pbs--2020-01-03--WATCH: Senate leaders kick off 2020 with impeachment divide

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Congress opened the new year with the Senate deadlocked over President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial , leaving the proceedings deeply in flux as Republicans refuse to bend to Democratic demands for new witnesses .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell showed no signs Friday of negotiating with the Democrats as he aims for Trump ’ s swift acquittal .
At the same time , the Republican leader acknowledged the Senate can not begin the historic undertaking until House Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivers the articles of impeachment — which she is refusing to do until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s scope .
Neither seems willing to budge .
“ Their turn is over , ” McConnell said about the Democratic-led House .
“ It ’ s the Senate ’ s turn now to render sober judgment as the framers intended.
” Pelosi responded that McConnell ’ s stance “ made clear that he will feebly comply with President Trump ’ s cover-up of his abuses of power and be an accomplice to that cover-up.
” WATCH : Schumer addresses impeachment and U.S. strike on Iran general in Senate floor speech The House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday with the crisis in the Middle East only adding to the uncertainty about how lawmakers will proceed with the impeachment trial , only the third in U.S. history .
Trump was impeached last month by the House on charges that he abused power and obstructed Congress in his dealings with Ukraine .
Trump withheld nearly $ 400 million in military aid for Ukraine , an Eastern European ally that depends on U.S. support to counter Russia , after asking President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to publicly announce an investigation into Trump rival Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress objected .
Democrats believe their demands for witnesses are bolstered by new reports about Trump ’ s decision to withhold the aid and unease among some GOP senators over the situation .
“ The American people deserve the truth , ” Pelosi said in a statement .
“ Every Senator now faces a choice : to be loyal to the President or the Constitution.
” McConnell has said the trial should start and then senators can decide the scope .
As he opened the chamber Friday , he criticized House Democrats as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was the “ most rushed , least fair ” in history .
The GOP leader did not defend or criticize the president ’ s actions toward Ukraine .
But he invoked the Founding Fathers ’ vision of the slower-moving Senate as “ an institution that could stop momentary hysteria and partisan passions.
” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also drew on the founders to pressure Republican senators not to fall lockstep in line with Trump , as they typically do .
“ The vital question , of whether or not we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a majority of the senators in this chamber , ” Schumer said .
He is pressing to hear testimony from at least four new witnesses , all of whom refused to appear in the House proceedings before the House voted to impeach Trump last month .
“ We need the whole truth , ” Schumer said .
McConnell , he said , has been unable to make “ one single argument ” against having witnesses and documents in the trial .
Two Republican senators , Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins , have indicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnesses and registered their concerns about McConnell ’ s claim that he was working closely with the White House on the format for the trial .
Trump wants not only acquittal in the trial but also vindication from his GOP allies .
The witnesses that Senate Democrats want to call refused to testify in the House proceedings under orders from the White House .
They are Trump ’ s former national security adviser John Bolton , acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and two other officials who were directly involved with Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Ukraine .
McConnell showed no signs of deviating from his opening stance .
He defended his earlier remarks in which he said he would not be an ‘ ’ impartial juror ” in the trial and stuck with his plan to follow the process used during Bill Clinton ’ s impeachment , in which the trial was convened and then votes were taken to decide if additional witnesses were needed .
The GOP leader suggested the Senate will carry on with its other business while it waits for the House to act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a trial without the articles , ” McConnell said .
“ So for now , we are content to continue the ordinary business of the Senate while House Democrats continue to flounder.
” The Constitution requires that the House and Senate convene on Jan. 3 , but few lawmakers were in town for the perfunctory session .
But the Senate leaders ’ remarks were being closely watched for signs of next steps amid the crisis in the Middle East after the U.S. killed a top Iranian general with airstrikes in Iraq .

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress opened the new year with the Senate deadlocked over President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, leaving the proceedings deeply in flux as Republicans refuse to bend to Democratic demands for new witnesses.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell showed no signs Friday of negotiating with the Democrats as he aims for Trump’s swift acquittal. At the same time, the Republican leader acknowledged the Senate cannot begin the historic undertaking until House Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivers the articles of impeachment — which she is refusing to do until he provides details on the trial’s scope. Neither seems willing to budge.
“Their turn is over,” McConnell said about the Democratic-led House. “It’s the Senate’s turn now to render sober judgment as the framers intended.”
Pelosi responded that McConnell’s stance “made clear that he will feebly comply with President Trump’s cover-up of his abuses of power and be an accomplice to that cover-up.”
WATCH: Schumer addresses impeachment and U.S. strike on Iran general in Senate floor speech
The House and Senate gaveled in for brief sessions Friday with the crisis in the Middle East only adding to the uncertainty about how lawmakers will proceed with the impeachment trial, only the third in U.S. history.
Trump was impeached last month by the House on charges that he abused power and obstructed Congress in his dealings with Ukraine. Trump withheld nearly $400 million in military aid for Ukraine, an Eastern European ally that depends on U.S. support to counter Russia, after asking President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to publicly announce an investigation into Trump rival Joe Biden. The aid was ultimately released after Congress objected.
Democrats believe their demands for witnesses are bolstered by new reports about Trump’s decision to withhold the aid and unease among some GOP senators over the situation.
“The American people deserve the truth,” Pelosi said in a statement. “Every Senator now faces a choice: to be loyal to the President or the Constitution.”
McConnell has said the trial should start and then senators can decide the scope. As he opened the chamber Friday, he criticized House Democrats as having engineered a “slapdash” impeachment that was the “most rushed, least fair” in history.
The GOP leader did not defend or criticize the president’s actions toward Ukraine. But he invoked the Founding Fathers’ vision of the slower-moving Senate as “an institution that could stop momentary hysteria and partisan passions.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also drew on the founders to pressure Republican senators not to fall lockstep in line with Trump, as they typically do.
“The vital question, of whether or not we have a fair trial, ultimately rests with a majority of the senators in this chamber,” Schumer said. He is pressing to hear testimony from at least four new witnesses, all of whom refused to appear in the House proceedings before the House voted to impeach Trump last month.
“We need the whole truth,” Schumer said. McConnell, he said, has been unable to make “one single argument” against having witnesses and documents in the trial.
Two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, have indicated they were open to hearing from more witnesses and registered their concerns about McConnell’s claim that he was working closely with the White House on the format for the trial.
Trump wants not only acquittal in the trial but also vindication from his GOP allies.
The witnesses that Senate Democrats want to call refused to testify in the House proceedings under orders from the White House. They are Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton, acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and two other officials who were directly involved with Trump’s decision to withhold the military assistance for Ukraine.
McConnell showed no signs of deviating from his opening stance. He defended his earlier remarks in which he said he would not be an ‘’impartial juror” in the trial and stuck with his plan to follow the process used during Bill Clinton’s impeachment, in which the trial was convened and then votes were taken to decide if additional witnesses were needed.
The GOP leader suggested the Senate will carry on with its other business while it waits for the House to act. “We can’t hold a trial without the articles,” McConnell said. “So for now, we are content to continue the ordinary business of the Senate while House Democrats continue to flounder.”
The Constitution requires that the House and Senate convene on Jan. 3, but few lawmakers were in town for the perfunctory session. But the Senate leaders’ remarks were being closely watched for signs of next steps amid the crisis in the Middle East after the U.S. killed a top Iranian general with airstrikes in Iraq.


pbs--2020-01-03--Indicted Giuliani associate can give records for House impeachment inquiry, judge rules

NEW YORK ( AP ) — A federal judge on Friday allowed a Rudy Giuliani associate indicted on campaign finance charges to turn over documents to Congress as part of the impeachment proceeding against President Donald Trump .
U.S. District Court Judge Paul Oetken granted Lev Parnas ’ request to turn over to the House intelligence committee documents and data seized by federal investigators when Parnas was arrested in October .
Parnas ’ attorney said in a court filing he expected to receive the materials from the U.S. Justice Department this week .
Parnas and another man , Igor Fruman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giuliani , Trump ’ s personal lawyer , to launch a Ukrainian corruption investigation against Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden and his son Hunter .
Parnas and Fruman were indicted in October on federal campaign finance violations related to a $ 325,000 donation to a group supporting Trump ’ s reelection .
They have pleaded not guilty .
Parnas already has provided documents to the intelligence committee in response to a congressional subpoena .
His attorney says he wants to provide more information that falls “ within the scope ” of the subpoena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from his home and the contents of one of his iPhones , according to court filings .
“ Review of these materials is essential to the Committee ’ s ability to corroborate the strength of Mr. Parnas ’ s potential testimony , ” Parnas ’ attorney , Joseph Bondy wrote in a filing .
Prosecutors did not object to Parnas turning over the information .

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge on Friday allowed a Rudy Giuliani associate indicted on campaign finance charges to turn over documents to Congress as part of the impeachment proceeding against President Donald Trump.
U.S. District Court Judge Paul Oetken granted Lev Parnas’ request to turn over to the House intelligence committee documents and data seized by federal investigators when Parnas was arrested in October.
Parnas’ attorney said in a court filing he expected to receive the materials from the U.S. Justice Department this week.
Parnas and another man, Igor Fruman, played key roles in efforts by Giuliani, Trump’s personal lawyer, to launch a Ukrainian corruption investigation against Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Parnas and Fruman were indicted in October on federal campaign finance violations related to a $325,000 donation to a group supporting Trump’s reelection. They have pleaded not guilty.
Parnas already has provided documents to the intelligence committee in response to a congressional subpoena. His attorney says he wants to provide more information that falls “within the scope” of the subpoena, including two batches of documents seized from his home and the contents of one of his iPhones, according to court filings.
“Review of these materials is essential to the Committee’s ability to corroborate the strength of Mr. Parnas’s potential testimony,” Parnas’ attorney, Joseph Bondy wrote in a filing.
Prosecutors did not object to Parnas turning over the information.


pbs--2020-01-07--Police, Secret Service mum after new incident at Mar-a-Lago

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. ( AP ) — There was an unspecified incident involving the Secret Service at President Donald Trump ’ s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida , but authorities would not say Tuesday what happened — the latest in a series of incidents at the club since the president took office three years ago .
Palm Beach police records show officers were called to Mar-a-Lago on Monday night to assist the Secret Service but most of the report is redacted , including the name of the individual who was contacted .
Police spokesman Michael Ogrodnick said the Secret Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter and his department has no comment .
The Secret Service asked that a request for comment be submitted by email .
It did not immediately respond to the email .
The president and his family were not at Mar-a-Lago on Monday .
They had left the club Sunday for Washington , D.C. , after spending the previous two weeks at the resort .
Security at the club and other Trump properties has been heightened since last week when the U.S. military killed a top Iranian general in a surprise attack in Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Trump departed from Palm Beach International Airport , a Florida man who had been dishonorably discharged from the Marines for sex offenses was arrested after authorities said he got past two checkpoints by falsely identifying himself as part of the president ’ s helicopter crew .
Mar-a-Lago has had its own security breaches , with at least three trespassing events over the past 14 months , two of them involving Chinese nationals .
Last month , Jing Lu , 56 , was confronted by the private club ’ s security officers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take photos , police said .
She then fled .
Palm Beach officers were called and arrested her about a mile ( 1.6 kilometers ) away in downtown Palm Beach ’ s tony shopping district .
Lu was charged with loitering and prowling .
Her case is pending .
Neither the president nor his family was at the club .
In March , Yujing Zhang , a 33-year-old Shanghai businesswoman , gained access to Mar-a-Lago by telling Secret Service agents she was there to swim .
Club staff then confused her for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her before she was stopped in the lobby by a suspicious clerk who alerted other agents .
Zhang was carrying a laptop , phones and other electronic gear , which led to initial speculation that she might be a spy , but she was never charged with espionage and text messages she exchanged with a trip organizer indicated she was a fan of the president and wanted to meet him or his family to discuss possible deals .
Zhang was found guilty in September of trespassing and lying to Secret Service agents .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ served and ordered deported .
In another Mar-a-Lago trespassing case , a University of Wisconsin student was arrested in November 2018 after he mixed in with guests being admitted to the club .
He pleaded guilty in May to a misdemeanor and received probation .
In the incidents involving Zhang and the Wisconsin student , Trump and his family were staying at the resort , but none were ever threatened .
Mar-a-Lago is more vulnerable to unlawful intrusion than previous presidential retreats because it is a working business that admits members and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even when the president is present .
With the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Florida ’ s Intracoastal Waterway to the west , Mar-a-Lago sits on the Palm Beach barrier island , a 128-room , 62,500-square-foot ( 5,8000-square-meter ) symbol of opulence and power .
The Trump family business doubled the initiation fee to $ 200,000 after the president was elected in 2016 .
He spends many weekends between November and April there , mingling with the club ’ s 500 members , who pay $ 14,000 in annual dues to belong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initiation fee .
Federal agencies spent about $ 3.4 million per Trump visit to the resort , much of it on security , according to an analysis of four 2017 trips by the U.S. Government Accountability Office .
The Secret Service doesn ’ t decide who is invited or welcome at the resort ; that responsibility belongs to the club .
Agents do screen guests outside the perimeter before they ’ re screened again inside .

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — There was an unspecified incident involving the Secret Service at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, but authorities would not say Tuesday what happened — the latest in a series of incidents at the club since the president took office three years ago.
Palm Beach police records show officers were called to Mar-a-Lago on Monday night to assist the Secret Service but most of the report is redacted, including the name of the individual who was contacted.
Police spokesman Michael Ogrodnick said the Secret Service is the lead investigative agency in the matter and his department has no comment. The Secret Service asked that a request for comment be submitted by email. It did not immediately respond to the email.
Security at the club and other Trump properties has been heightened since last week when the U.S. military killed a top Iranian general in a surprise attack in Iraq.
The president and his family were not at Mar-a-Lago on Monday. They had left the club Sunday for Washington, D.C., after spending the previous two weeks at the resort. Security at the club and other Trump properties has been heightened since last week when the U.S. military killed a top Iranian general in a surprise attack in Iraq.
On Sunday night, an hour before Trump departed from Palm Beach International Airport, a Florida man who had been dishonorably discharged from the Marines for sex offenses was arrested after authorities said he got past two checkpoints by falsely identifying himself as part of the president’s helicopter crew.
Mar-a-Lago has had its own security breaches, with at least three trespassing events over the past 14 months, two of them involving Chinese nationals.
Last month, Jing Lu, 56, was confronted by the private club’s security officers and told to leave, but she returned to take photos, police said. She then fled. Palm Beach officers were called and arrested her about a mile (1.6 kilometers) away in downtown Palm Beach’s tony shopping district. Lu was charged with loitering and prowling. Her case is pending. Neither the president nor his family was at the club.
In March, Yujing Zhang, a 33-year-old Shanghai businesswoman , gained access to Mar-a-Lago by telling Secret Service agents she was there to swim. Club staff then confused her for a member’s daughter and admitted her before she was stopped in the lobby by a suspicious clerk who alerted other agents.
Zhang was carrying a laptop, phones and other electronic gear, which led to initial speculation that she might be a spy, but she was never charged with espionage and text messages she exchanged with a trip organizer indicated she was a fan of the president and wanted to meet him or his family to discuss possible deals.
Zhang was found guilty in September of trespassing and lying to Secret Service agents. She was sentenced in November to time served and ordered deported.
In another Mar-a-Lago trespassing case, a University of Wisconsin student was arrested in November 2018 after he mixed in with guests being admitted to the club. He pleaded guilty in May to a misdemeanor and received probation.
In the incidents involving Zhang and the Wisconsin student, Trump and his family were staying at the resort, but none were ever threatened.
Mar-a-Lago is more vulnerable to unlawful intrusion than previous presidential retreats because it is a working business that admits members and their guests daily on to the grounds, even when the president is present.
With the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway to the west, Mar-a-Lago sits on the Palm Beach barrier island, a 128-room, 62,500-square-foot (5,8000-square-meter) symbol of opulence and power. The Trump family business doubled the initiation fee to $200,000 after the president was elected in 2016. He spends many weekends between November and April there, mingling with the club’s 500 members, who pay $14,000 in annual dues to belong. New members pay a $200,000 initiation fee.
Federal agencies spent about $3.4 million per Trump visit to the resort, much of it on security, according to an analysis of four 2017 trips by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The Secret Service doesn’t decide who is invited or welcome at the resort; that responsibility belongs to the club. Agents do screen guests outside the perimeter before they’re screened again inside.


pbs--2020-01-07--Court freezes woman's defamation suit against Trump

NEW YORK ( AP ) — A former “ Apprentice ” contestant ’ s lawsuit over President Donald Trump ’ s response to her sexual assault allegations was put on hold Tuesday , when a court froze the case until New York ’ s top court weighs whether to dismiss the case or delay it through his presidency .
The decision , by a midlevel state appeals court , holds off further proceedings and evidence-gathering — including sworn pretrial questioning of Trump — in Summer Zervos ’ defamation case .
The questioning had been due by Jan. 31 .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LLP said they were pleased with the ruling , which lets them take the case to the Court of Appeals , the state ’ s highest .
“ We believe that the Court of Appeals will agree that the U.S. Constitution bars state court actions while the president is in office , ” the firm said in a statement .
A request for comment was sent to Zervos ’ lawyers .
Zervos , a California restaurateur , appeared on “ The Apprentice ” when Trump hosted the show in 2006 .
She alleges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and groping when she sought career advice in 2007 .
She says he defamed her by calling her a liar when she came forward publicly during his 2016 presidential campaign .
Both he and she are Republicans .
The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted unless they come forward publicly .
Trump ’ s lawyers have argued that his statements weren ’ t defamatory and that the case should be postponed until after his presidency or dismissed altogether .
The midlevel appeals court ruled against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but on Monday gave him permission to take the case higher .
Zervos was among more than a dozen women who came forward during Trump ’ s 2016 campaign to accuse him of sexual assault or sexual harassment over the years .
Trump called them “ liars ” trying to harm him with “ 100 percent fabricated ” stories .
He also issued a statement denying Zervos ’ allegations and retweeted a message calling them “ a hoax.
” Zervos is seeking a retraction , an apology and damages .

NEW YORK (AP) — A former “Apprentice” contestant’s lawsuit over President Donald Trump’s response to her sexual assault allegations was put on hold Tuesday, when a court froze the case until New York’s top court weighs whether to dismiss the case or delay it through his presidency.
The decision, by a midlevel state appeals court, holds off further proceedings and evidence-gathering — including sworn pretrial questioning of Trump — in Summer Zervos’ defamation case. The questioning had been due by Jan. 31.
Trump’s lawyers at Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP said they were pleased with the ruling, which lets them take the case to the Court of Appeals, the state’s highest.
Zervos alleges the then-businessman subjected her to unwanted kissing and groping when she sought career advice in 2007.
“We believe that the Court of Appeals will agree that the U.S. Constitution bars state court actions while the president is in office,” the firm said in a statement.
A request for comment was sent to Zervos’ lawyers.
Zervos, a California restaurateur, appeared on “The Apprentice” when Trump hosted the show in 2006. She alleges the then-businessman subjected her to unwanted kissing and groping when she sought career advice in 2007.
She says he defamed her by calling her a liar when she came forward publicly during his 2016 presidential campaign. Both he and she are Republicans.
The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted unless they come forward publicly.
Trump’s lawyers have argued that his statements weren’t defamatory and that the case should be postponed until after his presidency or dismissed altogether.
The midlevel appeals court ruled against Trump in a 3-2 decision in March, but on Monday gave him permission to take the case higher.
Zervos was among more than a dozen women who came forward during Trump’s 2016 campaign to accuse him of sexual assault or sexual harassment over the years.
Trump called them “liars” trying to harm him with “100 percent fabricated” stories. He also issued a statement denying Zervos’ allegations and retweeted a message calling them “a hoax.”
Zervos is seeking a retraction, an apology and damages.


pbs--2020-01-07--California Rep. Duncan Hunter announces resignation

SAN DIEGO ( AP ) — Republican U.S. Rep. Duncan D. Hunter submitted his resignation Tuesday , effective Jan. 13 , after pleading guilty to a corruption charge , leaving one of the GOP ’ s few remaining House seats in heavily Democratic California .
Hunter ’ s departure ends his family ’ s political dynasty in which he and his father , Duncan L. Hunter , represented the San Diego County district for nearly 30 years .
The combat Marine veteran — a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump — served 11 years in Congress .
His two-page letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lists his accomplishments and doesn ’ t mention his criminal conviction .
There is no clear Republican favorite to succeed the conservative , immigration hardliner — one of the few congressmen to be re-elected while indicted .
After claiming to be the victim of a political witch hunt for more than a year , the 43-year-old Hunter pleaded guilty Dec. 3 to a single charge of conspiring with his wife to illegally spending at least $ 150,000 in campaign funds on personal expenses .
Among the improper spending were a birthday gathering for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotel and social outing with friends at a French bistro in Washington .
He is scheduled to be sentenced March 17 .
The judge could impose the maximum sentence of five years , but prosecutors have said they will ask for no more than a year of jail time .
His wife , Margaret Hunter , also pleaded guilty .
She is scheduled to be sentenced in April .
The August 2018 indictment accused Hunter of using $ 200,000 in campaign money to fund family travel , school tuition , jewelry , groceries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also spent the funds on extramarital affairs and flights for his family ’ s pet bunny .
He tried to conceal the illegal spending by listing it in federal records as donations for military veterans and other campaign-related expenses , according to the indictment .
Holding the 50th Congressional District , which has an 11-point Republican registration edge , will be critical if the party hopes to reclaim control of the House after losing it to Democrats in 2018 .
The district includes ethnically diverse suburbs at the edge of San Diego that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ east , including a small slice of Riverside County .
Hunter ’ s seat is being sought by numerous GOP contenders .
They include former Congressman Darrell Issa , one of the wealthiest lawmakers to serve when he represented parts of San Diego County and neighboring Orange County under the Obama administration .
Hunter ’ s father recently endorsed him .
Also running are Carl DeMaio , a former San Diego city councilman who now is a local political commentator and radio host ; and state Sen. Brian Jones , who highlights that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate who lives in the district east of San Diego .
Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar , a 30-year-old former Obama administration official who nearly defeated Hunter in 2018 , is widely expected to emerge from the March primary for a November showdown .
Under California election rules , the top two vote-getters in the March 3 primary advance to the general election , regardless of party affiliation .
Democrats captured a string of GOP-held House seats in California in 2018 , leaving Republicans holding only seven districts among the state ’ s 53 House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed to this report .

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Republican U.S. Rep. Duncan D. Hunter submitted his resignation Tuesday, effective Jan. 13, after pleading guilty to a corruption charge, leaving one of the GOP’s few remaining House seats in heavily Democratic California.
Hunter’s departure ends his family’s political dynasty in which he and his father, Duncan L. Hunter, represented the San Diego County district for nearly 30 years. The combat Marine veteran — a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump — served 11 years in Congress.
His two-page letter of resignation to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lists his accomplishments and doesn’t mention his criminal conviction.
There is no clear Republican favorite to succeed the conservative, immigration hardliner — one of the few congressmen to be re-elected while indicted.
After claiming to be the victim of a political witch hunt for more than a year, the 43-year-old Hunter pleaded guilty Dec. 3 to a single charge of conspiring with his wife to illegally spending at least $150,000 in campaign funds on personal expenses. Among the improper spending were a birthday gathering for his young daughter at a posh California hotel and social outing with friends at a French bistro in Washington.
He is scheduled to be sentenced March 17. The judge could impose the maximum sentence of five years, but prosecutors have said they will ask for no more than a year of jail time. His wife, Margaret Hunter, also pleaded guilty. She is scheduled to be sentenced in April.
The August 2018 indictment accused Hunter of using $200,000 in campaign money to fund family travel, school tuition, jewelry, groceries, gas etc. Prosecutors said he also spent the funds on extramarital affairs and flights for his family’s pet bunny. He tried to conceal the illegal spending by listing it in federal records as donations for military veterans and other campaign-related expenses, according to the indictment.
Holding the 50th Congressional District, which has an 11-point Republican registration edge, will be critical if the party hopes to reclaim control of the House after losing it to Democrats in 2018. The district includes ethnically diverse suburbs at the edge of San Diego that fade into farming and mountainous areas to east, including a small slice of Riverside County.
Hunter’s seat is being sought by numerous GOP contenders. They include former Congressman Darrell Issa, one of the wealthiest lawmakers to serve when he represented parts of San Diego County and neighboring Orange County under the Obama administration. Hunter’s father recently endorsed him. Also running are Carl DeMaio, a former San Diego city councilman who now is a local political commentator and radio host; and state Sen. Brian Jones, who highlights that he’s the only major Republican candidate who lives in the district east of San Diego.
Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar, a 30-year-old former Obama administration official who nearly defeated Hunter in 2018, is widely expected to emerge from the March primary for a November showdown.
Under California election rules, the top two vote-getters in the March 3 primary advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.
Democrats captured a string of GOP-held House seats in California in 2018, leaving Republicans holding only seven districts among the state’s 53 House seats.
Associated Press writer Elliot Spagat contributed to this report.


pbs--2020-01-07--Warren's new bankruptcy plan could spark a clash with Biden

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Sen. Elizabeth Warren is promising to remake the nation ’ s consumer bankruptcy system if elected president , returning to her political roots while also potentially picking a fight with a top rival for the Democratic nomination , former Vice President Joe Biden .
The Massachusetts senator on Tuesday unveiled a plan she said would make the process of declaring bankruptcy easier and cheaper for many Americans with debts they can ’ t pay .
It also would largely undo a 2005 law that was backed by Biden and financial industry interests with a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Delaware .
Warren , then a bankruptcy expert and professor at Harvard Law School , clashed with then-Sen. Biden while the law was being debated in Congress — a dust-up she referenced in announcing her new plan .
“ By making it harder for people to discharge their debts and keep current on their house payments , the 2005 bill made the 2008 financial crisis significantly worse : experts found that the bill ‘ caused about 800,000 additional mortgage defaults and 250,000 additional foreclosures , ’ ” Warren wrote in an online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the industry and their allies in Congress that the 2005 bill would reduce credit card costs across the board for consumers , the cost of credit card debt went up too.
” “ I lost that fight in 2005 , and working families paid the price , ” she added .
It ’ s a sign that Warren is seeking to shift focus to domestic policies that have made her the candidate who “ has a plan ” for top issues at a time when the 2020 campaign could be consumed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s potentially a strength for Biden , given his experience with foreign policy in the Senate and the Obama administration .
Biden spoke Tuesday in New York about President Donald Trump ’ s decision to approve an airstrike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
His remarks follow several days of campaigning in which he seemed uncertain of how much to highlight his foreign policy resume .
Warren has also talked about Iran , calling Soleimani ’ s killing an assassination .
But Tuesday ’ s plan is especially close to her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of Texas , she studied bankruptcy cases nationwide and concluded that , rather than overspending , many people declaring bankruptcy were doing so because the economy “ forced them to take on more debt and more risk to cling to their place in America ’ s middle class .
And that meant one bad break could send them tumbling over the edge.
” Her extensive study of and writings on bankruptcy made her an expert on the subject when she moved to the faculty of Harvard Law School — and helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years before Warren was elected to the Senate .
During a Senate hearing in 2005 , Warren and Biden went back-and-forth , with Biden mentioning credit card companies and saying the problem was not with a bankruptcy proposal that eventually would became law but with borrowing rules .
Warren responded , “ You can ’ t take away the last shred of protection for these families , ” which prompted Biden to concede , “ You ’ re very good , professor.
” Now that Warren is saying she wants to roll back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her supporters see a showdown coming .
“ When thinking about electability , it would be complete malpractice to nominate someone who conspired in backrooms for years with credit card lobbyists and voted for every corporate bankruptcy bill , Wall Street deregulation , and trade deal that voters hate , ” Adam Green , co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee , said in a statement .
“ Biden would ironically cede the outsider mantle to a corrupt incumbent president.
” Warren has feuded for weeks with another candidate bunched with her and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
Sharpening her rhetoric against Biden would put Warren more in line with a fellow White House hopeful competing for the Democratic Party ’ s left flank , Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders .
He has for months criticized the former vice president , including saying Monday on CNN that Biden once wanted to cut Social Security and Medicare while in the Senate .
Warren says her plan will also “ end the absurd rules that make it nearly impossible to discharge student loan debt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those doing so to keep their homes and cars “ so they can start from a firm foundation when they start to pick up the pieces and rebuild their financial lives.
” She also said she ’ d work to address “ shameful ” racial and gender disparities in the current system .

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Elizabeth Warren is promising to remake the nation’s consumer bankruptcy system if elected president, returning to her political roots while also potentially picking a fight with a top rival for the Democratic nomination, former Vice President Joe Biden.
The Massachusetts senator on Tuesday unveiled a plan she said would make the process of declaring bankruptcy easier and cheaper for many Americans with debts they can’t pay. It also would largely undo a 2005 law that was backed by Biden and financial industry interests with a lot of political clout in his home state of Delaware. Warren, then a bankruptcy expert and professor at Harvard Law School, clashed with then-Sen. Biden while the law was being debated in Congress — a dust-up she referenced in announcing her new plan.
“By making it harder for people to discharge their debts and keep current on their house payments, the 2005 bill made the 2008 financial crisis significantly worse: experts found that the bill ‘caused about 800,000 additional mortgage defaults and 250,000 additional foreclosures,’” Warren wrote in an online post. “And despite the claims from the industry and their allies in Congress that the 2005 bill would reduce credit card costs across the board for consumers, the cost of credit card debt went up too.”
“I lost that fight in 2005, and working families paid the price,” she added.
It’s a sign that Warren is seeking to shift focus to domestic policies that have made her the candidate who “has a plan” for top issues at a time when the 2020 campaign could be consumed by rising U.S. tensions with Iran. That’s potentially a strength for Biden, given his experience with foreign policy in the Senate and the Obama administration.
Biden spoke Tuesday in New York about President Donald Trump’s decision to approve an airstrike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. His remarks follow several days of campaigning in which he seemed uncertain of how much to highlight his foreign policy resume.
Warren has also talked about Iran, calling Soleimani’s killing an assassination. But Tuesday’s plan is especially close to her heart. As a law professor at the University of Texas, she studied bankruptcy cases nationwide and concluded that, rather than overspending, many people declaring bankruptcy were doing so because the economy “forced them to take on more debt and more risk to cling to their place in America’s middle class. And that meant one bad break could send them tumbling over the edge.”
Her extensive study of and writings on bankruptcy made her an expert on the subject when she moved to the faculty of Harvard Law School — and helped prompt a fight with Biden, seven years before Warren was elected to the Senate.
During a Senate hearing in 2005, Warren and Biden went back-and-forth, with Biden mentioning credit card companies and saying the problem was not with a bankruptcy proposal that eventually would became law but with borrowing rules. Warren responded, “You can’t take away the last shred of protection for these families,” which prompted Biden to concede, “You’re very good, professor.”
Now that Warren is saying she wants to roll back many of those provisions, some of her supporters see a showdown coming.
“When thinking about electability, it would be complete malpractice to nominate someone who conspired in backrooms for years with credit card lobbyists and voted for every corporate bankruptcy bill, Wall Street deregulation, and trade deal that voters hate,” Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, said in a statement. “Biden would ironically cede the outsider mantle to a corrupt incumbent president.”
Warren has feuded for weeks with another candidate bunched with her and Biden for Democratic primary front-runner status: former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
Sharpening her rhetoric against Biden would put Warren more in line with a fellow White House hopeful competing for the Democratic Party’s left flank, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. He has for months criticized the former vice president, including saying Monday on CNN that Biden once wanted to cut Social Security and Medicare while in the Senate.
Warren says her plan will also “end the absurd rules that make it nearly impossible to discharge student loan debt in bankruptcy” and allow for many of those doing so to keep their homes and cars “so they can start from a firm foundation when they start to pick up the pieces and rebuild their financial lives.” She also said she’d work to address “shameful” racial and gender disparities in the current system.


pbs--2020-01-07--Trump retreats from threat to attack Iranian cultural sites

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday backed away from his threats to target Iranian cultural sites if Iran retaliates against the U.S. for killing one of its top generals .
After first tweeting the threat and later reiterating it to reporters as he flew back to Washington over the weekend , Trump retreated Tuesday , saying , “ I like to obey the law.
” But he still sounded offended by the idea that such sites would be off limits during armed conflict .
“ Think of it , ” Trump said during an Oval Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They blow up our people .
And then we have to be very gentle with their cultural institutions ?
” Trump added : “ But I ’ m OK with it .
It ’ s OK with me.
” He then issued yet another stern warning to Iran to stand down , saying , “ If Iran does anything they shouldn ’ t be doing , they are going to be suffering the consequences , and very strongly.
” On Monday , Defense Secretary Mike Esper had distanced the Pentagon from Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sites despite international prohibitions on such activity .
Esper said the U.S. will “ follow the laws of armed conflict.
” Asked if that ruled out targeting cultural sites , Esper pointedly added , “ That ’ s the laws of armed conflict.
” It all began over the weekend when Trump tweeted Saturday that if Iran attacked any American assets to avenge the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani , the U.S. had 52 targets across the Islamic Republic that “ WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD.
” He added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Iranian culture.
” Anger spread quickly across Iran , and Trump repeated the threat to reporters traveling with him as he flew back to Washington on Sunday after spending two weeks at his Florida resort .
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran escalated sharply after Trump ordered a drone strike in Iraq that killed Soleimani , head of Iran ’ s powerful Quds Force .
The U.S. has said Soleimani was killed because he was making plans to attack American diplomats and service members in the Middle East .
Targeting cultural sites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hague Convention for their protection .
Separately , in 2017 , the U.N. Security Council unanimously passed a resolution condemning the destruction of heritage sites .
Attacks by the Islamic State group and other armed factions in Syria and Iraq prompted that vote .
UNESCO , the United Nations ’ cultural agency , has called on governments to remember that cultural sites are not targets .
Trump ’ s tweet also caused concern in Washington .
One U.S. national security official said the threat against Iranian cultural sites had caught many in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his government , including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , to clarify the matter .
The official , who was not authorized to speak publicly to the issue , called such a clarification necessary to affirm that the U.S. military would not intentionally commit war crimes .
When asked about the president ’ s tweet , Pompeo said Sunday that the U.S. will “ behave ” within the law .
Questioned about the matter again Tuesday , Pompeo said every action taken by the U.S. “ will be consistent with the international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not specifically rule out Iranian cultural sites .
He then blamed Iran for damaging its culture .
Iran is home to two dozen UNESCO World Heritage Sites , including Persepolis , with its ancient ruins that date to 518 B.C .
; the 17th century grand mosque of Isfahan , located in a teeming bazaar ; and the Golestan Palace in the heart of Tehran , where the last shah to rule Iran , Mohammad Reza Pahlavi , was crowned in 1967 .

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday backed away from his threats to target Iranian cultural sites if Iran retaliates against the U.S. for killing one of its top generals.
Targeting cultural sites is a war crime.
After first tweeting the threat and later reiterating it to reporters as he flew back to Washington over the weekend, Trump retreated Tuesday, saying, “I like to obey the law.”
Targeting cultural sites is a war crime.
But he still sounded offended by the idea that such sites would be off limits during armed conflict.
“Think of it,” Trump said during an Oval Office appearance. “They kill our people. They blow up our people. And then we have to be very gentle with their cultural institutions?”
Trump added: “But I’m OK with it. It’s OK with me.” He then issued yet another stern warning to Iran to stand down, saying, “If Iran does anything they shouldn’t be doing, they are going to be suffering the consequences, and very strongly.”
On Monday, Defense Secretary Mike Esper had distanced the Pentagon from Trump’s threats to bomb Iranian cultural sites despite international prohibitions on such activity.
Esper said the U.S. will “follow the laws of armed conflict.” Asked if that ruled out targeting cultural sites, Esper pointedly added, “That’s the laws of armed conflict.”
It all began over the weekend when Trump tweeted Saturday that if Iran attacked any American assets to avenge the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the U.S. had 52 targets across the Islamic Republic that “WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD.”
He added that some are “important to Iran & Iranian culture.”
Anger spread quickly across Iran, and Trump repeated the threat to reporters traveling with him as he flew back to Washington on Sunday after spending two weeks at his Florida resort.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran escalated sharply after Trump ordered a drone strike in Iraq that killed Soleimani, head of Iran’s powerful Quds Force. The U.S. has said Soleimani was killed because he was making plans to attack American diplomats and service members in the Middle East.
Targeting cultural sites is a war crime under the 1954 Hague Convention for their protection. Separately, in 2017, the U.N. Security Council unanimously passed a resolution condemning the destruction of heritage sites. Attacks by the Islamic State group and other armed factions in Syria and Iraq prompted that vote.
UNESCO, the United Nations’ cultural agency, has called on governments to remember that cultural sites are not targets.
Trump’s tweet also caused concern in Washington. One U.S. national security official said the threat against Iranian cultural sites had caught many in his administration off-guard and prompted calls for others in his government, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to clarify the matter. The official, who was not authorized to speak publicly to the issue, called such a clarification necessary to affirm that the U.S. military would not intentionally commit war crimes.
When asked about the president’s tweet, Pompeo said Sunday that the U.S. will “behave” within the law. Questioned about the matter again Tuesday, Pompeo said every action taken by the U.S. “will be consistent with the international rule of law,” though he did not specifically rule out Iranian cultural sites.
He then blamed Iran for damaging its culture.
Iran is home to two dozen UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Persepolis, with its ancient ruins that date to 518 B.C.; the 17th century grand mosque of Isfahan, located in a teeming bazaar; and the Golestan Palace in the heart of Tehran, where the last shah to rule Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was crowned in 1967.


pbs--2020-01-07--In 2020, watch for these blockbuster Supreme Court cases

The U.S. Supreme Court begins the second half of a potentially historic term — with arguments involving abortion , President Donald Trump ’ s financial records and funds for religious schools , among others — in the shadow of a presidential impeachment trial .
In addition to the Senate trial , over which Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. is expected to preside , the ongoing presidential election campaign and a docket chock full of politically controversial cases have brewed a fraught environment for justices who want the public to believe the high court stands apart from politics .
This term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one blockbuster case every month .
That pattern is likely to continue in the next four argument sessions this year .
Before taking a look forward at the term ’ s second half , here ’ s a quick look back at key cases already argued and awaiting the justices ’ final decisions .
Those decisions could be announced any day now .
READ MORE : These Supreme Court cases could reveal the justices ’ deepest disagreements During the October session , a trio of cases critical to LGBT workers dominated news out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will decide whether the federal law ’ s prohibition against employers discriminating because of a worker ’ s sex also includes discrimination because of sexual orientation and transgender status .
November brought arguments in the Trump administration ’ s long-running legal battle to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy , which has delayed deportation of an estimated 700,000 qualified children of undocumented parents .
In December , the justices took up their first Second Amendment gun rights case in a decade .
This case involves a challenge to the now-defunct New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guns outside of the city .
But the justices may not issue the significant Second Amendment ruling that gun rights groups are hoping for because the city changed its gun ordinance — there may be no genuine controversy left for the court to decide .
READ MORE : The Supreme Court could take on these 2 major gun lawsuits .
Here ’ s what to watch There were , of course , other difficult and significant cases argued in those three months .
The justices may break new ground on race discrimination in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Comcast .
The oversight and management of Puerto Rico ’ s billion-dollar debt is the backdrop of a major appointments clause challenge .
And an important environmental case calls on the justices to decide when Clean Water Act permits are required to control pollution of navigable waters .
Moving forward into 2020 , keep an eye on the following cases : On Jan. 22 , the justices will hear arguments in their major religion case of the term , Espinoza v. Montana Dept .
of Revenue .
They will examine a Montana Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because it violated the state constitution ’ s ban on “ direct or indirect ” public funding of religiously affiliated educational programs .
Although the argument date is March 4 , the court ’ s abortion case falls on the February argument calendar .
In June Medical Services v. Gee , an abortion clinic and physicians challenge Louisiana ’ s law requiring abortion physicians to have admitting hospital privileges within 30 miles of their clinic .
The state law is nearly identical to a Texas law that the justices struck down by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration is urging the justices to overrule that 2016 decision .
Anti-abortion groups are asking the justices to overrule their landmark abortion decisions , Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood of S.E .
Pennsylvania v. Casey .
The March argument calendar will bring the showdown over subpoenas for Trump ’ s financial records sought by a state grand jury and U.S. House investigating committees .
Trump has lost his fight to keep the records secret in three federal courts .
Trump ’ s lawyers have argued that the congressional committees had no “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and they argue he has nearly absolute immunity from the grand jury subpoena .
No argument date has been announced yet .
The justices have not announced which cases will be argued in April — the final month of oral arguments .
But here is a prediction for a possible final likely blockbuster .
Last week the Democratic-controlled U.S. House and 20 Democratic-led states formally asked the Supreme Court for a fast-track review of a federal appellate court decision in December that struck down the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to the federal district court to determine whether the mandate could be severed from the act , or if the whole law had to fall .
That court earlier had ruled the entire law was unconstitutional after Congress eliminated the mandate ’ s penalty .
The Trump administration has supported the Republican-led state coalition arguing that the entire law is unconstitutional .
“ We ’ re asking the Supreme Court to swiftly resolve this repeal lawsuit for the sake of saving lives and ending uncertainty in our healthcare system , ” California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the states ’ legal defense of the health care law , said in a statement .
The high court usually stops adding cases for argument in the term by mid-January .
The justices also are reluctant to hear cases that have not completed their trip through the lower courts .
But the Supreme Court can do whatever it wants .
Keep an eye on this one .

The U.S. Supreme Court begins the second half of a potentially historic term — with arguments involving abortion, President Donald Trump’s financial records and funds for religious schools, among others — in the shadow of a presidential impeachment trial.
In addition to the Senate trial, over which Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. is expected to preside, the ongoing presidential election campaign and a docket chock full of politically controversial cases have brewed a fraught environment for justices who want the public to believe the high court stands apart from politics.
This term, the justices have heard at least one blockbuster case every month. That pattern is likely to continue in the next four argument sessions this year. Before taking a look forward at the term’s second half, here’s a quick look back at key cases already argued and awaiting the justices’ final decisions. Those decisions could be announced any day now.
READ MORE: These Supreme Court cases could reveal the justices’ deepest disagreements
During the October session, a trio of cases critical to LGBT workers dominated news out of the high court. The justices will decide whether the federal law’s prohibition against employers discriminating because of a worker’s sex also includes discrimination because of sexual orientation and transgender status.
November brought arguments in the Trump administration’s long-running legal battle to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, which has delayed deportation of an estimated 700,000 qualified children of undocumented parents.
In December, the justices took up their first Second Amendment gun rights case in a decade. This case involves a challenge to the now-defunct New York City restrictions on the transport of guns outside of the city. But the justices may not issue the significant Second Amendment ruling that gun rights groups are hoping for because the city changed its gun ordinance — there may be no genuine controversy left for the court to decide.
READ MORE: The Supreme Court could take on these 2 major gun lawsuits. Here’s what to watch
There were, of course, other difficult and significant cases argued in those three months. The justices may break new ground on race discrimination in contracts– in a case involving telecom giant Comcast. The oversight and management of Puerto Rico’s billion-dollar debt is the backdrop of a major appointments clause challenge. And an important environmental case calls on the justices to decide when Clean Water Act permits are required to control pollution of navigable waters.
Moving forward into 2020, keep an eye on the following cases:
January
On Jan. 22, the justices will hear arguments in their major religion case of the term, Espinoza v. Montana Dept. of Revenue. They will examine a Montana Supreme Court decision striking down a scholarship program because it violated the state constitution’s ban on “direct or indirect” public funding of religiously affiliated educational programs.
February
Although the argument date is March 4, the court’s abortion case falls on the February argument calendar. In June Medical Services v. Gee, an abortion clinic and physicians challenge Louisiana’s law requiring abortion physicians to have admitting hospital privileges within 30 miles of their clinic. The state law is nearly identical to a Texas law that the justices struck down by a 5-3 vote in 2016. The Trump administration is urging the justices to overrule that 2016 decision. Anti-abortion groups are asking the justices to overrule their landmark abortion decisions, Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood of S.E. Pennsylvania v. Casey.
March
The March argument calendar will bring the showdown over subpoenas for Trump’s financial records sought by a state grand jury and U.S. House investigating committees. Trump has lost his fight to keep the records secret in three federal courts. Trump’s lawyers have argued that the congressional committees had no “legislative purpose” in issuing the subpoenas, and they argue he has nearly absolute immunity from the grand jury subpoena. No argument date has been announced yet.
April
The justices have not announced which cases will be argued in April — the final month of oral arguments. But here is a prediction for a possible final likely blockbuster. Last week the Democratic-controlled U.S. House and 20 Democratic-led states formally asked the Supreme Court for a fast-track review of a federal appellate court decision in December that struck down the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act. The appellate court sent the case back to the federal district court to determine whether the mandate could be severed from the act, or if the whole law had to fall. That court earlier had ruled the entire law was unconstitutional after Congress eliminated the mandate’s penalty.
The Trump administration has supported the Republican-led state coalition arguing that the entire law is unconstitutional.
“We’re asking the Supreme Court to swiftly resolve this repeal lawsuit for the sake of saving lives and ending uncertainty in our healthcare system,” California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who leads the states’ legal defense of the health care law, said in a statement.
The high court usually stops adding cases for argument in the term by mid-January. The justices also are reluctant to hear cases that have not completed their trip through the lower courts. But the Supreme Court can do whatever it wants. Keep an eye on this one.


pbs--2020-01-07--WATCH: Trump pressed to explain motivation for Iran general's killing

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — President Donald Trump and his top advisers are under pressure to disclose more detail about the intelligence that led him to order the killing of top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani , which has greatly heightened tension with Tehran .
Trump said Tuesday that his decision saved American lives and that members of Congress will be briefed on the reasons for the U.S. attack .
“ We saved a lot of lives , ” Trump said .
“ They were planning something.
” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it was clear that Soleimani was continuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities “ that were going to lead potentially to the death of many more Americans.
” Defense Secretary Mark Esper told reporters that Iranian threats against Americans were “ days away ” from being executed .
Democratic lawmakers are not yet convinced .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Bob Menendez , the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , called on Trump to declassify the written notification the president sent to Congress after the fatal strike on Soleimani .
The notification was required under the War Powers Resolution Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to report to Congress when American forces are sent into hostile or imminently hostile situations .
“ It is critical that national security matters of such import be shared with the American people in a timely manner , ” the senators wrote .
“ An entirely classified notification is simply not appropriate in a democratic society , and there appears to be no legitimate justification for classifying this notification .
”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and his top advisers are under pressure to disclose more detail about the intelligence that led him to order the killing of top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, which has greatly heightened tension with Tehran.
Trump said Tuesday that his decision saved American lives and that members of Congress will be briefed on the reasons for the U.S. attack.
“We saved a lot of lives,” Trump said. “They were planning something.”
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it was clear that Soleimani was continuing his efforts to build a network of activities “that were going to lead potentially to the death of many more Americans.”
Defense Secretary Mark Esper told reporters that Iranian threats against Americans were “days away” from being executed.
Democratic lawmakers are not yet convinced.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called on Trump to declassify the written notification the president sent to Congress after the fatal strike on Soleimani. The notification was required under the War Powers Resolution Act of 1973, which requires the president to report to Congress when American forces are sent into hostile or imminently hostile situations.
“It is critical that national security matters of such import be shared with the American people in a timely manner,” the senators wrote. “An entirely classified notification is simply not appropriate in a democratic society, and there appears to be no legitimate justification for classifying this notification.”
AP’s Kevin Freking and Deb Riechmann wrote this report.


pbs--2020-01-07--WATCH: GOP will start impeachment trial and delay witnesses, McConnell says

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday he has secured the Republican votes needed to start President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial and postpone a decision on witnesses or documents that Democrats want .
McConnell is expected to launch the trial as soon as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sends the articles of impeachment to the Senate .
She is set to meet late Tuesday with her leadership team .
“ We have the votes , ” McConnell told reporters .
He said the question of new witnesses will be addressed later “ and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader told senators at their closed-door lunch Tuesday has support for his plan , which is modeled after Bill Clinton ’ s impeachment trial 20 years ago .
It would start the trial first and postpone votes on witnesses until later in the process .
“ He has 51 , for sure , ” ‘ said Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , a top ally of the president , exiting the meeting .
Democrats are ramping up pressure on Republicans to insist on hearing from former national security adviser John Bolton and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with McConnell ’ s proposal to put off voting on new testimony until later .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calls it a “ trap.
” “ The Republican leader seems more concerned with being able to claim he went through the constitutional motions than actually carrying out our constitutional duty , ” Schumer said Tuesday .
He called it an “ Alice in Wonderland logic.
” Just four GOP senators would be needed to deny McConnell his majority , but he appears to have locked up the votes .
GOP leaders were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support .
Several GOP senators have indicated they want to hear from Bolton and other witnesses , but they are nevertheless standing with McConnell ’ s plan for starting the trial .
Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , said Tuesday the Clinton process “ provided a pathway ” to start the trial and consider witnesses “ down the road.
” He said he supports it .
“ I ’ m comfortable with that process , ” Romney said .
“ And at this stage , I ’ d like to hear from John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information , but that process will accommodate that.
” Sen. Susan Collins , R-Maine , has also said she supports McConnell ’ s approach .
Others say they are not sure they even need to hear from Bolton or other witnesses .
“ It ’ s not that I don ’ t want to hear from him , ” said Sen. Thom Tillis , R-N.C. “ I want to hear from him when the House is willing to do their work and have the same agreement with the ambassador on their side of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he abused the power of the presidency by pressuring Ukraine ’ s new leader to investigate Democrats , using as leverage $ 400 million in military assistance that is critical for the ally as it counters Russia at its border .
The funding for Ukraine was eventually released but only after Congress intervened .
AP ’ s Lisa MAscaro , Mary Clare Jalonick and Alan Fram wrote this report .
Associated Press writer Padmananda Rama in Washington contributed to this report .

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday he has secured the Republican votes needed to start President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial and postpone a decision on witnesses or documents that Democrats want.
McConnell is expected to launch the trial as soon as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sends the articles of impeachment to the Senate. She is set to meet late Tuesday with her leadership team.
“We have the votes,” McConnell told reporters. He said the question of new witnesses will be addressed later “and not before the trial begins.”
The GOP leader told senators at their closed-door lunch Tuesday has support for his plan, which is modeled after Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial 20 years ago. It would start the trial first and postpone votes on witnesses until later in the process.
“He has 51, for sure,”‘ said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a top ally of the president, exiting the meeting.
Democrats are ramping up pressure on Republicans to insist on hearing from former national security adviser John Bolton and other witnesses, and not to go along with McConnell’s proposal to put off voting on new testimony until later. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calls it a “trap.”
“The Republican leader seems more concerned with being able to claim he went through the constitutional motions than actually carrying out our constitutional duty,” Schumer said Tuesday. He called it an “Alice in Wonderland logic.”
Just four GOP senators would be needed to deny McConnell his majority, but he appears to have locked up the votes. GOP leaders were conducting a whip count Tuesday to gauge support. Several GOP senators have indicated they want to hear from Bolton and other witnesses, but they are nevertheless standing with McConnell’s plan for starting the trial.
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said Tuesday the Clinton process “provided a pathway” to start the trial and consider witnesses “down the road.” He said he supports it.
“I’m comfortable with that process,” Romney said. “And at this stage, I’d like to hear from John Bolton and other witnesses with the right information, but that process will accommodate that.”
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, has also said she supports McConnell’s approach. Others say they are not sure they even need to hear from Bolton or other witnesses.
“It’s not that I don’t want to hear from him,”said Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. “I want to hear from him when the House is willing to do their work and have the same agreement with the ambassador on their side of the Hill.”
Trump faces charges that he abused the power of the presidency by pressuring Ukraine’s new leader to investigate Democrats, using as leverage $400 million in military assistance that is critical for the ally as it counters Russia at its border.
The funding for Ukraine was eventually released but only after Congress intervened.
AP’s Lisa MAscaro, Mary Clare Jalonick and Alan Fram wrote this report. Associated Press writer Padmananda Rama in Washington contributed to this report.


pbs--2020-01-07--WATCH: Biden says Iran escalation shows Trump 'incapable of world leadership'

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said Tuesday that President Donald Trump ’ s escalation of tensions with Iran proves him to be “ dangerously incompetent ” and puts the U.S. on the brink of war .
Speaking in New York , Biden said Trump used a “ haphazard ” decision-making process to order the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and has failed to communicate the rationale to Congress or U.S. allies around the world .
Biden said Trump instead offered “ tweets , threats and tantrums ” that prove the Republican president to be “ dangerously incompetent and incapable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on accountability , ” Biden said , urging Trump to consult with Congress on acts of war , as required by the Constitution .
“ No one wants war .
But it ’ s going to take hard work to make sure we don ’ t end up there accidentally.
” The former vice president ’ s remarks were part of his second major foreign policy address of the campaign .
This one comes less than a month before the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses begin Democrats ’ 2020 voting , with Biden attempting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both to Trump and his Democratic competitors .
But the moment presents challenges for the 77-year-old candidate with nearly five decades in Washington .
While his resume is longer than any Democratic presidential rival ’ s , it comes with complications .
Progressives hoping to make the world less militaristic point to Biden ’ s 2002 vote authorizing the U.S. invasion of Iraq , suggesting that muddies his warnings about another Middle Eastern war .
Alternately , Trump and Republicans cast Biden as indecisive or weak , seizing on his opposition to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Kuwait and his reluctance about the raid that killed Sept. 11 mastermind Osama bin Laden in 2011 , when Biden was President Barack Obama ’ s No .
2 .
READ MORE : What does Joe Biden believe ?
Where the candidate stands on 8 issues Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders , a Vermont senator who voted against President George W. Bush ’ s Iraq war powers request , calls it “ baggage.
” Former Bush and Obama Defense Secretary Robert Gates wrote in his memoir that Biden has been “ wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security issue ” for 40 years .
Biden himself has been inconsistent in his pitch to voters , seemingly confident that searing criticism of Trump and implicit contrasts with less-seasoned Democrats are enough .
“ I ’ ve met every single world leader ” a U.S. president must know , Biden tells voters at some stops .
“ On a first-name basis , ” he ’ ll add on occasion .
The Biden campaign ’ s most viral moment was a video last month , titled “ Laughed At , ” showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palace reception held during a NATO summit in London .
Biden told reporters last month that foreign policy isn ’ t in his Democratic opponents ’ “ wheelhouse , ” even if they “ can learn.
” Demonstrating his knowledge , Biden veered into explaining the chemistry and physics of “ SS-18 silos , ” old Soviet missiles .
“ It ’ s just what I ’ ve done my whole life , ” he said .
He ’ s since touted endorsements from former Secretary of State John Kerry and members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence .
Yet Biden doesn ’ t always connect the dots with an explicit appeal to voters .
In Iowa last weekend , Biden called the Iran crisis “ totally of Donald Trump ’ s making , ” tracing Soleimani ’ s killing back to Trump withdrawing from a multilateral deal in which Iran had agreed to curtail its nuclear program .
As he said again Tuesday in New York , the pact “ was working , serving America ’ s interests and the region ’ s interests.
” Biden told another Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who provides a steady leadership on Day One , ” but he never discussed his role in the Iran deal or Obama ’ s foreign policy generally .
“ Foreign policy , commander in chief is a big deal to people , ” he said last month , less because of a single issue and more because of Trump .
“ They just know something ’ s not right .
It ’ s uncomfortable.
” Biden in July offered what had been his sweeping foreign policy declaration to date , with a speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power but one that must lead international coalitions and focus on diplomacy .
He pledged to end “ forever wars ” but did not rule out military force .
He made clear he values small-scale operations of special forces while being more skeptical of larger , extended missions of ground forces .
His advisers believe that reflects most Americans .
“ They don ’ t want the United States to retreat from the world … but they also don ’ t want us overextended without any rational strategy or exit plan , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top foreign policy adviser , who has worked with him since he was the Democratic leader on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee .
As vice president , Biden was at Obama ’ s side for every major national security decision for eight years .
Biden led the administration ’ s efforts to help Ukraine counter Russian aggression and on Iraq as the administration moved to bring the war it inherited there to an end .
But Biden wasn ’ t always in lockstep with Obama on major issues .
He was among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raid .
Biden ’ s explanation has changed over the years , varying from saying he recommended Obama wait for clearer identification of bin Laden at the Pakistan compound where he was killed to later saying he privately told Obama to go ahead .
Blinken said Biden was never against pursuing bin Laden , as some Republicans say .
Recalling how Biden immediately relayed his final private conversation with Obama , Blinken said Biden told the president to “ trust your instincts.
” Biden also lost an initial debate on Afghanistan shortly after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge forces , pushing instead for a focus on counterterrorism that would have required a smaller military footprint on the ground .
Obama ultimately deployed 30,000 troops to Afghanistan .
That could be viewed as a lesson learned after Biden initially voted to support Bush ’ s 2002 request to use force in Iraq .
Blinken said , though , that didn ’ t necessarily mean Biden ever changed philosophy .
His 2002 vote , Blinken said , was based on the president arguing he needed war power only as leverage for Iraqi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspectors .
That worked , Blinken said , then Bush decided to “ go to war anyway.
” Ultimately , Biden and his team believe voters are more interested in candidates ’ overall profiles than in litigating old debates .
“ At every major turning point in history , he ’ s played a central role , ” Blinken said .
“ There is now a premium on exactly that kind of experience , and the wisdom and judgment that flow from it.
” AP ’ s Bill Barrow wrote this report .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Associated Press writer Thomas Beaumont in Des Moines , Iowa , contributed to this report .

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s escalation of tensions with Iran proves him to be “dangerously incompetent” and puts the U.S. on the brink of war.
Speaking in New York, Biden said Trump used a “haphazard” decision-making process to order the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and has failed to communicate the rationale to Congress or U.S. allies around the world. Biden said Trump instead offered “tweets, threats and tantrums” that prove the Republican president to be “dangerously incompetent and incapable of world leadership.”
“No one wants war. But it’s going to take hard work to make sure we don’t end up there accidentally.”
“Democracy runs on accountability,” Biden said, urging Trump to consult with Congress on acts of war, as required by the Constitution. “No one wants war. But it’s going to take hard work to make sure we don’t end up there accidentally.”
The former vice president’s remarks were part of his second major foreign policy address of the campaign. This one comes less than a month before the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses begin Democrats’ 2020 voting, with Biden attempting to highlight his international experience in contrast both to Trump and his Democratic competitors.
But the moment presents challenges for the 77-year-old candidate with nearly five decades in Washington. While his resume is longer than any Democratic presidential rival’s, it comes with complications.
Progressives hoping to make the world less militaristic point to Biden’s 2002 vote authorizing the U.S. invasion of Iraq, suggesting that muddies his warnings about another Middle Eastern war. Alternately, Trump and Republicans cast Biden as indecisive or weak, seizing on his opposition to the 1991 U.S. mission that drove Iraq out of Kuwait and his reluctance about the raid that killed Sept. 11 mastermind Osama bin Laden in 2011, when Biden was President Barack Obama’s No. 2.
READ MORE: What does Joe Biden believe? Where the candidate stands on 8 issues
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, a Vermont senator who voted against President George W. Bush’s Iraq war powers request, calls it “baggage.” Former Bush and Obama Defense Secretary Robert Gates wrote in his memoir that Biden has been “wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue” for 40 years.
Biden himself has been inconsistent in his pitch to voters, seemingly confident that searing criticism of Trump and implicit contrasts with less-seasoned Democrats are enough.
“I’ve met every single world leader” a U.S. president must know, Biden tells voters at some stops. “On a first-name basis,” he’ll add on occasion. The Biden campaign’s most viral moment was a video last month, titled “Laughed At,” showing world leaders mocking Trump at a Buckingham Palace reception held during a NATO summit in London.
Biden told reporters last month that foreign policy isn’t in his Democratic opponents’ “wheelhouse,” even if they “can learn.” Demonstrating his knowledge, Biden veered into explaining the chemistry and physics of “SS-18 silos,” old Soviet missiles. “It’s just what I’ve done my whole life,” he said.
He’s since touted endorsements from former Secretary of State John Kerry and members of Congress with experience in military combat and intelligence.
Yet Biden doesn’t always connect the dots with an explicit appeal to voters.
In Iowa last weekend, Biden called the Iran crisis “totally of Donald Trump’s making,” tracing Soleimani’s killing back to Trump withdrawing from a multilateral deal in which Iran had agreed to curtail its nuclear program. As he said again Tuesday in New York, the pact “was working, serving America’s interests and the region’s interests.”
Biden told another Iowa audience that Americans need “a president who provides a steady leadership on Day One,” but he never discussed his role in the Iran deal or Obama’s foreign policy generally.
“Foreign policy, commander in chief is a big deal to people,” he said last month, less because of a single issue and more because of Trump . “They just know something’s not right. It’s uncomfortable.”
Biden in July offered what had been his sweeping foreign policy declaration to date, with a speech touting the U.S. as the preeminent world power but one that must lead international coalitions and focus on diplomacy. He pledged to end “forever wars” but did not rule out military force. He made clear he values small-scale operations of special forces while being more skeptical of larger, extended missions of ground forces.
His advisers believe that reflects most Americans. “They don’t want the United States to retreat from the world … but they also don’t want us overextended without any rational strategy or exit plan,” said Tony Blinken, Biden’s top foreign policy adviser, who has worked with him since he was the Democratic leader on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
As vice president, Biden was at Obama’s side for every major national security decision for eight years. Biden led the administration’s efforts to help Ukraine counter Russian aggression and on Iraq as the administration moved to bring the war it inherited there to an end.
But Biden wasn’t always in lockstep with Obama on major issues. He was among the advisers who argued against the bin Laden raid. Biden’s explanation has changed over the years, varying from saying he recommended Obama wait for clearer identification of bin Laden at the Pakistan compound where he was killed to later saying he privately told Obama to go ahead. Blinken said Biden was never against pursuing bin Laden, as some Republicans say. Recalling how Biden immediately relayed his final private conversation with Obama, Blinken said Biden told the president to “trust your instincts.”
Biden also lost an initial debate on Afghanistan shortly after Obama took office. Biden opposed sending surge forces, pushing instead for a focus on counterterrorism that would have required a smaller military footprint on the ground. Obama ultimately deployed 30,000 troops to Afghanistan.
That could be viewed as a lesson learned after Biden initially voted to support Bush’s 2002 request to use force in Iraq. Blinken said, though, that didn’t necessarily mean Biden ever changed philosophy. His 2002 vote, Blinken said, was based on the president arguing he needed war power only as leverage for Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to accept international weapons inspectors. That worked, Blinken said, then Bush decided to “go to war anyway.”
Ultimately, Biden and his team believe voters are more interested in candidates’ overall profiles than in litigating old debates.
“At every major turning point in history, he’s played a central role,” Blinken said. “There is now a premium on exactly that kind of experience, and the wisdom and judgment that flow from it.”
AP’s Bill Barrow wrote this report. Washington Bureau Chief Julie Pace in Washington and Associated Press writer Thomas Beaumont in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed to this report.


pbs--2020-01-07--Bernie Sanders on Iran, health care and Democratic electability

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , said on Tuesday that he doubts the Trump administration ’ s rationale for why the U.S. killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in a targeted strike .
The White House and top officials claim that evidence of an imminent national security threat motivated the president ’ s controversial decision to target Soleimani in a drone strike Friday .
“ We haven ’ t seen that evidence .
Frankly , I doubt that evidence is there , ” Sanders said in an interview with PBS NewsHour anchor and managing editor Judy Woodruff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s messaging on Iran to the George W. Bush administration ’ s justification leading up to the Iraq War in 2003 , which Sanders strongly opposed .
“ A war with Iran would likely be even worse , ” he said , adding that he will push for the U.S. to solve international disputes diplomatically “ in this instance and in other instances.
” The strike on Soleimani has drawn criticism from some lawmakers and national security experts who argue the move has pushed the U.S. to the brink of war with Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applauded the killing as a necessary move .
On Tuesday night , the Pentagon confirmed that Iranian forces had fired missiles at two Iraqi air bases where U.S. troops were housed .
When asked whether he thought Trump had committed a war crime by killing Soleimani , Sanders responded that killing top officials of a foreign government sends a message to countries throughout the world that the U.S. could do something similar again .
“ I think the world and this country is sick and tired of endless wars that have cost us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collapsing , our health care system is dysfunctional , ” he said , adding that instead , “ We have to deal with climate change and invest heavily in transforming our energy system.
” More highlights from the interview : • On withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq : Sanders reiterated his belief that the U.S. should withdraw troops from Iraq , but said the U.S. should “ bring them out in a measured , intelligent way , working with the Iraqi government and our international allies.
” But in response to a vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oust U.S. troops , Sanders told the NewsHour that “ it ’ s a sad state of affairs to see — after all of the sacrifice — to see our troops booted out of the country.
” • On potential job losses that could result from his ‘ Medicare for All ’ plan : Sanders has acknowledged that a significant job market shift would take place if the U.S. transitioned to his Medicare for All proposal .
He said , however , that the program would create more jobs than it plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training for other necessary medical services .
“ We have enormous administrative waste .
We have all kinds of people in the bureaucracy administering thousands of separate health insurance plans , ” Sanders said .
“ We need more doctors , nurses , psychologists , psychiatrists , counselors.
” • On former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s electability in 2020 : Sanders has previously commented that Biden brings political “ baggage ” into the presidential race that could hinder his ability to beat Trump .
Among other reasons , Sanders cites Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Iraq and what the senator sees as lacking voters ’ enthusiasm .
“ To beat Trump , you ’ re going to need a massive voter turnout , ” Sanders said .
“ The only way you do that is through a campaign of energy , of excitement .
You have to bring working people , you have to bring young people into the political process .
… I just don ’ t think the Biden campaign can create the energy and excitement we need .
”

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said on Tuesday that he doubts the Trump administration’s rationale for why the U.S. killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in a targeted strike.
The White House and top officials claim that evidence of an imminent national security threat motivated the president’s controversial decision to target Soleimani in a drone strike Friday.
“We haven’t seen that evidence. Frankly, I doubt that evidence is there,” Sanders said in an interview with PBS NewsHour anchor and managing editor Judy Woodruff. He compared President Donald Trump’s messaging on Iran to the George W. Bush administration’s justification leading up to the Iraq War in 2003, which Sanders strongly opposed.
“A war with Iran would likely be even worse,” he said, adding that he will push for the U.S. to solve international disputes diplomatically “in this instance and in other instances.”
The strike on Soleimani has drawn criticism from some lawmakers and national security experts who argue the move has pushed the U.S. to the brink of war with Iran. Some Republican members of Congress have applauded the killing as a necessary move.
On Tuesday night, the Pentagon confirmed that Iranian forces had fired missiles at two Iraqi air bases where U.S. troops were housed.
When asked whether he thought Trump had committed a war crime by killing Soleimani, Sanders responded that killing top officials of a foreign government sends a message to countries throughout the world that the U.S. could do something similar again.
“I think the world and this country is sick and tired of endless wars that have cost us trillions of dollars while our infrastructure is collapsing, our health care system is dysfunctional,” he said, adding that instead, “We have to deal with climate change and invest heavily in transforming our energy system.”
More highlights from the interview:


pbs--2020-01-07--In Pelosi-McConnell standoff over Trump Senate trial, who has the upper hand?

Sure .
A couple things on that .
I mean , first of all , I think it 's important to point out that the rules that are now likely to be adopted in the Senate to direct the trial are identical to the rules that were agreed upon on a unanimous and bipartisan basis to control the trial in the Senate of the impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton .
And under those rules , there is no exclusion of additional evidence , no exclusion of seeing witnesses and taking their testimony .
But it starts out on the front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having the case presented by both sides .
And then , at that point , there is an opportunity , if it 's deemed necessary by the Senate , to call witnesses to have additional testimony .
So , the idea that the Senate is against any potential for witnesses testifying is simply a construct of the other side .
The key issue here is simply , does the Senate get to decide its rules vs. others thrusting that upon them ?
And do we have a procedure that works ?
And you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I think most people outside of hothouse that is Washington just are probably viewing impeachment as a piece of overchewed gum .
They have heard about it for a long time .
A lot of Democrats have been talking about it since the president was inaugurated .
And I think they would like a process that works expeditiously to bring this to whatever conclusion needs to be brought to .
And I think the speaker made a miscalculation , deciding to try sort of a theatrical exercise .
I 'm going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I get what I want out of the Senate .
And now that I think that 's starting to fall apart , I think that move is starting to look smaller and more political than I think she wanted it to be .

Steven Law:
Sure. A couple things on that.
I mean, first of all, I think it's important to point out that the rules that are now likely to be adopted in the Senate to direct the trial are identical to the rules that were agreed upon on a unanimous and bipartisan basis to control the trial in the Senate of the impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton.
And under those rules, there is no exclusion of additional evidence, no exclusion of seeing witnesses and taking their testimony. But it starts out on the front end with just receiving the articles and having the case presented by both sides.
And then, at that point, there is an opportunity, if it's deemed necessary by the Senate, to call witnesses to have additional testimony.
So, the idea that the Senate is against any potential for witnesses testifying is simply a construct of the other side.
The key issue here is simply, does the Senate get to decide its rules vs. others thrusting that upon them? And do we have a procedure that works?
And you asked a minute ago about the politics. I think most people outside of hothouse that is Washington just are probably viewing impeachment as a piece of overchewed gum. They have heard about it for a long time. A lot of Democrats have been talking about it since the president was inaugurated.
And I think they would like a process that works expeditiously to bring this to whatever conclusion needs to be brought to. And I think the speaker made a miscalculation, deciding to try sort of a theatrical exercise. I'm going to hold back the articles of impeachment until I get what I want out of the Senate.
And now that I think that's starting to fall apart, I think that move is starting to look smaller and more political than I think she wanted it to be.