Aaron Blake: “The idea that President Trump has finally gone over the edge is an overwrought journalistic genre. Oftentimes, people simply forget all that has come before when they declare him to be particularly unwieldy or off the rails at a particular moment. And his opponents are far too anxious to find examples of Trump finally reaching a threshold that suggests he has completely thrown caution to the wind and may be just giving up.”

“All of that said, it has been some week for Trump — even by his standards.”

“No, no war room… Russia was much more complicated and after two and half years and after they spent $42 million, there was no collusion, no obstruction, they got nothing, so I think we’re going to keep doing it the way we’re doing it.”

— President Trump, in an interview with the New York Post, on how he’ll defend himself against impeachment proceedings.

Jonathan Chait: “Donald Trump is being impeached for using his office to pressure foreign countries to investigate his political rivals. It is not clear Trump understands that, because he simply continues committing this offense in broad daylight.”

“In remarks to reporters today, Trump was asked what he wants Ukraine to do about the Bidens. He replied, ‘If they were honest about it, they would start a major investigation into the Bidens.’ While elaborating on his answer, he added that he would also suggest China launch an investigation of the Biden family.”

“Of course, the idea that any American citizens should be subject to the Chinese justice system is absurd. The only possible way Trump could desire such an investigation would be if he believes China would fix the outcome in order to win his favor.”

For members: Why This Scandal Is Different

George Conway: “You don’t need to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows, and you don’t need to be a mental-health professional to see that something’s very seriously off with Trump—particularly after nearly three years of watching his erratic and abnormal behavior in the White House. Questions about Trump’s psychological stability have mounted throughout his presidency. But those questions have been coming even more frequently amid a recent escalation in Trump’s bizarre behavior, as the pressures of his upcoming reelection campaign, a possibly deteriorating economy, and now a full-blown impeachment inquiry have mounted. And the questioners have included those who have worked most closely with him.”

“No president in recent memory—and likely no president ever—has prompted more discussion about his mental stability and connection with reality.”

“The president isn’t simply volatile and erratic, however—he’s also incapable of consistently telling the truth. Those who work closely with him, and who aren’t in denial, must deal with Trump’s lying about serious matters virtually every day.”