House Republicans storm secret impeachment hearing; Schiff reportedly gets up and leaves with the witness
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Decrying a lack of transparency in House Democrats’ impeachment process against President Donald Trump, House Republicans gathered in the basement of the Capitol Wednesday morning to demand entry into proceedings they’ve been barred from thus far. And they reportedly got in.
At a press conference outside the SCIF, dozens of Republican representatives announced that they would seek to gain entry to the secure room — in which the Democrats of the three committees behind the current impeachment push were conducting a deposition — by demanding to be let in as a group.
SCIF stands for Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility. It’s a secure room where classified intelligence and other secret information is discussed. Congress’ SCIF is where much of House Democrats’ investigation has so far taken place and where Republicans not on the investigating committees have not been allowed to enter.
“If behind those doors they intend to overturn the results of an American presidential election, we want to know what’s going on,” Rep. Matt Gaetz said while pointing to the SCIF entrance.
“And it’s only reasonable that we would have questions,” Gaetz added, noting that the impeachment probe has thus far “been marked by secret interviews, selective leaks, weird theatrical performances of transcripts that never happened, and lies about contacts with a whistleblower.” Gaetz’s last two examples were a specific reference to Schiff’s conduct in recent weeks, for which he recently dodged a censure effort brought by House Republicans.
“You should be outraged if you’re an American at what’s happening here,” said House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Biggs, R-Ariz. “You should be allowed to confront your accusers; this is being held behind closed doors for a reason — because they don’t want you to see what the witnesses are like.”
“This is a Soviet-style impeachment process,” Biggs added. “I don’t care whether you are the president of the United States or any other citizens of this country: You should be allowed to confront your witnesses.”
According to a senior GOP source who witnessed what happened next, the group went into the anteroom of the SCIF and chanted, “Let us in” outside the door guarded by Capitol Police. After that, the source says, the door opened, someone grabbed it, and a group of Republican members forced their way in.
After members attempted to sit in on the closed-door testimony that was occurring, “Chairman Schiff immediately left with the witness,” Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., told reporters while flanked by a handful of other House Republicans.
The secrecy of the three committees’ investigation has drawn an immense amount of criticism from GOP lawmakers since last week, when members were first turned away from impeachment proceedings. Schiff has defended the clandestine process by comparing it to a grand jury.
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Unfreakingbelievable.
Hilarious that he has the nerve to bring up "soviet style".
They are just pissed because they can't run to trump to tell him what is going on.
It's ironic and maddening
Shouldn't we probably be considering the conservative source and the conservative author and the almost exclusively conservative viewpoints provided by this one peculiar very slanted article? And, don't you think it might be prudent to consider all of that and ask a few questions?
There are gop committee members authorized to be participating in these hearings. But, it seems that for the most part they have boycotted most of the proceedings, so far. This all sounds like a stunt staged by the goppers to distract from the very damning bits of information we are getting drip by drip in leaks. The word is that it is all really really really BAD...for Trump. I suppose we are all going to get the rest of the story pretty quickly now. The last few Democrats who were holdouts on impeachment are firebreathing pro-impeachment advocates now after hearing what they have about Trump & Co's illegal activities this time. Vegas odds are going up hourly now that Trump IS Toast...
I don't think they are, but they ARE laying low. None of them are hitting the mics at the end of the day. I think it's to gaslight Trump sycophants into believing that they're being blocked.
The irony is, if the transcripts are released, it will prove just how much they did participate, the questions they asked and the statements they made. I read somewhere that Nunes was obsessing over the Steele Dossier during the Sondland deposition.
Couldn't happen to a stupider jerk. Trump tries to play 'hardball' and break good people.Without a care to the outcome of the Kurds, who supported us, this dumbass president heard their plight and looked at the spot they were in—and still threw them out into the proverbial street all because he needed the political 'clout' he imagined he could collect from pretending to end the conflict in Syria. What a loser. He does not even realize it yet - that our spoken convention: "These colors don't run ." Just got a quick kick in its butt!
Of course, people are going to get fed up and push back. Donlad can't (and he won't be allowed to) punk us all!
I've got to tell you, even though we are not on the same planet when it comes to realism, you are a good guy to whom I respect about recognition about what is really recognizing what is going on in today's world.
It has gotten way way way worse for Trump these last few days which is why the damn gop in Congress has been reduced to staging such ridiculous stunts. Of course the testimony has been secret, so far. We have gotten generalized reports though and it ain't good...For TRUMP! Many persons very close to The President of the United States of America are now coming forward in droves to give more and more damning testimony agaisnt The President of the United States putting themselves and their families into imminent danger from The President of the United States if The President of the United States is to be taken at his murderous word. Trump has been threatening the witnesses which is criminal abuse of power and impeachable in and of itself alone...
TRUMP IS TOAST!
I think most people are aware of the results of the 2016 election. Not sure why you think this is relevant. But since you went down that road, how about posting those midterm results?
I like how Trump handed us Congress. He's the worst thing to have happened to the republican party. He can't even keep his mouth shut in order to stop giving those of us who believe in the Constitution ammunition. How many times has he shot himself in his spurred foot? His supporters should write him and tell him to learn some self control. That's the best thing he could do at this point for his constituency.
Thank you. Thursday was a 'hell of a day' for me as I was off and on my system. I just saw this one around 11 PM Pacific Time. 'Preciate you!
FYI, I have been warned that I might be off-line as needed to diminish chance of wildfires starting Friday leading into the weekend. This is serious. All the same, I will respond accordingly what occurs.
Truth. And one of the best things to happen to the DNC. The right keeps bleating that trump won "x" number of counties, the entire nation is behind him, etc.. But....the midterms prove otherwise. In my opinion, the nutters are way too over confident coming into 2020. IF trump is allowed to run in 2020, I doubt it will be an easy win for trump as his supporters keep telling us.
Just stay safe CB.
You just proved you are a republican. Living in the past
I'm sickened for my California neighbors! I'm from Northern Cali. Or at least familial wise, was born there, but raised in WA State since early childhood. It blows me away to see this. Damn you for not sweeping the forest floors! Jk.🤪
Wishing you all the best! Be safe. Get back to us when you can. We will be here looking for you.
I'm Realtor in Western WA. Much migration north now. Every single sale is highly competitive. Many migrating out of AZ as well.
Thanks Mr. Frost! I have had a "series" of notifications, but no line outages yet. I hate to talk about it (don't want to jinx it). I do offer up prayers for those people who are actually dealing with these fires! So many troubles!
I live in so cal (SFV) and while some of the fires are close to me, they aren't close enough for me to worry for now. I am hoping that you and your friends remain safe
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! So far a lot more nervous looking out than power outages or fires for me! Sorry, it is taking me a bit to keep up with this fast-moving "article"! See what I did there at the end. LOL!
It's all good my friend.
I am wishing you wellness and good wishes too! So far so good! We are awaiting what is supposed to be the worst of the winds Saturday night into Sunday. Hopefully, we won't be knocked off the grid, in which case, all of this would have been an observation exercise for me. We are not yet participants! This qoes to the adage: Location. Location. Location.
Just do what what is absolutely necessary for your safety. Everything else is material. Life is not. I'm here wishing the best for y'all in the midst of this hell on earth. I can't even imagin My sister lived in Paradise. She was gone before, but wow, how devastating. To see a community she relished in gone overnight..! Nova's Megafire coverage is pretty revealing as to the facts of how and why this happens. Thinking about you CB!
Were you sad that the candidate that you voted for lost Xx?
Still 'hanging in here' despite all the warnings we have been given. I don't know if/when. We still have electrical power (10:40 PST) and its loss may be the worse of it for us should it come.
Thanks for the well wishes. Really, thanks NV-Robin6 and all others! My prayers go out for all those who are going through immediate blackouts and who are being burnt out of home and hearth!
Yes, the Democrats are.
This is what happens with secret closed door questioning where the Democrats get to decide who to question, when, where, and all the questions that are asked.
It is unfreakingbelievable that the left that supports this shit now will scream murder when the Republicans turn the table on the next Democratic president.
Ya, they're so secret that they are announced in press releases by the Intel Committee.
Actually, the Chairmen are calling all relevant witnesses, Trump is trying to keep some of them from appearing.
BTFW, GOP members of the Committees can ask all the questions they want. Don't let them gaslight you.
I support the Congress following the Constitution and the House rules. Why don't you?
As a Democrat once said said, ...
He also encouraged people to punish their enemies and reward their friends.
Karma can be a b*tch.
Do you want the truth or not?! What is your game? Why confront us with this BS about the next democratic president being abused as if to imply that all presidents are now: TRUMP.
Well Donald Trump is a peculiar kind of ass. It is being revealed that one thing Trump is, is a man who has been in our faces since day one of coming down the escalator. He won't shut up! He won't cut us a break on the noise! He won't stop 'bludgeoning' himself with Twitter and his big fat mouth!
As the old saying goes and I paraphrase: 'It would be whole lot harder to know what a peculiar fool he is if he was quieter.'
He is not. Your insult machine has been doing his shtick 24/7 nonstop every since he took the inaugural oath! The Oath! Which undoubtedly he has been lying on every since raising his right hand.
So can payback. Trump is getting some of his just desserts. You should be offended at Trump's shadow government. What does Trump have to hide? After all he has upfront control over the lot of us - all we ask is that he follow the law! And old 'butt-russ' couldn't even do that. He had to pushing it until he got caught with a hand in the Ukraine's President 'drawers' by the long arm of the law!
You don't have a leader in Trump. You are offended at him for getting caught with his hands clutching an unsanctioned, improper, and impeachable offense! Don't hate the democrats, hate Donald. Oh by the way, he is not done with leading donalders around by the hook in their nose yet! Get out safely-if you can!
There are republicans on the committee. This was nothing but Trump's bully-boys grand-standing for the media.
This is just republican talking points filler from Ronin2. They come to work and they have to 'produce' for the donalders.
Yeah boy. Sounds like its right out of Right-wing Talk 'Fog' Book chapter __ and verse ___ . Game-card played! And, countered!
BTW, republicans and conservatives - independents are watching your shenanigans and race to the bottoms!
The three committees involved in these proceeding has 9, 21 and 18 republican members...
Hello, CB. You and I have always gotten along quite well, so I don't understand why you're yelling at me and accusing me of things that don't exist.
Since my taxes pay for duly elected officials' salaries, housing, transportation, security, perks, etc., those officials don't "control" me. They are my employees.
Omigawwwwwd!!!! Friggin' HILARIOUS!
51% of independent voters support impeachment and removal. Keep dreaming.
What a bizarre statement for a citizen of a constitutional republic.
Wrong. This is a political hit job only. Presidents can now be impeached for whatever.
The Dems have been pulling this crap starting after he was declared the winner.
The the Democrats version of the truth. Which is all they are willing to give.
My game now is to ensure no Democrat holds office anywhere at any level. For the first time ever I will vote for a straight Republican ticket. I am going to encourage my independent friends and fiscal conservatives to do the same. The lesser of two evils is better than Democrats being rewarded for this abuse of power.
Because the left is moronic enough to think Republicans will let this slide. Precedent has now been set. I said the same thing when the Republicans had endless investigations against Obama. Of course the Democrats had to one up them.
No, Biden; and he even fucking bragged about doing it. But the left is more than willing to let it slide as he has the all important D behind his name. You still think this is about a criminal act. If it was Biden would have already been forced out of the race. This is about a political hit job only.
Don't like Trump; then don't vote for him. Simple as that. But you don't get to have him removed from office because he won an election; and has a very good chance of winning reelection. The Democrats must really be afraid that whoever rolls last out of their insane exploding clown car of candidates running ever further left, won't be able to win.
Then the Democrats should have no problem defeating Trump in a fair election. So why are they scared shitless?
As for polls. They were just so right last time around. Hillary in a landslide! How wrong they were.
Except that "the last time" was the 2018 midterm elections when the damn gop got exactly the monumental whooping the polls predicted...
You mean an election where trump doesn't get help from a foreign country to win? I agree, should be pretty easy.
Polls reflect the popular vote, not the electorate, (which is what elects presidents). And who won the popular vote? Hillary. Translation? The polls were spot on.
That's what I don't understand. If the Traitor-In-Chief is so confident at his ability to win elections, why does he consistently need assistance from other countries? Isn't counting on the ignorance of his supporters enough? Doesn't he trust their stupidity?
Just like these guys? Here's some then and now hypocrisy for you wrong way righties. Specifically read and take note of Trey Gowdy's take on closed door hearings.
Then and now: How Republicans downplay subpoenas when they target Trump
One month into the House Democratic impeachment inquiry, President Trump’s Republican allies have defended his administration’s refusal to cooperate by criticizing the process and downplaying his calls for foreign investigations of a political rival.
And even as the Trump administration has missed at least nine subpoena deadlines for documents and depositions, his Republican allies are continuing a third defense floated at previous times during his presidency: Congressional subpoenas are optional if issued by Democrats. This is a stark contrast to how those same Republicans talked about or handled probes of the Obama and Clinton administrations.
The day before the House of Representatives impeached President Bill Clinton in December 1998, then-Rep. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), who became one of the 13 House impeachment managers in the Senate trial, said President Richard Nixon’s failure to comply with subpoenas subjected him to impeachment “because he took the power from Congress.”
“The day that William Jefferson Clinton failed to provide truthful testimony to the Congress of the United States is the day that he chose to determine the course of impeachment,” Graham said at the time. “He usurped our power, he abused his authority, he gave false information. That, to me Mr. Speaker, is the same as giving no information at all. Actually, I think it is worse.”
Asked last week about his previous remarks, Sen. Graham replied, “Nothing’s changed,” before retreating to his office.
In June 2012, then-Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) criticized Attorney General Eric Holder for refusing to cooperate with the House Oversight Committee’s investigation of Operation Fast and Furious.
“The notion that you could withhold information and documents from Congress no matter whether you’re the party in power or not in power is wrong,” Gowdy said at the time.
Speaking as a Fox News contributor seven years later, Gowdy sang a different tune.
“Congress as a coequal branch of government can ask for whatever they want to ask for,” Gowdy said in March of House Democratic investigations into Trump. “Now it doesn’t mean you have to show up, and it doesn’t mean you have to talk, and it doesn’t mean you have to produce documents.”
Days before independent counsel Kenneth W. Starr subpoenaed Clinton to testify before a grand jury in July 1998, then-New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani told Charlie Rose that the president must testify if subpoenaed. Starr ultimately withdrew the subpoena after Clinton agreed to testify with conditions .
“The Watergate litigation resolved the fact that the president is not above the law, is not able to avoid subpoenas,” Giuliani said at the time.
The republicans passed the rules regarding this and now unhappy that they are enforced? Sucks to be them.
Hi Jasper! It has been a long day getting back to you. I wrote this too:
You should be offended at Trump's shadow government. What does Trump have to hide? After all he has upfront control over the lot of us - all we ask is that he follow the law! And old 'butt-russ' couldn't even do that.
I take nothing back. Donald Trump works for the citizens of this country too. Except he does not. Rightly put, Trump doesn't work for you either. The man works for no-one. Cross Donald Trump and he will label, name-call, and swerve your political leaning too. Oh, and you should know by now:
You don't have a republican party any longer. The brand is a dead brand standing.
You're all Trump now. The new brand name is coming soon!
Donald says he donates his salary (to somebody) or something or other. Ever wonder why? Because he does not want to give y'all the satisfaction of making the error you just made. Donald Trump is not working for you: your political party is jobbing for him. He has swerved y'all already. Don't you know.
Y'all just need to look closely at the 'contract' as it is playing out in real-time. Trump got y'all, doing the 'pedaling.' To that point. If y'all keep breaking the rules (bringing phones into secure spaces) or get caught on the record lying for Trump, sooner or later some republican/s is going to be REQUIRED to take a long hard one for the team. Donald is pressing republicans ever closer to the fire-watch out-it burns!
Donald ain't going down for y'all-not if he can help it. He will continue to wipe his mouth, nose, eyes, and head on as many of y'all as it takes. It's called, "Getting mileage."
Americans have inherent disdain for those who would 'lord' over us. You USED to know this. What changed?
There you go again.
Spin on!
"The dems" can't impeach an innocent president, Ronin2. I thought you knew.
If it was possible, then y'all would have ruined Barack Obama's good name, so help you! But you couldn't, because some presidents simply are not guilty!
That said, Donald Trump big empty head clanging around Washington D.C and Twitter is his major malfunction.
Can you get Donald to shut up? Yes? No? There is your problem manifested right there in a nutshell.
I have a suggestion for you. Don't just vote for Donald Trump in 2020—marry him. I'm serious. If he will have you, just do it!
You're a lost cause to anyone else. "We" could never made you as happy anyway. I simply don't see it in any of the stars -boo!
Read my post again. You seem confused regarding what I said.
True, and had trump not completely handed the Dems the midterms on a silver platter, he may have gotten away with his criminal behavior. Trump's erratic, unhinged, ridiculous and childish behavior cost the Repubs the midterms and most likely the presidency and the senate in 2020. If the midterms were a moratorium on the trump white house? The repubs are in for a very bumpy ride over the next 24 months.
Really. To what part of "citizen of a constitutional republic" do object?
Are you somehow not a citizen of such a place? Or are you one of those "not my president" idiots?
Regardless, how exactly does he have "upfront control" over you? Does he require you only wear approved Trump brand clothing? Does he dictate what you eat? Where you live? Does he tell you how to set the thermostat in your house? Does he tell you what kind of car you're allowed to buy?
Do tell. How...specifically...does this hysterical claim manifest itself in real life?
Two reasons, (well, one really but....)
1) He knows he cannot win without help. The 2016 election boiled down to what...80k votes in three states? For all the screaming about the "yuge" win, it was actually damn close.
2) Ego. Trump is CONSTANTLY bragging about himself, how great he is, etc.. He has a MASSIVE ego. If he loses the election, his poor little ego will be crushed, so to ensure that will not happen, he is willing to cheat to win.
If their closed why are over 40 republicans capable of walking right on in
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And how does asking other nations to investigate political opponents square with a stated isolationist doctrine encompassingTrump? No! This guy is a crook! One that wants what he wants and is willing to try and take it from others!
Um, because Republicans are smart enough to know how to open a door?
Jack, I am not sorry that I do not have anymore time to waste on you right now. This is what I got for ya:
Jibber Jabber ruins everything
The video title is instructive.
I'll take that as your concession of the point.
A sad, bitter concession, but very much a concession.
For my part, I am sorry you live in such a state of mind that you don't recognize how little control any president has over your daily life. It must be quite a challenge.
Sure. Take it anyway you can process it.
"Jibber Jabber."
Liberals would stand outside banging on an unlocked door demanding someone let them in.
A closed hearing is not the same as a secret hearing. If we know about it, it is not a secret.
Cuz they're running scared like chickens with their heads cut off. With good reason; Twitlertwat's going down and they know it! Justice is prevailing!
by using the power of government to go after political rivals? obama's admin has already done that. and failed spectacularly. but even I will admit... it was a fun clown show to watch
obamas admin used foreign intelligence (aka 5 eyes) to fabricate and then legitimize bs evidence against trump
so, maybe ask obama?
Tonight, as I was driving around looking for an 'old-school' transistor radio, I was in a surprise position to hear AM band radio at night. It was starling to hear the AM morning and afternoon Christian shows are turned over to jocks and anchors who blatantly using terms like "leftist" and 'socialism' for every other word at evening time. Being that this was a conservative AM radio I was soon thinking to myself that this is a 'root cause' of what is being dealt with here on social media! These conservative anchors were talking (and selling) freedom as a commodity (a book, a conference, a donation); all designed to have one group of people go up against another group of people. How the,. . .heaven. . .in a land expressly known for its freedoms did we all allow ourselves to get so tangled up in alienation and "other-isms"? We're some of the smartest and most sophisticated people ever to be born on Earth! But here we are arguing and tearing ourselves down in 24/7 broadcast increments. We are 'warring' over matters that use to give us joy, or at least were not worth 'dying' on a hill over.
Does Donald Trump appear to support isolationist policies to you, MEB? Yes or No. Is this a specific portion of what you appreciate about Donald Trump as leader?
that is not the cause.
it is the symptom/result of the lunatic left's antics.
but ya know what the good news is?
This is America under the leadership of Trump. Lawmakers breaking the law. Traitors to the Constitution.
I'm so embarrassed for you.
Somebody needs to be!
That's the kinda girl I am......thoughtful and generous to those less fortunate.
Me too, but it makes me laugh soooooo hard! Omigawd, I cannot even stifle it. I laugh out loud. Sad, isn't it? In a funny, funny, really funny way.
More than they realize. lol
See??? That's soooo fuckin' hilarious!!!
Cite
Wally, I know your perception is that Trump makes demmies cry so you love him. But truth be told, he has called his supporters idiots from the get-go. He's counted on low intellect of those supporters that he has left. He's banked on it.
Cite
Don't make sound bites and think because you say them, it makes it true. Sometimes it's better for his supporters to stop deflecting, stop spinning, stop making it apparent to all those around them that they lack impulse control. Some, not all, should think before they post. Frankly, I enjoy your shit. But it does make me feel bad for you sometimes. Sorta. Maybe. Nah, it doesn't.
He just needs someone to read it to him....then spend the next 30 days drilling into his head exactly what it means.
It will take more than an hour for him to read the Constitution...it doesn't come with cartoons
That is one job this American refuses to do.
Friend TG, let's not patronize Donald Trump. One does not aspire to lead the world without understanding where you can be brought low at in an instance by rule of law-unless you are a stone-cold fool or impotent incompetent.
Donald Trump thinks he knows enough constitution to skillfully manipulate it, Friend TG!
It is those vague points in the Constitution he is most interested in. It is where Trump lawyers can play. It is the powers inherent in the Constitution where only fools would dare seek to (ab)use that Donald dares to tread along on. Donald is showing us all everyday what his lifelong skill-set is: A single-minded manipulation of a certain type of people. Be assured, all of these people "jobbin" and supporting Trump fully understand they have subordinated themselves under his authority. And, they have done so voluntarily.
Let's be aware, there are people in this country who want exactly what Donald Trump is doing to a 'T.' They serve him willingly and deliberately.
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I’m so proud of them all! Well done.
I know!! Isn't it great?!? My nipples have been extra perky all day! And don't tell anyone, but I've been so excited that I've had sex with 5 complete strangers...for free!!!
Picture or it didn't happen.
I laughed so hard when I heard several republicans that stormed (shuffled) into the (unlocked) chamber were already supposed to be in there because they were members of the committees conducting the depositions. How utterly pathetic and sad. Then I kinda got aggravated because I realized they were playing parade when they should have been earning the salary they draw from the taxpayers.
What those damn goppers did yesterday was to break federal law and on camera. Proud? You should be ashamed. Are you going to volunteer to pay their fines? To do time for those rogue goppers who were obstructing justice? Then, Go For It. I will never understand why the damn gop thinks they are above the law...
(*)(*)
Those are belle's nipples. Give them back!
Belle's nips!!! Awwwww ... I miss belle.
Yeah, me too. We had so much fun back then.
No worries, they're just loaners.
The first they need to take down is the idiot who tried to take a recording device into the hearing, which is against the law. If they don't like the way the hearing is going, they should have not passed the rules regarding how it is conducted.
Got to love a Sister! I had to read her response outloud to hubby. Love you Sister Mary! We both cracked up! Great day for cracking up! Especially Hillary's line at Elijah's services, against corruption from the prophet Elijah, who stood up against King Ahab and Queen Jezebel! I'm still laughing. Love or hate Hillary, she at least had a clue! Its really such a shame, she would have been a great President. Totally fucking robbed!
Elijah Cummings, RIP, you led the way! We will not forsake our democracy like you taught us! Trust in your thoughtful leadership and Thank You Sir! Salute!!
The Republicans trampled over dozens of people as you can see in the video below barging into the Secret Room where the Honorable Adam Schiff was continuing to do the Democrats work of gathering evidence or making it up to enable him to save the Democrats from the inevitable disaster they are in for.
Now here is the funniest video segment of the day from the Crazy Cartoon Network, here's Fredo!!!
Six! A stop-short? Say it isn't so!
I could not even finish listening to this interview. I turned the volume down and walked away. Sometimes I do not know what to make of Chris' openness to trying to balance BS, and I certainly did not know what to make of this congressman. So I stepped out on it. Somebody was using somebody to get a message out and I could not discern which man (in this case) it was. Chris:Congressman.
Hi Sister! I am confused and maybe you can help me understand: What is Sixpick's position on this interview?
The fact that he truncated the video tells you how he feels about the WHOLE video. Go watch the second half of the interview. It makes Bill Johnson look like a partisan hack.
If one is NOT on the committee, one is NOT entitled to sit in the hearing. They took a page from their POS master and don't think the RULES apply to them. Gaetz is a slimy used car salesmen. I'm an American and I know how the court system works, I guess certain republicans need a crash course in law ethics and/or if any of them are attorneys they need to brush up on their CLE ethics credits.
When they had the hearings on Clinton, the opposite party did not try to crash the hearings because they knew the rules of who attends and who doesn't. They should all be brought up on charges by the Bar Association for misconduct, those who are lawyers that is.
these are all administrative violations, not crimes. It could certainly affect their security clearance(s) temporarily or permanently, however.
If one is NOT on the COMMITTEE then one is NOT allowed in and especially with their cellphones which is a big no no...or are republicans all of a sudden above the law.
There is nothing in the constitution requiring a vote.
Frankly, all of this shit confuses me.
Any excuse for the Democrats in the House right?
It is not like they are conducting a kangaroo court investigation or anything./S
The fact the left is excusing this is inexcusable.
There ARE republicans in these meetings because they are on the committee.
The impeachment trial with witness testimony will be held publicly in the senate.
The only confusion here lies with those in the untenable position to defend the proclaimed 'stable genius'.
Proceedings---what ever. As this continues Russia is making their moves and the US has begun its defensive crouch of withdrawal. In the Trump Era will, "Crouching Withdrawal With Honor" be the next Trumpian patriotic meme?
When there ARE Impeachment HEARINGS, they will be voted on.
Excuse me?
did you get out of the wrong side of the bed this morning?
The comment you are referring to, was about the conduct of the uninvited non committee members and their violations of the SCIF rules which may ( should )affect their security clearances now and in the future.
The invited committee members of both parties were there to depose a potential witness.
Get over you faux outrage and belief that no Republicans are on Schiff's committees or that they were not present.
It simply is not true.
The fact that you cling to your umbrage in the face of facts is pretty ridiculous.
And as I noted elsewhere, these shitty government practices started centuries ago in England and have been gleefully practiced by ALL parties since the First Continental Congress in 1774.
Have a nice day.
There are 9 republicans on Schiff's committees and 13 democrats.
Thanks Kav,
Don't cha know everything is so unfair....
Great comment. What don't they understand? Didn't this include Gohmert? Not even Texas repubs like Gohmert.
And they attempted to take cell phones into the proceedings [a huge no-no] that was attended by both democrats and republicans . Republicans are panicking aren't they?
Cite
Obviously they are panicking if they are reduced to pulling childish stunts like this...Gaetz the douche canoe is like that kid who everyone dislikes and tries to join the club but keeps getting denied. He's a lowlife putz
They should all have their security clearances pulled.
I’m sure the President will get right on that....
They're losing their shit big time.
What do they have to hide?
I don't get it ... the hearings on Benghazi were held behind closed doors. Why is everyone on the right behaving as if this was an egregious incident? There were republicans in the room!
Oh, for fuck's sake. And they say the democrats are hysterical. All we are asking, as Americans not democrats, is accountability. But Trumplethinskin can't keep his mouth shut. HE'S behaving hysterically and counting on the absolute ignorance of his supporters. And his panic and hysteria is trickling down to those who know he's a crook. They're fine with the Traitor-In-Chief being a crook, but to see him melt down in public has them a bit ... 'unsettled.'
I unequivocally agree.
His should be the first clearance pulled.
You know, I learned a lot from your cited paragraph. But how much you wanna bet that some of our fellow NT'ers won't bother to read that paragraph? They could learn so much and then sit the fuck down and color
Blah, blah, blah, that 's all I hear
On the news last night, other Reps who were there as committee members, both Dems and GoP, said that the use of cell phones was deliberate ( eventually someone among the protesters decided to start collecting them ) and that several of the hearing crashers asked to be arrested.
While Schiff and others reportedly conferred with the Sargent at Arms, no one had the political will to round up enough police to remove or arrest the protesters. Whoever was on TV last night would not even commit to administrative punishments such as removal of security clearances or censures.
We have come to a pretty low place when the R's won't adhere to the rules that R's like Gowdy put in place ( and enforced)
while the adults in the room, both R's & D's won't punish them.
The House rules. Go read them and concentrate on the authorities of the Chairman of the House Select Intelligence Committee.
Please send links that prove dems do this all the time. You saying it doesn't make it so, Wally.
CB, it is all they have.
There is an old saying.
If you don't have the facts on your side argue the law. If you don't have the facts OR the law on your side, ........ you are Donald Trump.
You DO? Who wasn't allowed Counsel XD?
Ya, that's what I thought...
Counsel is not necessary to those giving testimony. It's up to each deponent to hire counsel if they feel one is necessary. Your quoted material says nothing about counsel being mandatory because it's not.
IOKIYAR
Go to 4:48
On how to conduct this. Try to keep up. The R's are the ones who passed them and now all shocked and shaken that they are being enforced.
Why is it ok crying kangaroo courts when it's your side on defense? Benghazi? Do I need to post you Trey Gowdy's final statement? How about Hillary's emails all bring exonerated from DOJ recently?
When are you going to get a clue, do the crime, you'll do the time and The Donald is NOT exempt!
Republicans are the ones who set the rules for private depo's, so they weren't a public circus and now you cry foul? WTF?! Impeachment process is in the Constitution! Why do you think you get to cherry pick the ultimate law of the land?!
Who believes that Matt "The Rat" Gaetz will not rat out all the brave patriots lining up to spill the beans on Trump & Co? They had to put the original whistleblower into The Witness Protection Program to protect them from Trump's murderous rages. Donald The Mad they will call him. Or, maybe Donald The Terrible. Nah, Don The Loser!
Must Watch: What is the Rule of Law? New ABA Video
American Bar Association: Customer service: 1 (800) 285-2221
NT! Call - make your voices heard! Ask them to check their own! Some of our congressional lawyers are honest to goodness 'flea bags.'
Oh and don't forget to compliment the good lawyers and lawyering going on too!
Oooh! A video! That's better than a book with pictures.
I know, Right? Fleabag lawyers are destroying their profession's collective reputation in the age of Trump, one case at a time.
What they are doing is legal. The piece of shit Gaetz is just grandstanding. He is trying to cloudy the waters and be a trump torchbearer.
The base eats it up like it is gospel.
Yep. He just wants to solidify trumps base for votes. Well, that and he is an idiot.
So you will be all for it when the Republicans do it to the next Democratic president?
Glad to hear it, because it will happen.
If they do something illegal? Sure, I will.
Really. That they think trump is an angel and the Dems have zero reason for any of this is lunacy.
Chances that the Dems put up a clown like trump are zilch. And the gop better think long and hard about any future candidates they have.
I think the only cons left that think this is all made up are the same cons that wrapped themselves in tin foil to avoid getting cancer from those windmills.
No, not illegal. For whatever, just like the Democrats are doing. Manufactured charges are as good as any.
Particularly ironic because of what John Cronyn [a republican] said:
Elect a clown, expect a circus.
You are aware that trump violated our constitution, right?
You are aware that electronic devices are not allowed in the room that the idiots barged into with their cell phones, right? That's what is called a security risk. Those republicans are fucking morons.
Anything that include Gohmert is moronic. There's a meme of him that says "Gohmert ... he's like Forrest Gump without the intelligence and charm."
Gohmert admits as a kid, he would have wanted to go into the girl's restroom to "get educated." Get educated watching little girls pee and poop? Are you serious? What did he think goes on in little girl's bathrooms?
Radio interview of Gohmert, April 7, 2016
Gohmert couldn't manage a one-car funeral.
Gohmert couldn't count to 21 without getting naked...
I believe they are both aware but choose to stay ignorant
I had to think about that one for a minute....
It will be stupid if it does and is uncalled for. The thing for any democratic party president to remember is to serve honorably. Of course, some conservatives and republicans "do as I say and not as I do" will attempt all manners of 'eruptions' and stinking thinking—oh it's true, that is what you do.
The public needs to take time out from its collectively busy lives and go through congressional elected officials with a fine tooth comb, dragging all misfits and malformed miscreants in office out of its hair!
I am down with that! Accountability to hold hearings of substance and not stupid stuff and trivialities, I say! Once again, I blame the red state voters who are sending and keeping "donalders" in elected office for the overwhelming majority of aggravation and vexation in Washington, D.C.
Please. It is clear to me you do not know what a "manufactured charge" looks like. Here let me offer you this:
Didn't Mike Fuckabee say something similarly creepy about teenage girls in showers?
Don't expect any results from the Ethics Committee. If they would do their jobs, half the clowns, D and R, would be gone.
Probably. He did run to Josh Duggar's side when it was discovered that Josh was molesting his little sisters.
It was during the transgender bathroom/restroom/locker room fiascoes that Fuckabee stuck his ignorant nose in. He said in high school he wished he could have said he felt like a woman so he could shower with the girls.
I'm sure he'd prefer to shower with boys, little boys.
Certainly.
No...he is trying to garner attention and get re-elected.
Hence the attention-getting behavior. It's not unlike liberal representatives who protest or pretty much any representative who appears in a televised congressional hearing.
Bringing a cell phone into a SCIF, is a huge security violation, but often accidental.
Texting from the same area is just plain willful stupidity
punishable by having current security clearances revoked and future clearances blocked.
Say goodbye to being on those committees let alone ever chairing one.
True, but the guy was intentionally holding it up and trying to record.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/laura-cooper-pentagon-official-overseeing-ukraine-testifies-impeachment-inquiry-n1070586?fbclid=IwAR2g4LM-9GptkbO0d_v1hz0ZUV-N1MXP6qni1-Inqk8Yb455ej2U_MRT9Fw
That takes some big brass balls, boys
Been peeking in my windows again?
Yeah...I think it's time you got new carpet
We've been thinking about having stadium seating installed.
Fuck the Democrats. At this point I don't care if the Republicans shut down Congress.
No more closed door secret Democrat only questioning allowed.
Either it is out in the open; or it doesn't happen.
There are republicans in the meeting.
There ARE republicans in these meetings, these gate crashers are NOT on the committee so they are NOT allowed in or are they special and the rules don't apply to them
Everybody keeps telling that but I think they are skipping over those words:
"there are republicans in these meetings"
Or.....decorum prevents me from saying it
No offense, but how many times does it need repeating? THERE ARE REPUBLICANS ON THE COMMITTEE AND PRESENT DURING THE PROCESS. This is their opportunity to ask questions, as well.
Pardon my yelling, but for crying the hell out loud!
Selective hearing and reading.....if I don't read it or hear it, it can't be true
Sister, let me. I'm known for my very loud voice
THERE ARE REPUBLICANS ON THE COMMITTEE AND PRESENT DURING THE PROCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't know if that will work but I gave it my best shot
I tell you something else too. Congressman Schiff, who should know what Congressman Nunes is all about, should keep a short-chain on that thang. Nunes is no good. As soon as he sees a pretext to visit the White House or someone from the White House—hell, even Sean Hannity will do, he will trade information entrusted to this committee to Donald J. Trump.
Congressman Nunes is looking for a opening—BET! It would not surprise me in the least if he pulls another WH lawn interview as soon as, well tomorrow.
Nunes is on the case? He got the clapp again?
They haven't acknowledged facts for over 3 years so why would they start now.
Hold it in public; or not all.
Good enough for you?
All the Dems are doing is trying to set the narrative with leaks.
Same goes for you. Or do you think the Republicans won't be trying to tie each and every last witness to an antiTrump hate fest conducted by the Democrats?
"Do you hate the President. Do you think the President is incompetent. Do you wish to see the President removed from office. Were you coached, or did you have contact with any Democrats before your testimony" Will all be leading questions.
Frankly I can't stand Trump.
I have stated repeatedly that I voted and campaigned for Gary Johnson. I haven't voted for an Establishment candidate since Bill Clinton second term. I stopped doing the lesser of two evils BS after believing him. He committed perjury and obstructed. I will never forgive him for that; or myself for voting for him.
I will be voting straight Republican ticket for the first time ever. Democrats don't deserve power at any level. I will not reward them for their abuse of power.
I can't help you. If you think republicans deserve to be in full charge....AGAIN...... your conspiracy theory world is something that can't be penetrated by facts. And you've already proven that to be true in spades.
You continue to carry Trump's water no matter facts are you are presented though you say you can't stand him. I say bull. You've been in lock step on every Trump point. You sound very similar to ever other paid GOP shill that I've run across the last ten years. That isn't a very flattering endorsement
She'll have this to the Senate by the end of November for trial.
NO.
Thank goodness that goalpost was on wheels...
The rules their party passed.
Plenty of people have had the opportunity to tell Trump's side of the story, but they were ordered to defy any and all subpoenas...by Trump.
What's ironic is that Trump tweets dozens of times a day, has an entire press office, has the bully pulpit, has Lindsey Graham carrying his water in the Senate and dozens of idiots doing the same in the House and they're STILL whining about Trump's 'side of the story' not being heard.
Gotta love it! The guy that can't go away. . . . Trump's 'other ball.' Nunes is no good. He is looking for an opening to go tell. Just the kind of 'rat' Trump likes a lot!
McConnell is just another career politician who puts party over country.
And his own interests and personal gain above both party and country.
Yeah, this reverse pysche thing you repeatedly and assumingly think you are doing well is a failure. Anyone who would ever vote for Donald Trump after watching this fiasco-ed and loud-mouthed presidency full of stunts and meaningless intrigue is either sadistic or would accuse truth of being a lie even though it sitting on his or her face!
If that is not clear enough: let me be plainer. I, we, see you Russian bot! Yours is very similar to the counter-narrative that was executing "black ops" during the 2016 presidential cycle in support of Jill Stein (a third-party choice) and spreading disinformation and unworkable alternatives to voters.
I will make it my 'honor to check your BS where and when it shows up in my surroundings.
A dichotomy. You can't stand Trump and by extension those who are allowing 'rump to 'stand on Fifth Avenue and shooting someone' but, you are ready and eager to vote a straight Republican ticket, "maiden voyage" even, for the whole shebang of them?
In the words of Bill Maher, 'I can't prove you are 2016 Russian troll-farm agent, but I know its true!'
Excuse me, Kathleen. Now you are questioning republican loyalty to Donald Trump's point of view of us? Kindly as I can put it, I think Donald Trump is one of the worse human being I have ever heard of in public office—maybe even in life. Why would or should I care that his cadre of lies, obfuscations, and displays of obstruction be given any more time?
A trial, if there is one, would be conducted by the Senate.
Sad to see Democrats resort to Star Chamber tactics and avoiding transparency at all costs. A legitimate impeachment process, such as the Nixon and Clinton inquiries, followed a bipartisan process that was agreed to by all sides.
Remember, Democracy dies in the darkness, and the Democrats are trying to overturn an election in secret.
And how many of trumps staff has his orangeness ordered to not reply to legal subpoenas? 10? 15? But Dems aren't being transparent? Save your outrage. When was the last time you saw an investigation done completely out in the open? Never.
When the house is done with the investigation, the findings get shared with the senate. Then there is a hearing. Were the republicans investigating clinton completely done in the open? No.
Trump cost the GOP the midterms, that's the way it goes.
And how many of trumps staff has his orangeness ordered to not reply to legal subpoenas? 10? 15
Trump has never refused to comply with a legal subpoena. Which Court order has he refused?
But Dems aren't being transparent?
Um.. yeah. Secret hearings and withholding facts from the public are pretty much the definition of a lack of transparency.
When was the last time you saw an investigation done completely out in the open? Never.
It's all taking place behind closed doors. The Clinton impeachment inquiry took place in a bipartisan, public matter. Trying to overturn an election should be done in public, not in secret. But Democrats are the party of totalitarians, so I can see why overturning elections in secret appeals to them.
Were the republicans investigating clinton completely done in the open
The Republicans and Democrats agreed on procedures that maximized transparency and fairness for Clinton and Nixon. Democrats refused to follow that precedent so they can hide evidence from the public.
Sad.
So very true. The Trump admin is the least transparent administration ever.
Trump's refused to follow just about every precedent there is, especially those related to conflicts of interest and transparency. But you want to bitch about the Dems when they don't follow precedent? And the Constitution states that the House can conduct the impeachment inquiry however they want.
As MrFrost said, save your outrage.
Are you serious?
Well, there went your credibility. A legally certified election cannot BE overturned. You need to get off the right wing nut job radio. No one is trying to overturn the 2016 election.
Sad that you think impeachments overturn elections.
Clinton skated, as did Johnson. The Senate would not convict either.
Nixon resigned, he was not impeached (as likely as it would have been, had he resisted).
What part of if they are not on the committee don't they get that they have no business being in the room or are they above the rules and laws.
After Reagan, Bush Sr, Clinton, Bush Jr, and Obama. That is just pure TDDS talking.
Doesn't that mean you have RDS BDS CDS and ODS?
Really? How So? Please enlighten us. I want to know now. I think you are just bluffing...
Sad that you don't understand a successful impeachment a President overturn an election.
did you not know that? Sad, indeed.
It's funny how you have to justify your actions by referencing a President you want to impeach.
Pretty much says it all.
re you serious?
Are you serious? Do you not understand the President has the right to challenge the legality of a subpoena. Did you not know that? Again, as the party of totalitarianism, I can see why democrats ignore due process and the separation of powers.
A legally certified election cannot BE
Sure it can. Donald Trump was elected President. A successful impeachment overturns the results of an election and removes the legally elected President from office before he completes the term he was elected for. Do you really not know that?
How about this: I'll research and provide his compliance record if you research and provide his non-compliance record.
And there we have it. Thank you!!!! Feel free to repeat it as often as possible.
ump has never refused to comply with a legal subpoena. Which Court order has he refused?
I'd just like someone, anyone, to point out any subpoena he's been ordered to comply with and hasn't.
Nothing to say about Nixon, sad.
Who would have replaced Clinton? Was Gore not elected to step into the Presidency "just in case"?
Had Johnson been convicted by the Senate, the ( twice elected) Speaker of the House Schuyler Colfax
would have been sworn in as the 18th President because Johnson never appointed a Vice President due to the
enmity of both parties during Reconstruction after Lincoln was "impeached" by a bullet.
Still waiting on those financial records.
Say what about Nixon? What point do you imagine you made?
Did you not know Bill Clinton was elected to serve as President for 4 years?
By all means, go back and look at how Democrats claimed Republicans were trying to overturn the 1996 election by impeaching Clinton. Look it up!
What court has ordered him to produce records and what deadline has he missed?
Are you a Constitutionalist Sean?
Do you not believe in it?
Impeachment is enshrouded in it.
Seems like the Founding Fathers knew exactly what they were doing, did they not?
Do you think this is some sort of gotcha?
Of course impeachment is Constitutional. IT also overturns the result of an election. Both things are true.
Understand I'm not a liberal who thinks the Constitution conforms to my personal preferences, in that any policy I don't like must be "unconstitutional".
Well then stop your constant bitching about it, seems you cannot have both at the same time.
however we elected both Trump & Pence on the same ticket.
So as long as Pence becomes the 46th POTUS I see no argument about overturning an election.
It's all part of the processssssssssss.
That's idiotic. Seriously. It doesn't even make sense.
as Pence becomes the 46th POTUS I see no argument about overturning an election.
Of course you don't. That's the Dailykos Democratic talking point in 2019. In 1998, Democrats claimed it was.
Trump was elected to serve 4 years. Impeachment overturns the vote and truncates his term of office. That's undeniable. But don't worry about being accurate, just bleat your shiny new 2019 talking points.
He can challenge it, but he cannot refuse it. Ask Susan McDougal how that works. Trump is not above the law no matter how much you want him to be. He is in the EXECUTIVE branch, not the JUDICIAL branch. Did you forget that we have 3 co-equal branches of government? Besides, you said he hasn't refused any subpoenas and hasn't ordered his staff to refuse them. You got proven wrong.
No, it really doesn't.
No, Pence would be sworn in. And if Pence goes down with Donny? President Pelosi.
You are speaking gibberish. Literally.
Ask Susan McDougal how that works
McDougal went to jail because she ignored a court order to testify. There is no order court order compelling Trump to do anything. See the difference?
ump is not above the law no matter how much you want him to be
Now you are making things up. Asserting your rights in Court doesn't make "you above the law." The Courts have to determine what the law requires, first. Have you no respect for due process?
id you forget that we have 3 co-equal branches of government?
No. you don't seem to understand what's happening. This is between Congress and the President. Each is claiming the other is overstepping it's rights. The Court will determine who is right. Until then, Trump doesn't have to do anything.
esides, you said he hasn't refused any subpoenas and hasn't ordered h
No, I didn't. Try again.
ou got proven wrong.
If you think that, you have no idea what's going on. Based on what you've written, that seems likely.
Do you not understand what the word "truncates" means? Or "he."
It boggles the mind that anyone would claim the impeachment and remove of Trump wouldn't truncate his Presidential term. I can't believe this needs to be explained.
Are you imply that Trump has or has had an STD?
These donalders are gnashing their teeth at the wrong people. Donald swerved Donald with all this stonewalling, insults, and steamrolling over rules of law!
Humph. Apparently, somebody does not know what real Americans look like. For the record, the citizens of this country, inclusive of you, too, are real Americans!
Yes! Please do remember that those commenters on all radio and television if they are not volunteering time to the networks - they have been given positions for which regular on-air appearances are paid. And the more lucrative. . . . So what am I saying? I am saying that in one form or another those analysts, experts, and show anchors you listen to and watch are "jobbin.'
Jobbers will tell you the truth or they will share spin, either way you will be told something—everyday—everytime on talk/commentary/opinion shows. One by one, each one gets a crack to 'open' up our heads out here and see something. We have to be very careful who. . . .
I hope you are kidding?
Reagan and Bush Sr had Iran/Contra; or is the left now denying all of the investigations into that? Are you saying that there was no cover up.
Clinton was impeached for perjury and obstruction. You can't get any more clear than that. Sorry, I will not provide a link for this one, as it is too obvious.
Bush Jr was the reasons for going to war in Iraq. Or do want to pretend Bush wasn't investigated up the ying yang for that; even after Congress authorized the use of military force. Also the outing of a secret service agent. Both were covered up by the administration.
Obama. Take your pick Fast and Furious- where he granted both Holder, and Holder's wife, executive privilege. Benghazi, IRS, Black Panther voter intimidation. If there was an investigation Obama obstructed using Executive Privilege, and forcing Congress to repeatedly take him to court to get evidence.
But Trump is so much worse than all of the other Presidents?/S
Trump was elected to serve 4 years honestly and legally within the limits of power of the office of the Presidency.
Many people feel that Trump has abused his power many times in different ways and are exercising their Constitutional right to explore impeachment.
Is your whole premise is that he can only be impeached after his term has been served? That's ridiculous.
But don't worry about being accurate Sean, it's not as if the FF did not include impeachment in the Constitution for a situation like this
Oh wait, they did.
You just can't admit that the two thing exist together and that impeachment over rules elections. Too bad.
You need new non partisan talking points too.
This pit bull routine has gotten old and stale.
It boggles the mind how many times it has been explained to you and you just
bleat semantic games.
Let me make this as simple as possible for you. The voters elected Trump to serve 4 years. Impeachment and removal prevents that from happening. It's that simple.
Everything else you offered is irrelevant blather.
Acknowledging the perfectly obvious fact that impeachment and removal overturns the result of the election (Trump won a 4 year term) has nothing to do with the constitutionality of impeachment. Why you think it does is beyond me. Nor does acknowledging the plain fact that impeachment overturns an election bear any relationship with the correctness of any particular impeachment.
Try and grasp this, impeachment and removal of a President is constitutional and can be an appropriate remedy, but it still overturns an election.
Again, I know Democrats prioritize messaging over reality.. When a Democrat is threatened with impeachment,it's "overturning an election" because that fits the overall narrative they want their supporters to parrot. When it's a Republican President threatened, they spit in the face of reality rather than knowledge an obvious reality, for fear that the obvious reality helps their enemies.
Then you do not believe in impeachment
Got it
Rinse, blather, rinse.
You cannot hold both positions at the same time Sean.
Butt since you appear to be arguing with yourself and somehow blaming all non-Republicans,
please, have the last word on this partisan nonsense.
Man, you have lost all contact with linear thought. No wonder you don't even try and defend that nonsense with an argument,.
annot hold both positions at the same time Sean.
Of course, I, like any reality based person capable of nuanced thought can. That's why the founders made the bar to remove an elected President so high, because it overturns an election.
Butt since you appear to be arguing with yourself
No, I'm stopping you from gaslighting the forum with your assault on the English language, logic and common sense.
somehow blaming all non-Republican
No, I'm just laughing at your obvious hypocrisy. The idea that Democrats would be making this absurd argument if a Democrat were being impeached is laughable, as history demonstrates. Just try and claim it with a straight face.
Sure...take the easy job....
If that were true, Hillary would become President when Donald is impeached. Instead, Pence would be President just as the constitution mandates if the President is impeached, also a constitutional structure that has nothing to do with "overturning" an election but everything to do with removing Presidents who abuse their power or commit crimes while in office. If it were simply overturning the results of an election, like voiding the winner in a race, the runner up is awarded 1st place and is considered the winner. That obviously is not what impeachment would lead to, thus it is very clearly not overturning an election. Besides, what I believe you're trying to imply is that it's overturning the will of the people, but that's utter nonsense since the people overwhelmingly voted for Hillary. But even so, Hillary will never be President. She is done and there is no chance she will ever be President since she's not only tainted by a massive amount of disinformation and lies that millions of half wits and morons still believe in just like they still believe Obama was born in Kenya despite all evidence, but Hillary is also saddled with the fact she lost the electoral college votes to arguably the most despicable human being on the planet.
Sad that you think it does. It doesn't.
It removes him from office and denies him the right to hold future office. PERIOD full stop. It doesn't 'invalidate, reverse or overturn' anything. If it did, Pence would be going out the door right with Trump.
GREAT! So we get a twofer' and Trump AND Pence go.
BTW, please consider practicing your copy and paste 'skills'.
Sean is completely spinning his wheels. It is what Trump defenders have been reduced to.
Which actually remains to be determined.
To be fair, she gives him a run for the money in that contest.
Unbelievable. What the hell is going on here? We clearly have too much freedom in this country. Where is the draft when you need it? /s
So who is your actual complain with the founders or NT? I just want to know what we are dealing with here for real!
Hence the need for deposing witnesses.
I don't actually have a problem with that. I didn't have a problem with Bob Mueller investigating, either, BTW.
I think the nature of impeachment proceedings is much less conducive to objectivity than Meuller's work was, so the outcome is likely to be more contentious no matter how it works out.
So we'll see what happens.
I hope he doesn't, then he can rack up a charge of Obstruction Of Justice, (which is an impeachable offense).
His PERSONALLY, yes. But it doesn't mean we wander aimlessly without a POTUS. As has been stated, Pence would be sworn in. We do actually have rules regarding the removal of a POTUS. Overturning the election would mean that Hillary would take over, which is not possible since Clinton is not even a government employee.
You know me way too well.
Funny you should cite the Nixon and Clinton Impeachment process.
First of all there wasn't an Impeachment inquiry for the Clinton Impeachment. NONE. The entire investigation was done by Ken Starr and a Grand Jury and ALL of it was behind closed doors.
Secondly, for Nixon, the Impeachment inquiry by the Judiciary Committee began on October 20, 1973 yet a vote on the Resolution for an Impeachment inquiry didn't happen until February 6, 1974.
Do the math on how the 'process' has been conducted in the past.
Why do you say things that aren't true?
Okay on that Clinton inquiry point . Good research.
Now, what is it you can't understand about the other reasonable explanations given by the present inquiry committees?
Let me add my personal thought on this: Experience has demonstrated that Donald and his donalders want the testimonies of these witnesses public simply so they can spin it as it flows out of their mouths. That is, Donald wants to bark out his lies about it in that 'special way' Trump does - see WH lawn, rallies, and Press events. And his donalders want to water down the testimonies before they can develop or be properly deliberated delineated. That is, donalders are impatient to start their noise campaigns.
I applaud the democrats for understanding the frenemy sating the gate. Republican donalders are up to no good (yet again). These folks (especially Gohmert) are deceitful, untrustworthy, and dare I say it, rotten| to| the | core.
Speaks volumes that six liberals gave a thumbs up to an obviously false claim, doesn't it? Sad to see.
and about the other reasonable explanations given by the present inquiry committees
Holding secret hearings isn't reasonable.
Given the magnitude of the situation, the reasonable way to proceed with an impeachment inquiry is to follow the precedent of bipartisan agreement for the process followed by the House in the Clinton and Nixon impeachment inquiries. By all means, if you want to discredit the process by turning it into a purely partisan affair and gift wrap a reason for Republicans to oppose it, keep doing what you are doing.
I assume Democrats actually don't want to remove Trump from office and just want to damage him Becasue they are doing everything in their power to assure Republican Senators won't for it with their blatant partisanship.
After YEARS of investigating Clinton, Starr released his report to the Judiciary committee on Sept. 9, 1998 and by Sept. 21st they released 3,183 pages of the report to the public including Grand Jury testimony. Note that those dates are a MONTH BEFORE the Oct. 8 vote for the 'official' inquiry to begin.
The 'official' Impeachment inquiry lasted for less than a month. It actually started November 19th and ended on Dec. 11th. They didn't investigate, they had Starr testify and wrote up the Articles of Impeachment from Starr's referral.
Oh and BTFW, note that Clinton wasn't allowed to have his lawyer cross examine Starr. I guess that means that Clinton didn't get due process...
Yes, I know I was correct and that you published false facts.
When did 'secret hearing' suddenly become unreasonable Sean?
You talk about 'precedent' yet you want us to ignore the precedent set by other investigations conducted by GOP Chairman. Why is that?
wow...I think you need a nap
Isn't
'false facts" an oxymoron?
Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
Votes are votes.
The real problem you have with impeaching Trump is he is not Nixon or Clinton. Neither is this congress, either of those earlier congresses. Both of those former presidents were men who wanted to use the system to their advantage, but they never intended to stretch it till it breaks.
Trump is a survivalist. He won't submit until he has no choice but to do so. For now, it is clear, that as long as Donald has donalders to man his political ramparts he will continue to 'rule' from his throne in D.C. —But you are aware of this already.
Trump is a manipulator. It is his 'super power.' He tells his "lieutenants" to fan out and populate the 'countryside' and all the networks and to spend their time disrupting the free exchange of information and depositing disinformation. He fully understands the media has to report the disinformation even as they 'square it.' All the while, Trump and the donalders are off pedaling a new batch of disinformation. And the cycle continues. Even though everybody is aware of what is happening.
Sean, somebody has to break the cycle. Nancy Pelosi apparently has caught on. Let us continue in this direction we're headed and see what becomes of it. Shall we?
Schiff ran out with his tail between his legs.
Keeping judiciary committee members out of an "impeachment" hearing.
This is what they've sunk to.
You wish. With the invasion of those idiots trying to crash the hearings, it was best to just walk away for now.
He was protecting his witness. You might want to actually read the article
Protecting his witness?????
From what exactly?
All the article said was " Chairman Schiff immediately left with the witness"
Laugh all you want, but if you don't think there were pacemakers sparking and toupee glue melting all over the place when those fools went bursting into the room, you would be mistaken.
We have a president that has spoken frequently of his preference to use the death penalty on whistleblowers and others who cross him or who are willing to cooperate with the impeachment investigation. For all we know, today's witness could have indeed been the original whistleblower.
Adam Schiff did the right thing. As a matter of fact, it wouldn't surprise me one bit if future witnesses backed out because of today's republican-staged nonsense.
SIGH
Again, from what??
You need a nap, too
From the cellphones that were illegally taken into the room. There are total nutjobs that would kill civilians thinking it helps the Traitor-In-Chief. He's a thug that has ignorant minions under his control.
This is a partial list. The cited material contains 52 incidents and there are others not mentioned. Trumpelthinskin counts on ignorance to incite people. He's called his supporters idiots from the outset and he's not stopped. His supporters are unAmerican, unpatriotic thugs. What a bunch of rubes.
Eric Lin / August 2019 / Miami, Florida
Lin allegedly bombarded a Hispanic woman in Florida with threatening racist and pro-Nazi messages on Facebook, and plotted to pay someone to kidnap and assault her. In one message, Lin allegedly wrote: “I Thank God everyday President Donald John Trump is President and that he will launch a Racial War and Crusade”, adding that non-white people would be sent to concentration camps or dealt with by the US military. Lin, 35, was arrested in Seattle in August 2019 and charged with the interstate transmission of a threatening communication.
Dallas Frazier / August 2019 / Cincinnati, Ohio
Frazier, 29, got out of his truck and repeatedly punched a 61-year-old anti-Trump protester in the head outside a Trump rally in Cincinnati, Ohio, in August 2019. Cellphone video footage of the attack was posted online. Frazier, of Georgetown, Kentucky, was arrested and charged with assault.
Unidentified Man / June 2019 / Boston, Massachusetts
In June 2019 in Boston, the man allegedly placed Scott Eisen, a photojournalist, in a choke-hold and punched Eisen in the face while shouting: “Fake news! Trump 2020!” Eisen said the attack happened as he loaded equipment into a car after covering reaction to the elimination of the Boston Bruins from the Stanley Cup finals. Eisen suffered minor injuries to his face.
John Kless / April 2019 / Tamarac, Florida
In April 2019, Kless threatened to kill several Democrats during telephone calls to congressional offices. He attacked congresswoman Rashida Tlaib of Michigan for presuming to “tell our president, Donald Trump, what to say”. Kless, 49, told congressman Eric Swallwell of California: “You’re gonna die.” He said he’d like to throw congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota “right off the Empire State Building”. Kless, of Tamarac, Florida, was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of transmitting threats through interstate communications. He pleaded guilty to one count and was due to be sentenced in August 2019.
James Patrick / October 2018 / Winterhaven, Florida
Patrick, of Winter Haven, Florida, was arrested after allegedly threatening to kill Democrats in Facebook posts that were reported to police in October 2018. He was was charged with making written threats to kill. Then 53, Patrick allegedly said he would kill elected Democrats and members of their families in Washington. He warned he would act if Brett Kavanaugh was not confirmed to the supreme court. “It is all I think about night and day,” he wrote. In court, Patrick’s attorney played down the remarks as the "rantings of a man who disagrees with the Democratic liberal populous" and likened them to those made by “a certain high-ranking official” – Trump. In one Facebook post, Patrick described himself as a “Trump Militant Conservative” and called for the enslavement of “not just blacks but ALL liberals”. He pleaded not guilty to a charge of threatening to kill or injure.
Cesar Sayoc / October 2018 / Plantation, Florida
In October 2018, Sayoc mailed 16 homemade pipe bombs to prominent critics of Trump across the country and to CNN, the cable news station most frequently derided by the president. None of the devices detonated and no one was injured. Attorneys for Sayoc said in a sentencing memo that he “found light in Donald J Trump” and while watching Fox News religiously “came to believe that prominent Democrats were actively working to hurt him, other Trump supporters and the country as a whole”. They noted Trump “specifically blamed many of the individuals whom Mr Sayoc ultimately targeted”. Sayoc, 57, was captured by police in Plantation, Florida, where he was living in a van plastered with pro-Trump stickers. He pleaded guilty to 65 felony charges, including using weapons of mass destruction in an attempted domestic terrorist attack, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. His attorney told the court: “The president’s rhetoric contributed to Mr Sayoc’s behavior.”
Cite
But wait, there's more...............................
That breitfart link posted by Jim I think had some kind of virus. Fucking up the page.
No, no it doesn't.
Too fuckin' funny! He escorted the witness out and returned thereafter. Jeez louise, get your facts straight. For gawdsake ...
She missed that part
She conveniently ignored that part.
There, fixed it.
I would be shocked if she even read the article.
These Congressional hearings are analogous to grand jury hearings (which are held behind closed doors). Nobody gets to confront grand jury witnesses.
If the witnesses provide evidence that results in impeachment proceedings, Congress will prepare articles of impeachment. If the House votes to impeach a trial will be held in the Senate.
At that point the Presidents lawyers will confront the accusers and have the opportunity to cross-examine.
Bullshit. Grand Juries don't leak selective evidence to back up their narratives. Which has been pointed out several times.
Sorry, skip the trial in the Senate- go straight to the vote. Give this shit show the lack of consideration it deserves.
That's not constitutional and I'm pretty sure you know that
What has been selectively leaked? Please be specific.
These repubs are just mad because their messiah is about to be removed from office. Maybe they should take a class on how our government works? They do it again, have them arrested.
Schiff should have had them all arrested.
Give them an inch and they'll try to take a mile.
Trump will confront his accusers at his senate trial.
Exactly. Especially that bottom feeder Jordan.
That would virtually guarantee their re-elections for the next 40 years, and probably get Trump re-elected, as well.
People love a martyr.
Well then, you obviously thought wrong, again, and if you do not like it then you can get your happy ass elected to Congress, propose a constitutional amendment and then get two thirds of the states to ratify it. Up and until then what you "think" is irrelevant and you are impotent to do one damn thing about it butt bitch and moan, again. It is Nancy Pelosi's Show now and she gets to run it her way this time. Don't like it? Too bad so sad, for you and the damn gop. Elections have consequences. Remember? The Democrats whooped the damn gop in 2018 and so the Democrats get to run The Impeachment of Donald Trump. Because? Because the US Constitution says so...
Poor nutters, they want in the clubhouse but don't know the password.
They didn't need one. The basement dwellers ran like little girls.
Oh, would that include the republicans on the committees? Sounds like, once again, the dems left the whiny brats to throw their tantrum without enabling more childish behavior from a group of idiots that don't have the right to be in the room because they aren't on the committees. Yea, the rats are leaving the ship, just not the ones you think you are describing. Good projection though.
These republicans are snowflakes and are in need a safe space and a crying towel because they're not allowed in, are they going to sit in the corner holding their breath...hey I have an idea....FOLLOW THE FUCKING RULES
GOPERS stormed the meeting. Why? If there is nothing----why the outcry? Is it the Trump's hair?
Really, what the hell do they have to hide by obstructing the hearings?
Tick, tock, tick, tock. . . . . . .
What a bunch of ass hats ! What's next pitchforks and torches ?
Crooked donnie approved them doing this....he's a disgusting pos masquerading as a president, he CAN'T FOLLOW THE RULES...HE THINKS HE ABOVE IT ALL
Trump signed off on GOP crashing impeachment testimony, Bloomberg says
Dozens of Republican House members were correct to courageously protest and fight back Wednesday against House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff’s blatantly partisan and absurdly fact-free impeachment witch hunt of President Trump.
The Republicans must not relent in opposing the fake grand jury that Schiff, D-Calif., is conducting under the guise of an impeachment inquiry that has never been authorized by a vote of the full House.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., led the elected officials who entered a closed-door deposition with Defense Department official Laura Cooper to expose the secret kangaroo court Schiff is running in an effort to overturn the results of the 2016 election.
HOUSE DEMS' IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY HEARING RESUMES AFTER GOP STORMS SECURE AREA
Democrats still can’t get over the fact that the American people elected Trump instead of Hillary Clinton. Their unprecedented bitterness marks them as sore losers who reject the fact that elections have consequences.
For over 1,000 days, Democratic elected officials and their media allies have waged an unrelenting campaign of extraordinary presidential harassment – doing everything possible to stop President Trump from carrying out his agenda to Make America Great Again and to improve the lives of the American people.
Now Gaetz and his colleagues are finally saying that enough is enough. They deserve the thanks of all Americans for their brave stand.
First, the Democrats falsely claimed that Trump was a Russian agent. Then they lied again and said Trump is a racist. Then they warned that Trump would cause a recession. Now the phony scandal the Democrats have trotted out is Ukraine.
Never before in American history has a duly elected president been treated so horribly by a deranged resistance – with the mainstream media willing accomplices.
Everyone knows what failed investigations look like. Schiff – with the blessing of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. – is covering all the bases.
Schiff’s shady inquiry – being run in secret behind closed doors – goes against everything our legislative branch of government stands for.
Since 1789, Congress has operated in a fair and respectful manner, where the minority party is afforded rights. Schiff has stripped the minority of its rights. That’s because Schiff knows that if he gives Republicans any rights, they’ll defeat his weak case in the blink of an eye.
The legislative branch is supposed to operate in an open and transparent manner designed to allow American citizens to look inside to see what’s going on. Schiff is conducting his investigation in the shadows – the kind of proceeding we expect to find in dictatorships, not democracies.
What is Schiff trying to hide? Sunlight is the best disinfectant, but Schiff’s rotten operation smells from one end of Pennsylvania Avenue to the other.
Under Congress’ constitutionally mandated oversight responsibilities in our system of checks and balances, the legislative branch is supposed to run fact-finding inquiries that seek the truth – not secret prosecutions weighing criminal charges and jail time.
Schiff is running a fairy tale grand jury that has already determined the outcome – impeachment. There’s no precedent for any of these petty partisan antics. Republicans have every right to protest.
The American people understand these basic truths: the presumption of innocence; the withholding of judgment until the facts are known; the right of the accused to question their accusers; and perhaps most importantly, that everyone is entitled to due process and basic fairness.
Schiff doesn’t think the American people are very smart and believes they won’t catch on to his disgraceful witch hunt. He’s wrong.
Thanks to courageous Republican members of Congress like Gaetz, Jim Jordan of Ohio and Mark Meadows of North Carolina, the American people are going to learn the truth about the Pelosi-Schiff clown show – and it will go down in flames in the court of public opinion.
Adam Schiff ought to be ashamed of his disgraceful conduct. He’s carrying out a political hit job for Hillary Clinton and the anti-Trump left who hate President Trump more than they love our country.
The most important question of the day was asked by President Trump when he tweeted “Where’s the whistleblower?” As the days and weeks pass by, it’s become obvious that the whistleblower is now an inconvenience for Schiff.
Schiff would have brought the whistleblower in to testify long ago unless there’s a political downside to doing so. So, what’s Schiff trying to cover up? Maybe his own actions?
Schiff must think that the whistleblower’s testimony and back story would expose this farce of an impeachment inquiry for what it is – a baseless and venomous political attack.
This reminds me of the hit job Hillary Clinton and the Democrats hired ex-British spy Christopher Steele to carry out in 2016 by producing a dossier filled with lies about Trump.
This latest attempt to frame the president will fail as well, and justice will ultimately prevail. History will judge the ceaseless and baseless Democratic attacks on President Trump in the same way it judges the Salem witch trials that began in Massachusetts in 1692 – a grave injustice that should never have taken place.
Deflect, deflect, deflect. Well done Xx.
BTW y'all, Beau's commentary on many topics is well checking out IMHO.
Well, this is interesting. Maybe Trump should be mad that Russia made him its "useful idiot" president. Because, right now YOU could be doing your best to impeach Hillary! Alas, history will flag 'the idiot' instead. The "successful" businessman won't be able to live this one down! Although, it will be interested to see how the future Trump Library records in totality this third year of a Trump presidency!
The writer of this nonsense is a known propagandist for Donald Trump. If you dont believe me google David Bossie.
Trumpsters are complaining that Trump has no representation in the impeachment hearings.
47 Republican congressmen can attend the depositions, and the ones that are on the Intelligence Committee are given time to ask questions. Republican lawyers chose by their ranking member are also asking questions of the witnesses.
There is no "unfairness" at these hearings. It is a ruse from the right (Trumpsters) in Congress.
The article is right in every way in what it said about those heroic Congress persons. With the others US Attorney cases going to a criminal investigation and the IG report about to be released, the deep state is about to receive a mortal wound for its crimes against the American people.
Oh YES, the 'brave' Jim Jordan, who instead of standing there WHINING 'Let us in', could have and should have taken his fucking seat in the SCIF since he is a member to the Oversight Committee and already authorized to participate in the depositions.
Gaslighting at it's worst.
...or gasbagging at its best.
I stand by my counter point to your seed.
I'm sorry, I wasn't aware that you made one.
Many of these depositions of witnesses are lasting 7 , 8 or even 10 hours.
Who in their right mind thinks the Republicans on those committees are not taking part in the questioning over a 8 hour period?
One of the D's in attendance all day yesterday actually stated that about 2/3ds of the R's eventually slip out early or do not return from lunch.
In particular he praised Rooney (R) FL and " a handfull" other Republicans for staying throughout and actually asking very good questions.
They shoulda done the Steve Cohen thing....and brought a "Barrel Lunch" !
Or they should do like the 'stormers', order pizza and leave their garbage all over the SCIF. Ya, that's the ticket.
SCIF: The "Improved Dumpster Room - established 2017
Good place as any to leave it !
Right, a multi-million dollar 'dumpster' regulated by Federal law and National Intelligence Directives.
Defending the indefensible. Well done.
Actually the protesters ordered in and had two large bags (?) of Chick Fil A delivered along with 17 Domino's pizzas.
I saw the Pizza being delivered, but no drinks?
An hour later they were all waiting in line at the lavatories and the protest "broke up".
That's a lot of work for some free pizza & chicken sandwiches, lol.
It’s always great to leave Chick Fil-A around democrat meeting places.
The SCIF was a bipartisan hearing room with 68 Democrats and 54 Republicans in attendance.
Trash is trash no matter where it comes from.
Keep trying.
Loose lips sink SCIFs.
Good news indeed. I hope it is dealt with in an appropriate manner.
Also, I bet taxpayers were charged for the pizza. Reimbursement would be nice.
Just found out about the two large bags of Chick fil A. (A curtsy to SP) I want reimbursement for that, as well.
You just know it was on our dime.
How do you think Republicans would have reacted if:
Back in 2011 a whistleblower came forward with allegations that Obama was using a shadow State department circumventing the career officials, and was telling our Ukrainian allies that even though they were being regularly invaded by Russian forces and their sovereignty was at stake, that the US wouldn't even hold meetings with them or give the hundreds of millions in Republican congresses approved military funding if the President of Ukraine didn't come out publicly and announce that his government was launching a criminal investigation into "Bain Capital", a company that Obama knew the front runner Republican candidate once worked for and could easily be tied to in political hit ads even if they couldn't ever prove the Republican did anything wrong.
The whistleblower complaint claimed “I have received information from multiple U.S. Government officials that the President of the United States is using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2012 U.S. election,”
The ambassador to Ukraine tells investigators that "More Ukrainians would undoubtedly die without U.S. assistance." and then informs investigators that he was told by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that "President Obama had told her that he wants the President of Ukraine to state publicly that Ukraine will investigate 'Bain Capital'" and even meeting with President Obama would be "dependent on a public announcement of the investigations, in fact the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said "everything" was dependent on such an announcement, including security assistance".
Only the names have been changed...
I'm sure Republicans would have been totally fine with it, right? /s
They would have just said it's all 'Obama derangement Syndrome' and that people are just hating on the President because of his skin color and that there's nothing wrong with withholding congressionally approved military funding for our allies unless the ally helps President Obama win the 2012 election by digging up dirt on the front runner Mitt Romney and the company he worked for. I'm sure Republicans wouldn't have even bothered to hold hearings or investigations to get to the bottom of the allegations and just chalked it up to a partisan official and racist whistleblower. /s
That's what so many of us said, however not as succinctly as you've put it, DP. I would hope they would have caused an uproar if President Obama would have done the things Trump has done, and I would have joined them. If President Obama would have done one one-hundredth of what Trump has done, I would have wanted him out of office. Of course if he would have said he grabbed pussies, if he had cheated vendors and contractors out of their pay, if he would have had associations with hookers while married, I wouldn't have voted for him at all.
If the Trump supporters would just come out an admit that yes, they would have been furious about Obama doing this stuff, but because Trump is stacking the courts with partisan conservative judges, dropping protections for LGTBQ Americans and championing a warped version of religious freedom that allows Christians to discriminate, they simply don't care about the law or the constitution anymore, then I'd be happy to accept their truthful response. As it is we'll just get more deflection, distraction, 'what-about-isms' and bogus complaints over process as they continue to flail in their defense of the indefensible.
Absolutely. But then, non-right wingers aren't as hypocritical as Trump worshippers. Look at that hypocritical asshole Lindsay Graham:
And Trump's worshippers feel the same way. It was fine for them to do it, but not for the Dems. They hate the Constitution and our country and don't give a flying fuck about ethics or morality or common decency. No wonder our country is so divided - I really don't understand why the Trump worshippers don't just go move to Saudi Arabia or somewhere instead of shitting all over America.
Now this is some righteous indignation occurring!
Just on Friday we heard from a sensible former president who did everything he possibly could while in office to beat back the darkness dwelling in some conservative hearts-just so as to make a proud people larger:
Obama speaks at Elijah Cummings' funeral
@8:00 minutes you will find the most amazing statements about 'being kind. . . .'
What a superb speaker. What a superb Christian man. A man loved by the church. A man celebrated by the church. A man who will be remembered
as a truly remarkable president in every sense of the word: Listen to Barack Obama deliver his remarks in their entirety. And, remember.
Frat Boy Thermopylae
Russell Berman writes that Democrats have opened themselves to criticism by conducting these hearings behind closed doors , but their reasons for doing so are rational (that is, not arbitrary). I don’t fully trust Committee Chairman Adam Schiff either, but if the Democrats can get a mass of evidence via testimony they’ve gathered in collaboration with committee Republicans, and then that evidence is examined in public hearings, with these witnesses available for bipartisan questioning, then the secrecy of this phase of the investigation would have been justified, or at least it would cease to be an issue for most people.
However, as Jim Geraghty writes today :
He’s right about this. There should not be leaks. As a political decision, the Democrats keeping the hearings closed is risky. But unlike barging into a secure room to disrupt a Congressional procedure, it is legal. Again, the leaks ought not be happening, but that’s not a justification for opening up the hearings at this phase in the impeachment inquiry. Do not forget that the House Republicans, when they were in the majority, conducted most of the Benghazi hearings behind closed doors — and for good reason. In fact, after Hillary Clinton’s 2015 public testimony, Chairman Trey Gowdy decided to return to closed-door hearings. From an Atlantic piece in 2015:
“The private ones always produce better results,” according to the Republican Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, in 2015.
Well, yes. After yesterday’s stunt, I don’t blame Democrats for holding the fact-finding part of the investigation behind closed doors, to make it impossible for Republican members of the committee to grandstand for the cameras. The assault on the secure room by the mob of GOP members vindicates that decision. I wasn’t sure what to think about it until I saw the clip of Matt Gaetz, swaggering and cocky, like he had just successfully pulled off a panty raid. Yesterday’s frat-boy Thermopylae shows that the House Republicans aren’t taking this seriously enough.
So Republicans are whining about Democrats using the rules that Republicans created. Just shows that none of these illegitimate children born of incest can actually conceive of anything bad happening from present actions in the future.
What leaks are you talking about? As far as I know, there have been none.
I don't know either and I wondered about that when I read the article. The last paragraph is mine, the rest is copy and paste from the linked article.
Ya they keep saying that over and over again yet not one of them has cited this alleged 'leaked' information.
Volker chose whether to release his opening statement and texts, NOT Adam Schiff.
The same is true of the other witnesses whose opening statements were released.
EVERY one of the opening statements submitted by witnesses have been released. NOT ONE has been held back or redacted in any way.
The Committees do NOT release witness generated documents without the witness signing off on it. Documents [threats] sent from WH counsel to witness counsel have also been released by witnesses.
Many media sources, including the Federalist, reported that they had received a copy of Volker's opening statement.
As long as they didn't include classified information, Volker and any of the other witnesses could have released their opening statements before their deposition or they could have read it aloud from a soap box outside of the capitol.
The transcripts of the depositions will go through a process with the Committee and the witnesses lawyers before it is finalized. The witness is allowed to 'correct and extend' their testimony in writing. This process takes WEEKS!
IF the Committee votes [see House rules] to release the transcripts, the WH will be allowed to review the transcripts and make a WRITTEN request that certain parts of the transcript be redacted and the Committee will vote on allowing those redactions.
Next.
Yet both of you desperately need to ignore those of us who make arguments based on supportable facts and documents.
Those prior Articles of Impeachment were cited by Chief Judge Howell to support the fact that the Impeachment Inquiry is legitimate. That's a pretty fucking good result in and of itself.
Actually, the results will be submitted to the Judiciary Committee. See the House Rules.
Why? The rules as they stand have been working just fine so far.
Comments closed. Thanks to all who participated.