Monday, February 3, 2020

And the corrupt GOP will back him every step of the way. This is how dictators are born.


.“I don't think we're in danger of the impeachment process becoming routine. I think we're in much greater danger of making the impeachment process moot.”


“It’s Payback Time”: with acquittal certain, Trump plots revenge, reportedly wants Bolton to be criminally investigated. “He has an enemies list that is growing by the day.”


As I predicted. Bolton blew his one shot. Unless the manuscript leaks before the vote, he’s fucked and Trump will likely use Barr to put him in prison. just a reminder that knowing about grand strategy doesn’t mean you know about political strategy.


Every woman has the right to basic reproductive health care – yet Republicans are trying to trample over this long-standing constitutional and moral right. With @PPact by our side, we will continue fighting the GOP's radical anti-woman agenda. -NP #CA12


Joke


Opinion: Senate Republicans just paved the road to American authoritarianism


Lamar Alexander: 'Mistake' for Trump to Peddle Russian Propaganda by Mentioning CrowdStrike


NEW: Andrey Kukushkin, indicted for allegedly funneling Russian money to officials, was set to partner w/the V.A. on cannabis research just before he was charged. The chair for several of DoD's med research programs was in loop, raising natsec concerns.


'It's very sad': A viral video uses slices of pie to show how $98 trillion of American wealth is actually distributed


NEW: We receivedJared Kushner's FBI 302 from the Mueller investigation. IT'S ALMOST ENTIRELY REDACTED


No witnesses, no fair trial. No fair trial, no exoneration. The truth will come out


Schiff's closing argument in the Trump impeachment trial was one for the ages. Would not surprise me if it's taught someday as the seminal opposition speech from this era in presidential (and Republican party) history.


House Democrats and Donald Trump’s legal team made their final pitches to a Republican-controlled Senate that has all but decided the president will be acquitted


“The Senator from Kentucky is now working for Vladimir Putin”


DEVELOPING: Two people were killed and a third person was injured in a shooting at a residence hall at Texas A&M University-Commerce, authorities say.


Axios says that recent events have filled Trump and top advisors with feeling of total "invincibility", even rethinking holding G7 at Doral


Jared Kushner’s incompetence is surpassed only by his arrogance,


“What has changed? The short answer is: we have changed... For reasons as varied as the stars, the members of this body and ours are now far more accepting of the most serious misconduct of a president as long as it is a president of ones own party.”


“President Donald Trump has proven to be unfit for the office he occupies. He abused his powers and continues to engage in a cover-up.” —Senator


A D.C.-based organization made false claims today regarding voter registration information in eight Iowa counties. Official data compiled by the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office, as well as the @uscensusbureau shows this information is false


SPOTTED: “TRUMP DID IT. SHAME ON YOU LAMAR.” Hanging above the highway named after @SenAlexander in East Tennessee


Notably absent from the White House lawyers' speeches: reference to the Bidens. Striking omission from legal Team Trump, given the temperature of the House and Senate GOP.


Rush Limbaugh says he has advanced lung cancer


SCOOP: Deputy secretary of Veterans Affairs James Byrne was fired Monday morning, three Trump administration officials tell @axios. The White House confirmed that Byrne is no longer with the administration


“The facts are clear and so is the Constitution. The only question is what you in the Senate will do... Your oath is not to do the easy thing. It is to do impartial justice. It requires conviction and removal of President Trump.” - @RepZoeLofgren


Video of Trump goofing around during National Anthem before the Super Bowl was "included in an Instagram story by a real estate agent for a Russian-American firm who frequents Mar-a-Lago and other Trump properties and events."


Every American should watch this. At midnight on Friday, DOJ sent an email telling the court they would not turn over relevant evidence in the impeachment trial of Donald Trump. @RepAdamSchiff on the Senate's miscarriage of justice:


History will not be kind to Donald Trump. Because truth matters. Right matters. And decency matters. It may be midnight in Washington, but the sun will rise again. I put my faith in the optimism of our Founders. You should too.


Some notes from inside the chamber as Schiff closed out: —Dem senators lined up one by one to shake Schiff’s hand. Schumer gave him a big bear hug and slapped his back so hard it sounded like someone clapped inside the chamber.


This ad is devastating. It’s what Democrats have to learn—it was shot by a Republican anti-Trump group, the Lincoln Project. Democrats are too nice and it’s a deficit when your country is under attack. Do they suffer from low testosterone?


Rallies are set to take place across the country on Wednesday to protest the expected impeachment acquittal of Trump by the Senate. From Miami and New York to Los Angeles & Seattle, 'Reject the Cover-Up' protests will stretch to all four corners of the US.


FULL SPEECH: "If you find that the House has proved its case and still vote to acquit, your name will be tied to his with a cord of steel — and for all of history."


This thread, on the power of propaganda and media silos. What's powerful is: without real information, we never need to confront the lies we wrap ourselves in to absolve us from responsibility. This same media silo is where Trump party senators live.


Ken Starr genuinely thinks he is an American hero and statesman, doesn’t he? Citing MLK in breathy tones. Spare us all.


Dr Jill Biden lamented Sen. Lindsey Graham's shift from a onetime friend of the family to one of President Trump's top attack dogs


Schiff says some of his staff have endured attacks to the point they feel like their lives have been put at risk


Russian Firm Sues Over French Far-Right Leader’s $11M Loan. Aviazapchast, including its sole shareholder Valery Zakharenkov, reportedly has links to Russian intelligence services.


Susan Collins’ Campaign Is Being Helped by a Mysterious Hawaii Company


Multiple Republicans agree: Trump's guilty, but it doesn't matter


Stephen King quits Facebook over "flood of false information" and privacy concerns


Just asked Lisa Murkowski if she agreed with Lamar Alexander that Trump’s conduct was inappropriate, she said: “I would concur.” She also said “yes” she made up her mind on whether to acquit but declined to comment


WATCH LIVE | Impeachment trial of President Trump continues in Senate

NOW




Closing arguments will begin Feb. 3 after the Senate rejected a measure to call witnesses in President Trump’s impeachment trial on Jan. 31. The trial will be the first in U.S. history without witnesses. Senators plan to vote two days later on the impeachment charges against Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Democrats had been pushing to call former national security adviser John Bolton and other officials who declined to participate in the House proceedings that led to Trump’s impeachment. But most GOP senators, led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), rallied to the president’s defense and said he should not be removed from office. Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives in December. The crux of the case for his impeachment is the allegation that he withheld military aid and a White House meeting to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden and his son. Hunter Biden served on the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company, while his father was vice president.

Senate Impeachment Trial this week


Hannity asked Trump about the coronavirus. Trump replied "We've pretty much shut it down." How? In 2018 Trump fired the gov's pandemic response team. Cut the global disease-fighting budgets of the CDC, NSC, DHS, & HHS. And eliminated the gov’s $30M Complex Crises Fund.


“Several Republicans acknowledged that the president did use nearly $400 million in military aid to Ukraine as leverage to benefit himself politically, calling it inappropriate, but argued it wasn’t grounds to oust him from office.”


Trump Impeachment Trial Heads Into Closing Arguments


The parallels…. No 10 journalists staged a walkout of a briefing after gov officials tried to ban reporters from select publications…


• Video of him speaking at an anti-America socialist rally • Video of him saying JFK made him want to hurl • Video of him shirtless singing in a Russian basement His nuance doesn’t matter; this is the brand reality the GOP is waiting to exploit. No candidate survives that.


Greta Thunberg nominated for Nobel Peace Prize | TheHill. she has galvanized a movement around the world to wake people up to climate change is real those of us who love our earth love honor this magnificent young woman brava


Law firm representing Rudy Giuliani beset by sordid allegations, partner exodus Pierce Bainbridge Beck Price & Hecht was sued by an ousted partner last May, setting in motion a vitriolic legal battle.


A law firm representing Rudy Giuliani in the Ukraine affair is locked in a bitter court battle with a former partner that has revealed allegations of financial misconduct, sexual assault and office masturbation.


Trump Embarrasses Himself Whining About Impeachment In Super Bowl Interview


The defining challenge of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's second term is to prove that his government, which has made fighting climate change central to its brand, can make good on its promises without making more enemies


Going to say this until blue in the face: If @BernieSanders is the Democratic nominee, it means the 2020 election will become a referendum on socialism, instead of what it should be, which is a referendum on @realDonaldTrump. ... and Trump likely wins in that case.


For the first time, you can search and explore a central collection of information about clergy members who have been deemed “credibly accused” of sexual abuse by leaders of U.S. dioceses and religious orders.


Is this who we are now?


Mike Bloomberg hits us with the second political ad of the #SuperBowl


Many people are saying Donald Trump is a Russian money launderer.


Damn good ad.


Senators should have insisted on a fair trial with documents and witnesses. They chose not to. Some argue, let the election decide — But that argument is unpersuasive when the President is trying to cheat in 2020.


Senators will hear closing arguments Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, then hold two days of debate before voting for an all-but-guaranteed acquittal


The Trump family came in to the White House and immediately started figuring out ways to line their pockets with taxpayer dollars. Please share this video from @bravenewfilms that separates the propaganda from reality


Disgusting — Trump Allows Asbestos to Return Under New EPA Policy


I’m a bit late, but it’s pretty incredible that zero percent of Warren supporters said they wouldn’t support the nominee if it wasn’t her. It’s a testament to the unifying nature of her candidacy.


Justice Department Accused of Abusing Process to Extend Statute of Limitations Agency improperly requested foreign evidence to bring fraud cases, former prosecutor claims


12 States Where Democrats Could Flip the Senate This November, Republicans are in danger of losing seats across the land—especially in Arizona, Colorado, and Georgia


Justice Clarence Thomas questions proposal to bar judges from membership in Federalist Society and American Constitution Society


If you want to understand how much the GOP lives in fear of its voters, this sums it up. The Iowa GOP still won’t disavow Steve King. ⁦@tripgabriel⁩ and I on the other side of Iowa.


“Yang’s comment is notable in light of former President Geral Ford’s decision to pardon disgraced President Richard Nixon in 1974 – a move that is believed to have led to Ford’s loss when he ran to stay remain in the Oval Office.” Yellno on Yang.


Goldman downgrades Exxon to 'sell', slashes returns outlook


Public lands are a critical part of our way of life—and Washington needs to listen to Coloradans who refuse to have them sold out to the highest bidder.


This is how empires fall: Crumbling US senate echoes Roman collapse


Trump is not smart enough, not experienced enough, not aware enough to do X, Y, or Z. When does this lame excuse stop? He's been president for 3 years ! If he can't do the elementary things expected of a president, maybe he shouldn't be president? Go back to tv. Just a thought.


Trump is the smallest man to ever occupy the presidency


"Democratic primary voters have a net-positive impression of socialism ... But key general-election groups like independents (-45 net rating), suburban voters and swing-state voters have a much more negative impression of socialism." Translation: Bernie's Gonna Lose


This was better than all the Super Bowl commercials put together.


Got home today to find that ⁦@DevinNunes⁩ is trying to raise money off of me by mail in addition to email now. This is while he’s still suing me for $400 million!


SCOOP: Arron Banks’ Twitter leak spills secrets on Julian Assange, Steve Bannon, Nigel Farage, and Cambridge Analytica


When you see Donald Trump making fun of Mike Bloomberg's height, remember this...


In an angry America, a new remedy emerges: Compassion


Letter co-signed by #CNP top leadership urged Senate to forego witnesses.


Lol!!!


“They lie but I refuse to give any information or testimony that proves they’re lying” is the Trumpiest take ever.


Hadn't heard this before. Trump once claimed that, before choosing Alexander Acosta to be his Secretary of Labor, he'd worried that he was related to the CNN reporter Jim Acosta, so he told his staff, "Do me a favor—go back and check the family tree.


If Biden wins, they’ll be a Dem House and a Dem Senate. Good luck with your silly “impeachment” threats.


Hey @SenJoniErnst, I was there. Obama was discussing further reductions in nuclear weapons. That's PUBLIC policy -- advancing American national interests. Trump was discussing his reelection. That's PRIVATE policy, advancing Trump's personal interests. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.


That’s why you just took Medicaid away from the “least” among us. After the election — you’ll turn Medicare into block grants too. And after the election, the sleaze-ball Judge you appointed — will abolish the Affordable Care Act.


I need your help to defeat Republican Jim Jordan in November. Jim Jordan is part of the Trump defense team. Don’t give him a free walk to re-election. Retweet this and spread the word about our campaign. Together we can flip this seat.


Brian Kilmeade says there was a "controversy" at the Super Bowl halftime show where "they have kids that look like they were in cages, and a lot of people thought, is this something going after the administration?"

HeHeHe

.@AndrewYang hired Tad Devine. Devine worked w/ Manafort in Ukraine propping-up Putin backed candidates, including a president who “locked up” his top political rival, which Manafort tried to justify. Devine was a witness for Manafort in his trial, praised him & Yanukovych.


THIS is the TV ad America needs to see during the Super Bowl. From the true genius that is @billmaher @RealTimers . Hey, Michael Bloomberg, let’s run this ad! Drive Trump out of his freaking mind.


“It is the light of missile”: Leaked recording suggests Iran knew missile hit Ukraine jet as it happened


Part of his rally stump speech is making fun of Biden for not knowing where he is and noting that “when you do that, you can’t really recover."


I want to buy this gentleman a beer. 🍺 He doesn’t take any crap from an ignorant, belligerent Trump cultist: “Do you live in a cave, lady?”


#RussiaInvadedUkraine in 2014. In 2016, Hillary Clinton was the strongest advocate of robust US policy to support defender Ukraine. That’s why Putin backed Trump, Stein and Sanders. Joe Biden is a true friend of Ukraine. That’s why in 2020 Putin backs Trump, Gabbard and Sanders.


I’m old enough to remember when trump didn’t know he was president of Puerto Rico.


Good morning. Per Mitch McConnell's resolution, closing arguments in the Senate start at 11AM ET today (Monday). Then, the final vote is Wednesday at 4PM ET.


Thailand Sees Good Result from Using Drug Mixture on Coronavirus


Opinion: If business leaders are serious about doing good, they can start by paying their taxes


An epitaph for the Republican Party in the time of Trump.


US Senators up for reelection in 2020 & their challengers Mitch McConnell @AmyMcGrathKY Lindsey Graham@harrisonjaime Susan Collins@SaraGideon Cory Gardner@Hickenlooper Martha McSally @CaptMarkKelly Joni Ernst@GreenfieldIowa John Cornyn@mjhegar


Adam Schiff should move for a mistrial on Wednesday. Period.


Within the space of three frenetic days this week, a trio of high profile events will unfold with the capacity to shake Washington and influence the course of November's election


Kate McKinnon broke Lindsey Graham last night


Trump spent $10 million on a commercial for tonight’s #SuperBowl. We fixed it for him


The following is undeniably in the public's best interest to know and understand. There is nothing more fundamental to our nation's existence than election integrity. List of subcontractors utilized by voting systems manufacturer ES&S, as per their own submitted documentation


So it’s cool when Trump does it but not when a soft drink company does? Why would you suddenly find your bearings over an ad when you’ve been preaching moral relativism over a president for years? What a joke.


Iran not sharing evidence from airline crash with Ukraine after audio leak: Iran official


.@Lawrence O’Donnell notes the 49 Senators who lost the vote on impeachment witnesses represent 19 million more people than the 51 Senators who won. And neocon @BillKristol — of all people — says “for the time being ... We are all Democrats now.” This time the GOP went too far!


Their best defense is: “You need to understand, the President is a moron.”


Donald Trump Has Never Explained a Mysterious $50 Million Loan. Is It Evidence of Tax Fraud?


“No American president before Trump would have dared to collaborate openly with foreign countries for partisan advantage. Trump has done so repeatedly, starting in the summer of 2016 with Russia and then with China, Ukraine and perhaps unknown others.”


Virus worries wipe $420 billion off China's stock market


Obituary: Bernard Ebbers, convicted of orchestrating WorldCom fraud, dead at 78


Here's what we currently know about the coronavirus


After months of campaigning, the outcome of the Iowa caucuses could come down to spur-of-the-moment decisions


Joe Vandever Sr., a member of the top-secret Navajo Code Talker program that developed an unbreakable code language during World War II, has died, according to Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez


Shakira and Jennifer Lopez celebrate Latina heritage in joyful halftime show


The US has begun implementing new rules around travel from China as the coronavirus death toll creeps higher


Fearing virus, Hong Kong residents stock up on food, essentials


More people died of coronavirus than SARS in China mainland


"China opened its doors to the Jewish people during dark times and we didn't close it. I hope that Israel won't close the door to the Chinese," deputy chief of the Chinese mission says


Do not believe *anything* until the Kremlin denies it


I urge the people of Kansas and Missouri to think about this in November. He doesn’t know who you are. He doesn’t know where you live. He doesn’t know anything about you.


FOX NEWS POLL (Feb. 1, 2020) ------------------------- Bloomberg ..... 48% Trump ..............41%


Donald Trump said he was going to bring change to this country. He did. #SuperBowl


I thought the correct response to a congressional subpoena from now on is go fuck yourself


First time, got away with it. Second time, got caught, got impeached, then, got away with it. Sure, there definitely will NOT be a third time


One of the great villains of our time and he’s just hanging out watching the Super Bowl with his fourth wife


Can’t believe the Deep State put Kansas City in MISSOURI just to embarrass Trump.


Jail staff mocked a sick man and denied care as he begged for help, video shows. Days later, he was dead.


Had to look up the details about this. I'm now convinced that Ernst is even dumber than I thought she was. What is it about Republicans that they all feel compelled to publicly declare how badly informed they are?


Taylor Swift calls GOP Sen. Marsha Blackburn 'Trump in a wig' in new documentary


A friend sends me this pic, seen from a highway in the Heartland. My first thought: How unhappy your life must be that you climbed onto a barn and painted the name of a New York billionaire who, to this moment, you still don't realize doesn't give a shit about you.


NBC/WSJ poll: 2020 matchups Biden 50%, Trump 44% Sanders 49%, Trump 45% Warren 48%, Trump 45% Buttigieg 46%, Trump 45% When narrowed to 11 battlegrounds AZ CO FL ME MI MN NV NH NC PA WI Biden 49, Trump 44% Sanders 49%, Trump 46% Trump 49%, Warren 48%, Trump 47%, Buttigieg 46%


Two Ukrainian military personnel were killed and four wounded over the weekend in the Donbas conflict zone. More than 110 Ukrainian service members were killed in 2019. Photo: a pro-Russian fighter in a dugout near Staromykhailivka, Donetsk oblast.


"The Republican party is escalating its war on democracy as it aims to rule America, or ruin it," says David Rothkopf.


Man, look at that Yang number — 42% will NOT support the nominee if it’s not him???


Al-Qaeda's branch in Yemen claims responsibility for fatal shooting in December at U.S. naval base in Florida, but offers no evidence that it was tied to the attack in which aviation student from the Saudi Air Force killed three people.


The president's sons & campaign manager hanging out at the Super Bowl with Trump-linked lobbyist @JeffMillerCA2TX, who companies hire to try to win favorable treatment from the Trump administration. Recent clients have included Altria, Amazon, Apple & energy & pharmaceutical cos


I can’t stop thinking about the fact that Trump bought a Super Bowl ad to cast himself as the champion of black women prisoners. It’s mind boggling


Lindsey Graham was "in the loop" about efforts to get information on Bidens in Ukraine, Lev Parnas claims


News analysis: “Democrats argued that Kansas City is in Missouri. But they failed to convince Republicans that it is not in Kansas.”