The Thursday hearing to hear and vote on the articles of impeachment against Donald Trump might have been relatively brief. Except, of course, Republicans have dragged out the hearing all day by offering a series of ludicrous amendments—such as striking the whole first article, or inserting an entire conspiracy theory into the text. The hearing has already taken long enough that, right on cue, Republicans moved to making complaints about all the “time wasted that could be spent on other things” … right before Nadler put the committee on hold so they could move to the floor and vote on other things.
Through seemingly endless rounds of parliamentary “move to strike the last word” and “point of order” and insisting for roll calls for clearly defeated amendments, Republicans have stayed on task—which is lying. In particular, Thursday’s hearing has been a day for absolutely lying about Joe Biden and his actions in Ukraine. Rep. John Ratcliffe may have gone the deepest into absolute, knowing, nothing-but-lies statements in claiming that Biden sacked a prosecutor engaged in investigating the company where his son worked. Ratcliffe was also the first Republican to finally go on record saying that sure, it’s fine to solicit foreign interference in a U.S. election.
But it was Matt Gaetz who, as he so often does, provided the tragicomic relief. Gaetz went out of his way to read into the record an article claiming that Hunter Biden had a drug problem and talked about claims that a car crash was drug-related. Following which Democrat Hank Johnson responded by saying. “The pot calling the kettle black is not something we should do.” Johnson said he didn’t know which of his collegues had drug issues or DUIs, but said that if he knew of such problems, it’s not “something I would bring up.” Matt Gaetz was arrested for a DUI.
That didn’t stop what might have been Gaetz’ absolutely best moment. Still eager to get more salacious information about Hunter Biden into the public record, Gaetz read from his divorce proceedings. As he did so, Gaetz tried to make gifts received by Hunter Biden seem extravagant and capped it by saying, “Corrupt people, they don't just steal once. They get into the habit of corruption." This statement came a day after Donald Trump was forced to pay a $2 million fine for his fake charity. Which followed the $25 million fine he paid over his fake university. Which followed his $10 million fine for money laundering at his casino. Spot on, Mr. Gaetz, spot on.
Sometime this afternoon, assuming Republicans tire of throwing up pointless amendments, we should finally get to the vote.
Thursday, Dec 12, 2019 · 7:45:00 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Republican Rep. Buck starts off the afternoon saying that Republicans were sent there to “obstruct” Congress. Because Congress had such a low rating and ran up such high deficits.
That would have been the Republican Congress. The one Democrats were sent to replace in 2018.
Buck also notes that Republicans were sent there to stop things like a provision giving federal employees family leave. Which was included in the bill Republicans already signed off on without noticing.
Thursday, Dec 12, 2019 · 7:46:36 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Lesko continues the claims against Biden. I’d be happy if someone took just a moment to point out again that Shokin was not, Not, NOT investigating Burisma when Biden asked for his removal.
It also wouldn’t hurt to mention that a collection of Republican Senators wrote a letter to Obama to request his removal, specifically attaching that action to Ukraine aid.
Thursday, Dec 12, 2019 · 7:51:13 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Here’s what Trump actually says in his phone call:
Trump: “There's a lot of talk about Biden's son. That Biden stopped the prosecution and a lot of people want to find out about that so whatever you can do with the Attorney General would be great. Biden went around bragging that he stopped the prosecution so if you ·can look into it ... It sounds horrible to me.”
Gaetz amendment requires that Joe Biden isn’t the target of the Trump’s demand. Which is ludicrous on its face.
Thursday, Dec 12, 2019 · 8:11:12 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Republicans spent months claiming that Trump didn't have to hand over anything because it wasn't a formal impeachment. Now they’re arguing that cases where Congress went to court when not in an impeachment are the guidelines that should be followed.
Rep. Madeline Dean does a good job of underlining that the impeachment is a special circumstance … something that Republicans want to forget.
Thursday, Dec 12, 2019 · 8:37:15 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Joe Neguse was absolutely excellent on distinguishing between the level of obstruction carried out by Trump vs. Nixon and Clinton. Nixon ordered all members of the White House staff to appear when requested and testify in full. Congress only had to go to court over specific items.
Trump’s actions were to simply order everyone to clam up, or else.
Thursday, Dec 12, 2019 · 8:39:34 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Finally a vote on Gaetz’ ridiculous “let’s insert Trump’s conspiracy theory right into the articles” amendment. Which, of course, is going down along party lines.
And now it will be time to see what other time wasters the Republicans have on hand — because Collins has already promised to waste hours more.
Thursday, Dec 12, 2019 · 8:45:06 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
This whole Republican "defense" today, with claims that Trump released assistance based on "five key meetings" or bills signed by Zelensky is supported by exactly no evidence. Not a single witness or document supported these claims.
It's not speculation, it's just fabrication.
Thursday, Dec 12, 2019 · 9:13:10 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
It's kind of nice that Trump was able to just sit back, stonewall, and let Republicans in the House completely fabricate his defense. Considering the handicap of having no facts to base it on, it's almost ten percent reasonable.
Thursday, Dec 12, 2019 · 9:18:04 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
I ask this question in all (or at least half) seriousness ... why are Republican representatives so sweaty? I mean, people in the room keep complaining that it's cold.
It is hotter where Matt Gaetz and Jim Jordan sit, or do they just ... sort of ooze?
Thursday, Dec 12, 2019 · 9:31:25 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Rep. Pramila Jayapal correctly pointing out that the Republicans are simply making up their post-dated defense of Trump. They're making claims about Trump waiting for specific bills or meetings that Trump never mentioned and never asked for, while ignoring the actual demands he made.
Also does a sterling job by pointing out that claims Trump held up 2019 aid because "Zelensky was new" are ridiculous. The previous president was known to be corrupt, but Trump issued the aid without concern.
She’s really doing a good job of putting the whole “Trump concerned about corruption” bit to bed.
Thursday, Dec 12, 2019 · 9:53:09 PM +00:00
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Mark Sumner
Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell speaks up saying she’s been listening all day and … I think she’s right. I don’t think she’s taken up a second of time until now. Too bad there are not 40 more like her on the committee, we’d have been done long before now.
She’s doing a good job of succinctly, yet thoroughly, going through everything from the origin of the impeachment inquiry to the intention of Trump’s action to “My sister is a yoga teacher, but she doesn’t distort the facts the way Republicans have to protect this president.”
Thursday, Dec 12, 2019 · 10:10:40 PM +00:00
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Mark Sumner
Folks, Rep. Jackson Lee is doing a terrific job at the moment, but 14 hearings and 188 Aspirins into this process, I’m going to step away for awhile and...
Oh, wait. Hi there, Rep. Lucy McBath. Nice to see you. Let’s hang in there a few more minutes.
Thursday, Dec 12, 2019 · 10:13:01 PM +00:00
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Mark Sumner
McBath emphasizing the gum end of the walking + chewing combo.
So … from here on out, let’s assume that:
- Doug Collins will continue to laugh at everything as if he’s looking for a role in the next Joker film.
- Gohmert will discuss the finer points of shoe polish as a condiment.
- Gaetz will continue to smear people with shorter criminal records than his own.
- Republicans will come up with at least one more claim about the Real Reason Why Trump Withheld Military Assistance … that Trump doesn’t know about.
And somewhere, deep in the night, we might even get a vote. But, I think they’ll do this one without me.
Thursday, Dec 12, 2019 · 10:23:06 PM +00:00
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Mark Sumner
And now I’m a liar, because I’m hanging around just long enough to let you know that the even more ridiculous Biggs amendment is also getting voted down along the expected party lines.
Standing by to see if Republicans have the stomach for yet another round of silliness. I’m betting they do. Jim Jordan just hasn’t gotten to yell enough today.
Thursday, Dec 12, 2019 · 10:26:44 PM +00:00
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Mark Sumner
Wait … wait … and damn. It’s Matt Gaetz understudy Guy Reschenthaler moving to strike the whole of article two … by ignoring the difference between actions that took place during an impeachment and actions that did not, and actions that generated no documents, and actions that generated thousands.
The farce continues. Okay, really gone now.
Friday, Dec 13, 2019 · 3:37:49 AM +00:00
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Mark Sumner
They. Are. Still. Going.
Theoretically, it’s almost over. But I fully expect some last minute maneuver that throws us into yet another round, even though every Republican looks punch drunk. Oh, and eight hours later, Louie Gohmert is still talking about Carter Page and Hillary Clinton.