Posted on 11/07/2019 10:19:48 AM PST by jazusamo
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said Republicans must justify the relevance of witnesses they want to call in public hearings as part of the impeachment inquiry into President Trump.
Schiff in a letter to Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), the ranking member of the panel, late Wednesday outlined questions that will be used to weigh whether a witness's testimony would be germane.
Among the questions are whether President Trump requested that a foreign leader and government initiate investigations to benefit the Presidents personal political interests and if he sought to use his office to apply pressure on the head of state and government of Ukraine to advance the Presidents personal political interests, including leveraging an Oval Office meeting or millions of dollars in military aid.
Schiff also said witnesses must speak to whether the president or administration officials sought to obstruct or cover up any evidence regarding Trumps actions.
Republicans must submit their witness requests to Schiff by Saturday, including a written justification for the relevance of the testimony from each person they intend to call.
House Democrats announced Wednesday that they will hold their first public impeachment hearings next week as they ramp of their investigation into Trump's dealings with Ukraine.
Schiff said that William Taylor, the top U.S. diplomat to Ukraine, and George Kent, a top State Department official, will testify on Wednesday. Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch is then expected to testify on Nov. 15.
Democrats and Republicans on the House Intelligence, Oversight and Reform, and Foreign Affairs committees have already conducted several interviews behind closed doors.
Schiff said in the letter to Nunes that Democrats dont intend to request public testimony from every witness the committees have already interviewed, and Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) has said the GOP would likely seek testimony from people beyond those who have already spoken privately.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) added Thursday that Republicans intend to subpoena the government whistleblower who first raised alarm about interactions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The effort is likely to fail, however, as Democrats have said they do not intend to out the anonymous figure over safety concerns and that other witnesses have already gone beyond what the official alleged.
The Houses impeachment inquiry was launched in September amid Democratic concerns that Trump leveraged $400 million in military aid to pressure Zelensky to open an investigation into unfounded corruption allegations against former Vice President Joe Biden, a top candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, and Biden's son.
The White House has repeatedly blasted the House investigation as a "witch hunt" and decried Democrats' efforts as "unhinged" after they voted to formalize the inquiry last week.
Democrats have countered the president has abused his oath of office by seeking to involve foreign nations in U.S. domestic politics after publicizing testimony from several witnesses saying there was a quid pro quo surrounding Trump's dealings with Ukraine.
All these little dems with their pumped up kicks better run, better run...
They get to call whoever they want pencil-neck.
Thats funny Schiff, the same will apply to you when and if you hit the Senate. That is, if you have the guts.
Among the questions are whether President Trump requested that a foreign leader and government initiate investigations to benefit the Presidents personal political interests and if he sought to use his office to apply pressure on the head of state and government of Ukraine to advance the Presidents personal political interests, including leveraging an Oval Office meeting or millions of dollars in military aid
Interesting take on a mutual agreement as per treaty requirements on regarding the investigation and prosecution of corruption involving the US and Ukraine. Nothing personal about it. Presidential duty actually demands it.
Whoever does not see this as the coup it is, is either blind, ignorant, or complicit, or some combination thereof.
Gives star chambers a bad name.
So Schiffty wants to screen witnesses to predetermine that have TDS and will be on his side,
He perfectly illuminates the thinking of dirty cheating lawyers.
You can call anyone you like, to testify Trump is literally Hitler. Yeah, that will make things fair.
To Schiff for Brains: 6th Amendment, look it up
I don’t get why Republicans even play the game. They should all walk out en masse, stand on the Capitol steps and let it all hang out. They are elected members of Congress and are not obligated to wait for some IG report that never seems to get publicized. They know the truth. Speak it publicly. They should not return to the Capitol until the Dems stop the coup attempt.
I find it unbelievable that NOBODY has the power to stop this crap. Is Chief Justice Roberts part of the Coup??
Lets Wrap This FReepathon Up Early, Folks Donate Today!
Only one side gets presented. This is third world stuff. The Democrats have come that far and are testing their long march.
Is Schiff a little dictator? No, he is Captain Kangaroo Court.
What law has Trump broken in the first place? Schiff should be placed on leave for several years with no pay.
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