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| Trump says whistleblower's source is 'close to a spy', audio reveals – live news | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Associations representing diplomats urge against politicizing their members | |
| NewsHour’s Ali Rogin reports that two associations for diplomats have released statements urging the Trump administration to refrain from acting against former Ukraine ambassador Marie Yovanovitch. | |
| Two associations representing career diplomats have just released statements urging against the politicization of their members. American Academy of Diplomacy: "calls on the administration to make clear that it will not act against career diplomat Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch... | |
| A new poll found that Americans are split 49%-46% on the impeachment inquiry. | A new poll found that Americans are split 49%-46% on the impeachment inquiry. |
| A new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll of 864 Americans, conducted yesterday, found that 49% approve of the Democrat’s impeachment inquiry. | A new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll of 864 Americans, conducted yesterday, found that 49% approve of the Democrat’s impeachment inquiry. |
| Other findings: | Other findings: |
| 50% thought it was a serious matter, vs. 48% who said it was just politics | 50% thought it was a serious matter, vs. 48% who said it was just politics |
| Half of independents disapproved of the inquiry | Half of independents disapproved of the inquiry |
| On whether it’s worth going through with the impeachment inquiry if the Senate doesn’t convict and Trump, 49% said it’s not worth it, and 47% said it is | On whether it’s worth going through with the impeachment inquiry if the Senate doesn’t convict and Trump, 49% said it’s not worth it, and 47% said it is |
| But public opinion could have changed already given new revelations from today’s hearing and the public release of the whistleblower complaint. | But public opinion could have changed already given new revelations from today’s hearing and the public release of the whistleblower complaint. |
| House majority whip James Clyburn released a statement on Twitter, writing, “The whistleblower complaint shows that instead of seeking solely to advance America’s national interest, President Trump has sought to advance his own political interest.” | House majority whip James Clyburn released a statement on Twitter, writing, “The whistleblower complaint shows that instead of seeking solely to advance America’s national interest, President Trump has sought to advance his own political interest.” |
| Clyburn, a democratic representative of South Carolina said that congress should complete its impeachment inquiry with “deliberate speed”. | Clyburn, a democratic representative of South Carolina said that congress should complete its impeachment inquiry with “deliberate speed”. |
| The whistleblower complaint shows that instead of seeking solely to advance America’s national interest, President Trump has sought to advance his own political interest.Rather than putting America’s national security first, President Trump has put himself first. | The whistleblower complaint shows that instead of seeking solely to advance America’s national interest, President Trump has sought to advance his own political interest.Rather than putting America’s national security first, President Trump has put himself first. |
| Although several investigations into Trump’s businesses, his campaign and his conduct as president are ongoing, House leader Nancy Pelosi said today that the impeachment inquiry would “focus” on the Ukraine call. | Although several investigations into Trump’s businesses, his campaign and his conduct as president are ongoing, House leader Nancy Pelosi said today that the impeachment inquiry would “focus” on the Ukraine call. |
| 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: |
| The whistleblower complaint that kicked off Trump’s Ukraine controversy was released this morning. In it, the whistleblower alleges that Trump abused his office to solicit assistance from a foreign country in the 2020 election and that White House officials participated in a cover-up to keep the Ukraine call from being made public. | The whistleblower complaint that kicked off Trump’s Ukraine controversy was released this morning. In it, the whistleblower alleges that Trump abused his office to solicit assistance from a foreign country in the 2020 election and that White House officials participated in a cover-up to keep the Ukraine call from being made public. |
| Audio was released of Trump expressing a wish to know the identity of the whistleblower’s sources and alluding to retaliation against those officials. Trump said: “I want to know who’s the person, who’s the person who gave the whistleblower the information? Because that’s close to a spy. You know what we used to do in the old days when we were smart?” | Audio was released of Trump expressing a wish to know the identity of the whistleblower’s sources and alluding to retaliation against those officials. Trump said: “I want to know who’s the person, who’s the person who gave the whistleblower the information? Because that’s close to a spy. You know what we used to do in the old days when we were smart?” |
| The acting director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire, testified before the House intelligence committee. Democrats on the panel accused Maguire of mishandling the whistleblower complaint by conferring with the White House about potential claims of executive privilege, a charge that Maguire strongly pushed back against. | The acting director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire, testified before the House intelligence committee. Democrats on the panel accused Maguire of mishandling the whistleblower complaint by conferring with the White House about potential claims of executive privilege, a charge that Maguire strongly pushed back against. |
| Nancy Pelosi said the Ukraine call would be the “focus” of House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry moving forward. The House speaker said of the allegations in the whistleblower complaint: “This is a cover-up.” | Nancy Pelosi said the Ukraine call would be the “focus” of House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry moving forward. The House speaker said of the allegations in the whistleblower complaint: “This is a cover-up.” |
| Maanvi will have more on the big news of the day, so stay tuned. | Maanvi will have more on the big news of the day, so stay tuned. |
| The LA Times has released audio of Trump’s event with UN staffers this morning, where the president addressed the release of the whistleblower complaint. | The LA Times has released audio of Trump’s event with UN staffers this morning, where the president addressed the release of the whistleblower complaint. |
| During the event, Trump expressed a wish to know who supplied information to the whistleblower and alluded to possible retaliation against those officials. | During the event, Trump expressed a wish to know who supplied information to the whistleblower and alluded to possible retaliation against those officials. |
| Trump said: “I want to know who’s the person, who’s the person who gave the whistleblower the information? Because that’s close to a spy. You know what we used to do in the old days when we were smart? Right? The spies and treason, we used to handle it a little differently than we do now.” | Trump said: “I want to know who’s the person, who’s the person who gave the whistleblower the information? Because that’s close to a spy. You know what we used to do in the old days when we were smart? Right? The spies and treason, we used to handle it a little differently than we do now.” |
| Kate Bedingfield, Joe Biden’s deputy campaign manager, has released a statement saying that Trump’s actions have threatened US national security. | Kate Bedingfield, Joe Biden’s deputy campaign manager, has released a statement saying that Trump’s actions have threatened US national security. |
| Bedingfield said of the release of the whistleblower complaint: “And now we know that President Trump’s response to all of this was to privately issue a thinly veiled threat this morning to execute the national security professionals who followed their oath to uphold the Constitution by bringing this to light. | Bedingfield said of the release of the whistleblower complaint: “And now we know that President Trump’s response to all of this was to privately issue a thinly veiled threat this morning to execute the national security professionals who followed their oath to uphold the Constitution by bringing this to light. |
| “Donald Trump’s abuse of power makes him one of the most divisive, unfit individuals to occupy the Oval Office in our nation’s history. His willingness to sell out our national interest for his personal gain endangers our security and his attempts to cover it up put the stability of our democracy at risk.” | “Donald Trump’s abuse of power makes him one of the most divisive, unfit individuals to occupy the Oval Office in our nation’s history. His willingness to sell out our national interest for his personal gain endangers our security and his attempts to cover it up put the stability of our democracy at risk.” |
| The public’s opinion on impeachment could be shifting, according to a YouGov poll taken two days ago. | The public’s opinion on impeachment could be shifting, according to a YouGov poll taken two days ago. |
| The poll posed this question to 2,805 US adults: “If President Donald Trump suspended military aid to Ukraine in order to incentivize the country’s officials to investigate his political rival, Joe Biden, and his son, would you support or oppose impeachment? | The poll posed this question to 2,805 US adults: “If President Donald Trump suspended military aid to Ukraine in order to incentivize the country’s officials to investigate his political rival, Joe Biden, and his son, would you support or oppose impeachment? |
| The poll found that 44 percent of Americans would “strongly support” impeachment in that case. That figure includes 22% of Republicans, 37% of independents and 66% of Democrats. | The poll found that 44 percent of Americans would “strongly support” impeachment in that case. That figure includes 22% of Republicans, 37% of independents and 66% of Democrats. |
| But that question presumes that House Democrats would be able to uncover a very direct quid pro quo in Trump’s communications with Ukraine. If that doesn’t occur, the numbers could shift. | But that question presumes that House Democrats would be able to uncover a very direct quid pro quo in Trump’s communications with Ukraine. If that doesn’t occur, the numbers could shift. |
| Nonetheless, these results came two days before the release of the whistleblower complaint, which alleges that Trump abused his office to solicit foreign assistance in the 2020 election. Those accusations could compel more Americans to back impeachment. | Nonetheless, these results came two days before the release of the whistleblower complaint, which alleges that Trump abused his office to solicit foreign assistance in the 2020 election. Those accusations could compel more Americans to back impeachment. |
| This picture of Trump from a New York Times photographer could go down in the history books. It was taken after the president defended his “perfect” call with the Ukrainian president and called House Democrats’ investigation of the conversation “a disgrace.” | This picture of Trump from a New York Times photographer could go down in the history books. It was taken after the president defended his “perfect” call with the Ukrainian president and called House Democrats’ investigation of the conversation “a disgrace.” |
| .@realDonaldTrump waves goodbye after making a statement to the media at Joint Base Andrews, Md. following a trip to NY. pic.twitter.com/mrYsF1zx2p | .@realDonaldTrump waves goodbye after making a statement to the media at Joint Base Andrews, Md. following a trip to NY. pic.twitter.com/mrYsF1zx2p |
| Well, here’s one less thing to worry about: Trump reportedly plans to sign the funding bill passed by Congress. | Well, here’s one less thing to worry about: Trump reportedly plans to sign the funding bill passed by Congress. |
| The president’s signature will prevent the government from shutting down on Monday night. | The president’s signature will prevent the government from shutting down on Monday night. |
| Trump plans to sign the bill that will temporarily fund the federal govt and avoid a shutdown at the end of the month, @justinsink reports.US Senate approved the CR today 82-15. US House passed the stopgap bill 301-123. | Trump plans to sign the bill that will temporarily fund the federal govt and avoid a shutdown at the end of the month, @justinsink reports.US Senate approved the CR today 82-15. US House passed the stopgap bill 301-123. |
| A former White House official has confirmed that Trump officials started redirecting transcripts of the president’s calls with foreign leaders to a codeword system after embarrassing reports of such conversations emerged in 2017, according to a Politico reporter. | A former White House official has confirmed that Trump officials started redirecting transcripts of the president’s calls with foreign leaders to a codeword system after embarrassing reports of such conversations emerged in 2017, according to a Politico reporter. |
| NEW: Former Trump official confirms that WH started placing Trump call transcripts into NSC’s codeword system—effectively concealing them—sometime after Mexico, Australia transcript leaks in 2017. Experts say doing that poses whole host of natsec risks. https://t.co/WpcngAUS1K | NEW: Former Trump official confirms that WH started placing Trump call transcripts into NSC’s codeword system—effectively concealing them—sometime after Mexico, Australia transcript leaks in 2017. Experts say doing that poses whole host of natsec risks. https://t.co/WpcngAUS1K |
| Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, said earlier today that the allegations contained in the whistleblower complaint were “total nonsense.” | Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, said earlier today that the allegations contained in the whistleblower complaint were “total nonsense.” |
| CNN reports: | CNN reports: |
| Giuliani spoke to CNN multiple times on Thursday morning from what he said was his room at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC. During one of those calls, the sound of the House Intelligence Committee hearing with acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire could be heard in the background. | Giuliani spoke to CNN multiple times on Thursday morning from what he said was his room at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC. During one of those calls, the sound of the House Intelligence Committee hearing with acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire could be heard in the background. |
| Giuliani refuted claims included in the complaint that two State Department officials had spoken to him to ‘contain the damage’ he was doing to US national security interests regarding his work with Ukraine. | Giuliani refuted claims included in the complaint that two State Department officials had spoken to him to ‘contain the damage’ he was doing to US national security interests regarding his work with Ukraine. |
| ‘At no time did either one of them say they wanted to contain damage,’ Giuliani told CNN. ‘At no time did the State Department in communication with me ever relay any of that information you’re talking about.’ | ‘At no time did either one of them say they wanted to contain damage,’ Giuliani told CNN. ‘At no time did the State Department in communication with me ever relay any of that information you’re talking about.’ |
| Rudy Giuliani, livid over the whistleblower complaint alleging that he improperly tried to convince Ukraine to launch an investigation of Joe Biden, vented his frustration to an Atlantic reporter. | Rudy Giuliani, livid over the whistleblower complaint alleging that he improperly tried to convince Ukraine to launch an investigation of Joe Biden, vented his frustration to an Atlantic reporter. |
| “It is impossible that the whistleblower is a hero and I’m not. And I will be the hero! These morons – when this is over, I will be the hero,” Giuliani told the Atlantic. | “It is impossible that the whistleblower is a hero and I’m not. And I will be the hero! These morons – when this is over, I will be the hero,” Giuliani told the Atlantic. |
| He added: “I’m not acting as a lawyer. I’m acting as someone who has devoted most of his life to straightening out government. ... Anything I did should be praised.” | He added: “I’m not acting as a lawyer. I’m acting as someone who has devoted most of his life to straightening out government. ... Anything I did should be praised.” |
| Giuliani’s role as the president’s personal lawyer has raised concerns about a private citizen getting involved in foreign policy. | Giuliani’s role as the president’s personal lawyer has raised concerns about a private citizen getting involved in foreign policy. |
| Some other important developments are happening on Capitol Hill today. The Senate has just confirmed Eugene Scalia as the next secretary of labor on a vote of 53-44. | Some other important developments are happening on Capitol Hill today. The Senate has just confirmed Eugene Scalia as the next secretary of labor on a vote of 53-44. |
| Scalia, the son of the late Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia, is succeeding Alexander Acosta – who resigned in July amid uproar over his handling of a 2008 plea deal for alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. | Scalia, the son of the late Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia, is succeeding Alexander Acosta – who resigned in July amid uproar over his handling of a 2008 plea deal for alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. |
| The fact that the confirmation of a cabinet secretary is not even one of the top three headlines of the day speaks to what a unique news era we are in. | The fact that the confirmation of a cabinet secretary is not even one of the top three headlines of the day speaks to what a unique news era we are in. |
| Trump’s reelection campaign is using the release of the whistleblower complaint as an opportunity to fundraise and repeat unfounded corruption allegations against Joe Biden. | Trump’s reelection campaign is using the release of the whistleblower complaint as an opportunity to fundraise and repeat unfounded corruption allegations against Joe Biden. |
| The campaign wrote in an email signed by the president’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr: “What Democrats are doing to President Trump is simply UN-AMERICAN. | The campaign wrote in an email signed by the president’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr: “What Democrats are doing to President Trump is simply UN-AMERICAN. |
| “My father has done NOTHING wrong, but we all know that won’t stop Democrats and their good friends in the FAKE NEWS from spreading LIES for political purposes. Don’t let the unhinged left-wing MOB win.” | “My father has done NOTHING wrong, but we all know that won’t stop Democrats and their good friends in the FAKE NEWS from spreading LIES for political purposes. Don’t let the unhinged left-wing MOB win.” |
| It goes on to ask supporters to join “the Official Impeachment Task Force” by donating money to the campaign. | It goes on to ask supporters to join “the Official Impeachment Task Force” by donating money to the campaign. |
| Trump is still railing against Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, and alleging without evidence that the whistleblower had a “known bias.” | Trump is still railing against Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, and alleging without evidence that the whistleblower had a “known bias.” |
| Liddle’ Adam Schiff, who has worked unsuccessfully for 3 years to hurt the Republican Party and President, has just said that the Whistleblower, even though he or she only had second hand information, “is credible.” How can that be with zero info and a known bias. Democrat Scam! | Liddle’ Adam Schiff, who has worked unsuccessfully for 3 years to hurt the Republican Party and President, has just said that the Whistleblower, even though he or she only had second hand information, “is credible.” How can that be with zero info and a known bias. Democrat Scam! |
| The acting director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire, said during today’s hearing before the House intelligence committee that he thought the whistleblower had done the “right thing” by coming forward. | The acting director of national intelligence, Joseph Maguire, said during today’s hearing before the House intelligence committee that he thought the whistleblower had done the “right thing” by coming forward. |
| The executive editor of the New York Times, Dean Baquet, defended the newspaper’s decision to publish information on the identity of the whistleblower. | The executive editor of the New York Times, Dean Baquet, defended the newspaper’s decision to publish information on the identity of the whistleblower. |
| Baquet said: “The role of the whistle-blower, including his credibility and his place in the government, is essential to understanding one of the most important issues facing the country — whether the president of the United States abused power and whether the White House covered it up.” | Baquet said: “The role of the whistle-blower, including his credibility and his place in the government, is essential to understanding one of the most important issues facing the country — whether the president of the United States abused power and whether the White House covered it up.” |