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© Thomson Reuters 2020.House Democrats in impeachment trial blast Trump's attempts to sully rival Biden
By David Morgan, Richard Cowan and Susan Cornwell WASHINGTON©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
71 Comments
Ah_so
Republican voters don't care that he abused his power.
SimondB
And why wouldn't you believe him? What is it? An average of 11 lies every day?
SuperLib
Oh I think they support him abusing power to keep the GOP in power, not that they don't care.
Blacklabel
Or there was no proven abuse of power and this is simply political in nature to influence 2020 election.
These could be just things that are within the discretion of a president to act on and the other side is angry about the choice made.
Senate verdict will decide that issue once and for all. Voters will decide the rest.
CrazyJoe
Thoroughly compelling evidence that this is not a nation worthy of its founding documents. Farewell America.
Serrano
Schiff confirmed again why they're trying to get Trump removed from office with his claims that he's going to try to cheat in the 2020 election. They can't beat Trump at the ballot box.
CrazyJoe: Farewell America.
Nah, we're not going to let that happen, we're going to re-elect Trump and take back the House.
bass4funk
Amazing how short liberals memories are when it comes to compelling evidence they refuse to show especially on their side.
SuperLib
Still going with, "this is all just a big misunderstanding," huh?
It's amazing how short conservatives' memories are.
bass4funk
That goes both ways, always.
Blacklabel
We have videos of Nadler, schumer and Biden previously saying the exact opposite of what they are saying now. on the exact same topics as now.
Liberal response is meh! They “evolved”or something, things change.
Blacklabel
No, my position is that the law and the powers of the a President allow the actions that were taken. that’s what an acquittal will mean here.
Thus no crimes are being put in the articles. yet still being wildly alleged by schiff as he repeats himself over and over.
Laguna
The game is clearly fixed, yet airing the laundry is refreshing.
Frankly, I'd rather see Trump defeated at the ballot box than being impeached. He's one to take things intensely personally. Rather than allow him a limited tirade against a handful of senators, I'd rather he face humiliation at the hand of the electorate.
lincolnman
Hey Lindsey, quite a flip, huh?
Too humiliated, I guess....
The Dems are killing the Repubs - showing them for the cowards and hypocrites they are...
BINGO! Donnie's business partner and Master telling it like it is... And the Repubs do their best to "aid and abet"...
So what will it be Repub Senators - integrity and love of country or spinelessness and sell-out to Russia?
Dump Trump/Ditch Mitch 2020!
bass4funk
Here is the bigger question, what do Democrats want to get out of this? I’m really baffled as well as curious? They try to make a case out of something that isn’t impeachable, they talk about aid that was given javelin missile defense system against one of our biggest adversary unlike the previous administration where aid was not given only blankets and some rations which didn’t help stop the annexation of Crimea, both articles of corruption and abuse of power will not and is not holding up.
Their case is weak and they’ll never get the testimony of Bolton or Mulvaney without a trade for the Biden’s, Schiff or even the whistleblower, so the Dems can run out the clock, but they don’t call the shots and unlike the out of control House hearings, the Senate won’t tolerate any outbursts or slander, so the process will be smoother, focused and rational. Things will dramatically change next week when Trump and his defense team make their case and then let’s hope we can speed this up and get this farce behind us and move on and deal with more real and serious issues.
stormcrow
"Or there was no proven abuse of power and this is simply political in nature to influence 2020 election."
Where have you been? This president is a walking crime in progress. After the Senate does nothing and pardons Trump, expect Trump to be even worse and more abusive of his power than before and to be impeached and pardoned again.
Jimizo
Trump supporters knew that they would have to defend a pathological liar, conspiracy theorist and amoral opportunist once he won the election. This is man who can’t even tell the truth about where his own father was born.
Sad.
bass4funk
Yeah, I wonder if they know that given the reports of a few of them talking, sleeping and playing or texting on their phones.
I disagree, I think the GOP see a total injustice with how this man has bee treated, they have all been through this and know what’s coming and to be honest, the impeachment farce has not only helped the President, but galvanized and unified the party, it’s been great for the GOP and Presidents fundraising as well.
Then you must hate American Democrats, especially the House Dems.
takeda.shingen.1991@gmail.com
They could, they're not. Read the Constitution you claim to love so much.
Sneezy
Quick, which serving House Democratic member lied about their father's birthplace?
lincolnman
You just said you wonder if the Repubs know they are being made fools of because they are too busy sleeping or playing with their phones. Very good question...
The contrast among the Republicans was best displayed by Utah Senator Mike Lee and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, arch-conservative neighbors in the chamber. Per an aide, Lee brought two books with him: Impeachment in America From 1635 to 1805 and The Federalist Papers. In contrast, Paul entered the chamber with a crossword puzzle that he placed on his desk.
Well, if you enjoy have a "scarlet I" associated with you forever, sure, impeachment is a great thing...
Wow, worst off-topic dodge yet...
“I have great respect for Angela and I have great respect for the country,” said Trump. “My father is German, was German, born in a very wonderful place in Germany so I have a very great feeling for Germany.”
Trump’s father, Fred Trump, was born in New York.
Kaerimashita
They are all a little bit corrupt. Some more than others. This charade just shows them all in their worst possible light.
bass4funk
In other words, let the Dems babble on and let the Defense take over and acquit the President until then, the boredom continues.
The GOP thought so as well in 1998 didn’t turn out too well for them either.
Sneezy
After they impeached Clinton they won the next election. I know that understanding the past is difficult for the right, but you can check Wikipedia.
arrestpaul
For three years House Democrats have been planning the overthrow of the Republican President who was instrumental in ol' Hillary's 2nd failed attempt to become POTUS. And this is the best that they can do? The House Democrats just introduced the Bidens into the impeachment trial. The House Democrats did that to themselves. A brilliant legal move! Now the House Democrats have no legal reason to deny either Biden from appearing as a witless for the impeachment.
If Senate Republicans decide that witnessses are eventually needed to clarify the House Democrats weak case for impeachment, both Bidens will be called. I also expect that the whistleblower, AND Schiff, AND Schiff's staff will be called to explain their COLLUSION to make a Democrat case against Trump.
arrestpaul
Republican, conservative, and independent voters prevented ol' Hillary from continuing her abuse of power.
ulysses
Hearing the testimonies today, Giuliani should either start preparing from Prison or start brushing up his Russian. He and Donny are going to need asylum somewhere soon.
SuperLib
And what actions were taken allowed under Trump's powers?
Oh like the Republicans don't babble on.
C'mon dude....you're not even trying anymore. Throw out some weak point first before you go to your security blanket.
ulysses
I hope Donny understands that bringing up Hunter Biden will mean the Democrats can go after his dumb but corrupt kids.
Bart Sr, Jr and female Bart are already on thin ice after the charity disaster, charging them will not take much effort.
bass4funk
No, it’s not it’s dividing both sides.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2019/03/21/trump_didnt_call_neo-nazis_fine_people_heres_proof_139815.html
No, he did not.
https://www.businessinsider.com/migrant-children-in-cages-2014-photos-explained-2018-5
What? If that were true, the Democrats would have added that to their list of obstructionism and they didn’t, even they know with the weak case they already have that baseless charge would never, ever stick
Then he wouldn’t have given aid and javelin defense missile shields to the Ukrainians if that were true.
If that were Trump’s numbers wouldn’t be in the upper 90’s with Republicans as it is now, he wouldn’t out fundraise Democrats. The Democrats are climbing up an oil slick hill and down into the abyss and Schiff has miraculously helped them
Thank you, Schiff.
Serrano
Every Democrat who voted for impeachment should forfeit their salaries for the length of time this sham has taken.
SuperLib
Trump will have to give his pound of flesh first. And the GOP will have to sign their names to it.
ulysses
I really feel for the neutered GOP senators , not only have the lost their balls, they also have lost all sense of dignity under their corrupt leader.
As they 'balls might grow back, but morals are lost forever'.
lincolnman
Because Repubs are getting their salaries paid by Putin?
Which would still be held today without the Whistleblower outing the cover-up...
Uh, who's been impeached for abuse of power? Hint: It wasn't Hillary. By the way, how does it feel with her inside your head 24/7 for four years?
Duh, yea. The WH has already said it was going to offer nothing else but "Hunter!" all next week - no rebutting of the facts, no "we didn't do it", just whining about the false Biden narrative... Pathetic...
Simon Foston
SerranoToday 11:19 am JST
Follow that stupid idea to its logical conclusion and every police officer and prosecutor everywhere should forfeit their salaries for all the time and money they spend on investigating and prosecuting anyone who gets acquitted.
stormcrow
Don't you wish we could bring back the founding fathers who wrote the constitution to have a look at this bizarre republican president and the bizarre republican senate which gives political life to him? They'd probably look at this president and senate like Frankenstein, and they'd have probably thought, "Hey! We got this thing all terribly wrong! Let's re-write the constitution!"
Anyway, this president is more than likely going to walk away from this without even having his wrist slapped and he'll abuse his power again (if he hasn't already), along with the help and support of this republican senate.
Term limits . . . they're really necessary to prevent corrupt politicians from getting too comfortable and protecting their positions of power at any cost, which prevents them from carrying out their constitutional duties. Blind by choice.
bass4funk
I’ll gladly trade E...,I mean, the whistleblower for Bolton or even Mulvaney, but I know the Dems would never agree to that. Oh, well....once again their stupid plans were defeated.
And only to be acquitted.
lincolnman
What? Deal! The Whistleblower is OBE - everything he said was corroborated by Taylor, Morrison, Volker, Sondland, Vindmann, and Hill. So bring it on - get Bolton up there to corroborate everything that Vindmann and Hill said he told them to do. And tell us all about the drug deal. And we want to hear all about Mulvaney's phone calls to OMB and the Pentagon to hold the aid. And to tell us more about the QPQ and "we do it all the time"...
And forever wear the Scarlet "I"...
Attilathehungry
The sad fact is that the Biden clan has been riding the gravy train for decades. Hunter Biden is merely the last one to belly up to the trough and stick his snout in. Joe's brothers, sister, and daughter-in-law have all benefitted from the family name and the access to pork that it gave.
This is by no means a Democrat Only problem. It is an incumbent problem, a "lack of term limits" problem. When politicians settle themselves in Washington for a decade or more, they almost inevitably bring along their cronies and family to share in the good fortune. Same thing happens in the media. Spouses and children of Washington insiders get plum jobs that they would normally never be qualified for.
ulysses
They say that the rumblings you hear in Washington on some days is the founding fathers rolling in their graves at this fat, vulgar bigot we have for a President .
His neutered pooches might acquit him for now, but stain of this sorry excuse of a human will last forever.
Jimizo
Perhaps they could donate them to one of Trump’s charities and he could skim off the top.
His base would love it. It’s morally reprehensible but that could easily be ignored for the outrage it would cause among democrats. After all, that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?
Simon Foston
AttilathehungryToday 12:27 pm JST
Let's see charges brought in court, then. I'm all for it. Or are you going to admit that no one called Biden is any closer to jail time than they were when Trump cultists started going on about them?
Simon Foston
stormcrowToday 11:49 am JST
I don't believe the Senate as it was first conceived of had these partisan majorities that basically makes Senators jurors for their own bosses, so maybe the Founding Father's did have the right idea.
ulysses
Donny in his first term has done more damage than all the others put together, so it's not a term problem.
The problem is the voters who elected a man with not a strand of moral fibre on him, only because he appealed to their base instincts of the supposed threat to their race!!!
Donny and his klan have done worse, the criminal Fred Trump becoming rich through shady corrupt deals, the dumb Donny taking his money and still bankrupting himself over 6 times and then there are bart sr and jr along with baby Ivanka, dumb as dodos but cashing in on the Trump name.
Sneezy
Serrano regularly posted links to a Nazi Youtuber, the mods said: that's cool.
I said that the President of the United States creating concentration camps was bad, the mods said: how dare you.
bass4funk
Ahhh the very same people that said to Jim Jordan: "The announcement! When did Pres. Zelensky announce that an investigation was going to happen...When did that happen?"
Sondland: "Never did."
Jordan: "Never did!"
Sondland::"I never heard from President Trump that aid was conditioned on an announcement of [investigations]."
Goldman: "So you never heard those specific words."
Sondland:"Right. Never heard those words."
Goldman: "Well, let's move ahead..."
Ok, so now that we established the Democrats have nothing to offer but hearsay and secondhand information, why are we still wasting out time and tax payer money for this ugly dog and pony show?
And we could buy Aiden both Joe and Hunter and will ask him questions and we can also ask Joe about how his brother and sister profited from the Ukrainians, I’m totally fine with that.
Next, the defense calls on Schiff in the whistleblower to testify.
Either way the Democrats do not get to call shots on this and it just will not go their way, either they do a trade or they’re not going to get the witnesses they want, it’s that simple.
Blacklabel
all of them, unless he is found guilty at the trial. By the way, how does a Lt Col in the military have a "legal team" of civilian lawyers who put out statements on his behalf every time someone tweets about him? Why and who is paying for this legal team?
Attilathehungry
The Trumps are for sure guilty of the same kind of thing, although not to the same extent. They already had their own money to play with. The problem is the 20 and 30 year career politicians who have access to the nation's treasury.
I do however enjoy the histrionics and ruthless adjective usage when people discuss President Trump. He does surely bring about some, how can I say, strong opinions in people.
Simon, I am not saying the Bidens are all guilty of crimes. Just of taking advantage of their name-given status and access to the corridors of power. Surely you can't imagine that a six time loser like Hunter Biden has done anything in his life other than piggyback on his family name!
Blacklabel
Well thats 2 of your 3 days down, 1 to go then our turn.
Of course you think you are winning, because all of the Schiff nonsense cant be challenged until its our turn to speak.
Chip Star
The Deep State, obviously. What a ridiculous conspiracy theory you’re trying to birth.
Chip Star
It’s still discombobulating to witness conservatives throw out their claimed love of the rule of law in order to protect Donny. Conservatives are now a sad shell of their former selves. A lot of them have zero integrity left.
bass4funk
The economy, the consumer spending, the low unemployment and the Stock Market say otherwise.
What? Oh...lol...
if the media would have done their job over the years and expose all of the corruption from the Democrats and that list is wider than the Grand Canyon, I’m sure you’ll be seeing the exact same thing......or maybe not...
ulysses
A good economy does not mean the President can indulge in corrupt , criminal practices. This is the argument which supports and encourages dictatorships . Since Donny is in love with Putin not surprising his minions also are in love with Putin's style of dictatorship.
Moment of self-discovery!!! ROFL.
Faux and its brainless followers have been whining about this for years without a single shred of evidence!!!
Simon Foston
AttilathehungryToday 01:12 pm JST
I wouldn't be so sure about that. Trump Snr. is very cagey about how much he's got exactly.
lincolnman
Yep.... We can look forward to; Hunter bad! Witch Hunt! Mr Schiff was mean to us! WHAAAAAA we want our Daddy!!!!!
I hear INFOWARs is saying it was the Area 51 Aliens...
lincolnman
Jim Jordan? Of OSU sex abuse scandal fame?
So let's hear from the first-hand witnesses then - Pence, Bolton, Pompeo, Perry, Duffy, Esper... Documents too. Oh, we can't - Donnie is hiding them all... Yep, that's obstruction.
"buy Aiden"?
Call the Whistleblower - be my guest. All he'll say is "see testimony from Taylor, Volker, Morrison, Vindmann, Hill, etc."... But Bolton? He stopped a meeting when the QPQ came up. He directed Vindmann and Hill to go to a follow on meeting to ensure it didn't come up again - which it did. Mulvaney was in all the meetings with Trump and the rest of the cabal that were "in the loop". Bring it on...
All things seem simple, when wearing MAGA vision googles...false too....like "my father was born in Germany"...
Jimizo
I’ve been thumbed down for pointing out that Trump is a pathological liar. How else would you describe a man who constantly lies and the fact he can’t even tell the truth about where his father was born?
I’ve also been thumbed down for calling him a conspiracy theorist. How else do you describe a man who engages in conspiracy theories and uses the National Enquirer as a source?
You can’t blame CNN for this. Just read his Twitter.
I’m not saying trust any politician, but to trust this man is objectively ridiculous. His cultists are just as bad as anyone in the ‘Orangeman bad’ camp.
bass4funk
Hmmm, you keep taking shots at alleged allegations constantly, why? Anyway, these people went by here say, so more alleged allegations.
I agree, let’s hear from the Biden family and the whistleblower and Schiff as well all under oath
Sorry, you don’t know what he’ll say.
Attilathehungry
Jimizo; frankly, I would call President Trump a "BS artist", for lack of a better phrase. He's a New York guy, a builder, a deal-maker. All things that lend themselves to self promotion and exaggeration. Talking before thinking. If you have ever met many New Yorkers you would know the type.
What I would blame a majority of the media for is their pretense of neutrality. FoxNews has many faults, but at least they are honest about their bias. Same for MSNBC. You know what you are getting. CNN and the others? Still trying to make like they are professional jounalists, unbiased and fair, calling it down the middle. Ditto the major networks, the major newspapers, and the entertainment industry as a whole.
As for the impeachment trial, we all know how it will end. No chance on earth of a conviction. Just another side show. Most people care more about their personal finances the price of gasoline than this circus.
Jimizo
My understanding of a BS artist is similar to yours - lying for self-promotion.
How does this explain him lying things like where his father was born and telling his supporters to watch a non-existent sex tape? This is pathological and can’t be dismissed as exaggeration.
I can understand you not even touching the conspiracy theory stuff. That filth is indefensible. It also speaks volumes about his fabulist, dishonest mindset.
You really do have to lower your standards to make excuses for this man and to trust anything he says without corroborating evidence is, well, cultish.
bass4funk
I would definitely agree with that having lived in NY for 3 years, that is definitely the impression you get about New Yorkers, they’re just a totally different breed.
I agree.
Chip Star
All if these indicators are so positive because Obama pulled the economy out of the abyss into which conservatives kicked it under Bush II via banking deregulation.
Repetition of the conspiracy theory that the MSM are biased towards liberals. This is a cornerstone of Trumpologoy (similar in rationality to Scientology).
lincolnman
You just described the false Biden allegation to a T - good job....
Deal - get Pence, Perry, Pompeo, Mulvaney, Blair, Duffy, and even Crazy Rudy - we want to see him plead the 5th....
As much as you do. Call him - go ahead. Just make sure all the "loop" guys are there too...to include Donnie.
And again, what's a "buy Aiden"?
Chip Star
What years did you live in New York?
Chip Star
The defense doesn’t acquit, the jury does. The jury in the senate is rigged with biased jurors in Donny’s favor, which means any acquittal is hollow.
ulysses
Dont lump all New Yorkers into Donny's lying, cheating class. There are plenty of fine New Yorkers out there who are decent and honest. And Donny is not a deal maker, he's a rich kid who used Daddy's money for some high profile failures and got famous.
There are other builders out there who actually made money.
ROFL, anybody who thinks that needs some serious intellectual uplift!!!!
ulysses
I suspect the same time as the original Dutch settlers !!!
Attilathehungry
Jimizo; I disagree that he is pathological. In all honesty, I think he's just shallow. He hates to say, "I don't know" when asked a question, so he BS's an answer instead. All part of the "New York state of mind".
As to the question raised about media bias, it isn't a theory. It's simply true. Ask yourself who at any of the major networks, CNN, major newspapers, entertainment luminaries would perhaps have voted for Trump. Now ask youself the same question, but who perhaps would have voted for Clinton.
I don't mind the media being hard on Trump and the government really. That's their job. What I DO mind is that they didn't do any of that for the 8 years of the Obama administration. They were his cheerleaders instead. Just look at who is in charge of their newsrooms. How many are partisan Democrats? How many are partisan Republicans?
Chip Star
No, I’m not a mind reader and no, it’s not magic. McConnell and Graham have admitted they won’t listen to the evidence because they have already decided to acquit.
Jimizo
@Attilathehungry
What does any of this have to do with lying about where his father was born? Are you saying he doesn’t know? How about the sex tape? He said it because it may exist? Just deal with this honestly.
This kind of stuff is pathological. It can be disproved by the click of a mouse. It has nothing to do with self-promotion.
The conspiracy theories are another case in point. He puts out trash which again can be disproved by anyone with half a brain. He doesn’t care. It’s pathological.
I can see how his supporters like his policies, but defending the man is ridiculous and trusting what he says is utterly ridiculous. Sidetracking about the anti-Trump media is disingenuous when we are dealing with what he actually said or tweeted.
Believing his side of the story on this, or any other issue without corroborating evidence is a dictionary definition of cultish behaviour.