talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-24--Senate Impeachment Trial Spills Over To Court Fight Over Mueller Probe

The House ’ s top lawyer on Thursday used President Donald Trump ’ s legal arguments against him in two “ urgent ” court cases that could provide valuable Mueller probe-era evidence for use in the impeachment trial .
For months , the House Democrats and the Justice Department have been fighting parallel court battles over the evidence — a key witness and grand jury materials — that , Democrats say , are essential for the impeachment trial .
House lawyer Douglas Letter argued in two letters Thursday that the Trump legal team ’ s arguments during the impeachment trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , Democrats are pushing for former White House Counsel Don McGahn , a key Mueller probe witness , to testify before the House Judiciary Committee about instances of potential obstruction of justice by Trump that McGahn described to Robert Mueller ’ s investigators .
McGahn has complied with a Trump order that he not testify .
Such testimony could demonstrate the pattern of obstruction that Democrats seek to prove in the impeachment trial .
A federal judge ruled in the House ’ s favor in November .
The Trump administration appealed ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected soon .
The Justice Department has been steadfast that the courts aren ’ t the right place for this battle .
Instead , Trump administration lawyers insist the fight is fundamentally one between Congress and the Executive Branch .
But Trump ’ s own impeachment lawyers contradicted that argument during the impeachment trial , the House argued in a filing in the D.C .
Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday .
Letter pointed to an argument advanced by Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow during impeachment proceedings : Sekulow claimed Tuesday that the Obstruction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignored the court battle the House could have waged to secure testimony from administration witnesses .
“ We ’ re acting as if the Courts are an improper venue to determine constitutional issues of this magnitude ?
” Sekulow said .
“ That is why we have courts .
That is why we have a federal judiciary.
” In light of that argument , Letter argued , “ it is not clear whether the DOJ still maintains its position that courts are barred from considering subpoena-enforce suits brought by the House.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both ways , ” Letter wrote .
On Friday morning , the Justice Department replied .
It maintained its position that Democrats didn ’ t have standing to pursue McGahn ’ s testimony in court .
Despite Sekulow ’ s claim on the Senate floor , it said , the President ’ s legal team ’ s written brief on impeachment was in line with the DOJ ’ s position .
Specifically , it acknowledged that the House had taken the “ opposite view ” of the McGahn case as the Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Department lawyers insisted , that was trying to “ have it both ways ” — by both insisting that the request for McGahn ’ s testimony should be argued in court and also treating “ resistance to any demand for information from Congress ” as an impeachable offense .
Separately on Thursday , Letter wrote to the same appeals court about another “ urgent ” and ongoing Mueller probe-era fight : House Democrats ’ effort to obtain grand jury materials from the Mueller probe .
“ [ O ] ne of President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that the House should have gone to court to obtain the information he withheld , ” he argued .
“ The House did exactly that here.
” “ The suggestion that courts could not adjudicate Congressional requests for documents related to impeachment is undermined by President Trump ’ s own argument that the courts should resolve the House ’ s entitlement to withheld material , ” Letter added .
He concluded by emphasizing the “ urgent need ” for the Mueller documents .
“ [ I ] t is difficult to conceive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensuring that the House obtains highly pertinent evidence to present to the Senate as it considers whether the President should be removed from office , ” he wrote , adding : “ We respectfully urge the Court to rule expeditiously.
” Read the House ’ s filing in the McGahn case here : And the Justice Department ’ s response : Read the House ’ s filing in the Mueller grand jury case here :

The House’s top lawyer on Thursday used President Donald Trump’s legal arguments against him in two “urgent” court cases that could provide valuable Mueller probe-era evidence for use in the impeachment trial.
For months, the House Democrats and the Justice Department have been fighting parallel court battles over the evidence — a key witness and grand jury materials — that, Democrats say, are essential for the impeachment trial.
House lawyer Douglas Letter argued in two letters Thursday that the Trump legal team’s arguments during the impeachment trial had changed the game.
In one case, Democrats are pushing for former White House Counsel Don McGahn, a key Mueller probe witness, to testify before the House Judiciary Committee about instances of potential obstruction of justice by Trump that McGahn described to Robert Mueller’s investigators. McGahn has complied with a Trump order that he not testify.
Such testimony could demonstrate the pattern of obstruction that Democrats seek to prove in the impeachment trial. A federal judge ruled in the House’s favor in November. The Trump administration appealed; a decision at the appeals level is expected soon.
The Justice Department has been steadfast that the courts aren’t the right place for this battle. Instead, Trump administration lawyers insist the fight is fundamentally one between Congress and the Executive Branch.
But Trump’s own impeachment lawyers contradicted that argument during the impeachment trial, the House argued in a filing in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday.
Letter pointed to an argument advanced by Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow during impeachment proceedings: Sekulow claimed Tuesday that the Obstruction of Congress impeachment charge approved by the House ignored the court battle the House could have waged to secure testimony from administration witnesses.
“We’re acting as if the Courts are an improper venue to determine constitutional issues of this magnitude?” Sekulow said. “That is why we have courts. That is why we have a federal judiciary.”
In light of that argument, Letter argued, “it is not clear whether the DOJ still maintains its position that courts are barred from considering subpoena-enforce suits brought by the House.”
“The Executive Branch cannot have it both ways,” Letter wrote.
On Friday morning, the Justice Department replied. It maintained its position that Democrats didn’t have standing to pursue McGahn’s testimony in court. Despite Sekulow’s claim on the Senate floor, it said, the President’s legal team’s written brief on impeachment was in line with the DOJ’s position. Specifically, it acknowledged that the House had taken the “opposite view” of the McGahn case as the Trump administration.
It was the House, the Justice Department lawyers insisted, that was trying to “have it both ways” — by both insisting that the request for McGahn’s testimony should be argued in court and also treating “resistance to any demand for information from Congress” as an impeachable offense.
Separately on Thursday, Letter wrote to the same appeals court about another “urgent” and ongoing Mueller probe-era fight: House Democrats’ effort to obtain grand jury materials from the Mueller probe.
“[O]ne of President Trump’s defenses in the impeachment is that the House should have gone to court to obtain the information he withheld,” he argued. “The House did exactly that here.”
“The suggestion that courts could not adjudicate Congressional requests for documents related to impeachment is undermined by President Trump’s own argument that the courts should resolve the House’s entitlement to withheld material,” Letter added.
He concluded by emphasizing the “urgent need” for the Mueller documents.
“[I]t is difficult to conceive of a public interest more substantial than ensuring that the House obtains highly pertinent evidence to present to the Senate as it considers whether the President should be removed from office,” he wrote, adding: “We respectfully urge the Court to rule expeditiously.”
Read the House’s filing in the McGahn case here:
And the Justice Department’s response:
Read the House’s filing in the Mueller grand jury case here:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-24--Pentagon: 34 US Soldiers Diagnosed With Traumatic Brain Injuries After Iran Strike

Thirty-four U.S. soldiers have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries after the Iran missile strike on Iraqi bases late last month , the Pentagon said Friday .
Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman broke down the movement of the soldiers as symptoms of their injuries became apparent .
Of the 34 total , 18 soldiers were evacuated from Iraq .
Of those 18 , 17 went to Germany for treatment and nine of them are still there .
The other eight traveled to the United States from Germany .
The last member of the 18 evacuees went to Kuwait , but has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 soldiers were treated in Iraq and have since returned to duty .
Hoffman declined to specify what branches of the military the soldiers belong to .
“ No , I don ’ t consider them very serious injuries , relative to other injuries that I ’ ve seen , ” Trump said during a press conference at the World Economic Forum in Davos , Switzerland .
“ I ’ ve seen people with no legs and no arms.
” Trump , who famously claimed bone spurs to avoid being drafted into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veteran organizations for his dismissiveness .
Paul Rieckhoff , founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America , told the Wall Street Journal that Trump ’ s comments were “ really counterproductive because we ’ ve worked for the last decade-and-a-half to highlight and educate people about the invisible injuries of war.
” “ He really displayed remarkable ignorance about what could be the signature injury of our generation , ” he added .

Thirty-four U.S. soldiers have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries after the Iran missile strike on Iraqi bases late last month, the Pentagon said Friday.
Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman broke down the movement of the soldiers as symptoms of their injuries became apparent. Of the 34 total, 18 soldiers were evacuated from Iraq. Of those 18, 17 went to Germany for treatment and nine of them are still there. The other eight traveled to the United States from Germany. The last member of the 18 evacuees went to Kuwait, but has since returned to duty.
The other 16 soldiers were treated in Iraq and have since returned to duty.
Hoffman declined to specify what branches of the military the soldiers belong to.
President Donald Trump dismissed the suspected injuries Wednesday as “headaches.”
“No, I don’t consider them very serious injuries, relative to other injuries that I’ve seen,” Trump said during a press conference at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “I’ve seen people with no legs and no arms.”
Trump, who famously claimed bone spurs to avoid being drafted into the Vietnam War, was loudly rebuked by veteran organizations for his dismissiveness.
Paul Rieckhoff, founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, told the Wall Street Journal that Trump’s comments were “really counterproductive because we’ve worked for the last decade-and-a-half to highlight and educate people about the invisible injuries of war.”
“He really displayed remarkable ignorance about what could be the signature injury of our generation,” he added.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-24--Report: Trump Recorded Telling Parnas And Fruman To ‘Take Her Out’ About Yovanovitch

President Trump was recorded telling two buddies of Rudy Giuliani ’ s that he wanted Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch fired in April 2018 , ABC reports .
“ Take her out !
” Trump reportedly said on the recording to Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman , after being told that the career foreign service officer was “ badmouthing ” him in Kyiv .
Fruman reportedly made the recording , which occurred at a small April 30 , 2018 dinner at the Trump International Hotel in Washington , D.C. Todd Blanche , an attorney for Fruman , did not immediately return a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her !
” a voice that appears to be Trump ’ s reportedly said on the recording .
“ Get her out tomorrow .
I don ’ t care .
Get her out tomorrow .
Take her out .
Okay ?
Do it.
” Parnas reportedly told Trump on the recording that “ the biggest problem there , I think where we need to start is we got ta get rid of the ambassador .
She ’ s still left over from the Clinton administration.
” “ She ’ s basically walking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s gon na get impeached , just wait , ” Parnas reportedly added .
Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-WI ) dismissed the recording as a reflection of how New Yorkers talk .
“ Totally different style , ” Sen. Johnson said .
The recording ’ s April 2018 timing came shortly before Rep. Pete Sessions ( R-TX ) sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo making similar unsubstantiated allegations against Yovanovitch .
Manhattan federal prosecutors alleged in an October campaign finance indictment of Parnas and Fruman that they committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 2018 , while also seeking “ his assistance ” in having Yovanovitch removed .
That effort , prosecutors alleged , occurred “ at the request of one or more Ukrainian government officials.
” Yovanovitch was ousted one year later , after a public smear campaign run through The Hill columnist John Solomon .

President Trump was recorded telling two buddies of Rudy Giuliani’s that he wanted Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch fired in April 2018, ABC reports.
“Take her out!” Trump reportedly said on the recording to Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, after being told that the career foreign service officer was “badmouthing” him in Kyiv.
Fruman reportedly made the recording, which occurred at a small April 30, 2018 dinner at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Todd Blanche, an attorney for Fruman, did not immediately return a request for comment.
“Get rid of her!” a voice that appears to be Trump’s reportedly said on the recording. “Get her out tomorrow. I don’t care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. Okay? Do it.”
Parnas reportedly told Trump on the recording that “the biggest problem there, I think where we need to start is we gotta get rid of the ambassador. She’s still left over from the Clinton administration.”
“She’s basically walking around telling everybody ‘Wait, he’s gonna get impeached, just wait,” Parnas reportedly added.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) dismissed the recording as a reflection of how New Yorkers talk. “Totally different style,” Sen. Johnson said.
The recording’s April 2018 timing came shortly before Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo making similar unsubstantiated allegations against Yovanovitch.
Manhattan federal prosecutors alleged in an October campaign finance indictment of Parnas and Fruman that they committed to raise money for Sessions in May and June 2018, while also seeking “his assistance” in having Yovanovitch removed. That effort, prosecutors alleged, occurred “at the request of one or more Ukrainian government officials.”
Yovanovitch was ousted one year later, after a public smear campaign run through The Hill columnist John Solomon.
Tierney Sneed contributed to this report.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-24--Schumer Picks Apart Latest GOP Excuse On Impeachment Witnesses

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) on Friday picked apart the increasingly common argument among Republicans against calling witnesses in President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
Some Republican senators , after delaying a vote on whether to call witnesses in the trial until after the week of opening arguments , now say that calling witnesses would result in a months-long court battle and is therefore impractical , given Trump ’ s threat to invoke executive privilege to prevent administration officials from testifying .
“ They said ‘ Let ’ s not do it now , let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do it.
’ And now they ’ re saying ‘ We don ’ t have enough time to do it , ’ ” Schumer said at a press conference Friday .
“ Talk about talking out of both sides of your mouth.
” House Democrats opted not to pursue a court battle to force documents and testimony from key administration witnesses after many complied with Trump ’ s order not to cooperate with the chamber ’ s impeachment probe .
Instead , they added a second impeachment charge , Obstruction of Congress .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , subpoenas for testimony would be different than those issued by the House : They would necessarily be bi-partisan — four Republican votes are needed to supplement the Democratic caucus for a majority in the Senate — and signed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court , John Roberts , who is presiding over the trial .
“ Those who are subject of those subpoenas are expected to comply , ” Schumer said .
And if they don ’ t , he added later , “ they would be given very prompt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stakes of an impeachment trial.
” Schumer also pointed to John Bolton , the former national security adviser , who is no longer a member of the Trump administration .
“ He ’ s not in the Executive Branch , so executive privilege can not be used against him , ” Schumer said .
There ’ s also a simple route , Schumer said .
Republicans should “ go tell the President not to invoke executive privilege .
He ’ s the one delaying it .
”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on Friday picked apart the increasingly common argument among Republicans against calling witnesses in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial.
Some Republican senators, after delaying a vote on whether to call witnesses in the trial until after the week of opening arguments, now say that calling witnesses would result in a months-long court battle and is therefore impractical, given Trump’s threat to invoke executive privilege to prevent administration officials from testifying.
“They said ‘Let’s not do it now, let’s hear the arguments and then do it.’ And now they’re saying ‘We don’t have enough time to do it,’” Schumer said at a press conference Friday.
“Talk about talking out of both sides of your mouth.”
House Democrats opted not to pursue a court battle to force documents and testimony from key administration witnesses after many complied with Trump’s order not to cooperate with the chamber’s impeachment probe. Instead, they added a second impeachment charge, Obstruction of Congress.
In the Senate, Schumer reiterated Friday, subpoenas for testimony would be different than those issued by the House: They would necessarily be bi-partisan — four Republican votes are needed to supplement the Democratic caucus for a majority in the Senate — and signed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, John Roberts, who is presiding over the trial.
“Those who are subject of those subpoenas are expected to comply,” Schumer said. And if they don’t, he added later, “they would be given very prompt judicial review given the urgency and the stakes of an impeachment trial.”
Schumer also pointed to John Bolton, the former national security adviser, who is no longer a member of the Trump administration.
“He’s not in the Executive Branch, so executive privilege cannot be used against him,” Schumer said.
There’s also a simple route, Schumer said. Republicans should “go tell the President not to invoke executive privilege. He’s the one delaying it.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-24--Trump’s Mad His Lawyers Have To Defend Him When TV Ratings Are Low

Perennially obsessed with television ratings , President Donald Trump is furious his lawyers in the Senate impeachment trial have to defend him on Saturday , when America ’ s less likely to tune in to the circus .
“ After having been treated unbelievably unfairly in the House , and then having to endure hour after hour of lies , fraud & deception by Shifty Schiff , Cryin ’ Chuck Schumer & their crew , looks like my lawyers will be forced to start on Saturday , which is called Death Valley in T.V.
, ” he complained via Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality TV magnate , Trump knows that Saturday is considered to be the “ graveyard slot ” in the entertainment world .
He went on to claim for the umpteenth time that he “ did nothing wrong ” and that “ Cryin ’ Chuck Schumer never had what it takes ” to convince Republicans to vote for witnesses in the trial .
And to anyone who might say his reactions to the impeachment proceedings have been volatile or unhinged , Trump insisted that it ’ s really the Democrats who are the “ @ @ @ @

Perennially obsessed with television ratings, President Donald Trump is furious his lawyers in the Senate impeachment trial have to defend him on Saturday, when America’s less likely to tune in to the circus.
“After having been treated unbelievably unfairly in the House, and then having to endure hour after hour of lies, fraud & deception by Shifty Schiff, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer & their crew, looks like my lawyers will be forced to start on Saturday, which is called Death Valley in T.V.,” he complained via Twitter on Friday morning.
As a former reality TV magnate, Trump knows that Saturday is considered to be the “graveyard slot” in the entertainment world.
He went on to claim for the umpteenth time that he “did nothing wrong” and that “Cryin’ Chuck Schumer never had what it takes” to convince Republicans to vote for witnesses in the trial.
And to anyone who might say his reactions to the impeachment proceedings have been volatile or unhinged, Trump insisted that it’s really the Democrats who are the “deranged” ones.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-24--Reports Identify Leader Of Neo-Nazi ‘Base’ Group After Week Of Arrests

The founder and leader of the neo-Nazi group “ The Base ” has been identified in news reports , days after seven alleged members of the organization were arrested and charged in three separate cases across the country .
The man who founded the neo-Nazi “ accelerationist ” group , which seeks to hasten civilizational collapse , fight a race war and establish a white ethnostate , goes by the names “ Norman Spear ” and “ Roman Wolf ” online .
The Guardian first reported Thursday that “ Norman Spear ” is Rinaldo Nazzaro , a 46-year-old New Jersey-born @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporting with its own .
He was reportedly married to a Russian-born woman in Manhattan in 2012 and is currently living in Russia .
Nazzaro , according to the reports , had previously advertised his services as an intelligence and security expert and claimed to have been a veteran and former CIA field officer .
Four members of The Base , the Guardian reported , have left the group citing suspicions that Nazzaro is really a law enforcement agent , or that his organization was a “ honeypot ” to lure neo-Nazis into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared on advertisements for English lessons in St. Petersburg , the Guardian reported .
And multiple offices associated with Nazzaro ’ s businesses — including on Fifth Avenue in New York and K Street in Washington , D.C. — are reportedly in fact “ virtual offices ” that are rented from another company who maintains the premises .
The reports identified Nazzaro based in part on property records and tax affidavits associated with a training camp The Base operated out of eastern Washington .
The group had largely operated underground for the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through propaganda fliers posted in various states as well as in Canada and elsewhere .
That changed in August , when the Winnipeg Free Press identified Base member Patrik Jordan Mathews , a former combat engineer in the Canadian Army Reserve .
Mathews soon left Canada and allegedly crossed illegally into the United States , where he was allegedly harbored by two other Base members , Brian Lemley and William Bilbrough .
Since then , the Base has been getting more attention .
The trio were arrested Thursday last week and charged with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they discussed instigating a violent shoot-out at a pro-gun rally in Richmond , Virginia on Monday .
Separately last week , three alleged Base members in Georgia were arrested and charged with conspiracy to murder a local anti-fascist couple .
And an alleged base member in Wisconsin was charged with vandalizing a synagogue in Racine .
Another alleged Base member , Richard Tobin , is currently awaiting trial for allegedly directing that and other vandalism incidents .
In December , The Guardian reported , a prosecutor in Tobin ’ s case noted Tobin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” was a Russian spy .

The founder and leader of the neo-Nazi group “The Base” has been identified in news reports, days after seven alleged members of the organization were arrested and charged in three separate cases across the country.
The man who founded the neo-Nazi “accelerationist” group, which seeks to hasten civilizational collapse, fight a race war and establish a white ethnostate, goes by the names “Norman Spear” and “Roman Wolf” online.
The Guardian first reported Thursday that “Norman Spear” is Rinaldo Nazzaro, a 46-year-old New Jersey-born man. The BBC subsequently confirmed that reporting with its own. He was reportedly married to a Russian-born woman in Manhattan in 2012 and is currently living in Russia.
Nazzaro, according to the reports, had previously advertised his services as an intelligence and security expert and claimed to have been a veteran and former CIA field officer. Four members of The Base, the Guardian reported, have left the group citing suspicions that Nazzaro is really a law enforcement agent, or that his organization was a “honeypot” to lure neo-Nazis into the open.
Pictures of Nazzaro have appeared on advertisements for English lessons in St. Petersburg, the Guardian reported. And multiple offices associated with Nazzaro’s businesses — including on Fifth Avenue in New York and K Street in Washington, D.C. — are reportedly in fact “virtual offices” that are rented from another company who maintains the premises.
The reports identified Nazzaro based in part on property records and tax affidavits associated with a training camp The Base operated out of eastern Washington.
The group had largely operated underground for the past two years, making its presence known through propaganda fliers posted in various states as well as in Canada and elsewhere.
That changed in August, when the Winnipeg Free Press identified Base member Patrik Jordan Mathews, a former combat engineer in the Canadian Army Reserve. Mathews soon left Canada and allegedly crossed illegally into the United States, where he was allegedly harbored by two other Base members, Brian Lemley and William Bilbrough.
Since then, the Base has been getting more attention.
The trio were arrested Thursday last week and charged with gun and immigration-related crimes. Authorities said they discussed instigating a violent shoot-out at a pro-gun rally in Richmond, Virginia on Monday.
Separately last week, three alleged Base members in Georgia were arrested and charged with conspiracy to murder a local anti-fascist couple. And an alleged base member in Wisconsin was charged with vandalizing a synagogue in Racine.
Another alleged Base member, Richard Tobin, is currently awaiting trial for allegedly directing that and other vandalism incidents. In December, The Guardian reported, a prosecutor in Tobin’s case noted Tobin’s belief that “Norman Spear” was a Russian spy.
Josh Kovensky contributed reporting.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-24--Schiff Declares ‘If Right Doesn’t Matter, We’re Lost. If Truth Doesn’t Matter, We’re Lost.’

Late Thursday , House impeachment manager Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) made a powerful case for President Donald Trump ’ s removal in the managers ’ final presentation of the night in the Senate impeachment trial .
As Schiff wrapped up his speech , he warned the senators that Trump could not be trusted to put the nation ’ s interests above his own , which makes the President “ dangerous to this country.
” “ You know you can ’ t count on him , ” the Democrat said .
“ None of us can.
” Schiff cited impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declaration that he was doing what ’ s right by testifying against Trump because “ right matters ” in the U.S. “ If right doesn ’ t matter , we ’ re lost , ” the Schiff said .
“ If truth doesn ’ t matter , we ’ re lost.
” Schiff warned that acquitting Trump would give the President license for future wrongdoing and imperil the U.S. “ This is why , if you find him guilty , you must find that he should be removed , because right matters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matters , and the truth matters .
Otherwise we are lost .
”

Late Thursday, House impeachment manager Adam Schiff (D-CA) made a powerful case for President Donald Trump’s removal in the managers’ final presentation of the night in the Senate impeachment trial.
As Schiff wrapped up his speech, he warned the senators that Trump could not be trusted to put the nation’s interests above his own, which makes the President “dangerous to this country.”
“You know you can’t count on him,” the Democrat said. “None of us can.”
Schiff cited impeachment witness Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman’s declaration that he was doing what’s right by testifying against Trump because “right matters” in the U.S.
“If right doesn’t matter, we’re lost,” the Schiff said. “If truth doesn’t matter, we’re lost.”
Schiff warned that acquitting Trump would give the President license for future wrongdoing and imperil the U.S.
“This is why, if you find him guilty, you must find that he should be removed, because right matters,” he concluded. “Because right matters, and the truth matters. Otherwise we are lost.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-24--Warren Pledges To Release Impeachment Docs Withheld By WH

Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) pledged Friday to release the trove of impeachment-related documents that the White House has @ @ @ @ @ president .
She added that Republicans should know that “ this evidence won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ made the promise just days after her campaign unveiled its Department of Justice task force @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration for possible corruption .
Her proposals are carefully timed .
Democrats are frustrated @ @ @ @ @ , despite Rep. Adam Schiff ’ s ( D-CA ) adept leadership of the argument @ @ @ @ @ an easy acquittal at the hands of Republican senators .
Warren may be as powerless @ @ @ @ @ — but at least she can promise retroactive justice , should she win the election @

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) pledged Friday to release the trove of impeachment-related documents that the White House has barred, should she become president.
On day one as president, I will order the release of every document related to this impeachment inquiry that the administration has been hiding. The public needs to know what happened. All the other candidates for president should commit to take this step as well. — Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 24, 2020
She added that Republicans should know that “this evidence won’t be hidden forever.”
Warren made the promise just days after her campaign unveiled its Department of Justice task force to investigate members of the Trump administration for possible corruption.
Her proposals are carefully timed. Democrats are frustrated as the trial unfolds and, despite Rep. Adam Schiff’s (D-CA) adept leadership of the argument, all signs point to an easy acquittal at the hands of Republican senators.
Warren may be as powerless as her Democratic peers now — but at least she can promise retroactive justice, should she win the election.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-24--DOJ Acknowledged 2 Out Of 4 FISA Warrants To Monitor Carter Page Were Invalid

The Department of Justice admitted in December that two of the FBI ’ s four surveillance warrants to electronically monitor ex-Trump campaign adviser Carter Page were invalid , according to a declassified Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court order published on Thursday .
James Boasberg , presiding judge of the U.S. FISA Court , wrote on January 7 that the DOJ had assessed in its filings to the court last month that “ if not earlier , there was insufficient predication to establish probable cause to believe that [ Carter ] Page was acting as an agent of a foreign power ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump campaign and Russia .
Therefore , Boasberg wrote , “ [ t ] he Court understands the government to have concluded , in view of the material misstatements and omissions , that the Court ’ s authorizations in Docket Numbers 17-375 and 17-679 were not valid , ” referring to two of the FISA warrants .
DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz found in December that while the FBI did not launch its Trump-Russia probe and monitor Page out of political bias against President Donald Trump , the agency made “ many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FISA application process .

The Department of Justice admitted in December that two of the FBI’s four surveillance warrants to electronically monitor ex-Trump campaign adviser Carter Page were invalid, according to a declassified Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court order published on Thursday.
James Boasberg, presiding judge of the U.S. FISA Court, wrote on January 7 that the DOJ had assessed in its filings to the court last month that “if not earlier, there was insufficient predication to establish probable cause to believe that [Carter] Page was acting as an agent of a foreign power” in the FBI’s investigation into the Trump campaign and Russia.
Therefore, Boasberg wrote, “[t]he Court understands the government to have concluded, in view of the material misstatements and omissions, that the Court’s authorizations in Docket Numbers 17-375 and 17-679 were not valid,” referring to two of the FISA warrants.
DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz found in December that while the FBI did not launch its Trump-Russia probe and monitor Page out of political bias against President Donald Trump, the agency made “many basic and fundamental errors” in the FISA application process.
Read the document below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-25--Closing Dems’ Opening Argument, Schiff Says That Trump Is Threat To Republic

President Trump presents an unprecedented threat to the country ’ s Constitutional structure and would “ make himself a monarch , ” said lead impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) as he closed his opening argument Friday night .
“ That has been proved , ” the House Intelligence Committee chief added .
He repeated that sentence — “ that has been proved ” — again and again as he ran through a litany of allegations that covered the President ’ s campaign to extort Ukraine into bashing former Vice President Joe Biden and to block Congress from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months leading an investigation into the Ukraine scandal , interviewing dozens of witnesses and examining thousands of pages of documents .
All that culminated in the speech on Friday night , during which he pleaded the Senate not to make Trump a “ monarch ” and instead grant both him , and the American people , a fair trial .
Schiff ’ s speech came after days of complimenting the assembled Senators for their rapt attention and respect for the process .
But on Friday night , he posed a question that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but a far more foundational issue .
Should there be a fair trial ?
” “ How long is too long to have a fair trial , fair to the President and to the American people ?
” Schiff asked .
Earlier , the California Democrat opened his speech by outlining what his investigation had proven .
And it was a lot .
Trump “ betrayed the nation by abusing his high office to enlist a foreign power in corrupting democratic elections ” and also “ directed the unprecedented categorical and indiscriminate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All that , Schiff argued , constituted the behavior of someone who believes “ he is the state.
” The House Intelligence Committee chief went a step further towards hinting that Trump ’ s defense team — and , perhaps , Senate Republicans — would assent to such a structure of power .
“ You will also hear attacks on the Constitution although it will not be framed that way , ” Schiff said .
“ Presidents have a constitutional right to abuse their power , ” he added , citing an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear from Trump ’ s defense .
He closed with a direct appeal to lawmakers , in part to their own egos and desire to leave a positive legacy and in part to broader notions about America ’ s role in the world .
“ I think of how unforgiving history can be of our conduct , ” Schiff said .
“ We can do a lifetime ’ s work ; draft the most wonderful legislation , help our constituents , and yet be remembered for none of that , save for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country.
” “ I believe this may be one of those moments , a moment we never thought we would see , when the democracy was gravely threatened not from without but from within , ” he added .
Schiff ’ s speech was the culmination of three days of presentations by House impeachment managers .
The first day began with what Schiff described as a “ factual chronology , ” as impeachment managers told the story of how President Trump , along with his attorney Rudy Giuliani , withheld military assistance from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into announcing investigations into the Bidens and the 2016 election .
That effort , impeachment managers said , occurred partly at the insistence of corrupt Ukrainian officials and hangers-on who found ways to manipulate Giuliani and Trump , using the President ’ s mercurial nature to pursue their own interests — including the removal of Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch .
The second day focused on placing the allegations within a constitutional framework , as impeachment managers homed in on what the country ’ s founding document provides for the removal of a President willing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And , finally , Schiff concluded the third day of arguments in which impeachment managers combined the first two , arguing that the factual pattern met the Constitution ’ s rigorous standard for removal .
Whether that happens — and whether the Senate elects to investigate further — remains in the hands of the body ’ s Republican majority .
But Schiff , with a measure of humility and respect for the Senators before him , told the legislators that whether “ President Trump thus warrants impeachment and trial removal from office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office of honor , trust , or profits under the United States , that will be for you to determine .
”

President Trump presents an unprecedented threat to the country’s Constitutional structure and would “make himself a monarch,” said lead impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) as he closed his opening argument Friday night.
“That has been proved,” the House Intelligence Committee chief added. He repeated that sentence — “that has been proved” — again and again as he ran through a litany of allegations that covered the President’s campaign to extort Ukraine into bashing former Vice President Joe Biden and to block Congress from investigating the scandal.
Schiff has spent months leading an investigation into the Ukraine scandal, interviewing dozens of witnesses and examining thousands of pages of documents. All that culminated in the speech on Friday night, during which he pleaded the Senate not to make Trump a “monarch” and instead grant both him, and the American people, a fair trial.
Schiff’s speech came after days of complimenting the assembled Senators for their rapt attention and respect for the process. But on Friday night, he posed a question that was not one of “guilt or innocence, but a far more foundational issue. Should there be a fair trial?”
“How long is too long to have a fair trial, fair to the President and to the American people?” Schiff asked.
Earlier, the California Democrat opened his speech by outlining what his investigation had proven.
And it was a lot. Trump “betrayed the nation by abusing his high office to enlist a foreign power in corrupting democratic elections” and also “directed the unprecedented categorical and indiscriminate defiance of subpoenas issued by” Congress.
All that, Schiff argued, constituted the behavior of someone who believes “he is the state.”
The House Intelligence Committee chief went a step further towards hinting that Trump’s defense team — and, perhaps, Senate Republicans — would assent to such a structure of power.
“You will also hear attacks on the Constitution although it will not be framed that way,” Schiff said.
“Presidents have a constitutional right to abuse their power,” he added, citing an example of an argument he expects to hear from Trump’s defense.
He closed with a direct appeal to lawmakers, in part to their own egos and desire to leave a positive legacy and in part to broader notions about America’s role in the world.
“I think of how unforgiving history can be of our conduct,” Schiff said. “We can do a lifetime’s work; draft the most wonderful legislation, help our constituents, and yet be remembered for none of that, save for a single decision affecting the course of our country.”
“I believe this may be one of those moments, a moment we never thought we would see, when the democracy was gravely threatened not from without but from within,” he added.
Schiff’s speech was the culmination of three days of presentations by House impeachment managers.
The first day began with what Schiff described as a “factual chronology,” as impeachment managers told the story of how President Trump, along with his attorney Rudy Giuliani, withheld military assistance from Ukraine in a bid to pressure Kyiv into announcing investigations into the Bidens and the 2016 election.
That effort, impeachment managers said, occurred partly at the insistence of corrupt Ukrainian officials and hangers-on who found ways to manipulate Giuliani and Trump, using the President’s mercurial nature to pursue their own interests — including the removal of Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch.
The second day focused on placing the allegations within a constitutional framework, as impeachment managers homed in on what the country’s founding document provides for the removal of a President willing to abuse the powers entrusted to him.
And, finally, Schiff concluded the third day of arguments in which impeachment managers combined the first two, arguing that the factual pattern met the Constitution’s rigorous standard for removal.
Whether that happens — and whether the Senate elects to investigate further — remains in the hands of the body’s Republican majority.
But Schiff, with a measure of humility and respect for the Senators before him, told the legislators that whether “President Trump thus warrants impeachment and trial removal from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profits under the United States, that will be for you to determine.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-25--Schiff Methodically Predicts And Rebuts Likely Team Trump Arguments

Towards the end of the proceedings Friday night , lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) laid out predictions of what he thinks President Donald Trump ’ s lawyers will argue Saturday , rebutting them as he went .
He broke down the process attacks , including Republican complaints about “ secret ” House depositions .
“ Those super secret depositions in which only 100 members of Congress , equivalent to the entire Senate , could participate , ” he said mockingly .
“ That ’ s how exclusive they were.
” He predicted complaints about questions he didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , specifically concerning the whistleblower .
He admitted that he wouldn ’ t permit members to ask about the whistleblower ’ s identity , saying that “ some of us … believe we ought to protect whistleblowers.
” He said that the lawyers will probably go after him personally for mocking the President , then pointed to the many people Trump , “ the man who loves to mock others , ” has gone after .
He added that the argument was all part of an attempt to distract from the President ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is and is not impeachable under the constitution .
He translated that what the lawyers really mean by that is that they “ can ’ t defend his conduct ” — that Trump did everything he ’ s been accused of , but that it ’ s all “ perfectly fine.
” He circled back to the whistleblower , saying that all the ire team Trump directs at the person is out of “ retribution , ” a “ pound of flesh ” for exposing the President ’ s Ukraine scandal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that Democrats “ hate ” the President .
He said that all he hates is what Trump has done to the country .
Schiff then moved on to a possible talking point that the Bidens are corrupt .
“ If they couldn ’ t get Ukraine to smear the Bidens , they want to use this trial to do it instead , ” he said .
He tried to take the air out of the mysterious and long-dangled “ report ” Rudy Giuliani has been teasing , saying that the lawyers may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or accounts of “ Russian corrupt former prosecutors.
” Schiff mentioned how the lawyers will likely say that Trump was just fighting corruption by freezing the Ukraine military aid .
He called it an “ after-the-fact rationalization ” backed up with no real proof .
“ Obama did it !
” he proclaimed , bringing up Trump ’ s favorite boogeyman .
Calling the argument an “ insult to our intelligence , ” he said that American people can differentiate between aid withheld for a “ malicious purpose ” and for America ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up the famous “ perfect call ” line , saying that the lawyers probably don ’ t want to defend that argument , but must due to Trump ’ s insistence .
He added that they may say that Ukraine also said that the call was perfect .
“ Ukraine knows that if they acknowledge they were shaken down by the United States , the President of the United States will make them pay , ” he said .
He made fun of the argument insisting that Trump should be taken at his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ quid pro quo , ” and said that the “ no harm , no foul ” argument since the aid was finally released is a purposeful misunderstanding of the two country ’ s dynamics .
“ The moment Ukraine learned and Russia learned , there was harm , ” Schiff said .
He said the lawyers will probably play clips from the House inquiry , implying that anything but a “ televised confession ” from Trump falls short of the necessary proof .
He brought up the executive privilege argument invoked by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and witness testimony .
“ They never asserted privilege , ” he said , adding that they knew they ’ d have to provide documents with redactions and that they have no real claim to privilege .
In sum , he urged his audience to be prepared for Trump ’ s lawyers to convey that “ the President can do whatever he wants ” and that there ’ s nothing anyone can do about it .

Towards the end of the proceedings Friday night, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff (D-CA) laid out predictions of what he thinks President Donald Trump’s lawyers will argue Saturday, rebutting them as he went.
He broke down the process attacks, including Republican complaints about “secret” House depositions. “Those super secret depositions in which only 100 members of Congress, equivalent to the entire Senate, could participate,” he said mockingly. “That’s how exclusive they were.”
He predicted complaints about questions he didn’t allow during the House inquiry, specifically concerning the whistleblower. He admitted that he wouldn’t permit members to ask about the whistleblower’s identity, saying that “some of us … believe we ought to protect whistleblowers.”
He said that the lawyers will probably go after him personally for mocking the President, then pointed to the many people Trump, “the man who loves to mock others,” has gone after. He added that the argument was all part of an attempt to distract from the President’s misconduct.
Schiff anticipated arguments about what is and is not impeachable under the constitution. He translated that what the lawyers really mean by that is that they “can’t defend his conduct” — that Trump did everything he’s been accused of, but that it’s all “perfectly fine.”
He circled back to the whistleblower, saying that all the ire team Trump directs at the person is out of “retribution,” a “pound of flesh” for exposing the President’s Ukraine scandal.
He hit a common Republican talking point, that Democrats “hate” the President. He said that all he hates is what Trump has done to the country.
Schiff then moved on to a possible talking point that the Bidens are corrupt. “If they couldn’t get Ukraine to smear the Bidens, they want to use this trial to do it instead,” he said.
He tried to take the air out of the mysterious and long-dangled “report” Rudy Giuliani has been teasing, saying that the lawyers may produce “documents smearing the Bidens” or accounts of “Russian corrupt former prosecutors.”
Schiff mentioned how the lawyers will likely say that Trump was just fighting corruption by freezing the Ukraine military aid. He called it an “after-the-fact rationalization” backed up with no real proof.
“Obama did it!” he proclaimed, bringing up Trump’s favorite boogeyman. Calling the argument an “insult to our intelligence,” he said that American people can differentiate between aid withheld for a “malicious purpose” and for America’s “best interests.”
He brought up the famous “perfect call” line, saying that the lawyers probably don’t want to defend that argument, but must due to Trump’s insistence. He added that they may say that Ukraine also said that the call was perfect. “Ukraine knows that if they acknowledge they were shaken down by the United States, the President of the United States will make them pay,” he said.
He made fun of the argument insisting that Trump should be taken at his word when he says there was no “quid pro quo,” and said that the “no harm, no foul” argument since the aid was finally released is a purposeful misunderstanding of the two country’s dynamics. “The moment Ukraine learned and Russia learned, there was harm,” Schiff said.
He said the lawyers will probably play clips from the House inquiry, implying that anything but a “televised confession” from Trump falls short of the necessary proof.
He brought up the executive privilege argument invoked by the White House to hold back documents and witness testimony. “They never asserted privilege,” he said, adding that they knew they’d have to provide documents with redactions and that they have no real claim to privilege.
In sum, he urged his audience to be prepared for Trump’s lawyers to convey that “the President can do whatever he wants” and that there’s nothing anyone can do about it.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-25--Democrats Hammer Need For Witnesses After Trump Lawyers Begin Defense

Democrats coalesced behind one central argument after President Donald Trump ’ s lawyers wrapped up their first round of presentations Saturday , saying that the lawyers ’ complaints about lack of first-hand knowledge could be easily solved by including witnesses and documents in the proceedings .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) hammered the lawyers ’ refrain that were no “ eyewitness accounts ” of Trump ’ s wrongdoing , saying that the witnesses and documents Democrats want to be included in the trial would provide that information .
“ Bring the people in if you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Sen. Cory Booker ( D-NJ ) told reporters .
“ There ’ s a whole bunch of people who have first-hand evidence , whole bunch of documents that will speak directly to this .
And we ’ re being denied that .
So that ’ s very frustrating.
” Sen. Doug Jones ( D-AL ) responded incredulously to a reporter ’ s inquiry about what he was “ stunned ” about .
“ The fact that they brought up the fact that cross examination is the great truth seeker — we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he exclaimed .
“ The American people deserve the truth .
This is not a criminal case , they ’ re just trying to poke holes.
” Sen. Richard Blumenthal ( D-CT ) pointed out that the reluctance to admit witnesses and documents into the trial makes little sense , unless Trump ’ s allies already know that they ’ d provide damaging evidence .
“ If they want the facts they should permit the evidence , witnesses and documents that have first hand direct knowledge and the documents that are black and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ You know , we don ’ t know what ’ s in them , we don ’ t know what the witnesses would say , maybe they would support them , maybe not .
But what are they hiding ?
” Trump ’ s lawyers spent some of their brief arguments Saturday pointing out that none of the House ’ s witnesses saw Trump strong-arming Ukraine directly , and painting their knowledge of what happened as pure speculation .
But of course , that was by design @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get the biggest players — including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney — to testify as part of the proceedings , but found their way blocked by ignored subpoenas and a hostile White House .
They ’ ve also been stymied from getting critical documents .
One of the biggest still-unknown variables of the Senate trial is whether four Republicans will join the Democrats to ensure that the evidence is included .

Democrats coalesced behind one central argument after President Donald Trump’s lawyers wrapped up their first round of presentations Saturday, saying that the lawyers’ complaints about lack of first-hand knowledge could be easily solved by including witnesses and documents in the proceedings.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) hammered the lawyers’ refrain that were no “eyewitness accounts” of Trump’s wrongdoing, saying that the witnesses and documents Democrats want to be included in the trial would provide that information.
Schumer says Trump’s legal team unintentionally made the case for witnesses and documents in the trial pic.twitter.com/EoyM1vKbpa — TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) January 25, 2020
Members of Schumer’s caucus sang a similar tune.
“Bring the people in if you’re so clear that you can be exonerated,” Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) told reporters. “There’s a whole bunch of people who have first-hand evidence, whole bunch of documents that will speak directly to this. And we’re being denied that. So that’s very frustrating.”
Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL) responded incredulously to a reporter’s inquiry about what he was “stunned” about.
“The fact that they brought up the fact that cross examination is the great truth seeker — we’re not getting it!” he exclaimed. “The American people deserve the truth. This is not a criminal case, they’re just trying to poke holes.”
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) pointed out that the reluctance to admit witnesses and documents into the trial makes little sense, unless Trump’s allies already know that they’d provide damaging evidence.
“If they want the facts they should permit the evidence, witnesses and documents that have first hand direct knowledge and the documents that are black and white, one way or the other,” he said. “You know, we don’t know what’s in them, we don’t know what the witnesses would say, maybe they would support them, maybe not. But what are they hiding?”
Trump’s lawyers spent some of their brief arguments Saturday pointing out that none of the House’s witnesses saw Trump strong-arming Ukraine directly, and painting their knowledge of what happened as pure speculation.
But of course, that was by design: Democrats in both chambers have tried to get the biggest players — including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney — to testify as part of the proceedings, but found their way blocked by ignored subpoenas and a hostile White House. They’ve also been stymied from getting critical documents.
One of the biggest still-unknown variables of the Senate trial is whether four Republicans will join the Democrats to ensure that the evidence is included.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-26--Political Figures Mourn The Death Of Kobe Bryant

The sudden death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant Sunday prompted reactions not only from the sports world , but from political figures as well .
Bryant reportedly died in a helicopter crash in Southern California on Sunday morning .
The news was first reported by TMZ .
The Associated Press later confirmed Sunday afternoon that Bryant , his teenage daughter and three others were killed in the crash .
President Trump reacted to the news of Bryant ’ s death in a Sunday afternoon tweet .
Former President Barack Obama also honored the “ legend on the court ” in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden reacted to the news of Bryant ’ s death during a campaign event in Des Moines , Iowa Sunday .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti paid tribute to Bryant as well , saying that he “ will live forever in the heart of Los Angeles.
” Taking a break from impeachment trial-related duties , Rep. Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) mourned the basketball star ’ s death in a tweet .
The Congressional Black Caucus of the United States Congress praised Bryant for his accomplishments that “ surpassed sports.
” Conservatives paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The sudden death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant Sunday prompted reactions not only from the sports world, but from political figures as well.
Bryant reportedly died in a helicopter crash in Southern California on Sunday morning. The news was first reported by TMZ. The Associated Press later confirmed Sunday afternoon that Bryant, his teenage daughter and three others were killed in the crash.
President Trump reacted to the news of Bryant’s death in a Sunday afternoon tweet.
Reports are that basketball great Kobe Bryant and three others have been killed in a helicopter crash in California. That is terrible news! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2020
Former President Barack Obama also honored the “legend on the court” in a tweet.
Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day. — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 26, 2020
Former Vice President Joe Biden reacted to the news of Bryant’s death during a campaign event in Des Moines, Iowa Sunday.
.@JoeBiden reacts to the news of @kobebryant’s death at a campaign event in Des Moines “It makes you realize you gotta make every day count.” pic.twitter.com/sYVQCSl2kp — Johnny Verhovek (@JTHVerhovek) January 26, 2020
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti paid tribute to Bryant as well, saying that he “will live forever in the heart of Los Angeles.”
Kobe Bryant was a giant who inspired, amazed, and thrilled people everywhere with his incomparable skill on the court — and awed us with his intellect and humility as a father, husband, creative genius, and ambassador for the game he loved. pic.twitter.com/hkb0lbRwie — Mayor Eric Garcetti (@MayorOfLA) January 26, 2020
This is a moment that leaves us struggling to find words that express the magnitude of shock and sorrow we are all feeling right now, and I am keeping Kobe’s entire family in my prayers at this time of unimaginable grief. — Mayor Eric Garcetti (@MayorOfLA) January 26, 2020
Taking a break from impeachment trial-related duties, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) mourned the basketball star’s death in a tweet.
I join the rest of Los Angeles in mourning the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and others. One of the greatest basketball players of all time, Kobe had a grace and athleticism unmatched in the NBA. My prayers are with his family and friends, and all Lakers fans. https://t.co/QYT6j4okVi — Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 26, 2020
Other Democrats joined Schiff in mourning Bryant’s death:
Devastating news for Los Angeles and the entire country. Kobe Bryant's impact on basketball and sports was unquestionable. He will remain an inspiration to many for years to come. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones. https://t.co/ue4rxUVwcV — Kamala Harris (@SenKamalaHarris) January 26, 2020
Tragic to hear of Kobe Bryant’s death. Today should serve as a reminder of just how fleeting life can be. I’m keeping the Bryants in my prayers. May Kobe, his daughter, and the others who passed in the crash Rest In Peace.https://t.co/v1ouzGiKPL — Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) January 26, 2020
Deeply shocked at the news of Kobe Bryant and four others lost today. Sending all my thoughts to their families and loved ones in this devastating moment. https://t.co/1bgEhj2AhA — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 26, 2020
This is the worst news. Kobe is an all-time great who had his entire life ahead of him. My heart goes out to his family, his fans and the millions of people whose lives he touched. Today Kobe is the greatest of all time. ?? https://t.co/saR4dJ7412 — Andrew Yang? (@AndrewYang) January 26, 2020
The Congressional Black Caucus of the United States Congress praised Bryant for his accomplishments that “surpassed sports.”
Winner of 5 NBA championships.
First-round pick in the 1996 draft.
One of the greatest NBA players of all time. Kobe Bryant's accomplishments surpassed sports. He inspired generations of athletes on & off the court. May he & all those lost in this accident Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/dxlcdXsPZ1 — The Black Caucus (@TheBlackCaucus) January 26, 2020
Conservatives paid tribute to Bryant on Twitter as well.
Such sad news. Kobe was one of the greatest players ever. My prayers are with his family. https://t.co/MrFqWZKQ8A — Darrell Issa (@DarrellIssa) January 26, 2020
?????#24 — Mary Bono (@MaryBonoUSA) January 26, 2020


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-26--Cotton Calls GOP Leader’s Trump Team Criticism A ‘Democratic Talking Point’

Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-AR ) dismissed the criticism President Trump ’ s lawyers received for floating Ukraine conspiracy theories during the Senate impeachment trial as a “ Democratic talking point ” in an interview on CBS Sunday morning .
When asked by CBS ’ Margaret Brennan on whether he thinks it was a “ misstep ” for Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow to float the conspiracy theory that Ukraine meddled in the 2016 election on the Senate floor , Cotton replied “ that ’ s not a conspiracy theory.
’ Brennan then pointed out that Sen. John Thune ( R-ND @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican colleagues — said that he ’ d prefer for Trump ’ s lawyers to not spread Ukraine conspiracy theories during the trial , which Cotton dismissed as “ a Democratic talking point.
” After Brennan pointed out to Cotton again that Thune is a Republican leader who takes issue with Ukraine conspiracy theories being mentioned on the Senate floor , Cotton doubled down that the criticism is a “ Democratic talking point.
” “ It ’ s the Democratic talking point that the President and his lawyers have argued that it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not Russia , ” Cotton said .
“ You can read the President ’ s brief .
They make it very clear that , yes , you can accept that Russia interfered in a systematic , organized top-down fashion in our election.
” While mentioning that he ’ s been “ part of the Intelligence Committee that ’ s been investigating it for years , ” Cotton added that “ you can also say that it ’ s clear some Ukrainian officials tried to influence the outcome of the election in 2016 ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be true .
”

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) dismissed the criticism President Trump’s lawyers received for floating Ukraine conspiracy theories during the Senate impeachment trial as a “Democratic talking point” in an interview on CBS Sunday morning.
When asked by CBS’ Margaret Brennan on whether he thinks it was a “misstep” for Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow to float the conspiracy theory that Ukraine meddled in the 2016 election on the Senate floor, Cotton replied “that’s not a conspiracy theory.’
Brennan then pointed out that Sen. John Thune (R-ND) — one of Cotton’s Republican colleagues — said that he’d prefer for Trump’s lawyers to not spread Ukraine conspiracy theories during the trial, which Cotton dismissed as “a Democratic talking point.”
After Brennan pointed out to Cotton again that Thune is a Republican leader who takes issue with Ukraine conspiracy theories being mentioned on the Senate floor, Cotton doubled down that the criticism is a “Democratic talking point.”
“It’s the Democratic talking point that the President and his lawyers have argued that it was Ukraine who interfered in our elections, not Russia,” Cotton said. “You can read the President’s brief. They make it very clear that, yes, you can accept that Russia interfered in a systematic, organized top-down fashion in our election.”
While mentioning that he’s been “part of the Intelligence Committee that’s been investigating it for years,” Cotton added that “you can also say that it’s clear some Ukrainian officials tried to influence the outcome of the election in 2016” and that “both of those things can be true.”
Watch Cotton’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-26--Nadler Will Miss Part Of Impeachment Trial Due To Wife’s Hospitalization

House Judiciary Committee chair Jerrold Nadler ( D-NY ) confirmed in a Sunday afternoon statement that he will miss part of the Senate impeachment trial due to his wife ’ s hospitalization in New York where she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer .
“ In December , following the House Judiciary Committee markup of the Articles of Impeachment against President Donald J. Trump , my wife was admitted to the hospital where she was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer , ” Nadler said in the statement .
“ She has undergone surgery and is taking further steps to address the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will be in New York on Monday , but plans to return to Washington , D.C. late Monday .
“ On Monday , I will be in New York with her to meet with doctors , determine a path forward , and begin her treatment , ” Nadler said .
“ I am sorry to miss some of the Senate Impeachment Trial , which is of critical importance to our democracy .
I plan to return to Washington late Monday and appreciate the support of my colleagues and staff as I take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and begin the long fight against her cancer .
”

House Judiciary Committee chair Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) confirmed in a Sunday afternoon statement that he will miss part of the Senate impeachment trial due to his wife’s hospitalization in New York where she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
“In December, following the House Judiciary Committee markup of the Articles of Impeachment against President Donald J. Trump, my wife was admitted to the hospital where she was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer,” Nadler said in the statement. “She has undergone surgery and is taking further steps to address the spread of the cancer.”
Nadler said that he will be in New York on Monday, but plans to return to Washington, D.C. late Monday.
“On Monday, I will be in New York with her to meet with doctors, determine a path forward, and begin her treatment,” Nadler said. “I am sorry to miss some of the Senate Impeachment Trial, which is of critical importance to our democracy. I plan to return to Washington late Monday and appreciate the support of my colleagues and staff as I take this time to be with my wife and begin the long fight against her cancer.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-26--Crow Won’t Say Whether Trump Recording Will Be Included In Impeachment Trial

House impeachment manager Jason Crow ( D-CO ) dodged when asked whether the April 2018 recording of President Trump telling Rudy Giuliani associates to “ take [ Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch ] out ” can be included in the ongoing impeachment trial .
In the 90-minute recording first reported by ABC Friday , Trump is seen telling Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman to “ take [ Yovanovitch ] out !
” after he was told that the career foreign service officer was “ badmouthing ” him in Kyiv .
When asked by CBS ’ Margaret Brennan on “ Face the Nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do anything as a prosecutor with the tape , ” Crow declined to provide a straightforward answer .
“ Well , you know , I ’ ve heard the tape .
I know the other managers have .
I know a lot of people in America have heard the tape , ” Crow said .
“ You know , broadly speaking , this is a continuation of the President ’ s bullying and intimidation .
You know , it ’ s what he ’ s done for the last three , four years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to do it.
” Pressed again on whether the recording is “ evidence you can introduce in any way , ” Crow replied that “ I think the senators have all seen it.
” “ Right ?
I mean , this is a little bit different from most courts in that the evidence continues to come out , ” Crow said .
After Brennan agreed , Crow pivoted to how earlier this week he was presenting “ a redacted set of emails that had just come out around midnight the day before.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s still out there , ” Crow said .
“ The American people deserve the full picture , and that ’ s why we ’ re going to continue to push for additional evidence .
”

House impeachment manager Jason Crow (D-CO) dodged when asked whether the April 2018 recording of President Trump telling Rudy Giuliani associates to “take [Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch] out” can be included in the ongoing impeachment trial.
In the 90-minute recording first reported by ABC Friday, Trump is seen telling Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman to “take [Yovanovitch] out!” after he was told that the career foreign service officer was “badmouthing” him in Kyiv.
When asked by CBS’ Margaret Brennan on “Face the Nation” Sunday morning if he can “do anything as a prosecutor with the tape,” Crow declined to provide a straightforward answer.
“Well, you know, I’ve heard the tape. I know the other managers have. I know a lot of people in America have heard the tape,” Crow said. “You know, broadly speaking, this is a continuation of the President’s bullying and intimidation. You know, it’s what he’s done for the last three, four years, and he’s going to continue to do it.”
Pressed again on whether the recording is “evidence you can introduce in any way,” Crow replied that “I think the senators have all seen it.”
“Right? I mean, this is a little bit different from most courts in that the evidence continues to come out,” Crow said.
After Brennan agreed, Crow pivoted to how earlier this week he was presenting “a redacted set of emails that had just come out around midnight the day before.”
“There’s a lot that’s still out there,” Crow said. “The American people deserve the full picture, and that’s why we’re going to continue to push for additional evidence.”
Watch Crow’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-26--Cotton: ‘Badmouthing The President’ Is ‘Pretty Sound Reason To Remove An Ambassador’

Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-AR ) believes that “ badmouthing ” President Trump was enough to justify Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch ’ s ouster .
In an interview Sunday morning on CBS ’ “ Face the Nation , ” Margaret Brennan pressed Cotton on the April 2018 recording of Trump telling Rudy Giuliani associates Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman to “ take [ Yovanovitch ] out !
” after he was told that the career foreign service officer was “ badmouthing ” him in Kyiv .
When asked if he found it troubling that there are recordings of the President discussing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who he claimed he didn ’ t know , Cotton denied that he had any concerns and compared it to “ what happened in the Brett Kavanaugh case when the Democrats kept releasing supposed bombshells ” and that “ all we ’ re missing here is Michael Avenatti to come out and defend someone as well.
” Pressed again on whether he finds the recording damaging in any way , Cotton responded that the “ video was more than a year before he asked Maria Yovanovitch to be removed.
” “ And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we just heard , that she ’ s running around Kyiv badmouthing you and saying that you ’ re going to be impeached — the President has the right to remove any ambassador for any reason or no reason whatsoever , ” Cotton said .
“ An ambassador badmouthing the President is a pretty sound reason to remove an ambassador.
” After Brennan pointed out that although “ the president absolutely has the right to do that , she told Cotton that “ the question is why these business associates who have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were advising the President.
” Cotton then repeated his line that the “ video occurred more than a year after she was removed ” before he spoke over Brennan to argue that “ it goes to show the President — he was not hasty.
” “ He was not precipitous .
He didn ’ t just act on the word of these people .
He waited more than a year and got more information as well , ” Cotton said .
“ So I think the video , again , it reminds me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Kavanaugh controversy , and I don ’ t think it influences the votes of any senators that I ’ ve heard .
”

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) believes that “badmouthing” President Trump was enough to justify Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch’s ouster.
In an interview Sunday morning on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Margaret Brennan pressed Cotton on the April 2018 recording of Trump telling Rudy Giuliani associates Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman to “take [Yovanovitch] out!” after he was told that the career foreign service officer was “badmouthing” him in Kyiv.
When asked if he found it troubling that there are recordings of the President discussing the Ukraine pressure campaign with Giuliani associates, who he claimed he didn’t know, Cotton denied that he had any concerns and compared it to “what happened in the Brett Kavanaugh case when the Democrats kept releasing supposed bombshells” and that “all we’re missing here is Michael Avenatti to come out and defend someone as well.”
Pressed again on whether he finds the recording damaging in any way, Cotton responded that the “video was more than a year before he asked Maria Yovanovitch to be removed.”
“And he was told in that video, we just heard, that she’s running around Kyiv badmouthing you and saying that you’re going to be impeached — the President has the right to remove any ambassador for any reason or no reason whatsoever,” Cotton said. “An ambassador badmouthing the President is a pretty sound reason to remove an ambassador.”
After Brennan pointed out that although “the president absolutely has the right to do that, she told Cotton that “the question is why these business associates who have a financial and political interest in the matter were advising the President.”
Cotton then repeated his line that the “video occurred more than a year after she was removed” before he spoke over Brennan to argue that “it goes to show the President — he was not hasty.”
“He was not precipitous. He didn’t just act on the word of these people. He waited more than a year and got more information as well,” Cotton said. “So I think the video, again, it reminds me a lot of what we saw in the Kavanaugh controversy, and I don’t think it influences the votes of any senators that I’ve heard.”
Watch Cotton’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-26--WH: Trump’s Tweet Meant Schiff’s ‘Price’ Would Be With Voters

Hours after President Trump tweeted that Rep. Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) has “ not paid a price , ” White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham denied it was a threat during an interview on Fox News Sunday morning .
After Grisham bashed Democrats for what she called their “ obsessive little dance ” with impeachment , Fox News ’ Howard Kurtz brought up Trump ’ s tweet , which he told Grisham “ sounds like a vague threat.
” “ I disagree , ” Grisham said .
“ People put meanings behind what he said .
The President speaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a counter-puncher , he ’ s saying what it ’ s on his mind.
” When Kurtz asked Grisham to clarify what Trump meant by saying Schiff “ hasn ’ t paid the price , ” she replied , “ I haven ’ t talked to him about it yet , ” but that she thinks “ he means he hasn ’ t yet paid the price with the voters.
” “ He hasn ’ t paid the price yet with the people of this country who see he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grisham said .
“ Quite frankly , it seems that he ’ s having a little bit of a mental issue when you sit on the floor for hours and hours and hours .
He ’ s obsessed with this President and trying to take him down.
” Earlier Sunday , Schiff told MSNBC ’ s Chuck Todd that he thinks Trump ’ s tweet was “ intended to be ” a threat .

Hours after President Trump tweeted that Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) has “not paid a price,” White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham denied it was a threat during an interview on Fox News Sunday morning.
After Grisham bashed Democrats for what she called their “obsessive little dance” with impeachment, Fox News’ Howard Kurtz brought up Trump’s tweet, which he told Grisham “sounds like a vague threat.”
“I disagree,” Grisham said. “People put meanings behind what he said. The President speaks in a very unique way, he’s a counter-puncher, he’s saying what it’s on his mind.”
When Kurtz asked Grisham to clarify what Trump meant by saying Schiff “hasn’t paid the price,” she replied, “I haven’t talked to him about it yet,” but that she thinks “he means he hasn’t yet paid the price with the voters.”
“He hasn’t paid the price yet with the people of this country who see he’s been lying and very obsessed,” Grisham said. “Quite frankly, it seems that he’s having a little bit of a mental issue when you sit on the floor for hours and hours and hours. He’s obsessed with this President and trying to take him down.”
Earlier Sunday, Schiff told MSNBC’s Chuck Todd that he thinks Trump’s tweet was “intended to be” a threat.
Watch Grisham’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-26--Schiff: Trump Tweeting I Have ‘Not Paid The Price’ Is ‘Intended To Be’ A Threat

Rep. Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) was quick to classify President Trump ’ s Sunday tweet aimed at him as a threat during an interview on MSNBC ’ s “ Meet the Press.
” On Sunday morning , Trump tweeted that Schiff “ has not paid the price.
” Although it ’ s unclear whether the President referred to a specific incident in the tweet , it comes two days after Schiff cited a CBS report — which reported an anonymous threat that the White House made to Senate Republicans to put their “ head on a pike ” if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial — in his closing arguments Friday .
Schiff ’ s remarks swiftly drew backlash from GOP senators .
When asked by MSNBC ’ s Chuck Todd what he makes of the backlash he received from some Republican senators — which include senators pivotal in the vote for witnesses such as Sens .
Lisa Murkowski ( R-AK ) , Susan Collins ( R-ME ) and Joni Ernst ( R-IA ) — who took issue with his “ head on a pike ” comment , Schiff said “ I don ’ t think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story.
” “ What may be personal though , and I think I have to be very candid about this , is I made the argument that it ’ s going to require moral courage to stand up to this President , ” Schiff said .
“ And this is a wrathful and vindictive President .
I don ’ t think there ’ s any doubt about it.
” Schiff then pointed to Trump ’ s Sunday morning tweet aimed at him , saying that “ if you think there is [ any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at the President ’ s tweets about me today , saying that I should pay a price.
” After Todd asked him if he takes the tweet as a threat , Schiff responded that he thinks “ it ’ s intended to be ” before going onto argue “ it is going to be very difficult for some of these senators to stand up to this President.
” “ It really is — there ’ s no question about it and I want to acknowledge that .
And I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is offensive to them , ” Schiff said .
“ But I do want to speak candidly about it .
And if this weren ’ t an issue , there wouldn ’ t be an issue about calling witnesses .
If we can ’ t even get the senators to agree to call witnesses in a trial , it shows you just how difficult that moral courage is.
” Shortly after Schiff ’ s interview , Trump was quick to share his thoughts in a tweet .

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) was quick to classify President Trump’s Sunday tweet aimed at him as a threat during an interview on MSNBC’s “Meet the Press.”
On Sunday morning, Trump tweeted that Schiff “has not paid the price.” Although it’s unclear whether the President referred to a specific incident in the tweet, it comes two days after Schiff cited a CBS report — which reported an anonymous threat that the White House made to Senate Republicans to put their “head on a pike” if they voted against Trump in the impeachment trial — in his closing arguments Friday. Schiff’s remarks swiftly drew backlash from GOP senators.
Shifty Adam Schiff is a CORRUPT POLITICIAN, and probably a very sick man. He has not paid the price, yet, for what he has done to our Country! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2020
When asked by MSNBC’s Chuck Todd what he makes of the backlash he received from some Republican senators — which include senators pivotal in the vote for witnesses such as Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) — who took issue with his “head on a pike” comment, Schiff said “I don’t think it was personal to refer to the CBS story.”
“What may be personal though, and I think I have to be very candid about this, is I made the argument that it’s going to require moral courage to stand up to this President,” Schiff said. “And this is a wrathful and vindictive President. I don’t think there’s any doubt about it.”
Schiff then pointed to Trump’s Sunday morning tweet aimed at him, saying that “if you think there is [any doubt about Trump being wrathful], look at the President’s tweets about me today, saying that I should pay a price.”
After Todd asked him if he takes the tweet as a threat, Schiff responded that he thinks “it’s intended to be” before going onto argue “it is going to be very difficult for some of these senators to stand up to this President.”
“It really is — there’s no question about it and I want to acknowledge that. And I don’t want to acknowledge it in a way that is offensive to them,” Schiff said. “But I do want to speak candidly about it. And if this weren’t an issue, there wouldn’t be an issue about calling witnesses. If we can’t even get the senators to agree to call witnesses in a trial, it shows you just how difficult that moral courage is.”
Shortly after Schiff’s interview, Trump was quick to share his thoughts in a tweet.
Sleepyeyes Chuck Todd of Meet the Corrupt Press, just had a “totally” softball interview with conman Adam Schiff, never even calling Shifty out on his fraudulent statement to Congress, where he made up ALL of the words of my conversation with the Ukrainian President! FAKE NEWS — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2020
Watch Schiff’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-26--Lofgren: House Dems Caved But Not Taking Trump To Court Was Still Right Call

Despite telling senators this week to not surrender to the President ’ s stonewalling , Rep. Zoe Lofgren ( D-CA ) hesitantly said that House Democrats caved into to Trump ’ s stonewalling during an interview on CNN Sunday morning .
When CNN ’ s Jake Tapper asked what the House impeachment manager would say to “ those who say “ that ’ s exactly what the House Democrats did by not going to court to try to force subpoenas and force witnesses , ” Lofgren responded “ we did go to court , as you know.
” Tapper then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t pursue it in court , however , and that they “ ultimately withdrew the cases and went to the Senate.
” “ Ultimately we realized we had the evidence we were going to get , and that it was sufficient to prove our case , ” Lofgren said .
When Tapper asked if that essentially meant “ you surrender to the President ’ s stonewalling , in that sense , ” Lofgren responded “ I guess , in that sense , we did.
” “ If we had waited for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be over , ” Lofgren said .
“ The issue would be almost moot.
” Lofgren added that if Trump is “ committing a high crime and misdemeanor now , and continuing to do it , we need to act ” before mentioning that when it comes to the subpoena of White House counsel Don McGahn , who was subpoenaed in April , “ we ’ re not going to get an answer on that probably until next year.
” Earlier in the interview , Lofgren reacted to Trump ’ s Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) who he said “ has not paid the price.
” “ Well , that ’ s really unfortunate , ” Lofgren said .
“ The President has a tendency to say things that seem threatening to people .
You know , ‘ she ’ s going to go through some things , ’ ‘ Adam Schiff is doing his job — he ’ s going to pay a price.
’ I mean , he really ought to get a grip and be a little more presidential .
”

Despite telling senators this week to not surrender to the President’s stonewalling, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) hesitantly said that House Democrats caved into to Trump’s stonewalling during an interview on CNN Sunday morning.
When CNN’s Jake Tapper asked what the House impeachment manager would say to “those who say “that’s exactly what the House Democrats did by not going to court to try to force subpoenas and force witnesses,” Lofgren responded “we did go to court, as you know.”
Tapper then pointed out to Lofgren that House Democrats didn’t pursue it in court, however, and that they “ultimately withdrew the cases and went to the Senate.”
“Ultimately we realized we had the evidence we were going to get, and that it was sufficient to prove our case,” Lofgren said.
When Tapper asked if that essentially meant “you surrender to the President’s stonewalling, in that sense,” Lofgren responded “I guess, in that sense, we did.”
“If we had waited for three or four years, the election would be over,” Lofgren said. “The issue would be almost moot.”
Lofgren added that if Trump is “committing a high crime and misdemeanor now, and continuing to do it, we need to act” before mentioning that when it comes to the subpoena of White House counsel Don McGahn, who was subpoenaed in April, “we’re not going to get an answer on that probably until next year.”
Earlier in the interview, Lofgren reacted to Trump’s Sunday morning tweet where he railed against Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) who he said “has not paid the price.”
Shifty Adam Schiff is a CORRUPT POLITICIAN, and probably a very sick man. He has not paid the price, yet, for what he has done to our Country! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2020
“Well, that’s really unfortunate,” Lofgren said. “The President has a tendency to say things that seem threatening to people. You know, ‘she’s going to go through some things,’ ‘Adam Schiff is doing his job — he’s going to pay a price.’ I mean, he really ought to get a grip and be a little more presidential.”
Watch Lofgren’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-26--GOP Sen Defends Trump In Parnas Recording: ‘Certainly The President Meets A Lot Of People’

Sen. James Lankford ( R-OK ) argued that President Trump ’ s many connections means that the recording of the President telling Rudy Giuliani associates to “ take [ Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch ] out ” is not a big deal .
The recording , which features Trump telling Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman to “ take her out !
” after he was told that the Yovanovitch was “ badmouthing ” him in Kyiv , was reportedly recorded by Fruman during a small April 30 , 2018 dinner at the Trump International Hotel in Washington , D.C .
When CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his response to the recording where Trump discusses Yovanovitch ’ s ouster with Parnas and Fruman — who the President previously claimed he didn ’ t know — the Oklahoma Republican said that Trump only made a brief appearance at the dinner .
“ This is a fundraising dinner back in the spring a year and a half ago where the President literally takes a bunch of pictures and sits down at the dinner — a dinner of 25 of people or so — and then he leaves , ” Lankford said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ 90-minute recording , ” Lankford said that he “ understands it , but it is a dinner.
” “ It ’ s 90 minutes over a dinner that he walks in and actually participates in this , ” Lankford said .
“ It ’ s hard to say to the President who meets a thousand people a day , ‘ OK do you know this person who was at a dinner with you a year and half ago ?
’ and to say you have a relationship — it is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your picture made with him.
” When Tapper said that the recording demonstrates “ more than a picture and a 90-minute phone call talking about the ouster of Yovanovitch , Lankford said “ there ’ s a lot of things he talks about in that same tape ” such as “ Germany not paying their fair share.
” As soon as Tapper told Lankford that “ the point is that the President did not tell the truth , ” Lankford hit back and said “ what I ’ m trying to say to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you had ” before launching into a rant where he reiterates his argument that the President meets many people .
“ If I went back and said a year and a half ago , I want to ask you about somebody who attended a dinner you were at and was a part of a 20-person conversation and you could not name that person because you don ’ t remember — and they brought up a tape and you would go , OK yeah I was there , I just don ’ t remember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a half ago , but you meet a lot of people and I meet a lot of people , ” Lankford said .
And certainly the President meets a lot of people , and it ’ s hard to be able to say I know somebody that attended a fundraising dinner , got a picture made or attended a different time and got a picture when you sure meet a lot of people .
”

Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) argued that President Trump’s many connections means that the recording of the President telling Rudy Giuliani associates to “take [Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch] out” is not a big deal.
The recording, which features Trump telling Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman to “take her out!” after he was told that the Yovanovitch was “badmouthing” him in Kyiv, was reportedly recorded by Fruman during a small April 30, 2018 dinner at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.
When CNN’s Jake Tapper asked Lankford for his response to the recording where Trump discusses Yovanovitch’s ouster with Parnas and Fruman — who the President previously claimed he didn’t know — the Oklahoma Republican said that Trump only made a brief appearance at the dinner.
“This is a fundraising dinner back in the spring a year and a half ago where the
President literally takes a bunch of pictures and sits down at the dinner — a dinner of 25 of people or so — and then he leaves,” Lankford said.
After Tapper pointed out that this is a “90-minute recording,” Lankford said that he “understands it, but it is a dinner.”
“It’s 90 minutes over a dinner that he walks in and actually participates in this,” Lankford said. “It’s hard to say to the President who meets a thousand people a day, ‘OK do you know this person who was at a dinner with you a year and half ago?’ and to say you have a relationship — it is the same argument people said that you had your picture made with him.”
When Tapper said that the recording demonstrates “more than a picture and a 90-minute phone call talking about the ouster of Yovanovitch, Lankford said “there’s a lot of things he talks about in that same tape” such as “Germany not paying their fair share.”
As soon as Tapper told Lankford that “the point is that the President did not tell the truth,” Lankford hit back and said “what I’m trying to say to say to you is the same thing you had” before launching into a rant where he reiterates his argument that the President meets many people.
“If I went back and said a year and a half ago, I want to ask you about somebody who attended a dinner you were at and was a part of a 20-person conversation and you could not name that person because you don’t remember — and they brought up a tape and you would go, OK yeah I was there, I just don’t remember that person because it was a year and a half ago, but you meet a lot of people and I meet a lot of people,” Lankford said. And certainly the President meets a lot of people, and it’s hard to be able to say I know somebody that attended a fundraising dinner, got a picture made or attended a different time and got a picture when you sure meet a lot of people.”
Watch Lankford’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-01-26--Parnas’ Attorney Says His Client Has More Trump Recordings Up His Sleeve

Lev Parnas ’ attorney Joseph Bondy indicated that the recording of President Trump telling two associates of Rudy Giuliani that he wanted them to “ take out ” Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch in April 2018 is just the beginning .
The recording , which was first reported by ABC Friday , features Trump telling Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman to “ take [ Yovanovitch ] out !
” after he was told that the career foreign service officer was “ badmouthing ” him in Kyiv .
Fruman reportedly made the recording during a small April 30 , 2018 dinner at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During an interview with CNN ’ s Anderson Cooper Saturday night , Bondy said he wasn ’ t sure why Fruman made the recordings .
“ I don ’ t know why he made the recordings , ” Bondy said .
“ Some people make recordings .
They like to take pictures .
I can ’ t ascribe any kind of motive beyond that.
” After Bondy confirmed that Fruman also sent the recordings to Parnas , Cooper asked Bondy if his client has more recordings with Trump .
“ Yes , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recordings and the recordings also featuring Trump .
When pressed on whether Parnas plans to release the recordings , Bondy replied “ perhaps ” and argued that the latest anti-Yovanovitch recording by Trump was “ important ” to release to the public .
“ We ’ ve sent recordings to the House Intelligence Committee also , ” Bondy said .
“ This seems to be the recording that certainly addresses the issue of the Ambassador and we thought it was really important to get that recording out in public today.
” Earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rachel Maddow that Trump “ knew exactly what was going on ” as he worked with Rudy Giuliani to pressure the Ukrainian government to dig up false allegations against the Bidens .

Lev Parnas’ attorney Joseph Bondy indicated that the recording of President Trump telling two associates of Rudy Giuliani that he wanted them to “take out” Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch in April 2018 is just the beginning.
The recording, which was first reported by ABC Friday, features Trump telling Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman to “take [Yovanovitch] out!” after he was told that the career foreign service officer was “badmouthing” him in Kyiv. Fruman reportedly made the recording during a small April 30, 2018 dinner at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.
During an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper Saturday night, Bondy said he wasn’t sure why Fruman made the recordings.
“I don’t know why he made the recordings,” Bondy said. “Some people make recordings. They like to take pictures. I can’t ascribe any kind of motive beyond that.”
After Bondy confirmed that Fruman also sent the recordings to Parnas, Cooper asked Bondy if his client has more recordings with Trump.
“Yes,” Bondy said, regarding Parnas having more recordings and the recordings also featuring Trump.
When pressed on whether Parnas plans to release the recordings, Bondy replied “perhaps” and argued that the latest anti-Yovanovitch recording by Trump was “important” to release to the public.
“We’ve sent recordings to the House Intelligence Committee also,” Bondy said. “This seems to be the recording that certainly addresses the issue of the Ambassador and we thought it was really important to get that recording out in public today.”
Earlier this month, Parnas told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow that Trump “knew exactly what was going on” as he worked with Rudy Giuliani to pressure the Ukrainian government to dig up false allegations against the Bidens.
Watch Bondy’s remarks below: