The morning opened with the news that Trump, after strike that killed Soleimani told associates he was under pressure to deal with Soleimani from GOP senators he views as important supporters in his coming impeachment trial in the Senate
In other words, Trump was:
- Making foreign policy decisions based on personal benefit, and
- Ordering a military strike to please the Senators who will be voting on his impeachment.
It was a quid pro quo for corrupt purposes—exactly what he was impeached for. Of course, it was also simple blame-shifting. As soon as the Iran fiasco turned out to be a blunder, he looked to blame someone else.
Next came the news that Pelosi is prepared to introduce a resolution next week to appoint managers and transmit Articles of Impeachment to the Senate.
If you want to know her strategy and goal these past few weeks, Schumer laid it all out.
“I understand why McConnell is so frustrated,” Schumer said. “If the Speaker had sent the Article of Impeachment over to the Senate immediately. . . Senate Republicans could have moved to dismiss the articles. There was a lot of talk about that. . .”
“There wouldn’t have even been a cursory trial,” Schumer said. “They might even have tried to dismiss the whole articles before Christmas.” Instead, over the past few weeks, McConnell was prevented from doing that.
Schumer says he and Pelosi have been focused on one thing: Getting a fair trial—by which he means a trial with witnesses and documents. Because McConnell was unable to “stampede through a trial over Christmas” the country has focussed on witnesses and documents.
During the three-week delay, additional disclosures of evidence have come to light, further incriminating the president and bolstering the argument for a fair trial.
Now GOP senators understand that a “truncated trial will play badly at home.”
McConnell understands this, so now he doesn’t say “no witnesses.” He says “we will decide later.”
“We all know McConnell has no interest in witnesses and documents,” Schumer said. The Democrats intend to keep pressuring for witnesses and documents. “Just the facts,” Schumer says.
The delay allowed this message to gain traction:
Instead of waiting many months for the courts to decide whether witnesses must obey subpoenas, the House opted to call these witnesses at a trial. Everyone knows that’s what trials are for.
I discussed this strategy in depth a few weeks ago.
Moreover, during the past three weeks, Trump made some serious blunders [Understatement!] like the whole Iran fiasco, failing to brief the Senate, and so forth.
Also over the past three weeks, Trump’s approval on the 538 aggregate slipped. Trump was at 43.4% approval – 52.1% disapproval on the day he was impeached; he’s at 41.9% approval – 53.4% disapproval today.
Yes, it matters. Senators are elected officials.
Interesting note about Pelosi’s timing. She says she will introduce a Resolution next week. There will be vote. Then she’ll appoint managers. The Senate is schedule for a recess and a holiday.
It seems the trial can’t start until the last week of January. This means Trump may end up giving his State of the Union Address during his Senate Impeachment trial.
Hmm. I wonder if Pelosi—who knows how to get under Trump’s skin—considered that.
Also notice how the two Articles dovetail with the House strategy, and play off each other. If Trump blocks witnesses and testimony in the trial, he proves the case for Article II, Obstruction of Congress. The Republicans will probably still acquit, but they’ll look absurd.
Not long after this announcement, Sen. Susan Collins said she and a modest group of Republican senators are working together in an effort to allow witnesses at the Senate trial. Collins refused to provide any more info, but said, “We should be completely open to calling witnesses.”
Knowing Collins, we’ll see, right?
What you can do: Find your Senator’s offices (they keep multiple office all throughout your state) and call them daily! Main Capital Switchboard: (202)224-3121 and ask to speak to your Senators. For more information, click here.
I do believe that the Senate Republicans are feeling some pressure. As I’ve been arguing, they’re in a “damned if they do, damned if they don’t” situation. Refuse to hear witnesses, and appear to be helping Trump cover up. Hear witnesses, and expose Trump’s crimes in a trial.
