Yesterday, the White House released their “memo” – not the transcript – on Donald Trump’s call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Like, this was the Trump White House’s version of events, and even their version was catastrophic and jaw-dropping. Trump fully and explicitly asked for Zelensky to provide him with a “favor”: working with Bill Barr and Rudy Giuliani on a Ukrainian investigation into Joe and Hunter Biden. Now the same whistleblower has said that the way the White House handled the record of the conversation is also an issue:
The intelligence officer who filed a whistle-blower complaint about President Trump’s interactions with the leader of Ukraine raised alarms not only about what the two men said in a phone call, but also about how the White House handled records of the conversation, according to two people briefed on the complaint. The whistle-blower, moreover, identified multiple White House officials as witnesses to potential presidential misconduct who could corroborate the complaint, the people said — adding that the inspector general for the intelligence community, Michael Atkinson, interviewed witnesses.
Mr. Atkinson eventually concluded that there was reason to believe that the president might have illegally solicited a foreign campaign contribution — and that his potential misconduct created a national security risk, according to a newly disclosed Justice Department memo.
This is just a reminder that Trump’s crimes were so flagrant that even his own White House record still implicated him in impeachable offenses. What will the real transcript of the phone call reveal and will we ever see it? In addition to all of that, ABC News reports that Zelensky’s administration knew that the Biden investigation was a precondition for even having a phone call with Donald Trump. As in, Trump would not even speak to Zelensky on the phone without an explicit promise to investigate (meaning “dirty up”) the Bidens.
Today, the acting director of national intelligence Joseph Maguire will testify before Congress in both open and closed sessions. Maguire apparently “threatened to resign” if the White House tried to force him to stonewall Congressional inquiries. Something to keep your eye on.
And if you have the stomach for it, here’s Donald Trump looking and acting guilty as sin yesterday:
Update: The Whistleblower’s letter has just been released. *grabs popcorn*
Whistleblower complaint: “In the course of my official duties, I have received information from multiple U.S. government officials that the President of the United States is using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2020 U.S. election” pic.twitter.com/Bx3YUN3Q2z
— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) September 26, 2019
Photos courtesy of Getty, Avalon Red.
The best parts of the day: he dragged Pence down into the pit with him and the the White House sent the GOP talking points email to Speaker Pelosi.
Yes! I had his press conference on in the background and had to do a double take.
I LOVED that they mistakenly sent their talking points to the Democrats!!! I mean, it’s just a clown car, right? A clown car on fire and destroying a nation, of course, but good Lord. The incompetence!
Also loved him dragging Pence into it. Any luck and he goes too, and then we have…President Pelosi. (I know, wishful thinking, the Republicans won’t let that happen).
Pence, Barr, they are all getting stuck in this mess!
They should have known how it would all end. Trump throws everyone under the bus eventually.
Not only did they send the talking points, then they tried to recall the email message. Like dudes, that NEVER works.
Melania as whistleblower??!!
She’s never there.
I think it’s either Bolton or Dan Coats.
Not only is he returning to his usual, deflect and try to return focus to Biden, like he did with Clinton, he’s essentially threatening the whistleblower here.
Between that and Guiliani on the news confirming, then denying, then confirming again…..and his base will still believe him.
Jesus Christ
The cultists will believe whatever he says at this point – will the GOP protect him now?
Crossing my fingers…
Do you guys really Joe has a chance? By the way Republicans act towards him, they clearly think Joe is a threat. I would not vote for him unless it was him against a Republican.
That’s actually irrelevant. This is Trump breaking laws and the focus needs to be on that. He is dragging Biden in as a distraction.
Excellent point! Yes, Grump (typo and I’m leaving it) finger pointing and always blaming someone else in an attempt to distract from his shabby, lying ass. After all the spineless support from his party, I’m shocked that this whistle-blower information got out. Can we please give her or him a parade?
I have been removing Joe from the equation and focusing only on the core – holding up taxpayer-funded, Congress-approved aid to a foreign country in exchange for information on a domestic political rival. Does not matter who the rival is.
Joe is the latest convenient distraction, just as they tried to sling as much mud at Hillary as they could during 2016, which distracted from real problems.
Polling of Biden vs trump and Bernie vs trump is much better than Warren vs Trump. This is why they are going after Biden so strongly….they want Warren as the nominee. Think about it.
He’s such an idiotic turd.
nothing will happen to Trump: he’ll face no consecuences for his actions and he’ll be reelected, just a hunch…
+1. I saw a Republican Congressperson told a reporter that if the vote were done in secret, at least 30 republicans would vote to impeach. That tells us everything we need to know about this. GOP members have chosen themselves and their party over this country time and time again. It’s not going to change now.
A defeatist attitude helps no one. If we go around treating this like no big deal, we are contributing to the environment that allows him to get away with it.
McConnell brought up the vote to allow the whistle blower complaint to be released, and all senate GOP members voted for it. That is shocking, and exceeds expectations. We must give people the space to make the right decision, and push back when they fail to live up to their obligations.
What is truly scary about this is the number of people who saw the memo and know the context leading up to it but still shrug and say “this is no big deal”. His base doesnt care if he runs with Putin as VP; those people are locked in for White Supremacy 2020.
Also: Remember when people mostly respected Rudy Giuliani? The horror…
I’m not holding my breath- the DOJ already said they found nothing wrong with the call, which seems like a clear sign that it will all eventually stall again.
I’m not saying it isn’t enjoyable watching him squirm, but he’s committed plenty of offenses in front of people and he’s walked away every single time. I’m out of hope that anything really sticks to this monster.
The DOJ, Consigliere Barr’s DOJ-🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
This time he not only admitted it, but reportedly someone in the foreign country’s Government is saying they knew it was a “this for that” situation. I think this may be something that his lackeys cannot control.
If it is true that a number of his party’s elected officials despise him, we’ll see how many want the permanent stain of history judging them, not to mention potential irreparable damage to their party.
He withheld military funds for personal reasons. That makes this very different for many people in our gov’t. Like the moderate 7 dems who wrote the WaPo op-ed, who all have military and intelligence experience, they say this situation is so different because it involves security and election concerns. It is such a huge violation of duty.
I saw one repub talking head reciting the WH script 3 times on 2 networks–like a bizarre cult chant. Smart dems will keep every word to use against them. Floppy rambling trump at the U.N. looked like he was drugged.
Donald has flat-out admitted everything on camera, but anybody who thinks that Mitch will ever let anything come even close to a vote hasn’t been paying attention. The Constitution provides impeachment as a procedure for dealing with corrupt presidents, but it fails to leave any method to remove corrupt senators.
But does McConnell have a choice> This isn’t a piece of legislation that needs Trump’s signature and McConnell won’t vote on it because Trump won’t sign it. Just wondering.
And Chief Justice Roberts, not McConnell, presides over it.
From what I have read, once articles of impeachment are passed, the Senate Majority Leader gets to decide whether to bring it to a trial/vote over which the Chief Justice would preside. [I am no legal/ Constitutional expert whatsoever- that is only what I am reading online] If Mitch gets the choice, he will bury it with a sh**eating grin on his face.
I really think it’s different this time. The hearings will make the difference. Maguire’s testimony, from what I read, provided a lot of doozies. Barr can’t shut this down. A lot of people will either go to jail or they will jump ship now.
Also, with the exception of that clown Nunes, McCarthy, Gym and Blockhead from FL a lot of GOPers have been suspiciously silent. Those who read the report last night, before it was mass released, were shocked. So no it isn’t business as usual.
Idiots in charge got sloppy or overconfident and it blew up in their faces. And f—the 30% they don’t count.
Which blockhead from FL? We have two. Rubio is busy tweeting Bible verses but the comments are gold.
If the House votes for impeachment, by that time they will have made a case to the American public. Regardless of what the Senate does, this process is also about informing voters. There are multiple ways consequences can be delivered. One is my the Senate vote, but he can also be voted out of office even if the Senate fails.
I don’t think it really matters what the Senate does. This impeachment inquiry is enough to stain Trump’s everlasting reputation which he so richly deserves.
People keep saying that, but I think he’ll portray it as how he survived the attempt by the evil Democrats to smear his name and how he beat the rap because he’s totally innocent and NO COLLUSION NO OBSTRUCTION. Etc.
His whole administration and followers are all like ‘Nope. Nothing to see here. Just keep walking. ‘
And they will. We can hope something is done however I have my doubts. This country is beyond corrupt.
The way his tie is hanging in the header picture makes it look like his crotch is bleeding. Dude. Get a proper fitting tie.
Oh, Claire… I had to go back and look. 🤣 What a knob he is.
He’s trying to visually lengthen himself in pictures by wearing too long dark suit jackets with a too long bright tie. I think he thinks it makes him look longer and leaner.
Another whistleblower, one from the IRS, has gone directly to Congress, to the House Ways and Means Committee. I hope more in the know are emboldened to come forward.
Chairman Neal may finally file contempt charges to get those tax returns.
Sounds as if this has the potential to snowball, which is fabulous!
I’m in Florida on vacation & caught a PAC ad on TV that the liberals are threatening Trump and support is needed now more than ever. Included a telephone number to pledge support to re-elect him in 2020. Made me sick to my stomach knowing his supporters believe that he’s the one being threatened. Also saw a billboard on the way down here with his smug face and text that simply said President kept his promises. Ummm, which promises exactly? I then had to educate my boyfriend on the historic and well known issues of voter suppression in Florida. Going to other parts of the country can be very eye opening, that’s for sure.
He’s been crying that tune for 3 years now.
Stacy Abrams has an initiative to combat voter suppression, I believe it’s called Fair Fight 2020. We all need to support it, make sure we’re registered, urge others to do the same.
I listened to Stacy Abrams on Pod Save America where she explained in detail various means & methods used in voter suppression. It was chilling. I donated immediately.
His campaign sent out email blast begging for money yesterday and then bragged all over twitter how much they raised. Any of that money spent on his defense is a violation of campaign laws.
We are in a mob world where political parties launder money. Ronna Romney, Chair of the RNC, has already OK’d the party to pay for the Don’s legal defence for Mueller. Trump’s campaign merely has to transfer the raised funds to the RNC, and then they can approve its use for his current bout of legal fees, and bounce the bucks right back to him. Or he can be true to character, and not pay his lawyers.
He’s trying to visually lengthen himself in pictures by wearing too long dark suit jackets with a too long bright tie. I think he thinks it makes him look longer and leaner.
They’re reading the letter on msnbc, includes burying/changing official call info.woohoo!, this may turn out to be fun
But the GOP says there is nothing to see here. The people who wanted to impeach Obama for wearing a tan suite think Trump’s light treason is no big deal
It is because they’ve dropped any pretense of caring about democratic principles, ethics, openness, and fair dealing. With Trump and his MAGA drooling base, they glimpse the prospect of absolute power to make over the country to their liking – and they salivate over the chance.
Even Fredo would be embarrassed by this.
If this impeachment happens, I’m buying a case of my favorite wine and you are all invited to my house!!
Done. I will bring the chaser.
Vodka?
Tequila?
Solids?
@Bluesky, thank you for the invite! This is my RSVP. Not to toot my own horn, but I’m an excellent cook 👩🏻🍳 and will cook up a storm for #celebitchesuniteimpeachmentpartyhostedbyBluesky
And will bring my bong. And Oregon green. To share. With y’all. Or- if not cool at operation Bluesky impeachment bash, will make my kick ass and locally famous medicated rice krispy treats or banana bread.
Yep. You read that correctly. Nicegirl is ready.🖖🏽
@nicegirl @tiffany bring all the treats, ladies! I will also provide sodas and homemade guacamole and chips!!
Don’t drink, so can you pick up a Dr. Pepper for me? Thanks!
I’ll bring the kombucha & tons of confetti!!!
OMG! The whistleblower complaint just dropped! All the reporters on MSNBC are going through it live and practically stuttering at what they are reading! Quid pro quo, Ukraine would get the weapons they wanted IF they dirtied up Biden. They are saying that it sounds like a shakedown by the mob!
😱 OMG lets keep the updates rolling on this!!!!
I just read it online and it’s far more detailed than I expected. Multiple people (“more than a half dozen”) reported concerns to the IG, and their stories were viewed as credible, with facts backing up each other.
It’s much more than that one phone call.
Where can non US people watch this?? Anyone know?
From what I gathered of the whistleblower complaint, the numerous eye witnesses to the conversation (classified information as to their identity) will be brought before the committee and interviewed. This entire thing is about to explode. How much of it we, the public, get to hear remains to be seen though.
Can someone hazard a guess as to what they’ve drugged him with? Or is this closer to his baseline? I believe he’s usually snorting adderall or getting some weapons grade uppers to cope with his dementia and general age-related fading. So is this different drugs to calm an angry raging elephant or just him off drugs?
I think this is how he sounds when he has to read. We know he is mostly illiterate; he can’t read well enough to put inflection and meaning into the words because he is concentrating so hard. It’s when he looks up to throw in his dumb asides that he reverts to his usual speaking cadence. Plus probably less sleep than usual; he’s been throwing 24 hour online tantrums for over a week and that’s gotta take a toll on a moron, I guess.
The whistleblower complaint is mind-blowing. They MOVED the transcript from one server to another in order to protect it. Everyone knew how bad this was.
I read the part about *WH lawyers* ordering staff to store certain documents on a separate server. The docs were allegedly pertaining to foreign leader communications, and involved personal political matters. I took it that it was to cover the boss’ tracks.
Every single one of them starting with Pat Cipolloni should be disbarred or sent to jail. Really you want to ruin your reputation for that thing?
Wasnt there some issue with HIlary and her emails and a server that Trump kept banging on about…….If only I could remember
*scratches head*
Projection is real!
I have to ask…hasn’t a huge part of his various misconduct happened in front of witnesses? I think it is striking that they thought the report they released would HELP him. But agree with you guys watching Pence get thrown under the Trump Treason Train along with New York’s embarrassing ex mayor was glorious. I am scared to hope but it feels like this may be slowly turning the tide…
@10kturtle, I know. It’s so infuriating. What can be done to add such protection? Constitutional amendment? I’m at a loss.
I have no idea, I’m just sitting here on my couch, reading Constitutional think pieces and wallowing in despair. Kentucky voters: please vote him out!!!
I’m just here to say that Schiff has the ultimate “disappointed dad” voice. It’s that crazy calm, well-spoken thing where he doesn’t have to raise his voice even a tiny bit for you to know you’ve screwed up haha.
This is the great, brilliant Adam Schiff’s moment. Crazy respect for this man!
Okay just read the whistleblower complaint and I think I’m missing any possible bombshells? Or maybe my expectations for how the GOP would be running the Shite House are so low that they’ve exactly met them. This is about as criminal as I expected him to be.
Any Californians here? Can you please do the country a favor and remove Representative Asslicker Nunes from the Body Politic? Thanks.
Doing my best. I’m not in Nunes district. Kevin McCarthy needs to go, (District 23 Kern County). I voted for Tatiana Matta in the last election, and will vote against KM in the next. Kevin’s the man who sat on AF1 unwrapping candy for the criminal in chief.
I got a hearty laugh from Kevin’s statement on behalf of his House party after Nancy announced the inquiry this week. He lumbers up to the microphone with wingboy Steve S behind him. I expected a long speech throwing everything at the wall. All he said was that the other party was still mad about 2016.
It was like a petty-minded middle schooler’s response. And it was the official rebuttal, no less!
Don’t forget ass toucher Gym Jordan too! Yeah he didn’t do it but he was complicit.
I agree…I live in Kevin McCarthy’s district & he has got to be removed from office. However, that happening in Kern County has as much of a chance as a snowball surviving a trip to…well, Bakersfield in August.
Jerusha- I’m right outside Nunes’ district, but we’re doing our best. This is a very Trumpster filled area. Currently, there’s a recall Gavin Newsom movement flooding my social media thanks to my conservative neighbors.
Thanks, Guys! I’m hardly one to talk, being in Alabama, but our Reps are so puny and inconsequential they’re like gnats compared to the dengue carrying mosquitoes from Cali and Texas.
Hi Jerusha, I lived in Alabama during the Doug Jones election. I was super happy to be wrong about Roy Moore winning (I really really expected Jones to lose), and I would love to be super wrong about Mitch blocking the impeachment from coming to a vote too!!! I think Shelby would vote “guilty.”
I felt in my heart that we would beat the Sassy riding, popgun waving, pedophilic bottom dweller, but it was close. Thank you to all the WOC(and the men, too)who pulled us across the finish line. Shelby should be nearing the end of the line so maybe he’ll do the right thing this time. He was once a moderate Dem when he ran against Neanderthal Jeremiah Denton and won, but seeing the way the wind was blowing in ‘Bama took the opportunistic way forward.
Dana Milbank has a column in the WaPo today that’s worth a read, about the shenanigans around the Post Office Trump hotel. Basically he has steamrolled the GSA and there is absolutely no oversight of operations. They don’t audit anything. Emoluments galore, 45 should be tossed based on the hotel alone.
Let’s see how today goes. Hang on everyone.
I am just shocked GSA just rolled over and died. There is something called govt accountability (GAO anyone) and agencies get audited every three years. WTF GSA?
It’s horrible. Even the simple fact that the Trump hotel in D.C. is allowed to operate and rake in government dollars (U.S. plus dollars from foreign leaders that kiss up to Trump by staying there) would have been unthinkable in the past. A level of self-dealing and grifting that is no less absurd for being in plain sight.
And this is not even mentioning the entire Turnberry Resort in Scotland scandal.
The U.S. government is now a subsidiary of the Trump Organization.
Anyone have some maple syrup? Maguire is waffling so much that I’m suddenly hungry.
I feel a bit sorry for him. He served the country for decades in the military then made the mistake of accepting an offer from Individual 1. Big mistake.
And yet they are scheduled for a two-week recess, starting tomorrow…
He’s also just basically that whistleblowers should be executed…after saying the same thing regarding Biden the other day.
I am not even maddest at DJT himself. He’s a pathetic figure. I am enraged that the GOP, one of the two major political parties in the U.S., has aided and abetted everything that leads us to this despicable place.
Yep, the GOP in general and the Turtle specifically share the majority of my contempt. Donald wouldn’t be where he is if they weren’t on board. There are always going to be wanna-be dictators and crazies out there, but you don’t have to go along with it.
Hey guys! I’ve been a bit MIA lately from reading the comments (work has been busy!). Has Eric made an appearance at all since the Mueller report dropped? I sometimes pop in on some threads and do a search for his comments but haven’t seen one since before the report. I would love to hear his thoughts on all of this whistleblower stuff.
What a week it has been…
Nancy Pelosi will be on MSNBC first thing tomorrow, announces as 6 AM. I think she’s going to cancel the recess. Good night.