The Daily Blow by Blow Impeachment Hearings and Trial of Donald Trump

[schuylaar]

Lev sure is eager to rat out everybody in sight as fast as he can! It looks like he has evidence that directly impacts on the impeachment trial of Trump too....
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Lev Parnas Pushes to Share His Info With House Intel
READY TO SPILL
The ex-Giuliani associate asked for permission to send the contents of an iPhone to Hill investigators.

Lev Parnas Pushes to Share His Info With House Intel

The ex-Giuliani associate asked for permission to send the contents of an iPhone to Hill investigators.

www.thedailybeast.com

Lev Parnas, a former Rudy Giuliani associate charged with financial crimes, is looking to share more material with congressional investigators, according to a letter his lawyer has sent to a federal judge. The letter, filed in court on Monday evening, indicates that the committee first tasked with helming the impeachment inquiry is gathering additional evidence about Trump World.

In the letter, Parnas’ lawyer Joseph Bondy said the Justice Department will share materials with his client on Tuesday that it seized from his home and at his arrest. The materials include documents and the contents of an iPhone. Bondy then asked Judge Paul Oetken of the Southern District of New York to allow him to share those materials with the House Intelligence Committee; a court order currently bars him from sharing them with anyone. The Justice Department has said it does not object to him giving the material to Congress.


“Review of these materials is essential to the Committee’s ability to corroborate the strength of Mr. Parnas’ potential testimony,” Bondy wrote.

The potential new document dump comes as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi deliberates on when to send the House’s articles of impeachment to the Senate. The House voted largely along party lines to pass two articles of impeachment on President Donald Trump earlier this month. The next step, which Pelosi has not yet taken, is to send the articles to the upper chamber for trial.

Trump’s relationship with Ukraine—in particular through his intermediary and personal lawyer Giuliani—is at the center of the impeachment process. Parnas had a front-row seat to much of Giuliani’s Ukraine-related activity.

Federal authorities arrested Parnas and his associate Igor Fruman at Dulles Airport in October and charged them with conspiring to illegally funnel money from a foreign national into an American election. For many months before their arrest, the two worked with Giuliani to investigate allegations about former Vice President Joe Biden’s son Hunter, who served for a time on the board of a scandal-dogged Ukrainian energy company. At the same time, the trio pushed for the ouster of U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch from her post as the top U.S. diplomat in Kyiv. Their efforts succeeded, and Trump removed her from the job in May.

Two months after removing Yovanovitch, Trump had the now-infamous phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in which he asked the newly elected leader to work with Giuliani to scrutinize the Biden-linked company, as well as allegations about Ukrainian meddling in the 2016 election. Trump’s former top Russia official, Fiona Hill, said the Kremlin is pushing those allegations as part of a disinformation campaign designed to harm Ukraine.

Parnas and Fruman, both Soviet-born U.S. citizens, made hefty political contributions through an entity they started called Global Energy Partners. And they built connections on Capitol Hill; after then-Rep. Pete Sessions sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling for Yovanovitch’s removal, a PAC the pair supported shelled out a huge sum to boost his re-election bid. Sessions’ name was also batted around within the Trump administration as a potential replacement for Yovanovitch, though any efforts to install him there didn’t get traction.

Parnas and Fruman have both pleaded not guilty. And Parnas indicated he would cooperate with the congressional impeachment inquiry. Because of his close proximity to Giuliani, he may have significant visibility into Giuliani’s actions that other witnesses lack. For instance, a senior Zelensky aide confirmed to The Daily Beast that Parnas was present for a meeting he had with Giuliani where they discussed the U.S.-Ukraine relationship.

Parnas’ lawyer also said the Floridian worked to help Rep. Devin Nunes’ team with its investigative work. Phone records released later by impeachment investigators indicated there was communication between Parnas and Nunes himself, though Nunes has said he doesn’t remember talking with the Giuliani pal.

some enjoy their freedoms and come from places where it's questionable..he's no fool and isn't going to jail for Trump*..no worries though, Trump* says he doesn't even know the guy!

*it's pretty sad we still have to keep putting 'impeached'.

 

[Moldy]

Here's another pedo going down that sucks orange anus. Not relevant to the current discussion but oh well.

Convicted pedophile and ‘globe-trotting fixer’ tied to top Trump advisors pleads guilty to child sex crimes

A lobbyist and convicted pedophile tied to current and past top-level Trump White House aides and transition team members has pleaded guilty to child sex crimes. George Nader, whose testimony was cited dozens of times in the Mueller Report, is expected to be sentenced to the mandatory minimum of...

www.rawstory.com

 

[Unclebaldrick]

Here's another pedo going down that sucks orange anus. Not relevant to the current discussion but oh well.

Convicted pedophile and ‘globe-trotting fixer’ tied to top Trump advisors pleads guilty to child sex crimes

A lobbyist and convicted pedophile tied to current and past top-level Trump White House aides and transition team members has pleaded guilty to child sex crimes. George Nader, whose testimony was cited dozens of times in the Mueller Report, is expected to be sentenced to the mandatory minimum of...

www.rawstory.com

“He was gropey...he had his hands in the most inappropriate places, always,” [NaKina] Carr said. [Editor’s note: NaKina Carr was working as a runway model for Oscar de la Renta.] “When he went in to kiss someone, the hand always went to either the hip or the butt. He was also really good when he did pictures or when he’d side-hug someone. He’d always get his hand on the boob. Every time.” Stories about Trump and his hands circulated within the modeling community. At one modeling event, Trump allegedly went down a line of women feeling their bodies to guess their dress size. Backstage at a lingerie show, he is said to have moved his hands all over a model’s breasts under the guise of inspecting the bra’s fabric.

Another trademark Trump move was honed back in the early 1980s. “I saw this several times: When he met a girl, he’d immediately move in to kiss her, not shake her hand or say ‘Hello, how are you?’ He’d immediately put his mouth on her,” Carr said. “I saw him many times go straight to the mouth, to kiss them on the mouth, and they would turn their cheek. But a lot of them didn’t because they knew he was the moneyman and it was a way up.”

Among modeling insiders, Trump had a reputation at the time for preferring the younger girls. “If you’re over twenty-one you don’t have to worry,” Carr said she was told.



Dressing rooms weren’t the only places where Trump barged in on women. In the early 1990s, a world-famous supermodel had flown to New York to attend a fashion event and was staying in a suite at the Plaza hotel. She was seeing another industry insider and they had gone back to her room. The two were in bed together when they heard the door open, according to the man, who gave an interview for this book requesting anonymity because both he and the supermodel still work in the industry and fear retribution. Thinking it was housekeeping, the pair sat up in bed and hollered that they didn’t need anything. A few seconds later, the door to the bedroom opened. “It’s Donald standing there,” the man said in his interview. Trump had let himself in. The supermodel and her companion were stunned.

“I said, ‘What the hell are you doing?’” the man said. “We’re naked, so she pulled up the covers and we’re freaked out. I couldn’t believe it. He looks in the room and he took a good look at both of us and he slammed the door really hard, like in anger. And that really pissed me off, that he came in and slammed the door with this arrogant attitude.”

The two threw clothes on and ran out after Trump, arriving just as his elevator was leaving. They grabbed the next elevator and rushed into the lobby. Trump was already in the middle of the crowd talking to people. “I was livid,” the man said. “She’s hysterical, crying....And I went at him, and just as I was about to grab him, his bodyguard jumped between us and pushed me back. I was screaming at him, ‘What the fuck are you doing, coming into my room?’ It was a scene.”

While the bodyguard was trying to push the man away, Trump approached. “I hate sloppy seconds,” Trump said. “It was loud enough for her to hear,” the man said. “Like, she’s holding on to my arm and trying to pull me away, too, and she heard him...and she had the courage to say to him, ‘You fucking bastard.’ So we walk away. We got shoved back into the elevator,” he recounted.

Trump is the Christians Choice, because... Extra cheese!

 

[DIY-HP-LED]

Rudy Rejection?: Trump Insiders Warn Boss As Giuliani Eyes Trump's Impeachment Defense Team | MSNBC

As President Trump prepares for his impeachment trial, his personal defense lawyer Rudy Giuliani is seeking a role. CNN reports Giuliani is lobbying to join Trump's trial team as he continues to push the Ukraine scheme that got Trump impeached. Trump allies warn Giuliani is a witness, under investigation and unhelpful. Former Federal Prosecutor and former Giuliani colleague, John Flannery argues it is “unlikely” Giuliani will “be there” at Trump’s trial, adding there are “very few Republicans” who want Giuliani on the impeachment defense team. Aired on 01/14/20.

 

[DIY-HP-LED]

Nancy Pelosi announces seven impeachment managers

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announces the list of House Democrats who will serve as impeachment managers in the Senate trial and act as prosecutors by presenting the case against President Donald Trump.

 

[DIY-HP-LED]

Giuliani associate has exposed how Trump’s lawyers were running a ‘criminal organization’: CNN analyst

Giuliani associate has exposed how Trump's lawyers were running a 'criminal organization': CNN analyst

On CNN Tuesday, former Bill Clinton White House Press Secretary Joe Lockhart broke down the full scale of what was revealed in the documents turned over to the House Intelligence Committee by indicted Rudy Giuliani associate Lev Parnas."This really shines a light on — I think — the criminal...

www.rawstory.com

On CNN Tuesday, former Bill Clinton White House Press Secretary Joe Lockhart broke down the full scale of what was revealed in the documents turned over to the House Intelligence Committee by indicted Rudy Giuliani associate Lev Parnas.

“This really shines a light on — I think — the criminal organization aspect of this,” said Lockhart. “I mean, think of it for a second, if we go back to the Senate trial. The president has expressed interest in having Jay Sekulow, who is now up to his ears in this, Rudy Giuliani, who is up to his ears in this, and Alan Dershowitz, who is being sued as part of the Jeffrey Epstein case. Lawyers are supposed to be clean, not the people involved in the mess.”

“And the letter that Giuliani sent to [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky, he cites he wants to bring Victoria Toensing, who is representing a corrupt oligarch that the U.S. is trying to extradite right now,” added Lockhart. “These people are all criminals. And they’re working, and the president is saying, use my card as president of the United States.”

 

[DIY-HP-LED]

Donald should be worried, there was something about Mitch's tone when he made his speech...
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House managers deliver articles of impeachment to Senate

The House of Representatives formally presented two articles of impeachment to the Senate after voting to approve the seven managers to prosecute the case against President Donald Trump, a long-awaited move that marks the beginning of the third Senate impeachment trial of a US President in history.

 

[schuylaar]

Lev Parnes tells all on Rachel Maddow!

Live: Guiliani denies any knowledge of Parnes.

 

[schuylaar]

Tonight is part 2 of Lev Parnas on Rachel Maddow- there's supposed to be a reveal..

 

[rkymtnman]

Tonight is part 2 of Lev Parnas on Rachel Maddow- there's supposed to be a reveal..

check out the impeachment thread. capt morgan is revealing EVERYTHING. lol.

 

[potroastV2]

check out the impeachment thread. capt morgan is revealing EVERYTHING. lol.

EEEwww!

 

[DIY-HP-LED]

check out the impeachment thread. capt morgan is revealing EVERYTHING. lol.

I think Lev is doing a pretty good job of that, he's gonna warm up the hot seat and "refresh" the memories for a few of them! Yep, Lev is the guy for now, others will squeal, but it's Lev's turn to shine the light and right before the senate trial too, how timely. Lev seems to have receipts, a solid story (with pictures), was in the inner circle of the conspiracy and can provide information on other witnesses and co conspirators. There's more to come from Lev and other sources as the trial proceeds, the house is also having hearings, so it will ALL come out.
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Lev Parnas Implicates Donald Trump, Mike Pence, William Barr, Rick Perry | Morning Joe | MSNBC

 

[hanimmal]

I think Lev is doing a pretty good job of that, he's gonna warm up the hot seat and "refresh" the memories for a few of them! Yep, Lev is the guy for now, others will squeal, but it's Lev's turn to shine the light and right before the senate trial too, how timely. Lev seems to have receipts, a solid story (with pictures), was in the inner circle of the conspiracy and can provide information on other witnesses and co conspirators. There's more to come from Lev and other sources as the trial proceeds, the house is also having hearings, so it will ALL come out.
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Lev Parnas Implicates Donald Trump, Mike Pence, William Barr, Rick Perry | Morning Joe | MSNBC

Im starting to think that this guy is a Putin hip check. I think the responsible politicians and generals are trying to stop Trump's ability to give Putin everything he wants and Putin is reminding them that he has everything to sink them.

All he had to do is give the green light to burn Trump and he is screwed. The Republicans are just trying to make it past the next elections and hope for a big reset in their power base.

 

[tangerinegreen555]

 

[spek9]

Be careful what you wish for!

Trump gets a Ukraine probe, just not the one he asked for | CNN

Ukraine's criminal probe into alleged surveillance against former US Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch by people linked to Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani, provides a stark counterpoint to Trump's own attempt to coerce Ukraine's president to announce an investigation of his political rival--and what it...

www.cnn.com

 

[Budzbuddha]

Here's another pedo going down that sucks orange anus. Not relevant to the current discussion but oh well.

Convicted pedophile and ‘globe-trotting fixer’ tied to top Trump advisors pleads guilty to child sex crimes

A lobbyist and convicted pedophile tied to current and past top-level Trump White House aides and transition team members has pleaded guilty to child sex crimes. George Nader, whose testimony was cited dozens of times in the Mueller Report, is expected to be sentenced to the mandatory minimum of...

www.rawstory.com

Wonder if they will find this Shitbag “ committed suicide “ like Epstein .... ( or murdered with burst eye capillaries) .

 

[DIY-HP-LED]

Republicans Melt Down as Evidence of Trump’s Guilt Piles Up

DISGRACEFUL
Martha McSally calls a respected reporter “a liberal hack.” Susan Collins blames the House for something Lev Parnas did. Sad and sickening to watch.

Republicans Melt Down as Evidence of Trump’s Guilt Piles Up

Martha McSally calls a respected reporter “a liberal hack.” Susan Collins blames the House for something Lev Parnas did. Sad and sickening to watch.

www.thedailybeast.com

If you doubt Republicans are facing immense pressure these days, consider Sen. Martha McSally’s behavior. Asked by respected, mild-mannered CNN reporter Manu Raju if she would consider new evidence during the impeachment trial of Donald J. Trump, the vulnerable senator from Arizona snapped back: “You’re a liberal hack—I’m not talking to you. You’re a liberal hack.”

Regardless of whether new post-House impeachment revelations are introduced in the Senate trial, the drip-drip-drip has created a lose-lose proposition for Republicans who face tough electoral crosswinds in 2020. They can defend the indefensible, or they can risk invoking the wrath of their president. (Clearly, McSally has decided her best bet is to avoid the latter.)

But as evidence mounts, McSally also risks alienating Arizonans who elected a maverick named John McCain and aren’t looking to send a Trump toady to Washington.

• Kellyanne Conway Loses it Under Grilling by Fox News
  ‘IS HE LYING OR NOT?’
  Matt Wilstein
  

As the Senate heads toward the formal impeachment trial of Donald J. Trump on Tuesday, text messages and documents provided by Lev Parnas, as well as a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report showing that the White House broke the law by withholding funds from Ukraine, cast a pall over Republican efforts to pretend this is merely a witch hunt.

Of course, Republicans who do not face these crosswinds have different incentives. Trump can lose the popular vote and still win the Electoral College, by narrowly holding Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin by the skin of his teeth. He does that, potentially, by holding his base. But that would be cold comfort for Republicans trying to hold Senate seats in places like Maine (Collins) and Arizona (McSally), and also states like Colorado and North Carolina.

With a different leader, these vulnerable senators might be afforded the opportunity to subtly distance themselves from this president. But Donald Trump demands complete loyalty and attempts to walk the line between appeasing the Trump-loyal GOP base and wooing suburban swing voters are being made impossible by fellow Republican senators like Rand Paul, who, in the words of Politico, is “vowing to squeeze vulnerable GOP incumbents” if they support procedural motions to allow for the calling of witnesses during Trump’s impeachment trial. “If you vote against Hunter Biden, you’re voting to lose your election, basically. Seriously. That’s what it is,” Paul said Wednesday. “If you don’t want to vote and you think you’re going to have to vote against Hunter Biden, you should just vote against witnesses, period.” With friends like these...

For now, at least, the pressure campaign seems to be working. Partisanship is a powerful drug, and when the heat is turned up, more often than not, politicians revert to the safe confines of their base for protection. This explains why McSally, a vulnerable Republican who can’t afford to be seen as a Trump quisling, is suddenly acting… like Trump!

It also explains why, presented with revelations of what might be rightly seen as blockbuster evidence that Marie Yovanovitch was under surveillance by Trump and Rudy Giuliani’s henchmen in Ukraine, moderate Maine Sen. Susan Collins’ first reaction was to... blame Congress!

Neither McSally nor Collins have, in the past, been considered particularly Trumpy. That’s why their defensive behavior is especially revealing. Despite the constant revelation of new, damning evidence as the impeachment trial kicks off, Republicans have cast their lot with this president and his base.

This was recently driven home to me by the analysis of a man I once considered to be a straight-shooting, center-right journalist. Though largely subsumed by an avalanche of news about Rudy Giuliani and Lev Parnas, the arrest of Michael Avenatti, and the final Democratic primary debate before the Iowa caucuses, a comment made by Fox News’ Brit Hume deserves more attention:

“Let's assume… just for the sake of discussion, that John Bolton comes in and he says, 'Yeah, the president wanted the Bidens investigated and he withheld the aid for a time to try to get that done.’ I don't think very many Republican senators are going to say that they think Trump did that or that he's guilty of that."

“Martha McSally and Susan Collins are proof positive that even the “thoughtful” Republicans are so desperate to defend this president.”
This, of course, was an amazing admission. Put aside the fact that Hume doesn’t seem outraged by any of this. His analysis (correct, I think), is that even if John Bolton (John Bolton!) testifies that Trump used the power and prestige of the presidency (not to mention our tax dollars) to extort the president of Ukraine into announcing an investigation into the Bidens, that most Republican senators wouldn’t believe it—or wouldn’t care.

Now ask yourself, how does that analysis comport with the oath that senators took on Thursday, which states that “in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Donald John Trump, president of the United States, now pending, I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws: So help me God”?

Yeah...

I suppose it’s possible that at least four Republicans will, in fact, vote to allow witnesses, and that one of those witnesses will reveal something that is so explosive that 20 Republicans, having taken that oath, are forced to finally, reluctantly, cut Trump loose.

It just seems hard—almost impossible—to imagine what in the world could be so horrible. Martha McSally and Susan Collins are proof positive that even the “thoughtful” Republicans are so desperate to defend this president that they are taking a page out of his playbook of projection and prevarication.

Trump corrupts!

 

[DIY-HP-LED]

Devin Nunes aide exchanged information with Lev Parnas about Ukraine campaign, documents reveal

Devin Nunes aide exchanged information with Lev Parnas about Ukraine campaign, documents reveal

New documents released Friday evening by House Democrats show communications between indicted Rudy Guiliani associate Lev Parnas and an aide to the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee in which they arrange interviews with Ukrainian officials and apparent meetings at the Trump...

www.cnn.com

(CNN)New documents released Friday evening by House Democrats show communications between indicted Rudy Guiliani associate Lev Parnas and an aide to the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee in which they arrange interviews with Ukrainian officials and apparent meetings at the Trump hotel in Washington, DC, including with Giuliani.
The materials draw California Rep. Devin Nunes even further into the efforts undertaken by Giuliani and his associates to dig up dirt on the President's political rivals.
The WhatsApp exchanges show that Nunes aide Derek Harvey raised questions about foreign assistance to Ukraine in late March 2019.
On March 29, 2019, Harvey asked Parnas, "Can we get materials?"


Parnas told Harvey in an April text message that he would be interviewing "the general prosecutor that got fired by Biden," who is Viktor Shokin. Parnas also referenced Ukraine's then-prosecutor, Yuriy Lutsenko. Both prosecutors also spoke to Giuliani in his effort to dig up dirt on the former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter.
"Let's do our call at 12 and we can do the first prosecutor at 1 your time?" Parnas texted Harvey on April 17, 2019.


New documents from Lev Parnas show more texts about possible surveillance of former US ambassador to Ukraine
"Okay," Harvey responded.
Two days later, Harvey texted Parnas: "Lev. I think we are best served by sending the official letter and receiving documentation before any more interviews."
The text exchanges between Harvey and Parnas included multiple references to John Solomon, the former conservative columnist for The Hill who published columns attacking former US Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch.
In one text, Harvey told Parnas in April 2019 that "Solomon needs to get me the material."


Lev Parnas: Trump would've traded an endorsement for political dirt from Ukraine's ex-president Poroshenko
There are multiple references to meetings apparently at the Trump International Hotel, including a May 7, 2019, meeting with Giuliani and Solomon.
"Can you come now," Parnas asked.
"Yes," Harvey responded.
A spokesman for Nunes did not respond to a request for comment.
Last month, Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee included in their impeachment inquiry report phone records of calls exchanged between Nunes and Parnas and other allies of President Donald Trump.
Nunes admitted Wednesday to speaking on the phone with Parnas after previously saying such a conversation would have been "very unlikely."
Democrats have released three sets of Parnas documents this week after his attorney provided materials to the committee last weekend, and Parnas did television interviews with CNN and MSNBC in which he implicated Trump and said the efforts were "all about 2020."

 

[DIY-HP-LED]

I would appear we are going to hear a lot from Lev on TV! He will be a witness in the house for sure and perhaps the senate too, right now he's gonna be on TV a lot. Donald must go nuts every time he sees him on TV! Lev is turning up the heat on Donald bigly and he must be sweating now, twitter has been kinda quiet lately... Maybe the Donald will cut lose on Twitter this weekend, the pressure is mounting and the news is grim. If Mitch figures his senate majority is in jeopardy he will throw Donald under the bus, creatively though and so as to avoid the blame, he will put on quite the show for the base.

Nancy has got Mitch driven into a corner and is pummeling him with body blows and shots to the head, Donald put him in an indefensible position, he's fucked with the base if he convicts Trump, or fucked with the electorate if he does not. I must say Lev is doing a pretty good job on TV and I think you'll see more of him, I'm sure the democrats love it every time he appears, almost as good as testimony and they will have that too, along with documents, recordings and photos. Speaking of pictures, Lev seems to have a selfie with every top republican and lots with him and Trump.

Of course the GOP will want to hear from Lev, he's a friend (there are pictures) and he did donate a lot of money (Russian) to the republicans, a big cash donor like Lev should be welcome as a witness!
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Parnas pressure grows on Senate GOP

Parnas pressure grows on Senate GOP

Pressure is growing on Senate Republicans to call Lev Parnas, an associate of President Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, to testify in the impeachment trial.

thehill.com

Pressure is growing on Senate Republicans to call Lev Parnas, an associate of President Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, to testify in the impeachment trial.

Democrats are opening the door to hearing from Parnas as a witness at the impeachment trial after an explosive round of media interviews and new evidence released by House Democrats, which details Parnas’s role in trying to convince the Ukrainian government to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden.

The revelations, Democrats argue, underscore the need for witnesses and documents — something Republicans have so far resisted.


Sen. Kamala Harris (Calif.) became the first Senate Democrat to call for Parnas to testify, telling MSNBC that the accusations levied by Parnas “should be pursued and should be reviewed” by the Senate.

“I think he should be brought before us so that we can determine his credibility. There are many ways to judge credibility,” Harris said.

Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) endorsed that effort, saying Parnas should be added to Democrats’ list of impeachment witnesses.

“Mitch McConnell cannot be allowed to cover up the truth and protect Donald Trump. The Senate must hear directly from John Bolton, Mick Mulvaney, and Lev Parnas,” Markey tweeted.

Parnas has offered to testify, saying that along with former national security adviser John Bolton he could “fit in all the dots, I think, because I was on the ground there, and he was over here."

“Why aren't they calling me to testify? ... Call me. Ask me what Biden did wrong ... I think they're very afraid of me,” said Parnas, who has pleaded not guilty to campaign finance violations. He is reportedly looking to cooperate with prosecutors in his case.

Democrats released communications this week detailing Parnas conversations with Giuliani. The documents sparked a round of new questions days before the impeachment trial gets underway in earnest, including about whether Republicans were tracking former Ukraine Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch.

Parnas, since then, has engaged in a blitz of TV hits where he’s incriminated former Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Giuliani and President Trump.

“He was aware of all of my movements,” he said of Trump. “I wouldn’t do anything without the consent of Rudy Giuliani or the president.”

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) described his reaction to watching Parnas’s interview with Rachel Maddow as “wow.”

“All I can say is this: Republican senators who refuse to support the calling of fact witnesses and relevant documents should just resign for dereliction of duty under the Constitution,” he said.

The news dump comes amid a bumpy patch for the Trump administration. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on Friday accusing the White House of breaking the law with the decision to delay the Ukraine aid at the heart of the impeachment effort.

Parnas and Igor Fruman were arrested last year on allegations that they violated campaign finance laws in order to funnel money as part of a straw donor scheme to numerous Republican committees, including a $325,000 contribution in May 2018 to a pro-Trump super PAC called America First Action.

Democratic leadership and House impeachment managers aren’t ruling out trying to call Parnas as a witness. So far they have indicated they want to hear from Bolton, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, Mulvaney's senior adviser Robert Blair and Michael Duffey, the associate director of national security at the Office of Management.

“As for Mr. Parnas, it’s something we wouldn't rule out, but we want to see all of the — evidently there are four sets of emails coming out and I'd want to wait to see those,” Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters during a press conference.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Schumer’s No. 2, added that Parnas’s communications “make it clear that Rudy Giuliani was negotiating directly, trying to negotiate directly with the president of Ukraine, over this question of military aid and the investigation of the Biden family.”

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said in a statement that they were reviewing “his interviews and the materials he has provided to evaluate his potential testimony in the Senate trial.”

The White House has sought to distance itself from Parnas's accusations. Trump said that he had never heard of Parnas, arguing that he takes “thousands and thousands of pictures with people.”

“I don't even know who this man is, other than I guess he attended fundraisers so I take a picture with him,” Trump told reporters.

Vice President Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have also both denied knowing Parnas, with Pence calling his accusations “completely false.”

Senate Republicans brushed off the revelations casting doubt on his credibility. If Democrats decided to try to call Parnas they would need four Republican senators to endorse calling him — so far none have.

“Looks kind of like a shady character,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) told reporters.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) added that “I wouldn't trust him as far as I can throw him.”

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) noted that while he wasn’t sure if Parnas is credible, his allegations do line up with other testimony from House impeachment inquiry witnesses including Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union.

“I don't know whether Parnas is credible. What I know is that every criminal conspiracy is unwound by prosecutors by going after the implementers, then ultimately give you information to go after the person who ordered it. So I don’t know if Parnas is credible, but everything he's saying has frankly been confirmed by other witnesses,” Murphy said.

“It is just an open and shut case to me that the president directed this scheme,” he added, “and Parnas’s testimony fits neatly with what we've already heard.”

 

[schuylaar]

I would appear we are going to hear a lot from Lev on TV! He will be a witness in the house for sure and perhaps the senate too, right now he's gonna be on TV a lot. Donald must go nuts every time he sees him on TV! Lev is turning up the heat on Donald bigly and he must be sweating now, twitter has been kinda quiet lately... Maybe the Donald will cut lose on Twitter this weekend, the pressure is mounting and the news is grim. If Mitch figures his senate majority is in jeopardy he will throw Donald under the bus, creatively though and so as to avoid the blame, he will put on quite the show for the base.

Nancy has got Mitch driven into a corner and is pummeling him with body blows and shots to the head, Donald put him in an indefensible position, he's fucked with the base if he convicts Trump, or fucked with the electorate if he does not. I must say Lev is doing a pretty good job on TV and I think you'll see more of him, I'm sure the democrats love it every time he appears, almost as good as testimony and they will have that too, along with documents, recordings and photos. Speaking of pictures, Lev seems to have a selfie with every top republican and lots with him and Trump.

Of course the GOP will want to hear from Lev, he's a friend (there are pictures) and he did donate a lot of money (Russian) to the republicans, a big cash donor like Lev should be welcome as a witness!
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Parnas pressure grows on Senate GOP

Parnas pressure grows on Senate GOP

Pressure is growing on Senate Republicans to call Lev Parnas, an associate of President Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, to testify in the impeachment trial.

thehill.com

Pressure is growing on Senate Republicans to call Lev Parnas, an associate of President Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, to testify in the impeachment trial.

Democrats are opening the door to hearing from Parnas as a witness at the impeachment trial after an explosive round of media interviews and new evidence released by House Democrats, which details Parnas’s role in trying to convince the Ukrainian government to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden.

The revelations, Democrats argue, underscore the need for witnesses and documents — something Republicans have so far resisted.


Sen. Kamala Harris (Calif.) became the first Senate Democrat to call for Parnas to testify, telling MSNBC that the accusations levied by Parnas “should be pursued and should be reviewed” by the Senate.

“I think he should be brought before us so that we can determine his credibility. There are many ways to judge credibility,” Harris said.

Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) endorsed that effort, saying Parnas should be added to Democrats’ list of impeachment witnesses.

“Mitch McConnell cannot be allowed to cover up the truth and protect Donald Trump. The Senate must hear directly from John Bolton, Mick Mulvaney, and Lev Parnas,” Markey tweeted.

Parnas has offered to testify, saying that along with former national security adviser John Bolton he could “fit in all the dots, I think, because I was on the ground there, and he was over here."

“Why aren't they calling me to testify? ... Call me. Ask me what Biden did wrong ... I think they're very afraid of me,” said Parnas, who has pleaded not guilty to campaign finance violations. He is reportedly looking to cooperate with prosecutors in his case.

Democrats released communications this week detailing Parnas conversations with Giuliani. The documents sparked a round of new questions days before the impeachment trial gets underway in earnest, including about whether Republicans were tracking former Ukraine Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch.

Parnas, since then, has engaged in a blitz of TV hits where he’s incriminated former Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Giuliani and President Trump.

“He was aware of all of my movements,” he said of Trump. “I wouldn’t do anything without the consent of Rudy Giuliani or the president.”

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) described his reaction to watching Parnas’s interview with Rachel Maddow as “wow.”

“All I can say is this: Republican senators who refuse to support the calling of fact witnesses and relevant documents should just resign for dereliction of duty under the Constitution,” he said.

The news dump comes amid a bumpy patch for the Trump administration. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on Friday accusing the White House of breaking the law with the decision to delay the Ukraine aid at the heart of the impeachment effort.

Parnas and Igor Fruman were arrested last year on allegations that they violated campaign finance laws in order to funnel money as part of a straw donor scheme to numerous Republican committees, including a $325,000 contribution in May 2018 to a pro-Trump super PAC called America First Action.

Democratic leadership and House impeachment managers aren’t ruling out trying to call Parnas as a witness. So far they have indicated they want to hear from Bolton, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, Mulvaney's senior adviser Robert Blair and Michael Duffey, the associate director of national security at the Office of Management.

“As for Mr. Parnas, it’s something we wouldn't rule out, but we want to see all of the — evidently there are four sets of emails coming out and I'd want to wait to see those,” Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters during a press conference.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Schumer’s No. 2, added that Parnas’s communications “make it clear that Rudy Giuliani was negotiating directly, trying to negotiate directly with the president of Ukraine, over this question of military aid and the investigation of the Biden family.”

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said in a statement that they were reviewing “his interviews and the materials he has provided to evaluate his potential testimony in the Senate trial.”

The White House has sought to distance itself from Parnas's accusations. Trump said that he had never heard of Parnas, arguing that he takes “thousands and thousands of pictures with people.”

“I don't even know who this man is, other than I guess he attended fundraisers so I take a picture with him,” Trump told reporters.

Vice President Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have also both denied knowing Parnas, with Pence calling his accusations “completely false.”

Senate Republicans brushed off the revelations casting doubt on his credibility. If Democrats decided to try to call Parnas they would need four Republican senators to endorse calling him — so far none have.

“Looks kind of like a shady character,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) told reporters.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) added that “I wouldn't trust him as far as I can throw him.”

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) noted that while he wasn’t sure if Parnas is credible, his allegations do line up with other testimony from House impeachment inquiry witnesses including Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union.

“I don't know whether Parnas is credible. What I know is that every criminal conspiracy is unwound by prosecutors by going after the implementers, then ultimately give you information to go after the person who ordered it. So I don’t know if Parnas is credible, but everything he's saying has frankly been confirmed by other witnesses,” Murphy said.

“It is just an open and shut case to me that the president directed this scheme,” he added, “and Parnas’s testimony fits neatly with what we've already heard.”

some people just aren't going to take a bullet for that fat, foul-mouthed, stinking bastard..sadly Lev was Trumps mark, and while he's in trouble for campaign finance violations (Trump campaign), he was there for everything because they needed an interpreter..what I find weird is that dem pundits are trying to trash him- dems you need to get your talking points together.

everything fits and I find him quite credible plus he's implicated Barr, Perry and Pence (like we needed any more)..a blind person can see this.

Trump is a cult and in the end, will suffer the fate of evil cult leaders..