Trump complains about inability to prosecute Schiff, says they 'handle things' differently in Guatemala

Donald Trump.

Shortly after his scathing impeachment protest letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was publicized Tuesday, President Trump addressed his displeasure with the proceedings in person.

While meeting with Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales at the White House, Trump called the House's impeachment proceedings a "total sham" and, as he often does, saved some personal criticism for House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). Trump accused Schiff of falsely attributing a statement to him and then complained about how "House immunity" protected the congressman from prosecution.

"In Guatemala they handle things...much tougher than that," Trump said with Morales seated beside him.

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It's not exactly clear what Trump was implying with the comment — or how much he knows about Guatemala's judicial system — but he certainly thinks Schiff should face some form of punishment.

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As for himself? In case you were still wondering, Trump won't be taking any responsibility for the creation of the impeachment saga. Tim O'Donnell

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Tim O'Donnell

Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.