Quid pro faux: Trump impeachment legally fails (no quid-pro-quo)

American Thinker ^ | November 1, 2019 | Jonathon Moseley

[Moseley]

Impeaching President Donald Trump is legally flawed.

The chief law enforcement officer of the United States of America requested that Ukraine assist our attorney general in investigating possible criminal activity in 2014 through 2016. Ukraine entered into the "Treaty Between the United States of America and Ukraine on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters," negotiated by President William Clinton and ratified by the U.S. Senate in 2000 while Clinton was still president.

So what Trump asked newly elected Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to do, Ukraine was already compelled to do by its reciprocal treaty with the United States. (Zelensky was elected in May, and his party won other seats in June. But the conversation with prior officials had been ongoing.)

A quid pro quo — which means "one thing in return for another" — is an element of bribery and other similar crimes. But any time you buy a cheeseburger and hand over the money to pay for it, that is a quid pro quo or "one thing in return for another." To be a crime, the exchange of "one thing for another" must be independently illegal, such as contracting for something that one does not have the right to sell.

Legally, you cannot enter into a quid pro quo for someone to do what he was already obligated to do anyway. If you pay $1.50 for a copy of The Washington Post, it is a quid pro quo. But if you have a subscription, the Post cannot charge you for today's newspaper that you already paid for.

[Moseley]

Both Ukraine and the USA are obligated to help each other investigate crimes where some evidence, actions, or witnesses might be found in the other country. Suppose a crime occurred in the USA, but one of the witnesses flew home to Ukraine. Maybe nothing wrong happened there, but U.S. investigators still need to talk to the witness. Or the crime crossed national borders, perhaps. And of course the treaty works both ways.

Was there evidence of illegality justifying Trump's request? See here:

A Ukrainian member of parliament has requested a criminal investigation into possible meddling by his country's government into last year's U.S. presidential elections, claiming the interference has "seriously damaged Ukrainian-American relations."

In a July 24 [2017] letter to Ukraine's prosecutor general, Andrei Derkach, an independent MP who was formerly aligned with a pro-Russian party, requested that authorities launch a pretrial investigation into "illegal interference in the election of President of the United States organized by a criminal organization." This organization, he said, consisted of senior members of the country's National Anti-Corruption Bureau, government officials, and other public figures.

We know that Democrats from the United States colluded with corrupt Ukrainian politicians and operatives to elect Hillary Clinton.

Ukrainian government officials tried to help Hillary Clinton and undermine Trump by publicly questioning his fitness for office. They also disseminated documents implicating a top Trump aide in corruption and suggested they were investigating the matter, only to back away after the election. And they helped Clinton's allies research damaging information on Trump and his advisers, a Politico investigation found.

A Ukrainian-American operative who was consulting for the Democratic National Committee met with top officials in the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington in an effort to expose ties between Trump, top campaign aide Paul Manafort and Russia, according to people with direct knowledge of the situation.

[Sacajaweau]

I wrote about this more than once a week ago. My last comment is that WE were holding this ace....and I bet there’s 3 more.

[Moseley]

Thank you. Where was that?

It is so maddening that most of the discussion is in the wrong places !!!

I took most of yesterday to write this when I am way behind on other work because watching all the legal experts on TV and members of congress, they keep missing the best arguments!

We need to get the word out!

[preacher]

l8r

[Zenjitsuman]

When the Senate gets this faux impeachment, there must
be a Senate Motion to dismiss for lack of a crime made
by McConnell and vote to dismiss this crapburger.

Then we all send Trump campaign a nice victory check so
he can take back the house and get reelected.

I think I saw Piglousy riding on her broom tonight. what
a witch

[Sacajaweau]

https://www.congress.gov/treaty-document/106th-congress/16/document-text

[SkyPilot]

Well, it's terrific that we have the facts on our side Jonathon.

But none of that matters.

This is a political civil war, with the Democrats using chemical and biological weapons, while our side holds up a copy of the Marquess of Queensberry Rules and softly protests.

The only way our nation can survive is if the criminals, the coup plotters, the seditionists, and the traitors are arrested, charged, prosecuted, and severely punished.

We are three years into the Trump administration, and the Deep State not only operates with impunity - none of the criminals have faced the music. Oh, we have had endless "investigations" and promises of "devastating reports." "TICK TOCK!" "BOOM!" "PAIN!" "PANIC IN DC!"

It's all been an elaborate joke of empty promises.

We are arguing about "Fair Play", while truly evil people take a machete to the Constitution.

It isn't a stretch to say that if Barr and his Dept of Injustice do not take action (and soon) against these vermin that our entire basis of law and government is at risk of collapse.

[Sacajaweau]

Just went back to look at Nixon and the effort to impeach him. Remember, he was NOT impeached.

But one thing sticks out, the Judicial Committee was drawing up the articles of impeachment....NOT the Intelligence Committee.

Will go look at Bubba's record.

[Sacajaweau]

The best I can do is to interject that all these anti-Trump witnesses were of the "opinion" that that the President did something wrong.....but they never put a name to the "wrong".

I watched Taylor....trying to arouse everyone to take his side and come to his conclusion. AND I believe he is the Whistle Blower. I also believe that Comey is in this someplace. I wouldn't be surprised if he wrote up the complaint. He was so adamant about his notes being enough to take down the President.

[Moseley]

Don’t forget — as I heard Col. Tony Shaffer confirm in a speech — that they CHANGED the rules for a whistleblower complaint just before this “whistle blower” filed his complaint.

So the entire thing was a set up.

They were not only concocting this behind the scenes, they even changed the rules just so this “whistle blower” could file a hear-say complaint.

So that all happened before the public revelation.

This was all cooked up before.

[Moseley]

You are so right

[Liz]

Why are the usually loquacious Clintons withholding this information from the American people?

Ukraine entered into the "Treaty Between the United States of America and Ukraine on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters," negotiated then- by President William Clinton and ratified by the U.S. Senate in 2000. The US chief law enforcement officer requested that Ukraine assist our AG in investigating possible criminal activity in 2014 through 2016.

Could it be the Clintons do not want their activities with Ukraine exposed? Read on.

<><> A 2015 WSJ report includes a chart of “foreign donors” to the Clinton Foundation showing “Ukraine” as a top donor among a list of large donors including “foreign individuals and their foundations and companies" while Clinton was secretary of state from Jan. 21, 2009 to Feb. 1, 2013.

<><> Victor Pinchuk, a former Ukrainian parliamentarian and businessman whose father-in-law is a former president of Ukraine is a connected Ukrainian who served two terms as an elected member of the Ukrainian Parliament and is a proponent of closer ties between Ukraine and the European Union.is a connected Ukrainian who served two terms as an elected member of the Ukrainian Parliament and is a proponent of closer ties between Ukraine and the European Union.”

<><> The Clinton Foundation publicly reports, and its foundation spokesman confirmed, that other foreign entities have given more than the Pinchuk Foundation (which is listed as having given between $10 million and $25 million).

<><> Among organizations listed as giving “greater than $25 million” are Nationale Postcode Loterij (based in the Netherlands), the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (based in London), and Unitaid (headquartered in Switzerland). Frank Giustra of the Radcliffe Foundation in Canada (now called the Giustra Foundation) is also listed in that tier.

<><> Between 2009 and 2013, including when Mrs. Clinton was secretary of state, the Clinton Foundation received at least $8.6 million from the Victor Pinchuk Foundation based in Kiev, Ukraine, the Journal reported.

<><> In 2008, “Mr. Pinchuk made a five-year, $29 million commitment to the Clinton Global Initiative (a wing of the foundation that coordinates charitable projects) "to train future Ukrainian leaders and professionals to modernize Ukraine," according to the Clinton Foundation.

<><> Several alumni of the Clinton program are current members of the Ukrainian Parliament.

<><> foreign grants to the Clinton Foundation include the governments of Norway, Australia and Saudi Arabia, according to the Clinton Foundation’s donor list. All gave at least $10 million.

cont

[Liz]

cont

Ukranian Pinchuk was especially generous---not only blanketing the Clinton Foundation with money,
he hired Hillary for a $300,00 speech to help him boost Ukraine's creds; even Chelsea got into the act.

CIRCA 2013----Ukranian billionaire Viktor Pinchuk hires Hillary to give a speech
at a Ukraine forum discussing regime change, exiting Russia....and hitting up the US for more foreign aid.

Ukraine oligarch Viktor Pinchuk gave $29 million to the Clinton Foundation.....he's THAT altruistic (cackle).

Chelsea Clinton and Viktor Pinchuk in Kiev, Ukraine 8/21/16.

[zencycler]

The real if issue is not whether there was a quid pro quo, the real issue is what was the quo? Was it the 2016 Ukraine interference, or was it trying to get dirt on Joe Biden.

If it’s the former then there’s really nothing wrong with that at all, in fact it’s something good to do. If it’s the latter (which it isn’t) it’s also not that wrong but the Dems can make a better case to some reps and voters over that.

[Liz]

ACTION NOW

Judicial Watch
425 3rd Street, SW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20024
TELE 1-888-593-8442 between 8:30am and 5:30pm EST.

Call President Trump: Comments: 202-456-1111 Switchboard: 202-456-1414
WH EMAIL CONTACT PAGE https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

US CONGRESS SWITCHBOARD: (202) 224-3121

U.S. Department of Justice
Comment Line: 202-353-1555
Switchboard: 202-514-2000

TALKING POINTS: Americans demand to know Why this is being withheld from the American people? Ukraine entered into the "Treaty Between the United States of America and Ukraine on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters," negotiated then- by President William Clinton and ratified by the U.S. Senate in 2000. The US chief law enforcement officer requested that Ukraine assist our AG in investigating possible criminal activity in 2014 through 2016.

Pres Trump is being impeached for following US law initiated by then-Pres Clinton. Perhaps the Clintons do not want their activities with Ukraine exposed?

<><> A 2015 WSJ report includes a chart of “foreign donors” to the Clinton Foundation showing “Ukraine” as a top donor among a list of large donors including “foreign individuals and their foundations and companies" while Clinton was secretary of state from Jan. 21, 2009 to Feb. 1, 2013.

<><> Victor Pinchuk, a former Ukrainian parliamentarian and businessman whose father-in-law is a former president of Ukraine is a connected Ukrainian who served two terms as an elected member of the Ukrainian Parliament and is a proponent of closer ties between Ukraine and the European Union.is a connected Ukrainian who served two terms as an elected member of the Ukrainian Parliament and is a proponent of closer ties between Ukraine and the European Union.”

<><> The Clinton Foundation publicly reports, and its foundation spokesman confirmed, that other foreign entities have given more than the Pinchuk Foundation (which is listed as having given between $10 million and $25 million).

<><> Between 2009 and 2013, including when Mrs. Clinton was secretary of state, the Clinton Foundation received at least $8.6 million from the Victor Pinchuk Foundation based in Kiev, Ukraine, the Journal reported.

<><> In 2008, “Mr. Pinchuk made a five-year, $29 million commitment to the Clinton Global Initiative (a wing of the foundation that coordinates charitable projects) "to train future Ukrainian leaders and professionals to modernize Ukraine," according to the Clinton Foundation.

<><> Several alumni of the Clinton program are current members of the Ukrainian Parliament.

<><> Ukranian Pinchuk was especially generous---not only blanketing the Clinton Foundation with money, he hired Hillary for a $300,00 speech to help him boost Ukraine's creds; even Chelsea got into the act. CIRCA 2013----Ukranian billionaire Viktor Pinchuk hires Hillary to give a speech at a Ukraine forum discussing regime change, exiting Russia....and hitting up the US for more foreign aid.

[mad_as_he$$]

bkmk

[Moseley]

“Was it the 2016 Ukraine interference, or was it trying to get dirt on Joe Biden.”

That’s very important.

And like the Russia hoax, the media and Democrats have merely asserted that it is about the 2020 election without any evidence and in disregard of all the facts.

[Sacajaweau]

Mueller gave his exit speech on July 25th and the phone call was the 26th.

Plenty of people had access to the cliff notes provided to the President...AND I'd look at the people who prepared those pre-phone call notes.

On the 27th, all the people who have testified in the dungeon should have ALL been going crazy with their "opinions".

IIRC, Taylor was with the President of Ukraine on the 27th.

But how many of them actually knew the money was on hold and why. The Ukraine didn't know.In order to make their case, they had to know that absolutely.

[Sacajaweau]

IIRC, it took less than a month for the Senate to conclude their vote....and don’t forget, they had “absolute” “indisputable” “criminal” charges against Bubba.

[Sacajaweau]

The Treaty itself is at Post #6