President Trump set off a new phase of political warfare Thursday, taking to the East Room of the White House to lambaste his opponents and praise his defenders during a bizarre and caustic performance celebrating his Senate acquittal that followed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s declaration that he was “impeached forever.”
Veering between vitriolic and triumphant in a meandering speech that stretched past an hour, Trump sounded off against “vicious and mean” Democrats and “dirty cops” at the FBI, and he individually acknowledged Republican lawmakers he described as “great warriors” for his cause.
“This is a day of celebration because we went through hell,” Trump told the crowd of supporters, describing his impeachment as “all bullshit” and attacking several of his opponents in highly personal terms. He reminded Republicans that their fortunes were inextricably linked to his own — and to his personal views of them. Continue reading.