buzzfeed--2020-12-30--Congress Has Passed Sweeping Anti–Money Laundering Legislation. Now It’s Up To Trump.

Members of the House Armed Services Committee during the markup of the National Defense Authorization Act ( NDAA ) earlier this year .
In a move that could make it much harder for criminals to launder money through US banks , Congress has passed legislation that would require anonymous shell companies to disclose their true owners .
The action , which still faces a veto threat from President Donald Trump , comes three months after the FinCEN Files , an expansive investigation by BuzzFeed News and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists , showed that shell companies are a cornerstone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interests and their allies in Congress had long opposed efforts to unmask these secretive corporate entities because they said it would place unfair burdens on legitimate companies .
But rising concerns about money laundering and terrorist financing , combined with reworking the legislation to be more business-friendly , gradually turned the tide .
The legislation was included in the National Defense Authorization Act ( NDAA ) , which passed the Senate by a vote of 84–3 Friday .
Earlier in the week , it passed the House by a more than 4 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee , said the stories from the FinCEN Files series “ underscored that we need to strengthen , reform , and update our nation ’ s anti-money laundering laws.
” Congress ’ s action on shell companies , he said in a statement , “ will finally update and reform our tools to crack down on anonymous shell companies and on big banks that enable criminals or have lax anti-money laundering compliance programs .
We know that criminals have long been adjusting their tactics to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will enable us to get ahead of them , and stay ahead of them.
” Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Sen. Mark Warner said it is `` past time to put an end to the secrecy that allows drug cartels , human traffickers , arms dealers , terrorists and kleptocrats to exploit the United States ' banking system in order to carry out anti-American activities . ''
He added that `` the current holes in our financial system pose a serious threat to national security.
`` The new measure is part of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has promised to veto unless it repeals Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act , which shields social media companies from liability for content that users post on their platform .
Trump and many Congressional Republicans allege that Section 230 has allowed social media companies to censor and silence conservative voices .
The NDAA passed with more than two-thirds support in each chamber , which would be enough to override a presidential veto .
But it is not clear whether enough Republicans will stick with their support of the bill in defiance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NDAA also addresses many of the other issues identified in the FinCEN Files .
If signed into law , it would require the government to report on how law enforcement agents use suspicious activity reports , documents sent by banks to the Treasury Department when they detect possible financial misconduct .
The Justice Department would have to file yearly reports justifying its use of deferred prosecution agreements — a type of deal that banks regularly cut with the government to avoid a criminal trial when they run afoul of anti-money laundering laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who blow the whistle on misconduct from retaliation and offer them financial rewards for stepping forward .
The bill also requires FinCEN — the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network , a division of the Treasury Department — to study new technologies to identify criminal money flows and to improve communication with the private sector .
The Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency Coalition , a group that advocates for a fair tax system and has pushed for this legislation , applauded the action in Congress .
“ It has been decades since our nation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the group said in a statement this week .
“ Over time , rogue nations , criminals , and kleptocrats have developed ever more sophisticated strategies , but national security and law enforcement officials are currently working with outdated and insufficient tools to counter these emerging threats.
” At present , anonymous shell companies can be set up with less disclosure than what is required to get a library card .
These companies can be used to hide wealth or launder the proceeds of crime through legitimate assets .
Requiring companies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off them was first proposed in Congress in 2008 .
Various bills have been proposed since then , but failed .
After years of debate on the issue , and years of failure to get legislation passed , momentum for the banking reforms built over the last 12 months as compromises were made and coalitions built .
Earlier proposals would have forced companies to disclose their ownership publicly .
Under the new legislation , ownership information would be shared only with FinCEN .
Companies with more than 20 employees and at least $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as a physical presence in the United States , would be exempt under the assumption they ’ re legitimate businesses rather than shell companies .
Those who fail to disclose their ownership or provide false information face fines of up to $ 10,000 and up to two years imprisonment .
The legislation passed this week also establishes a new FinCEN whistleblower program for financial crimes .
“ Providing the means for whistleblowers to report to the government is the best way to incentivize insiders to come forward with the necessary information , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specializing in whistleblower cases for the firm of Constantine Cannon .
“ This new law goes a long way towards providing a safe and secure forum for insiders to help law enforcement connect the dots.
” The broad coalition favoring the legislation included labor unions , the US Chamber of Commerce , and the banking industry .
Banks , in particular , were a major force lobbying in favor of the corporate transparency legislation .
Banks currently bear the burden of reporting suspicious financial activity to FinCEN and are looking to push some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports are a major expense for banks .
The Banking Policy Institute , whose members include both domestic banks and large foreign banks doing business in the US , said these financial institutions employ 14,000 people dedicated to compliance .
The National Federation of Independent Business was the loudest voice arguing against the legislation .
Kevin Kuhlman , its vice president of federal government affairs , said the banks don ’ t actually care about cracking down on money laundering .
“ Banks are attempting to offload their regulatory burden onto small businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not begin filling out honest paperwork , and honest business owners will become unsuspecting criminals , ” he said .

In a move that could make it much harder for criminals to launder money through US banks, Congress has passed legislation that would require anonymous shell companies to disclose their true owners.
The action, which still faces a veto threat from President Donald Trump, comes three months after the FinCEN Files, an expansive investigation by BuzzFeed News and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, showed that shell companies are a cornerstone of fraud and financial corruption.
Business interests and their allies in Congress had long opposed efforts to unmask these secretive corporate entities because they said it would place unfair burdens on legitimate companies. But rising concerns about money laundering and terrorist financing, combined with reworking the legislation to be more business-friendly, gradually turned the tide.
The legislation was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the Senate by a vote of 84–3 Friday. Earlier in the week, it passed the House by a more than 4 to 1 margin.
Sen. Sherrod Brown, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, said the stories from the FinCEN Files series “underscored that we need to strengthen, reform, and update our nation’s anti-money laundering laws.”
Congress’s action on shell companies, he said in a statement, “will finally update and reform our tools to crack down on anonymous shell companies and on big banks that enable criminals or have lax anti-money laundering compliance programs. We know that criminals have long been adjusting their tactics to get around our current laws. This bill will enable us to get ahead of them, and stay ahead of them.”
Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Sen. Mark Warner said it is "past time to put an end to the secrecy that allows drug cartels, human traffickers, arms dealers, terrorists and kleptocrats to exploit the United States' banking system in order to carry out anti-American activities."
He added that "the current holes in our financial system pose a serious threat to national security. "
The new measure is part of a sweeping defense spending bill, which Trump has promised to veto unless it repeals Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields social media companies from liability for content that users post on their platform. Trump and many Congressional Republicans allege that Section 230 has allowed social media companies to censor and silence conservative voices.
The NDAA passed with more than two-thirds support in each chamber, which would be enough to override a presidential veto. But it is not clear whether enough Republicans will stick with their support of the bill in defiance of a Trump veto attempt.
Legislation in the NDAA also addresses many of the other issues identified in the FinCEN Files.
If signed into law, it would require the government to report on how law enforcement agents use suspicious activity reports, documents sent by banks to the Treasury Department when they detect possible financial misconduct.
The Justice Department would have to file yearly reports justifying its use of deferred prosecution agreements — a type of deal that banks regularly cut with the government to avoid a criminal trial when they run afoul of anti-money laundering laws.
And the law will protect those who blow the whistle on misconduct from retaliation and offer them financial rewards for stepping forward.
The bill also requires FinCEN — the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a division of the Treasury Department — to study new technologies to identify criminal money flows and to improve communication with the private sector.
The Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency Coalition, a group that advocates for a fair tax system and has pushed for this legislation, applauded the action in Congress. “It has been decades since our nation’s anti-money laundering laws were updated,” the group said in a statement this week. “Over time, rogue nations, criminals, and kleptocrats have developed ever more sophisticated strategies, but national security and law enforcement officials are currently working with outdated and insufficient tools to counter these emerging threats.”
At present, anonymous shell companies can be set up with less disclosure than what is required to get a library card. These companies can be used to hide wealth or launder the proceeds of crime through legitimate assets.
Requiring companies to disclose who owns them and who profits off them was first proposed in Congress in 2008. Various bills have been proposed since then, but failed. After years of debate on the issue, and years of failure to get legislation passed, momentum for the banking reforms built over the last 12 months as compromises were made and coalitions built.
Earlier proposals would have forced companies to disclose their ownership publicly. Under the new legislation, ownership information would be shared only with FinCEN.
Companies with more than 20 employees and at least $5 million in annual sales, as well as a physical presence in the United States, would be exempt under the assumption they’re legitimate businesses rather than shell companies.
Those who fail to disclose their ownership or provide false information face fines of up to $10,000 and up to two years imprisonment. The legislation passed this week also establishes a new FinCEN whistleblower program for financial crimes.
“Providing the means for whistleblowers to report to the government is the best way to incentivize insiders to come forward with the necessary information,” said Poppy Alexander, a lawyer specializing in whistleblower cases for the firm of Constantine Cannon. “This new law goes a long way towards providing a safe and secure forum for insiders to help law enforcement connect the dots.”
The broad coalition favoring the legislation included labor unions, the US Chamber of Commerce, and the banking industry. Banks, in particular, were a major force lobbying in favor of the corporate transparency legislation.
Banks currently bear the burden of reporting suspicious financial activity to FinCEN and are looking to push some responsibility onto the corporations themselves. These reports are a major expense for banks. The Banking Policy Institute, whose members include both domestic banks and large foreign banks doing business in the US, said these financial institutions employ 14,000 people dedicated to compliance.
The National Federation of Independent Business was the loudest voice arguing against the legislation. Kevin Kuhlman, its vice president of federal government affairs, said the banks don’t actually care about cracking down on money laundering.
“Banks are attempting to offload their regulatory burden onto small businesses. My fear is that bad actors will not begin filling out honest paperwork, and honest business owners will become unsuspecting criminals,” he said.


buzzfeed--2020-12-31--Your Votes Are Anonymous, So Please Don't Hold Back — Are These Things Gross Or Secretly Satisfying?

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buzzfeed--2020-12-31--People Are Shocked After Learning That Bleeding On Birth Control Isn't Really A Period

Need a TL ; DR version ?
Do n't worry , we got you !
Basically , when an egg @ @ @ @ @ fertilized , the uterine lining sheds — which is the blood you see — and @ @ @ @ @ , or menses .
However , when you take birth control , an egg is @ @ @ @ @ blood is actually caused by a drop in progesterone levels .
In short , if @ @ @ @ @ bleed on birth control , try to find one that gives you constant progesterone .
@ @ @ @ @ be the implant , shot , and sometimes the hormonal IUD , but talk to @ @ @ @ @ help find the right one for you !

Need a TL;DR version? Don't worry, we got you! Basically, when an egg is released and isn't fertilized, the uterine lining sheds — which is the blood you see — and it's called a period, or menses. However, when you take birth control, an egg is not released, so the blood is actually caused by a drop in progesterone levels. In short, if you don't want to bleed on birth control, try to find one that gives you constant progesterone. Dr. Crawford says this can be the implant, shot, and sometimes the hormonal IUD, but talk to your doctor, who can help find the right one for you!


buzzfeed--2020-12-31--This Woman With Genital Herpes Is Going Viral For Sharing Her Experience And Spreading Awareness

Shana added , `` A part of my coaching program is the transformation of limiting beliefs .
I love to @ @ @ @ @ they call themselves dirty , then I believe them , but it is not because @ @ @ @ @ have herpes and I am far from dirty .
I require they say it out @ @ @ @ @ hear how they talk to themselves — we work to change their self-talk .
Next @ @ @ @ @ it down and get rid of it — say out loud , I am not @ @ @ @ @ sexually responsible adult who knows my status and is able to have healthy sexual communication @ @ @ @ @ beliefs becomes my clients ' new affirmation list that I hold them accountable to recite @ @ @ @ @ makes me so sad that the majority of women within the herpes community feel dirty @ @ @ @

"This is my message for women with genital herpes: Your partner is not taking a risk, your partner is making an informed decision. You do not have to ignore your boundaries just because you have herpes. You do not have to stay in a toxic relationship just because you share the same status, or because someone accepts your status. You do not have to lower your standards just because you have herpes. You still deserve to require to see STI results from potential partners. This is not the end of your sex life, but the start of your healthy sex life. Herpes does not depreciate your value. Forgive yourself, be kind to yourself, love yourself FIRST," she said.


buzzfeed--2020-12-31--17 Condescending Things Women Have Actually Been Told By Male Medical Professionals

`` I got put on a new antidepressant and I was on it for a month .
My doctor told it me it was supposed to kick in by then .
I was having really bad suicidal thoughts , so I went to the doctor 's office and told them it was n't working .
But , my usual doctor was n't there .
In walked this 50-year-old man .
He told me that I did n't have depression , that it was probably teenage hormones , and , 'maybe exercise . '
And then , two days later , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I tried to commit .
I talked to so many different doctors , and one walked in and asked , 'Are you taking any medicine ? '
And I said , 'No , just Welllbutrin . '
While I was sitting there crying my eyes out because I literally wanted to fucking die , he looked at me in my face and said , 'You 're not taking acne medicine ?
You know you can see a doctor for that , right ? '
'' If you are thinking about suicide or just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can speak to someone by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK ( 8255 ) and or by texting HOME to 741741 , the Crisis Text Line .
And here are suicide helplines outside the US .

"I got put on a new antidepressant, and I was on it for a month, and my doctor told me that it was supposed to kick in by then. And I was having really bad suicidal thoughts, so I went to the doctor's office and I said, 'Hey, this isn't working.' But my usual doctor wasn't there. In walks this 50-year-old man. He tells me that I don't have depression and that it's probably teenage hormones, and then says, 'Maybe exercise.'
"And then, two days later, I ended up in the hospital because I was going to commit. I had to talk to so many different doctors, and one walks in and asks, 'Are you taking any medicine?' And I said, 'No, just Wellbutrin.' While I was sitting there crying my eyes out because I literally wanted to fucking die, he looks me in my face and says, 'You're not taking acne medicine? You know you can see a doctor for that, right?'"
If you are thinking about suicide or just need to talk to someone, you can speak to someone by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or by texting HOME to 741741, the Crisis Text Line. And here are suicide helplines outside the US.


buzzfeed--2020-12-31--Josh Hawley Said He'll Object To Biden's Electoral College Certification, Forcing A Vote

Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri announced Wednesday he would object during next week 's congressional certification of President-elect Joe Biden 's Electoral College win — a move that is likely to delay but not change the result .
Hawley 's decision to join a group of House Republicans who had already pledged to do so will force a floor debate when Congress meets on Jan. 6 followed by a vote in each chamber .
But Democrats control the House of Representatives and enough Senate Republicans have already recognized Biden 's win that it 's expected he will easily win in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from President Donald Trump for Congress to intervene in the election that he lost decisively , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had been trying to prevent his fellow Republicans from objecting , fearing it will force them to make unpopular votes against Trump that could be used by primary challengers in the next election .
Sen. John Thune , the second-highest-ranking Republican in the Senate , has previously called such a vote `` an opportunity to vent , '' but added that `` it 's not going anywhere . ''
Trump 's campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in its attempts to overturn the results of the election , producing no evidence of mass fraud .
Following Hawley 's announcement , Trump took to Twitter to celebrate .

Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri announced Wednesday he would object during next week's congressional certification of President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College win — a move that is likely to delay but not change the result.
Hawley's decision to join a group of House Republicans who had already pledged to do so will force a floor debate when Congress meets on Jan. 6 followed by a vote in each chamber.
But Democrats control the House of Representatives and enough Senate Republicans have already recognized Biden's win that it's expected he will easily win in that chamber, too.
Despite pleas from President Donald Trump for Congress to intervene in the election that he lost decisively, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had been trying to prevent his fellow Republicans from objecting, fearing it will force them to make unpopular votes against Trump that could be used by primary challengers in the next election.
Sen. John Thune, the second-highest-ranking Republican in the Senate, has previously called such a vote "an opportunity to vent," but added that "it's not going anywhere."
Trump's campaign has lost dozens and dozens of court cases in its attempts to overturn the results of the election, producing no evidence of mass fraud.
Following Hawley's announcement, Trump took to Twitter to celebrate.


buzzfeed--2020-12-31--A Secretive Company Needed To Convince Washington That Congo’s Election Would Be “Free And Fair.” It

A Secretive Company Needed To Convince Washington That Congo’s Election Would Be “Free And Fair.” It Found A Friendly Ear Among Trump Allies.

Congo suffered under the rule of Joseph Kabila , but an audacious lobbying campaign helped him get what he wanted out of the Trump administration .
KINSHASA , Congo — An important client needed help , and it didn ’ t matter to Mer Security and Communication Systems that he was an authoritarian ruler who had crushed peaceful protests and enriched himself at the expense of his own citizens .
Joseph Kabila , then the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo , had already relied on Mer for monitoring technology and intelligence training to help him spy on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company for services it didn ’ t advertise — and he needed it to perform those services on American soil .
Kabila wanted Mer to win over the Trump administration .
It was a tall order .
The US government had recently frozen the bank accounts of senior Congolese security officials who had overseen the crackdowns against protesters , and had threatened to reduce economic aid to the country if Kabila didn ’ t step down at the end of his term limit in December 2016 .
In order to prevent international intervention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kabila needed Mer to sell the idea that an election would happen soon , that it would be credible , and that the US should soften its hardline stance against him .
Even by the standards of Washington lobbying , this double act — promising a free and fair election in Congo while selling the very tools that could undermine the country ’ s democracy — was audacious and unheard of .
One American consultant hired by the firm said that if they had known of its ties to Kabila ’ s surveillance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have said yes.
” A BuzzFeed News investigation , based on thousands of pages of documents and more than 100 interviews in the US , Congo , and Europe , provides a first-ever look inside Mer ’ s aggressive campaign to influence the Trump administration and serve Kabila ’ s interests .
It shows how such efforts can shape foreign policy in ways unbeknownst to both the public and senior government officials , through meetings and phone calls that leave few witnesses and little trace of the private influences involved .
In this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world swept aside authoritarian abuses — even when many of its own top diplomats thought such a decision flew in the face of US interests .
Despite all the promises that Kabila ’ s proxies made in Washington that year , Congo ’ s election , ultimately held in December 2018 , was neither free nor fair .
Citing voting data that leaked after the election , international observers said that it was brazenly rigged in favor of a candidate with whom Kabila had struck a secret power-sharing deal .
Kabila would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still command Congo ’ s security forces , his allies would still hold top Cabinet positions , and his party would still wield a legislative majority .
Within days of the election , the leaked voting data sparked protests across Congo .
Heads of state in Europe and Africa called for an international investigation .
The US echoed the denunciation .
But a month after the election , in January 2019 , the Trump administration suddenly dropped its objections and instead praised “ Kabila ’ s commitment to becoming the first president in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an electoral process.
” The decision to reverse course came from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , BuzzFeed News has learned .
But it shocked veteran diplomats and rank-and-file State Department officials who had crafted the initial policy .
And it put an end to the international coalition that was forming to examine the election .
The goal of Mer ’ s lobbying campaign , Laviv said , “ was to make people in Washington understand that the Congolese are serious about a peaceful transfer of power .
The opinions in the State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Kabila regime , and we brought an argument showing them the process of how the election was being done.
” Kabila , who remains head of his political party , could not be reached for comment .
When the history of the Trump administration is written , much will be made of the president undermining democracy at home .
But as the Congo episode shows , he also did so abroad .
“ The confluence of lobbying work and security experts is really concerning but not surprising , ” said Jeffrey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a nonprofit that supports democracy movements on the continent .
“ For so long US foreign policy has been based around this notion of stability and security , oftentimes at the expense of human rights and democracy .
But when you deny a free and fair vote , you ’ re planting the seeds of instability in the long term .
It ’ s reinforcing this notion that leaders who steal elections are somehow good or somehow provide stability and security.
” Mer says it is no longer doing lobbying in Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there and in Congo .
Though the vast majority of voters cast their ballots for a regime change , the fate of their country was decided by powerful interests negotiating behind closed doors .
The US gave its blessing and millions in foreign aid , Kabila kept a large share of his power , and the company at the center of the arrangement walked away richer .
Among the entrepreneurs who thrived was Dan Gertler , an Israeli mining baron who had befriended Kabila years before he took office and secured a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including access to Congo ’ s diamond reserves — an estimated market value of $ 600 million — for $ 20 million a year .
In all , Gertler `` amassed his fortune through hundreds of millions of dollars ’ worth of opaque and corrupt mining and oil deals , ” US Treasury officials later found .
During a single three-year span , Gertler reportedly made $ 1.36 billion in revenue that should have gone to Congo ’ s taxpayers , Treasury stated .
Through his lawyer , Gertler declined to comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above board .
By contrast , most of Congo ’ s people continued to live amid some of the most difficult conditions worldwide , lacking access to electricity and clean drinking water .
On most health metrics , from infant mortality to malnutrition , Congo languished near the bottom of global rankings .
As Kabila ’ s regime wore on , a protest movement emerged .
When Kinshasa , Congo ’ s bustling riverfront capital , was selected to host the 2012 Francophonie summit — a gathering of dozens of world leaders — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global spotlight to draw attention to his regime ’ s failures .
Kabila ’ s security forces had already managed to assemble plenty of on-the-ground spies .
But it lacked the technology to intercept phone calls , track the movement of protesters , and remotely monitor opposition leaders .
Congo ’ s intelligence agency , known as the ANR , sought help from private contractors and other governments .
For some potential vendors , the nation ’ s record of human rights abuses , including imprisoning dissidents and using violence against peaceful protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was difficult to support ANR because they were participating in oppression , ” a Belgian official based in Kinshasa told BuzzFeed News .
Mer signed a $ 17.75 million contract to install surveillance cameras and build a command center in the capital city for intelligence and police agencies , according to the company ’ s financial statements .
Its work in Congo was part of an ambitious expansion by a company that began as an Israeli metal shop shortly after World War II .
Chaim Mer , a retired military intelligence officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s founder and now chairs the company ’ s board , hired a roster of other ex–intelligence agents and invested heavily in new technology for its security branch .
By 2012 , Mer was a conglomerate with offices in 30 countries , mostly in Latin America and Africa .
It managed event security for the Olympics in Athens , installed citywide surveillance cameras in Buenos Aires , sold data mining software to local law enforcement agencies across Mexico , and built the emergency radio network for One World Trade Center in New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security contracts are kept under wraps .
Financial reports to shareholders from 2011 through 2017 make no mention of any work in Congo , instead only referring to the country as an unspecified “ State of Central Africa.
” In 2013 , the Kabila regime paid Mer an additional $ 8.5 million for more security cameras as well as technical maintenance and spycraft training programs — and for its proprietary algorithmic tracking software , according to the company ’ s financial documents , a Congolese ex–military official , and a Congolese security technician @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s services constituted the “ biggest upgrade ” in surveillance capabilities that Congo had seen , according to the security technician , and the government soon expanded its arsenal through other companies .
In 2015 , the Chinese telecom giant Huawei donated a cellular network — along with an interception system able to eavesdrop on nearly any mobile phone call made within the country , according to the security technician and an agent with the Republican Guard , the presidential security service .
Huawei didn ’ t respond to a request for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the government ’ s surveillance state was targeting them more effectively .
In March 2015 , after escaping a police raid at a meeting with other anti-Kabila activists , Sylvain Saluseke was spending a cold , damp night at a safe house in Kinshasa when his cellphone rang .
The man on the line identified himself as an agent with the ANR , Saluseke said .
“ We know where you are , ” Saluseke recalled the man saying .
Saluseke decided to turn himself in to protect those who were with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headquarters , an eight-story red-and-yellow stone fortress flanked by a row of palm trees and a steel antenna that rises more than 200 feet .
There , he said , he was shown a thick stack of papers — call logs and text message transcripts spanning at least a month .
After 38 days in an overcrowded cinderblock cell , Saluseke said , he was released without charges but given an order to check in at the ANR headquarters three times a week .
“ Everything they knew in advance , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Everywhere we are going , everything we are planning.
” Mer signed its lobbying contract with Congo in December 2016 , during the Trump transition .
“ In the annals of bizarre African leader lobbying contracts , that ’ s right at the top , ” said Roger Murry , a consultant who has previously worked with clients from the DRC and other African nations but was not recruited for the Mer campaign .
“ What was weird wasn ’ t just the sheer size of the contract , but that it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got the consulting gig because it was “ in a position of trust with the DRC government , ” said Laviv , the executive who was CEO of Mer ’ s security division during the contract .
“ They believed that Americans and Israelis have good relations .
This was a one-time opportunity helping the DRC.
” There had been virtually no overlap between the consultants who assist foreign governments on political matters and those who provide them with security services — until recently .
In the Trump years , security specialists began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies that benefit the foreign nations employing them , blurring the line separating those paid to supply access from those paid to supply weapons and intelligence .
Michael Flynn , a security consultant and former general who served on Trump ’ s presidential campaign , was convicted of violating federal disclosure laws for failing to register his work helping Turkey ’ s president try to extradite a dissident exiled in the US .
Elliott Broidy , a security consultant who raised money for Trump ’ s 2016 campaign , is under investigation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arab Emirates after signing $ 200 million worth of security contracts with the country .
The Congolese government forked over $ 4.5 million during the first few months of Trump ’ s presidency as it built up its team of consultants in Washington , according to public records .
Since Mer had no lobbying bona fides to speak of , Laviv ’ s main task was to recruit Americans who did .
He hired Moshe Theumim , the chair of an Israeli advertising agency , to manage the project with him .
Over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took prospective lobbyists to lunch to make their offer .
Their pitch was vague , three consultants who met with them said .
“ They made no indication that the regime was trying to reform its anti-democratic ways , ” recalled Barry Bennett , a political consultant who said he declined the opportunity .
Soon Laviv and Theumim had subcontracted a host of American lobbying firms to six-figure deals .
Many were run by the political allies who had helped Trump ’ s campaign pull off its shocking win : Adnan Jalil , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nancye Miller , whose husband , former CIA chief R. James Woolsey Jr. , served as a campaign adviser ; Bob Dole , the only former Republican presidential nominee to endorse Trump before the GOP convention ; and Bob Livingston , a former member of Congress who had endorsed Trump early in his campaign .
Jalil , Woolsey , Dole , and Livingston declined to comment on the record for this article , and Miller has since died .
In emailed statements to public officials , the consultants pitched Congo ’ s “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the fight against “ the expansion of radical Islam , ” as well as the government ’ s interest in economic cooperation .
It was a message that fit the new administration ’ s broad themes — but it didn ’ t immediately help Kabila and his allies .
Foreign policy in Africa was an all-but-forgotten line item in Trump ’ s White House .
The president didn ’ t appoint an assistant secretary of state for African affairs until July 2017 , or an ambassador to Congo until September .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security Council had “ more leeway to dictate policy , ” according to a senior NSC official — and they kept a hard line in place .
In October , Nikki Haley , then the US ambassador to the UN , visited Kabila in Kinshasa and delivered the message that officials had carried over from the Obama administration .
According to a senior NSC official who spoke with her before and after the meeting , Haley threatened economic sanctions and told Kabila , “ You ’ re not running.
” The event came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ article a few months later , with the Congolese ambassador , François Balumuene , indicating that Giuliani might participate in diplomatic affairs between the two countries .
“ What I know is that it is possible that Giuliani will let us know how to go ahead , ” he told the Times .
Balumuene walked back that statement in a 2019 interview with BuzzFeed News .
He said that he has never met or spoken with Giuliani and claimed that his quote in the Times was “ wrong ” and the result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times his only interest in Congo was for “ security consulting.
” Laviv spoke to Giuliani at the event .
Even though the purpose of the reception was to promote Congo , Laviv told BuzzFeed News that he and Giuliani didn ’ t discuss any matters related to the country .
Laviv said the former New York City mayor wasn ’ t involved in any Congo lobbying efforts , adding that he only went up to Giuliani so he could shake his hand and ask for a photo .
“ He ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Laviv said .
A Congolese official and two consultants on Mer ’ s team provided a different perspective on Giuliani , saying he was one of the lobbying campaign ’ s primary targets .
That meshed with Mer ’ s larger goal to get a “ back channel ” conversation going with the White House to discuss Kabila ’ s plans for an election , according to a high-level Mer operative involved in the project .
Giuliani did not respond to requests for comment for this story .
Through that back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it still wanted Kabila to step down , the operative said .
So Mer helped Kabila come up with a “ creative solution , ” the operative said .
With a few months to go before the new December 2018 election date , Kabila announced he would not be running .
But that didn ’ t mean he ’ d be going away .
Behind the scenes , he negotiated a secret power-sharing arrangement with one of the candidates , Félix Tshisekedi , according to five people : the Mer operative , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an adviser to Tshisekedi , and the ex–military official in touch with current security agents .
Laviv said no such agreement existed .
Tshisekedi ’ s father , who ran against Kabila in 2011 and lost , had been the leader of the opposition coalition until his death in 2017 .
Tshisekedi wasn ’ t as popular as his father , but he was a credible opposition figure , making him an ideal choice for such a deal .
Unlike his father , Tshisekedi was willing to compromise with Kabila .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his mistakes , ” the Congolese official , a member of Tshisekedi ’ s administration , told BuzzFeed News .
In exchange for delivering the election to Tshisekedi , Kabila would get to appoint certain Cabinet ministers , as Reuters first reported , and keep his coalition ’ s legislative majority .
The plan would help Kabila ’ s wealthy allies in the mining industry , too .
The most popular opposition leader in the race , Martin Fayulu , was promising to crack down on mining deals that siphoned off the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revising the mining code and prosecuting government officials implicated in kickbacks .
Tshisekedi had made no such promise .
American civil servants in the State Department were unaware of the scheme , instead expecting Kabila to back his own party ’ s candidate , Emmanuel Shadary , four US officials said .
Then , a few weeks before the election , American officials made a startling discovery : evidence suggesting that the president of Congo ’ s election commission , Corneille Nangaa , had embezzled upward of $ 100 million from his budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment .
The Kabila regime had been trying to present Nangaa to Washington as an unbiased , independent official representing the country ’ s commitment to democracy — an idea that Mer had pitched to Kabila , according to the Mer operative .
Mer and Kabila had hoped to introduce Nangaa to US officials to soothe their concerns about the election and “ create an international umbrella for Kabila ” that would protect him from potential allegations of manipulating the results , the operative said .
Months earlier , Mer had contacted Reset @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to inquire whether it was interested in representing Nangaa , a consultant from the company told BuzzFeed News .
Reset agreed and brought a second firm , the Madison Group , into the project , consultants from both companies said .
They signed contracts for a combined $ 75,000 with Congo ’ s election commission , according to federal disclosure documents .
The two consultants told BuzzFeed News they were in regular contact with Mer .
“ They were hands-on in the sense that they wanted to know constantly , ‘ How ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ success ?
’ ” one of them said .
Mer is not listed on public filings for those contracts .
And , the consultant said , the only check they had received was from Congo ’ s election commission — “ not from Mer.
” If Nangaa had been revealed to be working with the same company that represented Kabila , it could have tarnished the election commissioner ’ s independent reputation and the prospects of a fair election .
Asked about Mer ’ s role in the Nangaa campaign , Laviv told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not lobby for Congo ’ s election commission in the US.
” Without any knowledge that the lobbyists for Congo ’ s president were also in touch with the lobbyists for its supposedly independent election commissioner , American officials faced a quandary over how to handle the Nangaa embezzlement allegations .
If they put a spotlight on Nangaa , they said , they feared that Kabila might use the scandal to delay the election even longer or attempt some other kind of last-minute power grab by claiming the government needed time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American officials decided to put off sanctions until after the election .
On Election Day in Congo , lines at polling places began forming at 5 a.m. and stretched past nightfall , through a rainstorm that flooded some precincts in ankle-deep water .
Across the country of 84 million , 18 million people voted .
The next day , the regime shut down the internet and news media , a blackout that would continue for 11 days as the country awaited word of the result .
Finally , on Jan. 10 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeated Martin Fayulu by 3.7 percentage points .
Almost immediately , election observers from the Catholic Church announced that this didn ’ t match their extensive exit polls .
Fayulu ’ s supporters protested across the country over the next three days .
Officers responded by clearing the streets with tear gas and gunfire , killing at least 10 people , including a 9-year-old boy , according to Human Rights Watch investigators .
Fayulu demanded a manual recount and appealed the results to the Constitutional Court .
The debate might have faded from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showing Fayulu had actually trounced Tshisekedi by 40 points .
The church announced that this new result more accurately reflected its exit polling , and an analysis by the Financial Times deemed the leaked documents credible .
But on Jan. 20 , the Constitutional Court certified the official result anyway .
In a secure conference room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington , US officials on the interagency committee in charge of DRC policy debated how to respond .
Some State Department officials proposed accepting the result and initiating friendly ties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact Congo held an election at all was itself a significant victory , and that the moment required the US to “ respect the rules of the game even if you have concerns , ” a US diplomat involved in the discussions told BuzzFeed News .
As another official who participated recalled : “ This is all happening in real time .
There was no way of actually knowing what had transpired other than it was completely unexpected that Kabila would give power to a member of the opposition who represented change that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials from other departments — the National Security Council , the Treasury Department , and the US Agency for International Development — pushed for a statement expressing “ serious doubts ” about the result .
This would be similar to the position taken by the African Union and the European Union , which were jointly proposing an independent investigation .
At first , the case for “ serious doubts ” won out .
At the root of the apparent consensus was a simple conclusion .
“ We know the outcome , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Tshisekedi clearly had lost .
On Jan. 22 , 2019 , the group drafted a statement calling the election “ deeply flawed and troubling ” and concluding that Congo ’ s election commission had “ failed ” in its responsibility , according to three US officials at the meeting and reporting by the news outlet Foreign Policy .
All that was left was for the State Department to send out the statement .
But what came out hours later was a complete reversal : “ The United States welcomes the Congolese Constitutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the next President , ” the statement read .
While encouraging the government to “ address reports of electoral irregularities , ” the statement accepted the result and praised Kabila ’ s “ commitment to becoming the first President in DRC history to cede power peacefully through an electoral process.
” Most of the officials who worked on Congo policy found out about the shocking reversal only after the statement was issued .
According to two officials involved in the interagency process , the change had been ordered by Pompeo .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this story or allow any officials to speak on the record .
It remains unclear exactly what Mer ’ s role was in the turnaround .
Laviv said his lobbying team had “ succeeded , ” but he declined to give specifics , saying he only found out the US had accepted the results when the statement came out .
The Mer operative who described the back channel Mer set up between the Trump administration and the Kabila regime declined to say how the firm had deployed it during the election dispute , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he did say that the result was something that Mer had been pushing for , that it worked for everyone involved , and that the negotiations continued past the election , up to the day of Tshisekedi ’ s inauguration .
“ Both sides have compromised on something , ” the Mer operative said .
“ The United States compromised on the process ; Kabila compromised on the end result.
” The US ’ s reversal had an immediate impact : The budding coalition of African and European nations willing to challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plan for an independent investigation .
“ Our statement stopped all that , ” said a State Department official .
With the international community now at bay , Kabila reestablished his hold on the government .
His political party took two-thirds of the seats in Congo ’ s legislature and then dominated Tshisekedi ’ s Cabinet when it was named after months of negotiations .
Of the 65 Cabinet ministers , 42 were members of Kabila ’ s coalition .
The former president ’ s wealthy ally , Dan Gertler , remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his land , even though he is under sanctions from the US and an investigation by the FBI .
Tshisekedi brought in new security contractors without ties to his predecessor , ending Mer ’ s official business in Congo .
In a recent interview , one US official involved in Congo policy praised his “ slow but steady breaking of his alliance with Kabila.
” Upon taking office , Tshisekedi released the remaining political prisoners , allowed Fayulu to freely protest the election , and welcomed exiled dissidents back into the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kabila transferred Mer software , Huawei interception programs , monitors , cables , and other gear to his private residence on the highlands outside Kinshasa , where “ a small team of trusted men ” reinstalled the equipment , according to the security technician who worked for him .
“ He disabled the whole system after the election so that the new administration could n't use it , ” the technician said .
A Western intelligence agent confirmed the equipment transfer .
A small team of CIA officers and European intelligence agents visited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigating a possible ISIS threat against the US Embassy in Kinshasa , the agent said .
They had used the system before , the agent said .
But this time an ANR official informed them that all the agency ’ s monitoring hardware was gone .
Kabila was still the president then , but he would soon be stepping down .
On the top floor of the ANR headquarters , the visitors saw for themselves a clear sign of change : rows of barren desks and loose wires .
“ Where did it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking .
The ANR official replied , “ All the systems were sent to the president.
” ●

Mer signed its lobbying contract with Congo in December 2016, during the Trump transition. “In the annals of bizarre African leader lobbying contracts, that’s right at the top,” said Roger Murry, a consultant who has previously worked with clients from the DRC and other African nations but was not recruited for the Mer campaign. “What was weird wasn’t just the sheer size of the contract, but that it was going to some random company.”
Mer got the consulting gig because it was “in a position of trust with the DRC government,” said Laviv, the executive who was CEO of Mer’s security division during the contract. “They believed that Americans and Israelis have good relations. This was a one-time opportunity helping the DRC.”
There had been virtually no overlap between the consultants who assist foreign governments on political matters and those who provide them with security services — until recently. In the Trump years, security specialists began to emerge as go-betweens who advocate for policies that benefit the foreign nations employing them, blurring the line separating those paid to supply access from those paid to supply weapons and intelligence. Michael Flynn, a security consultant and former general who served on Trump’s presidential campaign, was convicted of violating federal disclosure laws for failing to register his work helping Turkey’s president try to extradite a dissident exiled in the US. Elliott Broidy, a security consultant who raised money for Trump’s 2016 campaign, is under investigation for allegedly lobbying on behalf of the United Arab Emirates after signing $200 million worth of security contracts with the country.
The Congolese government forked over $4.5 million during the first few months of Trump’s presidency as it built up its team of consultants in Washington, according to public records. Since Mer had no lobbying bona fides to speak of, Laviv’s main task was to recruit Americans who did. He hired Moshe Theumim, the chair of an Israeli advertising agency, to manage the project with him.
Over the following months, Laviv and Theumim took prospective lobbyists to lunch to make their offer. Their pitch was vague, three consultants who met with them said. “They made no indication that the regime was trying to reform its anti-democratic ways,” recalled Barry Bennett, a political consultant who said he declined the opportunity.
Soon Laviv and Theumim had subcontracted a host of American lobbying firms to six-figure deals. Many were run by the political allies who had helped Trump’s campaign pull off its shocking win: Adnan Jalil, a congressional liaison for the campaign; Nancye Miller, whose husband, former CIA chief R. James Woolsey Jr., served as a campaign adviser; Bob Dole, the only former Republican presidential nominee to endorse Trump before the GOP convention; and Bob Livingston, a former member of Congress who had endorsed Trump early in his campaign.
Jalil, Woolsey, Dole, and Livingston declined to comment on the record for this article, and Miller has since died.
In emailed statements to public officials, the consultants pitched Congo’s “critical role on the front lines” of the fight against “the expansion of radical Islam,” as well as the government’s interest in economic cooperation.
It was a message that fit the new administration’s broad themes — but it didn’t immediately help Kabila and his allies. Foreign policy in Africa was an all-but-forgotten line item in Trump’s White House. The president didn’t appoint an assistant secretary of state for African affairs until July 2017, or an ambassador to Congo until September. In that vacuum, officials in the National Security Council had “more leeway to dictate policy,” according to a senior NSC official — and they kept a hard line in place. In October, Nikki Haley, then the US ambassador to the UN, visited Kabila in Kinshasa and delivered the message that officials had carried over from the Obama administration. According to a senior NSC official who spoke with her before and after the meeting, Haley threatened economic sanctions and told Kabila, “You’re not running.”


buzzfeed--2020-01-31--Democrats Are Unlikely To Get Witnesses In Trump's Impeachment Trial After Two Key Republicans Split

Democrats Are Unlikely To Get Witnesses In Trump's Impeachment Trial After Two Key Republicans Split On The Issue

Both Collins and Alexander had been closely watched in the lead-up to the witness vote , which is expected to take place Friday .
But Alexander 's decision means it will be very tough for Democrats to get the 51 votes they need to bring in witnesses .
In total , Democrats will need four Republicans to join them for the vote to succeed .
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said Thursday night she will vote in favor of additional witnesses in Trump ’ s trial , but her announcement was undercut almost immediately by Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
WASHINGTON — Two Republican senators who had publicly toyed with whether to vote to call witnesses in President Donald Trump 's impeachment trial have split on the issue , endangering Democratic hopes to get former national security adviser John Bolton and others to testify before the Senate .
The Impeachment Today podcast gets you up to date with the day ’ s most important impeachment news .
Catch up on all the episodes , or subscribe on the iHeartRadio app , Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or wherever you listen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement Thursday night that the Senate should hear from additional witnesses and be able to subpoena documents in the case .
`` I believe hearing from certain witnesses would give each side the opportunity to more fully and fairly make their case , resolve any ambiguities , and provide additional clarity , '' she said .
Republicans , Sens .
Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney have both said they would also be open to additional witnesses .
Murkowski said she 'll make her decision public on Friday .
But even if both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other Republican vote would come from .
But Alexander , a Tennessee Republican who is retiring at the end of this year , tweeted , `` there is no need for more evidence to prove something that has already been proven and that does not meet the U.S. Constitution ’ s high bar for an impeachable offense . ''
Alexander acknowledged in a lengthy Twitter thread that Trump withheld nearly $ 400 million in military aid for Ukraine until the country agreed to help investigate former vice president Joe Biden and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did was `` inappropriate . ''
But Alexander argued that it still was n't impeachable , echoing an argument Trump 's lawyers have made over the last two weeks of the trial .
`` The Constitution does not give the Senate the power to remove the president from office and ban him from this year ’ s ballot simply for actions that are inappropriate , '' he wrote .
If they are able to get the votes on Friday without Alexander , Collins said she believes that House Democrats and Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get a list of “ a limited and equal number of witnesses for each side .
If they can ’ t agree , then the Senate could choose the number of witnesses.
” Collins and Romney have been the most vocal Republican senators suggesting that they would vote in favor of calling witnesses and both have said , specifically , that they want to hear from Bolton .
Democrats have long been pushing for Bolton to testify .
But the calls for his appearance grew louder this week after The New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book , Bolton wrote that Trump told him directly that he was withholding the Ukrainian aid until the country agreed to investigate the Bidens .
Democrats have also floated the idea of subpoenaing acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney .
Republicans have said they would like to see Biden ’ s son Hunter testify , and some have said they would like to see Joe Biden , as well .
Trump ’ s allies in the Senate have argued that bringing in witnesses could mean the trial stretches on for weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff said they could limit depositions to just one week , an idea many Democrats said they supported .
“ I think that 's very reasonable , because they are the ones that say we want the fact witnesses who were there , and that 's what our witnesses are , ” Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono told reporters .
Still , Republican Sen. Ted Cruz argued , legal hang-ups could delay the trial ’ s conclusion .
“ Presumably , if there are 51 votes to call additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to subpoena John Bolton .
I would expect immediately as a response a motion to subpoena [ former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s son ] Hunter Biden , ” he told reporters Thursday .
“ There ’ s a real possibility that you will see privileged questions litigated in the courts that could delay the matters weeks or months , and could very well entail a pause at least in the trial while that litigation is ongoing .
”

Alexander acknowledged in a lengthy Twitter thread that Trump withheld nearly $400 million in military aid for Ukraine until the country agreed to help investigate former vice president Joe Biden and his family — and that what the president did was "inappropriate."
But Alexander argued it still wasn't impeachable, echoing an argument Trump's lawyers have made over the last two weeks of the trial. "The Constitution does not give the Senate the power to remove the president from office and ban him from this year’s ballot simply for actions that are inappropriate," he wrote.
If they are able to get the votes on Friday without Alexander, Collins said, she believes House Democrats and Trump’s lawyers should try to reach an agreement to get a list of “a limited and equal number of witnesses for each side. If they can’t agree, then the Senate could choose the number of witnesses.”
Collins and Romney have been the most vocal Republican senators suggesting they would vote in favor of calling witnesses; both have said, specifically, they want to hear from Bolton.
Democrats have long been pushing for Bolton to testify. But the calls for his appearance grew louder this week after the New York Times reported that, in his unreleased book, Bolton wrote that Trump told him directly that he was withholding the Ukrainian aid until the country agreed to investigate the Bidens.
Democrats have also floated the idea of subpoenaing acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney. Republicans have said they would like to see Hunter Biden testify, and some have said they would like to see Joe Biden as well.
Trump’s allies in the Senate have argued that bringing in witnesses could mean the trial stretches on for weeks or months. On Thursday, lead House impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff said they could limit depositions to just one week, an idea many Democrats supported.
“I think that's very reasonable because they are the ones that say we want the fact witnesses who were there, and that's what our witnesses are,” Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono told reporters.
Still, Republican Sen. Ted Cruz argued, legal hang-ups could delay the trial’s conclusion.
“Presumably, if there are 51 votes to call additional witnesses, there would be 51 votes to subpoena John Bolton. I would expect immediately as a response a motion to subpoena Hunter Biden,” he told reporters Thursday. “There’s a real possibility that you will see privileged questions litigated in the courts that could delay the matters weeks or months, and could very well entail a pause at least in the trial while that litigation is ongoing.”


buzzfeed--2020-01-31--Watch Live: Trump's Impeachment Trial Continues With More Questions From Senators

On Wednesday , Trump ’ s lawyers argued that calling witnesses would tie up the Senate for months , leaving them unable to conduct any other business .
ISenators finished their Q & A period just before 11 p.m. and will resume the trial at 1 p.m. Friday , which could end up being the lsat day of the trial .
On Friday , the Senate will meet to debate and vote on whether to call any witnesses .
If the Senate votes no , a final vote on whether to convict or acquit Trump could soon follow .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date with the day ’ s most important impeachment news .
Catch up on all the episodes , or subscribe on the iHeartRadio app , Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or wherever you listen to your favorite shows .
“ This would be the first of many weeks , ” said Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow about what would happen if the Senate starts calling witnesses .
But Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer pointed out that the Senate still has mornings — the trial starts at 1 p.m. each day — to deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet early to pass some bills .
“ Mitch McConnell , we ’ ll meet early in the morning to get some bills on the floor .
We dare you , ” he said .
It would likely take four Republicans to side with Democrats for a vote to subpoena witnesses in order for the motion to succeed .
Democrats , as well as Republican Sens .
Susan Collins and Mitt Romney , have already said they want to hear from former national security adviser John Bolton .
Bolton reportedly confirmed a key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the manuscript for an upcoming book : that Trump told him directly he would keep withholding needed military aid from Ukraine until the country agreed to investigate the president ’ s political rival , former vice president Joe Biden .
Bolton has said he would testify if subpoenaed by the Senate .
During Thursday 's Q & A , the lead House impeachment manger , Rep. Adam Schiff , offered a compromise .
Schiff said that if senators are worried that witnesses will take too long , Democrats would agree to cap the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that during former Bill Clinton 's impeachment , they took a week of depositions and allowed the Senate to go back to its normal business during that week .
`` Let 's take a week to have a fair trial .
You can continue your business .
We can get the business of the country done .
Is that too much to ask in the name of fairness ? ''
Schiff said .
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham warned late Wednesday night that if the vote to call witnesses is successful , Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden 's son Hunter .
`` The only thing I can tell you for sure is if we call one witness , we ’ re going to call a bunch of witnesses .
And there ’ s 53 votes to call Hunter Biden — not 51 , not 52 , but 53 , '' Graham told reporters , later predicting a `` death struggle '' between the parties `` about all these issues that could possibly arise . ''
`` I do n't want to call Hunter Biden , I do n't want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversight .
But once you go down that road folks , I do n't know how we pull out .
And to me it seems there ought to be a better way . ''
At one point during Wednesday 's question session , Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski , who is seen as the possible third GOP vote for witnesses , seemed to signal she was skeptical of the House ’ s impeachment process .
She questioned the legitimacy of House subpoenas because they were issued before the House voted to authorize its impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House had not reissued the subpoenas after .
Democrats responded with a two-part argument : that the House does not have to vote to formalize an impeachment inquiry for its subpoenas to be valid and that the president and his administration do not have the right to ignore congressional subpoenas and investigations .
But late Thursday evening Murkowski and Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander , another Republican eyed as a possible witness vote , may have tipped their hands .
They joined other Republican senators in asking the White House 's team , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were to testify in the light most favorable to the allegations contained in the articles of impeachment , is n't it true that the allegation still would not rise to the level of an impeachable offense , and that , therefore , for this and other reasons his testimony would add nothing to this case ? ''
Trump 's lawyers , unsurprisingly , agreed .
They have long argued against having Bolton or any other witnesses testify .
After the Q & A concluded Thursday , Murkowski said in a statement , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what I have heard , re-read my notes and decide whether I need to hear more.
” Much of Wednesday and Thursday 's sessions consisted of senators serving up easy questions to their own side , though as the day went on , some senators started questioning the opposing party ’ s legal team .
Republican Sen , Rand Paul submitted the second question of the day on Thursday but Chief Justice John Roberts declined to read it on the Senate floor .
Within minutes the Kentucky senator left the Senate floor for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press conference , Rand read his question to reporters , which included the name of a person that conservatives believe is a whistleblower whose complaint kicked off the impeachment inquiry .
BuzzFeed News does not know the identity of the whistleblower and is not printing the person ’ s name .
Paul said he did n't know the identity of the whistleblower either but was just raising questions and criticized Roberts for not reading his question on the floor .
The anonymous whistleblower filed a complaint against the president in August , raising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and possible abuses of power ultimately leading to the House ’ s investigation and the impeachment of Trump .
Republicans have been trying to leak the name of the person they believe is the whistleblower throughout the impeachment process , though the right has also been targeting that person since 2017 , long before the inquiry began .
Later , in response to another Republican question about the whistleblower — which did not include a name — Schiff said that attempts to out the person were a threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whistleblower , but the entire system .
...
I worry that future people that see wrongdoing are going to watch how this person has been treated , the threats against this person 's life and they are going to say why stick my neck out ? ''
This is a developing story .
Check back for updates and follow BuzzFeed News on Twitter.

“This would be the first of many weeks,” said Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow about what would happen if the Senate starts calling witnesses.
But Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer pointed out that the Senate still has mornings — the trial starts at 1 p.m. each day — to deal with legislation, and he was happy to meet early to pass some bills. “Mitch McConnell, we’ll meet early in the morning to get some bills on the floor. We dare you,” he said.
It would likely take four Republicans to side with Democrats for a vote to subpoena witnesses in order for the motion to succeed. Democrats, as well as Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Mitt Romney, have already said they want to hear from former national security adviser John Bolton.
Bolton reportedly confirmed a key detail of the Trump impeachment case in the manuscript for an upcoming book: that Trump told him directly he would keep withholding needed military aid from Ukraine until the country agreed to investigate the president’s political rival, former vice president Joe Biden. Bolton has said he would testify if subpoenaed by the Senate.
During Thursday's Q&A, the lead House impeachment manger, Rep. Adam Schiff, offered a compromise. Schiff said that if senators are worried that witnesses will take too long, Democrats would agree to cap the witness testimony to one week. Schiff noted that during former Bill Clinton's impeachment, they took a week of depositions and allowed the Senate to go back to its normal business during that week.
"Let's take a week to have a fair trial. You can continue your business. We can get the business of the country done. Is that too much to ask in the name of fairness?" Schiff said.
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham warned late Wednesday night that if the vote to call witnesses is successful, Republicans will push for multiple witnesses, including Biden's son Hunter.
"The only thing I can tell you for sure is if we call one witness, we’re going to call a bunch of witnesses. And there’s 53 votes to call Hunter Biden — not 51, not 52, but 53," Graham told reporters, later predicting a "death struggle" between the parties "about all these issues that could possibly arise."
"I don't want to call Hunter Biden, I don't want to call Joe Biden, we have oversight. But once you go down that road folks, I don't know how we pull out. And to me it seems there ought to be a better way."
At one point during Wednesday's question session, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who is seen as the possible third GOP vote for witnesses, seemed to signal she was skeptical of the House’s impeachment process. She questioned the legitimacy of House subpoenas because they were issued before the House voted to authorize its impeachment investigation. She also asked why the House had not reissued the subpoenas after.
Democrats responded with a two-part argument: that the House does not have to vote to formalize an impeachment inquiry for its subpoenas to be valid and that the president and his administration do not have the right to ignore congressional subpoenas and investigations.
But late Thursday evening Murkowski and Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander, another Republican eyed as a possible witness vote, may have tipped their hands. They joined other Republican senators in asking the White House's team, "Assuming for argument's sake that Bolton were to testify in the light most favorable to the allegations contained in the articles of impeachment, isn't it true that the allegation still would not rise to the level of an impeachable offense, and that, therefore, for this and other reasons his testimony would add nothing to this case?"
Trump's lawyers, unsurprisingly, agreed. They have long argued against having Bolton or any other witnesses testify.
After the Q&A concluded Thursday, Murkowski said in a statement, “I am going to go reflect on what I have heard, re-read my notes and decide whether I need to hear more.”
Much of Wednesday and Thursday's sessions consisted of senators serving up easy questions to their own side, though as the day went on, some senators started questioning the opposing party’s legal team.
Republican Sen, Rand Paul submitted the second question of the day on Thursday but Chief Justice John Roberts declined to read it on the Senate floor. Within minutes the Kentucky senator left the Senate floor for a brief press conference.
During the press conference, Rand read his question to reporters, which included the name of a person that conservatives believe is a whistleblower whose complaint kicked off the impeachment inquiry. BuzzFeed News does not know the identity of the whistleblower and is not printing the person’s name.
Paul said he didn't know the identity of the whistleblower either but was just raising questions and criticized Roberts for not reading his question on the floor.
The anonymous whistleblower filed a complaint against the president in August, raising questions about Trump’s phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and possible abuses of power ultimately leading to the House’s investigation and the impeachment of Trump.
Republicans have been trying to leak the name of the person they believe is the whistleblower throughout the impeachment process, though the right has also been targeting that person since 2017, long before the inquiry began.
Later, in response to another Republican question about the whistleblower — which did not include a name — Schiff said that attempts to out the person were a threat "not just [to] this whistleblower, but the entire system. ... I worry that future people that see wrongdoing are going to watch how this person has been treated, the threats against this person's life and they are going to say why stick my neck out?"
This is a developing story. Check back for updates and follow BuzzFeed News on Twitter.


buzzfeed--2020-01-31--Democrats Said Trump’s Lawyers Made A Great Case — For Calling Witnesses And Documents

“ The thing that most irks me — I mean , really irks me — is that we ’ re having this conversation when there are literally people who could confirm directly — like [ Trump ’ s acting chief of staff ] Mick Mulvaney or [ former national security adviser John ] Bolton — they could confirm so much of this one way or the other , ” said Sen. Cory Booker .
They accused House impeachment managers of leaving out key information and presenting a skewed narrative .
Leaving the trial , several Democratic senators said the obvious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subpoena new witnesses and documents .
White House lawyers spent about two hours Saturday beginning their defense in Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
Their arguments included that no one has testified they heard Trump directly demand a political quid pro quo from Ukraine or say explicitly that foreign aid was held up to benefit himself .
The Impeachment Today podcast gets you up to date with the day ’ s most important impeachment news .
Catch up on all the episodes , or subscribe on the iHeartRadio app , Apple Podcasts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your favorite shows .
White House lawyers have opposed issuing new subpoenas .
But Sen. Tim Kaine noted that one of their main objections to the impeachment process was that Trump ’ s lawyers were not allowed to cross-examine witnesses during their initial , closed-door depositions .
“ They ’ re going to stand there and tell us cross-examination is the greatest engine for discovery of truth , but , 'Oh , by the way , we don ’ t want you to cross-examine witnesses , ' ” said Kaine .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documents and witnesses are absolutely necessary to resolve this.
” Sen. Richard Blumenthal , a lawyer , said trials have shown the best way to resolve factual disputes between two legal teams is to call in witnesses and lawyers .
While the removal of President Trump from office is overwhelmingly unlikely , Democrats have pushed Republicans to at least call for more evidence .
At the beginning of the trial , they put forward eight proposals to subpoena various witnesses or documents the administration has refused to turn over .
All were voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another vote on subpoenas will take place next week .
But several Republicans said Saturday they are more convinced than ever that it is not necessary to issue new subpoenas .
Sen. Ron Johnson said he saw no need whatsoever to call witnesses .
“ The sooner that we can conclude this the better , ” he said .
“ But then we ’ ll continue .
The House will continue their oversight efforts ; the Senate will continue ours .
That ’ s the better venue for answering these questions , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of damage to our democracy.
” Even if the Senate votes to call witnesses , they would then be faced with the question of who specifically to call .
Some Republicans have insisted that if House Democrats are allowed to issue subpoenas , the White House defense team must be able to as well .
The names most frequently tossed around as possible White House subpoenas are presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter .
But Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham is urging his colleagues to wrap up the trial quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions of congressional power and executive privilege .
“ I am more intent on ending this thing now with my vote , ” he said .
“ I really don ’ t want to turn the trial into a circus .
There ’ s a way to look at Hunter and Joe Biden outside impeachment .
”

White House lawyers have opposed issuing new subpoenas. But Sen. Tim Kaine noted that one of their main objections to the impeachment process was that Trump’s lawyers were not allowed to cross-examine witnesses during their initial, closed-door depositions.
“They’re going to stand there and tell us cross-examination is the greatest engine for discovery of truth, but, 'Oh, by the way, we don’t want you to cross-examine witnesses,'” said Kaine. “They made the case this morning for why documents and witnesses are absolutely necessary to resolve this.”
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a lawyer, said trials have shown the best way to resolve factual disputes between two legal teams is to call in witnesses and lawyers.
While the removal of President Trump from office is overwhelmingly unlikely, Democrats have pushed Republicans to at least call for more evidence. At the beginning of the trial, they put forward eight proposals to subpoena various witnesses or documents the administration has refused to turn over. All were voted down along party lines. However, another vote on subpoenas will take place next week.
But several Republicans said Saturday they are more convinced than ever that it is not necessary to issue new subpoenas. Sen. Ron Johnson said he saw no need whatsoever to call witnesses.
“The sooner that we can conclude this the better,” he said. “But then we’ll continue. The House will continue their oversight efforts; the Senate will continue ours. That’s the better venue for answering these questions, not a completely partisan impeachment trial that does a lot of damage to our democracy.”
Even if the Senate votes to call witnesses, they would then be faced with the question of who specifically to call. Some Republicans have insisted that if House Democrats are allowed to issue subpoenas, the White House defense team must be able to as well. The names most frequently tossed around as possible White House subpoenas are presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter.
But Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham is urging his colleagues to wrap up the trial quickly rather than get wrapped up in thorny questions of congressional power and executive privilege.
“I am more intent on ending this thing now with my vote,” he said. “I really don’t want to turn the trial into a circus. There’s a way to look at Hunter and Joe Biden outside impeachment.”


buzzfeed--2020-02-03--He Might Win Iowa. But Don’t Ask Bernie Sanders How He’s Feeling.

IOWA CITY , Iowa — Was he in a better mood than usual ?
A campaign spokesperson , Mike Casca , shrugged : not particularly , no .
There were hints , at least , to the contrary .
Maybe .
In Iowa City , after he cut in on his wife Jane ’ s speech at a coffee shop , the two wrestled flirtatiously over the microphone : “ I ’ m gon na hear about this for years , ” he said .
In Cedar Rapids , he scanned the crowd outside his campaign field office , pointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mounted a large pile of snow for a better view .
“ There ’ s even people up on the snow bank !
” And in Grinnell , he conducted his own “ scientific poll ” of the crowd : “ All those who think our campaign is the strongest to beat Trump , raise your hand ... ” “ Well , ” he said , “ based on a deep analysis and investigation of the American electorate , 98 % of the people think we are the best .
And I agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
” But was he… “ buoyant , ” a reporter offered , mostly as a joke .
Across the parking lot , flanked by piles of melting snow , the candidate stood hunched outside his Iowa City field office , yelling into the microphone about prescription drug prices and other familiar topics .
There were a few references to breaking the state ’ s turnout records — “ when we do that we ’ re gon na win , ” he told a crowd on Sunday morning — but he did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the polls , or indulge in nostalgia about the end of his Iowa campaign .
Tomorrow would be Monday , the day of the Iowa caucuses .
At the age of 78 — four years after coming close here in his first presidential campaign , four months after a heart attack almost threatened to end his second — Bernie Sanders could be on the verge of a remarkable personal and professional vindication .
But if the weight of the moment was setting in , he did not show it .
Sanders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly emotive .
He doesn ’ t dedicate much time to reflection or introspection , and when he does , he certainly doesn ’ t discuss it .
“ The senator is even-keel all the time , ” said Nina Turner , the former Ohio state senator who serves as Sanders ’ s campaign co-chair and close adviser .
“ He doesn ’ t have ups and downs.
” On Sunday , his last day of campaigning in Iowa , likely ever , he carried on as per usual , visiting three field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefly address supporters at a bar in Des Moines .
“ Tomorrow night is the beginning , ” Sanders told a gathering at Ingersoll Tap , speaking for just about five minutes before leaving to catch a flight to Washington , where he is scheduled to attend impeachment proceedings in the Senate .
Afterward , supporters and staff milled around the bar , watching the Super Bowl .
Four years ago , on the eve of the 2016 caucuses , Sanders tempered expectations about voter turnout , saying the record-breaking levels from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the history books . ''
At his stops at field offices on Sunday — in one rare sign of the candidate ’ s hopes for Monday — he told supporters he hoped to drive the “ largest voter turnout in the history of the Iowa caucus.
” “ Basically the message is that we can not simply complain about the status quo , ” Sanders said .
“ We can ’ t complain about Trump .
We can ’ t complain about low wages .
We can ’ t complain about education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate change or the high cost of prescription drugs .
Now is the time to end the complaining .
Now is the time for action .
Action is tomorrow night.
” John Kerry , one of the top advocates of a Joe Biden presidency , was overheard by an NBC reporter in a Des Moines hotel suggesting he may join the race himself to try and stop Sanders .
Kerry later called the suggestion that he was considering running “ fucking ( or categorically ) false.
” Hillary Clinton has also been revisiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a podcast interview this week that he and his campaign did not do enough to unite the Democratic Party after their bitter 2016 contest .
And those comments came after she said in a new documentary , and stood by in an interview , that “ nobody ” likes Sanders .
His longtime chief strategist , Jeff Weaver , explained Sanders ' mindset as a “ function of running against the establishment.
” “ I ’ ve been with Bernie for 35 years , ” Weaver said .
“ I was going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were five people coming to see him .
If you can believe the polls , it looks like he will do very well tomorrow , but it ’ d be the same if he were behind.
” “ There are always forces against you .
That ’ s his mindset.
” On Sunday , at his last stop before returning to Des Moines , Sanders was at a campaign field office in Newton .
“ This is actually the last canvass organizer event that we have done in this campaign , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bent down to leave a note on a white board for his volunteers .
“ Thanks for all your hard work !
” he wrote .

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Was he in a better mood than usual?
A campaign spokesperson, Mike Casca, shrugged: not particularly, no.
There were hints, at least, to the contrary. Maybe.
In Iowa City, after he cut in on his wife Jane’s speech at a coffee shop, the two wrestled flirtatiously over the microphone: “I’m gonna hear about this for years,” he said. In Cedar Rapids, he scanned the crowd outside his campaign field office, pointing with delight at seven supporters who had mounted a large pile of snow for a better view. “There’s even people up on the snowbank!” And in Grinnell, he conducted his own “scientific poll” of the crowd: “All those who think our campaign is the strongest to beat Trump, raise your hand...”
“Well,” he said, “based on a deep analysis and investigation of the American electorate, 98% of the people think we are the best. And I agree with that. I agree with that!”
But was he…“buoyant,” a reporter offered, mostly as a joke.
“Sure,” Casca said flatly.
Across the parking lot, flanked by piles of melting snow, the candidate stood hunched outside his Iowa City field office, yelling into the microphone about prescription drug prices and other familiar topics. There were a few references to breaking the state’s turnout records — “when we do that we’re gonna win,” he told a crowd on Sunday morning — but he did not revel in his position at the top of the polls or indulge in nostalgia about the end of his Iowa campaign.
“He’s focused,” Casca said.
Though he’s always focused.
“He’s focused on tomorrow,” Casca clarified.
Tomorrow would be Monday, the day of the Iowa caucuses. At the age of 78 — four years after coming close here in his first presidential campaign, four months after a heart attack almost threatened to end his second — Bernie Sanders could be on the verge of a remarkable personal and professional vindication. But if the weight of the moment was setting in, he did not show it.
Sanders, the longtime Vermont independent, is not particularly emotive. He doesn’t dedicate much time to reflection or introspection, and when he does, he certainly doesn’t discuss it.
“The senator is even-keel all the time,” said Nina Turner, the former Ohio state senator who serves as Sanders’s campaign cochair and close adviser. “He doesn’t have ups and downs.”
On Sunday, his last day of campaigning in Iowa, likely ever, he carried on as per usual, visiting three field offices across the state before returning to briefly address supporters at a bar in Des Moines. “Tomorrow night is the beginning,” Sanders told a gathering at Ingersoll Tap, speaking for just about five minutes before leaving to catch a flight to Washington, where he is scheduled to attend impeachment proceedings in the Senate.
Afterward, supporters and staff milled around the bar, watching the Super Bowl.
“Is Bernie coming back?” one woman asked.
Four years ago, on the eve of the 2016 caucuses, Sanders tempered expectations about voter turnout, saying the record-breaking levels from the 2008 Democratic primary would likely “stay in the history books." At his stops at field offices on Sunday — in one rare sign of the candidate’s hopes for Monday — he told supporters he hoped to drive the “largest voter turnout in the history of the Iowa caucus.”
“Basically the message is that we cannot simply complain about the status quo,” Sanders said. “We can’t complain about Trump. We can’t complain about low wages. We can’t complain about education. We can’t complain about climate change or the high cost of prescription drugs. Now is the time to end the complaining. Now is the time for action. Action is tomorrow night.”
There’s palpable panic elsewhere about a potential Sanders win.
John Kerry, one of the top advocates of a Joe Biden presidency, was overheard by an NBC reporter in a Des Moines hotel suggesting he may join the race himself to try and stop Sanders. Kerry later called the suggestion that he was considering running “fucking (or categorically) false.”
Hillary Clinton has also been revisiting her own frustrations with Sanders, saying in a podcast interview this week that he and his campaign did not do enough to unite the Democratic Party after their bitter 2016 contest. And those comments came after she said in a new documentary, and stood by in an interview, that “nobody” likes Sanders.
His longtime chief strategist, Jeff Weaver, explained Sanders' mindset as a “function of running against the establishment.”
“I’ve been with Bernie for 35 years,” Weaver said. “I was going to rooms with him in 1986 when there were five people coming to see him. If you can believe the polls, it looks like he will do very well tomorrow, but it’d be the same if he were behind.”
“There are always forces against you. That’s his mindset.”
On Sunday, at his last stop before returning to Des Moines, Sanders was at a campaign field office in Newton. “This is actually the last canvass organizer event that we have done in this campaign,” he remarked. Before leaving, he bent down to leave a note on a whiteboard for his volunteers.
“Thanks for all your hard work!” he wrote.