In a pillared House chamber at 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday, in the shadow of the 2020 presidential and congressional elections, House Democrats are set to host the first public hearing involving the potential impeachment of a president since November 19, 1998 -- and, they insist, they aren't happy about it.
"It’s a sad day," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, told Fox News on Tuesday. "A calm day. A prayerful day." For his part, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., called the hearings a "solemn undertaking" in a letter to colleagues.
Behind the scenes, House Democrats were predicting a "phenomenal week," Fox News is told. At the same time, Republicans have been preparing a methodical and vigorous cross-examination of Democrats' witnesses, whose accounts of President Trump's alleged wrongdoing have been based largely on hearsay and intuition.
Capitol Hill security officials told Fox News they're not anticipating the kinds of organized protests that rocked the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Brett Kavanaugh last year, but sources on both sides of the aisle have cautioned that the day will be unpredictable. The proceedings are to be held in the cavernous House Ways and Means Committee hearing room at the Longworth House Office Building.
With the bang of a gavel, Schiff will open the impeachment hearings Wednesday into Trump's alleged pressure on Ukraine to investigate 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden's dealings in the country. The former vice president, a Democrat, has boasted about pressuring Ukraine to fire its top prosecutor, as his son Hunter Biden held a lucrative role board of a Ukrainian natural gas company despite having little relevant expertise.
A whistleblower's complaint about Trump's July 25 telephone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ignited the impeachment investigation. During the hearing Wednesday, a key exchange during that 30-minute call, which has been outlined in a Sept. 24 transcript released by the White House, could take center stage. Zelensky has said he felt no pressure during the call.
"I would like you to do us a favor though," Trump said at one point in the call, after a mention of U.S. military aid to Ukraine. Ukraine apparently was not aware that the U.S. was withholding new military aid until August, approximately two weeks before the U.S. ultimately released the aid and well after Trump's phone call with Zelensky.
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So Mr. Witness, we have been told you have the goods on Trump. Could you please tell us what you know?
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Well yes, but first I want you to know I have been very troubled by this. It has been a heavy load on my shoulders. My whole family has been affected by the pressure for me to testify. I am sure the president’s henchmen are waiting to pounce.
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Mr. Witness, as a democRat Congressman I can assure you we’ll take care of you.
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Thank you.
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So please tell us what you know.
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Just seven short weeks ago I was talking to my Barber, and during our conversation I learned of something that could result in President Trump being kicked out of office.
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Please continue...
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My barber’s third cousin has a friend whose uncle knows an auto mechanic whose wife’s boyfriend’s son’s ballet teacher’s aunt had consulted with a Caribbean psychic’s massage therapist.
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That therapist told her she also services a certain congressman in Washington, D. C. That congressman told her this top secret information, with the instruction to never tell anyone.
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On March 17th, 2017, he was invited to the White House for an event. He attended. In a room filled with 128 people, he sat half way from the front.
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You can verify Trump was there.
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About the seven minute point in Trump’s comments that day, it became evident to him that someone had passed gas. It seemed like it wasn’t someone near him, but who can really know those things.
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Still, there were 128 people in the room and one of them was Trump. Everyone knows how crass he is. He states Trump was likely the person who did it.
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Further, he states they odds were 1 in 128. Everyone else there had impeccable character. It had to be him.
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Ah thank you Mr. Witness. It’s good citizens like you with an obvious dedication to your civic duty, that make this nation great.
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Nothing further Mr. Chairman. These grave charges reflect what an incompetent evil fool we have for a president. He must be impeached and convicted, removed from office. I yield back the remainder of my time.
The “solemn undertaking” will turn into a Schitt Show about 2 minutes after Nunes starts his opening statement.
he’ll say something that Lil’ Schitt doesn’t like and the fur will start flying
I doubt the thing goes more than a couple of hours before it goes back behind closed doors in the basement
Treasonous Bullsh!t hasn’t changed my vote one iota, TRUMP 2020. I encourage all free thinking Americans to vote for President Donald J. Trump. I am a non-white supporter of the President. Hope all Americans of minority persuasion vote for President Trump and show the real Haters, he is fighting for US.
Of all the Trump Curses, this one should be the most epic. Is it wrong of me to be so giddy?
BTTT
You’re on a baseball team.
Their pitcher turns 180 degrees and starts pitching to the second baseman.
The media call it the best pitching they’ve ever seen.
The umpire calls them all strikes.
Do you think something might be up?
Manu Raju Verified account @mkraju 14m14 minutes ago
Republican props set up for hearing , railing on Schiff, Al Green on impeachment and whistleblower’s attorney
A good day to shut off the the TV and do something else other than watch this sham put on by Dems with TDS — Watch a good (old?) movie, finish that book you started, work on your hobby, take a fall hike, get some exsercise, walk the dogs, listen to Rush, and if you really need a fix and update, read this thread that will have the best analysis which will surpass anything that the media networks (including Fox) can present. Any of the above will keep your blood pressure from going through the roof. As for me, I’m going to work as I have been off for a few days.
The graphics so far on this thread are incredibly humorous and apropos. Thanks to all you folks for posting them. We all need the occasional tonic of humor along with all the crazy and nefarious things that will be going on in these hearings this week.
Leni
Bump
Is there an alternative to youtube?
bkmk...i have no intention of watching it but will follow this thread and learn from my fellow FReepers..
They just showed a shot of Shifft sitting at the chairman’s table smiling and taking in all his attention as he scanned the room - what a loser.
I can’t believe A damn Schitt is stupid enough to televise it.
I’m in.All networks are covering live.I see a lot of TV sets turned off and people going outside.
HAH! Bill Hemmer taking Trump side, Chris Wallace attacking Trump, Hemmer calmly fighting back, more Wallace spew, Hemmer very nicely puts Chris back on his heals.