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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums'You can't make this up!': Senate erupts in laughter when Adam Schiff reveals DOJ lawyers
just completely contradicted Trumps impeachment defense
Published 1 min ago on January 30, 2020
By Cody Fenwick, AlterNet- Commentary
To defend against Democratic allegations of an illicit cover-up, President Donald Trumps lawyers have argued fervently that the second article of impeachment in the Senate trial charging him with obstructing Congress is completely unwarranted. Instead of charging Trump with obstructing Congress, theyve argued, Democrats should have taken the president to court to enforce subpoenas of his aides and requests for documents.
But on Thursday, a Justice Department attorney who, ostensibly, works for the president completely contradicted this argument.
Theres long been a tension in the presidents impeachment defense and his administrations position in court, as many have pointed out. Trumps impeachment attorneys have argued that Congress shouldnt have charged Trump with obstructing their investigation but instead worked out disputes in the judicial branch. But when Congress has taken the administration to court to enforce its subpoenas, Justice Department attorneys have argued that judges cant resolve the dispute between the legislative branch and the executive.
Basically, combining these two arguments, Trumps lawyers are saying Congress should go to court to enforce its subpoenas, and then it should lose in court essentially implying that lawmakers should have no power at all to compel evidence from the executive branch. If this were true, the power of impeachment would essentially be nullified.
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/01/you-cant-make-this-up-senate-erupts-in-laughter-when-adam-schiff-reveals-doj-lawyers-just-completely-contradicted-trumps-impeachment-defense/
I would really like to know why a senator has not requested John Bolton to testify and hand that question to John Roberts ..................................
And Adam Schiff should be in the US Supreme Court.............for starters and then the rest of Democratic managers should be on the federal bench........................since they understood what the rules of laws are and the Constitution..............
Doremus
(7,261 posts)Schiff is brilliant.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)Just an honest person who sees what is going on and says so.
LisaM
(27,843 posts)that a lot of people just can't do. I admire him for it. I meander a lot when I talk.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)Timewas
(2,196 posts)Our entire constitution is being nullified
paleotn
(17,989 posts)According to Dershowtwits, * is more or less a monarch. And not in the British sense of the word. More like an autocratic Russian Czar. Taken his argument to its logical conclusion, * can do anything he wants and no one can do anything about it.
But, since the Constitution is now gutted, does that mean some regions can just go off and do our own thing, allowing red America to become some kind of Jesusland version of Guatemala?
rwsanders
(2,609 posts)remember "free speech zones" in the Bush era.
Corporations are people, and money is speech.
Surveillance of MLK rather than protection.
We are in a post-constitutional era. What that ultimately means... who knows?
saidsimplesimon
(7,888 posts)I reject nullification without a vote. If we surrender without a fight......
DEbluedude
(816 posts)TheRickles
(2,091 posts)"I would really like to know why a senator has not requested John Bolton to testify and hand that question to John Roberts." We would finally find out whether Roberts is going to be a man of integrity or a political appointee.
onethatcares
(16,192 posts)It would put the question into the record and make the clowns dance.
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,446 posts)but the Administration refuses to give Congress the information it requests, so..............
lastlib
(23,323 posts)Both cannot be true, and, as is the expected norm from the shitgibbon in chief, NEITHER is true.
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,446 posts)paleotn
(17,989 posts)Mopar151
(10,003 posts)Somehow, I don't think this is in the Constitution...
Proud Liberal Dem
(24,446 posts)I'm just trying to wrap my head around it
aggiesal
(8,937 posts)Last edited Fri Jan 31, 2020, 01:00 AM - Edit history (1)
documents and witnesses.
The WH says, "No, take us to court"
In court, the DOJ says, "The court can't enforce the subpoenas because
this is between Congress and the WH."
Court then asks, "If Congress can't enforce its subpoenas, what remedy is there?"
DOJ responds "Impeachment".
This completes the CIRCLE JERK.
PandoraAwakened
(905 posts)...minus the "circle jerk" descriptor, of course, which he definitely implied without having to say it, LOL!
Good summation!
patphil
(6,230 posts)Perfect example of Catch 22.
maxsolomon
(33,432 posts)It's 100% wrong on both sides of the issue, so of course it will prevail.
America = Fucked.
DeminPennswoods
(15,290 posts)nt
Mersky
(4,986 posts)brettdale
(12,385 posts)Of the laughter?
aggiesal
(8,937 posts)pangaia
(24,324 posts)Hassler
(3,393 posts)raging moderate
(4,311 posts)He is magnificent.
NoMoreRepugs
(9,481 posts)is laughable - until you consider how its destroying our country.