Thread.
Only managed to see the impeachment trial in dribs and drabs back in Britain?
Here’s a quick recap of where things are as we head into the weekend....
Only managed to see the impeachment trial in dribs and drabs back in Britain?
Here’s a quick recap of where things are as we head into the weekend....
Dems have spent 3 days laying out their case. It’s been heavy on facts, walking senators through every bit of the Ukraine scandal, how it unfolded and the proof points that back it up.
They’ve made their case with a multimedia slide deck (really), often using bits of video from witnesses testimony.
Most effectively they’ve been playing lots of Trump - calling on Russia to get Clinton emails, urging China to investigate Biden, calling the Biden’s ‘corrupt’.
Most effectively they’ve been playing lots of Trump - calling on Russia to get Clinton emails, urging China to investigate Biden, calling the Biden’s ‘corrupt’.
In the room these work. Senators have to sit silently for 9+hrs. (Oldest is 86.) When the videos come on everyone invariably perks up.
Also underscores a key point - most of these senators wouldn’t act like Trump. They didn’t want him in 2016. They’re not natural bedfellows.
Also underscores a key point - most of these senators wouldn’t act like Trump. They didn’t want him in 2016. They’re not natural bedfellows.
Star of the show so far is undeniably @RepAdamSchiff. Attorney by training, the Dem lead has got a mastery of the material.
Trump thinks not (“Shifty Schiff!”) but top Republicans like @LindseyGrahamSC agree, admiring his rhetorical skills. (Graham actually told Trump that.)
Trump thinks not (“Shifty Schiff!”) but top Republicans like @LindseyGrahamSC agree, admiring his rhetorical skills. (Graham actually told Trump that.)
If you watch one bit of the proceedings so far I’d make it this - Schiff’s finale last night.
Cuts through all the other arguments to tell senators directly: you know what Trump did wasn’t right. And without right + truth we are nothing.
Cuts through all the other arguments to tell senators directly: you know what Trump did wasn’t right. And without right + truth we are nothing.
The Dems’ 24hrs for laying out their case ends tonight. Then it’s over to Trump’s legal team for the defence.
They get the same amount of time if wanted spread over 3 days, starting tomorrow. But indications are they won’t use all their hours.
They get the same amount of time if wanted spread over 3 days, starting tomorrow. But indications are they won’t use all their hours.
We already know core arguments.
On abuse of power - Trump’s not accused of breaking any law. (NB there’s a debate about Ukraine aid hold being illegal or not)
On obstruction of Congress - that Trump fairly used exec priviledge to block witnesses and Dems didn’t test in court.
On abuse of power - Trump’s not accused of breaking any law. (NB there’s a debate about Ukraine aid hold being illegal or not)
On obstruction of Congress - that Trump fairly used exec priviledge to block witnesses and Dems didn’t test in court.
W House pushes back on idea they aren’t contesting the facts and do spell out their own.
Lots of views on Trump’s thinking are ‘hearsay’, not firsthand. Aid was released. No Biden investigation launched.
But even so, the process - and how Dems violated it - to feature heavily.
Lots of views on Trump’s thinking are ‘hearsay’, not firsthand. Aid was released. No Biden investigation launched.
But even so, the process - and how Dems violated it - to feature heavily.
The qu hanging over the whole proceedings hasn’t changed.
Can the Dems+independents (47 of 100 seats) get 4 Republican rebels to agree to new witnesses, hitting the magic 51 number.
We’re no closer to finding out. A decision expected mid-next week.
Can the Dems+independents (47 of 100 seats) get 4 Republican rebels to agree to new witnesses, hitting the magic 51 number.
We’re no closer to finding out. A decision expected mid-next week.
Impossible to predict. But it can be said v little this week has indicated Republicans senators are about to break from pack.
V few quotes from those everybody’s watching (Romney, Collins, Murkowski, Alexander) leaning in since trial began.
V few quotes from those everybody’s watching (Romney, Collins, Murkowski, Alexander) leaning in since trial began.
Also it looks like Trump is lining up a whole load of ‘President hard at work’ stuff next week.
Revealing his M East peace plan, signing the new Nafta, plus a campaign rally in Iowa. All make it that bit harder for Republicans to vote to remove.
Revealing his M East peace plan, signing the new Nafta, plus a campaign rally in Iowa. All make it that bit harder for Republicans to vote to remove.
Which means two possible scenarios mid-next week.
Vote for witnesses defeated, GOP move to wrap up, Trump acquitted.
Or vote passes, scramble for who to call, some totally new testimony likely, timeline extends.
Wisdom of the crowds among hacks says no 1 more likely. But 🤷♂️
Vote for witnesses defeated, GOP move to wrap up, Trump acquitted.
Or vote passes, scramble for who to call, some totally new testimony likely, timeline extends.
Wisdom of the crowds among hacks says no 1 more likely. But 🤷♂️
Last thing. If you enjoy the ‘in the room’ type stuff then follow senator @ChrisMurphyCT whose evening tweet threads are a joy.
Such as this one, expressing fears he could be headed for prison.
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Such as this one, expressing fears he could be headed for prison.
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