Trump on Trial: The Investigation, Impeachment, Acquittal and Aftermath

by Kevin Sullivan, Mary Jordan, The Washington Post

A Scribner book. Scribner has a great book for every listener.




RUNNING TIME ⇒ 19hrs.

©2020 Kevin Sullivan, Mary Jordan, The Washington Post (P)2020 Simon & Schuster Audio

Genres: Politics, History, Nonfiction, American History, Current Affairs, Law

Audible Audio

First published August 25, 2020

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have decided to embark on a mission to read a number of books on subjects that will be of great importance to the upcoming 2020 US Presidential Election. Many of these will focus on actors intricately involved in the process, in hopes that I can understand them better and, perhaps, educate others with the power to cast a ballot. I am, as always, open to serious recommendations from anyone who has a book I might like to include in the process.

This is Book #22 in my 2020 US Election Preparation Challenge.

While many will say the impeachment of Donald Trump was fairly cut and dry, the authors of this book prove that the process was anything but simple or based on a single event. Working to amass a narrative from a slew of published articles in the Washington Post, Kevin Sullivan and Mary Jordan bring the story to life, as the momentum increases from early mention of issues at the American Embassy in Kyiv through to the Senate vote on the Articles of Impeachment. Many readers will likely agree that the story is long and drawn-out, but never boring (save perhaps those whose blinders rate firmly affixed and who have been drinking the Trump conspiracy-Aid). This book is surely for those on both sides of the political aisle, just to show how things progressed and the political machinations early in an election year.

While an ambassador serves at the pleasure of the president, it would seem American Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch was destined to be fired from the outset. Trump personal attorney and hack man, Rudy Giuliani, began making waves in hopes of ensuring her quick demise. The early chapters of the book hint at the attempts to neutralise Yovanovitch, which proved to be a precursor to other things that would shake the American presence in the region.

After the election of a new president in Ukraine, the Trump Administration sought to get a feel for the man and his ability to work on the international scene. Volodymyr Zelensky came from a similar background as Trump, in that he was a television personality seeking to make a difference to the general public and rose to prominence with his large star power. Still, his lack of a strong tie to Russia could make for some troubles in Trump circles, but this could be remedied, should the need arise.

On the other side of the US capital, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was working with her large, yet divided, caucus. Still reeling from the somewhat toothless Mueller Report, Pelosi sought to keep those screaming for impeachment at bay, while providing a cohesiveness to the cameras. Her disdain for President Trump was palpable, though she would never let the man get the upper hand. Through her strong will and extensive political experience, Pelosi proved a thorn in the president's side, unable to rein him in when he got too out of hand.

Talks began about how Trump could use the new Ukrainian leader to help him in a plot hatched outside of the American sphere. This included US Ambassador to the European Union, Gordon Sondland, who was sure something could be pulled off, even as senior Cabinet members were dead set against it. The chum was in the water and the danger appeared to be just too much. When, in a call between the two party leaders led to Trump holding back key military aid until some investigations into Hunter Biden had been completed, some sat stunned in the room, while others were happy to see this twist in the script. Had Trump just offered a quid pro quo for his own political benefit?

The fallout was stunning from the call, so much so that many who read the transcript were sure it was misconstrued. However, it would take a well-placed whistleblower complaint that would leave the media rushing to confirm the message. Had Trump just used congressionally apportioned monies as a carrot to ensure he had enough dirt looking ahead to 2020? This would pique the interest of both Pelosi and some other high-ranking members of the House Intelligence Committee, as this could surely be the fodder needed to open a strong and plausible impeachment investigation. However, the decision would surely divide members of the House, primarily along party lines. It would also fuel the Trump Machine and his #fakenews rhetoric.

After a fairly party-line vote, the impeachment had been solidified, only the third president who had ever been given the ominous label. But, the politics were not over quite yet, as the Republican-held Senate had a few tricks up their sleeves. Witnesses or none? Timing? It would all come down to this, though no one was entirely sure if the supermajority needed could be ascertained. The narrative takes on a great spin at this point, with the stakes even higher.

The authors offer up an interesting take on the Senate Impeachment Trial, turning it into a circus and preparation for the 2020 campaign, particularly for those seeking to hold onto their Senate seats. With extensive arguments by the House Managers and Trump’s own legal team, senators were forced to sit through lengthy arguments that appeared to be less about the legal facts and more a smear by both sides. The drama came in how some of the moderate Republicans would vote, which could open the floodgates to others who were less than impressed by Trump’s antics. Alas, it was for not, leaving many to spin this as a waste of taxpayers’ money. And yet, they refuse to substantiate their sentiments, in true Trumpian fashion.

Was the Impeachment process uncalled for in a country that would be going to the polls to select a president in November? It’s possible, though the core reasons seemed sound from the perspective of ‘high crimes’ from a congressional perspective. Remove the constitutional lawyer’s sentiments and look at how an elected official might see the bartering for promised monies to an area in need of protection. Remember also, this is a president who has never agreed to rules or limits to his power, which fuels the argument that he is authoritarian and uses his lackeys to get what he wants. A censure would have done nothing and there seems never to have been a time when Trump took these events seriously, choosing instead to tweet his way out of a hole. But that is what this man does... he tries to offer a conspiratorial bauble for people to focus upon, denying the truths as they pile up. With an all but impossible task of getting the ⅔ majority needed in the Senate, House Managers (and the Pelosi-led House in general) likely knew they could not make a difference, but wanted it out there. They wanted to public to see what had been done and let Republicans argue their way out of a paper bag, in hopes that it would shed light on twisted logic ahead of November 2020.

In a book cobbled together months after the Impeachment process, the authors do well to create a sound narrative. Using reports from a number of well-versed reporters, the story coming together effectively. Told from various perspectives, the reader is able to discover the important aspects of the story as it developed. This was no ‘from on high’ bashing of Trump, as I felt there were some strong attempts to offer insights and views that could best explain what happened, directly from those who were involved. Some will call it #fakenews, but it is only because the message is not from the Trumpian hymnal. Funny, how truth can only sprout from the bullshit he disperses, otherwise it is faked or spun. Thorough chapters keep the reader engaged and involved throughout the process. While I would never call this a ‘stunning, smoking gun’ book on the subject, it held my attention until the very end and left me with a better understanding of many aspects I did not see throughout the process. I can only hope something will be written about Campaign 2020, which is sure to make this circus look like a fifth grade production.

Kudos, Mr. Sullivan and Madam Jordan, for opening my eyes to a great deal. This time in US Politics is rife with scandal and drama, leaving me to read books like this, which will also be perfect for historians a century from now.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Robert P. Hoffman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book. The person during the audio version did an acceptable job. The problem was the book. There is almost nothing new or insightful in his account of what led to Trump's impeachment. If someone didn't follow any of the proceedings then this book would be good to read. But if you followed things, as I did, then this was just going over the same ground.

The author quotes at great detail the testimony of witnesses, the speeches both sides made, Trump's tweets and statements and accounts of what happened. But there again is really nothing of value added in this book.

[Stephen Morrissey · Rating 4 out of 5]

With President Donald J. Trump's impeachment receding into memory (particularly with the all-encompassing COVID-19 pandemic still gripping the world), the work of re-telling, analyzing and judging Trump's "high crimes and misdemeanors" becomes, like Hercules at the Augean Stables, a tall (and malodorous) task.

"Trump on Trial" is the first shovel excavating the Augean dung heap of the impeachment and trail of Trump. While the prose is matter-of-fact, almost a newspaper article in long-form, the narrative hangs together and is told in details that trace the very beginnings of the Ukraine scandal through the ultimate acquittal of the president. The story may be familiar, though lost in the mountain of Trump-era scandals: Giuliani tasked with collecting dirt on Biden in Ukraine; the sacrifice of diplomacy to self-interest; the request for Ukrainian President Zelensky to "do us a favor;" the freeze on vital military aid; and the vast unease inspired by the aid-freeze.

In "Trump on Trial," we get the story: from Ukraine to DC, the facts, as we know them now, are laid out vividly and concisely. However, what is missing is the "why?" And, perhaps, therein lies the problem of the entire impeachment process. As the book recounts, Democrats may very well have succeeded in demonstrating that Trump conditioned aid to an ally on domestic political considerations. But why did that matter? Was it so outside the normal course of politics and diplomacy? Why should it merit removal from office?

The House Managers, Schiff amongst them, make the case, though the words still hang as the tale of Democrats, as opposed to the "he did it, sow what?" tale of the Republicans. More time may be needed to evaluate how damaging Trump's conduct was. For now, we will have to make do with an incomplete historical record and a forlorn sense that there is more to the story than is currently known.

[Caroline David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very in-depth look at the Trump impeachment process. It gave it a great timeline and many behind the scenes looks.

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll admit: I didn’t want to read any novel chronicling the historic U.S. impeachment case. My peripheral view of it was full of mudslinging and pointing fingers. And trying to unravel the deeper political nuances was only more discouraging. There is always a layer of exposition that fades in light of the main event. That changed with this book.

For me, what made Kevin Sullivan and Mary Jordan’s book memorable was how they weave the events of the impeachment trial and what leads up to it with human characters and their own background and subplots. They start right at the beginning where the case takes root filled with detailed yet concise descriptions of the who, what, where, when, and why. Testimonials and perspectives included large and minor figures at different ranks, governmental and civil experience, political leanings, and motivations. All together, Sullivan and Jordan paint a spectrum of mindsets over a permanent, dictominal good versus bad despite the case in question.

While there are a lot of moving parts with multiple perspectives, everything interlocked so well that it all progressed rather fluidly. Even more interesting was how they personified the people involved: they were not just their actions pertaining to the case. Rather than a dreary report, Trump on Trial reads like an action-packed political drama but with the weight of reality.

[Gretchen Hohmeyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you paid minute attention to Trump's first impeachment trial, this probably won't have much new information for you. However, as someone who was interested in a book that tied what felt like too many parts together into a single narrative, this was of interest to me! The audiobook did a really good job of somehow explaining the HUGE cast of characters without ever leaving me confused who was who, which can be really difficult without pages to refer to. Note: I've heard there's a new version that also includes the 2nd impeachment and the election, but my library's version was the original edition covering just the first one.

[Kdcontorno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

A compilation of many writers resulting in a step by step process, explanation, with insight into temperament, pace, party loyalty and personal loyalties. Backstage at the impeachment.

[John Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

You do not learn anything new with the book; if you follow US politics relatively closely then Trump on Trial serves more as a ‘food for thought’ factual analysis of what the impeachment trial may mean for the future of American democracy. That said, it is a very good analysis.

[Dale Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was painful to "relive" the impeachment inquiry and especially the acquittal but reading it was a good reminder of that terrible time as we near the 2020 election. To think, this MAJOR event occurred only a few months ago but its memory has already sunk into the shadows. I did enjoy the "behind the scenes" tidbits. Reading it as a narrative from beginning to the end and beyond, plus learning more about the witnesses made for an interesting read. SO MANY memorable and painful events have happened in 2020 that we will never forget - let this be one that we never forget and I pray that this country does not live regret! In the next few weeks we will learn if the U.S.A. will re-elect an impeached, flawed, dishonest president.

[Andrew Dittmar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an exceedingly depressing book.