Welcome to Wednesday, September 25th, 0s and 1s...

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has announced that Democrats will launch a formal impeachment probe of President Donald Trump.

The announcement comes amidst allegations that Trump pressured his Ukrainian counterpart to investigate Joe Biden. There is speculation that the president withheld military aid to Ukraine until the country promised to investigate Biden and his son.

"The actions of the Trump presidency revealed the dishonorable fact of the president's betrayal of his oath of office, betrayal of our national security, and betrayal of the integrity of our elections," she continued. "Therefore, today I am announcing the House of Representatives is moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry."

During a meeting at the United Nations with the Iraqi president that was open to the press, President Trump responded to reports of growing Democratic support for an impeachment probe:

“[T]he country’s doing the best it’s ever done, and I just heard that [Pelosi would] like to impeach… If she does that, they all say that’s a positive for me in the election. You could also say: who needs it, it’s bad for the country.”

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Read how impeachment works, then tell your reps:

Should President Donald Trump be impeached?

On the Radar

Trump to Release Ukraine Call Transcript

President Trump said that on Wednesday he will release the transcript of the above-mentioned called with Ukraine's president.

"I am currently at the United Nations representing our Country, but have authorized the release tomorrow of the complete, fully declassified and unredacted transcript of my phone conversation with President Zelensky of Ukraine," Trump tweeted.

Both chambers of Congress are also moving formally request the whistleblower complaint, which has been linked to the call and withheld by Trump administration to date, prompting Pelosi to announce an impeachment probe.

It’s unclear at this time what exactly is in the whistleblower’s complaint, which was deemed an “urgent concern” by the intelligence community inspector general. Reports by the Washington Post and The New York Times indicate that it involves a promise to a foreign leader by Trump while Fox News reported that the whistleblower doesn’t have firsthand knowledge of the Trump-Ukraine phone call.

Trump has acknowledged that on several occasions he encouraged Ukraine's president to investigate the corruption allegations surrounding Biden.

Do you want to see the Ukraine call transcript and the whistleblower complaint?

Under the Radar

Charging Protesters for Police Overtime

After climate change activists flooded the nation’s capital for the “Shut Down DC” protest, Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) announced that he’s introducing legislation to force arrested protestors to “pay for police overtime and other fees related to the action.”

"Under my bill, a person will be responsible for public safety response costs incurred by the District of Columbia’s response to a demonstration if, in connection with the demonstration, the person is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor offense," Banks tweeted.

Protesters took to the streets of D.C. on Monday to demand action on climate change, led by 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. The group blocked major traffic intersections in Washington and held a dance party in the street.

Later in the day, Thunberg attended the United Nations Climate Action Summit, where she told the assembled group:

“This is all wrong. I shouldn’t be up here. I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean yet you all come to us young people for hope. How dare you.”

Should protesters be charged for police overtime?

What Should We Call the Countable Community?

“Countable Community” doesn’t quite capture all you do in keeping Liberty’s flame glowing. We were discussing possible collective nouns for you model citizens… then realized you’ve always given us insightful comments, so why not solicit ideas from you?

We put out the call here, click over and add your thoughts.

Here's some of your (civil) suggestions:

The aCountables
Patriots of Perseverance
People Who Count
Countable Voter Community
The People’s Voice
We The People

What should we call the Countable Community?

Your Gov't At a Glance

The White House: President Trump in NY

At 10:00am EDT, the president will participate in a multilateral meeting about Venezuela.
At 12:10pm EDT, the president will participate in a bilateral meeting with the prime minister of Japan.
At 2:15pm EDT, the president will participate in a bilateral meeting with the president of Ukraine.
At 3:15pm EDT, the president will participate in a bilateral meeting with the president of El Salvador.
At 4:00pm EDT, the president will participate in a press conference.
At 7:40pm EDT, the president will deliver remarks at a joint fundraising committee reception.
At 8:35pm EDT, the president will arrive at Trump Tower.

The House: In

Voting on a resolution to call for the release of the whistleblower complaint from the intelligence community.
Voting on a bill to ban the separation of children from families in migrant detention facilities.
Voting on a bill to allow legal marijuana businesses to access banks.

The Senate: In

Voting on a resolution to terminate the national emergency declared with respect to the crisis at the Southern border.
Voting on motions to go to conference on the FY2020 defense authorization bill.

What You're Saying

Here's how you're answering Should the House Reaffirm America’s Commitment to the Safety of Refugees?

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Also Worth a Click

And, in the End...

It's National Comic Book Day.

Here's Mad Magazine publisher William Gaines in 1954, testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee to Investigate Juvenile Delinquency:

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