politicususa--2020-01-26--Adam Schiff Doesn’t Even Blink After Trump Threatens Him

Adam Schiff shrugged off Trump ’ s threats and showed Republicans while real backbone looks like while standing up to Trump .
What do you make of the criticism that some Republican senators who you might want to see vote for witnesses didn ’ t like your “ head on a pike ” comment ?
Murkowski , Collins , and Ernst .
All three Republican senators who might be open to witnesses thought you got too personal .
Well , I don ’ t think it was personal to refer to the CBS story .
What may be personal though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be very candid about this , is I made the argument that it ’ s going to require moral courage to stand up to this president .
And this is a wrathful and vindictive president .
I don ’ t think there ’ s any doubt about it .
And if you think there is , look at the president ’ s tweets about me today , saying that I should pay a price .
Do you take that as a threat ?
I think it ’ s intended to be .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be very difficult for some of these senators to stand up to this president .
It really is .
There ’ s just no question about it .
And I want to acknowledge that .
And I don ’ t want to acknowledge it in a way that is offensive to them , but I do want to speak candidly about it .
And if this weren ’ t an issue , there wouldn ’ t be an issue about calling witnesses .
If we can ’ t even get the senators to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it shows you just how difficult that moral courage is .

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Adam Schiff shrugged off Trump’s threats and showed Republicans while real backbone looks like while standing up to Trump.
Adam Schiff Reacts To Trump’s Threats
Transcript:
CHUCK TODD:
What do you make of the criticism that some Republican senators who you might want to see vote for witnesses didn’t like your “head on a pike” comment? Murkowski, Collins, and Ernst. All three Republican senators who might be open to witnesses thought you got too personal.
REPRESENTATIVE ADAM SCHIFF:
Well, I don’t think it was personal to refer to the CBS story. What may be personal though, and I think I have to be very candid about this, is I made the argument that it’s going to require moral courage to stand up to this president. And this is a wrathful and vindictive president. I don’t think there’s any doubt about it. And if you think there is, look at the president’s tweets about me today, saying that I should pay a price.
CHUCK TODD:
Do you take that as a threat?
REPRESENTATIVE ADAM SCHIFF:
I think it’s intended to be. But, look, it is going to be very difficult for some of these senators to stand up to this president. It really is. There’s just no question about it. And I want to acknowledge that. And I don’t want to acknowledge it in a way that is offensive to them, but I do want to speak candidly about it. And if this weren’t an issue, there wouldn’t be an issue about calling witnesses. If we can’t even get the senators to agree to call witnesses in a trial, it shows you just how difficult that moral courage is.
Video:


politicususa--2020-01-26--Trump Threatens Adam Schiff To Prove His Innocence On Threatening Ukraine

Trump is trying to prove that he didn ’ t threaten Ukraine to get them to investigate Biden by threatening Rep. Adam Schiff .
What Adam Schiff has done is to protect the Constitution and democracy by holding a corrupt president accountable .
As Schiff argued at the end of the impeachment presentation , “ And you know you can ’ t trust this president to do what ’ s right for this country .
You can trust he will do what ’ s right for Donald Trump .
He ’ ll do it now .
He ’ s done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it for the next several months .
He ’ ll do it in the election if he ’ s allowed to .
This is why , if you find him guilty , you must find that he should be removed .
Because right matters .
Because right matters .
And the truth matters .
Otherwise , we are lost.
” Trump who is likely to go down as one of the most corrupt presidents in the history of the country is trying to call Adam Schiff corrupt to direct the attention away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggestion that Chairman Schiff should pay a price for defending the country was a threat , and it doesn ’ t help the president ’ s case in the eyes of the American people when his lawyers are arguing that he didn ’ t threaten Ukraine , while the president is threatening the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump is trying to prove that he didn’t threaten Ukraine to get them to investigate Biden by threatening Rep. Adam Schiff.
Trump tweeted:
Shifty Adam Schiff is a CORRUPT POLITICIAN, and probably a very sick man. He has not paid the price, yet, for what he has done to our Country! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2020
What Adam Schiff has done is to protect the Constitution and democracy by holding a corrupt president accountable. As Schiff argued at the end of the impeachment presentation, “And you know you can’t trust this president to do what’s right for this country. You can trust he will do what’s right for Donald Trump. He’ll do it now. He’s done it before. He’ll do it for the next several months. He’ll do it in the election if he’s allowed to. This is why, if you find him guilty, you must find that he should be removed. Because right matters. Because right matters. And the truth matters. Otherwise, we are lost.”
Trump who is likely to go down as one of the most corrupt presidents in the history of the country is trying to call Adam Schiff corrupt to direct the attention away from his own activities.
Trump’s suggestion that Chairman Schiff should pay a price for defending the country was a threat, and it doesn’t help the president’s case in the eyes of the American people when his lawyers are arguing that he didn’t threaten Ukraine, while the president is threatening the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.
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politicususa--2020-01-26--Even Fox News’s Poll Shows Voters Want Trump Gone

The latest Fox News poll shows that 50 % of registered voters want President Donald Trump convicted and removed from office by the Senate .
On impeachment , by a 50-44 percent margin , voters think the Senate should vote to convict Trump and remove him from office .
Most Democrats say remove ( 81 percent ) and most Republicans disagree ( 84 percent ) .
Among independents , more say Trump should be removed by a 19-point margin ( 53-34 percent ) .
For comparison , around the time former President Bill Clinton ’ s impeachment trial began in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate should remove him from office , and 65 percent approved of the job he was doing as president .
When asked about the Trump impeachment trial , more voters by a narrow 4-point margin say the Senate already has enough information to make its decision ( 48 percent ) than say additional witnesses should testify ( 44 percent ) .
Trump got a 56 % approval rating for his handling of the economy , but that was the only issue that he registered a positive job approval rating on .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and 50 % of voters want him gone .
There are signs in this poll that other factors , specifically Trump ’ s character , and issues like health care will matter more than the overall perception of the economy .
Republicans tried to save the House by running on the economy in 2018 and got waxed .
Republican gubernatorial candidates tried to cozy up to Trump on the economy in the last year plus and lost .
The overriding impression from all of the polling is that voters want to correct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ golf vacation at his own expense .
The conventional wisdom looks to be wrong .
It is everything , but the economy , dummy .
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The latest Fox News poll shows that 50% of registered voters want President Donald Trump convicted and removed from office by the Senate.
Via Fox News:
On impeachment, by a 50-44 percent margin, voters think the Senate should vote to convict Trump and remove him from office. Most Democrats say remove (81 percent) and most Republicans disagree (84 percent). Among independents, more say Trump should be removed by a 19-point margin (53-34 percent).
For comparison, around the time former President Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial began in January 1999, some 38 percent said the Senate should remove him from office, and 65 percent approved of the job he was doing as president.
When asked about the Trump impeachment trial, more voters by a narrow 4-point margin say the Senate already has enough information to make its decision (48 percent) than say additional witnesses should testify (44 percent).
Trump got a 56% approval rating for his handling of the economy, but that was the only issue that he registered a positive job approval rating on. Trump’s overall job approval is underwater, and 50% of voters want him gone.
There are signs in this poll that other factors, specifically Trump’s character, and issues like health care will matter more than the overall perception of the economy. Republicans tried to save the House by running on the economy in 2018 and got waxed. Republican gubernatorial candidates tried to cozy up to Trump on the economy in the last year plus and lost.
The overriding impression from all of the polling is that voters want to correct 2016 and send Trump on a permanent golf vacation at his own expense.
The conventional wisdom looks to be wrong.
It’s not the economy, stupid.
It is everything, but the economy, dummy.
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politicususa--2020-01-27--Republicans Are Caving On Impeachment Trial Witnesses

Republicans are starting to put together potential deals to take to Democrats for witnesses to appear at Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
Sen. Patrick J. Toomey ( R-Pa. ) , an influential conservative in the Senate , has spoken with several colleagues in recent days about possibly summoning just two witnesses to President Trump ’ s impeachment trial , with one called by Republicans and one by Democrats , according to three Republican officials .
McConnell , however , is so far discouraging Toomey ’ s suggestion from becoming the party ’ s position .
Instead , he told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wait on any witness deal proposal until after Trump ’ s legal team is done making its defense on the Senate floor , underscoring a position he has held for weeks , the officials said .
Democrats aren ’ t going to accept a one for one offer on witnesses .
Senate Democrats have a list of four witnesses that they want to hear from , and they are seeking witnesses who can offer new evidence such as Mick Mulvaney , Lev Parnas , and John Bolton .
The one for one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The fact that Republicans are talking about a deal is proof that Mitch McConnell no longer has the votes to keep documents and witnesses out of the impeachment trial .
The motion to subpoena documents and witnesses looks more likely to pass than ever .
Mitch McConnell is trying to hold off the inevitable by waiting to cut a deal with Democrats until after Trump ’ s lawyers make their case .
The sham trial looks dead , and it is unlikely that the final vote on the articles of impeachment will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Union on February 4th .
Witnesses are more likely than ever to happen .
The negotiations will be centered on how many witnesses the Senate will hear from .
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Republicans are starting to put together potential deals to take to Democrats for witnesses to appear at Trump’s impeachment trial.
The Washington Post reported:
Sen. Patrick J. Toomey (R-Pa.), an influential conservative in the Senate, has spoken with several colleagues in recent days about possibly summoning just two witnesses to President Trump’s impeachment trial, with one called by Republicans and one by Democrats, according to three Republican officials.
…..
McConnell, however, is so far discouraging Toomey’s suggestion from becoming the party’s position. Instead, he told Senate Republicans during Monday’s lunch to wait on any witness deal proposal until after Trump’s legal team is done making its defense on the Senate floor, underscoring a position he has held for weeks, the officials said.
Democrats aren’t going to accept a one for one offer on witnesses. Senate Democrats have a list of four witnesses that they want to hear from, and they are seeking witnesses who can offer new evidence such as Mick Mulvaney, Lev Parnas, and John Bolton. The one for one witness offer will be dead on arrival.
The fact that Republicans are talking about a deal is proof that Mitch McConnell no longer has the votes to keep documents and witnesses out of the impeachment trial. The motion to subpoena documents and witnesses looks more likely to pass than ever.
Mitch McConnell is trying to hold off the inevitable by waiting to cut a deal with Democrats until after Trump’s lawyers make their case. The sham trial looks dead, and it is unlikely that the final vote on the articles of impeachment will happen before Trump’s State Of The Union on February 4th.
Witnesses are more likely than ever to happen. The negotiations will be centered on how many witnesses the Senate will hear from.
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politicususa--2020-01-27--Sen. Angus King Predicts 10 or More Republicans Will Vote For Docs And Witnesses

Sen. Angus King predicted that ten or more Republican Senators won ’ t be able to defend hiding Bolton ’ s testimony , so they will vote for documents and witnesses .
I don ’ t have a feel for it based upon any conversations .
Okay ?
A reporter came up to me saying who are the people you think ?
I don ’ t have names .
I don ’ t even — I couldn ’ t look at the list and say yes , no , yes , no .
I think it ’ s very hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re not interested .
I think there will be ten or more that will say , we at least have to look at calling witnesses an then we go and talk about each one individually .
So I ’ ll be surprised if the motion fails , you know , the Republicans ought to build a statue of Mitch McConnell on the mall because that ’ s party unity the likes of which is never seen .
I don ’ t think that will happen .
I think you will see a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to say , look , we can ’ t defend this .
Sen. King ’ s prediction matches up with other reports that a group of Republican Senators is about to break with the Trump/McConnell cover-up and vote for subpoenaing documents and witnesses .
If the resolution on documents and witnesses passes , then there will be a series of votes on who and what gets subpoenaed , and the sham impeachment trial vanishes and a real process takes its place .
The argument being made by Trump ’ s lawyers is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to avoid the wrath of the American people , they will need to vote in favor of documents and witnesses .
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Sen. Angus King predicted that ten or more Republican Senators won’t be able to defend hiding Bolton’s testimony, so they will vote for documents and witnesses.
Sen. King (I-ME) said on MSNBC:
I don’t have a feel for it based upon any conversations. Okay? A reporter came up to me saying who are the people you think? I don’t have names. I don’t even — I couldn’t look at the list and say yes, no, yes, no. I think it’s very hard for anybody to say that they’re not interested. I think there will be ten or more that will say, we at least have to look at calling witnesses an then we go and talk about each one individually.
So I’ll be surprised if the motion fails, you know, the Republicans ought to build a statue of Mitch McConnell on the mall because that’s party unity the likes of which is never seen. I don’t think that will happen. I think you will see a number of perhaps double digits of Republicans are going to say, look, we can’t defend this.
Sen. King’s prediction matches up with other reports that a group of Republican Senators is about to break with the Trump/McConnell cover-up and vote for subpoenaing documents and witnesses.
If the resolution on documents and witnesses passes, then there will be a series of votes on who and what gets subpoenaed, and the sham impeachment trial vanishes and a real process takes its place.
The argument being made by Trump’s lawyers is embarrassing, and if vulnerable Senate Republicans want to avoid the wrath of the American people, they will need to vote in favor of documents and witnesses.
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politicususa--2020-01-27--Trump’s Lawyers Humiliate Themselves With Video Of Pelosi Handing Out Pens

Trump ’ s lawyer Jay Sekulow played a video of Nancy Pelosi handing out pens in a humiliating moment for the president ’ s impeachment defense .
Sekulow said , “ Judge Starr laid out before you the solemn nature of these proceedings .
I want to contrast the solemn nature of these proceedings and what has been laid out before us from a both historical and constitutional perspectives .
And I want you to think about this , the history , the importance , the solemnity in what we ’ re engaged in here in this great body .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of representatives upon the signing of articles of impeachment .
Pens distributed to the impeachment managers .
A celebratory moment .
Think about that .
Think about this .
A poignant moment.
” There is a problem with the picture that Sekulow was painting .
In the video that Trump ’ s lawyer played , Democrats weren ’ t celebrated .
There was no one smiling in the video .
There was no lighthearted joy over the signing of the articles of impeachment .
The Trump defense team has no argument to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that aren ’ t matched with their own video .
Trump ’ s lawyers are humiliating themselves with one nonsensical point after another .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump’s lawyer Jay Sekulow played a video of Nancy Pelosi handing out pens in a humiliating moment for the president’s impeachment defense.
Sekulow said, “Judge Starr laid out before you the solemn nature of these proceedings. I want to contrast the solemn nature of these proceedings and what has been laid out before us from a both historical and constitutional perspectives. And I want you to think about this, the history, the importance, the solemnity in what we’re engaged in here in this great body. With what took place in the house of representatives upon the signing of articles of impeachment. Pens distributed to the impeachment managers. A celebratory moment. Think about that. Think about this. A poignant moment.”
Video:
Trump's impeachment defense is now that Nancy Pelosi handed out pens. #ImpeachmentTrial pic.twitter.com/0vjr3scQNQ — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 27, 2020
There is a problem with the picture that Sekulow was painting. In the video that Trump’s lawyer played, Democrats weren’t celebrated. There was no one smiling in the video. There was no lighthearted joy over the signing of the articles of impeachment.
The Trump defense team has no argument to make, so they are making up stories that aren’t matched with their own video.
Trump’s lawyers are humiliating themselves with one nonsensical point after another.
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politicususa--2020-01-27--After Bolton Bombshell, Up To 10 Senate Republicans Could Vote For Witnesses

The John Bolton bombshell has left a group of Senate Republicans who are building toward voting for documents and witnesses .
I have new reporting that I think adds new context that might be instructive when you hear folks like Mitt Romney and Susan Collins really use more words to say what they ’ ve already said .
That they want to introduce or they at least want the Senate to consider introducing new witnesses and new evidence and Romney saying it ’ s likely that there will be Republican Senators joining with him to vote in support of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Collins , what they ’ re trying to do is they ’ re trying to give cover for more Republicans to join with them .
So for weeks we ’ ve talked about the four Republicans who will join with the Democrats to change their coalition of 47 into 51 .
They would probably need more than that .
Nobody wants to be the 51st Senator .
They ’ re trying to allow time for a group of maybe six or seven , maybe even ten Republicans to be that group that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnesses and evidence .
On the other side of that , I ’ ve also talked to staffers for Republican senators who are against introducing witnesses and they make the point that look , every day of news coverage in this Trump era is an eternity .
This Senate is not poised to vote on the issue of witnesses potentially until Thursday or Friday .
That ’ s an eternity times three or four .
And so the hope is that the passage of time will allow for other developments , will allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the time the Senate , if they make a determination on the witnesses , that this reporting about John Bolton will be in effect , old news .
The only defense that the cover-up enabling Senators have is a hope that the Bolton story blows over before they vote on witnesses on Friday .
During the 16 hours of questioning after Trump ’ s defense , it is almost certain that Democratic Senators are going to use their time to ask about John Bolton .
The Bolton is story is more likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over .
The sign that Republicans are serious about witnesses will come when McConnell sits down with Schumer to negotiate a deal on documents and witnesses .
Until that happens , there is no certainty that witnesses will become a reality .
Senate Republicans are running out of places to hide , and if the choice is protecting Trump or their own seats , don ’ t be surprised if they toss Trump overboard in a heartbeat .
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The John Bolton bombshell has left a group of Senate Republicans who are building toward voting for documents and witnesses.
NBC News’s Geoff Bennett reported:
I have new reporting that I think adds new context that might be instructive when you hear folks like Mitt Romney and Susan Collins really use more words to say what they’ve already said. That they want to introduce or they at least want the Senate to consider introducing new witnesses and new evidence and Romney saying it’s likely that there will be Republican Senators joining with him to vote in support of that.
I’m told that Romney and Collins, what they’re trying to do is they’re trying to give cover for more Republicans to join with them. So for weeks we’ve talked about the four Republicans who will join with the Democrats to change their coalition of 47 into 51. They would probably need more than that. Nobody wants to be the 51st Senator.
They’re trying to allow time for a group of maybe six or seven, maybe even ten Republicans to be that group that would then tilt in favor of introducing witnesses and evidence. On the other side of that, I’ve also talked to staffers for Republican senators who are against introducing witnesses and they make the point that look, every day of news coverage in this Trump era is an eternity. This Senate is not poised to vote on the issue of witnesses potentially until Thursday or Friday. That’s an eternity times three or four. And so the hope is that the passage of time will allow for other developments, will allow for the so-called fever to break so by the time the Senate, if they make a determination on the witnesses, that this reporting about John Bolton will be in effect, old news.
Video:
According to NBC's Geoff Bennett, Sens. Romney and Collins are trying to give cover to a group of 6-7 and up to 10 Senate Republicans who want to vote for witnesses and documents. pic.twitter.com/s9CBqwFqxb — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 27, 2020
The only defense that the cover-up enabling Senators have is a hope that the Bolton story blows over before they vote on witnesses on Friday. During the 16 hours of questioning after Trump’s defense, it is almost certain that Democratic Senators are going to use their time to ask about John Bolton. The Bolton is story is more likely to mushroom than it is to blow over.
The sign that Republicans are serious about witnesses will come when McConnell sits down with Schumer to negotiate a deal on documents and witnesses. Until that happens, there is no certainty that witnesses will become a reality.
Senate Republicans are running out of places to hide, and if the choice is protecting Trump or their own seats, don’t be surprised if they toss Trump overboard in a heartbeat.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-27--Schumer Pounces As Says Bolton Has Brought The Trump Cover-Up Out In The Open

Sen. Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) said that Bolton brought the Trump cover-up out in the open , and Senate Republicans will be part of it if they block witnesses .
Schumer said it a press conference before the impeachment trial resumed : Mr. Bolton ’ s book is further evidence that a large number of people were , quote , in the loop on this scheme .
As Ambassador Sondland said , and now they ’ re all covering up .
So it seems like not only is there more evidence that the president held the aid off to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but there seems to be a giant coverup among so many of the leading people in the White House who knew about it and said nothing about it , let alone tried to stop it .
If there was ever even a shred of logic left to not hear witnesses and review the documents , Mr. Bolton ’ s book just erased it .
Ambassador Bolton ’ s manuscript was sent to the White House over a month ago .
The president ordered everyone with firsthand knowledge of his actions not to testify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re all staring a white house coverup in the face .
It is so clear what ’ s going on here .
I don ’ t need to spell it out for you .
If Senate Republicans are not going to vote to call Mr. Bolton and Mr. Mulvaney and the other witnesses now .
If they ’ re not going to ask for notes and emails , they ’ re going to be part of the coverup , too , because we have this out in the open .
Leader Schumer laid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take Trump ’ s side in this , they will show that they are part of the cover-up .
Thanks to John Bolton , Senate Republicans have no distance and deniability .
As Chuck Schumer pointed out , it just takes four Republicans .
John Bolton turned the heat up , and mad the pressure unbearable for Republicans who are covering for Trump .
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Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said that Bolton brought the Trump cover-up out in the open, and Senate Republicans will be part of it if they block witnesses.
Schumer said it a press conference before the impeachment trial resumed:
Mr. Bolton’s book is further evidence that a large number of people were, quote, in the loop on this scheme. As Ambassador Sondland said, and now they’re all covering up. So it seems like not only is there more evidence that the president held the aid off to get a political gain and investigation, but there seems to be a giant coverup among so many of the leading people in the White House who knew about it and said nothing about it, let alone tried to stop it. If there was ever even a shred of logic left to not hear witnesses and review the documents, Mr. Bolton’s book just erased it.
Ambassador Bolton’s manuscript was sent to the White House over a month ago. The president ordered everyone with firsthand knowledge of his actions not to testify in the impeachment inquiry. We’re all staring a white house coverup in the face. It is so clear what’s going on here. I don’t need to spell it out for you. If Senate Republicans are not going to vote to call Mr. Bolton and Mr. Mulvaney and the other witnesses now. If they’re not going to ask for notes and emails, they’re going to be part of the coverup, too, because we have this out in the open.
Video:
Schumer says Bolton brought the Trump cover-up out in the open and if Senate Republicans don't allow witnesses and documents, they'll be part of the cover-up. pic.twitter.com/PdIvRM6ik2 — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 27, 2020
Leader Schumer laid it out. If Senate Republicans try to take Trump’s side in this, they will show that they are part of the cover-up. Thanks to John Bolton, Senate Republicans have no distance and deniability.
As Chuck Schumer pointed out, it just takes four Republicans. John Bolton turned the heat up, and mad the pressure unbearable for Republicans who are covering for Trump.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-28--Somebody In Trump’s Own White House Leaked John Bolton’s Book

John Bolton turned over one copy of his book to the White House for review .
The White House made copies , and then somebody leaked it .
They gave a single copy of the manuscript to the white house for that very sort of routine review that anyone who has worked in an administration with the kind of access that John Bolton did would have to undergo if they ’ re writing a book , a national security review .
And given that the Bolton team says they had nothing to do with leak of the contents of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirming or denying , it appears that there would have had to have been copies made of the book .
Essentially hard to get your head around the idea one copy of a book and everyone is passing it around , and all those people are going and talking to reporters about what they read in this one copy that they ’ ve all been sharing .
So it suggests that there are multiple copies floating around , and from the Bolton team ’ s perspective they ’ re saying we gave them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , we don ’ t know , but clearly it ’ s gotten out there and it ’ s not coming from us .
They really want to distance themselves from the idea that he is somehow behind leaking this .
Bolton followed all the rules for review of his manuscript , but someone in Trump ’ s own White House leaked damaging material from the book that has resulted in Senate Republicans reversing course and are likely passing a resolution to call witnesses at Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
None @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s impeachment trial would have been over by Friday without the leak from Trump ’ s administration .
Someone inside Trump ’ s own White House is trying to get rid of him , and they leaked John Bolton ’ s book to do it .
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John Bolton turned over one copy of his book to the White House for review. The White House made copies, and then somebody leaked it.
Carol Lee of NBC News reported:
They gave a single copy of the manuscript to the white house for that very sort of routine review that anyone who has worked in an administration with the kind of access that John Bolton did would have to undergo if they’re writing a book, a national security review. And given that the Bolton team says they had nothing to do with leak of the contents of the book which they’re also not confirming or denying, it appears that there would have had to have been copies made of the book.
Essentially hard to get your head around the idea one copy of a book and everyone is passing it around, and all those people are going and talking to reporters about what they read in this one copy that they’ve all been sharing. So it suggests that there are multiple copies floating around, and from the Bolton team’s perspective they’re saying we gave them one copy. What they did with it, we don’t know, but clearly it’s gotten out there and it’s not coming from us. They really want to distance themselves from the idea that he is somehow behind leaking this.
Video:
John Bolton sent one copy of his book to the White House, and then it was copied and leaked. pic.twitter.com/irg9THaA3A — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 28, 2020
Bolton followed all the rules for review of his manuscript, but someone in Trump’s own White House leaked damaging material from the book that has resulted in Senate Republicans reversing course and are likely passing a resolution to call witnesses at Trump’s impeachment trial.
None of this would be happening and Trump’s impeachment trial would have been over by Friday without the leak from Trump’s administration.
Someone inside Trump’s own White House is trying to get rid of him, and they leaked John Bolton’s book to do it.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-28--John Bolton Worried That Trump Was Doing Favors For Dictators

Former national security adviser John Bolton shared his concerns with Attorney General William Barr that Trump was doing personal favors for dictators .
John R. Bolton , the former national security adviser , privately told Attorney General William P. Barr last year that he had concerns that President Trump was effectively granting personal favors to the autocratic leaders of Turkey and China , according to an unpublished manuscript by Mr. Bolton .
Mr. Bolton ’ s account underscores the fact that the unease about Mr. Trump ’ s seeming embrace of authoritarian leaders , long expressed by experts and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the senior cabinet officers entrusted by the president to carry out his foreign policy and national security agendas .
The concern that Trump is doing personal favors for dictators is bolstered by Trump ’ s behavior .
The president has lifted sanctions on Chinese company ZTE , and his withdrawal of US troops from Syria was done at the request of Turkey ’ s Erdogan .
Bolton has also expressed a belief that Trump ’ s policy toward Turkey is being motivated by his business interests there .
Trump holds phone calls with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his cell phone where his staff are not around .
The president also does not release details or accurate readouts of his phone calls with foreign leaders .
Even people inside his administration believed that Donald Trump was doing favors for dictators .
If Bolton ’ s suspicions prove to be true , the current articles of impeachment are only the beginning of Trump ’ s problems .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Former national security adviser John Bolton shared his concerns with Attorney General William Barr that Trump was doing personal favors for dictators.
The New York Times reported:
John R. Bolton, the former national security adviser, privately told Attorney General William P. Barr last year that he had concerns that President Trump was effectively granting personal favors to the autocratic leaders of Turkey and China, according to an unpublished manuscript by Mr. Bolton.
….
Mr. Bolton’s account underscores the fact that the unease about Mr. Trump’s seeming embrace of authoritarian leaders, long expressed by experts and his opponents, also existed among some of the senior cabinet officers entrusted by the president to carry out his foreign policy and national security agendas.
The concern that Trump is doing personal favors for dictators is bolstered by Trump’s behavior. The president has lifted sanctions on Chinese company ZTE, and his withdrawal of US troops from Syria was done at the request of Turkey’s Erdogan. Bolton has also expressed a belief that Trump’s policy toward Turkey is being motivated by his business interests there.
Trump holds phone calls with foreign leaders in the private residence on his cell phone where his staff are not around. The president also does not release details or accurate readouts of his phone calls with foreign leaders.
Even people inside his administration believed that Donald Trump was doing favors for dictators.
If Bolton’s suspicions prove to be true, the current articles of impeachment are only the beginning of Trump’s problems.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-28--Trump Lawyer Alan Dershowitz Tells The Senate I’m Not Bonkers

Alan Dershowitz argued his theory that there has to be a crime for a president to be impeached by telling the Senate , that his theory is not bonkers .
Dershowitz said , “ I ’ m arguing .
Is that purely noncriminal conduct , including abuse of power and obstruction of Congress , are outside the range of impeachable offenses .
That is the key argument I ’ m presenting today….Similar views were expressed by some state courts , others disagreed .
Curtis considered views and those of Dwight Russell and others based on careful study of the text @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , legal claptrap or other demeaning epithets.
” Dershowitz argued that if academics and constitutional scholars disagreed with him , it was their problem and it meant that they were wrong .
Dershowitz is a man alone on a sinking intellectual island of his own construction .
No other scholar or expert agrees with Dershowitz , and it is never a good sign when a lawyer has to defend his argument as not bonkers .
This is the argument that Trump wanted in primetime for the country .
What has been presented on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sort of constitutional fan fiction that has no relationship to the accepted legal and constitutional interpretations of impeachment .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Alan Dershowitz argued his theory that there has to be a crime for a president to be impeached by telling the Senate, that his theory is not bonkers.
Dershowitz said, “I’m arguing. Is that purely noncriminal conduct, including abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, are outside the range of impeachable offenses. That is the key argument I’m presenting today….Similar views were expressed by some state courts, others disagreed. Curtis considered views and those of Dwight Russell and others based on careful study of the text in history are not bonkers, absurdists, legal claptrap or other demeaning epithets.”
Video:
Dershowitz literally argues on the Senate floor that his theory is not "bonkers." When a lawyer has to argue before the jury that his theory isn't nuts, it's never a good sign. #ImpeachmentTrial pic.twitter.com/puOMlNhN5J — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 28, 2020
Dershowitz argued that if academics and constitutional scholars disagreed with him, it was their problem and it meant that they were wrong. Dershowitz is a man alone on a sinking intellectual island of his own construction.
No other scholar or expert agrees with Dershowitz, and it is never a good sign when a lawyer has to defend his argument as not bonkers.
This is the argument that Trump wanted in primetime for the country. What has been presented on the president’s behalf is a sort of constitutional fan fiction that has no relationship to the accepted legal and constitutional interpretations of impeachment.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-28--Joni Ernst Admits GOP Is Using Impeachment Trial To Hurt Biden

Sen. Joni Ernst ( R-IA ) admitted that for Republicans , the point of Trump ’ s impeachment trial is to smear and damage Joe Biden .
While talking to reporters , Sen. Ernst said , “ Iowa caucuses , folks .
Iowa caucuses are this next Monday evening .
And I ’ m really interested to see how this discussion today informs and influences the Iowa caucus voters , those Democratic caucus-goers .
Will they be supporting Vice President Biden at this point ?
” Joni Ernst looked so happy to see the trial being used to attack Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a blunt admission that Republicans are both terrified of Biden and trying to use the impeachment trial to stop him .
Democratic voters in Iowa may caucus for someone else , but there is zero evidence that their decision to support or not support Biden has anything to do with the conspiracy theories being floated at Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
Republicans are admitting that the scandal is still all about getting Joe Biden .
For the Senate Republicans , the mission is to use Trump ’ s impeachment to damage Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perfect example of the derangement within the Republican Party .
Trump is on trial , but Republicans think they ’ re winning with Biden conspiracy theories .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) admitted that for Republicans, the point of Trump’s impeachment trial is to smear and damage Joe Biden.
While talking to reporters, Sen. Ernst said, “Iowa caucuses, folks. Iowa caucuses are this next Monday evening. And I’m really interested to see how this discussion today informs and influences the Iowa caucus voters, those Democratic caucus-goers. Will they be supporting Vice President Biden at this point?
Video:
ERNST: "IA caucuses are this next Monday evening. And I'm really interested to see how this discussion today informs and influences the Iowa caucus voters, those Demcaucus goers. Will they be supporting VP Biden at this point?" H/T @JaxAlemany pic.twitter.com/tYYkSPuIDY — Alan He (@alanhe) January 28, 2020
Joni Ernst looked so happy to see the trial being used to attack Joe Biden. Ernst’s comments were a blunt admission that Republicans are both terrified of Biden and trying to use the impeachment trial to stop him. Democratic voters in Iowa may caucus for someone else, but there is zero evidence that their decision to support or not support Biden has anything to do with the conspiracy theories being floated at Trump’s impeachment trial.
Republicans are admitting that the scandal is still all about getting Joe Biden. For the Senate Republicans, the mission is to use Trump’s impeachment to damage Biden. Ernst’s comments are a perfect example of the derangement within the Republican Party. Trump is on trial, but Republicans think they’re winning with Biden conspiracy theories.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-28--Mitch McConnell Admits That He Doesn’t Have The Votes To Block Witnesses

Mitch McConnell admitted to Republican Senators that he doesn ’ t have the votes to block witnesses and end Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
But at a meeting of all Republican senators late Tuesday , GOP leaders told their conference that they don ’ t currently have the votes to prevent witnesses from being called , people familiar with the matter said .
Republicans had hoped to wrap up the trial with an acquittal of the president by this week , but Democrats have said he should appear under oath to offer a firsthand account of the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter at the heart of the impeachment case .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R. , Ky. ) said the vote total wasn ’ t where it needed to be on blocking witnesses or documents , these people said .
He had a card with “ yes , ” “ no , ” and “ maybes ” marked on it , apparently a whip count , but he didn ’ t show it to senators .
Senate Republicans were freaking out after their private lunch and demanding an end to the trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have the votes to block witnesses from being called , and Trump ’ s supporters are terrified of what could be coming down the road if witnesses and documents become a reality .
Trump and McConnell thought that they could hold a quick sham trial that would result in an acquittal .
Instead , they are facing a real trial that could go on for weeks to come .
The trial looks like to continue through Trump ’ s State of the Union , and there is nothing that Mitch McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Mitch McConnell admitted to Republican Senators that he doesn’t have the votes to block witnesses and end Trump’s impeachment trial.
The Wall Street Journal reported:
But at a meeting of all Republican senators late Tuesday, GOP leaders told their conference that they don’t currently have the votes to prevent witnesses from being called, people familiar with the matter said. Republicans had hoped to wrap up the trial with an acquittal of the president by this week, but Democrats have said he should appear under oath to offer a firsthand account of the president’s motivations for freezing aid to Ukraine—a matter at the heart of the impeachment case.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said the vote total wasn’t where it needed to be on blocking witnesses or documents, these people said. He had a card with “yes,” “no,” and “maybes” marked on it, apparently a whip count, but he didn’t show it to senators.
Senate Republicans were freaking out after their private lunch and demanding an end to the trial. The reason why was McConnell doesn’t have the votes to block witnesses from being called, and Trump’s supporters are terrified of what could be coming down the road if witnesses and documents become a reality.
Trump and McConnell thought that they could hold a quick sham trial that would result in an acquittal. Instead, they are facing a real trial that could go on for weeks to come. The trial looks like to continue through Trump’s State of the Union, and there is nothing that Mitch McConnell can do to stop it.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-28--Senate Republicans Freak Out And Demand Trump’s Trial End NOW

Senate Republicans like Lindsey Graham and John Barrasso are demanding that no witnesses be called and the Senate move to @ @ @ @ @ wants the Senate to move on to the final vote : Sen. Barrasso ’ s @ @ @ @ @ for the trial started .
It is a sign that many Senate Republicans made up @ @ @ @ @ started .
There is a group of red-state Republicans who are going to go down @ @ @ @ @ they are worried about crossing an incumbent president who is popular in their home states @ @ @ @ @ .
The Trump cover-up club is trying to put an end to this trial before @ @ @ @ @ testify because they know it is only going to get worse for Trump and their @ @ @ @ @ freaked out , which is why they are trying to push Trump ’ s trial @ @ @ @ @

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Senate Republicans like Lindsey Graham and John Barrasso are demanding that no witnesses be called and the Senate move to a final vote.
Graham argued against any witnesses:
“One witness would probably lead to a lot of witnesses,” Sen. Lindsey Graham said, adding it would be a “lousy idea for the country” to go down that route — Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 28, 2020
Barrasso wants the Senate to move on to the final vote:
“The overwhelming consensus is we’ve heard enough – and it’s time to move to a final judgment,” said Sen. John Barrasso, a member of the Senate GOP leadership, says after conference meeting — Manu Raju (@mkraju) January 28, 2020
Sen. Barrasso’s statement could have been made for the trial started. It is a sign that many Senate Republicans made up their mind before the trial started. There is a group of red-state Republicans who are going to go down with the Trump ship because they are worried about crossing an incumbent president who is popular in their home states.
Senate Republicans are scared. The Trump cover-up club is trying to put an end to this trial before Bolton and other witnesses can testify because they know it is only going to get worse for Trump and their party.
The Republicans are freaked out, which is why they are trying to push Trump’s trial to an immediate end.


politicususa--2020-01-28--John Kelly Backs Up John Bolton On Trump’s Ukraine Crime

Former Trump chief of staff John Kelly said that he believed John Bolton on Trump tying Ukraine aid to a Biden investigation .
“ If John Bolton says that in the book , I believe John Bolton , ” said retired Gen. John Kelly , who served as Trump ’ s chief of staff for 18 months .
“ Every single time I was with him … he always gave the president the unvarnished truth , ” Kelly said of Bolton , who has become a figure of intense interest in the impeachment inquiry .
“ I mean half of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 , adding : “ 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.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from someone who worked closely with Trump for a year and a half .
John Kelly knows Trump ’ s character as well as anyone who has worked for him , and the fact that took John Bolton ’ s side and didn ’ t deny the possibility that Trump would carry out a scheme to withhold aid from a foreign country to pressure them to investigate Joe Biden .
Kelly was saying that John Bolton is an honest guy , so if he said that Trump told him that he is withholding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigate Biden , then that is what Trump was doing .
It looks like Bolton ’ s book was leaked from within the White House , as the body blows keep coming from people who know and used to work for Trump .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Former Trump chief of staff John Kelly said that he believed John Bolton on Trump tying Ukraine aid to a Biden investigation.
The Herald-Tribune reported:
“If John Bolton says that in the book, I believe John Bolton,” said retired Gen. John Kelly, who served as Trump’s chief of staff for 18 months.
…..
“Every single time I was with him … he always gave the president the unvarnished truth,” Kelly said of Bolton, who has become a figure of intense interest in the impeachment inquiry.
….
“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, adding: “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.”
Kelly’s comments were coming from someone who worked closely with Trump for a year and a half. John Kelly knows Trump’s character as well as anyone who has worked for him, and the fact that took John Bolton’s side and didn’t deny the possibility that Trump would carry out a scheme to withhold aid from a foreign country to pressure them to investigate Joe Biden.
Kelly was saying that John Bolton is an honest guy, so if he said that Trump told him that he is withholding aid from Ukraine until they agree to investigate Biden, then that is what Trump was doing.
It looks like Bolton’s book was leaked from within the White House, as the body blows keep coming from people who know and used to work for Trump.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-28--Indicted Israeli Prime Minister And Impeached President Unveil Fake Peace Plan

Netanyahu , who is under indictment , and Trump , who is impeached and on trial , presented a Middle East peace plan that was a total fraud .
Here is a clip of Trump trying to sell this silliness : Mr. President , I believe that down the decades and perhaps down the centuries , we will remember January 28 , 2020 , because on this day , you became the first world leader to recognize Israel ’ s sovereignty over areas in Judea and Samaria that are vital to our security and central to our heritage .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future for Israelis , Palestinians and the region by presenting a realistic path to durable peace .
You , Mr. President , you recognize that Israel must have sovereignty over the Jordan valley and the other strategic areas of Judea and Samaria .
It was telling that Pence never mentioned the Palestinians : The “ peace plan ” is fake .
The stunt that Netanyahu and Trump tried to pull was all about getting Netanyahu another term so that he can avoid going to prison , and Trump trying to pretend like he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distract from his impeachment trial .
There is no real plan .
The Palestinians were not in attendance , nor did they have a hand in drafting the plan .
The event at the White House was two crime addled leaders trying to keep themselves in power , and out of the slammer .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Netanyahu, who is under indictment, and Trump, who is impeached and on trial, presented a Middle East peace plan that was a total fraud.
Here is a clip of Trump trying to sell this silliness:
"Perhaps most importantly, my vision gives the Palestinians the time needed to rise up and meet the challenges of statehood." pic.twitter.com/xpyPKhbEpb — The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 28, 2020
Netanyahu gushed over Trump:
Mr. President, I believe that down the decades and perhaps down the centuries, we will remember January 28, 2020, because on this day, you became the first world leader to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over areas in Judea and Samaria that are vital to our security and central to our heritage.
On this day, you chartered a brilliant future for Israelis, Palestinians and the region by presenting a realistic path to durable peace.
You, Mr. President, you recognize that Israel must have sovereignty over the Jordan valley and the other strategic areas of Judea and Samaria.
It was telling that Pence never mentioned the Palestinians:
Today President @realDonaldTrump revealed his bold vision for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The President’s vision fully protects Israel's security and provides them with secure and recognized borders, enabling them to defend themselves against any threats. — Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) January 28, 2020
The “peace plan” is fake. The stunt that Netanyahu and Trump tried to pull was all about getting Netanyahu another term so that he can avoid going to prison, and Trump trying to pretend like he is doing his job as president to distract from his impeachment trial.
There is no real plan. The Palestinians were not in attendance, nor did they have a hand in drafting the plan. The event at the White House was two crime addled leaders trying to keep themselves in power, and out of the slammer.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-28--Trump’s Defense Backfires And Makes Case For Bolton Testifying

Trump ’ s defense turned into a perfect argument for having John Bolton testify as they claimed not to know how to get into Trump ’ s head .
Trump lawyer Patrick Philbin argued , “ The second point that I wanted to make is that — how do we tell under the house manager standard what an illicit motive is when there ’ s illicit motive ?
How are we supposed to get proof of what ’ s inside the president ’ s head ?
Of course , motive is inherently difficult to prove where you ’ re talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking about perfectly lawful actions on their face within the constitutional authority of the president , but want to make it impeachable , if it is the wrong idea inside the president ’ s head , and they explain in the House Judiciary Committee report that the way we ’ ll tell if the president had the wrong motive is we ’ ll compare what he did to what staffers in the executive branch said he ought to do.
” A really great way to figure out what Trump ’ s motive is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first-hand knowledge of what the president said to them .
A witness like John Bolton who the president explained his motive to , would be a great start .
Trump ’ s lawyers are making a fantastic argument for having John Bolton testify .
Instead of creating doubt and deniability , Trump ’ s argument is backfiring and making an ironclad case for why witnesses like John Bolton must testify .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump’s defense turned into a perfect argument for having John Bolton testify as they claimed not to know how to get into Trump’s head.
Trump lawyer Patrick Philbin argued, “The second point that I wanted to make is that — how do we tell under the house manager standard what an illicit motive is when there’s illicit motive? How are we supposed to get proof of what’s inside the president’s head? Of course, motive is inherently difficult to prove where you’re talking about, they conceded they’re talking about perfectly lawful actions on their face within the constitutional authority of the president, but want to make it impeachable, if it is the wrong idea inside the president’s head, and they explain in the House Judiciary Committee report that the way we’ll tell if the president had the wrong motive is we’ll compare what he did to what staffers in the executive branch said he ought to do.”
Video:
Trump's lawyers are making a great case for calling John Bolton as a witness. #ImpreachmentTrial pic.twitter.com/BUQKlyB5K9 — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 28, 2020
A really great way to figure out what Trump’s motive is would be to call witnesses who have first-hand knowledge of what the president said to them. A witness like John Bolton who the president explained his motive to, would be a great start.
Trump’s lawyers are making a fantastic argument for having John Bolton testify.
Instead of creating doubt and deniability, Trump’s argument is backfiring and making an ironclad case for why witnesses like John Bolton must testify.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-28--Trump Praises Pompeo For Screaming F-Bombs At NPR Host

Trump praised his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for screaming F-bombs at an NPR host who asked him about Ukraine during an interview .
Trump said , “ Of course , our great Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
That ’ s impressive .
That was very impressive .
That reporter couldn ’ t have done too good of a job on you yesterday .
Think you did a good job on her , actually.
” Trump was praising Pompeo for screaming and yelling f-bombs at NPR All Things Considered co-host Mary Louise Kelly because she asked him about Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s remarks reveal that he has created a culture both in the White House and the Republican Party where bullying and protecting Trump ’ s crimes are praised and elevated .
The way to win favor with Donald Trump is to be a bully and be willing to cover-up and protect this president at all costs .
Competence and integrity are negatives that will be punished .
Mike Pompeo disgraced the State Department and the United States government with his outburst , but he is rewarded by Trump with compliments and a pat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t about issues .
It ’ s about removing a cancer of a human being from the Oval Office .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump praised his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for screaming F-bombs at an NPR host who asked him about Ukraine during an interview.
Trump said, “Of course, our great Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. That’s impressive. That was very impressive. That reporter couldn’t have done too good of a job on you yesterday. Think you did a good job on her, actually.”
Video:
The moment President Trump told Sec. Pompeo he "did a good job" in his interaction with NPR reporter Mary Louise Kelly pic.twitter.com/s06NuXnEum — Peter Stevenson (@PeterStevenson) January 28, 2020
Trump was praising Pompeo for screaming and yelling f-bombs at NPR All Things Considered co-host Mary Louise Kelly because she asked him about Ukraine during an interview.
The president’s remarks reveal that he has created a culture both in the White House and the Republican Party where bullying and protecting Trump’s crimes are praised and elevated.
The way to win favor with Donald Trump is to be a bully and be willing to cover-up and protect this president at all costs. Competence and integrity are negatives that will be punished.
Mike Pompeo disgraced the State Department and the United States government with his outburst, but he is rewarded by Trump with compliments and a pat on the back.
The 2020 election isn’t about issues. It’s about removing a cancer of a human being from the Oval Office.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-28--Trump’s Defense Is Such A Failure That Ivanka Is Attacking Don Lemon

On Tuesday , Ivanka Trump defended her father by pretending he , and by proxy she , stand for real people , while the people criticizing them are “ real elites.
” So , Republican strategist Rick Wilson , who mocked the southern accent first in this segment , is an elite while she , the daughter of the president of the United States who grew up with gold toilets and an allegedly valuable brand handed to her on a silver platter , is a real person standing up to the elites .
That ’ s what she ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as her attempt to look like a regular working mom .
It ’ s also Donald Trump , not Don Lemon or Rick Wilson or anyone else this international crime syndicate goes after in a not so subtle act of deflection , who is the divider , who mocks more than half the country and who speaks about Democrats and liberals as if they are evil to such an extent that his deranged followers threaten high profile Democrats and one of them sent a pipe bomb to leading Democrats .
It says a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ivanka chose to go with this morning .
Her father , the president , tweeted angrily about “ Don Lemon ” last night , pointing to him as she did instead of to the white Republican strategist who actually started the entire thing .
Republican Joe Scarborough called the Trump defense a Confederacy of Dunces this morning : Neither the President nor Ivanka chose to pick on the Republican who actually said these things – instead they tried to pick a fake fight with an imaginary foe , as they have often done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not a good look that Trump is so divisive that Republicans are mocking him and his defense on TV , and others are cracking up as the Republican rants on about Trump ’ s defense ’ s idiocy .
Trump is raging at Fox News this morning , that ’ s how bad his defense is .
But attacking Republicans directly is a treacherous road as it shows how support is chipping away , and so they both pretended as if these folks were Democrats , elites , and the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lemon because if there ’ s a black person around to blame , that ’ s all the more effective for them .
Hold on , because it gets worse : Don Lemon is actually a southerner .
He is from Baton Rouge , Louisiana , and he worked on TV in Alabama .
So , I guess he ’ s just another Southerner the golden toileted New York Trump family has run over in their endless greed and deception .
This ends the way all fact checks of Trump do , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And then denied it .
And then did it on tape .
Trump was accused of mocking Jeff Sessions ’ accent and calling him a dumb Southerner in Bob Woodward ’ s book , “ This guy is mentally retarded .
He ’ s this dumb Southerner… He couldn ’ t even be a one-person country lawyer down in Alabama.
” Trump denied that in 2018 , “ so many lies and phony sources , has me calling Jeff Sessions ‘ mentally retarded ’ and ‘ a dumb southerner .
I said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone , including Jeff , and being a southerner is a GREAT thing.
” Trump has of course actually used those terms .
On the radio , as the New Yorker pointed out .
And in 2019 on video , Trump mocked a Southern accent at CPAC , the conservative conference , where they ate it up : Yeah , those darn elites , mocking southerners .
Trump would never , except when he frequently does .
And that , ladies and gentlemen , is all you need to know about Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to move the goal post in order to gin up a culture war of deflection so that his thirsty base can cling to his lame claims of innocence for something he is clearly , by the word of many Republicans , guilty .

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On Tuesday, Ivanka Trump defended her father by pretending he, and by proxy she, stand for real people, while the people criticizing them are “real elites.”
You consistently make fun of half the country and then complain that it is divided. The arrogance, mocking accents and smug ridicule of this nation’s ‘Real Elites’ is disgusting. https://t.co/p3RQzymx4s — Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) January 28, 2020
So, Republican strategist Rick Wilson, who mocked the southern accent first in this segment, is an elite while she, the daughter of the president of the United States who grew up with gold toilets and an allegedly valuable brand handed to her on a silver platter, is a real person standing up to the elites. That’s what she’s selling here. Which is as genuine as her attempt to look like a regular working mom.
It’s also Donald Trump, not Don Lemon or Rick Wilson or anyone else this international crime syndicate goes after in a not so subtle act of deflection, who is the divider, who mocks more than half the country and who speaks about Democrats and liberals as if they are evil to such an extent that his deranged followers threaten high profile Democrats and one of them sent a pipe bomb to leading Democrats.
It says a lot that this is the piece that Ivanka chose to go with this morning. Her father, the president, tweeted angrily about “Don Lemon” last night, pointing to him as she did instead of to the white Republican strategist who actually started the entire thing.
Don Lemon, the dumbest man on television (with terrible ratings!). https://t.co/iQXCc7lvCt — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2020
Republican Joe Scarborough called the Trump defense a Confederacy of Dunces this morning:
Neither the President nor Ivanka chose to pick on the Republican who actually said these things – instead they tried to pick a fake fight with an imaginary foe, as they have often done when seeking refuge from reality.
It’s not a good look that Trump is so divisive that Republicans are mocking him and his defense on TV, and others are cracking up as the Republican rants on about Trump’s defense’s idiocy. Trump is raging at Fox News this morning, that’s how bad his defense is.
But attacking Republicans directly is a treacherous road as it shows how support is chipping away, and so they both pretended as if these folks were Democrats, elites, and the media – and of course, blame Don Lemon because if there’s a black person around to blame, that’s all the more effective for them.
Hold on, because it gets worse: Don Lemon is actually a southerner. He is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and he worked on TV in Alabama. So, I guess he’s just another Southerner the golden toileted New York Trump family has run over in their endless greed and deception.
This ends the way all fact checks of Trump do, with the obvious: He did it first. And then denied it. And then did it on tape.
Trump was accused of mocking Jeff Sessions’ accent and calling him a dumb Southerner in Bob Woodward’s book, “This guy is mentally retarded. He’s this dumb Southerner… He couldn’t even be a one-person country lawyer down in Alabama.”
Trump denied that in 2018, “so many lies and phony sources, has me calling Jeff Sessions ‘mentally retarded’ and ‘a dumb southerner. I said NEITHER, never used those terms on anyone, including Jeff, and being a southerner is a GREAT thing.”
Trump has of course actually used those terms. On the radio, as the New Yorker pointed out. And in 2019 on video, Trump mocked a Southern accent at CPAC, the conservative conference, where they ate it up:
Trump does an impression of Jeff Sessions: "I'm gonna recuse myself" pic.twitter.com/vJMKsovTsp — Josh Billinson (@jbillinson) March 2, 2019
Yeah, those darn elites, mocking southerners. Trump would never, except when he frequently does.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is all you need to know about Trump’s impeachment defense. The Trump defense is to move the goal post in order to gin up a culture war of deflection so that his thirsty base can cling to his lame claims of innocence for something he is clearly, by the word of many Republicans, guilty.


politicususa--2020-01-29--Trump’s Own Lawyer, Alan Dershowitz, Warned that a He Would Embolden Fascist Elements

President Trump ’ s impeachment lawyer Alan Dershowitz knows Trump is corrupt , and in 2016 said that Trump would continue to be corrupt were he to win the election .
He also warned that Trump would “ embolden and strengthen some of the fascist elements in our society.
” “ I think she and the Clintons generally could have done a better job of preserving the appearance of propriety .
And appearances are very , very important .
But when you compare that to what Trump has done with Trump University – with so many other things , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has engaged in more corruption and who is more likely to continue that , if elected President of the United States.
” Dershowitz knows the dangers Trump presents .
He said then that he worried Trump would “ embolden and strengthen some of the fascist elements in our society ” : “ There is a kind of fascist mentality in the world today .
I don ’ t worry that Donald Trump will try to govern that way .
I do worry that he will embolden and strengthen some of the fascist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the audio from an October 2016 Trending Today USA radio interview shared by Andrew Kaczynski and Em Steck , who flagged it for CNN : Students who said they were duped by Trump won a $ 25 million settlement in 2018 against Trump University .
NBC News reported at the time , “ Students had alleged that Trump University , which was open from 2005 to 2010 , used false advertising and high-pressure sales techniques to lure them to free investor workshops at which they were sold expensive seminars and told they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , leading to the loss of thousands of dollars in tuition .
A “ one-year apprenticeship ” at the educational institute cost $ 1,495 ; a “ membership ” over $ 10,000 ; and “ Gold Elite ” classes ran $ 35,000.
” Dershowitz has a habit of defending the worst of humanity .
Over a decade ago he got Jeffrey Epstein that sweetheart deal in Palm Beach County , Florida that allowed him to continue sexually abusing and exploiting minors .
He has also defended Claus von Bülow , O.J .
Simpson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to CNN ’ s request for comment writing , “ I was campaigning for Clinton .
That ’ s what I believed at the time based on media reports .
I didn ’ t know Trump .
I knew Clinton.
” This is the same man who claimed later that he didn ’ t know Jeffrey Epstein except as a friend who had an office at Harvard .
In an interview with NPR ’ s Noel King , he said : The New Yorker pointed out that sometimes Dershowitz himself has been painted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ In 2014 , Virginia Roberts Giuffre , one of Epstein ’ s victims , stated in a court filing that Epstein lent her out for sex to his friends—Dershowitz among them.
” Criminal defense lawyers don ’ t always like their clients .
Dershowitz told New Yorker writer Connie Bruck , “ Every honest criminal lawyer will tell you that he defends the guilty and the innocent.
” But it is not every criminal lawyer who would argue against his or her own country and the rule of law itself .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with Dershowitz in the first place .
After all , his lawyers are failing at their impossible task .
Respected constitutional expert Lawrence Tribe pointed out that Dershowitz ’ argument was wrong , “ .
@ AlanDersh said “ even if a President commands the power of state to corrupt a future election , by seeking the intervention of a foreign power … that ’ s not something that impeachment would be appropriate for.
” WRONG !
That ’ s why we have impeachment !
” Dershowitz knew how corrupt Trump is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward “ fascist elements , ” which is just another way of saying that Alan Dershowitz is not stupid .
Today he finds himself defending a corrupt president against evidence that is indisputable , and so he is arguing that we shouldn ’ t impeach Trump even if he were to command a foreign power to corrupt an election for him , which is what he did .
Again .
Yes , people .
We should use that corrupt election that Trump is going to rig .
That is our remedy , according @ @ @

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President Trump’s impeachment lawyer Alan Dershowitz knows Trump is corrupt, and in 2016 said that Trump would continue to be corrupt were he to win the election. He also warned that Trump would “embolden and strengthen some of the fascist elements in our society.”
“I think she and the Clintons generally could have done a better job of preserving the appearance of propriety. And appearances are very, very important. But when you compare that to what Trump has done with Trump University – with so many other things, I think there’s no comparison between who has engaged in more corruption and who is more likely to continue that, if elected President of the United States.”
Dershowitz knows the dangers Trump presents. He said then that he worried Trump would “embolden and strengthen some of the fascist elements in our society”:
“There is a kind of fascist mentality in the world today. I don’t worry that Donald Trump will try to govern that way. I do worry that he will embolden and strengthen some of the fascist elements in our society.”
Here’s the audio from an October 2016 Trending Today USA radio interview shared by Andrew Kaczynski and Em Steck, who flagged it for CNN:
Students who said they were duped by Trump won a $25 million settlement in 2018 against Trump University. NBC News reported at the time, “Students had alleged that Trump University, which was open from 2005 to 2010, used false advertising and high-pressure sales techniques to lure them to free investor workshops at which they were sold expensive seminars and told they would be mentored by real estate gurus, leading to the loss of thousands of dollars in tuition.
A “one-year apprenticeship” at the educational institute cost $1,495; a “membership” over $10,000; and “Gold Elite” classes ran $35,000.”
Dershowitz has a habit of defending the worst of humanity. Over a decade ago he got Jeffrey Epstein that sweetheart deal in Palm Beach County, Florida that allowed him to continue sexually abusing and exploiting minors. He has also defended Claus von Bülow, O.J. Simpson, and Mike Tyson.
Dershowitz responded to CNN’s request for comment writing, “I was campaigning for Clinton. That’s what I believed at the time based on media reports. I didn’t know Trump. I knew Clinton.”
This is the same man who claimed later that he didn’t know Jeffrey Epstein except as a friend who had an office at Harvard. In an interview with NPR’s Noel King, he said:
King: As I understand it, you’ve been an overnight guest at his homes. You flew with him on his private jet a number of times. You borrowed his Palm Beach house for a family vacation. That doesn’t sound like an academic relationship. Dershowitz: …I never had a kind of social relationship where we had dinner together or we had discussions about our personal lives. Our relationship was predominantly academic.
The New Yorker pointed out that sometimes Dershowitz himself has been painted with the same brush as his clients, “In 2014, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims, stated in a court filing that Epstein lent her out for sex to his friends—Dershowitz among them.”
Criminal defense lawyers don’t always like their clients. Dershowitz told New Yorker writer Connie Bruck, “Every honest criminal lawyer will tell you that he defends the guilty and the innocent.”
But it is not every criminal lawyer who would argue against his or her own country and the rule of law itself. And perhaps that is why Trump ended up with Dershowitz in the first place. After all, his lawyers are failing at their impossible task.
Respected constitutional expert Lawrence Tribe pointed out that Dershowitz’ argument was wrong, “.@AlanDersh said “even if a President commands the power of state to corrupt a future election, by seeking the intervention of a foreign power … that’s not something that impeachment would be appropriate for.” WRONG! That’s why we have impeachment!”
Dershowitz knew how corrupt Trump is and knew that Trump would push us toward “fascist elements,” which is just another way of saying that Alan Dershowitz is not stupid. Today he finds himself defending a corrupt president against evidence that is indisputable, and so he is arguing that we shouldn’t impeach Trump even if he were to command a foreign power to corrupt an election for him, which is what he did. Again.
Yes, people. We should use that corrupt election that Trump is going to rig. That is our remedy, according to Dershowitz.


politicususa--2020-01-29--Opinion: Trump Lawyers Try to Defend Trump by Impeaching Obama and Hunter Biden

It was a busy day for Chief Justice Roberts as he presided over wonderland-quality injustice in two bodies .
He spent the morning allowing , for now , to implement the Cucinelli wealth test for green card applicants until the legal issues are dealt with by the courts .
Then Chief Roberts presided over the McConnell-controlled Senate ’ s impeachment cover-up proceedings , where absurd doesn ’ t begin to describe what happened there .
We watched as a principle in the impeachment of Bill Clinton turned arguments McConnell made at that time on their head .
This wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one expects from Republicans .
Starr implied that the impeachment power should be dissolved .
He did that by pointing to the fact that we inherited it from British law , and that if we kept ours , it would amount to adopting the British non-confidence vote .
This argument is mixing apples and oranges .
The British non-confidence vote is applied to the Prime Minister , who is comparable to our Speaker of the House – not to our president .
For the record , the British Parliament can ’ t get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their head of state , as the President is ours ) with a non-confidence motion .
But , since Republicans were just hoping to bury potential testimony from John Bolton , that , if true , would prove there was in fact a quid pro quo – The GOP probably doesn ’ t care about the occasional fallacious argument .
Trump ’ s lawyers know they can ’ t defend Trump ’ s actions , that ’ s why they brought in the corrupt former Attorney-General of Florida , Pamela Bondi , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bondi .
She asked Donald Trump for a hefty campaign donation and shortly afterward decided not to pursue a fraud case against Trump University .
Some people might call that pay to play or quid pro quo .
I ’ ll just call it corrupt .
To be fair , Biden ’ s decision to work for Burisma was ethically challenged , but it was not illegal and again not comparable to Trump ’ s shakedown of Ukraine .
For one thing , Biden didn ’ t shake down the Ukraine to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed to find anything resembling proof to suggest he did .
Unlike Bondi ’ s deal with Trump or the deal Trump wanted to make with Ukraine President Zelensky , Biden was not using public money ( tax dollars ) for personal gain .
It ’ s Trump ’ s attempt to use public money to gain personally that is an impeachable offense .
It ’ s an abuse of power , the same thing Ken Starr argued was the basis for impeaching Bill Clinton when Clinton lied about having an affair .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s a huge difference between lying about sex and trying to use fake information from a foreign source to attack a political opponent .
There were still more clown car moments that looked like Republicans wanted a life line in their attempt to cover up Trump ’ s offenses against the Constitution and the American people .
At one point , one of Trump ’ s lawyers tried to impeach Barack Obama .
I ’ m not kidding ; he basically substituted Barack Obama ’ s name and the debunked Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .
While all this fantasy was going on , the Chamber was silent .
Chief Justice Roberts did nothing to rein in the lies and conspiracy theories used to amuse Republican Senators and give them something to rely on when they try to explain why they voted for letting foreign countries choose our presidents .
For the record , House managers and Democratic Senators were silent as well , and that may be because the Senate ’ s credibility as a deliberative body is already on life support .
By objecting at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off like the Senate version of Trump ’ s frat boy caucus in the House .
And it could be that they are drafting questions for that phase when House Managers have the broadest opportunity to reintroduce facts and laws to these proceedings .
The departure of facts and law is an American tragedy unfolding before our eyes .
If Trump ’ s lawyers lied in court the way they have here , they ’ d be sanctioned .
I expect there would be ethics complaints that could result in disbarment .
Every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional ethics and should be held accountable by the bar association .
For all the jokes about lawyers and ethics , the fact is they are required to tell the truth before judicial tribunals – which includes this proceeding .
The greatest tragedy in all of this is that the Senate is not doing its job for the people of America .
That means the Senate majority is fine with foreign countries choosing our presidents .

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It was a busy day for Chief Justice Roberts as he presided over wonderland-quality injustice in two bodies.
He spent the morning allowing , for now, to implement the Cucinelli wealth test for green card applicants until the legal issues are dealt with by the courts.
Then Chief Roberts presided over the McConnell-controlled Senate’s impeachment cover-up proceedings, where absurd doesn’t begin to describe what happened there. We watched as a principle in the impeachment of Bill Clinton turned arguments McConnell made at that time on their head.
This wasn’t merely about the usual partisan hypocrisy one expects from Republicans. Starr implied that the impeachment power should be dissolved. He did that by pointing to the fact that we inherited it from British law, and that if we kept ours, it would amount to adopting the British non-confidence vote.
This argument is mixing apples and oranges. The British non-confidence vote is applied to the Prime Minister, who is comparable to our Speaker of the House – not to our president. For the record, the British Parliament can’t get rid of their monarch (who is their head of state, as the President is ours) with a non-confidence motion. But, since Republicans were just hoping to bury potential testimony from John Bolton, that, if true, would prove there was in fact a quid pro quo – The GOP probably doesn’t care about the occasional fallacious argument.
Trump’s lawyers know they can’t defend Trump’s actions, that’s why they brought in the corrupt former Attorney-General of Florida, Pamela Bondi, to smear Hunter Biden. You may remember Bondi. She asked Donald Trump for a hefty campaign donation and shortly afterward decided not to pursue a fraud case against Trump University. Some people might call that pay to play or quid pro quo. I’ll just call it corrupt.
To be fair, Biden’s decision to work for Burisma was ethically challenged, but it was not illegal and again not comparable to Trump’s shakedown of Ukraine. For one thing, Biden didn’t shake down the Ukraine to get his son a job – even Republicans failed to find anything resembling proof to suggest he did.
Unlike Bondi’s deal with Trump or the deal Trump wanted to make with Ukraine President Zelensky, Biden was not using public money (tax dollars) for personal gain. It’s Trump’s attempt to use public money to gain personally that is an impeachable offense. It’s an abuse of power, the same thing Ken Starr argued was the basis for impeaching Bill Clinton when Clinton lied about having an affair. Voters are smart enough to know that there’s a huge difference between lying about sex and trying to use fake information from a foreign source to attack a political opponent.
There were still more clown car moments that looked like Republicans wanted a life line in their attempt to cover up Trump’s offenses against the Constitution and the American people.
At one point, one of Trump’s lawyers tried to impeach Barack Obama.
I’m not kidding; he basically substituted Barack Obama’s name and the debunked Russian conspiracy theory that claims Ukraine interfered in 2016.
While all this fantasy was going on, the Chamber was silent. Chief Justice Roberts did nothing to rein in the lies and conspiracy theories used to amuse Republican Senators and give them something to rely on when they try to explain why they voted for letting foreign countries choose our presidents.
For the record, House managers and Democratic Senators were silent as well, and that may be because the Senate’s credibility as a deliberative body is already on life support. By objecting at every lie, they would have come off like the Senate version of Trump’s frat boy caucus in the House.
And it could be that they are drafting questions for that phase when House Managers have the broadest opportunity to reintroduce facts and laws to these proceedings.
The departure of facts and law is an American tragedy unfolding before our eyes. If Trump’s lawyers lied in court the way they have here, they’d be sanctioned. I expect there would be ethics complaints that could result in disbarment. Every lawyer representing Donald Trump is bound by professional ethics and should be held accountable by the bar association. For all the jokes about lawyers and ethics, the fact is they are required to tell the truth before judicial tribunals – which includes this proceeding.
The greatest tragedy in all of this is that the Senate is not doing its job for the people of America. That means the Senate majority is fine with foreign countries choosing our presidents.


politicususa--2020-01-29--Trump Is So Broken By Impeachment That He Can’t Even Say The Word Witch At New Jersey Rally

Trump is in such a broken state that he couldn ’ t even get one of his favorite phrases witch hunt out of his mouth correctly .
Trump said , “ The American people are disgusted by the Washington Democrat wish–and you see it .
You see it.
” The American people are the opposite of “ disgusted by impeachment.
” According to a new Quinnipiac University Poll , “ Registered voters say 75 – 20 percent that witnesses should be allowed to testify in the impeachment trial .
Support for witness testimony includes 49 percent of Republicans , 95 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of independents.
” The American people aren ’ t disgusted , as Trump claims .
They want to see witnesses .
They want a fair trial .
The only person who is disgusted by impeachment is the president who got caught breaking the law by withholding military aid to get a foreign country to investigate his political rival .
Trump is clearly not doing well .
Impeachment has broken him to the point where he can ’ t even get his favorite talking points , like witch hunt , out of his mouth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring Trump ’ s impeachment trial to a quick end , and his current pace , Trump will be lucky if he can still form words by his State Of The Union .
Impeachment has taken a toll on the thin-skinned president .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump is in such a broken state that he couldn’t even get one of his favorite phrases witch hunt out of his mouth correctly.
Trump said, “The American people are disgusted by the Washington Democrat wish–and you see it. You see it.”
Video:
Trump's brain misfires when he tries to say the word "witch" pic.twitter.com/RJ6K4bC4f2 — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 29, 2020
The American people are the opposite of “disgusted by impeachment.” According to a new Quinnipiac University Poll, “Registered voters say 75 – 20 percent that witnesses should be allowed to testify in the impeachment trial. Support for witness testimony includes 49 percent of Republicans, 95 percent of Democrats, and 75 percent of independents.”
The American people aren’t disgusted, as Trump claims. They want to see witnesses. They want a fair trial. The only person who is disgusted by impeachment is the president who got caught breaking the law by withholding military aid to get a foreign country to investigate his political rival.
Trump is clearly not doing well. Impeachment has broken him to the point where he can’t even get his favorite talking points, like witch hunt, out of his mouth.
Republicans look unlikely to be able to bring Trump’s impeachment trial to a quick end, and his current pace, Trump will be lucky if he can still form words by his State Of The Union.
Impeachment has taken a toll on the thin-skinned president.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-01-29--Schumer Says 10-12 Republicans Are In Play To Vote For Witnesses

Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer said that there are 10 to 12 Republican Senators in play who could vote for witnesses at Trump ’ s trial .
Senate Democratic Leader Schumer said on MSNBC ’ s Hardball with Chris Matthews : Well , look , I think there are 10 to 12 Republicans who are in play and these are 10 to 12 people who have never said a negative word about witnesses and documents so there ’ s a real chance here to get more than 4 .
There ’ s also a chance to get less .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ person who votes against Donald Trump for witnesses and documents , Mcconnell may forgive you , trump never will .
You see these articles in states the hard-right Trump people say they better be with Trump or we ’ re not supporting them .
There ’ s a lot of pressure on these folks , but I think some of them sort of realize the right thing to do at this moment in history and it weighs on different shoulders in different ways is to at least get witnesses and documents .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitting that he doesn ’ t have the votes to block witnesses .
Schumer ’ s assessment that there are up to a dozen Republicans who could vote for witnesses , along with a group of moderate Republicans who are trying to bring more than four members of their caucus along to break with McConnell and Trump all suggests that while Schumer was right .
This is an uphill battle for Democrats to get witnesses , but thanks to John Bolton , they are close to having the votes that they need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real trial .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer said that there are 10 to 12 Republican Senators in play who could vote for witnesses at Trump’s trial.
Senate Democratic Leader Schumer said on MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews:
Well, look, I think there are 10 to 12 Republicans who are in play and these are 10 to 12 people who have never said a negative word about witnesses and documents so there’s a real chance here to get more than 4. There’s also a chance to get less.
Even if you’re the single person who votes against Donald Trump for witnesses and documents, Mcconnell may forgive you, trump never will. You see these articles in states the hard-right Trump people say they better be with Trump or we’re not supporting them. There’s a lot of pressure on these folks, but I think some of them sort of realize the right thing to do at this moment in history and it weighs on different shoulders in different ways is to at least get witnesses and documents. That is only fair.
Video:
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says that there are 10-12 Senate Republicans in play who could vote for witnesses. pic.twitter.com/dgS1wku7ex — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 29, 2020
Mitch McConnell is admitting that he doesn’t have the votes to block witnesses. Schumer’s assessment that there are up to a dozen Republicans who could vote for witnesses, along with a group of moderate Republicans who are trying to bring more than four members of their caucus along to break with McConnell and Trump all suggests that while Schumer was right.
This is an uphill battle for Democrats to get witnesses, but thanks to John Bolton, they are close to having the votes that they need to turn McConnell’s sham into a real trial.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-01-29--Alan Dershowitz Loses It And Rants About Clinton and Obama At Impeachment Trial

Alan Dershowitz came unglued at Trump ’ s impeachment trial and starting ranting about Hillary Clinton , Barack Obama , and how everyone else is wrong but him .
By the way , the congressman was just completely wrong when he said , I ’ m not the only scholar who supports this position .
In the 19th Century , which is much closer in time to when the framers wrote , Dean Dwight of the Columbia law school wrote that the weight of authority by which he meant the weight of scholarly authority and the weight of judicial authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of authority is in favor of requiring a crime .
Justice Curtis came to the same conclusion .
Others have come to a similar conclusion .
You asked what happened between 1998 and the current that changed my mind ?
What happened between the 19th century and the 20th century to change the minds of so many scholars ?
Let me tell you what happened .
What happened was the current president was impeached .
If in fact President Obama or President Hillary Clinton had been impeached , the weight of current scholarship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position .
Because these scholars do not pass the shoe on the other foot these scholars are influenced by their own bias , by their own politics , and their views should be taken with that in mind .
They simply do not give objective assessments of the constitutional history .
Dershowitz ’ s argument boils down to claiming that everyone is biased , but him , and everyone is also wrong about impeachment , but him .
The argument is very Trumpian .
Trump claims that everyone else is lying , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he is the only scholar liberal or conservative who understands the true intent of the Founders on impeachment .
Alan Dershowitz is unhinged , and since he can ’ t defend his theory with precedent , he is taking a page from Fox News by complaining about bias while proclaiming himself to be the only source of truth .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Alan Dershowitz came unglued at Trump’s impeachment trial and starting ranting about Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and how everyone else is wrong but him.
Dershowitz said:
By the way, the congressman was just completely wrong when he said, I’m not the only scholar who supports this position. In the 19th Century, which is much closer in time to when the framers wrote, Dean Dwight of the Columbia law school wrote that the weight of authority by which he meant the weight of scholarly authority and the weight of judicial authority, this is 1867. The weight of authority is in favor of requiring a crime. Justice Curtis came to the same conclusion.
Others have come to a similar conclusion. You asked what happened between 1998 and the current that changed my mind? What happened between the 19th century and the 20th century to change the minds of so many scholars? Let me tell you what happened. What happened was the current president was impeached. If in fact President Obama or President Hillary Clinton had been impeached, the weight of current scholarship would be clearly in favor of my position.
Because these scholars do not pass the shoe on the other foot these scholars are influenced by their own bias, by their own politics, and their views should be taken with that in mind. They simply do not give objective assessments of the constitutional history.
Video:
Dershowitz is unhinged and ranting about Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and @tribelaw It is telling that no scholar from the last few centuries agrees with Alan Dershowitz's position on impeachment. pic.twitter.com/TSwFdfgttO — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) January 29, 2020
Dershowitz’s argument boils down to claiming that everyone is biased, but him, and everyone is also wrong about impeachment, but him. The argument is very Trumpian. Trump claims that everyone else is lying, but him, and his lawyer is arguing that he is the only scholar liberal or conservative who understands the true intent of the Founders on impeachment.
Alan Dershowitz is unhinged, and since he can’t defend his theory with precedent, he is taking a page from Fox News by complaining about bias while proclaiming himself to be the only source of truth.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook