# 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:** 342
**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:** [January 11, 2020, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6821 "2020-01-11T17:57:04Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > You know this is [how Himmler was caught](https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Heinrich_Himmler#Peace_negotiations.2C_capture.2C_and_death), right? I never knew that. Fascinating story. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2020, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6822 "2020-01-11T23:27:23Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > You know this is [how Himmler was caught](https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Heinrich_Himmler#Peace_negotiations.2C_capture.2C_and_death), right? Wow! The irony is superb. His papers were TOO good! (IIRC US agents in USSR had similar problems with counterfeit papers sturdier than actual Soviet pulp.) Then a body search revealed small balls or something similar, verifying his identity. Back to subject. Speaker Pelosi’s hinting at presenting the Articles of Impeachment next week suggests she’s been handed explosive evidence against Tramp, whose wag-the-dog Iran ploy suggests he’s VERY afraid of such exposure. What can blow up before then? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6823 "2020-01-12T00:09:32Z")
Maybe she’s just letting it all marinate. Let a couple, three polls get done, see how America is rallying around the War President. Which we always do. Until lately. If she _really_ has The Shit, McConnell’s only play is the pre-emptive dismissal. An outright refusal to even pretend to impartial consideration and evidence. So Republican Senators have to think about selling that to the folks back home. Remember: if they exonerate him now, whatever comes out later is on them. So, yeah, they are thinking about that, and she’s fine with giving them time to think some more. ---
**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:** [January 14, 2020, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6824 "2020-01-14T00:37:46Z")
> **[McConnell Doesn't Have Votes to Block Witnesses: Report | Law & Crime](https://lawandcrime.com/impeachment/mcconnell-doesnt-have-the-votes-to-dismiss-impeachment-charges-or-block-witnesses-reports/)** > > According to several Monday reports, not only is McConnell short of the 51 votes required to promptly dismiss the articles of impeachment, per Trump’s tweeted desire, he may also be forced to hear testimony from former Trump administration officials. Report that McConnell doesn’t have the votes to dismiss or block witnesses. If true, Nancy wins again, and timed this perfectly. ---
**Author:** ![Fair\_Rarity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fair_rarity/32/153_2.png) [@Fair\_Rarity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fair_Rarity)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6825 "2020-01-14T01:09:23Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Report that McConnell doesn’t have the votes to dismiss or block witnesses. If true, Nancy wins again, and timed this perfectly. As she’s highest ranking Italian-American EVER in office, I bow down to her playing this since the fall. Her timing has been good and while she doesn’t have the best hand, she’s playing the right cards at the right times so as not to lose everything foolishly. But I have to say I am disappointed in my fellow Italian-Americans for not acknowledging her badassery. We (collective we, not me personally) lose our shit over the idea of maybe not having Columbus Day be a thing but ignore one of our own rising so high and doing such an effective job, whether or not you agree with her. I hated Alito, but I had to tip my hat in his direction. ---
**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:** [January 14, 2020, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6826 "2020-01-14T03:57:03Z")
You’re right – we _should_ judge decisions and actions based on the ethnicity of the people concerned. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6827 "2020-01-14T04:30:19Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > You’re right – we _should_ judge decisions and actions based on the ethnicity of the people concerned. Well, of course those Scandinavian-heritaged-Americans don’t want to go to war… I mean, lutefisk, am I right? ---
**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:** [January 14, 2020, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6828 "2020-01-14T04:39:23Z")
I have a question. The House Democrats are the prosecutors. Does the defense/impeached one have defense attorneys who interrogate the witnesses called by the prosecution? Do they then have the right to call their own witnesses? ---
**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:** [January 14, 2020, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6829 "2020-01-14T04:46:37Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > I have a question. > The House Democrats are the prosecutors. Does the defense/impeached one have defense attorneys who interrogate the witnesses called by the prosecution? Do they then have the right to call their own witnesses? At this point nobody can call witnesses. The entire subject of witnesses, for either side, is up to the Senate, and they’ve decided (via Majority Leader McConnell) not to decide until later. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6830 "2020-01-14T06:20:07Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > I have a question. > The House Democrats are the prosecutors. Does the defense/impeached one have defense attorneys who interrogate the witnesses called by the prosecution? Do they then have the right to call their own witnesses? The procedures in the trial are completely and unreviewably up to 51 senators. Call anyone you want? If 51 senators vote to do so, then that is the thing. No witnesses for anyone? Up to 51 senators. The unresolved question is whether Roberts can cast a tie breaking vote. I think almost assuredly he must. Although the Constitution doesn’t specify this power (as it does with the VP) it will be necessary. Say that the House Managers ask that a subpoena be issued for John Bolton to testify. Roberts can do one of three things: 1. He can order the subpoena be issued 2. He can deny the request for a subpoena or 3. He can put the question to the Senate. If he does #1 or #2, then the question can be appealed to the Senate where 51 votes would be required to overrule him. If he does #3 and it is a 50-50 tie, then something has to happen. Either Bolton is called or he is not, and then only possible person to make that decision has to be Roberts. So I think in all three circumstances you have what is, in effect, a tie breaking vote by Roberts. ---
**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:** [January 14, 2020, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6831 "2020-01-14T06:34:39Z")
Missouri senator Roy Blunt [says](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-calls-for-outright-dismissal-but-gop-senator-says-there-arent-enough-votes/ar-BBYVs0H?ocid=spartandhp) that the votes just “aren’t there” for the Senate to just dismiss the charges outright. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6832 "2020-01-14T14:32:44Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Missouri senator Roy Blunt [says](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-calls-for-outright-dismissal-but-gop-senator-says-there-arent-enough-votes/ar-BBYVs0H?ocid=spartandhp) that the votes just “aren’t there” for the Senate to just dismiss the charges outright. Well that’s a relief…just slightly better than “the votes aren’t there to declare January 15th ‘Hooray For President Trump Day’.” ---
**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:** [January 14, 2020, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6833 "2020-01-14T15:17:12Z")
**Be prepared to fight a dangerous new wave of disinformation during the Senate trial** > **[Opinion | Be prepared to fight a dangerous new wave of disinformation during...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/01/13/be-prepared-fight-dangerous-new-wave-disinformation-during-senate-trial/)** > > Debasing the truth weakens democracy. > [@](#): > > …The first [tactic] is to deny facts. For instance, Putin initially denied that Russian soldiers had seized control of Crimea in February 2014, denies Russian involvement in the shoot-down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in July 2014, and denies any Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. > > A second tactic is to deflect attention from the facts, also known as “whataboutism.” When criticized about Crimean annexing Crimea, Putin’s media shoot back, what about Kosovo? Or New Mexico? When criticized about civilian casualties from Russian military intervention in Syria, Kremlin defenders retort, what about Iraq, Vietnam or Hiroshima? When confronted with evidence of Russian meddling in U.S. elections, the Russian standard refrain is, you do it all the time. > > A third practice is the dissemination of lies. Russian state media once asserted that President Barack Obama and former Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi embraced the same ideology. I may be more sensitive than most about this tactic, because when I was serving as U.S. ambassador to Russia, Kremlin media outlets accused me of fomenting revolution against Putin’s regime; perhaps most disgustingly of all, a video was circulated suggesting I was a pedophile. When Putin met with President Trump in July 2018 in Helsinki, the Russian president again lied about me, claiming I had broken Russian law while working in the White House. > > A cumulative effect of all these tactics is nihilistic debasement of the very concept of truth. > … “Nihilistic debasement of the very concept of truth.” Yup. That about says it. A White House that can tweet a picture of “the first snow of the year,” when it’s 70 degrees, and no snow is falling…well… What happens when DJT issues an Executive Order declaring that the Earth is flat? ---
**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:** [January 14, 2020, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6834 "2020-01-14T17:21:50Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Missouri senator Roy Blunt [says](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-calls-for-outright-dismissal-but-gop-senator-says-there-arent-enough-votes/ar-BBYVs0H?ocid=spartandhp) that the votes just “aren’t there” for the Senate to just dismiss the charges outright. The only phrase that makes me more ashamed of my home state than “Missouri Senator Roy Blunt” is “Missouri Senator Josh Hawley”. We used to be represented by Danforth and Eagleton, for Christ sake. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6835 "2020-01-14T18:01:43Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Well, of course those Scandinavian-heritaged-Americans don’t want to go to war… I mean, lutefisk, am I right? indeed. sadly lutefisk is considered a dangerous bio weapon and stupid geneva convention. on the other hand, the viennese pastries infiltration has been quite the success! ---
**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:** [January 14, 2020, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6836 "2020-01-14T19:59:13Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > The procedures in the trial are completely and unreviewably up to 51 senators. Call anyone you want? If 51 senators vote to do so, then that is the thing. No witnesses for anyone? Up to 51 senators. You didn’t answer me before, what about filibusters? ~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:** [January 14, 2020, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6837 "2020-01-14T20:52:05Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > If he does #3 and it is a 50-50 tie, then something has to happen. Either Bolton is called or he is not, and then only possible person to make that decision has to be Roberts. Unless the Vice President gets to break the tie. I think that would be a stupid interpretation of art. II sect 3 but I can see some Republicans going for it. Another stupid interpretation is that the Chief Justice gets a vote, even when the Senate is not “equally divided”. ~Max ---
**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:** [January 14, 2020, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6838 "2020-01-14T21:17:30Z")
Since this is going to be essentially a game show maybe Alex Trebek can be host? Or Drew Carey. ---
**Author:** ![Translucent\_Daydream](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/translucent_daydream/32/16170_2.png) [@Translucent\_Daydream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Translucent_Daydream)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2020, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6839 "2020-01-14T21:31:44Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Since this is going to be essentially a game show maybe Alex Trebek can be host? Or Drew Carey. I think they should have the Holey Moley people do it. ---
**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:** [January 14, 2020, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771/6840 "2020-01-14T21:37:46Z")
> [@Max\_S](#): > > art. II sect 3 Should have read: art. I sect 3 ~Max [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771.md?page=341) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-impeachment-inquiry/840771.md?page=343)