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DONALD TRUMP’S LAWYERS have opened their impeachment trial defence by asserting the US president “did absolutely nothing wrong” when he asked Ukraine to investigate his political rival Joe Biden.
Pressing the Republican-led chamber to acquit Trump of charges that he abused his power and obstructed Congress, his lawyers accused Democratic prosecutors of omitting key evidence when they presented their case.
Trump’s legal team plan an aggressive, wide-ranging defence asserting an expansive view of presidential powers and portraying him as besieged by political opponents determined to undo the result of the 2016 election and ensure he will not be re-elected this November.
His lawyers also aim to put Biden on the defensive as he campaigns for the Democrat presidential nomination.
White House counsel Pat Cipollone told the trial today:
They’re asking you not only to overturn the results of the last election, but as I’ve said before, they’re asking you to remove President Trump from an election that’s occurring in approximately nine months.
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“They’re asking you to tear up all the ballots across this country on their own initiative.”
The opening of the defence’s case comes after a three-day presentation by House Democrats.
As they wrapped up yesterday, they asserted Trump will persist in abusing his power and endangering American democracy unless Congress intervenes to remove him before the 2020 election.
They also implored Republicans to allow new testimony to be heard before senators render a final verdict.
Adam Schiff, the lead Democratic impeachment manager, urged: “Give America a fair trial. She’s worth it.”
Schiff closed Democrats’ case after methodical and impassioned arguments detailing charges that Trump abused his power by asking Ukraine for politically-motivated probes of political rivals, then obstructed the Congress investigation into the matter.
Trump’s lawyers contend he was within his rights as president when he asked Ukraine for the investigation.
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Frantic tweeting and 'high crimes': Here's what you need to know from the first week of Trump's impeachment trial
Defence lawyers are expected to press the argument that Trump is a victim not only of Democratic outrage but also of overzealous agents and prosecutors.
In response to allegations that he invited foreign interference, they have already argued it was no different from the Hillary Clinton campaign’s use of a former British spy to gather opposition research on Trump in 2016.
Acquittal is likely, given that Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, and a two-thirds vote would be required for conviction.
Trump’s team began their legal arguments today but only a short hearing was planned, and they will continue their case on Monday.
Trump is being tried in the Senate after the House impeached him last month on charges he abused his office by asking Ukraine for the probes at the same time the administration withheld hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid.
The second article of impeachment against Trump accuses him of obstructing Congress by refusing to turn over documents or allow officials to testify in the House probe.
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@jak: I have no idea what your talking about, I never said any of those things, I wasn’t even alive for some. I’m not green washing, I stated a fact that single use plastics is a EU Directive and the directive wouldn’t change the weather, nor is it supposed to.
That man has cost the Taxpayers of Ireland 10s of millions of euro and is mainly responsible for the influx of thousands of economic migrants who he invited over with the promise of their own front door key within 5 to 6 months of arriving here. He is a disgrace and should either resign or be sacked.
Hahahahahaa. Suck it up buttercup. The eu migration pact was passed thanks to FFG and INDs who got the most seats in the local elections so there’s nothing you can do about it buttercup. Rest and have some aloe vera
@Gerard Carey: you’re not stating facts, it is your opinion that OGormans tweet resulted in an influx of refugees. Funny how the same refugees never got the memo about no accommodation could be guaranteed to single men
Another waster who helped bring about the migration pact. No regard for homeless people here alreadybhere regardless of nationality and more yet to follow, just what looks good for the eu and his cohorts. Traitor
They’re crying their eyes out calling everyone traitors and its hilarious watching it, and saying we’re beginning the process of transferring ownership of Ireland lol it’s a joy to witness but GET USED TO IT SIMPLETON
@9QRixo8H:
You’ve got a lot of anger there, maybe you should take up a hobby that would get you out of the house,sunshine and vitamin D great for the psyche,so i’m told?
@9QRixo8H: omg, you’re like a spoilt little child, everyday the same rants, the same put down, know it all comments, does it make you feel more superior/clever, or does no one actually listen to you in real life.
Sad really.
@9QRixo8H: I take it that you’re a johny foreigner yourself or else part of the taxpayer funded NGO driven illegal immigration industry.
No-one else could be so smug about Ireland becoming another Malmo/Bradford/London or any of the other newly created alien culture ghettos.
@Thomas Sheridan: hahahahahaha you got, YOU GOT REJECTED!!! I’m actually Irish, born and bred. But mate you racists got no seats and the migration pact was passed by FFG and INDs. Are you butt hurt? Do you want some aloe vera? Ill be as smug as I want
Hey simpleton as you say,get used to watching people struggle is it? I was just talking to a woman I know yesterday who’s rent is not being renewed so the landlord can get new tenant’s now and skyrocket the rent. This will now accelerate as a result of that half assed clown roderic and cohorts. The pressure that’s about to come on ordinary people moreso now is unforgivable. Roderic is as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike.
@9QRixo8H: So, it’s option B then. And your ignoʻrance and poor grasp of English suggests you’re probably a scobie sponger yourself, so a bunch of feŕřal N African ğangs won’t change your lifestyle too much or leave you worrying about buying a house.
This man has singlehandedly destroyed the Tourism industry along the entire Western Seaboard, an industry that took decades to build & on which thousands of rural families depend on to make a living. He dumped thousands of people on rural communities where services were already stretched or non existent with no consultation & no back up in terms of services. His tweet welcoming people from all over the world to Ireland & promising them own door accommodation has led to a record influx of Immigrants to Ireland that we can’t provide for. It is costing us the Taxpayer Billions to cover this guy’s incompetence & sinister agenda, he has caused massive societal breakdown & division & he is a massive threat to this country. The sooner he & his ilk are booted out, the better.
@SV3tN8M4: sinister agenda hahaha your klansmen got no seats while the Green Party got seats, what does that tell you klanman? Get used to it buttercup and cry some more tears for me
@9QRixo8H: You were told what would happen if you were bold with your phone again, time for your gimp mask again, back into your room now good lad & don’t be annoying the adults. Proof of where all the Brain matter slid down the side of a cousin’s leg.
@tommy little: they’re the 4th largest group in the EU, buttercup, so no wipeout. The top group were the EPP capitalists, and the second largest group were the socialist S+D group.
@9QRixo8H: What are you talking about? They lost nearly half their seats in the locals and all their EU seats. And at a time when they are the party in charge of the supposed greatest existential threat humans have ever faced. It’s not like they weren’t given a platform for the past 5 years to proclaim their message. They are goosed. Nobody is buying their snake oil anymore. And good riddance.
@Tom H: Seems like no one reads facts around here and just listens to what their circle say. Guess what, they got reelected at the local and eu elections buttercup.
@9QRixo8H: they lost half their councillors plus their 2 EU seats, Independent Ireland and Independents gained a huge proportion of seats in comparison to the Greens, but don’t let the truth spoil your ignorance.
Hopefully the Greens will elect this arrogant far-left fanatic as leader, ,as it will only hasten their demise come election time,good riddance to the lot of them!
@Mr “JonnieBoy” Johnson: Considering some of the people this guy has been photographed with previously, you would have to wonder & worry where these missing children are, deeply concerning.
Minister of disabilities my eye hasn’t done anything for people with disabilities, the worst minister to date. Where is the uncrpd, integration? Another title is not deserved. Children’s with disabilities are still not getting proper support in school. For many, it’s the worst time of their lives,that effects them throughout their whole life.
“The thesis begins describing the Marshallian concept of citizenship, which is the basis for the definition of citizenship employed, and then outlines the role that social rights play within this model.”
Irish citizenship does’nt get a mention.
It’s all about citizenship of the European Union.
The government can grant citizenship to anybody and everybody and being born Irish means nothing. People are only now coming to grips with the fact that we have anti-national activists at the highest level.
And the Insult to our And our Children’s Intelligence IS an Affordable house cost €475,000! These People Are NOT Living in the Real World…Remember That next election.
We need to move on from the pro/anti immigration shouting matches. It’s happening so there needs to be a plan to deal with the numbers arriving. Some of the items I would like to see details on are:
Where is accomodation going to be built?
Will this accomodation be solely for IPA’s or will it be in existing/new social housing?
How many units will be needed immediately/going forward?
What criteria will social housing be allocated, will there be a ratio between “leave to stay” applicants and citizens?
If IPA applicants that have been granted leave to stay can stay in Direct Provision centres and avail of free accomodation, food, no utilities can Irish people avail of the same (good way to save for a deposit)?
How is it going to be paid for, what taxes will increase/services reduce?
Thats just a start but if we got answers to these there may be less hostility to the new arrivals.
Wikipedia
“O’Gorman was considered one of the most ardent supporters of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010, which introduced Civil Partnerships for Gay and Lesbian couples in Ireland.”
He will make a good leader for the Greens, surprised that Neasa Hourigan hasn’t put her name forward as she is more clued in to the myriad of issues connected to the environmental issue.
@9QRixo8H: All this green stuff is a load of nonsense. I go with the Michael O’Leary view – they can’t predict the weather for tomorrow; how can they predict it for 50 years from now?
@9QRixo8H: The planet was here and will still be here long after you are buttercup!!!!. How old is the planet?, or do you think not cutting turf which is natural fuel for heating homes is going to solve climate change while China builds more and more coal powered energy stations and then supplies the rest of the world with electric cars.
@9QRixo8H: nonsense answer, give more of your percentages statistics, while your lettuce box party flies to Brazil and tries to disway Brazil from cutting down the Amazon rain Forrest.
The environmental party should always be present in Ireland without the hysterical ideologues and lucrative industry in academia, business and politics that have grown up around the conviction of controlling the weather by controlling human behaviour.
We will always need representatives for cleaner air, rivers and countryside, but they must also deal with the pollution and vandalism visited on the solar system and Earth science research by scientific method modellers and the icons they worship.
The reactions are as crude and cruel as can be expected when living in a society out of balance with appreciation of nature. The Irish will end up like many brexiteer supporters who were vicious against political structures for the sake of being cruel.
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