Rachel Maddow shares part of Ambassador Bill Taylor's testimony at the first public hearing on Donald Trump's impeachment during which he reveals that an assistant overheard Ambassador Sondland in Ukraine talking on his cell phone with Donald Trump. Aired on 11/13/19.
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Impeachment Hearing Surprises With New Allegation Against Trump | Rachel Maddow | MSNBC
What Trump did to Ukraine by withholding aid, is almost as bad as what he did to the Kurds. In both cases, people lost their lives because of Trump’s treachery.
Trump also wants to fire Inspector General Michael Atkinson, a man appointed by him. Atkinson provides oversight for the intelligence community, a man employed to be a politically-impartial watchdog. But Trump wants to fire him for the simple fact that Trump doesn’t believe that Atkinson has been sufficiently loyal to him. Sound familiar? Well it should, because it’s the same unethical reason he used to fire Sessions and Comey.
As the Inspector General, Atkinson was the one who evaluated the whistleblower report. He ultimately deemed it credible, putting in motion the sequence of events that would ultimately lead to where we are today. So Trump wants to fire him for doing his job, and not being a criminal like him. Trump wants everyone around him to ignore the Constitution, and turn a blind eye to his dirty deeds and criminality, and anyone who doesn’t, is deemed disloyal.
If a police department has a Police Chief that is brazenly extorting and shaking down businesses locally, and police officers within the department realize what’s happening, what should they do? Should they just ignore it? Should they join in with the Police Chief? Or should they report it to Internal Affairs?
@P J When you are exposed for the poor quality, paid liars that you are – “it must be the Russian trolls doing it.” No, all it takes is being awake, having a functioning brain and 5 minutes on google.
@Sandra Austin Crimea is nobody’s country. The region was taken from Russia and gifted to Ukraine by the then (Ukrainian) Chairman of the USSR. The G8 Cartel gifted Crimea back to Russia, to save Putin’s bacon for another term in office. The Russian Federation is very similar to the USSR, I don’t have any argument there, but it is irrelevant to the questions I was asking. The Don Separatist Militia are natives to their land. They want to join Russia, but Russia doesn’t want them, as the G8 Cartel deal was only to include Crimea.
Rockstarr Seven and the angry incher and her laughable delusions. You sound just like YoUo ten bucks. New name?
Mind Freshener and her she blows again. The daily delusional ramblings of the brain dead. Look at little Mindy go. Straining that little brain of hers.
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.”
Mind Freshener and she goes on and on and on with more of her incoherent ramblings. Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah
Truth hurts lol
Well said……
It is a classical example of Treason – of the highest order. As prophecy describes it – “A second Thrasibulus” (the first being famous in history)
The way Trump casually approached this deal with the Ukraine, it’s almost like he’s done this kind of thing with an Eastern Block state before…but who?
One could rightly think that Trump has had training from the KGB – or whatever it calls itself these days. His tactics, though clumsy and amateur, are certainly very much like those of the old Soviet Union, which still exists in the mind of Putin.
@doobiewah357CNN or MSNBC arent going to apologize for reporting truth / facts. Still dreaming, huh? There are meds for delusional thinking.
Has anyone tried the “CNN / MSNBC Blame Trump for Everything” drinking game yet ? Every time they say the words: “impeachment”, “racist”, or “unnamed sources”, everyone does a shot. You’ll be hammered before the next commercial break ! lol @BJ Bryn Baratti
Hello people hello world this is the Mississippi Boy again like I said before my brothers and sisters these people need to go to prison from Donald Trump from the top to the bottom of his Circle these people have betrayed this country they are guilty of their actions and these Republicans trying to do everything in their power to keep this white nationalists in there all of these Republicans need to resign I need to lose their seats they need to lose their job their pensions and we don’t pay white nationalist to run this country the citizens of this country and they are the Republicans
People need to use their heads to see and hear what is going on in this administration. In the future votes won’t mean a thing only corruption. Even Trump’s ads is lie. Fox news is full of lies.
Arthur Moore Good to know someone in Mississippi knows TRUTH; won’t be intimidated into silence by UNaware UNinformed Unwilling radicals supporting Trump.Hate-filled, UNaware low-info people who despite VAST evidence to the contrary, choose to believe his obvious lies: Ignoring his debts/attachment + loyalty to Russia’s Vladimir PUTIN; Turkey Dictator Erdogan & Saudi Arabian brutal dictator, Mohammed Bin Salman all whom he.owes millions of $$ + vast favors. WHY is he still in Office. Why isn’t he locked up like others who commits crimes; violates the US Constitution constantly.IF he isn’t bove the LAW -which he is NOT–despite his lies; self aggrandizement! He isn’t busy WORKING on anything but his Con game– same agenda he’s.always been committed to. . . .
I guess they don’t teach punctuation in Mississippi. Gotta keep things simple down there, right?
@canadianperspective you can call it what you want you can speak as you want as French as you want but here’s the truth to the story The White House is coming down the Republican base Has Fallen these people have destroyed the true value of America I know you might be white nationalist or white supremacist but that is okay you also going to leave this country because we don’t need hate here anymore these people have killed people they have murder people the Donald Trump the president of the United States had people killed slaughtered in schools churches just out doing they normally routine everyday routine these peoples are gone these people are dead deceased the migrants that they have kept and locked up for months up on the Donald Trump up under the Republicans Law and Order they must be judge to the fullest and I understand you white nationalist you are going to have to leave our country you all are not going to take anymore
If Zelensky wasn’t being exorted or pressured, why did he cancel his interview on CNN when the aid was released?
Squat Little Witch I’m actually glad you brought that up. 19 minutes after Trump’s inauguration speech, the Washington Post put an article on their website titled The Path to Impeachment. It has been the claim of the Democrats since day one that Trump has committed impeachable offenses time and time again and that they have tons of evidence to prove every one of them. You admitted that the impeachment is a political one and admitted it was about poll numbers. As an American, why are you not furious with the Democrats for not ALREADY impeaching Trump? I mean he HAS committed numerous impeachable offenses right? You have the evidence right? Why are Democrats waiting on the poll numbers?? The people do not vote on impeachment and it is their DUTY to impeach if Trump truly is guilty right? Why are you allowing Democrats to put their political careers over Duty, Justice, You and the safety and security of this country? Why do you put priority of re-election over responsibility of held office if they are not going to do their job while in office????
Indeed; he was simply and wisely being diplomatic. He had promised the people that he would fight hard to rid his nation of corruption. He was being squeezed between the treason of Trump and the tentacles of Putin. What else could he do but hope that the patriotic and honorable Ambassadors to Ukraine would blow the whistle on goings-on.
Simple someone found out they got the money and he no longer felt pressured to lie
Bible of a mobster: Lie, lie, deny, deny ’til you die
YES SHE DOES
Adam Shyte for brains montra
@Sean Steele
Who’s beating and molesting kids?
@vee elle exactly, we have to get them!
This is not about policy differences between Republicans and Democrats. Republicans have allowed a corrupt Russian sponsored RINO to take over their party and they defend him.
Crystal Giddens look low iq conspiracy queen AKA Crystal methhead is back with more of her delusions. Laughable as always little Crystal
Bud Fudlacker he wasn’t cleared
@Annelise Coetzee He was not cleared and SDNY is licking their chops just waiting for him to leave office. He may have changed his residence to Florida but Rikers prison is New York.
Clintons this or Clintons that… Bill testified. But but but Hillary? Testified. tRump? Bone spurs.
@Belinda Paul i dont take orders from clowns
@Krystal Ball Rolls eyes #KafkaWasRight
@Fish i watched it.
Amen 😉😂😅
An Australian said this is a soap opera for them over there
Owen Marble lol!
I live in Washington, DC and it’s like a soap opera to me to! Rather an embarrassing nightmare. 😔😕
@Tracey Wiederstein i Live in Australia and you are an idot Tracey. You are the typical braindead moron sucked in by mainstream media.
@Gary Vance loads of morons here…braindead. MAGA 2020
Put yourself in the shoes of Zelensky he is wedged between Trump and Putin.
@undertow Exactly. This isn’t bribery. This is blackmail and there is a world of difference.
@Krystal Ball Ok. I read it. All of that aside, you can’t smokescreen this using other people. This is about Trump. Clinton is not your President. Trump is your President. Clinton is a different issue for a different day.
@mickey thompson 😂👏👏✌️
Krystal Ball Guest what stupid, why do you idiots keep bringing up hillary, she’s been cleared of all charges. Moron, She’s not the president. If she was, we wouldn’t have to listen to all this Bs, and lies that trump is telling the American people. Go get some professional mental help stupid. Don’t live in the past Moron.
Indeed – that is the ‘real’ Quid Pro Quo. The deal between Trump and Putin. The very same deal which the Kurds had to face.
Mr. Sondland, would you like to come back and amend your testimony for the second time to avoid perjury indictment? Remember, the statute of limitations is 5 years, hatching your bet on a trump pardon is risky gambling. 😀
Nice…..
If I recall correctly – this happened with one of those called to testify in the Meuller investigation. This is without doubt Treason and the reason why the GOP are panicking so.
Lisa S When did Sondland say that? You are again LYING! Sondland first testified “NO Quid Pro Quo” then amended it “I presumed there was a quid pro quo”. If you “Presume” it means you Do NOT know. So again I ask you to cite your source….LIAR!
You’re looking for “hedging your bets”.
REPUBLICANS – Where an oath before God to uphold the laws and constitution is “trumped” by greed. No backbone. No moral compass.
@8alot4t Probably time to put one’s faith, and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. People (as in government) will almost always, disappoint you. It’s all in God’s “hands”.
@John Madison cause everything he did was in the transcript…plain black and white…. you dont need to ask him if there is a quid pro quo… look at the transcripts…every word he said was their….
With the clintons… there was the BJ in the oval with DNA and then the Home server…
With Trump they read the transcripts and see something inappropriate but the Ukraine president says their was nothing… Hunter does have some conflict of interest so it has the appearance of a legitimate request … so the Dems want to bring hearsay in to create a bribery scheme…
unless there is actual proof there is no reason to come in and testify.
If a woman says Joe Biden inappropriately touched her at a rally, unless there is legitimate proof of that no way he should not have to come in and testify…. better yet the girl says that Joe Biden did not molest her but her best friend and coworkers and everyone else thinks that he did… there is no reason that he would have to testify
@Elizabeth Schichtel Of course Elizabeth. I have been devout since I was six years old. I am now a Christian Mystic. I will with grace be revealing something most incredible shortly. Something which will astonish all seekers after truth.
@Bryan A The transcript WAS NOT provided. It was a memo. The REAL transcript was moved to a highly secured server, an unusual place for it. Why?
@John Madison Because Russia was mentioned in a negative way and to disclose that to the public was not good. Congress was aware. That is why the dems are not pushing to see the transcript because they get it. Dont you think Schiff would have gone after that already?
Look, Trump has been in many private meetings…dont you think if it was a quid pro quo he would be doing it while it was being taped?
Trump is more than welcome to testify he should be scared
@Colin Moore true 100%
Ash Roskell I wasn’t aware Nikki Hailey was running in 2024, that’s great news!
Maybe the Democrats should get Jussie Smollett to testify?
Remember when people knew about grammar? Ahhhhhh those were the days.
“Stay hydrated “. Rachel is amazing. My head would have exploded long ago. I need breaks just watching.
But trump “hardly knows” that guy! -lol
Then again, trump hardly knows his own mind, so I guess it’s not that surprising he barely knows anyone in is own administration…
Tim Morrison told Ambassador Taylor that Ambassador Sondland told Morrison that Trump told Ambassador Sondland that President Zelensky would have to open an investigation into Biden or else aid would be delayed to Ukraine.
Yup inconclusive! LOL
“Sondland? I barely know the man”.
R Wags That is coming! tRump has all of the “Best” coffee boys!
Melania and Baron who?
Donald Trump Jr.? Doesn’t ring a bell……..
Keep it coming. Let’s get it all out so we can get the Apprentice out of the White House.
What a sweet epitaph it will be when the ‘president’ gets to hear those words – “You’re Fired”!!
Why do Republicans who emphatically states that “the President did nothing wrong” have to worry about protecting him? Why does he need protection if he did nothing wrong? The reason Republicans are protecting the President is that they, like an increasing majority of Americans, know full well that he not only did something wrong, he did something illegal. Then he lied about it. Than he tried to cover it up. Then he obstructed the investigation of it. There’s not much question about what he did here … the deeply concerning and shocking question is will the Senate and the American people pollute their constitutional democracy by setting the precedent of condoning this conduct.
There’s an old parable about this.A scorpion was on the bank of a river,he needed to get to the other side.A frog came by,and the scorpion said:hey frog can you take me across the river?? The frog said no if I do you’ll sting me and ill die.The scorpion said no,if I sting you ill drown so why would I do that..besides my gratitude would be huge and I would be so grateful that I will catch some flies for you in the bargain! Please? I’m desperate to get over there because there is a lot more food for me there!So you really won’t sting me asked the frog? Of course not don’t be silly.Ok said the frog,jump on! Off they went and in the middle of the river the scorpion stung the frog.Why ,cried the frog incredulously,now you will drown.I just couldn’t help it said the scorpion ,stinging is what I do! The republicans are the scorpion and the dems,the frog.,they lie,obfuscate,use alternate facts,gaslight,deny,make things up,etc.The dems ask why?? By doing this if you bring us down you are defending a president who will bring democracy and this country down.We know say the republicans,but we just can’t help it it’s what we do!
@Hans Bass it’s commonly told with a rattlesnake, and man who takes him across the river. The snake bites him after and says, “you knew what I was when you
picked me up.”
@kallie barrett yes,they’re both vermin,or varmints,as such ,they both fit…good one.
Well said
Trump cares more about getting Putin off the hook than the USA.
Everyone in our government who is found guilty of gaslighting should lose their pensions.