Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Trial reconvenes at 1pm.
ICYMI:
Trial reconvenes at 1pm.
ICYMI:
The straight info:
After covering everything leading up to the inquiry in the House, covering the House inquiry itself and covering the opening arguments at the Senate trial, I think, for me, the q&a has been the most interesting part of this process. New mental exercises to do.
At a Senate Dem press conf. this a.m., Senator Mazie Hirono has strong words about the potential acquittal of POTUS due to many GOPer hedging on witnesses:
"We are witnessing the coronation of Tump with Mitch McConnell holding the crown and Republicans holding his train."
"We are witnessing the coronation of Tump with Mitch McConnell holding the crown and Republicans holding his train."
We are underway now for this, the second and final round, of Q&A, with the morning prayer and a pledge of allegiance.
#ImpeachmentTrial
cc: @CourthouseNews
#ImpeachmentTrial
cc: @CourthouseNews
@CourthouseNews M. McConnell compliments senate for productive questions yesterday. We'll break every 2 to 3 hours with a dinner break around 6:30 PM ET.
McConnell also emphasizes that he's aware of CJ Roberts unique position (possible signal about his dec not to field q about whistleblower)
McConnell also emphasizes that he's aware of CJ Roberts unique position (possible signal about his dec not to field q about whistleblower)
@CourthouseNews Now - Chief Justice Roberts just declined to read a question from Senator Rand Paul.
Earlier tweet deleted for better accuracy. (I orig. said he declined to *answer* a Q, but more accurate to say CJ Roberts declined to read.)
Earlier tweet deleted for better accuracy. (I orig. said he declined to *answer* a Q, but more accurate to say CJ Roberts declined to read.)
@CourthouseNews Hey brother, can you spare a witness?
Beneath the gilded dome of the U.S. Capitol, high intrigue is afoot as senators wrestle over whether to call witnesses in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.
courthousenews.com/both-sides-opt…
Story via myself, @ByTimRyan & @MMineiro_CNS
Beneath the gilded dome of the U.S. Capitol, high intrigue is afoot as senators wrestle over whether to call witnesses in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.
courthousenews.com/both-sides-opt…
Story via myself, @ByTimRyan & @MMineiro_CNS
@CourthouseNews Q: Why didn't the House reissue subpoenas after it passed the impeachment resolution?
Zoe Lofgren begins by saying that they were "validly issued under House rules and the WH argument to contrary is wrong."
Zoe Lofgren begins by saying that they were "validly issued under House rules and the WH argument to contrary is wrong."
To finish Zoe Lofgren's thought on subpoenas: Why didn't House cmte just reissue them? They didnt need to. The subpoenas were already fully authorized, in any event, after House res passed.
Lofgren continued: "Cmtes issued subpoenas to Mulvaney, Blair and other witnesses and POTUS continued to block. The argument about the full House vote, really, is just an excuse about Trump's obstruction."
Logren continued: Trump "refused to comply before and after the House vote. The only logical explanation is the one he gave us all along, he was determined to fight all of the subpoenas."
#ObstructionOfCongress
#ObstructionOfCongress
Schiff fields Q re: Dershowitz argument:
"There is no limiting principle to the argument that we heard last night, that is, if there's a quid pro quo the pres. believes will help him get reelected & he believes its in the natl interest then it doesn't matter...
"There is no limiting principle to the argument that we heard last night, that is, if there's a quid pro quo the pres. believes will help him get reelected & he believes its in the natl interest then it doesn't matter...
Schiff cont: "...how corrupt that quid pro quo is."
"It didnt begin that way but what we've seen over the last couple days is a descent into Constitutional madness because that way madness lies."
"It didnt begin that way but what we've seen over the last couple days is a descent into Constitutional madness because that way madness lies."
Did actions by president set future precedents?
Crow: It's one I've wanted to answer for some time.
Essentially, if allies feel like "the American handshake isn't worth anything," then it will upset the security of our troops, our position in the world, our future.
Crow: It's one I've wanted to answer for some time.
Essentially, if allies feel like "the American handshake isn't worth anything," then it will upset the security of our troops, our position in the world, our future.
Evidence now being displayed to lawmakers:
- video of Trump saying "Russia if you're listening..."
- Stephanopoulos interview where Trump says, if somebody called with info "he'd like to hear it."
- chopper conf. where he says China should investigate Bidens
- video of Trump saying "Russia if you're listening..."
- Stephanopoulos interview where Trump says, if somebody called with info "he'd like to hear it."
- chopper conf. where he says China should investigate Bidens
Crow: "Americans deserve to know when they go to bed tonight, there's a president that will put the interests of the country and national security above his own interests."
Then, he says, "it is still a good time to call Bolton."
In that vein:
courthousenews.com/both-sides-opt…
Then, he says, "it is still a good time to call Bolton."
In that vein:
courthousenews.com/both-sides-opt…
Beginning of Q from Sens. Sherrod Brown & Ron Wyden: During yesterday's proceedings, POTUS counsel failed to give adequate response related to q on whether accepting foreign interference constitutes a violation of the law and whether offers it should be reported to the FBI.
Q from Wyden and Brown continued: "If Trump remains in office, what signal does that send to other countries about our intent re: interfering in elections in the future?
Jeffries:"It would send a terrible msg to autocrats & dictators... for POTUS & his team to essentially put out there for all to consume that it's acceptable to solicit foreign interference in our free & fair elections & accept political dirt simply to try to cheat in next electn"
Sens. Hawley/Lee, Rod Blagojevich's, asks if Trump can condition his official acts on official acts of other office holders? Philbin sums up his argument at the top of his comments: "We're not even in the realm of exchanging official acts because there is no quid pro quo here."
Sorry! Typing too fast. Going to slow down. I meant to say, Rod Blagojevich's case - for clarity.
Through the looking glass we go.
A DOJ lawyer, literally, just said today in court that the way the House can enforce its subpoena powers is through impeachment powers.
Schiff from the Senate floor noted this development, says, "You can't make this stuff up."
Draws big laughs.
A DOJ lawyer, literally, just said today in court that the way the House can enforce its subpoena powers is through impeachment powers.
Schiff from the Senate floor noted this development, says, "You can't make this stuff up."
Draws big laughs.
Q: If Senate acquits on impeachment article II, after he violated Impound Control Act to hide Ukr scheme from congress, what is to stop him from refusing to cooperate with Congress on any matter? Schiff says if this is the case, "There is no constraint on this POTUS or any other"
Schiff again argues what he perceives as the total disingenuousness of WH defense.
"They're in court today arguing the opposite of what they're arguing before you here today."
"They're in court today arguing the opposite of what they're arguing before you here today."
Background details from earlier:
Q: If the hold on aid to Ukraine was meant to be kept secret until POTUS could gather internal info on burden-sharing or corruption, is there any documentary evidence of this? Any evidence he was briefed on these issues by NSC or DoD during period of hold in summer of 2019?
Impchmt mgr Crow is up.
First he wants to address what the process should have looked like. He notes there's a legitimate policy process for review and determination on holds.
First he wants to address what the process should have looked like. He notes there's a legitimate policy process for review and determination on holds.
Crow explains what a normal process looks like: POTUS would rely on expert advice from NSC, OMB, DoD. If there were a reason to hold it, pres. would go back to Congress, make sure no violations of Impound Control Act and seek permission from Congress to hold.
There would have a discussion with ambassadors to the country at issue, in this case, Ukraine.
But that's not what happened under Trump, Crow argues, adding: The evidence shows that is what did not happen.
There's another person who could produce info about this: Bolton.
But that's not what happened under Trump, Crow argues, adding: The evidence shows that is what did not happen.
There's another person who could produce info about this: Bolton.
"And yes it's a good time to subpoena Ambassador Bolton," Crow adds.
Developing story on the way.
Schiff makes an offer re: witnesses in face of criticism from GOP that it would drag down work of the Senate.
"Let’s set the depositions to a week," lead impeachment mgr Schiff says.
You want the Clinton model? Let's use it, he argues.
They used a week for depos.
"Let’s set the depositions to a week," lead impeachment mgr Schiff says.
You want the Clinton model? Let's use it, he argues.
They used a week for depos.
"And you know what the senate did during that week, they did the business of the senate, " Schiff says. "The Senate went back to its ordinary business. You want the Clinton model, let’s use the Clinton model. Let’s take a week to have a fair trial. You can continue your business"
SCHIFF: "We can get the business of the country done. Is that too much to ask in the name of fairness? Are we really driven by the timing of the State of the Union? Can’t we take one week? I think we can. I think we should. I think we must."
Observation from @ByTimRyan as CJ Roberts reads Sen. Ron Johnson's Q which appeared to mirror Rand Paul Q on whistleblower: Roberts *very* careful reading Q aloud. Amazing to watch him reading, think, speak, evaluate simultaneously w/o revealing information.
Impeachment mgr Crow offered this visual aid for Senators as he discussed the inherent danger of the conspiracy peddled by WH: 
@ByTimRyan DEVELOPING. A whole lot of irony, a little bit of booing & a litany of questions & answers are unfolding inside the Senate as the impeachment trial of Pres. Trump continues.
MORE:
courthousenews.com/senators-fan-t…
(via myself, @ByTimRyan, @MMineiro_CNS, @JackRodgersCNS, @KlasfeldReports)
MORE:
courthousenews.com/senators-fan-t…
(via myself, @ByTimRyan, @MMineiro_CNS, @JackRodgersCNS, @KlasfeldReports)
@ByTimRyan @MMineiro_CNS @JackRodgersCNS @KlasfeldReports Impeachment mgr @RepJeffries offers an impassioned answer in response to today's 130th Q: What's to stop the president from freezing disaster aid from a U.S. city until that mayor endorses him?
Speaking on Trump's abuse of power, Jeffries says:
Speaking on Trump's abuse of power, Jeffries says:
.@RepJeffries: Tyranny is defined as that which is legal for the government and illegal for the citizenry.
Then: "The president's counsel has suggested Trump can do anything that he wants and escape accountability."
(continued)
Then: "The president's counsel has suggested Trump can do anything that he wants and escape accountability."
(continued)
.@RepJeffries: "Trump solicited foreign interference and can escape accountability, he can cheat and escape accountability. He can engage in a coverup and escape accountability, elevate his personal interests, subordinate America... That's the 5th Avenue standard."
.@RepJeffries quotes Trump's infamous 'I can do anything I want, I can shoot someone on 5th Avenue and it doesn't matter,' line.
Then, Jeffries, rapping his knuckles on dais for emphasis responds: "No."
Then: "Lawlessness matters. Corruption matters. The Constitution matters."
Then, Jeffries, rapping his knuckles on dais for emphasis responds: "No."
Then: "Lawlessness matters. Corruption matters. The Constitution matters."
MEANWHILE
Schiff from the floor blowing holes in defense argument that calling witnesses would make trial drag. Sekulow earlier said that it would drag until the Nov. election.
Schiff says the process would be respectful of fellow sens time. "A reasonable accommodation can be made."
Schiff says the process would be respectful of fellow sens time. "A reasonable accommodation can be made."
Q: Are you opposed to the Chief Justice ruling whether witnesses can be called to testify?
A from Schiff: "Trump's defense is not afraid that the chief justice will not be fair, Schiff says. "They're afraid the Chief Justice will be fair."
A from Schiff: "Trump's defense is not afraid that the chief justice will not be fair, Schiff says. "They're afraid the Chief Justice will be fair."
Schiff continued answer on the question asking: are you opposed to Chief Justice ruling whether witnesses can be called to testify...
On White House: "They know the witnesses they're requesting are for purposes of retribution or distraction."
On White House: "They know the witnesses they're requesting are for purposes of retribution or distraction."
WH atty Pat Cipollone saying a vote for acquittal would be "the best thing for our country." Calls the trial "purely partisan" says there is no crime. "No investigation, no due process.
Cipollone makes same argument we've heard for days now: the impeachment is the "overturning" of the election.
Reminder: impeaching a president is impeaching a president. If elected, you are elected, but being elected does not guarantee you remain in place for your full term.
Reminder: impeaching a president is impeaching a president. If elected, you are elected, but being elected does not guarantee you remain in place for your full term.
Schiff, just moments ago: POTUS is impeached not because he acted contrary to advice of his advisers. That argument is a red herring by POTUS team. He can disregard advice from his counsel, even really good advice, but what he's not free to do is engage in corruption.
Former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page sued the Democratic National Committee on Thursday, claiming it funded the development of a controversial dossier intended to smear then-candidate Donald Trump and members of his campaign.
courthousenews.com/carter-page-ac…
courthousenews.com/carter-page-ac…
On Rand's attempt to out whistleblower w/his Q: @BradMossEsq tells me: “There is no legitimate reason why any senator should be trying to smear, let alone potentially expose, a federally protected whistleblower. The senator’s actions today were beneath the dignity of his office"
@BradMossEsq NEW-
Confirmed:
Susan Collins will vote for witnesses.
Lamar Alexander will vote to oppose witnesses.
Lisa Murkowski says she will render her decision Friday.
Still up in the air for now is Mitt Romney.
Earlier tweet deleted to reflect that Romney vote still uncertain.
Confirmed:
Susan Collins will vote for witnesses.
Lamar Alexander will vote to oppose witnesses.
Lisa Murkowski says she will render her decision Friday.
Still up in the air for now is Mitt Romney.
Earlier tweet deleted to reflect that Romney vote still uncertain.
@BradMossEsq Statement from Collins:
@BradMossEsq Statement from Alexander:
@BradMossEsq Story on the way.
Chief Justice Roberts had quite the day as the second and final day of Q&A came to a close.
Catch up:
Catch up:
Until tomorrow.
