Trump says lead impeachment Democrat Schiff has not paid 'price, yet'

By Doina Chiacu

 

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) speaks to media after the impeachment trial of U.S. President Donald Trump ended for the day in Washington, U.S., January 25, 2020. REUTERS/Mary F. Calvert

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the Democratic lawmaker leading the impeachment case against him, Representative Adam Schiff, has "not paid the price, yet" for his actions, a statement Schiff said he viewed as a threat.

 

The vitriol from Trump against Schiff and other Democrats followed three days of their arguments in his impeachment trial before the U.S. Senate on charges he abused the power of his office by pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political rival, and then tried to obstruct an investigation by Congress.

 

"Shifty Adam Schiff is a CORRUPT POLITICIAN, and probably a very sick man. He has not paid the price, yet, for what he has done to our Country!" Trump said on Twitter.

 

Asked on NBC's "Meet the Press" if he took the Republican president's social media post as a threat, Schiff said, "I think it's intended to be."

 

As lead impeachment manager, Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, played a central role in Democrats' efforts to paint Trump's behaviour as dangerous to democracy the Republican-led Senate, where Trump is likely to be acquitted.

 

While some Republican senators said Schiff had been effective, most appeared unswayed. The lawmaker from California, a former federal prosecutor, has been a regular target of attack from Trump and Trump's Republican supporters in Congress.

 

Some Republican senators took umbrage at Schiff's more pointed comments, including that the president could not be trusted to do the right thing for the country and that Republican senators were under extreme pressure to acquit Trump.

 

Schiff said on NBC he was making the argument "that it's going to require moral courage to stand up to this president."

 

"This is a wrathful and vindictive president," he said. "I don't think that there's any doubt about it and if you think there is, look at the president's tweets about me today, saying that I should pay a price."

 

Trump regularly levels personal attacks against political opponents. His broadsides against Schiff have included "pencil neck" and "liddle." Critics accuse Trump of using an anti-Semitic trope in referring to the Jewish lawmaker as "shifty."

 

The White House did not respond to a request for comment on Trump's Twitter post. Representatives for Schiff said they had nothing to add to the congressman's comments.

 

TRUMP'S DEFENCE

White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham told Fox News Channel she had not spoken to Trump about the tweet but, "I think he means he hasn't yet paid the price with the voters."

 

U.S. Senator James Lankford, a Republican, likened Trump's comment to those of Democrats who say Republicans will pay a price at the ballot box for supporting Trump or will pay a price in the future as they are held accountable.

 

"I don't think the president is trying to be able to do a death threat here or do some sort of intimidation," he said on CNN's "State of the Union." "Both of them are saying the American people will speak on this."

 

Another House impeachment manager, Democrat Zoe Lofgren, told CNN Trump should "get a grip" and be more presidential. "The president has a tendency to say things that seem threatening to people," she said.

 

Trump's team of lawyers began their defence on Saturday, arguing Democrats' efforts to remove the president from office would set a "very, very dangerous" precedent in an election year.

 

Alan Dershowitz, a member of Trump's legal team, told "Fox News Sunday" the charges against Trump - abuse of power and obstruction of Congress - were not impeachable offenses, which he said must be a crime under existing law.

 

That point has been disputed by legal scholars and Dershowitz himself argued the opposite view during the 1998 impeachment trial of Democratic President Bill Clinton.

 

On "Fox News Sunday," Dershowitz was shown a video of his comments at that time: "It certainly doesn't have to be a crime. If you have somebody who completely corrupts the office of president and who abuses trust and who poses great danger to our liberty, you don't need technical crime."

 

Dershowitz replied that he has done extensive research since then and has concluded that "no, it has to be a crime."

 

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Additional reporting by Tim Ahmann, Sarah N. Lynch and Karen Freifeld; Editing by Tim Ahmann and Daniel Wallis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-01-27

Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info

Normally, a pair of knee length boots will suffice to keep one insulated from American political doo...now we need chest high waders to stay unaffect by the constant barrage of BS from both parties...????

Does that mean he is putting a contract out on him?

28 minutes ago, webfact said:

Dershowitz replied that he has done extensive research since then and has concluded that "no, it has to be a crime."

????

13 minutes ago, sirineou said:

Does that mean he is putting a contract out on him?

 

Don't be silly.   Trump's not one of the Clintons.

 

Ever wonder why Obama didn't pick HRC as a running mate?  He wanted to survive his term.

 

Typical trump try to intimidate sorry donald Adam isent a coward like you and imo the price will be both houses and the presidency in democratic hands come 2020 as much as trump wants it to be we are not a banana republic (yet)

9 minutes ago, Tug said:

Typical trump try to intimidate sorry donald Adam isent a coward like you and imo the price will be both houses and the presidency in democratic hands come 2020 as much as trump wants it to be we are not a banana republic (yet)

This one is so funny, it's worth a screen shot so I can put it here again after November.

3 minutes ago, Chrysaora said:

This one is so funny, it's worth a screen shot so I can put it here again after November.

I have also added it to my list ????

Trump is absolutely right. Schiff has thrown wild smears, far fetched accusations and libelous presumptions for 3 years now. He has been proven to be lying, just see his interviews on MSM where he claims to have solid evidence of Russian collusion (since thoroughly debunked).

 

 He must be severely punished for his trying to undo the last election. OK, I get it, he is triggered. He is so hopping mad with rage that Hillary lost, I feel for him. But this is no way to behave, and for the American democratic electoral system to continue Schiff and his fellow coup makers must face charges. Slander? Libel? Abuse of power? Coup attempt? Sedition? Treason? Who knows, maybe a combo of the above. This sort of fiasco must NEVER be allowed to happen to another US President.

Edited January 26, 20206 yr by TopDeadSenter

1 minute ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Trump is absolutely right. Schiff has thrown wild smears, far fetched accusations and libelous presumptions for 3 years now. He has been proven to be lying, just see his interviews on MSM where he claims to have solid evidence of Russian collusion (since thoroughly debunked).

 

 He must be severely punished for his trying to undo the last election. OK, I get it, he is triggered. He is so hopping mad with rage that Hillary lost, I feel for him. But this is no way to behave, and for the American democratic electoral system to continue Schiff and his fellow coup makers must face charges. Slander? Libel? Abuse of power? Coup attempt? Sedition? Treason? Who know, many a combo of the above. This sort of fiasco must NEVER be allowed to happen to another US President.

Why focus only on Schiff?  The rest of those miscreants in The House deserve at least what Schiff should get.

So...no-one has tried to remove his mobile (cellular) phone from him as yet?

 

"...so  that government of the facebook,by the twitter,for the social media addicted shall not perish from this earth.."

Edited January 26, 20206 yr by Odysseus123

Trump is punch drunk, standing in a corner flailing out in all directions. He can't take criticism but he has nothing to fear, the spineless GOP will find him innocent of all charges which doesn't bode well for the world in general. America's moral crown started to slip a long time ago, with Trump it's in the gutter.

56 minutes ago, Chrysaora said:

This one is so funny, it's worth a screen shot so I can put it here again after November.

Oh please do not all of us want trump in fact the vast majority of want a competent potus he’s just digging himsielf in deeper every day naaaa I see change in 2020 

1 hour ago, Chrysaora said:

This one is so funny, it's worth a screen shot so I can put it here again after November.

Likewise!

part of the problem is that there are only 2 political parties

 

better to have 3 or more

 

but whomever you vote, they are OWNED by big corporations anyway

 

lobby groups throw money to both, to get what THEY want

 

it is just a farce

2 hours ago, Tug said:

Typical trump try to intimidate sorry donald Adam isent a coward like you and imo the price will be both houses and the presidency in democratic hands come 2020 as much as trump wants it to be we are not a banana republic (yet)

Further, just imagine trumps behavior in business when he didn't get his own way.

9 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Further, just imagine trumps behavior in business when he didn't get his own way.

Imagining Trumps behavior? Sounds like grounds for another impeachment.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Trump says lead impeachment Democrat Schiff has not paid 'price, yet'

Dear Mr. Trump - it is YOU who has not paid the price yet ... but hopefully you will soon ...

25 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Imagining Trumps behavior? Sounds like grounds for another impeachment.

If the GOP in the Senate insist on a sham trial, then yes a second impeachment is a possibility - or do you believe Congress is fighting in the courts to enforce subpoenas for no reason?

For over 3 years, Trump has been hit with constant "vitriol" from the democrat leadership, others. Seems they can dish it out but not take it!

3 hours ago, Chrysaora said:

This one is so funny, it's worth a screen shot so I can put it here again after November.

If you think that's funny, then what about this?

3 hours ago, TopDeadSenter said:

But this is no way to behave, and for the American democratic electoral system to continue Schiff and his fellow coup makers must face charges. Slander? Libel? Abuse of power? Coup attempt? Sedition? Treason? Who knows, maybe a combo of the above. This sort of fiasco must NEVER be allowed to happen to another US President.

Especially if massive ignorance of the law and of the Constitution trigger your sense of humor, this one's a keeper.

 

Schiff has not told in excess of 16000 lies and deceptive statements in three years. Because you don't agree with his statements does not make them lies. Also forget Tramps short term memory loss when it comes to the number of crooks he doesn't know. (only had photos with them)

4 hours ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Trump is absolutely right. Schiff has thrown wild smears, far fetched accusations and libelous presumptions for 3 years now. He has been proven to be lying, just see his interviews on MSM where he claims to have solid evidence of Russian collusion (since thoroughly debunked).

 

 He must be severely punished for his trying to undo the last election. OK, I get it, he is triggered. He is so hopping mad with rage that Hillary lost, I feel for him. But this is no way to behave, and for the American democratic electoral system to continue Schiff and his fellow coup makers must face charges. Slander? Libel? Abuse of power? Coup attempt? Sedition? Treason? Who knows, maybe a combo of the above. This sort of fiasco must NEVER be allowed to happen to another US President.

Okay...either stop or start taking your meds!

Whatever it is!

Treason?

From a man who hails Trump!

Unbelievable!

2 hours ago, justin case said:

part of the problem is that there are only 2 political parties

 

better to have 3 or more

 

but whomever you vote, they are OWNED by big corporations anyway

 

lobby groups throw money to both, to get what THEY want

 

it is just a farce

Another all purpose political comment.

Trump is more unhinged, and less stable than he has ever been. Impeachment has driven him positively crazy, if he was not already insane, which many of us suspect.

 

Quite the opposite will happen. The senate will make a whitewash out of this trial, and will refuse to call any witnesses or hear any new evidence. And the GOP will pay the price come November, with a historic trouncing. I expect Trump to be defeated, and I expect both the house to pick up more seats, and the majority in the senate to be handed over to the dems. And guess what? The GOP, and Trump's loyal and lockstep devotees will have only themselves to blame. 

Both parties are bought and paid for, and owned by corporate America. Both are dishonorable, but only one has a true gangster for a leader. 

4 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Both parties are bought and paid for, and owned by corporate America. Both are dishonorable, but only one has a true gangster for a leader. 

If, as I think is correct, Madame Clinton is the boss of the Dems, I would beg to differ with this assertion of yours as to who has the bigger boss.....

4 minutes ago, blazes said:

If, as I think is correct, Madame Clinton is the boss of the Dems, I would beg to differ with this assertion of yours as to who has the bigger boss.....

Clinton is a historical footnote. After blowing the last election, to the extent of which we witnessed, and after being outed for abusing her multi billion dollar foundation, she is right up there with Trump, in terms of utter corruption of the soul. She has no credibility, and most of us dislike her intensely. So rest your head. She has minor influence at this stage. She is history. 

14 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Clinton is a historical footnote. After blowing the last election, to the extent of which we witnessed, and after being outed for abusing her multi billion dollar foundation, she is right up there with Trump, in terms of utter corruption of the soul. She has no credibility, and most of us dislike her intensely. So rest your head. She has minor influence at this stage. She is history. 

 

Sorry, but you misunderstand me.  You say that Trump is the bigger gangster. My question  therefore logically follows: bigger than who????

 or even bigger than whom?

But still, you have to name who you think will be the Democratic candidate before we can take your assertion re Trump seriously.

Cos if you were to name Biden, for example, I'd have to say that Creepy Joe would give Trump a good run for his money in the gangster department.

4 minutes ago, blazes said:

 

Sorry, but you misunderstand me.  You say that Trump is the bigger gangster. My question  therefore logically follows: bigger than who????

 or even bigger than whom?

But still, you have to name who you think will be the Democratic candidate before we can take your assertion re Trump seriously.

Cos if you were to name Biden, for example, I'd have to say that Creepy Joe would give Trump a good run for his money in the gangster department.

Funny. I dont biden being investigated for anything.