There is an awful lot of fear implied in these comments. As well there should be it is becoming clear the Dems will not take the Presidency this fall.
7
With all the mention of Trump's evildoing during the 21st century, including Trump University and stiffing his immigrant workers, one thing that seems to be forgotten is throwing protesters out in the cold WITHOUT THEIR COATS. He considered this part of what made his rallies fun and exciting. He also said that it was about 10 degrees below zero outside; that was an exaggeration but below freezing is bad enough.
https://youtu.be/wCo4BtX5U98
https://youtu.be/qm2xKkBj2pM
One of these is a Fox video, but it has the most footage. The house liberal at Fox said that with Trump, "if you don't buy the hype, be prepared for hypothermia."
Maybe some other commenter mentioned this incident; I haven't looked all the way downthread.
15
Liars, Leakers, and now Losers. They can certainly dish it out.
Buyers remorse? Now that the Biden shakedown has exposed him to the people, look what happens. Pelosi backfires. Lashes out like a child. Don't tease the bear Nancy, he's not one of your DC insiders.
And the people rejoice!
4
Typical Republicans.
Name their own flaws (not to mention crimes against humanity and civilization, see planetary facts and truth, not lies) and blame them on their opponents.
Black is white. Shameful and shameless.
21
I'd like to point out that atheists, like me, never gather together in rooms and talk to Invisible Beings. I find it deeply troubling that these people who run our nation in this year of 2020 AD continue this pointless and hopeless practice. I want my leaders to have a sense if Reality and not an urge for the Magical and the unreal.
19
Trump, his family, his administration, and his minions, are a national disgrace.
33
Politics is not bean bag.
3
Did anyone see a vat of Kool-Aid in the room?
12
Trump is a malignant narcissist. Emphasis on malignant.
23
For republicans who believe the president and believe liberals and the media is lying. Fox News is propaganda, period.
Report: Fox News Criticized Its Own Guests For Spewing Lies About Ukraine - ALISON DURKEE
FEBRUARY 6, 2020 10:27 PM
Internal Fox News briefing book warned that Rudy Giuliani was “spreading disinformation”: report
Fox News' research team advised that Giuliani and fellow Trump boosters spread lies. Fox hosts booked them, anyway - IGOR DERYSH. FEBRUARY 7, 2020 4:50PM (UTC)
8
One correction: Trump doesn't have opponents. He only has enemies.
17
I wasn’t necessarily surprised when all the networks cut away yesterday morning so that he could make his “remarks in a special report format...but I was aghast when he kept talking and talking and they kept giving him more and more air time-so it ended up being an hour long! I wondered how long it could have potentially gone on. This amounted to a campaign rally in the East room, demonizing his enemies and praising his sycophants.
Why didn’t the networks give him a 15 minute time slot to say what he needed to say and then cut away!!? I was just disgusted by this narcissistic display in the East room of our Nation’s house. This bully has been unleashed (note to Susan Collins)
Please can we restore some measure of dignity?
27
“Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad.”
from The Masque of Pandora (1875), Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
13
Dems want Trump to be 'nice' while they try to take him down.
Get over it. That is not going to happen.
6
@NYChap
That’s like someone saying they don’t like cops because cops are trying to arrest them. Cops are there to enforce the laws, so if you don’t run foul of the law then you won’t have any problems. Trump doesn’t want any oversight from congress, which isn’t how the system is designed. If he doesn’t violate the law then he won’t be “taken down.”
12
@NYChap
I go for it. Release the monster! Oh wait you did. By all means help him be what he is.
3
I am signing an executive order that will divert millions of dollars from the poor children’s lunch fund to build a really, really fun compound in northern Virginia to temporarily (maybe) relocate all the very bad and corrupt people whose ignorance has blinded them to the glorious path forward. There, through a strict regime of diet restriction and physical activity, they will be able to search inwardly for the essence of my truth and vision...
10
Considering the vituperation and threat of vengeance spewed forth, would be whistleblowers should think long and hard before making a submission. Maybe there should be a Whistleblower Protection Program like the witness protection program. But Trump would veto any such legislation.
11
Proves that even if you take away the alcohol, a person can act & sound like a ranting alcoholic.
32
We all knew he would be acquitted so why is this a surprise? Why is Trump acting like this is some kind of victory? It just shows, conclusively, that the Republican party is now Trump's Party.
Have fun with that...it's worked out for so many others.
12
He sure knows how to play his base well - he’s not stable, but he is an evil genius. The fact that he can spew such vitriol at a prayer breakfast tells us how desperate conservatives are to have a pro-lifer on the high seat. The whole ordeal has Faustian air around it.
25
Isn't it time to stop giving these insults and hate so much space in the NYT? Do you really need to publish all of the insults he called people? You give more weight to this bullying, childish, but also very threatening behavior. There must be a way to balance reporting on the action without going into every detail of repeating his ranting. The standard way of reporting does not work for this administration who lies constantly, threatens others, and defies democracy. You must find a new way.
7
This is Richard Nixon on steroids.
18
@JimBob
It was Nixon who said that if the President does it, it's not illegal.
5
I was completely in favor of impeaching this President for his criminal actions; it was the only moral choice. But now I think it was a mistake, maybe a fatal one. This President is like a dangerous animal; if you attack him you’d better be sure you can finish him. Now we have scotched the snake.
4
One my friends- let kick this corrupt conman out of office.
12
Bloomberg. Do not hate. Surrender to the love
1
Malevolent Arrogance Gets America.
That’s the real “MAGA”
12
Whine, whine, whine. What is WRONG with this man? Has he never, in his entire spoiled life, been told 'no'? He seems to spend most of his time complaining how 'mean to me' some people been.
21
Hey America, I just cannot understand, for the life of me, why the Democrats don’t use negative advertising, never in the field of human history (as my hero Churchill would say) has there been so much fodder, so much to say about a candidate’s immorality, lies, and self serving venality. Why on earth not attack Trump and reveal for the American people, particularly those who worship at the backside of the cult leader, the real character of this how dangerous he is. You just cannot combat a belligerent lying scoundrel like Trump with polite discourse. Will never work. Get sensible and realistic. Otherwise don’t bother, Trump will always win with insults and lies.
15
I am willing aside my own views on economics and policy and accept that there may be good arguments to be made that Trump has improved the economy and trade. I can accept that there may be good arguments in favor of his foreign policy. I can even accept that there might be good arguments for some (not all) of his immigration policies. I don't agree with the arguments, but I can accept that they are real and that thinking people can make them. HOWEVER - much is coming at the expense of environmental regulations and willful blindness about a changing climate. And THAT is where it all falls apart for me. I cannot accept that there are good arguments in favor of lowering environmental standards and still calling our country great.
9
@Syliva
Another well behaved liberal bringing in an etiquette book to a divorce hearing.
Nah nothing he does works. I respectfully suggest reading something on NPD and sociopathy.
12
The problem is much larger, and even more dangerous than Trump. When 'social' media became the most powerful, and secretive means to direct and control the 'people' and their thoughts and behavior, our 'freedom' was devastated. When Fox 'News' destroyed truth, the country was divided by untruth. When Citizens United cleared to way for extreme wealth and 'Special Interests', citizen power was overturned. When the 'Party System' became more important than governing for the good and rights of all the, the 'Land of the Free' became a battleground. We may well have only one last election to start us back on a path that will save a future for all life on this planet, and Making America Great ... not again, but Finally .
8
La grand entrée of the 45th into the East Room stage impeachment victory celebration, strangely resembles something we have seen on TV before in another country. The audience is focused on the double door, a march is playing, the doors are opened by two (beautiful female) soldiers in full 1800’s Imperial costumes, backlight, and there the Great Leader appears like Deus Ex Machina to the frantic applauses of the crowd.
6
Innocent people usually praise the process that vindicates them. Threats of retribution are rare except from the lowest elements of society.
14
The headline should have read: "In a Childish and Petty Tirade, Trump Hails Acquittal..."
18
Donald Trump continues to "project" constantly; that is, he accuses others of his very own characteristics/failures! He gives a perfect description of himself when he talks about hatred, anger, etc. This is who he is -sadly, very sadly.
14
Mr. Trump, do we really want to start investigating the business dealings of each other’s sons? You really wanna open that particular can of slimy worms??
15
Winston Churchill said the greatest argument against democracy is the wisdom of the average voter. If that's true can a voter tell when Trump exaggerates, spins or outright lies? Probably not. But that voter will know a good economy and president that doesn't want his country to police the world. Or fight "endless wars" That perception gets Trump reelected.
3
This makes no sense to me. Trump can't do anything to anyone. He can whine and rant, and tell his rally goers to vote people out of office, but will they? They'll never vote for a Democrat, and if they don't vote they could hand elections to Democrats. So, what damage can Trump really do? The Republicans could have voted to convict Trump. There was no reason to be afraid of losing their seats. Their constituents have no one else to vote for. The whole idea of Trump's "payback" is ridiculous, and like most of what he says, just hot air blowing around.
5
America - do you really want a guy like this for your president?
13
Trump’s reign is a wreck till disfunction is no longer accepted.
4
What a cringing spectacle at the prayer breakfast (a bizarre event in itself where I would be praying for people to shut up so that I could eat something). To see all of those pious sycophants chuckle when Trump rejected the idea of turning the other cheek and showing love for his enemies was despicable - hypocrites every one of them, but then what do you expect from faux Christians.
8
@Garry Taylor
It’s not a prayer breakfast. It’s just a superficial title for more nefarious activity.
4
Unleashing his histrionic and retaliatory diatribe at a prayer breakfast, Donald Trump has made it very clear who and what he is -evil.
10
Dear Mitt Romney: You are a hero. Your courage to stand up for what is true and right is so remarkable and admirable among all of your smarmy Republican senators that have no backbone or love for this country. I cannot believe the nightmare that is Donald Trump. Mr. Romney, if you were to switch parties immediately, and run for President of The United States as a Democratic in 2020, I would vote for you!
3
@CJ I am a foreigner but if Trump ran for the Dems I would vote GOP. If I could vote. If I did vote Trump might say there are 3 million of me.
3
Prayer breakfast performance was not only shameful for the president, but the community that puts it on. Absolutely wrong.
10
"Our great republic is a government of laws and not of men."
-Gerald Ford.
Why are we allowing this despicable man to divide our great republic and subvert the rule of law? I did not serve this nation in the Marine Corps to condone this kind of behavior. Trump is the antithesis of all of the leadership traits I learned while serving. Can we please end this reckless administration?
118
@William I
To do so we must defeat their propaganda machine and stop the Republican Party. Suggestions are welcome.
29
Read Clinton's 4 sentence speech after his acquittal. Clinton was no saint, but he at least behaved like an adult at that pivotal moment.
20
With screaming headlines like , “Trump acquitted,” many news organizations enabled the “Very Stable Genius” to turn the coverage into a victory lap. The cable news shows also enabled him with continued coverage throughout the day of his dark, threatening rant at the National Prayer Breakfast.
At this point, why does the press continue to cover 24/7 the egregious behavior of this president?
I thought he canceled the White House’s subscriptions to the NYTimes and the Post? So where did he get his copies to hold up for his “get out of jail free” photo op? He must have had a Secret Service agent (or Mick Mulvaney) sneak in the banned papers for him. He may call the press, the enemy of the people,” but let’s face it, he loves you guys. He can’t sustain himself without the press coverage, good or bad. As an FBI behavioral profiler once said regarding a certain serial offender who was enthralled by his continuous press coverage, “better to be on the 10 Most Wanted List, than never to be mentioned at all.”
So I implore the press to please temper the coverage. The President already has an entire news organization totally devoted to enabling his serial offensives to our Democracy.
23
What is terrifying that our intelligence agencies, because of his constant denigration are withholding information from congress, these historically apolitical public servants are basically get punished for telling the truth and doing their jobs.
So the rot is spreading and this is the scariest thing.
14
@faivel1
The Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee has more to do with that than the administration.
The leaks aren't coming from the White House.
Alphonse Capone took a few tries before being hit out of the park on tax issues. Mr Trumps many, very many really, promises to show his is really, very really, quite telling.
But hey, we all do it, right...
7
The headline says it all. To all of Trump's evangelical supporters - he is a professed Christian - does he make ANY attempt to live by Christian principles? Forgiveness, turn the other cheek, etc. What a joke!
14
Reconciliation? You jest, no?
7
People of faith gathering to listen to vitriol, hate and retribution. So much for people of faith. They have sold their souls to this unhinged narcissist...and so too their religion. Until "people of faith" say "no more", Trump will continue to denigrate all that is good about this country; including religious faith.
15
I am a person of faith, and my faith teaches to oppose demagogues and false messiahs like Trump.
10
@Bryan
Bryan, according to the figures we have, about about 1/6 of white self-described evangelicals who cast a presidential vote in 2016 cast it for Hillary Clinton. That's a disappointingly low figure, but it's not zero or even one percent. Shouldn't we be inviting them to join us, rather than pretending they don't exist?
6
Imagine… a political cabal delivering a constant division of hatred, or Nancy Pelosi’s prayerful pettiness and cunning hatred during Presidents Trumps’ State of the Union speech not influencing or transforming truculent cultist alias cabal members into righteous hate mongers.
Imagine… observing the pettiness of righteous Democratic wunderkinds sitting on their hands during the State of the Union speech was a reminder of their self-serving duplicity and continuing willingness to marginalize the vote of 60 million Americans.
Imagine… political theater, gone the way of socialist wunderkinds practicing plagiarism, incest, and assignations favoring kindred favoritism in their search for a political trust fund. Talk about the duplicities of moral contradictions assaulting the frailties of life while imitating a veneer of righteous indignation.
Imagine… the democratic debacle in Iowa; might be a procrastinator regards the calamity you might find yourself in while gasping for air in an emergency room awaiting medical care dependent on these same socialist wunderkinds OK’ing your medical treatment.
2
@Wolfgang
Could you repeat that word salad - in plain English.
5
Sounds like someone’s thesaurus fell into the blender.
6
What???
4
Of course he did. He should be as tough on the Russians
4
Tyranny is the noxious result of the compounding of a malignant narcissistic personality structure and absolute power.
We will not weaken. We will continue to execute our methods of removing this man from the office he and his enablers have hijacked.
10
ANYONE paying attention for the past 3 years knows the truth. Vote come november it maybe our last chance to save the america we grew up in. Republican senators couldent defend or deny what trump did, so thier answer was to trash the constution, rember that come november. Only 1 republican senator had the courage to vote based on thier morals & love of country, doesnt say much for the others.
10
I like the part where Trump lurches around blabbering lies, threats, babyish insults, brags and self-pity for an hour, and then some fool comes out and tut-tuts about civility and decency.
It’s every bit as convincing as Melania’s Anti-Bullying Hilarity, Infrastructure Week, our Big Deal With Kim, and the rest of the long, long list of crazy.
Apparently, we’re all spozed to stand around and get screamed at, then punched in the mouth: otherwise, we get louder threats from wacko-birds yelling about TDS or one of their other afflictions.
Especially if somebody tears up a couple sheets of paper, or talks about what the Constitution stands for.
You can see why Trumpists and Trump are all upsetted, what with that being so much worse than, oh, throwing kids in cages or sending more troops to the Mideast and lying about it.
12
More proof the president is a very sick man. His narcissistic personality disorder doesn’t allow him to be capable of understanding, loving or caring about anything but poor little Donald John Trump. I pity him.
20
How do Republicon parents explain Trump to their children?
16
Spineless republicans (except Sen Romney) are afraid of Trump and suck up to him, those who don’t support him are NOT. Speaker Pelosi did the right thing tearing up Trump’s divisive speech. “state of the union address” which was really a political rally, full of lies and manipulation. Those who love this country and it’s democracy are not afraid of Trump. But the state of our tattered democracy can be restored in Nov 2020 only through hard work and commitment to the candidate who will oppose Trump.
10
You know, the news media keeps saying “Trump does x and y” etc etc etc.
But it’s time to really see why and how he really does what he does!
Trump is doing what he’s doing because he’s being allowed to and enabled by the news media and his supporters.
The only reason he does what he does and gets away with it is because he’s allowed to by the corporate news media and financial institutions and the elite in the country!
It’s not Trump! It’s you in the news, including the New York Times, as well as his supporters!
Forget Trump! It’s his enablers, stupid!
6
with trump in office this country needs a lot of praying but not for him. at least not for him to continue.
7
The emptiness of MAGA is now there for all to see, the following prescient words were written by the psychologist Robert Johnson in 1991 in the book, Transformation, Understanding The Three Levels of Masculine Consciousness, "The attempt to "go back" or romanticize the "good ol' days" is a common political theme in American culture. It usually marks the desire to avoid difficult times ahead, and of course it is always a lie. Nostalgia means business profit but psychological disaster."
9
I'm not reading any comments on one of the things that bothered me most in Trump's White House speech yesterday and that was his denigration of women. When praising Steve Scalise he went on and on about how distraught Scalise's wife was after he was shot at the Congressional baseball practice which would have been fine if he hadn't gone on to say not only that Melania wouldn't have been so upset if it had been him but also that other wives don't really care about the well-being of their husbands. He really doesn't like women, just uses and abuses them. Even worse than his using and in the long run abusing most of the population of this country. Just wait until he takes away any kind of affordable health care for pre-existing conditions and cuts Medicare. Even my pro-Trump brother who counts on Medicare to pay $60,000 a month for his cancer treatment may be in for a shock!
17
@Susan in NH
I totally agree. I thought that was the most bizarre rant of his whole spell. He claimed that most wives wouldn't care about their husbands if they were ill or injured. They would be more interested in their beauty appointments. Since he is always projecting on to others what he, himself would do, I figured he was talking about how Melania would react if he were injured or ill. The man is mentally not balanced. He needs to be removed from office. NOV. 3, 2020, VOTE BLUE NO MATTER WHO.
7
It seems assumed that Republicans choice is Trump for president in 2020. What would happen if say Mitt Romney would throw his hat in the ring for the Replublican nomination? Open the argument. Give Republicans a choice, an either / or, and I think the majority of sane republicans like Mitt Romney would stand forth. Its not to late but the clock is running out.
8
If you are intent on voting for other than a Democrat, vote for the courageous, principled William Weld.
4
William Weld. Another former MA governor.
If you’re voting GOP, vote for him.
6
If there is any justice in the universe, this insanity will end in November, but I'm not hopeful. A very large percentage of our population eats this stuff up because it makes for good TV. The Donald Trump show gets great ratings, and those at the top with the money and power in this country will milk it for all its worth.
4
@Shelby I think you have your head in the sand. It's not because it makes good TV, it's because it is consistent with their views and prejudices. Vote Trump in again and it will confirm to the world what the US now stands for.
8
@Shelby
Are you forgetting that this was all about rigging that election? You know the thing he was fake investigated for in the last election.
2
@Shelby
I am sure it does very well when you go to the hospital and you dont have enough medical coverage. I am sure it plays well when you have stage four cancer like Rush. wonder how he is feeling knowing that his body is failing and it is in the hands of God. Wonder if that medal is giving him comfort for all the hate has given out for decades.
Wonder if he is praying for all the horrific things he said about President Obama and the continuous lies he told about minorities why he was using a Mexican to get drugs. Wonder how he is feeling when all that pain and suffering becomes his daily routine.
God wants peace and love however when you use his name in vain he does become a vengeful God and some politicians need to realize you are taking on the wrath of God . by being hateful and worshipping the golden coins
3
If the GOP, or the Joint Chiefs, or the Secretary of the Army allow Trump to victimize the Vindman brothers the politicization of the military will be complete -- a sad new low that could make millions of potential recruits rethink a career in uniform. Trump has already corrupted the military by pardoning war criminals and deriding injuries suffered by service personnel as "headaches."
12
Regarding the title:
That is precisely why he is *not* a good leader for, or to keep us, the UNITED States of America.
7
It's time to take seriously the prospect that he won't leave office when voted out and to have a real discussion about how violent we're prepared to be.
10
@MAC
I've yet to take part in that discussion, but if it comes to that I'm all for the violence of frogmarching him out of the White House, breaking down the door if necessary. And if it comes to that, I'd love to see the expression of rage and disbelief on his face. Unless he manages to hide it.
In the TV series "I, Claudius," just before the Praetorian Guard assassinates Caligula, the emperor cries out, "A god can't die!"
4
@MAC
I believe we will be very violent if the moving trucks done show up. Since Trump is a coward he will leave the office. The military will not protect him. Trump will be talking but when the media realizes that he has now become a nobody he will be shut off from the Fox News.
Media makes money off of this insanity when you are a has been your not a money maker for the media. So the media will ignore a person who has no impact on the country anymore.
3
@miriam
Sorry, I think the line was"A god cannot die!" Same sentiment.
2
Has anyone noticed that Trump is nothing more than a real-life, blown-up version of Tony Soprano? As he rants and rails about being persecuted and innocent, he is committing the very crimes (and worse) he says his accusers are committing? How did we get so a place where we a president and political party that is openly criminal and vindictive and half the population thinks it's okay? We are living in very scary times and the 2020 elections can't come fast enough!
14
Since you worked in the news field, I appreciate your comment. It seems to have been said by those who would know, (mental health, my field), that the president is not well. If an average person were to express such frequent hatred and vulgarity towards others, it would set off alarm bells and cause them to be shunned. We are forced to endure this because Mitch McConnell needs to use him for the agenda Republicans want to impose on the country. Trump himself seems to do little besides watch Fox TV and visit his golf resorts. I have stopped viewing live footage of him and now only read articles about what he is saying. He makes me want to look away.
When this is over, and I believe it will be, the rest of us will celebrate, wildly.
10
How interesting to hear an utterance from the White House Press Secretary, or, in reality, the White House Propaganda Secretary, who appears to do very little, if any, work, but gets paid a nice salary with benefits courtesy of American taxpayers. Ms. Secretary, here is a suggestion for you. When you mention that people should be held accountable for anything they do to hurt our country or "this" President, how about holding an actual, real, press conference at the White House with all members of the media present, no exclusions, where this topic can be discussed at length? I believe the media would have some very interesting questions to pose to you and your boss and the American public would be fascinated to hear the responses.
6
Flashbacks to 2004 begin — everyone was distrustful and tired of W's act, but the Dems nominated a vulnerable intellectual who didn't know how to punch back. The result: eight years of W, generally considered one of the worst presidents (up to that time). Now we're faced with Trump, a creation unto himself, crude, lewd, incoherent and illiterate, but who performs like Maximus in the Colosseum — "Are you not entertained?" This does not end well.
7
There will be a reckoning. You cannot bully millions of people into silence and acceptance of a completely manufactured alternative reality. Facts are facts no matter what he says. Teach your children. Tell your colleagues. Talk with friends and neighbors. Speak up in board rooms. And for goodness sake - VOTE.
5
I pray for him daily. I pray that he disappears into a cloud of acrid smoke.
But as the bard once said: “You cannot petition the Lord with prayer”.
So we’re stuck with it...
Until We decide otherwise
And act.
Vote - like civilization depends on it
Because at this late date it dearly does
13
@jonbrady
That bard was Jim Morrison, and I say you can at least try.
Well, Sen Collins, so much from "he took a lesson." This is the second recent time you showed that you are really not a moderate, but a hard and fast right-wing Republican. First, the Supreme Court justice Kavanaugh, now the Trump impeachment. You are surely a wolf in sheep's clothing.
6
Bring it on Trump. I plan to see your helicopter take you away from the White House in January. I’ll be holding a sign that says ‘Adios’ and then I’ll watch with delight the subsequent legal happenings that will bring you down. What goes around, comes around.
8
The entire Republican Administration is now above the law.
That would make us, essentially, a dictatorship.
Bill Barr only works for Trump.
Mnuchin only works for Trump.
Pompeo only works for Trump.
Bolton might have made a difference.
Bolton only works for Bolton.
8
@Grove
Mueller might have made a difference if he had been willing to indict a sitting president, and if there had been colorful lights and ominous music in the background.
3
Most people will become his slave, rather than stand for what is right. They will bow like the serfs that they are, only caring about money, and more than willing to grovel, just like all the republican senators.
He has been doing it his entire life and no one has ever decided that they should stand up to him. No one really believes in the rule of law. Our justice system is corrupt and always has been.
5
I ask anyone who doesn't like Trump and won't vote for a Democrat or won't vote if they don't get their preferred candidate this, do you think that just because you remain neutral that you'll be immune to whatever vengeance Trump takes, and with the Senate Republicans throwing all their chips in for Trump, that anyone will stop him? Just remember, many said Trump's extremist talk was just talk once upon a time, now you just look at his supporters in this comment section who now support it to see why those people were wrong.
9
This is your guy republicans. At the national prayer breakfast he behaves like the goon he is and not a single one of you seems to be in any way miffed by it.
For the record he is guilty of the crimes you acquitted him of. He caused the impeachment by confessing to the allegations the whistleblower made and providing proof of the crime itself in that confession. Yet he stands there as if he did nothing wrong. As if he has not been trying to complete that crimes all through this impeachment process.
He is the very essence and epitome of what it is to be a republican.
6
I hope there are millions of voters, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike, who feel really guilty for either voting for Trump, voting third-party, or sitting out the 2016 race. You all helped elect a mobster to the presidency. He took swipes at everyone who tried to hold him accountable and dissed him and praised everyone who is complicit in his racket.
Please. Try to do better in November.
7
Evangelicals, rejoice. Your president has demonstrated what a wonderful Christian he is with his wonderful conciliatory message yesterday of forgiveness toward those who accused him of wrongdoing. I'm sure Jesus would approve.
7
So much for “he’s learned his lesson.”
8
Let's admit it. The whole thing, Mueller, Russia, Ukraine and impeachment, was only ever about trying to remove trump because we hate him, to try to tie him up so he gets as little done as possible, to provoke him to do things that make him look bad and to ensure he does not get re-elected. Its become obvious that trump did not do anything that warranted his removal from the presidency but we kept at it anyway. And now we are going to reopen investigations because we didn't get what we wanted. So we are going to try all over again. And that's why I will not vote Democrat any more
3
Shades of Stalin, but of course Republicans aren't listening. My students NOW understand our lessons about Animal Farm by George Orwell and Night by Elie Wiesel.
We are watching the demise of our country at the hands of a lunatic, and the Republican Senate will once again just offer thoughts and prayers.
10
@Trisha
I dont want any thoughts are prayers from the GOP. the next time someone is murdered no one wants it covered on the news and we dont want any prayers from these monsters.
We are in dark places now and we need to fight for our lives now and for our children
We can do this because we have no options
2
Here is a vindictive man, full of hate, that only a mother (not necessarily his, or maybe not) could love!
6
So much of Trump and his supporters is keyed to winning at any cost and vengeance. Trump has often, sometimes veiled, called for violence, using mafia like directives. Don't be surprised if The Whistleblower, Pelosi, Schiff , Vindman, Romney and others are attacked.
Frightening.
5
Let’s get behind the Democratic candidate and crush trump, McConnell and the rest of the republicans who don’t give a darn about the Constitution but support a dictator. This was not a trial but a sham a kangaroo court.
6
be careful what you wish for donny boy.
6
Political retribution has always happened, just in ways not usually obvious to the public. Trump, however, is needy for attention and needs to a have everyone know who he is screwing over and exactly how. It will not be pretty. Best case, he breaks so many laws retaliating that he is again impeached and even his corrupt repub sycophants can’t stop the conviction.
17
That's the problem though, what will it take to impeach him now? Any challenge to his power will be coated in claims that it's a Democrat conspiracy and Republicans will fall in line as long as they fear him and his supporters.
2
No class, no self awareness, no empathy or understanding, uneducated ... the list of Trump’s failings and character flaws is endless. Most disturbing of all are his ceaseless call and response rants to summon the worst among us and promote and summon the worst from each of them as well. It is so hard for myself and many others to understand why more people who have supported him for whatever reason do not see his promotion of hatred and anger and abandon him. Is his behavior what they would wish to see from their own children? I am ashamed of the image, attitude, and character he exhibits and promotes.
236
@BruceC
It is insulting to his supporters for Trump to assume they will just accept and believe increasingly preposterous falsehoods. It's as if he is testing the limits of their loyalty until they believe anything he may wish to say whatsoever.
He started setting the table when he kept repeating the fake news mantra back when the media was giving him an easy ride. He knew what would inevitably come out.
He also knows more about any Russian compromise that he is almost certainly entangled in.
19
@BruceC
'It is so hard for myself and many others to understand why more people who have supported him for whatever reason do not see his promotion of hatred and anger and abandon him.'
Who says they don't. It's what attracted them to him in the first place.
23
@sheikyerbouti Like you, it is hard for me to understand but I've come to the realization in your last paragraph. So sad that I am now depressed to think that these people are my neighbors. . . .
14
Think of the nation’s children and the example he sets, and how there are parents of millions and millions of these children teaching them that his behavior is both praiseworthy and exemplary.
Makes you wonder.
22
Hey Susan Collins, see how trump has learned his lesson?
51
Only needed to hear about 35 seconds of his rant before I decided he is more delusional than ever. Also his math skills are suspect. He only has a slim majority of toadies but acts like he has a landslide of support. Vote in November. It is up to the electorate to send him packing.
25
Trump admitted that the gathering was not, in fact or intention, a press conference, but a victory party for his friends to celebrate their partisan “accomplishment” together.
The thing is, that partisan celebration happened in the White House and on the public’s dime.
I, for one, never intended to give my hard-earned money to the RNC or the Trump campaign. What Trump and his gloating friends did was essentially to compel even Democrat taxpayers, including his tax-paying Democratic opponents running for president, to “contribute” to a RNC/Trump campaign event.
GRAFT GRAFT GRAFT
GROSS
4
This is what the Republican senate has allowed. We have a despotic President now. They scoffed at the notion that any of them falling out of line would result in their head on a pike, yet here we are...heads on pikes all around from Mitt Romney to Colonel Vindman. Like a herd of groveling underlings, the Republicans have succumbed to their master when they had the full power to throw off the chains that bind them. What a shameful lot.
20
President Trump can be proud, he's broken another record: his is the first bipartisan vote to convict and remove a president in American history.
8
vi·tu·per·a·tive (vī-to͞o′pər-ə-tĭv, -tyo͞o′-, -pə-rā′-, vĭ-) adj. Using, containing, or marked by harshly critical or irate language.
The fact that the voters put up with such language constantly coming from the "leader of the free world" is a sorry testimony about those voters.
Trump should have been gone long ago. Voters of both parties should have been jamming Congressional phone lines and emails telling their representatives to get rid of him.
Instead the voters preferred the rebirth of that reality TV show; they want entertainment. But that privates-grabbing "star" now has his finger on the button.
Well, Mr. Trump has nearly five more years (face it) to keep dragging this country into the sewer, cheered on by half the voters and a TV network whose only goal seems to be to tear us apart.
To keep my sanity I often listen to the soaring, intelligent speeches by President Kennedy ("We go to the moon, not because it is easy, but because it is hard!"), readily available on line. Hopefully that history will repeat itself.
8
The Republican Party will long remember the day they endorsed a Dictator and destroyed the Constitution.
Yes, our country is terribly broken by the citizens who support a dictator. Romney has earned a place in history along with Doug Jones.
Trump is a tin horn dictator . He will always be impeached and hopefully removed by the American people.
America is not immune from revolution. We should pray that it is at the ballot box.
15
The only reason Nancy Pelosi ripped up the stafe of the union speech was she couldn't understand Russian.
10
If people want to pray when they're eating breakfast they shouldn't ought to be doing it any sort of political context with a room packed full of politicians like with the National Prayer Breakfast. For people who take their prayers personally and seriously this public political spectacle in the name of prayer is an insult.
14
Given that Trump simply cannot compartmentalize or control himself, his campaign will inevitably come to reflect his jumble of unchecked emotions and instincts and I think running on petty vengeance will be a disaster. He will not have a widely loathed Hillary Clinton as an opponent and he’s long since scared off the people who held their noses and took a chance on him in 2016.
10
I cringed when I read the president singled out “more than a dozen other Republican defenders, including Representatives Kevin McCarthy of California, the minority leader; Jim Jordan of Ohio; Mark Meadows of North Carolina; and Elise Stefanik of New York.” How unfortunate voters chose people so bereft of character to represent them. As a longtime former Ohio resident, I found the reference to Jim Jordan especially painful. I plan to contribute generously to Mr. Jordan’s opponent in the next election, and don’t care if it’s Attila the Hun. Attila can count on my support, and I hope millions of Americans feel similarly.
21
Now that the latest corrupt attempt to remove Trump from office has failed, the Democrats believe in reconciliation.
Reconciliation is good.
Rule of law is even better.
Perhaps reconciliation can occur after Durham’s report on the Democrats’ multi-year fake Trump Russia collusion nonsense fairy tale investigation is released.
Perhaps the speed trial for impeachment in the House and its origins should be clarified. If Barr hasn’t ordered copies of Schiffty and his staff’s communications with the whistleblower and any other “witnesses” already, he better do it quick.
Biden’s corruption in the Ukraine is already being investigated and he has nowhere to hide.
The attacks on our Democracy can not be allowed to stand with no repercussions.
3
You stand proudly with an autocrat.
2
So briefly put, you also like childish name-calling and threats.
Thanks for clarifying.
3
Of course Trump plans on payback.
I hope the voters pay his back by voting him out of office this year
13
Going forward, the networks should not broadcast in their entirety President Trump's so-called "speeches," which are in fact nothing more than campaign rallies. They dishonor the office and essentially are just free and mostly false advertising for his campaign. Suffocate his nasty and vengeful messages. Let him make them to his base at campaign stops. The rest of us are tired of listening. We are better than this.
18
I'm sorry, but the president of the United State of America threatening publicly to seek vendettas against his political rivals is nuts to say the least. Now you are at war with other members of our duly elected government?
This further indicates he is not fit for office, and those who swear allegiance to him just as unfit. Vote them all out in November. Time for a big re-set.
22
Trump reminds me of the schoolyard bullies I contended with in elementary school in Albuquerque, N.M., in the early 60s: harsh language, slanderous remarks, curses, remarks of my red hair (the "carrot-top" remarks). Trump is a direct descendant of such bullies. Ms. Pelosi and the others who were scorned and slandered in his public remarks at this shout-fest should now sue him for slander. Period.
12
What is scarier than Trump are my neighbors who already have Trump 2020 flags up. We all already in the first stages of Fascism. I have worked all my life for progressive causes, unfortunately I am now in over my head and cannot continue. Afraid it will have to run it's course.
7
Anyone that's been paying attention should have expected his angry reaction to being held accountable and vows of revenge. But I have news for trump and his corrupt supporters; his enemies are more numerous, stronger and now uniting more than ever against him. He has been impeached and the only partisanship history will recognize is the one that kept him from being forcibly removed from office. It's clear now that he is going down and whatever rats fail to leap from his sinking ship in this country will drown with him. Bernie will reverse every malicious policy trump and his cabal have implemented and toss this ugly episode in our nation's history into the dustbin of bad ideas forever.
6
President (*impeached) Trump is having trouble with prayer and forgiveness because he declared himself religious so late in life, and still thinks of Sunday mornings as ideal tee-times.
Evangelicals have gotten their federal and SCOTUS judges; but there is a higher judge who may view their support of this mendacious oppressor of the needy differently.
11
I so agree with you!
2
Predictable apoplectic and hysterical response from alt-left virtue signalers In the media and commentators here. at least nobody threatened to leave the country if Trump is acquitted. Not that any of the people Promising us Departure from the country actually left in 2016. :-)
3
While investigating Hunter Biden, why not include the Trump kids? Apples don't fall far from the tree.
19
All men and women of fair mind and spirit need to realize that this is a war for your country and the rule of democratic majority. Take the situation in hand and roll up your sleeves and do the right thing. You have the opportunity to be your own "greatest generation".
9
Trump crosses the line once again and the GOP doesn’t care.
12
The 19th century had Napoleon, the 20th: Hitler and in the 21st..... Megalomaniacs destroy that which they claim to love. Time to sell up and buy an island somewhere...
9
I'm ashamed that we have a petty godless tyrant trash talking our elected representatives at a prayer meeting. I'm ashamed that our presidents raves and rants like a disgruntled intern after a hard day at work. I'm ashamed that the president of the United States sniffles like a coke head, slurs his words and repeats his litany of persecution at every opportunity. Like a lot of elderly people struggling with senility, he says the same thing every few minutes.
I'm ashamed of the people giving standing ovations to this raving would be king. The land of the free and the brave is turning into the land of the marquis and the knave.
24
Here comes those Pikes no one seems to have heard of.
Vitriol overdose is all this man ever spews.
Vote. Vote. Vote.
15
Adam Schiff, Jerry Nadler, Hakeem Jeffries, Zoe Lofgren, Val Demings, Jason Crow, Sylvia Garcia. We need to remember their names and the impassioned case they presented. We also have to heed Adam Shiff's call ENOUGH!!!!!
ENOUGH!!! of the corruption that is embodied by trump and his cult. ENOUGH!!! of the cruelty that is perpetrated every day by the policies of trump and his cult. ENOUGH!!!! of the eroding of our Democratic principles by trump and his cult. ENOUGH!!! of the selling out of our Nation to Putin and Erdogan and other autocrats, by trump and his cult. ENOUGH!!!! VOTE BLUE NO MATTER WHO.
18
He has been Impeached; the Senate simply didn't remove him from Office, but the Impeachment stands.
22
And why should he not promise payback? The Democratic party has been after him for his entire term mostly because he beat Hilliary. To my knowledge, no peace branch has been offered to him from the Dems.
The fact that he ignored the traditional handshake from Ms. Pelosi following his state of the union address, merely shows he was paying attention to the Democrats in the audience who grimaced and fidgeted throughout. Pelosi certainly did not dignify herself as she tore up her copy of his talk.
So I ask, why should he show conciliation to a group of malcontents who are still upset about losing?
Another thing I would like to add. It seems that Democrats look at the Trump presidency to Armageddon or the downfall of our county. An iconoclast he is, but still has been able to do well for the US despite the efforts of the Democrats and the MSM.
2
About 17,000 lies in three years. My parents told me to tell the truth. Didn’t yours?
9
Oh give me a break. Democrats have been after him because he's been abusing his power for his own political and financial gain ever since he took office. Lucky for him he has the spineless GOP Senate in his pocket who will acquit him no matter what he does.
9
@Bill ah yes those darned reporters for the MSM! Better to trust the Pulitzer and Polk award-winning geniuses at Breitbart, Drudge and Infowars. Let’s not forget Sean Hannity!
New York University
UC Santa Barbara
Adelphi University
(attended all, no degrees awarded)
Seems like a guy we should trust!
6
Is there anyone who can say, after watching these performances at the National Prayer Breakfast and, later, in the White House, that the president's mental health is normal?
31
I watched trump's excruciating performance piece in the East Room yesterday. My conclusion: the man is mentally ill.
I am not sure which is more frightening: to hear him call Democratic leaders "evil," etc, or to watch his sycophants competing with each other to see who applauds with the most fervor.
The thought occurs to me that the march towards authoritarian government is only a few steps away from trump getting his lackey Attorney General to launch an investigation into Pelosi or Schiff on some fabricated charge, followed by conviction in a kangaroo court overseen by lackey judges.
Very dark days.
24
Blessed are the Trumps, for crooks like his can continue to inherit all of the wealth and power this world can give for their followers have already gone the way of the ant populations and human monarch nations where they will die at a minimum to help their leader.
6
When will the print, electronic, Dan cable media realize that any attention that they give to Trump’s antics does nothing to reverse and actually reinforces our country’s malaise? The media continues to provide the President free campaign promotion when he’s doing nothing presidential. His supporters don’t believe a word you print or say and doing so only energizes them. As George Wallace and others throughout history have learned and applied, defiance works. Please do your newsworthy part by covering issues and conditions that voters from whatever camp can do something about. Do your part!
8
Trump has unleashed himself—and he’s more unhinged than ever. Don’t underestimate him: he’s sly as a fox.
Nancy Pelosi isn’t going to take any more. She’ll stand up to Trump. Who else will stand with her?
17
As their fearless leader mocked the words of Jesus, Evangelicals laughed. The moral majority is neither.
18
Yesterday's performance by King Joffrey at the White House was the height of petty vindictiveness and grievances. Buckle up America, the GOP has released the Kraken and destruction will follow. Beware the man who has no limitations and has no sense when it's too low to go with his bitterness and grudges.
15
Democrats are in full blown panic mode as they should be. Trump only gets stronger the more you attack him
2
@Dish
One can only wonder at what point the likes of you will notice that American democracy and leadership are things of the past.
Decorum tossed
Democracy lost
A small price to pay
For that 401k
10
Trump SHOULD have shaken Pelosi's hand before SOTU and she should not have torn up his speech.
But if the NYT were to spread less anti-Trump hatred, surely our political climate would improve.
Trump can be nasty, no doubt about it. But for more than 3 years, the Democrats with their unremitting hatred, have made him more nasty than he might have been.
Try to be nice, both sides, please?
4
@Ludwig
Why? you kick a dog enough times they fight back. Democrats are fighting back and youbetter be ready the worthless GOP supporters of Russians. Graham better watch his back, the minorities are going to vote him out of office and the same with the rest of the GOP who are coming up for reelection.
Facts= Matter= Truth=Matter
Trump=lied on Jesus and laughed=GOP=laughter at Jesus
Adds up to defeat and RIP the cowards, bigots, haters of the GOP party= laughing stock on the world stage
2
Trump may be the greatest conman of all time. He’s played the Trumplican Party. He’s played his base. He’s played the country. He’s played the Constitution. And he has no soul. And Mitch McConnell is his Mephistopheles.
13
The Treasury Department complied with a Republican-controlled Senate inquiry into Hunter Biden's business dealings in Ukraine and handed over highly sensitive financial records and "evidence of questionable origin," a report on Thursday said.
2
@novoad
So when is the Tax returns showing Russian money coming over . the money that has Saudi, Chinese money ? Last time I looked Hunter was a private citizen like Rudi is a private citizen but Trump is a public person.
Jus saying the bouncing ball in on Trumps name and we will not rest till we see his name bouncing off to jail
4
Angry Men. What’s new?
4
Having read through most of these comments and noting, anger, desperation and feelings of hopelessness, I will say just this. Keep your eye on the prize my American friends. You have been fronted by idiots before and have come through. Be persistent with your opposition to what is happening. Don't be worn down. And yes the whole world is watching.
And come November VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
20
Excellent reporting. Conveys the essence of the Age of Trump. Should be in any anthology about the Trump Presidency.
8
At present, the Dems biggest challenge in November is maintaining control of the House. Trump's coattails appear to be potentially very long and very wide.
My advice: Don't waste your contributions on the top of the ticket or on Senate candidates. Your best chance to slow Trump is by retaining control of the House.
1
I'm a lifelong Democrat, but I'd vote for Mitt Romney today, the only person willing to stand up and be counted.
14
Remember Doug Jones!
11
At their core, people are motivated either by love or by hatred.
Those motivated by love, love their families, their friends, those in need, their community, their country, people around the globe, the planet we inhabit, the moon and the stars, all of creation. They feel sorrow when there is suffering. They feel joy when life thrives. They will work and sacrifice for others. They derive meaning from doing so.
Those who are motivated by hatred are devoid of empathy. They spend their days picking objects to hate and then directing their hatred at those objects. They are incapable of building up. They only know how to tear down. The derive meaning from trying to hurt those they have chosen to hate. Their heart is cold. Their smiles are sarcastic. They rage. They have no peace.
Day in and day out, the president displays who he is. He cannot help himself. At his core he is a dark, little man, devoid of grace.
23
What did we expect? After his State of the Union address that resembled a coming attractions of the worst of reality TV - although DJT somehow omitted a DNA "reveal" and a marriage proposal - and his long record of simmering resentments and vicious tweets? For those who somehow thought that he had "learned his lesson" and would somehow act with grace and civility, this was the outcome that most of us knew would happen: bombastic gloating and an ever-expanding enemies list.
Personally I found his "performance" at the prayer breakfast a more disgusting display. For someone whose religious observances are just another photo op, his questioning of the faith of others - particularly Pelosi - went beyond inappropriate.
It is going to be a long election year.
Thank you Mitch.
9
He is just...unbelievable. But we saw this coming. In the past when a rival was defeated the victor gamely nodded at the loser, shook hands, put it behind them and went to work.
But with djt, I saw the shift when he won (?) election, Unable to let it go, he kept lashing out at Hilary. Couldn't let it go. At every rally he kept chants going of "lock her up". It's not enough that he won, he has to also vanquish and destroy anyone that crosses him or dares to say anything about him. No wonder the republicans are so afraid of him. It's sad that this is what the presidency has declined into.
I think the presidency for him is more about having the power to get even with perceived enemies than running the country. Unleashed, he will continue until we vote him out of office or
his health declines. I don't wish anything bad on anyone, but we need deliverance.
12
Since there are, in practice, none of the normal checks on Donald Trump's authority, he is in effect a dictator.
You should let that sink in.
22
Acquittal doesn’t mean innocent. O J Simpson was also “acquitted.” Also, there needs to be an actual trial, with witnesses and evidence for a defendant to be “acquitted.” No such trial ever happened.
18
Like the Scottish verdict “not proven”
4
Please, please... Democrats and anyone with a conscience or even the vaguest sense of history, get your acts together for November. Be ruthless. Nice won't do it. As a Brit, I'm very aware of the adage that 'what happens over there inevitably makes it way over here.' Although I reckon we're a lot better at getting out on the street I'm not sure we could survive that, we're haemorrhaging as it is...
9
It seems that the people who really hate America are Trump's supporters, followers and groupies. Why else would they support a man who has sown so much divisiveness and animosity into the country? He has not made it great again. He has made it hate again. And that seems to be just what his fans relish.
16
@Canajun guy Fear -- his supporters see everything coming to an end.
2
It will be "payback" alright. When Trump is re-elected the entire Middle Class and poor will be decimated by cuts or elimination of the entire social fabric that Republicans have been after for decades - Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, not to mention our environmental protections - NEPA, NHPA, ARPA, NAGPRA that protects our country. Payback for Trump is cruelty and despair foisted on all those seen as enemies including his own supporters.
5
He sounded and appeared like a sore loser. He knows that history has in the books the word "impeached" by his name and there's nothing he can do about it, not even sedating himself as Pelosi perceived him to be at SOTU. In recovery Mr. President, they teach us that as long as we stay sober, that there's two days we don't have to worry about, and that's yesterday and tomorrow-let it go man.
7
So, Senator Collins, do you still think trump learned his lesson from impeachment? If you do, you’re beyond being schooled.
24
History will underscore the capitulation and idol worship that left this man in office.
Maybe he is unaware that he could be impeached again for the same behavior.
He shouldn’t feel emboldened. He should feel ashamed for bringing this country where it is.
12
The secret to Donald Trump's success is that he is vile, despicable, and power mad. We have only seen the beginning of this catastrophe. The impeachable offenses with which he was charged will look silly in comparison. As usual, we underestimate the depths to which he will go. We Americans are saddled with a mentally ill despot. Woe to us and to the world. This will not end well.
23
@Tom Lots of people are vile, despicable, and power mad. Most of them don't want to appear to be that way, however. Trump not only doesn't care, he revels in it.
5
Reconciliation kind of went out the window when the neutered Pelosi ripped his speech up in front of the nation.
1
@Kimbo What would have happened if she'd stood up and shake his hand? Think he would act better? Maybe if she got on the floor and kissed his feet?
4
And Jesus wept...
5
@Jean du Canada
And Donald got millions and millions and billions of pieces of silver.
1
Trump should man up, and not take the cowards way out with more lies.
4
“With malice toward none; with charity for all; ... to bind up the nation’s wounds....” - Abraham Lincoln, and the Republican Party which he led.
“With malice toward all; with charity for none; ... to deepen and infect the nation’s wounds until gangrene causes death....” - Donald John Trump, and the Republican Party which he leads.
16
Michelle Obama is right about the presidency in that “.....it reveals who you are”.
Trump is still that angry 8 yr. old boy.
19
Enough is enough. Sanity please. And accountability. How about those tax returns? Bloomberg is looking pretty good right now...
13
In taking vengeance on Lt. Col. Vindman, Trump demonstrates his desire for revenge and shows himself the small, vindictive man we all know. What Trump doesn't understand is that if his cause is just and if he is right, righteous people don't punish their enemies just because they can. Trump's behavior demonstrates how necessary it is that he is defeated in November.
18
The charge of obstruction should have been an automatic when considering the number of ignored subpoenas issued and to whom.
So if our leader was faultless then in order to defend rule of law we should find and hold those in contempt, accountable.
We patriots can't allow this to be the final paragraph in the chapter titled "Assault in Democracy".
5
In what should be world-wide headlines, he opened his remarks with a rejection of Jesus teachings and basic Christian principles, as outlines by the keynote speaker.
12
If all this can happen so easily, if the empeachment can be so easily blocked by pure partisanship, isn't the American political system, as a two party system and with its specific authority of the president, drifting toward a presidential dictatorship?
There are plenty of historical and present time examples that presidental dictatorships may evolve from relatively soft transitions within stable democratic systems. E.g. Hungary
7
@George T. You need to read the book "How Democracies Die".
1
Republicans and evangelicals have 9 months to prove that they are something different than a hate-cult.
That does not seem to be going well for either brand.
Trump* is on a rampage to "get" his enemies, and Franklin Graham is booted from his tour of England because his brand of religion does not come up to the standards of decency.
9 Months.
Time waits for no man.
11
Sure, Trump is responsible for his own despicable behavior. But there are those who enable him that must share in the responsibility: the likes of Susan Collins, who provides the political cover by ridiculously claiming that Trump learned his lesson; the likes of Alan Dershowitz, who provides the legal cover by claiming that if it’s in his interest for re-election, Trump is immune to impeachment; and let’s be honest: the likes of David Brooks and Bret Stephens, who provide intelectual cover by constantly promoting the false equivalency between Trump and the Democrats.
12
How can the Religious Right continue to support him? Pence kept gazing adoringly at him as Trump made his comments about religious people he doesn’t like. Shameful.
16
He wants payback? We'll see you in November, there's a reckoning coming.
16
What’s the old adage?
Oh yeah, now more than ever: “Don’t mourn: organize.”
17
Too bad they couldn't have switched out the jurors before the trial like they did for Al Capone's trial for tax evasion. The fix was in from the start.
7
Vote the GOP out. They refused to do the will of the American people.
19
This should not be the top story. The top story needs to be the steps this admin is taking to consolidate power and punish its enemies. The mad comments at a prayer breakfast are a distraction you just keep chasing.
17
Why is it always Trump's responsibility to reach across the aisle ?It's been Democrats non-stop attacks & lies (Adam Shiff opening statement and the fake dossier) that have led to all these charges.
9
@DDUB: I suppose you were as critical of McConnell and the Republicans when they obstructed everything Obama proposed?
14
@DDUB Uh-huh. How many Trump campaign associates in jail now?
10
HAHAHA!!!! That's a good one.
You don't remember when Bill Clinton was willing to work with Gingo and the Republican response was to impeach him over something that was none of their business.
Republicans don't want to cooperate. They have made as much clear. They don't want to cooperate.
14
He has not been acquitted of anything by me. Everyone should support who they want, but vote blue, all blue, Election Day. We have a lot of work to do till then.
17
And this surprised who exactly? Maybe Susan Collins, but nobody else believed this man is even capable of reconciliation.
13
@Andy Jay
Mainers, please return Susan Collins to private life so that her misjudgments of character affect only her personal acquaintances.
1
I partly watched Trump's speech with supporters yesterday. I can't say I was surprised by Trump's vicious rhetoric but I still remain surprised at the applause and laughter in the room. While the majority of the people realize he is a horrible person and discredited leader, his idolatrous following at least pretends he is their perfect President. Franklin Graham's tweet of support and the support of so many evangelical leaders just caps it all! How far we have fallen.
17
My Oregon Senator Wyden had it right by pointing out the Treasury Department’s ready assistance with the Senate’s pathetic investigation of Hunter Biden contrasting with the administration refusal to provide documents to the House.
Taking care that the laws be faithfully executed. Care, faithfulness- does not mean selective use of our government- our government- to investigate political rivals, perceived...enemies. Who’s next? Romney? Pelosi?
A recent NYTimes column discussed Republican....fears...of opposing this newly crowned king. That they made.
If the Senate now investigates the Bidens, it confirms every suspicion, every fear of the Democrats; they were all in on it.
J Edgar Hoover- must be laughing in his grave; he loved enemy lists.
8
And if they proceed with this bogus investigation of Hunter Biden and find nothing, what do bet that they cook up evidence. Does anyone believe the republicans anymore?
2
After the fiction of the SOTU, Trump's true colors were revealed on Thursday as the vengeful, vindictive, boorish, bullying person of no moral character that he really is. Learned his lesson? Yes, if you mean the lesson that he can do whatever he wants, to whoever he wants and "they" as in the GOP will let him get away with it, and enable him to go further down the dark path away from anything resembling a civil democracy.
13
This is what Trump supporters want. They are angry and fed up with the nearly constant pursuit of Trump that started the night he got elected. Playing nice won’t work with the democrats, so maybe hitting back will.
2
I continue to be outraged by these national prayer breaksfasts in a nation dedicated, supposedly, to the separation of church and state (no longer worthy of capitalization).
Trump doesn’t pray. He preys.
28
@Auntie social: Having reading disabilities, Trump probably thinks praying and preying are the same...
6
I could not agree with you more. I would like to see prayers be omitted from the senate and congress. Prayer does not seem to be working anyway. This is a country that allows its citizens freedom of religion as well as freedom from religion. If you want to pray go ahead but don’t insist that everyone join in.
2
Can’t help wondering if all the Republicans senators who have voted to acquit Trump tell their children that if they throw dignity, respect, morality and truth out the window, they, too, can grow up to be a person just like him: the man who mommy and daddy stand up for, no matter what crimes he commits.
11
After enduring 3 years of vicious, unfounded and fictional attacks by Democrats and most media accusing the president of being Russian agent, along with enduring the disgusting spectacle during the Kavanaugh hearings, when US Senators criticized the need for such niceties as the presumption of innocence, habeas corpus and evidence to destroy and vilify someone with whom they had ideological differences, no apologies are necessary. Trump is right: All must be done to expose the insane, delusional, destructive, despicable Democrats who have become a fifth column openly proposing to tear down our traditions and institutions in the pursuit of raw power.
6
@Peter
Nail hit squarely on the head......in spades!
@Peter: Black is not white, it is still black, no matter how often you say that black is white. Trump appearing with Putin back in July 2018, praising Putin while throwing his own country under the bus, told me enough. That was treasonous. The Democrats uphold their oath to the Constitution. Trump tramples it. A vote for Trump is a vote for Putin.
12
@Peter
Yea, enduring,
Somehow I think he's not bothered, and will somehow get over it. You seem to think he's injured by it and it's somehow impeded him. It hasn't.
1
I agree with Janet Michael from Silver Springs. President Trump's speech sounded exactly like that of an authoritarian. How shameful that America should now be in an era where a president who spills out such hate and vengeance should be celebrated and praised by no less than 81% of evangelicals. Where is their conscience? Where is their guide? Followers of Jesus should recognize that our Savior never talked the way this president does. He makes the late Richard Nixon sound and appear like a choirboy in comparison.
15
The supposed Christian evangelicals want a dictatorship so that they can impose their beliefs on everyone else. Mixing politics and religion is very unchristian.
2
This ridiculous set of tirades, bloviations from the WH is why I'm a supporter of Joe Biden. Bernie's revolution has to wait, the country is too torn up for a hard left swing, it's in dire need of repair. We need a return to decency, civility, a person who has the experience of decades of the changing country, who has the experience of mistakes, who has relationships with our allies, who respects the work of Congress, who can put together a cabinet not bent on destroying the work of their own agency on his first day. One thing Joe Biden is not, is corrupt or corruptible. He's not young, he does not generate "excitement or energy", he gets tongue tied at times (and now we know why) - but he is steady, reliable, someone we can and should trust to gently move the country in the progressive direction so many want, for that change to evolve so that the ideas that are espoused by Sanders or Warren and the youth of today will be acceptable to the country at large in the not so distant future. We need the country to calm down. We need the country to be bored by whatever is happening in Washington, but also soothed. We need a fundamentally decent man to be in charge. Trump has no sense of decency, and he has proven that he doesn't even know right from wrong he has been enabled so much. He is stressing us all out, even his supporters, and even his so called "greatest economy" has a weak foundation and is on thin ice. The country can't afford another term of chaos or revolution.
8
Still no tax returns as we head into another election.
15
@MarK
Yea because that is where he documented all his illegal and nefarious deeds to the IRS.....
2
“With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”
8
That quote explains why I believe that Abe Lincoln would shed a tear today every time a Confederate statue is moved or destroyed.
1
Those statues were erected after the Civil War and were an act of defiance at the south’s loss of that war. They were symbols of past that the south still revered. Lincoln would be appalled at what his party has turned into.
4
People believe Trumps projections.He does this all the time, with everything he encounters. He may believe this looking glass world himself. He is not in the real world,but in one he makes up. His base follow him unknowingly, like sheep.
This is a tragedy for the US. We need all the sanity we can get.
8
Usually content to remain in his boss's shadow, VP Pence made a peculiar, if not downright startling threat of his own after the SOTU Address. During an interview on Fox he was asked his opinion of Speaker Pelosi's tearing up Trump's speech. "She may be the last person to sit in that seat for a very long time", Pence answered mysteriously.
What are we to make of that? Will a Speaker of the House no longer be allowed to share the stage with Donald Trump? Are they fixing to do away with the office somehow? Given this president's nearly physical need for revenge, and the air of lawlessness that's blown in following his acquittal, I think we mustn't see Pence's veiled threat as merely rhetoric; someone has to ask him exactly what he meant.
16
Its really sad to say this but our President represents who we are as Americans. Not all Americans but the majority. We no longer are the voice of reason in the world.
3
@R: They represent the majority in the Electoral College, not necessarily the majority of the voters. That is certainly the case with Trump, who lost the popular vote decisively.
2
I hope eventually Trumps failings will become obvious even to his slavish base. I also hope the systematic destruction of environmental laws and the unleashing of. corporate restraints will not have progressed so far that there is no return for the country. Rampant and uncontrolled capitalism and an economy based on unleashed growth may the devil take the hindmost is what got us here in the first place.
I am old now and this new world is far less s tabile than the one in which I have lived my life. When truth has a bad name,facts are obscured, lies are ubiquitous and projection is believed what hope is there for progress and stability? What reigns is only chaos.
5
Being acquitted in a trial where you successfully prevented witnesses, evidence, and testimony, is not the same as being found innocent. It merely shows you were willing to do and say anything in order to preserve your position.
17
The last that I have heard the Democrats vow to continue their fight to remove Trump. Why would anyone, including many respondents in this chain, expect Trump to offer his opponents the other cheek?
2
After listening to his remarks yesterday, Donald Trump made it very clear that if you don't support him completely, vote for him and recognize his complete authority over all the United States, then he is not your president. To him, you are the enemy. We need to remember that when we go to the polls this November. And we need to make certain that all of us go, because his voters will show up out of fear, if not fealty.
13
Is Lamar Alexander among those who will have to pay? He stated that what the President did was inappropriate and wrong. Is that over the line for Trump?
5
And this surprises anyone? Trump has no interest at all in unity or reconciliation because he sees no profit in it and he views it as “weak”. If he wins re-election and Dems take House and Senate he may do a right turn and suddenly work with them because at that point he will no longer need his base and will be trying to nail down accomplishments for the history books and lucrative business deals for his company post-presidency. Although, he does adore his rallies and might just decide to keep entertaining his base so that he can hold more rallies for horrible candidates going endlessly into the future. He may continue to have a strong influence on the GOP for a long long time. But hopefully his interest in politics will fade once he finally leaves office.
3
To Senators Schiff, Nadler and Romney, Speaker Pelosi, I hope their legacy will make it into history books.
But if it doesn't, we have no one to blame but ourselves.
Honestly, who expected this man to break character?
We desperately need a renewed effort,
united front, which makes the disarray coming out of Iowa very unsettling.
There can be no doubt now that this aquittal will be seen as a carte blanche to pursue any and all abuses of power to keep the White House.
The intelligence community warned us that the same criminals, and foreign agents are at work to dismantle our electoral process, that efforts to impede them have been half hearted at best.
Our country cannot survive another four years of chaos, get your act together America!
5
I listened to Amy Klobuchar on CNN last night. She spoke in complete sentences, and there was a clear cause and effect relationship between each of those sentences and the next. She gave clear reasons and evidence for each of her views. What a contrast for the
8
Jesus: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. - Luke 6: 27-29
Trump: “When people wrong you, go after those people, because it is a good feeling and because other people will see you doing it. I always get even.”
26
Trump is nothing if not vindictive. He will find a way to deal with his opponents by...
A) Embarass
B) Humiliate
C) Insult
D) Vanquish
E) All of the above
Yep, my bet is E.
This is why the next President should be a smart woman, like Elizabeth Warren. Trump will denigrate her but that will make him look worse.
It will make him look like the ‘out of control, mentally unhinged, narcissist’ that he is.
20
I was particulary disturbed to see Repbublican senators chanting U-S-A, U-S-A at the State of the Union adress. Americans should be scared ... the similaritie to Germany in the early 1930's are becoming more disturbing by the day
45
@Siegfried Kopo The Germans had way better music. The rest is the same.
"When you strike at a king, you must kill him"
Ralph Waldo Emerson'
Democrats have been striking away at Trump for over 3 years and despite Pelosi's "prayers" they show no sign of stopping. It seems Pelosi and Democrats practiced in the art of character assassination have met their match. They need Republicans fools like Pierre Delecto for their strategy to be successful. Too bad for them Trump is no fool.
3
The immortal words of Chris Rock, blaming a friendlier culture for the rise of Donald Trump—
"That’s how Trump became president. That’s exactly what happened. We got rid of bullies, a real bully showed up, and nobody knew how to handle him.”
So “Hello Mike Bloomberg”, ‘cause in these dire times it will take someone of Bloomberg’s $$ resources and resume to take on the GOP Trump juggernaut— everyone else on tonight’s debate stage is not equipped for this particular mission.
Otherwise, it’s DJT Jr. for 2024 and once Ivanka’s kids are off to college, Madame President in 2032, like every great African dictatorship.
8
I think my fellow liberals should find 2nd Amendment religion. I don't trust some of my fellow citizens, and I'm not talking about the obvious traditional criminals.
8
Learned his lesson? Susan Collins, you are SO wrong.
19
Trump is a walking cesspool of toxic waste contaminating every space, everything he touches.
36
Revenge is the stuff of dictators. Take a look at Clinton's meaculpa vs Trump's hate filled ramblings yesterday
31
I think Trump went off his rocker yesterday because he thought that if the Senate did not convict him, that meant he was not impeached. When he finally figured it out, it drove him off the rails. I never thought I'd live to see a U.S. president behave like this petty, small man.
37
Why give him time for pay back? Start the next investigation in the house and deliver the next two articles of impeachment.
There is no dearth of criminal activity with this man. Use it. Give him no time to breathe.
31
The house needs to cut all funding for the white house and presidential staff.
29
Beware swarming grasshoppers.
1
A history lesson for the new Teflon Don.
"On April 2, 1992, .....the jury found [John] Gotti guilty on all charges of the indictment ..... "The Teflon is gone. The don is covered with Velcro, and all the charges stuck."
Sentence: life imprisonment without the possibility of parole."
17
@jalexander Gotti would be a less odious mobster for the White House than Trump.
Look out, our country is being led by a playground bully. As a nurse, I see an elderly man whose speech and language dodders off with few clear utterances. The ongoing progression of using few words repeatedly, wandering speech, lack of cognitive executive function and impulsivity control are all characteristic of decline. And most frightening of all, he has been acquitted. The Senate will live to rue the day.
52
@Connie
The Republicans in the Senate, other than Mitt Romney, will live to rue the day. Being outvoted, when you voted right, is no reason for remorse or shame.
1
Meanwhile, Schiff, Nadler, and Pelosi, and their minions not at all chastened by their overreach, failure, and abuse of power, resume unchastened and just as determined to destroy.
6
Sanity is in short supply these days.
5
A president who makes it clear they want vengeance is not about helping this country either.
1
if there were still a competent Cabinet they would invoke the 25th. but anyone competent has been fired or fled. the remainder are sycophants or "acting" won't admit the president* is is foaming at the mouth.
so the failure of our Constitution is complete - Electoral College fails to prevent unqualified & foreign influenced candidate; Senate fails their duty to remove in favor of party fealty; no approved Cabiner to remove dut to diminished capability.
24
Aside from the fact that he lacks anything approaching civility, repentance or compassion when his self-serving, vindictive tirade at the National Prayer Breakfast is viewed he is totally morally, emotionally and intellectually unqualified, incompetent and unable to uphold his oath of office and function in his role as POTUS. The impeachment charade aside, the voters need to remove this miscreant from office in the fall. A dangerous, vindictive and increasingly reckless tyrant with no chance he will ever be anything different and this bodes for, (his words) carnage and continued divisiveness in our Country - Trump Land.
31
Just how much more do Trump supporters need to see before they have seen enough? This vindictive hate-filled man needs to go before he destroys this country....and he should take every Republican Senator and Representative with him except for Mitt Romney. It must have been sheer torture for Trump to refrain from going into a hateful rant the night he delivered his State of the Union address. Once acquitted, boy has he unleaded his true feelings. Just imagine the things he will do now that he is emboldened by his professed “total acquittal”. The only question his supporters need to ask themselves is, what would they be thinking if President Obama were the one acting this way? When one has ethics and morals, one’s response to such behavior doesn’t change depending on the party of the offender. There is decent moral behavior and then there’s Trump’s behavior....that of a spoiled undisciplined rich brat. What’s harder to understand is the loyalty this man garners from his co-conspirators. It’s hard to watch so many people abandon their moral compasses and to realize that there is only one man who refused to deny the facts, only one man who actually kept his oath of office. And now that man is being attacked and ostracized. When did it become unpatriotic to do the right thing?
26
For someone who was ACCUSING OTHERS of tearing the country apart, threatening paybacks and retribution is certainly not the way to heal the country. Hopefully voters will wake up, but that issue is in doubt when even Senators stick their head where the sun does not shine.
GOOD LUCK AMERICA, we are certainly going to need it if we have 4 more years of bullying to look forward to.
14
@Tim Bowley
"GOOD LUCK AMERICA, we are certainly going to need it if we have 4 more years of bullying to look forward to."
Even if Trump is not in the White House.
It was like the victory lap of a gold medalist later found to be doping in order to win. It was the pre-Oscars award show with accolades and kudos for the cast in a loser movie that knew their roles and played them until the scripted outcome. Perhaps a reminder to remember the people who drank kool aid offered by Jim Jones is in order at this time.
10
Poor Donald has past the point of removal. His mental illness is showing and We are in grave danger. The Framers would be shocked. The Senate majority can't be trusted. Corrupted, confused, cult-like and afraid, they are the problem. But... they represent States that hate. The Republican strategists have cultivated idiosyncrasies like open-carry and abortion, that should be subject only to State Law, and have created a bloc, a state of civil hatred.
So, expose Trump as the Anti Christ enlisted by the Deep State to enslave workers to have them vote against their own self interests, Citizens United. Use Red State paranoia to destroy the bloc.
7
Trump said, "I apologize. I'm trying to learn. It's not easy. It's not easy. When they impeach you for nothing, then you're supposed to like them? It's not easy, folks. I do my best."
Your "best," Mr. Trump, isn't good enough.
Even if you follow your wife's hollow advice to "be better" it won't be good enough.
IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO GO!
Resign, now. Or go down to defeat in November. Either way, I don't especially care. But it's time for you to go!
15
I forced myself to watch and listen to that bizarre stream-of-consciousness award ceremony yesterday, at which Trump named his accomplices for all to see, and forced them to stand up and take a bow. That circus is now on the permanent record.
I wonder if some of those "honoured" cringed inwardly at the recognition. Probably not, but a girl can hope.
Full disclosure, now that Trump has unfettered power I feel a little scared living next door to you guys.
20
Trump acted like Trump does. Are any of us surprised? The most tragic thing is that we actually expect this sort of behavior from the president.
9
Bill Clinton was not conciliatory after acquittal because he was in his second term. Bill Clinton was conciliatory because he is a human being and an adult, while the current president is neither.
28
@ Mark Leblow Conciliatory adjective:
intended or likely to placate or pacify.
"a conciliatory approach"
Clinton though was not sorry for his actions.
@I Hear Ya
But he did not threaten vengeance against his adversaries.
1
For years, people on the progressive and radical left said that Republicans and their I'll were fascists and authoritarians, and no one paid attention because these tendencies were kept under wraps a bit more.
Now, under Trump, people understand that the so-called 'loonies' on the left were right the whole time. The problem is that some people still think Republicans and their ilk are redeemable-- they are not.
8
Sen Susan Collins was so wrong in saying the President learned his lesson. He hasn’t. He is vindictive by nature and impulsive by nature. Fasten your safety belts as he acts in his own selfish interests rather than the USA’s.
Yes, pray for him and our country. We’re in for a scary time with GOP elected officials cowering under his bullying of them as he continues his rallies cajoling and entertaining his base. His crowds get a free night of laughs with their self proclaimed buddy. What a laugh!
Who else began his authoritarian rule as a comic in pubs? Yep, him.
12
Ironically, Joe Biden may not be the Democratic challenger in November. Strategic thinker? Not.
6
The Medal of Honor should be given to Mitt Romney. What he had the courage to do is what all of the other Republicans were afraid of doing and now they have a reality check, they can continue to be cowards and watch as medals are given to the next rush limbaugh on his list.
14
I pray for President Trump as well. I pray that God will heal his heart, but this will only come after he realizes that hurting people is not something to be admired.
9
Hurting people helped make him President. He is possibly the most powerful man in the world. No way is he going to learn any lessons except that what he is doing is working.
3
We are now firmly entrenched in a world of double speak. When Trump can call opponents evil, and have most of the country believe him, there is no hope.
12
This country is divided down the middle. I hear hatred persisting among Democrats and Republicans and I hear and see no attempts at reconciliation and conciliation in either party and from no one. This reflects poorly on both sides. I don't see an Abe Lincoln out there.
1
Trump: Pure denial and projection, which are classic defense mechanisms of paranoid types. This man remains more dangerous than ever. So, now indeed we must save ourselves by registering to vote and then voting in immense numbers all across the country--even more than in the majority that didn't want Trump in 2016, as well as in the record turnout in 2018 that helped flip the House.
11
Democrats are promising to keep tearing at it, too. We will see who pays the greater price.
3
In the United States, we are taught from the start to grant belief in our rule-of-law, and our Constitutional-Democratic-Republic. We are also taught that the law is applied to all equally.
Donald proved what many of us have long believed. That the rule-of-law is not applied to all equally. This well established fact given Donald's history of transgressions.
Donald Trump was found to have used a phony university and foundation as a means to steal tens of millions. Yet no criminal charges. Anyone else would be serving years in prison for these exact same crimes.
16
Trump is a vindictive P.T. Barnum. He has profited in business and politics by the suckers born every minute. But he seeks revenge on the people who aren't buying.
12
Well a message for DJT. Act right stop painting a target on your back pleading to be investigated. Look up the definition of humility; learn to apologize when you screw up. Laugh off criticism rather allowing trivial stuff turn you from bright orange to red faced and angry. Slow down the lying or gross exaggerations so people can slowly learn to accept your word instead of fact checking your weather forecasts. You are a victim of your own actions have a chat with the man in the mirror. May help what do you have lose?
8
It is past time for the major networks to decide not to carry Trump live. It is past time for Facebook to face up to the vitriol and lying that they are supporting in the name of GOP speech. It is past time for the Democratic Party to show some cohesion to find the strongest candidate to beat Trump in November. Four more years of Trump and we won’t have a Country.
20
I just can’t take it any more! I really tried to believe in everything the Democratic Party espoused, but I fear Trump is correct about so many individual who have come to power, and have insidiously transformed the platform of the Democratic Party from the party that cares more about Americans to a party that hates anyone who does not agree with their political agenda. I am leaving the Democratic Party.
6
Don’t leave! The party needs sensible members and only members have any chance of changing it. If you leave there is one less primary vote for a decent candidate. But if you do leave, don’t go independent as you will have no say in anything. Go register Republican and vote for sane candidates there.
3
Will that save you from Trump? Neutrality just means no one will be left to help you when he and his supporters come for you.
1
Nancy Pelosi's shredding of the speech was symbolic of the strategy the Democrats must now take against this emboldened self-appointed monarch and I applaud her, once again.
The continuing inquiries are imperative. But still not enough. I watched Tom Steyer during the Town Hall and he said a business person is needed to beat Trump. Not sure he is the one. However, last night Bloomberg ran an ad that featured Obama. Not sure what to make of that, is Obama going to endorse him overall? But, I am thinking the strategy to beat Trump may be as Tom Steyer said, a business person, who can expose Trump as the failed businessman he is.
These are not normal times. The Democrats must implement the strategy that is most effective to break through his base and beat Trump.
16
At the prayer meeting when the gentleman proposed the highly ignored advice from Jesus to "love thy enemy" Trump decided to disagree with Jesus and said so. Well, Donald is according to himself "the chosen one", so when he says hit back ten times harder, he is ignoring Our Lord's other good advice to turn the other cheek. The only time Trump ever did that was to accomodate Stormy's attentions; but that was a different type of cheek. Who knew that Trump would over rule Jesus? He did indeed inherit the earth through not being meek but I suspect God might attend to that very shortly.
8
Will Republicans seize on Trump's rage and thirst for revenge by inflicting more economic pain on blue states like the cap on SALT deductions? Make no mistake about it, the SALT caps were punitive. In a country where legislation has often been held up or scratched over concerns for small constituencies, the GOP saw a chance to gleefully inflict economic hardship on blue state citizens with their Ryan/GOP/Trump tax plan. What will they conjure up to hit blue states this time?
10
Honest question here: Are there enough Trump supporters at this very moment to win his re-election, or does Trump need to bring a number of swing voters to his side? Daily, it becomes obvious that Trump is not a well man. Someone might advise him that his unhinged rants are not winning him any new friends. Meanwhile it becomes absolutely crucial that the Democrats eventually unite behind a solid opposing ticket.
9
Trump and the Republican Party will do anything and everything to stay in power. I am not on social media but my friends on Facebook and Twitter tell me everyday about the lies being spread daily. The personal attacks and falsehoods will only become harsher and more frequent. Democrats need to unite behind one candidate and respond. Now.
5
Can anyone blame the president? The attempt to remove him began moments after the election was called in November 2016. And then we all know what ensued. Investigation and accusation and Mueller and advenatti Without a moment of a respite And after many Americans are happy that the acquittal ended this saga, the loathsome Jerry Nadler goes on TV to announce more investigations and more harassment. And Pelosi, the prayerful solemn speaker of the house, insulted the president.And all the while, the president’s poll numbers continue to rise.
4
He's looking more and more psychologically unwell. Unstable. The eyes and breath of a sociopath. If we're fortunate, he'll undo himself. I'm never without compassion for the mentally ill, however, in this case it's hard to muster. We hospitalize those who pose a danger to themselves and others. An election versus involuntary confinement...what's best for the safety of all at risk?
13
Reconciliation? Seriously? With people who engaged in his political asasisnation and whose goal was his political murder? What kind of "reconciliatiion" would they have offered him if they were successful? No way. They all have to pay for what they did.
9
You’re insane. This is governance not war. If Congress believes a president has broken his oath of office it is their sworn duty to hold him or her accountable.
11
@David Resident Trump got away with just impeachment. Traitors are often shot.
3
These are very sad days for our country. It makes me wonder what happened to this man in the White House. Often the answer is found in early childhood development. Children who are loved and nurtured in their early years do not grow into such hateful, fearful, insecure, narcissistic adults. He certainly does not appear to be a happy person. He has my pity.
22
@Pat
Not everyone with an unhappy childhood grows up to be a narcissist, a tyrant, and a bully.
1
"The Empire Strikes Back". Sounds like Star Wars sequel 2.
7
No matter how many times Trump and his followers profess to be Christian, their actions reflect just the opposite.
54
President Trump worries me. His florid complexion and morbid obesity make me that he is not well and probably suffers from artery clogging cholesterol. During the SOTU speech he slurred his words and had explosive tics that indicate that he has severe neurological damage or at the very least is hugely over-medicated. Lately, he often has had difficulty in speaking in complete or coherent sentences and his gait is very odd. It would be unfortunate if he expired in office like FDR whose deteriorating condition was hidden from the American people.
https://politizoom.com/2020/01/14/trumps-behavior-and-gait-continue-to-raise-real-medical-questions/
12
@Rob Kneller, I think you are correct. Hugely over medicated would be my guess. In fact, since a Trump obviously knows better than his doctor, I’d bet that what he’s taking is only HALF of what his doctor is prescribing.
5
Some physicians speculate neurosyphyllis. He has all the classic signs and he was a club hopper in the 80s when it was raging in NYC
5
@Rob Kneller Replace "unfortunate" with "a great relief to the majority of the country" and you've got something there.
6
Using the office of the presidency as a means to get back at your perceived enemies....Isn’t that an abuse of power?
38
Without a doubt Trump is the worst ,most unfit and vulgar man to ever be elected by some of the people not the majority of people but a lot of people. It’s simply a disgrace when you have to chase out the children when the president of the United States is on TV. I do like three things he has done but that it and it is certainly not enough. I could never vote for this horrible human being for it is a reflection of the voter. There’s no way I would ever invite this horrible man into my home and shame on those who do. You deserve each other.
29
I would wonder what Representative Liz Cheney of Wyoming would call the King's speech after saying Pelosi had a tantrum, which is how she characterized the Speakers calm demeanor as she disposed of the paper as you would a piece of junk mail with a couple of tears.
11
Nothing bad because she is a spineless and the kind of Republican destroying our democracy.
8
Trump has been a bully his entire life. His behaviour is nothing new to him. We remain shocked at his daily tirades and continue to expect better from this shock jock.
Giving a bully a platform sends the wrong message. The press must act to mute his vindictiveness. The House had a job to do and they did it. Some GOP members agree with the fact of Trump's guilt of abuse of power. Those so-called "Christians" at the prayer breakfast turned a blind's eye to Trump's horrible, and public, rantings. None of them said a word about it. Trump does not give a rotten apple about them. He uses them for political expediency and cover. Unfortunately, it's a mutually beneficial, very corrupt, kind of relationship.
As a viewer, I have decided to not watch the TV when an image of Trump appears or the topic is about him. We all know what he is going to say and how he will behave so why bother...
I love the idea of a daily "truth moment" by Pelosi.
24
A theory about why Trump sniffs so much when he talks: he snorts Adderall. Besides his mental instability, probable dementia, and narcissistic personality disorder, this could explain his erratic and unhinged tendency to tweet over the top insults and outright lies.
21
Are Americans really looking forward to this type of vile, vitriolic language coming out of the White House for the next five years? Say what you want about Bill Clinton but he had class growing up poor. Trump is the total spoiled kid who grew up believing he can do anything he wants. Kind of like being the only football player on a team who believes he can get away with anything--the modern day Georgy Porgie.
18
Some time earlier in his reign, psychiatrists wrote letters to the editor about Trump's mental disorders. A narcissistic & antisocial personality type like this president will only get worse. Every pushback by those who stand up for ethics, decency and rule of law, will only intensify Trump's paranoia and aggression.
Such sociopaths see themselves as the victims when those they harm try to defend themselves.
The syndrome was on full display. No way could I watch his speeches. If he suddenly appears on TV I put up my hand to block it, and change channels.
The newspapers and TV pick the most awful Frankenstein type photos of his angry, distorted face. At the computer I hit the select keys, Ctrl A-- to dim the pictures in blue, yet read the print. A little more tolerable.
13
Yesterday, watching a roomful of robot-like humans mechanically applauding the rambling speech of a fat man with strange hair reminded me of pictures of another fat man with strange hair being applauded by members of his politburo. What has happened to the United States of America?
24
Good going, Senator Collins. You sure know how to read people.
18
The president with an asterisk next to his name - the impeached president - reveals an outsized but fragile ego that has never once apparently had a moment of scrupulosity of conscience about what he says or does. But a sizeable number of Christians and Jews in the USA support him without surcease, which also raises serious questions about their own consciences.
14
The worst is yet to come.
(ABt)
16
Well, that is just great to hear that the Liar-in-chief will be spending more of his time trying to exact revenge for his impeachment rather than doing some positive things for Americans. I wonder just how much he actually does work? He spends a lot of time watching TV, so he can keep testing his visibilty. His daily national security briefings have been converted to all graphics. A lot of time on twitter, very productive, right? He golfs almost every weekend promoting his own resort businesses. 30 minutes, maybe 45? Yeah, you Trump supporters are really getting what you paid for.
Blue wave 2020 !
21
I listened to about five minutes of Trump’s crowing, and it made my blood boil. His behavior is completely predictable. But to hear the toady Republicans yucking it up and buying his bluster hook, line and sinker makes me almost crazy!
Every time Trump says, “These (Democrats) are evil, very bad, corrupt people who put us through a terrible three years,” and I hear all his minions clapping in obedient support, I am aghast. I want to grab each of them by the collar and say, “Wait a minute. This guy making all these accusations is the one who scammed hundreds with his phony university; who paid trade people pennies on the dollar; who fabricated racist lies about President Obama; who bragged about assaulting women; who lies almost ever time he opens his mouth! What is wrong with you?!”
31
@Tim He makes them richer, directly and indirectly. And that is all that matters to them. Literally, all that matters.
9
Perfect words to describe Donald Trump, “evil” and “corrupt.” Good god, why can’t people see that? How much more obvious can it be? After his acquittal, I give up all hope for this country! The Republican party are becoming like fascists demanding revenge against those who would save this country from this selfserving, childish dictator!
21
It makes me sick that a POTUS would disrupt a prayer breakfast with name calling and threats. I find it hard to believe he ever went to church at all before he had to pretend to in order to dupe and recruit his evangelical base. I can’t believe the administration can get away with making spiteful moves against entire states for retribution - Utah, California, etc. Trump is an appalling human and it is frightening to think what will happen next as his allies continue to support abet his disgusting behavior, which is increasingly autocratic.
17
The Senate engaged in jury nullification and the President thanked them for it😥.
14
So Christians, what are the qualities of Jesus you see in this man?
What about his personality has you telling your children to behave just like him?
28
@galtsgultch
So you think ALL Christians are Trump supporters? Not just evangelicals but ALL Christians?
1
This man is truly suffering from probably several mental conditions. It’s obvious to any adult.....he flouts it daily and his meek lap dogs comply and feed it.....
10
The only evil here is Trump himself. Deranged, too.
13
Trump must play his pathetic victim card again, and again in order to keep the divisions among Americans for his benefits. Forget he brings it upon himself by being a lying, pompous, pretentious, incompetent, immature, anally retentive dolt. Fake reality tv President combined with corrupt Senate has brought a great deal of shame to America. While they line their pockets with ill gotten gains at the majorities expense. This is NOT what America stands for, nor the America I stand by. Trump was impeached on legitimate grounds, and the RIGGED trial for acquittal will never change that in the history books!
16
Things are only going to get worse for you now, Liberals.
We The People run this country, not Liberals.
Mondale-Ferraro Is Coming
2
Hey guess what. Us liberals are part of this country too. We are we the people just as much as Republicans.
20
Don’t wast your time trying to educate. Some will never understand what you stated. Mainly, Trumps lap dog base....
8
Isn’t it time that the USA had a third political party? To this outside observer, the political parties are now too far polarized just playing the one game of got ya. Surely there must be some Republicans who disagree with Trump but cannot bring themselves to be Democrats and vice versa. Surely sensible people from both parties can come together to form a new political party to forge a new way forward. Otherwise, with the divide having become so wide, that without a third viable option, the country will remain in Trump’s vice like grip not just for 4 more years but perhaps interminably.
9
@LR
I've said it before and I'll say it again: a third party is a good idea ONLY if there are instant runoffs. I've lived in New York all my life and I saw how the liberal vote was split in 1970 and 1980, resulting in Sens. James Buckley and Alfonse D'Amato.
Be careful what you wish for.
1
The other article describes how McConnell planned for an impeachment trial for over a year. I think nothing says 'guilty' more clearly than the Senate Majority Leader expected that Mr Trump would be impeached for one or other of his actions.
27
Wake up Dems.
It’s war.
And Trump, McConnell and the rest of the weak little men that have enabled Trump are all traitors to the constitution.
Follow Pelosi’s example.
Rip up all speeches. Speak clearly and honestly. Don’t give them an inch. Call them out every second.
Because realize, they are no longer Americans with allegiance to the constitution.
They only recognize trump and the film flam he represents.
57
This president has had enough, and so have I.
I don’t blame him one little bit for lashing out at the utterly ridiculous 2 year Mueller investigation and the failed “ironclad” impeachment that he, and our country, has had to endure.
I agree that the selfish, politically based path to attempt to destroy this president, from the day he was elected, was evil.
11
Get ready for a whole lot more, because Trump isn’t going to stop being the petty, vindictive person in full display yesterday.
11
@Anne
So, in your eyes, Trump has done nothing wrong?
10
Or maybe we don’t think that asking foreign countries to meddle in our elections is acceptable behavior. But if you’re okay with cheating, I guess it’s time the Dems start asking foreign countries for dirt on Trump and Republicans. Cause what’s fair is fair right?
8
Leadership #101; look for ways to heal and pull together different groups within your team. A strong leader recognizes all within the tent. We are so desperately in need of a leader who will even pretend to recognize the humanity in all, including those he differs with. To work to include not separate. Sadly Mr. Trump feeds the cesspool of hatred and divisiveness that is growing in our country with even more of the same.
20
Sen. Susan Collins was right. Her president has grown following his impeachment. He has grown from petty to vengeful; and from anger to rage. Maybe it's time for the good senator to acknowledge her own poor judgment; and for the people of Maine to replace her with a senator who can recognize a tyrant.
51
Instead of 52 responsible Republican jurors, we had 51 compliant jurors. We are now stuck with a President who believes he is above the law and will use governmental power to sustain his position.
19
This is unbelievable and unthinkable. The most evil and morally most corrupt man, who occupies the highest office in our country, lashes out at others for being evil and corrupt. That office and its holder should represent what is best in and about us. He thinks he shields himself by unloading his awful deeds and traits onto others. Thanks to the 94% of Republicans and 49% of Americans who support this state of unprecedented moral decay. Where are our religious leaders and elder statesmen to lead us out of this hole our country has fallen into? God! If you are there, help us.
21
Why does this man talk as if he were The Godfather?
Australians have seen enough American Films and TV to recognize the style of the language he uses.
His "friends" are in jail. When will he be joining them?
Tjilpi, Australia
34
The clincher was Trump’s statement about him going through more than any president in all of history due to the impeachment - placing himself above Abraham Lincoln through the Civil War and Franklin Roosevelt being president through WWII, and maybe Johnson through the War in Vietnam.
Donald Trump has delusions of grandeur.
Heaven forbid Trump would ever have to be in charge of a war...
27
Payback is what happens on an elementary school play yard. Its the “all-about-me” syndrome of immature people. Can we please have a government run by grown-ups?
30
Now that Pelosi has shown who she really is by ripping up the speech on national TV and with a totally partisan impeachment, she can, in her white pant suit, continue to roll around and wrestle in the mud with Trump. Trump excels at mud flinging, and Nancy, who at one time was a classy politician, will lose if she wants to continue to play Trump’s game instead of her own.
8
Nancy Pelosi has behaved impeccably throughout this whole administration. I do not blame her for tearing up the speech after the President snubbed her extended hand. It’s time to give Trump a dose of his own tactics.
7
Trump is absolutely right, the Democrats, the media and the deep state have been trying to "get him" from the beginning and it is still going on. These evil people would rather themselves make the decision on who should be president instead of the voting American people.
9
After what he'd been through who can blame him for being a bit ticked off and letting the people responsible for that know it.
9
Take comfort in Trump's lament.
Even the family dog knows that he was wrong when he ate food off the table.
His wagging tail is a desperate defense.
4
Trump and O.J. Simpson are some of the great victors over our constitution and judicial system. OJ could not help but misstep later. Maybe, Trump will also.
9
It may help to consider — as many have pointed out — that Trump ascribes to others the motives he has and the kinds of actions he carries out.
Given this pattern of projection, when he calls his opponents “evil” and “corrupt,” I wonder whether he is talking about himself?
13
Whatever the president says usual applies more to him than those he is castigating.
18
I am GLAD that Trump did this and I hope he aggressively goes after EVERYONE who came from him. Want to know why? Because WE (me included), the media, government (non-Trump) are SOFT and let him continue roaming the earth, scorching it. No one is marching or fighting back. Congress can't fight back as that is Trump's gov't. We can't use the courts. We have to get in the gutter with that gutter street fighter in order to beat him. Enough playing by the rules
6
Here Trump has provided the worst possible way to exercise leadership in the history of the United States.
14
I do not know the American law, but in France a president or any politician couldn't insult his adversaries the way Trump does without being sued. "Corrupt" is especially violent. Freedom of expression is not freedom to insult that way. Yes?
20
The virus of dictatorship and ultra-nationalism is spreading around the world, with the richest, most powerful country (currently) - the US - leading the way. Truth is always the first victim of dictatorships. Recriminations on enemies a standard feature. Trump is already punishing states that don’t fall in line with his policies. Half the people are falling in line, seemingly taking a stance against ‘liberalism’, and falling victim to the propaganda of the state. And the opposition is in disarray.
All in all, doesn’t sound good for the 200 some years of the democracy experiment . And just when the world is facing for the first time, major existential threats to the human race. What is to become of us? I think the handwriting is on the wall.
11
Donate what you can to challengers of the so- called Republican senators up for reelection. Call senators who backed impeachment and offer support. Volunteer, write postcards and phone and textbank. Plenty to do.
16
Reminds me of the juries in the South during the civil rights movement, more interested in the status quo than justice.
14
Nancy Pelosi’s comment about a Trump looking sedated was not a throwaway remark and reporters should diligently pursue that clue. Given his age, obesity, and poor habits, Donald’s health should be under a microscope as we head into the election cycle. The still unexplained emergency visit to Walter Reed is concerning. No one believes that absurd cover story about it being a spontaneous head start on a routine annual exam. From a “press secretary” who could give Donald a run for his money in the telling shoppers category, it was just laughable.
For many months, Donald has been having difficulties with speech and language production that far exceed his usual garbled syntax and limited vocabulary. In extemporaneous speaking, there is slurring, word substitution (e.g. orange for origin), the use of fillers, and tangential fragments, where he gets completely lost. He also appears to be having some motor difficulties, clutching the podium.
Find out what is going on. The reporting on Donald suggests that he’s just kind of any angry, emotional guy which I think is a tremendous disservice to Americans. I think we are seeing someone decline and he is surrounded by an unreliable family who would never intervene. This is far worse than what we saw with a Ronald Reagan and it is being ignored by the press.
36
@NJlatelifemom
In any other position of responsibility, a person showing symptoms such as Trump's would be required to undergo a thorough & unbiased physical, neurological, & psychiatric examination. How absurd it is that the one person who is in the position to do the most damage is exempted from this common sense precautionary measure.
Mental health experts have weighed in on this issue out of our moral obligation to warn the general public about the dangers of entrusting such responsibility to someone with his severe psychiatric impairment.
Check this out:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/1/2/1908694/-It-s-degenerative-dementia-as-well-as-malignant-narcissism-And-the-public-tipping-point-is-coming
7
The impeachment dramatized our wide differences.
Many Americans are growing even more repelled by Trump and his courtiers now. Yet his voters and party stick by him no matter what. The nation is badly divided and it’s ironic that we’re called The United States.
Ironic that the GOP keeps talking about Freedom and Liberty while it works against them, using big money influence on lawmaking, GOP state FOX news propaganda, plus voter suppression, closing of polling places and gerrymandering for power.
Now is the 10th anniversary of Citizens United, when the Supreme Court removed any limits on big corporate donations to politicians. They dishonored our Constitution by pretending that any limits on big donor money in elections is anti 1st Amendment Free Speech.
The effect has been to further disunite these United States, by amplifying the political influence of the mega donor 1%, and muffling the influence of the 99%.
The United States is now supremely disunited --- more than other democracies.
14
My prediction: Mr Trump will not debate the Democratic nominee this fall. He has a substantial popularity, though not a majority. His unscripted statements are riddled with lies, as shown by his East Room conference. In debates he will be grilled. He has a poor record of his being the Chief Executive. His major “wins” are the stock market and the employment rates, neither of which he started nor for which he can take credit.
In my state of Alabama, the present, Republican Governor Kay Ivey coasted into office without agreeing to a single debate. She was unprepared to debate and not a good orator. Mr Trump will do well to emulate her.
6
Proper headline should have been, ''Trump impeached in the house, Gop senate refuses to remove'
He was found guilty as a matter of fact. One of three in our history.
A threat to our constitution, rule of law, our democracy. A dishonest, self interested and malign person. A stain on the U.S.A. forever.
63
Now that the impeachment fiasco is over both sides should take a deep breath and go over how they are treating each other and above all how they are treating us, the American people.
Every time they insult each other they are not helping themselves and not doing right by us. They are supposed to work together to make our lives better.
The biggest problems that need to be solved are very clear and both sides need to work on these problems jointly.
America above all suffers from a trophy self-image disorder (emotional baggage disorder). Each one of us is raised on the belief of being the best. Thus we create emotionally challenged brains that project emotionally challenged trophy self-images on a massive scale. Our leaders too suffer from this same disease.
We need a Wise Parenting manual that ensure raising selfless pure selves. We need Brain Therapy for those older, including our leaders.
We are very good at making money as our Mind Education is very effective but our Brain Education is a mess. Thus we make good money with our well educated minds but we spend it with our miseducated brains.
Our focus on making money is very good. We need to create an equal focus on saving money and investing money.
Getting rid of the trophy self-image in our young & old has to be the top priority of our leaders. If America is to be transformed from an emotionally challenged country into an emotional health super power then the brain & mind both have to be made emotionally healthy.
Just wondering? Do we have any allies left?
24
Putin? But he just wants to destroy us.
8
All postings seem to be in agreement with their strong criticism of Trump in respect to his presidential responsibilities and how he conducts himself personally. I cannot but agree, and I am constantly mystified as to where his support actually comes from. So be it. Given Trump's acquittal and the shambolic Democrat primaries there is every chance that he will be elected for a second term and I shy away from guessing what that may bring.
A number of posts are saying it is "the end of democracy", but I feel that the US political system is stronger than that and will recover. Maybe the future for this is in the hands of young people who are now making their voices heard on climate change and other issues.They may well turn their attention to the political scene - voices which certainly will be heard when they are old enough to vote. At which time we can hopefully and once again see in the President and other leaders a degree of honesty and respect that has in recent times become so diminished.
Looking forward to future elections I firmly believe it is essential that there is an independent thorough review and overhaul of the the Electoral College and its patently out of date systems - otherwise the strife we have now from the last presidential selection may well be repeated, and repeated, and repeated...
12
@Charles H.
The Electoral College is a vestige of the Civil War. It's about time the European invaders of Aotearoa honoured the Treaty of Waitangi and the Europeans that stole Australia to at least have any kind of treaty at all. In the antipodes we have plenty of business of our own to attend to. I know that here in Australia they don't like advice from outside. I am impressed that Americans are so tolerant of people like us commenting at all. I just don't see how they can overhaul the Electoral College except perhaps through state laws.
5
New Zealand isn’t we.
@Truthbeknown
I'm aware of that but I used the term antipodes which is indeed "we".
Europeans however who invaded these contiguous countries at roughly the same time do constitute a "we" of sorts. But I did say "we" meaning the antipodes.
1
Trump is our country's Mussolini. He can't actually shoot anyone who disagrees with him or attempts to hold him accountable for his behavior and violation of his oath to the Constitution. Instead he engages in character assassination and threats towards anyone he perceives as his enemy. For the sake of our democracy, we must end Trump's vile presidency and attempt to heal all the damage he's done to our country.
43
Don’t you remember his threats against the whistleblower were caught on tape? Don’t be so sure about can’t shoot. If he wins in November, nothing will stop him.
2
Now that the impeachment fiasco is over both sides should take a deep breath and go over how they are treating each other and above all how they are treating us, the American people.
Every time they insult each other they are not helping themselves and not doing right by us. They are supposed to work together to make our lives better.
The biggest problems that need to be solved are very clear and both sides need to work on these problems jointly.
America above all suffers from a trophy self-image disorder (emotional baggage disorder). Each one of us is raised on the belief of being the best. Thus we create emotionally challenged brains that project emotionally challenged trophy self-images on a massive scale. Our leaders too suffer from this same disease.
We need a Wise Parenting manual that ensure raising selfless pure selves. We need Brain Therapy for those older, including our leaders.
We are very good at making money as our Mind Education is very effective but our Brain Education is a mess. Thus we make good money with our well educated minds but we spend it with our miseducated brains.
Our focus on making money is very good. We need to create an equal focus on saving money and investing money.
Getting rid of the trophy self-image in our young & old has to be the top priority of our leaders. If America is to be transformed from an emotionally challenged country into an emotional health super power then the brain & mind both have to be made emotionally healthy.
Trump, Boris Johnson, Duterte, Putin, Morrison, Bolsonaro: how did it come to this? How did so many people fall for such base emotion? Is there any way out? I can’t see it, other than a war.
10
If I don’t listen, will he stop talking?
23
@Summer Smith
No chance.
6
Trump, once again, proves that he his unfit for office. Republicans are fine with this.
26
It is now more then ever that we do not accept the behavior of the president and the Republicans. They are tearing our democracy apart a piece at a time. Shredding the constitution before our very eyes, while falsely proclaiming their love of country. It is now, all who care, for this dear country and her people must act, call your congressmen and senators‘, get out and work for those running against the republicans . Vote, fund, their campaigns if you can. Just do, all that you can, act to save this dear country now. It is the time, it may be our last. Hold the line.... Today the President was the Emperor without any clothes for all to see, Romney saw and was the only one, in the Republican Party, who dared to speak, it now our time to speak up also... today what the president did and said in the Whitehouse was not ok!
8
We are at a point where the only question left is which Democrat will lose to President Trump.
The headline on the WSJ editorial stated it very succinctly—James Madison 1, Nancy Pelosi 0.
The irony of what the Democrats did is they helped reelect President Trump.
Vote for America--Vote Republican.
6
We are at a point where the only question left is which Democrat will lose to President Trump.
The headline on the WSJ editorial stated it very succinctly—James Madison 1, Nancy Pelosi 0.
The irony of what the Democrats did is they helped reelect President Trump.
Vote for America--Vote Republican.
5
@Jonathan
You may be right but you cannot know that for sure. The Trumpistas use that line a lot. Voting for Trump is voting for Putin to call the shots in America. Remember Helsinki and the Russia if you are listening comment?
The WSJ is a Murdoch propaganda wing. We know Murdoch well over here. We grew up with his games. A
vote for DJT is a vote for ceding control to an Aussie and a Russian.
11
Help me: the Russian candidate /operative Trump imposed strong sanctions on Russia after his election. Help me explain that logic.
1
@Bob Guthrie Well said! News Corpse has a lot to answer for here.
Hey Trump, wake up! No one is praying for you. Myself, I have only been praying daily for your early demise.
Today, I went to the County Elections Bureau and changed my voter registration from Independent to Democratic, just so there's no misunderstanding how I feel about you, the Republican Party and this year's election.
14
A Pyrrhic victory was won. But look at the cost. Fifty three lying Republican Senators on display for the world to see. The Constitution, trampled in the dirt by these same Republican Senators.
A Ruler, was given a green light by these same Republican Senators to withhold pertinent subpoenaed testimony and documents from our government that would establish Trump's innocence or, guilt.
How any real American can continue to support Trump and the Republican Senators, is inexplicable. The depth of the ignorance of those that support all of this is impossible to accept. All are traitors to our Democratic Republic, all of them, except Mitt Romney.
Our American youth fought and died in huge numbers in our county's wars, to defend our principles. They gave all they were, all they could ever be for those principles embodied in our Constitution.
They made the ultimate sacrifice. They and their families and descendants ought to be furious at this traitorous act by the Republican Senate and Donald Trump for illegally withholding testimony and documents.
If you have vets or active service personnel in your family and support Trump, you'd better take a step back and honor your ancestors and family and what they fought for, or, are fighting for. I tell you they did not fight for the despicable Republican Senate and the likes of Donald Trump and you dang well know it.
16
When Trump talked about rats I couldn't help but remember my youth of long long ago when I first learned to hate Ronald Reagan. The people Ronald Reagan ratted out and whose careers were ruined were loyal Americans they were actors and creative artists likes Judy Holliday who loved her country but had a different idea for what it could be. When the head of the screen actors guild had his weekly meeting with J. Edgar Hoover people just like us were destroyed.
The sight of Reagan on tv made my father physically ill.
I cannot understand how Donald Trump's medal of honor is my hate monger.
Are my ethics and values so perverse and those fine Christian folk think my brother Jesus never talked about peace, love and understanding.
7
Just one more case of Trump's Narcissistic Personality Disorder being inflicted upon the nation. Any reasonable person would have shown some contrition after being impeached, especially since so many of those who voted to acquit him admitted in private that he was guilty of the misconduct described in the articles of impeachment. Any reasonable person would have used this as an opportunity to heal after such a rancorous partisan squabble. Any reasonable person would have at least tried to comport themselves with a bit of dignity.
But Trump the narcissist is not a reasonable person. Rather than act presidential or do what might actually be good for the nation, Trump behaved true to form. All he could offer us was a series of wild, unhinged attacks on everyone who he perceives as his enemy. His rants were so histrionic as to be laughable. Don't we deserve better?
We need a POTUS who can do more than spend all day pursuing petty personal vendettas. Trump's narcissism continues to plague the nation and will continue to do so until he is removed from office.
13
There are literally tens of millions of us Democrats who pray constantly for tRump. We pray for him to leave office yesterday.
15
Not accurate that the speech “focused on payback.” On the contrary, the bulk of the speech was thanking supporters! Including his family. Unbelievable to claim otherwise. I watched the whole thing—almost an hour and a half. You are mischaracterizing the speech.
3
This too shall pass. Take a deep breath, vote, donate and stay the course by following the Constitution's principles.
5
Somebody, of great importance such as Mitch McConnell, ought to remind Trump that he is the President for all Americans and throwing accusations wildly all over the place to 65% of the population (and growing quickly) is utterly unbecoming to a President of the USA. Not only that McConnell ought to order the reconvening of Trumps' trial of impeachment and this time around convict him because he earned the conviction himself by totally abusing the annual Prayer Meeting at the White House. While Mitch has that talk with Trump he should also make it clear that Trump is not a King but an elected official who can be removed.
6
The New York Post's front page today shows a gleeful Donald Trump tearing up the articles of impeachment. I don't know if the picture is an actual photograph or a mockup; I suspect the latter.
But if it is the latter - an editorial cartoon with photographic components - then I suggest a truer one: a gleeful Trump tearing up the Constitution.
6
What a nightmare all of this is. Doesn’t feel real. It’s scary and surreal.
12
There’s no point in watching or listening to Trump. We all know he will lie and bully. It’s all just another iteration of the same old.
This is a difficult time for everyone who wants him gone because we can’t see a clear path to his removal, at the moment. But have faith and donate to Fair Fight and the local Democratic parties in swing states.
8
The picture of Trump holding the Washington Post newspaper is reminiscent of the picture of Truman holding the Chicago Tribune with the headline, "Dewey Wins." (1948)
Truman turned out to be quit a president. He vetoed the Labor Management Act of 1947 (Taft-harley) which Congress then passed over his veto, marking the start of the "Right to Work" movement.
Cheers
I am an old person (over 90) and i'v never heard such an evil speech.
It is the the one hour tirade made by our president after he learned that he would remain president.
Trump is favored to win again in November. What does this say about my country ?
There is one advantage of being an old person--- I might not have to watch all of the coming five years of Trump leading our unfortunate nation.
M.W. Endres
23
That this man could call anyone "evil" or "corrupt" confirms my suspicion that I'm trapped in a novel by Kurt Vonnegut.
We could use him right now to capture this madness in prose.
13
The only thing Trump is acquitted of is his sanity. To see this nation brought low by a tangential fraud is sad indeed.
9
Trump's vindictiveness only divides the nation further. He possesses no humility and doesn't begin to comprehend Christian forgiveness. In truth, he is not fit to be President as he cannot in any moment of his presidency appeal to the better angels of the nation's nature. Winning is the only thing he understands and the ends totally justify the means as to how he attempts to win at anything he does. 16,000 lies and mis-truths later we are witnessing an authoritarian-minded juvenile threaten to make his perceived enemies "pay." We are in a moment of great peril in this nation and hopefully the majority of Americans have had enough.
5
I predict this will endure as one of Trump’s most often cited and memorable speeches, considered absolutely perfect—especially in professional psychology forums—in how well it portrays what narcissistic personality disorder looks like up close.
Some advice from personal experience, and I know this is a hard pill to swallow: you can’t beat a narcissist. They are simply incapable of recognizing the toxicity in their life is their own, and they want everyone else stuck with it. The most courageous thing you can do is keep becoming a better version of yourself. Don’t get stuck on what they’re projecting on you. Have faith that the things that keep you bound to this person will snap eventually. It will.
12
Trump impeachment trial by the senate was all but a trial. It is the only trial in which there were no witnesses - they were not allowed - and it had a Chief Justice who chose to overlook it and to cooperate with the majority party in the senate. If someone played it on SNL it could be funny, but for the USA it is ominous.
Ami Oren, MD
Los Angeles
5
Trump has a great if quirky sense of humor.
When, a decade from now, the Governor of Florida will name the Miami International Airport the DJT, Trump will have the mid hub shaped like an asterisk.
2
Democrats, please restrain your worst impulses. Make disputes about policy differences. Work for those who elected you, those whose life condition you wish to work to improve and not for satisfaction of your visceral dislike of the President, please.
President Trump, however hard it may be, same for you.
Congress as a whole and American Free Press, come on, seriously, acknowledge the clear abuses within the FBI and DOJ that started all this and get to the bottom of it. It isn’t really a Democrat or Republican issue if we had a law enforcement agency, the DOJ and elements of the intelligence community working to remove or weaken a President.
Civil servants, we pay you more than many of you can make in the private sector with unbelievable retirement and other benefits in this day and time, the least you can do is remember who the elected leaders are and what their policy setting responsibilities are. You owe this country your best, honest advise and participation; and, like the rest of us, you need to follow the decisions made by the elected leaders, not unilaterally or with others simply decide to resist or not follow that authorized lead. And, if you cannot, you owe it to all of us to do something else.
4
I am deeply disturbed that the mainstream press is once again allowing Trump to create a narrative contrary to all previous political precedent and common sense standards of decency. Getting caught red-handed abusing his office and needing his presidency to be saved by Mitch McConnell, at great cost to the integrity of the U.S. Senate, is not a triumph! It's a stain on his historical legacy and a political humiliation.
This should not be treated as an issue where Democrats see it one way, Republicans another, so take your pick. In what objective universe is being caught trying to subvert an election a win? In what universe is being caught violating the public trust and compromising national security a win? In what universe is being impeached by the House of Representatives a win? In what universe is acquittal in a sham trial in which adverse evidence is suppressed, yet the case for guilt is overwhelming, a win? In what universe is having a majority of the country convinced of your guilt, and half the country wanting you removed from office immediately, a win?
It is long past time that the mainstream media learn to report the objective truths of the Trump administration, and not present his distortions and rants as though they are equally plausible interpretations of reality.
6
Didn’t some Republican say the other day that after these impeachment proceedings, Trump had learned his lesson? Never mind. The GOP will support him regardless of what he does, as will the Department of Justice. Absolute power corrupts, and they are bathing in the corruption. If the next election shows Trump “winning” electorally while losing even more of the popular vote, the last nail will have been hammered in the heart of our democracy.
1
It was crystal clear from the very start of the impeachment inquiry in the House that Trump would ultimately be acquitted. So why does this very unsurprising result warrant such huge headlines in our newspapers? Once again Trump is playing the media like a fiddle.
8
What Bill Clinton did with an intern would have gotten any CEO of a major company out the door in minutes. But the Republicans made a big mistake. They should never have impeached him. After his statement, "I never had" etc., they should have dropped the effort to impeach and let him live with it. The acquittal gave him a way to say "This is behind me now and I am a changed man and sorry for all the trouble I've caused." With Trump there was never any chance he would be convicted. The whole process could have been dealt with in one day. Impeach in the morning and acquit in the afternoon. The probability was that the vote would have been the same in the House and in the Senate as it was Wednesday. It was political and had nothing to do with high crimes. One House Democrat told it the way it was when he said, "If We Don't Impeach This President, He Will Get Re-Elected" Exactly. If they could beat Trump at the poles they would not have needed this drama. Some are saying "We will re-investigate". Hopefully someone will tell then to tamp it down. We gave it our best shot."
3
Keep in mind that Trump’s acquittal does not mean he isn’t guilty. He’d have to be exonerated in order to be found innocent of the charges against him, and that will never happen.
7
From my Canadian understanding of the issues and problems before the American public, most can be solved by exercising the most mentioned right in the Constitution. The right to vote!
4
Trump is about as far beneath contempt as possible and an embarrassment to the office of the presidency and the nation.
65
Unhinged. Immediately.
Well done, Senate Republicans.
Just wait until the election gets closer.
Have fun backing the President then.
40
Keep hammering Congress- this garbage is not normal. It is not OK.
45
A truthful headline would read:
GUILTY!!!!
(but acquitted)
54
Rarely have I seen someone so adept at using an occassion to 'snatch defeat from the jaws of victory" as the speech by President Trump. While I have always thought that the impeachment process was political and largely a result of the divided nation and Congress, his appalling lack of dignity, his lashings of vitriol and the sheer vindictiveness will alienate a lot of voters - including those who voted for him. If he had just shut up or acknowledged the end of the process gracefully he probably would have earned some kudos. But to essentially attack his detractors, particularly Nancy Pelosi (someone, to me, who always seems to act with grace, intelligence , strength and dignity) is counterproductive, not to mention, downright rude.
38
@Gary "Nancy Pelosi (someone, to me, who always seems to act with grace, intelligence , strength and dignity)"
The highest point of her career, her 15 minutes of fame, was tearing up Trump's speech on how much better the US is now.
1
You and the people who agree with you show a stunning lack of understanding when it comes to contemporary American politics. I completely agree—Trump is terrible and the fact that people will support him seems absurd at face value. Yet here we are.
3
@novoad
She beat him on the government shutdown.
Her long services is hardly 15 minutes
Previous offices: Representative, CA 8th District (1993–2013), Representative, CA 5th District (1987–1993)
2
The Trump act is totally predictable. It's becoming tedious. Why should the news media cover him any more? He's like a TV sitcom that has run out of material. In the old theater tradition, bring out the hook. Yawn, yawn, yawn. ...
28
45* hasn’t run out of material.
The worst is yet to come, I am afraid.
4
how is it possible that our president vilifies half of his country, calls me and my elected representatives "evil," "corrupt," "horrible people?"
One of my oldest friends is now parroting the trumpian talking points - how the House was "so unfair," "just out to get him." He's not much of a reader, nor a historian. But the constant drum beat of propaganda speech is embedding itself in the American consciousness. This gay man, in a longtime biracial partnership, now feels that the lawmakers are "out of line," "out to get him," and "totally disrespectful" of the president.
What is our antidote? Much appreciation for the poor keynote speaker and his exortations to 'love thine enemy.'
13
Trump is no friend of religion, quite frankly he is no friend of anyone and likely has very few true friends. It is a sad condition. He is his best friend and he is loyal to himself alone and that is a very sad existence
27
I'd vote for Romney if he got in the presidential race as a Republican, Democrat, or Independent!
17
@Tom Edgar I'd have to see his opponent first, before going as far as to vote for him, but he certainly gained new respect from me this week. And he would make a far better president than the current occupant.
5
@Karyn - absolutely!
2
Impeachment Trump is creating a enemies list that rivals Nixon and is far longer. It’s up to good decent patriotic Americans to get themselves on it to counter him as a badge of honor. An enemies list so long he’ll just get tired of it.
14
I especially loved how it projected that had this happened to President Obama, there would be so many people in jail by now.
Well, it DIDN’T happen to President Obama, it happened to “it.”
And “it” might want to review how many of its people are currently in jail, as well as how many are awaiting sentencing.
29
@Leonard Cohen
Either America stepped into an avalanche or democracy is coming to the USA.
It is not an acquittal. Please stop calling it that.
The Senate agrees that Trump* is guilty as charged, on both counts.
It is just that they voted to not fire him.
That is no acquittal.
The shame and disgrace is indelible.
45
When I opened this piece the comment count was 1984, how appropriate! We've entered a whole different realm. Trump is like mad dog off his leash. Anything goes now. Be prepared for revenge on a scale that should, but likely won't, be the wake up call for all Republicans.
21
All trump does is project, lie and gaslight the country. How anyone can even listen to his abusive speeches anymore is beyond me. I'd rather watch paint dry. Hopefully November sees him out the door because he's been a cancer on the environment, our schools, the economy and our standing in the world. How so many Americans can be so blind to the damage he's done to our country is just beyond me. The media really needs to do some charts and comparisons between Trump and Obama's economy. Obama last three years created more jobs, had a higher GDP, had larger stock gains and he was much better for the environment. Wish the press would report on it.
29
Trump was seething during the SOTU address. Now after the senate vote he looks like he went over the edge, finally, something different in his demeanor and voice. Watch out for more lawbreaking and vindictive actions.
27
If you listen to Trump's rants and denouncements. you are hearing projections of himself. For example, when he describes democrats as liars, he is talking about himself. He has already committed over 18,000 lies since being elected. When he talks about Hunter Biden taking advantage of his father's title, he is talking about his daughter Ivanka winning trademarks from China and who knows how many other benefits his family members have gained since becoming president. When he calls democrats cheaters, we know how much Trump has cheated on the emolument clause. I think you get the point!
38
We are now witnessing malignant narcissism unleashed. It is obvious he is unfit to serve as president of the United States because he is mentally incapable of serving anyone but himself. Shame on the GOP, his cabinet, his staff (including the gruesome Stephanie Grisham), his aggrieved supporters, and even his family for inflicting this deranged individual on our once great country.
32
Thank God we elected a fighter when we elected Trump. We all knew that swamp would fight every effort he made to bring change. If he wasn’t willing and able to fight back, our effort to change corrupt Washington would fall short. Luckily, he can give even better then he takes and the Country is seeing just how nasty and mean spirited are the likes of Pelosi and Schiff.
9
Right. And Trumps tweets and speeches are angelic.
31
I pray for you William. It is a constant pity party with Trump and his supporters. I guess you don’t find his birther comments nasty. What about his comments about John MxCain? His comments about grabbing pussy? Paying off porn stars? Blood coming out of a Fox female reporter must be nice comment too. Making fun of somebody with disabilities? Not paying his workers? Taking advantage of people through Trump University? Calling Mexicans rapists? Poor Trump is so nice that he deserves a foreign born nude model whose family became citizens through chain migration as his third wife / First Lady. Give us all a break. Pelosi, Romney, and most any other human being is nicer than Trump and his swamp family, friends, and cult-like GOP followers.
71
What change has Trump brought to Washington, or the country, other than a hateful, childish and divisive approach to dealing with those who he disagrees with.
34
Who didn't see this coming? Except maybe the democrats who insisted on impeachment even though they knew the outcome was never in doubt and that Trump would never be removed.
Now we get to live through at least the next election with Trump on the warpath. Thanks impeachment democrats. For nothing.
The time, money, effort, and energy would have been far better spent on formulating policies and rallying behind a candidate or two who can remove Trump from office. By voting in November.
4
If you were set up by the cops, wouldn't you react like Trump?
If you were caught on film perjuring yourself, wouldn't you react like Clinton?
17
@sf Really, you need to read the Mueller report. Read the transcript of the call and realize what he did was illegal. That said Ken Star went after Clinton based on a real estate deal and only found a blue dress.
39
@sf
Rudy and Trump were working to set up Trump?
14
@sf He was caught on film perjuring himself ?
Tell me more .
9
Trump will rig the upcoming election in November. He will take dictatorial control of the country. I said this, and sent in comments predicting this, over 2 years ago. I just couldn't believe nobody could see what his intentions were from the very start.
I'm trying to find a way to move to Canada. We, as a country are doomed, because there is absolutely nobody here that will do anything to stop Trump. He spits in their faces and they just sit there and take it.
Don't believe me? Did you see what he did at the prayer meeting? Did you see the foul language and disgusting insults that poured from his mouth, but most importantly, did you see not a person in that room had the courage to stand up to him. And these were the "leaders" of the country.
24
Collins is right. He has learned from this.
The same lesson he has learned his entire, ill-begotten life of lying, stealing, cheating, conning, and betraying:
When you're a star, they let you do it.
34
I quote the Fifth Psalm
"For there is nothing right in their mouths
within them- falsehood
an open grave their throat
their tongue, smooth-talking"
Trump's mouth certainly is an open grave and the ship of state under his captaincy is sinking
12
Donald Trump is not politically correct. But I believe every word he said today he truly meant it with all of his heart. I did not believe one word said by Nancy Pelose.
5
Yes he did. And that is the problem.
1
I’m sure he meant it, too. But that doesn’t change the fact that he’s delusional and clearly ill.
4
Republicans are working their second job in the comments tonite. I wonder how many sign-ones one person can have?
10
I also wonder how much some of them are getting paid, and in which denomination!
3
@Lisa
I have been wondering the same thing.
1
@Lisa
Get real. The vast majority of the comments here are so filled with hate and anti-Trump venom that I am surprised that anyone at all expressing a contrary point of view would have the temerity (nay, the utter audacity!) to even post a comment. The comment section of the NYT has become one large Never-Trump echo chamber of preaching to the choir.
1
I have never heard any President ever threaten other Americans like this fool does. People, President Trump is mentally ill. Someone must remove him before he causes more chaos. We must demand this.
33
Don’t pay taxes! I keep hearing all of these Americans crying about how there is nothing they can do to combat our proto-Fascist (my words) government. During the Mexican War, the inventor of civil disobedience, no less an American hero than Henry David Thoreau refused to pay taxes. He went to jail for it! Ralph Waldo Emerson came to visit him there and asked, “What are you doing in there?”
Thoreau’s response? “What are you doing out there?”
I get it. Americans have been taught to obey authority and fear prison more than anything. I feel the same way. But there is safety in numbers. If tens of millions of Americans refuse to support the current corrupt government through tax money, they cannot jail us all. Probably, they will be forced to grant us amnesty. And people who don’t care about politics will probably join us on large numbers simply because they don’t want to pay taxes.
I understand that this is a dream, pure fantasy. The American people don’t have the moral fortitude to stand up against oppression when their ability to survive is even slightly threatened. Never mind that so many people have stood up in the same conditions throughout history even when they knew execution was certain.
8
I’ve offered this practical way to make an impact so many times. I have learned that Americans prefer empty rhetoric to practical solutions.
2
A class act he is not. He is not fit to be president of anything.
24
The guy lives in a Bizzaro World version of General Hospital.
13
Democrats need to stop voluntarliy falling into Trumps vortexes.
Trump continue to raise belligerent unsubstantiated claims against Democrats and Democrats cave in every time spending time to refute and expose his lies. WHile Trump entertains the US public with lies and Democrats are same old ....
For someone like myself who does not listen news 24 hours don't understand the whole story, needs to GOOGLE to catch news trail of the day .... so you see I am trapped into the vortexes of Trumps and Trump gets to lead the news. By the time, I, like everybody else, who do not have attention span don't have time to hear Democrat's version and hence Trumps wins.
Democrat needs one spokesman who start to, NOT respond to Trumps allegations, but start allegations of their own.
Otherwise come November, Trump will win by largest landslide.
Democrats rather than like .... many outlets tends to hire someone who is young, handsome and pretty but have no substance perhaps need to look for someone who is seasoned in this type of tactics .... there are many including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jesse Ventura ..... yes seriously otherwise, come November, we will be watching Titanic leaving the port.
4
By all means we must try to stop this madman and his followers. Vote, march, write, call representatives. Yet I begin to think that 'hope for the best...prepare for the worst' is wise.
Americans don't know what life is like under a repressive, totalitarian regime. Yet this may be on the horizon. People have lived through such times, and their stories are often the most inspiring. Members of my own family fled the Nazis and survived, with great difficulty, to come to this country. Faith often gets people through it. Research has shown that it was empathy that made people shelter, at the risk of their own lives, those who the Nazis sought out. Being able to see oneself in others is the essence of it. We thought such evil was defeated here in the 'land of the free.' Maybe this was hubris, for which we will be punished. The natural world will suffer terribly, as will we, being a part of it. Mourn, brothers and sisters. Have courage. And have candles ready to light in the darkness.
Republicans just don't see these things as a possibility, they really don't...for once I pray they are right.
13
It’s as if Cartman became president. Funny on south park, kind of messed up in real life.
11
no matter your voting preference, the president's remarks today regarding his opponents are just plain creepy.
23
I almost feel sorry for this guy wrapped up in a ball of self-loathing and terror. He’s been a flop in practically everything he does. Everything he touches turns to dust. Everyday he wakes up scared. Now the whole world knows. He can’t pretend. He can’t hide. He can’t lie.
18
Well, he can and does pretend, and lie, but we take your point. We see through his lies to the sad, corrupt soul within.
13
In a political landscape of cowards and dupes, Trump is king. The “modern” Republican Party.
10
Imagining a historical Q&A:
Joseph N. Welch -- "Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?"
Donald J. Trump -- "Of course not. Next question?"
12
sounds like a pure case of "projection" from Trump. Guess who is evil and corrupt?
18
I still cannot believe that this is the president of the United States. He is the junction between childhood ignorance and nothingness! Something is wrong with this world we live in. Ignorance only begets ignorance.
22
He gives new meaning to the words “bully pulpit.”
11
There wasn't an acquittal because there wasn't a trial. My dad was a State Supreme Court Justice. I've been to trials.
That dumpster fire was a Golden Senatorial Ticket so he can go back to the Wonka Factory and tend to his "Oompa Loompas."
16
And this was at a PRAYER BREAKFAST??!!
22
Susan Collins was right. He’s definitely learned his lesson...NOT.
- Tom
10
Now is the time to subpoena the Biden’s to appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and start asking some real questions.
4
WHY? Joe Biden was doing his job. The European Union wanted the corrupt Ukrainian prosecutor removed. The United States wanted the corrupt prosecutor removed. Joe Biden simply did his job and delivered a stern message to Ukraine that multiple counties agreed on. Nothing he did was for personal gain. Stop beating a dead horse.
Debunking 4 Viral Rumors About the Bidens and Ukraine https://nyti.ms/31U93X5
21
Seriously? You must be joking.
7
@William \
Why so? The Bidens were already cleared from being guilty in any means, and did nothing in America to warrant any indictment.
That, unlike Trump who received a "Get Out Of Jail Free Card" for him being Impeached Forever, due to that sham in the Senate led by McConnell, on Trump's most serious high crime that any president could commit, in a "Violation Of Federal Election Law." That high crime also included additional other high crimes to deploy, starting with Bribery and Extortion for just two of them.
So with Trump officially being an Emperor now, and Barr his Vice Emperor, after they both led the way to causing a Constitutional Crisis in America, you actually feel they can simply pick at their wish anyone in America to be fraudulently charged, despite not having committed any crime.
1
Infinitely exhausting.
9
Disgusting.
He’s weak, first and foremost, and the only power he wields an illusion sustained by those weak minded and easily corruptible persons, who readily easily intimidated by his rants and insults narcissistic rage.
His words are empty. Only unfortunate so many don’t care.
The root problem, however, is we that are witnessing the long term consequences from the under-recognized, calculated gerrymandering of “red” states during the 2000s. It needs to be fixed or this will continue.
15
The complete bankruptcy of this administration in all its dimensions—political, humanitarian, moral,
constitutional, fiscal, legal—was on breathtaking display today. Trump, in his remarks today, merely projected onto his adversaries his own dark demons, and demonstrated again today in spectacular
fashion just how unfit for office he is.
18
To celebrate his dubious acquittal, better define his management style, and introduce the vengeance he's about to unleash on his enemies, President Donald J. Trump today changed his name to President Donald J. Corleone.
7
It is uncanny how Trump continually hits the nail squarely by calling his non-toadies exactly what he is. He is evil and corrupt, moreso than any other person in the world.
20
Every GOP senator needs to dust off a copy of “The Ransom of Red Chief” by O. Henry.
Them folks own everything that happens from 5 Feb onward. Good luck.
7
Right; let a failed real estate cheater interfere with U.S. elections. Let a never-elected-to-anything non-politician, an inept reality show guy, an ignorant narcissistic sociopath, cheat his way into power, & destroy the GOP. What could go wrong?! Hint: Google "sociopath"; born with no conscience, no sense of right and wrong, no ability to empathize.
23
Senator Collins, when your rationales are so wrong, so many times perhaps it is time for you to fall on your sword.
17
Trump...you're projecting...again.
And, it's plainly obvious.
17
We have a king now. The only silver lining is that people are finally beginning to notice. This is who he’s always been, and anyone who was paying attention has been terrified since 2016.
17
The most interesting thing about Trump's day of rage was his attack on religion. He attacked Mitt Romney and Nancy Pelosi for following the tenets of the religion they practice.
Any Catholic knows we are taught to love the sinner and hate the sin (neither is all that easy) to pray for poltical leaders that they may serve the people well (doesn't always work out) and to pray, as the Lord's Prayer enjoins, for "those who have trespassed against us".
Just cause the President doesn't know squat about prayer or he wouldn't talk like this doesn't absolve his supporters from recognizing the evil at the heart of his remarks to the prayer breakfast and his self-enshrinement speech before an adulators assembly at the White House.
I want to know how evangelicals feel about his attack on prayer by public officials. If evangelicals haven't figured out by now that Trump is "the man of recklessness" (also called "man of sin") described in 2 Thessalonians what is it that impels them to claim that Trump is a "chosen one"?
Is it that thy believe Trump is God's punishment of America for its sins?
21
I am a religious person, but I often forget myself by being angry about politics. I feel like in certain people, the politics drive the religion. That is absolutely backwards.
3
It's still hard for me to believe that a man like Trump is admired or believed, much less worshipped like a golden calf.
It's even harder for me to see how people could sell their moral principles down the river for a con like this.
26
Let’s hope that after the election the Republicans will be wandering the desert for 40 years without being re-elected.
3
Trump is the perfect example for eliminating the electoral college and changing how we elect our president. The team (president and vIce president) with the most votes wins.
14
Donald does not feel acquitted but validated. Now he’s talking about payback, vengeance upon the evil doers trying to take back his election and his blessings upon the world since then. He’s serious.
It’s sad because he really has no clue as to what he’s doing. He spent his life trying to be considered famous and admired for the attention. Being President is not what suits him. But the power and the importance he likes but the responsibilities not so much,
12
@Casual Observer 'no clue'
you have to be kidding --- he was born vindictive.
5
Let's face it, folks. What do you expect, inviting The Mighty Donald to a prayer breakfast? Hint -- you don't expect much prayin', unless you count Wrath-of-the-Donald as prayer.
11
After watching DJT on TV today, can anyone tell me where he is having his pity party?
7
@TVM - It's not a pity party. It's a gloating party. That's what he does whenever he racks up a perceived win.
2
One word —- PROJECTION
29
Also acquitted: O.J. Simpson.
37
@Gordon
Who, by the way, will soon join Mr. Trump in a joint press conference to reveal that Joe & Hunter Biden are the "real killers" of Ron & Nicole.
3
Biden/Romney ticket, anyone?
12
...who would be swayed by that? Biden’s not even polling top 3 and Romney just painted a target on his back.
4
Dear Democratic candidates,
Since it’s now okay to enroll foreign governments to help your campaign, the solution is simple: make a better deal with Russia, China, erc. and get the real dirt on Trump!
18
What abysmal behavior...he couldn't wait to spew his poison and sicken society with his own personal corona virus. Susan Collins said impeachment would teach him something..It did..he was excused by the senate and he believes he is now more powerful than before...Germany, 1930's..
33
Susan Collins is the worst of the republican senators.
8
I think we all knew that this would be coming when he was "acquitted". Hearing him go on about it and not either in a dignified or diplomatic way - two qualities of which he is sadly lacking.
I am very afraid of what this country has become and the direction in which it headed........
26
And to think I voted for the guy in 2016. The only thing Trump has accomplished is to make Bernie the obvious candidate in 2020. America’s 99% who elected (barely) Trump in 2016 will now have the choice they were denied in 2016, Bernie. Thee 99%, victims of distorted 1% capitalism represent the vast majority of America’s disenfranchised.
11
For the first time in my life, I’m genuinely afraid that a President will take steps to actively harm me and my family because we live in a state that voted for his Democratic opponent in the 2016 election.
32
@M.A.
It’s probably already happened with the tax cut that hurt blue states with higher taxes and better services.
12
@M.A. My thoughts exactly. Those who live in blue states are already at the receiving end of trump's vindictive nature via his tax scam. Who knows what else he'll do.
We're living in scary times.
11
Not to worry. Massachusetts can make it on its own. We have it all. Finance, health care, education, research, coastline, energy, and brains. If anything, the rest of the country needs us more than we need it. We are the smartest state in the nation with generally rational government, let’s call it the republic of Massachusetts and leave the other 51 states behind.
1
I have the strongest premonition that somehow Trump had something to do with the Iowa fiasco. I heard on rhe news that his supporters were calling in and jamming the phone lines among other things. So this is the plan now. An emboldened, vengeful, angry, all-powerful, acquitted Trump won’t need all that much international interference in his re-election. He can now just sabotage the Democrats in the open. Who’s going to stop him?
26
@Wally Wolfd Agreed. Trump will sink to all new and dangerous lows to avoid losing power. And his Republican lackeys in Congress will be protecting and enabling him at all costs to the country.
6
I think it’s important to do some fact checking and confirm before making accusations like this. I most certainly hope this did not happen.
1
The presidents acquittal was never in doubt, but that's how the founding fathers intended it. It doesn't mean that Trump is no longer impeached. The simple truth is, we will survive Trump. Our democracy will survive Trump. We will be perfectly healthy after 2020 or after 2024. We the people will repair his damage to our government and world image. In time, Trump will be a mere demerit note in American history. When he is gone (and he will be gone) the GOP will inherit his mantle and be punished for their hubris and dissembling of the truth. We will recover. Trump's image and that of the GOP will not.
8
We may survive Trump, but will we survive the Trumpists? I fear, not.
7
@C C Hazell Have you read the pro Trump comments on this very thread? These people aren't going to admit fault, they're not going to have a change of heart. His approval ratings appear to be stronger than ever right now. Right wing politicians are acting more like him daily. I fear for the future of this country. Hopefully I'm wrong.
14
@C C Hazell I pray that you're right. Regardless, I will be doing everything I can to help. It's up to we, the people, to give our elected Democratic officials the leverage they need to continue holding trump accountable for his actions.
Donate, volunteer, protest, organize, boycott, write letters, make phone calls, knock on doors, participate in voter outreach and registration drives, drive folks to the polls... do whatever you can to help and make your voices heard.
Whether you support him or not, Joe Biden is right -- this year's elections will be for the "soul" of our country. Vote in numbers too large to manipulate!
2
Trials have witnesses. Since there was no trial, there was no acquittal.
29
Too many of our fellow Americans are suffering from anger and a desire for revenge rather than reconciliation. I'm not sure why, but personally I'd be glad to pay higher taxes to make life better for them (as well as those in the bottom economic tier) and give them more opportunity to achieve their dreams.
11
How to deal with a bully? Not sure. I think perhaps Nancy Pelosi made a mistake in tearing up the speech and insinuating that Trump was "sedated." At first I thought it was great, but after reflection, I wonder...I think it just gave him more ammunition to abuse. This all falls well below the example of the great Statesmen-women of the world. What would Angela Merkel have done? What would President Obama have done? What would Ike have done? What would Barbara Jordon have done? I cannot believe I am saying this, but what would George H and George W Bush have done? Enough said.
4
Nancy May have made a mistake but she acted in the moment, out of disgust. I say good for her.
7
@Karen At first, I questioned Pelosi's actions for the same reason. But trump is going to abuse anyone who dares to stand up to him no matter what they do. His mean spirited attacks would've been the same no matter what Pelosi did.
If it exposes trump for the vindictive thug that he is, then good for Pelosi. I would've torn up his speech too, especially after he refused to shake her hand.
12
once it was said.'we have nothing to fear but fear'. Now we do fear the elected 'leaders' in Congress who are fearful of the POTUS and their 'leader'...and their parents and grandparents were the 'greatest generation'....God may forgive them, but I shall defer
9
Watching the State of the Union followed by the National Day of Prayer and Trump’s celebration of having been “cleared” in the impeachment trial and hearing all of the bragging hatred emanating from his mouth made me think of Aesop’s fable about the Eagle and the Jackdaw, which goes like this: An Eagle, swooping down on powerful wings, seized a lamb in her talons and made off with it to her nest. A Jackdaw saw the deed, and his silly head was filled with the idea that he was big and strong enough to do as the Eagle had done. So with much rustling of feathers and a fierce air, he came down swiftly on the back of a large Ram. But when he tried to rise again he found that he could not get away, for his claws were tangled in the wool. And so far was he from carrying away the Ram, that the Ram hardly noticed he was there. The Shepherd saw the fluttering Jackdaw and at once guessed what had happened. Running up, he caught the bird and clipped its wings. That evening he gave the Jackdaw to his children. "What a funny bird this is!" they said laughing, "what do you call it, father?" "That is a Jackdaw, my children. But if you should ask him, he would say he is an Eagle."
Vanity is such a horrible sin, and Trump is no Eagle.
He will be remembered forever in the history of our country.
20
Why does Trump a winning candidate (trump) have to use so much Facebook disinformation?
12
As Trump pursues his revenge and retribution and congressional republicans assist him I wonder how far it’ll go. Trumps going to be even more aggressive and unrestrained now that he got away with manipulating Ukraine for political gain and colluding with Russia. He knows there’s no limits to what his base will support and his Republican Party will stand for. Interference in the 2020 election is a given, what besides ignoring and encouraging that interference will the Trump administration and campaign do? I expect a lot of online and real time intimidation on the part of Trumps more fervent supporters, he’ll encourage it and make references to the possibility of violence while claiming he’s joking or do his wink and a nod routine. The rallies will resemble Nuremberg even more than they already do and extremists will flock to his banner (or red cap). The gun toting militia types and white suprematists who are celebrating Trumps “win” in the senate will prepare to “support” their president along side the clueless red cap wearing Everyman Trump voter. Its going to be an ugly time made so by an ugly corrupt man who will not cede power willingly. Is that how far the trump republicans will go I wonder? How much is enough for the unrestrained carnival barker and his crew of cronies. Well we’re going to see, now aren’t we.
17
He’s completely unhinged. If I acted like that in my job for even a second, I’d be fired immediately.
80
So Trump (again!) assails his ‘evil’ and ‘corrupt’ opponents?
Simply amazing the way this corrupt and evil man goes around accusing others of the very qualities that HE HIMSELF exemplifies over and over again! This is truly pathological.
As well as being part and parcel of his ongoing Big Lie. This sort of things is really right out of Propaganda 101, as practiced so "successfully" in the 1930s, as well as by others like Putin, Erdogan, and Dutarte today.
And of course there's also the whole pathology about Trump's Enemies List, which dwarfs Nixon's and makes him look like a piker in terms of an ongoing war on his "enemies," using and abusing most of the branches of government in the process."
A truly toxic person, if there ever was one. And the toxicity keeps spreading....
28
When is the GOP going to acknowledge that Trump is getting back only what he dishes out to others when it comes to being viscous. They claim he is just "fighting back when attacked." What about the person who is always belittling, name calling, and generally being nasty and vindictive to people who are critical of him (the slightest comment will set him off)? It's like the argument the kids have in the schoolyard to use as an excuse for starting an argument; "But, he started it!" Have we sunk that low? Yes, and even lower.
7
The only way to get by the daily dose of the Trump Dynasty is to find humor in it. Trump and his Republican partners in crime have gone so far over the line of cluelessness and lies that they have become caricatures. Every day they unknowingly give comedians more material than they can cover. I look forward to my dose of Trevor Noah and Stephen Colbert every night to help get me through this dark time. I know what Trump is doing is dangerous and he is harming our country. I can't do much until Election Day, so laughing at him will work until then.
15
It is difficult to believe there are elected officials who are actually more worried about keeping their jobs or being reelected in November because they fear Trump and his Tweets. Is there none among you who will actually stand for something? Bullies never win and in the end are just dust in the wind.
13
The Trump-pot calling the Kettle black.....
? Did we expect anything less ?
5
A mentally ill person has reached the rare position of answering to no one.
And it also appears there are no family members that can address the situation with him.
History tells us this does not end well.
31
Dear Sen. Collins, How is that chastisement thing going? You knew that was a false rationalization when you said it, and Trump didn't even give you a day's worth of grace to pretend otherwise.
33
Even though the end result was a foregone conclusion, impeachment was absolutely the right thing to do, because it publicly laid out trump's abuse of power. The Republicans disgraced themselves, as we knew all along that they would. But one of their number acted with honor. In acting according to his conscience, Senator Romney all the more exposed the dishonor of his colleagues.
And so today, as trump triumphantly celebrates his acquittal surrounded by a bunch of morally challenged accomplices and sycophants, I have one word for him:
Icarus.
13:20 EST, 2/06; reposted 22:05, 2/06
13
It wasn’t just what Trump said - it was the way all the Republicans in the room clapped and cheered. Now the GOP Senate is planning sham hearings into the Bidens.
This is way beyond the pale. These people must be stopped.
39
The comments across social media and on news story such as this say much more about the state of our Union than the SUTU address and the acquittal response.
We are broken.
The current elected leader of our country knows exactly what he is doing. He is a product of the entertainment industry. From real estate mogul to reality tv star to elected office, he knows exactly how to manipulate the story, the media and the public. As long as he feeds our desire for shock, disgust and drama we are hooked. We react with pearl- clutching outrage . Or we eagerly accept his line “Fake News “ because we seek affirmation of our own biased outlook. We want someone to blame for our misfortune, our hard luck, our inability to achieve the “ American Dream”. The current administration is delighted to hand us someone to blame. That way we would never dream of considering that laws and policy favor keeping power in the hands of and under the control of the few and benefit the rest of us little to none .
If we don’t find a way to work towards understanding how and why each of us has arrived at such an entrenched polar opposite opinion and work to correct how our republic went so wrong, Mr Trump will enjoy our continued swirl around the toilet bowl. Because he takes delight in it and others currently in positions of political power simply don’t care so long as they stay in power.
9
These evil people have to be solidly defeated and cast out from positions of power. After that is done, we can then talk about compromise and coming together. There is no compromise with evil such as this.
1
He shares his audience with the Fox network in a symbiotic relationship intent on the destruction of our liberal democracy.
We need to start calling him the "Fox Network President," and the "Fox Network Mistake."
When he lies, we should say "Only the Fox audience believes this nonsense."
Both he and Fox's unpatriotic authoritarian trajectory need to be recognized, emphasized, criticized, and eliminated.
It's the only way our country will survive.
20
Only authoritarians threaten and carry out revenge against their perceived enemies.Now that the Justice Department has been compromised by Trump , who will make certain that there is not lawless behavior by Trump and his minions.Our Constitution is still threatened by Trump and his Republican cohorts who are determined to do anything to win in 2020.Where do we turn to now for justice-Trump has tainted every branch of government.
756
@JANET MICHAEL And despots call opponents enemies. They cannot or will not make the distinction.
77
@JANET MICHAEL For the first time in my adult life, I'll be a "single issue voter" this year...that issue will be to get trump out of office. Same goes for his Republican lackeys in Congress who protect and enable him at all costs to the country. I don't feel great about it, but the damage that trump and the GOP will do with another 4 years has left me no choice. It won't be safe for any of us.
Whether you support him or not, Joe Biden is right -- this year's elections will be for the "soul" of our country.
165
@JANET MICHAEL I'm afraid the only option left is the 2nd Amendment. I hope some of the State National Guard petition the Supreme Court for clarification on whether they are in fact entitled to jail Trump and for how long.
20
If they focus on "payback" they may create fear and rage and counter-payback.
4
While this is certainly appalling behavior I stopped expecting anything else from Mr. Trump a long time ago. Like many others I fear what he will do to the country. But when I listen to what he says I can’t help but recognize that he must be in serious emotional pain. Imagine the relief you would feel if you were in his position. Instead he lashed out. He has two failed marriages and has been unfaithful to his current wife. I expect that when he reflects on his circumstances he thinks that he is worried about whether everyone loves him. But what he fails to see is that the root of his problem is his inability to love anyone else. As I write this Lawrence O’Donnell is making a similar point. So if you are unhappy or anxious about the state of things imagine what a horrible existence Trump must have. It is terrifying in the sense that the Ancient Greeks used it. At some level he completely loathes himself and that prospect must be so terrifying he can never face it. Listen to what he said today. He despises people that use their faith for “ evil purposes.” This from a man who deceives evangelicals Christians for his own advantage. The hypocrisy of hearing him say he is fighting corruption while he is the living breathing embodiment of corruption himself shows how strong his self deception is. God what a tortured soul. I could imagine no greater torment than having to live his miserable existence.
19
@Jim Bonacum The underlying root of narcissistic personality disorder is deep seated self loathing, buried so deep, it takes years of intensive therapy to peel back the layers to address it. And only if someone who meets the criteria for NPD could even be convinced to seek help in the first place.
So your comment is totally on point.
Then again, trump may not have NPD. He could just be a hypocritical, vindictive and morally bankrupt thug who, due to a lifetime of privilege and excess, has never had to face consequences for his actions.
7
Kudos to courageous Utah Senator Mitt Romney, who is the lone Republican senator who has a backbone! Shame on the rest of senate republicans! I think the house democrats maybe should have brought a censure given not much Republican support of impeach. Now they are giving Trump the pleasure to declare that he is completely exonerated! HE IS NOT. He will be judged by history! He is a disgrace to that office! Let's vote to send him home!
12
You'd think after this long in office (too long by any reasonable estimate), Trump would give up this projection thing -- calling his enemies "evil" & "corrupt"). But, I suppose, it's the only act he's got, and so he has to ride it out because it's too difficult for him to think about how to be civil.
6
Trump sounds unhinged and going off the deep end. VP Pence should promise the American people that he and the Cabinet will invoke the 25th Amendment at the first indication that Trump cannot perform the duties of his office.
11
Trump should be formally censured by the house for this behavior. My brothers and I surmised he could be the first president to be impeached twice.
He is without doubt unfit for office.
If the GOP can hold 45 or 50 votes to repeal the ACA, why can’t Dems vote repeatedly to impeach?
Impeach, impeach, impeach and finally remove.
18
He ranted for over an hour. Trump believes that he “chose” various members of Congress (without reference to voters.)
I did not vote for Sen. Romney when he ran for president, but that’s because I disagree with his politics. I think he would probably be a good neighbor. A Mormon bishop, he tithes 10% of his income to his church. And then there’s Trump, of the fake foundation, fake university, etc. He cannot imagine Nancy Pelosi praying for him. How terribly sad.
10
A shame you can't send Senator Romney a note of thanks and support. Someone has his email the Senator site down for maintenance.
3
This gangster makes America disgrace again. He got away rom Mueller's investigation and impeachment this time. He will do everything to get elected and destroy the country in his second term if elected. Romney didn't get elected but he is honest, decent and respectful.
8
The Mormon Church should come out publicly and condemn Trump. They should ask for Sen Lee's resignation as well as Rhonda Daniels. The leaders cannot stand by and let Trump browbeat them and the state of Utah.
29
Let's play by Trump's rules.
Pick three of Trump's worst actions and focus on them - hang them around his neck. Otherwise, it's the usual blur of "TrumpStuff".
My picks-
1) he ran a phony University - Trump University. Imagine, a billionaire conjures up a way to cheat average Americans. Take their money!
6000 people in a class action sued him. Get a few to speak.
2) he always cheated on his taxes - play his comment that not paying his taxes "makes me smart". Over and over. There's a reason he won't show his returns.
3) he promised charitable contributions to veterans during his 2016 campaign - proceeds from an event. Never happened.
The proceeds went into his campaign.
Cheated veterans!
And, for good measure a whisper campaign about how he cheated on the First Lady just 10 weeks after his son Barron was born.
With a Playboy bunny. True!
I suggest the name "Cheater Don" be his official handle. Every mention of him should start with that handle. Play his game.
Trump is a low baller.
But here's his weakness:
He's the lowest of the low - a horrible man.
Say that. Often.
And make the fraudulent, tax cheat, veteran cheat, wife cheat a mantra that never stops.
Ya gotta focus on a few things and hammer away. Repetition!!
Until "Cheater" is the first thing that comes to mind when the average person thinks about him.
59
@ Paul King
I so agree with this tactic. Trump’s followers mouth his top 5 lies verbatim because they have heard them repeatedly. It is a Propaganda 101 technique.
I wish the DNC and all of the candidates would adopt this technique.
3
Trump has mental problems. He cannot differentiate between reality and his own constructions of reality. He is unable to have ideas and feelings that come from a higher state of awareness, like morality,ethics, compassion, restraint, delayed rewards. He cannot follow a long train of thought, he is always irritated and agitated, and so on. I don't know what causes this, but there must be professionals who do know or have some idea.
I think Trump believes his own unhinged ideas and the fact that he believes them makes him more believable to others if they are unaware of all the factors in the mix.
This can only continue to get worse, more unhinged, more dangerous, more disconnected from reality.
Trump has affected the US and even the whole world negatively and he has instilled fear, threat and severe reprisal into the Republican party, paralyzing most members. Others simply capitulate immediately.
Trump has no conception of the Constitution or the separation of powers, he wants complete and abject worship. He thinks he is magnificent.
Trump will go down on history as the crazy president who deconstructed democracy in the US and had a negative influence on nearly everything he touches.
Meanwhile the workings of the US government break down.
What are we going to do about this cul de sac we are in?
32
This is, once again, classic projection defense used by narcissists - accusing his opponents of the faults they falsely deny of themselves.
Trump is the definitive example of a narcissist in every way, and is mentally unfit for office.
31
The president is a disgrace.
51
Well, that was Christian.
18
Section 4 of the 25th Amendment has never been more applicable or important in saving what remains of the country from Trump and his cadre.
20
Pelosi’s job approval rating is a good bit below Trump’s. And she is what the commenters here and the MSM refer to as the master tactician. She has squandered the Democratic House majority’s time on the Russian collusion and impeachment hoaxes. She overshadowed the Democratic response to Trump’s State of the Union speech by childishly ripping up the speech on national TV. She immaturely lowered herself to Trump’s level. Now she is playing Trump’s game instead of the other way around. She will be a significant reason why Trump wins in November, and why the Democrats loses the House in November.
8
Or, she will be the reason the Republicans lose control of the Senate and President Trump wishes he’d never heard of the White House. In politics, nine months is an eternity!
11
@ Scott
I thought Speaker Pelosi’s action was an eloquent representation of Trump’s speech and presidency.
Trump is ripping up the Constitution, the country, and truth.
And it us very disturbing that people are getting all riled up about Pelisi ripping up her copy of Trump’s speech, and basically have allowed Trump to rip up the Constitution, our country, and truth.
2
It is possible for people of differing beliefs to get along, to be friends, even to love each other, but it is not possible when people on one side are led by a man who tells them that it is not. Trump is by no means the cause of the divisions in this country but those divisions will not be healed while he is president.
26
Despite the bluster and bloviation, an acquittal by those in your thrall is by no means the same as "not guilty" or you're innocent. The judges and jurors were just part of your mob that allowed you once again to avoid justice. Hopefully, the American people were not fooled by the shameful, sham trial and will render their own "exacting payback" and verdict this November; that is, if you don't succeed in rigging the election.
41
@Paul Wortman
Paul, all we can do is hope that the rest of the country are fed up with the Trump scam and vote him out of office. I live in a very downtrodden part of the city of Philly and I am speaking up to the hood rats to get out the vote just as I did with the Obama nomination. It brought tears to my eyes to see the old folks, crack heads and winos in line to vote and I didn't have to compensate them other than telling them that Obama will help them in some way or another, and he did. None of these folks want the white supremacists who support Trump to stay in office I'll continue to advance my outreach.
5
Is there anyone who can save America from
this administration?
It is starting to look doubtful.
Trump even has his own version of the KGB, headed by Bill Barr.
60
@Grove
Yes, Trump is a Don. Totally. He is a crook. He has been a crook from the beginning. I don't know about his dad but I think he was a crook too and taught his son how to take the American public for a ride. Then he became president somehow and is now taking the American public on this ride. The bad side of this is that he's taking the urbanites on this ride too. Dang!
2
There he goes again!
Occupant 45 (AKA Individual 1) is projecting again!
26
@Michael B
The projection that seems most concerning is the talk of a coup.
It seems that Trump and his minions have almost completed a coup.
He certainly has a thoroughly committed nest of swamp creatures.
6
The prez-who-is-impeached displays no class, no dignity, nothing but spite, revenge, small mindedness and anger, anger, anger. This is the looney on whom republicans squandered their reputations and careers? Shameful. But then they know no shame.
67
Want to know what a real criminal boss sounds like talking to his minions and petty pickpockets of our Constitutional system? Listen to Trump today.
41
@Wasatch reader
Seriously, where are you dissenters when it's time to get him gone? Also for the senators who support hm? I'm stumped. How are these Congress and Senators being re-elected? You are in Utah but your state supports a republican senator and two congresspersons? How does that happen?
4
@ Wasatch Reader
My father, a mild mannered, conservative man, who rarely speaks ill if anyone, listened to trump at that breakfast prayer meeting and said: “He sounds like a Mob Boss.”
3
"And this man has now become a god, and Cassius is
A wretched creature and must bend his body
If Caesar carelessly but nod on him....
Ye gods, it doth amaze me
A man of such a feeble temper should
So get the start of the majestic world
And bear the palm alone....
Why man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colussus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs and peep about
To find ourselves dishonorable graves.
Men at some time are masters of their fates:
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars
But in ourselves, that we are underlings."
20
@Silvana
He isn't Cassius...He is CALigula!
11
Unfit, unfit, most obviously unfit.
40
@John Murphy
Since the beginning of the Trump campaign in 2016 every photo op or presser gave me the impression "something about that boy just ain't right..."
Watched the full rant today.
If I were a psychologist I'd be tempted to speculate he remains deeply insecure about the 2016 election. We know he didn't expect to win, we know he lost the popular vote, we know that when threatened Trump will double down like a trapped sewer rat... Now I know Trump will probably never let go of Hillary's e-mails.
He's going to take every crack in the mirror of his presidency to the grave and that's sad. Very sad.
6
The most aggrieved man in the world. Poor guy.
22
It is as if The Godfather went on trial, warned any witnesses that, if they testify, they may find a horse’s head in their bed, threatened jurors and hired his own goons as lawyers, then claimed complete exoneration after the trial.Trump was acquitted, but certainly not exonerated. Everyone, including the spineless Republicans, knows he is guilty as charged.
47
He has a press secretary again?
12
@Tyler
Propaganda Minister might be a more accurate description of her job function.
8
It had the feel of one of those Castro speeches demonizing America (substitute Democrats)
11
Well the man should know corruption and evil since he is the embodiment of both.
31
I don't understand why he isn't impeached for his rape of the environment.
24
Note to everyone: There always was this (large) class of loudmouth you-know-whats. Well, they managed to have one of their own win the presidency. So, it's their day in the sun. And, as we elitists know so well, they are still a bunch of slobs that, we certainly hope, will see their man lose in the 2020 elections. [P.S.: I do always wonder, how would it be to be such a slob? Who would want to be a person like that!].
15
Everyone please chill out. We have the greatest country in history- this shall all pass. Don't let "The Donald" rent any more space in your head or any of his right wing cult followers for that matter. We will flip the Senate this fall and then let the fun begin. In the meantime, stay positive!
18
I so admire your optimism!
3
No, we’re done. We had a good run but it’s over. We need to seriously think about how to accomplish a Czech-style Velvet Divorce.
5
Acquittal under a sham trial is not vindication. Our 'president' is a lawless crook with Senators as his henchmen.
With Trump in charge, why should any other government trust us?
22
Grisham needs to be canned for making menacing comments and for her lack of professionalism. We pay her for this??
24
What a truly pathetic and troubled human being.
22
If Mitt Romney is the only decent person the GOP can come up with, then it's time to abandon that party and start a new one....a party which would be more centred, and that could gather support from both the "left of center" and "right of center".
Why does America have to be so rigid about having a bipartisan system? It's outdated, and is fostering extremes.
Democracies, in order to survive, must evolve.
Time to think out of the box.
23
It turns out that Mitt Romney was the final Republican I voted for.
3
I’ve just learned about the Trump administration’s on plan to allow mining and energy drilling on land in southern Utah that had once been protected as part of a major national monument. Is this punishment for Senator Romney’s action?
18
So much for Susan Collins' comments that Trump would be chastened and would have learned his lesson. The lesson he learned was not what Collins' offered as a reason for her vote for acquittal. Vote her out Mainers.
32
@Julie Jeffrey
It didn’t take long for her words to come back to bite her.
She is finished.
5
Trump can say what he wants, but he cannot undo the fact that he is and always will have the distinction of an impeached president. That is his label forever that a lie or an argument cannot subdue or overcome. In that Trump shows himself consistently to be a narcissist and liar, he has no credibility in minimizing this anyway, regardless of what he tells himself about his own linguistic bullying potency. The fact that the Senate “jury” in his trial was stacked favorably, save 1, to effect his “acquittal” (including in strategic denial of petition for witnesses) makes the matter worse for his after-the-fact whining protest of unjust treatment. And regarding prayer for him by such as Speaker Pelosi: It’s very clear, regrettably, he only understands this, ie, “prayer for,” in connection with satisfaction of his own ego needs. Christian prayer, as would be the case for the Speaker, is hardly about that.
7
He has “ gaslighted “ a large chunk of voters. Unbelievable.
20
It’s so hard to view President Trump as my president as he degraded my values at every turn. I don’t expect my adversary to parrot my words, but I wish they’d consider my speech. How demeaning that my president does not value me.
8
If President Trump had been removed from office what would have happened? Would the world have returned to a pre-Trumpian golden age? Would President Obama have returned to office without career Republicans playing obligato to the bigotry of our nation? An age of civility and decency?
No.
We would have had Mike Pence installed into the Oval Office with 9 months of news cycles; Republicans would have been blanketed with the narcotic fog of Fox News until November 3rd and the Republican aparatchik would have been fiddling with their abacuses of self preservation, obfuscation, and calumny.
This is the best that could have happened. Sadly.
To change things we must demand more from ourselves and push that upon those whom we choose to be our leaders.
11
The Republican Party will live to regret this sham they committed. Partisan politics on BITH SIDES OF THE AISLE set a bad example of professionalism. As far as Trump.... I’m surprised he can read the article on acquittal or even knows the word. He hasn’t shown that he can read the constitution. I am a registered republican and am now ashamed of my representatives. Our government and this process has failed us as citizens .From start of this to the end it has been more hyper- news and exaggerated positions on both sides. Now a real criminal is acquitted and the senators that did this should be held accountable. Sadly ,the keys to the asylum are in the hands of the inmates.
12
Amid the chaos and the confusion over nothing less than impeachment frenzy, Mitch McConnall demonstrated his senatorial adeptness, flawlessly. Trump is right to praise him for his conduct in these proceedings.
6
McConnell was “adept” at stonewalling to protect the criminal behavior of the President.
6
So, here you are. The great “leader of the free world” pontificates like a deranged monarch, free to do and say whatever he feels without restraint. The unrepresentative Senate dotes and accepts his behaviour like an entitled House of Lords terrified that the hysterical king will strip them of their aristocratic privileges if they dare to cross him. The Star Chamber court complies with any directive, dutifully serving the crown that put them there. So much for the “beacon of democracy”. So much for “The American Century”.
For this you fought a revolution?
38
@NaisetNorth And I for one don't want him or his offspring to set foot in Canada ever again. Common criminals should not be allowed entry and should be turned away at the border.
5
How can Trump claim vindication and hail the acquittal when he personally blocked all witnesses and documents preventing the whole truth be told? How can you claim vindication when doing the above is obstruction of justice which is an impeachable offense?
And even worse; how can U.S. Senators who took an oath to defend the constitution and this country against enemies both foreign and domestic place this oath second to theirs of loyalty to Trump? The answer is simple; their love of money and power.
21
At least he held up the Post. Not the Enquirer. avenues left: the ballot box, law enforcement, and the courts. The Dems dithered in the last 3+ years or we might have some favorable rulings requiring production of documents, depositions, etc. only cheating in the way that certain folks might react to, e.g., financial, tax, other nefarious conduct or scandals. are salient now - only such developments/disclosures, if they come, will conceivably drive a wedge with white women red state/suburban voters in the fall. maybe the SCOTUS will uphold the rule of law, not a man who thinks and acts as above the law.
6
I feel like I'm grieving. I have lost hope for this country.
51
My emotional response is the same as yours. Then I think of what I wrote my sister a few years back. I agreed our relationship was irrevocably changed. But perhaps a new relationship could be built even better than the one before. That was years ago and she is yet to contact me. I choose to continue hoping....Even though Trump could be a death blow to democracy (but not by himself) I choose to believe hope is not lost. And maybe what emerges in his wake is a country stronger and more self aware. The alternative is our country becoming a dark projection of Trump’s empty and frightened soul. I refuse to live in such a place.
7
@Joe Culpepper But if this is their place, where do we go?
2
But I bet your 401k is fatter
1
The only question we need to ask as we watch our world end in fire and flood and pandemic, is: do we want a lousy TV show host to entertain us, or a serious politician trying to hold out some last vestige of hope?
Seems like America would prefer the former.
At least, we are finally washed clean of all illusion.
21
No surprise at all so we shouldn’t wring our hands in distress at Trump’s acquittal in the Potemkin-style trial by the Senate. We already know the GOP has morphed into a cult so there was never going to be even a simple majority to dismiss Trump, let alone two-thirds.
Yet what could never have been scripted at the outset was that the lone republican Senator to vote for his removal would be the GOP party leader and presidential candidate from 8 years ago, Mitt Romney - basically Trump’s predecessor. Mr Romney can now carry the torch symbolically to rally independents and traditional republicans to thwart a lawless chief executive. Another wrecking ball strike at the Trump edifice.
17
The mental state and emotional immaturity of this man will make a heck of a case study for clinical psychology. Is his behavior physiological in nature, severely arrested development combined with cognitive decline or all three and then some. I've never seen anyone project so clearly and with such viciousness.
You would think those close to him would realize his threats are escalating in number, have become exceedingly dangerous to those he targets, and call for medical evaluation or some form of intervention. If not, someone's going to get hurt - or worse.
44
We Christians need to ask ourselves why we should support a president who uses profanity while speaking publicly from a room in our White House and uses a National Prayer Breakfast to go after his enemies with vitriolic gusto. Is this how our Lord would want our nation’s leader to think, speak, and behave? Where’s our faith that we can bless and show the Lord’s love to mankind without clinging to political machinations? Where’s our moral courage? Don’t we believe in decency anymore? How can we stand by and condone or much less support a man who tears down our Lord’s principles of charity with his hatred?
If he has behaved this way so far, what do you think he will do when he doesn’t need our votes anymore?
57
@cw
You sound like a real Christian, so of course you are confused - the answer lies in the fact that Evangelicals are not actually Christians - they are Old Testament Bible Thumpers, who love to criticize other people's lives rather than try to improve their own. They have big planks in their eyes, you know?
If you don't believe that, ask one to recite the Six Commandments given by Jesus. You'll probably just receive a confused look for an answer.
10
@cw Both Protestants and Roman Catholics have to decide at what cost they want Roe overturned. I don't think this is God working in strange ways. This is big money and right wing think tanks making the most of their moment through Mitch McConnell.
1
@Band at the Stern
Right. Since Karen and Stormy have both said he did not use a condom it is possible he has had to fund a termination at some stage. If that turned out to be true would that be an end to his 5th Avenue boast? Would the white evangelicals say "that's it. he has done it this time"?
I do not think so.
1
Maybe we should stop accusing him of things he did not do. Hunter Biden got a no show job. This we know.
8
@one percenter-- How do you know this?
9
Adam Schiff and Nancy Pelosi are wonderful heroic patriots.
There are many others lately and the world history books will tell our grandchildren about this dementing time and give these good people the credit they won't get from Trump and Fox + Friends now.
I wish Adam Schiff would run against Trump. Just to hear them debate would be exceptionally lovely. The contrast between sensible and articulate, and incomprehensible gibberish, would be heartening.
Just about any candidate will trounce Trump though. I predict he will refuse to debate and go to a Trump rally instead.
22
No way will Trump agree to a debate this year. You nailed it there.
10
@Anne Be careful what you wish. It may come true!
And you would be amazed about who trounces whom...
2
There is no way Trumps people will allow him to take part in a nationally televised debate. It would be political suicide. Trump can’t get through a single minute without slurring his speech or going off on a tangent or both.
5
The whole speech was horrific, however, did anyone catch what he said about wives at the bedside of their ailing/dying husbands? He pronounced "jokingly" most would just get up and leave to do something else as through they did not care. Trump was mentioning this when he talked about visiting a man who was near death and the man's wife remained by him, which surprised Trump. He has such low regard for women in general and has no compassion within him to know what real love partners have for each other "in sickness and health". I was totally sick when I heard him degrading women and the meaning of true enduring love.
50
@Teacher: Trump is describing the behavior of abused wives, and his own mother and his own wives are probably among that cohort. That's probably why he takes it for granted that all wives feel that way about their husbands. He can't imagine real love, because he's never had any in his life, and he has seen the men in his life treat women badly, so he does the same. He assumes that's the way it is, because he has no other experience himself, and is now too old to bother trying to figure out the truth. I'd feel sorry for him, if he weren't so busy spreading his toxic manure across the country.
2
@Teacher
Thank you for this comment. I recently made a similar one because I was shocked that there seemed to be little or no reaction to his nastiness toward women in general. All that money must mean a lot to someone who grew up in Slovenia!
2
Trump is all projection.
If you want to know what he is guilty of, just listen to him talk about others.
28
Just compare this speech to Clinton's after he was acquitted. Clinton apologized and was humble. Unlike Trump, as a perfect example of a malignant narcissist, projecting his faults, corrupt and evil, onto others while lambasting those who did not succumb to his manipulations, Romney and Pelosi, and then exalted all of his "wonderful" qualities of fortitude that he does not possess. When will more of the country see past the words and look at the actions of a man who has none of the qualities of a good leader: magnanimous, articulate, thoughtful or an uniter. He will continue to try to divide our country, create policies that will continue to increase suffering of those who are more marginalized until enough of us decide we have enough of his fear, divisiveness and childish behavior and take away his power.
7
He’s definitely threatening the people who worked and voted to remove him from office.
An arrest of opponents puts us into dark territory.
27
President Trump has a lot to celebrate. He was just guaranteed another four years in the White House. Thanks Democrats.
10
@KMW -- Based on this speech? Nonsense.
12
The only thing Donald Trump has to celebrate is that there are so many rubes who have nothing better to do with their lives than support him.
3
This video should be mandatory viewing for all elementary school students on how not to act.
Be Best.
15
There is an episode of the old Twilight Zone series that features a boy, Timmy, I think. Everyone around him is terrified of him and does everything possible to please him. Because if Timmy does not like something the people around him do or say, he will “wish” them away and they disappear, sent off to some place forever, never to be with family or friends again.
Donald Trump has become the real-life embodiment of the monster child Timmy. Everyone around Trump bows and scrapes, afraid the monster will hurt them. Enjoy your time serving Donald Trump, all ye who cowardly abet him. You deserve the pain he heaps upon you.
22
As disgusting as the president is we must remember that he never pretended to be anything other than who he is. There is nothing shocking about Trump for those who studied the facts about his life. The shocker is the depth of corruption in the Republican Party and the apathy and gullibility of many American voters.
So what do we do about it? The answer is clear. We need to vote out Trump and much of the Republican Party. Otherwise our nation will suffer the logical consequences of allowing an authoritarian president to rule. There will be civil unrest and violence much as what was experienced in the 60’s. Will this be the answer to Trump? Probably not. But it will be the likely result of those who fear Lake Wobegon will be replaced by a multicolored America.
22
Maybe acquitted, by those spineless, and fearful Republicans in the Senate, but still *IMPEACHED*. He'll always carry that onus, even though he doesn't understand it (or much of anything else of elementary civics classes...)
5
Remember, Trump uses the defense mechanism of projection like breathing. So, whenever he sees someone as “evil” and “corrupt”, guess who’s evil and corrupt. His pronouncements are filled with these insights into who he is. Oh, and as a side note, projection is considered to be a relatively primitive defense mechanism, and can be an indication of paranoia.
7
While watching this rant, it was clear to me that several in the room are part of a cult.....just waiting for positive reinforcement from Trump. He called out several people and spoke about what a great job they did. Chuck Grassley, for example, looked like a sophomoric lap dog salivating for recognition. Those that he called out stood up and soaked in the accolades. This is just a part of the problem. These are our leaders and representatives? I don't think so.....grow up and start serving the American people.
18
He is an incorrigible ignorant petty and hate fueled recidivist in total denial about his own culpability and he will no doubt be impeached again should he win re-election which would appear increasingly unlikely as his administration inherits the global recession and the Wuhan novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) epidemic spreads around the globe and demonstrates the degree to which his administration has gutted our pandemic preparedness infrastructure and chased irreplaceable public heath talent out of government.
Given his obvious comorbidities and age, he should be personally concerned that even a modest 30% infection rate affecting 110 millions Americans could well include him and his case could become acute based on age and an overall poor health status.
Once the hospitals fill up with 21 million acute respiratory distress cases and put out no-vacancy signs and the morgues and funeral homes start filling-up with 2% to 3 % of those infected, his presidency is all but over as the US will experience a steep decline in GDP and life expectancy, and guess who is going to be blamed for it.
All liars, cheats and cons are fools who don't know when to fold em and move on - in this case - he is now going to preside over the biggest disaster to befall America since the 1918-1920 "Spanish" influenza pandemic. Lets see how well his wall does at protecting America from a pandemic.
5
Collins, Murkowski and Alexander should be forced to publicly reassess their statements describing how Trump was chastened and would in the future stick to protocol. Trump hes been unleashed to continue with his vitriol, lies and threats. Take a bow McConnell your legacy will be etched in the annals of history.
9
Come one Dems, get busy. This will pass.
5
If anyone wonders why Buttigieg is giving Biden, Sanders, and Warren a run for their money, they should look carefully at this moment. Perhaps I'm alone in this, but I'm sick of the screeching, ranting, panting, bluster in today's politics and I don't like it from the left or the right. The calm, measured, voice of someone who sees politics as something other than a shouting match will get my vote.
14
They say power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Trump was corrupt before he even took office, and Republicans in Congress just gave him absolute power.
11
This is the era of Sen. Joseph McCarthy on steroids.
Anyone "foolish" enough to stand tall for right and truth and fact and for our country's ideals is doomed to suffer at the hands of the Trumpites and Trump.
Dare to cross Dear Leader, and suffer the consequences.
Today's senate Republicans hid in their bunkers even as the "enemy within" was (and remains) loose in the Land.
These Republican senators did not dare be brave enough to protect the rest of us -- no, not us, the powerless.
No, they ran like the fleas they are, the cowards they are.
Mitt Romney has served as the lone Joseph N. Welch.
No other senator rose to defend us, the powerless.
The Republican senators left us to the tender mercies of Donald J. Trump who -- even in victory -- cannot seem to be gracious or even civil.
God help us all; this man will be on the loose until enough Americans decide to be the next Joseph N. Welch and the next and the next . . .
Until, finally, this plague is gone from our land.
13
Donald Trump has not one scintilla of class and decency. The shameful things he says about others, the way he continues to divide this country, the sheer hatefulness the man exudes is simply disgraceful. We all need to pray for him because he is systematically destroying this country. We are a global embarrassment. He needs help. WE need help because of him.
9
He certainty learned his lesson.
NOT!!!
5
If anyone would know evil it is the Trumpster. No moral code, noone above himself. He should look in a mirror.
7
As an 18 year old college freshman in 1953, I took an Intro. Psych. course and came across the concept of "Projection." Its applicability to Donald Trump couldn't be more accurate, when he calls his opponents evil and corrupt. He is the embodiment of the very qualities he sees in others, a neat trick for a liar, a misogynist, a racist, a violator of the constitution and more. Any college freshman can figure Trump out. The GOP? that's another story. And it will be told.
11
Looks like retaliation’s the norm at the White House. Where’s the EEOC when Trump’s opening attacking and denouncing Pelosi and Romney? What a depressing word we live in where bullies win, panic and fear are worser than deadly viruses, where criminals get away with crime. I just want to tune all of it out.
4
At any point do little donnie's enablers get disgusted with his juvenile, hateful name calling? At any point do they say enough is enough? So he can call the dems names, but they are bad because Nancy tore up his appalling speech? The cons have no decency left. None at all.
11
Trump and his cult have turned this kind 75-year-old grandmother into a hater. I despise the president and everything he says, does, and stands for. I was never like this pre-Trump, but he has invaded my peaceful life with porn stars, convicted felons, vulgarisms, cruelty to children and the less fortunate etc., etc. I will do everything in my power to defeat him. I only hope I live long enough to see American return to its rightful self.
53
Eileen, I’m not quite your age but you have described how I feel exactly. In my 70 years I never thought I’d be so obsessed with politics, much less despise the leader of the free world.
8
@Eileen in Fla. Remember the good old days when people in this country simply woke up and went about their daily routine never having to think about or worry about what our obnoxious president might do next to upset us or embarrass us around the world? Life was easier then. Life is hard with this dishonest villain.
Only the evil and corrupt call the honorable and righteous evil and corrupt.
10
Earlier in the day he was practicing this self pitying and vindictive two step act before religious leaders at a "prayer" session. He repeated all the old lies and added new ones that he is now spinning re: his acquittal. I am not a religious person, but I do remember some of the 10 commandments and I find the so called Christians who support this man as he spits and slobbers all over their doctrines absolutely contemptible. In the end they will find out that he has no more respect for them than he does for anyone that isn't carrying his golf clubs, to put it nicely.
9
My first thought on reading this was that poor Susan Collins must have been terribly shocked by Trump’s latest vindictive diatribe. She had such high hopes about his learning potential. On the other had, perhaps someone as innocent and credulous as Susan does not belong in the senate, given that the ratio of wolves to lambs is so disadvantageous to the latter.
8
Doesn't look like he's counting on any on-the-fence voters does it?
3
We need a leader in the Democratic Party to lead us NOW! Today. Who is it going to be? Who is going to tell us terrified Dems what to do to come together? Stand together? March together?
Nancy Pelosi?
Chuck Schumer?
Who in Feb 2020 is the true leader of the Democratic Party?
We are in a national crisis yet when Elizabeth, Joe, Pete, Bernie, Tom, Amy, Corey, Andrew... speak to us... they tell us of their plans for the future AFTER they raise $ and AFTER they get elected.
Last night at the town hall just hours after DT was acquitted, no one said what we need to do NOW, except go to your websites and give you money.
Well. We need one of you to be a TRUE leader now. We are terrified, mourning, frantic. Our constitution and our country is threatened.
Don’t wait to get elected. Lead us to join you in the streets, or to join in a moment of commitment, to lift our voices, to share our absolute love for our country.
Who is going to emerge as our leader?
3