Sen. Graham calls request for Trump to testify, a "political, showboat move"

[groundloop]

Source: CNN

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham told reporters he doesn’t think former President Trump would come testify at the Senate impeachment trial next week.

He added: “It’s just a nightmare for the country to do this... it’s just a political, show boat move. They didn’t call him in the House.”

The South Carolina Republican also said he spoke to Trump a few days ago, and that he’s in “pretty good spirits... trying to get adjusted to his new life” and that he’s “very focused on 2022” to help the GOP retake the House and/or Senate.

Read more: Scroll Down to find this story: https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/congress-stimulus-trump-impeachment-2-04-21

[Skittles]

1. oh SHUT THE FUCK UP

what a WHINY LITTLE PISSANT HE IS

[iluvtennis]

30. Ditto. nt

[C_U_L8R]

2. Is he chicken?

Too afraid to testify Trump. What's he hiding? Huh?

[cstanleytech]

12. Well I did hear he likes KFC.

[jmowreader]

23. And they say you are what you eat

[AZ8theist]

21. I once heard...

Someone said "People who take the 5th are guilty" so won't testify....
Heard that somewhere.....

[walkingman]

3. Stick it!

[Mc Mike]

4. He had plans to piss and moan if Rump WASN'T offered the chance to testify, too.

How dare they deny the president his right to testify, after smearing his name like this?

[Cirque du So-What]

5. Why would the House have called on him to testify?

That’s pure poppycock, Lindsey - a commodity with which you have extensive knowledge.

[global1]

10. It's Up To The Senate To Hold The Trial - Not The House.....

If he won't come voluntarily to testify with this invitation by Raskin - then it's time to subpoena him now and comply him to come or be in contempt.

[Maraya1969]

15. I would love for them to subpoena dump and then arrest his ass for not showing up.

He is not president anymore!

[moriah]

41. While I know that this isn't a "criminal" trial, doesn't Trump have the right not to testify?

Reason I ask is this:

Impeachment itself is not a criminal process, as it only strips office and the ability to hold office in the future. However, impeachment can then be followed by actual criminal charges if the conduct actually does meet legal standards of "incitement to riot".

And the grounds for impeachment, holding him responsible for inciting the insurrection... His words could be used against him in later criminal trial, either way.

No I don't think Trump deserves the protections our laws offer to avoid self-incrimination, but he may be entitled to them regardless.

Another "witness" who I don't think should be called is the Q Shaman dude, or really, any of the insurrectionists who are criminally charged. Social media and indictments mentioning statements about "fighting for Trump" should be enough.

Only potential witness type among the insurrectionists I can picture actually calling would be one of the many "not unattractive white women" who have gone on camera or interviews saying they believed they were doing what Trump wanted by stepping foot on restricted Capitol grounds. Especially if they cry. But that's more because it could make the Rs see them as a potential Ashli Babbitt (who some still apparently feel is a "martyr" ).

But that's it. No horned shaman dude up there, nor any of those other criminals.

[Mike Nelson]

6. Agree...

... Trump is a "political showboat."

[Irish_Dem]

7. Interrogating Hillary for 11 hrs was QOP show boat. The impeachment is for real and serious.

Trump tried to overthrow the US government to subvert the will of the people and retain power.

[LiberalLovinLug]

8. Wait.....Trump would be a "showboat", and a "nightmare"? And NOW he has an issue with that?

[LiberalLovinLug]

9. "he doesn't think former President Trump would come testify"

So....I've heard conflicting reports. Can he be compelled to testify? Or is it his choice?

[NurseJackie]

11. Well well well...

... if it isn't the delicate Southern Gentleman from South Carolina, world famous political showboater, making a fuss about political showboating. That's rich.

Land! I do believe he's about to have another hissy fit! He'll stop his feet until he gets his way! Someone pour him another mint julep, give him a paper fan, and sit him down in a white wooden rocker on the breezy side of the front porch! The aroma of magnolias and gardenias, and the sight of the Spanish moss waving in the gentle breeze might be soothing for him. He certainly does get worked up and emotional over the most inconsequential things. You can tell he's getting all flustered and bothered because his forehead is starting to glisten with little beads of perspiration.

[Botany]

14. Talk about "showboating"

[NurseJackie]

16. Haaaaa! There he is!

[Botany]

18. And that little walk by Lindsey and John McCain through that Baghdad market got a bunc of people ...

... killed.

[NurseJackie]

19. Yes, I remember that. I need to choose my words carefully when it comes to Lindsay Gram...

... for obvious reasons. And sometimes it's best that I say nothing, like right now. So, I'll just keep my true feelings about him to myself.

[Ingersollman]

35. Brilliant!

One quibble though. Perhaps "veranda" might be better than "porch". Veranda has such a Southern Belle feel, you know?

[NurseJackie]

38. Noted. I love it! Thank you! You're absolutely correct!

[Turbineguy]

13. "Showboat"?

More like a train wreck.

[pamela]

17. He's focused on '22 for revenge.

RepubliQans are fools. He's angrier at the R's than he is the D's. He'll spend more time trying to primary his "enemies," like Cheney and Murkowski, than trying to help them take the house or senate. Spite, spite, spite.

[stillcool]

20. Grand old Party of Projection

[Xipe Totec]

22. To quote your saint du jour, MTG, "Grow a Pair" nt

[ClusterFreak]

24. Is there any more pathetic rethug these days than Lindsey?

This guy just never stops being a dick. Never. He is the most shamelessly hypocritical politician I think I have ever witnessed in my life. He just blows me away. There is no level he won't stoop to. He is Waylon Smithers come to life. He's Trump's lickspittle, in the way Smithers was the same to Mr. Burns.

Honest to God, dude, you're such a two faced fraud that at this point, you are pretty much irredeemable.

[NNadir]

25. Sort of like having a President trying to use his office to pressure a foreign government to...

...smear a political opponents family, being impeached, and then organizing a kangaroo court that refuses to hear witnesses,.

I'm gonna bet that Lindsay is going to be busted before this is all over. There's more to this picture than is currently on screen.

[keithbvadu2]

28. Busted

Whatever dirt Donald has on Lindsey must be spectacular.

[bullimiami]

26. like everything trump did for 4 years while you clapped? weak pos.

[azureblue]

27. weakling Trump

not as good as a Hillary by a long shot. H's old, tired, slow in the head, pathetic, and weak. And he admits it. Hillary sat for a hearing for 11 hours and Trump can't even show up. Hillary is way smarter and better than Trump.
Dare I use the P word?

[turbinetree]

29. Hey Graham I got a idea, let the managers of the trial call you up

and ask you about your phone call to the state sec of Georgia, you know asking about those ballots, have a feeeling that everything is linked to your BS and the insurrection.....................FU......

[kimbutgar]

31. If mf45 is innocent he should defend himself !

Testifying will show whether he is innocent or not! or is he a Pu$$y Lady G?

[Montauk6]

32. CAN'T THEY CHANGE THE FRIGGIN' RECORD???!!! Geez....

Every I mean EVERY critique these whiners lob against THE ONES TRYING TO CLEAN UP THEIR MESS IN THE FIRST PLACE is either:

a) political grandstanding/showboating
b) the SOLE cause of gridlock that's destroying the country
c) destroying the First Amendment.

Just get outta here already!

[DallasNE]

33. Trump Has Already Testified In Writing

Since his testimony is at odds with the evidence in hand Trump needs to come back and be cross-examined under oath in order to clear matters up. And that is how the Democrats need to message it.

[maxsolomon]

34. 6 more years of this shit. Probably 12 or 18, honestly.

He's only fucking 65 and I feel like he's been in my face my entire adult life.

He's not the head of Judiciary any more.

Let's stop hanging on every mendacious pettifog.

[Ingersollman]

36. Seriously?

I thought he was in his mid-70's. He doesn't look too healthy. Maybe I'm just indulging in wishful thinking on that, though.

[maxsolomon]

37. You are. He's a Palmetto Bug. He'll live forever.

He was an Impeachment Manager in Clinton's trial, 22 years ago. He was 43.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

39. Why is Graham always so worried about testimony?

I'm starting to believe the speculation that he's worried secrets about himself will be publicly revealed.

[EndlessWire]

40. What I get out of it

He's Trump's mouthpiece -- one of them.

Trump doesn't see himself in jail. For 2022, he plans to campaign for whoever has garnered favors from him. Since he can't tweet (please oh please let that continue,) he'll be on the campaign trail, feeding his black soul with the thrill and opportunity to spew vile epithets at opponents. And, correct me if I am wrong, but I see the US taxpayer as the magic carpet ride of his dreams.

That's what we have to look forward to in the next two years. If we don't convict him, he will then run for pRes again in 2024, using the money he took from MAGA. And, he'll get more.

So, I think that if he needs to be subpoenaed, just do it. It will be a mess, and you know that they will NOT send the Marshals for him; but perhaps it should be on record. What they have done is fair, giving him a clear opportunity to defend himself. It is not a stunt. It is the justice system, and there is no doubt that he could have his day in court if he wanted it. He doesn't. And so, Graham stands up to deliver his message.

I am looking forward to the impeachment trial, and it doesn't matter to me if Orange Turd Man shows up at all. I am hoping Schiff might have a speech as he is very good at that, and I am a fan.

I don't care what LG has to say about anything. He is a minor toady who will one day be tossed to the curb and forgotten.

[Happy Hoosier]

42. Who gives a fuck what that...

Obsequious Kiss-Ass says.