Trump adds legal heavyweights Starr, Dershowitz to impeachment team

By Karen Freifeld, Susan Heavey and Steve Holland

 

Alan Dershowitz (center) leaves Manhattan Federal Court in New York, following a status conference in the defamation lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre, against Dershowitz, over discovery issues, in Manhhattan, New York, U.S., December 2, 2019. REUTERS/Jefferson Siegel

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump turned to some legal heavyweights to help defend him in his Senate impeachment trial with the addition on Friday of former independent counsel Ken Starr, who paved the way for former President Bill Clinton's 1998 impeachment, and prominent lawyer Alan Dershowitz.

 

The team defending the Republican president will be led by White House counsel Pat Cipollone and Trump private attorney Jay Sekulow, Trump's legal team and a source said. Trump adviser and former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi and former independent counsel Robert Ray will also be on the team, according to the source familiar with the team's composition.

 

The trial formally got underway on Thursday, though it will start in earnest on Tuesday with opening statements. The trial in the Republican-led Senate will determine whether Trump is removed from office.

 

The Democratic-led House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump on two charges arising from his dealings with Ukraine - abuse of power and obstruction of Congress - on Dec. 18 after an investigation that centred on his request that Ukraine investigate political rival Joe Biden, the president's possible Democratic opponent in the Nov. 3 election.

 

The Senate is expected to acquit Trump, as none of its 53 Republicans has voiced support for removing him, a step that requires a two-thirds majority. Trump has denied wrongdoing and has called the impeachment process a sham.

 

Starr is a former federal judge who held a senior Justice Department post under Republican President George H.W. Bush. Starr's voluminous investigative report on Clinton's sexual affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky served as the basis for his impeachment in the House on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. The Senate in 1999 acquitted Clinton, a Democrat. Starr had recommended impeachment on 11 grounds.

 

In 2016, Starr was ousted as president of Baylor University, a private Baptist institution in Texas, after an investigation by an outside law firm determined that university leaders had mishandled accusations of sexual assault by football players. Critics of Starr at the time accused him of turning a blind eye to sexual violence on his campus after pursuing Clinton for a sexual relationship.

 

Both Starr and Dershowitz also served as lawyers for financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in his New York jail cell last year where he was being held on new sex trafficking charges.

 

In 1999, Trump made unflattering comments about Starr, saying in an interview on NBC's "Today" show after Clinton's acquittal: "I think Ken Starr's a lunatic." In a 1999 interview with New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, Trump said, "Starr's a freak. I bet he's got something in his closet."

 

'DREAM TEAM'

 

Dershowitz has been a well-known figure in U.S. legal circles for decades. He was a long-time Harvard Law School professor and was part of the so-called "Dream Team" of lawyers who won a 1995 acquittal of former National Football League star and actor O.J. Simpson on charges of murdering his wife and a friend of hers. Dershowitz's past clients also have included boxer Mike Tyson and televangelist Jim Bakker.

 

Both Starr and Dershowitz were defenders of Trump in media interviews during the impeachment process. Sources working with the Trump legal team said the president wanted Dershowitz because of his background as a constitutional scholar.

 

A statement provided by Dershowitz from Trump's legal team said he will present oral arguments at the trial to address the constitutional arguments against impeachment and removal from office.

 

"While Professor Dershowitz is non partisan when it comes to the constitution - he opposed the impeachment of President Bill Clinton and voted for Hillary Clinton - he believes the issues at stake go to the heart of our enduring Constitution," the statement said.

 

Ray succeeded Starr as independent counsel during the Clinton investigation. On the day before Clinton left office, Ray announced that he would not criminally prosecute him in connection with perjury and obstruction.

 

One person who was not added to the team that will defend Trump at the trial is his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who played a key role in the Ukraine matter.

 

Democrat Adam Schiff heads a team of seven House members who will serve as prosecutors. Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, is a former federal prosecutor in Los Angeles.

 

Still to be determined is whether the Senate will allow witness testimony and new evidence or whether senators will decide the case as Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, has suggested using only the material amassed by House investigators.

 

Trump involved the national collegiate champion Louisiana State University football team in the impeachment drama during its celebratory visit to the White House.

 

"A lot of presidents, some good, some not so good," Trump told the team. "But you've got a good one now, even though they're trying to impeach the son of a bitch. Can you believe that?" Citing themes he has raised in his bid to win re-election on Nov. 3, Trump then touted the economy and the U.S. military, adding, "We took out those terrorists like your football team would have taken out those terrorists, right?"

 

A pivotal event in the Ukraine matter was Trump's firing of Marie Yovanovitch last year as U.S. ambassador in Kiev, a move encouraged by Giuliani, who was pressing Ukraine to investigate Biden.

 

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo broke his silence on Friday on documents released this week suggested that Lev Parnas, a Giuliani associate, was involved in monitoring Yovanovitch's movements before Trump removed her, raising questions about her security.

 

"We will do everything we need to do to evaluate whether there was something that took place there," Pompeo, who refused to cooperate in the House impeachment inquiry, told conservative radio host Tony Katz. "I suspect that much of what's been reported will ultimately prove wrong, but our obligation, my obligation as secretary of state, is to make sure that we evaluate, investigate."

 

(Reporting by Susan Heavey, Karen Freifeld and Tim Ahmann; Writing by Will Dunham; Editing by Alistair Bell)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-01-18

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7 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

One person who was not added to the team that will defend Trump at the trial is his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who played a key role in the Ukraine matter.

Aw!

 

Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Add Rudi to the legal team!

 

We all want to hear his justification for all his actions and statements.

 

If he was good enough to act for Trump's interests as his personal lawyer in Ukraine, Venezuela and (presumably) other places, then why is he not good enough to act for him in the Senate?

 

Let Rudi be Rudi!

 

"Truth isn't Truth!"

 

 

Edited January 17, 20206 yr by Samui Bodoh
Lack of coffee and general mirth

Disgusting, just like the other two impeachments, Johnson and Clinton, both of whom should have been thrown out of office, just like Trump deserves, but won't be. It's starting to look more and more like the American experiment is dead and the USSA is just going to become another footnote in the history of hypocrisy that started out as a good idea, like Rome, like Greece. Sux. ????

 

Future leaders, note: only the morally bankrupt and corrupt need apply.

Edited January 18, 20206 yr by GalaxyMan

43 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Aw!

Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Add Rudi to the legal team!

Rudi even volunteered! How can a reality TV star turn down an offer like THAT?!?

All of this bruhaha because Donald trump attempted to slander another man this guy is a walking fiasco let the witnesses appear it’s time to get rid of this man

It was interesting watching Pelosi make a whole song and dance over signing the farcical impeachment with a dozen gold plated pens at a supposed cost of $5,000, while Trump signed the 2 trillion dollar phase 1 trade deal with China with a 99c Sharpie. Substance over shine, and not unnoticed by American voters I'm sure.

heavyweights Starr, Dershowitz

 

an apt description looking at the photo he lose at least  20 kilos of weight

49 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

It was interesting watching Pelosi make a whole song and dance over signing the farcical impeachment with a dozen gold plated pens at a supposed cost of $5,000, while Trump signed the 2 trillion dollar phase 1 trade deal with China with a 99c Sharpie. Substance over shine, and not unnoticed by American voters I'm sure.

He has to use a sharpie, how else could such a little man have such a HUUUUGE signature 

 

1 hour ago, TopDeadSenter said:

It was interesting watching Pelosi make a whole song and dance over signing the farcical impeachment with a dozen gold plated pens at a supposed cost of $5,000, while Trump signed the 2 trillion dollar phase 1 trade deal with China with a 99c Sharpie. Substance over shine, and not unnoticed by American voters I'm sure.

There is a theory that Pelosi only delayed the impeachment process because she was waiting for her gold pens to be made. ????

Dershowitz seems keen to get the message across that he is not a member of ‘Trump’s team’:

 

“I think it overstates it to say I’m a member of the Trump team.”

 

https://www.mediaite.com/election-2016/alan-dershowitz-distances-himself-from-trump-legal-team-im-not-really-part-of-it/

 

1 hour ago, TopDeadSenter said:

It was interesting watching Pelosi make a whole song and dance over signing the farcical impeachment with a dozen gold plated pens at a supposed cost of $5,000, while Trump signed the 2 trillion dollar phase 1 trade deal with China with a 99c Sharpie. Substance over shine, and not unnoticed by American voters I'm sure.

But but but Pelosi.

2 hours ago, TopDeadSenter said:

It was interesting watching Pelosi make a whole song and dance over signing the farcical impeachment with a dozen gold plated pens at a supposed cost of $5,000, while Trump signed the 2 trillion dollar phase 1 trade deal with China with a 99c Sharpie. Substance over shine, and not unnoticed by American voters I'm sure.

And that's all Republicans have. Deflect deflect deflect . . . and for GAWD'S sake keep the witnesses OUT of the courtroom! The truth will not serve Trump well.

Brilliant move this. Dershowitz is one of the most famous lawyers in the US and an an acknowleged expert on the constitution. His reputation is as a champion of civil liberties and the rule of law. His opinions speak volumes. He wrote the book, whatever its about.

 

And, in this corner, for the Dems, we have...Adam Schiff. Oh boy.

 

That would be like me going up against that Colin McGregor dude. Id be there getting all huffy and puffy, calling him a bitch, then he would just slap me until I cried to the point that I held his arm up as victor for him.

 

Lets not even talk about Ken Starr vs Hakeem Jeffries.

Rudy wants in. Does he forget he is a prosecutor and what trump needs is a defence.

 

Dershowitz wont add much. Justice Roberts presiding knows a bit about the constitution. In any event this is about evidence, not the constitution.

 

So with 4 or so lawyers it seems moscow mitch has decided there may be a real trial after all.

Some inflammatory posts have been removed. 

3 hours ago, GalaxyMan said:

Disgusting, just like the other two impeachments, Johnson and Clinton, both of whom should have been thrown out of office, just like Trump deserves, but won't be. It's starting to look more and more like the American experiment is dead and the USSA is just going to become another footnote in the history of hypocrisy that started out as a good idea, like Rome, like Greece. Sux. ????

 

Future leaders, note: only the morally bankrupt and corrupt need apply.

Correct. We are looking at Western Rome, about 10 years prior to the sacking by Alaric. The US has been on a steady decline for the past 30 years, and it is being precipitated by the current jester. Even with the trade war, China still managed a 6.1% annualized growth. The US barely managed 2%. It is only a matter of time, before America becomes alot less relevant than it used to be. 

If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”

 

          Josef Goebells- Propaganda Minister- The Third Reich

 

-The media is the enemy of the people'

 

        Donald J. Trump-  President- United States of America

 

It is estimated by various watchdogs and independent observers that Donald Trump has lied over 15,000 times.  When he talks- no one knows whether it's another lie or he is now telling the truth.

 

He is guilty as hell of abuse of power and obstruction of justice and would be easily convicted in an actual Court.  However- his jury is the United States Senate who will vote in a partisan manner and 'acquit'  Trump.

 

His day of reckoning will eventually come. Once he ino longer has the Presidency to protect him- both Federal and State courts will convict him.  Once he has no power- his minions will turn on him like cornered rats and the real truth will come out.

 

"you can fool all of the people some of the time, and you can fool some of the people all of the time; but you can’t fool all the people all the time.^

 

      Abraham Lincoln    -16th President-  United States of America

At this point, based on the attitude of Mad Mitch, and the other biddable, docile, tractable devotees in the GOP, who are paying featly to their master, we are not going to see anything resembling a fair trial, and the witnesses who know the facts, and the extent of the crimes Trump committed, will not be called to testify. Nor will the findings of the watchdog agency, or the whistleblower be taken into account. The weight of his legal team speaks to his level of fear and concern. One can only hope this lack of justice fires up the American people, and he is ousted with a vengeance, come November. The last thing in the world the US can afford is four more years of this nonsense, and a president who is ever more emboldened and feeling like he is above the law. 

Edited January 18, 20206 yr by spidermike007

3 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”

 

          Josef Goebells- Propaganda Minister- The Third Reich

 

-The media is the enemy of the people'

 

        Donald J. Trump-  President- United States of America

 

It is estimated by various watchdogs and independent observers that Donald Trump has lied over 15,000 times.  When he talks- no one knows whether it's another lie or he is now telling the truth.

 

He is guilty as hell of abuse of power and obstruction of justice and would be easily convicted in an actual Court.  However- his jury is the United States Senate who will vote in a partisan manner and 'acquit'  Trump.

 

His day of reckoning will eventually come. Once he ino longer has the Presidency to protect him- both Federal and State courts will convict him.  Once he has no power- his minions will turn on him like cornered rats and the real truth will come out.

 

"you can fool all of the people some of the time, and you can fool some of the people all of the time; but you can’t fool all the people all the time.^

 

      Abraham Lincoln    -16th President-  United States of America

I disagree with you on one point. When Trump talks, we know it is a lie. He is not fond of the truth, on any level. At a minimum, what he says is nearly always a baldfaced exaggeration. 

2 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

Brilliant move this. Dershowitz is one of the most famous lawyers in the US and an an acknowleged expert on the constitution. His reputation is as a champion of civil liberties and the rule of law. His opinions speak volumes. He wrote the book, whatever its about.

 

And, in this corner, for the Dems, we have...Adam Schiff. Oh boy.

 

That would be like me going up against that Colin McGregor dude. Id be there getting all huffy and puffy, calling him a bitch, then he would just slap me until I cried to the point that I held his arm up as victor for him.

 

Lets not even talk about Ken Starr vs Hakeem Jeffries.

Why does Trump need so many high class lawyers when the GOP has the Senate majority??

17 minutes ago, newatthis said:

Why does Trump need so many high class lawyers when the GOP has the Senate majority??

Trump just doesn't want to win. He wants to crush. 

 

7 hours ago, rooster59 said:

"A lot of presidents, some good, some not so good," Trump told the team. "But you've got a good one now, even though they're trying to impeach the <deleted>. Can you believe that?" Citing themes he has raised in his bid to win re-election on Nov. 3, Trump then touted the economy and the U.S. military, adding, "We took out those terrorists like your football team would have taken out those terrorists, right?"

Those people in attendance all loved this annual event,especially with this POTUS! They were so proud to be there!Probably the best college football team and POTUS ever! Go Starr Go Dershowitz

 

Edited January 18, 20206 yr by riclag

22 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

Trump just doesn't want to win. He wants to crush. 

 

One must admire Mr. Trumps expertise on staging and marketing through out his life! He is handling this with the same tenacity! Go Starr ,Go Dershowitz!

Brilliant !! 

Edited January 18, 20206 yr by riclag

A reality t.v. team for a reality t.v. presidency. Monica Lewinsky responds:

 

Quote

Meet Trump’s Deplorable Impeachment Defense Team

 

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/01/meet-trumps-deplorable-impeachment-defense-team.html

3 hours ago, Thaidream said:

If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”

 

          Josef Goebells- Propaganda Minister- The Third Reich

 

-The media is the enemy of the people'

 

        Donald J. Trump-  President- United States of America

 

It is estimated by various watchdogs and independent observers that Donald Trump has lied over 15,000 times.  When he talks- no one knows whether it's another lie or he is now telling the truth.

 

He is guilty as hell of abuse of power and obstruction of justice and would be easily convicted in an actual Court.  However- his jury is the United States Senate who will vote in a partisan manner and 'acquit'  Trump.

 

His day of reckoning will eventually come. Once he ino longer has the Presidency to protect him- both Federal and State courts will convict him.  Once he has no power- his minions will turn on him like cornered rats and the real truth will come out.

 

"you can fool all of the people some of the time, and you can fool some of the people all of the time; but you can’t fool all the people all the time.^

 

      Abraham Lincoln    -16th President-  United States of America

"His day of reckoning will eventually come. Once he ino longer has the Presidency to protect him- both Federal and State courts will convict him.  Once he has no power- his minions will turn on him like cornered rats and the real truth will come out".

 

 

Conspiracy theories! 

Edited January 18, 20206 yr by riclag

An troll post containing offensive comments has been removed. 

From the headline I thought Ringo was going to help him out.

5 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

Trump just doesn't want to win. He wants to crush. 

 

Crush what? No witnesses, no need for anything.

 

Trumo wanted lots of witnesses, then he wanted none. Which is it?

 

Dershowitz is only going to talk about the constitution. Senators decide alone what is impeachable so he is a non event.

 

Starr is not a defence lawyer, trump also called him a lunatic. 

 

So nothing there.

13 hours ago, legend49 said:

heavyweights Starr, Dershowitz

 

an apt description looking at the photo he lose at least  20 kilos of weight

You beat me to it

8 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

Trump just doesn't want to win. He wants to crush. 

 

I nearly peed my self reading that rubbish