US Politics

It's just staggering. The position that a former president can't be convicted once they have left office is contrary to the views of virtually every constitutional lawyer in the US.

Mindboggling self preservation while setting a dangerous precedent for the future.

You can do what the fuck you like in the last month of your term now.

My only hope is that this will provide some excellent political capital for the democrats going into the next election cycle.

It's also worth noting that if the senate do not vote to impeach him (needs a super majority), the senate can still vote on whether to bar Trump from future office which only requires a simple majority.

The bit I don't know is whether they have to vote on such a vote happening and if so, does that vote need a supermajority? I suspect it does. In any case, conviction isn't the only path to barring office.

My only hope is that this will provide some excellent political capital for the democrats going into the next election cycle.

they won't tho, because bi-partisan "reaching across the aisle" fuckery is their stock in trade. how else are they going to get back to their treasured status quo?

I guess you're right. All about personal careers on both sides of the aisle. With a handful of exceptions.

Quite a lot of those Senators are well trained lawyers and know this. Cruz in particular has an amazing legal background. Lindsey Graham led the impeachment of Clinton.

They know better. Which makes it worse.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/11/dozens-former-republican-officials-talks-form-anti-trump-party?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Could this spook the GOP?

One senator (can’t remember who) said earlier today that if the vote was held in secret then Trump would certainly be indicted. The fact that only a few Republicans will put their heads above the parapet says a lot.

Trump probably has dirt on all of them so they are keeping there head down

Says a lot about how deeply fucked the republican party is. And dangerous.

I just dont get it... If someone sent an angry, pitchfork mob out to lynch me, I would be front and centre to jail the fucker. Hes not your friend. Hes not your leader. Hes the enemy. He's tried to get you killed.

WTAF?!?!

Yeah - like you'd think they were more relateable if they gave into being human and voted against him in retaliation or spite for almost getting them killed that one time!

He could cost them their jobs - that overrides everything. Look at how Ted Cruz has debased himself after everything he said about him and his wife.

This. They all need Trump's base to vote for them. Self serving pricks.

Trump also accused Cruz's father of being part of the Kennedy assassination squad.

Are they still practising/registered lawyers?

I'm wondering if we could see a numer of dis-barring attempts,
like the New York effort against Giuliani?

AIUI once you pass the bar, you are a lawyer unless disbarred. But being disbarred has select criteria that need to be proven. I'm not sure what those are. But I'm pretty sure that "being a dick" isn't enough. Simply because there would be no professionals left.

No-one really knew Vice Presidents also have a nuclear football until someone spotted an Air Force officer being chased out of the Senate with Mike Pence. WTF

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/02/nuclear-football-vice-president-pence.amp?__twitter_impression=true

.

Iirc there are two live footballs and one standby for the designated survivor ready to be issued if necessary. The designated survivor football is activated for events where VP and Potus are in the same place...such as in inauguration day but is kept ready to be issued to DS in minutes should the need arise. There are usually two extra spares ready to be issued for unforseen circumstances too.

Live, laugh, love.

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Don't even know why we even take notice of who has nuclear command codes/capability in 2021 - mutually assured destruction made the threat of nuclear war moot decades ago.

Decades ago there were five nuclear powers organised basically into two opposing blocs trying to extend influence, gain resource control and sell their unique worldviews.

Setting the Earth on fire would have clearly been counterproductive.

Don't think MAD cuts it anymore.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLMrgAvHtlC/?igshid=19v1m9abz5qrz

Last night one of Trumps lawyers tried to resign and had to be begged to stay and this morning they have voted to call witnesses after detail McCarthy’s phonecall with Trump during the riot was reported again.

This has caused “panic” with the lawyers who thought today was the end of it being thrown into potential days and days of cross examination they have not prepared for.

https://mobile.twitter.com/CeciliaVega/status/1360619858195546115

Whilst entertaining, all of the new developments mean literally nothing. Republicans will not vote to impeach.

Republicans will not vote to impeach.

They don't need to.

A simple majority in both houses can bar Trump from future office under the 14th ammendment, which is how this will probably go when he is acquitted.

This is all about forcing Republicans to own as much as this shit as possible. Rubbing their noses in it.