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| Trump compares whistleblower's source to a 'spy', audio reveals – live | Trump compares whistleblower's source to a 'spy', audio reveals – live |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A recap of today: | |
| 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?” | |
| 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.” | |
| The Trump administration announced that it will allow no more than 18,000 refugees into the country, setting the lowest cap for asylum seekers since the US established its refugee program in 1980. | |
| Kamala Harris asks State Department watchdog to investigate whether officials helped enable Giuliani | |
| The democratic senator from California and 2020 presidential candidate sent a letter to Steve Linick, the State Department’s inspector general, asking him to investigate whether officials worked with the president’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani “in violation of restrictions on engaging in partisan political activities”. | |
| .@KamalaHarris calling on State Department IG to “investigate whether any Department of State officials enabled Rudy Giuliani to advance political activities on behalf of President Trump.” pic.twitter.com/DRBCtIMb8C | |
| Warren is defiant against Wall Street critics | Warren is defiant against Wall Street critics |
| Earlier today, CNBC reported that democratic Wall Street donors are threatening to vote for Donald Trump if Elizabeth Warren, an outspoken critic of big business, won the democratic nomination. | Earlier today, CNBC reported that democratic Wall Street donors are threatening to vote for Donald Trump if Elizabeth Warren, an outspoken critic of big business, won the democratic nomination. |
| Warren embraced the criticism, tweeting, “I’m not afraid of anonymous quotes, and wealthy donors don’t get to buy this process. I won’t back down from fighting for the big, structural change we need. | Warren embraced the criticism, tweeting, “I’m not afraid of anonymous quotes, and wealthy donors don’t get to buy this process. I won’t back down from fighting for the big, structural change we need. |
| I'm fighting for an economy and a government that works for all of us, not just the wealthy and well-connected. I'm not afraid of anonymous quotes, and wealthy donors don't get to buy this process. I won't back down from fighting for the big, structural change we need. https://t.co/nx7GczQhHl | I'm fighting for an economy and a government that works for all of us, not just the wealthy and well-connected. I'm not afraid of anonymous quotes, and wealthy donors don't get to buy this process. I won't back down from fighting for the big, structural change we need. https://t.co/nx7GczQhHl |
| Refugee organizations and advocacy groups criticize Trump administration cap on asylum admissions | Refugee organizations and advocacy groups criticize Trump administration cap on asylum admissions |
| Since Donald Trump took office, his administration has been accepting fewer and fewer refugees. In fiscal year 2018, the administration capped the number of asylum seekers it would admit at 45,000 and this year the cap was 30,000. | Since Donald Trump took office, his administration has been accepting fewer and fewer refugees. In fiscal year 2018, the administration capped the number of asylum seekers it would admit at 45,000 and this year the cap was 30,000. |
| The backlog of asylum cases in the immigration courts has also increased by about 50% since Trump took office. | The backlog of asylum cases in the immigration courts has also increased by about 50% since Trump took office. |
| “The President is using people seeking safety as an opportunity to rile up hostility and create a climate of fear. Though the vast majority of people support welcoming refugees, this administration seeks to strip away long-standing protections and values for its own interests.” | “The President is using people seeking safety as an opportunity to rile up hostility and create a climate of fear. Though the vast majority of people support welcoming refugees, this administration seeks to strip away long-standing protections and values for its own interests.” |
| Trump sets cap for refugee admission at an all-time low | Trump sets cap for refugee admission at an all-time low |
| New York Times defends publishing details on whistleblower | New York Times defends publishing details on whistleblower |
| The New York Times has received backlash from readers on both sides of the political spectrum for revealing details about the whistleblower who filed the complaint central to Donald Trump’s impeachment inquiry. | The New York Times has received backlash from readers on both sides of the political spectrum for revealing details about the whistleblower who filed the complaint central to Donald Trump’s impeachment inquiry. |
| Trump has inquired after the whistleblower’s identity and accused the whistleblower of pushing a political agenda. | Trump has inquired after the whistleblower’s identity and accused the whistleblower of pushing a political agenda. |
| The Times executive editor Dean Baquet issued a statement, defending the paper’s editorial choice: | The Times executive editor Dean Baquet issued a statement, defending the paper’s editorial choice: |
| The president and some of his supporters have attacked the credibility of the whistle-blower, who has presented information that has touched off a landmark impeachment proceeding. The president himself has called the whistle-blower’s account a “political hack job.” | The president and some of his supporters have attacked the credibility of the whistle-blower, who has presented information that has touched off a landmark impeachment proceeding. The president himself has called the whistle-blower’s account a “political hack job.” |
| We decided to publish limited information about the whistle-blower — including the fact that he works for a nonpolitical agency and that his complaint is based on an intimate knowledge and understanding of the White House — because we wanted to provide information to readers that allows them to make their own judgments about whether or not he is credible. | We decided to publish limited information about the whistle-blower — including the fact that he works for a nonpolitical agency and that his complaint is based on an intimate knowledge and understanding of the White House — because we wanted to provide information to readers that allows them to make their own judgments about whether or not he is credible. |
| Trump administration sets historically low refugee cap | Trump administration sets historically low refugee cap |
| The administration will only admit up to 18,000 refugees over the next fiscal year, the State Department announced, though more than 350,000 people are expected to seek asylum next year. | The administration will only admit up to 18,000 refugees over the next fiscal year, the State Department announced, though more than 350,000 people are expected to seek asylum next year. |
| In a press release, the State Department said: “The current burdens on the U.S. immigration system must be alleviated before it is again possible to resettle large number of refugees.” | In a press release, the State Department said: “The current burdens on the U.S. immigration system must be alleviated before it is again possible to resettle large number of refugees.” |
| Some more context, from BuzzFeed News: | Some more context, from BuzzFeed News: |
| Last year, the administration capped the number of refugees at 30,000 — a record low since the US first began its refugee program and far from the 110,000 allowed in the final year of the Obama administration. The cap does not necessary mean immigration officials will actually admit that many refugees, and instead acts as a ceiling of the number that could be admitted in the fiscal year. | Last year, the administration capped the number of refugees at 30,000 — a record low since the US first began its refugee program and far from the 110,000 allowed in the final year of the Obama administration. The cap does not necessary mean immigration officials will actually admit that many refugees, and instead acts as a ceiling of the number that could be admitted in the fiscal year. |
| The significant drop in admissions is the latest in a series of moves by the Trump administration that have decimated the country’s refugee program and forced US refugee organizations to layoff staff and close offices in regions that help welcome refugees. | The significant drop in admissions is the latest in a series of moves by the Trump administration that have decimated the country’s refugee program and forced US refugee organizations to layoff staff and close offices in regions that help welcome refugees. |
| Associations representing diplomats urge against politicizing their members | 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. | 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... | 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.” |