The issue now is whether to call witnesses at the trial.
McConnell says no more witnesses.
Schumer (and Pelosi) want witnesses.
Trump ordered witnesses not to testify during the impeachment inquiry. Many did as he wished and tried to tie the matter up in the courts.
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McConnell says no more witnesses.
Schumer (and Pelosi) want witnesses.
Trump ordered witnesses not to testify during the impeachment inquiry. Many did as he wished and tried to tie the matter up in the courts.
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Here I suggested it wasn't necessary for the House to wait for
the courts to decide whether to enforce the subpoenas.
(Typo⤵️ should be "can present the case. . .")
Just call the witnesses at the trial!
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the courts to decide whether to enforce the subpoenas.
(Typo⤵️ should be "can present the case. . .")
Just call the witnesses at the trial!
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Remember: Impeachment is like an indictment. The impeachment inquiry was like a law enforcement investigation and grand jury proceeding.
The standard for bringing an indictment is lower than getting a verdict at a trial. That's why only a majority needed to vote to impeach.
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The standard for bringing an indictment is lower than getting a verdict at a trial. That's why only a majority needed to vote to impeach.
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The Republicans want to argue that
💠The impeachment investigation was “unfair”
💠Because the impeachment was “unfair” they can put on a sham trial.
Not only is the above false (the impeachment proceedings were not unfair), it is an inherently unethical argument.
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💠The impeachment investigation was “unfair”
💠Because the impeachment was “unfair” they can put on a sham trial.
Not only is the above false (the impeachment proceedings were not unfair), it is an inherently unethical argument.
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It’s like saying, “You did something wrong, which entitles me to do something wrong.”
Either you stand for principles or you don’t.
If the impeachment hearing WAS unfair, the solution (for principled people) is to make a fair trial.
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Either you stand for principles or you don’t.
If the impeachment hearing WAS unfair, the solution (for principled people) is to make a fair trial.
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Even more absurdly, the Republicans argued that the impeachment proceeding was unfair because they weren't allowed to call their witnesses or have more days of questioning.
If so, you don't refuse to have a full trial with all the witnesses and questioning you want.
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If so, you don't refuse to have a full trial with all the witnesses and questioning you want.
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Senate rules allow the Senators to compel witnesses to testify at the trial ⤵️
There is nothing in those rules about "wait for courts to decide" because Congress has the sole power over impeachments and removals.
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There is nothing in those rules about "wait for courts to decide" because Congress has the sole power over impeachments and removals.
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Waiting for the courts to decide means transferring the power to the courts.
Those in favor of impeachment explained that with a crime in progress, and a president presenting an immediate danger to the public, it makes no sense to have to wait months for courts to decide.
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Those in favor of impeachment explained that with a crime in progress, and a president presenting an immediate danger to the public, it makes no sense to have to wait months for courts to decide.
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Schumer explains what he's doing, and why he welcomes a 2 week delay⤵️
When people tend to tell the truth, I tend to take them at their word.
He wants each Republican to have to vote on whether to call witnesses and compel evidence.
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When people tend to tell the truth, I tend to take them at their word.
He wants each Republican to have to vote on whether to call witnesses and compel evidence.
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Some things are complicated. Some things are simple.
Everyone understands that if a person hides evidence and orders people not to testify, that person is guilty.
They also understand that if the Senators "we don't want to hear from witnesses," it was a sham trial.
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Everyone understands that if a person hides evidence and orders people not to testify, that person is guilty.
They also understand that if the Senators "we don't want to hear from witnesses," it was a sham trial.
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They understand that if it the trial is a sham, nobody will believe Trump was exonerated.
💠We refuse to hear from relevant witnesses
💠We refuse to look at relevant evidence
💠We declare Trump innocent
Only those willing to say "up is down" will accept the above.
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💠We refuse to hear from relevant witnesses
💠We refuse to look at relevant evidence
💠We declare Trump innocent
Only those willing to say "up is down" will accept the above.
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I'll go ahead and take Christine Pelosi at her word. (This is also a fun clip about Pelosi)
What is happening now is the kind of negotiation that happens before a trial.
Schumer mentions the 2 week break. Republicans will be at home . . .
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What is happening now is the kind of negotiation that happens before a trial.
Schumer mentions the 2 week break. Republicans will be at home . . .
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13/ They'll have lots of time to think it over. Presumably people will ask them tough questions.
They'll have to consider what it means to vote "no witnesses" and then declare the trial fair and Trump exonerated.
Usually the holiday break offers a slower news cycle.
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They'll have to consider what it means to vote "no witnesses" and then declare the trial fair and Trump exonerated.
Usually the holiday break offers a slower news cycle.
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They'll have time to answer questions and consider these kinds of arguments⤵️politico.eu/article/us-pre…
A majority of the Senators will decide evidentiary matters, so Schumer needs only 4 Republicans to vote in favor of calling witnesses.
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A majority of the Senators will decide evidentiary matters, so Schumer needs only 4 Republicans to vote in favor of calling witnesses.
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If you have a Republican Senator, you know what to do.
Let your Senator know how you feel.
Write letters to your local newspaper.
Circulate petitions.
Put a sign on your lawn.
Mobilize people in your state.
Ready, go.
Let your Senator know how you feel.
Write letters to your local newspaper.
Circulate petitions.
Put a sign on your lawn.
Mobilize people in your state.
Ready, go.
A point I forgot to make:
The Supreme Court justice presides at the Senate trial.
So no need to go to the Courts.
The third branch of government is included in the process.
The Supreme Court justice presides at the Senate trial.
So no need to go to the Courts.
The third branch of government is included in the process.
Another point: There were witnesses at Clinton's trial, even though Kenneth Starr had been at it for years.
Driving this point home: The Republican Senators are caught between a rock and a hard place . . .
Driving this point home: The Republican Senators are caught between a rock and a hard place . . .
GOP Senators can either:
💠vote against witnesses and announce to the country that they're not interested in truth, and take the heat for that in Nov. 2020, or
💠have a real trial and put the truth about Trump on full display, and take the heat for THAT in Nov. 2020.
💠vote against witnesses and announce to the country that they're not interested in truth, and take the heat for that in Nov. 2020, or
💠have a real trial and put the truth about Trump on full display, and take the heat for THAT in Nov. 2020.
I agree that's what a GOP strategist would do: Hold onto unity and hope for the best. The GOP is a minority party, so splitting off even a small part means certain doom.
That's why Schumer's hope is to peel off a few.
Either way the GOP is in trouble.
That's why Schumer's hope is to peel off a few.
Either way the GOP is in trouble.
@Samyann_Writer As soon as Pelosi sends the matte to the Senate, the argument is moot, so I figure it doesn't matter.
A few people asked if she can (or might) hold off until 2021 or just before the election.
That would undercut many of her arguments, so I can't see it.
A few people asked if she can (or might) hold off until 2021 or just before the election.
That would undercut many of her arguments, so I can't see it.
@Samyann_Writer My threads are also blog posts. This one is here:
terikanefield-blog.com/to-call-witnes…
terikanefield-blog.com/to-call-witnes…
