inquisitr--2020-01-18--Senate Republicans Want To Speed Up Impeachment Trial

Earlier this week , following a long period of deliberation and intense partisan bickering , Democrats in the House of Representatives sent the impeachment articles against President Donald Trump to the Senate .
Not a single Republican is expected to defect , and the GOP appears to stand firmly with Trump .
The rules of the trial have yet to be established , however .
According to a new report from The Hill , Republican senators want to speed up the process , starting by limiting the number of days each side has to make opening arguments .
Senate Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give House managers and the president ’ s legal team 24 hours to present their cases .
As Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said on Friday , each side “ will have 24 hours spread out over two days to present the arguments they want.
” “ I ’ ll be interested to see whether or not that gets elongated over a few days , but I think the going in posture is two , 12 hour periods , ” Sen. Thom Tillis revealed during a Senate session .
Similarly , Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managers will have a “ couple of days ” to present their own case .
As The Hill notes , the Republicans ’ initiative to speed up the process “ underscores the growing anxiety in sections of the caucus.
” Apparently , the GOP wants to wrap up the process before the February 4 State of the Union address .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will make the final decision .
If he agrees to speed up the process , the upcoming resolution on the trial rules will include specific time requirements .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment trial will be modeled after former President Bill Clinton ’ s 1999 proceeding .
The Clinton impeachment trial lasted five weeks , but Trump ’ s is expected to end quicker .
According to Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota , McConnell agrees that the process needs to end quickly .
“ I don ’ t know if Mitch has said this… one times or a thousand times , but our goal really ought to be , and I think he ’ s right , our goal ought to be to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Cramer said during a press briefing .
Some Republicans have questioned the very purpose of holding an impeachment trial .
In an interview earlier this week .
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said that “ the verdict has already been decided , ” suggesting that both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate have already made up their mind .
According to Paul , not a single Republican will vote to convict Trump , not only because they think Trump did nothing wrong during his contacts with the Ukrainian government , but also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met with intense scrutiny from the Republican electorate .

Earlier this week, following a long period of deliberation and intense partisan bickering, Democrats in the House of Representatives sent the impeachment articles against President Donald Trump to the Senate. Not a single Republican is expected to defect, and the GOP appears to stand firmly with Trump.
The rules of the trial have yet to be established, however. According to a new report from The Hill, Republican senators want to speed up the process, starting by limiting the number of days each side has to make opening arguments. Senate Republicans, according to the report, want to give House managers and the president’s legal team 24 hours to present their cases.
As Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said on Friday, each side “will have 24 hours spread out over two days to present the arguments they want.”
“I’ll be interested to see whether or not that gets elongated over a few days, but I think the going in posture is two, 12 hour periods,” Sen. Thom Tillis revealed during a Senate session.
Similarly, Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham said that House managers will have a “couple of days” to present their own case.
As The Hill notes, the Republicans’ initiative to speed up the process “underscores the growing anxiety in sections of the caucus.” Apparently, the GOP wants to wrap up the process before the February 4 State of the Union address.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will make the final decision. If he agrees to speed up the process, the upcoming resolution on the trial rules will include specific time requirements.
Republicans have said that Trump’s impeachment trial will be modeled after former President Bill Clinton’s 1999 proceeding. The Clinton impeachment trial lasted five weeks, but Trump’s is expected to end quicker.
According to Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, McConnell agrees that the process needs to end quickly.
“I don’t know if Mitch has said this… one times or a thousand times, but our goal really ought to be, and I think he’s right, our goal ought to be to get through this as quickly as possible,” Cramer said during a press briefing.
‘This body, this chamber, exists precisely so that we can look past daily dramas and understand how our actions will reverberate for generations. The House’s hour is over. The Senate’s time is at hand. It is time for this proud body to honor our founding purpose.’ pic.twitter.com/MYYkUmgV84 — Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) January 16, 2020
Some Republicans have questioned the very purpose of holding an impeachment trial. In an interview earlier this week. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said that “the verdict has already been decided,” suggesting that both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate have already made up their mind.
According to Paul, not a single Republican will vote to convict Trump, not only because they think Trump did nothing wrong during his contacts with the Ukrainian government, but also because voting against the president would be met with intense scrutiny from the Republican electorate.


inquisitr--2020-01-18--‘Don’t Underestimate Joe’s Ability To F*ck Things Up,’ Barack Obama Reportedly Warned About Biden

“ You don ’ t have to do this , Joe , you really don ’ t , ” former President Barack Obama reportedly told Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden when the two discussed the 2020 race .
Apparently skeptical of Biden ’ s decision to run , Obama — who remains exceptionally popular among Democrats — has made it known that he will not make a formal endorsement in the primary .
Biden has fully embraced the Obama legacy .
The former president features prominently in a number of Biden ’ s campaign advertisements .
Biden ’ s latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Politico .
As longtime Obama adviser David Axelrod put it , the ad “ is a clever way of signifying Obama ’ s feelings about Biden , implying an endorsement the president has not made.
” The 30-second ad is a montage of black-and-white photos of Biden , and it features Obama ’ s speech presenting Biden the Presidential Medal of Freedom .
“ We all know that on its own , his work does not capture the full measure of Joe Biden , ” Obama says in the ad , describing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loyal and humble servant.
” Released ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day , the advertisement is the Biden campaign ’ s latest effort to maintain the former vice president ’ s strong standing among black voters in the south and across the country .
According to a Biden adviser , Obama was made aware of the video .
According to some of those close to Obama , the former president is not exactly enthusiastic about Biden ’ s White House run .
Others familiar with Obama ’ s thinking have suggested that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s campaign as a means of preserving and continuing his legacy .
However , one Democrat , who is neutral in the 2020 race , shared details about a candid conversation with Obama .
Apparently concerned about his former vice president ’ s “ gaffe-prone nature , ” Obama allegedly told the unnamed Democrat the following .
An Obama spokesman neither confirmed nor denied the allegation , stating that the former president ’ s team does not discuss such matters with the press .
Winning Iowa is imperative for Biden , who ran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after failing to generate momentum in the key caucus state .
This time , although the Democratic primary seems to be a four-way race , Biden appears to have a real shot at winning the nomination .
As Axelrod suggested , the Biden campaign ’ s latest ad could help the former vice president impress Iowans .
“ Barack Obama is a highly esteemed figure in the Democratic Party and perhaps nowhere more than Iowa , which really embraced him and launched him to the presidency , ” he said .

“You don’t have to do this, Joe, you really don’t,” former President Barack Obama reportedly told Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden when the two discussed the 2020 race. Apparently skeptical of Biden’s decision to run, Obama — who remains exceptionally popular among Democrats — has made it known that he will not make a formal endorsement in the primary.
Biden has fully embraced the Obama legacy. The former president features prominently in a number of Biden’s campaign advertisements. Biden’s latest ad contains an implicit endorsement, according to Politico. As longtime Obama adviser David Axelrod put it, the ad “is a clever way of signifying Obama’s feelings about Biden, implying an endorsement the president has not made.”
The 30-second ad is a montage of black-and-white photos of Biden, and it features Obama’s speech presenting Biden the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“We all know that on its own, his work does not capture the full measure of Joe Biden,” Obama says in the ad, describing Biden as a “a resilient and loyal and humble servant.”
Released ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the advertisement is the Biden campaign’s latest effort to maintain the former vice president’s strong standing among black voters in the south and across the country. According to a Biden adviser, Obama was made aware of the video.
According to some of those close to Obama, the former president is not exactly enthusiastic about Biden’s White House run. Others familiar with Obama’s thinking have suggested that the former president approves of Biden’s campaign as a means of preserving and continuing his legacy.
However, one Democrat, who is neutral in the 2020 race, shared details about a candid conversation with Obama. Apparently concerned about his former vice president’s “gaffe-prone nature,” Obama allegedly told the unnamed Democrat the following.
“Don’t underestimate Joe’s ability to f*ck things up.”
An Obama spokesman neither confirmed nor denied the allegation, stating that the former president’s team does not discuss such matters with the press.
Winning Iowa is imperative for Biden, who ran for president two times, dropping out after failing to generate momentum in the key caucus state. This time, although the Democratic primary seems to be a four-way race, Biden appears to have a real shot at winning the nomination.
As Axelrod suggested, the Biden campaign’s latest ad could help the former vice president impress Iowans.
“Barack Obama is a highly esteemed figure in the Democratic Party and perhaps nowhere more than Iowa, which really embraced him and launched him to the presidency,” he said.


inquisitr--2020-01-18--Trump Administration Announces Rollback Of Michelle Obama’s School Lunch Initiative — On Michelle’s

Trump Administration Announces Rollback Of Michelle Obama’s School Lunch Initiative — On Michelle’s Birthday

The Trump administration is rolling back the signature healthy school lunch initiative put in place by Michelle Obama — and announced it on her birthday .
On Friday , Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the administration would be putting in new regulations that made it easier for schools to offer a la carte entrees to students and expand the vegetables that would count toward nutrition requirements , Bloomberg reported .
Opponents said the move would undermine the nutritional focus put in place during Barack Obama ’ s presidency , and that students could now pick things like pizza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that had previously been automatically included in lunches .
In an op-ed for The Hill , Dr. Rachel Borton , director of the Family Nurse Practitioner online program at Bradley University , said that the move could endanger both the physical and mental health of students .
This was especially true of low-income students who often relied on school for healthy meals that they may not receive at home , Borton wrote .
“ If those students don ’ t have access to the nutritious options provided by the school , they may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are high in calories but sparse in nutrients .
Immediate effects of this type of diet include weight gain and poor physical health , ” Borton wrote .
“ Long-term impacts range from increased risk of obesity , heart disease , diabetes , and a slew of other unfortunate health outcomes.
” The Bloomberg report also noted that the move was announced on the former first lady ’ s birthday , which was perceived as a slight from Donald Trump to the Obamas .
The president has been accused of taking actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s major accomplishments , including attempts to repeal Obamacare and ending the Iran nuclear agreement .
The news was announced not long after Barack Obama took to Instagram to post a birthday message for his wife , showing the couple together in a set of photo booth snaps .
There was no public hint that Trump ’ s past relationship with the Obamas played a role in either the policy change or the decision to announce it on Michelle ’ s birthday .
Perdue said the move was meant to cut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ select more individual items .
“ Schools and school districts continue to tell us that there is still too much food waste and that more common-sense flexibility is needed to provide students nutritious and appetizing meals , ” he said .
“ We listened and now we ’ re getting to work .
”

The Trump administration is rolling back the signature healthy school lunch initiative put in place by Michelle Obama — and announced it on her birthday.
On Friday, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the administration would be putting in new regulations that made it easier for schools to offer a la carte entrees to students and expand the vegetables that would count toward nutrition requirements, Bloomberg reported.
Opponents said the move would undermine the nutritional focus put in place during Barack Obama’s presidency, and that students could now pick things like pizza or cheeseburgers with no other healthy option that had previously been automatically included in lunches.
In an op-ed for The Hill, Dr. Rachel Borton, director of the Family Nurse Practitioner online program at Bradley University, said that the move could endanger both the physical and mental health of students. This was especially true of low-income students who often relied on school for healthy meals that they may not receive at home, Borton wrote.
“If those students don’t have access to the nutritious options provided by the school, they may turn to low cost, processed foods that are high in calories but sparse in nutrients. Immediate effects of this type of diet include weight gain and poor physical health,” Borton wrote. “Long-term impacts range from increased risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and a slew of other unfortunate health outcomes.”
The Bloomberg report also noted that the move was announced on the former first lady’s birthday, which was perceived as a slight from Donald Trump to the Obamas. The president has been accused of taking actions with the intention of undoing his predecessor’s major accomplishments, including attempts to repeal Obamacare and ending the Iran nuclear agreement.
The news was announced not long after Barack Obama took to Instagram to post a birthday message for his wife, showing the couple together in a set of photo booth snaps.
There was no public hint that Trump’s past relationship with the Obamas played a role in either the policy change or the decision to announce it on Michelle’s birthday. Perdue said the move was meant to cut down on wasted food by allowing students to select more individual items.
“Schools and school districts continue to tell us that there is still too much food waste and that more common-sense flexibility is needed to provide students nutritious and appetizing meals,” he said. “We listened and now we’re getting to work.”


inquisitr--2020-01-18--National Archives Admits It Made A ‘Mistake’ By Blurring Anti-Trump Signs, Says It Will Replace Imag

National Archives Admits It Made A ‘Mistake’ By Blurring Anti-Trump Signs, Says It Will Replace Image

The National Archives , a government agency that preserves important historical documents in the United States , faced intense backlash after it was revealed that it had altered an image in order to remove some anti-Donald Trump signs at a rally in 2017 .
Now , the agency is reversing course after admitting that they had made a mistake .
The controversy began , as The Inquisitr previously reported , after the Washington Post wrote a story about the National Archives blurring out signs that were critical of the president in an image being displayed at the museum showing thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day after Trump ’ s inauguration .
In the original photo , a sign saying “ God Hates Trump ” is visible , but in the photo at the Archives , “ Trump ” has been blurred out .
Another sign read “ Trump & GOP – Hands Off Women , ” where again , Trump ’ s name was blurred out .
Other signs were blurred to remove references to female anatomy .
In response , a spokesperson for the National Archives said that the sign , which was taken by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not part of the artifacts , but rather a promotional image they were using to celebrate the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment .
But after the story brought attention to the issue , the government agency admitted that it had made a mistake and promised to correct it , as CNN reported .
“ Our mission is to safeguard and provide access to the nation ’ s most important federal records , and our exhibits are one way in which we connect the American people to those records .
Modifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part to keep the focus on the records , ” a spokesperson for the government agency said .
Critics argued that the move was an attempt to alter history by a government agency charged with preserving it .
“ The National Archives is now whitewashing history , ” said former national security adviser Susan Rice .
“ We have removed the current display and will replace it as soon as possible with one that uses the unaltered image , ” the agency wrote .
“ We apologize , and will immediately start a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedures so that this does not happen again.
” The National Archives and Records Administration was founded in 1934 by former President Franklin Roosevelt .
In 1985 , the agency was made independent , which means it doesn ’ t fall under the control of the president as some other agencies do .
As such , the president has limited power to influence or dismiss the head of the agency .

The National Archives, a government agency that preserves important historical documents in the United States, faced intense backlash after it was revealed that it had altered an image in order to remove some anti-Donald Trump signs at a rally in 2017. Now, the agency is reversing course after admitting that they had made a mistake.
The controversy began, as The Inquisitr previously reported, after the Washington Post wrote a story about the National Archives blurring out signs that were critical of the president in an image being displayed at the museum showing thousands of people marching in Washington D.C. on the day after Trump’s inauguration.
In the original photo, a sign saying “God Hates Trump” is visible, but in the photo at the Archives, “Trump” has been blurred out. Another sign read “Trump & GOP – Hands Off Women,” where again, Trump’s name was blurred out. Other signs were blurred to remove references to female anatomy.
In response, a spokesperson for the National Archives said that the sign, which was taken by a photographer for Getty Images, was not part of the artifacts, but rather a promotional image they were using to celebrate the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. But after the story brought attention to the issue, the government agency admitted that it had made a mistake and promised to correct it, as CNN reported.
“Our mission is to safeguard and provide access to the nation’s most important federal records, and our exhibits are one way in which we connect the American people to those records. Modifying the image was an attempt on our part to keep the focus on the records,” a spokesperson for the government agency said.
Critics argued that the move was an attempt to alter history by a government agency charged with preserving it.
“The National Archives is now whitewashing history,” said former national security adviser Susan Rice.
We made a mistake. As the National Archives of the United States, we are and have always been completely committed to preserving our archival holdings, without alteration. pic.twitter.com/VTWOS4R7GY — US National Archives (@USNatArchives) January 18, 2020
“We have removed the current display and will replace it as soon as possible with one that uses the unaltered image,” the agency wrote.
“We apologize, and will immediately start a thorough review of our exhibit policies and procedures so that this does not happen again.”
The National Archives and Records Administration was founded in 1934 by former President Franklin Roosevelt. In 1985, the agency was made independent, which means it doesn’t fall under the control of the president as some other agencies do. As such, the president has limited power to influence or dismiss the head of the agency.


inquisitr--2020-01-18--Donald Trump Claims Impeachment Trial Is Ploy By Democrats To Stop Bernie Sanders From Winning Nomin

Donald Trump Claims Impeachment Trial Is Ploy By Democrats To Stop Bernie Sanders From Winning Nomination

Donald Trump launched a new line of attack against Democrats , saying this week that his impeachment trial is really just a ploy by the party to stop Bernie Sanders from winning the nomination .
Trump ’ s trial launched late this week after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi submitted the articles of impeachment , several weeks after they were passed by the Democratic-led House in December .
Pelosi said that she wanted to wait to learn the terms of Trump ’ s trial , and during that time made a push for Republicans to include witnesses .
But as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just as Democrats vying for the 2020 presidential nomination are making final pushes before the Iowa caucus on February 3 .
As The Telegraph reported , Trump now appears to be seizing on that in making a claim that the trial is really meant to stymie Sanders .
As a sitting senator from Vermont , Sanders will join other members of the U.S. Senate in attending the impeachment proceedings .
“ They are rigging the election again against Bernie Sanders , just like last time , only even more obviously , ” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of so important Iowa in order that , as a Senator , he sit through the Impeachment Hoax Trial.
” Trump has already been invoking Sanders in what critics see as an attempt to sow division within the Democratic Party .
Earlier in the week , Trump waded into the spat between Sanders and fellow Senator Elizabeth Warren that included some back-and-forth claims of dishonesty regarding political attacks and a conversation in which Warren claimed Sanders told her a woman could not win in 2020 .
Trump publicly backed Sanders .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 , making appeals to Sanders supporters after the end of the contentious Democratic primary .
Trump even offered to debate Sanders when Hillary Clinton backed out of talks for a final debate near the end of the primary , when she held a commanding lead over Sanders in delegates .
Trump later backed away from his offer .
Sanders did not appear to welcome the support from Trump and the president ’ s claims that Democrats were rigging the primary against him .
He took to Twitter to slam Trump and reiterate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment .
“ Let ’ s be clear about who is rigging what : it is Donald Trump ’ s action to use the power of the federal government for his own political benefit that is the cause of the impeachment trial , ” Sanders tweeted .
“ Democrats are going to unite to sweep him out of the White House in November .
”

Donald Trump launched a new line of attack against Democrats, saying this week that his impeachment trial is really just a ploy by the party to stop Bernie Sanders from winning the nomination.
Trump’s trial launched late this week after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi submitted the articles of impeachment, several weeks after they were passed by the Democratic-led House in December. Pelosi said that she wanted to wait to learn the terms of Trump’s trial, and during that time made a push for Republicans to include witnesses. But as a result, the trial is now launching just as Democrats vying for the 2020 presidential nomination are making final pushes before the Iowa caucus on February 3.
As The Telegraph reported, Trump now appears to be seizing on that in making a claim that the trial is really meant to stymie Sanders. As a sitting senator from Vermont, Sanders will join other members of the U.S. Senate in attending the impeachment proceedings.
“They are rigging the election again against Bernie Sanders, just like last time, only even more obviously,” Trump said. “They are bringing him out of so important Iowa in order that, as a Senator, he sit through the Impeachment Hoax Trial.”
Trump has already been invoking Sanders in what critics see as an attempt to sow division within the Democratic Party. Earlier in the week, Trump waded into the spat between Sanders and fellow Senator Elizabeth Warren that included some back-and-forth claims of dishonesty regarding political attacks and a conversation in which Warren claimed Sanders told her a woman could not win in 2020. Trump publicly backed Sanders.
Trump made similar moves as a candidate in 2016, making appeals to Sanders supporters after the end of the contentious Democratic primary. Trump even offered to debate Sanders when Hillary Clinton backed out of talks for a final debate near the end of the primary, when she held a commanding lead over Sanders in delegates. Trump later backed away from his offer.
Sanders did not appear to welcome the support from Trump and the president’s claims that Democrats were rigging the primary against him. He took to Twitter to slam Trump and reiterate his support for the president’s impeachment.
“Let’s be clear about who is rigging what: it is Donald Trump’s action to use the power of the federal government for his own political benefit that is the cause of the impeachment trial,” Sanders tweeted. “Democrats are going to unite to sweep him out of the White House in November.”


inquisitr--2020-01-18--Environmental Activists Interrupt Pete Buttigieg Campaign Event

On Friday , a group of environmental activists interrupted a Pete Buttigieg campaign event in New Hampshire , reports The Hill .
The activists aired their grievances about Buttigieg ’ s campaign contributions , holding signs claiming that the former South Bend mayor “ Takes Money From Fossil Fuel Billionaires.
” “ We are fighting for our future , something , something strong , ” the protesters chanted .
Buttigieg pushed back against the criticism , pointing out that he has signed the fossil fuels pledge , which obliges candidates to refuse contributions over $ 200 from coal , oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I can ’ t make out your song , but we definitely want the same things , ” Buttigieg said , after thanking the protesters for coming to his event .
“ See some inaccurate information going on up here , so let ’ s just dispatch with that real quick .
I ’ ve taken the fossil fuel pledge , and I am determined to bring about solutions on climate change , ” he added .
One of the leaders of the protest , Alison Frisella , wrote on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Craig Hall , the chairman of a fossil fuel investment firm .
“ We can not trust Pete to stand for climate justice when he takes fossil fuel money , ” she said .
As The Hill notes , Frisella was a summer fellow for Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren ‘ s campaign .
In a follow-up tweet , the activist stated that she is no longer a member of Warren ’ s team , acknowledging , however , that she still supports the Massachusetts Democrat ’ s candidacy .
Buttigieg and Warren have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feuding about accepting campaign contributions from wealthy donors .
The fiery exchange took place during a debate in December , when Warren accused Buttigieg of wooing rich donors in a “ wine cave , ” suggesting that the donators have influence 0n his policy proposals .
The former South Bend mayor was quick to point out that Warren used to hold similar fundraisers , granting access to wealthy donors .
Warren , Buttigieg said , has no right to issue “ purity tests ” because she accepted donations from billionaires and wealthy donors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warren are consider to be among the top Democratic contenders , along with former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont .
Warren has begun fading away in the polls , however , with Sanders topping the early states , and Biden leading in national surveys .
Buttigieg has maintained a strong level of support in New Hampshire , where he is placed behind Sanders .
According to the RealClearPolitics average of New Hampshire polling data , Sanders enjoys the support of 22.5 percent of voters , and Buttigieg is @ @ @ @ @

On Friday, a group of environmental activists interrupted a Pete Buttigieg campaign event in New Hampshire, reports The Hill. The activists aired their grievances about Buttigieg’s campaign contributions, holding signs claiming that the former South Bend mayor “Takes Money From Fossil Fuel Billionaires.”
“We are fighting for our future, something, something strong,” the protesters chanted. Buttigieg pushed back against the criticism, pointing out that he has signed the fossil fuels pledge, which obliges candidates to refuse contributions over $200 from coal, oil, and gas industry lobbyists and executives.
“I can’t make out your song, but we definitely want the same things,” Buttigieg said, after thanking the protesters for coming to his event.
“See some inaccurate information going on up here, so let’s just dispatch with that real quick. I’ve taken the fossil fuel pledge, and I am determined to bring about solutions on climate change,” he added.
One of the leaders of the protest, Alison Frisella, wrote on Twitter that Buttigieg has accepted campaign contributions from Craig Hall, the chairman of a fossil fuel investment firm.
“We cannot trust Pete to stand for climate justice when he takes fossil fuel money,” she said.
As The Hill notes, Frisella was a summer fellow for Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren‘s campaign. In a follow-up tweet, the activist stated that she is no longer a member of Warren’s team, acknowledging, however, that she still supports the Massachusetts Democrat’s candidacy.
Buttigieg and Warren have butted heads on the debate stage, feuding about accepting campaign contributions from wealthy donors. The fiery exchange took place during a debate in December, when Warren accused Buttigieg of wooing rich donors in a “wine cave,” suggesting that the donators have influence 0n his policy proposals.
https://twitter.com/alison_frisella/status/1218292055669190657
The former South Bend mayor was quick to point out that Warren used to hold similar fundraisers, granting access to wealthy donors. Warren, Buttigieg said, has no right to issue “purity tests” because she accepted donations from billionaires and wealthy donors throughout her career.
Both Buttigieg and Warren are consider to be among the top Democratic contenders, along with former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Warren has begun fading away in the polls, however, with Sanders topping the early states, and Biden leading in national surveys.
Buttigieg has maintained a strong level of support in New Hampshire, where he is placed behind Sanders. According to the RealClearPolitics average of New Hampshire polling data, Sanders enjoys the support of 22.5 percent of voters, and Buttigieg is backed by 21 percent.


inquisitr--2020-01-18--Donald Trump Attacks Iran’s Supreme Leader After He Calls The President A ‘Clown’

Donald Trump lashed out at the supreme leader of Iran on Friday after Ayatollah Khamenei called him a “ clown ” during a sermon .
As Politico reports , the president of the United States sent out a tweet attacking Iran and its leader in an apparent response to the slight , calling out the Iranian economy and its leader .
On Friday , Khamenei gave a sermon in which he spoke about the recent death of Qassem Soleimani .
The Iranian military leader was killed in a U.S. airstrike that shocked many people in Iran , the U.S. and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the United Kingdom , France , and Germany were acting as “ servants ” of the U.S. and called the American president a “ clown.
” After Khamenei ’ s speech , Trump wrote a tweet attacking him and the country .
“ The so-called ‘ Supreme Leader ’ of Iran , who has not been so Supreme lately , had some nasty things to say about the United States and Europe , ” Trump said .
“ Their economy is crashing , and their people are suffering .
He should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After Trump ’ s tweet , the official Khamenei English language account sent out a message of its own , saying that Trump is someone who was only acting as though he supports the people of Iran .
“ If you are standing by the Iranian ppl , it is only to stab them in the heart with your venomous daggers .
Of course , you have so far failed to do so , & you will certainly continue to fail , ” the tweet said .
Shortly after , Trump tweeted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the people of Iran deserve a better government .
“ Instead of leading Iran toward ruin , its leaders should abandon terror and Make Iran Great Again !
” he wrote .
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have been simmering ever since Trump ordered an airstrike against the No .
2 leader in the country , killing Soleimani and other important military leaders .
As a result , Iran vowed and then implemented retaliation against the U.S. by launching missiles at several U.S. airbases in the region .
In the wake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that no one was hurt , but in recent days , reports have surfaced that some troops may have suffered from traumatic brain injury as a result of the strike , as The Inquisitr previously reported .
Iran then shot down a Ukrainian jet full of passengers from Iran and other countries , claiming that the jet was shot down in error after the country had prepared for a retaliatory strike from the U.S .
Since then , both countries have said that they will de-escalate .

Donald Trump lashed out at the supreme leader of Iran on Friday after Ayatollah Khamenei called him a “clown” during a sermon. As Politico reports, the president of the United States sent out a tweet attacking Iran and its leader in an apparent response to the slight, calling out the Iranian economy and its leader.
On Friday, Khamenei gave a sermon in which he spoke about the recent death of Qassem Soleimani. The Iranian military leader was killed in a U.S. airstrike that shocked many people in Iran, the U.S. and other countries.
The Iranian leader said that the United Kingdom, France, and Germany were acting as “servants” of the U.S. and called the American president a “clown.”
After Khamenei’s speech, Trump wrote a tweet attacking him and the country.
“The so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ of Iran, who has not been so Supreme lately, had some nasty things to say about the United States and Europe,” Trump said. “Their economy is crashing, and their people are suffering. He should be very careful with his words!”
After Trump’s tweet, the official Khamenei English language account sent out a message of its own, saying that Trump is someone who was only acting as though he supports the people of Iran.
“If you are standing by the Iranian ppl, it is only to stab them in the heart with your venomous daggers. Of course, you have so far failed to do so, & you will certainly continue to fail,” the tweet said.
Shortly after, Trump tweeted a response in both English and Farsi saying that the people of Iran deserve a better government.
“Instead of leading Iran toward ruin, its leaders should abandon terror and Make Iran Great Again!” he wrote.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have been simmering ever since Trump ordered an airstrike against the No. 2 leader in the country, killing Soleimani and other important military leaders. As a result, Iran vowed and then implemented retaliation against the U.S. by launching missiles at several U.S. airbases in the region.
In the wake of the attack, military leaders said that no one was hurt, but in recent days, reports have surfaced that some troops may have suffered from traumatic brain injury as a result of the strike, as The Inquisitr previously reported.
Iran then shot down a Ukrainian jet full of passengers from Iran and other countries, claiming that the jet was shot down in error after the country had prepared for a retaliatory strike from the U.S.
Since then, both countries have said that they will de-escalate.


inquisitr--2020-01-18--Donald Trump Now Says He Killed Qassem Soleimani Because He ‘Said Bad Things’

Donald Trump appeared at a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago on Friday , and during his speech in front of the high-dollar donors , he said that he ordered the strike against Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani because the Quds Force leader was saying “ bad things ” about the United States .
News network CNN obtained audio of the fundraiser , which they say doesn ’ t include any mention of an imminent strike .
The threat of such a strike is the reason that Trump and his administration used to justify the attack that threatened to destabilize relations in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things about our country .
He was saying things like ‘ We ’ re going to attack your country .
We ’ re going to kill your people , ' ” Trump said .
“ I said , look , how much of this sh*t do we have to listen to ?
How much are we going to listen to ?
” The president also gave a surprisingly detailed minute-by-minute accounting of the drone strike that killed Soleimani and the others in the two-car convoy near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military officials watched the strike unfold through “ cameras that are miles in the sky.
” He then continued to describe the attack as it unfolded , explaining that the military officials told him “ they ’ re together sir , ” before beginning a countdown to the strike .
“ ‘ Sir , they have approximately one minute to live , sir .
30 seconds .
10 , 9 , 8… ' ” Trump recounted the military officials telling him .
“ Then all of a sudden , boom , ” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone , sir .
Cutting off . '
” “ I said , where is this guy ?
” Trump concluded .
“ That was the last I heard from him.
” Soleimani was widely considered to be the number two leader in Iran , only behind Ayatollah Ali Khamenei .
He was the head of Iran ’ s network of armed forces .
The attack that killed him was criticized by many who said that the attack could result in retaliation and was an extreme step to take against a nation that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a positive relationship with .
The White House has defended the strike , saying that Soleimani posed an imminent threat to U.S. citizens , however , some people in the administration have contradicted that claim .
It was later added that Soleimani had done things in the past that had warranted the strike .
At the Mar-a-Lago event , Trump didn ’ t repeat the claim about a threat from Soleimani .
Instead , he only mentioned that Soleimani was a terrorist who was “ on our list .
”

Donald Trump appeared at a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago on Friday, and during his speech in front of the high-dollar donors, he said that he ordered the strike against Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani because the Quds Force leader was saying “bad things” about the United States.
News network CNN obtained audio of the fundraiser, which they say doesn’t include any mention of an imminent strike. The threat of such a strike is the reason that Trump and his administration used to justify the attack that threatened to destabilize relations in the Middle East.
“He said bad things about our country. He was saying things like ‘We’re going to attack your country. We’re going to kill your people,'” Trump said. “I said, look, how much of this sh*t do we have to listen to? How much are we going to listen to?”
The president also gave a surprisingly detailed minute-by-minute accounting of the drone strike that killed Soleimani and the others in the two-car convoy near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq.
Trump told the assembled donors that he and military officials watched the strike unfold through “cameras that are miles in the sky.”
He then continued to describe the attack as it unfolded, explaining that the military officials told him “they’re together sir,” before beginning a countdown to the strike.
“‘Sir, they have approximately one minute to live, sir. 30 seconds. 10, 9, 8…'” Trump recounted the military officials telling him.
“Then all of a sudden, boom,” Trump recalled. “‘They’re gone, sir. Cutting off.'”
“I said, where is this guy?” Trump concluded. “That was the last I heard from him.”
Soleimani was widely considered to be the number two leader in Iran, only behind Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He was the head of Iran’s network of armed forces. The attack that killed him was criticized by many who said that the attack could result in retaliation and was an extreme step to take against a nation that the United States is struggling to develop a positive relationship with.
The White House has defended the strike, saying that Soleimani posed an imminent threat to U.S. citizens, however, some people in the administration have contradicted that claim. It was later added that Soleimani had done things in the past that had warranted the strike.
At the Mar-a-Lago event, Trump didn’t repeat the claim about a threat from Soleimani. Instead, he only mentioned that Soleimani was a terrorist who was “on our list.”


inquisitr--2020-01-18--National Archives Altered Photo From Women’s March To Blur Out Signs Critical Of Donald Trump

The National Archives revealed this week that it altered a photo from the 2017 Women ’ s March to blur out signs that were critical of Donald Trump , a decision that is drawing criticism for the non-partisan agency .
As The Washington Post reported , the agency said it decided to digitally obscure signs held by marchers , including blotting out the name Trump from a sign that had read “ God Hates Trump.
” Another sign that read “ Trump & GOP — Hands Off Women ” was blurred out as well , the report noted .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preserve federal records , said the pictures were altered for an exhibit featuring the Women ’ s March .
Miriam Kleiman , a spokeswoman for the National Archives , said that the signs were altered in order to “ keep the focus on the records.
” She added that the exhibit is shown to groups of students and young people , and that some of the removed words could be viewed as inappropriate .
In addition to blurring signs critical of Trump , the agency also removed references to female anatomy , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pictures were not considered part of the official record .
“ We do not alter images or documents that are displayed as artifacts in exhibitions , ” Kleiman added .
“ In this case , the image is part of a promotional display , not an artifact.
” Though the National Archives is not a government agency , its actions follow other incidents in which federal agencies were accused of falsifying records or hiding data that would have been critical of Trump .
In September , after Trump doubled down on a debunked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Alabama , the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration publicly disavowed a tweet that came from National Weather Service ’ s Birmingham , Alabama office , which contradicted Trump ’ s statement .
The NOAA then claimed that Trump had been given information for days that showed Dorian could impact Alabama , though Trump made his claim after this time .
The National Archives came under criticism for its decision to alter the images .
Speaking to The Washington Post , Rice University historian Douglas Brinkley said there was no reason to digitally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the organization could have simply avoided using a picture if they did not want to use it .
Brinkley said to use the photo in a way that confused the public was “ reprehensible ” and noted that “ a lot of history is messy ” but there was no reason the National Archives could not be upfront about the image .

The National Archives revealed this week that it altered a photo from the 2017 Women’s March to blur out signs that were critical of Donald Trump, a decision that is drawing criticism for the non-partisan agency.
As The Washington Post reported, the agency said it decided to digitally obscure signs held by marchers, including blotting out the name Trump from a sign that had read “God Hates Trump.” Another sign that read “Trump & GOP — Hands Off Women” was blurred out as well, the report noted.
The agency, which has a mission to preserve federal records, said the pictures were altered for an exhibit featuring the Women’s March. Miriam Kleiman, a spokeswoman for the National Archives, said that the signs were altered in order to “keep the focus on the records.” She added that the exhibit is shown to groups of students and young people, and that some of the removed words could be viewed as inappropriate. In addition to blurring signs critical of Trump, the agency also removed references to female anatomy, the report noted.
She added that the pictures were not considered part of the official record.
“We do not alter images or documents that are displayed as artifacts in exhibitions,” Kleiman added. “In this case, the image is part of a promotional display, not an artifact.”
Though the National Archives is not a government agency, its actions follow other incidents in which federal agencies were accused of falsifying records or hiding data that would have been critical of Trump. In September, after Trump doubled down on a debunked claim that Hurricane Dorian was potentially headed to Alabama, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration publicly disavowed a tweet that came from National Weather Service’s Birmingham, Alabama office, which contradicted Trump’s statement.
The NOAA then claimed that Trump had been given information for days that showed Dorian could impact Alabama, though Trump made his claim after this time.
The National Archives came under criticism for its decision to alter the images. Speaking to The Washington Post, Rice University historian Douglas Brinkley said there was no reason to digitally alter a historic photograph, saying that the organization could have simply avoided using a picture if they did not want to use it. Brinkley said to use the photo in a way that confused the public was “reprehensible” and noted that “a lot of history is messy” but there was no reason the National Archives could not be upfront about the image.


inquisitr--2020-01-18--Trump Administration Announces Rollback Of Michelle Obama’s School Lunch Initiative On Her Birthday


inquisitr--2020-01-17--Supreme Court Electoral College Case May Decide 2020 Presidential Election, Will Be Ruled On Before

Supreme Court Electoral College Case May Decide 2020 Presidential Election, Will Be Ruled On Before November 3

An important Supreme Court case that will set rules for how Electoral College members may vote is likely to play a major role in this year 's election .
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear two cases that could play a major role in deciding the 2020 presidential election .
With some experts predicting that the election between a yet-to-be-decided Democratic nominee and incumbent President Donald Trump will be too close to call , the outcome could come down to a vote in the Electoral College .
The Supreme Court decision , which the justices said will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a direct impact on how that vote is conducted , according to a USA Today report .
The Electoral College is largely the brainchild of U.S. founding father Alexander Hamilton , co-author of The Federalist Papers , a set of 18th-century essays explaining the reasoning behind the provisions of the Constitution .
In The Federalist Papers , Hamilton wrote that the Electoral College was designed to stop unqualified candidates from becoming president — even if a majority of the public voted for them .
While the average voter could easily be swayed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the little arts of popularity , ” the much wiser electors would not be as easily fooled , Hamilton believed .
As a result , electors have long been considered free to vote for any candidate they choose , regardless of how their own states voted .
But that could change as a result of the upcoming Supreme Court decision .
Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have laws that impose fines on so-called “ faithless electors ” who ignore voters and cast their ballots for candidates of their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2016 election between Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton , according to The Washington Post .
Among those were three electors in Washington State who voted for retired Gen. Colin Powell rather than Clinton , who won the state .
In Colorado , one elector cast his ballot for Ohio ’ s Republican Gov .
John Kasich , rather than for Clinton , who also won that state .
In Washington State , the three electors challenged the $ 1,000 fines levied against them for their freelance votes , but lost in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Colorado , however , the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in favor of “ faithless ” elector Micheal Baca , saying that while states have the power to choose who the electoral voters will be , the Constitution “ does not provide the states the power to interfere once voting begins , ” as quoted by The Washington Post .
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear the two cases , potentially resolving the discrepancy between the two courts , and deciding once and for all if electors may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections have been decided by 10 or fewer Electoral College votes , according to The New York Times , most recently the 2000 election in which George W. Bush defeated Democrat Al Gore by only five electoral votes .

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear two cases that could play a major role in deciding the 2020 presidential election. With some experts predicting that the election between a yet-to-be-decided Democratic nominee and incumbent President Donald Trump will be too close to call, the outcome could come down to a vote in the Electoral College.
The Supreme Court decision, which the justices said will be issued before Election Day, will have a direct impact on how that vote is conducted, according to a USA Today report.
The Electoral College is largely the brainchild of U.S. founding father Alexander Hamilton, co-author of The Federalist Papers, a set of 18th-century essays explaining the reasoning behind the provisions of the Constitution.
In The Federalist Papers, Hamilton wrote that the Electoral College was designed to stop unqualified candidates from becoming president — even if a majority of the public voted for them. While the average voter could easily be swayed by candidates with “talents for low intrigue, and the little arts of popularity,” the much wiser electors would not be as easily fooled, Hamilton believed.
As a result, electors have long been considered free to vote for any candidate they choose, regardless of how their own states voted. But that could change as a result of the upcoming Supreme Court decision.
Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have laws that impose fines on so-called “faithless electors” who ignore voters and cast their ballots for candidates of their own choosing. That happened 10 times in the 2016 election between Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, according to The Washington Post.
Among those were three electors in Washington State who voted for retired Gen. Colin Powell rather than Clinton, who won the state. In Colorado, one elector cast his ballot for Ohio’s Republican Gov. John Kasich, rather than for Clinton, who also won that state.
In Washington State, the three electors challenged the $1,000 fines levied against them for their freelance votes, but lost in the state’s own supreme court.
In Colorado, however, the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in favor of “faithless” elector Micheal Baca, saying that while states have the power to choose who the electoral voters will be, the Constitution “does not provide the states the power to interfere once voting begins,” as quoted by The Washington Post.
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear the two cases, potentially resolving the discrepancy between the two courts, and deciding once and for all if electors may vote “their conscience.”
Five presidential elections have been decided by 10 or fewer Electoral College votes, according to The New York Times, most recently the 2000 election in which George W. Bush defeated Democrat Al Gore by only five electoral votes.


inquisitr--2020-01-19--Strategists: Elizabeth Warren’s Charge Against Bernie Sanders Alters Dynamic Of Primary, Benefits Jo

Strategists: Elizabeth Warren’s Charge Against Bernie Sanders Alters Dynamic Of Primary, Benefits Joe Biden

Days before the seventh Democratic presidential debate , a report about a 2018 meeting between Sens .
Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren emerged .
The report alleges that Sanders told his personal friend and colleague that a woman can never be President of the United States , questioning her chances against President Donald Trump .
Warren repeated the accusation during the debate , prompting Sanders to vehemently deny it once again .
Although both campaigns have since downplayed the importance of the conflict between the two senators , the feud has not faded away , and media outlets such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance to inject themselves into the conversation .
According to a new report from The Hill , Democratic strategists believe that the situation alters the dynamic of the primary race and possibly benefits former Vice President Joe Biden .
“ Strategically speaking , it ’ s the most idiotic thing I ’ ve ever seen , ” a strategist who requested anonymity said .
“ There is only one winner out of this battle : It ’ s Joe Biden , ” they added .
Former presidential candidate and Vermont Gov .
Howard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trippi , echoed the sentiment , suggesting that a third person — in this case , Biden — usually benefits from a conflict between two candidates in a crowded field .
“ It ’ s always a really bad idea for two candidates to get into this kind of back-and-forth in a multi-candidate field .
It usually ends up hurting both of them , ” he said .
“ What you risk is that even the people who liked you as their second choice , now don ’ t like you because you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
In 2004 , when Dean ran for president , he and then-Rep. Dick Gephardt relentlessly attacked each other before the caucuses , which allowed then-Sen. John Kerry to coast to the nomination , and eventually , lose the general election to President George W. Bush .
Some have a different perspective .
Hank Sheinkopf , a strategist who is neutral in the 2020 race , praised Warren for pulling off what he described as a “ great strategic move.
” According to Sheinkopf , by launching the allegation against Sanders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the demonstrative woman in the race.
” According to The Hill , the Warren-Sanders spat “ has added more volatility to a race that was already fluid , ” just weeks ahead of the Iowa caucuses .
However , as Sheinkopf argued , the fight could further escalate by the New Hampshire primary , given that the Granite State could become a must-win for both candidates .
According to the latest 7News/Emerson College Poll of New Hampshire voters , Sanders leads the field with 23 percent .
Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Warren and Biden are in third place , polling at 14 percent .

Days before the seventh Democratic presidential debate, a report about a 2018 meeting between Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren emerged. The report alleges that Sanders told his personal friend and colleague that a woman can never be President of the United States, questioning her chances against President Donald Trump. Warren repeated the accusation during the debate, prompting Sanders to vehemently deny it once again.
Although both campaigns have since downplayed the importance of the conflict between the two senators, the feud has not faded away, and media outlets such as MSNBC appear to have jumped at the chance to inject themselves into the conversation. According to a new report from The Hill, Democratic strategists believe that the situation alters the dynamic of the primary race and possibly benefits former Vice President Joe Biden.
“Strategically speaking, it’s the most idiotic thing I’ve ever seen,” a strategist who requested anonymity said. “There is only one winner out of this battle: It’s Joe Biden,” they added.
Former presidential candidate and Vermont Gov. Howard Dean’s campaign manager, Joe Trippi, echoed the sentiment, suggesting that a third person — in this case, Biden — usually benefits from a conflict between two candidates in a crowded field.
“It’s always a really bad idea for two candidates to get into this kind of back-and-forth in a multi-candidate field. It usually ends up hurting both of them,” he said.
“What you risk is that even the people who liked you as their second choice, now don’t like you because you hit their first choice,” he added.
In 2004, when Dean ran for president, he and then-Rep. Dick Gephardt relentlessly attacked each other before the caucuses, which allowed then-Sen. John Kerry to coast to the nomination, and eventually, lose the general election to President George W. Bush.
Some have a different perspective. Hank Sheinkopf, a strategist who is neutral in the 2020 race, praised Warren for pulling off what he described as a “great strategic move.” According to Sheinkopf, by launching the allegation against Sanders, Warren managed to “position herself as the demonstrative woman in the race.”
According to The Hill, the Warren-Sanders spat “has added more volatility to a race that was already fluid,” just weeks ahead of the Iowa caucuses. However, as Sheinkopf argued, the fight could further escalate by the New Hampshire primary, given that the Granite State could become a must-win for both candidates.
According to the latest 7News/Emerson College Poll of New Hampshire voters, Sanders leads the field with 23 percent. Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg is in second place with 18 percent. Warren and Biden are in third place, polling at 14 percent.


inquisitr--2020-01-19--Senate Will Delay Debate On Hearing Impeachment Witnesses, Predicts Democrat Chris Coons

The stage has been set for President Donald Trump ‘ s impeachment trial in the United States Senate .
Having moved from the House of Representatives , the impeachment articles against Trump are now in the upper chamber where lawmakers will soon begin the process of determining whether the president is guilty of what he is being accused of .
It remains to be seen how the process will unfold , but Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware offered some insight in an interview with CNN that was broadcast on Saturday , reports Mediaite .
According to Coons , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing witnesses .
“ I will say this , I don ’ t expect that there will be a successful vote when we start Tuesday to begin the impeachment trial on witnesses , on documents , ” he said , explaining that he expects Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to leave the fight over witnesses for the very end of the proceeding .
Democrats have long insisted that additional witnesses are necessary in order to finalize the process , but members of Trump ’ s legal team have threatened to respond to Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own .
Notably , a member of the president ’ s team , Ken Starr , has suggested that Republicans would try to summon Hunter Biden , former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s son , who is central to the case .
According to Coons , Biden is “ not relevant , ” but the witnesses who Democrats want to summon are .
The senator said that former National Security Adviser John Bolton , and Rudy Giuliani ’ s longtime associate Lev Parnas , would have insight about the allegations against Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had conversations with Trump about his alleged pressure campaign against Ukraine .
“ What we ’ re considering is whether or not President Trump blocked Congress inappropriately in their impeachment inquiry , whether he obstructed Congress , and whether he did or didn ’ t improperly order the withholding of military aid to Ukraine , ” Coons said .
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have their concerns about the impending trial .
For Republicans , as some senators have publicly stated , the objective is to wrap up the trial as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders have stated that they want Trump ’ s trial to be modeled after former President Bill Clinton ’ s 1999 proceeding , which lasted five weeks .
The situation is slightly more complicated for Democrats , it seems , who reportedly remain concerned about the integrity of the process .
According to reports , Democrats worry that Trump will try to “ game ” the impeachment trial by selectively introducing documents and blocking testimonies from key witnesses .

The stage has been set for President Donald Trump‘s impeachment trial in the United States Senate. Having moved from the House of Representatives, the impeachment articles against Trump are now in the upper chamber where lawmakers will soon begin the process of determining whether the president is guilty of what he is being accused of.
It remains to be seen how the process will unfold, but Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware offered some insight in an interview with CNN that was broadcast on Saturday, reports Mediaite. According to Coons, the Senate will delay the debate on immediately hearing witnesses.
“I will say this, I don’t expect that there will be a successful vote when we start Tuesday to begin the impeachment trial on witnesses, on documents,” he said, explaining that he expects Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to leave the fight over witnesses for the very end of the proceeding.
“I think that Mitch McConnell has the 51 votes he needs to insist on having the case in principle presented by the House managers first, the president’s defenders second, and only then to turn to the fight over witnesses.”
Democrats have long insisted that additional witnesses are necessary in order to finalize the process, but members of Trump’s legal team have threatened to respond to Democratic calls for witnesses with requests of their own. Notably, a member of the president’s team, Ken Starr, has suggested that Republicans would try to summon Hunter Biden, former Vice President Joe Biden’s son, who is central to the case.
According to Coons, Biden is “not relevant,” but the witnesses who Democrats want to summon are. The senator said that former National Security Adviser John Bolton, and Rudy Giuliani’s longtime associate Lev Parnas, would have insight about the allegations against Trump, especially Parnas who claims to have had conversations with Trump about his alleged pressure campaign against Ukraine.
“What we’re considering is whether or not President Trump blocked Congress inappropriately in their impeachment inquiry, whether he obstructed Congress, and whether he did or didn’t improperly order the withholding of military aid to Ukraine,” Coons said.
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have their concerns about the impending trial. For Republicans, as some senators have publicly stated, the objective is to wrap up the trial as quickly as possible. Furthermore, Republican leaders have stated that they want Trump’s trial to be modeled after former President Bill Clinton’s 1999 proceeding, which lasted five weeks.
The situation is slightly more complicated for Democrats, it seems, who reportedly remain concerned about the integrity of the process. According to reports, Democrats worry that Trump will try to “game” the impeachment trial by selectively introducing documents and blocking testimonies from key witnesses.


inquisitr--2020-01-19--Republican Senator Says Impeachment Trial Must Be ‘Viewed As Fair,’ But Will Vote Against Hearing Wi

Republican Senator Says Impeachment Trial Must Be ‘Viewed As Fair,’ But Will Vote Against Hearing Witnesses

Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski says that she may eventually support hearing from new witnesses , but only after the 'base case ' is presented .
At least one Republican senator now says that the senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump must be “ viewed as fair , ” even as Majority .
On Saturday , Leader Mitch McConnell prepared a set of rules that would allow the entire case to be dismissed without being heard at all , according to an Axios report .
“ It is important that we have a process that is viewed as fair , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anchorage , Alaska , on Saturday .
But Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has said that he will force a vote to allow new witnesses to testify at the trial , in addition to the witnesses who testified before the House Intelligence Committee during the impeachment inquiry late last year .
Among the witnesses , Schumer says he will request Trump ’ s former National Security Advisor John Bolton and Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney .
Bolton is believed to have direct knowledge of conversations in which Trump discussed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the heart of the impeachment articles .
Mulvaney , as OMB director , would likely have been tasked with executing an order by Trump to hold back nearly $ 400 million in military aid to Ukraine , aid that had been approved by Congress .
In a report issued earlier this week , the non-partisan Government Accountability Office concluded that the delay in sending the money to Ukraine was a violation of United States law .
But Murkowski also said on Saturday that she will oppose Schumer ’ s motion to call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There will be an effort to force a motion on whether or not certain individuals will be called as witnesses to the proceeding , ” Murkowski told the Anchorage TV station , saying that she will vote to “ table ” that motion — in other words , to set it aside , which would not allow witnesses to be called .
“ I don ’ t know what more we need until I have been given the base case , ” Murkowski added .
But she went on to tell KTUU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been presented , she may then change her mind and decide that the senate should hear the additional witnesses .
Murkowski earlier said that McConnell ’ s announcement that he would closely coordinate his management of the trial with the White House “ disturbed ” her .
According to the Axios report on Saturday , Republican Senator Josh Hawley — who said he had seen a draft of McConnell ’ s proposed rules — said that he would be “ very , very surprised ” if McConnell did not allow an opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call for a vote to dismiss the impeachment case .

At least one Republican senator now says that the senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump must be “viewed as fair,” even as Majority. On Saturday, Leader Mitch McConnell prepared a set of rules that would allow the entire case to be dismissed without being heard at all, according to an Axios report.
“It is important that we have a process that is viewed as fair,” Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski told KTUU-TV in Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday.
But Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has said that he will force a vote to allow new witnesses to testify at the trial, in addition to the witnesses who testified before the House Intelligence Committee during the impeachment inquiry late last year.
Among the witnesses, Schumer says he will request Trump’s former National Security Advisor John Bolton and Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney. Bolton is believed to have direct knowledge of conversations in which Trump discussed the pressure campaign against Ukraine that is at the heart of the impeachment articles.
Mulvaney, as OMB director, would likely have been tasked with executing an order by Trump to hold back nearly $400 million in military aid to Ukraine, aid that had been approved by Congress. In a report issued earlier this week, the non-partisan Government Accountability Office concluded that the delay in sending the money to Ukraine was a violation of United States law.
But Murkowski also said on Saturday that she will oppose Schumer’s motion to call Bolton, Mulvaney, and others.
“There will be an effort to force a motion on whether or not certain individuals will be called as witnesses to the proceeding,” Murkowski told the Anchorage TV station, saying that she will vote to “table” that motion — in other words, to set it aside, which would not allow witnesses to be called.
“I don’t know what more we need until I have been given the base case,” Murkowski added. But she went on to tell KTUU that after the “base case” has been presented, she may then change her mind and decide that the senate should hear the additional witnesses.
Murkowski earlier said that McConnell’s announcement that he would closely coordinate his management of the trial with the White House “disturbed” her.
According to the Axios report on Saturday, Republican Senator Josh Hawley — who said he had seen a draft of McConnell’s proposed rules — said that he would be “very, very surprised” if McConnell did not allow an opportunity for Trump’s legal team to call for a vote to dismiss the impeachment case.


inquisitr--2020-01-19--Alan Dershowitz Is ‘Completely Wacko’ And Offering ‘Bizarro Defense’ Of Donald Trump, Says Laurence

Alan Dershowitz Is ‘Completely Wacko’ And Offering ‘Bizarro Defense’ Of Donald Trump, Says Laurence Tribe

Earlier this week , the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump passed by the House of Representatives moved to the United States Senate .
In order to defend himself , Trump has hired an all-star legal team , with Alan Dershowitz , a scholar of constitutional law and criminal law , as its most prominent member .
On a number of occasions , Dershowitz has defended Trump against accusations of wrongdoing , frequently appearing on various cable news shows to do so .
Dershowitz ’ s longtime colleague , Harvard Law School ’ s Laurence Tribe , is apparently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Story , both men appeared Saturday on MSNBC .
Speaking with host Ari Melber , Dershowitz explained his role in the impeachment trial , offering a defense of the president .
According to the impeachment articles passed by the House , Trump is guilty of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
But , neither of those is a “ high crime ” under the United States Constitution , Dershowitz argued on MSNBC .
Later in the day , on Chris Hayes ’ show , Tribe shared his own opinion about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know where to start .
I mean , my colleague has it upside down , ” he began , stating that Trump ’ s legal team appears to be relying on “ alternative law ” in order to defend the president .
“ There is no — there is no legal principle that says something has to violate a federal criminal statute in order to be impeachable , ” he said , explaining that “ there were no federal criminal statutes ” when the authority to impeach and remove the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tribe then ripped into Dershowitz , calling him “ wacko.
” “ Alan is just completely wacko on this .
I don ’ t understand why the president thinks it will help him to have this kind of bizarro defense , ” he said .
Dershowitz is not the only prominent member of Trump ’ s “ reality show ” legal team , as CNN analyst Susan Hennessey put it .
Ken Starr , best known for his role in investigations into former President Bill Clinton , will also be defending Trump in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to Hennessey , however , the president ’ s high-publicity strategy could backfire .
Both Dershowitz and Starr have been involved in a number of controversies over the years , she pointed out , which could make it easy for Trump ’ s opponents to blast and discredit both men .
According to top Republicans in the Senate , the GOP ’ s goal is to finalize the trial before the February 4 State of the Union address .

Earlier this week, the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump passed by the House of Representatives moved to the United States Senate. In order to defend himself, Trump has hired an all-star legal team, with Alan Dershowitz, a scholar of constitutional law and criminal law, as its most prominent member.
On a number of occasions, Dershowitz has defended Trump against accusations of wrongdoing, frequently appearing on various cable news shows to do so. Dershowitz’s longtime colleague, Harvard Law School’s Laurence Tribe, is apparently baffled by his arguments. Per Raw Story, both men appeared Saturday on MSNBC.
Speaking with host Ari Melber, Dershowitz explained his role in the impeachment trial, offering a defense of the president. According to the impeachment articles passed by the House, Trump is guilty of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. But, neither of those is a “high crime” under the United States Constitution, Dershowitz argued on MSNBC.
Later in the day, on Chris Hayes’ show, Tribe shared his own opinion about the issue. “Well, I almost don’t know where to start. I mean, my colleague has it upside down,” he began, stating that Trump’s legal team appears to be relying on “alternative law” in order to defend the president.
“I knew that the Trump defense was going to rely in large part on alternative facts, but I didn’t know they were also going to use alternative law.”
“There is no — there is no legal principle that says something has to violate a federal criminal statute in order to be impeachable,” he said, explaining that “there were no federal criminal statutes” when the authority to impeach and remove the president was put in the Constitution.
Tribe then ripped into Dershowitz, calling him “wacko.”
“Alan is just completely wacko on this. I don’t understand why the president thinks it will help him to have this kind of bizarro defense,” he said.
WATCH: Constitutional scholar Laurence Tribe on Alan Dershowitz’s use of “alternative law” in his Trump defense: “Alan is completely wacko on this.” #inners pic.twitter.com/WEcTMKwCTW — All In with Chris Hayes (@allinwithchris) January 18, 2020
Dershowitz is not the only prominent member of Trump’s “reality show” legal team, as CNN analyst Susan Hennessey put it. Ken Starr, best known for his role in investigations into former President Bill Clinton, will also be defending Trump in the Senate’s impeachment trial.
According to Hennessey, however, the president’s high-publicity strategy could backfire. Both Dershowitz and Starr have been involved in a number of controversies over the years, she pointed out, which could make it easy for Trump’s opponents to blast and discredit both men.
According to top Republicans in the Senate, the GOP’s goal is to finalize the trial before the February 4 State of the Union address.


inquisitr--2020-01-19--Donald Trump Takes Part Of His Saturday Night At Mar-A-Lago To Live-Tweet Jeanine Pirro’s ‘Fox News’

Donald Trump Takes Part Of His Saturday Night At Mar-A-Lago To Live-Tweet Jeanine Pirro’s ‘Fox News’ Show

The night after giving campaign donors a moment-by-moment account of the Qassem Soleimani assassination , Trump had a quieter Saturday evening .
On Friday night at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida , Donald Trump reportedly regaled a group of big-dollar campaign donors with a blow-by-blow account of the drone strike that killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani on January 3 .
On Saturday , it appeared that Trump was spending a quieter evening , live-tweeting Fox News .
As seen in the tweet below by Media Matters researcher Matt Gertz , Trump posted a quote about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes after Fox News personality Judge Jeanine Pirro made the same statement on her Justice With Judge Jeanine program .
“ What a disgrace this Impeachment Scam is for our great Country !
” Trump then added , in his own comment .
The tweet , posted at 9:12 p.m. EST , was already Trump ’ s seventh of his Saturday evening , though the first of the evening hours were spend to directly live-tweet a Fox News broadcast .
However , on Saturday morning , Trump posted two tweets directly responding to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gertz also reposted those tweets on his own account , as seen below .
Other topics covered by Trump on his Saturday night Twitter feed included a “ massive 200 Billion Dollar Sea Wall ” built around New York City , which Trump called “ costly , foolish & environmentally unfriendly , ” as well as the “ RECORD BREAKING stock market , ” and the new book A Very Stable Genius by two Washington Post reporters , which Trump called “ FAKE.
” Gertz has tracked Trump ’ s Twitter account , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadcasts throughout his term .
Among his findings have been that in 2019 , Trump live-tweeted Fox News broadcasts 613 times or an average of 1.75 Fox News tweets per day .
But Trump ’ s Fox News tweets are not merely a way for him to pass the time , according to Gertz ’ s findings .
By repeating factoids and opinions that he has heard on Fox News , Trump has often allowed the network to shape the United States government policy and his own actions .
The 35-day government shutdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be the result of Trump ’ s close attention to Fox News hosts who pushed hard on the air for the shutdown , according to Gertz .
During the House of Representatives debate over his impeachment on December 18 , Gertz tallied 13 Fox News tweets from Trump — even though White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham claimed that he “ continues to work while this is all going on.
” “ A man with unparalleled access to the world ’ s most powerful information-gathering machine , ” relies instead on Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to respond to national and world events , Gertz wrote in a 2018 Politico article , after he had spent the previous three months monitoring Trump ’ s Twitter feed .

On Friday night at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Donald Trump reportedly regaled a group of big-dollar campaign donors with a blow-by-blow account of the drone strike that killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani on January 3. On Saturday, it appeared that Trump was spending a quieter evening, live-tweeting Fox News.
As seen in the tweet below by Media Matters researcher Matt Gertz, Trump posted a quote about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to his Twitter account, just nine minutes after Fox News personality Judge Jeanine Pirro made the same statement on her Justice With Judge Jeanine program.
“What a disgrace this Impeachment Scam is for our great Country!” Trump then added, in his own comment.
The tweet, posted at 9:12 p.m. EST, was already Trump’s seventh of his Saturday evening, though the first of the evening hours were spend to directly live-tweet a Fox News broadcast. However, on Saturday morning, Trump posted two tweets directly responding to the Fox & Friends Weekend Edition. Gertz also reposted those tweets on his own account, as seen below.
Other topics covered by Trump on his Saturday night Twitter feed included a “massive 200 Billion Dollar Sea Wall” built around New York City, which Trump called “costly, foolish & environmentally unfriendly,” as well as the “RECORD BREAKING stock market,” and the new book A Very Stable Genius by two Washington Post reporters, which Trump called “FAKE.”
How are you spending your Saturday night? The president is live-tweeting Justice with Judge Jeanine on Fox News. Left, Fox's Justice, 9:03 p.m.
Right, Trump, 9:12 p.m. pic.twitter.com/dbcIc5HcsH — Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) January 19, 2020
Trump sent both of these tweets in response to the same segment; the top one is the chyron, the bottom a quote from Stephen Moore. Left, Fox & Friends Weekend Edition, 7:25 a.m.
Right, Trump, 8:33 and 8:35 a.m. pic.twitter.com/zeYvR3RM0m — Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) January 18, 2020
Gertz has tracked Trump’s Twitter account, monitoring how frequently he live-tweets Fox News broadcasts throughout his term. Among his findings have been that in 2019, Trump live-tweeted Fox News broadcasts 613 times or an average of 1.75 Fox News tweets per day.
But Trump’s Fox News tweets are not merely a way for him to pass the time, according to Gertz’s findings. By repeating factoids and opinions that he has heard on Fox News, Trump has often allowed the network to shape the United States government policy and his own actions. The 35-day government shutdown that ended 2018 and opened 2019 appeared to be the result of Trump’s close attention to Fox News hosts who pushed hard on the air for the shutdown, according to Gertz.
During the House of Representatives debate over his impeachment on December 18, Gertz tallied 13 Fox News tweets from Trump — even though White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham claimed that he “continues to work while this is all going on.”
“A man with unparalleled access to the world’s most powerful information-gathering machine,” relies instead on Fox News hosts for his guidance on how to respond to national and world events, Gertz wrote in a 2018 Politico article, after he had spent the previous three months monitoring Trump’s Twitter feed.


inquisitr--2020-01-19--Joe Biden Accuses Bernie Sanders Campaign Of Spreading ‘Doctored’ Video Of Him Proposing Social Secu

Joe Biden Accuses Bernie Sanders Campaign Of Spreading ‘Doctored’ Video Of Him Proposing Social Security Cuts

Biden 'has advocated cutting social security for 40 years , ' according to a fact-check .
With the Democratic presidential primary field slowly narrowing down , two candidates are displaying resilience : former Vice President Joe Biden , and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont .
In recent weeks , with the Iowa caucuses fast-approaching , the two men have made an effort to contrast their records .
Currently in the focus are Biden and Sanders ’ differences when it comes to social safety nets .
Distinguishing himself from Biden , Sanders has criticized the former vice president over his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Members of the Sanders campaign have shared and amplified dozens of videos showing Biden advocate for the cuts .
During an Iowa campaign event on Saturday , Biden was confronted about his position on Social Security , according to Common Dreams .
A voter asked the former vice president about a video that has been circulating the web .
“ It ’ s simply a lie , that video is a lie , ” Biden responded , suggesting that “ Bernie ’ s people ” have been spreading a “ doctored ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security .
The former vice president also said that he was looking for the Sanders campaign “ to come forward and disown it but they haven ’ t done it yet.
” The “ doctored ” video in question is a brief snippet of Biden ’ s speech before the Brookings Institution think tank in 2018 .
In the clip , he can be heard praising Republican Paul Ryan ’ s plan to reform the tax code by cutting programs such as Medicare and Social Security .
Some have taken issue with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ edited in a way that it misrepresents Biden ’ s statement .
The Brookings Institution footage is only one of the clips in which Biden can be seen advocating for cuts to Social Security , however .
Biden has called on cuts to the program on numerous occasions , and many of his speeches have been documented .
Sanders ’ speechwriter , David Sirota , has posted footage of a number of them to social media .
Over the course of his career , Biden has used varying terminology to advocate for cuts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocated for that cause for more than 40 years , according to a fact-check by The Intercept .
“ As early as 1984 and as recently as 2018 , former Vice President Joe Biden called for cuts to Social Security in the name of saving the program and balancing the federal budget , ” the fact-check reads .
According to The Intercept , “ Biden ’ s fixation on cutting Social Security dates back to the Reagan era.
” Over the past four decades , the former vice president has not only proposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also strongly — and publicly — advocated for them , and dozens of his statements have entered the public record .
In a statement , Sanders ’ campaign manager Faiz Shakir called on Biden to be “ honest with voters.
” “ The facts are very clear : Biden not only pushed to cut Social Security — he is on tape proudly bragging about it on multiple occasions , ” Shakir said .

With the Democratic presidential primary field slowly narrowing down, two candidates are displaying resilience: former Vice President Joe Biden, and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. In recent weeks, with the Iowa caucuses fast-approaching, the two men have made an effort to contrast their records.
Currently in the focus are Biden and Sanders’ differences when it comes to social safety nets. Distinguishing himself from Biden, Sanders has criticized the former vice president over his past support for cuts to Social Security. Members of the Sanders campaign have shared and amplified dozens of videos showing Biden advocate for the cuts. During an Iowa campaign event on Saturday, Biden was confronted about his position on Social Security, according to Common Dreams.
A voter asked the former vice president about a video that has been circulating the web. “It’s simply a lie, that video is a lie,” Biden responded, suggesting that “Bernie’s people” have been spreading a “doctored” video of him proposing cuts to Social Security. The former vice president also said that he was looking for the Sanders campaign “to come forward and disown it but they haven’t done it yet.”
The “doctored” video in question is a brief snippet of Biden’s speech before the Brookings Institution think tank in 2018. In the clip, he can be heard praising Republican Paul Ryan’s plan to reform the tax code by cutting programs such as Medicare and Social Security. Some have taken issue with the video, suggesting that it has been edited in a way that it misrepresents Biden’s statement.
The Brookings Institution footage is only one of the clips in which Biden can be seen advocating for cuts to Social Security, however. Biden has called on cuts to the program on numerous occasions, and many of his speeches have been documented. Sanders’ speechwriter, David Sirota, has posted footage of a number of them to social media.
Over the course of his career, Biden has used varying terminology to advocate for cuts to Social Security, but he has advocated for that cause for more than 40 years, according to a fact-check by The Intercept.
“As early as 1984 and as recently as 2018, former Vice President Joe Biden called for cuts to Social Security in the name of saving the program and balancing the federal budget,” the fact-check reads.
According to The Intercept, “Biden’s fixation on cutting Social Security dates back to the Reagan era.” Over the past four decades, the former vice president has not only proposed cuts to Social Security, but he has also strongly — and publicly — advocated for them, and dozens of his statements have entered the public record.
In a statement, Sanders’ campaign manager Faiz Shakir called on Biden to be “honest with voters.”
“The facts are very clear: Biden not only pushed to cut Social Security — he is on tape proudly bragging about it on multiple occasions,” Shakir said.


inquisitr--2020-01-19--Donald Trump’s Decision To Hire ‘Reality Show’ Legal Team Could Backfire Spectacularly, Says Expert

Earlier this week , after a long period of back-and-forth between the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives and the GOP-controlled Senate , the two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump moved to the upper chamber .
Acting as jurors , the lawmakers will decide whether to convict or acquit the president , who has made sure to hire an all-star legal team .
Among those defending Trump in the impeachment trial are well-known national figures : Alan Dershowitz , a scholar of constitutional law and criminal law ; and Ken Starr , former Solicitor General of the United States best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former President Bill Clinton ’ s administration .
But Trump ’ s decision to hire a “ reality show ” legal team could backfire spectacularly , CNN legal analyst Susan Hennessey suggested on Friday , per Raw Story .
According to Hennessey , although an impeachment trial featuring Dershowitz and Hennessey has “ all the theatrical elements that the president loves , ” his decision to hire the two men “ is something that potentially is going to backfire ” because both of them have been involved in a number of controversies over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hennessey suggested , could come into question , given that hundreds of hours of footage of him “ making an impassioned case ” for holding the president accountable exist .
Starr not only spoke about the Congress ’ congressional duties when it comes to impeachment , but he also wrote a memoir criticizing Clinton for wanting to stonewall investigations .
“ Everything Ken Starr says in defense of the president , there are going to be clips to contrast with that , and I think it ’ s going to end up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the hypocrisy of the Republicans more generally , ” the expert said .
According to Hennessey , the same can be said of Dershowitz , who was involved in a significant number of scandals over the years and apparently had ties to individuals like Jeffrey Epstein .
Having Dershowitz represent Trump “ at a moment when the Senate is trying to decide questions of his character , of his fitness for office , ” could also backfire , she said .
The Republican Party ’ s broader strategy as Democrats seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to statements from multiple Republican senators , the goal is to wrap up the trial as quickly as possible .
By February 4 , when he is scheduled to deliver his annual State of the Union address , Trump should be acquitted of all charges , Republicans believe .
According to Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky , all Republican senators are expected to vote to acquit Trump .
Democrats have made up their mind as well , Paul said in a recent interview , questioning the very purpose of holding a trial @

Earlier this week, after a long period of back-and-forth between the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives and the GOP-controlled Senate, the two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump moved to the upper chamber. Acting as jurors, the lawmakers will decide whether to convict or acquit the president, who has made sure to hire an all-star legal team.
Among those defending Trump in the impeachment trial are well-known national figures: Alan Dershowitz, a scholar of constitutional law and criminal law; and Ken Starr, former Solicitor General of the United States best known for his role in investigations into former President Bill Clinton’s administration. But Trump’s decision to hire a “reality show” legal team could backfire spectacularly, CNN legal analyst Susan Hennessey suggested on Friday, per Raw Story.
According to Hennessey, although an impeachment trial featuring Dershowitz and Hennessey has “all the theatrical elements that the president loves,” his decision to hire the two men “is something that potentially is going to backfire” because both of them have been involved in a number of controversies over the years.
Starr’s credibility, Hennessey suggested, could come into question, given that hundreds of hours of footage of him “making an impassioned case” for holding the president accountable exist. Starr not only spoke about the Congress’ congressional duties when it comes to impeachment, but he also wrote a memoir criticizing Clinton for wanting to stonewall investigations.
“Everything Ken Starr says in defense of the president, there are going to be clips to contrast with that, and I think it’s going to end up doing is just underscoring the hypocrisy here, and the hypocrisy of the Republicans more generally,” the expert said.
According to Hennessey, the same can be said of Dershowitz, who was involved in a significant number of scandals over the years and apparently had ties to individuals like Jeffrey Epstein. Having Dershowitz represent Trump “at a moment when the Senate is trying to decide questions of his character, of his fitness for office,” could also backfire, she said.
The Republican Party’s broader strategy as Democrats seek to manage the case is simple. According to statements from multiple Republican senators, the goal is to wrap up the trial as quickly as possible. By February 4, when he is scheduled to deliver his annual State of the Union address, Trump should be acquitted of all charges, Republicans believe.
According to Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, all Republican senators are expected to vote to acquit Trump. Democrats have made up their mind as well, Paul said in a recent interview, questioning the very purpose of holding a trial.


inquisitr--2020-01-19--Conservative Anchor Blasts Republicans’ ‘Cowardly’ Impeachment Strategy: ‘Imagine Being This Afraid’

During the latest edition of CNN ’ s Unfiltered broadcast on Saturday , anchor S.E .
Cupp ripped into Republicans in the United States Senate , describing their strategy in the wake of President Donald Trump ‘ s impeachment as “ cowardly.
” Per Mediaite , Cupp began her monologue by blasting Republicans for refusing to review new evidence and allow additional witnesses .
“ See no evil , hear no evil is a pretty damn corrupt strategy by the Republicans to ignore their constitutional duties , ” Cupp said .
“ But it ’ s also pretty damn cowardly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she added .
Cupp then went through a list of what she claims are Republicans ’ fears .
According to the host , Republican senators are not only afraid of allowing witnesses that might further complicate matters for the president , but they are also afraid of Trump himself .
“ Afraid of witnesses who may further implicate the president in crimes .
Afraid of documents that may reveal the president has been , you know , lying this whole time .
Afraid of the president himself and what childish bad name he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dare to break ranks.
” Cupp also ripped into Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky , and Sen. Martha McSally of Arizona , mentioning each Republican by name .
McConnell ’ s “ paranoia , ” Paul ’ s “ threats , ” and McSally ’ s “ petulance ” are all on display , she said .
As Mediaite notes , Cupp was referring to McSally insulting and scolding CNN reporter Manu Raju , and to Paul ’ s suggestion that Republicans can not allow additional witnesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear an electoral backlash .
Although a conservative , Cupp is an outspoken Trump critic and frequently uses her platform to criticize what she claims is the GOP ’ s deference to the commander-in-chief .
In December , for instance , she slammed congressional Republicans for protecting Trump against Democratic accusations of wrongdoing .
Republicans have been upfront about their strategy : They want the trial to end as quickly as possible .
Top Senate Republicans have stated that their goal is to finalize the process before the February 4 State of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the GOP has claimed , needs to be modeled after former President Bill Clinton ’ s 1999 proceeding — is expected to last less than five weeks , according to key lawmakers .
Some Republican senators have even questioned the purpose of holding a trial , pointing out that the GOP stands firmly by the president .
Paul said in a recent interview that every member of the Senate — including every Democrat — has already made up their mind , explaining that all Republicans will vote to acquit Trump .

During the latest edition of CNN’s Unfiltered broadcast on Saturday, anchor S.E. Cupp ripped into Republicans in the United States Senate, describing their strategy in the wake of President Donald Trump‘s impeachment as “cowardly.”
Per Mediaite, Cupp began her monologue by blasting Republicans for refusing to review new evidence and allow additional witnesses.
“See no evil, hear no evil is a pretty damn corrupt strategy by the Republicans to ignore their constitutional duties,” Cupp said.
“But it’s also pretty damn cowardly. Imagine being this afraid,” she added.
Cupp then went through a list of what she claims are Republicans’ fears. According to the host, Republican senators are not only afraid of allowing witnesses that might further complicate matters for the president, but they are also afraid of Trump himself.
“Afraid of witnesses who may further implicate the president in crimes. Afraid of documents that may reveal the president has been, you know, lying this whole time. Afraid of the president himself and what childish bad name he might conjure up for those who would dare to break ranks.”
Cupp also ripped into Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Sen. Martha McSally of Arizona, mentioning each Republican by name. McConnell’s “paranoia,” Paul’s “threats,” and McSally’s “petulance” are all on display, she said.
As Mediaite notes, Cupp was referring to McSally insulting and scolding CNN reporter Manu Raju, and to Paul’s suggestion that Republicans cannot allow additional witnesses to testify before the Senate because they fear an electoral backlash.
Although a conservative, Cupp is an outspoken Trump critic and frequently uses her platform to criticize what she claims is the GOP’s deference to the commander-in-chief. In December, for instance, she slammed congressional Republicans for protecting Trump against Democratic accusations of wrongdoing.
“What happens when some members of the legislative branch WON'T do their jobs and other members CAN'T do their jobs, and the President of the United States wants to do EVERYBODY's job?” @secupp asks. Watch to learn why Trump’s behavior this week is dangerous. pic.twitter.com/TnsXIwo9CG — SE Cupp Unfiltered (@UnfilteredSE) January 12, 2020
Republicans have been upfront about their strategy: They want the trial to end as quickly as possible. Top Senate Republicans have stated that their goal is to finalize the process before the February 4 State of the Union address. The trial — which, the GOP has claimed, needs to be modeled after former President Bill Clinton’s 1999 proceeding — is expected to last less than five weeks, according to key lawmakers.
Some Republican senators have even questioned the purpose of holding a trial, pointing out that the GOP stands firmly by the president. Paul said in a recent interview that every member of the Senate — including every Democrat — has already made up their mind, explaining that all Republicans will vote to acquit Trump.