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WASHINGTON Speaker Nancy Pelosi's patience has been rewarded.

With the impeachment script fully flipping this week, it's Pelosi who wants Americans to watch every turn of the trial of President Donald Trump, and Republicans who have abruptly stopped calling for more transparency.

"They want transparency like a hole in the head, for crying out loud," said Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J. "Transparency is not going to help them."

The reason for the change: the facts in evidence.

It's a lot easier for even most of the swing-district Democrats to say the president should have to answer for his actions after weeks of testimony in which current and former administration officials have described a wide-ranging effort by the Trump team to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to open an investigation into a political opponent former Vice President Joe Biden.

The shift led Pelosi and top lieutenants to announce Tuesday that they would move forward with a floor vote this week to formally set the rules for a series of public House Intelligence Committee hearings that are expected to give more attention to what lawmakers have been hearing in private about Trump's use of his power.

"With every new witness we get further detail corroborating the basic story," said Rep. Tom Malinowski, D-N.J., a former State Department official who has participated in the hearings in a secure facility deep beneath the Capitol complex. "With every witness it becomes harder to deny the facts and harder to defend the president's conduct."

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That's exactly what Trump is pleading with fellow Republicans to do. Until this week, the unified GOP message revolved around attacking Democrats for holding closed hearings in a secure room usually used for discussions involving classified material.

"Republicans are very unified and energized in our fight on the Impeachment Hoax with the Do Nothing Democrats, and now are starting to go after the Substance even more than the very [unfair] Process because just a casual reading of the Transcript leads EVERYBODY to see that ... the call with the Ukrainian President was a totally appropriate one," Trump wrote on Twitter Wednesday morning.

"As he said, 'No Pressure.' This Impeachment nonsense is just a continuation of the Witch Hunt Hoax, which has been going on since before I even got elected. [Republicans], go with Substance and close it out!" he wrote.

He's had some success in getting Republicans to drop their argument that the hearings should be brought out into the open. But rather than defend his actions, Republicans are now contending, as House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has, that any future findings are "fruit from the poisonous tree" because Republicans believe the early process was unfair to Trump. Most will also continue to make McCarthy's case that the president did not engage in a "quid pro quo" an exchange of one benefit for another and has not committed any impeachable offenses.

Yet while the range of responses on Trump's behalf is varied in some cases, Republicans are attacking witnesses, many of whom are career officials in the federal government GOP lawmakers aren't rushing to cameras to contend that foreign governments should be invited into the American electoral process, that appropriated funds should be withheld for policy or political purposes and that the release of American foreign aid should be predicated on foreign investigations into U.S. citizens.

Rep. Max Rose, D-N.Y., a top target for Republicans in the 2020, said substance is the problem for the president.

Rose said the process argument, carried by McCarthy and Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., wasn't working out because it was a weak one.

"Heres also Politics 101, as practiced in the JV variant by Kevin McCarthy and Steve Scalise and the rest of those jokers," he said. "What they do is, if they are scared of the potential facts, if they are scared or wary of the way the way in which this investigation is going in terms of the facts that it is producing, you will proceed to point to process."

Rose, who has been supportive of the impeachment inquiry, said what he's concerned about is "the potential that the president used the apparatus of the state to advance his own self-interest."

Before the Ukraine story broke in September, Pelosi was holding off her liberal flank's demands to move forward quickly on impeachment, and likely would have needed to apply serious muscle to adopt a resolution like the one that is now expected to pass easily on Thursday.

"I think you had a lot of people on the left that were pushing this issue without a clear timeline or a strategy or how we were going to convey this to the American public," said Rep. Lacy Clay, D-Mo. "And as you can see from recent polls we have now gained a majority of Americans who agree with this inquiry, with this impeachment inquiry, and I think the facts will lead us to the truth of what occurred and will more than likely lead to articles of impeachment."

Trump found early help from one Democrat: New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who said Tuesday he would probably vote against the resolution.

But there were strong signs this week that the speaker wouldn't have to worry about the whip count including the announcement by Rep. Joe Cunningham, who won one of the closest races in the country in 2018 in a South Carolina district long held by Republicans, that he would vote for it.

Pascrell said Pelosi and fellow Democrats are in a much different position than they were in just a couple of months ago.

"We could have never had the vote," he said. "So much has happened, which we predicted could happen, it has happened, and I think its moved people."

Jonathan Allen is a Washington-based national political reporter for NBC News who focuses on the presidency.

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Pelosi wants Americans to see the trial of Donald Trump

President Donald Trump drew loud boos and jeers when introduced to the crowd at game 5 of the World Series in Washington on Sunday night. Trump appeared unfazed and continued waving. (Oct. 28) AP, AP

"Morning Joe" hostsJoe Scarborough andMika Brzezinski have taken to social media to respond to backlash to their disgust expressed on Monday's showwith the way President Donald Trump was treated atGame 5 of the World Series Sunday night.

The commander in chief and the first lady watched D.C.'shome team take on the Houston Astros at Nationals Park. In the fourth inning, some attendees began shouting "lock him up," a reference to themotto that Trump supporters directed at Hillary Clinton in 2016. Trump was also booed.

Brzezinskishared a pair of photos with her co-host and husband to Instagram.

"Its one of those days when I feel the need to say how proud I am to be sharing this show (and life)with this man!!" she wrote in the caption."Joe and I both feel strongly that our democracy is being challenged and even squandered every day by weak Republicans who cannot put country over party. Its why Joe left the party.

"He is still a conservative. He is still a constitutionalist and he is still a man who deeply loves this country," she continued. "He fears the rise of illiberalism, wherever it comes from. And right now, that is Donald Trump. Joe and I agree with@michelleobamawhen they go low, we must strive to go high. Remember@repcummingsCummings famous words, 'we are better than this'!#Morningjoe"

On Twitter,she said, "I understand the chanting at the game - But, I worry it is dangerous when it happens - On both sides. Its been a consistent concern on my part. Thank (you) for (your) opinions!!"

Scarborough called out what he viewed as hypocrisy.

"So lets see if Ive got this straight: When crowds chant 'Lock her up'toward Hillary, it is illiberal and anti-American. (I agree)," he tweeted."But when crowds chant the same toward Trump, it is suddenly a fulsome exercise of sacred First Amendment rights. What hypocritical clowns."

"If you think that democracy is strengthened by calling for the arrest of political opponents, youre as ignorant and illiberal as Trump himself," he said in another tweet. "Delete your account and read some civics. Stop embarrassing yourself."

"Republicans, look at the response to a very traditional view that in America, we do not call for the arrest of political opponents," he continued. "And then understand that you reap what you sow."

Addressing the chants on the show Monday,Scarborough called the behavior"just un-American. It started with Donald Trump.In fact, he's made it a centerpiece of his campaign rallies."

"We find it sickening when it happens at his rallies," said Brzezinski.

President Donald Trump greeted with boosat Game 5 of World Series, fans chant 'lock him up'

Opinion: President Donald Trump's World Series visit may be his last for good reason

"Of course, it's sickening,"Scarborough concurred."We are Americans, and we do not do that. We do not want the world hearing us chant,'Lock him up,' to this president or to any president."

"Let's hope, as we move forward, maybe this is one less fascist tactic he and his supporters use during chants that you are going to actually imprison your political opponent," he added. "So, let's leave that behind."

"Let's hope he gets it,"Brzezinski said.

The segment inspired trending topics on Twitter Monday morning, including "Mika," "Morning Joe" and "Sorry Joe."

Some on the social media site felt the game attendees' actions were more than acceptable.

"Get over yourself," wrote one user. "The country can speak as they wish, its the best thing about our country."

"Sorry Joe, the world wants to hear us saying that," posted another. "And they are right. True Americans have stand up to what is happening and to what this man is doing to this country."

"This was democracy shining," a commenter tweeted.

Contributing: Scott Boeck

'SNL': Alec Baldwin's Trump skit jabs zealous rallygoers with a cameo by an ISIS escapee

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PHOTOS: President Donald Trump at Game 5 of the World Series

PHOTOS: President Donald Trump at Game 5 of the World Series

Photo: Rob Carr, Getty Images

PHOTOS: President Donald Trump at Game 5 of the World Series

PHOTOS: President Donald Trump at Game 5 of the World Series

World Series crowd chants 'Lock him up' when Donald Trump introduced

Before the fourth inning of Game 5 of the World Series on Sunday, President Donald Trump was shown on the Nationals Park video screen.

Although it's impossible to tell the reaction of all 40,000-plus fans in the stands for the Astros-Nationals game, there were loud boos throughout the stadium as well as a chant of "Lock him up" after he appeared on the screen.

HoustonChronicle.com: How the Astros got their groove back.

Trump and first lady Melania Trump sat in a lower-tier box. They were joined in the box by several congressmen, including Lindsey Graham, Matt Gaetz and David Perdue, as well as five wounded veterans.

Astros owner Jim Crane stopped by the box and briefly chatted with the Trumps.

Subscribers: How the Astros have silenced Juan Soto.

Fans had to go through extra security to get into the ballpark in anticipation of Trump's attendance. Gates to the stadium were opened an hour earlier than usual in anticipation of security delays.

Browse through the photos at the top of the page for a look at Donald Trump at Game 5 of the World Series.

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World Series crowd chants 'Lock him up' when Donald Trump ...

President Trump traveled to the Florida Panhandle to fire up his staunch supporters with fiery rebukes of congressional Democrats, whom he accused of blocking additional disaster aid for the storm-hit region and wanting to give Puerto Rico "more and more" federal aid.

Holding up a paper chart which purportedly showed that the hurricane-battered island has received more federal assistance than states in the mainland, Mr. Trump told the boisterous crowd, "What the Democrats want to do, they want to give more and more."

"They complain, they want more money," Mr. Trump said, referring to Puerto Rico's government, which he has constantly clashed with over federal assistance to the island in wake of a pair of devastating storms which struck the U.S. territory in 2017.

Mr. Trump told supporters that the island has received $91 billion from the U.S. government a misleading claim he has made on numerous occasions. Although the figures are murky, Puerto Rico has not received $91 billion from Washington.

A Puerto Rican government official told CBS News last month the island has received $300 million in funding for "permanent work" on the island in the wake of hurricanes Maria and Irma. The official added that several federal agencies, like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), have projected billions in relief work for Puerto Rico over the next several years, but that only a small percentage of the funds have been distributed.

The president also told his supporters he's ready for a general election opponent. "I want to run so badly. I want this race to start immediately," he said.

He mocked a few of his opponents from the stage, making fun of Pete Buttigieg's name pronouncing it "Boot-edge-edge" and saying he'd like to see the South Bend mayor negotiate a trade deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He asked if former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke had "fallen like a rock?" And he called "sleepy" Joe Biden and "crazy" Bernie Sanders "some real beauties."

Bringing up the tariffs he authorized to go into effect Friday, Mr. Trump said China "broke the deal" on trade. But he assured the crowd that his administration will ultimately broker a pact with Beijing.

"Don't worry about it. It'll work out. There's no pressure," he said of Thursday's negotiating sessions with the Chinese vice premier.

Before the rally, the president visited storm-hit Tyndall Air Force Base, which is still reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Michael. Additional federal relief funds for the Panhandle and other disaster-hit communities across the country have stalled in Congress in recent months as lawmakers have failed to break agridlockover additional hurricane recovery funds for Puerto Rico which the White House strongly opposes.

In a statement, Vermont Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy, the vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, criticized the president for "repeatedly and falsely" claiming that Democrats were blocking the disaster aid package. "The fact is that the President is holding disaster aid to all American communities hostage over his petty political grudge with the American citizens of Puerto Rico," Leahy said.

The president's visit to Florida also came as Democrats in Washington are warning of a "constitutional crisis."

Earlier in the day, the president claimedexecutive privilegeover special counsel Robert Mueller's entire report and its underlying documents at the request of Attorney General William Barr. Echoing comments made by the Justice Department, the White House insisted that House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, a Democrat from New York, is "overstepping" his oversight authority.

Making good on his promise, Nadler and his Democratic-controlled committee voted to find Barr in contempt for not complying with the panel's subpoenas for the Mueller report. The New York Democrat told reporters that the "stonewalling" by the Justice Department and White House had precipitated a "constitutional crisis."

Arden Farhi contributed to this report.

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President Trump owes the American people a fuller account of his financial dealings, including the release of his recent tax returns, because politicians should keep their promises, because the public deserves to know whether his policies are lining his pockets and because the integrity of our system of government requires everyone, particularly the president, to obey the law.

Mr. Trump promised to release his tax returns before his presidential campaign and in the early stages of that campaign, then reneged, offering a long series of inconsistent excuses for breaking his promise. Now Mr. Trump is resisting the lawful request of the House Ways and Means Committee for the Treasury secretary to release the last six years of his tax returns.

In seeking the presidents returns, the House is clearly acting in the public interest.

First and foremost, the public deserves to know more about Mr. Trumps finances: from whom he has borrowed, with whom he has done business, to whom he may be beholden. This is relevant information about any president, but it is particularly important in the case of Mr. Trump, because he refused to divest his business holdings following his election, breaking with the practice of his predecessors.

Mr. Trump has provided some information, including in the annual financial disclosures he filed as a candidate and as president. But his tax returns would provide a fuller record, including previous investments and obligations.

A tax return is far from a complete picture of a persons financial life. For one thing, it is an accounting of income rather than wealth, so it would not establish whether Mr. Trump is a billionaire. But Mr. Trumps tax returns could provide significant information about matters of greater public import, including his debts and the sources of his income. For example, if Mr. Trump deducted the interest payments on a loan from his taxable income, he would be required to disclose information about the source and amount of that loan. Another example: A partnership that sells real estate, and includes foreign partners, must disclose information about those partners.

If Mr. Trump holds money in foreign tax havens, those investments would be listed, too.

The disclosure of Mr. Trumps tax returns could also help to verify, or falsify, a range of assertions that Mr. Trump has made about his own life stories that he used to build support for his candidacy and continues to use to build support for his policies.

One straightforward fact-check: Mr. Trump repeatedly said he would not benefit from the tax cuts passed by Congress in 2017. He said that he would be a big loser and that the plan is going to cost me a fortune. The claim is absurd on its face. Virtually every major analysis of the tax cut has shown that wealthy people like Mr. Trump are the primary beneficiaries. But despite Mr. Trumps best efforts, facts remain stubborn things with special power, and the release of his tax returns would allow a precise calculation of just how much money the president put into his own pocket.

Reporting on Mr. Trumps financial past by Times reporters, including David Barstow, Susanne Craig and Russ Buettner has already undermined the presidents confected image as a hugely successful businessman. In a piece published Tuesday evening, Ms. Craig and Mr. Buettner reported Mr. Trump appears to have lost more money than nearly any other individual American taxpayer year after year in the late 1980s and the early 1990s. Mr. Trump has long said he suffered setbacks during the recession in the early 1990s, and then bounced back to rebuild his fortunes. But tax records and other sources show Mr. Trump lost big during the boom years of the late 1980s.

Far less is known about Mr. Trumps more recent financial dealings. His federal disclosures provide estimates of revenue rather than profits: In 2017, for example, Mr. Trump reported that his Irish golf business had revenues of $14 million, while a separate report to Irish regulators said the business lost about $2 million. For most of Mr. Trumps ventures, there is no public account of the bottom line.

The tax returns could also be used to verify the accuracy of the financial disclosures, or at least to check whether Mr. Trumps returns are consistent with those disclosures.

Mr. Trump, for example, omitted from his 2017 disclosure his obligation to repay Michael Cohen for the $130,000 payment Mr. Cohen made on his behalf to the pornographic film actress Stormy Daniels. That was before The Wall Street Journal first reported the debt. The following year, Mr. Trump reported on his disclosure that he had repaid Mr. Cohen.

And the returns could shed light on some mysteries. In the decade before he became president, Mr. Trump went on a $400 million shopping spree, paying cash for real estate around the world a binge first reported by The Washington Post. It was a marked break from Mr. Trumps longstanding habit of using other peoples money, and it remains unclear where Mr. Trump got the money, and why he decided to spend it.

The returns also could help to clarify whether Mr. Trump continues to cheat on his taxes. The Times has previously reported that Mr. Trump engaged in fraud to avoid taxation during the 1990s. In requesting Mr. Trumps tax returns, the House has said it seeks to evaluate whether he is being properly audited by the Internal Revenue Service, which audits all presidential returns as a matter of policy. It has asked for the last six years of the presidents personal tax returns the period likely still subject to an I.R.S. audit and tax information for eight of Mr. Trumps businesses.

The congressional effort to obtain Mr. Trumps returns is a second-best solution. The House committee would be able to evaluate the information, but not to share the returns with the public. Similarly, a bill passed by the New York State Senate on Wednesday would allow New York to release Mr. Trumps state tax returns to select congressional committees, but not to the public.

The best answer remains for Mr. Trump to keep his promise and release his returns voluntarily. But unless and until he does so, Congress can and must force the issue.

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Opinion | What Is Donald Trump Hiding? - The New York Times