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---
title: 'Portrait of a President: Donald Trump''s Historical Double Impeachment.'
date: 2023-11-13 21:53:00 -08:00
description: Delve into the WTF Just Happened Today? News Timeline for an exhaustive
exploration of Donald Trump's abuse of power and Capitol insurrection charges. This
guide offers a step-by-step journey through the events of Trump's impeachment trials,
illuminating the balance of power, Congress's role, and the broader implications
for American democracy. Discover how these historic trials have shaped the U.S.
political arena and the concept of presidential accountability. A must-read for
anyone seeking clarity on these pivotal moments in American history.
image: "/uploads/impeachment.jpg"
author: Matt Kiser
layout: page
---
<p>Donald Trump's presidency was marked by two unprecedented impeachment trials, highlighting significant issues in American politics and governance. </p>
<p>The first impeachment revolved around allegations that Trump abused his power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden, his political rival, and obstructed Congress in its investigation. Impeachment managers accused Trump of a cover-up, alleging he attempted to bury evidence and only released military aid to Ukraine after getting caught, which led to an investigation and whistleblower complaint becoming public.</p>
<p>The second impeachment followed the Capitol insurrection on January 6th, with Trump being charged with incitement of insurrection. Trump's legal team argued that he had not directly called for violence and that those who stormed the Capitol did so of their own accord.</p>
<p>Proponents of the impeachments argued that Trump's actions represented a clear abuse of power and a danger to democratic processes. His opponents, however, contended that the impeachments were politically motivated and lacked sufficient evidence of any crime.</p>
<p>The impeachments intensified political polarization and raised questions about the balance of power and accountability of a sitting president. While neither trial resulted in a conviction, they underscored the mechanisms of checks and balances within the U.S. political system and the ongoing debates about the extent of presidential power.</p>
<p>The Trump impeachment trials are not just political events but touchstones in American history, reflecting on the state of U.S. democracy, the importance of accountability, and the ongoing challenges of political polarization. For the average American, these trials offer crucial insights into how their government operates and why active participation in the democratic process remains essential.</p>
<h3 id="key-findings">Key Findings</h3>
<p><strong>No Convictions</strong>: The Senate's failure to convict Trump in both trials illustrates the significant challenges inherent in the impeachment process. The outcomes were shaped by a political landscape where party loyalty often trumped bipartisan considerations. The acquittals were perceived differently by various segments of the population: some saw them as a failure of the system to hold a leader accountable, while others viewed them as a vindication of Trump and a rebuke of what they saw as a partisan impeachment process. The fact that a supermajority is required for conviction in the Senate underscores the difficulty of achieving consensus across party lines in a highly polarized environment. In both trials, the defense argued that the impeachment process was being misused for partisan purposes. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, after voting to acquit in the second trial, still condemned Trump's actions, stating, "There's no question that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of that day."</p>
<p><strong>Historical Precedent</strong>: Being the first president to be impeached twice sets a historical precedent. Understanding this context is key for Americans to gauge the health and direction of their political system. The first impeachment centered around a July 25, 2019, phone call in which Trump was accused of withholding military aid to Ukraine as leverage to secure investigations into Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden. This situation led to the impeachment charge of abuse of power, as detailed by impeachment manager Hakeem Jeffries, who described it as a "failed" effort to "coverup" Trump's attempt to "cheat" in the 2020 election by pressuring a foreign power. The second impeachment came after the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, with the House charging Trump with "incitement of insurrection." This charge was based on the accusation that Trump's speech that day, in which he repeated false claims of a stolen election and urged his supporters to march to the Capitol, had directly led to the violent events that transpired. This made Trump the first president to be impeached twice, and the first to be impeached for inciting violence against the country's own legislative body. Regarding the first impeachment, it's notable that the House Intelligence Committee, led by Representative Adam Schiff, played a central role. Schiff argued, "The president's misconduct cannot be decided at the ballot box, for we cannot be assured that the vote will be fairly won." This highlights the concern about election integrity central to the impeachment. In the second impeachment, Representative Liz Cheney, a notable Republican voice, stated, "There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution." This underscores the bipartisan concern over Trump's actions on January 6.</p>
<p><strong>Abuse of Power and Obstruction</strong>: The first impeachment accused Trump of leveraging foreign aid to Ukraine for personal political gains and obstructing the Congressional inquiry. Despite evidence and testimonies, Trump and his allies dismissed the allegations as a political witch hunt.</p>
<p><strong>Incitement of Insurrection</strong>: The second impeachment focused on Trump's role in inciting the Capitol riot. His defense argued that he did not directly call for violence, a stance that resonated with his supporters but was contested by others, including some within his party.</p>
<p><strong>Political Polarization</strong>: Both impeachments showcased deep partisan divisions in the U.S. Congress and among the public. The trials ended in acquittals largely along party lines, reflecting a politically polarized environment. The defenses presented by Trump's legal team often reflected the broader narrative adopted by the Republican Party. During the first impeachment, Trump's lawyers, like Pat Cipollone, argued that the Democrats were basing their case on "presumptions" and "guesswork" and that Trump had "valid reasons" for his actions regarding Ukraine. In the second impeachment, Trump's attorneys posited that the Capitol insurrection was perpetrated by individuals acting "of their own accord and for their own reasons," suggesting that Trump's words were not a direct call to violence. These arguments were not only legal defenses but also echoed the sentiments of many Republican voters and lawmakers, who felt that the impeachments were unjust and politically motivated attacks on the president. The Senate votes reflected deep partisan divisions. In the first impeachment, the Senate acquitted Trump with all but one Republican, Senator Mitt Romney, voting not guilty. In the second trial, the vote was 57–43 in favor of conviction, with seven Republican senators breaking ranks, indicating a slight shift in party lines but still not enough to convict.</p>
<p><strong>Constitutional Debate and Democratic Integrity</strong>: The impeachments catalyzed a nationwide constitutional debate and underscore the importance of safeguarding democratic processes to ensure that elected officials, including the President, adhere to the rule of law. The heart of the matter was whether Trump's actions met the Constitution's standard for "high crimes and misdemeanors." The first impeachment raised questions about the appropriateness of a president soliciting foreign interference in an American election, with the Democrats arguing that this was a severe abuse of power and a betrayal of national security. The second impeachment brought forward concerns about the extent to which a president's speech is protected under the First Amendment versus the potential for such speech to incite lawless action. In both cases, the Constitution's vague language on impeachment left much open to interpretation, which was reflected in the arguments of both the impeachment managers and Trump's defense team. Legal scholars were divided on the interpretation of "high crimes and misdemeanors." Constitutional law professor Alan Dershowitz, part of Trump's defense team during the first impeachment, controversially argued that even if Trump did what he was accused of, it would not constitute an impeachable offense. In contrast, during the second impeachment, many scholars disagreed, emphasizing that incitement to insurrection clearly fell within the realm of impeachable conduct.</p>
<p><strong>Democratic Implications</strong>: The Trump impeachments Trump have had far-reaching implications for American democracy. They have tested the resilience of institutions, the strength of the checks and balances system, and the country's commitment to upholding democratic norms. While the impeachment process demonstrated the legislative branch's capacity to call the executive to account, the resulting failure to convict in both instances highlighted the limits of this mechanism when partisan interests are at play. These events have prompted ongoing discussions about the health of the democratic system in the U.S. and the importance of the rule of law, as well as the role of elected officials in protecting or endangering the democratic process. These events have sparked ongoing debate about the future of American democracy. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, remarked after the second impeachment, "We have shown that no one is above the law, not even the president of the United States." This statement reflects the intent of the impeachment process as a constitutional mechanism for accountability.</p>
<h3 id="key-figures-during-trumps-first-impeachment-ukraine-scandal">Key Figures during Trump's First Impeachment (Ukraine Scandal):</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Donald Trump</strong>: Throughout the Ukraine scandal, Trump vehemently denied any wrongdoing. He described the impeachment inquiry as "the greatest witch hunt in the history of our country." In his defense, Trump insisted that his call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was "perfect" and merely concerned about corruption, not about personal political gain.</li>
<li><strong>Volodymyr Zelensky</strong>: The Ukrainian President played a central role in the scandal. He stated, “I think you read everything. So I think you read text. I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be involved in democratic, open elections of USA.” This highlighted his reluctance to become entangled in U.S. politics.</li>
<li><strong>Nancy Pelosi</strong>: The Speaker of the House, in announcing the impeachment inquiry, said, “The actions of the Trump presidency revealed the dishonorable fact of the president's betrayal of his oath of office, betrayal of our national security, and betrayal of the integrity of our elections.”</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="key-figures-during-trumps-second-impeachment-capitol-insurrection">Key Figures during Trump's Second Impeachment (Capitol Insurrection):</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Donald Trump</strong>: In response to the second impeachment, Trump condemned the violence at the Capitol but did not accept responsibility for inciting the riot. He stated, "This impeachment is causing tremendous anger and you're doing it, and it's really a terrible thing that they're doing." Trump also asserted that his speech on January 6 was "totally appropriate."</li>
<li><strong>Mitch McConnell</strong>: The Senate Majority Leader at the time, although voting not to convict, acknowledged Trump's role in the events of January 6, stating, “There's no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day.”</li>
<li><strong>Liz Cheney</strong>: A notable Republican voice against Trump, Cheney stated, “The President of the United States summoned this mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack.”</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="news-timeline-of-trumps-two-impeachments">News Timeline of Trump's Two Impeachments</h3>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2023/10/25/day-1009/">October 25, 2023</a></small></div>
<p><strong>After 22 days and three failed nominees, House Republicans elected a speaker to replace Kevin McCarthy</strong>. The House vote 220-209 to elect Mike Johnson as speaker – with all Republicans voting for Johnson and all Democrats voting for Hakeem Jeffries. “The people’s House is back in business,” Johnson said after taking the gavel. Johnson, who served on Trump’s defense team during his first impeachment trial, voted against certifying the 2020 election and led the amicus brief supporting a Texas lawsuit seeking to invalidate the results in four swing states Biden won. The lawsuit cited widespread voter fraud, which did not occur. The House has been unable to conduct routine business since Republicans ousted McCarthy for working with Democrats to pass a short-term spending bill to avert a shutdown. Johnson will immediately need to pass a measure to fund the government ahead of a Nov. 17 shutdown, and act on emergency aid for Israel, Ukraine, and the southern border. (<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-republicans-emmer-mccarthy-54352a64be041cd445bda8df28b24f03">Associated Press</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2023/10/25/congress/johnson-takes-it-00123512">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/10/24/1208372102/house-enters-22nd-day-without-a-speaker-with-a-new-nominee-for-the-job">NPR</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/25/house-speaker-vote/">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/10/25/us/house-speaker-vote-mike-johnson">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/House-speaker-vote-live-updates/?id=104039543">ABC News</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mike-johnson-elected-new-speaker-house-vote-rcna122151">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/house-speaker-vote-10-25-23/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/25/mike-johnson-house-speaker-louisiana-republican-in-the-spotlight.html">CNBC</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-25/johnson-has-enough-votes-to-win-house-speaker-tally-ongoing?srnd=premium&sref=MIBMEEoj">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/house-speaker-vote-mike-johnson">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/25/mike-johnson-elected-house-speaker">Axios</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2023/10/24/day-1008/">October 24, 2023</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump – seeking to toss federal charges that he conspired to defraud the U.S. – argued that his actions were protected by the First Amendment and that he can’t be tried again after being acquitted by the Senate during his second impeachment</strong>. In four separate motions to dismiss, Trump contends that the <a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2023/08/01/day-924/#1-trump-was-indicted-by-special-coun">felony indictment</a> — which charges him with conspiring to obstruct Congress’ certification of the 2020 election, conspiring to deprive Americans of the right to vote and have that vote counted, and conspiring to defraud government officials administering the election — “does not explain” how he violated the laws. Further, Trump argued that the Justice Department is criminalizing “core political speech,” and that he is the target of “selective and vindictive prosecution.” Trump also claims that he has absolute immunity from federal prosecution because his efforts to overturn his election loss and remain in office were at “the heart of his official responsibilities as President.” Special counsel Jack Smith asked a judge to dismiss Trump’s claim of absolute immunity, saying its implications “are startling.” (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/24/trump-seeks-to-derail-election-subversion-charges-00123141">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/24/us/politics/trump-jan-6-charges-dismiss.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/10/24/1208183160/trump-jan-6-case-dismissal">NPR</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-lawyers-argue-senate-impeachment-acquittal-means-2020-election-i-rcna121882">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/24/trump-jan-6-dismiss-election-subversion-case">Axios</a> / <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-federal-2020-elections-case-lawyers-new-challenges/">CBS News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2023/10/17/day-1001/">October 17, 2023</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Jim Jordan failed to win the House speakership in the first round of voting after 20 of his Republicans colleagues voted against him</strong>. Jordan plans to force another vote after falling 17 votes short of the 217 he needed, saying “whatever it takes to get a speaker today.” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries won 212 votes, while several Republican members voted for previous candidates for the job, including Kevin McCarthy and Steve Scalise, who already withdrew from the race. In January, McCarthy was elected House speaker after multiple days of negotiations and 15 rounds of voting only to be ousted nine months later. The House has been without a speaker for more than 13 days. Jordan was one of the 147 Republicans who voted to reject the 2020 election results in Pennsylvania and Arizona, and was a “significant player” in Trump’s attempts to use Congress to overturn the election on Jan. 6. Jordan is also a co-leader of the impeachment inquiry against Biden despite no evidence linking him to high crimes or misdemeanors. [<em>Editor’s note: It’s entirely possibly that by the time you read this the House will have elected a speaker. It’s also entirely possible that the House will still be leaderless</em>.] (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/house-speaker-race-vote-10-17-23/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/10/17/us/house-speaker-jim-jordan-vote">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/17/house-speaker-vote/">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/live-blog/house-speaker-vote-live-updates-chamber-vote-trump-ally-jim-jordan-top-rcna120620">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/house-speaker-vote-jim-jordan">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/jim-jordans-role-jan-6/story?id=104014959">ABC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2023/09/28/day-982/">September 28, 2023</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Instead of negotiating a deal to fund the government, House Republicans held their first impeachment inquiry hearing into Biden</strong>. The House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and his Republican colleagues on the Judiciary, and Ways and Means committees have yet to provide any evidence of wrongdoing by Biden, but continue to promise to present “two dozen pieces of evidence revealing Joe Biden’s corruption and abuse of public office.” Further, a Republican-picked witness said during the hearing that “the current evidence doesn’t support articles of impeachment,” but suggested that an inquiry was still warranted anyway. Democrats, meanwhile, accused Republicans of trying to impeach Biden as retribution for the House having twice impeached Trump. (<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-republicans-hold-first-hearing-biden-impeachment-inquiry-rcna117657">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/28/house-republicans-biden-impeachment-inquiry-hearing">Axios</a> / <a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-impeachment-inquiry-house-republicans-51576c5fe4294be2605a14fa81075196">Associated Press</a> / <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/09/28/1202010186/biden-impeachment-inquiry-hearing">NPR</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/09/28/biden-impeachment-inquiry-hearing/">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2023/09/28/congress/impeachment-chugs-along-00118731">Politico</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2023/09/13/day-967/">September 13, 2023</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump privately discussed impeaching Biden with House Republicans</strong>. Trump has been briefed weekly by Elise Stefanik, the third-ranking House Republican, on the impeachment strategy, as well as regularly talked with members of the House Freedom Caucus and other Republicans who’ve pushed for the inquiry. Two nights before Kevin McCarthy announced the impeachment inquiry, Trump had dinner with Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has introduced articles of impeachment against Biden. (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/13/us/politics/trump-gop-biden-impeachment.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/12/trump-privately-discussed-biden-impeachment-with-house-gopers-00115357">Politico</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2023/09/13/day-967/">September 13, 2023</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Mitt Romney will not seek re-election, saying it’s time for a “new generation of leaders” beyond Trump and Biden</strong>. Romney, 76, noted that he would be in his mid-80s by the end of another term and that it’s time for a new generation to “step up” and “shape the world they’re going to live in.” Romney is the only Republican to vote to convict Trump in both of his impeachment trials. (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/09/13/mitt-romney-senate-reelection/">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/13/us/politics/mitt-romney-retirement.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/09/13/1199272961/mitt-romney-reelection-2024">NPR</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/13/politics/mitt-romney-not-running-reelection/">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-13/romney-announces-he-will-not-seek-a-second-senate-term?sref=MIBMEEoj">Bloomberg</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2023/07/25/day-917/">July 25, 2023</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Nancy Pelosi accused Kevin McCarthy of “playing politics” with the idea of expunging Trump’s two impeachments</strong>, saying he’s “afraid” and “looks pathetic.” Pelosi added: “As I’ve said before, Donald Trump is the puppeteer and what does he do all of the time but shine the light on the strings.” McCarthy <a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2023/07/20/day-912/#2-kevin-mccarthy-reportedly-promised">reportedly</a> promised Trump that he would move to expunge the two impeachments before Congress breaks for its August recess after he openly questioned whether Trump is “the strongest to win the [general] election” on national television. McCarthy, however, has not scheduled a floor vote, and said the idea should “go through committee like anything else.” (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/23/pelosi-slams-mccarthy-expunge-trump-impeachments-00107727">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/07/23/nancy-pelosi-donald-trump-expunge-impeachment-pathetic/70453407007/">USA Today</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/23/politics/nancy-pelosi-mccarthy-expunge-trump-impeachment-cnntv/">CNN</a> / <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4110686-gop-mccarthy-on-collision-course-over-expunging-trumps-impeachments/">The Hill</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2023/07/20/day-912/">July 20, 2023</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Kevin McCarthy reportedly promised Trump that the House would vote to expunge his two impeachments before its August recess</strong>. After McCarthy openly questioned whether Trump is “the strongest to win the [general] election” on national television, McCarthy promised to revisit the two impeachments in order to calm Trump. “He needs to endorse me — today!” Trump reportedly fumed to his staff following McCarthy’s television appearance. McCarthy, however, denies he made any deal with Trump to expunge his impeachment record. (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/20/kevin-mccarthy-donald-trump-impeachment-expunge-promise-00107236">Politico</a> / <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mccarthy-denies-report-promised-trump-expungement-impeachments/story?id=101522596">ABC News</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/20/centrists-pan-expunging-trumps-record-as-mccarthy-denies-any-deal-00107362">Politico</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2023/01/12/day-723/">January 12, 2023</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Kevin McCarthy suggested that the House would consider expunging one or both Trump impeachments</strong>. While McCarthy wasn’t explicit, he said “I would understand why members would want to bring that forward,” adding “and we’d look at it.” McCarthy also expressed sympathy for the things Trump “went through” as president. Trump was impeached twice: in 2019, for pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political rivals, and in 2021, for inciting the Jan. 6 insurrection. (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/01/12/trump-impeachment-mccarthy-house-republicans/">Washington Post</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2022/08/15/day-573/">August 15, 2022</a></small></div>
<p><strong>A federal grand jury investigating the Jan. 6 attack subpoenaed Trump’s White House lawyer for documents and testimony</strong>. Eric Herschmann represented Trump during the first impeachment trial. Pat Cipollone, who served as White House counsel, and Patrick Philbin, who served as deputy counsel, have also been subpoenaed. (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/08/15/justice-department-subpoenas-trump-lawyer-eric-herschmann-00051899">Politico</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2022/03/30/day-435/">March 30, 2022</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump called on Putin to release information regarding Hunter Biden’s alleged dealings with Eastern European oligarchs</strong> in an interview with a far-right <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/19/hill-john-solomon-failed-disclose-details-115976">journalist</a> whose <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/07/politics/giuliani-whos-who-investigation/index.html">previous coverage</a> about the Bidens’ ties to Ukraine has been <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/19/media/the-hill-john-solomon-columns-investigation-results/index.html">discredited</a>. The claim is unsubstantiated. Trump previously pressured the Ukrainian government to dig up dirt on Hunter and Joe Biden, which lead to his first impeachment, and during the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump urged Putin to hack Hillary Clinton’s personal emails. (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/29/trump-putin-hunter-biden-00021223">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-asks-putin-release-info-hunter-biden-rcna22117">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/29/politics/trump-putin-hunter-biden/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2022/02/02/day-379/">February 02, 2022</a></small></div>
<p><strong>A witness during Trump’s first impeachment sued Trump Jr., Rudy Giuliani, and two former Trump White House staffers</strong>, alleging that the group conspired to intimidate him from testifying and later retaliated against him. Retired Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman filed a civil lawsuit in federal court, accusing the defendants of engaging in an “intentional, concerted campaign of unlawful intimidation and retaliation” against him for testifying before Congress in 2019. Vindman alleges that the campaign was “designed to inflict maximum damage by creating and spreading disinformation” that would be repeated on Fox News and other right-wing outlets, which “destroyed” his ability to continue his career in national security and led to his retirement from the military. During Trump’s 2019 impeachment trial, Vindman testified about a July call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in which Trump asked Zelensky to investigate Biden’s son Hunter and his ties to Ukrainian businesses. (<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/02/02/1077626487/alexander-vindman-sues-rudy-guiliani-trump-jr-impeachment">NPR</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/02/politics/alexander-vindman-donald-trump-rudy-giuliani-ukraine-impeachment/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/impeachment-witness-vindman-sues-trump-s-son-top-allies-over-n1288425">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/02/02/alexander-vindman-sues-trump-jr-giuliani-retaliation-over-first-trump-impeachment-trial/">Washington Post</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2022/02/02/day-379/">February 02, 2022</a></small></div>
<p><strong>More than 100 far-right candidates are running for political office as Republicans</strong>, according to the Anti-Defamation League. At least a dozen candidates reportedly had explicit connections to “white supremacists, anti-government extremists and members of the far-right Proud Boys.” Meanwhile, the eight Republicans seeking re-election who backed Trump’s impeachment or voted to convict him have raised more money than their GOP challengers. (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/02/republicans-100-far-right-candidates-2022">The Guardian</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/republicans-impeached-trump-outpace-challengers-latest-fundraising-hau-rcna14496">NBC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2022/01/12/day-358/">January 12, 2022</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol asked House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to voluntarily provide information about his communications with Trump and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows</strong>. Committee Chair Bennie Thompson said he wanted to hear about discussions McCarthy had with Meadows ahead of the attack, along with McCarthy’s communications with Trump during and after the violence. “It appears that you may also have discussed with President Trump the potential he would face a censure resolution, impeachment, or removal under the 25th Amendment,” Thompson wrote. “It also appears that you may have identified other possible options, including President Trump’s immediate resignation from office.” In particular, the panel said it was interested in a phone call that McCarthy had with Trump during the riot asking Trump to send help, which McCarthy previously described as “very heated.” McCarthy is the third GOP lawmaker the panel has asked to testify. The others, Jim Jordan and Scott Perry, have rejected the committee’s requests to sit for an interview or provide documents. Former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/12/politics/kayleigh-mcenany-january-6-committee/">meanwhile</a>, appeared before the committee virtually. (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/12/us/politics/kevin-mccarthy-jan-6-committee.html?referringSource=articleShare">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/jan-6-committee-seeks-information-house-gop-leader-mccarthy-n1287384">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/01/12/kevin-mccarthy-jan6-committee-trump-meadows/">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-kevin-mccarthy-mark-meadows-bennie-thompson-congress-92d310c0bb0232afc0c3d0a6b179874a">Associated Press</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/01/12/jan-6-select-panel-to-seek-mccarthys-testimony-526983">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/12/politics/kevin-mccarthy-january-6/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/10/22/day-276/">October 22, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Rudy Giuliani’s former associate was convicted on six counts related to “influence buying” campaign finance schemes</strong>. Lev Parnas – a key figure in Trump’s first impeachment – was charged with conspiring to funnel $325,000 in donations to a pro-Trump super PAC on behalf of his company, Global Energy Producers, to give the appearance of a successful business and “obtain access to exclusive political events and gain influence with politicians.” In reality, the money came from a loan his business partner, Igor Fruman, had taken out on his Florida condo. Fruman previously pleaded guilty. Parnas faces up to five years in prison for each of five counts and a sixth count for falsifying records to the FEC, which carries a 20-year maximum prison sentence. (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/22/nyregion/lev-parnas-guilty-giuiliani.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/22/politics/lev-parnas-verdict/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/lev-parnas-rudy-giuliani-associate-convicted-of-campaign-finance-charges-11634932001?mod=hp_listb_pos1">Wall Street Journal</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/06/30/day-162/">June 30, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Bill Cosby was released from prison after his sexual assault conviction was overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court</strong>. Cosby was convicted on three felony counts of aggravated indecent assault in 2018 for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in 2004. He served nearly three years of a three- to 10-year sentence. The state Supreme Court concluded that Cosby’s prosecution should never have occurred because of a non-prosecution deal Cosby made with former Montgomery County prosecutor Bruce Castor, who agreed not to criminally prosecute Cosby if he gave a deposition in the civil case brought against him by the woman he drugged and sexually assaulted. Castor is the same lawyer who represented Trump during his second impeachment trial. (<a href="https://www.inquirer.com/news/bill-cosby-conviction-overturned-appeal-andrea-constand-20210630.html?scrolla=5eb6d68b7fedc32c19ef33b4">Philadelphia Inquirer</a> / <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/bill-cosby-released-prison-conviction-vacated/story?id=78582000">ABC News</a> / <a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-cosby-conviction-overturned-5c073fb64bc5df4d7b99ee7fadddbe5a">Associated Press</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bill-cosby-be-released-after-sexual-assault-conviction-overturned-pennsylvania-n1272748">NBC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/06/08/day-140/">June 08, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump’s impeachment lawyers are defending at least three people charged in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection</strong>. Michael van der Veen is defending a member of the Oath Keepers that helped plan and participate in storming the Capitol. Bruce Castor, meanwhile, is representing a mother and daughter who failed to follow repeated police orders to disperse in violation of a curfew. During Trump’s Senate impeachment trial, van der Veen and Castor argued that those who participated in the riot deserve “robust and swift investigation and prosecution.” (<a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/06/08/1004027894/trump-impeachment-lawyers-are-now-representing-capitol-riot-defendants">NPR</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/05/25/day-126/">May 25, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>New York federal prosecutors investigating Rudy Giuliani seized email and iCloud accounts they believe belong to two former Ukranian government officials</strong>, as well as the cell phone and iPad of a pro-Trump Ukrainian businessman. The attorney for Lev Parnas, an indicted former Giuliani ally, wrote in a court filing that the evidence seized “likely includes e-mail, text, and encrypted communications” between Giuliani, Victoria Toensing, Trump, William Barr, “high-level members of the Justice Department, Presidential impeachment attorneys Jay Sekulow, Jane Raskin and others, Senator Lindsey Graham, Congressman Devin Nunes and others, relating to the timing of the arrest and indictment of the defendants as a means to prevent potential disclosures to Congress in the first impeachment inquiry of then-President Donald. J. Trump.” The court filing also disclosed that federal prosecutors have “historical and prospective cell site information” related to Giuliani and Toensing – both were the subjects of <a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/04/28/day-99/#2-federal-investigators-executed-sea">search warrants executed</a> last month. The court filing contained redacted portions, which could be read by copying and pasting them into another document. (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/25/politics/giuliani-redactions-investigations/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/05/17/day-118/">May 17, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Attorneys for Rudy Giuliani accused federal authorities of treating Trump’s former personal attorney “as if he was the head of a drug cartel or a terrorist” after learning that investigators had obtained access to his iCloud account with an undisclosed 2019 search warrant</strong>. FBI agents also <a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/04/28/day-99/#2-federal-investigators-executed-sea">executed a search warrant in April</a> and seized Giuliani’s electronic devices. Federal prosecutors asked the U.S. Southern District of New York to appoint a special master to review the evidence and filter out whatever information may be covered by attorney-client privilege. Lawyers for Giuliani said the material seized from covert 2019 search was illegal and suggested the search warrants executed in April were the “fruit of this poisoned tree.” In 2019, Giuliani and other trump allies sought damaging information on Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, which became a central part of Trump’s first impeachment proceeding. (<a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/rudy-giuliani-says-he-is-being-treated-like-head-of-drug-cartel-after-raid-on-home-office">Daily Beast</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/17/politics/giuliani-search-review/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/rudy-giuliani-investigation-cloud-data/2021/05/17/836753c4-b726-11eb-a5fe-bb49dc89a248_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/17/rudy-giuliani-lawyers-cite-trump-communication-in-challenge-to-search-warrant.html">CNBC</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/03/05/day-45/">March 05, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Former House impeachment manager Eric Swalwell sued Trump, Trump Jr., Rudy Giuliani, and Rep. Mo Brooks</strong>, alleging that they and others were “responsible for the injury and destruction” of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. In the 65-page suit, Swalwell alleges that they “directly incited the violence” by putting out “a clear call to action” and then “watched approvingly as the building was overrun.” It’s the second major lawsuit seeking to hold Trump and his allies accountable for inciting the insurrection at the Capitol. Rep. Bennie Thompson <a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/16/day-28/#1-the-chairman-of-the-house-homeland">previously sued Trump</a> for inciting the riot, accusing him of violating the 1871 Ku Klux Klan Act by trying to prevent Congress from carrying out its official duties. (<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/swalwell-sues-trump-alleged-role-capitol-assault/story?id=76275852">ABC News</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/05/politics/trump-lawsuit-insurrection-eric-swalwell/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/eric-swalwell-lawsuit-trump-capitol-riot-35e3d121-058e-4a8b-bcd7-38bdbac645d7.html">Axios</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/03/01/day-41/">March 01, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump attacked Biden’s tenure as president in his first public appearance since leaving office</strong>, calling it “the most disastrous first month of any president in modern history.” Trump started his 90-minute address – which began more than an hour late – by asking the Conservative Political Action Conference crowd: “Do you miss me?” before reviving his false claims of election fraud and attacking the Supreme Court for not siding with him, saying, the justices “should be ashamed of themselves for what they’ve done to our country [they] didn’t have the guts or the courage to do anything about it.” Trump said that he is “not starting a new party,” but suggested he may run again in 2024, saying: “Who knows? I may even decide to beat them for a third time.” Trump also named every Republican who supported his second impeachment and called for them to be ousted. 95% of conference attendees said the GOP should continue to embrace Trump’s policy ideas, and 68% of attendees said Trump should run again in 2024. (<a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/02/28/972307678/trump-blasts-biden-in-his-1st-speech-since-leaving-office">NPR</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/28/us/politics/trump-cpac-republicans.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-cpac-speech-declare-his-political-journey-far-over-n1259093">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trumps-cpac-speech-repeats-false-election-fraud-claims/story?id=76173257">ABC News</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/01/politics/cpac-2021-trump-speech-american-democracy/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/28/trump-cpac-2024-biden-471869">Politico</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/17/day-29/">February 17, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump issued a highly personal statement attacking Mitch McConnell after McConnell voted no on impeachment</strong> but said he held Trump “practically and morally responsible” for the assault on the Capitol on Jan. 6. Trump called McConnell a “dour, sullen, and unsmiling political hack” who “doesn’t have what it takes,” claiming that McConnell cost Republicans the Senate and that senator won his reelection because of his endorsement. “If Republican senators are going to stay with him,” Trump said, “they will not win again.” (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/16/us/politics/trump-mitch-mcconnell-republicans.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/16/trump-attacks-mcconnell-in-fiery-statement-469150">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-blasts-mcconnell-hack-who-lacks-political-insight-n1258051">NBC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/15/day-27/">February 15, 2021</a></small></div>
<p>One Legacy of Impeachment: The most complete account so far of Jan. 6</strong>. “Though Mr. Trump escaped conviction, the Senate impeachment trial has served at least one purpose: It stitched together the most comprehensive and chilling account to date of last month’s deadly assault on the Capitol, ensuring that the former president’s name will be inextricably associated with a violent attempt to subvert the peaceful transfer of power, the first in American history.” (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/13/us/politics/capitol-riots-impeachment-trial.html">New York Times</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/15/day-27/">February 15, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Before the vote to acquit, House impeachment managers unexpectedly called for witnesses after Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told her that Trump supported the mob in a phone call as the Jan. 6 attack was unfolding</strong>. Herrera Beutler said that McCarthy had relayed the details of his call with Trump to her, and that McCarthy asked Trump “to publicly and forcefully call off the riot.” Trump, instead, reportedly told McCarthy: “Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are.” House impeachment managers seized on her <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/12/politics/trump-mccarthy-shouting-match-details/index.html">account</a>, saying they wanted to subpoena her as a witness. The Senate then voted to call witnesses, which was reversed a few hours later after a deal to allow her statement read into the record. Trump’s attorney also threatened to seek depositions from 100 or more witnesses, which would have delayed Biden’s agenda by dragging out the trial. (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/02/13/jaime-herrera-beutler-impeachment/">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/12/us/kevin-mccarthy-trump-herrera-beutler.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/trump-impeachment-trial-live-updates/2021/02/13/967623840/senate-voting-on-whether-to-call-witnesses-in-impeachment-trial">NPR</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-13/gop-s-herrera-beutler-becomes-surprise-impeachment-trial-force?sref=MIBMEEoj">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/democrats-call-subpoenaing-gop-rep-jaime-herrera-beutler/story?id=75873161">ABC News</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/mccarthy-trump-got-expletive-filled-argument-during-capitol-riots-sources-n1257805">NBC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/15/day-27/">February 15, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Mitch McConnell denounced Trump minutes after voting to acquit, saying Trump was guilty of a “disgraceful dereliction of duty.”</strong> In his post-acquittal speech, McConnell said that Trump was “morally and practically responsible for provoking” the Jan. 6 insurrection, but said he is “constitutionally not eligible for conviction” because he is no longer in office. The Senate trial occurred after Trump left office because McConnell said he would not call back the Senate before lawmakers were set to return Jan. 19 unless every senator agreed to do so. The House impeached Trump on Jan. 13. McConnell also suggested that Trump could still face criminal liability, saying “The Constitution makes perfectly clear that Presidential criminal misconduct while in office can be prosecuted after the President has left office,” adding that Trump “didn’t get away with anything yet.” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, meanwhile, called it “pathetic” for McConnell to have “kept the Senate shut down” and unable to receive the article of impeachment. Pelosi added that the 43 Republicans who voted to acquit Trump are “a cowardly group […] who apparently have no options, because they were afraid to defend their job, respect the institution in which they serve.” (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/13/us/mcconnell-trump-impeachment-acquittal.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/02/13/mitch-mcconnell-says-trump-caused-capitol-riot-but-votes-acquit/4476982001/">USA Today</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/after-acquitting-trump-mcconnell-slams-him-disgraceful-dereliction-duty-n1257900">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/02/13/trump-impeachment-trial-live-updates/#link-WVSW4J5WT5BBHOV6ONIHCU4OKM">Washington Post</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/15/day-27/">February 15, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump celebrated the Senate voting to acquit him of inciting an insurrection minutes after the verdict was announced, calling the proceedings “yet another phase of the greatest witch hunt” perpetuated against him by “one political party.”</strong> Trump suggested that the Democrats’ attempt to end his political career had failed, saying “our historic, patriotic and beautiful movement to Make America Great Again has only just begun.” Lindsey Graham <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-14/trump-alive-and-well-as-republican-party-force-senator-says?srnd=politics-vp&sref=MIBMEEoj">said</a> Trump remains the party’s “most potent force” even after his second impeachment and that “the Trump movement is alive and well.” Trump, however, has <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/13/politics/trump-concern-charges-january-6/index.html">reportedly</a> voiced concern about being charged related to Jan. 6 riot. (<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/trump-impeachment-trial-live-updates/2021/02/13/967700796/trump-celebrates-his-acquittal-says-the-impeachment-was-part-of-a-witch-hunt">NPR</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-13/trump-acquitted-by-senate-in-historic-second-impeachment-trial?sref=MIBMEEoj">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/02/14/us/trump-impeachment/after-acquitting-trump-the-republican-party-moves-forward-in-his-image">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/13/trump-impeachment-witch-hunt-469001">Politico</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/12/day-24/">February 12, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>What happened today?</strong> Trump’s legal team concluded its defense, accusing House impeachment managers of “political vengeance” and calling Trump’s second impeachment trial “a politically motivated witch hunt.” Trump’s team spent two hours and 32 minutes of the 16 hours allotted to present a defense, calling Democrats’ allegations that Trump incited the Capitol riot “patently absurd” and that his calls for supporters to “fight” on his behalf “ordinary political rhetoric” that fell short of the legal standard for incitement. “No thinking person could seriously believe that the president’s January 6 speech on the Ellipse was in any way an incitement to violence or insurrection,” Michael van der Veen, one of Trump’s attorneys, said. Trump’s defense then showed a selectively edited video of Democrats using the words “fight” or “fighting” in political speeches. Trump’s other lawyer, Bruce Castor, echoed complaints of “cancel culture,” saying “Let us be clear: This trial is about far more than President Trump. It is about silence and banning the speech the majority does not agree with. It is about canceling 75 million Trump voters and criminalizing political viewpoints.” And, finally, Trump lawyer David Schoen complained about “the hatred, the vitriol, the political opportunism that has brought us here today.” He blamed Trump’s impeachment on “hatred, animosity, division, political gain – and let’s face it, for House Democrats, President Trump is the best enemy to attack.”</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/12/day-24/">February 12, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Three Republican senators met with Trump’s defense team prior to their rebuttal to the House impeachment managers’ presentation</strong>. Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz, and Mike Lee’s met with Trump lawyer David Schoen in the middle of the impeachment trial in which they will vote on whether to convict Trump and bar him from holding public office again. (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/11/politics/gop-senators-trump-impeachment-lawyers/">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/11/day-23/">February 11, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>What happened today?</strong> The House impeachment managers prosecuting Trump rested their case, saying that if Trump is not convicted, it sets “a new terrible standard for presidential misconduct.” The managers used their final day of arguments to show how the insurrectionists – using his specific words – carried out the attack on the Capitol at Trump’s direction, warning that Trump could incite more violence if not convicted. The managers also focused on Trump’s history of celebrating violence and his lack of remorse following the Jan. 6 insurrection to demonstrate why he should be convicted and barred from holding federal office again. “Senators, America, we need to exercise our common sense about what happened,” Rep. Jamie Raskin, the lead impeachment manager, said in his final arguments. “Let’s not get caught up in a lot of outlandish lawyers’ theories here. Exercise your common sense about what just took place in our country.”</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/11/day-23/">February 11, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>What’s next?</strong> Trump’s defense team will begin their arguments tomorrow against conviction. Trump’s defense is not <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/11/trump-impeachment-defense-friday-468694">expected</a> to use all 16 hours of their allotted time for presentations and instead plans finish its arguments in the Senate’s impeachment trial by Friday night. A verdict could come as early as the weekend. Democrats are looking for at least 17 Senate Republicans to join them in voting to convict Trump.</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/10/day-22/">February 10, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>What happened today?</strong> House Democrats opened their impeachment case against Trump arguing that he “assembled, inflamed and incited” the attack against the U.S. Capitol because he “ran out of nonviolent” ways to overturn the result of the election. The House impeachment managers, calling Trump no “innocent bystander” but the “inciter in chief,” presented never-before-seen security footage from Jan. 6 of a pro-Trump mob storming the Capitol, played audio of Capitol Police declaring a riot, and methodically detailed a nearly minute-by-minute account of what happened once the Capitol was breached. The prosecution argued that Trump sought to “prime” his supporters for the deadly Capitol attack months before it happened by engaging in a series of “false, outlandish lies” that he could only lose the election through fraud, likening Trump’s actions to someone trying “to light the match.”</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/10/day-22/">February 10, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump was reportedly “not happy” and “frustrated” by the performance of his lawyers during the first day of his second impeachment trial</strong>. Trump was particularly angry at Bruce Castor, one of his lawyers, for praising the House impeachment manager’s presentation before delivering a meandering, nearly hour-long defense during the first day of the Senate impeachment trial. In fact, Trump’s other lawyer, David Schoen, was supposed to present first, but Castor told the Senate that they “changed what we were going to do on account that we thought that the House managers’ presentation was well done.” Castor also referred to Trump as the “former president,” conceding that Trump lost the 2020 election when “smart” voters elected Biden. One person familiar with Trump’s reaction said that on a scale of one to 10, with 10 being the angriest, Trump “was an eight.” (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/09/us/politics/trump-bruce-castor-david-schoen.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/09/politics/trump-impeachment-bruce-castor/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/09/trump-impeachment-team-468112">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/10/trump-watching-impeachment-trial-tv-mar-a-lago">The Guardian</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/09/day-21/">February 09, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump’s impeachment trial kicked off in the Senate with House Democrats playing a video montage of Trump whipping up a crowd of supporters</strong>, encouraging them to march to the U.S. Capitol and “fight like hell,” showing the pro-Trump mob violently breaching the Capitol, attacking police officers, and invoking Trump’s name as they tried to disrupt the certification of the November election. “Senators, this cannot be our future. This cannot be the future of America,” Rep. Jamie Raskin said in opening remarks. “We cannot have presidents inciting and mobilizing mob violence against our government and our institutions because they refuse to accept the will of the people.”</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/09/day-21/">February 09, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The first day of the proceeding were devoted to a debate over the constitutionality of the House prosecuting a president who has already left office</strong>. While Trump’s lawyers condemned the violence, they rejected the suggestion that he was responsible for it and maintained that the Constitution did not allow for an impeachment trial of a former president because it was meant to lead to removal. According to his <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-actions-capitol-attacks/2021/02/09/6dada250-6a3b-11eb-9ead-673168d5b874_story.html">defense attorneys</a>, Trump was “horrified” by the violence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, and that it is “absolutely not true” that Trump failed to quickly act to end the riot. In their revisionist history, Trump reportedly tweeted calls for peace “upon hearing of the reports of violence” and took “immediate steps” to mobilize resources to counter the rioters storming the building – these statements, however, conflict with the actual timeline of events. Bruce Castor, one of Trump’s attorneys, argued that Trump should not be punished for a “political speech,” and since he is “no longer is in office … the object of the Constitution has been achieved. He was removed by the voters.” House impeachment managers, meanwhile, argued that there is no “January exception” for presidents to escape repercussions through impeachment on their way out of office, saying the framers of the Constitution did not provide a waiver for accountability.</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/09/day-21/">February 09, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>After House managers and Trump’s team presented their arguments on whether the trial was constitutional, the Senate voted 56 to 44 to proceed with Trump’s impeachment trial</strong>. Six Republicans voted to affirm the constitutionality of the trial.</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/09/day-21/">February 09, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>One of Trump’s impeachment lawyers sued him last year</strong>, accusing him of making “repeated claims” that mail voting is ripe with fraud “despite having no evidence in support of these claims.” Michael van der Veen filed a lawsuit against Trump, the USPS, and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy in August on behalf of a client running for office, claiming that operational changes at USPS would make it harder for voters to cast ballots during the coronavirus pandemic. (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-lawyer-suit-fraud/2021/02/09/50f0769e-6ae3-11eb-ba56-d7e2c8defa31_story.html">Washington Post</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/09/day-21/">February 09, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump – confident of his acquittal – plans a reemergence and retribution after his impeachment trial</strong>. (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/09/trump-impeachment-reputation-467825">Politico</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/09/day-21/">February 09, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump’s Jan. 6 Speech, Annotated</strong>. “The speech Trump gave at a rally just before the Capitol riot is at the center of the impeachment proceedings against the former president. Read and listen to the speech, with annotations on passages cited by the two sides.” (<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/impeachment-trial-an-annotated-look-at-trumps-speech-before-the-capitol-riot-11612895979?mod=politics_lead_pos2">Wall Street Journal</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/08/day-20/">February 08, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump’s attorneys argued that the insurrection at the Capitol was perpetrated by people “of their own accord and for their own reasons” and not because Trump called on them to march on Congress and “fight like hell.”</strong> Trump’s lawyers, accusing House Democrats of engaging in “political theater” driven by “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” asserted in a new filing that Trump’s speech before the attack “did not direct anyone to commit unlawful actions,” and that he deserved no blame for the conduct of a “small group of criminals” because he was engaged in free speech protected by the First Amendment when he questioned the election results. Trump’s lawyers also argued that the Senate “lacks jurisdiction” and cannot convict a former president, calling the effort “patently ridiculous.” House impeachment managers, meanwhile, said: “We live in a Nation governed by the rule of law, not mob violence incited by Presidents who cannot accept their own electoral defeat.” (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/08/trumps-legal-team-says-impeachment-is-constitutionally-flawed-senate-cant-convict-467210">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-lawyers-impeachment-senate/2021/02/08/76d5d040-6a19-11eb-9f80-3d7646ce1bc0_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/08/politics/trump-impeachment-brief-filing/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/trump-impeachment-trial-live-updates/2021/02/08/965360434/trump-lawyers-reject-impeachment-case-calling-it-political-theater">NPR</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/02/08/us/trump-impeachment/trumps-lawyers-deny-incitement-and-urge-senators-to-dismiss-the-case">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/08/trump-lawyers-blast-democrats-before-impeachment-trial-deny-he-incited-capitol-riot.html">CNBC</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/senate-leaders-near-deal-on-impeachment-trial-schedule-11612797521?mod=hp_lead_pos6">Wall Street Journal</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/08/day-20/">February 08, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>52% of Americans favor their senators voting to convict Trump in his second Senate impeachment trial</strong>, while 45% prefer their senators find him not guilty, and 3% are unsure. (<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/329423/americans-views-impeachment-trump-record-issues.aspx">Gallup</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/05/day-17/">February 05, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>47% of Americans believe the Senate should vote to convict Trump</strong> during his impeachment trial. 50% say Trump bears a great deal or quite a bit of the responsibility for the events at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. (<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-norc-poll-us-split-trump-impeachment-f77ab0122d9774dddf6f3f4549294dc5">Associated Press</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/04/day-16/">February 04, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>House impeachment managers requested that Trump testify under oath during his own Senate impeachment trial next week about his involvement in the events that led to the Capitol riot Jan. 6</strong>. “In light of your disputing these factual allegations, I write to invite you to provide testimony under oath,” Rep. Jamie Raskin wrote in a letter to Trump. The letter comes two days after Trump’s legal team “denied many factual allegations set forth in the article of impeachment.” House impeachment managers invited Trump to testify either before or during his actual impeachment trial. The Senate could also seek to compel Trump’s testimony by subpoena. Trump’s defense team, meanwhile, rejected the invitation, accusing Democrats of waging a “public relations stunt.” (<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/impeachment-managers-request-trump-testify-under-oath-senate-trial-n1256751">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/04/house-democrats-trump-testify-impeachment-465923">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/02/04/us/joe-biden-trump-impeachment/house-managers-call-on-trump-to-testify-under-oath-his-lawyers-call-it-a-public-relations-stunt-but-dont-say-no">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/02/04/joe-biden-live-updates/#link-J3QNCETFPNH4DPKMVZ7SYKLGPA">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/04/politics/impeachment-trial-trump-testify/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/democrats-call-trump-testify-upcoming-impeachment-trial/story?id=75687873">ABC News</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-03/trump-family-banker-forced-to-leave-deutsche-bank-over-deal?sref=MIBMEEoj">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/house-impeachment-managers-ask-trump-to-testify-11612463900">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/02/04/live-updates-house-to-vote-on-marjorie-taylor-greene-committee-seats/4383759001/">USA Today</a> / <a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-dems-trump-testify-impeachment-8fd6b9f5724f48cc0f4e045ec8c37000">Associated Press</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/trump-impeachment-testify-13c9d695-1f71-4395-a09f-9777507a849b.html">Axios</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/02/day-14/">February 02, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>House impeachment managers accused Trump of whipping the crowd in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6 “into a frenzy” and then aiming them “like a loaded cannon” at the Capitol</strong>. In a memorandum filed ahead of Trump’s second impeachment trial, the House’s nine impeachment managers said Trump was “singularly responsible” for the riot, accusing him of “a betrayal of historic proportions.” They added: “Trump’s responsibility for the events of January 6 is unmistakable” and that his “abuse of office threatened and injured our democratic order” and “his conduct endangered the life of every single member of Congress, jeopardized the peaceful transition of power and line of succession, and compromised our national security.” (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/house-impeachment-trial-brief/2021/02/02/8eca2f14-6557-11eb-8c64-9595888caa15_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/02/02/963214171/house-impeachment-managers-trump-whipped-mob-into-frenzy-aimed-it-at-capitol">NPR</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/trump-s-responsibility-capitol-riot-unmistakable-house-democrats-say-impeachment-n1256459">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-house-democrats-to-lay-out-impeachment-trial-strategies-11612270484">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/01/politics/impeachment-house-trump-riots/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-dems-make-impeachment-case-pre-trial/story?id=75619665">ABC News</a> / <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-impeachment-responsibility-capitol-riot/">CBS News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/02/day-14/">February 02, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump’s lawyers denied that he sought to subvert the election results and incite the deadly assault on the Capitol, arguing that the trial is unconstitutional because he is out of office</strong>. In a 14-page response to the House’s impeachment charge, Trump’s lawyers argued that Trump did not incite the crowd on Jan. 6 “to engage in destructive behavior” and suggested that case was “substantially flawed” and should be dismissed. Trump’s lawyers also denied that he was “factually in error” when he claimed that he had won the election “in a landslide,” claiming “insufficient evidence exists upon which a reasonable jurist could conclude that the 45th president’s statements were accurate or not, and he therefore denies they were false.” (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/02/us/politics/trump-impeachment-defense.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/02/house-impeachment-brief-trump-responsible-capitol-attack-464930">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/02/politics/democratic-impeachment-filing/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-argues-impeachment-trial-unconstitutional-denies-violated-oath/story?id=75634370">ABC News</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-02/trump-s-guilt-in-inciting-riot-is-unmistakable-democrats-say?sref=MIBMEEoj">Bloomberg</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/01/day-13/">February 01, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump’s five impeachment lawyers quit after he wanted his defense to focus on his baseless claim that the election was stolen from him</strong>. Trump’s lawyers planned to question whether impeaching a president who has already left office was unconstitutional. Trump, however, wanted his defense team to argue during his second impeachment trial that he won the 2020 election and that it was stolen from him while citing his own false claims of election fraud. Trump also reportedly insisted that the case was “simple” and has told advisers he could argue it himself and save the money on lawyers. Trump’s Senate trial for his role in inciting the attack on the U.S. Capitol begins Feb. 9. (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-legal-team-exited-after-he-insisted-impeachment-defense-focus-be-on-false-claims-of-election-fraud/2021/01/31/5af05d04-63e9-11eb-8c64-9595888caa15_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/30/politics/butch-bowers-deborah-barbier-trump-impeachment-team/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/30/us/politics/trump-butch-bowers-impeachment.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/30/trumps-impeachment-lawyer-leaves-team-464017">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/trump-appears-be-without-legal-team-impeachment-trial-nears-n1256285">NBC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/02/01/day-13/">February 01, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump named two lawyers, David Schoen and Bruce Castor, who will represent him in his coming impeachment trial in the Senate</strong>. Schoen has disputed official reports that Jeffrey Epstein, who was accused of sexually abusing dozens of girls, killed himself in jail, and maintains his belief that Epstein may have been murdered. Castor, meanwhile, declined to prosecute Bill Cosby in 2005. (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/02/01/trump-impeachment-new-defense-team/">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-31/trump-facing-impeachment-trial-without-lawyers-as-team-quits?sref=MIBMEEoj">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/31/us/politics/trump-impeachment-lawyers.html">New York Times</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/01/28/day-9/">January 28, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Senators are contemplating censuring Trump as an alternative to an impeachment trial</strong>, which will likely result in his acquittal as it’s become clear that Democrats won’t find the 17 Republican votes needed for a conviction. Susan Collins and Tim Kaine plan to file a censure resolution that Trump “gave aid and comfort” to the insurrectionists by “repeatedly lying about the election, slandering election officials, pressuring others to come to Washington for a wild event and encouraging them to come up to Congress.” A censure resolution requires only a simple majority vote and could prevent Trump from holding office again. Democratic senators said they’re ready move on to coronavirus pandemic relief, climate legislation, and Biden’s Cabinet confirmations. (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/democrats-consider-impeachment-alternatives-censure/2021/01/27/fdfd9b6c-60bd-11eb-afbe-9a11a127d146_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/some-senatorspush-censure-as-alternative-to-trump-trial-11611788180">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senators-consider-censure-alternative-impeachment-trial-view-likely-trump-acquittal-n1256016">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/trump-censure-kaine-collins-senate-impeachment-9a67a569-0526-45b7-9bfb-67b8d17f901b.html">Axios</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/26/rand-paul-impeachment-462655">Politico</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/01/26/day-7/">January 26, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The House formally delivered the article of impeachment to the Senate</strong>, charging Trump with “incitement of insurrection” for his role in the deadly Capitol riot. House impeachment managers walked the article of impeachment through National Statuary Hall and the Capitol Rotunda to the Senate to present the article to the secretary of the Senate. Chief Justice John Roberts will not preside over the trial, like he did for Trump’s first impeachment trial. Instead, Sen. Patrick Leahy, the president pro tempore of the Senate, will preside. Biden, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/25/politics/joe-biden-trump-impeachment/index.html">meanwhile</a>, said Trump’s impeachment trial “has to happen” because there would be “a worse effect if it didn’t happen.” Trump is the first U.S. president to have been impeached twice and will be the first to be tried after leaving office. (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-trump-impeachment/2021/01/25/e747ec76-5f26-11eb-9061-07abcc1f9229_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/house-deliver-trump-impeachment-article-senate-kicking-trial-preparations-n1255598">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/25/us/politics/house-impeachment-article-senate.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-25/trump-impeachment-trial-poised-to-open-with-march-across-capitol?sref=MIBMEEoj">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/25/politics/impeachment-article-senate-house/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/01/26/day-7/">January 26, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Senate Republicans voted en masse in an attempt to dismiss the impeachment charge against Trump as unconstitutional because he is no longer in office</strong>. All but five Republican senators endorsed the effort, signaling that the Senate does not have the votes to convict and that the proceedings will likely end with Trump’s acquittal. “Impeachment is for removal from office, and the accused here has already left office,” Rand Paul argued on the Senate floor earlier, adding that the trial would “drag our great country down into the gutter of rancor and vitriol, the likes of which has never been seen in our nation’s history.” To convict Trump, it would require 67 members of the 100-member Senate. Trump’s trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 9. (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gop-senators-to-question-basis-for-trump-impeachment-signaling-likely-acquittal/2021/01/26/cd7397dc-6002-11eb-9061-07abcc1f9229_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/republicans-challenge-trump-impeachment-trial-11611683182?mod=politics_lead_pos2">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/26/us/politics/impeachment-charge-senate.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-impeachment-senate-eeff16bd40a4fe3b65b5efc9f1582289">Associated Press</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senators-be-sworn-trump-impeachment-trial-where-they-will-be-n1255686">NBC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/01/22/day-3/">January 22, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Nancy Pelosi will transmit the article of impeachment charging Trump with “incitement of insurrection” to the Senate on Monday</strong>, triggering the start of Trump’s second impeachment trial. “The Senate will conduct a trial on the impeachment of Donald Trump,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said. “It will be a fair trial. But make no mistake, there will be a trial.” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, meanwhile, suggested that Trump’s trial should be delayed to mid-February to give him time to “mount a defense,” adding that “this impeachment began with an unprecedentedly fast and minimal process over in the House.” Under Senate rules, the impeachment trial must begin within one day after the House transmits the article if the chamber is in session. (<a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/01/22/959606259/house-to-transmit-article-of-impeachment-to-senate-on-monday-schumer-says">NPR</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/22/schumer-says-senate-will-receive-impeachment-article-on-monday-461305">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/22/politics/impeachment-articles-schumer/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-receive-trump-impeachment-article-monday-senate-trial-could-begin-n1255310">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/21/us/politics/trump-impeachment-trial-mcconnell-senate.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/22/schumer-says-house-will-deliver-trump-impeachment-article-to-senate-on-monday.html">CNBC</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/pelosi-delivers-impeachment-articles-monday/2021/01/22/d858374e-5cd7-11eb-b8bd-ee36b1cd18bf_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/senate-impeachment-trial-house-article-dc80ed3d-d56b-48cc-91a6-3ede9e562f3d.html">Axios</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/01/21/day-2/">January 21, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was “ready” to transmit the House’s impeachment charge against Trump to the Senate “soon,”</strong> declining to provide an exact date for doing so. Mitch McConnell, meanwhile, proposed delaying the impeachment trial until February to give Trump’s lawyers more time to prepare. The question of who will represent Trump also remains unanswered. (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/01/21/us/joe-biden/pelosi-says-trump-impeachment-trial-will-start-soon-but-declines-to-pinpoint-a-date-graham-says-trump-has-a-lawyer-for-it">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/pelosi-ready-send-trump-impeachment-article-answers-senate/story?id=75403030">ABC News</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/21/joe-biden-live-updates/">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/21/politics/nancy-pelosi-impeachment-timing/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/01/21/day-2/">January 21, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Senate Republicans refused to agree to a power-sharing agreement unless Democrats promised to preserve the filibuster</strong>. Mitch McConnell has pressed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to keep the 60-vote threshold on most legislation as part of their agreement. Democrats, however, have rejected the proposal, saying it would be a mistake to take the filibuster off the table now that they’re in control of both chambers of Congress and the White House for the first time in more than a decade. The stalemate is slowing down confirmation of Biden’s nominees, Trump’s impeachment trial, and more. (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/21/democrats-mcconnell-filibuster-460967">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-faces-early-hurdles-on-nominees-covid-19-relief-11611225002">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/schumer-mcconnell-stalemate-filibuster-caaeac37-5468-4c81-886e-e62ff3cb006c.html">Axios</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/01/19/day-1461/">January 19, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Mitch McConnell said the mob that stormed the Capitol was “fed lies” and “provoked by the president” into violence</strong>, referring to Trump’s attempts to overturn the election based on his baseless claims of voter fraud. McConnell’s remarks came on his last full day as majority leader, shortly before he met with Chuck Schumer to work out rules for Trump’s Senate impeachment trial for “willful incitement of insurrection.” Former Attorney General William Barr, meanwhile, said that questioning the legitimacy of the Nov. 3 election “precipitated the riot,” but he didn’t blame Trump for inciting the mob. (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/19/us/politics/mcconnell-trump.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/19/mcconnell-trump-provoked-capitol-attackers-460372">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/insurrection-at-the-capitol/2021/01/19/958410118/this-mob-was-fed-lies-mcconnell-rebukes-trump-for-his-role-in-capitol-riot">NPR</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-19/mcconnell-says-mob-attack-on-capitol-was-provoked-by-trump?srnd=premium&sref=MIBMEEoj">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/19/trump-provoked-capitol-riot-mitch-mcconnell-says.html">CNBC</a> / <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2021/jan/19/joe-biden-inauguration-donald-trump-pardons-impeachment-covid-coronavirus-live-updates">The Guardian</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/01/18/us/inauguration-day-biden/barr-says-questioning-the-election-led-to-the-capitol-riot-but-he-avoids-blaming-trump">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/01/19/gop-corporate-pac-funding/">Washington Post</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/01/19/day-1461/">January 19, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>About 20% of Republicans said they approve of convicting Trump in his Senate impeachment trial</strong>. Overall, about 55% said they approve of the Senate convicting Trump and about 37% said they disapprove. (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/19/republican-support-convicting-trump-growing-460247">Politico</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/01/15/day-1457/">January 15, 2021</a></small></div>
<p>👑 <strong>Portrait of a president: Trump explodes at Nixon comparisons as he prepares to leave office</strong>. “Inside the building, Trump has been weathering a second impeachment and growing isolation from his onetime allies in sullen desolation. He has grown more and more worried about what legal or financial calamities may await him when he is no longer president, people who have spoken to him said, fueled by warnings from lawyers and advisers. He is weighing pardons, including for himself and his family, as he attempts to muster a legal team for another impeachment trial. And he is resentful of Republicans who he feels abandoned him in his hour of need, including the GOP leaders of the House and Senate.” (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/14/politics/donald-trump-presidency-ending/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/01/14/day-1456/">January 14, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Biden urged the Senate to balance the impeachment trial of Trump with the “other urgent business of this nation.”</strong> The Senate won’t return until Jan. 19 – the day before Biden’s inauguration – which means Trump’s trial will create a logistical challenge, and risks delaying confirmation of Biden’s cabinet nominees and legislative initiatives. All 100 senators must consent to allow the chamber to confirm Biden’s Cabinet and pass his legislative agenda on one track, and begin Trump’s trial for “incitement of insurrection” on another. Nancy Pelosi, meanwhile, hasn’t detailed her schedule for transmitting the single article of impeachment to the Senate. (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/13/politics/biden-senate-impeachment/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-14/trump-s-impeachment-trial-in-limbo-as-pelosi-mcconnell-silent?sref=MIBMEEoj">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/14/trump-impeachment-crashes-biden-inauguration-459333">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/biden-transition-updates/2021/01/14/956620254/his-cabinet-still-unconfirmed-biden-looks-at-plan-b-for-early-days-in-office">NPR</a> / <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/14/trump-impeachment-biden-administration-senate-trial">The Guardian</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/busy-senate-to-juggle-trump-impeachment-trial-biden-agenda-11610645139">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-trump-impeachment-trial-senate-business/">CBS News</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/14/trump-impeachment-biden-transition-live-updates/#link-VTTIRAQZXVBVLHOQTQXGN7GQ5U">Washington Post</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/01/14/day-1456/">January 14, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump is reportedly in “self-pity mode” after becoming the only U.S. president to be impeached twice</strong>. According to White House advisers and people close to him, Trump and has become “increasingly isolated, sullen, and vengeful” after being left to fend for himself at the White House as impeachment quickly gained steam. Trump has also instructed aides not to pay Rudy Giuliani’s legal fees, demanding that he personally approve any reimbursements for the expenses Giuliani incurred while traveling on his behalf to challenge election results. Trump has apparently expressed concern with some of Giuliani’s decisions. The lawyers who defended Trump in his previous impeachment trial, including Jay Sekulow and White House Counsel Pat Cipollone, have declined to defend him during the second impeachment trial. (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-isolated-impeachment/2021/01/13/0595675a-55b6-11eb-a931-5b162d0d033d_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/house-trump-impeachment-vote-01-13-21/h_ba9752fdf65b29ad98f4031e63fe8b52">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-14/trump-struggles-to-build-legal-team-as-impeachment-trial-nears?sref=MIBMEEoj">Bloomberg</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/01/13/day-1455/">January 13, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump issued a statement calling on Americans to “ease tensions and calm tempers.”</strong> The statement was released as the House was debating his impeachment. (<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/trump-impeachment-effort-live-updates/2021/01/13/956462941/trump-calls-for-no-violence-as-congress-moves-to-impeach-him-for-role-in-riot">NPR</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/01/13/us/capitol-investigation#trump-statement-violence">New York Times</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/01/13/day-1455/">January 13, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump Impeachment 2.0 Live Blogs</strong>: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/01/13/us/trump-impeachment/">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/13/trump-impeachment-biden-transition-live-updates/">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/live-news-updates/2021/01/13/trump-second-impeachment-house-vote-210113">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2021/jan/13/donald-trump-impeachment-nancy-pelosi-joe-biden-mike-pence-congress-covid-coronavirus-live-updates">The Guardian</a> / <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/trump-impeachment-effort-live-updates/2021/01/13/956000345/the-house-is-expected-to-impeach-trump-a-2nd-time-heres-how-it-will-work">NPR</a> / <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/live-updates/2020-election-transition-trump-biden-impeachment/?id=75166132">ABC News</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/live-blog/2021-01-13-trump-impeachment-25th-amendment-n1253971">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/house-trump-impeachment-vote-01-13-21/">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/13/trump-impeachment-vote-biden-transition-live-updates.html">CNBC</a></p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/01/13/day-1455/">January 13, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Mitch McConnell rejected calls to bring the Senate back for an emergency session to begin Trump’s impeachment trial before Jan. 19</strong>. McConnell, however, told Republican senators that he has not ruled out voting to convict Trump on the House’s impeachment charge. Trump impeachment trial won’t begin until after Biden becomes president on Jan. 20. If the Senate convicts Trump, it could also vote to ban him from ever seeking office again. (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/13/politics/mcconnell-democrats-impeachment-trial-trump/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/mcconnell-trump-convict-impeachment-trial-99246975-8c02-47f4-90d3-14a23c00afd1.html">Axios</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-13/mcconnell-won-t-agree-to-early-start-for-trump-impeachment-trial?sref=MIBMEEoj">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/13/trump-impeachment-biden-transition-live-updates/#link-IIVQCJVCTRDVHJDY4BA6BHEAHU">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-to-face-impeachment-vote-over-capitol-riot-11610543781">Wall Street Journal</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/01/11/day-1453/">January 11, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>House Democrats introduced an article of impeachment against Trump for “incitement of insurrection”</strong> for his role in the riots at the Capitol that left five people dead last week. The four-page impeachment article charges Trump with “inciting violence against the government of the United States.” Nancy Pelosi said the House will vote to impeach Trump on Wednesday if Pence doesn’t seek to remove him under the 25th Amendment or Trump doesn’t resign first. The impeachment resolution has <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/11/house-trump-impeachment-457440">at least 218 co-sponsors</a> – enough to ensure passage – which would make Trump the first president in U.S. history to be impeached twice. While it’s unlikely that the Senate will hold a trial before Trump leaves office on Jan. 20, a conviction after his term ends would prevent Trump from federal office again. Earlier, during a pro forma session, Democrats attempted to pass a measure by unanimous consent calling on Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump, but House Republicans blocked the request. Pence <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/09/politics/mike-pence-25th-amendment/index.html">reportedly</a> hasn’t ruled out invoking the 25th Amendment, but wants to preserve the option in case Trump becomes more unstable. (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/11/us/pence-impeachment.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/11/trump-impeachment-biden-transition-live-updates/">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/trump-impeachment-effort-live-updates/2021/01/11/954907652/in-wake-of-capitol-attack-house-will-seek-to-impeach-trump-again">NPR</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/11/politics/house-democrats-impeachment-plans/">CNN</a> / <a href="https://apnews.com/article/pelosi-house-impeach-trump-575a4070cbef5441d61fb7e4a497f9b7">Associated Press</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/house-democrats-to-begin-efforts-seeking-to-remove-trump-from-office-11610375178">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-11/house-democrats-set-in-motion-bid-to-remove-trump-from-office?srnd=premium&sref=MIBMEEoj">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-democrats-consider-impeachment-25th-amendment-measures-n1253693">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-democrats-file-impeachment-article-charging-trump-incitement/story?id=75178177">ABC News</a> / <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/11/trump-impeachment-house-democrats-charge-president-with-incitement-of-insurrection">The Guardian</a> / <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/11/house-prepares-to-impeach-trump-over-capitol-attack.html">CNBC</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/01/08/day-1450/">January 08, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>House Democrats plan to introduce articles of impeachment against Trump on Monday for “incitement of insurrection.”</strong> A draft copy of the impeachment resolution states that Trump “has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to national security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, and […] thus warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States.” The move follows Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s earlier call for Trump to “immediately” resign for his role in a “horrific assault on our democracy,” adding “If the President does not leave office imminently and willingly, the Congress will proceed with our action.” Pence, meanwhile, privately ruled out invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office. The House could vote on the articles of impeachment early as early as the middle of next week. More than 196 members of the House and 37 Senators have called for Trump to be removed from office. (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/08/politics/house-democrats-impeachment-plans/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/08/us/politics/trump-impeachment-pelosi.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-pressure-resign-face-impeachment-attend-bidens-inauguration/story?id=75099643">ABC News</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/impeachment-trump-congress/2021/01/08/2a0d83ca-51c3-11eb-b96e-0e54447b23a1_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-intensify-calls-to-remove-trump-after-capitol-riot-11610117456">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/trump-concession-removal-214d89e2-6cc5-4a02-9d1e-ae9400cf8bef.html">Axios</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/over-100-lawmakers-are-calling-president-trump-s-removal-here-n1253309">NBC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2021/01/04/day-1446/">January 04, 2021</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump awarded Devin Nunes with the Presidential Medal of Freedom</strong>, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Nunes defended Trump during the investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, as well as during his impeachment. Nunes also once <a href="https://www.fresnobee.com/news/nation-world/national/article243664982.html">sued a fake cow</a> for defamatory tweets. (<a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/01/04/953276901/trump-to-give-medal-of-freedom-to-loyalist-gop-congressman-nunes">NPR</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/03/trump-give-ally-nunes-presidential-medal-freedom/">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/04/trump-presidential-medal-freedom-devin-nunes-jim-jordan">The Guardian</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/08/27/day-1316/">August 27, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman filed a complaint with the Pentagon’s inspector general suggesting he and his brother Alexander was retaliated against for disclosing potential ethics violations by senior White House officials.</strong> Alexander Vindman served as a key witness during Trump’s impeachment and was dismissed from his position on the National Security Council in February. Yevgeny Vindman worked as a deputy legal adviser for the NSC and a senior ethics official on the NSC staff. He was also removed after the impeachment proceedings ended. Yevgeny Vindman’s legal team said in a statement that actions were “improperly taken against him in retaliation for his protected disclosures involving matters that ultimately led to the president’s impeachment as well as disclosures of misconduct by other current senior members of the president’s national security team.” (<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/yevgeny-vindman-whistleblower-complaint-retaliation-pentagon/">CBS News</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/yevgeny-vindman-retaliation-complaint-trump-b81fc300-9e86-41b8-ab73-08c6c72b57b5.html">Axios</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/08/19/day-1308/">August 19, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump dismisses new report on 2016 election interference as his allies continue to pursue theories it debunks</strong>. “Trump has pushed the debunked theories that Ukraine, not Russia, interfered in the 2016 election and that it did so on behalf of his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. The report found that Russian intelligence operations manufactured that theory, which Trump has never disavowed and which played a role in his impeachment when he pressed the issue in a 2019 phone call with Ukraine’s president.” (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-dismisses-new-report-on-2016-election-interference-as-his-allies-continue-to-pursue-theories-it-debunks/2020/08/18/a329fb4e-e189-11ea-8181-606e603bb1c4_story.html">Washington Post</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/07/15/day-1273/">July 15, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The National Security Council sent a list of allegations about Lt. Col. Alex Vindman to the Pentagon after he testified before the House in impeachment proceedings against Trump</strong>. Vindman was on track to be promoted to colonel, but accusations outlined in the document, if substantiated, would have kept him from moving up in rank. (<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/white-house-officials-sent-document-pentagon-criticizing-vindman-after-impeachment-n1233613">NBC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/07/08/day-1266/">July 08, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman will retire from the U.S. Army after more than 21 years of military service over a “campaign of bullying, intimidation, and retaliation” by Trump</strong>. Vindman testified under subpoena last fall about his concerns surrounding a call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the impeachment inquiry. He was up for promotion to colonel, but Trump instead fired Vindman from his White House National Security Council assignment following the testimony. (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/08/politics/vindman-retiring-alleged-white-house-retaliation/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/07/08/888933684/lt-col-vindman-witness-in-trump-impeachment-is-retiring-from-military">NPR</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/lt-col-alexander-vindman-retires-citing-campaign-of-bullying-intimidation-and-retaliation-by-trump/2020/07/08/934bc6ba-c12e-11ea-864a-0dd31b9d6917_story.html">Washington Post</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/06/19/day-1247/">June 19, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The acting senior director for European and Russian Affairs at the National Security Council is stepping down and will return to his previous position at the Pentagon.</strong> Tom Williams was Trump’s fourth Russia director at the NSC in three years. His predecessor, Andrew Peek, was placed on administrative leave pending a security review back in January. The other two, Fiona Hill and Tim Morrison, testified as part of the House impeachment inquiry into Trump’s dealings with Ukraine. National security adviser Robert O’Brien says Williams is returning to the Pentagon “after two years of service detailed to the NSC,” which he said is “customary.” (<a href="https://www.axios.com/trump-nsc-russia-director-70b0ae9a-089d-417b-bc08-408f556a6871.html">Axios</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/05/19/day-1216/">May 19, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The House Judiciary Committee told the Supreme Court they need Robert Mueller’s secret grand jury materials to determine if there is new evidence of impeachable offenses involving Trump</strong>, saying Trump “did not cease with the conclusion of the impeachment trial.” The new filing comes in response to the Justice Department’s request that the Supreme Court put aside a federal appeals court order that Congress had a “compelling need” to view the secret grand jury evidence. The Justice Department, meanwhile, is asking the Supreme Court to block the release, saying it would suffer “irreparable harm” if it had to turn over the records before the justices had decided whether to take up the appeal. (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/18/politics/house-supreme-court-mueller-grand-jury/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/house-tells-supreme-court-that-mueller-grand-jury-material-is-needed-now/2020/05/18/c6f28bec-9925-11ea-ac72-3841fcc9b35f_story.html">Washington Post</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/05/11/day-1208/">May 11, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump spent Mother’s Day sending 126 tweets, retweets, and quote-tweets about the Russia investigations by the FBI and the House Intelligence Committee</strong>. Falling just 16 short of the single-day posting record he set during his impeachment trial in January, Trump spent much of his holiday bouncing between wishing everyone a “HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY” to railing against Obama, “60 Minutes,” Jimmy Kimmel, and Chuck Todd. The U.S. coronavirus death toll, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/live-blog/2020-05-10-coronavirus-news-n1203881">meanwhile</a>, crossed 80,000. (<a href="https://www.axios.com/trump-tweets-russia-investigation-flynn-e5f680a8-5ff3-4d45-aae8-4049bcc904ad.html">Axios</a> / <a href="https://www.vox.com/2020/5/11/21254398/trump-tweets-mothers-day-obamagate-coronavirus">Vox</a> / <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/10/trump-obama-biggest-political-american-history-russia-michael-flynn">The Guardian</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/05/11/trump-chuck-todd-flynn/">Washington Post</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/05/07/day-1204/">May 07, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to temporarily block the release of secret Robert Mueller grand jury evidence</strong>. In March, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit cleared the way for Congress to access material from Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The administration is asking the justices to freeze that opinion. House Democrats have argued that their investigation into possible misconduct by Trump is ongoing, and that the grand jury material will inform its determination of whether Trump obstructed Mueller’s investigation and whether to recommend new articles of impeachment. (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/trump-administration-asks-supreme-court-to-stop-release-of-mueller-material/2020/05/07/c6d85df6-9080-11ea-a0bc-4e9ad4866d21_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/07/politics/mueller-documents-trump-grand-jury-supreme-court/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/trump-administration-supreme-court-mueller-grand-jury-55e390bf-7ad3-4f80-8cc6-ae50e1386568.html">Axios</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/05/05/day-1202/">May 05, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The House Judiciary Committee wants to continue investigating Trump for potentially impeachable offenses related to Robert Mueller’s investigation.</strong> The committee is still trying to obtain grand jury secrets from the Mueller probe, but the Justice Department has blocked the disclosure of the materials because it plans to take the case to the Supreme Court. In a letter to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the House wrote that “its investigation into President Trump’s misconduct is ongoing” and that material from the grand jury will help it decide whether Trump “committed additional impeachable offenses in obstructing Special Counsel [Robert] Mueller’s investigation and whether to recommend new articles of impeachment.” The letter adds: “The current pandemic notwithstanding, the Committee’s investigation is not ‘dormant.’” The committee is particularly interested in the differences between what the witnesses from the Trump campaign told Mueller’s investigators and what Trump said to Mueller in his written answers, as well as what convicted former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort said about Trump during his secret testimony. (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/29/politics/mueller-grand-jury-house-impeachable/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/04/28/day-1195/">April 28, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Inside Donald Trump and Jared Kushner’s two months of magical thinking</strong>. Obsessed with impeachment and their enemies and worried about the stock market, the president and his son-in-law scapegoated HHS Secretary Alex Azar, and treated the coronavirus as mostly a political problem as it moved through the country. (<a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/04/donald-trump-jared-kushners-two-months-of-magical-thinking">Vanity Fair</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/04/16/day-1183/">April 16, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The White House installed former Trump campaign operative Michael Caputo in the top communications position at the Department of Health and Human Services.</strong> The move is seen as an attempt by Trump to assert more control over HHS Secretary Alex Azar, whom the White House believes is behind a series of recent reports that have been critical of Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Caputo is a long-time friend of Roger Stone and a Trump loyalist who recently published a book called, “The Ukraine Hoax,” which claimed there was a conspiracy driving Trump’s impeachment. (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/15/michael-caputo-azar-hhs-189046">Politico</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/04/16/day-1183/">April 16, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The White House installed former Trump campaign operative Michael Caputo in the top communications position at the Department of Health and Human Services.</strong> The move is seen as an attempt by Trump to assert more control over HHS Secretary Alex Azar, whom the White House believes is behind a series of recent reports that have been critical of Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Caputo is a long-time friend of Roger Stone and a Trump loyalist who recently published a book called, “The Ukraine Hoax,” which claimed there was a conspiracy driving Trump’s impeachment. (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/15/michael-caputo-azar-hhs-189046">Politico</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/04/15/day-1182/">April 15, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>House Democrats: Trump’s halt on funding to the WHO is illegal</strong> and violates the same federal spending laws as the Ukraine aid freeze that prompted his impeachment. (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/15/house-democrats-trump-who-funding-188124">Politico</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/04/06/day-1173/">April 06, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump fired the intelligence community inspector general at the center of the Ukraine allegations that led to Trump’s impeachment.</strong> Michael Atkinson was fired months after he delivered the whistleblower complaint to Congress about Trump’s phone call with the Ukrainian president, as required by law. Trump called Atkinson a “disgrace” and said he fired him because Atkinson “did a terrible job, absolutely terrible.” Trump added: “He took a fake report and he took it to Congress with an emergency, OK? Not a big Trump fan, that I can tell you.” Atkinson released a statement saying that the reason Trump fired him “derives from my having faithfully discharged my legal obligations as an independent and impartial Inspector General.” (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/05/atkinson-trump-fired-whistleblower-complaint-167371">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/04/03/827195027/president-trump-fires-intelligence-community-inspector-general-michael-atkinson">NPR</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/03/us/trump-inspector-general-intelligence-fired.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-says-he-will-fire-intelligence-watchdog-at-center-of-ukraine-allegations-that-led-to-impeachment/2020/04/03/d0b873d4-761c-11ea-87da-77a8136c1a6d_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://apnews.com/57def4c165e6f2ea1d4bf1b0091e4101">Associated Press</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/03/politics/trump-fires-inspector-general-michael-atkinson/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/trump-firing-inspector-general-who-flagged-ukraine-whistleblower-complaint-n1176576">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-04/trump-fires-watchdog-who-raised-alarm-about-whistle-blower">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/amp/news/2020/04/03/trump-fires-intelligence-community-inspector-general-164287">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/4/4/21207988/trump-intelligence-inspector-general-atkinson-ukraine-impeachment">Vox</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/04/01/day-1168/">April 01, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump and Mitch McConnell both claimed that the Senate impeachment trial “diverted the attention of the government” from the coronavirus</strong>, despite warnings at the time from public health experts and members of Congress about the spread of the virus. During a press conference, Trump admitted that “I guess [impeachment] probably did” distract him from focusing on his administration’s response to the coronavirus, adding “I mean, I got impeached […] I certainly devoted a little time to thinking about it.” McConnell, meanwhile, said the outbreak “came up while we were tied down on the impeachment trial. And I think it diverted the attention of the government, because everything every day was all about impeachment.” (<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/03/31/coronavirus-trump-says-impeachment-distracted-him-coronavirus/5100694002/">USA Today</a> / <a href="https://apnews.com/305cc7ad65f6e080523a32e79edae97f">Associated Press</a> / <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/490335-mcconnell-impeachment-distracted-government-from-coronavirus-threat">The Hill</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/31/mcconnell-pelosi-draw-coronavirus-battle-lines-157137">Politico</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/04/01/day-1168/">April 01, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump and Mitch McConnell both claimed that the Senate impeachment trial “diverted the attention of the government” from the coronavirus</strong>, despite warnings at the time from public health experts and members of Congress about the spread of the virus. During a press conference, Trump admitted that “I guess [impeachment] probably did” distract him from focusing on his administration’s response to the coronavirus, adding “I mean, I got impeached […] I certainly devoted a little time to thinking about it.” McConnell, meanwhile, said the outbreak “came up while we were tied down on the impeachment trial. And I think it diverted the attention of the government, because everything every day was all about impeachment.” (<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/03/31/coronavirus-trump-says-impeachment-distracted-him-coronavirus/5100694002/">USA Today</a> / <a href="https://apnews.com/305cc7ad65f6e080523a32e79edae97f">Associated Press</a> / <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/490335-mcconnell-impeachment-distracted-government-from-coronavirus-threat">The Hill</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/31/mcconnell-pelosi-draw-coronavirus-battle-lines-157137">Politico</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/03/10/day-1146/">March 10, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>A federal appeals court granted House Democrats permission to access grand jury material from Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation</strong>. The Justice Department must now give lawmakers access to all the report’s blacked-out words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs, and pages, as well as underlying interviews and memos cited in Mueller’s probe. The lawsuit was filed before the start of the impeachment inquiry, but House lawyers told the court that lawmakers are still trying to determine whether Trump lied in his written responses to questions from Mueller’s investigators. The ruling can be appealed to the full court or to the Supreme Court. (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/10/judges-rule-democrats-should-get-mueller-evidence-125008">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/justice-department-must-disclose-secret-mueller-grand-jury-evidence-to-congress/2020/03/10/db60e338-3c66-11ea-baca-eb7ace0a3455_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/10/us/politics/mueller-evidence-house.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/appeals-court-rules-congress-can-have-access-to-mueller-grand-jury-materials-11583857654">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/10/politics/house-mueller-secret-grand-jury/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/mueller-secret-grand-jury-house-82ecba58-29cd-4bf8-a693-be9a8e4ce2ac.html">Axios</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/03/10/day-1146/">March 10, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>A federal appeals court granted House Democrats permission to access grand jury material from Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation</strong>. The Justice Department must now give lawmakers access to all the report’s blacked-out words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs, and pages, as well as underlying interviews and memos cited in Mueller’s probe. The lawsuit was filed before the start of the impeachment inquiry, but House lawyers told the court that lawmakers are still trying to determine whether Trump lied in his written responses to questions from Mueller’s investigators. The ruling can be appealed to the full court or to the Supreme Court. (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/10/judges-rule-democrats-should-get-mueller-evidence-125008">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/justice-department-must-disclose-secret-mueller-grand-jury-evidence-to-congress/2020/03/10/db60e338-3c66-11ea-baca-eb7ace0a3455_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/10/us/politics/mueller-evidence-house.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/appeals-court-rules-congress-can-have-access-to-mueller-grand-jury-materials-11583857654">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/10/politics/house-mueller-secret-grand-jury/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/mueller-secret-grand-jury-house-82ecba58-29cd-4bf8-a693-be9a8e4ce2ac.html">Axios</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/28/day-1135/">February 28, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney suggested that Americans ignore the media’s coverage of the coronavirus</strong> while acknowledging that the outbreak will likely cause disruptions to everyday life in the U.S., such as school closures and changes to public transportation. Mulvaney claimed that the media ignored the administration’s early efforts, because it was preoccupied with thinking impeachment “would bring down the president.” Mulvaney then suggested that the news media only switched to the coronavirus because “they think this is going to be what brings down” Trump. He then urged Americans to “Turn off your televisions for 24 hours.” (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/28/us/politics/cpac-coronavirus.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/28/trump-chief-of-staff-mulvaney-suggests-people-ignore-coronavirus-news-to-calm-markets.html">CNBC</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/02/28/coronavirus-live-updates/">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-28/virus-could-disrupt-u-s-schools-transportation-mulvaney-says">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/485114-white-house-chief-of-staff-claims-press-covering-coronavirus-to-take">The Hill</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/19/day-1126/">February 19, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump asked a top Defense Department official who advised against cutting off U.S. military aid to Ukraine to resign</strong>. John Rood, the Pentagon’s Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, was involved in certifying that Ukraine should receive the $250 million in security assistance at the center of Trump’s impeachment inquiry. Rood reportedly warned Defense Secretary Mark Esper against withholding the aid to Ukraine in an e-mail on July 25, hours after Trump’s now-infamous call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In a letter to Trump, Rood writes that he’ll step down Feb. 28 “as you requested.” (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/19/politics/john-rood-pentagon-official-depart/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-19/pentagon-official-involved-in-certifying-ukraine-aid-leaves-post">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/19/us/politics/john-rood-trump.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/pentagons-official-resigns-request-president-trump-unclear/story?id=69072006">ABC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/19/day-1126/">February 19, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump asked a top Defense Department official who advised against cutting off U.S. military aid to Ukraine to resign</strong>. John Rood, the Pentagon’s Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, was involved in certifying that Ukraine should receive the $250 million in security assistance at the center of Trump’s impeachment inquiry. Rood reportedly warned Defense Secretary Mark Esper against withholding the aid to Ukraine in an e-mail on July 25, hours after Trump’s now-infamous call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In a letter to Trump, Rood writes that he’ll step down Feb. 28 “as you requested.” (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/19/politics/john-rood-pentagon-official-depart/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-19/pentagon-official-involved-in-certifying-ukraine-aid-leaves-post">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/19/us/politics/john-rood-trump.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/pentagons-official-resigns-request-president-trump-unclear/story?id=69072006">ABC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/14/day-1121/">February 14, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump admitted that he ordered Rudy Giuliani to go to Ukraine to dig up damaging information about his political opponents after denying it during the impeachment inquiry</strong>. When asked during an interview with Geraldo Rivera if he was sorry that he sent Giuliani to Ukraine, Trump replied: “No, not at all. Here’s my choice: I deal with the Comeys of the world, or I deal with Rudy.” Trump went on to defend his decision by claiming that Giuliani is a “crime fighter” and that “other presidents had [lawyers].” (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/13/politics/trump-rudy-giuliani-ukraine-interview/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/02/trump-finally-admits-to-sending-rudy-giuliani-to-ukraine.html">New York Magazine</a> / <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-admits-giuliani-ukraine-reversing-impeachment-defense-2020-2">Business Insider</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/14/day-1121/">February 14, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump admitted that he ordered Rudy Giuliani to go to Ukraine to dig up damaging information about his political opponents after denying it during the impeachment inquiry</strong>. When asked during an interview with Geraldo Rivera if he was sorry that he sent Giuliani to Ukraine, Trump replied: “No, not at all. Here’s my choice: I deal with the Comeys of the world, or I deal with Rudy.” Trump went on to defend his decision by claiming that Giuliani is a “crime fighter” and that “other presidents had [lawyers].” (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/13/politics/trump-rudy-giuliani-ukraine-interview/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/02/trump-finally-admits-to-sending-rudy-giuliani-to-ukraine.html">New York Magazine</a> / <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-admits-giuliani-ukraine-reversing-impeachment-defense-2020-2">Business Insider</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/12/day-1119/">February 12, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump suggested that the military will likely look at disciplinary action against Lt. Col. Alexander S. Vindman</strong> after he was ousted from the White House for his testimony during the House impeachment hearings. “That’s going to be up to the military, we’ll have to see, but if you look at what happened, they’re going to certainly, I would imagine, take a look at that,” Trump said. National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien said he decided to remove Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and his brother Yevgeny from the National Security Council – not Trump. However, Trump admitted the day after Vindman’s dismissal that he was removed because he was “insubordinate” and “reported the contents of my ‘perfect’ phone calls incorrectly.” A U.S. official, however, said that neither the Army nor the Defense Department is investigating Vindman. (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/11/trump-military-disciplinary-action-vindman-114161">Politico</a> / <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/pentagon-mum-trumps-suggestion-vindman-face-disciplinary-action/story?id=68939412">ABC News</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/11/us/politics/trump-vindman.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/robert-obrien-decision-remove-vindman-his-trump-c6cc0446-7731-480f-ade1-f86138ec8d51.html">Axios</a> / <a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/02/trump-vindman-impeachment-fired-tweets/">Mother Jones</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/10/day-1117/">February 10, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump recalled Gordon Sondland from his post as the ambassador to the European Union</strong> on the same day that Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman was “escorted” out of the White House by security guards. Sondland, a key witnesses in the House impeachment hearings, testified that “we followed the president’s orders” and that “everyone was in the loop.” State Department officials told Sondland that they wanted him to resign, but Sondland declined and said he would have to be fired. In response, State Department officials recalled him. (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/07/us/politics/alexander-vindman-gordon-sondland-fired.html">New York Times</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/10/day-1117/">February 10, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump recalled Gordon Sondland from his post as the ambassador to the European Union</strong> on the same day that Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman was “escorted” out of the White House by security guards. Sondland, a key witnesses in the House impeachment hearings, testified that “we followed the president’s orders” and that “everyone was in the loop.” State Department officials told Sondland that they wanted him to resign, but Sondland declined and said he would have to be fired. In response, State Department officials recalled him. (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/07/us/politics/alexander-vindman-gordon-sondland-fired.html">New York Times</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/10/day-1117/">February 10, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>A handful of Republican senators tried to stop Trump from firing Gordon Sondland, but Trump did it anyway</strong>. The senators were concerned that it would look bad for Trump to fire him, especially since Sondland was already expected to leave after the impeachment trial was over. (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/08/us/politics/trump-vindman-sondland-fired.html">New York Times</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/07/day-1114/">February 07, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The White House fired a national security official who testified against Trump during the impeachment inquiry</strong>. Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who reported his concerns over Trump’s July 25 telephone call with Ukraine’s leader to NSC officials, was “escorted out of the White House,” his lawyer said. Earlier in the day when asked whether he wanted Vindman to leave, Trump said: “Well, I’m not happy with him.” Trump also suggested that his impeachment should be “expunged […] because it was a hoax.” And, when asked if his Democratic political opponents “should be held accountable,” Trump replied: “You’ll see.” (<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-07/white-house-weighs-ouster-of-aide-who-testified-against-trump">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-lambastes-his-critics-as-he-considers-how-else-to-target-his-perceived-enemies-over-impeachment/2020/02/06/571003a0-4924-11ea-9475-535736e48788_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/07/us/politics/alexander-vindman-white-house.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/vindman-who-provided-key-impeachment-testimony-escorted-white-house-attorney-n1132526">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/07/donald-trump-pressure-impeachment-witness-alexander-vindman-111997">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/07/politics/alex-vindman-donald-trump-impeachment/">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/07/day-1114/">February 07, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Sen. Susan Collins said that she disapproves of retribution against anyone who came forward with evidence during the impeachment process</strong>. Collins also defended her vote to acquit Trump while acknowledging his conduct was wrong. (<a href="https://www.pressherald.com/2020/02/07/collins-says-retribution-after-impeachment-acquital-would-not-be-appropriate/">Portland Press Herald</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/07/day-1114/">February 07, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>White House aides believe acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney’s job is in doubt</strong>. Trump reportedly lost confidence in Mulvaney months ago, but aides argued that a leadership change during impeachment would cause unnecessary chaos. Trump, instead, has frequently ignores Mulvaney’s input and has occasionally opted to do the opposite of whatever he’s suggested. (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/07/politics/white-house-staff-shake-up-donald-trump/">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/06/day-1113/">February 06, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump celebrated his impeachment acquittal at the White House by denouncing his “vicious as hell” enemies one-by-one</strong> before pivoting to thank his allies, praising them as “great warriors.” Trump spent the 62-minute event in the East Room boasting of his acquittal by the Senate, criticizing the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election by Robert Mueller, and blaming “crooked politics,” “dirty cops,” “leakers,” “liars,” and “bad people” for his “very unfair” impeachment. “They’re vicious and mean,” Trump said. “Vicious. These people are vicious. Adam Schiff is a vicious, horrible person. Nancy Pelosi is a horrible person.” And, in a presidential use of profanity on camera, Trump added: “It was all bullshit.” (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/06/us/politics/trump-impeachment.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/06/trump-unloads-after-impeachment-acquittal-111495">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/trump-celebrates-acquittal-denounces-vicious-political-opponents-post-impeachment-insult-n1131666">NBC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/06/day-1113/">February 06, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Earlier in the day, Trump spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast and accused his political opponents of being “very dishonest and corrupt people” who are trying to destroy him and the country</strong>. Trump – rejecting the keynote address for Americans to put aside hatred and “love your enemies” – attacked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Mitt Romney, complaining that they used “their faith as justification” for trying to remove him from office. “When they impeach you for nothing, then you’re supposed to like them? It’s not easy, folks. I do my best.” Trump went on to applaud “courageous Republican politicians and leaders” who he said “had the wisdom, fortitude and strength to do what everyone knows was right” throughout the impeachment fight. (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/06/donald-trump-lashes-out-impeachment-national-prayer-breakfast-111379">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/02/06/hours-after-trumps-impeachment-acquittal-hell-address-thousands-christian-prayer-gathering/">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/06/us/politics/trump-prayer-impeachment.html">New York Times</a>) / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/06/politics/donald-trump-national-prayer-breakfast-nancy-pelosi-impeachment/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/06/day-1113/">February 06, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Earlier in the day, Trump spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast and accused his political opponents of being “very dishonest and corrupt people” who are trying to destroy him and the country</strong>. Trump – rejecting the keynote address for Americans to put aside hatred and “love your enemies” – attacked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Mitt Romney, complaining that they used “their faith as justification” for trying to remove him from office. “When they impeach you for nothing, then you’re supposed to like them? It’s not easy, folks. I do my best.” Trump went on to applaud “courageous Republican politicians and leaders” who he said “had the wisdom, fortitude and strength to do what everyone knows was right” throughout the impeachment fight. (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/06/donald-trump-lashes-out-impeachment-national-prayer-breakfast-111379">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/02/06/hours-after-trumps-impeachment-acquittal-hell-address-thousands-christian-prayer-gathering/">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/06/us/politics/trump-prayer-impeachment.html">New York Times</a>) / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/06/politics/donald-trump-national-prayer-breakfast-nancy-pelosi-impeachment/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/05/day-1112/">February 05, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>What happened today?</strong> The Senate voted to acquit Trump on both articles of impeachment, rejecting the House’s charges that he should be removed from office for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The vote on abuse of power failed 48-52. Sen. Mitt Romney was the lone Republican to vote in favor of the abuse of power charge. The second article, obstruction of Congress, also failed, 47-53 along party-lines. Ahead of the vote, Romney called Trump “guilty of an appalling abuse of public trust […] What the president did was wrong — grievously wrong.” White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham claimed Trump’s acquittal was a “full vindication and exoneration” and that “only the president’s political opponents – all Democrats, and one failed Republican presidential candidate – voted for the manufactured impeachment articles.” The acquittal concludes five months of hearings and investigations into Trump’s withholding of U.S. military aid from Ukraine and pressuring of its leaders to investigate his Democratic rivals. A handful of Senate Republicans — Lamar Alexander, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski — argued that while the House had proven its case and that Trump’s actions were wrong, they ultimately concluded that the charges did not merit removing Trump from office. Collins <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/susan-collins-will-vote-to-acquit-trump-saying-hes-learned-from-impeachment/">said</a> she thinks Trump learned a “pretty big lesson” from the impeachment process and said she believes he will be “much more cautious in the future.” Trump, however, has continued to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-says-he-plans-to-award-presidential-medal-of-freedom-to-rush-limbaugh/2020/02/04/2d8f6a76-47a7-11ea-ab15-b5df3261b710_story.html">insist</a> that he did nothing wrong and that his call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was a “perfect phone call.” He sent nearly 700 tweets or retweets about impeachment – an average of more than five per day – since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi opened the inquiry in September. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it “a sad moment for democracy,” but that there’s a “giant asterisk” next to Trump’s acquittal because “he was acquitted without facts, he was acquitted without a fair trial.”</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/04/day-1111/">February 04, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump will deliver his State of the Union address tonight at 9 p.m. ET before a joint session of Congress</strong>. Trump is expected to talk about the stock market and the economy. It’s not clear if Trump plans to mention the impeachment trial or the upcoming 2020 election. The theme of Trump’s speech will be “the Great American Comeback.” (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/04/business/economy/trump-economy-state-of-the-union.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/02/04/trumps-state-union-comes-amid-impeachment-and-election-frenzy/2858284001/">USA Today</a> / <a href="https://apnews.com/62a3c443cc83c0466d962aebd1792d10">Associated Press</a> / <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/state-of-the-union-2020-president-donald-trump-tonight-2020-02-04-live-streaming/">CBS News</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-addressing-congress-during-impeachment-trump-to-sound-the-starting-gun-toward-november/2020/02/03/16e35744-4697-11ea-bc78-8a18f7afcee7_story.html">Washington Post</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/04/day-1111/">February 04, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The Senate reconvened for floor speeches by members a day before a final vote in Trump’s impeachment trial</strong>. Mitch McConnell urged all senators to vote to acquit Trump, arguing that it was House Democrats who abused their power and not Trump. Republican Senator Susan Collins used her speech to announce that she plans to vote to acquit Trump, saying that although his conduct was “wrong,” House impeachment managers failed to show he committed a high crime or misdemeanor warranting removal from office. (<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/trump-impeachment-trial-senate-speeches-explain-vote-today-2020-02-04/">CBS News</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/mcconnell-says-impeachment-insults-intelligence-americans-n1129886">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-impeachment-trial-02-04-20/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/state-of-the-union-impeachment-live-updates/2020/02/04/22ddcdf6-46d6-11ea-ab15-b5df3261b710_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/04/us/politics/senate-impeachment-vote.html">New York Times</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/03/day-1110/">February 03, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>What happened today?</strong> House impeachment managers and Trump’s lawyers delivered their closing arguments in the Senate impeachment trial. Adam Schiff, the lead House manager, used his closing arguments to warn Republican senators that “It is midnight in Washington” and that “You can’t trust this president to do the right thing, not for one minute, not for one election, not for the sake of our country, you just can’t. He will not change and you know it. […] A man without character or ethical compass will never find his way.” Schiff added: “History will not be kind to Donald Trump.” Trump’s lawyers, meanwhile, urged senators to “stand firm” and “leave it to the voters.”</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/03/day-1110/">February 03, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>What’s next?</strong> The trial is adjourned until Wednesday, but senators are now giving speeches on the Senate floor to deliver remarks about whether they are for or against the articles of impeachment. Trump, meanwhile, will deliver his State of the Union Address Tuesday night in the House. The Senate will vote at 4 p.m. Wednesday on the two impeachment charges against Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/03/day-1110/">February 03, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Sixty-seven senators would be required to convict Trump</strong> on the two impeachment articles and remove him from office. Conviction, however, is a mathematical impossibility with more than 34 senators already indicating they intend to acquit Trump. (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/03/senate-has-votes-acquit-trump-110532">Politico</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/02/03/day-1110/">February 03, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>46% of voters say Trump should be removed from office as a result of the impeachment trial</strong>, versus 49% who say he should remain president. 52% say they believe Trump abused the power of his office by asking a foreign government to investigate a political opponent, compared with 41% who disagree. (<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/nbc-wsj-poll-country-remains-divided-over-trump-s-impeachment-n1128326">NBC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/31/day-1107/">February 01, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>What happened today?</strong> The Senate voted to block new new witnesses in Trump’s impeachment trial. The 49 to 51 vote ensures the trial will be the first impeachment in U.S. history without witnesses. Two GOP lawmakers — Susan Collins and Mitt Romney — broke ranks and voted with Democrats on the motion to call new witnesses. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the failed motion “a grand tragedy.” Democrats attempted to force four amendments to Mitch McConnell’s organizing resolution, which outlines the rules for the rest of the trial. The Senate, however, voted down all four Democratic amendments to allow for the subpoenaing of documents and witnesses. Earlier in the day, Republicans and Trump’s legal team argued that new witnesses and documents were unnecessary and would only prolong the trial for weeks or months despite a Democratic proposal to limit depositions to one week. Immediately before the vote, House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff warned Republican senators that “The facts will come out.” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, meanwhile, called Republican senators who voted against witnesses and documents are “accomplices to the President’s cover-up.”</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/31/day-1107/">February 01, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>What’s next?</strong> Closing arguments will be held at 11 a.m. Eastern on Monday and last four hours. Senators are also expected to give speeches on the Senate floor on Tuesday – the same day Trump will deliver his State of the Union Address. The Senate will vote at 4 p.m. Wednesday on the two impeachment charges against Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The Senate is virtually certain to acquit Trump.</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/31/day-1107/">February 01, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump directed then national security adviser John Bolton in May to help with his efforts to pressure Ukraine for damaging information on Democrats</strong>. According to Bolton’s unpublished book, <em><a href="https://amzn.to/36MzMHS">The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir</a></em>, Trump instructed Bolton during an Oval Office meeting to call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and encourage him to meet with Rudy Giuliani to discuss the investigations into Trump’s political opponents. Bolton said he never made the call. Two months later, Trump asked Zelensky to investigate his political opponents. The Oval Office meeting was also attended by Giuliani, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, and White House counsel Pat Cipollone, who is now leading Trump’s impeachment defense. (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/31/us/politics/trump-bolton-ukraine.html">New York Times</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/31/day-1107/">February 01, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Former White House chief of staff John Kelly suggested that Trump’s Senate impeachment trial is “a job only half done” without witness testimonies</strong>. Kelly said Bolton was “a copious note taker” and “an honest guy and an honorable guy.” Kelly added that he believed Bolton’s assertion that Trump withheld congressionally approved aid to Ukraine in order to leverage investigations into Biden. (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/31/politics/john-kelly-witnesses-senate-trial-impeachment-trump/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.nj.com/politics/2020/01/trumps-former-chief-of-staff-says-senate-impeachment-trial-without-witnesses-is-a-job-only-half-done.html">NJ.com</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/31/day-1107/">February 01, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Former White House chief of staff John Kelly suggested that Trump’s Senate impeachment trial is “a job only half done” without witness testimonies</strong>. Kelly said Bolton was “a copious note taker” and “an honest guy and an honorable guy.” Kelly added that he believed Bolton’s assertion that Trump withheld congressionally approved aid to Ukraine in order to leverage investigations into Biden. (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/31/politics/john-kelly-witnesses-senate-trial-impeachment-trump/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.nj.com/politics/2020/01/trumps-former-chief-of-staff-says-senate-impeachment-trial-without-witnesses-is-a-job-only-half-done.html">NJ.com</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/30/day-1106/">January 30, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>What happened today?</strong> The Senate reconvened for the final day of written questions to House managers and Trump’s defense team in his impeachment trial. Mitch McConnell indicated to Republican senators he believes he has the votes to defeat any Democratic motion that the Senate consider new witnesses. However, three Republican senators — Sens. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Mitt Romney — have indicated they’re open to voting to subpoena former Trump national security adviser John Bolton. Sen. Lamar Alexander has said he hasn’t made up his mind. While attention has focused on the Republicans, three Democrats — Sens. Joe Manchin, Doug Jones, and Kyrsten Sinema — could also break ranks. Manchin has complained about what he has called the “hypocrisy” of both McConnell and Senator Chuck Schumer; Jones, facing a re-election in Alabama, has hinted he might vote to acquit Trump on obstruction of Congress; and, Kyrsten Sinema hasn’t said anything public since the start of the trial other than to say she was taking her obligation seriously. Adam Schiff, the lead House impeachment manager, offered to limit witness depositions to one week after Trump’s defense warned that calling witnesses could delay the trial. Democrats, meanwhile, are attempting to undermine an expected Trump acquittal, saying that Trump cannot be truly exonerated without a fair trial in the Senate. Schumer also suggested that Democrats would use parliamentary procedures to stall a quick acquittal, saying “The minority has rights, and we will exercise those rights.”</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/30/day-1106/">January 30, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump’s legal team contradicted Trump’s Justice Department, making the opposite argument in court on the same day</strong>. In federal court, a Justice Department attorney argued that a possible remedy for an administration defying congressional subpoenas is impeachment. Meanwhile, during Trump’s Senate impeachment trial, his legal team argued that Trump was lawfully protecting the executive branch in a dispute with Congress over documents and testimony when he ordered his aides to defy subpoenas. House manager Adam Schiff later addressed the contradiction in the Senate, saying: “We’ve been debating whether a president can be impeached for essentially bogus claims of privilege for attempting to use the courts to cover up misconduct. [And] The judge says if the Congress can’t enforce its subpoenas in court, then what remedy is there? And the Justice Department lawyer’s response is impeachment. Impeachment.” Members of the Senate laughed. “You can’t make this up,” Schiff continued. “I mean, what more evidence do we need of the bad faith of this effort to cover up?” (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/30/politics/trump-impeachment-subpoena-hearing/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/30/day-1106/">January 30, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>John Bolton’s lawyer contends his book does not contain classified material</strong>, pushing back against the White House’s assessment while asking for an expedited review of a chapter about Ukraine in case the former national security adviser is called to testify in the Senate impeachment trial. The National Security Council warned Jan. 23 that the manuscript contained “significant amounts” of classified material that could not be disclosed publicly. Bolton’s book, <em><a href="https://amzn.to/36MzMHS">The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir</a></em>, claims that Trump told him in August that he was tying Ukrainian investigations of his political opponent to continuing foreign aid to that country. (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/boltons-lawyer-contends-his-book-does-not-contain-classified-material-and-asks-white-house-for-expedited-review-so-he-can-testify-if-called/2020/01/29/89e4a56e-42e5-11ea-aa6a-083d01b3ed18_story.html">Washington Post</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/29/day-1105/">January 29, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>What happened today?</strong> Trump’s impeachment trial moved to written questions. Senate Republicans opened the day with Sens. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Mitt Romney – three Republicans who have hinted they could vote to hear from witnesses – asking Trump’s legal team how they should consider abuse of power if Trump had “had more than one motive for his alleged conduct.” Trump attorney Patrick Philbin argued that if there were a motive “of the public interest, but also some personal interest,” then it “cannot possibly be the basis for an impeachable offense.” Trump’s lawyer Alan Dershowitz also argued that because Trump’s re-election is in the public interest, if Trump “does something that he thinks will help him get elected” – and even if he had political motivations to pressure Ukraine to investigate the Bidens – it “cannot be the kind of quid pro quo that results in impeachment.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said it was unlikely that Democrats will be able to win over enough Republican votes to call witnesses and documents. Republican leaders, meanwhile, signaled that they were confident that they would be able to block new witnesses and documents and bring the trial to an acquittal verdict as soon as Friday.</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/29/day-1105/">January 29, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Manchin said he believes Hunter Biden is a relevant witness in Trump’s Senate impeachment trial</strong>. Manchin called it an opportunity for Biden to clear himself. (<a href="https://www.axios.com/joe-manchin-hunter-biden-witness-trump-impeachment-bd87b99c-227b-4475-9376-40380be8cbd9.html">Axios</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/29/day-1105/">January 29, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Members of Trump’s legal defense team have made thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to GOP senators overseeing the impeachment trial</strong>. Ken Starr and Robert Ray gave thousands to Mitch McConnell last year before joining Trump’s team, months before McConnell announced that he would be working in “total coordination with the White House counsel’s office and the people who are representing the president in the well of the Senate” during the impeachment trial. Star gave $2,800 to McConnell in July 2019 and Ray gave the maximum $5,600 to McConnell in September 2019. (<a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2020/01/senators-overseeing-impeachment-got-campaign-cash-from-trump-team/">Center for Responsive Politics</a> / <a href="https://www.salon.com/2020/01/29/trumps-legal-team-gave-thousands-in-contributions-to-republican-senators-ahead-of-impeachment-trial/">Slate</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/29/day-1105/">January 29, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Members of Trump’s legal defense team have made thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to GOP senators overseeing the impeachment trial</strong>. Ken Starr and Robert Ray gave thousands to Mitch McConnell last year before joining Trump’s team, months before McConnell announced that he would be working in “total coordination with the White House counsel’s office and the people who are representing the president in the well of the Senate” during the impeachment trial. Star gave $2,800 to McConnell in July 2019 and Ray gave the maximum $5,600 to McConnell in September 2019. (<a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2020/01/senators-overseeing-impeachment-got-campaign-cash-from-trump-team/">Center for Responsive Politics</a> / <a href="https://www.salon.com/2020/01/29/trumps-legal-team-gave-thousands-in-contributions-to-republican-senators-ahead-of-impeachment-trial/">Slate</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/29/day-1105/">January 29, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump signed the revised North American trade agreement</strong>. The trade deal, now called the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, updates NAFTA, with stronger protections for workers and the digital economy, expanded markets for American farmers, and new rules to encourage auto manufacturing in North America. The USMCA must still be ratified by Canada before it can take effect. Trump excluded Democrats from the signing ceremony despite their role in securing the final version of the deal that passed with overwhelming majorities in both the House and Senate. Trump also joked that he needs senators’ votes for acquittal in the Senate impeachment trial. (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/29/business/economy/trump-signs-usmca-new-nafta-into-law.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-29/trump-neutralizes-key-democratic-attack-with-bipartisan-usmca">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/28/politics/democrats-usmca-not-invited/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/29/trump-signs-usmca-into-law-108803">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-signs-usmca-at-white-house-watch-live-stream-today-2020-01-29/">CBS News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/28/day-1104/">January 28, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>What happened today?</strong> Trump’s legal team concluded its oral arguments after less than two hours in the chamber with White House counsel Pat Cipollone calling on the Senate to “end the era of impeachment” by declaring Trump not guilty. The White House team reiterated their arguments that the allegations by the House — that Trump abused his power in his dealings with Ukraine and obstructed Congress’ investigation into his actions — don’t rise to the level of impeachable offenses. Trump attorney Jay Sekulow claimed that the revelations from John Bolton’s manuscript – that Trump tied the withholding of military aid to Ukraine to investigations into his political rivals – were “inadmissible” and that “[Impeachment] is not a game of leaks and unsourced manuscripts.” Rep. Adam Schiff, the House’s lead impeachment manager, suggested that Trump’s own lawyers made an “effective” case for why the Senate should call Bolton as a witness. And, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Trump’s lawyers “showed how weak their case was” and that “Their whole argument is diversion.”</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/28/day-1104/">January 28, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>What happened today?</strong> Trump’s legal team concluded its oral arguments after less than two hours in the chamber with White House counsel Pat Cipollone calling on the Senate to “end the era of impeachment” by declaring Trump not guilty. The White House team reiterated their arguments that the allegations by the House — that Trump abused his power in his dealings with Ukraine and obstructed Congress’ investigation into his actions — don’t rise to the level of impeachable offenses. Trump attorney Jay Sekulow claimed that the revelations from John Bolton’s manuscript – that Trump tied the withholding of military aid to Ukraine to investigations into his political rivals – were “inadmissible” and that “[Impeachment] is not a game of leaks and unsourced manuscripts.” Rep. Adam Schiff, the House’s lead impeachment manager, suggested that Trump’s own lawyers made an “effective” case for why the Senate should call Bolton as a witness. And, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Trump’s lawyers “showed how weak their case was” and that “Their whole argument is diversion.”</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/28/day-1104/">January 28, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>⚡️<a href="https://talk.whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/t/the-impeachment-of-president-donald-j-trump/4547">Impeachment.wtf</a></strong> — The internet’s most comprehensive guide to the impeachment of Donald J. Trump. Maintained by the WTF community. Updated daily.</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/28/day-1104/">January 28, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Mitch McConnell told GOP senators a closed-door meeting that he doesn’t have enough votes to block witnesses in Trump’s Senate impeachment trial</strong>. After Trump’s defense team wrapped up arguments, Republican Senate leaders pressured the party’s senators to not call for witnesses in Trump’s impeachment trial – i.e. “whipped the vote” – at a private GOP Senate meeting. McConnell had a card with “yes,” “no” and “maybes” marked on it. McConnell said the vote total wasn’t where it needed to be to block witnesses or documents. (<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-defense-team-to-close-arguments-complicated-by-bolton-reports-11580215229">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mcconnell-tells-senators-he-doesnt-have-votes-to-block-witnesses-in-trump-impeachment-trial/2020/01/28/52caa426-41e0-11ea-b5fc-eefa848cde99_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/live-blog/trump-impeachment-trial-live-coverage-president-s-defense-begins-day-n1123301/ncrd1125196#liveBlogHeader">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/29/politics/impeachment-state-of-play/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/28/day-1104/">January 28, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Mitch McConnell told GOP senators a closed-door meeting that he doesn’t have enough votes to block witnesses in Trump’s Senate impeachment trial</strong>. After Trump’s defense team wrapped up arguments, Republican Senate leaders pressured the party’s senators to not call for witnesses in Trump’s impeachment trial – i.e. “whipped the vote” – at a private GOP Senate meeting. McConnell had a card with “yes,” “no” and “maybes” marked on it. McConnell said the vote total wasn’t where it needed to be to block witnesses or documents. (<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-defense-team-to-close-arguments-complicated-by-bolton-reports-11580215229">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mcconnell-tells-senators-he-doesnt-have-votes-to-block-witnesses-in-trump-impeachment-trial/2020/01/28/52caa426-41e0-11ea-b5fc-eefa848cde99_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/live-blog/trump-impeachment-trial-live-coverage-president-s-defense-begins-day-n1123301/ncrd1125196#liveBlogHeader">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/29/politics/impeachment-state-of-play/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/28/day-1104/">January 28, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>75% of voters say witnesses should be allowed to testify in Trump’s impeachment trial</strong>. 48% say the Senate should not remove Trump from office, while 47% say the Senate should. (<a href="https://poll.qu.edu/national/release-detail?ReleaseID=3654">Quinnipiac</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/27/day-1103/">January 27, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>What happened Saturday?</strong> Trump’s legal team began their opening arguments by seeking to cast doubt on Democrats’ case that Trump tried to pressure Ukraine into investigating Joe Biden. Over the course of a two-hour session, Trump’s lawyer Pat Cipollone and his deputy Michael Purpura argued that Trump had valid reasons for withholding military aid from Ukraine and that House prosecutors overlooked facts, noting that witnesses in the House’s impeachment hearings based their assessments on “presumptions” and “guesswork” rather than knowledge of Trump’s intentions. “We don’t believe that they have come anywhere close to meeting their burden for what they’re asking you to do,” Cipollone said. They also argued that the words Trump spoke on his July 25 call to Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, conveyed no pressure — and that Ukrainians never publicly expressed any. Cipollone added that Democrats are “asking you to tear up all of the ballots all across the country” and “perpetrate the most massive interference in an election in American history.”</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/27/day-1103/">January 27, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>What happened today?</strong> Trump’s team continued with their opening statements, arguing about the basis of the House’s impeachment inquiry and the Trump’s rights of due process and executive privilege. Trump’s lawyers – ignoring John Bolton’s disclosure that Trump said he wanted to continue a freeze on military aid to Ukraine until officials helped with investigations into Trump’s political rivals – told senators that no evidence existed tying Trump’s decision to withhold security aid from Ukraine to his insistence on the investigations, arguing that Trump did nothing wrong and the impeachment inquiry was illegitimate from the start. Alan Dershowitz claimed that “Nothing in the Bolton revelations, even if true, would rise to the level of an abuse of power, or an impeachable offense.” A handful of Republicans, meanwhile, appeared to be moving closer to joining Democrats in a vote to subpoena Bolton. Pam Bondi, one of Trump’s lawyers, accused Democrats of denying the legitimacy of investigations into the Bidens because the House case depends on the premise that Trump was only interested in the negative political impact on his rival. Jane Raskin, a member of Trump’s defense team, also called Rudy Giuliani a “colorful distraction.”</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/27/day-1103/">January 27, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>⚡️<a href="https://talk.whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/t/the-impeachment-of-president-donald-j-trump/4547">Impeachment.wtf</a></strong>– The internet’s most comprehensive guide to the impeachment of Donald J. Trump. Maintained by the WTF community. Updated daily.</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/27/day-1103/">January 27, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump told former national security adviser John Bolton in August that he wanted to continue freezing $391 million in security assistance to Ukraine until Ukrainian officials helped with investigations into Biden</strong> and other Democrats, according to an unpublished manuscript of Bolton’s forthcoming book, <a href="https://amzn.to/36zod6u">“The Room Where It Happened.”</a> Bolton’s account directly contradicts one of Trump’s defense arguments, that there was no quid pro quo when he asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Biden and his son in the July phone call. Bolton’s account was included in drafts of a manuscript he circulated to close associates. A draft was also sent to the White House for a standard review process on Dec. 30 — 12 days after Trump was impeached. The White House ordered Bolton and other key officials with firsthand knowledge of Trump’s dealings not to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry. (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/26/us/politics/trump-bolton-book-ukraine.html">New York Times</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/27/day-1103/">January 27, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Mitch McConnell didn’t know that Trump’s administration had a copy of the Bolton manuscript</strong>. McConnell, who has said he’s in “total coordination” with the White House on the impeachment trial, reportedly isn’t happy. (<a href="https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/mitch-mcconnell/2020/01/27/trump-impeachment-mcconnell-angry-white-house-over-john-bolton-book/4589461002/">Courier-Journal</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/27/day-1103/">January 27, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Congressional Democrats called for Bolton to testify in Trump’s impeachment trial</strong> following the report that Trump told Bolton last August that he wanted to withhold military aid to Ukraine unless it aided investigations into the Bidens. In a joint statement, the seven House impeachment managers called the report “explosive” and urged Senate Republicans to agree to call Bolton as a witness in Trump’s trial. Bolton has said that he would testify before the Senate if subpoenaed. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeted that because of the report that Bolton had firsthand knowledge of Trump’s decision that ran counter to the White House’s account, the “refusal of the Senate to call for him, other relevant witnesses, and documents is now even more indefensible.” (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/democrats-call-for-bolton-to-testify-in-trump-impeachment-trial-after-new-report-on-aid-to-ukraine/2020/01/26/de234402-409a-11ea-b503-2b077c436617_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/democrats-demand-bolton-testimony-after-report-his-book-says-trump-n1123491">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/john-bolton-testimony-trump-impeachment-trial-853e86b0-cc70-4ac6-9e5f-a8da07e7ac93.html">Axios</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-defense-team-to-present-arguments-following-boltons-800-pound-gorilla-11580132745">Wall Street Journal</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/27/day-1103/">January 27, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Senate Republicans have privately discussed a “one-for-one” witness deal</strong>. Patrick Toomey has privately spoken with several colleagues – including Mitt Romney – about possibly summoning two witnesses to Trump’s impeachment trial. Romney, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski have previously said they’re open to hearing from Bolton. Following the revelations from Bolton’s unpublished manuscript, Romney and Collins said it’s “increasingly likely” other Republicans will vote to call witnesses. (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/toomey-proposes-a-one-for-one-witness-deal-in-trump-impeachment-after-bolton-revelations/2020/01/27/ec405d5c-414b-11ea-aa6a-083d01b3ed18_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/gop-senators-under-pressure-witness-testimony-trump-trial-after-bolton-n1123776">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/27/senate-impeachment-trial-live-highlights-and-updates-105989">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-27/trump-s-defense-challenged-to-address-bolton-revelations">Bloomberg</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/27/day-1103/">January 27, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump tweeted that Rep. Adam Schiff has “has not paid the price, yet,”</strong> attacking Schiff as “a CORRUPT POLITICIAN, and probably a very sick man.” Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and the lead impeachment manager in the Senate trial, responded by urging Republican senators to find the “moral courage to stand up” to a “wrathful and vindictive president.” (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/schiff-has-not-paid-the-price-for-impeachment-trump-says-in-what-appears-to-be-veiled-threat/2020/01/26/539e26ee-404a-11ea-b503-2b077c436617_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/26/us/politics/trump-schiff-impeachment.html">New York Times</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/24/day-1100/">January 24, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>House managers used their final day of opening arguments to conclude their presentation on the first article of impeachment, abuse of power</strong>. House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff said Trump “did exactly what our framers feared most: He invited foreign interference in our elections and sold out our country’s security for his personal benefit, and betrayed the nation’s trust to a foreign power.” Impeachment manager Jason Crow added that the hold on the aid “wasn’t lifted for any legitimate reason. It was only lifted because President Trump had gotten caught.” Impeachment manager Hakeem Jeffries, using witness testimony from the House proceedings, detailed what he called a “failed” effort to “coverup” Trump’s attempt to “cheat” in the 2020 election. Jeffries said the White House “tried to bury” the summary of Trump’s July 25 call on a secure server because it was politically damaging, adding that the military aid was released only “after the House launched an investigation and after Congress learned about the existence of a whistleblower complaint.”</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/24/day-1100/">January 24, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>House managers then moved on to the second article of impeachment, Trump’s alleged obstruction of Congress</strong> by directing witnesses not to testify and refusing to allow the release of documents. Impeachment manager Val Demings called Trump’s refusal to cooperate “categorical, indiscriminate and historically unprecedented.” She added that under “Trump’s orders, the Office of the Vice President, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of State, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Defense all continued to refuse to produce a single document or record in response to 71 specific requests, including five subpoenas.” Further, Demings characterized “Trump’s attacks on whistleblowers and witnesses” who testified the House probe as “witness intimidation.” Impeachment manager Sylvia Garcia added that Trump had “orchestrated a cover-up” in “plain sight” and “should be removed.” Zoe Lofgren, another House impeachment managers, compared Trump to Nixon, saying “Not only did Nixon allow his staff to testify before Congress, he publicly directed them to testify without demanding a subpoena.” And, finally, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler called Trump “a dictator” during his presentation, arguing that Trump is “the first and only president ever to declare himself unaccountable.” In his closing remarks, Schiff warned that a failure to remove Trump for obstructing Congress would inflict “an unending injury to this country” because “the balance of power that our founders set out will never be the same.”</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/24/day-1100/">January 24, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump complained that his impeachment defense “will be forced to start on Saturday,” which he called “Death Valley in T.V.”</strong> Saturday’s impeachment session will begin at 10 a.m. and will last for several hours. The White House wanted to present some arguments on Saturday to rebut three days of charges from Democrats and to provide fodder for Sunday shows. Trump’s defense team plans to save the bulk of its arguments for Monday and Tuesday, when viewers will be more tuned in. Trump also complained that it is “wrong” for House managers to use “ALL of their” allotted time for opening arguments. (<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-impeachment/democrats-to-argue-trump-obstructed-probe-in-third-day-of-impeachment-trial-idUSKBN1ZN14K">Reuters</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/24/donald-trump-impeachment-trial-defense-103421">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/death-valley-t-v-trump-complains-about-his-trial-defense-n1121881">NBC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/24/day-1100/">January 24, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump tweeted 54 times before noon</strong>, criticizing Democrats and the impeachment process. “The Do Nothing Democrats just keep repeating and repeating, over and over again, the same old ‘stuff’ on the Impeachment Hoax,” Trump tweeted at one point. (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-impeachment-trial-01-24-20/h_2e8f88180537e241a710cfe0dd4fd450">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/24/day-1100/">January 24, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump tweeted 54 times before noon</strong>, criticizing Democrats and the impeachment process. “The Do Nothing Democrats just keep repeating and repeating, over and over again, the same old ‘stuff’ on the Impeachment Hoax,” Trump tweeted at one point. (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-impeachment-trial-01-24-20/h_2e8f88180537e241a710cfe0dd4fd450">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/23/day-1099/">January 23, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump’s Senate Impeachment Trial</strong>: Senators reconvened in the Capitol for the third day of Trump’s impeachment trial with House impeachment managers making their case to both senators and the American people that Trump abused his power by pressuring Ukraine for his own personal gain while hurting the national interest. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said “The charges set forth in the first article of impeachment are firmly grounded in the Constitution of the United States,” and that “No president has ever used his office to compel a foreign nation to help him cheat in our elections.” House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff added that Trump “is a president who truly feels that he can do whatever he wants.” Schiff concluded the day by urging senators to asked whether they believed that Trump would put the nation’s interests before his own, saying “If you find him guilty, you must find that he should be removed. Because right matters. Because the truth matters. Otherwise, we are lost.” Democrats have used their 24 hours of opening arguments to target a small group of Senate Republicans they hope will cross the aisle and vote with them to issue subpoenas for documents and witnesses. Sens. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Mitt Romney have hinted they could be open to the possibility of calling witnesses. Trump, meanwhile, is reportedly “very pleased” with how the trial is going and is eager to prove “he’s done nothing wrong.” (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/23/us/politics/democrats-trump-impeachment-trial.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/long-way-to-go-as-opening-impeachment-arguments-enter-second-day-11579777201?mod=article_inline">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/23/us/politics/trump-impeachment-hearing-today.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/23/trump-impeachment-defense-102944">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-23/house-democrats-focus-on-constitutional-case-against-trump">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/23/politics/senate-impeachment-trial-day-3/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/23/day-1099/">January 23, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump, comparing his impeachment to Clinton’s, said the difference is that “with me, there’s no lying”</strong> – and then he made at least 14 false claims related to impeachment and Ukraine. (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/23/politics/fact-check-trump-false-impeachment-wednesday/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/23/day-1099/">January 23, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Three House impeachment managers said the American public will view it as a “rigged trial” if the Senate votes to acquit Trump</strong>. Democratic Reps. Zoe Lofgren, Sylvia Garcia, and Val Demings also spoke about the need for witnesses in the trial, adding that even an acquittal won’t amount to an exoneration of Trump. (<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/three-women-impeachment-managers-say-public-will-see-trial-rigged-n1121271">NBC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/23/day-1099/">January 23, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Senators are considering a short, morning-only impeachment trial session on Saturday</strong> to hear the beginning of the opening arguments from Trump’s defense counsel and then allowing senators to leave town for the weekend.</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/23/day-1099/">January 23, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Senators are considering a short, morning-only impeachment trial session on Saturday</strong> to hear the beginning of the opening arguments from Trump’s defense counsel and then allowing senators to leave town for the weekend.</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/23/day-1099/">January 23, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>“It wasn’t until Biden began beating him in polls that [Trump] called for the investigation,”</strong> adding that Trump “had the motive, he had the opportunity and the means to commit this abuse of power.” –<em>Impeachment manager Rep. Sylvia Garcia</em></p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/22/day-1098/">January 23, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>House Democratic managers began formal arguments in Trump’s Senate impeachment trial, presenting the case for convicting Trump and removing him from office on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress</strong>. During opening arguments, House managers outlined how “Trump solicited foreign inference” to “cheat” by abusing “the powers of his office” and “seeking help from abroad to improve his reelection prospects at home.” And, when Trump “was caught, he used the powers of that office to obstruct the investigation into his own misconduct.” Rep. Adam Schiff, the lead impeachment manager and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, called Trump’s efforts to get a foreign government to announce an investigation into his political rival “a gross abuse of power,” urging Republicans to “protect our democracy” by joining Democrats in voting to remove Trump from office. Throughout the day, Schiff and impeachment managers methodically outlined Trump’s “corrupt scheme and cover-up,” calling on Senators to “decide what kind of democracy […] we ought to be” and what Americans can expect “in the conduct of their president.” Schiff closed the day by rehashing the facts of the case as presented over the last eight hours, urging senators to learn the “full truth” and warning that the “truth is going to come out.” (<a href="https://apnews.com/29b81fda30045ec649467abb7ee47d28">Associated Press</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/22/us/politics/impeachment-case-trump.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-22/house-to-begin-presenting-case-to-remove-trump-from-office">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-set-to-begin-opening-arguments-in-senate-impeachment-trial-11579690802">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/trump-s-senate-impeachment-trial-what-happened-day-2-n1120576">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/22/democrats-trump-impeachment-case-102504">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/22/senate-impeachment-trial-opening-arguments-witnesses-102065">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/22/us/politics/trump-impeachment.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/impeachment-trial-live-updates/2020/01/22/3beb411e-3d05-11ea-8872-5df698785a4e_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/live-blog/live-trump-impeachment-senate-trial-coverage-n1119061">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-impeachment-trial-01-22-20/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/trump-impeachment-trial">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-22/more-sparring-likely-before-house-makes-case-impeachment-update">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/22/senate-impeachment-trial-live-highlights-and-updates-102046">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2020/jan/22/donald-trump-impeachment-trial-news-today-senate-live">The Guardian</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/22/day-1098/">January 23, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump tweeted more than 140 times as House managers presented their case in his impeachment trial</strong>, surpassing his mid-December record for the most daily tweets and retweets during his presidency. (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/22/trump-new-twitter-record-presidency-102308">Politico</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/22/day-1098/">January 23, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump tweeted more than 140 times as House managers presented their case in his impeachment trial</strong>, surpassing his mid-December record for the most daily tweets and retweets during his presidency. (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/22/trump-new-twitter-record-presidency-102308">Politico</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/22/day-1098/">January 23, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump said he’s open to new witnesses at his impeachment trial, before immediately backtracking</strong>. At a news conference in Davos, Trump suggested he’d prefer his impeachment trial to go the “long way” with testimony from a “a lot of people,” including former national security adviser John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former Energy Secretary Rick Perry, and his acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. Trump then dismissed the idea, saying it could never happen because it would create “a national security problem” and that testimony by Bolton in particular could hurt his presidency, because “you don’t want someone testifying who didn’t leave on the best of terms.” The White House instructed many witnesses, including Bolton, not to testify in the House inquiry. (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/22/trump-disrupts-senate-gop-trial-strategy-102198">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/01/22/797320569/with-the-rules-set-senate-trial-opening-arguments-begin">NPR</a> / <a href="https://apnews.com/98574eda1a5f8e3b9f2a4e7d8b2a7db6">Associated Press</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/trump-impeachment-trial#LCcard-1579705639">Wall Street Journal</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/22/day-1098/">January 23, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump “bragged” about withholding materials from Congress during a news conference at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland</strong>, saying “we have all the material. They don’t have the material.” One of the articles of impeachment the House approved was obstruction of Congress, based partly on the administration’s refusal to provide documents or allow certain officials to testify. (<a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-impeachment-evidence-we-have-all-the-material-they-dont-941140/">Rolling Stone</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/22/politics/adam-schiff-donald-trump-material-congress/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/01/22/world/europe/22reuters-usa-trump-impeachment-quotes.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/01/22/after-republican-senators-block-new-impeachment-evidence-trump-boasts-about-what-hes-withholding/">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.vox.com/2020/1/22/21076766/trumps-davos-news-conference-impeachment-schiff">Vox</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/22/day-1098/">January 23, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Chuck Schumer said an impeachment witness trade is “off the table.”</strong> Some Senate Democrats had <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-democrats-privately-mull-biden-for-bolton-trade-in-impeachment-trial/2020/01/21/e73b971a-3c71-11ea-baca-eb7ace0a3455_story.html">privately discussed</a> trading the testimony of Hunter Biden for the testimony of John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser. (<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/live-blog/live-trump-impeachment-senate-trial-coverage-n1119061#ncrd1120676">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/22/us/politics/trump-impeachment.html#link-5cb65308">New York Times</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/22/day-1098/">January 23, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The Office of Management and Budget released 192 pages of documents related to the withholding of Ukraine military aid</strong>, “including records that have not been produced to Congress in its impeachment investigation.” The night before Trump’s July 25 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksy, emails show that OMB officials shared a “Ukraine Prep Memo” with Michael Duffey, a political appointee who played a role in Trump’s move to freeze the aid. That same evening, it appears the general counsel’s office prepared a footnote for budget officials – a mechanism officials at the budget office used to pause the funding. The documents also detail communications between Duffey and other OMB aides, including Mark Sandy and Paul Denaro, discussing the details on the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative in the emails — dated from early August to Sept. 30. Emails from acting OMB Director Russell Vought are also included. (<a href="https://www.americanoversight.org/omb-releases-ukraine-documents-to-american-oversight">American Oversight</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/22/politics/new-omb-ukraine-documents-american-oversight/">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/omb-releases-ukraine-aid-data-american-oversight-d9ba8e29-02a7-4c96-9dde-13ec9a978d23.html">Axios</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/22/us/politics/ukraine-aid.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/live-blog/live-trump-impeachment-senate-trial-coverage-n1119061/ncrd1120051#liveBlogHeader">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/479311-trump-admin-releases-trove-of-documents-on-ukrainian-military-aid">The Hill</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/22/day-1098/">January 23, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>68% of Americans think Trump should allow his top administration aides to appear as witnesses at the impeachment trial</strong>, while 30% think he shouldn’t allow his aides to appear witnesses. (<a href="https://apnews.com/06eb66d980777296f8509c154107c28f">Associated Press</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/22/day-1098/">January 23, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>51% of Americans want the Senate impeachment trial to result in Trump’s removal from office</strong>, while 46% say the result should lead to Trump remaining in office. (<a href="https://www.people-press.org/2020/01/22/by-a-narrow-margin-americans-say-senate-trial-should-result-in-trumps-removal/">Pew Research Center</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/21/day-1097/">January 21, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The first day of Trump’s impeachment trial began with more than 12 hours of contentious debate over the procedural rules that will guide the proceedings as senators repeatedly voted along party lines to reject efforts to subpoena new witnesses</strong>. Senate Republicans rejected 11 Democratic amendments to subpoena records from the White House, State Department, Defense Department, and the Office of Management and Budget related to Ukraine, which the White House blocked during the House inquiry. Senate Republicans also blocked amendments to issue subpoenas for testimony from John Bolton, the former national security adviser, Mick Mulvaney, the acting White House chief of staff, Michael Duffey, a White House budget office official, and Robert Blair, a Mulvaney adviser who was involved in the decision to freeze military aid to Ukraine. Even an attempt to make a deal to shorten debate was rejected. At one point, Chief Justice John Roberts admonished the prosecutors and the White House legal team for the quality of their discourse, warning them about using inappropriate language. The Senate adopted Mitch McConnell’s proposed rules for Trump’s impeachment trial after more than 12 hours of debate and discussion over the rules. (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/21/us/politics/trump-impeachment-trial-day-1.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/impeachment-trial-live-updates/2020/01/21/a52d9a74-3c3c-11ea-b90d-5652806c3b3a_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/trump-impeachment-trial">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/21/mcconnell-schumer-senate-impeachment-trial-101372">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/live-blog/live-trump-impeachment-senate-trial-coverage-n1119061">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2020/jan/21/trump-impeachment-senate-democrats-us-politics-live">The Guardian</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/trump-impeachment-trial-live-updates-175149a5-67a5-4911-ae35-23662025f235.html">Axios</a> / <a href="https://manage.siteleaf.com/sites/59695a700b88061e218224ce/collections/posts/new">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/trump-impeachment-trial-senate-proceedings-set-to-begin-as-rules-come-into-focus-2019-01-21/">CBS News</a> / <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-impeachment-trial-live-updates-senate-rejects-democrats/story?id=68410003">ABC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/21/day-1097/">January 21, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Mitch McConnell made last-minute, handwritten changes to the proposed impeachment trial rules following criticism from Democrats and key Republicans</strong>. McConnell initially circulated the proposed organizing resolution late Monday night, which would have provided House impeachment managers and Trump’s legal team each 24 hours over two days to make their opening arguments. McConnell’s proposal would have also put the decision of whether to admit the House evidence to a Senate vote. Following complaints from lawmakers, however, McConnell revised the resolution, instead giving House prosecutors and White House lawyers each 24 hours over three days to present their opening arguments, as well as a provision to automatically enter evidence collected during the House impeachment inquiry. The change means the trial days, which start at 1 p.m., will likely now conclude daily around 9 p.m. – instead of after midnight. The condensed timeline also raises the prospect that the trial will conclude before Trump’s Feb. 4 State of the Union address. (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/20/politics/senate-organizing-resolution-released/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/01/20/798007597/read-mcconnell-lays-out-plan-for-senate-impeachment-trial-procedure">NPR</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/mcconnell-makes-last-minute-changes-trump-impeachment-trial-rules-n1119511">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/20/senate-republicans-plan-speedy-trump-trial-101262">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-impeachment-brief-white-house-to-urge-swift-senate-acquittal-of-trump/2020/01/20/76283aac-3b8f-11ea-8872-5df698785a4e_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/20/us/politics/mcconnell-pushes-to-speed-impeachment-trial-as-trump-requests-swift-acquittal.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://apnews.com/2cb8c0b71160268b52a90335e0e5ce47">Associated Press</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/21/day-1097/">January 21, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Mitch McConnell made last-minute, handwritten changes to the proposed impeachment trial rules following criticism from Democrats and key Republicans</strong>. McConnell initially circulated the proposed organizing resolution late Monday night, which would have provided House impeachment managers and Trump’s legal team each 24 hours over two days to make their opening arguments. McConnell’s proposal would have also put the decision of whether to admit the House evidence to a Senate vote. Following complaints from lawmakers, however, McConnell revised the resolution, instead giving House prosecutors and White House lawyers each 24 hours over three days to present their opening arguments, as well as a provision to automatically enter evidence collected during the House impeachment inquiry. The change means the trial days, which start at 1 p.m., will likely now conclude daily around 9 p.m. – instead of after midnight. The condensed timeline also raises the prospect that the trial will conclude before Trump’s Feb. 4 State of the Union address. (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/20/politics/senate-organizing-resolution-released/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/01/20/798007597/read-mcconnell-lays-out-plan-for-senate-impeachment-trial-procedure">NPR</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/mcconnell-makes-last-minute-changes-trump-impeachment-trial-rules-n1119511">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/20/senate-republicans-plan-speedy-trump-trial-101262">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-impeachment-brief-white-house-to-urge-swift-senate-acquittal-of-trump/2020/01/20/76283aac-3b8f-11ea-8872-5df698785a4e_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/20/us/politics/mcconnell-pushes-to-speed-impeachment-trial-as-trump-requests-swift-acquittal.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://apnews.com/2cb8c0b71160268b52a90335e0e5ce47">Associated Press</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/21/day-1097/">January 21, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>57% of Americans say House managers should be able to introduce new evidence in Trump’s Senate impeachment trial</strong>. Another 37% say that the managers should be limited to sharing only what was revealed during the initial impeachment inquiry. (<a href="https://www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/reports/monmouthpoll_us_012120/">Monmouth University Poll</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/21/day-1097/">January 21, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Where is Trump?</strong> At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, repeatedly calling the impeachment trial a “total hoax” and touting his economic achievements, which what he described as a “blue-collar boom.” Trump called the impeachment trial “disgraceful” before insisting “I’m sure it is going to work out fine.” (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/21/business/trump-davos.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-lauds-u-s-economy-as-he-opens-world-economic-forum-11579608829">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-calls-impeachment-trial-long-running-hoax-davos-summit-n1118991">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/trump-takes-a-victory-lap-at-davos-crowing-about-the-us-economy-and-ignoring-impeachment/2020/01/21/6f414792-3c2f-11ea-baca-eb7ace0a3455_story.html">Washington Post</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/20/day-1096/">January 20, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump’s legal team called on the Senate to “swiftly reject” the “flimsy” impeachment charges against Trump and that he “should immediately be acquitted” because of a “rigged process” by House Democrats</strong>. In a 110-page brief submitted to the Senate the day before Trump’s trial begins, Trump’s lawyer dismissed the two articles of impeachment – abuse of power and obstruction of Congress – against Trump as a “charade” that is “frivolous and dangerous,” claiming the charges are “constitutionally invalid” and “deficient on their face” because they don’t involve any violations of law. The legal team maintained that Trump did “absolutely nothing wrong” and is the victim of a “brazenly political act by House Democrats.” The brief came after the seven House managers argued that Trump’s behavior amounted to “the Framers’ worst nightmare” and that his actions present a “danger to our democratic processes.” (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/20/us/politics/trump-legal-team-asks-senate-for-speedy-acquittal-in-impeachment-trial.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-impeachment-brief-white-house-to-urge-swift-senate-acquittal-of-trump/2020/01/20/76283aac-3b8f-11ea-8872-5df698785a4e_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-calls-impeachment-charges-frivolous-and-dangerous-in-legal-brief-11579541826">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/trump-s-legal-team-calls-impeachment-articles-affront-constitution-urges-n1118861">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/18/trump-impeachment-response-house-charges-100791">Politico</a> / <a href="https://apnews.com/2c79655e468cc949917f57c085d6bba7">Associated Press</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-20/trump-lawyers-say-ouster-from-office-would-violate-constitution">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/trump-impeachment-trial-defense-brief-770ed7f5-e989-46b7-ab90-1bdbeaf813fc.html">Axios</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/20/politics/donald-trump-impeachment-response/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/20/day-1096/">January 20, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump’s legal team called on the Senate to “swiftly reject” the “flimsy” impeachment charges against Trump and that he “should immediately be acquitted” because of a “rigged process” by House Democrats</strong>. In a 110-page brief submitted to the Senate the day before Trump’s trial begins, Trump’s lawyer dismissed the two articles of impeachment – abuse of power and obstruction of Congress – against Trump as a “charade” that is “frivolous and dangerous,” claiming the charges are “constitutionally invalid” and “deficient on their face” because they don’t involve any violations of law. The legal team maintained that Trump did “absolutely nothing wrong” and is the victim of a “brazenly political act by House Democrats.” The brief came after the seven House managers argued that Trump’s behavior amounted to “the Framers’ worst nightmare” and that his actions present a “danger to our democratic processes.” (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/20/us/politics/trump-legal-team-asks-senate-for-speedy-acquittal-in-impeachment-trial.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-impeachment-brief-white-house-to-urge-swift-senate-acquittal-of-trump/2020/01/20/76283aac-3b8f-11ea-8872-5df698785a4e_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-calls-impeachment-charges-frivolous-and-dangerous-in-legal-brief-11579541826">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/trump-s-legal-team-calls-impeachment-articles-affront-constitution-urges-n1118861">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/18/trump-impeachment-response-house-charges-100791">Politico</a> / <a href="https://apnews.com/2c79655e468cc949917f57c085d6bba7">Associated Press</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-20/trump-lawyers-say-ouster-from-office-would-violate-constitution">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/trump-impeachment-trial-defense-brief-770ed7f5-e989-46b7-ab90-1bdbeaf813fc.html">Axios</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/20/politics/donald-trump-impeachment-response/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/20/day-1096/">January 20, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Mitch McConnell is preparing a resolution that would give Trump’s lawyers the option to move to dismiss the impeachment charges</strong>. However, Republican Senate leaders – including McConnell – have already said members aren’t interested in a vote to dismiss. (<a href="https://www.axios.com/draft-mcconnell-rules-vote-dismiss-impeachment-trump-d381f127-56a8-49a5-81a5-638e52cbdf14.html">Axios</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/20/day-1096/">January 20, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>READ</strong>: The 110-page legal brief outlining Trump’s defense ahead of his impeachment trial in the Senate. (<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/trump-s-defense-read-full-text-legal-brief-ahead-senate-n1118876">NBC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/20/day-1096/">January 20, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>51% of Americans say the Senate should vote to convict Trump and remove him from office</strong>, while 45% say the Senate should vote against conviction and removal. 69% say that the trial should include testimony from new witnesses who did not testify in the House impeachment inquiry. (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/20/politics/cnn-poll-trump-impeachment/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/17/day-1093/">January 17, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump added celebrity lawyer Alan Dershowitz and former independent counsel Ken Starr to his Senate impeachment trial defense team</strong>. Starr investigated Bill Clinton, and Dershowitz’s past clients include Jeffrey Epstein and O.J. Simpson. The team will be led by White House counsel Pat Cipollone, Trump’s personal lawyer, Jay Sekulow, and Starr’s successor at the Office of Independent Counsel during the Clinton administration, Robert Ray. Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and Trump’s longtime personal counsel Jane Raskin will also supplement the impeachment team. (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/17/us/politics/trump-impeachment-lawyers-starr-dershowitz.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/impeachment-trial-live-updates/2020/01/17/df59d410-3917-11ea-bb7b-265f4554af6d_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-impeachment-team-for-trial-to-include-ken-starr-alan-dershowitz-11579273273">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/17/politics/donald-trump-impeachment-legal-team-alan-dershowitz-ken-starr/">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/17/trump-impeachment-team-kenneth-starr-alan-dershowitz-100429">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/trump-impeachment-defense-team-expected-include-ken-starr-alan-dershowitz-n1117746">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/donald-trump-impeachment-legal-team-8132aac5-544e-433c-83c5-e9262286e612.html">Axios</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/16/day-1092/">January 16, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The Senate opened the impeachment trial of Trump – the third presidential impeachment trial in history</strong> – with the swearing in of senators and the presentation of the two charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Chief Justice John Roberts, who will preside over the trial, administered the oath to “do impartial justice” to all senators in the chamber. The Senate also issued a formal summons for Trump, informing him of the charges and inviting him to respond by Saturday evening. The Senate will now recess the trial until Tuesday, Jan. 21. A two-thirds vote is required to remove Trump from office, meaning 20 Republican senators would need to break ranks. Trump, meanwhile, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1217909231946477575">tweeted</a>: “I JUST GOT IMPEACHED FOR MAKING A PERFECT PHONE CALL!” (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/16/us/politics/trump-impeachment.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/16/mcconnell-pelosi-impeachment-articles-pens-099709">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/impeachment-trial-live-updates/2020/01/16/bfb641d6-37d5-11ea-bf30-ad313e4ec754_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/16/politics/senate-impeachment-trial-starts/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/senators-to-be-sworn-in-as-trump-impeachment-trial-begins-11579177831">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2020/jan/16/trump-impeachment-trial-live-news-ukraine-pelosi-giuliani-latest-updates-senate-democrats">The Guardian</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/15/day-1091/">January 15, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The House of Representatives voted to send the Senate two articles of impeachment against Trump</strong>, initiating the third presidential impeachment trial in American history. The measure passed 228-to-193 with one Democrat – Collin Peterson of Minnesota – joining every Republican in voting “no.” Speaker Nancy Pelosi also announced the seven House Democrats who will serve as the “managers” in the trial, saying “The emphasis is on making the strongest possible case to protect and defend our Constitution to seek the truth for the American people.” The two articles, charging abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, will be hand-delivered to the Senate with the trial expected to begin on Tuesday. It remains undecided if witnesses will be called to testify. Trump, meanwhile, tweeted that his impeachment is a “Con Job.” (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/15/us/politics/impeachment-managers.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-impeachment-live-updates/2020/01/15/cfde52b6-3784-11ea-bb7b-265f4554af6d_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/house-speaker-pelosi-to-name-house-managers-for-trumps-senate-impeachment-trial-11579084203">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-15/pelosi-selects-seven-democrats-to-present-impeachment-case">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/15/pelosi-appoints-impeachment-managers-for-trumps-senate-trial-099240">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/15/politics/pelosi-naming-impeachment-managers/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/15/house-votes-to-send-trump-impeachment-articles-to-senate-for-trial.html">CNBC</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/pelosi-calls-witnesses-trump-trial-after-new-evidence-n1116091">NBC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/15/day-1091/">January 15, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The House of Representatives voted to send the Senate two articles of impeachment against Trump</strong>, initiating the third presidential impeachment trial in American history. The measure passed 228-to-193 with one Democrat – Collin Peterson of Minnesota – joining every Republican in voting “no.” Speaker Nancy Pelosi also announced the seven House Democrats who will serve as the “managers” in the trial, saying “The emphasis is on making the strongest possible case to protect and defend our Constitution to seek the truth for the American people.” The two articles, charging abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, will be hand-delivered to the Senate with the trial expected to begin on Tuesday. It remains undecided if witnesses will be called to testify. Trump, meanwhile, tweeted that his impeachment is a “Con Job.” (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/15/us/politics/impeachment-managers.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-impeachment-live-updates/2020/01/15/cfde52b6-3784-11ea-bb7b-265f4554af6d_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/house-speaker-pelosi-to-name-house-managers-for-trumps-senate-impeachment-trial-11579084203">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-15/pelosi-selects-seven-democrats-to-present-impeachment-case">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/15/pelosi-appoints-impeachment-managers-for-trumps-senate-trial-099240">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/15/politics/pelosi-naming-impeachment-managers/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/15/house-votes-to-send-trump-impeachment-articles-to-senate-for-trial.html">CNBC</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/pelosi-calls-witnesses-trump-trial-after-new-evidence-n1116091">NBC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/15/day-1091/">January 15, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Who are the impeachment managers prosecuting the case against Trump in the Senate trial?</strong> House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler will lead the House team, joined by Jason Crow, Val Demings, Sylvia Garcia, Hakeem Jeffries, and Zoe Lofgren (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/01/15/impeachment-managers-senate-trial/">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/15/house-impeachment-managers-trump-trial-098730">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/who-are-house-s-7-impeachment-prosecutors-n1116581">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-15/these-house-prosecutors-will-present-trump-impeachment-to-senate">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/15/pelosi-taps-schiff-nadler-as-trump-impeachment-managers.html">CNBC</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/bios-of-seven-democratic-impeachment-managers-11579105346">Wall Street Journal</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/15/day-1091/">January 15, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Who are the impeachment managers prosecuting the case against Trump in the Senate trial?</strong> House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler will lead the House team, joined by Jason Crow, Val Demings, Sylvia Garcia, Hakeem Jeffries, and Zoe Lofgren (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/01/15/impeachment-managers-senate-trial/">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/15/house-impeachment-managers-trump-trial-098730">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/who-are-house-s-7-impeachment-prosecutors-n1116581">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-15/these-house-prosecutors-will-present-trump-impeachment-to-senate">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/15/pelosi-taps-schiff-nadler-as-trump-impeachment-managers.html">CNBC</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/bios-of-seven-democratic-impeachment-managers-11579105346">Wall Street Journal</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/14/day-1090/">January 14, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The House will vote on Wednesday to transmit articles of impeachment against Trump to the Senate</strong>. “The American people deserve the truth, and the Constitution demands a trial,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement. Before the vote, Pelosi will appoint the team of impeachment managers who will prosecute the trial against Trump. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff and House Judiciary Committee Jerry Nadler are expected to be two of the impeachment managers. Mitch McConnell, meanwhile, said Trump’s impeachment trial will begin next Tuesday – the start of Season Four of the Trump presidency. (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/14/us/politics/trump-impeachment-articles.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-impeachment-live-updates/2020/01/14/553995ce-36bd-11ea-bf30-ad313e4ec754_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/pelosi-says-house-will-likely-vote-wednesday-send-two-articles-n1115131">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/14/house-set-to-vote-wednesday-to-send-impeachment-articles-to-senate-098656">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-impeachment-idUSKBN1ZD1AA">Reuters</a> / <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-vote-wednesday-sending-trump-impeachment-articles-senate/story?id=68252820">ABC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/14/day-1090/">January 14, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Senior Senate Republicans rejected Trump’s call to dismiss impeachment charges against him</strong>, saying “There is almost no interest” for a motion to dismiss the House charges. Republicans hold a 53-seat majority in the Senate and dismissing the articles of impeachment would require 51 votes. Multiple Republicans, however, have indicated they would oppose a motion to dismiss, arguing that both Trump’s legal team and the House impeachment managers should be able to present their case. (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/top-senate-republicans-reject-trumps-renewed-call-for-immediate-dismissal-of-impeachment-charges/2020/01/13/f5cf4a86-3624-11ea-bb7b-265f4554af6d_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://apnews.com/6e5c0f64eadfd10e6850d59a0085d49c">Associated Press</a> / <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-impeachment-idUSKBN1ZC0YT">Reuters</a> / <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/478080-gop-leadership-there-arent-51-votes-to-dismiss-trump-articles-of-impeachment">The Hill</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/14/trump-scripting-tv-drama-impeachment-trial-098418">Politico</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/14/day-1090/">January 14, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The Russian military hacked into the Ukrainian gas company at the center of the Trump impeachment inquiry</strong>. Using similar tactics to those used to obtain emails from Hillary Clinton’s campaign and the DNC, Russian hackers employed phishing emails to steal usernames and passwords from Burisma employees. It is still unclear what the hackers found or what they were looking for, but experts say the timing and scale of the attack suggest that they could be searching for information about the Bidens. The hacking attempts began in early November while reports about the Bidens, Ukraine, and impeachment were leading the news in the U.S. (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/13/us/politics/russian-hackers-burisma-ukraine.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/russian-spies-hacked-ukrainian-energy-company-center-trump-s-impeachment-n1114906">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/russian-spies-hacked-ukrainian-gas-company-at-heart-of-trump-impeachment-trial/2020/01/13/db50b2b0-366c-11ea-bb7b-265f4554af6d_story.html">Washington Post</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/13/day-1089/">January 13, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi did not rule out the possibility of a House subpoena for testimony from former national security adviser John Bolton</strong>, depending on whether the Senate seeks testimony in Trump’s impeachment trial. Pelosi called Trump “too afraid to let any of his top aides testify,” saying he’s been “impeached for life” regardless of “any gamesmanship” by Mitch McConnell, whom she accused of orchestrating a “coverup” of Trump’s behavior. Pelsoi also didn’t rule out the possibility of additional articles of impeachment against Trump in the future, saying “Let’s just see what the Senate does.” (<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mcconnell-accountable-american-people-nancy-pelosi/story?id=68207196">ABC News</a>) / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/pelosi-says-trump-impeached-for-life-despite-mcconnells-gamesmanship-coverup/2020/01/12/4e75531a-3544-11ea-9541-9107303481a4_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/pelosi-accuses-trump-cover-after-president-lashes-out-over-impeachment-n1114741">NBC News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/13/day-1089/">January 13, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The White House expects some Republican senators to join Democrats in voting to call witnesses in Trump’s impeachment trial</strong>. Senior White House officials increasingly believe that at least four Republicans will vote to call witnesses. Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Mitt Romney, Cory Gardner, Rand Paul, and Lamar Alexander are all considered possibilities. (<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/impeachment-trial-white-house-expects-republican-defections-on-calling-new-witnesses-in-the-senate/">CBS News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/10/day-1086/">January 10, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Nancy Pelosi will transmit articles of impeachment against Trump to the Senate next week</strong>. The trial could begin as soon as next week. The House will also consider a resolution next week to appoint impeachment managers. Trump, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-10/trump-will-invoke-executive-privilege-to-block-bolton-testimony">meanwhile</a>, said he would “have to” block his former national security adviser John Bolton from testifying in the Senate trial, “for the sake of the office.” (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/10/us/politics/trump-impeachment-pelosi.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-impeachment-live-updates/2020/01/10/e65f5f16-3398-11ea-a053-dc6d944ba776_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/10/pelosi-to-send-impeachment-articles-to-senate-after-weeks-long-delay-097185">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/pelosi-prepares-send-articles-impeachment-senate-will-consult-democrats-about-n1113621">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/10/politics/nancy-pelosi-impeachment-vote-friday/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/house-to-send-articles-of-impeachment-to-senate-next-week-11578675599">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-10/pelosi-says-preparing-to-send-impeachment-to-senate-next-week">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/10/pelosi-announces-next-steps-for-trump-impeachment-articles-to-senate.html">CNBC</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/10/day-1086/">January 10, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Sen. Susan Collins said she’s been working with “a fairly small group” of Republican senators to ensure witnesses can be called in Trump’s impeachment trial</strong>. (<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/sen-susan-collins-working-fairly-small-group-republicans-ensure-impeachment-n1113741">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://bangordailynews.com/2020/01/10/politics/susan-collins-working-with-small-group-of-gop-senators-to-allow-impeachment-witnesses/">Bangor Daily News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/10/day-1086/">January 10, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>55% of U.S. adults support a full impeachment trial of Trump</strong>. 45% said they preferred to let voters decide Trump’s fate in the November election. (<a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/poll-younger-americans-driving-demand-for-full-impeachment-trial/2198065/">LX/Morning Consult</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/09/day-1085/">January 09, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump met privately with McConnell at the White House to discuss the impeachment trial</strong>. McConnell’s office has been in discussion with the White House for weeks regarding the trial, working together on various ideas and proposals for how the trial should be set up. “We want this to start as quickly as possible,” said the White House legislative director. “We want the President to be acquitted as quickly as possible.” (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/08/politics/mcconnell-meets-trump-impeachment/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/09/day-1085/">January 09, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump met privately with McConnell at the White House to discuss the impeachment trial</strong>. McConnell’s office has been in discussion with the White House for weeks regarding the trial, working together on various ideas and proposals for how the trial should be set up. “We want this to start as quickly as possible,” said the White House legislative director. “We want the President to be acquitted as quickly as possible.” (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/08/politics/mcconnell-meets-trump-impeachment/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/09/day-1085/">January 09, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump said he doesn’t plan to block John Bolton from testifying at a Senate impeachment trial</strong>, but that he would need to protect his executive privilege. “When we start allowing national security advisers to just go up and say whatever they want to say, we can’t do that,” Trump said. (<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-09/some-democrats-ask-pelosi-to-let-trial-begin-impeachment-update">Bloomberg</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/08/day-1084/">January 08, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Several Democratic senators want House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to submit the articles of impeachment against Trump to the Senate</strong>, saying the party has little to gain from further delay. Pelosi called on McConnell to publish a resolution outlining rules for the impeachment trial before the House sends over the articles. McConnell, however, declined, saying “There will be no haggling” and that the House had no choice but to end “shameless game-playing” and transmit the two articles of impeachment. (<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-08/pelosi-pressed-to-move-on-trump-trial-with-gop-backing-mcconnell">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/some-democratic-senators-say-it-s-time-pelosi-submit-trump-n1112376">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/some-democratic-senators-call-on-pelosi-to-send-over-articles-of-impeachment-11578513055">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/08/senate-democrats-break-pelosi-over-impeachment-096224">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/08/us/politics/mcconnell-pelosi-impeachment-trial.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-impeachment-live-updates/2020/01/08/aea6ed80-3205-11ea-9313-6cba89b1b9fb_story.html">Washington Post</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/07/day-1083/">January 07, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Mitch McConnell told Republicans he has the votes needed to begin Trump’s impeachment trial without committing to calling new witnesses or admitting new evidence</strong>, rebuffing demands from Democrats. McConnell believes he has at least 51 votes from his 53-member Republican conference to start the trial, offering no guarantee that the Senate will issue subpoenas for witnesses and documents beyond what the House’s inquiry gathered. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has withheld the articles of impeachment since the House voted in December to charge Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, in an effort to push Republicans to agree to fair rules for the trial. (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/07/us/politics/impeachment-trial-witnesses.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-impeachment-live-updates/2020/01/07/e0f49d52-313b-11ea-91fd-82d4e04a3fac_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/lawmakers-huddle-amid-trump-impeachment-impasse-11578420162">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-07/mcconnell-unites-gop-on-trial-rules-aimed-at-trump-acquittal">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/07/mcconnell-prepares-to-move-forward-on-impeachment-trial-rules-without-democrats-095537">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/mcconnell-says-he-has-enough-republican-votes-begin-trump-s-n1111931">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/07/politics/mitch-mcconnell-impeachment-trial-latest/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/07/day-1083/">January 07, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Mitch McConnell told Republicans he has the votes needed to begin Trump’s impeachment trial without committing to calling new witnesses or admitting new evidence</strong>, rebuffing demands from Democrats. McConnell believes he has at least 51 votes from his 53-member Republican conference to start the trial, offering no guarantee that the Senate will issue subpoenas for witnesses and documents beyond what the House’s inquiry gathered. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has withheld the articles of impeachment since the House voted in December to charge Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, in an effort to push Republicans to agree to fair rules for the trial. (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/07/us/politics/impeachment-trial-witnesses.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-impeachment-live-updates/2020/01/07/e0f49d52-313b-11ea-91fd-82d4e04a3fac_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/lawmakers-huddle-amid-trump-impeachment-impasse-11578420162">Wall Street Journal</a> / <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-07/mcconnell-unites-gop-on-trial-rules-aimed-at-trump-acquittal">Bloomberg</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/07/mcconnell-prepares-to-move-forward-on-impeachment-trial-rules-without-democrats-095537">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/mcconnell-says-he-has-enough-republican-votes-begin-trump-s-n1111931">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/07/politics/mitch-mcconnell-impeachment-trial-latest/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/06/day-1082/">January 06, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Former national security adviser John Bolton said he is “prepared to testify” in Trump’s impeachment trial if subpoenaed by the Senate</strong>. Bolton, who so far has complied with a White House directive to not cooperate in the inquiry, has direct knowledge of Trump’s actions and conversations regarding Ukraine that could fill in blanks in the impeachment case. A Senate subpoena requires at least 51 votes, which means four Republicans would need to vote with Democrats to call a witness. (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/06/us/politics/bolton-testify-impeachment-trial.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-impeachment-live-updates/2020/01/06/1540f98e-3074-11ea-9313-6cba89b1b9fb_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/06/john-bolton-willing-to-testify-in-trumps-impeachment-trial-094757">Politico</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/bolton-willing-testify-senate-impeachment-trial-if-subpoenaed-n1111256">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/06/politics/john-bolton-testify-impeachment-subpoena/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/bolton-prepared-testify-trump-impeachment-trial-subpoenaed/story?id=68097771">ABC News</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/john-bolton-testify-trump-impeachment-trial-subpoena-485bbf06-344e-4140-a2d2-dacb14f10f26.html">Axios</a> / <a href="https://apnews.com/a64ea4327e68348f2cb923da7d191d94">Associated Press</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/06/day-1082/">January 06, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump called for a quick end to the impeachment process, tweeting to “get this done.”</strong> Trump’s tweet came shortly before Bolton’s announcement. The House passed two articles of impeachment against Trump last month, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has yet to formally transmit the charges to Senate – a requirement before the Senate can hold a trial. Pelosi has been holding the documents as Democrats seek guarantees about the scope of a Senate trial, including witnesses. (<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-calls-speedy-end-impeachment-amid-escalating-tensions/story?id=68096699">ABC News</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-impeachment-live-updates/2020/01/06/1540f98e-3074-11ea-9313-6cba89b1b9fb_story.html">Washington Post</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/06/day-1082/">January 06, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Bill Taylor, who led the U.S. embassy in Ukraine and served as a key witness in the House impeachment inquiry, has left his post</strong>. Taylor twice testified as part of the House probe into Trump, providing testimony about an alleged quid pro quo with Ukraine. (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/02/politics/bill-taylor-leaves-post-kiev/">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/06/day-1082/">January 06, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Bill Taylor, who led the U.S. embassy in Ukraine and served as a key witness in the House impeachment inquiry, has left his post</strong>. Taylor twice testified as part of the House probe into Trump, providing testimony about an alleged quid pro quo with Ukraine. (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/02/politics/bill-taylor-leaves-post-kiev/">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2020/01/06/day-1082/">January 06, 2020</a></small></div>
<p><strong>57% of Americans think Trump committed an impeachable offense</strong>, and 52% said they think Trump’s actions regarding Ukraine and his refusal to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry are enough evidence to remove him from office. (<a href="https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/our-poll-finds-a-majority-of-americans-think-the-evidence-supports-trumps-removal/">FiveThirtyEight</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2019/12/27/day-1072/">December 27, 2019</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she is “disturbed” by the coordination between Mitch McConnell and the White House for the Senate impeachment trial</strong>. Murkowski said McConnell has “confused the process” by declaring that he is acting in “total coordination” with Trump to set the parameters of the trial. “To me,” she continued, “it means that we have to take that step back from being hand in glove with the defense.” Murkowski, a moderate Republican, did not say how she will vote in the upcoming trial. (<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/25/politics/lisa-murkowski-senate-impeachment-trial/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/25/us/politics/murkowski-trump-impeachment.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/sen-lisa-murkowski-shes-disturbed-mcconnells-comments-white/story?id=67925820">ABC News</a> / <a href="https://www.ktuu.com/content/news/-Murkowski-disturbed-by-McConnells-vow-for-total-coordination-with-White-House-for-impeachment-trial-566472361.html">KTUU</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2019/12/27/day-1072/">December 27, 2019</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Trump retweeted an article that contained the name of the alleged whistleblower at the center of his impeachment</strong>. Trump, using his personal Twitter account, retweeted his reelection account, which had posted a link to a Washington Examiner story from Dec. 3 that named the alleged whistleblower in the headline. Several people close to Trump, including Ivanka and White House Counsel Pat Cipollone, cautioned Trump against saying or posting the name in public. (<a href="https://www.mediaite.com/trump/trump-retweets-article-which-names-alleged-whistleblower/">Mediaite</a> / <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-pushes-out-tweet-naming-alleged-whistleblower">Daily Beast</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2019/12/23/day-1068/">December 23, 2019</a></small></div>
<p><strong>A White House budget official directed the Defense Department to “hold off” on sending military aid to Ukraine less than two hours after Trump’s July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky</strong>, according to newly released emails. Roughly 90 minutes after Trump’s call with Zelensky, Michael Duffey, a senior budget official, told Pentagon officials that Trump was personally interested in the Ukraine aid and had ordered the hold himself. Duffey also told the Pentagon to keep the information “closely held to those who need to know to execute the direction” due to “the sensitive nature of the request.” The emails show Trump first became interested in the aid to Ukraine after seeing an article in the Washington Examiner on June 19 titled, “Pentagon to send $250M in weapons to Ukraine,” and that some officials were concerned that withholding the aid could be a violation of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Democrats are citing the emails to fuel renewed calls for witnesses to testify in the Senate impeachment trial. (<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/white-house-official-directed-hold-on-ukraine-aid-shortly-after-trumps-july-25-call-with-zelensky/2019/12/22/7af19ae0-24d5-11ea-a14c-412f7b9e2717_story.html">Washington Post</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/newly-released-emails-provide-greater-details-white-house-pause-ukraine-n1106201">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/22/us/politics/democrats-impeachment-witnesses.html">New York Times</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/21/politics/emails-ukraine-aid-timeline/">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-impeachment-idUSKBN1YQ0I6">Reuters</a> / <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-impeachment-schumer-cites-explosive-michael-duffey-email-to-press-for-witnesses-at-impeachment-trial/">CBS News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2019/12/23/day-1068/">December 23, 2019</a></small></div>
<p><strong>Mitch McConnell suggested that Republicans had not ruled out hearing witnesses at Trump’s impeachment trial, but wouldn’t agree in advance to the Democrat’s request for witness testimony</strong>. In a bid to pressure Senate Republicans to reach an agreement with Chuck Schumer on trial rules, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hasn’t transmitted the Senate the impeachment articles necessary to begin the trial, saying Democrats need to know “what sort of trial the Senate will conduct.” McConnell, meanwhile, called Pelosi’s position “absurd,” adding that he’s at an “impasse” with Schumer on the rules of the trial. (<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-impeachment/mcconnell-says-senate-republicans-have-not-ruled-out-witnesses-in-trump-impeachment-trial-idUSKBN1YR1CF">Reuters</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/23/politics/schumer-documents-senate-trial/index.html">CNN</a> / <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-impeachment-live-updates/2019/12/23/a01735bc-2572-11ea-b2ca-2e72667c1741_story.html">Washington Post</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2019/12/23/day-1068/">December 23, 2019</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The White House is considering making the argument that Trump has not officially been impeached because Pelosi has not transmitted the articles of impeachment to the Senate</strong>. Officials plan to use the delay to argue that the Democrats have little faith in their own case for impeachment and are scared to trigger a trial they know they will lose. Officials also say Trump, while “angry” about what he views as an unfair process, is actually in a “very good mood,” and feels confident he can win the messaging war via Twitter. (<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/is-donald-trump-impeached-white-house-considers-arguing-no-articles-of-impeachment-not-delivered-to-senate/">CBS News</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2019/12/23/day-1068/">December 23, 2019</a></small></div>
<p><strong>The House Judiciary Committee said it could draft and recommend “new articles of impeachment” against Trump if additional evidence is revealed by former White House counsel Don McGahn</strong>. The committee wants a federal appeals court to order McGahn to testify as it examines potential obstruction of justice by Trump during Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation. McGahn’s testimony is “relevant to the Committee’s ongoing investigations into Presidential misconduct and consideration of whether to recommend additional articles of impeachment,” the panel’s lawyers said, arguing that McGahn’s testimony is a “central” part of the impeachment investigation into Trump. Democrats have been trying for months to enforce a subpoena for McGahn to testify as part of the impeachment proceedings in Congress. (<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/23/doj-impeachment-vote-undercut-house-mcgahn-testimony-089604">Politico</a> / <a href="https://apnews.com/867403d69b0135e020b7d5a1963f2033">Associated Press</a> / <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/23/judiciary-panel-says-it-could-draft-new-articles-of-impeachment-against-trump.html">CNBC</a> / <a href="https://www.axios.com/trump-impeachment-don-mcgahn-subpoena-ae7a4d60-9680-4d5a-99bf-d1e0734537f8.html">Axios</a> / <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/house-and-justice-department-lawyers-file-briefs-arguing-over-whether-don-mcgahn-should-testify-before-congress/">CBS News</a> / <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/impeachment-2-house-lawyers-say-more-charges-possible-n1106706">NBC News</a> / <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/23/politics/don-mcgahn-testimony-white-house/index.html">CNN</a>)</p>
<div class="topic-date"><small><a href="https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2019/12/23/day-1068/">December 23, 2019</a></small></div>