Trump and his eager band of thugs are the clear and present danger, but in his typical flailing incompetence, hr may have done us a favor by bringing to light just how corrupt.Wahington is. Volker is a lovbyist for Raytheon and Dondland bought his way in with cash and bootlicking, but the fact that Biden and son see nothing improper in Hunters ''career'' track is problematuc to say the least, and shows how ingrained the problem is.
10
@Tom I thought that both Bidens think his career track wasn’t so good.
I think what you meant was that the Bidens let his career track happen which shows how ingrained the problem was.
Why does it always have to come be brought back to the issue Hunter Biden? Had he done anything wrong (and not just 'unseemly', and that purely on the strength of his surname) in the Ukraine (or China), we would have known by now, by virtue of the Mueller investigation that caught Paul Manafort in its net. This as opposed to the children and children-in-laws of the current POTUS, who are ringing the till every day thanks to the non-divestment/non-blindtrusting of the Trump Org., and have unlimited access to the White House and have been given security clearances they shouldn't have been given. They're guilty of graft and everyday they have conflicts of interest which goes against the US. Hunter Biden, for his part, only illustrates the issue of how children to rich, powerful and famous people have a far easier ride in life. This happens all over the world all the time. Seriously, what do you want to do about it? Force them to become carpenters, plumbers, or electricians? Adopt such children by force and hand them over to ordinary middle-class parents for anonymity?
4
The Congress MUST announce that the video of all of these closed door committee investigations will be shown on CSPAN over & over so that the media (& the public) will be able to see , hear & capsulize the important testimony. No one has the time to sit through it all but I trust the media to sift out the key points , and in time authors ,to memorialize it.
Nancy , will you please announce a CSPAN schedule for these closed door meetings so democracy is protected.
4
McConnell saying "Democrats had thrown “fairness and precedent to the wind”" is really, really rich. Fairness and precedent mean nothing to him or Trump. That much is perfectly clear.
13
If Pence, OMB and Giuliani are not charged with Contempt and jailed until they comply with subpoenas, this whole process has to be looked upon as lacking in seriousness, because they are flouting the law of the land and getting away with it. Schiff and Nadler really need to get very tough with these folks because the tools are available to do so and it's the only language they - may - understand.
4
Once again, Trump accuses his opponent of his own flaw—in this case, Biden was supposedly trying to hide corruption in Ukraine, while Trump was actively promoting it.
Trump has been calling out Democrats for “trying to destroy democracy,” when it seems increasingly clear that that is precisely his own objective. Emperor Trump: have a nice ring?
2
The same Republicans who denied Merrick Garland a seat on the SCOTUS and ignored precedent by arguing that the will of the people who voted for Obama should be ignored by instead waiting an entire lame duck year to ‘let the voters decide,’ now want to accuse the Dems of ignoring precedent and the will of a duly elected president? No hypocrisy there at all!
Republicans play by the rules when it fits their objectives and then they ignore the rules—like ignoring subpoenas from a co-equal branch of government—when they’re politically vulnerable. When they want to avoid certain political outcomes, they say, ‘let the voters decide in the next election.’ They did that with Garland, and they’re doing it now that Trump’s in seriously hot water that he helped boil himself. ‘Don’t impeach,’ they say, ‘let the voters decide in the next election.’ Funny, I recall 3 million more people voting for HRC than for Trump in 2016. So the voters did decide, and then the GOP gleefully ignored that outcome. Some even argued that 3 million people voted illegally—a convenient but outrageously sophomoric argument. A few years later, the voters overwhelmingly chose to have Democrats check Donald Trump’s power in the 2018 midterms. Now the GOP is again ignoring previous voting outcomes only to say, ‘let the voters decide in the next election.’ Their collective amnesia has always been a calculated political strategy.
32
“Across the Capitol, Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, said Democrats had thrown ‘fairness and precedent to the wind.’ “.
One can only laugh nervously at the egregious hypocrisy of the so-called “leader” of the United States Senate. That one line tells us all we need to know.
16
I am starting to think Giuliani, Perry, Sondland, and Flynn were all receiving piles of money from Ukraine at some point and soft lobbied our naive President into following their lead. At some point he realized they were getting big bucks from their shoddy deals. He was jealous of them able to make money and not him. Then the idea to give aid on the condition of getting dirt on political opponents came to him.
7
Vice President Biden was advocating for the removal of a prosecutor who had already concluded that the energy company (Burisma) on whose board Hunter served had not committed any crimes. Just let that sink in.
Not taking a vote to start the inquiry is super genius of Pelosi. This blocks Trump from knowing what they know, so he and his minions cannot get their stories straight or go on Fox or Twitter to label everything fake news. It limits stooges like Nunes’ work behind the backs of the committee. Republicans understand this makes it hard for them to play their cards.
Freshmen in congress need to watch and learn.
12
It also means the American people hear one side of the story based on strategic leaking. I would like the whole process to see the light of day. This whole thing is very partisan. Some agressively oppose Trump and I believe their primary motivation for wanting to get rid of him is not any terrible thing he has done, but ideological differences. Congressional investigations and Impeachment, in my opinion were clearly not intended to remove people over political differences.
I'm less surprised by the Trump/Giuliani shenanigans, than I am by how inept and sophomoric their efforts were. I feel like I'm watching a low-budget political thriller.
9
So basically he is saying “I’m an expert. People should listen to me. I am correct. No other opinions matter”.
1
If he can prove this, then he's clear. Otherwise it's like Bush 1 claiming he was "out of the loop" of the Iran-Contra affair, then pardoning the criminals.
A lie.
1
Does institutional integrity Trump the Political and personal interests of our elected officials?
Is the political and personal interest of our elected officials different than our national interest or do they, through elections, have the power to decide what that is?
Clearly the Congress has the right to oversight and more importantly the electorate needs to know everything in order to determine that the people we elect too high office will put country ahead of their personal political agenda.
The impeachable offense in this case is subverting oversight and the public need to know in order to fulfill their Constitutional duty to choose our political leaders through the ballot box.
Obstruction of oversight is a crime against democracy.
5
It seems that the only counter that the Republicans who support trump can come up with is to harp about a vote by the entire House. Something that isn't actually required. That's not much. What they can't seem to defend is the action and the talk actually taken by trump.
Mitch McConnell's complaining that Democrats have thrown "fairness and precedent to the wind," is a real laugh. Remember Merrick Garland?
7
Mayor Giuliani has led a rich and eventful life, contributing much to the country and society. In his later years, it seems he has been frustrated with all he has done and is doing all he can to catch up to something that is elusive to many, maybe to the mayor himself. A sad and perhaps dangerous situation for him.
I have to say, again, that Mr. Kent, like Ambassador Yovanovitch, serves at the pleasure of the president, who is free to take or ignore their advice as he sees fit. Mr. Kent's characterization of the rightness or wrongness of the president's decision not to listen to him is, in and of itself, meaningless.
1
What I find amazing about this recap and others is that Pompeo's name is not mentioned at all. I thought, perhaps naively so, that American diplomacy was guided by the Secretary of State. Evidently Mr. Pompeo must have been out getting a haircut while Trump, Giuliani and Mulvaney conducted foreign policy matters.
No wonder so State Department officials are now speaking out. They know their boss won't.
6
Does institutional integrity Trump the Political and personal interests of our elected officials?
Is the political and personal interest of our elected officials different than our national interest or do they, through elections, have the power to decide what that is?
The fact that we are even asking these questions pretty much says that our National experiment is over and our Constitution is a relic.
We need a constitutional convention to amend our Constitution. Impeachment is a political solution that doesn't solve the problem that what the President is doing may well be legal.
2
Does institutional integrity Trump the Political and personal interests of our elected officials?
Is the political and personal interest of our elected officials different than our national interest or do they, through elections, have the power to decide what that is?
The fact that we are even asking these questions pretty much says that our National experiment is over and our Constitution is a relic.
We need a constitutional convention to amend our Constitution. Impeachment is a political solution that doesn't solve the problem that what the President is doing may well be legal.
Does institutional integrity Trump the Political and personal interests of our elected officials?
Is the political and personal interest of our elected officials different than our national interest or do they through elections have the power to decide what that is?
The fact that we are even asking these questions pretty much says that our National experiment is over and our Constitution is a relic.
We need a constitutional convention to amend our Constitution. Impeachment is a political solution that doesn't solve the problem that what the President may well be legal.
Does institutional integrity Trump the Political and personal interests of our elected officials?
Is the political and personal interest of our elected officials different than our national interest or do they, through elections, have the power to decide what that is?
The fact that we are even asking these questions pretty much says that our National experiment is over and our Constitution is a relic.
We need a constitutional convention to amend our Constitution. Impeachment is a political solution that doesn't solve the problem that what the President is doing may well be legal.
Does institutional integrity Trump the Political and personal interests of our elected officials?
Is the political and personal interest of our elected officials different than our national interest or do they through elections have the power to decide what that is?
The fact that we are even asking these questions pretty much says that our National experiment is over and our Constitution is a relic.
We need a constitutional convention to amend our Constitution. Impeachment is a political solution that doesn't solve the problem that what the President may well be legal.
Does institutional integrity Trump the Political and personal interests of our elected officials?
Is the political and personal interest of our elected officials different than our national interest or do they through elections have the power to decide what that is?
The fact that we are even asking these questions pretty much says that our National experiment is over and our Constitution is a relic.
We need a constitutional convention to amend our Constitution. Impeachment is a political solution that doesn't solve the problem that what the President may well be legal.
Does institutional integrity Trump the Political and personal interests of our elected officials?
Is the political and personal interest of our elected officials different than our national interest or do they through elections have the power to decide what that is?
The fact that we are even asking these questions pretty much says that our National experiment is over and our Constitution is a relic.
We need a constitutional convention to amend our Constitution. Impeachment is a political solution that doesn't solve the problem that what the President may well be legal.
Does institutional integrity Trump the Political and personal interests of our elected officials?
Is the political and personal interest of our elected officials different than our national interest or do they through elections have the power to decide what that is?
The fact that we are even asking these questions pretty much says that our National experiment is over and our Constitution is a relic.
We need a constitutional convention to amend our Constitution. Impeachment is a political solution that doesn't solve the problem that what the President may well be legal.
As we already know, Mitch McConnell is a fine one to say 'Democrats had thrown “fairness and precedent to the wind.” '
22
So Sondland, Volker, and Rick Perry cleverly branded themselves the "three amigos".
But now they find out Trump called them the
"three stooges".
21
It is very nice to know that not everyone who winds up working for the Swamp King destroys their moral compass as part of the initiation fee. Compliments to Ms. Yovanowitch, Ms. Hill, Mr. Kent, hopefully Mr. Sondland, and those still to come for understanding what an oath means and how to serve country first. But I don't expect to include Barr, Mulvaney or Giuliani in the growing list; Bolton maybe.
14
Why does Guiliani keep being referred to in this context as trump "personal lawyer", as if what he is doing in Ukraine is somehow "lawyering". An article in Above the Law clarifies this. The gist:
"So, I hope that anyone in the media who reads this will at least consider ceasing to refer to Rudy Giuliani as Trump’s personal attorney. He may be acting as Trump’s political operative, he may be acting as Trump’s spokesperson, there is even a good case to be made for calling him Trump’s Propaganda Minister, but he is definitely not acting as Trump’s lawyer." As trump is degrading the office of the President of the United States, so Guiliani is degrading the legal profession: https://abovethelaw.com/2019/10/rudy-giuliani-is-not-practicing-law-and-billing-him-as-trumps-attorney-degrades-the-value-of-a-law-license/
24
It is beyond laughable how the mainstream media incessantly attack Russia for their supposed interference in our 2016 elections, yet there is scarcely a word about our extended, well-documented efforts to create regime change in Ukraine.
The same mess that exists there today is not unlike the destruction of the Middle East by the US for the past 17 years (with Joe Biden as one of the rabid cheerleaders to invade Iraq.) It seems we will never wake up.
As the outrage over Ukrainegate continues, Biden and his apologists insist that scrutiny of his activities in Ukraine constitute nothing more than a vast right-wing conspiracy.
And all the people who were deeply involved in the illegal foreign-backed putsch which overthrew that country’s legitimate President by lawless force, and violated the country’s constitution to install a new regime, such as George P. Kent, "who served as an anticorruption coordinator in the State Department’s European Bureau in 2014 and 2015, and then as deputy chief of mission in the United States Embassy in Kiev from 2015 until 2018" are now coming out of the woodwork, trying to deflect away from their own crimes and blaming the Trump administration instead.
This is eerily similar to how Democrats under Obama staged an illegal coup in Syria and are now trying to blame Trump for pulling out our troops who are there illegally .
Ukraine might endemically corrupt, and Russia a kleptocratic oligarchy, but in Washington, this is all business as usual.
3
When trump said "Only I can fix it" I didn't realize at the time he was referring to the 2020 election.
33
What level of security clearance does Rudy have?
Giuliani, the personal attorney of Trump, has been acting like a State Dept employee and/or on behalf of the US government. Who has been paying his legal bills? The taxpayers?
Lock him up!
27
As Trump marches on to his reign as our authoritarian leader (of none), continues to embarrass our country by kowtowing to like-minded rulers, the party of Trumplikans stay on message-I will give them credit for that.
But, as the Trumplikans circle the wagons around our third-rate despot are they really, Mitch, Lindsay and the rest who claim to be patriots, working for the country or His Royal Highness who would prefer to see our Congress nothing more than an ineffective co-equal branch.
Oops, Congress, at least the Trumplikans, are an ineffective-save for acting as the grand protectors of Trump.
Make America Proud Again-Dump Trump.
8
On the other hand, should Mr Kent define national priorities?
1
The real heroes in this impeachment process are the professional government officials who have come forward to expose the truly repugnant actions of Trump and his Mafia style gang.
22
@DonD
Which is why Conservatives want to get rid of them.
"Bloated bureaucracy", "Deep State Danger".
That's those professionals.
8
Trump finally found a Chief of Staff who will do exactly as Trump tells him.
9
Mitch McConnell is crying about fairness and precedent.
Merrick Garland. Nuff said.
33
Rudy should be careful crossing the street. Mulvaney will be fine in his corrupt party as long as he stonewalls, but I doubt he’ll be invited to run UNC now, and pence has his godly halo to protect him. Al least for now.
6
The Trump phone call to Erdogan needs to be investigated too! And why is Giuliani setting foreign policy? I wondered when the issue of the Turkish cleric would raise its ugly head. What were Trump and Giuliani and Trump getting in return? Looks like they were willing to sell out for some reason. Clearly Erdogan has the upper hand by refusing to see Pence and Pompeo. Let’s not forget Turkey just bought a Russian air defense system - how secure are American bases and technology?
12
@Barbara
GOP minds do not want to know.
7
Do Republicans still stand by Trump after this week? The concerns about an imminent disaster in northern Syria, following Trump’s abrupt withdraw from that country, and a sense that major secrets linked to the Ukraine scandal are yet to emerge can’t just be shrugged off.
So far the torrents of revelations and the witnesses heard by the House Intelligence Committee have bolstered the case against Trump. He complained on Twitter that “Democrats are allowing no transparency at the Witch Hunt hearings.”
Perhaps Democrats should publish the transcripts so the public could learn more about Trump’s “high crimes and misdemeanours.”
Besides more and more Americans support an impeachment inquiry, because they want to be assured that no one is above the law in the US - not even the president.
7
My understanding is that no vote is needed because Republicans changed the rules after the Clinton impeachment. If that is true, Democrats should start saying so— loudly, clearly and often.
14
@Ugh no vote is necessary but not because of Clinton. It’s because the house is allowed to run this anyway they want.
6
Across the Capitol, Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, said Democrats had thrown “fairness and precedent to the wind.”
Moscow Mitch is following Trump's game of accusing his rivals of the crimes he has committed. Two words: Merrick Garland.
Isn't there a precedent for the Senate Majority Leader to hold hearings on the duly elected president's choice for the Supreme Court? Fair?
23
A bureaucrat whining about a President conducting his own foreign policy. This presented here, via leaks, as an indictment. The Congress has lost its mind.
2
“His own”?
6
“Whining”? Change that word to “criticizing” and you have the “essence” of American democracy.
5
Presidents conduct foreign policy through the State Department. They exercise the organs of government for the benefit of the American people, whom they serve.
Presidents do not carry out secret foreign policy through private attorneys for political gain.
This is not a story about a president conducting foreign policy. It’s a story about corruption and abuse of power. You should be glad a majority in congress know that.
24
Let's end this absolute nonsense right now.
The American people are not stupid. We demand that the White House immediately hand over all the original, unedited, verbatim transcripts of both the Trump/Zalensky and Trump/Erdogan calls.
These two documents hold all the answers to Trump's guilt or innocence. Period.
So why are we allowing these Trumpeteers to defy legal congressional subpoenas?
The American voters deserve to know exactly what was left out of those non verbatim, edited Zalensky summary draft notes with ellipses (gaps).
And now even more important, we demand to know exactly what Erdogan and Trump said that caused
Trump to so suddenly and inexplicably betray our Kurdish allies and put American soldiers stationed in Syria at such grave risk.
Every American should contact their congressional representatives and demand they obtain these two original transcripts be released to the appropriate Congressional committee immediately.
Trump has lied over 13,000 times in his 995 days in office (average 13 lies a day).
Why are we letting him get away with this despicable traitorous behavior? Nothing he says or does can be trusted. The rest of the world already know this.
26
So, Trump's quid pro quo with Turkey was this:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/15/us/giuliani-subpoena-ukraine.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
Of course, Americans don't care, but this is the equivalent of delivering a Saudi journalist to the Saudi embassy so they can dismember him, which is what Erdogan is going to do if Gullan is deported.
NOW it all makes sense.
With the exception of Trump's hailing the "withdrawal" of ONE THOUSAND troops from Syria? He's acting as if he's bringing entire armies home.
5
Trump's pattern is obvious, get rid of anyone not loyal to him. In Trump's infantile mind, he thinks he is America, and anyone who objects to anything he says or does, is a traitor. Problem with that thought process is twofold, 1. This goes against everything our Fore Fathers created or intended America to be, and 2. He creates division among Americans for his personal gains. This Republican administration is the most corrupt America has had to contend with, and the long term negative impacts has, and will continue to cost America domestically and internationally. At the end of the day, Republicans own this Trump STAIN on America, and voters will remember that come election day...
11
“There is no requirement that we have a vote,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “We’re not here to call bluffs. We’re here to find the truth.”
I have become a huge fan of Nancy Pelosi.
33
The whistleblowers and career civil servants who are defying this corrupt administration to tell what they know are American heroes.
17
Re Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, said Democrats had thrown “fairness and precedent to the wind.”
Merrick Garland experienced McConnell's respect for fairness and precedent.
20
The Trump Administration’s bird cage seems to be filling up with singing canaries. Sweet sounds of encouraging, restorative and truthful music!!
9
Republicans and Tories hate experts. They want to stay in their dream, an ephemeral castle in the sky. They want to live in the cloud-cuckoo-land of their own conspiracy.
5
You have to admire the Russians. They pulled off this beautifully!
8
@NomadXpat
I am disgusted with the ease with which Americans were played. But what the Russians did was masterful. They weaponized Free Speech (lies), racism, the Constitution (electoral system), the internet, and Americans' love of entertainment over reality, against Americans.
5
Mitch McConnell complaining that the Democrats had thrown “fairness and precedent to the wind” is further proof irony is dead.
13
Let’s put it this way. This country, under the leadership of Donald J. Trump is getting close and closer to becoming Communist.
Vladimir Putin is more important to Trump than we are.
8
@MIMA
There is no comparison between Putin and Trump. The former is a highly trained KGB officers, and an intelligent and smart one to boot, while the latter is a crocked, maniacal failed casino boss who thinks with his gut for lack of grey cells under his toupee.
13
Mitch McConnell, stealer of Merrick Garland’s seat on the Supreme Court, whining about fairness? That’s rich.
19
This seems so simple to do. Open a DOJ investigation into Hunter Biden. Make a treaty request to Ukraine for evidence, testimony, etc. Push hard for them to honor the request.
Instead, hire Giuliani and a couple of rouge ambassadors to press for...what exactly?
Corruption. Pure. Simple.
5
McConnell's denial even of hearings for the Merrick Garland nomination shows that he doesn't take concerns about fairness and precedent seriously. Clearly, he can't be serious about his complaints here so there's no reason to take them seriously.
14
Looking beyond the heated rhetoric, the Republicans are attacking the process, but none of them are addressing Trump's actions, much less defending him. The clear inference is that they simply can't defend him.
Yet again, the Republicans place Party before Country.
21
Big deal. Most executives surround themselves with "experts." In virtually every decision the advice from one or more of them is discarded usually because of competing interests. If the media want to complain about something, find something legitimate. There's lots of fodder around.
1
@Kent Kraus
The difference is when the "experts" advise against breaking the law, and the decision maker breaks the law.
"Competing interests" is an interesting euphemism for "Rule of Law".
1
“The media” aren’t “complaining”. They’re reporting on what congress is investigating.
5
Most executives don’t sell their company out, which is what Chump did with Ukraine and now Turkey. He removed the experts so he could do his own self-dealing - at America’s and the Constitution’s expense. Another corrupt politician in the Corrupt-Lican Party. Why hasn’t any Corrupt-Lican criticizes Chimp’s actions? No morals, no patriotism! They all must go in 2020, after they foolishly acquit Chump in the upcoming Senate trial. So sad that so many are so corrupt and morally bankrupt!
The facts are all there. And even the Republicans are left waving their hands, calling names and shouting about process. With the "smoking gun" of the draft of the Trump-Zelensky phone call already Exhibit A in an article of impeachment, the credible first-hand testimony that supports a massive conspiracy to bypass the normal diplomatic process is also now clear. The committee should now seek the testimony of former National Security Adviser John Bolton who has emerged as a a major first-hand witness to the events, called them out, and, of course, was then fired. Bolton could provide the final "nail in the coffin" of the case for impeachment in the Ukraine conspiracy. But, Speaker Pelosi and Adman Schiff perhaps should not put all their impeachment eggs in the one Ukraine basket. They have time and should consider investigating the phone call between Trump and Turkey's President Erdogan as another potential case of abuse of power that may also be a "high crime" in its abandonment of an ally and its reckless endangerment of our own military forces that are trapped behind enemy lines.
6
The Republican argument that the Democrats are ignoring precedent by not holding a vote is nonsense. Show me a white house that has ignored more precedent than this one. Maybe the dems should strike a deal... Release Trump's tax records and then we'll hold a vote.
Nonetheless, it is time to officially investigate for impeachment, and I don't see how the voters can hold it against their representatives. Congress didn't make that phone call.
9
Were I a Republican member of this administration, I think I would be thrilled and relieved that these hearings/depositions were closed to the public.
5
Given a choice between the so-called "deep state" of courageous career public servants dedicated to American values and democratic processes, or a criminal mob of greedy, self-serving, lying manipulators using the powers of our government to destroy the environment, tear children from their parents and cage them, betray the Kurds and leave them to die, and leave us all in more danger from future retaliatory and/or extremist attacks, I'm taking the true public servants.
And what about this "reconstructed transcript" -- what does that mean? If this reconstruction was the "perfect" part of what Trump told Zelensky -- then what was left out, what was reconstructed, and why is the full transcript being hidden by the mobsters?
The "congratulatory" ruse (didn't Trump already make that call?) was played out only in the brief opening and closing parts of the more recent call, while the rest of it was thinly-veiled, anti-democratic, criminal misconduct, conducted in Trump's typical mobster-like language as described by his former lawyer Michael Cohen.
8
US is strong nation because we have strongest Military, and even stronger Diplomacy; and we respect the rule of law..
Trump and GOP is damaging all of the above to keep power for rest of their lives..
Trump knows he will go to jail; if he looses presidency and so he is doing all he can which includes breaking the law - and now he will go to jail for sure; but will take a large company with him.
6
You see, Trump fans have no problem with Trump going around the establishment and doing things the way he wants to do them. He is the cult leader and the establishment is the "deep state". "Only I can fix it." And that is exactly how the cult sees it. Now is the cult large enough to have him reelected? Despite what the politicians will say "The American people are smart,there's a lot of not only stupid people but an overwhelming group of not the deplorables but the gullibles. The circus came to town and they voted to keep the circus in town. There's a lot of us out here who are exhausted by the circus staying in town. Does exhaustion outpace gullibility?
4
Well, I suppose we should all be grateful that Rick Perry was apparently able to find his way out of bed and get his shoes tied. That's progress.
9
@Lawrence Reichard I think it's the glasses that helped him in that regard.
Trump has sidelined normality in America since the Primaries leading up to the 2016 Elections. Rather than being put off by his bullying UnPresidential behavior too many of us gave him the Greenlight and not only encouraged it but put him in office. I never realized a President could make such important decisions on their own without Congressional approval. He's evaded and stonewalled his way around all the Congressional safeguards to our Democracy essentially due to support from the GOP,and Fox Nation.They have supported him through thick and thin. No matter what he's done his supporters have justified his bizarre behavior. It hasn't bothered them that all his policies from the Mexico Wall payment to the issue with abandoning the Kurds to the Ukraine issue...his enablers keep enabling. Too many in public office have resigned without publicly speaking out. They should have come forward long ago ! The support Trump has enjoyed from so many who refuse to see him for what Mueller and Cohen so aptly described...a Con,a liar,and a cheat...has kept too many silent for too long. Maybe the good in all this is that more of us will be more careful in entrusting our Democracy to a candidate who is so blatantly divisive and inexperienced !! Let's not Vote for any more Cons and liars endorsed and aided by Russia. I'll never forget the photo of Trump laughing in the White House with the Russians as he explained his firing of Comey !! It's been downhill since! MAGA? What a Mess !!
6
If Trump says he will co-operate I say I smell a rat. This man never co-operates he does his rogue routine. His handling of Syria is unfortunately typical of him. He has put our soldiers in harms way. He is now doing it wasn't me but ??? and that will be anyone or anything that will deflect. He will lie, distract and repeat untruths repeatedly till they become truths. He has not kept his end of the deal yet as President. I'm just an American taxpayer and voter that can't comprehend why the Republican legislators can't see this. If this goes down, and I won't lie it would make me very happy, will they then be saying "now I see". I will be honest the lack of support by the Republican Party has convinced me that when I vote it will be only for Democrats as I believe we have to clean the House and Senate of the blind mice.
6
Trump is the poster boy for the thievery that has been going on at the highest levels of global governance and business. He may be the straw on the camel's back for kleptocratic raids of government treasuries led by the likes of Putin, Un, Erdogan and the rest of the despots in the world.
It's as unsustainable as climate change. If we are to have any future at all, stolen monies must be brought to the light of day, confiscated and returned to their respective treasuries in order to start building a modern world. Let's start with Trump and Putin. No doubt our intelligence agencies know where the money is so why not start exposing their thievery? Exposure and jail time can be strong incentives not to steal.
Our biggest challenge is to find leaders who are not crooks and who will make sure that thieves of public funds are caught and brought to justice.
5
Mitch McConnell is complaining about lack of fairness and abandonment of precedent? Has he decided to become a comedian in his retirement? No one is laughing, Mitch.
12
Zeldin's comment about Connolly is hypocritical now.
When the GOP controlled Congress in after 2016, the GOP held secret meetings, without telling and allowing the Democrats to attend their meeting at all.
This was not a secret meeting, and the GOP attended this meeting
What was appropriate about that?
6
A century from now, people will still be reading books that marvel at the ingenious way that Trump outsourced the State Department's role for selected countries to his cronies protecting his own personal interests.
As an undivested president who created no blind trust and concealed his financial records, he has become a ventriloquist manipulating puppets like Giuliani who carry both sides' messages back and forth as if they were US diplomacy. At its best, Trump is an unregistered foreign agent violating the Emoluments Clause. At the level of war and peace, and matters of national security, this morphs into something absolutely hair-raising.
5
@Sequel
People will marvel at the way the GOP, from base to POTUS, supported the undermining of the Rule of Law and the destruction of the Constitution.
5
I literally did a spit take when I read the quote from Mitch McConell claiming Democrats were throwing precedent and transparency to the wind. Kind of like Trump lecturing us on the importance of marital fidelity. Thank you to Congressional Democrats for investigating Trump and company's latest "drug deal."
14
Thanks to those who have come forward to reveal the truth, whatever their motives are.
How much longer can this pyramid of lies and cover-ups and cover-ups of cover-ups balance on its point - trump - before it collapses from its uncontrolled growth?
How can the nuclear codes be left in the hands of trump? He once said that nukes are no good unless you use them. Would he rather destroy the world than cede power under pressure?
trump has almost single-handedly destroyed the reputation of the United States and diminished its influence around the world.
We need somebody who can actually make America great again to replace trump in the Oval Office. Almost anybody could do a better job. Anybody with ears, a conscience, and an undamaged brain.
9
So, another "interview" or deposition" and nothing to report that is impeachable. I can understand why the Dems don't want the public to see what they are doing or how incompetent they seem to be.
2
@2observe2b
It is an inquiry. The Dems are trying to make sure the stories are not coordinated.
5
@2observe2b
Apparently you are not paying attention, because there is a lot of corruption to be seen here. And we have just scratched the surface.
But the Dems should stay laser focused on the Ukraine corruption scheme by the mob in the White House. It is is clear malfeasance, lots of evidence, lots of witnesses.
And 2observe, throw shade somewhere else.
5
@2observe2b
Distort facts much?
This impeachment process is in the investigation stage. It is suppose to be done behind closed doors! Like a grand jury investigation. But you know that. You are just pushing the trump-Putin talking points.
And BTW, these are hearings held before the bipartisan Intelligence Committee. There are Dems and Repubs hearing this testimony.
4
Here’s one thing about Ukraine many of you don’t realize — Russia lost 2 to 3 million civilians in ww2.., Ukraine lost 5 to 8 million civilians (plus around 2 million uniformed service personnel) — by far the most of any country in Europe during ww2 ... and thus is on top of the 2-6 million Ukrainians who were killed during the 1930s as a result of the artificial famines created by Moscow. So, the next time somebody goes on about repeating Russian propaganda about how they “suffered the most” or “won the war”, spare a thought for Ukraine which was the source of arguably the most total suffering by the two most evil regimes in European and perhaps world history.
7
Lay low? This is what happens in a trump thug nation. Add guliani and it's the mafia with better shoes. What has happened to our country? Obama was criticized for the way he sat, stood, or sneezed. Seriously. trump will have to stomp a kitten in Times Square before Mitch McConnel will sneeze. The republicans are morally bankrupt at this point.
19
I believe Pelosi is making a mistake by not voting on this. Let us get those Republicans on record of their idiotic positions. Let us see if they can stand up for the Constitution or if they stand up for the crook in the White House.
2
@ Wiilliam
No, I think Pelosi is doing the right thing. She is letting Repubs know that the Dems are in charge of this process. The Repubs would just move the goal posts, anyway.
People will stand up and be counted when the investigation phase is done. which I hope is soon.
6
@William, timing is everything. The evidence is being collected every day by eyewitnesses and the paper trail that is available. When it is insurmountable and irrefutable, a vote will be made, and then Republicans can make their case as to why Trump deserves to lead our nation by the seat of his pants on Twitter.
For now, Congress should continue to move deliberately with the goal of seeking to expose the truth of this Administration’s motives for all of its actions. If they prove to be not aligned with our country’s interests and within the Constitution, then he should be removed from office.
4
" Across the Capitol, Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, said Democrats had thrown “fairness and precedent to the wind.”
I'm always surprised at the shamelessness of some people.
9
Another confirmation that impeachment is necessary. If this were 2023, we might not have known about it because all the decent people have been pushed out.
11
The obstruction to cover up a smear campaign against Biden is so transparently clear I don't know how the Republicans in Congress can continue to make up excuses and hurl wild, absurd charges, repeating in zombie tones Trump's line of a so-called "witch hunt." How the Republican Party can ever come back to being even a semblance of a political party with real policies is similarly transparently clear, in the negative. There is no return for Republicans from the obscene charade since 2016 of stone-faced dissembling, Twilight Zone-rationales, and blind support of treason, the betrayal of America, in the person of Donald Trump. The worst damage Trump has caused and ramps up with every passing day is his assault on truth and reality, and the Republicans in Congress do nothing but amplify this.
7
“No transparency at the Witch Hunt meetings”? What is this country coming to when not even our Witch Hunts are fair?
3
@ Tristan T
The hearings in an investigation phase, just like with grand jury investigations, are done in private, behind closed doors. This is standard operating procedure. Many reasons for this, but here are just two reasons: So those giving testimony can feel free to tell the truth, and so corrupt witnesses will not try to match up their “stories”, as in “Hey, let’s get our stories straight.”
And, let’s be very clear. These hearings behind closed doors are being given before the Dems and Republicans in the Intelligence Committee. It is a bipartisan committee.
But you know that. You are just pushing the trump talking points of distortion.
If this moves to an impeachment trial, everything is out in the open, and everyone will need to stand up and be counted.
Gaslight somewhere else.
And yet what is truly scary is Senate republicans are just fine with all this corruption in the White House and state Department.
8
Repubs think they have a winning argument in the demand for a House vote on impeachment. Precedent. A transparent vote.
Can you hear us laughing? Sen McConnell- Mr. No Vote On Any Legislation I Don’t Like. Mr. Merrick Garland Gets No Hearings Precedent.
Situational ethics strikes again. Hypocrisy, payback. Meanwhile, our troops are scrambling out of harms way from a presidential phone call. Simple, overwhelming disgust at all these charades that keep this president in office.
21
A basic principle of employment law is that Ms. Hill and Mr. Kent could be charged with insubordination in refusing to abide by the State Department's directive not to speak with the Congress. We should ask what, if anything, their employer is going to do about their apparent insubordination? Can we infer that the State Department's responsive silence and failure to act is an admission that its directive was unreasonable and possibly unlawful, and therefore not enforceable? Can we also infer that Trump and his advisers realize that the political cost of charging career staff with insubordination would lead directly to insuring an impeachment charge tied to obstruction of the Congressional process, even as political appointees persist in stonewalling? From these events, it is fair to conclude that the Democrats should continue to press their case against a weakened administration that is back on its heels.
8
There is no justice without due process. There can be persecution, but no justice.
It's time for a impeachment inquiry vote with rules for full due process. The public needs to see what happens in these impeachment inquiries. The evidence must be available to the defense, witnesses must be cross examined by defense, and the defense, and defense must call its own witnesses and present its own evidence.
The Constitution clearly did not provide Congress with investigative power and Impeachment to overturn a duly won election the majority did not like and such uses are clearly unconstitutional. Impeachment is there for when the primary reason someone is being removed is there act, and not a separate politically motivation. Considering what the Obama administration did to Trump in terms of Russia investigation, the Democrats and deep state seem fine with an administration weaponizing the government to investigate a political opponent.
Have we learned nothing from the Mueller investigation? Or have we learned that weaponized investigations work to the advantage of the investigators. The A. G. report on potential abuse of the FISA process should be coming out very soon. Perhaps this will give us insight relative to weaponized investigations.
@John There is no 'defense' during an investigation. No one has been charged with anything. When the police are investigating a crime, suspects are not invited to cross examine witnesses or present evidence. All that happens at trial, which will take place in the Senate if and when there is an impeachment.
As you say, impeachment is there to remove an official because of their acts. Congress is currently investigating corrupt acts by the president. There is alway some political backdrop: the Republican House ignored the president's wrongdoing for two years, the Democratic one is investigating it. But that doesn't mean the motivation is totally political. The democrats hated George Bush, the republicans hated Barrack Obama - yet neither was investigated for impeachment. The primary reason is, as you say, bad acts.
1
"critical questions remain unanswered."
What "critical questions"? It seems to me we have in hand a document released by the White House that shows Trump asked for a "favor" from Ukraine and that favor was an investigation of Biden.
No other facts are critical. They rather are supplemental details not bearing on the central assertion of criminality. The test of their relevance would be if any fact raised could materially alter the criminal assertion. I can't conceive of any fact or set of facts that would do so.
3
@John
VP Biden was delivering a policy decision of the United States government. It was supported by the IMF, the leaders of the EU, and by the anticorruption organization in Ukraine.
Get up to speed, bud.
It was investigated. Pushing conspiracy theories here is not helpful. It has been DEBUNKED by a whole slew of legitimate investigations and organizations.
If Chump really wanted to investigate Biden, why didn’t the FBI open an investigation? Because this whole thing is corrupt and to manufacture dirt that isn’t there. Pay attention to facts - and start watching more than just “Faux” News.
Thankfully our country is being ran by career civil servants who are skilled and experienced. It's the politicians who have never served in such roles, who lack the experience and knowledge, who are manufacturing chaos, dishonoring our country, and doing nothing for the people who voted them in office. Our system for electing our representatives isn't working. And, if politicians have to get their kids jobs once their in office that alone tells me if that if the couldn't raise independent children, they will not be able to raise our country to the next level.
5
So Mitch McConnell says Democrats have thrown “fairness and precedent to the wind”
Easy fix. If Republicans want all sides of the story to be told, get your President to stop obstructing justice so the people representing Trump’s interests can tell their stories.
But that’s not likely, is it?
Not when so many Republicans have so much to hide.
11
In reading of the corruption of the top law enforcement officer in Ukraine, both Mr Shokin and Mr Yarema, I can't help but think of the corruption of our own top prosecutor, William Barr.
Is the US really so different from Ukraine, where oligarchs have long run rough shod over civil servants and ethical behavior?
10
Foreign governments should start draining the Washington swamp by demanding the firing of the Attorney General, of Rudy Giuliani, and the corrupt claques around them. Just like we do in so many countries around the world. What’s good for the goose...
5
So far, the really courageous people have been women. They are putting us men to shame. Trump treated them with disrespect and distain and has found that American women have spines of steal.
7
It seems that Trump's statement that all Ukrainian politicians are corrupt was actually an endorsement, not a warning.
3
McConnell « said Democrats had thrown “fairness and precedent to the wind.” »
Imagine that: McConnell wants fairness and precedent! Apparently aliens have invaded his body. Gone is the McConnell who would not even consider an Obama SCOTUS nominee. Gone is the McConnell whose stated goal was to obstruct all things Obama. Gone is the McConnell who has been one of the biggest enablers and apologists for by far the most unfair, unprecedented, divisive, awful president in (I’m being generous here) any living person’s lifetime.
12
I thought Congressional subpoenas are mandatory for private citizens like Guilliani. It would be great to get an explanation by the NYT how this can actually be happening at all. Congress should arrest Guilliani to testify if needed.
26
So just to be clear, committee Republicans are simultaneously incensed that:
a) hearings are being held behind closed doors and lack transparency, and
b) Democrats are revealing what the witnesses said
You’d almost think their real concern is not for the public to learn what happened, but for their being able to grandstand and histrionically trash the investigation on TV.
36
One wonders how the spineless GOP will try and spin this. It won't matter to Trump cult followers, since few of them know what a Ukraine is, or the difference between right and wrong.
23
Wow, turns out that the trump crime syndicate is as inept at corruption as they are at governance. Who could have predicted that? About 66 million people.
31
I have no idea who these people are or what they actually do, but it appears they have all consulted lawyers. They will need good legal advice.
This privatization of foreign policy was done under Reagan (Iran-Contra), and it cannot go unpunished.
Otherwise we'll have anarchy.
24
Republicans can do whatever they want. Democrats have to play by the rules.
39
Sorry but I do not understand why Ms. Pelosi can not go to the supreme court for relief. I do not understand why she thinks that avenue would take too long. She can ask for a special session because of the importance of the matter. Ms. Pelosi is creating skepticism in the procedure that she has decided to take. I do not believe that a vote is necessary but I do believe she should either go to the supreme court to enforce the subpoenas or use the Sargent of arms to enforce them. At this point she is showing weakness. Ms. Pelosi finale decided to have in impeachment inquire only to stall with the subpoenas. Know is not the time to blink!
1
@oscar jr
Pelosi is not the issue. This is deflection. The corruption of the GOP on almost every level is the only issue.
4
Don't think she doesn't know what she's doing.
7
McConnell accuses Democrats of throwing fairness and precedent to the winds. That’s rich. Two words: Merrick Garland. Nothing the Democrats can ever do will be more unfair or violative of precedent.
73
Is Mr. Kent, perhaps, one of those 'experts’ that started the disastrous Regime Change war in Ukraine and therefore responsible for the carnage, destabilisation of the middle East and the EU resultant from that decision?
If so, it is good that such flawed expertise is ‘cut out of decisions regarding the country’.
1
Something is missing here: Just how was the $391 million foreign aid payment divided up? Where did the pieces of that money go? People who are refusing to answer subpoenas might know the answer to this question. Removing professional State Department people looks like its purpose was to hide transactions from scrutiny.
21
Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, said Democrats had thrown “fairness and precedent to the wind.” I almost fell out of my chair laughing.
110
“Republicans, who have pounded Democrats for not holding a vote to authorize an inquiry, kept up the pressure on Tuesday, accusing them of ignoring obvious precedent set in the two modern presidential impeachment investigations....” and Mitch McConnell said the Democrats had “thrown precedent and fairness to the wind”.
Really? And they actually say this with straight faces? Such utterings would be laughable were it not for their breathtaking hypocrisy. The Republicans continue to support a president who proudly shatters precedent on a more or less daily basis and shows in his treatment of others that he does not know the meaning of the word fairness. I am gobsmacked.
60
I can see why the trump people and especially trump would have a problem with the state dept. and it's people, they just seem to be honest hard-working people with no axe to grind and not looking to make a profit on what they do. That kind of attitude is beyond the grasp of trump and his minions.
89
"The United States can't be the policeman for the world." All of the Democrats on that stage agree. But the withdrawal of our troops from Syria should put that old Truth in its grave. In fact we and our allies must be available to police those parts of the world that cannot honorably police themselves. In this case the deployment of just 1000 of our military to Syria stood in the way of the potential slaughter of millions until our c in c decided to do his master another favor.
27
Pelosi just announced on CNN that a vote for a formal impeachment inquiry has been delayed. Adam Schiff should have consulted with democrats in swing districts before he pushed this impeachment inquiry forward.
2
@tmauel
"Delayed" means that it was scheduled to happen. There was never a vote scheduled to happen, and nothing Pelosi said indicates there ever will be a vote in the future.
"It's not required by the constitution" sounds an awful lot like "a vote will never happen".
13
@Viv Because they don't have the votes. If you are a democrat in a district where Trump is popular it would be political suicide to vote to impeach.
You would think the genius Adam Schiff might have consulted with a few of his colleagues in the house before he initiated this fiasco.
2
Republicans need to know that for some of us this is not a partisan issue. It’s about truth and crimes committed.
19
"Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, said Democrats had thrown “fairness and precedent to the wind." Did I just hear a very dirty pot call the kettle black?
44
@ExPatMX
The problem with that argument is that it only underscores Trump's point.
They want to replace one corrupt authoritarian with no respect for the rule of law with another set of people who act the same way, except they have a D on their lapels instead of an R.
That's the high ground you want to stand on?
4
What-about-ism: one side appears to be guilty of the most cynical of treasonous acts to cheat to win an election and the other about sleazy bad judgement for money. Both sides are the same?
2
What is fairness? Is it fair that the president does not have an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses during the investigation? Absolutely. The investigation is analogous to a Grand Jury investigation. Those under investigation by a Grand Jury do not have an opportunity to cross examine during the Grand Jury proceedings. Cross examination is delayed until after an indictment (analogous to impeachment by the House), and then occurs during trial. In Trump's case, if he is impeached by the House, he will have an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses during the trial in the Senate. Getting back to the fairness issue from another point of view, is it fair for Trump to accuse Biden of nefarious acts related to the Ukraine without citing evidence, and without being subject to cross-examination about the allegations he made? Biden's campaign has been damaged by Trump's tweets. Biden cannot ever force Trump to produce factual evidence of Biden's alleged misdeeds. This is not fair. For the full truth about the whole Ukraine affair to come out, Trump must allow the witnesses called to testify fully. By blocking their testimony, Trump will almost surely get his wish to cross-examine witness fulfilled, in front of the Senate at an impeachment trial.
41
@Harold
What fairness, you ask? The fairness accorded to Nixon and Clinton.
Just what was the matter with proceeding the same way as those impeachments? What was bad about those proceedings that they need to be changed?
4
The answer to your question is Merrick Garland. See how easy that was?
12
Back then, the witnesses weren’t threatened with harm. Today we all know that an honest witness will be slandered and worse by the Whitehouse and Fox News.
4
The recent testimonies have shown that anyone who defies executive privilege to testify under subpoena faces about the same consequences as those who defy subpoenas claiming executive privilege, which is to say, nothing. The only thing that stops the truth from coming out then is the will of the individuals themselves. It's no surprise then that people like Ivanovich have chosen different from say, Lewandowski. One can only hope more people will follow this precedent.
13
So, on what basis is Giuliani claiming his right to be in contempt of Congress?
Executive Privilege? He is not an approved member of the Administration. He does not even have a security clearance.
Client-Attorney Privilege? With Trump, personally, being Giuliani's client? But why is he conducting international activities -- his client is in the US. Besides, he was colluding with Igor and Lev to break US election finance laws -- getting paid a half-million dollars that came from Russia to do it. He can't claim client-attorney privilege using Trump as his client, for the stuff he was doing with Igor and Lev. He is probably the one who tipped them off and told them to get on the next plane to Frankfurt.
We can't even impeach Giuliani, because he wasn't elected or officially appointed for anything.
But we can convict him of Treason -- and Congress can do that directly, without Barr (who deservers impeachment himself) -- and Lock Him Up.
35
Guantanamo is going to have to be kept open to jail all of these enemies of the state. It’s much worse than we think, or leaps as terribly bad as we think it is. Can’t wait for Jared Kushner and Netanyahu, not to mention Alan Dershowitz to come up, and they will.
13
I wonder if I have standing to sue Trump for waste for not using the State Department to conduct the affairs of State. As he notoriously quipped about nuclear weapons, "what good is it if you don't use it?" If he wants Giuliani to run these things, make him Secretary of State and let him use the billions in budget spending that goes into it. Don't sideline all of the institutional know-how and expertise these diplomats have acquired in service.
15
Obviously, Dems do not have the votes for impeachment inquiry as Pelosi was to hold major press conference tonight announced on CNN which was speculated to say that they were going to announce vote, but she announced no such vote and CNN did not even cover it.
These secret hearings to not seem to be swaying even the moderate Dems probably because of fear of being unseated because of a politcally incorrect impeachment vote.
4
This isn’t political. It’s a crime scene.
If the White House had even ONE single document that contradicted the narrative emerging from testimony Trump would’ve been unable to resist tweeting it out ages ago. The problem they have is that every single document they have corroborates the testimony and then some
36
The Constitution says nothing about a vote to initiate impeachment investigations by the House. It simply authorizes the House to conduct an investigation and, if that investigation warrants, to bring Articles of Impeachment authorized by a majority of the House. Everything so far has been entirely constitutional.
"Executive privilege is executive poppycock."—Senator Samuel Irvin during the Nixon hearings.
Refusing to honor House subpoenas in this matter, if encouraged by the President, is simply obstruction.
And we're not only in a time of constitutional crisis, but, as developments in the Middle East have shown in the past few days, a time of national security crisis. If Republicans don't understand what the growing influence of Russia in the Middle East means, then they aren't the party of national defense, of national security, as well as of the rule of law.
28
The White House and the President often take personal control of foreign-policy matters. Clinton, Bush 43, and Obama all micro-managed certain relationships and country accounts. It's a common practice and a Deputy Assistant Secretary like George Kent is merely a coordinator of cable traffic with his respective embassy accounts. He does not make policy and he may not even communicate with every ambassador in his portfolio depending on the country. Therefore, he has two options in this situation: 1) defer to the president, or 2) criticize him as he's done before Congress today. This demonstrates that Kent has politicized the process and has declared sides. This is not what apolitical civil servants are supposed to do, but Washington is not "normal" anymore.
2
It is absurd to suggest that anything about the way Trump has handled Ukraine is standard presidential practice.
35
“Merely a coordinator of cable traffic.”
That’s absurd. And not in a happy Beckett way; in an ignorant way, the kind you get when a Trumpist is grinding an axe.
24
Sorry to shock you, but you clearly don't understand how the Inter-Agency process works. But feel free to send George Kent a sympathy note for getting his feelings hurt when he was cut out this summer. Happens all the time...like it or not.
1
Thanks to George Kent for his integrity, courage, and faithful service to our country. He and Amb. Yovanovitch are a credit to the U.S. diplomatic corps, and we are grateful.
24
It is entirely up to Mr Trump who he listens to for advice. I guess Mr Kent's feelings were hurt because he considers himself an expert, but that's his problem and not Mr Trump's.
2
Bit of advice: check Kent’s bio before such...claims.
20
Unless it’s for personal political gain, in which case it’s very much Trump’s problem, since that’s an impeachable offense.
24
Hannity claims tonight that Pelosi will not call for a vote on impeachment because she doesn't have the votes.
1
This treachery at its worst. As the facts come in on how just a few weeks ago the Kurds , convinced of our security guarantees, dismantled their hardened forward defensive positions. They learned by tweet that they had fallen into a Trump Erdogan treachery. Trump needs to move himself and his family into those Istanbul towers that bear his name, out of reach of an enraged America.
We should send our forces back in immediately if we want to avoid a fate of infamy, and a destiny of ever more war.
The stabilizing mechanisms of peace are being deconstructed before our eyes. Apparently Trump works for Erdogan as well as Putin. He probably thinks he has played them off against each other. Our system needs to rid itself of this toxic infektion.
32
“Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, said Democrats had thrown “fairness and precedent to the wind.”
Oh really Mitch?!
You, who knows all about throwing fairness and precedent out the window in that whole refusing to confirm a Supreme Court Justice because there was less than a year left in Obama’s presidency?!? There is no limit to GOP hypocrisy even as it drags the entire Republic (and our allies) down with it.
57
“Across the Capitol, Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, said Democrats had thrown “fairness and precedent to the wind.”
Oh my oh my. Might someone remind the pearl clutching Senator about a certain Judge Garland who never got his Supreme Court nomination hearing? Just to compare his throwing “fairness and precedence” to the howling void. The hypocrisy is almost laughable.
63
Hey, Republicans on the Hill, if you've got even the faintest interest in ever running for higher office, you should start treating this as a legitimate process of your (coequal) branch of government.
Even if you're just thinking about reelection, the tv ads are beginning to write themselves.
Which is it going to be, "one of the first with the honesty and courage to say his/her own party was wrong," or "wouldn't agree that foreign businesses and governments shouldn't interfere in our elections"?
28
So Pence is up to his neck in all this criminality and has decided to also take part in this obstruction of justice.
After we are done with Trump, Pence should be impeached and thrown out too.
And after Pence, Barr and the fake Sec. of State, Pompeo.
The entire lot of them are as crooked as you can possibly get.
43
Has anyone noticed that everyone speaking out against this administration looks like the toughest, coolest, smartest folks around -- Yovanovitch, Kent, Fiona Hill - I'd love to have a dinner with any of them! (and Sally Yates can join us for drinks).
59
Just desserts.
2
@ Peter
They are asking question in the closed door sessions, I am pretty sure. It is, after all, a bipartisan Intelligence Committee hearing. Standard Operating Procedure during the investigatory phase.
Then, if thisbgies to trial, all out in the open questioning by both parties.
23
@Semper Fi is correct. The Republicans have equal questioning time.
4
Republicans are complaining about the lack of a house vote. What hypocrisy from the party which refused to fulfill their constitutional duty to consider and vote on a nominee for the Supreme Court, who changed the rule requiring 60 votes in the Senate for Supreme Court nominees, who passed a tax bill drafted and changed in secret, with only two hours of debate, and who refuse to allow Senate votes on bills drafted and passed by the Democratic House.
The Democrats are right to refuse to consider this patent ploy, nowhere required or described in any rule or law. There is absolutely no doubt that if a vote happened the Republicans would invent another new rule and continue to refuse to produce witnesses and documents. After all, they don't want to have to take the fifth.
59
Well, well, well. John Bolton emerges as a principled guy in this sordid affair. His testimony will be must-see TV for sure.
29
So very pleased to see a republican stand tall for truth and integrity. Who’s next?
I keep hoping the withheld $391 million in military aid to Ukraine can be tied to the “favor.” That would grab the attention of ordinary voters. Right now, things are a little weak. Hard to convince a lot of people that the payoff was to be just a White House meeting. (But in fact it was.) Maybe the Ds might consider explaining why it would be so important to Zelenskyy.
7
Surely the question is whether you’re trying to influence a foreign government to do something for domestic political purposes, whether it’s by persuasion or an overt quid pro quo.
10
@Harry
I don't see any weakness in the premise that Trump held back the military aid so as to pressure Zelensky. There are multiple testimonies that this was the case and there is also Volker's text to Andrey Yermak proving the same.
Then there is the text of the phone call.
What more would you want?
11
Prosecutors that I’ve heard recently, like Katyal, have noted that you rarely get such abundant evidence of wrongdoing.
Republicans debase themselves when they treat this national crisis like a political contest of sloganeering in front of the cameras.
8
I'm heartened to know that important people like Giuliani, Trump, Pence, et al don't have to obey subpoenas like the rest of us mere citizens have to. It gives us all something to aspire to.
40
Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, said Democrats had thrown “fairness and precedent to the wind.” That takes a brass set, given how he handled Obama's candidate for the Supreme Court.
Stand firm, Ms. Pelosi. Try as they may, there is no reason whatsoever the GOP should drive your decisions, timeline, methods.
72
First the women spoke truth to power. Today, truth comes out gentlemanly, in a bow tie at that. My deepest thanks to all of you. You are true patriots and make my American heart soar again.
51
These heroic government servants, criticized for years as being lazy government bureaucrats, have proven to be the salvation of the nation, the constitution and renew our confidence in government. We are lucky to have them and I hope they all get medals from the new President.
71
Reminds me of Casablanca when the "sheriff" expressed surprise that there was gambling going on at Rick's place (Humphrey Bogart) . These govt officials all swore oaths to uphold the constitution not the political career of rogue president they should act accordingly. Would they want executive orders from a democrat president going after all the things right wing conservatives abhor. When questioned by congress gop congressmen were outraged at the refusal of anyone in the Obama admin giving them everything they asked for. "Crooked" Hillary testified for 11 hours to Gowdy who found nothing wrong while Trump said he would testify but hid behind his lawyers . The GOP need to think this over Pence might be a better deal for the GOP and the Trump family with pardons and spare the country a nightmare of an impeachment trial and we can start to become a beacon on the hill again as our founding fathers intended.
12
It seems very ironic that the Republicans on Capitol Hill are now insisting that having votes is necessary for the proper functioning of government. Where were they when the Merrick Garland nomination was submitted?
83
This guy should consider himself lucky to be cut out. Not sullied by the toxic waste spewed out by the White House.
23
True citizens, public servants, and genuine patriots, speaking truth and honesty and doing so with integrity, ethics, and character, this nation thanks you from the bottom of its collective heart.
36
Re: Matthew E. Morgan, the counsel to the vice president, ........... . blasted the investigation enterprise as a “self-proclaimed ‘impeachment inquiry’” that was ultimately illegitimate.
Yet another miscreant that needs a copy of the U.S. Constitutuon. Here's a hint for you, Matt. Article I, Section 2.
44
>>Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, said Democrats had thrown “fairness and precedent to the wind.”<<
. . . said the guy who blocked the nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court.
98
This is getting more and more shady by the day.
And since its Ukraine I really can't help but think that Putin is involved in this somehow behind the scene
41
One would have to be in serious clinical denial not to conclude that serial mob-like corruption is not afoot in the WH, presided over by the commander in chief. It’s not exactly a legacy-builder for all these elected GOP invertebrates to prostitute themselves defending a clear and present threat to our Constitutional Democracy until, of course, it becomes apparent that it’s no longer politically and personally expedient. These craven addicts to their own self-interest should be voted out of office.
46
"Republicans, who have pounded Democrats for not holding the vote, kept up the pressure on Tuesday, accusing them of ignoring obvious precedent set in the two modern presidential impeachment investigations to deny Mr. Trump and his party a fair process."
Trump has done nothing but break precedent since he showed up and the Republicans love it! But apparently no one else is allowed.
54
So Donald Trump wanted the senior State Department official in charge of Ukraine policy to "lay low" on all things involving Ukraine policy...
... Hey Mitch McConnell, did Trump tell you to "lay low" on being a legitimate senator of the United States? Because you sure sure don't like one. You look like Donald Trump's court jester.
Trump is as guilty sin, and so are his supporters in this TOP.
i.e., Trump's Officious Pawns,
46
That's rich, McConnell saying the Democrats have thrown fairness to the winds. It was McConnell who wouldn't let Congress vote on Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court even though Obama had eleven months to go in his term. McConnell wouldn't know fairness if it floated down from the heavens and landed on him.
159
@Linda "McConnell wouldn't know fairness if it floated down from the heavens " Unless, of course, there was an envelope attached.
31
@Linda You are quite right about McConnell's absurd complaint about "fairness". And his duplicitous whine was not only about fairness but also precedent:
Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, said Democrats had thrown “fairness and precedent to the wind.”
This from a leader who refused to allow a Supreme Court nominee a hearing, let alone a vote, which didn't have much precedent. Then didn't he abolish the Senate tradition of needing 60 votes so that Trump's candidate could be confirmed in an unprecedented manner?
Then again, in all fairness, how many previous Senate Minority Leaders had publicly proclaimed that their goal was to make sure that a U.S. presidency was a failure?
It took eight years but it looks as if his wish has been granted.
8
George Kent has bravely chosen to testify in response to a valid Congressional subpoena and a corrupt attempt by the White House to silence him.
It is up to Congress and the American people to make sure that the Trump administration takes no reprisals against this courageous Foreign Service Officer, since his boss, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, is missing in action.
44
Trump's mindless grumbling about the "deep state" is his desperate attempt to amp up his base to become enraged. He's at the end of his rope and with each passing day has demonstrated that he obsessed with surviving impeachment to the point where he is not fulfilling any of his presidential responsibilities. Trump blames the Democrats for not focusing on legislation but he has absolutely no interest in any legislation.
34
How is this impeachment inquiry going to play with swing/purple voters? Yes, Congress' responsibilities require the pursuit of an investigation. But I suspect this will NOT play well among swing state voters who are the fence sitters. Polling may show that 52% of voters overall support this impeachment inquiry, but that doesn't tell us what % of purple voters in swing states are persuaded by the fundamental violation of involving Ukraine in our electoral integrity.
I am contradicting myself because I stated that Congress must pursue this inquiry if it is to do its duty. But this could easily cost the Democrats the 2020 election.
To the swing voter, the burden is on the Congress to prove that Trump wasn't "just" ordering the State Department to get Ukraine to investigate corruption. If they fail to do that simply, completely, and convincingly, the Trump narrative that this is just Schiff and Pelosi out to get Trump will be confirmed.
So Geroge P. Kent says that the President used the State Department to do his bidding in Ukraine? So he sent his "envoy" Rudy Giuliani to do some digging and make some contacts? To many voters, that's the President's right.
I remember the day-by-day unfolding of Watergate, and even though these are early days, I suspect this isn't going to end with clarity. Not only will the Senate of course not convict, but more importantly the truth of the outrageous White House crimes will not emerge in stark relief. That's my fear.
7
@Michael
George Kent did not say that Trump used the State Dept. to do his bidding. He said he, and the normal State Dept. procedures, were sidelined by Sonderland, Volker and Rick Perry (the 3 amigos). Giuliani directed and orchestrated the scam that was told by Ukrainians, who had something to gain by lying, to Americans, who had something to gain by listening.
You seem to think people from Ohio might have trouble understanding the story. It’s not that complicated.
16
@ Michael.
" The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" FDR...a great American who took the responsibility and didn't shirk his duty. Dems cannot shirk their duty. it's in the Constitution..politics is buffoonery. STAND UP for what is RIGHT.
14
“Crooked Hillary” and “Uranium One” weren’t very difficult narratives to follow either. You seem to either be unaware of how this impeachment is being spun on Fox, Breitbart, Limbaugh or, if aware, inappropriately unconcerned. And remember: I’m only talking about purple voters in the key swing states. After all, they will determine the next President. I have no doubt that Ohio voters can discern truth; I have serious concern that the spin factory will produce enough cobwebs that many won’t bother to do so.
2
Of course they meant 'Lie Low.'
17
More evidence of corruption and the GOP gives a collective yawn. Pathetic.
34
Their spineless cowering before Trump is astounding. Such cowardice!
19
“The revelation from George P. Kent, the deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, emerged as he became the latest top administration official to submit to hours of closed-door testimony to the House committees investigating how President Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate his political rivals.”
Closed-door testimony or a deposition? It’s an important distinction. A deposition is always made under oath; closed door testimony, not necessarily.
5
The bottom line is that this —person— was not even employed when the phone call took place.
3
@Stephen Gianelli
The bottom line is that you hesitate to refer to Mr. Kent as a person.
Oh, and the transcript of the call and the whistleblower report are SEPARATE pieces of evidence. Kent isn't there to testify about ALL the evidence against the president, just what he was a witness to.
I suppose the only recourse in defending Trump at this point is to change the subject.
100
@Stephen Gianelli
Your response assumes that the phone call was the only improper conduct under investigation And that only a person currently employed can know about illegal actions by the empolyer and by co-workers.
46
@Stephen Gianelli Another bottom line: Giuliani was apparently involved in extorting the Ukraine Government with US taxpayer funds, was not in the employ of the State Department while doing so, all at the direction of Donald Trump.
And both criminals admitted it already.
95
"Impeachment investigators thus far have been conducting their proceedings almost entirely in secret by holding staff-led witness depositions, or interviews, rather than public hearings."
This should terrify all Americans!
2
@99percent
»"Impeachment investigators thus far have been conducting their proceedings almost entirely in secret by holding staff-led witness depositions, or interviews, rather than public hearings."«
You left something out:
"But the tactic is not uncommon on Capitol Hill, at least in the early stages of an investigation."
If you haven’t found it terrifying before, you shouldn’t now.
51
@99percent Typically, depositions are not considered public documents. Nothing terrifying about that.
45
@99percent
So you are terrified by grand juries? They have been a part of our legal system for centuries, and this is what is happening as the investigation gets started. I guess it only bothers you because it involves "The Chosen One"?
Trump will have his day in the senate, comparable to a jury trial. At that point he can tell us how months of putting pressure on Ukraine via his own "Deep state" to make dirt on Biden is in the country's interest.
68
Private hearings, no floor vote, Schiff saying the whistleblower doesn’t need to testify at all... I’m getting a sinking feeling.
2
@boyer
A sinking feeling about what? The questioning behind closed doors *at this stage* of the investigation is not irregular; there doesn’t *have* to be a floor vote; and if the information the whistleblowers have provided is confirmed by other witnesses, why would they need to testify?
48
They’re way beyond the whistleblower at this point, especially considering all the evidence that back up the claims. Republican complaints about the whistleblower are simple deflections from that evidence.
48
@boyer
Private hearings? Why not, plenty of time to dispute findings during the Senate phase of the Impeachment.
No Floor vote? It's not required, even if Trump and his minions in the Executive Branch being investigated pretend to know how the House functions, but not the Executive Branch.
whistleblower doesn’t need to testify? He/she doesn't, plenty of first hand testimony being collected.
47
Warren will always be edged by Trump, unless he's overwhelmingly tainted in the eyes of the American majority.
If so, McConnell will negotiate a resignation for Trump by spring of 2020. Several GOP candidates will be warming by then.
The winner of 2020 will be whoever has a centrist, moderate, common sense platform.
I doubt Warren will tack enough to center: too much of an ideologue, living in an echo chamber.
After the scary, fascist insanity of Trump . . . most Americans will desire stable, fair, respectful governance -- not anything that smacks of extreme or experimental.
19
@Hannacroix:
It's simultaneously hilarious and sad that someone like Elizabeth Warren is considered "extreme" or "experimental." This country has gone so far to the right that positions even Nixon would've approved of are now considered extreme.
94
@Hannacroix
Excellent comment, the Dems better be careful or they could be facing Nikki Haley in 2020. Who could easily be elected the first Female President. Few Republicans will cast a vote for a Progressive with her on the ballot.
@Hannacroix It is interesting to see some people arguing that Warren is too far to the left, while people on the left argue she can't be trusted because she was once a Republican.
16
This is the time for our representatives to protect the Constitution and due their duty. They should not be gauging the political winds
333
@Carol H In case you haven’t noticed, they are trying. But they are being blockaded by every Republican in both the House and the Senate, For reasons I cannot comprehend, continue to protect this person who calls him self the president.
51
@Carol H Why all the secrecy?
Now imagine this Star Chamber routine was being conducted against Pres. Obama by his opposition, with only selected leaking to Rush Limbaugh and no news coverage allowed.
You could hear the screaming all the way to where you park at night.
9
It’s not a “star chamber”. It’s a legal and constitutional investigation, akin to a grand jury proceeding. There will be plenty of public testimony in the impeachment phase in the House and the Senate trial.
Obama ran clean White House, so it wasn’t likely he would ever face an impeachment investigation.
Character counts, as do actions.
62
I'm confused about subpoenas...what little I
know about the courts, if you fail to comply with a court subpoena and I guess, with a subpoena issued by congress, you can suffer a penalty under the law...Why can Giuliani and the White House refuse and there are no consequences?
493
@RP
The President claims that he has "executive privelege" and therefore any evidence relating to his job does not have to be produced. That includes witnesses from the White House and from executive departments like the Treasury Department and State Departments.
Giuliani has attorney client privilege as the president's lawyer, but as to his own criminal culpability has no privilege.
I think that the courts will find that the president has no privilege. US v. Nixon.
195
@RP
Pelosi.
8
@RP ….Whose going to arrest them? I doubt if the Justice Department under Barr will order that to happen.
42
Thus far, the folks who have testified have demonstrated honesty, courage, and patriotism.
Let's see where Gordon Sondland lands. It's quite possible that he'll distance himself from Trump. If he does, the floodgates could open.
Another key witness could be John Bolton. Who would've thought that Bolton might topple a Republican president? You can't make this stuff up.
522
@jaco
I’m not familiar with any inquisitions, but most of the testimony has been given in closed sessions.
Three people have been issued subpoenas, and they’ve ignored any orders not to testify (in order to hide the truth). That sounds like courage and patriotism.
No one has questioned their honesty.
93
@Brian Mr. Sondland has a very smart wife and he'll cooperate on her orders, per reports.
21
@jaco
"inquisitions"
you know that some Republicans have been part of these "inquisitions" right?
24
As has been pointed out by the lawyers for other witnesses who've been instructed not to testify - executive privilege goes out the window when it comes to illegal acts. There is no executive privilege that can shield Trump from his actions and the actions he directed others to take.
684
@Dave Ballance illegal yes. But “unconstitutional”? ThE latter is the argument being made by Schiff et al. (Abuse of power)
@Sam Adler
What's the point in arguing illegal vs. unconstitutional? Are there illegal things permitted by the constitution? Unconstitutional things permitted by law?
11
@Dave Ballance but the clear implication being made in this article is that there is something untoward in Mr. Trump’s decision not to listen to the advice and counsel of Mr. Kent and Ms. Yovanovitch, and that is simply not the case. Much of this article focuses on Mr. Kent’s allegation that Trump didn’t listen to him. So what?
Pence would be smart to honor requests for documents.
Trump cannot fire him. Voters out Lence in office.
But Pence May have to step into the Oval Office if Trump is impeached.
It is time for Pence to stop appeasing the Snake in the Oval Office.
12
@Jean He will be out too. He is certainly dirty and has a long history of it.
10
Trump and co are guilty to the core .This is the tip of many tips and those of a rational mind may wonder where did Trump not do something illegally rather then in relation to Ukraine alone .
The Republicans final argument will be "OK , he did wrong but look at the state of the nation etc but one could easily counter argue that the apparent economic state of prosperity is not because of Trump but in spite of Trump .
There are some big hitters yet to be interviewed and the funny thing is that those Republicans on these committees are staying quiet and those outside of the loop are doing all the shouting .
I have yet to hear one remotely sensible or plausible line of argument coming from the Republicans ..
16
@patchelli45 I have a theory that t* and co have decided that if they break every law and every norm that we (the People) won't be able to keep up, get worn out and just let it go from exhaustion. So far, I've not been wrong. He has broken just about every law except jaywalking and he's probably done that also.
10
@ladyforreal. Nope, never jaywalked. Doesn’t walk . But he was cited for driving his golf cart through the crosswalk against the light.
6
"...the president’s allies have continuously accused Democrats of deviating from the precedent ..."
Don't dish out the Merrick Garland if you can't take the Merrick Garland.
53
I’m in my sixth decade and one needs only to watch Giuliani to know he’s a snake.
Trump? Duh. Conman from the get go.
53
@Keith Morrison Welcome aboard. New Yorkers have been saying that about the Big G for years. That's why he had to go to DC for a job instead.
9
That’s a very big jug of water he has there. Poor guy.
2
At any other time in our history with any other President impeachment and removal a forgone conclusion. Have we raised the bar or lowered expectations about Presidential actions, accountability and obstruction?
10
Trump complains that the inquiry is behind closed doors. However, this is what is always done to be sure each person gives their own report without being influenced by what others said. Then, the inquiry compares and combines each testimony to give a comprehensive and coherent picture of what happened. This is Law 101 — Trump doesn’t know how the law works.
37
Just listened to Rand Paul obfuscate saying both parties tried to shake Ukraine down for dirt and it’s all about Trump hate. Its unlikely the Senator would be be on TV without his fathers name and connections. Plz tell media partners to stop using term of shadow diplomacy. There was no diplomacy just a corrupt attempt to dirty a political rival. The media needs to do better!
27
@Suzanne Coats Rand Paul has rubbles falling out of his pockets.
11
It’s becoming clear that Trump has replaced the Department of State with an international extortion ring. His AG has become a promoter of Trump’s conspiracy theories. It is also clear that he has turned the war against Islamic State into a game of catch and release, disgracing our brave soldiers and trivializing the many lives lost in that war. All of this has, coincidentally, worked to the benefit o Putin.
44
"Republicans and the White House have said it is a prerequisite to lend fairness and legitimacy to the process."
All hail the GOP! Purveyors of fairness and legitimacy. Keepers of the flame of righteousness.
46
Finally, a Mr. Goes to Washington...it’s about time the gender gap was crossed and a male found the fortitude to testify. I hope it was against White House orders. Ms. Hill and the American ambassador to Ukrainian comported themselves quite admirably.
Now is the time for all good women AND men to come to the aid of their country.
If we do, Trump will flee to Turkey Towers a few weeks sooner that if we dilly dally around on this.
45
Two sides of calling Trump's bluff by passing a formal inquiry resolution. One, they would undercut that ubiquitous talking point about the "Illegitimate, fake, blah, blah witch hunt." Second, caving to the White House demand will probably just result in some new demand and reason to resist the inquiry. I am pretty sure Trump is not going to say "OK, thanks, we'll all be happy to cooperate now."
31
VP Biden's failure to prevent to prevent his son Hunter's employment in foreign concerns while not illegal has met significant criticism. Ironic how questionable behavior by his rival could be final straw on Trump's back.
9
It appears that Trump is trying to overthrow the authority of congress, perhaps the Times could understand his need for a third term.
5
Dear Mr. Trump,
You’re being investigated. You don’t set the rules and it’s starting to look pretty bad for you. How does that feel?
Love, America
127
@M
That was so goid!
Made me laugh.
Thx
7
@ m. Great. But instead of “how does that feel,” how about “now it’s time for you to shut up and listen for a change.”
5
The “Deep State” turns out to be Trump himself, as usual he’s always projecting.
146
@John
The projecting is a propaganda technique to confuse the Base, a soft target to begin with.
6
It was Representative Nunez who presiding over the earlier hearings of a Trump Russia investigation while in his sworn capacity of providing oversight, took it upon himself to run to the White House as soon as he could to secretly report to his leader what the House was investigating.
Now after the 2018 elections handed the majority to the Democrats his minority leader Adam Schiff is heading up a well run impeachment inquiry. For all their railing and process complaining, Republicans don't say too much about the substance being shared by career diplomats and previous White House officials who have been outraged by the shadow foreign policy being run by a Rudy Giuliani and his shady thugs Lev and Igor. Each day the story expands as witnesses line up to tell their stories of abuse of power from the top. Now that's got to be Karma.
80
Rudy basically betrayed the country, so I’m in favor of sending him to jail for a good long stretch, but I’m definitely against him being disbarred.
President Trump deserves to be represented by the lawyer that he deserves.
76
Can there be a better example of entitled hypocrisy than the prez demanding transparency from the Dems, given how totally transparent and cooperative his administration has been from day one.
Transparent tax returns, right?
96
@Rockon You must've forgotten how he said, "I'm the most transparent president in the history of presidents ever."
11
I’m sure the House has enough to begin an impeachment inquiry.
If the House doesn’t act soon, the impeachment process will start to merge with the election and impeachment will soon become a moot point.
I’ve been saying Warren-Gabbard. But Andrew Yang is also a very strong contender for Veep. Let Elizabeth choose.
Lastly, I hear that Pence is refusing to testify. Let’s be clear on this. All who have refused to come before the House of Representatives should be JAILED for contempt. I’m talking Pence, Pompeo, Giuliani, R. Stone, Trump, everyone.
Jail them until their viewpoint clarifies.
No one, I repeat, no one in this country is above the Law. Especially Trump and his minions.
49
With the news that Pence and Giuliani are willfully not going to honor the subpoena I would dearly like to see them enforced.
I realize Pence is more complicated to deal with, but a Giuliani raid would put a big, big smile on my face.
69
The tell here is how little time the Republicans have spent defending the Administration's actions or denying the facts that are rapidly emerging.
Does anyone believe that, if the facts were on their side, they'd choose to instead focus on challenging the "legitimacy" of the impeachment inquiry?
28
@David Not me. Muddying the waters by attacking the process is all they can do. They can't defend Trump with facts, because there are none to use in doing that. It's comical to hear them scream with such righteous outrage about not following precedent. I hope President Obama and Merrick Garland are enjoying that as much as I am.
24
Two things...
1) When is trump gonna release the actual audio of the fateful Ukrainian phone call? I want to hear his beautiful voice, not just a rough transcript. I want to hear his actual words and the tone.
2) When does the trump bus run over Rudy? I’m guessing very very soon trump will be saying he only met “crazy Rudy” a few times and hardly ever spoke with him...worst lawyer ever....The criminal Ukrainian operation was all Rudy’s idea, and we all wish him well in prison.
71
Trump wants the interviews to be held ‘in the open’ so he can live-tweet and harass those interviewed.
Let Congress do their job and let Trump do his. Does he even know what his job is?
78
@Maxi . You say, "live tweet and harass". You forgot "threaten".
7
I appreciate that he brought a reusable water bottle.
30
The fact that Giuliani refuses to comply with the subpoena suggests he is above the law unless he is actually compelled to do so. Let's hope the US legal system still has sufficient strength to enforce the law. With the Supreme Court successfully stacked by Trump this is now highly questionable. I hope I am wrong.
20
To Richard who wondered why Mr. Kent's three piece suit and bow tie were relevant...
The answer is they aren't BUT...after years? decades? of women complaining about the media's obsession with women's wardrobes, hairstyles and the like, it's nice to see the shoe on the other foot for a change.
30
@NK Men at this level have virtually no choice, whereas women are given a great deal of latitude in what they are allowed to wear. Too bad, because I think Trump would look at lot better in Elizabeth Warren's wardrobe.
2
Two things:
1- The Republicans and Trump complaining because the Democrats are not following the precedent of impeachment processes of the past is truly rich!
2- If the Democrats vote to officially begin the impeachment process, which the Constitution does not require them to do, the Republicans will simply move the goalpost to some other perceived problem with the process. Always remember Lucy and the football.
104
@John M
Exactly correct.
15
Amazing how many fail to grasp what is going on.
Soylent Green is people.
18
Trump is treating Federal employees and career diplomats as if they were employees in his personal business. Of course, they must follow his every order or risk being fired because (he thinks) they work for him. Trump does not seem to have any grasp of the idea that he and all federal employees work for all the people of this country.
This inability to understand what it means to be a public servant may be the greatest reason to require a history of public service before someone is allowed to run for president.
82
Kudos to the Dems for holding an orderly investigative process. GOP caterwauling rings hollow, given the skulduggery of the Nunes led investigations .. and others over the past years. If anything, its music for the soul. Carry-on ....
60
I can’t wait until they get the tax returns.
46
Dear conservativethinktank,
How about some facts rather than ad hominem attacks. I am an American and I do not want the whistleblower identified. I want the law followed. I thought obedience to the law was a core conservative value. I guess I was wrong.
82
Speaker Pelosi should call for a VOICE vote to determine if an impeachment inquiry should go forward.
If it gets to the Senate, Leader McConnell will invoke the same,
9
The deep state really takes it personally when the elected leader of the free world doesn't get on board with their failed policies or political agendas. If you didn't think there was a deep state effort against a sitting president after the Russia collusion hoax, the daily deep state parade to Congress of embittered (and entitled) state department officials should convince you. Hillary Clinton and John Kerry turned the State Department into a partisan snake pit. Just look at Victoria Nuland and Jonathan Winer.
5
@TL its good to get your news from various sources; a plurality of free press has reported seemingly factual events which have built an overall narrative of clear corruption. But, you’d need to unplug from State Tevision to gain that perspective
35
@TL
C'mon, T. Just you and me. We can use code, if you like.
But tell me...do you honestly believe there's a deep state?
I mean, really?
And, if there is, how come they're so much powerfuller than Don and The Rudester? How come they control, well, everything?
And what do they want?
Really, what do you think they want?
Don't tell me "To destroy America and crush our democratic values", because if that was it they'd love Trump to death, you know? Whether he's on board or not.
21
I'll tell you who these folks are, that you're accusing of being the Deep State. They're John Bolton & the colleagues he worked with, trying to prevent an obviously ILLEGAL collusion between Trump/Rudy & Ukraine from taking place. They're professionals with intelligent reason NOT to break the law, NOT to allow something impeachable to go down, & once it went down anyway, they're not interested in going down with the Titanic. The supposed Deep State is professionals trying to keep things legal; to any extent that the Deep State goes beyond that, it is nothing but the product of feverishly paranoid rightwing minds.
18
Let's hope that the Feds can arrest Giuliani like they did with Cohen. Raid his office. He committed a crime. Everyone but the Trump base knows he did. Even the GOP knows he did, just like they know that Trump committed a crime. Let's see who breaks first. Does Giuliani sing (he contradicts himself all the time and admits something he denied moments before) and deal with Trump throwing him under a bus or does he plead the 5th, go to prison, and wait for the pardon. At least the impeachment is keeping Trump from impeaching Flynn and anyone else who kept their mouths shut.
14
A large thank-you to all the Congresspeople who stayed in DC during the break to keep the ball rolling on the impeachment inquiry. This is much too important of an issue to let it sit on the back burner for two weeks. Keep focused on the facts and don't let the bluster and obfuscation coming from the White House distract or deter your work. Godspeed!
1044
@Gig
Time to play hard ball with Mike Pence, he is knee deep in this Trump cover up.
The media and public have given him a free ride, Pence has been covering for Trump since Sally Yates was fired for standing up to Trump.
Pence refuses to answer basic questions about the Ukraine cover up.
Nixon's VP had to resigned when the truth came out.
Time to push for the whole truth and a possible Pence impeachment.
93
Actually Spiro Agnew’s resignation had nothing to do directly with the Watergate investigation. He got nailed by his years of corruption in Maryland
46
@Gig
Oh but yet another "vacation" is looming large for our hard(ly) working representatives in a few weeks.
So the "deep state" turns out to be regular people in gov't doing their jobs with integrity and not able to be bought off by the crooks who spawned the "deep state" conspiracy theory to malign them. Cheers to the brave gov't workers who are standing up for the truth, our laws and our constitution, which they took an oath to protect. It is the first time I've felt proud of the USA since November 6, 2016. Hopefully more people will come forward with what they know.
1506
Great post-
80
@kay Didn't Steve Bannon invent the term "deep state" or was it Roy Cohn? Despite the fact that one of the two has passed on the end product is about the same.
19
@Fritz Basset
Deep State meant something totally different to Cohn. To Bannon it was a brand of scotch whiskey.
11
What we have heard from Yovanovich, Hill, Kent and the whistle-blowers is absolutely frightening. It’s indisputable that Trump, Pompeo, Pence, Giuliani, and even Barr have subverted the State Department and turned it into a dirty-ops division of Trump’s 2020 campaign.
Thank God for the brave Americans who have come forward to tell the story. And we should all have utter contempt for those myriad Republicans who have chosen to defend Trump rather than the national interest. For those who have had reservations about impeachment proceedings, I can only quote the sage, Hillel, “If not now, when?”
1510
@Avatar
"What we have heard from Yovanovich, Hill, Kent and the whistle-blowers is absolutely frightening."
All of the testimony is secret. The only information you have heard is leaked and is therefore biased and incomplete. Not to mention that Yovanovich, Hill, and Kent are disgruntled former employees with an axe to grind.
4
@99percent
Both Yovanovitch and Kent are still current employees!
104
@99percent
Nope. Nope. Depends on your perspective. You are obviously biased and are therefore projecting.
59
Donald, you have no idea what "excoriated" means. But listen my impeachable friend, settle down, you will have plenty of time to hear the federal charges against you
30
Time to arrest and jail Giuliani, if only to make clear to Trump that disobeying a subpoena is illegal and won’t be tolerated. They think they’re above the law. Adam Schiff, show them they’re wrong. Show me, if the Dems want my vote in 2020.
44
Since Adam Schiff can't tell the truth, I don't believe anything I hear or read about impeachment anymore. The man ruined the resistance.
2
@Mark
You are making the case I have been hearing that trump supporters are immune to facts and the truth, and that they would rather watch our country be sold to the Russians and the Saudis, the highest bidders thus far, than to leave the cold comfort of the corrupt conman they put into office.
Trump is compromised.
He is a threat to the integrity of ourbrlections.
He is a threat to our national security.
39
@Mark
It’s very rich for Trump supporter to talk about anyone ‘not telling the truth’.
Mr Trump’s lies are in the tens of thousands - just since he took office. Lifetime lies? Much higher.
US Banks stopped writing loans to Trump organization because Mr Trump never kept his word. Probably why Putin has such a hold on him -his sons admitted they get their money from Russia.
26
Next up, they will impeach him for getting out of Syria, and then in a week, for ... seriously, this circus is benefiting no one, and making the Democrats look more desperate by the day.
Just drop it. He will not resign or be arrested, and it continues to distract from any Democrat plan, making them look like the Party of Tantrums instead.
3
You’re right, as much as I hate it. We’ll just have to wait for him to lose re-election and be indicted on federal charges in the Southern District Court of NY.
5
@Autumn Leaf
Trump is compromised
He is a threat to to the integrity of our elections.
He is a threat to our national security.
27
@AutumnLeaf
Luckily Democrats in Congress can do their job as legislators AND investigate a crooked President.
They have sent numerous bills to the Senate. Check McConnell’s desk - it’s where bills go to die. He won’t bring anything up that Trump won’t sign. What does that make McConnell’s Senate? Certainly not an independent branch of government.
27
The man wears a bowtie. This is a man I believe. A man with orange skin, not so much.
32
@Scott Montgomery
And he brings a reuseable water bottle with him.
11
@katethomas56
("Thumbs up" emoji goes here.)
7
The hysteria demonstrated by the commentariat here vindicate Mr. Adam Schiff's refusal to release full transcripts of these meetings. Mission accomplished!! For now.
12
“Who took the bribe and how much was it?”
I like that style.
18
So proud of George Kent, fellow SAIS '92. His professionalism, patriotism, and character are a source of inspiration and hope in these troubled times and stands in sharp contrast to the cynicism and self dealing of the current administration. My hat's off to you sir.
42
@George K.
DITTO!
Wonderful comment.
1
Whenever one party can legally block or minimize participation by the other party in any congressional procedure, the controlling party has attempted to do just that. The Republicans pushed through the recent tax bill by preventing the Democrats from any meaningful participation. Call it politics, but each party uses this tactic whenever it can get away with it. The prevailing attitude seems to be that the end justifies the means.
1
@ William
Are you talking about the fact that the hearings going on right now are closed?
If so, get up to speed, please.
This is standard operating procedure in the legal world.
Investigatory hearings are closed, just like grand jury investigations. This encourages people to tell the truth.
The trial phase is completely in the open.
And BTW, these are bipartisan hearings. There are republican and democrats on this committee hearing the testimony.
But you know all of that. You are just pushing the trump talking points.
29
Heartfelt gratitude to these career employees for defying Pompeo and telling the truth.
55
I certainly hope Mr. Kent is cut from the same cloth of integrity and courage that Marie Yovanovitch and Fiona Hill were and will be truthful and forthcoming regarding what he heard, say and observed regarding Trump and the Ukraine scenario.
25
It is ironic to hear the Republicans and the president scream "transparency" and "full disclosure". Not too long ago Bill Barr took the liberty to summarize and hold back the full and consequential report for a month to shape public opinion. The Call transcripts, tax records, response to subpoenas, ... where's the transparency?
Remember? Even the hush payments were disclosed in bits and pieces only when each such piece of evidence became public knowledge, not before!
49
It should never have taken congressional hearings for these people to tell us that our country is being sold to the highest bidder.
24
I’m hearing complaints from Republicans that they are locked out of these depositions, and they are demanding that the depositions be performed in public.
I understand why public questioning is neither appropriate nor effective at this point, but can someone help me understand the part about republicans being locked out?
7
@Granny Franny: Republicans (Nunes, anyone?) have shown they cannot be trusted to rat out witnesses to Trump, who has already threatened all and everyone to not appear before the House committees doing the investigations. Better to have a public summary at the end of each deposition. And while we’re at it, where are Trump’s tax returns? Where is the full transcript of Trump’s phone call with Zelensky? Do we have the unredacted full Mueller report already? Republicans, Trump first and foremost, have nothing to demand from Democrats!
26
@Granny Franny those complaints are probably just straight lies. Members have an absolute to attend hearings of the committees on which they sit. The chairman of any committee has the authority to remove non-committee members from the hearings, especially if it is a bad-faith actor like Matt Gaetz (R - Florida).
27
@Granny Franny
Shocking, I know, but there's a distinct possibility Republicans are wildly exaggerating and/or lying.
Republicans on the committee are of course free to attend and participate in questioning.
27
“... despite being directed by the State Department not to do so...” Kudos to another true patriot. People like Mr. Kent still know what truly makes America great. Thank you, sir.
130
Trump should resign immediately or be imprisoned for treason. He is destroying our Democracy by the hour.
131
@karen
Please post a law that was broken.
So far Congress is basing all this on the hearsay evidence of a person who spied on the president to make him fail. Motive, opportunity, etc, this would never fly in a court of law.
Yet we have the Democrat guy who 'read' aloud the transcript and invented half of what he said, that is called perjury.
Added up, no court would jail any one here.
He's guilty of breaking your heart and hurting your feelings, otherwise no law was broken.
1
To be fair he is just the money-laundering puppet of all this. Putin is driving it, that and insatiable greed.
22
@AutumnLeaf The Mueller report concluded that Trump conspired to obstruct justice, and would face prosecution if not for the fact that he is currently the President.
26
Legal question: how is it legal for the executive branch to order its employees to ignore congressional subpoenas, or to retaliate against employees who cooperate in a congressional investigation? That sort of thing seems like it ought to be protected.
175
It’s not legal. That’s part of the problem.
28
@M.
It probably isn't legal but trump and his henchmen think they are above the law and can do whatever they want to do.
27
@M.: And that’s why the House conducts its hearings behind closed doors for now, to protect their witnesses and prevent Republican tattle tales like Nunes to rat them out to Trump. Compare it to the evidence collection stage of a criminal investigation. You don’t want the suspect and/or his accomplices to take revenge on witnesses to their crimes. And Republicans have surely behaved like accomplices...
37
The sooner more upstanding folks cross the State Department line and testify, the sooner we get our State Department
straightened out on how democracy actually works.
59
Funny how so few career diplomats are willing to risk their reputations, and future livelihoods, to defend Trump’s impeachable crimes...
64
@Dersh: What would you do if you were in their shoes?
@ Anna
Hopefully, I would stand up for the rule of law and the Constitution. That would be the right thing to do.
This is about doing what is right, not about being a Democrat or a Republican.
12
If trump is Impeached and removed by the Senate, can he run again as a candidate in 2020?
3
@Bill Wolfe
Not sure.
but Pence can run, and win two election cycles, ensuring the GOP retains the WH until 2028.
Then Nikky Hale can come in and be elected first woman president and the GOP rules another 8 years.
Meantime Democrats can continue to try to make this a socialist country and see their hopes fade away again.
1
No. A conviction and impeachment by the Senate is considered a felony, the Constitution forbids anyone convicted of a felony to run for the Presidency.
17
@Bill Wolfe .....once Trump is no longer President, then all the criminal charges in the Mueller report can be levelled against him.
15
Well done Mr Kent. But really, that tie is so absurd that we'd rather see it on a Trump supporter.
1
I think he looks quite dapper.
7
@Charles Marshall
With all that’s going on and you’re worrying about a necktie??
4
It's crossing the AP wires that Giuliani won't comply with the House's subpoena.
Giuliani's a private citizen - he has no Executive privilege or immunity.
Treat him like any other citizen who ignores a subpoena.
Lock him up!
Seriously - this is a line in the sand, and the House must act.
Have the House's Sargent at Arms knocking on Giuliani's door ASAP.
426
@D. DeMarco
"Lock him up! Lock him up!"
30
If it comes out that any of these players are found guilty of using their office for political or personal gain, they need to be thrown in jail.
27
@Sue Salvesen
'If it comes out that any of these players are found guilty of using their office for political or personal gain,'
Biden used his position in the WH to get his boy jobs at boards in China and Ukraine, and according to the NYT there is nothing illegal about that. Since this is precedent, then any one who later used their positions for personal gain can refer to this case and skate free.
Or go to jail and Joe Biden does as well for nepotism.
Which one do you prefer?
@AutumnLeaf
Your continued, half-baked defense of the indefensible is pretty tiresome. Why don't you find some like-minded conspiracy nuts and leave us alone?
15
@AutumnLeaf You have no evidence for your assertions. Where is your proof? What about the daily violations of the emoulements clause in our Constitution by Donald, Ivanka, and Eric Trump? What about Ivanka"s patents in China? What about Jared's deals in Saudi Arabia?
14
My faith in career civil servants is strengthened by the courage of the people who are defying the administration's corrupt, abusive directives that they must snub Congress.
I can't wait for the impeachment of Trump et al. There is enough bad behavior in this administration to fill an entire federal prison.
63
Ukraine is known by every intelligence agency as being in the pocket of the U.S. and Russia. it is the epicenter of dirty money and has been used by the international community as such for three decades.
Trump has orchestrated a free for all for “his team” to exploit every arm of foreign policy and the Treasury. In the end, political survival outlasted his own greed and we can only hope that this is his end game.
17
“This is another Witch Hunt.”
“My conversation with President Zelensky was Perfect, a Perfect telephone conversation.”
“This is all Fake News.”
“No Collusion. No Obstruction.”
The president seems to believe that publicly repeating the same meaningless sentences HUNDREDS of times is some sort of defense when he’s accused of wrongdoing. Has the man never watched a courtroom drama? Perry Mason? Law and Order? Something?!?
No one is hunting for witches.
What in the world is “perfect” telephone conversation?
If I were accused of serious wrongdoing, I cannot imagine reacting as the president has.
Wait! Maybe I would, if I intended to establish grounds for a “not guilty by reason of insanity” defense.
58
@Tom W
The problem is that the more he repeats his nonsense, the more his supporters believe him.
4
"Giuliani says he won't comply with subpoenas from Democrats"
"Rudy Giuliani said Tuesday that he won't comply with a congressional subpoena for documents and communications related to House Democrats' impeachment inquiry.
Giuliani, who is President Trump's personal attorney, told ABC News that he will "see what happens" if Democrats enforce the subpoena. The deadline for complying is Tuesday."
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/465892-giuliani-says-he-wont-comply-with-subpoenas-from-democrats
Hopefully, the House will hold Giuliani in "contempt of Congress", and put this odious Trump lickspittle in the Congressional Jail until he complies with the subpoena.
240
@Joe Miksis
"Lock him up! Lock him up!"
9
Why does NYT feature Trump's tweets so prominently? They detract from the credibility of the article. I'm viewing it on mobile device where the tweet itself is featured quite prominently.
39
I see that Giuliani refuses to obey the subpoena. It was just a few days ago that he was parading papers that he said were documents that proved all sorts of corruption. So why doesn't this lawyer turned public relation man shill come out and show his stuff.
43
@Frank Casa - I hope a reporter asks him this question.
10
Nancy - no floor vote yet. Go slow. Let Cadet "Sharpie" Bone Spurs stew and continue to let out more rope.
Might want to open another avenue of concern - Trump/Turkey/Business Interests -- appears that multiple deals in Turkey have been in place for a long time.
Word on the street seems to indicate that Melania discreetly investigating book deals.
28
Is "excoriated" a word that is in Mr. Trump's lexicon? Are there more literate, loyal staffers assigned to ghost tweets for him, or to edit/rewrite his? Does he get the final edit? I shudder...
30
@marcia , Agreed. That struck me as about 3 syllables longer than any word Trump would be comfortable using.
8
You can almost hear Trump screaming in the White House about these subpoenaed government workers appearing before Congress: “How dare they disobey my order of non-compliance. Off with their heads!”
30
I want to know what the blob endgame in Ukraine is, and if we are so concerned with Ukraine moving westward for an eventual EU application, why isn't it the EU that has to play these costly and silly spy games and manipulations.
Honestly part of me wants Putin to just roll in the tanks to force the blob and the state department to put up or shut up on Ukraine.
There is no endgame here, and there is no winning, so Trump is right to not play.
I read this and come to the conclusion that a mafia boss has taken over the White House.
I am someone who followed the Nixon developments very closely - as an interested foreigner who worked in the US in the 1970s. I have to say, and with great sadness, that present circumstances are far, far worse. This is something that you might find in Bulgaria or some other former Soviet Republic; or, in the Americas, in Argentina.
Please take action.
267
@G Rayns
Right.
I've found it helpful to get a handle on what's happening by imagining that Al Capone is now President - except a dumber, less worldly, golf-addicted Al Capone.
14
Given that Trump has supporters and followers who believe in killing people as shown in the despicable video shown at Trump's resort, these meetings must be very secure to avoid bloodshed.
30
It would appear the shoe is on the other foot. AG Barr had no problem suppressing and distorting the Mueller report until right-wing propagandists had time to control the public narrative. Democrats are now preventing a similar outcome by controlling the release of similarly sensitive information.
Skip the grandstanding and deny hostile witnesses an excuse. You can answer any question not formally subject to executive privilege. The Executive has exerted none. The Pat Cipollone letter to the White House is legal garbage. Congress holds all the power behind that closed door.
Presumably, the Republicans behind the door are granted similar benefit. They can take the issue seriously without fear of public reprisal. I trust many are secretly alarmed just like Democrats. If a Republican committee member seriously wanted to leak pro-Trump testimony to the press, they have an equal opportunity. I suspect there isn't any testimony helpful to Trump's cause though. Hence, there aren't any contradictory leaks.
Trump is up to his neck. The Syria ploy was obviously designed to appease Russia and divert media attention away from the Trump administration on fire. Trump deployed the nuclear option in betraying the Kurds. He may have lost his only defense in the process: An amiable Republican Congress.
If this were a normal court, I would identify Trump as high risk for flight. No bail. Collect passports. Unfortunately, we're talking about POTUS. Things won't be so easy.
54
At the White House, Mr. Trump, picking up a talking point from his Republican allies in Congress, accused Democrats of “allowing no transparency at the Witch Hunt hearings,”....ummm, because if they were transparent the Trump administration would then cooperate fully, openly, honestly without stalling the clock, obfuscating, or otherwise doing whatever possible to obstruct justice?
The amount of misleading projection....
24
Why isn't William Barr under an impeachment inquiry?
He may not be as dangerous as Trump, but he appears to be just as guilty.
57
when a trial is held in senate all these people;including the whistle-blower will have to testify publicly.
5
@plainleaf the whistleblower won't need to testify if there are documents and other witnesses that detail the corrupt or criminal acts.
5
No, it will be presented to the Senate by a handful of House members, which is why they’re gathering information now in the equivalent of grand jury testimony, which is why it’s closed to the public.
5
@plainleaf
Yes. They will. So?
2
It was the republicans who changed the rules so a vote is not needed. Whats good for the goose
26
@James fake news, the Repubicans did vote on the house floor for impeachment inquiry in the Clinton case.
2
Finally, some defiant American heros begin to appear. Bravo Mr. Kent.
55
Career public service patriots who put country ahead of personal or Donald Trump's gain. Thank you for the hard selfless work that you do.
These hearings should continue in private so that facts can be gathered and we can avoid the public grandstanding freak show of people like Jim Jordan, Devin Nunes et al. I'm sure that after the disgraceful performance of Corey Lewandowski, Nancy Pelosi realized that you cannot conduct serious business when these people have a camera to perform in front of.
Stay civil, stay focused and stay professional. Hopefully our long national nightmare is almost over.
114
@McLovin
Thank you for calling out Rep Jim Jordan. (R) Ohio
His schtick about the intelligence hearings going on behind closed doors, and his so fake outrage about it, is beyond the pale. He is a lawyer. He knows that this is standard operating procedure in the investigatory phase of an impeachment hearing, not unlike a grand jury investigation. And yet he goes on and on about it, as if it is illegal or unethical.
That’s all he’s got.
Sad.
12
If at the democratic debate tonight, Beto O’Rourke tries to hijack the narrative to move up in the polls, the press needs to stay focused on Ukraine. Trump will use whatever they say to his advantage. It’s about controlling the story.
And another thing, analytics show that Russian bots favor Tulsi Gabbard. Russia likes her because she does not want a strong foreign policy in the Middle East. The “peace” talking point really needs to be fleshed out so that people understand what this actually means for American allies. I would like to see a debate question asking her directly how she feels about Putin.
Social media is still being used to manipulate the American public and since we don’t have a Congress that is willing to do something about election interference (even though Senate Intel has put out a report detailing Russian interference in 2016 election) it is up to us to know the difference between a candidate who is for the betterment of America versus those who just want to better themselves versus those who want to better a foreign power.
10
How weird is it that Trump who refuses to be transparent by forbidding his staff to simply testify and tell the truth, now has the audacity to claim the Democrats are the one subverting transparency.
108
Donald transparency should have started with your tax returns that you promised nearly 4 years ago. We are still waiting.
84
There appears to be no question from Kent's testimony and the others that Trump was using his private attorney to negotiate an unauthorized state department deal that would withhold funds to assist the Ukraine unless they came up with something on Hunter Biden.
In other words Trump violated his oath of office, and he did so knowingly.
Yes there was quid pro quo.
45
And folks, we haven’t even got past the first act. The whistleblower hasn’t testified. Stay tuned.
18
Knowing what we all know about Trump's behavioral modus operandi one has to be either a fool or a republican in Congress to deny that the sole intent at the outset was to cause damage to Joe Biden.
Ancillary to that was to falsely muddy the conclusion that all of our national security intelligence agencies and a duly appointed special counsel reached, which is that Russia was behind the campaign to disrupt the 2016 election process in favor of Trump.
If that alone is not enough for republicans to a least support an inquiry of the facts, without supporting an impeachment at this time, then Putin has been more successful in disrupting our democracy then he even could have imagined.
18
Trump won again, this will fizzle out like everything else they throw at him, Meanwhile Biden is already backtracking and making excuses.
I am voting for Warren.
@Steve Florida was mentioned in the mueller report over 30 times. Huge Social media operations in Florida to save trump. I’m going to guess that maybe you’re part of that operation because warren cannot appeal to moderates which is a must in Florida. Trump would love it if warren were the nominee.
4
Thank you to Mr. Kent and others who honor the subpoena and testify. It is another service to your nation.
19
Ms. Yovanovitch and Mr. Kent are Federal employees - they work for us, are paid by us, and I presume their loyalty should be to us and U.S.
Who has the the power, to order my employee not to provide information to my Congress?
Just because the President of Google, or any other company, has power to direct his employees on all company matters, does not mean the President of the United States does. A democratic country is not a private company. Government employees should share their expertise with anyone who might benefit from it, be it the President, their department, Congress or the Citizens of the United States who are the ultimate authority.
Further, the Constitution protects their freedom to speak on all matters. Any orders not to talk, that come with any explicit or implicit threat of retaliation, are a violation of their Constitutional rights. If it comes from the President, it also violates his oath of office to uphold the Constitution.
39
"Holding a vote could also help Democrats in continuing court fights over access to investigative materials they seek. But it presents some political risk for them, as well. Democratic leaders’ outreach to politically vulnerable members suggests they are concerned about how such a vote would affect them." Probably the most depressing observation I've read. Politics over patriotism. Tell that to the soldiers defending us around the world.
16
@gc: No, it’s pragmatics, not nefarious politics.
"Mr. Kent, who appeared behind closed doors despite the State Department directing him not to do so, ..."
Legal questions: Suppose Kent and others like him are fired for cooperating with the House investigators. That sure sounds like wrongful firing to me. Is it a violation of federal law to fire someone for cooperating with a House subpoena?
Also, wouldn't the judge in such cases have to rule on whether the subpoenas are legal and enforceable in order to decide each case?
46
@Speakin4Myself, First, it's a bit tricky when it comes to your involvement with the executive branch, there are some protections awarded to allow them to take steps to ensure the same protections to all under the constitution. That being said, you are correct, any action to take punitive measures by the administration would likely lead to a wrongful termination lawsuit.
As for your second question, subpoenas issued during an impeachment inquiry are not reviewable by the judicial system, congress and congress alone maintain's the sole authority to pursue impeachment. That does not mean that someone might try to challenge that right and take it up with the courts.
9
@Ryan
Thanks for the reply. Good answers, but RE: Question 2, If the courts can't review House subpoenas (Articles I and III), how can the Article II Executive Branch claim such authority? If Contempt of Congress is a felony, can the Justice Department fail to enforce that law?
1
You know things are bad when witnesses are repeatedly bringing in their own water.
56
Of course the Resident and Commandant in Thief meant to tweet "Parade of People," which it is. But we get "Charade of People" with an explanation: because he *doesn't even know them*! The nerve of some witnesses these days...
21
He’s definitely going to be hydrated when he exposes the criminality of the Trump administration.
17
I’m heartened by the bravery of the State Department with the exception of Pompeo who appears to be complicit.
But why include “wearing a three-piece suit and bow tie”? Is that relevant in any way?
93
@Richard: Very relevant for many of us, Richard. Thanks for asking.
For those of us who are visually impaired, we rely on the richer narrative descriptions that go beyond the basic W-W-W-W-W-H of a story. We may not have the luxury of viewing the entry or exit of these witnesses where we would see their attire for ourselves..
24
@Richard While less commonplace these days with the increased use of photos and video in stories, it has been common for reporters to share visual details to help readers to imagine the moment.
10
@Richard
It show the seriousness and propriety that he takes
this investigation.
13
Over the past few weeks it has been Interesting to see the dichotomy between high tone NYC street thugs like Rudy/Orange hair vs. diplomats/career state department types.
I wonder who will “win”?
78
Since it appears that most on this site are left leaning, it's no wonder one gets the feeling that Trump is going down. But if you come from the small states that can hold the electoral college advantage for Trump, one can see Trump in a different light. He is a crusader for American values, something the Socialist left is trying to undermine. You see the electoral college TRUMPS the popular vote and thank goodness our forefathers understood how a democracy can be subverted by a few largely populated states that think they can force their will on the rest.
@Conservativethinktank: Trump only crusades for himself, and if you think American values include betraying your allies, mocking a disabled person, insulting Gold Star parents, bragging about sexually assaulting women, stiffing and defrauding contractors an students, and lying more than a dozen times a day, I have no respect whatsoever for people “crusading” for those values.
20
Actually, if you paid attention to the facts rather than the talking heads on Fox and Trump’s rants yup would know that Trump last the popular vote by about 3 million votes if memory serves. The purpose of the electoral college was to guard smaller states from a tyranny of the large states. We now have the opposite where the majority is subject to a tyranny of the minority. Furthermore, at the time the Constitution was adopted there were no political parties and the electoral college was free to vote its conscience. That is no longer the case. The electoral college is an anachronism that no longer serves its original purpose. Time for it to go.
14
Thank you, Mr. Kent, for stepping up despite pressure from the White House not to do so.
You, sir, are a true patriot.
561
“Let the facts come out from the charade of people, most of whom I do not know, they are interviewing for 9 hours each, not selective leaks,” Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter Tuesday morning.
Yeah, now he care about facts. Sure.
75
@dude He manipulates by using a tactic of denying the facts until there are too many at which point he accepts them and starts trying to tell a different narrative. He has clearly accepted that his best course of action is to find out what is being said and start the alternative narrative.
The Democrats are smart to hold their cards and then open the floodgate all at once.
16
@dude grammar and usage too.
4
@dude
I’m still scratching my head over “charade of people.” Did he mean parade of people, or that the people being interviewed are performing a charade?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a president who knows the difference between two words that have some letters in common?
14
The hearings are analogous to a grand jury investigation. In many if not most states, grand jury hearings are secret. Here in Texas, Article 20.011 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure limits the parties that may be in the the grand jury room to the jurors, the State’s attorney, bailiffs and witnesses. Note, in particular, that neither the subject nor his or her counsel are allowed. The Republicans engaged in all of the hand wringing and shedding of crocodile tears over transparency and due process know this. It is just more of their bald faced lying and hypocrisy.
278
@Barry Newberger Have to assume that the former cow milker from our Kern County here in California pushing this phony complaint. Word is floating around that all dairy cows in Kern committed to holding back their milk flow if he returns to the dairy business.
5
@Barry Newberger
In the end the Whistler blower will be found out to be a Grand leaker Hoax just like the women in the Kavanaugh boondoggle. What the left has errored in is thinking that the american people won't want the leakers identity known. No one in there right mind thinks that the president of the United States does not have the right to face his accuser and Schiff knows this to. This is why he is now deflecting to say"we don't need the whistle blowers testimony to prosecute" Give me a break. We in the smaller states understand the Socialist agenda to unseat a duly elected president.
@Conservativethinktank: Read the Constitution please. Members of Congress are duly elected too, and Congress is charged with oversight over the Executive branch and can remove a president who has proven unworthy of the People’s trust.
24
Republicans have a very short memory. It was they who conducted "witch hunt hearings" against Secretary Clinton hoping to find malfeasance on her part while SOS. Now that the shoe is on the other foot Republicans are appalled at any kind of Congressional oversight.
George Kent, Marie Yovanovitch and Fiona Hill can't all be lying or wrong about the president's dirty political tricks in concert with Rudy Giuliani's dirty work behind the scenes. Just wait until John Bolton has his day behind closed doors with investigators.
487
@silver vibes .. yes! convenient amnesia
11
@silver vibes,
Spot on. And even richer, my Republican senator, Rob Portman, was one of 3 senators who signed on to a letter during the Obama administration, calling for Shokin (the prior top prosecutor in Ukraine) to be ousted because of ineffective anti-corruption efforts. So Biden was acting at the direction of both the administration and Congress - yet Trump and Giuliani claim it was to save his son. Is Senator Portman now speaking up and clarifying things, making sure Republican "facts" are based on data? Of course not. Republican short memories and hypocrisies aren't surprising, but still, it drives me crazy.
86
@silver vibes
I'm not so certain that Republicans have a very short memory.
I am very certain, however, that Republicans count on American citizens to have no memory whatsoever. Sadly, the majority of American citizens prove the Republicans right more often than not. How else could Republicans keep getting elected?
53
The "most transparent president ever" refuses to cooperate but complains about the Democrats' apparent lack of transparency. Rich stuff.
409
@Michael .... Yes,he is a transparent president. ... but will enough intelligent voters see right through him. His tweets and behavior are on par with third graders in the play ground. Sorry, by 8 years old, most school kids know better.
26
What Mr. Trump means by “transparent” is that his motives are easily discerned. It’s the only true thing he as ever said.
1
Transparency begins with tax returns, so put up or shut up.
638
@Jeffrey We would love to hear Trump shut up about what we put up.
4
Like the Tortoise in his race with the Hare the House committees are going slow and steady with their investigation. They are gathering irrefutable evidence. We all know who won that race.
52
@Susan
"Like the Tortoise in his race with the Hare"
The Turtle and the Hair.
Moscow Mitch and Donald J. Trump.
10
If the state department is so clean and has nothing to hide, what are they worried about? Let the people speak.
75
“In one, he assailed a ‘fake news smear’ being pushed against Ms. Yovanovitch by conservative media personalities allied with Mr. Trump.” And AG Barr is taking meetings with Rupert Murdoch...At what point is Fox News subpoenaed and held accountable for their role in our present national security nightmare?
383
Soon, I hope. Fox can be considered part of the Trump administration. Very transparently so.
9
@GJR
I miss the days when the FCC insisted that every news show be “fair and balanced”.
7
Building the case; that's how it is done. Always slow, very frustrating, but if the country survives this vulture, if he doesn't pick our bones clean, his world will come to an end the day he is out of office. And it will make the Nuremberg Trials look like a walk in the park. THAT is what keeps Trump awake at nite.
91
@forgetaboutit
I hope you're right but, don't forget, we've never seen the likes of him before-- ripping up our traditions and the foundation of values without a qualm.
I'm hoping that he is up at night worrying about having to face an impeachment and not thinking about getting even with those who toppled him. He makes decisions through his "gut feelings" and he is going to be one unhappy camper when he realizes the camp is going down.
5
In Watergate, it was the honest, ethical persons in government that exposed the corruption of the Nixon administration. With now three witnesses defying Trump's gag orders, I see that breed of Americans has not died out. May the parade start.
It's curious NYT uses print space to comment on Mr. Kent's three piece suit. I immediately noticed his water bottle; it's the first I've seen high officials carrying their own water (literally and probably figuratively also). Thank you Mr. Kent. Thinking of all the plastic water bottles I see put before speakers at hearings, I hope our government takes notice of your consideration for our environment.
201
@citizen vox I was heartened to see a description of his outfit; all too often we see only women described by how they look.
19
Every witness says the same;Trump wanted dirt on the Bidens to win an election and blackmailed and Threatened everyone to get it. Meanwhile; Trump is handing the World over to Russia while we stand helpless in his Dictatorship.
374
@Ray Sipe
US citizens are not helpless, unless they choose to be.
We in Canada turfed out Stephen Harper, a Trump-ish prime minister, and his government, not long ago.
36
@Kelly Hopefully, we can do the same with Trump. What a debacle this whole experience has been.
17
@Kelly
You missed the point
We feel terrible right now this minute and cannot do anything right now. Terrible things are happening and we cannot stop them from happening right now.
Eventually we will, meanwhile we are truly helpless.
2
How long before we're subjected to a barrage from the Orange Twittermeister of insults and belittling nicknames against Kent?
The impeachment inquiry is slowly closing in around Trump, and he's flailing like a wounded animal. The only problem is that that fact makes him even more dangerous.
44
Where is Michael Bloomberg when you need him? He is very electable and truly is a stable genius, from New York yet!
5
@Chris
Probably busy destroying more of New York by getting variances and selling it to his real estate friends to put up empty behemoths as he did when he was mayor.
3
Chris — Right!
Neither civil nor criminal investigators give a subject notice or opportunity to be heard when learning what witnesses have to say. Trump's claim is outright ridiculous.
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These private hearings and the subsequent reporting to what is being said, especially by Yovanovitch and Hill are giving me hope. Add to this the testimony of Kent, and I think we maybe very well be on the road to having a full Impeachment Trial.
After the Inquiry there will be at least 20 Republicans to vote to impeach Trump, unless of course every Republican in Congress is for Party above Country.
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Now that we have likely lost the 'adults in the room' with Trump, it is almost encouraging to know that there are adults in other rooms who understand the separation of powers.
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Private depositions and interviews also sets up the classic “Prisoner’s Dilemma,” whether to reveal what you know first to get a better outcome, or keep quiet assuming everyone will keep quiet.
At this point, looks like many are queuing up to tell all. There’s just so much of it.
It seems like the RICO law is applicable. Racketeering Influenced Corruption Organizations Act puts organizations in trusteeship that are convicted of being dominated by racketeers or organized crime.
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@Rob - It would be amusing to see Rudy go down for RICO laws:) Especially if it is the SDNY leading the charge.
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So, another closed session due to “national security”? How is the Guiliani/Trump/whomever situation a matter of national security, since the subject of the inquiry is the actual threat to national security? Will the 20 somethings with the microphones be able to accurately tell us what he/she thinks happened?
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@JRB
Standard Operating Procedure
Grand jury and impeachment investigations are done behind closed doors. (Grand jury investigations are more familiar to people than impeachment investigation, thankfully.)
Trials are done out in public.
The bipartisan Intelligence Committee is hearing the testimony behind closed doors to encourage those giving testimony to tell the truth. It also makes it harder for multiple people being called to testify to “get their storied straight with each other.”
To be clear: Both Republican and Democrat Intelligence Committee members are hearing the testimony, not just Democrats.
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Thank goodness there are still wonderful and honest public servants, who are still serving.
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"Mr. Kent, who appeared behind closed doors despite the State Department directing him not to do so"
Apparently, Pat Cipollone's letter threatening no cooperation in the impeachment inquiry from the Executive Branch has no teeth.
Constitution: 1
Trump: 0
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@MidtownATL
That is because witnesses have been advised by their attorneys that executive priviledge claims are null and void if there is reasonable indication that laws have been broken. As expert witneses, on the topic of investigation here.... they are qualifed to determine resaonable indication of federal laws being broken.
Trump did not think this through.. if he had.. he would have never run his sock puppet Guiliani right at Ukraine, much less try to extract foreign influence in the coming 2020 campaign. Now he has a fast falling house of cards on his hands... all of which he thought he could use White House council to hide and obfuscate. Chipolone better be careful here.. or he too will be directly in the frying pan.
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@Chuck
"Trump did not think this through"
Thank you. As Nancy Pelosi wisely said (prior to the revelation of the Ukraine phone call), Mr. Trump will impeach himself.
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Before he was Deputy Assistant Secretary in the State Department, George Kent served as Ambassador Masha Yovanovitch's Deputy in Kyiv. He can be expected to fill in many of the details of the illegal effort by Rudy Giuliani and his shadow foreign policy hit team to discredit her and move her out of her position, all in furtherance of an attempt to damage President Trump's principal Democratic opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden.
Like Masha, George is honest and forthright, and he is also very courageous. Unlike Masha, he is at the midpoint of his career, and he risks much to defy the corrupt attempts of the Trump administration to prevent any career person from testifying.
He deserves every effort from Congress and the American people to protect him from an administration that prefers retribution and lies to the truth, and in particular from a Secretary of State who refuses to lift a finger to defend his own officers.
Heroes speak the truth.
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The republican controlled senate will have the ability to interview the same witnesses during the trial . President trump's argument is a red herring.
Show us the third of the Mueller report that was redacted.
No Transparency !
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Please. Please. Please. Pray for impeachment. Take him out of politics. Investigate and prosecute any criminality. If deemed just and proper, disgorge his assets, imprison him and undo the harm he’s done to America, to our allies, and make amends, build cooperative bridges, not walls. To those with ruined careers, make them whole again.
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Republicans need to grow a spine. When it becomes clear to everyone--even the GOP base-- what Trump has been up to, it's going to be tough to defend keeping him in office.
I have no doubt the GOP will try and do precisely that.
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Sad time in America for lawyers who have had to pass bar exams and have credentials when Rudy Giuliani. a lawyer, not only has gotten away with all that he has, but he’s a favorite of the President of the United States of America.
So much for law.
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Thank Goodness we have some career State Department officials who respect the rule of law and the Constitution more than the illegal demands of a President bent on Obstructing Justice. Now, if Pompeo had even half as much integrity as his underlings, he'd resign and condemn the President's and Giuliani's actions undermining the very State Department he's supposed to be serving.
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The number of witnesses who are not appearing despite being directed by Trump administration, is encouraging. They are not willing to stand in contempt of congress for a man they know is corrupt.
This is the beginning of the end.
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@KH I mean - number of witnesses who ARE appearing. Restore decency and ethics to politics!
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As an aside, I do love Mr. Kent's slightly quaint sense of fashion. Long love the bow-tie!
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@John Er, "Long live the bow-tie!". (Blasted keyboard!)
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"There is no evidence of that."
Unfortunately for Joe Biden, this is not a "zero-sum" game. Trump should be removed for misusing US government power and funds for his personal benefit. That won't happen, though it should.
But even if that does happen, it won't help Joe Biden, who DOES look guilty (though I seriously doubt he is). It will help Elizabeth Warren. She will be the Democratic nominee, but this speeds up that inevitability. (So does Bernie Sanders' heart attack, but that's another story.)
Trump v. Warren.
That's what the matchup will be. Maybe Warren will win, though I doubt that. Unless, of course, the Democratic Party's impeachment effort succeeds, and that success happens so close to the 2020 election that Pence doesn't have time to regroup and look sufficiently "Presidential" to win. That strikes me as a real possibility -- well worth pursuing for the Democratic Party.
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@Commenter, Trump could very well drag Pence down with him; in which case I'll look forward to voting for President Pelosi in 2020.
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how much did trump and sons benefit from ukraine and china episodes. was it more than the 50,000 a month or the one and half billion? wow they apparently worked the system, how much monies did they get? of course the proven sums given to bidens mean nothing because they are democrats, or commonly known as swamp people
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@Commenter
Dont count Biden out
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"Senior House Democrats argue that conducting the interviews in private is a more efficient and effective form of fact-finding that avoids some of the spectacle..."
This is not much different than what Special Counsel Mueller did when he empaneled a grand jury to hear evidence from witnesses. They were held in private and from that charges were made or not.
Also, if they were public, just imagine the grand standing coming from the likes of Rep Nunes and others.
Nope, civility of the private interviews is quite right.
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@cherrylog754 The Watergate investigations followed the same playbook, it makes all kinds of sense. There’s enough grand-standing on cable TV already.
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@cherrylog754 . . .besides agreeing with what you said, keeping testimony private means that witnesses cannot know what other witnesses have said exactly and thus cannot adjust their stories one way or the other. This is the way investigations, not trials, are held. Time enough to make public what the facts are based on multiple tellings of the same events.
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@cherrylog754 Yes, it's more than civility. They want to compare what the interviewees say during their depositions, without broadcasting those details to other interviewees. People who lie during this process are in legal jeopardy. Even so, the committee is more likely to get the truth out of people who don't know the answers others are giving to the committee's questions and a lie will be exposed when answers don't line up.
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