I saw a Dem Senator earlier on CNN (can't remember who) say that there was nothing discussed in the meeting that he didn't already know.

He also stated that the same speaker(s?) were going to Congress (I can't remember the name of the hall/speaking room) to inform house members.

So, yeah, it was a photo op/power play as far as I know.

Isn't anyone else bothered by this ploy? Trump has the Senate come to HIM on buses (at least he didn't make them walk)? Disrespect to a co-equal branch of government it seems to me, even if he treated the much larger House (how many more buses would that take?) in a normal way.

Nothing normal about Trump who expects us to move 100 senators and their entourages to go to him than vice versa. One bus or thirty.. Sanders sees what we all see...an egotist and conman. How gracious of him. Nothing likable about this president. Avoid him at every opportunity.

Dems should have stayed off the bus

Suck on that, Trump!

Link to tweet

I could not find where this was reported!

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often occurs.

When the bus in not moving forward, sometimes you have to get under it to fix it.

As much as Bernie gets thrown under the bus here - he ought to buy himself some Herringbone pattern suits. That way the pattern of the material would help hide the numerous bus tire tracks!

I haven't been his biggest fan lately, but that was a good move.

in Ireland are excited that they'll see him there in June. Their kids are exvited, too.

as if he is THEIR Commander in Chief.

He is not.

senators as well. Nobody likes to be played. As Merkley said, there was
nothing revealed that wasn't in the newspapers.

that turned out to be nothing but a half-hour commercial for his new hotel.

Did anyone else not get on the bus or was it "follow the leader?"

When the President calls all of Congress about a matter of national security, they should go.

Photo op or not, boy who cried wolf or not, you go.

I'm not bashing Bernie, or defending Trump. I just believe that the risk of not going is far too great. We all know Trump is full of b.s., but he is the President and if the guy wants a crazy war or not, I expect the Senators to listen.

Waste of time? Sure. But that's my opinion.

People die in war. I don't want a Iraq occupancy being sold again without real questions.

If the president wants to talk to Congress, he knows where they work. He can go there. They are equal branches of government. The President is not the king.

In my opinion, on foreign relations, you have to hear him out.

It sucks he's full of shit and today was a photo op, but when the President asks for Congress in a SCIF, I want them to go.

I believe the presidential office commands that power, whether I like the guy or not, I believe in the office.

Again, just my opinion. I put a lot of faith in the office of the President when it comes to any "war" type situation.

He needs them on board. And, still, they are equal branches of the government. The President doesn't, and hasn't, summoned the Senate to him like this. This is him wanting to be dictator. Presidents have managed to communicate with the Senate in the past without doing this.

to his demand that they come to Whitehouse. It's all about control.

The purpose was to show DT ordering them to jump. And they jumped.

that can accommodate 100+ people. 30 to 50, sure. But 100+ that they had to throw together? More laws broken. Our new SCIF is already one year in progress and won't be approved for another year.

The Senate should have told him he was welcome to come to the Senate -- which IS set up with a SCIF -- a special facility for top secret communications that is large enough for everyone.

The area in the White House was NOT a SCIF -- the WH had to temporarily rig it to serve that purpose.It made no sense ,except as a photo op, for DT to "summon" the Senate to go there.

I wouldn't trust that fat, lying, racist, putin-puppet to tell me if it was raining on mend I was standing in the rain, especially since I know he'd use a war to distract from all of his scandals, and to make monies off a a war for himself, his grifting family & friends via stock/business investments.

Like Bernie, I wouldn't have gone to tẃittler's bogus photo-op either.

Nor do you grasp the concept of "co equal branches of government"

He has no more authority, statutory or moral, to call The Senate on the carpet than they have to call him on the carpet. Less actually, when you consider impeachment.

Chief Executive means chief of the Executive branch. That's it. He commands ZERO power over The Senate. NONE.

Also brief the Senate?

The White House didn't even TRY to make it look like a legitimate request.

It was because the senate is blocking him.

The house is a push over.

To go in rented buses in bad shape from what I heard.
Bernie saw it for what it was.

No way is he going to sit quietly and allow Trump to pull the same stunt. If it's an authentic briefing Bernie will be there.

the President and/or his 4 advisors to go to the Senate than the other way around.

The Senate is set up with a SCIF -- a secure room for secret communications. The room where they brought the Senators to in the White House is NOT. They had to temporarily rig an auditorium, at some time and expense, to make it a safe place for classified communications.

That's why I'd go.

If this was some bs about taxes, don't go. But possible military action, I'd go.

Unfortunately, as Bernie predicted, it was bs. I'm risk adverse and on military things I'd go to everything.

This is sending a message that he's in charge of them -- and he's not. He's the Commander in Chief of the armed forces, but he's NOT the head of Congress. He is one of 3 equal branches.

We have enough sheep in this country. I love it that Bernie is not intimidated by the person now sitting in our White House illegitimately. Respect doesn't just come with the office. One has to earn respect, and the orange boil hasn't and never will have respect. He's lied so much and flip flopped on his so-called stances on everything, so why even give him the time of day?

I did not vote for Bernie, but I do like that he isn't a follower.

Read his book...this was a classic technique of his to control the room.

I want to err on the side of going instead of not.

Its just me.

the legislative branch. In fact the executive branch is constitutionally "summoned" instead to report to congress every year.

Three equal branches. None above the other.

And they came.

They didn't have too, but I'm glad most did.

It was theater, but if it wasn't, I'd want them there. Risk vs. Reward.

The three branches have their roles but it's implied the President is the leader, especially in "military action".

I'm just saying I want Congress as informed as possible, in an unusual move like this, I think they should've went. It's also the fact they don't do anything anyway, so might as well go.

I am the big boy.

executive, even in matters of war, which is why it gives Congress, not the president, the power of the purse and the power to authorize war. For decades now Congress has abdicated its power and responsibility to the imperial presidency, but that's because they are being irresponsible.

The FoundingFathers would be appalled. They deliberately attempted to limit presidential power to prevent a president from becoming a monarch.

The last thing they wanted for the new country was a king!

And Bernie was like Nope.

And Take the Cheeto Bus To The Congressional Offices -- Like He Should -- If He Has Something of Importance to Report To Congress. That's Is How It Is Done.

What Cheeto Did on Wednesday Was A Straight Up Photo-Op and We Are Glad Bernie Opted Out of It.

Where these types of highly classified briefings typically take place in a SCIF.

Every single one of us that values freedom, democracy and our way of life should oppose Trump and his authoritarianism at every turn.

Enabling Bush and his costly invasion of Iraq is what led us to the current disaster. The world of statesmanship we once knew is GONE. There is no point in adhering to it when the other side continues to cheat and eviscerate us at every turn.

Our every message to this pretender should be "F you."

"No, thanks" is the perfect response.

It's an old business tactic to have people show up on YOUR turf and not go to theirs.

He SUMMONED them, like he was summoning underlings.

But they are not his underlings. This is a co-equal branch and, as such, does not have to obey Trump.

it's why so many people love him.

And 99 ass kisses.

Not that I really blame them for going, but the manipulation was pretty clear.

I hope the rest of the Senate catches on and follows suit from now on.

I'd love it if Bernie refused. They should have all stayed in the Senate and let DT come to them and THEIR secure facility.

Bernie says he didn't go, on that clip.

on yet one more empty display of drama put on by the Traitor in Chief.

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It is not unreasonable to think that the WH was priming for some imminent action against North Korea. Had it been more than a photo-op, Bernie would have missed out and when you have a madman in the white house willing to throw bombs at the drop of a hat, I expect the Democrats to stay apprised of the situation if only to better combat Trump's march to war.

he had a choice. It also shows that they all had the choice so why the hell did they get on a stupid bus? It's just beyond stupid.

The Senate is blocking Thump so he making them look small.
I hope remember being made to look like fools.
It was not even safe.
All put one senator in two buses.
They were rented buses.
Any body check them out for security reasons.

He makes his own decisions (and they're usually the right ones).

It was a photo op.

Trump "held court" to make a point that he's the big boss. If Trump had a serious announcement to make about North Korea, he could have quietly gone to the senators without the marching band kind of atmosphere.

n/t.

I do NOT have confidence in baby man Trump's ability to manage this very delicate situation.

Should they test a nuclear weapon what will Trump do? If he attacks then it is likely war on the Korean pennsula. Likely, nuclear war.

he is not a Democrat!

And for most Democrats, that is a very big deal.

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at least he has a voice... there are many things I don't agree with Bernie on but he is the national voice of the party. Democrat or not...

I don't know what the rest were afraid of missing.

I suppose there is merit in ensuring one is doing due diligence, or in appearing to...just in case there was something of import on the docket.

Next time, I hope they make him go to the Capitol.

He's Awesome Sauce.

or does he hang it on a hook next to his bed?

I understand how it worked out, but what if there was important new information? Sanders would have missed it, relying on a 2nd hand account.

I'm not even sure how it could be defined as a "photo-op". Loading Senators on buses hardly makes the White House look resolute. Indeed, the opposite is true.

You think the scene of member of the United States Senate piling on a rented charter bus to be taken to President Trump made them look like his equals in our government? You think that was a good look for a Senator? Funny, I didn't get that impression. I think a better argument for you would just be "I don't like Bernie Sanders".

Trump got attention. They're good.

The entire Senate has to pack itself up and come do homage to the King. And anyone with a modicum of firing neurons who's been paying attention the last 18 months should know that with Boss Tweet it's all about the image rather than any substance.

If McConnell had a spine he might remember that Congress is the president's equal, not his servants- but that's too much to hope for.

It doesn't take genius to know everything he says and does is complete bullshit.

And it's also good not too fall into his power play traps.

tRump was just bullying the Senators that was so stupid.

I wish more had not fallen for the bullshit.

They didn't use 100 limo's?

What is Washington coming to?