# 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:** 213
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/4241 "2019-11-13T19:24:30Z")
[https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/taylor-aide-who-reportedly-overheard-trump-call-about-investigations-will-testify-friday](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/taylor-aide-who-reportedly-overheard-trump-call-about-investigations-will-testify-friday) “The diplomatic aide who reportedly overheard a phone call in which President Donald Trump asked the EU ambassador about “the investigations” is set to testify in the House’s impeachment inquiry Friday.” ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/4242 "2019-11-13T19:33:27Z")
Gotta say, I’m pretty far left, and about as opposed to the incumbent as anyone could be, but I’m having a hard time getting excited about these proceedings. So much damning evidence is already out there, the hearings seem likely to be theater rather than informative. I’m having a hard time imagining what these hearings can bring out that is going to change any significant number of persons’ minds. And, in any event, I fully expect the Senate will simply ignore them and fail to convict. Only drama is whether they will pretend to hold sham proccedings, or simply flip the nation off and decide without any. Personally, the president is so horrible in so many ways, I’m having a hard time getting too worked up over this specific action. It is not unique - or, I suspect, even the worst he has done. It is just the most blatant. The BEST I can hope for is that SOMETHING happens that has results next November. But I’m not confident of that either. I hope the American public proves me wrong, but I’m feeling awfully cynical and depressed about my country and its government right now. ---
**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:** [November 13, 2019, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/4243 "2019-11-13T19:37:50Z")
Just try to keep in mind that Trump didn’t win those electoral votes by a lot, and the swing that has to happen isn’t huge. If that helps. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/4244 "2019-11-13T19:40:37Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Gotta say, I’m pretty far left, and about as opposed to the incumbent as anyone could be, but I’m having a hard time getting excited about these proceedings. So much damning evidence is already out there, the hearings seem likely to be theater rather than informative. I’m having a hard time imagining what these hearings can bring out that is going to change any significant number of persons’ minds. And, in any event, I fully expect the Senate will simply ignore them and fail to convict. Only drama is whether they will pretend to hold sham proccedings, or simply flip the nation off and decide without any. > > Personally, the president is so horrible in so many ways, I’m having a hard time getting too worked up over this specific action. It is not unique - or, I suspect, even the worst he has done. It is just the most blatant. > > The BEST I can hope for is that SOMETHING happens that has results next November. But I’m not confident of that either. I hope the American public proves me wrong, but I’m feeling awfully cynical and depressed about my country and its government right now. There’s nothing to be excited about. The Senate will almost certainly not vote to remove. This is about laying out the facts and doing the oversight duty of Congress. That’s not a thing that should make folks excited – it’s just the job of Congress. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/4245 "2019-11-13T19:40:39Z")
The Washington Post’s analysis of Devin Nunes’s opening remarks. > **[Analysis | Devin Nunes’s opening statement at the public impeachment hearing,...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/11/13/devin-nuness-opening-statement-public-impeachment-hearing-annotated/)** > > For the uninitiated, Nunes’s claims might require explanation. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/4246 "2019-11-13T19:45:55Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > it’s just the job of Congress. Speaking of Congress doing its job [emphasis mine]… > [@Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez](#): > > There is almost no excuse for a member of Congress to have not read the whistleblower report by now. It’s a few pages. **This is literally our jobs.** If you don’t have the commitment to be here and do the work, cut your fancy fundraisers & make the time, or quit. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/4247 "2019-11-13T19:48:50Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > The Washington Post’s analysis of Devin Nunes’s opening remarks. > [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/11/13/devin-nuness-opening-statement-public-impeachment-hearing-annotated/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/11/13/devin-nuness-opening-statement-public-impeachment-hearing-annotated/) Nunes pointing to the Mueller investigation as a way to prove the impeachment hearing is a partisan witch hunt, makes me think of a defense attourney claims that his career-criminal client’s long rap sheet is proof that the police are out to get him. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/4248 "2019-11-13T19:50:15Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Gotta say, I’m pretty far left, and about as opposed to the incumbent as anyone could be, but I’m having a hard time getting excited about these proceedings. So much damning evidence is already out there, the hearings seem likely to be theater rather than informative. I’m having a hard time imagining what these hearings can bring out that is going to change any significant number of persons’ minds. And, in any event, I fully expect the Senate will simply ignore them and fail to convict. Only drama is whether they will pretend to hold sham proccedings, or simply flip the nation off and decide without any. I don’t expect anyone to be convinced who isn’t already convinced, one way or the other. But you can’t just impeach the motherfucker without due process. > [@Dinsdale](#): > > Personally, the president is so horrible in so many ways, I’m having a hard time getting too worked up over this specific action. It is not unique - or, I suspect, even the worst he has done. It is just the most blatant. Capone was a crime boss but was convicted of tax evasion, or was it mail fraud? Anyway, gotta be convicted of an actual crime, not because everyone knows he’s an asshole. > [@Dinsdale](#): > > The BEST I can hope for is that SOMETHING happens that has results next November. But I’m not confident of that either. I hope the American public proves me wrong, but I’m feeling awfully cynical and depressed about my country and its government right now. You’re in good company. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/4249 "2019-11-13T19:53:28Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Nunes pointing to the Mueller investigation as a way to prove the impeachment hearing is a partisan witch hunt, makes me think of a defense attourney claims that his career-criminal client’s long rap sheet is proof that the police are out to get him. I will write a $1000 campaign contribution check to any Democratic congress-critter who tells Nunes his point is, _Mooooooo_-t. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/4250 "2019-11-13T19:56:58Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > I am shocked that you are not troubled by that Ukraine conversation. I laughed as hard as you did when the Democrats tried to make hay out of the suspicion that the Russians handed Trump damning evidence of how the DNC was playing favorites; helping Hillary cheat during the primary debates; transcripts of Hillary saying stuff that contradicts her comments regarding banks and immigration, etc. > > But this is apparent quid pro quo in implementing foreign policy. I thought you would draw the line there. > > That seems to be in a different category than lying under oath about a blowjob. I don’t know why you’re shocked. Weeks ago, **iiandyiiii** asked this: > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > For the Trump supporters, I guess I’ll just ask this – if it were shown to your satisfaction that Trump really did expect the investigation into Biden in exchange for the aid to Ukraine, would you support impeachment? And here was my answer then: > [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Probably not. It looks like there’s some shady shit that went on with the Biden boys in Ukraine, and I think it should be investigated thoroughly (you guys do support investigations, right?). I don’t mind President Trump using his position to make sure the truth is brought to light. … ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/4251 "2019-11-13T20:00:51Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Of course not. He got warnings for doing his usual schtick and left in a huff. At least, that’s how i remember it. Im not gonna go back and look. Apologies if im thinking of a different thread. My recollection was that I decided to take a break from the thread for a while. Now that it’s mildly interesting again, I’m back. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/4252 "2019-11-13T20:03:19Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > … What about Hillary’s email server? Don’t forget that! ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/4253 "2019-11-13T20:07:51Z")
Murder on 5th Ave. This is the world we live in. The facts are irrelevant to about 35% of the country or so. ---
**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:** [November 13, 2019, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/4254 "2019-11-13T20:09:59Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Murder on 5th Ave. This is the world we live in. The facts are irrelevant to about 35% of the country or so. We now know that if Trump did in fact shoot someone on 5th Ave, the Republicans in Congress would simply refuse to acknowledge that anything took place, and fight any attempt at any investigation of the crime whatsoever. While simultaneously questioning the loyalty and integrity of any witnesses to the murder. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/4255 "2019-11-13T20:10:08Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Murder on 5th Ave. This is the world we live in. The facts are irrelevant to about 35% of the country or so. And irrelevant to 100% of republican senators. What is it gonna take??? He pisses off NAFTA allies, acts like a buffoon in Helsinki, pulls out the troops protecting Kurds, stops congressional aid to Ukraine-- all of this benefits Russia. All of it. How is this still a “witch hunt”? And more importantly, for the life of me, I can absolutely not figure out why all the GOP senators/reps are constantly backing this guy. He’s hurting their party, period. ---
**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:** [November 13, 2019, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/4256 "2019-11-13T20:15:32Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > None of that stuff even approaches what seems to have happened with Ukraine. > > That other stuff just looks like Democrats complaining that Russia helped Trump catch Hillary and the DNC with it’s hand in the cookie jar. The focus is correctly directed at the DNC shenanigans and not who uncovered them. 1. Breaking the law to reveal that the law is broken is still breaking the law. If people gave Trump information about criminal activities, he should have given it to the Feds. A campaign is not the fourth estate and has no special privilege for receiving stolen or leaked information. 2. There was no crime committed by the Clintons (that was discovered nor revealed). The only crime of which we are aware is the hacking into the DNC. And all that revealed was that the DNC didn’t play fair with Sanders. Possibly, he could have sued them, on that basis, but I don’t believe that a crime was committed against him. 3. There is a reason that it is criminal to take things, including information, from a foreign government. Do you really want your elections going to whichever politician has the larger and superior foreign intelligence service working under his wing? Does that really seem same and beneficial to the future of our country? 4. Elections are a fundamental right and the foundation of our government. Donald Trump was trying out for the job of Defender of our Elections. For that person to be happy about or accepting of foreign nations hacking into the servers of our political parties and trying to throw the election one way or the other is insane. You may as well hire a guy who who burns dogs for fun as the fire chief. This is not sports. Getting one over on Clinton, whether she deserves it or not, is a far second priority to fucking AMERICA and the fucking RULE OF LAW. If you have some argument about how somehow it’s more important for our candidates to be able to personally work with foreign governments against one another than to ensure the legitimacy of our elections, I’ll certainly listen to it. But I would suggest that you’ve just said the most hideous and craven statement that you’ve ever made in your life. The man was elected while cheering on as a foreign nation launched military attacks against the USA. If your brain doesn’t equate that with treason, then you are far too lost in the idea that “R’s versus D’s is just football, with no real practical difference one way or the other”. Leave football for football. Don’t fuck the country because you prefer having more games to watch on TV than show on ESPN. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/4257 "2019-11-13T20:18:47Z")
What’s most mind-boggling about this is the admissions of disgusting and reprehensible behavior by Trump. I can at least conceive of the rationalization and thought required for going all in for someone with the political talent, charisma, and overall apparent decency of, say, Obama or Reagan, if they tried to trade foreign aid to another country for a politically-motivated investigation into a rival. But Trump? Who’s bragged about sexual assault and violation of consent on multiple occasions, and said numerous racist and hateful things about fellow Americans? What’s the thought process for a decent person to brush aside not only all that, but putting petty political concerns over national security and international relations (i.e. the basis of my hypothetical)? Is the SCOTUS really more important not only than personal decency, but national security and our international reputation? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/4258 "2019-11-13T20:29:11Z")
> [@Locrian](#): > > And irrelevant to 100% of republican senators. > > What is it gonna take??? … Earlier in this thread I outlined some things that would motivate me to support impeachment. Policy differences were not on the list. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/4259 "2019-11-13T20:29:14Z")
> [@Locrian](#): > > And irrelevant to 100% of republican senators. > > What is it gonna take??? He pisses off NAFTA allies, acts like a buffoon in Helsinki, pulls out the troops protecting Kurds, stops congressional aid to Ukraine-- all of this benefits Russia. All of it. How is this still a “witch hunt”? And more importantly, for the life of me, I can absolutely not figure out why all the GOP senators/reps are constantly backing this guy. He’s hurting their party, period. The GOP is defunct. It is now, MAGA-CULT. As long as the MAGA-CULT voters continue to vote in large enough numbers to enable the MAGA-MINION to keep their seats, they have no reason to abandon dear leader TRUMP. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/4260 "2019-11-13T20:32:54Z")
> [@Locrian](#): > > And irrelevant to 100% of republican senators. > > What is it gonna take??? He pisses off NAFTA allies, acts like a buffoon in Helsinki, pulls out the troops protecting Kurds, stops congressional aid to Ukraine-- all of this benefits Russia. All of it. How is this still a “witch hunt”? And more importantly, for the life of me, I can absolutely not figure out why all the GOP senators/reps are constantly backing this guy. He’s hurting their party, period. > [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Earlier in this thread I outlined some things that would motivate me to support impeachment. Policy differences were not on the list. When did you get elected to the Senate? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771.md?page=212) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771.md?page=214)