Happy Impeachment! Next step is removal. (Trump thread 98)

[TheClaws]

In the last thread, Trump was impeached by Congress. Now the question is when the articles will be sent to the Senate for Trial, as - at this stage - there is no guarantee from Mitch McConnell of a fair trial. Trump clings to his belief that his call to Zelensky was “perfect”.

Previous thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3732056-Trump-and-the-Giant-Impeachment-Trump-thread-97

Behind the paywall but apparently Justice Roberts could break the deadlock and call witnesses:

www.nytimes.com/2020/01/27/opinion/john-roberts-impeachment-witnesses.html

www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/01/27/george-conway-oped-bolton-testimony-would-be-devastating-not-even-republicans-could-look-away/

So bottom line is... will Bolton testify? He is the horses mouth as it were..

If he's not called surely it's all just a sham?

Totally agree AskingQuestions! It makes a mockery of justice surely....

It would be in keeping--look at the Kavanaugh hearing.

Although.

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-impeachment-trial-john-bolton-witness-senators-republican-romney-a9304436.html

'Republican senator Mitt Romney says it is 'increasingly likely' that four of his colleagues will support the calling of ex-Trump adviser John Bolton to testify in the president's impeachment trial - after a manuscript of his new book about his time in the White House was leaked.'

That would be wonderful, I hope it's true.

About time.

thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/477531-new-york-city-bar-association-asks-congress-to-investigate-barr-conduct

I'm sorry. I just can't watch it. I can't. I tried but I just became so furious at the twisting of facts and confabulating that I actually started to become ill. (TMI alert; tension and upset goes right to my GI system)

I have been dipping in and out to catch the commentary during breaks.

GOP Senator Toomey has apparently proposed a 1 for 1 witness deal to his colleagues, but that's all I've heard.

As far as Romney, Collins, et al voting for a blanket call witnesses, all sound and fury etc etc. They bleat and bleat then bow down to Midnight Moscow Mitch.

I think the Dems would go for the 1 for 1 as long as their '1' was John Bolton.

Not surprising at all Across.

Obama did it is today's Trump card (okay I am mixing two different kinds of game but still ...)

I think the Dems would go for the 1 for 1 as long as their '1' was John Bolton. Quoting myself.

Update: apparently this '1' means that both sides would agree to call only 1 witness, not just that they would call the same number of witnesses. I don't think the Dems would agree to only calling one witness, even if it was Bolton.

lion, the 'Obama did it' smokescreen was just one of the things that made me give up watching. Definitely 'let's throw everything against the wall and hope something sticks' defense.

My worry is that all they have to do is give the Repugs in the Senate something, anything no matter how vague (or fake) to grasp onto to vote to acquit. That, I think, is the reason for the 'pasta against the wall' defense.

Very quiet, considering.

I quite get you not being able to watch all of it Across. What I'm reading is bad enough! Take care of yourself.

I read they want to impeach Obama and call Hunter Biden as a witness. Now this is sounding bonkers...

The White House is reportedly considering taking out a restraining order to silence the former national security adviser.

Desperate, non?

www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/01/john-bolton-book-impeachment?utm_source=twitter&utm_brand=vf&utm_social-type=owned&utm_medium=social&mbid=social_twitter

From the article...

'Since Mr. Bolton’s statement, White House advisers have floated the possibility that they could go to court to try to obtain a restraining order to stop him from speaking. Such an order would be unprecedented, but any attempt to secure it could succeed in tying up his testimony in legal limbo and scaring off Republican moderates wary of letting the trial drag on when its outcome appears clear.'

And meanwhile is Jerusalem... look it’s a dead cat! Two dead cats!

A restraining order? Since when has a restraining order had anything to do with stopping someone talking?

Besides I'd think that a Congressional subpoena would override a restraining order.

Per CNN Ex-Chief of Staff Kelly: "I believe Bolton". White House reportedly in an uproar.

www.heraldtribune.com/news/20200128/former-trump-chief-of-staff-john-kelly-tells-sarasota-crowd-rsquoi-believe-john-boltonrsquo

Also:

thehill.com/policy/national-security/480207-bolton-raised-concerns-that-trump-did-favors-for-autocrats-book

I think Bolton's hawkish beliefs are screwed up, but I do believe that he lives by what he thinks is right.

I do detest Bolton but I believe that he wouldn't lie to 'sell books'. If he said Trump said it, I believe him.

Also....Senate GOP to meet after Scrotus' team rests its case. The meeting is private and is expected to do with the latest developments and calling witnesses.

I think this is where Romney, Collins, etc are going to get raked over the coals and 'encouraged' to vote the way McConnell says to vote.

Rachel.

Q]]

Figures:

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-impeachment-trial-paying-lawyers-rnc-money-republicans-bill-clinton-a9306541.html

McConnell Says GOP Doesn’t Have Votes to Block Impeachment Witnesses
Senate majority leader makes remarks in private Republican meeting
www.wsj.com/articles/trump-defense-team-to-close-arguments-complicated-by-bolton-reports-11580215229

The White House Twitter account - having gone completely partisan and not bothering to hide it now - popped out this laughable tweet earlier. Who is the notable omission from the list?

The White House @WhiteHouse 1hr

U.S. Presidents who would be subject to impeachment under the House Managers' view of the Constitution:

Washington
Adams
Jefferson
Adams
Van Buren
Tyler
Polk
Lincoln
Grant
Cleveland
McKinley
Roosevelt
Taft
Wilson
FDR
Truman
Carter
Reagan
H.W. Bush
Obama