Impeachment watch: GOP stunts at impeachment hearing succeed in humiliating GOP

Donald Trump is almost assured to be impeached, as the House moves toward final passage of two articles of impeachment next week.

The House Judiciary Committee on Thursday held a marathon hearing to markup the two articles of impeachment Trump faces. Republicans submitted multiple amendments — none of which were adopted — in an effort to defend Trump. And after hours of debate, committee chair Jerry Nadler (D-NY) decided to postpone the final committee vote on the impeachment articles until Friday morning.

Thursday’s hearing was mostly hours of lawmakers making the same point over and over again. However, there were some fiery moments, including when Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) was embarrassed by his efforts to bring up Hunter Biden’s substance abuse struggles. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) said Gaetz’s aspersions on the former vice president’s son were akin to the “pot calling the kettle black,” as Gaetz was arrested in 2008 for driving under the influence.

Here’s what else is happening in impeachment news:

• Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says Trump’s fate is preordained, telling Fox News host and top Trump defender Sean Hannity that there is “no chance” the Senate will vote to remove Trump from office. “Everything I do during this, I’m coordinating with White House counsel,” McConnell told Hannity. “There will be no difference between the president’s position and our position as to how to handle this — to the extent that we can.” A Senate trial is expected to begin in January.

• As McConnell vowed to protect Trump at all costs, House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff went on late night talkshow host Stephen Colbert’s show to say that history will not judge Republicans like McConnell kindly. “For some of our members, who are defending the Constitution, it is their finest hour,” Schiff (D-CA) told Colbert. “But for others, who are willfully blinding themselves to this president’s misconduct, it is the most shameful hour.” Schiff went on to say that Republicans who vote to protect Trump will have “nothing except shame” when they have to explain their actions to their grandchildren someday.

Come back Monday for more impeachment news.

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.