usatoday--2020-01-24--Anita Hill on Joe Biden in Iowa: 'The statute of limitations on apologies is up'

IOWA CITY , Ia.— A few months after the 1991 Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas , Anita Hill was asked to speak about the topic of sexual harassment on a college campus `` not unlike '' the University of Iowa .
“ I said I will talk about this problem for two years , because by then we will have some solutions and some answers , and I will have done my part , '' Hill told a few hundred attendees at a lecture Thursday night on the UI campus .
`` Two years went by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Three decades after she testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee that Thomas had sexually harassed her , Hill is still speaking at college campuses , urging the public to grapple with the pervasive problem of gender-based violence .
She came to Iowa , for what she said was the first time in her life , at the request of Iowa 's University Lecture Committee .
The committee presented Hill with the UI 's Courage of Conviction award , a recognition reserved for those who have demonstrated a `` protection of human dignity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hill took a moment during the lecture to stress that gender-based violence should be a campaign issue .
“ Since I am in Iowa , '' she said , alluding to the Feb. 3 caucuses , `` I will just say we need leaders who will take up the mantle , who will get us where we need to be on gender-based violence.
” In response to an audience question , she reiteratedshe was underwhelmed by Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden 's apology for his role as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statute of limitations on apologies is up , ” Hill said .
“ I ’ m sorry , but what are you going to do about it today ?
And will you promise as leader of this country — and it could happen — will you promise to use all your energy to address the problem.
” Hill has been busy since 1991 .
She 's been asked to provide input on a slew of issues related to sexual harassment and violence , ranging from allegations of sexual assault by Bill Cosby to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky .
Hill was asked Thursday by an audience member what she would say to Christine Blasey Ford , the woman who testified in 2018 that then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her as a teenager .
`` That she did an incredible job in an impossible situation , '' Hill responded .
`` You educated the world about a need for government agencies and committees that respond in a way that allows for more people to come forward . ''

Anita Hill on Joe Biden in Iowa: 'The statute of limitations on apologies is up'
Show Caption Hide Caption Joe Biden on Anita Hill: 'I didn't want to invade her space' Joe Biden went on "The View" to talk about his touching allegations and his past with Anita Hill. This was his first interview since announcing his third run for president. USA TODAY
IOWA CITY, Ia.— A few months after the 1991 Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Anita Hill was asked to speak about the topic of sexual harassment on a college campus "not unlike" the University of Iowa.
“I said I will talk about this problem for two years, because by then we will have some solutions and some answers, and I will have done my part," Hill told a few hundred attendees at a lecture Thursday night on the UI campus. "Two years went by, and I conceded that."
Three decades after she testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee that Thomas had sexually harassed her, Hill is still speaking at college campuses, urging the public to grapple with the pervasive problem of gender-based violence.
She came to Iowa, for what she said was the first time in her life, at the request of Iowa's University Lecture Committee. The committee presented Hill with the UI's Courage of Conviction award, a recognition reserved for those who have demonstrated a "protection of human dignity and the advancement of human rights."
Hill took a moment during the lecture to stress that gender-based violence should be a campaign issue.
“Since I am in Iowa," she said, alluding to the Feb. 3 caucuses, "I will just say we need leaders who will take up the mantle, who will get us where we need to be on gender-based violence.”
In response to an audience question, she reiterated she was underwhelmed by Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden's apology for his role as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee during Hill's testimony.
"The statute of limitations on apologies is up,” Hill said. “I’m sorry, but what are you going to do about it today? And will you promise as leader of this country — and it could happen — will you promise to use all your energy to address the problem.”
Hill has been busy since 1991. She's been asked to provide input on a slew of issues related to sexual harassment and violence, ranging from allegations of sexual assault by Bill Cosby to former President Bill Clinton's testimony about an affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
Hill was asked Thursday by an audience member what she would say to Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who testified in 2018 that then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her as a teenager.
"That she did an incredible job in an impossible situation," Hill responded. "You educated the world about a need for government agencies and committees that respond in a way that allows for more people to come forward."


usatoday--2020-01-24--OnPolitics: No sleep 'til Sunday

OnPolitics: No sleep 'til Sunday

From any angle , this was another historic week in Washington .
The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump commenced in earnest Tuesday .
And what a day it was .
Republicans and Democrats have traded barbs over whether the Senate should call additional witnesses , or submit additional evidence .
Tuesday was set up to finally work through how this trial would work , and vote on a rules package .
It took nearly 12 hours , and 11 failed proposals from Senate Democrats , but they finally wrapped up in the wee hours Wednesday with a framework @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long day certainly wore on some senators , and before wrapping up , both Democrats and Republicans were chastised for their behavior .
Chief Justice John Roberts said he felt he had to `` admonish '' both sides `` in equal terms to remember that they are addressing the world 's greatest deliberative body .
One reason it has earned that title is because its members avoid speaking in a manner , and using language that is not conducive to civil discourse . ''
That brought us to Wednesday , where the Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case for removing the president from office .
( They will get 24 hours to do so over 3 days . )
There was talk of witness swap .
( That was quickly knocked down . )
There was Hamilton quoting .
It was a slightly shorter day , a mere 9 hours .
Also , the senators can only drink milk and water on the floor because caffeine would be too much fun .
( Kidding .
It 's actually because a senator back in the '60s just really wanted something to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will wrap up their case on Friday , and the Republicans take over Saturday .
Yeah , you read that right .
This party does n't stop for the weekend .
So , how are Americans feeling about all this ?
Well , it 's complicated .
We talked to people all over the country about it , and they had lots to say .
`` The whole idea of a democracy is to have different opinions and work together , not fight , '' Roni Peterson said while sipping coffee at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s like backwards magnets , and it ’ s getting worse . ''
With his presidential behavior being debated for hours on end , the president and his staff made it pretty clear he was focusing on other things .
He flew to Switzerland and back .
He touted the strength of the U.S. economy .
He said he might add countries to the travel ban .
He floated cuts to so-called entitlement programs like Medicare .
He got into it with Tom Steyer on Twitter .
Then he set a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he will become the first president ever to attend the March for Life , an annual event protesting abortion .
The 2020 Democratic primary has been a largely collegial affair , but things are starting to get snippy as the Iowa caucuses inch closer .
Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders ( who is off the trail and acting as a juror during the impeachment trial ) have been trading barbs over Social Security and who supported what when .
Sanders did at one point apologize for an op-ed from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corrupt . ''
`` It is absolutely not my view that Joe is corrupt in any way .
And I 'm sorry that that op-ed appeared , '' Sanders told CBS News .
And just as that conversation between Biden and Sanders has come to a head , a new poll this week showed Sanders taking the lead for the first time ever in a CNN national poll .
As always , thanks for reading .
Hold on to your hats .
The next 10 days are gon na be a doozy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have OnPolitics in your inbox here .
Want to talk more about politics ?
Join our Facebook group : ‘ Across the Aisle , Across the Nation .
’

OnPolitics: No sleep 'til Sunday
From any angle, this was another historic week in Washington.
The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump commenced in earnest Tuesday. And what a day it was.
Republicans and Democrats have traded barbs over whether the Senate should call additional witnesses, or submit additional evidence. Tuesday was set up to finally work through how this trial would work, and vote on a rules package.
It took nearly 12 hours, and 11 failed proposals from Senate Democrats, but they finally wrapped up in the wee hours Wednesday with a framework in which to govern itself.
The long day certainly wore on some senators, and before wrapping up, both Democrats and Republicans were chastised for their behavior.
Chief Justice John Roberts said he felt he had to "admonish" both sides "in equal terms to remember that they are addressing the world's greatest deliberative body. One reason it has earned that title is because its members avoid speaking in a manner, and using language that is not conducive to civil discourse."
That brought us to Wednesday, where the Democrats got their first chance to present their case for removing the president from office. (They will get 24 hours to do so over 3 days.) There was talk of witness swap. (That was quickly knocked down.) There was Hamilton quoting. It was a slightly shorter day, a mere 9 hours.
Also, the senators can only drink milk and water on the floor because caffeine would be too much fun. (Kidding. It's actually because a senator back in the '60s just really wanted something to drink besides water.)
The Democrats will wrap up their case on Friday, and the Republicans take over Saturday. Yeah, you read that right. This party doesn't stop for the weekend.
So, how are Americans feeling about all this? Well, it's complicated. We talked to people all over the country about it, and they had lots to say.
"The whole idea of a democracy is to have different opinions and work together, not fight," Roni Peterson said while sipping coffee at the Lodge Tavern in Chicago. "Now it’s like backwards magnets, and it’s getting worse."
Trump had a busy week
With his presidential behavior being debated for hours on end, the president and his staff made it pretty clear he was focusing on other things.
He flew to Switzerland and back. He touted the strength of the U.S. economy. He said he might add countries to the travel ban. He floated cuts to so-called entitlement programs like Medicare. He got into it with Tom Steyer on Twitter. Then he set a Twitter record. Again.
On Friday, he will become the first president ever to attend the March for Life, an annual event protesting abortion.
10 days out from Iowa
The 2020 Democratic primary has been a largely collegial affair, but things are starting to get snippy as the Iowa caucuses inch closer.
Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (who is off the trail and acting as a juror during the impeachment trial) have been trading barbs over Social Security and who supported what when. Sanders did at one point apologize for an op-ed from a campaign surrogate that called Biden "corrupt."
"It is absolutely not my view that Joe is corrupt in any way. And I'm sorry that that op-ed appeared," Sanders told CBS News.
And just as that conversation between Biden and Sanders has come to a head, a new poll this week showed Sanders taking the lead for the first time ever in a CNN national poll.
As always, thanks for reading. Hold on to your hats. The next 10 days are gonna be a doozy.
— Annah Aschbrenner
PS: Reading this online? Subscribe to have OnPolitics in your inbox here.
Want to talk more about politics? Join our Facebook group: ‘Across the Aisle, Across the Nation.’


usatoday--2020-01-24--Joe Biden-Bernie Sanders' argument on Social Security spills into final sprint for Iowa

MASON CITY , Ia .
— Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders are n't easing up on a dispute about Biden 's record on Social Security .
Biden , the former vice president , and Sanders , a U.S .
Senator from Vermont , are leading candidates heading in to the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses .
With less than two weeks before the first-in-the-nation nominating contest , each is arguing they have the strongest records of protecting Social Security , and that the other side is trying to tear them down .
Biden released a video Tuesday that accused Sanders of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and calling them `` dishonest '' for portraying him as anything other than a staunch defender of Social Security .
Officials with Sanders ' campaign are saying Biden is the first campaign to go negative , when Sanders was just trying to highlight different records on social safety net programs — one where Biden , Sanders ' campaign argues , has advocated freezing all federal spending , including social programs , while Sanders has continuously advocated their expansion .
`` Bernie ’ s campaign is not telling the truth , '' a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Joe Biden has repeatedly voted to save Social Security .
He and President Obama beat back Republican attempts to privatize it , and , in 2012 , Joe Biden even said he didn ’ t support those cuts — to Paul Ryan . ''
The Sanders ad features audio of Biden saying , in 1995 , `` When I argued that we should freeze federal spending , I meant Social Security , as well .
I meant Medicare and Medicaid .
I meant veterans ' benefits .
I meant every single solitary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , campaigning in Iowa on Wednesday , reiterated his position on Social Security and argued the clip in Sanders ' ad was missing context .
In a `` Morning Joe '' segment filmed Wednesday morning in Mason City , he was asked if he would cut Social Security benefits as president .
`` No .
No .
No .
No , '' Biden said , adding about his 1995 remarks , `` And we weren ’ t talking about cutting them either then .
That was trying to figure out how we got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t shut down . ''
In Des Moines on Wednesday , Sanders ' senior adviser Jeff Weaver defended the characterization .
`` The vice president is all over YouTube with floor speeches in the United States Senate , with television interviews , talking about the need to freeze Social Security , Medicare , veterans ' benefits and bragging about it at the time , '' Weaver said in an interview with the Des Moines Register .
`` It 's not mischaracterizing .
Folks can go and see it for themselves , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday ) night in response to Vice President Biden 's negative attack ad was just that — it was audio of Vice President Biden talking , with great pride , about his efforts to cut Social Security , Medicare , veterans ' benefits and other important federal social safety net programs . ''
Weaver pointed to social programs ' vulnerability in times of ballooning deficits and President Donald Trump 's remarks Wednesday morning that he 's open to cutting social programs .
`` You have Donald Trump talking about , if he 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cuts , '' Weaver said .
`` You have Vice President Biden , who has a long record of advocating for cuts and freezes in Social Security and Medicare .
`` And then you have Bernie Sanders , who has consistently and unwaveringly supported the health and expansion of Social Security , Medicare and other programs .
So it is an important issue , and I think it will become a more important issue given what Trump has done . ''
Biden told WHO-TV on Tuesday that Sanders apologized personally for an opinion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published in the Guardian newspaper that was titled `` 'Middle Class ' Joe Biden has a corruption problem — it makes him a weak candidate . ''
Later that day , Biden released his ad accusing Sanders of being dishonest .
When a CBS reporter asked Wednesday why Biden was still attacking Sanders despite accepting the apology , he drew a distinction between the two events .
`` He apologized for saying that I was corrupt .
He didn ’ t say anything about whether or not I was telling the truth about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Mason City .
Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register .
He can be reached by email at sgrubermil @ registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169 .
Follow him on Twitter at @ sgrubermiller .
Nick Coltrain is a politics and data reporter for the Register .
Reach him at ncoltrain @ registermedia.com or at 515-284-8361 .

Stephen Gruber-Miller and Nick Coltrain, Des Moines Register

Joe Biden-Bernie Sanders' argument on Social Security spills into final sprint for Iowa
Show Caption Hide Caption Social Security funding, explained With a rapidly growing aging population, securing Social Security funds is now more crucial than ever. But how did we get here in the first place? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
MASON CITY, Ia. — Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders aren't easing up on a dispute about Biden's record on Social Security.
Biden, the former vice president, and Sanders, a U.S. Senator from Vermont, are leading candidates heading in to the Feb. 3 Iowa caucuses. With less than two weeks before the first-in-the-nation nominating contest, each is arguing they have the strongest records of protecting Social Security, and that the other side is trying to tear them down.
Biden released a video Tuesday that accused Sanders of unleashing "a barrage of negative attacks" and calling them "dishonest" for portraying him as anything other than a staunch defender of Social Security.
I've been fighting to protect — and expand — Social Security for my whole career. Any suggestion otherwise is just flat-out wrong. pic.twitter.com/KWIIJgFqGk — Joe Biden (Text Join to 30330) (@JoeBiden) January 22, 2020
Officials with Sanders' campaign are saying Biden is the first campaign to go negative, when Sanders was just trying to highlight different records on social safety net programs — one where Biden, Sanders' campaign argues, has advocated freezing all federal spending, including social programs, while Sanders has continuously advocated their expansion.
"Bernie’s campaign is not telling the truth," a narrator says in the Biden ad. "Joe Biden has repeatedly voted to save Social Security. He and President Obama beat back Republican attempts to privatize it, and, in 2012, Joe Biden even said he didn’t support those cuts — to Paul Ryan."
The Sanders ad features audio of Biden saying, in 1995, "When I argued that we should freeze federal spending, I meant Social Security, as well. I meant Medicare and Medicaid. I meant veterans' benefits. I meant every single solitary thing in the government."
Let’s be honest, Joe. One of us fought for decades to cut Social Security, and one of us didn’t. But don’t take it from me. Take it from you. pic.twitter.com/qh7qb1Hmcl — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 22, 2020
Biden, campaigning in Iowa on Wednesday, reiterated his position on Social Security and argued the clip in Sanders' ad was missing context. In a "Morning Joe" segment filmed Wednesday morning in Mason City, he was asked if he would cut Social Security benefits as president.
"No. No. No. No," Biden said, adding about his 1995 remarks, "And we weren’t talking about cutting them either then. That was trying to figure out how we got through a debacle where the whole government didn’t shut down."
In Des Moines on Wednesday, Sanders' senior adviser Jeff Weaver defended the characterization.
"The vice president is all over YouTube with floor speeches in the United States Senate, with television interviews, talking about the need to freeze Social Security, Medicare, veterans' benefits and bragging about it at the time," Weaver said in an interview with the Des Moines Register. "It's not mischaracterizing. Folks can go and see it for themselves, unfiltered. What we put up (Tuesday) night in response to Vice President Biden's negative attack ad was just that — it was audio of Vice President Biden talking, with great pride, about his efforts to cut Social Security, Medicare, veterans' benefits and other important federal social safety net programs."
Weaver pointed to social programs' vulnerability in times of ballooning deficits and President Donald Trump's remarks Wednesday morning that he's open to cutting social programs.
"You have Donald Trump talking about, if he's reelected, he's open to making cuts," Weaver said. "You have Vice President Biden, who has a long record of advocating for cuts and freezes in Social Security and Medicare.
"And then you have Bernie Sanders, who has consistently and unwaveringly supported the health and expansion of Social Security, Medicare and other programs. So it is an important issue, and I think it will become a more important issue given what Trump has done."
Biden told WHO-TV on Tuesday that Sanders apologized personally for an opinion column authored by a campaign surrogate and published in the Guardian newspaper that was titled "'Middle Class' Joe Biden has a corruption problem — it makes him a weak candidate."
Later that day, Biden released his ad accusing Sanders of being dishonest. When a CBS reporter asked Wednesday why Biden was still attacking Sanders despite accepting the apology, he drew a distinction between the two events.
"He apologized for saying that I was corrupt. He didn’t say anything about whether or not I was telling the truth about Social Security," Biden told reporters in Mason City.
Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.
Nick Coltrain is a politics and data reporter for the Register. Reach him at ncoltrain@registermedia.com or at 515-284-8361.


usatoday--2020-01-25--'Next time, it just may be you': Takeaways from Democrats' last day of arguments in Trump impeachmen

WASHINGTON — The Democrats wrapped up their opening arguments in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump in the Senate on Friday .
After focusing on the second impeachment article – obstruction of Congress – they looked ahead to what the Trump defense team might argue .
House managers said Trump 's refusal to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry was an unprecedented act of obstruction .
He is accused of blocking Congress from probing the allegation that he pressured Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and 2016 election interference .
Trump 's legal defense team will begin its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also have a total of 24 hours to present before senators will have 16 hours for written questions .
Democrats reminded senators of tweets and media interviews in which Trump has lashed out at the anonymous whistleblower whose complaint sparked the impeachment inquiry and at officials who testified in the House impeachment inquiry .
Calling Trump 's actions `` witness intimidation , '' Rep. Val Demings , D-Fla. , offered examples of Trump 's tweets about officials such as former Ukraine Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch and Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman .
Trump tweeted criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was testifying before the House in November , Demings said .
Yovanovitch said during her hearing that Trump 's actions were `` intimidating . ''
Demings also noted that Trump implied the whistleblower 's sources of information were akin to `` spies and treason . ''
“ The fact that it is the president of the United States making these threats tells us something , '' Demings said .
Following up on Demings ' outline of the various statements Trump made about Yovanovitch and others , Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambassador 's shoes , and those of Joe Biden .
How would they feel if the most powerful person in the world were asking a foreign nation to conduct a sham investigation into them , Schiff asked ?
How would they react if , like Yovanovitch , they had devoted their life to public service , served in dangerous places around the world , only to be hounded out of their post by a `` vicious smear campaign ? ''
`` Would we think that 's good U.S. policy ?
Would we think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Would we think that 's a perfect call ? ''
Schiff said .
Schiff pointed around the room , asking senators to imagine that Trump told a foreign leader something would happen `` to you , or to you , or to you . ''
He was referring to the partial transcript of his July 25 call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky , in which he said Yovanovitch would `` go though some things . ''
`` It should n't matter that it was n't you .
It should n't matter that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't matter that it was Joe Biden .
Because I will tell you something : The next time , it just may be you.
” 'They are going to attack ' : Trump 's defense lawyers promise 'compelling case' He asked senators if they thought `` for a moment '' that Trump would n't do the same to them .
“ If somewhere , deep down below , you realize that he would , you can not leave a man like that in office , ” Schiff said .
“ It shouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It could be any of us .
It may be any of us.
” Schiff stirred Republican criticism when he brought up a CBS report that a Trump confidante had told senators not vote against him or `` your head would be on a pike . ''
That rankled key senators , including Susan Collins , R-Maine , and Lisa Murkowski , R-Alaska , both of whom have signaled they are on the fence about whether to join Democrats in calling for witnesses in the trial .
`` That 's not true , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She shook her head in disapproval of Schiff 's comment .
Sen. Tom Cotton , R-Ark.
, laughed , pulled out his fidget spinner , and started twirling it .
Sen. James Lankford , R-Okla. , denied that Republicans had been told their heads would be on a pike .
“ That is completely , totally false , ” he said .
“ All of us were shaking our heads.
” Murkowski told reporters Schiff `` lost me there '' when he brought up the pike comment , according to National Public Radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean that Schiff had lost her vote on whether to call witnesses or on the verdict .
She said she is waiting to hear Trump 's defense team before making her decisions .
Reps. Jason Crow , D-Colo. , and Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , stressed the importance of a key part of what they say Trump did to pressure Ukraine : hold up $ 391 million in military aid that was approved by Congress .
They highlighted that Ukraine needed the money to fight against Russian invasion .
Crow said Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t important because it was short-lived and the money was eventually released , without the announcement of investigations .
“ This defense would be laughable if this issue wasn ’ t so serious , ” said Crow , a former Army Ranger .
“ No , the delay wasn ’ t meaningless .
Just ask the Ukrainians sitting in trenches now.
” “ He only released it after he got caught , '' Crow said .
Schiff said that Trump `` will stop at nothing to retain his power '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to witness a rift between the U.S. and Ukraine over aid money .
`` Russia knows now about the wrench in our relations with Ukraine , '' he said .
`` The moment ... Russia learned , there was harm , '' Schiff said .
`` Ukraine knew they could n't trust us , Russia knew they could take advantage of us .
Lawmakers reacted to an ABC News report about a newly surfaced recording of Trump demanding that Yovanovitch be fired .
`` Get rid of her !
Get her out tomorrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her out tomorrow .
Take her out .
Okay ?
Do it . ''
Trump reportedly said at a private dinner that included indicted Rudy Giuliani associates Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman .
“ I want to ask about the recording that has been released today because President Trump has said that he didn ’ t know Parnas and obviously he ’ s in a conversation with him about taking out one of his ambassadors , ” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand , D-N.Y. “ We obviously have a right to that information .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The recording : Recording shows Trump called for firing of former Ukraine ambassador Gillibrand said two witnesses she wanted most to hear from are former national security adviser John Bolton and acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney .
Other officials have said Bolton opposed the pressure for Ukraine investigations and Mulvaney said such pressure is routine in diplomacy .
“ I would like to hear directly from him when he understood that , under what context and how many conversations he had with President Trump about it , ” Gillibrand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re getting closer to witnesses.
” If witnesses are allowed , Sen. Mike Braun , R-Ind.
, said it would be important to pair witnesses for Republicans and Democrats .
For example , Braun said there would be interest in calling Biden or his son , Hunter Biden , or the whistleblower .
“ Whether they ’ ll want to do that , we ’ ll have to wait and see .
Or if we need it , ” Braun said .
“ If we actually feel we need to go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it would be reciprocal.
” Rep Jim Jordan , R-Ohio , was asked about the recording before the trial started Friday .
He said Trump was `` totally allowed to '' recall Yovanovitch from her position .
Jordan , one of Trump 's staunchest defenders in the House , dismissed a question about whether the newly surfaced recording means the Senate should hear testimony form Parnas .
House managers were preemptive in their arguments on Friday , anticipating what Trump 's defense team will likely discuss when their opening arguments begin on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak for about three hours .
Schiff spent the bulk of his closing speech Friday going through what Republicans have been saying about impeachment for months .
He urged senators to look at the facts of what Trump did in Ukraine rather than only listen to complaints about the House process .
Jordan , who has been meeting with the Trump lawyers at the White House , indicated on Thursday that the team would look at the `` unconstitutional nature '' of the articles of impeachment and the `` lack of due process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Schiff pointed out that Alan Dershowitz , a member of Trump 's legal team , had changed his stance since the impeachment of President Bill Clinton .
Dershowitz , a Harvard University Law School professor emeritus who has represented many high-profile clients , previously suggested an impeachable offense need not be a crime but more recently has expressed the opposite view .
Schiff said he 's looking forward to hearing an explanation from Dershowitz about the shift in his opinion .
`` I want to know why abusing power and trust is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few years ago .
Because the last time I checked , I do n't think there was a significant change to the Constitution , '' he said .
He also anticipated that the lawyers would accuse Democrats of hating the president .
But , `` I only hate what he 's done to this country .
I grieve for what he 's done to this country , '' Schiff said .
Speaking to reporters as he headed into the Senate chamber , Schiff predicted Trump 's team would focus heavily on executive privilege @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last refuge '' to conceal evidence from lawmakers .
`` This is not a trial over a speeding ticket or shoplifting .
This is an impeachment trial involving the president of the United States , '' Schiff said .
Schiff told senators in closing the night that when they hear attacks on him and other managers , they should ask themselves “ from what do they want to distract my attention ?
” What they don ’ t want you to do , Schiff said , is to “ consider the president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyers will have their work cut out for them , '' Sen. Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. said Friday evening .

'Next time, it just may be you': Takeaways from Democrats' last day of arguments in Trump impeachment trial
Show Caption Hide Caption Impeachment: Democrats make abuse of power case On Thursday, House Democrat impeachment managers laid out their case for abuse of power, the first of two articles of impeachment against Pres. Trump. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — The Democrats wrapped up their opening arguments in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump in the Senate on Friday. After focusing on the second impeachment article – obstruction of Congress – they looked ahead to what the Trump defense team might argue.
House managers said Trump's refusal to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry was an unprecedented act of obstruction. He is accused of blocking Congress from probing the allegation that he pressured Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and 2016 election interference.
Trump's legal defense team will begin its opening arguments on Saturday, and will also have a total of 24 hours to present before senators will have 16 hours for written questions.
Here's what happened Friday:
Tweets, badmouthing witnesses cited in obstruction argument
Democrats reminded senators of tweets and media interviews in which Trump has lashed out at the anonymous whistleblower whose complaint sparked the impeachment inquiry and at officials who testified in the House impeachment inquiry.
Calling Trump's actions "witness intimidation," Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., offered examples of Trump's tweets about officials such as former Ukraine Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch and Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman.
Trump tweeted criticism of Yovanovitch at the same time she was testifying before the House in November, Demings said. Yovanovitch said during her hearing that Trump's actions were "intimidating."
Demings also noted that Trump implied the whistleblower's sources of information were akin to "spies and treason."
“The fact that it is the president of the United States making these threats tells us something," Demings said.
How much has President Trump stonewalled Congress? No other president who faced impeachment took the “extreme step” of stopping witnesses, argued Rep. Zoe Lofgren, one of the House impeachment managers. https://t.co/bqhpXNylKO pic.twitter.com/5Qulr45rwN — USA TODAY (@USATODAY) January 25, 2020
Schiff makes it personal for senators
Following up on Demings' outline of the various statements Trump made about Yovanovitch and others, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., asked senators to put themselves in the former ambassador's shoes, and those of Joe Biden.
How would they feel if the most powerful person in the world were asking a foreign nation to conduct a sham investigation into them, Schiff asked? How would they react if, like Yovanovitch, they had devoted their life to public service, served in dangerous places around the world, only to be hounded out of their post by a "vicious smear campaign?"
"Would we think that's good U.S. policy? Would we think he has every right to do it? Would we think that's a perfect call?" Schiff said.
Presidential impeachment: Clinton, Johnson, Nixon test U.S. democracy Presidents have been impeached, but none have been removed from office due to impeachment. Confusing? Here's how. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Schiff pointed around the room, asking senators to imagine that Trump told a foreign leader something would happen "to you, or to you, or to you." He was referring to the partial transcript of his July 25 call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, in which he said Yovanovitch would "go though some things."
"It shouldn't matter that it wasn't you. It shouldn't matter that it was Marie Yovanovitch. It shouldn't matter that it was Joe Biden. Because I will tell you something: The next time, it just may be you.”
'They are going to attack': Trump's defense lawyers promise 'compelling case'
Who's who on Trump's legal team: Patrick Cipollone, Jay Sekulow, Alan Dershowitz, Ken Starr, Pam Bondi
He asked senators if they thought "for a moment" that Trump wouldn't do the same to them.
“If somewhere, deep down below, you realize that he would, you cannot leave a man like that in office,” Schiff said. “It shouldn’t matter it was Joe Biden. It could be any of us. It may be any of us.”
Schiff's 'head on a pike' comment riles GOP
Schiff stirred Republican criticism when he brought up a CBS report that a Trump confidante had told senators not vote against him or "your head would be on a pike." That rankled key senators, including Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, both of whom have signaled they are on the fence about whether to join Democrats in calling for witnesses in the trial.
"That's not true," Collins could be heard saying. She shook her head in disapproval of Schiff's comment.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., laughed, pulled out his fidget spinner, and started twirling it.
Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., denied that Republicans had been told their heads would be on a pike.
“That is completely, totally false,” he said. “All of us were shaking our heads.”
Murkowski told reporters Schiff "lost me there" when he brought up the pike comment, according to National Public Radio. But she said she did not mean that Schiff had lost her vote on whether to call witnesses or on the verdict. She said she is waiting to hear Trump's defense team before making her decisions.
Read USA TODAY's coverage: Democrats end opening arguments in Trump impeachment trial. President's lawyers to state case Saturday
Democrats: Trump abandoned defense of Ukraine against Russia
Reps. Jason Crow, D-Colo., and Adam Schiff, D-Calif., stressed the importance of a key part of what they say Trump did to pressure Ukraine: hold up $391 million in military aid that was approved by Congress. They highlighted that Ukraine needed the money to fight against Russian invasion.
Crow said Trump’s defenders might argue that the suspension wasn’t important because it was short-lived and the money was eventually released, without the announcement of investigations.
“This defense would be laughable if this issue wasn’t so serious,” said Crow, a former Army Ranger. “No, the delay wasn’t meaningless. Just ask the Ukrainians sitting in trenches now.”
“He only released it after he got caught," Crow said.
Schiff said that Trump "will stop at nothing to retain his power" and highlighted what it would mean to Russia to witness a rift between the U.S. and Ukraine over aid money.
"Russia knows now about the wrench in our relations with Ukraine," he said.
"The moment... Russia learned, there was harm," Schiff said. "Ukraine knew they couldn't trust us, Russia knew they could take advantage of us.
Newly surfaced recording ignites debate over witnesses
Lawmakers reacted to an ABC News report about a newly surfaced recording of Trump demanding that Yovanovitch be fired.
"Get rid of her! Get her out tomorrow. I don't care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. Okay? Do it." Trump reportedly said at a private dinner that included indicted Rudy Giuliani associates Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman.
“I want to ask about the recording that has been released today because President Trump has said that he didn’t know Parnas and obviously he’s in a conversation with him about taking out one of his ambassadors,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. “We obviously have a right to that information. Hopefully we will have access to it.”
The recording: Recording shows Trump called for firing of former Ukraine ambassador
Gillibrand said two witnesses she wanted most to hear from are former national security adviser John Bolton and acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney. Other officials have said Bolton opposed the pressure for Ukraine investigations and Mulvaney said such pressure is routine in diplomacy.
“I would like to hear directly from him when he understood that, under what context and how many conversations he had with President Trump about it,” Gillibrand said. “I do think we’re getting closer to witnesses.”
If witnesses are allowed, Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., said it would be important to pair witnesses for Republicans and Democrats. For example, Braun said there would be interest in calling Biden or his son, Hunter Biden, or the whistleblower.
“Whether they’ll want to do that, we’ll have to wait and see. Or if we need it,” Braun said. “If we actually feel we need to go to questions, implicit in that would be that it would be reciprocal.”
Rep Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, was asked about the recording before the trial started Friday. He said Trump was "totally allowed to" recall Yovanovitch from her position. Jordan, one of Trump's staunchest defenders in the House, dismissed a question about whether the newly surfaced recording means the Senate should hear testimony form Parnas.
Looking ahead to Trump's defense
House managers were preemptive in their arguments on Friday, anticipating what Trump's defense team will likely discuss when their opening arguments begin on Saturday. The lawyers are slated to speak for about three hours.
Schiff spent the bulk of his closing speech Friday going through what Republicans have been saying about impeachment for months. He urged senators to look at the facts of what Trump did in Ukraine rather than only listen to complaints about the House process.
Jordan, who has been meeting with the Trump lawyers at the White House, indicated on Thursday that the team would look at the "unconstitutional nature" of the articles of impeachment and the "lack of due process" in the Democratic-controlled House impeachment investigation.
Schiff pointed out that Alan Dershowitz, a member of Trump's legal team, had changed his stance since the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. Dershowitz, a Harvard University Law School professor emeritus who has represented many high-profile clients, previously suggested an impeachable offense need not be a crime but more recently has expressed the opposite view. Schiff said he's looking forward to hearing an explanation from Dershowitz about the shift in his opinion.
"I want to know why abusing power and trust is not impeachable now but it was a few years ago. Because the last time I checked, I don't think there was a significant change to the Constitution," he said.
He also anticipated that the lawyers would accuse Democrats of hating the president. But, "I only hate what he's done to this country. I grieve for what he's done to this country," Schiff said.
Speaking to reporters as he headed into the Senate chamber, Schiff predicted Trump's team would focus heavily on executive privilege, calling it the administration's "last refuge" to conceal evidence from lawmakers.
"This is not a trial over a speeding ticket or shoplifting. This is an impeachment trial involving the president of the United States," Schiff said.
Schiff told senators in closing the night that when they hear attacks on him and other managers, they should ask themselves “from what do they want to distract my attention?” What they don’t want you to do, Schiff said, is to “consider the president’s misconduct.”
"The president's lawyers will have their work cut out for them," Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. said Friday evening.
Contributing: Maureen Groppe, Bart Jansen, Ledyard King and Nicholas Wu


usatoday--2020-01-25--Who's who on Trump's legal team: Patrick Cipollone, Jay Sekulow, Alan Dershowitz, Ken Starr, Pam Bon

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump 's legal team on Saturday will begin its three days of opening arguments disputing the Democrats ' impeachment case and arguing that the president did nothing wrong .
Here are the key players on Trump 's team : White House counsel Patrick Cipollone : He has been working on impeachment since the House began its inquiry in September and handled most of the White House argument during this week 's Senate debate over the rules for the trial .
He also faced allegations that he made false statements about the case .
Private attorney Jay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation into Russian election interference in the 2016 election .
A veteran litigator who has often argued before the Supreme Court , Sekulow also addressed senators during the rules debate .
Also on the team Alan Dershowitz : A professor emeritus at Harvard Law School , Dershowitz has often argued Trump 's case on television .
Dershowitz says he plans to speak to the Senate about constitutional issues surrounding the impeachment case .
Kenneth Starr : The independent counsel whose investigation helped lead to the impeachment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Starr has also defended Trump on television .
Officials said plans are being made for Starr and the other additions to the legal team to speak to the Senate .
Robert Ray : The attorney who replaced Starr as independent counsel in the Clinton case .
He is also a frequent television commentator on behalf of Trump .
Pam Bondi : The former Florida attorney general worked with the White House during the impeachment inquiry .
Jane Raskin : She also worked for Trump during the Mueller investigation .
Eric Herschmann : He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Torres legal firm , which has represented Trump on various cases for the last 15 years .
Patrick Philbin and Michael Purpura : Cipollone 's deputies argued before the Senate during the rules fight , challenging the House impeachment process and defending Trump 's decision to temporarily withhold aid from Ukraine .
The White House has supplemented its legal team with eight vocal House Republicans who fought the impeachment drive in that chamber .
They are not scheduled to argue the case during the Senate trial , but will provide legal advice and @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Who's who on Trump's legal team: Patrick Cipollone, Jay Sekulow, Alan Dershowitz, Ken Starr, Pam Bondi
Show Caption Hide Caption Impeachment trials: Comparing Bill Clinton to Donald Trump Discover the similar charges and differing reactions to the impeachment trials of President Bill Clinton and President Donald Trump. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump's legal team on Saturday will begin its three days of opening arguments disputing the Democrats' impeachment case and arguing that the president did nothing wrong.
Here are the key players on Trump's team:
Lead attorneys
White House counsel Patrick Cipollone: He has been working on impeachment since the House began its inquiry in September and handled most of the White House argument during this week's Senate debate over the rules for the trial. He also faced allegations that he made false statements about the case.
Private attorney Jay Sekulow: He also represented Trump during former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference in the 2016 election. A veteran litigator who has often argued before the Supreme Court, Sekulow also addressed senators during the rules debate.
Also on the team
Alan Dershowitz: A professor emeritus at Harvard Law School, Dershowitz has often argued Trump's case on television. Dershowitz says he plans to speak to the Senate about constitutional issues surrounding the impeachment case.
Kenneth Starr: The independent counsel whose investigation helped lead to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton during the 1990s, Starr has also defended Trump on television. Officials said plans are being made for Starr and the other additions to the legal team to speak to the Senate.
Robert Ray: The attorney who replaced Starr as independent counsel in the Clinton case. He is also a frequent television commentator on behalf of Trump.
Pam Bondi: The former Florida attorney general worked with the White House during the impeachment inquiry.
Jane Raskin: She also worked for Trump during the Mueller investigation.
Eric Herschmann: He is an attorney with the Kasowitz Benson Torres legal firm, which has represented Trump on various cases for the last 15 years.
White House staff members
Patrick Philbin and Michael Purpura: Cipollone's deputies argued before the Senate during the rules fight, challenging the House impeachment process and defending Trump's decision to temporarily withhold aid from Ukraine.
House Republicans
Reps. Doug Collins, Mike Johnson, Jim Jordan, Debbie Lesko, Mark Meadows, John Ratcliffe, Elise Stefanik, and Lee Zeldin.
The White House has supplemented its legal team with eight vocal House Republicans who fought the impeachment drive in that chamber. They are not scheduled to argue the case during the Senate trial, but will provide legal advice and make media appearances, officials said.


Comparing impeachment trials

President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial in the Senate resembles that of Bill Clinton 's in 1999 , but there are differences .
For one , the House did not conduct its own investigation in the Clinton impeachment .
It used findings from independent counsel Ken Starr 's inquiry .
For another , partisanship has increased over the past 21 years , which means senators are less likely to cross party lines when voting .
How the trials – and the times – compare : In the Clinton trial , Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist started the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` Well , let 's begin .
Fight fair . ''
In comparison , Chief Justice John Roberts scolded House managers and Trump attorneys on the first day after a heated exchange between Rep. Jerry Nadler , D-N.Y. , and White House counsel Pat Cipollone .
Roberts cited the impeachment trial of Judge Robert Swayne in 1905 , when an objection was made to a manager using the word `` pettifogging . ''
`` And the presiding officer said the word ought not to have been used .
I do n't think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a standard , but I do think those addressing the Senate should remember where they are , '' Roberts said .
Clinton gave his State of the Union address while his impeachment was underway .
He made no reference to it while speaking .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell advocated completing Trump 's trial before the president gives his annual address .
Trump is likely to be acquitted by the Republican-controlled Senate .
A two-thirds majority – 67 of 100 senators – is needed to convict .
Even in the unlikely event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 45 Democrats and two independents , it would not be enough to remove the president from office .
SOURCE USA TODAY reporting ; Associated Press ; `` The Breach : Inside the Impeachment and Trial of William Jefferson Clinton , '' by Peter Baker , 2001 ; USA TODAY research

President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial in the Senate resembles that of Bill Clinton's in 1999, but there are differences.
For one, the House did not conduct its own investigation in the Clinton impeachment. It used findings from independent counsel Ken Starr's inquiry.
For another, partisanship has increased over the past 21 years, which means senators are less likely to cross party lines when voting. How the trials – and the times – compare:
In both cases, the Republicans had control of the Senate. But in 1999 and 2020, neither party had the two-thirds majority – 67 of 100 senators – needed to remove and convict the president.
Fewer days to Trump trial
In the Clinton trial, Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist started the first day of House manager presentations by saying, "Well, let's begin. Fight fair."
In comparison, Chief Justice John Roberts scolded House managers and Trump attorneys on the first day after a heated exchange between Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., and White House counsel Pat Cipollone.
Roberts cited the impeachment trial of Judge Robert Swayne in 1905, when an objection was made to a manager using the word "pettifogging."
"And the presiding officer said the word ought not to have been used. I don't think we need to aspire to that high of a standard, but I do think those addressing the Senate should remember where they are," Roberts said.
Clinton gave his State of the Union address while his impeachment was underway. He made no reference to it while speaking. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell advocated completing Trump's trial before the president gives his annual address.
Trial gets underway
SOURCE USA TODAY reporting; Associated Press; "The Breach: Inside the Impeachment and Trial of William Jefferson Clinton," by Peter Baker, 2001; USA TODAY research; Photo: Getty Images.


usatoday--2020-01-25--Impeachment manager Adam Schiff quotes report of threat to GOP Senators: 'head on a pike'

In closing , Rep. Adam Schiff quotes a CBS report that a Trump confidant threatened GOP Senators with 'head on @ @ @ @ @ vote against Trump .

Adam Schiff quotes 'head on a pike' threat to GOP Senators
In closing, Rep. Adam Schiff quotes a CBS report that a Trump confidant threatened GOP Senators with 'head on a pike' if they vote against Trump.
USA TODAY