Fmr. CIA Director Brennan On The Risks Revealed In The Impeachment Hearing | The Last Word | MSNBC

Former CIA Director John Brennan joins Lawrence O'Donnell to analyze the first day of public impeachment hearings and the “shame” of the Republicans who are defending Trump. Aired on 11/13/19.
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Fmr. CIA Director Brennan On The Risks Revealed In The Impeachment Hearing | The Last Word | MSNBC

87 comments

  1. JULY 25
    During a phone call with Mr. Zelensky, Trump raises the favors he is seeking, including a Biden-related inquiry. Afterward, Mr. Vindman, one of the note-takers, reports the call to Mr. Eisenberg.

    July 26
    Ambassador Bill Taylor said, one of his aides was in a restaurant with Sondland, the ambassador to the European Union. Sondland called Trump, and the president could be heard asking about “the investigations,” to which Sondland replied that “the Ukrainians were ready to move forward.”After the call, the aide asked Sondland what the president thought of Ukraine, Mr. Taylor testified. Sondland responded that “President Trump cares more about the investigations of Biden.”

    AUG. 9
    The Ukrainians have learned by this date that military aid is frozen and they should speak with Mr. Mulvaney.

    “I think POTUS really wants the deliverable,” Mr. Sondland texts Mr. Volker.

    Mr. Sondland and Mr. Volker are working on draft language for Mr. Zelensky’s announcement of the investigations. Mr. Yermak says the White House should nail down Mr. Zelensky’s Oval Office invite first.

    AUG. 12
    A C.I.A. officer detailed to the White House files a whistle-blower complaint about the July 25 call and other concerns. It begins a slow trek to Congress.

    AUG. 16
    In a memo prepared for Bolton, Colonel Vindman states that the National Security Council, the State Department and the Defense Department all agree that military assistance to Ukraine should be released. But in a meeting, Trump rejects the recommendation. An aide later says the “president doesn’t want to provide any assistance at all.”

    SEPT. 1
    In Warsaw, Mr. Zelensky asks VP Pence about the military aid, but Pence says only that he will speak to Trump. Mr. Sondland tells Mr. Yermak not to expect the money unless Mr. Zelensky publicly announces a Burisma investigation.

    Mr. Zelensky later prepares an announcement for a Sept. 13 CNN appearance, which the Ukrainians hope will satisfy Mr. Trump.

    SEPT. 7
    Mr. Sondland calls Trump, asking specifically what he wants from Ukraine. Trump replies “nothing” and insists that there is “no quid pro quo, ” Mr. Sondland later says.

    SEPT. 11
    Two days after a House committee is notified of the whistle-blower complaint and opens an investigation, the White House reverses course and releases its hold on the military aid. Plans for Mr. Zelensky’s CNN interview are scuttled.

    1. Thank you for the timeline. Release of the funds two days after an investigation into the whistle-blower complaint is critical evidence of wrongdoing. It’s imperative that the public is aware of this fact. Thanks again!

  2. The Founders understanding of bribery was derived from English law, under which bribery was understood as an officeholder’s abuse of the power of an office to obtain a private benefit rather than for the public interest. This definition not only encompasses Traitor Trump’s conduct—it practically defines it.

    The Ukraine scandal began in the spring of 2019, with a series of contacts between Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy, and Ukrainian officials. In mid-July, Trump decided to withhold nearly $400 million in aid to Ukraine that had already been appropriated by Congress. The White House offered no explanation, except to blame “interagency delay.” A week later, Trump spoke by phone to the recently elected Ukrainian president, Zelensky. The memorandum released by the White House describing that call—which is consistent with the accounts of the whistleblower complaint that first brought this scandal to light—reads like a classic shakedown.

    According to the memo, after exchanges of flattery, Trump states that “we do a lot for Ukraine” and that “we spend a lot of effort and a lot of time,” before he complains that the relationship is not always “reciprocal.” Zelensky then raises the question of military aid to Ukraine, to which Trump immediately responds, “I would like you to do us a favor though,” and proceeds to ask Zelensky to investigate two unfounded conspiracy theories: one involving the server containing emails stolen from the DNC during the 2016 election, and the other involving the thoroughly debunked claim about then-VP Biden, his potential reelection opponent.

    Trump asks Zelensky to work with Giuliani and AG Barr to investigate his potential opponent and so aid his own reelection campaign. There can be no misunderstanding that Traitor Trump was abusing his official power in the conduct of foreign policy to get a foreign government to investigate his political rival.

    Article II, Section 4, says the president “shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”

    1. @Karl K My goodness there Karl, no mind reading needed. Trump has always been dirty, and he has not changed his methods since he was
      young. He really isn’t that hard to figure out. He’s just always been really lucky ( thanks to mentor Roy Cohn and others) at making everyone around
      him go down instead. One of these days it has to be times up for him. ( Russia-no hoax, Ukraine-no hoax, Next -no hoax ).

    2. @Karl K, ask yourself what makes you think your interpretation is ‘correct’ when you refuse to look at facts and evidence. You obviously bought in to a narrative and are defending it all costs and against all logic and reason.

    3. @Karl K Your attempt at stating that his narrative is incorrect, is futile and erroneous. He is correct. Supporting the human trash Trump at this stage is unacceptable, nincompoop

    1. @Noor Singh Ignorant Trumpsters? For 3 years Fake News was reporting that Trump colluding with Russia. How’d that work out? And you call us ignorant?

    2. @Saltponds239 how did that work out.. why don’t u remove Ur red tinted glasses and see… Oh I forgot…u see no evil hear no evil about Trump even if it’s spewing in Ur faces.. did u read the Mueller report or just listen to Barr’s biased report on it which he testified that he didn’t even see the evidence..the collusion between Russia nd Trump was more than proven..but h won’t agree to it..just the way u can’t see the “quid pro quo” which is not needed to impeach, just to clarify before the right-wing talking points begin flying around..

    3. @Noor Singh I have a question for you, did you read the supporting documents? If not, how do you know what Mueller wrote was truthful and accurate?

      We know he was wrong on his assessment that Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTDO-kuOGTQ

      He was wrong in the Whitey Boldger case which sent 3 innocent men to prison (later released) and 3 FBI agents were arrested.
      https://www.cbsnews.com/video/whitey-bulgers-arrest-satisfying-says-mueller/

      Did you know he vetted the company that allowed Hillary to sell 20% of our Uranium to Russia?

      Are you going top tell me that in the hundreds of interviews and/million of documents, there wasn’t a single exculpatory statement about Trump? Mueller testified he didn’t know who Glenn Simpson or Fusion GPS was. Really?

      Here is Mueller explaining why he didn’t charge Trump – you all missed this part I guess.
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiT1uzlcvUE

      In conclusion, did you see Mueller testify? I did and I wonder if he even read the report that bears his name.

  3. The day after Bill Barr spins the Mueller report, Trump pressures Zelensky do do what the Mueller report couldn’t nail him for. Then the day after that he checks in with Sondland to see if his scam is all good to go. Why would he do this? DESPERATION! He knows if he can’t make re-election he faces the courts for his past crimes.

    1. And who confirmed that? The two morons from yesterday’s hearing? Wait until the IG report comes out then Durham comes out of the Grand Jury – spin that you dope.

    2. Saltponds239 …Hey Salt in your mouth pond…your a sad pathetic troll… True patriots spoke yesterday and if your that intrenched in the orage koolaid to see what is coming then you deserve the trip off the cliff…nananana…nananana …hey hey..good bye….

    3. You are quite correct. djt is simply a gaslighting narcisist and pathological liar,,,Uses the same twisted and divisive rhetorical techniques that Adolf Hitler used to come to power.
      Uses the old and flawed Soviet formula that the ends justifies the means. djt – a purely self-serving treasonous dictator wannabe. And don’t forget Satan’s apprentices – Lindsey Graham, Nikki Hale and Moscow Mitch who have sold their souls and gone to the dark side as well as the majority of Senate republicans. Hey djt, SDNY is waiting for you.

    1. @Amnon Meyers I make under $40/k a year and I got a tax cut as a small business owner. It allowed me to expand and add 2 more employees. No, I have no concerns with that. I do however have concerns with online companies having tax free transactions however. My major concerns are with the people trying to fundamentally change this Country with their Utopian Ideas.

    2. @Ralph Craig yes. “set a severe example” by putting Trump in jail for hurting your feelings! You leftist freaks are such sick Stalinists…you have the nerve to accuse Trump of fascism

    3. Many have said that this tRump was the only candidate for presidency in 2016. Well you’ve had almost 4 years of this unsavory person at the Seat of Power. Do you really believe that this uncouth person continue as president will make it better for America?
      I say not!
      Politics is the only way you can get a maniac to assume correcting the course of America’s destiny for an enemy. From real American candidates who know the truth of Americas struggle with tyrants living amongst us always trying to divert away from the Pursuit of happiness and those Constitutional rights just to protect a mad man’s attempt to protect personal vendetta against political rivals, or those that speak truth to power.
      Open America to options that give choices not reduce people to who has the most funds to sway elections to the select few that can control us without our say so. What more do you all feel can encourage freedom and less mob action. Just a voice that can vote with a clear mind.

    4. @Tina Lane Unfortunately, the Electoral College will be weighed more than the popular vote and can and has changed results.

  4. That’s what happens when you have the autocratic head of a family corporation land in the Oval Office. Trump’s really not an accomplished businessman. That’s all hype. He just inherited his father’s wealth, that’s all.

    1. @Lex Luxon You know who you can ask? Elizabeth Warren – She was a bankruptcy Attorney.

      Did Trump NOT play by the rules? If folks don’t like the bankruptcy laws, last time I checked, Congress can change the laws whenever they want – seems pretty simple to me – change them.

    2. Lex Luxon ………think he’s reduced to money laundering for Russians Oligarchs he’s so broke. Credit is bad in USA. That’s why he hides his tax returns. IMO he shouldn’t be on any ballot without providing those like he said he would. Liar in chief.

  5. Republicans won’t listen to the free press, the intelligence community, or common sense. But they’ll buy whatever Russian bots are spewing on Facebook and Twitter.

    1. “the free press” hahaha…you mean the liberal mainstream media which is an obvious arm of the DNC

  6. Individual number one , should have testified first … pity that individual number one is above the LAW. … republicans like their president that way.

    1. @Saltponds239 LOL, Brennan is ‘holding out hope’ for honest Republicans. Clown world ambassadors are triggered by your comment. Oh dear; the TDS.

    1. @Bob Loblaw You better look in the mirror numbnuts. While your looking for your brain – tune in to AG Barr and let him explain the truth for you.

  7. I LOVE JOHN BRENNAN!! How I miss wonderfully intelligent, well spoken and insightful men like this one working for our benefit. Smh… ah the good old days.

  8. There has only ever been one story and it’s all roads lead to Russia with Trump. Trying to bribe and frame our ally Ukraine is just an extension of Russia’s sweeping and systematic interference in our election.

    1. You’re dead right. No one’s paying any attention to how much the withholding of military aid to Ukraine was a gift to Putin, but I’m wondering if maybe that wasn’t the whole point. The dirt-on-Biden angle was just a cover story.

    2. Gregg Robinson Military aid was never withheld and there is a ton of dirt on the Democrats in Ukraine. Why do you think this whole thing started? Because Joe Biden(who is one of the creepiest old men on the face of this planet)and his son have made millions and with help from the Obama administration. Prove me wrong. Where is Obama lately anyways? Laying low……because he knows what’s up.

    1. What you’re witnessing is a republic’s internal struggle against corruption and authoritarianism—in which foreign governments are involved with the encouragement of a self-dealing president who admires autocrats, betrays allies and is protected by legislators who put party first. – Walter Shaub –

    2. @wrnjpn gaz Republicans like Gym Jordan and Devin Nunes are in disgrace attempting to defend the traitorous and farcical Russian stooge hiding out in the White House, but corporate democrats aren’t all that wonderful either. We need to support politicians that pledge not to accept corporate and pack money. Election reform and repeal of Citizens United are critical.

    1. @Jugganuat Roger Stone did nothing wrong. This was jury nullification and his case will enjoy an appeal. Too deep for you, juggaloo?

    2. @1247.cc roger rabbit is looking at the possibility of 50 years in prison after being found guilty of 7 counts he’s going not getting out

    3. @Len Ovo He was pretty adept and on it today. Guess he’s not going anywhere. Your idol 45 however…. may be on his way out.

    4. lol liberals think hurting their feelings is treason…meanwhile, democrat candidates are literally campaigning and raising cash in Mexico…promising weaker borders and sanctuary cities for their criminal border crossers. Doesnt get any more treasonous than that

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