GOP Senate runs and hides as Donald Trump falls to pieces
You can almost hear crickets over the deafening silence coming from Senate Republicans. It is the sound of Gordon Sondland’s revised testimony. Rather than continuing his ridiculous claims that Donald Trump did not attempt to extort Ukrainian President Zelensky, Sondland stepped forward to tell the truth. Sondland earlier claimed that he “didn’t recall” details, but apparently, his memory came back — or, more likely, his lawyer told him to fess up now before things get worse.
Sondland personally told Zekensky’s aide that “resumption of U.S. aid would likely not occur until Ukraine provided the public anti-corruption statement” requested by Trump, which in non-code language meant an investigation of Joe and Hunter Biden’s ties to Burisma. Following this complete reversal of Sondland’s testimony, HuffPost could not get Republicans to answer questions about that testimony, Trump’s attacks on the whistleblower, or much of anything else.
Moscow Mitch, who has his own set of problems following Kentucky’s gubernatorial election, told the press at his weekly conference that he is “withholding judgment” until the House finishes its investigation and turns it over to the Senate. What is he waiting for, a brick wall to fall on him? It’s time for Mitch to try serving the people for a change. Republican “head in the sand” activity continued in a similar vein.
Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV) also took a “wait and see” attitude according to HuffPost while Richard Shelby (R-AL) wants to know if what Trump did is “against the law” or “a crime.” Mossback Chuck Grassley asked what difference Sondland’s testimony makes. A big difference, Grassley. What is wrong with these people?
Finally, one of the biggest flip-floppers in modern politics, Lindsey Graham, changes his tune so much that you can’t keep up with him. While the Democrats were conducting closed-door investigations, Graham wanted to see transcripts and hear testimony. Now, he says that he won’t read any transcripts and that the entire process is “a bunch of B.S.” Graham should know B.S. when he sees it, since he sees it in the mirror every day.
He was one of the main cheerleaders for impeaching President Clinton for lying about sex with his intern, which didn’t even begin to affect foreign policy and national security. Impact 2020 took a look at Graham’s overwhelming flip-flopping. In 1999, Graham said, “You don’t even have to be convicted of a crime to lose your job in this constitutional republic if this body determines that your conduct as a public official is clearly out of bounds in your role.” What is he saying now that Trump is clearly out of bounds, jeopardizing our elections and jeopardizing the security of our nation? “I think this is a bunch of B.S.” He also said that Nixon caused his own troubles by refusing to comply with congressional subpoenas. So, it’s okay to do that now, Lindsey? If you say so.
Once again, it’s time for Republicans to “put up or shut up.” Either they love this country and want to serve the public or they don’t. The rules don’t change just because the sitting president is a Republican thug. The rules are the same, and the Constitution has not and will never change. Do your job, Republicans.
Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years