Meghan McCain Attacks Nikki Haley For Asking For Trump To Be Given A Break – ‘Most Disgusting Language I’ve Ever Heard’

Posted on February 11, 2021 by LifeZette

On Wednesday’s episode of “The View,” host Meghan McCain spoke out to slam former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, saying that it was “disgusting” for her to call for Trump to be given a “break” when it comes to the Capitol riots last month.

Haley’s Initial Comment

“They beat him up before he got into office and they’re beating him up after he leaves office,” Haley said at the end of January, according to Newsweek.

“I mean at some point, give the man a break. I mean, move on if you truly are about moving on,” she added.

McCain brought this up today while discussing the current impeachment effort.

McCain Lashes Out

“One thing that struck me was seeing President Trump talk about Mike Pence at his rally, and cutting to the footage of the people storming the Capitol and the vice president having to be rushed out immediately,” she said.

“Words have ramification. The rhetoric we put out have ramifications,” McCain added. “You can see in realtime what happens when you call Vice President Mike Pence a traitor, and then people are storming the Capitol screaming ‘Traitor Pence.’

“It’s something out of a dystopian science fiction movie,” she said.

McCain Lashes Out At Haley

“I don’t understand how anyone could vote against impeachment, but I do logically when it comes to the politics— the ethics I don’t understand — but the politics of this is Republicans want to move on,” McCain added. ”

“They want to walk the fine line of still being attached to Trump and not being attached to Trump. Nikki Haley said maybe in the most disgusting language I’ve ever heard, ‘Give the guy a break,” McCain said. “Well, it’s hard for me to give President Trump a break when our vice president could have been killed because of the things he was saying.”

“I think that I would love to see more Republicans come out and do the right thing ethically, but politics is going to come in the middle of this,” she concluded.

This piece was written by James Samson on February 11, 2021. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.

The post Meghan McCain Attacks Nikki Haley For Asking For Trump To Be Given A Break – ‘Most Disgusting Language I’ve Ever Heard’ appeared first on The Political Insider.

Newt Gingrich Slams Trump Impeachment Lawyers – ‘Absolute Lack Of A Coherent Defense’

Posted on February 11, 2021 by LifeZette

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich spoke out on Wednesday to rip into former President Donald Trump’s impeachment defense team, saying that they have an “incoherent” message and adding he had “no idea” what the lawyers were doing.

Gingrich Speaks Out On Impeachment

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen as bad a defense team as the president sent up, and I have no idea what they thought they were doing,” Gingrich said on Fox News.

“There’s a good case to be made,” he added. “I thought they were going to make it. I think it’s amazing that they only lost one Republican given the absolute lack of a coherent defense.”

The former Speaker went on to say that he would have been “beside myself” if this was his own legal team.

“I’m surprised he didn’t fire [Bruce Castor] some time during the afternoon,” Gingrich continued. “It was that bad. Bad lawyers can lose good cases. That’s the danger here.”

This comes after sources close to Trump’s defense team reportedly told both Politico and CNN that Trump was “not happy” with how he was being represented by his lawyers.

“President Trump was not happy with the performance of his legal team in action,” one source said.

Gingrich Discusses Democrats’ Strategy

Gingrich then talked about Democrats, describing them as the “party of Hollywood” and saying that while their video presentation was effective, they were still unfairly trying to pin the actions of the Capitol riots on Trump.

“The fact is that to say to [74.2 million] Americans we’re going to dictate to you who you are allowed to vote for is just not sustainable,” Gingrich said.

“But on the other hand the Democrats are trying to scar up Trump to weaken him …. Trump’s greatest ally is Joe Biden, and every time Biden does something that is destructive, it further reminds the Trump voters why it’s unacceptable to allow the Washington politicians to dictate to the rest of us,” he added.

Democrats have already impeached Trump twice in the House of Representatives, and he is the first former president to stand trial in the U.S. Senate.

If he is impeached in the Senate, he will not be allowed to run for office again.

This piece was written by James Samson on February 11, 2021. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.

The post Newt Gingrich Slams Trump Impeachment Lawyers – ‘Absolute Lack Of A Coherent Defense’ appeared first on The Political Insider.

Anderson Cooper Rips Trump Supporters – Says They Can’t Claim ‘They Are Lovers Of Law And Order’

Posted on February 11, 2021 by LifeZette

CNN host Anderson Cooper went after supporters of former President Donald Trump on Tuesday night as he responded to the video that the House impeachment managers presented on Tuesday.

He went so far as to say that those who still stand by Trump can no longer claim to be “lovers of law and order.”

Cooper Attacks Trump Supporters

“Any watching of the video that was played just today in the Senate Chambers, after watching that, the president’s supporters who were attacking the Capitol, the former president of the United States cannot claim to be a law-and-order president when you have the crowds chanting ‘kill the blue,'” Cooper said.

“We saw them hurling insults and fists and objects and the American flag and hockey stick at officers,” he added. “As you said, gouging out an eye, an officer lost three fingers, and one officer was killed.”

“Two others have died by suicide,” Cooper concluded. “Any claim by them that they are lovers of law and order, it rings hollow, certainly after seeing that.”

Don Lemon Mocks Trump Supporters

Cooper’s CNN colleague Don Lemon had similar words for Trump supporters last night.

“Blue lives matter, huh?” he asked condescendingly, before. adding, “Law and order! Law and order! Blue lives matter! Respect the flags! Respect law enforcement! Why don’t you just comply!”

“Don’t you dare even say that again if you can stand by after that video and give Donald Trump — of all people, Donald Trump — … and his mob a pass,” he added.

“If you can do that, I don’t ever want to hear that again. I don’t want to hear that from you,” Lemon said. “I don’t want to hear family values from you. I don’t want to hear respect police officers from you. Don’t wanna hear it. No moral high ground to stand on.”

Full Story: CNN’s Don Lemon Tells Trump Supporters They Can’t Support Trump And Demand Respect For Police

“Look whose on your side there. There have been alot of lies. We’ve been warning you about all the lies,” Lemon continued, adding that Trump “was a liar and is a liar” and that his “enablers” also told “lies” — and “even after the Capitol insurrection [they] tried to overturn the Electoral College vote.”

So much for unity and healing.

This piece was written by James Samson on February 10, 2021. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.

The post Anderson Cooper Rips Trump Supporters – Says They Can’t Claim ‘They Are Lovers Of Law And Order’ appeared first on The Political Insider.

WATCH LIVE: Trump’s second impeachment trial | Day 3

Posted on February 11, 2021 by Associated Press

Trump, the House impeachment managers argued, whipped his supporters into a frenzy with the "big lie" that their votes had been stolen, and urged them to fight.

Opening arguments begin in Trump’s historic impeachment trial

Posted on February 10, 2021 by Yamiche Alcindor

Opening arguments officially got underway Wednesday in former President Trump's historic second impeachment trial, as Democrats made their case on his role in inciting the Jan. 6 attacks on the U.S. Capitol. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins and White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor join Judy Woodruff to discuss.

Are Democrats connecting the dots on Trump’s role in the Capitol insurrection?

Posted on February 10, 2021 by PBS NewsHour - Politics

As former President Trump's impeachment trial moved into high gear Wednesday, we spoke with two people who worked in the Senate impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton. Elizabeth Chryst was the Republican Senate secretary during the trial, and Melody Barnes helped broker the trial's rules as chief counsel to the late Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, They join Judy Woodruff to discuss.

Impeachment Managers Reveal Unseen Footage of Rioters at Capitol

Posted on February 10, 2021 by Zachary Evans

Footage from the incident showed rioters chanting "Hang Mike Pence" while searching for the former vice president.

Are any Republican senators listening to the case against Donald Trump? Live coverage #4

Posted on February 10, 2021 (Updated February 11, 2021) by Laura Clawson

The House impeachment managers kicked off day one of Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial with a searing video of the Capitol attack, reminding senators of the stakes of the trial—and of the danger they had faced—at the beginning of an argument about the constitutionality of impeaching someone after he’s left office. Day two begins the actual arguments for convicting Trump, and it’s expected to bring more video evidence of what Trump incited and how he incited it.

The arguments will be presented by the nine House impeachment managers, led by Rep. Jamie Raskin. They have 16 hours to make the case over two days before Trump’s alternately incompetent and scary defense has the same amount of time. You can watch on most television news channels or their websites, and Daily Kos will have live coverage.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 12:43:42 AM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

The trial is officially adjourned until tomorrow at 12 ET. We’ll be back with live coverage at that time.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 11:34:41 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

And we’re back, with Rep. David Cicilline walking through Trump’s actions on Jan. 6.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 11:43:10 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

It will be interesting to see if McCarthy will make any comment on this conversation.

Conversation between Kevin McCarthy and the White House.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 11:47:49 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Cicilline spending quite a bit of time on the Tuberville call. Because it is seriously jarring.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 11:52:52 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Plaskett’s earlier presentation may have been the most shocking when it came to events on Jan. 6, but Cicilline’s has been almost equally painful just by pointing out Trump’s inaction.

Rep. Joaquin Castro picking up the story now.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 11:58:03 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Castro pointing out the timing of Trump’s tweet about Pence, just as the crowd is chanting “Hang Mike Pence,” and then seeing that crowd reacting to the tweet in real time, has to be one of the most impactful moments of the presentation.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 12:04:49 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

The focus on Pence has been so important. Those Republican senators are being forced to acknowledge that Trump sent the mob after him, that they intended to kill him. They’re being put in the position of having to betray Pence to stick with Trump.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 12:16:32 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Rep. Castro’s use of multiple Republicans pleading with Trump during the insurrection to call it off makes that connection pretty darned clear. Every single person--Republican—making those calls knew that Trump incited this and was the only one who could stop it.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 12:17:10 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Underscoring Trump’s refusal to call on the National Guard, is another powerful point.

List of those involved in calling National Guard on Jan 6

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 12:20:37 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Castro: “Senators, Donald Trump left everyone in this Capitol for dead.”

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 12:32:16 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Castro finishes up the day.

Sen. Mike Lee rises to say that statements attributed to him were inaccurate. Considering that the only statement attributed to Lee was simply that he wasn’t Tuberville, it’s hard to see what the heck he’s objecting to.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 12:38:25 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

It’s unclear right now what the procedure is for dealing with Sen. Mike Lee’s objection. The parliamentarian has said that Lee’s motion to have his words stricken is out of order. He’s appealed that ruling, so they should be voting on whether he can ask for his words to be stricken. This is a diversionary tactic, Lee trying to seize attention, disrupt things, change the tenor of the day.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 12:38:52 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

What we’re having now is a roll call while everyone tries to figure out just what the hell Mike Lee is on about. Too bad he’s not as upset about someone starting an insurrection as he is about being misquoted in saying “I’m not Tommy.”

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 12:41:52 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

And, whatever that was, we’re done for the night.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 12:42:04 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

So Lee has withdrawn his request, they might have to come back to it tomorrow, but they are now adjourned.

Report: Trump’s Own Impeachment Lawyer Called Him A ‘Fu**ing Crook’

Posted on February 10, 2021 by Becky Noble

As Donald Trump’s impeachment legal team began arguments in the second day of the trial, The Daily Mail reported that Trump lawyer Michael Van der Veen had once called him “a fu**ing crook.”

According to the report, Van der Veen’s comments happened while working on a 2019 case in which a student was accused of hacking IRS databases in order to obtain Donald Trump’s tax records.

The current defense team was assembled in a hurry. David Schoen and former Montgomery County Pennsylvania District Attorney Bruce Castor came on board just last Sunday.

Van der Veen was also brought in last week to assist.

Trump's legal team says Democrats are engaging in "political theater" and argues the impeachment trial is unconstitutional since he's no longer President https://t.co/fB5kHULC9J

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) February 8, 2021

A Curious Addition

Van der Veen’s former client stated that he was not sure if the ‘crook’ comments were an attempt to make him more comfortable or if they were the genuine beliefs of Van der Veen.

Van der Veen has denied the allegation.

NEW: Trump lawyer Michael van der Veen denies previously calling the president a "f—g crook," a day after a former client recalled him making that statement.

The client tells my colleague @anna_orso today he stands by his recollection.

More here: https://t.co/PnBdwehmgr pic.twitter.com/jnjvXYnzk1

— Jeremy Roebuck (@jeremyrroebuck) February 10, 2021

Even more curious, a Washington Post report states that Van der Veen sued Trump last year over Trump making claims that mail-in voting was “ripe with fraud” despite having “no evidence to support these claims.”

Conservative commentators have often wondered aloud about some of Trump’s hires. This one will no doubt draw many questions.

Trump Legal Team Off To A Shaky Start?

In a report from Politico, sources close to Trump say that the former president was not happy with the legal team’s performance.

Widely criticized for his performance was Bruce Castor.

Castor gave a disjointed 45-minute opening statement that confused many as it seemed that Castor often struggled to find a point.

Among the bewildering strategies was Castor stating that Donald Trump lost the election fairly.

This was a departure from reports that neither Castor or Schoen had planned to bring up any mention of a stolen election, but planned on arguing constitutionality of an impeachment trail against a president who is out of office.

Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz also did not have good things to say about the team’s first day, saying they did not do well.

Of Castor, Dershowitz said, “I have no idea what he is doing.”

'There is no argument – I have no idea what he is doing,' @AlanDersh on Trump's defense lawyer Bruce Castor 'talking nice' to U.S. Senators – via Newsmax TV's 'American Agenda.' https://t.co/VlT7z8drtO pic.twitter.com/7P7uVk5X19

— Newsmax (@newsmax) February 9, 2021

President Trump Unhappy And Frustrated

According to multiple outlets, sources close to Trump claim that, as defense attorneys meandered through opening statements, the President appeared to be getting frustrated as they gave timid responses to the prosecution.

The source also said that Trump saw the team’s performance as a missed opportunity, and was also bothered by the public criticism of his attorneys.

This was not an auspicious start for the defense today. The House was more polished and effective. The defense will need to tighten the narrative and focus the points going forward.

— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) February 9, 2021

The Politico report also stated that Castor had indeed admitted to changing plans based on how well the House Managers arguments were received.

Initially Schoen would present opening statements, the change was last minute.

An aide to former President Trump reportedly stated, “This is about lowering the temperature from the Democrats’ emotionally charged opening argument before dropping the hammer on the unconstitutional nature of this impeachment witch hunt.”

The post Report: Trump’s Own Impeachment Lawyer Called Him A ‘Fu**ing Crook’ appeared first on The Political Insider.

WATCH: Trump used ‘fight’ or ‘fighting’ 20 times in rally speech, Dean says

Posted on February 10, 2021 by Associated Press

Prosecutors at President Donald Trump's impeachment trial are using footage of the rally he headlined ahead of the riot on the Capitol to argue he incited the crowd.