usatoday--2020-01-17--Trump's impeachment legal team to include Kenneth Starr and Alan Dershowitz

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump plans to tap two long-time lawyers on Friday to lead his impeachment defense team – White House Counsel Pat Cipollone and private attorney Jay Sekulow – as well as well-known attorneys who have often defended him on television .
The latter group is expected to include Alan Dershowitz , a noted Harvard law professor ; Kenneth Starr , the independent counsel who prosecuted the President Bill Clinton impeachment case , and Robert Ray , who replaced Starr as independent counsel during the last year of the Clinton presidency .
An official confirmed the planned appointments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a formal announcement is expected later Friday .
The team will work to defend Trump against the impeachment allegations .
The president was impeached Dec. 18 on two articles : obstruction of Congress and abuse of power .
The allegations stem from Trump 's request that Ukraine investigate U.S. political rivals , including Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter , who had business interests in the country .
Impeachment investigators also said Trump held up military aid to Ukraine as well as a White House meeting until it complied with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition , House Democrats alleged the White House 's refusal to give testimony and documents resulted in obstructing Congress .
'Impartial justice '' : Can partisan senators serve as unbiased jurors in the Trump impeachment trial ?
On Twitter , Dershowitz issued a statement saying he will `` present oral arguments at the Senate trial to address the constitutional arguments against impeachment and removal . ''
Dershowitz also said that he is `` non partisan '' on this issue , and noted that he opposed Clinton 's impeachment .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` believes the issues at stake go to the heart of our enduring Constitution '' and wants `` to prevent the creation of a dangerous constitutional precedent . ''
Dershowitz has been criticized for his representation of Jeffrey Epstein , a financier and convicted sex offender who committed suicide in jail in August .
Starr , meanwhile , served as solicitor general and was considered a Supreme Court candidate during the presidency of George H.W .
Bush .
He was appointed independent counsel in 1994 to to investigate Clinton over the Whitewater land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Opponents criticized the way Starr handled the investigation of Clinton and his relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky , saying he turned a private matter into a public prosecution .
( Lewinsky herself tweeted , `` this is definitely an 'are you f -- -- -- kidding me ? '
kinda day . ''
) Critics also said that Starr lost his job as president of Baylor University because of the way the school handled sexual assault allegations against members of the football team .
Citing the issues surrounding Starr and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moss joked : `` Is this the ‘ Famous Lawyers of the 1990s ’ reunion show ?
” The leaders of Trump 's legal team are attorneys he has worked with on previous matters , including the House impeachment investigation .
In his role as the White House 's top lawyer , Cipollone made the legal arguments to support the administration 's refusal to participate in the House impeachment inquiry .
Cipollone also worked to block administration officials from testifying before the House or providing documents to impeachment investigators , arguing that Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliberations within the executive branch – an argument he may continue to make during the Senate trial .
`` This baseless and highly partisan inquiry violates all past historical precedent , basic due process rights , and fundamental fairness , '' Cipollone said in a letter to the House saying the White House would not participate in the impeachment inquiry .
Rand Paul on Senate trial : ' I don ’ t think any Republicans are going to vote for impeachment' House Democrats protested what they called White House stonewalling , and made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump of obstruction of Congress .
Sekulow , meanwhile , represented Trump during the special counsel investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election .
Before his work with Trump , Sekulow was best known as a Supreme Court litigator who specialized in religious liberty cases ; he is also a frequent guest on television news programs and hosts a daily radio talk show .
Others could be added to Trump 's team later , including some House Republicans who participated in the impeachment inquiry .
The attorneys are already busy preparing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment charges .
It is due to be submitted to the Senate by noon on Monday .
The trial itself is set to begin Tuesday , though Trump himself is scheduled to watch his legal team 's work from afar : He plans to be at an international economic conference in Davos , Switzerland , on Tuesday and Wednesday .
'Never heard about this at all ' : Pompeo says he knew nothing about alleged Yovanovitch tracking The president 's lawyers are expected to mount an aggressive defense .
Trump and aides said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that he only wanted the nation to address problems with corruption .
Concern about corruption is the reason the administration gave for holding up military aid to the nation that was finally released in September .
Trump 's legal team will likely be involved in Senate arguments about whether to call witnesses in the trial .
Senate Democrats have said they will push for witnesses to talk about Trump 's dealings with Ukraine .
Their list includes former National Security Adviser John Bolton and acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment role is to speak softly , set a good example Trump and his attorneys are likely to oppose any testimony from a current employee like Mulvaney , saying his conversations with the president are subject to executive privilege .
At the same time , the president and aides have said that if the Senate compels prosecution witnesses , they will seek to call witnesses of their own .
They include Hunter Biden and Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , one of the leaders of the impeachment inquiry in the House .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive privilege in the case of Bolton because his testimony would deal with matter discussed when he was in the White House .

Trump's impeachment legal team to include Ken Starr and Alan Dershowitz
Show Caption Hide Caption The Senate impeachment trial begins with articles move to the Senate The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump has officially begun, with Chief Justice John Roberts presiding, and much yet to decide. Hannah Gaber, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has tapped two of his longtime lawyers to lead his impeachment defense team in next week's Senate trial – White House Counsel Pat Cipollone and private attorney Jay Sekulow – and added other well-known attorneys who have often defended him on television.
The latter group includes Alan Dershowitz, a noted Harvard law professor; Kenneth Starr, the independent counsel who prosecuted the President Bill Clinton impeachment case, and Robert Ray, who replaced Starr as independent counsel and wrapped up the investigation of Clinton.
"President Trump has done nothing wrong and is confident that this team will defend him, the voters, and our democracy from this baseless, illegitimate impeachment," said White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham.
.
The Senate trial is expected to open Tuesday on two articles of impeachment passed by the House on Dec. 18: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The allegations stem from Trump's request that Ukraine investigate U.S. political rivals, including Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter, who had business interests in the country.
Impeachment investigators accuse Trump of holding up military aid to Ukraine as well as a White House meeting to pressure officials to investigate Biden and others. In addition, House Democrats allege the White House's refusal to allow testimony of key officials and provide documents illegally obstructed Congress' investigation.
Here's a look at the lawyers who will be defending Trump:
Why a president can be impeached and remain in office Impeaching a U.S. president might not be the be-all-end-all for their career. We explain why this is the case. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
'Impartial justice'': Can partisan senators serve as unbiased jurors in the Trump impeachment trial?
Alan Dershowitz
Dershowitz has been criticized for his representation of Jeffrey Epstein, a financier and convicted sex offender who committed suicide in jail in August. He worked on the 2008 plea deal in which Epstein pleaded guilty to state prostitution charges for roughly a year in a county jail.
The professor emeritus at Harvard Law School has had a slew of celebrity clients over the decades, including Claus von Bülow, O.J. Simpson, and Mike Tyson.
Regarding Trump, Dershowitz issued a statement on Twitter on Friday saying he will "present oral arguments at the Senate trial to address the constitutional arguments against impeachment and removal."
Dershowitz also said that he is "non partisan" on this issue, and noted that he opposed Clinton's impeachment. He said he wants to defend Trump because he "believes the issues at stake go to the heart of our enduring Constitution" and wants "to prevent the creation of a dangerous constitutional precedent."
Ken Starr
Starr served as solicitor general and was considered a Supreme Court candidate during the presidency of George H.W. Bush. He was appointed independent counsel in 1994 to investigate Clinton over the Whitewater land deal and other matters.
Opponents criticized the way Starr handled the investigation of Clinton and his relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, saying he turned a private matter into a public prosecution – a group that included then-New York City businessman Donald Trump.
“I think Ken Starr’s a lunatic,” Trump said in a 1999 interview. “I really think that Ken Starr is a disaster.”
But Trump has welcomed Starr's criticisms of the House impeachment case.
Critics also said that Starr lost his job as president of Baylor University because of the way the school handled sexual assault allegations against members of the football team.
Robert Ray
After replacing Starr as independent counsel, Ray completed a final report on the Whitewater investigation – and also negotiated an agreement with Clinton to avoid a possible perjury prosecution after he left office in early 2001.
In exchange, Clinton agreed to give up his law license for 5 years, pay a fine of $25,000 to cover lawyers’ fees, and acknowledge wrongdoing in his testimony on his relationship with Lewinsky.
More recently, Ray has appeared on Fox News to denounce impeachment as "partisan."
Pat Cipollone and Jay Sekulow
The leaders of Trump's legal team are attorneys he has worked with on previous matters, including the House impeachment investigation.
In his role as the White House's top lawyer, Cipollone made the legal arguments to support the administration's refusal to participate in the House impeachment inquiry.
Cipollone also worked to block administration officials from testifying before the House or providing documents to impeachment investigators, arguing that Congress is not entitled to information about internal deliberations within the executive branch – an argument he may continue to make during the Senate trial.
"This baseless and highly partisan inquiry violates all past historical precedent, basic due process rights, and fundamental fairness," Cipollone said in a letter to the House, saying the White House would not participate in the impeachment inquiry.
Rand Paul on Senate trial: 'I don’t think any Republicans are going to vote for impeachment'
House Democrats protested what they called White House stonewalling, and made it part of an impeachment article accusing Trump of obstruction of Congress.
Sekulow, meanwhile, represented Trump during special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Before his work with Trump, Sekulow was best known as a Supreme Court litigator who specialized in religious liberty cases. He is also a frequent guest on television news programs and hosts a daily radio talk show.
Jane Raskin, Eric Herschmann, Pam Bondi
Trump's legal team also includes attorney Jane Raskin, who worked for Trump during the Mueller investigation, and Eric Herschmann, an attorney with the Kasowitz Benson Torres legal firm that has represented Trump on various cases for the last 15 years.
Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, who worked with the White House during the impeachment inquiry, is also on Trump's legal team for the trial.
Not on the team: Trump private attorney Rudy Giuliani.
As someone who has conducted his own investigation of Ukraine activities, Giuliani said he is a potential witness in the impeachment trial because "I possess facts."
“I don’t think I’ll be called, but I will be ready in case," Giuliani said in a text message exchange with USA TODAY.
Giuliani described the president's legal team as “excellent," and said they are "all friends and great lawyers with a great case."
Others could be added to Trump's team later, including some House Republicans who participated in the impeachment inquiry.
Preparing a defense
The attorneys are already busy preparing a legal brief defending Trump against the impeachment charges. It is due to be submitted to the Senate by noon on Monday.
The trial itself is set to begin Tuesday, though Trump himself is scheduled to watch his legal team's work from afar: He plans to be at an international economic conference in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday and Wednesday.
'Never heard about this at all': Pompeo says he knew nothing about alleged Yovanovitch tracking
The president's lawyers are expected to mount an aggressive defense.
Trump and aides said he did not improperly pressure Ukraine, and that he only wanted the nation to address problems with corruption. Concern about corruption is the reason the administration gave for holding up military aid to the nation that was finally released in September.
Trump's legal team will likely be involved in Senate arguments about whether to call witnesses in the trial.
Senate Democrats have said they will push for witnesses to talk about Trump's dealings with Ukraine. Their list includes former White House national security adviser John Bolton and acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney.
Chief Justice John Roberts: His impeachment role is to speak softly, set a good example
Trump and his attorneys are likely to oppose any testimony from a current employee like Mulvaney, saying his conversations with the president are subject to executive privilege.
At the same time, the president and aides have said that if the Senate compels prosecution witnesses, they will seek to call witnesses, potentially including Hunter Biden and Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., one of the leaders of the impeachment inquiry in the House.
Trump himself suggested he may want to invoke executive privilege in the case of Bolton because his testimony would deal with matters discussed when he was in the White House.
Contributing: Kevin Johnson


usatoday--2020-01-17--What Giuliani associate Lev Parnas has said about Trump, Pence and Ukraine

An associate of President Donald Trump 's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani spent the last few days making incendiary accusations against Trump and top administration officials over their alleged involvement in a pressure campaign in Ukraine .
Soviet-born businessman Lev Parnas is alleged to worked on the pressure campaign to have Ukraine officials open an investigation into the family of former Vice President Joe Biden , an accusation at the center of Trump 's impeachment .
And this week , he 's dished what he knows to a number of national media outlets .
His chief claim was revealed in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Parnas asserted Trump `` knew exactly what was going on '' in a campaign to pressure the Ukrainian government to open politically motivated investigations .
Democrats have cited the interviews he has given and the thousands of pages of documents he produced on Tuesday as further evidence of the Trump administration 's involvement and knowledge in the scheme .
Republicans , on the other hand , assail Parnas ' credibility given the federal campaign finance charges he faces .
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Parnas is `` desperate to reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is everything Parnas has said so far about Trump and top administration officials : Trump 'was aware of all my movements' Parnas said Trump was fully aware of everything he was doing in Ukraine .
`` President Trump knew exactly what was going on , '' Parnas told Rachel Maddow .
“ He was aware of all my movements .
I would n't do anything without the consent of Rudy Giuliani , or the president , '' he added .
Parnas told The New York Times he did not speak directly with Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Giuliani kept Trump informed of their efforts , Parnas said to the Times .
“ I am betting my whole life that Trump knew exactly everything that was going on that Rudy Giuliani was doing in Ukraine , ” Mr. Parnas told the Times .
“ I don ’ t believe I ’ ve ever spoken to him , '' Trump told reporters on Thursday .
More : Donald Trump says he does n't know Lev Parnas .
Parnas says he has pictures with Trump More : Lev Parnas , ex-Rudy Giuliani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to win leniency .
Sound familiar ?
In a Thursday interview with CNN 's Anderson Cooper , Parnas said `` of course '' Vice President Mike Pence was aware of what Giuliani and his associates were doing in Ukraine .
`` I do n't know if the Vice President knew everything we were doing , '' he added .
When asked a follow-up question about Pence 's awareness of a `` quid pro quo '' with Ukraine , Parnas said he was sure Pence was aware of the `` serious situation '' because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue .
`` Everybody that was close to Trump knew this was a thorn in the side and this was a serious situation , '' Parnas said .
Parnas told both CNN and MSNBC he informed top Ukrainian officials Pence would not come to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 's inauguration unless an announcement of an investigation into the Bidens was made .
The day after he delivered his message , Parnas said he found out `` that Pence is not going to be there . ''
Pence , for his part , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheme .
Pence said Thursday that Parnas ' accusations were `` completely false . ''
When asked if he knew Parnas , he said , `` I don ’ t know the guy . ''
According to Parnas ' interview with MSNBC , he found out from Giuliani that then-Energy Secretary Rick Perry would attend Zelensky 's inauguration after Pence opted not to go .
`` When we were in Paris with Rudy , that 's when I found out they were going to send Perry instead , '' Parnas said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he knew about me ... .but definitely he knew about Rudy since he called Rudy on his way there to ask him what to discuss [ with the Ukrainians ] , '' Parnas said .
Additionally , Parnas said it was Perry 's job to tell the Ukrainians that aid was conditioned on the announcement of a Biden investigation .
Giuliani `` blew his lid , '' in Parnas ' recounting , when he found out the Ukrainians wanted to make an announcement about corruption , and not about the Bidens and Burisma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of knowledge of the situation in Ukraine and said Giuliani never mentioned anything about the Bidens or Burisma to him .
Attorney General William Barr 'had to have known everything' In the MSNBC interview , Parnas said Attorney General William Barr was `` basically on the team '' involved with the Ukraine pressure campaign and `` absolutely '' knew of their efforts .
`` Mr. Barr had to have known everything , '' Parnas told Maddow .
`` I mean , it 's impossible . ''
That said , Parnas said he `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' referring to Barr .
On MSNBC , Parnas said he met `` several times '' with Rep. Devin Nunes , R-Calif. , the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee .
`` He was looking into this Ukraine stuff .
He wanted to help out . ''
`` I was in shock '' watching the House Intelligence Committee impeachment hearings , Parnas said , because Nunes and a top aide `` were involved in getting stuff on Biden . ''
Nunes said in a Thursday interview with Fox News , he remembered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that had shown up in phone records produced by the House Intelligence Committee .
`` I remember that call , which was very odd , random , talking about random things , '' Nunes said .
In a previous interview , Nunes said he did not remember any details from the call .
Later , in December , Nunes said after checking his phone records he recalled getting a call from someone he did n't know and referring him to his staff .

What Giuliani associate Lev Parnas has said about Trump, Pence and Ukraine
Show Caption Hide Caption Giuliani associate Lev Parnas claims Trump knew about Ukraine Rudy Giuliani's associate Lev Parnas said President Trump "knew exactly what was going on" in Ukraine. USA TODAY
An associate of President Donald Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani spent the last few days making incendiary accusations against Trump and top administration officials over their alleged involvement in a pressure campaign in Ukraine.
Soviet-born businessman Lev Parnas is alleged to worked on the pressure campaign to have Ukraine officials open an investigation into the family of former Vice President Joe Biden, an accusation at the center of Trump's impeachment. And this week, he's dished what he knows to a number of national media outlets.
His chief claim was revealed in a Wednesday interview with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow. Parnas asserted Trump "knew exactly what was going on" in a campaign to pressure the Ukrainian government to open politically motivated investigations.
Democrats have cited the interviews he has given and the thousands of pages of documents he produced on Tuesday as further evidence of the Trump administration's involvement and knowledge in the scheme.
Republicans, on the other hand, assail Parnas' credibility given the federal campaign finance charges he faces. White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Parnas is "desperate to reduce his exposure to prison."
Here is everything Parnas has said so far about Trump and top administration officials:
Trump 'was aware of all my movements'
Parnas said Trump was fully aware of everything he was doing in Ukraine.
"President Trump knew exactly what was going on," Parnas told Rachel Maddow.
“He was aware of all my movements. I wouldn't do anything without the consent of Rudy Giuliani, or the president," he added.
Parnas told The New York Times he did not speak directly with Trump about Ukraine but met him several times. Giuliani kept Trump informed of their efforts, Parnas said to the Times.
Trump denies knowing Parnas as impeachment begins President Donald Trump denies knowing a close associate of his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, who is publicly claiming Trump was directly involved in the effort to pressure Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden. (Jan. 16) AP
“I am betting my whole life that Trump knew exactly everything that was going on that Rudy Giuliani was doing in Ukraine,” Mr. Parnas told the Times.
Trump denies knowing Parnas.
“I don’t believe I’ve ever spoken to him," Trump told reporters on Thursday.
More: Donald Trump says he doesn't know Lev Parnas. Parnas says he has pictures with Trump
More: Lev Parnas, ex-Rudy Giuliani ally, wants to testify against Trump to win leniency. Sound familiar?
Pence 'of course' knew
In a Thursday interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Parnas said "of course" Vice President Mike Pence was aware of what Giuliani and his associates were doing in Ukraine.
"I don't know if the Vice President knew everything we were doing," he added.
When asked a follow-up question about Pence's awareness of a "quid pro quo" with Ukraine, Parnas said he was sure Pence was aware of the "serious situation" because all top administration officials knew of the issue.
"Everybody that was close to Trump knew this was a thorn in the side and this was a serious situation," Parnas said.
Parnas told both CNN and MSNBC he informed top Ukrainian officials Pence would not come to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's inauguration unless an announcement of an investigation into the Bidens was made.
The day after he delivered his message, Parnas said he found out "that Pence is not going to be there."
Pence, for his part, has denied any knowledge of the alleged Ukraine scheme.
Pence said Thursday that Parnas' accusations were "completely false." When asked if he knew Parnas, he said, "I don’t know the guy."
Trump's Ukraine phone call: U.S. and Ukraine relationship, explained U.S. and Ukraine relations go further back than the now infamous phone call between Trump and Zelensky. We explain their relationship. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Energy Secretary Rick Perry 'definitely' knew about Giuliani
According to Parnas' interview with MSNBC, he found out from Giuliani that then-Energy Secretary Rick Perry would attend Zelensky's inauguration after Pence opted not to go.
"When we were in Paris with Rudy, that's when I found out they were going to send Perry instead," Parnas said.
"I don't know to what extent he knew about me....but definitely he knew about Rudy since he called Rudy on his way there to ask him what to discuss [with the Ukrainians]," Parnas said.
Additionally, Parnas said it was Perry's job to tell the Ukrainians that aid was conditioned on the announcement of a Biden investigation.
Giuliani "blew his lid," in Parnas' recounting, when he found out the Ukrainians wanted to make an announcement about corruption, and not about the Bidens and Burisma.
Perry has also asserted his lack of knowledge of the situation in Ukraine and said Giuliani never mentioned anything about the Bidens or Burisma to him.
Attorney General William Barr 'had to have known everything'
In the MSNBC interview, Parnas said Attorney General William Barr was "basically on the team" involved with the Ukraine pressure campaign and "absolutely" knew of their efforts.
"Mr. Barr had to have known everything," Parnas told Maddow. "I mean, it's impossible."
That said, Parnas said he "personally did not speak to him," referring to Barr.
Met with Devin Nunes 'several times'
On MSNBC, Parnas said he met "several times" with Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee.
"He was looking into this Ukraine stuff. He wanted to help out."
"I was in shock" watching the House Intelligence Committee impeachment hearings, Parnas said, because Nunes and a top aide "were involved in getting stuff on Biden."
Nunes said in a Thursday interview with Fox News, he remembered an "odd" call with Parnas that had shown up in phone records produced by the House Intelligence Committee.
"I remember that call, which was very odd, random, talking about random things," Nunes said.
In a previous interview, Nunes said he did not remember any details from the call. Later, in December, Nunes said after checking his phone records he recalled getting a call from someone he didn't know and referring him to his staff.
More: 'I remember that call': Devin Nunes recalls 'odd' chat with indicted Giuliani associate Parnas
Contributing: David Jackson, William Cummings, Kristine Phillips, Kevin Johnson, and Kevin McCoy


usatoday--2020-01-17--Evelyn Yang, Andrew Yang's wife, said she was sexually assaulted by OB-GYN while pregnant

In an interview that aired on CNN , Evelyn Yang alleged that she was sexually assaulted by her OB-GYN during @ @ @ @

Evelyn Yang, Andrew Yang's wife, says OB-GYN sexually assaulted her
In an interview that aired on CNN, Evelyn Yang alleged that she was sexually assaulted by her OB-GYN during her first pregnancy.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-01-17--Susan Collins surpasses Mitch McConnell as the most unpopular senator in a new poll

WASHINGTON – Republican Sen. Susan Collins has surpassed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as the most unpopular U.S .
Senator , according to a new tracking poll .
The Maine Senator 's net approval rating has dropped 10 points since the end of September , leaving her with a 52 percent disapproval rating , a quarterly Morning Consult tracking poll found .
The poll comes as Collins , one of the most moderate Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill , faces a tough reelection campaign for what would be her fifth term .
She was reelected in 2014 with nearly 70 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see her as one of the more vulnerable Republican senators for 2020 where more GOP Senate seats are on the ballot than Democratic ones .
The race is expected to be Maine 's most expensive ever , with nonpartisan ad tracking firm Advertising Analytics projecting $ 55 million in overall spending .
Her vote for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh particularly rankled Democrats but shored up support from Republicans from her state in 2018 .
A crowdfunding campaign aimed at her defeat was generated in response to her Kavanagh vote and raised more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rand Paul on Senate trial : ' I don ’ t think any Republicans are going to vote for impeachment' “ All five of the most vulnerable Senate Republicans head into the trial with voters in their states either souring on their job performance or with perceptions of the president threatening to pull them further down , ” Morning Consult said in a press release on the poll .
Collins maintained her impartiality as the House impeached Trump , and is one of a few GOP Senators who has n't been opposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She has criticized Democrats in the Senate as well as McConnell for predetermining their votes on the pending impeachment trial and has reiterated how she views her role as an impartial juror seriously .
She issued a statement Thursday saying that she would likely vote to hear new evidence and witnesses .
“ While I need to hear the case argued and the questions answered , I tend to believe having additional information would be helpful .
It is likely that I would support a motion to call witnesses at that point in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1999 , ” she said .
More : Lev Parnas , ex-Rudy Giuliani ally , wants to testify against Trump to win leniency .
Sound familiar ?
McConnell came in second as the least popular senator with a disapproval rating of 50 percent and an approval rating of 37 percent .
Morning Consult determined the Q4 2019 Senator Rankings by conducting 494,899 surveys with registered voters from October 1 through December 31 , 2019 .
The margins of error vary by state and party .

Susan Collins surpasses Mitch McConnell as the most unpopular senator in a new poll
Show Caption Hide Caption Senator Susan Collins' disapproval rating is lowest among all senators The Maine senator's net approval rating has dropped 10 points since the end of September, leaving her with a 52 percent disapproval rating. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Republican Sen. Susan Collins has surpassed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as the most unpopular U.S. Senator, according to a new tracking poll.
The Maine Senator's net approval rating has dropped 10 points since the end of September, leaving her with a 52 percent disapproval rating, a quarterly Morning Consult tracking poll found.
The poll comes as Collins, one of the most moderate Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill, faces a tough reelection campaign for what would be her fifth term.
She was reelected in 2014 with nearly 70% of the vote, but Democrats see her as one of the more vulnerable Republican senators for 2020 where more GOP Senate seats are on the ballot than Democratic ones.
More: Let the impeachment trial commence
The race is expected to be Maine's most expensive ever, with nonpartisan ad tracking firm Advertising Analytics projecting $55 million in overall spending.
Her vote for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh particularly rankled Democrats but shored up support from Republicans from her state in 2018. A crowdfunding campaign aimed at her defeat was generated in response to her Kavanagh vote and raised more than $4 million.
More: Rand Paul on Senate trial: 'I don’t think any Republicans are going to vote for impeachment'
“All five of the most vulnerable Senate Republicans head into the trial with voters in their states either souring on their job performance or with perceptions of the president threatening to pull them further down,” Morning Consult said in a press release on the poll.
Collins maintained her impartiality as the House impeached Trump, and is one of a few GOP Senators who hasn't been opposed to calling witnesses during the Senate trial.
She has criticized Democrats in the Senate as well as McConnell for predetermining their votes on the pending impeachment trial and has reiterated how she views her role as an impartial juror seriously.
She issued a statement Thursday saying that she would likely vote to hear new evidence and witnesses.
“While I need to hear the case argued and the questions answered, I tend to believe having additional information would be helpful. It is likely that I would support a motion to call witnesses at that point in the trial just as I did in 1999,” she said.
More: Lev Parnas, ex-Rudy Giuliani ally, wants to testify against Trump to win leniency. Sound familiar?
Kevin Kelly, spokesman for Collin's campaign, told USA TODAY that they "are confident" this poll "does not reflect reality, and Senator Collins remains focused on the job that Mainers elected her to do."
McConnell came in second as the least popular senator with a disapproval rating of 50 percent and an approval rating of 37 percent.
Morning Consult determined the Q4 2019 Senator Rankings by conducting 494,899 surveys with registered voters from October 1 through December 31, 2019. The margins of error vary by state and party.
Contributing: William Cummings


usatoday--2020-01-17--OnPolitics: The one where 2020 heats up

OnPolitics: The one where 2020 heats up

In case you 've missed it with everything else going on in the world ( impeachment , Australian wildfires , Putin 's entire cabinet resigning ... ) , there is indeed a Democratic primary happening .
It 's been happening for a while actually .
But this week , things got a little more ... intense .
Tuesday night 's debate was the last time the Democratic candidates would make their pitches to a national audience ahead of Iowa 's first-in-the-nation caucuses Feb. 3 .
It seemed foreign policy was ready to have its moment in the spotlight , following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Iran .
But then Monday happened and everything changed .
CNN reported , citing four anonymous sources , that during a 2018 meeting between Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren , Sanders reportedly told Warren he did not believe a woman could become president .
Sanders vehemently denied the report , and has continued to do so .
Warren 's camp was mum until later Monday , when the senator issued a statement that said in part , `` I thought a woman could win ; he disagreed . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bernie and I have far more in common than our differences , '' in an apparent attempt to de-escalate the situation .
That did not happen .
On Tuesday 's debate stage , Warren and Sanders again stated their respective memories of their conversation — Sanders saying he never said a woman could n't be president , Warren saying he did .
But the flames again were stoked when CNN released audio of a post-debate interaction where Warren says to Sanders , `` I think you called me a liar on national TV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` You called me a liar ... let 's not do it now , '' before walking away .
The whole situation has left the progressive wing of the Democratic party in a tense place ahead of the first votes being cast in the primary .
Sanders and Warren were back on Capitol Hill Thursday to be sworn in for president 's impeachment trial and were tight-lipped .
It appears both sides would like to move on .
After weeks of standing at an impasse , the articles of impeachment have officially been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial of President Donald Trump can commence .
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi named impeachment managers Tuesday , and sent the articles over to her Senate counterparts Wednesday .
On Thursday , Chief Justice John Roberts was sworn in to preside over the trial , and the senators were sworn in as jurors .
“ Senators I attend the Senate in conformity with your notice for the purpose of joining with you for the trial of the president of the United States , '' Roberts said after arriving .
The trial is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there 's still a lot of questions .
But a big one left to answer : Are they going to call any witnesses ?
Maybe Lev Parnas ?
He 's sure had a lot to say recently .
• Sen. Cory Booker ended his bid for the White House .
• Tom Perez is again in the hot seat over the lack of diversity on the debate stage .
• Who were the winners and losers of Tuesday night 's debate ?
• This bulldog is a very good boy and also a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders is leading this well-respected poll in Iowa for the first time ever .
Thanks , as always , for reading .
Now if you 'll excuse me , I 'm going to try to catch up on the sleep I lost on debate night .
— Annah Aschbrenner

OnPolitics: The one where 2020 heats up
Show Caption Hide Caption Difference between caucus and primary, explained The 2020 election is nearing and with that, comes the caucuses and primary elections. But what’s the difference? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
In case you've missed it with everything else going on in the world (impeachment, Australian wildfires, Putin's entire cabinet resigning ...), there is indeed a Democratic primary happening. It's been happening for a while actually. But this week, things got a little more ... intense.
Tuesday night's debate was the last time the Democratic candidates would make their pitches to a national audience ahead of Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses Feb. 3. It seemed foreign policy was ready to have its moment in the spotlight, following more than a week of elevated tension with Iran.
But then Monday happened and everything changed.
CNN reported, citing four anonymous sources, that during a 2018 meeting between Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sanders reportedly told Warren he did not believe a woman could become president. Sanders vehemently denied the report, and has continued to do so. Warren's camp was mum until later Monday, when the senator issued a statement that said in part, "I thought a woman could win; he disagreed." The statement went on to say, "Bernie and I have far more in common than our differences," in an apparent attempt to de-escalate the situation.
That did not happen.
On Tuesday's debate stage, Warren and Sanders again stated their respective memories of their conversation — Sanders saying he never said a woman couldn't be president, Warren saying he did. But the flames again were stoked when CNN released audio of a post-debate interaction where Warren says to Sanders, "I think you called me a liar on national TV." Sanders responded in part, "You called me a liar ... let's not do it now," before walking away.
The whole situation has left the progressive wing of the Democratic party in a tense place ahead of the first votes being cast in the primary. Sanders and Warren were back on Capitol Hill Thursday to be sworn in for president's impeachment trial and were tight-lipped. It appears both sides would like to move on.
Speaking of impeachment
After weeks of standing at an impasse, the articles of impeachment have officially been sent to the Senate, and the trial of President Donald Trump can commence.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi named impeachment managers Tuesday, and sent the articles over to her Senate counterparts Wednesday.
On Thursday, Chief Justice John Roberts was sworn in to preside over the trial, and the senators were sworn in as jurors.
“Senators I attend the Senate in conformity with your notice for the purpose of joining with you for the trial of the president of the United States," Roberts said after arriving.
The trial is scheduled to kick off Tuesday, and there's still a lot of questions. But a big one left to answer: Are they going to call any witnesses? Maybe Lev Parnas? He's sure had a lot to say recently.
Want more 2020? Great.
Thanks, as always, for reading. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to try to catch up on the sleep I lost on debate night. — Annah Aschbrenner


usatoday--2020-01-17--After Jeffrey Epstein suicide, Bureau of Prisons tells guards: Stop surfing the web and watch inmate

WASHINGTON—The federal Bureau of Prisons is curtailing staffers ' access to the internet and cell phones to guard against “ unnecessary distractions ” that allegedly contributed to guards ' failure to prevent the suicide of accused child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein .
“ When on the job , your full attention should be focused on the behavior of the inmates in your charge and the activity going on around you , ” Director Kathleen Hawk Sawyer wrote in an agency-wide memorandum distributed last week .
A ban on government-issued cell phone use “ within the secure perimeter of each institution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sawyer wrote , and there are plans to expand that to smart watches with texting functions .
Staffers ' personal cell phones have been largely banned from federal prisons for some time .
“ Some internet access will soon be curtailed so that distractions will be eliminated , ” she wrote .
Access to the internet on government devices and computers would be allowed “ only to complete required daily work.
” '' We must not allow technology to be our enemy by taking our eyes and ears off the interactions around us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and inmates , '' she wrote .
`` Ours is a people business . ''
BOP spokeswoman Nancy Ayers said the changes are part of a `` back to basics approach , emphasizing sound correctional management . ''
The effort to limit the distractions of government computers , smart watches and other technology is part of a larger effort to improve safety and security , she said .
In the memo , Hawk Sawyer made only indirect references to the cascading failures disclosed after Epstein 's suicide at the Manhattan Correctional Center in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with falsifying duty logs to allegedly cover for time spent sleeping and browsing the internet when they should have been patrolling the unit where Epstein was housed .
Falsifying records : Two federal prison officers were charged with falsifying records on Jeffrey Epstein rounds Deleted surveillance video : Prison 'inadvertently ' deleted surveillance video outside cell during Jeffrey Epstein 's first suicide attempt , feds say Federal prosecutors alleged thatguards did n't perform any inmate checks from 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 9 to 6:30 a.m. the following morning , when officers discovered Epstein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During that time , according to court documents , officers should have conducted five separate inmate counts in the high-security unit .
Both officers have pleaded not guilty .
Hawk Sawyer told the Senate Judiciary Committee in November that Epstein 's suicide was a `` black eye on the entire Bureau of Prisons . ''
`` We have some bad staff ; we want to get rid of bad staff , '' she said .
`` The only time we ever get noticed is when something bad happens . ''
Indeed , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appoint Hawk Sawyer to lead the agency , which has been riven by staffing shortages and allegations of sexual harassment brought by female officers .
The appointment brought Hawk Sawyer , a former federal prison psychologist , back to the agency she led between 1992 and 2003 .
Union officials cautioned against a blanket prohibition on internet access , saying employees need web access to complete some of the agency 's most basic operations , including restocking supplies .
After Epstein 's suicide , `` I expected something , '' said Shane Fausey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union .
`` But I 'm not sure ( Hawk Sawyer ) understands how much of our work now has some interface with the internet . ''
Ayers said the need for technology to `` perform vital job functions for specific duties and positions will be reviewed , and access will be tailored accordingly . ''
Joe Rojas , vice president of the union 's southeast region , called the director 's internet and phone restrictions an `` overreaction to the Epstein case . ''
Apart from the new communications and technology limits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's memo contained a proposal that has particularly rankled staffers .
Hawk Sawyer wrote that the agency is reevaluating the use of so-called compressed work schedules , in which thousands of prison staffers work four 10-hour days each week in exchange for an extra day off .
`` It 's one of the most popular benefits we have to offer employees who can better manage their work and personal lives , '' Fausey said .
Those schedules will be reviewed , according to Hawk Sawyer , to see whether they reduce productivity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staffers ' work .
Fausey said many of the agency 's woes could be addressed by tending to persistent staffing shortages across the country , including the Manhattan facility where Epstein was housed .
For years , personnel shortages have required prisons to fill gaps by deploying teachers , clerical workers , kitchen staffers and nurses to work guard shifts .
Hawk Sawyer said in the memo that filling vacancies `` continues to be our highest priority in 2020 . ''
Although the agency hired 3,500 new staffers in 2019 , the director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other departures .
`` Until the agency hires an adequate amount of staff , you can point the finger where you want , '' Fausey said , `` but it always comes back to not having enough people to operate prisons efficiently and safely . ''

After Jeffrey Epstein suicide, Bureau of Prisons tells guards: Stop surfing the web and watch inmates
Show Caption Hide Caption Jeffrey Epstein: Federal prison guards charged for falsifying records Tova Noel and Michael Thomas, prison guards, have been charged with falsifying records for claiming they checked on Jeffrey Epstein before he died. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – The federal Bureau of Prisons is curtailing staffers' access to the internet and cellphones to guard against “unnecessary distractions” that allegedly contributed to correction officers' failure to prevent the suicide of accused child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
“When on the job, your full attention should be focused on the behavior of the inmates in your charge and the activity going on around you,” Director Kathleen Hawk Sawyer wrote in an agencywide memorandum distributed last week.
A ban on government-issued cellphone use “within the secure perimeter of each institution” has already taken effect, Hawk Sawyer wrote, and there are plans to expand that to smartwatches with texting functions. Staffers' personal cellphones have been largely banned from federal prisons for some time.
“Some internet access will soon be curtailed so that distractions will be eliminated,” she wrote. Access to the internet on government devices and computers would be allowed “only to complete required daily work.”
"We must not allow technology to be our enemy by taking our eyes and ears off the interactions around us or limit our face-to-face interaction with staff and inmates," she wrote. "Ours is a people business."
BOP spokeswoman Nancy Ayers said the changes are part of a "back to basics approach, emphasizing sound correctional management." The effort to limit the distractions of government computers, smartwatches and other technology is part of a larger effort to improve safety and security, she said.
In the memo, Hawk Sawyer made only indirect references to the cascading failures disclosed after Epstein's suicide at the Manhattan Correctional Center in August.
Two corrections officers have been charged with falsifying duty logs to allegedly cover for time spent sleeping and browsing the internet when they should have been patrolling the unit where Epstein was housed.
Falsifying records: Two federal prison officers were charged with falsifying records on Jeffrey Epstein rounds
Deleted surveillance video: Prison 'inadvertently' deleted surveillance video outside cell during Jeffrey Epstein's first suicide attempt, feds say
Federal prosecutors alleged that guards didn't perform any inmate checks from 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 9 to 6:30 a.m. the following morning, when officers discovered Epstein had hanged himself with a bedsheet.
During that time, according to court documents, officers should have conducted five separate inmate counts in the high-security unit.
Both officers have pleaded not guilty.
Hawk Sawyer told the Senate Judiciary Committee in November that Epstein's suicide was a "black eye on the entire Bureau of Prisons."
"We have some bad staff; we want to get rid of bad staff," she said. "The only time we ever get noticed is when something bad happens."
Indeed, the incident prompted Attorney General William Barr to appoint Hawk Sawyer to lead the agency, which has been riven by staffing shortages and allegations of sexual harassment brought by female officers. The appointment brought Hawk Sawyer, a former federal prison psychologist, back to the agency she led between 1992 and 2003.
Defamation lawsuit: Harvard law professor sues New York Times over Jeffrey Epstein story
Epstein's death ruled a suicide by hanging New York City's chief medical examiner has ruled that Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide. Epstein was found dead in his cell on Aug. 10. USA TODAY
Union officials cautioned against a blanket prohibition on internet access, saying employees need web access to complete some of the agency's most basic operations, including restocking supplies.
After Epstein's suicide, "I expected something," said Shane Fausey, national president of the prison workers union. "But I'm not sure (Hawk Sawyer) understands how much of our work now has some interface with the internet."
Ayers said the need for technology to "perform vital job functions for specific duties and positions will be reviewed, and access will be tailored accordingly."
Joe Rojas, vice president of the union's southeast region, called the director's internet and phone restrictions an "overreaction to the Epstein case."
Apart from the new communications and technology limits, Fausey and Rojas said the director's memo contained a proposal that has particularly rankled staffers.
Hawk Sawyer wrote that the agency is reevaluating the use of so-called compressed work schedules, in which thousands of prison staffers work four 10-hour days each week in exchange for an extra day off.
"It's one of the most popular benefits we have to offer employees who can better manage their work and personal lives," Fausey said.
Those schedules will be reviewed, according to Hawk Sawyer, to see whether they reduce productivity, increase costs or degrade the quality of staffers' work.
Fausey said many of the agency's woes could be addressed by tending to persistent staffing shortages across the country, including the Manhattan facility where Epstein was housed. For years, personnel shortages have required prisons to fill gaps by deploying teachers, clerical workers, kitchen staffers and nurses to work guard shifts.
Hawk Sawyer said in the memo that filling vacancies "continues to be our highest priority in 2020." Although the agency hired 3,500 new staffers in 2019, the director said the bureau lost 2,700 to retirements and other departures.
"Until the agency hires an adequate amount of staff, you can point the finger where you want," Fausey said, "but it always comes back to not having enough people to operate prisons efficiently and safely."


usatoday--2020-01-17--Evelyn Yang, Andrew Yang's wife, said she was sexually assaulted by her OB-GYN during pregnancy

WASHINGTON — Evelyn Yang , the wife of 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Andrew Yang , is alleging that she was sexually assaulted during her first pregnancy by a doctor who has since lost his license .
In an interview that aired on CNN on Thursday night , Yang said she was assaulted by her OB-GYN in 2012 , claiming the doctor 's abuse `` started with inappropriate questions around how intimate I was with my husband , sexual activity , just very inappropriate probing questions that were unrelated to my health . ''
Yang said the `` examinations became longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they were unnecessary most of the time . ''
She said that there would be nobody else in the rooms during her exams .
Yang said her OB-GYN was Columbia University Dr. Robert Hadden , who has been accused by multiple women of assault .
Through a plea deal , Hadden gave up his license and was registered as a Level 1 sex offender after pleading guilty to one account of forcible touching and a third-degree sexual assault in 2016 .
He was not jailed .
CNN also reported that Hadden 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that an attorney did not grant a request for an interview .
Now what ?
It 's been two years since the # MeToo movement exploded .
The presidential candidate 's wife told CNN she was among the women who waged a legal battle against the doctor but fought to do so anonymously .
Yang described hearing about the plea deal as `` getting slapped in the face . ''
`` The DA 's office is meant to protect us , is meant to serve justice , and there was no justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided to tell her story , she said , after being on the campaign trail with her husband and talking with other survivors .
`` Something about being on the trail and meeting people and seeing the difference that we 've been making already has moved me to share my own story about it , about sexual assault , '' Yang said .
`` Everyone has their own # MeToo story .
It 's far too prevalent .
But not everyone can tell their story .
Not everyone has the audience or platform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually feel like I 'm in this very privileged position to be able to do that . ''
Yang told CNN 's Dana Bash that her husband `` cried '' when she told him about the assault .
`` He felt terrible for me , and I think that 's what I was trying to prevent by not telling him in the first place , '' she said , adding that she kept it from her husband because she was afraid he 'd blame himself for traveling often during the pregnancies and being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the interview aired , the Democratic candidate tweeted , `` I love my wife very very much . ''
He released a longer statement to CNN about the potential impact of his wife 's story .
“ I hope that Evelyn ’ s story gives strength to those who have suffered and sends a clear message that our institutions must do more to protect and respond to women , '' he said .

Evelyn Yang, Andrew Yang's wife, said she was sexually assaulted by her OB-GYN during pregnancy
WASHINGTON — Evelyn Yang, the wife of 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Andrew Yang, is alleging that she was sexually assaulted during her first pregnancy by a doctor who has since lost his license.
In an interview that aired on CNN on Thursday night, Yang said she was assaulted by her OB-GYN in 2012, claiming the doctor's abuse "started with inappropriate questions around how intimate I was with my husband, sexual activity, just very inappropriate probing questions that were unrelated to my health."
Yang said the "examinations became longer, more frequent, and I learned that they were unnecessary most of the time." She said that there would be nobody else in the rooms during her exams.
Yang said her OB-GYN was Columbia University Dr. Robert Hadden, who has been accused by multiple women of assault. Through a plea deal, Hadden gave up his license and was registered as a Level 1 sex offender after pleading guilty to one account of forcible touching and a third-degree sexual assault in 2016. He was not jailed. CNN also reported that Hadden's attorneys denied the accusations in court documents and that an attorney did not grant a request for an interview.
Now what? It's been two years since the #MeToo movement exploded.
The presidential candidate's wife told CNN she was among the women who waged a legal battle against the doctor but fought to do so anonymously.
Yang described hearing about the plea deal as "getting slapped in the face."
"The DA's office is meant to protect us, is meant to serve justice, and there was no justice here," she said.
Yang decided to tell her story, she said, after being on the campaign trail with her husband and talking with other survivors.
"Something about being on the trail and meeting people and seeing the difference that we've been making already has moved me to share my own story about it, about sexual assault," Yang said. "Everyone has their own #MeToo story. It's far too prevalent. But not everyone can tell their story. Not everyone has the audience or platform to tell their story, and I actually feel like I'm in this very privileged position to be able to do that."
Yang told CNN's Dana Bash that her husband "cried" when she told him about the assault.
"He felt terrible for me, and I think that's what I was trying to prevent by not telling him in the first place," she said, adding that she kept it from her husband because she was afraid he'd blame himself for traveling often during the pregnancies and being unable to go to appointments.
As the interview aired, the Democratic candidate tweeted, "I love my wife very very much." He released a longer statement to CNN about the potential impact of his wife's story.
“I hope that Evelyn’s story gives strength to those who have suffered and sends a clear message that our institutions must do more to protect and respond to women," he said.


usatoday--2020-01-17--Gov. Newsom previews plan to use 100 FEMA trailers for emergency homeless shelters across California

California Gov .
Gavin Newsom ended his weeklong trip across the state in a city that has been hit harder by the homelessness crisis than any other : Oakland .
He toured a site with more than a dozen FEMA trailers , now owned by the state , that soon will serve as temporary emergency housing for displaced locals .
“ We own this issue — it is the issue of our time , ” Newsom said , speaking from a podium inside a white emergency tent that will be used as a triage medical center at the new site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch , and we need to beat this moment . ''
Newsom said the officials gathered behind him at the site near the Oakland Coliseum — including Assemblyman Rob Bonta and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf —are up to the challenge .
The `` homelessness tour '' — focused on understanding the crisis that ’ s left more than 151,000 Californians without housing — comes just days after the governor released his budget proposal which called for more than $ 1 billion in new funding to address the issue , including a $ 750 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those funds are in addition to the more than $ 600 million in emergency grant funding , allocated in last year ’ s budget , which was doled out this week .
Newsom said $ 38 million will go to the city of Oakland and Alameda County , “ distributed in real-time to meet this crisis head-on.
” He added that “ $ 19.7 million is available today , immediately , for the city of Oakland to address rapid rehousing and recuperative care .
The Oakland site is a preview of how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these trailers , deployed across the state , to serve emergency shelters .
The new program will rely on the roughly $ 1 billion the governor made available to tackle homelessness in his 2020-21 budget proposal .
The budget also includes a $ 750 million fund to help providers pay rents for those on the brink of becoming homeless or fund affordable housing .
Schaaf , a member of the governor ’ s statewide task force on homelessness , said she was excited to be first to deploy the emergency trailers .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 and 70 people .
Nine will be stationed at the coliseum and the other six will be used to housed homeless youth in partnership with the city of Berkeley and other organizations .
“ This is what it takes — every level of government cooperating , ” Schaaf said .
Earlier this week , the council said it will push the California Legislature to draft a constitutional amendment that would allow the state to sanction localities that fail to get people experiencing homeless off the street .
Schaaf said that would help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelter is not the ultimate answer , ” she said .
“ That is why I , along with other members of the governor ’ s homeless council , are urging the legislature to bring to voters of California , a constitutional amendment that will create a legally enforceable mandate to end homelessness .
The first step , is for us to be held accountable to the people of California that we are doing everything we can with the resources and regulatory powers that we have to put an end to this travesty.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't have housing rose by roughly 47 % over a two-year period as rents continue to rise .
The city ’ s housing issues also made headlines after a group of displaced moms took residence inside an empty home .
They were forcibly evicted this week , and four were arrested .
Newsom acknowledged that the shelter is n't a solution to the crisis , but said it would give the state more time to provide permanent housing and implement programs that would both prevent the numbers from rising .
`` No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and scope of the crisis , '' he said .
`` None of us are naive that 15 former-FEMA trailers now in state control and state-owned is going to solve the crisis .
It is about catalyzing a focus , catalyzing investment , and beginning to leverage our resources and resourcefulness to meet this moment head-on . ''
Earlier in the week Newsom visited Grass Valley , a city in Northern California , where he spoke with homeless service providers , and traveled to Southern California , with stops in Riverside and Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fresno to tour Exodus Recovery , Inc. , an organization that services youth and adults struggling through mental health crises .

Gov. Newsom previews plan to use 100 FEMA trailers for emergency homeless shelters across California
California Gov. Gavin Newsom ended his weeklong trip across the state in a city that has been hit harder by the homelessness crisis than any other: Oakland. He toured a site with more than a dozen FEMA trailers, now owned by the state, that soon will serve as temporary emergency housing for displaced locals.
“We own this issue — it is the issue of our time,” Newsom said, speaking from a podium inside a white emergency tent that will be used as a triage medical center at the new site. “It has happened on our watch, and we need to beat this moment."
Newsom said the officials gathered behind him at the site near the Oakland Coliseum — including Assemblyman Rob Bonta and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf — are up to the challenge.
The "homelessness tour" — focused on understanding the crisis that’s left more than 151,000 Californians without housing — came just days after the governor released his budget proposal which called for more than $1 billion in new funding to address the issue, including a $750 million new Access to Housing Services Fund.
Those funds are in addition to the more than $600 million in emergency grant funding, allocated in last year’s budget, which was doled out this week.
Newsom said $38 million will go to the city of Oakland and Alameda County, “distributed in real-time to meet this crisis head-on.” He added that “$19.7 million is available today, immediately, for the city of Oakland to address rapid rehousing and recuperative care."
The Oakland site is a preview of how Newsom plans use up to 100 of these trailers, deployed across the state, to serve emergency shelters. The new program will rely on the roughly $1 billion the governor made available to tackle homelessness in his 2020-21 budget proposal. The budget also includes a $750 million fund to help providers pay rents for those on the brink of becoming homeless or fund affordable housing.
Schaaf, a member of the governor’s statewide task force on homelessness, said she was excited to be first to deploy the emergency trailers. She said the 15 trailers could house between 50 and 70 people. Nine will be stationed at the coliseum and the other six will be used to housed homeless youth in partnership with the city of Berkeley and other organizations.
“This is what it takes — every level of government cooperating,” Schaaf said.
Earlier this week, the council said it will push the California Legislature to draft a constitutional amendment that would allow the state to sanction localities that fail to get people experiencing homeless off the street. Schaaf said that would help ensure accountability.
“We know that shelter is not the ultimate answer,” she said. “That is why I, along with other members of the governor’s homeless council, are urging the legislature to bring to voters of California, a constitutional amendment that will create a legally enforceable mandate to end homelessness. The first step, is for us to be held accountable to the people of California that we are doing everything we can with the resources and regulatory powers that we have to put an end to this travesty.”
The number of Oakland residents who don't have housing rose by roughly 47% over a two-year period as rents continue to rise. The city’s housing issues also made headlines after a group of displaced moms took residence inside an empty home. They were forcibly evicted this week, and four were arrested.
Like stories about the Golden State? Click here to get our In California newsletter in your inbox.
Newsom acknowledged that the shelter isn't a solution to the crisis, but said it would give the state more time to provide permanent housing and implement programs that would both prevent the numbers from rising.
"No one is in denial about the scale and scope of the crisis," he said. "None of us are naive that 15 former-FEMA trailers now in state control and state-owned is going to solve the crisis. It is about catalyzing a focus, catalyzing investment, and beginning to leverage our resources and resourcefulness to meet this moment head-on."
Earlier in the week Newsom visited Grass Valley, a city in Northern California, where he spoke with homeless service providers, and traveled to Southern California, with stops in Riverside and Los Angeles, before heading back north to Fresno to tour Exodus Recovery, Inc., an organization that services youth and adults struggling through mental health crises.


usatoday--2020-01-17--Rand Paul on Senate trial: 'I don't think any Republicans are going to vote for impeachment'

WASHINGTON – GOP Senator Rand Paul said Thursday that he believes no Republican senators will vote to convict and remove President Donald Trump .
Speaking to The Hill in an interview , the Kentucky senator said , “ I really think the verdict has already been decided as well .
I don ’ t think any Republicans are going to vote for impeachment.
” The House voted last month to impeach Trump .
It takes at least two-thirds of the Senate , or 67 votes , to convict Trump on the two charges filed by the House – abuse of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remove him from office .
For that to happen , at least 20 Republicans would need to join the Democrats and independents .
“ I think the votes have been decided .
As much as anybody will be pretending to be judicious about this , I don ’ t think that there ’ s one senator who hasn ’ t decided how they ’ re going to vote , ” Paul said .
Paul 's interview comes on the same day the Senate swore in Chief Justice John Roberts to preside over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a constitutionally required oath `` to do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws '' in the impeachment trial of Trump over his attempts to get Ukraine to publicly investigate political rival Joe Biden .
'Impartial justice ' : Can partisan senators serve as unbiased jurors in the Trump impeachment trial ?
More : What is an impeachment manager , and what do they do ?
According to The Hill , Paul also warned that Republicans voting to impeach Trump would end their political career .
“ I think if you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running for office , or no longer interested in getting Republican votes , you might vote to impeach the president , ” Paul said .
“ This isn ’ t just a policy difference.
” He continued , “ When it comes to whether or not you ’ re going to impeach a president of your own party , particularly over a policy difference or whether or not he has lack of decorum or whatever , I think that ’ s something that a lot of voters will not excuse.
” Every Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The House ’ s lone independent , former Republican Justin Amash of Michigan , voted with Democrats to impeach Trump on both charges .
Old English , Pelosi 's many pens and special walks : Your weird impeachment questions , answered

Rand Paul on Senate trial: 'I don’t think any Republicans are going to vote for impeachment'
Show Caption Hide Caption The Senate impeachment trial begins with articles move to the Senate The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump has officially begun, with Chief Justice John Roberts presiding, and much yet to decide. Hannah Gaber, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – GOP Senator Rand Paul said Thursday that he believes no Republican senators will vote to convict and remove President Donald Trump.
Speaking to The Hill in an interview, the Kentucky senator said, “I really think the verdict has already been decided as well. I don’t think any Republicans are going to vote for impeachment.”
The House voted last month to impeach Trump.
It takes at least two-thirds of the Senate, or 67 votes, to convict Trump on the two charges filed by the House – abuse of power and obstruction of Congress – and remove him from office. For that to happen, at least 20 Republicans would need to join the Democrats and independents.
“I think the votes have been decided. As much as anybody will be pretending to be judicious about this, I don’t think that there’s one senator who hasn’t decided how they’re going to vote,” Paul said.
Paul's interview comes on the same day the Senate swore in Chief Justice John Roberts to preside over the impeachment trial.
Senator's also took a constitutionally required oath "to do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws" in the impeachment trial of Trump over his attempts to get Ukraine to publicly investigate political rival Joe Biden.
'Impartial justice': Can partisan senators serve as unbiased jurors in the Trump impeachment trial?
More: What is an impeachment manager, and what do they do?
According to The Hill, Paul also warned that Republicans voting to impeach Trump would end their political career.
More: Senate opens impeachment trial against President Trump
Chief Justice John Roberts' impeachment trial role: speak softly, set a good example
“I think if you’re pretty much no longer interested in running for office, or no longer interested in getting Republican votes, you might vote to impeach the president,” Paul said. “This isn’t just a policy difference.”
He continued, “When it comes to whether or not you’re going to impeach a president of your own party, particularly over a policy difference or whether or not he has lack of decorum or whatever, I think that’s something that a lot of voters will not excuse.”
Every Republican in the House voted against both articles. The House’s lone independent, former Republican Justin Amash of Michigan, voted with Democrats to impeach Trump on both charges.
Old English, Pelosi's many pens and special walks: Your weird impeachment questions, answered
Contributing: Ledyard King, Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-01-16--OnPolitics: The historic days aren't over

And the Senate is about to start the trial of the president of the United States for the third time in our nation 's history .
Welcome back to OnPolitics .
We 're assuming you missed us .
On Thursday , Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts donned his judicial robe and was sworn in to preside over the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump .
He then recited the trial oath and senators were sworn in for their roles as jurors .
`` Do you solemnly swear that in all things appertaining to the trial of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of the United States now pending , you will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws , so help you God ? ''
Roberts asked .
Impartial justice .
That 's been a hot topic as the impeachment process has moved forward .
Are any of the senators impartial ?
For his part , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said no .
`` I 'm not an impartial juror .
This is a political process .
There 's not anything judicial about it , '' he told reporters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some questions .
Like , why are we still saying `` hear ye , hear ye '' and does n't the Supreme Court need John Roberts ?
We 've got your answers so you can look super smart .
But wait , there 's more .
At the heart of the impeachment is whether Trump abused the power of his office by asking the president of Ukraine to investigate a political rival , former Vice President Joe Biden , while Trump withheld a White House meeting and nearly $ 400 million in military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Lev Parnas .
Parnas is accused of having assisted in that campaign to pressure Ukraine , and on Wednesday night , said `` President Trump knew exactly what was going on . ''
Now , is he to be believed , or is he trying to save himself ?
Parnas is indeed charged with federal campaign finance violations and faces prison time .
As for the aid to Ukraine the White House held up ?
The Government Accountability Office declared Thursday that the White House budget office broke the law by not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law does not permit the president to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law , '' the report says .
But what 's going to happen ?
This type of violation has no criminal penalty , so the GAO would have to file a civil lawsuit , which has only happened one other time .
In other words , do n't hold your breath .

OnPolitics: The historic days aren't over
Show Caption Hide Caption 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
We're back. We're caffeinated.
And the Senate is about to start the trial of the president of the United States for the third time in our nation's history.
Welcome back to OnPolitics. We're assuming you missed us.
On Thursday, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts donned his judicial robe and was sworn in to preside over the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. He then recited the trial oath and senators were sworn in for their roles as jurors.
"Do you solemnly swear that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Donald John Trump, president of the United States now pending, you will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws, so help you God?" Roberts asked.
Impartial justice. That's been a hot topic as the impeachment process has moved forward. Are any of the senators impartial? For his part, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said no.
"I'm not an impartial juror. This is a political process. There's not anything judicial about it," he told reporters in December.
So, you probably have some questions. Like, why are we still saying "hear ye, hear ye" and doesn't the Supreme Court need John Roberts? We've got your answers so you can look super smart.
But wait, there's more.
At the heart of the impeachment is whether Trump abused the power of his office by asking the president of Ukraine to investigate a political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, while Trump withheld a White House meeting and nearly $400 million in military aid.
One piece in that puzzle? Lev Parnas.
Parnas is accused of having assisted in that campaign to pressure Ukraine, and on Wednesday night, said "President Trump knew exactly what was going on." Now, is he to be believed, or is he trying to save himself? Parnas is indeed charged with federal campaign finance violations and faces prison time.
As for the aid to Ukraine the White House held up? The Government Accountability Office declared Thursday that the White House budget office broke the law by not releasing it. "Faithful execution of the law does not permit the president to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law," the report says.
But what's going to happen? This type of violation has no criminal penalty, so the GAO would have to file a civil lawsuit, which has only happened one other time. In other words, don't hold your breath.


usatoday--2020-01-17--Donald Trump says he doesn't know Lev Parnas. Parnas says he has pictures with Trump

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump and aides sought Thursday to distance him from a Soviet-born businessman who said Trump knew all about efforts to pressure Ukraine into investigating U.S. political rival Joe Biden – a pivotal point in the Senate impeachment trial of the president .
“ I don ’ t believe I ’ ve ever spoken to him , '' Trump told reporters about Lev Parnas , taking questions after an event announcing new federal guidance he has said will `` safeguard '' the rights of students to pray in school .
Parnas , who once worked with Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigators with documents to buttress his claims that Trump sought political dirt from a foreign country on Biden and on his son Hunter Biden , who once worked for a Ukrainian gas company called Burisma .
“ It was all about Joe Biden , Hunter Biden , '' Parnas told MSNBC host Rachel Maddow , adding that `` it was never about corruption .
It was strictly about Burisma , which included Hunter Biden and Joe Biden.
” Parnas said Trump knows him well and there are pictures of the two of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with CNN , Parnas said that every time Trump denies knowing him , `` I 'll show him another picture .
He ’ s lying.
” Speaking with reporters in the Oval Office , surrounded by children who were invited to attend the school prayer event , Trump said that `` I meet thousands and thousands of people '' and `` take thousands of pictures '' with them at fundraisers .
But he said he does not remember Parnas .
`` Perhaps he 's a fine man , '' Trump said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke about his latest accuser as the Senate formally opened the trial on impeachment charges that he abused power and obstructed a congressional investigation into his actions regarding Ukraine .
The president is accused of seeking a foreign nation 's help with his 2020 re-election campaign by having Ukraine investigate a rival , Biden , and threatening to withhold foreign aid from Ukraine if it did not comply with his wishes .
In his Oval Office remarks , Trump again described the entire impeachment process as a `` big hoax . ''
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parnas ' legal problems , saying that `` he 's probably trying to make a deal for himself '' – a theme echoed by many of his aides throughout the day .
In downplaying Parnas ' claims , various Trump officials stressed that Parnas is under indictment , and claimed that he is trying to help himself by accusing others .
`` These allegations are being made by a man who is currently out on bail for federal crimes and is desperate to reduce his exposure to prison , '' said White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Vice President Mike Pence knew about the effort to lean on Ukraine to investigate Biden .
He said Pence decided not to attend the inauguration of President Volodymyr Zelensky because Ukraine had not announced an investigation of the Bidens .
Marc Short , Pence 's chief of staff , said that witnesses during the House impeachment investigation `` have testified under oath in direct contradiction to Lev Parnas statements . ''
It 's `` very simple , '' Short added : `` Lev Parnas is under a multi-count indictment and will say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopes of staying out of prison . ''
Pence said Thursday that he `` do n't know the guy '' when he was asked about Parnas .
Pence also called `` completely false '' the accusation from Parnas that the vice president knew about the effort to get Ukraine to investigate the Bidens .
In the wake of Parnas ' claims , Ukraine 's Interior Ministry announced Thursday it would investigate evidence that Parnas knew about surveillance of Marie Yovanovitch , who was then U.S. ambassador to Ukraine .
Parnas ' submission to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a Trump supporter named Robert Hyde discussing what appeared to be efforts to track Yovanovitch 's movements in Kyiv .
On another front , the U.S. Government Accountability Office issued a legal opinion saying that Trump 's Office of Management and Budget `` violated the law '' in withholding security assistance to Ukraine .
During the impeachment investigation , Democrats said Trump used the withheld aid in an attempt to extort Ukraine into announcing an investigation of Biden .
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen , D-Md.
, who requested the GAO investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` the Trump Administration illegally withheld assistance from Ukraine and the public evidence shows that the president himself ordered this illegal act . ''
OMB spokesperson Rachel Semmel said the administration disagreed with GAO 's opinion .
`` OMB uses its apportionment authority to ensure taxpayer dollars are properly spent consistent with the President 's priorities and with the law , '' she said .

Donald Trump says he doesn't know Lev Parnas. Parnas says he has pictures with Trump
Show Caption Hide Caption Giuliani associate Lev Parnas claims Trump knew about Ukraine Rudy Giuliani's associate Lev Parnas said President Trump "knew exactly what was going on" in Ukraine. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump and aides sought Thursday to distance him from a Soviet-born businessman who said Trump knew all about efforts to pressure Ukraine into investigating U.S. political rival Joe Biden – a pivotal point in the Senate impeachment trial of the president.
“I don’t believe I’ve ever spoken to him," Trump told reporters about Lev Parnas, taking questions after an event announcing new federal guidance he has said will "safeguard" the rights of students to pray in school.
Parnas, who once worked with Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, has provided House investigators with documents to buttress his claims that Trump sought political dirt from a foreign country on Biden and on his son Hunter Biden, who once worked for a Ukrainian gas company called Burisma.
“It was all about Joe Biden, Hunter Biden," Parnas told MSNBC host Rachel Maddow, adding that "it was never about corruption. It was strictly about Burisma, which included Hunter Biden and Joe Biden.”
Parnas said Trump knows him well and there are pictures of the two of them at various events.
In an interview with CNN, Parnas said that every time Trump denies knowing him, "I'll show him another picture. He’s lying.”
Speaking with reporters in the Oval Office, surrounded by children who were invited to attend the school prayer event, Trump said that "I meet thousands and thousands of people" and "take thousands of pictures" with them at fundraisers. But he said he does not remember Parnas.
"Perhaps he's a fine man," Trump said. "Perhaps he's not."
Trump spoke about his latest accuser as the Senate formally opened the trial on impeachment charges that he abused power and obstructed a congressional investigation into his actions regarding Ukraine.
The president is accused of seeking a foreign nation's help with his 2020 re-election campaign by having Ukraine investigate a rival, Biden, and threatening to withhold foreign aid from Ukraine if it did not comply with his wishes.
In his Oval Office remarks, Trump again described the entire impeachment process as a "big hoax."
At one point, Trump made reference to Parnas' legal problems, saying that "he's probably trying to make a deal for himself" – a theme echoed by many of his aides throughout the day.
In downplaying Parnas' claims, various Trump officials stressed that Parnas is under indictment, and claimed that he is trying to help himself by accusing others.
Trump's Ukraine phone call: U.S. and Ukraine relationship, explained U.S. and Ukraine relations go further back than the now infamous phone call between Trump and Zelensky. We explain their relationship. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
"These allegations are being made by a man who is currently out on bail for federal crimes and is desperate to reduce his exposure to prison," said White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham.
Parnas also said Vice President Mike Pence knew about the effort to lean on Ukraine to investigate Biden. He said Pence decided not to attend the inauguration of President Volodymyr Zelensky because Ukraine had not announced an investigation of the Bidens.
Marc Short, Pence's chief of staff, said that witnesses during the House impeachment investigation "have testified under oath in direct contradiction to Lev Parnas statements."
It's "very simple," Short added: "Lev Parnas is under a multi-count indictment and will say anything to anybody who will listen in hopes of staying out of prison."
Pence said Thursday that he "don't know the guy" when he was asked about Parnas. Pence also called "completely false" the accusation from Parnas that the vice president knew about the effort to get Ukraine to investigate the Bidens.
In the wake of Parnas' claims, Ukraine's Interior Ministry announced Thursday it would investigate evidence that Parnas knew about surveillance of Marie Yovanovitch, who was then U.S. ambassador to Ukraine.
Parnas' submission to House investigators included text messages between Parnas and a Trump supporter named Robert Hyde discussing what appeared to be efforts to track Yovanovitch's movements in Kyiv.
On another front, the U.S. Government Accountability Office issued a legal opinion saying that Trump's Office of Management and Budget "violated the law" in withholding security assistance to Ukraine.
During the impeachment investigation, Democrats said Trump used the withheld aid in an attempt to extort Ukraine into announcing an investigation of Biden.
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who requested the GAO investigation, said the GAO report proves that "the Trump Administration illegally withheld assistance from Ukraine and the public evidence shows that the president himself ordered this illegal act."
OMB spokesperson Rachel Semmel said the administration disagreed with GAO's opinion.
"OMB uses its apportionment authority to ensure taxpayer dollars are properly spent consistent with the President's priorities and with the law," she said.


usatoday--2020-01-16--Old English, Pelosi's many pens and special walks: Your weird impeachment questions, answered

The third impeachment trial of a U.S. president kicked off Thursday in Washington , and President Donald Trump is the defendant .
The Constitution stipulates that , if any federal official commits `` high crimes or misdemeanors , '' the House of Representatives is empowered to impeach – formally charge – that official .
The House voted Wednesday afternoon to formally send the impeachment charges against Trump to the Senate .
Trump 's fate sits with the Senate , where a conviction would mean removal from office .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi named seven House members to serve as `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trial .
As the trial begins , here are answers to the questions you may be wondering : Why do they say , `` hear ye , hear ye '' and use old English during impeachment proceedings ?
Senate rules are explicit in providing details for an impeachment trial .
The trial will begin with the proclamation “ Hear ye !
Hear ye !
Hear ye !
All persons are commanded to keep silent , on pain of imprisonment , while the Senate of the United States is sitting for the trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Translation : Be quiet and pay attention .
Senators were required to be at their desks while the articles of impeachment were read by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , D-Calif. A summary of the day 's impeachment news : Right to your inbox !
Sign up for On Politics here After the House managers brought the articles of impeachment to the Senate , the Supreme Court 's chief justice was summoned to the Senate .
The Supreme Court is right across the street from the Capitol , but plans call for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial each day , escorted by a court security detail , a court spokesperson said .
On Thursday , four senators escorted him into the Senate chamber , where Roberts took an oath before administering an oath to the assembled senators .
What will John Roberts do ?
Under Article I , section 3 of the Constitution , the chief justice of the Supreme Court must preside over the Senate trial .
That means Roberts , appointed to the nation 's highest court by George W. Bush , is in charge .
Roberts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence , '' under Senate rules , which could give him sway on controversial calls such as whether former national security adviser John Bolton will testify .
The hitch is that the Senate can overrule him .
His role could end up being mostly ceremonial .
More impeachment : As Trump 's impeachment process moves to the Senate , here 's how it will all work Does n't the Supreme Court need their leader ?
Roberts will have a tight but manageable schedule .
Oral arguments are scheduled next Tuesday and Wednesday mornings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late February .
And the trial wo n't start until 1 p.m. each day .
Why did Nancy Pelosi use so many pens ?
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi used scores of pens to sign her name on the impeachment articles .
Using multiple pens for signing important U.S. documents is nothing new .
The pens are given out as keepsakes for historic events .
How long will this impeachment trial last ?
The trial will really get underway Tuesday , after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday .
Sen. Mitch McConnell , R-Ky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he hopes to wrap it up in about two weeks .
But the length of the trial will depend on how many witnesses , if any , are called .
The Senate has not determined whether it will call witnesses or include new evidence uncovered in the case .
The last such trial , for President Bill Clinton , lasted about five weeks .
Is Trump going to show up ?
Probably not , although Trump said in November he would `` strongly consider '' facing his accusers .
His tweet : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and don ’ t like giving credibility to this No Due Process Hoax , I like the idea & will , in order to get Congress focused again , strongly consider it ! ''
Lev Parnas is a Ukraine-born associate of Rudy Giuliani , Trump ’ s lawyer .
He sparked controversy by claiming that “ President Trump knew exactly what was going on '' during the White House 's alleged pressure campaign to get Ukraine to investigate Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden and his son Hunter .
Parnas said Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the work he did on their behalf in Ukraine .

Old English, Pelosi's many pens and special walks: Your weird impeachment questions, answered
Show Caption Hide Caption The Senate impeachment trial begins with articles move to the Senate The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump has officially begun, with Chief Justice John Roberts presiding, and much yet to decide. Hannah Gaber, USA TODAY
The third impeachment trial of a U.S. president kicked off Thursday in Washington, and President Donald Trump is the defendant.
The Constitution stipulates that, if any federal official commits "high crimes or misdemeanors," the House of Representatives is empowered to impeach – formally charge – that official. The House voted Wednesday afternoon to formally send the impeachment charges against Trump to the Senate.
Trump's fate sits with the Senate, where a conviction would mean removal from office. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi named seven House members to serve as "managers," essentially prosecutors, for the trial.
As the trial begins, here are answers to the questions you may be wondering:
Why do they say, "hear ye, hear ye" and use old English during impeachment proceedings?
Senate rules are explicit in providing details for an impeachment trial. The trial will begin with the proclamation “Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye! All persons are commanded to keep silent, on pain of imprisonment, while the Senate of the United States is sitting for the trial of the articles of impeachment." Translation: Be quiet and pay attention. Senators were required to be at their desks while the articles of impeachment were read by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif.
A summary of the day's impeachment news: Right to your inbox! Sign up for On Politics here
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
Will Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts walk to trial sessions?
After the House managers brought the articles of impeachment to the Senate, the Supreme Court's chief justice was summoned to the Senate. The Supreme Court is right across the street from the Capitol, but plans call for Roberts to go by car to the trial each day, escorted by a court security detail, a court spokesperson said. On Thursday, four senators escorted him into the Senate chamber, where Roberts took an oath before administering an oath to the assembled senators.
What will John Roberts do?
Under Article I, section 3 of the Constitution, the chief justice of the Supreme Court must preside over the Senate trial. That means Roberts, appointed to the nation's highest court by George W. Bush, is in charge. Roberts "may rule on all questions of evidence," under Senate rules, which could give him sway on controversial calls such as whether former national security adviser John Bolton will testify. The hitch is that the Senate can overrule him. His role could end up being mostly ceremonial.
More impeachment: As Trump's impeachment process moves to the Senate, here's how it will all work
Doesn't the Supreme Court need their leader?
Roberts will have a tight but manageable schedule. Oral arguments are scheduled next Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, then no more are set until late February. And the trial won't start until 1 p.m. each day.
Senate opens impeachment trial: Here's what to expect
Why did Nancy Pelosi use so many pens?
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi used scores of pens to sign her name on the impeachment articles. Using multiple pens for signing important U.S. documents is nothing new. The pens are given out as keepsakes for historic events.
How long will this impeachment trial last?
The trial will really get underway Tuesday, after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, the Senate Majority Leader, has said he hopes to wrap it up in about two weeks. But the length of the trial will depend on how many witnesses, if any, are called. The Senate has not determined whether it will call witnesses or include new evidence uncovered in the case. The last such trial, for President Bill Clinton, lasted about five weeks.
Is Trump going to show up?
Probably not, although Trump said in November he would "strongly consider" facing his accusers. His tweet: "Even though I did nothing wrong, and don’t like giving credibility to this No Due Process Hoax, I like the idea & will, in order to get Congress focused again, strongly consider it!"
Who is Lev Parnas?
Lev Parnas is a Ukraine-born associate of Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s lawyer. He sparked controversy by claiming that “President Trump knew exactly what was going on" during the White House's alleged pressure campaign to get Ukraine to investigate Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Parnas said Trump and Giuliani were routinely informed of behind-the-scenes developments in the work he did on their behalf in Ukraine.
Contributing: Richard Wolf


usatoday--2020-01-16--The Senate impeachment trial begins with articles move to the Senate

The Senate impeachment trial begins with articles move to the Senate The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump has @ @ @ @ @ Justice John Roberts presiding , and much yet to decide .

The Senate impeachment trial begins with articles move to the Senate
The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump has officially begun, with Chief Justice John Roberts presiding, and much yet to decide.
Hannah Gaber, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-01-16--Government watchdog says White House broke law in withholding Ukraine aid

The Government Accountability Office has concluded that the White House broke federal law when it withheld security assistance for Ukraine @

White House withheld Ukraine aid illegally, GAO says
The Government Accountability Office has concluded that the White House broke federal law when it withheld security assistance for Ukraine.
USA TODAY