Trump aide: Impeachment stain won't last 'forever' because of his trade deals

Pam Bondi, the White House impeachment adviser and former Florida attorney general, claimed Thursday that Donald Trump’s trade deal and other supposed accomplishments will make voters forget he was impeached by the House of Representatives.

In an NPR interview loaded with false claims, Bondi admitted that “of course” impeachment was a “stain on President Trump” even if he is not removed by the Senate.

“Now will it be attached forever?” she asked. “I think ultimately people are going to remember what the president has done for USMCA, 176,000 jobs, bringing to our economy $60.2 billion dollars. Look at the stock market.”

Bondi was likely referring to an estimate by the International Trade Commission that the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement would add $68.2 billion to the U.S. economy and 176,000 new jobs, though other economists have said its economic benefits will be “negligible.” Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) has predicted the deal will actually mean “modestly less growth, less trade and less job creation than the underlying NAFTA.”

Bondi then attempted to attack the process by which the House impeached Trump, repeatedly being corrected by host Steve Inskeep for her false claims.

“It started with [House Intelligence chair] Adam Schiff who, everyone knows, in the bunker of the Capitol, not even allowing Republicans in the door,” she incorrectly stated. Reminded by the host that all Republican members of the impeachment inquiry committees were allowed to attend and some were indeed present for the hearings, Bondi falsely claimed that the Republicans present were not permitted to take part in the depositions.

“Republicans were not allowed to ask questions at all. Republicans were never allowed to ask questions in those secret bunker hearings,” she argued. The transcripts of the depositions show questions asked by Republican members and answered by witnesses. When Inskeep again corrected her, Bondi replied, “OK.”

She then wrongly stated: “Our witnesses, the president’s witnesses were not allowed to be heard. The Republicans not allowed to question. They were given limited amount of time.” The Trump administration declined to send witnesses, Republicans did question those witnesses who came forward, and all members present were given a limited amount of time to question them, regardless of party.

Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell rejected a request from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to allow witnesses to testify in the trial. Some House Democrats have proposed delaying the process of formally sending the approved articles of impeachment to the Senate until McConnell agrees to witnesses and other terms that would ensure a fair trial.

Asked about the White House’s position, Bondi claimed to support allowing witnesses to testify, but then complained that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would be resorting to a “gimmick” if she delays things to ensure witnesses are permitted.

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.