Tensions Rise at Monday’s Impeachment Hearing

A chaotic hearing on Monday saw lawyers from both parties clashing with each other over President Trump and his alleged abuse of power.

Impeachment Going to Senate? Evidence?

In the coming days, articles of impeachment against Trump will be voted on, and ultimately a decision will be made likely before Christmas on whether or not Trump goes to trial before the Senate next year.

“The evidence is overwhelming that the president abused his power,” counsel for Judiciary Committee Democrats, Barry Berke said, then repeated by Daniel Goldman, continuing to show all the “evidence” that has already been presented multiple times, and just repeating the words Democrats have been since the saga began.

Republicans countered of course, with Stephen Castor, counsel on both the Intelligence and Judiciary Committees for Republicans, believing that impeaching a president “over eight lines in a call transcript is baloney,” adding that there is no clear evidence of any wrongdoing at all.

The debate is getting hotter and hotter, and tensions are rising as Democrats and Republicans just can’t come down to the same conclusion. The biggest problem, perhaps, in the case at all, is that there is no “real” evidence, and call transcripts and testimonies come down to personal interpretation.

“The evidence shows that Donald J. Trump, the president of the United States, has put himself before his country. He has violated his most basic responsibilities to the people. He has broken his oath. I will honor mine. If you would honor yours, then I urge you to your duty,” Democratic Chairman Jerrold Nadler said in his opening statement.

“Where is the impeachable offense? This may be known as the focus group impeachment,” GOP Rep. Doug Collins said in response during the Republicans’ opening, further saying this is all the Democrats’ obsession with removing Trump from office – something the president himself has called a “witch hunt” against him.

Another upsetting thing in the day, especially for Republicans, was when Barry Berke was allowed to question Stephen Castor, and why was Castor not given the same opportunity. Republicans also made a point to request a minority day hearing, in which they can present their witnesses, and Nadler said the request is under consideration.

The question at hand is how broad will the Democrats go with their articles of impeachment? Trump has been turning attention to long-awaited Justice Department reports regarding the 2016 Russia investigation, which could be really bad news for the Democrats if any misconduct is presented.