News roundup: Republicans reaffirm fealty to racist traitors, and a serial rapist is out of prison

In the news today: More than half of the Republican members of the House of Representatives voted to continue honoring racist traitors. And in other news, almost all of those House Republicans voted against an investigation into racist traitors who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6. Are you sensing a pattern here? A truly appalling turn of events in Pennsylvania, where the state supreme court overturned serial rapist Bill Cosby’s conviction, and he is once again free to drug and rape women. It’s being reported that charges will be filed against the Trump Organization and its chief money-launderer. The Trumpian governor of South Dakota has turned the state’s National Guard troops into a mercenary force, all in the service of Donald Trump. And it will shock no one to learn that the police reform bill is in trouble because those needing reform are fighting it, and Republicans are listening to them. 

Here’s some of what you may have missed:

More than half of House Republicans stand with Confederate traitors in the U.S. Capitol

Trump impeachment lawyer gave the Pennsylvania Supreme Court its excuse to free Bill Cosby

Criminal charges coming against Trump Organization and its CFO could deal blow to Trump's wealth

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem's border deployment is being funded by used car billionaire megadonor

Shocking! Negotiations on police reform bill hampered by the very people who need to reform

And from the community:

We now have a clue as to why the Miami condo complex collapsed. But pics only tell part of story

Uproar over high school graduation speech

Impeachment trial of Donald Trump hurtles towards its pre-ordained conclusion: Live coverage #3

As the House Managers and Trump’s give their closing arguments, the end of the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump approaches its pre-ordained conclusion.

The impeachment trial is being aired on major television news networks and streamed on their websites. Daily Kos will have continuing coverage.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 6:57:48 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

We’re back from the break forced by Mike Lee once again engaging in some kind of rule-breaking stunt.

Rep. Madeleine Dean is up for the House managers, giving the closing argument recap of Trump’s incitement. First time we’ve had video in the closing arguments.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 7:04:05 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

It’s funny how the organizers of the “Million MAGA March” declared they were going to destroy the GOP. They didn’t need to. The GOP destroyed itself.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 7:09:16 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

More objections, this time around a slide — even though the contents of the slide were already in evidence.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 7:10:42 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Clearly there are no reasons for these objections other than to attempt to throw House managers off their stride during closing remarks. Trump’s team — assisted by Republican senators — is claiming not to have seen evidence that’s already in the record.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 7:21:23 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Re. Joe Neguse is coming up to speak. Neguse has been one of the best among the House team in the crispness and directness of approach. 

But I’m hoping they’re saving Rep. Stacey Plaskett for the final word after the Trump team talks.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 7:25:53 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Neguse notes that Trump’s layers has argued “vigorously” on his behalf. He doesn’t say effectively. Because they have not. The only thing that keeps this from being a 100-0 vote is Republicans placing Trump above the good of the nation.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 7:29:49 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Joe Neguse being genuinely moving in his presentation. One of those calling to their better angels moments that may not move Republicans today, but it’s damned effective.

Right now, Mike Lee is trying to think of an objection.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 7:31:48 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Damn. Rep. Neguse is so, so good. I hope this speech gets clipped for the evening news.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 7:36:59 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Neguse sits down. A moment when I wish the Senate allowed applause.

Rep. Raskin steps up to deliver what seems like the last of their closing argument. Not sure they’ve reserved any time for a rebuttal. If so, it won’t be much.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 7:41:21 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Raskin definitely delivering an effective and moving statement. But you can bet that Trump’s legal team will sneer at this “emotional” testimony — because Trump’s legal team is all too much like Trump.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 7:47:47 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Raskin puts down a beautiful final statements. The House team has 28 minute for response. 

Van der Veen comes up and immediately cause the closing the House managers “a mess.” Keeps up his tone of being a snide smartass.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 7:49:43 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Van der Veen showing that he’s going to spend his time attacking the House team, rather than speaking at all about Trump, or any of the events on Jan. 6,

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 7:55:52 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner
The thing is, Trump and Trump supporters in the Senate, really do believe the snide, sneering dismissal from van der Veen is better than the moving speeches given by Rep. Joe Neguse and Rep. Jaime Raskin. This is where they live. Anger and jeering is what reaches them.
Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 8:06:58 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

The final position of Trump’s legal team appears to be that Jan. 6 is Nancy Pelosi’s fault.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 8:21:42 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Constitutional scholars agree!!! The Statute of Limitations on an attempted coup has always been 30 to 35 days!!!

— Jon Stewart (@jonstewart) February 13, 2021

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 8:24:37 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

It kind of sounds like van der Veen is just going to snarl on his own from beginning to end, giving us no last chance to see Bruce Castor tell about the value of an onion when he was a kid.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 8:28:51 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Raskin steps back up and says he’s only going to talk for about five minutes.

Points out that Trump’s team has at least come around to agreeing that an insurrection did occur.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 8:31:10 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Raskin has been waiting for this moment. He’s got a Julian Bond story … and he’s ready to give it to you now.

Democrats utterly cave. Impeachment trial will end today: Live coverage #2

With Lead House Manager Jamie Raskin announcing that they would indeed be seeking at least one witness, chaos and uncertainty reigns as people scramble to figure out what happens next. The one thing we know for sure at this point is that Donald Trump won’t be getting his pre-ordained acquittal today. Stay tuned. 

The impeachment trial is being aired on major television news networks and streamed on their websites. Daily Kos will have continuing coverage.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 5:33:50 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Intense discussions involving all the key parties right now, per sources. They're having discussions and proposing ideas. There's talk about crafting a resolution that will draft rules for how to handle witness testimony. Or avoid witness testimony and submit evidence in record

— Manu Raju (@mkraju) February 13, 2021

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 5:34:06 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

MANCHIN, walking back to the chamber, says there’s a deal. Didn’t elaborate.

— Daniel Flatley (@DanielPFlatley) February 13, 2021

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 5:36:10 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Note that it’s completely unclear at this point that this is the actual agreement. 

Democrats just secured a major victory, winning a vote to hear witness testimony, and now they're talking about forfeiting that significant win and settling for a single meaningless written statement? Mmm mmm, classic Democrats.

— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) February 13, 2021

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 5:39:50 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Why the House managers would accept just entering a statement that was already a public statement — which they could have done anyway — is a mystery. If the House managers back off at this point, Republicans will claim for the next decade that Democrats folded when they threatened to call Nancy Pelosi and Kamala Harris.

It’s unclear this is the deal, but it’s unclear why that would even be considered as a deal.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 5:51:44 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

We’re back in session with Bruce Castor speaking for Trump’s team. They’re accepting Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s statement into the record.

Rep. Jaime Raskin is now reading that statement into the record. This is apparently the deal.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 5:52:51 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

And … that’s it. No other witnesses or documents to be admitted. Damn it.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 5:55:12 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

They’re moving ahead. That momentary glow on the horizon wasn’t a sunrise after all. Just a candle that’s already blown out.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 5:57:51 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Raskin is stepping up to give the closing argument, he can reserve time for a response when Trump’s team is done.

Rep. Raskin starts out by refuting the claim that Trump’s actions during the insurgency, revising the statement from Rep. Herrera Beutler, and hammering how that perpetuated the incitement, but speaks to Trump’s intent.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 6:07:45 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

It’s hard to even listen, having just witnesses how quickly Democrats folded after winning the vote to have witnesses. When Republicans held the majority last year, they took every possible step to help Trump evade justice. This year, after the tireless work of millions put Democrats in charge … they still would not call a witness.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 6:10:02 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Democrats just completely screwed @HerreraBeutler who offered to testify. She put herself out there and they left her twisting. WTH

— Amanda Carpenter (@amandacarpenter) February 13, 2021

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 6:17:47 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Raskin ends strong, and hands over to Rep. David Cicilline. 

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 6:23:42 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Cicilline walking through the timeline of events from Trump’s speech onward — showing that Trump had to be well aware that Mike Pence, and everyone in Congress, was in danger as Trump continued to encourage violence.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 6:28:45 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

House managers have accepted the time stamp given to Trump’s phone call to Mike Lee, which moves the call to two minutes after Trump’s tweet threatening Pence.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 6:31:59 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Having paid dearly to get Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s statement into the record, at least House managers are using it. Rep. Cicilline hammering home the indifference Trump showed to the violence, and how Trump remained focus on stopping the counting of the electoral vote.

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 6:35:30 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Expect Trump’s team to spend half their close attacking the House managers. 

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 6:41:43 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

That would be Mike Lee once again trying to inject some stunt into the proceedings. 

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 6:42:13 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

This impeachment highlights a fundamental tenet of our legal system. All Americans,regardless of status, are entitled to a speedy trial by a jury of your cowardly partisan sycophants and henchmen.

— Jon Stewart (@jonstewart) February 13, 2021

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021 · 6:47:21 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

The thing is, Mike Lee absolutely knows he can’t just jump in and start speaking without being recognized. He’s supposed to be a “scholar” on the procedures of the Senate. So he’s absolutely aware that he’s derailing this process.

Live coverage: The debate on the impeachment of Donald Trump for inciting insurrection

The final debate to impeach Donald Trump for inciting insurrection is currently underway in the House of Representatives . A vote is expected later this afternoon. 

Follow the speeches and vote here.

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 5:41:03 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

Pelosi: "The President of the United States incited this insurrection, this armed rebellion, against our common country. He must go. He is a clear and present danger to the nation that we all love." pic.twitter.com/LiBO33VhSO

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 13, 2021

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 5:41:35 PM +00:00 · Kerry Eleveld

Speaker Pelosi from the floor: “We cannot escape history.” Also, a PSA:

Friendly reminder that you can mute Jim Jordan.

— David Badash (@davidbadash) January 13, 2021

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 5:42:32 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

Jim “Gym” Jordan is currently sobbing about “cancel culture.” In other news, Jordan wants Liz Cheney expelled from leadership for going against Dear Leader. 

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 5:49:22 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Every Republican argues a variation of extortion and threats—“impeachment will incite more violence”—and both sides—“BLM and "every movement has a lunatic fringe."

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 5:49:45 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

Rep. Tom McClintock argues that Trump’s incitement on January 6 was “freedom of speech” Also BLM, Thomas Jefferson, and other crap. 

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 5:54:05 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Andy Biggs is one of those directly connected to founding the “Stop the Steal” movement, and was named by organizers as one of the representatives who helped plan the insurrection

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 5:55:19 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

House Republicans are actually allowing the likes of Rep. Andy Biggs—identified as an instigator of the insurrection—to argue their case against impeachment, demonstrating just how phenomenally broken the GOP is.

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 5:58:03 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

McConnell has refused to work with Schumer to bring the Senate back Friday to have impeachment hearings. This will happen in the Biden administration. In case anyone thought McConnell suddenly grew a conscience or a love for his country.

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 5:58:12 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

Louie Gohmert actually says, "I don't know why there aren't more uprisings around the country."

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 6:03:23 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

Cedric Richmond—in his last floor speech before he joins the Biden administration—says what we’re all thinking: That the other side may include "co-conspirators” in the insurrection against our democracy.

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 6:16:57 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Key point here: 

Several Republican members of Congress have said Trump conceded. He has not. He has acknowledged (without mentioning Biden) that a new administration will take over Jan. 20. But he still repeated the lie that he won the election. That is not a concession.

— Susan Milligan (@MilliganSusan) January 13, 2021

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 6:17:29 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

Republican Ken Buck is ranting about Madonna, Kathy Griffith, Russia, sobbing about Sarah Huckabee Sanders not getting her cheese plate. Compelling stuff. 

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 6:27:07 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

Matt Gaetz, ranted, and lied … just a taste of his “defense” of Trump: 

Matt Gartz is having a meltdown and yelling on the House floor pic.twitter.com/fgejQzYyxr

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 13, 2021

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 6:31:30 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Didn’t see this coming, because he’s not been big on truth lately. Or ever.

"Some say the riots were caused by antifa. There is absolutely no evidence of that, and conservatives should be the first to say so," Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) says on the House floor.

— Felicia Sonmez (@feliciasonmez) January 13, 2021

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 6:41:39 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

This is no moderate Republican! 

My full statement on the House impeachment vote: pic.twitter.com/X74Sgq1Nqu

— Rep. Dan Newhouse (@RepNewhouse) January 13, 2021

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 6:45:57 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

Lauren Boebert, the QAnon Republican, and prominent Trump ass-kisser, used her floor time to call the impeachment “bullcrap.” O-kay.

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 6:56:50 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

Newly elected Democratic congresswoman Cori Bush just made her first floor speech in favor of impeachment. How good was it? Republicans booed when she rightly called for the immediate removal of the white supremacist Donald Trump, saying “Impeach the white supremacist in chief.” Kudos, Rep. Bush! 

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 7:04:15 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

Jim Jordan reads statement Trump put out today saying, "In light of reports of more demonstrations, I urge that there must be NO violence, NO lawbreaking and NO vandalism of any kind.” Jordan doesn’t bother to note that Trump still does not concede, and doesn’t call off the demonstrators. 

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 7:28:37 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Remember that lectern seen being carried around the Capitol by a rioter (who was later arrested)? Well it’s back and it’s gonna be used for a press event for Pelosi to speak after the House votes to impeach the President a second time: pic.twitter.com/L0raxSUbr6

— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) January 13, 2021

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 7:30:28 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

Majorie Taylor Greene just made a speech (delusional rant) on the floor of the House of Representatives, and carried live on every network in the country, wearing a mask saying “censored.” Can’t make this stuff up.

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 8:04:58 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

Okay, it’s getting closer to the vote, as each side takes turns: One side notes the assault on the Capitol that Donald Trump caused, and the other side rambles about BLM, antifa, their love of Trump, whining, sobbing, along with having the occasional nose hanging out. Guess which side is which. 

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 8:49:33 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

Another Republican announces he’ll honor his oath of office: 

President Trump betrayed his oath of office by seeking to undermine our constitutional process, and he bears responsibility for inciting the insurrection we suffered last week. With a heavy heart, I will vote to impeach President Donald J. Trump. pic.twitter.com/SREfFp0nd2

— Rep. Peter Meijer (@RepMeijer) January 13, 2021

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 · 8:54:33 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

The voting has started. It’s not clear how long it’s going to take. They vote in groups, because of COVID-19, with cleaning of the chamber sometimes happening in between groups. 

Impeachment trial opens with debate of McConnell’s cover-up plan: Live coverage #8

The impeachment trial of Donald Trump started on Tuesday with debate on trial procedures—namely, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's carefully planned cover-up. The debate has been conducted by the House impeachment managers and Trump’s defense team. On Tuesday McConnell released a slightly relaxed version of the dark-of-night procedure he initially proposed, but make no mistake that he and Trump’s team continue to press for a cover-up.

Republicans have voted down one Democratic amendment after another. The House impeachment managers have been eating the Trump defense team’s lunch on both substance and style, but Republican senators do. not. care.

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 3:15:05 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Crow finishes a sharp presentation detailing the statements connected with the Defense Department. Cipollone is now up for Trump’s team and is just short of begging for this to end.

And the funniest thing may be that Cipollone is back to making the plea that Hakeem Jeffries smacked down so amusingly in the last sequence. Now Cipollone is once again explaining that the House has to the sole power of impeachment … so long as the White House agrees with how the House does it.

They came prepared with a sticky note worth of talking points. Democrats came with an encyclopedia. 

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 3:19:25 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Schiff comes in for clean up duties on the request for documents from the Defense Department. He takes after the Trump team’s claims that they get to define how the House conducts impeachment and how they issue subpoenas.

“They made that argument already in court, and they lost.”

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 3:22:09 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Schiff making a good point about how this series of amendments has turned a generic request for “documents” into a list of specific requests about particular meetings, events, and actions. There’s been a good fit between the wording of the amendments and the arguments, with Schumer’s proposed amendments acting as an introduction.

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 3:23:57 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Schiff: “We’re making it hard for you. We’re making it hard for you to say no.” 

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 3:24:51 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

And McConnell immediately moves to table. We’re into the next vote, with no reason to think any Republican has pulled their head out of the nearest Trump orifice. 

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 3:31:41 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

As expected, Republicans vote down the amendment along strict party lines. Say, weren’t Republicans upset about partisan votes a couple of weeks ago?

In any case, Schumer has demonstrated a level of mercy by combining subpoenas for Robert Blair and Michael Duffy.

Rep. Slyvia Garcia steps up for this presentation. She’s a bit hoarse. Sounds as if she may be fighting off a cold.

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 3:38:57 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

There are probably at least two more amendments to come — a request for a Bolton subpoena, and a amendment to make structural changes in McConnell’s proposal. Which was where we started back at 1 PM. If anyone remembers 1 PM.

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 3:50:06 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

You don’t have to like John Roberts to wish that McConnell would call a break at the next vote. The chief justice isn’t allowed to leave his chair during the trial.

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 3:52:04 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Garcia is right that Morrison rushed to the attorneys after Trump’s July 25th call. But unlike everyone else, Morrison was concerned about burying the call to protect Trump.

Impeachment trial opens with debate of McConnell’s cover-up plan: Live coverage #7

The impeachment trial of Donald Trump started on Tuesday with debate on trial procedures—namely, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's carefully planned cover-up. The debate has been conducted by the House impeachment managers and Trump’s defense team. On Tuesday McConnell released a slightly relaxed version of the dark-of-night procedure he initially proposed, but make no mistake that he and Trump’s team continue to press for a cover-up.

Republicans have voted down one Democratic amendment after another. The House impeachment managers have been eating the Trump defense team’s lunch on both substance and style, but Republican senators do. not. care.

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 2:14:32 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Cipollone sets up jeffries with a “do nothing Dems” comment, which allows Jeffries to bomb the Senate chamber with the number of bills that have been sent to rot on McConnell’s desk.

Then Jeffries picks up on a “why are we here” comment from Sekulow and uses it to rip him a new one. By God that was satisfying.

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 2:19:42 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Schiff up again. As the day goes on, the lopsidedness of the recitation of facts on the Democratic side, and the sluggish repetition of the same debunked talking points on the Republican side only seems to become more apparent.

And while Schiff seems fresh, Sekulow seems ready to topple off the stage.

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 2:21:33 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

x

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 2:24:08 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

McConnell searches for what he’s supposed to say … remembers that he’s asking to table the motion on Mulvaney. And here we go again with a vote.

BTW, we may not be down to just witness subpoenas. Schumer may ask for documents from still more departments. They’ll have this whole case laid out before the night is over.

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 2:31:30 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

McConnell tries to get Schumer to stack his requests, asking them all at once. Schumer makes it clear that he’s willing to move some votes to tomorrow, but won’t submit them in a heap. Schumer suggests they could continue tomorrow (Yes, please).

McConnell forces a quorum vote.

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 2:33:47 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Schumer is standing by with a request for documents from the Defense Department along with requests for more individual subpoenas. Justice Roberts has a case to hear in the morning. It will be interesting to see if McConnell agrees to continue tomorrow afternoon.

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 2:39:38 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

It would be great to listen in to Schumer and McConnell at this point. McConnell is clearly frustrated, because Trump’s team is unprepared, the Democrats in House and Senate are working together well, and this day has turned into free presentation time for the House impeachment team without taking even a scratch.

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 2:47:12 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

There is apparently no joy in McMudville. Schumer goes back to proposing amendments, starting with a request for subpoenas for documents held by the Defense Department.

And you can bet that by a total non-coincidence, a member of the House team is standing by to address this specific topic in detail. Get ready for quotes from Laura Cooper.

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2020 · 2:49:30 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Mitch McConnell has the reputation of being the guy with a encyclopedic knowledge of obscure Senate rules that allow him to dominate this kind of thing. But so far in this hearing, Chuck Schumer has beaten him like a drum. A sad, wrinkly drum.