NEW: GOHMERT became the first lawmaker to publicly name a person purported by some Trump allies to be the whistleblower.Schiff warned there could be ethics consequences for something like this, though his office is declining to comment. https://t.co/nzDXoovdtcâ Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) December 12, 2019
NEW: GOHMERT became the first lawmaker to publicly name a person purported by some Trump allies to be the whistleblower.Schiff warned there could be ethics consequences for something like this, though his office is declining to comment. https://t.co/nzDXoovdtc
“When our country returns to calmer times and stronger leadership...”
MSNBC and CNN are now broadcasting it live.
WATCH IT LIVE: @HouseJudiciary to Markup Articles of Impeachment Against President Donald J. Trump. https://t.co/ce5LRfkpPt— House Judiciary Dems (@HouseJudiciary) December 11, 2019
WATCH IT LIVE: @HouseJudiciary to Markup Articles of Impeachment Against President Donald J. Trump. https://t.co/ce5LRfkpPt
WATCH LIVE: The House Judiciary Committee is debating the articles of impeachment against President Trump. https://t.co/QU5uNdsWrZ— NPR Politics (@nprpolitics) December 12, 2019
WATCH LIVE: The House Judiciary Committee is debating the articles of impeachment against President Trump. https://t.co/QU5uNdsWrZ
WATCH LIVE: House Judiciary Committee begins markup of articles of impeachment #ImpeachmentPBS https://t.co/e1G5GU6fjK— PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) December 11, 2019
WATCH LIVE: House Judiciary Committee begins markup of articles of impeachment #ImpeachmentPBS https://t.co/e1G5GU6fjK
The first article charges that the President used the powers of his public office to demand that a foreign government attack his political rivals.— House Judiciary Dems (@HouseJudiciary) December 12, 2019
The first article charges that the President used the powers of his public office to demand that a foreign government attack his political rivals.
The second article charges that the President obstructed the congressional investigation into his conduct. Other Presidents have resisted congressional oversight, but President TrumpâÂÂs stonewall was complete, absolute, and without precedent in American history.— House Judiciary Dems (@HouseJudiciary) December 12, 2019
The second article charges that the President obstructed the congressional investigation into his conduct. Other Presidents have resisted congressional oversight, but President TrumpâÂÂs stonewall was complete, absolute, and without precedent in American history.
The two articles charge President Trump with placing his private, political interests above our national security, above our free and fair elections, and above our ability to hold public officials accountable.— House Judiciary Dems (@HouseJudiciary) December 12, 2019
The two articles charge President Trump with placing his private, political interests above our national security, above our free and fair elections, and above our ability to hold public officials accountable.
Opening statements: Chair Nadler wanted it to be solemn, and ranking member Collins repeats the same rhetorical objections based on specious premises, however shouty.
Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) now speaks, citing her memories of the prior impeachments, trashing the GOP’s slavish loyalty to 45*
Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) hopes for something, something parliamentary
Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) “Where truth rests, trust builds”. Facts.
Steve Chabot whines and lies about process rights for 45* plus SCIF “secrecy” and speed of the proceedings
Steve Cohen talks about effrontery of 45*’s attack on America via constitutionally subverting the elections
hard to believe Louis Gohmert was a judge
Hank Johnson now uses “America First” to critique Trump operating above the law
Aaugh, Gym Jordan gets shouty right out of the gate, arguing the FISA failings as if it changed the results of the Mueller report. Regurgitates GOP talking points. Cites 63 million voters in 2016, even as 66 million voted against Trump.
Ted Deutch talks about how democracy has been shaken by 45*’s attacks on the election(s)
sigh, Louie Gohmert makes a bogus Point of Order
Ken Buck continues the GOP meme that Democrats are relitigating 2016, citing Kathy Griffin, and wants to “punch Robert DiNiro in the face” (that alone could be interesting as a confrontation)
Karen Bass defends the whistleblower and mentions the 13 Ukrainians who died during the initial period of the shift to releasing the funding. (note that daily bombardment occurs in Donbass)
John Ratcliffe goes to a literal interpretation: e.g. “abuse of power” and “obstruction of Congress” are not in the Constitution. More reiterating the usual idiocy — Democrats are the Founders’ worst nightmare.
Cedric Richmond invokes Rudy and the Biblical Esther to talk of the corrosive presence of 45*
Martha Rody (R-AL) blurts more lies about the “lack of fact-witnesses” and defaults to the GOP process objections (in spite of WH obstruction)
Doug Collins tries to claim falsely that no Ukrainians died during the time (three months) that funding was withheld.
Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) mentions the $391 million, cites Reagan “we are armed because we mistrust each other” goes to the defense of freedom.
Matt Gaetz continues to hammer more lies including an attack on Schiff, as if excluding bribery and extortion in the articles doesn’t mean that Trump wasn’t trying to do it with shaking down Ukraine.
David Cicilline starts out quoting… wait for it Mike Pence on impeachment wanting to remind the audience that 45* cheated in the coming 2020 election as an attack on democracy.
Mike Johnson (R-LA) cites Jonathan Turley on the “lack of evidence” and repeats the “constant impeachment of Trump” meme (because shockingly, Congress is not a Traffic Court)
Eric Swalwell opens with his anecdote about his dad losing his job as police chief because he refused to fix tickets. Governance is about courage. Defends the Intel committee witnesses.
Jamie Raskin further articulates the obstruction of Congress and quotes Gerald Ford “Here, the people rule”. and Trump on urging people “read the transcript:
Tom McClintock (R-CA) brings up Hunter Biden and lies about the Trump 25 July call
Pramila Jayapal speaks of her own pride of citizenship and the necessity of the democratic experiment. “The President is the smoking gun”
.@RepJayapal: "Trump abused the power of the office of POTUS to pursue his own personal political gain & leveraged critically needed congressionally approved military aid ... this is not hearsay. POTUS was the first & best witness in this case ... POTUS is the smoking gun." pic.twitter.com/5055po1YpZ— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 12, 2019
.@RepJayapal: "Trump abused the power of the office of POTUS to pursue his own personal political gain & leveraged critically needed congressionally approved military aid ... this is not hearsay. POTUS was the first & best witness in this case ... POTUS is the smoking gun." pic.twitter.com/5055po1YpZ
Debbie Lesko does her Rosanne Barr impression with GOP disinformation (because it’s Obama’s fault)
Val Demings (D-FL) gives a stem-winder.
and Guy Reschenthaler accuses Democrats of using focus groups and claims that his losing a “no” vote on a resolution constituted Obstruction of Congress.
Lou Correa (D-CA) translates his statement in Spanish on why his vote is a democratic responsibility
Ben Cline argues the same talking points, as though national security weren’t at risk
Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) also quotes Reagan (amusingly no Republican has quoted St Ronnie)
Kelly Armstrong claims it’s a Democratic vendetta, because 17 members of the committee have voted for impeachment in other resolutions
All members got to speak, the session is concluded, and will reconvene at 9am ET tomorrow.