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| Pelosi signals House will transmit articles of impeachment against Trump to Senate as soon as next week | Pelosi signals House will transmit articles of impeachment against Trump to Senate as soon as next week |
| (6 months later) | |
| Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Friday that the House will consider a resolution next week to appoint impeachment managers and transmit articles of impeachment to the Senate, setting the stage for a historic trial of President Trump. | Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Friday that the House will consider a resolution next week to appoint impeachment managers and transmit articles of impeachment to the Senate, setting the stage for a historic trial of President Trump. |
| Her announcement, in a letter to Democratic colleagues, came shortly after the House ended its workweek without taking a vote on the matter. As recently as Thursday, Pelosi (D-Calif.) had continued to insist that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) should release a resolution laying out rules of a trial before the articles are transmitted. | Her announcement, in a letter to Democratic colleagues, came shortly after the House ended its workweek without taking a vote on the matter. As recently as Thursday, Pelosi (D-Calif.) had continued to insist that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) should release a resolution laying out rules of a trial before the articles are transmitted. |
| The crux of the Democrats’ case is the allegation that President 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 President 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. |
| ●‘Soon,’ Pelosi promises, as some Democrats grow restless over delay in Trump’s impeachment trial. | ●‘Soon,’ Pelosi promises, as some Democrats grow restless over delay in Trump’s impeachment trial. |
| ●Democrats are touting the impeachment article hold — while very little has changed. | ●Democrats are touting the impeachment article hold — while very little has changed. |
| ●Impeachment and Iran prompt week of walk-backs by Trump, lawmakers. | ●Impeachment and Iran prompt week of walk-backs by Trump, lawmakers. |
| Which senators support removing Trump | Which House members voted to impeach Trump | House resolution impeaching Trump | Other key documents | Which senators support removing Trump | Which House members voted to impeach Trump | House resolution impeaching Trump | Other key documents |
| As he left the Capitol on Friday, McConnell spoke briefly with reporters about the Senate trial. | As he left the Capitol on Friday, McConnell spoke briefly with reporters about the Senate trial. |
| “Well, we’ve been anxious to get started for that last — how many weeks has it been now? And we’ll get about it as soon as we can,” the majority leader said. | “Well, we’ve been anxious to get started for that last — how many weeks has it been now? And we’ll get about it as soon as we can,” the majority leader said. |
| McConnell wouldn’t commit to a time frame when asked whether he hoped to have the trial finished before the State of the Union on Feb. 4. | McConnell wouldn’t commit to a time frame when asked whether he hoped to have the trial finished before the State of the Union on Feb. 4. |
| “Look, we’re just getting started,” he said. “I’m glad we now have the opportunity to do it. And it’s been a long wait. I’m glad it’s over.” | “Look, we’re just getting started,” he said. “I’m glad we now have the opportunity to do it. And it’s been a long wait. I’m glad it’s over.” |
| The House impeached Trump on Dec. 18. | The House impeached Trump on Dec. 18. |
| Asked whether he had spoken to Pelosi, McConnell said simply, “Not really.” | Asked whether he had spoken to Pelosi, McConnell said simply, “Not really.” |
| Trump claims he has no problem with former national security adviser John Bolton testifying, except for the precedent it sets for future administration, according to excerpts from a pretaped interview with Fox News’s Laura Ingraham to air at 10 p.m. Friday. | Trump claims he has no problem with former national security adviser John Bolton testifying, except for the precedent it sets for future administration, according to excerpts from a pretaped interview with Fox News’s Laura Ingraham to air at 10 p.m. Friday. |
| “Why not call Bolton? Why not allow him to testify? This thing is bogus. Why not allow Bolton to testify?” Ingraham asked the president. | “Why not call Bolton? Why not allow him to testify? This thing is bogus. Why not allow Bolton to testify?” Ingraham asked the president. |
| “No problem other than one thing. You can’t be in the White House as president, future, I’m talking about future — any future presidents — and have a security adviser, anybody having to do with security, and legal and other things but especially—” Trump said. | “No problem other than one thing. You can’t be in the White House as president, future, I’m talking about future — any future presidents — and have a security adviser, anybody having to do with security, and legal and other things but especially—” Trump said. |
| “Are you going to invoke executive privilege?” Ingraham interjected. | “Are you going to invoke executive privilege?” Ingraham interjected. |
| “Well I think you have to for the sake of the office,” Trump said. | “Well I think you have to for the sake of the office,” Trump said. |
| Ingraham also asked Trump about Pelosi’s handling of the articles of impeachment, which he called “ridiculous.” | Ingraham also asked Trump about Pelosi’s handling of the articles of impeachment, which he called “ridiculous.” |
| “She should have sent them a long time ago. It just belittles the process,” Trump said. | “She should have sent them a long time ago. It just belittles the process,” Trump said. |
| Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) released a statement after Pelosi announced that the House is likely to send the articles over next week. | Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) released a statement after Pelosi announced that the House is likely to send the articles over next week. |
| “Senate Democrats are ready for the trial to begin and will do everything we can to see that the truth comes out,” he said. | “Senate Democrats are ready for the trial to begin and will do everything we can to see that the truth comes out,” he said. |
| Sen. Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.) tweeted, “I’m ready.” | Sen. Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.) tweeted, “I’m ready.” |
| Presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) told a New Hampshire crowd that the timing of the airstrike that killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani was driven by “Donald Trump’s own political skin.” | Presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) told a New Hampshire crowd that the timing of the airstrike that killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani was driven by “Donald Trump’s own political skin.” |
| “When Donald Trump had ... ordered the killing of Soleimani, there were a lot of questions about: Why now?” Warren said. “Does this have anything to do with the fact that Donald Trump is right on the eve of an impeachment hearing?” | “When Donald Trump had ... ordered the killing of Soleimani, there were a lot of questions about: Why now?” Warren said. “Does this have anything to do with the fact that Donald Trump is right on the eve of an impeachment hearing?” |
| By hearing, she likely meant the pending Senate trial. | By hearing, she likely meant the pending Senate trial. |
| Warren mentioned a passage from a Wall Street Journal article published Friday that said Trump felt pressured to take out Soleimani by hawkish GOP senators he sees as integral to his impeachment defense. | Warren mentioned a passage from a Wall Street Journal article published Friday that said Trump felt pressured to take out Soleimani by hawkish GOP senators he sees as integral to his impeachment defense. |
| After her political event, Warren weighed in on Pelosi’s decision to send over the articles. | After her political event, Warren weighed in on Pelosi’s decision to send over the articles. |
| “I know that Nancy has a plan, and Nancy will have it figured out for all of us,” Warren said. | “I know that Nancy has a plan, and Nancy will have it figured out for all of us,” Warren said. |
| Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she and a modest group of Republican senators are working together in an effort to allow witnesses be called at the Senate trial. | Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she and a modest group of Republican senators are working together in an effort to allow witnesses be called at the Senate trial. |
| Many details about Collins’s effort, as reported by the Bangor Daily News, are unknown. Collins refused to provide any more information about the group but told Maine reporters Friday, “We should be completely open to calling witnesses.” | Many details about Collins’s effort, as reported by the Bangor Daily News, are unknown. Collins refused to provide any more information about the group but told Maine reporters Friday, “We should be completely open to calling witnesses.” |
| Collins has been among a small collection of GOP senators who have said they’d like to see House impeachment managers and White House lawyers have the opportunity to call witnesses. McConnell has refused to commit to doing so, saying that would be a decision the Senate could make after the trial is underway. | Collins has been among a small collection of GOP senators who have said they’d like to see House impeachment managers and White House lawyers have the opportunity to call witnesses. McConnell has refused to commit to doing so, saying that would be a decision the Senate could make after the trial is underway. |
| Collins, in a statement to The Post, would say only that she has “had many discussions with some of my Republican colleagues on how we can adhere as closely as practical to the precedent for conducting the impeachment trial of President Clinton, which included as a third stage the decision on whether to call witnesses.” | Collins, in a statement to The Post, would say only that she has “had many discussions with some of my Republican colleagues on how we can adhere as closely as practical to the precedent for conducting the impeachment trial of President Clinton, which included as a third stage the decision on whether to call witnesses.” |
| “I am hopeful that we can reach an agreement on how to proceed with the trial that will allow the opportunity for witnesses for both the House managers and the President’s counsel if they choose to do so,” she said. “It is important that both sides be treated fairly.” | “I am hopeful that we can reach an agreement on how to proceed with the trial that will allow the opportunity for witnesses for both the House managers and the President’s counsel if they choose to do so,” she said. “It is important that both sides be treated fairly.” |
| By: Seung Min Kim and Colby Itkowitz | By: Seung Min Kim and Colby Itkowitz |
| GOP Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) gloated over the news that Pelosi is expected to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate. | GOP Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) gloated over the news that Pelosi is expected to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate. |
| “She’s caving and sending her Articles of Impeachment to the Senate without getting a single one of her absurd demands because her own party got fed up with her games,” Scalise tweeted. “What an embarrassment! This was a total waste of time. Dems aren’t serious.” | “She’s caving and sending her Articles of Impeachment to the Senate without getting a single one of her absurd demands because her own party got fed up with her games,” Scalise tweeted. “What an embarrassment! This was a total waste of time. Dems aren’t serious.” |
| McConnell, when asked about it by a Fox News reporter, said, “about time,” a McConnell aide confirmed. | McConnell, when asked about it by a Fox News reporter, said, “about time,” a McConnell aide confirmed. |
| Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), a Trump ally, also weighed in, tweeting: “There is no way to spin it: Speaker Pelosi and her Democrat Caucus spent weeks playing games with what is effectively their attempt at overturning an American election. This display was appalling. It is deeply, fundamentally unserious. And it always has been.” | Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), a Trump ally, also weighed in, tweeting: “There is no way to spin it: Speaker Pelosi and her Democrat Caucus spent weeks playing games with what is effectively their attempt at overturning an American election. This display was appalling. It is deeply, fundamentally unserious. And it always has been.” |
| And Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) tweeted: “Faced with our motion to dismiss for failure to prosecute her case, Pelosi caves.” | And Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) tweeted: “Faced with our motion to dismiss for failure to prosecute her case, Pelosi caves.” |
| But those who defended Pelosi’s delay tactic said she succeeded by exposing McConnell’s unwillingness to have a “fair trial.” | But those who defended Pelosi’s delay tactic said she succeeded by exposing McConnell’s unwillingness to have a “fair trial.” |
| Pelosi announced in a letter to Democratic colleagues that the House will consider a resolution next week to appoint impeachment managers and send articles of impeachment against Trump to the Senate. | Pelosi announced in a letter to Democratic colleagues that the House will consider a resolution next week to appoint impeachment managers and send articles of impeachment against Trump to the Senate. |
| “I have asked Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler to be prepared to bring to the Floor next week a resolution to appoint managers and transmit articles of impeachment to the Senate,” Pelosi said in the letter. | “I have asked Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler to be prepared to bring to the Floor next week a resolution to appoint managers and transmit articles of impeachment to the Senate,” Pelosi said in the letter. |
| She said she would consult with colleagues on how to proceed during a House Democratic caucus meeting on Tuesday. The letter does not indicate which day next week the vote might occur. | She said she would consult with colleagues on how to proceed during a House Democratic caucus meeting on Tuesday. The letter does not indicate which day next week the vote might occur. |
| The House voted Dec. 18 to impeach Trump on two charges — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. | The House voted Dec. 18 to impeach Trump on two charges — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. |
| Pelosi has held the articles for more than three weeks as Democrats sought guarantees about the scope of a Senate trial, including witnesses. McConnell has made clear the Senate will move ahead with the trial without any resolution on witnesses. | Pelosi has held the articles for more than three weeks as Democrats sought guarantees about the scope of a Senate trial, including witnesses. McConnell has made clear the Senate will move ahead with the trial without any resolution on witnesses. |
| The House has concluded votes for the week, meaning the earliest the chamber could appoint House impeachment managers is Monday night. | The House has concluded votes for the week, meaning the earliest the chamber could appoint House impeachment managers is Monday night. |
| That vote is needed to trigger the transmission of the articles of impeachment to the Senate for its trial. | That vote is needed to trigger the transmission of the articles of impeachment to the Senate for its trial. |
| House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) said there would be no votes before 6:30 p.m. on Monday. | House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) said there would be no votes before 6:30 p.m. on Monday. |
| Trump mocked Pelosi on Friday for allegedly getting the idea to delay sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate from a tactic that John Dean, counsel to President Richard Nixon during Watergate, suggested on CNN. | Trump mocked Pelosi on Friday for allegedly getting the idea to delay sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate from a tactic that John Dean, counsel to President Richard Nixon during Watergate, suggested on CNN. |
| The anecdote, which appeared in a Time magazine profile of Pelosi, was attributed to an aide who suggested that Dean sparked the idea of holding onto the articles as a way to force McConnell’s hand. | The anecdote, which appeared in a Time magazine profile of Pelosi, was attributed to an aide who suggested that Dean sparked the idea of holding onto the articles as a way to force McConnell’s hand. |
| Trump, a regular viewer of cable news who often repeats what he hears on Fox News, responded to a tweet about it from conservative commentator Mollie Hemingway. | Trump, a regular viewer of cable news who often repeats what he hears on Fox News, responded to a tweet about it from conservative commentator Mollie Hemingway. |
| “Oh dear that is embarrassing,” Hemingway tweeted. | “Oh dear that is embarrassing,” Hemingway tweeted. |
| Trump shared that tweet and added of Pelosi: “She will go down as perhaps the least successful Speaker in U.S. History!” | Trump shared that tweet and added of Pelosi: “She will go down as perhaps the least successful Speaker in U.S. History!” |
| Democrats, who give Pelosi credit for shepherding through the Affordable Care Act in 2010 and for staying strong against Trump over funding the border wall during the 2019 government shutdown, may disagree. | Democrats, who give Pelosi credit for shepherding through the Affordable Care Act in 2010 and for staying strong against Trump over funding the border wall during the 2019 government shutdown, may disagree. |
| House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) told reporters Friday that he does not know when Pelosi will transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate. | House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) told reporters Friday that he does not know when Pelosi will transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate. |
| “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask her,” Hoyer said as the House prepared to wrap up its work for the week. | “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask her,” Hoyer said as the House prepared to wrap up its work for the week. |
| Pelosi told reporters that she has no plans to hold a vote on Friday to appoint House impeachment managers, a move that would trigger the transmission of the articles of impeachment to the Senate. | Pelosi told reporters that she has no plans to hold a vote on Friday to appoint House impeachment managers, a move that would trigger the transmission of the articles of impeachment to the Senate. |
| “I’ll be communicating with my members, and perhaps we’ll see that,” she told reporters. | “I’ll be communicating with my members, and perhaps we’ll see that,” she told reporters. |
| In a spate of retweets, Trump on Friday highlighted the views on impeachment and other issues of several Republican senators who will serve as his jury in a Senate trial. | In a spate of retweets, Trump on Friday highlighted the views on impeachment and other issues of several Republican senators who will serve as his jury in a Senate trial. |
| “For months, House Democrats said @realDonaldTrump was a national security threat and that impeachment was urgent. Where’s that urgency now?” Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.) said in a tweet shared by Trump. | “For months, House Democrats said @realDonaldTrump was a national security threat and that impeachment was urgent. Where’s that urgency now?” Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.) said in a tweet shared by Trump. |
| Trump also pointed to another of her tweets, which said the delay in transmitting articles “is an abuse of power & denies POTUS his day in court. Send it or end it!” | Trump also pointed to another of her tweets, which said the delay in transmitting articles “is an abuse of power & denies POTUS his day in court. Send it or end it!” |
| A tweet by Sen. David Perdue (Ga.) shared by Trump said Pelosi “is wasting the American people’s time.” | A tweet by Sen. David Perdue (Ga.) shared by Trump said Pelosi “is wasting the American people’s time.” |
| “@realDonaldTrump deserves his day in court & the Senate is ready to conduct a fair trial,” Perdue said. | “@realDonaldTrump deserves his day in court & the Senate is ready to conduct a fair trial,” Perdue said. |
| As part of a continuing campaign by Democrats to have witnesses testify in a Senate trial, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) on Friday shared a video clip from two decades ago in which McConnell talked about the importance of witnesses in President Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial. | As part of a continuing campaign by Democrats to have witnesses testify in a Senate trial, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) on Friday shared a video clip from two decades ago in which McConnell talked about the importance of witnesses in President Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial. |
| “A Senate trial should be like any other trial,” Schiff said in a tweet in which he shared the clip. “Senators should hear from witnesses. Senators should see the documents. Only then can they make the best possible decision regarding the President’s misconduct. Once upon a time, Mitch McConnell felt the same.” | “A Senate trial should be like any other trial,” Schiff said in a tweet in which he shared the clip. “Senators should hear from witnesses. Senators should see the documents. Only then can they make the best possible decision regarding the President’s misconduct. Once upon a time, Mitch McConnell felt the same.” |
| The clip is from a McConnell appearance on “Larry King Live” on CNN. | The clip is from a McConnell appearance on “Larry King Live” on CNN. |
| “It is not unusual to have a witness in a trial,” McConnell says. “It is certainly not unusual to have a witness in an impeachment trial. … The House managers have only asked for three witnesses. I think that’s pretty modest.” | “It is not unusual to have a witness in a trial,” McConnell says. “It is certainly not unusual to have a witness in an impeachment trial. … The House managers have only asked for three witnesses. I think that’s pretty modest.” |
| Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Friday accused McConnell of seeking to prevent witnesses who want to testify at a Senate trial from appearing. | Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Friday accused McConnell of seeking to prevent witnesses who want to testify at a Senate trial from appearing. |
| “Last I heard, when you have a trial, you get witnesses, right?” Sanders, a Democratic presidential candidate, said during an appearance on NBC’s “Today” show. “It is astounding to me that we have Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, trying to prevent witnesses, some of whom want to testify, from being present in the trial.” | “Last I heard, when you have a trial, you get witnesses, right?” Sanders, a Democratic presidential candidate, said during an appearance on NBC’s “Today” show. “It is astounding to me that we have Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, trying to prevent witnesses, some of whom want to testify, from being present in the trial.” |
| McConnell has rebuffed Democratic requests to guarantee certain witnesses will appear. Instead, he has said senators should vote on whether to hear from witnesses after hearing opening statements from House impeachment managers and lawyers for Trump and having an opportunity to submit questions to both sides. | McConnell has rebuffed Democratic requests to guarantee certain witnesses will appear. Instead, he has said senators should vote on whether to hear from witnesses after hearing opening statements from House impeachment managers and lawyers for Trump and having an opportunity to submit questions to both sides. |
| Asked if he thinks Pelosi should go ahead and transmit the articles of impeachment, Sanders did not answer directly. | Asked if he thinks Pelosi should go ahead and transmit the articles of impeachment, Sanders did not answer directly. |
| “I think now the responsibility is with McConnell, and I hope McConnell does what the American people want: Give a fair trial. That means we have witnesses who will testify.” | “I think now the responsibility is with McConnell, and I hope McConnell does what the American people want: Give a fair trial. That means we have witnesses who will testify.” |