# 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:** 302
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6021 "2019-12-09T16:04:24Z")
How crazy is our world? I might be forced to recognize Romney and Bolton for making positive contributions to the Republic. What a world, what a whirled… ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6022 "2019-12-09T16:12:52Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > The Republican party’s theme song for this hearing: > > [Groucho Marx - I’m Against It](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHash5takWU) And of course, [the song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSsUoxlSADk) that Trump should have sung at his inauguration: _If you think this country’s bad off now, just wait 'til I get through with it!_ ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6023 "2019-12-09T16:14:58Z")
[Amazon gets to the point](https://twitter.com/edbott/status/1204063306081636352) in its suit against the Trump administration: > [@](#): > > The question is whether the President of the United States should be allowed to use the budget of DoD to pursue his own personal and political ends. When you’ve lost Amazon… ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6024 "2019-12-09T18:31:29Z")
Christopher Steele says any notion that he was biased against Trump is ludicrous. He says he was “favorably disposed” toward the Trump family before beginning his research, that he had met a member of the family [name redacted] in Trump Tower, considered that person a friend for some years, and gave them at least one gift, a family tartan from Scotland. > Odd that this family member never mentioned that. Anyway, I don’t know the dates of this friendship or who lived in Trump Tower when, but that’s not going to stop me from irresponsible speculation. I’m guessing the friend is Tiffany. Just because I don’t know much about her, and I can’t imagine an intelligent person like Steele being friends with anyone else in that family of nitwits. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6025 "2019-12-09T18:34:07Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > Christopher Steele says any notion that he was biased against Trump is ludicrous. He says he was “favorably disposed” toward the Trump family before beginning his research, that he had met a member of the family [name redacted] in Trump Tower, considered that person a friend for some years, and gave them at least one gift, a family tartan from Scotland. > > [https://twitter.com/juliamacfarlane/status/1204099402538860545](https://twitter.com/juliamacfarlane/status/1204099402538860545) > > Odd that this family member never mentioned that. Anyway, I don’t know the dates of this friendship or who lived in Trump Tower when, but that’s not going to stop me from irresponsible speculation. I’m guessing the friend is Tiffany. Just because I don’t know much about her, and I can’t imagine an intelligent person like Steele being friends with anyone else in that family of nitwits. …And ABC has just confirmed it’s Ivanka. [https://twitter.com/juliamacfarlane/status/1204103826485239809](https://twitter.com/juliamacfarlane/status/1204103826485239809) My record of being wrong about absolutely everything in politics remains unbroken! ---
**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:** [December 9, 2019, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6026 "2019-12-09T19:14:22Z")
You know, I used to think Jay Sekulow and Rudy were bad lawyers. These House Republican counsels – Sleepy Eyes Stephen Castor and Ashley Hurt Callen, who just wants to speak to your manager – have changed my mind. Those two make Rudy and the Blue Haired Lawyer from the Simpsons look like Clarence Darrow. ---
**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:** [December 9, 2019, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6027 "2019-12-09T19:46:58Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > …And ABC has just confirmed it’s Ivanka. [https://twitter.com/juliamacfarlane/status/1204103826485239809](https://twitter.com/juliamacfarlane/status/1204103826485239809) > > My record of being wrong about absolutely everything in politics remains unbroken! One might note that Steele was a professional at Russian information collection and, likely, targeted the building out of his social network towards individuals likely to know intriguing things about the inner workings of Russia. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6028 "2019-12-09T20:18:17Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > You know, I used to think Jay Sekulow and Rudy were bad lawyers. > > These House Republican counsels – Sleepy Eyes Stephen Castor and Ashley Hurt Callen, who just wants to speak to your manager – have changed my mind. Those two make Rudy and the Blue Haired Lawyer from the Simpsons look like Clarence Darrow. Castor? Was he the one doing the Foghorn Leghorn impression on NPR this afternoon? ---
**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:** [December 9, 2019, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6029 "2019-12-09T20:41:58Z")
That was probably Doug Collins, not the former Bulls coach, but the outraged, OUTRAGED I tell ya gentleman from Georgia. ---
**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:** [December 9, 2019, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6030 "2019-12-09T21:21:04Z")
So tired of hearing about “unelected bureaucrats” from these unhinged republicans. Who elected Ivanka Trump to pally around at the G20? Who elected Jared Kushner to negotiate a Middle East peace treaty? Who elected Rudy Giuliani to meddle in the Ukraine? ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2019, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6031 "2019-12-09T22:29:19Z")
someone on TV said we don’t know how this impeachment will end. Made me laugh. I guess there is a chance the world will end before the trial ends. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6032 "2019-12-10T00:29:40Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Sure thing, comrade. > > Your first link is from [Interfax](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interfax). From Wikipedia: > > Your second link, Investment Watch Blog, appears to be nothing but click bait. > > Your third link, California Political News, operated by Stephen Frank, who hopes to be California’s Republican party chair, caused my virus protection to warn me off it. > > Real great news sources you got. I presented you with facts. You responded with garbage. Thanks for taking the bullet for us, **Aspenglow**. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6033 "2019-12-10T04:16:42Z")
The talking heads are reporting that two articles of impeachment are coming tomorrow morning: abuse of power and obstruction of congress. But I have a horrible thought: what’s to stop the Republicans in the Senate from turning this thing on its head? Imagine that they insist on issuing subpoenas to Joe and Hunter Biden, ostensibly based on the theory that Trump had legitimate concerns. If Biden balks about testifying, it gives cover to Trump’s refusal to allow pertinent witnesses to participate. And if the Bidens testify, it just confuses the issues and gives fodder to those determined to argue that Trump had some sort of justification. It’s clear that Trump’s supporters in congress have no interest in the reality of what Trump is doing. I worry what they will do with the power to run the trial in the Senate. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6034 "2019-12-10T04:40:29Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > The talking heads are reporting that two articles of impeachment are coming tomorrow morning: abuse of power and obstruction of congress. > > But I have a horrible thought: what’s to stop the Republicans in the Senate from turning this thing on its head? Imagine that they insist on issuing subpoenas to Joe and Hunter Biden, ostensibly based on the theory that Trump had legitimate concerns. If Biden balks about testifying, it gives cover to Trump’s refusal to allow pertinent witnesses to participate. And if the Bidens testify, it just confuses the issues and gives fodder to those determined to argue that Trump had some sort of justification. > > It’s clear that Trump’s supporters in congress have no interest in the reality of what Trump is doing. I worry what they will do with the power to run the trial in the Senate. If/When it hits the Senate - the senators are nothing but the Jury. I assume the House side will get to call witnesses to present the articles of impeachment. On the House side - the republicans have attempted to call the Bidens and several others as ‘witnesses’, but that has been struck down each time by the Majority. Other than to distract - exactly _what_ difference does it make for the Biden’s to be there? they are not fact witnesses to Trump’s actions. Even if they are the most evil people in the world and made trillions off of Ukraine and China - its irrelevant to Trump’s actions - Trump had legitimate ways to start investigations and then call on Ukraine to help - but he didn;t do any of those things. This impeachment is about Trump’s actions - and even if somehow he had “legitimate” concerns - he went about them in an impeachable manner - nothing can excuse that. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6035 "2019-12-10T04:48:15Z")
> [@simster](#): > > If/When it hits the Senate - the senators are nothing but the Jury. I assume the House side will get to call witnesses to present the articles of impeachment. > > On the House side - the republicans have attempted to call the Bidens and several others as ‘witnesses’, but that has been struck down each time by the Majority. A google search tells me that the senate votes on the procedures for trial. [https://www.google.com/amp/s/thehill.com/homenews/senate/473462-senate-braces-for-brawl-on-trump-impeachment-rules%3Famp](https://www.google.com/amp/s/thehill.com/homenews/senate/473462-senate-braces-for-brawl-on-trump-impeachment-rules%3famp) Everybody I hear talking about it presumes some sort of bipartisan consensus, but I have no hope for such things in this day and age. Why wouldn’t the Republicans turn this into a shit show that ends up down some conspiratorial rabbit hole? > [@](#): > > Other than to distract - exactly _what_ difference does it make for the Biden’s to be there? they are not fact witnesses to Trump’s actions. Even if they are the most evil people in the world and made trillions off of Ukraine and China - its irrelevant to Trump’s actions - Trump had legitimate ways to start investigations and then call on Ukraine to help - but he didn;t do any of those things. > > This impeachment is about Trump’s actions - and even if somehow he had “legitimate” concerns - he went about them in an impeachable manner - nothing can excuse that. You are absolutely correct, of course. But “to distract” seems to be the point of the entire Republican response to date. They are hardly interested in uncovering the scope of Russian control over our government. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2019, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6036 "2019-12-10T15:18:40Z")
> [@simster](#): > > …Other than to distract - exactly _what_ difference does it make for the Biden’s to be there? … > [@Moriarty](#): > > …You are absolutely correct, of course. But “to distract” seems to be the point of the entire Republican response to date. They are hardly interested in uncovering the scope of Russian control over our government. This. AISI the Pubbie mission is to shut it down. Any way they can. ---
**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:** [December 10, 2019, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6037 "2019-12-10T15:50:57Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Thanks for taking the bullet for us, **Aspenglow**. LOL, you’re sweet and thanks, but it was more of a water gun, I think. And I think **Moriarty** gave a better refutation. 🙂 * * * The new Trump Republican impeachment talking point must be “weak.” I’ve heard/read that term about a dozen times already this morning since the Dems announced what the articles would be. Messaging, messaging, messaging. You know what’s _really_ weak? Anyone on the Trump team, whether Barr, Durham, the Ukrainians or the Russians, announcing there is “an investigation” – ongoing or otherwise. ---
**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:** [December 10, 2019, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6038 "2019-12-10T16:57:57Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > AISI the Pubbie mission is to shut it down. Any way they can. Impeachment is a process. It might take ten or fifteen flushes to oust The Messiah. ---
**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:** [December 10, 2019, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6039 "2019-12-10T17:32:42Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Impeachment is a process. It might take ten or fifteen flushes to oust The Messiah. He’s not the Messiah. He’s just a very naughty fucking moron. ---
**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:** [December 10, 2019, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6040 "2019-12-10T17:59:02Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > LOL, you’re sweet and thanks, but it was more of a water gun, I think. > > And I think **Moriarty** gave a better refutation. 🙂 > > * * * > > The new Trump Republican impeachment talking point must be “weak.” I’ve heard/read that term about a dozen times already this morning since the Dems announced what the articles would be. > > Messaging, messaging, messaging. > > You know what’s _really_ weak? Anyone on the Trump team, whether Barr, Durham, the Ukrainians or the Russians, announcing there is “an investigation” – ongoing or otherwise. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=886595](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=886595) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771.md?page=301) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771.md?page=303)