palmerreport--2020-01-16--House impeachment manager Val Demings is already taking her big swing at Mitch McConnell

If you ’ ve been paying close attention during the House impeachment hearings , you weren ’ t surprised when Nancy Pelosi named Democratic Congresswoman Val Demings as one of the House impeachment managers for Donald Trump ’ s Senate impeachment trial .
Demings has a sharp understanding of criminal conspiracies and the law , owing at least in part to her history as the Chief of the Orlando Police Department .
Now Demings is already taking her first big swing in the impeachment saga .
Last night Val Demings called for Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to recuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported by the Miami Herald , citing McConnell ’ s public remarks about how he wants to run the trial in coordination with Donald Trump ’ s criminal defense attorneys .
To be clear , this isn ’ t going to happen .
Mitch McConnell isn ’ t going to voluntarily recuse himself – and Republican Senators aren ’ t going to vote to throw McConnell out of the trial .
But this does help turn McConnell into a liability for Senate Republicans .
They ’ re already trying to figure out if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to insulate themselves from voter backlash .
Now they may have to conclude that they need to call witnesses just to tamp down the media ’ s focus on the question of whether McConnell should recuse himself .
This is a very smart move by Val Demings .
In fact she ’ s using Mitch McConnell ’ s own favorite move against him .
He routinely demands things that he knows can ’ t happen , as a way of moving the goal posts and opening the door for getting some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is doing precisely that to McConnell .

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If you’ve been paying close attention during the House impeachment hearings, you weren’t surprised when Nancy Pelosi named Democratic Congresswoman Val Demings as one of the House impeachment managers for Donald Trump’s Senate impeachment trial. Demings has a sharp understanding of criminal conspiracies and the law, owing at least in part to her history as the Chief of the Orlando Police Department. Now Demings is already taking her first big swing in the impeachment saga.
Last night Val Demings called for Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to recuse himself from the impeachment trial, as reported by the Miami Herald, citing McConnell’s public remarks about how he wants to run the trial in coordination with Donald Trump’s criminal defense attorneys.
To be clear, this isn’t going to happen. Mitch McConnell isn’t going to voluntarily recuse himself – and Republican Senators aren’t going to vote to throw McConnell out of the trial. But this does help turn McConnell into a liability for Senate Republicans. They’re already trying to figure out if they need to call witnesses against Trump in order to insulate themselves from voter backlash. Now they may have to conclude that they need to call witnesses just to tamp down the media’s focus on the question of whether McConnell should recuse himself.
This is a very smart move by Val Demings. In fact she’s using Mitch McConnell’s own favorite move against him. He routinely demands things that he knows can’t happen, as a way of moving the goal posts and opening the door for getting some other concession in return. Now Demings is doing precisely that to McConnell.
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palmerreport--2020-01-16--This is getting uglier for Donald Trump by the hour

On the day that articles of impeachment of Donald Trump were walked over to the Senate , one might have expected the typical Trump Twitter rant that ’ s so common when he ’ s feeling desperate and nervous .
Instead , Trump refrained from blowing up his Twitter feed and mostly stuck to retweeting other pro-Trump accounts .
While this is somewhat surprising , it could have something to do with the fact that Lev Parnas – a main player in Trump and Rudy Giuliani ’ s extortion of Ukraine to obtain falsified dirt on Joe Biden– gave an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maddow .
While most expected the Parnas interview to blow a hole in Trump ’ s excuses for withholding critical congressionally provided aid to Ukraine , nobody was expecting Parnas to also throw Giulliani , Vice President Mike Pence , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , and Attorney General William Barr under the bus as severely as he did .
And this was just the first night of Maddow ’ s interview with Parnas , with more coming out on Thursday night .
With regard to Pence , Maddow asked Parnas explicitly if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zelensky to announce investigations of Joe Biden specifically , and tell them that they wouldn ’ t get their aid ?
” Parnas responded to this inquiry by saying Trump was annoyed by the fact Zelensky had yet to make such a public announcement despite repeated requests .
This frustration led to Trump stopping Pence from being present at Zelensky ’ s Presidential inauguration .
While we all know that Attorney General William Barr is only concerned with protecting Trump , this Parnas interview really brings his corruption into focus .
When Maddow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this scheme to blackmail an American ally , Parnas responded , “ Barr had to know everything .
Attorney General Barr was basically on the team.
” As we wait for the release of more information provided by Parnas , it ’ s important to understand just how bad this is for Trump .
It appears that every pro-Trump talking point throughout the impeachment inquiry , during all of the private and public testimony , is being ripped to shreds .
And while all of this is damning to Trump ’ s defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is when Parnas states “ Trump knew exactly what was going on .
”

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On the day that articles of impeachment of Donald Trump were walked over to the Senate, one might have expected the typical Trump Twitter rant that’s so common when he’s feeling desperate and nervous. Instead, Trump refrained from blowing up his Twitter feed and mostly stuck to retweeting other pro-Trump accounts. While this is somewhat surprising, it could have something to do with the fact that Lev Parnas – a main player in Trump and Rudy Giuliani’s extortion of Ukraine to obtain falsified dirt on Joe Biden– gave an exclusive interview to MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow.
While most expected the Parnas interview to blow a hole in Trump’s excuses for withholding critical congressionally provided aid to Ukraine, nobody was expecting Parnas to also throw Giulliani, Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Attorney General William Barr under the bus as severely as he did. And this was just the first night of Maddow’s interview with Parnas, with more coming out on Thursday night.
With regard to Pence, Maddow asked Parnas explicitly if Pence was tasked with “getting President Zelensky to announce investigations of Joe Biden specifically, and tell them that they wouldn’t get their aid?” Parnas responded to this inquiry by saying Trump was annoyed by the fact Zelensky had yet to make such a public announcement despite repeated requests. This frustration led to Trump stopping Pence from being present at Zelensky’s Presidential inauguration.
While we all know that Attorney General William Barr is only concerned with protecting Trump, this Parnas interview really brings his corruption into focus. When Maddow asked if Barr had any involvement in this scheme to blackmail an American ally, Parnas responded, “Barr had to know everything. Attorney General Barr was basically on the team.”
As we wait for the release of more information provided by Parnas, it’s important to understand just how bad this is for Trump. It appears that every pro-Trump talking point throughout the impeachment inquiry, during all of the private and public testimony, is being ripped to shreds. And while all of this is damning to Trump’s defense, perhaps the biggest bombshell of all is when Parnas states “Trump knew exactly what was going on.”
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palmerreport--2020-01-16--How Lev Parnas took a blowtorch to Donald Trump and saved his own neck in the process

When Lev Parnas appeared on the Rachel Maddow show last night , he didn ’ t just take a blowtorch to everyone involved in Donald Trump ’ s Ukraine scandal .
He transformed himself from a shadowy criminal punchline into a relatable human figure .
Yes , he ’ s still one of the bad guys .
But now he ’ s a real live person on your television .
He ’ s a guy you ’ re glad came forward .
He ’ s a guy whose story you believe , or mostly believe .
Even before the interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why Lev Parnas was bypassing Department of Justice in favor of cooperating with the House and the media : he doesn ’ t trust the DOJ as long as Trump and Bill Barr are running it , and he thinks his chances of getting eventual leniency from the post-Trump DOJ are better if he helps to take Trump down .
It wasn ’ t until the end of the interview that the other part of the equation became clear , but we should have seen it sooner .
When Maddow was doing an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he asked why Lev Parnas was willing to give such a self-incriminating interview .
Maddow said that Lev thinks going public represents his best shot at survival .
That ’ s when it became clear just how precarious of a position Parnas is in .
His own text messages reveal that he participated in a conversation ( which he now says wasn ’ t serious ) about hiring local goons in Ukraine to target U.S .
Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch .
If you ’ re part of a criminal conspiracy involving discussions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know that the conspiracy in question is out of control – and maybe you ’ re the one who ends up getting physically harmed .
There are still a lot of questions about whether Donald Trump and Bill Barr were involved in the “ suicide ” of Trump ’ s pal Jeffrey Epstein .
There is no question that Vladimir Putin has murdered several people who have gotten in his way , and let ’ s not forget that Lev Parnas pissed off a Kremlin oligarch during this crime spree .
Would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizen like Parnas just to help out Trump ?
It ’ s enough that the question has to be asked at all .
But if Lev Parnas was in physical danger from one side or another , that probably goes out the window now .
He was just on live national television .
He ’ s everybody ’ s favorite reformed former Trump henchman now .
It would cause way too much of a stink if someone “ disappeared ” Parnas now .
It ’ s not just that Lev may have saved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less prison time ; he may have just saved his own neck literally .

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When Lev Parnas appeared on the Rachel Maddow show last night, he didn’t just take a blowtorch to everyone involved in Donald Trump’s Ukraine scandal. He transformed himself from a shadowy criminal punchline into a relatable human figure. Yes, he’s still one of the bad guys. But now he’s a real live person on your television. He’s a guy you’re glad came forward. He’s a guy whose story you believe, or mostly believe.
Even before the interview, it was easy to put together why Lev Parnas was bypassing Department of Justice in favor of cooperating with the House and the media: he doesn’t trust the DOJ as long as Trump and Bill Barr are running it, and he thinks his chances of getting eventual leniency from the post-Trump DOJ are better if he helps to take Trump down. It wasn’t until the end of the interview that the other part of the equation became clear, but we should have seen it sooner.
When Maddow was doing an extended handoff with Lawrence O’Donnell, he asked why Lev Parnas was willing to give such a self-incriminating interview. Maddow said that Lev thinks going public represents his best shot at survival. That’s when it became clear just how precarious of a position Parnas is in. His own text messages reveal that he participated in a conversation (which he now says wasn’t serious) about hiring local goons in Ukraine to target U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch. If you’re part of a criminal conspiracy involving discussions of physically harming a U.S. Ambassador, you know that the conspiracy in question is out of control – and maybe you’re the one who ends up getting physically harmed.
There are still a lot of questions about whether Donald Trump and Bill Barr were involved in the “suicide” of Trump’s pal Jeffrey Epstein. There is no question that Vladimir Putin has murdered several people who have gotten in his way, and let’s not forget that Lev Parnas pissed off a Kremlin oligarch during this crime spree. Would Putin really risk bumping off a U.S. citizen like Parnas just to help out Trump? It’s enough that the question has to be asked at all.
But if Lev Parnas was in physical danger from one side or another, that probably goes out the window now. He was just on live national television. He’s everybody’s favorite reformed former Trump henchman now. It would cause way too much of a stink if someone “disappeared” Parnas now. It’s not just that Lev may have saved his own neck in terms of doing less prison time; he may have just saved his own neck literally.
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palmerreport--2020-01-16--No wonder Nancy Pelosi waited

No wonder Nancy Pelosi waited

If Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell had gotten their way , the Senate impeachment trial would already be over by now , and Trump would already be acquitted .
But Nancy Pelosi made a point of not letting them have their way , and now it ’ s become abundantly clear why she held onto the articles of impeachment as long as she did .
If Pelosi was going to have any chance of pressuring Republican Senators into agreeing to call witnesses against Trump , she was going to need well-timed momentum and overwhelming public sentiment .
Sure enough , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We ’ ve seen media reports all month that Lev Parnas was fighting in court to get his phone back from prosecutors , so he could turn it over to the House .
Sure enough , Pelosi decided to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate just as Parnas was winning that battle .
It created a situation where the House was publicly releasing Lev Parnas ’ evidence against Donald Trump the day before it was sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate .
We have no way of knowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rachel Maddow and blow the lid even further off the whole thing .
But the point is that Pelosi knew things were coming down the pike , whether they be from Parnas or John Bolton , and she just needed to buy some time so that these things could surface right around the time Republican Senators were trying to figure out whether to cover their own butts by calling witnesses against Trump .
This doesn ’ t mean we ’ re suddenly going to have a perfectly fair Senate impeachment trial .
Nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi has managed to force Republican Senators into having a trial that ’ s much closer to being fair .
That ’ s impressive , considering she theoretically had no leverage over the Senate at all , until she figured out how to carve out that leverage by waiting the precisely correct amount of time .

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If Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell had gotten their way, the Senate impeachment trial would already be over by now, and Trump would already be acquitted. But Nancy Pelosi made a point of not letting them have their way, and now it’s become abundantly clear why she held onto the articles of impeachment as long as she did.
If Pelosi was going to have any chance of pressuring Republican Senators into agreeing to call witnesses against Trump, she was going to need well-timed momentum and overwhelming public sentiment. Sure enough, she managed to line things up perfectly. We’ve seen media reports all month that Lev Parnas was fighting in court to get his phone back from prosecutors, so he could turn it over to the House. Sure enough, Pelosi decided to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate just as Parnas was winning that battle.
It created a situation where the House was publicly releasing Lev Parnas’ evidence against Donald Trump the day before it was sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate. We have no way of knowing if Parnas was planning to go on Rachel Maddow and blow the lid even further off the whole thing. But the point is that Pelosi knew things were coming down the pike, whether they be from Parnas or John Bolton, and she just needed to buy some time so that these things could surface right around the time Republican Senators were trying to figure out whether to cover their own butts by calling witnesses against Trump.
This doesn’t mean we’re suddenly going to have a perfectly fair Senate impeachment trial. Nothing magically works that way. But Nancy Pelosi has managed to force Republican Senators into having a trial that’s much closer to being fair. That’s impressive, considering she theoretically had no leverage over the Senate at all, until she figured out how to carve out that leverage by waiting the precisely correct amount of time.
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palmerreport--2020-01-18--Susan Collins is circling the drain

Susan Collins is circling the drain

If Susan Collins was hoping that her sudden pivot before Trump ’ s impeachment trial would actually help her gain favor with constituents – it didn ’ t exactly work out that way .
It ’ s not really clear what she was hoping for , since asking for witnesses in the first place would likely put her out of Trump ’ s good graces no matter what she did afterwards to try and placate him .
Either way , it ’ s not exactly a good look going into your re-election campaign as the least popular senator in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to a new poll by Morning Consult , she ’ s dropped four points in popularity since September – making her even less popular than Mitch McConnell .
Over half of her constituents – 52 % – have an unfavorable view of her , much of it being baggage from when she voted in favor of Brett Kavanaugh .
This makes her about as popular among Mainers as Donald Trump is across the United States .
As Collins ’ favorability ratings have depleted steadily over the last year and a half , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t be going away any time soon .
In January 2017 , even before her infamous votes to “ save Obamacare , ” she was a popular and respected senator – with 67 % approval and only 25 % unfavorability , meaning she ’ d likely be coasting to re-election if Donald Trump weren ’ t president right now .
Even more embarrassingly , she ’ s attracted more donors from out of state than in state – attesting to her unpopularity that has only worsened since she fell back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting with Donald Trump 90 % of the time .
The same poll showed her fellow senators Joni Ernst , Martha McSally , and Cory Gardner all ranking high in unfavorability , despite their best recent efforts to appease Donald Trump , meaning we are safely at the point where Trump has become a liability for Republicans .

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If Susan Collins was hoping that her sudden pivot before Trump’s impeachment trial would actually help her gain favor with constituents – it didn’t exactly work out that way. It’s not really clear what she was hoping for, since asking for witnesses in the first place would likely put her out of Trump’s good graces no matter what she did afterwards to try and placate him. Either way, it’s not exactly a good look going into your re-election campaign as the least popular senator in the country.
That’s right. According to a new poll by Morning Consult, she’s dropped four points in popularity since September – making her even less popular than Mitch McConnell. Over half of her constituents – 52% – have an unfavorable view of her, much of it being baggage from when she voted in favor of Brett Kavanaugh. This makes her about as popular among Mainers as Donald Trump is across the United States.
As Collins’ favorability ratings have depleted steadily over the last year and a half, it’s a trend that likely won’t be going away any time soon. In January 2017, even before her infamous votes to “save Obamacare,” she was a popular and respected senator – with 67% approval and only 25% unfavorability, meaning she’d likely be coasting to re-election if Donald Trump weren’t president right now.
Even more embarrassingly, she’s attracted more donors from out of state than in state – attesting to her unpopularity that has only worsened since she fell back in line with her fellow Republicans, consistently voting with Donald Trump 90% of the time. The same poll showed her fellow senators Joni Ernst, Martha McSally, and Cory Gardner all ranking high in unfavorability, despite their best recent efforts to appease Donald Trump, meaning we are safely at the point where Trump has become a liability for Republicans.
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palmerreport--2020-01-17--Lindsey Graham has a whole new problem

Lindsey Graham has a whole new problem

Whether because he ’ s being blackmailed or because he ’ s having a mental breakdown , or both , Lindsey Graham is behaving in more incoherent and blatantly corrupt fashion than ever .
He ’ s refusing to help America by doing the right thing .
But he ’ s not helping Donald Trump either because his pro-Trump antics are the kind that tend to backfire .
With Graham on the precipice of completely falling apart , he now has a whole new problem .
Lev Parnas has exposed the criminal culpability of so many Trump people over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s been difficult to keep track of them all .
One part that shouldn ’ t be overlooked : Lev told Rachel Maddow that Donald Trump was involved in a plot to bring corrupt former Ukrainian official Viktor Shokin to the United States to tell lies about Joe Biden to Bill Barr and Lindsey Graham .
Parnas has already taken a blowtorch to Bill Barr on other matters , and it ’ s clear now that Barr will go to prison if Trump loses the election and doesn ’ t pardon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Lindsey Graham ’ s involvement here .
If Trump and Lev were plotting to bring a Ukrainian criminal to the U.S. to give false testimony to Barr and Graham , it stands to reason that Barr and Graham had already agreed to participate in this plot , right ?
If so , it means Graham has severe criminal liability .
With the Senate impeachment trial about to begin , and Lindsey Graham about to become Donald Trump ’ s most cartoonish defender during the trial , the media must push this issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to convince us that he didn ’ t know what Trump and Lev were plotting , or Graham must recuse himself .
Either way , Lindsey Graham is in far deeper than we knew .

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Whether because he’s being blackmailed or because he’s having a mental breakdown, or both, Lindsey Graham is behaving in more incoherent and blatantly corrupt fashion than ever. He’s refusing to help America by doing the right thing. But he’s not helping Donald Trump either because his pro-Trump antics are the kind that tend to backfire. With Graham on the precipice of completely falling apart, he now has a whole new problem.
Lev Parnas has exposed the criminal culpability of so many Trump people over the course of the past two nights, it’s been difficult to keep track of them all. One part that shouldn’t be overlooked: Lev told Rachel Maddow that Donald Trump was involved in a plot to bring corrupt former Ukrainian official Viktor Shokin to the United States to tell lies about Joe Biden to Bill Barr and Lindsey Graham.
Parnas has already taken a blowtorch to Bill Barr on other matters, and it’s clear now that Barr will go to prison if Trump loses the election and doesn’t pardon him. But let’s talk about Lindsey Graham’s involvement here. If Trump and Lev were plotting to bring a Ukrainian criminal to the U.S. to give false testimony to Barr and Graham, it stands to reason that Barr and Graham had already agreed to participate in this plot, right? If so, it means Graham has severe criminal liability.
With the Senate impeachment trial about to begin, and Lindsey Graham about to become Donald Trump’s most cartoonish defender during the trial, the media must push this issue. Graham must either find a way to convince us that he didn’t know what Trump and Lev were plotting, or Graham must recuse himself. Either way, Lindsey Graham is in far deeper than we knew.
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palmerreport--2020-01-17--Alan Dershowitz is already backing away from Donald Trump’s impeachment team

Earlier today Donald Trump let it be known that his impeachment trial legal team would include Alan Dershowitz , Ken Starr , and Pam Bondi .
Each of them is already disgraced and discredited in their own way , thanks to various scandals .
Trump loves hiring lowlifes to do his corrupt bidding , but at this point he probably can ’ t manage to hire anyone other than disgraced lowlifes .
The thing is , one of the three is already backing away from the mess .
After the announcement , Alan Dershowitz promptly did an interview – documented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stated that “ it overstates it to say I ’ m a member of the Trump team.
” He clarified that he ’ s only going to show up to the impeachment trial for about an hour , make a specific legal presentation , and that ’ s all there is to it .
Think about what this means .
Alan Dershowitz – who was willing to represent child rapist Jeffrey Epstein , and who currently stands accused of child rape himself – wants everyone to know that he ’ s not playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense .
That ’ s how much of a pariah Trump is .
Even Dershowitz seems worried about what it might do to what ’ s left of his reputation if he ’ s seen as being a full member of Trump ’ s impeachment trial legal team .
This leaves Donald Trump with Ken Starr and Pam Bondi as full members of his impeachment legal team .
Starr recently lost his job after covering up a college rape scandal .
Bondi was knee deep in the Trump University scandal , and she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign government .
That is , unless the two of them also decide to distance themselves from Trump ’ s debacle .

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Earlier today Donald Trump let it be known that his impeachment trial legal team would include Alan Dershowitz, Ken Starr, and Pam Bondi. Each of them is already disgraced and discredited in their own way, thanks to various scandals. Trump loves hiring lowlifes to do his corrupt bidding, but at this point he probably can’t manage to hire anyone other than disgraced lowlifes. The thing is, one of the three is already backing away from the mess.
After the announcement, Alan Dershowitz promptly did an interview – documented by Mediaite – in which he flatly stated that “it overstates it to say I’m a member of the Trump team.” He clarified that he’s only going to show up to the impeachment trial for about an hour, make a specific legal presentation, and that’s all there is to it.
Think about what this means. Alan Dershowitz – who was willing to represent child rapist Jeffrey Epstein, and who currently stands accused of child rape himself – wants everyone to know that he’s not playing a meaningful role in Trump’s defense. That’s how much of a pariah Trump is. Even Dershowitz seems worried about what it might do to what’s left of his reputation if he’s seen as being a full member of Trump’s impeachment trial legal team.
This leaves Donald Trump with Ken Starr and Pam Bondi as full members of his impeachment legal team. Starr recently lost his job after covering up a college rape scandal. Bondi was knee deep in the Trump University scandal, and she’s a registered agent of a foreign government. That is, unless the two of them also decide to distance themselves from Trump’s debacle.
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palmerreport--2020-01-17--Donald Trump has a whole new Iran problem

In a desperate last resort to draw attention from his impeachment scandal , Donald Trump decided to commit an act of war against Iran .
Rather than drum up the “ rally round the flag ” effect he was hoping for , the last few days have suggested that his handling of Iran could simply lead us to another scandal , with implications even more unsettling than his Ukraine scandal .
Now as his trial unfolds in the Senate , Iran is making an aggressive countermove that will be very difficult for the Trump administration to fight back against .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stationed in Iraq or an attack on Israel , Iran decided to pursue a war crimes case against the Trump administration at the International Criminal Court in the Hague .
They may actually have a pretty solid case , namely because the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani could only be justified by evidence of an imminent threat .
We now know that Trump had entertained the possibility of killing Soleimani months ago when John Bolton was still his national security advisor , and Mike Pompeo has largely switched from the unsubstantiated claim that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even more absurd argument that the killing of Soleimani was meant to be a ‘ deterrent ’ against attacks from Iran .
According to a NATO official in the region , the case against the Americans is shockingly strong , should Iran move forward with this suit , as their top judiciary spokesman is threatening to do .
While the US isn ’ t a signatory to the court , former American presidents have feared that enemies of the US could use the court in a way to influence foreign policy against American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Iranians have in mind – giving them leverage in the event of a new nuclear deal .
Even the threat of them doing something like this makes it incredibly difficult for Donald Trump to retaliate or even negotiate and come out on top .

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In a desperate last resort to draw attention from his impeachment scandal, Donald Trump decided to commit an act of war against Iran. Rather than drum up the “rally round the flag” effect he was hoping for, the last few days have suggested that his handling of Iran could simply lead us to another scandal, with implications even more unsettling than his Ukraine scandal. Now as his trial unfolds in the Senate, Iran is making an aggressive countermove that will be very difficult for the Trump administration to fight back against.
Rather than another attack on U.S. troops stationed in Iraq or an attack on Israel, Iran decided to pursue a war crimes case against the Trump administration at the International Criminal Court in the Hague. They may actually have a pretty solid case, namely because the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani could only be justified by evidence of an imminent threat.
We now know that Trump had entertained the possibility of killing Soleimani months ago when John Bolton was still his national security advisor, and Mike Pompeo has largely switched from the unsubstantiated claim that Iran was planning imminent attacks to the even more absurd argument that the killing of Soleimani was meant to be a ‘deterrent’ against attacks from Iran.
According to a NATO official in the region, the case against the Americans is shockingly strong, should Iran move forward with this suit, as their top judiciary spokesman is threatening to do. While the US isn’t a signatory to the court, former American presidents have feared that enemies of the US could use the court in a way to influence foreign policy against American interests – and this is likely what the Iranians have in mind – giving them leverage in the event of a new nuclear deal. Even the threat of them doing something like this makes it incredibly difficult for Donald Trump to retaliate or even negotiate and come out on top.
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palmerreport--2020-01-17--Donald Trump rolls out his “dream team” of garbage

This week the Trump regime leaked to the Los Angeles Times that Donald Trump was “ scrambling ” to pull together an impeachment defense team at the last minute .
This suggested that Trump really was expecting his Senate impeachment trial to somehow magically not happen , and that reality had finally hit him .
Sure enough , yesterday he screamed “ I JUST GOT IMPEACHED ” on Twitter , as if he ’ d just been jolted awake from a month long slumber .
Sure enough , Donald Trump rolled out his “ dream team ” of impeachment trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a hit parade of the most awful people he could find .
There ’ s Alan Dershowitz , who represented child rapist Jeffrey Epstein , and who has been accused of underage rape himself .
There ’ s Ken Starr , the punchline who led the charge in Bill Clinton ’ s sham impeachment , who recently lost his job after trying to cover up a college rape scandal .
Trump has also added former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi , a key figure in the Trump University criminal scandal , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Qatar .
That ’ s right , after Trump previously hired illegal foreign agents like Paul Manafort , Rick Gates and Michael Flynn to run his campaign and White House , he ’ s now hiring an official foreign agent to run his impeachment defense – because of course he is .
There are two ways to look at this .
One is that Donald Trump probably couldn ’ t find anyone better than this collection of disgraced pieces of excrement .
After all , who would want to destroy their reputation by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminally conspiring against the United States ?
The other is that Trump generally likes hiring corrupt people , because he knows they ’ re more willing to do corrupt things on his behalf .
Either way , this collection of trash heap losers isn ’ t going to help Trump ’ s cause any .

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This week the Trump regime leaked to the Los Angeles Times that Donald Trump was “scrambling” to pull together an impeachment defense team at the last minute. This suggested that Trump really was expecting his Senate impeachment trial to somehow magically not happen, and that reality had finally hit him. Sure enough, yesterday he screamed “I JUST GOT IMPEACHED” on Twitter, as if he’d just been jolted awake from a month long slumber.
Sure enough, Donald Trump rolled out his “dream team” of impeachment trial defense attorneys today, and it’s a hit parade of the most awful people he could find. There’s Alan Dershowitz, who represented child rapist Jeffrey Epstein, and who has been accused of underage rape himself. There’s Ken Starr, the punchline who led the charge in Bill Clinton’s sham impeachment, who recently lost his job after trying to cover up a college rape scandal.
Trump has also added former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, a key figure in the Trump University criminal scandal, who is currently a registered foreign agent of Qatar. That’s right, after Trump previously hired illegal foreign agents like Paul Manafort, Rick Gates and Michael Flynn to run his campaign and White House, he’s now hiring an official foreign agent to run his impeachment defense – because of course he is.
There are two ways to look at this. One is that Donald Trump probably couldn’t find anyone better than this collection of disgraced pieces of excrement. After all, who would want to destroy their reputation by defending an illegitimate president who got caught criminally conspiring against the United States? The other is that Trump generally likes hiring corrupt people, because he knows they’re more willing to do corrupt things on his behalf. Either way, this collection of trash heap losers isn’t going to help Trump’s cause any.
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DON’T BE STUPID

Understand I live in a country ( England ) where portmanteaus are in common use by the tabloid press .
“ Brexit ” is an example of one such that quickly evolved into the formal nom de guerre now used by everyone – from the European Union to the laborer on the street .
We might as well , for lack of a better name , call the recent dust-up between Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren after the conclusion of Tuesday ’ s Democratic debate something like “ Sandwar.
” Or maybe “ Lizbern.
” Sounds pretty ridiculous , doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whatever , if you ’ ve been in a coma since Tuesday then permit me to fill you in : Elizabeth Warren refused to shake Bernie Sanders ’ hand because she believed he called her a liar onstage .
Warren recalled Sanders telling her in a private meeting a couple of years ago that he ( Sanders ) didn ’ t think a woman could win the presidency .
Sanders begged to differ and said he never said that .
Hence the snub .
Meanwhile , the president of the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child and two ( or is it three ? )
grown women and sexually assaulting or harassing over sixty others , who is currently being impeached for , let ’ s call it what it is , betraying the office of the presidency and the American people , who has told almost sixteen thousand lies since taking office , who is a hamfisted vulgarian who spends much of his taxpayer-funded time playing golf and abusing or insulting people who don ’ t sufficiently worship him on Twitter , who is the punchline of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation on earth , who is a known thief , who rips off charities , who hides his tax returns from the American people , who runs a criminal organization in Ukraine like a latter-day Don Corleone ordering his goons to “ take care ” of America ’ s ambassador there , who is so woefully ignorant of American history he doesn ’ t know what happened at Pearl Harbor on December 7th , 1941 , and who thinks the American Revolution was fought with airplanes , must yield up a large part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates for president didn ’ t shake hands .
You see the problem .
This is why we could lose .
This is why we lost in 2016 .
This is why we are going to lose again in 2020 if things don ’ t change .
One of the reasons this absurd contretemps between Bernie and Liz has become a thing with the mainstream media is because it has become a thing on social media , and ratings drive what the mainstream media puts on the air .
Social media is abuzz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snubbing Bernie , and at Bernie for lying about what he told Elizabeth Warren .
It ’ s as if we are complaining about the cut of Roosevelt ’ s suit or Churchill ’ s choice of hats while Hitler murders Jews .
Welcome , in short , to “ But her emails ” 2.0 .
The irrelevant snub has grown in importance to become the ultimate example of swallowing camels while straining at gnats .
It would be funny if it weren ’ t for the fact that we as a species @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives , and we will lose that fight – and our lives – if we allow Trump another four years in office .
Nothing , but nothing , is more important than getting Trump out of office .
Nothing .
We must all vote for the Democratic candidate , whoever he or she may turn out to be , or we will hand the presidency back to Trump .
Don ’ t worry about who failed to shake hands with whom , or about the corrupt DNC , or corporate influence in elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will matter if you are dead .
There is time enough to fix things .
We have a planet to save , so don ’ t be stupid and let ’ s save it .
Vote Trump out !

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Understand I live in a country (England) where portmanteaus are in common use by the tabloid press. “Brexit” is an example of one such that quickly evolved into the formal nom de guerre now used by everyone – from the European Union to the laborer on the street. We might as well, for lack of a better name, call the recent dust-up between Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren after the conclusion of Tuesday’s Democratic debate something like “Sandwar.” Or maybe “Lizbern.” Sounds pretty ridiculous, doesn’t it? It is.
Whatever, if you’ve been in a coma since Tuesday then permit me to fill you in: Elizabeth Warren refused to shake Bernie Sanders’ hand because she believed he called her a liar onstage. Warren recalled Sanders telling her in a private meeting a couple of years ago that he (Sanders) didn’t think a woman could win the presidency. Sanders begged to differ and said he never said that. Hence the snub.
Meanwhile, the president of the United States, who stands credibly accused of raping a child and two (or is it three?) grown women and sexually assaulting or harassing over sixty others, who is currently being impeached for, let’s call it what it is, betraying the office of the presidency and the American people, who has told almost sixteen thousand lies since taking office, who is a hamfisted vulgarian who spends much of his taxpayer-funded time playing golf and abusing or insulting people who don’t sufficiently worship him on Twitter, who is the punchline of a joke in every language in every nation on earth, who is a known thief, who rips off charities, who hides his tax returns from the American people, who runs a criminal organization in Ukraine like a latter-day Don Corleone ordering his goons to “take care” of America’s ambassador there, who is so woefully ignorant of American history he doesn’t know what happened at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, and who thinks the American Revolution was fought with airplanes, must yield up a large part of the news cycle because two democratic candidates for president didn’t shake hands. You see the problem.
This is why we could lose. This is why we lost in 2016. This is why we are going to lose again in 2020 if things don’t change. One of the reasons this absurd contretemps between Bernie and Liz has become a thing with the mainstream media is because it has become a thing on social media, and ratings drive what the mainstream media puts on the air. Social media is abuzz with people outraged at Elizabeth Warren for snubbing Bernie, and at Bernie for lying about what he told Elizabeth Warren. It’s as if we are complaining about the cut of Roosevelt’s suit or Churchill’s choice of hats while Hitler murders Jews.
Welcome, in short, to “But her emails” 2.0. The irrelevant snub has grown in importance to become the ultimate example of swallowing camels while straining at gnats. It would be funny if it weren’t for the fact that we as a species are in a desperate fight for our lives, and we will lose that fight – and our lives – if we allow Trump another four years in office.
Nothing, but nothing, is more important than getting Trump out of office. Nothing. We must all vote for the Democratic candidate, whoever he or she may turn out to be, or we will hand the presidency back to Trump. Don’t worry about who failed to shake hands with whom, or about the corrupt DNC, or corporate influence in elections, or gender politics. None of that will matter if you are dead. There is time enough to fix things. We have a planet to save, so don’t be stupid and let’s save it. Vote Trump out!
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palmerreport--2020-01-18--Donald Trump starts cursing and goes completely off the rails about impeachment during ceremony with

Donald Trump starts cursing and goes completely off the rails about impeachment during ceremony with college sports team

Yesterday Donald Trump finally figured out he ’ s been impeached , when he had an all caps meltdown on Twitter that started with “ I JUST GOT IMPEACHED.
” Nevermind that he got impeached a month ago , of course .
But now that he ’ s awoken from his stupor , he ’ s quickly become obsessed with his impeachment .
In fact , when he held a ceremony with a college football national championship team today , he completely lost it .
While Donald Trump was standing in front of the LSU football team , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , a lot of presidents , some good , some not so good .
But you got a good one now , even though they ’ re trying to impeach the son of a bitch .
Can you believe that ?
” He then began dishonestly bragging about his phony accomplishments in office .
Watch the video here : So let ’ s see here .
Trump is more obsessed with his impeachment than ever , though he ’ s now apparently back to not understanding that he ’ s already been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to impeach him right now ; they ’ re trying to decide whether to remove him because he ’ s been impeached .
Trump is also bizarrely calling himself a “ son of a bitch ” while standing in front of a bunch of teenagers .
And he couldn ’ t make it through the celebration of these kids without trying to make the moment all about himself .
What a loser .

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Yesterday Donald Trump finally figured out he’s been impeached, when he had an all caps meltdown on Twitter that started with “I JUST GOT IMPEACHED.” Nevermind that he got impeached a month ago, of course. But now that he’s awoken from his stupor, he’s quickly become obsessed with his impeachment. In fact, when he held a ceremony with a college football national championship team today, he completely lost it.
While Donald Trump was standing in front of the LSU football team, he said “It’s been a long time, a lot of presidents, some good, some not so good. But you got a good one now, even though they’re trying to impeach the son of a bitch. Can you believe that?” He then began dishonestly bragging about his phony accomplishments in office. Watch the video here:
He just can't help himself pic.twitter.com/iwpHHQ9eng — Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) January 17, 2020
So let’s see here. Trump is more obsessed with his impeachment than ever, though he’s now apparently back to not understanding that he’s already been impeached. They’re not trying to impeach him right now; they’re trying to decide whether to remove him because he’s been impeached. Trump is also bizarrely calling himself a “son of a bitch” while standing in front of a bunch of teenagers. And he couldn’t make it through the celebration of these kids without trying to make the moment all about himself. What a loser.
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palmerreport--2020-01-18--Mitch McConnell isn’t fooling anyone

Mitch McConnell isn’t fooling anyone

Mitch McConnell was pretty upset about some pens this week .
These pens were distributed by Nancy Pelosi after she signed the Articles of Impeachment to send them to the Senate .
Pens used to sign historical documents have significance to witnesses of history .
We could debate whether this is how to mark a solemn moment in our nation ’ s history .
We should ignore that debate .
For every moment wasted on that Republican distraction , we are ignoring some pretty horrible things that don ’ t seem to bother Mitch McConnell .
For example , McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not respect the separation of powers .
There appears to be an endless list of other issues that have not sparked concern from Mitch McConnell .
Mitch is not bothered by a stack of over 100 pieces of legislation he refuses to bring to a vote .
Mitch is not concerned with Trump running a mob-style foreign policy with Lev Parnas and Rudy Giuliani .
Mitch is also not concerned with Trump halting appropriated funds to try to rig an election , or the lack of independence of the Department of Justice .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 20,000 lies told by Donald Trump while in office .
Children in cages or Americans with no health insurance also do not make the list of McConnell ’ s concerns .
Mitch has no opinion about the destruction of NATO relationships or Trump ’ s use of tariffs to negatively impact the world economy .
There is also no Republican concern over the use of threats of tariffs to manipulate foreign leaders .
This list barely makes a dent in the issues that should concern every American .
Fewer than 100 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most destructive presidency in the history of this nation .
Mitch McConnell is not at all bothered by the attempts by Donald Trump to invite foreign governments in to help him win another election .
Again .
As long as Mitch is concerned about golden pens on silver trays , the state of the nation is good in his mind .

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Mitch McConnell was pretty upset about some pens this week. These pens were distributed by Nancy Pelosi after she signed the Articles of Impeachment to send them to the Senate. Pens used to sign historical documents have significance to witnesses of history. We could debate whether this is how to mark a solemn moment in our nation’s history. We should ignore that debate. For every moment wasted on that Republican distraction, we are ignoring some pretty horrible things that don’t seem to bother Mitch McConnell.
For example, McConnell does not mind that Donald Trump does not respect the separation of powers. There appears to be an endless list of other issues that have not sparked concern from Mitch McConnell. Mitch is not bothered by a stack of over 100 pieces of legislation he refuses to bring to a vote. Mitch is not concerned with Trump running a mob-style foreign policy with Lev Parnas and Rudy Giuliani.
Mitch is also not concerned with Trump halting appropriated funds to try to rig an election, or the lack of independence of the Department of Justice. He is also not losing sleep over nearly 20,000 lies told by Donald Trump while in office. Children in cages or Americans with no health insurance also do not make the list of McConnell’s concerns. Mitch has no opinion about the destruction of NATO relationships or Trump’s use of tariffs to negatively impact the world economy. There is also no Republican concern over the use of threats of tariffs to manipulate foreign leaders.
This list barely makes a dent in the issues that should concern every American. Fewer than 100 days remain in what seems to be the most destructive presidency in the history of this nation. Mitch McConnell is not at all bothered by the attempts by Donald Trump to invite foreign governments in to help him win another election. Again. As long as Mitch is concerned about golden pens on silver trays, the state of the nation is good in his mind.
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palmerreport--2020-01-18--Another one bites the dust

Another one bites the dust

Paul Manafort .
Michael Flynn .
Roger Stone .
George Nader .
Michael Cohen .
Jeffrey Epstein .
George Papadopoulos .
Lev and Igor .
It feels like just about everyone in Donald Trump ’ s orbit ends up arrested , indicted , convicted , imprisoned , or all of the above .
That ’ s not coincidence , as Trump seeks out people he knows he can get to do his corrupt bidding , and criminals seek out Trump as an opportunity to expand their corrupt ambitions .
Now we can officially add another name to the list .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican to endorse Donald Trump when he launched his 2016 presidential campaign .
He ’ s no longer in the House , because he was forced to resign after he was indicted for felony insider trading .
He ended up pleading guilty , and today he was sentenced to twenty-six months in prison , according to several major news outlets .
Are we surprised to find out that Trump ’ s key House Republican ally has turned out to be a financial criminal ?
Of course not .
Chris Collins is the kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to align himself with someone like Trump .
As proof that Collins isn ’ t merely an aberration , Duncan Hunter , the second House Republican to endorse Trump , has also recently pleaded guilty to financial crimes and is about to be sentenced to prison .
He won ’ t be the last .

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Paul Manafort. Michael Flynn. Roger Stone. George Nader. Michael Cohen. Jeffrey Epstein. George Papadopoulos. Lev and Igor. It feels like just about everyone in Donald Trump’s orbit ends up arrested, indicted, convicted, imprisoned, or all of the above. That’s not coincidence, as Trump seeks out people he knows he can get to do his corrupt bidding, and criminals seek out Trump as an opportunity to expand their corrupt ambitions. Now we can officially add another name to the list.
Chris Collins was the very first House Republican to endorse Donald Trump when he launched his 2016 presidential campaign. He’s no longer in the House, because he was forced to resign after he was indicted for felony insider trading. He ended up pleading guilty, and today he was sentenced to twenty-six months in prison, according to several major news outlets.
Are we surprised to find out that Trump’s key House Republican ally has turned out to be a financial criminal? Of course not. Chris Collins is the kind of criminal who jumps at the opportunity to align himself with someone like Trump. As proof that Collins isn’t merely an aberration, Duncan Hunter, the second House Republican to endorse Trump, has also recently pleaded guilty to financial crimes and is about to be sentenced to prison. He won’t be the last.
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palmerreport--2020-01-18--Donald Trump doesn’t know what planet he’s on

Even though Donald Trump ’ s Republican Party fared poorly in the elections held in 2018 and 2019 , and polling says the Republicans are set to fare poorly in 2020 as well , Trump is certain his party is going to do well in 2020 .
In fact he ’ s so certain of this , he ’ s now convinced the Republicans are going to win elections in 2020 that don ’ t even exist .
Trump posted this tweet today , based on nothing factual , for no apparent reason : “ Your 2nd Amendment is under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Virginia .
That ’ s what happens when you vote for Democrats , they will take your guns away .
Republicans will win Virginia in 2020 .
Thank you Dems !
” Here ’ s the thing .
Virginia doesn ’ t have any state elections in 2020 .
It ’ s one of those states that has odd-numbered-year elections instead .
So there ’ s nothing for the Republicans to win in Virginia in 2020 .
And lest you think Trump is simply forgetting an obscure detail , he and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia two months ago , when they were held in November of 2019 .
Now Donald Trump has already forgotten that Virginia held its elections two months ago , and that his party got blown out of the water in that election .
He ’ s sure the elections in Virginia are going to happen this year instead , and he ’ s going to win them .
This guy no longer even knows what planet he ’ s on .

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Even though Donald Trump’s Republican Party fared poorly in the elections held in 2018 and 2019, and polling says the Republicans are set to fare poorly in 2020 as well, Trump is certain his party is going to do well in 2020. In fact he’s so certain of this, he’s now convinced the Republicans are going to win elections in 2020 that don’t even exist.
Trump posted this tweet today, based on nothing factual, for no apparent reason: “Your 2nd Amendment is under very serious attack in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia. That’s what happens when you vote for Democrats, they will take your guns away. Republicans will win Virginia in 2020. Thank you Dems!”
Here’s the thing. Virginia doesn’t have any state elections in 2020. It’s one of those states that has odd-numbered-year elections instead. So there’s nothing for the Republicans to win in Virginia in 2020. And lest you think Trump is simply forgetting an obscure detail, he and his party just lost the state elections in Virginia two months ago, when they were held in November of 2019.
Now Donald Trump has already forgotten that Virginia held its elections two months ago, and that his party got blown out of the water in that election. He’s sure the elections in Virginia are going to happen this year instead, and he’s going to win them. This guy no longer even knows what planet he’s on.
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palmerreport--2020-01-18--Donald Trump’s guy Robert Hyde goes completely berserk after FBI begins investigating Marie Yovanovi

Donald Trump’s guy Robert Hyde goes completely berserk after FBI begins investigating Marie Yovanovitch surveillance

CNN reported that the FBI visited the home and place of business of Robert Hyde yesterday , in relation to newly published text messages in which he appeared to tell Lev Parnas that he wanted to hire local goons to target U.S .
Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch .
Hyde was not arrested and there ’ s no indication that he ’ s going to be charged with anything , but the visit alone makes clear that the FBI is taking this matter seriously .
Robert Hyde has spent the past few days insisting on Twitter that while the text messages in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t serious about targeting Yovanovitch .
He ’ s also spewed a number of strange conspiracy theories about everyone from Adam Schiff to George Soros .
Now that the FBI is looking into him , Hyde has gone completely berserk .
Hyde tweeted a video of himself today , in which he claims that he and Lev Parnas were just “ effing around ” when they were sending the text messages in question , and that he was “ down in Ecuador climbing volcanoes ” at the time .
Hyde then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messages that Hyde exchanged with an unknown person named “ Anthony De Caluwe or [ unintelligible ] or whatever his name is .
He works for government , departments , whatever he is.
” Well that really narrows it down .
Robert Hyde is insisting that Adam Schiff somehow planted this “ Anthony ” person to screw with him .
It ’ s not clear how Schiff is supposed to get his hands on text messages between Robert Hyde and this Anthony character .
The House has the messages between Hyde and Parnas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House .
Hyde is now also making clear in a separate tweet that he thinks Parnas is a “ scumbag.
” This comes after Parnas used his TV interview to call Hyde a “ drunk ” and a “ weird ” character .

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CNN reported that the FBI visited the home and place of business of Robert Hyde yesterday, in relation to newly published text messages in which he appeared to tell Lev Parnas that he wanted to hire local goons to target U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch. Hyde was not arrested and there’s no indication that he’s going to be charged with anything, but the visit alone makes clear that the FBI is taking this matter seriously.
Robert Hyde has spent the past few days insisting on Twitter that while the text messages in question really are from him, he wasn’t serious about targeting Yovanovitch. He’s also spewed a number of strange conspiracy theories about everyone from Adam Schiff to George Soros. Now that the FBI is looking into him, Hyde has gone completely berserk.
Hyde tweeted a video of himself today, in which he claims that he and Lev Parnas were just “effing around” when they were sending the text messages in question, and that he was “down in Ecuador climbing volcanoes” at the time. Hyde then demanded that Adam Schiff release the text messages that Hyde exchanged with an unknown person named “Anthony De Caluwe or [unintelligible] or whatever his name is. He works for government, departments, whatever he is.” Well that really narrows it down.
Robert Hyde is insisting that Adam Schiff somehow planted this “Anthony” person to screw with him. It’s not clear how Schiff is supposed to get his hands on text messages between Robert Hyde and this Anthony character. The House has the messages between Hyde and Parnas because Parnas voluntarily turned them over to the House. Hyde is now also making clear in a separate tweet that he thinks Parnas is a “scumbag.” This comes after Parnas used his TV interview to call Hyde a “drunk” and a “weird” character.
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palmerreport--2020-01-18--Susan Collins has a whole new problem

Susan Collins has a whole new problem


palmerreport--2020-01-19--Donald Trump has completely deranged meltdown about mops and buckets as he flees New York

If there ’ s one thing Donald Trump wants you to know about him , it ’ s that he thinks building a wall on the southern border will somehow make us all safer , even though there isn ’ t one knowledgeable person who agrees with him .
Of course the border wall has always been about stirring up racist sentiment and funneling money into his own pocket , and Trump reminded us of that when he forcefully came out against a different kind of wall today .
Donald Trump has decided to flee New York in favor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparently because he ’ s under the mistaken impression that doing so will prevent New York State from bringing criminal charges against him once he ’ s gone from office .
Now he ’ s trying to taunt New Yorkers with this scientifically invalid and completely incoherent tweet : A massive 200 Billion Dollar Sea Wall , built around New York to protect it from rare storms , is a costly , foolish & environmentally unfriendly idea that , when needed , probably won ’ t work anyway .
It will also look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just have to get your mops & buckets ready !
What kind of deranged infantile clown tweets this kind of garbage ?
This guy is supposed to be the President of the United States .
Yet he clearly hates everyone in the United States who believes in science , or believes in engineering , or lives in any blue state , or lives in New York City in particular .
The kicker is that once Trump is eventually arrested by New York State , he ’ ll likely be held at Rikers Island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial .
Maybe he should be rooting for that sea wall after all .

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If there’s one thing Donald Trump wants you to know about him, it’s that he thinks building a wall on the southern border will somehow make us all safer, even though there isn’t one knowledgeable person who agrees with him. Of course the border wall has always been about stirring up racist sentiment and funneling money into his own pocket, and Trump reminded us of that when he forcefully came out against a different kind of wall today.
Donald Trump has decided to flee New York in favor of becoming an official resident of Florida, apparently because he’s under the mistaken impression that doing so will prevent New York State from bringing criminal charges against him once he’s gone from office. Now he’s trying to taunt New Yorkers with this scientifically invalid and completely incoherent tweet:
A massive 200 Billion Dollar Sea Wall, built around New York to protect it from rare storms, is a costly, foolish & environmentally unfriendly idea that, when needed, probably won’t work anyway. It will also look terrible. Sorry, you’ll just have to get your mops & buckets ready!
What kind of deranged infantile clown tweets this kind of garbage? This guy is supposed to be the President of the United States. Yet he clearly hates everyone in the United States who believes in science, or believes in engineering, or lives in any blue state, or lives in New York City in particular. The kicker is that once Trump is eventually arrested by New York State, he’ll likely be held at Rikers Island in New York City while he awaits trial. Maybe he should be rooting for that sea wall after all.
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palmerreport--2020-01-18--Turns out Rod Rosenstein was sabotaging Robert Mueller all along

Up to now , the best that anyone understood the story of former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein was that he spent a long time trying to do the right thing when it came to Donald Trump , but eventually caved to Trump ’ s bullying in the end .
Now , however , new court filings reveal that Rosenstein was without question a villain all along – and that he was going out of his way to sabotage his own appointee Special Counsel Robert Mueller and the FBI all along .
We all saw Rod Rosenstein very publicly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near the end of his DOJ tenure , in what was perceived as an attempt at convincing Trump not to take his pension away .
This made sense , as Trump had already retaliated against other DOJ figures like former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe by taking his pension away .
But now it turns out Rosenstein was playing games on Trump ’ s behalf , behind the scenes , dating back to 2017 .
The new court filings reveal that it was Rod Rosenstein who leaked text messages from FBI agents Peter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in late 2017 .
Donald Trump seized on this opportunity by making up conspiracy theories about Strzok and Page , and by extension conspiracy theories about their boss at the time , Robert Mueller .
Trump was eventually able to force Strzok and Page out of the FBI ( though they ’ re both pursuing legal action over it ) .
Trump was also able , via Bill Barr , to force a premature and stunted end to Mueller ’ s probe .
Rod Rosenstein ’ s decision to leak the Page-Strzok text @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least some role in the ultimate demise of the Mueller probe , which had initially been shot out of the gate like a cannon , but ultimately ended with a whimper .
If Rosenstein was pulling stunts to sabotage Mueller dating back to 2017 , it means that Rosenstein was trying to sabotage Mueller ’ s probe all along .
At this point you have to wonder if Rosenstein will face obstruction of justice charges once Trump is gone .

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Up to now, the best that anyone understood the story of former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein was that he spent a long time trying to do the right thing when it came to Donald Trump, but eventually caved to Trump’s bullying in the end. Now, however, new court filings reveal that Rosenstein was without question a villain all along – and that he was going out of his way to sabotage his own appointee Special Counsel Robert Mueller and the FBI all along.
We all saw Rod Rosenstein very publicly and cartoonishly transform into a Donald Trump cheerleader near the end of his DOJ tenure, in what was perceived as an attempt at convincing Trump not to take his pension away. This made sense, as Trump had already retaliated against other DOJ figures like former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe by taking his pension away. But now it turns out Rosenstein was playing games on Trump’s behalf, behind the scenes, dating back to 2017.
The new court filings reveal that it was Rod Rosenstein who leaked text messages from FBI agents Peter Strzok and Lisa Page to the media in late 2017. Donald Trump seized on this opportunity by making up conspiracy theories about Strzok and Page, and by extension conspiracy theories about their boss at the time, Robert Mueller. Trump was eventually able to force Strzok and Page out of the FBI (though they’re both pursuing legal action over it). Trump was also able, via Bill Barr, to force a premature and stunted end to Mueller’s probe.
Rod Rosenstein’s decision to leak the Page-Strzok text messages can be seen as having played at least some role in the ultimate demise of the Mueller probe, which had initially been shot out of the gate like a cannon, but ultimately ended with a whimper. If Rosenstein was pulling stunts to sabotage Mueller dating back to 2017, it means that Rosenstein was trying to sabotage Mueller’s probe all along. At this point you have to wonder if Rosenstein will face obstruction of justice charges once Trump is gone.
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palmerreport--2020-01-18--Donald Trump is in even worse shape than we thought

For anyone following the news , and not getting buried under the weight of whatever Donald Trump ’ s latest scandal happens to be – looking at his approval ratings has to be especially frustrating .
Most aggregates consistently show Trump ’ s approval at about 42 % favorability , regardless of whatever idiotic thing he does .
The last time it dropped sharply was about a year ago , when Trump dragged his feet during the longest government shutdown in history .
Regardless of how you read the polls , Trump has never held a solid 50 % approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farcical presidency – something other presidents typically enjoy right after being sworn in .
Generally 50 % or higher means you ’ re a safe bet for re-election , and if you ’ re as vain and self-absorbed as Donald Trump is , you ’ re probably obsessed with high poll numbers , so you take them where you can get them – when you ’ re not outright inventing them .
Now , Trump ’ s about to get some news that ’ s even worse .
Two pollsters from FiveThirtyEight suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse than what ’ s being reported .
Rather than ask respondents whether they approve or disapprove of Trump ’ s performance – a question that would force them to take sides , they asked them to rank Donald Trump compared to several prominent Republicans – former presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush , former governor Sarah Palin , the late John McCain as well as Mike Pence .
The respondents , likely voters , were surveyed back in 2018 before the midterms , and just after Trump ’ s impeachment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Reagan , and Democrats ranked him lowest , independents typically ranked Trump at the bottom of the list , tied with Pence and Palin .
Palin ’ s favorability ratings when polled are typically worse than Trump ’ s – with an approval rating of around 30 % .
They also found in the recent survey that he ranked less favorably than Pence – who he seems to regularly be at odds with .
Considering that polling already establishes Trump as the least popular incumbent Republican since President Ford who went on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure to make inroads with the voters he needs to win re-election , it ’ s understandable why he has to keep lying about his popularity .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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For anyone following the news, and not getting buried under the weight of whatever Donald Trump’s latest scandal happens to be – looking at his approval ratings has to be especially frustrating. Most aggregates consistently show Trump’s approval at about 42% favorability, regardless of whatever idiotic thing he does. The last time it dropped sharply was about a year ago, when Trump dragged his feet during the longest government shutdown in history.
Regardless of how you read the polls, Trump has never held a solid 50% approval rating after nearly four years of his farcical presidency – something other presidents typically enjoy right after being sworn in. Generally 50% or higher means you’re a safe bet for re-election, and if you’re as vain and self-absorbed as Donald Trump is, you’re probably obsessed with high poll numbers, so you take them where you can get them – when you’re not outright inventing them.
Now, Trump’s about to get some news that’s even worse. Two pollsters from FiveThirtyEight suspect that his approval ratings may be even worse than what’s being reported. Rather than ask respondents whether they approve or disapprove of Trump’s performance – a question that would force them to take sides, they asked them to rank Donald Trump compared to several prominent Republicans – former presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, former governor Sarah Palin, the late John McCain as well as Mike Pence.
The respondents, likely voters, were surveyed back in 2018 before the midterms, and again just after Trump’s impeachment. While Republican-leaning respondents typically ranked Trump just after Reagan, and Democrats ranked him lowest, independents typically ranked Trump at the bottom of the list, tied with Pence and Palin. Palin’s favorability ratings when polled are typically worse than Trump’s – with an approval rating of around 30%. They also found in the recent survey that he ranked less favorably than Pence – who he seems to regularly be at odds with. Considering that polling already establishes Trump as the least popular incumbent Republican since President Ford who went on to lose his election, and his failure to make inroads with the voters he needs to win re-election, it’s understandable why he has to keep lying about his popularity.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-18--Robert Hyde associate Anthony De Caluwe fires back in Trump-Yovanovitch surveillance scandal

Earlier this week , text messages provided by Lev Parnas appeared to show that a Trump associate named Robert F. Hyde was surveilling U.S .
Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch in Ukraine , and offering to hire local goons to target her for unknown purposes .
Hyde has since acknowledged on Twitter that he did send the messages , but that he was just joking around .
Yesterday Hyde asserted that he had simply relayed the messages from another guy named Anthony De Caluwe , whom he accused of being an Adam Schiff plant .
The media has since tracked down Anthony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and various Facebook photos confirm that De Caluwe has associated with Robert Hyde and with Donald Trump .
Now De Caluwe is firing back in the media , making clear that he has no association with Schiff .
De Caluwe is telling Kenneth Vogel of the New York Times that he did in fact send the messages to Hyde , but that it was mere “ ridiculous banter ” that wasn ’ t meant in a serious way .
De Caluwe is also asserting that he “ completely made up the info @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he doesn ’ t have the kinds of contacts that could have provided intel or surveillance on the Ambassador .
Despite the assertions by De Caluwe and Hyde that this was not a serious conversation , it ’ s clear that the FBI is taking this matter seriously .
CNN is reporting that the FBI visited Hyde ’ s home and office this week .
Hyde has since claimed in a Twitter video that he was in Toronto when the FBI sought to visit him , and that he hasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s difficult to predict where this might go next .
But the reality is that three close associates of the President of the United States were discussing the specifics of surveilling and possibly harming a U.S .
Ambassador , at the same time the President said on the phone that the Ambassador in question was going to “ go through some things.
” This story keeps getting uglier by the day , and it doesn ’ t seem like it ’ s going away .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Earlier this week, text messages provided by Lev Parnas appeared to show that a Trump associate named Robert F. Hyde was surveilling U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch in Ukraine, and offering to hire local goons to target her for unknown purposes. Hyde has since acknowledged on Twitter that he did send the messages, but that he was just joking around. Yesterday Hyde asserted that he had simply relayed the messages from another guy named Anthony De Caluwe, whom he accused of being an Adam Schiff plant.
The media has since tracked down Anthony De Caluwe’s social media presence, and various Facebook photos confirm that De Caluwe has associated with Robert Hyde and with Donald Trump. Now De Caluwe is firing back in the media, making clear that he has no association with Schiff. De Caluwe is telling Kenneth Vogel of the New York Times that he did in fact send the messages to Hyde, but that it was mere “ridiculous banter” that wasn’t meant in a serious way.
De Caluwe is also asserting that he “completely made up the info about Yovanovitch’s whereabouts” and that he doesn’t have the kinds of contacts that could have provided intel or surveillance on the Ambassador. Despite the assertions by De Caluwe and Hyde that this was not a serious conversation, it’s clear that the FBI is taking this matter seriously. CNN is reporting that the FBI visited Hyde’s home and office this week. Hyde has since claimed in a Twitter video that he was in Toronto when the FBI sought to visit him, and that he hasn’t spoken with the FBI.
It’s difficult to predict where this might go next. But the reality is that three close associates of the President of the United States were discussing the specifics of surveilling and possibly harming a U.S. Ambassador, at the same time the President said on the phone that the Ambassador in question was going to “go through some things.” This story keeps getting uglier by the day, and it doesn’t seem like it’s going away.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-18--Donald Trump’s obsession with revenge against Michelle Obama spirals out of control

Friday was Michelle Obama ’ s 56th birthday , in honor of which the psychopathic occupant of the White House rolled back a significant part of her program designed to provide healthy lunches for school children .
It was a little man ’ s execrable vengeance against a great woman who was a great First Lady , married to a great man who was a great President .
As usual , cruelty was the point – but not the only point , as it turns out .
While nutritionists reacted with horror , junk food companies applauded .
After all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a bastard you might as well make money for your friends while you ’ re at it .
First Lady Michelle Obama created America ’ s first “ Task Force on Childhood Obesity ” and developed the “ Let ’ s Move !
” campaign that aimed to get children to engage in 60 minutes of physical activity each day .
It was a much-needed program to combat the alarming rise in childhood obesity , a trend that was leading to increases in diabetes and other health concerns .
Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the worst in the history of the presidency .
He never exercises ( golf in a golf cart doesn ’ t count ) and eats junk food straight from McDonalds and KFC on a daily basis .
That ’ s fine with me .
Trump can ’ t kill himself fast enough as far as I ’ m concerned .
But to carry his ignorance to the point that his standards impact the health of school children is malignant evil at its most repugnant .
This is why the department of agriculture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced this junk food loophole into child lunches .
Hamburgers , for example , that were only to be served once a week under Michelle Obama ’ s program , can now once again be served daily , thanks to this relaxation of the rules .
The ostensible reason was it would cut down on wasted food .
Children who are averse to fruits and vegetables ( the “ reasoning ” goes ) would be less likely to throw them away .
So instead of them having a little less food in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep up the calorie count with poison .
The policy is staggeringly stupid , and typical of the irresponsible and petty thinking of the Trump pirate ship .
Besides , “ Food waste was a problem before the healthier standards were enacted , so rolling them back won ’ t solve that problem , ” Juliana Cohen , a nutrition professor at Harvard University ’ s School of Public Health .
“ It ’ s just that more people are paying attention to the issue now.
” Cohen added that Mrs. Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of millions of children , especially vulnerable children in food-insecure households.
” Massively stupid people like Sarah Palin used Mrs. Obama ’ s program to make political capital .
She started showing up at school events with chocolate chip cookies , claiming that Michelle Obama was trying to “ rob school children of dessert.
” Trump has finally realized full vengeance for Palin ’ s ignorant “ cause.
” Nearly 14 million American children ( around 19 % ) are obese .
With more than 30 million children participating in the National School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant way of improving poor diets , particularly among children of low income families .
Now that ’ s been undermined thanks to the hateful and vindictive bastard usurping the White House .
The reaction from the responsible half of the American government has been furious .
Massachusetts Democrat Ayanna S. Pressley said it best on Twitter : “ The Occupant is trying to play petty with the food our babies eat .
Add it to the list affirming that the cruelty is the point with this White House .
”

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Friday was Michelle Obama’s 56th birthday, in honor of which the psychopathic occupant of the White House rolled back a significant part of her program designed to provide healthy lunches for school children. It was a little man’s execrable vengeance against a great woman who was a great First Lady, married to a great man who was a great President. As usual, cruelty was the point – but not the only point, as it turns out. While nutritionists reacted with horror, junk food companies applauded. After all, if you’re going to be a bastard you might as well make money for your friends while you’re at it.
First Lady Michelle Obama created America’s first “Task Force on Childhood Obesity” and developed the “Let’s Move!” campaign that aimed to get children to engage in 60 minutes of physical activity each day. It was a much-needed program to combat the alarming rise in childhood obesity, a trend that was leading to increases in diabetes and other health concerns.
Trump’s appalling personal standards for “nutrition” are the worst in the history of the presidency. He never exercises (golf in a golf cart doesn’t count) and eats junk food straight from McDonalds and KFC on a daily basis. That’s fine with me. Trump can’t kill himself fast enough as far as I’m concerned. But to carry his ignorance to the point that his standards impact the health of school children is malignant evil at its most repugnant.
This is why the department of agriculture, with cackling, infantile villainy, introduced this junk food loophole into child lunches. Hamburgers, for example, that were only to be served once a week under Michelle Obama’s program, can now once again be served daily, thanks to this relaxation of the rules. The ostensible reason was it would cut down on wasted food. Children who are averse to fruits and vegetables (the “reasoning” goes) would be less likely to throw them away. So instead of them having a little less food in their diet, it’s far better to keep up the calorie count with poison. The policy is staggeringly stupid, and typical of the irresponsible and petty thinking of the Trump pirate ship.
Besides, “Food waste was a problem before the healthier standards were enacted, so rolling them back won’t solve that problem,” Juliana Cohen, a nutrition professor at Harvard University’s School of Public Health. “It’s just that more people are paying attention to the issue now.” Cohen added that Mrs. Obama’s work “improved the diets of millions of children, especially vulnerable children in food-insecure households.”
Massively stupid people like Sarah Palin used Mrs. Obama’s program to make political capital. She started showing up at school events with chocolate chip cookies, claiming that Michelle Obama was trying to “rob school children of dessert.” Trump has finally realized full vengeance for Palin’s ignorant “cause.”
Nearly 14 million American children (around 19%) are obese. With more than 30 million children participating in the National School Lunch Program, school meals were a significant way of improving poor diets, particularly among children of low income families. Now that’s been undermined thanks to the hateful and vindictive bastard usurping the White House.
The reaction from the responsible half of the American government has been furious. Massachusetts Democrat Ayanna S. Pressley said it best on Twitter: “The Occupant is trying to play petty with the food our babies eat. Add it to the list affirming that the cruelty is the point with this White House.”
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-18--Lev Parnas might finish Donald Trump off

Ken Starr once said “ [ Y ] ou can not defile the temple of justice , ” in reference to his investigation of President Clinton .
I suspect he , along with Alan Dershowitz and Robert Ray , will do just that as members of Trump ’ s impeachment legal team .
Their biggest challenge , however , might not be wrangling Trump or even defiling the law—it might just be a two-bit Ukrainian-American businessman named Lev ( or similar goon ) .
Lev Parnas , a former “ associate ” of fallen New York mayor Rudy Giuliani , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that fill in substantial gaps in the Trump-Ukraine scandal .
Since the release of these documents earlier this week , Parnas has already given multiple interviews , giving the public a peek behind the curtain of the unusual and shifty position he had as one of Giuliani ’ s associates .
Almost certainly , more information will be released .
My guess is that the other Giuliani associate arrested with Parnas , Igor Fruman , will come forward with information of his own in an attempt to show good-faith , a leave turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview with The Daily Beast , Parnas made the comment that “ It felt like my family left me , ” referring to how his former circle left him high and dry after his arrest .
I suspect Fruman feels similarly , and will justify any “ talking ” with his current legal troubles and sense of betrayal from the den of thieves .
For obvious reasons , all this amounts to trouble for Trump and his legal team ( who probably have the most thankless job ever divined by this cruel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large extent trouble for Senate Republicans .
As more concrete information about Trump ’ s conspiracy to leverage disbursement of military aid to the Ukraine comes to light , Senate Republicans look increasingly unjustified in their impeachment trial game-plan .
As it stands now , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell doesn ’ t seem to have any interest in holding a meaningful impeachment trial .
As per usual , Senate Republicans are following his lead .
This likely means no testimonies from any of the many characters in this saga .
But , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m not sure it really matters if anyone gets to testify .
If anyone like Parnas , Fruman , Bolton , or , God willing , Giuliani , publicly reveal just the right amount of damaging information to save their own asses , it ’ s probably game over and Trump will have a high likelihood of being convicted by the Senate .
Why ?
Trump is edging ever closer to becoming an untouchable ; and yes , I believe there is a tipping point , even for Senate Republicans if not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say about Trump ’ s steady approval rating , Senate Republicans will cry uncle before they go down with Trump .
They risk alienating any reasonable people who would even consider voting , not just for them individually , but for Republicans generally in the future if they so blatantly overlook the preponderance of evidence against Trump .
The long-term viability of the party as a legitimate American institution is in extreme risk as they venture ever further down what has become the Beltway ’ s equivalent of the River Styx .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s strategy in backing Trump is simple : they ’ ve riled-up an electorate that wants a dynasty and will no longer settle for a conventional candidate .
They ’ ve smoked the good stuff , so they think , and will forever be searching for a better high .
That ’ s completely unsustainable for Republicans , and that ’ s probably the biggest reason why they ’ d cut their losses .
And all it takes to fell this house of cards is one Lev , or similar .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Ken Starr once said “[Y]ou cannot defile the temple of justice,” in reference to his investigation of President Clinton. I suspect he, along with Alan Dershowitz and Robert Ray, will do just that as members of Trump’s impeachment legal team. Their biggest challenge, however, might not be wrangling Trump or even defiling the law—it might just be a two-bit Ukrainian-American businessman named Lev (or similar goon).
Lev Parnas, a former “associate” of fallen New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, released a trove of documents and correspondences that fill in substantial gaps in the Trump-Ukraine scandal. Since the release of these documents earlier this week, Parnas has already given multiple interviews, giving the public a peek behind the curtain of the unusual and shifty position he had as one of Giuliani’s associates.
Almost certainly, more information will be released. My guess is that the other Giuliani associate arrested with Parnas, Igor Fruman, will come forward with information of his own in an attempt to show good-faith, a leave turned, or what have you. In an interview with The Daily Beast, Parnas made the comment that “It felt like my family left me,” referring to how his former circle left him high and dry after his arrest. I suspect Fruman feels similarly, and will justify any “talking” with his current legal troubles and sense of betrayal from the den of thieves.
For obvious reasons, all this amounts to trouble for Trump and his legal team (who probably have the most thankless job ever divined by this cruel universe), but also to a large extent trouble for Senate Republicans. As more concrete information about Trump’s conspiracy to leverage disbursement of military aid to the Ukraine comes to light, Senate Republicans look increasingly unjustified in their impeachment trial game-plan. As it stands now, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell doesn’t seem to have any interest in holding a meaningful impeachment trial. As per usual, Senate Republicans are following his lead. This likely means no testimonies from any of the many characters in this saga.
But, here’s the thing: I’m not sure it really matters if anyone gets to testify. If anyone like Parnas, Fruman, Bolton, or, God willing, Giuliani, publicly reveal just the right amount of damaging information to save their own asses, it’s probably game over and Trump will have a high likelihood of being convicted by the Senate. Why? Trump is edging ever closer to becoming an untouchable; and yes, I believe there is a tipping point, even for Senate Republicans if not McConnell himself.
Despite what people like to say about Trump’s steady approval rating, Senate Republicans will cry uncle before they go down with Trump. They risk alienating any reasonable people who would even consider voting, not just for them individually, but for Republicans generally in the future if they so blatantly overlook the preponderance of evidence against Trump. The long-term viability of the party as a legitimate American institution is in extreme risk as they venture ever further down what has become the Beltway’s equivalent of the River Styx.
The biggest problem with the Republican Party’s strategy in backing Trump is simple: they’ve riled-up an electorate that wants a dynasty and will no longer settle for a conventional candidate. They’ve smoked the good stuff, so they think, and will forever be searching for a better high. That’s completely unsustainable for Republicans, and that’s probably the biggest reason why they’d cut their losses. And all it takes to fell this house of cards is one Lev, or similar.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.