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| Nancy Pelosi announces official impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump – live | Nancy Pelosi announces official impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Nancy Pelosi’s endorsement of an impeachment inquiry came about “in the wake of allegations that Trump pressured the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, to investigate the son of Joe Biden, the former vice-president and the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination to compete for the White House in the 2020 presidential election”, The Guardian’s Lauren Gambino reports: | |
| Pelosi’s change of heart come as Democrats from across the party amplified their calls from impeachment after revelations of a whistleblower complaint that the intelligence community’s internal watchdog, Gen Michael Atkinson, deemed credible and an “urgent concern”. The White House has refused to share the complaint with Congress as typically required by law, arguing that the allegations do not fall within the intelligence community whistleblower statute. | |
| For months Pelosi had stubbornly resisted calls for Trump’s impeachment, telling colleagues at various points that the president is “not worth” impeaching and that she would rather see him “in prison” than impeached. | |
| On 25 July the US president, Donald Trump, called Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskiy. During the course of the call he reportedly asked the Ukrainian leader eight times to investigate former vice-president Joe Biden and Biden’s son Hunter for corruption. It is additionally reported that Trump ordered his staff to withhold nearly $400m in aid to Ukraine days before the call took place. | |
| Biden is one of the frontrunners to win the Democratic nomination and take on Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Trump confirmed he discussed the Bidens with Zelenskiy, and accused the pair – without offering any evidence – of corruption. | |
| A US intelligence community whistleblower filed a report after becoming alarmed at Trump’s behaviour in the matter. The White House is refusing to release the substance of the whistleblower complaint, setting up a confrontation with Congress over the release of information. Complaints of this nature are usually reported to Congress within seven days. | |
| Trump’s personal lawyer, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, has admitted asking the Ukrainians to investigate the Bidens. It is illegal for a political campaign to accept a “thing of value” from a foreign government. Democrats say an investigation into a political opponent – for which Trump appears to have been pushing – would amount to a thing of value. | |
| Meanwhile, the whistleblower has requested to speak to the House and Senate Intelligence committees, according to the attorney representing them. | |
| The House intelligence chairman Adam Schiff said: “We‘re in touch with counsel and look forward to the whistleblower’s testimony as soon as this week.” | |
| Senate leader Mitch McConnell has also responded to Pelosi’s impeachment announcement, accusing House democrats of coming to a “predetermined conclusion.” | Senate leader Mitch McConnell has also responded to Pelosi’s impeachment announcement, accusing House democrats of coming to a “predetermined conclusion.” |
| My statement on Speaker Nancy Pelosi's impeachment inquiry announcement:https://t.co/6dtEHGTEMV pic.twitter.com/8zYrYD3Bhn | My statement on Speaker Nancy Pelosi's impeachment inquiry announcement:https://t.co/6dtEHGTEMV pic.twitter.com/8zYrYD3Bhn |
| If congress votes to impeach the president, McConnell would be required to hold a trial in the Senate. But he could ensure that the proceedings are brief and limit democrats’ arguments. At least two-thirds of the senate have to vote to remove the president from office. As The Guardian’s Tom McCarthy explains: “As things stand, for Trump’s removal from office would thus require the partisan defection of about 20 Republican senators.” | If congress votes to impeach the president, McConnell would be required to hold a trial in the Senate. But he could ensure that the proceedings are brief and limit democrats’ arguments. At least two-thirds of the senate have to vote to remove the president from office. As The Guardian’s Tom McCarthy explains: “As things stand, for Trump’s removal from office would thus require the partisan defection of about 20 Republican senators.” |
| Indeed, more than a dozen Democratic-led committees in congress have already been investigating Trump’s businesses, his campaign and his conduct as president. | Indeed, more than a dozen Democratic-led committees in congress have already been investigating Trump’s businesses, his campaign and his conduct as president. |
| Some investigations look to answer questions about whether Trump obstructed justice by interfering in the Russia probes, whether he inflated financial statements and whether he violated campaign finance rules. Others are probing Trump’s rollback of environmental protections, his policy to separate migrant families at the border and his undermining of the Affordable Care Act. | Some investigations look to answer questions about whether Trump obstructed justice by interfering in the Russia probes, whether he inflated financial statements and whether he violated campaign finance rules. Others are probing Trump’s rollback of environmental protections, his policy to separate migrant families at the border and his undermining of the Affordable Care Act. |
| What Nancy Pelosi’s announcement does is essentially make it “official” — framing these investigations as a way to suss out whether Trump can be charged with “high crimes and misdemeanors”, as the US Constitution puts it, and therefore should be removed from office. | What Nancy Pelosi’s announcement does is essentially make it “official” — framing these investigations as a way to suss out whether Trump can be charged with “high crimes and misdemeanors”, as the US Constitution puts it, and therefore should be removed from office. |
| Impeachment: how does it work and what happens next? | Impeachment: how does it work and what happens next? |
| House minority leader Kevin McCarthy said Nancy Pelosi “does not speak for America on this issue,” responding to Pelosi’s announcement of an official impeachment inquiry, | House minority leader Kevin McCarthy said Nancy Pelosi “does not speak for America on this issue,” responding to Pelosi’s announcement of an official impeachment inquiry, |
| “Our job is to legislate, not to continue to investigate,” said the representative from California, adding that her announcement today “changes nothing” as democrats have already been heavily investigating Trump. | “Our job is to legislate, not to continue to investigate,” said the representative from California, adding that her announcement today “changes nothing” as democrats have already been heavily investigating Trump. |
| Facts be damned. Democrats are insisting this is their moment to impeach President Trump.Speaker Pelosi’s decree changes nothing.https://t.co/xiNp1WXYoy | Facts be damned. Democrats are insisting this is their moment to impeach President Trump.Speaker Pelosi’s decree changes nothing.https://t.co/xiNp1WXYoy |
| The Trump campaign is continuing to insist that the impeachment inquiry will help him win reelection. | The Trump campaign is continuing to insist that the impeachment inquiry will help him win reelection. |
| In a statement, Trump 2020 campaign manager Brad Parscale said, “The misguided Democrat impeachment strategy is meant to appease their rabid, extreme, leftist base, but will only serve to embolden and energize President Trump’s supporters and create a landslide victory for the President.” | In a statement, Trump 2020 campaign manager Brad Parscale said, “The misguided Democrat impeachment strategy is meant to appease their rabid, extreme, leftist base, but will only serve to embolden and energize President Trump’s supporters and create a landslide victory for the President.” |
| Democrats have officially paved the way for a @realDonaldTrump landslide victory. The witch-hunt continues...Our campaign statement: pic.twitter.com/h3Y9sVCx04 | Democrats have officially paved the way for a @realDonaldTrump landslide victory. The witch-hunt continues...Our campaign statement: pic.twitter.com/h3Y9sVCx04 |
| Trump also tweeted out a campaign video, featuring a compilation of Democrats who support impeachment: | Trump also tweeted out a campaign video, featuring a compilation of Democrats who support impeachment: |
| pic.twitter.com/1KOSnHguW2 | pic.twitter.com/1KOSnHguW2 |
| Representative Al Green of Texas, who has been calling for impeachment for more than two years, says he feels “vindicated” by House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s announcement today: | Representative Al Green of Texas, who has been calling for impeachment for more than two years, says he feels “vindicated” by House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s announcement today: |
| Rep. Al Green (D-TX) who has long pushed impeachment: “I am vindicated..This is being driven by history now..Events have taken control” | Rep. Al Green (D-TX) who has long pushed impeachment: “I am vindicated..This is being driven by history now..Events have taken control” |
| The democratic congressman from Texas first called for Trump’s impeachment in May 2017 — four months after Trump took office — after the president fired FBI director James Comey. | The democratic congressman from Texas first called for Trump’s impeachment in May 2017 — four months after Trump took office — after the president fired FBI director James Comey. |
| Greetings from the West Coast bureau, as we pick up coverage. | Greetings from the West Coast bureau, as we pick up coverage. |
| First, some background: | First, some background: |
| To this date, no US president has been removed from office by impeachment | To this date, no US president has been removed from office by impeachment |
| Two presidents, Bill Clinton, in 1998, and Andrew Johnson, in 1868, were impeached — though both were acquitted by the senate. Richard Nixon resigned before he was formally impeached. | Two presidents, Bill Clinton, in 1998, and Andrew Johnson, in 1868, were impeached — though both were acquitted by the senate. Richard Nixon resigned before he was formally impeached. |
| The procedure for bringing articles of impeachment against presidents has varied as well, as HuffPost’s Paul Blumenthal explains: | The procedure for bringing articles of impeachment against presidents has varied as well, as HuffPost’s Paul Blumenthal explains: |
| Past impeachments1) Articles of Impeachment for Andrew Johnson were reported from the House Committee on Reconstruction. | Past impeachments1) Articles of Impeachment for Andrew Johnson were reported from the House Committee on Reconstruction. |
| That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours. | That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours. |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| Nancy Pelosi announced House Democrats are formally launching an impeachment inquiry against Trump. But it doesn’t seem like that will have much of an impact on House Democrats’ actual investigations, which will continue under the umbrella of a formal impeachment inquiry. | Nancy Pelosi announced House Democrats are formally launching an impeachment inquiry against Trump. But it doesn’t seem like that will have much of an impact on House Democrats’ actual investigations, which will continue under the umbrella of a formal impeachment inquiry. |
| Trump has already slammed the impeachment inquiry as a “Witch Hunt.” | Trump has already slammed the impeachment inquiry as a “Witch Hunt.” |
| The Senate unanimously passed a resolution calling on the White House to release the whistleblower complaint that kicked off the controversy around Trump’s conversation with the Ukrainian president. | The Senate unanimously passed a resolution calling on the White House to release the whistleblower complaint that kicked off the controversy around Trump’s conversation with the Ukrainian president. |
| Adam Schiff, the House intelligence committee chairman, said the whistleblower would like to testify to Congress and is conferring with the acting director of national intelligence on how to make that happen. | Adam Schiff, the House intelligence committee chairman, said the whistleblower would like to testify to Congress and is conferring with the acting director of national intelligence on how to make that happen. |
| Trump said he would release the transcript from the Ukraine call, but Democrats quickly said that would not be enough to satisfy their investigative demands. | Trump said he would release the transcript from the Ukraine call, but Democrats quickly said that would not be enough to satisfy their investigative demands. |
| Joe Biden said Congress would be left with “no choice” but to initiate impeachment if Trump continued to obstruct House Democrats’ investigations. | Joe Biden said Congress would be left with “no choice” but to initiate impeachment if Trump continued to obstruct House Democrats’ investigations. |
| Maanvi will have more on the latest impeachment developments, so stay tuned. | Maanvi will have more on the latest impeachment developments, so stay tuned. |
| Trump is already disparaging the impeachment inquiry as a “Witch Hunt,” the same derisive description he repeatedly applied to special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. | Trump is already disparaging the impeachment inquiry as a “Witch Hunt,” the same derisive description he repeatedly applied to special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. |
| They never even saw the transcript of the call. A total Witch Hunt! | They never even saw the transcript of the call. A total Witch Hunt! |
| He has also resuscitated his claims that House Democrats’ probes constitute “presidential harassment.” | He has also resuscitated his claims that House Democrats’ probes constitute “presidential harassment.” |
| PRESIDENTIAL HARASSMENT! | PRESIDENTIAL HARASSMENT! |
| Nancy Pelosi said Trump’s actions represented a “betrayal of his oath of office, a betrayal of our national security and betrayal of the integrity of our elections.” | Nancy Pelosi said Trump’s actions represented a “betrayal of his oath of office, a betrayal of our national security and betrayal of the integrity of our elections.” |
| “Therefore, today, I’m announcing the House of Representatives is moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry,” Pelosi said. | “Therefore, today, I’m announcing the House of Representatives is moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry,” Pelosi said. |
| But interestingly, the House speaker went on to say that six of the House Democratic committee chairs would continue their investigations into Trump under the umbrella of a formal impeachment inquiry. | But interestingly, the House speaker went on to say that six of the House Democratic committee chairs would continue their investigations into Trump under the umbrella of a formal impeachment inquiry. |
| So it’s unclear how this announcement will affect the actual work of the committees investigating the president. | So it’s unclear how this announcement will affect the actual work of the committees investigating the president. |
| Trump has weighed in on Nancy Pelosi’s announcement that House Democrats are launching a formal impeachment inquiry, disparaging some of the committee chairs investigating him. | Trump has weighed in on Nancy Pelosi’s announcement that House Democrats are launching a formal impeachment inquiry, disparaging some of the committee chairs investigating him. |
| Pelosi, Nadler, Schiff and, of course, Maxine Waters! Can you believe this? | Pelosi, Nadler, Schiff and, of course, Maxine Waters! Can you believe this? |
| The president is enjoying some “executive time” at Trump Tower after his day at the UN General Assembly, apparently allowing him to watch the House speaker’s announcement. | The president is enjoying some “executive time” at Trump Tower after his day at the UN General Assembly, apparently allowing him to watch the House speaker’s announcement. |
| Nancy Pelosi condemned both Trump’s alleged attempt to pressure the Ukrainian president to investigate Joe Biden and his refusal to release the whistleblower complaint on the matter. | Nancy Pelosi condemned both Trump’s alleged attempt to pressure the Ukrainian president to investigate Joe Biden and his refusal to release the whistleblower complaint on the matter. |
| On his denying House Democrats’ request to see the complaint, Pelosi said, “This is a violation of law.” | On his denying House Democrats’ request to see the complaint, Pelosi said, “This is a violation of law.” |
| The House speaker argued Trump’s actions undermined national security and whistleblower protections. “The president must be held accountable,” Pelosi said. “No one is above the law.” | The House speaker argued Trump’s actions undermined national security and whistleblower protections. “The president must be held accountable,” Pelosi said. “No one is above the law.” |
| Nancy Pelosi has just confirmed that House Democrats are moving forward with a formal impeachment inquiry against Trump. | Nancy Pelosi has just confirmed that House Democrats are moving forward with a formal impeachment inquiry against Trump. |
| Pelosi began her statement by noting last week’s recognition of Constitution Day, which fell on the same day that reports first emerged about Trump’s phone call with the Ukrainian president. | Pelosi began her statement by noting last week’s recognition of Constitution Day, which fell on the same day that reports first emerged about Trump’s phone call with the Ukrainian president. |
| “This is a breach of his constitutional responsibilities,” Pelosi said of Trump reportedly pressuring the Ukrainian president to investigate Biden. | “This is a breach of his constitutional responsibilities,” Pelosi said of Trump reportedly pressuring the Ukrainian president to investigate Biden. |
| Pelosi has started delivering her statement on the House Democrats’ exploration of launching impeachment proceedings against Trump. | Pelosi has started delivering her statement on the House Democrats’ exploration of launching impeachment proceedings against Trump. |
| It appears that the president himself has returned to Trump Tower, from the UN General Assembly, to tune in to Nancy Pelosi’s 5 p.m. announcement. | It appears that the president himself has returned to Trump Tower, from the UN General Assembly, to tune in to Nancy Pelosi’s 5 p.m. announcement. |
| Per pooler @agearan, the president has returned to Trump Tower for "executive time." This coincides with Nancy Pelosi's 5pm announcement. | Per pooler @agearan, the president has returned to Trump Tower for "executive time." This coincides with Nancy Pelosi's 5pm announcement. |
| Meanwhile, over in the other chamber of Congress, the Senate has unanimously agreed to pass Chuck Schumer’s resolution calling for the whistleblower complaint on the Ukraine controversy to be shared with the intelligence committees. | Meanwhile, over in the other chamber of Congress, the Senate has unanimously agreed to pass Chuck Schumer’s resolution calling for the whistleblower complaint on the Ukraine controversy to be shared with the intelligence committees. |
| Some expected Mitch McConnell to object to the resolution, but the Senate majority leader did not end up doing so. | Some expected Mitch McConnell to object to the resolution, but the Senate majority leader did not end up doing so. |
| That's every Senate Republican plus every Democrat now via unanimous consent agreeing to call on the Trump administration to cough up the whistleblower complaint, not just the phone call transcript. This is rare, folks. | That's every Senate Republican plus every Democrat now via unanimous consent agreeing to call on the Trump administration to cough up the whistleblower complaint, not just the phone call transcript. This is rare, folks. |
| House Democrats have now gathered for their caucus meeting to discuss impeachment, and Nancy Pelosi will deliver a statement at 5 pm EST on the matter. | House Democrats have now gathered for their caucus meeting to discuss impeachment, and Nancy Pelosi will deliver a statement at 5 pm EST on the matter. |
| But Pelosi is not expected to hold a press conference after making the statement, so she is unlikely to take questions on her position. | But Pelosi is not expected to hold a press conference after making the statement, so she is unlikely to take questions on her position. |
| Nancy Pelosi recently concluded a closed-door meeting with the Democratic chairs of six House committees: judiciary, intelligence, oversight, ways and means, financial services and foreign affairs. | Nancy Pelosi recently concluded a closed-door meeting with the Democratic chairs of six House committees: judiciary, intelligence, oversight, ways and means, financial services and foreign affairs. |
| It appeared that the House speaker endorsed each of the committees continuing their investigations of Trump to determine whether to file articles of impeachment against the president, according to a CNN reporter. | It appeared that the House speaker endorsed each of the committees continuing their investigations of Trump to determine whether to file articles of impeachment against the president, according to a CNN reporter. |
| NEW: Emerging from Pelosi’s office, House Ways and Ways Chairman Richard Neal says each of the six chairmen will continue to investigate under the umbrella of an impeachment inquiry. “The other committees are going to act under the umbrella of formal inquiry,” Neal told us | NEW: Emerging from Pelosi’s office, House Ways and Ways Chairman Richard Neal says each of the six chairmen will continue to investigate under the umbrella of an impeachment inquiry. “The other committees are going to act under the umbrella of formal inquiry,” Neal told us |
| So what Pelosi seems to be endorsing is essentially what already has been happening - but now she’s signaling she’s supportive of calling it impeachment inquiry with the goal to determine whether to impeach TrumpNeal for one said he would continue his effort to get Trump taxes | So what Pelosi seems to be endorsing is essentially what already has been happening - but now she’s signaling she’s supportive of calling it impeachment inquiry with the goal to determine whether to impeach TrumpNeal for one said he would continue his effort to get Trump taxes |
| Joe Biden made a point in his statement on the Ukraine controversy to emphasize that Congress should only launch impeachment proceedings if Trump continues to obstruct House Democrats’ investigations. | Joe Biden made a point in his statement on the Ukraine controversy to emphasize that Congress should only launch impeachment proceedings if Trump continues to obstruct House Democrats’ investigations. |
| “The president should stop stonewalling this investigation and all the other investigations of his wrongdoing,” Biden said. “Using its full Constitutional authority, Congress should demand the information it has a legal right to receive. | “The president should stop stonewalling this investigation and all the other investigations of his wrongdoing,” Biden said. “Using its full Constitutional authority, Congress should demand the information it has a legal right to receive. |
| “And if the President does not comply — if he continues to obstruct Congress and flout the law — Donald Trump will leave Congress no choice but to initiate impeachment.” | “And if the President does not comply — if he continues to obstruct Congress and flout the law — Donald Trump will leave Congress no choice but to initiate impeachment.” |
| This is a step short of calling for immediately initiating impeachment, and although it seems virtually certain that Trump will continue to obstruct the investigations, it will be interesting to see if Biden then forcefully comes out to demand that House Democrats follow through on his request. | This is a step short of calling for immediately initiating impeachment, and although it seems virtually certain that Trump will continue to obstruct the investigations, it will be interesting to see if Biden then forcefully comes out to demand that House Democrats follow through on his request. |