MAGAThread XVIII: The Authority Is Total

[Zurkerx]

White House has issued formal threat to Bolton to keep him from publishing book.

No surprise here, but it goes to figure Trump is aware what Bolton has on him, if anything.

[Gormwood]

White House has issued formal threat to Bolton to keep him from publishing book.

No surprise here, but it goes to figure Trump is aware what Bolton has on him, if anything.

Only innocent men threaten potential witnesses.

[MNIC]

White House has issued formal threat to Bolton to keep him from publishing book.

No surprise here, but it goes to figure Trump is aware what Bolton has on him, if anything.

Only innocent men threaten potential witnesses.

This can even constitute as another crime!
He literally is Obstructing Justice in a case about him obstructing congress and abusing his power!

[Ifreann]

Only innocent men threaten potential witnesses.

This can even constitute as another crime!
He literally is Obstructing Justice in a case about him obstructing congress and abusing his power!

Preventing a book from being published isn't obstructing justice.

[MNIC]

This can even constitute as another crime!
He literally is Obstructing Justice in a case about him obstructing congress and abusing his power!

Prevent a book from being published isn't obstructing justice.

That might be true, but it really shows he is really guilty about something or extremely embarrassed about something

[Ifreann]

Prevent a book from being published isn't obstructing justice.

That might be true, but it really shows he is really guilty about something or extremely embarrassed about something

That much is true.

[Zurkerx]

Prevent a book from being published isn't obstructing justice.

That might be true, but it really shows he is really guilty about something or extremely embarrassed about something

Why not both? After all, Trump is known for doing both guilty and embarrassing things. But yes, it clearly shows he is trying to hide something: any rational person can see that.

[Gormwood]

Prevent a book from being published isn't obstructing justice.

That might be true, but it really shows he is really guilty about something or extremely embarrassed about something

Or hopefully Bolton trolls Trump in response and releases another damning revelation.

[MNIC]

That might be true, but it really shows he is really guilty about something or extremely embarrassed about something

Why not both? After all, Trump is known for doing both guilty and embarrassing things. But yes, it clearly shows he is trying to hide something: any rational person can see that.

Not many rational people in the senate.

[Alien Space Bats]

Or hopefully Bolton trolls Trump in response and releases another damning revelation.

Like revealing that Trump sold out the Kurds because Erdogan threatened to screw with his business (Trump Tower Istanbul)?

I'm just waiting for that shoe to drop...

[Vassenor]

Sounds like the GOP is going full on BUT OBAMA.

[Jerzylvania]

White House has issued formal threat to Bolton to keep him from publishing book.

No surprise here, but it goes to figure Trump is aware what Bolton has on him, if anything.

Only innocent men threaten potential witnesses.

Any gangster knows that.

Sounds like the GOP is going full on BUT OBAMA.

Their quiver is quite empty of any sharp pointed arrows.

[Myrensis]

So, I mean, can we just assume at this point that Trump has actual video of Dershowitz partying with Epstein and underage girls? Otherwise I'm failing to see how a man who purports to be a Constitutional lawyer can keep a straight face while arguing that as long as the President believes getting himself re-elected would be a good thing, he's entitled to abuse his power at will to make it happen and Congress has no right to challenge him on it.

[Zurkerx]

So, I mean, can we just assume at this point that Trump has actual video of Dershowitz partying with Epstein and underage girls? Otherwise I'm failing to see how a man who purports to be a Constitutional lawyer can keep a straight face while arguing that as long as the President believes getting himself re-elected would be a good thing, he's entitled to abuse his power at will to make it happen and Congress has no right to challenge him on it.

"Every public official that I know believes that his election is in the public interest," celebrity attorney Dershowitz said at Trump’s impeachment trial, which garnered chuckles from senators in the chamber. "And mostly you're right. Your election is in the public interest."

"And if a president does something which he believes will help him get elected, in the public interest, that cannot be the kind of quid pro quo that results in impeachment."

I love how they call him a celebrity. So, basically, he's arguing that because it was in the best interest of the country to investigate a political opponent, one challenging the President for the White House, this doesn't break the law and therefore, the President didn't abuse his power. Might as well come out and say "well jeez, investigate your rivals: there will be no consequences to that!"

What a fucking joke.

[Diarcesia]

So, I mean, can we just assume at this point that Trump has actual video of Dershowitz partying with Epstein and underage girls? Otherwise I'm failing to see how a man who purports to be a Constitutional lawyer can keep a straight face while arguing that as long as the President believes getting himself re-elected would be a good thing, he's entitled to abuse his power at will to make it happen and Congress has no right to challenge him on it.

"Every public official that I know believes that his election is in the public interest," celebrity attorney Dershowitz said at Trump’s impeachment trial, which garnered chuckles from senators in the chamber. "And mostly you're right. Your election is in the public interest."

"And if a president does something which he believes will help him get elected, in the public interest, that cannot be the kind of quid pro quo that results in impeachment."

I love how they call him a celebrity. So, basically, he's arguing that because it was in the best interest of the country to investigate a political opponent, one challenging the President for the White House, this doesn't break the law and therefore, the President didn't abuse his power. Might as well come out and say "well jeez, investigate your rivals: there will be no consequences to that!"

What a fucking joke.

If the rivals aren't squeaky clean, what do you expect?

[Fartsniffage]

"Every public official that I know believes that his election is in the public interest," celebrity attorney Dershowitz said at Trump’s impeachment trial, which garnered chuckles from senators in the chamber. "And mostly you're right. Your election is in the public interest."

"And if a president does something which he believes will help him get elected, in the public interest, that cannot be the kind of quid pro quo that results in impeachment."

I love how they call him a celebrity. So, basically, he's arguing that because it was in the best interest of the country to investigate a political opponent, one challenging the President for the White House, this doesn't break the law and therefore, the President didn't abuse his power. Might as well come out and say "well jeez, investigate your rivals: there will be no consequences to that!"

What a fucking joke.

If the rivals aren't squeaky clean, what do you expect?

I would expect the President to use US law enforcement to investigate them and have the whole thing on public record.

[Zurkerx]

If the rivals aren't squeaky clean, what do you expect?

I would expect the President to use US law enforcement to investigate them and have the whole thing on public record.

Pretty much this. There were a few legal avenues that Trump and his DOJ could have taken. Yes, Democrats would have bitched about it, but it wouldn't be impeachable and make him look like he's tackling corruption. He instead took the shadow route.

[Diarcesia]

I would expect the President to use US law enforcement to investigate them and have the whole thing on public record.

Pretty much this. There were a few legal avenues that Trump and his DOJ could have taken. Yes, Democrats would have bitched about it, but it wouldn't be impeachable and make him look like he's tackling corruption. He instead took the shadow route.

Name a more iconic duo: Trump and Shooting Himself at the Foot

[Gormwood]

Pretty much this. There were a few legal avenues that Trump and his DOJ could have taken. Yes, Democrats would have bitched about it, but it wouldn't be impeachable and make him look like he's tackling corruption. He instead took the shadow route.

Name a more iconic duo: Trump and Shooting Himself at the Foot

And his base cheers that The Foot had it coming for the bone spurs.

[Myrensis]

I would expect the President to use US law enforcement to investigate them and have the whole thing on public record.

Pretty much this. There were a few legal avenues that Trump and his DOJ could have taken. Yes, Democrats would have bitched about it, but it wouldn't be impeachable and make him look like he's tackling corruption. He instead took the shadow route.

It is the more ironic bit. Pompeo and Barr have both clearly demonstrated that they're utterly Trumps creatures, he could very easily have had them set up something with a veneer of legitimacy...but because in the end he's a cheap thug in an expensive suit he went with his default tactic of sending his personal lawyer to 'fix' things for him.

[Senkaku]

in light of the past few years I propose we rename the Epstein-Barr virus, because it really is not that bad

[Gravlen]

So, I mean, can we just assume at this point that Trump has actual video of Dershowitz partying with Epstein and underage girls? Otherwise I'm failing to see how a man who purports to be a Constitutional lawyer can keep a straight face while arguing that as long as the President believes getting himself re-elected would be a good thing, he's entitled to abuse his power at will to make it happen and Congress has no right to challenge him on it.

Dershowitz has for years now been bad at his job, coasting on former glory while arguing what he thinks the law should be whenever asked what the law is.

[Gravlen]

There is at least bipartisan agreement on one thing: Bolton is an ass. Some take it further than others though.

Evangelical pastor: Jesus would have 'beat the crap' out of John Bolton

“You are a slime ball of the highest order .... I should have knocked your sorry butt through the door of the Oval Office into the rose garden when I saw you. I would have gladly been arrested .... what a Benedict Arnold ..... I am glad you were fired !!!!!” Howard-Browne tweeted Monday.

“I have no respect for someone who is disloyal to the President and loyal to deep state !!! No respect! No respect at all ...... what a globalist sellout!” he added.

By "globalist" he probably means "Jew".

Anti-semitic dogwhistling aside, we might be spared seeing the Mustache in the Senate, as the Republicans revert to Nixon's way of thinking and might have decided to not hear from any witnesses.

GOP senators believe they have the votes to block witnesses

There was no discussion of witnesses at a Senate GOP lunch meeting Wednesday, which was held a couple hours after McConnell and Murkowski met for about 20 to 30 minutes.

That was seen as a sign by several senators that Democrats will fail to convince four Republicans to join them in calling for witnesses. Without a vote to hear from witnesses, the trial could end as soon as Friday.

“We’re going to get it done by Friday, hopefully,” Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said following the meeting.

Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), emerging from the lunch, said, “I think I can say the mood is good.”

Braun expressed confidence that McConnell will be able to keep his conference unified enough to defeat a motion to consider subpoenas for additional witnesses and documents.

“If I had to guess, no witnesses,” he said.

“We’ll be in a place where I think everyone is going to have their mind made up and I believe that we’ll be able to move to a verdict, and the witness question will be clear at that point,” Braun added.

[Zurkerx]

There is at least bipartisan agreement on one thing: Bolton is an ass. Some take it further than others though.

Evangelical pastor: Jesus would have 'beat the crap' out of John Bolton

“You are a slime ball of the highest order .... I should have knocked your sorry butt through the door of the Oval Office into the rose garden when I saw you. I would have gladly been arrested .... what a Benedict Arnold ..... I am glad you were fired !!!!!” Howard-Browne tweeted Monday.

“I have no respect for someone who is disloyal to the President and loyal to deep state !!! No respect! No respect at all ...... what a globalist sellout!” he added.

By "globalist" he probably means "Jew".

Anti-semitic dogwhistling aside, we might be spared seeing the Mustache in the Senate, as the Republicans revert to Nixon's way of thinking and might have decided to not hear from any witnesses.

GOP senators believe they have the votes to block witnesses

There was no discussion of witnesses at a Senate GOP lunch meeting Wednesday, which was held a couple hours after McConnell and Murkowski met for about 20 to 30 minutes.

That was seen as a sign by several senators that Democrats will fail to convince four Republicans to join them in calling for witnesses. Without a vote to hear from witnesses, the trial could end as soon as Friday.

“We’re going to get it done by Friday, hopefully,” Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said following the meeting.

Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), emerging from the lunch, said, “I think I can say the mood is good.”

Braun expressed confidence that McConnell will be able to keep his conference unified enough to defeat a motion to consider subpoenas for additional witnesses and documents.

“If I had to guess, no witnesses,” he said.

“We’ll be in a place where I think everyone is going to have their mind made up and I believe that we’ll be able to move to a verdict, and the witness question will be clear at that point,” Braun added.

Should come as no surprise though this will hurt them in the long run. It's a short-term victory for them no doubt but the fact a majority wanted to hear from new witnesses, believe Trump abused his power, obstructed Congress, and believe Trump should cooperate more (that's what polls show), gives Democrats at least enough ammunition to spin the trial as "unfair" and "a cover-up". They can especially use that against vulnerable GOP Senators and attack Trump on corruption: they'll make sure of that.

Of course, anything can change as I feel at least Romney and Collins would vote for new witnesses, but it remains to be seen.

[Gormwood]

There is at least bipartisan agreement on one thing: Bolton is an ass. Some take it further than others though.

Evangelical pastor: Jesus would have 'beat the crap' out of John Bolton

“You are a slime ball of the highest order .... I should have knocked your sorry butt through the door of the Oval Office into the rose garden when I saw you. I would have gladly been arrested .... what a Benedict Arnold ..... I am glad you were fired !!!!!” Howard-Browne tweeted Monday.

“I have no respect for someone who is disloyal to the President and loyal to deep state !!! No respect! No respect at all ...... what a globalist sellout!” he added.

By "globalist" he probably means "Jew".

Anti-semitic dogwhistling aside, we might be spared seeing the Mustache in the Senate, as the Republicans revert to Nixon's way of thinking and might have decided to not hear from any witnesses.

GOP senators believe they have the votes to block witnesses

There was no discussion of witnesses at a Senate GOP lunch meeting Wednesday, which was held a couple hours after McConnell and Murkowski met for about 20 to 30 minutes.

That was seen as a sign by several senators that Democrats will fail to convince four Republicans to join them in calling for witnesses. Without a vote to hear from witnesses, the trial could end as soon as Friday.

“We’re going to get it done by Friday, hopefully,” Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said following the meeting.

Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), emerging from the lunch, said, “I think I can say the mood is good.”

Braun expressed confidence that McConnell will be able to keep his conference unified enough to defeat a motion to consider subpoenas for additional witnesses and documents.

“If I had to guess, no witnesses,” he said.

“We’ll be in a place where I think everyone is going to have their mind made up and I believe that we’ll be able to move to a verdict, and the witness question will be clear at that point,” Braun added.

Should come as no surprise though this will hurt them in the long run. It's a short-term victory for them no doubt but the fact a majority wanted to hear from new witnesses, believe Trump abused his power, obstructed Congress, and believe Trump should cooperate more (that's what polls show), gives Democrats at least enough ammunition to spin the trial as "unfair" and "a cover-up". They can especially use that against vulnerable GOP Senators and attack Trump on corruption: they'll make sure of that.

Of course, anything can change as I feel at least Romney and Collins would vote for new witnesses, but it remains to be seen.

Romney at least has integrity. Collins? Pffft. She talked all moderate before bending over for Brett Kavanaugh and she'll still talk moderate before letting Trump grab her.