Brooklyn invades Iowa

Locals use the term “ parachuters ” to describe coastal journalists like me who , every few years , spend a few weeks following White House hopefuls around early primary states such as Iowa , New Hampshire , and Nevada .
Understandably , many resent outsiders who think they can move into a Marriott and get a true feeling for a place before hopping back home and writing long screeds about `` real America . ''
What happened in Des Moines on Tuesday , Jan. 21 , was something worse — an example of imperial parachuters trying to spread their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News inexplicably decided to rent out two auditoriums of the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines , officially to host a “ Brown & Black Presidential Forum ” in which the minority voices of Iowa ’ s overwhelmingly white electorate could hear Democrats answer questions relevant to them .
It became readily apparent during the four-hour symposium , however , that the whole thing was really about Vice .
( That message was reinforced when I asked a staff member if I could speak to voters at some point .
Instead , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalists after the event .
I declined the offer . )
Appropriately , for a forum hosted by “ creatives , ” the organizers got creative with the start time — it was delayed twice in the days leading up to the event .
Once we finally got underway , the predominantly old and white audience was treated to a roughly 10-second turntable show by a man introduced as DJ Matt FX .
That was all we heard from DJ Matt FX , who just sheepishly stood next to the audience for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hosts attempted to explain DJ Matt FX ’ s presence : “ Why do we have a DJ ?
Because we ’ re Vice.
” The hosts began the proceedings without any references to Iowa but with plenty about immigration and the perils of political compromise .
The first candidate to speak , the relatively moderate Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado , had a lot to answer for .
The conversation between Bennet and the hosts was reminiscent of a 20-something bargaining with her father for a larger allowance .
When Bennet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposed social program or federal rule , the hosts would reply with something along the lines of , “ But we need it.
” The most fruitful discussion came on the topic of the minimum wage .
Bennet supports raising it to $ 15 an hour in America ’ s wealthier communities but not in the whole country .
Businesses in small towns , he argued , simply can ’ t afford to pay such a wage — nor do many workers in those towns need to make that much money to avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Should businesses exist that can ’ t pay people a living wage ?
” Bennet squirmed and offered a string of liberal platitudes about how all people in the United States are entitled to a healthy standard of living .
To Bennet ’ s initial point , according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ’ s living wage calculator , the living wage in Iowa is just $ 10.89 for an adult with no children .
The current minimum wage in the state , which was not referenced in the questioning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came next was not much more enlightening .
Perhaps sensing the opportunity to score points back in Brooklyn by tearing down a merely left-wing ( as opposed to far-left ) Democrat , the hosts pounced on former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
Again , they asked him nothing about what he ’ d do for states such as Iowa .
Instead , they grilled him over the diversity of his hometown ’ s police force , which lost 50 % of its black officers during his tenure .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was treated to brief video clips in which young Vice reporters would venture on safari into the corners of Iowa ’ s counterculture .
Of note was a trip to the state ’ s oldest gay bar , the Blazing Saddle , where a young reporter asked attendees their thoughts on the Democratic field .
The segment ’ s editors were clearly shocked by the bartender , a middle-aged gay man who supports President Trump but has been impressed by Buttigieg .
No one in the audience , mostly Iowans who know actual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any sort of audible reaction when the background music paused for laughter .
Disappointingly for Vice , many of those in the Blazing Saddle seemed partial to Buttigieg , not because of his sexual orientation but because of his military service and air of moderation .
Everyone interviewed in the Blazing Saddle , save a transgender dancer in drag , was white .
They had little to say about the far-left candidates in the race .
Eight Democrats ended up speaking during the Vice event , which brought in an impressive 3.5 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those viewers were on the coasts .
Issues that Iowans care about , including farm subsidies , federal infrastructure aid for towns ravaged by historic flooding , and rural high-speed internet access , didn ’ t come up at all .
Instead , they were sidelined with questions about doubling or tripling funding for historically black colleges and universities or about how well John Delaney knows Jay-Z lyrics .
The whole thing felt less like a journalistic forum than an act of colonization .
Bearing a cross of sleek graphic design and hip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here to show you , the local pagans , what this election is really about .
Issues facing minorities are important ones , but the issues facing minorities in Iowa are often identical to the ones faced by whites .
The black and Hispanic voters I spoke with after the event had little to say about policing or systemic discrimination , but many had the same question : Who were those people ?
Joseph Simonson is a political reporter for the Washington Examiner .

Locals use the term “parachuters” to describe coastal journalists like me who, every few years, spend a few weeks following White House hopefuls around early primary states such as Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada. Understandably, many resent outsiders who think they can move into a Marriott and get a true feeling for a place before hopping back home and writing long screeds about "real America."
What happened in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 21, was something worse — an example of imperial parachuters trying to spread their values among confused people.
Brooklyn-based Vice News inexplicably decided to rent out two auditoriums of the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, officially to host a “Brown & Black Presidential Forum” in which the minority voices of Iowa’s overwhelmingly white electorate could hear Democrats answer questions relevant to them. It became readily apparent during the four-hour symposium, however, that the whole thing was really about Vice. (That message was reinforced when I asked a staff member if I could speak to voters at some point. Instead, I was told I could interview Vice's journalists after the event. I declined the offer.)
Appropriately, for a forum hosted by “creatives,” the organizers got creative with the start time — it was delayed twice in the days leading up to the event. Once we finally got underway, the predominantly old and white audience was treated to a roughly 10-second turntable show by a man introduced as DJ Matt FX. That was all we heard from DJ Matt FX, who just sheepishly stood next to the audience for the remainder of the event. One of the hosts attempted to explain DJ Matt FX’s presence: “Why do we have a DJ? Because we’re Vice.”
The hosts began the proceedings without any references to Iowa but with plenty about immigration and the perils of political compromise. The first candidate to speak, the relatively moderate Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado, had a lot to answer for.
The conversation between Bennet and the hosts was reminiscent of a 20-something bargaining with her father for a larger allowance. When Bennet said “no” to some newly proposed social program or federal rule, the hosts would reply with something along the lines of, “But we need it.”
The most fruitful discussion came on the topic of the minimum wage. Bennet supports raising it to $15 an hour in America’s wealthier communities but not in the whole country. Businesses in small towns, he argued, simply can’t afford to pay such a wage — nor do many workers in those towns need to make that much money to avoid poverty. Eventually, someone asked him, “Should businesses exist that can’t pay people a living wage?” Bennet squirmed and offered a string of liberal platitudes about how all people in the United States are entitled to a healthy standard of living. To Bennet’s initial point, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s living wage calculator, the living wage in Iowa is just $10.89 for an adult with no children. The current minimum wage in the state, which was not referenced in the questioning, sits at $7.25.
What came next was not much more enlightening. Perhaps sensing the opportunity to score points back in Brooklyn by tearing down a merely left-wing (as opposed to far-left) Democrat, the hosts pounced on former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Again, they asked him nothing about what he’d do for states such as Iowa. Instead, they grilled him over the diversity of his hometown’s police force, which lost 50% of its black officers during his tenure.
In between the candidate interviews, the audience was treated to brief video clips in which young Vice reporters would venture on safari into the corners of Iowa’s counterculture.
Of note was a trip to the state’s oldest gay bar, the Blazing Saddle, where a young reporter asked attendees their thoughts on the Democratic field. The segment’s editors were clearly shocked by the bartender, a middle-aged gay man who supports President Trump but has been impressed by Buttigieg. No one in the audience, mostly Iowans who know actual Trump voters, seemed surprised or gave any sort of audible reaction when the background music paused for laughter.
Disappointingly for Vice, many of those in the Blazing Saddle seemed partial to Buttigieg, not because of his sexual orientation but because of his military service and air of moderation. Everyone interviewed in the Blazing Saddle, save a transgender dancer in drag, was white. They had little to say about the far-left candidates in the race.
Eight Democrats ended up speaking during the Vice event, which brought in an impressive 3.5 million views online. Presumably, most of those viewers were on the coasts. Issues that Iowans care about, including farm subsidies, federal infrastructure aid for towns ravaged by historic flooding, and rural high-speed internet access, didn’t come up at all. Instead, they were sidelined with questions about doubling or tripling funding for historically black colleges and universities or about how well John Delaney knows Jay-Z lyrics. The whole thing felt less like a journalistic forum than an act of colonization. Bearing a cross of sleek graphic design and hip beats, the journalists of Vice were here to show you, the local pagans, what this election is really about.
Issues facing minorities are important ones, but the issues facing minorities in Iowa are often identical to the ones faced by whites. The black and Hispanic voters I spoke with after the event had little to say about policing or systemic discrimination, but many had the same question: Who were those people?
Joseph Simonson is a political reporter for the Washington Examiner.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--How Warren's ambush against Bernie Sanders backfired

IOWA CITY , Iowa — Elizabeth Warren has come up on the short end of her disagreement with 2020 Democratic rival Bernie Sanders , deflating the Massachusetts senator 's presidential campaign at the most inopportune moment .
The attacks between the two furthest-left major Democratic candidates started last week , when Warren , 70 , said she was `` disappointed '' to hear about a leaked memo that instructed Sanders 's campaign staffers to tell Iowa voters that she was n't capable of building a broad coalition to win a general election against President Trump .
The situation escalated when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaked a story to CNN the night before a Democratic debate alleging Sanders , 78 , told her a woman could n't win the White House .
Sanders flatly denied making those remarks , but the issue spilled over to the debate and ended in a tense exchange between the two after the event 's close .
Those close to Sanders say the Warren campaign 's leaking of the story was an act of desperation but acknowledge the senator was foolish to think a detente would last through the first primary contests .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sign I saw on a beach I saw this summer about throwing trash in the ocean , '' said consultant Brad Bannon .
`` My version is : 'The candidate you trash now may be the nominee you have to swim with in the fall . '
'' But polling shows that voters in Iowa were also affected by Warren 's gambit , as she began hitting new lows in recent national polls .
A survey released by Monmouth last week found Warren 's support at 14 % nationally , nine points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice President Joe Biden .
`` She would be better off making the best possible case for herself instead of getting in a pissing match or name-calling contest with Bernie , '' Bannon said .
`` Democratic primary voters want their candidates to focus their fury towards Trump , not beat up on each other . ''
Most tellingly , Warren saw a 15-point drop in her net favorability rating from the previous month .
Her approval is now underwater with Democratic voters at plus 46 points .
That 's down from her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa , her numbers remain stronger .
Voters say that 's because she has made an aggressive push to humanize herself and largely avoid the topic of Sanders altogether .
Still , some voters , such as Debby Tillson , 44 , who saw former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg speak in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday , said that Warren 's bickering with Sanders made her move toward a candidate with a central message of unity , rather than partisan division .
`` Just hearing Pete speak about bringing America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , really made a difference , '' she said about the 38-year-old Harvard grad , Rhodes scholar and McKinsey consultant .
`` We ca n't keep having these ideological battles in the party . ''
Biden supporters say Warren 's decline was inevitable and point to her polling after she repeatedly declined to take a position on whether her Medicare for All plan would likely raise taxes on the middle class .
In November , when she finally announced the details of her health proposal arguing only the rich would pay for it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in states including Iowa .
Her support in Iowa has n't budged much since then , with RealClearPolitics averaging her at 16.7 % support .
`` I don ’ t think that episode with Bernie helped Elizabeth .
It probably hurt Warren more than Sanders .
But it ’ s not the same thing as saying you ’ re in favor of getting rid of private health insurance , '' said former Pennsylvania Gov .
Ed Rendell `` The spat over who told what to whom wasn ’ t good for either of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s done to herself was on Medicare for All , looking disingenuous and not being honest with the American people . ''

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Elizabeth Warren has come up on the short end of her disagreement with 2020 Democratic rival Bernie Sanders, deflating the Massachusetts senator's presidential campaign at the most inopportune moment.
The attacks between the two furthest-left major Democratic candidates started last week, when Warren, 70, said she was "disappointed" to hear about a leaked memo that instructed Sanders's campaign staff to tell Iowa voters that she wasn't capable of building a broad coalition to win a general election against President Trump. The situation escalated when Warren's team, in return, leaked a story to CNN the night before a Democratic debate alleging that Sanders, 78, told her a woman couldn't win the White House.
Sanders flatly denied making those remarks, but the issue spilled over to the debate and ended in a tense exchange between the two after the event's close. Those close to Sanders say the Warren campaign's leaking of the story was an act of desperation but acknowledge the senator was foolish to think a detente would last through the first primary contests.
"Warren's comments remind me of a sign I saw on a beach I saw this summer about throwing trash in the ocean," said consultant Brad Bannon. "My version is: 'The candidate you trash now may be the nominee you have to swim with in the fall.'"
But polling shows that voters in Iowa were also affected by Warren's gambit, as she began hitting new lows in recent national polls. A survey released by Monmouth last week found Warren's support at 14% nationally, 9 points behind Sanders and 16 points behind former Vice President Joe Biden.
"She would be better off making the best possible case for herself instead of getting in a pissing match or name-calling contest with Bernie," Bannon said. "Democratic primary voters want their candidates to focus their fury towards Trump, not beat up on each other."
Most tellingly, Warren saw a 15-point drop in her net favorability rating from the previous month. Her approval is now underwater with Democratic voters at plus 46 points. That's down from her November high of plus 70.
In Iowa, her numbers remain stronger. Voters say that's because she has made an aggressive push to humanize herself and largely avoid the topic of Sanders altogether.
Still, some voters, such as Debby Tillson, 44, who saw former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg speak in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, said that Warren's bickering with Sanders made her move toward a candidate with a central message of unity, rather than partisan division.
"Just hearing Pete speak about bringing America together, which is what we need, really made a difference," she said about the 38-year-old Harvard graduate, Rhodes scholar, and McKinsey consultant. "We can't keep having these ideological battles in the party."
Biden supporters say Warren's decline was inevitable and point to her polling after she repeatedly declined to take a position on whether her Medicare for All plan would likely raise taxes on the middle class. In November, when she finally announced the details of her health proposal arguing only the rich would pay for it, Warren saw her numbers rapidly drop in states including Iowa.
Her support in Iowa hasn't budged much since then, with RealClearPolitics averaging her at 16.7% support.
"I don’t think that episode with Bernie helped Elizabeth. It probably hurt Warren more than Sanders. But it’s not the same thing as saying you’re in favor of getting rid of private health insurance," said former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell. "The spat over who told what to whom wasn’t good for either of them. But the damage she’s done to herself was on Medicare for All, looking disingenuous and not being honest with the American people."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--'It should have been for $50 billion': Tulsi Gabbard says damages sought against Hillary Clinton ins

'It should have been for $50 billion': Tulsi Gabbard says damages sought against Hillary Clinton insufficient

CLAREMONT , New Hampshire — Tulsi Gabbard said that the $ 50 million in damages sought in her defamation lawsuit against Hillary Clinton is not enough .
`` It should have been for $ 50 billion , '' the Hawaii congresswoman and Democratic presidential candidate said when asked how she arrived at the figure .
`` What is your life worth to you ?
What is your honor and loyalty and your identity worth to you ? ''
Gabbard on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Clinton , asserting that the former Secretary of State 's October 2019 comments in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Republicans to run as a third-party spoiler candidate and appeared to call her a `` Russian asset '' harmed Gabbard 's political ambitions .
`` What she has done is very directly attacked who I am as a person , '' Gabbard , 38 , said .
`` Like every single soldier and service member in this country , we take an oath of loyalty to our country and to our Constitution , willing to lay our lives down to serve and to protect and defend the safety , security , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is who I am .
And so to so directly dismiss the value , the honor , the loyalty , and sacrifices , not only for me but for any service member in this country , it can not go unchecked . ''
Gabbard in October responded to Clinton by calling her “ the queen of warmongers , embodiment of corruption , and personification of the rot that has sickened the Democratic Party for so long .
”

CLAREMONT, New Hampshire — Tulsi Gabbard said that the $50 million in damages sought in her defamation lawsuit against Hillary Clinton is not enough.
"It should have been for $50 billion," the Hawaii congresswoman and Democratic presidential candidate said when asked how she arrived at the figure. "What is your life worth to you? What is your honor and loyalty and your identity worth to you?"
Gabbard on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Clinton, asserting that the former Secretary of State's October 2019 comments in which she asserted that Gabbard was being groomed by Republicans to run as a third-party spoiler candidate and appeared to call her a "Russian asset" harmed Gabbard's political ambitions.
"What she has done is very directly attacked who I am as a person," Gabbard, 38, said. "Like every single soldier and service member in this country, we take an oath of loyalty to our country and to our Constitution, willing to lay our lives down to serve and to protect and defend the safety, security, and freedom of the American people. This is who I am. And so to so directly dismiss the value, the honor, the loyalty, and sacrifices, not only for me but for any service member in this country, it cannot go unchecked."
Gabbard in October responded to Clinton by calling her “the queen of warmongers, embodiment of corruption, and personification of the rot that has sickened the Democratic Party for so long.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--Trump administration targets online sellers in plan to take down counterfeit goods market

The Trump administration 's new plan to stop the importation of counterfeit goods came with a warning to e-commerce outlets to buckle down on online sales of illicit items or risk penalties .
Department of Homeland Security and White House officials introduced on Friday a dozen steps meant to shutter the “ illicit trade epidemic , ” estimated to cost U.S. businesses as much as $ 500 billion .
The plan asks the Justice Department to find civil fines and penalties it can impose on people selling these items , instructs the Commerce Department to launch a consumer campaign to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ items , and tells online sellers such as eBay and Amazon to start blocking bad foreign sellers who are pushing items that violate U.S. intellectual laws .
“ Economic security is homeland security , ” acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf said during at the announcement in Arlington , Virginia .
“ This illicit trade must be stopped in its tracks.
” Last April , President Trump signed a memorandum directing the government to look into how it can curtail the illegal sale of counterfeit items online .
Customs and Border Protection is leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the inspector of all incoming foreign mail and packages , which is how items purchased online from overseas sellers get into the country .
More than 600 million express and international mail shipments passed through CBP inspection facilities in fiscal 2019 , though not all can be inspected due to the sheer volume .
Last month , CBP officers inspecting a shipment of boxes from Hong Kong found $ 130,000 in fake designer bags .
The officials said these types of busts are normal and that any manufactured item is at risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sellers face little chance of being caught or prosecuted .
“ This is an absolutely righteous threat that is growing exponentially every single year , ” said acting CBP Commissioner Mark Morgan .
When packages are stopped and found to contain something that is illegal , including fake goods , it is difficult for federal agents to then track down the shipper and bring them to justice .
Last year , the DHS agency that investigates counterfeit goods made $ 546 million in seizures .
White House Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not solely be responsible for policing the internet for fake goods or ones made with unsafe ingredients , the first step to keeping illegal goods from being shipped to the United States .
“ The flood of counterfeit contraband coming … You can not seize and inspect your way out of it , ” said Navarro .

The Trump administration's new plan to stop the importation of counterfeit goods came with a warning to e-commerce outlets to buckle down on online sales of illicit items or risk penalties.
Department of Homeland Security and White House officials introduced on Friday a dozen steps meant to shutter the “illicit trade epidemic,” estimated to cost U.S. businesses as much as $500 billion. The plan asks the Justice Department to find civil fines and penalties it can impose on people selling these items, instructs the Commerce Department to launch a consumer campaign to teach the public how to spot fake items, and tells online sellers such as eBay and Amazon to start blocking bad foreign sellers who are pushing items that violate U.S. intellectual laws.
“Economic security is homeland security,” acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf said during at the announcement in Arlington, Virginia. “This illicit trade must be stopped in its tracks.”
Last April, President Trump signed a memorandum directing the government to look into how it can curtail the illegal sale of counterfeit items online. Customs and Border Protection is leading the new efforts because of its role as the inspector of all incoming foreign mail and packages, which is how items purchased online from overseas sellers get into the country. More than 600 million express and international mail shipments passed through CBP inspection facilities in fiscal 2019, though not all can be inspected due to the sheer volume.
Last month, CBP officers inspecting a shipment of boxes from Hong Kong found $130,000 in fake designer bags. The officials said these types of busts are normal and that any manufactured item is at risk of being counterfeited and sold online because sellers face little chance of being caught or prosecuted.
“This is an absolutely righteous threat that is growing exponentially every single year,” said acting CBP Commissioner Mark Morgan.
When packages are stopped and found to contain something that is illegal, including fake goods, it is difficult for federal agents to then track down the shipper and bring them to justice. Last year, the DHS agency that investigates counterfeit goods made $546 million in seizures.
White House Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Peter Navarro said the federal government cannot solely be responsible for policing the internet for fake goods or ones made with unsafe ingredients, the first step to keeping illegal goods from being shipped to the United States.
“The flood of counterfeit contraband coming … You cannot seize and inspect your way out of it,” said Navarro.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--White House Weekly: Jan. 24, 2020

White House Weekly: Jan. 24, 2020

The Senate finally began their impeachment trial .
President Trump travels to Davos , Switzerland , for the annual World Economic Forum and gets into a tit for tat with climate activist Greta Thunberg .
And the president and first lady Melania Trump hit a key milestone .
Here 's everything that happened for the White House this week .
On Tuesday , the Senate began the highly anticipated impeachment trial of Trump , where his fate lies with the vote of 53 Republican senators to keep him in office .
While Senate Democrats such as Minority Leader Chuck Schumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testify , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked their proposal and put forward a resolution that passed along party lines that delays the debate over witnesses and new evidence until after opening statements and questions from senators are made .
Opening arguments were presented between the prosecution , represented by House managers Adam Schiff and Jerry Nadler , and the defense , represented by Trump ’ s legal team of Pat Cipollone and Jay Sekulow .
Meanwhile , Trump traveled to Davos , Switzerland , for the annual World Economic Forum as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the Senate impeachment trial a sideshow .
But , with climate activist Thunberg attending as well , a sideshow came to fruition over the issue of climate change .
Finally , the White House posted on Instagram a never-before-seen photo of the president and Melania Trump to commemorate the couple ’ s 15th wedding anniversary .
The two were married in Palm Beach , Florida , in 2005 , and the ceremony was attended by celebrities including Regis Philbin and Barbara Walters , but , also , who could forget Bill and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more , go to washingtonexaminer.com .
Subscribe to the Washington Examiner YouTube channel .
Like us on Facebook , and follow us on Twitter and Instagram .

The Senate finally began their impeachment trial. President Trump travels to Davos, Switzerland, for the annual World Economic Forum and gets into a tit for tat with climate activist Greta Thunberg. And the president and first lady Melania Trump hit a key milestone. Here's everything that happened for the White House this week.
On Tuesday, the Senate began the highly anticipated impeachment trial of Trump, where his fate lies with the vote of 53 Republican senators to keep him in office. While Senate Democrats such as Minority Leader Chuck Schumer pushed for witnesses to be called to testify, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked their proposal and put forward a resolution that passed along party lines that delays the debate over witnesses and new evidence until after opening statements and questions from senators are made.
Opening arguments were presented between the prosecution, represented by House managers Adam Schiff and Jerry Nadler, and the defense, represented by Trump’s legal team of Pat Cipollone and Jay Sekulow.
Meanwhile, Trump traveled to Davos, Switzerland, for the annual World Economic Forum as an attempt to focus on his accomplishments and make the Senate impeachment trial a sideshow. But, with climate activist Thunberg attending as well, a sideshow came to fruition over the issue of climate change.
Finally, the White House posted on Instagram a never-before-seen photo of the president and Melania Trump to commemorate the couple’s 15th wedding anniversary. The two were married in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2005, and the ceremony was attended by celebrities including Regis Philbin and Barbara Walters, but, also, who could forget Bill and Hillary Clinton?
For these stories and more, go to washingtonexaminer.com. Subscribe to the Washington Examiner YouTube channel. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--Taylor Swift regrets not speaking out against Trump in 2016

Pop star Taylor Swift lamented not speaking out against President Trump in the last presidential election .
Swift , 30 , publicly commented on politics for the first time ahead of the 2018 midterm elections with her endorsement of Democrat Phil Bredesen , who ran for the Senate in Tennessee .
In the forthcoming Netflix documentary , Miss Americana , Swift discusses with her family and public relations staff the backlash that could follow her endorsement .
Swift is told that her support of Bredesen could be seen as a condemnation of the president .
`` I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm sad I did n't say it two years ago , ” Swift said , according to the Daily Beast .
“ I want to be on the right side of history , ” she said .
Her publicist also warned her that Trump could attack her , to which Swift replied , “ F—k that .
I don ’ t care.
” Swift endorsed Bredesen , who lost the race , and criticized his Republican opponent Sen. Marsha Blackburn , for voting against reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act and her lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ca n't see another commercial [ with ] her disguising these policies behind the words 'Tennessee Christian values.
’ I live in Tennessee .
I am Christian .
That 's not what we stand for , ” Swift said in the documentary , also calling Blackburn “ Trump in a wig.
” Swift recalled the backlash to the Dixie Chicks 's decision to criticize President George W. Bush in the run-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq as the reason why she didn ’ t speak about politics .

Pop star Taylor Swift lamented not speaking out against President Trump in the last presidential election.
Swift, 30, publicly commented on politics for the first time ahead of the 2018 midterm elections with her endorsement of Democrat Phil Bredesen, who ran for the Senate in Tennessee.
In the forthcoming Netflix documentary, Miss Americana, Swift discusses with her family and public relations staff the backlash that could follow her endorsement. Swift is told that her support of Bredesen could be seen as a condemnation of the president.
"I don’t care if they write that. I'm sad I didn't say it two years ago,” Swift said, according to the Daily Beast.
“I want to be on the right side of history,” she said.
Her publicist also warned her that Trump could attack her, to which Swift replied, “F—k that. I don’t care.”
Swift endorsed Bredesen, who lost the race, and criticized his Republican opponent Sen. Marsha Blackburn, for voting against reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act and her lack of support for same-sex marriage.
"I can't see another commercial [with] her disguising these policies behind the words 'Tennessee Christian values.’ I live in Tennessee. I am Christian. That's not what we stand for,” Swift said in the documentary, also calling Blackburn “Trump in a wig.”
Swift recalled the backlash to the Dixie Chicks's decision to criticize President George W. Bush in the run-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq as the reason why she didn’t speak about politics.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--'Caught': White House tweets out clip of George Stephanopoulos cutting off Trump impeachment attorne

'Caught': White House tweets out clip of George Stephanopoulos cutting off Trump impeachment attorney

George Stephanopoulos was caught on-air cutting off a press conference of President Trump ’ s lead counsel for impeachment , Jay Sekulow .
Sekulow , 63 , was giving an update to reporters about the Democratic argument for impeachment that has unfolded following three days of testimony from the impeachment managers , including Adam Schiff and Jerry Nadler .
Midway through a question , ABC News cut the feed returned the camera back to Stephanopoulos as he dramatically signaled to cut the feed .
The White House tweeted the video of Stephanopoulos with the caption : “ Caught !
ABC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the President ’ s lead counsel.
” Just before Stephanopoulos was filmed cutting off Sekulow ’ s answer , deputy White House press secretary Hogan Gidley directed the attorney that he would just take a “ couple more ” questions , signaling that the press conference was nearing its end .
Several of Trump ’ s Republican supporters also ripped Stephanopoulos for cutting off the remainder of the press conference , including Republican National Committee spokeswoman Elizabeth Harrington , who wrote , “ Think he ever reacts that way when Schiff is speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press secretary and senior adviser to Bill Clinton before he began his time on television news .
He left the Clinton administration in his second term and was not part of the staff during Clinton ’ s impeachment .

George Stephanopoulos was caught on-air cutting off a press conference of President Trump’s lead counsel for impeachment, Jay Sekulow.
Sekulow, 63, was giving an update to reporters about the Democratic argument for impeachment that has unfolded following three days of testimony from the impeachment managers, including Adam Schiff and Jerry Nadler. Midway through a question, ABC News cut the feed returned the camera back to Stephanopoulos as he dramatically signaled to cut the feed.
The White House tweeted the video of Stephanopoulos with the caption: “Caught! ABC’s Stephanopoulos trying to cut off the President’s lead counsel.”
Caught! ABC’s Stephanopoulos trying to cut off the President’s lead counsel. pic.twitter.com/JQD6YhlkCW — The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 24, 2020
Just before Stephanopoulos was filmed cutting off Sekulow’s answer, deputy White House press secretary Hogan Gidley directed the attorney that he would just take a “couple more” questions, signaling that the press conference was nearing its end.
Several of Trump’s Republican supporters also ripped Stephanopoulos for cutting off the remainder of the press conference, including Republican National Committee spokeswoman Elizabeth Harrington, who wrote, “Think he ever reacts that way when Schiff is speaking?”
Think he ever reacts that way when Schiff is speaking? 🤔🙄https://t.co/fqmvGx0tJA — Elizabeth Harrington (@LizRNC) January 24, 2020
This is what media bias looks like featuring ABC's @GStephanopoulos. pic.twitter.com/uogaxec9Lj — Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) January 24, 2020
Stephanopoulos, 58, was press secretary and senior adviser to Bill Clinton before he began his time on television news. He left the Clinton administration in his second term and was not part of the staff during Clinton’s impeachment.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--Trump defense team to cut time short Saturday as it angles for better TV slot Monday

President Trump ’ s defense team is expected to offer only brief , preliminary remarks on Saturday , reserving the bulk of its argument for Monday when more people will be watching TV , according to senior Republican figures .
The tactic reflects the president ’ s desire to have a made-for-television defense .
On Friday , he complained that his team had been relegated to a “ Death Valley ” scheduling slot during the weekend when no one would be watching .
Instead , a source close to the Republican leadership said Trump ’ s lawyers would offer a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ portion of their Saturday time before resuming after Sunday ’ s day off .
“ The real meat of the thing will start on Monday , ” he said .
Either way , they would not be using the full 24 hours allotted for opening statements .
“ They will say what they need to say and then get out , ” he said .
“ Unlike the House managers who have beaten everyone over the head with it , they will be more concise.
” The strategy reflects the style of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality TV show and who sees things with the eye of a producer .
At times he has taken control of lighting arrangements before interviews and makes key appointments based on whether candidates look the part .
At the same time , Trump allies have taken the view that a faster trial with maximum public impact is the best approach .
They believe that long , wordy statements and repeating details are turning viewers off .
The trial result they are concerned about will come not in the Senate — Democrats know they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remove Trump — but in court of public opinion .
A shorter defense avoids offering credibility to the Democrats ’ case and will stick better in viewers ’ minds , they believe .
“ The focus is on getting it done , ” said a senior administration official .
“ The American people and the president want this stuff to come to its completion.
” The Democrat-controlled House last month impeached Trump on two charges : obstructing Congress and abusing his power by withholding aid to Ukraine to pressure its president to investigate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work with a Ukrainian energy company .
It is understood that Republican senators particularly want to hear about the contrasting way Trump and his predecessor Barack Obama viewed Ukraine .
While Obama denied lethal assistance to Kyiv in its struggle against Moscow , for fear of inflaming regional tensions , Trump approved the provision of sniper rifles , rocket launchers , and Javelin anti-tank missiles .
Administration officials argue that the previous reluctance to supply such aid shows that any pause in supplying assistance is not evidence of abuse of power or a @ @

President Trump’s defense team is expected to offer only brief, preliminary remarks on Saturday, reserving the bulk of its argument for Monday when more people will be watching TV, according to senior Republican figures.
The tactic reflects the president’s desire to have a made-for-television defense. On Friday, he complained that his team had been relegated to a “Death Valley” scheduling slot during the weekend when no one would be watching.
Instead, a source close to the Republican leadership said Trump’s lawyers would offer a truncated defense and speak for only a portion of their Saturday time before resuming after Sunday’s day off.
After having been treated unbelievably unfairly in the House, and then having to endure hour after hour of lies, fraud & deception by Shifty Schiff, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer & their crew, looks like my lawyers will be forced to start on Saturday, which is called Death Valley in T.V. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2020
“The real meat of the thing will start on Monday,” he said.
Either way, they would not be using the full 24 hours allotted for opening statements.
“They will say what they need to say and then get out,” he said. “Unlike the House managers who have beaten everyone over the head with it, they will be more concise.”
The strategy reflects the style of a president with a background in a top-rated reality TV show and who sees things with the eye of a producer. At times he has taken control of lighting arrangements before interviews and makes key appointments based on whether candidates look the part.
At the same time, Trump allies have taken the view that a faster trial with maximum public impact is the best approach. They believe that long, wordy statements and repeating details are turning viewers off.
The trial result they are concerned about will come not in the Senate — Democrats know they cannot muster the votes needed to remove Trump — but in court of public opinion. A shorter defense avoids offering credibility to the Democrats’ case and will stick better in viewers’ minds, they believe.
“The focus is on getting it done,” said a senior administration official. “The American people and the president want this stuff to come to its completion.”
The Democrat-controlled House last month impeached Trump on two charges: obstructing Congress and abusing his power by withholding aid to Ukraine to pressure its president to investigate Joe Biden’s son and his work with a Ukrainian energy company.
It is understood that Republican senators particularly want to hear about the contrasting way Trump and his predecessor Barack Obama viewed Ukraine.
While Obama denied lethal assistance to Kyiv in its struggle against Moscow, for fear of inflaming regional tensions, Trump approved the provision of sniper rifles, rocket launchers, and Javelin anti-tank missiles.
Administration officials argue that the previous reluctance to supply such aid shows that any pause in supplying assistance is not evidence of abuse of power or a quid-pro-quo.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--Michigan governor chosen to deliver Democratic response to Trump’s State of the Union address

Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer and Texas Rep. Veronica Escobar the Democratic responses to President Trump ’ s State of the Union address .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer chose Whitmer and Escobar to deliver the response to the State of the Union address , with Escobar delivering the response in Spanish .
In a statement , Pelosi lauded Whitmer , writing , `` She ’ s a forward-looking leader who is laser-focused on solving problems for everyday Michiganders and is uniquely qualified to deliver Democrats ’ message of progress for all Americans . ''
Schumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding , `` Whether it 's pledging to 'Fix the Damn Roads ' or investing in climate solutions , Governor Whitmer 's vision for the future is exactly what this country needs , and I 'm thrilled she is giving the Democratic response . ''
Whitmer , 48 , was elected governor in 2018 after working as the state ’ s senate majority leader .
She beat her Republican opponent by nearly 10 percentage points in Michigan , a state that will be key for 2020 Democrats hoping to stop Trump from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filled the seat vacated by former presidential candidate Beto O ’ Rourke when he ran for Senate in 2018 .
She became the representative for her freshman congressional class after that position was vacated by California Rep. Katie Hill when she .
Previously , Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacy Abrams and Massachusetts Rep. Joe Kennedy delivered the response to President Trump .
The speech is scheduled for Feb. 4 , but Pelosi did notify Trump that he can delay the address until after the impeachment trial .
[ Related : Republican congressman wants Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment trial ends ]

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Texas Rep. Veronica Escobar will deliver the Democratic responses to President Trump’s State of the Union address.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer chose Whitmer and Escobar to deliver the response to the State of the Union address, with Escobar delivering the response in Spanish. In a statement, Pelosi lauded Whitmer, writing, "She’s a forward-looking leader who is laser-focused on solving problems for everyday Michiganders and is uniquely qualified to deliver Democrats’ message of progress for all Americans."
Schumer echoed Pelosi’s praises of Whitmer, adding, "Whether it's pledging to 'Fix the Damn Roads' or investing in climate solutions, Governor Whitmer's vision for the future is exactly what this country needs, and I'm thrilled she is giving the Democratic response."
Whitmer, 48, was elected governor in 2018 after working as the state’s senate majority leader. She beat her Republican opponent by nearly 10 percentage points in Michigan, a state that will be key for 2020 Democrats hoping to stop Trump from being reelected.
Escobar, 50, filled the seat vacated by former presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke when he ran for Senate in 2018. She became the representative for her freshman congressional class after that position was vacated by California Rep. Katie Hill when she resigned from office .
Previously, Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacy Abrams and Massachusetts Rep. Joe Kennedy delivered the response to President Trump. The speech is scheduled for Feb. 4, but Pelosi did notify Trump that he can delay the address until after the impeachment trial.
[Related: Republican congressman wants Trump State of the Union delayed until Senate impeachment trial ends]


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--'Diminished by this entire saga': Geraldo Rivera says Giuliani is deteriorating

Fox News personality Geraldo Rivera lamented about what he called the mental deterioration of President Trump 's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani during an appearance on Fox & Friends Friday morning .
“ I ’ ve known him since he was a newly appointed U.S. attorney in the southern district here in New York , ” Geraldo stated .
“ Then , he became America ’ s mayor , and we all lived through that trauma with him when he was the most magnificent elected official on earth .
To see him kind of deteriorate right before your very eyes … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on to question the former mayor of New York City 's relationship with his indicted former associate Lev Parnas .
Since his arrest , Parnas has tried to incriminate other people close to President Trump , but Giuliani dismissed many of Parnas 's claims earlier this week , calling them `` stupid lies . ''
The Fox News correspondent called Parnas a `` sleazebag '' and accused him of being a `` self-serving con who is trying to avoid jail time . ''
Ainsley Earhardt , noting the response from the live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of people in the audience that are not agreeing with you , Geraldo . ''
“ I don ’ t come here for people to agree with me , ” Rivera said .
“ I come to tell you how I feel from the bottom of my heart .
And from the bottom of my heart , I feel that Rudy Giuliani has been diminished by this entire saga .
And I think the more he talks , the worse it is for the president of the United States.
” Giuliani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prior to Rivera that he would start releasing information related to his work in Ukraine , where he claims that former Vice President Joe Biden was involved in bribing officials in order to protect his son who was working in the country .

Fox News personality Geraldo Rivera lamented about what he called the mental deterioration of President Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani during an appearance on Fox & Friends Friday morning.
“I’ve known him since he was a newly appointed U.S. attorney in the southern district here in New York,” Geraldo stated. “Then, he became America’s mayor, and we all lived through that trauma with him when he was the most magnificent elected official on earth. To see him kind of deteriorate right before your very eyes … and I love the guy.”
Rivera went on to question the former mayor of New York City's relationship with his indicted former associate Lev Parnas. Since his arrest, Parnas has tried to incriminate other people close to President Trump, but Giuliani dismissed many of Parnas's claims earlier this week, calling them "stupid lies."
The Fox News correspondent called Parnas a "sleazebag" and accused him of being a "self-serving con who is trying to avoid jail time."
Ainsley Earhardt, noting the response from the live audience, countered, “We have a lot of people in the audience that are not agreeing with you, Geraldo."
“I don’t come here for people to agree with me,” Rivera said. “I come to tell you how I feel from the bottom of my heart. And from the bottom of my heart, I feel that Rudy Giuliani has been diminished by this entire saga. And I think the more he talks, the worse it is for the president of the United States.”
Giuliani claimed during his appearance on the show prior to Rivera that he would start releasing information related to his work in Ukraine, where he claims that former Vice President Joe Biden was involved in bribing officials in order to protect his son who was working in the country.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--WATCH: Trump speaks at March for Life rally

President Trump is expected to take the stage at the March for Life rally on Friday afternoon .
Trump will @ @ @ @ @ to attend the event .
The march aligns with the week of the 47th anniversary @ @ @ @ @ 1973 .

President Trump is expected to take the stage at the March for Life rally on Friday afternoon. Trump will be the first sitting president to attend the event. The march aligns with the week of the 47th anniversary of Roe v. Wade in 1973.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--WATCH LIVE: House managers conclude opening arguments in Trump impeachment trial

House impeachment managers are expected to take the Senate floor at 1 p.m. EST on Friday to conclude opening arguments @ @ @ @ @ trial .
They began building their case against the president on Wednesday and are expected @ @ @ @ @ session .
Trump 's legal team is expected to begin its opening statements on Saturday @

House impeachment managers are expected to take the Senate floor at 1 p.m. EST on Friday to conclude opening arguments in President Trump's impeachment trial. They began building their case against the president on Wednesday and are expected to wrap up during this session. Trump's legal team is expected to begin its opening statements on Saturday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--Netanyahu opponent considering snubbing White House meeting about peace plan

Israel ’ s opposition leader could skip a White House meeting on the Trump administration ’ s long-awaited Middle East peace plan .
President Trump invited Israel ’ s embattled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Benny Gantz to visit Washington next week .
Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday that Gantz was invited at the request of Netanyahu .
“ Blue and White officials tell me Benny Gantz and other party leaders have second thoughts about whether they should accept Trump 's invitation and come to Washington next week .
Main reason is the feeling they are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” journalist Barak Ravid reported Friday .
Trump said he would release the plan Tuesday ahead of Israel 's March 2 elections .
The plan was finished last year , but its release was postponed twice , with the administration saying it that it did not want to interfere in the Israeli elections .
Netanyahu , the longest-serving Israeli prime minister , is seeking a fourth term amid allegations of corruption .
In November , he was indicted on charges of bribery , fraud , and breach of trust .
He has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be the country ’ s third election in a year after the earlier elections , in April and September , failed to give Netanyahu or Gantz a majority to form a viable government .
Trump said his administration has “ briefly ” spoken to Palestinian leaders , who are skeptical that the White House will deliver fair proposals .

Israel’s opposition leader could skip a White House meeting on the Trump administration’s long-awaited Middle East peace plan.
President Trump invited Israel’s embattled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Benny Gantz to visit Washington next week. Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday that Gantz was invited at the request of Netanyahu.
“Blue and White officials tell me Benny Gantz and other party leaders have second thoughts about whether they should accept Trump's invitation and come to Washington next week. Main reason is the feeling they are being played by Netanyahu and the White House,” journalist Barak Ravid reported Friday.
Blue and White officials tell me Benny Gantz and other party leaders have second thoughts about whether they should accept Trump's invitation and come to Washington next week. Main reason is the feeling they are being played by Netanyahu and the White House — Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) January 24, 2020
Trump said he would release the plan Tuesday ahead of Israel's March 2 elections. The plan was finished last year, but its release was postponed twice, with the administration saying it that it did not want to interfere in the Israeli elections.
Netanyahu, the longest-serving Israeli prime minister, is seeking a fourth term amid allegations of corruption. In November, he was indicted on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He has denied any wrongdoing.
The upcoming election will be the country’s third election in a year after the earlier elections, in April and September, failed to give Netanyahu or Gantz a majority to form a viable government.
Trump said his administration has “briefly” spoken to Palestinian leaders, who are skeptical that the White House will deliver fair proposals.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--Devin Nunes: John Bolton was warned about Obama holdovers who 'spy' in Trump White House

Former national security adviser John Bolton was advised to purge potentially biased holdovers from the Obama administration from the Trump White House , according to a top Republican in Congress .
House Intelligence Committee ranking member Devin Nunes said on Thursday that he warned Bolton , whom Democrats want to testify in the Senate impeachment trial against President Trump , of an anti-Trump spying operation by members of the National Security Council .
The California congressman also said he told H.R .
McMaster , who preceded Bolton , and Robert O'Brien , the current national security adviser , to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` den of thieves . ''
`` I have said this over and over and over again .
I said this to McMaster , I said it to Bolton , and I said it to the new national security adviser , O ’ Brien , that they just need to get all those people out of there , '' Nunes told Fox News host Tucker Carlson .
`` If you were there and worked for Obama and you were a holdover , just , you know , get a used building somewhere on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just get them out of there .
They have done so much damage to the presidency .
I couldn ’ t agree with you more . ''
Carlson asked why it appears to be so difficult to remove these officials when a new president is elected and a new government is set up , to which Nunes replied , `` I have no idea . ''
`` That ’ s why I think I gave them very good advice , which is there is plenty of empty buildings , just say , 'Look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but just get off the premises , ' because they do nothing but spy on them , '' the congressman added .
Leaks have been an issue since the early days of the Trump administration , including when a memo by McMaster about stopping such disclosures was promptly leaked to the media and published .
McMaster , a retired Army lieutenant general who was national security adviser from February 2017 to April 2018 , later described three `` categories '' of people who worked at the White House , including two groups that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Constitution . ''
In October , it was reported that Trump ordered a reduction in size of the National Security Council , comprising roughly 310 career government officials from the State Department , Pentagon , and intelligence agencies and meant to advise the president on foreign policy and national security matters .
The move came after reports that a CIA analyst , who was at one point assigned to the White House , filed the whistleblower complaint that led to the impeachment proceedings centered on Trump 's dealings with Ukraine .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is willing to testify in the Senate impeachment trial if called by lawmakers .
While Trump has indicated that he will block Bolton , Senate Democrats will force votes on summoning the witnesses on their list next week .
Bolton has been on their wish list ever since his former aide , Fiona Hill , testified to House impeachment investigators that Bolton opposed the Ukraine pressure campaign , saying Bolton wanted no part of what he described as a `` drug deal '' that fellow Trump administration officials were `` cooking up .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by reporting that Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman is still a member of the National Security Council .
The host asked how Vindman , who testified during House impeachment proceedings that he raised national security concerns about Trump 's July phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky , has n't been booted from his position .
Nunes said that Vindman , his brother who also joined the National Security Council , and others have `` colluded and coordinated '' with the whistleblower who reported the Trump-Zelensky call and an effort to conceal details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a highly secure computer system .
Noting that Vindman has said Ukrainian officials offered him the top defense position in Ukraine , Carlson said that the Purple Heart recipient should `` go work for Ukraine . ''

Former national security adviser John Bolton was advised to purge potentially biased holdovers from the Obama administration from the Trump White House, according to a top Republican in Congress.
House Intelligence Committee ranking member Devin Nunes said on Thursday that he warned Bolton, whom Democrats want to testify in the Senate impeachment trial against President Trump, of an anti-Trump spying operation by members of the National Security Council. The California congressman also said he told H.R. McMaster, who preceded Bolton, and Robert O'Brien, the current national security adviser, to take steps to cull what he called a "den of thieves."
"I have said this over and over and over again. I said this to McMaster, I said it to Bolton, and I said it to the new national security adviser, O’Brien, that they just need to get all those people out of there," Nunes told Fox News host Tucker Carlson. "If you were there and worked for Obama and you were a holdover, just, you know, get a used building somewhere on the other side of the Potomac. Just get them out of there. They have done so much damage to the presidency. I couldn’t agree with you more."
Carlson asked why it appears to be so difficult to remove these officials when a new president is elected and a new government is set up, to which Nunes replied, "I have no idea."
"That’s why I think I gave them very good advice, which is there is plenty of empty buildings, just say, 'Look, thank you for your service, but just get off the premises,' because they do nothing but spy on them," the congressman added.
Leaks have been an issue since the early days of the Trump administration, including when a memo by McMaster about stopping such disclosures was promptly leaked to the media and published. McMaster, a retired Army lieutenant general who was national security adviser from February 2017 to April 2018, later described three "categories" of people who worked at the White House, including two groups that he said posed "a danger to the Constitution."
In October, it was reported that Trump ordered a reduction in size of the National Security Council, comprising roughly 310 career government officials from the State Department, Pentagon, and intelligence agencies and meant to advise the president on foreign policy and national security matters. The move came after reports that a CIA analyst, who was at one point assigned to the White House, filed the whistleblower complaint that led to the impeachment proceedings centered on Trump's dealings with Ukraine.
Earlier this month, Bolton announced that he is willing to testify in the Senate impeachment trial if called by lawmakers. While Trump has indicated that he will block Bolton, Senate Democrats will force votes on summoning the witnesses on their list next week. Bolton has been on their wish list ever since his former aide, Fiona Hill, testified to House impeachment investigators that Bolton opposed the Ukraine pressure campaign, saying Bolton wanted no part of what he described as a "drug deal" that fellow Trump administration officials were "cooking up."
Carlson began his interview with Nunes by reporting that Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman is still a member of the National Security Council. The host asked how Vindman, who testified during House impeachment proceedings that he raised national security concerns about Trump's July phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, hasn't been booted from his position.
Nunes said that Vindman, his brother who also joined the National Security Council, and others have "colluded and coordinated" with the whistleblower who reported the Trump-Zelensky call and an effort to conceal details of that private conversation and others using a highly secure computer system.
Noting that Vindman has said Ukrainian officials offered him the top defense position in Ukraine, Carlson said that the Purple Heart recipient should "go work for Ukraine."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--No, Ilhan Omar, Trump wasn't calling for 'violence' against Marie Yovanovitch

By all available accounts , President Trump treated since-ousted Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch abysmally .
Lev Parnas likely lied to Trump that Yovanovitch disliked the president and would n't advance his administration 's interests because Parnas saw some financial opportunity in her exit .
Rather than simply fire Yovanovitch , a consummate career diplomat who served at the pleasure of the president , Trump then enlisted his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and son Don Jr. to orchestrate a prime-time smear campaign against her for months .
Only after months of publicly humiliating her did Trump finally use his presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disrespectful .
It was shameful .
What it was not was a prelude to violence .
That 's what some have gleaned from an ABC report that an audiotape recorded at an April Trump Hotel dinner .
It depicts Trump telling Parnas and his associate Igor Fruman , `` Get rid of her ! ''
`` Get her out tomorrow , '' ABC claims Trump says on the tape .
`` I do n't care .
Get her out tomorrow .
Take her out .
OK ?
Do it . ''
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your executive authority to random career criminals because they 're buddies with Giuliani .
What it is not is a thinly veiled order for said henchmen to inflict violence against Yovanovitch .
The notion that Trump would order a violent attack against a subordinate is ludicrous enough , but even more so when you consider the timeline .
ABC reports that the conversation happened on April 30 , 2018 , six days after Trump ordered her recall from Ukraine .
Yovanovitch returned to D.C. on April 25 , one day later , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She was officially fired on May 20 .
Would Trump have really ordered a physical attack against Yovanovitch after she was already recalled from the job and back on U.S. soil ?
Probably not , especially considering that Don Trump Jr. had been tweeting about firing Yovanovitch as early as March and that Giuliani had torched her on Fox News earlier in April .
No matter how low an opinion you think of Trump , the notion that he 'd be evil enough to order violence against someone he could just fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after he already made her loathing of her public knowledge ) is just idiotic .

By all available accounts, President Trump treated since-ousted Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch abysmally. Lev Parnas likely lied to Trump that Yovanovitch disliked the president and wouldn't advance his administration's interests because Parnas saw some financial opportunity in her exit.
Rather than simply fire Yovanovitch, a consummate career diplomat who served at the pleasure of the president, Trump then enlisted his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and son Don Jr. to orchestrate a prime-time smear campaign against her for months. Only after months of publicly humiliating her did Trump finally use his presidential power to fire her.
It was disrespectful. It was shameful. What it was not was a prelude to violence.
That's what some have gleaned from an ABC report that an audiotape recorded at an April Trump Hotel dinner. It depicts Trump telling Parnas and his associate Igor Fruman, "Get rid of her!"
"Get her out tomorrow," ABC claims Trump says on the tape. "I don't care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. OK? Do it."
It's obviously highly unprofessional to try and outsource your executive authority to random career criminals because they're buddies with Giuliani. What it is not is a thinly veiled order for said henchmen to inflict violence against Yovanovitch.
Apparently, Ilhan Omar didn't get the memo.
Threats of persecution and violence is the fate of any intelligent/powerful women who stand up to Trump.
The similarity to the fate of women around the world standing up to dictators here is alarming. #LockHerUp#SendHerBack #TakeHerOut — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 24, 2020
The notion that Trump would order a violent attack against a subordinate is ludicrous enough, but even more so when you consider the timeline.
ABC reports that the conversation happened on April 30, 2018, six days after Trump ordered her recall from Ukraine. Yovanovitch returned to D.C. on April 25, one day later, and the recall went public on May 7. She was officially fired on May 20.
Would Trump have really ordered a physical attack against Yovanovitch after she was already recalled from the job and back on U.S. soil? Probably not, especially considering that Don Trump Jr. had been tweeting about firing Yovanovitch as early as March and that Giuliani had torched her on Fox News earlier in April.
No matter how low an opinion you think of Trump, the notion that he'd be evil enough to order violence against someone he could just fire (and dumb enough to do it after he already made her loathing of her public knowledge) is just idiotic.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--Chuck Grassley asks if FBI informant used Pentagon contract money to spy on Trump campaign

A top Republican senator wants to know if an FBI informant used taxpayer money to recruit sources from within President Trump 's 2016 campaign .
Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley , the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee , wrote to the Defense Department 's Office of Net Assessment this week asking for confirmation that funds from Pentagon contracts awarded to Stefan Halper were not used for the FBI 's investigation into a possible criminal conspiracy between the Trump camp and Russia .
Halper is a former Republican operative and White House aide who became a foreign policy academic with close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He had discussions with at least three Trump campaign members : foreign policy aides George Papadopoulos and Carter Page and Trump campaign co-chairman Sam Clovis .
Grassley , who for months has been pressing the Defense Department for records on all contracts rewarded to Halper in the summer of 2019 , wrote to Director James Baker : `` Given Professor Halper ’ s intelligence connections and government funding , it is reasonable to ask whether he used any taxpayer money in his attempt to recruit Trump campaign officials as sources . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ report , which identified Halper as an FBI source , that indicated that Halper offered Papadopoulos $ 3,000 for assistance in completing an energy study and met Page at a Cambridge conference .
The senator 's letter , which goes beyond just Halper , asks for five years ' worth of data on ONA contracts , including details on its purposes , costs , and efforts to ensure proper oversight and compliance .
Halper was rewarded more than $ 1 million in contracts from ONA since 2012 .
In one of the contracts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listed former Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Trubnikov as a consultant and adviser in a paper he gave to the ONA .
Grassley said Trubnikov was a source for British ex-spy Christopher Steele , whose unverified dossier was used by the FBI to obtain Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrants to wiretap Page .
In an order made public on Thursday , the FISA court revealed that the Justice Department found at least two of the four surveillance orders targeting Page lacked sufficient predication .
`` It is unclear from the contracting officer file @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance in gathering information for this paper or in what capacity professor Halper interacted with Trubnikov during the course of performing work for this contract , '' Grassley wrote .
The senator asked in his letter for confirmation on whether Halper disclosed his relationship with Trubnikov to the ONA and whether that suggests biased or unreliable information in his study on the Russia-China relationship .
Grassley 's letter , which copies Defense Secretary Mark Esper and acting Defense Department Inspector General Glenn Fine , gives a Feb. 5 deadline to respond to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s contracting practices .
A Defense Department representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this report .
When Halper ’ s role as an FBI informant was leaked to the media in May 2018 , it led to accusations from Trump and Republicans in Congress that the Obama administration used Halper as part of an illegal effort to spy on the Trump campaign , dubbed “ Spygate ” by allies of the president .
In a lawsuit brought by a Russian-born British citizen , Halper denied working with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neither confirmed nor denied being a bureau informant .
The FBI 's counterintelligence investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia was wrapped into special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation .
His investigation , which concluded in the spring of 2019 , did not establish any criminal conspiracy between the Kremlin and the Trump campaign .

A top Republican senator wants to know if an FBI informant used taxpayer money to recruit sources from within President Trump's 2016 campaign.
Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, wrote to the Defense Department's Office of Net Assessment this week asking for confirmation that funds from Pentagon contracts awarded to Stefan Halper were not used for the FBI's investigation into a possible criminal conspiracy between the Trump camp and Russia.
Halper is a former Republican operative and White House aide who became a foreign policy academic with close ties to both U.S. and British intelligence. He had discussions with at least three Trump campaign members: foreign policy aides George Papadopoulos and Carter Page and Trump campaign co-chairman Sam Clovis.
Grassley, who for months has been pressing the Defense Department for records on all contracts rewarded to Halper in the summer of 2019, wrote to Director James Baker: "Given Professor Halper’s intelligence connections and government funding, it is reasonable to ask whether he used any taxpayer money in his attempt to recruit Trump campaign officials as sources."
Grassley cited a June 2018 Washington Post report, which identified Halper as an FBI source, that indicated that Halper offered Papadopoulos $3,000 for assistance in completing an energy study and met Page at a Cambridge conference.
The senator's letter, which goes beyond just Halper, asks for five years' worth of data on ONA contracts, including details on its purposes, costs, and efforts to ensure proper oversight and compliance. Halper was rewarded more than $1 million in contracts from ONA since 2012.
In one of the contracts, awarded in September 2015, Halper listed former Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Trubnikov as a consultant and adviser in a paper he gave to the ONA. Grassley said Trubnikov was a source for British ex-spy Christopher Steele, whose unverified dossier was used by the FBI to obtain Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrants to wiretap Page. In an order made public on Thursday, the FISA court revealed that the Justice Department found at least two of the four surveillance orders targeting Page lacked sufficient predication.
"It is unclear from the contracting officer file whether professor Halper paid Trubnikov for his assistance in gathering information for this paper or in what capacity professor Halper interacted with Trubnikov during the course of performing work for this contract," Grassley wrote. The senator asked in his letter for confirmation on whether Halper disclosed his relationship with Trubnikov to the ONA and whether that suggests biased or unreliable information in his study on the Russia-China relationship.
Grassley's letter, which copies Defense Secretary Mark Esper and acting Defense Department Inspector General Glenn Fine, gives a Feb. 5 deadline to respond to his list of questions on the ONA’s contracting practices.
A Defense Department representative did not immediately provide comment for this report.
When Halper’s role as an FBI informant was leaked to the media in May 2018, it led to accusations from Trump and Republicans in Congress that the Obama administration used Halper as part of an illegal effort to spy on the Trump campaign, dubbed “Spygate” by allies of the president. In a lawsuit brought by a Russian-born British citizen, Halper denied working with the FBI to overthrow Trump, but he neither confirmed nor denied being a bureau informant.
The FBI's counterintelligence investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia was wrapped into special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. His investigation, which concluded in the spring of 2019, did not establish any criminal conspiracy between the Kremlin and the Trump campaign.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--Lindsey Graham says Republicans will question House impeachment Democrats about whistleblower coordi

Lindsey Graham says Republicans will question House impeachment Democrats about whistleblower coordination

Senate Republicans are planning to turn the tables on House Democrats presenting the impeachment case against President Trump .
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said Friday he and his GOP colleagues plan next week to ask Democratic House impeachment managers about the Ukraine whistleblower and coordination with the staff of House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , a California Democrat who has led arguments on the Senate floor this week advocating Trump 's removal from office by two-thirds of the Senate .
“ I think they 've brought up a lot of a lot of issues [ during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people forward to testify in their case .
Did any of these witnesses that were presented to us , did they have any contact with the whistleblower ?
I do n't know ?
I 'd like to ask , ” Graham told the Washington Examiner .
“ I think some people may ask about is there a connection between the whistleblower and anybody on the manager 's staff ?
Yeah , that would be a good question to ask .
I also think it ’ s very relevant who this person is.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ask witnesses and Schiff during the House impeachment proceedings about the alleged Ukraine whistleblower and his motivations for filing his whistleblower complaint , but they were repeatedly blocked by the chairman .
The House Democratic impeachment managers will wrap up their opening arguments Friday as the White House ’ s legal counsel prepare its opening arguments in defense of the president this weekend , starting on Saturday .
The president ’ s legal team has 24 hours to over a three-day period to give its case .
Following their arguments , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial proceeds , and senators will submit their questions of both the impeachment managers and Trump ’ s legal counsel to Chief Justice John Roberts , who is presiding over the trial .
Over a 16-hour period , Roberts will read senators ’ submitted questions .

Senate Republicans are planning to turn the tables on House Democrats presenting the impeachment case against President Trump.
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said Friday he and his GOP colleagues plan next week to ask Democratic House impeachment managers about the Ukraine whistleblower and coordination with the staff of House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, a California Democrat who has led arguments on the Senate floor this week advocating Trump's removal from office by two-thirds of the Senate.
“I think they've brought up a lot of a lot of issues [during the House impeachment investigation]. They put people forward to testify in their case. Did any of these witnesses that were presented to us, did they have any contact with the whistleblower? I don't know? I'd like to ask,” Graham told the Washington Examiner. “I think some people may ask about is there a connection between the whistleblower and anybody on the manager's staff? Yeah, that would be a good question to ask. I also think it’s very relevant who this person is.”
House Republicans on the Intelligence Committee attempted to ask witnesses and Schiff during the House impeachment proceedings about the alleged Ukraine whistleblower and his motivations for filing his whistleblower complaint, but they were repeatedly blocked by the chairman.
The House Democratic impeachment managers will wrap up their opening arguments Friday as the White House’s legal counsel prepare its opening arguments in defense of the president this weekend, starting on Saturday. The president’s legal team has 24 hours to over a three-day period to give its case.
Following their arguments, the Q&A phase of the impeachment trial proceeds, and senators will submit their questions of both the impeachment managers and Trump’s legal counsel to Chief Justice John Roberts, who is presiding over the trial. Over a 16-hour period, Roberts will read senators’ submitted questions.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--'He got caught': House Democrats make final arguments against Trump

House Democratic impeachment managers opened the final day of arguments in their case against President Trump by offering a rebuttal of the president ’ s defense that will begin on Saturday .
Rep. Jason Crow , a Colorado Democrat and an impeachment manager , opened the floor by arguing Trump released critical security aid to Ukraine because he “ got caught ” blocking it from delivery .
“ It wasn ’ t lifted for any legitimate reason , ” Crow , a former Army Ranger and war veteran , told senators .
Democrats will conclude their third and final day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment articles charging him with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
Trump ’ s defense team will begin arguing its case in defense of the president on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , a Kentucky Republican , announced .
Crow used the time Friday to respond in advance to Trump ’ s defense lawyers , because , he said , Democrats won ’ t be provided time later to offer a rebuttal .
Crow told senators Trump ’ s team would “ ignore significant portions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here and there ” from other information .
Crow first argued against Trump ’ s defense team ’ s likely claim of “ no harm no foul , ” from Trump ’ s decision to temporarily block the aid , which was released after 55 days on Sept. 11 , 2019 .
“ The fact that the hold became public sent a very clear signal to Russia , that our support for Ukraine was wavering , ” Crow said .
“ The damage was done.
” Democrats control the floor for about seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York , took over after Crow , opening the arguments on the obstruction of Congress charge .
“ President Trump tried to cheat , he got caught , and then he worked hard to cover it up , ” Jeffries said .

House Democratic impeachment managers opened the final day of arguments in their case against President Trump by offering a rebuttal of the president’s defense that will begin on Saturday.
Rep. Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat and an impeachment manager, opened the floor by arguing Trump released critical security aid to Ukraine because he “got caught” blocking it from delivery.
“It wasn’t lifted for any legitimate reason,” Crow, a former Army Ranger and war veteran, told senators.
Democrats will conclude their third and final day arguing Trump should be convicted on two impeachment articles charging him with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Trump’s defense team will begin arguing its case in defense of the president on Saturday morning at 10 a.m., Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, announced.
Crow used the time Friday to respond in advance to Trump’s defense lawyers, because, he said, Democrats won’t be provided time later to offer a rebuttal.
Crow told senators Trump’s team would “ignore significant portions of the evidence while trying to cherry-pick here and there” from other information.
Crow first argued against Trump’s defense team’s likely claim of “no harm no foul,” from Trump’s decision to temporarily block the aid, which was released after 55 days on Sept. 11, 2019.
“The fact that the hold became public sent a very clear signal to Russia, that our support for Ukraine was wavering,” Crow said. “The damage was done.”
Democrats control the floor for about seven more hours.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, took over after Crow, opening the arguments on the obstruction of Congress charge.
“President Trump tried to cheat, he got caught, and then he worked hard to cover it up,” Jeffries said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--Democrats predict speedy court victory in impeachment witness battle

Senate Democrats believe they can quickly win a court fight if President Trump attempts to use executive privilege to block witness testimony , they told reporters Friday .
“ There could be a litigious argument , but I think it will be dismissed rather quickly , ” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , a New York Democrat , said Friday when asked about a protracted court battle to get witnesses to testify at Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
“ They would be given very prompt judicial review given the urgency in the stakes of an impeachment trial.
” Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denounced arguments by the GOP that the Senate should reject witness testimony because it would be challenged by Trump , who has already pledged to use executive privilege .
“ That ’ s the diversion of the day , ” Schumer said .
“ They have one a day.
” Democrats want four Trump administration officials to testify .
They told reporters if the Senate votes to call witnesses and the motion is backed by Chief Justice John Roberts , who is presiding over the trial , the court would quickly overrule a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican friends claim it would take too long and that they want a fair trial , go tell the president not to invoke executive privilege , ” Schumer said .
“ He is the one delaying , not us.
” House Democratic impeachment managers Friday will rest their case charging Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
Next week , Senate Democrats will force votes on summoning the witnesses on their list , which includes former national security adviser John Bolton .
Bolton said he ’ d testify at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll block him .

Senate Democrats believe they can quickly win a court fight if President Trump attempts to use executive privilege to block witness testimony, they told reporters Friday.
“There could be a litigious argument, but I think it will be dismissed rather quickly,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said Friday when asked about a protracted court battle to get witnesses to testify at Trump’s impeachment trial.
“They would be given very prompt judicial review given the urgency in the stakes of an impeachment trial.”
Democrats, in a news conference Friday, denounced arguments by the GOP that the Senate should reject witness testimony because it would be challenged by Trump, who has already pledged to use executive privilege.
“That’s the diversion of the day,” Schumer said. “They have one a day.”
Democrats want four Trump administration officials to testify. They told reporters if the Senate votes to call witnesses and the motion is backed by Chief Justice John Roberts, who is presiding over the trial, the court would quickly overrule a challenge by Trump.
“When our Republican friends claim it would take too long and that they want a fair trial, go tell the president not to invoke executive privilege,” Schumer said. “He is the one delaying, not us.”
House Democratic impeachment managers Friday will rest their case charging Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Next week, Senate Democrats will force votes on summoning the witnesses on their list, which includes former national security adviser John Bolton.
Bolton said he’d testify at the trial, but Trump has indicated he’ll block him.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-01-24--Jim Jordan: Schiff's impeachment case little more than 'presumptions, assumptions, and hearsay'

Republican congressman Jim Jordan believes the impeachment case laid out by the House managers is little more than `` presumptions , assumptions , and hearsay . ''
“ Their whole case is presumptions , assumptions , and hearsay .
They don ’ t have the facts .
They make things up , ” .
“ But frankly , it should n't surprise us .
Remember , Adam Schiff is the guy who told us for two years , ' I have more than circumstantial evidence President Trump worked with Russia to influence the election , ' '' the House Freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not true . ''
Jordan went on to explain why he believes the Constitution is on Trump ’ s side .
`` The facts are solidly on the president 's side , '' he said .
`` The constitutional principles are on the president 's side , and the unfair process is another great argument the White House can make because what they did in the House [ impeachment inquiry ] was very unfair to the president . ''
Impeachment managers will wrap up their case against Trump on Friday , and Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin its argument on Saturday .
“ After having been treated unbelievably unfairly in the House , and then having to endure hour after hour of lies , fraud & deception by Shifty Schiff , Cryin ’ Chuck Schumer & their crew , looks like my lawyers will be forced to start on Saturday , which is called Death Valley in T.V.
” the president said on Twitter Friday morning .

Republican congressman Jim Jordan believes the impeachment case laid out by the House managers is little more than "presumptions, assumptions, and hearsay."
“Their whole case is presumptions, assumptions, and hearsay. They don’t have the facts. They make things up,” Jordan told Fox News host Laura Ingraham .
“But frankly, it shouldn't surprise us. Remember, Adam Schiff is the guy who told us for two years, 'I have more than circumstantial evidence President Trump worked with Russia to influence the election,'" the House Freedom Caucus member said. "That was not true."
Jordan went on to explain why he believes the Constitution is on Trump’s side.
"The facts are solidly on the president's side," he said. "The constitutional principles are on the president's side, and the unfair process is another great argument the White House can make because what they did in the House [impeachment inquiry] was very unfair to the president."
"Jordan: what Democrats did in the House was unfair to the President"@IngrahamAngle https://t.co/lxmRyRpyW5 — Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) January 24, 2020
Impeachment managers will wrap up their case against Trump on Friday, and Trump’s defense team is expected to begin its argument on Saturday.
“After having been treated unbelievably unfairly in the House, and then having to endure hour after hour of lies, fraud & deception by Shifty Schiff, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer & their crew, looks like my lawyers will be forced to start on Saturday, which is called Death Valley in T.V.” the president said on Twitter Friday morning.