Life after impeachment

The few people who remember the figure of President Andrew Johnson these days recall two things about him : He was the president who got the job when President Abraham Lincoln was murdered , and he was the first president to be impeached .
Neither look particularly good on a presidential resume .
Yet , every time a president faces hearing the dreaded words , “ You ’ re fired , ” from Congress , poor Johnson is trotted out of obscurity , and we ’ re reminded he was the first chief executive to undergo the humiliating experience .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ news readers love dropping to show off their knowledge .
Johnson remained in the White House because each of the 11 articles of impeachment filed against him fell one vote shy of the 36 needed for approval .
Talk about a close call .
In our collective memory , that ’ s where his story ends .
Yet , there ’ s another chapter , one that deserves to be remembered , because Johnson was one of only two men who served in Congress after the presidency .
Johnson was born in North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he worked as a tailor ’ s apprentice as a child .
He ran away , eventually settling in Tennessee where he opened his own tailor shop , learned to read , got involved in politics , and rose to become first congressman and then senator .
When Tennessee sided with the South , he stuck with the Union .
As blue troops overran the Volunteer State , he was appointed its military governor , the job Johnson was holding when Lincoln picked him as his running mate in 1864 .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pursuing Lincoln ’ s policy of a kinder and gentler reconciliation with the defeated South .
As I noted , Johnson dodged the impeachment bullet by the narrowest of margins .
That ’ s when Johnson ’ s story really gets interesting .
He returned to Greenville , Tennessee , when his term ended in 1869 and bought a farm .
But , he soon missed the glamour and excitement of life in the capital .
It was tough going back home , too .
He contracted cholera , his son committed suicide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost when a bank failed .
Yet Johnson yearned to erase the impeachment stain on his record , and the only way to do that , he realized , was with a political comeback .
He tried to get his old Senate job back , but failed by just one vote .
This was the time when state legislatures selected senators .
Then he sought a seat in Congress but was defeated by a former Confederate general .
At that point , many people would have thrown in the towel .
But not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he persisted , and , on Jan. 20 , 1875 , he was finally elected to be a senator , once again by a single vote .
His reaction ?
“ Thank God for the vindication.
” Johnson thus became the second former president to serve in Congress and the only one to serve in the Senate .
John Quincy Adams was a Massachusetts congressman for nearly 17 years .
His return to the capital was national news .
Some Republicans went out of their way to avoid him .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hamlin , who preceded him as Lincoln ’ s first vice president , and took the oath from Vice President Henry Wilson , who had voted against him in the impeachment trial .
But Johnson ’ s final stint in Washington didn ’ t last long .
He spoke only once during a short session , lambasting his presidential successor , President Ulysses Grant , for sending troops to support Louisiana ’ s Reconstruction-era state government .
He returned to Tennessee after adjournment .
Johnson was convinced he was being slurred in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never one to walk away from a fight , decided to go there and defend his name .
Stopping for a visit at his daughter ’ s house , he suffered a series of strokes and died on July 31 at age 66 .
As he had requested , he was buried wrapped in an American flag with a copy of the Constitution on his chest .
He rests today in a national cemetery that bears his name , a president who may have been bloodied but who left the White House with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Capitol Hill for the last laugh .
J .
Mark Powell ( @ JMarkPowell ) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner 's Beltway Confidential blog .
He ’ s vice president of communications at Ivory Tusk Consulting , a South Carolina-based agency .
A former broadcast journalist and government communicator , his `` Holy Cow !
History ” column is available at jmarkpowell.com .

The few people who remember the figure of President Andrew Johnson these days recall two things about him: He was the president who got the job when President Abraham Lincoln was murdered, and he was the first president to be impeached. Neither look particularly good on a presidential resume.
Yet, every time a president faces hearing the dreaded words, “You’re fired,” from Congress, poor Johnson is trotted out of obscurity, and we’re reminded he was the first chief executive to undergo the humiliating experience. It’s the kind of factoid news readers love dropping to show off their knowledge.
Johnson remained in the White House because each of the 11 articles of impeachment filed against him fell one vote shy of the 36 needed for approval. Talk about a close call.
In our collective memory, that’s where his story ends. Yet, there’s another chapter, one that deserves to be remembered, because Johnson was one of only two men who served in Congress after the presidency.
Johnson was born in North Carolina. Too poor to attend school, he worked as a tailor’s apprentice as a child. He ran away, eventually settling in Tennessee where he opened his own tailor shop, learned to read, got involved in politics, and rose to become first congressman and then senator. When Tennessee sided with the South, he stuck with the Union. As blue troops overran the Volunteer State, he was appointed its military governor, the job Johnson was holding when Lincoln picked him as his running mate in 1864.
As president, Johnson enraged radical Republicans by pursuing Lincoln’s policy of a kinder and gentler reconciliation with the defeated South. As I noted, Johnson dodged the impeachment bullet by the narrowest of margins.
That’s when Johnson’s story really gets interesting.
He returned to Greenville, Tennessee, when his term ended in 1869 and bought a farm. But, he soon missed the glamour and excitement of life in the capital. It was tough going back home, too. He contracted cholera, his son committed suicide, and most of his money was lost when a bank failed.
Yet Johnson yearned to erase the impeachment stain on his record, and the only way to do that, he realized, was with a political comeback.
He tried to get his old Senate job back, but failed by just one vote. This was the time when state legislatures selected senators. Then he sought a seat in Congress but was defeated by a former Confederate general.
At that point, many people would have thrown in the towel. But not Johnson. Stubborn almost to a fault, he persisted, and, on Jan. 20, 1875, he was finally elected to be a senator, once again by a single vote. His reaction? “Thank God for the vindication.”
Johnson thus became the second former president to serve in Congress and the only one to serve in the Senate. John Quincy Adams was a Massachusetts congressman for nearly 17 years.
His return to the capital was national news. Some Republicans went out of their way to avoid him. He was sworn in on March 5 alongside Hannibal Hamlin, who preceded him as Lincoln’s first vice president, and took the oath from Vice President Henry Wilson, who had voted against him in the impeachment trial.
But Johnson’s final stint in Washington didn’t last long. He spoke only once during a short session, lambasting his presidential successor, President Ulysses Grant, for sending troops to support Louisiana’s Reconstruction-era state government.
He returned to Tennessee after adjournment. Johnson was convinced he was being slurred in the Ohio governor’s race and, never one to walk away from a fight, decided to go there and defend his name. Stopping for a visit at his daughter’s house, he suffered a series of strokes and died on July 31 at age 66. As he had requested, he was buried wrapped in an American flag with a copy of the Constitution on his chest.
He rests today in a national cemetery that bears his name, a president who may have been bloodied but who left the White House with his head unbowed and then returned to Capitol Hill for the last laugh.
J. Mark Powell (@JMarkPowell) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential blog. He’s vice president of communications at Ivory Tusk Consulting, a South Carolina-based agency. A former broadcast journalist and government communicator, his "Holy Cow! History” column is available at jmarkpowell.com.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-28--Biden says America can 'help' China with its problems

MARION , Iowa — Former Vice President Joe Biden talked down the threat of China to the United States and the global order , saying bipartisan concerns about the nation 's rise were `` bizarre . ''
`` I get criticized occasionally for saying I 'm not worried about China .
They said the same thing about me in the 1990s and said , 'Biden is n't worried about Japan , ' '' Biden , 77 , said to a crowd of roughly 200 people at a Monday town hall .
`` Think of China .
I 've spent more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anybody , or at least double the time . ''
`` This is a guy who does n't have enough water for his people .
So , they 're talking about a hundred billion of dollars to turn around rivers to provide access for potable water for the population , '' he added .
Biden then listed a number of other issues facing China , including the lack of farmable land because of contamination and poor air quality leading to high cancer rates .
`` This is all bad news for the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , folks , the idea that China is going to eat our lunch , it 's bizarre .
It 's bizarre .
We can help them with some of their problems .
We do n't have to go to war with China .
We can compete with China and insist that they follow the rules . ''
He added : `` I am absolutely confident .
I am so tired of Democrats and Republicans , quite frankly .
Walking around with their heads down , going , 'Whoa , what are we going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're in such tough shape . '
Folks , this is the United States of America . ''

MARION, Iowa — Former Vice President Joe Biden talked down the threat of China to the United States and the global order, saying bipartisan concerns about the nation's rise were "bizarre."
"I get criticized occasionally for saying I'm not worried about China. They said the same thing about me in the 1990s and said, 'Biden isn't worried about Japan,'" Biden, 77, said to a crowd of roughly 200 people at a Monday town hall. "Think of China. I've spent more time with China's Xi Jinping than anybody, or at least double the time."
"This is a guy who doesn't have enough water for his people. So, they're talking about a hundred billion of dollars to turn around rivers to provide access for potable water for the population," he added.
Biden then listed a number of other issues facing China, including the lack of farmable land because of contamination and poor air quality leading to high cancer rates.
"This is all bad news for the world," he said. "So, folks, the idea that China is going to eat our lunch, it's bizarre. It's bizarre. We can help them with some of their problems. We don't have to go to war with China. We can compete with China and insist that they follow the rules."
He added: "I am absolutely confident. I am so tired of Democrats and Republicans, quite frankly. Walking around with their heads down, going, 'Whoa, what are we going to do? My god, we're in such tough shape.' Folks, this is the United States of America."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-28--Biden supporters fret over his ability to withstand Trump attacks

SALEM , New Hampshire — Joe Biden said Senate Republican calls for him as a witness in President Trump 's Senate impeachment trial reflects the strength of his Democratic presidential bid .
But his supporters are n't so sure .
The former vice president has for weeks faced demands by GOP senators that if Trump administration officials have to testify , so should he , and possibly his son , Hunter Biden , who worked for a Ukrainian natural gas company while his father oversaw U.S. policy toward that country .
Trump ’ s allies continue to repeat conspiracy theories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president to help his son ’ s interests .
Biden , 77 , has tried to spin the attacks into a positive and proof that he is the strongest candidate to take on Trump .
“ I ’ m wondering why he doesn ’ t want to run against me .
What do you think ?
” Biden said in Salem , New Hampshire , on Saturday .
The crowd of more than 300 laughed .
Undecided voters , however , are not convinced that Biden will be able to withstand a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general election .
The memory of Hillary Clinton ’ s candidacy being derailed by Trump ’ s unpredictable tactics in 2016 is still fresh , and Republican fixation on the Bidens through the impeachment trial amplifies his vulnerabilities .
“ Let ’ s say he becomes the nominee .
How is he going to fight against the dirty tricks of Donald Trump ?
” said Sally Hamblen , 65 , a risk management professional from northeast Massachusetts .
Gary Tallman , an attorney and undecided voter from Randolph , Vermont , said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would say about how he would stand up to Trump ’ s attacks .
“ That 's what I want as part of the reason I want to see him , ” said Tallman , 53 .
With one week until the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses and two weeks until the New Hampshire primary , poll after poll shows that most likely Democratic primary voters prefer a candidate that can beat Trump over one they agree with more on policy issues .
Doubts that Biden can withstand attacks from Trump rebut Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indirectly swiped at Biden ’ s judgment when confronted with questions about Hunter Biden joining the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma , saying that they would not want their vice president ’ s son or daughter to serve on a foreign company ’ s board .
They have defended him , though , against the suggestion that Biden conditioned $ 1 billion in loans to Ukraine on firing Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin because Shokin opened an investigation into Burisma .
When asked about the issue , Biden states little more than that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no credible outlet or individual has said he did anything wrong .
In December , a video of Biden answering a question about Ukraine and Hunter Biden from an independent Iowa voter went viral .
Biden him “ a damn liar.
” “ I worry about Biden , specifically when under pressure ; it does n't seem like he 's always the smoothest .
So , I would hate for that to impact any chances , ” Manchester , New Hampshire , banking professional Julie Polenchar , 35 , said of Republican attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Ukraine .
Though he is not the nominee , the Democratic National Committee is already working to defend Biden from Republican attacks more directly than Biden defends himself .
The party 's `` war room '' sent an email on Monday with talking points , noting that `` everyone , not just Biden , wanted Shokin gone '' and that `` Shokin was fired not because he wanted to investigate Burisma but because he didn ’ t want to investigate anything . ''
Stephan Rodriguez , 30 , went to Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s media strategy , worried that the former vice president is not prepared to spin the media narrative in his favor and face Trump ’ s army of rabid online followers .
“ That 's what Trump did , and that 's what Obama did .
They got the media attention and then connected it to Twitter and social media and the grassroots , '' said Rodriguez , a nonprofit professional from Lincoln , Rhode Island .
While Trump and his allies effectively “ weaponize ” memes — “ You 'll see a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and you 'll laugh ” — Biden “ does n't do that , ” he said .
Rodriguez pulled out a small inch-long clear stone from his pocket .
“ I also want to give him my crystal , ” he said .
“ I literally pray to God that he gets elected or that the right person gets elected , because , if not , we ’ re screwed.
” Biden did not take any audience questions after his speech , but Rodriguez was able to ask his question as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selfies .
“ It was a terrible answer .
His answer was , ‘ Yes , I 'm your guy , ’ basically , ” Rodriguez said .
“ I don ’ t think he listens to his staffers .
I think his staffers notice that marketing or public relations and media relations are the skills that you need to work to navigate this campaign .
He does n't have those things.
” Concerns about Republican attacks negatively affecting Biden came up on Monday at an event for former South Bend , Indiana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa .
`` I 'm just afraid — son of the Vice President Biden 's gon na be taken out of the contest by the impeachment trial if they — if the Republicans keep pushing this Ukraine tie , '' said Bob Getschman , 65 , who is retired .
Tallman , the Vermont voter who saw Biden in Salem , is still undecided on who to vote for but left the Biden event with a positive impression .
“ It makes me feel a little better , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Massachusetts risk management professional hoped that Trump ’ s negative attacks could make voters sympathetic to Biden .
“ Some people might say they 're sick of the dirty tricks , ” Hamblen said .

SALEM, New Hampshire — Joe Biden said Senate Republican calls for him as a witness in President Trump's Senate impeachment trial reflects the strength of his Democratic presidential bid. But his supporters aren't so sure.
The former vice president has for weeks faced demands by GOP senators that if Trump administration officials have to testify, so should he, and possibly his son, Hunter Biden, who worked for a Ukrainian natural gas company while his father oversaw U.S. policy toward that country. Trump’s allies continue to repeat conspiracy theories that Joe Biden leveraged his position as vice president to help his son’s interests.
Biden, 77, has tried to spin the attacks into a positive and proof that he is the strongest candidate to take on Trump.
“I’m wondering why he doesn’t want to run against me. What do you think?” Biden said in Salem, New Hampshire, on Saturday. The crowd of more than 300 laughed.
Undecided voters, however, are not convinced that Biden will be able to withstand a barrage of attacks from Trump in a general election. The memory of Hillary Clinton’s candidacy being derailed by Trump’s unpredictable tactics in 2016 is still fresh, and Republican fixation on the Bidens through the impeachment trial amplifies his vulnerabilities.
“Let’s say he becomes the nominee. How is he going to fight against the dirty tricks of Donald Trump?” said Sally Hamblen, 65, a risk management professional from northeast Massachusetts.
Gary Tallman, an attorney and undecided voter from Randolph, Vermont, said he drove two hours to see what Biden would say about how he would stand up to Trump’s attacks. “That's what I want as part of the reason I want to see him,” said Tallman, 53.
With one week until the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses and two weeks until the New Hampshire primary, poll after poll shows that most likely Democratic primary voters prefer a candidate that can beat Trump over one they agree with more on policy issues. Doubts that Biden can withstand attacks from Trump rebut Biden’s core electability argument.
Rival candidates have indirectly swiped at Biden’s judgment when confronted with questions about Hunter Biden joining the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma, saying that they would not want their vice president’s son or daughter to serve on a foreign company’s board. They have defended him, though, against the suggestion that Biden conditioned $1 billion in loans to Ukraine on firing Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin because Shokin opened an investigation into Burisma.
When asked about the issue, Biden states little more than that his son did nothing wrong and that no credible outlet or individual has said he did anything wrong. In December, a video of Biden answering a question about Ukraine and Hunter Biden from an independent Iowa voter went viral. Biden called him “a damn liar.”
“I worry about Biden, specifically when under pressure; it doesn't seem like he's always the smoothest. So, I would hate for that to impact any chances,” Manchester, New Hampshire, banking professional Julie Polenchar, 35, said of Republican attacks on the Biden family’s connection to Ukraine.
Though he is not the nominee, the Democratic National Committee is already working to defend Biden from Republican attacks more directly than Biden defends himself. The party's "war room" sent an email on Monday with talking points, noting that "everyone, not just Biden, wanted Shokin gone" and that "Shokin was fired not because he wanted to investigate Burisma but because he didn’t want to investigate anything."
Stephan Rodriguez, 30, went to Biden’s event to ask about Biden’s media strategy, worried that the former vice president is not prepared to spin the media narrative in his favor and face Trump’s army of rabid online followers.
“That's what Trump did, and that's what Obama did. They got the media attention and then connected it to Twitter and social media and the grassroots," said Rodriguez, a nonprofit professional from Lincoln, Rhode Island. While Trump and his allies effectively “weaponize” memes — “You'll see a meme of Joe Biden doing something silly, and you'll laugh” — Biden “doesn't do that,” he said.
Stephan Rodriguez displays a "crystal" he hoped to give Joe Biden in Salem, New Hampshire. (Emily Larsen/Washington Examiner)
Rodriguez pulled out a small inch-long clear stone from his pocket. “I also want to give him my crystal,” he said. “I literally pray to God that he gets elected or that the right person gets elected, because, if not, we’re screwed.”
Biden did not take any audience questions after his speech, but Rodriguez was able to ask his question as the former vice president greeted attendees and took selfies.
“It was a terrible answer. His answer was, ‘Yes, I'm your guy,’ basically,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t think he listens to his staffers. I think his staffers notice that marketing or public relations and media relations are the skills that you need to work to navigate this campaign. He doesn't have those things.”
Concerns about Republican attacks negatively affecting Biden came up on Monday at an event for former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg in Boone, Iowa. "I'm just afraid — son of the Vice President Biden's gonna be taken out of the contest by the impeachment trial if they — if the Republicans keep pushing this Ukraine tie," said Bob Getschman, 65, who is retired.
Tallman, the Vermont voter who saw Biden in Salem, is still undecided on who to vote for but left the Biden event with a positive impression. “It makes me feel a little better,” he said. “We’ll see, though.”
The Massachusetts risk management professional hoped that Trump’s negative attacks could make voters sympathetic to Biden. “Some people might say they're sick of the dirty tricks,” Hamblen said.
Naomi Lim contributed to this story.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-28--Punting: Senate Republicans to wait until end of trial to decide whether to call John Bolton

Senate Republicans are punting on whether to subpoena former White House national security adviser John Bolton , preferring to address the politically fraught dilemma toward the end of President Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
Huddling privately on Monday , Republicans planned for the question-and-answer portion of the trial , which will begin after Trump ’ s defense team rests .
Bolton ’ s fresh allegations that Trump withheld $ 391 million in U.S. military aid from Ukraine to pressure Kyiv to investigate Joe Biden were largely neglected and left unresolved as Republicans gathered for their daily pretrial luncheon .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe it or not , talk about it too much , ” Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana said of the Bolton allegations .
“ We know we ’ ve got to get to it at the end , anyway.
” Bolton , in a manuscript of his forthcoming book submitted to the White House for vetting , reportedly claims Trump told him directly he was delaying the release of military assistance to Ukraine until officials investigated Biden , the former vice president , and his son , Hunter Biden , who was previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company .
Trump denied the allegations on Monday .
Congressional Democrats call Bolton ’ s assertion a bombshell that leaves Republicans no choice but to subpoena his testimony .
Senate impeachment rules require 51 votes to call witnesses , and a broad majority of Republicans have opposed extending the trial with subpoenas .
After digesting the information from Bolton that emerged over the weekend and initially fretting it might upend their trial strategy , Republicans have settled down .
Those inclined to join Senate Democrats in votes to subpoena witnesses such as Bolton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were already considered in play : Sens .
Lamar Alexander , Susan Collins , Lisa Murkowski , and Mitt Romney .
Others are intrigued by Bolton ’ s claims , and some want to give the Trump defense team an opportunity to address the information at trial .
“ The facts don ’ t really change with this , but what we want to do is hear from White House counsel .
Let ’ s hear what they have to say over the next couple of days , ” said Sen. Joni @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reelection this year .
`` Romney and Collins were gone no matter what , '' added a knowledgeable Republican operative , requesting anonymity in order to speak candidly .
`` I 'm just not sure it changes anything that matters . ''
Ernst and other deputies to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell argued that Bolton ’ s revelations do not materially change the facts of the case .
Senate Republicans have basically concluded that Trump ’ s actions are not impeachable , and they plan to vote to acquit him .
Some Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interested in hearing from Bolton than previously , they would only vote to subpoena the former national security adviser if paired with a trial motion to call the Bidens to testify as well .
With many Senate Democrats dismissing the concept as a Republican smokescreen deployed to block relevant witnesses like Bolton , it is likely to fail unless the GOP can muster the votes on its own .
“ It ’ s less the witnesses they want , it ’ s the witnesses that they don ’ t want the American public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the challenge [ is ] , ” Sen. Tim Kaine , a Virginia Democrat , said .

Senate Republicans are punting on whether to subpoena former White House national security adviser John Bolton, preferring to address the politically fraught dilemma toward the end of President Trump’s impeachment trial.
Huddling privately on Monday, Republicans planned for the question-and-answer portion of the trial, which will begin after Trump’s defense team rests. Bolton’s fresh allegations that Trump withheld $391 million in U.S. military aid from Ukraine to pressure Kyiv to investigate Joe Biden were largely neglected and left unresolved as Republicans gathered for their daily pretrial luncheon.
“We didn’t really, believe it or not, talk about it too much,” Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana said of the Bolton allegations. “We know we’ve got to get to it at the end, anyway.”
Bolton, in a manuscript of his forthcoming book submitted to the White House for vetting, reportedly claims Trump told him directly he was delaying the release of military assistance to Ukraine until officials investigated Biden, the former vice president, and his son, Hunter Biden, who was previously a board member for a Ukrainian gas company. Trump denied the allegations on Monday.
Congressional Democrats call Bolton’s assertion a bombshell that leaves Republicans no choice but to subpoena his testimony. Senate impeachment rules require 51 votes to call witnesses, and a broad majority of Republicans have opposed extending the trial with subpoenas. After digesting the information from Bolton that emerged over the weekend and initially fretting it might upend their trial strategy, Republicans have settled down.
Those inclined to join Senate Democrats in votes to subpoena witnesses such as Bolton without preconditions are the same four Republicans who were already considered in play: Sens. Lamar Alexander, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Mitt Romney. Others are intrigued by Bolton’s claims, and some want to give the Trump defense team an opportunity to address the information at trial.
“The facts don’t really change with this, but what we want to do is hear from White House counsel. Let’s hear what they have to say over the next couple of days,” said Sen. Joni Ernst, an Iowa Republican up for reelection this year.
"Romney and Collins were gone no matter what," added a knowledgeable Republican operative, requesting anonymity in order to speak candidly. "I'm just not sure it changes anything that matters."
Ernst and other deputies to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell argued that Bolton’s revelations do not materially change the facts of the case. Senate Republicans have basically concluded that Trump’s actions are not impeachable, and they plan to vote to acquit him.
Some Republicans have said that while they are more interested in hearing from Bolton than previously, they would only vote to subpoena the former national security adviser if paired with a trial motion to call the Bidens to testify as well. With many Senate Democrats dismissing the concept as a Republican smokescreen deployed to block relevant witnesses like Bolton, it is likely to fail unless the GOP can muster the votes on its own.
“It’s less the witnesses they want, it’s the witnesses that they don’t want the American public to see. That’s what’s the challenge [is],” Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-28--Yes, likability really is about sexism

Yes, likability really is about sexism

Who would you rather grab a beer with : Bernie Sanders , Elizabeth Warren , or Joe Biden ?
If you pick IPA-drinking Sanders or teetotaling Biden over Warren , do n't be surprised if the Democratic establishment calls you sexist .
“ The issue with Elizabeth Warren is n't likability , ” a headline in the Guardian , echoing similar defense pieces in Slate , the Atlantic , and the New York Times .
“ It 's sexism.
” The question of “ likability , ” supposedly a metric for electability , has long been entangled in gender politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” which , according to some Democrats , was the reason for her political demise .
Even President Trump seems to think it contributed to her failure .
“ That ’ s why she lost , ” Trump last week , “ nobody liked her.
” Although the supposedly sexist constraints of likability are a convenient excuse for mediocrity , they don ’ t account for Clinton ’ s failure .
Trump did have one unfair advantage , though .
It is true that for women , more so than men , likability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a real barrier for women , ” Celinda Lake , a Democratic pollster , Vox last year .
“ Voters are perfectly willing to vote for a man for executive office that they think is qualified that they don ’ t like , but they are not willing to vote for a woman they think is qualified that they don ’ t like.
” New research proves that this is true .
According to a study published in The Economic Journal , likability matters among women and among mixed-gender groups but not among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women want both sexes to be likable , and men want women to be likable , but they don ’ t care so much about other men .
“ Our results hint at the existence of a likeability factor that offers a novel perspective on gender differences in labour market outcomes , ” Leonie Gerhards , the paper 's lead author , .
“ While likeability matters for women in every one of their interactions , it matters for men only if they interact with the opposite sex.
” In short , women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men only have to worry about it half the time .
To Elizabeth Warren , Amy Klobuchar , and Tulsi Gabbard , likability is vital .
For every other 2020 candidate , not so much .
For men , it can even pay to be unlikable .
The fact that Trump is a pompous blowhard has somehow become a point in his favor .
Sanders actually benefits from having the unlikable Clinton , as she did last week , “ Nobody likes him , nobody wants to work with him.
” ( Cleverly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me.
” ) If likability matters to female voters , then emphasizing it isn ’ t sexist ( unless you want to run with a narrative about internalized misogyny ) .
It 's pragmatic .
And from a pragmatic standpoint , Warren and Klobuchar just are n't doing too well .
The failure to seem relatable on the part of these candidates isn ’ t due to some invisible sexist forces working against them .
According to Warren 's Instagram , she doesn ’ t even know how to .
And Klobuchar is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aides , who have the comb to prove it .
On the other hand , Tulsi Gabbard , a surfer and a at the gym , is eminently likable , and her reasons for flailing in the polls have nothing to do with her gender and everything to do with her position as a .
Among the male Democrats , Andrew Yang is by far the most likable candidate in the 2020 field .
When the New York Times asked candidates about their celebrity crush , a puff question that was more revealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evenly , “ I ’ m a happily married man .
I think my wife ’ s a star , and I ’ ve got a big crush on her.
” Warren , on the other hand , called Dwayne `` The Rock '' Johnson `` eye candy . ''
That 's a level of cringe that has nothing to do with gender and everything to do with being out of touch .
It 's a shame that likability matters for women more than it matters for men .
But female politicians can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , Democrats such as Clinton and Warren will continue to decry the double standard , not because they can not surmount it , but because they ’ re just not that good at playing the game .

Who would you rather grab a beer with: Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, or Joe Biden?
If you pick IPA-drinking Sanders or teetotaling Biden over Warren, don't be surprised if the Democratic establishment calls you sexist.
“The issue with Elizabeth Warren isn't likability,” reads a headline in the Guardian, echoing similar defense pieces in Slate, the Atlantic, and the New York Times. “It's sexism.”
The question of “likability,” supposedly a metric for electability, has long been entangled in gender politics. Hillary Clinton was “unlikable,” which, according to some Democrats, was the reason for her political demise. Even President Trump seems to think it contributed to her failure.
“That’s why she lost,” Trump said last week, “nobody liked her.”
Although the supposedly sexist constraints of likability are a convenient excuse for mediocrity, they don’t account for Clinton’s failure. Trump did have one unfair advantage, though. It is true that for women, more so than men, likability matters.
“This likability dimension is a real barrier for women,” Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster, told Vox last year. “Voters are perfectly willing to vote for a man for executive office that they think is qualified that they don’t like, but they are not willing to vote for a woman they think is qualified that they don’t like.”
New research proves that this is true. According to a study published in The Economic Journal, likability matters among women and among mixed-gender groups but not among men alone. In other words, women want both sexes to be likable, and men want women to be likable, but they don’t care so much about other men.
“Our results hint at the existence of a likeability factor that offers a novel perspective on gender differences in labour market outcomes,” Leonie Gerhards, the paper's lead author, said . “While likeability matters for women in every one of their interactions, it matters for men only if they interact with the opposite sex.”
In short, women always need to be likable, and men only have to worry about it half the time. To Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, and Tulsi Gabbard, likability is vital. For every other 2020 candidate, not so much.
For men, it can even pay to be unlikable. The fact that Trump is a pompous blowhard has somehow become a point in his favor. Sanders actually benefits from having the unlikable Clinton say , as she did last week, “Nobody likes him, nobody wants to work with him.” (Cleverly, Sanders shot back , “My wife likes me.”)
If likability matters to female voters, then emphasizing it isn’t sexist (unless you want to run with a narrative about internalized misogyny). It's pragmatic. And from a pragmatic standpoint, Warren and Klobuchar just aren't doing too well.
The failure to seem relatable on the part of these candidates isn’t due to some invisible sexist forces working against them. According to Warren's Instagram, she doesn’t even know how to drink beer like a human being . And Klobuchar is anything but likable according to her long-suffering aides, who have the comb to prove it .
On the other hand, Tulsi Gabbard, a surfer and a push-up champion at the gym, is eminently likable, and her reasons for flailing in the polls have nothing to do with her gender and everything to do with her position as a threat to the Democratic establishment .
Among the male Democrats, Andrew Yang is by far the most likable candidate in the 2020 field. When the New York Times asked candidates about their celebrity crush, a puff question that was more revealing than you’d expect, Yang replied evenly, “I’m a happily married man. I think my wife’s a star, and I’ve got a big crush on her.”
Warren, on the other hand, called Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson "eye candy." That's a level of cringe that has nothing to do with gender and everything to do with being out of touch.
It's a shame that likability matters for women more than it matters for men. But female politicians can also use that to their advantage. However, Democrats such as Clinton and Warren will continue to decry the double standard, not because they cannot surmount it, but because they’re just not that good at playing the game.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-28--Trump advocates for Israel-Palestine plan in both Hebrew and Arabic

President Trump tweeted in both Hebrew and Arabic in an appeal to Israelis and Palestinians to accept a proposed peace plan .
The tweets came just after he announced , alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , a peace plan that calls for a Palestinian state with its capital in east Jerusalem in return for the recognition of major Jewish settlements in the West Bank .
“ I will always stand with the State of Israel and the Jewish people .
I strongly support their safety and security and their right to live in their historic homeland .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Hebrew .
“ This is what the future state of Palestine might look like with a capital in parts of east Jerusalem , ” Trump tweeted in Arabic , along with a conceptual map of the proposal .
The plan proposes a two-state solution where Israel would freeze settlement construction for a four-year period .
It also proposes a tunnel connecting the West Bank to Gaza .
The plan includes multiple benchmarks that the Palestinians would have to meet in order to achieve statehood .
If Palestinians accepted the deal , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new state with about $ 50 billion in economic investment to spur growth in the fledgling nation .
Palestinians preemptively rejected Trump ’ s proposal , and Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called Trump a “ dog ” and a “ son of a dog ” prior to the Tuesday announcement .
This is not the first time Trump has tweeted in another language .
Amid continuing tension with Iran , the president sent out a message directly to the Iranian people in Farsi .
The tweet became the most liked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the brave and suffering Iranian people : I have stood with you since the beginning of my presidency and my government will continue to stand with you .
We are following your protests closely .
Your courage is inspiring , ” Trump said .

President Trump tweeted in both Hebrew and Arabic in an appeal to Israelis and Palestinians to accept a proposed peace plan.
The tweets came just after he announced, alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a peace plan that calls for a Palestinian state with its capital in east Jerusalem in return for the recognition of major Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
“I will always stand with the State of Israel and the Jewish people. I strongly support their safety and security and their right to live in their historic homeland. It's time for peace!” Trump wrote in Hebrew.
תמיד אעמוד לצד מדינת ישראל והעם היהודי. אני תומך בחוזקה בבטיחותם ובטחונם ובזכותם לחיות במולדתם ההיסטורית. הגיע הזמן לשלום! pic.twitter.com/AtNnQtnGZs — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2020
“This is what the future state of Palestine might look like with a capital in parts of east Jerusalem,” Trump tweeted in Arabic, along with a conceptual map of the proposal.
هذا ما قد تبدو عليه دولة فلسطين المستقبلية بعاصمة في أجزاء من القدس الشرقية. pic.twitter.com/CFuYwwjSso — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2020
The plan proposes a two-state solution where Israel would freeze settlement construction for a four-year period. It also proposes a tunnel connecting the West Bank to Gaza. The plan includes multiple benchmarks that the Palestinians would have to meet in order to achieve statehood.
If Palestinians accepted the deal, the United States said it would eventually provide the new state with about $50 billion in economic investment to spur growth in the fledgling nation.
Palestinians preemptively rejected Trump’s proposal, and Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called Trump a “dog” and a “son of a dog” prior to the Tuesday announcement.
This is not the first time Trump has tweeted in another language. Amid continuing tension with Iran, the president sent out a message directly to the Iranian people in Farsi. The tweet became the most liked Farsi tweet in history.
“To the brave and suffering Iranian people: I have stood with you since the beginning of my presidency and my government will continue to stand with you. We are following your protests closely. Your courage is inspiring,” Trump said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-28--In Guantanamo testimony, CIA waterboarder says he threatened to cut throat of 9/11 mastermind’s son

GUANTANAMO BAY , Cuba — The man seen as the architect of the CIA ’ s enhanced interrogations program , who personally waterboarded Khalid Sheikh Mohammed , threatened to cut the throat of the alleged 9/11 mastermind 's son if another attack occurred inside the United States .
Mohammed , 55 , was dubbed “ KSM ” and described as “ the principal architect of the 9/11 attacks ” in the 9/11 Commission Report .
The man who waterboarded him , Dr. James Mitchell , who was hired by the CIA in the wake of the al Qaeda terrorist attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to defend his actions during a two-week-long pretrial military court hearing in Guantanamo Bay , Cuba .
“ I said that if there was another catastrophic attack in the United States — one — and I find out about it — two — and you had information about it — three — and another American child died — four — I will cut your son ’ s throat , ” Mitchell testified on Monday , claiming he sought legal advice from a CIA attorney known in court only as “ PJ1 ” before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 68 , dressed in a dark suit with a white shirt and a blue and silver tie , claimed he was advised that “ if it was a threat of imminent harm then that would not be legal ” but a “ conditional threat ” would be — and he emphasized the four conditions in the threat he made to Mohammed .
The admission seems to match a heavily redacted section of a 2004 CIA inspector general report stating that “ an experienced agency interrogator reported that … [ redacted ] interrogators said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else happens in the United States , ‘ We ’ re going to kill your children.
’ … With respect to the report provided to him of the threats , [ redacted ] that report did not indicate that the law had been violated.
” The 2014 Senate Intelligence Committee report on the CIA ’ s interrogation program also includes a reference to the incident and seems to indicate that the CIA attorney who gave Mitchell the green light worked for the CIA ’ s Counterterrorism Center and “ later told the inspector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long as the threats were ‘ conditional.
’ ” The Senate report states that “ according to the CIA interrogator , during KSM ’ s first day at Detention Site Blue , Swigert and Dunbar first began threatening KSM ’ s children.
” Detention Site Blue is believed to be a CIA black site in Poland .
`` Swigert '' was a pseudonym for Mitchell , while `` Dunbar '' was a pseudonym for Mitchell ’ s business partner , Dr. Bruce Jessen , who will testify later this week .
“ Dunbar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mitchell said from the witness stand , slipping into calling him by his codename after repeatedly calling him “ Dr .
Jessen ” for a week .
Mitchell testified that his motivation was to `` stop them from killing thousands of other people , ” and “ the bulk of Americans are grateful for the sacrifices that Dr. Jessen and I took to keep them safe.
” David Nevin , a gray-haired and bespectacled defense attorney for Mohammed , grilled Mitchell about his actions while Mohammed , dressed in a white tunic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , followed closely from the defense table a couple dozen feet away .
Mitchell disputed the notion that the threats to Mohammed ’ s children began immediately upon Mohammed 's arrival at the black site in early March 2003 , after being captured in Pakistan days prior .
He blamed the alleged falsehood on a man known in court as “ NZ7 ” but referred to by Mitchell as “ the preacher , ” a man he says was an “ acolyte ” of “ NX2 , ” also called “ the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This was one of the new sheriff ’ s acolytes who was working to move me out of the interrogation process , ” Mitchell testified .
“ This man exaggerated some aspects of this.
” In his testimony , as well as in his 2016 book Enhanced Interrogation , Mitchell outlined a rivalry with “ the new sheriff ” and condemned what he saw as abusive treatment of detainees by him and those the man trained .
During roughly three weeks in March 2003 , Mohammed was subjected to at least 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pours across his mouth and nostrils .
He was also bounced off a flexible wall and subjected to facial slaps , attention grabs , stress positions , standing sleep deprivation for 6 1/2 days , and other harsh interrogation methods .
“ I had every reason to believe that it was legal , ” Mitchell said of waterboarding .
“ If it ’ s illegal , I ’ m not going to do it.
” He said the methods were approved by the president and were briefed to the National Security Council , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Congress , and that the method followed the military ’ s Survival , Evasion , Resistance , and Escape program .
Mitchell said during his testimony that he didn ’ t want to violate the conventions on torture .
Mitchell said the threat to one of Mohammed ’ s two sons came at the end of the waterboarding sessions , not before , when the CIA psychologist wanted to transition the terrorist out of enhanced interrogations and “ into full debriefing mode . ''
“ When we moved from EIT 's to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotional flag ” for that moment , Mitchell testified .
He chose as his flag the “ conditional ” threat against Mohammed ’ s child .
“ It is , in retrospect , distasteful .
… He killed eight children in the Sept. 11 attacks , ” Mitchell said to Nevin , who kept pushing the CIA psychologist on whether he had intended to scare Mohammed .
“ I would hope that he would fear killing children , ” Mitchell said , adding , “ that was the only time I made that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he threatened to kill my family , ” too .
“ Look over there , ” Mitchell said , turning his gaze to Mohammed .
“ He ’ s smirking.
” “ Do you understand that threatening that would instill fear ?
” the presiding judge , Col. W. Shane Cohen , eventually jumped in to ask .
But Mitchell denied other accusations level at him .
Nevin again referenced the Senate report that stated that , after one interrogation session , “ the detention site personnel hung a picture of KSM 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to [ heighten ] his imagination concerning where they are , who has them , [ and ] what is in store for them.
’ ” Mitchell said this was not true and blamed the false claim on the “ new preacher ” — mixing his nicknames for “ the preacher ” and “ the new sheriff.
” “ We didn ’ t have a picture of his sons .
… This is the first time I ’ m reading this , ” Mitchell said .
“ The entire crew would ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hung pictures in his cell .
I will be 100 % responsible for the things I did and 0 % responsible for the things I didn ’ t do . ''
Nevin asked Mitchell whether he ’ d threatened that Mohammed ’ s interrogations might last for half a century .
“ Didn ’ t you write the number 50 on the inside of Mr. Mohammed ’ s cell ?
” the lawyer asked .
“ Absolutely not , ” the CIA psychologist retorted .
“ First I ’ ve heard of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone doing that , we ’ d have sent them home.
” In his sessions with Mitchell , Mohammed confessed to the murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl .
Later , he admitted to planning assassination plots against presidents and a pope and is suspected of taking part in other terror attacks .
Those include the 1993 World Trade Center bombing that killed six people , Richard Reid ’ s “ shoe bomber ” 2001 attempt to blow up an airliner , and the 2002 Bali nightclub bombing in Indonesia that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close ally of al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden , is being tried in a death penalty case alongside four co-defendants .
These include his nephew , Ammar al Baluchi ; alleged 9/11 hijacking trainer Walid bin Attash ; 9/11 facilitator Ramzi bin al Shibh ; and al Qaeda money man Mustafa al Hawsawi .
The defense teams are seeking to throw out confessions the five men made to FBI `` clean teams '' at Guantanamo Bay .
During the Monday proceeding , Nevin asked about Mitchell 's interactions with the alleged trainer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the blood on the walling wall and tell Mr. bin Atash it was Mr. Mohammed ’ s blood ?
” Nevin asked .
“ No , I didn ’ t talk to you about that stain on the wall .
No , ” Mitchell said , directing his comments to bin Attash directly .
“ I don ’ t know whether it was blood .
It was a stain on the wall .
”

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — The man seen as the architect of the CIA’s enhanced interrogations program, who personally waterboarded Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, threatened to cut the throat of the alleged 9/11 mastermind's son if another attack occurred inside the United States.
Mohammed, 55, was dubbed “KSM”and described as “the principal architect of the 9/11 attacks” in the 9/11 Commission Report. The man who waterboarded him, Dr. James Mitchell, who was hired by the CIA in the wake of the al Qaeda terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 Americans, sought to defend his actions during a two-week-long pretrial military court hearing in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
“I said that if there was another catastrophic attack in the United States — one — and I find out about it — two — and you had information about it — three — and another American child died — four — I will cut your son’s throat,” Mitchell testified on Monday, claiming he sought legal advice from a CIA attorney known in court only as “PJ1” before threatening the captured terrorist.
Mitchell, 68, dressed in a dark suit with a white shirt and a blue and silver tie, claimed he was advised that “if it was a threat of imminent harm then that would not be legal” but a “conditional threat” would be — and he emphasized the four conditions in the threat he made to Mohammed.
The admission seems to match a heavily redacted section of a 2004 CIA inspector general report stating that “an experienced agency interrogator reported that … [redacted] interrogators said to Khalid Sheikh Mohammed that if anything else happens in the United States, ‘We’re going to kill your children.’ … With respect to the report provided to him of the threats, [redacted] that report did not indicate that the law had been violated.”
The 2014 Senate Intelligence Committee report on the CIA’s interrogation program also includes a reference to the incident and seems to indicate that the CIA attorney who gave Mitchell the green light worked for the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center and “later told the inspector general that these threats were legal so long as the threats were ‘conditional.’”
The Senate report states that “according to the CIA interrogator, during KSM’s first day at Detention Site Blue, Swigert and Dunbar first began threatening KSM’s children.”
Detention Site Blue is believed to be a CIA black site in Poland. "Swigert" was a pseudonym for Mitchell, while "Dunbar" was a pseudonym for Mitchell’s business partner, Dr. Bruce Jessen, who will testify later this week.
“Dunbar had nothing to do with this,” Mitchell said from the witness stand, slipping into calling him by his codename after repeatedly calling him “Dr. Jessen” for a week.
Mitchell testified that his motivation was to "stop them from killing thousands of other people,” and “the bulk of Americans are grateful for the sacrifices that Dr. Jessen and I took to keep them safe.”
David Nevin, a gray-haired and bespectacled defense attorney for Mohammed, grilled Mitchell about his actions while Mohammed, dressed in a white tunic with a camouflage jacket and dyed-red beard, followed closely from the defense table a couple dozen feet away.
Mitchell disputed the notion that the threats to Mohammed’s children began immediately upon Mohammed's arrival at the black site in early March 2003, after being captured in Pakistan days prior. He blamed the alleged falsehood on a man known in court as “NZ7” but referred to by Mitchell as “the preacher,” a man he says was an “acolyte” of “NX2,” also called “the new sheriff” by the CIA psychologist.
“This was one of the new sheriff’s acolytes who was working to move me out of the interrogation process,” Mitchell testified. “This man exaggerated some aspects of this.”
In his testimony, as well as in his 2016 book Enhanced Interrogation, Mitchell outlined a rivalry with “the new sheriff” and condemned what he saw as abusive treatment of detainees by him and those the man trained.
Mitchell, Jessen, and “the preacher” waterboarded Mohammed together.
During roughly three weeks in March 2003, Mohammed was subjected to at least 15 waterboarding sessions totaling at least 183 water pours across his mouth and nostrils. He was also bounced off a flexible wall and subjected to facial slaps, attention grabs, stress positions, standing sleep deprivation for 6 1/2 days, and other harsh interrogation methods.
“I had every reason to believe that it was legal,” Mitchell said of waterboarding. “If it’s illegal, I’m not going to do it.”
He said the methods were approved by the president and were briefed to the National Security Council, approved by the Justice Department, briefed to Congress, and that the method followed the military’s Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape program. Mitchell said during his testimony that he didn’t want to violate the conventions on torture.
Mitchell said the threat to one of Mohammed’s two sons came at the end of the waterboarding sessions, not before, when the CIA psychologist wanted to transition the terrorist out of enhanced interrogations and “into full debriefing mode."
“When we moved from EIT's to no EIT's, I wanted an emotional flag” for that moment, Mitchell testified. He chose as his flag the “conditional” threat against Mohammed’s child.
“It is, in retrospect, distasteful. … He killed eight children in the Sept. 11 attacks,” Mitchell said to Nevin, who kept pushing the CIA psychologist on whether he had intended to scare Mohammed.
“I would hope that he would fear killing children,” Mitchell said, adding, “that was the only time I made that threat to him,” and “he threatened to kill my family,” too.
“Look over there,” Mitchell said, turning his gaze to Mohammed. “He’s smirking.”
“Do you understand that threatening that would instill fear?” the presiding judge, Col. W. Shane Cohen, eventually jumped in to ask.
“Yes, I do,” Mitchell answered.
But Mitchell denied other accusations level at him.
Nevin again referenced the Senate report that stated that, after one interrogation session, “the detention site personnel hung a picture of KSM's sons in his cell as a way to [heighten] his imagination concerning where they are, who has them, [and] what is in store for them.’”
Mitchell said this was not true and blamed the false claim on the “new preacher” — mixing his nicknames for “the preacher” and “the new sheriff.”
“We didn’t have a picture of his sons. … This is the first time I’m reading this,” Mitchell said. “The entire crew would’ve been sent home if we’d hung pictures in his cell. I will be 100% responsible for the things I did and 0% responsible for the things I didn’t do."
Nevin asked Mitchell whether he’d threatened that Mohammed’s interrogations might last for half a century.
“Didn’t you write the number 50 on the inside of Mr. Mohammed’s cell?” the lawyer asked.
“Absolutely not,” the CIA psychologist retorted. “First I’ve heard of it. If we’d heard of someone doing that, we’d have sent them home.”
In his sessions with Mitchell, Mohammed confessed to the murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. Later, he admitted to planning assassination plots against presidents and a pope and is suspected of taking part in other terror attacks. Those include the 1993 World Trade Center bombing that killed six people, Richard Reid’s “shoe bomber” 2001 attempt to blow up an airliner, and the 2002 Bali nightclub bombing in Indonesia that killed 202 people.
Mohammed, a close ally of al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden, is being tried in a death penalty case alongside four co-defendants. These include his nephew, Ammar al Baluchi; alleged 9/11 hijacking trainer Walid bin Attash; 9/11 facilitator Ramzi bin al Shibh; and al Qaeda money man Mustafa al Hawsawi. The defense teams are seeking to throw out confessions the five men made to FBI "clean teams" at Guantanamo Bay.
During the Monday proceeding, Nevin asked about Mitchell's interactions with the alleged trainer, Attash. “Did you point to the blood on the walling wall and tell Mr. bin Atash it was Mr. Mohammed’s blood?” Nevin asked.
“No, I didn’t talk to you about that stain on the wall. No,” Mitchell said, directing his comments to bin Attash directly. “I don’t know whether it was blood. It was a stain on the wall.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-28--Trump and Netanyahu portray themselves as tending to business while enemies circle

President Trump unveiled what he called his “ deal of the century ” for peace in the Middle East , announcing a four-year halt to Israeli settlement building as the basis for finding a “ realistic ” two-state solution .
His 80-page plan includes an audacious scheme for what would be the world ’ s longest tunnel , linking Gaza to the West Bank , and other bold proposals such as allowing Israel to annex the Jordan Valley in return for Palestinian statehood .
“ I was not elected to do small things or shy away from big problems , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he stood beside Israel ’ s longest-serving prime minister , Benjamin Netanyahu .
He said it was a “ win-win opportunity for both sides , ” but only one side was present , raising a significant question about whether Trump has found a solution that eluded generations of previous leaders .
“ There are some good things in this , but without any Palestinian buy-in , then it is difficult to see where this goes .
And you do rather wonder at the timing of it all , ” said a Western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaking on condition of anonymity .
The timing offered a split-screen moment for Trump allies , who were quick to compare the president ’ s work to the obstructionism of congressional Democrats .
Rep. Mark Meadows , a Republican from North Carolina and one of the president ’ s leading supporters in the House , wrote on Twitter : “ While Washington Democrats careen toward an unsuccessful impeachment attempt ... the President is keeping his promise to strengthen our relationship with Israel and work for peace in the Middle East region.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both leaders , who each face intense domestic pressure .
For Trump , the event started an hour before his lawyers began to wrap up their defense at his impeachment trial in the Senate .
And for Netanyahu , it came hours after he had been charged with fraud , bribery , and breach of trust in three corruption cases .
He denies any wrongdoing but withdrew an earlier request for parliamentary immunity , which he was almost certain to lose , leaving him to become the first sitting prime minister to face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For a man facing a difficult election on March 2 , it was a chance to declare a victory .
“ This decision will protect Israel ’ s security , ensure Israel ’ s national interest , and leave open the possibility of a political settlement with the Palestinians in the coming years , ” said Netanyahu .
Although the ambassadors from Oman , Bahrain , and the United Arab Emirates were present in the East Room , diplomats from Egypt and Jordan , which both have peace treaties with Israel and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be made to work , were missing .
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was as brutal as he was brief in his response , saying : `` After the nonsense that we heard today , we say a thousand noes to the deal of the century . ''
Jordan meanwhile warned against any Israeli `` annexation of Palestinian lands '' and reaffirmed its commitment to the creation of a Palestinian state along the 1967 lines , which would include all the West Bank and Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem .
And the Turkish government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan is an annexation plan that is aimed at killing the two-state solution and stealing Palestinian lands , ” it said .
But for now , the announcement itself is a win for the president ’ s supporters as White House talking points reverberated around social media .
“ While Democrats continue to pursue this baseless impeachment sham , President @ realDonaldTrump is delivering for the American people , ” said a tweet sent by the Republican National Committee .
“ This week ’ s achievements include : introducing a Middle East Peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signing the USMCA !
”

President Trump unveiled what he called his “deal of the century” for peace in the Middle East, announcing a four-year halt to Israeli settlement building as the basis for finding a “realistic” two-state solution.
His 80-page plan includes an audacious scheme for what would be the world’s longest tunnel, linking Gaza to the West Bank, and other bold proposals such as allowing Israel to annex the Jordan Valley in return for Palestinian statehood.
“I was not elected to do small things or shy away from big problems,” said Trump to cheers and applause as he stood beside Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
He said it was a “win-win opportunity for both sides,” but only one side was present, raising a significant question about whether Trump has found a solution that eluded generations of previous leaders.
“There are some good things in this, but without any Palestinian buy-in, then it is difficult to see where this goes. And you do rather wonder at the timing of it all,” said a Western diplomat who covers the Middle East, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The timing offered a split-screen moment for Trump allies, who were quick to compare the president’s work to the obstructionism of congressional Democrats.
Rep. Mark Meadows, a Republican from North Carolina and one of the president’s leading supporters in the House, wrote on Twitter: “While Washington Democrats careen toward an unsuccessful impeachment attempt ... the President is keeping his promise to strengthen our relationship with Israel and work for peace in the Middle East region.”
[Opinion: Trump's surprisingly reasonable Israeli-Palestinian peace deal]
While Democrats continue to pursue this baseless impeachment sham, President @realDonaldTrump is delivering for the American people!
This week’s achievements include: introducing a Middle East Peace Plan, hosting 2 rallies, and signing the USMCA!pic.twitter.com/EbxlyBSJI2 — GOP (@GOP) January 28, 2020
The timing of the launch offered respite for both leaders, who each face intense domestic pressure. For Trump, the event started an hour before his lawyers began to wrap up their defense at his impeachment trial in the Senate.
And for Netanyahu, it came hours after he had been charged with fraud, bribery, and breach of trust in three corruption cases. He denies any wrongdoing but withdrew an earlier request for parliamentary immunity, which he was almost certain to lose, leaving him to become the first sitting prime minister to face trial in the country’s history.
For a man facing a difficult election on March 2, it was a chance to declare a victory.
“This decision will protect Israel’s security, ensure Israel’s national interest, and leave open the possibility of a political settlement with the Palestinians in the coming years,” said Netanyahu.
Although the ambassadors from Oman, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates were present in the East Room, diplomats from Egypt and Jordan, which both have peace treaties with Israel and will be key to ensuring any deal can be made to work, were missing.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was as brutal as he was brief in his response, saying: "After the nonsense that we heard today, we say a thousand noes to the deal of the century."
Jordan meanwhile warned against any Israeli "annexation of Palestinian lands" and reaffirmed its commitment to the creation of a Palestinian state along the 1967 lines, which would include all the West Bank and Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.
And the Turkish government also condemned the proposals. “This plan is an annexation plan that is aimed at killing the two-state solution and stealing Palestinian lands,” it said.
But for now, the announcement itself is a win for the president’s supporters as White House talking points reverberated around social media.
“While Democrats continue to pursue this baseless impeachment sham, President @realDonaldTrump is delivering for the American people,” said a tweet sent by the Republican National Committee. “This week’s achievements include: introducing a Middle East Peace Plan, hosting 2 rallies, and signing the USMCA!”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-28--In final defense, Trump team raises Steele dossier and dismisses Bolton claims

President Trump ’ s legal team raised the Steele dossier and dismissed new claims by former national security adviser John Bolton during final arguments against two articles of impeachment that call on the president to be removed from office .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , a Kentucky Republican , told lawmakers Tuesday the trial would run “ several hours , ” but not as long as Monday 's proceedings , which lasted far into the evening .
When the defense concludes , lawmakers will take up to 16 hours to question in writing both the defense team and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
Jay Sekulow , who is Trump 's personal lawyer and leader of his defense team , defended the president 's desire to investigate efforts by Democrats to hurt his 2016 presidential campaign by raising the Steele dossier , an unverified opposition research brief paid for by Hillary Clinton 's campaign that contained salacious charges against the president .
It was used by the Justice Department to justify a yearslong federal investigation into Trump 's campaign .
`` You ca n't view this case in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Put yourselves in his shoes . ''
Sekulow urged senators to ignore the latest news about Bolton 's manuscript .
Nobody has seen it , but a source leaking to the New York Times claims Bolton writes that Trump wanted to withhold critical security aid in order to get the government to investigate Democrats , including the Bidens .
`` You can not impeach a president on an unsourced allegation , '' Sekulow said .
`` Even if everything in there was true , it does not amount to an impeachable offense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the string of information coming from the book .
`` It is not a game of leaks and unsourced manuscripts , '' Sekulow said of the impeachment trial .
`` Put yourselves above the fray . ''
The defense team opened with arguments from lawyer Patrick Philbin .
Philbin told senators the president has a unique level of power to make decisions , not the aides who have come forward to complain about the president ’ s actions in the House impeachment investigation .
“ They are there to provide information and recommendation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philbin said .
Philbin also challenged the House impeachment articles for assigning “ illicit motives ” to Trump ’ s decision to block aid to Ukraine temporarily .
“ Something that they ferret out and decide is wrong , becomes impeachable , ” Philbin said .
“ It ’ s not standard at all .
It ends up becoming infinitely malleable .
”

President Trump’s legal team raised the Steele dossier and dismissed new claims by former national security adviser John Bolton during final arguments against two articles of impeachment that call on the president to be removed from office.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, told lawmakers Tuesday the trial would run “several hours,” but not as long as Monday's proceedings, which lasted far into the evening.
When the defense concludes, lawmakers will take up to 16 hours to question in writing both the defense team and the House impeachment managers.
Trump is charged with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Jay Sekulow, who is Trump's personal lawyer and leader of his defense team, defended the president's desire to investigate efforts by Democrats to hurt his 2016 presidential campaign by raising the Steele dossier, an unverified opposition research brief paid for by Hillary Clinton's campaign that contained salacious charges against the president. It was used by the Justice Department to justify a yearslong federal investigation into Trump's campaign.
"You can't view this case in a vacuum," Sekulow argued. "Put yourselves in his shoes."
Sekulow urged senators to ignore the latest news about Bolton's manuscript. Nobody has seen it, but a source leaking to the New York Times claims Bolton writes that Trump wanted to withhold critical security aid in order to get the government to investigate Democrats, including the Bidens.
"You cannot impeach a president on an unsourced allegation," Sekulow said. "Even if everything in there was true, it does not amount to an impeachable offense."
He urged senators to ignore the string of information coming from the book.
"It is not a game of leaks and unsourced manuscripts," Sekulow said of the impeachment trial. "Put yourselves above the fray."
The defense team opened with arguments from lawyer Patrick Philbin.
Philbin told senators the president has a unique level of power to make decisions, not the aides who have come forward to complain about the president’s actions in the House impeachment investigation.
“They are there to provide information and recommendation, not to set policies,” Philbin said.
Philbin also challenged the House impeachment articles for assigning “illicit motives” to Trump’s decision to block aid to Ukraine temporarily.
“Something that they ferret out and decide is wrong, becomes impeachable,” Philbin said. “It’s not standard at all. It ends up becoming infinitely malleable.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-28--Former CNN contributors bash network over segment mocking Trump supporters

A multitude of conservative former CNN contributors attacked the network after a segment in which the host and guests mocked President Trump and his supporters .
New York Times columnist and CNN contributor Wajahat Ali and ex-GOP strategist Rick Wilson participated in a panel with Don Lemon on Saturday night .
They were discussing the recent fight between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and NPR 's Mary Louise Kelly .
During an interview , Pompeo screamed at Kelly and demanded she locate Ukraine , the topic of the initial disagreement , on an unlabeled map .
While discussing the confrontation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the president 's supporters and suggested that Trump supporters would n't be able to find Ukraine on a map and that they would label being able to do so as a sign of elitism .
Ali and Lemon laughed at Wilson , who used fake a southern accent to sound like a Trump supporter .
Ali later chimed in with his own ridicule of Trump backers while Lemon laughed so hard he used a tissue to wipe tears from his eyes .
A number of conservatives , including President Trump himself , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media after it went viral on Monday evening .
Some of the network 's former contributors chimed in to chide the outlet .
Steve Cortes , who was a contributor for the network until earlier this month , tweeted , `` The smug political class hates the tens of millions of Americans who comprise our movement .
They can cackle and grandstand ... as we build a country based on sovereignty , economic nationalism , and the diffusion of power . ''
He also took a shot at Ali , calling him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an on-air confrontation between the two earlier this year .
Paris Dennard , who faced a suspension from the network amid allegations of sexual harassment , tweeted , `` Sad and offensive but not in the least bit surprising , '' and added , `` Doubtful .
The problem is they see nothing wrong with this type of blatant bigotry . ''
Similarly , former CNN contributor Jason Miller , who left the network after a mistress claimed he drugged a different mistress with an abortion pill after finding out she was pregnant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caption , `` Wow , '' while also retweeting a multitude of other people 's criticisms .
CNN did not respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner .

A multitude of conservative former CNN contributors attacked the network after a segment in which the host and guests mocked President Trump and his supporters.
New York Times columnist and CNN contributor Wajahat Ali and ex-GOP strategist Rick Wilson participated in a panel with Don Lemon on Saturday night. They were discussing the recent fight between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and NPR's Mary Louise Kelly. During an interview, Pompeo screamed at Kelly and demanded she locate Ukraine, the topic of the initial disagreement, on an unlabeled map.
While discussing the confrontation on CNN, Wilson pivoted the conversation to the president's supporters and suggested that Trump supporters wouldn't be able to find Ukraine on a map and that they would label being able to do so as a sign of elitism. Ali and Lemon laughed at Wilson, who used fake a southern accent to sound like a Trump supporter. Ali later chimed in with his own ridicule of Trump backers while Lemon laughed so hard he used a tissue to wipe tears from his eyes.
A number of conservatives, including President Trump himself, decried the network and the segment on social media after it went viral on Monday evening. Some of the network's former contributors chimed in to chide the outlet.
Also a reminder that @WajahatAli is a blatant bigot who used an “Uncle Tom” trope against me on-air at @CNN, declaring that white Trump supporters “will never love you Steve, no matter how hard you try to be the Latin face of Trump.”https://t.co/d6BBZup8et https://t.co/r4gfQipkNG — Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) January 28, 2020
Steve Cortes, who was a contributor for the network until earlier this month, tweeted, "The smug political class hates the tens of millions of Americans who comprise our movement. They can cackle and grandstand ... as we build a country based on sovereignty, economic nationalism, and the diffusion of power."
He also took a shot at Ali, calling him a "blatant bigot" stemming from an on-air confrontation between the two earlier this year.
Doubtful. The problem is they see nothing wrong with this type of blatant bigotry. https://t.co/hLEG9kKlNf — PARIS (@PARISDENNARD) January 28, 2020
Paris Dennard, who faced a suspension from the network amid allegations of sexual harassment, tweeted, "Sad and offensive but not in the least bit surprising," and added, "Doubtful. The problem is they see nothing wrong with this type of blatant bigotry."
Similarly, former CNN contributor Jason Miller, who left the network after a mistress claimed he drugged a different mistress with an abortion pill after finding out she was pregnant, tweeted out the video with the caption, "Wow," while also retweeting a multitude of other people's criticisms.
CNN did not respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-28--Trump's surprisingly reasonable Israeli-Palestinian peace deal

President Trump on Tuesday outlined a surprisingly serious peace plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict .
Analysts expected a plan heavily weighted toward Israeli interests and thus likely to receive unequivocal Palestinian rejection .
But this is n't that .
Trump 's proposal has issues , but it does chart a four-year path toward a two-state solution .
Supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his primary challenger in March elections , Benny Gantz , it calls for a freeze on Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank .
That is a significant concession that will aggravate the Israeli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of access to the al Aqsa Mosque under continuing Jordanian-led custodianship .
And Trump is promising that Palestinian-controlled territory will double in size under this deal .
A tunnel would also be built to connect Gaza with the West Bank .
And , joining with a previously outlined plan , the Palestinians would receive up to $ 50 billion in economic investment .
They would also gain access to Israeli port infrastructure .
On the Israeli side , the Jewish state will gain control over the Jordan River valley : a prerequisite of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return for land swaps , Israel would also receive sovereignty over major settlement blocs in the West Bank .
This was always going to be a part of any deal , and everyone who cares to be honest knows it .
What is not clear , and would reflect unseriousness , is whether this plan allows all Israeli settlements in the West Bank , including smaller settlements , to remain .
Based on Trump 's comments that `` no Palestinians or Israelis will be uprooted from their homes , '' that might indeed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the deal 's assurance of Israeli security would obviously require Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad to cease to exist .
That 's a good thing , of course , but how it could be implemented over four years is not clear .
It would appear to require a Palestinian Authority agreement with Israel to disentangle Hamas from Gaza 's political structure .
Would that involve a joint military operation in Gaza ?
Less clear is Jerusalem 's status .
Trump said that the Palestinians would gain a capital in Jerusalem but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's undivided capital .
Perhaps Trump means that the Palestinian Authority would gain a grant of sovereignty in certain specific areas .
Detail is needed here , but the grant idea could work .
Still , this is a serious proposal overall .
It recognizes Palestinian needs for land , investment , and sovereignty and Israel 's need for security .
It also offers four years for both sides to dig into the details .
Will the Palestinians and Arab nations accept the framework ?
Some will , but Palestinian support is unlikely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a deal , nor nearly as one-sided as was presumed .
Presenting that seriousness in pursuit of peace , Trump deserves credit .

President Trump on Tuesday outlined a surprisingly serious peace plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Analysts expected a plan heavily weighted toward Israeli interests and thus likely to receive unequivocal Palestinian rejection. But this isn't that. Trump's proposal has issues, but it does chart a four-year path toward a two-state solution.
Supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his primary challenger in March elections, Benny Gantz, it calls for a freeze on Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank. That is a significant concession that will aggravate the Israeli hard-right. Muslims would also be assured of access to the al Aqsa Mosque under continuing Jordanian-led custodianship. And Trump is promising that Palestinian-controlled territory will double in size under this deal. A tunnel would also be built to connect Gaza with the West Bank. And, joining with a previously outlined plan, the Palestinians would receive up to $50 billion in economic investment. They would also gain access to Israeli port infrastructure.
On the Israeli side, the Jewish state will gain control over the Jordan River valley: a prerequisite of Israel's long-term security strategy. In return for land swaps, Israel would also receive sovereignty over major settlement blocs in the West Bank. This was always going to be a part of any deal, and everyone who cares to be honest knows it.
What is not clear, and would reflect unseriousness, is whether this plan allows all Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including smaller settlements, to remain. Based on Trump's comments that "no Palestinians or Israelis will be uprooted from their homes," that might indeed be the case.
Another complication is that the deal's assurance of Israeli security would obviously require Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad to cease to exist. That's a good thing, of course, but how it could be implemented over four years is not clear. It would appear to require a Palestinian Authority agreement with Israel to disentangle Hamas from Gaza's political structure. Would that involve a joint military operation in Gaza?
Less clear is Jerusalem's status. Trump said that the Palestinians would gain a capital in Jerusalem but also that the city would remain Israel's undivided capital. Perhaps Trump means that the Palestinian Authority would gain a grant of sovereignty in certain specific areas. Detail is needed here, but the grant idea could work.
Still, this is a serious proposal overall. It recognizes Palestinian needs for land, investment, and sovereignty and Israel's need for security. It also offers four years for both sides to dig into the details. Will the Palestinians and Arab nations accept the framework?
Some will, but Palestinian support is unlikely. But this isn't a joke of a deal, nor nearly as one-sided as was presumed. Presenting that seriousness in pursuit of peace, Trump deserves credit.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-28--Billionaire who claimed ‘Africa loves’ Trump apologizes for speaking on behalf of continent

South African businessman Patrice Motsepe apologized after telling President Trump that him during the World Economic Forum last week .
While at the gathering of world leaders in Davos , Switzerland , Motsepe told President Trump , “ Africa loves America .
Africa loves you .
It is very , very important .
We want America to do well .
We want you to do well .
The success of America is the success of the rest of the world.
” Trump appreciated Motsepe ’ s kind words , telling the billionaire , `` You 've done a great job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The exchange outraged many in South Africa , including Finance Minister Tito Mboweni , who said that the remark did not reflect the views of the South African government .
KwaZulu-Natal province premier Sihle Zikalala added that Trump was “ not a friend ” of the ruling party in South Africa and claimed the country had “ nothing to benefit ” from the president .
On Tuesday , Motsepe apologized for speaking on behalf of Africa , saying , “ I have a duty to listen to these differing views and would like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right to speak on behalf of anybody except myself.
” Motsepe , 58 , is a billionaire and philanthropist who founded the precious metals company African Rainbow Minerals , which sources gold , silver , platinum , and other valuable materials .
He is a member of the Giving Pledge , which is a program announced by Bill and Melinda Gates that encourages billionaires to work together to take on philanthropic endeavors .
The group has donated half a trillion dollars since forming in 2010 .
Trump outraged some African countries after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with lawmakers in 2018 .

South African businessman Patrice Motsepe apologized after telling President Trump that “Africa loves” him during the World Economic Forum last week.
While at the gathering of world leaders in Davos, Switzerland, Motsepe told President Trump, “Africa loves America. Africa loves you. It is very, very important. We want America to do well. We want you to do well. The success of America is the success of the rest of the world.”
Trump appreciated Motsepe’s kind words, telling the billionaire, "You've done a great job, thank you very much."
Patrice Motsepe doing everything he can to make sure Africa is never involved in World War 3! I stan🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/T41UoyLDQo — 𝗢𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗲 𝗠𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗲🎞📽🔥🔥🔥 (@unclescrooch) January 24, 2020
The exchange outraged many in South Africa, including Finance Minister Tito Mboweni, who said that the remark did not reflect the views of the South African government. KwaZulu-Natal province premier Sihle Zikalala added that Trump was “not a friend” of the ruling party in South Africa and claimed the country had “nothing to benefit” from the president.
On Tuesday, Motsepe apologized for speaking on behalf of Africa, saying, “I have a duty to listen to these differing views and would like to apologize. I do not have the right to speak on behalf of anybody except myself.”
Motsepe, 58, is a billionaire and philanthropist who founded the precious metals company African Rainbow Minerals, which sources gold, silver, platinum, and other valuable materials. He is a member of the Giving Pledge, which is a program announced by Bill and Melinda Gates that encourages billionaires to work together to take on philanthropic endeavors. The group has donated half a trillion dollars since forming in 2010.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-28--John Kelly: 'I believe John Bolton'

John Kelly: 'I believe John Bolton'

Former White House chief of staff John Kelly said he believes John Bolton on his version of events about the Ukraine military aid affair .
`` If John Bolton says that in the book , I believe John Bolton , '' the retired Marine Corps general told a crowd Monday evening in Sarasota , Florida , according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune .
Leaks from Bolton 's unpublished book claim , among other things , that President Trump told his former national security adviser that nearly $ 400 million in security aid to Ukraine was being withheld until Kyiv agreed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political rivals .
`` I NEVER told John Bolton that the aid to Ukraine was tied to investigations into Democrats , including the Bidens .
...
If John Bolton said this , it was only to sell a book , '' Trump tweeted just after midnight Monday .
Democrats , who have levied two Ukraine-related articles of impeachment against Trump , have used the book draft leak to push centrist Republican senators to vote in favor of summoning Bolton and other Trump administration officials to testify during the Senate trial .
The leak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leak , with Trump allies pointing to the National Security Council , where Bolton 's book draft had been submitted for review .
Kelly , who served as Trump 's chief of staff from July 2017 to January 2019 , worked in the White House at the same time as Bolton for about nine months .
He called Bolton an `` honest guy '' and said he supports calling witnesses .
`` I mean , half of Americans think this process is purely political and should n't be happening , but since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans would like to hear the whole story , '' Kelly said .
`` So I think if there are people that could contribute to this , either innocence or guilt ...
I think they should be heard , '' Kelly said .
`` I think some of the conversations seem to me to be very inappropriate , but I was n't there .
But there are people that were there that ought to be heard from . ''

Former White House chief of staff John Kelly said he believes John Bolton on his version of events about the Ukraine military aid affair.
"If John Bolton says that in the book, I believe John Bolton," the retired Marine Corps general told a crowd Monday evening in Sarasota, Florida, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Leaks from Bolton's unpublished book claim, among other things, that President Trump told his former national security adviser that nearly $400 million in security aid to Ukraine was being withheld until Kyiv agreed to assist with investigations into the president's political rivals.
Trump denied the claim.
"I NEVER told John Bolton that the aid to Ukraine was tied to investigations into Democrats, including the Bidens. ... If John Bolton said this, it was only to sell a book," Trump tweeted just after midnight Monday.
Democrats, who have levied two Ukraine-related articles of impeachment against Trump, have used the book draft leak to push centrist Republican senators to vote in favor of summoning Bolton and other Trump administration officials to testify during the Senate trial. The leak also prompted speculation about who is behind the leak, with Trump allies pointing to the National Security Council, where Bolton's book draft had been submitted for review.
Kelly, who served as Trump's chief of staff from July 2017 to January 2019, worked in the White House at the same time as Bolton for about nine months. He called Bolton an "honest guy" and said he supports calling witnesses.
"I mean, half of Americans think this process is purely political and shouldn't be happening, but since it is happening, the majority of Americans would like to hear the whole story," Kelly said.
"So I think if there are people that could contribute to this, either innocence or guilt ... I think they should be heard," Kelly said. "I think some of the conversations seem to me to be very inappropriate, but I wasn't there. But there are people that were there that ought to be heard from."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-28--WATCH LIVE: Final day of Trump's impeachment trial defense

President Trump 's legal team is set to begin its final day of arguments in his Senate impeachment trial on @ @ @ @ @ p.m. EST .
Impeachment managers from the House made their case over three days , @ @ @ @ @ team now has the same opportunity .

President Trump's legal team is set to begin its final day of arguments in his Senate impeachment trial on Tuesday, starting at 1 p.m. EST. Impeachment managers from the House made their case over three days, and the president's defense team now has the same opportunity.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-28--WATCH LIVE: President Trump unveils Middle East peace plan alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin

WATCH LIVE: President Trump unveils Middle East peace plan alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be delivering joint remarks from the White House at noon EST @ @ @ @ @ they are expected to unveil the Trump administration 's much-anticipated Middle East peace plan .

President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be delivering joint remarks from the White House at noon EST on Tuesday, during which they are expected to unveil the Trump administration's much-anticipated Middle East peace plan.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-28--Bolton conversation with Barr about Trump and foreign leaders ‘grossly’ mischaracterized, Justice De

Bolton conversation with Barr about Trump and foreign leaders ‘grossly’ mischaracterized, Justice Department says

Former national security adviser John Bolton and Attorney General William Barr never discussed concerns about President Trump granting “ personal favors ” to autocratic leaders or having “ undue influence ” on investigations , according to the Justice Department .
The denial follows the leak of details about Bolton ’ s book manuscript , which alleges he told Barr he had concerns about the president ’ s relationships with the leaders of Turkey and China .
Barr then told Bolton he was worried Trump created the appearance that he had sway over independent investigations , according to the New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late Monday that the report describing the conversation “ grossly mischaracterizes ” what the two men discussed .
“ There was no discussion of ‘ personal favors ’ or ‘ undue influence ’ on investigations , nor did Attorney General Barr state that the president ’ s conversations with foreign leaders was improper , ” spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said in a statement .
“ If this is truly what Mr. Bolton has written , then it seems he is attributing to Attorney General Barr his own current views — views with which Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolton submitted the draft of his book , The Room Where it Happened , to the White House ’ s National Security Council nearly a month ago for review .
The book is set to be published March 17 .
The former national security adviser and his publisher denied sharing the manuscript with the New York Times , which also reported that Bolton alleged Trump conditioned aid to Ukraine on the country investigating his political rival Joe Biden .

Former national security adviser John Bolton and Attorney General William Barr never discussed concerns about President Trump granting “personal favors” to autocratic leaders or having “undue influence” on investigations, according to the Justice Department.
The denial follows the leak of details about Bolton’s book manuscript, which alleges he told Barr he had concerns about the president’s relationships with the leaders of Turkey and China. Barr then told Bolton he was worried Trump created the appearance that he had sway over independent investigations, according to the New York Times.
A Justice Department spokeswoman said late Monday that the report describing the conversation “grossly mischaracterizes” what the two men discussed.
“There was no discussion of ‘personal favors’ or ‘undue influence’ on investigations, nor did Attorney General Barr state that the president’s conversations with foreign leaders was improper,” spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said in a statement. “If this is truly what Mr. Bolton has written, then it seems he is attributing to Attorney General Barr his own current views — views with which Attorney General Barr does not agree."
Bolton submitted the draft of his book, The Room Where it Happened, to the White House’s National Security Council nearly a month ago for review. The book is set to be published March 17.
The former national security adviser and his publisher denied sharing the manuscript with the New York Times, which also reported that Bolton alleged Trump conditioned aid to Ukraine on the country investigating his political rival Joe Biden.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-28--'Cashing million-dollar checks': Rand Paul rips John Bolton for book deal

Sen. Rand Paul said the American people should focus on Hunter Biden and John Bolton instead of President Trump amid the impeachment trial in the Senate .
“ So , Hunter Biden makes a million dollars a year , that ’ s documented , '' Paul said Tuesday on Fox News .
`` But Schumer simply creates and makes up and says , ‘ Oh , maybe the president ’ s kids are making money.
’ John Bolton is making money as we speak .
He 's probably already gotten a several-million-dollar advance for this book .
He ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Paul 's comments come as Trump 's Republican allies have tried to shift the spotlight to former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter , whose business dealings in Ukraine are at the center of Trump 's Senate impeachment trial .
Former national security adviser John Bolton has claimed Trump withheld military aid and a White House visit from the Ukrainian president during the pressure campaign .
Most Republicans have dismissed Bolton , who is promoting a new book , as discredited and disgruntled .
“ The only people we know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden and now John Bolton , '' Paul said .
`` And they ’ re not objective .
John Bolton is not objective in any way now that he ’ s been cashing million-dollar checks . ''

Sen. Rand Paul said the American people should focus on Hunter Biden and John Bolton instead of President Trump amid the impeachment trial in the Senate.
“So, Hunter Biden makes a million dollars a year, that’s documented," Paul said Tuesday on Fox News. "But Schumer simply creates and makes up and says, ‘Oh, maybe the president’s kids are making money.’ John Bolton is making money as we speak. He's probably already gotten a several-million-dollar advance for this book. He’s making money by testifying against the president.”
Paul's comments come as Trump's Republican allies have tried to shift the spotlight to former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, whose business dealings in Ukraine are at the center of Trump's Senate impeachment trial.
Former national security adviser John Bolton has claimed Trump withheld military aid and a White House visit from the Ukrainian president during the pressure campaign.
Most Republicans have dismissed Bolton, who is promoting a new book, as discredited and disgruntled.
“The only people we know who have actually made money? Hunter Biden and now John Bolton," Paul said. "And they’re not objective. John Bolton is not objective in any way now that he’s been cashing million-dollar checks."