Senator Chuck Schumer Confirms SCOTUS Ruling by His Dissent

For John, BLUF:  Senator Schumer and his clique, blow hot and cold on the Federal Judiciary, including the US Supreme Court.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Schumer:  ‘Disgraceful’ Trump immunity decision will ‘weaken’ democracy

From The Hill, by Reporter Alexander Bolton, 1 Jult 2024, 12:43 PM ET.

Here is the lede plus three:

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) slammed the Supreme Court’s “disgraceful” decision Monday to shield former President Trump’s official acts from prosecution, which will delay his trial on Jan. 6-related charges.

Schumer warned the 6-3 decision “enables the former President to weaken our democracy by breaking the law.”

“This is a sad day for America and a sad day for our democracy. The very basis of our judicial system is that no one is above the law. Treason or incitement of insurrection should not be considered a core constitutional power afforded to a president,” he said.

Schumer also warned that the Supreme Court has undermined its credibility, echoing the criticisms of other Senate Democrats who have accused conservative justices on the court of becoming partisan players.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumr (D-NY) has a history of opposing rulings of the US Supreme Court, even threatennig Justices..

I use Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer as a sort of bellweather.  If he is against it, it must be good.

I wonder if Senator Schumer has even read the US Supreme Court decision, TRUMP v. UNITED STATES, which is 111 pages, with dissents.  The decision itself, written by Chief Justice John Robers, is 43 pages.

Probably not.  Too much work.

Regards  —  Cliff

Reading The Supreme Court

For John, BLUF:  Once in a while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer lets his mouth get ahead of his brain.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Huh? Chuck Schumer Slams ‘MAGA Supreme Court’ After A Unanimous Decision

From The Daily Wire, by Tim Meads, 27 May 2023.

Here is the lede plus five:

Democrats attempt to smear anybody who goes against their agenda as a “MAGA” extremist — even if those individuals are liberal members of the United States Supreme Court.

For example, this week, the Supreme Court released a unanimous 9 – 0 decision against the Environmental Protection Agency and the Biden administration, thereby drastically cutting back the federal government’s overreach. So, what did Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) do? Well, he threw them all under the bus with a warning to Americans.

“This MAGA Supreme Court is continuing to erode our country’s environmental laws,” Schumer tweeted. “Make no mistake—this ruling will mean more polluted water, and more destruction of wetlands. We’ll keep fighting to protect our waters.”

This MAGA Supreme Court is continuing to erode our country’s environmental laws.

Make no mistake—this ruling will mean more polluted water, and more destruction of wetlands.

We’ll keep fighting to protect our waters. https://t.co/wlp1LTvZJB

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 25, 2023

How do we read this?  Is Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D,Y) saying that President Biden's nominated Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, approved by Mr Schumer's Democrat controlled Senate, is really a secret Trump Supporter and MAGA Republican?  This is squarely on Mr Schumer.

Or does this mean that Mr Schumer is especially bad at Math?

Or does it mean MAGA is the new universal word for evil?  As in all the Supreme Court Justices were evil to constrain the EPA, and thus are MAGA?

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

Divided on Illegal Immigration

For John, BLUF:  There are at least ten US States with a population less than the number of illegal immigrants coming over the Southern Border in the last 12 months.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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No, Thanks: Schumer Wants Amnesty For ’11 Million Or However Many’ Illegal Aliens Are In The U.S.

From The Daily Wire, by Reporter Tim Meads, 16 November 2022.

Here is the money quote:

“Now more than ever, we’re short of workers. Uh, we have a population that is not reproducing on its own with the same level that it used to. The only way that we’re gonna have a great future in America is if we welcome and embrace immigrants -- the DREAMers and all of them. ‘Cause our ultimate goal is to help the DREAMers, but get a path to citizenship for all 11 million or however many undocumented there are here.”

Senate Majooority Leader Chuck Schumer

Based on this quoote, I don't see the next Congress coming to a solution to the immigration issue,  However, I an thinking that, at some point, the Democrats will figure out that immigrants are not a long term stream of Democratic Party voters.

Exit Question:  Why, in my web search, did the first dozen responses all come from non-standard media sites,  No big name newspaper or TV Network.

Hat tip to a friend down in Orlando.

Regards  —  Cliff

AOC on the Hunt

For John, BLUF:  I believe we should be respectful of our elected leaders.  After all, we voted them in to office.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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The Morning Briefing: AOC Stomps Her Foot and Reminds Everyone That She's Still America's Dumbest Bartender

From PJ Media, by Columnist Stephen Kruiser, 4 February 2022, 8:15 AM ET.

Here is the lede plus five:

Happy Friday, Dear Kruiser Morning Briefing friends. Best of health wishes to everyone who is old enough to remember when the History Channel aired programs about history.

Thus far, February hasn’t given us much indication that 2022 might not be an idiot.

While we’re on the subject of idiots, we should note that America’s Dumbest Bartender is competing for gold in the “Biggest Mouth That Never Shuts” in this year’s ChiCom Olympics.

Robert has the story:

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Lubyanka) is furious with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Arizona) for daring to stand against the far-Left’s plans for socialism and election-rigging, and she is demanding that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-Sinister) take action, and take action now. She wants him to “make their lives as difficult as possible.” This is the kind of rhetoric that destroys free republics, and AOC should be remembered for it.

I have no problem referring to Little Miss in terms that some might feel are patriarchal and sexist.  She’s a commie, so I can be as awful as I want.

I don't really think she is a Commie.  I might agree that she has trouble completing jigsaw puzzles.  Incidentally, "Lubyanka" appears to reference the tallest building in Moscow, the Luzbyanka Prison.  From there you can see all the way to Siberia.

As for AOC trash talking Senator Chuck Schumer (D NY), there is word on the street that she intends to challenge him for his Senate Seat.  He is a Class 3 Senator and thus up for reelection in 2022.

The US Senate is where a lot of talented people go to while away their time and never be heard from again.  Maybe it will happen to AOC.  A win-win for New York and the Nation,

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

Filibuster For Me, But Not For Three

For John, BLUF:  The historically favored tool of Democrats was challenged by Democrat Senate Leader Harry Reid, but yet often used, and now, to pass a specific piece of legislation is being pushed for elimination.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Dems block Cruz's Nord Stream 2 sanctions bill

From The Hill, by Reporters Jordain Carney and Laura Kelly, 13 January 2022, 05:51 PM EST.

Here is the lede plus two:

Senate Democrats on Thursday blocked legislation from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to slap sanctions on businesses tied to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a win for the Biden administration, which believes such sanctions could damage relations with Germany.

Senators voted 55-44 on Cruz’s legislation, falling short of the 60 votes needed for it to pass. Democratic Sens. Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), Maggie Hassan (N.H.), Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Jacky Rosen (Nev.) and Raphael Warnock (Ga.) joined every Republican save Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) in voting for the bill.

The vote on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which will carry gas from Russia to Germany, comes at a delicate moment for White House as it navigates renewed tensions with Moscow over its buildup of troops on the border with Ukraine.

I too disagree with Senator Ted Cruz's bill for sanctions on companies assisting in building the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.  However, I am shocked, shocked to find that the Democrats used the dreaded, anti-democratic filibuster.  They just reached into the tool box, without looking, and pulled out the first item their hand fell on.

The Democratic Leadership on Capitol Hill is nothing if it is not dishonest and duplicitious.

Your job, and mine, between now and 8 November is to challenge all Candidates for Congress, Representatives and Senators (none in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts), as to how they stand on the filibuster and its uses and abuses.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

"Bird Dogging" the Boston Marathon

For John, BLUF:  This is about Democrat Rennaissance Woman Krysten Sinema, Senator, College Prof, Marathoner, and the shrill way the Democratic Party is going about trying to force her to conform to the desires of President Joe Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Far-left activists plan to ‘bird-dog’ Sinema during Boston Marathon over opposition to Biden spending plan

From The Washington Examiner, by Reporter Kate Scanlon, 11 October 2021, 11:07 AM.

Here is the lede plus three:

Completing a marathon is hard enough.  Sen. Kyrsten Sinema will also have to grapple with a group of far-left activists hounding her on Monday at the Boston Marathon.

It's not clear whether the Arizona Democrat will be competing or watching the race.  Sinema, known as a passionate athlete, qualified for the Boston Marathon but broke her foot at a different marathon earlier this year.  A spokesperson for her office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the nature of her participation in Monday’s event.

Either way, activists from the Green New Deal Network plan to confront Sinema over her objections to President Joe Biden’s proposed $3.5 trillion social spending package.

According to the Boston Globe, the Green New Deal Network, a coalition of 15 national organizations, said its activists plan on “bird-dogging” Sinema, a protesting tactic in which activists confront a politician at an unexpected time or place.  They're mad at her objections to the size of the spending bill, which has yet to be written.  Activists plan to confront her with signs reading, “Senator Sinema:  Pass the Full Deal,” “Senator Sinema:  Stop Running.  Start Listening,” and “Senator Sinema:  Stop Running From Us.”

The Boston Marathon was an iconic event, but is now being reduced to another political stage.

is there no neutral ground where we can meet and enjoy ourselves?  Is there no gathering where the enjoyment of friends and family is allowed a few hours of joy?  Frankly, this seems more like driving the opposition from the field than reasoned discourse.  It is about power, as in Europe, after WWI, and we know how that turned out.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

Court Packing

For John, BLUF:  Court Packing was a thing in the late 1930s, when President Franklin D Roosevelt felt that he was losing momentum in his efforts to lead the United States out of the Great Depression.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Turley:  Supreme Court May Be Sending a Stealth Message to Democrats

From PJ Media, by Mr Matt Margolis, 1 June 2021, 12:00 PM ET.

Here is the lede plus four:

Legal analyst Jonathan Turley thinks the United States Supreme Court is sending a message to the Democrats about their not-so-secret plans to pack the court—and I think his theory has merit.

Turley believes that four recent unanimous decisions by the Court are a message to the Democratic majority that the Supreme Court is “not so rigidly ideological as Democratic members and activists suggest.”

In the Garland case, the court ruled (again) unanimously to reverse the Ninth Circuit in an opinion written by Justice Neil Gorsuch on the rule in immigration disputes regarding the credibility of noncitizens’ testimony.  cannot be reconciled with the terms of the Immigration and Nationality Act.  In Cooley, the Court unanimously ruled in an opinion by Justice Stephen Breyer that a tribal police officer has authority to detain temporarily and to search a non-Native American traveling on a public right-of-way running through a reservation.

Last week, there were two unanimous opinions making this six 9-0 rulings in two weeks.  Justice Sotomayor wrote the opinion in United States v. Palomar-Santiago, an immigration decision that ruled for the government and against an immigrant.  It also ruled unanimously in Territory of Guam v. United States, in an opinion written by Justice Clarence Thomas.  The Court ruled in favor of Guam on the collection of funding from the U.S. government to remediate environmental pollution on the island.

Turley also notes that a number of current and former justices, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg, have publicly warned against packing the court.  “If anything would make the court look partisan, it would be that—one side saying, ‘When we’re in power, we’re going to enlarge the number of judges, so we would have more people who would vote the way we want them to,’” RBG said shortly before she died.

A resort to court packing is a sign that we don't have a concensus on how to go forward politically.  It says that one or more parties has lost faith in the eventual proper outcome on issues.

Court packing is a sign of tough times and an unwillingnesss to try and compromise as we all go forward.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

A Peek Back at Impeachment 2.0

For John, BLUF:  It is embarrassing to say, but the House Impeachment managers were not interested in fairness.  They were interested in conviction, and failing that, mud.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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A Swamp Tale:  The Bizarre Final Hours of ‘Impeachment Fail 2.0’

Here is the sub-headline:

Behind the scenes at the swamp’s latest show trial (with special scorn reserved for Senator Bill Cassidy).

h From American Greatness, by Mr Brian Trascher, 3 March 2021.

Here is the lede plus five:

I have to admit I didn’t watch most of Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial.  The article of impeachment from the House was hastily and carelessly drafted and contained so many flaws and self-inflicted wounds that it would have been dismissed nolle prosequi in any courtroom in America.  It certainly had no chance in the evenly divided U.S. Senate to achieve anywhere close to the required two-thirds vote needed to convict.  It was all just WrestleMania with old, out-of-shape wrestlers.

But the dog woke me up early that final Saturday morning of the “trial,” and since nothing else was on TV I decided to tune into the latest episode of kangaroo court.  When the closing arguments started, the news alerts began popping up that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) had informed his caucus he intended to vote to acquit President Trump since he felt the Senate had no jurisdiction over a private citizen.  Ironically, it was McConnell himself who decided that the trial would not start until after the “inauguration,” but whatever.

Now, anybody who knows Mitch McConnell knows that when he announces how he intends to vote on a big issue, he’s essentially telling his GOP colleagues how he expects them to vote.  He knew that there would be a few defectors, and maybe even a surprise, last-minute turncoat, but he was basically instructing the conservative wing of his caucus to remain on the reservation.  Nevertheless, this announcement set off a chain of events that threw the entire Senate into chaos for a solid hour.

Desperately Fending Off Acquittal

When House impeachment manager Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) heard the news about McConnell’s forthcoming acquittal vote, he knew all hope was lost.  Raskin knew that if his sheepish performance had failed to convince the GOP leader, then he had no prayer of getting to the magic number of 17 Republican votes to convict Trump.  It was over.  But in a last-ditch, delusional attempt to throw a Hail Mary, Raskin made an ill-advised motion to call as a witness U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.).

The previous night, Herrera Beutler had tweeted a double-hearsay statement regarding a phone call that allegedly took place between House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and President Trump during the January 6 Capitol invasion.  Even though McCarthy disputed the details of the call as Herrera Beutler described them, Raskin decided it was a last-minute necessity to call her as a material witness despite an already adopted resolution excluding witness testimony.  Raskin wanted to deny Trump’s lawyers the opportunity to call witnesses, something that also would not be allowed in a real court.

From this story I give credit to current Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer.  He showed insight and the ability to cut a deal.  Kudos to him.

And thanks to those Republican Senators who voted not guilty.  Having done that, perhaps we will now find out what really happened.  Alterntively, we could just move on.  Putting the 2020 Election behind us, but with the hope of fixing our state election procedures.  Assuming the Speaker doesn't provoke an Insurrection today, as we March Forth

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

It Isn't Over

For John, BLUF:  We have a Senate vote that acquits Citizen Donald J Trump of the charges under which the US House of Representatives Impeached him.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Senate Votes to Acquit Trump in Impeachment

From PJ Media, by Reporter Tyler O'Neil, 13 February 2021 3:54 PM ET.

Here is the lede:

On Saturday, the U.S. Senate voted to acquit former President Donald Trump of high crimes and misdemeanors, specifically of “incitement of insurrection.”

And here is part of Citizen Trump's responsae to the news:

“Our cherished Constitutional Republic was founded on the impartial rule of law, the indispensable safeguard for our liberties, our rights and our freedoms,” Trump added.  “It is a sad commentary on our times that one political party in America is given a free pass to denigrate the rule of law, defame law enforcement, cheer mobs, excuse rioters, and transform justice into a tool of political vengeance, and persecute, blacklist, cancel and suppress all people and viewpoints with whom or which they disagree.”

“I always have, and always will, be a champion for the unwavering rule of law, the heroes of law enforcement, and the right of Americans to peacefully and honorably debate the issues of the day without malice and without hate,” the former president added.

Do you think this is over?  Heck, when the Lord Protector, Oliver Cromwell, died in 1659, and was buried, it wasn't over.♠  In 1661 the new government dug up his body and "executed" him and then put his skull on a spike outside of Parliament.  Until circa 1685.

Yes, we need some reconcilliation, but it will require a little give from each of the sides.  When will that happen?  Not this weekend.  Senate Majorit Leader Schumer described the 43 Republican Senators voting against Impeachment as having "voted to 'condone' the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021".

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  For perspective, we are talking 39 years after the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock.  Seems like just yesterday.

Fortress Washington

For John, BLUF:  i can remember when Pennsylvania Avenue, in front of the White House, was closed to vehicular traffic, on a temporary basis.  Now it appears permanen.  I hope the fencing around Capitol Hill does not become permanent.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Demands Intensify for Security Fence Around Capitol to Come Down

From The Epoch Times, by Writer Mark Tapscott, 19 February 2021.

Here is the lede plus three:

Forty-one House Republicans want Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to take down the razor-wire-topped steel barrier surrounding the U.S. Capitol complex and send the troops manning it home as soon as possible.

“We write with concerns about the security measures and enhanced fencing around the U.S. Capitol even though high-profile events like the inauguration are over,” the group said in a Feb. 5 letter to Pelosi.

“In particular, we are concerned with recent reports that the fencing surrounding the Capitol may become permanent.  We are willing to have an honest debate about providing Capitol Hill Police (CHP) with the resources they need to be better prepared without turning the Capitol into a permanent fortress.

“To that end, we urge you to remove the barbed wire fencing surrounding the Capitol and send the National Guard troops home to their families.  It’s time.  It’s time for healing and it’s time for the removal of the fencing so the nation may move forward.”

It is interesting that we, the Citizens, have not yet been told about the specific threat or threats justifying the fencing and the retention of the Nation Guard.  We were warned about threats to all the State Capitols on Inauguration Day.  However, nothing happened.

Perhaps the leadership on Capitol Hill, all Democrat, thinks the Impeachment Trial will bring out the worst.  Maybe they are hoping, as a sort of reverse time justification for the trial.

Regardless, it is time to "tear down this wall!"

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

You Will Be Punished

For John, BLUF:  The whole Impeachment Trial of Citizen Donald Trump is a farce, but there are tens of millions who take it seriously.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Democrats to impeach all 75 million Americans who voted for Trump

From Genesius Times, by Reporter Rafi Metz, 9 February 2021.

Here is the lede plus one:

In a stunning and unprecedented move, Senate Democrats have subjected all 75 million Americans who voted for Trump to the Senate’s impeachment trial.

“If we can put a former president who’s now a private citizen on trial, we can put anyone on trial,” Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.  “It’s not only Trump we’re after, but all of his voters as well who enabled his reckless behavior of abiding by the Constitution for this long.  They too must suffer the consequences of his actions.  I’m confident we’ll end up convicting Trump and the 75 million Americans who voted for him, disqualifying all of them from ever holding federal office again.”

I think this article is in error.  I think 75 million is too high.  President Trump only garnered 74 million votes.  Thus, there are near one million Citizens who will be spared, but that still means 74 million plus vters will be convicted and denied their political rights.  Sort of like those who swore allegience to the Confederacy, but without a means of recovery.

The photo of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is priceless.

I wonder if Snopes has evaluated this?

Regards  —  Cliff

Cynical Use of Power

For John, BLUF:  This is a flashback to when then Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer threatened the members of the US Supreme Court, less than a year ago.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Schumer tells justices they will 'pay the price' in angry rebuke

From CNN, a Flashback to Early 2020.

Here is the lede:

Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, speaking at a rally of abortion rights supporters, appeared to threaten Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch, President Donald Trump's two Supreme Court nominees who were confirmed after bruising nomination fights.

I think that Senator Chuck Schumer has memory problems.  He can't remember when he threated the members of the US Supreme Court.  Worse than President Trump threated the US Congress on 6 January 2021.  Or, he is just another NYC hypocrite.  Things were better before 2000, when Senator Schumer and Senator Clinton were elected.  People like Senators Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Al D'Amato, James L Buckley, Robert F Kennedy, Jacob Javits, John Foster Dulles, Robert F Wagner and Elihu Root.

We are not seeing leadership from our Senate Majority Leader, Charles Schumer.  We are seeing naked cynicism.  I hope that Senator Schumer experiences some sort of a change of heart, and expresses that.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

Whither the Impeachment Trial?

For John, BLUF:  The [Second] Impeachment Trial of Citizen Donald J Trump begins in the US Senate on 9 February 2021.  At least the Super Bowl will be over.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Democrats Are Laying a Trap with Trump’s Impeachment Trial

Here is the sub-headline:

Beware: Those arguing the Dems are making a miscalculation have got it all wrong.

From National Review, by Commentator Andrew C McCarthy, 27 January 2021, 11:12 AM.

Here is the heart of the argument:

To summarize, Republicans are trying to signal that Democrats should just drop the whole thing.  The votes are not there; ergo, it’s a waste of time.  All it will do is raise Trump’s profile, give him a platform to air his grievances, and launch his political revival. Who wants that?

The Democrats want that.

Despite President Biden’s pretensions about bringing our nation together, Democrats want to impeach Trump because it will be divisive, not despite its divisiveness.  They are banking on his being acquitted and politically revived, not underestimating that possibility.  They want him to run for office again, not banish him.

Yes, the former president’s impeachment trial will be divisive for the country, but not in a way that troubles the Democrats.  Rather, it will unite the Left while intensifying the Right’s internecine conflict.

With Republicans having agreed to delay the trial proceedings for a couple of weeks, impeachment will be a boon for the fledgling Biden administration.  The new president will get his major appointees confirmed and installed in the various executive departments and agencies.  Meantime, Biden will get a double windfall.

For sure, it is all about Former President Trump, and how you read him.  The Democrats read him as a destructive and self-destructive force.  The Senate elections in Georgia may, to them, bear out this view.  On the other hand, Former President Trump has a Fingerspitzengefühl sense of the "Tea Party" folks out across the Fruited Plain.

I think much will depend on if Former President Trump is able to put 2020 behind him and focus on 2022 and 2024.  If he can, he could be formidable on the hustings.  And his "martyrdom" at the hands of the Democrats in Congress will only add to his luster.

On the other hand, if it all goes as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hopes, then Mr Trump will be finished in politics, to the great relief of the Democrats.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

SCOTUS Turns Its Back

For John, BLUF:  I am sure that Democrats will criticize Chief Justice John Roberts for stepping away from this second Impeachment Trial, especially if things go sideways.  Howver, the Chief Justice has made the wise choice.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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An Impeachment So Fake, John Roberts Refuses to Participate

Here is the sub-headline:

The economy is imploding, the coronavirus is raging, the terrorists in Black Lives Matter and Antifa are still terrorizing Democrat-run cities, and what’s the Democrat-run U.S. Senate gearing up to do, and do with His Fraudulency Joe Biden’s approval…?

Ferom Breitbart, by Editor John Nolte, 28 January 2021.

Here is the lede plus four:

Impeach … a private citizen.

If you thought that first impeachment of President Trump was fake, these lunatics now want to impeach and convict Trump as a private citizen — a farce so absurd, so ridiculous, and such a piece of failed political theater, even establishment toady John Roberts, the chief justice of the Supreme Court, refuses to participate.

Roberts is refusing for a very good reason…

The impeachment process is about removing the president.

Donald Trump is not the president.

In place of Chief Justice John Roberts, the Senate Democrats have picked Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) to preside.  Senator Leahy is a decent human being.  Chairing this fraud is not going to be good for him or his reputation.  Whatever he does will be decried as wrong, from one side or the other.

But, Speaker Pelosi insists.

Yes, the use of "His Fraudulency" as a title for President Biden seems a little over the top.  We should not emulate the Democrats from the last four years.  We should grant legitimacy and hope that President Biden makes moves that make America better.

Hat tip to my Wife.

Regards  —  Cliff

Supreme Court Acknowledges Donald J Trump Has Stepped Down

For John, BLUF:  This is about the Constitution's Emoluments Clause (Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 ).  I think that deep down inside the Democrafts are concerned that Donald and Melania named their Son Barron.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Supreme Court Dismisses Emoluments Cases Against Trump Brought By Rabid Democrats

From The Gateway Pundit, by Reporter Cristina Laila, 25 January 2021, 1:36pm.

Here is the lede plus two:

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed emoluments clause lawsuits against Donald Trump.

In an order that was issued with no dissent, the highest court of the land instructed lower courts to toss out opinions against Trump since he is no longer in office.

For years Trump endured judicial harassment after rabid Democrats lawmakers and attorneys general of DC and Maryland sued him over 3 years ago because foreign government officials stayed at Trump’s DC hotel.

It is Gateway Pundit, which explains the over-the-top reporting.

Funnily enough one might have thought the First Branch would take this as a hint, and drop the Trial for the Second Impeachment.  Alas, no.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

Who Presides?

For John, BLUF:  The US Senate can't seem to entice the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to preside over their trial of Donal J Trump, Citizen.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Did Chief Justice John Roberts decline to preside over the Senate trial of the Trump impeachment?

Here is the sub-headline:

I'm trying to understand "John Roberts ducks the spotlight by skipping the second Trump impeachment trial" by Joan Biskupic (CNN).

From The Althouse Blog, by Professor Ann Althouse, 25 January 2021.

Here is the lede plus two:

Ducks by skipping?!!  That's a daffy way to put it.  I think it means John Roberts arrived at the view that there was no occasion for the Chief Justice to preside, and therefore he has a duty to refrain from participating.  That's not ducking and it's not skipping.  When he presides, it's because he must, and when he refrains, it's because he must.  It's based on an interpretation of law.

But I can't tell, reading this article, if he was asked to preside and communicated a refusal, or if Senate Democrats decided that the Constitution, Article I, Section 3, does not provide for a role for the Chief Justice.

The article says "Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat and the president pro tempore of the chamber, will preside for Trump's second impeachment trial."  So, it seems a decision has been made, but did Roberts participate?  Did the Senate Democrats want him, or are they, on their own, taking the opportunity to exclude him?

Professor Althouse is not having any of the wishy-washy thinking about the Impeachment Trial, and ends:

I understand why Trump opponents want to proceed against him anyway, but I don't think it will go very well for them.  Trump is out of office.  Leave him alone.

I agree with the Professor.  This has high potential for going sideways on the Democratic Party Leadership.

At least is is not a Star Chamber.

Hat tip to Ann Althouse.

Regards  —  Cliff

Should the Senate Have a Trial?

For John, BLUF:  We can't put the Trump Administration behind us if we don't put the Trump Administration behind us.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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RAND PAUL:  If Mitch McConnell Impeaches Trump, One Third Of Republicans Will Leave The Party

Here is the sub-headline:

"If you're going to ostracize and excommunicate President Trump from the party, then guess what, millions of his fans will leave as well."

From National File, by Reporter Tom Pappert, 17 January 2021.

Here is the lede plus three:

Speaking on Fox News’ Ingraham Angle on Friday, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul said he believes that if Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Senate Republicans join the Democrats to impeach President Donald Trump, a third of Republican voters will permanently abandon the party as a result.

Speaking first about the Democrats’ aims for impeachment, Paul expressed incredulity.  “I don’t understand how they can be moving forward with this,” he said, before adding “The thing they’re doing now is an overreaction, and if they think they’re going to have a positive feeling from the public, when they’re going to go through a partisan impeachment again, I think that’s absolutely insane and wrong headed.”

Ingraham then asked Paul if he was surprised that McConnell is reportedly planning to instruct Republicans to vote to convict President Trump after he leaves the presidency, in a move that could strip him of his security and prevent him from running for office in 2024.

“I don’t often get asked my advice from leadership on how they should react, but my unsolicited suggestion would be this:  They will destroy the Republican Party if leadership is complicit in impeachment, or if leadership votes for impeachment, they will destroy the party.”

That seems pretty clear.  And i think it is pretty insightful.  Could it be that Senator Mitch McConnell is not a long game player?  A Senate trial, and especially a Senate Conviction, would have a major impact on the Republican Party and it could lead to President Trump forming his own party, which would attract millions of followers.

Perhaps SpeaKer Nancy "Ahab" Pelosi will spare the leader of the Republican Senatorial Caucus by not forwarding the article, being satisfied with having stained the President a second time with Impeachment.

Me neither.

However, on Thursday it will really be up to Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and the Vice President, Kamala Harris.  Which way will they lead?  To a trial or to reconciliation?

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

The Future of the US Supreme Court

For John, BLUF:  More on messing with thew structure and orientation of the US Supreme Court.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Harvard lawprof Noah Feldman answers no to the question "Does the Supreme Court really need reform?"

From Althouse, by Retired Law Professor Ann Althouse, 25 October 2020.

Here is the lede, a para from Bloomberg:

"It’s worth remembering that the undoubtedly conservative Supreme Court that has existed over the last 30 years give us [sic] gay rights, gay marriage, and now statutory protection for the rights of trans people.  The same court has chipped away at affirmative action, but has not (yet) eliminated it.  Ditto for abortion rights.  Yes, it eviscerated the Voting Rights Act, but in a way Congress could repair if it so chose.  In fact, in the almost 90 years since Franklin Delano Roosevelt became president, the Supreme Court has been better for liberals than for conservatives.  That could change, to be sure.  But Democrats need to think hard about the dangers of changing a Supreme Court that has, in many instances, advanced the causes of equality and justice even when most of its members were self-described conservatives appointed by Republicans."

This is about the nomination and expected confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the US Supreme Court, to replace the recently passed Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.  Professor Althouse does a good job of quickly reinforcing the points made by Harvard Professor Noah Feldman.

Hat tip to Ann Althouse.

Regards  —  Cliff

The Real Reason

For John, BLUF:  Maybe not the sole reason, but an important reason the "system" went after Lieutenant General Michael Flynn.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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The Real Reason for Flynn's First Firing

From PJ Media, by Mr Jim Fanell, 11 May 2020.

Here is the lede plus two:

The Department of Justice has requested, with prejudice, to withdraw the case former Obama administration officials built against retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn.  Americans now need to investigate why outgoing President Obama told incoming President Trump that after Kim Jong-un, the only other issue he had to worry about was General Flynn.  The answers will lead us to intelligence reform.

We don’t have a fully coherent explanation in the public discussion for why Director Comey’s FBI targeted General Flynn in a perjury trap.  The dominant media narrative asserts attacking General Flynn was a stepping-stone to weakening President Trump’s administration by targeting his appointed officials.  However, the Washington establishment’s fear and animus toward Mr. Trump only partially explains the FBI’s extraordinarily corrupt conspiracy targeting and trapping the retired war veteran general.

There’s more. The U.S. Intelligence Community (USIC), of which the FBI is a member, deeply feared General Flynn because of his attempted reforms as director of the underperforming Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), which for $22 billion dollars per year was not able to recognize Islamic terrorism, assess the People’s Republic of China (PRC) being engaged in expansionism, or warn of other threats to the United States, even as those issues were discussed in newspapers around the world.

It seems the US Intelligence Community is not the benign group one would expect it to be in a democracy.  Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, back in early January 2017a, before the Trump Inauguration, told MSNBC Host Rachel Maddow, "Let me tell you: You take on the intelligence community — they have six ways from Sunday at getting back at you".

One would think that both Senator Schumer and Ms Maddow would have been alarmed by that thought.  Apparently not.  At the time I thought it was just senator Schumer talking like he was from New York City.  Now I am not so sure, and I am alarmed.  The fact is, if they can do it to President Trump they can do it to anybody, of any party.  The is not Democracy.  It is more like Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI), or, before the rise of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Turkish General Staff.  Recall that when there was some question of who would be the new Turkish Prime Minister, in 1993, the head of the Turkish General Staff paid a visit to Ms Tansu Çiller, signaling her acceptability to the Turkish General Staff, the protector of the Constitution.

Frankly, the idea that the Intelligence Community in the United States might put its thumb on the scale of Presidential Election should be anathema to all believers in Democracy.  The fact that Senator Schumer or Journalist Rachel Maddow accepts this idea with equanimity should be additionally disturbing to us all.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

Clueless in the Senate

For John, BLUF:  Senator Chris Murphy, Democrat from Connecticut, has an ambiguous relationship with the truth.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Sen. Chris Murphy Exonerates China from Blame for COVID-19

From Town Hall, by Reporter Reagan McCarthy, 15 April 2020.

Here is the lede plus one:

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) followed the trend set by fellow Democrats of exonerating China and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of any fault for the spread of COVID-19.  In an appearance with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Sen. Murphy deems China innocent:

Go to the Link for the quote.

Is this the Senator from Connecticut who lied about his service in Southeast Asia (DaNang in particular)?

This seems standard for Senator Murphy.  Don't you think the Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer, would be embarrassed by this kind of thing?.

How can we expect Senator Murphy to make informed decisions in others areas related to COVID-19?

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff