# 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:** 262
**Author:** ![Emily\_Litella](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emily_litella/32/3370_2.png) [@Emily\_Litella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emily_Litella)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5221 "2019-11-20T18:08:37Z")
Just for ha ha’s I put Trump TV on last night to see what they were saying. Laura Ingraham mentioned Vinland was a nerdy goody two shoes that nobody liked and invited everyone to make fun of him. Then said that she found the whole inquiry boring as all hell, and that she decided to go clothes shopping instead. Then she said this country is lucky that we have a president who investigates other countries that are corrupt before sending our money to them. That was as much as I could take. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5222 "2019-11-20T18:21:30Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > So why do you suppose they haven’t asked? > > Nobody suggested it? > They are dumb? > […] > Collective delusion? > They have been drugged? > > What does logic tell you the answer is? I don’t believe I have moved goalposts and the above are the only reasons consistent with acquittal of the president. In my opinion. ~Max ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5223 "2019-11-20T18:23:05Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Is there some reason you don’t find what **Procrustus** shared of Sondland’s sworn testimony highlighted above dispositive on this point? It’s my understanding that Ukraine has a history of not following up on promises, so a secret promise to cooperate with the AG on some investigation would be worthless. Hence the public announcement. ~Max ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5224 "2019-11-20T18:24:38Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > So there is an adversarial system of contesting issues, (I think it’s called democracy) and it’s happening in real time right now, but you won’t recognize it? > > Placing the onus on what republicans do is just setting out an impossible ask. They aren’t even behaving rationally this year. Then I will be disappointed. But in the likely case that the administration didn’t have legitimate investigations running, the point is moot. ~Max ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5225 "2019-11-20T18:25:06Z")
> [@Max\_S](#): > > It’s my understanding that Ukraine has a history of not following up on promises, so a secret promise to cooperate with the AG on some investigation would be worthless. Hence the public announcement. > > ~Max That’s true, nobody’s ever broken a promise made in public. That’s why Trump promptly release his tax returns when he said he would. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5226 "2019-11-20T18:36:38Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > True. But, just saw Starr on Fox stating that Sondland is very problematic, and that he envisions possible scenarios of Republicans initiating resignation discussions. [Lois Romano](https://twitter.com/loisromano/status/1197194126653034496), _WaPo_: > [@](#): > > Ken Starr on Fox wonders if senate will nudge Trump to resign: “The real issue is if senators are watching. Are senators going to now say in light of what we hear today, …‘We need to make a trip down to the White House’? That historic example set during the Nixon presidency." ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Colossus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.colossus/32/9423_2.png) [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5227 "2019-11-20T18:38:55Z")
I guess Pompeo is[resigning since “Trump is hurting his reputation.”](https://twitter.com/SethAbramson/status/1197198439890784256) Can you imagine still believing Trump is #winning? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Colossus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.colossus/32/9423_2.png) [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5228 "2019-11-20T18:47:09Z")
I missed it, but is this true: did Trump really give a presser using his giant, scrawled hand-written notes to pretend he said “I said 'I don’t want a quid pro quo?” “If I make it look like back then I said ‘I’m LITERALLY not doing that crime that I will soon be accused of,’ it’ll REALLY make me look innocent!” “Make sure they know I’m not interested in any quid pro quos, in case some impeachment comes up later that uses that term! I expressly said I didn’t want that!” This is his defense? ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_Peebles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5229 "2019-11-20T18:50:53Z")
The Republicans need to list perfectly acceptable cases cases where foreign aid was conditioned on another country taking actions, and ask Sondland if those are “quid pro quos”, and also maybe ask him things like “is marriage a quid pro quo?” The sound bite is “Sondland said there was a quid pro quo”, but he may not be saying it is a nefarious quid pro quo. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5230 "2019-11-20T18:53:11Z")
> [@Dr.Colossus](#): > > I missed it, but is this true: did Trump really give a presser using his giant, scrawled hand-written notes to pretend he said “I said 'I don’t want a quid pro quo?” > > “If I make it look like back then I said ‘I’m LITERALLY not doing that crime that I will soon be accused of,’ it’ll REALLY make me look innocent!” > > “Make sure they know I’m not interested in any quid pro quos, in case some impeachment comes up later that uses that term! I expressly said I didn’t want that!” > > This is his defense? I’m curious what he means by telling Zelensky to “do the right thing?” Publicly announce that there was no quid pro quo? If I’m Zelensky, I’m thinking, “Dream on, you fat extorting fuckwad. Now that I have the funds, why should I keep kissing your ass?” ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5231 "2019-11-20T18:55:24Z")
> [@Jim\_Peebles](#): > > The Republicans need to list perfectly acceptable cases cases where foreign aid was conditioned on another country taking actions, and ask Sondland if those are “quid pro quos”, and also maybe ask him things like “is marriage a quid pro quo?” The sound bite is “Sondland said there was a quid pro quo”, but he may not be saying it is a nefarious quid pro quo. I totally agree that they should ask questions like, “Is marriage a quid pro quo?” and if I had a magic wand I’d put you in charge of writing their questions RIGHT NOW. ---
**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 20, 2019, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5232 "2019-11-20T18:58:10Z")
Gym Jordan needs to switch to decaf. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5233 "2019-11-20T19:00:41Z")
> [@Jim\_Peebles](#): > > The Republicans need to list perfectly acceptable cases cases where foreign aid was conditioned on another country taking actions, and ask Sondland if those are “quid pro quos”, and also maybe ask him things like “is marriage a quid pro quo?” The sound bite is “Sondland said there was a quid pro quo”, but he may not be saying it is a nefarious quid pro quo. Oh, so has the GOP defense now transitioned from “No quid pro quo” to “Quid pro quo is actually a good thing?” Christ on a bike. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5234 "2019-11-20T19:07:54Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Jesus. Pretty pathetic. > > "“I want nothing. I want nothing. I want no quid pro quo. Tell Zellinsky to do the right thing. This is the final word from the Pres. of the U.S.” > > Written in giant sharpie, filling the page. > > I agree with you - I hope it is not a fake. > > I wonder when Trump heads back to Walter Reed for another “check up”? _Old geezer the subject Of witch-hunt fantasy They want him so badly Impeachment’s got to be Inside him there’s no love This man’s a pit of rage With Sondland they’re so close now There’s Sharpie on the page DON’T WANT NO DON’T WANT NO DON’T WANT NO QUID PRO QUO_ ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5235 "2019-11-20T19:14:24Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Or worse, I’m guessing. Haha, the days of breaking bones are long gone, fortunately! Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5236 "2019-11-20T19:14:55Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > _Old geezer the subject > Of witch-hunt fantasy > They want him so badly > Impeachment’s got to be > Inside him there’s no love > This man’s a pit of rage > With Sondland they’re so close now > There’s Sharpie on the page > DON’T WANT NO > DON’T WANT NO > DON’T WANT NO QUID PRO QUO_ lol read that in the voice of Elvis / Jailhouse Rock ~Max ---
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5237 "2019-11-20T19:15:43Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > I’m curious what he means by telling Zelensky to “do the right thing?” Publicly announce that there was no quid pro quo? > > If I’m Zelensky, I’m thinking, “Dream on, you fat extorting fuckwad. Now that I have the funds, why should I keep kissing your ass?” I’m assuming that he meant “ investigate Biden” by “do the right thing.” No quid pro quo because it was “the right thing” to do! :smack: And never mind that “the right thing” was based on conspiracy theories and no actual evidence. Imma bet Ukraine has more stuff to investigate than an incidence of a wealthy guy getting a cushy, lucrative job by way of his famous wealthy dad. Or if that’s the type of thing that is a priority to be investigated, then we really should check into the cushy, easy jobs the trump children have received by way of their connections. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5238 "2019-11-20T19:19:11Z")
> [@Max\_S](#): > > lol > > read that in the voice of Elvis / Jailhouse Rock > > ~Max Naw, man, [Sting](https://genius.com/The-police-dont-stand-so-close-to-me-lyrics)! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5239 "2019-11-20T19:22:46Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > I think there is an important distinction between your situation and Trump’s, which is that your exposure of your financial records was a statutory precondition for obtaining your licence to deal poker, whereas there was no such statutory requirement for Trump’s election to public office. You may well argue that it _should_ be a statutory requirement in the case of the president, but if it is not, then an attempt to legally enforce such a requirement after one’s election could be viewed as an _ex post facto_ law, which is constitutionally prohibited. (Of course, there may be other, legally and constitutionally sound reasons for requesting Trump’s tax returns. All I’m arguing here is that your particular reason—that is, that Trump’s personal finances can examined simply by virtue of his already having been elected to public office—doesn’t seem to hold water.) That may be true, however the law as it is stated says that the IRS shell turn over tax returns belonging to anyone if Congress asks. It’s spelled out pretty clearly. When you factor in the fact that there is a ton of evidence of possible criminality that will be revealed by those tax returns, it seems pretty obvious he will be compelled to reveal them. Or the IRS or mazurs will. As for regulations that require someone holding his office 2 provide certain documents? Seems to me like that can be addressed down the road. But it is pretty silly that I, a lily poker dealer, had to jump through farmer hoops and reveal considerable information about myself to get a job paying $5 in change an hour plus tips while the president of the United States has no such scrutiny, and in fact grants himself his own security clearance. Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2019, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5240 "2019-11-20T19:23:39Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Naw, man, [Sting](https://genius.com/The-police-dont-stand-so-close-to-me-lyrics)! That fits much better. How did I not see that? :smack: ~Max [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771.md?page=261) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771.md?page=263)