Citing Betrayal of Oath, Watchdog Group Files Formal Ethics Complaint Against McConnell...

[babylonsister]

Monday, January 13, 2020
byCommon Dreams
Citing Betrayal of Oath, Watchdog Group Files Formal Ethics Complaint Against McConnell Over Trump Impeachment
"The public declarations by Senator McConnell that his role in the impeachment process is to coordinate with the White House and thereby make a mockery of the trial directly contradict his oath of impartiality."
by Jon Queally, staff writer


The advocacy group Public Citizen on Monday filed a formal ethics complaint against Senate Majority Mitch McConnell, accusing the powerful Republican of betraying his oath of office by signaling overt bias in favor of President Donald Trump even before his looming impeachment trial begins.

"The public declarations by Senator McConnell that his role in the impeachment process is to coordinate with the White House and thereby make a mockery of the trial directly contradict his oath of impartiality," said Robert Weissman, president of Public Citizen, in a statement. "This is not about whether McConnell has views on Trump's guilt or whether he has reached a conclusion based on the available evidence. It's about whether he will design a process that aims to render impartial justice. He has made clear he has no intention of doing so."

"This is not about whether McConnell has views on Trump's guilt or whether he has reached a conclusion based on the available evidence. It's about whether he will design a process that aims to render impartial justice. He has made clear he has no intention of doing so."

—Robert Weissman, Public Citizen In December, just as the House was on the verge of voting to approve two articles of impeachment against Trump, McConnell announced publicly that he would be coordinated Trump's defense in the Senate trial directly with the administration.

"Everything I do during this I'm coordinating with White House counsel. There will be no difference between the president's position and our position as to how to handle this," McConnell said at the time. The comments, as Common Dreams reported, led to critics to immediately accuse McConnell of openly "planning to the rig" the impeachment trial.

more...

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/01/13/citing-betrayal-oath-watchdog-group-files-formal-ethics-complaint-against-mcconnell?fbclid=IwAR2dJ3QBaLVS70lTMkrAYmd1eaIa7N0p_-rJeaG9GszbRw5stvIEQY0JvHk

[getagrip_already]

1. filed with whom?

The courts have no say how the senate operates. The senate does not recognize public citizen in any capacity.

So who exactly are they filing a "formal" complaint to? Dear Abbey? Judge Judy?

[PSPS]

2. It's in the story. The Senate Ethics Committee (LOL. effectively chaired by putin)

[Fullduplexxx]

3. In theethics complaintfiled Monday with the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics, Public Citizen

In the ethics complaint filed Monday with the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics, Public Citizen accused McConnell of violating his "oath under the U.S. Constitution as well as the rules of the Senate requiring impartiality and warrant recusal from the proceedings."

[getagrip_already]

4. like I said...

The senate doesn't recognize them. It isn't a formal complaint if the senate doesn't recognize the accusers.

Formal in the sense that they delivered it. But not recognized in any way so it's just a letter to the editor.

The senate doesn't even have to recognize receiving it.

[blogslut]

6. Couldn't hurt to do it then, could it?

I'm cool with any and all complaints against the corruption in our government.

[getagrip_already]

7. nope, can't hurt, but

It's a pet peeve of mine that every advocacy group will try a stunt like this at some point. Not that there is anything wrong with sending a documented complaint. It's that there is no "formal" process for it beyond presenting it to you senator(s).

It is they who must raise a claim of complaint within the senate.

And even that can be ignored. So yeah, no harm, but just a deceptively worded release.

[usaf-vet]

9. So rather than "trying a stunt". You would suggest the alternative is to STFU? No? Then what?

[getagrip_already]

10. not at all....

They could cultivate senators to push it from within. They could use their resourcews to put local pressure on gop senators up for re-election. They could find grounds to file an actual federal court action in civil court.

There are all kinds of things they could do, but it's hard work and it costs money. Issuing a press release is cheap. They can issue one a day. They can send a letter of complaint a day. Why is more any less effective than one?

Press releases have a place. Letters of complaint have a place. Just call them that. Don't call it a formal complaint when the only formal thing about is the structure of the letter.

[usaf-vet]

13. And we know that they are not already doing those things..... how?

[getagrip_already]

14. they weren't in the press release..... n/t

[usaf-vet]

15. I don't know anymore than you do about who is or isn't applying pressure to all possible targets.

If some individual or group wants to apply pressure why should we discourage that? By labeling it stunt? I think not!

[calimary]

8. He needs as much shit thrown his way as possible.

[3Hotdogs]

11. Waste of time. In order to have a complaint,

ya gotta first have ethics.

[Skittles]

12. ooh ooh, I wonder what will happen

oh right: NOTHING

[Mersky]

16. Call the Senate Ethics Committee! Now!

220 Hart Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Tell them you support the complaint of betrayal of oath against McConnell as filed by Public Citizen.

Eta: https://www.ethics.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/publications

[progressoid]

17. And then what?

[SCVDem]

18. Whizzin' in a wetsuit.

You get a warm feeling but nobody notices.