Remember the days when evidence and witness testimony were enough to bring about a conviction? I know it seems like a long time ago that such a formula actually worked, but we Americans had a couple centuries of it, and it's back there somewhere in your memory, if you can only lay your mind on it.
39
To all the poor to middle class trump supporters...
Watch the video compilation of what republicans like Graham, Cruz, Romney and many others said during the 2016 campaign about trump’s dishonesty and other craven behavior throughout his shameful life, and then tell me, ”These are the people, and this the guy you want in control of your economy, your national security, and your life.”
Seriously?
Unabashed hypocrisy
They, and he, are not going to save you. They don’t care about you at all. Not at all.
2
When I become Speaker of the House on Thursday, Feb 6, 2020, 2afternoon (I have to pack & fly to DC), I will initiate another impeachment proceeding with Rep Schiff in charge. And if the House finds President Trump guilty of the charges presented to the House by Rep Schiff, he will present those charges to the Senate. If the Senate finds President Trump innocent, I will have Rep Schiff pursue yet another charge. These actions will continue until Donald Trump is no longer President of our country.
Why would I do this you ask? Because our Constitution states, The House of Representatives "shall have the sole Power of Impeachment" (Article I, section 2) and that "the Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments…
The key word here is shall, "Expressing an instruction, command, or obligation."
EOS!
Suffice it to say that the evidence against Trump will continue and become mountainous. But *these* Republican senators will pretend they don't know that. I f they had been there, they would have refused to listen to the Nixon tapes. That is how vile and corrupt they are.
4
Justice is blind
1
Trump is a crook who should be locked up with the rest of his former friends who are now convicted felons.
For some reason, Republicans let him do whatever he wants.
No longer even pretending to care about country, their constituents or truth or justice.
it is an appalling, disgusting, frightening situation.
He is a destroyer and they have given him carte blanche.
4
Go Romney! Why can't we have more senators like you who stand for our children's futures?????
3
In the political power dynamic that is represented by Trump and McConnell it is the Senate Majority leader who emerges as the shot caller. He had all the juice to keep Trump employed and not tossed out on his ear. Trump may begrudgingly admit this to himself, but very few others, if anyone. Trump, the least present and self aware POTUS in our history, probably believes his call to Zelensky was perfect and he did nothing wrong. Further, he probably believes he had every right to embargo the documents requested by the House Managers and restrict officials from testifying. He then constructed a wall of lies, rationalizations, and flimsy legal arguments ponied up by sycophantic underlings
But, at the end of the day, McConnell always held all the cards. Really a royal flush. He isn't stupid. He knows that the President's motivation and behavior, while not out right criminal, was grossly inappropriate and worthy of the impeachment articles that were approved by the House. He violated his oath and put himself above the Constitution.
But once McConnell controlled Trump's fate he ran the show like a pro. He could have easily steered his caucus towards conviction. But then what? Pence? Far easier to have a beholden Trump at his beck and call. The useful idiot, warts and all, is now very useful. So, McConnell emerges as the real winner. Forget Pence...we got McConnell.
3
Q: When is a Senator not a Senator?
A: When s/he is a bought-and-sold-coward.
2
Trump murdered the Constitution, on Pennsylvania Avenue. However, the Funeral will be delayed, until November.
VOTE BLUE, NO MATTER WHO.
2
With regards to the Impeachment Trial,
Let's play a word game
Murkowski
Collins
Answer: Spineless
McConnell
Graham
Answer: Complicit
Sondland
Hill
Answer: Honest
Giuliani
Bolton
Answer: Silenced
Trump
Fact Check
Answer: Liar
History is being recorded and it is not a game.
4
Thank goodness for that Reagan Revolution, huh? Fairness doctrine gone.... Capitalist medical care.... Social net cut out from under us all. Forty years of this, folks. Remember how the national media called the election before the West Coast booths closed? Good times.
And now Rush Limbaugh gets a medal for freedumb! Why not? Our country is toast.
Thanks so much, Everyone, for doing your part over these last 40 years. Ruining this many lives and dying with all the money.
America gets what it deserves.
2
Plus Trump wanted to take the heat off Putin by falsely pinning the rap on Ukraine for the DNC server hack. Every single thing he does goes back to helping Russia. Isn't that giving aid and comfort to a sworn enemy, one with nuclear weapons pointed at us? Isn't that called Treason? So the GOP is now the party of Treason by letting Trump get away with it?
3
A congressional investigation is needed to follow the money trail. Had Mueller bothered to do that, his report would have had more direct impact on Trump, instead of allowing him to falsely claim, "No collusion," despite the numerous contacts between his campaign and Russia. For some reason, he declined to go after his records with Deutsche Bank, and his tax returns. Trump is hiding those for a reason.
Also, it's time for the House to prepare another impeachment hearing, on emoluments, and suborning perjury (telling Don McGhan to lie to the House Judiciary committee). We can't wait until he's out of office for the Southern District of New York to criminally indict him.
5
Until the Senate is blue, preparing more articles of impeachment seems fool hardy. Another trial without witnesses will yield a similar outcome.
Come June, it's slightly possible the partisan SCOTUS will rule his financial records are not protected from investigation. Personally, I feel the Supreme Court is no longer a bastion of justice, so it may come down to the NY courts to investigate his financial misdeeds, hopefully as soon as next January when Trump leaves the White House.
Trump knows the SDNY is waiting for him post-presidency, so it seems he's working on staying in office forever as his escape route.
4
Sadly, this matters not one iota with the Trumplican Party. Real Americans know that these events illustrate how broken our democracy is, and who broke it.
21
@Trina Perry It is not broken, it is irreparably destroyed from the outside in and the inside out and outside in. DOOMED. I'm glad I don't have kids, thank God for that. What hurts the most is that kids in school are looking up to this miscreant reptilian creature.
4
@mtrav What kids do you know that look up to him?
2
So what if he was involved in a pressure campaign? Its our money and that country, that company and that Biden all give me the creeps. I would’ve done the same thing and I’m pretty sure it is and has been done like that all the time. Plus, he finally gave the funds to Ukraine and no, there was no investigation anyway, I don’t get it. Guess they just hate trump so much they can’t stand it. Last night showed how awful those people (Dems) really are. Disgraceful, petty, vindictive and shameful.
4
@Brian Kenney
A President of U.S. can't be allowed to use the power of his office to force a foreign power to announce a phony investigation of his political opponent in that 2020 election.
Would you have been o.k. if Obama had tried to help Hillary Clinton in the same way ?
Not good the Joe Biden allowed his son to take that job in Ukraine. But that's all that happened and Trump is guilty of far worse behavior for his own children.
And Democrats aren't vindictive. They had to stand up for the Constitution. Nothing to do with vindictiveness.
5
@Brian Kenney
Thats a lie.
They released the funds at the last second
The pentagon could not spend all the money despite practically unloading dump trucks of it every day.
The only technically accurate point is that a person said:
"Aid Released"
The actual full amount of money?
No.
2
@Brian Kenney What you don't seem to understand is that the hold was for PERSONAL reasons, not U.S. verification. All verifications of Ukraine were undertaken previously by the DoD and were found to be fine. This was to get "dirt" on a potential opponent, not to protect the U.S. Yes, the U.S. does put conditions on aid, but those are official and follow official protocols, not some back alley extortion.
4
Over the last 40 years, voter turnout in the US has been steadily declining. With the leaders of our government acting like petulant children, it’s not hard to figure out why.
1
What Clinton did was shameful and inappropriate. What Trump did was also "shameful and inappropriate". Inviting a foreign power now carries the same weight as having an indiscretion in the office. Future Presidents have the green light: If you have a Senate majority, do anything you want. Don't worry about getting caught. The Senate majority will save you because their duty is to their income and not to the Constitution.
1
Of course! Imagine! Just Limbaugh got a medal of freedom! I don't understand why Trump didn't give one also to Arpaio and the Seal criminal. It would have been lovely if Melania would have had the task of given one to each of them too. So, who cares about evidence regarding Trump and Ukraine? We are in a circus, not anymore living in a Republic.
1
The House and Senate Republicans are a national disgrace. How can they participate in this gross abuse of their power to enable and be complicit with this travesty of justice. Thank you to the excellent impeachment managers led by Adam Schiff. And to Nancy Pelosi for her dignity and sense of right and wrong.
And to the Republicans, you have no reason to even hold your heads up -- you are now first order lackeys.
1
Now that the Ukranine plan has failed, the GOP will pick up the cause and run with it.
The differences between the U.S. and Russia remain vast. For one state sponsored killings of political dissidents and journalists are not common in America. Our press though segmented, has been largely stalwart throughout President Trump’s tenure. Still there is faint cause for celebration and even less for near term optimism regarding our country’s direction.
A show trial impeachment absent witnesses and relevant documents, a Senate majority compliant to the will of an abusive, autocratic President and a shameless bevy of current and former cabinet members unwilling to speak publicly regarding the dangerous incompetence of that same abusive, threatening head of state.
These circumstances combine to close the gap between Russia and the United States ever so slightly. Nonetheless the danger is extreme like Global Warming or a frog lounging in a pool of heating liquid, we may not recognize the moment in time when the line is breached and the Republic as we have known it for a quarter century is irretrievably lost.
Let’s not allow that to happen Gary Cohn, John Kelly, General McMaster, John Bolton, Jim Mattis, Rex Tillerson. Tell you story, provide the space needed for freedom to ring.
Remember the story of The Emperor’s New Clothes?
Two con men convince a vain emperor that his new suit of clothes is ‘invisible’ to all those who are stupid or incompetent.
Not wanting to appear stupid or incompetent, the emperor and his supporters ‘see’ the clothes as he parades down the street.
A young child cries out ‘He’s not wearing anything at all!’
There is no new suit of clothes.
The emperor and everyone realizes the truth, yet
he continues walking down the street.
What’s the emperor’s name?
Trump? You know it.
Everyone does.
It’s all a con.
Everyone realizes the truth
Yet he will walk.
What a shameful litany of corruption, self dealing and abuse of power. Who will ever credit the American government again when we call for an end to undemocratic practices elsewhere in the world? Who of us would ever have believed that an entire political party would agree to accept this as behavior befitting the President of the US? Vote them into oblivion.
1
Yes, removing a president from office should be rare. We are on our 45th president and Trump would be the first president ever to be removed from office. Why is 1 out of 45, or 1 in over 200 years not rare enough? “What the president did is wrong and he shouldn’t have done it, but it doesn’t warrant removal” makes no sense. Trump attempted to cheat in his bid for re-election, so it matters greatly whether or not he is removed from office before the next election. Furthermore, Trump’s efforts at extortion put our national security at risk. There’s no good rationale the Republicans can offer because whatever excuse they give, at the end of the day, by not holding Trump accountable, they’re telling him to continue cheating and lying and obstructing.
45
@Galfrido
Immediately after Trump took the oath of office, the Washington Post published a story headlined, “The Campaign to Impeach President Trump Has Begun.” This impeachment and trial is an attempted coup, and a circus as sleazy as Trump, and this attempted coup is the danger to democracy.
The Democratic Establishment and its media immediately blamed Russia for Hillary’s loss, using Trump’s win to fan the flames of anti-Russia hysteria turning most Democrats into infected zombies.
The Democrats were searching desperately for a basis for impeachment. When the Mueller Report had no smoking gun, they searched and found The Phone Call.
The Phone Call revealed the transactional, grossly corrupt culture of Washington, not admirable, but Biden enabling his son to benefit from the swamp of Ukraine corruption, was not admirable either.
Much that goes on in the swamp of Washington is not admirable. Censure of Trump would have been the wise choice.
I am looking forward to Attorney John Durham’s criminal investigation of the CIA and FBI relative to the intelligence and origins of 2016 Trump-Russia investigation.
If the US has a rogue CIA and FBI that can choose to undermine an election, US democracy is in serious trouble.
2
JFK was worried about Mitt's father (Gov. George) beating him in 1964 - with good reason. He too was a decent man. In fact JFK was recorded saying he was going to Texas in-part because Gov Romney was such strong candidate.
I think Mitt's father would be very proud.
2
The main thing is president lawyers had zero defense. They could only attack the house managers and the process of house impeachment.
Susan Collins are you listening? You can still, yet, vote to convict.
2
I am not only donating more money to a presidential candidate (Elizabeth Warren) than I ever have in my life, I am also donating to Democrats I do not know in states where I do not live, in order to help them defeat the Republican Senators they are trying to unseat. This portends to be the filthiest, most lie-filled Republican campaign against all Democrats in U.S. history.
I urge other Democrats and Independents to donate to campaigns in which you have an interest. Until Citizens United is overturned by Congress -- which will require a Democratic majority in both House and Senate, plus a Democratic president -- money is going to be a major factor in defeating Trump, Trumpsters, and the ugly Republicans in Congress who are not standing up to his evil.
5
@me Think about who you support. Don't give money to the Democratic Party or right-wing Democrats. They, like Biden and Clinton, are just as responsible as the GOP for destroying this country.
Mr. Mitch McConnell plans to invite Mr. Trump to open a new Trump University, establish Trump Presidential Library (part of new Trump campus}, at Lexington, KY in advance of his acquittal in the OJ Simpson like trial {but without witnesses} and re-election in 2020! Burial ground for truths is also located within same campus. At least Clinton had agreed to testify under oath and then the GOP charged him for lies under oath and voted to approve impeachment. NOTE: Mr. Trump never submitted any requested documents, never allowed his cabinet to testify and never testified under oath in either Mueller investigation or congressional inquiry. Welcome GOP's reality show in the senate directed by Mr Mitch. I really admire Mr. Romney who seems to be like a garden in middle of GOP’s desert land. Note I am a fiscal conservative, believe fair trade practice, support competitive legal immigration and believe in science.
4
Library will be empty because there will be no documents. Everything will be uploaded on the secret server.
1
Quid pro Quo? What else do you do between allies? Remember the Lend Lease Act of warships,food and arms, 1941?
1
@Francis Manns
blackmailing an ally at war to get dirt on a domestic rival by illegally withholding congressionally approved aid is a quid pro quo fit for banana republic dictators no American president has been guilty of before til now
2
Trump and Putin are still on same page that Ukraine not Russia interfered in our election must continue investigation to find out why
1
There is no crime that Trump backers will not excuse on his behalf. I'll provide a hypothetical situation, however, that would cause his followers to abandon him. If Trump were to say the following: I've had the opportunity to re-think the Colin Kaepernick situation and while I disagree with the substance of his complaint, I would defend his right to protest as he sees fit and believe that he loves America. Trump supporters would abandon him like rats leaving a sinking ship if he were to say that.
2
“Partisan inquiry/impeachment” is the defense of someone who knows they were caught red-handed. Reminds me of the child who murdered his parents and then pleaded mercy from the judge for being an orphan. Poor Little Rich Kid tRump.
1
How nobody wants to talk about the "wealth of evidence" regarding the Bidens, Burisma and money paid (more than likely out of United States aid in some form or fashion) to the son of the sitting vice-president??
1
@Billy H.
probably cause the wealth of evidence shows that everything vice president Biden did was official policy.
1
The "quick and dirty" culture wins.. Cheating in your marriage, cheating on your taxes, lying to your coworkers- friends and neighbors, getting away with whatever you can all seem to be the mantra of the masses. We have the president we deserve.
2
The still standing columns that will remain after everthing else about this impeachment has mouldered away, will be the fact, the precedent, and the outrage, that this president was not compelled to provide a single executive branch document, or witness to a constitutionally legitimate leglislative branch inquiry into his conduct..
If the reasoning absurdly is that Trump should be allowed to stay in office because it's an election year, with all the powers we have invested in the presidency, then why was the reasoning the opposite when Justice Scalia passed away and Obama had the right, duty and privilege to nominate Merrick Garland? Garland did not even get a hearing. What happens if during this year we lose another Supreme Court justice?
3
It’s simple. Did or Did he not withhold military funding to get dirt on political opponent? And when his actions came to light, did he or did he not seek to obscure information at about said actions? One man can not be held above the Constitution even if he is the President.
2
It must be difficult to condemn the Senate's impeachment vote when what just happened in Iowa suggests that politics trumps ethics for everyone.
4
@Sequel
talk about jumping to conclusions. not a valid comparison
What is it with election years and the Republican Party? In 2o16, we were told that sitting presidents couldn’t nominate a Supreme Court justice and receive a senate hearing and vote in an election year. In 2020, we are told that presidents can’t be removed from office through the Constitutional channel of impeachment during an election year. Is this a new amendment to the Constitution that I must have missed? Is it like leap year, except that the former only occurs when a Democrat is in the WH, and the latter only when a Republican is in the WH?
2
Emboldened by early success -- thieves get caught because they keep stealing more -- I've always heard. This guy won't stop, he will pull more stunts and it will come to an end. Hopefully sooner than later. Just ask Bernie Ebbers -- oops too late.
Not that it was not always the case here... but it is worth noting that it is now in the hands of voters to address Trump corruption and Republican conspiracy to cover up said corruption.
This will be a great general election in one regard ---> it will be a genuine litmus test of the strong independent base of general election voters (~40 percent of voters). We can cast aside the Republican and Democrat base which will only vote along party lines... no matter who is running. This general election is a referendum on the generally centrist independent base voting block.
As an independent, who has often voted D or R depending on the specific candidate... I simply refuse to ever vote R again... no matter how good the candidate may appear. Reason: R is completely corrupt, beyond redemption in my view now.
3
@Chuck
Yes, the current Republican party has made my voting easier. I used to put a lot of effort into researching candidates so I could make reasoned choices, but now for the first time in 45 years I am just voting by party.
The democrats with Adam Schiff at the helm, produced clear evidence of the crimes of trump. That the republicans in the Senate refused to accept the evidence does not change any facts. One day we will return to the rule of law. One day we will be free of these republicans. One day America will be back on the road to real greatness. These dark days will end.
3
The evidence of both President Johnson and President Clinton's guilt under thier respective impeachment articles was also clear and compelling. Neither was removed. Trump clearly did lean on the Ukrainians, should he be removed is the question today. People can disagree on removal without also denying the charges.
1
It was an extortion campaign not a " pressure" campaign.
2
A very thorough review of the actions which led to the impeachment of president trump.
The only remedy remaining is to provide evidence that the electorate will not stand for either the actions or the Senatorial Republicans refusing to rein in the miscreant.
Vote them all out.
1
From the very outset of ‘Ukrainegate’ it was never clear if this was an impeachable offense. Further, the vote to move impeachment forward was along party lines in the House and thus, it was immediately clear that Democrats would have to pick up an additional 20 votes in the Senate (there are currently 47 Dem Senators) to obtain the required 2/3 majority (i.e., 67) for conviction, which was never going to happen. If anything, Trump will likely emerge stronger following his acquittal. It is easy to envision Trump’s campaign for November. Since 2016, the Democrats spent 2 years on ‘Russiagate’ and a year + on ‘Ukrainegate’, which was supposed to serve as the basis for impeaching Trump. This week, Democrats rigged Iowa caucus results to block Bernie Sanders from winning. If anything, the impeachment charade has made Trump stronger. From my perspective, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and the rest of the Democratic Congressional leadership are doing everything possible to ensure a Trump victory in 2020. Pretty depressing!
And more evidence of donalds unfitness is his call to have his followers harm his opposition.
Man Charged With Threatening Adam Schiff Said He “Likely Was Upset” by Fox News Segment – Mother Jones
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/02/man-charged-with-threatening-adam-schiff-said-he-likely-was-upset-by-fox-news-segment/
9
A sad and alarming day for our country. With indisputable evidence of corruption, this president marches on, thanks to an amoral GOP senate. No matter what Trump said in his SOTU speech, we are now entering the dark ages of open dishonesty, corruption, greed, and human detachment. Four more years of this will be the ruination of the Great American Experiment.
29
@mark alan parker "indisputable evidence of corruption," all of it made up by Adam Schiff, good grief,
1
Yes, Adam Schiff has besmirched the reputation of a truly good and decent man that no fair-minded person could find a thing to complain about. Except maybe Mitt Romney and that goody two-shoes God of his.
Simply put... the Republicans in the senate have turned "Justice Served" upside down.
We now live in the American reality that the Senate under control of Republicans is now all about "INjustice served".
The blind woman with the balance scales in her hand has been well and truly decapitated here.
Imagine the role models being presented to our up and coming generation of children with all that is happening here. They are being taught to flaunt law, violate law, and expect to get away with it.
42
Obstruction of justice, one of the offenses that President Trump is accused of, is now not considered a crime. Great! Now no one needs to cooperate with the police, district attorneys, jury duty, etc. etc. President Trump, Senate Republicans, and Chief Justice John Roberts have allowed our democracy to be dissolved into a anarchy in a very short order. The American courts and Constitution have no standing or jurisdiction over any disputes in the future - so rules King Trump. It's every man for himself now and the Trumpians won't win this fight.
23
@Freedom Fighter
Trump has been obstructing justice for more than 40 years now. He has learned both how to get away with it, and that he can indeed get away with it.
1
What about the cover up, and obstruction of Congress charge?
The obstruction of justice continues, to this day, with Bolton, etc.
Will we ever hear from John Bolton, or get to read his book?
By obstruction of Congress / Justice undermines democracy.
My fear is Trump's nonstop destruction of democracy is AOK.
(Note, Trump's habitual use of the OK, hand sign)
I hope Democrats push for a new democracy wave in 2020.
"Democracy is coming to the USA" (Leonard Cohen)
14
"Some Republicans stopped trying to defend his actions or dispute the evidence, focusing instead on the idea that his conduct did not deserve removal from office, especially in an election year." So, if a President commits acts warranting "high crimes and misdemeanors", it's OK to violate law and his oath of office--if it's an election year?
Guilty is guilty. The Senate impeachment trial should be about defense of the Constitution, not about defense of the accused President.
21
Perhaps history will record gratitude to Donald Trump’s GOP for exposing everything that is vulnerable and that can be attacked and shattered in our founding principles and documents. The Founders turned out to be naive. What they feared happened, but the safeguards they built into the Constitution were breached by a concerted effort, and by the desire of a minority of us to express our frustration and resentment. That was all it took. I hope the historians will record a happy ending, that we learned from this and took measures to prevent it from recurring. Or will they merely celebrate the beginning of a New Dawn, a Trumpian Christian Dawn of white feudal America?
12
A little bit of a scary thought for everyone but very much a real question; what exactly is impeachable now according to the current Senate majority?
20
As they are wont to do, the GOP lemmings are solidly lined up behind their pied piper. May they march right off the cliff of respectability.
15
Believe they have already.
1
Given Russian disregard for Ukrainian sovereignty, the desire to use Ukraine as Trump’s political lackey has always suggested a Trump-Russia connection. Russia wins big because it makes Ukraine look like a small fish in a big pond and it reflects poorly on their leadership.
Russia still has an appetite for Ukrainian land. Maybe Trump’s quid pro quo is with Vladimir Putin. We’ll see how militarily aggressive Russia becomes now that Republicans have become so docile and impotent.
8
Yes ... but who cares?
I have no doubt Trump abused his power to further his reelection. I have no doubt he's done it in other ways that have yet to be revealed. But ... unfortunately ... I also have no doubt that most Americans could care less.
We live in different times than the days of Nixon and Watergate. Whatever dignity and respect the Oval Office and Washington in general demanded has been tarnished by its embrace of lobbyists and corporate interests. America was so fed up it elected a reality television star for a president and the reality show that is his presidency is still getting good ratings. Nobody cares about the "evidence" and most couldn't even locate Ukraine on a map. And until Democrats and get serious and find its own reality star, it will be another four years before the show's cancelled.
7
Is "T" going to "go after" The people who acted appropriately in this fiasco? He is a cruel, vindictive person and could well give them some "things to go through" . Are there any protective measures in place? This is not an idle question.
11
@jumblegym Of course he is.
While the impeachment articles are sufficient to send anyone packing -- were it not for the fact "they like when a 'star' does it -- the full string of sickeningly indecencies of Trump since he's been in office are together sufficient malfeasance to throw the bum out.
But how do you wake up his addicted base, all those people who "like it because he's a 'star'? (As if he really ever was.)
Just ask people in NY why 95% of them hate Trump. They have known him for a long time.
17
This guy may become an acquitted president, but he will always an impeached president.
Sometimes when you win, you still lose.
13
Forget impeachment. The EVIDENCE is clear that this president abuses the office, "uses" the office for personal gain, lies, demeans seasoned esteemed U.S. officials, treats the WH like a country club locker room, and has a bastion of loyalists around him who defend this behavior. THAT is the scary part. NO ONE CHECKS THIS PRESIDENT. And you'd think the Senators and reps would realize and be concerned they have no authority to do their jobs if they care at all about their State issues and constituents. So..........Now what?
10
@If not now, When
Not to mention SCOTUS
1
As this article -- and the words of some Republican Senators such as Rubio and Alexander -- have made clear, Trump's guilt is not in question.
The vote in the Senate should therefore not be interpreted as a vote on Trump's guilt but on whether Constitutional checks and balances remain a bulwark against authoritarian government.
18
@Ken
With the acquittal of Trump the constitutional system of checks and balances becomes a thing of the past.
10
Remember the Access Hollywood tape? Trump said he could do anything he wanted and they let him. That's what he does. And he's doing the same to the country with the cabinet and Congressional Republicans cheering him on.
31
I hate to say it, I think the Senate was correct because of the emotional disregard of the process the Democrats shown on the impeachment. I do not like Trump, I think he is dangerous. I also think the longer he is in office he will continue to undermind good ideas that have been put in place for petty reasons. That is sad.
On the other hand, the obvious rancor and emotional urgency in the Democratic party are causing them to make serious mistakes and halfbaked responses to what they believe is good for the country. The DNC needs to get solid managers in their structure and at the head. If it does not it will continue to get the ball to the one yard line on only to be turned away by a solid defence.
@GeorgeZ Can you please flesh that criticism out a little George? What exactly is 'emotional disregard', in a period when the President thwarts subpoenas, with the full backing of the party that has a 2-3 vote advantage? With a party that lies about the articles all the way forward until it settles on another way to say black is white?
9
@GeorgeZ Oh, the de rigueur "I'm not a fan of Trump.." comment in which the poster speaks of how much he/she is not a fan of Democrats.
8
Article 1 alleges the “President Trump—acting through his agents—asked Ukraine to publicly announce an investigation of Joe Biden and a discredited theory that Ukraine instead of Russian interfered in the 2016 election.” But the House Intelligence Committee report, which the House managers entered into evidence, show President Zelensky was asked to announce: “We intend to initiate and complete a transparent and unbiased investigation of all available facts and episodes, including those involving Burisma and the 2016 U.S. elections, which in turn will prevent the recurrence of this problem in the future.”
The proposed statement did not mention Joe Biden or “a discredited theory discredited theory that Ukraine instead of Russian interfered in the 2016 election.” It appears on page 122 pdf of the report, which is online at https://intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/20191203_-_full_report___hpsci_impeachment_inquiry_-_20191203.pdf
@William Case Burisma is Hunter Biden's company. Trump couldn't even remember the name Burisma. Why would he want them investigated if Biden had nothing to do with it? The phone call itself mentioned Biden. Trump's lawyers mentioned Biden. Everyone knows it's about Biden.
If Zelensky made that announcement, Fox News would be say info "Lock Joe Up" 24/7.
4
Don’t forget, William, that Trump, by saying he wanted a “favor,” was holding a metaphorical gun to the head of Ukraine’s leader. The message: Unless you open a phony investigation of the Bidens, all that money will remain locked up.
11
I appreciate this effort to summarize the evidence that shows how and why Mr. Trump set up President Zelensky for a shakedown.
However, the article glosses over the role Mr. Putin has played in planting the seed for the idea that it was the Ukrainians as a counter-narrative to Mr. Mueller’s finding that the Russians hacked the DNC and aided Mr. Trump in his supposed win of the electoral college back in 2016.
The President assigns Mr. Giuliani whose “initial interest was in undermining the special counsel’s investigation by raising questions… He sought to cast doubt on the authenticity of a ledger showing off-the-books payments from a Russia-aligned Ukrainian party earmarked for Paul Manafort, [and]…also questioned the motivations of the Ukrainians…who, he argued, were aligned with Hillary Clinton and out to get Mr. Trump.”
The Republicans have rehashed this theory, that originates in Russia, that Hillary’s people, Victoria Nuland and Chapala, advanced the 2014 Maidan Square “coup” that led to a massacre of number of protesters but also lead Yanukovych to flee to Russia for sanctuary.
Other reporting on this question have identified remarks from Mr. Putin stating what a relief it is that the media is now focusing on Ukraine for the 2016 hack and not Russia.
The kernel for the idea came not from Mr. Giuliani nor from Mr. Trump but from Mr. Putin, who is a master at sowing disinformation.
19
With so much in the hands of Rudy Giuliani, did the House try to subpoena him for the trial. My impression was that they did not. Am I right? And if so why didn’t they? Can anyone answer that?
3
@Megan they did request his testimony. He wouldn't do it. Then the Senate promised to call him up. They didn't. Then impeachment happened, and the Senate had a chance to hear from him and other witnesses, and they refused again.
4
@Megan
Because Rudy if called to testify either would not appear, or if he did appear, he would use it as a soapbox to obfuscate and distort and confuse the public with any testimony. He also would misdirect continuously back to Biden and his son.
One thing Trump and his minions are particularly good at ---> confusing the less critical thinking voters not already in his pocket to either sway them, or cause them to walk away from voting entirely out of frustration. Either outcome serves Trumps needs and wants.
3
@Megan
Giuliani has outed himself as a certifiable crackpot and a Trump crime family lieutenant. Hauling Rudy in to make a House Committee investigation look like the "Circus Maximus" (remember Trump's court jester, Corey Lewandowski?) would be a total waste of time.
In fact, any discussion of Giuliani is a waste of time, so I will close here.
1
Susan Collins interview was as laughable as it gets. I paraphrase here, "He'll be much more circumspect now about his actions and I trust he won't do it again." Ms. Collins you're as big a joke as that statement.
33
@GL
It worked for Clinton. He admitted guilt and went on to be elected.
1
@GL
Looking at her face as she spoke,it was painfully apparent that even she didn't believe it.
6
@GL
Reason enough for her base to vote against her in the coming election. Reason: poor judge of character at a time when character judgement is critical in Washington if we as a nation are to avoid losing democracy and devolving into autocracy.
12
No one doubts at ALL that he did wrong. GOP is now also doing wrong, wrong, wrong.
16
Guilty as charged. Republican legislators are complicit.
24
Trump's abuse of power WAS bribery. What he did was to offer to give Ukraine the $390,000,000.00 if, and only if, they acceded to his demand that they promulgate insinuations about criminal behavior by his domestic opposition.
Trump's obstruction of congress was blatant.
Republican senators endorsed Trump's obstruction by refusing to review evidentiary documents and refusing to hear witnesses.
Republican's argue that Trump's bribery was acceptable, not so bad as to warrant his removal. They argue that "the people will decide". So they condone multimillion dollar international bribery, they collude in the coverup and obfuscation, and they abdicate their responsibilities fairly to try and to adjudicate presidential criminality. They do these things knowing that the president is an ignorant, dishonest, vindictive, petty, childish, amoral superannuated playboy philistine who is manifestly unfit for office. They make excuses for themselves and try to change the subject. They are frankly despicable.
16
Teflon Trump. It's like a bad reality TV show you can't turn off.
11
The GOP congress are moral and ethical cowards. They are all irreparably stained by this repugnant President. I have only contempt and no pity for the position they have willfully put this country in.
17
@dmckj you’re living in some alternate reality - what’s the problem really? This is better than the 1950’s - what is everyone complaining about? Finally we’re not the patsies any more, the border is not open for anyone who just wants to come in, our trade deals are not rip offs and other countries are wary of Trump. Good!
"President Trump’s own words and other revelations yield a narrative establishing his involvement in the pressure campaign."
Well, between what Alan Dershowitz stated last week AND the pretty obvious outcome of today's trial, those individuals who support Trump's actions are giving this president AND ALL FUTURE presidents a free pass to do whatever he or she wants because the simple justification is their actions will help their re-election campaign because it's for the nation's interest.
No consequences for a president who abused power and obstructed justice.
A permanent paradigm shift in American politics will take place the moment this president is acquitted today.
A "no-holds-barred" mentality will replace the democracy this county has known and govern by for hundreds of years.
23
Senate Republicans' behavior is just as "shameful and wrong" as the President's.
I am not naive enough to think they would actually acquit him, but to blame "the process," which was resisted and stonewalled by Trump the whole way, is beyond callow.
Say it slowly, over and over: "The president of the United States pressured a foreign government to take actions aimed at his political opponents." I would only add that the actions aimed to influence an election.
Trump has shown no remorse, continues to lie, and will continue working with Rudy, undermining established foreign policy process and conflating the national interest with his own.
If Trump were a Democrat, I would want him out of office immediately. The short-term political gain is simply not worth undermining free and fair elections or the US Congress for who knows how long.
How can a Senator excuse this behavior and think that they are doing their job, fulfilling their oaths of office, do their duty to the American people and fulfilling their constitutional obligations?
They can't. They aren't Vote them out.
17
Shocking, shocking indeed. A US president used his power to pressure a foreign government to take actions that might, among other benefits, benefit his own election prospects. Shocking, shocking, and totally in tune with what US presidents have always done.
Let's take, for instance, the actions of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, chief icon of the Democratic Party, and especially of the "democratic socialist" variety. In 1944 he went out of his way to pressure Joe Stalin (the first "Uncle Joe" to Democrats, and far more effective than the Uncle Joe who just finished fourth in the Iowa caucuses) to get Stalin to hide his future plans to occupy and subjugate Poland. Why? Well, FDR was pretty open about the fact he needed the Polish-American vote in the Midwest.
Shocking.
@Chuck French so that makes it ok??
6
I wish I thought there were some point in tracking down the realities and explaining this pack of lies and alibis; regrettably, it seems to be the case that the sane just snort, and Trumpists simply stick their snorkeled heads back, deep, into that enormousvat of far-right Koolaid.
Look! There swims the neon Pizzagate! And over to the left...observe the magnificent Walmart Texas Tunnels in its native environment!
5
@Chuck French you’re shocking. Biden wasn’t a nominee then and still isn’t. And trump didn’t put his son on a corrupt country’s company for doing nothing except influencing his father. Wake up.
1
There is no real acquittal of Trump -- the world and the history know him and his deeds. It will take more than a soulless GOP to cover that -- in the long run.
Consider the US thoroughly divided.
11
As a partner in a private equity group that's either Republicans or Independents, I'm seeing a new level of scrutiny of Trump supporters looking for funding.
It's driven by the need for candid relationships and realistic market assessments. The new questions are:
- If you believe some of Trump's claims, how do you do your business/market homework? Are you looking for the truths/facts that will enable us to succeed?
- If you are OK with how he treats others, how will you treat us as investment partners?
- If you know Trump is lying and accept it, will we get the truth from you?
14
A few days ago I found myself studying a photo of Donald Trump mounting the steps of Air Force One. He was leaning forward with his mouth set in that stiff, angry frown we have come to know so well throughout this presidency. His body language was very much that of a man on a mission, and of course we all know what that mission is - to bend our constitution, our institutions and the legislative and judicial branches of the government entirely to his will.
He must be stopped at the polls, or next November he’ll be standing in front of the White House proclaiming “Mission Accomplished,” and we will have lost our democracy for the foreseeable future.
10
I assume this was the point. The Democrats can count to 51 - they weren't going to win a trial in the Senate and they knew it - but this has served to absolutely and unequivocally reveal the way Trump thinks and the way his supporters think. Today's op-ed by Rob Portman from Ohio makes transparent their hypocrisy: I knew it was wrong but somehow, and so conveniently, I am focusing on a weazily distinction that I care not really articulate between levels of crimes (extra to the Constitution). So - the Democrats have impeached and the results are just as any sophomore poli sci major could have predicted with certainty six months ago. Let's see if it turns out how they thought, driving centrist voters to the Democrats. I'm skeptical. Portman's audacious, vacuous, but so certain-in-tone column makes me more skeptical.
6
A special thanks to all the columns and articles in the NYT that provide with detail and accuracy what actually happened. History is on your side.
I am waiting for the days ahead when increasing numbers of Americans with some degree of power will routinely ignore subpoenas; threaten, slander, and libel anyone who disagrees with them without any fear of penalty; and follow Trump's practice of flouting laws inconvenient to their self-interest.
Increasingly, people will say "if it works for him, it should work for us, too."
This is what the Senate Republicans have wrought.
11
2020 Election issues:
Trump - Committed an impeachable offense by pressuring Ukraine to give him dirt on Biden.
Sanders/Warren - Promise 100% free healthcare, 100% free college, 100% fracking ban, and a Green New Deal that will cost more than the defense budget.
Advantage Trump.
2
Thank you NYTimes!
After a morning of reading about the partisanship concerning last night's speech and writing to newspapers demanding they not cow to GOP spin and cancelling some subscriptions, this article was a welcome oasis. Thank you for reporting the truth. Thank you.
6
Yes, the evidence is overwhelming. It conclusively proves that Trump tried to extort an ally to create smears against his most feared political rival. Under normal circumstances, this would be a slam dunk for removing him from office.
Republicans demonstrate their utter lack of respect for the Constitution and the rule of law by voting to acquit him without hearing from witnesses or looking at relevant documents. Trump stonewalled House investigators and his lackeys aided and abetted the cover-up.
So now foreign governments know it's perfectly fine to meddle in our elections, as long as it helps the party in power.
So now every POTUS knows that they can do whatever they please because Congressional oversight is a joke and impeachment is possible only in theory but not in practice.
Democracy in America is dead. Defeating every Republican offers the only hope of becoming a democracy again.
13
It’s becoming extremely difficult to be an American these days. Watching the Republicans in the Senate respond to Trump’s bludgeoning is just disheartening. I can only imagine how he threatens Mitch McConnell, Lindsay Graham, and his other apologists. There can be no other explanation for the probable acquittal coming later today. But with what can Trump threaten those patriotic men and women? Physical violence? That would be unheard of. Financial ruin? Now we may be getting close. A presidential tantrum and name calling? How childish would that be? No, I would follow the money. Somehow, some way, and in some manner these Republicans’ financial well - being is connected to Trump’s political well - being. So what we are seeing is a re- enactment of the story of the emperor’s new clothes. The Senate Republicans see beautiful new suits and luxuriously long ties. The rest of us see a naked real estate developer who is unfit for the presidency. I wonder what Mitch McConnell is wearing today?
9
Keep investigating.
And make sure the Republicans lose the Senate.
13
The same people that tell me that Trump did wrong tells me the Bidens did no wrong. It is in the swamp peoples culture now. That using ones political power to gather massive wealth for oneself and family is ok. That trait isn’t in my culture yet though. Perhaps It’s xenophobic but I just can’t go along with impeaching Trump if what the Bidens did is considered right.
1
@Jim that makes no sense. Trump gets to commit a crime just because Biden's son got a nice job? Do I get to commit a crime now because Ivanka gets to tag along at summits?
4
I have read or watched, as the case may be, every hearing, testimony, legal brief, and reports, et. al., all of it I could find. From Russia, to the wall, then impeachment -- hundreds of hours of my time, over the last four years. Trump is guilty as sin.
13
It seems to me that Trump's "bitter grudge" against Ukraine may have been the fuel that led to his scheme to destroy Joe Biden. There is a pattern in Trump's behavior that frequently involves retaliation. If you couple his animosity for Ukraine with his unfettered power as President it was led to his attempt to cheat on the 2020 election. And given that he encouraged Russia to help him win in 2016, it can come as no surprise for him to cheat once again.
Given the Mueller Report, though incomplete due to Trump and others destroying evidence and refusing to be interviewed, it leaves much to be revealed. My suspicion
Is that there is more to learn with regard to the the Trump Russia relationship, and with the Russian interference in the 2016 election, I believe there are real questions about Trump's legitimacy. The fact that Trump was trying to extort the Ukrainians tells us Trump will go to any length to win, just as he did in partnering with Russia. I fear Trump will do the same and more to be re-elected in 2020, and I am not sure if any Democratic efforts, no matter how compelling can compete with a liar and a cheat who will use any and every corrupt means to win, along with the Republicans who sanction his behavior not matter how egregious.
6
Sadly there was a really good reason for the president wanting to have investigations concerning Burisma and the Bidens. Burisma is the most corrupt corporation in the Ukraine. Why was the former VP's son sitting on this illicit corrupt board for 5 years collecting $5 million dollars?. If do not see that there is something very wrong with this then I dont know what to say. I want the president to investigate corrupt Democrats because we all know they are so good at accusing the president of the sins they have already committed. So I totally support the president efforts and cant wait for the senate judiciary committee to call Biden and his son. They have alot of explaining to do.
1
So Lev Parnas turns out to be smarter than the Trumpublicans. Finding himself in a corrupt squeeze between Barr’s complicit Justice Department and the oligarchs’ minions, he took to the airwaves in self-defense.
It is obvious that untoward pressure and/or blackmail is operating to get some of these Republicans to be too afraid to oppose Trump.
Now is the time for them to come clean to the American people about the dirty tactics being used by McConnell et al to coerce their acquittal of the most corrupt President in American history. That way lies ethics, self-esteem, justice, dignity, honor and possibly safety.
5
At this point, given the obvious state of our nation morphing into a dictatorship (thanks Mitch and all), we might as well shred the Constitution (as it has no value and isn't worth the paper it's printed on) and literally begin referring to ourselves as a Soviet State... why even bother pretending? Putin and others know whose really in charge.
3
The whole senate gang of Trumps GOP will vote to acquit. All of them. Never vote republican.
9
I read an article which made a very good analogy about Lindsay Graham's relationship to Trump which I think applies to all republicans.and their moneyed masters.
"How Linsdsay Graham lost his way"
:“People try to analyze Lindsey through the prism of the manifest inconsistencies that exist between things that he used to believe and what he’s doing now,” Schmidt says. “The way to understand him is to look at what’s consistent. And essentially what he is in American politics is what, in the aquatic world, would be a pilot fish: a smaller fish that hovers about a larger predator, like a shark, living off of its detritus. That’s Lindsey. And when he swam around the McCain shark, broadly viewed as a virtuous and good shark, Lindsey took on the patina of virtue. But wherever the apex shark is, you find the Lindsey fish hovering about, and Trump’s the newest shark in the sea. Lindsey has a real draw to power — but he’s found it unattainable on his own merits.”
here is the original it makes him look even worse. and these people like him! https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/lindsey-graham-senate-trump-928948/
6
Senator Murkowski is a sell out with no spine.
6
The biggest "abuse of power" in my lifetime was the passage of the ACA.
For the first time in our nation's history the House abrogated its responsibility to amend a bill (we have to pass it to see what's in it) because the Senate no longer had the power to pass an amended bill. To get the House to be derelict in its duties, Obama had to pass around pork (some would call that bribery) and he had to lie (if you like your doctor you can keep him).
But in the end the Supreme Court declared the ACA constitutional and it's the law. The Republicans did not start some meaningless impeachment trial, although next time they might, which would have affected the ability to deal with the nation's problems. Instead they "shellacked" the Democrats in the next 4 elections. That's called democracy.
Because Obama passed the ACA, he lost the ability to put Garland on the Supreme Court. Because he passed the ACA, HRC is not president.
A society is defined by laws. All foreign policy is quid pro quo. The GAO said Obama violated the law in the Berdahl release. No one tried to impeach him.
You can't impeach a President because you don't like his values, how he does things, or because you refuse to accept the results of an election. Instead, you defeat him at the polls. This has been at best a waste of the nation's time and at worst an attempted coup.
The polls indicate Trump has reached his highest approval rating. What a disaster! I would have voted against Trump too. Not any more
2
Republicans: The President cheating in elections is OK. The President cheating in elections with foreign help is OK.
7
Senator Murkowski, this was not a partisan inquiry or impeachment. It was based, in part, on the Mueller investigation by an ex-FBI chief and Republican named Robert Mueller. Mueller found that although Trump did not "conspire" with the Russian government, he and lots of people around him solicited Russian help. The Russian hacking he got helped him win.
In addition, Mueller found numerous instances of Trump's obstruction of justice. Mueller wrote that the only remedy would be impeachment, putting it on Congress's shoulders to do the right thing.
For Democrats, Ukraine was just the last straw in the face of an unrepentant and serial offender.
For Republicans, the truth of the Mueller report was twisted and then forgotten, and Ukraine was a one-off that Democrats had no business worrying about.
It seems to me that the disgusting partisanship is on your side who all turn a blind eye to the ongoing corruption of our elections and obstruction of justice in the White House. To me, Senate Republicans are guilty of the extraordinarily partisan position of helping him obstruct justice so that he will be on the ballot in November, and so you all can give more tax cuts to the rich and drill for oil in Alaska, while every year is hotter than the last.
Enough with this holier than thou attitude.
179
Indeed. Murkowski looks thick as a brick and clearly thinks Alaskans are equally dimwitted. I am so tired of blatant manipulation, calculation and inept theater from a grasping woman whose only purpose seems to be clinging to office regardless of the Constitution. Or personal dignity, for that matter. I regret having once bought the fable that she thought for herself.
16
@Sherry
What about cover up, and obstruction of Congress charge?
The obstruction of justice continues, tnowy, with Bolto,...
Will we ever hear from John Bolton, or get to read his book?
Obstruction of Congress-Justice undermines democracy.
I fear Trump's nonstop destruction of democracy is AOK.
(Note, Trump's habitual use of the OK, hand sign)
I hope Democrats push for a new democracy wave in 2020.
"Democracy is coming to the USA" (Leonard Cohen)
7
@
Mueller didn't find that Trump or associates solicited Russian help . Billions of dollars were spent on the election a a tiny amount was spent by Russian trolls on social media .You need to read Lawyer Greg Jarrett's books to learn how Hillary hired Christopher Steele to make up lies about Trump . Also read Andrew C Mc Carthy's National Review article on June 24, 2019.The fraudulent Steele dossier was then used to obtain a FISA warrant to spy on the Trump campaign . Under the law FISA warrants can only be obtained by primary witnesses , information from people who made the relevant observations but the lies by Steele were from people who were claimed to hear something from someone who heard it from someone else who... Most lies were false without investigations such as the lie that Trump went to Russia many times just before the election or meetings in places people never went
The evidence shows that the Russians didn't hack the DNC server and according to Bill Binney and others, using metadata, the server wasnt remotely hacked .Craig Murray UK ambassador said the emails were given physically by a DNC worker.
Trump isnt Russia's friend . Trump gave Ukraine military aid unlike Obama . Trump has pressured countries not to buy Russian energy and has imposed sanctions
The poor and middle classes have benefited from tax cuts , black unemployment is the lowest ever and corporations collect tax : they don't pay tax
2
And we must not be distracted from now until November the indisputable truth: Donald Trump has betrayed the presidency of the United States. He has blatantly defied his oath. And along with him will be every last Republican who will vote to "acquit" him today. Before our eyes, Mr. Trump and his Senate abetters have sacrificed the soul of democracy on an altar of power, control, greed, and bigotry. Let us not get distracted from these facts above when we go to the polls this November. We can not wait until the above are judged at the time of their Reckoning. Justice must be served this year in but a few short months.
47
Trump doesn’t have to be honest since his people believe whatever he says.
The con is strong in him.
24
Trump is plotting more crimes this very second. GOP gave him the green light; "committ any crime; no consequences". What crazy; off the wall; insane stuff will Trump do next? What has he already done but hidden so well we never know?
37
Acquittal equals just another example of Republican dishonesty and duplicity. Only hope to change America’s course is the upcoming election. Let’s pray that our electorate makes the Republicans pay for their abysmal conduct.
20
The degree of hypocrisy in the Senate GOP is stunning. And the only real answer is to vote them out. 23 GOP Senators are up for election this year and progress will be substantial if 10 of them are unseated.
48
Interesting that Republicans went from “It never happened” to “Rudy went rogue and the president didnt know,” to “the president knew but is entitled to make policy changes anytime he wants” to “Ok, he did it- so what?” To the killer, “Even if he did it, it doesn’t rise to an impeachable offense.” How could anyone know what he did and still vote to acquit? The twisted mental gymnastics those few senators must’ve gone through in order to still vote for acquittal defies the imagination.
150
@Brian Whistler Interesting that Schiff and Nadler rushed the vote to get it done by Christmas, instead of taking the time to subopena witnesses. Perhaps those witnesses would have testified by now. Oh, well.
2
@Erik
Taking time to subpoena witnesses, would delay this well into the active general election cycle and guess what.. Republicans would claim Democrats delayed the impeachment to directly influence the general election.
Trump is Democrats Kobyashi Maru (look it up, if you don't know the metaphor.
4
@Brian Whistler
Wait until Trump actually has someone shot on the public streets of New York (he's too cowardly to do it, but plenty crazy to order it) for no other reason than the classic Trump "contrived grievance".
Even in this extreme case, I have not confidence Republicans would hold him to account. They would simply say that the party shot was asking for it.. and that it was their fault. That is where the party has devolved to.
3
Here is my contribution in the hopes a long term crime sees justice;
Here's the scoop on the Trump Wall st tax cuts.......
Trump is talking about more tax cuts.....
I figured out the Tax cuts strategy over decades;
For decades, when Republicans were in power, they cut taxes harming the budget. When the Democrats won, they had to raise taxes to repair the harm from Republican tax cuts. Then the next cycle, Republicans scorn the increase of taxes by Democrats to win an election and power after which time, they cut taxes again. The cycle has repeated for decades.
It's a reputation thing to cover their crime. The Democrats get a bad rap for raising taxes then the Republicans win again shaming the Democrats for their increase of taxes that Republicans were the original cause of. It happens over years and that's why no one figured it out.
First Reagan cut taxes, then Clinton raised taxes, then Bush cut taxes, then Obama raised taxes, then Trump cut taxes as he and all the Congressional Republicans are preening themselves again.
We are all Chumps. That my fellow victims is what's up with Republican strategy. Republicans are robbing the nation.
This is what "Globalization" means. The term might have been coined to glorify what is the biggest heist in human history as all those Trillions in wealth have been exported to other nations along with the businesses to support them later after they escape. Republicans stashed the loot to cool off. Are they laundering in stocks?
22
@John Decker to bad the democrats had neither first had witnesses or evidence
2
@wargarden
Excuse me? they had tons of witnesses.
The republicans would not let anyone testify.
where have you been, buried in sand?
Hundreds of pages of evidence too, but if no one is allowed to see it, that makes for a impossible situation.
5
I thought delaying the approved funds going to Ukraine for as long as they were delayed – was illegal – regardless of what else surrounded it. Especially if any Ukranian lives were lost during that period. That the delay was used to extort a personal favor was icing on that cake. And that the whole prolonged, coordinated endeavor involved many players and instances over many months – was the cherry on the icing.
12
The impeachment trial was just politics, the outcome was known from day one. The Democrats and the left leaning media had convicted him even before the trial. The Republicans and the right leaning media had acquitted him before the trial. Everyone played to the gallery, trying to get as much mileage out of this for the November elections. So Congress and Trump were both electioneering at Tax payer expense instead of doing the jobs they were elected to do. Congress always had low approval ratings as an institution that gets the job done, Trump has lowered the Presidency to the same dismal levels. American foreign policy has always been horrible, no matter who occupied the oval office. Trump has done no better or worse.
4
For some reason they as in the republicans think this will just slide into history without a wimper.Silly republicans
11
Clinton convinced enough Democrat Senators that forcing a female subordinate to have sex with him multiple times and then lying about it, was acceptable behavior. Of course, with Clinton there were participants who were witnesses and DNA evidence that proved the allegations. With Trump all we have so far are are “I heard someone say that they heard”, and “I heard one side of one conversation”.
1
Senate Republicans complained that the House did not produce enough proof of Trump's guilt even though there was all this.
But there is so much more we need to know. Like when Trump said about the Ambassador, "Take her out", what did that mean? He is the one to appoint her and remove her; why would he be asking others to "Take her out"? Why was she told to get on the next plane out of Ukraine as if her life was in danger?
Also, we need to know what role other officials had in these corrupt dealings -- Mulvaney, Pompeo, Pence, Rick Perry, Guiliani -- and not just with regard to Trump's pet project of sliming the Bidens. It seems as if a few of them at least were interested in getting oil and gas contracts as the conversation re: the Ambassador revealed. They said Ukraine had oilfields a lot like Texas. Did the election of an anti-corruption candidate got in the way of corrupt business deals?
We are entitled to an open, law-abiding democracy. We demand to know more about this and related matters, even if it won't result in impeachment. We need to have more investigations so we can make informed decisions come November.
16
The good thing is, it's likely the next Democratic President with the appropriate majorities in the House & Senate can rule by fiat and executive order and the GOP has only themselves to blame!!! No subpoenas enforced! Precedence shall rule the day! Stack the the Supreme Court! Boy what fun on the horizon!
6
Oh dear, Trump put the squeeze on the leader of a corrupt oligarchic plutocracy. Let me clutch my pearls... See you in November.
4
I welcome the acquittal of President Trump and look forward to his re-election in November. Too bad he can't be re-elected again and again and again and again. Now with the Democrats in complete disarray as demonstrated by the fiasco in Iowa, we need his leadership like never before. Having a Democrat in the White House would be like having the nation run by the keystone cops. At any rate, like the President said in his historic State of the Union address last night, "the best is yet to come." Thank you.
3
So, this is how democracies fall, a sobering lesson in living history. Foreign invaders are not required, just bluff, bluster, mendacity, buffoonery, and a complicit cohort of senators who place party ahead of country. Rob Portman named three items that, he argues, Trump is handling admirably, lowering prescription drug costs, improving skills training, and tackling the opioid crisis, that will justify Portman’s vote to acquit. Is that it? Amid all his lies and treachery, is Trump the only one who can tackle these political piques even though he’s not a politician?
The Ukraine debacle has shown a man inured to politics or governance. He was engaged in subterfuge and duplicity while others tackled prescription prices, skills training, and opiates given that none have yet to be tackled.
Democracy is now in the hands of the American people. It is possible to have sympathy for grotesque figures such as Quasimodo. But Trump is not stricken by exterior affliction but by an internal; a lack of character.
Those senators who defend Trump do so because he allows them to govern in his place, allowing them all the power and, by extension, to the party and its benefactors.
Democrats are about as effective in opposition as the skin on a rice pudding. Sure, they made their case compelling and unimpeachable, but it’s too little too late. They had the chance to prevent Trump when Reagan was in office but failed to see the writing on the wall as their base were systematically abandoned.
6
The Times needs to move past the impeachment facts and focus on the actual policies that the administration has been quietly pushing for the past 3 years: rollbacks of regulations that have kept our water, food, and financial systems safe. A failure to address a healthcare system that is bankrupting people. A failure to address rural decline.
As to why so many republicans with a supposed conscience, like Murkowski, have caved--it has nothing to do with supporting trump or being for or against impeachment or the basic facts.
This is entirely to do with Senators looking out for their own jobs, and little else.
12
The president stated he ended the decline of the United States. A bit self-serving that, for the rest of the world continues to shake its collective head in dismay.
US stature as a moral leader has never been lower in Europe and Asia.
16
"Take her out." I'll never forget those words that this so-called president said about the exemplary Ambassador Yovanovitch. As for Senators Collins and Murkowski, what's not to understand? You do the right thing or you don't. There's no, it was wrong but I won't vote to convict and I couldn't care less about our democracy.
20
Funny how not one Republican Senator has wanted to acquit because he/she thinks that Trump is not guilty.
19
Life goes on as if nothing had happened.
Justice won't be served. Politics are the games to win.
Lying is fine. The end justifies the means. Americans are generally accepting it. This is America now. You must accept it.
7
Trump's popularity has reached a record high since all this happened. That's the ominous sign of what's amiss in this country. Led by Trump, the servile GOP, and the egregious Mitch McConnell, a near majority of Americans have cast its lot with a corrupt, dishonest and morally repugnant occupant of the White House.
High time that we begin using a word to describe this shocking development: nihilism, defined as "the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. It is often associated with extreme pessimism and a radical skepticism that condemns existence. A true nihilist would believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy."
8
@PaulB67 Nihilism rapidly approaching fascism.
2
@PaulB67 You might be onto to something here; but the Trump voter will say they only want to make 'America great again'...a value that may be laden with "extreme pessimism and radical skepticism" about America's current predicament. Certainly there is no "loyalty" to the constitution, because if there was we wouldn't have to witness a fake trial that enables a cover up.
If there was evidence of impeachable conduct why didn’t the House charge the President with a specific crime? And also if they had all this evidence why did they need more witnesses? Democrats are partisan hacks and I can’t wait to taste all of their delicious tears come November with the Trump re-election.
2
@Tanner Gallagher Wow! You are gloating; not nice.
By the way, an impeachment charge is not about the "law" but about abusing the "Constitution." The Abuse of Power section discusses multiple violations of the law. Also, impeaching a president doesn't require a criminal level of evidentiary proof (beyond a reasonable doubt) because the penalty is a simple firing from the job, no jail time. Instead, it is sufficient to show with "clear and convincing" or even a preponderance of evidence, would be sufficient; and the House Mangers did that.
2
Trump has trampled the constitution daily with republican complicity. Vote them out, vote for decency, vote for the republic.
Rewarding republicans for dismantling our institutions, draining our treasury and tearing up our constitution while allowing a corrupt president to conspire with foreign leaders and collude with mob like characters to run shadow foreign policy is just shocking.
8
I’m sick of hearing that removing DJT from office would “overturn” the 2016 election. No. In 2016 he was hired via election to do a job. He has behaved in a criminal manner and certainly not in the best interest of the country. Impeachment is how we fire him for being such a failure. This is how any CEO position works. Do the job or get booted out.
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@Jean Sims Absolutely we should boot him out. Republicans are shredding the US Constitution just like Nancy Pelosi shredded Trump's State of the Union address which was full of lies.
7
Republicans’ defenses of Trump shows they really do think we are uneducated idiots.
Recent polling suggests P.T. Barnum was right.
4
@Bohemian Sarah
So was H.L. Mencken when he opined "No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people."
4
These comments from Sen Collins and Murkowski are disengenous. If they believe the President was "wrong" (a tepid adjective if ever I heard one), then why are they against impeachment? This is an attempt to protect themselves from the majority of voters who understand that Trump's behavior was disgusting and that he cannot be trusted. Neither of them explain their reasoning for supporting his tenure in office. When Republicans give lectures about partisanship, they are usually referring to Democrats. Would she care to explain why she plans to vote with the colleagues she believes have behaved shamefully? Perhaps she will do so in any memoir she writes, long after she cares about re-election.
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@Judith Stern
It's typical Collins/Murkowski hypocrisy. Why would we ever expect that to change any more than for Trump to suddenly grow a brain or morals?
Republicans have sealed their fate in American history as the most treasonous cult of politicians in our history - even more so than the Confederacy before the Civil War. Their base of racists, fake religious zealots, white supremacists, poorly-educated older white men, Nazis, hate mongers, xenophobes and a litany of the disenfranchised is a portrait of all that is wrong with this nation. They all seek to divide just as Putin would like, and they are lead by a pandering, lying, amoral, ignorant, self-promoting con artist who is a certifiable narcissistic sociopath. THAT CV will get them no where except extinct, probably by their own hands.
12
@Judith Stern Disengenous? Such a nice word.
1
@Judith Stern :You appear very biased, and it influences your judgement.You simply don't like the way they voted.Revealing moment:When diplomats testifying against Trump were asked what were the "high crimes and misdemeanors"of which our vox populi was guilty, they looked back at the questioners, "bouche bee!"They had no answers, tergiversated, "opined, presumed,"and then declared not to know. Why take these folks seriously. or Schiff, Nadler moreover.They always look so unhappy!Murkowski and Collins voted their consciences. You should respect that!
1
Evidence of the Danger America faces is shown by Trump and the Republicans blocking all evidence they can about Trump now and even after the elections but demanding investigating the Bidens and other conspiracy theories.
What do you think they will do if they proceed and find proof of additional illegal activities that Thump is doing? Ask them , will they say hide it, hugely???
25
@Just Me the democrats should have subpoena
evidence and witnesses while case was still in
the house. It is not crime to challenge a subpoena
in court. the democrats rushed the investigation; and refused to allow witnesses for defence.
1
I know I read somewhere that Trump promised javelins to the Ukrainians to get them to stop cooperating with Mueller’s investigation of Trump’s campaign manager, Paul Manafort. This looks like a bribe.
21
“Donald, you know how much I loved that Cherry tree. Do you know who chopped it down”. Yes, father, I do...it was Obama”!
19
In her speech on the Senate Floor ahead of today's impeachment trial vote, Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski declared that Senators "should be ashamed by the rank partisanship that has been on display here." (Rank indeed; it Stinks.)
Is there any doubt which Senators Murkowski was referring to? Obviously only the Democrats, for having dared push for impeachment in the first place. If she's also ashamed of her G.O.P. colleagues, she would have demonstrated that disgust last week by voting in favor of evidence to be presented at the trial.
Murkowski's Shallow Complaint and Ongoing Action on the side of Injustice encapsulates the state of our disunion (see also last night's Trump speech) -- on one side of the aisle, cowards who bow to a corrupt president, simply because he's "one of ours," and on the other side, statesmen who uphold truth and the rule of law.
Thankfully, Tyrant Trump's days are numbered. Ah, if only the November election was sooner.
32
With the “drip, drip, drip” of further damning, incriminating evidence certain to come to light in the near future against the Fake President, this “trial” is far from over. The emerging theme of the 2020 election against Trump and his entire pack of Republican enablers will be his staggering corruption and criminality, and their blanket conspiratorial support of such loathsome, unprecedented behaviors. He and they will be powerless in the “court of public opinion” to mount any effective defense to this new information. I expect a number of these spineless officeholders to retire, avoiding the wrath of their constituents. Democrats will have an excellent opportunity to seize control of both the presidency and both houses of Congress. Then, at last, can begin the necessary steps to vanquish the harm, on multiple levels, perpetrated upon the nation by the Trump electoral fluke and the setting of the country on a democratically restorative course. Make America American Again!
24
John Grillo The problem democrats have you said it yourself. “The Fake President”. You and the rest of your party have never accepted the fact that President Trump was duly elected in 2016, beating out your favorite crook HRC. I can’t wait to see the misery that President Trump’s and the Republicans victories cause on November 3, 2020
The official closing argument of the Trump defense team —
“We know that Trump abused his power by withholding congressionally approved military aid to an ally so that he can dig up dirt on an opponent, cheat in the coming elections, and steal the presidency once again. This we acknowledge and agree with the House Managers. But you Senators should acquit Trump because he is president and this is an election year.”
You cannot make this stuff up.
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@Opinioned! -- You'll need to provide a link to that quote. Otherwise, I'll consider it sarcasm. The sentiment is spot on -- exactly the way that Congressional Republicans, the Trump Administration, and the DOJ have mangled the last 3 years.
1
The headline should read “a wealth of evidence against” the president.
9
The world has been clearly shown that Donald Trump has committed great treachery against the United States. The facts are undeniable and overwhelming.
But that doesn't matter. Today, 53 Republican Senators will be complicit with Trump, and commit even more obstruction of justice.
Over time, the truth will win out. The hidden White House documents (emails & minutes) will come out. The first person witnesses (Bolton, Mulvaney, others) of Trump's criminal behavior will write their exposes.
With Trump & his sycophants, truth does not matter. We watched last night the GOP stand & endlessly applaud Trump, as he told whopper after whopper.
McConnell and his nefarious cabal of truth denying River City Munchkins will today close the impeachment proceeding. These GOP politicians are the cast & crew who aid & abet Trump, as he produces his cynical, whimsical scam.
The entire Trump reality show production needs to be voted out, come November, or America will not survive.
29
Anyone following the news knows that we have a president who committed illegal and unethical acts in order to pressure a foreign country to interfere in the next election. Right now, the danger we face as a nation is that the Senate Republicans refuse to convict Trump, which frees him to continue the lawless behavior that he has engaged in for the past three years. This country is being severely damaged, but not one Republican will do anything to halt the destruction. The oath they took to serve the country and protect the Constitution is meaningless.
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@Practical Realities
So every American who still has a sense of decency should not rest until this man and the entire GOP with him have been kicked out of the Presidency, Congress, and the Senate.
12
@Practical Realities Not even ONE! We are doomed.
3
@Ray Chalifoux wrote:
"So every American who still has a sense of decency should not rest..."
Well, I certainly have that part covered.
I haven't had a decent night's sleep since Election Day, November 2016. That's 3 years, 2 months, and 29 days. Not good...
3
It's simple. The republicans are afraid of losing their jobs, their power and position. Donald gets this because he is one of them. He, more than anyone, was shocked when he won - now he's had a taste of being the top reality show host, likes it and will pander to the lowest common denominator to keep it. Before his political life, do you ever think he cared about any of these issues he fakes speaking about so passionately. But credit where credit is due - his speech writers are a smart bunch, pandering to those who will keep him in office. If he wins in Nov, when he's done, he will go to jail. They are mounting the evidence and biding their time. It will happen.
52
@Laura,
Correct.
The batting average of the SDNY when it comes to conviction is something to be reckoned with.
Trump will be going to jail unless he seeks political asylum in Russia the second he’s out of the White House.
17
Surely it is not true, as the morally bankrupt Republican senators claim, that the Democrats are “trying to undo an election.” Rather it IS undoubtedly true that the Republican Senators themselves are in fact, undoing the American Constitution. By Steamrollering the impeachment rules painstakingly designed by the founders, denigrating the impeachment “court” into a farce by denying the need for documentary evidence and witness testimony to determine guilt or innocence, they have effectively destroyed the critical separation of duties which guaranteed oversight and invalidated the rule of law, by placing the President quite clearly, in finding no fault in his blanket denial of all cooperation with congress and denial of all lawfully given subpoenas in oversight, above the law. Period.
16
The majority of senators agree that there is sufficient evidence given by the house managers to prove that the President’s call to Ukraine was not perfect and was improper.
Therefore it is up to the senate to mete out sufficient punishment.
If the senate does nothing it is not defending the constitution and the all important separation of powers.
Without the separation of powers our country would be little better than all those other yin pot dictatorships in the Americas.
13
In an interview with NPR that was broadcast yesterday Giuliani said that Congress didn't have all the information about the administration's relationship with Ukraine that it should have had. Whatever he meant, this is certainly one reason why he should be subpoenaed by the House Intelligence Committee. Let him make a spectacle of refusing to appear.
10
@EMiller
Giuliani has outed himself as a total crackpot. Hauling him in to make a House Committee investigation look like the "Circus Maximus" (remember Trump's court jester, Corey Lewandowski?) would be a total waste of time. In fact, any discussion of Giuliani is a waste of time, so I will close here.
2
In the black is white, up is down reality that is the Trump presidency, it is completely unsurprising that there is a plethora of evidence that Trump has committed the crimes for which the House impeached him. It is also very true that the impeachment trial in the Senate is resolving into a partisan result. Republicans will vote for acquittal for completely partisan reasons, ignoring the truth and calling the evidence and reality of Trump’s crimes a partisan attack by the Democrats.
2
Why did Mr. Pompeo go to Ukraine a few days ago?
34
@Gangulee To twist Zelensky's arm.
4
@Gangulee
To deny President Zelenski a White House meeting -- again.
6
I’m disappointed with Schiff. For over three years Schiff has frequently claimed on live TV that he has secret information that proves that Trump was in collusion with the Russians. Why doesn’t Schiff make this information public? Schiff hates Trump. Does the information implicate Democrats in illegal activities or has Schiff been lying?
3
@William McCain
I, for one, have no clue what you are talking about. "Secret information?" What is your source?
14
@William McCain, what does "collusion" mean to you? Because there were dozens of documented interactions between Trump's campaign and Russians, the meeting in Trump tower being the most well-known, as well as evidence of destroyed and encrypted communications over WhatsApp, and lying to investigators. There was not enough evidence to prosecute for "criminal conspiracy", but that doesn't mean there was no evidence.
28
@William McCain I understand your disappointment but don’t let that give moral equivalency to what the President has done.
The majority of senators all agree that what Trump did was inappropriate and Trump lied.
3
Since when has Donald Trump ever let a wealth of evidence against him stop him from claiming that all of his actions were "perfect"? No matter the evidence, no matter that he was impeached and no matter how many Republicans condemn his behavior, Trump will claim that he was a "victim" and has been exonerated. And the loyal subjects in his base will spread that claim throughout the land.
92
@Jay Orchard
Let them. Remember, they’re a minority - horrifying in their simple-minded devotion to a charlatan - but a minority.
Just read that in India there are people who worship Gandhi’s murderer. Kooks everywhere.
5
Putin has something on Trump, and Trump has something on many senior Republicans.
We're toast.
144
@Stop and Think
I am beginning to believe that Putin has goods on Trump. it is so obvious how subservient Trump is to Putin.
34
@Shim -- No offense, but "I am beginning to believe Putin has the goods on Trump" -- "beginning to" is exactly why it's too late. The public isn't interested until it's too late to do anything about it. Neither is the media.
When Trump began his campaign in 2015, and within months was praising Putin -- I started digging around to find an answer. It was abundantly clear to me by the middle of 2016 that Trump had been compromised by Russia for decades. Time has proven me right.
5
Only because we are climbing into the toaster. Putin/Trump 2020’s strategy is based entirely on our letting them get away with it.
If Democrats continue not turn out to vote, and if Republicans continue to buy arguments they know are false because in fact it feeds their racism (which in their hearts they know is wrong), we’re toast. But we don’t have to be.
2
The Republicans in the Senate are akin to the "three wise monkeys"; they are turning a blind eye to the evil and corruption of President Trump, na putting themselves into intellectual pretzels in order to defend him. It may work for now, but someday they will pay for their actions either by losing elections or in how they are recalled by history.
63
@jfdenver the sooner the better. I have just finished re-contributing to every Dem opponent of every Repub who voted against impeachment. They are disgusting.
1