shareblue--2020-01-20--Trump spent week lying about trade, immigration, the military, impeachment, and more

Size matters to Donald Trump .
So much that he exaggerates continually , sometimes spectacularly , the size of what he does .
Just as his tax cuts are far from the biggest in history , the economy is n't the best ever , and his election victory in 2016 was no landslide of historic proportions , Trump 's two trade deals do n't stand atop the field of presidential endeavors .
One is a partial settlement of trade grievances with China ; the other is a refresh of what past presidents created for North America .
The opening of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Trump over the past week .
Trump on his trade agreement with China : `` This is the biggest deal there is , anywhere in the world by far . ''
— remarks Wednesday at the signing .
Trump on the China deal and his updated North American trade agreement : `` So we 've done two of the biggest trade deals .
They are the two biggest trade deals in the world ever done . ''
— remarks at the White House on Thursday .
The facts : Neither claim is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly as big as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement , so it 's not the largest ever , much less `` by far . ''
The deal with Canada and Mexico was an update of the long-standing North American Free Trade Agreement worked out by Presidents George H.W .
Bush and Bill Clinton .
The North American agreement also is not the largest ever .
For instance , 123 countries signed the Uruguay Round agreement that liberalized trade and produced the World Trade Organization in 1994 .
The organization 's initial membership accounted for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston found , and that was before China joined the organization .
Also bigger : the Trans-Pacific Partnership , which would have joined North America with Pacific Rim countries in freer trade .
Trump took the United States out after the deal was negotiated and before the United States ratified it .
The European Union was formed from a giant deal .
The China deal leaves tariffs in place on about $ 360 billion in imports from China and pushes substantial remaining disputes ahead to a second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal : `` I did the biggest deal ever done in the history of our country yesterday in terms of trade , '' and probably other things too , if you think about it . ''
— remarks Thursday .
The facts : Trump is even more wildly off the mark in speculating that his China trade deal eclipses all other international agreements , even outside trade .
The Montreal Protocol , aimed at protecting Earth 's ozone layer , was ratified by every member state of the United Nations .
A variety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of children , world health standards , droughts — achieved nearly universal ratification .
More than 190 countries signed the Paris accord on climate change , of which more than 180 have ratified it .
The U.S. is pulling out of it .
Trump : `` 'We demand fairness ' shouts Pelosi and the Do Nothing Democrats , yet the Dems in the House would n't let us have 1 witness , no lawyers or even ask questions . ''
— tweet Monday , referring to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Judiciary Committee , which produced the articles of impeachment , invited Trump or his legal team to come .
He declined .
Absent White House representation , the hearings proceeded as things in Congress routinely do : Time is split between Democratic and Republican lawmakers to ask questions and engage in the debate .
Lawyers for Democrats and Republicans on the committee presented the case for and against the impeachment articles and members questioned witnesses , among them an academic called forward by Republicans .
The first round of hearings was by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigative phase of criminal cases , conducted without the participation of the subject of the investigation .
Trump cried foul then at the lack of representation , then rejected representation when the next committee offered it .
His lawyers will participate in the Senate 's impeachment trial .
Trump : `` You had a fake whistleblower that wrote a report that bore no relationship to what was said .
Everything was false . ''
— remarks Thursday .
The facts : Trump 's statement is false .
The whistleblower 's account of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader in July closely resembled what was said , judging by the rough transcript released later by the White House itself and by the testimony of officials who listened in on the call .
Witnesses in the impeachment hearings and other sources also verified the whistleblower 's description of events before and after the call as Trump and his aides pressed Ukraine to investigate one of Trump 's political rivals , Democrat Joe Biden .
The Senate impeachment trial will explore whether Trump abused his power .
Trump : `` In Wisconsin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level in history . ''
— Milwaukee rally Tuesday .
Wisconsin did post a record low unemployment rate of 2.8 % in April and May .
But it has since edged up and is now at 3.3 % .
That 's slightly lower than the U.S. average of 3.5 % , but suggests that the state hit a rough patch in the middle of last year .
Trump : `` More than 300,000 people under Obama , 300,000 people , left the workforce .
Under just three years of my administration , 3.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' — Milwaukee rally .
The facts : Trump is wrong about Barack Obama 's record .
More than 5 million people joined the U.S. labor force during Obama 's presidency , according to Labor Department figures .
These gains reflect the recovery from the Great Recession as well as population growth .
More than 4.8 million people have joined the labor force in three years of Trump 's presidency .
Trump : `` Under the Trump economy , the lowest-paid earners are reaping the biggest , fastest and largest gains .
... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising faster than earnings for the top 10 % , proportionally . ''
— Milwaukee rally .
The facts : Actually , the top 10 % of earners saw the biggest raises of any income bracket over the past year .
Their usual weekly earnings jumped 8 % or $ 168 , according to the Labor Department .
The bottom 10 % saw weekly incomes grow 7 % or $ 30 .
Over a broader range — the top and bottom 25 % — weekly earnings also grew at faster rate for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've created 7 million jobs since the election including more than 1 million manufacturing and construction jobs .
Nobody thought that was possible . ''
— Milwaukee rally .
The facts : His numbers are roughly right , though they are less impressive than Trump claims .
Job gains under Trump over the past three years were lower than during the final three years of Obama 's presidency .
More than 8 million jobs were added during that period under Obama , including 1.2 million combined in manufacturing and construction .
What these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job growth under Trump reflects the momentum from a recovery that officially began in the middle of 2009 .
Trump : `` We have loopholes .
Like a visa lottery .
We put things in the lottery , and they come in — they become American citizens .
Do you think these countries are giving us their finest ?
Oh , let 's give them our best citizens . ''
— Milwaukee rally .
The facts : This is a perpetual falsehood from the president .
Countries do n't nominate their citizens for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to select people they 'd like to get rid of .
Foreigners apply for the visas on their own .
Under the program , citizens of countries named by the United States can bid for visas if they have enough education or work experience in desired fields .
Out of that pool of qualified applicants , the State Department randomly selects a much smaller pool of tentative winners .
Not all winners will have visas approved because they still must compete for a smaller number of slots by getting their applications in quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still need to go through background checks , like other immigrants .
Trump : `` Mexico 's paying for the wall .
... You know that .
It 's all worked out . ''
— Milwaukee rally .
Trump has argued that the updated trade agreement with Canada and Mexico will pay for the wall because of economic benefits he predicts will come from the deal .
Nothing in the trade agreement would cover or refund the construction cost or require a payment from Mexico .
Trump : `` I was the person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you have it now . ''
— tweet Monday .
The facts : That 's false .
People with preexisting medical problems have health insurance protections because of Obama 's health care law , which Trump is trying to dismantle .
One of Trump 's major alternatives to Obama 's law — short-term health insurance , already in place — does n't have to cover preexisting conditions .
Another alternative is association health plans , which are oriented to small businesses and sole proprietors and do cover preexisting conditions .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court for full repeal of the Obama-era law , including provisions that protect people with preexisting conditions from health insurance discrimination .
With `` Obamacare '' still in place , insurers in the individual marketplace must take all applicants , regardless of medical history , and charge the same standard premiums to healthy people and those who have poor health or past medical problems .
Before Obama 's law , any insurer could deny coverage or charge more to anyone with a preexisting condition who was seeking to buy an individual policy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soleimani : `` The Democrats and the Fake News are trying to make terrorist Soleimani into a wonderful guy . ''
— tweet Monday .
Trump : `` You know what bothers me ?
When I see a Nancy Pelosi trying to defend this monster from Iran ...
When Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats want to defend him , I think that 's a very bad thing for this country . ''
— remarks on Jan. 9 at event on environmental regulations .
The facts : That 's a fabrication .
Democrats did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They criticized the action Trump took .
Pelosi called the U.S. missile strike `` provocative and disproportionate '' while branding Soleimani a `` terrible person . ''
Similarly , Democratic presidential candidates criticized Trump 's strategy and the fact he did n't notify or consult Congress in advance , while making clear they considered Soleimani anything but `` wonderful . ''
The Iranian was `` a murderer , responsible for the deaths of thousands , including hundreds of Americans , '' said Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren .
Even so , Republican Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` in love with terrorists '' then retracted the statement and apologized .
`` I left parts of my body in Iraq fighting terrorists , '' Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Ilinois , a former Army pilot who lost both her legs while serving in Iraq , told CNN after hearing Collins ' initial remarks .
`` I do n't need to justify myself to anyone . ''
Trump : `` Our military has been totally rebuilt . ''
— Milwaukee rally .
The administration has accelerated a sharp buildup in defense spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freshly ordered tanks , planes and other weapons to be built , delivered and put to use .
The Air Force 's Minuteman 3 missiles , for instance , a key part of the U.S. nuclear force , have been operating since the early 1970s , and modernization started under the Obama administration .
They are due to be replaced with a new version , but not until later this decade .
Trump , on the 2016 election : `` There have been some great movements where somebody came along and out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Hampshire , won Iowa , won South Carolina down the way , won a state someplace , but we won 32 states . ''
It was no landslide .
He won with about 57 % of electoral votes , a comfortable margin but no better than average or below average .
Obama and Clinton each won bigger victories twice and many other presidents outperformed Trump .
Moreover , Republican Trump lost the popular vote to Democrat Hillary Clinton , a rare occurrence for a winning candidate .
Trump routinely inflates the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Associated Press writers Josh Boak , Paul Wiseman , Robert Burns , Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar , Lisa Mascaro , Deb Riechmann , Jill Colvin , Colleen Long and Kevin Freking in Washington and Amanda Seitz in Chicago contributed to this report .

Size matters to Donald Trump. So much that he exaggerates continually, sometimes spectacularly, the size of what he does.
Just as his tax cuts are far from the biggest in history, the economy isn’t the best ever, and his election victory in 2016 was no landslide of historic proportions, Trump’s two trade deals don’t stand atop the field of presidential endeavors. One is a partial settlement of trade grievances with China; the other is a refresh of what past presidents created for North America.
The opening of the Senate impeachment trial stirred other fabrications from Trump over the past week.
Here’s just a sampling:
Trade
Trump on his trade agreement with China: “This is the biggest deal there is, anywhere in the world by far.” — remarks Wednesday at the signing.
Trump on the China deal and his updated North American trade agreement: “So we’ve done two of the biggest trade deals. They are the two biggest trade deals in the world ever done.” — remarks at the White House on Thursday.
The facts: Neither claim is true.
The China agreement is not nearly as big as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement, so it’s not the largest ever, much less “by far.” The deal with Canada and Mexico was an update of the long-standing North American Free Trade Agreement worked out by Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
The North American agreement also is not the largest ever.
For instance, 123 countries signed the Uruguay Round agreement that liberalized trade and produced the World Trade Organization in 1994. The organization’s initial membership accounted for more than 90% of global economic output, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston found, and that was before China joined the organization.
Also bigger: the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would have joined North America with Pacific Rim countries in freer trade. Trump took the United States out after the deal was negotiated and before the United States ratified it. The European Union was formed from a giant deal.
The China deal leaves tariffs in place on about $360 billion in imports from China and pushes substantial remaining disputes ahead to a second phase of negotiations.
___
Trump on China deal: “I did the biggest deal ever done in the history of our country yesterday in terms of trade,” and probably other things too, if you think about it.” — remarks Thursday.
The facts: Trump is even more wildly off the mark in speculating that his China trade deal eclipses all other international agreements, even outside trade.
The Montreal Protocol, aimed at protecting Earth’s ozone layer, was ratified by every member state of the United Nations. A variety of other agreements — on the rights of children, world health standards, droughts — achieved nearly universal ratification. More than 190 countries signed the Paris accord on climate change, of which more than 180 have ratified it. The U.S. is pulling out of it.
___
Impeachment
Trump: “‘We demand fairness’ shouts Pelosi and the Do Nothing Democrats, yet the Dems in the House wouldn’t let us have 1 witness, no lawyers or even ask questions.” — tweet Monday, referring to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
The facts: Not true. The House Judiciary Committee, which produced the articles of impeachment, invited Trump or his legal team to come. He declined.
Absent White House representation, the hearings proceeded as things in Congress routinely do: Time is split between Democratic and Republican lawmakers to ask questions and engage in the debate. Lawyers for Democrats and Republicans on the committee presented the case for and against the impeachment articles and members questioned witnesses, among them an academic called forward by Republicans.
The first round of hearings was by the House Intelligence Committee and resembled the investigative phase of criminal cases, conducted without the participation of the subject of the investigation. Trump cried foul then at the lack of representation, then rejected representation when the next committee offered it.
His lawyers will participate in the Senate’s impeachment trial.
___
Trump: “You had a fake whistleblower that wrote a report that bore no relationship to what was said. Everything was false.” — remarks Thursday.
The facts: Trump’s statement is false. The whistleblower’s account of a phone call between Trump and Ukraine’s leader in July closely resembled what was said, judging by the rough transcript released later by the White House itself and by the testimony of officials who listened in on the call.
Witnesses in the impeachment hearings and other sources also verified the whistleblower’s description of events before and after the call as Trump and his aides pressed Ukraine to investigate one of Trump’s political rivals, Democrat Joe Biden. The Senate impeachment trial will explore whether Trump abused his power.
___
Economy
Trump: “In Wisconsin, the unemployment rate has reached its lowest level in history.” — Milwaukee rally Tuesday.
The facts: He’s citing outdated figures.
Wisconsin did post a record low unemployment rate of 2.8% in April and May. But it has since edged up and is now at 3.3%. That’s slightly lower than the U.S. average of 3.5%, but suggests that the state hit a rough patch in the middle of last year.
___
Trump: “More than 300,000 people under Obama, 300,000 people, left the workforce. Under just three years of my administration, 3.5 million people have joined the workforce.” — Milwaukee rally.
The facts: Trump is wrong about Barack Obama’s record.
More than 5 million people joined the U.S. labor force during Obama’s presidency, according to Labor Department figures. These gains reflect the recovery from the Great Recession as well as population growth. More than 4.8 million people have joined the labor force in three years of Trump’s presidency.
___
Trump: “Under the Trump economy, the lowest-paid earners are reaping the biggest, fastest and largest gains. … Earnings for the bottom 10% are rising faster than earnings for the top 10%, proportionally.” — Milwaukee rally.
The facts: Actually, the top 10% of earners saw the biggest raises of any income bracket over the past year. Their usual weekly earnings jumped 8% or $168, according to the Labor Department. The bottom 10% saw weekly incomes grow 7% or $30.
Over a broader range — the top and bottom 25% — weekly earnings also grew at faster rate for the wealthier group.
___
Trump: “We’ve created 7 million jobs since the election including more than 1 million manufacturing and construction jobs. Nobody thought that was possible.” — Milwaukee rally.
The facts:His numbers are roughly right, though they are less impressive than Trump claims.
Job gains under Trump over the past three years were lower than during the final three years of Obama’s presidency. More than 8 million jobs were added during that period under Obama, including 1.2 million combined in manufacturing and construction. What these figures suggest is that much of the job growth under Trump reflects the momentum from a recovery that officially began in the middle of 2009.
___
Immigration
Trump: “We have loopholes. Like a visa lottery. We put things in the lottery, and they come in — they become American citizens. Do you think these countries are giving us their finest? Oh, let’s give them our best citizens.” — Milwaukee rally.
The facts: This is a perpetual falsehood from the president. Countries don’t nominate their citizens for the program. They don’t get to select people they’d like to get rid of.
Foreigners apply for the visas on their own. Under the program, citizens of countries named by the United States can bid for visas if they have enough education or work experience in desired fields. Out of that pool of qualified applicants, the State Department randomly selects a much smaller pool of tentative winners. Not all winners will have visas approved because they still must compete for a smaller number of slots by getting their applications in quickly.
Those who are ultimately offered visas still need to go through background checks, like other immigrants.
___
Trump: “Mexico’s paying for the wall. … You know that. It’s all worked out.” — Milwaukee rally.
The facts: Mexico isn’t paying for Trump’s long-promised border wall.
Trump has argued that the updated trade agreement with Canada and Mexico will pay for the wall because of economic benefits he predicts will come from the deal. Nothing in the trade agreement would cover or refund the construction cost or require a payment from Mexico.
___
Health care
Trump: “I was the person who saved Pre-Existing Conditions in your Healthcare, you have it now.” — tweet Monday.
The facts: That’s false. People with preexisting medical problems have health insurance protections because of Obama’s health care law, which Trump is trying to dismantle.
One of Trump’s major alternatives to Obama’s law — short-term health insurance, already in place — doesn’t have to cover preexisting conditions. Another alternative is association health plans, which are oriented to small businesses and sole proprietors and do cover preexisting conditions.
Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has been pressing in court for full repeal of the Obama-era law, including provisions that protect people with preexisting conditions from health insurance discrimination.
With “Obamacare” still in place, insurers in the individual marketplace must take all applicants, regardless of medical history, and charge the same standard premiums to healthy people and those who have poor health or past medical problems. Before Obama’s law, any insurer could deny coverage or charge more to anyone with a preexisting condition who was seeking to buy an individual policy.
___
Military
Trump, on killing Iran Gen. Qassem Soleimani: “The Democrats and the Fake News are trying to make terrorist Soleimani into a wonderful guy.” — tweet Monday.
Trump: “You know what bothers me? When I see a Nancy Pelosi trying to defend this monster from Iran … When Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats want to defend him, I think that’s a very bad thing for this country.” — remarks on Jan. 9 at event on environmental regulations.
The facts: That’s a fabrication. Democrats did not praise or defend the Iranian general. They criticized the action Trump took.
Pelosi called the U.S. missile strike “provocative and disproportionate” while branding Soleimani a “terrible person.” Similarly, Democratic presidential candidates criticized Trump’s strategy and the fact he didn’t notify or consult Congress in advance, while making clear they considered Soleimani anything but “wonderful.”
The Iranian was “a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans,” said Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Even so, Republican Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia asserted Democrats were “in love with terrorists” then retracted the statement and apologized.
“I left parts of my body in Iraq fighting terrorists,” Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Ilinois, a former Army pilot who lost both her legs while serving in Iraq, told CNN after hearing Collins’ initial remarks. “I don’t need to justify myself to anyone.”
___
Trump: “Our military has been totally rebuilt.” — Milwaukee rally.
The facts: It hasn’t.
The administration has accelerated a sharp buildup in defense spending, but it will take years for freshly ordered tanks, planes and other weapons to be built, delivered and put to use.
The Air Force’s Minuteman 3 missiles, for instance, a key part of the U.S. nuclear force, have been operating since the early 1970s, and modernization started under the Obama administration. They are due to be replaced with a new version, but not until later this decade.
___
Electability
Trump, on the 2016 election: “There have been some great movements where somebody came along and out of the nowhere, won the state of New Hampshire, won Iowa, won South Carolina down the way, won a state someplace, but we won 32 states.”
The facts: Trump won 30 states, not 32.
It was no landslide. He won with about 57% of electoral votes, a comfortable margin but no better than average or below average. Obama and Clinton each won bigger victories twice and many other presidents outperformed Trump.
Moreover, Republican Trump lost the popular vote to Democrat Hillary Clinton, a rare occurrence for a winning candidate.
Trump routinely inflates the number of electoral votes he won, too.
___
Associated Press writers Josh Boak, Paul Wiseman, Robert Burns, Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Lisa Mascaro, Deb Riechmann, Jill Colvin, Colleen Long and Kevin Freking in Washington and Amanda Seitz in Chicago contributed to this report.


shareblue--2020-01-20--GOP state lawmaker wants to let cops detain anyone they think might commit a crime

A Kentucky Republican lawmaker is proposing a controversial bill that would allow police to question anyone they `` reasonably '' believe has committed or may soon commit a crime and detain them for up to two hours .
SB 89 , filed last week by state Sen. Stephen Meredith ( R ) , would change state law to let any `` peace officer '' in a public place demand the name , address , date of birth , and government-issue ID from anyone they reasonably deem `` has committed , is committing , or is about to commit a crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide the requested information and an explanation for their actions , the officer could detain , question , and investigate them for as long as two hours without officially recording any of the incident .
Meredith did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the bill , but told the Lexington Herald-Leader , `` If a man acts suspicious , then why wouldn ’ t you want to know what his name is ? ''
`` I can ’ t imagine any legitimate reason in the world why a person would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identification to a police officer if they were asked , '' he told the outlet .
While many states have laws permitting brief stops by cops and stop-and-frisk , civil rights advocates are raising concerns about the constitutionality of this particular bill and the disparate impact it could have on minority groups .
`` The whole section of the bill on detention — they can call it whatever they want , but Supreme Court case law is pretty clear that an arrest is not determined by whether you call it an arrest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you place on someone ’ s liberty , ” Aaron Tucek , legal fellow with the ACLU of Kentucky , told the Herald-Leader .
`` If you put someone in the back of a police car or if you take them down to the police station or if you otherwise refuse to let them go their own way , that ’ s an arrest , and in our country , you can not do that without probable cause . ''
Rebecca DiLoreto of the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers told the outlet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abused , especially in cases where black people are deemed `` suspicious '' on no basis other than their race .
“ The idea that we can detain people because we find them to be suspicious and we think they might commit a crime , that crosses a dangerous line , ” she said .
`` Now , unfortunately , it has been known to happen .
Sometimes it ’ s in a mostly white community where someone spots a black person walking down the street and they get suspicious and call police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a raft of conservative proposals being pushed by the Republican majority in the state legislature as Gov .
Andy Beshear ( D ) begins his administration .
GOP lawmakers have already filed bills that would ban undocumented students — even those protected by DACA — from public colleges and universities and would make it harder to vote by requiring photo identification .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A Kentucky Republican lawmaker is proposing a controversial bill that would allow police to question anyone they “reasonably” believe has committed or may soon commit a crime and detain them for up to two hours.
SB 89, filed last week by state Sen. Stephen Meredith (R), would change state law to let any “peace officer” in a public place demand the name, address, date of birth, and government-issue ID from anyone they reasonably deem “has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a crime.”
If the person does not provide the requested information and an explanation for their actions, the officer could detain, question, and investigate them for as long as two hours without officially recording any of the incident.
Meredith did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the bill, but told the Lexington Herald-Leader, “If a man acts suspicious, then why wouldn’t you want to know what his name is?”
“I can’t imagine any legitimate reason in the world why a person would refuse to give their name and photo identification to a police officer if they were asked,” he told the outlet.
While many states have laws permitting brief stops by cops and stop-and-frisk, civil rights advocates are raising concerns about the constitutionality of this particular bill and the disparate impact it could have on minority groups.
“The whole section of the bill on detention — they can call it whatever they want, but Supreme Court case law is pretty clear that an arrest is not determined by whether you call it an arrest, it’s determined by the restraint you place on someone’s liberty,” Aaron Tucek, legal fellow with the ACLU of Kentucky, told the Herald-Leader. “If you put someone in the back of a police car or if you take them down to the police station or if you otherwise refuse to let them go their own way, that’s an arrest, and in our country, you cannot do that without probable cause.”
Rebecca DiLoreto of the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers told the outlet that the proposed bill could easily be abused, especially in cases where black people are deemed “suspicious” on no basis other than their race.
“”The idea that we can detain people because we find them to be suspicious and we think they might commit a crime, that crosses a dangerous line,” she said. “Now, unfortunately, it has been known to happen. Sometimes it’s in a mostly white community where someone spots a black person walking down the street and they get suspicious and call police.”
This bill is one of a raft of conservative proposals being pushed by the Republican majority in the state legislature as Gov. Andy Beshear (D) begins his administration. GOP lawmakers have already filed bills that would ban undocumented students — even those protected by DACA — from public colleges and universities and would make it harder to vote by requiring photo identification.
UPDATE: According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, in a floor speech on Tuesday, state Sen. Stephen Meredith (R) withdrew his earlier proposed bill allowing police officers to detain and question anyone they suspected might commit a crime. Meredith said that the bill’s language was imperfect but insisted there was a need for it.
The state senator attributed his decision to pull the bill to social media backlash, which he called “painful.”
“It’s a modern day version of the Salem witch trials,” he claimed. He said he had received messages accusing him of racism, some calling him “an old, wrinkled white guy.”
The backlash “would make the devil cringe,” he lamented before complaining of a lack of civility in the country.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-01-20--Kellyanne Conway wants you to think Trump impeachment is 'abuse of the Constitution'

Senior Trump administration adviser Kellyanne Conway claimed on Monday that the impeachment of Donald Trump is an `` abuse of the Constitution . ''
Conway made her claim in an interview with the conservative Fox News as she recounted the House 's decision to impeach Trump .
`` This is not an abuse of power , this is an abuse of the Constitution , '' Conway claimed .
But despite Conway 's claim , the process has taken place within the boundaries of the Constitution .
The Constitution outlines the process for impeachment of high-ranking officials for `` high crimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a part of America 's legal foundation since the Constitution was ratified over 200 232 years ago .
Trump is only the third president in United States history to be impeached .
The two articles of impeachment that passed in the House laid out in detail Trump 's actions that were found to meet this standard .
Trump was impeached for abuse of his office after he attempted to force Ukraine into investigating his political rivals by holding back on sending military aid that Congress had approved .
A recent investigation by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump violated the law when it did not send Ukraine aid .
The second article of impeachment is on obstruction of justice , noting that Trump stonewalled the congressional investigation by preventing aides from testifying and by withholding documents relevant to his actions .
The recent GAO report also criticized the Trump for withholding documents relevant to its investigation .
Trump and his team , along with Republicans in Congress , have repeatedly attempted to make the inaccurate argument that Trump 's impeachment is constitutionally invalid .

Senior Trump administration adviser Kellyanne Conway claimed on Monday that the impeachment of Donald Trump is an “abuse of the Constitution.”
Conway made her claim in an interview with the conservative Fox News as she recounted the House’s decision to impeach Trump.
“This is not an abuse of power, this is an abuse of the Constitution,” Conway claimed.
But despite Conway’s claim, the process has taken place within the boundaries of the Constitution.
The Constitution outlines the process for impeachment of high-ranking officials for “high crimes and misdemeanors.” Impeachment has been a part of America’s legal foundation since the Constitution was ratified over 200 232 years ago. Trump is only the third president in United States history to be impeached.
The two articles of impeachment that passed in the House laid out in detail Trump’s actions that were found to meet this standard.
Trump was impeached for abuse of his office after he attempted to force Ukraine into investigating his political rivals by holding back on sending military aid that Congress had approved. A recent investigation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that Trump violated the law when it did not send Ukraine aid.
The second article of impeachment is on obstruction of justice, noting that Trump stonewalled the congressional investigation by preventing aides from testifying and by withholding documents relevant to his actions.
The recent GAO report also criticized the Trump for withholding documents relevant to its investigation.
Trump and his team, along with Republicans in Congress, have repeatedly attempted to make the inaccurate argument that Trump’s impeachment is constitutionally invalid.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-01-20--Trump Russia adviser escorted off White House grounds amid security probe

A White House adviser on Europe and Russia issues has been placed on administrative leave pending a security-related investigation , two people with knowledge of his exit said Sunday .
Andrew Peek was escorted off the White House compound on Friday , according to one of those familiar with his departure .
In response to questions , the National Security Council , the foreign policy unit at the White House , said in a statement that `` we do not discuss personnel matters . ''
Peek , former deputy assistant secretary of state for Iraq and Iran , has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two predecessors in that position , Tim Morrison and Fiona Hill , both testified in the House impeachment inquiry of Donald Trump .
Before joining the State Department , Peek was a fellow at the Clements Center for National Security at the University of Texas .
He graduated from Princeton University in 2003 , received a master 's degree from the Harvard Kennedy School in 2005 and earned a doctorate in international relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies .
Peek was a U.S. Army intelligence officer serving in Afghanistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Allen on several matters , including intelligence and Pakistani aspects of the war .
Before Afghanistan , he was an adviser to Sens .
Gordon Smith of Oregon and Mike Johanns of Nebraska .

A White House adviser on Europe and Russia issues has been placed on administrative leave pending a security-related investigation, two people with knowledge of his exit said Sunday.
Andrew Peek was escorted off the White House compound on Friday, according to one of those familiar with his departure.
In response to questions, the National Security Council, the foreign policy unit at the White House, said in a statement that “we do not discuss personnel matters.”
Peek, former deputy assistant secretary of state for Iraq and Iran, has been in the position since November. His two predecessors in that position, Tim Morrison and Fiona Hill, both testified in the House impeachment inquiry of Donald Trump.
Before joining the State Department, Peek was a fellow at the Clements Center for National Security at the University of Texas. He graduated from Princeton University in 2003, received a master’s degree from the Harvard Kennedy School in 2005 and earned a doctorate in international relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
Peek was a U.S. Army intelligence officer serving in Afghanistan where he advised now-retired Marine Corps Gen. John Allen on several matters, including intelligence and Pakistani aspects of the war. Before Afghanistan, he was an adviser to Sens. Gordon Smith of Oregon and Mike Johanns of Nebraska.


shareblue--2020-01-20--2020 Democratic candidates march together in honor of MLK Day

Democratic presidential contenders celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. 's legacy at a Baptist church Monday and linked arms with each other and civil rights leaders in a march of tens of thousands to the Statehouse .
At Zion Baptist Church before the march , Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren engaged in the handshake that did n't happen in the frosty aftermath of the last debate .
`` This is THE handshake , '' presidential contender Tulsi Gabbard said as Sanders and Warren reached across her to shake hands in the front row .
They and rival Amy Klobuchar attended the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pete Buttigieg and other contenders in the march to the Statehouse .
In last week 's debate , Warren and Sanders clashed in an exchange over what was said during a private conversation about a woman 's chances of becoming president .
Sanders extended his hand afterward , and Warren pulled back .
Now , in the closing days before the first votes are cast in the 2020 Democratic presidential contest , the party 's leading hopefuls are splitting their time between the critical early-voting states of South Carolina and Iowa at events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more candidates than engaged in the last two debates .
They arrived at the Statehouse as King 's iconic `` I have a dream '' speech played over loudspeakers .
While Iowa and New Hampshire Democrats vote first for their nominee , South Carolina 's first-in-the-South primary is a crucial proving ground for a candidate 's mettle with black voters .
The state 's showcase holiday celebration , Columbia 's King Day at the Dome , is a notable event for Democratic politicians .
Sanders spokesman Michael Wukela said the King event in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and simple , '' noting that racial inequality in areas including criminal justice and poverty highlights the relevance of commemorating a civil rights icon here .
`` If you ca n't stand shoulder to shoulder with people who face these challenges every day yet still manage to embrace a vision of hope and grace , then you do n't deserve their respect , much less their vote , '' he said .
King Day at the Dome began in 2000 as a reaction to state lawmakers ' decision that year to keep the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's copper-covered cupola , a place of prominence that drew opposition .
Tens of thousands of people marched through Columbia 's downtown from the prayer service to the Statehouse .
Lawmakers eventually agreed to a compromise that moved the flag to a flagpole , albeit one prominently situated in front of the building .
The deal also recognized Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the state and created Confederate Memorial Day .
In 2015 , following the racist massacre of nine Bible study participants at a historic black church in Charleston , lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grounds .
In years past many Democratic presidential hopefuls have made their way to the north-facing facade of the Statehouse , including John Edwards , Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton .
Last year , Sanders and Sen. Cory Booker , who has dropped out of the 2020 race , attended .
Many of the candidates in the wide field planned to travel to Des Moines , Iowa , on Monday for the Brown and Black Forum , recognized as one of the nation 's oldest minority-focused presidential candidate events of its kind .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent years has been more of a one-on-one candidate forum .
Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg , who is not competing in the early-voting states but has put some of his multimillion-dollar ad spending there — plans to join a King Day parade in Little Rock , Arkansas .
Tech businessman Andrew Yang is in the midst of a 17-day bus tour of Iowa and plans to remain there .

Democratic presidential contenders celebrated Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy at a Baptist church Monday and linked arms with each other and civil rights leaders in a march of tens of thousands to the Statehouse.
At Zion Baptist Church before the march, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren engaged in the handshake that didn’t happen in the frosty aftermath of the last debate.
“This is THE handshake,” presidential contender Tulsi Gabbard said as Sanders and Warren reached across her to shake hands in the front row. They and rival Amy Klobuchar attended the service before they joined Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg and other contenders in the march to the Statehouse.
In last week’s debate, Warren and Sanders clashed in an exchange over what was said during a private conversation about a woman’s chances of becoming president. Sanders extended his hand afterward, and Warren pulled back.
Now, in the closing days before the first votes are cast in the 2020 Democratic presidential contest, the party’s leading hopefuls are splitting their time between the critical early-voting states of South Carolina and Iowa at events celebrating King.
The march brought together more candidates than engaged in the last two debates. They arrived at the Statehouse as King’s iconic “I have a dream” speech played over loudspeakers.
While Iowa and New Hampshire Democrats vote first for their nominee, South Carolina’s first-in-the-South primary is a crucial proving ground for a candidate’s mettle with black voters. The state’s showcase holiday celebration, Columbia’s King Day at the Dome, is a notable event for Democratic politicians.
Sanders spokesman Michael Wukela said the King event in South Carolina was about “respect pure and simple,” noting that racial inequality in areas including criminal justice and poverty highlights the relevance of commemorating a civil rights icon here.
“If you can’t stand shoulder to shoulder with people who face these challenges every day yet still manage to embrace a vision of hope and grace, then you don’t deserve their respect, much less their vote,” he said.
King Day at the Dome began in 2000 as a reaction to state lawmakers’ decision that year to keep the Confederate battle flag flying from the Statehouse’s copper-covered cupola, a place of prominence that drew opposition. Tens of thousands of people marched through Columbia’s downtown from the prayer service to the Statehouse.
Lawmakers eventually agreed to a compromise that moved the flag to a flagpole, albeit one prominently situated in front of the building. The deal also recognized Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the state and created Confederate Memorial Day.
In 2015, following the racist massacre of nine Bible study participants at a historic black church in Charleston, lawmakers voted to remove the flag from the grounds.
In years past many Democratic presidential hopefuls have made their way to the north-facing facade of the Statehouse, including John Edwards, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Last year, Sanders and Sen. Cory Booker, who has dropped out of the 2020 race, attended.
Many of the candidates in the wide field planned to travel to Des Moines, Iowa, on Monday for the Brown and Black Forum, recognized as one of the nation’s oldest minority-focused presidential candidate events of its kind. Traditionally a debate, the event in recent years has been more of a one-on-one candidate forum.
Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who is not competing in the early-voting states but has put some of his multimillion-dollar ad spending there — plans to join a King Day parade in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tech businessman Andrew Yang is in the midst of a 17-day bus tour of Iowa and plans to remain there.


shareblue--2020-01-20--Republicans may rush impeachment trial to clear Trump before State of the Union

Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) revealed over the weekend that Donald Trump is hoping for a very short impeachment trial — one that will be done before he delivers the State of the Union address on Feb. 4 , CNN reported on Sunday .
Graham said that Trump wants to have the impeachment trial `` behind him '' before his annual address to Congress and the nation .
`` The sooner this is over , the better for the country , '' Graham , who admitted he will not be impartial in the trial despite swearing an oath to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Politico .
`` We can get back to doing the business of the American people and do things that really matter to them . ''
Graham has been a part of a GOP Senate majority that has consistently blocked hundreds of House passed bills on issues important to the American people , including bills addressing gun safety , violence against women , LGBTQ equality , equal pay , health care , and prescription drug prices .
For his part , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is plotting to include a `` kill switch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News reported on Sunday .
The measure would `` give the president 's team the option to either move to judgment or to move to dismiss at a meaningful time , '' Sen. Josh Hawley ( R-MO ) told Axios , which first reported news about this option .
When the House was investigating possible articles of impeachment against Trump , Republicans roundly criticized Democrats for rushing to finish the articles by the end of 2019 .
`` The artificial and arbitrary political deadline by which Democrats are determined to finish impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Steve Castor , lead GOP counsel for the House Intelligence Committee , said on Dec. 9 .
He said the rushing led to `` missed opportunities to obtain relevant information . ''
Yet since the House approved two articles of impeachment in December , Republicans in the Senate have struggled with how to proceed , seemingly opposed to obtaining the relevant information Castor desired .
Many Republicans , including McConnell , do n't want any witnesses in the trial , even though Trump 's former national security adviser John Bolton said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
Bolton could know crucial details about the Ukrainian scandal at the heart of Trump 's impeachment .
Maine 's Republican Sen. Susan Collins has said she would reject the new evidence that has come to light since the House voted on impeachment , including damning new evidence from Lev Parnas , a close associate of Trump 's personal lawyer , Rudy Giuliani .
Parnas recently implicated many members of the Trump administration , including Trump himself , in the scheme to pressure Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's impeachment .
`` President Trump knew exactly what was going on , '' Parnas told MSNBC 's Rachel Maddow .
The trial is set to begin on Tuesday , Jan. 21 .
If Senate Republicans submit to Trump 's request , they would have less than two weeks — only 12 days — to conduct the third impeachment trial in U.S. history .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) revealed over the weekend that Donald Trump is hoping for a very short impeachment trial — one that will be done before he delivers the State of the Union address on Feb. 4, CNN reported on Sunday.
Graham said that Trump wants to have the impeachment trial “behind him” before his annual address to Congress and the nation.
“The sooner this is over, the better for the country,” Graham, who admitted he will not be impartial in the trial despite swearing an oath to do so, said, according to Politico. “We can get back to doing the business of the American people and do things that really matter to them.”
Graham has been a part of a GOP Senate majority that has consistently blocked hundreds of House passed bills on issues important to the American people, including bills addressing gun safety, violence against women, LGBTQ equality, equal pay, health care, and prescription drug prices.
For his part, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is plotting to include a “kill switch” to end the trial quickly, Fox News reported on Sunday. The measure would “give the president’s team the option to either move to judgment or to move to dismiss at a meaningful time,” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) told Axios, which first reported news about this option.
When the House was investigating possible articles of impeachment against Trump, Republicans roundly criticized Democrats for rushing to finish the articles by the end of 2019.
“The artificial and arbitrary political deadline by which Democrats are determined to finish impeachment by Christmas leads to a rushed process,” Steve Castor, lead GOP counsel for the House Intelligence Committee, said on Dec. 9. He said the rushing led to “missed opportunities to obtain relevant information.”
Yet since the House approved two articles of impeachment in December, Republicans in the Senate have struggled with how to proceed, seemingly opposed to obtaining the relevant information Castor desired.
Many Republicans, including McConnell, don’t want any witnesses in the trial, even though Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton said he would testify if the Senate called him. Bolton could know crucial details about the Ukrainian scandal at the heart of Trump’s impeachment.
When potentially damning new evidence surfaced last week from Lev Parnas, a close associate of Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, Maine’s Republican Sen. Susan Collins downplayed the findings, and took it as an opportunity to question Democrats motives. Collins later said in a statement that she would consider additional material in the trial only after both sides have made their arguments.
Parnas recently implicated many members of the Trump administration, including Trump himself, in the scheme to pressure Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, one of the allegations that led to Trump’s impeachment.
“President Trump knew exactly what was going on,” Parnas told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow.
The trial is set to begin on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
If Senate Republicans submit to Trump’s request, they would have less than two weeks — only 12 days — to conduct the third impeachment trial in U.S. history.
Update: This story has been updated to include recent statements about admission of new evidence in the Senate trial from Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-01-21--US court dismisses lawsuit from children pushing for action on climate change

A federal appeals court on Friday dismissed a lawsuit by 21 young people who claimed the U.S. government 's climate policies and reliance on fossil fuels harms them , jeopardizes their future , and violates their constitutional rights , potentially dealing a fatal blow to a long-running case that activists saw as an important front in the war against environmental degradation .
The Oregon-based youth advocacy group Our Children 's Trust filed the lawsuit in 2015 in Eugene on behalf of the youngsters .
It sought an injunction ordering the government to implement a plan to phase out fossil fuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emission .
The case had bounced around the federal courts for five years and multiple trial dates were canceled .
The 2-1 vote for dismissal by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals was a serious setback for the climate activists , who vowed to ask the full 9th Circuit panel to review the ruling .
Our Children 's Trust has filed numerous similar cases in state and federal courts and currently has nine cases pending in state courts from Alaska to New Mexico .
The federal ruling was less likely to impact those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a very serious blow to the case , perhaps a fatal blow , '' said Jennifer Rushlow , an associate dean for environmental programs at Vermont Law School , who has been watching the case closely .
Our Children 's Trust said in a statement that although the justices ruled for dismissal , it was important to note that they also said in the opinion that the evidence showed climate change was real and caused by fossil fuels and that the young plaintiffs had suffered legitimate consequences from climate change .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Julia Olson , lead attorney for Our Children 's Trust .
`` The court recognized that climate change is exponentially increasing and that the federal government has long known that its actions substantially contribute to the climate crisis . ''
Government attorneys repeatedly sought the case 's dismissal and succeeded in having the scope of the claims narrowed and some defendants dismissed during years of back-and-forth litigation .
On Friday , the court wrote that the youngsters made a compelling case that action is needed and agreed that climate change is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for addressing the nation 's emissions policies and fossil fuel use is the U.S. Congress or the executive branch .
In addition , the justices wrote that ending the use of fossil fuels in the U.S. alone , which is what the plaintiffs sought , would not be enough to slow or stop climate change .
`` That 's the heartbreaking thing about this opinion .
The 9th Circuit recognizes that climate change is an existential threat and agrees that the political branches have not done enough to address this problem in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the future .
But the court just feels it 's in a really difficult situation , '' said Cara Horowitz , co-director of the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the University of California , Los Angeles School of Law .
The youths , who were between the ages of 8 and 18 when the lawsuit was filed in 2015 , tied specific incidents that had affected their lives to climate change and U.S. government policies .
In one instance , a young woman said she was forced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of water scarcity , separating her from her relatives .
Another , the youngest plaintiff , said storms driven by climate change have hurt his home , a barrier island off the Florida coast that 's just 13 feet ( 3.96 meters ) above sea level .
Still others cite health impacts , such as worsening asthma attacks from air pollution .
The plaintiffs come from all over the United States , from Oregon to Louisiana to New York .
The sole dissenting justice , Josephine Staton , wrote that `` my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` No case can singlehandedly prevent the catastrophic effects of climate change predicted by the government and scientists .
... and the mere fact that this suit can not alone halt climate change does not mean that it presents no claim suitable for judicial resolution , '' Staton wrote in her dissent .

A federal appeals court on Friday dismissed a lawsuit by 21 young people who claimed the U.S. government’s climate policies and reliance on fossil fuels harms them, jeopardizes their future, and violates their constitutional rights, potentially dealing a fatal blow to a long-running case that activists saw as an important front in the war against environmental degradation.
The Oregon-based youth advocacy group Our Children’s Trust filed the lawsuit in 2015 in Eugene on behalf of the youngsters. It sought an injunction ordering the government to implement a plan to phase out fossil fuel emissions and draw down atmospheric carbon dioxide emission. The case had bounced around the federal courts for five years and multiple trial dates were canceled.
The 2-1 vote for dismissal by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals was a serious setback for the climate activists, who vowed to ask the full 9th Circuit panel to review the ruling. Our Children’s Trust has filed numerous similar cases in state and federal courts and currently has nine cases pending in state courts from Alaska to New Mexico. The federal ruling was less likely to impact those cases, experts said.
“This is a very serious blow to the case, perhaps a fatal blow,” said Jennifer Rushlow, an associate dean for environmental programs at Vermont Law School, who has been watching the case closely.
Our Children’s Trust said in a statement that although the justices ruled for dismissal, it was important to note that they also said in the opinion that the evidence showed climate change was real and caused by fossil fuels and that the young plaintiffs had suffered legitimate consequences from climate change.
The “case is far from over,” said Julia Olson, lead attorney for Our Children’s Trust. “The court recognized that climate change is exponentially increasing and that the federal government has long known that its actions substantially contribute to the climate crisis.”
Government attorneys repeatedly sought the case’s dismissal and succeeded in having the scope of the claims narrowed and some defendants dismissed during years of back-and-forth litigation.
On Friday, the court wrote that the youngsters made a compelling case that action is needed and agreed that climate change is undeniable, but said the proper venue for addressing the nation’s emissions policies and fossil fuel use is the U.S. Congress or the executive branch.
In addition, the justices wrote that ending the use of fossil fuels in the U.S. alone, which is what the plaintiffs sought, would not be enough to slow or stop climate change.
“That’s the heartbreaking thing about this opinion. The 9th Circuit recognizes that climate change is an existential threat and agrees that the political branches have not done enough to address this problem in the past and are unlikely to do so in the future. But the court just feels it’s in a really difficult situation,” said Cara Horowitz, co-director of the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law.
The youths, who were between the ages of 8 and 18 when the lawsuit was filed in 2015, tied specific incidents that had affected their lives to climate change and U.S. government policies. In one instance, a young woman said she was forced to leave her home on a Navajo reservation because of water scarcity, separating her from her relatives. Another, the youngest plaintiff, said storms driven by climate change have hurt his home, a barrier island off the Florida coast that’s just 13 feet (3.96 meters) above sea level. Still others cite health impacts, such as worsening asthma attacks from air pollution.
The plaintiffs come from all over the United States, from Oregon to Louisiana to New York.
The sole dissenting justice, Josephine Staton, wrote that “my colleagues throw up their hands.”
“No case can singlehandedly prevent the catastrophic effects of climate change predicted by the government and scientists. … and the mere fact that this suit cannot alone halt climate change does not mean that it presents no claim suitable for judicial resolution,” Staton wrote in her dissent.


shareblue--2020-01-21--Planned Parenthood finally ditches Sen. Susan Collins

Planned Parenthood on Tuesday endorsed a Democratic challenger to Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine , saying Collins `` turned her back '' on women and citing her vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court as well as other judicial nominees who oppose abortion .
Sara Gideon , speaker of the Maine House of Representatives , welcomed the endorsement from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund .
`` There 's never been a more important time to stand up for reproductive rights , '' she said , in the face of `` systematic attacks on reproductive rights across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honored by Planned Parenthood as recently as 2017 as `` an outspoken champion for women 's health , '' is facing perhaps the toughest reelection fight of her career .
Critics have vowed they wo n't forget her key vote for Kavanaugh , whose nomination survived an accusation that he sexually assaulted someone in high school .
`` From her decisive vote to confirm Kavanaugh to her refusal to stop Republican attacks on our health and rights , it 's clear that she has turned her back on those she should be championing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acting president and CEO of Planned Parenthood .
She said Collins `` has abandoned not only the people of Maine , but women across the country . ''
The Collins campaign said Planned Parenthood has changed and become more partisan , noting that no Republicans have won its endorsement .
`` Senator Collins has not changed , but leadership at Planned Parenthood certainly has , '' Collins campaign spokesman Kevin Kelley said .
`` It 's sad that the group is now run by far left activists who would rather focus on partisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care to women . ''
The endorsement was one of several announced Tuesday , the day before the anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that made abortion legal .
The Planned Parenthood Action Fund also is backing Democrat Jaime Harrison , who 's seeking to unseat GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina , and Democrat Barbara Bollier , who 's running for an open Senate seat in Kansas .
In Maine , Collins and Planned Parenthood have had a complicated relationship .
Collins has supported funding for the organization , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in her 2002 reelection campaign .
She was honored by the group in 2017 with its Barry Goldwater Award to a public official who has acted as a leader within the Republican Party to support Planned Parenthood .
`` Senator Collins has been an outspoken champion for women 's health .
Thanks to Senator Collins ' steadfast commitment to her constituents , tens of thousands of women in Maine and millions of women across the country still have access to essential health care , '' Cecile Richards , then-president of Planned Parenthood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , about a year before the Kavanaugh vote .
The relationship with the organization has gone downhill since then .
The 67-year-old Collins said Kavanaugh , who denied the sexual assault allegation , vowed to respect precedent including the Roe v. Wade ruling .
But Planned Parenthood contends 26 proposals to limit abortions have been adopted in 17 states since then .
Gideon , meanwhile , supports Medicaid expansion and expanded health care for women and has vowed to continue `` the fight to protect and expand reproductive rights . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she knows what it means to be able to get the care you need from a trusted provider and how hurtful it is to see your provider attacked by extremist politicians , '' Nicole Clegg , of Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund , said in a statement .
Money is already pouring into the Senate race .
Collins is considered among the most vulnerable Republican senators in the nation , a new position for her in a state where rising polarization and partisanship is clashing with a culture of independence .
Gideon is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But she faces activist Betsy Sweet , attorney Bre Kidman , former Google executive Ross LaJeunesse , and travel agent Michael Bunker in the Democratic primary .
Kidman expressed disappointment Tuesday , saying that when her team reached out she was told that Planned Parenthood Action Fund `` intended to remain neutral in the primary . ''
`` As one of the first greeters at the Planned Parenthood health center in Portland , I physically protected patients ' rights to access reproductive healthcare in sun , rain , sleet , and snow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with protest [ ers ] , '' she said in a statement .
Both Collins and Gideon already have raised millions of dollars for the race .
Tracking firm Advertising Analytics projects that the candidates and outside groups will spend $ 55 million on ads by Election Day .

Planned Parenthood on Tuesday endorsed a Democratic challenger to Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, saying Collins “turned her back” on women and citing her vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court as well as other judicial nominees who oppose abortion.
Sara Gideon, speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, welcomed the endorsement from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. “There’s never been a more important time to stand up for reproductive rights,” she said, in the face of “systematic attacks on reproductive rights across the country.”
Collins, who was honored by Planned Parenthood as recently as 2017 as “an outspoken champion for women’s health,” is facing perhaps the toughest reelection fight of her career. Critics have vowed they won’t forget her key vote for Kavanaugh, whose nomination survived an accusation that he sexually assaulted someone in high school.
“From her decisive vote to confirm Kavanaugh to her refusal to stop Republican attacks on our health and rights, it’s clear that she has turned her back on those she should be championing,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, acting president and CEO of Planned Parenthood . She said Collins “has abandoned not only the people of Maine, but women across the country.”
The Collins campaign said Planned Parenthood has changed and become more partisan, noting that no Republicans have won its endorsement.
“Senator Collins has not changed, but leadership at Planned Parenthood certainly has,” Collins campaign spokesman Kevin Kelley said. “It’s sad that the group is now run by far left activists who would rather focus on partisan politics than bipartisan policies that provide health care to women.”
The endorsement was one of several announced Tuesday, the day before the anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that made abortion legal. The Planned Parenthood Action Fund also is backing Democrat Jaime Harrison, who’s seeking to unseat GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Democrat Barbara Bollier, who’s running for an open Senate seat in Kansas.
In Maine, Collins and Planned Parenthood have had a complicated relationship.
Collins has supported funding for the organization, and she received its endorsement once before, in her 2002 reelection campaign. She was honored by the group in 2017 with its Barry Goldwater Award to a public official who has acted as a leader within the Republican Party to support Planned Parenthood.
“Senator Collins has been an outspoken champion for women’s health. Thanks to Senator Collins’ steadfast commitment to her constituents, tens of thousands of women in Maine and millions of women across the country still have access to essential health care,” Cecile Richards, then-president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said at the time, about a year before the Kavanaugh vote.
The relationship with the organization has gone downhill since then.
The 67-year-old Collins said Kavanaugh, who denied the sexual assault allegation, vowed to respect precedent including the Roe v. Wade ruling. But Planned Parenthood contends 26 proposals to limit abortions have been adopted in 17 states since then.
Gideon, meanwhile, supports Medicaid expansion and expanded health care for women and has vowed to continue “the fight to protect and expand reproductive rights.”
“As a former Planned Parenthood patient, she knows what it means to be able to get the care you need from a trusted provider and how hurtful it is to see your provider attacked by extremist politicians,” Nicole Clegg, of Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund, said in a statement.
Money is already pouring into the Senate race. Collins is considered among the most vulnerable Republican senators in the nation, a new position for her in a state where rising polarization and partisanship is clashing with a culture of independence.
Gideon is backed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. But she faces activist Betsy Sweet, attorney Bre Kidman, former Google executive Ross LaJeunesse, and travel agent Michael Bunker in the Democratic primary.
Kidman expressed disappointment Tuesday, saying that when her team reached out she was told that Planned Parenthood Action Fund “intended to remain neutral in the primary.”
“As one of the first greeters at the Planned Parenthood health center in Portland, I physically protected patients’ rights to access reproductive healthcare in sun, rain, sleet, and snow — often bodily shielding people from encounters with protest[ers],” she said in a statement.
Both Collins and Gideon already have raised millions of dollars for the race. Tracking firm Advertising Analytics projects that the candidates and outside groups will spend $55 million on ads by Election Day.


shareblue--2020-01-21--Pence praises bishop who called gay people 'demonic' at MLK event

Vice President Mike Pence spoke Sunday at a Tennessee church service streamed on the White House 's official YouTube channel and praised the church 's founder , Bishop Jerry Wayne Taylor for his `` great ministry '' in the state .
Minutes later , Taylor launched into a sermon in which he condemned LGBTQ people as `` demonic . ''
In remarks first flagged by the Commercial Appeal on Sunday , Pence told the Holy City Church of God in Christ in Memphis that he was there representing Donald Trump .
He enthusiastically extolled Taylor , who founded the church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give thanks to God for what he 's done through Bishop Taylor , '' Pence told the congregation , `` through this great ministry in Memphis and all across Tennessee since 1988 . ''
Not long after Pence 's remarks , Taylor took the pulpit and delivered a fierce condemnation of homosexuality as the work of the devil .
`` Two men can ’ t have a baby .
Two women can ’ t have a baby , '' he declared .
`` It ’ s a demonic spirit that causes a woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s a demonic spirit that causes a man to be attracted to another man . ''
“ If a man gets attracted to me , he ’ s gon na be in trouble , '' he continued .
`` Don ’ t put your hands on me !
Amen .
God didn ’ t make us for that .
He made a man to be a man .
If you want to know what God made you , when you go to the bathroom , just check your plumbing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? ''
Taylor then falsely claimed that other animals are never gay .
It is unclear whether Pence was present for Taylor 's sermon or aware of the remarks .
He does not appear to have denounced the comments publicly .
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter .
The Trump administration has worked diligently to roll-back protections for LGBTQ Americans since its earliest days .
Pence himself has a long record opposing LGBTQ equality , having endorsed harmful so-called `` conversion therapy '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Indiana governor allowing discrimination under the guise of religious liberty .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Vice President Mike Pence spoke Sunday at a Tennessee church service streamed on the White House’s official YouTube channel and praised the church’s founder, Bishop Jerry Wayne Taylor for his “great ministry” in the state.
Minutes later, Taylor launched into a sermon in which he condemned LGBTQ people as “demonic.”
In remarks first flagged by the Commercial Appeal on Sunday, Pence told the Holy City Church of God in Christ in Memphis that he was there representing Donald Trump. He enthusiastically extolled Taylor, who founded the church 32 years ago.
“Let’s give thanks to God for what he’s done through Bishop Taylor,” Pence told the congregation, “through this great ministry in Memphis and all across Tennessee since 1988.”
Not long after Pence’s remarks, Taylor took the pulpit and delivered a fierce condemnation of homosexuality as the work of the devil.
“Two men can’t have a baby. Two women can’t have a baby,” he declared. “It’s a demonic spirit that causes a woman to want to lie with another woman. It’s a demonic spirit that causes a man to be attracted to another man.”
“If a man gets attracted to me, he’s gonna be in trouble,” he continued. “Don’t put your hands on me! Amen. God didn’t make us for that. He made a man to be a man. If you want to know what God made you, when you go to the bathroom, just check your plumbing. What kind of plumbing are you using?”
Taylor then falsely claimed that other animals are never gay.
It is unclear whether Pence was present for Taylor’s sermon or aware of the remarks. He does not appear to have denounced the comments publicly.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter.
The Trump administration has worked diligently to roll-back protections for LGBTQ Americans since its earliest days. Pence himself has a long record opposing LGBTQ equality, having endorsed harmful so-called “conversion therapy” and having signed a law during his tenure as Indiana governor allowing discrimination under the guise of religious liberty.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-01-21--Trump's defense team opens impeachment trial with 'demonstrable lie'

Donald Trump 's impeachment defense team kicked off the trial with an easily disproven lie .
White House counsel Pat Cipollone accused House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) of blocking Republicans from closed-door depositions it held in the early days of the impeachment inquiry — a blatant falsehood .
`` Not even Mr. Schiff 's Republican colleagues were allowed into the [ Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility ] , '' Cipollone said of the early days of the House impeachment inquiry , when the House Intelligence Committee held closed-door depositions in a secure area of the Capitol with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that were part of the impeachment inquiry were allowed into the SCIF , and were able to ask questions .
This is evidenced in the transcripts that were released from those very interviews , in which Republican House members , as well as counsel for Republicans , asked questions of the witnesses .
`` A lawyer does not stand in front of the chief justice of the Supreme Court and lie , and Cipollone said the following , 'Not even Mr. Schiff 's Republican colleagues were allowed into the SCIF . '
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Claire McCaskill ( D-MO ) said on MSNBC , referencing the fact that Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is presiding over the impeachment trial .
`` A demonstrable lie . ''
Schiff himself responded to Cipollone 's lie in a speech on the Senate floor .
Schiff said that while he would not go as far as calling Cipollone a liar , he said Cipollone was `` mistaken '' when he said Republicans were n't allowed in the SCIF .
`` I 'm not gon na suggest to you that Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Schiff said .
`` But I will tell you this : He 's mistaken . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump’s impeachment defense team kicked off the trial with an easily disproven lie.
White House counsel Pat Cipollone accused House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA) of blocking Republicans from closed-door depositions it held in the early days of the impeachment inquiry — a blatant falsehood.
“Not even Mr. Schiff’s Republican colleagues were allowed into the [Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility],” Cipollone said of the early days of the House impeachment inquiry, when the House Intelligence Committee held closed-door depositions in a secure area of the Capitol with impeachment witnesses.
That is patently untrue.
Republicans on the committees that were part of the impeachment inquiry were allowed into the SCIF, and were able to ask questions. This is evidenced in the transcripts that were released from those very interviews, in which Republican House members, as well as counsel for Republicans, asked questions of the witnesses.
“A lawyer does not stand in front of the chief justice of the Supreme Court and lie, and Cipollone said the following, ‘Not even Mr. Schiff’s Republican colleagues were allowed into the SCIF.’ That is a flat lie,” former Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) said on MSNBC, referencing the fact that Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is presiding over the impeachment trial. “A demonstrable lie.”
Schiff himself responded to Cipollone’s lie in a speech on the Senate floor.
Schiff said that while he would not go as far as calling Cipollone a liar, he said Cipollone was “mistaken” when he said Republicans weren’t allowed in the SCIF.
“I’m not gonna suggest to you that Mr. Cipollone would deliberately make a false statement,” Schiff said. “But I will tell you this: He’s mistaken.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-01-21--McConnell caves on his own impeachment trial rules

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell abruptly changed his proposed rules for Donald Trump 's impeachment trial , backing off the condensed two-day schedule to add a third for opening arguments after protests from senators , including Republicans .
The trial quickly burst into a partisan fight at the Capitol as Trump 's lawyers opened arguments Tuesday in support of McConnell 's plan .
Democrats objected loudly to McConnell 's initially proposed rules , and some Republicans made their concerns known in private .
Without comment , the Republican leader quietly submitted an amended proposal for the record , after meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial opened .
He added the extra day and allowed House evidence to be included in the record .
`` It 's time to start with this trial , '' said White House Counsel Pat Cipollone , Trump 's lead lawyer as the proceedings opened in public .
`` It 's a fair process , '' he said .
`` There is absolutely no case . ''
Chief Justice John Roberts gaveled open the session , senators having taken an oath last week to do `` impartial justice '' as jurors .
Senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and aides offered no immediate answers/ But a spokeswoman for Republican Sen. Susan Collins said that she and others had raised concerns .
The Maine senator sees the changes as significant improvements , said spokeswoman Annie Clark .
Democrats had warned that the rules package from Trump 's ally , the Senate GOP leader , could force midnight sessions that would keep most Americans in the dark and create a sham proceeding .
`` This is not a process for a fair trial , this is the process for a rigged trial '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairman of the House Intelligence Committee leading the prosecution , told reporters .
He called it a `` cover-up . ''
McConnell opened the chamber promising a `` fair , even handed '' process — and warned that the Senate would stay in session until his proposed rules package was adopted .
`` The president 's lawyers will finally receive a level playing field , '' the Kentucky Republican said , contrasting it with the House impeachment inquiry .
The first test was coming as senators prepared to begin debate and vote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment trial , unfolding in an election year , is testing whether Trump 's actions toward Ukraine warrant removal at the same time that voters are forming their own verdict his White House .
Trump himself , in Davos , Switzerland , for an economic conference , denounced the proceedings as `` a total hoax , '' as he does daily , and said , `` I 'm sure it 's going to work out fine . ''
With Trump 's presidency on the line , and the nation deeply divided just weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four senators who are also presidential candidates will be off the campaign trail , seated as jurors .
`` My focus is going to be on impeachment , '' Sen. Bernie Sanders , the Vermont independent running for the Democratic nomination , told reporters .
He said his supporters would keep working `` to defeat the most dangerous president in American history . ''
The Democrats say the prospect of middle-of-the-night proceedings , without allowing new witnesses or even the voluminous House records of the trial , would leave the public without crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Ukraine and the White House 's obstruction of the House impeachment probe .
`` The McConnell rules seem to be designed by President Trump for President Trump , '' said the Senate Democratic leader , Chuck Schumer .
He vowed to call for a series of votes to amend the rules and demand testimony and documents , but it seemed unlikely Republicans would break from the party to join Democrats .
`` This is a historic moment , '' Schumer said .
`` The eyes of America are watching .
Republican senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If the senators agree to McConnell 's proposal for speedy trial and acquittal , Schiff said , `` It will not prove the president innocent , it will only prove the Senate guilty of working with the president to obstruct the truth from coming out . ''
' Rep. Jerry Nadler , the Judiciary Committee Chairman also leading the House team , said : `` There 's no trial in this country where you would n't admit relative witnesses . ''
GOP Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah , whose votes are being closely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the proposal , even as he hopes to hear from former national security adviser John Bolton who had a front-row seat to Trump 's actions .
On the night before the trial , Trump 's lawyers argued for swift rejection of the `` flimsy '' charges in a trial that never should have happened .
`` All of this is a dangerous perversion of the Constitution that the Senate should swiftly and roundly condemn , '' Trump 's lawyers wrote in their first full filing Monday .
`` The articles should be rejected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Trump 's legal team does n't dispute Trump 's actions — that he called the Ukraine president and asked for a `` favor '' during a July 25 phone call .
In fact , the lawyers included the rough transcript of Trump 's conversation as part of its 110-page trial brief submitted ahead of the proceedings .
Instead the lawyers for Trump , led by White House Counsel Pat Cipollone and a TV-famous legal team including Alan Dershowitz , say the two charges against Trump do n't amount to impeachable offenses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scholars have long insisted the framers of the Constitution provided impeachment as a remedy for `` other high crimes and misdemeanors , '' a particularly broad definition that does n't mean simply specific criminal acts .
Democrats in prosecuting the case against Trump point in particular to a General Accountability Office report that found the White House violated federal law by stalling money to Ukraine that had been approved by Congress .
House Democrats , responding Tuesday to arguments by Trump 's legal team , said the president 's legal filing confirmed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They wrote , `` President Trump 's lengthy brief to the Senate is heavy on rhetoric and procedural grievances , but entirely lacks a legitimate defense of his misconduct . ''
The president would `` rather discuss anything other than what he actually did , '' the Democrats wrote .
The first several days of the trial are expected to be tangled in procedural motions playing out on the Senate floor and behind closed doors .
Senators must refrain from speaking during the trial proceedings .
Roberts administered the oath to one remaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attending a family medical issue in Oklahoma last week when the other senators vowed the oath and signed the oath book .
Also Tuesday , the House Democratic managers overseeing the impeachment case asked Cipollone , the president 's lead lawyer at the trial , to disclose any `` first-hand knowledge '' he has of the charges against Trump .
They said evidence gathered so far indicates that Cipollone is a `` material witness '' to the allegations at hand .
House Democrats impeached the Trump last month on two charges : abuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Ukraine as he pressed the country to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden , and obstruction of Congress by refusing to cooperate with their investigation .
The Constitution gives the House the sole power to impeach a president and the Senate the final verdict by convening as the impeachment court for a trial .
The president late Monday named eight House Republicans , some of his fiercest defenders , to a special team tasked with rallying support beyond the Senate chamber in the court of public opinion .
No president has ever been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With its 53-47 Republican majority , the Senate is not expected to mount the two-thirds voted needed for conviction .
Even if it did , the White House team argues it would be an `` 'unconstitutional conviction '' because the articles of impeachment were too broad .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell abruptly changed his proposed rules for Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, backing off the condensed two-day schedule to add a third for opening arguments after protests from senators, including Republicans.
The trial quickly burst into a partisan fight at the Capitol as Trump’s lawyers opened arguments Tuesday in support of McConnell’s plan. Democrats objected loudly to McConnell’s initially proposed rules, and some Republicans made their concerns known in private.
Without comment, the Republican leader quietly submitted an amended proposal for the record, after meeting behind closed doors with senators as the trial opened. He added the extra day and allowed House evidence to be included in the record.
“It’s time to start with this trial,” said White House Counsel Pat Cipollone, Trump’s lead lawyer as the proceedings opened in public.
“It’s a fair process,” he said. “There is absolutely no case.”
Chief Justice John Roberts gaveled open the session, senators having taken an oath last week to do “impartial justice” as jurors.
Senators were stunned by McConnell’s shift, and aides offered no immediate answers/
But a spokeswoman for Republican Sen. Susan Collins said that she and others had raised concerns. The Maine senator sees the changes as significant improvements, said spokeswoman Annie Clark.
Democrats had warned that the rules package from Trump’s ally, the Senate GOP leader, could force midnight sessions that would keep most Americans in the dark and create a sham proceeding.
“This is not a process for a fair trial, this is the process for a rigged trial” Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Ca., the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee leading the prosecution, told reporters. He called it a “cover-up.”
McConnell opened the chamber promising a “fair, even handed” process — and warned that the Senate would stay in session until his proposed rules package was adopted.
“The president’s lawyers will finally receive a level playing field,” the Kentucky Republican said, contrasting it with the House impeachment inquiry.
The first test was coming as senators prepared to begin debate and vote on McConnell’s proposed rules.
The rare impeachment trial, unfolding in an election year, is testing whether Trump’s actions toward Ukraine warrant removal at the same time that voters are forming their own verdict his White House.
Trump himself, in Davos, Switzerland, for an economic conference, denounced the proceedings as “a total hoax,” as he does daily, and said, “I’m sure it’s going to work out fine.”
With Trump’s presidency on the line, and the nation deeply divided just weeks before the first Democratic primary contests, four senators who are also presidential candidates will be off the campaign trail, seated as jurors.
“My focus is going to be on impeachment,” Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent running for the Democratic nomination, told reporters. He said his supporters would keep working “to defeat the most dangerous president in American history.”
The Democrats say the prospect of middle-of-the-night proceedings, without allowing new witnesses or even the voluminous House records of the trial, would leave the public without crucial information about Trump’s political pressure campaign on Ukraine and the White House’s obstruction of the House impeachment probe.
“The McConnell rules seem to be designed by President Trump for President Trump,”said the Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer. He vowed to call for a series of votes to amend the rules and demand testimony and documents, but it seemed unlikely Republicans would break from the party to join Democrats.
“This is a historic moment,” Schumer said. “The eyes of America are watching. Republican senators must rise to the occasion.”
If the senators agree to McConnell’s proposal for speedy trial and acquittal, Schiff said, “It will not prove the president innocent, it will only prove the Senate guilty of working with the president to obstruct the truth from coming out.”‘
Rep. Jerry Nadler, the Judiciary Committee Chairman also leading the House team, said: “There’s no trial in this country where you wouldn’t admit relative witnesses.”
GOP Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, whose votes are being closely watched, said he was satisfied with the proposal , even as he hopes to hear from former national security adviser John Bolton who had a front-row seat to Trump’s actions.
On the night before the trial, Trump’s lawyers argued for swift rejection of the “flimsy” charges in a trial that never should have happened.
“All of this is a dangerous perversion of the Constitution that the Senate should swiftly and roundly condemn,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in their first full filing Monday. “The articles should be rejected and the president should immediately be acquitted.”
Trump’s legal team doesn’t dispute Trump’s actions — that he called the Ukraine president and asked for a “favor” during a July 25 phone call. In fact, the lawyers included the rough transcript of Trump’s conversation as part of its 110-page trial brief submitted ahead of the proceedings.
Instead the lawyers for Trump, led by White House Counsel Pat Cipollone and a TV-famous legal team including Alan Dershowitz, say the two charges against Trump don’t amount to impeachable offenses and Trump committed no crime.
Legal scholars have long insisted the framers of the Constitution provided impeachment as a remedy for “other high crimes and misdemeanors,” a particularly broad definition that doesn’t mean simply specific criminal acts.
Democrats in prosecuting the case against Trump point in particular to a General Accountability Office report that found the White House violated federal law by stalling money to Ukraine that had been approved by Congress.
House Democrats, responding Tuesday to arguments by Trump’s legal team, said the president’s legal filing confirmed that “his misconduct is indefensible.”
They wrote, “President Trump’s lengthy brief to the Senate is heavy on rhetoric and procedural grievances, but entirely lacks a legitimate defense of his misconduct.” The president would “rather discuss anything other than what he actually did,” the Democrats wrote.
The first several days of the trial are expected to be tangled in procedural motions playing out on the Senate floor and behind closed doors. Senators must refrain from speaking during the trial proceedings.
Roberts administered the oath to one remaining senator, James Inhofe, who was attending a family medical issue in Oklahoma last week when the other senators vowed the oath and signed the oath book.
Also Tuesday, the House Democratic managers overseeing the impeachment case asked Cipollone, the president’s lead lawyer at the trial, to disclose any “first-hand knowledge” he has of the charges against Trump. They said evidence gathered so far indicates that Cipollone is a “material witness” to the allegations at hand.
House Democrats impeached the Trump last month on two charges: abuse of power by withholding U.S. military aid to Ukraine as he pressed the country to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden, and obstruction of Congress by refusing to cooperate with their investigation.
The Constitution gives the House the sole power to impeach a president and the Senate the final verdict by convening as the impeachment court for a trial.
The president late Monday named eight House Republicans, some of his fiercest defenders, to a special team tasked with rallying support beyond the Senate chamber in the court of public opinion.
No president has ever been removed from office by the Senate. With its 53-47 Republican majority, the Senate is not expected to mount the two-thirds voted needed for conviction. Even if it did, the White House team argues it would be an “‘unconstitutional conviction” because the articles of impeachment were too broad.