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Pelosi to make statement as calls for Trump's impeachment intensify – live Pelosi to reportedly announce Trump impeachment inquiry – live
(32 minutes later)
Nancy Pelosi appeared to hint at her leanings on impeachment when she told the Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg, “As soon as we have the facts, we’re ready. Now we have the facts. We’re ready.”
The House speaker then pivoted to reiterating that she would make a statement on her position later today, after meeting with her caucus, but the comment seemed to indicate she was supportive of launching an inquiry.
Pelosi has previously been hesitant to back impeachment proceedings, arguing that Democrats needed to have the best possible case before moving forward. She now apparently thinks that they do.
Nancy Pelosi intends to announce a formal impeachment inquiry against Trump later today, according to the Washington Post.
The Post reports:
The announcement later Tuesday from Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) comes amid reports that President Trump may have pressured a foreign leader to investigate former vice president and potential 2020 campaign rival Joe Biden and his family.
A growing number of House Democrats are backing an impeachment inquiry as momentum shifts in the Democratic caucus.
Democratic officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak frankly, said she would back the step.
Representative Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House intelligence committee, said the whistleblower who first brought the Ukraine call into the news is open to testifying before Congress.
But the California Democrat added that the whistleblower is conferring with acting director of national intelligence on how to testify.
We have been informed by the whistleblower’s counsel that their client would like to speak to our committee and has requested guidance from the Acting DNI as to how to do so.We‘re in touch with counsel and look forward to the whistleblower’s testimony as soon as this week.
Nancy Pelosi similarly just confirmed, while speaking at the Atlantic Festival, that Trump releasing the transcript from the Ukraine call would not satisfy Democrats’ investigation demands.
Nancy Pelosi has appeared at the Atlantic Festival, but the House speaker is still clearly hesitant to invoke the i-word with Trump.
She said she has tried to “avoid” an impeachment inquiry because it’s a “divisive” issue. She would only say that, if Trump did pressure the Ukrainian president to investigate Joe Biden, then he was “wrong.”
The California Democrat added to applause from the audience: “The president is making lawlessness a virtue.”
The release of the Ukraine call transcript is unlikely to quell Democrats’ demands to launch an impeachment inquiry, given that they have also insisted on getting access to the initial whistleblower complaint that kicked off the controversy.
Unless Trump also hands over that information, which seems unlikely, House Democrats will likely say that an inquiry is still necessary to get to the bottom of the controversy.
Trump, who is attending the UN General Assembly in New York, has just announced on Twitter that he has authorized the release of the transcript from his phone call with the Ukrainian president.Trump, who is attending the UN General Assembly in New York, has just announced on Twitter that he has authorized the release of the transcript from his phone call with the Ukrainian president.
....You will see it was a very friendly and totally appropriate call. No pressure and, unlike Joe Biden and his son, NO quid pro quo! This is nothing more than a continuation of the Greatest and most Destructive Witch Hunt of all time!....You will see it was a very friendly and totally appropriate call. No pressure and, unlike Joe Biden and his son, NO quid pro quo! This is nothing more than a continuation of the Greatest and most Destructive Witch Hunt of all time!
During the phone call, Trump allegedly pressured the Ukrainian president to launch an investigation into Joe Biden, a charge the US president has denied.During the phone call, Trump allegedly pressured the Ukrainian president to launch an investigation into Joe Biden, a charge the US president has denied.
Trump’s reelection campaign is now fundraising off the escalating calls among House Democrats for his impeachment.Trump’s reelection campaign is now fundraising off the escalating calls among House Democrats for his impeachment.
“The Democrats know they have no chance of winning in 2020, so now they are crying, ‘Impeachment!’” Trump’s 2020 campaign wrote in an email to supporters.“The Democrats know they have no chance of winning in 2020, so now they are crying, ‘Impeachment!’” Trump’s 2020 campaign wrote in an email to supporters.
It continued: “There are now over 150 House Democrats who back Impeachment. We CANNOT let these hateful and baseless attacks go on any longer.”It continued: “There are now over 150 House Democrats who back Impeachment. We CANNOT let these hateful and baseless attacks go on any longer.”
The effort to capitalize on Democrats’ demands underscores Nancy Pelosi’s concerns that moving forward with impeachment will spark public opposition and energize the right.The effort to capitalize on Democrats’ demands underscores Nancy Pelosi’s concerns that moving forward with impeachment will spark public opposition and energize the right.
Nancy Pelosi will soon appear at the Atlantic Festival, but the House speaker’s deputy chief of staff also confirmed she would make a statement at 5 p.m. EST after meeting with her caucus.Nancy Pelosi will soon appear at the Atlantic Festival, but the House speaker’s deputy chief of staff also confirmed she would make a statement at 5 p.m. EST after meeting with her caucus.
Speaker Pelosi will make a statement at 5 p.m. following the House Democratic Caucus meeting. Advisory coming...Speaker Pelosi will make a statement at 5 p.m. following the House Democratic Caucus meeting. Advisory coming...
Bernie Sanders, who is campaigning in Iowa today, stopped short of calling for Trump’s impeachment but reiterated his support for launching an inquiry.Bernie Sanders, who is campaigning in Iowa today, stopped short of calling for Trump’s impeachment but reiterated his support for launching an inquiry.
"Enough is enough."“I hope very much that the Judiciary Committee will go forward with an impeachment inquiry," Bernie Sanders says. https://t.co/QhYtn6xtuF pic.twitter.com/euxxWq7Us3"Enough is enough."“I hope very much that the Judiciary Committee will go forward with an impeachment inquiry," Bernie Sanders says. https://t.co/QhYtn6xtuF pic.twitter.com/euxxWq7Us3
“Enough is enough,” Sanders said. “And today, I hope very much that the judiciary committee will go forward with an impeachment inquiry.”“Enough is enough,” Sanders said. “And today, I hope very much that the judiciary committee will go forward with an impeachment inquiry.”
The Vermont senator still said impeachment was “likely.”The Vermont senator still said impeachment was “likely.”
House Democrats are reportedly planning to introduce a resolution tomorrow that would condemn Trump for allegedly trying to pressure the Ukrainian president to investigate Joe Biden.House Democrats are reportedly planning to introduce a resolution tomorrow that would condemn Trump for allegedly trying to pressure the Ukrainian president to investigate Joe Biden.
But the resolution would not call for Trump’s impeachment, an issue that Nancy Pelosi is discussing today with Democratic committee chairs and leaders, per Politico’s congressional bureau chief.But the resolution would not call for Trump’s impeachment, an issue that Nancy Pelosi is discussing today with Democratic committee chairs and leaders, per Politico’s congressional bureau chief.
House Dems are moving toward a vote Wednesday on a resolution condemning Trump's Ukraine call, but it won't call for his impeachment yet, per Dem sources. Impeachment/investigations will be the focus of a Pelosi-Dem cmte chairmen mtg later today, followed by a full Dem CaucusHouse Dems are moving toward a vote Wednesday on a resolution condemning Trump's Ukraine call, but it won't call for his impeachment yet, per Dem sources. Impeachment/investigations will be the focus of a Pelosi-Dem cmte chairmen mtg later today, followed by a full Dem Caucus
Nancy Pelosi has reportedly been exploring the creation of a select committee to investigate impeachment.Nancy Pelosi has reportedly been exploring the creation of a select committee to investigate impeachment.
The Washington Post reports:The Washington Post reports:
The California Democrat has spoken to key allies in recent days about establishing a special panel rather than leaving the task with the House Judiciary Committee, said several Democratic officials. Nothing has been decided, the individuals cautioned, but some members are expected to publicly endorse the move soon. ...The California Democrat has spoken to key allies in recent days about establishing a special panel rather than leaving the task with the House Judiciary Committee, said several Democratic officials. Nothing has been decided, the individuals cautioned, but some members are expected to publicly endorse the move soon. ...
The creation of a special committee is expected to come up at a series of Democratic meetings planned for Tuesday afternoon, when Pelosi will address her caucus on impeachment for the first time since the news about Trump’s conversations with Ukraine broke.The creation of a special committee is expected to come up at a series of Democratic meetings planned for Tuesday afternoon, when Pelosi will address her caucus on impeachment for the first time since the news about Trump’s conversations with Ukraine broke.
But some members of Pelosi’s caucus, including representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, are already pushing back against the possible creation of a select committee. They fear such a move could delay the investigation process and create friction with the committees already probing Trump’s actions.But some members of Pelosi’s caucus, including representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, are already pushing back against the possible creation of a select committee. They fear such a move could delay the investigation process and create friction with the committees already probing Trump’s actions.
Yes, this is an emergency. We don’t have the luxury of time w/ another committee.Judiciary has been investigating& putting the pieces together for months. Impeachment belongs there.We must honor jurisdiction, historical precedent,& work done + allow Judiciary to move forward. https://t.co/CM0gXN7T1iYes, this is an emergency. We don’t have the luxury of time w/ another committee.Judiciary has been investigating& putting the pieces together for months. Impeachment belongs there.We must honor jurisdiction, historical precedent,& work done + allow Judiciary to move forward. https://t.co/CM0gXN7T1i
A source close to Nancy Pelosi told an NBC News analyst that the House speaker will announce an impeachment inquiry and confirm her own support of launching proceedings in her statement later today.
Very solid #Dem House leadership source just confirmed to me that @SpeakerPelosi will announce a formal impeachment inquiry this afternoon and imply that she herself favors impeachment of @realDonaldTrump.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
More House Democrats are coming out in favor of impeaching Trump, even those lawmakers who are from more conservative districts. The escalating support could put pressure on Nancy Pelosi, who is expected to give a statement later today, to back launching impeachment proceedings.
Trump delivered his address to the UN General Assembly, in which he offered a wide-ranging (although somewhat low-energy) defense of his administration’s foreign and domestic agendas.
Trump also sat down with Boris Johnson, who is facing criticism back home after the UK supreme court ruled the prime minister’s attempted suspension of parliament to force a no-deal Brexit was illegal.
The blog is still tracking the latest developments on impeachment, so stay tuned.
Representative Katie Hill – a first-term congresswoman from a district that flipped in 2018 and fierce ally of Nancy Pelosi – said on Tuesday: “I strongly support the House of Representatives moving forward with impeachment proceedings –– it is what the Constitution, my constituents, and my conscience demands.”
I strongly support the House of Representatives moving forward with impeachment proceedings –– it is what the Constitution, my constituents, and my conscience demands.My full statement ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/8Vo98AXQJq
Hill previously said after special counsel Robert Mueller testified in July that she was “waiting until we have the STRONGEST possible case” before backing impeachment. Apparently the Ukraine call tipped the scales for her.
It appears a majority of House Democrats facing some of the toughest reelection races next year now favor impeachment, per a Politico reporter.
MORE NEWS: A majority of Democrats' most vulnerable frontliners now support impeachment proceedings.Reps. Horsford and Lee (both of Nevada) mean 23 out of 44 of Dems' toughest swing members are out in favor.
Joe Biden is expected to give a statement about Trump allegedly pressuring Ukraine to investigate him at 2:30 p.m. EST.
According to a source from Biden’s campaign, the former vice president will call for impeachment if the White House does not hand over information about Trump’s conversation with the Ukrainian president.
NEW: A source says Joe Biden is "going to make the point that Trump’s latest abuses are on top of all of his prior abuses." Biden is going to say if Trump doesn't comply with requests for info on Ukraine & investigations from Congress that "Congress has no choice but to impeach."
Representative John Lewis echoed the message from his House floor speech in a tweet calling for impeachment against Trump:
The future of our democracy is at stake. I truly believe the time to begin impeachment proceedings against this president has come. To do otherwise would betray the foundations of our democracy.
Almost immediately after Lewis finished speaking, representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, put out a statement explaining her support for impeachment proceedings if the White House doesn’t turn over information about the Ukraine call.
Read my statement on impeachment proceedings here: https://t.co/GOoSPADyq3 pic.twitter.com/2qX3jYB26H
Nancy Pelosi said she would make a statement later today, after meeting with House Democratic chairmen and leaders, as calls for impeachment intensify.
Asked by reporters if she’ll comment on calls for impeachment, Pelosi, leaving the House floor, said she will make an announcement “later today” after she meets with “my chairmen, my leadership and my caucus.”
The House speaker has previously been very cautious about backing impeachment, warning members of her caucus that they should have the best possible case against Trump before exploring such an option.
But with House Democrats from more conservative districts coming out in favor of impeachment, Pelosi’s calculus around protecting her most vulnerable members may have changed.
Representative John Lewis, the veteran Democratic lawmaker and civil rights icon, has come out in favor of impeachment against Trump.
NEW: Rep. John Lewis: "I truly believe the time to begin impeachment proceedings against this president has come."To delay or to do otherwise would betray the foundation of our democracy." https://t.co/wJmYqyqHpH pic.twitter.com/lYGvv6IXQi
“I truly believe the time to begin impeachment proceedings against this president has come,” the Georgia Democrat said on the House floor. “To delay or to do otherwise would betray the foundation of our democracy.”
He added: “The people of this nation realize that if they had committed even half of the possible violations, the federal government would be swift to seek justice.”
Lewis’ announcement could trigger even more announcements of impeachment support, per a Politico reporter:
This could unlock votes on the Congressional Black Caucus and among progressives who were holding the line until now. A lot of Democrats who talked to us said Lewis wouldn't come out without knowing that Pelosi was right behind him.
Amid all of the news today, there are developments happening on the presidential campaign trail as well.
Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard has qualified for the October debate after receiving 2 percent in a Monmouth University poll of New Hampshire.
The debate qualifications: @TulsiGabbard has QUALIFIED for the October debate. That makes 12 candidates on stage for October and with a week to go until the deadline closes on Oct. 1, it doesn't look like anyone else will make it https://t.co/8nHK5Bu3nI
But the bigger news from the New Hampshire poll may be Elizabeth Warren continuing to surge in the early voting states. Warren came out on top in the Monmouth poll, attracting the support of 27 percent of New Hampshire Democrats in comparison to Joe Biden’s 25 percent.
Similar to the Iowa poll released this weekend, Warren and Biden are head-and-shoulders above the rest of the field. The third-place finisher in the Monmouth poll, Bernie Sanders, attracted 12 percent. The dip in his support is pretty remarkable, given that the Vermont senator won the New Hampshire primary in 2016.
In combination with a Nevada poll released earlier today, which also showed Biden and Warren leading the pack, the two are currently the unmistakable front-runners in the race.
Another freshman House Democrat from a more conservative district, Lizzie Fletcher of Texas, has said she would be open to impeachment.
The facts we have learned recently are matters of utmost importance for our national security, country, and Constitution. The House should act swiftly to investigate and should be prepared to use the remedy exclusively in its power: impeachment. See my full statement here: pic.twitter.com/xho0DlD107
According to a Politico reporter, the number of House Democrats open to supporting impeachment has reached 161, representing about two-thirds of the caucus.
Can't keep up. Don McEachin makes it 161. https://t.co/Jo55b0RK1Y