Democrats condemn Trump at trial as threat to American democracy

By David Morgan, Susan Cornwell and Richard Cowan

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he arrives with First Lady Melania Trump at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland upon their return to Washington after a weekend in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 2, 2020. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Even with acquittal seemingly assured, the Democrats prosecuting U.S. President Donald Trump in his impeachment trial unleashed a blistering attack on him on Monday with a forceful appeal for conviction, calling him a man with no ethical compass who must be removed from office to protect American democracy.

 

Representative Adam Schiff wrapped up closing arguments for the seven House of Representatives lawmakers who prosecuted Trump in the historic proceedings after the Republican president's lawyers in their own arguments called the case against him politically motivated, reckless and baseless.

 

"We have proven Donald Trump guilty. Now do impartial justice and convict him," Schiff told the 100-member Republican-controlled Senate, which is due to vote on Wednesday on whether to remove Trump from office.

Trump has called the impeachment effort an attempted coup by Democrats.

 

The Democratic-led House impeached Trump on Dec. 18 on charges of abuse of power for asking Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden and obstruction of Congress for blocking testimony and documents sought by lawmakers in their investigation.

 

Deputy Counsel to the President, Patrick Philbin argued during closing arguments of the Senate impeachment trial of U.S. President Donald Trump that the impeachment process was 'purely partisan.'

 

"This was the first totally partisan presidential impeachment in our nation's history. And it should be our last," Trump personal lawyer Jay Sekulow told the Senate. "What the House Democrats have done to this nation, to the Constitution, to the office of the president, to the president himself and to this body (the Senate) is outrageous. They have cheapened the awesome power of impeachment."

 

Schiff told the senators that the nation's founders wrote impeachment into the U.S. Constitution to give Congress the power to remove a president for committing "high crimes and misdemeanors" as a remedy to constrain evil.

 

"They meant it to be used rarely, but they put it in the Constitution for a reason. For a man who would sell out his country for a political favor. For a man who would (undermine) the integrity of our elections. For a man who would invite foreign interference in our affairs. For a man who would undermine our national security and that of our allies. For a man like Donald J. Trump," Schiff said.

 

Schiff assailed Trump in usually personal terms.

 

"He has not changed. He will not change. He has made that clear himself without self-awareness or hesitation," Schiff added. "A man without character or ethical compass will never find his way."

 

Sekulow called the impeachment drive reckless, said neither of the charges brought against Trump represent an impeachable offense and accused Democrats of seeking to negate the 2016 election won by Trump and to subvert the will of the American people.

 

"The answer is elections, not impeachment," Sekulow said.

 

"The president has done nothing wrong," added White House Counsel Pat Cipollone. "We can, together, end the era of impeachment."

 

The Senate seems certain to acquit Trump. A two-thirds majority is required to remove the president. None of the 53 Senate Republicans has indicated support for conviction.

 

Schiff said that Trump, if left in office, would continue to seek foreign interference in the Nov. 3 election in which he is asking voters to give him four more years as president. Biden is a leading contender for the Democratic nomination to challenge Trump.

 

"A president free of accountability is a danger to the beating heart of our democracy," Schiff said.

 

NO WITNESSES

The Senate voted on Friday not to hear any witnesses such as Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton, who in an unpublished book manuscript depicts Trump as playing a central role in pressuring Ukraine, despite Democratic demands and opinion polls showing most Americans wanted to hear from them. Only two Republicans, moderates Mitt Romney and Susan Collins, voted to hear witnesses.

 

When the closing arguments are complete, the senators will be able to make speeches on the matter until Wednesday, when a final vote is scheduled at 4 p.m. EST (2100 GMT) on whether Trump is guilty of the charges and should be removed. Several Republican senators have called Trump's actions wrong and inappropriate but not impeachable.

 

During the trial, Trump's lawyers offered an expansive view of presidential powers and argued that he could not be thrown out of office for abuse of power.

 

"The logical conclusion of this argument is that the president is the state, that his interests are the nation's interests, that his will is necessarily ours," Crow said.

 

"Allowing a president to get away with conduct based on this extreme view would render him above the law," Crow added.

 

Trump is only the third U.S. president to be impeached.

 

The first contest in the state-by-state battle to determine the Democratic candidate who will challenge Trump was taking place on Monday in Iowa, a stern test for Biden as he seeks his party's nomination. Three senators are seeking the Democratic nomination: Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar.

 

Trump was scheduled to deliver his annual State of the Union speech to Congress on Tuesday night.

 

(Reporting by David Morgan, Richard Cowan, Makini Brice, Patricia Zengerle and Susan Cornwell; Writing by Will Dunham; Editing by Ross Colvin, Daniel Wallis and Paul Simao)

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-02-04

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accepting the loss requires wisdom - and sadly it is in a short supply in this case

So the democrats have done everything possible to get the democratically elected president out of office since he term started. Whether you like him or not the election process voted him in democratically.

 

I can't wait to his next 4 years as the (Un)Democrats will be building more crying rooms than the Chinese do Coronavirus hospitals and as fast.

Edited February 3, 20206 yr by Laughing Gravy

16 minutes ago, Laughing Gravy said:

So the democrats have done everything possible to get the democratically elected president out of office since he term started. Whether you like him or not the election process voted him in democratically.

 

I can't wait to his next 4 years as the (Un)Democrats will be building more crying rooms than the Chinese do Coronavirus hospitals and as fast.

...and if the Democrats coerced another nation to dig dirt on Trump and withheld aid approved you would be happy with that??  

7 minutes ago, Laza 45 said:

...and if the Democrats coerced another nation to dig dirt on Trump and withheld aid approved you would be happy with that??  

I care not for Trump or the democrats. I do care about adults stamping their feet like little children when things don't go their way and try and do anything to prevent a democratic decision (Election) from happening. Just the same from my native UK with a democratic referendum on leaving the EU.

 

Sadly the world is full of cry babies who need to behave like adults and take responsibility and accept decisions they don't like with some dignity.

 

Which one are you.

The problem is that Democrats have been screeching this and other similar messages so incessantly, no one even cares anymore.

16 minutes ago, Crazy Alex said:

The problem is that Democrats have been screeching this and other similar messages so incessantly, no one even cares anymore.

No sir I’m sure you are aware over 70%of voters wanted evidence and witnesses full stop it’s plane as day donald is guilty of the charges the display of cowardice and partisanship by the republicans will be rembered come November and as a side note Mitch McConnell will be pay as well Donald Trump imo is unsuited for the job as potus that’s saying it nice

22 minutes ago, Crazy Alex said:

The problem is that Democrats have been screeching this and other similar messages so incessantly, no one even cares anymore.

 

You mean you didn't watch them talk 24 hours straight? 

1 minute ago, Tug said:

No sir I’m sure you are aware over 70%of voters wanted evidence and witnesses full stop it’s plane as day donald is guilty of the charges the display of cowardice and partisanship by the republicans will be rembered come November and as a side note Mitch McConnell will be pay as well Donald Trump imo is unsuited for the job as potus that’s saying it nice

 

Even if we take your figure of 70% it doesn't matter what 70% of voters want when it comes to the senate trial. Just as the Supreme Court isn't run by a majority poll. The voters choose people to do this for them when they elect the officials. 

 

The checks and balances worked just as the founding fathers intended them to. Ranting on and on won't accomplish anything. Let's see what the people really say in November.

1 minute ago, Cryingdick said:

 

Even if we take your figure of 70% it doesn't matter what 70% of voters want when it comes to the senate trial. Just as the Supreme Court isn't run by a majority poll. The voters choose people to do this for them when they elect the officials. 

 

The checks and balances worked just as the founding fathers intended them to. Ranting on and on won't accomplish anything. Let's see what the people really say in November.

You are missing my point we will rember come November 

5 minutes ago, Tug said:

No sir I’m sure you are aware over 70%of voters wanted evidence and witnesses full stop it’s plane as day donald is guilty of the charges the display of cowardice and partisanship by the republicans will be rembered come November and as a side note Mitch McConnell will be pay as well Donald Trump imo is unsuited for the job as potus that’s saying it nice

The Senate trial is not run based on polls. It's based on rules. And if it's plain as day Trump is guilty, why do Democrats so desperately beg for Bolton to testify- based on rumors of book excerpts? Shouldn't the overwhelming evidence already presented be enough?

 

Of course, the real truth is Democrats ran the House hearings as they saw fit and think they should also run the Senate hearings. It doesn't work that way. Elections have consequences.

 

Now, regarding November: McConnell will be reelected. Simple fact. And as an incumbent president in a time of prosperity, Donald Trump has a huge advantage. Democrats should be careful about continuing this obsession of getting Trump out of office- especially when they say things like "we can't trust the ballot box". People will be rolling their eyes more and more as Democrats continue this partisan, obsessive behavior.

4 minutes ago, Tug said:

You are missing my point we will rember come November 

 

Yes I welcome November. The difference is if I don't get the result I like I won't cry and cry and cry some more about it. And then start to figure out how I can scam the system to take out my opponent.

Like the "Russia" debacle...this too shall soon pass...the Trump administration and Donald J Trump will still be running the US government...not the cry baby Democratics.

 

The Constitution will no longer be in danger as the coup to overthrow an elected President will have been crushed.

 

Vote your heart felt feelings in Nov...but from now to then...back off!

3 minutes ago, Tug said:

You are missing my point we will rember come November 

Come November, voters will be thinking more about their pocketbooks and the economy in general over this partisan impeachment process. Remember, just because 70% of people wanted ADDITIONAL witnesses in the Senate trial doesn't mean they'll care much if at all about it in November- when voters typically vote with their pocketbooks. Markets are up, black and hispanic unemployment are both at record lows, and the economy is doing fine. That will be more important than whether there were ADDITIONAL witnesses at the Senate trial.

1 hour ago, Laughing Gravy said:

I care not for Trump or the democrats. I do care about adults stamping their feet like little children when things don't go their way and try and do anything to prevent a democratic decision (Election) from happening. Just the same from my native UK with a democratic referendum on leaving the EU.

 

Sadly the world is full of cry babies who need to behave like adults and take responsibility and accept decisions they don't like with some dignity.

 

Which one are you.

To start with I really detest name calling.. it really is an unproductive and condescending contribution to intelligent discourse.  My own position is that I support rule of law.

3 minutes ago, Laza 45 said:

To start with I really detest name calling.. it really is an unproductive and condescending contribution to intelligent discourse.  My own position is that I support rule of law.

So long as it is not applied equally to the Clintons and Bidens...????

5 minutes ago, Crazy Alex said:

Come November, voters will be thinking more about their pocketbooks and the economy in general over this partisan impeachment process. Remember, just because 70% of people wanted ADDITIONAL witnesses in the Senate trial doesn't mean they'll care much if at all about it in November- when voters typically vote with their pocketbooks. Markets are up, black and hispanic unemployment are both at record lows, and the economy is doing fine. That will be more important than whether there were ADDITIONAL witnesses at the Senate trial.

 

You have to also keep in mind that many people got a call and where asked cold about it. So if asked and not already having an opinion it would sound very reasonable to say yeah why not have more witnesses? 

 

But again it is neither here nor there as our country isn't run by random telephone polls. 

Democracy if you got only 2 political party to choose from?

What a joke.

Just now, spiekerjozef said:

Democracy if you got only 2 political party to choose from?

What a joke.

Good point. If two corporations controlled a given market the way the Democrat and Republicans control politics, both parties would be up in arms demanding the two corporations be broken up. A duopoly isn't much if any better than a monopoly.

The Democrats looked weak and beatup as they delivered their arguments, now exposed, not arguments at all, but rather a narrative, now punched full of holes and exposed as filled with lies and distortion by the brilliance of the Trump Defense team!

Just now, Crazy Alex said:

Good point. If two corporations controlled a given market the way the Democrat and Republicans control politics, both parties would be up in arms demanding the two corporations be broken up. A duopoly isn't much if any better than a monopoly.

 

The thing is if it were two companies they could probably do a decent job of it. Private companies at the end of the day make alliances even with competitors if it leads to better profits or production.

 

The government is expected to make money simply disappear and rarely can show any accomplishments. Amazon shipped more packages than the post office and did it much more efficiently and cheaper this holiday season. 

1 minute ago, Cryingdick said:

 

The thing is if it were two companies they could probably do a decent job of it. Private companies at the end of the day make alliances even with competitors if it leads to better profits or production.

 

The government is expected to make money simply disappear and rarely can show any accomplishments. Amazon shipped more packages than the post office and did it much more efficiently and cheaper this holiday season. 

Good point. Amazon comes to mind. From where I'm standing, the two major parties have implicitly (if not explicitly) agreed to an incredibly low standard for the American people.

4 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

 

The thing is if it were two companies they could probably do a decent job of it. Private companies at the end of the day make alliances even with competitors if it leads to better profits or production.

 

The government is expected to make money simply disappear and rarely can show any accomplishments. Amazon shipped more packages than the post office and did it much more efficiently and cheaper this holiday season. 

Well, if the Constitution required Amazon to be a nationwide service and to deliver not only mail but letters to areas where it makes no economic sense you would have a better point.

And maybe you think Amazon's inhumane treatment of workers is a good thing? Amazon is a bottom feeder and it chews up its warehouse workers.

Edited February 4, 20206 yr by bristolboy

9 minutes ago, spiekerjozef said:

Democracy if you got only 2 political party to choose from?

What a joke.

Its a Republic not a parliamentary democracy. The coalitions form within the parties.

Sums it up:
 

 

 

9 minutes ago, Crazy Alex said:

Good point. Amazon comes to mind. From where I'm standing, the two major parties have implicitly (if not explicitly) agreed to an incredibly low standard for the American people.

3rd parties in the USA should start by contesting local elections, like a school board. Unfortunately they fail in even doing that. We do not elect a Parliament. Thank God.

Edited February 4, 20206 yr by WalkingOrders
Sp

Also for what it is worth Trump has shown himself to be more than a mere threat to the old ways of doing things the dems so vehemently try to protect.

 

 

 

22 minutes ago, spiekerjozef said:

Democracy if you got only 2 political party to choose from?

What a joke.

But it's not a democracy; but there are many more parties than two.  Read up.

15 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

. . .

Amazon's inhumane treatment of workers is a good thing? Amazon is a bottom feeder and it chews up its warehouse workers.

And yet, all of those employees go to work there voluntarily and can resign and go elsewhere whenever they feel they are being treated unfairly.  If it were true, no one would work there; and Amazon would be no more.

I read some of the replies of the trump supporters in this thread , and if that's not an indication that our democracy is in trouble, I don't know what is.