Corruption

Quit kidding yourself about Trump.

• Yes, the impeachment over Ukraine was justified
  • Trump Impeachment: Senate Acquittal Will Mean No Appetite for Truth | National Review 
    “Desperate Republicans have offered strained arguments. They say, with straight faces, that this shakedown was part of Trump’s overall anti-corruption campaign. Really? Like his efforts with Turkey, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and Russia? And if Trump were truly concerned about corruption in Ukraine, why did he show no interest in the matter before 2019? Why did his own ambassador to the European Union say, “Trump doesn’t give a s*** about Ukraine. He cares only about the big stuff like the Biden investigation.”?”
  • The case for impeachment – The Washington Post 
    Very well done, though I’d add one thing here — the reason Trump wants Ukraine to investigate Biden is obvious, but the reason he wants Ukraine to investigate election meddling is because he wants to deflect blame from his Russian overseers. The case is air-tight. Time to bring it to the American people and let them watch as their senators decide whether they’re OK with an emperor in charge of an alleged constitutional democracy.
  • I helped draft Clinton’s impeachment articles. The charges against Trump are more serious. – The Washington Post 
    “Confronting Trump will take more courage than it took when Republicans told President Richard Nixon that it was time for him to leave office. Not that Trump is more imposing than Nixon; Nixon was a serious president with significant accomplishments. The difference, now, is the presence of sycophantic media.”
  • Democrats announce articles of impeachment: Is Trump guilty? – Vox 
    Obstruction of Congress? Yes
  • Trump’s Ukraine Call: A Clear Impeachable Offense – The Atlantic
  • Trump whistleblower complaint: focus shifts to Ukraine amid Giuliani claims | US news | The Guardian
  • Trump Tied Ukraine Aid to Inquiries He Sought, Bolton Book Says – The New York Times 
    “In recent days, some White House officials have described Mr. Bolton as a disgruntled former employee, and have said he took notes that he should have left behind when he departed the administration.”
  • Takeaways from Trump Ukraine phone call rough transcript – The Washington Post 
    This guy’s like a stereotypical mobster. Doesn’t say things explicitly but is in the “it’s be a shame if something happened to your government aid” vein.
  • Here’s the Proof that Trump’s “No Quid Pro Quo” Call Never Happened
  • Sondland acknowledges there was a quid pro quo involving Ukraine – The Washington Post
  • Adam Schiff Nails Mike Pence With New Evidence In Ukraine Scheme
  • Fact check: 45 ways Trump was dishonest about Ukraine and impeachment – CNNPolitics
  • It had a real impact
    • Behind the Ukraine Aid Freeze: 84 Days of Conflict and Confusion – The New York Times 
      Make Pompeo and Bolton testify
    • People died while Trump played games with Ukraine’s military aid – The Washington Post
  • Everyone knew it
    • Full text: Mitt Romney’s remarks on impeachment vote – POLITICO 
      “The President asked a foreign government to investigate his political rival. The President withheld vital military funds from that government to press it to do so. The President delayed funds for an American ally at war with Russian invaders. The President’s purpose was personal and political. Accordingly, the President is guilty of an appalling abuse of the public trust.”
    • Opinion | In Private, Republicans Admit They Acquitted Trump Out of Fear – The New York Times
      • Majority of Senate says Trump is guilty but acquits him anyway 
        This has to be hammered home in campaign ads
• Yes, Russia matters
  • How Putin’s oligarchs funneled millions into GOP campaigns
  • Former White House officials say they feared Putin influenced the president’s views on Ukraine and 2016 campaign – The Washington Post 
    And Russian propagandists online
  • Trump splits Republican voters as friends and family clash: ‘We don’t speak’ | US news | The Guardian 
    The key here is a well-meaning Republican who simply doesn’t understands the facts on Russia (no, it’s not over) and Ukraine (no, the Democrats couldn’t have waited until next year).
  • Republican-Led Review Backs Intelligence Findings on Russian Interference – The New York Times 
  • Trump refusal to accept government assessments on Russian hacks dismays former officials
  • Donald Trump Jr. E-mails: Proof Trump Campaign Attempted Collusion with Russia | National Review
  • Opinion | The Right’s Big Lie About Roger Stone – The New York Times 
    This asshole threatened a dog.
  • Chuck Rosenberg: The Roger Stone situation is a revolting assault on the fragile rule of law – The Washington Post
  • Rohrabacher confirms he offered Trump pardon to Assange for proof Russia didn’t hack DNC email
  • Mueller probe: Costly investigation could break even after condo fight
  • Mueller indictments: everyone charged in the Russia investigation – Vox
• Kavanaugh
  • Chad Ludington’s Statement on Kavanaugh’s Drinking and Senate Testimony – The New York Times
  • Opinion | All the Ways a Justice Kavanaugh Would Have to Recuse Himself – The New York Times
  • What Most Disqualifies Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court? | The New Yorker
• Trump’s general corruption
  • Enough collusion talk. It’s time to focus on Trump’s corruption | Michael Paarlberg | Opinion | The Guardian
  • Deutsche Bank Reportedly Gave Trump’s Financial Records to Manhattan District Attorney
  • Judge finalizes $25 million settlement in Trump’s fraud case | MSNBC 
    “The circumstances are nothing short of bizarre: a sitting president of the United States has written a check for $25 million to a group of Americans who credibly claimed that he ripped them off by perpetrating a fraud.”
  • Judge finalizes $25 million settlement in Trump’s fraud case | MSNBC
  • USA TODAY exclusive: Hundreds allege Donald Trump doesn’t pay his bills
  • Trump’s Patron-in-Chief: Casino Magnate Sheldon Adelson
  • ‘Very nice people’, Trump said of the mafia. ‘Just don’t owe them money’ | US news | The Guardian 
  • Trump pays $2 million fine for stealing from charity.
  • Trump Has Now Shifted $1.9 Million From Campaign Donors To His Business
  • Whether Trump’s finances will be revealed depends on these 3 Supreme Court cases 
    A hammer that will fall in the summer.
• Abuse of the office and selfish acts
  • Tillerson swipes at Trump: ‘Asking for personal favors and using United States assets as collateral is wrong’ – CNNPolitics
  • Pump and Trump
    • Trump Dismisses ‘Phony Emoluments Clause,’ Defending Doral – The New York Times 
      If you support the Constitution and the rule of law, you cannot support this president.
  • Get Ready for the First Shocks of Trump’s Disaster Capitalism
  • White House whistleblower says 25 security clearance denials were reversed during Trump administration – The Washington Post
  • Newly obtained documents show $157,000 in additional payments by the Secret Service to Trump properties – The Washington Post
  • Trump’s golf costs: $102 million and counting, with taxpayers picking up the tab – AOL Finance
  • Trump’s Golf Trips Could Cost Taxpayers Over $340 Million
  • Trump Has Spent 278 Years Of Presidential Salary On Taxpayer Funded Golf Trips
  • Trump’s Mar-A-Lago Winter Vacation Pushes Taxpayer Golf Tab Above $118 million