President Donald Trump's defense attorneys returned to the floor of the United States Senate on Monday as the impeachment trial began its second week.
Trump's lawyers were criticized for what they did not say, as they ignored the bombshell revelation that Ambassador John Bolton will reveal in an upcoming book that the president explicitly linked aid to Ukraine with an investigation of the Biden family during a private meeting. The news of the book is said to be a nightmare scenario that has rattled the White House.
Trump's lawyers weren't only criticized for what the did not say, but also for what they did claim.
The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence took to Trump's favorite social media platform to fact-check the trial in real-time.
Here are 12 claims that were fact-check by the Intelligence Committee:
White House Claim: Rudy Giuliani is “a minor player.” Reality: Witnesses testified that Trump directed them to "t… https://t.co/TvPvPtrNpr— House Intelligence Committee (@House Intelligence Committee) 1580159523.0
White House Claim: The House denied due process. Reality: President Trump was offered the same or better procedura… https://t.co/BXqHaVqMZH— House Intelligence Committee (@House Intelligence Committee) 1580158671.0
White House Claim: The House never subpoenaed Rudy Giuliani, therefore he is not central to the Ukraine scheme. Re… https://t.co/RQJrcEZIAY— House Intelligence Committee (@House Intelligence Committee) 1580157999.0
White House claim: This president has been the strongest support of Ukraine. Reality: President Trump knew that US… https://t.co/AsTp0TSwFv— House Intelligence Committee (@House Intelligence Committee) 1580156841.0
White House Claim: “It was no secret” why the aid was withheld. Reality: The House interviewed 17 witnesses. None… https://t.co/Bw3h0aQMKo— House Intelligence Committee (@House Intelligence Committee) 1580156449.0
White House claim: The fact that Trump and Zelensky met at the UN exonerates the President. Reality: Multiple witn… https://t.co/L620Gc4Q6V— House Intelligence Committee (@House Intelligence Committee) 1580155220.0
White House claim: There was no quid pro quo. Reality: Gordon Sondland on quid pro quo for the White House meetin… https://t.co/wFPAx3s9aP— House Intelligence Committee (@House Intelligence Committee) 1580154461.0
White House claim: The President was really concerned about burden sharing. Reality: The burden did not change bet… https://t.co/rLhUczMnlR— House Intelligence Committee (@House Intelligence Committee) 1580153994.0
White House claim: Ukraine did not know about the withheld aid until public reporting. Reality: Two witnesses test… https://t.co/B6LtHzjH5M— House Intelligence Committee (@House Intelligence Committee) 1580153520.0
White House claim: It is inappropriate to impeach a president in an election year. Reality: Trump solicited foreig… https://t.co/GG3WosCbT6— House Intelligence Committee (@House Intelligence Committee) 1580152360.0
White House Claim: Trump’s obstruction of Congress is not impeachable Reality: Trump’s own lawyer Robert Ray said… https://t.co/MHpUzgayc8— House Intelligence Committee (@House Intelligence Committee) 1580151752.0
White House Claim: Ukraine felt no pressure. Reality: US assistance = 10% of Ukraine’s military budget. Lt. Col.… https://t.co/17g9ihTeKl— House Intelligence Committee (@House Intelligence Committee) 1580149290.0
