Donald Trump has been impeached for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress—and in case there was any doubt he’s guilty, he’s bragging about obstruction. But that’s not enough for Senate Republicans determined to protect him at all cost.
On day one of opening arguments, the House impeachment managers, led by Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff, gave a master class in conveying complicated information clearly and persuasively, while Republicans conveyed their contempt for the proceedings by leaving the room and Chief Justice John Roberts failed to do his job by rebuking their absences. Even before Democrats began to make their case, a majority of Americans believed Trump should be removed from office.
The House impeachment managers—Schiff, Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler, and Reps. Zoe Lofgren, Hakeem Jeffries, Val Demings, Jason Crow, and Sylvia Garcia—continue to make their case in the second day of opening arguments. Daily Kos will be following live.
Thursday, Jan 23, 2020 · 7:17:08 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Garcia is doing a good job of showing just how upside-down the conspiracy theory on the Bidens really is. Painful that this has to be done, but it has to be done.
And it’s still unlikely to affect Ted Cruz demanding Hunter Biden to appear, or Trump’s attorneys claiming that this was a legitimate thing to investigate.
Thursday, Jan 23, 2020 · 7:20:37 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Much of the case today — and some of the case on Wednesday — is really directed at highlighting just how false the statements from Trump’s team have been, and will be when they get their turn next week. Which doesn’t mean Republicans won’t, loudly and angrily, made the same unfounded claims again. In fact, they’re surely doing so on Fox right now — while talking over Garcia.
Thursday, Jan 23, 2020 · 7:40:08 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Garcia: “Trump had the motive, the opportunity, and the means to commit this abuse of power.”
I like hearing those terms. Garcia tied Trump’s demands concerning Biden directly to polling information. She’s moving now to the Crowdstrike conspiracy theory.
Thursday, Jan 23, 2020 · 7:46:02 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
During the House hearings, no Republican on Intelligence or Judiciary actually tried to support the baseless "Crowdstrike" conspiracy theory. Instead, Nunes, Jordan, et al, pretended that Trump had been upset by an op-ed from a Ukrainian official, and some comments on Facebook.
It will be interesting to see if Trump’s team tries to support this ridiculous claim. 10-1 odds they’ll just follow the lead of every other person not named “Q” or “Putin” and ignore what Trump was actually asking.
Thursday, Jan 23, 2020 · 7:51:53 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Sylvia Garcia had just enough slip of the tongue to call the leader of Russia "Voldemort Puddin." Which I think should be made official.
And now we get to hear Fiona Hill kicking Trump’s conspiracy theories in the ass. I want that as my alarm clock.
Thursday, Jan 23, 2020 · 7:57:33 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
I really, really appreciate the House managers taking the time to dismantle the whole ugly Crowdstrike conspiracy and pointing out what Trump was really saying when he made this demand.
It bugged holy f#ck out of me every time this was passively described as just “investigating the 2016 election.”
Thursday, Jan 23, 2020 · 8:31:41 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
Schiff comes back again to the crowdstrike conspiracy theory, pushing back against the idea that Trump was upset over a tweet or op-ed from a Ukrainian official. I’m very happy to see his brought up now.
I’d have been ecstatic if someone had made this point during the House hearings.