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October 2-6, 2019 Trump pressured Ukraine to do political favors for him

 

 

A thread by Andy Rowell

Rachel Maddow (DPhil in Politics from Oxford) correctly explains that Putin won today. Ukraine's leader Zelensky agreed to terms favorable to Putin.

And now Putin will claim sanctions should be relieved.

Trump has been astoundingly consistent in assisting Putin.

Maddow Blog

@MaddowBlog

 

Russia appears to be on the verge of settling the war with Ukraine on the exact terms Putin would want.

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Michael MacKay@mhmck
 

My heart is breaking for the terrible thing that Volodymyr Zelenskyy has done today. Russia invaded Ukraine 5 1/2 years ago and since that time thousands of Ukrainians have died to defend Europe and Western civilization.

Ukrainians will fight on. But Zelenskyy is giving up.

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Dr Alina Polyakova

@apolyakova

 

And when Russian forces occupy Luhansk and Donetsk, where there is active warfare, and OSCE monitors can't access the entire territory. The idea of free and fair elections is a pipe-dream while Russia still occupies and wages war in Ukraine. https://twitter.com/ianbremmer/status/1179272006157647874 

ian bremmer

@ianbremmer

 

How do you have free elections in occupied Ukraine when the Russians control the border?

148 people are talking about this
 
 

Seth Abramson

@SethAbramson

 

Trump and Putin finally got their way—as apparently quid pro quos, secret promises, and military invasions will work in the end. I wonder whether the people of Ukraine will stand for what was pretty obviously a deal struck as part of a larger bargain to drop sanctions on Russia.

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Scott Stedman@ScottMStedman
 

Ukrainians are pouring into the streets now in protest of Zelensky’s move re:Russia. https://twitter.com/olarhat/status/1179111082994085889 

Олександр Аргат@olarhat
 

Майдан зараз

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Thread ⬆️
More Ukraine / Russia watchers:
@stevenjharper1 @lukeharding1968 @Isikoff @DavidCornDC @craigunger @muellershewrote @page88 @EvelynNFarkas @Susan_Hennessey @RichardEngel @McFaul @kyledcheney @joshtpm @adamgoldmanNYT @qjurecic @MollyMcKew @AlexandraChalup @TimothyDSnyder

@TimothyDSnyder (mobile.twitter.com/NTenzer/status…)

Zelensky has made a deal (Steinmeier Formula) with Putin, which Trump asked him to do.

Now Putin also has France's Macron willing to give up his previous demands.

Putin tells Russian State media to stop criticizing Ukraine. (mobile.twitter.com/ulrichspeck/st…)

 

 
 

 
Michael McFaul
 
@McFaul

 
Yes. "S" is the Secretary of State.
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Neera Tanden
 
@neeratanden
·
Just for the record, doesn’t S mean Pompeo in State Dept speak? twitter.com/FoxReports/sta…
 
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Michael McFaul
 
@McFaul

 
Remember, Gordon Sundland is a real estate developer (not career diplomat), Trump donor, rewarded for his money to Trump with the position of US Ambassador to the EU. Why he is involved in these Ukrainian negotiations is mysterious to me.
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Michael McFaul
 
@McFaul
·
Amb Soundland not satisfied with Zelensky announcing an investigation. Wants it in writing: "To avoid misunderstandings, might be helpful to ask Andrey [Zelensky aide] for a draft statement so that we can see exactly what they propose to cover." twitter.com/McFaul/status/…
 
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Michael McFaul
 
@McFaul

 
Amb Taylor (USMA grad, longtime USG public servant) to Amb Sondland (Trump funder, real estate business person, serving in Brussels, not Kyiv or DC): "As I said on the phone , I think its crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign." MONEY QUOTE !
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Michael McFaul
 
@McFaul
·
Ambassador Taylor is a real professional. Had served as US ambo to Ukraine before. He clearly is pushing back on the schemes of Giuliani, Sondland and Volker. twitter.com/McFaul/status/…
 
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Natasha Bertrand
 
@NatashaBertrand

 
Ambassador Taylor, Sept 1: “Are we now saying that security assistance and WH meeting are conditioned on investigations?”
 
 

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David Frum
 
@davidfrum

 
Don’t call these texts dumb. Taylor was building a file. If we save the country, his determination to put the facts on record will be an important reason why. Sonderland not dumb either. He recognized what Taylor was doing and demanded Taylor cease. Which Taylor refused to do

A thread by Andy Rowell

Texts and "transcript" reveal Trump demanded Ukraine look into Biden in exchange for aid and White House meeting.

Aid sent, meeting occurred.

Today Ukraine says they will review past cases.

See:

Christopher Miller

@ChristopherJM

 

Trying this again:

Ukraine's prosecutor general, Ruslan Riaboshapka, says that his office will review all cases closed by his predecessors, of which there are 15 that deal with Burisma, the gas company where Hunter Biden sat on the board of directors.

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Jonah Fisher

@JonahFisherBBC

 

For context on Riaboshapka Ukraine's new PG. On his first day he shared a fake announcement on Facebook – that a prisoner swap was underway leading to relatives going to the airport to wait for them. https://twitter.com/JonahFisherBBC/status/1180054684133933057 

Jonah Fisher

@JonahFisherBBC

 

I've had a closer look – so the review of these Burisma related cases is in the context of a review of ALL the cases that were closed/divided under the previous prosecutor general. https://twitter.com/JonahFisherBBC/status/1180049034532270081 

See Jonah Fisher's other Tweets
 
 

Daria Kaleniuk@dkaleniuk
 

Guys, here is original press-conference of Riaboshapka. From 5.15 minutes he responses on Burisma case question. And he is not promising to reopen the case against Burisma, Biden or Zlochevksyi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g90zksrW_qM 

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Natasha Bertrand

@NatashaBertrand

Zelensky aid texts Volker our @politico story breaking the news that Ukraine military aide was being withheld at Trump’s request

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Natasha Bertrand

@NatashaBertrand

 

Ambassador Taylor, Sept 1: “Are we now saying that security assistance and WH meeting are conditioned on investigations?”

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Michael MacKay@mhmck
 

Americans who don’t know Ukraine should understand that the General Prosecutors Office has never been reformed or undergone lustration. It has been thoroughly corrupt since independence. When it announces a high-profile investigation it’s signalling the start of a shakedown.

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Trump won (for now).

Matt McDermott

@mattmfm

 

Who gives Trump the headline he’s been looking for? The New York Times.

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In the July 25th call, Zelensky told Trump "the next prosecutor-general will be 100% my person … and will start … in September. He or she will look into the situation, specifically the company."

Now Riaboshapka, who started Aug 29, has done it.

kevin dork@PapaCoke

Even though he was already on his way out of the Ukrainian government, it's interesting that he would say something like this on the same day (7/26) that Zelensky met with US Special Envoy Kurt Volker to discuss Donbas in a very different light:
https://www.unian.info/politics/10632117-zelensky-u-s-representatives-discuss-situation-in-donbas-photo.html 

 

Zelensky, U.S. representatives discuss situation in Donbas (Photo)

The participants of the meeting expressed the hope the ceasefire introduced on July 21 would be comprehensive and sustainable.

unian.info

kevin dork@PapaCoke
 

Then of course on August 29th, Klimkin is replaced and Riaboshapka is also brought in as Prosecutor General who Zelensky refers to as '100% my person' in regard to things Trump wanted investigated on the July 25th call.

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A thread by Andy Rowell

👀

Kyle Griffin

@kylegriffin1

 

Mike Pence in the 2016 vice presidential debate: "This is basic stuff. Foreign donors — and certainly foreign governments — cannot participate in the American political process."

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From the debate transcript, we see Pence is referring to the Clinton foundation, saying it is far more pernicious than—and this how he ends his answer—"all these baseless rumors about Russia and the rest." (politico.com/story/2016/10/…)

I do not like "gotcha" quotes taken out of context but it is helpful to remember that there are some norms and moral principles upon which there was some agreement.

See also George Washington:

and John Adams:

on foreign influence.

James Comey

@Comey

 

“Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence…the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government.” Washington’s Farewell Address, 1796

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Joanne Freeman

@jbf1755

 

John Adams (1798)

In virtuous republics, the will of the majority is the will of the whole.

But in "Republicks vicious and criminal, the Minority always resorts to <foreign> Influence for <Aid and> support, and for assistance [to] overthrow and take Vengeance on the Majority."

766 people are talking about this
 
 
 
 

 
Andy Rowell
 
@AndyRowell

 
Romney just staked his political life on this tweet. Good for him.
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Mitt Romney
 
@MittRomney
·
By all appearances, the President’s brazen and unprecedented appeal to China and to Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden is wrong and appalling.
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Mitt Romney
 
@MittRomney

 
When the only American citizen President Trump singles out for China’s investigation is his political opponent in the midst of the Democratic nomination process, it strains credulity to suggest that it is anything other than politically motivated.
 
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Mike Murphy
 
@murphymike

 
To my silent GOP Senate friends: — A nightmare indeed — 20 of you can make it all go away. Announce charges are worthy and v serious. — Flush this guy by Jan — You have a year to reset with Pence or someone new. That’s a Long time. Better odds v Warren.
Trump’s calls with foreign leaders have long worried aides, leaving some ‘genuinely horrified’
Administration officials worried that President Trump would make promises he shouldn’t keep, endorse policies the United States long opposed, commit a diplomatic blunder that jeopardized a critical…
washingtonpost.com
Categories
Evangelicals Politics Trump

Watching politics leads to moments of discouragement and the search for hope

A thread by Andy Rowell

Virginia Heffernan, PhD in English from Harvard, and TrumpCast podcast host, sincerely wonders in this thread whether those who seem to plot and scheme shamelessly, have any fear that a God might judge them someday.

Virginia Heffernan

@page88

 

Barr has said he doesn’t care about being on the right side of history. Giuliani says his tombstone will say he lied for Trump but who cares bc he’ll be dead. Does their Catholicism not have heaven/hell anymore? Do they as arrogant jerks not even care abt their legacies & obits?

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Today Trump biographer David Kay Johnston also is disturbed by the brazenness of those who call themselves Christians.

David Cay Johnston

@DavidCayJ

 

Fake Christian gets disgusting support from conman.

Where are the actual Christian pastors? https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1178477539653771264 

Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump

Replying to @realDonaldTrump

….If the Democrats are successful in removing the President from office (which they will never be), it will cause a Civil War like fracture in this Nation from which our Country will never heal.” Pastor Robert Jeffress, @FoxNews

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Lawyer Seth Abramson, who has given his life over to attempting to collate and uncover Trump's scheming with foreign leaders also finds himself wondering about whether there is a God who will bring judgement where it is deserved.

Seth Abramson

@SethAbramson

 

Days like this I find myself wishing as a Jew that I believed in hell https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1177343859174596608 

The Hill

@thehill

 

Lindsey Graham on Mueller report findings: I don't care about the obstruction of justice stuff http://hill.cm/uZa3hcP 

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Seth Abramson

@SethAbramson

 

Days like this I find myself wishing as a Jew that I believed in hell https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1177343859174596608 

The Hill

@thehill

 

Lindsey Graham on Mueller report findings: I don't care about the obstruction of justice stuff http://hill.cm/uZa3hcP 

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Ezra Klein in this conversation with David Brooks in May also wishes for belief in God, that it might provide stability and clarity.

Ezra Klein

@ezraklein

 

I think @NYTDavidBrooks is working towards a critique of capitalism here, even if it’s not coming out that way yet. The problems in values he identifies seem, to me, to be the inevitable effect of capitalism being the way we value people and work. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5nBcLHxbBGUf0JGWSq4w1C 

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Michael Lewis in his conversation with Ezra Klein in June worries that it may take a catastrophe or a pandemic for many to reject corruption in government.

1:36:26 (vox.com/podcasts/2019/…)

The common thread is close observers of Trump being shocked by the willful denial of the truth and the haughty dismissal of moral obligation. Then these observers, marvelling at the depths of human self-delusion, wonder what it would take before some would repent of their ways. But I take comfort that maybe …

His truth is marching on.

John Dickerson

@jdickerson

 

I don’t recommend it, but skip to min. 5. It’s beautiful and stirs the soul. https://www.instagram.com/tv/B22flHgltzX/?igshid=j1y4zm9q56zk 

See John Dickerson's other Tweets
 
 

More angst

D K Trowbridge@kyletrow
 

My political theology

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And others too trying to bring hope:

Jesus Christ@JesusOfNaz316
 

Peace be with you.

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More wondering about whether there is any justice out there in the universe:

Kelly Magsamen@kellymagsamen
 

Waking up to this news in Hungary. The universe is mean. https://twitter.com/JoshNBCNews/status/1178815911349964801 

Josh Lederman

@JoshNBCNews

 

Just in: Sebastian Gorka is traveling with @SecPompeo to Europe, @Abs_NBC reports. He was seen getting into a State Department van headed to Joint Base Andrews for departure

See Kelly Magsamen's other Tweets
 
 

Again, I would say a lot of these comments by observers of Trump are profound, groaning prayers for justice and that the truth would come out and that God would spare the United States and the world from greater disaster and catastrophe. More asking of big questions about humanity from the author of Traitor: The Case Against Donald J. Trump.

Again, I think this is the right reaction.

David Rothkopf

@djrothkopf

 

I'm lying in bed unable to sleep, my mind boggled by today's developments…and those of the past three years. I am not sure whether it is the scope of the criminality and abuse and corruption and lies or whether it is the number of GOP leaders who support and defend them.

3,029 people are talking about this
 
 

More sincere incredulity prayerfully directed:

Melissa Moore@MelissaMoore77
 

I don’t usually like to quote-tweet but dear God these days are something else. I’m sitting here trying to take in these southern baptist pastors doubling down in their support of Donald Trump & I am dizzy w/ anger. https://twitter.com/jackngraham/status/1178645825683148800 

Jack Graham

@jackngraham

 

When it’s all said and done in this current political attack from the leftists socialists,,,,,,God rules over the affairs of man and government. Who is on the Lord’s side?

175 people are talking about this
 
 

More wrestling with evil:

D.L. Mayfield@d_l_mayfield

Evil. Nothing else to say here. https://twitter.com/juliehdavis/status/1179157882937528323 

Julie Davis

@juliehdavis

 

He talked about a snake-filled trench & other painful countermeasures for his border wall. He asked if migrants could be shot in the legs. He purged aides who resisted. A look at Trump's border obsession, adapted from my book with @shearm, out next week. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/01/us/politics/trump-border-wars.html 

D.L. Mayfield@d_l_mayfield
 

How are we not depressed all the time? I would say I am 50% of the day at least, oftentimes berating myself for it. But you know what? Our world is running on evil, I am allowed to be depressed about that.

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Categories
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Sept 26, 2019: Trump slashes number of refugees permitted to enter the United States

 

 

 
 

 
Matthew Soerens
 
@MatthewSoerens

 
.

Denounces Proposed FY2020 Refugee Cap of 18,000

World Relief Denounces Proposed FY2020 Refugee Cap of 18,000 — World Relief
Today, the Trump administration announced its intention to set a refugee ceiling of just 18,000 for FY 2020. World Relief strongly opposes this cut to the nation’s refugee resettlement program, which…
worldrelief.org
 
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Samantha Power
 
@SamanthaJPower

 
This is an abomination. For our leadership in the world, for the American economy (talk to Buffalo, NY and Clarkston, GA), for our self-understanding as a nation, and for the world’s most vulnerable.
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POLITICO
 
@politico
·
President Trump has slashed Obama’s proposed 2017 refugee cap by more than 80% since taking office. bit.ly/2lv1Wp9
 
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Amy Sullivan
 
@sullivanamy

 
I have no doubt that Stephen Miller put this draconian refugee policy in motion long ago, but announcing it just as Trump needs to shore up support re: impeachment is an…interesting move.
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Galen Carey
 
@GalenCarey
·
Each line on the graph below represents 20,000 people who had to flee their countries, can't stay where they are, at least in safety, and whose futures have been put on hold. Defending these cuts by pointing to asylum seekers on the border most of whom will be denied ring hollow. twitter.com/dukekwondc/sta…
 
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Wendy R. Sherman
 
@wendyrsherman

 
Imagine how many of us would not be here in America if this had been the number when our parents or grandparents found refuge here… outrageous and unAmerican decision by Trump administration.
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BBC News (World)
 
@BBCWorld
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US slashes refugee limit to all-time low of 18,000 bbc.in/2nyPCEP
 
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Rich Stearns
 
@RichStearns

 
We turned away Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazis in WWII. I thought our national conscience had learned a lesson. Guess not.
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Galen Carey
 
@GalenCarey
·
Alas. That the administration had already telegraphed plans to slam the door on refugees by slashing the # to be resettled during FY2020 by 40% to a new low of only 18,000 takes away none of the sting. Incredibly inconsistent w/ the pledged commitment to religious freedom.
 
 
 

 
Mandy Rodgers-Gates
 
@MandyRG77

 
So at what point do white evangelicals realize that the individualized charity and ministry they say are what *really* matters (vs. government policy) CAN'T ACTUALLY HAPPEN BECAUSE OF – wait for it – GOVERNMENT POLICY?!?!
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Matthew Soerens
 
@MatthewSoerens
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The number of persecuted Christians & other religious minorities resettled to the US has already declined drastically. It is likely to decline even further now It undermines the administration's admirable rhetoric about international religious freedom newspressnow.com/ap/national/re
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