Democrat lawmakers reacted to the release of the transcript detailing President Trump’s phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Wednesday, claiming that the president betrayed the U.S. and calling him a “cheat,” “un-American,” and “danger to our Democracy.”
Trump authorized the release of the unredacted transcript of his conversation with Zelensky, which surfaced Wednesday morning. Republican lawmakers pointed out the absence of quid pro quo or violation of law and ripped their Democrat colleagues for pursuing impeachment before viewing the transcript.
However, Democrats across the board are proclaiming that the transcript implicates the president, falsely attributing Trump’s “favor” – a reference to made in regard to CrowdStrike – to Hunter Biden.
“#UkraineTranscript is @realDonaldTrump’s version and he admitted to betrayal,” Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) assessed. “America is too great of a country to be led by such a cheat. #ImpeachTrump”
“I would like you to do us a favor”…”whatever you can do with [Barr] would be great.” This #UkraineTranscript is @realDonaldTrump’s version and he admitted to betrayal. America is too great of a country to be led by such a cheat. #ImpeachTrump
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) September 25, 2019
“Spoiler alert: President Trump attempted to bribe and extort a foreign leader for political gain,” far-left “Squad” member Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) said.
“This—and so many other infractions he’s committed against our Constitution—is why it’s time to #ImpeachTrumpNow,” she added.
Spoiler alert: President Trump attempted to bribe and extort a foreign leader for political gain. This—and so many other infractions he’s committed against our Constitution—is why it’s time to #ImpeachTrumpNow.https://t.co/OnijHI0p0y
— Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) September 25, 2019
“I respect the responsibility of the President to engage with foreign leaders as part of his job. It is not part of his job to use taxpayer money to shake down other countries for the benefit of his campaign,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who formally announced the House impeachment inquiry on Tuesday, wrote.
I respect the responsibility of the President to engage with foreign leaders as part of his job. It is not part of his job to use taxpayer money to shake down other countries for the benefit of his campaign. #ExposeTheTruth pic.twitter.com/ilXmn2HqVa
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) September 25, 2019
“He betrayed his office, he betrayed the constitution, and he betrayed the national security,” Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) said of Trump.
"He betrayed his office, he betrayed the constitution, and he betrayed the national security." || @RepRaskin explains why he supports the impeachment inquiry of @realDonaldTrump.
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.@wusa9 #UkraineTranscript pic.twitter.com/gDAp3EVzor— Evan Koslof (@ekoslof) September 25, 2019
“Folks, I am surprised the White House even released this transcript. It’s worse than we thought,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) proclaimed.
“The President sought to use the powers of the United States government to investigate a political opponent. We have no choice but to impeach.”
Also – what they are calling a “transcript” isn’t even a transcript. It’s a collection of notes. This is what they are *admitting* to and it’s way above and beyond what is necessary for impeachment.
The President engaged in an outright betrayal of our country.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) September 25, 2019
“The transcript of the call reads like a classic mob shakedown,” House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) assessed.
The transcript of the call reads like a classic mob shakedown:
– We do a lot for Ukraine
– There’s not much reciprocity
– I have a favor to ask
– Investigate my opponent
– My people will be in touchNice country you got there.
It would be a shame if something happened to her.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) September 25, 2019
“The President dragged the Attorney General into this mess. At a minimum, AG Barr must recuse himself until we get to the bottom of this matter. #UkraineTranscript,” House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) added.
The President dragged the Attorney General into this mess. At a minimum, AG Barr must recuse himself until we get to the bottom of this matter. #UkraineTranscript https://t.co/lBMsllCafp
— (((Rep. Nadler))) (@RepJerryNadler) September 25, 2019
Rep. Ted Leiu declared that the transcript “confirms that @realDonaldTrump requested a foreign power to investigate his political opponent, AND it shows he wanted @TheJusticeDept to also investigate his opponent, all to benefit his campaign.”
“This is soooo illegal,” he added.
Trump transcript (based on note takers) confirms that @realDonaldTrump requested a foreign power to investigate his political opponent, AND it shows he wanted @TheJusticeDept to also investigate his opponent, all to benefit his campaign. This is soooo illegal.#WednesdayWisdom https://t.co/U6jhhvUjwr
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) September 25, 2019
Now we know why @TheJusticeDept fought so hard to keep the #UkraineTranscript from the American people. It is damning for @realDonaldTrump, and for those involved, including AG Barr. I agree with @RepJerryNadler that Barr must recuse himself from this matter.#WednesdayThoughts https://t.co/NwzN8EfhVE
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) September 25, 2019
“The President told a foreign govt to do him a favor & work with his personal lawyer & the AG to investigate a political opponent. Read the ‘transcript,'” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) tweeted, adding that Congress “must begin impeachment proceedings without delay.”
The President told a foreign govt to do him a favor & work with his personal lawyer & the AG to investigate a political opponent. Read the "transcript." For the safety & integrity of our democracy, Congress must begin impeachment proceedings without delay. https://t.co/e1Pw10TlyX
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) September 25, 2019
“These call notes are deeply damning & powerfully incriminating,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) declared, describing them as “devastating for Trump and proclaiming that the transcript reads like a “gangster shakedown.”
It reads like a classic gangster shakedown—& I prosecuted mob bosses, I would know. Congress must not only see the whistleblower’s full complaint, we should hear from the whistleblower & other witnesses directly.
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) September 25, 2019
The President is in breach of his oath of office & his constitutional duty to protect our country.
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) September 25, 2019
More:
My statement on transcript of President Trump's phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky: pic.twitter.com/QdM88QfCt5
— Martin Heinrich (@MartinHeinrich) September 25, 2019
Trump has admitted to a gross abuse of power.
He has no respect for the rule of law, and he's actively trying to undermine our elections.
It's time to impeach. https://t.co/IMMj1P6TjF
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) September 25, 2019
Put another way, @POTUS calling his attempt at bribery a witch hunt is laughable and once again borders on derangement.
— Jackie Speier (@RepSpeier) September 25, 2019
The memo released by the White House is damning. And the fact that Trump thinks that this doesn't point to any wrongdoing speaks volumes about what his administration finds to be “acceptable” behavior. #CultureOfCorruption
— Mark Takano (@RepMarkTakano) September 25, 2019
“So whatever you can do with the Attorney General would be great.”
The President asked a foreign leader to investigate a political rival after withholding millions in aid that was appropriated by Congress.
The time is upon us.
— Congressmember Bass (@RepKarenBass) September 25, 2019
The President of the United States – no less than three times – tells a foreign leader his Attorney General and/or personal lawyer will follow up to dig up dirt on a political opponent.
— Rep. Nydia Velazquez (@NydiaVelazquez) September 25, 2019
It appears the U.S. President asks a "favor" – an investigation into Crowdstrike & a political opponent – almost immediately after Ukraine's President discusses a desire to purchase military hardware from the United States.
— Rep. Nydia Velazquez (@NydiaVelazquez) September 25, 2019
Every American – regardless of party – should be alarmed by these facts and the threat posed to our democracy.
— Rep. Nydia Velazquez (@NydiaVelazquez) September 25, 2019
Attorney General Barr must set aside from this investigation.
He’s a witness that will be called testify.
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) September 25, 2019
A President pressing a foreign government to investigate a political opponent is a severe abuse of power. Our country strongly rejected Trump’s pressure on Russia to dig up dirt on his opponent in 2016. For him to do it again, shows a complete disregard for the American people. https://t.co/tc0k17LOvA
— Eliot Engel (@RepEliotEngel) September 25, 2019
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