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During the first public impeachment hearing into President Donald Trump and Ukraine, a Republican lawmaker brought up another angle to bolster his criticism of the Democratic inquiry: President Barack Obama and Russia.

U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, recounted the "hot mic" moment in 2012, when Obama told Russian President DmitryMedvedev "after my election I have more flexibility."

Medvedev replied that he would "transmit this information to Vladimir," as in Putin, the current president who was prime minister at the time.

Wenstrup used that brief exchange to level an accusation against Obama:

"Maybe now we understand what President Obama meant when he told Russian President Medvedev that he would have more flexibility after his election. Maybe that flexibility was to deny lethal aid to the Ukraine, allowing Russia to march right in and kill Ukrainians."

Wenstrups inflammatory suggestion boils down to this: Obama refused to give Ukraine lethal aid so that it would be easier for Russia to attack an American ally, and he telegraphed that move with the 2012 "flexibility" comment.

But Wenstrups idea doesnt make much sense, for a couple of reasons. First, Russia hadnt invaded Crimea yet. Russia invaded Crimea in February 2014, and the Obama decision against including lethal aid in its overall support of Ukraine came after. When Obama made his comments in 2012, Ukraine had a pro-Russia government.

Michael Kofman, an expert on Russia and senior research scientist at the CNA Corporation, said nobody in 2012 was foreseeing a future conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

"It is a banal assertion that does not comport to the basic laws of the space-time continuum," he said.

"This is asinine to assume that the hot mic discussion had anything to do with Ukraine," said Mark Simakovsky, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council who formerly worked for the U.S. Defense Department. "It had more to do with potentially warming U.S.-Russia ties and improve the relationship between U.S. and Russia overall. Obama felt he had more flexibility in doing so once he was re-elected."

House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff noted a problem with the chronology of the attack when he asked Taylor: "Do you have any reason to believe that President Obama was referring to going easy on Russia for an invasion that hadnt happened yet, do you?"

Taylor replied, "I have no knowledge." Schiff interjected, "It was more or less a rhetorical question."

In 2014, the Obama administration debated whether to supply lethal weapons, but never did, choosing other military and security aid instead. The Trump administration allowed the sale of the lethal javelins; however, those weapons are far from the frontlines in Ukraine, suggesting that they are symbolic support only.

We asked Wenstrups spokesperson how Wenstrup ties Obama's conversation in 2012 to an invasion and request for aid that happened two years later.

"The Congressman was simply pointing out that the same President Obama who told Russian President Medvedev he would have more flexibility after his election is the same President Obama who, after his election, denied lethal aid to be used by Ukrainians to combat Russian tanks," Ann Tumolo replied.

The snippet of dialogue between Obama and Medvedev occurred when they met in South Korea on March 26, 2012. The leaders met to discuss the contentious issue of a missile defense program intended to protect Europe but vehemently opposed by the Russians who believed it is aimed at them. The two leaders leaned into each other to speak, suggesting they thought it was a private chat. (Part of their exchange can be heard in this video.)

Heres a transcript from ABC News:

Obama: "On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved but it's important for him to give me space."

Medvedev: "Yeah, I understand. I understand your message about space. Space for you"

Obama: "This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility."

Medvedev: "I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir."

News of Obamas comment drew attacks from Republicans in the spring of his re-election campaign. An ad by American Crossroads riffed on it in an ad portraying Obama as a secret agent to the tune of the James Bond theme song.

The Obama White House quickly issued a statement saying he was referring to top-level negotiations over the defense missile system.

"We acknowledge the fact that they too, the Russians, are going through a transition from the Medvedev government to the Putin government, just as we're going to be undergoing an election year here in the United States," said Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes. "However, I think their point was that that shouldnt disrupt work that can be done at the technical level to build confidence, to gain understanding over a period of time so that we can continue to pursue some type of agreement on this in the future."

Read more here:
Obama's hot mic moment with Russian president in 2012 was unrelated to Ukrainian aid in 2014 - PolitiFact

Four witnesses testified in the House Intelligence Committee's marathon public impeachment hearings on Tuesday.

The witnesses Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the National Security Council's Ukraine expert; Tim Morrison, the former NSC director for Russia and European affairs; Jennifer Williams, a Russia adviser for Vice President Mike Pence; and former Ukraine envoy Kurt Volker testified for a combined 9.5 hours over two separate hearings. Here's a look at five key moments:

White House attacks Vindman during his testimony

The White House, following Trump's lead, tweeted an attack against Vindman while he testified Tuesday. The White House tweeted that Morrison, briefly Vindman's boss at the NSC, testified he had "concerns" about "Vindman's judgment." Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) pounced on this quote, and Vindman responded by reading parts of a glowing evaluation written by his other former boss, Fiona Hill. "He is brilliant, unflappable, and exercises excellent judgment," Hill wrote.

Former Ukraine envoy revises earlier testimony

Volker had previously testified to House impeachment investigators that during a July 10 meeting with a Ukrainian defense leader, nobody discussed investigating former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter. In his opening statement Tuesday, Volker said he now remembers that the meeting was "essentially over" when U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland "made a generic comment about investigations." He also backtracked on Trump's freeze of $400 million in military aid, saying he never told Ukraine there were strings attached to the money, but he "did not know" if others "were conveying a different message to them around that same time."

Former National Security Council official confirms Ukraine quid pro quo

Morrison revealed that Sondland told him that in a Sept. 1 meeting with Andriy Yermak, a Ukrainian official, he had informed Yermak that "the Ukrainians would have to have the prosecutor general make a statement with respect to the investigations as a condition of having the aid lifted."

Vindman sends a touching message to his father

At the end of his testimony, Vindman who came to the United States from the Soviet Union as a small child praised America and spoke directly to his father: "Dad, my sitting here today in the U.S. Capitol talking to our elected officials is proof that you made the right decision."

Williams and Vindman react to being called 'Never Trumpers'

Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) gave Vindman and Williams the opportunity to respond to accusations from Trump and some of his allies that they are "Never Trumpers," out to get the president. Williams said she's not "sure I know an official definition of a 'Never Trumper,'" but she wouldn't classify herself as one and was "surprised" Trump characterized her that way. Vindman said he would call himself "Never Partisan." Catherine Garcia

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Actors have been cast to play Bill Clinton and Barack Obama 5:08 p.m. - The Week

The former First Lady is always spotted among famous celebrities all around the world - and this week was no exception. Michelle - who was spotted wearing a bright yellow and diamante dress with a plunge neckline - was snapped with another famous person on her arm.

his time, it was no one other than Lin-Manuel Miranda, an American composer, singer, actor, playwright and producer who is known for creating and starring in Broadway musicals, In the Heights and Hamilton.

Michelle described Mr Miranda as a good friend of hers as she presented him with a prestigious award.

Mr Miranda was being presented with the Portrait of a Nation Prize which reflects the mission of the National Portrait Gallery as handed down by Congress in 1962 by having made an impact on America's history and culture, according to Kim Sajet, the director of Smithsonians National Portrait Gallery.

Michelle accompanied her Twitter post with a caption where she complimented her friend.

She said: "So proud to present the Portrait of a Nation Prize to my good friend, Lin-Manuel.

Love this guy with his melodies, rhymes, and nonstop energy, hes painted as honest a portrait of our country as Ive ever seen, lifting folks up through his work onstage and off.

Fans of Michelles took to Twitter to congratulate the pair and compliment her on her dress and make-up.

One user said: Two national treasures.

READ MORE:NCIS: When did Michelle Obama star in NCIS?

One user said: Please run for President! The majority love and respect you!

Mr Miranda also retweeted Michelles tweet with the hashtags More tomorrow.

One fan commented on Mr Mirandas post saying that once you meet Michelle you know youve made it.

Tori said: You know youve REALLY made it when Michelle Obama calls you her good friend - cant wait to hear more about this.

It comes as Michelle received more social media support recently for her post on Instagram.

Michelle shared a video from the Obama Foundation Summit.

She met with people from the Girls Opportunity Alliance one of the programs run by the Foundation.

View original post here:
Michelle Obama news: Ex-FLOTUS posts snap with special man on her arm - 'Love this guy!' - Express.co.uk

Last week, President Trump granted full pardons for Army First Lt. Clint Lorance and Army Maj. Mathew Golsteyn, whod been accused of war crimes. Lorance had served six years of a 19-year sentence, and Golsteyn was facing trial for killing an alleged Taliban bombmaker. Navy SEAL Edward R. Gallagher, who was found not guilty of war crimes, but still had his rank reduced, was granted clemency and restoration of rank.

Lawmakers had been pushing for pardons for Lorance and Golsteyn because theyd taken actions to defend themselves on the battlefield and were charged with war crimes for it. Yet, when President Trump pardoned them, it immediately sparked controversy and outrage. Pete Buttigieg joined in the outrage chorus, claiming Trump dishonored our armed services.

American soldiers join the military knowing they can be sent away from their families for long periods of time into unsafe conditions with the possibility they might never come backor come back severely injured. For Trump to give various members of our military a second chance is infinitely less outrageous than acts of clemency made by his predecessor.

Barack Obama commuted the sentence of Bradley Manning (you may also know him as Chelsea), who leaked hundreds of thousands of sensitive documents to WikiLeaks. A traitor in every sense, in 2013 Manning was convicted and sentenced to 35 years in prison. But, Bradley Manning became a hero of the political left for declaring himself to be transgender, and Obama made his controversial commutation days before leaving office.

Obama also commuted the sentence of convicted terrorist Oscar Lopez Rivera. Lopez Rivera was a leader of the Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacin Nacional Puertorriquea (FALN), a Puerto Rican terrorist group responsible for 130 attacks in the United States, and at least six deaths. An unrepentant Lopez-Rivera was serving a 70-year sentence when Obama set him free.

Obama also granted clemency to hundreds of drug offenders he claimed were non-violent offenders who deserved a second chance, because of racism or something. It later came out that many of the people he released were actually violent offenders guilty of gun crimes. Obama granted more acts of clemency than any president since Truman, though he saved much of that executive use of power for the latter months and days of his presidency.

While Obama may have granted clemency to plenty who deserved it, granting clemency to an unrepentant terrorist was nonsensical. Doing the same for a traitor responsible for the biggest national security breach in history sends the worst possible message. I think its clear that Trump has shown far better judgment so far than his predecessor.

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Matt Margolis is the author of Trumping Obama: How President Trump Saved Us From Barack Obama's Legacy and the bestselling book The Worst President in History: The Legacy of Barack Obama. You can follow Matt on Twitter @MattMargolis

See the original post:
Obama Granted Clemency to Terrorists and Traitors, But Were Supposed to Be Angry at Trump's Pardons | News and Politics - PJ Media

Oh, the liberal media stepped on a rake today, but the Trump-Ukraine impeachment fiasco that has engulfed the Hill should mask the extent of the falloutthough they deserve a to be dragged through the streets for this blunder. So, it was blasted out all over. The U.S. has the has worlds highest rate of children in detention. This was based on a United Nations survey. Cue President Trump-bashing. Cue the hysteria. Except that this was from a 2015 study, which means that Obama was the one that put those kids in cages, which is something that we on the right have been saying for months. Some of the Trump immigration agenda is a continuation of Obama-era policies. Talk about getting owned, liberal America. As The Daily Callers Amber Athey noted, this is what happens when the media ignores bad stories that could damage Democratic administrations. As The Daily Callers Amber Athey noted, this is what happens when the media ignores bad stories that could damage Democratic administrations.

See the original post here:
The Media Peddled Some Fake News Today And They Have the Trump Impeachment Circus to Thank for Mitigating the Fallout - Townhall