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Impeachment live updates: Pelosi resists pressure to transmit impeachment articles to Senate Impeachment live updates: Pelosi resists pressure to transmit impeachment articles to Senate
(30 minutes later)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) continued to resist calls Thursday to transmit articles of impeachment to the Senate, reiterating her view that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) must lay out trial rules before she appoints impeachment managers.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) continued to resist calls Thursday to transmit articles of impeachment to the Senate, reiterating her view that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) must lay out trial rules before she appoints impeachment managers.
“We need to see the arena to which we are sending our managers. Is that too much to ask?” Pelosi said at a news conference, as a growing number of Democrats said publicly it’s time to let a trial begin centered on Trump’s conduct toward Ukraine. Pelosi pledged not to hold the articles “indefinitely” and said they would likely be transmitted “soon.”“We need to see the arena to which we are sending our managers. Is that too much to ask?” Pelosi said at a news conference, as a growing number of Democrats said publicly it’s time to let a trial begin centered on Trump’s conduct toward Ukraine. Pelosi pledged not to hold the articles “indefinitely” and said they would likely be transmitted “soon.”
The crux of the Democrats’ case is the allegation that Trump tried to leverage a White House meeting and military aid, sought by Ukraine to combat Russian military aggression, to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to launch an investigation of former vice president Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, as well as a probe of an unfounded theory that Kyiv conspired with Democrats to interfere in the 2016 presidential election.The crux of the Democrats’ case is the allegation that Trump tried to leverage a White House meeting and military aid, sought by Ukraine to combat Russian military aggression, to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to launch an investigation of former vice president Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, as well as a probe of an unfounded theory that Kyiv conspired with Democrats to interfere in the 2016 presidential election.
●GOP leaders spar over adding House members to Trump’s impeachment defense team.●GOP leaders spar over adding House members to Trump’s impeachment defense team.
●How to argue about whether a Senate trial should have witnesses.●How to argue about whether a Senate trial should have witnesses.
●Rep. Stefanik tweets altered photo of Pelosi in GOP anti-impeachment fundraising appeal.●Rep. Stefanik tweets altered photo of Pelosi in GOP anti-impeachment fundraising appeal.
Which senators support removing Trump | Which House members voted to impeach Trump | House resolution impeaching Trump | Other key documentsWhich senators support removing Trump | Which House members voted to impeach Trump | House resolution impeaching Trump | Other key documents
Trump said Thursday that it would be up to the Senate on whether to call former national security adviser John Bolton as a witness in an impeachment trial and said he wouldn’t stop Bolton from testifying — but added that he has concerns about “presidential privilege.” Trump said Thursday that it would be up to the Senate on whether to call former national security adviser John Bolton as a witness in the impeachment trial and said he wouldn’t stop Bolton from testifying — but added that he has concerns about “presidential privilege.”
“We have to protect presidential privilege,” Trump told reporters during an event in the Oval Office, adding that national security advisers cannot “say whatever they want to say.”“We have to protect presidential privilege,” Trump told reporters during an event in the Oval Office, adding that national security advisers cannot “say whatever they want to say.”
Bolton said this week that he is prepared to testify in a Senate trial if a subpoena is issued. He declined to participate in the House impeachment inquiry at the direction of the White House.Bolton said this week that he is prepared to testify in a Senate trial if a subpoena is issued. He declined to participate in the House impeachment inquiry at the direction of the White House.
Trump told reporters that he “always got along” with Bolton, notwithstanding differences Bolton had with some other administration officials.Trump told reporters that he “always got along” with Bolton, notwithstanding differences Bolton had with some other administration officials.
The president also declined to say whether he would be in favor of a deal that would include witness testimony from the Bidens and other Democrats.
“Well, I’m going to leave it to the Senate. But I’d like to hear the whistleblower. I’d like to hear Shifty Schiff,” Trump said, referring to House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.), a major player in the House impeachment proceedings. “I’d like to hear Hunter Biden and Joe Biden. ... The informer that never showed up. ... And the second whistleblower.”
McConnell seized on the growing number of Democrats calling on Pelosi to send the articles to the Senate, saying in a tweet that she had created “bipartisan unity.”McConnell seized on the growing number of Democrats calling on Pelosi to send the articles to the Senate, saying in a tweet that she had created “bipartisan unity.”
“This is a challenging time to create bipartisan agreement,” McConnell tweeted. “But Speaker Pelosi has managed to do the impossible. She has created growing bipartisan unity — in opposition to her own reckless games with impeachment.”“This is a challenging time to create bipartisan agreement,” McConnell tweeted. “But Speaker Pelosi has managed to do the impossible. She has created growing bipartisan unity — in opposition to her own reckless games with impeachment.”
At her weekly news conference, Pelosi defended her decision to withhold the articles of impeachment and continued to press McConnell to define the contours of a Senate trial.At her weekly news conference, Pelosi defended her decision to withhold the articles of impeachment and continued to press McConnell to define the contours of a Senate trial.
“We need to see the arena to which we are sending our managers. Is that too much to ask?” Pelosi said.“We need to see the arena to which we are sending our managers. Is that too much to ask?” Pelosi said.
She emphasized, however, that she will likely send the articles over to the Senate “soon” and that Democrats will move “smartly and strategically.”She emphasized, however, that she will likely send the articles over to the Senate “soon” and that Democrats will move “smartly and strategically.”
“I’m not holding them indefinitely,” she said. “I’ll send them over when I’m ready. And that will probably be soon.”“I’m not holding them indefinitely,” she said. “I’ll send them over when I’m ready. And that will probably be soon.”
She also ridiculed McConnell’s statement earlier Thursday that the Senate will move forward with consideration of the U.S.-Canada-Mexico Trade Agreement, which the House has already passed.She also ridiculed McConnell’s statement earlier Thursday that the Senate will move forward with consideration of the U.S.-Canada-Mexico Trade Agreement, which the House has already passed.
“They say they pass the [USMCA],” she said. “Well, okay!”“They say they pass the [USMCA],” she said. “Well, okay!”
She also said that, as in the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, Democrats hope that “there would have been a bipartisan resolution determining how to proceed.”She also said that, as in the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, Democrats hope that “there would have been a bipartisan resolution determining how to proceed.”
Asked why she hadn’t sent over the articles and turned over negotiations to Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Pelosi said, “I’m not responsible to Mitch McConnell or anybody else except my members and the people that have worked so hard on this. Members and staff. Patriots honoring the oath of office, the Constitution of the United States. And I will give them our best shot to find the truth for our bosses — the American people.”Asked why she hadn’t sent over the articles and turned over negotiations to Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Pelosi said, “I’m not responsible to Mitch McConnell or anybody else except my members and the people that have worked so hard on this. Members and staff. Patriots honoring the oath of office, the Constitution of the United States. And I will give them our best shot to find the truth for our bosses — the American people.”
Several fellow Democrats spoke out Thursday in defense of Pelosi’s position of continuing to hold on to the articles of impeachment.Several fellow Democrats spoke out Thursday in defense of Pelosi’s position of continuing to hold on to the articles of impeachment.
“A year from now, none of you are going to remember whether we sent the articles on Jan. 9 or Jan. 18 or Jan. 25,” said Rep. Tom Malinowski (N.J.). “You will remember how this ends. That’s what’s important.”“A year from now, none of you are going to remember whether we sent the articles on Jan. 9 or Jan. 18 or Jan. 25,” said Rep. Tom Malinowski (N.J.). “You will remember how this ends. That’s what’s important.”
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (Ore.), who pushed for the hold strategy last month, said when to transmit the articles remains “a call for the speaker.”Rep. Earl Blumenauer (Ore.), who pushed for the hold strategy last month, said when to transmit the articles remains “a call for the speaker.”
“I think being deliberate, not rushing it, is absolutely the right thing to do,” he said. “And I think each day verifies the wisdom.”“I think being deliberate, not rushing it, is absolutely the right thing to do,” he said. “And I think each day verifies the wisdom.”
Rep. Jim Costa (Calif.), meanwhile, said the transmission “will be sooner than later.”Rep. Jim Costa (Calif.), meanwhile, said the transmission “will be sooner than later.”
“There’s just a whole lot of reasons why it has to be sooner than later,” he said, citing considerations of senators and upcoming presidential nominating contests. “I just think there’s a shelf life to this.”“There’s just a whole lot of reasons why it has to be sooner than later,” he said, citing considerations of senators and upcoming presidential nominating contests. “I just think there’s a shelf life to this.”
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Thursday accused McConnell of “making up your own rules” as he continued to press the case for calling witnesses.Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Thursday accused McConnell of “making up your own rules” as he continued to press the case for calling witnesses.
“You’re making up your own rules,” Schumer said during remarks on the Senate floor. “Every trial has had witnesses. Do you support this trial having witnesses or are you making up your own rules to serve the president’s purpose of covering up? The argument in favor of witnesses is so strong and has such common sense behind it that my Republican colleagues cannot even argue against it on the merits. They can only say we should punt the question.”“You’re making up your own rules,” Schumer said during remarks on the Senate floor. “Every trial has had witnesses. Do you support this trial having witnesses or are you making up your own rules to serve the president’s purpose of covering up? The argument in favor of witnesses is so strong and has such common sense behind it that my Republican colleagues cannot even argue against it on the merits. They can only say we should punt the question.”
McConnell has said he favors following the same procedure that was in place during the 1999 impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton: Senators did not vote on calling witnesses until after hearing opening arguments from impeachment managers and lawyers for the president and having an opportunity to ask both sides questions.McConnell has said he favors following the same procedure that was in place during the 1999 impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton: Senators did not vote on calling witnesses until after hearing opening arguments from impeachment managers and lawyers for the president and having an opportunity to ask both sides questions.
In his floor remarks Thursday morning, McConnell continued to seize on comments by Democrats who have called on Pelosi to send articles of impeachment to the Senate, arguing that the House speaker has “created this growing bipartisan unity here in the Senate in opposition to her own reckless behavior.”In his floor remarks Thursday morning, McConnell continued to seize on comments by Democrats who have called on Pelosi to send articles of impeachment to the Senate, arguing that the House speaker has “created this growing bipartisan unity here in the Senate in opposition to her own reckless behavior.”
He pledged that the Senate will move forward with the “people’s business” next week if Pelosi does not act.He pledged that the Senate will move forward with the “people’s business” next week if Pelosi does not act.
“If the speaker continues to refuse to take her own accusations to trial, the Senate will move forward next week with the business of our people,” McConnell said. “We will operate on the assumption that House Democrats are too embarrassed — too embarrassed — to ever move forward. And we will get back to the people’s business.”“If the speaker continues to refuse to take her own accusations to trial, the Senate will move forward next week with the business of our people,” McConnell said. “We will operate on the assumption that House Democrats are too embarrassed — too embarrassed — to ever move forward. And we will get back to the people’s business.”
He urged those Senate Democrats who have not pressed Pelosi to send over the articles to not remain “complicit.”He urged those Senate Democrats who have not pressed Pelosi to send over the articles to not remain “complicit.”
“Should future House majorities feel empowered to waste our time with junior varsity political hostage situations?” he asked. “They get to start it if they choose, but they do not get to declare that it can never be finished. They do not get to trap our entire country into an unending Groundhog Day of impeachment without resolution.”“Should future House majorities feel empowered to waste our time with junior varsity political hostage situations?” he asked. “They get to start it if they choose, but they do not get to declare that it can never be finished. They do not get to trap our entire country into an unending Groundhog Day of impeachment without resolution.”
Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.) said Thursday that Pelosi is starting to lose leverage in her standoff with McConnell and suggested the process move forward.Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.) said Thursday that Pelosi is starting to lose leverage in her standoff with McConnell and suggested the process move forward.
“There gets to be a time that, I think, you might as well move forward with the process because things are evolving to a point that people will not even understand where we are, what we did, and the votes that we got to charge the president with these impeachable issues,” Ruppersberger said.“There gets to be a time that, I think, you might as well move forward with the process because things are evolving to a point that people will not even understand where we are, what we did, and the votes that we got to charge the president with these impeachable issues,” Ruppersberger said.
Asked if a Senate trial should proceed, he said: “How much longer will Nancy have that leverage? It seems she’s starting to lose that leverage, so let’s move ahead with the process.”Asked if a Senate trial should proceed, he said: “How much longer will Nancy have that leverage? It seems she’s starting to lose that leverage, so let’s move ahead with the process.”
House Armed Services Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said in a tweet Thursday that he “misspoke” during a CNN interview in which he said it was time for Pelosi to transmit the articles of impeachment.House Armed Services Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said in a tweet Thursday that he “misspoke” during a CNN interview in which he said it was time for Pelosi to transmit the articles of impeachment.
“I misspoke this morning, I do believe we should do everything we can to force the Senate to have a fair trial,” Smith tweeted. “If the Speaker believes that holding on to the articles for a longer time will help force a fair trial in the Senate, then I wholeheartedly support that decision.”“I misspoke this morning, I do believe we should do everything we can to force the Senate to have a fair trial,” Smith tweeted. “If the Speaker believes that holding on to the articles for a longer time will help force a fair trial in the Senate, then I wholeheartedly support that decision.”
During the CNN interview, Smith argued that Pelosi’s strategy had run its course.During the CNN interview, Smith argued that Pelosi’s strategy had run its course.
“I think it was perfectly advisable for the speaker to leverage that, get a better deal,” he said. “At this point, it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen, and yes, I think it is time to send the impeachment to the Senate, and let Mitch McConnell be responsible for the fairness of the trial. He ultimately is.”“I think it was perfectly advisable for the speaker to leverage that, get a better deal,” he said. “At this point, it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen, and yes, I think it is time to send the impeachment to the Senate, and let Mitch McConnell be responsible for the fairness of the trial. He ultimately is.”
Another House Democrat broke with Pelosi on withholding the articles of impeachment, as Rep. Ben McAdams (Utah) said he believes the speaker should go ahead and send them to the Senate.Another House Democrat broke with Pelosi on withholding the articles of impeachment, as Rep. Ben McAdams (Utah) said he believes the speaker should go ahead and send them to the Senate.
“I think it’s time,” said McAdams, who represents a congressional district that Trump carried in 2016 over Democrat Hillary Clinton. McAdams declined further comment.“I think it’s time,” said McAdams, who represents a congressional district that Trump carried in 2016 over Democrat Hillary Clinton. McAdams declined further comment.
McAdams defeated Republican incumbent Mia Love in the 2018 election for Utah’s 4th Congressional District. He is the only Democratic member of the Utah delegation.McAdams defeated Republican incumbent Mia Love in the 2018 election for Utah’s 4th Congressional District. He is the only Democratic member of the Utah delegation.
Pelosi deflected Thursday morning when asked about her plans for transmitting the articles of impeachment to the Senate.Pelosi deflected Thursday morning when asked about her plans for transmitting the articles of impeachment to the Senate.
“I know exactly when, but I won’t be telling you right now,” she told reporters as she entered a closed-door meeting of House Democrats.“I know exactly when, but I won’t be telling you right now,” she told reporters as she entered a closed-door meeting of House Democrats.
Asked to react to Smith’s break with her on transmitting the articles, Pelosi replied, “I’m a big fan of his.”Asked to react to Smith’s break with her on transmitting the articles, Pelosi replied, “I’m a big fan of his.”
During a television interview earlier Thursday, Smith, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said, “I think it is time to send the impeachment to the Senate, and let Mitch McConnell be responsible for the fairness of the trial.”During a television interview earlier Thursday, Smith, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said, “I think it is time to send the impeachment to the Senate, and let Mitch McConnell be responsible for the fairness of the trial.”
Trump returned to Twitter to urge House Republicans to vote Thursday against a war powers resolution curbing his authority toward Iran, calling it “Crazy Nancy Pelosi’s War Powers Resolution.”Trump returned to Twitter to urge House Republicans to vote Thursday against a war powers resolution curbing his authority toward Iran, calling it “Crazy Nancy Pelosi’s War Powers Resolution.”
“Also, remember her ‘speed & rush’ in getting the Impeachment Hoax voted on & done,” Trump added in the tweet. “Well, she never sent the Articles to the Senate. Just another Democrat fraud. Presidential Harassment!”“Also, remember her ‘speed & rush’ in getting the Impeachment Hoax voted on & done,” Trump added in the tweet. “Well, she never sent the Articles to the Senate. Just another Democrat fraud. Presidential Harassment!”
Vice President Pence urged the Senate on Thursday to move forward with passage of a new trade deal with Canada and Mexico while it awaits the articles of impeachment from the House.Vice President Pence urged the Senate on Thursday to move forward with passage of a new trade deal with Canada and Mexico while it awaits the articles of impeachment from the House.
“While the House of Representatives dithers with their partisan impeachment, the Senate should move on the USMCA and keep this booming economy booming,” Pence said on Fox News, referring to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.“While the House of Representatives dithers with their partisan impeachment, the Senate should move on the USMCA and keep this booming economy booming,” Pence said on Fox News, referring to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
McConnell has previously said passage of the trade deal, a major priority for Trump, would have to wait for a Senate trial.McConnell has previously said passage of the trade deal, a major priority for Trump, would have to wait for a Senate trial.
During the interview, Pence also mocked Democrats for having said Trump’s impeachment was an “urgent” matter when they voted last month, only to delay transmission of the articles.During the interview, Pence also mocked Democrats for having said Trump’s impeachment was an “urgent” matter when they voted last month, only to delay transmission of the articles.
“It just really is remarkable,” Pence said. “I don’t how many times we heard the word ‘urgent’ from the Democrat leadership in the House as they rammed through their sham investigation.”“It just really is remarkable,” Pence said. “I don’t how many times we heard the word ‘urgent’ from the Democrat leadership in the House as they rammed through their sham investigation.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) tweeted a petition and fundraising appeal that included what appeared to be an altered photo of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, drawing a retweet Thursday morning from Trump.Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) tweeted a petition and fundraising appeal that included what appeared to be an altered photo of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, drawing a retweet Thursday morning from Trump.
Stefanik’s tweet comes as Pelosi is under increasing pressure from members of both parties to send articles of impeachment to the Senate following the House’s approval of two charges against Trump last month.Stefanik’s tweet comes as Pelosi is under increasing pressure from members of both parties to send articles of impeachment to the Senate following the House’s approval of two charges against Trump last month.
The tweet shows a close-up, red-tinted photo of Pelosi, with the lines in the House speaker’s face exaggerated due to the image’s unnaturally high contrast.The tweet shows a close-up, red-tinted photo of Pelosi, with the lines in the House speaker’s face exaggerated due to the image’s unnaturally high contrast.
The photo is included on a fundraising page that urges donors to add their names to a petition and “Pressure Pelosi Now.” The site is hosted by WinRed, a Republican fundraising platform launched last year to rival the Democratic small-donor platform ActBlue.The photo is included on a fundraising page that urges donors to add their names to a petition and “Pressure Pelosi Now.” The site is hosted by WinRed, a Republican fundraising platform launched last year to rival the Democratic small-donor platform ActBlue.
A spokeswoman for Stefanik did not immediately respond to a request for comment.A spokeswoman for Stefanik did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Read more here.Read more here.
House Armed Services Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said Thursday that Pelosi should go ahead and send the articles of impeachment to the Senate, becoming the highest-profile House Democrat to break with the speaker on her strategy.House Armed Services Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said Thursday that Pelosi should go ahead and send the articles of impeachment to the Senate, becoming the highest-profile House Democrat to break with the speaker on her strategy.
“I think it is,” Smith said when asked during an appearance on CNN whether he believes it’s time for Pelosi to transmit the articles.“I think it is,” Smith said when asked during an appearance on CNN whether he believes it’s time for Pelosi to transmit the articles.
“I mean, I understand what the speaker is trying to do, basically trying to use the leverage of that to work with Democratic and Republican senators to try to get a reasonable trial that would actually show evidence, bring out witnesses, but at the end of the day, just like we control it in the House, Mitch McConnell controls it in the Senate,” Smith said.“I mean, I understand what the speaker is trying to do, basically trying to use the leverage of that to work with Democratic and Republican senators to try to get a reasonable trial that would actually show evidence, bring out witnesses, but at the end of the day, just like we control it in the House, Mitch McConnell controls it in the Senate,” Smith said.
“I think it was perfectly advisable for the speaker to leverage that, get a better deal. At this point, it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen, and yes, I think it is time to send the impeachment to the Senate, and let Mitch McConnell be responsible for the fairness of the trial. He ultimately is.”“I think it was perfectly advisable for the speaker to leverage that, get a better deal. At this point, it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen, and yes, I think it is time to send the impeachment to the Senate, and let Mitch McConnell be responsible for the fairness of the trial. He ultimately is.”
Smith joins several Senate Democrats who have said Pelosi should go ahead and transmit the articles of impeachment.Smith joins several Senate Democrats who have said Pelosi should go ahead and transmit the articles of impeachment.
Trump claimed the two articles of impeachment against him — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — are “a joke and a scam” as he continued a busy morning on Twitter.Trump claimed the two articles of impeachment against him — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — are “a joke and a scam” as he continued a busy morning on Twitter.
“Pelosi doesn’t want to hand over The Articles of Impeachment, which were fraudulently produced by corrupt politicians like Shifty Schiff in the first place, because after all of these years of investigations and persecution, they show no crimes and are a joke and a scam!” the president said in a tweet.“Pelosi doesn’t want to hand over The Articles of Impeachment, which were fraudulently produced by corrupt politicians like Shifty Schiff in the first place, because after all of these years of investigations and persecution, they show no crimes and are a joke and a scam!” the president said in a tweet.
He was referring to House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.), a major player in the House impeachment proceedings.
In a subsequent tweet, Trump wrote, in all capital letters, “PRESIDENTIAL HARASSMENT!”In a subsequent tweet, Trump wrote, in all capital letters, “PRESIDENTIAL HARASSMENT!”
Amid a spate of morning activity on Twitter, Trump highlighted a tweet from McConnell laying out his position on the standoff with Pelosi.Amid a spate of morning activity on Twitter, Trump highlighted a tweet from McConnell laying out his position on the standoff with Pelosi.
“There will be no haggling with the House over Senate procedure,” McConnell said in a tweet that echoed his remarks Wednesday on the Senate floor. “We will not cede our authority to try this impeachment. The House Democrats’ turn is over. The Senate has made its decision. This is for the Senate, and the Senate only, to decide.“There will be no haggling with the House over Senate procedure,” McConnell said in a tweet that echoed his remarks Wednesday on the Senate floor. “We will not cede our authority to try this impeachment. The House Democrats’ turn is over. The Senate has made its decision. This is for the Senate, and the Senate only, to decide.
Pelosi is expected to be peppered with questions during a regularly scheduled weekly news conference on Thursday morning about when she plans to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate, which would allow a trial to proceed.Pelosi is expected to be peppered with questions during a regularly scheduled weekly news conference on Thursday morning about when she plans to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate, which would allow a trial to proceed.
In recent days, Pelosi has said she is waiting to see a Senate resolution laying out the rules of a trial — a stance she reiterated Wednesday night in exchange with a reporter at the Capitol.In recent days, Pelosi has said she is waiting to see a Senate resolution laying out the rules of a trial — a stance she reiterated Wednesday night in exchange with a reporter at the Capitol.
“I said when we saw what the arena is that we would be sending members in, then we would send over the articles,” Pelosi said. “We haven’t seen that, so I don’t know how many more times I have to say that and how many times you want to ask it. But when we see the arena in which this will happen, we will then be prepared to send articles, the pay fors, and the managers.”“I said when we saw what the arena is that we would be sending members in, then we would send over the articles,” Pelosi said. “We haven’t seen that, so I don’t know how many more times I have to say that and how many times you want to ask it. But when we see the arena in which this will happen, we will then be prepared to send articles, the pay fors, and the managers.”
Despite Pelosi’s posture, a growing number of Senate Democrats are publicly saying it’s time for her to release the articles — charging Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — so that a trial can begin in the Senate.Despite Pelosi’s posture, a growing number of Senate Democrats are publicly saying it’s time for her to release the articles — charging Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — so that a trial can begin in the Senate.
Pelosi is also likely to field questions on impeachment in another high-profile venue over the weekend. She is booked at appear Sunday morning on ABC News’s “This Week.”Pelosi is also likely to field questions on impeachment in another high-profile venue over the weekend. She is booked at appear Sunday morning on ABC News’s “This Week.”
Trump plans to attend a “Keep America Great” campaign rally Thursday night in Ohio, a state that he carried by 8 percentage points in the 2016 presidential election against Democrat Hillary Clinton.Trump plans to attend a “Keep America Great” campaign rally Thursday night in Ohio, a state that he carried by 8 percentage points in the 2016 presidential election against Democrat Hillary Clinton.
The rally in downtown Toledo is scheduled for 7 p.m. Trump has used recent campaign rallies to air his grievances about the impeachment process.The rally in downtown Toledo is scheduled for 7 p.m. Trump has used recent campaign rallies to air his grievances about the impeachment process.
Earlier Thursday, Trump has an event scheduled at the White House related to environmental regulations.Earlier Thursday, Trump has an event scheduled at the White House related to environmental regulations.
He is expected to announce the administration is narrowing the scope of the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires federal agencies to assess the impact of major projects, such as building mines, expanding airports and laying pipelines, before work begins.He is expected to announce the administration is narrowing the scope of the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires federal agencies to assess the impact of major projects, such as building mines, expanding airports and laying pipelines, before work begins.
Amid the impeachment standoff, the House plans to vote Thursday on a war powers resolution that would limit Trump’s military actions regarding Iran.Amid the impeachment standoff, the House plans to vote Thursday on a war powers resolution that would limit Trump’s military actions regarding Iran.
“Members of Congress have serious, urgent concerns about the Administration’s decision to engage in hostilities against Iran and about its lack of strategy moving forward,” Pelosi said in a statement on Wednesday, in which she criticized Trump for an “insufficient” notification to Congress regarding an airstrike last week that killed Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, as well as for a briefing to House members Wednesday on the action.“Members of Congress have serious, urgent concerns about the Administration’s decision to engage in hostilities against Iran and about its lack of strategy moving forward,” Pelosi said in a statement on Wednesday, in which she criticized Trump for an “insufficient” notification to Congress regarding an airstrike last week that killed Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, as well as for a briefing to House members Wednesday on the action.
Republicans have argued that the House is trying to unnecessarily hamstring Trump.Republicans have argued that the House is trying to unnecessarily hamstring Trump.
Following a party-line vote Wednesday night by the House Rules Committee on the issue, Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.) tweeted: “Each of the nine Democrats on the House Rules Committee just voted to tie President [Trump’s] hands when it comes to defending America.”Following a party-line vote Wednesday night by the House Rules Committee on the issue, Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.) tweeted: “Each of the nine Democrats on the House Rules Committee just voted to tie President [Trump’s] hands when it comes to defending America.”