This weekend marks the moment when the Democratic primary campaign traditionally gets real: the Liberty and Justice dinner in Iowa (formerly known as the Jefferson–Jackson dinner), the event at which Barack Obama in 2008 began the surge that made him president.

ERIC SWALWELL: Good question. But in America, every one gets a fair trial. Even the president. And even when there is a confession. It’s important that the president gets a fair trial. If we did Donald Trump justice, Donald Trump would be impeached and removed by now. But he’ll get a fairer trial he’s ever given anyone else.

THE LEDE

The Political Stakes: That’s what Ruby Cramer and I were texting about over the weekend. She’s covering the Democrats for us from, increasingly, Iowa, and I was surprised to find what they're not talking about:

The candidates, Ruby reports, are barely mentioning impeachment, and it's just “not part of the conversation out here.” Maybe that means we’ll see unexpected developments from a totally separate local campaign — like the old days! Or maybe it means the campaign isn't relevant right now, and voters will tune back in come January.

But I’m not in Iowa and am obsessed with the huge story that is impeachment. If you want to keep a handle on it without losing your mind, subscribe to our short, smart, and funny new podcast, Impeachment Today (subscribe on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.)

The Policy Stakes: Twitter announced yesterday it’s not taking political ads, a move whose main immediate consequence is raising the pressure on Facebook to do the same. And keep in mind, these decisions probably won't affect both parties equally: Facebook is where Trump’s mass communications operation lives, and a ban would be a huge blow to him — as well, perhaps, it would be a good test of whether Facebook ads really were that important to his 2016 victory.

READ RECEIPTS

Texting with Eric Swalwell

I texted yesterday with Eric Swalwell, a Bay Area lawmaker and former prosecutor. He’s also a short-lived presidential candidate who serves on the House Intelligence Committee now leading the impeachment inquiry. Swalwell texted with me between long periods in the secure meeting room (SCIF) where the inquiry is being held. (One of the texts arrived just as his face popped up on CNN.)

BEN SMITH: Congressman - Ben Smith from BuzzFeed here; as Kate warned you, I’m going to hit you up for a brief, on-record text message interview tomorrow. Is there a rough window of time that’s good? (And thanks) ERIC SWALWELL: Hey Ben. I’d love to do this. BEN SMITH: Awesome. Will hit you in the am, respond whenever you have a sec.

BEN SMITH: Congressman - thanks for doing this on a busy day. When you’re not in a SCIF, can you send a selfie and share what you’re doing right now? (Thumb-upping my own text, Rudy-style, to get your attention)

ERIC SWALWELL: I’ve been three floors under the Capitol all day. I came above ground to briefly get some Vitamin D. *sun emoji* IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Eric Swalwell staring up at the ceiling of the Capitol Rotunda. BEN SMITH: Ha.

BEN SMITH: Is there anything in your career to date you think has prepared you for this moment -- Impeachment? ERIC SWALWELL: Two things. 1) My earliest memory is my dad being fired as a police chief for standing up to corrupt mayor. He was willing to speak truth to power and lost his job for it. Check this story *downward point emoji to link from the Des Moines Register*

ERIC SWALWELL: 2) I worked as a prosecutor for about 7 years. Best job I’ll ever have. And learned a lot about justice, rule of law, and combing through complicated evidence. I tried everything from DUIs to murder trials. Obviously the stakes for impeachment are much higher, but the principles of law, facts, and persuasion are the same. BEN SMITH: We’re now in a place where it seems like everyone more or less agrees on what happened, and the Republican defense is that it’s not that bad:

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Article excerpt reading: Other Republicans were more disturbed by what Vindman described in his testimony. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), an advocate for Ukraine, said, “I thought it was inappropriate for the president to ask a foreign government to investigate a political opponent.” But Portman also added: “I also do not think it’s an impeachable offense.” BEN SMITH: Why all the hearings? Shouldn’t you just have a vote?

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Dog sipping coffee in a room on fire and saying, “IT’S FINE” GIF ERIC SWALLWELL: Oh you mean like BEN SMITH: Haha. But seriously … don’t you think the House could vote on what are now agreed facts?

BEN SMITH: Hmm - can’t tell if you’re dodging the question ^^ or in a SCIF! But let me ask you a final question in either case: Do you think California should look to bring cyber exploitation charges in the Katie Hill case? ERIC SWALWELL: SCIF! Just stepped out on brief break. I don’t want to write out my intel colleagues. or GOP colleagues in the hearings. I see many shaking their heads. I just wish those would be the ones asking questions.

BEN SMITH: And Katie Hill! ? ERIC SWALWELL: I’m responding to you ahead of texts my wife is stacking up btw. Shh don’t tell nobody. BEN SMITH: *eyes emoji* ERIC SWALWELL: Re: Hill, if laws were broken and it looks like they were, I hope people are held accountable. And how did George P. know ahead of time? And if it’s not a crime, that type of stuff should be. And states should take that up.

BEN SMITH: Ok one final late-breaking question: we were just told (under embargo, so don’t share) that Twitter is banning political ads. Should Facebook? ERIC SWALWELL: Either ban or regulate them. BEN SMITH: Wouldn’t that be unfair to Trump? ERIC SWALWELL: Only unfair to people who want to lie and defame. If that’s Trump, then tough shut. *headsmacking emoji* *shit

BEN SMITH: Thanks for doing this Congressman *prayer hands emojis* ERIC SWALWELL: My pleasure. Please don’t share this with anyone. Our secret. *three crying laughing emojis*

ON THE TRAIL WITH BUZZFEED NEWS

Kamala Harris told Molly that Rep. Katie Hill was a victim of “cyber exploitation.”

Darren reported from the funeral of Rep. Elijah Cummings, where Trump was never mentioned but his fights with the late lawmaker loomed large over the event.

Darren got the scoop on a slate of endorsements from Rep. Ayanna Pressley in Massachusetts.

Trump allies attacked a decorated war veteran who had flagged Trump’s call with Ukraine, but that was a bridge too far for even House Republicans, Addy writes.

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