Plans for Trump impeachment trial get foggy before holiday break (IMPEACHMENT HELD HOSTAGE - DAY 4)

Market Watch ^ | 12/21/19

[Libloather]

President Donald Trump is in sunny Florida after his historic impeachment, while plans for his speedy trial back in Washington remained clouded. Senate leaders jockeying for leverage have failed to agree on procedures for the trial.

Trump is still expected to be acquitted of both charges in the Senate, where Republicans have the majority, in what will be only the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history. Proceedings are expected to begin in January.

But the impasse between Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer over whether there will be new witnesses and testimony - along with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s refusal so far to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate - have left the situation unresolved.

“Nancy Pelosi is looking for a Quid Pro Quo with the Senate. Why aren’t we Impeaching her?” Trump tweeted, mocking one of the accusations against him before heading out for a two-week stay at his Mar-a-Lago resort for the holidays.

[Libloather]

...expected to begin in January.

Says who? San Fran Gran Nan could ride this out until November.

[wastoute]

There is no impasse. Schumer has only the leverage Mitch GIVES him.

[MrEdd]

No she can’t.
The Senate makes its own rules.
In fact, its quite possible that they already have.

The rules may very well say that the articles of impeachment must be submitted to the senate within three days after the house vote or they are invalid.

Nancy has to submit her articles before she can know what she Senate rules are.

[Sacajaweau]

I think Mitch can set the date for the trial...and the Dems have to appoint their managers....which is nothing more than selecting Senators to act as "interrogators".

My take....With no one taking the stand as a witness, there3 can be no cross....and it's over on a vote.

[HighSierra5]

Don’t play their game. Slam them up side their heads with a fast acquittal.

[SkyPilot]

I think Mitch can set the date for the trial...and the Dems have to appoint their managers....which is nothing more than selecting Senators to act as "interrogators". My take....With no one taking the stand as a witness, there3 can be no cross....and it's over on a vote.

I have heard rumors that the White House is going to go to the Supreme Court, and ask that the entire impeachment be considered for dismissal on the grounds that it is invalid and does not even meet Constitutional grounds. The Constitution limits grounds of impeachment to "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors".

The key is getting the court to consider the articles. They don't want to get involved at this point. It's a mess, and they don't want to step into the pig pen.

So that's the current battle.

Trump has the votes of Thomas, Kavanaugh, Alito, Gorsuch.

The Democrats have a lock with Ginsberg, and 99% chance they also have Sotomayor and Kagan (the Bull Dyke and the Wise Latina).

Breyer could be a wildcard. He isn't as insane as the other libs, but he is still a lib.

That leaves it up to the unreliable and tainted Roberts. "Obamacare Tax is Not Really a Tax" Roberts.

But, if the White House is able to get the court to dismiss the articles out of hand, the Democrats would not only lose big time, the legitimacy of the impeachment would be torn to shreds.

[Sacajaweau]

That ain’t gonna happen.

[SkyPilot]

Doubtful, yes. Especially with the Constitution giving sole power of impeachment to the House, the trial to the Senate, and the Chief Justice as presider.

However, the Democrats shennanigans with "withholding" the impeachment to the Senate is a twist in this drama.

If this drags out, the White House AND the Senate have cause to ask the court to intercede. Senator Grassley just said that the Democrats strategy is to paralyze the Senate's work on judges.

We'll see. I agree it's a longshot.

[TalBlack]

“You’re not gonna send the articles over”? “Cool”! Is an impasse?

[Dixie Yooper]

Since Nancy has declared The Senate Majority Leader to have gone rouge along with the President... are she and Chuck getting ready to declare Martial Law? After their behavior during the impeachment circus and Kavanaugh hearings, what’s left?

[bert]

This article is garbage. The impeachment is not being held hostage. The Speaker has mouthed some words but has not yet actually made good on her threats.

Being powerless, she is merely getting her name in the news constantly over the low news holidays.

PS: the market has made us lots of money in the last few days and puts the reality lie to all she says and does

[bert]

In my view, the court has no authority to void the impeachment and overturn the actions of the House

There is no statute involved

[mewzilla]

Since the Chief Justice appoints FISA judges, I’d say SCOTUS is already up to its armpits in this coup.

If SCOTUS has any brains, it’ll cut bait.

[Retvet]

Nancy Pelosi coup is now obstructing justice, charge her Barr!

[Georgia Girl 2]

Schumer has no power in the Senate. Mitch and Lindsay will be running a tight ship on impeachment if it ever even goes to trial. Wait til all those Democrat reps get screamed at during the holidays.

[gandalftb]

The United States Constitution, Article I, Section 2, Clause 5 provides:
...................
The House of Representatives ... shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
....................
House Practice: A Guide to the Rules, Precedents and Procedures of the House, Chapter 27. Impeachment, From the U.S. Government Publishing Office:
................
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-HPRACTICE-112/html/GPO-HPRACTICE-112-28.htm
...............
Sec. 5. Effect of Adjournment”: .....an impeachment proceeding does not expire with adjournment. An impeachment proceeding begun in the House in one Congress may be resumed in the next Congress.
..............
Sec. 8. Following the adoption of a resolution to impeach, the House appoints managers to conduct the impeachment trial in the Senate.
.............
So, the “sole power” requires that the rules adopted by the House can only be changed by the House.
..............
Modifying that “sole power” to force changes on the House would require a constitutional amendment.

[Go Gordon]

But, if the White House is able to get the court to dismiss the articles out of hand, the Democrats would not only lose big time, the legitimacy of the impeachment would be torn to shreds

Don't you think the Rats would have a do-over in the House. After going to court to get enforcement of subpoenas to eliminate Trump's executive privilege, and being able to call additional "fact" witnesses, 2020 might be a long year.

[SFConservative]

That leaves it up to the unreliable and tainted Roberts. "Obamacare Tax is Not Really a Tax" Roberts.

I think you meant: "Obamacare Penalty is Really a Tax" Roberts.

[Lean-Right]

“Pelosi’s left-wing tactics will
come to a screeching halt in
our GOP Senate.”-Mitch McConnell