Today on AirTalk, we discuss with our experts what steps are next for impeachment as it moves to the Senate and new evidence is released. We also take a look at how the HUD plans to work with LA to help the homeless crisis; think about what Girl Scout cookies we want as cookie season approaches; and more.
Impeachment Latest: GAO Report, Parnas Interview And More
The White House violated federal law in withholding security assistance to Ukraine, an action at the center of President Donald Trump’s impeachment, a federal watchdog agency said Thursday.
Meanwhile, a close associate of President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani is claiming Trump was directly involved in the effort to pressure Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden.
Lev Parnas says he delivered an ultimatum in May, at Giuliani’s behest, to the incoming president of Ukraine that no senior U.S. officials would attend his inauguration and vital American security aid would be withheld if an investigation into Biden wasn’t announced.
As for today’s procession, Chief Justice John Roberts will be sworn in at the Senate to preside over next week’s trial.
We get the latest updates and we dive into the historical and legal dimensions of the upcoming Senate trial.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guests:
Anna Edgerton, politics editor for Bloomberg; she tweets
Barbara Perry, professor, co-chair of the presidential oral history program and director of presidential studies at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center; she tweets
David Rivkin, partner at the law firm BakerHostetler; he has previously held positions at the Department of Justice, in the Office of White House Counsel and elsewhere in the federal government; he tweets
Gov. Newsom Wants To Reduce Traffic Citation Costs For Lower-Income Drivers
Gov. Gavin Newsom thinks traffic citation costs are getting out of hand, so he’s proposing a change.
According to the Sacramento Bee, turning right on a red without coming to a complete stop costs $500 in California. The state now wants to reduce those costs for low-income drivers who can’t afford to pay the fines. In Newsom’s budget proposal, he called on authorities to launch a statewide program that could potentially cut citation costs by more than half for lower-income drivers. There’s already an existing pilot program in four counties that reduces fines. According to KSBY News, a recent study found that drivers often don’t pay costly citations. Today on AirTalk, we discuss the proposal. Should traffic fines be lowered for certain drivers? What do you think? Join the conversation by calling 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Martin Hoshino, administrative director of the California Judicial Council
Adam Schiff On The Impeachment Senate Trial: What's Next?
The Senate has officially received the articles of impeachment from the House, launching a trial in the Senate that’s scheduled to start on Tuesday.
Representative Adam Schiff was named the lead management prosecutor, guiding a team of seven lawmakers to prosecute the House’s case that President Donald Trump abused his office and obstructed Congress’ probe into what happened. Schiff, as Chairman of the Intelligence Committee, led the impeachment investigation into Trump’s pressure on Ukraine to announce an investigation into the family of Joe Biden, even as the president held up military aid to the U.S. ally. Joining Schiff on the prosecution team are representatives Jerrold Nadler, Zoe Lofgren, Val Demings, Hakeem Jeffries, Sylvia Garcia and Jason Crow.
Today on AirTalk, Adam Schiff joins the program to discuss the House’s case and what we can expect from next week’s Senate trial.
With files from the Associated Press
Guest:
Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee; Democratic Congressman representing California’s 28 Congressional District, which includes Burbank, parts of Pasadena, and Glendale; he tweets
How Is The Trump Administration Proposing To Help L.A. Address Homelessness?
The Trump Administration is offering to step in and provide Los Angeles with resources to help its homelessness crisis. But the proposal is essentially a deal with conditions the administration says the city must meet.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson sent a letter to Mayor Eric Garcetti saying federal officials would help the city by providing resources like emergency healthcare and federal land. But the letter also proposed that L.A. would have to make “necessary policy changes” in how it addresses the issue of homelessness. The specific details aren’t clear but they could include changes to how local law enforcement is utilized and reducing housing regulations as a way to increase affordable housing. It’s also unclear how much aid the Trump administration could provide. Although many are applauding L.A. city and county officials for attempting to work with the White House, some worry about the stipulations that might come with it.
Today on AirTalk, Larry sits down with a variety of stakeholders to discuss where talks are now and what is likely to come.
Guests:
Rev. Andy Bales, CEO of Union Rescue Mission; he tweets
Kathryn Barger, L.A. County supervisor representing the 5th district, which includes the Antelope, San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valley; she tweets
Va Lecia Adams Kellum, president and CEO of St. Joseph Center which works with working low-income families, and homeless men, women and children; they are based in Venice and service L.A. County ; tweets
How Did Girl Scout Cookies Become A Thing? Plus, Your Stories Of Cookie Peddling
The holidays may be over, but the season for cookies is just beginning. We’re, of course, talking about Girl Scouts cookies.
Everyone has their coveted, beloved picks. A highly official internal AirTalk staff poll puts Thin Mints, Samoas and Tagalongs at the top of the list. Preferred methods of consumption range from straight out of the box to frozen ahead of time.
For many, cookie season triggers memories of selling cookies -- outside groceries stores, through parents and even door-to-door. Today, we want to hear those stories.
We go back through the history of how cookies became so integral to the Girl Scouts. Plus, we want to hear your anecdotes of young entrepreneurship, interactions with strangers and awkward encounters pursued in service of selling another box of Trefoils. As parenting styles and safety concerns have changed, having selling methods changed? If you’re a parent of a Girl Scout, how do you approach cookie season? Call us at 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Anne Ewbank, associate editor of Gastro Obscura, Atlas Obscura’s food vertical; her article is “The First Girl Scout Cookie Was Surprisingly Boring”