This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2019/oct/10/donald-trump-news-impeachment-inquiry-live-nancy-pelosi-updates

The article has changed 30 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Top conservative lawyers back 'expeditious' Trump impeachment inquiry – live Republican donors tied to Rudy Giuliani reportedly arrested on campaign-finance charges – live
(31 minutes later)
Rudy Giuliani minimized campaign-finance charges against Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman as recently as two weeks ago, a New York Times reporter noted.
2 WEEKS AGO: Rudy Giuliani minimized the campaign finance issues facing his Ukrainian researchers LEV PARNAS & IGOR FRUMAN, telling me “I referred them to a campaign finance expert who pretty much resolved it.”YESTERDAY: Parnas & Fruman were arrested on campaign finance charges
Parnas, one of the men arrested on campaign-finance charges, was scheduled to be deposed today by House Democrats leading the impeachment inquiry against Trump.
USA Today has more:
Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman helped Rudy Giuliani meet a key Ukrainian prosecutor as the president’s personal lawyer sought to discredit Trump’s political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden. ...
But in a legal dust-up that appears unrelated to the Ukraine scandal, the campaign contribution sparked a complaint to the Federal Election Commission – and at least two lawsuits – because of questions about the source of the money. Despite the generous political contributions, Parnas faces a $510,000 federal judgment in a case over a debt for a movie that never got made.
Three House committees – Foreign Affairs, Intelligence, and Oversight and Reform – scheduled depositions Thursday with Parnas and Friday with Fruman to ask how they fit in with Trump’s dealings with Ukraine.
A lawyer for the two arrested men said last week that they were still working with Rudy Giuliani to assist him in representing the president.
John Dowd, a former Trump lawyer who is representing Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, wrote in a letter to House committees last week that they were assisting Rudy Giuliani "in connection with his representation of President Trump." https://t.co/HM8JvX0ToJ
Two Trump donors with ties to the president’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, have been arrested on campaign-finance charges, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The Journal reports (and pay attention to that last paragraph):
Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, two Florida businessmen, have been under investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan, and are expected to appear in federal court in Virginia later on Thursday, [people familiar with the matter] said. The men’s nationalities was unclear, though both were believed to have been born in former Soviet republics.
Mr. Giuliani, President Trump’s private lawyer, identified the two men in May as his clients. Both men have donated to Republican campaigns including Mr. Trump’s, and in May 2018 gave $325,000 to the primary pro-Trump super PAC, America First Action, through an LLC called Global Energy Producers, according to Federal Election Commission records. ...
Messrs. Parnas and Fruman had a dinner with the president in early May 2018, according to since-deleted Facebook posts captured in a report published by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. ...
Since late 2018, Mr. Fruman and Mr. Parnas have introduced Mr. Giuliani to several current and former senior Ukrainian prosecutors to discuss the Biden case.
Trump is also tweeting about the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, saying there was “no blackmail” in the pair’s July call.Trump is also tweeting about the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, saying there was “no blackmail” in the pair’s July call.
“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters Thursday his controversial July call with President Trump involved no bribe, blackmail or quid pro quo, as impeachment-minded Democrats claim.” This should immediately end the talk of impeachment! https://t.co/0mOTK4dNC3“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters Thursday his controversial July call with President Trump involved no bribe, blackmail or quid pro quo, as impeachment-minded Democrats claim.” This should immediately end the talk of impeachment! https://t.co/0mOTK4dNC3
The AP has more on Zelenskiy’s comments:The AP has more on Zelenskiy’s comments:
Zelenskiy is trying to save his reputation and distance himself from the U.S. political drama. In an all-day ‘media marathon’ held in a food court, he played down suggestions that Trump pressured him to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden in exchange for military aid to help Ukraine battle Russian-backed separatists.Zelenskiy is trying to save his reputation and distance himself from the U.S. political drama. In an all-day ‘media marathon’ held in a food court, he played down suggestions that Trump pressured him to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden in exchange for military aid to help Ukraine battle Russian-backed separatists.
Responding to questions from The Associated Press, Zelenskiy said he only learned after their July 25 phone call that the U.S. had blocked hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine.Responding to questions from The Associated Press, Zelenskiy said he only learned after their July 25 phone call that the U.S. had blocked hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine.
‘We didn’t speak about this’ during the July call, Zelenskiy said.‘We didn’t speak about this’ during the July call, Zelenskiy said.
‘There was no blackmail.’‘There was no blackmail.’
But the White House’s own memo on the call includes Trump saying to Zelenskiy, after the mention of military aid to Ukraine: “I would like you to do us a favor though.” The president goes on to talk about false corruption allegations against Biden.But the White House’s own memo on the call includes Trump saying to Zelenskiy, after the mention of military aid to Ukraine: “I would like you to do us a favor though.” The president goes on to talk about false corruption allegations against Biden.
So even if Zelenskiy didn’t pick up on any pressure from Trump, which already sounds dubious, it seems pretty clear from the memo that the US president was trying to exert it.So even if Zelenskiy didn’t pick up on any pressure from Trump, which already sounds dubious, it seems pretty clear from the memo that the US president was trying to exert it.
Trump has some harsh words this morning for Fox News after the outlet’s polling team released a survey showing the majority of American voters back impeachment.Trump has some harsh words this morning for Fox News after the outlet’s polling team released a survey showing the majority of American voters back impeachment.
...Court Justice & I turned him down (he’s been terrible ever since), Shep Smith, @donnabrazile (who gave Crooked Hillary the debate questions & got fired from @CNN), & others, @FoxNews doesn’t deliver for US anymore. It is so different than it used to be. Oh well, I’m President!...Court Justice & I turned him down (he’s been terrible ever since), Shep Smith, @donnabrazile (who gave Crooked Hillary the debate questions & got fired from @CNN), & others, @FoxNews doesn’t deliver for US anymore. It is so different than it used to be. Oh well, I’m President!
According to the poll, 51 percent of voters want to see Trump impeached and removed from office, compared to 40 percent who oppose the impeachment process altogether. The figure represents a record-high level of support for impeachment in Fox News’ polling.According to the poll, 51 percent of voters want to see Trump impeached and removed from office, compared to 40 percent who oppose the impeachment process altogether. The figure represents a record-high level of support for impeachment in Fox News’ polling.
However, the latest revelations about Trump’s conduct toward Ukraine seems to now be causing a slow increase in support for impeachment, rather than the groundswell of outrage that many Democrats likely expected.However, the latest revelations about Trump’s conduct toward Ukraine seems to now be causing a slow increase in support for impeachment, rather than the groundswell of outrage that many Democrats likely expected.
Just as Trump needs his congressional allies the most to help push back against the impeachment inquiry, the president is alienating many Republican lawmakers with his decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria.Just as Trump needs his congressional allies the most to help push back against the impeachment inquiry, the president is alienating many Republican lawmakers with his decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria.
One of Trump’s biggest boosters in the Senate, Lindsey Graham, has already unveiled a bipartisan plan to sanction Turkey for launching a military operation in the region.One of Trump’s biggest boosters in the Senate, Lindsey Graham, has already unveiled a bipartisan plan to sanction Turkey for launching a military operation in the region.
I am pleased to have reached a bipartisan agreement with Senator @ChrisVanHollen on severe sanctions against Turkey for their invasion of Syria. While the Administration refuses to act against Turkey, I expect strong bipartisan support. pic.twitter.com/Ph5fIVt7k3I am pleased to have reached a bipartisan agreement with Senator @ChrisVanHollen on severe sanctions against Turkey for their invasion of Syria. While the Administration refuses to act against Turkey, I expect strong bipartisan support. pic.twitter.com/Ph5fIVt7k3
The Washington Post’s front page carries this headline today: “Trump’s Syria move opens a new conflict — with stalwart GOP allies.”The Washington Post’s front page carries this headline today: “Trump’s Syria move opens a new conflict — with stalwart GOP allies.”
The Post reports:The Post reports:
President Trump’s decision to suddenly withdraw U.S. troops from northern Syria has angered evangelical Christian leaders and Republican hawks, cleaving his political coalition at the very moment he is trying to fortify his standing to survive the intensifying impeachment inquiry in Congress.President Trump’s decision to suddenly withdraw U.S. troops from northern Syria has angered evangelical Christian leaders and Republican hawks, cleaving his political coalition at the very moment he is trying to fortify his standing to survive the intensifying impeachment inquiry in Congress.
Instead of enjoying uncontested GOP support as he plunges into a constitutional showdown with House Democrats and prepares for a bruising reelection campaign, Trump is now fighting on two fronts within his party. ...Instead of enjoying uncontested GOP support as he plunges into a constitutional showdown with House Democrats and prepares for a bruising reelection campaign, Trump is now fighting on two fronts within his party. ...
While GOP lawmakers have been skittish about directly engaging the subject at the heart of the impeachment debate — the president’s conduct with his Ukrainian counterpart — many have felt free to loudly condemn Trump’s Syria decision, underscoring the fluidity within GOP ranks.While GOP lawmakers have been skittish about directly engaging the subject at the heart of the impeachment debate — the president’s conduct with his Ukrainian counterpart — many have felt free to loudly condemn Trump’s Syria decision, underscoring the fluidity within GOP ranks.
Good morning, live blog readers!Good morning, live blog readers!
Sixteen prominent conservative lawyers are adding their names to the list of supporters of House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump.Sixteen prominent conservative lawyers are adding their names to the list of supporters of House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump.
The group – which includes George Conway, who is married to senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway – wrote in a joint statement released this morning that the “undisputed” events surrounding Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president require an “expeditious” impeachment inquiry.The group – which includes George Conway, who is married to senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway – wrote in a joint statement released this morning that the “undisputed” events surrounding Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president require an “expeditious” impeachment inquiry.
They write: “We have not just a political candidate open to receiving foreign assistance to better his chances at winning an election, but a current president openly and privately calling on foreign governments to actively interfere in the most sacred of U.S. democratic processes, our elections.”They write: “We have not just a political candidate open to receiving foreign assistance to better his chances at winning an election, but a current president openly and privately calling on foreign governments to actively interfere in the most sacred of U.S. democratic processes, our elections.”
The statement is unlikely to sway the Republican lawmakers who have stood by Trump while he has slammed the impeachment probe as a “scam,” but congressional Democrats will almost certainly cite the lawyers’ support as more evidence for why their inquiry is necessary.The statement is unlikely to sway the Republican lawmakers who have stood by Trump while he has slammed the impeachment probe as a “scam,” but congressional Democrats will almost certainly cite the lawyers’ support as more evidence for why their inquiry is necessary.
Nancy Pelosi will likely pose this question to her GOP colleagues: if these lawyers – many of whom served under Republican presidents – believe Trump should be investigated, why don’t you?Nancy Pelosi will likely pose this question to her GOP colleagues: if these lawyers – many of whom served under Republican presidents – believe Trump should be investigated, why don’t you?
Here’s what else the blog is keeping its eye on today:Here’s what else the blog is keeping its eye on today:
Trump is holding a campaign rally in Minnesota at 8 p.m. EST, where he will likely punch back against those leading the impeachment inquiry.Trump is holding a campaign rally in Minnesota at 8 p.m. EST, where he will likely punch back against those leading the impeachment inquiry.
House committees investigating impeachment will depose Lev Parnass, a Ukrainian-American businessman with ties to Rudy Giuliani. House committees investigating impeachment will depose Lev Parnas, a Ukrainian-American businessman with ties to Rudy Giuliani.
CNN and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation will host a town hall focused on LGBT issues with the Democratic presidential candidates starting at 7:30 p.m. EST.CNN and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation will host a town hall focused on LGBT issues with the Democratic presidential candidates starting at 7:30 p.m. EST.
The blog will have more on all of that, so stay tuned.The blog will have more on all of that, so stay tuned.