AFTER MONTHS of President DONALD TRUMP opting to sit out of the House’s impeachment proceedings, his protection technique turned quite clear in his staff’s first official response to the Senate: assault, assault, attack. The six-page response, which will probably be adopted up by a trial temporary Monday, hit on not only the process but in addition argued all the impeachment effort was engineered by his political opponents. It was a stark contrast to the Democrats’ 111-page temporary that detailed their case towards the president, including new proof that has come out in the last few weeks.
DARREN SAMUELSOHN, KYLE CHENEY and ANITA KUMAR: “‘This can be a brazen and unlawful try and overturn the outcomes of the 2016 election and intrude with the 2020 election,’ Trump’s legal professionals argued in a six-page response filed with the Senate simply days earlier than the president’s trial begins in earnest, based on sources close to Trump’s authorized staff.
“The allegations raised by Trump’s attorneys — going after each the substance of the impeachment articles and the course of Democrats used to get there — mirror the House’s costs towards him. Democrats allege the president pressured Ukraine to intrude in the 2020 election on his behalf by launching investigations into his political opponents.
“Saturday’s submitting from Trump marks his preliminary entry into the impeachment battle. The president and his legal professionals had explicitly sat out the Home investigation, complaining in a December letter to Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi that ‘more due process was afforded to those accused in the Salem Witch Trials.’ …
“Previewing their arguments Saturday, the House managers in their own opening 111-page trial temporary featured a slate of evidence that has emerged in the month because the Home impeached Trump on Dec. 18. The brand new proof, which continued to pour in even after the trial started last week, underscores the rapidly evolving case towards Trump, a particularly acute danger for Republicans in search of a speedy dismissal of the fees.
“Among the new evidence the House will depend upon: a Authorities Accountability Office report that discovered Trump illegally withheld army assist from Ukraine when he did not notify Congress of the transfer, which came on the exact time he and his allies have been pressuring Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to examine Biden. The temporary also cites emails lately unearthed by nationwide safety publication Just Security, indicating the legal turmoil that Trump’s maintain on army help induced inside his administration.” POLITICO
SUNDAY BEST -- GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS interviewed Home Intel Chairman ADAM SCHIFF (D-Calif.) on ABC’S “THIS WEEK” about Trump’s response: SCHIFF: “Nicely, it's shocking in that it actually does not supply a lot new beyond the failed arguments we heard within the Home. The information aren't significantly contested. The president withheld a whole lot of hundreds of thousands of dollars of army help to an ally at conflict with Russia, withheld a White House meeting that the president of Ukraine desperately sought to establish together with his nation and together with his adversary the help of the USA, to be able to coerce Ukraine into serving to him cheat within the subsequent election.
STEPHANOPOULOS: “Nicely, that's what I needed -- that's what I needed to get to, as a result of that is the argument -- Alan Dershowitz is arising, and that's the argument he will make. He says, quote, ‘Abuse of energy, even if proved, shouldn't be an impeachable offense.’
SCHIFF: “Nicely, that is the argument I suppose you might have to make if the details are so lifeless set towards you, if the president has admitted to the wrongdoing, his chief of employees has confessed to the wrongdoing, his European Union ambassador has confessed to the similar quid professional quo, it's a must to rely on an argument that even if he abused his office in this horrendous approach, that it isn't impeachable, you needed to go thus far out of the mainstream to seek out someone to make that argument, you needed to depart the realm of constitutional regulation students and go to felony protection legal professionals.”
SCHIFF also spoke concerning the NSA and CIA withholding details about Ukraine due to WHITE HOUSE strain. More from John Bresnahan
STEPHANOPOULOS also spoke with ALAN DERSHOWITZ about impeachment: STEPHANOPOULOS: “The president's temporary filed final night time says very clearly the president did nothing mistaken, and also you're saying you're not prepared to endorse that assertion?”
DERSHOWITZ: “I did not read that temporary or signal that temporary. That is not part of my mandate. My mandate is to present the constitutional argument. And if the constitutional argument succeeds, we don't attain that concern, as a result of you possibly can't charge a president with impeachable conduct if it does not match inside the standards for the Constitution.
STEPHANOPOULOS: “Senator Rubio and others have stated that the Senate shouldn't think about new evidence, documents, and witnesses, that it's the job of the Senate to work from the proof compiled by the Home. Is that right as a matter of constitutional regulation?”
DERSHOWITZ: “The Constitution does not converse to that situation in any respect. It's an open challenge. It's to be determined by the House with its rules, by the Senate with its rules. The Structure really says the Senate is the decide and whatever the Senate decides, by a good vote -- the one thing that is very clear is that if witnesses are permitted on one aspect, they should be permitted on each side.
“And if witnesses are permitted, it's going to delay the trial significantly, as a result of the president will invoke government privilege as to individuals like John Bolton that should go to the courtroom and we'll need to have a decision of that earlier than the trial continues.”
MEANWHILE, BEHIND THE SCENES -- “Draft of McConnell's rules for trial nonetheless permits motion to dismiss,” by Axios’ Jonathan Swan: “Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is getting ready a resolution that would go away room for President Trump's legal professionals to maneuver instantly to dismiss the impeachment fees if they so select, in response to Republican Sen. Josh Hawley.
“Yes, but: Republican Senate leaders, including McConnell and Roy Blunt, the senior senator from Missouri, have already stated members aren't enthusiastic about a vote to dismiss. And it appears unlikely that Trump's workforce would push for what would virtually definitely be a dropping vote — a move that might be seen as a sign of weak spot at the outset of the trial.” Axios
WHERE THINGS STAND: SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-Unwell.) advised CHUCK TODD on NBC’S “MEET THE PRESS” that as of “late final night time” there has not been “probably the most primary negotiation or trade of data” between Senate Republicans and Democrats.
-- REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-N.Y.) additionally spoke with CHRIS WALLACE on FOX NEWS’ “FOX NEWS SUNDAY” about state of play: “We have no idea what the principles are gonna be at this second. We definitely look ahead to with the ability to assessment the resolution. Crucial factor is that the American individuals deserve a good trial. The structure deserves a good trial. Our democracy deserves a good trial.
“And we consider that a truthful trial includes witnesses, it includes proof, it includes documents. We intend to present that to the American individuals. And we intend to present that to the American individuals. Uh, we’re gonna proceed in a critical, solemn, and sober style as we’ve carried out within the House now as transition to the Senate.”
-- SEN. DAVID PERDUE (R-Ga.) spoke with CHUCK TODD: “Properly, we'll see how the vote comes out on Tuesday, but what we're proposing -- and we've tried to enter these negotiations with the other aspect, however they will not have any dialog until we cope with witnesses up entrance. And that's not what we did through the Clinton trial. And so what is going to occur Tuesday is Mitch McConnell will put forward his proposal, we'll have a vote on that.
“That proposal proper now will look very comparable to 24 hours of presentation by the Home managers over two days and then 24 hours of presentation by the president's workforce over two days, and then 16 hours of questions submitted by the members in writing to the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice decides whether or not they get requested and how they get asked and what sequence.
“And then we've, at that time, the chance to do exactly what we did after part one in the Clinton trial and that is to determine where we go from here. Do we've more witnesses? Do we'd like clarification? No matter. Those motions can be finished then. That is our proposal.”
ON WITNESSES -- SEN. SHERROD BROWN (D-Ohio) advised BRIENNA KEILAR on CNN’S “STATE OF THE UNION” he would vote towards any guidelines package deal that doesn’t embrace calling witnesses. BROWN: “I don't understand how you justify not calling witnesses and not introducing new info, if it is -- if it's related to this trial that has an influence on it.”
TRUMP’S GOP STRENGTH -- “How Trump Has Stored Near-Unanimous GOP Help By means of Impeachment,” by WSJ’s Andrew Duehren, Catherine Lucey and Gabriel T. Rubin: “The unity is the byproduct not only of a White House appeal offensive this fall and widespread Republican considerations concerning the equity of the impeachment course of, but extra broadly the president’s private powers of persuasion and his raw political power over the get together, fueled by an intensely loyal base of GOP voters. As has been the case since Mr. Trump ascended to the GOP throne, Republicans who dared step out of line confronted his Twitter outrage, assembly the wrath of the president’s base.
“The stark tribalism has led those who want long-term futures within the social gathering to get in line behind the president and those that have had sufficient to retire quietly without risking a noisy and disruptive exit. Twenty-six House Republicans have announced they're leaving the Home because the 2018 midterm elections, when the social gathering’s average wing took major casualties as Democrats gained the majority. Not a type of retirees, together with several moderates, voted towards the get together line on impeachment.” WSJ
WHAT TO EXPECT: “No escape: Senators to be quiet, unplugged for Trump trial,” by AP’s Mary Clare Jalonick: “No cellphones. No speaking. No escape. That’s the truth in the course of the Senate’s impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, which can start each day with a proclamation: ‘All individuals are commanded to hold silence, on ache of imprisonment.’ After that, 100 senators will sit at their desks for hours on end to hear from House prosecutors, Trump’s defense staff and probably a collection of witnesses.” AP
Good Sunday morning. NEW: THE PRESIDENT’S WEEK AHEAD: TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY: The president is in Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Discussion board. THURSDAY: Trump will ship remarks at the RNC winter meeting in Doral, Fla. FRIDAY: Trump will deliver remarks on “reworking America’s communities.”
ABOUT THAT DAVOS TRIP -- “Trump’s strong-arm overseas policy techniques create tensions with U.S. buddies and foes,” by WaPo’s Anne Gearan and John Hudson: “Trump’s maximalist strategy to diplomacy has develop into an indicator of his administration’s overseas coverage, one that has scored him some short-term victories, been derided as extortion by his detractors and performed a central position in an impeachment struggle over his actions toward Ukraine that may play out on the floor of the Senate this week.
“Although the president has been inconsistent in how he has carried out his worldview, he has made clear that he has no plans to again away from his strong-arm techniques whilst they have more and more antagonized American pal and foe alike, leaving the United States probably more remoted on the world stage.
“Trump heads to snowy Davos, Switzerland, on Monday for an financial forum attended by world leaders and corporate honchos where tensions together with his administration will in all probability be on show. The president is predicted to make use of his handle there Tuesday to crow about profitable trade offers, a buzzing U.S. financial system and his current showdown with Iran.” WaPo
UPDATE: U.S. ARCHIVE RESPONDS TO WAPO STORY: “We made a mistake. As the National Archives of america, we are and have all the time been utterly dedicated to preserving our archival holdings, with out alteration. …
“We've eliminated the present display and can substitute it as soon as attainable with one which makes use of the unaltered image. We apologize, and can instantly start a radical evaluate of our exhibit policies and procedures in order that this doesn't occur once more.” The original story
FROM 30,000 FEET -- WAPO’S ROSALIND S. HELDERMAN and PAUL SONNE: “‘Once this is over, we’ll be kings’: How Lev Parnas worked his way into Trump’s world — and now is rattling it”
DOWN IN MAR-A-LAGO -- “Trump recounts minute-by-minute details of Soleimani strike to donors at Mar-a-Lago” by CNN’s Kevin Liptak: “President Trump recounted minute-by-minute particulars of the US strike that killed Iran's prime army commander throughout remarks to high-dollar Republican donors at his South Florida property, in response to audio obtained by CNN.
“Trump, talking at a GOP fundraising dinner Friday night, provided new details concerning the strike that killed Gen. Qasem Soleimani, which exacerbated tensions in the area and led to an ongoing dispute with Congress over his constitutional potential to wage struggle. In his speech — held inside the gilded ballroom on his Mar-a-Lago property — he claimed that Soleimani was ‘saying dangerous things about our nation’ earlier than the strike, which led to his determination to authorize his killing.
“‘How much of this shit do we've got to take heed to?’ Trump requested. ‘How a lot are we going to take heed to?’ Trump did not describe an ‘imminent menace’ that led to his choice to kill Soleimani, the justification used by administration officers within the aftermath of the assault. As an alternative, he described Soleimani as a ‘famous terrorist’ who ‘was down on our record’ and ‘was purported to be in his nation’ earlier than touring to different nations in the area.” CNN
-- CLASSIC: MEREDITH MCGRAW: “‘Pretty nervy of you!’: Trump’s Palm Beach billionaire spat”
JOHN F. HARRIS -- ALTITUDE COLUMN: “Mayor Pete: Portrait of the B.S. Artist as a Young Man”: “So, this can be a huge weekend for Mayor Pete Buttigieg: He turns 38 on Sunday.
Buttigieg continues to be 17 months youthful than Macaulay Culkin of “House Alone” fame, an attentive reader notes. In any case these years that may be a hole that exhibits no sign of narrowing. One the opposite hand, he's now a full three years older than Mozart—another prodigy, who by no means served even one term as mayor of South Bend, much less two—was on the time of his demise.
“As early center age inches into view, Buttigieg is welcoming a brand new yr full of dazzling prospects. He’s bunched in the prime tier of Democratic candidates in Iowa and New Hampshire. But he’s additionally experiencing a change within the climate that have to be uncomfortable to somebody who has recognized since early boyhood that he's very sensible, and that the Massive Individuals invariably discover him impressive.
“The very traits that often impress—his fluency in political language, the go-getter’s resume, intense ambition carried in the vessel of a relaxed, well-mannered persona—more and more are being greeted with skepticism and even derision. Notably, this is coming from his friends.” POLITICO
BIDEN ON THE TRAIL -- MARC CAPUTO in Indianola, Iowa: “Biden charges Sanders camp ‘doctored video’ to attack him”
IN NEW HAMPSHIRE … “Sanders runs into resistance as he appears beyond Warren dispute,” by Trent Spiner and Stephanie Murray in Portsmouth, N.H.: “When the top of New Hampshire’s main foundation for ladies arrived at an area Ladies’s March to find she can be sharing the stage with Sen. Bernie Sanders, she backed out.
“On the similar occasion, a outstanding former state senator turned her back when he spoke.
After a week-long flare-up with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sanders sought to bolster his help among ladies on Saturday. But for a number of New Hampshire activists, he only made it worse.
“‘Within the context of the last week's occasions, it was especially ironic it was Sen. Sanders talking,’ stated former state Sen. Iris Estabrook, who has endorsed Sen. Amy Klobuchar. She was at the event with an indication reading, ‘When ladies vote, ladies win.’ ‘That was the spirit of this thing, and it was unfortunate that the senator — and whoever gave him the platform — didn't respect the unique objective of the gathering,’ she stated. ‘I used to be disturbed enough that when the senator spoke I took a break from the rally and went elsewhere.’” POLITICO
-- “Sanders and Warren Try to Tone Down Rift. Some of Their Supporters Seem Less Willing,” by NYT’s Jonathan Martin and Astead W. Herndon in Exeter, N.H.
-- WAPO’S DAN BALZ: “Sanders vs. Warren and the state of the progressive movement”
-- “Bennet die-hards drawn to awkward, unusual New Hampshire marketing campaign,” by Trent Spiner in Manchester, N.H.: “Michael Bennet is polling in 10th place. He hasn’t made a debate stage since July and gained’t disclose how much cash he raised final quarter.
“And he may be awkward on the stump: In a single 45-minute stretch at a current city corridor, Bennet swung his arms so wildly whereas making some extent that he hit a lady in the head, he tripped over a stool holding his water, and he almost tangled himself in a microphone twine while making an attempt to take off his sport coat.
“Yet a small variety of New Hampshire’s voters and political elites have found themselves drawn to his message, demeanor and experience, hoping virtually regardless of themselves that Bennet could possibly be the last word darkish horse main candidate.
“Even his supporters admit there’s no clear path to profitable the nomination. But they still see his resume as a former superintendent of faculties in Denver, ten years of experience within the Senate and his age — younger than Joe Biden but extra experienced than Pete Buttigieg — as reasons to hope he might emulate Gary Hart, another senator from Colorado who shot from 5 % in polls right now in 1984 to a double-digit win in that yr’s New Hampshire Democratic main.” POLITICO
TRUMP’S SUNDAY -- The president will depart Mar-a-Lago at 2:15 p.m. en route to Austin. He'll deliver remarks on the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention and trade show at 5 p.m. CST. Afterward, he will fly again to Washington.
WSJ: “Trump Administration to Soon Challenge Steerage on Medicaid Block Grants,” by Stephanie Armour: “The Trump administration plans to launch steerage as soon as this month for granting states waivers to transform Medicaid funding to dam grants, in response to two individuals acquainted with the matter, paving the best way for a change of the 55-year-old program that is more likely to reignite a partisan feud.
“The approaching release comes as a shock after the Workplace of Management and Finances, which critiques regulatory actions, indicated in November that block-grant directions had been withdrawn. Lawmakers and legal advisers speculated that the steerage might have been shelved or considerably delayed.
“Approving state waivers to vary Medicaid funding to block grants can be among the many administration’s most controversial moves to reshape Medicaid, a federal-state program that gives well being protection to at least one in 5 low-income People. Medicaid is the primary supply of long-term care coverage for People and is a guaranteed benefit, or entitlement, for eligible people.” WSJ
ON THE WORLD STAGE -- “Maduro says he’s still in control of Venezuela, ready for direct talks with america,” by WaPo’s Anthony Faiola in Caracas, Venezuela: “Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro forged himself because the wily survivor of a dramatic, year-long wrestle by the opposition at residence and its allies in Washington to unseat him, and stated it is now time for direct negotiations with the USA to finish the political stalemate that has crippled this nation of some 30 million.
“In an exclusive, in depth interview with The Washington Publish — his first with a serious U.S. media outlet since the day last February he abruptly pulled the plug on a Univision taping and ejected its journalists from the nation — an exuberant Maduro stated he had outfoxed his opponents in Caracas and Washington, is comfortably in cost and able to speak.
“He steered a bonanza could possibly be waiting for U.S. oil corporations in this OPEC-member state ought to President Trump carry sanctions and press the reset button on U.S.-Venezuelan relations. Yet if anything, his words revealed the huge gulf that still exists between his authoritarian government and the opposition and U.S. officials who call him a dictator. His positions on key issues recommended no fast repair to the brutal humanitarian disaster that has led hundreds of thousands to flee poverty and starvation in this troubled socialist state.” WaPo
-- CNN: “Puerto Rico emergency director fired after residents uncover warehouse filled with Hurricane Maria provides,” by Nicole Chavez and Rafy Rivera: “Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez Garced fired the island's emergency manager, hours after a warehouse full of supplies was discovered. The emergency assist is believed to be from when Hurricane Maria hit the island two..
Src: Trump goes on the attack
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