here. What Trump did vis-a-vis Ukraine was wrong but there was no evident quid-pro-quo for Trump's asking the Ukraine government to merely re-examine the corruption case against Hunter Biden and his company. Trump also did not demand any particular result from a new inquiry, only that it be made. Joe Biden, on the other hand, had a direct family involvement in Ukrainian corruption due to the employment of his son and previously demanded the Ukrainians fire the prosecutor investigating that corruption on pain of losing U.S. aid. Under these circumstances, there is a colossal double standard here. Trump's conduct is properly a subject for the 2020 elections, not an impeachment proceeding.
4
@Alex
You need to go back and do some reading about what happened. Biden was actually doing his job; demanding the firing of Mr. Yuriy Lutsenko, who was Ukraine's prosecutor general. Most of Western Europe, as well as other democratic nations, wanted him gone and were also demanding he be fired. Why? Lutsenko was appointed to his post by Petro Poroshenko, President of the Ukraine at the time. Poroshenko got Lutsenko his position by forcing the Ukrainian Parliment to change the law requiring that prosececutor generals HAVE A LAW DEGREE. Lutsenko does not have one. He was obviously useful to Poroshenko, but certainly not in any legal way.
Also, whatever Hunter Biden was doing is not his father's business. Are you responsible for/in control of whatever YOUR own adult children do in their lives?
2
The 2016 election results are suspect at best since Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by over 3,000,000 and we know that Russia interfered in the election to benefit Trump and hurt Hillary Clinton. The impeachment inquiry has nothing to do with wanting to overturn the election results and everything with investigating Trump's continued abuse of power. Impeachment proceedings per Constitution are the sole purview of Congress with the House having sole authority to initiate and charge if warranted and Senate with authority to affirm or not. It is not up to Trump or the Executive branch to dictate terms of the impeachment process. Trump's efforts are blatantly clear: he means to obstruct and delay the inquiry with hopes that time will run out. The only certainty is that we must remove Trump if not now through impeachment then for sure at the ballot box in 2020. Trump is a nightmare that must end.
11
Blame that Electoral College thing that you Americans have. In no other democratic country would a tiny minority be able to scupper the will of the majority. Would less populous states be under-represented in elections in favour of populous states if the electoral college was abolished? Yeah... it's called "democracy", where a candidate wins by popular vote. You folks should try it.
2
Trumps support in the Senate is rock solid which effectively outranks the House. Congress is therefore deadlocked on impeachment, and deadlock counts as a win for Trump.
His approval ratings among the GOP overall has never been higher. He will promise more tax cuts at a time when Democrats are all advancing a progressive future direction.
Within the wider GOP voters, Trumps base is in fanatical denial mode towards anything negative.
Trump has totally solidified control of the Supreme Court.
The free press (not Fox and friends) continues to allow false equivalency to dominate what would otherwise be factually outrageous and totally unacceptable.
Trump will double down on rage, threats, cronyism and obstructionism to preserve his presidency. He will avoid impeachment, His survival will empower him and the GOP will rally round and Trump will be re-elected.
I am a Democrat and I hate it, but the GOP is a well oiled machine when it comes to keeping power.
2
And coming next, a page out of the playbook of Russia, North Korea and China: a huge military parade through D.C., ending at the capital with Trump leading the way, tucked securely in his presidential (not dictatorial) limo. Naturally the tanks will be putting the House side of the building in their sights. Yes, folks, our democracy has died (or nearly so).
7
Oh please, there is more than enough drama here already without claiming our democracy has “died.” Elections are 13 months away. How’s that democracy for ya?
2
Setting up a permanent House Office of Impeachment, might be a good thing to consider. So that EVERY president has to take that Office into consideration on a daily basis. 15 Democrats, 15 Republicans, the Chairperson to rotate between the Parties.
2
I think Trump, day by day, is helping America define the term "high crimes and misdemeanors."
At the end of all this, we will have discovered what our nation -- and a partisan Congress -- will tolerate from a president.
It's not pretty, seeing sausage being made. But when it's over, America will be great again. We will have stood up to this petty autocrat. MAGA!
6
Fighting mafias with law and order is extremely tricky, most o the time subterfuge has to be found in Tax, fraud or perjury to indict the slippery goons. In this case they are very smart and very powerful, good luck.
2
I see it repeated here over and over; "when are people going to jail" "when is congress going to do something about this" "when are they going to impeach..."
The answer to all of the above, is never. The Democrats in the House don't have enough votes to impeach based on the current evidence, let alone risking a court battle by trying to arrest someone. Pelosi is going to continue doing what she's been doing since the Democrats took the House; NOTHING. They will continue to pretend to investigate, while pretending to advance the "impeachment probe;" this is about optics for the next election, and come the next election, when they haven't actually done anything, it's going to backfire "bigly."
5
@Damien
So why Trump is obstructing “NOTHING”? Why all the anger from the WH?
2
The White House theory goes out the window when you consider Pence would take Trump's spot as POTUS. It's as if the GOP thinks if Trump is impeached Clinton becomes president. Impeaching Trump is because of his own actions. At this point his obstruction of justice alone will get him impeached. The GOP wants to put party over country, crying I know you are but what am I, do as I say not as I do, hypocritical traitors.
5
@Thretosix Then hopefully Pence would be convicted of his collaboration with Ukraine via his many visits and then...voila! President Nancy Pelosi!
1
The White House strategy is clear: delay, delay, delay. Don't send any more letter, no more subpoenas, no more waiting for judicial rulings. Impeach NOW!
3
Sheer lunacy on a epic proportion. The Rule of Law be damned and Stare Decisis a forgotten term in the legal framework.
Whatever Donald Trump wants to do or ignore is, by his twisted mindset and all of those who surround and advise (especially very expensive and well-educated team of private attorneys Pat Cippollone and team) legitimize this race down the abyss. This conduct is the Leona Helmsley defense: "Only the little people pay taxes and obey the law."
If Donald Trump personally had to pay the consequences of his thuggish and criminal behavior, our nation would be in a much better place than where it resides: a Constitutional Crisis, totally self-inflicted by an Administration who doesn't care about Rule of Law. A Mafia chieftain runs or nation's Executive Branch. Trump's behavior is codified/bankrolled by others who seek to self-gain and engage in corruption. Power and wealth tend to corrupt; corruption is a magnet for those who predisposed to wealth and power. King Midas clones.
These crimes are all abetted by people who know better - and that's THE point. (It calls into question their ethics and sense of morality - maybe they are trump clones, all narcissists who prefer Faustian bargains.)
8
When the President refers to duly elected Congressional representatives as a "kangaroo court" and refuses to acknowledge their right to exercise oversight over his actions, he does a disservice to all Americans. I think back to the Tea Party days when a number of my ultra-Republican friends would extensively quote from the Constitution - where is that reverence now?
15
Trumps refusal to allow congress to do its job of oversight should give pause to everyone of us. Is he not saying that he is the judge and jury (or despot), is this not overt lawlessness before our very eyes-is he not taunting everyone who knows this is intrinsically wrong. I am sickened that he is in this position, that many still think he is doing right, and that it is actually happening right now. There is a group of people who will go to all ends to gain all the power over others (the real cabal): steal 2 presidential elections, gerrymander the south so it is not in play, steal a supreme court seat, it goes on and on. I fear that the next election could be stolen also. Fingers crossed for Adam Schiff and congress.
13
At what point point will the GOP puts the Constitution before politics?
12
They learned too well from the DNC/Clinton impeachment I’m afraid.
2
@Charlie
What did they learn?
2
Trump's election should be nullified. Republicans used voter suppression, gerrymandering, Citizens United and all the help Putin and Russia could give. Hillary still won the popular vote but the electoral college made sure trump was selected, not elected. His election has divided the US on all fronts and his administration has proven to be the most corrupt in history, with lawsuits, indictments, prison terms for many on his team. When something starts out bad it only gets worse. This is as bad as it gets!
8
It's time to start locking people up until they comply with the law.
13
The WH wrote a letter devoid of legal argument. If it wins in court, this will be the end of co-equal branches of government and eventually, perhaps in the not-too-distant future, our democracy. Trump is not a disrupter, he's a destroyer. I hope Republicans figure that out and protest it before it's too late.
11
He has no legal standing.This is a county of laws isn't it? I say walk into the oval office, put him in handcuffs and lead him to jail.
11
@Judy Johnson
I'm thinking that if they defund the airplanes, helicopters and everything needed for him to play golf he'll resign.
Boy! I wish.
10
So the always-hysterical Far Right assumes this country waited 3 years before "overturning" Trump's election? And they don't see how unhinged Trump has become? How sad for them.
12
The GOP had sold the country out.
14
Typical Republican M.O. is to accuse your accusers of the very crimes you are committing; to start a counter investigation in the body they control in an attempt to muddy the waters; all in the hope that they can sway public opinion to their side, and if that fails then the Supreme Court, which they think they have in their pocket, will come to save them.
15
LIt is illegal to make materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements to congressional investigators. It is illegal to obstruct committee investigations.”
Chuck Grassley, quoted in the Nat Rev
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/grassley-seeks-update-after-asking-doj-to-investigate-swetnick-and-avenattis-kavanaugh-allegations/amp/
6
"Lock him up. Drain the swamp." just what was promised.
6
Trump is going to start wearing a crown hat....from Burger King.
9
"Burger King" - that is really funny!
3
Think President Pelosi.
7
The lawness GOP. You can count on them to shred our laws. Vote them all out. And impeach the crooks. All of them.
13
OK, go on without Trump's participation! The separation of powers means something, even when one of the powers will not acknowledge that ideal.
The challenge for Democratic leadership in the House is one of keeping focussed and not allowing the outrages of abuse sting or divert them.....
Let's all stay focussed. Read more, think more, discuss more and talk to the world at large only when necessary.
6
@Kp, Right on. We don't his testimony (of lies) in order to impeach him.
2
Was Obama the last true American president under the Constitution? What seems to be coming after is a contradiction to all that the document espoused... a sad new chapter or start to something quite scary.
8
I'm taken aback by and done't understand how any WH can just order subpoenaed witnesses to not testify before congress. How can our system claim to have three equal branches of law when one branch can defy subpoenas with impunity and order other people to also defy them and not testify. I wish we could get an explanation as to how it is that an AG and president can simply tell others to not testify or turn documents over. On what is this based?
16
I have been asking this question with every comment I make. No one seems to know the answer.
The media doesn’t even want to touch it either because they never talk about how the Whitehouse can refuse ALL THESE subpoenas and what can be done to protect the LAW.
Our leaders are afraid to admit we have NO CONSTITUTION after all. The criminals are writing the rules and the republicans are too scared to loss their jobs rather that embrace the US constitution and their oath to it.
8
After doing the same with previous Congressional investigations (Mazars and DeutscheBank/CapitalOne cases have been hung up in federal appeal courts since July after two federal district judges quickly ruled Trump can't obstruct), this was expected. We're going to learn if federal appeal courts and the Supreme Court (especially appeals and supreme courts) are as compromised as the White House, Senate, and DOJ.
In the meantime, we'll see if Checks and Balances works. The House either needs to blow through this stonewalling or we'll need some Constitutional Amendments to ensure future administrations can't put party over country to the degree we've seen with this one.
14
all I've heard is that the phone call and especially Sondland exonerate Trump. I know I would want witnesses and evidence which exonerates me to testify. Not Trump, though. Curious.
6
The WH counsel's letter betrays ignorance of what even a third-grade student learns in the civics class: that the president is not fulfilling his “duties to the … Constitution” when he tries to block a congressional committee's constitutionally mandated inquiry. Actually, he is violating the Constitution. Even a third-grade student knows that when the president oversteps his authority, Congress has a responsibility to put a check on him. It’s a shame that WH counsel Cipollone, whose brainchild this letter is, doesn’t realize that his client’s defiance adds one more to the numerous instances of obstruction of justice he is already charged with.
The counsel may also want to advise his boss that his “duties to the American people” right now is to accept the verdict of the vast majority of them. They want him impeached, according to every poll conducted in the country. I am sure he knows that when the Justice Department rule prohibit a sitting president from being indicted, the only way he can be held to account for his lawless behavior is impeachment. The counsel should know that the core issue in the House inquiry is not "the democratic results of the last election," but the “favor” Trump asked of the Ukrainian president.
This Executive-Legislature confrontation is sure to end up in the Supreme Court. The attitude toward Congress of all future presidents will be governed by what the court decides. Let's hope the honorable justices keep this in mind while deliberating on it.
5
@M. P. Prabhakaran I hope you're right. But I'm afraid you're assuming that the Trump circus knows or even cares about Civics or History....or even the rule of law. I would like nothing better than to see the SCOTUS extinguish this whole 'Trumpster Fire' that's been smoldering for 3 years.
2
I don’t believe Pence has the mentality to become a replacement President. More trouble on the horizon.
7
Republican actions to support the President’s breach of his oath of office are akin to holding on to a hand grenade after it has been triggered and hoping it doesn’t explode in their hands. Could be messy.
7
Trump & Co made things much for themselves yesterday -including the alienation of long time Republican supporters - when they abandoned the Kurds. Even Mitch McConnell and Lindsay Graham have turned against him. Defying Congress won’t help. Instead of just resigning, I see jail time in Trunp’s future. He’s a crazy, destructive megalomaniac and he needs to be out of office ASAP.
8
First scream “witch hunt!” at the top of your lungs. Then, deny, deny, deny. When that doesn’t work, engage in false equivalency. When no one buys it, Tweet to the world “so what!” And after that, rely on your devices of a Mitch McConnell Senate, a rogue AG, and red state supporters making no demands for justice to all work in cahoots in order to ensure that today’s disgrace goes away with all the others. Future American despots, sit up and take notes on how this is done.
239
@Mickey You hit the nail on the head. A gang mob boss couldn’t get away with this! But Trump and posse will try.
If they succeed we no longer have a Democratic American government-and it’s clear the Republicans who have sold their souls will do nothing to stop it. Absolute power corrupts absolutely!
37
Nobody has to obey an illegal order. "Just following orders" didn't work at Nuremburg and it shouldn't work now.
8
@ascii I was referring of course to the illegal order not to testify.
4
They have sold you a pack of lies. There is a specific provision in the Constitution for this. Nothing wrong with it except the lawless GOP doesn't abide by our laws.
6
White House Declares War on House Impeachment Inquiry. Putin Offers to Send Troops.
17
Let's get real here. It's not the White House that is declaring war on the legal and constitutional, and, frankly necessary impeachment inquiry into the only person on the warpath: Trump.
6
Subpoena Rudy Guliani. If he falls to abide by the subpoena, put him in jail, given he is a private citizen.
20
Only someone totally ignorant of the law and fighting cognitive dissonance to cling to whatever victimhood narrative Trump is trying to sell this week would see this letter from Mr. Cipollone as anything other than a desperation play. "Due process" does not come into issue in the House impeachment process, which is investigative and deliberative, not a criminal process. The House has the sole discretion to direct this process. The Senate trial is where Trump may mount a defense. This is in Article I of the constitution.
This is an Arrested Development "bad lawyering" a la "they can't arrest a husband and wife for the same crime" level of argument. Which is why I don't believe it is meant for the courts or opposing lawyers - this is targeting Trump's base, which sees Trump in power as somehow empowering themselves, which has been told by Fox News for 20 years that their values are under attack, that "liberals" are mocking them, hate them, even want to kill them. The people for whom this letter is intended no longer have their fingers on the pulse of reality. The intent is to get them to cling to Trump, a cruel little man embodying the cruel little worldview they have been sold, so tightly that his party doesn't dare to abandon him for fear of tanking their own careers. Trump would rather tear apart this country than face the consequences of his self-dealing. Which is the core of the issue all along: Trump is in this for himself, and nobody else.
19
Thank goodness the President has the backbone to stand up to the gang of jackals trying to press their so-called "impeachment inquiry" which would deny the President the most basic protections of due process of law. The Dems are once again over the edge with unhinged faux-outraged sputtering denial of the 2016 election.
20
@Dr. Reality
Could you please tell us what kind of "basic protections of due process" that the president were denied ?
64
@Dr. Reality You're ok with the president asking foreign governments to interfere in our elections? That's not a line for you? If not, what is? And the impeachment does nothing to undo the election of 2016, by the way. If Trump goes, Pence takes his place.
Nothing the Democrats have done or are doing is in violation of this president's protections - which, last time I looked, are unprecedented. The AG and Senate Leader are making sure nothing can touch their Dear Leader - in violation of everything this country has ever stood for.
How many men and women have died in the name of democracy -- and now our own administration is actively dismantling it on a daily basis. It will be gone soon.
73
@Dr. Reality This President is disloyal and threatens the security of the US. And did you have the same outrage when Republicans impeached Clinton for his affair?
38
Constitution: "Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings,"
There it is. Executive has no leg to stand on.
16
Definition of tyrant. 1a : an absolute ruler unrestrained by law or constitution. b : a usurper of sovereignty. 2a : a ruler who exercises absolute power oppressively or brutally. b : one resembling an oppressive ruler in the harsh use of authority or power.
Definition of Trump. 1a : an absolute ruler unrestrained by law or constitution. b : a usurper of sovereignty. 2a : a ruler who exercises absolute power oppressively or brutally. b : one resembling an oppressive ruler in the harsh use of authority or power.
11
This is more like Schiff's Star Chamber than a Kangaroo Court.
8
The most significant factor in undermining Trump's election is
Trump
25
This is why we need term limits in Congress. They are hypocrites and totally corrupt. This man will never leave the White House unless escorted out so start locking anyone up who does not abide by subpoenas, for a start.
31
It is not a constitutional "clash".
Call it what it is - a constitutional CRISIS.
This is a constitutional crisis that the President deliberately created. He is destroying America from within.
Impeach him now. Let the Senate explain why they enthusiastically back the destruction of America.
49
How could this be happening? Trump has no power to say that he is not participating. Can't something be done to correct this? I feel like I am not even living in America any more. The faster we could get this spoiled brat and his family of cheap grifters out of the Whitehouse, the better I will sleep at night.
31
All citizen’s of the United States need to rise up against the President, his administration, and the Republican party. Democrats are the majority of the people. Stand up, speak out, get involved and above all vote. Order a absentee ballet to avoid Republican intimidation’s, mail your vote in.
23
Let us see an article that analyses the letter White House Counsel Cipollone wrote. That has got to be the worst legal letter ever written. It looks like some kid who doesn't pay attention in class sat down to write it a half hour before it was due.
Why is this man our White House Counsel? Where is the sense of shame for producing such a ridiculous document? Where was the sense of pride in ones profession when he wrote it?
21
Can we finally admit that we are smack in the middle of a true Constitutional crisis? The rule of law --any body of laws, including the Constitution itself --can only stand if the underlying premises supporting that legal system can be assumed. The current executive branch of government has declared itself immune to the law and to the checks and balances delegated in that law to the legislative branch. It has also proclaimed publicly that it will not recognize the validity of legally issued subpoenas requesting testimony from Justice Department officials. We are in very dangerous waters. Where do we go from here?
15
The divide on this issue is a source of continuous fascination: how can so many look at the same set of events and see things not even remotely the same? Trump's plan to make America great again seems to be doing just the opposite: it is tearing us apart.
14
If I demand testimony and/or documents from you, and you tell me to go pound salt, are you admitting guilt?
Trump claims he has a right not to cooperate. Congress insists he must. Clearly they disagree. Should one of them decide who's correct?
If Congress is so confident it's correct (I must admit: I'd vote for Congress if I were asked to decide), it should ask a court to decide. If that happens, and the court has agreed with Congress, then Congress will be able to say that Trump is disobeying a court order. That's never happened, and it would be a very big deal if it did.
6
This impeachment inquiry is now becoming a battle between the Democrats and Republicans. This may very likely go before the supreme court. The reason for this fight is that the Democrats are trying to say this is an illegitimate president. They want to remove President from office and have been trying to succeed since he was duly elected. If this does go before the Court, they are bound to rule in President Trump's favor. The Democrats have more to lose and not just the 2020 election.
6
What we’re saying, actually, is that this guy’s violated his Oath of Office six ways from Sunday, and needs to be removed.
You’re the people still obsessed with 2016. You’re the ones who suffer from TDS. And above all, you’re the ones who know zero about this country’s history.
Start with this: we’re slow and we’re sometimes lazy, but we get there. The dumpsters of our past are filled with the likes of Donald John Trump, a little, little man that we put into an office he isn’t fit to visit.
8
No; it’s not because the Dems believe he is illegitimate. It’s because he committed high crimes, namely he abused his office by putting his needs above the national security of the country. He asked foreign powers, including a adversary, to interfere in our election for his personal gain. That’s why. Its a text book case of why the Founders included impeachment in the Constitution and argued for it in the Federalist Papers.
6
@KMW
Respectfully, this is incorrect.
The reason for this fight is that Trump solicited foreign interference in the upcoming election. He has admitted to this and provided written evidence. Soliciting foreign interference is illegal by any stretch of imagination. There really is no choice but to impeach. The Democrats are not trying to make Trump's 2016 win illegitimate; they are doing what the rule of law requires.
7
Can Trump's lawyers lose their licenses to practice law, for obstructing justice? It would seem so.
22
Keep it simple. We are protecting the Constitution and rule of law by investigating Trump because he broke the law by asking a foreign government to help with his re-election not because we are trying to overturn the election. Repeat again and again and again . Follow the procedure , don't rise to the bait. Republicans will offer Trump a deal to resign as soon as they see the polls turn . Trump will take it because he always does, Look at his history, all bluster and lawsuits which he never wins but always settles.
21
Of course, Trump lives for this and it is going to get very, very messy.
The country deserves better than this in light of it's remarkable condition. Wasn't Trump supposed to lead to anything other than a 50-year low in unemployment, for instance?
Please, please, please, please keep Warren away from the gates for the sake of the Nation and your children's safety and prosperity. Among other things, I do not want to see what shenanigans Russia, N Korea, et.al have planned as concerns cyber treachery. I live in Miami and I do not see how even non-Cuban immigrants, for instance, can will themselves to flushing the toilet on their success.
1
I’ll say it again: governments and societies run on a thousand unspoken, unarticulated assumptions and shared warrants and courtesies and decencies and sense of mutual obligation that are every bit as important as what’s written down.
Trump, and Trumpists, are taking a fire ax to them. If it keeps up, I hope you like what comes next: mobbery and theft.
13
First let me start with the American people did NOT elect Trump instead the electoral college high jacked my vote and everyone else's and gave the election, determined by 500 plus people, to Trump. I do not see that as a popular victory. I understand what the college tries to do but there has to be a better way than nullifying my vote. I find it amazing this has only happened 4 times in our history and 2 of them occurred during my lifetime. Politics is turning into an arena game with the nastiest most dishonest people winning.
18
So let me get this straight: The White House (Prez Trump), which is overtly and covertly trying to undo Biden's election bid, is stonewalling Congress, which is trying to fulfill its constitutional duty, because said White House claims it is attempting to undo Trump's election. As The Kafkaesque White House World Turns. Stay tuned. The closing episode is not going to be pretty.
9
This is shaping up to be the mother of all political wars. Trump and the Democrats are about to go at it like Grant and Lee in the Wilderness. I am against impeachment as I think it is a huge mistake for a host of reasons. But let’s go ahead and have this fight. We’ve reached the point where there needs to be a winner and a loser.
6
This is utterly terrifying. A HUGE step has just been taken toward a dictatorship.
23
All we've seen so far is:
1. Trump pounding on his chest and saying "I'm right and Congress is wrong!"
2. Trump opponents pounding on their chests and saying "I'm right and Trump is wrong!"
In other words, the two sides disagree. Should one side make the call? If so, which side should that be?
Or should someone else make the call? If so:
1. Who should decide?
2. Ever wonder why Congress hasn't asked for a decision on this conflict?
3
If he won't obey these legal demands, why should he obey the election results?
9
"WASHINGTON — The White House declared war on the House impeachment inquiry on Tuesday, announcing that it would not cooperate with what it called an illegitimate effort “to overturn the results of the 2016 election”
'Overturning the results of the 2016 election' seems to be the go-to whine of the Republicans and the President whenever they are caught in some malfeasance or backed into a corner, which is quite frequent these days. Of course it is nothing more than chunks of red meat for the base, most of which have no idea that overturning the 2016 election is literally impossible. But hey doesn't it sound good?
4
I don't like that Congress claims the right to decide it's correct. BUT nothing in the Constitution requires a full-House vote to start impeachment proceedings. The House may go about that as it sees fit. That doesn't change merely because some "tradition" has allegedly arisen.
In short, the House can hold a full-House vote on impeachment, or not. I just wish the House would fish or cut bait on this. House leaders recognize, however, that delay works in the interests of Trump's opponents, and so that's what the House leaders are doing. Some say they look weak by delaying, but they've concluded (correctly, I believe) that the benefits of delay outweigh the costs of delay.
4
The delay is being caused by the refusal of relevant witnesses to testify.
Hopefully, in the midst of Republican spin and obstruction, we can keep our eyes on the facts that give legitimacy to the House inquiry.
1. A whistleblower (backed by numerous other witnesses) filed a legitimate complaint through proper legal channels. (At least one more whistleblower with first-hand knowledge is coming forward.)
2. The Inspector General evaluated the whistleblower's complaint and found it to be credible and valid. As required by law, the complaint finally made its way to Congress for further review.
3. It is the legal, constitutional responsibility of Congress to investigate these types of whistleblower complaints, as part of its job to provide oversight and accountability over the executive branch.
The impeachment inquiry is simply an inquiry/investigation, a normal part of congressional oversight. To not investigate the whistleblower's complaint would be an abdication of congressional constitutional obligations. As with any investigation, Congress could conclude that Trump committed nothing wrong and not proceed with an impeachment.
The fact that the White House is obstructing the investigation undermines the normal legal process. The president does not have the authority to decide the legitimacy of any investigation. He must comply with Congress's constitutional mandate. If he has nothing to hide, that shouldn't be a problem.
20
If there's nothing to it, then why the belligerent refusal to allow the books to be open, so to speak? Trump's people (OUR people) can answer a few questions, set the record straight, and we will all have the same information. Right now, the process is just an inquiry. When we see such reluctance to allow people to speak (truthfully), then there is a problem.
6
Trump thinks this is unconstitutional, but Pelosi is following the constitution by the letter, so why does Trump continue to question the "constitutionality" of this?
14
The impeachment inquiries launched by congressional committees do violate precedent.
The Constitution grants the House of Representatives authority to initiate impeachment proceedings, but it does not grant congressional committees authority to initiate impeachment proceeding.
In 1868, the House of Representatives voted to impeach President Andrew Johnson three days after he violated the Tenure of Office Act by firing his secretary of war. There was no impeachment inquiry.
The impeachment proceedings against both Presidents Nixon and Clinton began with a vote by the full House of Representatives directing the judiciary committee “to investigate fully and completely whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its constitutional power to impeach.”
2
This canned talking point is already boring, and it was nonsense even before the Republican spin machine launched it.
(1) The House has given the relevant committees the authority needed to pursue their inquiries and issue subpoenas.
(2) Earlier instances in which proceedings began with votes by the full House took place in environments where the committees did not have that authority. That was then, this is now.
(3) No provision of the Constitution or any federal statute requires the House to follow any particular process in impeachment proceedings.
(4) As you know very well, a vote by the full House would result in the same thing that's happening now: an impeachment inquiry.
Seriously, only Trump partisans whose loyalty to Trump "trumps" loyalty to the Constitution are pushing this silliness. You should all just stop it.
11
Show me where the Constitution, or precedent, or law, says that impeachment has to proceed by rules you guys make up on the fly. Then, show me where it says it’s okay to use a Congresisonal committee to hound a Secretary of State over accusations that were disproven again, again, and again.
Then for extra credit, show me where you or Trump or any of the rest of the clown car gave a tinker’s about denying applicants for refugee status their clear rights under our laws and treaties.
The Constitution, due process, our laws, all of it, are just names you lot invoke when you’re in trouble, or when you want something.
8
We are no longer a country of laws. Instead we are a country of suggestions: we "suggest" you pay your taxes; we "suggest" you respond to subpoenas; we "suggest" you obey the speed limit; we "suggest" you obey the constitution if you are an elected official, and ad infinitum; the penalty? most likely nothing after interminable appeals, delays, etc. Color me disgusted with so called American democracy
5
The Vietnam War draft dodger and the spineless Republican Party are absolutely positively convinced that their collective acts of obstructionism is supported by legal arguments, albeit incredulous and incompetent. Quoting Buffalo Springfield 'For What its Worth': "There's battle lines being drawn. . . ." Persistent defiance and intentional trampling upon the Constitution, for the sake of political expediency and self preservation, has now placed America into a constitutional crisis that transcends Nixon and the Watergate fiasco. Here we witness first hand, in-your-face, "Yeah. I did it. So what are you going to do about it?," salacious contempt not only for the rule of law but also the summary rejection of our form of government. The chief executive and the GOP is daring Speaker Pelosi to pursue official impeachment proceedings, refusing to cooperate with Congressional efforts to discharge committee obligations to exercise oversight as mandated by the Constitution. Tactics of delay, distort, distract, deny, denigrate, deflect, and denounce. Muddy the waters. Shift the conversation. Blame others. These scorched earth policies will not end well for the Vietnam War draft dodger and the party of Lincoln. Republican senators are confronted with choosing nation over party when the trial is commenced after the House impeaches. Every GOP senator will be compelled to go on record to vote. And the electorate is watching. Which is it? For whom the bell tolls, for it tolls for thee.
18
The white house letter is ridiculous, treating this inquiry as though it were a trial. The House is seeking information. It is trying to understand what has happened. It has every right to do that.
The trial comes before the Senate. Trump will get plenty of sympathy there.
11
so correct me if I'm wrong - but isn't ignoring a subpoena grounds for contempt? Something pursued through the chain of the judiciary, right? Didn't Nixon ignore a subpoena for the Oval Office tapes until SCOTUS ruled? What happened to the GOP theme song "We're A Nation of Laws"?
Removing him from office via impeachment may not be realistic, but ignoring all laws and protocols is seriously dangerous territory.
9
Or at least by SOME court:
"I would love to see this whole Trump goat rodeo slapped down by the SCOTUS."
I guess that won't happen unless someone asks for it. Do you ever wonder why Trump's opponents don't?
2
The US form of government is a constitutional (limited, defined powers) bureaucracy (many semi-autonomous, semi-integrated branches; Legislative, Executive, Judicial are the main ones--each with branches/bureaus of its own--the Cabinet, Police, Military etc.
"Checks and balances" also include Federalism--multiple levels of semi-autonomous polities and "Rule of law".
Federalism and Bureaucracy are two modes of decentralization of authority/power: Authority/power is diffused in the system. (People power is a myth--except that any polity (vs thugocracy) requires a critical mass of recognition of authority by both rulers and ruled.)
A declaration of absolute executive authority is the first step toward renouncing bureaucracy and federalism. It's a declaration of autocracy--rule of man vs rule of law--constitutional and criminal.
Excuses--scams--for autocracy include the denigration of science and reason in general. Two current forms of irrationality--logical fallacy--are (a) "bothsidesism" and its flip side (b) "partisanism."
(a) Assumes two sides/parties to a dispute must be equally rational. But one or both could be utterly irrational--measured by the higher standards of logic and evidence.
(b) Assumes any criticism of one party must be due to a conflict of interest--merely "partisan". But logic is the very definition of "disinterested" "impartial". Thus autocrats wage war on logic and science--politics is just marketing.
4
What happens to Sondland and others if they disobey orders and agree to testify? Prison? Firing squad? Destitution resulting from loss of a job? just as the car companies can continue making cars that get improved mileage despite the government's waiving Obama administration future requirements, so too can these people "break the law" without consequences. I don't picture Sondland being wrestled to the ground by a House security guard.
4
By refusing a vote for impeachment inquiry Ms. Pelosi gives the Trumpers on the Supreme Court a ground to declare the inquiry defective. Why risk that?
1
Hey, is John Yoo still around? I am sure he is. Maybe he can make another guest appearance and explain the conservatives’ “legal” pablum that the President is actually a King.
3
The undermining of the belief in our judicial and legislative branches continues. Putin smiles.
6
Let's see the full transcript of the call. The one the White House lawyers secreted away in a super secure server. The only logical explanation for them releasing the summary, which was terrible on its face, is that the full conversation was much, much worse.
4
There is a precedent for the House to issue an order of arrest for contempt if Sondland fails to appear after being subpoenaed: McGrain v. Daugherty (1927). At this point, Democrats should just take the gloves off and pull out all the stops to pursue the inquiry. When someone like Trump flouts convention and law, unconventional methods are necessary to reel him in. And if anyone needs reeling, it's the lunatic currently occupying the White House.
2
If only the impeachment COULD undo Trump's election!
7
As with Watergate, many people in the Trump Administration that are aiding and abetting this obstruction of Justice need to be hiring good criminal lawyers for they are likely to be indicted and if convicted imprisoned. Good riddance.
3
To quote Susan Rice..."this is as serious as a heart attack"..
3
These White House lawyers who are advising Trump to defy the law and the Constitution should be disbarred.
4
It's time to start calling it an unconstitutional crisis...the guy needs to be "unpresidented" asap.
4
"Don't mess this up, Dems! I want to get out of the White House of Garbage and back to my rich and fulfilling life at Trump Tower staring out the window!"
3
Mr. Trump- maybe if you allowed one of the administration witnesses to testify, or the former ones, you’d have the opportunity to get your positions and facts out and confront witnesses. Your procedure arguments are shams, just like the Trump University courses and diplomas. This is pathetic.
4
This impeachement inquiry has NOTHING to do with undoing the 2016 election. It's all about reigning in a lawless President.
6
This comment clearly suggests Trump will try to block an impeachment trial:
"And if Donnie and his goons succeed in halting the impeachment trial ... "
I wasn't aware that Trump even plans to try. Has this been reported, or did you just make it up?
1
Certain progressive Dems are looking forward to sacrificing Joe Biden on the altar of the impeachment inquiry, thus killing two birds with one stone.
2
If your boss orders you to commit a crime then you either quit your job or you are a criminal. What am I mssing here?
5
Apparently these congressional republicans are mob-boss/presidents gang. Gangs don't adhere to rules, they take what they want and destroy everything left.
2
I am sick to death of the Republicans protecting and defending this despicable criminal. They all belong in prison, or maybe even dead.
4
Stop this despot.
5
Trump has stonewalled EVERY investigation of his misdoings and his administration is only counter-attacking, not cooperating. Combined with damning evidence, it makes Trump look guilty as hell. Clinton sat and testified for 11 hours on Benghazi and Pubs could find no evidence of wrongdoing. Trump' where is your strength and integrity to testify before Congress?
With ample evidence of corruption on numerous fronts, partisan attacks,incompetence, and pure malevolence Trump has deeply earned impeachment, his stonewalling and inept, angry non-presidential response only makes it more clear impeachment should be pursued.
That the Republican party stands by him regardless of his corruption, gaffes,lies, attacks,insults and incompetence shows that they have sold America and their own ethics down the river for their own selfish right wing agenda. Republicans have put the "me" in America, as in "me first" vs America first and made MAGA a twisted ironic joke when uttered by a Trump supporter.
5
Traitors, Crooks and criminals
4
Putin must laugh himself to sleep every night.
7
Stonewalling is a great way to prove innocence. NOT!
6
Everybody: this country and all our citizens are in very real danger of losing our democracy if this would-be dictator is allowed to remain in office.
8
it amazes me how trump supporters think this is about overturning the 2016 election instead of the many abuses of power 45 has engaged in since taking office. they should stop living in the past.
10
Commenter Truthiness writes:
"Our felon-in-Chief has clearly violated his oath of office ... "
But that's just Commenter Truthiness's view. Why not ask a court to resolve this conflict? If the court sides with Congress, then Trump's opponents can rightly say that Trump is violating a court order by not complying.
Ever wonder why Trump's opponents don't ask a court to issue such an order?
1
If Trump was so concerned about government corruption in Ukraine, why is he not concerned about corruption in Central and South America, to help solve his immigrant concerns? Many immigrants are not trying to come here merely to steal American jobs. They are fleeing drug gangs who will torture and kill them for lack of cooperation. Corrupt governments in Central and South America are not solving the problem down there.
Trump's claim that he is concerned about government corruption in Ukraine is bogus. He has done nothing to address government corruption in Central and South America to solve his immigrants problem.
7
Why are we not in the streets? Our democracy is being destroyed in front of our eyes with the full complicity of the entire GOP.
Why are we not in the streets?
7
Sadly, this isn't surprising. The question is, have Pelosi & Schiff planned accordingly, and if so, what's the upcoming counter-punch? I don't have high hopes for their chess skills.
2
What, exactly, are the "Republican rights" that have been "taken away"?
3
Why are we creating a big constitutional crisis out of this? Just get a vote on and move on. It is not like the Democrats don't have enough votes on the House to pass it. Democrats have a majority in the House, use it or lose it. By refusing to follow the procedure used on all previous impeachment proceedings they are giving Donald Trump an argument he could exploit and litigate all the way to the Supreme court. Do you really want to gamble all your strategy on how the Supreme court would decide?
4
Commenter Regards, LC, of Princeton, NJ, has it right:
"If and only if a court decision is one with which the administration refuses to comply, then we are indeed in a crisis of constitutional dimension."
Unless and until that happens, all we have are expressions of different opinions. Congress insists Trump must give it what it asks for. Trump refuses, insisting that Congress is interfering with his performance of his Constitutional duties.
Who should resolve this stark disagreement? One of the parties? Or a court? Let's not forget: Trump has never violated a court order. Many Trump opponents claim otherwise, but it's never actually happened. They just made it up because it was useful to claim that.
2
Many commenters insist Trump's claims of "executive privilege" go well beyond what the courts have allowed. There's a hint!
Here's another hint: Trump has never disobeyed a court order. He's often been accused of that, but it's never actually happened. Trump's critic just make that up.
Clearly Congress disagrees with Trump on this. Should one of them resolve the conflict? If so, should Trump decide? Congress? Someone else?
1
Trumps refusal to cooperate with the house inquire on impeachment comes as no surprise. Very simply put, if he had nothing to hide he would cooperate with the house. It is a stall tactic with the hopes that this inquire will lack the evidence necessary to proceed with impeachment. Personally I'm concerned that this may be the case. But a lack of cooperation on Trumps part is to me an admition of guilt. There is little doubt in my mind that he is guilty of obstruction of justice and treason. It also sends a message to the American people. That is, if you are rich and powerful in America you are above the law.
4
Constitutional crises again? What happened to all those other constitutional crises I was hearing about? Do these things just go away on their own or do they have a time limit expiration. There were many of these according to CNN which I watch when I have the time.
3
The President obviously thinks he does not deserve the investigation. He thinks the investigation hurts his ability to preform the functions of his office. It does do that whether or not he deserves the investigation or not.
By claiming that the House of Representatives' inquiry is illegitimate (acting as both the judge and the jury in that regard) and he needn't cooperate, Trump may as well declare that the Constitution is abolished.
7
@Lee Darn right! Congress should ask a court to side with it. Then Congress will be able to argue that Trump isn't only disagreeing with his opponent (Congress) -- he's refusing to comply with a court order.
Ever wonder WHY Congress doesn't ask a court to resolve this clear conflict?
1
Without a House vote launching an impeachment inquiry, and subsequently naming a select committee to investigate, what we have is merely a political struggle between the President and the Democratic Party.
Why else would Pelosi unilaterally declare an impeachment inquiry by her political party? At least a House vote would give the investigation some semblance of legitimacy. Otherwise, half the electorate will never accept the Democrat's coup d'etat.
2
Precisely as you have stated. Trump has been provided by Ms. Pelosi every reason not to cooperate. An impeachment inquiry is either under way or it is not. Behind closed doors. Really??
1
We all know #45 has read the Federalist Papers and subscribes to the mission statement of the Federalist Society:
"It is founded on the principles that the state exists to preserve freedom, that the separation of governmental powers is central to our Constitution, and that it is emphatically the province and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be."
OK, just kidding
2
From this point on, no documents will be released without a Supreme Court order.
It’s premature to characterize where we are as a constitutional crisis. The obstruction by the executive branch in ordering witnesses not to honor congressional subpoenas for documents and testimony must await judicial decisions. If and only if a court decision is one with which the administration refuses to comply, then we are indeed in a crisis of constitutional dimension. Indeed, we may get there, but we’re not there yet.
2
“I cannot tell a lie.” - George Washington
“I cannot tell the truth.” - Donald Trump
"I cannot tell the difference." - Congressional Republicans
49
And Trump said we would protect the Kurds, LIAR. A pox on you DJT for what you have done here. This is one of the worst betrayals in US history and nothing can absolve you of it,
20
These are the actions of a desperate criminal. Our felon-in-Chief has clearly violated his oath of office and betrayed the American people. Trump is outrageous, and his sycophants merely echo this. Democrats need to look beyond the drama and hone in on the “high crimes and misdemeanors” and remove the felon from office. Case closed.
14
@Truthiness What most Americans think of as "impeachment" is actually a two-step process involving BOTH the House AND the Senate. Trump's opponents haven't even taken the first step -- impeachment by the House. Nor have they asked a court to order Trump to comply.
Ever wonder why?
3
Yes, I do not think Congress was expecting this kind of push back from Trump.
This person, DJT, is dangerous to America because he is irrational, dishonest, tyrannical, dictatorial, uninformed, ignorant and a threat to our form of government: DEMOCRACY.
17
Yeah, lets see what this republic is made of!
6
Many politicians are simply ideologues and will never admit their political party is wrong on any issue.
5
Isn’t that the equivalent of a coup?
What guarantees anymore that Trump will leave if he loses next year?
Impeach swiftly and let the chips fall where they may. We will never become a Vlad republic.
10
The White House letter is a press release, not a legal argument.
12
When our Potus claims that the Constitution is Unconstitutional, that is not merely obstruction of justice, it is an attempted overthrow our form of government. Trump should be tried for treason after the impeachment. And if Donnie and his goons succeed in halting the impeachment trial, then the 2nd amendment comes into play, granting well organized militias, e.g. the national guard, the right to arrest Trump. He is the very embodiment of tyranny for which that "last resort" clause was designed.
13
intriguing on all points... Congress has been made impotent by Senator McConnell so now we have only two active branches if governance - the executive and the courts.
4
The WH reaction to an Impeachment Inquiry is to be expected. I am beginning to think this malevolent GOP and their foot-soldiers have a plan and this emotionally challenged guy is their front man. The entire squad is nervous.
They will continue to provoke this threat of impeachment publicly snubbing our Constitution and The Rule of Law. They will persevere "mount(ing) a counteroffensive on Mr. Trump’s behalf." They use the court system teeter-tottering on the edge of getting caught playing the game 'catch me (us) if you can. "
The GOP wants this inquiry to make its way from the House Impeachment Inquiry to a trial by the Senate of which they hold a majority of seats. This is where these 'shadow warriors' will acquire a much-needed megaphone that speaks to their faithful following. They will continue to use The Dunning-Kruge Effect.
They hold on to a game plan that this public hearing will confirm that this 'witch hunt', the Democrats and the media initiated began day #1 to bring down djt. The man who promised to "Make (his and their) America Great Again.'
Removing this guy from the office won't happen. What I hold on to is that he will be firmly defeated next November. We, the true Patriots of our America will turnout in historical numbers taking back our young experiment of a Constitution Democracy Of, By and for All People.
(www.psychologyconcepts.com/dunning-kruger-effect/)
1
Trump always makes things worse for Trump.
5
Perhaps Mr. Cipollone should read the Constitution and stop embarrassing himself. Can you be disbarred for ignorance?
13
With no real constitutional direction, no explicit rules of impeachment proceedings laid down by law, Speaker Pelosi is free to conduct her own inquiry path. Would McConnell or any other Republican bow to Democratic suggestion, if the tables were turned? This is a free for all, after all ... even Trump must agree with a no holds barred format.
4
A word that seems to me to be conspicuously absent from media reports: "tyranny". It is beyond time to start using it.
7
Listened to the whistleblower from Cambridge Analytica on NPR last night. Basically, Steve Bannon took what was a technology designed to protect democracy and weaponized it to do exactly what it was designed to thwart - split democracies in two. Moreover, it was back by Russian intelligence. Putin has exactly what he wanted, the US and UK split and the rest of us floundering helplessly. History will reveal (in the taxes?) that Trump was clearly Putin's tool.
3
The President and his administration are calling for an official vote to start an official impeachment process, where both sides have equal access and a fair process to follow without partisanship interference. I think that is a fair request.
5
@G G --
No, it is not. The job of the House is to investigate the facts, not to provide equal access. Investigators do no allow the attorneys' for persons of interest to be involved in the investigation.
Once the investigation is concluded and a decision reached about charges (i.e., the actual impeachment), the president will have an opportunity to have due process.
Maybe if the president hadn't already called on his minions to harm the whistleblower, there would be more comfort in allowing the republicans to participate in the investigation. But since he can't restrain himself from "taking shots" and "making jokes" -- none of them can be trusted.
4
Democrats, please have ready punishments for not obeying the subpoenas!
16
Obstruction = cover-up.
11
Trump tells us he is doing a splendid job but under only a modest scan it is clear that he is running the White House as competently as he runs his business (how many bankruptcies did he have? How many vendors sued him?).
Now he has fouled up so many times, and in serious matters, that he won’t let anyone testify as to his governing acumen! If he did not have anything to hide he would be pleading to have his toadies testify on prime time television.
Can’t wait for November 2020. Democrats please run a reasonable candidate on a sensible platform. Or, Republicans drop Trump and run someone like Nikki Haley (if she is willing).
2
Once again Republicans in the Senate are aiding and abetting the criminal in the white house. This will not end well for them. Meanwhile nothing is getting done.
11
Zero transparency in this Trump administration, and for good cause one might imagine. How many in prison from the electioneering done with Manafort et al? Before that the little colonel who could sit at table with Putin, talk to the Turks, and then become national security head, for a while. What other than crimes and misdemeanors have gone on in this president's tenure? Now at the 11th hour we're back in the Ukraine arguing about quid pro quos. Sondland is stalled. Send out the dogs. Keep at it.
1
“And now it begins” AD.
After electing Obama, I don’t doubt that the Democrats do feel themselves righteous enough in their own minds and spiritually worthy to pull this coup off. The only thing this New Holy Crusade will lack might be literal armor clad white knights on horses. Black leather bound briefcases will have to suffice but hardly as epic visually.
@John Doe --
The only coup here is the one the current president is fomenting by seeking to overthrow our constitution.
He is president, not king, not emperor. He is not the state. He is not above the law, regardless of what he might think.
4
As one might expect the NYT works as hard as it can to portray trump's lawyers' letter refusing cooperation as making a respectable legal argument when multiple legal experts are weighing in that it is utterly specious and a disgrace. NYT again giving Trump the propaganda he wanted under the guise of trying to appear balanced and neutral.
14
@Fresno Bob
Yes! I've read the letter twice and it's got more holes than a colander. Trump's lawyers have a fool for a client. But we suffer as the nightmare continues. See
https://www.justsecurity.org/66525/two-major-distortions-in-the-white-houses-scorched-earth-letter-to-congress
10
Trey Gowdy is a dyed-in-the-wool hypocrite. Exhibit #1: His unusual persistence while attempting to 'get dirt' on Hillary by questioning her for hours about the Benghazi incident. Exhibit #2: A CNN video from a few years ago shows him in a 30 second segment railing for the exact thing (basically get all the evidence and hear all the testimony) he is now trying to prevent as Trump's legal counsel. I would love to see this whole Trump goat rodeo slapped down by the SCOTUS.
16
The president needs to be removed from office as soon as possible. Along with him, his lackeys in the White House. Stop wasting our time and money dithering about procedure. The House has the mandate to give oversight to the Executive branch. Every instance of stonewalling is abuse of power and obstruction of justice.
How much more do the citizens of this country need to put up with? Next, DJT will be flying off to play golf at the taxpayers' expense as he seem to spend much of his time when not watching TV and breaking the law.
10
Cipollone is mistaken. A House impeachment investigation is similar to a Grand Jury investigation. It is not a trial.
A grand jury is empowered by law to conduct legal proceedings and investigate potential criminal conduct, and determine whether criminal charges should be brought. A grand jury may subpoena physical evidence or a person to testify.
12
There have been countless articles, books, documentaries about Donald Trump’s life of corruption and unethical business practices. If you haven’t read or seen them, no worries, just give him a microphone and a twitter feed to shed light on his character.
We are all in danger. The only way out of trump is in numbers.
This is bigger than politics, parties and sycophants. We have proof of only a fraction trumps corrupted behavior.
⬛️ Until THEY are gone
▪️Mike Pence
▪️William Barr
▪️Mitch McConnell
▪️Lindsey Graham
▪️Wilbur Ross
▪️Steve Mnuchin
15
Trump and his nefarious, felonious cohort have demonstrated that they have no intention of playing by the rules or abiding by the Constitution. Fine. That being the case, people who care about democracy should act accordingly. The next time Trump leaves the White House, deadbolt every door to prevent his re-entry. Take his personal belongings (porn included) and send them back to Trump Tower. Refuse to pay any Trump lackey who defies Congress or Constitutional norms. Fine everyone who ignores a subpoena $100,000 per day. (If Trump is truly as wealthy as he claims, he'll have no problem meeting this payroll.) It's time to fight fire with fire. Otherwise, Americans should stop paying taxes to fund this autocratic regime. It's not what any of us signed up for.
11
Under current rules, the actual impeachment inquiry begins in the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives. That Committee holds hearings, takes evidence, and hears testimony of witnesses concerning matters relevant to the inquiry.
https://litigation.findlaw.com/legal-system/presidential-impeachment-the-legal-standard-and-procedure.html
So what's Trump's argument based on? Thin air!
10
It seems now that Ukraine had already reopened the investigation before the new president of Ukraine was even elected. This whole fake Ukraine is the Democrats and the media trying to fabricate a crisis before the damaging IG report comes out.
5
Oh what a fine picture of the P and the VP on the front page [a click on which takes one to this article], doing their blustery best to look squeaky clean, honest, upright, brave defenders of what is right and good. That is what corruption looks like. It is ugly and traitorous.
5
There is no ‘Ukraine affair.’
This is simply just another attempt by Democrats to take out the appalling DJT.
Change the whistleblower rules in August, give Adam Schiff a heads up and a TV camera and — voila! — an ‘impeachable’ offense.
Oh, Byron York reported yesterday that the vaunted whistleblower has a ‘professional relationship’ with one of the 2020 Democrat candidates for president.
No endorsement of Trump but voters outside leftist urban districts see through this show trial and will vote accordingly.
6
@EGD --
How does Byron York know who the whistleblower is? What laws were violated in him getting this information?
2
Impeach the president and Vice President, both men are culpable of the same crimes.
11
When do we stop calling it "The White House" and start calling it what it is, "The Dirty House"?
7
Even if they mysteriously find five more “whistleblowers”, it’s over
Then you have Clapper getting nervous over at fake news headquarters, blaming everything on Obama, and bemoaning the fact that he and his coconspirators were just following orders.
Now where have we heard that before?
It’s all over but the singing.
5
The Supreme Court case, Marshall v. Gordon, allows Congress’s arresting power for instances in which the witness is prevented from testifying or has obstructed Congress’s job after ignoring a subpoena since Congress’s role centers on inherent oversight duties. Jailing for contempt and obstruction sends a clear signal that this Impeachment Inquiry must be taken seriously or else consequences shall ensue.
Trump might still be reelected by the dumb red states and Wall Street financiers filled with avarice and no conscience. However, in a representative democracy, the will of the People cannot be ignored. Just VOTE!!!!!!
5
Bye bye democracy.
7
Why don't they just deploy the Sargent-at-Arms to bring people who have been subpoenaed in by force?
7
Why isn't Congress issuing subpoenas across the board?
If a person does not comply with a subpoena, they are held in "Contempt of Congress," which is a punishable, jailable crime.
Americans have to email their representatives in Congress demanding subpoenas are issued immediately.
9
I have to wonder if somehow the 45th is planning on using the excuse of "inadequate representation" if this goes to a trial. Have his lawyers never heard of "grand jury testimony?" The defendant never gets a transcript or "the right" to cross examine or face his accuser during the investigative stage or at a grand jury hearing. What is wrong with these people? Or is this purely for the uninformed public and his base?
8
Crash and Burn: Trump has a history here, in business, that first his father bailed him out of numerous times. He is counting on the GOP to do the same. Maybe that was what Russian cash did for him?
But who will go down with him now? and will he put himself in a federal prison? or count on a pardon from Pence?
2
Trump's lawyers seem to be less educated than a high school graduate who took a civics class. Their letter is ridiculous.
What they don't understand is that you don't cross examine a witness during an investigation. There is no cross examination in a grand jury proceeding. When a prosecutor is gathering evidence of a crime, their is no cross examination of his/her sources.
Cross examination, and the other offenses the lawyers cite are part of a trial, not an investigation to see if a trial is necessary.
10
Only "the people" can end the Trump nightmare.
We must stand up for our democracy.
Where is our Greta to bring us into the streets?
4
Rachel Maddow yesterday pointed out something interesting. It might be that Trump is trying to "pull in" VP Mike Pence into this affair, throwing him under the bus as only "The Don" can.
But it has a surprising rational: If Trump and Biden were successfully impeached _at the same time_ the Presidency would fall to Nancy Pelosi!
So, painting Pence with a tar brush is the absolute guarantee for Trump that Republicans in the Senate won't convict him and that both he and Pence stay in office.
Now, I think we can all agree that Trump is as dumb as a box of rocks. So who came up with that strategy? Now that Pence knows why he is on the "altar of blood sacrifice" he might want to investigate, and soon, who has turned Trump against him and have that person removed from the WH, maybe even the GOP.
And now it gets interesting: what if no such investigation and removal happens? Then it would have to have been someone from OUTSIDE the WH! Which may as well be outside the country. Maybe in another country. Maybe, lets say, Russia, who spend a lot of time and money to get Trump where he is in the first place.
If such a link could be found it would not be illegal. But it would show every real Republican what has happened to his or her party is stark contrast and might make them change their minds about voting for a GOP controlled by Moscow...
2
@Martin
You've got a vivid imagination, my friend. My fantasy is that t&p do get impeached and convicted, because then the GOP can claim it's purged of corruption. They trash Pelosi of course, and put up whomever - Haley, etc. Then the Dem nominee wins. Then we have a new normal.
2
I don't want to see it happen but honestly Pence will do just fine. Just as long as no Democrat will ever be President again.
@Chris Anderson - Pence will go down with Trump.
Obama ignored many subpoenas- attacking the process instead of the facts.
6
@ Dr John - Even if that were true, which I doubt, how, exactly, does that vindicate Trump’s refusal to comply with one now? Oh, that’s right. It doesn’t.
But, by all means, keep beating that Obama-and-Hillary-did-it-so-Trump-can-too drum. Maybe someone out there will buy it.
9
@Dr. John --
We're not talking here about what anyone else did or said.
Unless maybe you'd like to talk about how all the current president's minions at the time HOWLED about "due process" and "constitutional obligation" and "abuse of power" then?
2
@Julio Wong , precedence is all the law has to make it valid, never mind right or wrong. Too bad precedence doesn’t always work the way you want it to sometimes.
All those Republicans have put their jobs and personal gain above this country. Truly, do they not realize the danger this horrible person acting as president has done to our nation's security, relationships abroad and our economy? Do they not have any morals or conscience? Our children can no longer look up to the President of the United States as a moral role model of democracy. Congress must act to remove this destructive person from the Office.
4054
@RoseTao
In a nutshell, yes. We can, however, encourage our children to look back to President Obama who was an exemplary president.
200
@RoseTao
They absolutely realize the danger.
But they are more concerned with keeping their seats than they are with doing what's right.
And that's all that one needs to know.
174
@RoseTao:
“I would love to send Ambassador Sondland, a really good man and great American, to testify,” Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter Tuesday morning around the time Mr. Sondland was to appear, “but unfortunately he would be testifying before a totally compromised kangaroo court, where Republican’s rights have been taken away.”
Add another count of obstruction of justice to the impeachment charge.
201
Clearly, this president believes that he is above the law and not subject to subpoenas or Congressional investigations. He has muzzled his administration officials the way he did the Republican Party. He’s not a president, he’s an absolute ruler who will crush anyone who opposes him. Americans elected a dictator in 2016. His open defiance of the rule of law must end.
5911
@silver vibes It's hard to argue that Trump isn't above the law: Republican Senate and a Republican Supreme Court means zero people with ethics able to hold him responsible.
178
@silver vibes : clearly this occupier of the WH is above the law, because it gets away with everything it does; it doesn't have to though.
80
@silver vibes : A re-reading of “All The President’s Men” might be instructive for millions of Americans. It’s not like there are no parallels. The classic is as relevant today as it was when it was written.
159
The White House letter is mine-numbingly stupid. You don’t have to be a constitutional scholar to understand that. The constitution apparently was not consulted in its writing.
According to the GOP the Constitution only has one amendment, the second. Congressman Jordan et al continues to put party over country.
8
The Times reports that the Democrats believe the obstruction is impeachable-any person who can read would reach that conclusion. Why is the Times sitting on an imaginary fence? Call it like it is.
3
The "Times Picks" betray a mindset reflected in the mediocre and patronizing tone affected by the Times reporting and editing in this piece.
There is an affected, condescending smugness and sophomoric set of assumptions behind Michael Schmidt's, Maggie Haberman's and Peter Baker's reporting that seems designed to avoid the wrath of the White House and foreclosing their future easy access, in preference to writing the truth, calling a lie a lie, and fascism out for what it plainly is.
Instead of pressing hard on the questions, this small group of reporters instead have provided a channel in the Times for the Trump liars to put out their propaganda of the day since Putin helped plop him into an office with the mission of destroying our long standing alliances and removing sanctions against Russia. Trump is traitor. The United States has been the object of a prolonged physical and psychological assault from Russia that has gone on largely unchallenged and undefended. But, the Times is more concerned with being careful to 'sound balanced,' and 'not offend' the most unbalanced and offensive group of opportunists to ever hold power in our nation's history.
6
Lets get ready to r..u...m...b...l...l...l...e? Bring it on baby, bring it on.
But forget governing for a while, because that won't happen again until this is over. Of course there is nothing unusual about that, it has become the norm after the first two years of any president's term.
3
The documentary evidence is extremely simple and damning. The refusal to testify is a good thing imho -- the witnesses would just use it as an opportunity to confuse, obfuscate and otherwise muddy up what is a clean record.
So imo Dems should not "spin" the refusal as yet another "impeachable offense" by Trump and the WH. It should simply be presented as the Administration having been given a fair opportunity to come forward and explain the evidence (transcript, emails, etc.), and that they have declined that opportunity and thus have nothing further to say about it.
4
This is not why my father and thousands of other patriots fought and died for the Republic. Our Military didn't fight so that a criminal like Trump could do any damn thing he wants to and the congress of the United State of America can just let him continue to do so. It's time to get tough with the make believe president and throw the law breakers in prison. I'm so tired of the congress being so cowardly. This is insane. Trump is just a Hitler Wanna be.
8
I still believe that if trump is not impeached and he looses the general election he will nullify the election results to remain in office.
4
Trump = a much bigger and fatter crook and LIAR than Nixon ever was. And that's really saying something.
Loathe some though he was, Nixon accomplished some good and or useful things for the USA. Trump and his morally bankrupt toady's have done more harm and absolutely NOTHING good for the Country.
Trump's trade war - huge failure. Costing US billions of dollars. It screwed US farmers to the extent that the trump team is giving farmers $16 billion in corporate welfare (most of the dough goes to giant corporate farmers not the little family farms). Yet many of those fools still support trump.
The entire trump family is corrupt and constantly LIES and seeks profit from the presidency or their proximity to it.
Talking (tweeting ) of treason-- Donald trump is the one who has demonstrated treasonous behavior and statements far more than any of his critics. Denial of the Russian election meddling. Supporting enemies like Putin over strong allies. Disclosing classified and top secret information to Russian diplomats in the Oval Office (yep trump did that!). Refusal to support better protection of our elections; ditto for Moscow Mitch mcCONnell on than one too.
There's much more evidence of trump's malfeasance up to and including his Unseemly and treasonous phone call requests to foreign governments to investigate the Bidens. That's rich coming from the most CORRUPT US president in history. Not to mention trump's history of crooked dealings and bankruptcies.
6
@Howard Beale
Yeah, Nixon was a mess and massively unethical, but there is just no comparing Trump to anyone. What started as a publicity stunt gave us the most unfit human being possible for a job like president of the United States.
1
The duality of "everyday life" for these so-called servants of the people is astounding. I always knew that there were financial and opportunity gaps for most of them- and was personally okay with that. And I have always implicitly understood that there were biases in the justice system for the well-to-do. But the open contempt for accountability and non-compliance with our processes to create balances across the various branches of government is just incredible. Who's values do any of these people represent anymore? There are no traditional Democratic or Republican values at play here- it is the worst of everything that is greed, narcissism, ego, entitlement, etc., etc.
The election, the presidency was undone when he sold us all out- every tax payer, every soldier, every honest public servant... I can't believe this is the best we've got- one awful thing to the next. Ok, ok... call me naive, but we are paying for this folks...
3
It is only fair to the rights of the accused (in this case, the President, who is also an American citizen) be given to President Trump. That simply means that the Speaker is obligated to have a formal vote on impeachment in the House. The Speaker should let the President defend himself using the rule of law, not a press conference.
We have a saying in this country. Something to do with putting the horse before the cart. And we also have a Constitution under which the House of Representatives is empowered to investigate, determine whether conduct constitutes high crimes or misdemeanors, and charge the President with Articles of Impeachment. The House acts as prosecutor for a trial on the Articles in the Senate. Two-thirds vote to convict and President becomes impeached ex-President. Congress makes its own rules as a co-equal branch. Got it?
2
The Democrats CAN'T LOSE on the facts of the case. The only way the GOP can win is to start a legal battle that may have to go to the the Supreme Court to be resolved. This would delay the proceedings until the whole case becomes moot.
How can the Demos head this off?
Take Cipollone's letter seriously! Huddle with lawyers to decide which parts of it make any sense at all. Publicly refute the parts of it that don't make sense. So are as is feasible, accede to the parts of the letter that are reasonable. I think Pelosi ought authorize a vote by the full House on the impeachment inquiry. The nation is in crisis. Time for House Democrats to put their political lives on the line.
Many Americans don't understand the issues. They don't realize that impeachment is not a trial. It is more like an indictment. How can the Demos convey these facts to the public?
What Democrat has the most prestige? Who can explain concepts best? To me there, is only one answer: Barack Obama. Time for him to come forth and make a statement. The Demo leadership and the Democrats on the street should demand that he be heard in a national wide address. Give Trump equal time to make his arguments. Let the people decide.
2
That an ambassador should defy Congress because he serves by the will of the executive is ludicrous. Ambassadors are confirmed by Congress and serve by the will of the people. They are not the toy of the executive branch and can not defy the congress which has confirmed them.
4
The only reason Trump wants the House to vote on the impeachment inquiry is so he can retaliate against those who support it. It’s a classic bullying tactic - one he used in the campaign and continues to use as president. Should the evidence warrant impeachment, it’s also a tactic he could use to squelch a vote on that as well and keep it from ever getting to the Senate.
Sound conspiratorial? Look at Trump’s record - his entire record. It’s speaks for itself. This presidency is just one long infomercial whose sole objective is to solidify a family brand.
1
Although congress can subpoena, it is yet exactly a court case or trial - the findings are required to clarify the impeachment case, which will then be delivered to the senate and tried in the senate, for which the court room format, is a more apt description, and a place where the white house can present their side of the story.
The Pat Cipollone's letter uses an apparent legal format but is out of context: at the wrong time, for the wrong purpose, and dressed entirely in partisan posturing.
4
The Brits managed to get Boris Johnson's behaviour in suspending parliament before their Supreme Court in less than two weeks; the US should be able to do the same in a Congress/President standoff; pointless going through the lower courts as all decisions would be appealed.
3
To quote the character Deep Throat, in the film All the President's Men, "The truth is, these aren't very bright guys and things got out of hand."
It's almost like Trump's people never saw that film?
5
I say this is good news. If the dems didn’t proceed with the impeachment, Trump would tout that as a win saying that we had nothing on him.
With the block, it’s all on him now with obstruction of justice and lawlessness
2
Why should Americans wait for Justice until the elections, when Trump has been trying to rig the election? He probably still is. House Democrats: put some serious bite into your subpoenas.
4
Nixon: "I am not a crook."
Trump: "I'm a crook and will do it in plain sight since I'm above the law."
6
Dear IRS, Thank you for your demand for my taxes you claim I owe, but I choose not to participate in this violation of my right not to participate. Furthermore, and evermore, please cease and desist in any and all attempts to harass me for same. Hitherto, and thenceforth, I remain, unobligated to respond to this or any other contacts from your office of which I may determine to be witch hunts. Thank you for your time.
7
The only way to destroy America is to have people of bad faith control the apparatus of law. America does not and cannot work with a Barr or McConnell willfully subjugating and undermining law and the investigatory process to maintain power. Their desire is to win, to reinforce their power at the cost of America and their fellow citizens' faith in law and process.
The remarkable question is, "Why?" To accomplish what? Do they work for Putin, the undisputed beneficiary of their actions?
Did Trump supporters think KGB trained Putin a foolish strategist? No concerns about supporting Putin's preferred choice to undermine America? Are they now shocked at America and a world in disarray? At the betrayal of brave allies by a certifiable fool claiming "unmatched wisdom" and strength as he empowers Russia, Iran, China and Korea?
The rule of law has been subverted by the head of the Justice Dept. to create an autocratic ruler instead of a Republic of checks and balances. Dems might announce this and call on gov't employees and whistleblower patriots to come forward to testify. In the event they are fired for doing so, they will enjoy the financial rewards they will receive by suing the gov't for its actions against them.
5
Our President does not fear the vote to impeach. He knows it will pass.
Its the Dems who fear a vote. Because once that vote passes in the House, the impeachment process moves to the Senate.
And the Dems know, once this goes to the Senate, all of their actions and attempts (useless Mueller report, Kavanaugh debacle etc.unconstitutional impeachment "inquiry" etc.) to gain what they have wished since they got embarrassed and beat in 2016, which us to change the results of those elections, will die the death it deserves.
And then, they will have to pin their hopes on Warren (who will be their party's nominee since they are using this "inquiry" to get rid of Trump AND Biden).
Which boils down to our President beating the Dems once again with his victory for reelection in 2020.
3
Enough with this mythology that Democrats are so desperately embarrassed by the 2016 election that they will do anything to reverse it. It is astounding to me that Trump apologists lack the basic understanding that there are people out there who actually believe in civil service and working for the greater good of the country, its people and values.
The impeachment in motion has to do with Trump’s blatant violation of his oath of office - never mind that he has repeatedly shown that he views this presidency as simply a way to enrich himself and his family at every opportunity and clearly has zero interest in actually fulfilling his presidential duties or serving the American people.
6
Our once-great country is going up in flames, one tweet at a time. If this question about whether the White House has to comply with the inquiry’s document requests ends up with the Supreme Court, that outcome is painfully easy to predict. And with that, the US will officially become a single-party dictatorship, just like Russia, China, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Egypt — all of Trump’s favorite places.
3
Trump is exactly the type of person that the founding fathers fought against in order to form this country, he is the anti-American.
7
Must be good to be king. Having a toothless Congress, that is supposed to keep the king in line, means the king can do as he pleases. Trump and the Republicans must be having some great belly laughs.
1
Is it not time for the third coequal branch of government to stand and be counted? I call upon the Supreme Court to set aside all other business and order the Trump administration to perform on all demands of the impeachment inquiry. This corrupt administration is crippling the United States and infecting the world. Any remedy must include the removal and prosecution of Trump and his cronies.
3
The last time I looked, the Constitution made express provision for impeachment, and conviction upon impeachment necessarily reverses the results of an election. That's its purpose. Duhh!
3
I thought everyone knew that subpoenas are only valid when issued to Democrats.
2
Try to imagine Nixon pulling off this stonewalling action in the early 1970s? There would have been hundreds of thousands of people in the streets and in Washington, DC in a very short time.
Where are the democrats (with a small "d") and those who believe that Trump is the greatest threat to democracy since 1940's fascism? Where are those organizations calling for change in our political system that fill my email inbox on a daily basis? "Don't mourn: organize!"
2
Yes Congress is trying to undo the election. WITH JUST CAUSE
1
No. The WH has declared war on democracy in the US. Make absolutely no mistake about it.
3
Here we go to the (Republican) Supreme Court, and the supreme test of separation of powers!
The Speaker, for once I agree with her, feels that impeachment should be a bipartisan process. I'd go further and say non partisan! But that is all far fetched when the tribalism of party politics has become so intense. However one way that might be achieved is to make the votes of impeachment and trial in the Senate by secret ballot. I suspect the true feelings of members of Congress may expressed removing the glare, pressuring and bullying of a public spectacle.
2
Is this country so incredible split the citizens are willing to forfeit the rule-of-law and sound democratic governance?
6
@RAS
Have a vote on impeachment inquiry.
Then we can have an investigation.
1
@RAS
Nixon: "I am not a crook."
Trump: "I'm a crook and will do it in plain sight since I'm above the law."
Congressional Republicans: "We're fine with that."
2
So they are going to ignore the subpoenas obviously. So then the Dems go to court and the court tells the Trump Administration that the witnesses must appear. Can the Trump Administration appeal that as well? If not, what happens if they ignore the courts orders to make them available? How will that be enforced?
3
@Glenn S. These are requests not subpoenas
The house needs to formally establish an impeachment inquiry to issue subpoenas.
@Elliot Ok, so what happens when those are ignored by the Trump Administration?
@Elliot That's what I am asking. What happens when those are ignored by the Trump Administration?
The objections raised in the cited letter from Trump's attorney are irrelevant: This is an investigation, not a trial.
11
Why not imprison everyone who defies a Congressional subpoena at the order of the person being investigated? Otherwise, Congress has forfeited it's authority.
6
The real test here will be with our judiciary. Will the Supreme Court (where this is likely to end up) rule that Congressional authority to impeach grants it the power to investigate. Without that, the impeachment clause in our Constitution is likely nothing but futile ink on a scrap of paper.
It will be a defining moment for the Court as our third, supposedly impartial, branch of government, and for our democracy. If our courts do fail us, hopefully we will be inspired in the long run to put people with at least a shred of morality back into the White House through our ultimate power, the ballot.
An irony of something in short supply today: hope.
4
Does anyone really believe the President's decision not to cooperate is about the separation of powers? The decision not to participate, cooperate and comply with the House's subpoenas was not the only option open to the President. His options as I see them; Option A do not participate, aka roil the dice, and see what happens in the courts. Option B Provide documents but not testimony in response to subpoenas. Option C provide sworn statements but no in person testimony and Option D the All American option comply with all requests from the Legislative Branch exercising their Constitutionally mandated responsibilities. The President's decision to not participate is not much different that Nixon's stonewalling and hoping the Watergate inquiry would go away. Be careful what you wish for, the President's next decision may be even more destructive to the Republic; bar affirmative action in any form, bar other than heterosexuals from any government programs and employment, and implementing existing government plans to use the military to maintain order. Organize, work for and elect a Congress and President who understand the separation of powers and the rule of law!
1
Despite little respect for SCOTUS, particular Chief Justice Roberts, who is a two-faced fraud if there ever was one, the House should immediately go to it with an expedited complaint. SCOTUS was unanimous that Nixon had to turn over tapes; it is a tough precedent to overturn if the House demands that the Executive Branch comply with House requests for information which it deems relevant to its investigation.
At the very least, the House should establish that the Executive Branch, under the doctrine of separation of powers, has no authority to decide whether any aspect of an impeachment inquiry is "legitimate" or not, whether politically motivated or not,--whatever. The Administration's position in this matter, if allowed to stand, essentially nullifies the Constitutional provision for impeachment.
Mitch McConnell's objection to some rules changes by Harry Reid were that what goes around, comes around. A GOP reluctant to take action against a law-breaking Republican president will have a difficult time taking action against a law-breaking Democratic president. Of course, hypocrisy is McConnell's strong suit.
11
This is all true, except that partisan hack Chief Justice need not worry about the repercussions that you mention. After the Roberts Court predictably decides against the House, there will never be another Democratic President.
Why does everyone have their hands up in the air? Move forward Pelosi. Do not waiver. Ignore the smoke and mirrors and get this done. The American Public, all of us, are tired but we will stand up and make our voices heard if this criminal is left in office.
9
The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
Where is it written that the President gets to tell the House how to conduct an impeachment?
5
When it comes to civil rights, minorities, policing - name it, my conservative friends are always citing the pithy "if they've done nothing wrong they have nothing to hide."
Why then did trump attack the Mueller investigation so mercilessly, and now wont even participate in this inquiry?
Mr president: if you're innocent as you claim, then why not just cooperate and clear yourself?
4
Well the American electorate on Election Day can rightly assume by Trump’s refusal to cooperate with a legitimate Congressional inquiry that Trump is guilty of obstruction of justice, election tampering, illegal profiting off of his private business, and tax fraud. If he is innocent of these charges he would want the American people to see his clean record. By refusing to cooperate he admits his own guilt.
4
i am assuming that trump is bigger then hillary clinton to 'not participate' in the investigation? not right.
The power of Trump has fully eclipsed Congress. Senators Graham and McConnell are now irrelevant to Trump. The Senate is cut off and not even consulted as the President pushes his own misguided agenda. Trump’s criminal enterprise is making deals with international evil doers. No conspiracy here, we know it because the President tweets his actions every day.
4
A real kangaroo court sits in the White House, where the kangaroo named Trump has all his sycophants, Barr, Pompeo et. al, sitting in his oversized belly's pouch to advise him how to turn this country into a Banana Republic, and a very dangerous one to boot, one that rips apart multinational agreements with our allies, and has never seen a brutal dictator they don't want to copy.
At the same time a president has for the first time in the history of this nation betrayed one of their fiercest warriors and allies in the Middle East, the Kurds, and basically condemned to being slaughtered by the troops of his now BFF Erdogan, with the help of Russia and Iran.
ISIL will be forever grateful that Trump did their bidding.
13
When is an impeachment not an effort to undo the results of an election? And really, why shouldn’t we expect these idiot Trumpsters to argue using circular reasoning? They not only constantly lie but their lies are arranged illogically as well. Grrrrrr.
8
Lol they won't participate? Will someone please identify his lawyers so we can know who is helping him put a dictatorship in place.
3
What's the point of avoiding a vote on the record to begin an impeachment inquiry? To protect swing district representatives? When it's time to vote on impeachment charges themselves, they will need to cast a vote anyway.
So why the games, Speaker Pelosi? If an official vote now strengthens your case when the dispute over testimony and documents spills into the courts, including SCOTUS, you may as well have precedent on your side as well as the law.
7
Trump: I can because I want to
Republicans: OK
The Constitution assumes elected officials will use the powers granted them to keep tyranny out of government. With officials abdicating their sworn responsibility, our system of government crumbles. Listen closely and you will hear the pillars come tumbling down.
11
If a critical path can be paved that leads to an indictment of Donald Trump that leads to a form of house arrest until a trial in federal court, it would remove the political nature of impeachment and put Trump just where he belongs, in the dock with no faux immunity from executive privilege, presidents can't be indicted while in office, Democracy is not a suicide pact and with this president we are hurtling toward a crisis in which the powers of the duly elected House of Representatives of the United States are being completely compromised as Trump is trying to reverse the election of 2018.
4
After years and years of refusing to release his tax returns, is it any surprise that the White House is refusing to cooperate here? This is just a tactic to draw this out as long as possible to make it seem like Democrats are unnecessarily pursuing a false lead ("They would have found something by now!") to boost the polls leading into the 2020 election. Let's just try to remember and remind those who get tired of this whole process that the White House is not cooperating.
6
This is, of course an outrageous response on the part of the Trump administration. It is time for House Democrats to play "hardball" with the recalcitrant members of the White House who refuse to show up for meetings and that includes AG Barr. This is a Constitutional crisis and the outcome will determine whether the Montesquieu concept of "checks and balances" will hold true. All Americans who believe in the Constitution and the concept of "rule of law" must be fully supportive of the House effort to investigate the many, egregious, offenses committed by the trump administration.
6
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has argued...over and over, and again and again...that any move to impeach a U.S. President MUST BE bipartisan in nature. So...it's time to put the notion of an impeachment inquiry of President Trump before the full U.S. House of Representatives for a vote.
There's ample historical precedent for it; it was done in all three of the previous presidential impeachment inquiries in U.S. history, and such a vote would provide the opportunity for the bipartisanship that Madame Speaker has justifiably demanded.
So...let's have everyone on the record with a full House vote on the issue of opening up an impeachment inquiry, shall we?
It's the right thing to do.
3
Impeachment, the 25th Amendment etc are not to be used to overturn a constitutional election. They have very specific intentions.
I respect the Whitehouse for protecting the most recent and future presidential elections from unconstitutional use of impeachment powers In short, impeachment and its investigative powers are not for soft coups. They are for high crimes and Misdemeanors of great significance.
We recently had a whistleblower where Pelosi almost immediately started and impeachment inquiry without having a house vote or honoring the due process rights for the defense to cross examination witnesses, call their own witnesses etc. The next day the transcript of the call was released telling a very different story than the whistle blower. Schiff did a parody of the call adding things that were not there without first calling it a parody giving Trumps enemies sound bytes.
This country was disrupted by the Russia Collusion with Trump Investigatio. This weaponized perpetual investigation cycle must stop.
4
Most people don't see it, but Pelosi does, which is why she won't have the House vote on impeachment until the report is out from Inspector General Horowitz, which is allegedly (once again) due out by the end of the month.
This report is on the FISA Warrant abuse, particularly involving Papadopoulos and the wire taps that followed into to the Trump Tower. Just imagine if the House votes for impeachment, and immediately thereafter the report is released proving a conspiracy involving ousting Trump, just as he claimed?
It doesn't matter what is really connected at that point, it would utterly destroy the public's support for removing the President.
Ergo, as Trump obviously believes that report is going to be a bombshell against the Democrats, he's daring the Democrats to impeach him now. He'll withhold every ounce of cooperation to get that vote. Because after one failed attempt, they'll be zero will for a second attempt.
While I believe there will be pain in the report, since it was delayed for so long, especially since US Attorney Durham & AG Barr are traveling the world and has received expanded resources, it should sounds like more than a few should be nervous.
But even if you believe there's nothing there, even if you believe all of these other investigations are purely political, the fear is just the same for Pelosi. If she pulls the trigger on a vote and gets it wrong? Democrats could take a pounding.
2
Trump says that Nancy Pelosi has to have a vote of the full House but there is no law saying this and the Constitution does not say this. So he is just making up nonsense.
Trump says he is being denied his due process rights. However, the House is not conducting a trial, just an impeachment inquiry. The trial would be in the Senate; that is where Trump can demand his due process rights.
Under what authority can Trump order members of the State Department and Jusice Department not to cooperate? Those orders must come from Bill Barr and Mike Pompeo, who should be indicted for obstruction of justice for doing so.
None of what Trump is saying can possibly hold up in a fair court of justice. While we have doubts about the integrity of the ultra conservative gang of five, They may surprise us here.
Democrats: Let's get this settled in court asap.
5
Witnesses who ignore subpoenas to testify should be held in inherent contempt of Congress and fined $50.000 a day for each day the witness remains in contempt. Wait 10 days the fine will reach a half a million dollars, not dischargeable in bankruptcy. The alternative for reluctant witnesses is to appear in open session and on television an "take the fifth." Is that not what happens when henchmen of a mob boss is on trial and they are called as witnesses?
4
He’s also probably trying to distract with his Syria withdrawal and the Turkish war there that’s said to be starting now. Perhaps that’s also why he felt comfortable to stonewall congress. He could be about to mess up the region even more, so he can start an even bigger war or American involvement there. Remember there’s also Iran which he’s probably trying to start a war with. So he has some tools to distract at his disposal.
@Chris-zzz - Look at Trump's behavior over the past few weeks. In what world does Trump leave office just because he lost an election? That's the level this has gotten to. I guarantee you that if he loses in 2020, you will have within a few days another letter from the White House, this time declaring how the President would love cooperate with the results of the election, but because it was such a sham he can't in good conscience step down. Because, you know, it would be so unfair to the hundreds of millions of Americans who actually voted for him and deserve to have their votes honored.
5
We are witnessing the implosion of democracy as we know it. It's a sad state of affairs were in!
5
I find it laughable that the administration's response addressed issues of a "court" and elements of a trial. What's going on in the House is not a trial, but an INQUIRY...i.e. and INVESTIGATION, and if they find wrong-doing, a vote by the House will be like charges being filed, which will THEN lead to a trial in the Senate.
The letter was purely for the Constitutionally uneducated GOP lackeys in Congress and the core of the MAGA crowd, since it's largely irrelevent and almost laughable if it's terms weren't being repeated like a pack of mina birds. The letter is purely a PR manipulation.
7
Trump is going to the Supreme Court over this, and that will last until the 2020 election. Meanwhile, and possibly afterward too, oversight of Trump will be a farce.
1
Isn't the Trump Administration infringing on our rights as a citizens to have Congress provide oversight? We elected our representatives to uphold the Constitution on our behalf. So with the WH stonewalling them and obstructing their ability to perform the duties we elected them to do, isn't that a violation of the rights of every citizen of the United States?
4
Trump's great example Putin figured this out. Make Congress powerless, get reelected, then elect a crony for a third term. The only difference is that the US has a strong democratic tradition. Is it strong enough?
1
At least Nixon recognized that American institutions had power over him. Trump thinks he has power over American institutions.
5
Yes, it is a partisan investigation, because Cons put party and leader over country and the law. Partisan in the same sense that police are biased in pursuit of a criminal who correctly feels persecuted.
1
Letting them get away with this undermines the rule of law in general and opens the door for legitimate lawless behavior for everybody.
3
No, actually, it was the Democrats who long ago declared war on Trump--he's simply defending himself from their vicious attacks and harassments.
I detest Trump--but I far, far, more detest the policies of the modern Democratic Party, which bode only to destroy America's economy and a quarter-millennium of tradition of individual freedom. The more hysterical the Democrats show themselves to be, they more I support Trump as the best available defence against their would-be tyrannies.
4
House Democrats are following the law and the Constitution.
Trump is breaking both.
Congressional Republicans are mostly abetting Trump in breaking both.
3
The truth comes out...neither trump nor this repub party value either the constitution or law and order...as they enable this president, whose only laws are what he says.
Repubs held hearings and hearings on Hillary, with ZERO indictments...which were not obstructed by Dems...but try to examine the corruption with trump, and repubs throw away the constitution, preferring to protect and enable his horrible behavior.
The REAL QUESTION is...will trump leave if not re-elected? He’s showing us he will not, nor will this repub party enforce the laws of this country, showing us that they might also not leave.
This is a Coup fully enabled by this repub party.
3
Have absolutely no respect for this (s.c.) President, whatsoever, knowing he truly has no respect for the American people, the law, the Congress, nor the Constitution. He is scary, very scary. The House needs to persevere and not waver from it's duty, not let a very expedient to the immediate moment to save himself and only himself from his corrupt unstable incapable trail attempt to swerve and swivel his way out of his own mess.
1
Let's vote now, Nancy or simply let the people vote next November.
2
"When the President does it, that means it's not illegal." —President Richard Nixon
And look how that turned out.
2
Freedom will always be tested by the autocratic nature of power. The magnification of this moment is the impact of social media as "power" deceives a large percentage of the public. In addition, "power" has become more important to almost half the Congress, than the oath they took after election. Will we choose freedom over the predictability and security of power or will we, like lemmings, follow the marketing voice of power and fall into a darkness that requires "power" to describe the truth? I choose freedom. It will be interesting to see what the country will choose. I use a simple litmus test to assess the value of any leader. I ask, "Would I trust my child...in particular, my teenage daughter, my partner, in the personal care of this individual?" Needless to say, this President failed before the campaign began.
15
This is the GOP playbook. Remember Merrick Garland? Trump is just upping the ante by refusing all forms of democratic process, going where the GOP has always, post Nixon, wanted to go. They will not abandon him. This is the country they want, because democracy is actually not on their side.
24
Unfortunately for Representative Pelosi, the US is accustomed to common law. Regardless of whether the Constitution specifies that impeachment requires a full House vote or not, that precedent was set last century. If this is truly about enforcing the law (which it should be) and not a political stunt, Representative Pelosi needs to put this before the floor, regardless of whether it will "expose some of her more endangered members."
9
@Bill And permit the president to call witnesses, cross examine, and endure a fair process.
4
@Bill
I have two words for your argument: Merrick Garland.
The "common law", as you phrased it, was totally ignored. Did you speak out then?
@nora m Yep
I read elsewhere that Nancy Pelosi now has "strategic" decisions to make. I don't see what there is left to contemplate here. We have a President who has now stated in black and white, for the whole world to read, that he believes he has no duty to cooperate with one of the two branches of government charged with acting as a check on the power of the executive branch. He has taken active steps to interfere with the pursuit of justice. And in perhaps the most flagrant display of disregard for reality that we've seen yet, he has accused the House of Representatives of being the ones with no respect for the rule of law.
We are way beyond the time for equivocating or political calculations. Go after him with every single tool at your disposal, Nancy, including fighting fire with fire. Daily press releases and a constant string of interviews spelling out exactly what the President is doing - attempting a coup of of the United States government. People have got to understand how serious this is.
And BTW, where are our ex-Presidents? I don't know why every single one of them hasn't been out there making statements condemning Trump and making it clear that his behavior is in no uncertain terms a threat to the continued existence of America as a democratic Republic.
34
@Kristin strategic decisions about Hunter and Paul
Where are the Republicans with integrity and respect for our constitution? This could be the end of the Republican Party if they do not stand up to this President. I worked for a Republican during the Watergate investigation, and we were always looking for what needed to be done to uphold the law not support the President.
Sad comment on the GOP. I have given up on this party.
16
@Jean
The Republicans should pay attention because the people are. A majority now support impeachment. That includes the largest block of voters, the independents. I can't believe this latest step by the WH will help them win over voters.
If they want to hold on to anything, the Republicans need to stand up for the Constitution or they will all fall together.
1
So....we need to keep this very simple. There is now plenty of evidence that the President is obstructing justice. Go forward with this one article of impeachment period. It will be very difficult for swing state republican senators to not vote for impeachment on this one article. Any other approach gives them too many outs, gets complicated, and will take was too long.
8
If Trump ignores the subpoenas then the Dems need to pursue them in Federal Court and seek expedited review so the inquiry can proceed. There is enough evidence of abuse of power regarding Ukraine and Trump's call for China to investigate the Bidens to approve an article of impeachment. The obstruction of Congress is another article of impeachment.
Trump and the GOP can submit affidavits of witnesses. They do not control the process in the House.
3
Anyone who knows anything about the law, American history, the Founding Fathers, and the entire history of our republic, knows that this is a blatant, unlawful, unconstitutional obstruction by an administration that has only one goal; the establishment of a kleptocratic dictatorship in the United States and the death of our constitutional republic. The Founders believed that the congress was the preeminent power among the three branches, not the executive. With the Supreme Court illegally packed, the Republicans unlikely to break with the president and remove him from office, it looks like we are finally nearing the end. I have many Republican friends. I am ashamed to admit that I voted for Republican candidates in the past. It is hard and disheartening to see how they have let us down so badly. So very disappointing.
13
To all the Republican Representatives and Senators who were afraid to speak against Trump for fear of losing your seat - nevermind, the Executive Branch is obviating your seat.
6
Calling on the 1,000s of patriots working in the civil service. Time to start talking, you have a duty to uphold the Constitution not the President.
14
If Trump is allowed to do this he has changed the presidency forever. Never mind worrying about the outcome of an impeachment and how it will affect members keeping their jobs.Trump is playing chicken with the House and he is winning. Trump is giving Congress his best talk to the hand act and it looks like The Left is baffled on how to handle it.Hint,Hint. Biden is going down in polls because people who thought he was a fighter have watched Trump use him for a punching bag for three weeks.Trump is daring Congress to impeach him and Dems are poll testing what they should do.History is not going to be kind to those who stood by and were afraid to fight for our country.Term limits would solve this but that is bridge to far.Watching Adam Schiff whining daily is like hearing someone dragging chalk across a blackboard.
2
Obstruct, obstruct and cover-up, that is trump's playbook and always will be. Pelosi needs to hold the House vote for the impeachment inquiry, she has the votes, and this will solidify the obstruction charge and article when trump obstructs and covers up again. Then take it to the Supreme Court for an emergency ruling to have the judicial branch weigh in on the impeachment process.....as usual Pelosi is wasting time.
2
This isn’t the LL Bean catalog. Trump doesn’t get to simply opt out.
5
Get on with the impeachment vote already. The democrats are losing the momentum and getting bogged down. Seize the day.
5
@Billy
No, they are not losing the momentum. They are getting the wind in their sails! A majority of Americans want the president impeached.
Call your senators and representatives. A ground swell of support for impeachment will make them re-think their support of Trump and McConnell (who is currently in a dead heat with his opponent in Kentucky.)
3
This not the impeachment of any other President but trump, therefore, new rules are allowed. Letting this band of republican crooks delay justice like this is criminal. Lock them up.
5
@Not That Kind What do Hunter and Paul think about all of this?
I don't understand this story. Why is their no mention of any Court being able to adjudicate the question of these supoenas? Is the third branch of governemt irrelevant. Please explain! I find the absence of any mention of the law incompherhensible. If it's not relevant, please explain!
6
John Flannery, Former Federal Prosecutor, summed up
the situation perfectly yesterday on Ari Melber's show
- when asked for a response to Amb. Sondland being
issued a subpoena.
Quote: What it means is they regret sending a simple
request, and I'll betcha they decided that here we are,
we treat you well, and then you do this.
And, I have reservations about his, Sondland's state
ment, "Oh I wanted to appear." He had several conver-
sations with the President, neither one of them wanted
him to appear and talk about these things. I don't know
what he's gonna do, what he's gonna try to assert?
But I hope the Committee goes forward now, and
doesn't relax. And, if he doesn't appear they use
their inherent powers to force him to testify, or, to
sit in custody somewhere. This is, you know, I worry
sometimes that we Democrats may be to easy on
these things.
This is a time for warriors, and I don't mean this in
a terrible way. We have to start looking at how they're treating us, and we have a lot of data points to show
us that they're not dealing straight.
They don't want to cooperate, they think that the
President is a king, a monarchical individual.
And, that he can do what he wants. Well that is not
our Constitution, that is not our inheritance from the
founding fathers. And that's how we have to deal
with these people.
We're on notice that they don't care for our Constitution,
or our laws, and they'll do anything to keep him in office.
8
In every photo, Mike Pence looks as though posing for Mt. Rushmore.
An empty suit topped by an empty head.
7
I keep wishing someone here would display some integrity and do the right thing. Like, Sondland. Amb. Sondland, why don't you resign and then testify. Go ahead, sir, stand up and be a good American. You have a choice: continue your loyalty to Trump and not testify as he is (illegally) demanding, or make the decision that the democracy we love, the America we love, is more important than loyalty to the lawless leader. It's a simple choice. Even if you do like Trump, you have to admit he's breaking laws all over the place. What kind of president is that? Why not take a stand for your country. Simple choice: Trump or democracy. It's the most important decision of your life.
5
I put my faith in the Courts not Pelosi and Schiff. We’ll see who’s on the right side of the Constitution!
If this keeps up what is next? A military coup?
Trump and all who help him are now treading on dangerous ground.
In particular all of those Republicans in Congress. How can they not insist that Trump either resigns or make it possible to go forward with the inquiry?
Obviously there is no longer a pretense of innocence by Trump, et al. At the very least this is a case of Obstruction of Justice, forget all of those other reasons for Impeachment.
7
The Dems are walking into a trap. Trump is making the issue whether Biden did something unethical... even if it wasn't illegal. Trump will win that argument with Independents. Dems should be focused on the 2020 election and nominating a candidate who is moderate (not Biden, though). Trump has only a small chance of being reelected unless Dems aid him with an impeachment distraction and a far left candidate (open borders, elimination of ICE, free healthcare for unauthorized immigrants, elimination of private healthcare, reparations, free college, etc.).
1
@Chris-zzz
Trump is not winning an argument with Independents. They want him impeached at 57% and 49% want him removed from office.
Letter to Congress: “Your unprecedented actions...”
Is it not ironic that Trump's whole presidency is built upon "unprecedented actions"? In fact it is his unprecedented ways that were responsible for his election and continued popularity. Daily he uses and depends on unprecedented actions.
As usual Trump is calling others for what he does.
If congress is taking unprecedented actions it is because of the unprecedented actions of this unprecedented president who knows no norms or precedents.
3
In this series of almost daily battles,
which amount to a war on many fronts, each with their own levels and qualities, the process, value, norm and ethic of personal accountability,
by an American policymaker,
including the Judiciary,
elected as well as selected,
local, state, Federal, can be redefined.
In addition to renewed anchoring of
the norm that NO ONE is above the law,
is the opportunity, and need, for a
living democracy to effectively challenge
the toxic infectiousness of an
enabled WE-THEY violating culture,
by words and deeds; empowered by
Complacency, Complicity and Corruption.
Constitutional “rights,” are balanced with a
keen awareness of “wrongs,” and types of responsibilities which are to be redefined
over time as realities change for individuals as well as all of our systems,
so necessary for an equitable society to
function,“immunized”with menschlichkeit.
Not only must Trump, a flawed President,
and person, be charged and adjudicated for his provable wrongdoings to
lives, limbs, psyches, a
nation’s security and global role,
FACTS and TRUTHS,
the desecration of the role of Presidency,
so too must each of his known and “hidden-helpers,” in their diverse positions, past and present, be investigated and adjudicated,if legally
appropriate.
Democracy without personal accountability is no more than an
expression of semantic surrealism, as
well as a potential hothouse for an authoritarian, violating, culture to be
seeded and harvested.
WE the People...
5
Hope our House is not distracted by all this noise and bluster. The president has already admitted to crimes publicly and has his personal lawyer in jail for other crimes he committed. Now he is obstructing which is yet another crime. We must do our duty and not allow this behavior. It sets a very bad precedent for our country and the rule of law.
4
The Republicans are happy to take advantage of the simple fact that most Americans know next to nothing about the Constitution. America IS the Constitution.
5
@Cindy L I would differ with you only in this: The Constitution IS America.
Trump’s strategy is clear. He knows that the House will impeach him based on readily available evidence. As of now, the sheep in the Senate will keep him in office. Therefore, he is trying to limit the information that comes out because nine of it will exculpate him. The Democrats will need to issue subpoenas and contempt citations where possible and move forward. One thing for sure with Trump, it will get even uglier.
3
There are people in the executive branch, in this administration who know the truth. I just hope president’s vow to “just say no” to lawful process will be a clarion call to the patriots among them to come forward.
They should come out in droves, under the protection of the whistleblower statute as well as in the safety of numbers. America needs to know the truth about this president. And in face of the stone wall Trump is building around “his” White House, they may be our best hope to find out what he is so desperately trying to hide behind that wall and his curtain of lies.
1
Everything Trump does, says, tweets is direct messaging to his base. It's written by Hannity and Carlson with the sole purpose of appointing as many conservative judges to the bench to gain favorable rulings in commerce law.
True conservatism is not a social movement, it's an economic one. They conserve their own money and use the cash of others to make more. They earn while they are sleeping while the rest of us are spending on high interest loans. We lose money while we sleep.
Commerce law is where is action is, it's most of what SCOTUS does. Abortion, prayer in the schools, wrapping themselves in the flag, and guns is nothing more than brand appeal to the base so they can get to the real work of business law. It harms the "base" every day and they don't know it.
It's perfection :
1. Get the people you're harming to get you in power
2. The more you hurt them the angrier they get.
3. Blame the other guys.
4. They vote for you again!
5. If you ever lose, use your conservative judges to craft favorable law and block liberal judges until you're back in power.
It's court-stacking run wild.
3
Either Republicans in Congress want to live in a Democracy or they support its destruction as planned by Putin and implemented by Trump.
Which is it?
3
Is it possible that President Trump is being unjustly accused and that this impeachment inquiry is politically motivated to embarrass and destroy him? Is this not the second coming of the “Russia-gate” probe? Wasn’t the first round discredited? Are the ringleaders of round two not the discredited cast of characters from round one? Do any of the readers at the Times have any interest in careful investigation and due process?
As I read the responses to this article, I feel like I am being inadvertently dragged into the rush of a lynch mob that is out for justice but moving at break-neck speed across a pond of thin ice. These things excite the heart and provide much immediate gratification for those involved. Sometimes the crowd gets to see swift retribution that was manifestly deserved. But mostly these thing end badly for all involved.
2
@Intellect - The most damning evidence against Trump is coming directly from the White House and Trump himself. The transcript of the call. Trump's open call to China to investigate Biden. And as Exhibit A, the letter to the House of Representatives where declares flat out that he won't cooperate with the investigation.
Would you believe a murderer was being falsely accused if the murderer themselves directed you to the body, turned over videotape showing him entering the building where the crime occurred just minutes before it happened, and, just for good measure, provided the murder weapon?
1
@Intellect What exactly were Hunter and Paul doing in Ukraine. Does the NYT want to interview them?
2
@Kristin
But that’s just it. The transcript is now in the public domain. What EXACTLY did he say that rises to the level of high crimes and misdemeanors?
And that’s the problem. I hear a Democratic Party holding up a huge megaphone then blaring it through an echo chamber, convincing millions based on volume alone. Not gonna cut it in a court of law.
The president and his advisors misunderstand the impeachment process. We are now in the preliminary stage, in which the House gathers information in order to decide whether Enough evidence exists to proceed with a vote to open impeachment proceedings. A trial would occur only if the House votes affirmatively on articles of impeachment and sends those to the Senate.
Thus, to declare at this point that the president is on trial is untrue. If the president has any hope of avoiding impeachment, he should obey the law and comply with the requests and subpoenas issued by the House committees. By declaring an all-out war against the process, by ordering witnesses not to appear, he is obstructing the process of justice, thus racking up yet another impeachable offense. This is the response of a desperate man, a coward, and a fool.
2
Didn't we expect as much? This regime intends to stay in power no matter what the cost. This constitutional tussle is irrelevant in the eyes of mr. trump, he considers himself a dictator and will not step down until he is forcibly removed and his party views our system of government in contempt anyway so you know whose side they're on. His plan is to put his foolish steadfast supporters between him and the American people to maintain his ill-begot position. Unfortunately, the rest of us are not powerful enough to stop this downward spiral so we can only prepare for the worst. RIP US constitution.
2
This post-ironic administration can claim to be trying to fulfill its duties to the constitution and complain about violation of precedent while consistently ignoring the constitution and precedent itself. Giuliani can complain about the house investigation being the "McCarthy committee on steroids" without noting that Roy Cohn, McCarthy's chief counsel, was Trump's political mentor. What a farce.
3
In the article Cipollone's title is White House counsel, but he signed his letter with the title Counsel to the President. Is this difference important?
1
The House is the Grand Jury considering charges.
The Senate is where the trial takes place.
The WH letter is just PR.
If the witnesses and documents were exonerative, they would be supplied to the House.
2
So didn't Lindsey Graham long ago indicate that it was Nixon's refusal to comply with subpoena's that was an impeachable offense? How will Lindsey sashay out of this? If it all wasn't so serious, it would be entertaining.
3
Why don’t all you Democrats focus on trying to win the election instead of trying to waste time and money on a PR impeachment attempt stunt. The behavior of the mass media and Democrats only makes Trumpers angry at you. Max Rose on Staten is as good as toast now. Other Dems in Republican districts will fall too. Keep up your impeachment circus. Many normal people don’t like it. No one tried to impeach or even investigate Obama’s interference in the Israeli elections. Obama targeted getting rid of Prime Minister Netanyahu because he accused Netanyahu of embarrassing him in his address to Congress over the Obama Iran dealings.
1
I don't think the American public needs any more education on the corruption of this President. Draft the articles of impeachment now.
2
another excellent example of how the so-called president believes he is above the law.
and how he continues to lie, deflect, lie, distract, lie, destroy.
And his republican cabal says, "well yes, he is above the law"
sad, sad day for America
1
So now the role of Congress in exercising oversight has become a challenge to Constitution and will have to go to the Supreme Court to find some skimpy excuse for Trump to evade oversight in this “special” case. That 4-5 decision will take about a year to decide, and make oversight a travesty.
Meanwhile Trump will attack Iran, let N Korea nuke S Korea and Japan and open a golf course on the Black Sea.
1
Mr. Trump, a worthy president should defend himself IN the impeachment procedure and not FROM the impeachment procedure.
1
It doesn't matter which political party one aligns with... every American Citizen needs to review history... specifically review pre World War 2... The only difference this time around is that the insatiable power hungry insane dictator wannabe this time around is sitting in the Oval Office and the mastermind of the global military affront is sitting in the Kremlin. ALERT! If Trump's irresponsible actions towards the Kurds is not abruptly addressed by the Senate & Congress we are heading for a disastrous World War. It's likely that Vladimir Putin is salivating with joy right now. The U.S. pull out and Turkey, Iran and Syria go in... Who win's that one folks... (if the world survives?) Mr. Putin... oh and Trump will probably get a hotel or two out of the deal. Mr. Trump is dishonest, irresponsible and corrupt. It is time to put an end to this madness. To do so will require the strength and leadership of Republican and Democratic leaders. The next generation of Americans are counting on us. The madness has to stop!
2
A Florida man was sent to jail for 10 days for oversleeping and skipping his Jury Duty. Laws applies only to the bottom 99%.
12
This is the day. This is the day historians will point to marking the official end of our Democratic Republic.
We are now officially a fascist nation with no enforceable Constitution, with a dictator who has declared himself above all law.
11
Doesn't Congress have the power of the purse? Surely occasions come up that require Nancy Pelosi? When your teenager behaves like a baby, you take the phone away!
3
amazing. If I go 36 mph on an open side street in NYC, there's a camera to make sure I pay the City for this major trangression.
If I take things from Wal Mart, I can expect a visit from law enforcement and a ride in a police car and to meet a Judge.
Tell the House to pound sand when my attempt to pull a geopolitical oil play via extortion is uncovered ? Would you like sugar in that tea ?
Time to stop playing nice-the Dems have brought knives to a gun fight...
8
Thank you for posting this. I couldn’t agree more. I think stuff like this 20 x a day.
2
Your right, Pelosi is not a war time Speaker so not only have they brought knives to a gun fight but they have a cartoon character as their leader
1
The Untouchables ?
4
@Jack as in Hunter and Paul?
1
America becomes a little bit more like russia each day.
12
When will (some) people get it, that this is not about "invalidating" Trump's presidency (although he sure as heck has stopped at almost nothing to do just that to Obama's presidency.
It is about getting to the truth, once and for all, about how corrupt Trump is, and how he's used; misused; and abused his presidency for his own personal gain.
Republicans of practically all stripes, via their unyielding support, are equal parts blindly loyal; and in such an indescribable state of ambivalence and denial. If this is as Jim Jordan for one, see this as a "kangaroo court," what exactly was the grilling of Hillary over BenghaziBenghaziBenghazi? (and we all know how that turned out)
They're just about as shameless as Trump; but we all know what has been said about "birds of a feather....."
9
Impeachment by Congress is a principle embedded in the Constitution so Congress pursuing it in this instance is not and cannot be illegitimate or unconstitutional - quite the opposite, Even a SCOTUS of Trump appointees would have to affirm that. (Although shouldn't Trump appointees recuse themselves as have potential conflicts?). I think it is worth pointing out to those in the Administration that are defying Congress that it is Trump the man being considered for impeachment and not the office of the Presidency or Administration itself. Their Constitutional duty should be clear and that is not to defend Trump the person but the Constitution itself and that means obeying summons from Congress for information and testimony. Final point, if the SCOTUS rules against any Trump motion, will he refuse to honor the ruling and deem the Court illegitimate?
5
Undoing an election? Want to talk about undoing an election? There was an election in 2018 in which American citizens overwhelmingly voted to put democrats in the House of Representatives in response to dissatisfaction with trump. By ignoring the representatives of the people trump is ignoring the end result of a democratic election.
11
When the legislators and executive come to loggerheads, the judiciary needs to intervene. It will be interesting to see whether they are neutral or not!
The world will be watching the success (or the failure) of the US style of democracy and governance.
1
We must not be surprised at this turn of events. Here is a strong proposition: America is not a country of laws. America is a country of the interpretation of laws. If the president is setting a new "precedent", he is interpreting the constitution in a new way. Claiming support in the constitution is in truth claiming support of the interpretation of the constitution. Because of this danger some "originalists" claim the "original intent" of the writers of the constitution. But America's legal system would hardly have survived throughout centuries, becoming a model for many far younger legal systems on the basis of the originalist interpretation. We should know by now the current president thinks he can do whatever he wants. He has publicly said so. If he just has enough lawyers arguing his cases shooting with legal or quasi legal arguments that claim validity, he will be successful. He will be successful because America's legal system is infinitely flexible.
1
I feel for the children, especially the younger ones of the world, especially those here in the United States, who have to see and feel this chaos on a daily basis. My heart goes out to our nations parents and teachers.
2
and to Hunter. Poor Hunter.
Trump will prevail, ultimately because there is no there there, as demonstrated by the repetition of the same set of facts and the testimony of the most senior officials with direct knowledge of events, recent and past, as it regards Ukraine. We don't impeach a sitting US President based on one call that under basic legal analysis is subject to opinion and interpretation. The expansion of the "investigation" to include the budget office and Defense Dept. reeks of desperation. As Trump and Republicans hammer home the skewed process Democrats have selected, one in which witnesses may not be identified or cross examined, where evidence may be kept secret, where only one side has subpoena and investigative powers, etc., the public will demand that democracy be upheld with a vote of the full House. Why do Democrats fear a vote so much? No there there.
3
@Peter The issue isn't just one phone call, but a concerted effort on the part of Trump, Guiliani, Barr, Volker, et. al. to implement a plan to extort cooperation from Zelensky.
Furthermore, it is entirely appropriate to shield the identity of witnesses when Trump publicly suggests executing spies.
3
Don't presume that Sondland would support Trump. His response to William Taylor was simply reporting back what Trump claimed. In phone calls, Sondland may have expressed the same concerns.
Sondland's background does not suggest the darkest partisan motives. He has worked with Democrats. He is more a Bush Republican (H.W.) that Trumpist.
He may or may not have information of real value for the committee, but I see no evidence that he would be complicit in a cover up.
If one of the Democratic candidates for President in a press
conference cited corruption and asked Russia to investigate the Trump family's business dealings in Russia, would that not be considered illegal by the Republicans? Would that request, if granted, not give a foreign country undue leverage over a future President, if that candidate was eventually elected? Would that not be a serious threat to national security and worthy of at least an inquiry by Congress if not a formal removal from office? Republican support for stonewalling this inquiry about the Ukraine phone call and the invitation to China to investigate the Biden family
undermines the Congress's legitimate and constitutional responsibility of oversight and sets a dangerous partisan
precedent for the future.
2
As I recall, early in Trump's presidency it was claimed that he would lead the country into a constitutional crisis. Well here we are.
5
Which other country/countries benefit from the Ukraine Scandal?
Which other country is negatively affected by the Ukraine Scandal?
Who benefits by the withdrawal from the open skies treaty?
Who is negatively affected by the withdrawal from the same?
Which other country benefits from DJT staying in the Oval office after 2020 and beyond.
Questions upon questions, which in my eyes point to a very special relationship..
It nearly feels like there is a quiet overarching agreement of sorts from the get-go with someone who is sometimes openly acknowledged by DJT and sometimes hidden behind a 'No one has been as strong as me on Russia'
1
"Only last week, Mr. Trump publicly vowed to participate in the inquiry, saying that, “I always cooperate” and that “we’ll work together” with Democrats, even though he considered the allegations against him to be meritless."
We don't know that Trump considers the allegations against him meritless, only that he says so. And his actions are consistent with someone who knows he's guilty.
3
One of the questions this raises, again, is his enablers.
Trump’s crimes highlight the machinery and individuals willing to enable him: many in Congress, staff in the White House, his cabinet, news media individuals and organizations (and it’s not just fox), to mention a few.
What the country and the rule of law is up against is a well organized and determined network of individuals using every tool they have to use the system to shield and cover up crimes.
Imagine if the whistleblower hadn’t come forward. There’s probably many more who have seen and witnessed these crimes and yet sit silently by and let criminality at the highest level continue to occur.
It’s this machine of criminality that should leave people concerned. Donald Trump can’t do it alone.
This isn’t the House of Representatives having an impeachment inquiry. It is the democrats in the house that are having it. Every district that has a Republican representing them has no say in the matter. Just sounds wrong on so many levels.
1
@Jim I couldn't agree more - it is so sad that Republicans won't do their duty to uphold the Constitution!
3
Surely the Dems won't display their lack of relevance by taking this to the SC. We already know the ruling: (1) The president wins and (2) Precedence is not attached so this court is free to do a 180 in any similar future case should it involve a Dem president. While it might be entertaining to watch Roberts rationalize (He's to only conservative justice who would bother to.), this is another of the many instances when the folks who comprise Dem leadership/establishment should content themselves with just telling their base, again and again and again, how bad Trump is.
1
Yes I still remember fondly when Hillary became aghast at the idea of not accepting a presidential election result and Obama promised us that a presidential election simply cannot be hacked.
Then the news media set about making Trump’s presidency a living nightmare to prevent him from implementing any of the policies he ran on
2
And I hope it continues to a living nightmare for Trump. He is a criminal and a traitor.
2
they are ham handed, but absolutely right on the merits. let the house have a full vote, speaker pelosi. your refusal to do so is evidence of what this is - a partisan end run. i'm happy to have trump face consequences via a proper process. but democrats, as nearly always, are engaged in propaganda and attempts to subvert proper process.
3
@Dutch Jameson An investigation by the House is not the same as a trial by the Senate. Trump will get his day in court if he is impeached.
2
Trump's refusal to cooperate and failing to comply with the House Democrats' demands for information "could form the basis for its own article of impeachment."
Trump's actions will eventually sink himself, albeit his failure to comply to the House or by supplying the House the information they demanded.
What an incredible "Catch-22" Trump has created for himself.
3
This is a fundamental crisis. Congress must fully exercise its co-equal authority, and this president must be held accountable. If that does not happen, frankly, our Constitution is not worth the parchment it was scratched out on.
3
Let's imagine a private citizen accused of a crime. Just for fun, let's imagine he's a young, poor, black man. Now let's imagine that for some reason, he thinks he might not get a fair shake from the judicial system.
So he refuses to cooperate. Cites the partisan nature of the process. Mentions his responsiblity to future black men to not set a precedent of participating in kangaroo court proceedings.
Anyone have any doubt how that would turn out? Anyone have any doubt about this Administration's reaction to that scenario?
If our laws are just weapons we use against our enemies and the "other", we are no longer the society the founders envisioned, the society our ancestors fought to build and defend, or - frankly - the society the right talks about when it wraps itself in the flag and trumpets about freedom.
6
Trump’s legal arguments and attempts to de-legitimize the Constitutional right of the House to conduct this impeach inquiry are baseless. How is this not affording him due process? How is this unconstitutional? Why don’t the Presidents men substantiate those claims to the American people? They are grasping at straws, deflecting and spinning to change the story. But to offset the the Trump information spin, the House Democrats must play by the rules every step of the way to remain on Constitutional solid ground. Trump wants a House vote - and even though not required, why not take that vote in the spirit of compromise?
@TR NJ You shouldn't compromise with terrorists.
So the Democrats don't like the results of a presidential election so they try to remove a legitimately elected president from office. This is what this is all about. We had all be very afraid as our democracy is at stake. If the Democrats are successful which is highly unlikely no president will ever be safe once they are in office. I fear for the future of our nation.
3
What about the 2018 election? This is about the corruption of this administration seeking to hide their bad behaviors from legitimate oversight provided for in the Constitution.
3
@KMW Democrats are exercising the oversight role defined in the Constitution which says that no president will ever be safe is they commit high crimes such as abuse of power.
2
Correct. There IS no precedent for a president to declare his "great and unmatched wisdom" and blatantly obstruct the other branches of government. He is feverishly digging his own grave now---and tweet bragging about it. Sad day for our country, but tremendously important for ALL elected officials to rise. This is not a partisan time. It is a precipice like none before. We all must respond accordingly and defend our democratic republic. Extra doses of courage for the Republicans who seize this moment and do the right thing.
3
What I do not understand is why didn't Pelosi and the rest of the democratic leadership raise an impeachment inquiry on Innauguration day when there was already evidence of Trump violations of the Emoluments clause and why is this violation and other impeachable offenses being left out? Pelosi is too focused on bringing a perfect case as if this is a criminal trial which it is not. Too much focus on interviewing people who are resistant and overall stonewalling. I wouldn't be surprised if nothing comes of all of this and Trump is re-elected. Pelosi should be ousted whichever way this turns out. She has shown weak and negligent leadership and her comments over the past three years have sounded pro-Trump.
Okay, folks, the time has come. Over four thousand six hundred people have managed to type out a post. Now, take more meaningful action. Flood the senate's telephone lines with calls for them all to stand up to this latest abuse of power.
Write and call your senators from both parties. Demand that they protect the Constitution and the system of checks and balances that protect us from tyranny. I have done so.
They will only stand up when they have proof positive that you demand it of them. Nothing gives them courage like fear of losing the next election.
11
Good idea - the number is 202- 224-3121
3
So what would happen if a person Trump instructed not to testify, did do so anyway?
Why would they have to have the president's permission to speak?
Hopefully, someone will someone enlighten me.
1
They’d lose their job and bring down the scorn of Trumpers on to them.
I'm seeing the faces of Trump, of Pence, of McConnell that are shown with these articles - and, I honestly try, but fail to see human beings in them. Not sure what this is - but I'm afraid these are all very very ill psyches - the kind nobody would want their kids around. Now, that is sad.
4
The Department of Defense used to be called the War Department. After WWII it was felt that the change reflected what America really stood for. With all due respect, I propose that the Department of Justice be renamed The Department of Injustice, at least as long as Bill Barr is the Attorney for Trump General.
3
This is an unconstitutional power grab by a president who is determined to keep his guilt uninvestigated and thus secret--though all the signposts are there. I think we are at a Constitutional Crisis point. If the House Democrats simply add an article of impeachment claiming obstruction on the part of Trump and his administration every time this happens then they have already lost. The House Democrats have powers that they have not used--inherent contempt--which they must gather the courage to use or any kind of challenge to Trump's crimes is a lost cause. And New York Times--thanks so much for putting the best possible spin on this for Trump and his administration. This newspaper daily giving an outlaw cover is getting old and very dangerous to the future of this country.
6
Minority party not allowed to issue subpoenas, President’s lawyers not allowed to attend hearings, witnesses testify in secret, no clue who the accuser is or what his or her motives might be. There has been no vote by the House to authorize an investigation, as has been done historically, simply a proclamation from Pelosi. This is not an impeachment inquiry, this is a railroad job designed to derail the Trump reelection campaign. Fairness and due process are nowhere to be seen. Until and unless the House formally votes to open an impeachment inquiry, the administration is right to treat it for what it is and refuse to participate.
3
Incorrect. Republicans changed House rules to disallow the minority party to issue subpoenas. Current majority are following existing rules and the Constitution while Republicans are whining about their own changes.
2
@BHN The House investigation is equivalent to a grand jury, i.e. witnesses testify in secret (especially when the defendant refers to executing spies) and the defendant and his lawyers are not allowed to be present. If the House impeaches Trump, a trial in the Senate will represent his day in court.
2
Congress--Keep the pressure on! The more desperate and crazy Trump gets, the more likely it will be that people in his administration will abandon ship and testify. The guy has made a lot of enemies during his time in the White House, including House and Senate members who were begrudgingly conscripted into supporting him by Graham and McConnell. All it will take is an organized resistance lead by a senior Senate Republican--Murkowski? Romney?
2
OK Congress. Time to put up or shut up. Every member of Congress, every armed forces service member, every President (including President Trump) took an oath of office to preserve and defend the Constitution--including the system of "checks and balances" contained in the Constitution. Refusing to cooperate with Congress means obstruction of justice. Vote to impeach and let the Republican senators make a choice. If they decide to uphold President Trump then they are "on record" as ignoring the Constitution. Both Republican Senators in Georgia are up for re-election next year and I really, really think Georgia is turning "purple."
4
NYT readers, please be on guard for Trump’s constant lies.
The US Constitution is clear:
The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment. See, Article 1, Section 2, Clause 5.
Nothing in the Constitution limits this power. SCOTUS’ long history of permits Congress to enact its own rules to carry out the constitutional mandates given to Congress.
So if you hear a Trump apologist tell the lie that the House is acting unconstitutionally, tell them that they are repeating a lie and give them the facts.
7
If Mr trump is so innocent why is he hiding. That is the act of a guilty man. All he has to do is cooperate and his innocence will be proven. I think he is as guilty as it gets.
4
Here's a simple mantra that average Americans can understand and embrace: "fair if fair". Therefore, whatever processes and safeguards were in place in the House of Representatives when William Jefferson Clinton was impeached should be in place for Donald J. Trump. The onus is on Nancy Pelosi to explain why those precedents don't apply. Fair is fair!
3
As a life long Democrat, it is mortifying to see Trump kick the Democrats around the block, again and again. Pelosi doesn't look so smart now. If the votes aren't there in the House for impeachment, then enough already. Vote on Friday to authorize the impeachment inquiry and vote next week to impeach. The Senate can clear him and we can steam ahead for an election victory.
1
Teach our children well. This is the time for our children to learn. The entire world is watching. America was supposed to be the most brilliant experiment of hope justice dignity decency.
Thud!!
2
@petey tonei What would you teach Hunter and Paul?
1
There's no question in my mind that Trump is a Russian asset. He has done everything he can to destabilize America and further his own business interests which are tied to funding by Russian oligarchs. Every day brings a new announcement which hurts American security and environmental and human capital, dressed up as "patriotism". A wicked and crooked trick has been played on our electorate.
5
The "undoing the 2016 election" claim is a red herring. The impeachment inquiry is about Trump's corruption, not losing the election.
The White House knows this but is going to its toolbox and using its worn out saw.
Don't be distracted.
6
Refusing to release information to Congress and ordering underlings to ignore subpoenas is consistent with Trump's obsession to conceal his malfeasance, just another instance in a long history of fighting exposure to all his wrongful acts, including tax evasion (he said he would love to release his taxes but they are under audit), paying hush money to women with whom he had extramarital affairs, and now illegally placing his conversations with Zelensky and Putin into a top secret file. Innocent people welcome investigation. People such as Trump who have a lot to hide fight it.
6
Our government is at war with it’s self. Turkey is about to obliterate the Kurds. Trump threatens to obliterate the Turkish economy. ENOUGH . GOP get Trump out of the now.
2
I can't help but think he's simply setting up for his next role as far right martyr....money to be made there....nothing more, nothing less.
Trump recently declared that he has "great and unmatched wisdom." Also he has declared that he is the "chosen one". Now he is declaring that he is un-impeachable and that he is apparently omnipotent, not just above the law but is the law, and is beyond reproach. Is it possible that we might be dealing with a megalomaniac who is about as deluded as a human being can get and that this fact alone at the root of the problem? Just throwing that out there for some consideration.
8
After this latest outrage the Dems had no choice. Trump is his own worst enemy. Contacting a foreign country and pressuring them to dig up dirt on a political revival could not be ignored. There has to be a full investigation. By not cooperating Trump and his minions are showing their guilt. Trump supporters will never accept findings anyway. So many of them refuse to acknowledge the Mueller Report which outlined many obstructive of justice abuses.
6
David Ignatius on MSNBC last night said Trump has a reptilian brain. He said that helps Trump survive crises but is also the reason why Trump finds himself in crisis constantly. So as you said, he is his own worst enemy.
1
..., from afar it seems that “..., a nation of laws” is singularly ill equipped to deal with an administration of outlaws. And so it goes ...
6
You will not get any cooperation from this administration unless you physically make them comply. No criminal shows up in court without first being arrested and jailed.
9
As Trump declares war on the Inquiry he also unilaterally decides to end the U.S. involvement in Syria. Was anyone monitoring this call or was it one more exchange in private as was his meeting with Putin in Helsinki. Wake up Republicans you've installed a dictator.
6
From the “Chronicle of America” - In 1796, after the passage of the Federal Land Act, speculators were buying up land in the Northwest Territory at $2 an acre, but you had to buy a minimum of 640 acres. I guess it made the people of the day mad, and it makes me mad today.
1
800 plus days of nonsense and chaos with Trump after he stole the election with the help of a Russian major cyber attack and disinformation campaign.
By not participating, Trump has guaranteed himself millions of dollars of free media coverage during this presidential campaign. The media waits on his every Tweet.
Of course, Trump and the Republicans continue to deny that they have received millions from Russian oligarchs.
It almost seems that Trump was given a Russian intelligence playbook while meeting secretly with Putin in Helsinki. He plays the public with disinformation, conspiracies theories and division at every chance. He decides in secret to pull American troops from Syria allowing Russia to remain as the sole military power. Just what Putin wants.
What is more disgusting than listening and reading in to the media about Trump as a decent human being and a legitimately elected president, is to see no challenges to a DOJ policy placing him above the law. When has a bureaucratic policy taken precedence of U.S. law. It makes no sense.
4
I fear for the country now. Really fear. There is no way to contain Trump, and he knows it. All this time he's been thought of as a buffoon, but he understood the power of his office and the constitution better than any of us. Congress does not have the power to make him comply. He is a lawless president, answerable to no one. I see now that his "jokes" about not leaving office weren't jokes--they were just him stating his intentions. And, there's no way to stop that either. The US has entered the first period in our history where we have have president with no constraints. A criminal who holds the presidency hostage. It won't be long before anarchy takes hold across the country. It's the logical next step.
4
If Dems want to impeach Trump then they should do so, not put on a circus. This "inquiry" isn't required for impeachment. I don't see why Trump should cooperate with their partisan circus.
1
Donald is obstructing. He's doing the work of the house, self-impeachment.
1
So what is the difference now between us and Venezuela or Cuba or any other autocratic dictatorship? The president is now beyond the law and boundless. What is next? He refuses to leave office? Appoints the military to defend him?
5
Great - occupier of presidency doesn't have to obey the law, then I'm not paying my taxes this year, and neither should the 58%+ of us who recognize he is breaking the law.
2
''Mr. Trump braced for a full-fledged battle, he had lunch on Tuesday with Trey Gowdy, a former South Carolina congressman who has been in talks about joining the president’s legal team. An administration official said Mr. Gowdy, who led the House inquiry into American deaths in Benghazi, Libya, while Hillary Clinton was secretary of state, had agreed to represent Mr. Trump, but two others involved in the matter said it was not a done deal.''
Another of the Best People!
3
Perhaps some of these people who have evidence that the president has behaved in a corrupt fashion or used the office to further his own ambitions, should just leak the information anonymously, via newspapers like the Times or Washington Post. Get their ducks in a row and make sure their evidence is concrete then out him. Never mind going to the Democrats or going through committees where time will be wasted and where it will once again be made to look like the Democrats are persecuting Trump because of bitterness over their 2016 election loss. Get as much information and as many witnesses as you can and come out with it in a way that Trump and his enablers have no forewarning and can't circle the wagons and find ways to subvert or go on the offence. Obviously this administration is not going to play by established rules, so why should any whistle blower do so either. And just maybe someone, somewhere, has enough ethics, to stand up and refuse to be cowed into submission by this organized crime group aka, the Trump administration.
2
This” letter” needs to be replied to immediately and dispatched post haste to burst the bubble of the fantasy world it emerged from where the President is deemed above the law... what utter and dangerous nonsense , it’s evident now that Trump and his enablers in the White House and Republican Party have entered a completely delusional phase and it’s even more evident and urgent that this illegal and unconstitutional behaviour requires the full force of the law to come crashing down on the heads of all those who have peddled, enabled or formulated this lawless fantasy.
We are talking about the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA , it is not now, nor ever will be a monarchy or a dictatorship.
You have been mandated the gavel by the people of the United States in overwhelming numbers for a reason Speaker Pelosi. Time to bring the hammer down , hard, so hard it will echo for generations and serve as a warning to future participants in the political process that such lawlessness will not be tolerated.
5
In the court of common sense this selfappointed emperor is naked. His contempt for the law and for facts is affirmed with every lie and with every reversal of promises made. He has perjured himself in his sworn duties to place the law , the constitution, the country and the citizens from whom the rerives his power above his own interests. He is hiding before the contrived argument that he cannot set precedent that will hurt not only himself but future holfrtd of the office. But truth is that his every selfserving word and deed he is setting a new presidential bar that sinks the office to new lows and paves the way to untold future misdeeds by him and any low life who dreams to follow in his footsteps .We already know plenty from his own words and deeds regarding the conversation with the president of Ukraine. In the court of common sense we know that he has decided that it will be more beneficial to him to stonewall on what we don't yet know than to share it with his constituents. He knows that he has a firewall of protection in the senate. But he knows that the revelations yet to come out would not not be helpfull on the street as he sets the stage for his 2020 show.
1
Go the floor of the House and vote for an impeachment inquiry. History demands it.
3
Is there a march on Washington planned to protest this lawless administration and call for impeachment? Our House and Senate evidently need a lot more proof that most Americans want only law abiding citizens to govern us! I predict the numbers of voters showing up would be staggering. This is madness. Madame Speaker and committees - I hope you are prepared to begin proceedings to charge all who won't appear with contempt. You cannot let this slide any longer!
5
Unfortunately Trump loves a fight and he is clearly willing to bring down the government to "win". The only thing that will stop him is when public opinion, including his base, turn against him. The Democrats have no choice but to move forward with the process but also with an eye towards educating the public about what Trump's behavior really means for this country. Trump is and will continue to fight like the cornered animal he is. We have to rise above him by recognizing that we do not have to embrace the corrupt worldview he represents. Expect a battle of epic proportions time for all hands on deck.
5
Mr. Trump cannot possibly participate in the impeachment investigation. It would be very stressful and he has bone spurs. Come on Congress...are you going to force him to get a doctor's letter again?
5
"Claiming Effort to Undo Trump’s Election"
I am so sick and tired of this sad old characterization.
Here is the premise: Donald Trump was elected so we cannot find fault with his actions or fire him for them else we are trying to undo an election. The rational? We made our bed and now we must lie in it for better or worse whether we like it (and some clearly do) or not. Period. Done. Fini.
Really?
Would any of the people making this claim deny themselves the option of being able to fire someone for their actions after they duly hired them? Remember, right now the people making this claim are arguing before the SCOTUS that they have the right to fire duly hired people simply because of who they are, not having anything to do with their performance.
Would any of these people deny Donald Trump the ability to fire anyone for their actions from his business or for being who they are?
In fact, we can make decisions and then realize that the person we hired, and an election is "the people" hiring someone to do a job for us, is not performing as we expect and we can fire them. Is it "undoing" the employment decision? No, it is realizing that you hired the wrong person for the job. It happens. The fact that the hiree can do XYZ for you does not negate the fact they do it illegally or in a manner that violates policy.
Whether I hire you or invite you into my home I can later realize I made mistake and ask/require you to leave. It's that simple.
12
This is criminal and unfortunately predictable. The same people who are accused of misusing a classification system for national security, are, of course, closing ranks and saying they’re not cooperating in the investigation. Of course they can’t cooperate, precisely because they’re hiding their criminal activity.
It’s also again criminal, because once again Trump is using the government for his own gain, this time to cover his misdeeds. This is lawlessness.
7
In New York mob rules, what Trump and his cronies did is what we call a shakedown. In the White House, it's Trump being Trump.
9
Can't Congress use the power of the purse to squeeze Republican pet projects until they get cooperation? That is ultimately at the root of Congress' power, so they need to use it.
9
CNN's Chris Cuomo just reminded us of what Senator Margret Chase Smith said when she took on Senator Joseph McCarthy namely". I don’t want to see the Republican party ride to political victory on the four horsemen of calumny: fear, ignorance, bigotry, smear.”
It behooves both parties as well as all Americans to remember her words for these four words are definetly un-American.
8
It’s interesting and scary to see the Republican strategy evolving on this. Now they want a vote in the House ostensibly to get subpoena power so they can then call forward random, unrelated witnesses to “muddy the waters”. Give them nothing. Plow ahead. Let Trump continue to look like he has something to hide because he probably does. Note; voters that feel sorry for Trump now ain’t voting for a Demcrat in November.
All the while, he’s on his heels making mistakes (Syria) while Democratic nominees are refining their messages. His continued stonewalling will only cause more anger in Purple and Blue States. It may even flip Texas is the right candidate jumps up soon.
9
Before the hysteria overwhelms everyone, why doesn't Pelosi just take a House vote to commence a formal impeachment inquiry? For the life of me I don't understand why the Democrats are foot dragging on this basic step.
4
Why our democracy, and the written Constitution was a model for the rest of the world, but for us It became a piece of paper with beautiful words only. Trump never had interest to read a book, and can manipulate well all scholars, media, judges..ordinary citizens. He dominated well the GOP a Conservative party with his dirty tricks. We can not fix this problem the way we think, the damage dominated politicians, voters mentality, and most institutions. We have very serious problems .
1
Trump and Republicans have made the calculated choice to not cooperate because if they do even more damaging information will come out regarding the abuse of power and corruption by this president and many in his administration.
Trump believes he can operate with impunity, ignore the law and do anything he likes. He has been emboldened by the vast majority of Republicans in Congress who enable him.
I think he was totally unprepared for the backlash following this whistleblower complaint and the damning nature of what little they released of the July 25 phone call. It is clear he broke federal campaign law, and very likely abused his power to coerce Ukraine into action. The record will bear this out plus God only knows what else.
The Supreme Court will have to uphold the right of Congress to investigate probable criminal behavior by the president and executive branch by compelling relevant witnesses and documents to appear. If they do not, we face the terrifying outcome that the people have lost the ability to enforce the law in the executive.
3
The White House letter: “In the history of our Nation, the House of Representatives has never attempted to launch an impeachment inquiry against the President without a majority of the House taking political accountability for that decision by voting to authorize such a dramatic constitutional step.”
You’re wrong Trump! Nowhere in the Constitution does it say: The full House must vote to authorize an impeachment.
I dare you to show me where this is said in the Article II, section 4 of the Constitution!
8
Getting back to the Biden's for a moment, the editorial today shows that Hunter Biden was, if not technically corrupt, was at least participating in a lucrative business dealing facilitated by his father's position. The NYT says he would never have been taken in on the $50000 per month payout if the Ukrainians did not think that Hunter could and would influence his father to do something good for Ukraine.
This is why (among other reasons) Joe Biden can never be president, should never be president.
Why are the Dems so ham handed about politics? They're going to blow it again by pushing Biden.
2
I am a staunch Democrat. As much as I despise Trump and the Republicans, I think they are actually making a fair point when they demand a formal vote on the impeachment inquiry. Why the hold up? Surely there are enough votes in the House to move this thing forward. Not holding a formal vote makes the Democrats seem week and plays into the argument that this is "just another witch hunt." What are the Dems afraid of? Let's have the vote so we can take the "impeachment illegitimacy" talking point off the table.
2
What happens to regular citizens when they ignore subpoenas? They are held in contempt, fined and or jailed. The same should be true for government officials. Without teeth, these subpoenas
are worthless.
7
Is this the braggadocio who fired people for spectacle on TV during a time of economic strife and war?
3
If we can hold immigrants in cages and tell them to drink from the toilet, we can build outdoor jails for people who defy subpoenas from the House. Make them live in the tents guarded by Military Police until they comply and testify.
7
Can the NYT actually dissect and fact-check the substantive arguments/claims within the letter? I.E. - claims that no other impeachment inquiry has ever been initiated without a congressional vote first being had; is that true? Claims that even Democrats (Nadler) have argued that a President, during an impeachment inquiry, has the right to cross examine, etc etc.; is that true? (Did Clinton cross examine?)
I understand the consensus seems to be that the letter is a fraud but can that be supported by attacking its actual substance?
4
@Pedro Ferrer Trump is making up new rules. A standing House committee does not need special permission to issue subpoenas or investigate the criminal and treasonous behavior of the president.
2
I had the same thought after reading this piece. Four reporters have a byline on the story, but yet there’s still key points that are not addressed. I’m disappointed by the lack of thorough reporting on this story.
1
Let me urge you to go back and watch the video from the House hearings in the matter of IRS Commissioner Koskinen, particularly the comments of Issa, Gowdy and Chaffetz about what constitutes grounds for impeachment. It will make a great campaign ad.
1
When all of this plays out and Trump is either removed from office through a Senate conviction or by voters at the ballot box, the Republican Party is going to have a reckoning as well for allowing a lawless President and Administration to create this havoc, corruption and Authoritarian rule. Their party needs to be obliterated and destroyed completely for what they have done to the country.
14
There's a way to get this back on track. The House could, you know, actually vote to impeach the President. Get all those Dem Congressmen/women in red districts on record. Go ahead. What are you waiting for?
Until then Nancy's "inquiry" gambit is just a bone tossed to the Dem's rabid, far-left contingent. She's afraid of consummating the deal because she was around when Newt Gingrich lost his job–and the GOP lost House seats–after they voted to impeach Bill Clinton on equally ridiculous charges.
Voters aren't fond of the legislative branch nullifying their votes for the executive branch.
3
@CapitalistRoader The Electoral College nullified Hillary Clinton’s 3 million vote defeat of Russian-aided Trump.
1
@proffexpert Huh. The last time I read it, the Constitution says that the Electoral College elects presidents, not the popular vote.
But, go ahead and blame it on Russia rather than your awful candidate who breezily wrote-off 1/3rd of voters as "deplorable" and "irredeemable."
Why oh why didn't they vote for her?
In the general American population we are finding out right now whose Mom and Dad never taught them the difference between right and wrong.
3
This terrible, terrible, lawless and incompetent President. Have we learned anything from this debacle? The existential dread created in most ethical, moral and concerned citizens can't be overstated. We're abandoning our international allies and our own citizens and military, trying to curtail instead of expand civil rights, enrich the rich, crush the poor. How anyone in this country to point to the behavior of this President and say "yeah, that's MY leader" is beyond me. Were he the head of any company in this country, he would have been fired YEARS ago.
7
Hopefully the stonewalling will encourage more leaking .
7
The Trump Administration is desperately trying to cover up the cover-up of the cover-up.
Is this more of that "winning"?
4
Isn't it time to throw these criminals in jail? Why shouldn't any criminal just refuse to to show up when summoned to court? Throw Sondland in jail. If Trump declares "war" on the impeachment inquiry started at the ongoing behest of the American people to have their elected representatives do their Constitutional duty, then his Republican administration has declared war on the American people. Do his cult followers want a King? A Dictator? Is that what Americans died for over and over again? He's supposed to represent the United States, not just his fake reelection like a Putin wannabe and failing businesses. Why anyone would want the Trump name on their business is beyond me. Wouldn't you like your tax dollars spent on something besides Trump's lawyers, Trump's "wars", Trump's nonsensical foreign policy, Trump's walls? You gotta hand it to him. He never faced a depression, a war, an attack on the United States, and yet, he's still the puniest president we've ever had. Way past time for change!
3
‘ “I suggest we stop the back and forth by text”, Mr Sunderland added’ ... in a text.
3
DT’s playbook is, you say I stole an election? -No you, did! You say, my family is abusing my office for personal gain? -No, yours is! You say, I’m violating the constitution? -No, you are! It’s so childish and transparent, yet it seems to work for the base.
14
Nah, the thrice married, draft dodging serial adulterer has nothing to hide.
3
Republicans say, "Let's just do this."
Democrats wonder, "How do we do this?"
2
“Constitutional crisis” is a bit much to describe the actions taken by Trump to defend himself against the attempted coup being orchestrated by Pelosi and Schiff. If there is a constitutional crisis, it’s provoked by them.
10
Looked at from abroad, Edward, it appears to me that your president has added political corruption to the existing evidence of economic corruption. Do you really to make the US look like Putin's Russia?
5
@Edward - Gimme a break. When did adherence to the rule of law rise to the level of a coup?
2
Let the house call the floor vote. Let the house republicans have subpoena power so they can get to murky depths .. this could get real interesting and backfire big time:
Byron York reports at the Washington Examiner:
"The whistleblower whose complaint resulted in the current impeachment inquiry isn't just a registered Democrat, but had a professional relationship with one of the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates."
P.J Media asks:
This now raises some important new questions, like: "Which candidate did the whistleblower have a professional relationship with?" "What was the nature of that relationship?" "Were they in contact and possibly coordinating?"
7
@Bhaskar: None of that matters. Not even a tiny bit.
What matters is the truth about the events the whistleblower reported and other related events and actions. And we have seen, already, more than enough evidence to indicate that the complaint is well-founded.
The issue is that Trump appears to have used US foreign policy as a tool to improve his election chances. It makes no difference who caught him. He's been caught, whoever it was.
43
who cares? the account was still determined to be credible and now there is another whistle blower.
9
My Question: Where's your evidence. Democrats don't anything but the transcript of the call where Trump's own words implicate him.
Have we reached the point in this country when the minority in an election will always seek to undo it? The voters knew quite well what they were getting when they elected Trump but Democrats have a hard time accepting how much voters deplored them. I say let Trump be Trump for another year and let voters have their say again. Based on my assessment of Democratic candidates Trump will be re-elected and then what do we do? Impeach the American public?
18
In case you didn't know, Hillary won the popular election and the Electoral College, in their infinite arrogance, insisted that they knew better.
It's high time that we eliminate this anti-democratic institution.
20
The majority of voters did NOT vote for Trump. And, considering the blatant election interference he's soliciting from foreign governments, there's a real threat that the election in 2020 will be utterly compromised. Why in the world are you ok with this?
26
@Confused
If Trump is re-elected he will never survive another four years. It will be the Republican Party that forces him out.
2
As the article notes, the constitution provides that " The House shall have the sole power of impeachment". That power is not relegated to the speaker, the leadership of to committee chairs. The HOUSE must vote to rebut Cippilone's claim of illegitimacy.
11
We are in an inquiry. The Constitution does not require a vote on an inquiry. When the inquiry is completed, they will vote on impeachment, as is required. Please do not propagate misinformation.
15
Good for the White House. If the House Democrats don't demonstrate the courage of their convictions with a vote on impeachment, why on earth should the White House cooperate with people who are trying to destroy them?
10
@SinNombre
Would you vote for anything BEFORE you investigated the issue(s)?
14
It's called the rule of law.
4
@Blank C'mon...the "investigations" are merely fodder to build a case for a formal impeachment vote and you know it. How much more do we need to know about the current "clean" charge the Democrats dream of? Nothing!! It is as clear as day and any prolongation of the discussion is only meant to impact negatively the White House. Democrats need to own this. VOTE!!
1
What an exceptional letter from the President’s Counsel. This farce of a Democrat coup should be shut down immediately.
13
@Peter I suggest you give yourself a recommend because there may not be many others.
That comment is disinformation. It is Donald the man 0f unmatched wisdom who is looking for a coup - one full of chickens where he can lay the fox with the help of Fox News.
A coup is in the other sense an armed take over of the existing government. The Democrats are conducting a Constitutionally mandated judicial proceeding. To see a coup perhaps you could cite the take over of Kurdish land with innocent Kurdish allies of the USA being slaughtered through Donald's gross ineptitude.
11
@Peter, this is only a coup in the alt-righternate reality.
11
Yeah. Who cares about obstructing justice. He’s above the law. His lawyers say so.
10
Time for:
Protests as in Eastern Europe? Hong Kong?
Civilian coup - 25th amendment?
Military coup?
9
President Trump likes a good fight and this was tailor made for him. He is right to fight this battle against the attack dog Democrats. Many of us are rooting for him and want him to win a second term. He has done so many good things for our nation. He will be triumphant and the winner in this insanity brought on by the Democrats.
7
@KMW
Trump attack dogs like you always say he’s done so many great things for our nation, but never mention what those great things are. Apparently, like your leader, you believe that just saying it makes it so.
14
What are these many good things? I hear this again and again from his supporters, but the things are never identified. Because to many of us, he has not done any good things and has made life miserable.
13
@KMW If the President only has to comply with an investigation based on what he decides to be legitimate or illegitimate, then Congressional oversight is finished, for Trump and future Administrations. Are you okay with that?
6
This is the perfect move for Trump to make. The Democrats and their incessant impeachment obsession has got to end. What has any Democrat done to help this country in the last 2 years? They seem to be eternally committed to rewriting the election results rather than admit defeat, improve their message and go forward and actually try to win an election. I would also add to work with the current president regardless of how they think about him and do something for the American people. If they think he's garbage then try to make something with the garbage.
10
@joe Rich comment lambasting the Democrats, when the GOP swore to act obstructionist throughout the Obama years (McConnell's desire to make Obama a 'one-term President'). And you mean to tell me that the GOP stood up to the NRA after Sandy Hook, and children were murdered? You mean to tell me that the GOP didn't wreck the economy with its endless wars, leaving it to the Dems to fix (and hand on to Trump)?
It's one thing to work with a POTUS who has ideas. It's another when the POTUS is an ignoramous, who does not understand government or science, and who, apparently, has no qualms with Nazis or dictators.
There is really no other option for any patriotic-minded citizen than to endorse impeachment. And I'd like to remind you that the Democrats consistently win the popular vote -- it's the GOP out there, defending the outdated Electoral College and seeking to disenfranchise voters.
If it's garbage, then take out the trash. Right?
8
You guys don’t get it. This is not about election defeat in 2016. This has always been about a person infinitely unfit to be president (first outrage) committing all kinds of affronts since he entered office (more outrage) and now, in full view of all of us, committing high crimes (complete outrage). Donald Trump is a traitor and does not care a whit about this country and what we all used to fondly call the American way of life. What is it about that that you like?
6
When we are ruled by an out of control tyrant who runs roughshod over the constitution how do you expect Congress to react other than a well deserved impeachment?
4
This man was "investigated" (spied upon) while he was running for president, and every second since he was elected president. Enough is enough !!
He has no reason to "cooperate" with Mr. Schiff. The 2020 elections will determine if he deserves another term of office or not.
2
Investigated for good reason.
1
That is not how our system of checks and balances works. Mr Trump has admitted to requesting of several foreign powers an investigation of a private U.S. citizen. He and his minions deserve to be investigated. His burgeoning dictatorship must end.
7
The White House letter today is quite eloquent and well reasoned. I daresay it may someday be enshrined alongside the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution as the document that saved the American Experiment in Democracy in the Twenty-First Century.
9
The phrasing in this letter may seem “eloquent “ but it is the concept that is at the heart of it. This President believes his own fantasy that he is immune from U. S. law. He has openly defied Congress’ request, thereby inviting service of a subpoena for the information. He will not be able to avoid such a legal demand. He is in fact not above U. S. law.
3
@Siwanoy And here I thought that letter would be the most insane thing I'd read today, but you've gone and outdone it!
3
Sarcasm or senility?
1
Friendly reminder, Mr. Sondland is the proud owner of a number of eminently boycottable properties in Portland, OR and Seattle, WA.
Feel free to avoid these places if you ever visit the PNW!
46
Palm Springs too.
5
@EMT this comment is what the essence of political activism and resistance to fascism is all about! Excellent and patriotic, something that might have been said in 1775 by the patriots that founded this country, and wrote the Constitution. What hurts the greedy most is when you squeeze their purse.
1
Undoing the vote was the democrat playbook since the day after the election. But, We The People shall prevail.
We are The People. Hear Our voices roar when We vote again.
Uh, Democrats were elected to the house majority last year. And Trump lost the vote of “the people” by 3 million.
Which “we” do you think you’re speaking for? Certainly not the majority.
2
Voices already roared. Clinton beat Trump by 3M votes in 2016. Disappointed but loyal Americans respect to electoral college result. We just have a problem with "high crimes and misdemeanors ". We just believe in the Constitution and rule of law. That's a "game plan"?
1
Adam Schiff blew it bigtime, I watched him do that dumb giddy performance piece and knew he totally screwed up. What was he thinking? In a court that would have been an instant mistrial. Trump is doomed though, even the low information voters know he clearly broke the law. I hope he stalls and continues to lie and then is "impeached" at the voting booth in 2020.....
4
@LG
Thank God for Adam Schiff. He is a hero, and extraordinary American.
1
Any impeachment will upset the so-called vote. The Constitution provides for impeachment as a vital tool in the investigation of a presidency that, in this instance, has put his personal interests over the security interests of this country.
Trump is dumping any argument on the public to avoid one of the primary Constitutional jobs of Congress; namely, to be our "checks and balances" over the Executive Branch malfeasance through the action of an impeachment investigation. There is plenty of evidence to start an impeachment.
Dumping false innuendo and lies, Trump's action to prevent testimony before Congress only makes the duty of Congress to investigate malfeasance by a president that much more imperative.
Trump cannot decide the parameters of a Congressional investigation. Every step he has taken so far has been to conceal, obfuscate and avoid. Those actions alone are impeachable. Otherwise, our Constitution becomes nothing more than lip service tripe for an authoritarian wannabe. Are those usurpers around Trump looking for a lifetime job-by-dictatorship in exchange for them to have turned their backs on our centuries' old rules for a democracy?
This is not a dictatorship. Those who provide cover for this usurper are acting in violation of their oath of office and must eventually be dealt with so that they never see the inside of any other governmental office...not even dog catcher.
22
I’m afraid this has become a dictatorship. Trump and allies have effectively staged a coup.
“those who provide cover”
Consider:
ALSO include
all too many ordinary people who choose to be complacent about what IS that
should never BE.
Those amongst US who choose to BE Willfully blind;
Willfully deaf;
Willfully indifferent;
Willfully ignorant, of available-accessible FACTs;
Willfully discriminating and violating.
Willfully excluding;
Willfully mistrusting;
Willfully uncivil;
Willfully marginalizing;
Willfully dehumanizing.
Trump, as a person, and as a flawed President, and an irresponsible
Commander in Chief, did not
create America’s historically rooted
legacy of a WE-THEY violating culture.
WE the People have, and continue to
seed, care for, harvest and sustain
such a culture. Daily. All over.
Ridding the blight of Toxic-Trump
won’t protect an infected democracy
which tolerates personal unaccountability
by its elected and selected policymakers.
At ALL levels. All over. Then. Now. Tomorrow?
Trump is projecting again. The only "kangaroo court" is the one led by Mitch McConnell. The House isn't even a court. They're the state prosecutors.
15
I have a feeling that if we dig into this deep enough, we’ll find out that trump never actually “won” the election at all.
The Russians hacked into voting machines into at least TWO FL counties that we know of. My guess is the same thing was happening in MI, PA, WI and OH.
The more trump resists and the more he outright admits to election tampering, the less I and many others believe he actually won the election.
Trump knows what happened and knows he cannot win without foreign help. This is beyond bots and propaganda.
Let’s call it for what it is. Russians and other players hacked our election machines in 2016 and will do so again in 2020, and there is nothing our government will do to stop them.
15
@Kat
And Alaska. Was watching election and suddenly the Republican vote count jumped after sitting static for ages and everyone was scratching their heads trying to understand how it could have happened. Really odd and there's no way of stopping it from happening again.
1
Think 10 years ahead and D. Trump is a former president without any impeachment narrative. Wouldn’t that be strange after all the damage he has done as a POTUS to the U.S. and the world?
3
Trump just keeps on cheating. Thanks to McConnell, he will get away with it.
10
“l'état, c'est moi” or “I am the state,” so said the French King Louis XIV.
18
The irony of it all, a former television comedian in Ukraine bringing down a former television executive in America who used to say, ahem, “you are fired.”
8
Trump doesn’t obey the law as broadly outlined in our constitution and respected by 250 years of practice.
A fine example of why you and I no longer need to obey our laws.
Let the fun as a banana republic begin.
5
What a loser Donald J. Trump is. He thinks the American people are going to give him a pass. Deep down I knew when he took the oath of office that it was only a matter of time before he went down under his own hand. Once a con man, always a con man. Congress, do your Constitutional duty!
18
The American people in general won’t give him a pass, but some of their elected officials are.
Pat A. Cipollone, Counsel to the President contends that Democrats are acting unconstitutionally with purpose to influence an election. Cipollone suffers convenient amnesia of McConnell's announcement, within hours of confirmation of Scalia's death, that the Senate would not process Obama's SC nomination and, instead, hand it to 2016 winner.
Cipollone's complaints about Congressional Oversight probably should be heard, just like all of the White House staff should have been heard in the Mueller hearings. Cipollone's letter is fishing for a way for Trump's Congressional defenders to speak and to impune Oversight leadership, and Congress gets what? Cooperation? No, if Sondland, etc did show-up, Administration officials and WH staff would still be gagged by WH instructions.
The crux of Cipollone's non-cooperation:
"That record clearly established that the call was completely appropriate, that the President did nothing wrong, and that there is no basis for an impeachment inquiry. At a joint press conference.. President Zelenskyy agreed that the call was appropriate, In addition, the Department of Justice announced that officials there had reviewed the call after a referral for an alleged campaign finance law violation and found no such violation."-8Oct2019 letter
The opinions of WH Counsel and Ukrainian President opinions carry no weight; and William P. Barr is finally getting WHAT HE CLAIMS is the only mechanism for addressing high crimes and misdemeanors -- impeachment.
10
Trump attacks the process, not the facts.
A sure sign of guilt that every criminal attorney understands.
14
Wow. Trump's lawyers just make stuff up as they go along. Apparently, none of them has ever read the Constitution.
19
Trump is whistling to his base when he calls this lawful inquiry an attempt to undue the 2016 election. As Maggie Haberman said recently, until now he's led a consequence-free life, and he expects nothing to change. The law is for losers.
Mr. Trump, you won. Get over it. Accept it, like the rest of us have had to do. All you wanted was to play President on TV -- a reality star, but with a bully pulpit. But the American Presidency comes with a set of rules and responsibilities you took an oath to uphold. And now you're being held to account for fulfilling your oath. If you don't like it -- please, take your toys and go home.
16
Issue subpoenas, enforce them through the courts, find other ways to get evidence, lean on executive staff who might not want to go to jail, dare Trump to pardon people.
Take it to the hoop. This is pretty much it, people, this through the election. We have to get this maniac out.
Here's an idea: all those brave patriots working in the admin can quit, right now, and show up in Congress to testify, under oath. Let Trump try to come after you after the animals are out of the barn. Have some courage, have some patriotism.
17
Also, withhold funding immediately, and across the board except in situations where the public welfare is at risk. Power of the purse is immeasurable leverage against a man-child obsessed with money.
1
Even before Trump was elected, his MO was apparent. At this point, the Government of the United States has gone ROGUE with the GOP congress supporting illegal activity.
These are self-serving individuals who got elected on a bed of lies by ignorant people who bought their deception.
11
You should call it a constitutional crisis, not clash.
14
Build a huge case, cause positioning and the typical Arturo Ui posturing for superficial fights by the Fox News star. Then drop the process suddenly (if ineffectual) to highlight the new candidates. If the Senate doesn’t want to play jury, then 150 million citizens can.
2
So it appears the president is above the law. Ok Then, I will now stop paying my taxes. I will no longer show up for jury duty and what the heck, next black Friday I'm not only going to get discounted items I'm actually not going to pay at all. I will probably get arrested but then go to court and claim to be innocent cause I can prove precedent that laws don't apply to everyone, I chose they don't apply to me.
14
We deserve reassurance our taxes won’t be used as part of a bribe to foreign governments to dig up dirt on The “president’s” rivals. This seems fair. Put tax $ in escrow until after he’s out of office.
2
There is no original Republic party any more. It is trump party.
12
Trump will prevail, ultimately and in this battle, as he and Republicans hammer home what a mockery
1
Right on queue: Sondland refuses to sit for deposition. No proper reason given - no claim of executive privilege, just “the WH told me not to, so of course I’m bound to do as they say, since I work at the pleasure of...” The Democrats and the people’s House, will continue to have their lunch money taken away until they stand up to the bully. These new times call for new tools. Inherent contempt is not feasible since the House has no jail and would have trouble siting one, but they have other ways to generate pressure. Sondland has received a subpoena. When he ignores it, the House should immediately hold him personally in contempt, then fine him (fines starting at $25k per day, doubling daily), then fine his merchant bank Aspen Capital and hotel chain Providence Hotels the same, then ask state attorney generals to refuse to certify any documents or work orders for deals for entities where Amb Sondland is a beneficial owner deals. Amb Sondland should be forced, personally, to choose between the interest of the country or the narrow interests of his political benefactor. Without teeth, House subpoenas are worthless.
827
@Max
Max - please send that to all of your representatives, the chairs of the impeachment-related House committees, the Democratic caucus, Aspen Capital, Providence hotels and anywhere else your fine-tuned expertise leads you. Well done, sir!
56
@Max :This is exactly why I; and many others around the world; have grown so weary of this entire sad sorry Impeachment spectacle. What difference does it make when Democrats continue to issue subpoena after subpoena ; and Trump and all his sycophants just sit back, laugh, and tells Congress to go chase itself. If nothing else Trump has exposed a myriad of weaknesses in your Constitution and supposed system of checks and balances. Hehas defied 243 years of historical precedent and basically declared himself King. So what are you prepared to do about it? Up until now; NOT MUCH!
68
@Max
“Inherent contempt is not feasible since the House has no jail and would have trouble siting one….”
How about making space available at a migrant detention camp in Texas? In any case, the House will continue to be victimized by this administration and its attempts to thwart the impeachment process. They need to develop a legal resolution to these contemptuous responses, and implement it immediately and consistently. The time for discussion and hand-wringing is over.
57
You're losing us USA. Soon much of the world will have nothing to do with your amoral government and its twisted evangelical side show.
10
@KA
Yes, exactly. And it seems that people from nations outside the USA see it most clearly; objective perspective. I had a prof some years ago who saw this coming and told us so. Further, this is not something that can be fixed. Once trust is lost, it is lost.
@KA exactly the sentiments expressed in Margaret Atwood’s new book, “The Testaments”! Bravo!
Should the House have the power to detain those who do not respond to subpoenas now is the time to act upon it.
The Trump Obstruction of Justice rodeo must end.
12
Donald is betting that he's above the law and that enough Americans are in agreement. That's a pretty sad state.
7
Trump's tax returns are key. If the returns are released and an analysis shows him to be either a tax cheat and/or money launderer, that's the third strike. No sense in bringing articles of impeachment to a vote until that information is known. If it is true, Republicans will desert the sinking ship as if it were the Titanic.
9
Trump is declaring war on our Constitution and on the fairness of elections that guarantee Democracy.
Dictators undermine elections.
9
Is there a way Congress could freeze the assets of the people who refuse to appear in front of Congress? That might get their attention.
9
Trump accusing Pelosi of “unprecedented actions”, that’s rich. Trumps entire presidency is one unprecedented action after another.
And: “In order to fulfill his duties to the American people, the Constitution, the executive branch and all future occupants of the office of the presidency...” The only duty Trump feels he has is to himself, or at most his base. But certainly not “the American people”.
10
Well. Might as well add all the obstruction of justice instances in the Mueller report to the impending articles of impeachment.
Pile it on so the public and posterity knows the full record of Donald J. Trump.
He should be in all future political science textbooks as an example of extreme presidential abuse of power.
That’ll be your parting gift to our country Don.
6
In 1974, as the investigation of Nixon was completed and impeachment was imminent, no one suggested it was "overturning over the results of the 1972 election". Everyone agreed it was removing a criminal from the White House. Here we are, 45 years later, and history will repeat itself.
12
This "president" is the laughing stock allover the still sane inhabitants the world over. As an American as well Swiss citizen I am getting tired of having to defend myself all the time. In 2016 I did not vote for this joker that is "blessed" with great and unmatched wisdom. At this point I don't care which democratic contender is nominated. As far as I'm concern I would even vote for a mouse, as long it is a democratic mouse. Even that would be better than what we have to content with right now.
9
Short and simple.
Anyone who defies a legitimate congressional subpoena or withholds evidence (which is the property of the American people) gets arrested and goes to jail and stays there until they agree to testify under oath or provide the evidence.
Imagine if Nxon had erased more of the tapes than just 19 minutes of incriminating recordings?
Many journalists have gone to jail rather than reveal sources. What is wrong with some jail time for these fat cat donor class white collar co-conspirators?
Congress should also find a way to cut the White House Budget so no more taxpayer funded golfing vacations at Trump’s own properties.
Trump is not king.
10
So this is the totally predictable party line now. It’s rather weak, because impeachment isn’t a time machine that erases his deplorable presidency from history (would it were). And he’s getting impeached anyway. That’s the fact. All this does is make the popular-vote losing criminal look less transparent.
4
Ironic that Trump wants to cite "precedent" as a reason to discredit the investigation. If Trump is anything, he is unprecedented.
4
Don’t the White House employees understand that they have a use by date?
Trump will go, either at the next election or the one after......so who would employ them is such circumstances. Short term loyalty doesn’t put food on the table.
1
The impeachment inquiry is similar to, but in someways distinct from, grand jury investigations. It is not the actual trial, that occurs after the inquiry creates a list of charges, and the House votes to submit them to the Senate for trial. The main distinction between a grand jury investigation and an impeachment inquiry is that the inquiry is a political, not a legal, procedure. It doesn't have to follow the exact protocols for a witness appearing before a grand jury. Also, the Constitution states that the House may set the rules for the inquiry.
Given that, however, let's look at grand jury protocols. According to an article on Justice.gov concerning appearances for testimony before a federal grand jury, "If you fail to appear, you may be sited for contempt of court. An arrest warrant could be issued." Also, "During an appearance before the Grand Jury, a witness is required to answer all questions asked, except where the privilege against self-incrimination would apply. A knowingly false answer to any question could be the basis for a prosecution of the witness for perjury." Additionally, "A witness may consult with an attorney before testifying and a witness may have an attorney outside the Grand Jury room."
The letter from White House Counsel tries to have it both ways, demanding legal protections that pertain to a trial, but takes advantage of the fact that the inquiry is not an actual trial. Typical Trumpian tactics, trying to have it both ways.
8
It's sad that we are heading down this path, but the Impeachment process has no option but to proceed. This will surly go before the Supreme Court. I'd be very surprised if they rule in favor of Trump. If they do, this country is in a brand new ball game.
5
If only we had the best and brightest, most capable and competent candidates running against him. Unfortunately, the dems running against him, I fear, will not take him down, if he survives this and runs for a second term. No candidate has the right skill set to take him on. Obama might have been able to do it, but at this point Warren is our only chance.
Next step - a letter from Trump’s lawyers stating the White House will not take part in the 2020 election because it is only an effort to remove Donald Trump.
15
So creating more obstruction must be much better for Trump than complying. It most be worth than what has been public until now.
3
@Aurace Rengifo
Errata: should read
"...be worse..."
This has at last come to the flashpoint, the Executive branch flat out defying the Legislative branch and refusing to play by the rule of law laid out in the Constitution. If this goes down, it all goes down.
6
Strange to say, but never more so than now, I see "Trump the little boy" screaming as loud as he can "No, I Won't!" and Nobody can make me!" and holding his breath until he turns blue, or a bluish shade of red, or orange. Whichever.
Never having learned adult responsibility or accepted accountability, Trump throws impressive fits with years of practice and habit behind him. Not that it make his stance any less offensive and even dangerous. But it does leave sober-minded adults (like judges and congresspersons) perplexed about how to deal with an explosive man-child wrapped in presidential power.
It would be wise to, while taking the obvious and necessary steps to secure legal compliance, also keep an eye out to make sure the tyke doesn't decide to, figuratively speaking, torch the house in the middle of the night.
4
Pelosi should hold a voice vote of yay or nay. That way no one is on record with a name to a vote. I've seen it done over the years. Of course Trump will move the goal post and come up with another requirement. But the vote is just as good.
No, Trump has no authority in the house. To capitulate to his extraconstitutional demands would set an unconstitutional precedent.
Trump, Giuliani and other Republicans are calling the House's inquiry a joke. Time to deliver the punch line!
6
Luckily for our nation, the Supreme Court hasn’t been loaded with Trump appointees. Otherwise our descent into fascism would be a forgone conclusion.
7
As I expected there is no way Giuliani is going near Graham's bogus senate inquiry. He would be under oath and under the scrutiny of people like Harris who knows how to question criminals because of her experience as a prosecutor. Rudy's screaming act would cut no ice and he would be having to take the 5th.
4
What won’t this White House say to abet it’s record breaking malfeasance? For starters, anything resembling the truth.
5
Trump knows this will end up at the footsteps of the Supreme Court which strongly supports the president.
In fact, I would not be surprised if the president's men have not already talked with the Supreme Court justices to find out what excuse they can use that the Supreme Court will be able to use to determine why trump does not have to turn over evidence, let people be interviewed, etc.
It's not just the Republican Senate that will vote no to impeachment.
The Supreme Court will prevent any evidence to be entered.
17
@esp I think this is a done deal with the Supreme Court.
The letter to the House refusing to provide anything gives me a gut feeling that he feels the Supreme Court will back him.
4
If/when that happens we will have to face the fact that we no longer live in a democracy. We live in a oligarchy, deeply entrenched and deeply corrupt. I want to believe we still have institutions that will put country before their own enrichment, but the fact that this is even a question shows how far adrift we are.
2
I hope you’re wrong. But as with every contact with Trump, it will come down to the strength of each individual Supreme Court member’s integrity. Let’s join Nancy Pelosi, who touches my heart when she says she prays for the President, and pray for each of the justices (some may need our prayers more than others).
The House should call the huffing and puffing and humbug of Trump's lawyers. The House is fulfilling its Constitutional duties, period. The president has no standing in deciding which witnesses are to appear for the House and what evidence is to be collected and how. He has no standing in dictating how the House does any of its investigations. The witnesses the House calls are obliged to appear notwithstanding anything coming from the WH and face consequences if they don't. Any threats against witnesses coming from the WH should be sharply and promptly rebuked and added to the list of impeachable offenses. A public statement to that effect would help in educating the public.
38
@Anna If the house can't even enforce its subpoenas, what else can they really do? What powers do they have other than to generate a lot of paperwork?
6
@Anna
The talk on the other side is that the House hasn’t committed to a proper impeachment inquiry, requiring a vote, evidently? Hence, Trump’s refusal to comply. But, I don’t know, I’m only repeating what I hear.
1
@rebecca1048: Trump has no standing to dictate the House how to conduct an impeachment inquiry. The House has that authority already as part of its oversight duties with or without a vote, and the Speaker of the House has the authority to call an impeachment inquiry. A vote would be redundant.
2
Well, here we are. Trump has officially declared that he is above the law and checks and balances are dead. My only surprise is that it took three years.
Anybody taking bets on how the Roberts court will rule on all of this? Anyone gambling on free and fair elections or a peaceful transfer of power? Because I wouldn’t.
46
No, the lawlessness is from Democrats who fear a vote and open hearings. Why the secrecy? Why so much fear of a vote? Democrats are losing and they don't even know it.
We are all here in this little bubble chatting to ourselves - getting all worked up. We don't matter because we didn't vote for Trump.
The people who need to care about this are the Republicans. In particular - the Republicans in power. The ones sitting across the isle.
Where is John McCain when we need him?
18
Message received. We know peoples living in London did not vote.
@Brewster Millions Some Americans do not live in America. :-)
3
"Where is John McCain when we need him?"
Watching with bemusement as his name is covered on a warship so as not to offend the Commodore of Jamaica Estates.
Would McCain have voted to remove Trump?
I think this mess presents an opportunity for a third party to spring up. There must be disaffected people who are loyal to the constitution and anti the conspiracy theorists. A third party could provide balance in the system.
3
@Joyce
Standing in the middle of a fast moving two-lane highway. Brilliant.
3
We have clearly moved into a new era here in the US, namely one in which obeying the law is optional. If none of the laws in the US pertain to the Trump administration I see no reason for them to
pertain to me.
The US is either a nation of laws or it is not. It really is that simple.
57
@Jim Dickinson Oh the US is a nation of laws alright, they just don't apply to the wealthy.
2
Since when is it unconstitutional to investigate a possible criminal act without allowing the criminal full access to the investigation? Isn't it during the trial, which this inquiry may lead to, that we allow the defendant access to all evidence? I'm not a lawyer, but I watch lawyers on TV. Maybe Trump's lawyers should watch an episode of Law and Order before making specious arguments.
27
@Lens Probert
The Times is dropping the ball by not having articles explaining the law behind all this.
Must a vote be taken?
Must all witnesses in an inquiry have a lawyer with them when questioned?
I frankly do not know, and all of us are here, arguing over just these questions.
2
This is the worst case scenario that those of us who prone to that sort of thinking envisioned in 2017.
If the GOP allows this to continue, God forbid he should run again, they'd best drop hypocrisy about upholding our Constitution.
21
Any and every impeachment of an elected official is for the purpose of removing that person from office, which by definition is to overturn the results of the election which put him/her in office. The White House is spouting a truism disguised as an indignant accusation.
36
@Deja Vu
This must be taken up by the Dems.
Its basic Con Law. Besides, even if removed, the GOP retains the WH. Right now, the GOP would have Americans think that once Trump is impeached, Hillary gets installed.
The warning could not be more obvious. DT is betting he can drag the impeachment out to 2020, where he's thinking it will launch him toward a second term. If that happens, it's not wild speculation that our democracy will end. DT will be dictator and may disband the Constitution, for sure end the free press, and God knows what else. I hear from people it can't happen there. It is.
33
@Ken
Nothing gets disbanded. Like oh too many
republics in South America in the past, the structures of our government remain intact.
But they cease functioning as they should. The Congress becomes a rubber stamp to the Leader. The Constitution is ignored. The people get to "vote" in elections that have forgone conclusions. The press is cowed by "disappearances" that occur in the middle of the night. Similarly with judges.
Only the "great families" hold real power.
This White House complaining about another branch of govt. not following precedent is rich. Trump has run so far out of the base paths he ought to be called out on that alone. Also when has any impeachment of a president ever not been an attempt to undue the results of an election. That's just trivially true. These people truly have no shame.
48