Report implicates VP Pence in intensifying Trump scandal

[Dennis Donovan]

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/report-implicates-vp-pence-intensifying-trump-scandal

10/03/19 08:00 AM
By Steve Benen

The scandal that’s likely to lead to Donald Trump’s impeachment involves a striking cast of characters. In addition to the president himself, there’s a growing list of questions involving Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Attorney General Bill Barr, among others, and those questions need answers.

But don’t forget about Vice President Mike Pence. The Washington Post reported overnight:

President Trump repeatedly involved Vice President Pence in efforts to exert pressure on the leader of Ukraine at a time when the president was using other channels to solicit information that he hoped would be damaging to a Democratic rival, current and former U.S. officials said.

Trump instructed Pence not to attend the inauguration of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in May — an event White House officials had pushed to put on the vice president’s calendar — when Ukraine’s new leader was seeking recognition and support from Washington, the officials said.

Months later, the president used Pence to tell Zelensky that U.S. aid was still being withheld while demanding more aggressive action on corruption, officials said. At that time — following Trump’s July 25 phone call with Zelenksy — the Ukrainians probably understood action on corruption to include the investigation of former vice president Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden.

The timeline of events paints an exceedingly unflattering picture. We know that Trump personally intervened to delay U.S. aid to Ukraine, which was desperate for the American assistance. We also know that Trump soon after had a telephone meeting with Zelenksy in which the Ukrainian leader stressed the significance of the aid package, only to hear his American counterpart say in response, “I would like you to do us a favor, though.”

</snip>

[wasupaloopa]

1. trump will throw Pence under the bus. I wonder how long before Barr and Pompeo join him there.

[olegramps]

13. The Ukrainians had best consider that Trump will be gone and the Russians will remain.

Trump has put them in a difficult position. Their future is far from certain and in serious jeopardy. They are barely able to hold on and are being forced into negotiations with the invaders. I can only see what Trump has done as being welcomed by Putin. Is this a factor that is not being explored. I would like to know what conversations Trump has had with his handler Putin.

[leftieNanner]

15. Rachel discussed this

Very thing the other night. The Orange One has put Ukraine in a very weak position against Putin.

[Pluvious]

25. All part of the Handler's backup plan... n/t

[Botany]

2. Trump sent Pence to Poland to meet w/Zelensky on Sept. 1

“The Vice President spoke by phone today with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to follow up on their productive September 1 meeting in Warsaw and discussed President Trump’s upcoming meeting with President Zelenskyy next week at the UN General Assembly in New York,” the White House said in a readout of the call.

https://www.salon.com/2019/09/25/pence-called-ukraines-president-to-praise-fight-against-corruption-days-after-us-aid-package_partner/

[IdealsAndReal42]

3. If Pence is letting down Trump, it's just GREAT NEWS.

[safeinOhio]

4. Can they make a big point of

having him place his right hand on the Bible and swear to tell the truth.

[Fiendish Thingy]

5. Pence needs to go first...and Unlike Trump, Pence can be indicted nt

[at140]

6. Ironic thing is Biden may not even end up as the nominee!

Something tells me Trump will not run for 2nd term, which he can do even if removed from office.
For the reason he is getting old, looks tired and exhausted.
US Constitution does not prohibit a impeached president from seeking re-election.

[srose58089]

18. Can Trump seek re-election if impeached?

I am not a constitutional lawyer or scholar but let me quote Art 1 sect 3 clause 6-7

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried
the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, AND disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United
States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and
subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Does the language after AND prohibit running for office again? Does the Senate have to vote on removal AND separately vote on disqualification to hold?

Crazy idea from the two thirds of the Members present language. What if lots and lots of Republican Senators by choice aren't present so the Democrats have a two thirds majority?

[at140]

22. I was going by what I heard TV talking heads were saying

I think he was a lawyer so assumed he knows constitution.
What you posted conflicts with that lawyer's presumption.

[Duppers]

20. If incarcerated?

😁

[at140]

23. If incarcerated, no chance in hell to get elected....eom

[Duppers]

26. My attempt at humor. eom

[dalton99a]

7. Kick

[stonecutter357]

8. LOCK HIM UP!

[TeamPooka]

9. Trump will take Pence down with him, on principle

[babylonsister]

10. I think I need to buy stock in popcorn.

[Scarsdale]

11. Oh, noes!

Mother will be very upset about this. She was counting on that president salary to buy all the things she has done without all these years. I would bet Mikey dreads having her find out about this, more than the citizens.

[bullwinkle428]

12. Warming up in the bullpen...NIKKI HALEY!!!

Which may not exactly the greatest development for Democrats, if they can roll in someone who appears to the general public to be essentially "untainted" by the sum total of all of Chump's corruption.

[Nasruddin]

17. Two full years of Trump Cologne

all over her.

That's going to be hard to sell. If the Trump regime collapses in scandal.

[calimary]

29. Ugh! That wouldn't be good. She has appeal.

[Raftergirl]

14. Pence is

up to his eyeballs in this.

[leftieNanner]

16. Either that or

He is immensely stupid and incompetent! Rachel reported the other night that there were multiple instances after the initial phone call with Ukraine that documents crossed Pence's desk with all the information. So either he didn't read them, or he didn't understand them. And one document was the briefing just before his meeting in Poland!!

[Chakaconcarne]

19. President Pelosi ?

[Duppers]

21. Heck YES....then she should appoint HRC as VP

Then resign. Then....
Hello, Madam President Clinton! Finally holding her rightful office.

😁🇺🇸😁


However...what would that do to the Democratic race? Hmmm. Well, it's a lovely thought anyway.

[yellowcanine]

24. Mother is not going to be happy about that.

She was already measuring the WH drapes .

[ffr]

27. I did not have transactional relations with that man, Mr. Zelensky.

Link to tweet

[calimary]

30. BOOM!

[peggysue2]

28. Pence has already admitted his Ukraine involvement but . . .

insists he didn't know it was wrong. He carried all the documents, carried on the conversations with Zelensky but says he had no idea he was involved in anything not on the up and up.

This from a man who served in the United States Congress for a dozen years and was chairman of the Republican conference from 2009-2011, did not know he was breaking the law.

The evidence must be mounting because ignorance of the law is no defense at all, particularly for someone with Pence's background.

Criminality in plain sight!