The recording released yesterday establishes beyond a doubt that Donald Trump used the power of his office to threaten election officials, and to coerce them into committing criminal acts to overturn the election results.
This clearly warrants a criminal investigation.
1/4
Trump has held numerous meetings and calls with election officials and lawmakers in other states where he has attempted to negate election results.
Those conversations should be examined by investigators to determine whether Trump engaged in additional criminal acts.
2/4
Trump has not acted alone in his attempts to overturn the election.
Investigators should also scrutinize the actions of WH Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, Senator Lindsey Graham, and any others who may have been party to criminal acts intended to change election results.
3/4
This recording makes Nixon's "smoking gun" tape sound tame, but that tape captured only part of a larger criminal conspiracy.
Trump must be held accountable for his illegal acts and his attacks on the Constitution. Nothing less than a criminal investigation will serve.
4/4
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I continue to support his impeachment and removal from office, and am looking carefully at new articles of impeachment being drafted and offered by my colleagues.
Impeachment, however, would require the cooperation of Senate Republicans who have always protected Trump in the past.
The 25th Amendment can only be invoked by the Vice President with the concurrence of the Cabinet.
Congress must ensure Trump’s removal from office by the swiftest and surest method available: confirmation of the American people’s will as expressed in the 2020 election.
I look forward to completing the certification of that election as soon as possible.
The “slush fund” to which he refers is a Fed program that helps prevent states and localities from going bankrupt and having to lay off police, teachers, and firefighters — and one of the loudest voices highlighting the need to help states is the (Republican) Governor of Arkansas
These Senators are trying to use the suffering of the American people to force budgets cuts on states, cities, and towns in the middle of a pandemic that they are on the front lines of.
They are holding the whole bill up over this, and lying about it.
This is an extremely important story that isn't getting the attention it deserves.
After GSA initiated the presidential transition, I warned that there would still be new Trump sabotage to come. This is exactly what I was concerned about.
Presidents appoint leaders of federal agencies, for instance Cabinet secretaries and their staffs, but most civil servants are career federal employees, a professional staff that provide continuity no matter which party is in power. Congress passed laws to create this system. 2/
It wasn't always this way. There was a time when an incoming president handed out government jobs to loyalists and supporters after taking office, and the civil service constantly turned over with administrations. That was terrible for the country. 3/
"I congratulate you on the opportunity that has come to you to be of service to the country, and I wish for you a most successful administration.
"In the common purpose of all of us, I shall dedicate myself to every possible helpful effort.
"Herbert Hoover."
November 3, 1976:
"The President urges all Americans to join him in giving your united support to President-elect Carter as he prepares to assume his new responsibilities."
- President Gerald Ford (whose laryngitis prevented him from speaking) and First Lady Betty Ford
November 4, 1980:
"I congratulate you and pledge to you our fullest support and cooperation in bringing about an orderly transition of government... My best wishes are with you and your family as you undertake the responsibilities that lie before you."
Mass layoffs keep hitting the workforce. Tens of thousands of small businesses have already closed, and many more say they are on the verge of closing. 3/ time.com/5895669/pandem… nytimes.com/2020/09/01/bus…