Democrats launch first salvo at trial, accuse Trump of corrupt scheme

[webfact]

Democrats launch first salvo at trial, accuse Trump of corrupt scheme

By Richard Cowan and David Morgan

 

The U.S. Capitol building exterior is seen at sunset as members of the Senate participate in the first day of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump in Washington, U.S., January 21, 2020. REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger.

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The lead Democratic prosecutor accused President Donald Trump at his impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday of setting up a corrupt scheme to pressure Ukraine to help him win re-election this coming November.

 

Trump sounded a defiant note, telling reporters in Switzerland that Democrats did not have enough evidence to find him guilty and remove him from office.

 

In the opening argument for the prosecution after days of procedural wrangling, Representative Adam Schiff said Trump had pushed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son on unsubstantiated corruption charges last year.

 

In his dealings with Ukraine, Trump solicited foreign interference to improve his chances in this year's U.S. presidential election, Schiff said, laying out the main Democratic argument for why Trump abused his power and should be found guilty.

 

"To implement this corrupt scheme President Trump pressured the president of Ukraine to publicly announce investigations into two discredited allegations that would benefit President Trump's 2020 presidential campaign," Schiff said.

 

Democrats argue that Trump was trying to find dirt on Biden, a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, and his son Hunter who had served on the board of a Ukrainian gas company, to help the Republican president win a second term.

 

Trump denies any wrongdoing and his fellow Republicans in the Senate say his behaviour does not fit the description of "high crimes and misdemeanors" outlined in the U.S. Constitution as a reason to oust a U.S. president.

 

Trump is almost certain to be acquitted by the Republican-controlled 100-member Senate, where a two-thirds majority is needed to remove him from office. But the trial's effect on Trump's November re-election bid is unclear.

 

The case against him is focused on a July 25 telephone call in which he asked Zelenskiy to open a corruption investigation into the Bidens as well as a discredited theory that Ukraine, not Russia, meddled in the 2016 U.S. election.

 

"Nothing could be more dangerous to a democracy than a commander in chief who believed that he could operate with impunity, free from accountability. Nothing, that is, except a Congress that is willing to let it be so," said Schiff, who is leading the prosecution team of Democratic "managers" from the 435-seat House of Representatives.

 

Democrats have up to three days to make their case. Trump's defence team will have three days after that for rebuttal in a trial that could potentially conclude next week.

 

HISTORICAL TRIAL

It is the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history. The opening days have been dominated by arguments over Democratic requests for more witnesses and records.

 

The Trump administration has not complied with subpoenas for documents and has urged officials like former national security adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not to participate in the impeachment investigation.

 

The lead Democratic prosecutor, Representative Adam Schiff, said in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday that "nothing could be more dangerous to a democracy than a commander in chief who believed that he could operate with impunity, free from accountability, nothing that is, except a Congress that will let it be so."

 

In Davos, Switzerland, Trump told reporters at the World Economic Forum that he was happy with the way the trial was going.

 

"I thought our team did a very good job. But honestly, we have all the material. They don't have the material," Trump said.

 

He said allowing Bolton to testify at the trial would present national security concerns.

 

"The problem with John (Bolton) is that it's a national security problem," Trump said.

 

"He knows some of my thoughts, he knows what I think about leaders. What happens if he reveals what I think about a certain leader and it's not very positive?" he told a news conference.

 

Bolton, a foreign policy hawk who was fired by Trump last year, has disdainfully described the Ukraine pressure campaign as a "drug deal" and testimony from him could be awkward for the president.

 

A parade of current and former officials spoke at House impeachment hearings last year of a coordinated Trump effort to pressure Ukraine.

 

But those televised hearings did little to change support for and against Trump's impeachment. Reuters/Ipsos polling since the inquiry began shows Democrats and Republicans responding largely along party lines.

 

Trump and his legal team say there was no pressure and that the Democrats' case is based on hearsay aimed at overturning Trump's 2016 election win and preventing him from winning again at the Nov. 3 election.

 

Moments before the House managers began opening arguments in the Senate, Republican Senator Mike Braun told reporters: "We're going to get down to the merits of the case, and that's why the president will be vindicated with a verdict of acquittal."

 

In a 13-hour battle over trial rules that lasted until the wee hours of Wednesday, Republican senators rejected requests for subpoenas seeking the testimony of Bolton and three White House officials as well as records and documents from the White House, the State Department, the Pentagon and the Office of Management and Budget related to Trump's dealings with Ukraine.

 

Arguments became so heated that Chief Justice John Roberts, who is presiding over the trial, admonished both the defence and prosecution.

"I do think those addressing the Senate should remember where they are," he said.

 

(Reporting by Richard Cowan and David Morgan; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu and Susan Heavey; Writing by Alistair Bell; Editing by Andy Sullivan and Howard Goller)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-01-23

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[Samui Bodoh]

17 minutes ago, webfact said:

The lead Democratic prosecutor accused President Donald Trump at his impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday of setting up a corrupt scheme to pressure Ukraine to help him win re-election this coming November.

And he did.

 

But, in true cowardly fashion, he will hide behind the skirts of the Republican party, he will cry and whine that the process is 'unfair' and 'rigged', he will withhold documents and testimony improperly while crying that the testimony and documents don't rise to the appropriate level, he will lie and have others lie on his behalf, he will stomp his feet like a spoiled child, and he will not be held accountable for his actions. As he has not been held accountable his entire life.

 

The Republican party, made up of people who know better but who have become a soulless, ethically-challenged vehicle which cares for nothing except power and abortion, will let him off.

 

I have American family and friends, and I am embarrassed for them; the US used to be, with all its faults and foibles, a place that tried to be good. It has now become a place where law doesn't matter. It has become a place where cheating is not only allowed, but admired. It has become a place where doing good has been replaced by 'winning' (yes, just like Charley Sheen).

 

I can only hope that one day the US finds itself again and returns to the force for good that it can be. But, I ain't holding my breath.

 

 

 

Edited January 22, 2020 by Samui Bodoh
Lack of coffee and general anger

[Boon Mee]

The only corrupt scheme here is the delusional democrats attempting to nullify the will of the American people who elected Trump. 

Won't happen though. ???? 

 

MAGA 

[Tug]

33 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

The only corrupt scheme here is the delusional democrats attempting to nullify the will of the American people who elected Trump. 

Won't happen though. ???? 

 

MAGA 

Well then let’s have a trial with documents witnesses ect ect let trump prove he is innocent it won’t happen I know but the vast majority of the American people will rember come 2020 change is a coming and as you know boonme trump squeaked by with the electoral college he lost the popular vote by 3 million

[hobz]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

But the trial's effect on Trump's November re-election bid is unclear.

I bet it's gonna make him get more votes. Trumps supporters believe that he has been the target of a witch Hunt from day one.

[tpazzi]

hobz said "I bet it's gonna make him get more votes. Trumps supporters believe that he has been the target of a witch Hunt from day one."

How do you see that happening?  There's no doubt those that already support him will stay with him through anything.  But where will the "more" in "more votes" come from?   In three years, he's shown no capacity, or apparent desire, to do anything to grow his base of support.  

That isn't saying he can't thread the needle again in the Electoral College and win another time, but it seems like a very good bet that he'll lose the popular vote again.   

[Redline]

3 hours ago, hobz said:

I bet it's gonna make him get more votes. Trumps supporters believe that he has been the target of a witch Hunt from day one.

He can’t win without independent voters 

[Redline]

2 hours ago, tpazzi said:

hobz said "I bet it's gonna make him get more votes. Trumps supporters believe that he has been the target of a witch Hunt from day one."

How do you see that happening?  There's no doubt those that already support him will stay with him through anything.  But where will the "more" in "more votes" come from?   In three years, he's shown no capacity, or apparent desire, to do anything to grow his base of support.  

That isn't saying he can't thread the needle again in the Electoral College and win another time, but it seems like a very good bet that he'll lose the popular vote again.   

Don’t forget that two billionaires are running on the Democratic ticket, and they plan to spend what it takes to defeat trump-if they are running later or not.  Looks like a the law the Republicans got passed about unlimited funding might backfire spectacularly ???? the Koch brothers have soured on trump-Bloomberg is already polling 4th 

 

[earlinclaifornia]

The witness vote will decide the Senate. The House is a Democratic increase with so many Republicans retiring or not running again 2018 and stronger

[earlinclaifornia]

The only real NEWS is will  dundee48 find himself confused or needing a good laugh. Stay tuned.

[Slickrick]

This will all be over by the end of the month, Senate will take care of it.

[hobz]

On 1/23/2020 at 10:25 AM, tpazzi said:

hobz said "I bet it's gonna make him get more votes. Trumps supporters believe that he has been the target of a witch Hunt from day one."

How do you see that happening?  There's no doubt those that already support him will stay with him through anything.  But where will the "more" in "more votes" come from?   In three years, he's shown no capacity, or apparent desire, to do anything to grow his base of support.  

That isn't saying he can't thread the needle again in the Electoral College and win another time, but it seems like a very good bet that he'll lose the popular vote again.   

The "more" will come from greater turnout from his supporters. As they are more determined and <deleted> of 

[Scott]

Troll post removed.  

 

[Mikeasq60]

Hey Thainland how has communism worked out in neighboring countries around Thailand? Its been a disaster right! I know Vietnam is still supposedly a communist country like Cuba is communist. The communist, and socialist candidates in the US have an up hill battle and yes supporters of President Trumps like myself will push Trump to an easy reelection in November, look at the crowds the president is attracting to his rallies not enough inside seating and people dont care to stay outside in freezing temps. Ive already sent for my absentee ballot. Prepare yourselves for another Trump term, Bruwhahahahahahahaha!

Edited January 28, 2020 by Mikeasq60
typos

[chokrai]

Here is the real corruption. 

[xylophone]

4 hours ago, Mikeasq60 said:

Prepare yourselves for another Trump term, Bruwhahahahahahahaha!

It may well happen because the gutless Republicans won't do what's right by the USA and the constitution, and therefore a dumb, lying, cheating, misogynistic, adulterer who denigrates American war heroes and who has absolutely no respect from other countries, will probably get elected.

 

Indeed that is something to cry about because it speaks volumes as to the pitiful state that the US is currently in and will continue to be in whilst this idiot is in charge.

 

And as another poster has said previously, it also speaks volumes about the education system in the US........