News alert: Democrats have used the word 'bribery' in recent impeachment hearings to describe Trump’s interactions with Ukraine. Here’s why

Democrats are deemphasizing the wonky Latin phrase "quid quo pro," meaning "something for something," in favor of the word "bribery," a word in the Constitution's impeachment clause. Experts say it's debatable whether a bribery charge would stand up based on the evidence seen so far. But impeachment isn't a criminal case, and bribery is an easier concept for the public to grasp. "What really matters," one expert said, "is, politically, what Congress believes bribery is." ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

News Alert   Tuesday, November 19 Democrats have used the word 'bribery' in recent impeachment hearings to describe Trump's interactions with Ukraine. Here's why Democrats are deemphasizing the wonky Latin phrase "quid quo pro," meaning "something for something," in favor of the word "bribery," a word in the Constitution's impeachment clause. Experts say it's debatable whether a bribery charge would stand up based on the evidence seen so far. But impeachment isn't a criminal case, and bribery is an easier concept for the public to grasp. "What really matters," one expert said, "is, politically, what Congress believes bribery is." Read More   FOLLOW US Problem viewing email? View in browser Unsubscribe • Manage Newsletters • Feedback • Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights • Ad Choices • Terms of Service © 2019 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22102