500 U.S. legal/constitutional scholars say Trump committed impeachable acts.
100’s of historians just joined them.
So…. let’s discuss the GOP’s 4 facts “that will never change”
**THREAD**
1/
100’s of historians just joined them.
So…. let’s discuss the GOP’s 4 facts “that will never change”
**THREAD**
1/
•Ukrainians say they weren’t under pressure to produce dirt on the Bidens:
--Firsthand testimony: Holmes, embassy official, heard Trump “loudly” confirming Sondland got Zelensky to agree to investigations. He’d “do anything you ask him to.” Outlet for an announcement? CNN
--Firsthand testimony: Holmes, embassy official, heard Trump “loudly” confirming Sondland got Zelensky to agree to investigations. He’d “do anything you ask him to.” Outlet for an announcement? CNN
(Context: Trump (via aid) can cripple Ukraine.
Zelensky illustrates this imbalance in call: “I will make sure that I surround myself with the best and most experienced people. I also wanted to tell you that we are friends.” Vindman testified: “favor” was taken as “demand.”)
Zelensky illustrates this imbalance in call: “I will make sure that I surround myself with the best and most experienced people. I also wanted to tell you that we are friends.” Vindman testified: “favor” was taken as “demand.”)
Transcript shows no conditionality:
--Zelensky asks for javelins. Trump next sentence: “we would like you to do us a favor though,” citing Crowdstrike conspiracy and “Biden’s son.”
Mulvaney on TV says aid was conditioned & “get over it.”
What didn’t happen?
--Zelensky asks for javelins. Trump next sentence: “we would like you to do us a favor though,” citing Crowdstrike conspiracy and “Biden’s son.”
Mulvaney on TV says aid was conditioned & “get over it.”
What didn’t happen?
Trump did not use the Latin term: quid pro quo.
3. Ukraine was not aware the aid was being withheld:
--Cooper testified the very day (July 25) . Trump asked for said “favor” the Ukrainians started inquiring what was going on with their aid.
3. Ukraine was not aware the aid was being withheld:
--Cooper testified the very day (July 25) . Trump asked for said “favor” the Ukrainians started inquiring what was going on with their aid.
4. Ukraine ultimately got the aid:
--That happened 2 DAYS after the House began investigating a whistleblower report and 1 DAY after Bolton (drug deal) quit.
--That happened 2 DAYS after the House began investigating a whistleblower report and 1 DAY after Bolton (drug deal) quit.
Late at night, and without explanation, it was released. Schiff called this “getting caught.” Ukraine was 19 days from getting nothing (even though Trump approved the same aid in ‘17/18 with no mention of Bidens or Crowdstrike) and Congress and DoD had approved it.
Finally, a couple defenses that don’t make the top 4.
Democrats don’t like Trump:
--This is entirely possibly true. That doesn’t mean he didn’t also commit impeachable acts.
Democrats don’t like Trump:
--This is entirely possibly true. That doesn’t mean he didn’t also commit impeachable acts.
This impeachment is partisan:
44% of Fox viewers believe Russian disinfo (labeled by U.S. intel) that Ukraine interfered in 2016.
fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-i…
That’s 12 pts less than those who believe (rightly) that Russia interfered.
So, many GOP constituents are misinformed.
44% of Fox viewers believe Russian disinfo (labeled by U.S. intel) that Ukraine interfered in 2016.
fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-i…
That’s 12 pts less than those who believe (rightly) that Russia interfered.
So, many GOP constituents are misinformed.
