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© Thomson Reuters 2019.In impeachment testimony, U.S. diplomat says she was told to tweet support for Trump
By Susan Cornwell, Patricia Zengerle and Arshad Mohammed WASHINGTON©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
65 Comments
SimondB
Perhaps what may be overlooked in this act of corruption by Trump is what would have happened had he been successful. He would be campaigning next year bellowing out that his rival is corrupt. He would be demanding investigations and probably leading "lock him up" chants. He would be using his corrupt ways to paint someone else as corrupt. The man is a despicable criminal.
SuperLib
We all know Trump puts himself before country. It's just the type of man he is.
PTownsend
Apt description. It's all about resisting the change Trump and his bund of global elite want to bring about. There are still many Americans who value the Constitution and underlying systems the republic was built on and DO NOT want it to change to one of corporatist authoritarianism. Especially when the authoritarian is so corrupt.
PTownsend
Trump's nearing the Rubicon; he's gone too far. For most Americans.
I think most Americans have always recognized the State Department has been used for domestic political purposes. However, because Trump is well known as being corrupt and having connections with corrupt figures around the globe, more people are saying enough is too much. Curious it's Russians, pro-Russians and others in the global far right who remain his staunchest supporters. Backed financially by the globe's elite.
Yubaru
In a manner of speaking he is right! Doesn't say anything of intelligence or value that need either of these!
CrazyJoe
Things innocent people do not say.....
lincolnman
Come on Bolton - we want to hear all about Rudy "The Walking Hand Grenade". Tell us all about that meeting with Sonland and the Ukrainians where he told them no Oval Office meeting unless they investigate Biden.
Give us all the details on the Ukrainian "drug deal"...
We don't really need them since the Dimwit confessed and Mulvaney did also, but we just want to watch Trump and his supporters squirm....
And hey Donnie, where's Rudy? He was all over TV until a couple weeks ago - what happened? Did you finally figure out his crazed rantings were maybe not helpful? Or was it that you were afraid he was going to get interviewed and asked if you were guilty, and say no, only to change it to "Of Course" 30 seconds later?
Come on, we want to see Rudy - he's more entertaining than SNL...funnier too....
SuperLib
And boy is that going to be a fun read.
Well said. It's damaging to our country on many levels and it also damages our relationship with our allies. Trump hurt our country purely for personal gain.
CrazyJoe
Marie went big, kept her job and reported directly to Congress. Big.
lincolnman
Amazing - something that could have come out of the mouth of one of Nixon's minions....
Trump and Trumpers evidently haven't read "All the Presidents Men" - maybe because it causes them too much cognitive dissonance...
Nixon: If you don't like his policies like sanctioning a criminal break-in of a political opponent's party HQs, or using government agencies to smear and attack Democrats, and then try to cover it all up, then quit.
Trump: If you don't like his policies of bribing foreign governments to smear a political opponent, or use the Justice Dept to launch phony investigations of Democrats, then try to cover it all up, then quit.
Fortunately we have patriotic Americans who stand up for the rule of law, and would-be criminal dictators.
The Dimwit and Tricky Dickie - two of a kind....
u_s__reamer
The America of Elvis's "Treat Me Nice" has degenerated to that of Trump's "Tweet Me Nice". SAD!
Hung Nguyen
Two U.S. diplomats told lawmakers the State Department was being used for domestic political purposes under President Donald Trump and warned that would hurt American interests.
From the brave reports of these two US diplomats who risk their life and career for the interests of their country, I struggle to understand why – despite of Trump's inability to lead, lack of ethics and morality, self–interests, ruthlessness, and corrupted mind – some Trumpers are still faithful to the sinful president more than for their nation.
Pukey2
Concerning Ghouliani, now Romania has been dragged into all this!!!!! Between Ghouliani, Trump and Junior, there's probably only two brain cells.
Bill Newbold
And this person we have here in america ... needs help to get better.. he is quite sick and.. well we apologize for anyone that has suffered from his offensive type aliment. We are working to solve the problems bare with us.
Yubaru
He will still go down in history as being an impeached president.
If the house passes the articles of impeachment he will have THAT as his legacy!
yamada1043
Trump Enterprise, now based in the White House, continues to administer strong arm tactics.
The damage done by the current occupant of the White House will take decades, if ever, to reverse this nightmare.
SuperLib
Looks like you're going to be in fantasy mode for a while. Hope it helps.
u_s__reamer
Trump's word is worthless and without honor. Then, "All the President's Men" pierced the hype and shone a light on Nixon's true character. Now, "All the President's Women" exposes the sick, twisted content of Trump's character. Fortunately for the feckless faker in the Oval Office many Americans still prefer to direct their gaze heavenward instead of looking down and scrutinizing the ugly reality of a man who cannot keep faith with any human being (except perhaps Ivanka?)
Strangerland
Why wait for that when he’s committed treasonous offences?
PTownsend
Someone's either ignoring or doesn't understand the Constitution's balance and separation of powers. 'Trump uber alles' is the theme song only for the minority still backing him. Financed by the globe's elite.
takeda.shingen.1991@gmail.com
Profiting from his office and violating campaign finance law.
takeda.shingen.1991@gmail.com
The phone call is about campaign finance violation. Receiving something of value from a foreigner or foreigner is illegal.
And also, the formal impeachment charges haven't been voted on yet, so it's a bit early to be claiming the impeachment isn't about "those."
lincolnman
Keep beating that dead horse Serrano....
And the Russians profiting even more...
True, he has the "Big Kahuna" - Putin...
Trump, Mulvaney, Crazy Rudy, Taylor, Sonland, Hill, Vindman, now Yovanovich and McKinney....it was a QPQ...
But we all want to hear "The Walrus" - tell us about the "drug deal" Johnny!
Numan
The president is now offering an invitation to the Ukraine president to come to the White House. He is in damage control. He wants to distract and coordinate his lies with the Ukrainian president because they are both under the microscope.
Schiff and Pelosi has learned a lot from the mistakes made in the Mueller investigation, but they are playing it smart and will probably acquire the full unredacted Mueller report in the process of exposing the criminal activities in Ukraine through the discovery process.
Win-win for the Dems.
Numan
The president is now offering an invitation to the Ukraine president to come to the White House. He is in damage control. He wants to distract and coordinate his lies with the Ukrainian president because they are both under the microscope.
Trump invites Zelenskiy to the White House
https://www.trtworld.com/americas/trump-invites-zelenskiy-to-the-white-house-31069
Schiff and Pelosi has learned a lot from the mistakes made in the Mueller investigation, but they are playing it smart and will probably acquire the full unredacted Mueller report in the process of exposing the criminal activities in Ukraine through the discovery process.
Win-win for the Dems.
Trump’s Ukraine dishonesty barrage continues. He made 96 false claims last week
https://kvia.com/your-voice-your-vote/politics/2019/10/30/trumps-ukraine-dishonesty-barrage-continues-he-made-96-false-claims-last-week/
Numan
Trump demands whistleblower testify in person — the thing he refused to do in Mueller probe
https://news.yahoo.com/trump-whistleblower-written-testimony-mueller-investigation-165738286.html
It is so funny because all these highly credible and mostly conservative witnesses are coming forward supporting what the whistleblower and transcript have described about the situation. Now the president is demanding that the whistleblower testify in person when the president didn't and still won't testify himself.
TARA TAN KITAOKA
Wow, Trump is getting out of hand.
BakabonPapa
Three years ago, Prime Minister Abe declared that Trump is a "leader who can be trusted" (https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJCL2RVXJCLUTFK005.html). This, alone, makes Abe untrustworthy.
lincolnman
It would be helpful if you read the article before posting - both her and McKinney were smeared by Donnie and Crazy Rudy because they wouldn't go along with the illegal QPQ - and when Pompeo was asked to stick up for his people, he did what Donnie did in Syria - cut and run... Pompeo is now knee deep in the scandal.
Well, I'm not sure about that, when you call your VP "Mike Pounce", say the UK had airfields in the US in 1776, and believe Colorado is on our southern border and needs a fence, you may need your words and meaning looked at a little closer...especially when your staff says you "have the understanding of a fifth grader."
Chip Star
Nobody thinks this because the republicans in the Senate have already declared they won't do the correct thing. Republicans are more about staying in power than the rule of law. Smh.
Chip Star
When a poll supports your position, you cite it. When a poll cuts against your position, you disparage all polls. Very, very telling.
Triring
Even if the Impeachment trial is hacked by the Republicans, the Democrats will gain majority seat in the next election forcing Trump to resign. History repeating itself.
Loki520
If you think he's not gonna do that anyway, then you haven't been paying attention.
bass4funk
Like Trump will be removed from office...yeah, keep beating that dead horse.
quercetum
It’s man’s sinful nature democracy can check but not overcome.
Blacklabel
such as?
Blacklabel
Im curious though. When all the quid pro quo people run around, they say Trump withheld money to get an investigation into Biden.
But when liberals are defending Biden they claim he and his son did nothing wrong, there is no evidence of it, totally debunked and they are not under investigation.
So what is the status of the quid pro quo as far as Trump request. Did he get his investigation or not?
Serrano
Looks like you're going to be in fantasy mode for a while.
We all know Trump puts himself before country
Looks like you're going to be in fantasy mode for awhile.
commanteer
Yes, and those Americans are either marginalized or, of they get too much attention, called Russian assets (see Tulsi Gabbard).
The problem with the Trump resistance is that, if successful, it will put people into power who are far worse than him about the constitution and corporate authoritarianism. Yes, they look prettier and lie better, which only adds to their danger.
bass4funk
Ok, so now the Democrats need to try and stretch this out as long as they can like an old chewed up piece of gum. This one woman, the media Democrat surrogate lemmings, people like Zucker, Griffin and Lack are telling their minions pound this story 24/7 we have nothing, but this one woman. Even liberal Alan Dershowitz is laughing his butt off and he’s NO Trump supporter.
Blacklabel
oh this is new....so why is impeachment about a phone call and not those?
Serrano
Profiting from his office
It's hard not to. Vast majority of Americans are profiting from Trump's policies.
Serrano
Ukraine
I want the Democrats to start looking into Joe and Hunter Biden. Oh my...
Hunter Biden was peddling his influence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHa7WZk6C0Y&t=36s
Even if the Impeachment trial is hacked by the Republicans, the Democrats will gain majority seat in the next election
The way they're going? Doubtful.
Blacklabel
what did he receive of value exactly from this?
Oh ok gotta wait again. Why dont liberals get your evidence before you already come to a conclusion? We are gonna impeach him! (but not quite sure for what yet, and we are scared to vote on it, so just keep leaking and dripping out transcripts out of order)
Blacklabel
nope! or else the title of this article wouldnt be that Yovanovich was supposedly asked to send a tweet,
It would be "Yovanovich testimony confirms quid pro quo!". which is not even mentioned in the article once. "mcKinney" is so irrelevant you dont even know his name. He just said he quit because people were mean to Yovanovich, he has nothing either.
Blacklabel
and first President to be reelected in a landslide after partisan impeachment.
Blacklabel
Come on, this is the title. The key takeaway of the whole transcript:
"In impeachment testimony, U.S. diplomat says she was told to tweet support for Trump"
Did Trump himself tell her to do this? no
Was she fired because of not doing it? no
Is it a crime to tweet support if she did as she was told? no
Can she be removed at any time the President wants? Yes
Wow, what a bombshell! someone told an employee they might want to show some support for the person who they serve. they didnt do it and later got removed from a non elected position that serves at the pleasure of the person they dont support. using as proof for their removal their lack of support.
shocking!
Serrano
Ukraine
Question: What if Hunter Biden's name was Don Jr?
bass4funk
Not according to the polls and especially in swing States where 53% of voters don’t want this President impeached. Dems are already struggling to hold on in the States they w9n a year ago.
Blacklabel
You are in the fantasy that he will even be impeached in the first place.
I say this gets dropped by end of the year and they go back to "but muh Russia".
There is just nothing here with this Ukraine stuff except a bunch of diplomats and partisan IC staff upset that Trump doesnt do what they would do if they were President. Nobody elected these people so who cares what they think?
Serrano
President Trump has never needed the Ukraine to win the election.
Blacklabel
and was not Christopher Steele a foreigner, and a spy at that?
So who received his thing of value? Well, the person who paid for it, no?
Andrew Crisp
As opposed to Obama who was using the FBI to spy or Trump, the whole politically circus in America is in the gutter.
Blacklabel
put it in a business viewpoint. If you as a low level employee dont like what your CEO does or the decisions he makes, do you file a complaint and go to the board of directors behind his back?
Only if you have indisputable proof of a major crime. Other than that, its not your decision to make. and if you really hate it, you quit and go work somewhere else where the CEO makes decisions more to your liking.
commanteer
Yes, but only for the last 100 years or so. Is that suddenly something Americans care about?
Serrano
Trump has denied wrongdoing and accused Democrats of unfairly targeting him to reverse his surprise election victory in 2016.
Four U.S. officials called to testify by Democrats did not show up as requested on Monday, lawmakers said, and the president pressed his demand for a whistleblower to appear.
Oh my...
Dan Bongino: There’s no whistle to blow because there was no deal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaXcvWGiVwU
Serrano
We all know Trump puts himself before country. It's just the type of man he is.
Anyone with common sense knows that's not true.
impeachment
This is interesting -
Trump impeachment whistleblower is 'Pajama Boy'? Pelosi, Dems vote on sham proceedings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFqWe_qqw4s
Blacklabel
We had an election. New guy in charge who gets to decide things. If you don’t like it vote him out next time. If you work for him and don’t like his policies then quit.
Wolfpack
I hope the Republicans hold a one day hearing and summarily dismiss all of the partisan charges and move on with doing the country’s business.
Blacklabel
So why would an employee who works for the president not tweet out support? Doesn’t sound unreasonable thing to ask when people are questioning if you are undermining our president or not.
if you don’t support his policies, quit. It’s not like you were elected by anyone. You don’t get to keep your job if you don’t support the person in charge of appointing you.
Blacklabel
“I feel,” and “concerned” and “shocked”and “I don’t know what it all means” type comments.
no crimes here just one person who was undermining her boss with a foreign country and a guy who worked for 37 years and is resisting change.
Serrano
If the House votes to approve articles of impeachment,
They may not have the votes
the Republican-controlled Senate would then hold a trial on whether to remove the president from office.
They definitely don't have the votes.
Trump 2020 all the way