Ep. 933 - Impeachment Hits The Senate

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centers on two impeachment-related “bombshells”: Pelosi’s formal sending of articles to the Senate and a GAO finding that the Trump administration improperly withheld Ukraine aid under the Impoundment Control Act, plus fresh Lev Parnas material suggesting deeper coordination in the Ukraine effort. Shapiro argues the aid issue is a legal/political fight, not automatically impeachable, and questions the reliability and motives behind Parnas and the media’s coverage.

Main Topics: Pelosi’s Senate transmission of impeachment articles (Priority: 5/5): Pelosi formally sends impeachment charges to the Senate, with Shapiro mocking the celebratory tone and arguing Democrats framed the process as solemn while acting gleeful and political. GAO finding on withheld Ukraine aid (Priority: 5/5): The Government Accountability Office says OMB improperly withheld about $214 million in Ukraine security assistance, violating the Impoundment Control Act by using a policy reason without the required special message to Congress. Impeachment vs. statutory remedy debate (Priority: 5/5): Shapiro argues that even if the administration violated the ICA, the law provides a civil remedy and congressional procedures, not impeachment; he stresses the distinction between executive overreach and an impeachable offense. Lev Parnas and the Ukraine network (Priority: 4/5): Parnas appears on Rachel Maddow and claims Trump knew about and directed his actions, but Shapiro says Parnas is an indicted, conflicted source who is two steps removed from Trump and could have been called by the House earlier. Warren-Sanders post-debate clash (Priority: 3/5): CNN releases audio of Elizabeth Warren confronting Bernie Sanders after the debate, fueling intra-party conflict and concerns about Democratic unity heading into Iowa. Culture-war commentary: James Bond gender debate (Priority: 2/5): Shapiro praises the James Bond producers for saying Bond should remain male, using the issue to argue that male and female character dynamics matter and that Hollywood should create new female roles instead of recasting old ones. Authoritarianism abroad: Putin and China (Priority: 2/5): The episode closes by warning that Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin are consolidating power, with Putin portrayed as effectively making himself dictator for life through constitutional and government changes.

Key Arguments: Pelosi’s handoff of impeachment articles looked celebratory and political, undermining claims that the process was solemn and dignified. The GAO report likely identifies a real statutory violation, but the Impoundment Control Act supplies a civil remedy and congressional response, not impeachment. Trump’s Ukraine conduct was bad policy, but Shapiro argues it is better understood as a misguided attempt to investigate 2016-related theories than a 2020 election corruption scheme. Lev Parnas is not a clean witness because he is indicted, has conflicting incentives, and is separated from Trump by Rudy Giuliani and his own activities in Ukraine. The House’s failure to call Parnas earlier weakens the force of the new revelations and suggests tactical rather than truth-seeking motives. Warren and Sanders’ public feud exposes real fractures in the Democratic coalition, especially with Iowa approaching. The Bond franchise’s insistence that Bond remain male reflects basic differences between male and female character roles, according to Shapiro. Putin’s restructuring of Russia’s government is framed as another step toward entrenched dictatorship rather than genuine power-sharing.

Data Points: Ukraine aid withheld: approximately $214 million - GAO says OMB withheld this amount from obligation for Ukraine security assistance Total Ukraine appropriation: $250 million - Congress appropriated this amount for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative for FY2019 Defense obligation notice period: 15 days - DOD was required to notify Congress 15 days in advance of obligation of USAI funds Threshold for additional certification: more than 50% - DOD had to certify Ukraine reforms to obligate more than half of appropriated funds Pump-and-hold date range: July 25 to September 10, 2019 - OMB issued multiple apportionment schedules with footnotes delaying obligation during this period Temporary delay described by OMB: until August 5, 2019 - Initial footnote said funds were unavailable until this date to allow an interagency process GAO report format: 8-page letter - The GAO’s conclusion was issued in an eight-page letter Iowa caucus change: votes, delegates, and results all announced - Shapiro notes the Democratic Party will announce who has the most votes, delegates, and the night’s results, creating more room for competing claims of victory ZipRecruiter claim: 4 out of 5 - Sponsor read claims four out of five employers get a quality candidate within the first day HomeTitleLock claim: 85 grand in equities stolen - Sponsor example describing alleged home title theft losses House vs Senate timing: within 24 hours - Shapiro repeatedly notes new developments arrived within a day of Pelosi sending the articles to the Senate

Pivotal Quotes: "He's been impeached forever. They can never erase that." — Nancy Pelosi: Pelosi describing the lasting effect of impeachment as she sent articles to the Senate "OMB violated the ICA when it withheld USAI funds for policy reasons." — Government Accountability Office: The GAO’s core legal conclusion regarding the Ukraine aid withholding "I think you called me a liar on national TV." — Bernie Sanders: Audio released by CNN of Sanders confronting Elizabeth Warren after the debate

Implications: The episode frames impeachment as politically theatrical but legally limited, while warning that the Ukraine aid issue may have real statutory consequences. It also signals that Parnas-related revelations and the Warren-Sanders feud could intensify partisan conflict ahead of the Senate trial and Iowa caucuses.