DemDaily: Making The Case. Trial Day Two
January 23, 2020
Yesterday kicked off three days of opening arguments by impeachment managers and the President's legal defense team in the impeachment trial of President Donald J. Trump.
Day One
The organizing resolution, or rules governing the impeachment trial, were adopted Tuesday night at 2:00am, following 13 hours of debate on day-one of the historic proceedings.
|
The trial follows the December 18, 2019 impeachment of President Trump by the US House of Representatives, on Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress. It is now up to the US Senate to conduct a trial, resulting in a conviction and removal of the President from office, or acquittal.
|
Lead House Manager Adam Schiff (D-CA) (Senate TV)
The approved rules call for each side to receive up to 24 hours to argue their case, spread over three days, starting with the House Managers. Further debate and votes on whether to call witnesses are postponed until after the completion of presentations.
Day Two
On Wednesday, House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA), who spoke eloquently and decisively, led the close to nine hours of oral arguments by the seven House Impeachment Managers, walking through in detail the facts of the case against Trump.
Abuse of Power: Trump pressured a foreign country to interfere in our election on his behalf, risking our national security in the process. That is a violation of his constitutional oath and an impeachable offense.
(MSNBC)
* Ambassador Sondland, who "followed the president's orders," told Ukraine the military aid they had been promised would not be released, and they would not get the White House meeting they sought, until they announced the investigations Trump wanted.
* Former Ambassador Bill Taylor told investigators that Trump made the release of military aid contingent upon Ukraine announcing those investigations, and called that demand "crazy."
| "The facts before us are not in dispute.There are no close calls. The evidence shows that President Trump unlawfully withheld military assistance appropriated by Congress to aid our ally, in order to extort their government into helping him with his reelection. Then tried to cover it up when he got caught." -- House Manager and Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler (D-NY) |
Obstruction of Congress: Trump impeded a congressional investigation. He defied lawful subpoenas, blocked key witnesses, and directed government agencies to withhold documents.
* Congress made 71 specific requests or demands for documents - not a single one was turned over.
(MSNBC)
* Trump was impeached because of overwhelming and irrefutable evidence that Trump abused his power and obstructed Congress.
Throughout the presentation Managers utilized exhibits of documents and televised testimony of other witnesses and experts from the House hearings to underscore their case. In addition to that of administration, foreign service and security council officials, were clips of Trump's own self-damaging words.
Schiff also attempted to appeal to the honor and duty of all Senators present who have sworn to "do impartial justice " in casting their votes.
| "With the weight of history upon you, and as President Kennedy once said, 'With a good conscience our only sure reward.'" -- House Manager and Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff |
Next Up
The trial continues today, Thursday, January 23rd at 1:00pm ET. Democrats are expected to focus on the Article 1 charge of Abuse of Power.
DemList will keep you informed.
DemDaily: In Defense of the Constitution. The Impeachment of Donald J. Trump 12/18/19
DemList
Connecting you to The Party
Connecting you to Each Other
Kimberly Scott
Publisher
Support DemList!
Sign Up for the Daily updates on the issues, politics and the players
Sources: NPR, Washington Post, DNC, C-Span
