Democrats Demand Trump Testify At Senate Impeachment Trial

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Rusty Weiss

House impeachment managers sent a letter to Donald Trump strongly suggesting the former president testify at the Senate impeachment trial.

The trial, slated to begin on Tuesday of next week, involves a charge from the House that Trump incited a mob of supporters who stormed the Capitol on January 6th.

A formal response from Trump’s lawyers “denied” that he “ever engaged in a violation of his oath of office,” and instead he, “at all times acted to the best of his ability to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Lead impeachment manager Jamie Raskin (D-MD) essentially defied Trump to prove his innocence in his own words.

“In light of your disputing these factual allegations, I write to invite you to provide testimony under oath, either before or during the Senate impeachment trial, concerning your conduct on January 6, 2021,” Raskin wrote.

The Democrat then argued that not testifying would be used against him.

“If you decline this invitation, we reserve any and all rights, including the right to establish at trial that your refusal to testify supports a strong adverse inference regarding your actions (and inaction) on January 6, 2021,” added Raskin.

5) Impeachment mgrs: “If you decline this invitation, we reserve any and all rights, including the right to establish at trial that your refusal to testify supports a strong adverse inference regarding your actions (and inaction) on January 6, 2021.”

— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) February 4, 2021

Lindsey Graham – Not Likely Trump Will Testify at Impeachment Trial

Forbes reporter Andrew Solender tweeted a response from Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in which he dismissed Raskin’s demand as little more than a “political ploy.”

“I don’t think that would be in anybody’s interest,” Graham said according to Solender, adding that it would be a “nightmare for the country.”

“This is just a political showboat move. They didn’t call him in the House,” Graham pointed out.

Raskin’s letter attempts to argue that there is precedent for Presidents testifying at their impeachment trial.

“Presidents Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton both provided testimony while in office—and the Supreme Court held just last year that you were not immune from legal process while serving as President—so there is no doubt that you can testify in these proceedings,” he said.

Raskin is seemingly unaware that Trump is no longer the President.

Solender reports that Graham spoke to the former President a couple of days ago and he’s in “pretty good spirits, trying to get adjusted to his new life.”

Lindsey Graham says Dems asking Trump to testify is a “political ploy,” per Hill pool. “I don’t think that would be in anybody’s interest,” he says, calling it a “nightmare for the country” and predicting Trump won’t do it.

— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) February 4, 2021

A Political Ploy

Raskin’s letter is rich, not only with political ploys but with irony. Tremendously thick irony, at that.

The Maryland Democrat is “guilty” of the very same thing he is tasked with proving is a high crime and misdemeanor in Trump’s impeachment trial.

Raskin objected to the certification of Florida’s electoral votes in 2017. In fact, House Democrats tried objecting to the certification of electoral votes for Donald Trump that year on 11 separate occasions.

Lead impeachment manager Jamie Raskin objected to Florida’s electoral votes in 2017. pic.twitter.com/FsLvJLvA8v

— Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) January 13, 2021

One could argue, using the Democrat party’s own standard today, that the constant insistence that Trump didn’t really win the election in 2016 led to an incitement of violence on inauguration day.

House managers do not have independent authority to subpoena Trump so they must invite him to make his case.

The Senate, according to the New York Post, could subpoena him with a simple majority.

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Judge Orders Hunter Biden To Appear For Sworn Testimony

Posted on February 28, 2020 by LifeZette

Hunter Biden got some very bad news this week when an Arkansas judge ordered him to appear in person next month to testify in a paternity lawsuit filed by his baby mama Lunden Alexis Roberts, a former stripper.

Circuit Judge Holly Meyer ordered Biden to appear in person for a deposition after he tried to argue that he would be unavailable to do so until April, according to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Meyer, however, was not having any of it.

“He needs to make himself available and unless his hair is on fire, he needs to be in Arkansas and he needs to be in a deposition,” she told the lawyers representing the two feuding parties on a recent phone call.

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Biden initially denied that he was the father of Roberts’ child, but a paternity test then proved he was indeed the father back in January. The current legal battle is over child support, which Biden claims he can’t pay because he is unemployed.

Clint Lancaster, Roberts’ lawyer, had sought to depose Biden before March 13, but his lawyer Brent Langdon claimed that he would not be available until April 1. Meyer found this hard to believe, given the fact that Biden doesn’t have a job.

“My question to you is, why could your client not be available until after April 1? All the information I have is that he’s unemployed,” she said.

Langdon would not elaborate on what supposedly is keeping Biden so busy.

Democrats reportedly fear that Biden testifying could further damage his father Joe Biden’s presidential campaign, which is already struggling enough as it is, according to The Blaze. When he testifies in court, Biden could be forced to reveal all about his business dealings in Ukraine, which came under heavy scrutiny in the impeachment investigation of President Donald Trump.

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Meyer had previously ordered Biden to appear in court in January, when it was alleged that he was improperly withholding financial records. She told him at the time to “show cause, if any exists, as to why he should not be held in contempt for any of the alleged violations of this Court’s orders.”

We’re glad to see that Meyer is forcing Biden to testify next month. The Biden family is as crooked as they come, and the American people deserve to know the truth about what they have really been up to all these years.

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

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Brad Pitt’s Anti-Trump Oscar Speech: 45 Seconds is ‘More Than the Senate Gave John Bolton’

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Guest Author

Right on cue, Hollywood liberal Brad Pitt made his Oscar acceptance speech political last night when he bashed the U.S. Senate for not having John Bolton as a witness during the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.

Pitt was accepting the award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” when the 56-year-old actor decided to make his speech overtly political.

#Oscars Moment: Brad Pitt wins Best Supporting Actor for @OnceInHollywood pic.twitter.com/TSGjMB3v8P

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 10, 2020

Brad Pitt: "They told me I only have 45 seconds up here, which is 45 seconds more than the Senate gave John Bolton this week. I'm thinking maybe Quentin does a movie about it. In the end, the adults do the right thing." #Oscars

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 10, 2020

Pitt Couldn’t Resist Letting His Left Flag Fly

“They told me I only have 45 seconds up here, which is 45 seconds more than the Senate gave John Bolton this week,” Pitt said.

“I’m thinking maybe Quentin does a movie about it. In the end, the adults do the right thing,” he added.

Pitt thanked Tarantino and also his co-star Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as the actors and directors who helped him throughout his successful career, including Geena Davis who co-starred with him in the 1991 film “Thelma & Louise.”

Pitt Had Been Working with Obama and Clinton Speechwriters on His Oscars Acceptance Speech

Vulture reported last week that Pitt had collaborated with former Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton speech writers to help write his acceptance speeches this year.

This was recognized on Twitter again Sunday night.

I wonder where Brad Pitt got his line about John Bolton… pic.twitter.com/QT9MUzE9pd

— James Hasson (@JamesHasson20) February 10, 2020

In case you thought Brad Pitt really was that interested in John Bolton’s testimony. https://t.co/5BWE4cs5YS

— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) February 10, 2020

Some on social media also had fun with Pitt’s remarks.

“Imagine telling someone in 2005 that Brad Pitt would shout out John Bolton during his Oscar speech,” tweeted Republican activist Matt Gorman.

Imagine telling someone in 2005 that Brad Pitt would shout out John Bolton during his Oscar speech

— Matt Gorman (@mattsgorman) February 10, 2020

Conservative talk host Larry Elder tweeted, “Brad Pitt, winner of Best Supporting Actor, and made a crack about John Bolton not testifying before the Senate during the Trump impeachment trial. Apparently, Pitt is unaware that Bolton has REFUSED to testify without a subpoena.”

Brad Pitt, winner of Best Supporting Actor, and made a crack about John Bolton not testifying before the Senate during the Trump impeachment trial. Apparently, Pitt is unaware that Bolton has REFUSED to testify without a subpoena.#Oscars2020

— Larry Elder (@larryelder) February 10, 2020

Typical Hollywood Liberal Garbage

Believe it or not, this was Pitt’s first Oscar win for acting and yet he couldn’t resist going straight to politics with his John Bolton line. Many in Hollywood can’t understand why so many Americans tune out the pomposity and arrogance of activist celebrities, and yet Pitt lived up to that stereotype perfectly on Sunday night.

Brad Pitt wonders who John Bolton didn’t testify during the impeachment trial. We wonder how many Americans changed the channel when he started his childish rant?

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Rand Paul to Trump: Revoke John Bolton’s Security Clearance

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Guest Author

On Saturday, Republican Senator Rand Paul recommended that President Trump remove the security clearance of former national security adviser John Bolton.

‘No one… should be able to use their security clearance for profit!’

Paul tweeted, “No one, especially not John Bolton, should be able to use their security clearance for profit! I say revoke his clearance now ⁦@realDonaldTrump.”

No one, especially not John Bolton, should be able to use their security clearance for profit! I say revoke his clearance now ⁦@realDonaldTrump⁩ https://t.co/nH0qyrwEYe

— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) February 1, 2020

The senator’s tweet was accompanied by a RealClearPolitics article that analyzed how Bolton’s security clearance could be at risk once the impeachment trial is over. The article cites two anonymous government officials saying that the removal of Bolton’s clearance is an “almost certainty.”

Paul a Harsh Critic of Bolton

Paul has been a harsh critic of Bolton’s foreign policy ideas, which he believes go against Trump’s “America First” foreign policy, in which the U.S. is no longer the policemen of the world. Paul has called Bolton’s foreign policy agenda “naive,” and blasted the former ambassador in a witty tweet a few days ago.

“Why didn’t John Bolton testify to the US House? Apparently his book wasn’t quite finished yet for presales!” Paul tweeted Monday.

Why didn’t John Bolton testify to the US House? Apparently his book wasn’t quite finished yet for presales!

— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 27, 2020

Many believe Bolton’s book contains damaging information that could hurt President Trump. The book is currently only a manuscript, and Bolton reportedly received a $2 million advance.

President Trump has referred to the book as “nasty” and “untrue.”

….many more mistakes of judgement, gets fired because frankly, if I listened to him, we would be in World War Six by now, and goes out and IMMEDIATELY writes a nasty & untrue book. All Classified National Security. Who would do this?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2020

Trump Could End Up Agreeing with Paul

Is John Bolton, the Democrats new hero, some sort of truth teller? Or is he smearing President Trump to make a buck as Sen. Paul alleges? $2 million is a lot of bucks.

Either way, someone who is a former national security adviser probably shouldn’t have national security clearance. It wouldn’t be surprising if President Trump ends up agreeing with Rand Paul on this issue.

The post Rand Paul to Trump: Revoke John Bolton’s Security Clearance appeared first on The Political Insider.

Trump Blasts Bolton Over ‘Nasty’ and ‘Untrue’ Book

Posted on January 29, 2020 by Guest Author

On Wednesday, President Trump blasted John Bolton, calling his former national security adviser’s upcoming book that reportedly reveals details about the Ukraine affair at the center of the president’s impeachment “nasty” and “untrue.”

Trump said Bolton “begged” him for a job and that his former top aide made “mistakes of judgment” during his time at the White House, citing a television appearance in April 2018 in which Bolton said the administration was considering the “Libya model” for North Korea regarding negotiations over halting nuclear weapons development.

‘If I listened to him, we would be in World War Six by now’

Trump said Bolton was “fired because, frankly, if I listened to him, we would be in World War Six by now.”

Trump wondered why Bolton would write a book about his tenure “IMMEDIATELY” after his firing, calling it “nasty & untrue.”

For a guy who couldn’t get approved for the Ambassador to the U.N. years ago, couldn’t get approved for anything since, “begged” me for a non Senate approved job, which I gave him despite many saying “Don’t do it, sir,” takes the job, mistakenly says “Libyan Model” on T.V., and..

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2020

….many more mistakes of judgement, gets fired because frankly, if I listened to him, we would be in World War Six by now, and goes out and IMMEDIATELY writes a nasty & untrue book. All Classified National Security. Who would do this?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2020

These tweets come in the wake of a report by The New York Times that Bolton wrote in his upcoming book that Trump told him he wanted to continue to suspend U.S. aid to Ukraine until the country agreed to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden.

Trump has repeatedly denied Bolton’s accusation, as have allies of the president who continue to question Bolton’s credibility and motives.

Will Bolton Take the Stand?

Bolton’s revelations have had an impact on the ongoing Senate impeachment trial, raising pressure on Republicans to support calling him as a witness, something the White House would like to avoid.

The Hill reports, “The excerpt contradicts a key part of Trump’s defense — namely that he never tied security assistance for Ukraine to investigations, something House impeachment managers have alleged.”

“Trump’s defense attorneys addressed the issue during their opening arguments on Monday and Tuesday, with the president’s personal attorney Jay Sekulow citing Trump’s denial and urging senators to disregard the reported details of the manuscript by calling it ‘inadmissible,” noted The Hill. “Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz also argued Monday evening that even if Bolton’s reported account were true, the allegations would not rise to the level of an impeachable offense.”

Trump to GOP: Don’t Get Played By Democrats

Trump tweeted about Bolton and the impeachment trial a few times late night on Tuesday and into Wednesday morning.

“Why didn’t John Bolton complain about this ‘nonsense’ a long time ago, when he was very publicly terminated. He said, not that it matters, NOTHING!” Trump wrote.

Why didn’t John Bolton complain about this “nonsense” a long time ago, when he was very publicly terminated. He said, not that it matters, NOTHING!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2020

Trump continued, “Remember Republicans, the Democrats already had 17 witnesses, we were given NONE! Witnesses are up to the House, not up to the Senate,” the president tweeted. “Don’t let the Dems play you!”

Remember Republicans, the Democrats already had 17 witnesses, we were given NONE! Witnesses are up to the House, not up to the Senate. Don’t let the Dems play you!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2020

Will Republicans let the Dems “play” them?

Stay tuned.

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