thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-22--Shooting Outside Seattle McDonald's Leaves 1 Dead, 7 Injured

SEATTLE ( AP ) — Multiple people opened fire outside a McDonald ’ s in the busiest part of downtown Seattle during the evening commute Wednesday , killing one person and wounding seven others , police said .
Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins said authorities began receiving calls of multiple gunshot victims at about 5 p.m. One person was found dead and five others were taken to Seattle ’ s Harborview Medical Center by fire and medical personnel , he said .
The person who died was a woman approximately 40 to 50 years old , fire officials told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a shooting victim in downtown on January 22 , 2020 in Seattle , Washington .
Hospital spokeswoman Susan Gregg and fire officials said later Wednesday that a total of seven people were being treated at a hospital for gunshot wounds .
An approximately 55-year-old woman was in critical condition , a 9-year-old child was in serious condition and five men were in satisfactory condition .
Police Chief Carmen Best said based on video from the scene , multiple people fired weapons after a dispute outside a McDonald ’ s .
Police including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
No arrests have been made .
Forty-year-old Samantha Cook said she was refilling her transit card in a nearby station when she heard gunfire .
“ I was on the first set of escalators , ” Cook told the newspaper .
“ There were a lot of gunshots that started going off — maybe 10 or 11 .
It was just rapid fire.
” Tyler Parsons told the Times he was was working near the scene when he saw people drop to the ground .
People took cover behind the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s so close , ” ′ he said .
It ’ s the third downtown Seattle shooting in two days .
Police found a man with a gunshot wound in a mall stairwell Tuesday , and he later died at a hospital .
Police shot a person in another area of downtown Seattle earlier on Wednesday .
Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee said in a statement that he was “ horrified and dismayed to hear about the shooting in Seattle tonight .
We grieve for the one individual confirmed dead in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and speedy recovery to those who were injured .
”

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SEATTLE (AP) — Multiple people opened fire outside a McDonald’s in the busiest part of downtown Seattle during the evening commute Wednesday, killing one person and wounding seven others, police said.
Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins said authorities began receiving calls of multiple gunshot victims at about 5 p.m. One person was found dead and five others were taken to Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center by fire and medical personnel, he said.
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The person who died was a woman approximately 40 to 50 years old, fire officials told the Seattle Times.
First responders give aid to a shooting victim in downtown on January 22, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. Getty Images via Getty Images
Hospital spokeswoman Susan Gregg and fire officials said later Wednesday that a total of seven people were being treated at a hospital for gunshot wounds. An approximately 55-year-old woman was in critical condition, a 9-year-old child was in serious condition and five men were in satisfactory condition.
Police Chief Carmen Best said based on video from the scene, multiple people fired weapons after a dispute outside a McDonald’s. Police including homicide and gang units were investigating, she said. No arrests have been made.
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Forty-year-old Samantha Cook said she was refilling her transit card in a nearby station when she heard gunfire. “I was on the first set of escalators,” Cook told the newspaper. “There were a lot of gunshots that started going off — maybe 10 or 11. It was just rapid fire.”
Tyler Parsons told the Times he was was working near the scene when he saw people drop to the ground. People took cover behind the register where he worked. “Terrifying it’s so close,”′ he said.
It’s the third downtown Seattle shooting in two days. Police found a man with a gunshot wound in a mall stairwell Tuesday, and he later died at a hospital. Police shot a person in another area of downtown Seattle earlier on Wednesday.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said in a statement that he was “horrified and dismayed to hear about the shooting in Seattle tonight. We grieve for the one individual confirmed dead in the shooting, and wish a full and speedy recovery to those who were injured.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-23--Donald Trump's Latest Retweet Rampage Earns Him A Spot In The Record Books

Donald Trump ramped up his Twitter game on Wednesday with more posts than on any other day of his presidency .
Trump ― or whoever was operating his account ― posted 142 times , according to the Factba.se service that tracks his tweets , retweets , speeches , interviews and other utterances .
That ’ s an average of almost six tweets or retweets every single hour of the day ― or almost one every 10 minutes .
Some 124 of Trump ’ s posts on Wednesday were retweets .
Trump posted just 18 original tweets in the 24-hour period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 123 tweet record he set on Dec. 12 , the day before the House Judiciary Committee voted to impeach him for his Ukraine misconduct , to set what he ’ ll likely at some point brag about being a new presidential record .
His all-time tweeting record , however , remains in place from January 2015 ― when he posted 161 tweets in one day .
The majority of Trump ’ s record-setting tweets and retweets on Wednesday centered on the Senate impeachment trial .
The president also tweeted about immigration , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which the U.S. is hosting alongside Mexico and Canada in 2026 .
One of the many great things about our just signed giant Trade Deal with China is that it will bring both the USA & China closer together in so many other ways .
Terrific working with President Xi , a man who truly loves his country .
Much more to come !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) January 22 , 2020 Trump also retweeted Fox News hosts Sean Hannity and Mark Levin , GOP lawmakers Sen. Ted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jordan ( Ohio ) and Sen. Lindsey Graham ( S.C. ) , his children Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr. , and daughter-in-law Lara Trump .

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Donald Trump ramped up his Twitter game on Wednesday with more posts than on any other day of his presidency.
Trump ― or whoever was operating his account ― posted 142 times, according to the Factba.se service that tracks his tweets, retweets, speeches, interviews and other utterances.
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That’s an average of almost six tweets or retweets every single hour of the day ― or almost one every 10 minutes. Some 124 of Trump’s posts on Wednesday were retweets. Trump posted just 18 original tweets in the 24-hour period.
Trump’s tweetstorm broke the 123 tweet record he set on Dec. 12, the day before the House Judiciary Committee voted to impeach him for his Ukraine misconduct, to set what he’ll likely at some point brag about being a new presidential record.
His all-time tweeting record, however, remains in place from January 2015 ― when he posted 161 tweets in one day.
Check out the analysis here:
1/2 Final count: 142 tweets for the day on @realDonaldTrump. Last tweet was 6:18 pm on 1/22, a Retweet. Quickie table below. ... pic.twitter.com/HveRFH4Zt2 — Factba.se (@FactbaseFeed) January 23, 2020
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The majority of Trump’s record-setting tweets and retweets on Wednesday centered on the Senate impeachment trial.
The president also tweeted about immigration, the economy and the FIFA Soccer World Cup, which the U.S. is hosting alongside Mexico and Canada in 2026.
“NO PRESSURE” — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2020
One of the many great things about our just signed giant Trade Deal with China is that it will bring both the USA & China closer together in so many other ways. Terrific working with President Xi, a man who truly loves his country. Much more to come! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-22--Tucker Carlson Just Got Weirdly Sexual In His Attacks On The Media

Tucker Carlson got quite ... heated on Wednesday as he ranted about the media ’ s coverage of House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff ( D-Calif. ) .
Schiff , the lead House impeachment manager , was praised by cable news pundits for his speech on day two of the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump .
CNN chief legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin described Schiff ’ s performance as the “ second-best courtroom address ... that I ever heard.
” “ I thought the way he wove through both the facts of the case and the historical context was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Others , including CNN ’ s Wolf Blitzer and former Robert Mueller team lawyer Andrew Weissmann , lauded his speech as inspiring and powerful .
Attorney George Conway said it was a “ very coherent , cohesive narrative.
” These reactions , according to Carlson , were “ pornographic.
” “ They were too deep in bliss .
To the mouth-breathers on cable television , an Adam Schiff speech is like a brainstem massage , surging waves of ecstasy flood the central nervous system .
Linear thought ceases .
All that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After airing several clips of commentators discussing Schiff on cable TV , Carlson apologized to “ any viewers under 18 who may have just watched that .
It was obviously pornographic and not suitable for children .
”

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Tucker Carlson got quite... heated on Wednesday as he ranted about the media’s coverage of House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).
Schiff, the lead House impeachment manager, was praised by cable news pundits for his speech on day two of the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.
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CNN chief legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin described Schiff’s performance as the “second-best courtroom address... that I ever heard.”
“I thought the way he wove through both the facts of the case and the historical context was really remarkable,” he said.
Others, including CNN’s Wolf Blitzer and former Robert Mueller team lawyer Andrew Weissmann, lauded his speech as inspiring and powerful. Attorney George Conway said it was a “very coherent, cohesive narrative.”
These reactions, according to Carlson, were “pornographic.”
“They were too deep in bliss. To the mouth-breathers on cable television, an Adam Schiff speech is like a brainstem massage, surging waves of ecstasy flood the central nervous system. Linear thought ceases. All that’s left are satisfied grunts of pleasure.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-23--Air Tanker Battling Wildfires Crashes In Australia, Killing 3 U.S. Firefighters

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons confirmed in a press conference on Thursday that all three occupants on board the C-130 Hercules were U.S. residents .
“ Our hearts are with all those that are suffering what is the loss of three remarkable , well-respected crew that have invested so many decades of their life into firefighting and fire management and are professionals in the aviation sector and the aviation firefighting sector , ” Fitzsimmons told reporters .
″ [ The aircraft ] impacted heavily with the ground and initial reports are that there was a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plane as it hit the ground .
“ The military helped us in the deployment to try to locate the crash site and locate the wreckage and see if we could identify survivors .
Unfortunately , all we ’ ve been able to do is locate the wreckage and the crash site and we have not been able to locate any survivors.
” Hundreds of bushfires in Australia have killed 32 people since September , as well as an estimated 1 billion animals , while incinerating 2,500 homes and a total area of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Today again we ’ ve seen tragic consequence where three people have lost their lives after a large air tanker crashed in the Snowy Mountains Monaro region , ” Berejiklian told the media conference .
Fitzsimmons said the cause of the accident is still unknown but the Australian Transport Safety Bureau ( ATSB ) is investigating .
“ The federal authorities through the ATSB , the Australian Transport Safety Bureau , as well as the New South Wales police force will be undertaking , as is their jurisdiction , appropriate investigations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cause or result in this crash , ” he said .
Fitzsimmons said the plane had been leased by Canadian aerial firefighting company Coulson Aviation , which has a second C-130 Hercules working in the Australian bushfires operation .
Coulson grounded its large air tanker fleet following the accident , pending a review to ensure there is no systemic issue like a fuel problem .
The Canadian company has been operating under contract with the Australian National Aerial Firefighting Centre since 2000 , according to the company .
According to its flight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air force base in western Sydney around 12:15 pm local time .
It dropped off radar just after 2 p.m .
Peak View is close to a blaze burning out of control in the Wadbilliga National Park , the fire service said .

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Authorities have confirmed three U.S.-born crew members have died after an air tanker crashed in the Snowy Monaro region of NSW while fighting bushfires.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons confirmed in a press conference on Thursday that all three occupants on board the C-130 Hercules were U.S. residents.
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A large air tanker drops retardant near a property on January 10, 2020 in Penrose, Australia. Brook Mitchell via Getty Images
“Our hearts are with all those that are suffering what is the loss of three remarkable, well-respected crew that have invested so many decades of their life into firefighting and fire management and are professionals in the aviation sector and the aviation firefighting sector,” Fitzsimmons told reporters.
“Those, all three occupants on board were U.S. residents.
″[The aircraft] impacted heavily with the ground and initial reports are that there was a large fireball associated with the impact of the plane as it hit the ground.
“The military helped us in the deployment to try to locate the crash site and locate the wreckage and see if we could identify survivors. Unfortunately, all we’ve been able to do is locate the wreckage and the crash site and we have not been able to locate any survivors.”
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NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons address the media on Thursday. Huffpost Australia
Hundreds of bushfires in Australia have killed 32 people since September, as well as an estimated 1 billion animals, while incinerating 2,500 homes and a total area of bushland one-third the size of Germany.
“Today again we’ve seen tragic consequence where three people have lost their lives after a large air tanker crashed in the Snowy Mountains Monaro region,” Berejiklian told the media conference.
Fitzsimmons said the cause of the accident is still unknown but the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating.
“The federal authorities through the ATSB, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, as well as the New South Wales police force will be undertaking, as is their jurisdiction, appropriate investigations and assessments as to what may have happened to cause or result in this crash,” he said.
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Fitzsimmons said the plane had been leased by Canadian aerial firefighting company Coulson Aviation, which has a second C-130 Hercules working in the Australian bushfires operation. Coulson grounded its large air tanker fleet following the accident, pending a review to ensure there is no systemic issue like a fuel problem. The Canadian company has been operating under contract with the Australian National Aerial Firefighting Centre since 2000, according to the company.
Media release from Coulson Aviation pic.twitter.com/pAfXVrIN0j — Quiet, Evan (@fictillius) January 23, 2020
The Lockheed-built four-engine turboprop can typically accommodate between two and six.
Flight tracking website Flightradar24 showed the flight path for an air tanker used in waterbombing operations suddenly stopping in Peak View, south of Canberra.
According to its flight data, the aircraft departed the Richmond air force base in western Sydney around 12:15 pm local time. It dropped off radar just after 2 p.m. Peak View is close to a blaze burning out of control in the Wadbilliga National Park, the fire service said.
Several ambulances and a helicopter were at the scene of the suspected crash, an emergency services source said.
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Such air tankers typically carry 15,000 liters of water or fire retardant to be released over fires, which can help contain blazes in areas ground crews find hard to reach.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-22--Senate Republicans Dismiss Senate Trial As Repetitive, Nothing 'New'

WASHINGTON ― Senate Republicans panned the case for President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment as nothing new on Wednesday ― even though they ’ d voted a day earlier to reject any new witnesses or material from inclusion .
“ So far we haven ’ t heard anything new from what he heard yesterday , ” Sen. John Cornyn ( R-Texas ) said .
“ I hope this isn ’ t just going to be a series of repetitious arguments just to try to fill the time allotted.
” The House managers began to press their case against Trump a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ cheat ” the 2020 election by pressuring Ukraine ’ s government to announce investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden , his possible Democratic opponent .
They asked the Senate to subpoena additional documents and witnesses that were blocked from the House impeachment investigation , but Republicans refused to do so ― at least for now .
Asked about including additional witnesses in the Senate trial , Cornyn said that the House should have gone to court to press the Trump administration to turn over evidence before bringing a “ half-baked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countered by arguing that pursuing witnesses who either refused or were blocked from testifying by the White House would have required months or potentially even years of legal action , with a resolution not likely until after the 2020 election .
Senate Democrats gave the House managers high marks and said that their arguments on Trump ’ s pressure campaign against Ukraine ― a case that involved extensive use of video ― would be helpful to the broader public who may not be watching every hour of the proceedings .
“ They are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , which I think is actually very helpful , ” Sen. Debbie Stabenow ( D-Mich. ) said .
“ I think it ’ s important to lay it all out in front of everyone.
” Indeed , much of the proceedings are aimed at influencing voters as much as they are meant to sway senators , who sit as jurors in the trial .
But Republicans said they were skeptical that voters would remember the trial by the time November ’ s presidential election is near .
“ This won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge the president about what he ’ s done and what he can do , ” Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) said .
Under rules authored by Republicans , senators will get a chance to vote on whether to consider additional evidence , including witnesses , after opening arguments from the House managers and Trump ’ s defense team , and then a period of questions .
Sen. Chris Coons ( D-Del . )
said he was “ not optimistic ” about getting even the four Republicans that Democrats would need in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of how Republicans unanimously opposed Democratic motions to subpoena testimony during a marathon session Tuesday .
Only two GOP senators have said they are likely to support calling witnesses after opening arguments : Susan Collins of Maine and Mitt Romney of Utah .
“ It is hard to believe anyone who has any kind of impartiality could hear everything… and not say we need witnesses and documents , ” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y ) said .
“ The wisdom of the Founding Fathers and the structure of impeachment forces them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case is amazingly compelling .
”

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WASHINGTON ― Senate Republicans panned the case for President Donald Trump’s impeachment as nothing new on Wednesday ― even though they’d voted a day earlier to reject any new witnesses or material from inclusion.
“So far we haven’t heard anything new from what he heard yesterday,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said. “I hope this isn’t just going to be a series of repetitious arguments just to try to fill the time allotted.”
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Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) echoed the complaint, adding, “It’s not a very deep case, I don’t think.”
The House managers began to press their case against Trump a day prior, saying he was trying to “cheat” the 2020 election by pressuring Ukraine’s government to announce investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden, his possible Democratic opponent. They asked the Senate to subpoena additional documents and witnesses that were blocked from the House impeachment investigation, but Republicans refused to do so ― at least for now.
Asked about including additional witnesses in the Senate trial, Cornyn said that the House should have gone to court to press the Trump administration to turn over evidence before bringing a “half-baked case” to the Senate.
“There was such a rush to get it done,” Cornyn said. “They came here with an incomplete record.”
Democrats countered by arguing that pursuing witnesses who either refused or were blocked from testifying by the White House would have required months or potentially even years of legal action, with a resolution not likely until after the 2020 election.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republican senators before the procedural start of the impeachment trial of U.S. President Donald Trump. Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
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Senate Democrats gave the House managers high marks and said that their arguments on Trump’s pressure campaign against Ukraine ― a case that involved extensive use of video ― would be helpful to the broader public who may not be watching every hour of the proceedings.
“They are repeating the main points over and over again, which I think is actually very helpful,” Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) said. “I think it’s important to lay it all out in front of everyone.”
“I hope the whole country is listening, whether they’re Republicans or Democrats,” added Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.).
Indeed, much of the proceedings are aimed at influencing voters as much as they are meant to sway senators, who sit as jurors in the trial.
But Republicans said they were skeptical that voters would remember the trial by the time November’s presidential election is near.
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“This won’t matter much. People are going to judge the president about what he’s done and what he can do,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said.
Under rules authored by Republicans, senators will get a chance to vote on whether to consider additional evidence, including witnesses, after opening arguments from the House managers and Trump’s defense team, and then a period of questions.
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) said he was “not optimistic” about getting even the four Republicans that Democrats would need in order to win a witness vote because of how Republicans unanimously opposed Democratic motions to subpoena testimony during a marathon session Tuesday. Only two GOP senators have said they are likely to support calling witnesses after opening arguments: Susan Collins of Maine and Mitt Romney of Utah.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-22--Democrats Try To Convince GOP To Help Convict Trump In Impeachment Hearing

Trump ’ s lawyers sat by , waiting their turn , as t he president blasted the proceedings from afar , threatening jokingly to face off with the Democrats by coming to “ sit right in the front row and stare at their corrupt faces.
” The challenge before the House managers is clear .
Democrats have 24 hours over three days to prosecute the charges against Trump , trying to win over not just fidgety senators sitting silently in the chamber but an American public , deeply divided over the president and his impeachment in an election year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Intelligence Committee , outlined what the Democrats contend was the president ’ s “ corrupt scheme ” to abuse his presidential power and then obstruct Congress ’ investigation .
He then called on senators not to be “ cynical ” about politics , but to draw on the intent of the nation ’ s Founding Fathers who provided the remedy of impeachment .
“ Over the coming days , we will present to you—and to the American people—the extensive evidence collected during the House ’ s impeachment inquiry into the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schiff standing before the Senate .
“ You will hear their testimony at the same time as the American people .
That is , if you will allow it.
” Most senators sat at their desks throughout , as the rules stipulate , though some stretched their legs , standing behind the desks or against the back wall of the chamber , passing the time .
Visitors watched from the galleries , one briefly interrupting in protest .
The proceedings are unfolding at the start of an election year , and there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling more witnesses or going beyond a fast-track assessment that is likely to bring a quick vote on charges related to Trump ’ s dealings with Ukraine .
The trial marks just the third time the Senate has weighed whether an American president should be removed from office .
Democrats argue Trump abused his office by asking Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden while withholding crucial military aid , and also obstructed Congress by refusing to turn over documents or allow officials to testify in the House probe .
Republicans have defended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process as a politically motivated effort to weaken the president in the midst of his reelection campaign .
A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows the public is slightly more likely to say the Senate should convict and remove Trump from office than to say it should not , 45 % to 40 % .
But a sizable percentage , 14 % , say they don ’ t know enough to have an opinion .
One question there ’ s wide agreement on : Trump should allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trial .
About 7 in 10 said so , including majorities of Republicans and Democrats , according to the poll .
The strategy of more witnesses , though , seems all but settled .
Wrangling over rules for the trial stretched past midnight Tuesday night , with Republicans shooting down one-by-one Democratic efforts to get Trump aides including former national security adviser John Bolton , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , and acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney , to testify .
Trump , who was in Davos , Switzerland , attending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal team , and suggested he would be open to his advisers testifying , though that seems unlikely .
He said here were “ national security ” concerns that would stand in the way .
“ People ask the question , isn ’ t the president going to be stronger and harder to beat if he survives this ?
Yes , probably .
But Congress has no choice , ” he said .
Senators must cast their votes and “ live with that in history.
” Joni Ernst of Iowa spoke sarcastically about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ overwhelming evidence ” the House Democrats promised against Trump .
“ And once we ’ ve heard that overwhelming evidence , ” she added , raising her voice mockingly , “ I don ’ t know that we ’ ll need to see additional witnesses , but let ’ s hear about that overwhelming evidence.
” But the GOP leader has been skilled at keeping even the most wayward Republicans , those with some concerns about Trump , united in batting back Democratic requests for witnesses and testimony .
They ultimately approved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final decision on whether or not to seek additional testimony until late in the trial .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats launched into marathon arguments in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial Wednesday, appealing to skeptical Republican senators to join them in voting to oust Trump from office to “protect our democracy.”
Trump’s lawyers sat by, waiting their turn, as t he president blasted the proceedings from afar, threatening jokingly to face off with the Democrats by coming to “sit right in the front row and stare at their corrupt faces.”
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The challenge before the House managers is clear. Democrats have 24 hours over three days to prosecute the charges against Trump, trying to win over not just fidgety senators sitting silently in the chamber but an American public, deeply divided over the president and his impeachment in an election year.
Rep. Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, outlined what the Democrats contend was the president’s “corrupt scheme” to abuse his presidential power and then obstruct Congress’ investigation. He then called on senators not to be “cynical” about politics, but to draw on the intent of the nation’s Founding Fathers who provided the remedy of impeachment.
“Over the coming days, we will present to you—and to the American people—the extensive evidence collected during the House’s impeachment inquiry into the president’s abuse of power,” said Schiff standing before the Senate. “You will hear their testimony at the same time as the American people. That is, if you will allow it.”
Most senators sat at their desks throughout, as the rules stipulate, though some stretched their legs, standing behind the desks or against the back wall of the chamber, passing the time. Visitors watched from the galleries, one briefly interrupting in protest.
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The proceedings are unfolding at the start of an election year, and there are few signs that Republicans are interested in calling more witnesses or going beyond a fast-track assessment that is likely to bring a quick vote on charges related to Trump’s dealings with Ukraine.
The trial marks just the third time the Senate has weighed whether an American president should be removed from office. Democrats argue Trump abused his office by asking Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden while withholding crucial military aid, and also obstructed Congress by refusing to turn over documents or allow officials to testify in the House probe. Republicans have defended Trump’s actions and cast the process as a politically motivated effort to weaken the president in the midst of his reelection campaign.
A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows the public is slightly more likely to say the Senate should convict and remove Trump from office than to say it should not, 45% to 40%. But a sizable percentage, 14%, say they don’t know enough to have an opinion.
One question there’s wide agreement on: Trump should allow top aides to appear as witnesses at the trial. About 7 in 10 said so, including majorities of Republicans and Democrats, according to the poll.
The strategy of more witnesses, though, seems all but settled. Wrangling over rules for the trial stretched past midnight Tuesday night, with Republicans shooting down one-by-one Democratic efforts to get Trump aides including former national security adviser John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, to testify.
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Senators are likely to repeat those rejections next week, shutting out any chance of new testimony.
One longshot idea to pair one of Trump’s preferred witnesses — Biden’s son Hunter Biden — with Bolton or another that Democrats want was swiftly rejected.
“That’s off the table,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer told reporters.
Chief Justice John Roberts gaveled open Wednesday’s session as senators settled in for the long days ahead.
Trump, who was in Davos, Switzerland, attending a global economic forum, praised his legal team, and suggested he would be open to his advisers testifying, though that seems unlikely. He said here were “national security” concerns that would stand in the way.
After the House prosecutors present their case, the president’s lawyers will follow with another 24 hours over three days. They are expected to take only Sunday off.
“There’s a lot of things I’d like to rebut,” said Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow at the Capitol, “and we will rebut.”
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Then there will be 16 hours for senators, who must sit quietly at their desks, no speeches or cellphones, to ask written question, and another four hours for deliberations.
The impeachment trial is set against the backdrop of the 2020 election. All four senators who are Democratic presidential candidates are off the campaign trail, seated as jurors.
Campaigning at stops in Iowa, Joe Biden also rejected having his son testify, or even appearing himself. “I want no part of that,” he said.
“People ask the question, isn’t the president going to be stronger and harder to beat if he survives this? Yes, probably. But Congress has no choice,” he said. Senators must cast their votes and “live with that in history.”
Some Republicans expressed disdain for it all.
Joni Ernst of Iowa spoke sarcastically about how excited she was to hear the “overwhelming evidence” the House Democrats promised against Trump. “And once we’ve heard that overwhelming evidence,” she added, raising her voice mockingly, “I don’t know that we’ll need to see additional witnesses, but let’s hear about that overwhelming evidence.”
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The trial began with a setback on Tuesday for Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell, who backed off his plans to limit each side’s arguments to two days, as the White House had preferred.
But the GOP leader has been skilled at keeping even the most wayward Republicans, those with some concerns about Trump, united in batting back Democratic requests for witnesses and testimony. They ultimately approved a rules package that pushes off a final decision on whether or not to seek additional testimony until late in the trial.
Schumer bemoaned the remaining limitations, saying Wednesday the impeachment trial “begins with a cloud hanging over it, a cloud of unfairness.”
Republicans are eager for a swift trial. Yet Trump’s legal team passed on an opportunity to file a motion to dismiss the case on Wednesday, an acknowledgement that there were not enough Republican votes to support it.
The White House legal team, in its court filings and presentations, has not disputed Trump’s actions. But the lawyers insist the president did nothing wrong.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-22--Trump Says He’s Willing To Tackle Entitlements ‘Toward The End Of The Year’

JOE KERNEN : Entitlements ever be on your plate ?
PRESIDENT TRUMP : At some point they will be .
We have tremendous growth .
We ’ re going to have tremendous growth .
This next year I― it ’ ll be toward the end of the year .
The growth is going to be incredible .
And at the right time , we will take a look at that .
You know , that ’ s actually the easiest of all things , if you look , cause it ’ s such a― JOE KERNEN : ―to do some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wouldn ’ t do in the past , though , in terms of Medicare― PRESIDENT TRUMP : Well , we ’ re going― we ’ re going look .
We also have― assets that we ’ ve never had .
I mean we ’ ve never had growth like this .
We never had a consumer that was taking in , through― different means , over $ 10,000 a family .
We never had the kind of― the kind of things that we have .
Look , our country is the hottest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy in the world .
We have the best unemployment numbers we ’ ve ever had .
African American , Asian American .
Hispanics are doing so incredibly .
Best they ’ ve ever done .
Black .
Best they ’ ve ever done .
African American .
The numbers are incredible .
The poverty numbers .
The unemployment and the employment .
There ’ s― there is a difference , actually .
But the unemployment and employment numbers for African Americans are the best we ’ ve ever had .
You know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chart , and it was a very important to number to me .
African American youth has the highest , by far , unemployment .
The best unemployment numbers that they ’ ve ever had .
And the best employment numbers .
Right now we have almost 160 million people working in the United States , and we ’ ve never even been close to that , Joe .

JOE KERNEN: Entitlements ever be on your plate?
PRESIDENT TRUMP: At some point they will be. We have tremendous growth. We’re going to have tremendous growth. This next year I― it’ll be toward the end of the year. The growth is going to be incredible. And at the right time, we will take a look at that. You know, that’s actually the easiest of all things, if you look, cause it’s such a―
JOE KERNEN: If you’re willing―
PRESIDENT TRUMP: ―big percentage.
JOE KERNEN: ―to do some of the things that you said you wouldn’t do in the past, though, in terms of Medicare―
PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, we’re going― we’re going look. We also have― assets that we’ve never had. I mean we’ve never had growth like this. We never had a consumer that was taking in, through― different means, over $10,000 a family. We never had the kind of― the kind of things that we have. Look, our country is the hottest in the world. We have the hottest economy in the world. We have the best unemployment numbers we’ve ever had. African American, Asian American. Hispanics are doing so incredibly. Best they’ve ever done. Black. Best they’ve ever done. African American. The numbers are incredible. The poverty numbers. The unemployment and the employment. There’s― there is a difference, actually. But the unemployment and employment numbers for African Americans are the best we’ve ever had. You know, we just― came up with a chart, and it was a very important to number to me. African American youth has the highest, by far, unemployment. The best unemployment numbers that they’ve ever had. And the best employment numbers. Right now we have almost 160 million people working in the United States, and we’ve never even been close to that, Joe.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-22--U.S. To Impose Visa Restrictions For Pregnant Women

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The Trump administration is coming out with new visa restrictions aimed at restricting “ birth tourism , ” in which women travel to the U.S. to give birth so their children can have a coveted U.S. passport .
The State Department planned to publicize the rules Thursday , according to two officials with knowledge of the plans who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity .
The rules would make it more difficult for pregnant women to travel on tourist visas .
In one draft of the regulations , they would have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visas — convincing a consular officer that they have another legitimate reason to come to the U.S .
The Trump administration has been restricting all forms of immigration , but the president has been particularly plagued by the issue of birthright citizenship — anyone born in the U.S. is considered a citizen , under the Constitution .
He has railed against the practice and threatened to end it , but scholars and members of his administration have said it ’ s not so easy to do .
Regulating tourist visas for pregnant women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue , but it raises questions about how officers would determine whether a woman is pregnant to begin with , and whether a woman could get turned away by border officers who suspect she may be just by looking at her .
Consular officers right now aren ’ t told to ask during visa interviews whether a woman is pregnant or intends to become so .
But they would have to determine whether a visa applicant would be coming to the U.S. primarily to give birth .
Birth tourism is a lucrative business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American companies take out advertisements and charge up to $ 80,000 to facilitate the practice , offering hotel rooms and medical care .
Many of the women travel from Russia and China to give birth in the U.S .
The U.S. has been c racking down on the practice since before Trump took office .
Although there are scattered cases of authorities arresting operators of birth tourism agencies for visa fraud or tax evasion , coming to the U.S. to give birth is fundamentally legal .
And women are often honest about their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show signed contracts with doctors and hospitals .
There are no figures on how many foreign women travel to the U.S. specifically to give birth .
The Center for Immigration Studies , a group that advocates for stricter immigration laws , estimated that in 2012 , about 36,000 foreign-born women gave birth in the U.S. , then left the country .
The draft rule is “ intended to address the national security and law enforcement risks associated with birth tourism , including criminal activity associated with the birth tourism industry , ” a @ @ @ @ @

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is coming out with new visa restrictions aimed at restricting “birth tourism,” in which women travel to the U.S. to give birth so their children can have a coveted U.S. passport.
The State Department planned to publicize the rules Thursday, according to two officials with knowledge of the plans who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The rules would make it more difficult for pregnant women to travel on tourist visas. In one draft of the regulations, they would have to clear an additional hurdle before obtaining the visas — convincing a consular officer that they have another legitimate reason to come to the U.S.
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The Trump administration has been restricting all forms of immigration, but the president has been particularly plagued by the issue of birthright citizenship — anyone born in the U.S. is considered a citizen, under the Constitution. He has railed against the practice and threatened to end it, but scholars and members of his administration have said it’s not so easy to do.
Regulating tourist visas for pregnant women is one way to get at the issue, but it raises questions about how officers would determine whether a woman is pregnant to begin with, and whether a woman could get turned away by border officers who suspect she may be just by looking at her.
Consular officers right now aren’t told to ask during visa interviews whether a woman is pregnant or intends to become so. But they would have to determine whether a visa applicant would be coming to the U.S. primarily to give birth.
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Although there are scattered cases of authorities arresting operators of birth tourism agencies for visa fraud or tax evasion, coming to the U.S. to give birth is fundamentally legal. And women are often honest about their intentions when applying for visas and even show signed contracts with doctors and hospitals.
There are no figures on how many foreign women travel to the U.S. specifically to give birth. The Center for Immigration Studies, a group that advocates for stricter immigration laws, estimated that in 2012, about 36,000 foreign-born women gave birth in the U.S., then left the country.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-22--San Francisco District Attorney Ends Use Of Money Bail

The district attorney ’ s office will utilize the city ’ s existing “ risk assessment ” tool , which uses “ objective data ” to determine if people pose a “ serious threat ” to public safety , in which case these can be detained leading up to their trial “ regardless of their wealth , ” according to a press release from the D.A.
’ s office .
Prosecutors can still seek to have defendants held in detention before trial in cases of serious felonies involving violent acts or sexual assaults , for instance .
“ For years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this discriminatory and unsafe approach to pretrial detention , ” Boudin said of cash bail in the release .
“ From this point forward , pretrial detention will be based on public safety , not on wealth.
” Boudin , 39 , sworn into office earlier this month , is a former public defender who ran on a platform of eliminating cash bail , closing jails and combating racism in the criminal justice system .
This move , just weeks after his inauguration , fulfills a significant campaign promise .
Advocates for bail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creates an unequal system in which poor people are locked up before trial simply because they can ’ t afford bail and wealthier people accused of the same offenses can stay free until their day in court .
Boudin has deep personal experience with the criminal justice system : When he was just over a year old , both of his parents , then members of radical left-wing group the Weather Underground , were sent to prison for driving the getaway car in an infamous 1981 armed robbery in New York .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney was a leader in the yearslong effort in San Francisco and California to challenge the cash bail system .
At the state level , California residents will be voting in 2020 on whether to eliminate cash bail statewide .
On any given day in 2016 , nearly half of the jail population in San Francisco would have been eligible for release if those inmates simply posted bail , according to a report from the office of the city treasurer .
Central to Boudin ’ s campaign platform was ending “ racist disparities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our criminal justice system.
” In San Francisco , Black people are nine times more likely to be booked into jails than whites , according to a Human Rights Watch analysis of 2014-2015 county data .
When it comes to money bail , Black people in San Francisco pay over $ 120 per capita per year in nonrefundable bail fees , versus $ 10 per capita for white people , Boudin ’ s office reported .
Former District Attorney George Gascon first introduced a risk assessment tool in 2016 in an effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since then , the number of cases in which prosecutors used money bail had decreased but had not been totally phased out as of last year , Boudin ’ s office said .
Some experts have warned about pretrial “ risk assessment ” tools , noting that algorithms such tools rely on can be vulnerable to racial biases .
Some also warn that without the use of cash bail , prosecutors may rely more on strict conditions for defendants ’ release , such as mandated calls , electronic monitoring and home detention , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people ― and disproportionately of people of color .
“ For too long , prosecutors have used money bail and pretrial incarceration as leverage to pressure people to plead guilty regardless of actual guilt , ” he said , calling Boudin ’ s policy a “ welcome change [ that ] will help build the credibility of our courts .
”

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San Francisco’s new district attorney, Chesa Boudin (D), officially ended his office’s use of money bail for all criminal cases.
Prosecutors at the San Francisco district attorney’s office will no longer ask for cash bail as a condition for pretrial detention under a new policy announced Wednesday.
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The district attorney’s office will utilize the city’s existing “risk assessment” tool, which uses “objective data” to determine if people pose a “serious threat” to public safety, in which case these can be detained leading up to their trial “regardless of their wealth,” according to a press release from the D.A.’s office.
Prosecutors can still seek to have defendants held in detention before trial in cases of serious felonies involving violent acts or sexual assaults, for instance.
“For years I’ve been fighting to end this discriminatory and unsafe approach to pretrial detention,” Boudin said of cash bail in the release. “From this point forward, pretrial detention will be based on public safety, not on wealth.”
Boudin, 39, sworn into office earlier this month, is a former public defender who ran on a platform of eliminating cash bail, closing jails and combating racism in the criminal justice system. This move, just weeks after his inauguration, fulfills a significant campaign promise.
Advertisement
Advocates for bail reform have long argued that money bail creates an unequal system in which poor people are locked up before trial simply because they can’t afford bail and wealthier people accused of the same offenses can stay free until their day in court.
Today we announced a formal policy ending the use of money bail by our prosecutors as a condition for pretrial detention.
From this point forward, pretrial detention will be based on public safety, not on wealth. pic.twitter.com/V8WM5pI9Nn — Chesa Boudin 博徹思 (@chesaboudin) January 22, 2020
Boudin has deep personal experience with the criminal justice system: When he was just over a year old, both of his parents, then members of radical left-wing group the Weather Underground, were sent to prison for driving the getaway car in an infamous 1981 armed robbery in New York. His father is still incarcerated.
The district attorney was a leader in the yearslong effort in San Francisco and California to challenge the cash bail system. At the state level, California residents will be voting in 2020 on whether to eliminate cash bail statewide.
On any given day in 2016, nearly half of the jail population in San Francisco would have been eligible for release if those inmates simply posted bail, according to a report from the office of the city treasurer.
Advertisement
Central to Boudin’s campaign platform was ending “racist disparities [that] plague every step of our criminal justice system.” In San Francisco, Black people are nine times more likely to be booked into jails than whites, according to a Human Rights Watch analysis of 2014-2015 county data. When it comes to money bail, Black people in San Francisco pay over $120 per capita per year in nonrefundable bail fees, versus $10 per capita for white people, Boudin’s office reported.
Former District Attorney George Gascon first introduced a risk assessment tool in 2016 in an effort to reduce the use of cash bail. Since then, the number of cases in which prosecutors used money bail had decreased but had not been totally phased out as of last year, Boudin’s office said.
Some experts have warned about pretrial “risk assessment” tools, noting that algorithms such tools rely on can be vulnerable to racial biases. Some also warn that without the use of cash bail, prosecutors may rely more on strict conditions for defendants’ release, such as mandated calls, electronic monitoring and home detention, which can extend state supervision and surveillance of people ― and disproportionately of people of color.
Human Rights Watch researcher John Raphling called Boudin’s new policy a “great step towards a more just system” in the news release from Boudin’s office.
“For too long, prosecutors have used money bail and pretrial incarceration as leverage to pressure people to plead guilty regardless of actual guilt,” he said, calling Boudin’s policy a “welcome change [that] will help build the credibility of our courts.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-22--Trump To Attend Anti-Abortion March For Life In Person, Group Says

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he would become the first U.S. leader to attend the March for Life , one of the nation ’ s largest anti-abortion protests , in person later this week .
The announcement came the same day the Senate began hearing opening arguments in the president ’ s impeachment trial .
Trump touted the surprise appearance on Twitter , sharing images from last year ’ s event .
“ He will be the first president in history to attend and we are so excited for him to experience in person how passionate our marchers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Jeanne Mancini , the president of March for Life , said in a statement Wednesday .
“ From the appointment of pro-life judges and federal workers , to cutting taxpayer funding for abortions here and abroad , to calling for an end to late-term abortions , President Trump and his Administration have been consistent champions for life and their support for the March for Life has been unwavering.
” The move is likely to be seen as an attempt by the president to appeal to his evangelical base at a time of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overtures to his anti-abortion supporters have already paid dividends to his reelection campaign .
The Susan B. Anthony List , an anti-abortion political action group , said this month it would spend up to $ 52 million supporting Trump and like-minded Republicans this year .
The New York Times noted that no other president has attended the March for Life , despite his political beliefs .
Trump has championed himself as “ very pro-choice ” yet addressed the protest via a video message in 2018 and hosted some of the marchers at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement prompted a backlash from groups that support a woman ’ s right to choose .
Ilyse Hogue , president of NARAL Pro-Choice America , said Trump ’ s decision was “ a desperate attempt to divert attention from his criminal presidency and fire up his radical base.
” BREAKING : In a desperate attempt to divert attention from his criminal presidency and fire up his radical base , Trump will be the 1st POTUS to attend the annual gathering of anti-choicers on Friday , which he announced today on the anniversary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rolls .
https : //t.co/xN5TzktwLL — ilyse hogue ( @ ilyseh ) January 22 , 2020 Planned Parenthood Action also lambasted the policies of the Trump White House , saying that “ since day one , the Trump-Pence admin has sought to undermine our access to health care , including safe , legal abortion.
” “ But the 77 % of us who support that access will have our say in November , ” the group wrote on Twitter .
“ Let ’ s make sure that next year , he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marked the 47th anniversary of the Supreme Court ’ s landmark Roe v. Wade ruling , which established the right to abortion across the U.S .

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President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he would become the first U.S. leader to attend the March for Life, one of the nation’s largest anti-abortion protests, in person later this week.
The announcement came the same day the Senate began hearing opening arguments in the president’s impeachment trial. Trump touted the surprise appearance on Twitter, sharing images from last year’s event.
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See you on Friday...Big Crowd! https://t.co/MFyWLG4HFZ — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2020
“He will be the first president in history to attend and we are so excited for him to experience in person how passionate our marchers are about life and protecting the unborn,” Jeanne Mancini, the president of March for Life, said in a statement Wednesday. “From the appointment of pro-life judges and federal workers, to cutting taxpayer funding for abortions here and abroad, to calling for an end to late-term abortions, President Trump and his Administration have been consistent champions for life and their support for the March for Life has been unwavering.”
The move is likely to be seen as an attempt by the president to appeal to his evangelical base at a time of fierce political turmoil.
Trump’s overtures to his anti-abortion supporters have already paid dividends to his reelection campaign. The Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion political action group, said this month it would spend up to $52 million supporting Trump and like-minded Republicans this year.
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The New York Times noted that no other president has attended the March for Life, despite his political beliefs. Trump has championed himself as “very pro-choice” yet addressed the protest via a video message in 2018 and hosted some of the marchers at the White House.
The timing of the announcement prompted a backlash from groups that support a woman’s right to choose. Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said Trump’s decision was “a desperate attempt to divert attention from his criminal presidency and fire up his radical base.”
BREAKING: In a desperate attempt to divert attention from his criminal presidency and fire up his radical base, Trump will be the 1st POTUS to attend the annual gathering of anti-choicers on Friday, which he announced today on the anniversary of #RoevWade bc that's how he rolls. https://t.co/xN5TzktwLL — ilyse hogue (@ilyseh) January 22, 2020
Planned Parenthood Action also lambasted the policies of the Trump White House, saying that “since day one, the Trump-Pence admin has sought to undermine our access to health care, including safe, legal abortion.”
“But the 77% of us who support that access will have our say in November,” the group wrote on Twitter. “Let’s make sure that next year, he’s there as a private citizen.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-22--Democrats Hammer Case Against Trump In Senate Trial Opening Arguments

WASHINGTON ― Democrats opened their arguments in the Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump on Wednesday by laying out a crucial part of the charges against the president : that he put his own interest above the national interest by freezing aid to Ukraine in order to aid his reelection .
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff ( D-Calif. ) , the lead House impeachment manager , described a brazen scheme personally directed by Trump and aided by his personal lawyer and top administration officials to pressure the Ukrainian government to open an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 presidential race .
“ The U.S. aids Ukraine and its people so they can fight Russia over there and we don ’ t have to fight them here , ” Schiff explained , arguing that Trump ’ s dealings with Ukraine hindered the United States ’ ability to check the Kremlin ’ s influence and aggression across the globe .
As part of their presentation on the Senate floor , the House managers made extensive use of video , including footage of Trump ’ s many statements that he wanted Ukraine and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hunter .
Wednesday is the first of as many as three days of Democratic arguments , to be followed by up to three days of counterarguments by the president ’ s lawyers .
Senators will then get to ask questions of both sides , and after that the Senate will vote on whether to have witnesses .
If the Senate decides not to call witnesses , the trial could be over as soon as next week .
Democrats said they were impressed by Schiff ’ s presentation , giving him high marks for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of evidence — including witness testimony , text messages , emails and videos — into a singular narrative of a president hellbent on abusing the powers of his office for personal benefit .
“ I think the fact that they are using visual aids and thinking that you can just take the same information and if you throw it out there enough , it ’ ll change anyone ’ s point of view , I don ’ t think that ’ s going to work , ” Sen. Mike Braun ( R-Ind .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday , impeachment manager Rep. Sylvia Garcia ( D-Texas ) quoted Rudy Giuliani , the president ’ s personal attorney and point man on his Ukraine pressure campaign , who said early last year that his efforts to get Ukraine to dig up dirt on the Bidens would be “ very , very helpful to my client.
” “ That ’ s it , right there , ” Garcia said .
“ Giuliani admitting he was asking Ukraine to work on investigations that would be ‘ very , very helpful ’ to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign-policy .
He was not doing this on behalf of the government .
He was doing this for [ the ] personal interest of his client , Donald J. Trump.
” To convict Trump and remove him from office , Democrats would need to convince 20 Republicans to break rank .
Sen. Chris Coons ( D-Del . )
said he was “ not optimistic ” about getting even the four Republicans that Democrats would need in order to win a witness vote because of how Republicans unanimously opposed Democratic motions to subpoena testimony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Only two GOP senators have said they are likely to support calling witnesses after opening arguments : Susan Collins of Maine and Mitt Romney of Utah .
“ Being in the room last night was not even in the slightest encouraging because the lockstep vote after vote after vote ” by Republicans against the Democratic amendments , Coons said .
Hearing from witnesses like John Bolton , Trump ’ s former national security adviser , could be difficult even if enough Republicans defect and vote to subpoena his testimony .
Trump on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a “ national security problem ” ― suggesting he may assert executive privilege to block him from doing so .
Resolving the dispute over privilege would likely require taking the matter to court and possibly take weeks .

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WASHINGTON ― Democrats opened their arguments in the Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump on Wednesday by laying out a crucial part of the charges against the president: that he put his own interest above the national interest by freezing aid to Ukraine in order to aid his reelection.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), the lead House impeachment manager, described a brazen scheme personally directed by Trump and aided by his personal lawyer and top administration officials to pressure the Ukrainian government to open an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden, the leading Democratic front-runner in the 2020 presidential race.
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“The U.S. aids Ukraine and its people so they can fight Russia over there and we don’t have to fight them here,” Schiff explained, arguing that Trump’s dealings with Ukraine hindered the United States’ ability to check the Kremlin’s influence and aggression across the globe.
“If this conduct is not impeachable, then nothing is,” Schiff added. “The president was the key player in the scheme. Everyone was in the loop.”
As part of their presentation on the Senate floor, the House managers made extensive use of video, including footage of Trump’s many statements that he wanted Ukraine and China to investigate Biden and his son Hunter.
Wednesday is the first of as many as three days of Democratic arguments, to be followed by up to three days of counterarguments by the president’s lawyers. Senators will then get to ask questions of both sides, and after that the Senate will vote on whether to have witnesses. If the Senate decides not to call witnesses, the trial could be over as soon as next week.
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Democrats said they were impressed by Schiff’s presentation, giving him high marks for the way he connected the large body of evidence — including witness testimony, text messages, emails and videos — into a singular narrative of a president hellbent on abusing the powers of his office for personal benefit.
“Adam Schiff’s speech was one of the most compelling I have ever heard. It was a tour de force. ... I thought it was an amazing two and a half hours,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters afterward.
But most Republicans didn’t seem impressed, dismissing the speech as old news.
“I think the fact that they are using visual aids and thinking that you can just take the same information and if you throw it out there enough, it’ll change anyone’s point of view, I don’t think that’s going to work,” Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) told HuffPost.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) dodged questions about whether he found any of the president’s behavior inappropriate by noting that senators are being asked to weigh only the impeachment articles.
“That’s really not the question,” Cornyn said.
During her presentation on Wednesday, impeachment manager Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas) quoted Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal attorney and point man on his Ukraine pressure campaign, who said early last year that his efforts to get Ukraine to dig up dirt on the Bidens would be “very, very helpful to my client.”
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“That’s it, right there,” Garcia said. “Giuliani admitting he was asking Ukraine to work on investigations that would be ‘very, very helpful’ to the president. He was not doing foreign-policy. He was not doing this on behalf of the government. He was doing this for [the] personal interest of his client, Donald J. Trump.”
Expanding the scope of the trial will likely hinge on Democrats’ ability to subpoena witnesses and other documents blocked by the White House.
To convict Trump and remove him from office, Democrats would need to convince 20 Republicans to break rank. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) said he was “not optimistic” about getting even the four Republicans that Democrats would need in order to win a witness vote because of how Republicans unanimously opposed Democratic motions to subpoena testimony during a marathon session Tuesday night. Only two GOP senators have said they are likely to support calling witnesses after opening arguments: Susan Collins of Maine and Mitt Romney of Utah.
“Being in the room last night was not even in the slightest encouraging because the lockstep vote after vote after vote” by Republicans against the Democratic amendments, Coons said.
Hearing from witnesses like John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, could be difficult even if enough Republicans defect and vote to subpoena his testimony. Trump on Tuesday claimed that allowing Bolton to testify would be a “national security problem” ― suggesting he may assert executive privilege to block him from doing so. Resolving the dispute over privilege would likely require taking the matter to court and possibly take weeks.
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During a caucus lunch on Wednesday before the trial began, Senate Republicans heard from former Attorney General Michael Mukasey, who served under George W. Bush, about “the importance of executive privilege to a president,” according to NBC’s Leigh Ann Caldwell.
Asked about a potential witness deal between the two sides, ensuring that both Bolton and Hunter Biden are called to testify, Schumer said the idea had no merit.
“This isn’t some fantasy football trade,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
The House managers are expected to end the presentation of evidence against Trump by Friday.
Schiff opened and closed his presentation by quoting the authors of the Constitution, saying they gave Congress the power of impeachment specifically for a president like Trump.
“They feared that a president could subvert our democracy by abusing the awesome power of his office for his own personal or political gain,” Schiff said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-23--Marianne Williamson To Support Andrew Yang In Iowa Caucuses: He's 'Deep In Substance'

Marianne Williamson announced she will be throwing her support behind Andrew Yang in the upcoming Iowa caucuses , saying he brings much-needed “ self-confidence , levity and positivity ” to the 2020 presidential race .
Williamson , who ended her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination earlier this month , said in a series of Instagram posts that she admires Sens .
Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
and Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) but believes Yang needs her help in the race more “ right now.
” “ Bernie and Elizabeth will make it past Iowa and beyond , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m lending my support to Andrew in Iowa , hopefully to help him get past the early primaries & remind us not to take ourselves too seriously .
We need that this year .
We need to lighten up on a personal level , because the moment is so serious on a political level.
” “ What I ’ m endorsing are issues ; and the most important one now is a psychological issue – which candidate will make the strongest emotional connection with the American electorate , ” Williamson wrote .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tuning fork realigning us with something we need to retrieve , taking us back to a more innocent time , making us remember to chuckle , ” she added .
“ Andrew is light in tone , but he is deep in substance.
” “ We are thankful for Marianne Williamson ’ s kind words , ” said S.Y .
Lee , national press secretary for Yang ’ s campaign .
“ Her tireless efforts as an advocate to end poverty , her support of the Freedom Dividend , and her voice for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abounds were valuable to the democratic primary process.
” The Iowa caucuses , which have historically proven to be a strong predictor of who will receive a party ’ s nomination , will take place Feb. 3 .
A Monmouth University poll released last week showed former Vice President Joe Biden leading the pack of Democratic candidates in Iowa , with 24 % of likely Democratic voters supporting him .
His three closest rivals were Sanders with 18 % support , former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg with 17 % @ @ @ @ @ @

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Marianne Williamson announced she will be throwing her support behind Andrew Yang in the upcoming Iowa caucuses, saying he brings much-needed “self-confidence, levity and positivity” to the 2020 presidential race.
Williamson, who ended her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination earlier this month, said in a series of Instagram posts that she admires Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) but believes Yang needs her help in the race more “right now.”
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“Bernie and Elizabeth will make it past Iowa and beyond,” Williamson wrote. “I’m lending my support to Andrew in Iowa, hopefully to help him get past the early primaries & remind us not to take ourselves too seriously. We need that this year. We need to lighten up on a personal level, because the moment is so serious on a political level.”
Williamson, a self-help author, noted that she isn’t endorsing any specific candidate yet.
“What I’m endorsing are issues; and the most important one now is a psychological issue – which candidate will make the strongest emotional connection with the American electorate,” Williamson wrote.
“Andrew’s personality is like a tuning fork realigning us with something we need to retrieve, taking us back to a more innocent time, making us remember to chuckle,” she added. “Andrew is light in tone, but he is deep in substance.”
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In a statement to HuffPost, Yang’s campaign expressed gratitude for Williamson’s support and advocacy.
“We are thankful for Marianne Williamson’s kind words,” said S.Y. Lee, national press secretary for Yang’s campaign. “Her tireless efforts as an advocate to end poverty, her support of the Freedom Dividend, and her voice for peace in a world where strife is abounds were valuable to the democratic primary process.”
I have learned a lot from Marianne and continue to do so. She answers questions that many of us haven’t even thought to ask. Very grateful for her friendship and support in this important time. 👍❤🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/e14q8uzYzl — Andrew Yang🧢 (@AndrewYang) January 23, 2020
The Iowa caucuses, which have historically proven to be a strong predictor of who will receive a party’s nomination, will take place Feb. 3.
A Monmouth University poll released last week showed former Vice President Joe Biden leading the pack of Democratic candidates in Iowa, with 24% of likely Democratic voters supporting him. His three closest rivals were Sanders with 18% support, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg with 17% and Warren with 15%.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-22--Trump Jabs Democrats With Bizarre Brag: They Don't Have The Material We Have

If President Donald Trump seems a little worried about the way his impeachment trial is going , he didn ’ t show it during a press conference at the World Economic Forum in Davos , Switzerland on Wednesday .
In fact , he taunted Democrats at one point by suggesting they didn ’ t have the information needed to impeach him .
“ We ’ re doing very well , ” he told reporters , before adding , “ Honestly , we have all the material .
They don ’ t have the material.
” In an incredible exchange at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comfortable with the status of the impeachment trial because the White House is withholding evidence .
`` Honestly , we have all the material .
They do n't have the material . ''
As always , he says the quiet part out loud .
pic.twitter.com/Gk3h1QZyAi — Justin Hendrix ( @ justinhendrix ) January 22 , 2020 Many people responded via Twitter by saying the president was basically admitting to obstructing Congress ― which , of course , is the second article of impeachment he faces .
Trump is accused of stonewalling the probe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government by preventing potential witnesses from testifying and by withholding key documents from investigators .
The second article of impeachment was for obstruction of Congress : covering up witnesses and documents from the American people .
This morning the President not only confessed to it , he bragged about it : '' Honestly , we have all the material .
They do n't have the material . ''
pic.twitter.com/DPAEFHIDjS — Rep. Val Demings ( @ RepValDemings ) January 22 , 2020 Trump , who obstructed Congress by withholding documents and witnesses , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t have the evidence , “ we ” have all the evidence .
Given that one of the charges is obstruction , that ’ s as brazenly corrupt and cynical as it gets .
— Walter Shaub ( @ waltshaub ) January 22 , 2020 And just like that , Donald John Trump admits that he 's obstructing justice by abusing his power : `` Honestly , we have all the material .
They do n't have the material . ''
https : //t.co/hmVoP7HC1J — Morgan J. Freeman ( @ mjfree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schiff of California , who heads the team of House Democrats prosecuting the case against Trump in the Senate , responded to the president ’ s comments by saying hiding information from the American people “ is nothing to brag about.
” On Trump saying “ we have all the material ” and “ they don ’ t have the material , ” Schiff tells reporters : “ Indeed they do have the material — hidden from the American people .
That is nothing to brag about.
” — Andrew Desiderio ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , Pres .
Trump boasted about his obstruction of Congress , taunting that `` we have all the material .
They do n't have the material . ''
The Senate is a coequal branch with a constitutional obligation to pursue the truth .
It ’ s time we start acting like it .
— Sen. Patrick Leahy ( @ SenatorLeahy ) January 22 , 2020 “ But honestly , we have all the material .
They don ’ t have the material.
” The President ’ s words show why we need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from ALL the witnesses .
He ’ s obstructed Congress because he ’ s guilty .
He must be held accountable .
Period.https : //t.co/nr8U7cpaD9 — Rep. Sylvia Garcia ( @ RepSylviaGarcia ) January 22 , 2020 George Conway , the husband of White House strategist Kellyanne Conway , predicted on CNN that Trump ’ s bizarre brag would come back to haunt him .
“ The president is actually not a very smart man , ” said Conway , who despite his wife ’ s job is an especially vocal Trump critic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s undercutting the arguments that he needs to make to keep the material from coming out .
He ’ s not able to think one step beyond what ’ s coming out of his mouth — he ’ s just not that smart .
That ’ s what he did here , he ’ s undercutting his own defense !
”

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If President Donald Trump seems a little worried about the way his impeachment trial is going, he didn’t show it during a press conference at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday.
In fact, he taunted Democrats at one point by suggesting they didn’t have the information needed to impeach him.
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“We’re doing very well,” he told reporters, before adding, “Honestly, we have all the material. They don’t have the material.”
In an incredible exchange at Davos, @realdonaldtrump admits he is comfortable with the status of the impeachment trial because the White House is withholding evidence. "Honestly, we have all the material. They don't have the material." As always, he says the quiet part out loud. pic.twitter.com/Gk3h1QZyAi — Justin Hendrix (@justinhendrix) January 22, 2020
Many people responded via Twitter by saying the president was basically admitting to obstructing Congress ― which, of course, is the second article of impeachment he faces. Trump is accused of stonewalling the probe into his dealings with Ukraine’s government by preventing potential witnesses from testifying and by withholding key documents from investigators.
The second article of impeachment was for obstruction of Congress: covering up witnesses and documents from the American people.
This morning the President not only confessed to it, he bragged about it:
"Honestly, we have all the material. They don't have the material." pic.twitter.com/DPAEFHIDjS — Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) January 22, 2020
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Trump, who obstructed Congress by withholding documents and witnesses, just told reporters in Davos that the House doesn’t have the evidence, “we” have all the evidence. Given that one of the charges is obstruction, that’s as brazenly corrupt and cynical as it gets. — Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) January 22, 2020
And just like that, Donald John Trump admits that he's obstructing justice by abusing his power: "Honestly, we have all the material. They don't have the material." https://t.co/hmVoP7HC1J — Morgan J. Freeman (@mjfree) January 22, 2020
Rep. Adam Schiff of California, who heads the team of House Democrats prosecuting the case against Trump in the Senate, responded to the president’s comments by saying hiding information from the American people “is nothing to brag about.”
On Trump saying “we have all the material” and “they don’t have the material,” Schiff tells reporters:
“Indeed they do have the material — hidden from the American people. That is nothing to brag about.” — Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) January 22, 2020
Other politicians offered similar reactions.
Earlier today, Pres. Trump boasted about his obstruction of Congress, taunting that "we have all the material. They don't have the material." The Senate is a coequal branch with a constitutional obligation to pursue the truth. It’s time we start acting like it. — Sen. Patrick Leahy (@SenatorLeahy) January 22, 2020
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“But honestly, we have all the material. They don’t have the material.”
The President’s words show why we need to see ALL the documents and hear from ALL the witnesses.
He’s obstructed Congress because he’s guilty.
He must be held accountable. Period.https://t.co/nr8U7cpaD9 — Rep. Sylvia Garcia (@RepSylviaGarcia) January 22, 2020
George Conway, the husband of White House strategist Kellyanne Conway, predicted on CNN that Trump’s bizarre brag would come back to haunt him.
“The president is actually not a very smart man,” said Conway, who despite his wife’s job is an especially vocal Trump critic. “What he did here, he’s undercutting the arguments that he needs to make to keep the material from coming out. He’s not able to think one step beyond what’s coming out of his mouth — he’s just not that smart. That’s what he did here, he’s undercutting his own defense!”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-22--Senators Struggle With 'Digital Detox' During Trump Impeachment Trial

U.S. Senate Photographic Studio Still photographers are banned from the Senate chamber during the impeachment trial , but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer released this official photo of the swearing-in .
WASHINGTON ― A few hours after the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump began in earnest , Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( D-Minn. ) was feeling pretty good .
Sure , it ’ s an adjustment to sit on the floor of the Senate for hour after hour while disconnected from your digital portal to the outside world , probably even more so when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running a presidential campaign .
But Klobuchar said the ban on cell phones in the Senate chamber throughout Trump ’ s impeachment trial was probably for the best .
“ That was not something I was used to , ” Klobuchar told HuffPost of the “ digital detox ” on Tuesday afternoon .
“ It ’ ll be good for everyone , they can actually look at each other.
” Yet as the night wore on , Klobuchar ― like a number of senators who sat through hours of floor debate ― seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporter spotted her pacing inside the Democratic cloakroom off of the floor of the Senate chamber during the proceeding late Tuesday evening , clutching an electronic device .
Almost universally , senators said that the ban on electronic devices throughout the lengthy trial is the right thing , even if they ’ ve had a tough time adjusting .
“ I think it ’ s actually good , ” said Sen. Bob Casey ( D-Pa. ) .
“ It does enhance our ability to concentrate and I ’ m taking lots of notes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be away from the devices for a while.
” A storage unit for phones stands next to the entrance of the Senate chamber on Tuesday , Jan. 21 .
Electronic devices are not allowed in the chamber for the Senate impeachment trial .
“ Like every American who has an electronic , I suppose the first day we ’ ll have a little withdrawal , but we ’ ll be fine , ” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito ( R-W.Va. ) .
“ I ’ m ready to sit there as long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my junior staff were concerned and alarmed .
‘ How will you make it ?
’ ” said Sen. Chris Coons ( D-Del. )
.
“ I reminded them that I made it through all of law school without a cell phone , without an iPad .
We may actually be able to focus more .
It will be a needed digital cleanse.
” Sen. Patrick Leahy ( D-Vt. ) , a Senate veteran who served during President Bill Clinton ’ s impeachment trial , stopped by the press pen during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his colleagues felt getting their phones back .
Reporters said he demonstrated this with a Gollum impression from “ Lord of the Rings ” while stroking his phone : “ Oh , my precious.
” In the first 24 hours of the impeachment trial , the Senate chamber took on a bit of a college lecture hall vibe , albeit one where attentive pages judiciously fill senators ’ water cups and pass them notes from their staff .
Some senators , like Sen. Susan Collins ( R-Maine ) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sen. John Cornyn ( R-Texas ) twiddled his thumbs .
Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-Texas ) played with his beard .
Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) brought a stack of napkins he used as tissues .
And there were those who skirted the rules a bit : Roll Call counted seven senators with Apple Watches .
Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-Ark . )
took a big yawn , pulled on his socks , and took a series of slow , heavy blinks .
Sen. Kevin Cramer ( R-N.D. ) rubbed his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) paced around and stretched out his legs .
Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-Utah ) scanned the mostly empty gallery above the chamber .
Sanders massaged his temples , rubbed his eyes and forehead with both hands , brushed off his lapels , and yawned .
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand ( D-N.Y. ) appeared to be lying down in the Democratic cloakroom .
Sen. James E. Risch ( R-Idaho ) was also spotted dozing .
By Wednesday , as Rep. Adam Schiff ( D-Calif. ) laid out the case for Trump ’ s removal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared a bit better rested , if slightly bored .
Sen. Richard Shelby ( R-Ala. ) rubbed his hands and eyes .
Sanders blew his nose .
And Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) shifted in his seat and scanned the room , but perked up when Schiff played a clip of Trump asking Russia to find Hillary Clinton ’ s emails during the 2016 campaign .
“ Russia , if you ’ re listening , ” Trump ’ s voice boomed in the chamber as Graham smiled and nodded , “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 30,000 emails that are missing .
”

Still photographers are banned from the Senate chamber during the impeachment trial, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer released this official photo of the swearing-in. U.S. Senate Photographic Studio
WASHINGTON ― A few hours after the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump began in earnest, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) was feeling pretty good. Sure, it’s an adjustment to sit on the floor of the Senate for hour after hour while disconnected from your digital portal to the outside world, probably even more so when you’re in the midst of running a presidential campaign. But Klobuchar said the ban on cell phones in the Senate chamber throughout Trump’s impeachment trial was probably for the best.
“That was not something I was used to,” Klobuchar told HuffPost of the “digital detox” on Tuesday afternoon. “It’ll be good for everyone, they can actually look at each other.”
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Yet as the night wore on, Klobuchar ― like a number of senators who sat through hours of floor debate ― seemed to struggle to disconnect. A HuffPost reporter spotted her pacing inside the Democratic cloakroom off of the floor of the Senate chamber during the proceeding late Tuesday evening, clutching an electronic device.
Almost universally, senators said that the ban on electronic devices throughout the lengthy trial is the right thing, even if they’ve had a tough time adjusting.
“I think it’s actually good,” said Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.). “It does enhance our ability to concentrate and I’m taking lots of notes. So it can’t hurt to be away from the devices for a while.”
“It’s a little hard,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii). “But it makes us focus on what’s going on.”
A storage unit for phones stands next to the entrance of the Senate chamber on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Electronic devices are not allowed in the chamber for the Senate impeachment trial. Bill Clark via Getty Images
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“Like every American who has an electronic, I suppose the first day we’ll have a little withdrawal, but we’ll be fine,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.). “I’m ready to sit there as long as I need to.”
“Many of my junior staff were concerned and alarmed. ‘How will you make it?’” said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.). “I reminded them that I made it through all of law school without a cell phone, without an iPad. We may actually be able to focus more. It will be a needed digital cleanse.”
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), a Senate veteran who served during President Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial, stopped by the press pen during the first recess to convey how he and his colleagues felt getting their phones back. Reporters said he demonstrated this with a Gollum impression from “Lord of the Rings” while stroking his phone: “Oh, my precious.”
In the first 24 hours of the impeachment trial, the Senate chamber took on a bit of a college lecture hall vibe, albeit one where attentive pages judiciously fill senators’ water cups and pass them notes from their staff.
Some senators, like Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), studiously scribbled notes. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) twiddled his thumbs. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) played with his beard. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) brought a stack of napkins he used as tissues. And there were those who skirted the rules a bit: Roll Call counted seven senators with Apple Watches.
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Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) took a big yawn, pulled on his socks, and took a series of slow, heavy blinks. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) rubbed his eyes. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) paced around and stretched out his legs. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) scanned the mostly empty gallery above the chamber. Sanders massaged his temples, rubbed his eyes and forehead with both hands, brushed off his lapels, and yawned. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) appeared to be lying down in the Democratic cloakroom. Sen. James E. Risch (R-Idaho) was also spotted dozing.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks to members of the news media during the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. Tom Brenner / Reuters
By Wednesday, as Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) laid out the case for Trump’s removal from office, a number of senators appeared a bit better rested, if slightly bored. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) rubbed his hands and eyes. Sanders blew his nose. And Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) shifted in his seat and scanned the room, but perked up when Schiff played a clip of Trump asking Russia to find Hillary Clinton’s emails during the 2016 campaign. “Russia, if you’re listening,” Trump’s voice boomed in the chamber as Graham smiled and nodded, “I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing.”
Igor Bobic, Arthur Delaney and Josie Harvey contributed to this story.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-01-22--At Least 12 States Are Promoting Bills Targeting Transgender Youth, Advocates Warn

SALT LAKE CITY ( AP ) — At the urging of conservative advocacy groups , Republican legislators in more than a dozen states are promoting bills that focus on transgender young people .
One batch of bills would bar doctors from providing them certain gender-related medical treatment ; another batch would bar trans students from participating on school sports teams of the gender they identify with .
The bill recently introduced in South Dakota would make it a felony for medical providers to perform operations or administer hormone therapy to help minors change their gender .
The Missouri bill would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they administered gender-reassignment treatment , and parents who consented to such treatment would be reported to child-welfare officials for child abuse .
“ I can not imagine what happens to transgender people if these criminal bans pass , ” said the ACLU ’ s Strangio , a transgender man .
“ I don ’ t think we can possibly raise the alarm enough , because people are going to die.
” The medical director of the Trevor Project , a youth suicide prevention service , also expressed dismay , saying the bills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life-saving treatment .
“ They would force doctors to make an untenable decision and could result in their imprisonment for providing best-practice medical care , ” said Dr. Alexis Chavez , a transgender psychiatrist .
A Utah legislator , Republican Rep. Brad Daw , said he has accepted Eagle Forum ’ s request to begin drafting such a bill , though his current proposal now contains some changes from the language suggested by the advocacy group .
“ We want to do what we think is reasonable practice , which is put off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the youth is an adult , ” he said .
For transgender kids and their families , though , the idea of putting those steps out of reach is terrifying .
Robyn Rumsey of Roy , Utah said her child was withdrawn and angry before coming out as transgender at age 12 .
“ We have seen this child completely turn around , ” she said .
Dex considered suicide before coming out , and if he didn ’ t have access to hormones she worries those thoughts would return .
Just learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him into a panic and a sleepless night , she said .
“ I know that it would be a life or death situation for my son .
We would be desperate to find help and medication for him , ” she said .
“ I was never comfortable under my own skin .
I always felt wrong , disgusting and I hated myself .
These hormones have allowed me to feel comfortable with who I am .
It ’ s allowed me to be happier .
I don ’ t hate myself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t feel suicidal anymore , ” he said .
If a law were to pass , Dex Rumsey said he ’ d want to leave the state .
“ I don ’ t think they realize the damage these types of things are causing , ” he said .
The Alliance Defending Freedom is also leading a nationwide campaign to prevent transgender girls from competing with other girls in high school sports .
It has filed a federal discrimination complaint on behalf of Connecticut girls who competed in track-and-field and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transgender athletes has cost them top finishes and possibly college scholarships .
“ Forcing female athletes to compete against biological males isn ’ t fair and destroys their athletic opportunities , ” said attorney Matt Sharp , the ADF ’ s state government relations director .
“ Likewise , every child deserves a childhood that allows them to experience puberty and other natural changes that shape who they will become .
”

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — At the urging of conservative advocacy groups, Republican legislators in more than a dozen states are promoting bills that focus on transgender young people. One batch of bills would bar doctors from providing them certain gender-related medical treatment; another batch would bar trans students from participating on school sports teams of the gender they identify with.
The proposed laws, if enacted, “would bring devastating harms to the transgender community,” said Chase Strangio, a transgender-rights lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union.
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He warned that the medical bans ― now pending in Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and South Dakota and likely to surface elsewhere ― could trigger suicides among young people yearning to undergo gender transition.
The bills’ goals have been endorsed by several national conservative groups, including Alliance Defending Freedom and Eagle Forum.
“We’ve got lots of legislators working on this,” said Gayle Ruzicka, an activist with Eagle Forum’s Utah chapter. “We don’t let this happen to children.”
The bill recently introduced in South Dakota would make it a felony for medical providers to perform operations or administer hormone therapy to help minors change their gender. The Missouri bill would subject doctors to revocation of their license if they administered gender-reassignment treatment, and parents who consented to such treatment would be reported to child-welfare officials for child abuse.
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“I cannot imagine what happens to transgender people if these criminal bans pass,” said the ACLU’s Strangio, a transgender man. “I don’t think we can possibly raise the alarm enough, because people are going to die.”
The medical director of the Trevor Project, a youth suicide prevention service, also expressed dismay, saying the bills could deprive some young people of potentially life-saving treatment. “They would force doctors to make an untenable decision and could result in their imprisonment for providing best-practice medical care,” said Dr. Alexis Chavez, a transgender psychiatrist.
A Utah legislator, Republican Rep. Brad Daw, said he has accepted Eagle Forum’s request to begin drafting such a bill, though his current proposal now contains some changes from the language suggested by the advocacy group.
While his bill would ban surgeries and hormone therapy for minors, it would allow puberty blockers — medications that temporarily puts puberty on hold.
“We want to do what we think is reasonable practice, which is put off that kind of one-way ticket decision until the youth is an adult,” he said.
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Daw said he wants to be sensitive and respectful to transgender kids and their families but remains concerned about medical steps toward transitioning.
“What we want is really good policy off the bat,” said Daw, who’s still drafting the bill for the legislative session that begins Jan. 27.
For transgender kids and their families, though, the idea of putting those steps out of reach is terrifying. Robyn Rumsey of Roy, Utah said her child was withdrawn and angry before coming out as transgender at age 12.
“As parents we were completely thrown, to say the least,” she said. In consultation with a counselor and doctors, Dex Rumsey gradually began wearing short hair and boy’s clothes, then began using puberty blockers and eventually testosterone.
“It wasn’t a decision that was taken lightly,” Robyn Rumsey said. It’s made her son, now 15, into a happy, thriving person, she said. The family is considering surgery later this year.
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“We have seen this child completely turn around,” she said. Dex considered suicide before coming out, and if he didn’t have access to hormones she worries those thoughts would return. Just learning about the idea of a ban sent him into a panic and a sleepless night, she said.
“I know that it would be a life or death situation for my son. We would be desperate to find help and medication for him,” she said.
Dex Rumsey said the time since he’s started hormone therapy has been the happiest of his life.
“I was never comfortable under my own skin. I always felt wrong, disgusting and I hated myself. These hormones have allowed me to feel comfortable with who I am. It’s allowed me to be happier. I don’t hate myself, I’m not depressed, I don’t feel suicidal anymore,” he said.
That kind of sentiment should be a particular concern to state leaders looking to bring down the state’s suicide rate, said Troy Williams with the group Equality Utah.
If a law were to pass, Dex Rumsey said he’d want to leave the state. “I don’t think they realize the damage these types of things are causing,” he said.
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The Alliance Defending Freedom is also leading a nationwide campaign to prevent transgender girls from competing with other girls in high school sports. It has filed a federal discrimination complaint on behalf of Connecticut girls who competed in track-and-field and say state’s inclusive policy on transgender athletes has cost them top finishes and possibly college scholarships.
“Forcing female athletes to compete against biological males isn’t fair and destroys their athletic opportunities,” said attorney Matt Sharp, the ADF’s state government relations director. “Likewise, every child deserves a childhood that allows them to experience puberty and other natural changes that shape who they will become.”
So far this year, bills to restrict transgender students’ sports participation are pending in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, Tennessee and Washington state, according to the ACLU. Idaho State Rep. Barbara Ehardt told the Idaho Statesman she’s preparing a similar bill. In several cases, the bills would override trans-inclusive policies adopted by state high school athletic associations.
The Alabama measure, titled the Gender Is Real Legislative Act, would bar any K-12 public school from participating in interscholastic sports events which allow trans athletes to compete according to their gender identity.
“The GIRL Bill seeks to support female student-athletes, so that they may compete against each other and not have to compete against male students with an unfair advantage,” said the bill’s author, Rep. Chris Pringle.
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Several national women’s rights and sports organizations are pushing back, saying that barring transgender people from sports teams aligning with their gender identity often means they are “excluded from participating altogether.”
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