usatoday--2020-01-20--Handful of key Senate Republicans will determine whether to call witnesses at President Trump's tria

WASHINGTON – A handful of Senate Republicans will determine whether to subpoena witnesses at President Donald Trump 's impeachment trial , as Democrats have sought , or simply hear arguments from House prosecutors and White House lawyers , as GOP leaders have suggested .
Republican Sens .
Mitt Romney of Utah , Susan Collins of Maine , Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee have said they are open to witnesses .
The question became more significant Jan. 6 , when former national security adviser John Bolton announced he would testify under subpoena , after refusing an invitation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Trump has said he might block Bolton 's testimony under executive privilege to protect the confidential advice presidents receive from top aides .
The trial rules will be set by a majority of 51 senators .
In a chamber with 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats , negotiations over the rules focused the spotlight on whether at least four Republican senators would join Democrats in demanding more testimony from witnesses such as Bolton and acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney .
“ I expect to have support from Democrats and Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer , D-N.Y .
But Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , slammed Schumer 's proposal , saying the minority leader wanted `` a fishing expedition '' to fill holes in the House 's flawed investigation .
McConnell said he has the votes to begin the trial with opening statements from House managers prosecuting the case and White House lawyers defending the president , followed by senators submitting written questions to both sides .
Votes on possible witnesses could come after the opening statements and questions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill Clinton in 1999 .
“ What ’ s good for President Clinton is good for President Trump , '' McConnell said .
If the door is open to witnesses , Republicans have suggested calling the anonymous whistleblower , who complained about Trump ’ s dealings with Ukraine , and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , who led the Ukraine investigation .
Trump suggested calling former Vice President Joe Biden to testify .
Romney , who has criticized Trump for urging Ukraine to investigate Biden as `` wrong and appalling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for it , said he was open to hearing from Bolton .
`` I 'd like to hear what he has to say , '' Romney said .
Collins and Murkowski left the door open to calling witnesses even before Bolton 's announcement .
`` While I need to hear the case argued and the questions answered , I tend to believe having additional information would be helpful , '' said Collins , who supported calling witnesses in the Clinton trial .
`` Prior to hearing the statement of the case and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support any attempts by either side to subpoena documents or witnesses . ''
Murkowski told KTUU in Alaska that she was “ disturbed ” to hear McConnell say the Senate would coordinate with the White House about how the trial is conducted .
“ How we will deal with witnesses remains to be seen , ” Murkowski said .
Neither Collins nor Murkowski would say definitively how they would vote on specific witnesses .
But they have worked to add language to the Senate resolution about how the trial will operate .
Their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allows for votes to subpoena witnesses and documents after opening statements .
`` I have not made a decision on any particular witnesses , '' Collins said .
`` When we reach the appropriate point in the trial , I would like to hear from both sides about which witnesses , if any , they would like to call . ''
Murkowski said she is trying to make sure senators have a “ guaranteed opportunity to weigh in at the conclusion ” of the trial on whether the chamber needs to hear from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine-born Lev Parnas , an associate of Trump 's personal lawyer , Rudy Giuliani , who said the president knew about their work in Ukraine .
The White House said Parnas is n't credible because he is under indictment for campaign finance charges unrelated to Ukraine .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , said that Parnas could be a credible witness but that his information must be scrutinized .
Collins questioned the timing Tuesday of House committees releasing new evidence from Parnas .
“ I wonder why the House did not put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s only now being revealed , ” Collins told reporters .
The committees subpoenaed Parnas after his arrest in October , when federal authorities seized his phones .
Parnas provided the documents , texts and other information from his phones to the committees this week after getting permission from U.S. District Court .
“ The additional documents and information about potential witnesses that have become available over the last several weeks only underscore the importance of a fair trial and a Senate that is open to hearing all of the evidence , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` deeply incriminating . ''
Alexander told CNN he is open to hearing from witnesses and reviewing more documents after the opening statements and written questions from senators .
“ Yes , I am , '' Alexander said .
`` What I think is important is we have a vote on whether we need additional documents and witnesses .
And that would only be appropriate after we 've heard the case and asked our questions . ''
'Ca n't have it both ways' Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. , said that if Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would support calling the whistleblower and Hunter Biden to testify .
Biden , the former vice president 's son , worked for the Ukraine gas company Burisma , which Trump sought to have investigated .
`` My colleagues can ’ t have it both ways .
Calling for some , while blocking others , '' Paul said in a tweet .
`` If we are going to give a platform to witnesses the Dems demand , I look forward to forcing votes to call Hunter Biden and many more ! ''
The Constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial : Senators must be under oath , a conviction requires at least a two-thirds vote , and the chief justice of the Supreme Court must preside if the president is on trial .
Given that broad discretion , the Senate sets its own rules .
The dispute over witnesses led to an impasse after the House approved the articles Dec. 18 .
But Pelosi said the delay was worthwhile because of the emergence of more evidence from Parnas and the offer of testimony from Bolton .
The online publication Just Security reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing concern during the summer that withholding the military aid might have violated the Impoundment Control Act , which requires the executive branch to spend money as appropriated by Congress .
But McConnell said Pelosi 's `` one-woman blockade '' achieved nothing .
Political advocates have targeted several Republicans who face elections in 2020 for their positions on impeachment and whether to call witnesses .
The ads from the advocacy group Need to Impeach , which is backed by billionaire Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer , have targeted Collins and Sens .
Joni @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado and Martha McSally of Arizona .
The group has spent $ 3.5 million on TV ads since the inquiry was announced .
The group plans to spend at least $ 1 million during the Senate trial .
Nathaly Arriola , executive director of Need to Impeach , told USA TODAY in a brief interview that her group was `` closely watching '' how the debate over a Senate trial would unfold but wanted to `` give members a chance to see how they 'll treat this . ''
Four progressive organizations announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trial began on billboards and digital ads set to run in the home states of eight Republican senators .
The ads from Daily Kos , MoveOn , Need to Impeach and Public Citizen urge Collins , Ernst , Gardner , McConnell , McSally , Murkowski , Romney and Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina to conduct a fair trial and vote to remove Trump .
Gardner has kept mum on his position about witnesses .
McSally ’ s campaign manager , Dylan Lefler , provided the Associated Press with a statement in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything so far that would lead her to believe impeachment of the president is warranted , let alone removing him from office.
” Ernst and Tillis have each said there is no need for witnesses .
“ Iowans are fed up with this political exercise that ’ s slowing us down from getting important things done , '' such as a trade agreement with Canada and Mexico , Ernst said .
The House accused Trump of abusing the power of his office by asking Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate a political rival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House meeting and $ 391 million in military aid .
The House also accused Trump of obstructing Congress by directing aides and agencies to defy subpoenas for documents and testimony , although some officials did testify .
Trump and congressional Republicans have argued that he had the authority to set foreign policy and was justified in fighting corruption in Ukraine .
Trump has said he expects to be exonerated in the Senate trial .
A two-thirds majority is necessary to convict Trump and remove him from office , which is unlikely in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnesses comes as more information dribbles out about Ukraine .

Bart Jansen, Christal Hayes and Nicholas Wu, USA TODAY

Handful of key Senate Republicans will determine whether to call witnesses at President Trump's trial
WASHINGTON – A handful of Senate Republicans will determine whether to subpoena witnesses at President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, as Democrats have sought, or simply hear arguments from House prosecutors and White House lawyers, as GOP leaders have suggested.
Republican Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee have said they are open to witnesses.
The question became more significant Jan. 6, when former national security adviser John Bolton announced he would testify under subpoena, after refusing an invitation to testify during the House inquiry. But Trump has said he might block Bolton's testimony under executive privilege to protect the confidential advice presidents receive from top aides.
The trial rules will be set by a majority of 51 senators. In a chamber with 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats, negotiations over the rules focused the spotlight on whether at least four Republican senators would join Democrats in demanding more testimony from witnesses such as Bolton and acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney.
“I expect to have support from Democrats and Republicans because the argument is so strong,” said Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.
But Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., slammed Schumer's proposal, saying the minority leader wanted "a fishing expedition" to fill holes in the House's flawed investigation. McConnell said he has the votes to begin the trial with opening statements from House managers prosecuting the case and White House lawyers defending the president, followed by senators submitting written questions to both sides.
Votes come after opening statements
Votes on possible witnesses could come after the opening statements and questions, as happened in the trial of President Bill Clinton in 1999.
“What’s good for President Clinton is good for President Trump," McConnell said.
If the door is open to witnesses, Republicans have suggested calling the anonymous whistleblower, who complained about Trump’s dealings with Ukraine, and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who led the Ukraine investigation. Trump suggested calling former Vice President Joe Biden to testify.
Romney, who has criticized Trump for urging Ukraine to investigate Biden as "wrong and appalling" and suffered the president's wrath for it, said he was open to hearing from Bolton.
"I'd like to hear what he has to say," Romney said.
Collins and Murkowski left the door open to calling witnesses even before Bolton's announcement.
"While I need to hear the case argued and the questions answered, I tend to believe having additional information would be helpful," said Collins, who supported calling witnesses in the Clinton trial. "Prior to hearing the statement of the case and the senators asking questions, I will not support any attempts by either side to subpoena documents or witnesses."
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
Murkowski told KTUU in Alaska that she was “disturbed” to hear McConnell say the Senate would coordinate with the White House about how the trial is conducted.
“How we will deal with witnesses remains to be seen,” Murkowski said.
Neither Collins nor Murkowski would say definitively how they would vote on specific witnesses. But they have worked to add language to the Senate resolution about how the trial will operate. Their goal is to add wording that explicitly allows for votes to subpoena witnesses and documents after opening statements.
"I have not made a decision on any particular witnesses," Collins said. "When we reach the appropriate point in the trial, I would like to hear from both sides about which witnesses, if any, they would like to call."
Murkowski said she is trying to make sure senators have a “guaranteed opportunity to weigh in at the conclusion” of the trial on whether the chamber needs to hear from more witnesses.
Another potential witness is Ukraine-born Lev Parnas, an associate of Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, who said the president knew about their work in Ukraine. The White House said Parnas isn't credible because he is under indictment for campaign finance charges unrelated to Ukraine. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said that Parnas could be a credible witness but that his information must be scrutinized.
Collins questioned the timing Tuesday of House committees releasing new evidence from Parnas.
“I wonder why the House did not put that into the record and it’s only now being revealed,” Collins told reporters.
The committees subpoenaed Parnas after his arrest in October, when federal authorities seized his phones. Parnas provided the documents, texts and other information from his phones to the committees this week after getting permission from U.S. District Court.
“The additional documents and information about potential witnesses that have become available over the last several weeks only underscore the importance of a fair trial and a Senate that is open to hearing all of the evidence," said Schiff, who called the documents "deeply incriminating."
Alexander told CNN he is open to hearing from witnesses and reviewing more documents after the opening statements and written questions from senators.
“Yes, I am," Alexander said. "What I think is important is we have a vote on whether we need additional documents and witnesses. And that would only be appropriate after we've heard the case and asked our questions."
'Can't have it both ways'
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said that if Democrats are successful in calling witnesses, he would support calling the whistleblower and Hunter Biden to testify. Biden, the former vice president's son, worked for the Ukraine gas company Burisma, which Trump sought to have investigated.
"My colleagues can’t have it both ways. Calling for some, while blocking others," Paul said in a tweet. "If we are going to give a platform to witnesses the Dems demand, I look forward to forcing votes to call Hunter Biden and many more!"
The Constitution imposes only three requirements on a Senate trial: Senators must be under oath, a conviction requires at least a two-thirds vote, and the chief justice of the Supreme Court must preside if the president is on trial. Given that broad discretion, the Senate sets its own rules.
The dispute over witnesses led to an impasse after the House approved the articles Dec. 18. But Pelosi said the delay was worthwhile because of the emergence of more evidence from Parnas and the offer of testimony from Bolton.
The online publication Just Security reported that administration emails from Pentagon officials revealed growing concern during the summer that withholding the military aid might have violated the Impoundment Control Act, which requires the executive branch to spend money as appropriated by Congress.
But McConnell said Pelosi's "one-woman blockade" achieved nothing.
Political advocates have targeted several Republicans who face elections in 2020 for their positions on impeachment and whether to call witnesses. The ads from the advocacy group Need to Impeach, which is backed by billionaire Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer, have targeted Collins and Sens. Joni Ernst of Iowa, Cory Gardner of Colorado and Martha McSally of Arizona.
The group has spent $3.5 million on TV ads since the inquiry was announced. The group plans to spend at least $1 million during the Senate trial.
Nathaly Arriola, executive director of Need to Impeach, told USA TODAY in a brief interview that her group was "closely watching" how the debate over a Senate trial would unfold but wanted to "give members a chance to see how they'll treat this."
Billboards target GOP senators
Four progressive organizations announced they spent $400,000 the week before the trial began on billboards and digital ads set to run in the home states of eight Republican senators. The ads from Daily Kos, MoveOn, Need to Impeach and Public Citizen urge Collins, Ernst, Gardner, McConnell, McSally, Murkowski, Romney and Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina to conduct a fair trial and vote to remove Trump.
Gardner has kept mum on his position about witnesses.
McSally’s campaign manager, Dylan Lefler, provided the Associated Press with a statement in mid-December that she “hasn't heard anything so far that would lead her to believe impeachment of the president is warranted, let alone removing him from office.”
Ernst and Tillis have each said there is no need for witnesses.
“Iowans are fed up with this political exercise that’s slowing us down from getting important things done," such as a trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, Ernst said.
The House accused Trump of abusing the power of his office by asking Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate a political rival, Biden, by withholding a White House meeting and $391 million in military aid. The House also accused Trump of obstructing Congress by directing aides and agencies to defy subpoenas for documents and testimony, although some officials did testify.
Trump and congressional Republicans have argued that he had the authority to set foreign policy and was justified in fighting corruption in Ukraine. Trump has said he expects to be exonerated in the Senate trial.
A two-thirds majority is necessary to convict Trump and remove him from office, which is unlikely in the Republican-led Senate. But the debate over witnesses comes as more information dribbles out about Ukraine.


usatoday--2020-01-20--Donald Trump on being president: 'What do I get out of it? I get impeached!'

While promoting new trade deals in a speech to farmers , President Donald Trump on Sunday gave a small preview of this week 's impeachment trial by saying Democrats are prosecuting him in spite of his many accomplishments .
While listing his economic agenda , including two new trade deals involving China , Canada , and Mexico , Trump told a supportive crowed in Austin , Texas : `` And what do I get out of it ?
Tell me – I get impeached !
That 's what I get out of it ! ''
He added : `` By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeached .
But that 's okay , the farmers are sticking with Trump . ''
Addressing theAmerican Farm Bureau Federation ’ s Annual Convention & Trade Show , Trump spoke a day after his new legal team filed a brief legal response with the Senate calling impeachment an attempt to reverse the results of the 2016 election .
The Senate opens the impeachment trial on Tuesday .
Devoting most of his remarks to the economy , Trump promoted a new `` Phase One '' trade deal with China as well as the revamped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and said those agreements will enable U.S. farmers to sell more products to overseas customers .
As for his economic record overall , Trump cited reduced government regulations , tax cuts , and energy development .
He told the Farm Bureau that past politicians `` did nothing for you , '' but `` I kept my promises . ''
Speaking to a group that is a major part of his political base , especially in the South and Midwest , Trump said `` we are winning for our farmers , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last month , the Democratic-run House approved two articles of impeachment against Trump .
One accused him of abuse of power in asking Ukraine to investigate U.S. political rival Joe Biden ; the second article charges the president with obstruction of Congress during the impeachment investigation .
Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , the top House impeachment manager , said Trump and his team are not contesting the fact that he solicited help from a foreign nation for his 2020 election bid , and that he threatened to withhold aid from Ukraine if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden .
`` The mere idea of this would have appalled the Founders , who were worried about exactly that kind of solicitation of foreign interference in an election for a personal benefit , the danger it poses to national security , '' Schiff said on ABC 's This Week .
While the Republican-run Senate is expected to acquit Trump , he and his aides are bracing for a trial that could take weeks .
The president 's new legal team is scheduled to file another legal brief by noon on Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave on a trip to an international economic summit in Davos , Switzerland .
He is scheduled to return to the White House on Wednesday night .
In disputing the abuse of power allegation , Trump and his attorneys denied trying to extort Ukraine , saying he only wanted the government there to address corruption issues .
The White House has also denied improperly delaying military aid to Ukraine .
As for the obstruction of justice claim , Trump and his attorneys said they withheld witnesses and documents for executive privilege reasons .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ review the internal deliberations of the executive branch .

Donald Trump on being president: 'What do I get out of it? I get impeached!'
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
While promoting new trade deals in a speech to farmers, President Donald Trump on Sunday gave a small preview of this week's impeachment trial by saying Democrats are prosecuting him in spite of his many accomplishments.
While listing his economic agenda, including two new trade deals involving China, Canada, and Mexico, Trump told a supportive crowed in Austin, Texas: "And what do I get out of it? Tell me – I get impeached! That's what I get out of it!"
He added: "By these radical left lunatics, I get impeached. But that's okay, the farmers are sticking with Trump."
Addressing theAmerican Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention & Trade Show, Trump spoke a day after his new legal team filed a brief legal response with the Senate calling impeachment an attempt to reverse the results of the 2016 election. The Senate opens the impeachment trial on Tuesday.
Devoting most of his remarks to the economy, Trump promoted a new "Phase One" trade deal with China as well as the revamped trilateral trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, and said those agreements will enable U.S. farmers to sell more products to overseas customers.
As for his economic record overall, Trump cited reduced government regulations, tax cuts, and energy development. He told the Farm Bureau that past politicians "did nothing for you," but "I kept my promises."
Speaking to a group that is a major part of his political base, especially in the South and Midwest, Trump said "we are winning for our farmers, and we are winning like never before."
Last month, the Democratic-run House approved two articles of impeachment against Trump.
One accused him of abuse of power in asking Ukraine to investigate U.S. political rival Joe Biden; the second article charges the president with obstruction of Congress during the impeachment investigation.
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the top House impeachment manager, said Trump and his team are not contesting the fact that he solicited help from a foreign nation for his 2020 election bid, and that he threatened to withhold aid from Ukraine if it did not dig up dirt on Biden.
"The mere idea of this would have appalled the Founders, who were worried about exactly that kind of solicitation of foreign interference in an election for a personal benefit, the danger it poses to national security," Schiff said on ABC's This Week.
While the Republican-run Senate is expected to acquit Trump, he and his aides are bracing for a trial that could take weeks. The president's new legal team is scheduled to file another legal brief by noon on Monday.
That night, Trump is scheduled to leave on a trip to an international economic summit in Davos, Switzerland. He is scheduled to return to the White House on Wednesday night.
In disputing the abuse of power allegation, Trump and his attorneys denied trying to extort Ukraine, saying he only wanted the government there to address corruption issues. The White House has also denied improperly delaying military aid to Ukraine.
As for the obstruction of justice claim, Trump and his attorneys said they withheld witnesses and documents for executive privilege reasons. They said Congress is not entitled to review the internal deliberations of the executive branch.


usatoday--2020-01-20--'Everybody brings some negatives': Sanders says gender an obstacle for female candidates

After denying in a Democratic debate last week that he told Sen. Elizabeth Warren a woman could not be elected president , Sen. Bernie Sanders said Sunday that he thinks gender can be a problem for female candidates seeking to occupy the White House .
Sanders said during a forum on New Hampshire Public Radio that he did n't want to discuss his `` private '' 2018 conversation with Warren '' Let me just say this : It is hard for me to imagine how anybody in the year 2020 could not believe that a woman could become president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ check my record , I 've been saying that for 30 years , '' Sanders said .
NHPR reporter Casey McDermott asked Sanders if he thought `` gender is still an obstacle for female politicians . ''
`` The answer is yes , '' Sanders replied .
`` But I think everybody has their own sets of problems .
I ’ m 78 years of age .
That ’ s a problem . ''
The Vermont independent compared the hesitancy some voters feel about his age to other candidates ' `` negatives , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 2020 candidates : Who is running for president ?
An interactive guide '' If you 're looking at Buttigieg , he 's a young guy and people will say , 'Well , he 's too young to be president . '
You look at this one , she 's a woman .
Everybody brings some negatives , if you like , '' Sanders said .
`` I would just hope very much that the American people look at the totality of a candidate .
Not at their gender , not at their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but at everything . ''
Sanders said that while gender might spark anxiety about electability among some voters , it was important to remember that `` as a country , we have come a long way . ''
He said 25 years ago most people could not imagine an African-American becoming president , or an openly gay man being a serious candidate , but those assumptions were upended by Barack Obama and Pete Buttigieg .
`` I think the American people have moved very significantly in trying to look at candidates based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
After Sanders denied in the debate that he made the remark Warren attributed to him about a woman 's electability , Warren accused him of calling her `` a liar on national TV . ''
When asked about Sanders ' comments on Sunday , Warren said she did not wish to comment .
`` I have no further comment on this , '' she said .
`` I have been friends with Bernie for a long time . ''
Opinion : Is presidency out of reach for women ?
Warren-Sanders tiff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do better ' : Van Jones says no one in 'dispiriting ' debate looked ready to beat Trump

'Everybody brings some negatives': Sanders says gender an obstacle for female candidates
Show Caption Hide Caption Elizabeth Warren says Bernie didn't think a woman could beat Trump Elizabeth Warren confirmed reporting that Bernie Sanders in 2018 "disagreed" that a woman could beat President Trump to become president. USA TODAY
After denying in a Democratic debate last week that he told Sen. Elizabeth Warren a woman could not be elected president, Sen. Bernie Sanders said Sunday that he thinks gender can be a problem for female candidates seeking to occupy the White House.
Sanders said during a forum on New Hampshire Public Radio that he didn't want to discuss his "private" 2018 conversation with Warren
"Let me just say this: It is hard for me to imagine how anybody in the year 2020 could not believe that a woman could become president of the United States. And if you check my record, I've been saying that for 30 years," Sanders said.
NHPR reporter Casey McDermott asked Sanders if he thought "gender is still an obstacle for female politicians."
"The answer is yes," Sanders replied. "But I think everybody has their own sets of problems. I’m 78 years of age. That’s a problem."
The Vermont independent compared the hesitancy some voters feel about his age to other candidates' "negatives," such as youth or gender.
The 2020 candidates: Who is running for president? An interactive guide
Michael Moore: Elizabeth Warren 'chose to stick a knife in Bernie's back'
"If you're looking at Buttigieg, he's a young guy and people will say, 'Well, he's too young to be president.' You look at this one, she's a woman. Everybody brings some negatives, if you like," Sanders said. "I would just hope very much that the American people look at the totality of a candidate. Not at their gender, not at their sexuality, not at their age, but at everything."
Sanders said that while gender might spark anxiety about electability among some voters, it was important to remember that "as a country, we have come a long way."
He said 25 years ago most people could not imagine an African-American becoming president, or an openly gay man being a serious candidate, but those assumptions were upended by Barack Obama and Pete Buttigieg.
"I think the American people have moved very significantly in trying to look at candidates based on what they stand for," Sanders said.
After Sanders denied in the debate that he made the remark Warren attributed to him about a woman's electability, Warren accused him of calling her "a liar on national TV."
When asked about Sanders' comments on Sunday, Warren said she did not wish to comment.
"I have no further comment on this," she said. "I have been friends with Bernie for a long time."
Opinion: Is presidency out of reach for women? Warren-Sanders tiff ends silence on insidious myth
'Democrats have to do better': Van Jones says no one in 'dispiriting' debate looked ready to beat Trump


usatoday--2020-01-20--Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown 'fine' with Hunter Biden testifying in Trump impeachment trial

As the Senate prepares for the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump , one Democratic senator says he is open to former Vice President Joe Biden 's son , Hunter , testifying if that is what it takes to have new witnesses called .
`` Fine , '' Sen. Sherrod Brown said Sunday on CNN 's `` State of the Union '' when asked if he was prepared for Hunter Biden to testify .
`` I understand both sides get to call witnesses . ''
It remains an open question whether new witnesses can be called in the trial that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after being impeached in the Democratic-controlled House on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , delayed sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate to try to get Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to commit to a `` fair '' trial , which she said would have to include relevant new witnesses and evidence .
McConnell refused to make any commitment and said the Senate would independently determine how it proceeds .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , has said there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hear from , including acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and former national security adviser John Bolton , who said he would testify if subpoenaed by the Senate .
Several Republicans who oppose new witnesses say House Democrats rushed the process and should have subpoenaed the witnesses during the inquiry , while others say they are open to more testimony .
More : Graham , Dershowitz say effort to dismiss articles of impeachment 'dead ' as they prepare for trial Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas , has said if new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` reciprocity . ''
`` That means , if the prosecution gets a witness , the defense gets a witness , '' Cruz said Sunday on Fox News .
`` That means , if the prosecution gets to call John Bolton , then the president gets to call Hunter Biden . ''
Cruz said he believes Democrats are `` terrified '' of Hunter Biden 's testimony `` because they do n't want to hear evidence of actual corruption '' that `` occurred during the Obama administration . ''
But Brown said some Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the call to have the former vice president 's son testify as a `` distraction . ''
`` I do n't know what Hunter Biden has to do with the phone call that was made , '' Brown said , referring to a July 25 conversation between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky .
`` The point is , we need witnesses , '' Brown said .
`` I do n't understand how you can – to the American public – make the case that this is a real trial if there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new evidence . ''
Trump is accused of using military aid to pressure Ukraine into opening two investigations he thought could benefit him politically : one into a conspiracy theory alleging Ukraine , not Russia , interfered in the 2016 election , and the other into Biden 's role in his son 's appointment to the executive board of Burisma , a Ukrainian natural gas company .
Though officials in the U.S. and Ukraine previously said they found no evidence of wrongdoing , Trump and his supporters have accused the former vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's lucrative seat on Burisma 's board .
The president said he wanted Ukraine to look into the matter strictly because he wished to combat corruption .
Democrats say he was trying to politically damage Biden , who is a top candidate in the Democratic primary .
Democrats outline allegations : House Democrats call Trump a 'danger ' to U.S. national security in formal argument for his removal Democrats are particularly eager to hear from Bolton because officials testified in the House inquiry that he was opposed to leveraging military aid to pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` drug deal . ''
`` Any Republican senator who says there should be no witnesses , or even that witnesses should be negotiated , is part of the cover-up , '' said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler , D-N.Y. , Sunday on CBS News ' `` Face the Nation . ''
Nadler said testimony from Hunter Biden would be irrelevant because `` he has no knowledge of the accusations against the president . ''
He said Trump 's supporters only want the former vice president 's son to testify to `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoped Ukraine would .
Sen. John Cornyn , R-Texas , said on `` Face the Nation '' that the Senate will vote Tuesday on a resolution outlining how the trial will be conducted .
He said it would mirror the format for the 1999 impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton by having both sides present their cases before deciding if additional testimony was needed .
`` We have a two-phase deal here , like we did under the Clinton trial .
First , we 're going to hear from the managers and arguments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of case they have , '' said Sen. Richard Shelby , R-Ala. , on `` This Week . ''
Sen. Dick Durbin , D-Ill. , said on `` Meet the Press '' that Democrats do n't know what McConnell will propose on Tuesday , but warned `` the American people expect a real trial to have real witnesses and evidence . ''
`` The Senate itself is on trial , as far as I 'm concerned , and the jury 's the American people , '' Durbin said .
`` The question is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a fair trial , whether the members of the Senate are going to be loyal to the Constitution or loyal to the president . ''
Durbin said he thought Republicans were still debating among themselves whether calling Hunter Biden as a witness `` is really in their best interest '' or if it would be `` more theater than it should be . ''
Defense attorney Alan Dershowitz , who is part of Trump 's legal team , said on `` This Week '' that calling witnesses `` will delay the trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invoke executive privilege as to people like John Bolton .
That will have to go to the court and we 'll have to have a resolution of that before the trial continues , '' Dershowitz warned .

Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown 'fine' with Hunter Biden testifying in Trump impeachment trial
Show Caption Hide Caption McConnell: Impeachment trial to start next Tuesday Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the impeachment trial could start this week, but significant proceedings would launch next Tuesday after the holiday break. (Jan. 14) AP
As the Senate prepares for the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, one Democratic senator says he is open to former Vice President Joe Biden's son, Hunter, testifying if that is what it takes to have new witnesses called.
"Fine," Sen. Sherrod Brown said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union" when asked if he was prepared for Hunter Biden to testify. "I understand both sides get to call witnesses."
It remains an open question whether new witnesses can be called in the trial that will determine whether Trump remains in office after being impeached in the Democratic-controlled House on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., delayed sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate to try to get Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to commit to a "fair" trial, which she said would have to include relevant new witnesses and evidence. McConnell refused to make any commitment and said the Senate would independently determine how it proceeds.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has said there are four witnesses Democrats would still like to hear from, including acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and former national security adviser John Bolton, who said he would testify if subpoenaed by the Senate.
Several Republicans who oppose new witnesses say House Democrats rushed the process and should have subpoenaed the witnesses during the inquiry, while others say they are open to more testimony.
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
Impeachment week ahead: House, Trump to file written arguments before Senate trial resumes Tuesday
More: Graham, Dershowitz say effort to dismiss articles of impeachment 'dead' as they prepare for trial
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has said if new witnesses are called, there should be "reciprocity."
"That means, if the prosecution gets a witness, the defense gets a witness," Cruz said Sunday on Fox News. "That means, if the prosecution gets to call John Bolton, then the president gets to call Hunter Biden."
Cruz said he believes Democrats are "terrified" of Hunter Biden's testimony "because they don't want to hear evidence of actual corruption" that "occurred during the Obama administration."
But Brown said some Senate Republicans have told him in private they see the call to have the former vice president's son testify as a "distraction."
"I don't know what Hunter Biden has to do with the phone call that was made," Brown said, referring to a July 25 conversation between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
"The point is, we need witnesses," Brown said. "I don't understand how you can – to the American public – make the case that this is a real trial if there are no witnesses and there is no new evidence."
Trump is accused of using military aid to pressure Ukraine into opening two investigations he thought could benefit him politically: One into a conspiracy theory alleging Ukraine, not Russia, interfered in the 2016 election, and the other into Biden's role in his son's appointment to the executive board of Burisma, a Ukrainian natural gas company.
Though officials in the U.S. and Ukraine previously said they found no evidence of wrongdoing, Trump and his supporters have accused the former vice president of corruption in connection to his son's lucrative seat on Burisma's board.
The president said he wanted Ukraine to look into the matter strictly because he wished to combat corruption. Democrats say he was trying to politically damage Biden, who is a top candidate in the Democratic primary.
Democrats outline allegations: House Democrats call Trump a 'danger' to U.S. national security in formal argument for his removal
Democrats are particularly eager to hear from Bolton because officials testified in the House inquiry that he was opposed to leveraging military aid to pressure Ukraine and disparaged the effort as a "drug deal."
"Any Republican senator who says there should be no witnesses, or even that witnesses should be negotiated, is part of the cover-up," said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., Sunday on CBS News' "Face the Nation."
Nadler said testimony from Hunter Biden would be irrelevant because "he has no knowledge of the accusations against the president." He said Trump's supporters only want the former vice president's son to testify to "smear" the Bidens exactly how Trump hoped Ukraine would.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said on "Face the Nation" that the Senate will vote Tuesday on a resolution outlining how the trial will be conducted. He said it would mirror the format for the 1999 impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton by having both sides present their cases before deciding if additional testimony was needed.
"We have a two-phase deal here like we did under the Clinton trial. First, we're going to hear from the managers and arguments on both sides and see what kind of case they have," said Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., on "This Week."
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said on "Meet the Press" that Democrats don't know what McConnell will propose on Tuesday, but warned "the American people expect a real trial to have real witnesses and evidence."
"The Senate itself is on trial, as far as I'm concerned, and the jury's the American people," Durbin said. "The question is whether or not we are going to have a fair trial, whether the members of the Senate are going to be loyal to the Constitution or loyal to the president."
Durbin said he thought Republicans were still debating among themselves whether calling Hunter Biden as a witness "is really in their best interest" or if it would be "more theater than it should be."
Defense attorney Alan Dershowitz, who is part of Trump's legal team, said on "This Week" that calling witnesses "will delay the trial considerably."
"The president will invoke executive privilege as to people like John Bolton. That will have to go to the court and we'll have to have a resolution of that before the trial continues," Dershowitz warned.


usatoday--2020-01-21--Proposed rules for Trump's Senate impeachment trial could set up a heated debate on Tuesday

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump 's impeachment trial will likely start with a fierce debate between Democrats and Republicans over Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell 's proposed rules for the first stage of the Senate trial .
According to a copy of the four-page draft organizing resolution for the trial obtained by USA TODAY , all evidence from the House of Representatives ' impeachment inquiry must be printed out and made available to all senators before the lawmakers will be able to vote on admitting the materials at a later time .
The Senate will debate and vote on these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the president 's lawyers would be given 24 hours each to present their cases .
Under these rules , each side 's presentations must take place over two working days in the Senate – meaning that presentations could go late into the night .
Following the presentations , senators are allowed to question both sides for a period of 16 hours , though it does not place a restriction on the number of days for the question period .
Votes on calling witnesses or documents will not be allowed until after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be given four hours to debate witnesses and documents .
The rules also allow for a motion to be introduced to dismiss the impeachment charges outright , but Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , said yesterday on `` Fox News Sunday '' such an effort would be `` dead for practical purposes '' because Republicans did not have the votes to do so .
Witnesses : Handful of key Senate Republicans will determine whether to call witnesses at President Trump 's trial Trial explanation : President Trump 's impeachment : What happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Representatives impeached Trump on Dec. 18 for abuse of power and obstruction of justice .
Democrats allege Trump abused his power by pressuring the Ukrainian government to open investigations into his political rivals , and then stonewalled the House 's investigation of his conduct .
Convicting Trump and removing him from office requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate , which is currently controlled by Republicans .
During the Senate trial , Democrats seek the testimony of four current or former Trump administration officials who failed to take part in the impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolton .
Bolton has offered to testify if subpoenaed .
Republicans , on the other hand , have argued that Democrats ' impeachment case is deficient because it requires further testimony .
Some , like Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. , have threatened to call for former Vice President Joe Biden 's son Hunter Biden to testify if Democrats try to call their witnesses .
A simple majority vote of 51 senators is required to pass a motion to call witnesses or documents .
There are currently 47 Democratic senators , which means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats in voting for witnesses .
A senior Republican leadership aide explained that the rules are set to model those of President Bill Clinton 's impeachment trial in January 1999 .
Managers : Who are the 7 impeachment managers selected for the Senate trial of President Donald Trump ?
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , denounced the resolution setting up the trial as a `` national disgrace . ''
`` It ’ s clear Senator McConnell is hell-bent on making it much more difficult to get witnesses and documents and intent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schumer said .
`` On something as important as impeachment , Senator McConnell ’ s resolution is nothing short of a national disgrace . ''
The New York Democrat also slammed the potentially late hours for presentations as a sign McConnell `` doesn ’ t want the American people to hear '' the facts of the case .
Schumer said he would be introducing amendments to the resolution in order to `` address the many flaws in this deeply unfair proposal '' and to subpoena documents and witnesses .

Proposed rules for Trump's Senate impeachment trial could set up a heated debate on Tuesday
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
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump's impeachment trial will likely start with a fierce debate between Democrats and Republicans over Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's proposed rules for the first stage of the Senate trial.
According to a copy of the four-page draft organizing resolution for the trial obtained by USA TODAY, all evidence from the House of Representatives' impeachment inquiry must be printed out and made available to all senators before the lawmakers will be able to vote on admitting the materials at a later time.
The Senate will debate and vote on these rules Tuesday.
The Democratic impeachment managers and the president's lawyers would be given 24 hours each to present their cases. Under these rules, each side's presentations must take place over two working days in the Senate – meaning that presentations could go late into the night.
Following the presentations, senators are allowed to question both sides for a period of 16 hours, though it does not place a restriction on the number of days for the question period.
Votes on calling witnesses or documents will not be allowed until after the question phase of the trial. Senators will be given four hours to debate witnesses and documents.
The rules also allow for a motion to be introduced to dismiss the impeachment charges outright, but Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said yesterday on "Fox News Sunday" such an effort would be "dead for practical purposes" because Republicans did not have the votes to do so.
Witnesses: Handful of key Senate Republicans will determine whether to call witnesses at President Trump's trial
Trial explanation: President Trump's impeachment: What happens now in the Senate trial
The House of Representatives impeached Trump on Dec. 18 for abuse of power and obstruction of justice. Democrats allege Trump abused his power by pressuring the Ukrainian government to open investigations into his political rivals, and then stonewalled the House's investigation of his conduct.
Convicting Trump and removing him from office requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate, which is currently controlled by Republicans.
During the Senate trial, Democrats seek the testimony of four current or former Trump administration officials who failed to take part in the impeachment inquiry like former national security adviser John Bolton. Bolton has offered to testify if subpoenaed.
More: Donald Trump's lawyers say impeachment case is insufficient, unconstitutional
Republicans, on the other hand, have argued that Democrats' impeachment case is deficient because it requires further testimony. Some, like Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., have threatened to call for former Vice President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden to testify if Democrats try to call their witnesses.
A simple majority vote of 51 senators is required to pass a motion to call witnesses or documents. There are currently 47 Democratic senators, which means four Republicans would have to join all Democrats in voting for witnesses.
A senior Republican leadership aide explained that the rules are set to model those of President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial in January 1999.
Managers: Who are the 7 impeachment managers selected for the Senate trial of President Donald Trump?
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., denounced the resolution setting up the trial as a "national disgrace."
"It’s clear Senator McConnell is hell-bent on making it much more difficult to get witnesses and documents and intent on rushing the trial through," Schumer said. "On something as important as impeachment, Senator McConnell’s resolution is nothing short of a national disgrace."
The New York Democrat also slammed the potentially late hours for presentations as a sign McConnell "doesn’t want the American people to hear" the facts of the case.
Schumer said he would be introducing amendments to the resolution in order to "address the many flaws in this deeply unfair proposal" and to subpoena documents and witnesses.


usatoday--2020-01-20--Kellyanne Conway says Martin Luther King Jr. would have opposed Donald Trump's impeachment

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway does n't think Martin Luther King Jr. would support impeachment efforts against President Donald Trump .
Conway told NBC News on Monday that MLK Jr. had a different hope for Americans than what is happening to Trump via the impeachment .
`` I do n't think it was within Dr. King 's vision to have Americans dragged through a process where the president is not going to be removed from office , is not being charged with bribery , extortion , high crimes or misdemeanors , '' she said .
`` And I think that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all ' on today or any day of the year will appreciate the fact that the president now will have a full-throttle defense on the facts , and everybody should have that . ''
Conway was responding to the question about what Trump was doing to observe Monday 's holiday .
She said the president was getting ready for a trip and agreed with MLK Jr. on `` unity and equality . ''
Trump will leave Monday evening for the World Economic Forum in Davos .
`` He 's not the one tearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a lack of substance that really is very shameful at this point , '' Conway said .
Trump and Vice President Mike Pence visited the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial in D.C. Conway 's comments came the day before the Senate impeachment trial is expected to begin and on the same day that Trump 's defense team filed a brief calling the impeachment case against the president unconstitutional .
The House passed two articles of impeachment against Trump in December .
The charge of abuse of power comes from the allegation that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the foreign country to investigate a political rival .
The House accuses Trump of obstruction of Congress by preventing White House officials from testifying and withheld documents .

Kellyanne Conway says Martin Luther King Jr. would have opposed Donald Trump's impeachment
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
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway doesn't think Martin Luther King Jr. would support impeachment efforts against President Donald Trump.
Conway told NBC News on Monday that MLK Jr. had a different hope for Americans than what is happening to Trump via the impeachment.
"I don't think it was within Dr. King's vision to have Americans dragged through a process where the president is not going to be removed from office, is not being charged with bribery, extortion, high crimes or misdemeanors," she said. "And I think that anybody who cares about 'and justice for all' on today or any day of the year will appreciate the fact that the president now will have a full-throttle defense on the facts, and everybody should have that."
Conway was responding to the question about what Trump was doing to observe Monday's holiday.
She said the president was getting ready for a trip and agreed with MLK Jr. on "unity and equality." Trump will leave Monday evening for the World Economic Forum in Davos.
"He's not the one tearing the country apart through an impeachment process and a lack of substance that really is very shameful at this point," Conway said.
WATCH: Asked about President Trump observing #MLKDay today, Kellyanne Conway discusses MLK's values and the impeachment effort against President Trump. pic.twitter.com/Tx5q70Yf1d — NBC News (@NBCNews) January 20, 2020
Trump and Vice President Mike Pence visited the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial in D.C.
Conway's comments came the day before the Senate impeachment trial is expected to begin and on the same day that Trump's defense team filed a brief calling the impeachment case against the president unconstitutional.
The House passed two articles of impeachment against Trump in December. The charge of abuse of power comes from the allegation that Trump withheld aid to Ukraine while asking the foreign country to investigate a political rival. The House accuses Trump of obstruction of Congress by preventing White House officials from testifying and withheld documents.


usatoday--2020-01-20--Lev Parnas accuses AG William Barr of conflict of interest, seeks special prosecutor

NEW YORK — Rudy Giuliani 's ex-associate , Lev Parnas , on Monday accused U.S. Attorney General William Barr of having a conflict of interest and asked Barr to recuse himself from the criminal campaign finance case against Parnas and allow a special prosecutor to handle the matter .
In a court-filed letter on the eve of President Donald Trump 's impeachment trial in the Senate , a lawyer for the indicted Soviet-born defendant cited Trump 's `` multiple references '' to Barr in the matter at the heart of that case — the July phone call in which Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the family of former vice president Joe Biden , a rival for this year 's presidential election .
The exchange has been cited by House impeachment investigators as evidence that Trump improperly abused his authority by delaying nearly $ 400 million in U.S. military aid to Ukraine as he sought information that would benefit his reelection campaign .
During the call , Trump told Zelensky `` whatever you can do with the Attorney General would be great . ''
Barr has said Trump did not ask him to contact Zelensky and said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whistleblower complaint that was prompted by the Trump-Zelensky call , the letter argued that the whistleblower personally named Barr `` as a participant in the President 's abuse of the power of his office . ''
Additionally , the letter cited calls for Barr 's recusal by the New York City Bar Association and by Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee , as well as professional links between Barr and Giuliani — the Trump personal attorney whom Parnas aided in seeking damaging information in Ukraine about Biden 's family .
Government ethics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matters in which their impartiality could be questioned , wrote Parnas attorney Joseph Bondy .
He argued that Barr , the head of the Department of Justice , could not impartially oversee the case against Parnas .
`` Given the totality of the circumstances , we believe it is appropriate for you to recuse yourself from the ongoing investigation and pending prosecution of Mr. Parnas , and to allow the then-Acting Attorney General to appoint a special prosecutor from outside the Department of Justice , so as to avoid the appearance of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public trust in the rule of law , '' wrote Bondy .
The Department of Justice declined to comment on the request .
The renewed focus on Barr followed the public release of Parnas-provided instant messages , texts , documents and documents by House impeachment investigators .
They used the material to press the Senate to allow testimony by the 47-year-old Florida businessman and others during Trump 's trial .
As of Monday evening , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Kentucky , had not publicly signaled whether any witnesses will be called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potentially pivotal figure because he appears to offer first-hand evidence of Giuliani 's effort to dig up dirt on Biden in Ukraine .
At the same time , Parnas is a defendant in an unrelated criminal case in New York that accuses him and three co-defendants of funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars in foreign money to U.S. election candidates and campaigns .
Among the documents that House investigators released publicly last week was a previously undisclosed May 10 letter in which Giuliani sought a private meeting with Zelensky .
“ In my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and with his knowledge and consent , I request a meeting with you on this upcoming Monday , May 13th , or Tuesday , May 14th , ” Giuliani wrote .
The meeting never took place .
However , House investigators argued that Giuliani 's letter “ makes clear that his trip , which he publicly described at the time as an effort to 'meddle in an investigation , was undertaken with the knowledge and support of President Trump.
” Trump and Giuliani have denied that contention .
Parnas also gave House investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine , over uncorroborated claims that she was disloyal to the Trump administration .
Yovanovitch has denied such impropriety .
Parnas gave a series of media interviews last week in which he asserted that Trump `` knew exactly what was going on in Ukraine '' as Parnas and Giuliani sought information about Biden 's family .
`` He was aware of all my movements , '' Parnas said in a reference to Trump during an interview with MSNBC 's Rachel Maddow .
`` I would n't do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or the president . ''
However , Parnas 's account is potentially undercut by gaps and inconsistencies .
He told The New York Times that he stated Trump knew about the alleged scheme to pressure Ukrainian officials for information about Biden not because he 'd spoken to the President but because Giuliani had assured him of it .
Trump 's Press Secretary , Stephanie Grisham , a spokesman for Vice President Mike Pence , and the Department of Justice have all characterized Parnas as a liar who would say anything to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Defendants in such cases typically maintain a low public profile if they seek to cooperate with federal prosecutors in hope of winning a recommendation for a reduced sentence after they plead guilty .
However , Bondy has waged an unusual public legal strategy of attempting to leverage Parnas 's cooperation with House impeachment investigators to press federal prosecutors to consider accepting his client as a cooperating witness .
Referring to Barr in Monday 's letter , Bondy argued that `` this conflict of interest appears to have caused actual harm to Parnas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seized from the businessman at the time of his arrest .
In turn , that delay held up Parnas 's handover of the information to House impeachment investigators , making it difficult for the investigators to `` make complete use of his materials or properly assess Mr. Parnas as a potential witness , '' wrote Bondy .
The defense lawyer also said prosecutors in the campaign finance case have thus far refused to meet with Parnas and receive his information about Trump , Giuliani , and others .
That evidence `` would potentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convicted and sentenced in his criminal case , '' wrote Bondy .
However , Parnas 's attorney met with prosecutors in late 2019 and told them his client had been in contact with Ukrainian officials about removing Yovanovitch as the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine , The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday .
But the attorney argued that Parnas did not seek the ouster at the urging of a Ukrainian official , as charged in the criminal indictment , the report added .

Lev Parnas accuses AG William Barr of conflict of interest, seeks special prosecutor
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
NEW YORK — Rudy Giuliani's ex-associate, Lev Parnas, on Monday accused U.S. Attorney General William Barr of having a conflict of interest and asked Barr to recuse himself from the criminal campaign finance case against Parnas and allow a special prosecutor to handle the matter.
In a court-filed letter on the eve of President Donald Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate, a lawyer for the indicted Soviet-born defendant cited Trump's "multiple references" to Barr in the matter at the heart of that case — the July phone call in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate the family of former vice president Joe Biden, a rival for this year's presidential election.
The exchange has been cited by House impeachment investigators as evidence that Trump improperly abused his authority by delaying nearly $400 million in U.S. military aid to Ukraine as he sought information that would benefit his reelection campaign. During the call, Trump told Zelensky "whatever you can do with the Attorney General would be great."
Barr has said Trump did not ask him to contact Zelensky and said that no such contact was made.
Citing the whistleblower complaint that was prompted by the Trump-Zelensky call, the letter argued that the whistleblower personally named Barr "as a participant in the President's abuse of the power of his office."
Additionally, the letter cited calls for Barr's recusal by the New York City Bar Association and by Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee, as well as professional links between Barr and Giuliani — the Trump personal attorney whom Parnas aided in seeking damaging information in Ukraine about Biden's family.
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
Government ethics guidelines bar federal employees from participating in matters in which their impartiality could be questioned, wrote Parnas attorney Joseph Bondy. He argued that Barr, the head of the Department of Justice, could not impartially oversee the case against Parnas.
"Given the totality of the circumstances, we believe it is appropriate for you to recuse yourself from the ongoing investigation and pending prosecution of Mr. Parnas, and to allow the then-Acting Attorney General to appoint a special prosecutor from outside the Department of Justice, so as to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest and to preserve the public trust in the rule of law," wrote Bondy.
The Department of Justice declined to comment on the request.
The renewed focus on Barr followed the public release of Parnas-provided instant messages, texts, documents and documents by House impeachment investigators. They used the material to press the Senate to allow testimony by the 47-year-old Florida businessman and others during Trump's trial.
As of Monday evening, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, had not publicly signaled whether any witnesses will be called during the proceeding.
Parnas is a potentially pivotal figure because he appears to offer first-hand evidence of Giuliani's effort to dig up dirt on Biden in Ukraine. At the same time, Parnas is a defendant in an unrelated criminal case in New York that accuses him and three co-defendants of funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars in foreign money to U.S. election candidates and campaigns.
Among the documents that House investigators released publicly last week was a previously undisclosed May 10 letter in which Giuliani sought a private meeting with Zelensky. “In my capacity as personal counsel to President Trump and with his knowledge and consent, I request a meeting with you on this upcoming Monday, May 13th, or Tuesday, May 14th,” Giuliani wrote.
The meeting never took place. However, House investigators argued that Giuliani's letter “makes clear that his trip, which he publicly described at the time as an effort to 'meddle in an investigation, was undertaken with the knowledge and support of President Trump.”
Trump and Giuliani have denied that contention.
Parnas also gave House investigators documents related to the ouster Marie Yovanovitch, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, over uncorroborated claims that she was disloyal to the Trump administration. Yovanovitch has denied such impropriety.
Parnas gave a series of media interviews last week in which he asserted that Trump "knew exactly what was going on in Ukraine" as Parnas and Giuliani sought information about Biden's family.
"He was aware of all my movements," Parnas said in a reference to Trump during an interview with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow. "I wouldn't do anything without the consent of Rudy Giuliani, or the president."
However, Parnas's account is potentially undercut by gaps and inconsistencies. He told The New York Times that he stated Trump knew about the alleged scheme to pressure Ukrainian officials for information about Biden not because he'd spoken to the President but because Giuliani had assured him of it.
Trump's Press Secretary, Stephanie Grisham, a spokesman for Vice President Mike Pence, and the Department of Justice have all characterized Parnas as a liar who would say anything to win leniency in the criminal case against him.
Defendants in such cases typically maintain a low public profile if they seek to cooperate with federal prosecutors in hope of winning a recommendation for a reduced sentence after they plead guilty.
However, Bondy has waged an unusual public legal strategy of attempting to leverage Parnas's cooperation with House impeachment investigators to press federal prosecutors to consider accepting his client as a cooperating witness.
Referring to Barr in Monday's letter, Bondy argued that "this conflict of interest appears to have caused actual harm to Parnas" because prosecutors delayed turning over material seized from the businessman at the time of his arrest.
In turn, that delay held up Parnas's handover of the information to House impeachment investigators, making it difficult for the investigators to "make complete use of his materials or properly assess Mr. Parnas as a potential witness," wrote Bondy.
The defense lawyer also said prosecutors in the campaign finance case have thus far refused to meet with Parnas and receive his information about Trump, Giuliani, and others. That evidence "would potentially benefit Mr. Parnas if he were ever convicted and sentenced in his criminal case," wrote Bondy.
However, Parnas's attorney met with prosecutors in late 2019 and told them his client had been in contact with Ukrainian officials about removing Yovanovitch as the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. But the attorney argued that Parnas did not seek the ouster at the urging of a Ukrainian official, as charged in the criminal indictment, the report added.
Contributing: Kevin Johnson


usatoday--2020-01-20--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 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` 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 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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--2020-01-20--Donald Trump's lawyers say impeachment case is insufficient, unconstitutional

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump 's lawyers told Senate Republicans on Monday that they should simply dismiss the House Democratic impeachment case against their client , calling the charges unfair and the political product of a `` rigged process . ''
`` All that House Democrats have succeeded in proving is that the President did absolutely nothing wrong , '' said a legal document filed with the Senate , which is set to hear opening arguments in the impeachment trial Tuesday .
In its `` trial memorandum , '' the president 's legal team said the two articles of impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachable offense , '' the House impeachment inquiry was `` irredeemably flawed , '' and there is `` no evidence '' to back the House claims that the president abused power or sought to obstruct Congress in its investigation .
A summary of the day 's impeachment news : Right to your inbox .
Sign up for On Politics here As senators debated whether to call witnesses in the trial , the president 's lawyers indicated they would seek a quick dismissal from the Republican-run Senate .
`` The articles , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the president should immediately be acquitted . ''
The filing supplements a brief legal document Trump 's team submitted Saturday denying the allegations and describing impeachment as a `` brazen and unlawful attempt '' to overturn the 2016 election .
Though it provides more detail , citing prior legal opinions and providing a history of impeachments , the briefing echoes arguments that have been ridiculed by House Democratic managers who will prosecute the case .
Democrats accuse Trump of trying to get Ukraine to investigate a U.S. political opponent – Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country if it did not comply and obstructing the House investigation into the incident .
Trump `` used Presidential powers to pressure a vulnerable foreign partner to interfere in our elections for his own benefit , '' the House Democratic managers said in their own legal filing Monday .
`` In doing so , '' they said , the president `` jeopardized our national security and our democratic self-governance . ''
The House managers said Trump used the powers of the presidency to `` orchestrate a cover-up unprecedented in the history of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the House ’ s constitutional power to investigate high Crimes and Misdemeanors . ''
More : Donald Trump on being president : 'What do I get out of it ?
I get impeached ! '
More : Who are the 7 impeachment managers selected for the Senate trial of President Donald Trump ?
More : House Democrats call Trump a 'danger ' to US national security in formal argument for his removal The Republican-run Senate is likely to acquit Trump , but the president 's lawyers and House Democratic managers are preparing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine months before the U.S. presidential election .
One of the two impeachment articles accuses Trump of abuse of power in asking Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son Hunter , who had business interests in the country .
House Democratic impeachment managers accuse Trump of threatening to withhold aid from Ukraine as punishment and of offering the president of Ukraine a White House meeting if he announced an investigation of the Bidens .
Trump and aides said he wanted Ukraine to investigate corruption and concern about that corruption is the reason the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that the money was released in September .
In denying that Trump threatened to withhold aid from Ukraine , the legal brief said , `` House Democrats do not have a single witness who claims , based on direct knowledge , that the President ever actually imposed such a condition . ''
The General Accounting Office issued a finding last week that the delay in providing the funding violated the law .
Trump 's attorneys claimed there is no merit to the second impeachment article that accuses Trump of obstructing the congressional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The filing said the White House withheld witnesses and documents because the information is protected by executive privilege , and Congress is not entitled access to internal deliberations within the executive branch .
`` Defending the separation of powers is not an impeachable offense , '' it said .
Trump 's attorneys stressed that the White House released a summary of his telephone call July 25 with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that is at the heart of the impeachment case .
The filing indicates that the White House is prepared to argue that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the House case is so insufficient .
In a pair of tweets , Trump said the House was responsible for producing witnesses , even though his administration blocked testimony from White House and administration officials .
Referring to the top Senate Democrat , Trump tweeted that `` Cryin ’ Chuck Schumer is now asking for 'fairness ' , when he and the Democrat House members worked together to make sure I got ZERO fairness in the House .
So , what else is new ? ''
Democrats said the White House prevented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeing documents , and the Senate should find a way to hear from them .
Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , one of the impeachment managers , tweeted over the weekend that `` Americans overwhelmingly want to see a fair trial , '' and that includes as much evidence as possible .
`` But will Senators allow witnesses and subpoena documents ? ''
Schiff said .
`` If Senators are true to the oath they have taken to impartially administer justice , they must do so . ''
In their legal finding Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorneys appear to think he is above the law .
`` President Trump maintains that the Senate can not remove him even if the House proves every claim in the articles of impeachment , '' their legal brief said .
`` That is a chilling assertion .
It is also dead wrong . ''
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , said senators will vote during the trial whether to hear more witnesses .
If House managers are allowed to call witnesses , Trump attorneys plan to call witnesses of their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aides claimed that , as vice president , Joe Biden sought the removal of a Ukrainian prosecutor so he would not investigate the gas company that employed Hunter .
In a memo to the news media , Biden 's presidential campaign said the vice president publicly called for the prosecutor 's removal because of concerns about corruption within his office ; it had nothing to do with Hunter Biden 's company .
`` Donald Trump is the only American president to have weaponized foreign and national security policy in an attempt to coerce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rival presidential candidate , '' the memo said .

Donald Trump's lawyers say impeachment case is insufficient, unconstitutional
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
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump's lawyers told Senate Republicans on Monday that they should simply dismiss the House Democratic impeachment case against their client, calling the charges unfair and the political product of a "rigged process."
"All that House Democrats have succeeded in proving is that the President did absolutely nothing wrong," said a legal document filed with the Senate, which is set to hear opening arguments in the impeachment trial Tuesday.
In its "trial memorandum," the president's legal team said the two articles of impeachment against Trump "do not identify any impeachable offense," the House impeachment inquiry was "irredeemably flawed," and there is "no evidence" to back the House claims that the president abused power or sought to obstruct Congress in its investigation.
A summary of the day's impeachment news: Right to your inbox. Sign up for On Politics here
As senators debated whether to call witnesses in the trial, the president's lawyers indicated they would seek a quick dismissal from the Republican-run Senate.
"The articles," the filing said, "should be rejected and the president should immediately be acquitted."
The filing supplements a brief legal document Trump's team submitted Saturday denying the allegations and describing impeachment as a "brazen and unlawful attempt" to overturn the 2016 election.
Though it provides more detail, citing prior legal opinions and providing a history of impeachments, the briefing echoes arguments that have been ridiculed by House Democratic managers who will prosecute the case.
Democrats accuse Trump of trying to get Ukraine to investigate a U.S. political opponent – Joe Biden – threatening to withhold aid from the country if it did not comply and obstructing the House investigation into the incident.
Trump "used Presidential powers to pressure a vulnerable foreign partner to interfere in our elections for his own benefit," the House Democratic managers said in their own legal filing Monday.
"In doing so," they said, the president "jeopardized our national security and our democratic self-governance."
The House managers said Trump used the powers of the presidency to "orchestrate a cover-up unprecedented in the history of our Republic: a complete and relentless blockade of the House’s constitutional power to investigate high Crimes and Misdemeanors."
More: Donald Trump on being president: 'What do I get out of it? I get impeached!'
More: Who are the 7 impeachment managers selected for the Senate trial of President Donald Trump?
More: House Democrats call Trump a 'danger' to US national security in formal argument for his removal
The Republican-run Senate is likely to acquit Trump, but the president's lawyers and House Democratic managers are preparing for an intense trial little more than nine months before the U.S. presidential election.
One of the two impeachment articles accuses Trump of abuse of power in asking Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son Hunter, who had business interests in the country.
House Democratic impeachment managers accuse Trump of threatening to withhold aid from Ukraine as punishment and of offering the president of Ukraine a White House meeting if he announced an investigation of the Bidens.
Trump and aides said he wanted Ukraine to investigate corruption and concern about that corruption is the reason the administration held up aid temporarily. They noted that the money was released in September.
In denying that Trump threatened to withhold aid from Ukraine, the legal brief said, "House Democrats do not have a single witness who claims, based on direct knowledge, that the President ever actually imposed such a condition."
The General Accounting Office issued a finding last week that the delay in providing the funding violated the law.
Trump's attorneys claimed there is no merit to the second impeachment article that accuses Trump of obstructing the congressional investigation by withholding witnesses and documents.
The filing said the White House withheld witnesses and documents because the information is protected by executive privilege, and Congress is not entitled access to internal deliberations within the executive branch.
"Defending the separation of powers is not an impeachable offense," it said.
Trump's attorneys stressed that the White House released a summary of his telephone call July 25 with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that is at the heart of the impeachment case.
The filing indicates that the White House is prepared to argue that witnesses are unnecessary in the Senate trial because the House case is so insufficient.
In a pair of tweets, Trump said the House was responsible for producing witnesses, even though his administration blocked testimony from White House and administration officials.
Referring to the top Senate Democrat, Trump tweeted that "Cryin’ Chuck Schumer is now asking for 'fairness', when he and the Democrat House members worked together to make sure I got ZERO fairness in the House. So, what else is new?"
Democrats said the White House prevented the House from interviewing certain witnesses and seeing documents, and the Senate should find a way to hear from them.
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., one of the impeachment managers, tweeted over the weekend that "Americans overwhelmingly want to see a fair trial," and that includes as much evidence as possible.
"But will Senators allow witnesses and subpoena documents?" Schiff said. "If Senators are true to the oath they have taken to impartially administer justice, they must do so."
In their legal finding Monday, House managers said Trump and his attorneys appear to think he is above the law.
"President Trump maintains that the Senate cannot remove him even if the House proves every claim in the articles of impeachment," their legal brief said. "That is a chilling assertion. It is also dead wrong."
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said senators will vote during the trial whether to hear more witnesses.
If House managers are allowed to call witnesses, Trump attorneys plan to call witnesses of their own, including Hunter Biden.
Trump and aides claimed that, as vice president, Joe Biden sought the removal of a Ukrainian prosecutor so he would not investigate the gas company that employed Hunter.
In a memo to the news media, Biden's presidential campaign said the vice president publicly called for the prosecutor's removal because of concerns about corruption within his office; it had nothing to do with Hunter Biden's company.
"Donald Trump is the only American president to have weaponized foreign and national security policy in an attempt to coerce a foreign country into lying about a rival presidential candidate," the memo said.


usatoday--2020-01-20--New York Times endorses Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren for Democratic presidential nomination

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The New York Times has endorsed not one but two candidates for the Democratic nomination for president , Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar from the party 's moderate wing and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren from the progressive wing .
The paper said Sunday it had chosen the two most effective candidates from the moderate and progressive sides of the party — without stating a preference for either approach .
It praised Warren as `` a gifted story teller '' and Klobuchar as “ the very definition ” of Midwestern charisma and grit .
When mentioning another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Times acknowledged his years of experience , but also noted his age , 77 , desire , and occasional gaffes .
“ It is time for him to pass the torch to a new generation of political leaders , ” the paper said , borrowing from President John F. Kennedy 's inaugural address .
The paper mentioned Sen. Bernie Sanders ' age , 78 , “ serious concerns ” about his health and noted his unwillingness to compromise .
The paper praised another of the front-runners , 38-year-old Pete Buttigieg , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as likely to have “ a bright political future.
” Learn more about Warren : Her views on current issues The newspaper changed its approach to presidential endorsements this year , airing footage of candidate interviews and details about the endorsement process on a special edition of “ The Weekly , ” the FX network series about the Times .
In previous election years , the Times has often chosen a candidate popular with the party establishment .
The Times endorsed Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary in 2016 and over a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2008 .
Learn more about Klobuchar : Her views on current issues In 2004 , the Times endorsed John Kerry and in 2000 chose Al Gore .
Each time they chose a candidate who was popular with the Democratic establishment and , except for 2008 , the eventual nominee .

New York Times endorses Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren for Democratic presidential nomination
Show Caption Hide Caption Electoral College vs. the popular vote, explained President Trump and President George W. Bush won the electoral vote during the election, but not the popular vote. How does the electoral college work? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON (AP) — The New York Times has endorsed not one but two candidates for the Democratic nomination for president, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar from the party's moderate wing and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren from the progressive wing.
The paper said Sunday it had chosen the two most effective candidates from the moderate and progressive sides of the party — without stating a preference for either approach. It praised Warren as "a gifted story teller" and Klobuchar as “the very definition” of Midwestern charisma and grit.
When mentioning another front-runner, former Vice President Joe Biden, the Times acknowledged his years of experience, but also noted his age, 77, desire, and occasional gaffes. “It is time for him to pass the torch to a new generation of political leaders,” the paper said, borrowing from President John F. Kennedy's inaugural address.
The paper mentioned Sen. Bernie Sanders' age, 78, “serious concerns” about his health and noted his unwillingness to compromise. The paper praised another of the front-runners, 38-year-old Pete Buttigieg, former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, as likely to have “a bright political future.”
Learn more about Warren: Her views on current issues
The newspaper changed its approach to presidential endorsements this year, airing footage of candidate interviews and details about the endorsement process on a special edition of “The Weekly,” the FX network series about the Times.
In previous election years, the Times has often chosen a candidate popular with the party establishment. The Times endorsed Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary in 2016 and over a charismatic but unproven newcomer Barack Obama in 2008.
Learn more about Klobuchar: Her views on current issues
In 2004, the Times endorsed John Kerry and in 2000 chose Al Gore. Each time they chose a candidate who was popular with the Democratic establishment and, except for 2008, the eventual nominee.