# 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:** 283
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2019, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5641 "2019-11-25T10:53:36Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > No they don’t want _society_ to be lawless, they just don’t want those laws to apply to _them_. Big difference. Harsh laws for thee, but none for me. It’s about the privileged doing everything in their power to maintain that privilege, even if it means we don’t have a democracy anymore. It’s worth noting that this sort of thing is exactly where the word “privilege” comes from - it literally means “private law”. ---
**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 25, 2019, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5642 "2019-11-25T15:22:56Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > That evil smirk on his face reminded me of some one. I’ve seen that face before! Who could it be? Why YES, of course! I knew it! It’s [THIS guy](https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/beavisandbutthead/images/9/93/Beavis-1.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/267?cb=20120108001944)! Who could be mistaken? Sorry, ‘THIS guy!’ is [already being used by someone else](https://66.media.tumblr.com/c2d2255fb86d28c1a383a887464c90b9/tumblr_omww2i9d3O1qbn1vmo1_1280.jpg). ---
**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 25, 2019, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5643 "2019-11-25T15:24:04Z")
CNBC: [Giuliani associate Parnas wants to testify that Nunes aides hid Ukraine meetings on Biden dirt from Schiff](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/24/giuliani-ally-would-testify-that-nunes-staffers-hid-ukraine-meetings-from-schiff.html?__source=sharebar%7Ctwitter&par=sharebar) > [@](#): > > **KEY POINTS** > > • Lev Parnas, a business associate of Rudy Giuliani, wants to testify to Congress that aides to Rep. Devin Nunes called off a trip to Ukraine this year when they realized they would be required to notify Democratic committee Chairman Adam Schiff. > > • The purpose of the trip was to interview two Ukrainian prosecutors who claim to have evidence that could help President Trump’s reelection campaign, according to Parnas’ lawyer. > > • Parnas also alleges that Nunes, a leading Trump ally, himself traveled to Vienna last year to interview a potential source of political dirt on Joe Biden. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2019, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5644 "2019-11-25T15:59:38Z")
In sime sort of perverse way, it’s kind of fun watching all these Republicans dance to Trump’s music. Because I was thinking of what would happen if Trump, businessman turned President, was more psychologically normative instead of a complete sociopath. He’d go on TV, turn up the charm, and talk about how he’s been a businessman a long time, and sometimes in business you play a little dirty and he realizes that government works differently but he had a lapse in judgement. Then he’d apologize to the American people and apologize to Zelensky. Then the Republicans would point out his contrition, forgive him and the Dems would rant a bit but it would die out. Then they’d keep on doing the same shit but they try harder not to get caught. You know, the way politics has worked for years. But the facts just keep getting worse and worse, and the only strategy Trump won’t push back against is unadulterated approval of everything. I bet the Republican Congress are all secretly missing the good old days. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2019, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5645 "2019-11-25T18:40:43Z")
Lev and Igor are the ones who kept insurance. Rudy is just an echo chamber for random thoughts that come out of his mouth with no filter, that may pertain to him or others, based on transient anxiety states he experiences. But the reality is this: He is aware that he and dt saddled up with much lesser lights to commit crimes (after all it’s the POTUS and his lawyer, everyone is a lesser light) and that they are criminals. Obviously they have kept records of their own for self protection. It’s their goddam business. ---
**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 25, 2019, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5646 "2019-11-25T19:54:53Z")
[Manu Raju](https://twitter.com/mkraju/status/1199052554862256133), _CNN_: > [@](#): > > New Schiff letter to Dems: “As required under House Resolution 660, the Committees are now preparing a report summarizing the evidence we have found this far, which will be transmitted to the Judiciary Committee soon after Congress returns from the Thanksgiving recess." ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2019, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5647 "2019-11-25T20:15:09Z")
Does anyone know is the McGahn decision due today (Monday) or _next_ Monday (12/2)? ---
**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 25, 2019, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5648 "2019-11-25T20:17:18Z")
> [@Cardigan](#): > > Does anyone know is the McGahn decision due today (Monday) or _next_ Monday (12/2)? Today. ---
**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 25, 2019, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5649 "2019-11-25T20:22:38Z")
[Rebecca Balhaus](https://twitter.com/rebeccaballhaus/status/1199058807533559816), _WSJ_: > [@](#): > > NEWS: Subpoenas indicate a broad federal investigation into possible money laundering, obstruction of justice & campaign finance violations. Among the entities the subpoenas seek records on: Giuliani Partners. ---
**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:** [November 25, 2019, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5650 "2019-11-25T20:31:30Z")
Drain the swamp! Drain the swamp! Seriously, think back to when Mike Flynn was fired over lying about Russia contacts as the National Security Adviser. That was what, within a month of Trump taking office? And the ethics of this Administration have _just gotten continually worse since then_. I had no idea that was possible. ---
**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 25, 2019, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5651 "2019-11-25T20:43:23Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > [Rebecca Balhaus](https://twitter.com/rebeccaballhaus/status/1199058807533559816), _WSJ_: [Kyle Griffin](https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1199065295870210048), _MSNBC_: > [@](#): > > Potential charges under consideration, per WSJ: > > Obstruction > Money laundering > Conspiracy to defraud the US > False statements to the feds > Failing to register as a foreign agent > Donating funds from foreign nationals > Making contributions in the name of another person > Mail & wire fraud ---
**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 25, 2019, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5652 "2019-11-25T22:58:24Z")
[Don McGahn must testify about time as White House lawyer, judge rules](https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/25/mueller-star-witness-must-testify-to-congress-judge-rules-073622) ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2019, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5653 "2019-11-25T23:09:29Z")
> [@](#): > > In an important case about presidential powers, U.S. District Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson in Washington rejected the Trump administration’s legal claim that current and former senior White House officials cannot be compelled to testify before Congress. I love it! I’ll be pissed if they don’t call Bolton now. I know they think they have enough evidence, but if anyone can change Republican minds about this being a frame- job cooked up by the Dems, Bolton is that person. ---
**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 25, 2019, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5654 "2019-11-25T23:38:43Z")
[Alana Abramson](https://twitter.com/aabramson/status/1199103710862991360), _Time_: > [@](#): > > NEW: statement from McGahn attorney William Burck says he will comply if it is upheld: > > “Don McGahn will comply with Judge Jackson’s decision unless it is stayed pending appeal. The DOJ is handling this case, so you will need to ask them whether they intend to seek a stay.” [Alex Mallin](https://twitter.com/alex_mallin/status/1199105894757351426), _ABC_: > [@](#): > > DOJ spox Kerri Kupec tells @ABC that the department will appeal the ruling and seek a stay pending the appeal. ---
**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:** [November 25, 2019, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5655 "2019-11-25T23:38:59Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > [Kyle Griffin](https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1199065295870210048), _MSNBC_: > > > [@](#): > > > > Potential charges under consideration, per WSJ: > > > > Obstruction > > Money laundering > > Conspiracy to defraud the US > > False statements to the feds > > Failing to register as a foreign agent > > Donating funds from foreign nationals > > Making contributions in the name of another person > > Mail & wire fraud Unless Barr finds a way to intervene and prevent this from going forward in the way it would have in the pre-corrupt-DOJ days, it’s difficult to believe some of that won’t implicate Donald. > [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > [Don McGahn must testify about time as White House lawyer, judge rules](https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/25/mueller-star-witness-must-testify-to-congress-judge-rules-073622) It’s wonderful news, but of course the WH will appeal. > [@MulderMuffin](#): > > I love it! I’ll be pissed if they don’t call Bolton now. I know they think they have enough evidence, but if anyone can change Republican minds about this being a frame- job cooked up by the Dems, Bolton is that person. I agree. But Bolton won’t be impressed by the McGahn decision. He won’t agree to testify until the Supreme Court says he must. He’ll remain in his high tower, combing, combing, combing his mustache. ---
**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 26, 2019, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5656 "2019-11-26T00:21:14Z")
Here is [Judge Jackson’s 118-page decision](https://int.nyt.com/data/documenthelper/6516-jackson-ruling-in-mcgahn-subpo/92d4672db63b5cac498d/optimized/full.pdf?smid=nytcore-ios-share#page=1) (pdf). ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5657 "2019-11-26T00:22:34Z")
> [@MulderMuffin](#): > > I love it! I’ll be pissed if they don’t call Bolton now. I know they think they have enough evidence, but if anyone can change Republican minds about this being a frame- job cooked up by the Dems, Bolton is that person. I fear you are putting way too much faith in Bolton. Bolton is no friend of the Democratic party, and he is not going to hand them a “win” in any impeachment proceeding, no matter how much damning information he has to share. He could testify that Trump burned the Constitution while ordering Barack Obama drawn and quartered on the Resolution Desk, and still opine that this does not rise to the level of impeachable behavior – knowing that his opinion will carry more weight than all of the expert civil servant testimony that has gone before. Moreover, it plays right into Trump’s hands for the situation to appear that without Bolton’s testimony, Dems will have failed to make their case – even though they’ve already brought more than enough actual evidence. No matter how much Bolton may personally despise Trump, he knows where his bread is buttered. It is with the Trump Republican Woo Brigade. He will not help Dems, and I truly hope they resist the urge to call him. If Bolton were truly a patriot, he’d have already come forward. ---
**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 26, 2019, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5658 "2019-11-26T00:31:21Z")
[Matthew Miller](https://twitter.com/matthewamiller/status/1199092181526552576), former DOJ/_MSNBC_: > [@](#): > > Thoroughly enjoying how Rudy keeps protesting that he hasn’t even been contacted by prosecutors. Surely he remembers that this is in fact a very bad thing, not a good one. ---
**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 26, 2019, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5659 "2019-11-26T00:40:28Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > Here is [Judge Jackson’s 118-page decision](https://int.nyt.com/data/documenthelper/6516-jackson-ruling-in-mcgahn-subpo/92d4672db63b5cac498d/optimized/full.pdf?smid=nytcore-ios-share#page=1) (pdf). Side question: how do judges manage to write such enormous decisions within such short timeframes, and keep them well-reasoned and well-cited? What kind of help do they have? ---
**Author:** ![Boycott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boycott/32/6741_2.png) [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2019, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/5660 "2019-11-26T00:45:03Z")
It’s a little reflective when you step back and think that Barr went from working as the Attorney General of such a benign president that a quarter of a century later when he was put forward again for the job people were largely thinking “who”. And now he will go down in infamy as the Attorney General of the most controversial president probably by the end of it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771.md?page=282) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771.md?page=284)