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Trump-Ukraine scandal: memo shows president pushed for Biden investigation – live Trump-Ukraine scandal: memo shows president pushed for Biden investigation – live
(32 minutes later)
Trump quoted a CNN reporter to amplify his argument that the White House memo on the Ukraine call falls short of a quid pro quo.
“He (President Trump) didn’t specifically mention the explicit quid pro quo of…unless you investigate this…we’re going to withhold military aid to you.” Pamela Brown
But a CNN anchor noted the reporter went on to make the argument that Trump appeared to be alluding to US aid in his conversation with the Ukrainian president before suggesting investigations.
The full @PamelaBrownCNN quote continued: "...but he did sort of tee up the request by saying, look, we’re very, the US is very helpful to Ukraine in comparison to European countries." https://t.co/yKJzH0ug6A
In the tug of war between Trump insisting his conversation with the Ukrainian president was a “nothing call” and Democrats arguing it represents an abuse of power, Volodymyr Zelenskiy is trapped in the middle.
Andrew Roth reports from Kyiv on the Ukrainian president’s conundrum:
Zelenskiy is squeezed between a US president urging him to dig up dirt on his political rival Joe Biden and a Democratic party that sees the White House’s pressure on him as a compelling argument to unseat Trump.
Ukraine, which counts on US political support and military aid to help repel its larger neighbour Russia, could end up being treated like a political football in the upcoming impeachment battle and the 2020 elections, even as it grapples with larger issues of security and reforms.
‘I am afraid that Ukraine could become as toxic as Russia was during the Mueller investigation,’ said Alyona Getmanchuk, director of the Kyiv-based New Europe Center. ‘We understand that every move that Trump does in Ukraine will be seen through this scandal. Every ‘no’ to Ukraine will be seen as an act of revenge. Every ‘yes’ is a sign that he wants to prove people wrong.’
Representative Adam Schiff has concluded his news conference, in which he expressed shock about the contents of the White House memo and hope that the whistleblower would soon testify before the House intelligence committee.
Meanwhile, over in the other chamber of Congress, some Republican senators are complaining about the White House’s decision to release the memo. One Senate Republican called the move a “huge mistake,” according to the Washington Post.
The Post reports:
A top Senate GOP aide said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is expecting Wednesday’s closed-door lunch to be eventful and possibly tense as Republicans react to the transcript and debate their next step. ...
Three Senate GOP aides said Wednesday that their bosses were grousing and frustrated by the White House’s decision and the sense that Republican lawmakers were being forced into the difficult position of defending Trump while contending with what many see as an alarming or at least problematic transcript.
Of course, some of the president’s closest allies, including senator Lindsey Graham, are echoing Trump’s claim that the memo represents a “nothing call.”
Wow. Impeachment over this? What a nothing (non-quid pro quo) burger. Democrats have lost their minds when it comes to President @realDonaldTrump.
Adam Schiff said the whistleblower who first raised concerns about Trump’s communications with Ukraine is “eager” to speak to the House intelligence committee.Adam Schiff said the whistleblower who first raised concerns about Trump’s communications with Ukraine is “eager” to speak to the House intelligence committee.
The California Democrat added that he hoped the whistleblower would be able to speak to his panel as soon as tomorrow.The California Democrat added that he hoped the whistleblower would be able to speak to his panel as soon as tomorrow.
The whistleblower is reportedly conferring with the acting director of national intelligence to determine how to testify before Congress.The whistleblower is reportedly conferring with the acting director of national intelligence to determine how to testify before Congress.
Adam Schiff dismissed Republicans’ argument that the White House memo reflects no direct quid pro quo in the conversation between Trump and the Ukrainian president.Adam Schiff dismissed Republicans’ argument that the White House memo reflects no direct quid pro quo in the conversation between Trump and the Ukrainian president.
The House intelligence committee chairman noted that the Ukrainian president mentioned his country’s need for military assistance before Trump asked for “a favor” from the foreign leader.The House intelligence committee chairman noted that the Ukrainian president mentioned his country’s need for military assistance before Trump asked for “a favor” from the foreign leader.
Schiff added that a direct quid pro quo is not the bar for impeachable offenses. “There is no quid pro quo necessary to betray your country or your oath of office,” Schiff said.Schiff added that a direct quid pro quo is not the bar for impeachable offenses. “There is no quid pro quo necessary to betray your country or your oath of office,” Schiff said.
But he added that he thought one could read the conversation, as conveyed by the White House memo, as a quid pro quo.But he added that he thought one could read the conversation, as conveyed by the White House memo, as a quid pro quo.
Adam Schiff once again compared Trump’s communications with Ukraine, as reported in the White House memo, to the actions of a mobster.Adam Schiff once again compared Trump’s communications with Ukraine, as reported in the White House memo, to the actions of a mobster.
"This is how a Mafia boss talks": House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff reacts to the summary of Trump's phone call with Ukraine's president https://t.co/H9n7JKbYS7 pic.twitter.com/KDlBdFON7b"This is how a Mafia boss talks": House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff reacts to the summary of Trump's phone call with Ukraine's president https://t.co/H9n7JKbYS7 pic.twitter.com/KDlBdFON7b
The House intelligence committee chairman said Trump’s conversation with the Ukrainian president represented a “classic, mafia-like shakedown of a foreign leader.”The House intelligence committee chairman said Trump’s conversation with the Ukrainian president represented a “classic, mafia-like shakedown of a foreign leader.”
“This is how a mafia boss talks,” Schiff said. “And it’s clear that the Ukraine president understands exactly what is expected of him.”“This is how a mafia boss talks,” Schiff said. “And it’s clear that the Ukraine president understands exactly what is expected of him.”
Representative Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House intelligence committee, is speaking at a news conference now.Representative Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House intelligence committee, is speaking at a news conference now.
.@RepAdamSchiff “The notes of the call reflect a conversation far more damning than I and many others had imagined.” pic.twitter.com/Q9hwmUYhif.@RepAdamSchiff “The notes of the call reflect a conversation far more damning than I and many others had imagined.” pic.twitter.com/Q9hwmUYhif
The California Democrat said he was “shocked” by the contents of the White House memo and the idea that Trump officials thought it would reflect well upon the president.The California Democrat said he was “shocked” by the contents of the White House memo and the idea that Trump officials thought it would reflect well upon the president.
Schiff said: “The notes of the call reflect a conversation far more damning than I or many others had imagined.”Schiff said: “The notes of the call reflect a conversation far more damning than I or many others had imagined.”
Democratic presidential candidates reacted to the release of the White House memo with censure and demands for more transparency from the Trump administration.Democratic presidential candidates reacted to the release of the White House memo with censure and demands for more transparency from the Trump administration.
I asked Attorney General Barr in May: did the White House ever ask him to investigate anyone? He wouldn't answer.Barr needs to come back to Congress and answer that question again. Under oath.This time, he better have an answer. https://t.co/ybObJ1GC53I asked Attorney General Barr in May: did the White House ever ask him to investigate anyone? He wouldn't answer.Barr needs to come back to Congress and answer that question again. Under oath.This time, he better have an answer. https://t.co/ybObJ1GC53
Donald Trump is the most corrupt president in the modern history of this country.Donald Trump is the most corrupt president in the modern history of this country.
We said he’s been corrupting the office since the beginning. Today the White House agreed.We said he’s been corrupting the office since the beginning. Today the White House agreed.
Many of the reactions to the memo have centered around astonishment that the White House chose to release it, apparently believing that it would reflect well upon the president.Many of the reactions to the memo have centered around astonishment that the White House chose to release it, apparently believing that it would reflect well upon the president.
From a Republican strategist and outspoken Trump critic:From a Republican strategist and outspoken Trump critic:
How the fuck did Trump think this transcript was going to help him???How the fuck did Trump think this transcript was going to help him???
From a former senior adviser to senator Ted Cruz:From a former senior adviser to senator Ted Cruz:
This transcript is an Orwell Test. Do you reject the evidence of your eyes and ears?This transcript is an Orwell Test. Do you reject the evidence of your eyes and ears?
From an MSNBC host:From an MSNBC host:
The phone call is...considerably worse than I thought it would be.The phone call is...considerably worse than I thought it would be.
From a former FBI special agent:From a former FBI special agent:
Here’s what’s clear: Trump does not observe or recognize important legal distinctions. Not between official business and his campaign. Between private attorney and gov attorneys. Between taxpayer money and his money. Everything is an extension if himself, to be used for his ends.Here’s what’s clear: Trump does not observe or recognize important legal distinctions. Not between official business and his campaign. Between private attorney and gov attorneys. Between taxpayer money and his money. Everything is an extension if himself, to be used for his ends.
From a University of Alabama law professor:From a University of Alabama law professor:
Any other presidency would be over. Today.Any other presidency would be over. Today.
Some of Trump’s closest congressional allies were invited to the White House this morning to review the memo before it was released and discuss it, according to a Washington Post reporter.Some of Trump’s closest congressional allies were invited to the White House this morning to review the memo before it was released and discuss it, according to a Washington Post reporter.
Among the invited Republican lawmakers: Representatives Liz Cheney, Doug Collins, Matt Gaetz, Jim Jordan, Kevin McCarthy, Mark Meadows, Devin Nunes + Steve Scalise. And Senators Capito, Cramer, Johnson, Perdue + Risch https://t.co/HOOKqfScPOAmong the invited Republican lawmakers: Representatives Liz Cheney, Doug Collins, Matt Gaetz, Jim Jordan, Kevin McCarthy, Mark Meadows, Devin Nunes + Steve Scalise. And Senators Capito, Cramer, Johnson, Perdue + Risch https://t.co/HOOKqfScPO
It is perhaps unsurprising then that lawmakers close to Trump have quickly coalesced around messaging that the memo does not incriminate the president and shows no direct quid pro quo.It is perhaps unsurprising then that lawmakers close to Trump have quickly coalesced around messaging that the memo does not incriminate the president and shows no direct quid pro quo.
Representative Jerry Nadler, the Democratic chairman of the House judiciary committee, called on attorney general William Barr to recuse himself from matters dealing with Trump’s Ukraine call after the White House memo was released.Representative Jerry Nadler, the Democratic chairman of the House judiciary committee, called on attorney general William Barr to recuse himself from matters dealing with Trump’s Ukraine call after the White House memo was released.
The President dragged the Attorney General into this mess. At a minimum, AG Barr must recuse himself until we get to the bottom of this matter. #UkraineTranscript https://t.co/lBMsllCafpThe President dragged the Attorney General into this mess. At a minimum, AG Barr must recuse himself until we get to the bottom of this matter. #UkraineTranscript https://t.co/lBMsllCafp
The memo showed that Trump repeatedly suggested that the Ukrainian president work with Barr and Rudy Giuliani to launch investigations in his country. Trump went on to specifically reference a possible investigation of Joe Biden and his son.The memo showed that Trump repeatedly suggested that the Ukrainian president work with Barr and Rudy Giuliani to launch investigations in his country. Trump went on to specifically reference a possible investigation of Joe Biden and his son.
The Justice Department put out a statement asserting that Barr did not discuss any potential investigation of Biden with Trump, but that is unlikely to reassure Nadler and other Democratic members of his committee.The Justice Department put out a statement asserting that Barr did not discuss any potential investigation of Biden with Trump, but that is unlikely to reassure Nadler and other Democratic members of his committee.
Republican Senator Mitt Romney, speaking at the Atlantic magazine festival in Washington, said of the memo released by the White House: “My reaction was the same as I had a few days ago, which is this remains deeply troubling and we’ll see where it leads. But my first reaction is it’s troubling.”Asked if it shows a quid pro quo, the former presidential nominee added: “I don’t know I focused so much on the quid pro quo element as perhaps some do. I just focus on, if the president of the United States asks the leader of a foreign country to carry out an investigation of a political nature, that’s troubling.”Romney said it was important for more information to be made public. “The consequences are being considered by the House and I’m not going to give advice to Speaker Pelosi... We’ll see where that leads.”Questioned over whether this could rise to an impeachable offence, Romney appeared hesitant. “I’m going to leave it at what I said and let the process gather the facts that ultimately will come out.”Republican Senator Mitt Romney, speaking at the Atlantic magazine festival in Washington, said of the memo released by the White House: “My reaction was the same as I had a few days ago, which is this remains deeply troubling and we’ll see where it leads. But my first reaction is it’s troubling.”Asked if it shows a quid pro quo, the former presidential nominee added: “I don’t know I focused so much on the quid pro quo element as perhaps some do. I just focus on, if the president of the United States asks the leader of a foreign country to carry out an investigation of a political nature, that’s troubling.”Romney said it was important for more information to be made public. “The consequences are being considered by the House and I’m not going to give advice to Speaker Pelosi... We’ll see where that leads.”Questioned over whether this could rise to an impeachable offence, Romney appeared hesitant. “I’m going to leave it at what I said and let the process gather the facts that ultimately will come out.”
Trump and his allies appear to be coalescing around an argument that the memo released by the White House shows no direct “quid pro quo” in the president’s conversation with the leader of Ukraine.Trump and his allies appear to be coalescing around an argument that the memo released by the White House shows no direct “quid pro quo” in the president’s conversation with the leader of Ukraine.
Trump himself trumpeted this argument in a tweet quoting Fox News host Bret Baier. (As always, take Trump’s tweeted quotes with a grain of salt. They have previously proven far from accurate.)Trump himself trumpeted this argument in a tweet quoting Fox News host Bret Baier. (As always, take Trump’s tweeted quotes with a grain of salt. They have previously proven far from accurate.)
“You don’t see a direct quid pro quo in this.” @BretBaier“You don’t see a direct quid pro quo in this.” @BretBaier
It’s true that the memo, which is not a verbatim readout of the conversation, does not include a line demanding an investigation of Joe Biden in exchange for releasing military aid to Ukraine.It’s true that the memo, which is not a verbatim readout of the conversation, does not include a line demanding an investigation of Joe Biden in exchange for releasing military aid to Ukraine.
But that doesn’t mean the conversation conveyed in the memo is totally above board. On the contrary, Zelenskiy brings up military aid and Trump is quoted as responding, “I would like you to do us a favor though.” He goes on to discuss possibly investigations and later brings up Joe Biden and his son.But that doesn’t mean the conversation conveyed in the memo is totally above board. On the contrary, Zelenskiy brings up military aid and Trump is quoted as responding, “I would like you to do us a favor though.” He goes on to discuss possibly investigations and later brings up Joe Biden and his son.
So the fact that there is no “we must have this for that” line doesn’t mean the president is exonerated.So the fact that there is no “we must have this for that” line doesn’t mean the president is exonerated.
Representative Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, compared Trump’s comments to the Ukrainian president to “a classic mob shakedown.”Representative Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, compared Trump’s comments to the Ukrainian president to “a classic mob shakedown.”
The transcript of the call reads like a classic mob shakedown:– We do a lot for Ukraine– There’s not much reciprocity– I have a favor to ask– Investigate my opponent– My people will be in touch Nice country you got there.It would be a shame if something happened to her.The transcript of the call reads like a classic mob shakedown:– We do a lot for Ukraine– There’s not much reciprocity– I have a favor to ask– Investigate my opponent– My people will be in touch Nice country you got there.It would be a shame if something happened to her.
Some of Trump’s congressional allies are rushing to claim that the White House memo proves Democrats’ fears about the Ukraine call were baseless – a claim directly contradicted by the memo itself.Some of Trump’s congressional allies are rushing to claim that the White House memo proves Democrats’ fears about the Ukraine call were baseless – a claim directly contradicted by the memo itself.
From the top Republican on the House judiciary committee:From the top Republican on the House judiciary committee:
The transcript between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky reveals that Democrats have again leapt to conclusions before looking at the facts. Full statement below: pic.twitter.com/7R1YhH308zThe transcript between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky reveals that Democrats have again leapt to conclusions before looking at the facts. Full statement below: pic.twitter.com/7R1YhH308z
From the chairman of the House freedom caucus:From the chairman of the House freedom caucus:
I've read the transcript and the Democrat spin was wrong... again- President Zelensky initiated the Giuliani convo and asked the WH to send him to Ukraine- ZERO discussion of foreign aid quid pro quoThat's it? THAT'S what Democrats are impeaching on?Give me a break.I've read the transcript and the Democrat spin was wrong... again- President Zelensky initiated the Giuliani convo and asked the WH to send him to Ukraine- ZERO discussion of foreign aid quid pro quoThat's it? THAT'S what Democrats are impeaching on?Give me a break.
It is true that the Ukrainian president was the first to bring up Rudy Giuliani, according to the memo the White House released. But Trump then pushed Zelenskiy to talk to Giuliani and specifically referenced a possible investigation of Joe Biden, which the Ukrainian president had not mentioned at all.It is true that the Ukrainian president was the first to bring up Rudy Giuliani, according to the memo the White House released. But Trump then pushed Zelenskiy to talk to Giuliani and specifically referenced a possible investigation of Joe Biden, which the Ukrainian president had not mentioned at all.
At least one Republican lawmaker is openly voicing his discomfort with the memo’s contents. Senator Mitt Romney, who previously voiced concern about the Ukraine allegations, said he found the transcript “deeply troubling.”At least one Republican lawmaker is openly voicing his discomfort with the memo’s contents. Senator Mitt Romney, who previously voiced concern about the Ukraine allegations, said he found the transcript “deeply troubling.”
He asks Romney, what do you do beyond being troubled by it?ROMNEY: “Well there’s a process that the House is pursuing, the Senate is also looking at the testimony of the whistleblower so there is an evaluation of gathering more facts.”He asks Romney, what do you do beyond being troubled by it?ROMNEY: “Well there’s a process that the House is pursuing, the Senate is also looking at the testimony of the whistleblower so there is an evaluation of gathering more facts.”