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| Donald Trump impeachment inquiry: whistleblower complaint shows 'serious wrongdoing' – as it happened | |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Here’s the latest: | Here’s the latest: |
| This morning, the White House released a memo on a July conversation between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskiy during which he pressed the Ukranian leader to consider investigating Joe Biden. | This morning, the White House released a memo on a July conversation between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskiy during which he pressed the Ukranian leader to consider investigating Joe Biden. |
| Lawmakers also reviewed a whistleblower complaint from an unidentified member of the intelligence community regarding Trump’s communications with Ukraine. Democratic legislators who read the document called it “deeply disturbing” and “very credible.” Both Republicans and Democrats have called for the complaint to be made public. | Lawmakers also reviewed a whistleblower complaint from an unidentified member of the intelligence community regarding Trump’s communications with Ukraine. Democratic legislators who read the document called it “deeply disturbing” and “very credible.” Both Republicans and Democrats have called for the complaint to be made public. |
| In a rambling press conference, Trump insisted that the memo cast him in a good light, and disparaged Democrats looking to impeach him. | In a rambling press conference, Trump insisted that the memo cast him in a good light, and disparaged Democrats looking to impeach him. |
| The US president sat with the Ukrainian leader in an awkward televised press conference. | The US president sat with the Ukrainian leader in an awkward televised press conference. |
| We’ll be back tomorrow with live coverage, as congress grills director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire and more details about the US-Ukraine scandal come to light. | We’ll be back tomorrow with live coverage, as congress grills director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire and more details about the US-Ukraine scandal come to light. |
| NYT: Whistleblower complaint includes concerns over how White House handled records | NYT: Whistleblower complaint includes concerns over how White House handled records |
| The whistleblower who filed a complaint about Donald Trump’s communications with Ukraine also raised concerns over how the White House handled records of the conversation, the Times reports, drawing from sources familiar with the complaint and a Justice Department memo explaining the rationale for withholding complaint: | The whistleblower who filed a complaint about Donald Trump’s communications with Ukraine also raised concerns over how the White House handled records of the conversation, the Times reports, drawing from sources familiar with the complaint and a Justice Department memo explaining the rationale for withholding complaint: |
| The intelligence officer who filed a whistle-blower complaint about President Trump’s interactions with the leader of Ukraine raised alarms not only about what the two men said in a phone call, but also about how the White House handled records of the conversation, according to two people briefed on the complaint. | The intelligence officer who filed a whistle-blower complaint about President Trump’s interactions with the leader of Ukraine raised alarms not only about what the two men said in a phone call, but also about how the White House handled records of the conversation, according to two people briefed on the complaint. |
| The whistle-blower, moreover, identified multiple White House officials as witnesses to potential presidential misconduct who could corroborate the complaint, the people said — adding that the inspector general for the intelligence community, Michael Atkinson, interviewed witnesses. | The whistle-blower, moreover, identified multiple White House officials as witnesses to potential presidential misconduct who could corroborate the complaint, the people said — adding that the inspector general for the intelligence community, Michael Atkinson, interviewed witnesses. |
| Mr. Atkinson eventually concluded that there was reason to believe that the president may have illegally solicited a foreign campaign contributions — and that his potential misconduct created a national security risk, according to a newly disclosed Justice Department memo. | Mr. Atkinson eventually concluded that there was reason to believe that the president may have illegally solicited a foreign campaign contributions — and that his potential misconduct created a national security risk, according to a newly disclosed Justice Department memo. |
| Elizabeth Warren tops national poll, gains Johnathan Van Ness endorsement | Elizabeth Warren tops national poll, gains Johnathan Van Ness endorsement |
| Senator Warren of Massachusetts secured a key endorsement — from Jonathan Van Ness of Netflix’s Queer Eye. | Senator Warren of Massachusetts secured a key endorsement — from Jonathan Van Ness of Netflix’s Queer Eye. |
| Let’s do this @ewarren pic.twitter.com/Q5l7feCi3i | Let’s do this @ewarren pic.twitter.com/Q5l7feCi3i |
| “Senator Warren, go save America,” he exclaimed in a call with the 2020 candidate. | “Senator Warren, go save America,” he exclaimed in a call with the 2020 candidate. |
| And as The Guardian’s Adam Gabbatt reported today: | And as The Guardian’s Adam Gabbatt reported today: |
| Elizabeth Warren’s surge to the very top of the Democratic primary field is continuing, after the Massachusetts senator topped a national poll for the first time on Wednesday. | Elizabeth Warren’s surge to the very top of the Democratic primary field is continuing, after the Massachusetts senator topped a national poll for the first time on Wednesday. |
| A survey by Quinnipiac found Warren polling at 27% among Democrats and Democratic leaning voters, with Joe Biden on 25%. Bernie Sanders, previously seen as part of a top three of Democratic presidential candidates, had 16%. | A survey by Quinnipiac found Warren polling at 27% among Democrats and Democratic leaning voters, with Joe Biden on 25%. Bernie Sanders, previously seen as part of a top three of Democratic presidential candidates, had 16%. |
| With margin of error factored in Warren is essentially tied with Biden, but the poll represents a major boost, coming after a slew of recent surveys in recent days found her leading or tied in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada. | With margin of error factored in Warren is essentially tied with Biden, but the poll represents a major boost, coming after a slew of recent surveys in recent days found her leading or tied in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada. |
| The Quinnipiac poll contained bad news for the California senator Kamala Harris, who was at just 3%, and the New Jersey senator Cory Booker, who was the choice of 0% of Democratic leaning voters. South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg was at 7%. | The Quinnipiac poll contained bad news for the California senator Kamala Harris, who was at just 3%, and the New Jersey senator Cory Booker, who was the choice of 0% of Democratic leaning voters. South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg was at 7%. |
| Elizabeth Warren tops Democratic candidates in national poll for first time | Elizabeth Warren tops Democratic candidates in national poll for first time |
| And there’s a 219th impeachment supporter... | And there’s a 219th impeachment supporter... |
| Al Lawson missed his chance to be the decisive 218th supporter by minutes. He's lawmaker #219 >>> https://t.co/9SxZVS9Qm5 | Al Lawson missed his chance to be the decisive 218th supporter by minutes. He's lawmaker #219 >>> https://t.co/9SxZVS9Qm5 |
| Another Democratic representative, Sharice Davids of Kansas, has joined in supporting impeachment for Trump, bringing the total number to 218 — the exact number needed to pass articles of impeachment if all members of the House voted. | Another Democratic representative, Sharice Davids of Kansas, has joined in supporting impeachment for Trump, bringing the total number to 218 — the exact number needed to pass articles of impeachment if all members of the House voted. |
| After careful deliberation, I'm supporting the House of Representatives taking the first step in an impeachment process, beginning an impeachment inquiry. Here’s why.https://t.co/UPN1UaJeIg | After careful deliberation, I'm supporting the House of Representatives taking the first step in an impeachment process, beginning an impeachment inquiry. Here’s why.https://t.co/UPN1UaJeIg |
| Davids, the first openly LGBT, Native American woman elected to congress, beat a republican incumbent in 2018. | Davids, the first openly LGBT, Native American woman elected to congress, beat a republican incumbent in 2018. |
| Explainer: What is CrowdStrike and what does it have to do with Trump? | Explainer: What is CrowdStrike and what does it have to do with Trump? |
| From Thr Guardian’s Kari Paul, in San Francisco: | From Thr Guardian’s Kari Paul, in San Francisco: |
| Of the many questions surrounding Donald Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president, there’s one that has people especially puzzled. What is CrowdStrike, and why did Trump bring it up? | Of the many questions surrounding Donald Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president, there’s one that has people especially puzzled. What is CrowdStrike, and why did Trump bring it up? |
| On Wednesday, the White House released a partial transcript of the call between Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, in which he asked the Ukrainian president to look into potential 2020 political opponent Joe Biden and his ties to a company in Ukraine. But earlier in the call, Trump begins to ramble about CrowdStrike, a US cybersecurity company. | On Wednesday, the White House released a partial transcript of the call between Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, in which he asked the Ukrainian president to look into potential 2020 political opponent Joe Biden and his ties to a company in Ukraine. But earlier in the call, Trump begins to ramble about CrowdStrike, a US cybersecurity company. |
| “I would like you to do us a favor though because our country has been through a lot and Ukraine knows a lot about it,” Trump said, according to the partial transcript. “I would like you to find out what happened with this whole situation with Ukraine, they say CrowdStrike...I guess you have one of your wealthy people… The server, they say Ukraine has it.” | “I would like you to do us a favor though because our country has been through a lot and Ukraine knows a lot about it,” Trump said, according to the partial transcript. “I would like you to find out what happened with this whole situation with Ukraine, they say CrowdStrike...I guess you have one of your wealthy people… The server, they say Ukraine has it.” |
| CrowdStrike is mentioned several times in the Mueller Report, as the company was responsible for examining the hack of the Democratic National Committee’s email servers. The forensic work carried out by CrowdStrike ultimately identified Russia as the culprit for this hack and led to indictments of 12 Russian nationals. | CrowdStrike is mentioned several times in the Mueller Report, as the company was responsible for examining the hack of the Democratic National Committee’s email servers. The forensic work carried out by CrowdStrike ultimately identified Russia as the culprit for this hack and led to indictments of 12 Russian nationals. |
| Though it is not immediately clear what Trump is talking about in the transcript, he appears to be referencing a persistent right-wing conspiracy theory that the CrowdStrike investigation of the 2016 DNC hack was part of a “deep state” plot to blame Russia for election manipulation. | Though it is not immediately clear what Trump is talking about in the transcript, he appears to be referencing a persistent right-wing conspiracy theory that the CrowdStrike investigation of the 2016 DNC hack was part of a “deep state” plot to blame Russia for election manipulation. |
| Conservatives have sought to portray CrowdStrike, which is based in Silicon Valley, as unreliable and part of a conspiracy against Trump. CrowdStrike was founded in 2011 and went public in June 2019 after raising $280m in venture capital. | Conservatives have sought to portray CrowdStrike, which is based in Silicon Valley, as unreliable and part of a conspiracy against Trump. CrowdStrike was founded in 2011 and went public in June 2019 after raising $280m in venture capital. |
| At the root of this theory is the claim the DNC did not give the FBI “the server” that was hacked, and somehow that server ended up in Ukraine. In reality, there was not one server but more than 140 servers decommissioned by the DNC following the Russia hack. The subsequent investigation concluded it had sufficient information to determine Russian interference. | At the root of this theory is the claim the DNC did not give the FBI “the server” that was hacked, and somehow that server ended up in Ukraine. In reality, there was not one server but more than 140 servers decommissioned by the DNC following the Russia hack. The subsequent investigation concluded it had sufficient information to determine Russian interference. |
| Still, Trump has tweeted a number of times about the alleged “missing server” since taking office, often mentioning it alongside Hillary Clinton’s “missing emails.” | Still, Trump has tweeted a number of times about the alleged “missing server” since taking office, often mentioning it alongside Hillary Clinton’s “missing emails.” |
| ....Where is the DNC Server, and why didn’t the FBI take possession of it? Deep State? | ....Where is the DNC Server, and why didn’t the FBI take possession of it? Deep State? |
| People who subscribe to this conspiracy believe CrowdStrike is owned by a Ukrainian national. In 2017, Trump told the Associated Press CrowdStrike is owned by a “very rich Ukrainian”. Officials at CrowdStrike are reportedly very confused about Trump’s references to the company. | People who subscribe to this conspiracy believe CrowdStrike is owned by a Ukrainian national. In 2017, Trump told the Associated Press CrowdStrike is owned by a “very rich Ukrainian”. Officials at CrowdStrike are reportedly very confused about Trump’s references to the company. |
| “With regards to our investigation of the DNC hack in 2016, we provided all forensic evidence and analysis to the FBI,” Crowdstrike said in a statement on Wednesday. “As we’ve stated before, we stand by our findings and conclusions that have been fully supported by the US intelligence committee.” | “With regards to our investigation of the DNC hack in 2016, we provided all forensic evidence and analysis to the FBI,” Crowdstrike said in a statement on Wednesday. “As we’ve stated before, we stand by our findings and conclusions that have been fully supported by the US intelligence committee.” |
| Chuck Schumer calls for whistleblower complaint to be declassified | Chuck Schumer calls for whistleblower complaint to be declassified |
| In new stmt, @SenSchumer is calling for the whistleblower complaint to be made public immediately: pic.twitter.com/ChRn0YyKzy | In new stmt, @SenSchumer is calling for the whistleblower complaint to be made public immediately: pic.twitter.com/ChRn0YyKzy |
| The democratic senate minority leader joins a republican member of the House intelligence committee in calling for the complaint to be made public. | The democratic senate minority leader joins a republican member of the House intelligence committee in calling for the complaint to be made public. |
| ABC reports that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s administration “came to recognize a precondition to any executive correspondence” between Ukraine and the US: | ABC reports that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s administration “came to recognize a precondition to any executive correspondence” between Ukraine and the US: |
| “It was clear that [President Donald] Trump will only have communications if they will discuss the Biden case,” said Serhiy Leshchenko, an anti-corruption advocate and former member of Ukraine’s Parliament, who now acts as an adviser to Zelenskiy. “This issue was raised many times. I know that Ukrainian officials understood.” | “It was clear that [President Donald] Trump will only have communications if they will discuss the Biden case,” said Serhiy Leshchenko, an anti-corruption advocate and former member of Ukraine’s Parliament, who now acts as an adviser to Zelenskiy. “This issue was raised many times. I know that Ukrainian officials understood.” |
| The Trump administration’s alleged insistence that the two leaders discuss a prospective investigation into Biden, one of the president’s political opponents, casts his July 25 conversation with Zelenskiy in a new light. | The Trump administration’s alleged insistence that the two leaders discuss a prospective investigation into Biden, one of the president’s political opponents, casts his July 25 conversation with Zelenskiy in a new light. |
| During the call, a rough summary of which was released by the White House Wednesday, Trump repeatedly encouraged Zelenskiy to work with Attorney General William Barr and his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, to probe Biden’s role in the dismissal of the country’s prosecutor general, Viktor Shokin, in 2016. | During the call, a rough summary of which was released by the White House Wednesday, Trump repeatedly encouraged Zelenskiy to work with Attorney General William Barr and his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, to probe Biden’s role in the dismissal of the country’s prosecutor general, Viktor Shokin, in 2016. |
| Elise Stefanik, a republican member of the House intelligence committee who reviewed the whistleblower complaint said it “should be immediately declassified and made public for the American people to read.” | Elise Stefanik, a republican member of the House intelligence committee who reviewed the whistleblower complaint said it “should be immediately declassified and made public for the American people to read.” |
| I do not support impeachment of President Trump. I have just read the whistleblower complaint made available to House Intelligence Committee Members. I believe strongly in transparency and it should be immediately declassified and made public for the American people to read. | I do not support impeachment of President Trump. I have just read the whistleblower complaint made available to House Intelligence Committee Members. I believe strongly in transparency and it should be immediately declassified and made public for the American people to read. |
| But the respresentative from New York also noted that she does not support impeachment. | But the respresentative from New York also noted that she does not support impeachment. |
| Democratic and republican lawmakers are expressing concern after reviewing whistleblower complaint | Democratic and republican lawmakers are expressing concern after reviewing whistleblower complaint |
| It appears that members of the Senate intelligence committee have reviewed the Trump-Ukraine whistleblower complaint. | It appears that members of the Senate intelligence committee have reviewed the Trump-Ukraine whistleblower complaint. |
| Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said, “I’m even more worried about what happened than I was when I read the memorandum of the conversation.” | Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said, “I’m even more worried about what happened than I was when I read the memorandum of the conversation.” |
| Chuck Schumer after reading whistleblower complaint: “Having read the documents in there, I'm even more worried about what happened than I was when I read the memorandum of the conversation. There are so many facts that have to be examined. It’s very troubling.” | Chuck Schumer after reading whistleblower complaint: “Having read the documents in there, I'm even more worried about what happened than I was when I read the memorandum of the conversation. There are so many facts that have to be examined. It’s very troubling.” |
| Ben Sasse, a republican senator from Nebraska, also noted that there were “really troubling things” in the memo, but added that “everybody in this process should slow down” while lawmakers deliberate the findings. | Ben Sasse, a republican senator from Nebraska, also noted that there were “really troubling things” in the memo, but added that “everybody in this process should slow down” while lawmakers deliberate the findings. |
| SASSE after reading the whistleblower complaint: “Really troubling things here. Republicans ought not just circle the wagons, and democrats ought not have been using words like impeachment before they knew anything about the actual substance.” | SASSE after reading the whistleblower complaint: “Really troubling things here. Republicans ought not just circle the wagons, and democrats ought not have been using words like impeachment before they knew anything about the actual substance.” |
| House minority leader Kevin McCarthy has introduced a resolution to get congress to officially avow that it “disapproves” speaker Nancy Pelosi’s impeachment inquiry announcement yesterday. | House minority leader Kevin McCarthy has introduced a resolution to get congress to officially avow that it “disapproves” speaker Nancy Pelosi’s impeachment inquiry announcement yesterday. |
| HAPPENING NOW→ I'm introducing a privileged resolution for the House to vote on."The House of Reps disapproves of the actions of Speaker Pelosi to initiate an impeachment inquiry against the duly elected President of the US, @realDonaldTrump."Read the full resolution↓ pic.twitter.com/9xgYoVAl8P | HAPPENING NOW→ I'm introducing a privileged resolution for the House to vote on."The House of Reps disapproves of the actions of Speaker Pelosi to initiate an impeachment inquiry against the duly elected President of the US, @realDonaldTrump."Read the full resolution↓ pic.twitter.com/9xgYoVAl8P |
| The move drew the ire of McCarthy’s democratic colleagues in Congress, including majority leader Steny Hoyer. | The move drew the ire of McCarthy’s democratic colleagues in Congress, including majority leader Steny Hoyer. |
| HAPPENING NOW→ I'm introducing a privileged resolution for the House to vote on."The House of Reps disapproves of the actions of Speaker Pelosi to initiate an impeachment inquiry against the duly elected President of the US, @realDonaldTrump."Read the full resolution↓ pic.twitter.com/9xgYoVAl8P | HAPPENING NOW→ I'm introducing a privileged resolution for the House to vote on."The House of Reps disapproves of the actions of Speaker Pelosi to initiate an impeachment inquiry against the duly elected President of the US, @realDonaldTrump."Read the full resolution↓ pic.twitter.com/9xgYoVAl8P |
| Zelenskiy thought only Trump’s side of the call would be released | Zelenskiy thought only Trump’s side of the call would be released |
| The Ukrainian president said that he believed only Donald Trump’s side of their July call would be released to the public, he told Ukrainian media. | The Ukrainian president said that he believed only Donald Trump’s side of their July call would be released to the public, he told Ukrainian media. |
| According to Reuters, the White House memo on the phone call is “ a far-reaching diplomatic disaster”: | According to Reuters, the White House memo on the phone call is “ a far-reaching diplomatic disaster”: |
| Zelenskiy’s comments to the Republican Trump, disclosed in the summary, will likely irk U.S. Democrats, risking the bipartisan U.S. support Kiev requires while irritating France and Germany whom Zelenskiy criticized in the same exchange. | Zelenskiy’s comments to the Republican Trump, disclosed in the summary, will likely irk U.S. Democrats, risking the bipartisan U.S. support Kiev requires while irritating France and Germany whom Zelenskiy criticized in the same exchange. |
| Locked in a geopolitical standoff with neighboring Russia after Moscow annexed the Crimea region and backed pro-Russian separatists fighting in eastern Ukraine in 2014, Ukraine needs all the international friends it can get. | Locked in a geopolitical standoff with neighboring Russia after Moscow annexed the Crimea region and backed pro-Russian separatists fighting in eastern Ukraine in 2014, Ukraine needs all the international friends it can get. |
| It relies heavily on Washington for aid and diplomatic help, and European countries like France and Germany are trying to help bring about talks aimed at breathing life into a stalled peace process over eastern Ukraine. | It relies heavily on Washington for aid and diplomatic help, and European countries like France and Germany are trying to help bring about talks aimed at breathing life into a stalled peace process over eastern Ukraine. |
| After reviewing the complaint, Schiff told reporters it provided ample information for the Intelligence Committee to follow up though he didn’t provide any details on its contents. “I found the allegations deeply disturbing. I also found them very credible,” he said. | After reviewing the complaint, Schiff told reporters it provided ample information for the Intelligence Committee to follow up though he didn’t provide any details on its contents. “I found the allegations deeply disturbing. I also found them very credible,” he said. |
| He added: “I want to thank the whistleblower and let the whistleblower know that we are going to do everything we can to protect you.” | He added: “I want to thank the whistleblower and let the whistleblower know that we are going to do everything we can to protect you.” |
| House Intel Chair Rep. Adam Schiff speaks after reviewing the whistleblower complaint https://t.co/aYIcGo5zvO pic.twitter.com/Eh0qU5Et4b | House Intel Chair Rep. Adam Schiff speaks after reviewing the whistleblower complaint https://t.co/aYIcGo5zvO pic.twitter.com/Eh0qU5Et4b |
| Reportedly, House chair Nancy Pelosi is also reviewing the complaint. | Reportedly, House chair Nancy Pelosi is also reviewing the complaint. |
| CONFIRMED: Pelosi is in the House’s secure rooms where the Intel Committee has been reviewing the whistleblower complaint. | CONFIRMED: Pelosi is in the House’s secure rooms where the Intel Committee has been reviewing the whistleblower complaint. |
| Maanvi Singh, here, taking over from The Guardian’s West Coast office, where we will continue to watch the fallout of Donald Trump’s Ukraine controversy and developments in the democrats’ impeachment inquiry. | Maanvi Singh, here, taking over from The Guardian’s West Coast office, where we will continue to watch the fallout of Donald Trump’s Ukraine controversy and developments in the democrats’ impeachment inquiry. |
| Here’s a quick recap of today: | Here’s a quick recap of today: |
| Donald Trump just wrapped up a press conference, which was broadcast on most major news networks. In the end, he didn’t address most questions on Ukraine. Instead, the president rambled about his electoral college victory, derided the media, touted his border wall and falsely accused Joe Biden and the democratic party of wrongdoing. | Donald Trump just wrapped up a press conference, which was broadcast on most major news networks. In the end, he didn’t address most questions on Ukraine. Instead, the president rambled about his electoral college victory, derided the media, touted his border wall and falsely accused Joe Biden and the democratic party of wrongdoing. |
| Acting director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire, denied the Washington Post’s report that he threatened to resign if the White House tried to prevent him from freely testifying before Congress on the whistleblower complaint tomorrow. | Acting director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire, denied the Washington Post’s report that he threatened to resign if the White House tried to prevent him from freely testifying before Congress on the whistleblower complaint tomorrow. |
| A memorandum released by the White House confirms that Trump discussed Joe Biden, Rudy Giuliani and special counsel Robert Mueller in his conversation with the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy. | A memorandum released by the White House confirms that Trump discussed Joe Biden, Rudy Giuliani and special counsel Robert Mueller in his conversation with the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy. |
| Trump allies in the government and at Fox News echoed his claims that the memo reflected well on him. | Trump allies in the government and at Fox News echoed his claims that the memo reflected well on him. |
| However, democratic lawmakers and a few republicans — including senator Mitt Romney — said they were shocked and troubled by the memo. | However, democratic lawmakers and a few republicans — including senator Mitt Romney — said they were shocked and troubled by the memo. |
| Hillary Clinton expressed support for impeaching Trump. | Hillary Clinton expressed support for impeaching Trump. |
| The Intelligence committees received the whistleblower complaint and are reviewing it. | The Intelligence committees received the whistleblower complaint and are reviewing it. |