Trump's American Disgrace

Our 'Long National Nightmare' over ? Well, not quite. This particular Nightmare gets worse before ending. "My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over". https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/speeches/740001.asp

Outgoing President (?) Trump's Obstruction of Transition is an outright appalling disgrace. Trump once said "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters, OK?" Trump remarked at a campaign stop at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa. "It's, like, incredible."

1/23/16 https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/01/23/464129029/donald-trump-i-could-shoot-somebody-and-i-wouldnt-lose-any-voters

Trump made this deplorable comment at, of all places a 'Christian College' in Sioux Center, Iowa. WWJD? 

As distressing as the comment is, it might actually be true. At least Trump's Co-conspirators so argued in court. " Attorneys for Trump made the claim while arguing before a federal appeals court in their suit against Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance, who has subpoenaed Trump’s tax returns."

Judge Denny Chin pressed him on how the crime would be handled while Trump remained in office. “Nothing could be done, that’s your position?” he said.

“That is correct,” Consovoy replied. https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/23/trump-lawyer-prosecuted-shooting-someone-055648

Now, we see such horrid observations come true.

Nearly 480,000 Americans have Died and continue to Die at alarming rates and Trump's response is to stonewall efforts for the incoming Presidential Administration to be completely current on the latest Governmental Information on the deadly pandemic. This negligent Mass-Murder is totally appalling on its own, but even more distressing in that Nothing is being done about it.

I understand that just about everyone is exhausted with efforts to hold Trump accountable for his Crimes, but this is completely more urgent than our 'feelings'.

What if anyone else other than Trump participated in such Criminally Negligent Manslaughter? How much would we put up with? We as a Nation and a People would not just shrug it off and say 'Well, we can't do anything about it'. Whatever might be even possible to pursue in demanding accountability and responsibility must be pursued no matter how 'Tired' we may be. More and more people are dying of COVID everyday. Every possible remedy must be initiated.

The 'MAGA-lytes', including those in the U.S. Senate, claim themselves Patriots. Please. 

Hillary Clinton more accurately described them as 'Deplorable'. 

 

THREAT: Donald J. Trump

THREAT: Donald J. Trump

The United States of America now faces the greatest threat to our Free Democracy in modern history. To Wit: Pres. Trump has threatened the historical and honored tradition of ‘Peaceful Transition of Power’, long-held as this Nation’s ultimate exercise of a Free, Democratic Constitutional Republic.

In a widely covered White House Press Conference, Trump responded to a question about assuring a peaceful transition by saying – ‘Well, we’ll see…’ https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-virus-outbreak-voting-elections-voting-fraud-and-irregularities-8bb28627b03474a3a5ce2454ae3d1639

Well – we’ll see’? What the Hell is That? Brave, Dedicated Men and Women, since the time of The American Revolution, both in the public eye and covertly, have fought and died to ensure that noble standard. And now, this super-egotist, tyrannical wanna’-be Dictator, says ‘Well…We’ll see…’ As he usually does, never knowing when to stop talking, he makes this horrid mess even worse, (sort of like the Pandemic). 'If we throw out the ballots - then we can have a continuation of power'. Oh. 

This dreadful man, so ignorant and aloof; can’t even handle a very basic Softball question from a Reporter. The easy answer to that question, Donald, is, even if you don’t really mean it; ‘Yes. Next Question’. Idiot. Not Only a ‘useful idiot’ to Putin and others abroad who seek to destroy our sacred freedom, but a dangerous idiot to the American People who cherish that freedom.

 Barton Gellman in ‘The Atlantic’ warns, in a well- researched and compelling article:

“The coronavirus pandemic, a reckless incumbent, a deluge of mail-in ballots, a vandalized Postal Service, a resurgent effort to suppress votes, and a trainload of lawsuits are bearing down on the nation’s creaky electoral machinery.”

Pardon the overplayed vernacular but; this article is a ‘Must Read’ for all truly patriotic Americans.

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/11/what-if-trump-refuses-concede/616424/

Meanwhile, Trump’s new personal lawyer, Attorney General Wm. Barr, says he sees nothing wrong about Trump’s recent comments.

“Many of the claims made by Russian sources are identical to repeated, unsupported public statements aired by President Trump and Attorney General William P. Barr, who have said that mailed ballots aren’t trustworthy while warning of the potential for rampant fraud in November’s elections.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/voting-by-mail-russia-trump-barr/2020/09/04/e3f0e500-ee60-11ea-99a1-71343d03bc29_story.html

 Also we have as co-conspirators, the so-called ‘Right to Life’’ supporters blindly obedient to the man who has overseen the Deaths of 206,000 Americans. That, another kettle of fish entirely. From VP Pence, Sen. Majority Leader ‘Moscow Mitch’ Mc Connell, on to Sen.s and lying hypocrites, Lindsey Ghram,  Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, et al … These fake patriots back Trump at every turn and thereby indict themselves as complicit in his dreadful schemes and plans.

God Save Us, from these dreadful Autocrats.

Barr Must Resign

Tyrant Barr Must Resign, or face impeachment.

It’s Wm. Barr’s turn for Impeachment. Congress should not balk with the excuse that a GOP-held Senate will not validate the effort – Let the House of Representatives be known historically that when the moment demanded, they stood with the U.S. Constitution despite Republican obstruction.  Let the Senate come out once again and show the Nation where they stand in Defense of Liberty.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/02/donald-ayer-bill-barr-must-resign/606670/

‘We are in a bad place now’- Rachel Maddow. That’s putting it mildly. More accurate are the observations of a consensus of Two Thousand former Dept. of Justice Prosecutors:

https://protectdemocracy.org/update/1100-doj-alumni-condemn-abuse-of-power-and-call-for-new-leadership-at-justice/

 “The undersigned, are alumni of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) who have collectively served both Republican and Democratic administrations. Each of us strongly condemns President Trump’s and Attorney General Barr’s interference in the fair administration of justice”

‘President Trump and Attorney General Barr have openly and repeatedly flouted fundamental principle, most recently in connection with the sentencing of President Trump’s close associate, Roger Stone, who was convicted of serious crimes.’

‘Such behavior is a grave threat to the fair administration of justice. In this nation, we are all equal before the law. A person should not be given special treatment in a criminal prosecution because they are a close political ally of the President. Governments that use the enormous power of law enforcement to punish their enemies and reward their allies are not constitutional republics; they are autocracies.’ ‘We are in a bad place’ indeed.

Also looming is Barr’s DOJ ‘Review’ (whatever that involves); of the Michael Flynn Case. Another instance of Barr interjecting himself in a Justice Matter that had been already decided. Flynn plead Guilty, admitting that he in fact committed the alleged Felonies. Now, the Barr/Trump Administration decide upon ‘Review’.

Daily Kos reports further on DOJ Injustice:  “The Justice Department's internal watchdog must investigate the corrupt about-face made at the seeming behest of Donald Trump and call out cronyism within its own ranks. But given how compromised disgraced Attorney General William Barr is, we cannot trust the Justice Department to correct its course. The House Judiciary Committee, which has oversight of Barr, must also investigate independently.”

“The Justice Department undid the work of career civil servants prosecuting Trump's confidante, the convicted criminal Roger Stone, shortening the sentence they were seeking in his case.
All four of the federal attorneys responsible for pursuing justice for Stone's crimes have resigned in protest.” More accurately three Resigned from the Case; and the fourth, Jonathan Kravis, boldly resigned DOJ altogether — both from the case and as an assistant U.S. attorney. 

The Federal Judges Association is so alarmed by Barr’s intervention they’ve called an Emergency Meeting:  https://www.federaljudgesassoc.org/

‘Philadelphia U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe, who heads the independent Federal Judges Association, said the group “could not wait” until its spring conference to weigh in on a deepening crisis that has enveloped the Justice Department and Attorney General William Barr’.  https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/02/17/roger-stone-sentence-judges-worried-political-interference/4788155002/

“There are plenty of issues that we are concerned about,” Rufe told USA TODAY. “We’ll talk all of this through”

10/2 Trump Admin. Launches Obstruction Campaign

In March of 2014, Russia invaded Ukraine and Ukrainian Solders and Citizens have been fighting and dying there since. Meanwhile, Pres. Trump, has gone to great lengths to support Russian Pres. Putin, over the apparatus and interests of the United States.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/18/putin-confirms-annexation-crimea-ukrainian-soldier-casualty

As Congress begins Impeachment Investigation and our Free Press exposes ‘High Crimes and Misdemeanors’, the Trump Administration has launched its’ obstruction and misdirection Campaign.

The Dept. of Justice (DOJ), State Dept., and White House Staff, as well as Rudolph Giuliani, have corrupted the mission of the U.S. Government, violated Constitutional Principals,  and shattered National trust. Having so engaged, they now proceed to obstruct and obfuscate examination of this hideous conduct.

The U.S. Attorney General, Secretary of State, Pres. Trump, and White House Administration have previously, and presently engage in illegal, immoral, Obstruction of Justice, and Hindering Prosecution.

In his July 25 phone call with Ukrainian Pres.  Volodymyr Zelensky, Pres. Trump clearly solicited a Political favor from Zelensky, according to notes on the call provided by the White House. Pres. Trump’s public defense has been that there was ‘No pressure’ during the call. But, as MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell and others report – ‘Pressure’ here, is irrelevant. The mere fact that Trump solicited a favor to benefit his Re-election Campaign, is Illegal.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/211

‘Opposition Research’, or defamatory information on a political opponent, is accepted in U.S. Courts as a ‘thing of value’.  So much for Trump’s Defense of ‘No Pressure’.

Rudolph Giuliani holds no official title in the U.S. Government, (which creates various questions about his recent activities on behalf of the President, and/or the State Dept.), but has identified himself as ‘President Trump’s Attorney.

Giuliani has been subpoenaed by   the House Intelligence Committee.

https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/documents/20190930%20-%20Giuliani%20HPSCI%20Subpoena%20Schedule%20Only.pdf

 Astonishingly, Giuliani has said he will ‘consider his options’ regarding his appearance. As If ! – Giuliani has only One ‘Option’; which is complete and timely compliance. His imploring any other course is akin to Obstruction, and Contempt of Congress. In normal times, (Remember those?), Such Contempt would be investigated and subsequently prosecuted by the Department of Justice, under the direction of the U.S. Attorney General. These are far from ‘Normal Times’ and AG Wm. Barr has shown himself be a total lapdog of Pres. Trump.

However, given that Barr himself has been shown to be implicated in Trump’s extortion of Ukraine, he should by all rights, be excluded, or ‘Recused’, from Congress’ on-going investigation. In his extortion of Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Trump told him to contact Barr and Giuliani to investigate Former V.P. Biden and his son Hunter. If Barr is identified by Trump as a contact for this Investigation, he obviously can’t be seen as an impartial party.

18 U.S. Code § 872.Extortion by officers or employees of the United States

(C) the term “extortion” means an offense that has as its elements the extraction of anything of value from another person by threatening or placing that person in fear of injury to any person or kidnapping of any person;  source:https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode

 Secretary of State Pompeo’s implication in the scheme, and therefore his ‘Conflict’, is as blatant and obvious. Pompeo directed State Dept. Staff to obstruct the Congressional Investigation, and defamed Congress in a letter slandering the Investigation. In his misguided letter, Pompeo not only defies Congressional Authority, he deprives State Dept. Staff of their Right to have ‘Personal Counsel’ present.

https://games-cdn.washingtonpost.com/notes/prod/default/documents/a516c696-4d03-47f5-a8db-af11fa23ac02/note/c3f9c706-4e67-4a33-bc97-fd5687546349.pdf#page=1

As this unfolds, the State Dept. Inspector General appears before Congress with ‘Urgent’ and relevant information.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-state/congress-to-be-briefed-on-alleged-retaliation-against-u-s-diplomats-over-ukraine-idUSKBN1WH1WA

This bold defiance of Congress’ Constitutional Authority should be appalling to freedom-loving Americans, and is reminiscent of Article III of the Nixon Impeachment proposal.

 http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/history/johnson/rnimparticles.htm

It shall be noted here, and Wm. Barr should take heed; as part of the proceedings against Pres. Nixon, A.G. J. Mitchell was exposed to illegally abuse the power of the Office and subsequently convicted and sentenced to prison.

Adios, Mr. Trump.  

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi + POTUS Donald J. Trump = Impeachment

Speaker Pelosi – Cautious, Procedural, Deliberate. Pres. Trump – Lawless, Reckless, Disdainful. Inevitable End Result – Impeachment.  

Six Days ago, I posted that Impeachment loomed; turns out …

https://joeywalsez.blogspot.com/2019/09/dni-nsc-news-trump-sharpie-signs-obamas.html

Finally, here we are. Speaker of the House of Representatives, (3^rd in line of succession), has finally caved to the momentous pressure for formal Impeachment proceedings in the House. She has been patient, deliberate and determined in maintaining a cautious stance toward Impeachment, but now, enough is enough.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-face-critical-day-on-pursuing-impeachment-11569336620

Readers who follow this blog know I’ve called for Impeachment since January of 2017.  Perhaps too soon for most Americans but, I believe, credible nonetheless. Now, in plain sight, Pres. Trump has betrayed this nation in an intolerable manner and Speaker Pelosi has finally had enough.

Anyone paying any attention to my meanderings knows that I favor Democrats, and am somewhat Left-leaning, (Pardon me). That said, I strive for objectivity in my presentation here, (Frequently unsuccessfully).   As you can imagine, Ms. Pelosi’s hesitation has been personally aggravating. However, one must acknowledge and accept Speaker Pelosi’s delay as her right.

Nancy Pelosi has had her own legitimate concerns in her cautious approach in initiating Impeachment proceedings, maddening as they may be. I’m somewhat of a lukewarm supporter, of the Speaker. In some instances I believe her to be too liberal, and in others, not liberal enough. So be it. Her hesitant, cautious, maddening restraint is born of experienced deliberation.

Ms. Pelosi, 79, has been a Member of Congress for over 30 Years.  She was present in Congress for the 3 Month Impeachment Proceedings of Pres. Bill Clinton. She was witness to that experience, and that and other Congressional experience contribute to her cautious proceeding, as maddening as it may be to some of us. She’s no kid, and this ain’t her first rodeo.

Now though, Mr. Trump has gone too far. His lawless reckless abandon has generated enough revulsion that even hesitant, cautious observers have been compelled to drastic reaction. Seven Members of Congress, from Trump-leaning Districts and a lot to lose, publicly called for Impeachment proceedings.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/09/24/seven-freshman-democrats-these-allegations-are-threat-all-we-have-sworn-protect/

 These Members have in common, years of dedicated patriotic service to the United States. They have served in U.S. Intelligence and Combat Service. Collectively, having put All on the line to Protect, Defend, and Serve the Constitution, were compelled to action, in opposition to a President operating in direct defiance of such noble principals.

While Ukrainian Soldiers, (U.S. Allies, by the way), are fighting and dying in repelling a Russian Invasion, Pres. Trump sought to leverage U.S. Support to his own Political advantage. Enough.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/this-isnt-just-another-spat-trump-compromised-our-security-for-his-gain/2019/09/24/b3eb24ae-df09-11e9-be96-6adb81821e90_story.html

Bottom: It’s Time (please see previous post 9/19/19)

The Time has finally come for Donald J. Trump to leave office. He probably should have never been in Office in the first place, but once in; it became clear quickly, that this was a tragic mistake and he needs to leave.

Respected, experienced, former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance hit the nail on the head – ‘A president can’t offer US aid to a foreign country in exchange for prosecution of a political opponent’.

https://twitter.com/JoyceWhiteVance/status/1174847493634441216

I’m not an Attorney, but, I Can Read:

18 U.S. Code § 872.Extortion by officers or employees of the United States

(C) the term “extortion” means an offense that has as its elements the extraction of anything of value from another person by threatening or placing that person in fear of injury to any person or kidnapping of any person;  source:https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode

I believe that $250 Million in U.S. Aid to Ukraine is ‘ a thing of value’, and that the threat of a Russian Invasion of Ukraine places many persons ‘in fear of injury’. And probably kidnapping as well.

“As the 2020 election draws closer, President Trump and his personal attorney appear to have increased pressure on the Ukrainian government and its justice system in service of President Trump’s reelection campaign, and the White House and the State Department may be abetting this scheme,” the chairmen of the House Intelligence, Foreign Affairs and Oversight committees wrote, citing media reports that Trump had threatened to withhold $250 million in aid to help Ukraine in its ongoing struggle against Russian-backed separatists. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/whistleblower-complaint-about-president-trump-involves-ukraine-according-to-two-people-familiar-with-the-matter/2019/09/19/07e33f0a-daf6-11e9-bfb1-849887369476_story.html

Therefore; it is apparent, that Pres. Trump and his Team, held-up the Congressionally-approved and previously agreed to Aid, in order to force Ukrainian Authorities to investigate Trump’s political opponents.

There is concern about the Acting DNI consulting the Justice Dept. about the whistle-blower complaint, as the Law clearly states that the DNI’s next step should be to notify Congress before doing anything else.

“The law is “very clear” that the whistle-blower complaint must be handed over to Congress”, said Senator Angus King of Maine, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats. “The inspector general determines what level of concern it is,” Mr. King, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in an interview. “Once the determination is made,” he added, the director of national intelligence “has a ministerial responsibility to share that with Congress — it is not discretionary.” NY Times By Julian E. Barnes, Nicholas Fandos, Michael S. Schmidt and Matthew Rosenberg Published Sept. 19, 2019Updated Sept. 20, 2019, 8:48 a.m. ET

House Speaker N. Pelosi needs to move beyond her desperation to maintain a Democratic majority in the House, which is entirely understandable but now secondary, and permit Impeachment Proceedings to progress.

This all is good old, gangster-land Extortion, and should be treated and prosecuted as such. Finally, let’s have Sam Adams summarize -

‘If ever the time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in government, our country shall stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin’  Samuel Adams  1722 – 1803

Bottom.

 https://joeywalsez.blogspot.com/2019/09/dni-nsc-news-trump-sharpie-signs-obamas.html

DNI-NSC News / Trump Sharpie Signs Obama’s Wall

Hitting Bottom – DNI-NSC News / Trump Sharpie- Signs Obama’s Wall

Recovering Alcoholics and Addicts talk about having to ‘Hit Bottom’ before being able to be ‘restored to sanity’ and get sober. Looking at the present state of affairs; I wonder if the same is true for the Trump-Administration: have they yet Hit Bottom, or do they intend to keep digging before displaying sane and sober behavior? https://twitter.com/gregpmiller/status/1174488006859907072

The latest insane display of lack of stable behavior is the National Security whistle-blower ordeal unfolding at the office of National Security Council (NSC), and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). An individual at the NSC, notified the NSC Inspector General (IG), that 

Pres. Trump may have committed a major and ‘urgent’ security breach. 

Now, there is the caveat that the President may Declassify information at his own discretion. However, Protocol dictates that he then notify other Intelligence and Security Officials that he has made particular agreements, or in this case ‘Promises’, to Foreign Officials on behalf of the United States. In this case, none of that was done.

The NSC Whistle-blower then notified his/her superiors and the IG of this secret discussion. The DNI is then compelled by Law, to notify House of Representatives and Senate Officials and Committees of such Disclosure. In this case, that Congressional Notification never happened.

Therefore; Pres. Trump apparently disclosed Secret U.S. Intelligence Information to a Foreign Official, and then made an Unauthorized secret promise to this official, and failed to notify anyone else in the U.S. Government (Congress), that he’d done so. Bottom?

 Following this disclosure by The Washington Post, NBC News, MSNBC and others, Trump appeared at the Southern Border Wall constructed by the Obama Administration, claimed The Wall as his, and used an Alabama Hurricane Map-altering Sharpie to Autograph The Wall. Bottom?  (Technically it’s Trump Admin. Refurbish of Obama Era Border Wall). https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-border-wall-near-san-diego-climb-barriers

‘Morning Joe’ Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, Willie Geist and their MSNBC Colleagues, first disclosed and discussed Trump’s National Security insanity this morning, and then went on to discuss the absurdity of Trump making a big show autographing Obama Era Wall.  (Kudos to Mika for pointing out the Sharpie). Bottom?

https://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe

All this occurs at a time when the Trump Administration, seriously handicapped by a crippling lack of Security and Intelligence leadership, is faced with an apparent Iranian Cruise-Missile Attack against Saudi Arabian Oil Production facilities. The attack reportedly wiped-out 50% of Saudi Oil Production equaling 5% of Total Worldwide Oil Production. While we in the U.S. can view this as an Arabian Gulf dispute, Saudi Arabia is, for better or worse a U.S. Ally, and any disruption to the flow of Worldwide Oil Supply has an overall effect on the price of Oil, and thus the Global Economy, of which the U.S. is a partner.

In pondering all this Insanity, one wonders, have we Hit Bottom, or is there more to come?