cnbc--2020-02-06--'It was hell': Trump celebrates impeachment acquittal, while ripping Democrats and Romney

`` It was all bullshit , '' Trump said .
`` It was hell . ''
`` Had I not fired [ former FBI director ] James Comey , who was a disaster by the way , it 's possible I would n't even be standing here right now , '' he added .
Comey 's firing in the spring of 2017 triggered the Justice Department 's appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller .
`` It was evil , it was corrupt , it was dirty cops , it was leakers and liars , '' Trump said , claiming he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced his candidacy in the summer of 2015 .
Trump , who was given a standing ovation and whooping cheers when he entered the White House East Room filled with Republican supporters , gave a free-form speech that ran more than an hour .
During the largely ad-libbed talk , he also relived some of his well-trodden grievances , including the Russia probe and the 2016 election .
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday celebrated his impeachment acquittal by excoriating Democrats and Mitt Romney , the only GOP senator to vote to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday voted to acquit Trump of both counts in his impeachment trial : abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
The vote was the final step in a two-week trial marked by impassioned arguments from House Democrats that Trump was a danger to the nation , and stalwart support from Senate Republicans for a president who maintains a political stranglehold on their party .
Impeachment rules require 67 votes in the Senate to convict a president and remove him from office .
With a 53-47 Republican majority , the odds that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start .
Romney , R-Utah , who delivered a searing condemnation of the president 's actions Wednesday on the floor of the Senate , broke with his party to vote to convict Trump on the abuse of power count .
During his remarks Thursday afternoon , Trump told Sen. Mike Lee , who also represents Utah , to tell voters there he 's sorry about Romney .
At one point , Trump held up The Washington Post front page , which proclaimed `` Trump Acquitted . ''
`` We can take that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frame it , '' Trump said .
`` It 's the only good headline I 've ever had in The Washington Post . ''
Earlier Thursday , Trump spoke at the annual National Prayer Breakfast , where he offered attendees , including Pelosi , a preview of his midday remarks .
`` As everybody knows , my family , our great country and your president have been through a terrible ordeal by some very dishonest and corrupt people , '' Trump said .
`` They have done everything possible to destroy us , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our nation .
They know what they are doing is wrong , but they put themselves far ahead of our great country . ''
Back at the White House , Trump said , `` I had Pelosi sitting four seats away , and I said things a lot of people probably would n't have said .
but I said them , I meant every word . ''
Trump 's speech , with its long tangents , frequent applause breaks and scathing attacks on his political opponents , resembled a campaign rally as much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the White House .
`` This is sort of a day of celebration , because we went through hell , '' Trump said after spending more than 20 minutes heaping praise on his biggest Republican defenders in Congress , including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , Rep. Devin Nunes of California and Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York .
Before he left the podium , Trump gave members of his supportive audience the opportunity to stand up and make a statement .
Rep. Mark Meadows , R-N.C. , took him up on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've got your back . ''
As a final gesture , the president apologized to his family members for having been embroiled in the impeachment process .
Trump 's daughter Ivanka and first lady Melania Trump then walked up and embraced Trump at the lectern .

"It was all bullshit," Trump said. "It was hell."
"Had I not fired [former FBI director] James Comey, who was a disaster by the way, it's possible I wouldn't even be standing here right now," he added. Comey's firing in the spring of 2017 triggered the Justice Department's appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller.
"It was evil, it was corrupt, it was dirty cops, it was leakers and liars," Trump said, claiming he had been targeted since the day he announced his candidacy in the summer of 2015.
Trump, who was given a standing ovation and whooping cheers when he entered the White House East Room filled with Republican supporters, gave a free-form speech that ran more than an hour. During the largely ad-libbed talk, he also relived some of his well-trodden grievances, including the Russia probe and the 2016 election.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday celebrated his impeachment acquittal by excoriating Democrats and Mitt Romney, the only GOP senator to vote to remove him from office.
The Senate on Wednesday voted to acquit Trump of both counts in his impeachment trial: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
The vote was the final step in a two-week trial marked by impassioned arguments from House Democrats that Trump was a danger to the nation, and stalwart support from Senate Republicans for a president who maintains a political stranglehold on their party.
Impeachment rules require 67 votes in the Senate to convict a president and remove him from office. With a 53-47 Republican majority, the odds that Trump would be convicted were slim from the start.
Romney, R-Utah, who delivered a searing condemnation of the president's actions Wednesday on the floor of the Senate, broke with his party to vote to convict Trump on the abuse of power count.
During his remarks Thursday afternoon, Trump told Sen. Mike Lee, who also represents Utah, to tell voters there he's sorry about Romney.
At one point, Trump held up The Washington Post front page, which proclaimed "Trump Acquitted."
"We can take that home, honey, maybe we'll frame it," Trump said. "It's the only good headline I've ever had in The Washington Post."
Earlier Thursday, Trump spoke at the annual National Prayer Breakfast, where he offered attendees, including Pelosi, a preview of his midday remarks.
"As everybody knows, my family, our great country and your president have been through a terrible ordeal by some very dishonest and corrupt people," Trump said. "They have done everything possible to destroy us, and by so doing very badly hurt our nation. They know what they are doing is wrong, but they put themselves far ahead of our great country."
Back at the White House, Trump said, "I had Pelosi sitting four seats away, and I said things a lot of people probably wouldn't have said. but I said them, I meant every word."
Trump's speech, with its long tangents, frequent applause breaks and scathing attacks on his political opponents, resembled a campaign rally as much as it did an official presidential address from the White House.
"This is sort of a day of celebration, because we went through hell," Trump said after spending more than 20 minutes heaping praise on his biggest Republican defenders in Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Rep. Devin Nunes of California and Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York.
Before he left the podium, Trump gave members of his supportive audience the opportunity to stand up and make a statement.
Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., took him up on the offer, declaring, "We've got your back."
As a final gesture, the president apologized to his family members for having been embroiled in the impeachment process. Trump's daughter Ivanka and first lady Melania Trump then walked up and embraced Trump at the lectern.


cnbc--2020-02-06--DNC chair calls for immediate 'recanvass' of Iowa after botched caucus: 'Enough is enough'

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez called on Thursday for an immediate `` recanvass '' of Iowa as concerns mounted about the integrity of the results from Monday 's first-in-the-nation nominating contest in the state .
`` Enough is enough , '' Perez wrote in a post on Twitter .
`` In light of the problems that have emerged in the implementation of the delegate selection plan and in order to assure public confidence in the results , I am calling on the Iowa Democratic Party to immediately begin a recanvass . ''
Perez 's tweet came hours after The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Iowa results revealed inconsistencies in data from more than 100 precincts .
In a follow-up tweet , Perez said a recanvass `` is a review of the worksheets from each caucus site to ensure accuracy . ''
Daniel Wessel , a spokesperson for the DNC , referred CNBC to the Iowa Democratic Party 's manual , which defines a recanvass as a `` a hand audit of Caucus Math Worksheets and Reporting Forms to ensure that they were tallied and reported in the telephone intake sheets and caucus reporting application correctly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rebuff Perez 's demand , and said in a statement that it is prepared to conduct a recanvass if it is requested by a presidential candidate .
Perez 's tweet is sure to inject even more uncertainty into a process that has threatened to upend the public trust in the results from Iowa 's caucuses , which historically have shaped the narrative of Democratic presidential primaries .
Monday 's caucuses have been plagued with problems , including the failure of an app that was supposed to be used for the reporting of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state party has insisted that despite the app 's problems , the underlying data is accurate .
It has slowly released results throughout the week .
As of Thursday morning , the party released data from 97 % of precincts that showed former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , vying for the lead .
But the precinct-level data has come under scrutiny from journalists and public observers , raising questions about the integrity of the election results .
There is no evidence that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any candidate in particular .
Former Vice President Joe Biden , who according to the data lags the two front-runners as well as Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, called his performance a `` gut punch '' on Wednesday but vowed to press on .
Biden is holding onto a lead in national polling and is expected to perform well in South Carolina , the fourth state to host an early nominating contest , which has a large minority of black voters .
`` When will the Democrats start blaming RUSSIA , RUSSIA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incompetence for the voting disaster that just happened in the Great State of Iowa ? ''
Trump wrote Tuesday in a post on Twitter .
Meanwhile , the debacle has reignited criticism of Iowa 's outsized role in the nominating process .
At a news conference on Tuesday , IDP Chairman Troy Price brushed off those concerns as a `` conversation that happens every four years '' and said his focus was on making sure that the results of the caucuses got out .
He said the party was taking a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 're going to continue to go through our processes , verifying everything , '' Price said .
`` But the thing to remember here folks is that we have a paper trail .
We have always said all along that throughout this process , we have backups to the system , that we have redundancies built in . ''

Volunteers consult a map of Iowa with divided target voter zones at a field office for Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on February 1, 2020 in Waterloo, Iowa. Mark Makela | Getty Images
Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez called on Thursday for an immediate "recanvass" of Iowa as concerns mounted about the integrity of the results from Monday's first-in-the-nation nominating contest in the state. "Enough is enough," Perez wrote in a post on Twitter. "In light of the problems that have emerged in the implementation of the delegate selection plan and in order to assure public confidence in the results, I am calling on the Iowa Democratic Party to immediately begin a recanvass." TWEET Perez's tweet came hours after The New York Times said that its analysis of the Iowa results revealed inconsistencies in data from more than 100 precincts. In a follow-up tweet, Perez said a recanvass "is a review of the worksheets from each caucus site to ensure accuracy."
Tom Perez, chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), speaks during the DNC Women's Leadership Forum conference in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019. Amanda Andrade-Rhoades | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Daniel Wessel, a spokesperson for the DNC, referred CNBC to the Iowa Democratic Party's manual, which defines a recanvass as a "a hand audit of Caucus Math Worksheets and Reporting Forms to ensure that they were tallied and reported in the telephone intake sheets and caucus reporting application correctly." The Iowa Democratic Party appeared to rebuff Perez's demand, and said in a statement that it is prepared to conduct a recanvass if it is requested by a presidential candidate. Perez's tweet is sure to inject even more uncertainty into a process that has threatened to upend the public trust in the results from Iowa's caucuses, which historically have shaped the narrative of Democratic presidential primaries. Monday's caucuses have been plagued with problems, including the failure of an app that was supposed to be used for the reporting of results from nearly 1,700 precincts. The state party has insisted that despite the app's problems, the underlying data is accurate. It has slowly released results throughout the week. As of Thursday morning, the party released data from 97% of precincts that showed former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., vying for the lead.
watch now


cnbc--2020-02-06--Obama response to 2016 Russian election meddling had 'many flaws,' Senate report finds

Russian President Vladimir Putin ( L ) meets with his US counterpart Barack Obama on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders Summit in Hangzhou on September 5 , 2016 .
The Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday issued its long-awaited report on how former President Barack Obama handled Russian meddling in the 2016 election .
The bipartisan report found that the Obama administration was ill-prepared to handle the novel election interference offensive and recommended that in the future the `` public should be informed as soon as possible '' if a foreign active measures campaign is detected .
`` After discovering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scope , of Russia 's election interference efforts in late-2016 , the Obama Administration struggled to determine the appropriate response , '' the committee 's GOP chairman , Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina , said in a statement .
`` Frozen by 'paralysis of analysis , ' hamstrung by constraints both real and perceived , Obama officials debated courses of action without truly taking one , '' he said .
Virginia Sen. Mark Warner , the committee 's top Democrat , said that there were `` many flaws '' with the Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of those were due to problems with our own system – problems that can and should be corrected . ''
The report was released one day after President Donald Trump was acquitted by the Senate of a charge that he abused his power by seeking to pressure the government of Ukraine to open investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden .
He was also acquitted of a charge of obstruction of Congress .
Trump has denied any wrongdoing .
Trump , who spent the first two years of his presidency dogged by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspired with the Russian government in the 2016 election , has criticized Obama for his handling of the situation .
`` He did NOTHING , and had no intention of doing anything ! ''
Trump wrote in a post on Twitter last year .
The U.S. intelligence community concluded in 2017 that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign during the 2016 campaign targeting Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and that the Russian government had a `` clear preference '' for Trump .
The attacks included the pilfering of data and emails from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released to outlets including WikiLeaks , an anti-secrecy group , in a manner designed to raise doubts about Clinton 's viability .
The Senate Intelligence Committee also concluded that the Russian government sought to bolster Trump 's 2016 election chances .
Former special counsel Robert Mueller , who led the investigation into Trump 's campaign , concluded that Trump expected to benefit from Russian interference .
Mueller , however , did not establish coordination between Trump 's associates and the Russian disinformation campaign .
The Senate report released Thursday is the third , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the committee 's probe into the government 's handling of Russian meddling efforts .
The investigation began in 2017 and has proceeded on a largely bipartisan basis , in contrast with parallel congressional inquiries .

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) meets with his US counterpart Barack Obama on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders Summit in Hangzhou on September 5, 2016.
The Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday issued its long-awaited report on how former President Barack Obama handled Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
The bipartisan report found that the Obama administration was ill-prepared to handle the novel election interference offensive and recommended that in the future the "public should be informed as soon as possible" if a foreign active measures campaign is detected.
"After discovering the existence, if not the full scope, of Russia's election interference efforts in late-2016, the Obama Administration struggled to determine the appropriate response," the committee's GOP chairman, Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina, said in a statement.
"Frozen by 'paralysis of analysis,' hamstrung by constraints both real and perceived, Obama officials debated courses of action without truly taking one," he said.
Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the committee's top Democrat, said that there were "many flaws" with the Obama administration's response but noted that "many of those were due to problems with our own system – problems that can and should be corrected."
The report was released one day after President Donald Trump was acquitted by the Senate of a charge that he abused his power by seeking to pressure the government of Ukraine to open investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden. He was also acquitted of a charge of obstruction of Congress. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.
Trump, who spent the first two years of his presidency dogged by a federal investigation into whether he unlawfully conspired with the Russian government in the 2016 election, has criticized Obama for his handling of the situation.
"He did NOTHING, and had no intention of doing anything!" Trump wrote in a post on Twitter last year.
The U.S. intelligence community concluded in 2017 that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign during the 2016 campaign targeting Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and that the Russian government had a "clear preference" for Trump.
The attacks included the pilfering of data and emails from Democratic National Committee networks which were then released to outlets including WikiLeaks, an anti-secrecy group, in a manner designed to raise doubts about Clinton's viability.
The Senate Intelligence Committee also concluded that the Russian government sought to bolster Trump's 2016 election chances.
Former special counsel Robert Mueller, who led the investigation into Trump's campaign, concluded that Trump expected to benefit from Russian interference. Mueller, however, did not establish coordination between Trump's associates and the Russian disinformation campaign.
Trump tweet
The Senate report released Thursday is the third, out of an expected five, stemming from the committee's probe into the government's handling of Russian meddling efforts. The investigation began in 2017 and has proceeded on a largely bipartisan basis, in contrast with parallel congressional inquiries.


cnbc--2020-02-06--Op-Ed: Trump's Global Entry suspension in New York is another slap at Blue State elites

Many illegal immigration opponents have long scorned wealthier , non-border state Americans who support more open borders as being in a bubble .
This new policy pops that bubble a bit .
Until now , most rich , upper middle class and urban white-collar workers did n't feel much of the economic effects of our virtually open border policies .
In fact , many richer Americans who run or invest in service industries long enjoyed the benefits that robust legal and illegal immigration brought to their businesses .
That includes but is n't limited to lower labor costs .
Specifically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News on Wednesday that this was forced by the New York law that blocks the state 's motor vehicles department from sharing information with immigration enforcement agencies .
The Trump team 's reported reasoning is simple : Since New York state 's sanctuary laws for undocumented immigrants limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement , the Department of Homeland Security had to suspend the program for New Yorkers .
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Thursday announced the suspension of most of the `` trusted traveler '' programs , including Global Entry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That means the Trump administration is moving airport travel hell up the economic food chain .
Maybe you think taking swipes at the rich in the name of `` spreading the pain '' is the sole dominion of politicians like Bernie Sanders , Elizabeth Warren , or just the Democratic Party .
Many illegal immigration opponents have long scorned wealthier , non-border state Americans as being in a bubble .
This new policy pops that bubble a bit .
That does n't mean legal and illegal immigration always hurts the economy .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Borjas has often pointed out , illegal immigration has hurt some Americans much more than others .
Years of leaving out those who suffer economically because of illegal immigration on the campaign trail and in the news media created an opening for Trump 's most dominant 2016 election message .
Besides the wage pressures , many Americans living in poorer areas have suffered in other ways because of lax border security .
For example , legal Latino immigrants are often the targets of MS-13 gang violence .
Overcrowded public schools and hospital emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inconvenienced Wall Street executives or their high-income peers .
Of course , this move does n't hurt all rich people and not only rich people use the Global Entry program .
But it 's at least the second time that the Trump administration has made a move to spread economic or bureaucratic pain to mostly blue state-dwelling upper middle class and rich Americans .
Trump 's 2017 tax reform law hit many of the same people in the wallet .
Those tax changes capped many of the State and Local Tax ( SALT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relied on to offset their overall federal tax bills .
Instead of reducing their tax rates , many of those blue states went to court to fight that part of the tax law .
But that case was dismissed last September and it 's just clinging to life in the appeals process now .
Does Trump hate blue state-living rich people ?
That 's hard to believe since he , his Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , and chief White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow are all wealthy blue state residents themselves .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctuary policies and states that drive wealthy citizens and businesses out with higher taxes and numerous regulations .
You can also look at Trump 's decisions on Global Entry and SALT deductions not as attacks on wealthy elites , but as a move to make sure the nation 's burdens are more evenly distributed .
The SALT deductions benefitted higher-income Americans at the expense of lower-income Americans .
It also rewarded many fiscally fumbling politicians in blue states by shielding them from voter anger over their state and local tax burdens .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressives shouting about economic inequality all the time be praising Trump 's tax reform at least some of the time ?
Similarly , both Americans who support more open borders and those who oppose them should support a plan that makes sure the rich also feel whatever pain and inconveniences come from illegal immigration .
Right ?
Do n't worry , no one is under any illusions that we 'll see any bipartisan coming together over the Global Entry suspension or the tax changes .
What we do know is that Trump is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he frames his campaign message for the red states and those crucial swing states in the Midwest .
Trump still projects the image of Trump Tower and Manhattan glitz , but that clearly has n't stopped him from hitting his own demographic where it hurts .
We all might think that 's a strategy that only works for candidates like Sanders and Warren .
But it 's already helped Trump win in the past and may help him win again .
Jake Novak is a political and economic analyst at Jake Novak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You can follow him on Twitter @ jakejakeny .

Many illegal immigration opponents have long scorned wealthier, non-border state Americans who support more open borders as being in a bubble. This new policy pops that bubble a bit.
Until now, most rich, upper middle class and urban white-collar workers didn't feel much of the economic effects of our virtually open border policies. In fact, many richer Americans who run or invest in service industries long enjoyed the benefits that robust legal and illegal immigration brought to their businesses. That includes but isn't limited to lower labor costs.
Specifically, acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf told Fox News on Wednesday that this was forced by the New York law that blocks the state's motor vehicles department from sharing information with immigration enforcement agencies.
The Trump team's reported reasoning is simple: Since New York state's sanctuary laws for undocumented immigrants limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security had to suspend the program for New Yorkers.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Thursday announced the suspension of most of the "trusted traveler" programs, including Global Entry, for New York state residents . That means the Trump administration is moving airport travel hell up the economic food chain.
Maybe you think taking swipes at the rich in the name of "spreading the pain" is the sole dominion of politicians like Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, or just the Democratic Party.
Many illegal immigration opponents have long scorned wealthier, non-border state Americans as being in a bubble. This new policy pops that bubble a bit.
That doesn't mean legal and illegal immigration always hurts the economy. But, as Harvard professor of economics George Borjas has often pointed out, illegal immigration has hurt some Americans much more than others. Years of leaving out those who suffer economically because of illegal immigration on the campaign trail and in the news media created an opening for Trump's most dominant 2016 election message.
Besides the wage pressures, many Americans living in poorer areas have suffered in other ways because of lax border security. For example, legal Latino immigrants are often the targets of MS-13 gang violence. Overcrowded public schools and hospital emergency rooms near our southern border have never inconvenienced Wall Street executives or their high-income peers.
Of course, this move doesn't hurt all rich people and not only rich people use the Global Entry program. But it's at least the second time that the Trump administration has made a move to spread economic or bureaucratic pain to mostly blue state-dwelling upper middle class and rich Americans.
Trump's 2017 tax reform law hit many of the same people in the wallet. Those tax changes capped many of the State and Local Tax (SALT) deductions high-earning blue state residents long relied on to offset their overall federal tax bills. Instead of reducing their tax rates, many of those blue states went to court to fight that part of the tax law. But that case was dismissed last September and it's just clinging to life in the appeals process now.
Does Trump hate blue state-living rich people? That's hard to believe since he, his Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and chief White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow are all wealthy blue state residents themselves. But Trump has openly expressed his disdain for sanctuary policies and states that drive wealthy citizens and businesses out with higher taxes and numerous regulations.
You can also look at Trump's decisions on Global Entry and SALT deductions not as attacks on wealthy elites, but as a move to make sure the nation's burdens are more evenly distributed.
The SALT deductions benefitted higher-income Americans at the expense of lower-income Americans. It also rewarded many fiscally fumbling politicians in blue states by shielding them from voter anger over their state and local tax burdens. With that in mind, shouldn't the progressives shouting about economic inequality all the time be praising Trump's tax reform at least some of the time?
Similarly, both Americans who support more open borders and those who oppose them should support a plan that makes sure the rich also feel whatever pain and inconveniences come from illegal immigration. Right?
Don't worry, no one is under any illusions that we'll see any bipartisan coming together over the Global Entry suspension or the tax changes.
What we do know is that Trump is establishing a pattern that should work well as he frames his campaign message for the red states and those crucial swing states in the Midwest.
Trump still projects the image of Trump Tower and Manhattan glitz, but that clearly hasn't stopped him from hitting his own demographic where it hurts.
We all might think that's a strategy that only works for candidates like Sanders and Warren. But it's already helped Trump win in the past and may help him win again.
Jake Novak is a political and economic analyst at Jake Novak News and former CNBC TV producer. You can follow him on Twitter @jakejakeny.


cnbc--2020-02-06--'Clog the lines': Internet trolls deliberately disrupted the Iowa caucuses hotline for reporting res

'Clog the lines': Internet trolls deliberately disrupted the Iowa caucuses hotline for reporting results

The Iowa Democratic Party caucus app is displayed on an iPhone outside Iowa Democratic Party headquarters in Des Moines , Iowa , on Tuesday , Feb. 4 , 2020 .
The phone number to report Iowa caucus results was posted on a fringe internet message board on Monday night along with encouragement to `` clog the lines , '' an indication that jammed phone lines that left some caucus managers on hold for hours may have in part been due to prank calls .
An Iowa Democratic Party official said the influx of calls to the reporting hotline included `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ express their displeasure with the Democratic Party . ''
The party official 's comments were first reported late Wednesday by Bloomberg News .
Users on a politics-focused section of the fringe 4chan message board repeatedly posted the phone number for the Iowa Democratic Party , which was found by a simple Google search , both as screenshots and in plain text , alongside instructions .
`` They have to call in the results now .
Very long hold times being reported .
Phone line being clogged , '' one user posted at about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two hours after the caucuses began .
`` Uh oh how unfortunate it would be for a bunch of mischief makers to start clogging the lines , '' responded another anonymous user , sarcastically .
Some users chimed in , posting alleged wait times on hold , imploring others to `` clog the lines [ and ] make the call lads . ''
The telephone reporting problems exacerbated other issues , notably a smartphone app that did not work for some people and also had a coding problem that prevented results from being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the phone lines .
Iowa Democratic Party officials said that party staff members and volunteers flagged and subsequently blocked repeat callers who appeared to be reaching out in an attempt to interfere with their reporting duties .
These included callers who would hang up immediately after being connected and callers who expressed support for President Donald Trump and displeasure with the Democratic Party .
It 's unclear how many prank calls the party received or how much they contributed to wait times .
Some calls came from Iowans looking to confirm details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials said .
The party has not responded to requests for information on how many individuals were manning the phone lines on Monday night .
The Trump campaign denied any affiliation with people clogging phone lines on Monday night .
`` We do n't know anything about this , but perhaps Democrats should consider using an app that works .
It 's laughable that they would try to blame Trump for their own incompetence , '' communications director Tim Murtaugh said .
Several officials at caucuses attended by NBC News reporters struggled with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for them to report results .
4chan , which hosts an anonymous and often extremist politics board called /pol/ whose users have largely supported Trump since 2015 , is known for extensive online political trolling and targeted harassment campaigns .
On debate nights , 4chan users often direct one another to swarm and manipulate specific online polls on other websites with repeat votes , a practice known as `` brigading '' in online communities .
The polls would then be used by politicians and partisan websites to claim shocking upsets .
Users on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ randomly generated with each new thread .
Some users on 4chan pushed back against users claiming to spam phone lines on Monday night .
One user said he did n't want other trolls `` making us the scapegoat for the DNC .
`` `` I ca n't wait for the news headlines saying nefarious trolls ruined the caucus , '' another added .

The Iowa Democratic Party caucus app is displayed on an iPhone outside Iowa Democratic Party headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020.
The phone number to report Iowa caucus results was posted on a fringe internet message board on Monday night along with encouragement to "clog the lines," an indication that jammed phone lines that left some caucus managers on hold for hours may have in part been due to prank calls.
An Iowa Democratic Party official said the influx of calls to the reporting hotline included "supporters of President Trump who called to express their displeasure with the Democratic Party." The party official's comments were first reported late Wednesday by Bloomberg News.
Users on a politics-focused section of the fringe 4chan message board repeatedly posted the phone number for the Iowa Democratic Party, which was found by a simple Google search, both as screenshots and in plain text, alongside instructions.
"They have to call in the results now. Very long hold times being reported. Phone line being clogged," one user posted at about 11 p.m. ET on Monday, two hours after the caucuses began.
"Uh oh how unfortunate it would be for a bunch of mischief makers to start clogging the lines," responded another anonymous user, sarcastically.
Some users chimed in, posting alleged wait times on hold, imploring others to "clog the lines [and] make the call lads."
The telephone reporting problems exacerbated other issues, notably a smartphone app that did not work for some people and also had a coding problem that prevented results from being reported properly, pushing more caucus volunteers to the phone lines.
Iowa Democratic Party officials said that party staff members and volunteers flagged and subsequently blocked repeat callers who appeared to be reaching out in an attempt to interfere with their reporting duties. These included callers who would hang up immediately after being connected and callers who expressed support for President Donald Trump and displeasure with the Democratic Party.
It's unclear how many prank calls the party received or how much they contributed to wait times. Some calls came from Iowans looking to confirm details for their evening's caucus, party officials said.
The party has not responded to requests for information on how many individuals were manning the phone lines on Monday night.
The Trump campaign denied any affiliation with people clogging phone lines on Monday night.
"We don't know anything about this, but perhaps Democrats should consider using an app that works. It's laughable that they would try to blame Trump for their own incompetence," communications director Tim Murtaugh said.
Several officials at caucuses attended by NBC News reporters struggled with lengthy hold times that made it impossible for them to report results.
4chan, which hosts an anonymous and often extremist politics board called /pol/ whose users have largely supported Trump since 2015, is known for extensive online political trolling and targeted harassment campaigns.
On debate nights, 4chan users often direct one another to swarm and manipulate specific online polls on other websites with repeat votes, a practice known as "brigading" in online communities. The polls would then be used by politicians and partisan websites to claim shocking upsets.
Users on 4chan are anonymous, and usernames are randomly generated with each new thread.
Some users on 4chan pushed back against users claiming to spam phone lines on Monday night. One user said he didn't want other trolls "making us the scapegoat for the DNC.""I can't wait for the news headlines saying nefarious trolls ruined the caucus," another added.


cnbc--2020-02-06--Trump lashes out at enemies during National Prayer Breakfast speech following acquittal in impeachme

Trump lashes out at enemies during National Prayer Breakfast speech following acquittal in impeachment trial

A day after being acquitted at his Senate impeachment trial , President Donald Trump attended a bipartisan National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday and warned his opponents that `` we ca n't let that go on . ''
Trump did not use the word `` impeachment '' in his opening remarks at the annual Washington event .
But his message was nonetheless clear , and it appeared to single out House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , who was sitting just a few feet away .
`` So many people have been hurt , and we ca n't let that go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious gathering .
He also appeared to reference Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah , the only Republican to vote to convict Trump on the abuse of power charge .
Romney said on the Senate floor that his faith guided him toward his decision to vote for Trump 's removal from office .
`` As everybody knows , my family , our great country and your president have been through a terrible ordeal by some very dishonest and corrupt people , '' Trump said .
`` They have done everything possible to destroy us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt our nation .
They know what they are doing is wrong , but they put themselves far ahead of our great country . ''
`` Weeks ago and again yesterday , courageous Republican politicians and leaders had the wisdom , fortitude and strength to do what everyone knows was right , '' Trump said .
Pelosi , who delivered a prayer to the crowd before Trump spoke , had personally announced the impeachment inquiry into Trump 's Ukraine dealings late last year .
The Democratic speaker has frequently clashed with Trump — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the text of his State of the Union address just after he delivered it to Congress .
But Pelosi has also repeatedly invoked her faith throughout the process , saying she prays for the president daily .
In her remarks at the breakfast , Pelosi prayed `` that we treat everyone with dignity and respect . ''
Trump took the podium a few minutes later with a different message .
`` I do n't like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong .
Nor do I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for you ' when they know that that 's not so , '' Trump said .
`` So many people have been hurt and we ca n't let that go on .
I 'll be discussing that a little bit later at the White House . ''
Pelosi said later Thursday morning that she saw those remarks as being directed at Romney .
`` I thought what he said about Senator Romney was particularly without class '' and `` so inappropriate at a prayer breakfast , '' Pelosi said at her weekly press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotions -- he 's talking about things that he knows little about : faith and prayer , '' she said .
Before the GOP-led Senate acquitted Trump with every Democrat voting to convict , Romney gave an emotional speech in which he explained why he was going to vote guilty on the abuse of power charge .
`` My promise before God to apply impartial justice required that I put my personal feelings and biases aside , '' Romney told the Senate .

A day after being acquitted at his Senate impeachment trial, President Donald Trump attended a bipartisan National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday and warned his opponents that "we can't let that go on."
Trump did not use the word "impeachment" in his opening remarks at the annual Washington event. But his message was nonetheless clear, and it appeared to single out House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who was sitting just a few feet away.
"So many people have been hurt, and we can't let that go on," Trump said at the religious gathering.
He also appeared to reference Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, the only Republican to vote to convict Trump on the abuse of power charge. Romney said on the Senate floor that his faith guided him toward his decision to vote for Trump's removal from office.
"As everybody knows, my family, our great country and your president have been through a terrible ordeal by some very dishonest and corrupt people," Trump said. "They have done everything possible to destroy us, and by so doing very badly hurt our nation. They know what they are doing is wrong, but they put themselves far ahead of our great country."
"Weeks ago and again yesterday, courageous Republican politicians and leaders had the wisdom, fortitude and strength to do what everyone knows was right," Trump said.
Pelosi, who delivered a prayer to the crowd before Trump spoke, had personally announced the impeachment inquiry into Trump's Ukraine dealings late last year. The Democratic speaker has frequently clashed with Trump — just two days earlier she ripped up the text of his State of the Union address just after he delivered it to Congress. But Pelosi has also repeatedly invoked her faith throughout the process, saying she prays for the president daily.
In her remarks at the breakfast, Pelosi prayed "that we treat everyone with dignity and respect."
Trump took the podium a few minutes later with a different message.
"I don't like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong. Nor do I like people who say 'I pray for you' when they know that that's not so," Trump said. "So many people have been hurt and we can't let that go on. I'll be discussing that a little bit later at the White House."
Pelosi said later Thursday morning that she saw those remarks as being directed at Romney.
"I thought what he said about Senator Romney was particularly without class" and "so inappropriate at a prayer breakfast," Pelosi said at her weekly press conference.
"Mischaracterizing other people's emotions -- he's talking about things that he knows little about: faith and prayer," she said.
Before the GOP-led Senate acquitted Trump with every Democrat voting to convict, Romney gave an emotional speech in which he explained why he was going to vote guilty on the abuse of power charge. "My promise before God to apply impartial justice required that I put my personal feelings and biases aside," Romney told the Senate.


cnbc--2020-02-06--Bernie Sanders raises a staggering $25 million in January to fuel Super Tuesday push

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders speaks to supporters and volunteers at a campaign field office in Cedar Rapids , Iowa , February 2 , 2020 .
Bernie Sanders ' presidential campaign raked in a whopping $ 25 million in January alone and will use the haul to bankroll ads and staff across the critical Super Tuesday slate .
The Vermont senator raised more in January than in any other month in the 2020 Democratic presidential race , his campaign said in announcing the haul Thursday .
It added that it received 1.3 million donations from roughly 650,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the start of 2020 primary nominating contests .
Iowa held its first-in-the-nation caucuses Monday , followed by contests this month in New Hampshire , Nevada and South Carolina .
The Sanders campaign said it will put $ 5.5 million into television and digital ads in 10 states that hold primaries in coming weeks : South Carolina and nine of the 14 states that have contests on delegate-rich Super Tuesday March 3 : California , Texas , Arkansas , Colorado , Massachusetts , Minnesota , North Carolina , Tennessee and Utah .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2.5 million buy in California and Texas — the two biggest Super Tuesday prizes .
The campaign also said it would `` immediately increase '' staffing in the March 3 primary states .
Sanders has consistently led the 2020 Democratic pack in fundraising , including more than $ 34 million in the fourth quarter .
None of his Democratic competitors topped $ 25 million raised in the last three months of 2019 .
Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg , who is worth nearly $ 60 billion , is self-funding his campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent more than $ 180 million in over a little more than a month in the fourth quarter after he joined the raise near the end of November .
The Sanders campaign entered 2020 with more than $ 18 million in the bank , more than any other Democrat seeking donations .
President Donald Trump , whom Sanders hopes to challenge in November , started the year with more than $ 100 million on hand .
Sanders has been vying for the lead in the delayed results from this week 's Iowa caucuses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to delayed data from the Iowa Democratic Party .
The Vermont senator leads averages of polls of the New Hampshire primary , which is scheduled for Tuesday .
Sanders has an advantage in an average of polls in California and but trails in limited polling of Texas .
Correction : This report was revised to correct that the 10 states being targeted in the $ 5.5 million ad campaign include one whose primary is not on Super Tuesday .

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders speaks to supporters and volunteers at a campaign field office in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, February 2, 2020.
Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign raked in a whopping $25 million in January alone and will use the haul to bankroll ads and staff across the critical Super Tuesday slate.
The Vermont senator raised more in January than in any other month in the 2020 Democratic presidential race, his campaign said in announcing the haul Thursday. It added that it received 1.3 million donations from roughly 650,000 people.
The flood of cash came just before the start of 2020 primary nominating contests. Iowa held its first-in-the-nation caucuses Monday, followed by contests this month in New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.
The Sanders campaign said it will put $5.5 million into television and digital ads in 10 states that hold primaries in coming weeks: South Carolina and nine of the 14 states that have contests on delegate-rich Super Tuesday March 3: California, Texas, Arkansas, Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Tennessee and Utah.
The ads will expand on a previously announced $2.5 million buy in California and Texas — the two biggest Super Tuesday prizes.
The campaign also said it would "immediately increase" staffing in the March 3 primary states.
Sanders has consistently led the 2020 Democratic pack in fundraising, including more than $34 million in the fourth quarter. None of his Democratic competitors topped $25 million raised in the last three months of 2019. Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who is worth nearly $60 billion, is self-funding his campaign for the Democratic nomination. His campaign spent more than $180 million in over a little more than a month in the fourth quarter after he joined the raise near the end of November.
The Sanders campaign entered 2020 with more than $18 million in the bank, more than any other Democrat seeking donations. President Donald Trump, whom Sanders hopes to challenge in November, started the year with more than $100 million on hand.
Sanders has been vying for the lead in the delayed results from this week's Iowa caucuses with former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, according to delayed data from the Iowa Democratic Party. The Vermont senator leads averages of polls of the New Hampshire primary, which is scheduled for Tuesday.
Sanders has an advantage in an average of polls in California and but trails in limited polling of Texas.
Correction: This report was revised to correct that the 10 states being targeted in the $5.5 million ad campaign include one whose primary is not on Super Tuesday.
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cnbc--2020-02-06--Trump acquitted of both charges in Senate impeachment trial

WASHINGTON – The Senate on Wednesday voted to acquit President Donald Trump of both counts in his impeachment trial .
Forty-eight senators , including one Republican , found Trump guilty of abuse of power , while 52 , all Republicans , voted to acquit him .
The president was also impeached on the charge of obstruction of Congress , in which all 53 Republicans found him not guilty and the remaining 47 senators voted to convict .
The acquittal vote was the final step in a two-week trial marked by impassioned arguments from House Democrats that Trump was a danger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Senate Republicans for a president who maintains a political stranglehold on their party .
Impeachment rules require 67 votes in the Senate to convict a president and remove him from office .
With a 53-47 Republican majority , the odds that Trump would be convicted were slim from the start .
Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , who delivered a searing condemnation of the president 's actions earlier in the day on the floor of the Senate , broke with his party to vote to convict Trump on the abuse of power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court John Roberts announced the outcome of both articles , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell thanked Roberts for his `` clear head , steady hand and the forbearance that this rare occasion demands . ''
For his efforts , McConnell awarded Roberts the `` golden gavel , '' which was presented to him on the Senate floor .
Roberts , in his final remarks before the trial officially adjourned , said that he leaves the chamber `` with sincere good wishes as we carry out our common commitment to the Constitution through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that charter . ''
`` You have been generous hosts and I look forward to seeing you again under happier circumstances , '' Roberts said .
Trump later tweeted that he would make a statement regarding his acquittal on Thursday at noon from the White House .
The House voted on Dec. 18 to impeach Trump on the two articles , following an investigation led in large part by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , D-Calif .
Zero Republicans in the House voted to impeach Trump on either charge .
Trump was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine to announce probes into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter , as well as a debunked conspiracy theory about interference in the 2016 election , while withholding nearly $ 400 million in congressionally appropriated military aid to the country .
Democrats argued that Trump sought to cheat in the 2020 presidential election by coercing a foreign ally to smear his possible opponent with the stain of a criminal probe .
They also argued that Trump obstructed Congress by refusing to hand over any documents in the House 's probe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to comply .
Trump has denied any wrongdoing .
But with the outcome of the Senate trial all but certain since its first days , the suspense turned instead to an up-or-down vote late in the trial over whether or not to admit additional evidence , which only needed 51 votes to pass .
For several days , Washington hung on the words of a handful of moderate senators , both Democrats and Republicans , who have broken with their parties on previous votes .
Two Republicans voted with Democrats to admit additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Collins , but the measure was defeated .
Unlike Romney , however , Collins ultimately voted to acquit Trump of the charges against him .
The last-minute announcement by moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia that he would vote to convict on both counts came as a surprise on Capitol Hill .
Both sides , the White House and Democrats , had wanted to stake claim to a `` bipartisan vote , '' on their side .
The president had sincerely hoped to convince at least one Democrat to vote to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so that the White House could have declared , technically accurately , that Trump had been acquitted by a bipartisan vote .
Ultimately , only Democrats will be able to claim a `` bipartisan vote , '' having convinced Romney to cross party lines and vote to convict Trump on the first article .
This scenario represents a reverse of the House impeachment vote in December , when no Republicans crossed party lines to vote with Democrats to impeach Trump , but several Democrats crossed lines to vote against the articles of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham hailed the outcome as a `` full vindication and exoneration '' for Trump .
`` This entire effort by the Democrats was aimed at overturning the results of the 2016 election and interfering with the 2020 election , '' Grisham said after slamming the Democrats who led the impeachment efforts — as well as Romney , referred to as a `` failed Republican presidential candidate . ''
`` The President is pleased to put this latest chapter of shameful behavior by the Democrats in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work on behalf of the American people in 2020 and beyond , '' Grisham said .
Following the vote , the seven Democratic House impeachment managers defended their case in an op-ed for The Washington Post .
Despite having lost the trial , they said , their argument gave voters more clarity about the coming election .
`` Because of the impeachment process , voters can now stand forewarned of the lengths to which the president will go to try to secure his reelection , violating the law and undermining our national security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they wrote .
Trump is just the third president in U.S. history to face trial in the Senate on articles of impeachment .

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WASHINGTON – The Senate on Wednesday voted to acquit President Donald Trump of both counts in his impeachment trial. Forty-eight senators, including one Republican, found Trump guilty of abuse of power, while 52, all Republicans, voted to acquit him. The president was also impeached on the charge of obstruction of Congress, in which all 53 Republicans found him not guilty and the remaining 47 senators voted to convict. The acquittal vote was the final step in a two-week trial marked by impassioned arguments from House Democrats that Trump was a danger to the nation, and stalwart support from Senate Republicans for a president who maintains a political stranglehold on their party. Impeachment rules require 67 votes in the Senate to convict a president and remove him from office. With a 53-47 Republican majority, the odds that Trump would be convicted were slim from the start. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, who delivered a searing condemnation of the president's actions earlier in the day on the floor of the Senate, broke with his party to vote to convict Trump on the abuse of power count.
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After Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts announced the outcome of both articles, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell thanked Roberts for his "clear head, steady hand and the forbearance that this rare occasion demands." For his efforts, McConnell awarded Roberts the "golden gavel," which was presented to him on the Senate floor. Roberts, in his final remarks before the trial officially adjourned, said that he leaves the chamber "with sincere good wishes as we carry out our common commitment to the Constitution through the distinct roles assigned to us by that charter." "You have been generous hosts and I look forward to seeing you again under happier circumstances," Roberts said. Trump later tweeted that he would make a statement regarding his acquittal on Thursday at noon from the White House. Trump Tweet
A tense trial in the Senate
The House voted on Dec. 18 to impeach Trump on the two articles, following an investigation led in large part by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif. Zero Republicans in the House voted to impeach Trump on either charge. Trump was accused of abusing his power by pressuring Ukraine to announce probes into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, as well as a debunked conspiracy theory about interference in the 2016 election, while withholding nearly $400 million in congressionally appropriated military aid to the country. Democrats argued that Trump sought to cheat in the 2020 presidential election by coercing a foreign ally to smear his possible opponent with the stain of a criminal probe. They also argued that Trump obstructed Congress by refusing to hand over any documents in the House's probe, and by pressuring potential witnesses not to comply. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.
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But with the outcome of the Senate trial all but certain since its first days, the suspense turned instead to an up-or-down vote late in the trial over whether or not to admit additional evidence, which only needed 51 votes to pass. For several days, Washington hung on the words of a handful of moderate senators, both Democrats and Republicans, who have broken with their parties on previous votes. Two Republicans voted with Democrats to admit additional evidence, Romney and Maine Sen. Susan Collins, but the measure was defeated. Unlike Romney, however, Collins ultimately voted to acquit Trump of the charges against him. The last-minute announcement by moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia that he would vote to convict on both counts came as a surprise on Capitol Hill. Both sides, the White House and Democrats, had wanted to stake claim to a "bipartisan vote," on their side. The president had sincerely hoped to convince at least one Democrat to vote to acquit him on at least one charge, so that the White House could have declared, technically accurately, that Trump had been acquitted by a bipartisan vote. Ultimately, only Democrats will be able to claim a "bipartisan vote," having convinced Romney to cross party lines and vote to convict Trump on the first article. This scenario represents a reverse of the House impeachment vote in December, when no Republicans crossed party lines to vote with Democrats to impeach Trump, but several Democrats crossed lines to vote against the articles of impeachment.
Reactions to the verdict
In a statement to NBC, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham hailed the outcome as a "full vindication and exoneration" for Trump. "This entire effort by the Democrats was aimed at overturning the results of the 2016 election and interfering with the 2020 election," Grisham said after slamming the Democrats who led the impeachment efforts — as well as Romney, referred to as a "failed Republican presidential candidate." "The President is pleased to put this latest chapter of shameful behavior by the Democrats in the past, and looks forward to continuing his work on behalf of the American people in 2020 and beyond," Grisham said. Following the vote, the seven Democratic House impeachment managers defended their case in an op-ed for The Washington Post. Despite having lost the trial, they said, their argument gave voters more clarity about the coming election. "Because of the impeachment process, voters can now stand forewarned of the lengths to which the president will go to try to secure his reelection, violating the law and undermining our national security and that of our allies," they wrote. Trump is just the third president in U.S. history to face trial in the Senate on articles of impeachment.
A long road for Democrats
Republicans have accused Democrats of searching for reasons to take Trump out of office from the moment he won the presidency in 2016 over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. But Democratic leaders did not always support impeaching Trump. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., had argued that impeachment was exactly the kind of destined-to-fail attack on Trump that the president wanted in order to "solidify his base." For months, Pelosi resisted intense pressure from a growing coalition of Democrats to launch impeachment proceedings against Trump, pressure that escalated after a special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation found numerous instances of potential obstruction of justice by Trump. Mueller was probing Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election, as well as possible coordination between the Kremlin and Trump's campaign and possible obstruction of justice. He found insufficient evidence to support a conspiracy and declined to recommend any charges against Trump, kicking that decision over to Attorney General William Barr, who cleared the president. But after a whistleblower's bombshell complaint revealed that Trump pressured Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in a July 25 phone call to "look into" his potential 2020 opponent former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, Pelosi launched an impeachment inquiry in the House.
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cnbc--2020-02-07--Here's what you need to know about Friday's 2020 Democratic presidential debate in New Hampshire

Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( D-MN ) ( L ) , South Bend , Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg , Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) , ormer Vice President Joe Biden , and Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) greet the audience ahead of the Democratic Presidential Debate at Tyler Perry Studios November 20 , 2019 in Atlanta , Georgia .
MANCHESTER , N.H. — Seven Democratic presidential candidates are set to face off Friday in the final debate before the crucial New Hampshire primary , even as the outcome from Monday 's disastrous Iowa caucus remains unclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary cycle will pit Vermont senator and self-described democratic socialist Bernie Sanders against former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg for the first time since both men declared victory in Iowa .
Technical issues delayed the results of the caucus for days , and a slew of potential errors in the data that eventually were released could call the accuracy of the first-in-the-nation contest into question .
The New Hampshire primary next Tuesday , meanwhile , could mark a turning point for several candidates — especially former Vice President Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after taking a `` gut punch '' in Iowa .
Biden 's campaign announced a shake-up in leadership just hours before the debate begins .
According to a new NBC News/Marist poll of New Hampshire voters released Friday afternoon , Sen. Bernie Sanders remains in first place in the state , with Buttigieg a close second .
Both candidates saw gains from an NBC News/Marist poll released in January .
Biden trails in fourth place behind Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren .
Friday night 's debate , to be held at St. Anselm College @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled to start at 8 p.m .
ET and end around 11 p.m .
It is being hosted by ABC News and will feature five moderators from that network .
The participants , in alphabetical order , are : The four other Democratic candidates remaining in the race were not invited to appear in New Hampshire .
Three of them , former Massachusetts Gov .
Deval Patrick , Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii did not meet the threshold for tonight 's debate .
Former New York Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hampshire .
He arrived late to the primary field and will not appear on any ballots until Super Tuesday .
But he is rising in the polls after dumping hundreds of millions of dollars into his campaign .
The protracted Iowa caucus debacle has stoked an ongoing dispute about the results , giving way to increased hostilities among the front-runners .
Buttigieg 's standing in New Hampshire rose after his better-than-expected showing in Iowa , a recent poll showed , making him likely to be a prime target in the debate .
Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday about the corrosive influence of money in politics .
At a campaign event in New Hampshire , Sanders cited multiple media reports saying the former mayor was a favorite of billionaire donors , framing the election as a choice between those who champion the working class and those who represent the wealthy .
`` Which side are you on ? ''
he asked at the Politics and Eggs event held by St. Anselm College 's Institute of Politics .
Friday 's debate caps off one of the most eventful weeks in politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Tuesday , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , sparked controversy when she ripped up a copy of Trump 's State of the Union address on the House floor .
Wednesday marked the end of Trump 's impeachment fight in Congress , with the GOP-led Senate voting nearly along party lines to acquit the president of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
The two-week impeachment trial in the Senate took Warren , Sanders , Klobuchar and Bennet off the campaign trail in the days leading up to the Iowa caucus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his acquittal while decrying Democrats ' efforts to undermine him as `` bullshit '' and taking shots at Utah Sen. Mitt Romney , the only Republican to cross party lines and vote to convict the president on one article of impeachment .
And hours before the debate was set to kick off , the Labor Department released much-better-than-expected monthly payroll figures for January .

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidates (L-R) entrepreneur Andrew Yang, former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), former Vice President Joe Biden, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and billionaire activist Tom Steyer pose before the eighth Democratic 2020 presidential debate at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S., February 7, 2020.
MANCHESTER, N.H. — Seven Democratic presidential candidates square off Friday in the final debate before the crucial New Hampshire primary, even as the outcome from Monday's disastrous Iowa caucus remains unclear.
The eighth debate in the 2020 primary cycle pits Vermont senator and self-described democratic socialist Bernie Sanders against former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg for the first time since both men declared victory in Iowa.
Technical issues delayed the results of the caucus for days, and a slew of potential errors in the data that eventually were released could call the accuracy of the first-in-the-nation contest into question.
The New Hampshire primary next Tuesday, meanwhile, could mark a turning point for several candidates — especially former Vice President Joe Biden, who is determined to bounce back after taking a "gut punch" in Iowa. Biden's campaign announced a shake-up in leadership just hours before the debate begins.
According to a new NBC News/Marist poll of New Hampshire voters released Friday afternoon, Sen. Bernie Sanders remains in first place in the state, with Buttigieg a close second. Both candidates saw gains from an NBC News/Marist poll released in January. Biden trails in fourth place behind Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Friday night's debate, which is being held at St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, started at 8 p.m. ET. It is being hosted by ABC News and features five moderators from that network.
The participants, in alphabetical order, are:
Former Vice President Joe Biden
Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
Billionaire activist Tom Steyer
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
Entrepreneur Andrew Yang
The four other Democratic candidates remaining in the race were not invited to appear in New Hampshire. Three of them, former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii did not meet the threshold for tonight's debate.
Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is not competing in New Hampshire. He arrived late to the primary field and will not appear on any ballots until Super Tuesday. But he is rising in the polls after dumping hundreds of millions of dollars into his campaign.
The protracted Iowa caucus debacle has stoked an ongoing dispute about the results, giving way to increased hostilities among the front-runners.
Buttigieg's standing in New Hampshire rose after his better-than-expected showing in Iowa, a recent poll showed, making him likely to be a prime target in the debate.
Sanders got a head start in remarks earlier Friday about the corrosive influence of money in politics. At a campaign event in New Hampshire, Sanders cited multiple media reports saying the former mayor was a favorite of billionaire donors, framing the election as a choice between those who champion the working class and those who represent the wealthy.
"Which side are you on?" he asked at the Politics and Eggs event held by St. Anselm College's Institute of Politics.
Friday's debate caps off one of the most eventful weeks in politics since President Donald Trump took office.
On Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., sparked controversy when she ripped up a copy of Trump's State of the Union address on the House floor.
Wednesday marked the end of Trump's impeachment fight in Congress, with the GOP-led Senate voting nearly along party lines to acquit the president of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The two-week impeachment trial in the Senate took Warren, Sanders, Klobuchar and Bennet off the campaign trail in the days leading up to the Iowa caucus.
On Thursday, Trump basked in his acquittal while decrying Democrats' efforts to undermine him as "bullshit" and taking shots at Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, the only Republican to cross party lines and vote to convict the president on one article of impeachment.
And hours before the debate was set to kick off, the Labor Department released much-better-than-expected monthly payroll figures for January.


cnbc--2020-02-08--Trump fires key impeachment witness Gordon Sondland

U.S .
Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland arrives to testify before a House Intelligence Committee hearing as part of the impeachment inquiry into U.S. President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington , U.S. , November 20 , 2019 .
President Donald Trump on Friday fired former U.S .
Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland , a key witness in House Democrats ' impeachment inquiry , NBC News reported .
The move was reported hours after it was revealed that Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman , another witness in the impeachment proceedings , was recalled from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
David Pressman , a lawyer for Vindman , decried the action as an attempt by Trump to `` exact revenge '' against officials in his administration who cooperated with House Democrats .
`` I was advised today that the president intends to recall me effective immediately as United States Ambassador to the European Union , '' Mr. Sondland said in a statement , NBC reported .
Sondland thanked Trump `` for having given me the opportunity to serve , '' NBC reported .
`` I am proud of our accomplishments .
Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my career , '' Sondland reportedly said .
This is breaking news .
Please check back for updates .

U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland arrives to testify before a House Intelligence Committee hearing as part of the impeachment inquiry into U.S. President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., November 20, 2019.
President Donald Trump on Friday recalled U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland, a key witness in House Democrats' impeachment inquiry, NBC News reported.
The move was reported hours after it was revealed that Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, another witness in the impeachment proceedings, was recalled from his post as a National Security Council staffer.
David Pressman, a lawyer for Vindman, decried the action as an attempt by Trump to "exact revenge" against officials in his administration who cooperated with House Democrats.
Just two days earlier, the GOP-led Senate voted nearly along party lines to acquit Trump on two articles of impeachment that the House passed in December.
A day later, Trump lashed out at his perceived political enemies during a loud and lengthy victory lap.
"So many people have been hurt, and we can't let that go on," Trump said during remarks at the annual National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday morning.
The apparent purge of Sondland and Vindman — and Vindman's brother Yevgeny, who worked as an attorney at the National Security Council — came a day after Trump's remarks.


cnbc--2020-02-07--Sanders leads Buttigieg in New Hampshire, days before primary, latest NBC News-Marist poll says

Sen. Bernie Sanders remains at the top of the Democratic field in a new NBC News/Marist poll of New Hampshire released Friday , days before that state holds its presidential primary .
Sanders , who is from neighboring Vermont , gets 25 % of likely Democratic primary voters in the poll .
Pete Buttigieg , the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , receives support from 21 % .
The difference is within the poll 's margin of error .
The New Hampshire primary is Tuesday .
The latest poll shows that Sanders and Buttigieg are well positioned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the Iowa caucuses , which were marred by technical issues in the counting process .
The two candidates were essentially neck and neck in the results that were released .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren registers at 14 % , good for third place .
Warren hopes the state that neighbors her home of Massachusetts can help to lift her after a third-place finish in Iowa .
Former Vice President Joe Biden , who had a dismal showing in the Iowa caucuses , comes in at 13 % , potentially indicating another disappointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic front-runner for much of the cycle .
The survey , conducted Tuesday through Thursday after the caucuses , measured 709 likely Democratic primary voters and has a margin of error of plus-minus 4.7 percentage points .
The survey also comes just hours before the next Democratic presidential debate in New Hampshire .
Seven candidates will share the stage at the ABC News/Apple News/WMUR-TV event at St. Anselm College : Sanders , Warren , Biden , Buttigieg , Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , billionaire activist Tom Steyer and entrepreneur Andrew Yang .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary on Tuesday .
It follows Monday 's botched Iowa caucuses .
The state took three days to release results after a range of reporting errors , and both Buttigieg and Sanders have declared victory in a tight contest as the Democratic National Committee calls for a recanvass .
For Buttigieg , another strong showing in New Hampshire could give the former long shot the legitimacy and fundraising needed to stay in the primary race for a while .
A Sanders win in the state would further solidify his position near the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He hopes to make a run for the top spot in the third and fourth nominating states of Nevada and South Carolina , and has a polling lead in California , a prize on the upcoming Super Tuesday .
In remarks earlier Friday , Sanders targeted Buttigieg .
He cited multiple media reports saying the former mayor was a favorite of billionaire donors , framing the election as a choice between those who champion the working class and those who represent the wealthy .
`` Which side are you on ? ''
he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' event held by St. Anselm College 's New Hampshire Institute of Politics .

Sen. Bernie Sanders remains at the top of the Democratic field in a new NBC News/Marist poll of New Hampshire released Friday, days before that state holds its presidential primary.
Sanders, who is from neighboring Vermont, gets 25% of likely Democratic primary voters in the poll. Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, receives support from 21%. The difference is within the poll's margin of error. The New Hampshire primary is Tuesday.
The latest poll shows that Sanders and Buttigieg are well positioned to capitalize on any momentum they have coming out of the Iowa caucuses, which were marred by technical issues in the counting process. The two candidates were essentially neck and neck in the results that were released.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren registers at 14%, good for third place. Warren hopes the state that neighbors her home of Massachusetts can help to lift her after a third-place finish in Iowa.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, who had a dismal showing in the Iowa caucuses, comes in at 13%, potentially indicating another disappointing result for the man who was considered the Democratic front-runner for much of the cycle.
The survey, conducted Tuesday through Thursday after the caucuses, measured 709 likely Democratic primary voters and has a margin of error of plus-minus 4.7 percentage points.
The survey also comes just hours before the next Democratic presidential debate in New Hampshire. Seven candidates will share the stage at the ABC News/Apple News/WMUR-TV event at St. Anselm College: Sanders, Warren, Biden, Buttigieg, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, billionaire activist Tom Steyer and entrepreneur Andrew Yang.
The Granite State will hold its first-in-the-nation primary on Tuesday. It follows Monday's botched Iowa caucuses. The state took three days to release results after a range of reporting errors, and both Buttigieg and Sanders have declared victory in a tight contest as the Democratic National Committee calls for a recanvass.
For Buttigieg, another strong showing in New Hampshire could give the former long shot the legitimacy and fundraising needed to stay in the primary race for a while.
A Sanders win in the state would further solidify his position near the top of the 2020 Democratic primary race. He hopes to make a run for the top spot in the third and fourth nominating states of Nevada and South Carolina, and has a polling lead in California, a prize on the upcoming Super Tuesday.
In remarks earlier Friday, Sanders targeted Buttigieg. He cited multiple media reports saying the former mayor was a favorite of billionaire donors, framing the election as a choice between those who champion the working class and those who represent the wealthy.
"Which side are you on?" he asked at a "Politics & Eggs" event held by St. Anselm College's New Hampshire Institute of Politics.


cnbc--2020-02-07--Trump's 'revenge' — Impeachment witness Alexander Vindman escorted from White House, lawyer says

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman , ( C ) , director for European Affairs at the National Security Council , arrives at the U.S. Capitol on October 29 , 2019 in Washington , DC .
Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman , a National Security Council staffer whose testimony about President Donald Trump at House impeachment hearings angered the president , was escorted out of the White House on Friday afternoon , his lawyer said .
Trump , `` the most powerful man in the world — buoyed by the silent , the pliable and the complicit — has decided to exact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , David Pressman .
Hours earlier , Trump had said of the Purple Heart recipient Vindman , `` I 'm not happy with him . ''
`` Do you think I 'm supposed to be happy with him ? ''
Trump asked reporters .
`` I 'm not . ''
NBC News , citing a source familiar with the situation , reported later Friday that Yevgeny Vindman , Alexander 's twin brother who like him worked at the NSC as an attorney , was also escorted out of the White House .
Yevgeny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment hearings .
Following Vindman 's ejection from the White House , Pressman said , `` There is no question in the mind of any American why this man 's job is over , why this country now has one less soldier serving it at the White House . ''
`` Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth , '' the attorney said .
`` His honor , his commitment to right , frightened the powerful . ''
`` The truth has cost LTC Alexander Vindman his job , his career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` He did what any member of our military is charged with doing every day : he followed orders , he obeyed his oath , and he served his country , even when doing so was fraught with danger and personal peril . ''
Asked about Vindman , National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot told CNBC in an email , `` We do not comment on personnel matters . ''
Vindman 's departure came two days after the Senate acquitted Trump of two impeachment articles , and after reports that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top Ukraine expert , was under consideration .
Trump was impeached by the House last fall in connection with his request to Ukraine 's new president Volodomyr Zelenskiy to announce investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden , who is a Democratic presidential contender , and his son Hunter Biden .

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, (C), director for European Affairs at the National Security Council, arrives at the U.S. Capitol on October 29, 2019 in Washington, DC.
Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a National Security Council staffer whose testimony about President Donald Trump at House impeachment hearings angered the president, was escorted out of the White House on Friday afternoon, his lawyer said.
Trump, "the most powerful man in the world — buoyed by the silent, the pliable and the complicit — has decided to exact revenge," said Vindman's lawyer, David Pressman.
Hours earlier, Trump had said of the Purple Heart recipient Vindman, "I'm not happy with him."
"Do you think I'm supposed to be happy with him?" Trump asked reporters. "I'm not."
NBC News, citing a source familiar with the situation, reported later Friday that Yevgeny Vindman, Alexander's twin brother who like him worked at the NSC as an attorney, was also escorted out of the White House. Yevgeny was not a witness at the House impeachment hearings.
Following Vindman's ejection from the White House, Pressman said, "There is no question in the mind of any American why this man's job is over, why this country now has one less soldier serving it at the White House."
"Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth," the attorney said. "His honor, his commitment to right, frightened the powerful."
"The truth has cost LTC Alexander Vindman his job, his career, and his privacy," Pressman said.
"He did what any member of our military is charged with doing every day: he followed orders, he obeyed his oath, and he served his country, even when doing so was fraught with danger and personal peril."