THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF’S ATTACKS.
COMMANDER IN CHIEF’S ATTACKS. >> WHAT PLANET ARE WE ON?
>> WHAT PLANET ARE WE ON? >> LEAD REPUBLICAN COUNSEL STEVE
>> LEAD REPUBLICAN COUNSEL STEVE CASTER PRESSED LIEUTENANT KOL
CASTER PRESSED LIEUTENANT KOL NER VINDMAN ABOUT AN OFFER HE
NER VINDMAN ABOUT AN OFFER HE RECEIVED TO TAKE A POSITION AS
RECEIVED TO TAKE A POSITION AS DEFENSE UMINISTER IN UKRAINE.
DEFENSE UMINISTER IN UKRAINE. >> DID MR. DANYLIUK OFFER YOU A
>> DID MR. DANYLIUK OFFER YOU A POSITION AS DEFENSE MINISTER?
POSITION AS DEFENSE MINISTER? >> HE DID.
>> HE DID. EVERY SINGLE TIME I DISMISSED
EVERY SINGLE TIME I DISMISSED IT.
IT. UPON RETURNING I NOTIFY MID
UPON RETURNING I NOTIFY MID CHAIN OF COMMAND.
CHAIN OF COMMAND. I’M AN AMERICAN.
I’M AN AMERICAN. I CAME HERE WHEN I WAS A
I CAME HERE WHEN I WAS A TODDLER, AND I IMMEDIATELY
TODDLER, AND I IMMEDIATELY DISMISSED THESE OFFERS, DID NOT
DISMISSED THESE OFFERS, DID NOT ENTERTAIN THEM.
ENTERTAIN THEM. THE WHOLE NOTION IS RATHER
THE WHOLE NOTION IS RATHER COMICAL.
COMICAL. >> IT’S RATHER SIGNIFICANT.
>> IT’S RATHER SIGNIFICANT. THE UKRAINIANS OFFERED YOU THE
THE UKRAINIANS OFFERED YOU THE POST OF DEFENSE MINISTER.
POST OF DEFENSE MINISTER. DID YOU EVER THINK POSSIBLY IF
DID YOU EVER THINK POSSIBLY IF THIS INFORMATION GOT OUT THAT IT
THIS INFORMATION GOT OUT THAT IT MIGHT CREATE AT LEAST THE
MIGHT CREATE AT LEAST THE PERCEPTION OF A CONFLICT?
PERCEPTION OF A CONFLICT? >> IT’S MUCH MORE IMPORTANT WHAT
>> IT’S MUCH MORE IMPORTANT WHAT MY -- MY CIVILIAN WHITE HOUSE
MY -- MY CIVILIAN WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL CHAIN
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL CHAIN OF COMMAND THINKS MORE SO THAN
OF COMMAND THINKS MORE SO THAN ANYBODY ELSE, AND FRANKLY, IF
ANYBODY ELSE, AND FRANKLY, IF THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT ME
THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT ME BEING ABLE TO CONTINUE MY
BEING ABLE TO CONTINUE MY DUTIES.
DUTIES. >> OF COURSE.
>> OF COURSE. >> THEY WOULD HAVE BROUGHT THAT
>> THEY WOULD HAVE BROUGHT THAT TO MY ATTENTION.
TO MY ATTENTION. >> THEY’VE ACCUSED YOU OF
>> THEY’VE ACCUSED YOU OF ESPIONAGE AND DUAL LOYALTIES.
ESPIONAGE AND DUAL LOYALTIES. WE’VE SEEN THAT IN THIS ROOM
WE’VE SEEN THAT IN THIS ROOM THIS MORNING, THE THREE MINUTES
THIS MORNING, THE THREE MINUTES THAT WERE SPENT ASKING YOU ABOUT
THAT WERE SPENT ASKING YOU ABOUT THE OFFER MADE TO MAKE YOU THE
THE OFFER MADE TO MAKE YOU THE MINISTER OF DEFENSE, THAT MAY
MINISTER OF DEFENSE, THAT MAY HAVE COME CLOAK INSTEAD A BROOKS
HAVE COME CLOAK INSTEAD A BROOKS BROTHER SUIT, BUT THAT WAS
BROTHER SUIT, BUT THAT WAS DESIGNED EXCLUSIVELY TO GIVE THE
DESIGNED EXCLUSIVELY TO GIVE THE RIGHT WING MEDIA AN OPENING TO
RIGHT WING MEDIA AN OPENING TO QUESTION YOUR LOYALTIES.
QUESTION YOUR LOYALTIES. >> DAVID IGNATIUS, WE’VE ASKED
>> DAVID IGNATIUS, WE’VE ASKED MANY TIMES HOW FAR REPUBLICANS
MANY TIMES HOW FAR REPUBLICANS WILL GO, HOW LOW THEY WILL GO TO
WILL GO, HOW LOW THEY WILL GO TO DEFEND THE PRESIDENT OF THE
DEFEND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND I THINK WE
UNITED STATES, AND I THINK WE FOUND A NEW ONE YESTERDAY WHEN
FOUND A NEW ONE YESTERDAY WHEN YOU HAD THE RECIPIENT OF A
YOU HAD THE RECIPIENT OF A PURPLE HEART SITTING IN FRONT OF
PURPLE HEART SITTING IN FRONT OF THEM IN DRESS UNIFORM HAVING HIS
THEM IN DRESS UNIFORM HAVING HIS LOYALTY QUESTIONED BECAUSE HE
LOYALTY QUESTIONED BECAUSE HE WAS BORN IN UKRAINE, LEFT THERE
WAS BORN IN UKRAINE, LEFT THERE WHEN HE WAS 3 YEARS OLD.
WHEN HE WAS 3 YEARS OLD. AS HE TALKED ABOUT LAST NIGHT
AS HE TALKED ABOUT LAST NIGHT AND YESTERDAY FOR A BETTER LIFE
AND YESTERDAY FOR A BETTER LIFE HERE IN THE UNITED STATES WITH
HERE IN THE UNITED STATES WITH HIS FAMILY.
HIS FAMILY. HE WAS MOCKED FOR DEMANDING TO
HE WAS MOCKED FOR DEMANDING TO HAVE HIS TITLE USED
HAVE HIS TITLE USED RESPECTFULLY, LIEUTENANT COLONEL
RESPECTFULLY, LIEUTENANT COLONEL AND FOR WEARING THAT UNIFORM IN
AND FOR WEARING THAT UNIFORM IN THE ROOM.
THE ROOM. THAT WAS THE ANGLE REPUBLICANS
THAT WAS THE ANGLE REPUBLICANS WENT TO, NOT THE SUBSTANCE OF
WENT TO, NOT THE SUBSTANCE OF HIS TESTIMONY.
HIS TESTIMONY. THEY DIDN’T SEE THE FLARES GOING
THEY DIDN’T SEE THE FLARES GOING UP ABOUT WHAT THE PRESIDENT OF
UP ABOUT WHAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES DID FROM A
THE UNITED STATES DID FROM A FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT OF SOMEONE WHO
FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT OF SOMEONE WHO WAS ON THE CALL.
WAS ON THE CALL. THEY WERE WORRIED ABOUT HIS
THEY WERE WORRIED ABOUT HIS LOYALTY BECAUSE HE WAS LIVING IN
LOYALTY BECAUSE HE WAS LIVING IN THE COUNTRY IN QUESTION WHEN HE
THE COUNTRY IN QUESTION WHEN HE WAS A TODDLER.
WAS A TODDLER. >> IT’S BEEN STRIKING, WILLIE,
>> IT’S BEEN STRIKING, WILLIE, REALLY SINCE THE IMPEACHMENT
REALLY SINCE THE IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS MOVED INTO THIS PUBLIC
HEARINGS MOVED INTO THIS PUBLIC PHASE THAT THE REPUBLICAN
PHASE THAT THE REPUBLICAN DEFENSE HAS REALLY NOT DEALT
DEFENSE HAS REALLY NOT DEALT WITH ANY OF THE SUBSTANTIVE
WITH ANY OF THE SUBSTANTIVE ALLEGATIONS.
ALLEGATIONS. IT’S BEEN MORE A DEFENSE OF
IT’S BEEN MORE A DEFENSE OF PERSONAL ATTACK ON THE WITNESSES
PERSONAL ATTACK ON THE WITNESSES TRYING TO BELITTLE THEM IN THE
TRYING TO BELITTLE THEM IN THE CASE OF MASHA YOVANOVITCH, AS
CASE OF MASHA YOVANOVITCH, AS CHAIRMAN SCHIFF SAID IN AN
CHAIRMAN SCHIFF SAID IN AN ATTEMPT TO INTIMIDATE HER IN
ATTEMPT TO INTIMIDATE HER IN PUBLIC TWEETS.
PUBLIC TWEETS. THIS ATTEMPT TO SHAME LIEUTENANT
THIS ATTEMPT TO SHAME LIEUTENANT COLONEL VINDMAN AS SOMEHOW BEING
COLONEL VINDMAN AS SOMEHOW BEING DISLOYAL.
DISLOYAL. ALL OF IT TELLS YOU THAT THE
ALL OF IT TELLS YOU THAT THE REPUBLICANS DON’T SEEM TO HAVE A
REPUBLICANS DON’T SEEM TO HAVE A SUBSTANTIVE CASE.
SUBSTANTIVE CASE. AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND THESE
AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND THESE HEARINGS WILL ONLY GET MORE
HEARINGS WILL ONLY GET MORE INTENSE WITH SONDLAND’S
INTENSE WITH SONDLAND’S TESTIMONY TODAY, I THINK WE
TESTIMONY TODAY, I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE IN MIND THE QUESTION
SHOULD HAVE IN MIND THE QUESTION OF HOW DO THE DEMOCRATS FOCUS
OF HOW DO THE DEMOCRATS FOCUS THE PUBLIC’S ATTENTION ON CORE
THE PUBLIC’S ATTENTION ON CORE QUESTIONS?
QUESTIONS? DURING WATERGATE WE KEPT SAYING
DURING WATERGATE WE KEPT SAYING WHAT DID THE PRESIDENT KNOW AND
WHAT DID THE PRESIDENT KNOW AND WHEN DID HE KNOW IT?
WHEN DID HE KNOW IT? IN THIS CASE I THINK WE’RE GOING
IN THIS CASE I THINK WE’RE GOING TO NEED TO HAVE A SIMILAR FOCUS
TO NEED TO HAVE A SIMILAR FOCUS ABOUT THE PRESIDENT’S ACTIONS,
ABOUT THE PRESIDENT’S ACTIONS, ABOUT RUDY GIULIANI, WHAT WAS HE
ABOUT RUDY GIULIANI, WHAT WAS HE DOING?
DOING? TRUMP KEEPS SAYING TALK TO RUDY.
TRUMP KEEPS SAYING TALK TO RUDY. TALK TO RUDY.
TALK TO RUDY. RUDY’S THE DRIVER.
RUDY’S THE DRIVER. WHAT IS IT THAT RUDY WANTED IN
WHAT IS IT THAT RUDY WANTED IN UKRAINE?
UKRAINE? WHAT WAS HE AFTER?
WHAT WAS HE AFTER? I THINK THAT’S GOING TO UNFOLD
I THINK THAT’S GOING TO UNFOLD IN THESE COMING DAYS.
IN THESE COMING DAYS. AGAIN, EVERY TIME REPUBLICANS GO
AGAIN, EVERY TIME REPUBLICANS GO AFTER SOMEBODY PERSONALLY IN
AFTER SOMEBODY PERSONALLY IN THIS VISCERAL WAY AS THEY DID
THIS VISCERAL WAY AS THEY DID WITH VINDMAN, YOU KNOW THAT
WITH VINDMAN, YOU KNOW THAT THEY’RE FEELING DEFENSIVE AND
THEY’RE FEELING DEFENSIVE AND BACK INSTEAD A CORNER.
BACK INSTEAD A CORNER. >> IF YOU LOOK AT THE GRAND
>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE GRAND STRATEGY OF BOTH SIDES,
STRATEGY OF BOTH SIDES, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, I
DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, I MUST SAY THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN
MUST SAY THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN MASTER
MASTER MASTERFUL.
MASTERFUL. I’VE BEEN CRITICAL OF THE WAY
I’VE BEEN CRITICAL OF THE WAY THEY’VE RUN THEIR HEARINGS FOR
THEY’VE RUN THEIR HEARINGS FOR SOME TIME, BUT THEY HAVE LAID
SOME TIME, BUT THEY HAVE LAID OUT THEIR CASTE MASTERFULLY.
OUT THEIR CASTE MASTERFULLY. ONE STEP AFTER ANOTHER, ONE FACT
ONE STEP AFTER ANOTHER, ONE FACT ON TOP OF ANOTHER.
ON TOP OF ANOTHER. NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO STOP AND
NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO STOP AND TALK ABOUT THE COLOSSAL
TALK ABOUT THE COLOSSAL STUPIDITY OF THE REPUBLICANS AND
STUPIDITY OF THE REPUBLICANS AND THEIR STRATEGY, HOW DONALD TRUMP
THEIR STRATEGY, HOW DONALD TRUMP HAS PUT THEM IN SUCH AN
HAS PUT THEM IN SUCH AN EXTRAORDINARILY IMPOSSIBLE
EXTRAORDINARILY IMPOSSIBLE DECISION STRATEGICALLY BY SAYING
DECISION STRATEGICALLY BY SAYING IT WAS A PERFECT CALL.
IT WAS A PERFECT CALL. I DID NOTHING WRONG.
I DID NOTHING WRONG. THERE WAS NO QUID PRO QUO.
THERE WAS NO QUID PRO QUO. EVERY REPUBLICAN THAT WE SEE
EVERY REPUBLICAN THAT WE SEE KNOWS THERE WAS A QUID PRO QUO.
KNOWS THERE WAS A QUID PRO QUO. >> AND YET --
>> AND YET -- >> EVERY REPUBLICAN KNOWS THAT
>> EVERY REPUBLICAN KNOWS THAT DONALD TRUMP WAS ASKING FOR DIRT
DONALD TRUMP WAS ASKING FOR DIRT ON JOE BIDEN IN EXCHANGE FOR
ON JOE BIDEN IN EXCHANGE FOR RELEASING THE MILITARY FUNDS.
RELEASING THE MILITARY FUNDS. THEY SHOULD HAVE AND THERE HAVE
THEY SHOULD HAVE AND THERE HAVE BEEN TRUMP APOLOGISTS FOR WEEKS
BEEN TRUMP APOLOGISTS FOR WEEKS SAYING JUST GET TO THE END.
SAYING JUST GET TO THE END. EVERYBODY KNOWS HE DID THIS.
EVERYBODY KNOWS HE DID THIS. JUST GET TO THE END AND SAY THE
JUST GET TO THE END AND SAY THE PRESIDENT DID IT, SO WHAT?
PRESIDENT DID IT, SO WHAT? THE PRESIDENT DID IT.
THE PRESIDENT DID IT. IT’S BAD BUT IT’S NOT AN
IT’S BAD BUT IT’S NOT AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.
IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE. THE PRESIDENT DID IT, ALL RIGHT?
THE PRESIDENT DID IT, ALL RIGHT? BUT WE DON’T OVERTURN AN
BUT WE DON’T OVERTURN AN ELECTION.
ELECTION. THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT THREE
THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT THREE WEEKS AGO.
WEEKS AGO. INSTEAD THEY ARE ALLOWING
INSTEAD THEY ARE ALLOWING DEMOCRATS TO SLOWLY PULL THEIR
DEMOCRATS TO SLOWLY PULL THEIR STRONG MEN APART PIECE BY PIECE
STRONG MEN APART PIECE BY PIECE DAY BY DAY, WEEK BY WEEK, AND AS
DAY BY DAY, WEEK BY WEEK, AND AS THEY DO THE PRESIDENT’S NUMBERS
THEY DO THE PRESIDENT’S NUMBERS FALL AND THE PEOPLE WHO THINK
FALL AND THE PEOPLE WHO THINK THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IS LYING ABOUT THIS AND
STATES IS LYING ABOUT THIS AND DID SOMETHING WRONG KEEPS GOING
DID SOMETHING WRONG KEEPS GOING UP SO NOW WE’RE AT SEVEN OUT OF
UP SO NOW WE’RE AT SEVEN OUT OF TEN AMERICANS BECAUSE OF THIS --
TEN AMERICANS BECAUSE OF THIS -- I MEAN, YOU’VE JUST GOT TO WATCH
I MEAN, YOU’VE JUST GOT TO WATCH THIS EVERY DAY AND WATCH IT AND
THIS EVERY DAY AND WATCH IT AND GO WHY ARE THE REPUBLICANS SO
GO WHY ARE THE REPUBLICANS SO STUPID TO JUST NOT JUMP TO WHERE
STUPID TO JUST NOT JUMP TO WHERE WE’RE GOING TO GO AT THE END?
WE’RE GOING TO GO AT THE END? >> THE RATINGS SHOW PEOPLE ARE
>> THE RATINGS SHOW PEOPLE ARE WATCHING, AND THE REPUBLICAN
WATCHING, AND THE REPUBLICAN STRATEGY HAS BEEN SHIFTING EVERY
STRATEGY HAS BEEN SHIFTING EVERY TIME BECAUSE EACH OF THEIR
TIME BECAUSE EACH OF THEIR STRATEGIES GET DEBUNKED.
STRATEGIES GET DEBUNKED. THEY FIRST WERE SAYING HEARSAY,
THEY FIRST WERE SAYING HEARSAY, HEARSAY, YOU CAN’T DO THAT.
HEARSAY, YOU CAN’T DO THAT. THIS THIS IS ALL ABOUT
THIS THIS IS ALL ABOUT CORRUPTION.
CORRUPTION. THE UKRAINIANS DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT
THE UKRAINIANS DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THIS.
THIS. TAKE A LOOK.
TAKE A LOOK. >> ON JULY 25th ALONG WITH
>> ON JULY 25th ALONG WITH SEVERAL OF MY COLLEAGUES, I
SEVERAL OF MY COLLEAGUES, I LISTENED TO A CALL BETWEEN
LISTENED TO A CALL BETWEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PRESIDENT
PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.
ZELENSKY. THE CONTENT OF WHICH HAS SINCE
THE CONTENT OF WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN PUBLICLY REPORTED.
BEEN PUBLICLY REPORTED. I FOUND THE JULY 25th PHONE CALL
I FOUND THE JULY 25th PHONE CALL UNUSUAL BECAUSE IN CONTRAST TO
UNUSUAL BECAUSE IN CONTRAST TO OTHER PRESIDENTIAL CALLS I HAD
OTHER PRESIDENTIAL CALLS I HAD OBSERVED IT INVOLVED DISCUSSION
OBSERVED IT INVOLVED DISCUSSION OF WHAT APPEARED TO BE A
OF WHAT APPEARED TO BE A DOMESTIC POLITICAL MATTER.
DOMESTIC POLITICAL MATTER. >> I WAS CONCERNED BY THE CALL.
>> I WAS CONCERNED BY THE CALL. WHAT I HEARD WAS INAPPROPRIATE,
WHAT I HEARD WAS INAPPROPRIATE, AND I REPORTED MY CONCERNS TO
AND I REPORTED MY CONCERNS TO MR. EISENBERG.
MR. EISENBERG. IT IS IMPROPER FOR THE PRESIDENT
IT IS IMPROPER FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO DEMAND A
OF THE UNITED STATES TO DEMAND A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATE A
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATE A U.S. CITIZEN AND A POLITICAL
U.S. CITIZEN AND A POLITICAL OPPONENT.
OPPONENT. IT WAS ALSO CLEAR THAT IF
IT WAS ALSO CLEAR THAT IF UKRAINE PURSUED AN INVESTIGATION
UKRAINE PURSUED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE 2016 ELECTIONS, THE
INTO THE 2016 ELECTIONS, THE BIDENS AND BURISMA, IT WOULD BE
BIDENS AND BURISMA, IT WOULD BE INTERPRETED AS A PARTISAN PLAY.
INTERPRETED AS A PARTISAN PLAY. >> COLONEL VINDMAN, YOU
>> COLONEL VINDMAN, YOU INDICATED THAT YOU DID INCLUDE
INDICATED THAT YOU DID INCLUDE IN YOUR TALKING POINTS THE IDEA
IN YOUR TALKING POINTS THE IDEA OF UKRAINE ROOTING OUT
OF UKRAINE ROOTING OUT CORRUPTION, BUT THAT PRESIDENT
CORRUPTION, BUT THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP DID NOT MENTION
TRUMP DID NOT MENTION CORRUPTION.
CORRUPTION. SO WHEN THE PRESIDENT SAYS NOW
SO WHEN THE PRESIDENT SAYS NOW THAT HE HELD UP SECURITY
THAT HE HELD UP SECURITY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE HE WAS
ASSISTANCE BECAUSE HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT ROOTING OUT
CONCERNED ABOUT ROOTING OUT CORRUPTION IN UKRAINE, THAT
CORRUPTION IN UKRAINE, THAT CONCERN WAS NOT EXPRESSED IN THE
CONCERN WAS NOT EXPRESSED IN THE TWO PHONE CONVERSATIONS THAT HE
TWO PHONE CONVERSATIONS THAT HE HAD WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY
HAD WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY EARLIER THIS YEAR, IS THAT
EARLIER THIS YEAR, IS THAT RIGHT?
RIGHT? >> CORRECT.
>> CORRECT. >> DID YOU DISCUSS AT ALL AT ANY
>> DID YOU DISCUSS AT ALL AT ANY POINT THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE
POINT THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE HOLD ON SECURITY ASSISTANCE?
HOLD ON SECURITY ASSISTANCE? >> TO THE BEST OF MY
>> TO THE BEST OF MY RECOLLECTION IN THE AUGUST TIME
RECOLLECTION IN THE AUGUST TIME FRAME, THE UKRAINIAN EMBASSY
FRAME, THE UKRAINIAN EMBASSY STARTED TO BECOME AWARE OF THE
STARTED TO BECOME AWARE OF THE HOLD ON SECURITY ASSISTANCE, AND
HOLD ON SECURITY ASSISTANCE, AND THEY WERE ASKING IF I HAD ANY
THEY WERE ASKING IF I HAD ANY COMMENT ON THAT OR IF I COULD
COMMENT ON THAT OR IF I COULD SUBSTANTIATE THAT.
SUBSTANTIATE THAT. >> AND THAT WAS BEFORE IT BECAME
>> AND THAT WAS BEFORE IT BECAME PUBLIC, IS THAT RIGHT?
PUBLIC, IS THAT RIGHT? >> YES.
>> YES. >> SO MIKE, YOU’RE SAYING BLOWN
>> SO MIKE, YOU’RE SAYING BLOWN TO BITS.
TO BITS. THE UKRAINIANS NOT KNOWING IT
THE UKRAINIANS NOT KNOWING IT WAS HELD UP BLOWN TO BITS, ABOUT
WAS HELD UP BLOWN TO BITS, ABOUT TWO OR THREE OTHER STUPID
TWO OR THREE OTHER STUPID REPUBLICAN DEFENSES BLOWN TO
REPUBLICAN DEFENSES BLOWN TO BITS ALL BECAUSE DONALD TRUMP
BITS ALL BECAUSE DONALD TRUMP WON’T LET THEM JUST SAY WHAT
WON’T LET THEM JUST SAY WHAT EVERYBODY KNOWS.
EVERYBODY KNOWS. HE DID IT.
HE DID IT. >> THAT’S THE TRUTH.
>> THAT’S THE TRUTH. >> THAT’S THE AMAZEING THING IN
>> THAT’S THE AMAZEING THING IN TERMS OF REPUBLICAN STRATEGY OR
TERMS OF REPUBLICAN STRATEGY OR LACK OF STRATEGY, THEY HAVE ALL
LACK OF STRATEGY, THEY HAVE ALL READ THE DEPOSITION THAT VINDMAN
READ THE DEPOSITION THAT VINDMAN PROVIDED NEARLY THREE WEEKS AGO,
PROVIDED NEARLY THREE WEEKS AGO, TO ALLOW HIM TO SIT THERE RATHER
TO ALLOW HIM TO SIT THERE RATHER THAN SAYING COLONEL VINDMAN,
THAN SAYING COLONEL VINDMAN, NAME, RANK AND SERIAL NUMBER,
NAME, RANK AND SERIAL NUMBER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. DID YOU LISTEN TO THE PHONE CALL
DID YOU LISTEN TO THE PHONE CALL ON THE 25th?
ON THE 25th? YES, I DID, THANK YOU FOR COMING
YES, I DID, THANK YOU FOR COMING AND GET HIM OFF INSTEAD OF
AND GET HIM OFF INSTEAD OF SPENDING HOURS ATTACKING HIM WAS
SPENDING HOURS ATTACKING HIM WAS INCREDIBLE.
INCREDIBLE. >> YEAH, AND BEN WITTIS TALK
>> YEAH, AND BEN WITTIS TALK ABOUT THOSE CLIPS WE JUST
ABOUT THOSE CLIPS WE JUST SHOWED, HOW IT REALLY DID JUST
SHOWED, HOW IT REALLY DID JUST PUSH ASIDE ALL OF THE
PUSH ASIDE ALL OF THE REPUBLICANS’ DEFENSE INCLUDING
REPUBLICANS’ DEFENSE INCLUDING LINDSEY GRAHAM’S VERY CREATIVE
LINDSEY GRAHAM’S VERY CREATIVE INTERPRETATION OF THE HEARSAY
INTERPRETATION OF THE HEARSAY EVIDENCE RULE.
EVIDENCE RULE. AND IF YOU CAN, GIVE US JUST A
AND IF YOU CAN, GIVE US JUST A 30,000 FOOT LOOK DOWN AT THESE
30,000 FOOT LOOK DOWN AT THESE HEARINGS OVER THE PAST TWO
HEARINGS OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS.
WEEKS. WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED? >> RIGHT.
>> RIGHT. SO WHAT WE’VE LEARNED IN THE
SO WHAT WE’VE LEARNED IN THE BROADEST SENSE IS THAT THE WORST
BROADEST SENSE IS THAT THE WORST UNDERSTANDING OF THE PRESIDENT’S
UNDERSTANDING OF THE PRESIDENT’S CONDUCT IS THE MOST ACCURATE,
CONDUCT IS THE MOST ACCURATE, WHICH IS THAT HE CONDITIONED
WHICH IS THAT HE CONDITIONED MILITARY AID AND A WHITE HOUSE
MILITARY AID AND A WHITE HOUSE MEETING FOR THE NEW PRESIDENT OF
MEETING FOR THE NEW PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE ON THE DELIVERY OF
UKRAINE ON THE DELIVERY OF SPECIFIC POLITICAL FAVORS TO
SPECIFIC POLITICAL FAVORS TO HIMSELF, NOT TO THE UNITED
HIMSELF, NOT TO THE UNITED STATES, AND I THINK ALL OF THAT
STATES, AND I THINK ALL OF THAT IS PRETTY UNAMBIGUOUSLY CLEAR AT
IS PRETTY UNAMBIGUOUSLY CLEAR AT THIS POINT.
THIS POINT. WHAT IS MISSING FROM THE PICTURE
WHAT IS MISSING FROM THE PICTURE TO A CERTAIN LIMITED DEGREE IS
TO A CERTAIN LIMITED DEGREE IS HOW MUCH OF THIS WAS DONE BY
HOW MUCH OF THIS WAS DONE BY GORDON SONDLAND AND THE PEOPLE
GORDON SONDLAND AND THE PEOPLE AROUND THE PRESIDENT AND HOW
AROUND THE PRESIDENT AND HOW MUCH OF IT WAS DONE BY THE
MUCH OF IT WAS DONE BY THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF?
PRESIDENT HIMSELF? WE KNOW THAT SOME OF IT WAS DONE
WE KNOW THAT SOME OF IT WAS DONE BY THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF BECAUSE
BY THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF BECAUSE WE HAVE THE TEXT OF THE PHONE
WE HAVE THE TEXT OF THE PHONE CALL WHICH SO UPSET LIEUTENANT
CALL WHICH SO UPSET LIEUTENANT COLONEL VINDMAN, BUT I DO THINK
COLONEL VINDMAN, BUT I DO THINK THAT THIS PUTS A REAL PREMIUM ON
THAT THIS PUTS A REAL PREMIUM ON MR. SONDLAND’S TESTIMONY TODAY
MR. SONDLAND’S TESTIMONY TODAY BECAUSE SONDLAND IS THE PERSON
BECAUSE SONDLAND IS THE PERSON WHO HAS REPEATED CONTACTS WITH
WHO HAS REPEATED CONTACTS WITH THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF OVER THIS
THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF OVER THIS PERIOD AND REPRESENTS HIMSELF
PERIOD AND REPRESENTS HIMSELF INCLUDING TO STATE DEPARTMENT
INCLUDING TO STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS WHO WILL TESTIFY LATER
OFFICIALS WHO WILL TESTIFY LATER IN THE WEEK AS, YOU KNOW, ACTING
IN THE WEEK AS, YOU KNOW, ACTING ON THE PRESIDENT’S BEHALF, AND
ON THE PRESIDENT’S BEHALF, AND SO I THINK THE THING TO WATCH
SO I THINK THE THING TO WATCH FOR TODAY THAT I WILL BE REALLY
FOR TODAY THAT I WILL BE REALLY CURIOUS ABOUT IS TO WHAT EXTENT
CURIOUS ABOUT IS TO WHAT EXTENT AID
AID SONDLAND REVISED PREVIOUS
SONDLAND REVISED PREVIOUS TESTIMONY AGAIN, AND SECONDLY TO
TESTIMONY AGAIN, AND SECONDLY TO WHAT EXTENT ARE DEMOCRATS ABLE
WHAT EXTENT ARE DEMOCRATS ABLE TO GET HIM TO TALK ABOUT HIS
TO GET HIM TO TALK ABOUT HIS CONVERSATIONS WITH THE
CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT, AND TO WHAT EXTENT
PRESIDENT, AND TO WHAT EXTENT WHEN HE CONVEYS THIS INSISTENCE
WHEN HE CONVEYS THIS INSISTENCE ON THE DELIVERABLES THAT ARE
ON THE DELIVERABLES THAT ARE THESE INVESTIGATIONS, TO WHAT
THESE INVESTIGATIONS, TO WHAT EXTENT IS HE CONVEYING SOMETHING
EXTENT IS HE CONVEYING SOMETHING THAT TRUMP HIMSELF DEMANDED
THAT TRUMP HIMSELF DEMANDED CLEARLY, IN OTHER WORDS, DOES HE
CLEARLY, IN OTHER WORDS, DOES HE BRING THIS TO THE DOOR AND THE
BRING THIS TO THE DOOR AND THE CONDUCT SPECIFICALLY OF TRUMP?
CONDUCT SPECIFICALLY OF TRUMP? >> DEAFENVIN NUNES GIVES US A TE
>> DEAFENVIN NUNES GIVES US A TE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE HEARING
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE HEARING ON HOW MUCH HE AND THE
ON HOW MUCH HE AND THE REPUBLICANS HAVE ON THESE
REPUBLICANS HAVE ON THESE WITNESSES.
WITNESSES. YESTERDAY HE TOLD US RIGHT FROM
YESTERDAY HE TOLD US RIGHT FROM THE OUTSET HE HAD NOTHING,
THE OUTSET HE HAD NOTHING, BECAUSE HIS OPENING STATEMENT
BECAUSE HIS OPENING STATEMENT WAS AN ATTACK ON THE MEDIA, IT
WAS AN ATTACK ON THE MEDIA, IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY OF
HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY OF THE EVIDENCE HE KNEW WAS GOING
THE EVIDENCE HE KNEW WAS GOING TO BE PRESENTED.
TO BE PRESENTED. HE WENT INTO CONSPIRACY
HE WENT INTO CONSPIRACY THEORIES.
THEORIES. COLONEL VINDMAN SHOT THOSE DOWN
COLONEL VINDMAN SHOT THOSE DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND THEN HE SPENT
IMMEDIATELY AND THEN HE SPENT THE REST OF HIS TIME TRYING TO
THE REST OF HIS TIME TRYING TO GET COLONEL VINDMAN TO SAY OUT
GET COLONEL VINDMAN TO SAY OUT LOUD THE WHISTLE-BLOWER’S NAME.
LOUD THE WHISTLE-BLOWER’S NAME. CHAIRMAN SCHIFF INTERVENED AND
CHAIRMAN SCHIFF INTERVENED AND WOULDN’T ALLOW THAT LINE OF
WOULDN’T ALLOW THAT LINE OF QUESTIONING.
QUESTIONING. THE ENTIRE ARGUMENT THAT YOU
THE ENTIRE ARGUMENT THAT YOU HEARD FROM THE RANKING MEMBER
HEARD FROM THE RANKING MEMBER YESTERDAY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH
YESTERDAY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE EVIDENCE THAT WAS BEING
THE EVIDENCE THAT WAS BEING PRESENTED.
PRESENTED. >> I GOT TO SAY, I MEAN, I DON’T
>> I GOT TO SAY, I MEAN, I DON’T KNOW IF YOU KNEW IT OR NOT, I
KNOW IF YOU KNEW IT OR NOT, I WAS IN CONGRESS, AND NEWT WAS
WAS IN CONGRESS, AND NEWT WAS THE SPEAKER.
THE SPEAKER. I WOULD SAY IF A REPUBLICAN
I WOULD SAY IF A REPUBLICAN RANKING MEMBER OF THE INTEL
RANKING MEMBER OF THE INTEL COMMITTEE LIKE DID HALF -- EVEN
COMMITTEE LIKE DID HALF -- EVEN THREW ANY CONSPIRACY OUT IN A
THREW ANY CONSPIRACY OUT IN A HEARING LIKE THIS, NEWT WOULD
HEARING LIKE THIS, NEWT WOULD CUT HIM OFF IN A SECOND.
CUT HIM OFF IN A SECOND. ANYBODY WOULD.
ANYBODY WOULD. >> THERE ARE LINES.
>> THERE ARE LINES. >> IT IS STAGGERING THAT NOBODY
>> IT IS STAGGERING THAT NOBODY IS AT HOME.
IS AT HOME. THERE IS NO ADULT, THERE HASN’T
THERE IS NO ADULT, THERE HASN’T BEEN ONE IN A VERY LONG TIME BUT
BEEN ONE IN A VERY LONG TIME BUT IT’S JUST MIND BOGGLING, AND
IT’S JUST MIND BOGGLING, AND DAVID IGNATIUS, THE INTEL
DAVID IGNATIUS, THE INTEL COMMITTEE USED TO BE -- ALONG
COMMITTEE USED TO BE -- ALONG WITH THE ETHICS COMMITTEE, THOSE
WITH THE ETHICS COMMITTEE, THOSE USED TO BE THE TWO COMMITTEES
USED TO BE THE TWO COMMITTEES THAT WERE ABOVE PARTISAN FRAY
THAT WERE ABOVE PARTISAN FRAY AFTER 9/11.
AFTER 9/11. THERE WERE A LOT OF UGLY THINGS
THERE WERE A LOT OF UGLY THINGS THAT HAD TO BE SORTED THROUGH
THAT HAD TO BE SORTED THROUGH AFTER 9/11.
AFTER 9/11. A LOT OF REALLY RANK ROUSERROUS
A LOT OF REALLY RANK ROUSERROUS DEBATES ABOUT HOW WE WERE GOING
DEBATES ABOUT HOW WE WERE GOING TO TRACK DOWN SUSPECTED
TO TRACK DOWN SUSPECTED TERRORISTS AND WHAT WE WERE
TERRORISTS AND WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO ONCE WE CAUGHT THEM.
GOING TO DO ONCE WE CAUGHT THEM. AND YET THERE THEY WERE, THE
AND YET THERE THEY WERE, THE INTEL COMMITTEE, THE GANG OF
INTEL COMMITTEE, THE GANG OF EIGHT, THE WHITE HOUSE.
EIGHT, THE WHITE HOUSE. THEY SAT THERE, THEY WORKED ON
THEY SAT THERE, THEY WORKED ON IT TOGETHER, NANCY PELOSI --
IT TOGETHER, NANCY PELOSI -- FROM NANCY PELOSI TO DICK CHENEY
FROM NANCY PELOSI TO DICK CHENEY TO YOU NAME IT, LIKE EVERYBODY
TO YOU NAME IT, LIKE EVERYBODY SAT THROUGH IT, WORKED TOGETHER,
SAT THROUGH IT, WORKED TOGETHER, AND IT WAS BEYOND REPROACH,
AND IT WAS BEYOND REPROACH, ABOVE POLITICS.
ABOVE POLITICS. >> JOE, THE INTELLIGENCE
>> JOE, THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE IS A
COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE IS A SNAPSHOT OF HOW OUR POLITICS HAS
SNAPSHOT OF HOW OUR POLITICS HAS GOTTEN BROKEN.
GOTTEN BROKEN. THAT COMMITTEE WAS VERY DIVIDED
THAT COMMITTEE WAS VERY DIVIDED ONCE UPON A TIME, AND IT GOT A
ONCE UPON A TIME, AND IT GOT A NEW CHAIRMAN IN REPUBLICAN MIKE
NEW CHAIRMAN IN REPUBLICAN MIKE ROGERS, WHO WE’VE ALL SEEN ON
ROGERS, WHO WE’VE ALL SEEN ON TELEVISION, AND A DEMOCRATIC
TELEVISION, AND A DEMOCRATIC RANKING MEMBER, DUTCH
RANKING MEMBER, DUTCH ROOPERSBURGER, TOUGH OLD
ROOPERSBURGER, TOUGH OLD PROSECUTOR FROM MARYLAND, AND
PROSECUTOR FROM MARYLAND, AND THE TWO OF THEM MADE A DEAL.
THE TWO OF THEM MADE A DEAL. THE DEAL WAS I’VE GOT YOUR BACK.
THE DEAL WAS I’VE GOT YOUR BACK. WE’RE GOING TO PUT THIS
WE’RE GOING TO PUT THIS COMMITTEE BACK TOGETHER, AND
COMMITTEE BACK TOGETHER, AND THAT COMMITTEE WHICH USED TO SEE
THAT COMMITTEE WHICH USED TO SEE INTENSE BITTER FEUDS, COULD
INTENSE BITTER FEUDS, COULD NEVER PASS APPROPRIATIONS OR
NEVER PASS APPROPRIATIONS OR AUTHORIZATION LEGISLATION
AUTHORIZATION LEGISLATION SUDDENLY BEGAN TO WORK.
SUDDENLY BEGAN TO WORK. THAT’S THE COMMITTEE THAT DEVIN
THAT’S THE COMMITTEE THAT DEVIN NONES
NONES NUNES WHEN HE BECAME CHAIRMAN
NUNES WHEN HE BECAME CHAIRMAN BROKE ALL OVER AGAIN.
BROKE ALL OVER AGAIN. WE SEE THE PARTISANSHIP.
WE SEE THE PARTISANSHIP. WE SEE THE BITTERNESS.
WE SEE THE BITTERNESS. IF IT’S NOT PARTISAN ENOUGH
IF IT’S NOT PARTISAN ENOUGH THEY’LL PULL IN JIM JORDAN TO
THEY’LL PULL IN JIM JORDAN TO MAKE IT NASTIER.
MAKE IT NASTIER. IT’S REALLY A TRAGEDY WHEN YOU
IT’S REALLY A TRAGEDY WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHERE IT’S BEEN.
THINK ABOUT WHERE IT’S BEEN. YOU KNOW, THE THING WE HAVE TO
YOU KNOW, THE THING WE HAVE TO HOPE FOR MOST IS THIS
HOPE FOR MOST IS THIS IMPEACHMENT PROCESS WILL BE DONE
IMPEACHMENT PROCESS WILL BE DONE SO CAREFULLY WITH SUCH CLEAR
SO CAREFULLY WITH SUCH CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT PEOPLE CAN
EVIDENCE THAT PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND THAT IT BEGINS TO
UNDERSTAND THAT IT BEGINS TO PULL PEOPLE BACK TOGETHER
PULL PEOPLE BACK TOGETHER TOWARDS THE IDEA, YEAH, THE
TOWARDS THE IDEA, YEAH, THE PRESIDENT DID SOMETHING WRONG
PRESIDENT DID SOMETHING WRONG HERE.
HERE. WE HAVE TO TAKE IT SERIOUSLY.
WE HAVE TO TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. OTHERWISE WE’RE JUST GOING TO
OTHERWISE WE’RE JUST GOING TO KEEP GOING FURTHER TOWARDS THE
KEEP GOING FURTHER TOWARDS THE WATER FALL.
WATER FALL. >> PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE TIME.
>> PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE TIME. IT’S A TIME WE’RE IN, NO, IT’S
IT’S A TIME WE’RE IN, NO, IT’S NOT.
NOT. IT’S LACK OF CHARACTER AMONG
IT’S LACK OF CHARACTER AMONG PEOPLE ON THESE COMMITTEES.
PEOPLE ON THESE COMMITTEES. JUST A LACK OF CHARACTER AND A
JUST A LACK OF CHARACTER AND A LOCK
LOCK LACK OF LOVE OF COUNTRY THAT
LACK OF LOVE OF COUNTRY THAT THEY PUT THEIR POLITICAL PARTY
THEY PUT THEIR POLITICAL PARTY ABOVE THEIR COUNTRY.
ABOVE THEIR COUNTRY. A PERFECT EXHIBIT WHAT HAPPENS
A PERFECT EXHIBIT WHAT HAPPENS IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE.
IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE. GUESS WHAT, CHAIRMAN BURR AND
GUESS WHAT, CHAIRMAN BURR AND THE RANKING MEMBER FROM VIRGINIA
THE RANKING MEMBER FROM VIRGINIA THEY WORK TOGETHER VERY WELL,
THEY WORK TOGETHER VERY WELL, AND COORDINATE THEIR MESSAGES
AND COORDINATE THEIR MESSAGES AND ACTUALLY WHEN THEY TALK IN A
AND ACTUALLY WHEN THEY TALK IN A PRESS CONFERENCE, YOU’RE LIKE
PRESS CONFERENCE, YOU’RE LIKE OH, WAIT A SECOND.
OH, WAIT A SECOND. THEY’RE DOING THE BUSINESS OF
THEY’RE DOING THE BUSINESS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND NOT THEIR OWN POLITICAL PARTY.
NOT THEIR OWN POLITICAL PARTY. >> WOW.
>> WOW. >> IN THE 13 YEARS I’VE WORKED
>> IN THE 13 YEARS I’VE WORKED WITH YOU, I HAVE NEVER HEARD YOU
WITH YOU, I HAVE NEVER HEARD YOU ACCUSE SOMEONE OF NOT LOVING
ACCUSE SOMEONE OF NOT LOVING YOUR COUNTRY.
YOUR COUNTRY. IN FACT, YOU’RE VERY CAREFUL
IN FACT, YOU’RE VERY CAREFUL WITH THOSE WORDS.
WITH THOSE WORDS. >> I THINK I DID, THEY ARE
>> I THINK I DID, THEY ARE ACTING LIKE THEY DON’T LOVE
ACTING LIKE THEY DON’T LOVE THEIR COUNTRY.
THEIR COUNTRY. THEY ARE PUTTING THEIR PARTY
THEY ARE PUTTING THEIR PARTY ABOVE THEIR COUNTRY.
ABOVE THEIR COUNTRY. IT’S PLAINLY OBVIOUS, AND IF YOU
IT’S PLAINLY OBVIOUS, AND IF YOU WANT TO SEE SOMEBODY THAT PUTS
