Month: February 2020

Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden tries to expand Ukraine investigation into an actual Ukraine investigation

Posted on by Mark Sumner

In 2016, Sen. Ron Johnson was one of a number of Republicans who signed a letter encouraging the president of Ukraine to fire the country’s prosecutor general, Viktor Shokin. Naturally, that fact has not even been a speed bump in Johnson joining with his colleagues Lindsey Graham and Chuck Grassley to accuse former Vice President Joe Biden of a nefarious act when he … encouraged the president of Ukraine to fire the country’s prosecutor general, Viktor Shokin.

Back in November, in the midst of the House impeachment hearings into Donald Trump’s extortion and slander plot, the trio of Johnson , Grassley, and Graham began a distraction campaign by demanding documents both from and about Ukraine. This has continued post-impeachment, with the three lickspittles rummaging through Secret Service records to see if they can catch Joe Biden in the act of associating with his own son. 

And now Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden has decided to join them—to dig up documents that Republicans would rather stay buried.

As The Washington Post reported last week, Republican senators were eager to demonstrate that their toadying for Trump didn’t end with their cover-up vote on his removal from office. Johnson, Grassley, and Graham are all well aware that in asking for the dismissal of Shokin, Biden was actually:

Following the instructions of Barack Obama and others at the White House who had repeatedly noted the Ukrainian prosecutor’s obstruction and corruption. Supporting a request from officials of the European Union and the International Monetary Fund who saw Shokin’s corruption as a fundamental roadblock to investment in Ukraine. Acting on the request of U.K. prosecutors upset that Shokin would not pursue an investigation into Burisma and other companies at the heart of a possible money laundering scheme.

But just because they know upfront that not only did Biden not take steps to illegally protect his son’s position, but that in helping to sack Shokin, he was also actually putting his son at risk, they are still more than willing to demonstrate that their loyalty to Trump is more important than facts. Or honesty. Or much less any concept of honor.

With that in mind, Buzzfeed News reports that Sen. Wyden has decided it would be a good thing to just open up this investigation and request a few more documents that don’t involve Hunter Biden’s airline records or what Joe Biden ate for lunch. Instead, Wyden sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo directing him to turn over everything that the State Department has on Ukraine policy, both under President Obama and under Trump. That includes records of the department’s interactions on Ukraine with individuals such as Rudy Giuliani and his friends Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman.

Wyman’s letter makes it clear that he understands the purpose behind the much more limited requests made by Johnson, Grassley, and Graham. By restricting their search to a handful of Biden-related documents, the Republicans can continue to string together apparent connections by looking at overlapping dates or locations—connections that may, once again, show Joe Biden talking to, or even meeting with, his only surviving son. Which, as far as Republicans are concerned, is somehow much worse than bludgeoning an allied nation into providing political slander through an existential threat.

Or, as Wyden writes in his letter, “I am concerned that, in the absence of additional information … the Department's production of information requested by the Senate Committees could create an incomplete and biased record of the State Department's activities related to Ukraine.”

It can. And it still will. Because there’s almost no doubt that Pompeo, along with Attorney General William Barr, will find that the requests from the Republican senators are urgent and proper, completely worthy of their time, and deserving of a response. Wyden, on the other hand, probably forgot a comma in the fourth line, or didn’t use the right form, or … is a Democrat. If Pompeo needs another reason to ignore a document demand from the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, he can always ask the White House counsel. As these people demonstrated during Trump’s impeachment trial, they’re full of excuses. Or at least full of something.

The House must demand Barr testify about Stone intervention—and be prepared to force his compliance

Posted on by Hunter

This cannot go on. Three top prosecutors (which may turn into four) in the Roger Stone case have now withdrawn after Attorney General William Barr's Department of Justice ordered them to revise their guideline-based recommendations on Stone's sentencing. This happened the morning after Donald Trump tweeted that he "cannot allow" the prosecutors' recommended sentencing of Stone, an ally and key stonewaller in the Robert Mueller investigation of the Trump campaign's ties to Russian government hacking in the 2016 elections.

It is time to haul Barr to the House to explain himself. Immediately. If he refuses a subpoena, then inherent contempt must be used to force his compliance. The House has broad but almost-never-used powers to compel such testimony: This is precisely the dire occasion they were designed for.

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The resignation of three top names from Stone's case signals clearly that the federal prosecutors involved believe Barr has acted with corrupt intent in reaching down to order a reduced sentencing ask. They, too, should be subpoenaed immediately so that they may describe the situation that led to their self-removal. This is an extraordinary situation: Even if a teetering-toward-fascism Republican Party will not so much as pretend at "concern" for Trump and Barr's move, the House can expose it without their assistance.

It must be done. The Department of Justice has within the span of days been turned formally into a tool for "processing" allegations against Trump's political opponents and, now, overriding the sentencing of Trump's criminal allies. Barr will resist, but it must be done regardless.

Sen. Chuck Schumer is calling for the inspector general at the Department of Justice to “open an investigation immediately.” That internal review, however, would be obviously insufficient. Rep. Adam Schiff, chair of the House Intelligence Committee and lead House manager in Trump's Senate-stifled impeachment trial, sent out an initial statement calling the reported Barr-Trump intervention a "blatant abuse of power" and, coupled with Trump's retaliatory firings, "the gravest threat to the rule of law in America in a generation." But it does not yet threaten subpoenas.

Schiff is correct in his diagnosis—and now the House must once again act. It is not optional; it cannot be danced around. Barr has committed an act of corruption so blatant that prosecutors have resigned rather than carry it out; he must explain himself under oath.

The White House will reportedly dismiss another official over role in impeachment investigation

Posted on by Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines

The White House will reportedly dismiss another official over role in impeachment investigationThe impeachment fallout continues.The New York Post reported Tuesday that Elaine McCusker, the acting Pentagon comptroller, will have her nomination for the permanent position rescinded by the White House. And, surprise, it has to do with Ukraine.In January, emails sent from McCusker questioning President Trump's directive to freeze about $250 million in Ukrainian military aid were leaked just before the president's Senate impeachment trial. Those communications clearly didn't sit well with the administration. "This administration needs people who are committed to implementing the president's agenda, specifically on foreign policy, and not trying to thwart it," a White House official told the Post.It's not clear when the nomination will be officially withdrawn, or if the decision will affect her acting role in the meantime, but it looks as if McCusker will eventually join Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who had served on the National Security Council, and former Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland, both of whom were removed from their posts after they provided some of the more damaging testimony during the House impeachment inquiry. The White House said their ousters weren't related to their testimonies. Read more at The New York Post.More stories from theweek.com Justice Department changes course on Roger Stone sentencing after Trump's angry tweet Why Wall Street isn't freaking out about Bernie Sanders President Bloomberg?


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Mitt Romney Hit With New Republican Resolution That Would Force Him To Support Trump Or Give Up His Seat

Posted on by LifeZette

By PoliZette Staff | February 11, 2020

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) betrayed the entire Republican Party when he voted to impeach Donald Trump in the Senate impeachment trial. Now, this has come back to bite him in a big way, as the GOP in his home state has drawn up a resolution that will force him to either support Trump or step down.

The resolution, which was submitted by Utah GOP State Central Committee member Brandon Beckham, will be considered at the Republican Party state central committee meeting on February 29, according to The Blaze.

The motion expresses the Utah GOP’s “severe disapproval” for Romney’s impeachment vote.

“A lot of us feel that it’s sort of an embarrassment to our party,” Beckham told the Salt Lake Tribune. He went on to explain that Republicans in the state had already passed a resolution in which they expressed full support of the president and called on members of the GOP to defend him. Despite knowing this, Romney voted to convict President Trump anyway.

Though Romney has yet to comment on the resolution, he has admitted that he will face consequences for his vote.

“No question the consequence will be enormous,” Romney said. “The consequence of violating my conscience and my oath of office to God would be even greater.”

MORE NEWS: Biden stuns New Hampshire voter by calling her a ‘lying, dog-faced pony soldier’

Romney may claim he voted his conscience, but many conservatives are not buying it. Rick Gorka, who was a spokesman for Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign, tweeted that the senator’s vote was motivated by “bitterness” and “jealousy.”

As a representative of the people of Utah, Romney knew full well that the majority of his constituents wanted to see Trump remain in office, yet he switched sides and went with Democrats anyway. Clearly, his own vendettas against the president are more important to him than adequately representing the people of Utah, who deserve better than this.

We can only hope that this resolution is approved, and that Romney has to face the music for his turncoat vote.

This piece originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.

Read more at LifeZette:
Oprah breaks down, reveals Gayle King is ‘not doing well’ after getting death threats over Kobe Bryant clip
Ex-Clinton impeachment manager reveals real reason Mitt Romney voted to convict Trump
Jon Voight says Pelosi’s soul has ‘evil intent’ – calls her a threat to America

The post Mitt Romney Hit With New Republican Resolution That Would Force Him To Support Trump Or Give Up His Seat appeared first on The Political Insider.

Warren Describes Pence As A ‘Dog’ During New Hampshire Campaign Rally

Posted on by LifeZette

By PoliZette Staff | February 11, 2020

A campaign rally for Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-MA., got a little out of hand on Sunday when she resorted to name-calling, describing Vice President Mike Pence as a “dog.”

During Warren’s rally in Lebanon, New Hampshire, one voter asked the senator if she whispers to her dog Bailey, “Who is going to be my Mike Pence? Who is going to look at me with adoring eyes?”

“I already have a dog,” Warren replied as the audience burst into laughter.

Democrats have since been praising Warren for the insult, saying that it shows she’s the perfect person to take on President Donald Trump.

“She’s absolutely quick witted, she’s funny, she’s sharp, this is a woman that managed to get herself out of her, um, out of Oklahoma into college on a debate scholarship,” Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) told MSNBC. “When it comes time to go toe to toe with Donald Trump, Elizabeth has the ability to think on her feet, she has the depth of policy knowledge, she has the courage and the quick wit, to absolutely defeat Donald Trump in those debates and make the strongest possible contrast.”

After calling Pence a dog, Warren went on to describe who her ideal vice president would be, adding that she wants someone “who is going to be in the fight” with her.

“I want smart people. … I want people who have ideas. I want people who have worked in the fields,” she continued, according to The Hill. “I want people who believe that they can be part of putting government on the side of our citizens instead of on the sides of giant corporations.”

Given the fact that she’s currently polling in fourth place in New Hampshire, however, it’s wishful thinking for Warren to even be considering who she might want as a Vice President. Perhaps she should focus a little more on winning over voters, and a little less on insulting members of the current administration.

This piece originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.

Read more at LifeZette:
Oprah breaks down, reveals Gayle King is ‘not doing well’ after getting death threats over Kobe Bryant clip
Ex-Clinton impeachment manager reveals real reason Mitt Romney voted to convict Trump
Jon Voight says Pelosi’s soul has ‘evil intent’ – calls her a threat to America

The post Warren Describes Pence As A ‘Dog’ During New Hampshire Campaign Rally appeared first on The Political Insider.

Tulsi Gabbard's unique campaign brought people together – but looks to be coming apart

Posted on by Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines

Tulsi Gabbard's unique campaign brought people together – but looks to be coming apartHawaii congresswoman made a noble effort to bring together voters with different beliefs, but her poll numbers are lowIf Tulsi Gabbard drops out of the Democratic race in the coming days, her unique campaign is likely to be remembered more for her spats with the Democratic party, accusations of being a Russian operative, and the imagery of her promise to “bring a soldier’s heart to the White House” than a realistic bid for president.The Hawaii congresswoman’s unusual political journey, which has seen her go from a rising progressive star to a regular Fox News guest supported by Republicans and libertarians, has so far not endeared her to supporters in New Hampshire, which goes to the polls Tuesday.While Iowa traditionally holds the first caucuses in the presidential election, New Hampshire has held the first primary since 1920. The goal for presidential candidates is to win early-voting states and create name recognition and a sense of momentum, as well to pick up their first delegates, who will eventually choose the nominee in summer.Sometimes a clear favorite for the nomination emerges quickly, but the last two major Democratic primary contests, pitting Barack Obama against Hillary Clinton and then Bernie Sanders against Clinton, have lasted from the Iowa caucuses in January through to late spring.After more than a year campaigning and holding more than 130 events in the Granite state alone, Gabbard is currently at 3.3% in the polls. She held 70 events in Iowa, an effort that won her the votes of 342 people on caucus night.“As president I will have your back,” she told a crowd in Rochester this weekend. “I promise I will treat every American with respect.”In all likelihood, Gabbard will not get the opportunity to prove that. The Democratic contest has not been kind to the long-shot candidates so far. The businessman and former congressman John Delaney, after spending two and a half years and more than $25m campaigning, dropped out days before the Iowa caucus.Joe Sestak, a three-star admiral and two-term congressman, pulled out at the end of 2019. Bigger names such as Cory Booker, Julian Castro, Kamala Harris and Beto O’Rourke have all fallen to the whims of the Democratic electorate.Gabbard’s rally in Rochester had gotten off to an inauspicious start, when the Elk’s Lodge venue misspelled her name: a TV screen displaying a “Tulsie” rally alongside listings for “western night” and “meat raffle”.Gabbard is 38 and has made physical vitality – along with her military service in the Hawaii national guard – a central feature of her campaign. She has posted videos of her surfing, taking part in push-up contests and working out in the gym.Yet for all that she has run a strangely joyless campaign.At rallies she speaks slowly, using lingering pauses, more like a university lecturer than a politician inspiring a crowd. In Greenland, it didn’t bother the crowd.“I met Tulsi on New Year’s Day,” said Spiro Paras, an ardent Gabbard supporter. “With direct personal contact I realized she has a soul and means what she says. That’s visible in her eyes and face.”The rally came amid a busy weekend for Gabbard. On Saturday she went on Fox News to defend Donald Trump’s decision to fire key impeachment witnesses Lt Col Alexander Vindman and EU ambassador Gordon Sondland.On Sunday, she went on Fox News again, this time appearing on Sean Hannity’s show. Hannity, a friend and informal adviser to the president who has promoted conspiracy theories about Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and the dead DNC staffer Seth Rich, praised Gabbard for her courage.“I think she’s taken politically brave acts that have blacklisted her with the Democratic party leadership,” Paras said.He was referring not just to Gabbard’s Fox News sojourns. Gabbard bucked her party’s elders to back Bernie Sanders over Clinton in 2016, and in December did not vote to impeach Trump. In January, Gabbard sued Clinton for $50m in retaliation for Clinton suggesting the Hawaiian was a Russian asset, months after Gabbard filed a $50m lawsuit against Google for allegedly suspending her campaign’s advertising.Despite all evidence to the contrary, Gabbard’s campaign believes she can outperform expectations in New Hampshire. One aide pointed to polls that show her with more than 5% support here – those polls exist, they are just few and far between – and Gabbard’s supporters seem just as optimistic.“Definitely top three, possibly even the top one,” was Paras’s prediction for Tuesday’s vote.Gabbard does have some reason to feel aggrieved at her treatment. Along with Clinton’s Russia accusations, Gabbard was left out of a pair of CNN town halls last week, even as the former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick – polling even lower than Gabbard – was invited. She has regularly complained that her campaign hasn’t received enough coverage from the press.That was the case at her rallies on Saturday and Sunday, where there were comparatively few journalists. They missed Gabbard, whose central theme is ending wars and diverting military funding to social programs, playing up the political diversity of her supporters, who are often male and skew conservative.Gabbard asked the Democrats in the crowd to raise their hands, then the Republicans to raise their hands, and then the “libertarians or independents” to put their hands in the air.Kevin Frost, 38, who was at the Greenland event with his wife and daughters, fitted into the independent camp.“I feel like some of the field is a little bit far left for where I feel we are as a country,” Frost said.He voted for Mitt Romney over Barack Obama in 2012, and for John McCain in 2008. In 2016, Frost said he voted “against Clinton, but not for Trump”.“The idea that [Gabbard] stepped out and held off the impeachment fiasco, that speaks volumes,” Frost said. “To me it seems like if she’s going to do that now, then when she’s president she’ll maybe think of things a a little bit more too.”If the vote on Tuesday reflects the polling, Gabbard will probably not be president.To her fans, her attempt to bring people with different political beliefs together might have been a noble effort, but it just isn’t clear how it helps in winning the Democratic nomination.


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