# The Trump Impeachment Inquiry **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 24, 2019, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771 "2019-09-24T20:23:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 112
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2221 "2019-10-09T00:31:12Z")
Three pages in??? So it’s not a tweet? OK, who wrote that! ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2222 "2019-10-09T00:33:05Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > The ONLY reason Trump is stonewalling is because he has something to hide. And probably a lot. > > It’s not because Trump et al are worried about the precedent or the principle. They have neither. His ‘stonewall’ will be the only one that gets built. This one is made of lies, redirection and strawmen. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2223 "2019-10-09T00:36:26Z")
If Trump played poker, he’d turn up 5 aces and say “beat that”. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2224 "2019-10-09T00:44:48Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > And if they defy the Supreme Court, what then? Who is going to make Trump follow the Supreme Court orders? I expect Trump would just make up some insulting nicknames for the members of the court and tweet about how they should be impeached. > > Is Ginsberg going to personally go to the Whitehouse and kick Trump in the nards? If she does, they should put it on pay-per-view. The proceeds could retire the national debt. > [@KarlGauss](#): > > The ONLY reason Trump is stonewalling is because he has something to hide. And probably a lot. That’s the dangerous thing about this WH tactic—even low-information Americans react this way. _'If he’s stonewalling, he must have something to hide_.’ It’s fundamental human psychology. Having a corrupt Attorney General and a packed Supreme Court in his pocket won’t save Trump if the “hold an impeachment trial” poll numbers get up into the sixty-percent range. Because that’s the point at which GOP Senators are going to start to get nervous about saving their own hides. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2225 "2019-10-09T00:45:05Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > If Trump played poker, he’d turn up 5 aces and say “beat that”. And by five aces, you mean five cards with the letter A written in the corner with a sharpie. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2226 "2019-10-09T00:46:42Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > [The White House sent a letter to Pelosi, Schiff, Engel, and Cummings](https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/PAC-Letter-10.08.2019.pdf). You should read it. > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I’m three pages in, and it’s such a crock of shit already. Does it get better? > > 1. The WH presumes to tell the House how to follow its own rules. That’s not actually their business. If the House has determined that it’s an impeachment inquiry, there’s no constitutional method by which the WH can gainsay that. To suggest otherwise is to trample on separation of powers. > 2. The quote about fearing Trump’s re-election is 100% irrelevant. > 3. Schiff’s paraphrase was obviously a paraphrase, and everyone–EVERYONE–knows that. This is a ridiculous point to harp on. > 4. Trump’s claim that he “has no choice” but to refuse to cooperate is too silly to dignify with a response. > 5. The idea that the inquiry phase requires the right to confront witnesses is similarly idiotic, and everyone knows that. It’s like suggesting that you don’t need to let the police into your house, despite their warrant, unless they tell you who tipped them off. Your right to confront witnesses happens at your trial, not during the investigation; and it’s confined only to those witnesses whose evidence is a direct part of the trial. > > That’s as far as I got. Three pages in, and nearly every point is a lie or a pitiful twist of the truth. Is there any page that’s not full of lies? Direct me to that one, and I’ll read it, but I’ll hold you accountable for any claim that it’s an honest page. What **Left Hand of Dorkness** said, and among many dumb things there, the message I also got is that Trump made one basic shortcoming to be official: **Trump just can’t walk and chew gum at the same time** , he has no business being president. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2227 "2019-10-09T00:49:14Z")
Remember when Republicans LOST THEIR FUCKING MINDS about Obama exerting executive privilege on one issue, not related to impeachment proceedings? That was so cute. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2228 "2019-10-09T00:53:09Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Remember when Republicans LOST THEIR FUCKING MINDS about Obama exerting executive privilege on one issue, not related to impeachment proceedings? > > That was so cute. Ya, well Obama did that in an … uppity… manner. \ ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2229 "2019-10-09T00:57:19Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > [The White House sent a letter to Pelosi, Schiff, Engel, and Cummings](https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/PAC-Letter-10.08.2019.pdf). You should read it. Are we supposed to be doing anything besides laughing after reading it? ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2230 "2019-10-09T01:24:57Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Trump is now going Full Nixon, and not cooperating with the legal investigation. He will be shredding, destroying any evidence he (or his minions) can find. This is how he has always rolled for his entire life. This is familiar territory for him. > > His loyal Republican lapdogs will go on the offensive, attacking anyone who gets in their way. > > Some differences with Nixon: > … > Trump has loyalists in the Supreme court that he put there himself. Nixon had 4 appointees on the Court. Of course, that was when the court wasn’t as blatantly partisan as it is now. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2231 "2019-10-09T01:34:57Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > [The White House sent a letter to Pelosi, Schiff, Engel, and Cummings](https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/PAC-Letter-10.08.2019.pdf). You should read it. Yes that is funny. Thanks for sharing! Seriously though … Graham was right and more broadly the cover-up is what did Nixon in. Trump covers up with more public bluster but it digs his hole deeper. The House won’t allow this clumsy blustery cover up to slow walk it and will impeach based on obstruction and presumption of covered up materials, along with the evidence already available. Public opinion? [The 538 tracker on this](https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/do-americans-support-impeaching-president-trump/) is of note. The Senate doesn’t care much that Democratic support for impeachment has jumped (a little as it may impact turnout but not much). But GOP support has crept up marginally - from under 10 to over 14% - and independent support has real momentum, going from 34 to 44%. It won’t take more of this sort of covering it up to move them into the over 50% group, and that is where more GOP elected critters will experience tipping points. Not helped by his party being pissed at his throwing the Kurds under the bus, or tank treads more accurately, and a broad growing nervousness about the economy and the market. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2232 "2019-10-09T01:57:31Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Three pages in??? So it’s not a tweet? OK, who wrote that! It starts out with “I write on behalf of President Donald J. Trump…” ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2233 "2019-10-09T02:06:36Z")
Thanks. I didn’t get that far in. Truth be told, I didn’t click the fucking link. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2234 "2019-10-09T02:12:20Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > The ONLY reason Trump is stonewalling is because he has something to hide. And probably a lot. > > It’s not because Trump et al are worried about the precedent or the principle. They have neither. Not a safe assumption. Trump survives by exceeding the statute of limitations and he has infinite funds to keep his lawyers going appealing every inane thing and, because he’s the President, the courts have to take it seriously and spend time on it. Trials can take years. 1 year here, 2 years there, and it all adds up. A lot of criminal statutes go blank after 5 years. While an imbecile 99% of the time, the man is a genius in the remaining 1% as regards taking advantage of trust and any inkling of fair play in society. There is no limit to his pettiness if it allows him to walk. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2235 "2019-10-09T02:15:26Z")
Interesting… "Just sent @SecPompeo a letter flagging that the Feb 2019 spending bill prohibits pay to federal officials who prevent other officials from communicating with Congress. We refuse to bankroll this administration while they hold witnesses hostage. Sondland must testify on Ukraine." [https://t.co/2q9qyFANRv](https://t.co/2q9qyFANRv) From WI Rep Mark Pocan. Apparently the 2019 spending bill contained provisions which halt the pay of any government official who prohibits other government officials from speaking to Congress. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2236 "2019-10-09T02:18:07Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Thanks. I didn’t get that far in. Truth be told, I didn’t click the fucking link. No worries. I could tell it was garbage halfway through the first paragraph. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2237 "2019-10-09T02:50:44Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > No worries. I could tell it was garbage halfway through the first paragraph. Cipollone is always a fun read. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2238 "2019-10-09T02:57:26Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > [The White House sent a letter to Pelosi, Schiff, Engel, and Cummings](https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/PAC-Letter-10.08.2019.pdf). You should read it. Seems to be a “then pound on the table” response. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2239 "2019-10-09T03:01:11Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Seems to be a “then pound on the table” response. “I didn’t get a ‘harrumph’ from that guy!” ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/2240 "2019-10-09T04:32:17Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > And how exactly will she do that when Barr is fully in on it, and the US Dept. of Justice will do nothing? > > Will she just march in herself with handcuffs and start jailing people? I fully expect that if Congress tries to do anything to enforce a subpoena, the DOJ or the Army will have Pelosi herself behind bars. That’s what the Sergeant at Arms is for. It’s been done at least three times already. Once in 1935 - can’t remember what for, and once in 1927 for Teapot Dome. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771.md?page=111) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771.md?page=113)