# 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:** 333
**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:** [December 26, 2019, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6641 "2019-12-26T22:27:59Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > people clearly are willing to pay good money to give preference to the family members of powerful people to curry favor and gain an indirect benefit. Like [Don Junior](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/trump-towers-buyers-in-india-offered-chance-to-meet-donald-trump-jr-raising-ethics-concerns/2018/01/18/53c6829c-fb8c-11e7-9b5d-bbf0da31214d_story.html) [in India](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/sen-menendez-probes-whether-us-officials-helped-trump-jr-on-speech-india-trip/2018/02/22/387ae5c1-bc69-415f-9176-fe6ad308d17f_story.html) nearly two years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2019, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6642 "2019-12-26T22:33:01Z")
Trump tried to bribe Zelensky with my money to smear Joe Biden. What the fuck would Hunter Biden know about that? ---
**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:** [December 26, 2019, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6643 "2019-12-26T22:47:06Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > Trump tried to bribe Zelensky with my money to smear Joe Biden. > > What the fuck would Hunter Biden know about that? Well, Republican Senators want Hunter Biden to testify because they feel that it would only be fair if they were allowed to continue to spend your money to smear Joe Biden. Make sense now? ---
**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:** [December 26, 2019, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6644 "2019-12-26T23:28:13Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I don’t think Hunter Biden did anything wrong either. But if putting him on the stand will get us some juicy testimony from Bolton, then I’ll take the deal. If Hunter is on the stand, what could they ask him? He’s no different than many other figurehead board members. That’s right. But both Barr and Giuliani have been trotting the globe looking for…something. Barr, supposedly, confined himself to talking to legitimate foreign intelligence services,\* but Giuliani appears to have been making the rounds of the Lev-and-Igor types. One or both may well have come up with “documents” that “prove” that Joe Biden did Terrible Things in exchange for bribes or something-to-do-with-Hunter, or worse. Lots of official-looking documents, that could be produced with a flourish on the floor of the Senate.\* ‘Hunter Biden, are you really going to sit there and **deny** that gabba gabba gib gib???’\* What’s stopping them? \*We wouldn’t _know_ if Barr had dealings with the shadier side, of course. ---
**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:** [December 27, 2019, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6645 "2019-12-27T00:45:40Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > What’s stopping them? The fact that these “documents” are written in Sharpie in Trump’s hand? ---
**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:** [December 27, 2019, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6646 "2019-12-27T04:12:13Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > **BobLibDem** , I agree, but just the act of publicly stating that what Moscow Mitch is doing is not how the process should be done is a notable act of defiance. I’ll take the good and not expect the perfect. It is Murkowski’s public statement that may bring along the 3 other senators needed to force McConnell to call those witnesses. > > I disagree that Hunter Biden should be called. His testimony is utterly irrelevant to Trump’s actions. If there are charges that can be brought against Hunter Biden, then he should be charged. Otherwise, Republicans’ carping for his testimony is just another red herring, chum in the water to distract from Trump’s abuse of power. > > ETA: For the record, I don’t think Hunter Biden did anything illegal. Ill-advised, perhaps. But people forget this situation was reviewed by an ethics board in 2014, at the time Hunter Biden took the position with Burisma. They said it was a bad look, but not illegal or even a conflict of interest so long as the Bidens maintained a firewall between their activities. Which they did. It’s worth noting that, in many cases (even as adults), no one wants to be the first to raise their hand and speak. It’s usually after someone breaks the ice that people seem more comfortable with the thought of making their opinions known. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2019, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6647 "2019-12-27T05:48:05Z")
Actually I am nervous about Hunter taking the stand, even as part of a deal for Bolton. It’s entirely possible that Bolton ends up giving damning testimony, but in a very boring way such that it doesn’t make for flashy headlines (think like with Mueller). Meanwhile, Hunter can work well as a heel here; he’ll be attacked mercilessly and trump supporters won’t care that none of the accusations have any relevancy to what Trump did. They’re very used to handwaving Trump’s atrocity of the day with “whatabout \” So count me among those _not_ rubbing my hands looking forward to this. But overall I think the Dems are doing the best they can at this point. Holding on to the articles was a very smart move. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2019, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6648 "2019-12-27T05:53:33Z")
Why would we assume that Team Trump thinks there is anything of any importance for Hunter Biden to testify _about_? If he is, as he appears to be, just an ornament on a Board, he would not necessarily know _anything_. He may never have been trusted with any corrupt maneuverings. In which case, Team Trump may very well be bluffing. Hunter Biden’s role as a cipher and an ornament would be rather embarrassing to Joe Biden, but have we any reason to believe it would be more than that? If it were, and it were provable, wouldn’t they have already managed to get it out in public? Rather than just a bunch of dark insinuations? If they _really_ had something on Hunter Biden, we’d know by now. TL:DR Hunter Biden is a patsy. Gepetto doesn’t consult Pinocchio. ---
**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:** [December 27, 2019, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6649 "2019-12-27T06:11:59Z")
Why TF are we talking about Hunter Biden? It’s as relevant to the impeachment articles as my great aunt’s grocery scooter. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2019, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6650 "2019-12-27T09:01:32Z")
Of course Hunter Biden has nothing to do with the allegations against Trump. And we can also say that of course Russia attempted to interfere with the 2016 election and Ukraine did not (apart from an opinion piece, which is not interference). But unfortunately outfits like FOX and breitbart have done well in deluding a significant proportion of the US public, and conservative representatives and senators have utilized this ignorance. And this becomes part of McConnell and Dem’s calculus at this point. It’s fuckdumb but that’s where we are. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2019, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6651 "2019-12-27T13:14:49Z")
Americans arguing _for_ the president to be above the law. I never thought I would see the day. And all because he has ® next to his name. It is both sad and scary. To be witnessing democracy slowly failing in the USA makes me wonder what will replace it, and if this leads to the further decline of the USA then who will replace the USA? It certainly seems like it will be China, and that’s not good for democracy. Although maybe an authoritarian USA will still reign supreme. Also, not good for the world’s democracies. I have to admit I’m a little surprised it is the Republicans. They were always so pro-patriotism, at least from an outsider’s perspective. Was it always an act? Or was there something that broke the GOP? I fear democracy, just like the start of the last century, is heading for dark times. I can only hope that 2020 is a rout, but it sure seems like 40 some odd percent of Americans are completely final with a criminal at the helm so long as he’s Republican. That 40 some odd percent are alright with undermining democracy, so long as it results in Republican victories. I’m just not sure how democracy can survive when so much of the country is willing to turn a blind eye to those that are hostile to it. ---
**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 27, 2019, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6652 "2019-12-27T17:29:35Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Why TF are we talking about Hunter Biden? It’s as relevant to the impeachment articles as my great aunt’s grocery scooter. Hm. Was it gas or diesel? ---
**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:** [December 27, 2019, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6653 "2019-12-27T17:40:01Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > Why TF are we talking about Hunter Biden? It’s as relevant to the impeachment articles as my great aunt’s grocery scooter. Because when a toddler gets caught red-handed, sometimes his best defense is “my sister did something bad, too”. ---
**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:** [December 27, 2019, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6654 "2019-12-27T18:56:02Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > Because when a toddler gets caught red-handed, sometimes his best defense is “my sister did something bad, too”. Oh sure, I understand why _they_ are discussing whataboutbiden-isms. I just don’t know why _we’d_ bother discussing such obvious nonsense in this thread, e.g., offering up H Biden to compel someone else’s testimony as a grand bargain because mumble mumble that’ll teach 'em. :rolleyes: ---
**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 27, 2019, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6655 "2019-12-27T19:26:39Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > Actually I am nervous about Hunter taking the stand, even as part of a deal for Bolton. > > It’s entirely possible that Bolton ends up giving damning testimony, but in a very boring way such that it doesn’t make for flashy headlines (think like with Mueller). Meanwhile, Hunter can work well as a heel here; he’ll be attacked mercilessly and trump supporters won’t care that none of the accusations have any relevancy to what Trump did. They’re very used to handwaving Trump’s atrocity of the day with “whatabout \” > > So count me among those _not_ rubbing my hands looking forward to this. But overall I think the Dems are doing the best they can at this point. Holding on to the articles was a very smart move. I agree with every word of this. Dems will end up on the wrong end of this Bolton-for-Biden “deal” if they make it. Just the fact that they would agree to let Hunter Biden testify lends an element of legitimacy (that doesn’t exist) to the assertions that Hunter Biden did something wrong. Again, if he has committed a crime as Republicans allege (he hasn’t), then remedies are available. And believe me, if they could arrest him, they’d do it. People should question why they haven’t. ---
**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 27, 2019, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6656 "2019-12-27T19:46:01Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I agree with every word of this. Dems will end up on the wrong end of this Bolton-for-Biden “deal” if they make it. Just the fact that they would agree to let Hunter Biden testify lends an element of legitimacy (that doesn’t exist) to the assertions that Hunter Biden did something wrong. > > Again, if he has committed a crime as Republicans allege (he hasn’t), then remedies are available. And believe me, if they could arrest him, they’d do it. People should question why they haven’t. THat logic has yet to work with Clinton - all they say is that they are ‘protected’. ---
**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 27, 2019, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6657 "2019-12-27T20:38:28Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I agree with every word of this. Dems will end up on the wrong end of this Bolton-for-Biden “deal” if they make it. Just the fact that they would agree to let Hunter Biden testify lends an element of legitimacy (that doesn’t exist) to the assertions that Hunter Biden did something wrong. So far as I can tell, there is no actual offer for such a deal, though I haven’t looked for it deeply. But, I would say that the Democrats are being stupid in their handing of Biden. It’s true that Biden’s guilt or innocence has nothing to do with Trump’s guilt or innocence. Including him in the actual impeachment trial makes as much sense as bringing OJ Simpson in and asking him about his gloves. Even if there’s something there to be found, it’s completely irrelevant to the topic at hand.\* But, if the theory is that Team Trump were investigating Biden out of faithful adherence to the law, then there should be evidence that precipitated the investigation, an FBI referral, warrants issued, etc. If there is some form of non-corrupt interest in fighting corruption, then certain materials and documents should exist. Tell the Republicans to supply those materials, demonstrating genuine concern about Hunter, with real historic timestamps and FBI signatures on them, and tell them that you’re happy to launch an investigation into the Bidens if that exists. The Democrats need to learn “Put up or shut up”. They’re stupid to let the question lie. - And that’s even before noting that the “Biden” who we are referring to here is Hunter, who is a different human being from Joe. ---
**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:** [December 29, 2019, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6658 "2019-12-29T19:45:56Z")
Given his insane tweeting this week, some House Democrat (not Pelosi) should demand the defendant go through a psych evaluation to see if he is competent to stand trial. It won’t happen, but it will keep the question of Trump’s mental state in the news for 2, 3 days. I nominate AOC. The political world on both sides would go bonkers if she asked for this. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6659 "2019-12-29T19:51:33Z")
I agree it would make a fantastic headline for the last few days of the year for some prominent Democrat to suggest it publicly. I further agree that heads would asplode if it were AOC to do it. And I would gladly watch. ---
**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 29, 2019, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6660 "2019-12-29T22:07:29Z")
NYT reports that Pompeo, Bolton, Esper met with Trump in late August to plead with him to release military aid. He rebuffed their effort. > [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771.md?page=332) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771.md?page=334)