Democrats release new batch of testimony from Trump impeachment inquiry

[webfact]

Democrats release new batch of testimony from Trump impeachment inquiry

By Patricia Zengerle and Susan Cornwell

 

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures while exiting a Veterans Day Parade and Wreath Laying ceremony in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 11, 2019. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives committees leading the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump on Monday released a transcript of a Pentagon official's testimony as Trump continued to seethe over the investigation.

 

The release of the testimony given by Laura Cooper, deputy assistant secretary of defense, in an earlier closed-door session came two days before the impeachment inquiry enters a crucial new phase. The first public hearings in the investigation - focused on Trump's request that Ukraine investigate political rival Joe Biden and whether he withheld security aid as leverage - are set for Wednesday and Friday.

 

Cooper described at some length the approval process for the $391 million in aid to Ukraine, including that the Pentagon had determined that Kiev had met anti-corruption requirements for the release of the funds. Trump and some of his supporters have argued that the funds - approved by the U.S. Congress to help combat Russia-backed separatists in the eastern part of Ukraine - were blocked by Trump to press Zelenskiy's government to fight corruption, not to seek an investigation of Biden and his son.

 

"All of the senior leaders of the U.S. national security departments and agencies were all unified in their - in their view that this assistance was essential," Cooper said, according to the transcript of her remarks on Oct. 23, the day that a group of Republicans stormed into the secure facility where she was testifying, delaying her interview by a few hours.

 

President Donald Trump seethed on Monday as Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives prepared to enter a crucial new phase - the first public hearings - in their impeachment inquiry. Zachary Goelman reports.

 

On Wednesday and Friday, U.S. diplomats William Taylor, George Kent and Marie Yovanovitch are due to detail in public their concerns, previously expressed in testimony behind closed doors, that Trump and his administration sought to tie the security aid to investigations that might benefit his 2020 re-election bid.

 

The public testimony before the House Intelligence Committee will be carried by major broadcast and cable television networks and is expected to be viewed by millions of people, as Democrats seek to make the case for Trump's potential removal from office.

 

The panel's Democratic chairman, Representative Adam Schiff, has been a target of the Republican president's attacks since the impeachment probe was launched in September after a whistleblower within the U.S. intelligence community brought a complaint against Trump over his July 25 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

 

Democrats, who control the House, have argued that Trump abused his power in pressing a vulnerable U.S. ally to carry out investigations that would benefit Trump politically. Biden is a leading contender for the Democratic nomination to face the Republican president in the 2020 election. Hunter Biden served on the board of a Ukrainian energy company called Burisma.

 

Trump has denied there was a quid pro quo - or exchanging a favor for a favor - in his dealings with Ukraine, defended his call with Zelenskiy as "perfect" and branded the probe a politically motivated "hoax." Trump wrote on Twitter on Monday that the inquiry should be ended and the unnamed whistleblower, the whistleblower's lawyer and "Corrupt politician" Schiff should be investigated for fraud.

 

Democrats consider the open hearings to be crucial to building public support for a vote on articles of impeachment - formal charges - against Trump. If that occurs, the 100-seat Republican-controlled Senate would hold a trial on the charges. Republicans have so far shown little support for removing Trump from office, which would require two-thirds of senators present to vote to convict him.

 

No U.S. president ever has been removed from office through the impeachment process. It has been two decades since Americans last witnessed impeachment proceedings against a president. Republicans, who then controlled the House, brought impeachment charges against Democratic President Bill Clinton in a scandal involving his sexual relationship with a White House intern. The Senate voted to keep Clinton in office.

 

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Susan Cornwell; Additional reporting by John Whitesides, Susan Heavey, James Oliphant and Doina Chiacu in Washington and Ron Bousso in Abu Dhabi; Writing by Paul Simao; Editing by Scott Malone and Will Dunham)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-11-12

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[OneMoreFarang]

Does anybody check if anybody out there changes his or her mind about Trump?

For many of us it's obvious since forever that he is lying all the time, enriching himself, and ignoring all the rules.

If the president could be prosecuted like anybody else he would probably be already in jail - with not much chance of coming out anytime soon.

But then there are those people who ignore any evidence. They still support Trump and it seems there is nothing that would convince them that Trump should be removed.

More evidence for what? If people didn't get it until now why would they change their mind with new evidence? They believe in Trump like a religion. It's impossible to convince them with facts. 

[car720]

20 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Does anybody check if anybody out there changes his or her mind about Trump?

For many of us it's obvious since forever that he is lying all the time, enriching himself, and ignoring all the rules.

If the president could be prosecuted like anybody else he would probably be already in jail - with not much chance of coming out anytime soon.

But then there are those people who ignore any evidence. They still support Trump and it seems there is nothing that would convince them that Trump should be removed.

More evidence for what? If people didn't get it until now why would they change their mind with new evidence? They believe in Trump like a religion. It's impossible to convince them with facts. 

Exactly the same with Pauline Hanson and the One Nation party in Australia.  Sheep being led by wolves.

[stevenl]

21 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Does anybody check if anybody out there changes his or her mind about Trump?

For many of us it's obvious since forever that he is lying all the time, enriching himself, and ignoring all the rules.

If the president could be prosecuted like anybody else he would probably be already in jail - with not much chance of coming out anytime soon.

But then there are those people who ignore any evidence. They still support Trump and it seems there is nothing that would convince them that Trump should be removed.

More evidence for what? If people didn't get it until now why would they change their mind with new evidence? They believe in Trump like a religion. It's impossible to convince them with facts. 

Public opinion had more or less 35% hard core Trump supporters. The closer the polls come to '65% wants him impeached' the more problems he has and the more the senate can be swayed.

[sirineou]

19 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Does anybody check if anybody out there changes his or her mind about Trump?

For many of us it's obvious since forever that he is lying all the time, enriching himself, and ignoring all the rules.

If the president could be prosecuted like anybody else he would probably be already in jail - with not much chance of coming out anytime soon.

But then there are those people who ignore any evidence. They still support Trump and it seems there is nothing that would convince them that Trump should be removed.

More evidence for what? If people didn't get it until now why would they change their mind with new evidence? They believe in Trump like a religion. It's impossible to convince them with facts. 

 yea I don't get it either. Today in an interview Nikki Haley said:

 

""Kelly and Tillerson confided in me that when they resisted the President, they weren't being insubordinate, they were trying to save the country," Haley wrote. "

https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/10/politics/nikki-haley-tillerson-kelly-save-the-country-recruit-white-house/index.html

People in the administration , everyone coming out of the administration , that has nothing to gain from supporting trump, has a very unflattering opinion of him, and this Idiots ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I dont get why they don't see something that is plain as day. 

[Tippaporn]

56 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Does anybody check if anybody out there changes his or her mind about Trump?

For many of us it's obvious since forever that he is lying all the time, enriching himself, and ignoring all the rules.

If the president could be prosecuted like anybody else he would probably be already in jail - with not much chance of coming out anytime soon.

But then there are those people who ignore any evidence. They still support Trump and it seems there is nothing that would convince them that Trump should be removed.

More evidence for what? If people didn't get it until now why would they change their mind with new evidence? They believe in Trump like a religion. It's impossible to convince them with facts. 

Does anybody check if anybody out there changes his or her mind about Trump?

 

I'll change my mind as soon as someone gives me the same drugs that they're taking.

 

But then there are those people who ignore any evidence.

 

I've posted lots of evidence but it's all ignored by the left.  The problem is that the left only accepts the evidence they want.  Not only that, but they conflate evidence with established fact.  And then accuse people who refuse to do the same of ignoring evidence, erm, established fact.

[Tippaporn]

43 minutes ago, sirineou said:

 yea I don't get it either. Today in an interview Nikki Haley said:

 

""Kelly and Tillerson confided in me that when they resisted the President, they weren't being insubordinate, they were trying to save the country," Haley wrote. "

https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/10/politics/nikki-haley-tillerson-kelly-save-the-country-recruit-white-house/index.html

People in the administration , everyone coming out of the administration , that has nothing to gain from supporting trump, has a very unflattering opinion of him, and this Idiots ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I dont get why they don't see something that is plain as day. 

 

Trump haters are the only ones whose opinions have got it right.  Right?  Hard to understand why not everyone is so one-sided?  LOL

[Tug]

2 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

Does anybody check if anybody out there changes his or her mind about Trump?

 

I'll change my mind as soon as someone gives me the same drugs that they're taking.

 

But then there are those people who ignore any evidence.

 

I've posted lots of evidence but it's all ignored by the left.  The problem is that the left only accepts the evidence they want.  Not only that, but they conflate evidence with established fact.  And then accuse people who refuse to do the same of ignoring evidence, erm, established fact.

This isent about left or right dems or republican it’s about the constitution and rule of law Donald has proven he cannot work within that framework you need to drop the right left bs and see what’s happening it’s overwhelming the evidence let’s hope enough trump supporters open their eyes to see so the republican senators can vote the way they know they should 

[Sujo]

13 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

Does anybody check if anybody out there changes his or her mind about Trump?

 

I'll change my mind as soon as someone gives me the same drugs that they're taking.

 

But then there are those people who ignore any evidence.

 

I've posted lots of evidence but it's all ignored by the left.  The problem is that the left only accepts the evidence they want.  Not only that, but they conflate evidence with established fact.  And then accuse people who refuse to do the same of ignoring evidence, erm, established fact.

You have provided absolutely nothing on topic of impeachment evidence. All you have done is deflect to things that are not relevant.

[sirineou]

4 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

Trump haters are the only ones whose opinions have got it right.  Right?  Hard to understand why not everyone is so one-sided?  LOL

there is good reason why they are trump haters, they eyes, eaters and a brain to interpret what they see and hear, wish I could say the same for you guys.

[bristolboy]

16 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

Does anybody check if anybody out there changes his or her mind about Trump?

 

I'll change my mind as soon as someone gives me the same drugs that they're taking.

 

But then there are those people who ignore any evidence.

 

I've posted lots of evidence but it's all ignored by the left.  The problem is that the left only accepts the evidence they want.  Not only that, but they conflate evidence with established fact.  And then accuse people who refuse to do the same of ignoring evidence, erm, established fact.

Occasionally it even has links or otherwise identifies the source.

[Sujo]

9 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

Trump haters are the only ones whose opinions have got it right.  Right?  Hard to understand why not everyone is so one-sided?  LOL

Trump haters tend to look at the evidence. Supporters tend to look everywhere else.

[HuskerDo]

5 minutes ago, Tug said:

This isent about left or right dems or republican it’s about the constitution and rule of law Donald has proven he cannot work within that framework you need to drop the right left bs and see what’s happening it’s overwhelming the evidence let’s hope enough trump supporters open their eyes to see so the republican senators can vote the way they know they should 

Ex-VP Biden stated on video while he was still in office the Ukraine wouldn't receive a billion dollars in US aid unless the prosecutor that was going after his son and the company he worked for was fired. Talk about overwhelming evidence. He was boasting about it while he sat on a stage. Even a face lift or two can't fix stupid.

[bristolboy]

1 minute ago, Tippaporn said:

Anyone can find a poll that will confirm anything they want to confirm.

Go ahead. Find a poll that shows Trump's approval is not underwater. Not even Rasmussen can bail you out on that one.

[Tippaporn]

2 minutes ago, Sujo said:

You have provided absolutely nothing on topic of impeachment evidence. All you have done is deflect to things that are not relevant.

I made the relevant point that I have posted evidence and it is ignored by the left, including yourself.  As if the left is the sole arbitrator of what is evidence and what is not.  Your comment is a joke.

[Scott]

Troll post reported and removed along with a reply.

[Tippaporn]

10 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Trump haters tend to look at the evidence. Supporters tend to look everywhere else.

Trump haters tend to conflate evidence with established fact.  Supporters tend to look at evidence that Trump haters reject.

[Skallywag]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

 the approval process for the $391 million in aid to Ukraine, including that the Pentagon had determined that Kiev had met anti-corruption requirements for the release of the funds.

$361 M in aid to Ukraine approved in Congress, the pentagon determined Ukraine worthy.  This is what the impeachment is about, not Hunter, not what Joe did back when he was VP, not Schiff.

 

So why did Trump not release the funds for the Ukraine when they needed it and were approved?   

 

 

[HuskerDo]

3 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

Trump haters tend to conflate evidence with established fact.  Supporters tend to look at evidence that Trump haters reject.

Trump Haters? Really? Those exist? I thought there were Trump supporters, those that don't give a flip about politics and those that voted for the losing candidate in the last election but Trump haters? Blasphemy! 

[Skallywag]

8 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

Trump haters tend to conflate evidence with established fact.  Supporters tend to look at evidence that Trump haters reject.

Confused me here, are you a supporter of POTUS?

So why did Trump hold up the $361M in aid to the Ukraine then?  What are the "facts" ?

Edited November 12, 2019 by Skallywag

[Tippaporn]

15 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

Occasionally it even has links or otherwise identifies the source.

You're purposely distorting, bristolboy.  Actually, it's not so much distorting as it is flat out lying.  I'll be happy to repost the multitude of posts over many threads I've made providing links.

 

Care to take your false allusion back?

[HuskerDo]

2 minutes ago, Skallywag said:

$361 M in aid to Ukraine approved in Congress, the pentagon determined Ukraine worthy.  This is what the impeachment is about, not Hunter, not what Joe did back when he was VP, not Schiff.

 

So why did Trump not release the funds for the Ukraine when they needed it and were approved?   

 

 

He responded to your question numerous times. No need to ask us.

[Skallywag]

2 minutes ago, HuskerDo said:

He responded to your question numerous times. No need to ask us.

By "He" you mean the POTUS?  What is his alias here on Thaivisa so I can look him up?

[HuskerDo]

2 minutes ago, Skallywag said:

By "He" you mean the POTUS?  What is his alias here on Thaivisa so I can look him up?

I'm  sorry but you'll need to start reading the world news elsewhere other than TVF. There's a lot of fake news here. ???? 

[Sujo]

8 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

You're purposely distorting, bristolboy.  Actually, it's not so much distorting as it is flat out lying.  I'll be happy to repost the multitude of posts over many threads I've made providing links.

 

Care to take your false allusion back?

Please do. Please post everything you have posted that is on topic regarding the evidence in the impeachment.

 

reminder, biden is not the subject of impeachment. Trump is.

[Sujo]

28 minutes ago, HuskerDo said:

Ex-VP Biden stated on video while he was still in office the Ukraine wouldn't receive a billion dollars in US aid unless the prosecutor that was going after his son and the company he worked for was fired. Talk about overwhelming evidence. He was boasting about it while he sat on a stage. Even a face lift or two can't fix stupid.

Yet again something that has been debunked many times by facts. No point explaining again as trump supporters are immune to facts.

 

You do understand this impeachment is not about anything biden may or may not have done. Its about what trump has done.

 

Still waiting for trump supporters to comment on the evidence.

[Kelsall]

4 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Please do. Please post everything you have posted that is on topic regarding the evidence in the impeachment.

 

reminder, biden is not the subject of impeachment. Trump is.

There is a lot of information posted on the subject and it can get confusing. 

 

Post #29 gives a detailed explanation of the entire situation and is a short read.

[Sujo]

2 minutes ago, Kelsall said:

There is a lot of information posted on the subject and it can get confusing. 

 

Post #29 gives a detailed explanation of the entire situation and is a short read.

Nothing confusing about it.

 

congress investigating trump bribing ukraine to investigate biden.

 

A dozen witnesses confirm it.

Mulvaney confirmed it.

Trump confirmed it.

 

Absolutely zero evidence exculpating trump.

[owl sees all]

I'm not an American, so I don't think it's right to comment on this nonsense.

[bristolboy]

9 minutes ago, Sujo said:

How does that make a poll wrong. Polls dont state who wins. Polls are numbers, they were correct.

Polls have a margin of error. The best poll aggregator, fivethirtyeight.com, gave Trump a 28% chance of winning the election.