saraacater--2020-01-20--If There Is An Impeachment Trial, Who Should The Witnesses Be?

This is a special column to SaraACarter.com .
David Schoen is a civil rights and criminal defense lawyer , who has served as trial counsel in the past for the Democratic Party and has been outspoken against the Democrats push for an impeachment against President Donald Trump .
The decision by the Democratic majority in the House of Representatives to impeach the President was , by any measure , an extraordinary event .
But for those Americans for whom the Constitution holds a central role in our Democracy , the undeniably political nature of these impeachment proceedings from start to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Party .
Literally , in just a matter of weeks , Democratic Party leaders in the U.S. House went from insisting that there should be no impeachment unless it had bipartisan support to demanding that all Democratic Party members vote for impeachment and not break ranks under any circumstances .
Unfortunately , making Party loyalty the guiding principle on this constitutionally significant issue is perfectly consistent with the shockingly un-American pronouncements by Democrats Jerrold Nadler and Al Green , when they declared , in substance , that members must vote to impeach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trusted to beat Donald Trump at the polls in 2020 .
Their words speak volumes and should scare to death every American who cares about our Democracy and the value of her or his vote .
One might have hoped , notwithstanding recent events , that following the impeachment , some semblance of constitutional order would prevail and the matter would proceed to adjudication in the Senate .
Instead , the political circus continues .
In 1788 , Alexander Hamilton , dedicated Federalist numbers 65 and 66 to a defense of the constitutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forum for a trial on articles of impeachment passed by the House .
He provides strong arguments for the Senate as the best of all available alternatives .
There are a variety of ways to proceed once an impeachment has made its way to the Senate .
Rules of procedure have been modified at various times .
The Constitution itself , of course , provides little guidance .
It requires that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside , although just what authority he or she has and what that role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the proceedings be conducted under oath , in consideration of the solemnity and consequences of the mission .
Beyond that , as the Supreme Court held in 1993 , the Senate has broad discretion in deciding how to proceed .
The fundamental question that must be decided from the outset is whether there is to be a full blown trial with witnesses and other evidence taken or whether there will simply be summary proceedings with a vote taken after oral presentations by members of the Senate .
Most Democrats argue that there should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to decide who will and who will not be allowed to testify , apparently unaware that the sway they held in the House ended with the decision to impeach .
Some Republicans maintain that a trial would only dignify the sham partisan proceedings that led to impeachment and that the articles should be summarily dismissed .
While there is something enticing about the prospect of seeing the trial end quickly so that the country can get back on track , it risks giving the bullies who were hellbent on impeaching this President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to cry foul and convince people the President has something to hide .
In truth , a summary dismissal is the closest thing they can get to a victory .
It allows them to avoid having the corruption that was at the heart of the President ’ s Ukraine phone call publicly aired – facts which could take Democratic front-runner Joe Biden right out of the race .
Of course , that would thrill the increasingly powerful Democratic Party faction led by Ms. Ocasio-Cortez and her Hate Squad who back Bernie Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not the forum for their internecine battle to play out .
Perhaps at the end of the day , since the House decided in its wisdom to return articles of impeachment , a real trial is the only way to expose the absurdity of the partisan process that got us here and to educate the American people about both that process and the underlying facts .
A real trial , with some semblance of due process , would make those who pushed for impeachment rue the day they succeeded .
What Should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Senate would focus primarily on the article of impeachment that charges the President with abusing his office by purportedly soliciting the Ukraine to influence the 2020 Presidential election by withholding foreign aid unless the Ukraine committed to conducting an investigation into long-standing allegations of corruption , involving Joe Biden and his son , thereby purportedly putting our national security at risk .
Any full and fair trial on the first article of impeachment must include , at a minimum , establishing the following fundamental principles : First , all American foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and many would argue , always should be based on a quid pro quo .
America primarily provides foreign aid in order to have influence with the recipients and to advance American interests .
This was a central premise of the much celebrated Marshall Plan .
Indeed , experts from both ends of the spectrum and in between regularly bemoan the failure of our government officials to condition foreign aid on support by foreign aid recipients for our view of Democracy , for our position on pressing issues at the UN , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fight corruption .
Secondly , under Article 2 of our Constitution , the President exclusively has the power to decide important matters of foreign policy , including , but not limited to , which countries we will have a relationship with and the nature and extent of that relationship .
No President in the modern area insisted on having and exercising that power more robustly than President Obama .
Third , at least since 1960 , study after study on the advisability and impact of American foreign aid has cited corruption within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determinative factor in whether aid should be given and , if so , what steps should be taken to address concerns about corruption .
Commentators who study such things regularly document the corrosive effect of corruption on several levels .
One recent U.N. Study concluded that roughly 30 percent of foreign aid money never reaches its intended final destination because of corruption .
Corruption in recipient countries is a destructive force that often promotes more corruption , in effect institutionalizing it for generations .
Conversely , of course , foreign aid with strings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform can lead to improvements for the recipient country in both the short and long term and enhances the donor nation ’ s reputation – and its national security .
If aid is firmly conditioned on specific corruption fighting steps , our dollars are much more likely to reach the intended beneficiaries and theoretically , at least , the quid pro quo – fight corruption or get no aid – filters through politically , to drive from office those who perceive their self-interest as best served through corruption .
Universally respected expert witnesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all who genuinely are interested in the matter .
The Facts Underlying the President ’ s Ukraine Call Must be Fully Aired .
Once these fundamental principles are established , the trial should turn to the basis for the President ’ s professed belief , based on facts he had been given , that the matter involving the Bidens was a prime example of corruption in the Ukraine that never had been fully investigated and should be .
To fully flesh out these underlying facts and circumstances , fundamentally important witnesses from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son Hunter , and Devon Archer , Hunter ’ s business associate and a close friend of John Kerry ’ s family .
It was the appointment of the younger Biden and Mr. Archer to the board of a Ukrainian energy company ’ s board , without any qualifications , that led the Wall Street Journal , on May 13 , 2014 , to publish a scathing article , bringing to the fore the appointment of the younger Mr. Biden and Mr. Archer to the Ukrainian company ’ s board , and suggesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major red flags for a variety of reasons .
President Trump did not concoct a concern about these circumstances out of thin air to gain advantage in a political battle .
The corruption allegations that were the subject of his phone call with the Ukraine , long predated his presidency .
Many other mainstream media outlets since have written similar pieces , strongly arguing that the situation was very troubling and demanding further scrutiny and answers .
Very recently , the Washington Post reported that John Kerry ’ s step-son , Chris Heinz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Archer considered the decision to join the Ukrainian company ’ s board to reflect such poor judgment and the appearance of impropriety so clear that he publicly disassociated himself from Mr. Archer and the company .
Mr. Heinz would be an important witness at the Senate trial .
The additional concern that has been raised , with some measure of irony , is that then Vice-President Joe Biden , the Obama administration ’ s point man for the Ukraine , acted inappropriately in continuing to oversee our relationship with the Ukraine and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Ukraine based his perspective on how the Ukraine was addressing corruption , with some charging that Mr. Biden was not happy that the company his son was associated with had come under scrutiny from a Ukrainian corruption prosecutor .
The Bidens and others directly associated with the matter underlying the President ’ s call should be called to testify at any Senate trial and should be subjected to comprehensive cross-examination in an effort to get the bottom of the matter at the heart of the President ’ s phone call .
Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the opportunity ; for if he did nothing wrong , it affords him access to a huge audience before which he can clear his name and his son ’ s name once and for all .
There are other fact witnesses related to the underlying corruption allegations who should be called to testify as well ; for surely the legitimacy of the President ’ s concerns about corruption in the Ukraine and his belief that U.S. aid should be withheld unless a serious corruption investigation were undertaken is directly relevant to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the aid on the same , the President worked against our national interests and security .
Surely if the President had reason to believe the corruption charges were meritorious , no responsible person would argue that Joe Biden and his family should be exempt from scrutiny or should be given license simply by virtue of his potential candidacy for President .
Indeed , just the opposite is true .
It is in our national interests for all candidates to be fully vetted and for any corruption allegations to be fully investigated .
Again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Joe Biden who should be demanding a full investigation by the Ukraine to clear his name once and for all , especially after responsible journalists have called it into question long before Donald Trump did .
The Integrity of the Impeachment Process Must be Examined .
In addition to the substance underlying the first article of impeachment , the integrity of the process that led to the President ’ s impeachment , like the integrity of any charging process , must be examined if there is to be a trial in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnesses from any perspective must be Representatives Nadler and Schiff and their staff members who led the partisan charge to impeach .
Jurors in the court of American public opinion , as well os the Senators whose votes count , must be assured that the process was full , fair , and objective .
Americans deserve to know , for example , that Mr. Nadler chose as counsel to his Committee , acting , in effect , as the prosecutors urging the Committee to recommend impeachment , two lawyers with pronounced personal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming to their position , these two men , Norm Eisen and Barry Berke , teamed up to write a 168 page treatise purporting to demonstrate that President Trump was guilty of obstruction of justice .
They appointed themselves prosecutor , judge , jury , and executioner and came to their conclusion before any actual investigation .
Each was obsessed with publicly posting insults about the President , with one regularly retweeting what the other had tweeted .
But none of this was enough for them .
Both men brought a lawsuit against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the now well known Emoluments Clause of the Constitution .
When their lawsuit was thrown out , they moved on to cheer a similar effort in another court and vowed not to give up the fight against the President .
The integrity of the impeachment process is too important to have been put in the hands of lawyers with an agenda of taking down the President by any means possible and at any cost , and who ended up just looking for the first excuse to pursue their agenda that comes along .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Messrs. Schiff and Nadler , and their staff , subject to cross-examination .
Indeed , Schiff is a material witness on how this whole matter started , given his reported dealings with the initial “ whistleblower.
” Neither Schiff nor Nadler should be permitted to ply their trade in the Senate as House managers , prosecuting the impeachment articles at trial .
They should be disqualified as managers and must be called as witnesses to testify under oath and subject to cross-examination , with the integrity of the impeachment process fully explored .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Finally , whether or not there is a full trial , any candidate seeking the office of President in 2020 should recuse himself or herself from the vote on the articles of impeachment .
The claim in the first article is that President Trump indirectly tried to affect the election by calling for the investigation of a possible election opponent against whom allegations of corruption had been raised .
It would appear to be an opportunity to much more directly interfere with the election for other potential candidates in that election to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to eliminate altogether their potential opponent ’ s candidacy and that appearance of bias or personal interest ought to be the basis for disqualification from the impeachment vote , in the interest of the integrity and the objective appearance of the integrity of the impeachment process .
The House ’ s rush to impeach President Trump on these dubious articles is very troubling for many reasons .
The idea that demanding an investigation – not a prosecution , not a Mueller-like , agenda driven sham ; but a full and fair investigation – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of American foreign dollars are given away is an impeachable offense is a very dangerous proposition .
The charge that doing so puts our national security or national interests at risk is contradicted by every reputable international study that demands the conditioning of foreign aid on tangible proof of corruption-fighting efforts by recipient countries .
The additional notion , reflected in the second article of impeachment , that it is an impeachable offense for the President to challenge Congress ’ s authority through our judicial system is an affront to our Constitutional concept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be dignified with any substantive hearing at all .


saraacater--2020-01-21--GOP Must Stand Firm Against Dems Reckless ‘Impeachment’ Sham

There is nothing more obvious than a person trying to make sense of a bad argument .
That ’ s what ’ s been happening with Democrats as they struggle to make sense of the most ‘ ridiculous ’ impeachment in U.S. history and continually search for crimes against President Donald Trump that don ’ t exist .
In fact , all one needs to do is watch the Democratic lawmakers as they struggled month , after month trying to find any reason to impeach Trump .
The Democrats made their struggle public and failed to deliver any provable crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be impeached .
What they have done is stretch the truth , protect the non-whistleblower and now are attempting to re-try Trump in the Senate with more witnesses , which they alone did not attempt to question during the House impeachment trial .
It ’ s been a Democratic run circus since Trump took office in November , 2016 .
All one needs to do is watch interviews of Democrats on election night after their lives were turned upside down when they realized America voted for Trump and not candidate Hillary Clinton .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t end there but instead , got worse .
Democrats , along with deep state supporters , have done everything in their power to remove a duly elected president .
That ’ s exactly what ’ s happening now .
Trump has denied unequivocally every claim Democrats have lobbed against him during the impeachment trial in the House .
There is no evidence – not even one iota of evidence that Trump has done anything impeachable .
The Democrats claimed through their non- whistleblower that Trump ’ s phone call with the Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and compared Trump , through a disinformation campaign , to the likes of a mafia boss .
Guess what , like all the previous Democratic claims , it fell flat on its face .
The transcript of the phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 25 , 2019 was nothing what the Democrats claimed it to be and America could see it for themselves .
Why ?
Because Trump released the summary of the transcript .
BOOM !
There was nothing .
From the transcripts it was obvious there was no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no quid pro quo .
There was no attempt to withhold $ 400 million in military assistance to Ukraine in exchange for an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s son .
Still , it isn ’ t enough so the Democrats , well mainly led by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , found a group of disgruntled former Obama officials still working in the State Department and National Security Counsel and used them in a hearing .
Except , the Democrats excluded the non-whistleblower who wrote the original @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stated there was a ‘ quid pro quo.
’ Mind you , none of the witnesses in the House hearing that testified on behalf of the Democrats had any direct knowledge or evidence that Trump did anything wrong .
There was nothing there but hurt feelings .
Many of these State Department and NSC officials are angry at Trump , who isn ’ t playing ball with them like past presidents did .
He ’ s questioning their every move and is holding them accountable .
The Washington D.C. swamp doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting back with everything they have .
What Americans have also seen is an attempt by Democrats to use anti-Trump witnesses to manufacture a false narrative against Trump both in the impeachment hearing and in the media .
President Trump is up for the battle against the swamp and will win the war against those trying to remove him from office , say those closest to him .
I believe they are right because he isn ’ t backing down – not one bit and he shouldn ’ t .
The truth is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , is dangerous to our constitution and democracy .
Why ?
Because in the end this is the swamp ’ s way of attempting to remove a duly elected president and weaponizing our own system against office of the president .
The articles of impeachment are not constitutional and in fact , do not offer Trump his basic due process .
Further the first article of impeachment contains no high crime , or even a mis-demeanor , as needed by the Constitution to proceed .
Moreover , the Ukrainian president said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid and the Ukrainian government received more financial and lethal military aid than ever offered under President Obama ’ s administration .
As to the second article of impeachment on “ Obstruction of Congress , ” one wonders how this is even possible .
Trump asserted his legitimate constitutional and privileges when it came to Democrats requests for interviewing former and senior White House executive staff .
House Democrats could have taken the battle to the courts in an effort to enforce their subpoena ’ s and get the witnesses to testify but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want a retrial with new witnesses in the Senate .
The Senate should reject this demand from the Democrats and do what ’ s best for America and the constitution .
The Senate Republicans must expose this brazen attempt by the Democrats to use impeachment as a way of interfering with the 2020 election .
There should be no more witnesses – only a speedy trial that will exonerate the President and allow our nation to heal from the wounds the Democrats keep inflicting on the American people .

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saraacater--2020-01-21--LIVE: Senate Impeachment Trial

LIVE: Senate Impeachment Trial


saraacater--2020-01-21--Baghdad: Rockets Strike Near U.S. Embassy And Iranian MP Offers Reward For Killing Pres. Trump

Three rockets landed inside Baghdad ’ s Green Zone on Tuesday morning , Iraqi police sources informed Reuters .
The Green Zone houses government buildings and foreign delegations .
The rockets were launched from Zafaraniyah district outside Baghdad and are linked to Iranian militia support as tensions rise between the U.S. and Iran , according to reports .
Witnesses inside the Green Zone said the alarm sirens blared at the U.S. Embassy Complex when the three Katyusha rockets were fired .
Reports on the ground indicated people on the streets were told to take shelter immediately .
No casualties were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days after the U.S. ordered the killing of Iranian general , Qassem Soleimani , who was organizing an attack on American embassies and had threatened U.S. assets , according to intelligence assessments given to President Donald Trump .
The Trump administration has deployed approximately 14,000 military personnel to the Persian Gulf since May , 2019 in an effort to bolster defenses in that region .
Meanwhile , Iranian threats against President Trump have intensified after the killing of Soleimani .
In one case , an Iranian lawmaker says he is offering a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Trump .
Robert Wood , the U.S. disarmament ambassador , said it was ‘ ridiculous ’ and told reporters in Geneva the threat shows the ‘ terrorist underpinnings ’ of the Iranian regime , according to Reuters .


saraacater--2020-01-21--Nadler: GOP Senate ‘Complicit In The Cover Up Of The President’

U.S. House impeachment managers criticized the Senate Republicans for their impeachment trial schedule saying it ’ s part of their effort to cover for President Donald Trump .
In a press conference Tuesday , House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler ( D-NY ) said the Senate Majority Leader ’ s decision to allow debate over whether to hear from new witnesses is a textbook example of that ‘ cover-up.
’ “ To be debating whether you should have the evidence admitted , to be debating whether you should allow witnesses is to be debating whether you should have a cover-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There ’ s no other way to look at it.There ’ s no other way to look at it .
It doesn ’ t matter how it was done some time ago .
It was done very fairly as it happens some time ago , but it doesn ’ t matter .
It can not be used as an excuse.
” He continued , “ The only reason to oppose bringing a witness is to cover up because you ’ re afraid of what the witness will say .
The question for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to be complicit in the cover up of the President.
” “ The hypocrisy from the House Managers is unreal .
Jerry Nadler just said that even having a debate over witnesses is a cover-up attempt , ” Biggs wrote .
“ House Republicans tried to have a debate over witnesses during impeachment proceedings .
Democrats shut down that debate .
That ’ s the cover up.
” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s impeachment timeline released Mondaywill allow each side two days with twelve hours each day to present opening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for written questions with four hours of debate time .
The decision to call other witnesses will then be made .
Finally , the Senate will vote on the impeachment articles .


saraacater--2020-01-21--Collins: Pelosi ‘Looked at the field of the Democratic candidates’ And Changed Her Mind On Impeachme

Collins: Pelosi ‘Looked at the field of the Democratic candidates’ And Changed Her Mind On Impeachment

In an interview with “ Fox & Friends ” Tuesday morning , House Judiciary Committee Ranking member Doug Collins ( R-GA ) slammed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for conducting a partisan impeachment process when for years she ruled impeachment off the table .
“ There ’ s nothing compelling about this case .
It ’ s definitely not overwhelming and the only interesting part about this is bipartisan was bipartisan against it , ” Collins argued .
“ Here ’ s what changed : she looked at the field of the Democratic candidates I believe and said ‘ uh-oh we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November next year .
We ’ ve got to tag impeachment on him.
” In an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal Monday Collins slammed Pelosi for her ‘ weak ’ case for impeaching President Donald Trump .
“ Compelling , overwhelming and bipartisan : These are the criteria Speaker Nancy Pelosi drew as she publicly announced last March that she wouldn ’ t support impeachment , ” Collins wrote .
“ Back then she claimed impeaching the president with anything less would be divisive and irresponsible .
Ten months later , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ articles of impeachment that fail to meet any of her criteria , let alone those of the Founders.
” Collins will be part of the President ’ s House defense team which includes Reps. Jim Jordan ( R-OH ) , Mark Meadows ( R-NC ) , John Ratcliffe ( R-TX ) , Elise Stefanik ( R-NY ) , Lee Zeldin ( R-NY ) , Mike Johnson , and Debbie Lesko ( R-AZ ) .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ‘ s impeachment timeline will allow each side two days with twelve hours each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have sixteen hours for written questions with four hours of debate time .
The decision to call other witnesses will then be made .
Finally , the Senate will vote on the impeachment articles .


saraacater--2020-01-21--Biden Leads in Latest Iowa Poll

Biden Leads in Latest Iowa Poll

Former Vice President Joe Biden is edging his Democratic opponents in the latest Iowa poll , according to The Focus @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
The Iowa caucuses will take place on Feb. 3 .
“ Former VP @ @ @ @ @ poll and leads the final poll with 25 % which is identical to his support @ @ @ @ @ .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren remains in second with 17 % but slips 6 points from @ @ @ @ @ the group notes of the poll ’ s findings .
“ Mayor Pete Buttigieg and @ @ @ @ @ 3rd and 4th place positions with 16 % and 14 % respectively up 4 and @ @ @ @ @ poll .
Sen. Klobuchar remains in 5th but is moving closer to the viability threshold @ @ @ @ @ vote.
” Moreover , twenty four percent of Iowans said Biden is “ best equipped @ @ @ @ @ and tensions between the US and Iran and other global hot spots.
” Click here @ @ @ @ @


saraacater--2020-01-22--Mark Meadows: Adam Schiff has amnesia, it was Dems who denied due process to Trump

“ Adam Schiff has amnesia .
He ’ s forgotten about the 71 days that he denied the president legal @ @ @ @ @ when it was in the House , ” said Rep. Mark Meadows , ( R-NC @ @ @ @ @ “ The Ingraham Angle.
” Meadows was referring to the lengthy House impeachment inquiry wherein @ @ @ @ @ democrats denied to President Trump , legal counsel or normal due process rights .
In @ @ @ @ @ Senate impeachment trial , Rep. Adam Schiff claimed that the parameters set by Senate Republicans @ @ @ @ @ trial .
“ If you only get to see part of the evidence — if @ @ @ @ @ or the other a chance to present their full case , your verdict will be @ @ @ @ @ the proceeding .
If the House can not call witnesses or introduce documents and evidence @ @ @ @ @ fair trial.
” • Nadler : GOP Senate ‘ Complicit In The Cover Up Of @ @ @ @ @ An Impeachment That Will Last Forever ’ : Pelosi Announces Impeachment Managers


saraacater--2020-01-23--State AGs: Impeachment ‘Sets A Dangerous Historical Precedent’

Attorneys General of 21 states drafted a letter Wednesday in defense of President Donald Trump and the “ integrity ” of the 2016 election .
The letter condemns the process saying it sets a “ dangerous historical precedent.
” dangerous historical precedent .
That new precedent will erode the separation of powers shared by the executive and legislative branches by subjugating future Presidents to the whims of the majority opposition party in the House of Representatives , ” the Republican AGs wrote .
“ Thus , our duty to current and future generations commands us to urge the Senate to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment contained in H. Res .
755— “ abuse of power ” and “ obstruction of Congress ” —as lacking in any plausible or reasonable evidentiary basis , but also as being The President wrote of the letter on Twitter Thursday .
“ Attorney Generals from 21 States are urging the Senate to reject impeachment .
They say the Articles have legal & factual problems , and the Democrats case sets a dangerous historical precedent , ” Trump wrote .
“ ‘ EVEN AN UNSUCCESSFUL EFFORT TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT UNDERMINES THE INTEGRITY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A PROCESS THAT SHOULD ONLY BE INITIATED IN EXCEEDINGLY RARE CIRCUMSTANCES AND SHOULD NEVER BE USED FOR PARTISAN PURPOSES.
’ -Heather Childers… The Democrats are trying hard to damage Republicans prior to the Election !
” State AG letter to Senate o… by Fox News on Scribd


saraacater--2020-01-23--Sen. Grassley Demands Answers From Pentagon On FBI Spy Stefan Halper’s Questionable Defense Contract

Sen. Grassley Demands Answers From Pentagon On FBI Spy Stefan Halper’s Questionable Defense Contracts

The Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee Sen. Chuck Grassley sent a letter Wednesday to the Department of Defense ’ s Office of Net Assessment ’ s director requesting detailed information on contracts provided to FBI informant Stefan Halper , who was spying on three of President Trump ’ s campaign aids during the 2016 election probe .
The expansive nature of Grassley ’ s investigation is significant and coincides – but is separate – with an ongoing investigation by the Department of Justice appointed prosector John Durham ’ s criminal probe into the matter , as first reported by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the FBI , CIA , as well as private entities connected to the bureau ’ s investigation into the Trump campaign and now debunked theory that it colluded with Russia , has also expanded to the Office of Net Assessment .
Known by its acronym ONA , the secretive office is run by Director James Baker , who has been in the role since being appointed by the Obama Administration in 2015 .
In the letter to Baker Grassley asks a litany of questions as to Halper ’ s role within ONA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and whether the FBI , or other agencies , used the ONA office to pay Halper for spying on Trump campaign personnel .
“ Can ONA state for certain that Halper did not use taxpayer money provided by DoD to recruit , or attempt to recruit , sources for the FBI investigation into the now-debunked theory of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia , ” Grassley asks Baker .
Baker could not be immediately reached for comment .
According to sources familiar with the matter he has also been questioned by Durham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also been looking into the matter since early 2019 , when he requested that the “ DoD Inspector General ( IG ) review allegations of mismanagement by ONA contracts for political , improper or wasteful activities.
” The Senator “ later sought information about ONA contracting processes following a DoD IG audit of the program , which found that ONA could not provide sufficient documentation that Halper conducted all of his work in accordance with applicable laws and regulations .
The Pentagon issued a corrective action plan for ONA in august.
” Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she could not comment on Durham ’ s ongoing investigation .
What we do know from Grassley ’ s office is that the investigation is focused on the ONA ’ s “ contract compliance after reviewing troubling documents related to contracts awarded to Professor Stefan Halper.
” “ Those documents call into question ONA ’ s stewardship of taxpayer dollars as well as its contract management and internal controls , ” a press release on the matter stated .
This is where Halper ’ s role with ONA “ becomes highly suspicious and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump campaign , ” said one former government official , familiar with the matter .
Halper was an integral part of the FBI ’ s investigation in 2016 into short-term Trump campaign volunteer , Carter Page and George Papadopolous .
Halper ’ s Cambridge Intelligence Seminar was also connected to Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn , when in April , 2014 Flynn , who was then head of the Defense Intelligence Agency , was invited as a guest to London , England .
Flynn would later be at the center of false stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and wrapping Russian born British academic Svetlana Lokhova into the false stories .
Lokhova , who recently spoke to The Sara Carter Show , said Halper did so because he is ‘ the dirty trickster ’ used to target , spy and spread disinformation in an attempt to target President Trump .
Lokhova also attended the dinner at the Cambridge Intelligence Seminar in 2014 .
It was there that she briefly met Flynn .
She believes it was Halper who assisted in pushing and leaking the false stories later in 2017 that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was an asset of Russia .
She is now suing the news publications and Halper for defamation .
Halper first made contact with Page at his seminar as well , in July 2016 .
Page , who was already on the FBI ’ s radar , was later accused falsely in news reports as being a Russian asset , when false information in former British spy Christopher Steele ’ s dossier was purposefully leaked in a disinformation campaign against Trump officials .
The unverified dossier was also used as the bulk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrant to spy on Page .
Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz ’ s most recent report revealed the extensive malfeasance by FBI officials to obtain the warrant against Page and also revealed that the FBI failed to validate any information in Steele ’ s debunked dossier .
The ONA , which was established under former President Richard Nixon , is considered the Pentagon ’ s ‘ think tank ’ but has been highly criticized in recent years for what appeared to be a failure to produce assessments .
For example , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writer Bill Gertz published a damning article revealing that Baker failed “ to produce more of its signature product , namely , top-secret net assessments.
” As stated by Gertz , the office , “ has focused its $ 20 million annual budget mainly on producing outside research projects , some of them of questionable value , according to critics.
” Under the Pentagon the ONA is supposed to be an “ internal research organization that awards contracts for academic reports intended to assist the military in producing long-term trends and prospects of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identify future threats.
” That ’ s where Halper comes into play .
Halper garnered numerous contracts from the ONA totaling more than $ 1 million and many which coincide with the same timeline he was reporting on Trump aids to the FBI .
Grassley ’ s investigation , however , reveals that “ reviews of Halper ’ s research proposals prompted criticism of the quality and necessity of his work product .
Other contracts show that Halper listed a Russian intelligence official as a consultant for an ONA project.
” That Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Russia Vyacheslav Trubnikov .
Here ’ s what ’ s important .
Follow the timeline .
Trubikov is the same source Steele alleged he used in his dossier that allowed the FBI to spy on Page .
“ Halper was also in contact with Page and another Trump campaign aide , George Papadopoulos , raising questions about whether Halper used U.S. taxpayer dollars to seek connections with Trump campaign officials , ” stated Grassley ’ s office .
“ The interactions also raise questions about what role , if any , Halper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which found no collusion with the Trump campaign.
” In the letter to Baker , Grassley “ requested additional data on ONA contracts for the past five years , including details on their purposes , costs and efforts to ensure proper oversight and compliance .
Grassley also questioned why ONA issued other contracts unrelated to Halper that appear to have no relation to ONA ’ s purpose and mission.
” Some Questions Grassley wants answered from Baker ’ s ONA ( From The Letter To Baker ) In an effort to better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ please answer the following questions , on a question-by-question basis , no later than February 5 , 2020 : • ONA is required to conduct a yearly Net Assessment of DoD ’ s military capabilities as compared to the military capabilities of other countries .
[ 16 ] When was the last time ONA completed a Net Assessment ?
• Please provide a list of all contracts issued for each year over the last five years , the title of each funded project , and the total cost of each contract to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones called for classified research ?
• Please provide a list of the top five individuals or entities , in terms of dollar amount , over the last five years that have received awards , including the names of awardees , number of contracts awarded , dates of award , dollar amount per award , the project to be funded , and the authorizing official ( s ) .
• Please describe ONA ’ s process for how it evaluates research proposals and oversees the process of editing and managing the research paper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the following : • What role do pre-award evaluations play with respect to ONA ’ s decision to award a contract to an individual or entity ?
• Does ONA conduct any assessment of the validity of citations or supporting research used in the research paper ?
If not , why not ?
• When entering into contracts , does ONA require that research papers be peer reviewed to assure that the views within the deliverable are adequately vetted and not affected by bias or outside influence ?
If not , why not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a research paper to be of significant value to furthering ONA ’ s purpose of providing assessments of the standing , trends , and future prospects of United States military capabilities and military potential in comparison with those of other countries , statements within research papers must be accurate and adequately vetted ?
If not , why not ?
• Does ONA currently require contractors to provide the name and dollar amount contributed by third parties to ensure that a contractor ’ s work is in no way influenced by foreign individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflict of interest ?
If so , please provide this policy .
If not , does ONA intend to develop or institute such a policy ?
If not , why not ?
• For each of Halper ’ s contracts , did ONA perform a post-contract evaluation ?
If so , please provide each evaluation .
If not , why not ?
• If a contract has an exercisable option , which individual within ONA makes the determination as to whether that option is exercised ?
If ONA has the discretion to exercise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the strategic value to ONA considered when that option is exercised ?
If not , why not ?
• In response to DoD IG recommendation # 3 , ONA stated that “ not every contract requires exhaustive or significant verification of the methods used to derive analytic content.
” Further , ONA stated , relating to Professor Halper ’ s contracts , that “ [ t ] he Government received deliverables that were high quality and conformed to the requirements set forth in the contract.
” [ 18 ] ONA further states that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on ONA ’ s minimum needs .
• If a contractor does not actually interview individuals that they say they interviewed , or provide accurate sourcing , the deliverable does not meet contract specifications and the contractor should not be paid .
Accepting and paying for a defective deliverable may be a violation of law .
If ONA does not take any steps to verify a contractor ’ s work product , how can ONA rely on that contractor or deliverable to provide accurate information in order to make a net assessment ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to establish in order to verify that contractors are adhering to , and fulfilling , every requirement in a given contract ?
• After a research paper is completed , are the papers shared outside ONA ?
If so , please describe the process by which research papers are shared within the federal government or private sector .
If not , why not ?
• Did Professor Halper ever disclose his relationship with former Deputy Foreign Minister for Russia Vyacheslav Trubnikov to yourself or any other ONA official prior to completion of contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Impact on the United States ’ Security ) ?
Does this relationship with a Russian intelligence officer suggest that there may be biased and unreliable information contained within the deliverable ?
• Can ONA state for certain that Halper did not use taxpayer money provided by DoD to recruit , or attempt to recruit , sources for the FBI investigation into the now-debunked theory of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia ?
• Are you , or any other ONA official , aware of any other relationships Professor Halper had with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the full text of today ’ s letter to ONA Director Baker .
• Italian prosecutors believe that Joseph Mifsud the man who started RussiaGate , ‘ is Dead ’


saraacater--2020-01-22--U.S. And World Leaders Gather In Israel To Discuss Anti-Semitism, Iran At World Holocaust Forum

More than 45 world leaders are in Jerusalem this week for the Fifth World Holocaust Forum .
This is the largest diplomatic delegation ever to visit Israel , which includes U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi .
Special adviser to President Donald Trump , Jared Kushner was scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his opponent , Blue and White alliance leader Benny Gantz , to discuss the option of releasing the Trump administration ’ s plan for Middle East peace ahead of Israel ’ s March 2 election .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after his flight from Davos was delayed due to inclement weather .
He returned to Washington , D.C. instead .
75 Years Since The Liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau This year marks 75 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp , where more than 1.1 million people , mostly Jews , were murdered by the Nazis .
In total , more than six million Jews perished across Eastern Europe during the Holocaust .
The title of this year ’ s gathering in Jerusalem is ‘ Remembering the Holocaust , Fighting Antisemitism.
’ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the residence of the President of Israel , with an “ official reception and dinner.
” It continues Thursday at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and Museum .
Including Pelosi ( D-CA ) , seven members of the House are at the forum : Elliot Engel ( D-NY ) , Nita Lowey ( D-NY ) , Ted Deutsch ( D-FL ) , Debbie Wasserman-Schulz ( D-FL ) , Brad Schneider ( D-IL ) and Joe Wilson ( R-SC ) .
Before arriving in Israel , this delegation visited Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Warsaw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from around the world who are coming here , to Jerusalem , to mark with us 75 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz extermination camp , ” Netanyahu said Tuesday .
“ It is important that they remember where we came from , and it is important that they see what we have achieved.
” Spike in Anti-Semitic Attacks Around The World In recent years , there has been a spike in anti-Semitic attacks around the world .
These incidents have sharply increased in New York .
Israel ’ s PM plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing threat from Iran as a way to prevent another Holocaust .
“ Iran is openly declaring every day that it wants to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth and , by the way , Israel today has a population of more than six million Jews , ” Netanyahu told Trinity Broadcasting Network .
“ A third of the Jewish people went up in flames ; there was nothing we could do .
Now , after the Holocaust , the State of Israel has been established and the attempts to destroy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Netanyahu is set to address the growing aggression from the Islamic Republic of Iran , which he has been pointing out for years as a threat to Israel and the entire world .
“ We now have the capacity to defend ourselves , and I think the lesson of Auschwitz is , One , stop bad things when they ’ re small , and Iran is a very bad thing , ” said Netanyahu .
“ It ’ s not that small but it could get a lot bigger with nuclear weapons .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And second , understand that the Jews will never ever again be defenseless in the face of those who want to destroy them.
” The White House offered CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer , the son of Auschwitz survivors , an exclusive interview with the Vice President at the World Holocaust Forum on Thursday .
According to sources , he ‘ enthusiastically ’ agreed to the opportunity .
However , CNN president Jeff Zucker would not allow Blitzer to leave the country because of his assignment to cover President Trump ’ s impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role as the network ’ s lead political anchor .
Blitzer worked for The Jerusalem Post ( 1973-1990 ) before joining CNN as a military affairs correspondent in May of 1990 .
World leaders in attendance include Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron .
Leaders of the European Union are at the forum , along with Britain ’ s Prince Charles and heads of state including Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky , the first Jewish president in Ukraine ’ s history .
Kremlin diplomat Yuri Ushakov told reporters on Wednesday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice President Pence and the Ukrainian president .
Additionally , Netanyahu plans to meet with Putin to discuss a request to pardon Naama Issachar , a dual Israeli-American citizen imprisoned in Russia , with Putin .
Issachar was arrested last April and sentenced in October to seven-and-a-half years in a Russian prison for allegedly possessing nine grams of marijuana in her luggage while on a layover in Moscow on her way from India to Israel .
While Issachar was in a detention facility , a Russian prosecutor changed her charge from ‘ possession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smuggling.
’ Ushakov says Putin will arrange a meeting to negotiate Issachar ’ s release with her mother and PM Netanyahu .
Two European Leaders Backed Out of Forum Meanwhile , two European leaders backed out from the forum less than a week out .
Lithuania ’ s president Gitanas Nauseda will not attend the event in Israel , which is being boycotted by his Polish counterpart , President Andrzej Duda , due to a dispute with Russia over Poland ’ s role in The Holocaust .
Duda declined his invitation to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a speech .
The Polish president added , “ the citizenships of the victims of Auschwitz have no bearing on the choice of leaders who will address the World Holocaust Forum.
” Lithuania , a former Soviet republic , and Poland , which was invaded by both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union during the last century , have tense relations with Russia based on actions during World War II and beyond .
Nauseda said he will attend next week ’ s Holocaust commemoration in Poland .
Both nations called out Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reconstructed Eastern Europe at the onset of World War II .
Meanwhile , Putin and senior Russian officials have recently said that Poland should bear some responsibility for the war ’ s outbreak , which Poland and some Western allies reject .
On Wednesday afternoon , Putin dedicated a memorial to the victims of the siege of Leningrad in Jerusalem ’ s Sacher Park .


saraacater--2020-01-22--Schiff Rules Out ‘Fantasy Football’ Witness Trade

House Intelligence Committee Chairman and Impeachment Manager Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) told reporters Wednesday that he wouldn ’ t support any witness “ fantasy football ” trading in the Senate impeachment trial .
“ This isn ’ t like some fantasy football trade as I said yesterday .
This isn ’ t we ’ ll offer you this , if you ’ ll give us that .
We ’ ll offer you a witness that is irrelevant and immaterial who has no testimony , but a witness who will allow us to smear a presidential candidate if you want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not a trade .
Trials aren ’ t trades for witnesses , ” Schiff said .
He continued , “ We offered last night to have the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court rule on a question of materiality for any of the witnesses and you know something not surprisingly the President ’ s team was vehemently opposed , not because the President ’ s team doesn ’ t trust the Chief Justice to make an impartial decision , but because they do trust the chief justice to make an impartial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not what they want.
” The Washington Post reported Tuesday that a few Senate Democrats were said to be weighing a witness exchange meaning they would have a key Trump administration official and former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s son Hunter Biden both testify , according to Democratic officials who anonymously spoke to the paper .
“ These Democrats said they believe having Hunter — or possibly Joe Biden — testify could backfire on Trump and the GOP , giving Biden and the party a platform to strike back and paint Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to damage one of Trump ’ s 2020 presidential rivals , ” the report noted .
Wednesday marks the second day of arguments in the Senate .
The Senate concluded the first day of arguments well after midnight Wednesday morning .
From there , Senators will have sixteen hours for written questions with four hours of debate time .
The decision to call other witnesses will then be made .
Finally , the Senate will vote on the impeachment articles .


saraacater--2020-01-22--Powell Files Memo: Prosecution Wants Jail Time Because Flynn ‘refuses to compose’ Government Lies

A sentencing memo filed Wednesday by former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn ’ s defense attorney states that the Justice Department prosecutor ’ s reversal in asking for prison time on Flynn is retribution for his decision not to testify to ‘ lies ’ in the case of his former business partner , whose conviction was overturned by a federal judge last year .
Sidney Powell , Flynn ’ s defense attorney , asked the courts for leniency suggesting probation , instead of prosecutors demands to sentence Flynn for up to six months in prison for one count of lying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detailed major issues she said amounts to prosecutorial misconduct in her client ’ s case and the reason why Flynn was coerced by prosecutors into pleading guilty .
“ If after the briefing filed this Friday , the government continues to wrongfully on the path to sentencing , Mr. Flynn should be given probation , ” she told SaraACarter.com .
“ He is innocent of all charges , he is a national treasure , and he is a patriot .
This entire prosecution is a travesty of justice and a grotesque abuse of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they still hide the original 302 that shows he told the truth.
” Judge Emmet Sullivan , who is presiding over Flynn ’ s case , granted Powell ’ s request for a delay .
Last week , Sullivan pushed Flynn ’ s sentencing hearing from Jan. 28 to Feb. 27 .
Flynn has requested to withdraw his guilty plea , which was an agreement he made while cooperating with former Robert Mueller ’ s special counsel ’ s office when it began investigation the now debunked theory that the Trump campaign colluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the time , he had pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators about the content of his phone conversation with former Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak to the U.S .
In Powell ’ s memo to the court she argues to Sullivan that “ this court should swiftly reject the government ’ s brazen attempt to punish Mr. Flynn for refusing to compose rather than sing.
” “ The reversal of its sentencing position is not only unjust , it is unlawful , ” she noted .
“ If left unchecked , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – give testimony consistent with the government ’ s theory of the case , regardless of veracity , or pay the price with your freedom.
” Powell also laid out a series of evidence , she contends conflicts with the facts of the case .
For example , government prosecutor Attorney Brandon L. Van Grack demands suggesting that that Flynn lie to the courts in the case of his former partner Bijan Rafiekian , who helped establish the Flynn Intel Group and was acquitted of all charges last year .
Flynn had fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case of Mueller ’ s investigation into President Donald Trump , and was lauded for his cooperation in December , 2018 .
Then prosecutors said Flynn had provided “ substantial assistance ” to the U.S. , special counsel prosecutors in a memo and recommended a no prison sentence .
However , prosecutors were quick to change their minds after blaming Flynn last year when his partners case was overturned .
Prosecutors contend that Flynn knew when the Foreign Agent Registration Application Form was filed it by his attorney ’ s that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence revealed in Rafiekian ’ s case the prosecution ’ s assertions appeared to be unfounded .
Powell says the government “ ignores the facts in its possession as well as the decision of another court , ” referring to the evidence uncovered in Rafiekian ’ s case .
“ Any misstatements in the March , 2017 FARA filing at issue were not the fault of Mr. Flynn .
He gave his lawyers complete and accurate documents and information .
Moreover , he did his part to make sure any FARA filing was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Group did file a Lobbying Disclosure Act as early as September , 2016 under the advice of a well-respected lawyer in the field , Robert Kelley , who had advised Flynn Intel Group repeatedly that a FARA was not necessary when dealing with a foreign company .
In this instance it was Innova BV , a firm based in Holland and owned by the Turkish businessman , Ekim Alptekin .
Flynn later filed a FARA with his previous attorney Robert Kelner , an expert in FARA filings , under pressure from the FARA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Justice .
The lawyer stated in testimony to the courts that he had filed many Lobbying Disclosure Acts with other reputable companies and the FARA was only when dealing with foreign government ’ s directly .
Further , Powell argued that the government had stated repeatedly that “ Mr .
Flynn was not culpable for the false FARA statements or conspiring to cause false FARA statements.
” More importantly , Flynn never hid any meetings he had with Turkish officials .
In fact , Flynn even briefed the Defense Intelligence Agency , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2016 .
Flynn was the director of the DIA under the Obama Administration and was eventually removed by Obama after speaking out against the then administration ’ s narrative that major terrorist organizations , like al-Qaeda had been defeated .
Further , Powell noted that the presiding judge in Rafiekian ’ s case , Judge Anthony Trenga , asked the government “ point blank whether it was asserting that Mr. Flynn was part of a conspiracy to cause a false FARA statement .
The government was clear , ‘ we do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that conspiracy.
’ More disturbing says Powell is vital evidence that the government has still has not produced : the original FBI 302 interview with Flynn .
According to Powell ’ s memo , government prosecutor Attorney Brandon L. Van Grack had testimony from Flynn ’ s former lawyer Brian Smith , with the law firm Covington and Burling , knew emails showed Rafiekian wrote the first draft of the opinion editorial at the center of the controversy and the client , Inovo BV .
The opinion editorial was against the Turkish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States : Fethullah Gülen .
The Turkish government is seeking extradition of Gülen , claiming he is responsible for an attempted coup .
Flynn ’ s opinion editorial was published in November , 2016 Flynn published the editorial in The Hill , nearly two months after the Lobbying Disclosure Act was filed in Washington D.C .
According to the memo , a major argument by prosecutors doesn ’ t hold water .
For example , Inovo BV was upset and did not like the op-ed and they didn ’ t think the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , substantial testimony by government witness retired FBI agent Brian McCauley makes that clear .
He testified during the Rafiekian trial that he , along with the Flynn Intel Group , slapped down every request or suggestion made by Alptekin regarding the meeting between the Flynn Intel Group and the Turkish officials they met with .
Also attending the dinner meeting in New York with the Turkish officials in September , 2016 was former CIA director James Woolsey .
In fact , McCauley testified that they gave no instructions or directions to anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Covington and Burling , as well as the government , also allegedly claimed they had emails that showed Rafiekian wrote the first draft of the opinion editorial at the center of the controversy but those emails have still to be produced by the prosecutors in the case .


saraacater--2020-01-22--Sanders Wants Voters To Elect The First Jewish Pres., Says He’s ‘Not…Involved In Organized Religion’

In a video released Tuesday by the Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign , Joel Rubin , Sanders ’ Jewish Outreach Director , made the case for electing Bernie Sanders as the country ’ s first Jewish president .
In a recent interview with The New York Times , however , Sanders said he ’ s “ not actively involved in organized religion.
” “ I believe that Bernie is the right person to be our president right now , at this time , because his values are intrinsically Jewish values , ” Rubin said .
Further , Rubin said Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olam ” , which means to repair the world .
Sen. Sanders ( D-VT ) was raised in a Jewish community in Brooklyn , New York , was Bar Mitzvahed at the Kings Highway Jewish Center , and , even , once lived on a Kibbutz , an agricultural commune , in Israel for several months .
“ I believe in God .
I believe in the universality of people .
That what happens to you impacts me .
And I certainly believe in the constitutional right of freedom of religion .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders told The New York Times , “ And by the way , what that means is that we will end the Muslim ban in this country imposed by Donald Trump , because I think people in this country have the right to freely enjoy their religions and participate in religious life that interests them.
” Sanders has been a prominent voice for the progressive Jewish community .
Last year , Sanders spoke at the J Street annual conference , a self-described pro-Israel advocacy group that often criticizes Israel ’ s right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Israel ’ s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ‘ racist ’ and defended that comment by saying it ’ s not ‘ anti-semitic.
’ U.S. aid to Israel was the next point of contention for Sanders , who offered a conditional plan for the $ 3.8 billion given annually to Jewish State .
He said that if the aid were to continue , the Jewish State would need to ‘ change it ’ s relationship ’ with Gaza by offering a portion of that aid to them .
“ My solution is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3.8 billion every single year .
If you want military aid , you ’ re going to have to fundamentally change your relationship to the people of Gaza.
” said Sanders , “ In fact , I think it is fair to say that some of that $ 3.8 billion should go right now into humanitarian aid in Gaza.
” Former U.S .
Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley , an ardent defender of the US-Israel alliance , denounced his conditional demands at the time on Twitter .
Haley wrote , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t get any more radical , he outdid himself .
He wants to take money we give to Israel to defend itself from terrorists , and give it to Gaza , which is run by terrorists ?
?
Unreal .
Why isn ’ t every other Dem pres candidate saying he ’ s wrong ?
That sentiment was echoed by many mainstream Israel supporters .
The Democrat Socialist also posed in a picture holding a sign that read “ Jews Against the Occupation ” with representatives of the group IfNotNow , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jewish resistance.
” The organization applauded the endorsement on Twitter saying , “ Our member in NH just asked Bernie Sanders if he ’ s also on anti-Occupation Jew and looks like the answer is YES !
” In Sanders ’ campaign video , Rubin argued that Sanders is the candidate to promote a progressive agenda that will drive out hatred towards the Jewish community and cited the atrocities of the holocaust that led to the genocidal extermination of 6 million Jews .
“ We need someone equipped in the White House who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just because it makes good politics , but because he actually understands what it means to stand up to hate speech and bigotry , ” Rubin explained .


saraacater--2020-01-22--Impeachment: GOP Stayed United, Schiff Put Lawmakers To Sleep, Dems Argue For Fishing Expedition

While Senate Republicans stayed united against Democratic attempts to change impeachment rules put in place by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , the long hours had lawmakers struggling to stay awake , while some appeared to be dosing off during the first day of the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump .
The late night arguments – repeated over and over again – by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , ( D-CA ) , had some lawmakers wondering if the night would ever come to an end .
Schiff , who is the lead prosecutor for the Democrats , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the House impeachment proceedings .
I was literally falling asleep , waking up and Schiff was still talking .
I was wondering if it would ever come to an end .
It did , eventually , after midnight .
And by early Wednesday morning ( that is after midnight ) the Senate approved the rules for the impeachment trial on a strict party-line vote .
There were only minor changes made by McConnell to the original rules and that would be to delay the vote on the question of whether the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s would come later in the trial .
President Trump ’ s attorney ’ s Pat Cipollone argued before lawmakers Tuesday that the president neither obstructed justice , nor is there any evidence to suggest a ‘ quid pro quo ’ in the transcript released by the White House regarding Trump ’ s conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky .
Democrats have accused the president of withholding aid to Ukraine in exchange for an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s son , Hunter Biden .
Hunter Biden sat on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company Burisma Holdings collecting millions of dollars even though he had no experience in the energy sector and his father at the time was overseeing Ukraine policy for the Obama Administration .
“ They ’ re not here to steal one election , ” said Cipollone .
“ They ’ re here to steal two elections .
A partisan impeachment is like stealing an election .
And that ’ s exactly what we have.
” “ They are asking the Senate to attack one of the most sacred rights we have as Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he added .
“ In an election year .
It ’ s never been done before .
It shouldn ’ t be done.
” All in all it was a grueling battle of words that left Republicans with a win over Democrat attempts to remove the President from office .
Why ?
Because Senate Republicans stayed united .
The only Republican Senator that veered off course was Susan Collins of Maine .
She did break with Republicans on one vote .
It was Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ’ s 10th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 hours to respond to the trial motions .
Those are expected Wednesday morning .
The vote failed 52-48 .
McConnell ’ s rules resolution was approved 53-47 .
Republicans defeated the litany series of amendments from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , who had proposed 11 amendments .
He wanted to subpoena a multitude of documents from the White House .
He also wanted witnesses – including White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and former National Security Adviser John Bolton – but they were voted down on party lines .
McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the White House to have 24 hours to make their case and give Senators 16 hours to ask questions .
This is the same set of rule ’ s used during President Bill Clinton ’ s impeachment trial .
Senator Marsha Blackburn pointed out after the impeachment proceedings a very crucial point .
She said “ first , the Democratic House impeachment managers told us the evidence against President Trump was ‘ overwhelming.
’ Right after , we heard there wasn ’ t enough evidence , and we would need to allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” It is a point that needs to be made over and over again .
Why should Democrats – who told the American public that they had overwhelming evidence to impeach in the House – be given the opportunity to continue their fishing expedition for crimes ?
No judge would accept this argument in any court .
“ House Democrats had ample opportunity to seek testimony from the witnesses they are now requesting , but they decided instead to rush through their unsubstantiated articles of impeachment , ” Blackburn said .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to force a constitutional challenge against executive privilege in the name of taking down President Trump at all costs .
We don ’ t need more testimony – we need less abuse of the Constitution , less mania and zero impeachment do overs .
President Trump , like any American , has the right to seek relief in the courts , and if Democrats will punish him for this right , they will do it to anyone .
Enough is enough .
”


saraacater--2020-01-22--Tulsi Gabbard Sues Hillary Clinton For Defamation Over ‘Russian Asset’ Comment

2020 presidential candidate Rep. Tulsi Gabbard ( D-HI ) is suing former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for defamation over an earlier comment in which she labeled Gabbard a “ Russian asset ” for the 2020 election , according to a complaint filed Wednesday with the U.S. Southern District of New York .
“ Clinton falsely stated that Tulsi—an Army National Guard officer and United States Congresswoman who has spent her entire adult life serving this country—is a ‘ Russian asset.
’ Clinton ’ s false assertions were made in a deliberate attempt to derail Tulsi ’ s presidential campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made the comment in an interview with Campaign HQ ’ s podcast last year .
“ She ’ s a favorite of the Russians .
They have a bunch of sites and bots and other ways of supporting her so far and that ’ s assuming Jill Stein will give it up , which she might not because she is also a Russian asset , ” Clinton said , “ They know they can ’ t win without a third-party candidate , and so I do not know who it is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have a vigorous third-party challenge in the key states that they most need it.
” Below is the full complaint : • Tulsi Gabbard : “ Kamala Harris is not qualified to serve as commander-in-chief ”


saraacater--2020-01-22--HHS Alex Azar: Only healthy people traveling through China would be able to enter the U.S.

“ At the president ’ s direction we have ramped up the protection of America .
We now have our quarantine officials at three key airports that receive flights from China with individuals coming from Wuhan , ” Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said on “ The Brian Kilmeade Show ” Tuesday , addressing the issue of coronavirus which is believed to have originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan .
“ Passengers are being screened for any type of fever or respiratory illness and quarantined until we can rule out this novel coronavirus .
The CDC has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are deploying it around the country so that it can be used rapidly on site.
” “ I think that people should know the president is engaged and that this department is leading the efforts to ensure that it doesn ’ t become widespread , ” Azar added .
At least one person in the United States has been infected with the virus , which has killed at least six people and sickened approximately 300 others since it was first reported .
Secretary Alex Azar assured that only healthy people traveling through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. and that anyone afflicted by the virus would be taken care of .
“ They ’ re healthy if they come in and if they ’ re cases , we ’ re going to make sure they ’ re isolated and cared for , ” Azar said .
“ These types of novel coronaviruses , they tend to spread from the people who are most symptomatic and really in a very bad way.
” • McAleenan : ‘ DHS Will No Longer Be Releasing Family Units…Into The Interior ’ • Chang : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 21st Century ’


saraacater--2020-01-24--Johns Hopkins Builds Tracking Map Of Coronavirus: Currently 939 Infected, 26 Deaths Globally

Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering launched tracking map website of the Wuhan ‘ coronavirus ’ as it appears to be rapidly spreading around the globe .
The website tracks the spread of the deadly virus in real time and provides valuable information for people who want to understand what is happening and know more about the spread of this flu .
News reports of the virus and the increasing infections , along with the death toll , is frightening enough when you don ’ t understand what it really means and if it could potentially affect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The website also offers a blog that explains almost everything you need to know about the virus .
I have to admit I was more concerned about how rapid the virus is traveling and with two cases now confirmed in the United States having more resources to understand it helps alleviate that concern .
The Johns Hopkins University blog on the Coronavirus brings home how quickly this virus has traveled since it was first reported to the World Health Organization : “ On December 31 , 2019 , the World Health Organization ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ pneumonia of unknown cause ” detected in Wuhan City , Hubei Province , China – the seventh-largest city in China with 11 million residents .
As of January 23 , there are over 800 cases of 2019-nCoV confirmed globally , including cases in at least 20 regions in China and nine countries/territories .
The first reported infected individuals , some of whom showed symptoms as early as December 8 , were discovered to be among stallholders from the Wuhan South China Seafood Market .
Subsequently , the wet market was closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak was quickly determined to be a novel coronavirus .
On January 10 , gene sequencing further determined it to be the new Wuhan coronavirus , namely 2019-nCoV , a betacoronavirus , related to the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome virus ( MERS-CoV ) and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome virus ( SARSCoV ) .
However , the mortality and transmissibility of 2019-nCoV are still unknown , and likely to vary from those of the prior referenced coronaviruses.
” Johns Hopkins Civil Engineering Professor Lauren Gardner worked with the center to build the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up-to-the-minute statistics from various sources : the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , the National Health Commission of the People ’ s Republic of China ( NHC ) , and two other sites , ” the press release states .
For more on the Johns Hopkins ‘ Coronavirus tracking map go here .


saraacater--2020-01-24--34 U.S. Service Members Treated For Traumatic Brain Injuries After Iran Missile Attack

Thirty four U.S. service members have been diagnosed with concussions , traumatic brain injuries ( TBI ) from an Iranian missile attack on U.S. troops stationed in Iraq , Pentagon spokesman Jonathon Hoffman said during a press conference Friday .
Some symptoms of TBI reported include “ headaches , dizziness , and sensitivity to light… restlessness , nausea ” many of which “ develop over a period of time , ” Hoffman noted .
“ The DOD is committed to delivering programs and services intended to lead to the best possible outcomes for our service members who suffer any injury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last two weeks , we have seen a persistent and dedicated effort by our medical professionals on the ground in Iraq , Kuwait , and Germany to diagnose and treat any and all members who needed assistance , ” he added .
“ We wish all these members well and we are dedicated to ensuring they have the support and treatment they need for a full recovery.
” The evaluation and treatment of the injured service members is being conducted as a wide scale effort .
Eight of the injured service members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Nine remain in Germany and are being evaluated and treated in the country .
One was transported to Kuwait and “ has returned to duty in Iraq.
” Sixteen others stayed in Iraq and “ have returned for duty.
” During a trip to Davos , Switzerland for the World Economic Forum , President Donald Trump said he had knowledge of the injuries .
“ I heard that they had headaches and a couple of other things , but I would say and I can report it is not very serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack occurred earlier this month when Iran fired dozens of missiles at Ain al-Asad and a base near Erbil .
It was their revenge for the U.S. taking out Iran Quds Force General Qassem Soleimani , a known terrorist .


saraacater--2020-01-24--Israeli Leaders Will Visit The White House To Discuss Middle East Peace

The White House has invited Israel ’ s Prime Minister and opposition leader to the White House .
The Trump administration says it plans to finally unveil its strategy for ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict .
“ President Donald J. Trump will welcome Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to the White House on January 28 , 2020 .
LTG .
( Res . )
MK Benjamin Gantz , Blue and White Chairman , has also accepted the President ’ s invitation to come to Washington , ” the White House said in a statement .
“ The United States and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister ’ s visit is an opportunity to discuss our shared regional and national security interests.
” The President told the press Thursday that he would release his peace plan , which some call the “ Deal of the Century , ” before Tuesday ’ s meeting with Netanyahu and Gantz , who are just over one month away from their third election in the span of a year .
Vice President Mike Pence , who was in Jerusalem for the Fifth World Holocaust Forum , extended the invitation from Pres .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice President said Thursday that Netanyahu and Gantz would be visiting the White House to discuss “ regional issues as well as the prospect of peace.
” “ President Trump asked me to extend an invitation to Prime Minister Netanyahu to come to the White House next week for talks on regional issues , including peace , ” Pence said during a meeting with Netanyahu on Thursday night .
“ At the prime minister ’ s suggestion , I also extended an invitation to Benny Gantz.
” Gants accepted the invitation , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political rival .
“ I suggested that Benny Gantz be invited to this event as well because I think it is important that we not lose this historic opportunity with such friends in the White House , ” PM Netanyahu said .
“ We should get as broad as consensus as possible.
” In the meantime , Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett has indicated that his right-wing Yamina alliance would oppose any plan that includes transferring land or the creation of a Palestinian state .
“ President Trump , [ Jared ] Kushner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true friends of Israel , ” Bennett said in a statement .
“ It is likely that Israel faces a historic opportunity , along with significant risks.
” The Palestinian Authority is expected to reject this proposal .
Nabil Abu Rudeinah , a spokesman for PA president Mahmoud Abbas , said the Palestinian leadership had a “ clear and unwavering position ” to reject any initiatives led by Pres .
Trump .


saraacater--2020-01-24--Three U.S. Firefighters Killed In Australia Plane Crash ‘Heroically’ Served Our Country

Three American firefighters who were killed in a plane crash while trying to combat bushfires afflicting the continent of Australia were also decorated U.S. service members and are being remembered as such .
The group was attempting to put out fires by dropping flame retardant over the Snowy Monaro Area in southern New South Wales , Australia on their Coulson Aviation-owned Lockheed C-130 Hercules air tanker when their aircraft lost contact with flight operators .
The deceased crew and their large air tanker were found after crews including the New South Wales Rural Fire Service , the largest volunteer firefighter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helicopter sweep of the area .
The three men were decorated veterans , who had extensive experience operating C-130s .
Captain Ian H. McBeth , 44 , of Great Falls , MT was one of the three firefighters killed .
He leaves behind a wife , three children , both of his parents , and three siblings .
He served in the Wyoming Air National Guard and was still serving the Montana Air National Guard .
First Officer Paul Clyde Hudson , 42 , leaves behind his wife .
He was a graduate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served twenty years in the U.S. Marine Corp , where he piloted C-130s .
He retired as a decorated Lt .
Colonel .
Flight Engineer Rick A. DeMorgan Jr. , 43 , is survived by his parents , two children , and a sister .
He served in the United States Air Force , where he spent eighteen years as a Flight Engineer on the C-130 .
He was experienced and accumulated 4,000 hours as a Flight Engineer , 2,000 hours of which were in a combat .
“ Arizona is heartbroken by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a hero who dedicated his life to service , first as a Marine , then as a firefighter .
And when help was needed to fight wildfires in Australia , he didn ’ t hesitate .
Arizona ’ s prayers go out to him & his family # RIP ” Arizona Governor Doug Ducey wrote on Twitter late Thursday .
In a later tweet , the Governor ordered that flags “ across the state be lowered to half-staff.
” “ Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family , friends , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that were lost during a tragic crash while battling the devastating Australia fires .
CAL FIRE stands with you during this difficult time , ” said CAL FIRE Chief Porter .
“ We are heartbroken to learn of the air tanker crash in Australia that claimed the lives of 3 heroic American firefighters .
We extend our sincerest condolences to the friends and families of the crew , and our own Cal Fire family who worked and trained the crew of Tanker 134 , ” California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & I send our prayers & deep condolences to the families of the 3 brave American firefighters who died in AUS yesterday while on their way to battle the terrible bushfires .
Our Nation will always honor the memory of those lost in the line of duty working to help others , ” said Vice President Mike Pence on Twitter Thursday .
“ Our deepest condolences to the families of the American firefighters who perished standing with Australia to fight their devastating nationwide wildfires .
These heroes exemplified the great American tradition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote on Twitter Friday .


saraacater--2020-01-24--New Podcast: Dems ‘are the party of confusion, of spin, of shaping their own narrative’

If there is one thing the Democrats targeting President Donald Trump have proven over and over again is that they project exactly what they ’ re doing onto their opponent .
There is no one better at this than Rep. Adam Schiff , D-CA , who has been using the Senate floor as his own personal theatrical stage to push false narratives that depict exactly what he and his colleagues have done since Trump was elected .
Schiff has consistently lied about the facts , leaked information to the media and used his dramatic recitations of what the founders intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false narrative .
He is lauded by the anti-Trump crowd and called “ dazzling ” by CNN political analyst Jeffery Toobin .
MSNBC host Joe Scarborough referred to his Senate speeches as a “ virtuoso performance.
” Why ?
Because hating and removing Trump from office is more important than actually protecting the Constitution and the Democratic process that allows the people of our nation to make their own choice at the voting polls .
Schiff wants to take that away .
He , along with those targeting the president , believe they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation .
But if you look at Neilson ratings it ’ s easy to see that Schiff is instead , putting America to sleep and most American ’ s are tuning out of the impeachment fiasco .
Schiff , who is prosecuting the case before the Senate has led his team of Democratic lawmakers into a trap .
He has denied the President any semblance of fair judicial process , he has distorted and lied about the facts , and we can ’ t forget that he personally orchestrated with his committee the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment charade .
On The Sara Carter Show , we examine Schiff ’ s ‘ shifty ways ’ and how the Democrats weaponized the impeachment process to the detriment of our nation .
Constitutional lawyer Jenna Ellis , who is also Trump ’ s personal attorney , and Deputy Communications Director for Trump 2020 , Erin Perrine , reveal new insight into the White House ’ s battle against deep state bureaucrats , Democratic impeachment and what to expect in 2020 .
“ The Democrats of course are the party of confusion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narrative and trying to just outright lie , ” Ellis told me .
She noted that the “ deep state , these people that continue on through multiple administrations , they may have , and we ’ ve seen this , have different allegiances and perspectives than serving at the pleasure of the current President and so we saw very clearly through the testimony , once this inquiry actually got so far with this ridiculous circus.
” She emphasized that the witnesses testifying against Trump had no direct evidence against the president only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” She warned that President Trump was a target from the beginning of his presidency and it is no surprise that Democrats were working secretly to find anything – even using former Obama holdovers to target the administration – in the ‘ impeachment sham.
’ Democrats “ initially were absolutely shocked ’ when Trump was elected and “ within minutes after he was inaugurated for President , their impeachment campaign began , ” she said .
“ The Democrats have had a deadline , ” she added .
“ They wanted to impeach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have this trial bleeding into the 2020 election and so I ’ m convinced personally that no matter what happened on July 25 , they were going to find some narrative and some way to say something happened , we ’ ve got ta find some conduct that we can possibly spin.
” Perrine said American voters across the nation have said Trump is a President that “ actually does what he says , unlike previous presidents.
” She noted that the president isn ’ t letting impeachment get in the way of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What were promises made by just a candidate are promises kept by President Trump , ” Perrine said .
“ And that is in the face of historic obstruction and abuse of power by Democrats to try and fight him every step of the way .
America should be thrilled and so proud of what President Trump has been able to accomplish.
” Some examples , she noted , was President Trump ’ s recent trip to Davos , for the The World Economic Summit .
“ This is the perfect example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with President Trump , ” said Perrine .
“ On one screen , you see President Trump standing up in Davos , talking about economic freedom , talking about economic prosperity and telling these other countries across the world if you want your businesses to succeed , they should be investing in America because there are plenty of opportunities to invest in and you go back and you look at what the Democrats are doing holding this sham impeachment for the President who did absolutely nothing wrong .
That ’ s been the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidency.
” She added that “ Democrats are so disconnected from reality and they ’ re stuck in this D.C. bubble .
It ’ s really laughable that Adam Schiff would say we don ’ t take this lightly when they do big grand signing ceremonies and Nancy Pelosi ’ s fist bumping people and they ’ re giving out commemorative pens .
We don ’ t take this lightly , but we ’ re making a big show of this.
” For more on this in-depth interview with Team Trump and more @ @ @ @


saraacater--2020-01-24--New Poll: Democrats Aren’t Making The Case In Senate Trial

A Hill-HarrisX poll released Thursday revealed that 60 percent of Americans don ’ t believe that the Senate impeachment trial will reveal anything new and the majority of those polled said they will vote for a candidate , rather than a political party .
In essence , if the poll is an accurate depiction of how American ’ s feel come the 2020 election the candidate ’ s ability to bring in independents will be a deciding factor in the race for the presidency .
So is the poll evidence that voters will shift from straight ticket voting to split-ticket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 85 percent of Independents said , as expected , that they will cast their vote for a candidate rather than a party .
The Hill news site noted that The Washington Post reported that the 2016 presidential election saw the highest percentage of straight ticket voters .
At the time , “ 34 states with Senate races voted for the same party for the upper chamber as for president , ” stated The Hill .
Even during the 2018 midterm elections there was also a visible increase in straight-ticket voting .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hill come even though voters have been increasingly voting for the same party over the past decade .
Interestingly , the poll does show that 61 percent of Democratic supporters are hopeful that there will be a new bombshell at the trial to impeach President Donald Trump , Independents and Republicans stated their expectations of something new were much lower : 30 percent and 25 % respectively .
As for Democratic supporters with high hopes of discovering any new evidence that would implicate President Trump in the impeachment trial , it appears they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , D-CA , who is prosecuting the case for the Senate has failed to show anything new .
Instead , Schiff has repeated the same talking points ( granted he adds extensive drama in his rhetoric ) on the Senate floor .
However , Schiff ’ s dramatic readings and rhetoric haven ’ t been enough to keep his own political party awake during the long impeachment trial hours and the House Democrat ’ s rush to impeach the president – basically giving up their fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats with little options under Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s rules .
Moreover , Americans just aren ’ t watching the Senate impeachment charade .
It ’ s evident in the network ratings over the past week .
For example , TV ratings during the first two days of the trial on the six news networks covering Trump ’ s impeachment averaged roughly 11 million viewers combined .
Again , I say combined and that ’ s rough .
Fox News lead the ratings with 2,654,000 on the channel from 12:30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disclosure , I ’ m a Fox News Contributor . )
Even more telling are the ratings during prime time on the network news .
Nielsen data showed that Sean Hannity drew roughly 4,246,000 million viewers and that ’ s double the network ’ s daytime impeachment audience .
People just don ’ t want to watch the Senate impeachment hearing because for the last three years all the American audience has seen is a continued effort by Democrats to remove a duly elected president .
Further , Democratic lawmakers have been promising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation by the FBI that they have evidence to remove Trump .
They don ’ t .
People are frankly sick of the game .
What the Democrats have done is weaponized the impeachment process and impeached the President on strictly partisan lines .
So as the battle on the Senate floor continues and as Americans continue to tune out from the long and often boring spectacle on the Senate floor , it ’ s no wonder The Hill-Harris poll shows Americans aren ’ t loyal to their political parties but again , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to .
The Hill-HarrisX poll surveyed 1,001 registered voters between Jan. 13 and 14 .
There is a margin of error is 3.1 percentage points .
For more on this poll go to The Hill


saraacater--2020-01-25--Rush Limbaugh: FISA court admits Carter Page Warrants Were Fraudulent…But Dems Want You to Believe T

Rush Limbaugh: FISA court admits Carter Page Warrants Were Fraudulent…But Dems Want You to Believe Trump Abused Power

“ Where are we ?
The Democrats and their media buddies would rather pretend that Donald Trump abused power in a phone call with the president of Ukraine and sweep this under the rug , ” Rush Limbaugh said on his nationally syndicated radio program .
“ The initial and original operation of this coup — this silent coup designed to get Donald Trump — has never been able to stand the weight of truth and authenticity.
” “ The entire pretext for the so-called investigation of Donald Trump for colluding with Russia — the FISA warrants that opened up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to as fraudulent , ” Rush Limbaugh said .
“ The FBI and the FISA court now admit that they abused their powers , and all of the people involved in getting those FISA warrants applied for and signed off on — whether they ’ ve admitted to it or not — have now been caught up in abuse of power and fraud.
” Click here for more from Rush Limbaugh • Carter Page Says FBI ’ s SpyGate is ‘ just the tip of the iceberg ’ • FISC : FBI Lawyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reported To Bar .


saraacater--2020-01-25--Lindsey Graham: Media failed to look into what happened in Ukraine with Hunter Biden

“ I don ’ t know how many times it was said by the managers that the Biden conflict of interest allegations has been debunked and there ’ s no scintilla of evidence in terms of conflicts of interest and potential wrongdoing , ” Sen. Lindsey Graham told reporters , who added , “ So , when the managers tell me this has been looked at and debunked … by [ whom ] ?
” Hunter Biden has been a frequent subject of conversation among Republicans amid the ongoing Senate impeachment trial of President Trump .
Trump is accused of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden ’ s efforts to remove a prosecutor — Viktor Shokin — who had been looking into Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings , where Hunter Biden served on the board .
“ That ’ s becoming relevant because they talked about it almost 50 times — that the president had no reason to believe that anything improper occurred in the Ukraine with the Bidens and he was just out to create a political advantage , ” Sen. Lindsey Graham said Thursday .
“ The question is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The point of fact is that nobody — particularly in your business — has done much looking at what happened in the Ukraine with Hunter Biden , ” he told the reporters .
“ I don ’ t know .
It doesn ’ t pass the smell test to me , ” Graham continued .
“ Why are you [ Burisma ] paying Hunter Biden ?
You could say they ’ re corrupt , but they ’ re not stupid.
” “ I love Joe Biden , ” Graham concluded , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name was Trump there would be a lot of questions asked .
”


saraacater--2020-01-26--Lindsey Graham: I think Trump is going to get acquitted, and he’ll be stronger than he was after Mue

Lindsey Graham: I think Trump is going to get acquitted, and he’ll be stronger than he was after Mueller probe

“ Well , I said early on that I thought the first day , the House managers were articulate .
They were prepared .
They created a compelling narrative , a tapestry regarding process and substance .
And I asked then publicly , will it withstand scrutiny ?
When it came to removing the president , their arguments became very political , very shrill , ” said Sen. Lindsey Graham on “ Sunday Morning Futures , ” with Maria Bartiromo .
“ While Adam Schiff did a good job of presenting the facts , and at times the law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he has got to go right now , it was more of an audition for a future Senate run than it was compelling .
But what happened yesterday , in two hours , the Senate — the president ’ s defense team destroyed the narrative created in 21 hours regarding process and substance , ” continued Graham .
Sen. Graham pointed out that the democratic House managers told the Senators “ that President Trump got a better deal from the House than Nixon or Clinton.
” “ And here ’ s what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They impeached president in 78 days , President Trump .
Imagine 78 days to remove the president of the United States from office , nullify the 2016 election , take him off the ballot in 2020 .
Do you think 78 days is proper consideration of something this grave ?
Seventy-one of the 78 days , the president was denied the ability to call witnesses on his behalf , cross-examine witnesses , present evidence.
” “ So the Nixon impeachment lasted for years .
He went to the Supreme Court .
The Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the defense was able to tell the Senate that all the due process given Nixon and Clinton didn ’ t exist with Trump.
” “ And then they — the most stunning of all arguments , they impeached the president of the United States in 78 days .
Why ?
Because they wanted to get it over by Christmas .
Why didn ’ t they pursue witness in the House ?
That would require court action .
That would delay their goal of impeaching him before the election .
I think that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Well , back to process , one last thing , if you contested a parking ticket it would probably take more than 78 days.
” “ So , on substance , they told us that the president was unconcerned about burden-sharing , that he wasn ’ t concerned about corruption , that the only reason he wanted the Ukrainians to look at the Bidens and look into 2016 election interference was for personal game.
” “ They read the transcript for 21 hours selectively .
In the transcript that the House managers never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between President Trump and the Ukrainian president , Zelensky , where President Trump was complaining about the Europeans not doing enough , and the president of the Ukraine agreed.
” “ The president in the transcript from the Ukraine said to the president , Trump , you ’ re doing more than the Europeans .
It shouldn ’ t be that way .
I ’ m paraphrasing.
” “ So the transcript was devastating to their case .
Then the witnesses that they called in their case — they took snippets of hour-long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young lawyer , if you want to use a piece of evidence from a deposition or a tape , make sure that other parts of the tape do not destroy the parts that you used.
” “ Well , if we seek witnesses , then we are going to throw the country into chaos.
” “ We either stop the trial to go to court to allow the president to litigate executive privilege , or we destroy it ourselves.
” “ Here is what I think .
I think he is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for two years .
There was no there there .
He was stronger after Mueller .
He is going to get acquitted because this has been a railroad job by the House.
” “ He is going to be stronger after impeachment than he was after Mueller .
He is now the prohibitive favorite , in my view , to get reelected .
And this is the boomerang party .
Every time they go after Trump , it hurts them .
They throw rocks at Trump , they get hit.
” “ Mueller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI and the Department of Justice falls apart .
They try to accuse Trump of corruption in the Ukraine , and we find out that conflicts of interests by Joe Biden really stink.
” Click here for full transcript from “ Sunday Morning Futures , ” with Maria Bartiromo .
• Lindsey Graham : Media failed to look into what happened in Ukraine with Hunter Biden


saraacater--2020-01-26--Ted Cruz: On Monday, Trump’s team needs to make the affirmative case – ‘Can a President investigate

Ted Cruz: On Monday, Trump’s team needs to make the affirmative case – ‘Can a President investigate corruption’?

The Trump team finally gets a chance to make their case against impeachment , Senator Ted Cruz identifies , in his daily podcast “ Verdict with Ted Cruz ” , the sneaky logical trick in Democrats ’ arguments , and four presidential candidates are stuck in the Capitol just nine days before the Iowa caucuses .
“ When the Trump ’ s legal team puts this case together…a lot of lawyers when they are their case , particularly when you ’ re responding , they spend their whole time sort of going point by point in refuting .
So the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me answer the point 1 with point 1A…I actually think that ’ s a terrible way to argue in a court of law or in a court of public opinion ” said Sen. Ted Cruz on Saturday in his podcast .
“ I think the right way to do it , and I hope the President ’ s lawyers will do on Monday , is tell a story…Lay out an affirmative narrative .
I give Adam Schiff credit .
He told a story , a narrative .
We need to do the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just seating there going on tit for tat , ” continued Sen. Cruz .
In answering a question of about ‘ any democratic senators you believe would vote against impeachment ’ , Sen. Ted Cruz pointed that the most likely senator to vote against impeachment would be Sen. Joe Manchin , from West Virginia .
“ He was the only democrat to vote for Brett Kavanaugh .
I don ’ t know if Joe will or not , but he is the most likely.
” Listen to the full podcast here .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Constitution – trying to undo a democratic election • Cruz : The Question No One Is Asking Democratic Senators Ahead of Impeachment Trial • Lindsey Graham : Media failed to look into what happened in Ukraine with Hunter Biden