As predicted, Donald Trump is engaging in his usual two-pronged defense of his actions—obfuscation and misdirection. Confronted about his efforts to extort Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in order to generate an investigation into Joe Biden, Trump had a series of absolutely stellar responses.
Did he actually talk to Zelensky on July 25? “I really don’t know,” replied Trump. But yes. He did. This is somewhat given away by the press release from the Ukrainian government noting their conversation that same day. What does Trump think about the whistleblower report? “I don’t know the identity of the whistleblower,” said Trump. Then he said this unknown person was “highly partisan.”
On the substance of the report itself, Trump declared that it was “fake news” and “a ridiculous story,” because his conversation—the conversation he wouldn’t admit to having—was “highly appropriate.” After all, why would Trump be doing something just to get dirt on Joe Biden?
And, oh yeah, Trump added that someone should “look into” Joe Biden. That little extortionette came just after the crown jewel of Trump statements, the one that really sums up everything he believes: “It doesn’t matter what I discussed.”
By no coincidence at all, Trump’s attorneys were in New York yesterday, filing a lawsuit against the district attorney in which they claimed that Trump is not only immune from indictment, but immune from any investigation. Any investigation. Including for criminal offenses.
Forget shooting someone on Fifth Avenue. He can shoot whole countries, right in the Oval Office.