BUTTERFIELD: “THE TRUTH IS ON TRIAL “
DURING TRUMP’S IMPEACHMENT CASE
by Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
A North Carolina congressman who more than qualifies to serve as a U.S. House manager to present evidence at President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial in the Senate says even though it’s a foregone conclusion by many that the Republican majority will likely not convict Trump, or remove him from office, what they do decide, and how they decide it, will have lasting impact on the nation.
Congressman G. K. Butterfield [D-NC-1) was more than just a civil rights attorney in his pre-congressional days. He served as a Resident Superior Court judge for over 13 years, and was subsequently appointed to the NC Supreme Court before deciding to run for Congress in 2004.
Based on his experience, and the House impeachment hearings that produced two articles of impeachment, there is little question about the evidence against Pres. Trump, Rep. Butterfield says.
“I know what the evidence is; I know it’s a very strong case of obstruction of Congress and misconduct in office,” he said Saturday in Greenville, just minutes before the president’s defense lawyers began their two-hour presentation to the U.S. Senate.
“I was there when the evidence was presented in the House. It’s a compelling case that calls for the presentation of witnesses and documents in the Senate. I would be very disappointed if the American people were not given the benefit of documents and witnesses during this trial.”
At press time, lawyers for Pres. Trump were still presenting their defense that the Republican president did nothing wrong when he tried to cajole the Ukrainian president to announce an investigation into former Vice Pres. Joe Biden’s son Hunter for sitting on a Ukrainian gas company’s board, and cut off military aid to the country until he did.
Democratic House managers, led by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), charged during their Senate presentation last week that Trump imperiled national security just to hurt a potential political rival for reelection with false corruption charges.
Democrats in the Senate need at least four Republicans to vote with them for witnesses and documents to be allowed into the trial. Ironically, Trump’s defense attorneys have said the House Democrats’ case is weak because they don’t have certain documents and witnesses - documents and witnesses they can’t get unless the Senate is allow to take a vote.
A passage from former National Security Advisor John Bolton’s upcoming book about his brief term in the Trump White House seems to, according to press reports, confirm that the president tied Ukrainian assistance in investigating the Bidens, with release of their military aid.
Democrats are demanding that Bolton be sworn-in as a witness.
“Pres. Trump is not on trial right now,” Congressman Butterfield said Saturday. “The truth is on trial. The Constitution is on trial. These senators are beginning to appreciate the gravity of the moment.”
When asked how can he tell, given reports of senators ignoring the House managers presentation, playing with finger toys, reading books or walking away from their seats, Rep. Butterfield cited something that, thus far, has gone not noted.
“I think there’s a critical mass - ten or twelve senators - who have, as of yet, made any public pronouncements about their positions. And I believe they will decide this case fairly, and at least require the production of witnesses and documents.”
At press time Wednesday, senators began asking sixteen hours of questions of both the democrats House managers and president. Trump's lawyers, as controversy over whether having John Bolton as a witness heats up.
Meanwhile duke university announced that bolton will be speaking there on Feb. 18th.
Of special note to African-Americans, history was made last week when House managers Rep. Val Demings (D-FLA) and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries became the first balk lawmakers ever to prosecute a presidential impeachment case on the floor of the U.S. Senate.
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STATE NEWS BRIEFS FOR 1-30-20
REP. ADAMS ENDORSES JOE BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT
[WASH.D.C.] Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC-12), has now joined her colleagues, Rep. G. K. Butterfield (D-NC-1) and state Sen. Paul Lowe (D - Forsyth), chair of the NC Legislative Black Caucus, in endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden for president. “He’s the best-equipped candidate to work with congress to pass a progressive agenda that includes historic investments in affordable housing, healthcare and higher education,” Rep. Adams said in a statement. “I’m encoring Joe not only because he will beat Donald Trump, but also because he is ready to face the challenges of the presidency at the drop of a hat.” North Carolina’s primaries are March 3rd.
REP. ADAMS PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE GREENSBORO FOUR
[WASH, D.C.] On Tuesday, Congresswoman Alma Adams delivered remarks in tribute and a resolution honoring the Greensboro Four, four North Carolina A&T University students who walked into the downtown Woolworth store, sat at the segregated lunch counter, and ordered food from the “whites only” section on Feb. 1, 1960, sixty years ago this Saturday. The courageous actions of David Richmond, Franklin McCain,
Jibreel Khazan and Joseph McNeil, helped to relight the 1960s civil rights movement.
GRISE MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND TEACHER CHARGED WITH FELONY SEX CRIMES
[WILMINGTON] A school band teacher at Roland Grise Middle School, has been charged with six counts of indecent liberties with. Child, and six counts of indecent liberties with a student bye a teacher. The teacher, Peter Frank, allegedly has been committing the crimes since 2003, with most of the occurrences in 2019, published reports say. Frank turned himself in to the NHC Sheriff’s Office Monday. He is being held on $750,000 bond. Anyone with any further information is urged to call 910-798-4260.
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NC’S MARCH 3RD PRIMARY: WHAT
YOU NEED TO KNOW TO VOTE
By Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
It’s 2020, a critical election year for statewide and national contests.
North Carolina will join the rest of the country in selecting governors, legislators, congresspeople and, of course, the president on Nov. 6th.
But first, registered Democrats and Republicans will select their November candidates during the all-important March 3rd “Super Tuesday” primaries, where fifteen states and American Samoa will be involved.
North Carolina will be one of them.
Lawmakers moved the state’s primaries to March 3rd several years ago so that it could have a greater impact on who the presidential nominee may be.
Primaries, unlike general elections, traditionally are decided by political party purists who vote in an effort to steer their party’s nominee more towards their vision. Thus, during primaries, Democrats select from several candidates vying to lead them in November, and Republicans likewise.
As a voter, your job is make sure that your registration to cast your ballot on March 3rd and November 6th is correct and up-to-date, especially if you have moved since the last election you voted in . You can do this by checking for your correct name, address and party affiliation at the site Board of elections website - https://www.ncsbe.gov/Voters/Voter-Tools.
You can also request an absentee ballot there at well.
Also make sure you know where your proper polling place location is.
Recently, by order of a federal judge, voter photo identification will not be required when you cast you ballot in the March 3rd primary. Indeed, absentee ballots are already being sent out. No decision has been made about the Nov. 6th general, pending a trial to decide the matter.
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