Is the expression “ Kangaroo Court” still used?? This despicable display in the Senate is the opposite - a bunch of cowardly Republicans, “elected officials “ who can wait to acquit their hero -a crook, liar treasonous narcissist - based on no evidence.
10
I heard Pat Cipollone was an excellent lawyer and was curious to see how he presented the presidents defense. At one point in the hearings he began talking nonsense and banging his hand on the table. It’s true I said to my husband, if you can’t argue the facts you argue the law, if you can’t argue the law you argue the facts, and if you can’t argue the facts or the law you start banging your hands on the table. The president has no real defense and his excellent lawyers know it. This trial is a travesty of justice and witnesses and relevant materials need to be presented immediately.
12
Repubs (McConnell) coddling criminals. This should not be forgotten by voters. Come on Kentucky voters. Time to save your country.
10
The Republicans complained about the Democrats conducting a “kangaroo court” in making charges against a corrupt Trump, but it is the secretive nature of the Senate trial proceedings that provides the greatest evidence of how far our democracy has fallen. This proceeding is little better of a Communist or authoritarian charade trial. It’s a sad day for democracy.
8
Our goal as Americans must be to get to the truth.
The new evidence that has surfaced after the House approved articles of impeachment must be examined.
Witnesses must testify.
If the Republican Senators think the House did a poor job, they now have the opportunity to do a better job.
This is a matter of protecting our national security!
5
So much for some Republicans mumbling about putting the US before their own desires (PR, photo-ops, TV time?), wanting a real trial where witnesses and documents are allowed. They are all lost down the same rabbit hole too busy getting drunk on self-serving and self-gratification.
As for Susan Collins you can always rely on her to vote against party lines when she knows her vote won't count.
It's called cover.
4
Listening now to Impeachment trial introduction by Representative Adam Schiff. Excellent. However, he does not mention that it will take courage for any Republican to vote for impeachment in the way it would be dangerous for a person in the mob to go against the leader. Could it not be actually life threatening? These Republicans must have true courage to take such a vote.
2
mcconnell et.al. are devoid of reason and integrity. swamp is obviously now drained; nice job - slime in plain view. disgusting. this is democracy at work?
7
A rich man rapes your daughter, but you are not allowed to present evidence of it to the court trial of the rapist. The witnesses to the crime are not allowed to appear and say what they saw. The rape kit is not allowed into evidence. The trial must be completed in one hour. The jury must have made their decision before the trial starts. But none of this applies if you are poor, not white, or a democrat.
6
We all knew this was the Republican plan, best we can do is to make sure not one of these Muscovite Republicans ever holds office again until they decide to uphold the law and the constitution. And by the way thank you Supreme court for showing us that regular people do not matter and that only corporations are people and that they alone have the right to set policy in government with the money for lobbying, their influence is finally tearing this country apart.
11
Very sad to see democracy come to a end in America. This is the equivalent now of a Soviet era show trial. No evidence and no witnesses allowed?? republican claim re this should have been all completed in the house ridiculous when trump refused to cooperate, looking to time out the request through the courts post election this year. This combined with department of justice ruling that a sitting president cannot be indicted means president trump can act with impunity and is above the law.America once a burning beacon of democracy is now showing the world rule of law does not apply.all wannabe tin pot dictators across the globe will use this as a justification to act as they please . God help us all.
61
Crooked election; crooked Presidency; crooked Impeachment trial. The GOP has assassinated our democracy. For what? A few more billions’ worth of yachts? Permission to pollute? The sick pleasure of openly detesting dark people?
11
Chief Justice Roberts should remember that the Constitution does not describe his role in overseeing the proceedings of a Senate Impeachment trial as being primarily concerned about 'Decorum'; but more so about assuring that the proceedings are conducted in an impartial and through manner in assessing the validity of the Houses charges involving "High Crimes and Misdemeanor" of a sitting President.
And if this means the Chief Justice needs to step-in and assess the need for further evidence that the Chief Executive has previously blocked from being presented to the House of Representatives during their deliberations, and is therefore not currently available to the Senate Trial for consideration, then that (not 'Decorum') ought to be his primary concern. And is, in fact, Justice Roberts duty under the Constitution's edicts for a "Fair and Impartial" trial.
9
Remember that nothing has been done to fix the issues that put Trump in the White House, despite an overwhelming popular-vote loss. He will be acquitted and reelected. And he'll become more terrifying than ever.
5
Some Republican senators even publicly admitted they will vote "innocent" before the trial even began. No matter which party we belong to, this should raise more than just one red flag. It is as wrong as declaring a guilty verdict before all sides have been heard.
But the sides won't be heard. Future generations will use this trial as an example and we all won't be judged nicely.
We are already only a "Flawed Democracy" and now our flaws can be seen openly by the rest of the world. There is no coming back from this. The country has changed and I fear this is not the end, it will get worse.
Trump had been right all along. He could somebody in brought daylight and they would still cover for him. He is invincible -for the moment- until common sense will come back to all of us.
2
“This initial step will offer an early signal to our country,” Mr. McConnell said before it got underway. “Can the Senate still serve our founding purpose?”
The answer, after all of this deliberation, is no.
8
Excuse my ignorance of impeachment procedure as indicated or implied in the Constitution, but after watching all of the votes establishing, by the Republican majority, that no witnesses and new evidence are going to be allowed, despite the incontrovertibly sound arguments that justice (including ascertaining the basic facts of the case, what actually happened) in this case is impossible without witnesses and allowing new evidence, the most critical elements of any authentic trial, I wonder about Justice Roberts's role and for that matter whether the Supreme Court doesn't implicitly have an appellate role over *every* judicial proceeding, even an impeachment (which is a trial after all).
Surely Justice Roberts appreciated the arguments on the importance of witnesses & evidence being "sine qua non" in such a proceeding, the trial being a sham without them. Surely he understood that the oath he himself administered is violated when Republicans decide in advance to deliberately blind themselves to the facts. Has he no responsibility for holding them to their oath? To requiring them to pursue a fair, legitimate trial? Can the Constitution have sough a mere rubber stamp applied by an empty black robe? If that were the case, the Constitution could have said a trained monkey should preside. Same thing.
Judges can overrule bad faith verdicts by a "directed verdict." The Supreme Court similarly should review the impropriety of a witness-less, evidence-less, oath-repudiating trial.
5
Why should Justice Roberts administer an oath if he will allow the oath-swearers to break it? Doesn't good faith on their part require allowing witnesses/evidence (doesn't good faith mean seeking the facts/evidence, rather than pursuing willful, systematic blindness to these)?
If it does, the Republicans are violating their oath!!
If the Republicans are violating their oath administered by Justice Roberts, & Justice Roberts administered that oath under oath himself to administer/preside over a fair trial. doesn't Justice Roberts violate his own oath to permit all this?
The Constitution clearly places sacred importance on this oath procedure. Person A takes an oath, then immediately administers an oath to party B. That means Person A is SWEARING to hold party B to their oath, which becomes his own!
This makes Justice Roberts personally responsible for Senators acting in good faith. So how can he tolerate a witness-less, evidence-less, truth-less, justice-less (which this must be, given any reasonable definition of a legitimate trial) trial? Given yesterday's developments, Justice Roberts may well be in violation of his oath, sad to say. Where does that leave us, if these oaths are reduced to hollow ceremony?
One answer is "exactly where an insincere presidential oath of office leaves us."
But not exactly. In a checks & balances arrangement, good faith in the one department corrects bad faith in the others; except where bad faith in each supports bad faith in the others.
2
It's hard to imagine a scenario in which it's more obvious that GOP Senators rank the interests of the Republican Party (and its tyrannical President) ahead of the country. This is notwithstanding that each and every one of them has sworn an oath to protect the Constitution and to conduct this (show) trial impartially. Their actions simply cannot be squared with their obligations and their oaths. History will excoriate them.
7
Impeachment is not a judicial trial court action and the House leadership understood this from day one, as well as the incessant whiner Schumer.
Witnesses should all have been called during the House proceedings and all relevant evidence gathered and included in the articles of impeachment.
We have to assume that this is in fact the case, otherwise the House team is a band of incompetent nincompoops.
If it is the case then they have nothing, because neither charged offense is a crime at all, and neither rise to the standards required to be considered high crimes of misdemeanors.
If not, well....
3
So the obstruction of justice and abuse of power that has been proven by witnesses and documents, including a transcript of the infamous phone call, does not constitute impeachable offenses. The president can do what he wants. Well ..
2
I have long thought that President Trump should be
led to step down from the Presidency via the 25th Amendment.
I am still wondering why it has not been invoked.
I heard little from the House Managers ( of whom there are too many and Schiff and Nadler's mode of presentation only weakens their cause ) leads me to say a Censure of President Trump is in order over the Ukrainian Phone call but that the Obstruction of
Justice charges fail to hold as the House could have and should have sought Court orders to enforce the Subpoenas and to argue that it would take too long defeats their claim to be following and protecting the Constitution.
Though Speaker Pelosi was praised for her handling of the timing
of the Impeachment it appears as of now, unless damning documents and/or testimony comes forth or Trump goes
completely off his rocker, that it will slip through her fingers.
Schumer failing to allow a summary vote for his amendments, each of which he knew would fail, just makes it obvious that
the greater part of the Impeachment is politics.
Meanwhile the Poor of America remain Poor
and the Homeless remain Homeless.
Perhaps the Senators could go and hold their Trial
on the steps of the Capital and feel the cold seep into their bones -
then they might come to understand that the lives of people
comes before Politics.
2
It is too bad that Gilbert and Sullivan are dead and cannot write an operetta based on the Trump impeachment tragic comedy. McConnell, Roberts and other Republicans have already auditioned for the cast and have played their roles as expected.
I have yet to hear any Republican state what, to them, would be an impeachable offense. Has anyone? Clearly this has nothing to do with anything that was said or done by Trump or anyone else. We know this. It is simply a rigid defense of neo-conservatism as a governing philosophy, along with all the associated repugnant party platforms related to 'God, guns, and gays.' Just as Republicans think the environment can handle anything we throw at it, they think that their brand of white nationalism can last a thousand years without morphing into something like a dictatorship. Wrong again.
1
How can any Republican be called a moderate at this point?
8
What a sham on the American people! No witnesses allowed? No testimony allowed? No evidence allowed? That's not a trial; that's a rigged scam. If you're not outraged than you're not paying attention. How Roberts can sit there and pretend this is a real impeachment trial is an insult to every American. If you can't stand up for justice and a fair trial, what good are you? This is beyond politics. This is about a band of grifters trying to subvert our Constitution, our laws and our democratic republic. It will take a blue tsunami of volunteers and voters to stand up to this corruption and get rid of the rot in the current republican party. Vote them all out. All hands on deck!
3
The republican organization — not the GOP electorate — is basically a criminal organization.
Any possibility Dershowitz participation was coerced based on his Epstein problem? Not hard to imagine implied pressure.
McConnell and his Republican sheep have brought disgrace on this "greatest deliberative body."
1
Billionaire cronies out to protect their own narrow interests? Could it be? GOP rejected the amendment to require the Chief Justice to rule on motions to subpoena witnesses and documents.
Would a fair trial would show their baseless case?
https://mobile.twitter.com/tribelaw/status/1219985029138350086
It's no wonder that cellphones were excluded from the chamber on pain of prison time. Republican constituents might call to urge their senators to stop following McConnell like a bunch of dumb sheep and start behaving like responsible representatives.
This travesty is not a trial, it's a disgrace.
1
So, the only objection of Republican moderates was whether each side should get 2 days or 3 days to make their case?
I'm glad to see those moderates fight hard for Principles!
Thanks, Maine, Ohio and Alaska!
4
Sen Thune
Sen Blunt
No wonder they are stammering and embarrassed. You would think they would hide rather than expose themselves on TV.
53-47. Why bother?
1
If the managers are smart then they would crisply complete their presentation in one day, rather than grandstand and posture for three full days and bore the senators to death.
Luckily for President Trump, they’re not smart.
4
“They are addressing the world’s greatest deliberative body,”
Not anymore.
7
So... Someone breaks into your house and clears it out, then is caught red-handed. Before the trial, the foreman of the jury says “nothing to see here. I’m totally in the bag for the defendant. He’s totally innocent and this trial is nothing but a witch hunt.”
In the Senate this week, America moved another step closer to autocracy. The constitution, and the rule of law were blown up in plain sight. Now up to the voters to say loud and clear, “we wuz robbed!”
3
Is there anything in this "trial" that is what it seems? It's a "trial", except when it's not, and it's political, except when penalty of "death" is used to warn of its seriousness.
The Dems say they want witnesses, but what they really seem to want is every opportunity to make their case again before the American people, using advocates who "look like America" (unlike the white male Republicans)--before McConnell brings the "trial" to a premature conclusion. What they could be doing is asserting with more conviction that they--we, the people--already have every evidence needed to convict this disgrace of a president.
The White House counsel tells us how disgraceful this "hoax" is, but what they really want is to repeat "The Great Divider" Trump's lies so often that they keep the support and anger level of Fox News supporters at a maximum. They are truly exemplars of a new low in public service.
McConnell & his band of see-no-evil Republicans say they want a quick, pro-forma fix to a "rushed" House job & that they want witnesses decided according to past precedent. But what they really want is a way to minimize whatever truth might come out about their corruption in supporting a president who demands Fox-News-level anger and deniability. American unity over the facts, what happened in the Ukraine scandal, seems to be the last thing on their minds--also truly disgraceful.
What the American people need are interpreters who can read between the lines of this melodrama.
2
I've read and studied Ancient Greek and Roman history and on into the Middle Ages over the last thirty years but never have I encountered such a miserable group of cowardly scoundrels such as the Republican Senate in the year of 2020.
Studying prewar 1930's and WWII Germany, yes.
10
they have been chipping away at our democracy,
big chunks are falling -
5
Sham trial for only one person's benefit--so Trump can cockadoodle doo instead of serving his country. But citizens are not fooled. The GOP gangsters are not invincible and they will be voted out like their arrogant brothers before them.
3
Sham trial sham acquittal, our reputation as a law abiding nation in shambles.
4
So regarding getting Bolton, Pompeo, Rudy, Parnas, Mulvaney, and Trump on the stand to testify. Please tell me the Democrats have more than just begging the GOP as their plan to get these guys to testify...???
1
@Joe Arena
So Joe, give me your recommendations as to what the Democrats should do. With obstruction coming from both Trump and the Republicans in the Senate tell me your ideas of how to break this log jam. Give me your list.
2
Given that the Senate appears unwilling to call witnesses, and the offer of John Bolton to testify should he be subpoenaed, why doesn't the House Intelligence Committee reopen its inquiry and issue Bolton a subpoena? Let him testify in open session and then the public will be able to hear what he has to say.
3
What a great example the GOP Senators are setting - take an oath that you know you're going to dishonour, and rig a legitimate inquiry into lawbreaking to protect one of your own. Should the rest of us follow their example?
4
Those clever Republicans. It is just payback to the Democrats who would not give in one inch to the Republicans requests. The Democrats should have carefully considered their actions during the house impeachment trial. One good turn deserves another as the saying goes.
2
The greatest deliberating body? No.
A sick elected few voted in by a minority who neither represents their own population nor the whole.
You are the purveyor of autocrats Mitch. Republicans are the accomplices if tyranny and fascism. You protected a gas-lighting autocrat with yet more gas-lighting.
As the confederate bigots rise with the assistance of neutral biased news and republican propaganda we must also rise.
Donate to their opposition. Donate to progressives who want to root out this corruption and are denied their voice in the media and have to resort to the internet. Progressive policy is supported by a near majority especially in regards to corruption such as we see. Elect people who will enact that policy at the local level all the way up.
5
McConnell and the republicans, who stole our supreme court seat from Merrick Garland, now adds to that crime by covering the eyes and ears of our Nation.
6
The emotional complaints of the Democrats are counterproductive.
Their insulting of the jury and calling them names does not seem to be a good strategy.
They are talking to the camera - not to the Senate or to the judge.
Juries do not call witnesses.
They evaluate the evidence presented by the prosecutor.
And the Senate will not do the job the House should have done.
The Democrats should have directed their complaints about witnesses and documents to the House - two months ago.
6
@Dr. John
Try shouting as you pound on the table. It may work better.
1
But aren’t you forgetting for the first time in impeachment history, the administration wouldn’t allow 12 subpoenaed witnesses and released zero documents? Even Nixon didn’t have the temerity to do that. During Clinton’s trial there were no witnesses blocked and over 90,000 documents released. So your argument conveniently leaves out the fact that the House wasn’t allowed to do their job. I would think if the president wants to put any lingering doubts about his innocence to rest he would welcome the testimony of Bolton, Mulvaney etc.
5
@Dr. John "The Democrats should have directed their complaints about witnesses and documents to the House - two months ago."
Talk about perpetuating lies and propaganda. How many times must to repeated. The democrats did, Trump refused to let the witnesses testify and blocked the release of all documents, threatening a fight all the way to the Supreme Court, including blocking documents pertinent to the testimony of the few who put the US first, did their civic duty and testified.
Trump's m.o. has always been sue them, bury them in paper, bankrupt them, exhaust them, stretch out the case for years even decades. A mafia go-to that has helped him evade justice and the law many a time.
No one wanted that long drawn out fight because he is using US assets, its future and standing as his personal purse to make his bets. Bets that serve only himself.
3
I give the Dems credit for taking on this fight , and it makes me very glad they run the House. Their point has been made that trump is a blight on terrestrial life forms and they made it in the biggest way possible. I can definitely buy that.
4
One can only coclude our democracy is broken. Perhaps irrevocably. The egregious obstruction of justice we're witnessing cannot provide any other conclusion. The fundamental pillars of our society, capitalism and democracy now in disarray what other inference can be drawn?
The fourth turning may indeed be upon us
1
The present situation is a direct result of a totally partisant process in the House. In the Clinton Impeachment, the votes across the 4 articles were bipartisan, with 16 Democratic votes YES and 126 Republican votes NO. Schift and Nadler did such a terrible job that the House votes were almost all Democratic votes = YES, and ALL republican votes = NO. In addition, in December the House Democrats filed a motion to withdraw a court request to adjudicate the enforceability of its subpoenas, which would have been done quickly. The 3rd Branch of Gov is the right place to adjudicate disputes between the other two branches. Simply put, it is reasonable to investigate Joe and Hunter Biden in Ukraine and the case that aid was held back to force that is circumstantial at best. The fact that Joe is running does not automatically dictates that he cannot be investigated nor that it cannot be an issue that voters would want to know more about before voting in the next elections.
The House Democrats should have stuck to their own reasonable criteria: if there is no way to have some bipartisan support for impeachment, then it should not proceed forward.
If there is any witness in the Senate, then Joe and Hunter B should testify so that voters can know the facts and decide for themselves whether proper (not just legal) behavior in Ukraine.
3
The most difficult decisions to make are those in which one does not have all of the facts. It appears the voters will have to read the eyewitnesses testimony in their post impeachment books. For republicans, a quick buck seems preferable to honesty and service to country. Hopefully, after this shame of a trial, voters will be able to make an informed decision at the polls.
4
Truly, the Senate's finest hour! They have covered themselves in Glory!
A shining example to the rest of the world, which we hold out to other countries with pride as a pillar of wisdom, decorum, truthfulness, honesty, morality, and compromise; where thorny issues are incisively investigated to reveal truth and justice, and ethical standards are admirably held to, even above any consideration of personal gain.
Just kidding. They have revealed themselves to be the world's greatest degenerating body, whose lesions reveal the nexus of what the American ideal of justice and truth could be, but are utterly failing to accomplish. Let's hope and pray the scales fall from the eyes of ALL the people - that they not be out-foxed.
The prognosis is grave, the patient moribund. Only time will tell.
7
The fact that the Constitution has a clear impeachment and removal provision is clear evidence that the Framers did not want us to simply "wait for the next election".
6
Kudos to the Dems for not completely unraveling when listening to the presidents lawyers response to these grave impeachment charges.
“Ridiculous” seems to be all they can muster.
A sorry bunch of unprepared and inarticulate lawyers the world has never seen.
Forty-five years ago I fled communism. Last night I watched the first day of the Senate Impeachment Trial, which, I felt, is not unlike a dissident’s court case in Vietnam where no witnesses to be called, no documents allowed to present, only state-generated photos and video clips provided, and a ready-made ruling seemingly in store. The only difference is the defendant in the Senate case - the President of the United States - will most likely be acquitted, unlike a political dissident in Vietnam who would be automatically convicted to 10 or more years in prison. At least, however, here in the United States, we have press freedom, unlike in Vietnam. Thank you, America. God bless us all.
6
We are watching the digging of the grave for our democracy.
Dr. Benjamin Franklin's legendary reply to "Well Doctor, what have we got a republic or a monarchy."
"A republic -- if you can keep it."
Looks like we can't.
3
"documents from the White House, State Department and other agencies, as well as testimony from White House officials that could shed light on the core charges against Mr. Trump." So, a non-realistic trial for a surrealistic parody of a president. All those who have enabled the defence that says: "They have always hated me so I may do as I wish!" will be remembered in infamy for years & at the polls sooner. VOTE BLUE.
2
Having watched the first day my conclusion is that medical science has made great advances. Skilled surgeons seems to have removed every inch of backbone in the senate republicans yet they still manage to remain upright.
An amazing feat.
4
Do American have to pay taxes, when the senate fails to follow legal precedent, Senate Impeachment rules, or provide a remotely fair trial for the President of the United States.
Keep in mind that the only reason Moscow Mitch controls the Senate,
was that Russian GRU military intelligence officers violated the 2018 Senate election.
4
Chief Justice Roberts was involved beyond his directive to maintain civility.
The last and 11th amendment attempted to place the decision on relevance of witnesses in the hands of Justice Roberts. This served several purposes:
exposes the false equivalence between Hunter Biden's transgressions and Trump's abuse of power, and the irrelevance of Hunter Biden's activities to these proceedings;
opens up a strategy to get Justice Roberts more actively involved as a "neutral" arbiter of fairness in these stacked proceedings;
reveals to the American people the existence of a third party in the chamber that could promote a fair trial if allowed and, I would say, even if he is not allowed a procedural role by the Senate majority, he could intervene from the bench, for example when outright lies are asserted as fact.
Pundits keep referring to Rehnquist's cavalier attitude during the Clinton trial when he "did nothing and did it very well." The issue at that time had all the gravity of a helium balloon compared to the consequences of Trump's abuses. Left to its own devices, McConnell's Senate cannot deliver a fair and impartial trial. Rehnquist could treat the Clinton trial as a joke. Roberts cannot do the same.
Roberts could not only demand civility, but also a modicum of Truth. Maybe he could even demand the Whole Truth.
2
Mitch McConnell has a conflict regarding his role in this impeachment. His wife is a member of Trump's cabinet.
This fact has been largely ignored by the media. It should not be.
5
This impeachment trial will determine whether the presidency forever becomes an office with no oversight or accountability to the citizens of this country. If this happens, we become subservient to the whims of whomever is in the office of the president, and that person becomes a dictator. This impeachment will also determine whether we can expect our presidents to ask foreign governments or foreign oligarchs to assert their influence on our elections, thereby making our right to vote simply a charade. I am worried sick about the outcome and absolutely flabbergasted that Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans don't really seem to care that we stand to lose every liberty and right that we gained by having the good fortune to be US citizens.
4
Never thought we'd be witnesses to the death of democracy. Not here. That was always something that happened in poor, dictator-controlled countries.
2
McConnell has some nerve presuming that the senate will decide not to remove trump from office. And he has the unmitigated gall to state this publicly before the case for impeachment has actually gone through legal ‘due process’ and been tabled and fully considered by the senate. It’s a remarkable bias in his thinking that should disqualify him for the very position he holds as senate leader. But it doesn’t and so far he thrives politically which is a shameful travesty of justice.
3
On the bright side, sort of, this is putting on full display who Mitch McConnell and his accomplice Republicans really are. Hopefully, this will motivate voters to throw them out of office in November.
According to an article I read, the senator who cast what could be called the deciding vote to acquit Andrew Johnson took bribes to do so.
3
Great job by all Dems... especially Schiff and Schumer.
1
Republicans have no sense of shame, they have no honor, they certainly have proudly displayed who they are owned by - the Cult of Trump. McConnell has dutifully acted the servile function of obstructing justice and defiling the Constitution.
May each and EVERY Republican who participated in this charade be forever scorned in the history books on what used to be a great nation, the United States of America.
America, this is what happens when big power and very powerful political players decide they will not allow average citizens (who pay taxes to support our government) to demand a full accounting of abuses of power by POTUS Trump. The slope is now headed down.
I can't fully express my disgust over his conduct by people who KNOW better and who have demonstrated no spine in a moment when it counted the most.
2
Why doesn’t Nancy Pelosi subpoena these people to testify before the House and threaten them with imprisonment if they refuse? I’m sure the court would rule very quickly in that case. The House still can do this if they choose to.
2
Ask her. Contact her website.
1
Their most important concern seemed to be that they not have to stay up too late and be allowed to sleep.
If Democrats wanted a fair trial in the Senate, they should have bent over backwards to make the impeachment hearings in the House as fair to the Republicans as possible. Instead, they did the opposite, stacking the deck right down to such things as allowing the Republicans to call only one constitutional scholar testify, (Jonathan Turley), while the Dems allotted themselves three to speak on their behalf. The whining and complaining by Dems and liberals now is akin to a kid who wouldn’t share his toys in the sandbox throwing a temper-tantrum because other kids in the sandbox won’t share their toys with him.
2
It is clear that an oath to God and Country to perform impartial justice is less than important to the Congressional Republicans than political expediency.
The Republicans under the "leadership" of McConnel, faithfully executed their duty to act without ethical or moral conscious and as the faithful robots to the oligarchs, they serve to ensure that no evidence of any meaningful nature be required from the President or any of the branches of government he has ordered to obstruct such evidence.
The Republican Senators voted in lockstep to ensure an un- fair, sham trial and to like their "leader" McConnel, work in lockstep with WhiteHouse council to make sure to break their oath before God and Country.
Every senator "solemnly" swore "that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Donald John Trump, president of the United States, now pending, I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws, so help me God." - That was the first lie the Republicans made at the behest of McConnel's iron grip on the Republican Senators.
Let's remember what McConnel said previously and which he obviously intends to make good on: ""Everything I do during this, I'm coordinating with White House counsel," McConnell recently said. "The case is so darn weak coming over from the House. We all know how it's going to end. There is no chance the president is going to be removed from office."
Like Trump, McConnel lives by the lie. Evil = John 8:44
1
Republicans have created a surreal world made up of propaganda, tweets and lies to serve their personal desires and shape the future to that end.
But what is truly amazing is the vast number of people who have become habituated to the lies, the crazy, the out-of-control even the abuse and carelessness. The new norm. Stepford Citizens. It's horrifying.
1
All you have to do to see where Mitch McConnell's priorities lie is glance at the statistics about the state he has helped govern since the mid-1980s. By any measure, Kentucky is a mess*. It is poor, unhealthy, under-employed, non-competitive, poorly educated, addicted, and despairing. While Mitch has been off playing tactician, his state has continued to sink. McConnell is a heartless, cold, ruthless man who is out for himself. Maybe the chickens are finally coming home to roost.
* Kentucky:
/ #46 in Educational attainment..
/ #46 in Poverty.
/ #43 in Employment.
But #5 in receipt of federal subsidies & #1 in obstructionist politicians
4
McConnell will go down in flames in November.
Innocent men don't hide. period.
3
It is boldly absurd for Roberts to have called this "the world's greatest deliberative body." Is there a single person in the world who still sincerely thinks that about this shamelessly biased clown court?
If this were really the world's greatest deliberative body, then all other international deliberative bodies must be unimaginably dysfunctional, rigged, and illegitimate, because what is happening this week in the Senate will be a sham "trial" in McConnell and Roberts' kangaroo court. And yes, Roberts must take responsibility for some of these rigged processes, which he could have intervened to change.
There will be no deliberation. We all know the outcome already with 100% certainty, and the "trial" has not even started.
6
I was thinking the same thing.
Not according to the polls Justice Roberts.
Congress has the lowest rating than any body.
1
It is almost beyond comprehension when one comes to realize that taxes imposed on hard working, struggling Americans are used to pay the salaries of Cipollone, Sekulow and company to spread Trump propaganda and lies on the Senate floor.
1
Acrimony, obfuscation, and endless juvenile legalistic flimflam mixed with the bitter poison of America’s profoundly dysfunctional, two party partisan take-no-prisoners warfare.
Profoundly Disgraceful!
1
Just remember what happened to the House 10- years ago under Nancy Pelosi.
We all know what he did and why he did it. His side has admitted it. The great pity is that the Republican senate will not hold him to task for his corrupt and bumbling performance. This could very well backfire if it brings out the 40% or so of the electorate who typically do not vote and did not vote in 2016. If they vote straight ticket for the Democrat Candidate there will be a lot of Republican enablers looking for jobs as lobbyists. That event would not hurt my feelings.
5
@Buck
The republican party's only job is to loot the USA for their masters. As the Metallica song says "Nothing else matters."
1
And so did Rome's fall begin. I have no words to truly express my grief - what words are there for the death of a beloved country?
For Susan Collins, however, who voted the party line nearly a dozen times last night against *legally* obtaining documents or witnesses for this "trial," I have this: you created your own eternal epitath on 1/21/20.
Susan Collins. She Was Troubled. RIP
1
And her brow was furrowed over her concern.
1
Remember when murkowski and Collins were making noises about allowing witnesses?
As usual, moderate Republicans wring their hands in public and fall in line when it comes time to vote.
7
McConnell is fundamentally changing the Constitution and the basis of separation of powers. When this farce of a "trial" is completed, he will have completed his life's work to ensure that the Senate is not part of a separate body --- the Congress --- with separate duties, responsibilities and power but is, instead, little more than a sub-department of the Executive branch, beholden to and bowing before a president/king who is free to act as he or she pleases, with impunity.
Future Senate majorities will follow the McConnell Protocol, ensuring that presidents of the opposing party are hamstrung and obstructed at every turn, while granting unlimited authority to presidents of the same party. We have entered an era, designed and implemented by Mitch McConnell, when all Senate action --- including defiance of the rule of law and the Constitution --- will be based on partisan loyalty.
I almost laughed out loud when I heard CJ Roberts describe the Senate as the "world's greatest deliberative body" last night. Mitch McConnell has turned the US Senate into a parody of the Roman Senate in it's final days. I would not be at all surprised to see him mandate togas at some point.
5
“This initial step will offer an early signal to our country,” Mr. McConnell said before it got underway. “Can the Senate still serve our founding purpose?”
Is McConnell serious? The Republicans rendered the Senate impotent as a powerful check against overreach of power by the executive branch- voting in partisan blocks killing legislation beneficial to the bottom 95% that would constrict the ever growing rate of income inequality to its two constituents: the ultra-wealthy and corporations; attempting to end-run duly elected laws that would dig into the wallets of their two constituents by attempting to block its funding (ACA); disrupt private meetings of the democrats; creating legislation behind closed doors leaving inadequate time for the Democrats to analyze it; repeating Trump's lies out of party loyalty. Now the Republicans are changing prior precedents established by the last two impeachment attempts of a president to rig the verdict: Not guilty. How would Republicans react if the same trial procedures governing Trump's trial be applied to all ordinary citizens accused of criminal acts? To do otherwise would make a mockery of the contention that no man is above the law.
2
"This this is the world's greatest deliberative body." No it's not. It's America's most important deliberative body. This speaks volumes to America's hubris and how it perceives the rest of the world.
Well, the world is looking right back at you and we're not impressed.
8
Glad to hear Trump personally favors extended testimony and evidence at the impeachment. Its just that he fears for the uncovering of some vague "national security risk" that might be involved in such disclosure. Guess the bombing of an Iranian national hero and the betrayal of the Kurds didn't rise to the same level as Ukraine presents to the USA as an ally of America.
I feel sad for the US and the world.
This is a good nail on the coffin of US exceptionalism and of the US as the country we have known.
What comes after this sham is growing scarier by the minute.
Hope these criminals get all voted out and the country and planet avert the precipice we are being directed to.
6
It was already written: Republicans claim openness and fairness and yet used every manner of obfuscation and "pettifogging" to create whatever circumstance they needed to deny those things for this impeachment trial. Sober, rational people knew this going in. Remember how lawyers in the Rodney King case dissected the video frame by frame to make it look like King was an imminent threat to the four police officers who were mercilessly bludgeoning him on the ground? "See him raise his hand to fend off blows, what he was really doing was trying to hit those armed police officers! The police were justified in their brutality, ladies and gentlemen!" Same thing here. If the Senate votes to allow witness testimony later in the trial, they'll subpoena Hunter Biden, find an angle to label his role with Burisma as corruption, and claim Trump was absolutely right to call for an investigation into his dealings. And they'll do it in the face of all evidence to the contrary. But Democrats, the true defenders of law and the Constitution, have to move ahead with this anyway. If Trump somehow does get reelected in November, which is extremely doubtful, they have to hope they hold the House and win the Senate, then take another run at it. That's right, impeach Trump a second time (a first!) and convict when they aren't being held hostage by corrupt Republicans.
4
Our constitution isn't as flawless as we think, ha? The fact that an impeachment trial can be manipulated, bended at-will by both parties by creating their own rules it's absolutely insane. A complete procedural joke. It reminds me of the old European monarchs deciding all aspects of their own trials. Don't get me wrong, Trump deserves impeachment - but this whole charade demonstrates that this word and the "process" that entails actually means nothing.
The most powerful country on earth demonstrates once again that the rich and powerful do not play by the same rules than you and I. And here we are calling us a "democracy".
Let's vote all of these people out. All of them.
4
A quick end of the impeachment process is a blessing in disguise for the Democrats .. and for the country. Thanks to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, our de facto president, enough has been done to expose the corruption of Trump as well as the Republican Party.
Economy, however, is Trump's trump card. Thanks to the NYT for recognizing that Senator Amy Klobuchar is the most deserving representative of the moderate Democrats. By making Amy their final choice, the Democrats can smash Trump's economy cum socialism phobia card.
Senator Kamala Harrison was my first choice before she withdrew from the race. By making her choice as VP, Senator Amy Klobuchar can guarantee a glorious victory for the Democratic Party, for the United States of America and for the whole civilized world.
1
We all know that this will be anything but a fair trial. McConnell and Trump together with all the other Repubican Senators are working hand in glove to cover up the full truth. Most likely they will move to dismiss impeachment and most certainly will not convict him. All these gus have violated their oath to be impartial. Trump will never be able to claim he was exonerated as there was no real trial. It will go down as a monumental cover up. The truth will eventually come out and the Repubicans will be shown for what they are: coconspirators with a corrupt president. Shame on all of them. They all lack decency.
2
Taking one step closer to becoming a Banana Republic per the Republican Plan. Will Chief Justice accept the blame for his almighty Supreme Court being the instrument of this crime against our nation? His legacy is in the balance!
2
With all due respect to the Chief Justice, referring to the McConnell-led senate as the world’s “greatest deliberative body” is about as accurate as referring to Donald Trump as the leader of the free world.
4
This was a brilliant presentation by the Democratic House Managers. They laid out their case methodically and with great dignity. The Trump lawyers had to be in shock. I believe they were because the acrimony began when they realized they were being dusted. The Democrats have withstood great bulling from the Republicans over the last 8 years, culminating in this sorry show defending a guilty and incompetent President whose misdeeds many have been witness to themselves, and which 70% of our country is deeply ashamed of and wants removed.
7
The Republicans are consistent, they have no shame.
8
The capacity of politicians of both parties to waste time in fruitless efforts to satisfy partisan ends is beyond belief. After a stultifying 12 hours, everything was exactly where it would have been absent the pontificating. Now we can look forward to more endless yakking from folks who have already used up the English language multiple times repeating themselves. Anyone who does not know the parties' positions by now must be brain dead.
1
And then, when the Senate session was adjourned, Senator McConnell walked right over to Pat Cipollone and shook his hand.
2
Where are the heroes?
I weep for democracy
Dying in darkness
5
Mitch McConnell has delivered on his promise of a sham and shameful impeachment trial by joining Trump in obstruction of Congress, justice, and most frighteningly the Constitution itself. That the Chief Justice, John Roberts, would tolerate the debasement of the very motto of “Equal Justice Under Law” that adorns the Supreme Court tells us that our democracy is imperil from a Trump tyranny.
163
Prosecution and defense seem to agree that what Trump did is accurately described in the two articles of impeachment. Somehow, that equates to acquittal in the eyes of the Senators (aka jurors). What am I missing here?
10
Accusation of a specific crime not needed for impeachment, since impeachment is essentially a political process. Articles of impeachment are whatever the House declares them to be, and are voted on as such by the Senate.
3
Everyone knows Trump is guilty. The question is, does everyone care? I listened intently yesterday and believe that the House managers are effectively arguing why we should care. I hope voters are listening, too.
11
You have to wonder what McConnell's end game really is. First, more than half of Americans think that Trump should be removed from office--that's a higher percentage than Nixon during the start of the Watergate hearings. But more than this, McConnell does not seem to acknowledge that at some point in the future Trump's executive privileges will come to an end. That day could arrive after the impeachment (unlikely), after the 2020 election (more likely), or, by some miracle (or Russian help), after the end of Trump's second term in 2024. Although there are many ways this could play out, there is but one unambiguous and unavoidable outcome in the future: Trump will no longer be able to use executive privilege to shield him from investigation and prosecution. McConnell, and the entire Republican Party, will have to reckon with this reality in the future. And when that day arrives, the truth of Trump's interactions around Ukraine, the truth of his taxes, the truth about his relationship to Russia, and many more things we don't yet know of now, will all come to light. It will be an ugly stain on the Republican Party that future generations will have to deal with. And Mitch McConnell will go down in history as the man who orchestrated all of this.
But hey, the Republicans got their Supreme Court justices and some big tax cuts for the wealthy, so it was all worth it, right?
6
Of course more than half of Americans want Trump removed from office, they voted for Hillary and have wanted him removed by hook or crook since the day he was sworn in. The ridiculous witchhunt into Russian “collusion” came up empty, so Pllan B is Ukraine. Democrats have been crying ‘impeachment’ since day one. Incredibly some of them even proposed that Trump get impeached for his 2017 comments about NFL players kneeling during the national anthem. Like the boy who cried wolf, they are the party that cried impeachment. Democrats have now opened the door for future presidents to be impeached simply because a swath of American voters weren’t happy their candidate lost. Hopefully this impeachment witchhunt will die soon so that the country can concentrate on more important matters affecting everyday Americans.
2
I truly believe that they think that they will be in power forever. Could they already know the outcome of the election in 2018? Trump talks about running for a third term. They have intentions of complete control. They have never been keen on a democracy.
Reading about the Senate proceedings from a viewpoint written outside of the United States is a very good way of looking at the process from a less immediately partisan perspective. Being multilingual means that I can read foreign news, a privilege for which I am grateful. And what the Senate proceedings look like from the outside is one of those sham trials in an authoritarian dictatorship, certainly not a real trial in any sense. Where is the evidence? Where are the witnesses? Why do the president's lawyers keep talking about things that have nothing to do with the issue at hand? It is obvious that Republican senators are covering for the president's bad behavior. McConnell and his gang are making a joke out of the Senate, and Roberts unwittingly adds to the mockery by calling the Senate the "world's greatest" deliberative body. Please. The Republicans might as well just stand there like five-year-olds on the playground, screaming, "nyah nyah nyah nyah" and sticking their fingers in their ears. That's the level of behavior they have reduced themselves to. Most disappointing of all, I'm going to write to my Republican senators again, and they're going to either ignore my letter or else write responses pretending that I didn't complain about their behavior and reassuring me of their total support for thr president. What is the point of having "representatives" who have no interest in representing all of their constituents, but who cater only to their own voting bloc?
10
We’ve got to flip the Senate. Just look at the charade of justice as Republicans stand firm in denying documents and witnesses. Please adopt a Democratic Senate candidate in a battleground state to support with money and time.
15
If President Trump is acquitted by the Senate and then wins re-election in November, Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Party will have put him in an extremely powerful position. Will they try to impeach him again in his second term? I doubt it. If the Republicans regain control of the House, President Trump will be unstoppable. He will also be extremely angry too. Woe to all liberal Democrats and their left wing policies!
3
The process has become a charade
aided and abetted by Mitch McConnell
and unanimously supported by 53
republicans. Imagine if court
trials for criminal and civilian cases
were similar-defendant allowed to
block witnesses and the judge sat
silently. The constitution in this respect
is vague and thus flawed.Any wonder
no president has ever been convicted
and removed? In the partisan atmosphere there is no hope that
the most unfit president and probably
most corrupt will lose his job. It is
upto the voters to remove him and
restore sanity to the oval office.
7
Why wouldn't the "impartial" Republicans want to hear the full evidence and witnesses if they are so sure that Trump is innocent? Why?
Is it because they are part of the cover-up and worked closely with the White House as McConnell said to make sure that evidence and witnesses are not heard. Sounds like a crime ring plan.
And where are those so called "moderate" Republicans who also show up with their reassuring words that they want to see evidence (Collins, Murkowski, Romney, Gardner)? What were you promised in return for keeping your mouth closed?
9
@Romy Because none of us care! If we cared we would all be in the streets and having a mass demonstration at the White House! Instead...you, me and everyone else like to vent to the void of the comments section of the NYT, Facebook, Twitter etc.
GOP senators have voted to deprive the nation of the separation of powers specified by the Constitution, this body is now nothing but a tool of the executive branch. It is unfathomable that any senator would vote to neuter their own power. These are indeed dark times for America.
5
I was shocked with Trump's lawyers statements, their take on the impeachment process was culled directly from Fox and Republican propaganda, and Trump's lies.
Wow! Roy Cohn will be smiling.
The repetition of lies was galling, particularly the thoroughly debunked lie that Republicans were not allowed into the house hearings. And the surreal Kafkaesque defense: blaming the democrats for not calling witnesses and collecting documentation when it was Trump who blocked access to witnesses and documentation and witnesses who refused to testify because of - their relationship with Trump, their career, their complicity?
Shades of mob bosses getting off time and time again because witnesses refused to testify, were paid off, documents disappeared, henchmen and made men closed ranks and lawyer's lied and cheated. Al Capone finally went away for the least of his terrible crimes: tax fraud.
4
Dear Mr. McConnell,
I know you think you are very smart, but you may have already sensed that you are badly outwitted this time. Adam Schiff is a very soft-spoken, level-headed, individual. But, never let appearances deceive you. He is a great tactician; a chess player of grand master's caliber.
Mr. Schiff saw through your infantile maneuver. He did not fell for your "two concessions" that you magnanimously penciled in, yesterday. He let everyone know that you put them in, so that you can change them later and appear "reasonable", open to compromise, and even noble.
It is no secret that Democrats have many more cases, with plenty of evidence, indicating Mr. Trump's corruption. In fact they may welcome you and your Republican colleagues force a quick vote on impeachment, allow no witnesses, and exonerate Mr. Trump. Then, week after week, their evidences will show up in the NY Times and Washington Post. And every time a new piece of evidence comes out, you and your band of merry men will be losing some more credibility and perceived integrity.
So, please remember this prediction. If Republicans make a mockery of the Impeachment Trial, the Democrats will put all their cards on the table and, come November 2020, there will be a total rout of Republicans.
9
The Senate will not do the job the House was supposed to do.
3
Contempt. That's what McConnell and the Republicans in Congress hold for the ordinary American citizen, including their own constituents, whose majority of voices call for a fair trial with witnesses and documents. Just remember voters, this despicable conduct of your elected leaders when you go into the voting booth this November.
3
Republicans have done more damage to the United States than the AXIS powers in WWII, more than Osama bin Laden and the 9/11 hijackers, and more than Vladimir Putin ever dreamed of accomplishing. Out of cowardice and political self-interest, Republicans have struck at a core element of the foundation of our government system by abdicating their power and responsibility to serve as a "check and balance" on the president. By voting down the supoena of witnesses and documents, they've colluded with a demagogue president to cover up his abuse of presidential power.
3
Thank goodness that the Senate has decided not to import Pelosi’s Animal House Food Fight! We don’t need to see more of Schiff’s and Nadler’s monkeying around with the next election to know what they up to.
There will be a net gain of at least two GOP senators as a result of their debacles. Bye Mr. Jones!
3
It is the Senate's Obligation to get all documents and witnesses pertinent to this trial. That it requires debate and a vote makes a mockery of the process. There will be a verdict and as George Conway said on CNN this morning
In the end history will also have a verdict and one thing this body needs to consider is what that verdict will be
2
How is any future Congress going to investigate any future President, ever? Trump didn't produce a single witness or document. Even though he claimed "executive privilege", his lawyers never proved anything was actually privileged in the legal sense. While I understand the Republicans' current performance serves their personal agenda of getting re-elected, it's their giving up of their Constitutional powers of oversight going forward that truly mystifies me.
3
The only solution to this charade is to earmark the most egregious Republicans who have abdicated their responsibility as jurors, and in fact violated their oath, and remove them from office as soon as possible at the ballot box. I suggest a PAC formed just for that purpose. I will contribute as much as I can. This is a national problem requiring a national and local remedy.
4
Watching Senate Republicans vote time and again to not seek witnesses and evidence in the impeachment trial of President Trump, the thought came to mind that this is just the opposite of the trial in To Catch a Mockingbird. There a group of ideologues declared an innocent man guilty. Here a different group of ideologues are going to declare a guilty man innocent.
5
It’s tragic to watch 53 elected officials sell out their country and Constitution and essentially tell Trump he can do whatever he likes from now on, they won’t stop him. They are green lighting dictatorship in America and opening the door to our enemies selecting our leaders And why? Are power, position, and money so sweet that you betray every principle this country was founded on? What happened to patriotism? I have never been this afraid for my country .
4
McConnell's 'concession' of having 24 hours of testimony in three days instead of two was an example of b'rer rabbit and the briar patch. That so-called concession gave Susan Collins cover to say that she fought for something -- of course, it wasn't for anything substantive, just a way to make the proceedings a little less uncomfortable for herself and her colleagues. But she can say to her constituents she stood up to Mitch McConnell.
What a joke! It was a fine piece of kabuki theater, and nothing more.
5
Apparently even the Senate Republicans realize that you can’t see the evidence and hear from the witnesses and still acquit Trump.
123
@Greg And we all know why Republicans don't want to "officially" hear from the witnesses and "go on record" for seeing the evidence. They already know what the witnesses will say and what the documents will show.
It's some lame attempt to fool their base with "plausible deniability"; too bad that the deniability will only be believed by the diligently uninformed.
6
From White House to the Senate the main effort has been to scuttle the impeachment and allow Trump to move into a second term come may what at any cost of the damage such partisan defense of the indefensible may involve for the country and the constitutional order.
8
A trial without witnesses or documents.
Amazing.
This should be an affront to every American who values the rule of law and has a modicum if intellectual honesty.
But, Mitch McConnell has calculated that what is transpiring in the Senate will not hurt the GOP in 2020 because there are a sufficient number of partisans and people who are too busy or too disinterested in government to care.
We’ll find out if McConnell has calculated correctly.
14
If we are going to have a show trial, can we at least have colored lights and dancers and perhaps a DJ for the boring stretches? I can understand a willingness by the president to withhold evidence, but I can't understand a desire to have dull TV. Think of the ratings mr. president.
4
If you are from a state with a Republican senator, let him or her know that, unless he/she supports allowing evidence and testimony, you personally will work actively to defeat them in the next Senatorial election. Do this whether you are Republican or Democrat. Indeed, if you are Republican: Stating so in your message to your senator will have a stronger impact.
The integrity of our country -- the very survival of a nation with a meaningful Constitution -- depends upon a true trial, not a partisan whitewash.
17
Partisan politics wins again. There is no Justice for All. No 3 Branches of Gov performing checks & balances either. Demoralizing, but not surprising. We've been on this road a long time, increasing Executive Priviledge and Partisan Rancor with each passing administration. Without thought to where the road will ultimately end.
5
As expected,the Mitch McConnell Republican controlled U.S. Senate is in the process of covering up the misdeeds of Trump in real time and in front of the American people. It is an insult to the individual and collective intelligence of the American people to introduce a rigged process for the Impeachment Trial of President Trump, and, then claim the process is open and fair. A trial that does not allow for the possibility, not guarentee, of relevant witnesses and new evidence until the end, is no trial at all. One thing is clear, Republicans now serving in the U.S. Congress are not there to serve the people, but to serve Trump.
10
To this American, nothing has been more disturbing than watching the Citizens United decision slowly evolve into the unalloyed corruption of the Trump Administration.
Supreme Court Justice John Roberts presiding over a trial without witnesses or evidence in the Democrats futile effort to abide to the Constitution is sickening beyond belief.
11
Tell Justice Roberts that it is because Democrats are finally remembering where they are that they’re alive with emotion, seeing how close they are to actually taking part in the destruction of democracy after so many decades of being in it only for the money!
4
What type of fair trial doesn’t allow relevant documents to be obtained and witnesses with direct knowledge of the incident to be called ?
What are Republicans trying to hide ? If everything was “perfect”, they should want these documents and witnesses to be seen and heard. Is it even worse than we think ?
9
Over the next few weeks, many Americans will scratch their heads and ask: "How could these Republicans--once so proud and accomplished--humiliate themselves by being so subservient to Trump?" There has been open speculation for years now that Trump has been bought by Vladimir Putin. What if the same is true for the rest of the Republican Party?
Put yourself in Putin's jackboots. He can spend $10 billion this year on a new nuclear submarine, or he can disburse $50 million bribes to 200 different politicians and other people of influence throughout western democracies. Which tactic will better achieve his strategic goal of regaining Russian dominance while sowing chaos in the West?
If I've thought of it, then surely Putin has. And as the world's richest man by far, Putin can afford to do this every year. When evil people have access to virtually unlimited resources, how can the good possibly hope to survive? $50 million can buy a lot of reason if you're susceptible to that sort of thing.
13
There needs to be supernova protest surrounding the D.C. Senate building while this rigged trial is still in process. We Americans who protest this Soviet-style trial must allow our outrage to be literally heard loud and clear.
7
Juries do not call witnesses.
3
That’s not the point in question. It’s about whether or not the jury will hear testimony from witnesses.
@Dr. John
Sure they do. I've served on juries that called for witnesses to corroborate presented evidence and/or
specialist expertise. Grand juries do it all the time.
3
@Dr John
Juries can and do ask for more information — documents and witnesses — and it is the judge who makes the decision to compel one side or the other to comply.
The verdict in a kangaroo trial is not an acquittal; it’s a triple conviction of the defendant, the judge and the jury in the eyes of the world.
7
Trump is the President of The Republican Party not the United States of America.
7
Pat Cipollone is not a lawyer, he is a partisan political agent.
4
Here's what I saw yesterday:
The Great Deliberative Body - the Senate - was seen not wanting to do anything but obstruct justice and head for the exits as soon as possible.
Worse, I saw Republicans who were Made Men or wanted to earn their Made-man status. Like the Mafia, serving the Godfather. Absolute fidelity will get them there in Trump's eyes.
Mitch McConnell is a Made Man for Trump. Advocating that a trial should have no witnesses or documents is ludicrous. McConnell wants to put the cart before the horse essentially saying "Make your arguments and then I'll make my motion to dismiss based on ideological lines alone."
Every issue so far was decided on a 53-47 vote. Is that a fair trial? The mendacity of the man who thinks the American public is so stupid that they'll accept his rendition of a trial.
Fortunately, many Americans are not in the category of the one-third who support Trump without reason.
The Republican senators are playing out the role of Made Men, in strict obedience to Trump.
McConnell's version of a trial is nothing but a sham, unworthy of our democracy and the rule of law.
6
@Underdog
re "McConnell's version of a trial is nothing but a sham, unworthy of our democracy and the rule of law."
The same could well be said of the man himself.
AG Barr’s priorities are all askew. Here he is traveling the world chasing butterflies at trump’s behest when his focus should be on investigating McConnell (and his wife) for corruption.. At some point McConnell must have his day in court.
Do people really want Pense to be president?
2
No. But trump needs to go.
1
Are the millions of Americans, like me and you, who are aghast at this farce trial, powerless to protest?
20
McConnell is a a born fabulist with an imagination unfettered by the laws of logic and probability. He has the nerve to cry "pure politics" when in his opening statement he went straight to pure politics. He is a disgrace. Kentucky, please vote him out. He's been there long enough and done enough damage. He needs to be shown the door because he clearly doesn't know when to retire.
13
@Moehoward Why would Kentucky vote him out? They're almost last in every state category!
@Moehoward posted " He (McConnell) is a disgrace. Kentucky, please vote him out."
Mc Connell is the senator for Kentucky along with R. Paul.
Kentucky is :
1/ #46 in Educational attainment..
2/ #46 in Poverty.
3/ #43 in Employment.
4/ #43 in Medicare quality.
5/ #5 in receipt of federal subsidies
6/ 8th highest in obesity in the USA.
7/ Has 14.67% of its population on food stamps.
8/ But is #1 in obstructionist politicians.
McConnell obviously doesn`t do much for the people of Kentucky , perhaps the water needs to be tested.
Justice Roberts is unlawfully presiding over a glorified debate in derogation of his duties and should leave the Senate chamber and go back to the Supreme Court and do his job.
Article I, section 3 of the U.S. Constitution stipulates that the chief justice shall preside over the Senate "trial" of an impeached president of the United States.
"Trial" is defined as a formal examination of evidence before a judge, and typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings.
Types of legal evidence include testimony, documentary evidence, and physical evidence.
McConnell with the support of all of the Republican Senators are not allowing the examination of testimony, documentary or physical evidence and therefore are not allowing the trial of Donald J. Trump to proceed in derogation of each of those senator's duty under the US Constitution.
Due to the unlawful conduct of the Republican Senators the present proceedings in the Senate amount to nothing more than a glorified debate of the malfeasance of Trump and additionally mean that Justice Roberts is, in derogation of his responsibilities as a justice of the Supreme Court, wrongfully presiding over this pretend trial.
12
@Pamela Landy My thoughts exactly. Roberts should not be participating in this sham.
1
This isn't a framework, it's a work of fraud.
11
The House Articles are defective.
End of story.
5
Republicans' charge that Democrats are just doing this to overturn the 2016 election and disenfranchise voters has no element of believability. As the Republican lock-step and hearing rules show, and as everyone knew, the process is nearly predetermined to acquit the president. Many Democrats actually thought it would hurt their chances in 2020. The line of reasoning holds no water.
But Republicans could become patriots and convict someone who is obviously violating his oath of office and betraying our underlying common values on a daily basis.
6
I am utterly appalled at our Republican Senators obstruction of facts and witnesses in this so called trial. We have no democracy in this country because of Trump and McConnell, nor will we have a fair election in November. Russian oligarchs and Giuliani will choose our next President.
14
Today, "the world’s greatest deliberative body" stands as an embarrassment to our nation. The beacon of hope we shine to all around the world as a nation where no man is above the law was dimmed to a flicker.
21
First, I hope that Chief Justice Roberts offers some insight into whether or not the president can be impeached for abusing power, even if not accused of a crime. The White House lawyers’ argument is ridiculous and someone who is not arguing either side of the case, needs to get that in the record and make sure all the senators hear it.
Second, if Trump is acquitted and Trump wins the election in November, how are we supposed to believe he won without help from other countries? He got help from the Russians in 2016, sought help from Ukraine and China in 2019, and the Russians are again interfering, which we can count on Trump to do nothing to stop.
127
@Galfrido
If Trump wins, the American Experiment is over. Pack your bags or concede to living in an autocracy.
39
@Galfrido Ah, your second point is exactly what the Democrats want everyone to believe. So while Democrats are stating that they want to protect the election from foreign interference, they are doing everything possible to make a second Trump term illegitimate. This goes against our democracy and should be considered treasonous. They are purposely and directly poisoning the well.
4
@Galfrido
Yes. The President can be impeached for abuse of power -- and yes, absent a specific crime.
Impeachment powers of the Senate were written to address abuse of power, as Hamilton wrote in Federalist Paper #65.
'The subjects of its jurisdiction [impeachment] are those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men, or, in other words, from the abuse or violation of some public trust. They are of a nature which may with peculiar propriety be denominated POLITICAL, as they relate chiefly to injuries done immediately to the society itself."
https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/fed65.asp
Perhaps we all-- Senators included? -- should re-read that paper.
11
The House Managers presented a vigorous prosecution and over-whelming evidence of guilt, while the defense made no attempt to counter any of the allegations. The trump team has the confidence of a criminal who knows he has both the judge and jury in his pocket. And in fact, the entire justice system in his pockets.
Very sad and sickening to watch; our politics is far worse than any of the countries we have lectured, bombed, and invaded.
229
Yup, completely agree. The White House knew they were going to win and exerted as little effort as possible. I felt disrespected listening to them.
25
I watched about five minutes of the Senate hearing last night and it was enough for me. I saw Jay S, one of Trump’s attorneys, pounded the podium with his index finger while talking about Barack Obama and Holder. He had nothing to say about what Trump is accused of doing, so he must deflect onto Obama. I bet that pleased Trump’s base of ignorant supporters. Also, during the Hannity and Tucker Carlson hours last night on FOX, both Hannity and Tucker talked right over Jeffries speaking at the podium. They did not want their viewers to hear the evidence the Democrats are presenting. The Senate will acquit Trump, but the truth will come out eventually. Truth will win out over lies and deceit. It always does. Just not in time to stop this charade that the GOP is putting us through.
44
I watched during the midnight hour, all the while knowing that it would be upsetting and bad for any sense of well being I may have. It was appalling to watch. And yet I felt the need to bear witness. The late hour and the senators cold incantation of “ayes” and “noes” was truly chilling. I can’t imagine how we go on without an uproar, yet as Americans, we have learned to (relatively) trust the political process— we have elections after all. We know there are flaws. But what if that process is irretrievably broken? If the senators will not even allow evidence and witnesses, like Bolton, and do not allow a full hearing, and we are told by the president’s lawyer, to trust Trump because one can always “take him at his word,” (did anybody see that?), how in the world would we expect that Trump and types like him, will not act with complete impunity and completely corrupt political and legal processes.
5
In reply to Lindsey WA
Excuse me, Lindsey, but Nancy Pelosi and the House Democrats have put us through this “charade” as you call it, by voting and passing Articles of Impeachment.
4
Every last one of the Republican Congressmen are purposely abdicating their duty. They clearly demonstrate that all that matters to them is maintaining power - not ethics, justice, or The Constitution. Does that make them traitors?
28
@R
Abdication of duty means abdication of power- in favor of the executive branch.
3
@Paul The power of Congress as a whole yes, but not their own personal power.
@R Yes, it does make them traitors.
Right, Chief Justice: A right-wing partisan debacle!
9
Roberts will be shamed out of office eventually, if he tries to support the republicans, and any attempt to equate the moral stance of the opposing partys is quite simply a lie. It is not Repub. vs. Democrat, it is the decent USA vs. trump supporters. Most of my friends are now and always have been independents, and cannot believe that such as Trump was elected. All three branches destroyed by 4 yrs. support for an immoral half-mad clown.
8
@Claire Green I agree with you in every respect. I wonder if "half mad" is the right description at this point?
Roberts made a spectacle of himself attacking Democrats... this is also the way the extremists are running the Supreme Court.
1
I read two papers every day: the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Comments to news articles and opinion pieces reveal that both publications preach to their own choirs. Rarely do Times commenters reflect a conservative values. Commenters in the Journal usually are conservative. Reading both papers is necessary to have a balanced view of the news.
8
@Anne Randolph Rupert Murdoch et al. own the Wall Street Journal, as well as Fox News.
Fair and balanced? I don't think so.
11
I notice science texts and black magic scrolls reflect different views. You have to read both to get a balanced view.
10
@Ann Randolph
Neither the GOP nor Fox News nor even the WSJ represent or broadcast “conservative” views or values.
I was going to suggest you consult a dictionary for the definition of “conservative”, but all you need to do is look at the national debt, the rape of our national parks, and the roll back of almost every protection of natural resources — including air and water (*)— to understand that the GOP et al represent something other than “conservative” . As for “values”, I can’t say they have any other than greed and the lust for power.
(*) The GOP once was the party of conservation. Put on your face mask, but some bottled water, and weep
The greatest deliberative body in the world? After watching whatever that was last night, might want to rethink that." What a farce.
17
Dear Justice Roberts, Could you remind the Senators that they work for We the People and not Donald John Trump? Could you remind them they are a coequal branch of government. Could you remind them that the world is watching them make rules that are trying to negate a fair trial? Could you provide an expectation that without witnesses they are holding a sham 'trial.' Could you reassure We the People that you work for us too and that you are a coequal branch of government. Thank you. Sincerely, US Citizen and Coequal Women.
31
The Walter Cronkite Republican observes the kangaroo court is now in session.
7
Observing this process, I'm deeply concerned for our national institutions. President Trump diminishes the presidency through actions and attitudes which show his inherent disrespect for the office. Similarly, by collaborating with the White House on impeachment proceedings, Sen. McConnell negates the constitutional authority of the U.S. Senate. The institutions of our national government should always come before a person temporarily stewarding a public office, and before the Party in power in either the executive or legislative branch (Senate or House).
15
America is having a trail but one side cannot call any witnesses or submit any documentation. Additionally, for a country that proclaims freedom of the press and free speech, no open televised account of the senate floor is available, just a microcosm of the lectern and speaker. This is like watching a football game and not showing the crowd.
This isn't an American trial. This is a Russian or Chinese trail. America has become a pathetic caricature of its former self.
19
This is not meant to be a trial covered by judicial norms. That will come later.
The long running Republican American hijacking enjoys another corrupt day of one-party rule.
It’s not what George Washington was fighting for.
November 3 2020
21
@Socrates, you’ve been plugging the November 3, 2020 election as the only logical solution to Trump now for years but none of your many admirers seem to be paying attention and why we’re now all mired in this needless and terribly divisive impeachment process solely to gratify Dems lust for blood. Persistence, please, there still may be hope.
1
"When the resolution was read aloud on the Senate floor, two days had been extended to three and the House’s records would be automatically admitted into evidence, though [Moscow mitch] inserted a new provision that would allow [the loser]’s team to move to throw out parts of the House case."
Er...wouldn't that little provision be the most important of all? Does evidence still matter one whit if the defendant can simply pick and choose what bits of the case against them are even tried? This is not a right non-corporations have.
If that is indeed as I see it, and the vile GOP will simply go along with each request because complicit, and roberts[1] will go along with the requests because why not, this makes a farce even of the non-trial we expected. It says "Go on, present the facts, but as always with our loser and party-cult, facts don't matter and there's nothing you can do about it—just like with surveillance, fossil burners, and bad cops! Our evil regime is here to stay, mwahaha."
[1] Who, remember, was FOR keeping the Muslim Ban in place while chucking Korematsu, in the most awful act of judicial trolling by a Court majority in US history, so don't bother hoping he'll stand up to the vile GOP who hired him.
8
Somehow Democrats and ‘progressives’ think this is supposed to be a courtroom trial right out of ‘Law and Order.’
Forget that fantasy. This is hard-ball politics and Dems have stated their intention to impeach The Donald since before he was even nominated.
Republicans saw the Schiff Show in the House and will give malevolent Democrats exactly what they deserve.
Witnesses? Sure. As long as we can drag the Bidens, the ‘whistleblower,’ and Schiff kicking and screaming to the witness stand. Until then, McConnell et al shouldn’t dignify this hit job on a sitting president.
BTW, Dems have opened up a can of worms and payback on the next Dem president will be painful.
3
It says 'trial' in the Constitution, yes? Where are all the Scalia type strict constructionists now.
2
@EGD So you think it is OK that Trump asked a foreign government to find dirt on Biden for the next election? If he asked a foreign government to murder his opponent, is that OK too? Where do you draw the line?
1
@Frankster
Trump did not ask a foreign government to find dirt on Biden for the next election.
Biden’s corruption was recorded when he bragged about getting Ukraine to fire a prosecutor that was looking into his ne’er-do-well son’s unqualified presence on Burisma’s board or they wouldn’t get a billion in aid. Trump was merely trying to get help to get to the bottom of Biden’s corruption.
That Democrats and ‘progressives’ think it’s OK Biden used his VP position to enrich his son is another issue entirely.
2
“The one thing we can’t allow is evidence. How can we say there is no evidence and must acquit if we allow evidence in?”
Moscow Mitch (paraphrased).
12
286 days to the election Senators. Trump's claim of your "total, perfect, beautiful, exoneration" will resonate well after your sure-to-be "no impeachment" vote. You will reap what you sow at the ballot box. The 2018 election results are only the beginning of Democrats "Making America Sane Again."
13
“The world’s greatest deliberative body”? Not anymore it is now a three ring circus with Trump and McConnell as the ring masters and the GOP as the clowns.
14
Republican Senators, what are you afraid of?
Republican Senators, did he promise you something?
Republican Senators, are you scared of witnesses?
Republican Senators, are you scared of documents?
Republican Senators, your loyalty should be to the country, not Trump. Remember that your decisions will echo throughout history, grace textbooks, and shape generations, molding who we are.
Are you proud of voting against witnesses and documents? Are you proud of covering-up crimes? Why?
20
Can we stop calling the senate the worlds greatest delivered if body? Under Mitch McConnell it’s become a place reasoned debate goes to die.
If Fox News didn’t exist and Republicans were susceptible only to legitimate journalism their half-baked arguments and cherry picking of facts would go nowhere. But while a substantial portion of the citizenry remains glued to this propaganda arm of the republican party, there is no hope for a reasoned discourse
15
I email Senator Perdue almost daily — appealing to his sense of history, his patriotism, his integrity.... begging him to do his Constitutional duty... but it all falls on deaf ears.
He and his Republican colleagues stopped listening to constituents with consciences long ago. The only constituent they work for is The Don.
This trial is both a coverup and a loyalty test: Protect “the family” at all costs... or pay the price.
That is not democracy.
20
@Atlanta mom
The GOP are loyal to the party and power. The Don is only a stooge in their means to grab total power and turn the US democracy into a dictatorship, with oligarchs and all. It is a Coup d’Etat happening real time without violence in the streets (yet).
It is odd to me that more people are not out in the streets voicing their objections to the destruction happening before their very eyes. What will it take to get people heated enough to protest loud and clear?
I worry for the fate of America’s democracy.
1
Trump's lawyers had nothing to offer. All they did was parrot the same thing Trump says to the press and in his inane tweets. Does the GOP honestly think that their obstruction is going to work? Do they honestly believe that the facts will be hidden from the American people? The Republican party is over. They have now become the cult of Donald Trump.
12
A Republican Senate conducting a trial to vote on removing a Republican president for widespread corruption infecting the Republican party. Such impartiality here. The framers never anticipated this.
8
The Baby King is guilty of so very many offenses that I have lost track. This blatant coverup makes a mockery of the rule of law, the GOP, and of the Constitution. It is Roberts who needs to remember where he is: An America ruined in part by Citizens United and the power of dark money to silence average citizens.
Those poisoned by Fixed Propaganda cheer as the nation becomes a banana republic.
11
Impeachment trial? .... this is no trial! Where’s the long traditionally accepted notion of “legal due-process” here? Clearly it’s a brazen cover-up charade being recklessly rammed through the senate, ordered and directed by trump, deliberately engineered and executed by McConnell, and brazenly foisted on an unwitting and bewildered public. The United States is on a fast track to becoming a corrupt banana republic. A shift to a truly authoritative regime in the WH is in the making, no question.
12
Children, now children, play nice. The two dogs I walk know that. How come our lawmakers don't?
1
A sham of a show trial worthy of the monarchy that Trump wants and that McConnell and Barr are helping to establish. Exactly what the framers feared and a terrible blow to our Republic. We must resist with all lawful means in every state at every level with all our might, starting with the 2020 elections and their apparatus of Republican voter suppression, Facebook fake news, and "alternate facts" issuing from the White House.
7
The House Democrats are blaming the Senate Republicans for their own bad decisions during their impeachment proceedings.
6
Our politicians are corrupt, our government is floundering, the systems and branches of government we've had faith in is in peril. I don't hold any hope for this GOP senate to fix things now by offering vindication to the worst president our country has endured. Their attitudes, procedures and rules all designed to dismiss, accept and sweep under the rug all the lies and misdeeds this administration has accomplished
Either way Trump has got to go before we have any semblance of normality again...
5
@biff murphy Mitch McConnell needs to go too...he works hand in glove with Trump...
1
McConnell’s impeachment rules are a farce. No key witnesses and no subpoenas for documents relative to the case shows that McConnell and the GOP are as corrupt as the pResident.
The trial after day one shows that the trial is a sham. A complete coverup of the accused in his brazen attempt to extort and coerce a foreign president for personal gain.
The Dems did a great job using their time wisely to present the facts of the case. They could do more to highlight the obstruction of justice and point out that the GOP senators are doing the same in their party line votes during this hearing.
Schiff is a shining star in his rebuttals to the pResident’s counsel. But as I watched vote after vote on party lines, my heart sank as the GOP senators are not voting their conscience, rather they are playing partisan. I fear the worst.
They are blinded by some unfathomable lust for power and are willing to throw away the US democracy in their greed for power. Nearly 70% of Americans want documents and witnesses.
The stakes are enormous. If the pResident is acquitted, you know he will be emboldened to act like a tyrant and dictator and he and McConnell will be running the country as an autocracy (heck they are doing so already).
Everything I grew up with in the US, including “We the People” will be trashed as “He Who Must Be Obeyed” fills those democratic shoes.
You don’t know what you got till it’s gone.
11
And there you have it, the end of the American experiment. The president and his men are above the law and voters choices don’t matter! ‘Twas bound to happen eventually.
6
It's still incredible, to me, that Republicans can obstruct a fair hearing and get away with it. Even worse is that none of them are remotely interested in choosing a more ethical and qualified candidate than Donald Trump.
And I expect he will be re-elected.
8
GOP's 'law and order' hypocrisy exposed once again: If don the con's actions were defensible, mcCONnell would welcome a fair trial - bring on the witnesses, bring out the documents, let the world understand what happened. But the GOP (in the House and now the Senate) prefer to lie, obfuscate, and revert to tribalism rather than execute their duty to the American People to ensure that their president does not become a dictator.
7
Today I'm so ashamed of my country.
15
In reply to fast/furious Washington, DC
Only Democrats feel shame. Republicans are proud to be American and are not afraid to say it out loud. I am proud to be an American.
I cannot wait for McConnell to be removed from office. He has been such a strain to the democratic process, it would take the strongest bleach and years to remove his stain from the Senate.
9
Don’t wait - act.
And there you have it, the end of the American experiment. The president and his men are above the law and voters choices don’t matter! ‘Twas bound to happen eventually.
7
In what type of courtroom is the jury allowed to set the rules of the trial? Why in God's name isn't this delegated to the judge?
This trial reeks, the judgement will be flawed, and godspeed to the once-mighty United States of America.
8
I believe the dems had some hope that some r's would vote in evidence. But Machiavelli Midnight Moscow Mitch pulled a maneuver to silence the r's by making the day less long. Some r's call it brilliant, but they knowingly lie. Party over Country is their motto.
Some moments are meant for breaking with the rules. Rpberts needs to take the r's and their lawyers in for a dressing down. He is tacitly accepting lies from lawyers, a sham trial - in fact no trial at all. And he is accepting it. When will we see this precedent move into other areas of the law and allowed? At least now when caught there are repercussions.
This is the end of more than one system. It's the end of Congress, the courts, our elections, and truth.
10
Conservatives value loyalty over justice. To them being loyal is a moral virtue. Liberals value justice over loyalty.
The republicans know exactly how to use this to their advantage. They know that liberal voters will abandon a politician shown to have broken a law or otherwise behaved unethically. Republicans voters on the other hand tend to increase their support of a politician shown to have behaved unethically because to them, abandoning someone who is under attack (even under attack by the forces of justice) is akin to being a traitor.
This is why republican politicians are so willing to say that they won’t give a fair impeachment trial because they know voters want to see how loyal they are to Trump. Abandoning trump would be seen as immoral by conservatives, regardless of how much wrongdoing he has done.
Expecting conservatives to abandon Trump because he is unethical would be like expecting liberals to abandon Obama because he sometimes cooks breakfast for his wife.
7
The 'world's most deliberate body' - ain't! It's a shame, and I blame the GOP, the corporate media, the passive neoliberals, and the SCOTUS Justice whose Court brought us 'Citizen's United', and 'McCutcheon v. fec', and the diminishment of valid voting rights in this Nation. Also the continuation of the arcane Electoral College.
So rich, and disgusting, when so-called 'the honest man' Roberts admonishing the likes of the lying Trump/GOP 's counsels to 'remember where they are!'
'The Republic' is having its last bits of its functional institutions washed away - in plain sight.
If enough of 'We, The People' don't opt to organize now and stage massive protests, strikes, economic boycotts, and donate shred the GOP and neoliberal ranks who are pulling off this anti-law, anti-civil society, anti-science and fact-based national life we have struggled to keep going, then the autocratic, the corrupt, the criminals (personified in Trump and his Putin-backed enabler, McConnell) will bring about something similar to what happened in 1930s Germany with some climate change and nuclear gamesmanship thrown in.
It's time to stand up and start calling things what they are. This is the shredding of the Truth, of the value of the Truth, of our 'rights' and the foundation of our liberties. It's reached the larger, most hallowed institutions and halls we were propagandized to believe would always be functional. They are now fraudulent and dysfunctional.
Organize. Today!
4
While Trump is being impeached, GOP Senators are doing exactly the same thing ,abuse of power and obstruction of justice.
5
“This cold night will turn us all to fools and madmen.”
3
I remember when Republicans used to talk about transparency. But then again they used to be human beings.
6
Alan Schiff was brilliant! His supporting attorneys also hit their mark. The defense team looked pathetic; their arguments were unsubstantiated campaign memes soon forgotten. I was bored watching Cipollone.
I watched until late to catch every word. I hope journalists can concentrate these presentations to give voters a clear idea of the troubles the republic faces by allowing the re-election of Donald J Trump.
12
“Acrimonious debate” on the rules? Acrimonious? yes. Debate? not even close. No Republican was there to even consider being persuaded to buck their marching orders.
7
R-I-G-G-E-D.
History will say that Trump was never cleared because the impeachment trial was rigged by Mitch McConnell, who was following the direct orders of the president. The Senate will never be forgiven by both parties for this. Once stained in this way, the Republican party will never be clean in the eyes of both Republicans and Democrats. Democracy has been aborted, for what? For whom? Well, I never had much faith in foxes when they claim to be guarding the coop.
12
Clearly, Moscow Mitch believes that the Senate's "founding purpose" is to cover-up, confound and obstruct justice. This was never in doubt. Vladimir is proud of his Senate puppet.
11
I said it here months ago but I will repeat and rinse.
There are 4 undisputed facts that will NEVER change
1) We have the transcript
2) Both people on the call have said there is no pressure no quid pro quo
3) Zelenski never knew that aid was withheld
4) Zelenski never started any campaign to get any aid released.
These are absolute facts and no amount of witnesses offering emotions or opinions will change that.
This was over from the start. The only reason it still has teeth is from the pure hatred of the left to President Trump.
Everyone knows that all Presidents do this and if you don't then you have only paid attention since Trump became President.
It is time to move on and if you don't like the guy vote him out but leave the circus to Barnum and Bailey as the nation has better things to do!
5
@RS
Please provide instances where other presidents (as you said 'everyone' knows) extort 'favors' from a foreign leader by investigating and smearing his political opponents - let alone inviting and welcoming interference from our foreign adversaries. If this is what you and Trump supporters/enablers now think is common and acceptable behavior then our country is in big trouble. And guess what? Putin is rubbing his hands with glee. He got what he wanted helping Trump.
1
Actually, those are not all undisputed facts. We do have the transcript, that is true. However, as any good prosecutor knows, a statement made under duress is not admissible on its face, and Ukraine was definitely being held under duress. Second, the Ukrainians knew by the day of the call the military aid was being withheld, as evidence made clear. And finally, they only began receiving the aid once Congress found out it was being withheld illegally and reauthorized it.
Stop accepting Fox News propaganda and reconnect with reality. Truth matters, and you’re not getting it.
3
@RS, your circus analogy is apt, since Donald Trump has all of the gravitas and qualifications of a carnival barker.
1
The jury is rigged and the Chief Justice has shown himself to be little more than a spectator at the rigging.
7
I'm looking forward to the evidence leaks which will happen after this cover-up is over.
Of course, nothing will sway Trump's hypnotized base. Or his spineless Senate.
History will not be kind.
I didn't bother to call my senator, Roy Blunt, to express my opinion. Although his aides are courteous and always willing to take my comments, I get the same glad handing reply emails over and over from Blunt. It's disgusting to see him grinning in photos behind McConnell.
It makes me ashamed as a Missourian and an American.
I hope these senators know that America is on to them.
Not allowing witnesses or evidence in an impeachment trial of a president?
They must be very afraid of the truth.
It is unAmerican.
8
WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE??? Why are the democrats so compliant with McConnell's sham rules? Why are they acquiescing to such blatant unfairness? Why are they not staging some protest, sit-in, or civil disobedience? What are they afraid of? The Sargent of Arms will arrest them? FINE. Have the Sargent of Arms arrest them and take all the democrats to jail. Wouldn't that be a sight to see? What message would it send to the American public and the world that half of the senate detained in jail the other half of the senate? Who would adjudicate the subsequent arraignment? Surely not the chief justice? Would he not have to recuse himself for being party their arrests? The democrats have proclaimed that trump's abuses must not be allowed to stand. How about a few profiles in courage here? Where is the backbone of the democrats? Are they just going to roll over and play dead?
4
We just witnessed - The Night Democracy Died.
It truly is a dark day.
11
To the CJ:
The Senate these days : "World's Greatest Deliberative Body"
Is as
Trump:"Leader of the Free World".
4
Democrats used their majority to dictate the terms in the House. Republicans wailed. They were ignored.
For Rep. Schiff to be caterwauling about "fairness" now is an insult to any thinking person.
Democrats chose to make this a "majority rule" impeachment, now they must live with what they created.
5
@AACNY Democrats search for the truth but Republicans reject or ignore the truth. This was evident in the House, now again in the Senate for the rigged trial.
2
@jnl
Democrats' search for the truth a/k/a their investigation was pretty short-lived.
Now they're blaming republicans.
Ridiculous.
2
I can't suppress the idea that a lot of Republicans are blackmailed by Trump and whoever is behind him, menacing each of them from McConnell to Nunes to McCarthy et al, to publicly reveal discreditable and embarrassing facts about their private and professional lives. I understand that my vision may appear too fantastic but, to date, this administration has surpassed indecencies that in the past were possible to be thought only by a twisted mind.
8
@Armandol I keep thinking the same thing. I believe Trump has dirt on them; that he is railroading them with something. I can't imagine all these people would willingly go along with what amounts to a monarchy. They are implicitly saying their own jobs don't matter. They might as well be voted out of office right now. They are merely placeholders. All that matter is Trump. He will national emergency, executive order, and veto all of their legislation out of existence. And they will acquiesce.
3
the erosion of our democracy continues. what a joke this entire thing is. vote. relax. and realize the world will continue to turn.
4
The Chief Justice had it wrong. 53 members of this body are not a distinguished deliberative body,they are accomplices after the fact. I listened to much of the Managers presentation and one would have to be criminally ignorant not to be persuaded by the recitation of factual evidence presented. The parallel to Germany in1932 is frighteningly eerie with the only difference, the earth is rapidly dying. Of course, Generalissimo Bone Spur was touting his economic miracles while disparaging a modern day Joan of Arc. Congratulations to those 53 Republican Senators. If there is any history in 50 years, your names will rightly be reviled.
9
The GOP majority in the Senate must be eliminated. Good politics is the art of compromise. Bad politics is win at any cost. This is the worst form of bad politics.
8
It iis hard to accept what is nothing less that traitorous behavior on the part of Congressional Republicans. McConnell will go down in history for his treacherous obstruction of justice. And one must wonder what is being hidden that requires this behavior, In the end the truth will out, of course, regardless of their tactics. It's a sad day for this country when party is served over country.
7
I can’t wait to read John Bolton‘s book expected to be published prior to the election. By trying to bury the facts and denying Bolton’s and others ability to testify, hopefully, the Trump-McConnell strategy (coverup) will fail.
6
Can the House subpoena Bolton and have him testify publicly, concurrent with the Senate trial? It’s one way to get the evidence out there.
1
Republicans cannot do justice, they are too conflicted by their hold on power through a President willing to enact their agenda at all costs. A rigged Supreme Court nomination in 2016, a rigged election in 2016 (leading to 2 additional rigged Supreme Court justices) and now a rigged impeachment trial. A rigged 2020 election is
now in the works.
It’s no wonder that their projecting mouthpiece in Trump keeps claiming that Democrats are the rigged party. Republican sub-consciences all know who the real riggers are and they see them in the mirror every day.
2
You know what? For the first time in ages I'm actually a little bit proud of the Democratic leadership.
For years we've been smashing them for not playing the long game. They finally listened.
There was never any hope that Trump would be removed from office. Impeachment is only about demonstrating in stark terms the sycophancy, tribalism, and powerlust of the Republican party.
The Democratic party of five or ten years ago might have impeached Trump, but I don't think they would have been so aggressive in hammering home the utter depravity of the whole thing. There would have been some equivocating and both-sidesism, they would have gotten stomped, they would have taken their ball and gone home to pout.
Not this time. They are finally demonstrating what it means to have the upper hand morally, intellectually, socially. Will America listen? I don't know, but at least the sliver of the population that decides elections has their choices laid out clearly.
We can only hope that, should the Democrats leverage this farce to gain power next year, they enact sweeping anti-corruption legislation as a first order of business.
10
Despair the shamelessness of the majority leader, a man who perceives that justice be subordinated to his packing of the federal judiciary with unqualified ideologues to strangle the progress of equality.
The "trial" is not an event leading to and yielding a human rendering of justice, but rather a bizarre show trial, wherein the outcome is not only predetermined, but the format a perversion of what any citizen would never want applied to themselves should circumstances confront them.
When partisanship subordinates the Constitution to the winds of agenda, the evidence of greater concern is the conduct of those complicit and the crime the failure to fulfill a sworn oath, both that for the impeachment and that guiding members of the GOP representing their states in the Senate chamber.
When the present president expressed interest in running for office, evidence of misconduct emerged daily. The concern at that time was that it would become normalized and excused. It has. And now, we reap the whirlwind - and do so suffering too those who once were disgusted, but now fan the flames.
6
The question Republicans don't want asked of John Bolton:
"Mr. Bolton, you likened White House pressure on Ukrainian officials regarding the sought-for investigations to a "drug deal," telling Fiona Hill that you weren't part of "whatever drug deal Sondland and Mulvaney are cooking up," and, further, asking Ms. Hill immediately to inform White House counsel of your position. As we all know, drug deals are illegal transactions. Why did you liken White House behavior to a transactional crime?"
Bolton is likely to spin-up some soft-peddle answer so as not to convict Trump, but he is the smoking gun. Bolton was fully informed, with credentials that make his criminality assessment dispositive.
The Republican Senators want to bury this, but I'm very surprised Judge John Roberts doesn't want to hear an answer to that question.
4
The Republican senators completely disgraced themselves with their attempts to repeal the ACA with no responsible plan to replace it. Then they passed a huge tax cut for billionaires that explodes the deficit and actually raises taxes on the middle class. That told me everything I need to know about their level of corruption. Then came the Kavanaugh confirmation.
That they should disregard their oath of office and the oath to uphold justice in this trial comes as no surprise. But I still feel very sad.
5
You all knew this was coming - the day that McConnell stands like a rock wall before a removal process. Why are you all sounding so surprised?
You were all warned. Impeachment is a huge mistake- republicans will benefit in the long run, strengthen their hold on the senate, Trump will be re-elected , nominate more conservatives to the court, and Roe V Wade will fall.
But at least you’ll have stuck to your principles, right?
1
The Democrats should have obtained whatever documents they thought were needed while this issue was still with Schiff in the House. They decided to rush to judgment, though, in their impatience to impeach Trump. Haste makes waste. The GOP is not to blame for the House Dems failing to do due diligence. In any case, Congress has disenfranchised the voters by not allowing them to decide Trump's fate in November.
1
Although acquittal is a foregone conclusion, the dems used the seemingly futile amendment process to prosecute the actual impeachment trial on national TV, they laid out a very well documented case, complete with video/audio. They ambushed the GOP and Trump, and save for the walking dead Trump cult, the dems took a profound, and unexpected political victory. It's the first time in millennia, it seems, where the dems figured out how to use power. It's really all over but the shouting at this point. Trump will be heavily wounded by this in that he won't get any new followers and the GOP look as craven as they actually are. The field was won by the dems, amazing day, really.
6
As this plays out over the next few days and the following months the Republican Party will be seen as toadies for interests that don't align with the interests of a large majority of American voters. Many were not paying close attention before, but they will be paying closer attention hereafter. November will be the apocalypse for the Republican Party which lost its moral grounding with the election of Donald J. Trump.
3
McConnell's refusal to hold Senate hearings on Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland during Obama's final year in office was described by political scientists and legal scholars as "unprecedented", a "culmination of this confrontational style," a "blatant abuse of constitutional norms," and a "classic example of constitutional hardball.
Republicans Block Subpoenas for New Evidence as Impeachment Trial Begins; "McConnell's blatant abuse of constitutional norms has never ended".
3
We need to remember to vote in November.
Also more than ever remember Trump is NOT one person, it’s is an administration and the GOP.
3
"Remember where they are? " the location mattered when decorum, regular order and the Constitution mattered. Statues, Corinthian columns and historic documents don't make our country great, our laws do. And that goes double for Robert's usual seat. You might as well admonish the Marx Bothers or the Three Stooges to take their surroundings into consideration.
1
"The world's greatest deliberative body" said Justice Roberts with a straight face referring to the US Senate. Great words, but not really the ones that correspond to this Republican controlled Senate.
A Senate that under the absolute control of Dr. No McConnell, always in compliance with the President's wishes refused for a whole year to review the qualifications of Judge Garland and then without missing a single Republican vote approved "I like my beer" Kavanaugh. A Senate that has blocked more than 400 legislative pieces approved in the House of Representatives by both parties. A Senate in which none of its 53 Republican members dares to give an opinion or express publicly and on the record what they think for fear of losing their job, which it would immediately happen because President Trump controls 90% of the voters of each one and has his twit machine and the Fox pulpit ready to destroy any one who dares to set a foot outside the line.
Justice Roberts, please have some respect for the American voters, a majority of which is not that gullible and let the likes of Monty Python alone in their role of saying the biggest absurdities without breaking a smirk.
4
Why is additional evidence needed? Every Democrat in the House voted to impeach Trump. Are Senate Democrats saying that the Democrat members of the House acted upon insufficient evidence and information?
2
Roberts admonishing "both" sides is a distortion. Credibility matters, and Roberts is in danger of losing it.
5
I want to commend Representative Val Demings for her exceptionally clear, eloquent and down-to-earth presentation. Would that a single COP senator have but one iota of her patriotism, "manly" integrity, and true American, visceral love of truth!
4
Of course the Republicans don’t want documents and witnesses. If those were part of the proceedings, at least half of them would be implicated, if not in this ‘drug deal’ then in another one. There is no denying that their actions are designed to hide something - probably a lot of somethings - from the American people. If somebody is truly innocent they want all the evidence exonerating them that they can get their hands on. Withholding evidence can only mean one thing. Whether you support Trump or whether you don’t, this should make you very, very angry. They’re trying to pull a fast one on all of us and it looks like they’re going to get away with it.
3
Why would an innocent person and his associates not want ALL the facts on the table to prove that? This is a complete embarrassment! I am so ashamed to be an American in this moment and I will NEVER vote for a Republican for the rest of my life!
VOTE your life and our Democracy depends on getting rid of this tainted group!
12
Americans are used to seeing trials with a single judge presiding, fiercely if need be, with threats of and actual charges of contempt being used. The Supreme Court is different, and deliberately collegial among the Nine. The Chief presides, but is a first among equals, even yielding the power to assign the writing of Opinions if the Chief is not in the majority.
Yet there sits Roberts, once more single judge, with largely undefined powers in the impeachment process. Can he hold on contempt, strike testimony or evidence, suspend the process to review a key point in chambers, order an unruly senator removed, or clear the gallery and expel the media? Who knows?
He largely presides, and only that, since he has no apparent role in deciding the case, determining the rules of procedure, or even instructing the "jury". One may ask 'Can the Chief Justice administer and insure justice in such a trial if he has real powers to do so?'
2
The world’s most deliberative body! Are you kidding. Virtually every measure is 53-47. You might as well have the Senate Clerk stamp measures and amendments approved or failed based on the political affiliation of the Senators.
Deliberation is only important when the weight of arguments has the potential to sway a Senator.
They could phone it in.
3
Why did the Constitution want the Chief Justice to preside? To do almost nothing? Chief Justice Roberts should keep history and the country in mind and tell Republicans that actively preventing evidence, facts, and witnesses does not further justice and is not in the nation's interest.
4
Republicans are trying to build a firewall to protect Trump. Trump’s defense team knows they have no response to the evidence and testimony to date. Their plan is to try to limit the damage they take while blustering loudly. It worked to get Kavanaugh through. The GOP will never vote to remove Trump. They just have to create enough doubt and confusion to get away with it.
Elizabeth Warren is calling for a commission to investigate all of the corruption of the Trump administration IF Democrats can take back the White House and the Senate while keeping the House. All of the other Democratic candidates and the press should sign on to this.
2
During the House part of the process, the complaint was that it was all a hasty railroading that wasn't allowing enough time to let crucial information come to light. Now, suddenly, the process can't be bogged down with witnesses and evidence. The GOP can't have it both ways. If they refuse to allow witnesses at this point, the rational conclusion is that they feel they have something to hide.
4
I wish there had been less “both sides are acrimonious” framing and an acknowledgement that McConnell is using every ounce of leverage he has to keep his Republican senators in line in spite of the overwhelming evidence that the president has repeatedly violated the law; evidence that grows almost daily.
1
I agree with what everyone has said. It is a stark vision. The Democrats did a great job of exposing the lack of credibility of the Trumpists strategies and arguments. I do believe McConnell will use his power as he's done in the past to ram through an exoneration. Trump will continue his activities and it will be 2016 all over again.
95
@alcatraz There will be no exoneration. There may be an acquittal however.
7
@alcatraz History may not repeat itself in 2020. Many voted for Trump in 2016 because they wanted a change from the establishment norms that preceded Trump's election. They hoped Obama would bring change. But the Republican Congress, especially McConnell's Senate, made sure that Obama would be POTUS in name only. Those voters are still hoping for change and Trump has not brought them the change they were seeking. After 4 years of Trump in your face every hour of every day 2020 may bring a tsunami that will sweep out much of the establishment that has been on display leading up to this impeachment charade.
10
@alcatraz
But, WE THE PEOPLE can and will have a chance to block Trump.
It might take 85-90% of the people in this country to fight this, but for once, I can only hope the people of this country will live up to the task.
If nothing else, perhaps it will be too late to remove Trump from office during this term, but we can deny him from doing more damage during a second term.
13
The Democrats presentation was a disaster with repetition of the same talking points for hours and hours. It was tedious, tiresome to watch without any standout moments. Audiences dropped out as the process proceeded. If the purpose of the impeachment process was to increase their election success in 2020 for the senate and the presidency, it may very well backfired on themselves.
13
@Qcell Yes, because removing someone who is unfit for office must be good television first and foremost. This attitude is precisely why this country has no future as a democratic republic.
55
@Qcell, election success is not the purpose of this.
34
@Qcell, so impeachment proceedings are meant to be entertaining? Kind of like Donald Trump's rambling speeches?
49
The Judiciary branch of our democracy is being tested, far more than the squandered reputation of the Republican controlled Senate.
Chief Justice John Roberts presides over what is our nation’s most dire trial, and as the presiding judge can and should render the Republican’s coordinated conspiracy to obstruct justice moot. He can over-ride McConnell’s abuse of power, restore order to the Senate Chamber and preside over this trial with the integrity of the rule of law intact.
I watched, yesterday, wondering if these are the last days of the Republic.
1
Today, 53 GOP Senators made clear that they will not uphold their oaths of office.
Failing immediate and widespread leakage of even more information, the chance that justice is done in that chamber is near zero.
Given that, there's no impediment to rampant election fraud from the GOP and I suspect that though voter turnout will be high, there will be some strange circumstance whereby we're again treated to a republican presidency and Senate - as we have several times in just the past handful of elections.
This is how dictatorships develop. This is how fascism is born unto a nation. It's happening right now, here in the US.
I will vote, and am working to encourage and enable others to do so as well - but I'm not sold that the vote will be fair or will be accurately counted or reported. So I'm also making contingency plans about what it might be like to live under conditions where conduct like that of Trump and Barr is expected and the norm.
5
The Senate is weakening itself by refusing to exercise its Constitutional power. That power now conveys to Russia through the Executive branch.
Why do the individual senators play along?
3
The king has no clothes.
3
Will no-one rid us of these meddlesome senator-priests?
Oh, that's our job as voters. Get out there and educate across the divide. Go to work in red states - find opinion leaders who do actually care about the Constitution and country more than a corrupt party.
The key word here is "new evidence". In other words, the House Democrats failed to do their job in a proper way and now want to redo their impeachment coup attempt in the Senate. That is not how the system works.
The House Democrats were advised that they were rushing to impeach based on second hand information and no facts. Instead of taking their time, asking the courts for opinions on Trump's executive privilege claims and playing by the rules their base couldn't wait any longer. Trump will win again because everyday citizens can see right through this fiasco.
14
@JGaltTX, let's not question why it is that the president was so desperately blocking testimony that's supposed to exonerate him. I didn't see any Republicans putting pressure on him, while they bleated about "hearsay".
We can see through this fiasco alright!
39
@JGaltTX
Missing in your borrowed and truncated narrative is that Trump commanded members of his administration not to comply to lawful subpoenas.
Please do not assume "everyday citizens" think a guy hiding his phone calls in with the highest security military secrets, having his personal lawyer gadding about canning US ambassadors for his personal whims, and then lying about all of it is a task too big for American citizens to "see right through". Most Americans want Trump to answer for his behavior.
61
@JGaltTX How do they attain facts when the WH is blocking all their legal attempts to get them? By the time the court mulls all this over the election will be over, with the help of Russia. Again.
38
The Bolton/obstruction issue is a farce. When democrats subpoenaed Bolton, his attorney when to the federal court and asked for guidance. At that point, democrats withdrew all evidence of their request, including their subpoena.
They then tried to claim, "Obstruction of Congress."
2
Chief Justice Roberts said “They are addressing the world’s greatest deliberative body." That statement would have been correct many years ago, but not today. When we witness the current proceedings and see a unified group of senators using every possible obstacle to prevent relevant and vital evidence from being introduced so that an American president can get a free and quick pass out of these proceedings, what we are really seeing is a show trial of the highest order. Mitch McConnell must be truly congratulated for orchestrating such a precise operation. On their best day, the most hard-line communist governments could never match such prowess.
3
"Greatest deliberative body" -John Roberts
Sorry. That's not a funny joke, Mr. Roberts. Too soon.
10
This entire charade simply exposes the weakness of the US democratic system.
2
Co-conspirators, one and all.
5
If you care about the survival of our Democracy, show those Republican senators that you do care: VOTE BLUE IN NOVEMBER. No more nonsense.
11
Which statement is more ironic: “The world’s greatest deliberative body” or “the party of Lincoln”?
11
When is this nonsense going to stop? Half our government is transfixed on removing Trump and has been since the election. Us independents get it, Dems have no candidates who can beat a President with a booming economy. Get a decent candidate, who isn’t spouting socialism, when our country is doing economically stellar.
1
The GOP votes yesterday should disgust every American. They need to treat this trial seriously. 70% of Americans want witnesses. Represent the will of the American people.
7
The boy who cried wolf has more credibility with me than the Democratic party and their stooges in the media.
Complaining about partisan votes in the Senate after the House's partisan impeachment of Trump is high Chutzpah.
Looking forward to upcoming trials in federal court of Comey, Brennan, McCabe, and the rest and the NYTimes defending the indefensible.
1
This is great news!
War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.
Impeachment is undoing an election.
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.
An act we say 'nay' by 53.
7
Roberts-"Remember where you are"- Does he think they have any shame?
4
This administration and the Republicans have sadly become like a clip of The Bachelor or Bachelorette, to which I am always dumbfoundedly asking myself in absolute awe "Aren't these people embarrassed??"
4
Being an avid golfer has its benefits.
3
"The Party told you to reject all evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command."
"Nineteen Eighty Four" by George Orwell
14
In the McConnell era the US Senate is no longer a deliberative body, and is now objectively the place where democracy goes to die.
8
Where they are?
In the middle of a dumpster fire, with McConnell adding gasoline to make it worse.
5
Justice Roberts is the only adult in the room
1
Why do we need to make the founding fathers so high and holy? It’s very cult like. Let’s use common contemporary judgment and empathetic morals. We all know our president is kind of creepy and uses money and lawyers to skirt the law and hide the facts. Is this the America we want?
2
@Two Americas Actually, we were blessed to have such a collection of brilliant statesmen, all living at the same time and place, in late 18th Century America, to frame the Constitution, an impressive document. Our contemporary politicians are mediocre by comparison. Even so, the House Democrats occupy the high ethical position here, the Republicans are a shameful disgrace. It's disturbing to watch them.
2
Entirely absent in this piece is the fact that the president's legal team lied repeatedly and kept repeating false talking points from Trump's twitter account. I would have thought that NYT would report the truth but I guess that the would rather appease.
5
A sham and a disgrace by the Republicans, but what else is new from them? Vote every last one of them out.
8
“They are addressing the world’s greatest deliberative body,” Chief Justice Roberts said.
Thanks, I needed a good laugh this morning
7
Remember Senators, a vote not to impeach is a vote for Putin.
8
The republicans in this so-called trial have shown themselves - with two exceptions- to be without any sense of why they are in the Senate. They are now nothing more than trump apologists and will live to regret ever having allied themselves to a known crook.
3
I see coming the last scene of the movie the Joker.
I hate to say this the Chief Justice might be the most rational person in the room and could help break this partisan deadlock.
The Senate needs to have a trial and if members vote to subpoena witness' and new documents as it might be the best for our country.
If we can't have any faith in any of the three branches of government our Republic is surely doomed from being poisoned from self serving corruption and nepotism along with vitriol partisanship.
It is actually sad and equally embarrassing for the United States, as the basis for all democracy's on our planet, looking more and more like completely narcissistic and self serving dystonia.
This is not what we want or need for America as we stumble into the 21st century acting more and more like complete spoiled and ignorant brats.
1
Sickening. The real puppet master is Mitch and the republicans in the Senate and the house, their shameful support is what is perpetuating this national nightmare. Until every single republican is voted out we cannot take back our nation.
9
Sekulow and Cippoline did not even seem to believe their own arguments.
Sekulow's hands were shaking as he gathered his papers. It was as if he was ashamed of the sophistry that he had just delivered.
Cippoline's faux outrage and repetitions of "It's ridiculous" were forced and insincere, bad acting.
Watching their body language and hearing their vocal inflections were reminders of why it is essential that witnesses be seen and heard
9
New Math: 0 Witnesses + 0 Subpoenaed Documents = 1 Coverup
13
A “trial” without witnesses or documents.
A cover up.
Shame on you Republican Senators. Cowards.
A dark time in our history.
15
Please do not cover this with a both sides framework @NYTimes. It's too important for American democracy, norms and our Constitution.
6
Trump's legal team, like everyone else around him, debase themselves by participating in his defense. They sound like amateurs, like ambulance chasers. Everything the man touches turns to garbage, including our republic.
6
How could anyone criticize or question the self-proclaimed deity, the Chosen One, whose "great and unmatched wisdom" is sacrosanct among his howling hordes?
That is a transgression worse than apostasy. It is downright sacrilegious and tantamount to treason.
And, we know what the "stable genius" Trump had to say about the whistleblower whose life he threatened. If Trump is reelected his wrath will become even more incendiary and more vindictive.
It is not a stretch to predict that the combustible, vengeance-seeking despot Trump will follow through on his vow to implement enhanced torture against his critics and opponents "worse than waterboarding."
I believe that America has reached a tipping point in the slide towards totalitarian government when so many people have been seduced by our country's first openly racist autocrat in the White House, Donald Trump.
H.L. Mencken stated it well: "As democracy is perfected, the office of President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
Will that view prevail in November? At the end of the classic film, On The Beach, a banner appeared over a silent and deserted street, “THERE IS STILL TIME … BROTHER”
4
"...the world's greatest deliberative body."
What a joke!
2
@donald.richards ...............and he also said something about "civil discourse"? What? He can't possibly be serious....has he heard Trump lately?
The world's greatest deliberative body, my...
2
Trump's lawyers are an embarrassment. Cippollone was droning on about "Democrats don't want you to vote!" "They say YOU are on trial!" like he was a drunk man.
Cut to the chase and have Trump under oath like Bill Clinton. That should shorten things considerable.
7
Power and greed reign with a hideous, mocking grin over this cowardly body of Republicans whose consistent record for 40 years has been self-destructive to everything great and small, not just here but Worldwide.
5
I am embarrassed to be American. The Republicans are all Trump toadies. There is no decency or objectivity left in that "party". We lose the rule of law we lose freedom.
328
@Dnagrl they are despicable and beyond redemption. And the four ‘centrists’ should be ashamed for voting against evidence. I can barely read/watch news as it truly sickens me that our so called leaders could behave in this manner.
21
It’s a cover up. Period. The end.
266
The takeaway from the opening presentation at the Trial of Donald John Trump has two parts. First, Adam Schiff’s presentation was that of a prosecuting attorney who knows the defendant is guilty. Second, Trump’s team of defense attorney's presentation was that of a defense attorney who knows the defendant is guilty.
308
@Bikebrains Spot on! And the defense of President Trump rests on the idea that he has not broken any law. But it is in fact for very similar violations that Mr. Parnas and Mr. Fruman are now facing charges in the Southern District of New York! So, yes, actually Mr. Trump and his associates committed ordinary crimes for which any citizen could be charged, crimes that also, in Mr. Trump's case rise to Abuse of Power.
Furthermore, it doesn't matter if there was "quid pro quo" or that the investigation of the Bidens was never delivered. The statute (Title 52 of the U.S. Code section 30121 (a)(2)) says not only "accept or receive" but merely to "solicit ... anything of value from a foreign national in connection with a U.S. election" is unlawful.
Why an entire room full of lawyers in the House failed to charge him with this is incomprehensible!
3
The blatant disrespect Nadler showed for the Senate body will backfire on him. It was disgusting to watch.
8
@Edward
Have you been watching Trump for three years?
4
@Edward The blatant disrespect that the president shows the American people is disgusting to watch. The blatant disrespect McConnell et al show for the rule of law is disgusting to watch.
13
@Edward Yes, how dare Nadler condemn the coverup and promote House facts must be addressed.
Maybe today you can listen a little closer and seek the answer to this question espoused by Tom Friedman:
“Why would an innocent man, and a jury interested in the truth, not want all the evidence out and all the witnesses to testify? Wouldn’t you if you were innocent?”
10
The only words from Roberts so far were in reference to a 1905 Swain trial objection to the word "pettifogging." His attempt at some kind of aristocratic humor from ancient academe alarmed me.
Roberts sits through Cipollone's lying, through accounts of international extortion and bribery, executive lawlessness, career destruction—and what upsets him, what he feels is worthy of remark—is the righteous calling out of cowardice and obstruction?
Roberts apparently thinks he is at an early twentieth-century cocktail party. If he believes a Senate led by McConnell, who excludes Democrats from virtually all power grabs and policy discussions, in any way remotely resembles any "deliberative" body, or that the president this Rogers Court is doing so many favors for, speaks civilly—well.
I am afraid our so-called Chief Justice is more than simply out of touch. His mind remains in some past aristocratic fantasy.
Sorry Roberts. This president has dragged you into the swamp.
I thought Jerry Nadler was a voice of clarity, the kind of moral clarion call we hear too little of. A voice of reason and responsibility, reminding the senate in no uncertain terms of their higher duty, their responsibility to law, the debt they owe to the future.
Thank you, Congressman Nadler.
Senate Republicans need a long stay in the Woodshed.
235
Nadler was boring and rude. Maybe that works in his district, but House Dems should have appointed professionals not political hacks. Americans tuned out. We are Dems and he was an embarrassment. Schiff a bore.
1
@Naples I could not agree more. If civility is what is lacking in these proceedings, that is the least of my worries. What a sham.
6
@Naples For Roberts, whose day job is to sit in the high Court where decorum reigns every day, needs to spend more time in the gallery of the Congress to understand their "plebian" behavior. If he were allowed to function as real judge in a judicial proceeding, and after hearing the House presentation and the Trump defense, he would direct a verdict removing Trump from office.
7
Who are the four most vulnerable GOP Senators in the coming election? True Anericans need to support their opponents on every way possible.
We have to fight for the rule of law and neutralize the totalitarian movement in the USA headed by Trump and MoscowMitch, before it really is too late.
Americans need to have access to ALL the evidence about the reasons Trump has been impeached.
102
The four Republican senators deemed most vulnerable in the 2020 election cycle are:
> Susan Collins (Maine), opposed by Sara Gideon who is the current Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives.
> Cory Gardner (Colorado), opposed by former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper.
> Martha McSally (Arizona), opposed by retired astronaut Mark Kelly, husband of retired Rep. Gabby Giffords.
> Thom Tillis (North Carolina), opposed by both former state Senator Cal Cunningham and current state Senator Erica Smith, who will face each other in the Democratic primary (Cunningham is endorsed by the DSCC).
The two most important things anyone can do to defeat these senators is send their Democratic opponents money and talk them up to friends and family. And if you live in state, volunteer for their campaigns.
And, of course, vote. Vote as if your country depends on it. Because it does.
3
Republican senators need to come to terms with a simple fact: the President cannot be acquitted without witnesses and documents being allowed, because any acquittal that does not include all available evidence will be recognized as the whitewash it would be.
In my mind the President is most likely guilty, and if he is not he needs to show me the evidence. He would no doubt be glad to prove his innocence if it existed, but cannot because the proof does not exist.
I am allowed to draw this adverse conclusion under evidentiary rules applied in court, and I draw it now.
Mr Trump can only be exonerated by the production of all evidence. Anything less leads to the simple conclusion: "guilty".
93
@Mark sure thing. Guilty till proven innocent, right. As I remember high school the defense doesn't need to do anything. As I recall, it was up to the prosecution to prove guilt. I thought Shift had all his 'proof'?
@Mark, his defense is essentially an admission of guilt already, with the claim that his actions are not impeachable.
3
Presumption of innocence is the principal one is considered innocent until proven guilty. The burden is on the prosecution to prove.
This trial demonstrated that the so-call "moderate" Republican Senators are just a bunch of phony willing to do the biding of Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump. The only reason they are pretending to be "moderate" is to be re-elected in their next election.
128
@Wilbray Thiffault You bet. My sentiments exactly.
1
How can the Senate be considered the world’s greatest deliberative body when a majority of Senators believes the impeachment trial should proceed without additional documents or relevant witnesses?
543
@Anthony
The Chief Justice refers to the Senate as the world’s greatest deliberative body yet condones the withholding of relavent evidence in one of the most important trials in American history. The Washington Post Header: “Democracy Dies in Darkness”. That about sums it up.
169
@Anthony
Right? What a joke. A statement like that shows how little Roberts actually cares about Justice. He cares only about projecting objectivity while, in fact, scorning it.
19
@Bob so are you referring to the travesty of the House fiasco?
I listened through the afternoon. what hit me was how angry the president's lawyers sounded. reminded meoof kavanaugh testimony
47
One way or another information will get out. Republicans would be smart to get ahead of it rather than exposure hitting the fan during primaries.
33
NYT: Please examine the role of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts in what is devolving into a sham trial. Historically, what are the role and rules governing his conduct and his power to steer the proceedings? Can't he challenge Republican posturing or imposition of time limitations or blocking of witnesses as contrary to a fair trial or silencing of Senators? Can't he object to the clear flouting of some of the Senators' newly sworn oath to impartially judge the evidence and support a full airing of the evidence? To use the most salient word, can't he demand a fully judicious proceeding? If this trial is a mockery of justice, what does it say about him and his top judicial post? What is the history of this? Are Supreme Court Justices supposed to just sit there and allow this momentous charade to go on?
72
I’ve been wondering the same things. I’d love the NYT to address these questions
3
@Ellen Tolmie You might ask; Is the Chief Justice a man of courage or a timid public servant? He has the power to demand a real trial and he will not. it is easier to shrink behind the low corner wall than stand and charge against the fusillade. History has handed him the moment to make a stand for the republic, and there he sits.
2
@Ellen Tolmie I was asking the same questions myself. I can only guess that he was presiding not judging
There are no surprises. The Republicans’ acquittal of Trump is a foregone conclusion. The impeachment in Congress and this trial, though, are necessary for history.
I around when our nation was torn by assassinations, Vietnam and race riots, yet I saw that era followed by significant change. Obviously, we did not learn all those lessons as well as we might, but I still believe we can find our way out of the deeply troubling hole of Trumpism.
Trump will be on the ballot this fall. One hope is it might be easier to beat him than whoever would run if he were impeached.
I’ve given up trying to know, but we cannot abandon hope.
21
@Fred Whoever is the Democratic nominee will be well advised to play video clips in their ads of this so-called trial during which trump's attorney's are lying for him. Then play images of trump's tweets in ads as well. That will accomplish two things: It will drive trump to Tweet even more while making him even more crazy than he now is, and it may influence one or two of his supporters to at long last get a clue.
An acquittal will be a hollow victory. An acquittal is not exoneration. An acquittal is not innocence. (Think O.J. Simpson.)
Trump will be acquitted because the GOP has totally aligned its interests with those of the President. McConnell is doing Trump's bidding.
Americans recognize a sham when they see one. No witnesses, no documentation. The "acquittal" will be seen as a product of a sham trial and is likely to hurt, rather than help, the election chances of GOP members of Congress.
Americans want a fair trial. Nearly 70% of Americans want witnesses. The GOP is determined not to hold a fair trial. The GOP will be held accountable by the voters.
68
@treabeton the problem is, they don't care they get it, they just want the acquittal. Because the moment they acquit, New York Times front page will read "TRUMP ACQUITTED." They normalize him at every step, and they know they just need to check off the box, and the mainstream media will take care of the rest; especially if Bernie becomes the Dem. nominee, then look for the media to truly help Trump navigate these waters.
1
@treabeton Or does the GOP hope or think that the American people will have forgotten this trial by November. Come January 2021 will we have a country that is run by the PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE or will American be run by Moscow Trump. I though that I would never say this as an American but I just do not know anymore.....
2
@treabeton
No, Americans don't want a "fair trial". If they did, democrats would have been forced to behave in a more bipartisan manner from the start.
And if democrats were actually serious about impeachment, this entire charade would have been handled differently, beginning with putting someone with more credibility than Schiff in charge. He is disrespected by millions of Americans after claiming he had evidence of Russian collusion.
Admit it. Partisans are just angry that the GOP gets to call the shots after ignoring democrats' doing precisely the same thing when they were in the majority.
2
Somehow I don't think the founders anticipated that the chief justice would sit silently by while the Senate makes a mockery of the impeachment trial. It's true that the chief justice didn't do much in the Clinton trial. With Democrats in charge, they worked with the minority to ensure a fair trial with witnesses and evidence. The current Republican majority only wants to orchestrate a cover up. Judge Roberts, you agree with that?
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Answer—the Chief Justice may well be okay with the sham. Who could ever know, when the Supreme Court, and lower courts as well, are now thoroughly captured by judges who fall right in line with the totalitarian, if not fascists, Trump supporters and family.
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@Jackie
You are correct. The senators can vote down anything and everything Roberts does but I hope he does try to do the right thing, whatever that may be, and put it in the public record. Let the republicans sweep it under the rug at their peril.
If Bolton were a real patriot, he would have spilled his guts and told all he knew to the House, long before now.
Instead, he put party before country and $$ (million dollar book deal) even before party. Now McConnell will prevent his testimony. How convenient.
And also you have Nunez, implicated as part of the plot, in position to pass judgement on himself. Deliberately mispronouncing the name “Parnas” as if he’d never heard it before. Though his phone records indicate otherwise.
We are living through an era where Epstein (no great guy, but still...) gets assasinated in federal custody and the “justice department”covers it up.
Toss them all into the trash heap of history next November. Swing voters, wake up.
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@Ben K, and what a complete sham Bolton "offering" to testify "if" he received a Senate subpoena. He knew very well that would never ever happen, so what a sham of an offer. He disgusts me. They all do. If people want a better government, they need to get rid of these guys such as McConnell, Graham, all of them.
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Senators swore, took oath and then signed an oath book to uphold impartial justice according to the U.S. constitution during the Trump impeachment which was administered by Supreme Court Justice John Roberts. Despicably, the the swearing of this oath did not apply or have meaning to the GOP Senators. They are rewriting and interpreting the U.S. constitution, circumventing procedures and law to fulfill their agenda of exonerating Trump. This is a serious breach in our Democracy and will forever stain the reputation and integrity of this Nation which many have fought and died for.
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They do not care. They need a few more governorships to call a new constitutional convention (which they have practiced - they are preparing for this) and fulfill their destruction of the Republic. Moderate dems have done everything to silence the left for 70 years and have no idea how dangerous and unchecked right truly is.
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@Bryce BINGO.
"Senate Adopts Framework After Acrimonious Debate" That is your headline? Talk about burying the lead. How about "Senate Blocks Any Attempt to Present Documents or Witnesses" ? The narrative you set out is that this is a bi-partisan fight. It is a blatant coverup by Mitch McConnell to block any evidence that would incriminate the president. He has admitted that he has coordinated with the White House and is successfully implementing their plan. Your headline is wrong, and your headline is dangerous.
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@Reresita Also, there are no moderate Republicans anymore! The American people have had enough of that myth!
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@Reresita
I agree! Headlines are powerful. How about "Senate
Republicans vote to block presentation of documents and witnesses"?
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@Reresita Agreed! This is dangerous. Not only does it put the president above the law, making him in effect a monarch, but if they can acquit without witnesses and evidence, they can convict anyone, even you, without witnesses and evidence.
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Why have rules and a trial if all the evidence and witnesses are not allowed. The whole event is nothing but a rigged show. If Trump is innocent ...then why the defense, that insists his actions , even if unethical, don,t rise to the level of an impeachable offense. Oh wait....contradiction at every turn of this ridiculous show. The Democrats overplayed their hand politically, Now McConnell and his cronies follow their own protectionist lines of reasoning to avoid the wrath of out vicious, vindictive President...and of course to keep their jobs. Perhaps it would be better if they actually did their job and followed their sworn oath, vs trying to just keep their increasingly unimportant and irrelevant positions.
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@Jhs
I agree with all of your comment except the part, "The Democrats overplayed their hand politically.' The Democrats did what was necessary to protect our Constitution and democracy. They were stymied from doing more by Trump's obstructing all witnesses and documents and now Mitch McConnell's continued obstruction. At least now thanks to the Democrats we have a record for the future historians. As to Republicans trying to avoid the wrath of our vicious, vindictive President, They would never have had that problem if they had stood up to him from the beginning. They were and are cowards to this day. But Hey, they got their judges and their tax cut for the 1%.
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Today, with help from Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell may well have shred our Constitution and destroyed the United States of America.
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@Mr. Portable
Indeed, Moscow Mitch has done just that. He has been destroying democracy since he's been the leader of the Senate. He should be tried for treason.
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@Mr. Portable
With the full and complete compliance of 52 Republican Senators. “The U.S. Senate is The greatest deliberative body in the world”? It may have been but yesterday they fell down Mitch and trump’s rabbit hole into the abyss of their evolving fairy tale.
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Just as the House Democrats blocked the President and Republicans from attending sessions, bringing witnesses, and questioning witnesses during the House impeachment process. This is a shame, instead of working on real issues, the US Congress is wasting time and money on a witch hunt...
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The President and republicans were not blocked from participating. What you said is false.
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In addition the House has been working on real issues that affect all Americans, McConnell has then blocked any consideration in the Senate.
I would say upholding the constitution and holding a president accountable certainly is the work of THE PEOPLE.
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@G G
A witch hunt? How is this a witch hunt? Do you care about the Constitution and the importance of upholding our Founding document? That is what this is about. Trump has violated the Constitution that he was sworn to uphold. Impeachment is the intervention that is required. Our President is a thoroughly corrupt, dishonest man, and he has obstructed Congress and abused the power of his office, time and time again.
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The big winner for now, John Bolton, he will not have to testify and he will be able to keep the juicy stuff for his book. As Donald Trump would say "a win win".
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The GOP Senate is on trial more than Trump. Will they call the witnesses or will they sweep it all inside the Trump swamp they live in. November we vote and see if the American people are ok with the Trump swamp.
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There are only 10 comments here and it's 9:22 EST. Could this be because, as only subscribers can make comments and NY Times subscribers have a median level of education higher than the USA population as a whole? For anyone with a high-school level of education would be appalled by the Republicans actions in the Senate chamber yesterday. I listened to a good deal of the debate (but only until 10:pm EST) The quality of the oratory skill and soundness of their arguments was far greater among the House Managers when compared to Trump's lawyers, Cipollone and Sekulow. Specifically, Cipollone and Sekulow recited pre-written or at least pre-ordained "talking points." But the House Managers proved themselves ABLE prosecutors who could quickly think on their feet and counter all the false and misleading statements made by Trump's lawyers immediately after they were delivered. Sekulow was way out of his league addressing such an (formerly) august body as the US Senate. That the Republicans stood unified and ignored the true arguments presented to them - is an abject abasement of the the Founders intention for the role of the US Senate in our society. We are in stunned silence.
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@Celtique Goddess
I agree with you about the relative quality of each side's arguments. However, formal education is neither necessary nor sufficient for impartial analysis.
Living on the West Coast has advantages and disadvantages. One disadvantage is knowing the results of national elections well before the polls close. On the other hand, watching election results come in before the wee hours is possible, as is watching the occasional impeachment trial.
- 6:12 a.m. ASKST
@Celtique Goddess
Non-subscribers can read the comments, and post. This holds even after you reach the set limit of ten free articles.
From the home page you just need to click on the comment link to do so.
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How much will this show cost to the average American? Somebody knows?
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This whole thing is costing more than we can afford to pay and I'm not speaking merely of money
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You mean the GOP show that ignores Justice and Accountability...it will cost us all our integrity
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@Roland Berger, I'd wager it's a fraction of what we spend on Trump's golf habit.
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You call that a debate? Trump's lawyers looked like fledging
junior high school students attempting to understand what debating means. They made no real effort to appear to be real lawyers. Why? They know that the trial is a sham and guaranteed to win in their favor.
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@Irene Cantu
I pity Trump's lawyers! How can you defend corruption and self-serving deceit? Can you imagine the POTUS vindictiveness if they and the Senate fail to exonerate him?
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@Irene Cantu This is the Party of Lincoln, who may have said "You can fool some of the people some of the time". They are hoping that they can fool enough of the people to make this unfortunate debacle seem rational. They may succeed. Trump succeeded in 2016. Too many Americans like to be duped by carnival barkers.
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@P. Payne
Answer: Greedy gravy train.
Innocent people don't behave this way. Simple as that. Withholding documents that would shed light on what exactly happened and ordering people not to testify are actions that would only be taken by guilty parties.
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We should adopt Mitch and the Republican's rules for all trials in the USA. No witnesses, no attempt to ascertain the facts. Think how much more efficient that would be.
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@Robby
AND Gym Jordan's assumption that people who attempt to commit crimes but don't actually carry them out successfully are therefore innocent.
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@Robby I believe that was all done in the House, right?
The best way to end the McConnell rule of the Senate is to get funds and door-to-door help to the state of Kentucky and elect another senator to the senate instead of McConnell this November.
Put his influence to rest. Have him defeated in November.
If some of the Democratic money spent on the presidential election were spent on ridding the senate of McConnell in Kentucky, we'd be better off as a nation.
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@mouseone Yes! You can do exactly that at ditchfund.com where funds are being raised to support his opponent Amy McGrath who has been polling within 1% of McConnell and has a real chance of defeating him. This is so important so spread the word.
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@Christopher . . .I think it is called ditch mitch.
It is a very sad time for the U.S.--and the world. Trump's defense team is doing a great job at feigning outrage at the Democratic "witch hunt," giving cowardly Republicans even more cover for aiding an abetting this corrupt president. If you think about it from the Republicans' perspective, they have made their bed, they are locked in behind the president's abuses and lies, and since they've proven that no conduct is bad enough to merit even censure, they have to pretend like this is no big deal and it's just another partisan attempt at a takeover of the White House. To admit they've been too soft at this point would be political suicide, for their personal careers and the party--it is too late to expect a courageous act of apostasy now. So, here we are even deeper into a moral abyss, and the only possible rectification is a resounding Democratic victory in November. It is unthinkable the amount of damage Trump will do in a second term with two Supreme Court justices certain to retire, and a new team of carpetbaggers joining the administration for another 4-year rout of democratic institutions. I pray Democrats quickly determine their candidate, unite for the common good, and make sure that every ballot is fairly counted in November.
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There is just no way Moscow Mitch can get away with this mockery of a trial. Journalist and groups like American Oversight will get the documents. Good people will stand up and speak the truth. I still cringe to hear the President's lawyers with their lies and political posturing. But they will not get away with it. This will go down in the history books as the most shameful period of corruption in our country and the GOP is stamping their names all over it.
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@Alk I agree with you that this is the most shameful period of corruption in our country.
I don't necessarily agree with you that they will not get away with it. But I do HOPE you are right.
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@Alk
I hope you are right...but fear you are wrong.
The behavior of the Republican Senate, led by Mitch McConnell, will go down in history as one of the most shameful episodes in our nation's history. The truth about Donald Trump stares them in the face, and the 51 Republicans choose to ignore it. Why? Because they are afraid of the truth. Justice is the foundation of our republic, and we are seeing justice ignored at the highest level of our government. History will remember McConnell and his clan for brazenly ignoring their responsibility to their sworn oath to protect and defend the Constitution, and for violating their oath to a fair trial. Our very Republic is at stake, and McConnell chooses party over country, and ambition over moral duty. Our Founding Fathers must be turning in their graves.
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My question for the Democrats why don’t you just walk out? It is farce and I think participating in this kangaroo trial gives it legitimacy. Who ever heard of a trial with no witness, no documents and no testimony. This is a complete and utter breakdown of the rule of law. It is surreal that with the presentation of the Democrat manager was so compelling in particularly Congressmen Adam Schiff and Hakeem Jeffries. Mitch McConnell will rue the day his party acquits Trump. I think he has made a huge miscalculation and the blowback will be fierce the Republicans will lose the Senate.
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@Kingsley Arthur Rowe Bad idea to walk out. The Dems are actually taking advantage of this by simply saying what the witnesses would have said. The GOP Senators must sit there and squirm while listening to it. Please Dems just keep presenting your case as if the witnesses are talking. Let them bring in the witnesses if anything you say is in dispute.
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From your pen to God’s ears!
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@Kingsley Arthur Rowe
I hope and pray you are right! I can't even watch the proceedings. It's shameful and repugnant. I can't believe Trump continues to enjoy the support he has. What is wrong with our country? We must vote blue in November!
4
The GOP will win the battle but lose the war. Sooner or later all the facts will come out when various witnesses are offered lucrative publishing contracts. Then the GOP will be stuck trying to rationalize the coverup as anything but politically motivated and venal.
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@Katrin , unfortunately, by the time the truth comes out in the form of leak memos, letters, text messages, books etc. it will be too late. Unless you strike while the iron is hot, it will mean nothing and the damage would have already been done.
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@Katrin that may be true but America's attention span will not be that long to remember how and why we got here.
Our history is laced with partisan divides, corruption, nepotism, and abuse of power since Thomas Jefferson. It's in our country's DNA to always be about the " me" and not the " us".
Self serving is the American way whether it is an individual, a political party, a corporation, lobbyists, or a portion of the electorate. We are always about the dooms days extremes in justifying any political common sense and this historically had to led to us resisting any changes to our society.
Then there is the absence of self refection. We never want to apologies for nothing in our country.
That is called American exceptionalism.
It's become a psychosis at this point...and the treatment? Who knows at this point? History tells us we always head back to the center during these dark times.
When that does occurs we always forget our sins and mistakes and act, or more like pretend, like they never happened and eventually repeat the cycle.
I once heard Hal Brook say after a performance of his one many play " Mark Twain".
" Always study history."
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@Katrin I disagree. Look at the lies and deception behind our invasion of Iraq. All the key players including most Democrats jumped on the falsehood bandwagon in order to invade. There was no clear evidence of weapons of mass destruction, and there were huge rallies and efforts to expose the falsehoods. But we invaded and embraced the lies. It was mostly ginned-up by the GOP. They have never paid a price.
5
Blocking witnesses will only backfire in more ways than one. The GOP is headed over a cliff in 2020.
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@Birdygirl That is assuming they haven't already fixed the election.
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@Birdygirl From your lips to god's ears. This is all about trying to sway elections with outside nations' help, and they're actively doing that now for 2020. An acquittal will only mean they've found license to be even more shameless in their attempts to rig 2020. This is a fascist takeover of our government, and the best NY Times can do is hit us with a headline that "the rules have been agreed upon," like that's all that happened yesterday.
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@Chris
My thoughts exactly. Look at Wisconsin and the voter roles being purged. Look at Georgia, and the trumped up voting machines.
I fear that the elections may be rigged and if Russia broke into every single state’s voter databases in 2016, don’t be surprised if Russia is involved in rigging the upcoming elections
1
MConnell's "framework" is designed for one purpose: Protect Donald J. Trump at all costs. McConnell is enabling the rise of a quasi-Republic with a veneer of democracy but in actuality governed by an unchecked imperial presidency.
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@Dana Broach There is a bigger purpose for McConnell. Protect his job and a gop majority in the Senate. Neither he nor anyone, really, cares about Trump. Everyone in DC dislikes Trump. He is, and always has been nothing more than a means to an end; for Putin and the Russian mob for years, and now for the GOP.
16
Amazing that Senators who represent a minority of the country control the process here. It just proves what a joke our democracy has become.
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@Sterling Everything we were taught in civics/social studies classes in school was a lie, it's a wonder we regular Joes even follow laws anymore. Our capital city is a lawless anarchic rogue city.
Shocked and disappointed, who would have thought that Senators would risk the future of our country and elections. Who would have thought that there would be a president that could get away with everything that most decent people would be completely against. And that the person would be Donald Trump? Donald Trump. Almost comical if it were not true.
22
New evidence now? Why didn’t Democrats produce that evidence in the House? You mean that they voted for impeachment without having all of the evidence? If Democrats had enough evidence then, they shouldn’t need more now.
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@William McCain The Dems are doing great job presenting the facts in front of America. Unfortunately the President's side is calling no witnesses in the trial to dispute them because they know it's all true.
12
@William McCain If there is nothing to hide, witnesses and evidence would be presented at this trial. Every attempt that the House made to present evidence and witnesses was met with silence. And if the defendant continues to commit crimes and coverups, why shouldn’t that be taken into consideration as well. Face the truth...this is. kangaroo court , not a fair and impartial trial. Shameful !
15
@William McCain Really? Have you not been paying attention? There was lots of evidence and testimony the White house blocked. What they have now, they had to pry loose despite "executive privilege" or other stonewalling. Jeez.
4
I despair.
The Senate's ultimate vote on impeachment will be a watershed moment: Will the United States remain a Constitutional Republic, with the tri-part division of powers envisioned by the Founders --or will we all slide further toward one-man rule?
Senators who vote even against hearing witnesses make this ordeal easier for themselves -- in the short run. They make it harder for the rest of us.
Have you no sense of history, Senators?
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@Sharon Stout "slide" implies we're not there yet. Oh we're there! This is all a manifestation of one-man rule, every bit of it. We just need the average American and the entirety of the mainstream media to catch up to the facts and call these people what they are: fascist authoritarians executing a takeover of American government, its norms, and its procedures, through shameless minority-rule tactics.
1
I watched the proceedings today. The Republican adherence to Trump’s and McConnell’s desires is sad, and dangerous, and frustrating, but the Democrats are so far superior in their presentation, intellectual depth, and organization, that at least when they’re “on,” I appreciate the language and opportunity to learn more. Their educations are much in evidence, and I value, that, too, but I really love how their morals and integrity are the foundation of their being. They shine
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@Mamie O That was so well said. You saw the same trial day I did. Indeed Adam Schiff should be running for president. Just a thought that I had during the very long day.
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@Mamie O The Democrats have a cogent, properly argued case. They are clearly playing to history, and have risen to the import of the day, unlike the opposition, who is intent on excusing over-the-top behavior. Watching intelligent people attempt to justify what the party is doing is interesting, even though they are destroying the fabric of the nation, literally. The President's lawyers are just pumping out sound bites to please Individual-1 and the Base.
4
@Fran
Adam Schiff’s opening presentation was absolutely spell binding. He made me even more proud to be a fellow Californian.
7
I would have liked more reporting on the content of the debate on the admission of documents and witnesses. What did the house managers argue? What was the response of the President's lawyers? Because we know that McConnell's stonewalling will mean we don't get either. What they would have demonstrated, what they would have shown then, is all we will get. SO TELL US the content of that information. TELL US the arguments the Presidents lawyers made. Not the horse race--which serves only to conceal the truth. Please more full reporting!
16
@Jayne, it was all over TV - the actual coverage of the House Managers and the Trump so-called lawyers. I saw it all on CNN. They even presented visuals - charts and news clips of testimony. It's not going to be broadcast on HGTV. Flip around until you find it. It's on TV.
2
One of the more interesting amendments proposed by Schumer was one that would allow Justice Roberts to approve or disapprove a witness testifying if the the witness was deemed to have appropriate testimony. It would still have been the case that the Republicans could overturn a Roberts decision, but the Democrats wanted to take advantage of the Chief Justice's obvious experience and perceived impartiality and at least get him more involved in the process. The Trump side gave their shortest argument of the night in opposition, an another 53-47 vote was held. It was crystal clear at that point that Trump's lawyers do not even want to appear interested in a fair trial, refusing input from anyone even approaching a fair and fact-based viewpoint.
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@KirkTaylor
So they just nullified Roberts. He must be relieved, but this clearly seems unconstitutional. I guess his only role on the Supreme Court now is to support any Republican position on cases that come before him.
3
Is anyone surprised???
Corruption, lack of decency, and hunger for power define this adminstration
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Nothing more than a bare-faced cover-up that the Founding Fathers did not anticipate. #MoscowMitch, indeed.
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@Texas Yardbird Exactly, well said. I've said it these last 3 years, the Founding Fathers did a heck of a job, but they never anticipated what would happen when a political party and President decided to act with such shamelessness in that they would unilaterally just... not... follow the rules and norms.
Shamelessness is all it is, that's the word that should headline Trump's presidency. That was Roy Cohn's playbook, Trump's mentor: be shameless, bold-faced lie, spew lies that would make a more moral man feel embarrassed, and do it with such force, confidence, and consistency, that nothing matters anymore. The Founding Fathers never anticipated a bunch of morally depraved, shameless New Yorkers to hijack our republic (Trump, his law team, and his family and most inner circle of advisers).
Before anyone takes that as a dig on New Yorkers, of which I am one, I will say, New York has also produced the only cast of characters I think who are strong enough to stop him: people like Bernie Sanders, Hakeem Jefferies, Jerry Nadler, AOC (not so much on impeachment, but as a direct opponent to Trumpism). These good ol' boys in the Senate were bested and swindled by New York slime like Trump and his cabal of maniacs, and a bunch of old school New Yorkers are the only ones with the stuff to truly fight back.
Utterly disgraceful. This reminds me of a mafia movie where the jury is in the pocket for the crime boss. It’s like watching 8 year olds argue. As an independent one can only hope the GOP reap some consequences from this, just as an 8 year old would. MCConnel is the greatest thread to this nation at the moment; actually for the last 5+ years.
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At the rate that this impeachment trial is going, Midnight Mitch will crown King Donald the First by Friday.
It will be very beautiful to behold.
14
Truly outrageous. How can there be a trial without witnesses or documents? Sounds like North Korea not North America.
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@Iain, sure, like North Korea would allow a rabid adversarial free press that freely exposes whatever it wants to achieve its ends, an exhaustive Mueller Investigation of something that didn’t even exist as political retribution, one entire political party conspiring and actively plotting against the other for power? No wonder they feel threatened by the US.
@Iain Witnesses like Bolton are prevented to come. Why ?
4
Republican antics and efforts to orchestrate a very public cover up certainly cemented my resolve to never, ever vote for a Republican. Voting Democrat is clearly the only way to save our country from crumbling.
They may have boomers in their pocket, but younger people are able to see through the constant propaganda and double speak.
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Some Boomers. Others might request that you don’t generalize.
47
@Caitlin:
Caitlin, please beware of the "boomer" generalizations. It's yet another way of dividing like-minded people, and I think you'll agree that we already have plenty of divisiveness.
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@Linda Hi Linda, millennials have to deal with a never-ending barrage of articles from older people, criticizing us for whatever we do. Boomer is the word for the generation of people born between 1946-1964. Take it up with whoever is responsible for naming each generation.
3
Almost all of the senators’ seats are quite safe come 2020. They have no reason to change, because this is what their constituents want... Even if they don’t represent a majority.
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@M We are currently governed by a tyranny of the minority.
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@M you have no idea if that's true. Perhaps that is what you would like to believe. My opinion is that there will be a tidal wave of voters ousting these people.
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Our president’s ability to use money and lawyers to hide his taxes and skirt the law has been a truly eye opening, somewhat shocking experience for us normal, old fashioned folk.
It’s clearly influenced how republicans now approach things although Mitch didn’t need too much coercing.
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Most corrupt Republican President and Senators in the history of the nation. We can only pray the nation will not return them to Washington in November.
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@GC We have to do more than pray. We need to get out the vote. And every one must vote blue, no matter who. At every level of government.
I believe in the two party system, but not when one party is complicit in the corruption of the White House.
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Praying is great, getting out the vote is better.
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@GC
Exactly correct. But the McConnell/Trump regime was installed by an angry know-nothing minority combined with archaic rules and gerrymandering, and overcoming all of that is a tall order.
37