Still not sure why Trump wasn't impeached for accessory to murder for giving the Saudi's the green light to kill that WaPo columnist Jamal Kasshogi.
I am a Republican and support our POTUS.
I see nothing wrong with him vis a vis Stone.
Come on, folks - we have Democrats going around the country - intervening on behalf of illegal aliens - not to be deported.
Heck, they are even talking about abolishing agencies, opening the borders etc.
And they have championed sanctuaries and offered drivers licenses that may threaten security of our transportation. Just ask stare of NY.
Why?
All in the name of serving constituents or human rights or whatever.
But the real reason is to fight a political battle with our POTUS.
Well, what goes around comes around.
If POTUS thinks - his constituent has been harmed by our system - why should he keep quiet?
As it is - the courts have yet to declare a sentence.
This all may be worth nothing if consequence.
The rise of Frankentrump. If only it was a movie.
1
The whole scheme of Senate apportionment should have been junked after the Civil War, because it is the most atrocious vestige of slavery stalking the US. States are not differentially apportioned for any other reason.
2
Maybe it's impeachment time. Just add up all, and I mean ALL, of the witness tampering and intimidation over the last 3 years.
Is obstruction of justice a crime? Yes.
Is witness intimidation a crime? Yes.
What about judicial intimidation? i.e. threatening a judge?
This has all happened in public. What is wrong with the system? I always felt that Trump should have been charged with bribery in his 1st impeachment. Time to play hardball with this administration before it is too late.
And the headlines would be awesome: Trump Impeached for the Second Time! Read all about it.
3
Senator Collins, you sound like the grandma talking about your nephew Trump.
Why are their no backbones in the senate.
What a disgusting display of elected officials in Washington.
You all make me sick. There needs to be a revolt.
3
This has little to do with Republican "fear" in the sense of losing their jobs. They can easily make a lot more money on K street. This is about fearful personalities, namely authoritarian personalities.
The Republicans in congress as well as most of the remaining Republican electorate all share authoritarian tendencies. Until we understand the actual nature of what we are dealing with, even if we somehow survive November, this will happen again. We can't change the 40% of the population predisposed to think as authoritarian followers. This is largely a biological trait. What we can do is inoculate our government from being affected by these types. It means changing our electoral structure. Eliminate the Electoral College, make senatorial representation commensurate with population and eliminate gerrymandering.
Other constitutional changes will also likely be required. We cannot expect a 235 year old document written with a lack of understanding of modern biology, psychology and sociology to meet needs we are fully scientifically aware of today.
4
The Walter Cronkite Republican notes that targets of extortion and bribery are frequently reluctant to admit it. When you have them by the family jewels, their hearts and minds soon follow. Just another step toward our transition from democracy to imperial tyranny. We remain, for now, a democratic republic. If this is allowed to continue we will have no-one to blame but ourselves.
1
@Gregory West: What Trump pulled on Zelensky was a classical Trumpian corruption, so second nature to Trump that he doesn't even know what he's doing to the person.
1
@Steve Bolger Actually, I was referring to his Republican Senators, Thanks, Greg
Don't they know that as soon as Trump has laid waste to those on his "enemies list," he will start in on his friends? One glance that is somewhat lacking in adoration and slavish devotion, one gesture that indicates independent thought or opinion, and it will be "Off with their heads!" People like this lope through their days looking for someone to victimize, terrorize and eviscerate, and once they have rid themselves of their enemies, they will start in on their friends.
1
We can certainly count on Lindsey Graham to spin into whichever way the wind is blowing. His moral compass seems to have been neutered under Trump. No flattery is too great for our Lindsey and no humiliation so absorbed.
3
The national shame continues. Senate Re
Publican came comment without further compromising what little integrity if any they have left, if any.
1
Why pile on Susan Collins? She's a Republican--not any worse than the rest of them. She doesn't owe anything to Democrats. If her constituents don't agree with what she does, it is their job to vote her out.
2
The Republicans haven't been conned by Trump. He's giving them every regulatory rollback they've asked for, he's nominated one conservative judge after another, he's in the process of rolling back food stamps, medicaid, dirtying our water and air, deregulating the financial industries so that they can sell the American people on mortgages they cannot afford. He's even nominated to the Federal Reserve someone who wants to return to the gold standard, eliminate the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and even the Federal Reserve. Trump wants to take us back to the 1950s, but his appointees would take us back to the 19th century.
The Republican Senators know exactly what he's doing - they're doing happy dances back in their offices. How do we stop this? Defeat Collins (Maine), Tillis (North Carolina), Gardner (CO), McSally (AZ), and support the re-election of Jones (AL) and all other Democrats running for re-election. We need to punish the enablers.
6
He is unleashed and with predictable results. Even the justice department has become political.
The passivity on the part of the Republicans is disheartening, despicable and frightening. Don't they care? Have they no shame?
We watch as our democracy is slip, slip, slipping away before our very eyes.
2
“Should the president stay out of cases? Yeah, absolutely. He should not be commenting on cases in the system,” Mr. Graham said. “If I thought he’d done something that changed the outcome inappropriately, I’d be the first to say.”
If anyone believes Graham would ever be the first to say anything against Trump, they are as delusional as Graham.
6
So Trump fires Col. Vindman and Gordon Sondland, and the "handful" of Republican Senators who disapprove (without summoning the nerve to say so publicly) are concerned about *Sondland*?
1
@Bluesq: Who will buy diplomatic seats with political donations now?
Same question every time: How much are these Senators getting paid to build the foundations of this Autocracy? Maybe someone could ask Mr. Putin, or Deutsche Bank?
5
i like trump if for no other reason than he drives the media crazy and he is not presidential. does he tell whoppers? yep. do i care? nope. my taxes are lower, my 401K is higher, the economy is great. there are more jobs than people to fill em. yep, he's my man.
1
Your reasoning is so brilliant. I wish I was as smart as you are.
1
To paraphrase Susan Collins:
I think the people of the United States would be better served if you would resign or were voted out of office.
2
It’s going to be awesome when Trump declares himself President for life.
"Privately, many in the party say it is just often not worth it to challenge him in the open. Better to try lobby the White House quietly, like a handful of Republican senators did last week when they tried to intervene to stop Mr. Trump from firing Gordon D. Sondland, the ambassador to the European Union." Yeah, and how is that working out for you Repubs. He really has learned his lesson didn't he? You just gave him a carte blanche "get out of jail free" card.
and he is using it.
2
Oh really, little to say?!?!? Their time to speak was when the Senate was asked to do the right thing. Now they, and very unfortunately we, bear the consequences.
1
A White House remodel is not enough. Something like 23 of these people are up for re-election to the Senate. If Trump is allowed to stay, or republicans remain in control of the senate, it’ll be four more years of this garbage. Franklin aside, on November 4th, what kind of government will we have given us?
2
Republicans are guilty of the Trump's arrogance and black hand methods, firing everybody told something he didn't like during the impeachment process.
Trumps is still at his first term, so I wonder how vindictive will be if he gets a second term, loosing every behavior brake.
2
In the U.S. Navy, it was often suggested that, if you wanted to get rid of someone. just start a rumor that the Admiral wanted the person transferred and someone would take it as an order. If you wanted to be really certain, start a rumor that the Admiral's wife wanted the person gone.
In Trump's case, he starts his own rumors even going so far as to use an alias.
1
They don't have anything to say, these senators that so carelessly allowed our corrupt president to continue destroying our democracy. They don't think its that bad; they aren't responsible for things he says; they ignore his tweets - how many excuses will they come up with as they continue to enable this man, this authoritarian, this abusive bully who does not understand nor care about his position - he only cares about himself.
These senators, these men and women who have turned their back on their constituents, on their oath of office, on the constitution, are all responsible for the chaos this white house revels in; they are responsible for the people whose lives have been turned upside down because trump is unreasonably angry at them; they are complicit in enabling this man to break our democracy and the rule of law. They are standing by, watching trump destroy everything we treasure as Americans.
They all must be voted out. Plain and simple. Any trump enabler needs to go. The only way we save our country, the only way we save ourselves, is to remove the people in power who allow this man to abuse his position, at the cost of our freedom.
Amen.
2
There is no bottom to what the Trump republicans will do since none of them have any integrity.
4
The Senate could have chosen to censure Trump for his "inappropriate" (read: illegal) behavior after they acquitted him, but no. Now he's running wild, and unrestrained by even disapproval.
4
WAY too late for words now. They are cast in iron in the saddest chapter of our country's history, forever. They are Trump's party, forever, witnesses and participants in the death of the GOP. They lost the right to talk about deficits, security, Russian attacks and corruption. They are cowards and liars, who have forsaken their oaths to God and country -- for a man with no loyalties whatsoever -- a false idol. They need to be drummed out of office, one and all.
2
What conclusion can we believe, other than that Trump didn't take over the Republican Party, the GOP finally got a team captain as corrupt as they are.
The GOP Senate is didn't vote out of fear, they voted to continue the looting of the Treasury and shift to fascism.
1
Profiles in cowardice!!
3
At this point, perhaps it makes imminent sense to let Bloomberg buy the election, then watch the Republicans be on the front lines to declare the election unfair and champion the effort to undo Citizens United - Win/Win.
3
I hope Democrats are collecting video of Republicans running away from questions about Trump. They will make great campaign ads. We need representatives in Congress with integrity, respect for the rule of law, and most importantly, courage. We don’t need leaders who avoid responsibility for the degradation of Department of Justice and the rule of law.
11
@Sherry Great comment. Surely, the Russians, the Saudis, the Chinese and all of our other adversaries are collecting video and taking notes for their future prospects.
We need to be asking -and I hope the Times is investigating- what further corruption lies within the Republican party that ties the hand and buttons the lips of so many in Congress? Certainly the drive to remain in office is so strong that most will place that over the nation's interests. But to have only Senator Romney break ranks on the impeachment vote, and still after that, even he won't comment on the President's subsequent actions?
There is surely something else going on, here. Sen. Alexander is leaving office, but remains mute. His college Sen. Corker started speaking out after he announced his retirement two years ago, but then went silent again, and to this day, even as a private citizen, says nothing.
Congressional Republicans make excuses or remain silent as we cross one line after another, yet there is no one on that side of the aisle who will stand up and remain standing for what they know is right. This is so far beyond 'politics as usual,' that there must be a deep vein of abject corruption holding this all together. We need to know what that is, before it is too late. Or is it already too late?
9
@Michael: Maybe they are all implicated in James Comey's stunt the week before the 2016 election with Anthony Weiner's computer. Trump corrupts all who associate with him with his tautological rationales for deceit.
They've all been paid, or threatened to not be paid, to just not care.
4
Jee, These Republican lawmakers seen to never have heard or read or be familiar with many important issues. What do they do then? I want a job like that with no responsibility or accountability.
5
@Susan Why do you think they so desperately want to stay in office? Plus pension and gold-plated health care for life, and the inside track on every money-making scheme under the sun! All while getting to be a big shot driven around in limos and being fawned over constantly! What a life!
Trump has recognized the Republicans for what they are : cowards.
There's no mystery to it: he saw this when declared his candidacy in 2015. It's why he declared his candidacy.
At this point the NYT and the general public needs to accept the facts rather than repeatedly and fruitlessly investigate the GOP for a conscience with some regard for the Republic.
3
During the 1960s show CIVILATION, Lord Kenneth Clark showed a picture of noblemen in Henry VIII court. Clark commented on the effects of serving a tyrant.
"They look defeated," he said. "They WERE defeated."
2
The machinations of the political class, particularly the Republicans and die-hard Trump supporters, are a lesson in human behaviour.
Having watched Trump for the last three years, it is difficult to believe that he has any chance at reelection in an ostensibly democratic and free country. You would think that if a Central Park pigeon were nominated that it should win in a landslide. But not so. Millions of ordinary humans, sharing the same DNA (on the whole) as me appear to adore the vicious, lying, uncouth, vengeful and cunning un-presidential Pres. He earns their sympathy (poor picked on pres); he rouses their resentments (dog whistling racist and misogynist); and cons them shamelessly.
This has taught me how really very ordinary human beings are, just another social species, a hairless ape, brimful of all the same emotions as our closest relatives, the chimpanzee.
Love, hate, fear, courage, anger, greed, pity, envy, shame, compassion and aggression. Usually, we deal with all our emotions by using language as a shield or a weapon. Where a chimp might use postures, teeth and claws to address emotions, Trump has weaponised language to arouse and enable the worst primate emotions in his hangers-on - e.g., fear, anger, envy, shame, aggression. He makes his supporters feel like the top dog instead of whupped. Or, so thoroughly whupped that they won't defy him.
Oh, for a Central Park pigeon with the heart, intelligence and courage of Atticus Finch or Hermione Granger.
7
It looks like Elizabeth Warren is the only candidate with enough moral courage to call out Barr.
4
It doesn’t help to call out individuals, this is a movement. Those who voted these people in need to be asked why they are still voting for this. They need to be challenged.
A Republican strategist spoke on a cable network and explained that the GOP in congress really love what Trump is doing and don't want it to stop. They know, they support, they approve, and they don't want it to stop until the United States has evolved beyond the ability of racists, fascists, nationalists, white supremacists, rich entitled to continue to win elections. They know their end of days is coming, but not yet, as long as Trump stays in power. And they REALLY don't want to talk about it at all!!!!!
7
“It’s just a question of propriety." Exactly. It is a question of propriety. But the President's abiding by agreed-upon standards and conventions, promoting and protecting long-standing norms, and, specifically, upholding American institutions such as our system of justice is not just some inconsequential display of fine manners, it is a fundamental and indispensable requisite of the Office of President of the United States. When D. Trump scorns the court's processes, he undermines the rule of law and Americans' faith that we are all equal under the law and that everyone will be treated fairly.
7
The Republican Party seeks permanent power for themselves in contravention of our constitution and our ideals. Of course they don’t object to Trump’s political interference in the justice department. They’re delighted that they’re getting away with it and they’re going to keep pushing.
Vote them all out before they succeed or their current violations will be the least of our problems.
9
Republican Senators mostly, the longer they hide and the more they stay silent increase their prospect of losing in the coming election. These Senators were warned by Adam Schiff during the senate trial that Trump will never change. He proved that he was right. Whatever they accepted from Trump or from republican donors in exchange will no longer save them.
7
Hillary Clinton’s “basket of deplorables” turns out to be a viable, functioning political force capable of capturing the White House and terrorizing the entire Republican Party, and America is foundering as we try to come to terms with the consequences.
Democrats’ hand-wringing, wailing and gnashing of teeth is not the answer. Unless and until we can convince Trump’s supporters that we actually understand their concerns and sympathize with their circumstances, and, more importantly, that we have workable solutions that we will fight to implement, we will not regain their support.
We, as Democrats and Independents, need to take a hard look at some our positions and policies and recognize that we have failed to meet the needs and expectation of a large percentage of Americans.
6
@David Eike , I once believed the same thing. Then I read an article where’s a Trump supporter said He’s not hurting the right people. How do you convince someone like that. Somehow they don’t think his policies hurt them or thy are willing to sacrifice (I am thinking farmers hurt by the tariff and trade war), assured by Trump of a better life I never the future
“The handful of moderate Republicans who have broken with the President on matters of consequence...”
After all this, you’re still calling any of these Senate Republicans “moderate”? When words lose their meaning ...
7
In 1953, with the election of a victorious general who just wanted to play golf to the presidency, the US fell off an intellectual cliff.
1
No person, alone, can turn a Democracy into a dictatorship, not even someone as outrageous as Trump.
It can only happen if others forsake their duties to the country and allow themselves to be controlled by the wanna-be dictator.
This once-great country of ours is headed down the toilet, thanks in large part to the spineless GOP.
9
Adam Schiff promised witnesses would be prote cted against reprisals. I'm not sure what he can do against the facist, but now would be a good time.
8
Remember when people predicted Trump would pivot and become more establishment? Well, instead we have pivoted: Republicans, becoming more like Trump; and the rest of us, slowly adjusting to a new way of political life.
2
I have called both of my GOP Senators (Burr and Tillis) to let them know they broke this, they bought it. Every single immoral, unethical, corrupt, and/or criminal action undertaken by Trump and his Executive Branch henchmen from here on out are the responsibility of Senators who had a chance to rein in the misconduct, but instead chose Party over country, chose their personal political futures over what is Right and Constitutional. Shame on them all. And may we never let them forget their cowardice.
140
@AMinNC Only one problem. You lost them three years ago when they signed up for Trump.
5
Thank you for calling and complaining to your Republican Senators and Representatives. We need people in Republican controlled states to speak up. Please work for and vote for Blue candidates. As long as GOP has majority, Citizens United will remain and Mitch McConnell will control the flow of money to every Republican Senator.
10
@AMinNC Republicans have no doubt been paid off to do as Trump says, pretty simple. They have no integrity left so will do whatever he wants.
10
Trump is channeling his Roy Cohn strategy which he used for 20 years with him when they fought the back lawsuits by going on the offense by admitting no wrong doing and counter suing. The Republicans in Congress have never encountered anyone like Trump and as we all can see are hiding under their desks afraid to answer any questions.
Forget their pledge to uphold the Constitution, they fear the President and his legion of followers. Remember what his former lawyer now in jail said in front of congress, you’re blindly allowing the pied piper to go unchecked and it will not end well. If all four attorneys who resigned this week over the Stone interference by Barr with no pushback, the future indeed looks bleak.
78
I simply don't get Republicans. I guess that for them immediate power and goals like entitlement cuts and tax breaks are more important than the integrity and foundation of America and its role in the world. We will not recover from this damage in my lifetime, and particularly if Trump wins a second term, I do not think we will ever recover. They have made a proto-dictator and laid the groundwork for illiberal democracy. But at least they got their tax breaks.
62
@Brett
"The virtue of selfishness", is the philosophical imperative that orthodox capitalists like the Republicans follow. Their prophet is Ayn Rand. This is no surprise it has been inching this way since 1945 at least.
12
Ayn Rand and Satan have similar philosophies.
2
Word to all candidates: American needs your enthusiasm, your passion, your love of country, you have spent a lot of money, time and energy to get where you are, we all realize this because WE have been there with you! With the trump win in 2016, the weakness of the gaps in the constitution have been shown to us all. In order to survive the next 200 years the constitution MUST be revised to meet the challenges of our real world. What will it take to do this?
People who are capable and willing to put time, money, emotionally investment with no gain to themselves. We can only do this together,all female, males, all colors of skin, are education levels, all religious affiliation and all who are willing to put America above all biases. No one person can make this happen, we must be united. If you are seeking to be President and you can not unite this entire nation,you are the wrong person for this job.
My proposal: all candidates get together and treat this like the survival of the constitution will depend on their decisions when they come out of that room. America needs them to put aside their ambitions, expectations, hopes and dreams and come up with the only candidate that can beat donald trump and the Republican senators. We can not divide the votes, money may not be a problem, candidates have to be able to stand together and show the American people THIS IS SO MUCH BIGGER THAN DONALD TRUMP, we are talking about losing our COUNTRY!
124
The Democratic candidates must also support each other no matter what, no matter who wins the nomination. This is crucial.
19
@Carol
Good for you. It is passion like yours that is necessary to cut the cancerous growth from our body politic. Get involved like never before. Volunteer, canvass, anything that will bring about the downfall of this despicable man and his enablers. God speed, Carol.
6
Not only Democrats must come together, but also any Republican that thinks there should be the rule of law, a separation of power, and the upholding of the Constitution must vote for the Democratic primary winner. Does anyone really think our democracy can survive four more years of lawlessness?
6
Time for the House to dust off its impeachment inquiry manual. But this time, the House should not rush things, subpoena all the witnesses and seek court enforcement of each subpoena. Let Trump be under the impeachment gun all the way through election day.
8
To me, this translates as GOP leaders feeling that Russian meddling is “kind of immaterial” (Cornyn), that they’re “not losing any sleep over it” (Graham), and there’s “no legal issue here” (Young).
What a bunch of spineless politicians. They’re afraid of Trump. Grown men. They need to put on their big boy pants and defend our country from Russian interference and from those enabling Putin. Roger Stone’s long sentence fits the crime. His actions were treasonous and threatened our national security. He should have received a longer sentence.
15
When 'Justice" becomes the tool of the President our three part government is is in serious jeopardy...We may soon see arm bands along with red hats and marching boots.
As for Susan Collins, she would be best served if she didn't make anymore foolish remarks.
7
The only lesson that Trump learned, and actually already knew, is that he can get away with anything. He already said something about killing someone on 5th Ave and getting away with it. Republican senators who support him (or are afraid of him) will just continue to ignore him (and his crimes). Somehow I hope all of this catches up with him for the sake of justice and as an example to those who think they can brake the law and get away with it. Democracy also needs for him to face the consequences of his actions. Voters are the ones who can stop this before he does something really harmful. They need to vote him and the Republican senators out come November.
4
Unfortunately the average voter only listens to headlines and not details.
If ex-Repubican Bloomberg really wants to help America, he will plow all the money he is spending on mailers and banner ads into Senate races. I actually believe it's more important to stop McConnell.
4
The dissolution of our 250 year old democracy has been very rapid. All it takes is a blatant criminal at the top and spineless GOP Senators who look the other way at his offenses.
7
Please keep in mind that I am deeply opposed to and contemptuous of Donald Trump as you read this.
I'm concerned about the extreme reaction that Trump is provoking in his opponents and his supporters. It's important to try and remember that this reaction is the point of his behavior and mind you, always has been. I'm especially concerned about the Democrats in the House & the Senate that allow him to dictate the terms of their relationships to both the presidency and their republican opposition. They can't seem to get past the "personality" & the "carnival" to the underlying actions that this "theater" is disguising. Impeachment was always a fools quest with a predictable outcome. While they have focused on it Trump's lackeys have been doing a considerable amount of damage to government and society. But instead of remaining focused on the things that they can and should have impact on they have allowed Trump to provoke them into overreaching and strengthening his position.
My final thought is what will they and my follow opposition to this authoritarian thug do if he wins again. What I'm seeing here and among the Democratic Party leadership and membership is a lot of hand wringing and fatalistic thinking. That isn't helping. Nor is the infighting among the opposition and the hardening of position. Trump is playing us my friends and unless we stop dancing to his tune we will never defeat this carnival barker and send him back to where he belongs.
2
And this is worried how a Sanders presidency would be after living through this nightmare?
Now that's comedy! Tragic comedy.
5
How can Republicans who defended Trump's unconstitutional behavior and frankly treasonous act of bribery for personal political gain continue to enter the Senate and House of Representatives each day with a clear conscience knowing that they have allowed the Devil's handmaiden to remain in the office of POTUS thinking he was 'exonerated' of his treasonous unconstitutional behavior?
3
How about a headline and article featuring we've lost it, which was over 243 years in the making. Not only lost it but are incapable of stopping it. And why not stop interviewing the second team such Murkowski, Graham, Collins and all the other people who don't want to get off the bus who tell you only what Trump wants to hear. They are weak people who just want to sit back and enjoy the ride. Write the truth and pound those keyboards day and night until Trump starts knocking the New York Times throughout every day. What's he going to do, close NYT down? Just stay away from liabiliy.
4
All we need is an American equivalent of a Reichstag fire for DJT to be granted some type of emergency superpowers by the cowering Fools That Be.
When that happens, we are toast.
Welcome to Germany, 1933-39.
God help us.
3
Republicans have enabled a monster.
5
If R Senator Burr from North Carolina had not been so obsessed with pleasing Trump and drawing attention to himself during the impeachment trial by distributing fidget spinners to his truth-challenged R colleagues, he could have done something with a higher purpose by distributing to the senators copies of "How Democracies Die" by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt.
For the R senators, besides Romney, every page of that book is like looking in a mirror.
Alas, the book does not come with a box of crayons, so I doubt whether any in the acquittal group of senators, or Trump, will read the book.
2
The best cure for high prices is high prices. Because they're unsustainable. So is the best cure for outrageous behavior more of the same? Sure hope so.
The Democrats should finally take responsibility for their part of this drama. Their policy of starting fights that they knew they couldn't win and that they knew had only meager support among the population has backfired.
They knew that they didn't have the majority to push through impeachment - so they would need to convince people with facts first. Yet they kept pushing - first with Russiagate and then with Ukrainegate - knowing very well that the existing facts were not convincing enough and that further investigations were unlikely to change that.
His victory in those investigations has given Trump - a master in power politics - an aura of invincibility that he is now using to achieve other goals. One can only hope that after three years of useless feel good theatrics the Democrats will finally have learned their lessons.
2
It is a senate majority rule and senators who fear reprisal from his rabid fans. That is not victory, but corruption. Trump is redefining the lawless GOP. Presidents in the future can use federal tax dollars to investigate rivals. They can get leaner sentences for their criminal friends. They can intervene in the justice department for their own gain.
So I am proud of democrats for fighting to keep our republic and respect for our nations laws.
6
@Wim Roffel Democrats had no choice but to impeach under the facts that are known (and likely worse if the covered up facts, e.g., full tape, Bolton et al. testimony, White House documents, were revealed). What this has put in sharp relief is the duplicity of the Republic members of Congress, from the hand wringers to the out and out deniers. Doing nothing would have let those from Collins to Graham off the hook completely.
2
The Democrats have had every warning that they are dealing with a corrupt Trump and his complicit cohorts-they should not relax for a moment thinking that their good ideas will win over his supporters.These are not rational times.Democratic candidates must attack Trump and his Senate at every opportunity and point out that they have no health care plan and in fact plan to,cut back on Medicare and Medicaid-they must paint the bleak picture of lack of respect for the law in the starkest terms.Trump paints the Democrats as vicious-they need to prove to him that they are relentless and willing to mock his every misdeed.
11
Shameful. As a Reagan Republican I long for the days when a real GOP leader like Reagan opposed either embracing autocrats, or tying to becoming one. I miss a time when our president placed the nation's interests over self-interest. Sadly the GOP, a Party for which I've worked at the highest levels, sold its soul to the once fringe Trumpist movement, an anti-Reagan Republican movement that is rooted far more in a sort of George Wallace nativism, and a backward-looking anti-free enterprise protectionism than in Reagan's principles of hope, opportunity and freedom worldwide.
8
Did anyone think that the senators who refused to impeach him for clear violations would even shrug to this obvious abuse of power? Seriously? Anyone?
No of course not. Because the very hard core republicans that live in this alternative reality perpetuated by the likes of each other and the right wing media machine see no other possible explanation except the ones that fit their base’s rabid paranoid delusional belief about the “deep state”. To them everything that the world calls normal is a lie perpetuated by this deep state and of course “liberals”. It doesn’t matter how terrible it looks to anyone else. For them this is the best way forward.
5
I've learned a valuable lesson from this impeachment. It is that Mitch McConnell, like Donald Trump, has no limits on what he will do to stay in power. And that goes for the GOP cowards in the Senate who blindly followed him to choose no witnesses. Donald Trump knows two very important things: Telling lies, and how to play the game of leverage over those he seeks to control.
13
"Mr. Graham said. “If I thought he’d done something that changed the outcome inappropriately, I’d be the first to say.”"...that Trump has done nothing wrong. His interference with the justice system and vengeance purging of the deep state and attacks on the free press and threats to jail his opponents and targeting of blue states is perfect.
1
Is the unwavering support tied to money from the RNC for campaigns?
Is it tied to hiding dirt that the Trumps have dug up or trumped up?
Or is it just tied to loving one’s powerful position so much that one forgets to actually do one’s duty and one’s job?
6
The slime from trump has spread all over the republican senators. That is the reason they should all be replaced - every one of them. They are now a useless bunch.
4
Why do Times reporters continue to turn to Collins for comment? She has repeatedly shown that she is not going to turn against Trump. Instead of constantly reporting on Republicans who stand weakly and idly by a dictator, feature the positive impact on American lives that Dems are making, then maybe more Americans will vote for them.
4
Anybody who thought that this would sober Trump up is either a fool or a liar. And that emphatically includes Senator Susan Collins, who may be a little of both.
6
The Republicans have just given djt a pass on his Impeachment having accepted the argument that He can do anything he wants so long as he thinks it in the national interest....so what makes you think they're going to speak out against him and barr for prosecutorial interference!!! They just got away with that in an impeachment case!!!
Every last one of them needs to go. They are complicit in destroying our democracy. Cowardly, self serving followers. They remind me of the flying monkeys in the Wizard of Oz. They will not demand their independence while their ruler remains in power.
3
Trump is a malignant narcissist. The Republican Senators who refused to allow witnesses or to vote against Trump and continue to enable his illegal behavior are throwing gasoline on a fire.
I hope in the end it blows up the cowardice GOP. It is the poet justice they deserve for throwing our democratic republic into the sewer.
4
Once you allow the school bully to take your lunch money he will keep coming back for it. Trump learned an important lesson
from the Republicans during his impeachment trial. He can do whatever he wishes and they will excuse him and stand by him. What a sad impotent bunch of legislators they have proven to be. He is making fools out of each one of them and they don't have the courage to fight back.
9
I hope the citizens of Maine remember all of this when Susan Collins is up for re-election.
10
Any logical person expected Trump’s reaction. He Tweets his minions jump. Barr the highest of all. Trump was obviously plugged in to Stone’s trial. Too harsh a sentence? Think of the tens of thousands jailed and untried because they can’t afford $500 bail. Stone will go free - all the more fodder for Democrats. Unlike his simpering minions the non- Fox millions know the real Trump - not the Fake Front of Trump.
4
A narcissist does not have the strength to apologize or to feel remorse. His ego is too fragile. The narcissist must annihilate the person who wounded his vanity, even if -- no, precisely if -- all that person did was tell the truth about him.
6
Except for Senator Romney, Republican senators are no profiles in courage.
4
The Republican Party I grew up with, supported in the College Republicans, and campaigned for, believed in the rule of law. Now it seems to have denigrated into nothing more than a personality cult where the only thing that matters is loyalty to Dear Leader.
5
Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. I hope that every republican who backs this president gets voted out of office.
6
Stop insulting the Republican party by referring to the FOX faction as "Republicans." They are the Contemptibles bought & paid for by the FOX & Trump corporations. They are constitutional anarchists. I could go on, but.
1
Well, I for one am heading down there to protest.
2
Republican Senators have sold their souls to the enemy within as he continues to undermine our country.
7
At some point, people are responsible for their actions, their behavior, and their decisions. Especially U.S. senators who are both sworn to a duty and on The People's payroll.
So as the country worsens, at some point responses like this pass the end of cowardice, and enter the realm of treachery.
Yes, Ms. Collins, I am calling you a traitor.
8
Mitch McConnell and the Republicans in the Senate have destroyed the rule of law.
There is no longer Equal Protection under the law.
Slink not into your offices to claim any dignity or respect I say to the Republicans in the Senate. Trump will come for you in the morning....You have sold out your soul.
How dare you send our young men to war when you cower from your sworn duty of office?
Face the truth: The entire group of Republicans in the senate have FAILED their country.
4
Mr. Graham said. “If I thought he’d done something that changed the outcome inappropriately, I’d be the first to say.”
¿En serio? My preferred emoji for a sycophant - Lindsey Graham- will do and say whatever Don Donald tells him to do- period.
2
Empires dye because they have rotten governments. This nation has not had good government going back to Reagan. We also know what fascistic dictatorships are like. This nation has forced fascistic dictators on many other nations, now the nation does it to itself. The nation's corporate elite supports Trump. They like what he does for them.
Any voter who hoped that Trump would be backed up by a spineless, complicit and co-conspiratorial GOP, congratulations: You dreams have come true! We're witnessing two entire branches of government hellbent on overturning 250 years of Democracy, all so an obese, unintelligent, heartless criminal can run the show. Nice going. Forget a bout coronavirus; this conspiracy poses a much graver threat to humanity than any communicable disease.
3
it's unfortunate that many of the Senators seem bent on ignoring their oath of office...to uphold the Constitution. Not to party. Not to the president.
I understand politics & the games played in that regard, but I also understand right from wrong & standing up against school yard bullies. He's a 5 year old with the nuclear codes.
3
A lot of them seem to be running away, be it committee rooms, or subway cars. It also reminds of that Twilight Zone episode where everyone is afraid of Billy Mumy. Everything he does is "great," according to the adults, because they're afraid he'll banish them.
2
A Wall Street Journal headline read "Rise in Stocks Reflects Confidence He Will Not Disrupt Nation's Affairs." Yesterday. Not quite.
Dateline Berlin, Feb.1, 1933. The article was titled "Berlin Views Hitler Calmly"
I do not make such historical analogies lightly. But there are too many overlaps to dismiss.
7
Trumpism is the new religion and Donald Trump is the prophet. This morning, I laughed to myself when I heard Governor Cuomo talk about a meeting he has scheduled with Trump to discuss the travel ban. If a good man like Governor Cuomo can be so stupid as to try and reason with an ignoramus, what chance does anybody else have? Next step on Trump's agenda is to get rid of anybody and everybody who disagrees with him. And if, by chance, he loses the election do you think we are prepared enough to take him out of office, kicking and screaming? I doubt it.
3
Doris Kearns Goodwin should be readying her next book.
A Team of Jellyfish
4
Is it time for civil disobedience yet?
6
Susan Collins and her miserable cowardly Republican colleagues have now let a sociopath loose on the country. Don't they have any sense of decency, or any pangs of conscience. They revolt me. I have so many friends with courage, conscience and backbone and this woman, with the potential to do so much good, has turned her back on everything she supposedly stood for.
4
This is why picking the right Democratic candidate to beat Trump is so important. I realize that there's a huge debate over who what candidate is, and I won't share my own opinion here, but I definitely have one.
No matter who the Dem. nominee is, I will support them 100%!
6
So long as Trump has a vocal following, no redstate conservative will deny him his own self image. The world wide wrestling enthusiasts love imagery and perception to which people like Trump and Stone adhere to the play book.
3
Republicans have given Trump free reign because they believe it's in their best interest. They don't believe ethics are within the framework of election issues or legal precedent.
If Trump is entitled to pardon criminal allies, fire those who testify against him, extort international opposition research, or manufacture propaganda in 'neutral' social media, then a groundswell of voters need to say there is more to the USA than the state of the economy.
The Declaration of Independence states:
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government
That applies to kings foreign born or would be kings born in the USA.
7
Compare and contrast the GOP Senators tepid response to Donald Trump’s actions since the trial with their vigorous objections to the House prosecution team during the trial.
Save for Mitt Romney, Trump owns them body and soul - and even Romney votes with Trump 80% of the time.
There is no Republican Party any more; it is the party of Donald Trump. It recognizes no limits on his power and has no shame.
2
I just do not understand the hesitancy of Republican senators to speak against Trump's excesses. What are they afraid of? I've read all the suggestions -- fear of "the base," fear of Trump insulting them on Twitter, fear of losing their seats--but none of that makes sense. These are adult men and women, many of whom have been in politics a long time. I cannot believe they are so thin-skinned and fearful that they fear a crazy man with a Twitter account, or some angry phone calls from constituents, or that someone may run against them. The only explanation I can fully buy into is that Trump is paying for their loyalty. I just don't see any other reasoning. It makes no sense otherwise. I'd like to see an investigation into whether Susan Collins, et.al. are receiving payments from the Trump Org.
2
@Ms. Pea
The other explanation is that the threats are more than just innocuous tweets. Remember who supports Trump - white supremacists with guns, unhinged men who make pipe bombs and kill people with cars. Trump encourages violence and pits Americans against Americans every single day.
2
@Ms. Pea
Two words will suffice , Ms. Pea, cowardice and fear.
It's no longer a question of why the GOP is silent. I'm no longer wondering if they are afraid of losing at the ballot box, or fearing Trump's wrath. We are way beyond that now. At this point, I see Republicans as savoring the consolidation of power Trump and his administration are working to create. They are salivating watching our democracy turn into an authoritarian regime and their power will be unmatched.
2
I wonder what lesson Trump has learned, according to Sen. Collins? I suspect it is that he can get away with anything with impunity. Thanks Susan.
4
Criticizing Mr. Trump could endanger their chances for re-election. That’s all that matters.
(For Mr. Alexander, his chances for a cushy, lucrative retirement gig funded by Republicans.)
2
I’m starting to think maybe it’s something in our water, and it only affects half of us.
1
What a surprise! Dismissive remarks and silence are the order of the day. My bet is that McConnell and his pals are waiting and hoping for a Supreme Court decision this spring on financial disclosures that will uphold the "rule of law," resulting in Trump heading for the hills and allowing Pence to step in to save the day (along with an anticipatory pardon of the departing Trump).
It is now hard to believe, but not that long ago the Republican party was not so monolithically corrupt and cowardly, so devoid of ideals, so uninvolved in fighting for democracy, so unpatriotic.
Those of a certain age (as I am), remember Eisenhower, warning of the military-industrial complex, and later Pete McCloskey protesting our involvement in Vietnam. We remember Jacob Javits, Mark Hatfield, Margaret Chase Smith, Mitt's father, George, Nelson Rockefeller, and others. These were moderates, or at least possessed a sense of duty, honesty, and bipartisanship in the service of America. They were most often socially liberal (for those times), frequently hawkish on foreign policy, and mostly all fiscally conservative. Many of the old guard were WWII or Korean veterans.
Yet, my Democratic, NY Post-reading parents (in the Dorothy Schiff days) trusted that these Republicans knew the difference between right and wrong, even when my folks sometimes vocally disagreed with them (I strongly suspect my WWII veteran father voted both times for Ike, his former Commander-in-Chief). Do these present day Republicans realize how they have destroyed any legacy of patriotism the party once held? Do they see how they are traitors to their party as well as to America? Are they at all concerned at the poor moral example they show to the young people?
Shame on the Republican House and Senate!
7
Profiles in spinelessness. Trump's lackeys are terrified of him; they might consider studying a bit of history, beginning with Europe in the '30's.
1
The GOP is a radical, broken party. It is a corrupt party of unprecedented gerrymandering, voter suppression, and general lawlessness. There was compelling evidence to remove trump from office. The GOP placed party above country. Good citizens must now remove all Republicans from office. The fate of democracy hangs in the balance.
2
Perhaps GOP now stands for Grift Over Party
1
Or, more accurately, Grift Over Principles
1
It is critical to Republicans that truth does not matter. Honesty and fidelity to law and the constitution is antithetical to the survival of their party. Truth and honor are their targets to have us all roll in the mud so they look less dirty.
Remarkable to me that they are willing to step on the throats of Yovanovitch, Vindman and even Vindman's brother to remain in power. They would not stand up for their friend and colleague Romney's right to vote his conscience. They cheered when he was maligned by their leader. They do not object or even whimper when their leader, entrusted with power, uses the government to harm his personal enemies.
These are the people who would join a Vichy government. They would not stand by while their neighbors are rounded up and marched to the camps. They would drive them.
Turn your back to them when they appear in public.
7
Republicans in the Senate have made it clear that their opinions don’t matter. They will let Trump do whatever he wants with impunity.
1
How typical of the Republicans. As usual, they don't want to own the mess that they created. But they're all too happy to lecture people about "personal responsibility."
When this gets worse, and it WILL get worse, just remember to point the blame at the Republicans. They could have stopped this. They didn't. They own this, forever.
3
Unfortunately this just as expected.
The democrats presenting the case for impeachment made a big deal of an acquittal in the senate further demonstrating to the president his total immunity from violating the rule of law.
Message received !
And the "Trumpification" of the GOP continues [they permanently moved to an alternate reality mentally, a place where alternative facts kind of feel more credible].
2
Nine months to go, and they'll all be downhill. How far down is anybody's guess.
As worried as we are in the country, the world should be asking itself, "what if the world's newest minted autocracy is also the most powerful military in the world?"
This is frightening...... WHO is going to stand up to Trump?
12
I am sick of the winning... so sick of it.
8
At least the Republican Party still had some morals and ethics under Nixon.....
I am at a loss to understand what's going on now unless Trump has access to all those illegal wiretaps on members of the Senate and Congress..... what better way to keep control of your own party? Trying to blackmail Democrats could blow up but your own party......
3
@cynicalskeptic we have allowed lawyers to throw out the window 'fair and balanced news' and have let Money loose in politics... we are back to mid evil times and look who is waiting in the wings: pense and mother....democracy works untill ' one votes themselves largess '...basic rules..our law is in need of modern revamping: face it our laws need a basic language change into a modern simple language. Egalitarianism BERNIE or bust
1
Trump is making fools out of the republican senators.
Most notably Susan Collins. I wouldn't other wise think of her as a naive person but regarding Trump, she certainly appears to be very naive. To think that after 3 years she still expects & thinks that Trump is going suddenly start conforming to the traditional norms of the Office Of The president, only exposes her as a fool.
The rest of the senators are quite pleased with Trumps behavior & the things he's doing. That's why they have little to say.
6
He learned the lesson meted out to Jeff Sessions very well. Or maybe he didn't. Mr. Sessions danced as fast as could, and got fired anyway by performing what he thought was the very least requirement of his job, by recusing himself from the 2016 election investigation. What will your Waterloo be, Mr. Barr. Don't sleep easy.
6
Rank corruption in plain sight. And they look away. Cowards. Voters must judge this year. History will judge in time.
15
Let's not pretend that GOP senators, other than Mr. Romney, have any interest in containing a rogue and unlawful POTUS as long as they get the courts stacked with fundamentalist, Christian Taliban judges and taxes lowered for the folks who purchased their jobs for them.
Their pocketbooks and theocratic agenda are virtually the only things they will protect, and they will grovel subserviently to the absolute monarch they have crowned to get what they want.
Now, if we citizens would like to return to our former form of government, I suggest we vote out these folks and vote in people with the moral, intellectual, and financial courage to do their jobs.
5
@JW Fair and balanced news and take 'he who has the gold rules' MONEY out of politics. BERNIE or bust folks, duh!
Maybe those supporting republicans were freaked out about who is waiting in the 'wing's... pense and Mother ruling could be worse...he who has the gold might be better than 'mystism'...it will be a new dark age.
2
GOP Congress members are Trump’s stooges.
7
@CA Dreamer And the supreme court, the puppets that rubber stamp the orange.
1
Vote all of them out!
11
Republicans are fiddling while Rome burns.
13
"Senator Patrick J. Toomey, Republican of Pennsylvania, refused to broach the topic: “I’m not going to have this conversation right now,” he said, ducking into the Senate subway on his way to the Capitol."
8:45 a.m. ring ring ring
"Hello? This is Senator Toomey's office."
"Good morning. This is _______ speaking. I live in the city of Philadelphia and my zip code _______. I'm calling to encourage Senator Toomey to honor his oath of office and take a principled stand against Trump and Barr's corruption of the Justice Department and the descent of our democratic republic into a fascist autocracy."
Time to take action folks. If we don't, we are going to lose our democracy.
21
The Republican Party is a pathetic shell of its former self.
Spineless and corrupt the GOP continues its blind support of a corrupt, morally bankrupt trump.
Vote my friends, these individuals need to be removed from government, with the corrupt and vulgar trump at the head of the line.
Vote my friends, Michael Bloomberg 2020.
12
Steven, I am abridging your comment to “a pathetic sham” rather than “shell”.
3
The solution to the Republican horror show is for a massive turn out of conscientous, decent human beings on election day November 3 to vote for a Democrat on every line for every position from president to town highway superintendent in every state in our Union.
15
@John Taylor the elites of both parties will blow it. BERNIE or bust!!
@rupert it may work if the Liberal Party endorses Democrats
If this was the 1940s, William Bendix would be saying, "What a revoltin' development this is!" Doesn't anyone in the GOP understand where this is going? The nation desperately needs a caucus of Republicans who will grow spines and come up with a better alternative to Trump's autocratic instincts and actions.
9
Jimmy Durante, too
Nothing is going to change. Trump likes the reaction.
Unless trump becomes incapacitated or dies ( natural causes), nothing will change. He can easily win again. His son or any number of mini trumps could easily win in 2024. This where we are and it may not change for several years.
Remember the 7 Big tobacco CEO’s aka “The 7 Dwarves”?
They all said, under oath, that nicotine wasn’t addictive.
Unfortunately, our current senate has 53 dwarves.
8
From Twitter's rules as stated on their site: "Twitter Rules: You may not engage in the targeted harassment of someone, or incite other people to do so. We consider abusive behavior an attempt to harass, intimidate, or silence someone else’s voice "
And the potential consequences: "we may ask someone to remove the violating content and serve a period of time in read-only mode before they can Tweet again. Subsequent violations will lead to longer read-only periods and may eventually result in permanent suspension. If an account is engaging primarily in abusive behavior, we may permanently suspend the account upon initial review."
So . . . If you really mean it, Twitter, do the world a favor and ban the person who, against your own rules, repeatedly intimidates, harasses, and attempts "to silence someone else's voice." You know who I mean. His initials are Donald J. Trump.
16
Given the GOP’s supposed fear and disdain for Trump—and the fact that he’s already fulfilled much of their agenda—it would have made sense for them to seize impeachment by Democrats as an opportunity to send him packing.
All McConnell had to do was acquiesce to witnesses and evidence on Constitutional grounds, and he and his party could have been relieved of the stigma they now face.
Such an outcome would have put Pense (Trump lite) into the Oval Office with a likely prospect of defeating feckless Democrats in November.
Of course, the other explanation is that they’re simply all rotten to the core.
3
“...an emboldened Mr. Trump determined to tighten his grip on the levers of power.”.
And his supporters cheer Trump on in his push to be our authoritarian leader.
What is amusing is Trump brayed about our country becoming another Venezuela due to “socialism”. Well, we need not worry about the socialist part. Worry more about the authoritarian part in which the legislative and judicial bodies are silent and no long have any authority.
6
You know the Republicans are too cowed to do a thing. It’s up to us come November.
6
It’s Mitch McConnell’s job to have an opinion in those matters, especially now after impeachment. He owes it to the people to do everything in his power to reign in Trump
4
It has become clear now how corruption is part of the very DNA of the old and once grand party.
Instead of asking loyalty to the American people, the boss that every president - Republican or not - works for, the GOP's leader asks loyalty to himself as a person. And by "loyalty" he's not referring to some deeply moral value, but to lying and cheating each and every time when that might somehow help him to cling to power.
The GOP actively supports this immoral definition of loyalty and its horrible consequences for this republic, because in return, their president accepts to focus on:
1. only passing bills that massively benefit the financial elites
2. only changing regulations in a way that massively benefits the financial elites
3. spending the rest of his time copy-pasting Fox News' most sensational fake news of the day into tweets, so that the base stays both ignorant of what's going on, and entirely fired up.
As long as he does this "successfully", the financial elites see the increase of their fortunes guaranteed (which in the 21st century is no longer directly related to how companies perform, and instead comes from speculation on financial transactions, which requires very specific government rules and laws to be possible).
That makes the GOP officially a RINO, as by definition, originally republicans OPPOSED being ruled by a financial elite whose wealth is mostly inherited.
Also, it's precisely why their plan B, IF one day Trump would go down, is Romney.
5
Since he clearly is going to be re-elected, the next four years will be even more interesting.
1
@Premier Comandante The pardons will come in November, December, and January—win or lose.
@Premier Comandante
Clearly? The only thing that is clear is that trump's re-election will be tantamount to a second flush of the US's reputation down the toilet bowl of history.
1
POTUS continues to inflict damage on our democracy. Hope he pardons Stone. Let's see how that works out for him and his GOP enablers come November.
2
Article after article about how Trump manipulated the entire government to do his bidding. He pardoned war criminals, dismissed honorable soldiers, obstructed investigations, and now has control of the Justice Department also. Ultimately there is one and only one remedy: vote him out. But not only him. We must vote out the Senators who went along with the cover up.
7
There is no room in Congress for the spineless. Republicans who fail to speak out reveal that they are utterly unworthy of the office they hold. The list of Republicans who are not spineless is very, very short.
3
The "Scared Senate" is their brand, and we cannot let the American people forget it.
3
Republicans are co-conspirators, so what are they supposed to say? This is what they want. They never liked democracy. Stop being confused thinking they are oppositional to “trump”. They are his minions, and will follow, aid and abet, and be his henchmen. Now we see them unmasked, that’s all. Sad to see the country devolve into this. History is full of examples and all the attendant horrors to come.
It’s time to really face - understand - what has happened and where we now are: The United States of America was overthrown.
7
The one thing that the GOP is proving unequivocally is that they are completely spineless. The country will be better off when the bully in chief and the Senate majority are gone.
3
The Senate had the power to stop this...they didn't. All the Republican Senators own this now. Thanks a lot.
5
Many of my friends who have joked uneasily about leaving the country are looking more seriously at how to create the means necessary to get out if the swing to fascism accelerates. The indicators are clear.
5
@Maxine Epperson
Ahead of you here... I miss California though.
States with overwhelming democratic control are still very different from red states as they are trying to counter some of the worst federal policies.
Still having a totally corrupt and ineffective federal government is scary.
There should be a new cessation movement by liberal states if it becomes clear the federal election are no longer secured and the head of the federal government is driving us towards fascism.
California should have 6 Senators anyway.
2
This November we need to return control of the senate to the Democrats.
3
“ As a Post-Impeachment Trump Pushes the Limits, Republicans Say Little”
Anyone who quietly acquiesces to tyranny is a traitor to freedom and should toss, turn and fall out of bed trying to get that elusive good nights sleep, they don’t deserve. Too bad my dream isn’t their nightmare. They’ve mostly come out from under their rocks now.
4
Senate Republicans now own the monster they’ve unleashed. Unfortunately, the rest of us will suffer too.
4
Am I the only never-Trumper who thinks Gordon Sondland got what he deserves? He is a political appointee who bought his ambassadorship and serves at the pleasure of President and the Republican establishment. Maybe he can ask for his money back.
4
@1974gtv
agreed. it also rankles that Sondland - a total lightweight - is deemed worthy of protection by the Republican Senators, while Vindman is judged to be insufficiently loyal. boggles the mind.
3
@1974gtv certainly he got what he deserved for being part of Trumps rat pack on Ukraine. The problem is he got it for his honest testimony.
4
What did Adam Schiff predict before the Senate? If you acquit, he will do it again! He's doing it! Senators dropped their jaws in horror and then expressed outrage when Adam Schiff shared a CBS story that he would put the heads of his critics on a pike. What is he doing now to Lt. Col. Vindman and Senator Romney. Do they even know the wise words of the German martyr Martin Niemoller? "First they came for the Communists, and I did nothing, I was not a Communist.." Are the Republicans so blind to history and deaf to their oath of office and brain dead to the point of not knowing right from wrong? It appears now, "Yes!" Come November we the people need to end this corruption and vote Republicans out of the WH and Senate.
6
GOP “Senators” exhibit their established behavior: craven cronies of their puppet masters, the billionaires that run the unparalleled propaganda machine of Fox, fake Facebook accounts, paid Google searches, talk radio, Trump Tweets et cetera. No thinkers here, just lackeys hoping to keep the support of the brainwashing machine that has almost half of voters glued to “alternative” facts, crazy conspiracy theories, enveloped in an echo chamber that repels all logic and the evidence of their own eyes.
2
James Carville was RIGHT when he said the Democratic Party is the only thing standing between America and the abyss. The GOP has totally abandoned us.
- He wouldn't do THAT, would he?
- He was just JOKING, wasn't he?
- He won't do it AGAIN, will he?
- He's learned his lesson, HASN'T HE?
All so they can keep supporting this horrible, horrible, no-character conman they have foisted upon the country. Him and the people he deploys to enact his reign of terror.
3
Senator Patrick J. Toomey, Republican of Pennsylvania, refused to broach the topic: “I’m not going to have this conversation right now,” he said, ducking into the Senate subway on his way to the Capitol. Such a statesmanlike statement! If not now, Senator Toomey, then when? When there is nothing left of our government? Fear and cowardice. They all bow down before the altar of King Trump. With the exception of Mitt Romney, the Republican Senators reek of shame and sycophancy. I don't know how their staffs or the media can stand being around them.
4
id this state of affairs by GOP continues the country will lean towards social left because social fairness and economic justice enabled by immigrants and African Americans. i hope GOP will be ready to handle this in years to come.
1
Susan Collins has insulted her constituents' intelligence repeatedly.
10
We must understand that there is no bottom here. For Trump or the Republicans. Please stop asking questions of these people. They are unmoored from any obligation to tell the truth. For Trump it is only an opportunity to repeat and repeat and repeat over and over and over again every lie (it was a perfect call) he wants to cement in the public arena. And we already know the standard Republican response. How do they live with themselves?
181
@Elizabeth C "We must understand that there is no bottom here."
Amen!
8
@Elizabeth C It's worse than this, because the truth is no longer the truth. As several analysts have recently observed, the Fox and twitter spheres are creating a different truth, one that serves the interests of the leader of their cult. The Republicans are not moored to any obligation to tell the truth, because their truth is no longer our truth.
12
@Elizabeth C
The Germans (a.k.a.senators) said and did the same thing in 1933-1939. "Don't worry, things will be fine. Those media takeovers, court closures, and people removed because they disagree with him ...it doesn't mean a thing", it's inconsequential. Look at all the good he's doing for us".
17
President Trump has no need to pressure the Justice Department or federal prosecutors to reduce sentencing recommendations. He can commute sentences or grant pardons. President Trump has granted 18 pardons and commuted six sentences. President Obama granted 142 pardons and commuted 1,715 sentences. Trump has proven less inclined to meddle with sentences than were previous presidents.
The Justice Department did not recommend a reduced sentence for Roger Stone. It withdrew the initial recommendation and recommended an unspecified term of incarceration. In other words, it recommended a prison sentence for Stone, but did not recommend a sentence length.
Both President Trump and the Justice Department deny that the president told the department what to do in regard to Roger Stone’s sentence recommendation. The Justice Department says it made the decision to withdraw the initial recommendation on Monday night before Trump tweeted his objection to the initial recommendation and without talking to the White House.
1
It is interesting that the President's pardon power is being focused on those who lied for him.
6
@William Case
If you are trying to get us to swallow the canard that Trump did not influence Billy Barr's unprecedented interference in his buddy Stone's case- so egregious an act that all four prosecutors resigned from the case in protest, and one quit the DOJ altogether- then you are drinking the same Kool-Aid that Congressional Republicans have been drinking for three-plus years now.
You can contort logic and ignore facts all you want, that's what delusional thinking leads you to. And defending this odious man and his corrupt enablers requires you to do just that. You're obviously an intelligent person. I've read your posts before. So this begs the question, sir, WHY?
7
@William Case Your comment is devoid of context regarding trump's 18 pardons and the prior presidents 142. It is necessary to see who was pardoned, what they were pardoned for the background of that pardon.
3
It’s not that Republicans are saying little.
It’s that whatever they’re saying can’t be heard.
Trump is pushing his limits.
He pushing the Republicans to the limits.
The outer limits in outer space.
There’s no sound in outer space.
That’s why you can’t hear what little the Republicans are saying.
4
If trump did on day 1 what he has been doing lately (subverting American foreign policy to cheat in an election, say) the GOP probablby would have not stood up for it.
But with each passing day his behaviour gets imperceptibly more and more authoritarian; today's egregious move is only slightly worse than yesterday's egregious move that they went along with.
My question is: What will GOP politicians do when -- not if -- trump gets his lackey Barr to dig up dirt on the eventual Dem presidential candidate? Or perhaps he will forego the investigation stage and just have her/him arrested on some fanciful charge. What will they do?
What will they do when -- not if -- trump makes a play for a third term in office? Or abolishes term limits altogether, eventually naming himself Supreme Stable Genius for life? It's not as if he is going to let some pesky little detail like the Constitution get in his way. And so far the GOP have shown no inclination to slow down his destruction of democracy either.
7
Why can't the Republican Senators, those are still have some moral value left in them come together and condemn these actions? Why can't they say, Mr. President, we acquitted you, please don't make us regret our decision. It is election year but there are quite a few that are retiring or are not up for reelection.
6
@ALN because none of them have any moral value left.
2
Congressional Republicans assumed they had a handle on Donald J. Trump but it's obvious they don't. Their political futures now rest in the hands of a leader who impulsively wields his power to destroy careers, disrupt diplomacy and overrule the judiciary.
And now that Trump feels emboldened to do as he pleases, who will set limits? Not the Congress; not William Barr; and most likely not the Supreme Court. November 2020 can't come soon enough.
7
History including recent WW2 experience suggests that appeasing a would-be dictator isn't sound policy. Susan Collins appeased as well as many others. It will only lead to significant changes in the power dynamics away from democracy toward authoritarianism. It happens step by step as this maniac wears us down. Republican Senators have enabled this.
4
We will find out in November whether the American people still value democracy and the rule of law.
6
The Foxes are running the hen House and the Senate. Not to mention the Judiciary.
3
Oh, no, they are talking by saying things like "he has learned a lesson." A more troubling matter is, have the Republican members of the Congress learned their lesson. So far, the evidence point to lessons not learned. Beware!
4
Barr and the rest of the stacked adminstration benefit from letting djt run free with all his bravado so long as he remains close to the script they write behind closed doors.
It's all about money, corporate money that buys them power at the exclusive table of the 1%. It's fun playing the game of 'catch me if you can.'
2
Those senators knew he'd be this way. They didn't care.
10
Senator Collins is much too intelligent a person to believe that an acquitted Trump is a chastened man. There just wasn’t anything believable for her to say.
Everyone who voted to acquit Trump knows that history will be the final judge and no matter how much good they may have done for state and country, their legacy will rest on that one vote.
5
They know unless they actually agree to do something to constrain Trump as a group, they are useless as individuals.
So they just shrug their shoulders, keep quiet, and hope they can get reflected.
3
I don’t understand why the times keeps acting like anything republicans say is credible. Stop pretending, we all knew they were lying the moment they said it. Their only objective is to maintain power and the rule of law is just an impediment.
15
They’ve sold their souls to the devil. But as for the rest of us, and we are the majority, I think this quote applies nicely:
“You obviously don't have my soul or you wouldn't be trying to make deals.”
― Daniel Nayeri, Another Faust
9
Trash and burn. Trump's mantra for running a business, and running the executive branch of our government.
November 3rd is less than 9 months away.
9
Trump could and will nominate the fox to oversee the henhouse and not a single Republican chicken will object!!!
6
Trump is indeed, as Hillary Clinton succinctly put it, deplorable.
The hypocritical and unethical Republicans are indeed, as Hillary Clinton succinctly put it, deplorable.
Voters who accept the lies and hatred fomented by Trump and the Republicans, and who continue to support them even though they have destroyed all shreds of truth, civility, and the Rule of Law in our country, are indeed, as Hillary Clinton succinctly put it, deplorable.
8
Susan Collins has always been the Lucy pulling away Charlie Brown's football.
6
Is anyone surprised?
3
The GOP controls the White House, Senate, and Supreme Court. This is the will of the voters. Not much the Democrats can do to save us from Trump's and the Republicans' race toward Fascism.
3
Susan Collins - Margaret Chase Smith is rolling in her grave.
3
Once again, the spineless GOP eunuchs are cowering in the corner, afraid to defend one of the bedrock principles of our democracy, a politic-free judicial system. Having packed the federal judgeships and Supreme Court with right-wing Trump supporters some of whom are morally questionable judges like Cavanaugh, and displayed a total lack of objectivity and integrity in the impeachment trial, it is time for Americans to step up and broom these unfit incompetents from the government and work to stem and repair the damage they have inflicted on the American people and our democracy. Get out and vote them out!
3
Susan Collins has, during her years in the Senate, helped people in Maine address pressing problems by capturing federal tax dollars. Ads running on airwaves and elsewhere make that very clear.
But, as a Senator, she has also an obligation to consider the 'bigger picture', and to protect the people of Maine from threats to the Constitution and the rule of law. By choosing to take the high road, Ms. Collins may ultimately find that she the route she has chosen on our behalf leads to the end of the road. We might regret her choice when we ask how we find our way back and hear the words, "Come to think of it, you can't get there from here".
1
Republican politicians are run by the party's Donor Class in matters having directly to do with the economic interests of the Donor Class such as taxation and run by the party's (Trump's) base in all other matters such as religion and social issues. As long as Trump gives these sources of money and solid R votes what they want, they and certainly other politicians will follow him in doing anything he wants/needs to protect and futher his personal interests.
3
Trump DID learn something from the Ukraine scandal. Instead of exerting undue pressure on others to do his bidding by offering a quid pro quo he now simply pressures them without offering anything in exchange.
15
Time to re-watch the classic movie, "A Man for All Seasons." An erratic, self-serving King Henry VIII, demands absolute fealty to get his agenda supported and enacted. Everyone caves because character and principles cost too much to keep in the face of resistance. Sir Thomas Moore is the lone holdout and in the end it costs him his life. Not a perfect man, but an honorable one.
The GOP has sold its' honor, veracity and courage to Trump a long time ago. Our only hope is for victory in 2020.
My favorite quote from the movie, as Sir Thomas talks to a former pupil who now will betray him for a judgeship in Wales; "Why Richard, it profit a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world. . . but for Wales!”
Now we can say to the GOP, "you sold your soul...but for Trump?!"
18
@Eric
Romney turns out to be today’s Man for all Seasons.
It’s just that he’ll have to endure a Crucifixion of Solitude. Which sometimes can be even worse than death.
2
It appears all that matters to the Republicans is winning. I heard a Democratic functionary express the same value. Democracy, honesty, truth, justice, fairness, kindness....none of them matter as long as you win. If this is our benchmark, our country is in deep trouble. Our current "leadership" has brought us here. We need to throw them out in November.
8
Susan Collins just can't seem to find the right thing to say to persuade Maine voters to believe she has their interests in view. Her recent defense of Trump is absurd and obvious to many that she has lost her own leadership compass. She has lost her reason. He will never be cautious and she knows it. All her pleading for witnesses at the impeachment was posturing too, just convince Maine voters that she was objective and reliable--many saw her maneuvers akin to her Kavanaugh vote-betrayal. All her classic sham theater. The good news is all her rhetoric only infuriates many Mainers even more and makes us resolute to vote her out. Another Senate seat to Democrats.
23
The Concerned Caucus is so overwhelmed by concern they can't find the right time or place to express their concern. Now I'm concerned.
12
The fact that the vast majority of Republicans in Congress remain reluctant to openly criticize Donald Trump for anything he does or says is an ominous sign that they sincerely believe that he will be re-elected and therefore are afraid to be on his bad side for another four years.
10
Why on earth, at this moment, would any Republican Senator speak out against Mr. Trump? The Democrats have just suffered a humiliating impeachment defeat, experienced an embarrassing political debacle in Iowa, and are now watching as Bernie Sanders takes a commanding lead in the presidential nomination process.
Everything is coming up roses!
And, MOST importantly: Republican lawmakers seem to understand that when your side has political power, there is no need to willfully undermine it.
THAT is a lesson the Democrats have never learned.
3
@David H Yes! If being corrupt is so successful why would we ever try anything else!
2
I have to say, I said Trump was guilty of the AOIs but it wasn't sufficient for removing from office. Now, that we are seeing the revenge of Trump with a "purge" occurring in the upper levels of the government, how naive of me and most of the Senators to think Trump would go back to the duties of office like nothing happened.
We truly had him by the tail and now that we let go, he is eating all those who opposed him. We had our chance. Courage is something you can't do-overs... We have one last chance with the election but now that we have seen what depths Trump will go to swing it to his direction, if he wins it will probably be due to nefarious events in the swing states.
10
Disregarded, broke through, the limits. Not pushed the limits.
6
Way back in 2002, when W., Dick Cheney, Bolton, and their whole crowd assured us all that they'd bring democracy to Iraq through the barrel of a gun it became obvious -- if it wasn't already -- that Republicans neither understood nor respected democracy. At home they gerrymandered, disenfranchised, and deployed endless other mechanisms to stifle the voice of ordinary Americans who disliked their policies.
Now Trump is carrying the project into the federal government. He has appointed as heads of department utter incompetents (Betsy De Vos) and minions who seek to undermine and destroy the agencies they lead (Barr). He's clumsy and noisy and stupid, but he's doing the next step, and so the Republicans, though they might prefer someone with more finesse, keep silent because the end result is what they've wanted for decades -- the evisceration of Washington to unleash the rich and major corporations.
It's not fear or a lack of courage that stops Republicans from protecting our republic against Trump -- it is rather that he's doing their bidding, and in their secret hearts they are delighted.
18
@Gary Precisely. Republicans do not suffer from a lack of courage or spine or fortitude in their refusal to "stand up" to Trump. He offers no impediment to their goals. They suffer from a fear of putting country before money and power. Those are the things they truly fear losing. Their honor has long been lost.
3
The important thing is that Trump,
according to Sen Collins, has learned his lesson — that he can do anything and not be held into account.
Martial Law will be coming.
So is the transfer of the federal budget to the Trump Org.
Finally, Ivanka as First Lady / Fourth Wife followed by immediate pregnancy to have an heir to the throne.
The good news is that Americans will be okay with this because, you know, we should defeat Trump in the elections.
Except dictators only need to win one election — and Trump already won his last 2016.
In the meantime let’s post more Insta of that avocado toast instead of storming Washington.
10
Congressional Republicans have looked past every one of trump's improper tweet instructions to DoJ, his disgraceful attempts at intimidation, and his illegal directives. They have ignored the obvious, dismissed the outrageous, and excused the inexcusable. They have proven to be the biggest bloc of unpatriotic sycophants in American history. It makes you wonder what it would take to make them stand up to trump and, more and more, it appears nothing would.
In standing with trump, Republicans fail us. Vote trump and all his enablers out.
6
Senator Collins has it wrong. In her statement that the "president would be better served" she fails to realize that the constitution and the American people would be better served if the president never commented about anything.
8
Past behavior is the single best predictor of future behavior.
As for Susan Collins’s statement that she voted for acquittal because she believed DJT had learned his lesson - this was an absolutely ridiculous comment. Either she has no insight whatsoever or she simply found it to be a convenient excuse to protect her own interests. Either way, she should go, too.
Go Mike!
12
Red flags and sirens blaring from the White House. GOP refuses to act and denies the fire completely. And that’s how our American democracy ends and dictatorship takes over. It’s a sad story of what happened to America.
5
“Kind of immaterial” - an apt description of all of the Senate Republicans who gave Trump his hall pass, don’t you think?
6
In our current society, the role of the Republican Senator is to be seen and not heard, except of course Mitch McConnell. It is very similar to a ventriloquist and his dummies, but much more serious.
6
We have just passed the sunset of democracy in the US
6
Republicans aren’t saying anything because after their acquittal of the President they’re complicit in everything he does, including protection of his criminal associates. If they spoke up now they would be admitting what was obvious during the impeachment process: they never actually believed a word Trump said. They were pretending for fear of retaliation. And keep in mind, this is the bunch that sends America’s kids off to war.
12
Cowards and enablers, every one of them except Mitt Romney.
It is beyond clear that the GOP will never stand up to Trump.
We, the people, are the last line of defense.
Volunteer, donate and vote.
11
The new Republican Conservative.
Love it or kowtow.
6
That most sacred of white privileges is on display again: we're to believe, according to the "liberal" press, that Collins and the rest of the trump party really truly thought their dear leader would be humbled. They couldn't possibly have been lying to our faces. How could they have known? "My my my, clutch my pearls! We had no idea he'd act this way!"
Who'd've thought? After all, there were no warning signs.
7
The good thing about Mike Bloomberg's self-funding of his campaign is that it allows the donations of the rest of us to be directed to the political opponents of these cowardly Republican senators. I especially note Graham and Toomey (R-PA). Let's give President Bloomberg a Senate that will work with him. Donate where appropriate!!
9
These Republican Senators cowering fear of Trump shows that all they are Trump lackeys. Senators Republican or Democrat not doing their jobs are no use to anyone, except an authoritarian leader.
3
The tyranny of Trump has me considering the purpose and usefulness of the militia. It appears the militia is both purposeless and useless.
3
Gee, where were all these hand-wringing Democrats and ‘progressives’ when Barack Obama was using the Justice Dept, FBI, and our intelligence agencies to throw the 2016 election to Hillary Clinton?
@EGD. Your perceptions, devoid of facts, are proven wrong by the facts. Obama kept the Russian investigation under wraps completely before the election to NOT influence the election. Comey's announcement < 2 weeks before the election of POSSIBLE incriminating Clinton emails certainly interfered, even though just before the election he announced that there was no "there" there. Expand your sources, please.
THIS will continue until the economy tanks. Keep your heads down people.
5
Simple question.....why doesn't Tom Steyer take his fortune and unseat Graham, McConnell, Nunes, and, in my dream scenario, Matt Gaetz?
Steyer would help our nation tremendously if he funded a GOP purge.
8
Anyone with sense knew this sort of thing would occur after congressional Republicans dropped to their knees to vote in favor of their tin god in the impeachment process.
Anyone with integrity would admit that they didn't care then, and do not care now.
Anyone with a love of this nation would march into Trump's office and tell him to stop treating this government like his personal possession.
Anyone who does not do so should march out of Congress and resign.
3
I wonder if the House of Representatives feels strong enough to begin impeachment proceedings against Barr?
6
The Republicans are proving daily that they hate the Democrats more than they love the Constitution. They love the power position they have more than justice. All but one, are gutless, and as for Lindsey Graham, well I can only imagine what John McCain is thinking!
5
Charles Manson's lawyer tried to have a mistrial declared because Nixon publicly opined during his case. (he said he thought he was guilty) It didn't work, but can't blame his lawyer for trying. That all seems rather quaint now compared to the vulgar motor mouth currently occupying the White House.
6
How many times can a man turn his head and pretend that he just doesn't see?
15
We've got news for you, Senator Collins-- Trump doesnt give a fig what you think. You've been used and conned just like his other GOP chumps.
See you at the ballot box.
13
“ As a Post-Impeachment Trump Pushes the Limits, Republicans Say Little”
Anyone who quietly acquiesces to tyranny is a traitor to freedom and should toss, turn and fall out of bed trying to get that elusive good nights sleep, they don’t deserve.
6
...Republicans are in control and out of control...you know this when the Leader has 'no opinion....'
2
Traitors to the Constitution, to the United States of American. Period. No reason to say any more. And they should be painted as such.
The rational discussion ended years ago. Now it's time to call out traitors as the traitors that they are.
6
USA - a de facto dictatorship
The most powerful weapon (democracy) the USA had tossed away by a despicable human being with the consent of GOP members of Congress - that’s a disgrace.
6
Trump The Evil. What is worse than communism? The
immoral and evil Republican Party. Through and through.
9
The Republican Motto:
Hear No Evil. See No Evil.
Do No Good.
17
The Republicans relish a dictatorship created while they are in power.
8
Trump and Barr are making a mockery of our justice system. Why would I ever again serve on a jury knowing that my time and hard work means nothing as the verdict and the crime can be dismissed by the rich and powerful.
352
@Mary
Perhaps there will no longer be a need for juries. Once all the accused “admit” to their crimes.
5
@Mary
They made a mockery of the jury system itself. Normal jurors are not allowed to say "I don't have time to listen to witnesses; I have more important things to do."
1
The really scary thing is, these stories are just what we know is going on. Who can guess at what really happens behind the scenes in this administration? What on earth could ever make these individuals in the Senate (and the House too, for that matter) behave this way?
313
@DNG
Preservation of their positions, fear of becoming a minority who knows, but it has happened many times before. They are compelled to be blind and obedient, they all speak now with one voice. Dissent is seen as treason, those outside the group are seen as the enemy to be ignored or eliminated. We are watching history happen and it is not so much about looking back after the catastrophe and saying "they were on the wrong side of history" it is about looking back and asking could i have done something about this? This is always the question we ask others after those who brought on the disaster are condemned.
37
@matthias
"They are compelled to be blind and obedient" unlike Nixon era Republicans.
8
@Coop How do we know that we can even trust the election results since Trump and his cancerous enablers are (proven) willing to lie and cheat to win? I fear we are doomed. Our country is over, we are a failed state..and why...Because no matter how good a system of govt. it still depends on the basic goodness of people being decent, fair, and honest. Also, Americans , we have this "our country is great" trance that makes it difficult for us to see when things are really really wrong. At this point, we are a failed state and capable of making all the mistakes and blunders of other failed states (read up on Nazi Germany).
10
From Senator Susan Collins: “I think the president would be better served by never commenting on pending federal investigations.”
This is the weakest and most cowardly response possible, and it comes from a senator who expressed confidence that Trump would feel chastened after his impeachment acquittal. Isn't the concern here the optimum service of the American people and not the president? And yet the Republican senators continue to cover their eyes and ears and grovel before Trump.
370
It sure sounds like she’s saying it’s okay for him to use the DOJ to reward his friends and punish his enemies, but it’s awkward the way he publicly boasts about it on twitter.
32
My question to Sen. Collins would be, "And would you think the American people would be better served by not having a president who tweets like that?"
37
@Mike And I should think Maine would be better served without Senator Susan Collins.
26
Thank you Republicans. Trump is the president YOU and your party deserved, but not the rest of us! What did you think was going to happening after the acquittal?! A change of heart? He has no heart. Trump will be an untethered bully until he is voted out of Office. You all could have helped by supporting impeachment.
330
@Susan . . . and I fear what will happen when we vote him out of office. Will he actually ever vacate the WH?
Clearly, 45 is not only a sore loser, but a sore winner as well.
17
@Susan You might consider Trump to be the Republican's President.
The rest of the world considers him OUR President. So will history. We will get the blame.
And we will deserve it, if we fail to vote him out.
1
@mouseone Absolutely a sore winner, considering that he is still complaining about Hillary, those emails and the last election.
Yes, Senators, you, too have been conned. You are on the wrong side of history, and you can't say you didn't see it coming. You are the enablers of a would-be dictator, and you have violated your oath of office. You have chosen to "protect and defend" a monarch, leaving the Constitution (which that monarch admits even he can't read) in tatters.
But at least you avoided meet tweets from 45, which seems to be your main concern these days, in addition to keeping your jobs.
The Republicans party is a disgrace and a sellout.
452
@Jeremy ....conned ? I don't think so ...this sleazy corrupt Senate loves this dictator..
35
@Jeremy "Conned"? Hardly, as that implies they were somehow magically unaware of the nearly half a century of evidence about Trump. Barr has decades of his own criminal history covering up Iran-Contra. Another "Too Big to Fail" moment for America and we failed miserable thanks to Barr and his orchestrating pardons of everyone involved to insulate a criminal President from prosecution. Sounds vaguely familiar.
Barr is not our AG, but Trumps "wartime" consigliere - NOTHING MORE!
29
@joes1960 I think of the senators as Trump's Gang of Puppets!
14
"But having expressed confidence just last week that the impeachment trial might chasten him going forward, Republican senators now appear unwilling to grapple with the president who emerged: an emboldened Mr. Trump determined to tighten his grip on the levers of power."
Good God, if they were unwilling to convict the president on well established evidence even they agreed was compelling, why on earth do you think they would stop him now?
They put party over country and the mess we're in is every bit as much theirs as the president's. Trump is testing power, each episode going further to see what he can do. I almost hate the word "emboldened: "unchained" is better.
When it comes to his enablers, every uncontested power grab Trump takes lessens theirs. They're in so deep that as we slide deeper into autocracy, their cowardice shines brighter.
Susan Collins is the perfect example: she has an answer for everything, but it's never the right one.
559
@ChristineMcM
Concur fully, There is no way at all possible that none of them were blind to this result coming.
30
@ChristineMcM Susan Collins is an on-going disgrace, maine apologizes for her and will deal with it.
83
@ChristineMcM But they get to stay in power. That is all that matters.
10
We live in a nation where an authoritarian loving minority can gain disproportionate representation and impose its will on the majority. The electoral college and the senate have allowed that minority and it’s ruthless representatives to destroy our democracy. I don’t see a cure for this other than constitutional amendments.
13
The GOP line is: Oh, he’s just doing some harmless tweeting. You know how he is.
However, Trump’s tweets are not a sidebar to his Presidency. They ARE his Presidency.
15
The Republican Party is dead.
No longer is there anything in the Party remotely resembling conservatism.
If we all don't wake up and Trump gets re-elected in 4 years this country won't be recognizable and that won't be for the better.
9
I'm sure Susan Collins can make sense of all of this for us. She seems to have insight into these issues that is not obvious to the rest of us.
4
Thank you Senators. You've all done very well.
Just let him continue to run roughshod over the Constitution, and those who had the audacity to tell the truth under oath, foolishly assuming that here right matters.
But remember, next he could be running roughshod over you.
8
It's amazing to see this happening in this country. As someone who came to US from Russia 40 years ago, it almost seems unreal to witness an autocratic bully so dominating his party, that they, to all appearances, just caved in, unable or unwilling to stand up to the verbal abuse heaped onto them via Twitter, etc...
Look out if he gets reelected. He's not doing much to govern even now, but his ego demands validation via the second term. Once there, any and all restraints (not sure there are any left, actually) will be off of him.
He is fast destroying this country.
20
@Mr L His Party has destroyed this country. 1980.
2
These power-hungry, greedy cowards said all that they had to say when they voted in the House against the Impeachment Articles and then again in the Senate for no witnesses/documents and a quick acquittal. Trump's party--no longer the Republicans or the GOP--are wholly owned by the president. Getting them to say something is worthless and the media should know it by now. Watching what they do tells me everything that I need to know. These folks have been kneeling to Donald Trump for more than three years. Nothing has changed but the danger to our country and its democracy.
9
There once was a Republican Senator from Maine, Margaret Chase Smith who had the courage to take on Joe McCarthy, the Trump of his day. Susan Collins, who now occupies that same Senate seat, is no Margaret Chase Smith and neither is the rest of this spineless Republican Party.
16
@Lou we are organized, raising money, securing our ballots, ( we have paper ballots in Maine). Susan is raking in an enormous amount of out of state money. She runs ads every day on all the Maine stations, every day!
We believe, hope, pray we can defeat her.
1
@Meme Give me an address and I'll send in some out of state money to help stop her. She gives New England a bad name.
@Bridey Never mind. I went to the ActBlue right and found the Democrat under their adopt a Democrat page.
Love the headline. Of course “Republicans say little”. If you’re ok with Russian election interference, being in love with the leaders of every authoritarian state in the world (except Iran, but only because they wouldn’t love you back), lining the president’s family’s pockets with real estate tax breaks disguised as middle class tax breaks, withholding foreign aid in exchange for launching investigations against political opponents, calling a free press the enemy of the people, destroying public trust in all the government institutions that might restrain executive (dictatorial) authority, embracing white supremacists (or at least the good ones, because we know of course there’s a good side and a bad side of white supremacists), what’s the big deal about putting a little “pressure” on prosecutors who recommend jailing your criminal friends and enablers?
Making America Great Again, by demolishing it one step at a time.
I’m not Donald Trump and I approved this message (so we know there’s a high probability the contents are true and accurate).
15
Will anyone hold these people accountable?
6
Why is anyone surprised that there is nothing Trump could do that would cause any serious objection -- increasingly, any objection at all?
The Republican party, even in 2012 to Norm Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute, hardly a hotbed of radicalism, had given up being a parliamentary party. He called it a "radical insurgency."
Today? The NYT itself reported, helpfully, where the party lies on an objective international scale. (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/06/26/opinion/sunday/republican-platform-far-right.html) They're out there past UKIP. They're fascists.
And when I say "party" I mean primarily the voters. There is now 94% lockstep support for Trump. This is the only reason he can humiliate and bully those Republicans who haven't quit; he has millions at his back. This is why Graham has abased himself. It's what you see in authoritarian organizations.
Which brings me back to the election. I'm all-in for Sanders. Others aren't. The Democrats are a parliamentary party. People disagree. There are competing interests. This is healthy.
If No-Drama Obama would like to help, he could make a speech, right now, saying, "Calm down, people. Anyone in the race now would be light-years better than Trump. I will endorse whoever wins. No thumb on the scale: you'll get, however, the full force of my support, whoever wins. Bernie, Bloomberg, Biden, Pete, anyone. Anyone. So go and fight it out, as I did with Hillary, and then unite."
It's really not that hard.
3
But wait... I’m confused, didn’t susan Collins day trump had learned his lesson?
Lol
It will be a good day when she goes.
3
The votes by the Senate to
1) not call witnesses and
2) not impeach the this president
have done more to damage democracy in the U.S. than anything Trump has done -- so far. And Mitch McConnell is the ring leader of this mess.
Voters need to keep all this in mind come November!
8
It's hard to grasp that none of the senators will stand up to a bully! All it would take is for several of the senior senators to band together and confront him, but they don't. McConnell must have put the fear of God into them? No other explanation.
1
@Jean Maybe it's Putin they fear?
Cowards. If you would like to combat the problem you’ll have to speak in the only language they understand: Money. Look at every company that donated a single cent to any republican campaign (House, Senate, Presidential, etc.) and refuse to support those businesses.
4
I no longer believe the GOP had anything but the current scenario in mind all along. Apparently, a dictatorship will serve their lust for absolute power much better than our humble democracy. I will never, ever forgive the Republican Party and everyone who supports it for what they are doing to our country. Small comfort though, as our great American experiment falls to greed and evil ends. I weep.
8
These are becoming grounds to impeach Trump a second time...
2
The headline isn't quite right. Republicans aren't saying little. They're saying nothing. Nothing at all. A cowardly silence in support of despotic rule.
7
Donald Trump is establishing an authoritarian dictatorship in the United States because he does not want to be defeated in the 2020 election.
Barr, Pompeo, Pence and the right wing faction of the Republican Party are participating in this treasonous insurrection.
6
@Ed , I agree with you. I will never forgive the Republican Party, and I will never forgive a Trump voter. They knew what he was when he glided down the escalator, and yet they cast their vote for him.
I do not think President Trump should fear defeat in November: I think the Electoral College has already determined the outcome, and the President will be reelected, and a third term is entirely possible because the Supreme Court has been stacked.
This is how democracy dies. We still find our stuff at Costco, we can still order everything from Amazon, there's still sports and Judge Judy on tv. Things look normal. But they're not.
We're only seeing the tip of the iceberg. Who knows what's coming next.
As a resident of a blue state, and not one in the middle of the country, I finally recognize that my vote simply doesn't count anymore.
Bullying is a crime. Trump bullies by Tweet. He has committed a crime.
The Senate allows crimes.
2
Senator Susan Collins of Maine and her fellow Republicans who didn't vote to convict President Trump in his Senate Impeachment Trial are now eating crow. What does Sen. Lindsey Graham lose any sleep over? Certainly not our kakistrophic Demander-in-Chief's payback to his Congressional Impeachment witnesses. Donald Trump is conducting his Senate acquittal vendetta by tweet and rant. He doesn't know that he doesn't own vengeance. Who will put paid to Trump's colossal chutzpah and get rid of him? And when? Our President, and his Attorney General, and his Secretary of State are America's disgrace. Vicious and crooked,Trump is our shame. "His behavior will get worse", Sherrod Brown (D, OH) said today. Senate Majority Leader McConnell (the president's enabler) has "no opinion" on Trump's exercising retribution on Congressional witnesses to his impeachment and trial. So it goes now in America.
2
This is just the beginning. Unrestrained by a weak-kneed Senate, armed with a Justice Department ally, he's free to unravel the social safety net, punish disloyals and complete the border wall boondoggle.
2
I love how cool-ly some white folks are taking this rapid slide into autocratic government. Their nonchalance, unbotheredness is truly amazing to me, a working class black immigrant woman. The press, the religious houses, the universities, the unions and other civic organizations should be screaming bloody murder every day until November. Must be nice to wake up and feel safe. Please understand, though you may not feel threatened, you are witnesses to a 240+ year experiment being flushed down the drain. No exaggeration!
5
Tax cuts + judges = he can do whatever else he wants
1
@laprof I should have added that this is what the Republicans want.
1
Democrats just do not learn. Their only power in this rag tag government is in the House, where they can control the purse strings. Rather than use it to better their constituents, as long as they get to spend what they want, they give Trump whatever he wants. They're as bad as the other side in my humble opinion. If they were real, they would shut it down until behavior modification kicked in.
1
@Kehoe WHy don't you review all of the House bills passed since the midterms, bills to improve conditions for all citizens. And where are those bills now? Sitting on McConnell's desk collecting dust, abdicating his job to we the citizens.
Here, I did some research for you - bills passed by the House 2019-2020.
https://www.congress.gov/search?searchResultViewType=expanded&q=%7B%22congress%22%3A%22116%22%2C%22source%22%3A%22legislation%22%2C%22bill-status%22%3A%22passed-one%22%7D.
Of course not. Having been too weak and spineless to vote for his impeachment, do you really expect his Republican toadies to "grapple with the man" now that he is unbound, and completely unhinged. He has already violated the code of military justice twice by pardoning a war criminal and victimizing the Vindman brothers, even though only one of them was a whistleblower. He has also corrupted the Justice Department and is now using Barr, his tame basset, to hound his enemies and obstruct justice in the sentencing of his friends.
2
Republican senators are getting what they wished for, an emperor not a president. They took the guardrails away with their vote and may not end well for them personally. They are now too cowardly to stand up to him on any issue because they know the price of crossing the emperor is high.
2
I am shocked, shocked!
Republican Senators, who let Trump get away with murder in the impeachment "trial," just shrug off Trump's actions a few days later when Trump (1) basically tells DOJ and the prosecutors to back off any long jail time for Stone notwithstanding Stone's endless criminal acts and blatant violations of the judge's own orders, and (2) makes clear to his trolls and thugs how he "feels" about the judge, hoping to intimidate her. Sickening, scurrilous, and abhorrent behavior by the Republicans (including "Saint Mitt").
Just another day at the office, folks.
2
With each passing day, the genius of a thug is validated once more. Mr. Putin has always sought to divide this country in profound ways, and to watch the effect of that dismantle our Western Alliances. Well, behold the achievement of a goal, and it will last far beyond November 2020. The rule of law is now a cliche that no longer applies, as the POTUS runs roughshod over the system of non-partisan law enforcement that the Dept. of Justice is supposed to represent. Next up: the media. As sure as we're sitting here, he will turn Justice on the media, the next step in the autocrat textbook. Democracy, the victim, limps away badly wounded into the annals of history.
4
Collins might get more respect if she instead said, "the country would be better served…"
1
The GOP is now “kind of immaterial,” Senator Cornyn.
2
Regarding your reference to the "handful of moderate Republicans" who criticized Trump's action in extorting Ukraine, stop doing this. Now. With the exception of Mitt Romney, every one of those so-called "moderates" either voted against the House impeachment or voted for a speedy acquittal after hearing no witnesses. Pretending that cowards like Rob Portman are moderate because they pose a bit during their goose-stepping complicity with a rogue president is a lazy and dangerous lie.
4
Donald Trump has always been a bully. That he behaves like a bully as president is no surprise. Abhorrent to anyone with a shred of decency, and shameful to anyone who respects the office; but no surprise to anyone who knows anything about Trump's "career" as a self-promoting real estate "magnate" and reality TV "star." That his Republican colleagues in the House and the Senate are willing to close their eyes and pretend that nothing out of the ordinary is going on, well, that's real tragedy of the Trump presidency. The supposed adults in the room have abdicated their responsibilities in deference to a petulant, vindictive man-child. The Framers of our Constitution would be appalled. So should we all be.
3
It’s so rich that many are panicked about “socialist” Bernie but they say nothing about Trump recreating the Kremlin in the White House.
6
I saw a very telling cartoon by Gary Varvel the other day. It was a statue of "Benedict Romney". In other words, a "traitor" to the Birther King, or a "traitor" to a political party (as long as it's the GOP), is the same as a traitor to one's country.
1
with respect, Sen Collins: you had the chance to restrain or remove this "president" and did not.
2
What’s scarier?
1. New virus run amok, out of control, not contained.
2. Trump run amok, out of control, not contained.
10
So, Susan Collins. Is this the lesson you expected he'd learn?
15
I feel deeply that Niemoller's confession has taken on an new, American relevance under this amoral Trump-Barr alliance.
"First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak outFirst they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me"
7
What did you think was going to happen with this treasonous crew? They are all so disgustingly predictable.
We are in for a very sad future.
I am glad that I am old and can remember better times and better governments.
7
I get sick when I see Susan Collins.
We need women in Congress, alright. But women with guts.
30
Why should we expect anything different from the GOP.
They have clearly demonstrated both before, during and after the impeachment trials that there are no limits to their capacity to let him do anything he pleases.
5
@Bronx Jon
to paraphrase: "a Senate that gives up liberty/duty for security deserves neither"
GOP is terrified of the nasty vicious creature they have spawned and while they have the ability to stop him - a stake through his heartless intentions - they have chosen not to for fear they will be tweeted upon. Is there any clearer exhibit of cowardice?
Locked into a storyline, reporters (it seems) are asking the wrong questions: it’s not about whether trump “learned anything” from, or “feels emboldened by” the senate acquittal.
Rather, questions —centering on institutional accountability and checks and balances— should asked congressional repubs:
how much executive overreach, populist autocracy, they are willing to condone,
how they plan to handle the president’s undermining of the constitutional separation of powers,
what *congress’s response* should be to a president who retaliates against witnesses and federal agencies and employees, and urges the AG of the United States to
a) involve himself “investigating” trump’s political rivals and
b) interfere with the judicial process for associates who have been found guilty of obstructing justice and witness tampering on behalf of the president's himself.
This is NOT about Trump — his temperament or learning curve; it’s about the integrity of core political institutions and the fundamental principle of checks and balances in a democracy.
11
I think no matter what question the media poses, the answer will be the same lame one. Once you back yourself into a corner, there isn't much you can do to get out without admitting your mistakes.
And that's not something these people are brave enough to do.
2
We have witnessed the steady decline of our integrity as a nation. We were once the United States of America. No longer.
And wait until we witness the devastation in the election in November.
We will witness yet again the deflection of the will of the electorate.
The key word: witness. We are standing by, watching, witnessing....
4
They gave excuses when they should asked questions and stood for rule of law. Now they are complicit through silence. the lie of many decades is exposed; with seemingly only one exception the Republicans fade to black when faced with the darkening shadows over the rule of law becoming the Rule of Trump.
Graham and Cornyn and fellow sheep may not lose sleep, but we can hope they lose their jobs so they can sleep longer and have no pedestal to stand on to bellow more lies and abet the ending of the rule of law. In the end it will be whether the rile of the voters will end before the end of the rule of law.
7
McConnell had to call the Whitehouse to find out what his opinion was.
Having said that, on this issue, we have bigger fish to fry. The judge can accept, accept in part, follow, deviate or ignore the pre sentence investigation report. There is nothing, related to sentencing, that the DOJ report that requires the judge to do anything...So, Trump's meddling may very well have added time to Stone's sentence...It's 100% up to the judge.
5
So they aren’t going to do anything about this “impropriety “ either. The list gets longer and longer.
2
Will someone help me to understand why power is so intoxicating and desirable that people are willing to make the pursuit or maintenance of it their most important goal?
How does this value legitimately take precedence all other values, especially honesty, accountability and courage?
4
Sorry my cut/paste earlier was duplicated.
Niemoller's confession is apropos today, in our country:
First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me
6
The Republic is dying.
I recommend that you get out while you can.
3
@odiggity working on dual citizenship now!
In the new Webster’s, all future definitions of toady should include a picture of Lindsey Graham!
4
It is possible that we are already too late. That the democracy we thought we had is already dead. It might be possible to resurrect it if Dems take control of the White House and Senate this fall. However, if either Trump or McConnell stays in power for another 4 years, then we are done as a democracy. It's been coming for a while, but the end is certainly upon us now.
10
Cowards and accomplices, they enable, aid and abet -- the Republican majority is as corrupt and unprincipled as its leader.
4
"Many in the party say it is just often not worth it to challenge him in the open." –– I cannot be the only person who hears echos of Neville Chamberlain's police of appeasement toward Hitler and Germany in the 1930s. Or, perhaps more aptly, of the attitude of the German aristocracy prior to June 1934.
21
The president is mentally ill. He has nor moral compass. Expect only the worst from him and you won't be disappointed. Very sad for our country but who are we to judge his supporters.
15
@Daphne philipson We are those who need to resist the cowardice of those who go along with this abdication of civic responsibility. We are losing our democracy. The GOP is the handmaiden of this loss.
2
@Daphne philipson We will AND MUST judge his supporters by voting them out of office. I hope the trail of money that has brought them to this place of betrayal of their constituents dries up and they all go home and live out the rest of their lives in shame.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
* Martin Niemöller
It is becoming apparently clear that none of the elected Republicans will do anything to coral trump. Thump is pushing the limit and is getting into uncharted waters!
Americans beware!!
16
Trump is endangering our democracy. Wake up Republicans! Act now Democrats! Otherwise, we may well lose our democracy at the hands of this psychopathic man, Donald John Trump.
6
Still remember all the times Obama refused to comment on the Trayvon Martin case (and others). Imagine the Republican criticism if he had, even once...
4
Wow, Susan Collins is finished.
9
@Casey S
Many here in Maine, including myself, will be working to see that she is comfortably retired in November.
4
With the Trump Administration, there is NO bottom. He and the rest the of Republican Party care not for the health of our democracy, their concerns do not extend beyond their own personal needs, they are complicit in the destruction of American democracy.
The only way to end this is to win elections in November - nominating someone who can win the electoral college and given our choices now, only Bloomberg (and a strong VP) can do that.
Nothing can save us if the Dems nominate Sanders because he can't win the electoral college.
20
Tens of millions of citizens have given this moment its strength.
Their elected representatives oblige the moment without regard to their duty to stand for the pursuit of truth and decent empathy.
There are no profiles in courage in America these days and citizens should look in the mirror first before they criticize how others are indifferent to protecting our democracy.
9
@John Jamotta
"There are no profiles in courage in America these days and citizens should look in the mirror first before they criticize how others are indifferent to protecting our democracy."
I certainly understand your frustration, John, but before you lose hope entirely, think about those civil servants who really put themselves on the line by testifying to the truth in the House Impeachment hearings. I was moved and heartened by their courage and their example of what real patriotism looks like. Don't despair.
1
I have been constantly disappointed in myself in these, the Trump times. I never really saw the danger of the Trump family, I watched Barr's hearing where he applied for his present job and I thought he was going to do a great job, that he got that he needed to be independent, I thought Trump would pivot after the election and go back to being somewhat of a Democrat.
And above all, I just never, ever, saw the demise of the Republican Party as a decent organization of loyal Americans.
I go back to my earlier perspectives, that the only thing that can return America to a path of unity, is to bring back the draft and make all young people serve their country either in the military or in public service.
For it is wealth itself that is the enemy, and it can buy many of the best lawyers, and certainly it can buy Republicans.
Hugh
8
I hope Senators Collins, Graham, McConnell, and many others, will find themselves much freer to comment as private citizens by the end of this year.
35
@Jim S. Not we should care what they say, except "I am an abject coward.'"
2
Mitch certainly has an opinion. He just can't state it publicly or even privately. Every GOP member of Congress and the Justice Department has an opinion about Trump. Politics and power have robbed them of their voices.
7
@David
Mitch gave his opinion plainly & openly when he said up front ante hoc that he wasn't interested in being a fair or objective juror in the case. Lindsey the same. If that isn't an opinion I don't think one exists. :)
1
This is what Trump's enablers want, a strong arm President who doesn't care about the law or any rules at all which to him are meant to be broken. This statement to a Trump supporter only justifies him, but when you open the flood gates to this behavior everyone drowns equally, no exceptions.
6
The man is a walking controversy machine whose main goal is to create chaos, dominate every media outlet and news cycle. He says the outrageous, walks up to the line daily, hourly....and the reactions are of hysteria. After not being able to stop him in the primary, the GOP has embraced this as their political strategy because it works, and they slowly walk the country rightward. Their silence is discipline to their parties goals. The democrats need a sound political strategy to break this cycle because overreactions and getting in the mud with Trump doesn't work, in fact it has the opposite effect. A Bernie vs. Bloomberg cage match is not going help. Someone needs to unite the Democratic party and soon!
7
At this point, everything is so egregious and unconstitutional there is little more to be said. The outrage is palpable and we must work on resistance even though it all seems for nil. We are going over a very dangerous cliff and it seems that all will not end well. We all surely need to VOTE!
13
If the GOP didn't think he abused his power for the impeachment trial, he's going to prove them wrong in a big way.
He will push every government department to bow down to him and use there resources for his own personal profit.
This is exactly what the founding fathers fought to get away from.
12
Republicans should not be afraid of the wrath of Mr. Trump; they should fear the ballot box.
14
@Gerry Gress Unfortunately, most of them fear the ballot box in the primary, not in the election.
1
When and if the polls show between now and Nov. that the republican congress members in swing states are in trouble for re election they will have a "moral awakening" and start to talk against Trump.
Otherwise they will continue to sell their souls to the devil and support Trump.
The only exception to this will be endangered republican reps in swing states who have been promised high paying cushy corporate welfare jobs if defeated.
They will still continue to support Trump even if he commits treason.
6
@Paul He has already committed treason. He's sold the country to Putin.
1
@Bronwyn agree somewhat but according to the Mueller Report, his cronies in the WH stopped him so imo he is a wanna be traitor.
1
It is time, we, the normal, ethical humans came to accept that Republicans (with the exception of Romney) are no longer humans that inhabit the same ethical planet that many of us to. They do not have a conscience, rational thinking ability or backbone for that matter. Unfortunately, the whole nation has to face the consequences.
7
Since the days of Karl Rove and his REDMAP plan to take over state legislatures and gerrymander districts to ensure Republican wins, along with voter suppression and actual disenfranchisement, the Republican Party has had one goal: the establishment of the Republican Party as a permanent majority. The 2018 election interfered with their loss of the House. If Trump is re-elected and the Republicans hold the Senate, and God forbid retake the House, they will be able to achieve their goal of one-party rule and this country will be a democracy in name only. Republicans see Trump as a great tool to hollow out the government and get rid of career staff with knowledge, to be replaced by ignorant political appointees whose sole quality is loyalty to Trump. All federal departments are already seriously compromised. The Supreme Court is seriously compromised. One last election stands in the way of ultimate power and the ability to turn the federal government into an autocracy serving the interests of big corporations and the ultra wealthy. Trump and Republicans are running the government like a mafia family. The law is for other people to follow while they set up their patronage to ensure their own power.
19
The GOP which likes to think of itself as being the tough party of law and order, not bleeding heart liberals, and are ready to condemn the poor and lock up children, somehow manage to find a soft spot for Trump and claim he will be ‘chastened’, when he has never shown he would be as he has gotten away with everything, convinced of his own right to do as he pleases. When Trump himself claims he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and not lose voters, do they really believe he can be ‘chastened’ by letting him get away with it ?
It is obvious that it was only another excuse for their spinelessness - instead, the GOP is the one in fear of Trump, and the latter’s vindictive, purging actions, as well as those of Barr, prove that he is more certain than ever of his hold on power.
4
Just happened to be reading this article by a famous 20th century psychologist ion such a relationship. I'll quote a bit since it is so clearly illustrates the position of those who unquestioningly, let's say hypnotically obey demagogues: “By the measures that he takes, the hypnotist awakens in the subject a portion of his archaic inheritance which had also made him compliant towards his parents and which had experienced an individual re-animation in his relation to his father: what is thus awakened is the idea of a paramount and dangerous personality, towards whom only a passive-masochistic attitude is possible, to whom one's will has to be surrendered, while to be alone with him, 'to look him in the face', appears a hazardous enterprise…. The leader of the group is still the dreaded primal father; the group still wishes to be governed by unrestricted force; it has an extreme passion for authority.”
-Freud
3
The President's habit of tweeting is supposedly a right? When a President's threats are bullying, it is not a right. Lawsuits have occurred throughout the nation regarding bullying, including prosecutions. One would hope that a President would set an example for correct tweeting procedure, not how to bully. Obviously this is not a concern of the Senate, within their minds, it is okay to bully.
By dismissing the Impeachment articles, the Senate has told Trump he is free to do anything he wants until the election. Is that really how America operates? Apparently now it is.
I will never understand why a group of elective officials have made one man their voice. Whatever Trump says, whatever he does, however he does it will be their Responsibility, for in their silence and excuses they have made his voice theirs.
3
Perhaps I'm wrong, but that photo of Lamar Alexander makes me think he knows what he did, and who he turned out to be when it mattered most.
4
The great cover up that Republican have advanced is based on their allegiance to issues that this President is forcing, like nationalism (different from patriotism, for those haven't learned the difference) and bigotry which are found in policies that have racial foundations and policies that perpetuate the dead horse recognized as trickle-down economics. To complete this cabal, Trump has managed to carry out Russian instructions backed by their laundered money, and Roger Stone knows these details, so he has to have Barr undermine rules and guidelines. The great cover up is like the mafia, and Trump is virtually calling himself the Don. Travesty.
4
The Russian Oligarchs have the dirt on Trump. What does Trump have on the Republicans? Remember: he always said he used to give massive amounts of money to them before he was president. Somehow, I doubt we'll ever really know.
11
@Had Enogh Maybe it's not Trump that has the goods on Rs, but the Russians.
If one evaluates the conduct of the senators, it is easy to assume that since they have refused to pass laws that would help secure our election, they must believe outside forces will carry the day. They will win and so will trump. Please tell me the definition of a traitor.
8
I said in old posts that the Mueller investigation and impeachment were big mistakes and would backfire. You never go after someone like Trump in that manner. It emboldened him like feeding spinach to Popeye. Old school true democrats would have known this and how to handle Trump because Trump actually learned his tactics from bare knuckle east coast democrats.
Instead the elite out of touch democrats of today lost a big opportunity. Trump never liked most Republicans and most never liked him. Democrats could have easily swayed Trump to the center of they had worked with him because Trump would have loved boasting about his accomplishments or deals. Instead democrats were hijacked by sore loser Clintons and extremists on the left.
Now with high approval numbers Trump has both parties unsure of his next move with Republicans fearful of him and Democrats worried they can't defeat him. Both parties created their own mess. The real focus shouldn't be on voting Trump out but rather voting out every member of Congress. Unfortunately most voters still don't get that despite the horrendous behavior of Congress.
1
@Hellen I think Trump migrated to the Party he could easily overtake. Turned out the Republican's had less of a spine than the Democrats.
4
Duh. They had their chance and now only Mitt can criticize the deplorable destruction of the justice system, firing of employees who answered the subpoenas, etc. I don’t want to hear from Collins.
3
Trump, and I won' distinguish from calling him by office, has continuously shown his hand in everything. He commits crimes in plain sight bullying us to question if what he said or means is a crime. He acts like a mob boss. Mike Pompeo his capo, Bill Barr his consigliere, Stephen Miller his goombah. The rest of the Republican Party is too afraid of the Don. So they step in line to get what they want. Conservative judges and re-election. We, the people, need to remember every heinous act come November and shred the Republican Party of any power.
7
An entire political party has been taken over by a charlatan and his band of thugs. Even a senator who’s retiring, Lamar Alexander, essentially takes the 5th when asked for comments.
What’s going on? Why are they all now in lockstep , almost like robots, behind Trump? This isn’t about politics, and maybe not even power or money.
There’s something that doesn’t add up in how this whole thing has evolved and continues to evolve. We have not yet seen the worst from the Trump family and their gang .
6
What’s left out of all these articles expressing surprise and alarm over typical Trump behavior is: why Roger Stone? Roger Stone and Donald Trump we’re communicating, sometimes directly and sometimes through intermediaries like Steve Bannon, about the Wikileaks release of DNC e-mails. This has already been established in Bannon and Stone’s testimony before Stone’s guilty verdict by a jury.
Loyalty to the boss only goes so far when you’re a 63 year old man looking to spend the remainder of your golden years in a federal prison. As a defendant, Stone was arrogant and dismissive of the court’s orders, and even threatened violence against the judge in his trial, the same judge who’s about to sentence him. 9 years is a long time. Barr and Trump need to keep Stone happy so he won’t start filling in the gaps that prosecutors have highlighted in his and Bannon’s testimony.
Stone brings back the Mueller report and shows that, again, Trump was in on the con to use a the DNC hacked emails to deflect away from his “grab ‘em” comments. Stone knows more about this than he’s telling and Trump knows it.
We really need to stop focusing on Trump’s behavior and focus on the reasons for Trump’s behavior. There’s a gigantic Trump-Russia-Ukraine conspiracy that in plain site and Trump and Barr have us focused on tweets and sentencing recommendations.
8
A white, wealthy, politically powerful Republican person is innocent until proven guilty, which is to say never since one cannot be so blessed and a wrongdoer at the same time, especially if that person is an American president who, by virtue of that office, is above the laws of heaven and earth.
If the guilty party does something else wrong, those are separate charges.
Republicans cannot be accused of wrongdoing until they do something wrong.
Wrong is defined as accusing a Republican of wrong doing. Since a Republican never accuses another Republican of doing wrong, no Republican is ever wrong.
Americans understand right from wrong and to accuse someone or snitch on them is wrong and automatically makes the accused innocent and the accuser guilty. That how the Bible teaches and that's how history learns about what to expect. Nixon was totally exonerated, for instance, as was his colleague Joseph McCarthy.
Feel free to disagree, but you'd be wrong and our more saintly Republicans would seek legal remedies against you.
4
We could “thank” the trump corruption on the senate majority. They have enabled him since before the fixed election put him in the WH. I blame that election on the republicans, the Russians, and the electoral college. The electoral should be dismantled and investigated along with the republicans that have failed our country.
4
The only thing more disturbing than the president’s sociopathic behaviour is the fact that it works to control the Congressional Republicans so successfully. Trump will go down in history with the other examples of how successfully sociopaths control people through fear and intimidation. I never thought I’d see it in America.
6
The cure will never come from the GOP. Power is their only motivation. It can only come from voters. Are voters just as indifferent to this corrupt behavior as the GOP are? Their bet is that most voters, in the few states that matter, are. Let’s see.
5
Let’s tell it like it is: Sen. Collins pretends to play the role of a self-described moderate Republican but at the end, always capitulates to McConnell’s command to support Trump at any cost.
Let’s cite two key examples of her self serving political expediency: she voted for Brett Kavanaugh for confirmation in the SCOTUS and also for Trump’s acquittal in the impeachment trial.
She is a hypocrite and I hope she receives her comeuppance by losing her re-election bid this fall. ‘Nuff Said!!
6
Fascism 101. The great leader's party crumbles and does not perform the proper selection function screening Party leaders for national leadership. And once in power the great leader faces no Party constraints: traditional norms are forgotten. Recall, it was the lack of Republican Senate support that convinced President Nixon to resign, not the Democrats. Mr. Trump's popularity ratings within the Party are stunning, autocratic in their numbers. Much of that is fear and has nothing to do with the tone of his Presidency, ideology or policy. The simple fact is that the fascist project has commenced in the Republican Party. This is homegrown. Senator Collins is the Party's symbol of political and ethical collapse.
15
Way atop the entrance to DOJ’s HQ’s building along Pennsylvania Avenue NW in DC, chiseled in fine sandstone, are the immortal words: “The Place of Justice Is A Hallowed Place”.
Every morning, Attorney General Barr does everything he can to not look up and read those words.
6
Who ever thought he would be chastened? That’s not his MO.
17
Trump says things in public that Democrats and other professional politicians say in private. And it often reflects what millions of Americans think but are afraid to say out loud. Occasionally even the conventional pols slip up and say what they—and millions of Americans, believe and it causes them grief—Mike Bloomberg’s recent comments about stop and frisk is a case in point. Trump is a transparent pol who has few filters and he pays the price for it. And you can bet other pols are learning that hiding from the public what they really believe—something Mrs Clinton is a master of, is the best policy.
1
@ehillesum Hard to see what price the president has paid for his lack of filters. Rules and laws that apply to others don't seem to apply to him. As more Republican officials realize this, they are increasingly afraid to speak out to protect the rule of law. A president who openly threatens judges? This is a dangerous road.
6
@ehillesum
How true, he says out front whay is usually said behind locked doors. It may not be pretty but it reflects the true state of our country. A family member was just saying to me it's uncanny how often things Trump says turn out to be proven true. For example Hillary Clinton's bitter nastiness was on full display recently. His comments about the border were right and now with the coronavirus they are even more on target.
@ehillesum
"[Trump] pays the price for it." -- When has he done that? Certainly not lately. Seems like to me he's winning far more than he's paying any sort of "price" for his actions.
1
These sorts of articles would be far more compelling if there was any attempt whatsoever to see if Democrats were “chastened” by what many in the country considered futile political theatre. Since the Times has always assumed guilt, as reflected in its reporting, I wouldn’t expect that sort of fair balance or perspective. So much for the independence of the news division.
4
@LTJ ˆt would be refreshing if comments were not said wearing a political cap like MAGA.It would be more honest if they looked at what is being done by this president and, objectively, seen for what he is doing: Destroying the Constitution and violating the laws like few have ever done before him. Trump wears corruption like everyday garments.
6
@LTJ Let's say you are remotely correct. Theatre is performance, it is words meant to influence. There is a huge difference between that and ignoring criminal conduct by either other politicians or their minions. It is the difference between democracy and authoritarianism.
4
@LTJ Roger Stone threatened a judge. That is political theater? Do you sincerely believe this? What if you were on trial and acquitted, but the president instructed the justice department to re-investigate you? What if you or a family member were a vicitim, your perpetrator was convicted, but the president weighed in and told the judge the perpetrator should get a light sentence -- or be released altogether? How can this president have changed the thinking of so many about the importance of the rule of law? It is not uncommon for judges to be murdered in other countries. Is that what we want in ours?
9
This interference with the Stone’s sentencing publicly displays the president in all his vainglorious repugnance. Collins, Murkowski, and Alexander dashed hopes of saving America. How can they live with themselves? What a motley, dangerous crew we have deciding the daily life for most Americans. When there is a death in a family it doesn’t just affect the immediate members. It affects previous and future family members. It has its own life of sorrow and pain. Our country’s death is generational pain. Fear is killing the bravery of common sense and decency. Fear. Pathetic.
40
Cowards, all of them. All they think of is getting reelected. Not the good of the country.
2
@Mr L
With any luck at all, some of them won't have to suffer that burden to much longer. }:)
1
Republicans in the Congress have brightly illustrated that they are mediocre, spineless servants of the dictatorship who really just want to hold on to their jobs. Show Me a Hero, somebody, while you can.
48
Mitt Romney stepped up to the plate. Period.
On one hand terrible and frightening. On the other, what should we the little people expect? The gaming of the system has gone on by the D.C. insiders for years. The veneer is coming off each and almost every softly corrupted person, institution, policy, lobbyist, industry. Trump is a bully and bullies aren’t nuanced. So we’re seeing in stark terms what’s always been the system. The corrupt Clinton foundation, the $80mm book deal for Obama, the insider trading by ‘Committee’ members, the extortion of small-state senators over the majority, K-street and on and on.
9
I think people that complain about extremely famous individuals, like President Obama, signing large book deals, don't understand how publishing, or sales in general, works. Publishers don't just throw millions of dollars at a lame duck or ex-president as a payoff. They do it because they sell books. Particularly in the case of Pres. Obama, who was a very successful author before his time in the White House, it is an easy call that his memoirs will be a massive seller. He produces a product that will sell. I'm not sure how different this is from JK Rowling getting a large advance for her next work. Unlike the current occupant, Obama actually put his finances in a blind trust. He did not accept money for his books while in office. The sin for me, repent for you attitude is getting very old.
3
@Outer Borough That would be the CORRUPT and now defunct (due to corruption) Trump Foundation, that used donations to buy a portrait of Trump, & election donations to to state AG campaigns. The Clinton Foundation has an A- rating from Charity Watch, spends 75% of donations on charitable programs, and their audited financials are available online for all, including you to see.
https://www.charitywatch.org/charities/clinton-foundation
The common view that Trump imposes himself on the Republican Party is now seen to be false. Trump, a mentally ill person, has been chosen by the Republican Party to be the fool thrust forward to act outrageously and cover for the legal, political, and national destruction they are all willingly and intentionally engaged in. It will be impossible to ever forgive them for what they have done and are doing.
43
The King has spoken -
and the servants better stay quiet!
11
Souls for sale! Bargain rates!
15
While I'd be happy for any number of Republican senators to lose their jobs in November, after McConnell, the most deserving of that reward would be Susan Collins. I hope she understands no one believes a word of that whiny drivel she offers as "comment."
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@BKNY It's a difficult choice between susan collins, joni ernst, and lindsey graham as "most deserving".
3
And so it begins.
2
@BD Or so it ends?
1
It's so odd that the timing of this story came at just the right time to split-screen the New Hampshire primary. The press keeps falling for [t]rump's press-trolling and is still still being played by him like a piano.
5
Oh how careful Susan Collins chooses her words less they in anyway offend the President. And here I though Maine people were independent, straight forward, and plain spoken people. She puts the lie to that. What weak tea she is.
35
@Babel
Her re-election campaigns are funded from out-of-state sources. Something I think should not be allowed. She used to stay under the radar and let Olympia Snow take the lead. Snow is gone and Collins is exposed for the spineless creature she is.
4
Wow, Susan, that's some pretty fiery rhetoric.
28
Collins, Gardner, McSally: You refused to do your job so your time milking the taxpayers for a paycheck is coming to an end. You will not be missed.
27
@CP unfortunately, they get those paychecks for life.... still, time to see them go.
1
Why describe Stone as a "longtime friend"? He was a co-conspirator in the Russia Affair
48
Senator Mitch McConnell said he does not have an opinion. Not to worry, Senator - on election day, the voters will voice their opinions of your horrific job performance. And of President Trump's performance and all of the Republican senators who refused to do their jobs at the impeachment "trial," too.
The voters will have their say, and there is nothing you can do about it. #VoteBLUE
28
Trump will win the election or he will nullify it. As our supreme POTUS, he can do anything he wants.
8,000 patriots died to give us the freedom to found this country, almost 400,000 since have given their lives to sustain it. It took 52 cowards to give it away...
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@Michael
This is why we now have what is essentially an hereditary, mercenary armed forces that remains, by design, largely invisible to the vast majority of Americans. A mercenary does not fight for ideals, they fight for a paycheck and career advancement. A draft would open soldiers to question the legitimacy of their mission, and making the country safe for the likes of
Lindsey Graham is not worth the deposit on a soda bottle, much less your life.
27
I find Todd Young’s I’m “still unfamiliar” with “all of the particulars” response the most infuriating. He follows up this evasive answer with a dismissive opinion on the matter, “there is no legal issue here....” Why does he feel entitled to speak out on a matter that he is unfamiliar with? Perhaps Senator Young should request a Senate hearing with William Barr so he can get himself more familiar with the particulars of this situation.
32
The Democrats shouldn't be surprised. Their impeachment efforts had no chance of succeeding. The public never bought into it. The over the top the Russians are coming rhetoric of Schiff was met with giggles at the self parody. The Democrats lost a major political battle.
3
@c harris Your definition of "the" public would seem to be partial, and your characterization of Adam Schiff's rhetoric is not widely shared--except in the segment of "the" public to which you belong. The Democrats knew they were most likely to lose in the Senate impeachment trial, but they still had to define and call out Trump's impeachable offenses--it was a moral and patriotic requirement. If you're content with the unleashed authoritarian in the White House, I wonder how you define what's happening to our republic and to the idea of justice in this country.
6
@c harris impeachment was not a failure. Now we all know what trump did. We also know that the republicans support or at least tolerate such behavior. We can assume that the republicans would never tolerate such behavior from a Democrat administration. Voters can see that the rules are different for entitled "real Americans".
6
@c harris
Actually from all evidence of the polls, as I'm sure we all remember, the public certainly did agree with it. ;)
3
I thought Sen. Collins said he learned his lesson.
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@mjbarr
Do you think she has learned hers?
1
@mjbarr ...
Yes he learned he can do whatever he wants
1
As many have suggested during the 3-year reign of the current occupant of the White House, republican's loyalties and commitments lay not with the country and Constitution, nor with the general population of the country. They lay solely with their desire to stay in power, regardless of the cost. They have abandoned every previously claimed principle in an attempt to enshrine the permanent rule of the minority. They do not hide their disdain for the separation of powers, nor for the separation of state and religion. It can surprise no one that they have morphed into spineless toadies, mouthing meaningless platitudes as the nation descends into autocracy. These are not patriots, they do not love America, no matter their words and how many flag lapel pins they wear. They are traitors to all that this country has stood for, and it bothers none of them.
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Just imagine how emboldened he's going to be if re-elected.
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@confounded
Yes. I'm already thinking where could I go? If I try immigrating to another country I won't necessarily escape. I believe there's a good chance he'll be reelected and then it will be a dictatorship for sure. His kids are already in place. I'm not sure why he's not taken seriously when he talks about his kids, specifically Ivanka, 'inheriting' his position as it is in other autocratic dynastic governments he admires like Saudi Arabia. All these decades of talk about American Exceptionalism--Obama mentioned it a lot--really has a lot of folks fooled into thinking one disordered individual couldn't remake our country into another banana republic overnight. I even hesitate to use banana republic, as an immigrant from a 'banana republic'. Those shabby third world states presently have more of the old democratic US in them than the present US. Fact.
4
Not "if he is re-elected", but when he proclaims himself to be president for life.
2
“Democrats have watched with increasing desperation. The House still holds subpoena power, and can use its control of the federal spending process to try to curb some unwanted excesses by the administration. But the chamber just used the Constitution’s most powerful tool for executive accountability, impeachment, and failed to win a conviction.”
Here’s an idea: just stop spending money. Shut down the government. Turn off the lights, shut the doors and go home. Literally. All spending bills start in the House per the Constitution. Just stop this madness. Tell Republicans we are not passing another bill, not one, until we have some substantive discussions on this maniac’s behavior.
That’s my suggestion.
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@Mike Stop food stamps? Close the national parks? Stop SS checks? Stop Medicare and Medicaid payments? Thinking much these days? Ever heard of Newt Gingrich?
6
@Mike But the Republicans would love exactly that. And it would hurt all the staff who wouldn't get a paycheck during the standoff.
1
@Mike
That is, at least, an interesting idea.
The Republican Senate has made a calculation. These are not good people afraid of an erratic leader, they have joined their ambitions to his, are willing coconspirators... eager even. they see a chance to change America for generations, to gerrymand, purge and suppress their way to permanent electoral college victory. they realize that with control of the supreme Court and the Justice department as political arms of the Republican party they need never lose elections again.
History WILL one day show them as the liars they are, teach their moral bankruptcy as a caution. I fear though these lessons may be taught in foreign countries as they watch the start of Donald Trump Jrs 6th term in office in Gilead.
34
Our founding fathers expected that the constitution's 'checks and balances' would prevent a president from using his power purely for personal advantage.
The constitution also included the process of impeachment as the last resort to rein in such a president.
The founding fathers never imagined a situation where the leader of the Senate would collude with the president to suppress all constitutional limits on their power.
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@rexnyc You're right, they sure didn't. I'm getting OK with the impeachment outcome, though. One more year of dangerous clown, but no Mike Pence! Any Democrat should be able to take out the Thing in the Oval Office in November - so long as the votes are counted correctly. And that's where the focus should be, IMHO, especially after 2016, Northampton County 2019 here in PA, and now Iowa in 2020. We outnumber them big time. Let's take all three branches back. Paper ballots. Sheesh, what could be so hard about that? Suggested answer: look to the Help Americans Vote Act of 2004 after which Congressional Republicans started to behave so weirdly.
1
“Republican senators now appear unwilling to grapple with the president who emerged: an emboldened Mr. Trump determined to tighten his grip on the levers of power.”
No, not really. They know exactly what they are doing and are in fact so secure in their slide toward authoritarianism that they don’t even feel the need to talk to reporters about it.
44
I’ve said it before and I’ll continue saying it until the end. Trump and the Republican Party in the 2010s and 2020s mirror and exemplify the emergence of the German Third Reich of the 1930s -1940s and the materialization of a venal totalitarian state here in our own little Cradle of Democracy.
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@Darko Begonia
I couldn't agree more.
And it's pretty darn frightening to witness behavior so much like what surfaced during 1930's Europe amongst the German population right here in our own country, and according to polls, behavior that exists in the hearts and minds upwards of 40% of those I come in contact with on a daily basis.
I live amongst them never before believing it could be so prevalent, so much hate and selfishness around me like I believe there is today.
16
And just like how the German Christian Church responded to the German situation in the 1930s and 1940, many U.S. evangelical churches and their leaders are enablers of what is going on in the White House and the Republican Party.
15
@Somewhere In Texas
Interestingly, there were only 2 Christian leaders who spoke up against Hitler. Martin Niemoller. He at first supported but then came to realize the wrongness of that position. Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke out from the beginning and paid with his life. These two are heroes in the Christian church. The rest are unknown.
3
These people are traitors to their own consciences, in pursuit of fealty.
37
Only one Senate Republican. Only one.
And now, not even that one.
14
There is SO much wrong going on here. Wow. Although born a US Citizen, am I glad I became a New Zealand citizen. Good luck US people.
33
The subheadline refers to a 'lenient sentence for a friend', when the known truth is far worse than that. Mr. Stone is convicted for lying to prosecutors and tampering with witnesses in the investigation into Russian interference -- precisely the investigation that concluded it could not find sufficient evidence to prove Trump guilty.
That is more than a 'friend'.
Come on, New York Times.
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@Matthew Walker Friend to Trump means anyone who is immoral like himself, that he can use to the benefit of himself. As these "friends" all eventually find out, he will throw them under the bus in a heart beat when they are no longer of any use to him.
4
@Matthew Walker That "investigation" was a complete failure-- Mueller could have pervented a lot of the abuses Trump has pepetrated since then -- but no, he "followed he rules o the corrupt Justice Dept and failed o indict or even censure or tel the real story of trump's conspiracy with the Russians. someady we will know the truth of that treason.
The GOP is intentionally, willfully installing a uniquely American authoritarian order. It’s not a mystery. Pieces like this ignore the obvious and give too much credit to the idea that the GOP cares at all about anything other than maintaining an iron grip on power by an means necessary.
78
I refuse to vote for anyone who claims they will work with republicans. Republicans have figured out what American government was really made for: the execution of power. I’m voting for democrats that will never reach across the aisle, and will do everything in their power, regardless of republican opinion, to help the poor, sick, and those who have the least in this country. Nothing is more important than that, and we need to be clear-eyed about the reality of politics in this country.
27
The recent passing of the terrific actor Kirk Douglas brought back a memory of mine-when Mr. Douglas was asked why he chose to become an actor. His response spoke volumes.
It beat getting a job.
So, as you watch the daily embarrasment, the denial of all those supporting Donald Trump, all the while ignoring the notion their behavior is and will forever remain in the crosshairs of history as a part of their legacy, how can you not ask yourself, "Is that what it's all about, they just don't have the integrity, the pride of upholding the values they were elected to represent that embody all our forefathers and current members of the military have risked and continue to put their lives on the line for, just so they don't lose their cushy, safe excuse of job security? Yes! That's what this is all about.
With that said, aren't the Republicans the ones several years back who were clamoring for 'term limits'? We sure saw that notion go up in smoke. What, sit up at night worrying about what Health Care Plan to chose? Yeah, right. They love getting everything spoon-fed to them. Everything!
14
If the Republican Senators want to see the Senate flipped to Democrats this fall, they're doing exactly the right thing.
16
This is how Democracy dies.
78
@Kevin S
If you mean by writing comments rather than righting in the streets, then yes, this is how Democracy dies.
1
They’d better keep their mouths shut. This is exactly what the impeachment was about.
8
Donnie thinks he was elected king.
He thinks he owns the US Government.
He will find out on November 3, 2020 that he works for We The People, and that we have FIRED him.
“You’re FIRED!,” DONNIE.
23
@Joe From Boston
Do you remember, in 2016, when Chris Wallace asked Trump during the debates if he would accept the results of the election? Do you remember his response? I encourage you to go to YouTube and watch it.
Elections are meaningless without the rule of law and the will of our public institutions to back them, and Trump has systematically undermined both. Tell me, just how much faith are you willing to place in Republican senators to uphold the rule of law now?
“The avalanche has already started. It is too late for the pebbles to vote...”
2
Fealty to the King. If Trump wins the election does America become a "Putin Democracy".
29
The Republicans are waiting to see the Nov. 2020 results. Cowards all.
I hope we remember. They are never to be trusted again.
55
The Senate is burying their heads in the sand in response to Trump’s characteristic autocratic drive to punish his perceived enemies. They are allowing Trump to do exactly as he wants while destroying our government organization where he sees fit. The cowardice of our elected representatives is legion. The Senate has acquiesced on so many issues, they no longer have the ability to stand up to Trump.
61
Senator Collins is going to lose her job this November. A small victory for Democracy.
89
@cherrylog754 I really hope you're right.
9
The news media and others need to stop calling Trump an authoritarian. We now have a DICTATOR on our hands. I hope this democracy makes it to the next election.
113
@Acey Dutators have their run then are terminated by their victims, one way or another. if Trump and his minions are as smart as they claim, they must see that, too,
@Fairwitness Let's hope that happens sooner rather than later!
Republican enablers such as Mitch McConnell and Lindsay Graham have proven over and over again that they will do anything to consolidate their power, which includes tolerating a president who regularly, willfully and gleefully abuses power as he undermines our system of government and the Constitution. Susan Collin's comment after Trump's acquittal, that "maybe he learned a lesson", was beyond naive After three years, we know he learns no lessons other than to double down with more tweets, name calling and now retribution and revenge on public servants. Let's stop encouraging him by wringing our hands over his every outrageous tweet and unbridled behavior as it won't stop it. Let's put our differences aside and find the best Democratic presidential candidate to defeat him and vote out the Republican majority in the Senate. If we don't do this, we can count on more of his post impeachment behavior, unbridled in a second term, which will feature the end of health care insurance, more dangerous deregulation, a climate of incivility in this country, and the weakening of the Constitution, among many other things.
46
Senators like Collins, Murkowski, Gardner, Lee, etc., have one more, flimsy, chance to partly wash their besmirched faces! To recant and publicly admit to their monumental blunder! In not calling for witnesses and documents, and in acquitting this deeply flawed and deeply implicated and guilty man! Their tenure in the Senate should also be terminated by voters at the earliest opportunity! The US is going both rough a dangerous phase of undeclared civil war, but that civil war could turn at the flip of a switch. The switch is in the hands of a complete lunatic. Unfortunately for civil society in America, this lunatic is backed up and egged in by self serving elements in the Republican Party.
29
Has Trump learned anything from the impeachment or any other instance where he was guilty of wrongdoing? Of course not as he is incapable of reflection, contrition, empathy, foresight and compassion for anyone. Period, It continues to amaze me how the GOP can repeatedly give him a pass for his transgressions, arrogant, omnipotent and reckless behavior. Cowards all who have failed their constituents and sullied their oaths of office. The genie is out of the bottle and if reelected the country will witness the unleashing of a dictatorial bully who will rule with an iron hand, continue in his attempts to destroy the free press, demonize and subjugate his critics and make this Country a divided, hate-imbued land. The rule of law has and will continue to be a sham under the Trump-Barr regime. Vote and rid the land of Trump, O'Connell and any and all GOP legislators up for reelection this fall - its time for civility, integrity, honesty and government for all the people to be reinstated in our Country.
92
@Horseshoe Crab He learned that he can get away with pretty much everything, unchecked.
4
Collins has lost all credibility and one can only hope she gets voted OUT by Mainers. As for the rest of the republicans- as bad as things were they have now made them even worse and things will continue to deteriorate till trump is out of office. many of the senators should be tossed out as well. Unfortunately the continued lies, condemnation of the press and the shortsightedness of so many Americans means we may well have that crude crew around for more years and our whole country will suffer even more, our decline in the world will accelerate and it may well be impossible to ever get our status back as a leading country for good on the globe.
51
This will only get more brazen as time goes on. Republicans will only act if they think they will lose their own individual seat in government. So Vote and encourage anyone you know who is concerned by this threat of authoritarian rule to vote as well. November may be our last best chance !
98
That Trump would emerge emboldened was obvious to me and anyone else with adult judgment.
The GOP senators and House must be voted out of office.
60
@James Exactly. Clearly, these Senators don't live in the adult world, have no adult judgment, and would be pounded to paste by any school yard bully. Oh wait, that's what is happening.
The rest of us Americans are merely the collateral damage.
4
Home of the free and the brave? Republicans are AWOL on legislating the essential priorities and directions of our county. Republicans can not even complete any legislation to protect our impending national election. Evaluate their record of doing nothing and vote them out.
16
@Susan Murphy
Whatever gave you the impression that the GOP was concerned about protecting our elections? They never have. It is all works perfectly to preserve their power. That is all it ever was about.
The Koch network is behind this whole design. I suggest we stop buying their products and subsidizing their rape of our national lands. We rail against the Republicans in office, but they are just tools. The Kochs and allies sit safely in their gated estates and watch while being completely insulated from the fallout.
The Separation of Powers does not exist in the administration of President Trump.
112
Anyone who believed our President would do anything different than what he is doing was delusional. He can't distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate, legal and illegal, civil and uncivil because he simply doesn't care. And what is really disturbing; neither does about 40% of our electorate.
338
@Bill ....that’s because most of that 40% supports Trump’s beliefs and they share his values.
8
@Bill "he simply doesn't care..." And that's because he doesn't know any better. He was raised in a racist, cheating household. He learned the tricks of his trade in the corrupt real estate world of NYC where "deals" were a matter of greasing palms and scratching backs. And... he was thrown out of school in Kew Gardens because he struck a teacher. Never any real consequences for the Donald... until now?
24
@Patrick alexander
And they would like to replace our mockery of democracy with blind obedience. We would certainly have no checks and balances.
6
Gosh I mean, they have taxes to cut, entitlements to "reform", and courts to stack. Are the Republicans really meant to follow every tweet?
138
The Senate is being duped by Trump in his purging of antagonists from the impeachment action against him. As you see, they do not know him. If they did, the impeachment may have progressed to it’s finality. The Senators still believe that Trump can be controlled. He is operating like a true dictatorship. He is doing exactly as he pleases with our government as can be seen by his manipulation of the Justice Department. Unless Congress, specifically the Senate, understands that they must start curbing Trump’s actions, we will have an autocratic government totally operating at Trump’s whim and desire.
19
No ones being duped, they are being coerced by their own fears of retaliation.
20
@NOTATE REDMOND
Don’t kid yourself. Trump is exactly the president that those Republican congress people and the entire GOP have wanted for years.
30
The GOP knows him and fears him. Trump envies Putin & Xi. He has no limits except what the US Military will abide.
8
Susan Collins, what a piece of work. Remember when she vowed to support the ACA health care program and then voted with DJT to dismantle it? Remember when she believed witnesses during Kavanaugh hearings but voted him onto the Supreme Court?
443
@MB
the question is whether Maine voters want to be represented by someone so naive and clueless.
17
@sapere aude Susan Collins and Lindsey Graham. How could anyone be a Republican voter when they see the unAmerican antics
of these ignorant and immoral beings.
13
@sapere aude the clueless ones are those who do not see through her dramatic public hand wringing.
You don't have to give a complicated explanation when you do the right thing.
You offer complicated explanations to rationalize why the wrong thing you did is actually OK.
But saying it is right doesn't make it so.
All GOP Senators save possibly Romney have definitively exposed who they are. Whether we accept or reject them will reveal who we are
11
Not surprisingly, the Republicans continue to violate their oath of office and continue to throw America and Americans "under the bus". It's time to vote out all Republicans in November of 2020.
Please everyone who cares about our country - vote only for Democrats in November!
216
@Dem in CA
And if voting doesn't work? I mean if he refuses to leave? Or we get another subversion of the one person one vote rule by then Electoral College? Then what?
6
This would be the ultimate retribution to the many Republican congressmen and congresswomen who blindly stand behind him. This might be the quickest way to restore normalcy and also serve as a great lesson to future politicians.
2
@Dem in CA
Nice sentiment but the moderate wing of the Democratic party has already vowed to only vote blue if the candidate is one they select. So, don't look to the DNC and it allies for help. They would rather have Trump than risk own tax cuts.
Yes, they really are that shallow.
2
I posted this is a comment on another story, but it’s even more relevant to this article:
Raise your hand if you’re worried that this is the end of American democracy.
Watching Trump makes me think of Turkey’s Erdogan, who I believe started off in a democracy and look where they are now.
Democracy exists only if everyone follows the rules. Do the Republicans realize that?
Do they realize that by not applying the rules to Trump, they risk putting an end to the very democracy that most nations in the world dream about?
Every day, the headlines make me think, this is no longer democracy. Am I crazy or do others see what I’m seeing?
507
@L
Count me in as one who sees what you see... And it's horrifying.
93
@L You’re not crazy.
I’m not convinced we will even have a 2020 election, or that any of its results will be honored, including for Senate, if the Republican majority is lost. I strongly suspect some emergency will be fabricated or some fraud will be claimed, and that will be that, especially if Senate Republicans get to keep their nominal power, such as they think their toadying is.
70
@L
I think it fair to say that most Republicans have never paid attention to rules and they will never follow rules made by minority people nor those made for them.
49