Whatsoever. They made the argument that it makes sense to try the case and then consider documents. They made no argument that the white make sense to have trial without witnesses are and why, because its indefensible. Its indefensible. No trial in america has ever been conducted like that, and so you would nothing about it. And that should be the most telling thing about councils argument. They had no defense of the mcconnell resolution because there is done. They couldnt defend on the basis of president , they couldnt defend on the base of history, based on the constitution, they couldnt defend at all. So what did they say . First they made the representation that the house is claiming there is a such thing as executive privilege. Thats nonsense. No one here has ever suggested theres no such thing as executive privilege but the interesting thing here is they have never claimed executive privilege. Not once during the house investigation did ever say that a single document was privile
About before this is a show unfortunately today the witness who is supposed to be the star witness chose to take a pass and let a staff answer for that hes chairman of a point of order and usually mr chairman the point of order you know moves to this point of order is chairman because to do one of ruhleben requires you. To schedule a minority hearing day not to consider it not to meet to discuss it but to schedule one and to schedule it in a reasonable time not after articles have been drawn not after theres been a vote on articles of impeachment i enquire and insist mr chairman that you immediately schedule a minority hearing day or tell us why you are of the gentleman ignoring the rules gentlemen we were weve already gone through that but i peek it is not a point proper point of order in todays hearing as i have told the ranking minority members several times in considering the even aris request if you think we would be violating the rules of the house if we consider the articles of
President nixon said a similar thing. That is not what the constitution provides. Thats not what the country demands. He does not have the right to do whatever he wants. Turning to the second concern, the betrayal of the power. The america people suffered when President Trump treated military aid that had been approved, tax payer dollars and tried to treat it as his own checkbook to further his own reelection chances. That reflects what the founders were concerned about. Finally corruption of our elections. The framers knew that corrupt leaders or leaders acting corruptly concentrate their pow powers to manipulate elections and under cut adversaries. They talked about it frequently. Thats why the framers thought it was a critical abuse and could support and lead to impeachment. The American People learned last election how dangerous foreign intervention in our elections can be. Let me show another clip from candidate trump on the campaign trail. Russia, if youre listening, i hope youre
President nixon said a similar thing, that is not what the constitution provides, that is not what the country demands. He does not have the right to do whatever he wants. Turning to the second abuse of power most of concern. Betraying the nation involving foreign powers. The American People have suffered that foreign influence when President Trump treated military aid that had been approved, taxpayer dollars, and decided to treat it as his own checkbook to try to further his own reelection chances. That reflects what the founders were concerned about. Finally, corruption of our elections. The framers knew that corrupt leaders or leaders acting corruptly concentrate their powers to manipulate elections and undercut adversaries. They talked about it frequently. That is why the framers thought electoral treachery particularly involving foreign powers was a critical abuse that could support and lead to impeachment. Now, the American People learned last election how dangerous foreign inter
[indistinct conversations] shuttering] [indistinct conversations] the committee will come to order. This is the third in a series of public hearings that the committee will be holding as part of the house of representatives impeachment inquiry. The chair is authorized to declare a recess of the committee at any time. We will proceed today in the same fashion as our first hearing. Ill make an Opening Statement and Ranking Member nunez will have the opportunity to make a statement. Well turn to the witnesses for their Opening Statements and questions. For audience members, we welcome you. We ask for your respect as we proceed with todays hearing. It is the intention of the committee rep. Schiff this meeting will come to order. Good morning everyone. This is the third in a series of public hearings the committee will be holding as part of the house of representatives impeachment inquiry. Without objection the chair is authorized to play recess of the committee at any time that there is a